Transformation of the Methylotrophic Actinomycete Amycolatopis methanolica with Plasmid DNA: Stimulatory Effect of a pMEA300-Encoded Gene

Amycolatopsis methanolica contains a 13.29-kb plasmid (pMEA300) present both in the free state and integrated at a unique genomic location. A pMEA300-free derivative (strain WV1) was selected, allowing further analysis of pMEA300-encoded functions. Whole cells of strain WV1 could be transformed at high frequencies (approximately 10^6 transformants per microgram of plasmid DNA) with both circular and linear plasmid DNA, provided that the pMEA300-encoded stf (stimulation of transformation frequency) gene was present. stf would encode a putative protein of 373 amino acids with Mr 40,201, resembling putative regulatory proteins involved in sporulation of Streptomyces griseus and Streptomyces coelicolor.

Deterministic model to evaluate the impact of lactational treatment of subclinical mastitis due to coagulase-negative staphylococci

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are the most frequently isolated bacteria from milk samples in several studies worldwide. Despite their relative frequency, specific measures aiming at their control are not well established. One possible measure to include in a control programme is lactational antimicrobial treatment. The decision to perform such treatment, as well as other actions on farm, should be based on the likelihood of financial return. A deterministic model was used to evaluate whether performing an antimicrobial treatment during the lactation for quarters infected with CNS was financially justifiable. Input variables for the impact of CNS on udder health were based on a previous study by the same authors and on available literature on the subject. Prices included in the model were based on 2009/2010 conditions in Portugal. The average result per antimicrobial treated quarter was a net loss of (sic)38.74. Performing a sensitivity analysis to evaluate how systematic variation of the input variables of the model would lead to outcome changes showed that variation in input variables nearly always led to a negative outcome, with the greatest variation in losses observed for variation in the length of treatment and milk withdrawal period (-(sic)46.26 to -(sic)28.49). The situations in which a net benefit was to be expected included the bulk tank somatic cell count decreasing to a level corresponding to a premium payment or to penalties being avoided, and the prevention of transmission of CNS in the milking parlour when the possibility of transmission was at its highest level. For most situations, lactational treatment of CNS subclinical mastitis was not financially justifiable

AN ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK FOR DISCUSSING FARM BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE FOR CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER

This paper studies farm business interruption insurance for Classical Swine Fever epidemics. Insight into the size of risk is obtained by a very detailed Monte-Carlo simulation model that includes both epidemiological and economic factors. The paper also considers issues such as farmers' and governments' influence on the size of risk.Livestock Production/Industries, Risk and Uncertainty,

Biochemical characterization of mutants in the active site residues of the beta-galactosidase enzyme of Bacillus circulans ATCC 31382

The Bacillus circulans ATCC 31382 beta-galactosidase (BgaD) is a retaining-type glycosidase of glycoside hydrolase family 2 (GH2). Its commercial enzyme preparation, Biolacta N5, is used for commercial-scale production of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). The BgaD active site and catalytic amino acid residues have not been studied. Using bioinformatic routines we identified two putative catalytic glutamates and two highly conserved active site histidines. The site-directed mutants E447N, E532Q, and H345F, H379F had lost (almost) all catalytic activity. This confirmed their essential role in catalysis, as general acid/base catalyst (E447) and nucleophile (E532), and as transition state stabilizers (H345, H379), respectively. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies.</p

Shareholders' right to put items on the agenda of the general meeting: colliding perspectives on a core right of shareholders

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De herziene Aandeelhoudersrechtenrichtlijn: een eerste reflectie

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Say on Pay and Focus on Sustainability of Companies: A Revised Shareholders’ Rights Directive

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Professional identity of future financiers as the basis of professional culture

Розкрито суть професійної ідентичності як складного, багатофункціонального явища, яке тісно пов’язано з професійним самовизначенням і формується в процесі професійної підготовки майбутніх фінансистів. З'ясовано, що за своєю суттю професійна ідентичність має тісний взаємозв’язок із загальною культурою, системою цінностей, професіоналізмом і компетентностями фахівця, пов’язана зі змінами в структурі особистості. Автор вважає, що цілком ймовірно розглядати її як основу формування професійної культури майбутніх молодших фахівців з фінансів і кредиту.The essence of professional identity as a complex, multifunctional phenomenon, which is closely connected with professional self-determination and is formed in the process of professional training of future financiers, is disclosed. It has been found out that, in essence, professional identity has a close relationship with the general culture, system of values, professionalism and competence of a specialist associated with changes in the structure of the individual. The author believes that it is quite possible to consider it as the basis for the formation of a professional culture of future junior specialists in finance and credit