Purification and Properties of Diaminopimelate Decarboxylase from Micrococcus Glutamicus

Diaminopimelate decarboxylase (E. C. 4.1.1.20) from Micrococcus glutamicus horn-, lysine excreting strain, is purified 350- fold by ammonium sulphate precipitation, gel filtration on Sephadex G-150, and chromatography on hydroxylapatite and DEAE-Seph adex. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 53000, isoelectric point of 4.3, optimal pH for activity 7.7, energy of activation 11.1 kcal/mol, and Km for substrate 1.26 mM. For its stability, the presence of pyridoxal phosphate and sulphydril reagent is necessary, and most catalytic activity is retained within a pH range of 5.5 to 8.5. Aminoacids, L-lysine, L-norleucine, L- u- aminoadipic, L-glutamic and L-aspartic acid, are inhibitors of diaminopimelate decarboxylase from M. glutamicus horn-

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among truck drivers in the South of Brazil

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud Truck drivers work under conditions that predispose them to a high prevalence of risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, these factors have not been fully evaluated and are not usually considered to be within the scope of health or labor services.\ud \ud \ud Methods\ud An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 long-distance truck drivers; the drivers were all male and were aged 18-60 years. The clinical evaluation consisted of an assessment of social habits and demographic data and an evaluation of risk factors for CVD at 3 time points separated by a one-week interval. To assess the associations with risk factors were used univariate and multivariate analysis. The suitability of the final model fit was assessed via the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. The significance level was set at 5%.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud Among all of the subjects, the prevalence of physical inactivity was 72.8%; consumption of alcoholic beverages, 66.8%; routine use of some type of stimulant during work activities, 19.2%; and smoking, 29%. Only 20.8% had a healthy weight, and 58.2% had an abdominal circumference greater than 102 cm. A diagnosis of arterial hypertension was confirmed in 45.2%, and abnormal glucose levels were detected in 16.4%. Although some of the truck drivers were aware of these conditions, most were not taking specific medications. The logistic regression analysis shows that the odds of hypertension and abnormal glucose levels were increased in truck drivers with abdominal obesity. Age and the family history of premature CVD also increased the chances of hypertension and the abnormal blood glucose levels were related to II or III grade obesity.\ud \ud \ud Conclusion\ud Long-distance truck drivers showed a high prevalence of a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors; these risk factors make the drivers highly susceptible to the development of CVD. The associated risk factors, low compliance with drug treatment, and unique features of this profession suggest that traditional precautions are not sufficient to change this scenario.We acknowledge FAPESP and CNPq for providing grants to Fernanda M\ud Consolim-Colombo. We also thank the Agraria Cooperative by providing\ud room for evaluation of truck drivers

Renegotiation or Bankruptcy? The Effects of Out-of-Court Costs on Distress Resolution

A recent change to the U.S. tax code (IRS Regulation TD9599) lowered the costs certain creditors incur when restructuring debt out of court. We use this setting to show how CDS spreads gauge the cost wedge between in- versus out-of-court distress resolution. CDS spreads declined by record figures on the regulation's announcement, with declines concentrated among distressed firms with higher ratios of syndicated loans -- the credit category treated by TD9599. Critically, distressed firm's loan renegotiation rates more than doubled, reducing their exposure to financial distress costs, which we estimate are up to 36% of firm value. Those firms' access to syndicated loans increased while associated interest markups declined

Renegotiation Frictions and Financial Distress Resolution: Evidence from CDS Spreads

We study how renegotiation frictions impact distressed debt resolution and ex-ante financial contracting. We do so by exploiting an event that exogenously reduced the costs that syndicated lenders incur when renegotiating debt out of court, without affecting in-court restructuring costs (IRS Regulation TD9599). CDS contracts insure creditors against in-court bankruptcy losses and CDS spreads reflect the shadow price of bankruptcy risk. Using a triple-differences approach, we show that CDS spreads fell by record figures on the event’s announcement, with declines concentrated among distressed firms that relied most on syndicated loans. Distressed firms’ loan renegotiation rates more than doubled, as banks agreed to extend loan maturities in exchange for higher interest payments. Those firms’ access to new syndicated loans increased while associated interest markups declined

Highly Efficient Maximum Power Point Tracking Control Technique for PV System Using Different Controller and Converter with Modular Multilevel Inverter

In order to operate photovoltaic (PV) systems using maximum power point tracking (MPPT), three distinct combinations of controllers and converters are proposed in this research and compared. Using MATLAB/Simulink simulation, these strategies are assessed based on the output parameters of time, power, and current. The demand on power production has increased manifold in recent years and on the other hand, the conventional resources utilized for it will be vanished in near future. The requirement of PV based generation is getting increased.  The procedure of getting solar energy from a solar panel is common. With MPPT, here the output obtained must be the same quantity of energy even when the source of that energy is partially available. Climate change and other issues could be to blame for this inefficiency.  In this project three distinct converters and three distinct controllers have been compared. All three converters are linked to each controller individually, and measurements of current, voltage, and power are analysed. By which the result is obtained. After the comparison of nine outputs, the most powerful and efficient combination is identified. By doing this, the converters and controllers produce high D.C voltage. Direct voltage transmission to the MMI. A.C. voltage is created by converting D.C. voltage. Increase the MMI's output by doing this. The voltage generated by the MMI is sent to the grid for domestic usage. Even when the source is not readily available, the solar panel's voltage can still be used

Synthesis and application of triphenylamine-based aldehydes as photo-initiators for multi-photon lithography

International audiencePhotopolymerization of (meth)acrylate-based formulations has become a widespread method for industry due to the high energy efficiency and low curing times of this technology. Various products from simple coatings to more complex applications such as additive manufacturing technologies are based on this versatile method. Common industrial radical photoinitiators are generally based on aromatic ketones. Benzaldehyde is an organic compound consisting of a benzene ring with a formyl substituent. It is the simplest aromatic aldehyde and one of the most industrially useful; for instance in the preparation of various aniline dyes, perfumes, flavorings, and pharmaceutics. Parallel to this, triphenylamines are extensively used for the design of dyes used for solar energy conversion. In this work, three triphenylamine derivatives bearing formyl groups are as a new substance class of multi-photon lithography photoinitiators. Besides their efficient formulations, they show high biocompatibilty by investigating the adhesion, viability and proliferation of dental stem cells on photopolymerized thin films