Luciferase assembly after transport into mammalian microsomes involves molecular chaperones and peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans-isomerases

The assembly of a heterodimeric luciferase was studied after de novo synthesis of corresponding precursor proteins in reticulocyte lysate and concomitant transport into dog pancreas microsomes. This cytosolic luciferase from a prokaryotic organism (Vibrio harveyi) was specifically used as a model protein to investigate (i) whether the eukaryotic cytosol and the microsomal lumen have similar folding capabilities and (ii) whether the requirements of a polypeptide for certain molecular chaperones and folding catalysts are determined by the polypeptide or the intracellular compartment. The two luciferase subunits were fused to the preprolactin signal peptide. Data indicate that efficient assembly of luciferase occurs in the mammalian microsomes. Furthermore, it was observed that luciferase assembly can be separated in time from synthesis and membrane transport, depends on ATP hydrolysis, is partially sensitive to cyclosporin A and FK506, and in the absence of lumenal proteins is less efficient as compared with the presence of lumenal proteins. Thus, heterodimeric luciferase depends on functionally related molecular chaperones and folding catalysts during its assembly in either the eukaryotic cytosol or the microsomal lumen.     

Developmental phases in self-regulation: Shifting from process goals to outcome goals.

The effects of goal setting and self-monitoring during self-regulated practice on the acquisition of a complex motoric skill were studied with 90 high school girls. It was hypothesized that girls who shifted goals developmentally from process to outcome goals would surpass classmates who adhered to only process goals who, in turn, would exceed classmates who used only outcome goals in posttest dart-throwing skill, self-reactions, self-efficacy perceptions, and intrinsic interest in the game. Support for all hypotheses derived from the developmental model was found. The girls' self-reactions to dart-throwing outcomes and self-efficacy perceptions about dart skill were highly correlated with their intrinsic interest in the game. It was also found that self-recording, a formal form of self-monitoring, enhanced dart-throwing skill, self-efficacy, and self-reaction beliefs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Identification of [14C]carmoisine metabolites in bacterial suspension of rat faeces

An in vitro system consisting of a bacterial suspension of human or rat faecal microflora brought about the biological reduction of the red azo dye [14C]carmoisine to 1-naphthyl-amine-4-sulphonic acid (NA) and 2-amino-1-naphthol-4-sulphonic acid (ANA). These metabolites have been unequivocally identified by radio-HPLC, spectroscopic methods, dilution with cold authentic standards and evidence that the specific activity of the diluted compounds remained constant throughout repeated crystallization, acetylation and purification. The results clearly indicated that samples derived from anaerobic incubations have to be processed for analysis in the complete absence of oxygen. In the presence of oxygen, the formation of a complex pattern of compounds in addition to NA was observed as a consequence of the chemical decomposition of ANA.     

Contamination of honey by chemicals applied to protect honeybee combs from wax-moth (Galleria mellonela L.).

Greek honey was monitored during a three-year surveillance program for residues of chemicals used to protect honey-bee combs from wax-moth. A total of 115 samples purchased from stores (commercial samples) and 1060 samples collected from beekeepers (bulk samples) were analysed for 1,4-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB), 1,2-dibromoethane (DBE) and naphthalene. A purge & trap-gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer system was used for the analysis. During the first year of the study, 82.9% of the commercial samples had residues of p-DCB that exceeded the established limit of 10 microg kg(-1), whilst during the second year 53.6% and during the third 30% exceeded the limit. The percentage of beekeepers samples that had more than 10 microg kg(-1) decreased from 46.6 to 34.7% and 39.8% respectively during the three consecutive years of analysis. Only one commercial sample (0.8%) had residues of DBE that exceeded 10 microg kg(-1) during the three years study, while 9.9% of the beekeepers samples exceeded this limit in 2003. This percentage fell to 1.9 and 2.8% during the following years. Naphthalene was found in more commercial samples than in samples from beekeepers during the first year, but decreased to similar levels during the next two years. Honeys that are produced earlier in the season are more contaminated those produced later.     

The power flow angle of acoustic waves in thin piezoelectric plates

The curves of slowness and power flow angle (PFA) of quasi-antisymmetric (A0) and quasi-symmetric (S0) Lamb waves as well as quasi-shear-horizontal (SH0) acoustic waves in thin plates of lithium niobate and potassium niobate of X-,Y-, and Z-cuts for various propagation directions and the influence of electrical shorting of one plate surface on these curves and PFA have been theoretically investigated. It has been found that the group velocity of such waves does not coincide with the phase velocity for the most directions of propagation. It has been also shown that S0 and SH0 wave are characterized by record high values of PFA and its change due to electrical shorting of the plate surface in comparison with surface and bulk acoustic waves in the same material. The most interesting results have been verified by experiment. As a whole, the results obtained may be useful for development of various devices for signal processing, for example, electrically controlled acoustic switchers.     

A micro-to-meso sublaminate model for the viscoelastic analysis of thick-section multi-layered FRP composite structures

Classical ply-by-ply analysis of multi-layered thick-section composite structures with tens of layers through the cross-section is often impractical, especially when material nonlinearity and time-dependent effects are included. This study introduces an integrated micromechanical-sublaminate modeling approach for the nonlinear viscoelastic analysis of thick-section and multi-layered composite structures. The sublaminate model is used to generate three-dimensional (3D) effective nonlinear responses at through-thickness material integration points with given spatial variations of strains determined from the trial strain increments of the standard displacement-based finite-element (FE). The number of material integration points is determined by the resolution of the FE discretization of the composite structure. The sublaminate model at a selected material point represents the effective nonlinear continuum behavior in its neighborhood using the 3D lamination theory with uniform in-plane strain and out-of-plane stress patterns through the representative layers. Therefore, the sublaminate has first-order stress and strain paths and cannot recognize the local sequence of the layers. While this approach is very effective approximation especially in the case of a very large number of repeating layers using relatively few elements (integration points) through the thickness, it cannot be used to represent the interlaminar stresses or bending/extension/twisting coupling effects within a sublaminate. A previously developed micromechanical model by the authors for a nonlinear viscoelastic unidirectional lamina is used for each layer in the sublaminate. The proposed modeling approach is first calibrated and verified against creep tests on off-axis glass/epoxy performed by Lou and Schapery (J. Compos. Mater. 5:208–271, 1971). Analyses for different thick-section laminated structures are presented using the integrated sublaminate with both shell and 3D continuum elements. The proposed 3D nonlinear time-dependent sublaminate model is computationally efficient and robust in analyzing multi-layered composite structures having large number of plies.     

Parks for an Aging Population: Needs and Preferences of Low-Income Seniors in Los Angeles

Problem, research strategy, and findings: Parks provide important physiological and psychological benefi ts to seniors, improving their quality of life; they are particularly important for low-income, inner-city seniors who lack access to open and green space. However, seniors do not often use parks partly because park design and programming are not responsive to their diverse needs and values. To identify what low-income, inner-city seniors seek and value in neighborhood parks, and to provide guidance to planners on how to better design senior-friendly parks, we conducted a literature review and held focus groups with 39 low-income, ethnically diverse seniors in an inner-city neighborhood in Los Angeles (CA). We asked these seniors about their preferences as well as the challenges and barriers they encounter in using neighborhood parks. Seniors report many impediments to park use; they are not provided appropriate programming that allows opportunities for socializing, safety, and security within the park and along access routes; opportunities for exercise and walking; and aesthetic and natural elements that provide contact with nature.

Takeaway for practice: Park planners and designers should seek to incorporate senior voices in park design and programming in four ways by developing appropriate programming sensitive to diverse needs, accommodating the desire for “seniors-only” parks, promoting security and safety in the park and along access routes, and offering open and green space. We also fi nd the need for additional research on seniors from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.     

Trace element distribution and 235U/238U ratios in Euphrates waters and in soils and tree barks of Dhi Qar province (southern Iraq)

To assess the quality of the environment in southern Iraq after the Gulf War II, a geochemical survey was carried out. The survey provided data on the chemistry of Euphrates waters, as well as the trace element contents, U and Pb isotopic composition, and PAH levels in soil and tree bark samples. The trace element concentrations and the ²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratio values in the Euphrates waters were within the usual natural range, except for the high contents of Sr due to a widespread presence of gypsum in soils of this area. The trace element contents in soils agreed with the common geochemistry of soils from floodplain sediments. Some exceptions were the high contents of Co, Cr and Ni, which had a natural origin related to ophiolitic outcrops in the upper sector of the Euphrates basin. The high concentrations of S and Sr were linked to the abundance of gypsum in soils. A marked geochemical homogeneity of soil samples was suggested by the similar distribution pattern of rare earth elements, while the ²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratio was also fairly homogeneous and within the natural range. The chemistry of the tree bark samples closely reflected that of the soils, with some notable exceptions. Unlike the soils, some tree bark samples had anomalous values of the ²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratio due to mixing of depleted uranium (DU) with the natural uranium pool. Moreover, the distribution of some trace elements (such as REEs, Th and Zr) and the isotopic composition of Pb in barks clearly differed from those of the nearby soils. The overall results suggested that significant external inputs occurred implying that once formed the DU-enriched particles could travel over long distances. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in tree bark samples showed that phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene were the most abundant components, indicating an important role of automotive traffic.