Importance of the carboxyl-terminal domain of enzyme I of the Escherichia coli phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system for phosphoryl donor specificity.

The first protein component of the Escherichia coli phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) is the 64-kDa protein enzyme I (EI), which can be phosphorylated by phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and carry out phosphotransfer to the acceptor heat-stable protein (HPr). The isolated amino-terminal domain (EIN) of E. coli EI is no longer phosphorylated by PEP but retains the ability to participate in reversible phosphotransfer to HPr. An expression vector was constructed for the production of large amounts of EIN, and conditions were developed for maximal expression of the protein. A three-column procedure is described for purification to homogeneity of EIN; a 500-ml culture yields approximately 80 mg of pure protein in about a 75% yield. Intact E. coli EI is effective in phosphotransfer from PEP to HPr from E. coli but not to the HPrs from Bacillus subtilis or Mycoplasma capricolum. Phosphotransfer from EI to enzyme IIAglc (EIIAglc) from E. coli or M. capricolum requires the intermediacy of HPr. The phosphorylated form of EIN is capable of more general phosphotransfer; it will effect phosphotransfer to HPrs from E. coli, B. subtilis, and M. capricolum as well as to EIAglc from E. coli. These studies demonstrate that the carboxyl-terminal domain of EI confers on the protein the capability to accept a phosphoryl group from PEP as well as a discriminator function that allows the intact protein to promote effective phosphoryl transfer only to E. coli HPr.

Structure of the gene for porcine peptide antibiotic PR-39, a cathelin gene family member: comparative mapping of the locus for the human peptide antibiotic FALL-39.

PR-39 is a porcine 39-aa peptide antibiotic composed of 49% proline and 24% arginine, with an activity against Gram-negative bacteria comparable to that of tetracycline. In Escherichia coli, it inhibits DNA and protein synthesis. PR-39 was originally isolated from pig small intestine, but subsequent cDNA cloning showed that the gene is expressed in the bone marrow. The open reading frame of the clone showed that PR-39 is made as 173-aa precursor whose proregion belongs to the cathelin family. The PR39 gene, which is rather compact and spans only 1784 bp has now been sequenced. The coding information is split into four exons. The first exon contains the signal sequence of 29 residues and the first 37 residues of the cathelin propart. Exons 2 and 3 contain only cathelin information, while exon 4 codes for the four C-terminal cathelin residues and the mature PR-39 peptide extended by three residues. The sequenced upstream region (1183 bp) contains four potential recognition sites for NF-IL6 and three for APRF, transcription factors known to regulate genes for both cytokines and acute phase response factors. Genomic hybridizations revealed a fairly high level of restriction fragment length polymorphism and indicated that there are at least two copies of the PR39 gene in the pig genome. PR39 was mapped to pig chromosome 13 by linkage and in situ hybridization mapping. The gene for the human peptide antibiotic FALL-39 (also a member of the cathelin family) was mapped to human chromosome 3, which is homologous to pig chromosome 13.

Temporally distinct accumulation of transcripts encoding enzymes of the prechorismate pathway in elicitor-treated, cultured tomato cells.

The accumulation of phenylalanine-derived phenolic compounds is a well-known element of a plant's defense in response to pathogen attack. Phenylalanine, as well as the other two aromatic amino acids, tyrosine and tryptophan, is synthesized by way of the shikimate pathway. The first seven steps of the shikimate pathway (the prechorismate pathway) are common for the biosynthesis of all three aromatic amino acids. We have studied transcript levels of six genes--i.e., two 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase genes, one shikimate kinase gene, one 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase gene, and two chorismate synthase genes--corresponding to four steps of the prechorismate pathway, in cultured tomato cells exposed to fungal elicitors. The abundance of transcripts specific for some of these genes increased 10- to 20-fold within 6 h after elicitor treatment, as did the abundance of phenylalanine ammonialyase-specific transcripts and the synthesis of ethylene. Interestingly, transcript accumulation occurred more rapidly for shikimate kinase than for the enzymes preceding or following it in the prechorismate pathway. Neither the inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis by aminoethoxyvinylglycine nor inhibition of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) activity by 2-aminoindan-2-phosphonic acid affected the time course or extent of transcript accumulation. Thus, the increased demand for phenylalanine in the phenylpropanoid pathway required after elicitor treatment appears to be met by increased de novo synthesis of its biosynthetic enzymes.

Updating the marine biostratigraphy of the Granada Basin (central Betic Cordillera). Insight for the Late Miocene palaeogeographic evolution of the Atlantic – Mediterranean seaway

The marine stratigraphic record of the Granada Basin (central Betic Cordillera, Spain) is composed of three Late Miocene genetic units deposited in different sea-level contexts (from base to top): Unit I (sea-level rise), Unit II (high sea-level), and Unit III (low sea-level). The latter mainly consists of evaporites precipitated in a shallow-basin setting. Biostratigraphic analyses based on planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton indicate four late Tortonian bioevents (PF1-CN1, PF2, PF3, and PF4), which can be correlated with astronomically-dated events in other sections of the Mediterranean. PF1-CN1 (7.89 Ma) is characterized by the influx of the Globorotalia conomiozea group (including typical forms of Globorotalia mediterranea) and by the first common occurrence of Discoaster surculus; PF2 (7.84 Ma) is marked by the first common occurrence of Globorotalia suterae; PF3 (7.69 Ma) is typified by the influx of dextral Neogloboquadrina acostaensis; and PF4 (7.37 Ma) is defined by the influx of the Globorotalia menardii group II (dextral forms). The PF1 event occurred in the upper part of Unit I, whereas PF2 to PF4 events occurred successively within Unit II. The age of Unit III (evaporites) can only be estimated in its lower part based on the presence of dextral Globorotalia scitula, which, together with the absence of the first common occurrence of the G. conomiozea group (7.24 Ma), points to the latest Tortonian. Comparisons with data from the other Betic basins indicate that the evaporitic phase of the Granada Basin (7.37–7.24 Ma) is not synchronous with those from the Lorca Basin (7.80 Ma) and the Fortuna Basin (7.6 Ma). In the Bajo Segura Basin (easternmost Betic Cordillera), no evaporite deposition occurred during the late Tortonian. The evaporitic unit of the Granada Basin (central Betics) records the late Tortonian restriction of the Betic seaway (the marine connection between the Atlantic and Mediterranean). The diachrony in the restriction of the Betic seaway is related to differing tectonic movements in the central and eastern sectors of the Betic Cordillera.

Summary of the evolution of the fortifications of Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante from its origins to the beginning of the eighteenth century

Since ancient times, Alicante has been considered a strategic location on the east coast of Spain. Situated close to the sea, it is protected to the southeast by the Cape of Huerta and to the southwest by the Cape of Santa Pola. The city lies at the foot of Mount Benacantil, a high outcrop which has been the site of defensive buildings since time immemorial due to its naturally strong position: it was undoubtedly one of the strongest natural sites in the Levant. Its summit, lying 160 metres above the sea, is topped by a series of fortified enclosures now known as Santa Barbara Castle. This paper briefly describes the alterations made to the castle fortifications from its origins through the Renaissance, including the Muslim and Christian periods until the late fifteenth century and subsequent alterations to adapt new bastioned fortification techniques, and depicts the status of the fortress in each period. This paper is the result of doctoral research carried out at different national and international archives and leading to a thesis presented in 2011.

The Case Law of the ECJ concerning the Free Provision of Services : 2000 - 2005. Research Papers in Law, 2/2006

Introduction. The present overview covers the period starting from 2000 until the end of 2005.1 This is the follow-up to our overview covering the 1995-1999 period.2 The first striking feature of the present contribution is that it has to deal with almost 3,5 times as many cases as the previous one. Hence, the ECJ has gone from deciding 40 cases in the five year period between 1995- 1999 to deciding over 140 cases based on Art 49 between 2000-2005. This confirms, beyond any doubt, the tendency already observed in our previous overview, that a “third generation” case law on services is being developed at a very rapid pace by the ECJ. This third generation case law is based on the idea that Article 49 EC is not limited to striking down discriminatory measures but extends to the elimination of all hindrances to the free provision of services. This idea was first expressed in the Tourist Guide cases, the Greek and Dutch TV cases and most importantly in the Säger case.3 It has been confirmed ever since. As was to be expected, this broad brush approach of the Court’s has led to an ever-increasing amount of litigation reaching Luxemburg. It is clear that, if indicators were used to weight the importance of the Court’s case law during the relevant period, services would score much higher than goods, both from a quantitative and from a qualitative perspective.4 Hence, contrary to the previous overview, this one cannot deal in detail with any of the judgments delivered during the reference period. The aim of the present contribution is restricted to presenting the basic trends of the Court’s case law in the field of services Therefore, the analysis follows a fundamentally horizontal approach, fleetingly considering the facts of individual cases, with a view to identifying the conceptual premises of the Court’s approach to the free movement of services. Nonetheless, the substantial solutions adopted by the Court in some key topics, such as concession contracts, healthcare services, posted workers and gambling, are also presented as case studies. In this regard, the analysis is organized in four sections. First we explore the (ever expanding) scope of the freedom to provide services (Section 2), then we go on to identify the nature of the violations and of justifications thereto (Section 3), before carrying out some case studies to concretely illustrate the above (Section 4). Then, for the sake of completeness, we try to deduce the general principles running through the totality of the relevant case law (Section 5). Inevitably, some concluding remarks follow (Section 6).5

Building up European leadership - an assessment of the recent process. CHALLENGE EUROPE Issue 22 - Challenges and new beginnings: Priorities for the EU's new leadership, September 2014.

Europe is in need of a new leadership capacity able to recreate stronger European unity in the external and internal fronts. Otherwise, anti-European forces will increase their influence and presence in European governments and EU institutions with large implications for the direction of European integration. This will be the central concern in making a first short assessment of the recent process of building European leadership capacity for the next five years to come. This assessment will particularly focus on the choice of the President of the European Commission, of the President of the European Council and, finally of the members of the European Commission.

Is Vietnam the Right Choice for Foreign Investment?: The Case of the European Union’s Slipping Opportunity. ACES Working Papers, 2012

This analysis is broken into three interdependent sections: First, an analysis of the restrictions placed on foreign direct investment in Vietnam captures the current freedoms and inhibitors of investment in Vietnam. Foreign direct investment is defined by the UN as an investment made to acquire a lasting interest in or effective control over an enterprise operating outside of the economy of the investor. Second, a cursory look at the macroeconomic risks, to which investment dollars are susceptible, will paint a realistic portrait of return of foreign investment. Finally, this paper will examine the current, and historical, trade relationship between Vietnam and the European Union, in order to convey that the opportunity for investment in Vietnam remains to be an opportunity for Europe’s developed economies.

Continuous Off-the-Job Training in East Germany After Unification: Preliminary Results of an Evaluation of the Effects for Individual Workers, CES Germany & Europe Working Papers, No. 05.9, 19 July, 1995

Retraining the labor force to match the demands of a modem economy is seen as an important task during the transition process from a centrally-planned to a market economy. This need was particularly pressing in East Germany, because the transition process has proceeded much faster than in the rest of Eastern Europe. Therefore, substantial resources have been devoted to this purpose. This paper analyzes the impact of continuous off-the-job training in East Germany from the point of view of individuals who were part of the labor force before German unification in 1990. It tries to answer questions about the average gains from participating in a specific type of training. Typical outcomes considered to measure those gains are income, employment status, job security, and expected future changes in job position. The methodology used for the evaluation is the potential outcome approach to causality. This approach has received considerable attention in the statistical literature over the last fifteen years and it has recently been rediscovered by the econometric literature as well. It is adapted to allow for important permanent and transitory shocks, such as unemployment, which influence the decision to participate in the training as well as future labor market outcomes. The empirical part is based on the first four waves of the Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP)-East (1990-1993). This panel data set has the advantage that the fourth wave contains a special survey on continuous training and that it allows keeping track of individual behavior on a monthly, respectively yearly, basis. The econometric analysis focuses on off-the-job training courses that began after unification and were completed not later than in early 1993. Although it is obviously too early to evaluate the long-term implications, the results suggest that there are no positive effects in the short run.

Diplomatic parade or last struggle against fatalism? - Making sense of the Paris ministerial meeting on the Middle East Peace Process. EPC Commentary, 16 June 2016

On 3 June, the French government convened an international meeting in Paris, gathering 28 high-level delegations from all around the world, from Norway to Japan, in order to discuss the state of play and future prospects of the enduring Israel-Palestine conflict. The first ministerial meeting of the “Initiative for the Peace in the Middle East”, as it was labelled by the Quai d’Orsay, provided an important political signal, and a potential diplomatic format, to help revive the long-stalled peace process. Yet, its concrete deliverables remain beset by considerable uncertainty.

Complex genetic findings in a female patient with pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency: Null mutations in the PDHX gene associated with unusual expression of the testis-specific PDHA2 gene in her somatic cells

Human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) catalyzes a key step in the generation of cellular energy and is composed by three catalytic elements (E1, E2, E3), one structural subunit (E3-binding protein), and specific regulatory elements, phosphatases and kinases (PDKs, PDPs). The E1α subunit exists as two isoforms encoded by different genes: PDHA1 located on Xp22.1 and expressed in somatic tissues, and the intronless PDHA2 located on chromosome 4 and only detected in human spermatocytes and spermatids. We report on a young adult female patient who has PDC deficiency associated with a compound heterozygosity in PDHX encoding the E3-binding protein. Additionally, in the patient and in all members of her immediate family, a full-length testis-specific PDHA2 mRNA and a 5′UTR-truncated PDHA1 mRNA were detected in circulating lymphocytes and cultured fibroblasts, being bothmRNAs translated into full-length PDHA2 and PDHA1 proteins, resulting in the co-existence of both PDHA isoforms in somatic cells.Moreover, we observed that DNA hypomethylation of a CpG island in the coding region of PDHA2 gene is associatedwith the somatic activation of this gene transcription in these individuals. This study represents the first natural model of the de-repression of the testis-specific PDHA2 gene in human somatic cells, and raises some questions related to the somatic activation of this gene as a potential therapeutic approach for most forms of PDC deficiency.

The discovery of the appearance of vμ − vτ oscillations

Almost 20 years after the first conceptual design of the experiment, five years of running in the Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS), and billions of billions muon-neutrinos sent from CERN along the CNGS beam, in 2015 the OPERA neutrino detector has allowed the long-awaited discovery of the direct transformation (oscillation) of muon-neutrinos into tau-neutrinos. This result unambiguously confirms the interpretation of the so-called atmospheric channel, after the discovery of neutrino oscillations by the Super-Kamiokande Collaboration in 1998.

Annual convention of the International Association of Factory Inspectors.

List of papers read at the annual conventions, included in volumes for 1908-1910.

Proceedings of the ... annual meeting of the Virginia state bar association.

List of members in each volume; cumulative necrological list, in volumes for 1896- ; obituaries of members in volumes for 1891, 1893, 1895-

Statistical report of the National association of iron manufacturers for 1872.

No more published.