Maltose Binding Protein Is Partially Structured in Its Molten Globule State

Seven double cysteine mutants of maltose binding protein (MBP) were generated with one each in the active cleft at position 298 and the second cysteine distributed over both domains of the protein. These cysteines were spin labeled and distances between the labels in biradical pairs determined by pulsed double electron-electron resonance (DEER) measurements. The values were compared with theoretical predictions of distances between the labels in biradicals constructed by molecular modeling from the crystal structure of MBP without maltose and were found to be in excellent agreement. MBP is in a molten globule state at pH 3.3 and is known to still bind its substrate maltose. The nitroxide spin label was sufficiently stable under these conditions. In preliminary experiments, DEER measurements were carried out with one of the mutants yielding a broad distance distribution as was to be expected if there is no explicit tertiary structure and the individual helices pointing into all possible directions.

Between photocatalysis and photosynthesis: Synchrotron spectroscopy methods on molecules and materials for solar hydrogen generation

Energy research is to a large extent materials research, encompassing the physics and chemistry of materials, including their synthesis, processing toward components and design toward architectures, allowing for their functionality as energy devices, extending toward their operation parameters and environment, including also their degradation, limited life, ultimate failure and potential recycling. In all these stages, X-ray and electron spectroscopy are helpful methods for analysis, characterization and diagnostics for the engineer and for the researcher working in basic science.This paper gives a short overview of experiments with X-ray and electron spectroscopy for solar energy and water splitting materials and addresses also the issue of solar fuel, a relatively new topic in energy research. The featured systems are iron oxide and tungsten oxide as photoanodes, and hydrogenases as molecular systems. We present surface and subsurface studies with ambient pressure XPS and hard X-ray XPS, resonant photoemission, light induced effects in resonant photoemission experiments and a photo-electrochemical in situ/operando NEXAFS experiment in a liquid cell, and nuclear resonant vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS). (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hydrodynamic instability and shear layer effect on the response of an acoustically excited laminar premixed flame

Combustion instabilities can cause serious problems which limit the operating envelope of low-emission lean premixed combustion systems. Predicting the onset of combustion instability requires a description of the unsteady heat release driving the instability, i.e., the heat release response transfer function of the system. This study focuses on the analysis of fully coupled two-way interactions between a disturbance field and a laminar premixed flame that incorporates gas expansion effects by solving the conservation equations of a compressible fluid. Results of the minimum and maximum flame front deflections are presented to underline the impact of the hydrodynamic instability on the flame and the shear layer effect on the initial flame front wrinkling which is increased at decreasing gas expansion. These phenomena influence the magnitude of the burning area and burning area rate response of the flame at lower frequency excitation more drastically than reduced-order model (ROM) predictions even for low temperature ratios. It is shown that the general trend of the flame response magnitudes can be well captured at higher frequency excitation, where stretch effects are dominant. The phase response is influenced by the DL mechanism, which cannot be captured by the ROM, and by the resulting discrepancy in the flame pocket formation and annihilation process at the flame tip. (C) 2014 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved,

Role of boron diffusion in CoFeB/MgO magnetic tunnel junctions

Several scientific issues concerning the latest generation read heads for magnetic storage devices, based on CoFeB/MgO/CoFeBmagnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) are known to be controversial, including such fundamental questions as to the behavior and the role of B in optimizing the physical properties of these devices. Quantitatively establishing the internal structures of several such devices with different annealing conditions using hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we resolve these controversies and establish that the B diffusion is controlled by the capping Ta layer, though Ta is physically separated from the layer with B by several nanometers. While explaining this unusual phenomenon, we also provide insight into why the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) is optimized at an intermediate annealing temperature, relating it to B diffusion, coupled with our studies based on x-ray diffraction and magnetic studies.

Archaeometric evidence for the authenticity of the Jehoash inscription tablet

A gray, fine-grained arkosic sandstone tablet bearing an inscription in ancient Hebrew from the First Temple Period contains a rich assemblage of particles accumulated in the covering patina. Two types of patina cover the tablet: a thin layer of black to orange iron-oxide-rich layer, a product of micro-biogenic processes, and a light beige patina that contains feldspars, carbonate, iron oxide, subangular quartz grains, carbon ash particles and gold globules (1 to 4 microns [1 micron = 0.001 millimeter] in diameter). The patina covers the rock surface as well as the engraved lettering grooves and blankets and thus post-dates the incised inscription as well as a crack that runs across the stone and several of the engraved letters. Radiocarbon analyses of the carbon particles in the patina yield a calibrated radiocarbon age of 2340 to 2150 Cal BP. The presence of microcolonial fungi and associated pitting in the patina indicates slow growth over many years. The occurrence of pure gold globules and carbon ash particles is evidence of a thermal event in close proximity to the tablet (above 1000 degrees Celsius). This study supports the antiquity of the patina, which in turn, strengthens the contention that the inscription is authentic.

Weimar 2.0 : acerca de la pérdida del espacio público

Resumen: La pregunta que se plantea es cómo podemos contrarrestar desde los medios los desarrollos que atentan contra la democracia y la sociedad. Es importante recuperar la identidad del periodismo, del sistema político y sus actores, y de los medios de comunicación. El periodismo debe propagar y fortalecer activa y enérgicamente la función y la identidad de la profesión. Hacia adentro del sistema de medios corresponde mejorar la formación periodística y la socialización profesional de los periodistas; y, hacia afuera, resaltar a través de campañas escolares y públicas la competencia profesional específica del periodismo.

Teología, 1986, Tomo XXIII nº 048 (número completo)

La lectura “política” de la Biblia / Armando J. Levoratti -- Las opciones misionales en el Chaco del siglo XVII ¿Evangelización o guerra justa? / Ernesto J. A. Maeder -- Dios y el hombre creador. Método teológico para un análisis estructural de “Amadeus”, film de Milos Forman y Peter Shaffer / Fernando Ortega -- Crónica de la semana anual de estudio y reflexión teológica de la Sociedad Argentina de Teología -- Notas bibliográficas -- Libros recibidos -- Crónica de la Facultad -- Índice del Tomo XXIII

Teología, 2006, Tomo XLIII nº 090 (número completo)

Nota del Director. Renovación y diálogo -- El cristianismo y las religiones / Piero Coda -- No sin ti. El caminante herido y el Dios desconocido / Margit Eckholt -- La teología en diálogo con la cultura / Eduardo Briancesco -- América Latina y una lógica de la reconciliación / José Carlos Caamaño -- Mozart, amado de Dios / Fernando Ortega -- Balance del Primer Simposio Internacional de Teología sobre la Shoah en Argentina / Víctor Manuel Fernández -- Teología y literatura. Lenguaje y acontecimiento / Cecilia Inés Avenatti de Palumbo -- Ricardo Ferrara: Dios es espíritu, luz y amor -- Notas bibliográficas

El reflejo de las formas de vida aristocráticas en las versiones cinematográficas de Las amistades peligrosas y Las afinidades electivas

Raquel Merino Álvarez, José Miguel Santamaría, Eterio Pajares (eds.)

Der Sängerkrieg auf der Wartburg. El tema de la lid de los poetas y su recepción literaria en Novalis, E. T. A. Hoffmann, Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué y Richard Wagner

282 págs.Correo electrónico: bea.muro@gmail.com

Nationales Fischereidatenerhebungsprogramm: Aktivitäten und Ausblick

Within the frame of the EU Data Collection Regulation (DCR), Germany is obliged since 2002 to collect basic fisheries data to support the Common Fisheries Policy. Various governmental institutions are involved in the collection of landings and effort data, biological and economic data of the German fisheries. About 200 trips on commercial fishery vessels were sampled from 2002 to 2006. Additional stock data are collected on research surveys. The landings of cod in the recreational fisheries in the North and Baltic Seas were recorded within a pilot study. In order to assess the economic situation of the fishing fleet and processing industry, economic data were collected. The collected data are being stored in a national database and being made available for scientific working groups. At present, the legal regulations within the DCR framework are being reviewed and adapted to the changing requirements of fisheries management.

Entwicklung eines selektierenden Aalschleppnetzes

In eel catches with special small-mesh trawls the proportion of by-catch is unjustifiably high. From 2003 to 2005 eel trawls with various types of separation panels were designed, constructed, and tested under real fishing conditions. Tests were carried out using cover cod-ends and an underwater TV equipment. It was possible to reduce the amount of by-catch to one tenth of its usual amount. However, a decline of the catch efficiency for the target species eel could not be avoided.