Cell-Free Synthesis of Selenoproteins in High Yield and Purity for Selective Protein Tagging

The selenol group of selenocysteine is much more nucleophilic than the thiol group of cysteine. Selenocysteine residues in proteins thus offer reactive points for rapid post-translational modification. Herein, we show that selenoproteins can be expressed in high yield and purity by cell-free protein synthesis by global substitution of cysteine by selenocysteine. Complete alkylation of solvent-exposed selenocysteine residues was achieved in 10 minutes with 4-chloromethylene dipicolinic acid (4Cl-MDPA) under conditions that left cysteine residues unchanged even after overnight incubation. Gd^III−Gd^III distances measured by double electron–electron resonance (DEER) experiments of maltose binding protein (MBP) containing two selenocysteine residues tagged with 4Cl-MDPA-Gd^III were indistinguishable from Gd^III−Gd^III distances measured of MBP containing cysteine reacted with 4Br-MDPA tags.     

Formulation and performance evaluation of a novel coconut oil–based metalworking fluid

Metalworking fluid (MWF) supplies a film of lubricant to abate friction, acts as a cooling media to rebate induced heat, and prevents metal pick-ups by flushing away the chips. Hence a liquid used as a cutting fluid reduces wear on the tool, reduces the energy consumption, and produces a better surface quality on the work piece. This paper describes the formulation of a novel water-soluble MWF and its performance evaluation during straight turning and end milling experiments carried out with AISI 304 stainless steel, mild steel, and cast iron as work piece materials. The MWF was prepared by mixing water with white coconut oil as the base oil and food-grade additives as surfactants. Viscosity, pH value, and biodegradability were measured and compared with a commercially available non-vegetable oil–based MWF. The surface roughness and tool surface temperature were measured throughout the machining experiments, and better performances were observed with the coconut oil–based MWF. Tool tip geometry and flank wear for straight turning machining operation were identified by observing scanning electron microscope (SEM) images.     

Ionic conduction in polyether-based lithium arylfluorosulfonimide ionic melt electrolytes

We report synthesis, characterization and ion transport in polyether-based ionic melt electrolytes consisting of Li salts of low-basicity anions covalently attached to polyether oligomers. Purity of the materials was investigated by HPLC analysis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The highest ionic conductivity of 7.1 × 10⁻⁶ S/cm at 30 °C was obtained for the sample consisting of a lithium salt of an arylfluorosulfonimide anion attached to a polyether oligomer with an ethyleneoxide (EO) to lithium ratio of 12. The conductivity order of various ionic melts having different polyether chain lengths suggests that at higher EO:Li ratios the conductivity of the electrolytes at room temperature is determined in part by the amount of crystallization of the polyether portion of the ionic melt.     

A review and analysis of deterrence theory in the IS security literature: making sense of the disparate findings

Deterrence theory is one of the most widely applied theories in information systems (IS) security research, particularly within behavioral IS security studies. Based on the rational choice view of human behavior, the theory predicts that illicit behavior can be controlled by the threat of sanctions that are certain, severe, and swift. IS scholars have used deterrence theory to predict user behaviors that are either supportive or disruptive of IS security, and other IS security-related outcome variables. A review of this literature suggests an uneven and often contradictory picture regarding the influence of sanctions and deterrence theory in general in the IS security context. In this paper, we set out to make sense of the discrepant findings in the IS deterrence literature by drawing upon the more mature body of deterrence literature that spans multiple disciplines. In doing so, we speculate that a set of contingency variables and methodological and theoretical issues can shed light on the inconsistent findings and inform future research in this area. The review and analysis presented in this paper facilitates a deeper understanding of deterrence theory in the IS security domain, which can assist in cumulative theory-building efforts and advance security management strategies rooted in deterrence principles.     

Light and Shape-Memory Polymers: Characterization,Preparation, Stimulation,and Application

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials that change shape when exposed to stimuli and have various applications in different fields due to their unique properties. Light, as a kind of electromagnetic radiation, plays an important role in understanding the structure-property relations of SMPs, preparing original shapes, using them as non-contact stimuli sources, and tuning the optical properties of SMPs. This review provides a comprehensive review of the involvement of light in structure-preparation-stimuli-application of SMPs. The review is divided into four sections. First, applications of optical/spectroscopic approaches that provide information for understanding structure-property relations in SMPs, especially during programming and recovery. Second, describes how to build SMPs with light, including different photochemical reactions and 3D photocuring technologies. Third, discusses how light is used to trigger the shape change of SMPs through both photochemical and photothermal mechanisms. Last, focuses on how to take advantage of the shape-memory effect to tune the optical characteristics of polymers, including various structures of SMP color-changing materials and their synthetic strategies. Future research could focus on developing efficient photothermal fillers, new 3D printing techniques for SMPs, exploring their use in biomedical and wearable devices, and optimizing SMPs for industrial applications.     

Electrochemical study of tris(4-bromophenyl)amine and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl in room-temperature ionic liquids

The electrochemical behavior of tris(4-bromophenyl)amine (TBPA) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) was comparatively studied in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) containing 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cation [BMIm]⁺ and the anions BF₄⁻, PF₆⁻and CF₃SO₃⁻. TEMPO showed a well-defined electrochemical reversibility with anodic to cathodic peak current ratio (I_a/I_c) equals to unity in all RTILs, at a glassy carbon electrode. In contrast, I_a/I_c ratio greater than unity was observed at all scan rates employed (10-1000 mV s⁻¹) in cyclic voltammograms (CV) of TBPA in RTILs. Controlled-potential bulk electrolysis of TBPA in RTILs yielded a dark blue colored solution of monocation TBPA⁺, which is stable under nitrogen. Diffusion coefficient of TBPA⁺ cation was determined in all three ILs by chronoamperometry and found to be at least one order of magnitude less than the calculated value of TBPA. This effect, in conjunction with the deviation of the I_a/I_c ratio from unity could be ascribed to ion-pairing interaction between the TBPA⁺ cation and the anion of the RTILs.     

Equity in bulk water allocation: the case of the Mahaweli Ganga Development Project in Sri Lanka

This article evaluates the equity performance of bulk water allocation as an irrigation management strategy in the Mahaweli Ganga Development Project, Sri Lanka. Through semi-structured interviews with farmers and irrigation officials, the study collected local perceptions using seven indicators: water rights; decision-making process; contribution of resources for irrigation maintenance; water allocation rules; actual water distribution; information sharing; and conflict resolution. The results highlight gaps in the institution such as the need to enhance the water rights of landless farmers, further encourage crop diversification, increase transparency in decision making, instil a risk-management approach, and strengthen accountability.     

Bunsetsu-based Japanese-Sinhalese translation system

This paper presents the design and implementation techniques employed in a Japanese-to-Sinhalese machine translation system. The main result of this work is the successful application of Bunsetsu in generating meaningful translations for a flexible-grammar language. The system has been developed considering the similarities between Japanese Bunsetsu and Sinhalese units. Such efforts are being focused on determining the minimum reasonable grammatical knowledge necessary for machine translation. The principal characteristics of the system, the translation process, problems encountered during the development stages, present status, and future plans will be discussed.