scholarly journals Resolving the energy paradox of chaperone/usher-mediated fibre assembly

2005 ◽  
Vol 389 (3) ◽  
pp. 685-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton V. Zavialov ◽  
Vladimir M. Tischenko ◽  
Laura J. Fooks ◽  
Bjørn O. Brandsdal ◽  
Johan Åqvist ◽  
...  

Periplasmic chaperone/usher machineries are used for assembly of filamentous adhesion organelles of Gram-negative pathogens in a process that has been suggested to be driven by folding energy. Structures of mutant chaperone–subunit complexes revealed a final folding transition (condensation of the subunit hydrophobic core) on the release of organelle subunit from the chaperone–subunit pre-assembly complex and incorporation into the final fibre structure. However, in view of the large interface between chaperone and subunit in the pre-assembly complex and the reported stability of this complex, it is difficult to understand how final folding could release sufficient energy to drive assembly. In the present paper, we show the X-ray structure for a native chaperone–fibre complex that, together with thermodynamic data, shows that the final folding step is indeed an essential component of the assembly process. We show that completion of the hydrophobic core and incorporation into the fibre results in an exceptionally stable module, whereas the chaperone–subunit pre-assembly complex is greatly destabilized by the high-energy conformation of the bound subunit. This difference in stabilities creates a free energy potential that drives fibre formation.

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 999-1006
Author(s):  
L. Varga ◽  
D. Venkatesan

A balloon payload launched from Cold Lake, Alta., Canada, on October 14, 1982, measured the spectrum of X rays (E = 20–160 keV) with a hard and a very soft component. The latter contributes significantly only to the 20–40 keV channel; thus a "flapping motion" at the lower energy end of the composite spectrum is observed. We have simulated, using the Monte-Carlo technique, the propagation of X rays through the atmosphere and determined the e-folding energy of the very soft component, which we estimate to be 5 keV, at a particular time (10:45 UT). The electron spectrum producing this soft X-ray source agrees well with in situ satellite and rocket-borne measurements of electron spectra during active auroras. Simulataneous auroral optical emissions (5577 Å (1 Å = 10−10 m)) by a ground-based all-sky charge-coupled device camera are also available for comparison. We also determine the count rate ratio between 20–40 and 60–80 keV channels as a parameter of the variability of the intensity of the very soft component. The time-changes of this ratio and that of the auroral optical emission intensity near the vicinity of the balloon are correlated. The lack of correlation at some other times is ascribed to differences in the behavior of the low- and high-energy ends of the elecron spectrum.


2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (2) ◽  
pp. 1974-1991
Author(s):  
J N Reeves ◽  
V Braito ◽  
D Porquet ◽  
A P Lobban ◽  
G A Matzeu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT New Swift monitoring observations of the variable, radio-quiet quasar, PDS 456, are presented. A bright X-ray flare was captured in 2018 September, the flux increasing by a factor of 4 and with a doubling time-scale of 2 d. From the light crossing argument, the coronal size is inferred to be ≲30 gravitational radii for a black hole mass of 109 M⊙ and the total flare energy exceeds 1051 erg. A hardening of the X-ray emission accompanied the flare, with the photon index decreasing from Γ = 2.2 to Γ = 1.7 and back again. The flare is produced in the X-ray corona, the lack of any optical or UV variability being consistent with a constant accretion rate. Simultaneous XMM–Newton and NuSTAR observations were performed, 1–3 d after the flare peak and during the decline phase. These caught PDS 456 in a bright, bare state, where no disc wind absorption features are apparent. The hard X-ray spectrum shows a high energy roll-over, with an e-folding energy of $E_{\rm fold}=51^{+11}_{-8}$ keV. The deduced coronal temperature, of kT = 13 keV, is one of the coolest measured in any AGN and PDS 456 lies well below the predicted pair annihilation line in X-ray corona. The spectral variability, becoming softer when fainter following the flare, is consistent with models of cooling X-ray coronae. Alternatively, an increase in a non-thermal component could contribute towards the hard X-ray flare spectrum.


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S274) ◽  
pp. 453-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina V. Zharkova ◽  
Taras Siversky

AbstractAcceleration of protons and electrons in a reconnecting current sheet (RCS) is investigated with the test particle and particle-in-cell (PIC) approaches in the 3D magnetic configuration including the guiding field. PIC simulations confirm a spatial separation of electrons and protons towards the midplane and reveal that this separation occur as long as protons are getting accelerated. During this time electrons are ejected into their semispace of the current sheet moving away from the midplane to distances up to a factor of 103 – 104 of the RCS thickness and returning back to the RCS. This process of electron circulation around the current sheet midplane creates a cloud of high energy electrons around the current sheet which exists as long as protons are accelerated. Only after protons gain sufficient energy to break from the magnetic field of the RCS, they are ejected to the opposite semispace dragging accelerated electrons with them. These clouds can be the reason of hard X-ray emission in coronal sources observed by RHESSI.


Author(s):  
E. B. Steel

High Purity Germanium (HPGe) x-ray detectors are now commercially available for the analytical electron microscope (AEM). The detectors have superior efficiency at high x-ray energies and superior resolution compared to traditional lithium-drifted silicon [Si(Li)] detectors. However, just as for the Si(Li), the use of the HPGe detectors requires the determination of sensitivity factors for the quantitative chemical analysis of specimens in the AEM. Detector performance, including incomplete charge, resolution, and durability has been compared to a first generation detector. Sensitivity factors for many elements with atomic numbers 10 through 92 have been determined at 100, 200, and 300 keV. This data is compared to Si(Li) detector sensitivity factors.The overall sensitivity and utility of high energy K-lines are reviewed and discussed. Many instruments have one or more high energy K-line backgrounds that will affect specific analytes. One detector-instrument-specimen holder combination had a consistent Pb K-line background while another had a W K-line background.


Author(s):  
James F. Mancuso ◽  
William B. Maxwell ◽  
Russell E. Camp ◽  
Mark H. Ellisman

The imaging requirements for 1000 line CCD camera systems include resolution, sensitivity, and field of view. In electronic camera systems these characteristics are determined primarily by the performance of the electro-optic interface. This component converts the electron image into a light image which is ultimately received by a camera sensor.Light production in the interface occurs when high energy electrons strike a phosphor or scintillator. Resolution is limited by electron scattering and absorption. For a constant resolution, more energy deposition occurs in denser phosphors (Figure 1). In this respect, high density x-ray phosphors such as Gd2O2S are better than ZnS based cathode ray tube phosphors. Scintillating fiber optics can be used instead of a discrete phosphor layer. The resolution of scintillating fiber optics that are used in x-ray imaging exceed 20 1p/mm and can be made very large. An example of a digital TEM image using a scintillating fiber optic plate is shown in Figure 2.


Author(s):  
A.J. Tousimis

An integral and of prime importance of any microtopography and microanalysis instrument system is its electron, x-ray and ion detector(s). The resolution and sensitivity of the electron microscope (TEM, SEM, STEM) and microanalyzers (SIMS and electron probe x-ray microanalyzers) are closely related to those of the sensing and recording devices incorporated with them.Table I lists characteristic sensitivities, minimum surface area and depth analyzed by various methods. Smaller ion, electron and x-ray beam diameters than those listed, are possible with currently available electromagnetic or electrostatic columns. Therefore, improvements in sensitivity and spatial/depth resolution of microanalysis will follow that of the detectors. In most of these methods, the sample surface is subjected to a stationary, line or raster scanning photon, electron or ion beam. The resultant radiation: photons (low energy) or high energy (x-rays), electrons and ions are detected and analyzed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 619-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Szafarska ◽  
J. Iwaszko ◽  
K. Kudła ◽  
I. Łegowik

The main aim of the study was the evaluation of magnesium alloy surface treatment effectiveness using high-energy heat sources, i.e. a Yb-YAG Disk Laser and the GTAW method. The AZ91 and AM60 commercial magnesium alloys were subject to surface layer modification. Because of the physicochemical properties of the materials studied in case of the GTAW method, it was necessary to provide the welding stand with additional equipment. A novel two-torch set with torches operating in tandem was developed within the experiment. The effectiveness of specimen remelting using a laser and the GTAW method was verified based on macro- and microscopic examinations as well as in X-ray phase analysis and hardness measurements. In addition, the remelting parameters were optimised. The proposed treatment methodology enabled the achieving of the intended result and effective modification of a magnesium alloy surface layer.


AIAA Journal ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 919-923
Author(s):  
U. Lienert ◽  
H. F. Poulsen ◽  
A. Kvick

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4A) ◽  
pp. 491-500
Author(s):  
Abeer F. Al-Attar ◽  
Saad B. H. Farid ◽  
Fadhil A. Hashim

In this work, Yttria (Y2O3) was successfully doped into tetragonal 3mol% yttria stabilized Zirconia (3YSZ) by high energy-mechanical milling to synthesize 8mol% yttria stabilized Zirconia (8YSZ) used as an electrolyte for high temperature solid oxide fuel cells (HT-SOFC). This work aims to evaluate the densification and ionic conductivity of the sintered electrolytes at 1650°C. The bulk density was measured according to ASTM C373-17. The powder morphology and the microstructure of the sintered electrolytes were analyzed via Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The chemical analysis was obtained with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Also, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to obtain structural information of the starting materials and the sintered electrolytes. The ionic conductivity was obtained through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the air as a function of temperatures at a frequency range of 100(mHz)-100(kHz). It is found that the 3YSZ has a higher density than the 8YSZ. The impedance analysis showed that the ionic conductivity of the prepared 8YSZ at 800°C is0.906 (S.cm) and it was 0.214(S.cm) of the 3YSZ. Besides, 8YSZ has a lower activation energy 0.774(eV) than that of the 3YSZ 0.901(eV). Thus, the prepared 8YSZ can be nominated as an electrolyte for the HT-SOFC.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Lanzirotti ◽  
◽  
Stephen R. Sutton ◽  
Matt Newville ◽  
Jeffrey P. Fitts ◽  
...  

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