Light-driven vectorial proton translocation is basic to the mechanism of energy transduction by photosynthetic systems. Bacteriorhodopsin (bR)1 is the simplest known light-driven proton pump and has long served as a model system for understanding how protons may be transported "up hill" against a transmembrane proton motive potential. bR contains seven transmembrane ␣-helices that surround a proton translocation channel lined with strategically placed charged residues (3). Depending upon their protonation states, which change in a well orchestrated cascade as a proton is transported across the cell membrane, these charged residues can serve as either proton donors or proton acceptors. Light activation of the chromophore, an all-trans-retinal molecule covalently attached to Lys-216 in helix G via a protonated Schiff base (the primary proton donor) results in the 13-cis-retinal configuration with two-thirds quantum efficiency. Steric conflicts and mechanical stress resulting from photoisomerization initiate a sequence of conformational changes that can be characterized spectroscopically and that perturb the local environment of several key residues, strongly affecting their pK a values and creating transient pathways for proton transfer.The specific spectral intermediates of the bR photocycle have been well characterized, and a common reaction scheme is: bR 570 3 K 590 7 L 550 7 M 412 7 N 560 7 O 640 3 bR 570 (sub-

Over the last four decades, numerous reports have appeared on the physico‐chemical kinetics, especially crystallization kinetics, based on the Avrami equation, ϕ = exp [−Ktn] where ϕ is the fraction of material unchanged at time t, K is an overall rate constant and “n” is the Avrami exponent indicative of process mechanism. The usage of the Avrami equation has been limited to the determination of “n” and its temperature dependence. It is shown that the evaluation of K and the activation energy (E) using this equation is erroneous since K and E are both influenced by “n” although such would be unexpected from the Avrami equation. On the other hand, if one uses a modified expression, ϕ = exp[−Kt]n, then in addition to the value of “n”, correct values of K and E are obtained. This retains the original correspondence of the Avrami equation to nuclea‐tion and crystal growth processes but extends its applicability to (i) correctly evaluate K and E parameters, and (ii) correctly compare transformation rates when the systems differ in their n values. Experimental data are presented to support these conclusions.

The automotive industry is under increasing pressure to: (1) reduce the weight of vehicles and (2) improve crash performance. ‘Hot stamped’ mild carbon–manganese–boron steel 22MnB5 has become common place in the body structure of the European vehicle over the past decade. The ultrahigh strength martensitic microstructure resulting from hot stamping (proof strength ∼1200 MPa and ultimate tensile strength ∼1500 MPa) enables down gauging while not compromising crash performance. However, with demands for yet higher strength in the final component so to enable further down gauging, novel grades must be developed. In this paper, development of the novel grade 38MnB5 was reported. Following hot stamping, 38MnB5 demonstrated proof strength in excess of 1400 MPa and ultimate tensile strength in excess of 2000 MPa. Owing to the immense strength, the novel grade 38MnB5 was considered to offer significant down gauging and weight reduction opportunities to the automotive industry.

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Originating from the early 1970s in Luleå, Sweden, and initially designed for the agricultural industry, hot-stamped sheet steel has developed to become the leading material in a modern state-of-the-art lightweight structural automotive body engineering. This critical review provides a detailed insight into the origins, fundamental metallurgical principles, commercial growth, current legal stronghold on aluminising coatings and latest technological developments. Comparisons to other state-of–the-art ferrous and non-ferrous automotive sheet materials are made, including carbon fibre-reinforced polymer; while the future outlook for hot-stamped sheet steel and opportunities for further technological developments are highlighted.

BackgroundElite athletes should have little concern about meeting recommended guidelines on physical activity. However, sedentary behaviour is considered a health risk independent of physical activity, and is recognised in public health guidelines advising against prolonged sedentary time. There has been very little research on athletes’ physical activity behaviour outside elite sport.MethodsGiven health and performance links, we investigated in-season post-training activity levels in 28 elite professional footballers during the English Premiership season. Players volunteered to wear a triaxial wrist accelerometer for 1 week, removing it only for training and matches. In total, 25 players met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Players recorded on average 632.6 min wear time p/day during the post-training period (SD±52.9) for a mean of 3.8 days (SD±1.5).ResultsOn average, players recorded 76.2 min p/day (SD±28.8) of moderate or vigorous activity post-training. The majority (79%) of post-training time was spent in sedentary activities (500.6 min per day±59.0).ConclusionsProfessional footballers are alarmingly sedentary in their leisure time, and comparatively more so than non-athletic groups of a similar age and older. This raises questions over optimum recovery and performance, as well as long-term health and cardiovascular risk. Worryingly, retirement from elite sport is likely to further imbalance activity and sedentary behaviour. Promoting regular periodic light to moderate leisure time activity could be beneficial. Further research and provision of education and support for players is required in this area.

Modulated supraparticle structures are used to improve sandwich and competitive fluoroimmunoassays. The improved methods are demonstrated on myoglobin, a key diagnostic protein for detection of heart damage. The resulting method uses microliter volumes with bovine serum samples doped with varying concentrations of equine myoglobin. These immunoassays use micron-diameter iron oxide particles as a solid phase for antibody anchoring. Introduction of a magnetic field creates dipole moments on the particles, which attracts them to each other to form rod-like supraparticle structures. These structures can rotate within an alternating magnetic field generating convective flow and a periodic signal that can be analyzed with lock-in amplification enabling more sensitive detection. The system is demonstrated on a target associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This disease causes decreased oxygen delivery to the heart resulting in tissue death and the release of cardiac myoglobin into the bloodstream. Studies have shown that the assessment and monitoring of serum myoglobin concentrations is important when making an early diagnosis of AMI. Early diagnosis is crucial since treatment is most effective when done within the first two hours of symptoms. The modulated assay is rapid, accurate, and sensitive for myoglobin assessment of small-volume serum samples. Using a cut-off value of 5.0 nM (85 ng/mL) for AMI induced myoglobin, the modulated competitive assay was able to diagnose AMI-like conditions in serum doped with myoglobin after an incubation time of only 10 min. The standard curve developed for the modulated sandwich assay was linear over a range of zero to 1 nM (17 ng/mL) with a lower limit of detection at 50 pM (0.85 ng/mL).

Tables: 1 6 Cryotherapy and recovery from soccer 2 MANUSCRIPT TITLE:The effects of a single whole body cryotherapy exposure on physiological, performance and perceptual responses of professional academy soccer players following repeated sprint exercise RUNNING TITLE: Cryotherapy and recovery from soccerCryotherapy and recovery from soccer 3 ABSTRACT 7In professional youth soccer players, the physiological, performance and perceptual effects of a single 8 whole body cryotherapy (WBC) session performed shortly after repeated sprint exercise were 9 investigated. In a randomized, counter-balanced and crossover design, 14 habituated English Premier 10League academy soccer players performed 15 x 30 m sprints (each followed by a 10 m forced 11 deceleration) on two occasions. Within 20 min of exercise cessation, players entered a WBC chamber 12 (Cryo: 30 s at -60°C, 120 s at -135°C) or remained seated (Con) indoors in temperate conditions 13 (~25°C). Blood and saliva samples, peak power output (countermovement jump) and perceptual 14 indices of recovery and soreness were assessed pre-exercise and immediately, 2 h and 24 h post-15 exercise. When compared to Con, a greater testosterone response was observed at 2 h (+32.5 ± 32.3 16 pg•ml