Cell wall surface layer (S-layer) promotes colony formation in Microcystis: comparison of S-layer characteristics between colonial and unicellular forms of Microcystis and function conformation

Colony is a key to Microcystis becoming a dominant population and forming blooms. To find the mechanism of colony formation, we investigated cell wall structures of colonial and unicellular strains. Results showed that colonial strains had significant surface layer protein (S-layer) on the surface of cells than unicellular strains by transmission electron microscopy. Western blot showed colonial strains had more S-layer than the unicellular strains. When the S-layer gene (GenBank accession number CAO89090.1) of Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 was expressed in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, PCC6803 aggregated into colonial morphology. The results indicated that the S-layer could promote colony formation in Microcystis. Based on the S-layer sequences of PCC6803 and PCC7806, nine S-layer genes in other Microcystis strains were screened from the GenBank. Sequence comparing showed that the S-layers conserved regions were all located in N-terminal. The S-layers contain repeats-in-toxin (RTX) sequences with Ca²⁺-binding site, and their amino acid composition, hydrophobicity, isoelectric point, etc. were consistent with the characteristics of RTX-type S-layer in bacteria.

     

Explaining task performance and creativity from perceived organizational support theory: Which mechanisms are more important?

Perceived organizational support (POS) theory specifies three mechanisms—felt obligation, group identification, and outcome expectancy—to explain the effects of organizational support on employee work outcomes. These mechanisms have usually been examined in isolation so that it is not possible to assess their relative explanatory power. The present study aims to remedy this problem by examining the three mechanisms simultaneously using structural equation modeling. On the basis of a sample of 206 bank employees in China, we focus on two types of employee performance—task performance and creativity—as dependent variables. Drawing on self‐determination theory and characteristics of the research context, we propose that task performance is more strongly predicted by felt obligation than by the other two mechanisms, whereas identification and expectancy more strongly predict creativity than felt obligation. We conclude by discussing our contribution to POS and creativity research, and highlight some important implications of our findings. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不同桩芯微型桩抗弯承载力试验研究∗

为研究不同桩芯微型桩在隧道洞口不良地质边坡中的治理效果,拟对钢筋-混凝土、工字钢-混凝土、钢管-钢筋-混凝土、钢管-工字钢-混凝土微型桩开展抗弯极限承载力试验。研究表明,工字钢-混凝土微型桩相比钢筋-混凝土微型桩极限抗弯承载力不仅大幅度提升,其抵抗位移变形的能力也有所增加。钢筋-混凝土微型桩和工字钢-混凝土微型桩桩径由140 mm变化到203 mm,韧性分别提高25%、50%,抗弯承载力分别提高89%、91%。钢管微型桩的韧度、极限抗弯承载力都明显强于裸露混凝土桩,即使变形已非常显著,仍能继续受力。钢管-钢筋-混凝土微型桩、钢管-工字钢-混凝土微型桩桩径由140 mm变化到203 mm,抗弯承载力分别提高近256%、265%。