University of Nebraska–Lincoln

About: University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a education organization based out in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 28059 authors who have published 61544 publications receiving 2139104 citations. The organization is also known as: Nebraska & UNL.

Probing the Non‐covalent Structure of Proteins by Amide Hydrogen Exchange and Mass Spectrometry

Abstract: The rates at which hydrogens located at peptide amide linkages in proteins undergo isotopic exchange when a protein is exposed to D2O depend on whether these amide hydrogens are hydrogen bonded and whether they are accessible to the aqueous solvent. Hence, amide hydrogen exchange rates are a sensitive probe for detecting changes in protein conformation and dynamics. Hydrogen exchange rates in proteins are most often measured by NMR or Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. After a brief introduction to model kinetics used to relate amide hydrogen exchange rates to protein structure and dynamics, information required to understand and implement a new method that uses acid proteases and mass spectrometry to determine amide hydrogen exchange rates in proteins is presented. Structural and dynamic features affecting isotopic exchange rates can be detected and localized from the deuterium levels detected by mass spectrometry in proteolytic fragments of the protein. Procedures used to adjust for isotopic exchange occurring during the analysis, to extract isotope exchange rate constants from mass spectra and to link bimodal isotope patterns to protein unfolding and structural heterogeneity are also discussed. In addition, the relative merits of using mass spectrometry or NMR combined with amide hydrogen exchange to study protein structure and dynamics are discussed. The spatial resolution of hydrogen exchange results obtained by this method is typically in the range of 1-10 residues, which is substantially less than that obtained by high-resolution NMR, but sufficient to detect many functionally significant structural changes. Advantages in the areas of sensitivity, protein solubility, detection of correlated exchange and high molecular mass proteins make this approach particularly attractive for a wide range of studies.

Employee engagement and manager self‐efficacy

Abstract: Although technology still dominates, human resources and how they are managed is receiving increased attention in the analysis of gaining competitive advantage. Yet, many complex questions remain. This study first examines the theoretical understanding of employee engagement. Then an empirical investigation is made of the role that a wide variety of managers’ (n = 170) psychological state of self‐efficacy plays in the relationship between their employees’ (average of about 16 per manager) measured engagement and a multiple measure (self, subordinates and peers) of the managers’ effectiveness. Results of the statistical analysis indicate that the manager’s self‐efficacy is a partial mediator of the relationship between his or her employees’ engagement and the manager’s rated effectiveness. Overall, these findings suggest that both employee engagement and manager self‐efficacy are important antecedents that together may more positively influence manager effectiveness than either predictor by itself. Implications for effective management development and practice are discussed.

Differences in negativity bias underlie variations in political ideology.

Abstract: Disputes between those holding differing political views are ubiquitous and deep-seated, and they often follow common, recognizable lines. The supporters of tradition and stability, sometimes referred to as conservatives, do battle with the supporters of innovation and reform, sometimes referred to as liberals. Understanding the correlates of those distinct political orientations is probably a prerequisite for managing political disputes, which are a source of social conflict that can lead to frustration and even bloodshed. A rapidly growing body of empirical evidence documents a multitude of ways in which liberals and conservatives differ from each other in purviews of life with little direct connection to politics, from tastes in art to desire for closure and from disgust sensitivity to the tendency to pursue new information, but the central theme of the differences is a matter of debate. In this article, we argue that one organizing element of the many differences between liberals and conservatives is the nature of their physiological and psychological responses to features of the environment that are negative. Compared with liberals, conservatives tend to register greater physiological responses to such stimuli and also to devote more psychological resources to them. Operating from this point of departure, we suggest approaches for refining understanding of the broad relationship between political views and response to the negative. We conclude with a discussion of normative implications, stressing that identifying differences across ideological groups is not tantamount to declaring one ideology superior to another.

The Legacy of Early Attachments

Abstract: The impact of early close relationships on psychological development is one of the enduring questions of developmental psychology that is addressed by attachment theory and research. This essay evaluates what has been learned, and offers ideas for future research, by examining the origins of continuity and change in the security of attachment early in life, and its prediction of later behavior. The discussion evaluates research on the impact of changing family circumstances and quality of care on changes in attachment security, and offers new hypotheses for future study. Considering the representations (or internal working models) associated with attachment security as developing representations, the discussion proposes that (1) attachment security may be developmentally most insuential when the working models with which it is associated have sufÞciently matured to insuence other emerging features of psychosocial functioning; (2) changes in attachment security are more likely during periods of representational advance; and (3) parentÐchild discourse and other relational insuences shape these developing representations after infancy. Finally, other features of early parentÐchild relationships that develop concurrently with attachment security, including negotiating consict and establishing cooperation, also must be considered in understanding the legacy of early attachments.