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S1
Terms modified by S1 Selected AbstractsAsymmetrical Schiff Bases as Carriers in PVC Membrane Electrodes for Cadmium (II) IonsELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 8 2005Hossein Mashhadizadeh, Mohammad Abstract 5-[((4-Methyl phenyl) azo)- N -(6-amino-2-pyridin) salicylaldimine] (S1), and 5-[((4-methyl phenyl) azo)- N -(2-diamino-2-cyano-1-ethyl cyanide) salicylaldehyde] (S2) with N and O donor atoms are effective ionophores to make Cd2+ -selective membrane electrodes. The electrodes based on S1 and S2 exhibits a Nernstian or near-Nernstian response for cadmium ion over a wide concentration range 1.5×10,1,7.5×10,7 with a slope of 28 and 2.0×10,1,4.0×10,7 with a slope of 22, respectively. They have quick response and can be used for three or four months without any divergence in potential. The proposed sensors show fairly good selectivity over some alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The electrodes based on S1 and S2 can be used in the pH range 3.5,9. These electrodes were used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of cadmium ion with EDTA and in the direct determination of cadmium ion in aqueous solutions. [source] Combined effects of the fungicide propiconazole and agricultural runoff sediments on the aquatic bryophyte Vesicularia dubyanaENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 9 2005Qinglan Wu Abstract Pesticides, firmly attached to the topsoil, might enter nearby watercourses at periods with high erosive loss of sediments. Therefore, exposure of aquatic organisms to these low mobility pesticides, in many cases, will coincide with a high sediment concentration. In this study, both individual and combined effects of propiconazole and runoff sediment on the aquatic model bryophyte Vesicularia dubyana are studied. Individual exposure to propiconazole induced responses in V. dubyana at rather low concentration levels (,1 ,g/L), showing that harmful effects of propiconazole potentially may occur in watercourses draining propiconazole-treated fields. Individual exposure to the sediment size fractions S1 (0.16,2 ,m) and S2 (0.03,0.16 ,m) caused plant stress at a concentration of 100 mg/L. The coarser fraction S1 showed strong inhibition effects on photosynthesis, probably due to light attenuation. Compared to S1, the suspension with the finer fraction S2 showed lower turbidity, higher nutrient content, and a higher proportion of sediment-bound propiconazole. The combined effects of propiconazole and suspended sediment are dependent on concentrations of sediment and propiconazole. At low sediment concentration (e.g., 100 mg/L), neither S1 nor S2 reduce the toxicity of propiconazole, as only 2% of propiconazole are bound to particles. An increase in sediment concentration decreases the bioavailable concentration of propiconazole; however, at the same time, this increases the turbidity, thereby inhibiting plant photosynthesis. [source] Efficient Removal of Anionic Surfactants Using Mesoporous Functionalised Hybrid MaterialsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 25 2009Carmen Coll Abstract A new hybrid system for surfactant removal from water has been developed using mesoporous material (MCM-41) functionalised with suitable binding groups. Solid S1, S2 and S3 were prepared by reaction of the mesoporous material with N -methyl- N, -(propyltrimethoxysilyl)imidazolium chloride, (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane or 4-[(triethoxysilylpropylthio)methyl]pyridine, respectively. The functionalised materials were characterised following standard solid-state techniques. The final prepared solids consist of a siliceous MCM-41-type mesoporous support with the surface decorated by imidazolium, amine and pyridine binding groups suitable for anion coordination. Equilibrium adsorption studies of linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) using S1, S2 and S3 in water have been carried out. The obtained adsorption data were correlated with a Langmuir isotherm model that gives an acceptable description of the experimental data. The maximum surfactant uptake/binding site (mol,mol,1) and the surfactant adsorption capacity (mmol,g,1) for materials S1, S2 and S3 were calculated. S1 shows a positive-charged functionalised surface that is independent of the pH of the solution, whereas S2 and S3 are functionalised with neutral groups that need to be protonated in order to display electrostatic binding interactions with the anionic surfactants. Therefore, whereas the adsorption capacity of S1 is pH-independent, S2 and S3 display larger LAS adsorption at acidic pH. The adsorption ability at a certain pH follows the order S1 >> S3 > S2. A remarkable maximum surfactant adsorption of 1.5 mmol per gram of material was observed for S1 at neutral pH. S2 and S3 behave as poorer adsorbents and show maximum surfactant adsorption of 0.197 and 0.335 mmol per gram of material, respectively, at pH 2.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] A New Trinuclear Linear Copper(II) Complex: Unusual Crystal Structure with Semi-Coordinated Thiophene Moieties and Weak Antiferromagnetic Coupling Through the Bridging Imidazolate RingsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 23 2004Yufei F. Song Abstract A trinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu3(imthio)2(NO3)4(MeOH)2] [where Himthio is 1,1-bis(imidazol-2-yl)-3-(thiophen-2-yl)-2-azapropane], has been synthesized by the reaction of Himthio with Cu(NO3)2·3H2O in MeOH. The structure of the copper complex is centrosymmetric and contains a linear trinuclear array of copper atoms. The central copper(II) ion, Cu1, which lies on an inversion centre, is equatorially coordinated by four nitrogen atoms from two anionic imthio ligands and axially by two semicoordinated thiophene sulfur atoms to give an octahedral environment (Cu1,S1 3.136 Å). The Himthio ligand bridges Cu1 and the terminal copper(II) ions through imidazole nitrogen atoms. The coordination around the external ions is completed by the oxygen atoms from two nitrate groups and by a methanol molecule in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The two terminal copper(II) complexes can be considered to be chelating ligands for the central CuII ion. The EPR spectrum of the complex in MeOH at 77 K shows two mononuclear species, as is fully confirmed by EPR simulation. Magnetic susceptibility of the complex shows weak antiferromagnetic behaviour (J = ,71.37 cm,1) caused by the overlapping of the magnetic orbitals of the copper atoms and the bridging imidazolate rings. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co.. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004) [source] Behavioral relevance of gamma-band activity for short-term memory-based auditory decision-makingEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2008Jochen Kaiser Abstract Oscillatory activity in the gamma-band range has been established as a correlate of cognitive processes, including perception, attention and memory. Only a few studies, however, have provided evidence for an association between gamma-band activity (GBA) and measures of behavioral performance. Here we focused on the comparison between sample and test stimuli S1 and S2 during an auditory spatial short-term memory task. Applying statistical probability mapping to magnetoencephalographic recordings from 28 human subjects, we identified GBA components distinguishing nonidentical from identical S1,S2 pairs. This activity was found at frequencies between 65 and 90 Hz and was localized over posterior cortical regions contralateral to the hemifield in which the stimuli were presented. The 10 best task performers showed higher amplitudes of this GBA component than the 10 worst performers. This group difference was most pronounced between about 150 and 300 ms after stimulus onset. Apparently the decision about whether test stimuli matched the stored representation of previously presented sample sounds relied partly on the oscillatory activation of networks representing differences between both stimuli. This result could be replicated by reanalyzing the combined data from two previous studies assessing short-term memory for sound duration and sound lateralization, respectively. Similarly to our main study, GBA amplitudes to nonmatching vs. matching S1,S2 pairs were higher in good performers than poor performers. The present findings demonstrate the behavioral relevance of GBA. [source] Off the Back or on the Side: Comparison of meso and 2-Substituted Donor-Acceptor Difluoroborondipyrromethene (Bodipy) DyadsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 15 2010Andrew C. Benniston Abstract The preparation of several difluoroborondipyrromethene (Bodipy) dyads is described incorporating covalently attached hydroquinone/quinone groups at the 2-position (BD-SHQ, BD-SQ, BD-SPHQ, BD-SPQ). The compounds, currently under investigation as chemical sensors for reactive oxygen species, show various levels of fluorescence depending on the oxidation state of the appended group. The 19F NMR spectrum for BD-SHQ in CDCl3 at room temperature reveals the two fluorines are inequivalent on the NMR timescale. In contrast, the 19F NMR spectrum for the counterpart quinone compound, BD-SQ, is consistent with two equivalent fluorine atoms. The two results are interpreted as the quinone is free to rotate around the connector bond, whereas this motion is restricted for the hydroquinone group and makes the fluorines chemically inequivalent. Cyclic voltammograms recorded for all derivatives in CH2Cl2 electrolyte solution are consistent with typical Bodipy-based redox chemistry; the potentials of which depend on factors such as presence of the phenylene spacer and oxidation state of the appended group. A comparison of the electrochemical behaviour with the counterpart meso derivatives reveals some interesting trends which are associated with the location of the HOMO/LUMOs. The absorption profiles for the compounds in CH3CN are again consistent with Bodipy-based derivatives, though there are some subtle differences in the band-shapes of the closely-coupled systems. In particular, the absorption spectra for the dyad, BD-SQ, in a wide range of solvents are appreciably broader than for BD-SHQ. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy performed on the hydroquinone derivatives, BD-SHQ and its meso analogue is interpreted as electron transfer occurs from the hydroquinone unit to the first-excited singlet (S1) state of the Bodipy center, followed by ultrafast charge recombination to reinstate the ground state. The coupling of OH vibrations to the return electron transfer process is invoked to explain the lack of clear identification of the charge-separated state in the transient records. [source] Design of Peptide Hydroxamate-Based Photoreactive Activity-Based Probes of Zinc-Dependent MetalloproteasesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2010Paul P. Geurink Abstract Metalloproteases (ADAMs, MMPs) are multidomain proteins that play key roles in extracellular matrix remodelling and degradation, in cell,cell and cell,matrix interactions and in the proteolytic liberation of membrane-anchored proforms of cytokines and growth factors, the so-called ectodomainshedding. In this work we describe the development ofphotoactivatable activity-based probes with which active metalloproteases can be visualised. Our probes are based on the succinyl hydroxamate motif and differ in the positioning of the trifluoromethylphenyldiazirine photoreactive group. We demonstrate that directing the photoactivatable group towards the S1, pocket yields activity-based probes more effective than the corresponding probe with the photoactivatable group directed towards the S2, pocket. [source] Synthesis of Doubly Strapped meso,meso -Linked Porphyrin Arrays and Triply Linked Conjugated Porphyrin TapesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 14 2006Toshiaki Ikeda Abstract 1,10-Dioxydecamethylene doubly strapped ZnII -porphyrin S1 was prepared and treated with AgPF6 to give meso,meso -linked porphyrin oligomers Sn (n = 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12), which were converted to triply linked porphyrin tapes TSn by meso,meso, -dibromo meso,meso -linked porphyrin arrays BSn and meso,meso, -diphenyl meso,meso -linked porphyrin arrays PSn. The structures of S1 and S2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Characteristically, Sn exhibit sharp Q(0,0) absorption and fluorescence bands. Low energy Q-band-like absorption bands of TSn are progressively red-shifted with an increase in the number of porphyrins without saturation behavior of conjugation. The double straps suppress ,,, stacking to some extent as seen from partial preservation of vibration structures in the Q-band-like bands of TS4 and TS6 and improve the chemical stabilities of longer tapes such as TS8 and TS12. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] EMG and Oxygen Uptake Responses During Slow and Fast Ramp Exercise in HumansEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Barry W. Scheuermann This study examined the relationship between muscle recruitment patterns using surface electromyography (EMG) and the excess O2 uptake (ExV,O2) that accompanies slow (SR, 8 W min,1) but not fast (FR, 64 W min,1) ramp increases in work rate (WR) during exercise on a cycle ergometer. Nine subjects (2 females) participated in this study (25 ± 2 years, ± S.E.M.). EMG was obtained from the vastus lateralis and medialis and analysed in the time (root mean square, RMS) and frequency (median power frequency, MDPF) domain. Results for each muscle were averaged to provide an overall response and expressed relative to a maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC). ,V,O2/,WR was calculated for exercise below (S1) and above (S2) the lactate threshold (LT) using linear regression. The increase in RMS relative to the increase in WR for exercise below the LT (,RMS/,WR-S1) was determined using linear regression. Due to non-linearities in RMS above the LT, ,RMS/,WR-S2 is reported as the difference in RMS (,RMS) and the difference in WR (,WR) at end-exercise and the LT. SR was associated with a higher (P < 0.05) ,V,O2/,WR (S1, 9.3 ± 0.3 ml min,1 W,1; S2, 12.5 ± 0.6 ml min,1 W,1) than FR (S1, 8.5 ± 0.4 ml min,1 W,1; S2, 7.9 ± 0.4 ml min,1 W,1) but a similar ,RMS/,WR-S1 (SR, 0.11 ± 0.01% W,1; FR, 0.10 ± 0.01% W,1). ExV,O2 was greater (P < 0.05) in SR (3.6 ± 0.7 l) than FR (-0.7 ± 0.4 l) but was not associated with a difference in either ,RMS/,WR-S2 (SR, 0.14 ± 0.01% W,1; FR, 15 ± 0.02% W,1) or MDPF (SR, 2.6 ± 5.9%; FR, -15.4 ± 4.5%). The close matching between power output and RMS during SR and FR suggests that the ExV,O2 of heavy exercise is not associated with the recruitment of additional motor units since ExV,O2 was observed during SR only. Compared to the progressive decrease in MDPF observed during FR, the MDPF remained relatively constant during SR suggesting that either (i) there was no appreciable recruitment of the less efficient type II muscle fibres, at least in addition to those recruited initially at the onset of exercise, or (ii) the decrease in MDPF associated with fatigue was offset by the addition of a higher frequency of type II fibres recruited to replace the fatigued motor units. [source] Mapping of the active site of glutamate carboxypeptidase II by site-directed mutagenesisFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 18 2007Petra Ml, ochová Human glutamate carboxypeptidase II [GCPII (EC 3.4.17.21)] is recognized as a promising pharmacological target for the treatment and imaging of various pathologies, including neurological disorders and prostate cancer. Recently reported crystal structures of GCPII provide structural insight into the organization of the substrate binding cavity and highlight residues implicated in substrate/inhibitor binding in the S1, site of the enzyme. To complement and extend the structural studies, we constructed a model of GCPII in complex with its substrate, N -acetyl- l -aspartyl- l -glutamate, which enabled us to predict additional amino acid residues interacting with the bound substrate, and used site-directed mutagenesis to assess the contribution of individual residues for substrate/inhibitor binding and enzymatic activity of GCPII. We prepared and characterized 12 GCPII mutants targeting the amino acids in the vicinity of substrate/inhibitor binding pockets. The experimental results, together with the molecular modeling, suggest that the amino acid residues delineating the S1, pocket of the enzyme (namely Arg210) contribute primarily to the high affinity binding of GCPII substrates/inhibitors, whereas the residues forming the S1 pocket might be more important for the ,fine-tuning' of GCPII substrate specificity. [source] The function of D1-H332 in Photosystem II electron transport studied by thermoluminescence and chlorophyll fluorescence in site-directed mutants of Synechocystis 6803FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 17 2004Yagut Allahverdiyeva The His332 residue of the D1 protein has been identified as the likely ligand of the catalytic Mn ions in the water oxidizing complex (Ferreira, K.N., Iverson, T.M., Maghlaoui, K., Barber, J. & Iwata, S. (2004) Science 303, 1831,1838). However, its function has not been fully clarified. Here we used thermoluminescence and flash-induced chlorophyll fluorescence measurements to characterize the effect of the D1-H333E, D1-H332D and D1-H332S mutations on the electron transport of Photosystem II in intact cells of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803. Although the mutants are not photoautotrophic they all show flash-induced thermoluminescence and chlorophyll fluorescence, which originate from the S2QA, and S2QB, recombinations demonstrating that charge stabilization takes place in the water oxidizing complex. However, the conversion of S2 to higher S states is inhibited and the energetic stability of the S2QA, charge pair is increased by 75, 50 and 7 mV in the D1-H332D, D1-H332E and D1-H332S mutants, respectively. This is most probably caused by a decrease of Em(S2/S1). Concomitantly, the rate of electron donation from Mn to Tyr-Z, during the S1 to S2 transition is slowed down, relative to the wild type, 350- and 60-fold in the D1-H332E and D1-H332D mutants, respectively, but remains essentially unaffected in D1-H332S. A further effect of the D1-H332E and D1-H332D mutations is the retardation of the QA to QB electron transfer step as an indirect consequence of the donor side modification. Our data show that although the His residue in the D1-332 position can be substituted by other metal binding residues for binding photo-oxidisable Mn it is required for controlling the functional redox energetics of the Mn cluster. [source] Comparison of the specificity, stability and individual rate constants with respective activation parameters for the peptidase activity of cruzipain and its recombinant form, cruzain, from Trypanosoma cruziFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 24 2001Wagner A. S. Judice The Trypanosoma cruzi cysteine protease cruzipain contains a 130-amino-acid C-terminal extension, in addition to the catalytic domain. Natural cruzipain is a complex of isoforms, because of the simultaneous expression of several genes, and the presence of either high mannose-type, hybrid monoantennary-type or complex biantenary-type oligosacharide chains at Asn255 of the C-terminal extension. Cruzipain and its recombinant form without this extension (cruzain) were studied comparatively in this work. S2 to S2, subsite specificities of these enzymes were examined using four series of substrates derived from the internally quenched fluorescent peptide Abz-KLRFSKQ-EDDnp (Abz, ortho -aminobenzoic acid; EDDnp, N -(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-ethylenediamine). Large differences in the kinetic parameters were not observed between the enzymes; however, Km values were consistently lower for the hydrolysis of most of the substrates by cruzain. No difference in the pH,activity profile between the two enzymes was found, but in 1 m NaCl cruzipain presented a kcat value significantly higher than that of cruzain. The activation energy of denaturation for the enzymes did not differ significantly; however, a negative entropy value was observed for cruzipain denaturation whereas the value for cruzain was positive. We determined the individual rate constants (k1, substrate diffusion; k,1, substrate dissociation; k2, acylation; k3, deacylation) and the respective activation energies and entropies for hydrolysis of Abz-KLRFSKQ-EDDnp determining the temperature dependence of the Michaelis,Menten parameters kcat/Km and kcat as previously described [Ayala, Y.M. & Di Cera, E. (2000) Protein Sci.9, 1589,1593]. Differences between the two enzymes were clearly detected in the activation energies E1 and E,1, which are significantly higher for cruzipain. The corresponding ,S1 and ,S,1 were positive and significantly higher for cruzipain than for cruzain. These results indicate the presence of a larger energy barrier for cruzipain relating to substrate diffusion and dissociation, which could be related to the C-terminal extension and/or glycosylation state of cruzipain. [source] Examination of Gould's modified S1 (mS1) selective medium and Angle's non-selective medium for describing the diversity of Pseudomonas spp. in soil and root environmentsFEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Sonia Tarnawski Abstract Studies on the diversity of environmental culturable Pseudomonas populations are dependent on the isolation procedure. This procedure includes the use of selective media which may influence the recovery of strains and thus the diversity described. In this study, we assessed the use of two agar isolation media for describing the diversity of soil- and root-inhabiting Pseudomonas associated with the perennial grass Molinia coerulea. A total of 382 Pseudomonas strains were recovered on either non-selective Angle's medium, or on Gould's modified S1 (mS1) Pseudomonas -selective medium. Their diversity was assessed by restriction analysis of PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-amplified 16S,23S rDNA internal transcript spacer sequences. The comparison of mS1- and Angle-recovered populations showed that the use of mS1 selective medium led to an underestimation of both Pseudomonas counts and diversity, especially in the soil environment. [source] Characterisation of symbionts of entomopathogenic nematodes by universally primed-PCR (UP-PCR) and UP-PCR product cross-hybridisationFEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 1 2002O. Nielsen Abstract This work introduces and demonstrates the applicability of universally primed-PCR (UP-PCR) for differentiating bacterial symbionts of entomopathogenic nematodes. Furthermore, typing by UP-PCR product cross-hybridisation was successfully introduced to cluster the bacterial strains. The work was initiated by isolating 10 isolates of Photorhabdus temperata (S172) from the nematode host Heterorhabditis sp. (DK172) and 12 isolates of Xenorhabdus bovienii (S1) from the nematode Steinernema feltiae (DK1). The isolates were compared by UP-PCR using different primers. The two bacterial species (P. temperata and X. bovienii) could be distinguished on the basis of the banding pattern whereas isolates isolated from the same nematode host had identical banding patterns. Three isolates obtained from DK172 and DK1, respectively, were then selected along with a number of reference strains (Hb, HP88, C1, K122, HSH2, HL81, T228, 61, AN6, Q58) and further characterised by UP-PCR product cross-hybridisation. The Xenorhabdus strains (Q58, AN6, 61, T228, S1) represented three species and these species were separated by the hybridisation technique. The Photorhabdus strains (Hb, HP88, C1, K122, HSH2, HL81, S172) represented two species and were also separated according to this in the cross-hybridisation. Within each species of Photorhabdus, two subgroups were formed as a result of intensity of the hybridisation signals. This grouping was in agreement with previous studies in other laboratories. [source] New phases of thermal SYM and LST from Kaluza-Klein black holesFORTSCHRITTE DER PHYSIK/PROGRESS OF PHYSICS, Issue 7-8 2005T. Harmark Abstract We review the recently found map that takes any static and neutral Kaluza-Klein black hole, i.e. any static and neutral black hole on Minkowski-space times a circle ,d × S1, and maps it to a corresponding solution for a non- and near-extremal brane on a circle. This gives a precise connection between phases of Kaluza-Klein black holes and the thermodynamic behavior of the non-gravitational theories dual to near-extremal branes on a circle. In particular, for the thermodynamics of strongly-coupled supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories on a circle we predict the existence of a new non-uniform phase and find new information about the localized phase. We also find evidence for the existence of a new stable phase of (2,0) Little String Theory in the canonical ensemble for temperatures above its Hagedorn temperature. [source] Comparative analysis of the self-incompatibility (S -) locus region of Prunus mume: identification of a pollen-expressed F-box gene with allelic diversityGENES TO CELLS, Issue 3 2003Tetsuyuki Entani Background: Self-incompatibility (SI) in the Solanaceae, Rosaceae and Scrophulariaceae is gametophytically controlled by a single polymorphic locus, termed the S -locus. To date, the only known S -locus product is a polymorphic ribonuclease, termed S -RNase, which is secreted by stylar tissue and thought to act as a cytotoxin that degrades the RNA of incompatible pollen tubes. However, understanding how S -RNase causes S -haplotype specific inhibition of pollen tubes has been hampered by the lack of a cloned pollen S -determinant gene. Results: To identify the pollen S -determinant gene, we investigated the genomic structure of the S -locus region of the S1 - and S7 -haplotypes of Prunus mume (Japanese apricot), and identified 13 genes around the S-RNase gene. Among them, only one F-box gene, termed SLF (S -locus F-box), fulfilled the conditions for a pollen S -determinant gene: (i) together with the S-RNase gene, it is located within the highly divergent genomic region of the S -locus, (ii) it exhibits S -haplotype specific diversity among three analysed S -haplotypes, and (iii) it is specifically expressed in pollen, but not in the styles or leaves. Conclusion: The results indicate that SLF is a prime candidate for the pollen S -determinant gene of SI. [source] The Energy of Charge-Transfer States in Electron Donor,Acceptor Blends: Insight into the Energy Losses in Organic Solar CellsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 12 2009Dirk Veldman Abstract Here, a general experimental method to determine the energy ECT of intermolecular charge-transfer (CT) states in electron donor,acceptor (D,A) blends from ground state absorption and electrochemical measurements is proposed. This CT energy is calibrated against the photon energy of maximum CT luminescence from selected D,A blends to correct for a constant Coulombic term. It is shown that ECT correlates linearly with the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of photovoltaic devices in D,A blends via eVoc,=,ECT,,,0.5,eV. Using the CT energy, it is found that photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from the lowest singlet excited state (S1 with energy Eg) in the blend to the CT state (S1,,,CT) occurs when Eg,,,ECT,>,0.1,eV. Additionally, it is shown that subsequent charge recombination from the CT state to the lowest triplet excited state (ET) of D or A (CT,,,T1) can occur when ECT,,,ET,>,0.1,eV. From these relations, it is concluded that in D,A blends optimized for photovoltaic action: i) the maximum attainable Voc is ultimately set by the optical band gap (eVoc,=,Eg,,,0.6,eV) and ii) the singlet,triplet energy gap should be ,EST,<,0.2,eV to prevent recombination to the triplet state. These favorable conditions have not yet been met in conjugated materials and set the stage for further developments in this area. [source] Structural and metamorphic evolution of the phengite-bearing schists of the northern Adula Nappe (Central Alps, Switzerland)GEOLOGICAL JOURNAL, Issue 1 2008F. Zulbati Abstract Phengite-bearing schists of the northern Adula Nappe experienced a polymetamorphic and polycyclic evolution that was associated with five deformation episodes. Evidence of a pre-Alpine metamorphic event is preserved within garnet cores of some amphibole-bearing schists. The D1 and D2 deformation episodes are recorded by S1 and S2 foliations preserved only within metre-scale domains of low-D3 strain. S1 is a relict foliation. Blueschist-facies conditions at 565,±,10°C and 11.5,±,1.5,kbar were attained during D2 and were associated with the development of isoclinal folding and an S2 foliation. The D3 episode took place at 665,±,50°C and 11.5,±,2.1,kbar and was responsible for the development of a transpositive S3 foliation. The D4 episode took place at T,<,550,±,10°C and was associated with the development of a discrete S4 foliation and S-C structures. The D5 episode is recorded by sub-vertical metre-scale open folds or centimetre-scale kinks. The structural and metamorphic evolution described here indicates that the northern and central parts of the Adula Nappe were distinct continental crustal fragments and were brought together under amphibolite-facies conditions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Seismic characterization of vertical fractures described as general linear-slip interfacesGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 2 2003Vladimir Grechka ABSTRACT Fluid flow in many hydrocarbon reservoirs is controlled by aligned fractures which make the medium anisotropic on the scale of seismic wavelength. Applying the linear-slip theory, we investigate seismic signatures of the effective medium produced by a single set of ,general' vertical fractures embedded in a purely isotropic host rock. The generality of our fracture model means the allowance for coupling between the normal (to the fracture plane) stress and the tangential jump in displacement (and vice versa). Despite its low (triclinic) symmetry, the medium is described by just nine independent effective parameters and possesses several distinct features which help to identify the physical model and estimate the fracture compliances and background velocities. For example, the polarization vector of the vertically propagating fast shear wave S1 and the semi-major axis of the S1 -wave normal-moveout (NMO) ellipse from a horizontal reflector always point in the direction of the fracture strike. Moreover, for the S1 -wave both the vertical velocity and the NMO velocity along the fractures are equal to the shear-wave velocity in the host rock. Analysis of seismic signatures in the limit of small fracture weaknesses allows us to select the input data needed for unambiguous fracture characterization. The fracture and background parameters can be estimated using the NMO ellipses from horizontal reflectors and vertical velocities of P-waves and two split S-waves, combined with a portion of the P-wave slowness surface reconstructed from multi-azimuth walkaway vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data. The stability of the parameter-estimation procedure is verified by performing non-linear inversion based on the exact equations. [source] Primary lung cancer associated with Werner syndromeGERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2010Shunichiro Ohnishi A 52-year-old man with Werner Syndrome (WS) was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of skin ulcers on his thighs. Routine chest radiography revealed an abnormal shadow in the left upper lung field. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a poorly demarcated homogeneous mass (diameter, 4 cm) in the S1 + 2 lung area; no pleural effusion was observed. CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsy revealed the presence of an adenocarcinoma. Other imaging studies did not reveal any lymph-node involvement or presence of metastatic lesions. The patient was diagnosed with stage IB adenocarcinoma (T2N0M0), and a left upper lobectomy was successfully carried out; postoperative wound healing was steady and uneventful, with no obvious ulcer formation. Primary lung cancers very rarely develop in patients with WS; non-epithelial tumors are usually observed in such patients. Patients with WS usually develop severe skin problems, such as refractory skin ulcers in the extremities; however, our patient did not develop any skin-related complications after surgery. As the expected lifespan of patients with WS is increasing, we need to pay attention not only to the rare non-epithelial malignancy, but also cancer. Further, the expected short lifespan of patients with WS, as well as the possibility of skin-related problems after surgery, should not be considered while deciding whether to take the option of surgery in the case of malignancy. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2010; 10: 319,323. [source] Survival responses to oxidative stress and agingGERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2010Yuri Miura Oxidative stress is recognized as an important environmental factor in aging; however, because reactive oxygen species (ROS) and related free radicals are normally produced both intra- and extracellularly, air-living organisms cannot avoid the risk of oxidative stress. Consequently, these organisms have evolved various anti-oxidant systems to prevent ROS, scavenge free radicals, repair damaged components and adaptive responses. This review will focus on the repair and adaptive response to oxidative stress, and summarize the changes of these systems as a result aging and their relationship to premature aging. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2010; 10 (Suppl. 1): S1,S9. [source] Donor,Acceptor-Substituted Oligo(1,4-phenylene)sHELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 6 2009Soungkyoo Kim Abstract Oligo(para -phenylene)s (DAOPPs) 2a,2d (n=1,4) with terminal donor,acceptor substitution (D=C6H13O, A=NO2) were prepared by applying Suzuki cross-couplings for chain extension and end capping. The push,pull effect induces short-reaching polarizations of the chain consisting of conjugated but twisted benzene rings, which was studied by NMR measurements. Electron excitation from the ground-state S0 to the more planar first-excited singlet state S1 is combined with a strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), which is documented by the red shift of the long-wavelength absorption (charge-transfer band) for short chains (one or two repeat units, n,=,1 or 2). The opposite influence of decreasing ICT and increasing conjugation length leads to a bathochromic series (,max(n+1),,max(n)) with a fast saturation of ,max (n). The effective conjugation length nECL=4 corresponds to ,, 349,nm. These results are discussed in the context of other oligo(para -phenylene)s (OPPs). [source] Second-Generation Inhibitors for the Metalloprotease Neprilysin Based on Bicyclic Heteroaromatic Scaffolds: Synthesis, Biological Activity, and X-Ray Crystal-Structure AnalysisHELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 4 2005Stefan Sahli A new class of nonpeptidic inhibitors of the ZnII -dependent metalloprotease neprilysin with IC50 values in the nanomolar activity range (0.034,0.30,,M) were developed based on structure-based de novo design (Figs.,1 and 2). The inhibitors feature benzimidazole and imidazo[4,5- c]pyridine moieties as central scaffolds to undergo H-bonding to Asn542 and Arg717 and to engage in favorable , - , stacking interactions with the imidazole ring of His711. The platform is decorated with a thiol vector to coordinate to the ZnII ion and an aryl residue to occupy the hydrophobic S1, pocket, but lack a substituent for binding in the S2, pocket, which remains closed by the side chains of Phe106 and Arg110 when not occupied. The enantioselective syntheses of the active compounds (+)- 1, (+)- 2, (+)- 25, and (+)- 26 were accomplished using Evans auxiliaries (Schemes,2, 4, and 5). The inhibitors (+)- 2 and (+)- 26 with an imidazo[4,5- c]pyridine core are ca. 8 times more active than those with a benzimidazole core ((+)- 1 and (+)- 25) (Table,1). The predicted binding mode was established by X-ray analysis of the complex of neprilysin with (+)- 2 at 2.25-Å resolution (Fig.,4 and Table,2). The ligand coordinates with its sulfanyl residue to the ZnII ion, and the benzyl residue occupies the S1, pocket. The 1H -imidazole moiety of the central scaffold forms the required H-bonds to the side chains of Asn542 and Arg717. The heterobicyclic platform additionally undergoes ,-, stacking with the side chain of His711 as well as edge-to-face-type interactions with the side chain of Trp693. According to the X-ray analysis, the substantial advantage in biological activity of the imidazo-pyridine inhibitors over the benzimidazole ligands arises from favorable interactions of the pyridine N-atom in the former with the side chain of Arg102. Unexpectedly, replacement of the phenyl group pointing into the deep S1, pocket by a biphenyl group does not enhance the binding affinity for this class of inhibitors. [source] Hemodynamic and Volume Changes during HemodialysisHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2003Robert M. Lindsay Background:,Volume overload is a factor in the hypertension of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Fluid removal is therefore integral to the hemodialysis treatment. Fluid removal by hemodialysis ultrafiltration (UF) may cause intradialytic hypotension and leg cramps. Understanding blood pressure (BP) and volume changes during UF may eliminate intradialytic hypotension and cramps. Studies (S1, S2, and S3) were carried out to determine the amount and direction of changes in body fluid compartments following UF and to determine the relationships between BP, changes in blood volume (,BV), central blood volume (CBV), cardiac output (CO), peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) plus total body water (TBW), and intra- and extracellular fluid volumes (ICF, ECF) in both the whole body and body segments (arms, legs, trunk). Methods:,Indicator dilution technology (Transonic) was used for CBV, CO, and PVR; hematocrit monitoring (Crit-Line) was used for ,BV segmental bioimpedance (Xitron) for TBW, ICF, and ECF. Results:,S1 (n = 21) showed UF sufficient to cause ,BV of ,7% and lead to minor changes (same direction) in CBV and CO, and with cessation of UF, vascular refilling was preferential to CBV. S2 (n = 20) showed that predialysis HD patients are ECF-expanded (ECF/ICF ratio = 0.96, controls = 0.74 [P < 0.0001]) and BP correlates with ECF (r = 0.47, P = 0.35). UF to cause ,BV of ,7% was associated with a decrease in ECF (P < 0.0001) and BP directly (r = 0.46, P = 0.04) plus ,BV indirectly (r = ,0.5, P = 0.024) correlated with PVR, while CBV and CO were maintained. S3 (n = 11) showed that following UF, total-body ECF changes were correlated with leg ECF (r = 0.94) and arm ECF (r = 0.72) but not trunk ECF. Absolute ECF reduction was greatest from the legs. Conclusions:,Predialysis ECF influences BP and UF reduces ,BV and ECF, but CBV and BP are conserved by increasing PVR. ECF reduction is mainly from the legs, hence may cause cramps. Intradialytic hypotension is caused by failure of PVR response. [source] Expression of tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand and caspase-3 in relation to grade of inflammation and stage of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis CHISTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2007A Piekarska Aim:, To assess whether the distribution of the recently described proapoptotic ligand, tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and the apoptosis effector, caspase-3 alters with the degree of inflammation and fibrosis present in liver biopsy specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Methods and results:, Expression of TRAIL and caspase-3 was assessed immunohistochemically in liver biopsy specimens obtained from 89 adults with chronic hepatitis C. Expression of TRAIL in hepatocytes correlated inversely with stage of fibrosis (P = 0.001), classified according to the Scheuer score; expression of caspase-3 in hepatocytes correlated with grade of inflammation (P = 0.012). Expression of TRAIL in hepatocytes was not correlated with grade of inflammation (P > 0.05); expression of caspase-3 was not correlated with stage of fibrosis (P > 0.05). Maximum expression of proapoptotic TRAIL protein was observed in cases with low grade inflammation (G0) and low stage fibrosis (S1). Maximum expression of caspase-3 in hepatocytes was observed in cases with high grade inflammation (G3,4) and high stage fibrosis (S3), but not with liver cirrhosis (S4). Conclusions:, There is a significant decrease in TRAIL expression with increasing grade of inflammation, whereas caspase-3 expression is significantly increased with advanced fibrosis, short of cirrhosis. [source] Task-relevance and temporal synchrony between tactile and visual stimuli modulates cortical activity and motor performance during sensory-guided movementHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 2 2009Sean K. Meehan Abstract Sensory-guided movements require the analysis and integration of task-relevant sensory inputs from multiple modalities. This article sought to: (1) assess effects of intermodal temporal synchrony upon modulation of primary somatosensory cortex (S1) during continuous sensorimotor transformations, (2) identify cortical areas sensitive to temporal synchrony, and (3) provide further insight into the reduction of S1 activity during continuous vibrotactile tracking previously observed by our group (Meehan and Staines 2007: Brain Res 1138:148,158). Functional MRI was acquired while participants received simultaneous bimodal (visuospatial/vibrotactile) stimulation and continuously tracked random changes in one modality, by applying graded force to a force-sensing resistor. Effects of intermodal synchrony were investigated, unbeknownst to the participants, by varying temporal synchrony so that sensorimotor transformations dictated by the distracter modality either conflicted (low synchrony) or supplemented (high synchrony) those of the target modality. Temporal synchrony differentially influenced tracking performance dependent upon tracking modality. Physiologically, synchrony did not influence S1 activation; however, the insula and superior temporal gyrus were influenced regardless of tracking modality. The left temporal-parietal junction demonstrated increased activation during high synchrony specific to vibrotactile tracking. The superior parietal lobe and superior temporal gyrus demonstrated increased activation during low synchrony specific to visuospatial tracking. As previously reported, vibrotactile tracking resulted in decreased S1 activation relative to when it was task-irrelevant. We conclude that while temporal synchrony is represented at higher levels than S1, interactions between inter- and intramodal mechanisms determines sensory processing at the level of S1. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Coherent corticomuscular oscillations originate from primary motor cortex: Evidence from patients with early brain lesionsHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 10 2006Christian Gerloff Abstract Coherent oscillations of neurons in the primary motor cortex (M1) have been shown to be involved in the corticospinal control of muscle activity. This interaction between M1 and muscle can be measured by the analysis of corticomuscular coherence in the ,-frequency range (,-CMCoh; 14,30 Hz). Largely based on magnetoencephalographic (MEG) source-modeling data, it is widely assumed that ,-CMCoh reflects direct coupling between M1 and muscle. Deafferentation is capable of modulating ,-CMCoh, however, and therefore the influence of reafferent somatosensory signaling and corresponding neuronal activity in the somatosensory cortex (S1) has been unclear. We present transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and MEG data from three adult patients suffering from congenital hemiparesis due to pre- and perinatally acquired lesions of the pyramidal tract. In these patients, interhemispheric reorganization had resulted in relocation of M1 to the contralesional hemisphere, ipsilateral to the paretic hand, whereas S1 had remained in the lesioned hemisphere. This topographic dichotomy allowed for an unequivocal topographic differentiation of M1 and S1 with MEG (which is not possible if M1 and S1 are directly adjacent within one hemisphere). In all patients, ,-CMCoh originated from the contralesional M1, in accordance with the TMS-evoked motor responses, and in contrast to the somatosensory evoked fields (SEFs) for which the sources (N20m) were localized in S1 of the lesioned hemisphere. These data provide direct evidence for the concept that ,-CMCoh reflects the motorcortical efferent drive from M1 to the spinal motoneuron pool and muscle. No evidence was found for a relevant contribution of neuronal activity in S1 to ,-CMCoh. Hum Brain Mapp, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effects of sevoflurane on collagen production and growth factor expression in rats with an excision woundACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 7 2010H.-J. LEE Background: Sevoflurane is a widely used inhalation anesthetic, but there are no studies on its effect on the wound-healing process. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of exposure time to sevoflurane on wound healing. Method: Male Sprague,Dawley rats were used. Two circular full-thickness skin defects 8 mm in diameter were made on the dorsum of the rats. The animals were divided into six groups according to exposed gas type and time: S1 (sevoflurane, 1 h), S4 (sevoflurane, 4 h), S8 (sevoflurane, 8 h), O1 (oxygen, 1 h), O4 (oxygen, 4 h), and O8 (oxygen, 8 h). The surface area of the wounds was measured 0, 1, 3, and 7 days after surgery. Separately, the mean blood pressures (MBP) and arterial oxygen pressures (PaO2) were monitored during the sevoflurane exposure. Collagen type I production and transforming growth factor-,1 (TGF-,1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression on the wound surface were analyzed. Routine histological analysis was also performed. Result: Exposure duration to sevoflurane had no influence on MBP and PaO2. The reduction in wound size and collagen type I production was delayed in S8. The expression of TGF-,1 and bFGF on the wound surface in S8 was significantly attenuated in S8. The histology of the S8 demonstrated a delayed healing status. Conclusions: Prolonged exposure to sevoflurane might alter the inflammatory phase of the wound-healing process by attenuation of growth factor expression such as TGF-,1 and bFGF and subsequently by reduced collagen production. [source] Pigment and amylase production in Penicillium sp NIOM-02 and its radical scavenging activityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2009Mohan Appasaheb Dhale Abstract Penicillium sp NIOM-02 was isolated from the marine sediment, produced red pigment. The pigment extracted from this fungus scavenged 2, 2-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Penicillium sp NIOM-02 grown in media containing corn steep liquor scavenged 72,88% of DPPH radical. During solid-state fermentation on wheat (S1), the fungus produced more pigment (9.232 OD Units). Penicillium sp NIOM-02 grown on sugarcane bagasse scavenged 91% of DPPH radicals. It secreted more amylase (246 U mg,1) in culture medium No. 5 and the zymogram analysis revealed its molecular mass (53 kDa). The taka-amylase like character of amylase was determined by acarbose incorporated studies in the culture media. Production of pigment and radical scavenging activity of Penicillium sp NIOM-02, suggested its applications in food, pharmaceuticals and nutraceutical industries. [source] Effect of lactic acid fermentation of onions (Allium cepa) on the composition of flavonol glucosidesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2007Barbara Bisakowski Summary Fermentation of red onions inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum S1 (starter treatment) resulted in acid production to pH 4.5, after 48 h of incubation at 19 °C, which has proven to be adequate for proper preservation. In the presence of erythromycin (starter + antibiotic), acidification to pH 5.2 resulted, which was similar to that of the uninoculated control. The bacterial population was about 108 CFU mL,1 of brine after 3 days for the three treatments, suggesting that in the starter + antibiotic treatment, the antibiotic effectively suppressed the activity of the starter but not the native flora. Before lactic fermentation, the red onions contained 297.4 mg of total quercetin (Q) per kg wet weight, which consisted of 58.3%, 41.6% and 0.1% in quercetin diglucoside (Qdg), quercetin monoglucoside (Qmg) and free Q, respectively. For the starter treatment, Qdg decreased to 41.8% and 18.3% at 48 and 72 h, respectively, and a substantial amount of free Q had accumulated. The fermentation substantially increased the proportion of Qmg, which may have a positive effect as fractions containing higher ratios of Qmg to Qdg have been reported to have higher antioxidant activity. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||