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Selected AbstractsCommon and distinct neural substrates for the perception of speech rhythm and intonationHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 7 2010Linjun Zhang Abstract The present study examines the neural substrates for the perception of speech rhythm and intonation. Subjects listened passively to synthesized speech stimuli that contained no semantic and phonological information, in three conditions: (1) continuous speech stimuli with fixed syllable duration and fundamental frequency in the standard condition, (2) stimuli with varying vocalic durations of syllables in the speech rhythm condition, and (3) stimuli with varying fundamental frequency in the intonation condition. Compared to the standard condition, speech rhythm activated the right middle superior temporal gyrus (mSTG), whereas intonation activated the bilateral superior temporal gyrus and sulcus (STG/STS) and the right posterior STS. Conjunction analysis further revealed that rhythm and intonation activated a common area in the right mSTG but compared to speech rhythm, intonation elicited additional activations in the right anterior STS. Findings from the current study reveal that the right mSTG plays an important role in prosodic processing. Implications of our findings are discussed with respect to neurocognitive theories of auditory processing. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Techniques to measure the dry aeolian deposition of dust in arid and semi-arid landscapes: a comparative study in West NigerEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 2 2008Dirk Goossens Abstract Seven techniques designed to measure the dry aeolian deposition of dust on a desert surface were tested during field experiments in Niger, central-west Africa. Deposition fluxes were measured during eight periods of 3,4 days each. Experimental techniques tested were the MDCO (marble dust collector) method, the Frisbee method, the glass plate method (optical analysis of dust deposited on glass surfaces using particle imaging software), the soil surface method (deposition on a simulated desert floor) and the CAPYR (capteur pyramidal) method. Theoretical techniques tested were the inferential method and the combination method (gradient method extended with a deposition term for coarse dust particles). The results obtained by the MDCO, Frisbee, inferential and combination methods could be directly compared by converting the data to identical standard conditions (deposition on a water surface producing no resuspension). The results obtained by the other methods (glass plate, soil surface, CAPYR) were compared relatively. The study shows that the crude (unconverted) deposition fluxes of the five experimental techniques were similar, while the crude deposition fluxes calculated by the two theoretical techniques were substantially higher, of the order of four to five times as high as for the experimental techniques. Recalculation of the data to identical environmental conditions (the standard water surface) resulted in nearly identical deposition fluxes for the MDCO, Frisbee, inferential and combination techniques, although the latter two still had slightly higher values (but the differences remained small). The measurements illustrate the need to include a grain shape factor in theoretical dust deposition models. Without such a factor, theoretical models overestimate the deposition. The paper also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the techniques tested. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Better Performance of Monodentate P -Stereogenic Phosphanes Compared to Bidentate Analogues in Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic AlkylationsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 21 2010Arnald Grabulosa Abstract The cationic allylpalladium complexes 3a,3f, 4a, 4e, 5e of type [Pd(,3 -2-Me-C3H4)P2]PF6 were synthesized using a group of monodentate P -stereogenic phosphanes, P=PPhRR, (a,f) and diphosphanes (PhRPCH2)2 (1a, 1e) or PhRPCH2Si(Me)2CH2PPhR (2e). The analogous cationic complexes with the disubstituted allyl group (,3 -1,3-Ph2 -C3H3) and monodentate phosphanes were not isolated as stable solids; only [PdCl(,3 -1,3-Ph2 -C3H3)P] (6a, 6d) were obtained. Palladium allyl complexes were screened as precatalysts in the allylic substitution of rac -3-acetoxy-1,3-diphenyl-1-propene (I) and (E)-3-acetoxy-1-phenyl-1-propene (III) with dimethyl malonate as the nucleophile. The various catalytic precursors showed a wide range of activity and selectivity. The bismonodentate phosphane complexes 3 are more active than the bidentate analogues. With regard to the regioselectivity, precursors containing monodentate phosphanes favour the formation of the linear product in the allylic substitution of cinnamyl acetate (III) compared with those containing bidentate phosphanes. With substrate I, compounds with the diphosphanes 1a and 1e, containing a five-membered chelate ring, gave low enantioselectivities (less than 10,% ee), but those with the diphosphane 2e, forming a six-membered chelate ring or with two monodentate phosphanes, afforded products with moderate enantioselectivity under standard conditions (ee up to 74,%). The results show that the performance of precursors containing monodentate phosphanes was superior to those containing bidentate ligands in both activity and selectivity. [source] Bone morphogenetic protein-7 enhances dendritic growth and receptivity to innervation in cultured hippocampal neuronsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 1 2000G. S. Withers Abstract Members of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family of growth factors are present in the central nervous system during development and throughout life. They are known to play an important regulatory role in cell differentiation, but their function in postmitotic telencephalic neurons has not been investigated. To address this question, we examined cultured hippocampal neurons following treatment with bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7, also referred to as osteogenic protein-1). When added at the time of plating, BMP-7 markedly stimulated the rate of dendritic development. Within 1 day, the dendritic length of BMP-7-treated neurons was more than twice that of controls. By three days the dendritic arbors of BMP-7-treated neurons had attained a level of branching similar to that of 2-week-old neurons cultured under standard conditions. Several findings indicate that BMP-7 selectively enhances dendritic development. While dendritic length was significantly increased in BMP-7-treated neurons, the length of the axon was not. In addition, the mRNA encoding the dendritic protein MAP2 was significantly increased by BMP-7 treatment, but the mRNA for tubulin was not. Finally, BMP-7 did not enhance cell survival. Because dendritic maturation is a rate-limiting step in synapse formation in hippocampal cultures, we examined whether BMP-7 accelerated the rate at which neurons became receptive to innervation. Using two separate experimental paradigms, we found that the rate of synapse formation (assessed by counting synapsin I-positive presynaptic vesicle clusters) was increased significantly in neurons that had been exposed previously to BMP-7. Because BMP-7 and related BMPs are expressed in the hippocampus in situ, these factors may play a role in regulating dendritic branching and synapse formation in both development and plasticity. [source] Ferrocenyliminophosphites as Easy-to-Modify Ligands for Asymmetric CatalysisEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 29 2007Konstantin N. Gavrilov Abstract Several N,P bidentate phosphite-type ligands derived from readily available ferrocene-based iminoalcohols were successfully used in Rh-catalysed hydrogenations and Pd-catalysed allylic substitutions of a variety of substrates. Moderate-to-high catalytic activities under standard conditions were observed, and the enantiomeric excess of the products were up to 97,%. Results obtained under systematic variation of the ligand parameters indicate that the enantioselectivity is largely determined by the nature of the phosphocentre and also by the substituent in the C*HN-fragment. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007) [source] Improved automated extraction and separation procedure for soil lipid analysesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2004G. L. B. Wiesenberg Summary Analysis of soil lipids may contribute to an improved understanding of atmosphere to soil carbon fluxes, soil organic matter source differentiation and pollutant accumulation. Soil lipids, mostly originating from plants and microorganisms, have traditionally been analysed by non-automated extraction and separation methods, which produce several lipid fractions, operationally defined by polarity. Here we present a combination of fast, automated and reproducible techniques, adopted from organic geochemical studies, for preparative separation of individual soil lipid fractions with increasing polarity. These techniques involve commercially available instruments, including accelerated solvent extraction and a two-step automated medium-pressure liquid chromatography procedure. The method yields eight lipid fractions consisting of five fractions fully amenable to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) (aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, alcohols, carboxylic acids), and three fractions of highly polar or high molecular weight compounds (bases, very long-chain wax esters (C40+), high polarity compounds) that were not measurable with GC/MS under standard conditions. We tested the method on five agricultural soils. Results show that (i) mass recoveries for the individual fractions are reproducible, (ii) within individual fractions compound distribution patterns are reproducible, as demonstrated for alkanes and carboxylic acids, and (iii) individual fractions represent distinct and clean compound classes, free of interfering substances detectable by GC/MS. Thus, automated separation can be a fast, effective and reproducible procedure for fractionation of complex mixtures of soil lipids into clean compound classes, directly suitable for a variety of molecular (e.g. GC/MS) and isotopic characterizations (e.g. gas chromatography coupled with isotope ratio monitoring mass spectrometry or accelerator mass spectrometry). [source] Interactive effects of elevated CO2 and soil fertility on isoprene emissions from Quercus roburGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 11 2004Malcolm Possell Abstract The effects of global change on the emission rates of isoprene from plants are not clear. A factor that can influence the response of isoprene emission to elevated CO2 concentrations is the availability of nutrients. Isoprene emission rate under standard conditions (leaf temperature: 30°C, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR): 1000 ,mol photons m,2 s,1), photosynthesis, photosynthetic capacity, and leaf nitrogen (N) content were measured in Quercus robur grown in well-ventilated greenhouses at ambient and elevated CO2 (ambient plus 300 ppm) and two different soil fertilities. The results show that elevated CO2 enhanced photosynthesis but leaf respiration rates were not affected by either the CO2 or nutrient treatments. Isoprene emission rates and photosynthetic capacity were found to decrease with elevated CO2, but an increase in nutrient availability had the converse effect. Leaf N content was significantly greater with increased nutrient availability, but unaffected by CO2. Isoprene emission rates measured under these conditions were strongly correlated with photosynthetic capacity across the range of different treatments. This suggests that the effects of CO2 and nutrient levels on allocation of carbon to isoprene production and emission under near-saturating light largely depend on the effects on photosynthetic electron transport capacity. [source] Comparison of the Relative Reactivities of the Triisopropylsilyl Group With Two Fluorous AnalogsADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 7-8 2009Amador Garcia Sancho Abstract The relative stabilities of two fluorous analogs, diisopropyl(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10- heptadecafluorodecyl)silyl and diisopropyl- (4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,11,11,11-heptadecafluoroundecyl)silyl [C8F17(CH2)nSi(i- Pr)2, where n=2 or 3], of the standard triisopropylsilyl (TIPS) group are compared in the setting of alcohol protection. The fluorous silyl groups can be installed under standard conditions in comparable yields to the TIPS group, but the derived fluorous silyl ethers are more labile than TIPS ethers towards cleavage by both acids and fluoride. [source] Rhodium-Catalyzed Highly Regioselective Hydroformylation-Hydrogenation of 1,2-Allenyl-Phosphine Oxides and -PhosphonatesADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 9 2008Hao Guo Abstract The rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation-hydrogenation of 1,2-allenyl-phosphine oxides and -phosphonates is reported in this paper. The regioselectivity was well controlled, affording only saturated linear ,-phosphinyl aldehydes under the standard conditions: (carbonyl)tris(triphenylphosphine)-rhodium hydride [RhH(CO)(PPh3)3] (3,mol%), triphenylphosphine (PPh3) (10,mol%), carbon monoxide (CO) (2.4×106,Pa), hydrogen (H2) (subsequently charged to 4.8×106,Pa), toluene, 100,°C, 24,h. [source] Long chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate membrane phospholipid composition and protein localization in lipid rafts of neural stem cell culturesJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2010Bénédicte Langelier Abstract Rat neural stem cells/neural progenitors (NSC/NP) are generally grown in serum-free medium. In this study, NSC/NP were supplemented with the main long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) present in the brain, arachidonic acid (AA), or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and were monitored for their growth. Lipid and fatty acid contents of the cells were also determined. Under standard conditions, the cells were characterized by phospholipids displaying a highly saturated profile, and very low levels of PUFAs. When cultured in the presence of PUFAs, the cells easily incorporated them into the phospholipid fraction. We also compared the presence of three membrane proteins in the lipid raft fractions: GFR and connexin 43 contents in the rafts were increased by DHA supplementation, whereas G, subunit content was not significantly modified. The restoration of DHA levels in the phospholipids could profoundly affect protein localization and, consequently, their functionalities. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 1356,1364, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Capacity of activated carbon derived from pistachio shells by H3PO4 in the removal of dyes and phenolicsJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2003Amina A Attia Abstract Two activated carbons were obtained from pistachio shells by impregnation with H3PO4 under standard conditions of acid concentration (50 wt%) and heat treatment at 773 K for 2 h. The soaking time was 24 and 72 h for the two samples before thermal pyrolysis. Analysis of the N2/77 K adsorption isotherms proved that both were highly adsorbing carbons with considerable microporosity, and that the prolonged contact with activant enhanced total porosity (surface area and pore volume) and increased the amount of mesoporosity. Adsorption isotherms of probe molecules, viz methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RB), phenol (P) and p -nitrophenol (PNP), were determined at room temperature, from aqueous solutions. Both the Langmuir and Freundlich model adsorption equations show satisfactory fit to experimental data. Both carbons exhibit similar adsorption parameters irrespective of their porosity characteristics. The sequence of uptake per unit weight was: PNP > MB > RB > P. Low affinity towards phenol may be associated with its competition with water molecules which are more favourably attracted to the acid surface which has a high oxygen functionality. Preferred adsorption in the order PNP > MB > RB is proposed to be a function of carbon porosity, related to the increased molecular dimensions of the solutes. Adsorption from a binary mixture of equal concentrations of MB and RB showed reduced uptake for both sorbates in comparison to the single component experiments. RB removal surpasses that of MB in the binary test and may be attributed to lower water solubility and higher molecular dimensions. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Physico-chemical characterisation of 99mTc-tin fluoride colloid agent used for labelling white cellsJOURNAL OF LABELLED COMPOUNDS AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, Issue 6 2006Chris Tsopelas Abstract 99mTc,tin fluoride colloid is an agent used to label leucocytes, for the imaging and diagnosis of inflammatory conditions including Crohn's disease. Despite previous investigations, this radiolabelling agent is still poorly characterised. The aim of this work was to examine the process of formation and stability of 99mTc,tin fluoride colloid using mass spectrometry, membrane filtration and atomic absorption spectrophotometric techniques. Tin-oxide bonds in tin clusters were identified in the stannous fluoride reagent vial by mass spectrometry. From radioactive particle size distribution experiments, the facile disruption of radiocolloid particles with excess oxygen gas contrasted to the partial hydrolysis of Sn(II) during the formation process. Under the standard conditions, 10% of particles were determined as 1,3 µm, and this population coordinated 96% of the 99mTc added. Colloid particle formation and the reduction of 99mTc-pertechnetate is discussed. Sodium fluoride may optimise 1,3 µm radioactive particle size, by regulating particle growth. 99mTc,tin fluoride colloid is affected by positive or negative charge, as either Al, Mo ions or solid membranes, resulting in either coagulation and/or deflocculation of the particles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Eddy-current induction in extended metallic parts as a source of considerable torsional momentJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 4 2006Hansjörg Graf PhD Abstract Purpose To examine eddy-current-provoked torque on conductive parts due to current induction from movement through the fringe field of the MR scanner and from gradient switching. Materials and Methods For both cases, torque was calculated for frames of copper, aluminum, and titanium, inclined to 45° to B0 (maximum torque case). Conditions were analyzed in which torque from gravity (legal limit, ASTM F2213-02) was exceeded. Experiments were carried out on a 1.5 T and a 3 T scanner for copper and titanium frames and plates (,50 × 50 mm2). Movement-induced torque was measured at patient table velocity (20 cm/second). Alternating torque from gradient switching was investigated by holding the specimens in different locations in the scanner while executing sequences that exploited the gradient capabilities (40 mT/m). Results The calculations predicted that movement-induced torque could exceed torque from gravity (depending on the part size, electric resistance, and velocity). Two experiments on moving conductive frames in the fringe fields of the scanners confirmed the calculations. For maximum torque case parameters, gradient-switching-induced torque was calculated to be nearly 100 times greater than the movement-induced torque. Well-conducting metal parts located off center vibrated significantly due to impulse-like fast alternating torque characteristics. Conclusion Torque on metal parts from movement in the fringe field is weak under standard conditions, but for larger parts the acceptable limit can be reached with a high static field and increased velocity. Vibrations due to gradient switching were confirmed and may explain the sensations occasionally reported by patients with implants. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Curbing the greenhouse effect by carbon dioxide adsorption with Zeolite 13XAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 12 2007Naveen Konduru Abstract The removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial emissions has become essential in the fight against climate change. In this study, we employed Zeolite 13X for the capture and recovery of CO2 in a flow through system where the adsorbent was subjected to five adsorption-desorption cycles. The influent stream contained 1.5% CO2 at standard conditions. The adsorbent bed was 1 in. in length and 1 in. 3/8 in dia., and was packed with 10 g of the zeolite. Temperature swing adsorption (TSA) was employed as the regeneration method through heating to approximately 135 °C with helium as the purge gas. The adsorbent capacity at 90% saturation was found to decrease from 78 to 60gCO2/kgZeolite13X after the fifth cycle. The CO2 capture ratio or the mass of CO2 adsorbed to the total mass that entered the system decreased from 63% to only 61% after the fifth cycle. The CO2 recovery efficiency ranged from 82 to 93% during desorption, and the CO2 relative recovery, i.e., CO2 desorbed for the nth cycle to CO2 adsorbed for the first cycle, ranged from 88 to 68%. The service life of the adsorbent was determined to be equal to eleven cycles at a useful capacity of 40gCO2/kgZeolite13X. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007 [source] Study of mRNA Expression by Real Time PCR of Cpkk1, Cpkk2 and Cpkk3, three MEKs of Cryphonectria parasitica, in Virus-free and Virus-infected Isogenic IsolatesJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2010Laura Rostagno Abstract Cpkk1 and Cpkk2 are two previously characterized Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MEK) from Cryphonectria parasitica. For the characterization of the third MEK, primers designed to a conserved region of the known fungal MEK sequences were used in a PCR reaction to amplify genomic DNA from C. parasitica. The sequence of the resulting amplicon was compared to known sequences in the database using a Blast search. Results of the sequence comparison indicated that the initial fragment obtained encoded for a new MEK from C. parasitica, that had highest homology to Pbs2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By inverse PCR we obtained a genomic fragment spanning the entire coding sequence of this MEK, which was named Cpkk3. The cDNA of Cpkk3 was obtained by compiling the sequences of RT-PCR products resulting from the amplification of purified mRNA. TaqMan® Probes were designed to analyse the expression of Cpkk1, Cpkk2 and Cpkk3 mRNA through RT-Real Time PCR. This protocol allowed the expression of Cpkk3 to be successfully compared to the expression of Cpkk1 and Cpkk2, two previously cloned C. parasitica MEKs. No variation in expression was associated with the presence of a virus after 2 days of growth in standard conditions whereas an increase in the expression level of all the three MEKs was shown after 4 days of growth. [source] Silicone-based impact modifiers for poly(vinyl chloride), engineering resins, and blendsJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 5 2004Akira Yanagase Abstract Silicone-based impact modifiers were prepared in a previous study. The modifiers were composed of silicone/acrylic rubber cores and grafted acrylic shells. They improved the toughness of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(methyl methacrylate). The silicone emulsion that was used to produce the silicone-based impact modifiers was prepared via two routes: emulsion polymerization and bulk polymerization of octamethyltetracyclosiloxane. Many silicone-based impact modifiers were produced that had different silicone/acrylic rubber characteristics. Through a toughness examination of modified PVC, the best composition of the silicone-based impact modifiers was obtained, and the silicone content in the rubber composition was 25 wt %. The morphology of the silicone-based impact modifiers, determined by transmission electron microscopy, was as follows: core and second shell polymers were mainly poly(butyl acrylate), and the first shell polymer was silicone. The silicone-based impact modifiers were blended with engineering resins such as PVC, polycarbonate (PC), poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), and PC/PBT mixtures. The impact strength under standard conditions and after weathering test conditions for blends of the silicone-based impact modifiers were investigated with respect to two commercially available acrylic and methyl methacrylate/butadiene/styrene impact modifiers. The results showed good weatherability and good toughness under low-temperature conditions for the silicone-based impact modifiers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1112,1119, 2004 [source] Endogenous City Formation with Production Externalities: Existence of EquilibriumJOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMIC THEORY, Issue 6 2007COURTNEY LAFOUNTAIN I show that equilibria exist in closed city-system models with production externalities if firms' production possibilities vary continuously with the source of the externality, are constant returns to scale in own inputs, include inaction, and satisfy free disposal; if firms have to employ their own inputs to produce output; if there is a finite number of firm types; and if some standard conditions on preferences and endowments are satisfied. This is the first model to include production externalities in the fully general equilibrium framework required for endogenous city formation. Thus, this result provides formal support for the conjecture that production externalities lead to urban agglomeration. [source] Effect of apoE/ATP-containing liposomes on hepatic energy stateLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2003S. Chaïb Abstract: Background/Aims: ATP-containing liposomes partially prevent ATP depletion in the cold-stored liver. As hepatocytes can specifically bind apoE, we investigated whether the addition of apoE to large (200 nm) ATP-containing liposomes increases their uptake by the liver and further improves hepatic energy stores. Methods: Livers from fasted male Hartley guinea-pigs (231±3 g) were perfused for 90 min under our standard conditions (Control, n=6) or after a single bolus addition of plain liposomes (Lip, n=6), ATP (5 ,mol)-containing liposomes (ATP-Lip, n=6) or apoE/ATP-containing liposomes (0.8 or 8 mg apoE/g phospholipids; apoE1-Lip and apoE10-Lip, respectively, n=6 in each group). Liposome uptake and its impact on energy and nitrogen metabolism were studied. Results: At its highest concentration, apoE significantly increased liposome uptake (apoE10-Lip:,9.17±0.69 vs apoE1-Lip:,6.18±0.44 vs ATP-Lip:,6.40±0.88 nmol min,1 g,1; P<0.05). This was associated with a significant increase in intrahepatic ATP (apoE10-Lip: 1033±137 vs apoE1-Lip: 811±98 and ATP-Lip: 648±36 nmol g,1; P<0.05), which was restored to its level in non-perfused livers. Hepatic viability and nitrogen metabolism were not affected. Conclusions: Hepatic ATP content being a key factor in the maintenance of liver graft function, apoE/ATP-containing liposomes should be useful in liver preservation for transplantation. [source] Multicyclic Poly(ether sulfone)s Derived from Tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethaneMACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 7 2007Mazen Garaleh Abstract Polycondensations of 4,4,-difluorodiphenylsulfone with tris(4-hydroxy phenyl)ethane were performed in DMSO with variation of feed ratio and concentration. For feed ratios of 1.0:1.3,1.0:1.5, soluble multicyclic poly(ether sulfone)s were obtained when the monomer concentration was below 0.05 M. The conversions were never complete under standard conditions, and doubling the reaction time yielded perfect multicyclic products free of endgroups; however, a small fraction of the product was crosslinked under these conditions. Quite similar results were obtained with 4,4,-dichlorodiphenylsulfone at higher temperatures. When K2CO3 was replaced by tertiary amines, conversions and molecular weights were lower. The multicyclic poly(ether sulfone)s were characterized by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, SEC, and DSC measurements. Broad molecular weight distributions with polydispersities in the range of 2.4,3.9 were found, and, surprisingly, two glass transitions were detectable in the DSC heating curves. [source] Within and between population genetic variation for zinc accumulation in Arabidopsis halleriNEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 1 2002Mark R. Macnair Summary ,,Hyperaccumulator plants in the field show significant variation in the metal concentration in their aerial parts, but little is known of the causes of this variation. This paper investigates the role of soil zinc (Zn) concentration and genetic variation in causing between and within population variation in Zn accumulation in Arabidopsis halleri. ,,Seed from 17 populations of A. halleri collected in central Europe were grown under standard conditions at three external Zn concentrations and tested for Zn concentration in the leaves. ,,Between population variation was highest at low external zinc concentrations. At 10 µm Zn some plants had very low leaf Zn concentrations, and were indistinguishable from nonaccumulators. However, at higher Zn concentrations, all plants showed hyperaccumulation. There were no differences in the accumulating abilities of populations from sites with different degrees of contamination. ,,Heritability of accumulation, determined for individual families from three populations, was quite high (25,50%), indicating that selection for increased accumulating ability should be possible, although selection would be easier at low external Zn concentrations. The Zn concentration of field collected plants was affected partly by plant genotype but not by the total soil Zn around their roots. [source] Effect of temperature on the cushioning properties of some foamed plastic materialsPACKAGING TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Issue 2 2003Jorge Marcondes Abstract Foamed plastics are used to cushion products to protect them from shock and vibration. Design data is in most cases derived from laboratory tests, performed under standard conditions. However, during distribution, most shock and vibration events occur under conditions different from those under which the materials were evaluated. Two commonly used foams in packaging, expanded polyethylene and expanded polystyrene, were used to investigate how changes in temperature affect the performance properties of these materials. The materials were tested for shock and vibration under four different temperatures (,17°C, 3°C, 23°C and 43°C). The results show that the properties of expanded polystyrene were the least influenced and those of expanded polyethylene were the most influenced by changes in temperature. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Narrow-band UVB-induced Externalization of Selected Nuclear Antigens in Keratinocytes: Implications for Lupus Erythematosus Pathogenesis,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Adam Reich The aim of this study was to analyze whether sera obtained from patients with lupus erythematosus (LE) react with membrane structures found on keratinocytes irradiated with narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB). We applied atomic force microscopy (AFM) to visualize cell surface structures expressing nuclear antigens upon apoptosis following NB-UVB irradiation. Immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were cultured under standard conditions, irradiated with 800 mJ cm,2 NB-UVB light and imaged by AFM mounted on an inverted optical microscope. It was observed that NB-UVB irradiation provoked significant alterations of the keratinocyte morphology and led to the membrane expression of antigens recognized by anti-La and anti-Ro 60 kDa sera but not by antidouble-strand DNA sera. The presence of La and Ro 60 kDa antigens on keratinocyte surfaces after NB-UVB irradiation was limited mainly to the small bleb-like protrusions found on the keratinocytes by AFM. A closer investigation by AFM also revealed that some structures positively stained with anti-Ro 60 kDa serum were also located submembranously. We hypothesize that the externalization of some nuclear antigens because of NB-UVB exposure might be responsible for exacerbation of skin symptoms in patients suffering from LE. [source] The Glycine Decarboxylase Complex is not Essential for the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp.PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Strain PCC 680 Abstract: In order to investigate the metabolic importance of glycine decarboxylase (GDC) in cyanobacteria, mutants were generated defective in the genes encoding GDC subunits and the serine hydroxymethyl-transferase (SHMT). It was possible to mutate the genes for GDC subunits P, T, or H protein in the cyanobacterial model strain Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, indicating that GDC is not necessary for cell viability under standard conditions. In contrast, the SHMT coding gene was found to be essential. Almost no changes in growth, pigmentation, or photosynthesis were detected in the GDC subunit mutants, regardless of whether or not they were cultivated at ambient or high CO2 concentrations. The mutation of GDC led to an increased glycine/serine ratio in the mutant cells. Furthermore, supplementation of the medium with low glycine concentrations was toxic for the mutants but not for wild type cells. Conditions stimulating photorespiration in plants, such as low CO2 concentrations, did not induce but decrease the expression of the GDC and SHMT genes in Synechocystis. It appears that, in contrast to heterotrophic bacteria and plants, GDC is dispensable for Synechocystis and possibly other cyanobacteria. [source] Increased cysteine availability is essential for cadmium tolerance and accumulation in Arabidopsis thalianaPLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 6 2004José R. Domínguez-Solís Summary Employing genetic transformation using an Atcys-3A cDNA construct expressing the cytosolic O -acetylserine(thiol)lyase (OASTL), we obtained two Arabidopsis lines with different capabilities for supplying cysteine under metal stress conditions. Lines 1-2 and 10-10, grown under standard conditions, showed similar levels of cysteine and glutathione (GSH) to those of the wild-type. However, in the presence of cadmium, line 10-10 showed significantly higher levels. The increased thiol content allowed line 10-10 to survive under severe heavy metal stress conditions (up to 400 µm of cadmium in the growth medium), and resulted in an accumulation of cadmium in the leaves to a level similar to that of metal hyperaccumulator plants. Investigation of the epidermal leaf surface clearly showed that most of the cadmium had accumulated in the trichomes. Furthermore, line 10-10 was able to accumulate more cadmium in its trichomes than the wild-type, whereas line 1-2 showed a reduced capacity for cadmium accumulation. Our results suggest that an increased rate of cysteine biosynthesis is responsible for the enhanced cadmium tolerance and accumulation in trichome leaves. Thus, molecular engineering of the cysteine biosynthesis pathway, together with modification of the number of leaf trichomes, may have considerable potential in increasing heavy metal accumulation for phytoremediation purposes. [source] Isoprenoid emission in trees of Quercus pubescens and Quercus ilex with lifetime exposure to naturally high CO2 environment,PLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 4 2004F. RAPPARINI ABSTRACT The long-term effect of elevated atmospheric CO2 on isoprenoid emissions from adult trees of two Mediterranean oak species (the monoterpene-emitting Quercus ilex L. and the isoprene-emitting Quercus pubescens Willd.) native to a high-CO2 environment was investigated. During two consecutive years, isoprenoid emission was monitored both at branch level, measuring the actual emissions under natural conditions, and at leaf level, measuring the basal emissions under the standard conditions of 30 °C and at light intensity of 1000 µmol m,2 s,1. Long-term exposure to high atmospheric levels of CO2 did not significantly affect the actual isoprenoid emissions. However, when leaves of plants grown in the control site were exposed for a short period to an elevated CO2 level by rapidly switching the CO2 concentration in the gas-exchange cuvette, both isoprene and monoterpene basal emissions were clearly inhibited. These results generally confirm the inhibitory effect of elevated CO2 on isoprenoid emission. The absence of a CO2 effect on actual emissions might indicate higher leaf temperature at elevated CO2, or an interaction with multiple stresses some of which (e.g. recurrent droughts) may compensate for the CO2 effect in Mediterranean ecosystems. Under elevated CO2, isoprene emission by Q. pubescens was also uncoupled from the previous day's air temperature. In addition, pronounced daily and seasonal variations of basal emission were observed under elevated CO2 underlining that correction factors may be necessary to improve the realistic estimation of isoprene emissions with empirical algorithms in the future. A positive linear correlation of isoprenoid emission with the photosynthetic electron transport and in particular with its calculated fraction used for isoprenoid synthesis was found. The slope of this relationship was different for isoprene and monoterpenes, but did not change when plants were grown in either ambient or elevated CO2. This suggests that physiological algorithms may usefully predict isoprenoid emission also under rising CO2 levels. [source] New Escherichia coli outer membrane proteins identified through prediction and experimental verificationPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 4 2006Paola Marani Abstract Many new Escherichia coli outer membrane proteins have recently been identified by proteomics techniques. However, poorly expressed proteins and proteins expressed only under certain conditions may escape detection when wild-type cells are grown under standard conditions. Here, we have taken a complementary approach where candidate outer membrane proteins have been identified by bioinformatics prediction, cloned and overexpressed, and finally localized by cell fractionation experiments. Out of eight predicted outer membrane proteins, we have confirmed the outer membrane localization for five,YftM, YaiO, YfaZ, CsgF, and YliI,and also provide preliminary data indicating that a sixth,YfaL,may be an outer membrane autotransporter. [source] The Molecular Evolution and Structural Organization of Group I Introns at Position 1389 in Nuclear Small Subunit rDNA of MyxomycetesTHE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007ODD-GUNNAR WIKMARK ABSTRACT. The number of nuclear group I introns from myxomycetes is rapidly increasing in GenBank as more rDNA sequences from these organisms are being sequenced. They represent an interesting and complex group of intervening sequences because several introns are mobile (or inferred to be mobile) and many contain large and unusual insertions in peripheral loops. Here we describe related group I introns at position 1389 in the small subunit rDNA of representatives from the myxomycete family Didymiaceae. Phylogenetic analyses support a common origin and mainly vertical inheritance of the intron. All S1389 introns from the Didymiaceae belong to the IC1 subclass of nuclear group I introns. The central catalytic core region of about 100 nt appears divergent in sequence composition even though the introns reside in closely related species. Furthermore, unlike the majority of group I introns from myxomycetes the S1389 introns do not self-splice as naked RNA in vitro under standard conditions, consistent with a dependence on host factors for folding or activity. Finally, the myxomycete S1389 introns are exclusively found within the family Didymiaceae, which suggests that this group I intron was acquired after the split between the families Didymiaceae and Physaraceae. [source] A robotic system for crystallizing membrane and soluble proteins in lipidic mesophasesACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 10 2004Vadim Cherezov A high-throughput robotic system has been developed for crystallizing membrane proteins using lipidic mesophases. It incorporates commercially available components and is relatively inexpensive. The crystallization robot uses standard automated liquid-handlers and a specially built device for accurately and reproducibly delivering nanolitre volumes of highly viscous protein/lipid mesophases. Under standard conditions, the robot uses just 20,nl protein solution, 30,nl lipid and 1,µl precipitant solution. 96 wells can be set up using the robot in 13,min. Trials are performed in specially designed 96-well glass plates. The slim (<2,mm high) plates have exquisite optical properties and are well suited for the detection of microcrystals and for birefringence-free imaging between crossed polarizers. Quantitative evaluation of the crystallization progress is performed using an automated imaging system. The optics, in combination with the slim crystallization plates, enables in-focus imaging of the entire well volume in a single shot such that a 96-well plate can be imaged in just 4.5,min. The performance characteristics of the robotic system and the versatility of the crystallization robot in performing vapor-diffusion, microbatch and bicelle crystallizations of membrane and soluble proteins are described. [source] Vibration Analysis on Incubating Eggs and Its Relation to Embryonic DevelopmentBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2003Bart J. Kemps Coucke (1998) was the first to use acoustic resonance analysis to monitor embryo development in chicken eggs. He remarked that at around 100 hours of incubation, the course of the resonant frequency and damping changed abruptly in the case of fertile eggs. He also showed that these changes were related to a physiologic event during early embryonic development. The objective of our study is to monitor the course of the vibration parameters during the early incubation of chicken eggs and to relate these changes to egg and embryo characteristics. A total of 72 Hybro eggs were incubated vertically in a small incubator at standard conditions. Several egg parameters were measured before incubation. During the early stages of incubation the vibration behavior of these eggs was monitored. The time at which the damping of the vibration suddenly changed, the diameter of the eggs and their interaction were found to be significant explanatory variables in order to predict hatching time. A correlation coefficient r of 0.72 was obtained. [source] 3235: Application of autologous cultivated corneal epithelium for restoring of corneal surfaceACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010D DOBROWOLSKI Purpose To present results of transplantations of cultured corneal epithelium in limbal stem cell insufficiency. Methods 26 patients were donors of limbal epithelium for corneal epithelial culture. Patients suffered from limbal deficiency in one eye after chemical or thermal burn. Limbal cells from 2 mm2 biopsy were seeded on amniotic membrane. Cultures were carried in standard conditions in supplememted DMEM in presence of 3T3 fibroblasts. After superficial keratectomy amniotic carries with epithelial cells were transplanted on denuded corneas. Stabilisation of corneal surface was evaluated. Results 3 months after surgery 61,5% of eyes showed stabile epithelium with corneal slight haze caused by the amnion. In 50,0% of eyes there was no recurrent conjuntival neovascularisation. 38,4% of eyes remained cloudy due to stromal revascularization. In 4 eyes total conjuctival pannus developed again. Visual acuity ranged from counting fingers to 0,5. Conclusion Grafting of cultured epithelium is a promising method in treatment of limbal stem cell insufficiency in burns. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||