Facile production of ordered 3D platinum nanowire networks with “single diamond” bicontinuous cubic morphology

Direct electrochemical templating is carried out using a thin layer of a self-assembled diamond phase (QIID) of phytantriol to create a platinum film with a novel nanostructure. Small-angle X-ray scattering shows that the nanostructured platinum films are asymmetrically templated and exhibit “single diamond” morphology with Fd3m symmetry.

Production of novel ACE inhibitory peptides from β-lactoglobulin using Protease N Amano

Potent angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide mixtures were obtained from the hydrolysis of β-lactoglobulin (βLg) using Protease N Amano, a food-grade commercial proteolytic preparation. Hydrolysis experiments were carried out for 8 h at two different temperatures and neutral pH. Based on their ACE inhibitory activity, samples of 6 h of digestion were chosen for further analysis. The temperature used for the hydrolysis had a marked influence on the type of peptides produced and their concentration in the hydrolysate. Protease N Amano was found to produce very complex peptide mixtures; however, the partially fractionated hydrolysates had already very potent ACE inhibitory activity. The novel heptapeptide SAPLRVY was isolated and characterised. It corresponded to βLg f(36–42) and had an IC50 value of 8 μm, which is considerably lower than the most potent ACE inhibitory peptides derived from bovine βLg reported so far.

Integration of Space and In Situ Observations to Study Global Climate Change

The currently available model-based global data sets of atmospheric circulation are a by-product of the daily requirement of producing initial conditions for numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. These data sets have been quite useful for studying fundamental dynamical and physical processes, and for describing the nature of the general circulation of the atmosphere. However, due to limitations in the early data assimilation systems and inconsistencies caused by numerous model changes, the available model-based global data sets may not be suitable for studying global climate change. A comprehensive analysis of global observations based on a four-dimensional data assimilation system with a realistic physical model should be undertaken to integrate space and in situ observations to produce internally consistent, homogeneous, multivariate data sets for the earth's climate system. The concept is equally applicable for producing data sets for the atmosphere, the oceans, and the biosphere, and such data sets will be quite useful for studying global climate change.

High yield production of a soluble bifidobacterial β-galactosidase (BbgIV) inE. coliDH5α with improved catalytic efficiency for the synthesis of prebiotic galactooligosaccharides

The bifidobacterial β-galactosidase (BbgIV) was produced in E. coli DH5α at 37 and 30 °C in a 5 L bioreactor under varied conditions of dissolved oxygen (dO2) and pH. The yield of soluble BbgIV was significantly (P < 0.05) increased once the dO2 dropped to 0–2% and remained at such low values during the exponential phase. Limited dO2 significantly (P < 0.05) increased the plasmid copy number and decreased the cells growth rate. Consequently, the BbgIV yield increased to its maximum (71–75 mg per g dry cell weight), which represented 20–25% of the total soluble proteins in the cells. In addition, the specific activity and catalytic efficiency of BbgIV were significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced under limited dO2 conditions. This was concomitant with a change in the enzyme secondary structure, suggesting a link between the enzyme structure and function. The knowledge generated from this work is very important for producing BbgIV as a biocatalyst for the development of a cost-effective process for the synthesis of prebiotic galactooligosaccharides from lactose.

A microblock ionomer in proton exchange membrane electrolysis for the production of high purity hydrogen

Proton exchange membranes (PEM’s) are currently under investigation for membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) to deliver efficient production of the high purity hydrogen needed to supply emerging clean-energy technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells. The microblock aromatic ionomer described in this work achieves high mechanical strength in an aqueous environment as a result of its designed, biphasic morphology and displays many of the qualities required in a PEM. The new ionomer membrane thus shows good proton conductivity (63 mS cm−1 at 80 °C and 100% RH), while retaining mechanical integrity under high temperature, hydrated conditions. Testing in electrolysis has shown good energy efficiency (1.67 V at 1 A cm−2 and 80 °C, corresponding to 4 kWh/Nm3 of H2), making this ionomer a potential candidate for commercial application in PEMWE.

Optimisation of recombinant production of active human cardiac SERCA2a ATPase

Methods for recombinant production of eukaryotic membrane proteins, yielding sufficient quantity and quality of protein for structural biology, remain a challenge. We describe here, expression and purification optimisation of the human SERCA2a cardiac isoform of Ca2+ translocating ATPase, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the heterologous expression system of choice. Two different expression vectors were utilised, allowing expression of C-terminal fusion proteins with a biotinylation domain or a GFP- His8 tag. Solubilised membrane fractions containing the protein of interest were purified onto Streptavidin-Sepharose, Ni-NTA or Talon resin, depending on the fusion tag present. Biotinylated protein was detected using specific antibody directed against SERCA2 and, advantageously, GFP-His8 fusion protein was easily traced during the purification steps using in-gel fluorescence. Importantly, talon resin affinity purification proved more specific than Ni-NTA resin for the GFP-His8 tagged protein, providing better separation of oligomers present, during size exclusion chromatography. The optimised method for expression and purification of human cardiac SERCA2a reported herein, yields purified protein (> 90%) that displays a calcium-dependent thapsigargin-sensitive activity and is suitable for further biophysical, structural and physiological studies. This work provides support for the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a suitable expression system for recombinant production of multi-domain eukaryotic membrane proteins.

Building dynamic capabilities of adaptation and innovation: a study of micro-foundations in a transition economy

What are the microfoundations of dynamic capabilities that sustain competitive advantage in a highly volatile environment, such as a transition economy? We explore the detailed nature of these dynamic capabilities along with their antecedents by tracing the sequence of their development based on a longitudinal case study of an organization subject to an external context of radical transition — the Russian oil company, Yukos. Our rich qualitative data indicate two distinct types of dynamic capabilities that are pivotal for organizational transformation. Adaptation dynamic capabilities relate to routines of resource exploitation and deployment, which are supported by acquisition, internalization and dissemination of extant knowledge, as well as resource reconfiguration, divestment and integration. Innovation dynamic capabilities relate to the creation of completely new capabilities via exploration and path-creation processes, which are supported by search, experimentation and risk taking, as well as project selection, funding and implementation. Second, we find that sequencing the two types of dynamic capabilities, helped the organization both to secure short-term competitive advantage, and to create the basis for long-term competitive advantage. These dynamic capability constructs advance theoretical understanding of what dynamic capabilities are, whilst their sequencing explains how firms create, leverage and enhance them over time.

Attribution of the spatial pattern of CO2-forced sea level change to ocean surface flux changes

Climate models taking part in the coupled model intercomparison project phase 5 (CMIP5) all predict a global mean sea level rise for the 21st century. Yet the sea level change is not spatially uniform and differs among models. Here we evaluate the role of air–sea fluxes of heat, water and momentum (windstress) to find the spatial pattern associated to each of them as well as the spread they can account for. Using one AOGCM to which we apply the surface flux changes from other AOGCMs, we show that the heat flux and windstress changes dominate both the pattern and the spread, but taking the freshwater flux into account as well yields a sea level change pattern in better agreement with the CMIP5 ensemble mean. Differences among the CMIP5 control ocean temperature fields have a smaller impact on the sea level change pattern.

Environmental controls on the production of calcium carbonate by earthworms

Lumbricus terrestris earthworms produce calcium carbonate (CaCO3) granules with unknown physiological function. To investigate carbon sequestration potential, the influence of temperature and CO2 concentration ([CO2]) on CaCO3 production was investigated using three soils, five temperatures(3-20 C) and four atmospheric [CO2] (439-3793 ppm). Granule production rates differed between soils, but could not be related to any soil characteristics measured. Production rates increased with temperature, probably because of higher metabolic rate, and with soil CO2 concentration. Implications for carbon sequestration are discussed. CaCO3 production in earthworms is probably related to pH regulation of blood and tissue fluid in the high CO2 environment of the soil.

The effect of artificial diet on the production of alarm pheromone by Myzus persicae.

The cornicle secretion of Myzus persicae reared on artificial diet only elicits an alarm response in plant-reared conspecifics after the young aphids have been transferred to plants for 7days. Acetate in the form of 0.32% sodium acetate has been added to the diet as an early step in synthesis of the alarm pheromone, (E)-β-farnesene (EBF). The cornicle secretion of diet-reared aphids then elicits an alarm response. However, there is no difference in internal EBF concentration between plant- and diet-reared aphids. Puncturing aphids, either plant- or diet-reared, with a pin shows that both can elicit an alarm response, whereas it is reduced by half with diet-reared individuals. Although there is no significant difference in the concentration of EBF produced, the total amount in diet-reared aphids is increased by acetate in the diet to a level similar to that in plant-reared individuals: the size of aphids reared on an acetate-supplemented diet is increased and comparable with the size of those that are plant-reared. Bioassays with a range of EBF concentrations show a high threshold for the alarm response. It is concluded that the different size of aphids reared on plants and standard diet results in them secreting, respectively, above and below the response threshold.