Mechanism of foetal wastage following immunoneutralization of riboflavin carrier protein in the pregnant rat: disturbances in flavin coenzyme levels

Immunoneutralization of maternal RCP results in a >90% decrease in the content and the incorporation of [2-14C]riboflavin into embryonic FAD as well as a percentage redistribution of both embryonic FMN and riboflavin. This is unaccompanied by any discernible changes in flavin distribution pattern in the maternal liver. Embryonic α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase register significant decreases in activities in the RCP antiserum-treated rats. These alterations readily explain the arrest of foetal growth culminating in pregnancy termination in the antiserum-treated animals.

Mechanism of coupling periodate-oxidized nucleosides to proteins

This paper describes a mechanism of coupling periodate-oxidized nucleosides to proteins. Each of the dialdehyde groups of a periodate-oxidized nucleoside is shown to couple to lysine residues on different protein molecules through Schiff bases, thereby cross-linking different protein molecules, forming a polymer. This is in contrast to the previous model in which nucleosides were suggested to couple to proteins through a morpholine structure. The cross-linked structure of the nucleoside-antigen, significantly different when compared to the native protein, may affect the specificity and the efficiency of antibody production.

Biophysical response of living cells to boron nitride nanoparticles: Uptake mechanism and bio-mechanical characterization

Boron nitride nanomaterials have attracted significant interest due to their superior chemical and physical properties. Despite these novel properties, investigation on the interaction between boron nitride nanoparticle (BN NP) and living systems has been limited. In this study, BN NP (100–250 nm) is assessed as a promising biomaterial for medical applications. The toxicity of BN NP is evaluated by assessing the cells behaviours both biologically (MTT assay, ROS detection etc.) and physically (atomic force microscopy). The uptake mechanism of BN NP is studied by analysing the alternations in cellular morphology based on cell imaging techniques. The results demonstrate in vitro cytocompatibility of BN NP with immense potential for use as an effective nanoparticle for various bio-medical applications.

Corrosive and abrasive wear in ore grinding

The relative significance of corrosive and abrasive wear in ore grinding is discussed. Laboratory marked ball wear tests were carried out with magnetic taconite and quartzite under different conditions, namely dry, wet and in the presence of an organic liquid. The effect of different modes of aeration and of pyrrhotite addition on the ball wear using mild steel, high carbon low alloy steel and austenitic stainless steel balls was evaluated. Results indicate that abrasive wear plays a significant role in ore grinding in the absence of sulfides, and rheological properties of the ore slurry influenced such wear. The effect of oxygen on corrosive wear becomes increasingly felt in the presence of a sulfide mineral such as pyrrhotite. Wear characteristics of the three types of ball materials under different grinding conditions are illustrated.

Characterization of dry sliding wear of Al---Si alloys

Controversy exists in the published literature as to the effect of silicon content and pressure on the dry sliding wear of Al---Si alloys. The present paper attempts to clarify the question by reporting a statistical analysis of data obtained from factorially designed experiments conducted on a pinon-disc machine in the pressure range 0.105–1.733 MPa and speed range 0.19–0.94 m s−1. Under these conditions it was found that, in the range 4–24 wt.% Si, wear of binary unmodified alloys does not significantly differ between the alloys. However, it is significantly less than that corresponding to an alloy containing no silicon. The effect of pressure on wear rate was found to be linear and monotonie and, over the narrow range of speeds used, the wear rate was found to be unaffected by speed. The coefficient of friction was found to be insensitive to variations in silicon content, pressure and speed.

Spool valve mechanism used in a 20 K Gifford-McMahon cycle cryorefrigerator and its effect on the P-V diagram

The design and fabrication of a spool valve for a two-stage Gifford-McMahon cycle cryorefrigerator is described. The effect of this valve on the P-V diagram and practical methods of reducing the P-V degradation are also discussed.

Catalysis and mechanism of malonyl transferase activity in type II fatty acid biosynthesis acyl carrier proteins

One of the unexplored, yet important aspects of the biology of acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) is the self-acylation and malonyl transferase activities dedicated to ACPs in polyketide synthesis. Our studies demonstrate the existence of malonyl transferase activity in ACPs involved in type II fatty acid biosynthesis from Plasmodium falciparum and Escherichia coli. We also show that the catalytic malonyl transferase activity is intrinsic to an individual ACP. Mutational analysis implicates an arginine/lysine in loop II and an arginine/glutamine in helix III as the catalytic residues for transferase function. The hydrogen bonding properties of these residues appears to be indispensable for the transferase reaction. Complementation of fabD(Ts) E. coli highlights the putative physiological role of this process. Our studies thus shed light on a key aspect of ACP biology and provide insights into the mechanism involved therein.

Cavitation erosion characteristics of poly(methyl methacrylate) in a rotating disk device

Experimental results pertaining to the initiation, dynamics and mechanism of cavitation erosion on poly(methyl methacrylate) specimens tested in a rotating disk device are described in detail. Erosion normally starts at the location nearest to the center of rotation (CR). As the exposure time to cavitation increases, additional erosion areas or sites appear away from the CR and secondary erosion (induced by eroded pits) spreads upstream and merges with the main pit. The microcracks increase in density towards the end of the incubation period and transform into macrocracks in most cases. A study of light optical photographs and scanning electron micrographs of the eroded area shows that material particles are removed from the network of cracks because of crack joining and pits indicate particle debris. Optical degradation (loss of transmittance) is observed to be greater on the back of the specimen than on the front.

Mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity in YBa2Cu3O7−δ: Crucial role of oxygen

Oxygen atoms in the middle Cu---O layer of YBa2Cu3O7 consisting of strings of corner-connected (CuO4)∞ units are shown to be crucial for superconductivity. Importance of hole-hole pairing giving rise to O---O bonds is also indicated.

Metal Chelates in Vinyl Polymerization: Kinetics and Mechanism of Acrylonitrile Polymerization Initiated by Cu(I1) Imine Complexes

The free radical polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) initiated by Cu(I1) 4-anilino 3-pentene 2-one [Cu(II) ANIPO] Cu(II), 4-p-toluedeno 3-pentene 2-one [Cu(II) TPO], and Cu(I1) 4-p-nitroanilino 3-pentene 2-one [Cu(II) NAPO] was studied in benzene at 50 and 60°C and in carbon tetrachloride (CCld), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and methanol (MeOH) at 60°C. Although the polymerization proceeded in a heterogeneous phase, it followed the kinetics of a homogeneous process. The monomer exponents were 22 at two different temperatures and in different solvents. The square-root dependence of R, on initiator concentration and higher monomer exponents accounted for a 1:2 complex formation between the chelate and monomer. The complex formatign was shown by ultraviolet (UV) study. The activation energies, kinetics, and chain transfer constants were also evaluated.

Mechanism of oxidation of α,β-unsaturated thiones by singlet oxygen

Photo-oxidation of α,β-unsaturated thiones yields the corresponding ketones as the only product. Studies carried out on three systems, namely thioketones, α,β-unsaturated thiones and thioketenes, have revealed that there exists a similarity in their mechanism of oxidation. It has been suggested that the thiocarbonyl chromophore is the site of attack by singlet oxygen in α,β-unsaturated thiones and that the adjacent C-C double bond is inert under these conditions. Absence of sulphine during the oxidation of α,β-unsaturated thiones is attributed to the electronic factors operating on the zwitterionic/diradical intermediate. While α,β-unsaturated ketones are poorly reactive, α,β-unsaturated thiones are highly reactive toward singlet oxygen.

Mechanism of catalytic activity of metal oxides and chromites on ammonium perchlorate pyrolysis

This study investigates the mechanism of action of transition metal chromites on the decomposition of ammonium perchlorate.