Numerical method for predicting the elastic lateral distortional buckling moment of a mono-symmetric beam with web openings

When used as floor joists, the new mono-symmetric LiteSteel beam (LSB) sections require web openings to provide access for inspections and various services. The LSBs consist of two rectangular hollow flanges connected by a slender web, and are subjected to lateral distortional buckling effects in the intermediate span range. Their member capacity design formulae developed to date are based on their elastic lateral buckling moments, and only limited research has been undertaken to predict the elastic lateral buckling moments of LSBs with web openings. This paper addresses this research gap by reporting the development of web opening modelling techniques based on an equivalent reduced web thickness concept and a numerical method for predicting the elastic buckling moments of LSBs with circular web openings. The proposed numerical method was based on a formulation of the total potential energy of LSBs with circular web openings. The accuracy of the proposed method’s use with the aforementioned modelling techniques was verified through comparison of its results with those of finite strip and finite element analyses of various LSBs.

Member moment capacities of mono-symmetric LiteSteel beam floor joists with web openings

Recently developed cold-formed LiteSteel beam (LSB) sections have found increasing popularity in residential, industrial and commercial buildings due to their light weight and cost-effectiveness. Another beneficial characteristic is that they allow torsionally rigid rectangular flanges to be combined with economical fabrication processes. Currently, there is significant interest in the use of LSB sections as flexural members in floor joist systems. When used as floor joists, these sections require openings in the web to provide access for inspection and other services. At present, however, there is no design method available that provides accurate predictions of the moment capacities of LSBs with web openings. This paper presents the results of an investigation of the buckling and ultimate strength behaviour of LSB flexural members with web openings. A detailed fine element analysis (FEA)-based parametric study was conducted with the aim of developing appropriate design rules and making recommendations for the safe design of LSB floor joists. The results include the required moment capacity curves for LSB sections with a range of web opening combinations and spans and the development of appropriate design rules for the prediction of the ultimate moment capacities of LSBs with web openings.

Binding of small mono- and oligomeric integrin ligands to membrane-embedded integrins monitored by surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy

We recently developed a binding assay format by incorporating native transmembrane receptors into artificial phospholipid bilayers on biosensor devices for surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. By extending the method to surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS), sensitive recording of the association of even very small ligands is enabled. Herewith, we monitored binding of synthetic mono- and oligomeric RGD-based peptides and peptidomimetics to integrins alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5, after having confirmed correct orientation and functionality of membrane-embedded integrins. We evaluated integrin binding of RGD multimers linked together via aminohexanoic acid (Ahx) spacers and showed that the dimer revealed higher binding activity than the tetramer, followed by the RGD monomers. The peptidomimetic was also found to be highly active with a slightly higher selectivity toward alphavbeta3. The different compounds were also evaluated in in vitro cell adhesion tests for their capacity to interfere with alphavbeta3-mediated cell attachment to vitronectin. We hereby demonstrated that the different RGD monomers were similarly effective; the RGD dimer and tetramer showed comparable IC50 values, which were, however, significantly higher than those of the monomers. Best cell detachment from vitronectin was achieved by the peptidomimetic. The novel SPFS-binding assay platform proves to be a suitable, reliable, and sensitive method to monitor the binding capacity of small ligands to native transmembrane receptors, here demonstrated for integrins.

Mechanisms of mono- and poly-ubiquitination : ubiquitination specificity depends on compatibility between the E2 catalytic core and amino acid residues proximal to the lysine

Ubiquitination involves the attachment of ubiquitin to lysine residues on substrate proteins or itself, which can result in protein monoubiquitination or polyubiquitination. Ubiquitin attachment to different lysine residues can generate diverse substrate-ubiquitin structures, targeting proteins to different fates. The mechanisms of lysine selection are not well understood. Ubiquitination by the largest group of E3 ligases, the RING-family E3 s, is catalyzed through co-operation between the non-catalytic ubiquitin-ligase (E3) and the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2), where the RING E3 binds the substrate and the E2 catalyzes ubiquitin transfer. Previous studies suggest that ubiquitination sites are selected by E3-mediated positioning of the lysine toward the E2 active site. Ultimately, at a catalytic level, ubiquitination of lysine residues within the substrate or ubiquitin occurs by nucleophilic attack of the lysine residue on the thioester bond linking the E2 catalytic cysteine to ubiquitin. One of the best studied RING E3/ E2 complexes is the Skp1/Cul1/F box protein complex, SCFCdc4, and its cognate E2, Cdc34, which target the CDK inhibitor Sic1 for K48-linked polyubiquitination, leading to its proteasomal degradation. Our recent studies of this model system demonstrated that residues surrounding Sic1 lysines or lysine 48 in ubiquitin are critical for ubiquitination. This sequence-dependence is linked to evolutionarily conserved key residues in the catalytic region of Cdc34 and can determine if Sic1 is mono- or poly-ubiquitinated. Our studies indicate that amino acid determinants in the Cdc34 catalytic region and their compatibility to those surrounding acceptor lysine residues play important roles in lysine selection. This may represent a general mechanism in directing the mode of ubiquitination in E2 s.

Foraging behaviours of Diachasmimorpha kraussii (Fullaway) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and its host Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in a nectarine (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nectarina (Aiton) Maxim) orchard

Diachasmimorpha kraussii is a larval parasitoid of dacine fruit flies. Host utilisation behaviour, including field foraging behaviour, is poorly known in this species. The diurnal foraging behaviour of D. kraussii and one of its common hosts, Bactrocera tryoni, in a nectarine orchard was concurrently recorded. Observations of mating, resting, feeding and oviposition were taken two-hourly on 42 trees, commencing at 07:00 h and terminating at 17:30 h, for 17 days. Resting and oviposition were common events within the orchard for both species, while mating behaviours were not recorded in the orchard for either species. Feeding was not observed for D. kraussii and was rare for B. tryoni. At the level of the individual tree there was a very weak, but significant correlation between parasitoid and fly abundance over a day, but when broken down to the individual observation periods the correlations were absent, or were weakly significant in an inconsistent manner (i.e. sometimes positively correlated, sometimes negatively correlated). At the orchard level, abundance of the parasitoid was not correlated with adult fly abundance. Results suggest that D. kraussii forage independently to adult B. tryoni, a result consistent with a prediction that their foraging is largely driven by larval or plant damage cues.

Hydrogen bonding with mono- and di-carbonyls

The electronic absorption and i.r. spectroscopic studies are reported for the hydrogen bonding systems involving alcohol and various ketones. It is shown that the hydrogen bonding abilities of ketones are determined by the extent of delocalization of the lone pair electrons in their non-bonding molecular orbitals. Evidence for the formation of very weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds between alcohol and the π-electron part of the dicarbonyls has also been presented from the i.r. studies in the 3400–3700 cm−1 region.

What was behind the bark? : An assessment of decay among urban Tilia, Betula and Acer trees felled as hazardous in the Helsinki City area

Old trees growing in urban environments are often felled due to symptoms of mechanical defects that could be hazardous to people and property. The decisions concerning these removals are justified by risk assessments carried out by tree care professionals. The major motivation for this study was to determine the most common profiles of potential hazard characteristics for the three most common urban tree genera in Helsinki City: Tilia, Betula and Acer, and in this way improve management practices and protection of old amenity trees. For this research, material from approximately 250 urban trees was collected in cooperation with the City of Helsinki Public Works Department during 2001 - 2004. From the total number of trees sampled, approximately 70% were defined as hazardous. The tree species had characteristic features as potential hazard profiles. For Tilia trees, hollowed heartwood with low fungal activity and advanced decay caused by Ganoderma lipsiense were the two most common profiles. In Betula spp., the primary reason for tree removal was usually lowered amenity value in terms of decline of the crown. Internal cracks, most often due to weak fork formation, were common causes of potential failure in Acer spp. Decay caused by Rigidoporus populinus often increased the risk of stem breakage in these Acer trees. Of the decay fungi observed, G. lipsiense was most often the reason for the increased risk of stem collapse. Other fungi that also caused extensive decay were R. populinus, Inonotus obliquus, Kretzschmaria deusta and Phellinus igniarius. The most common decay fungi in terms of incidence were Pholiota spp., but decay caused by these species did not have a high potential for causing stem breakage, because it rarely extended to the cambium. The various evaluations used in the study suggested contradictions in felling decisions based on trees displaying different stages of decay. For protection of old urban trees, it is crucial to develop monitoring methods so that tree care professionals could better analyse the rate of decay progression towards the sapwood and separate those trees with decreasing amounts of sound wood from those with decay that is restricted to the heartwood area.

Anion directed template synthesis of Cu(II) complexes of a N,N,O donor mono-condensed Schiff base ligand: A molecular scaffold forming highly ordered H-bonded rectangular grids

Anion directed, template syntheses of two dinuclear copper(II) complexes of mono-condensed Schiff base ligand Hdipn (4-[(3-aminopentylimino)-methyl]-benzene-1,3-diol) involving 2,4- dihydroxybenzaldehyde and 1,3-diaminopentane were realized in the presence of bridging azide and acetate anions. Both complexes, [Cu-2(dipn)(2)(N-3)(2)] (1) and [Cu-2(dip(n))(2)(OAc)(2)] (2) have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. The two mononuclear units are joined together by basal-apical, double end-on azido bridges in complex 1 and by basal-apical, double mono-atomic acetate oxygen-bridges in 2. Both complexes form rectangular grid-like supramolecular structures via H-bonds connecting the azide or acetate anion and the p-hydroxy group of 2,4- dihydroxybenzaldehyde. Variable-temperature (300-2 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that complex 1 has antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -2.10 cm (1)) through the azide bridge while 2 has intra-dimer ferromagnetic coupling through the acetate bridge and inter-dimer antiferromagnetic coupling through H-bonds (J = 2.85 cm (1), J' = -1.08 cm (1)). (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Spectrophotometric and potentiometric investigations of copper (II)-Ethanolamine complexes - Part III. diethanolamine (Gaussian analysis of electronic spectra in mono and diethanolamine systems)

Spectrophotometric and potentiometric investigations have been carried out on copper-diethanolamine system. Job plots at 900, 900 and 580 mμ have indicated the formation of CuD++, CuD2++ and CuD3++. The n- pA curves obtained indicate the formation of CuD++, CuD2++, CuD3++, CuDOH+, CuD2OH+ and CuD3OH+. The n- pA curves have been analyzed to obtain the stability constants of these complexes. Absorption curves of pure complexes have been computed by a graphical method. Gaussian analysis of the absorption curves of pure and hydroxy complexes show the presence of a second band, indicating that the structure is that of a distorted octahedron.

Reactions of palladium chloride with amino spirocyclic cyclotriphosphazenes: Isolation and Crystal Structures of Novel Mono- and Bimetallic Complexes Formed by the Hydrolysis of a .lambda.5-Diazaphospholane Ring

The reaction of the amino spirocyclic cyclotriphosphazene N3P3(NMe2)4(NHCH2CH2CH2NH) (2) with palladium chloride gives the stable chelate complex [PdCl2.2] (4). An X-ray crystallographic study reveals that one of the nitrogen atoms of the diaminoalkane moiety and an adjacent phosphazene ring nitrogen atom are bonded to the metal. An analogous reaction with the phosphazene N3P3(NMe2)4(NHCH2CH2NH) (1) gives initially a similar complex which undergoes facile hydrolysis to give the novel monometallic and bimetallic complexes [PdCl2.HN3P3(O)(NMe2)4(NHCH2CH2NH2)] (5) and [PdCl{N3P3(NMe2)4(NCH2CH2NH2)}]2(O) (6), which have been structurally characterized; in the former, an (oxophosphazadienyl)ethylenediamine is chelated to the metal whereas, in the latter, an oxobridged bis(cyclotriphosphazene) acts as a hexadentate nitrogen donor ligand in its dianionic form. Crystal data for 4 : a = 14.137(1) angstrom, b = 8.3332(5) angstrom, c = 19.205(2) angstrom, beta = 96.108(7)degrees, P2(1)/c, Z = 4, R = 0.027 with 3090 reflections (F > 5sigma(F)). Crystal data for 5 : a = 8.368(2) angstrom, b = 16.841(4) A, c = 16.092(5) angstrom, beta = 98.31(2)degrees, P2(1)/n, Z = 4, R = 0.049 with 3519 reflections (F > 5sigma(F)). Crystal data for 6 : a = 22.455(6) angstrom, b = 14.882(3) angstrom, c = 13.026(5) angstrom, 6 = 98.55(2)degrees, C2/c, Z = 4, R = 0.038 with 3023 reflections (F > 5sigma(F)).