Level of accumulation of epoxy fatty acid in Arabidopsis thaliana expressing a linoleic acid delta12-epoxygenase is influenced by the availability of the substrate linoleic acid.

Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. expressing the Crepis palaestina (L.) linoleic acid delta12-epoxygenase in its developing seeds typically accumulates low levels of vernolic acid (12,13-epoxy-octadec-cis-9-enoic acid) in comparison to levels found in seeds of the native C. palaestina. In order to determine some of the factors limiting the accumulation of this unusual fatty acid, we have examined the effects of increasing the availability of linoleic acid (9cis, 12cis-octadecadienoic acid), the substrate of the delta12-epoxygenase, on the quantity of epoxy fatty acids accumulating in transgenic A. thaliana. The addition of linoleic acid to liquid cultures of transgenic plants expressing the delta12-epoxygenase under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter increased the amount of vernolic acid in vegetative tissues by 2.8-fold. In contrast, the addition to these cultures of linoelaidic acid (9trans, 12trans-octadecadienoic acid), which is not a substrate of the delta12-epoxygenase, resulted in a slight decrease in vernolic acid accumulation. Expression of the delta12-epoxygenase under the control of the napin promoter in the A. thaliana triple mutant fad3/fad7-1/fad9, which is deficient in the synthesis of tri-unsaturated fatty acids and has a 60% higher level of linoleic acid than the wild type, was found to increase the average vernolic acid content of the seeds by 55% compared to the expression of the delta12-epoxygenase in a wild-type background. Together, these results reveal that the availability of linoleic acid is an important factor affecting the synthesis of epoxy fatty acid in transgenic plants.

Metal-Nitride-oxide-semiconductor light-emitting devices for general lighting.

The potential for application of silicon nitride-based light sources to general lighting is reported. The mechanism of current injection and transport in silicon nitride layers and silicon oxide tunnel layers is determined by electro-optical characterization of both bi- and tri-layers. It is shown that red luminescence is due to bipolar injection by direct tunneling, whereas Poole-Frenkel ionization is responsible for blue-green emission. The emission appears warm white to the eye, and the technology has potential for large-area lighting devices. A photometric study, including color rendering, color quality and luminous efficacy of radiation, measured under various AC excitation conditions, is given for a spectrum deemed promising for lighting. A correlated color temperature of 4800K was obtained using a 35% duty cycle of the AC excitation signal. Under these conditions, values for general color rendering index of 93 and luminous efficacy of radiation of 112 lm/W are demonstrated. This proof of concept demonstrates that mature silicon technology, which is extendable to lowcost, large-area lamps, can be used for general lighting purposes. Once the external quantum efficiency is improved to exceed 10%, this technique could be competitive with other energy-efficient solid-state lighting options. ©2011 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: (230.2090) Electro-optical devices; (150.2950) Illumination.

The 2013 Arvid Wretlind lecture: evolving concepts in parenteral nutrition.

Fifty years after the clinical introduction of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) the Arvid Wretlind lecture is an opportunity to critically analyse the evolution and changes that have marked its development and clinical use. The standard crystalline amino acid solutions, while devoid of side effects, remain incomplete regarding their composition (e.g. glutamine). Lipid emulsions have evolved tremendously and are now included in bi- and tri-compartmental feeding bags enabling a true "total" PN provided daily micronutrients are prescribed. The question of exact individual energy, macro- and micro-nutrient requirements is still unsolved. Many complications attributed to TPN are in fact the consequence of under- or over-feeding: the historical hyperalimentation concept is the main cause, along with the use of fixed weight based predictive equations (incorrect in 70% of the critically ill patients). In the late 80's many complications (hyperglycemia, sepsis, fatty liver, exacerbation of inflammation, mortality) were attributed to TPN leading to its near abandon in favour of enteral nutrition (EN). Enteral feeding, although desirable for many reasons, is difficult causing a worldwide recurrence of malnutrition by insufficient feed delivery. TPN indications have evolved towards its use either alone or in combination with EN: several controversial trials published 2011-13 have investigated TPN timing, an issue which is not yet resolved. The initiation time varies according to the country between admission (Australia and Israel), day 4 (Swiss) and day 7 (Belgium, USA). The most important issue may prove to be and individualized and time dependent prescription of feeding route, energy and substrates.

Ethanol among randomly controlled drivers

Objectives: Ethanol is well-known to impair driving ability. The major aim of this study was to evaluate the number of drivers driving under the influence of ethanol in a population of randomly controlled drivers. Methods: 1016 drivers were randomly controlled at 27 different locations in Western Switzerland from October 2006 to April 2008. Drivers were controlled for alcohol consumption with a breathalyzer according to the Swiss Road traffic law. If the result was equal or higher than an equivalent of a blood alcohol concentration of 0.8 g/kg, a blood sample was taken; otherwise, a saliva sample was obtained. Blood and saliva were analysed for ethanol by Head-space gas chromatography coupled with a FID detector. Results: Among the controlled drivers, men (69%) predominated over female (31%). The mean age was 41 (range: 16 90). For 968 drivers (95.3%) ethanol was not detected in blood or saliva. These drivers were not under the influence of ethanol. Ethanol was detected in saliva or blood of 48 drivers (4.7%). Among these drivers, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was above the legal limit of 0.8 g/kg (serious offence) in 14 cases (1.4% of the total population). BAC were in the range of 0.91 to 2.43 g/kg (mean: 1.32 g/kg, median: 1.11 g/kg). Among these 14 cases, men (13 cases, 93%) were over represented. No ethanol was found in the population of truck drivers (17 cases). 986 drivers were car drivers and 46 of them have drunk ethanol (5%). 13 bikers were controlled and 2 of them have drunk ethanol (15%). Conclusion: Driving under the influence of ethanol concerned about 5% of a population of randomly controlled drivers, and 1,4% of the drivers had a blood alcohol concentration higer than 0.8 g/kg (legale limit for a serious offence).

Construção e validação de uma escala de valores sociomorais

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo construir e validar uma escala de valores sociomorais que mensurou a presença e o modo de adesão aos valores de justiça, respeito, solidariedade e convivência democrática em estudantes e professores da educação básica em escolas públicas e privadas de São Paulo (10.011 participantes). A metodologia envolveu a elaboração de histórias com alternativas pró e contravalor em três níveis de perspectiva social, a aplicação de questionário na amostra e o processamento dos dados com o uso da Teoria de Resposta ao Item - TRI -, segundo o modelo para itens politômicos. Como resultados, apresentam-se as classificações dos participantes em níveis estabelecidos por valor e discutem-se as implicações educacionais da pesquisa.

Determination of trimipramine and its demethylated and hydroxylated metabolites in plasma by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method has been developed, for the determination of trimipramine (TRI), desmethyltrimipramine (DTRI), didesmethyltrimipramine (DDTRI), 2-hydroxytrimipramine (2-OH-TRI) and 2-hydroxydesmethyltrimipramine (2-OH-DTRI). The method includes two derivatization steps with trifluoroacetic acid anhydride and N-methyl-N-(tert.-butyldimethyl silyl)trifluoroacetamide and the use of an SE-54 capillary silica column. The limits of quantitation were found to be 2 ng/ml for DTRI and 4 ng/ml for all other substances. Besides, methods have been optimized for the hydrolysis of the glucuronic acid conjugated metabolites. This specific detection method is useful, as polymedication is a usual practice in clinical situations, and its sensitivity allows its use for single-dose pharmacokinetic studies.

Druidit ja kuun temppeli : uskomuksia ja tiedettä kelteistä

Kirjoitus perustuu esitelmään Tieteen päivillä 8.-12.1.2003. Kirjoittaja on teol. tri ja dosentti Helsingin yliopiston Uskontotieteen laitoksella.

Antiikin vaikutus Italian renessanssiin

Kirjoittaja on fil. tri ja museoviraston pääjohtaja. Kirjoitus perustuu esitelmään Tieteen päivillä 8.-12.1.2003.

Biaix d'items i habilitat en fraccions

En este artículo se contemplan algunos conceptos clave en la Teoría de respuestas de Items (TRI): curvas características, significado de habilidad y discriminación en dicha Teoría. Se aplica el estudio de niveles de habilidad cognitiva en el aprendizaje de las fracciones en la Educación Básica en 5º y 8ºde EGB en España siguiendo el planteamiento de Onslow y Kieren. Los diseños gráficos muestran claramente las diferencias entre edades y cursos.

Tekeekö tieteen kehitys ihmistieteet tarpeettomiksi?

Kirjoittaja on fil.tri ja dosentti sekä Helsingin yliopiston Tutkijakollegiumin tutkija. Kirjoitus perustuu juhlapuheeseen Helsingin yliopiston humanistisen tiedekunnan ja matemaattis-luonnontieteellisen tiedekunnan 150-vuotisjuhlassa 15.11. 2002.

Medios extrajudiciales antónomos de solución de conflictos laborales

Como ya viene reconociendo la doctrina y los propios órganos del Estado desde hace bastantes años que la solución extrajudicial de los conflictos del trabajo tiene un papel trascendental y, por tanto, cada vez más decisiva para la paz social. Ello en buena parte es consecuencia de la crisis de los modelos clásicos de regulación laboral como sucede en otras disciplinas del dere-cho, sirviendo de ejemplo las crisis de la familia, las contiendas por arrendamientos urbanos y los de la propiedad horizontal, especialmente por la falta de agilidad y exceso de formalismo de los sistemas públicos basados únicamente en el poder que ostenta el Estado para solucionar las crisis sociales. La vía extrajudicial no excluye los mecanismos públicos de regulación laboral como son esencialmente los servicios de conciliación y arbitraje de la Administración y los tri-bunales, pero los complementa y alivia de su abultada carga. Es evidente que el mundo del tra-bajo en el aspecto social se ha vuelto muy complejo y ello requiere en la actualidad nuevas formas o métodos variados de solución de conflictos con procedimientos más flexibles, más rápidos y menos reglamentistas cuyo servicio se halle estructurado de forma autónoma y plu-ral sin la intervención directa de la Administración pública. La proximidad al individuo a los afectados resulta más efectiva, siendo los beneficiarios directos en este caso, los trabajado-res y los empresarios.

3D solutions in transmission electron (Cryo) -microscopy in biology

One of the main problems in transmission electron microscopy in thebiological field is the tri-dimensionality. This article explains the technicalprocedures and requirements to prepare biological specimens preserving themclosest to their native state to perform 3D reconstruction of the macromolecularcomplexes and cellular structures in their natural environment.