A Crystallization Technique For the Enantiomer Resolution of Conglomerates- (+/-)-4-Methoxyphenyl 1-Phenylethyl Ketone

The sorting of crystals of (+/-)-4-methoxyphenyl 1-phenylethyl ketone into its enantiomers is facilitated by crystallisation in a cellular grid made of filter paper.

Collapse behaviour of a residual soil

Residually derived red soils occur in Bangalore District of Karnataka State, India. The porous and unsaturated nature of the red soils makes them susceptible to collapse on wetting under load. The present study analyses the collapse behaviour of an unsaturated bonded (undisturbed) red soil from Bangalore referenced to tests on samples in an unbonded (remoulded) state. A filter paper method was used to determine the matric suction of the bonded and unbonded specimens, and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) was used to determine their soil structure. Analysis of the experimental results shows that bonding plays an important role in the collapse behaviour of the unsaturated residual soil. The results of the study also provide insight into the volume change behaviour of unsaturated bonded soils on wetting within and beyond the yield locus.

Role of soil structure and matric suction in collapse of a compacted clay soil

This paper examines the role of microstructure and matric suction in the collapse behavior of a compacted clay soil from Bangalore District in Karnataka State, India. The microstructure of the compacted specimens was examined by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and the ASTM Filter Paper Method was used to determine their matric suction. The microstructure and matric suction of the compacted specimens were changed by varying their compaction water content, dry density, and clay content (< 2 mum fraction). Experimental results showed that relative abundance of coarse (60 to 6 mum) pores was mainly affected by increasing the dry density of the specimens from 1.49 to 1.77 g/cm(3). The relative abundance of coarse and fine (0.01 to 0.002 mum) pores was affected by increasing the compaction water content from 10.6 to 26.4%. Variations in dry density, compaction water content, and clay contents notably affected the matric suction of the compacted specimens. The collapse behavior of the compacted specimens is explained from analysis of the MIP and matric suction results.

Cultura de tecidos e conservação in vitro de Passiflora foetida L.

O gênero Passiflora ocorre principalmente em regiões de clima tropical, sendo o Brasil um importante centro de diversidade. Passiflora foetida L. é uma espécie silvestre que apresenta características de interesse ornamental e medicinal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o estabelecimento de sistemas de cultura de tecidos e criopreservação para P. foetida. Explantes caulinares foram excisados de culturas primárias obtidas a partir de plântulas derivadas da germinação in vitro. Para isso foram inoculados em meio MSM, suplementado com diferentes concentrações de ANA, PIC, TDZ e BAP utilizado isoladamente ou em combinação com ANA, e mantidos na presença ou ausência de luz. Foi observada a produção de brotos, calos e raízes adventícias, de acordo com o tipo e a concentração do regulador de crescimento testado e da condição de cultura utilizada. A produção de plantas ocorreu via organogênese direta e indireta em resposta a BAP, enquanto que a formação de calos não morfogênicos foi observada a partir de ambos explantes em resposta a PIC. A produção de raízes adventícias ocorreu em resposta a ANA. Tendo em vista a produção de raízes observada em meio sólido, segmentos internodais foram inoculados em meio líquido suplementado com diferentes auxinas e mantidos em imersão contínua ou sobre pontes de papel de filtro. A maior taxa de multiplicação de raízes foi observada a partir de entrenós mantidos no sistema de ponte de papel de filtro, em resposta a ANA. Segmentos radiculares excisados das culturas primárias também foram utilizados visando à produção de brotos e a multiplicação de raízes. Contudo, apenas foi observada a formação de gemas, sem posterior desenvolvimento de brotos. Além disso, a capacidade proliferativa dos segmentos radiculares inoculados em meio suplementado com ANA foi menor que a obtida a partir dos entrenós cultivados nas mesmas condições. Neste trabalho, foram também testados diferentes protocolos de criopreservação para ápices caulinares de P. foetida por meio de vitrificação e encapsulamento-vitrificação. A recuperação de plantas pós-congelamento foi observada unicamente a partir de ápices encapsulados e expostos à solução de vitrificação PVS2 por 120 minutos. Tendo em vista o potencial medicinal já descrito para P. foetida, através dos diferentes sistemas de cultura desenvolvidos neste trabalho serão obtidos materiais para a avaliação de diferentes atividades biológicas.

Efeito do movimento dentário nos níveis de metaloproteinases da matriz no fluido gengival de pacientes com periodontite controlada

O objetivo deste trabalho foi examinar o impacto da movimentação dentária de dentes periodontalmente comprometidos no volume do fluido gengival crevicular (FGC) e nos níveis de expressão das metaloproteinases de matriz (MMPs) -1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -12 e -13 no FGC. Dez pacientes periodontalmente controlados (8 do sexo feminino e 2 do sexo masculino, média de idade de 46,2 10,4 anos) com incisivos projetados labialmente foram submetidos a tratamento ortodôntico. Uma arcada dentária foi submetida a movimentação ortodôntica e a arcada oposta foi usada como controle. Amostras de FGC foram coletadas da face lingual de dois incisivos do lado movimento e dois do lado controle uma semana antes da ativação ortodôntica (-7d), imediatamente após a ativação ortodôntica, e após 1 h, 24 h, e 7, 14 e 21 dias. A coleta do FGC foi feita utilizando-se tiras de papel absorvente e o volume foi calculado através do uso do Periotron. Todos os pacientes receberam orientações de higiene bucal e um kit contendo escova de dente, pasta de dente e bochecho de Chlorexidina 0,12% para ser usado durante todo o experimento. A técnica da multianálise imunoenzimática com microesferas foi usada para medir as MMPs no FGC. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se os testes estatísticos Friedman e Mann-Whitney. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas no volume do FGC. Em relação aos níveis de MMPs, a única diferença estatisticamente significativa encontrada no decorrer do tempo foi nos níveis de MMP-1 no grupo movimento (p<0,05). Quando os dois grupos foram comparados após a ativação, a única diferença estatisticamente significativa encontrada foi nos níveis de MMP-12 24 horas após a ativação (p<0,05). Estes achados sugerem que o volume de FGC não sofre alteração relacionada ao movimento dentário ortodôntico e que o movimento ortodôntico de dentes periodontalmente comprometidos não resultou em mudanças significativas nos níveis de MMPs no FGC.

Estudo Experimental da Camada de Cobertura do Aterro Morro do Céu, Niterói - RJ.

Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os conceitos de solos não saturados e descreve os diversos tipos de camada de cobertura usadas em aterro de resíduos sólidos urbanos. Apresenta trabalhos científicos que contemplam curvas características de solos tropicais brasileiros. Caracteriza o solo usado antigamente como camada de cobertura do Aterro Morro do Céu e este solo com adição de 5% de bentonita. Determina a curva característica desses dois solos pelo Método do Papel Filtro e pela Placa de Sucção e, em seguida, Placa de Pressão. As curvas obtidas por esses métodos apresentaram diferenças. A adição da bentonita no solo teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho do mesmo. O solo com adição de bentonita apresentou maior plasticidade, menor permeabilidade e maior capacidade de retenção de água no solo. Apresenta a modelagem de camadas monolíticas, camadas monolíticas evapotranspirativas, barreiras capilares, barreiras capilares evapotranspirativas através do uso do Programa VADOSE/W como ferramenta para aferição.

Measurement of the Mechanical Properties of Filtercakes

In order to improve drilling mud design to cater for specific well situations, a more comprehensive knowledge and understanding of filter cake failure is needed. This paper describes experimental techniques aimed at directly probing the mechanical properties of filter cakes, without having to take into account artefacts due to fluid flow in the substrate. The use of rheometers allows us to determine shear yield stress and dynamic shear modulii of cakes grown on filter paper. A new scraping technique measures the strength and moisture profiles of typical filter cakes with a 0.1 mm resolution. This technique also allows us to probe the adhesion between the filter cake and its rock substrate. In addition, œdometer drained consolidation and unloading of a filter cake give us compression parameters useful for Cam Clay modelling. These independent measurements give similar results as to the elastic modulus of different filter cakes, showing an order of magnitude difference between water based and oil based cakes. We find that these standard cakes behave predominantly as purely elastic materials, with a sharp transition into plastic flow, allowing for the determination of a well-defined yield stress. The effect ofsolids loading on a given type of mud is also studied.

厌氧复合菌系的筛选及含纤维素原料预处理复合菌剂的研究

本文从不同厌氧生境中获得7组(C-2、Y-2、L-2 、NZ、H-3、CZ、L-3)具有纤维素降解能力的复合菌系。经过不断传代、淘汰纤维素降解能力降低的菌系，最后得到一组高效、传代稳定的厌氧纤维素分解复合菌系L-3。该菌系可使滤纸在42 h内溃烂，并能在分解纤维素的同时产氢气。对L-3复合菌系的产酶条件进行了研究，结果表明，在实验范围内该菌系的产酶最适条件为：pH 6.5，温度37 ℃，接种量5 %，最佳碳源为滤纸，最佳氮源为硫酸铵。第10天测得羧甲基纤维素酶(CMCase)、滤纸酶(FPA)、外切葡聚糖酶(C1)、β-葡聚糖苷酶(β-glucodase)的酶活分别为0.216 U/ml、0.101 U/ml、0.132 U/ml、0.002 U/ml，滤纸失重率70.6 %。发酵代谢产物乙醇和丁酸含量分别可达1378 mg/L 、2695 mg/L，发酵产生的气体中氢气含量最高可达70.2 %。DGGE结果表明该菌系主要由14种菌组成，其中有三株菌在发酵前后菌数发生了明显的变化，说明在以滤纸为底物的降解过程中，这三株菌起到了重要作用，对这三株菌进行了分子生物学鉴定，初步定为Clostridium phytofermentans、Clostridium cellulovorans、Desulfovibrio sp。 利用实验室分离得到的纤维素降解菌，最终配制出由10、X-1、X-13、ST-13、L-3组成的好氧-厌氧纤维素降解复合菌剂。以秸秆为发酵底物，菌剂接种量1%，利用复合菌剂预处理后的秸秆，发酵总产气量相对于对照提高了71.62%，甲烷含量最高可达70.08%。 A group of microbial consortia L-3 was isolated from the anaerobic fermentation residue of corn stalk, which could degrade cellulose and produce hydrogen. The CMCase, FPA, C1 and β-glucosidase activity of L-3 could reach to 0.216 U/ml, 0.101 U/ml, 0.132 U/ml and 0.002 U/ml, respectively. In the filter degrading process, the filter paper collapsed in the liquid culture within 42 h and the filter degrading rate could reach to 70.6% in the 13 days, meanwhile, hydrogen was determined and the highest hydrogen content was 70.2%. The optimum cellulase-degrading conditions were filter papaer as the carbon source, (NH4)2SO4 as the nitrogen source, 37 ℃ and pH 6.5 in this experiment. DGGE results showed that the microbial consortia L-3 mainly included 14 strains. The amount of 3 strains were changed during the fermentation. These strains were identified as Clostridium phytofermentans、Clostridium cellulovorans、Desulfovibrio sp by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The cellulose- degrading microbial agent was composed by 10, X-1, X-13, ST-13, L-3 which were isolated in the laboratory. The straw pretreated by cellulose-degrading microbial agent was used to ferment, the total biogas production increased by 72% comparing to the control. The content of methane could reach to 70.08%。

Single-chain single crystals of gutta-percha

Single-chain single crystals of gutta-percha have been observed by transmission electron microscopy of atomizer-sprayed particles deposited from a very dilute solution in chloroform onto a carbon film which had a filter paper wetted with ethanol in contact with its under side. Selected-area electron diffraction patterns of crystals having no definite crystal profiles showed that the crystals were of the low-melting crystalline form and that the chain segments in the single crystals were standing up from the substrate during crystallization. In cases of single crystals showing sharply defined crystal profiles, electron diffraction patterns showed that they were neither of the low-melting form nor the high-melting form. The structure of this new crystalline modification needs further studies.

Wood degradation, and cellulase and ligninase production, by Trametes and other wood-inhabiting basidiomycetes from indigenous forests of Zimbabwe

Nine species of Trametes and five other wood inhabiting basidiomycetes, were collected from the indigenous forests of Zimbabwe and analysed for cellulases, ligninases, extracellular phenolases and wood degrading ability for the first time. Cellulase enzyme activities varied widely among the species. After 15 d growth exo-glucanase activity had increased in the majority of species whilst Biter paper activity showed the opposite trend, being greatly reduced in all species on day 15 compared to day IO. Endo-glucanase activity was relatively uniform at both sampling times. The fungi were more active against water soluble cellulose derivatives than filter paper cellulase. In all the fungi tested, cellulose activity on filter paper was significantly less than endo- and exo-glucanase activities. The highest cellulase activity was expressed by Cerrena meyenii (683 U mg(-1)) Phaeotrametes decipiens, Trametes modesta, and T. pocas also expressed relatively high cellulase activity on all types of cellulose tested. All Trametes species tested positive for extracellular phenol oxidases whilst Fomotopsis spragueii and Irpex stereoides tested negative. Ail but one of the Trametes species in the study were able to degrade two different lignin preparations in tests for lignin degradation. T. menziesii was unable to degrade both lignin preparations although it had tested positive for production of extracellular oxidase. The species in this study degraded hardwood to a greater extent than softwood. Eight of them caused more than 80% dry weight loss of wood blocks during 70 d incubation. Those fungi that expressed high cellulase activity also caused high weight loss on wood.

Physiologic indicators of vitamin A status.

Physiologic indicators reflect the functional consequences of vitamin A deficiency and may be particularly useful for detecting early perturbations in vitamin A status. In conjunctival impression cytology (CIC), epithelial morphology and the presence or absence of mucin spots and goblet cells allow samples, obtained by applying filter paper to the temporal conjunctiva, to be characterized as normal or typical of vitamin A-deficient keratinizing metaplasia. The validity of CIC has been established with reference to other indicators of vitamin A status, and a prevalence of > or =20% abnormal results has been suggested as indicative of a public health problem. However, interpretation of specimens requires considerable training, and nonresponsiveness to supplementation is a frequent problem, which limits the utility of CIC as a method for evaluating the impact of intervention programs. Several simplified field protocols for dark adaptation have been developed, including one in which dark adaptation is assessed by the responsiveness of the pupil to light. Night blind subjects have consistently shown abnormal results on this test, and a significant response to placebo-controlled dosing has been demonstrated for children and pregnant women. Scores have correlated significantly with serum retinol and relative dose response. Pupillary dark adaptation testing is acceptable to most children as young as 2 y old. Limitations of this technique include a time course for recovery after dosing as long as 4-6 wk, a testing time of 20 min, and the need for 1-3 d of training. Given its low cost, noninvasive nature, and lack of the need to transport samples, pupillary dark adaptation offers advantages over other techniques for assessing a population's vitamin A status.

The effect of moisture on decomposition processes in the disturbed peatlands of the Wainfleet bog /

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of increased soil moisture levels on the decomposition processes in a peat-extracted bog. Field experiments, in which soil moisture levels were manipulated, were conducted using 320 microcosms in the Wainfleet Bog from May 2002 to November 2004. Decomposition was measured using litter bags and monitoring the abundance of macro invertebrate decomposers known as Collembola. Litter bags containing wooden toothpicks (n=2240), filter paper (n=480) and Betula pendula leaves (n=40) were buried in the soil and removed at regular time intervals up to one year. The results of the litter bag studies demonstrated a significant reduction of the decomposition of toothpicks (p<0.001), filter paper (p<0.001), and Betula pendula leaves (p

Use of fibrolytic enzymes to improve the nutritive value of ruminant diets - A biochemical and in vitro rumen degradation assessment

Two commercial enzyme products, Depol 40 (D) and Liquicell 2500 (L), were characterised from a biochemical standpoint and their potential to improve rumen degradation of forages was evaluated in vitro. Enzyme activities were determined at pH 5.5 and 39 degreesC. Analysis of the enzyme activities indicated that L contained higher xylanase and endoglucanase, but lower exoglucanase, pectinase and alpha-amylase activities than D. The Reading Pressure Technique (RPT) was used to investigate the effect of enzyme addition on the in vitro gas production (GP) and organic matter degradation (OMD) of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stems and leaves. A completely randomised design with factorial arrangement of treatments was used. Both alfalfa fractions were untreated or treated with each enzyme at four levels, 20 h before incubation with rumen fluid. Each level of enzyme provided similar amounts of filter paper (D1, L1), endoglucanase (D2, L2), alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase (D3, L3) and xylanase units (D4, L4) per gram forage DM. Enzymes increased the initial OMD in both fractions, with improvements of up to 15% in leaves (D4) and 8% in stems (L2) after 12 h incubation. All enzyme treatments increased the extent of degradation (96 h incubation) in the leaf fractions, but only L2 increased final OMD in the stems. Direct hydrolysis of forage fractions during the pre-treatment period did not fully account for the magnitude of the increases in OMD, suggesting that the increase in rate of degradation was achieved through a combined effect of direct enzyme hydrolysis and synergistic action between the exogenous (applied) and endogenous (rumen) enzymes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

In vitro evaluation of fibrolytic enzymes as additives for maize (Zea mays L.) silage - II. Effects on rate of acidification, fibre degradation during ensiling and rumen fermentation

A study was carried out to determine the influence of fibrolytic enzymes derived from mesophilic or thermophilic fungal sources, added at ensiling, on time-course fermentation characteristics and in vitro rumen degradation of maize silage. The mesophilic enzyme was a commercial product derived from Trichodenna reesei (L), whereas the thermophilic enzyme was a crude extract produced from Thermoascus aurantiacus (Ta) in this laboratory. The fungus was cultured using maize cobs as a carbon source. The resulting fermentation extract was deionised to remove sugars and characterised for its protein concentration, main and side enzymic activities, optimal pH, protein molecular mass and isoelectric point. In an additional study, both enzymes were added to maize forage (333.5 g DM/kg, 70.0, 469.8, 227.1 and 307.5 g/kg DM of CP, NDF, ADF and starch, respectively) at two levels each, normalized according to xylanase activity, and ensiled in 0.5 kg capacity laboratory minisilos. Duplicate silos were opened at 2, 4, 8, 15, and 60 days after ensiling, and analysed for chemical characteristics. Silages from 60 days were bulked and in vitro gas production (GP) and organic matter degradability (OMD) profiles evaluated using the Reading Pressure Technique (RPT), in a completely randomised design. The crude enzyme extract contained mainly xylanase and endoglucanase activities, with very low levels of exoglucanase, which probably limited hydrolysis of filter paper. The extract contained three major protein bands of between 29 and 55 kDa, with mainly acidic isoelectric points. Ensiling maize with enzymes lowered (P < 0.05) the final silage pH, with this effect being observed throughout the ensiling process. All enzyme treatments reduced (P < 0.05) ADF contents. Treatments including Ta produced more gas (P < 0.05) than the controls after 24 h incubation in vitro, whereas end point gas production at 96 h was not affected. Addition of Ta increased (P < 0.01) OMD after 12 h (410 and 416 g/kg versus 373 g/kg), whereas both L and Ta increased (P < 0.05) OMD after 24 h. Addition of enzymes from mesophilic or thermophilic sources to maize forage at ensiling increased the rate of acidification of the silages and improved in vitro degradation kinetics, suggesting an improvement in the nutritive quality. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Use of entomopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas putida (Enterobacteriaceae) and it secretions against the Greater Wax Moth Galleria mellonella pupae

The bacterium from Pseudomonas putida from Steinernema abbasi and its metabolic secretions caused the mortality of the Galleria mellonella pupae. Experiments were conducted in sand and filter paper on time exposure, temperature, moisture, dose and time of penetration of bacterium in pupae and tested stored or dried toxic metabolites using G. mellonella pupae as a test target organism. Death of pupae was probably due to the toxic metabolites. Pseudomonas putida cells were recovered from the haemocoele when bacterial cells were applied to the G. mellonella pupae indicating that bacterial cells can enter the haemocoele in the absence of nematode vector. Penetration of bacterium was found rapidly after application on G. mellonella pupae. Pseudomonas putida or its toxic secretions can be used as a microbial control for insect control. The experimental results indicate that there is possibility of using P. putida and its toxic secretions as a biopesticide and can contribute in the development of new microbial and biological control against insect pests.