Vegetation responses to rapid warming and to minor climatic fluctuations during the Late-Glacial Interstadial (GI-1) at Gerzensee (Switzerland)

High-resolution pollen analyses made on the same samples on which the ratios of oxygen isotopes were measured that provided the time scale and a temperature proxy after correlation to NorthGRIP. (1) A primary succession: The vegetation responded to the rapid rise of temperatures around 14,685 yr BP, with a primary succession on a decadal to centennial time scale. The succession between ca 15,600 and 13,000 yr BP included: (1.1.) The replacement of shrub-tundra by woodland of Juniperus and tree birch (around 14,665 yr BP) (1.2.) The response of Juniperus pollen to the shift in oxygen isotopes in less than 20 yr, (1.3.) A sequence of population increases of Hippophaë rhamnoides (ca 14,600 yr BP), Salix spp. (ca 14,600 yr BP), Betula trees (ca.14,480 yr BP), Populus cf. tremula (ca. 14,300 yr BP), and Pinus cf. sylvestris (ca. 13,830 yr BP). (2) Biological processes: Plants responded to the rapid increase of summer temperatures on all organisational levels: (2.1) Individuals may have produced more pollen (e.g. Juniperus); (2.2) Populations increased or decreased (e.g. Juniperus, Betula, later Pinus), and (2.3) Populations changed their biogeographical range and may show migrational lags. (2.4) Plant communities changed in their composition because the species pools changed through immigration and (local) extinction. Some plant communities may have been without modern analogue.These mechanisms require increasing amounts of time. (2.5) Processes on the level of ecosystems, with species interactions, may involve various time scales. Besides competition and facilitation, nitrogen fixation is discussed. (3) The minor fluctuations of temperature during the Late-Glacial Interstadial, which are recorded in δ18O, resulted in only very minor changes in pollen during the Aegelsee Oscillation (Older Dryas biozone, GI-1d) and the Gerzensee Oscillation (GI-1b). (4) Biodiversity: The afforestation at the onset of Bølling coincided with a gradual increase of taxonomic diversity up to the time of the major Pinus expansion.

Nickel(II)-, cobalt(II)-, copper(II)-, and zinc(II)-phthalate and 1-methylimidazole coordination compounds: synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties

Three new coordination polymers [M(Pht)(1-MeIm)2]n (where M=Cu (1), Zn (2), Co (3); Pht2−=dianion of o-phthalic acid; 1-MeIm=1-methylimidazole) and two compounds [M(1-MeIm)6](HPht)2 · 2H2O (M=Co (4), Ni (5)) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structures of 1–3 (2 is isostructural to 3) consist of [M(1-MeIm)2] building units connected by 1,6-bridging phthalate ions to form infinite chains. In complex 1, each copper(II) center adopts a square coordination mode of N2O2 type by two O atoms from different phthalate ions and two N atoms of 1-MeIm, whereas in 3 two independent metal atoms are tetrahedrally (N2O2) coordinated to a pair of Pht ligands and a pair of 1-MeIm molecules. There are only van der Waals interactions between the chains in 1, while the three-dimensional network in 3 is assembled by C–H⋯O contacts. In contrast to polymers 1–3 the structures of 4 and 5 (complexes are also isostructural) are made up of the [M(1-MeIm)6]2+ cation, two hydrogen phthalate anions (HPht−) and two H2O solvate molecules. The coordination around each metal(II) atom is octahedral with six nitrogen atoms of 1-MeIm. Extended hydrogen bonding networks embracing the solvate water molecules and a phthalate residue as well as the weak C–H⋯O interactions stabilize the three-dimensional structures. Magnetic studies clearly show that the magnetic ions do not interact with each other. Furthermore, in compound 4 we have another example of a highly anisotropic Co2+ ion with a rhombic g-tensor and large zero-field-splitting. The complexes were also characterized by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and all data are discussed in the terms of known structures.

Search for Low-Molecular-Weight Biomarkers in Plant Tissues and Seeds Using Metabolomics: Tools, Strategies, and Applications

This chapter summarises the metabolomic strategies currently in force used in plant science and describes the methods used. The metabolite profiling and fingerprinting of plant tissues through MS- and/or NMR-based approaches and the subsequent identification of biomarkers is detailed. Strategies for the microisolation and de novo identification of unknown biomarkers are also discussed. The various approaches are illustrated by a metabolomic study of the maize response to herbivory. A review of recent metabolomic studies performed on seed and crop plant tissues involving various analytical strategies is provided.

Composition Space Analysis in the Development of Copper Molybdate Hybrids Decorated by a Bifunctional Pyrazolyl/1,2,4-Triazole Ligand

A bitopic ligand, 4-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-triazole (Hpz-tr) (1), containing two different heterocyclic moieties was employed for the design of copper(II)–molybdate solids under hydrothermal conditions. In the multicomponent CuII/Hpz-tr/MoVI system, a diverse set of coordination hybrids, [Cu(Hpz-tr)2SO4]·3H2O (2), [Cu(Hpz-tr)Mo3O10] (3), [Cu4(OH)4(Hpz-tr)4Mo8O26]·6H2O (4), [Cu(Hpz-tr)2Mo4O13] (5), and [Mo2O6(Hpz-tr)]·H2O (6), was prepared and characterized. A systematic investigation of these systems in the form of a ternary crystallization diagram approach was utilized to show the influence of the molar ratios of starting reagents, the metal (CuII and MoVI) sources, the temperature, etc., on the reaction products outcome. Complexes 2–4 dominate throughout a wide crystallization range of the composition triangle, while the other two compounds 5 and 6 crystallize as minor phases in a narrow concentration range. In the crystal structures of 2–6, the organic ligand behaves as a short [N–N]-triazole linker between metal centers Cu···Cu in 2–4, Cu···Mo in 5, and Mo···Mo in 6, while the pyrazolyl function remains uncoordinated. This is the reason for the exceptional formation of low-dimensional coordination motifs: 1D for 2, 4, and 6 and 2D for 3 and 5. In all cases, the pyrazolyl group is involved in H bonding (H-donor/H-acceptor) and is responsible for π–π stacking, thus connecting the chain and layer structures in more complicated H-bonding architectures. These compounds possess moderate thermal stability up to 250–300 °C. The magnetic measurements were performed for 2–4, revealing in all three cases antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between neighboring CuII centers and long-range order with a net moment below Tc of 13 K for compound 4.

Synthesis, spectral, and anti-microbial studies of thioiminium iodides and amine hydrochlorides

To avoid the undesired deprotonation during the addition of organolithium and organomagnesium reagents to ketones, the thioiminium salts, easily prepared from lactams and amides are converted into 2,2-disubstituted and 2-monosubstituted amines by reaction with simple nucleophiles such as organocerium and organocopper reagents. The reaction of thioiminium iodides with organocerium reagents derived by transmetalation of corresponding lithium reagents with anhydrous cerium(III) chloride has been investigated. These thioiminium iodides act as good electrophiles and accept alkylceriums towards bisaddition. The newly synthesized amines have been characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, IR and mass spectra. The amines have been converted into their hydrochlorides and characterized by COSY. These hydrochlorides have been subjected to antimicrobial screening with clinically isolated microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Candida albicans. The hydrochlorides show quite good activity against these bacteria and fungus.

Analysis of left ventricular function of the mouse heart during experimentally induced hyperthyroidism and recovery

Many of the clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism are due to the ability of thyroid hormones to alter myocardial contractility and cardiovascular hemodynamics, leading to cardiovascular impairment. In contrast, recent studies highlight also the potential beneficial effects of thyroid hormone administration for clinical or preclinical treatment of different diseases such as atherosclerosis, obesity and diabetes or as a new therapeutic approach in demyelinating disorders. In these contexts and in the view of developing thyroid hormone-based therapeutic strategies, it is, however, important to analyze undesirable secondary effects on the heart. Animal models of experimentally induced hyperthyroidism therefore represent important tools for investigating and monitoring changes of cardiac function. In our present study we use high-field cardiac MRI to monitor and follow-up longitudinally the effects of prolonged thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine) administration focusing on murine left ventricular function. Using a 9.4 T small horizontal bore animal scanner, cinematographic MRI was used to analyze changes in ejection fraction, wall thickening, systolic index and fractional shortening. Cardiac MRI investigations were performed after sustained cycles of triiodothyronine administration and treatment arrest in adolescent (8 week old) and adult (24 week old) female C57Bl/6 N mice. Triiodothyronine supplementation of 3 weeks led to an impairment of cardiac performance with a decline in ejection fraction, wall thickening, systolic index and fractional shortening in both age groups but with a higher extent in the group of adolescent mice. However, after a hormonal treatment cessation of 3 weeks, only young mice are able to partly restore cardiac performance in contrast to adult mice lacking this recovery potential and therefore indicating a presence of chronically developed heart pathology.

Molecular dynamics modeling and simulation of void growth in two dimensions

The mechanisms of growth of a circular void by plastic deformation were studied by means of molecular dynamics in two dimensions (2D). While previous molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in three dimensions (3D) have been limited to small voids (up to ≈10 nm in radius), this strategy allows us to study the behavior of voids of up to 100 nm in radius. MD simulations showed that plastic deformation was triggered by the nucleation of dislocations at the atomic steps of the void surface in the whole range of void sizes studied. The yield stress, defined as stress necessary to nucleate stable dislocations, decreased with temperature, but the void growth rate was not very sensitive to this parameter. Simulations under uniaxial tension, uniaxial deformation and biaxial deformation showed that the void growth rate increased very rapidly with multiaxiality but it did not depend on the initial void radius. These results were compared with previous 3D MD and 2D dislocation dynamics simulations to establish a map of mechanisms and size effects for plastic void growth in crystalline solids.

Geomorphological analysis and evolution of an altered floodplain drainage system. The case of the Partido Stream (Spain)

The Partido Stream is a small torrential course that flows into the marsh of the Doñana National Park, an area that was declared a World Heritage Site in 1994. Before 1981, floods occurred, and the stream overflowed onto a floodplain. As an old alluvial fan, the floodplain has its singular orography and functionality. Fromthe floodplain, several drainage channels, locally called caño, discharged into themarsh. The Partido Streamhad themorphology of a caño and covered approximately 8 km from the old fan to the marsh. The stream was straightened and channelised in 1981 to cultivate the old fan. This resulted in floods that were concentrated between the banks in the following years, which caused the depth of water and the shear stress to increase, thus, scouring the river bed and river banks. In this case, the eroded materials were carried towards the marsh where a new alluvial fan evolved. Control measures on the old fan were implemented in 2006 to stop the development of the new alluvial fan downstream over the marsh. Thus, the stream would partially recover its original behaviour that it had before channelisation, moving forwards in a new, balanced state. The present study describes the geomorphological evolution that channelisation has caused since 1981 and the later slow process of recovery of the original hydraulic-sedimentation regime since 2006. Additionally, it deepens the understanding of the original hydraulic behaviour of the stream, combining field data and 2D simulations.

Power absorption measurements during NMR experiments

The heating produced by the absorption of radiofrequency (RF) has been considered a secondary undesirable effect during MRI procedures. In this work, we have measured the power absorbed by distilled water, glycerol and egg-albumin during NMR and non-NMR experiments. The samples are dielectric and examples of different biological materials. The samples were irradiated using the same RF pulse sequence, whilst the magnetic field strength was the variable to be changed in the experiments. The measurements show a smooth increase of the thermal power as the magnetic field grows due to the magnetoresistive effect in the copper antenna, a coil around the probe, which is directly heating the sample. However, in the cases when the magnetic field was the adequate for the NMR to take place, some anomalies in the expected thermal powers were observed: the thermal power was higher in the cases of water and glycerol, and lower in the case of albumin. An ANOVA test demonstrated that the observed differences between the measured power and the expected power are significant.

Criterios técnicos del proyecto con módulos tridimensionales ligeros: las casas del Solar Decathlon 2005 y 2007

Este trabajo se ocupa de la construcción modular ligera de viviendas unifamiliares, más concretamente aborda el problema de la definición constructiva de las mismas, habida cuenta de lo poco conocido y publicado de este aspecto en particular. Dado que la construcción es fruto de la evolución, resulta de gran importancia el estudio de los antecedentes para comprender la situación actual, por ello para documentar como corresponde el estado de la técnica y de la investigación se estudiaron los antecedentes desde sus primeras manifestaciones a finales del siglo XIX hasta nuestros días. Contrariamente a las profecías de Le Corbusier y otros, la industrialización no ha llegado a la construcción ni en la forma ni en la medida que era de esperar a principios del siglo XX. Sin embargo y a pesar del relativo “fracaso” de la industrialización en convertirse en la forma mayoritaria de producir edificios, lo cierto es que algunos sistemas altamente industrializados, como lo es la construcción modular ligera, han logrado un lugar en el mercado, que en algunos países resulta cuanto menos significativo. Delimitar el estado de la técnica y la situación actual es crucial en este trabajo, toda vez que la construcción industrializada la realizan empresas, y situarse al margen de las mismas y de su producción, nos guste o no, resulta contrario al sentido común. De este modo se han identificado y documentado ejemplos como el de EE.UU. y Japón, entre otros, que resultan muy ilustrativos tanto desde la evolución como del estado actual. Del estado de la técnica y la investigación también resulta la escasez de publicación de detalles constructivos específicos de la construcción modular ligera. Es obvio que los fabricantes intentan blindarse mediante el secreto industrial, logrando que las soluciones constructivas más interesantes queden fuertemente protegidas dentro del conocimiento reservado de la empresa. De este modo un sistema que alcanza grados de prefabricación del 95%, tan atractivo e interesante para el arquitecto queda reservado al conocimiento de unos pocos dentro de las empresas. La búsqueda de mayor información sobre estos sistemas encuentra un filón indiscutible en los proyectos de las casas del concurso Solar Decathlon. En efecto, debido a las condiciones particulares de este concurso, las casas que compiten deben ser instaladas en un plazo corto, por lo que en su mayoría recurren al método de construcción modular ligera, para lograr correctamente este objetivo. Adicionalmente todos los planos de proyecto incluidos los de detalle, así como memorias de especificaciones técnicas, quedan colgadas en la Web, a libre disposición del público. De este modo se ha considerado interesante, conveniente y útil, aprovechar como fuente documental de este trabajo, aparte de lo obtenido en el estado de la técnica y la investigación, los proyectos de las casas de los concursos 2005 y 2007, que fueron las dos últimas ediciones celebradas cuando se inició esta tesis. De modo similar a esta carencia de detalles publicados se observa igualmente una falta de investigación y de metodologías adecuadas a la misma sobre soluciones y detalles constructivos propios de la construcción modular ligera. Por eso y ante la dificultad de manejar adecuadamente una información disponible pero farragosa, este trabajo ha dedicado una parte importante de su esfuerzo a la creación de una metodología adecuada a este tipo de situación. Hay que destacar que cada proyecto puede constar fácilmente de 60 a casi 200 planos, sin contar las memorias técnicas y otros documentos, tales como galerías de imágenes, etc. Por otra parte resulta útil establecer esta metodología, no solo para esta tesis, sino para futuros trabajos de investigación sobre el tema, toda vez que con posterioridad a 2007 se han celebrado nuevas ediciones del concurso con su correspondiente volumen de información disponible. La metodología del análisis de los proyectos se basa en el diseño y creación de siete fichas tipo que resumen los aspectos fundamentales del proyecto desde el punto de vista constructivo, permitiendo de este modo su rápida visualización y comprensión sin pretender exhaustividad, ya que en caso de querer profundizar en el detalle de la información siempre está el proyecto original para ello. Tras estudiar la información obtenida de los proyectos de las casas de concurso, se contrastan y discuten los resultados para obtener conocimientos de interés para el objetivo propuesto en la tesis. Se comparan los resultados procedentes del estado de la técnica y de la investigación y se obtienen las conclusiones correspondientes. De este modo ha sido posible identificar una serie de criterios técnicos de proyecto de viviendas unifamiliares realizadas mediante construcción modular ligera, que además se organizan en varios niveles, por lo que el resultado es un conjunto de criterios como germen de una futura guía o manual. Como conclusiones fundamentales de la tesis hay que destacar las metodológicas, que habilitan la extensión de este estudio a otros trabajos y la aportación original al conocimiento con la definición de una serie de criterios técnicos de proyecto de viviendas realizadas mediante construcción modular ligera, que además de mejorar esta parte del saber constructivo serán de gran ayuda a los arquitectos de cara a la reducción de errores, que a menudo derivan en mayores costes y plazos, cuando no directamente al abandono del sistema constructivo. El trabajo de la tesis se estructura en siete capítulos a saber: Capítulo 1: Introducción, donde se explica el tema de la tesis, el objetivo principal, las limitaciones y se aportan algunas definiciones. Capítulo 2: Estado de la técnica y la investigación, dentro del cual se presentan los antecedentes desde sus inicios pasando por la primera y segunda mitad del siglo XX y finalizando con el estado actual que recorre los sistemas de EE.UU, Japón, Europa, Escandinavia, centro Europa, Francia, España y algunos ejemplos de Latinoamérica. En el estado de la investigación se presentan las publicaciones tanto en revistas científicas indexadas en el JCR, como publicaciones no indexadas en las que se muestran artículos científicos, comunicaciones a congresos, documentación sobre el concurso Solar Decathlon, libros específicos y libros genéricos sobre construcción modular ligera, tesis doctorales tanto generales como específicas sobre el concurso Solar Decathlon, documentos de idoneidad técnica, páginas Web del concurso Solar Decathlon y finalmente páginas Web de empresas de construcción modular ligera y patentes. También se expresan las conclusiones parciales del capítulo así también como la justificación y los objetivos particulares. Capítulo 3: Metodología, se expone en primer lugar el planteamiento del problema, para luego desarrollar los métodos utilizados para el estudio y clasificación del transporte y de la organización modular, la relación entre la organización modular y distribución espacial, el diseño y contenido de las fichas resumen de los 38 proyectos presentados al SD2005 y SD2007, así también como la información consultada para su realización. Se explica asimismo como se realizaron las tablas comparativas partiendo de la información de las fichas. Finalmente se expresa la manera en que se trató el estudio particular de la junta entre módulos. Capítulo 4: Discusión de resultados, dónde en primer lugar se presenta la clasificación y las estrategias del transporte así también como una clasificación de la organización modular, en segundo lugar se estudian las relaciones que existen entre el sistema modular y la organización espacial. A partir de aquí se muestra el estudio de la estructura de todas las casas del SD2005 y SD2007, según el tipo y material de las zapatas, mostrando tanto tablas cuantitativas como tablas gráficas con fotos. De la misma manera se tratan los forjados, los pilares y las vigas y las cubiertas. Se estudia además el cerramiento opaco y acristalado, la cubierta y el forjado según las capas que lo componen. En el caso de las instalaciones se estudian las que son especiales, descartando las normales en este tipo de casas, como son los paneles fotovoltaicos, placas térmicas o tubos de vacío y los sistemas de almacenamiento de energía, como las baterías, presentando tablas numéricas y gráficas con fotos. El transporte se analiza según corresponda al traslado de la vivienda o al transporte de apoyo, según el tipo y la cantidad utilizado. Con respecto al montaje se diferencia en si se usó grúa o no, y en el caso de no utilizarse se muestran los métodos alternativos. Con respecto a la exploración de la organización modular se presentan la cantidad de módulos que utilizó cada casa, así como también la cuantificación de los sistemas híbridos como son elementos lineales 1D, paneles 2D. Por último se muestra el estudio detallado de la junta entre módulos 3D. Finalmente se realiza la propuesta de un conjunto de criterios técnicos de proyecto organizado en cuatro niveles: 1º nivel de criterios generales, 2º nivel sobre sistemas constructivos, 3º nivel de detalles constructivos y el 4º nivel llamado logística obras previas, transporte y montaje. Capítulo 5: Conclusiones y líneas futuras de investigación, se exponen las conclusiones generales, metodológicas, documentales y por último las de construcción modular. Finalmente se realiza una propuesta de líneas futuras de investigación. Capítulo 6: Bibliografía. Capítulo 7: Anexos, en el que se presentan todas las fichas resumen de las casas realizadas por el autor de esta tesis. Además se incluyen los casos concretos de Voisin en Francia y la TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) en EE.UU., así como referencias de manuales genéricos de construcción ligera, medidas de transporte en España e información sobre estadísticas de viviendas en la Unión Europea. ABSTRACT This paper deals with Light Modular Construction of houses, and specifically addresses the problem of the constructive definition of the same, given how little known and published this subject has been. Since building construction is the result of evolution, it is of great importance to study its background for understanding the current situation, therefore to document the state of the art and research, its history was studied from its origins dating to the end nineteenth century to our days. Contrary to the prophecies of Le Corbusier and others, industrialization has not reached the construction neither in the form nor to the extent that it was expected in the early twentieth century. However, despite the relative "failure" of industrialization to become the major form of production for buildings, the fact is that some highly industrialized systems, such as the so called Lightweight Modular Construction, have achieved a place in the market, which in some countries is at least significant. To outline the state of the art and the current situation is crucial in this work, since industrialized construction is carried out by companies, and to step away from them and their production, whether we like it or not, it is contrary to common sense. So that, several cases have been identified and documented, such as the US and Japan examples, among others, which are very illustrative both from evolution and the current status. The state of the art and research shows also a shortage of publication of specific construction details of light modular construction. Obviously, manufacturers try to shield themselves by trade secret, making the most interesting constructive solutions remain heavily protected within the reserved knowledge of the company, so a system that reaches levels of 95% prefabrication, so attractive and interesting for the architect It is reserved to the knowledge of a few people inside the companies. The search for more information on these systems finds an invaluable reef in the projects of the Solar Decathlon houses. Indeed, due to the particular conditions of this contest, houses competing must be installed in a short time, so mostly turn to modular construction methods for this purpose to achieve properly this goal. Additionally all levels of project, including detailed and technical specifications reports are published on the Web, freely available to the general public. Thus it was considered interesting, convenient and useful to take advantage as a documentary source of this work, apart from what it were obtained in the state of the art and research, the projects of the houses of the 2005 and 2007 contests, which were the last two editions already held before this thesis was started. Similar to this lack of published details it is also observed a lack of research and methodologies adapted to the solutions and construction details of lightweight modular construction. So that, and facing the difficulty of adequately manage the available but bulky information, this work has devoted a significant part of its effort to create an appropriate methodology for this type of situation. It is noteworthy that each project can easily consist of 60 to almost 200 blueprints, not including technical reports and other documents, such as photo galleries, etc. The methodology of the analysis of the projects is based on the design and creation of seven record sheets that summarize key aspects of the project from a construction point of view, thus allowing quick watching and understanding of the project, without claiming completeness, always keeping for further information the blueprints themselves. After studying the information obtained from the projects of the competition houses, the results are compared and discussed to obtain relevant knowledge according to the objective proposed in the thesis. The results from the state of the art and research are also compared and the conclusions so obtained make possible to identify a number of technical design criteria for single family homes made using lightweight modular construction, which also have been organized at various levels, so the result is a set of criteria as a seed for a future guide or manual. Among the main conclusions of the thesis must be noted the methodological ones, that enable the extension of this study to other works and are an original contribution to knowledge with the definition of a number of technical criteria for housing projects made by light modular construction, what in addition to improving this part of the constructive knowledge will be of great help for the architects to reduce errors that often result in higher costs and delays, if not in abandonment of the construction system itself. The work of the thesis is divided into seven chapters as follows: Chapter 1: Introduction, where the topic of the thesis, the main objective, limitations and the provided definitions is explained. Chapter 2: State of the art and research, within which history is presented from the beginning through the first and second half of the twentieth century and ending with the current systems, that spans from the USA to Japan, Europe, Scandinavia, Central Europe, France, Spain and some Latin American examples. In the state of research publications are presented both on scientific journals indexed in the JCR, and non-indexed publications in which scientific articles, conference papers, information about the Solar Decathlon competition, generic and specific books on light modular construction, articles both general and specific on the Solar Decathlon competition, technical approval documents, dissertations, the Solar Decathlon Web pages and finally lightweight modular construction companies Web pages and patents. The partial conclusions of the chapter as well as the rationale and specific objectives are also expressed. Chapter 3: Methodology first of all exposes the problem statement and then develops the methods used for the study and classification of transportation and modular organization, the relationship between the modular organization and spatial distribution, design and content summary records of the 38 projects submitted to the SD2005 and SD2007, as well as information consulted for its realization. It explains equally how the comparative tables based on information from the chips were made. Finally, the way the particular study of the joint between modules is carried out is also treated. Chapter 4: Discussion, first sorting a classification of transport strategies as well as of modular organization, secondly the relationship between the modular system and the spatial organization studied is presented. From then on, the study of the structure of every house Moreover, to establish this methodology is useful not only for this thesis, but for future research on the subject, since after 2007 there have been held new editions of the contest with a corresponding volume of information available. shown in the SD2005 and SD2007 contests, depending on the type and material of the shoe, showing both quantitative tables as graphic boards with pictures is carried out. Similarly slabs, columns and beams and roofs are treated. Furthermore, the opaque and transparent façades, as well as roof and floor enclosure, according to the layers that compose them are studied. In the case of facilities there have been only addressed that which are of a special type, discarding that considered usual in this type of houses such as photovoltaic panels, thermal panels or vacuum tubes and energy storage systems such as batteries, presenting numerical and graphical tables with photos .The transportation is analyzed depending on it is used to move the house or for additional support, depending on the type and quantity of items used. Regarding assembly it has been made a difference if crane is or not used and if not, what the alternative methods are. With respect to the exploration of the modular organization, the amount of modules used in each house is presented, as well as the quantification of hybrid systems such as linear members as well as 1D, 2D panels. Finally, it has been carried out the detailed study of the joint between 3D modules. Finally it is proposed a set of technical criteria organized into four levels, 1st level of general criteria, 2nd level on building systems, 3rd level construction details and 4th level called previous works and logistics, transportation and assembly. Chapter 5: Conclusions and future research, where general, methodological, documentary and finally modular construction findings are presented. A proposal for further research is done. Chapter 6: Bibliography. Chapter 7: Annexes, in which all the record sheets of houses made by the author of this thesis are presented. Besides the specific cases of Voisin in France and TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) in the USA, as well as general reference manuals on lightweight construction, transportation dimensions in Spain, and information on housing statistics in the European Union are included.

Identification of a thiamin-dependent synthase in Escherichia coli required for the formation of the 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate precursor to isoprenoids, thiamin, and pyridoxol

In Escherichia coli, 1-deoxy-d-xylulose (or its 5-phosphate, DXP) is the biosynthetic precursor to isopentenyl diphosphate [Broers, S. T. J. (1994) Dissertation (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, Zürich)], thiamin, and pyridoxol [Himmeldirk, K., Kennedy, I. A., Hill, R. E., Sayer, B. G. & Spenser, I. D. (1996) Chem. Commun. 1187–1188]. Here we show that an open reading frame at 9 min on the chromosomal map of E. coli encodes an enzyme (deoxyxylulose-5-phosphate synthase, DXP synthase) that catalyzes a thiamin diphosphate-dependent acyloin condensation reaction between C atoms 2 and 3 of pyruvate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to yield DXP. We have cloned and overexpressed the gene (dxs), and the enzyme was purified 17-fold to a specific activity of 0.85 unit/mg of protein. The reaction catalyzed by DXP synthase yielded exclusively DXP, which was characterized by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Although DXP synthase of E. coli shows sequence similarity to both transketolases and the E1 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase, it is a member of a distinct protein family, and putative DXP synthase sequences appear to be widespread in bacteria and plant chloroplasts.

The two-dimensional IR nonlinear spectroscopy of a cyclic penta-peptide in relation to its three-dimensional structure

A form of two-dimensional (2D) vibrational spectroscopy, which uses two ultrafast IR laser pulses, is used to examine the structure of a cyclic penta-peptide in solution. Spectrally resolved cross peaks occur in the off-diagonal region of the 2D IR spectrum of the amide I region, analogous to those in 2D NMR spectroscopy. These cross peaks measure the coupling between the different amide groups in the structure. Their intensities and polarizations relate directly to the three-dimensional structure of the peptide. With the help of a model coupling Hamiltonian, supplemented by density functional calculations, the spectra of this penta-peptide can be regenerated from the known solution phase structure. This 2D-IR measurement, with an intrinsic time resolution of less than 1 ps, could be used in all time regimes of interest in biology.

NMR structures of three single-residue variants of the human prion protein

The NMR structures of three single-amino acid variants of the C-terminal domain of the human prion protein, hPrP(121–230), are presented. In hPrP(M166V) and hPrP(R220K) the substitution is with the corresponding residue in murine PrP, and in hPrP(S170N) it is with the corresponding Syrian hamster residue. All three substitutions are in the surface region of the structure of the cellular form of PrP (PrPC) that is formed by the C-terminal part of helix 3, with residues 218–230, and a loop of residues 166–172. This molecular region shows high species variability and has been implicated in specific interactions with a so far not further characterized “protein X,” and it is related to the species barrier for transmission of prion diseases. As expected, the three variant hPrP(121–230) structures have the same global architecture as the previously determined wild-type bovine, human, murine, and Syrian hamster prion proteins, but with the present study two localized “conformational markers” could be related with single amino acid exchanges. These are the length and quality of definition of helix 3, and the NMR-observability of the residues in the loop 166–172. Poor definition of the C-terminal part of helix 3 is characteristic for murine PrP and has now been observed also for hPrP(R220K), and NMR observation of the complete loop 166–172 has so far been unique for Syrian hamster PrP and is now also documented for hPrP(S170N).

Cloning and characterization of cDNAs for matrix metalloproteinases of regenerating newt limbs.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) of regenerating urodele limbs have been suggested to play crucial roles in the process of the dedifferentiation of cells in the damaged tissues and the ensuing blastema formation because the activation of MMPs is an early and conspicuous event occurring in the amputated limb. MMP cDNAs were cloned as products of the reverse transcription-PCR from cDNA libraries of newt limbs, and their structures were characterized. Three cDNAs encoding newt MMPs (2D-1, 2D-19, and 2D-24) have been cloned from second day postamputation regenerating limbs, and a cDNA (EB-1) was cloned from early bud-stage regenerating limbs. These cDNAs included the full-length coding regions. The deduced amino acid sequences of 2D-1, 2D-19, 2D-24, and EB-1 had a homology with mammalian MMP9, MMP3/10, MMP3/10, and MMP13, respectively. The basic motif of these newt MMP genes was similar to mammalian counterparts and contained regions encoding a putative signal sequence, a propeptide, an active site with three zinc-binding histidine residues, a calcium-binding domain, a hemopexin region, and three key cysteine residues. However, some unique molecular evolutionary features were also found in the newt MMPs. cDNAs of 2D-19 and 2D-24 contained a specific insertion and deletion, respectively. The insertion of 2D-19 is threonine-rich, similar to the threonine cluster found in the collagenase-like sea urchin hatching enzyme. Northern blot analysis showed that the expression levels of the newt MMPs were dramatically increased after amputation, suggesting that they play an important role(s) in tissue remodeling of the regenerating limb.

NMR studies of muscle glycogen synthesis in insulin-resistant offspring of parents with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus immediately after glycogen-depleting exercise.

To examine the impact of insulin resistance on the insulin-dependent and insulin-independent portions of muscle glycogen synthesis during recovery from exercise, we studied eight young, lean, normoglycemic insulin-resistant (IR) offspring of individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and eight age-weight matched control (CON) subjects after plantar flexion exercise that lowered muscle glycogen to approximately 25% of resting concentration. After approximately 20 min of exercise, intramuscular glucose 6-phosphate and glycogen were simultaneously monitored with 31P and 13C NMR spectroscopies. The postexercise rate of glycogen resynthesis was nonlinear. Glycogen synthesis rates during the initial insulin independent portion (0-1 hr of recovery) were similar in the two groups (IR, 15.5 +/- 1.3 mM/hr and CON, 15.8 +/- 1.7 mM/hr); however, over the next 4 hr, insulin-dependent glycogen synthesis was significantly reduced in the IR group [IR, 0.1 +/- 0.5 mM/hr and CON, 2.9 +/- 0.2 mM/hr; (P < or = 0.001)]. After exercise there was an initial rise in glucose 6-phosphate concentrations that returned to baseline after the first hour of recovery in both groups. In summary, we found that following muscle glycogen-depleting exercise, IR offspring of parents with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus had (i) normal rates of muscle glycogen synthesis during the insulin-independent phase of recovery from exercise and (ii) severely diminished rates of muscle glycogen synthesis during the subsequent recovery period (2-5 hr), which has previously been shown to be insulin-dependent in normal CON subjects. These data provide evidence that exercise and insulin stimulate muscle glycogen synthesis in humans by different mechanisms and that in the IR subjects the early response to stimulation by exercise is normal.