Identification of protein interaction regions of VINC/NEAT1/Men epsilon RNA

The virus inducible non-coding RNA (VINC) was detected initially in the brain of mice infected with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and rabies virus. VINC is also known as NEAT1 or Men epsilon RNA. It is localized in the nuclear paraspeckles of several murine as well as human cell lines and is essential for paraspeckle formation. We demonstrate that VINC interacts with the paraspeckle protein, P54nrb through three different protein interaction regions (PIRs) one of which (PIR-1) is localized near the 50 end while the other two (PIR-2, PIR-3) are localized near the 30 region of VINC. Our studies suggest that VINC may interact with P54nrb through a novel mechanism which is different from that reported for protein coding RNAs. (C) 2010 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Effect of phenyl and phenolic acids on mevalonate-5-Phosphate decarboxylase if the brain

Phenyl and phenolic acids are known to inhibit metabolism of mevalonate in rat brain. The site of inhibition has been found to be mevalonate-5-pyrophosphate decarboxylase. Phenolic acids also inhibited mevalonate-5-phosphate kinase on preincubation. The kinetics showed that p-coumaric acid and isoferulic acid were competing with substrates, mevalonate-5-phosphate or mevalonate-5-pyre phosphate, whereas others showed an uncompetitive type of inhibition. Chlorophenoxyisobutyrate, a hypocholesterolaemic drug, had no effect on these enzymes. An improved method for the synthesis of mevalonate-5-phosphate and mevalonate-5-pyrophosphate, labeled at carbon-1, is described.

Heterogeneous nucleation of solidification of cadmium particles embedded in an aluminium matrix

A hypomonotectic alloy of Al-4.5wt%Cd has been manufactured by melt spinning and the resulting microstructure examined by transmission electron microscopy. As-melt spun hypomonotectic Al-4.5wt%Cd consists of a homogeneous distribution of faceted 5 to 120 nm diameter cadmium particles embedded in a matrix of aluminium, formed during the monotectic solidification reaction. The cadmium particles exhibit an orientation relationship with the aluminium matrix of {111}Al//{0001}Cd and lang110rangAlAl//lang11¯20> Cd, with four cadmium particle variants depending upon which of the four {111}Al planes is parallel to {0001}Cd. The cadmium particles exibit a distorted cuboctahedral shape, bounded by six curved {100}Al//{20¯23}Cd facets, six curved {111}Al/{40¯43}Cd facets and two flat {111}Al//{0001}Cd facets. The as-melt spun cadmium particle shape is metastable and the cadmium particles equilibrate during heat treatment below the cadmium melting point, becoming elongated to increase the surface area and decrease the separation of the {111}Al//{0001}Cd facets. The equilibrium cadmium particle shape and, therefore, the anisotropy of solid aluminium-solid cadmium and solid aluminium -liquid cadmium surface energies have been monitored by in situ heating in the transmission electron microscope over the temperature range between room temperature and 420 °C. The anisotropy of solid aluminium-solid cadmium surface energy is constant between room temperature and the cadmium melting point, with the {100}Al//{20¯23}Cd surface energy on average 40% greater than the {111}Al//{0001}Cd surface energy, and 10% greater than the {111}Al//{40¯43Cd surface energy. When the cadmium particles melt at temperatures above 321 °C, the {100}Al//{20¯23}Cd facets disappear and the {111}Al//{40¯43}Cd and {111}A1//{0001}Cd surface energies become equal. The {111}Al facets do not disappear when the cadmium particles melt, and the anisotropy of solid aluminium-liquid cadmium surface energy decreases gradually with increasing temperature above the cadmium melting point. The kinetics of cadmium solidification have been examined by heating and cooling experiments in a differential scanning calorimeter over a range of heating and cooling rates. Cadmium particle solidification is nucleated catalytically by the surrounding aluminium matrix on the {111}Al faceted surfaces, with an undercooling of 56 K and a contact angle of 42 °. The nucleation kinetics of cadmium particle solidification are in good agreement with the hemispherical cap model of heterogeneous nucleation.

Crystal structures of fluorinated aryl biscarbonates and a biscarbamate: a counterpoise between weak intermolecular interactions and molecular symmetry

Conformational features and supramolecular structural organization in three aryl biscarbonates and an aryl biscarbamate with rigid acetylenic unit providing variable spacer lengths have been probed to gain insights into the packing features associated with molecular symmetry and the intermolecular interactions involving `organic' fluorine. Four structures but-2-yne-1,4-diyl bis(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenylcarbonate), 1; but-2-yne-1,4-diyl bis(4-fluorophenylcarbonate), 2; but-2-yne-1,4-diyl bis(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenylcarbamate), 3 and hexa-2,4-diyne-1,6-diyl bis(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenylcarbonate), 4 have been analyzed in this context. Compound 1 adopts a non-centrosymmetric ``twisted'' (syn) conformation, whereas 2, 3 and 4 acquire a centrosymmetric ``extended'' (anti) conformation. Weak intermolecular interactions and in particular those involving fluorine are found to dictate this conformational variation in the crystal structure of 1. A single-crystal neutron diffraction study at 90 K was performed on 1 to obtain further insights into these interactions involving `organic' fluorine.

关于颗粒悬浮机理和悬浮功的讨论

从分析气体分子的悬浮和静水中Ｂｒｏｗｎ微粒的悬浮之机理出发，论述了重力场中粒子（分子、微粒等）的悬浮不一定需要其它外力，粒子本射的任何形式的无规则运动，达到一定强度后都能使粒子弥散悬浮。河流中的泥沙颗粒和气（水）力输送管道中的颗粒的悬浮也主要靠颗粒物的无规则运动，作用于颗粒的升力和其它力可改变颗粒悬浮沿高度的分布，但仅用这些力９若无任何无规则运动）无法解释颗粒的弥散悬浮状态。讨论了颗粒对流动阻力的…

Efecto de cultivos antecesores y m��todos de control de malezas sobre la cenosis de las malezas y el crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento de los cultivos de soya (Glycine max (L) Merr.) y ajonjolí (Sesamum indicum L.)

El experimento de campo se llevó a cabo en el ciclo de postrera (Agosto-Dic.) del año 1992 en los terrenos de la cooperativa "Rubén Duarte", Managua. Se estudió la influencia de rotaciones de cultivos (Maíz-Soya; Sorgo-Soya; Maíz-Ajonjolí y Sorgo-Ajonjolí), y tres controles de malezas (control químico, control período crítico, limpia periódica) sobre el comportamiento de la cenosis de las malezas en el crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento de la Soya (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) y del Ajonjolí (Sesamun indicum(L)). Se utilizó un diseño experimental de parcelas divididas en bloques completos al azar con 4 repeticiones, estudiados el factor A (Rotación de cultivos) en las parcelas grandes y el factor B (Control de malezas) en las subparcelas. La rotación Maíz-Soya mostró los menores niveles de abundancia, cobertura y biomasa de malezas y alcanzó al igual que la rotación Maíz-Ajonjolí los mayores rendimientos. Las rotaciones Sorgo-Ajonjolí y Sorgo-Soya presentaron una alta abundancia, diversidad, cobertura y biomasa de malezas, llegando a tener los m��s bajos rendimientos. La especie Cyperus rotundus estuvo presente en todas las rotaciones y en los tres controles de malezas. El control químico tuvo niveles intermedios de abundancia y diversidad en las malezas. El control por período crítico provocó un nivel alto de abundancia y diversidad de malezas, sin afectar el rendimiento. El control limpia periódica generó los menores rangos de abundancia Y diversidad de malezas, y obtuvo los rendimientos m��s altos.

Collective evolution characteristics and computer simulation of short fatigue cracks

Fatigue testing was conducted using a kind of triangular isostress specimen to obtain the short-fatigue-crack behaviour of a weld low-carbon steel. The experimental results show that short cracks continuously initiate at slip bands within ferrite grain domains and the crack number per unit area gradually increases with increasing number of fatigue cycles. The dispersed short cracks possess an orientation preference, which is associated with the crystalline orientation of the relevant slip system. Based on the observed collective characteristics, computer modelling was carried out to simulate the evolution process of initiation, propagation and coalescence of short cracks. The simulation provides progressive displays which imitate the appearance of experimental observations. The results of simulation indicate that the crack path possesses a stable value of fractal dimension whereas the critical value of percolation covers a wide datum band, suggesting that the collective evolution process of short cracks is sensitive to the pattern of crack site distribution.

Funções do Senado Federal no presidencialismo de coalizão : uma análise do modelo de representação legislativa bicameral brasileira no sistema democrático presidencialista brasileiro, com ênfase no Senado Federal

Desenvolve estudo acerca da teoria política sobre as funções das câmaras altas no mundo, com ênfase no modelo presidencialista brasileiro. Discute as motivações da proposta do Partido dos Trabalhadores de transformar o Parlamento brasileiro em unicameralista.

Interim report on the progress of an inventory of artesian wells in Florida: leading to the enforcement of sections 370.051 - 370.54, Florida statues

One of the causes of lower artesian pressure, water waste and aquifer contamination is the misuse and insufficient care of artesian wells. In 1953, Senate Bill No. 57, entitled "An Act to Protect and Control the Artesian Waters of the State" (see Appendix) became a law. This law was passed through the efforts exerted by leading members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, who understood the need for a wise and controlled expenditure of our most valuable natural resource. The State Geologist and his authorized representatives were designated by this law to enforce this conservation measure; however, no financial provision was included for the 1953-55 biennium. The proposed program of the Florida Geological Survey for this biennium did not include the funds nor provide any full-time personnel for the enforcement of this statute. As a result, little actual work was accomplished during these two years, although much time was given to planning and discussion of the problem. Realizing that this program could provide additional basic data needed in the analysis of the water-supply problem, the State Geologist sought and was granted by the 1955 Legislature adequate funds with which to activate the first phase of the enforcement of Florida Statute No. 370.051-054. Enumerated below is a summary of the progress made on this investigation as outlined previously: 1. Data have been collected on 967 wildly flowing wells in 22 counties. 2. Chloride determinations have been run on 850 of the 967 wells. 3. Of the 967 wells, 554 have chlorides in excess of the 250 ppm, the upper limit assigned by the State Board of Health for public consumption. 4. Water escapes at the rate of 37, 762 gallons per minute from these 967 wells. This amounts to 54, 377, 280 gallons per day. The investigation is incomplete at this time; therefore, no final conclusions can be reached. However, from data already collected, the following recommendations are proposed: 1. That the present inventory of wildly flowing wells be completed for the entire State. 2. That the current inventory of wildly flowing wells be expanded at the conclusion of the present inventory to include all flowing wells. 3. That a complete statewide inventory program be established and conducted in cooperation with the Ground Water Branchof the U.S. Geological Survey. 4. That the enforcement functions as set down in Sections 370.051/.054, Florida Statutes, be separated from the program to collect water-resource data and that these functions be given to the Water Resources Department, if such is created (to be recommended by the Water Resources Study Commission in a water policy law presented to the 1957 Legislature). 5. That the research phase (well inventory) of the program remain under the direction of the Florida Geological Survey. (PDF contains 204 pages.)

Decada primeira (-terceira) da Asia de João de Barros : dos feitos que os portuguezes fezerão no descobrimento & conquista dos mares & terras do Oriente : dirigida ao Senado da Camara desta cidade de Lisboa : com todas as licenças necessarias.

João de Barros, historiador, renascentista português, nasceu por volta de 1496, provavelmente em Viseu, e morreu em 20 de outubro de 1570, na quinta de S. Lourenço, próximo da Ribeira de Litém. Entrou para o serviço do Rei D. Manuel desde menino, onde teve seus primeiros mestres e escreveu sua primeira obra, um romance de cavalaria, a Chronica do Imperador Clarimundo. Em 1525, foi nomeado tesoureiro e, em 1533, feitor da Casa da Índia, posto que lhe permitiu ter acesso a numerosas e autênticas fontes, tornando-se um dos historiadores mais importantes da expansão portuguesa. Quando o governo de D. João III estabeleceu para o Brasil o regime das capitanias hereditárias, a João de Barros e a dois associados (Aires da Cunha e Fernão de Álvares de Andrade) foi concedido o trato de terra que ia do Rio Grande ao Maranhão. Em 1531, morreu Lourenço de Cáceres, que deveria escrever a história da Índia, e foi esta, então, confiada a João de Barros, seu sobrinho. Em 1552, saía a primeira das Décadas da Ásia. Além dos trabalhos históricos , escreveu o tratado Rópica pneuma (Mercado espiritual); o Diálogo da viciosa vergonha; o Diálogo sobre preceitos morais; uma gram��tica da língua portuguesa e uma cartilha para aprender a ler. Dedicou-se às línguas e às letras clássicas, à Geografia, à História e à Cosmografia. A obra está assim dividida: da primeira à quarta década, por João de Barros, em oito volumes; um volume contendo a obra de João de Barros, por Manuel Severim de Faria , e o índice das quatro décadas; da quarta à décima segunda década, de Diogo do Couto, em quinze volumes, aí incluído o índice das Décadas de Couto. Contém, ainda, nas obras, retratos de João de Barros, do Infante D. Henrique e de Afonso de Albuquerque e cinco cartas geográficas. Segundo Brunet, as Décadas XI e XII parecem estar abreviadas. Classifica, também, esta como uma bela edição e que substitui com vantagens as anteriores. A primeira edição Da Asia de João de Barros e de Diogo de Couto foi publicada em Lisboa, em 1522, por Germ��o Galhardo.