Structural analysis of PEKEKK(T/I) using WAXD, imaging plates and SAXS

Structures and crystal form transition of the novel aryl ether ketone polymer containing meta-phenylene linkage: PEKEKK(T/I) were investigated by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), imaging plates (IPs) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The energy of activation of the decomposition reaction and degree of crystallinity of PEKEKK(T/I) were determined by WAXD and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Results obtained from WAXD and IPs show that crystal forms I and II coexist in the PEKEKK(T/I) samples isothermally cold crystallized in the temperature range from 180degreesC to 240degreesC and only form I occurs in PEKEKK(T/I) samples isothermally cold crystallized at 270degreesC. The radius of gyration (Rg), thickness of microregions with electron-density fluctuations (E) and distribution of particle sizes were investigated by SAXS.

Computer simulation of Zn(II) speciation and effect of Gd(III) on Zn(II) speciation in human blood plasma

The speciation and distribution of Zn(II) and the effect of Gd(III) on Zn(II) speciation in human blood plasma were studied by computer simulation. The results show that, in normal blood plasma, the most predominant species of Zn(II) are [Zn(HSA)] (58.2%), [Zn(IgG)](20.1%), [Zn(Tf)] (10.4%), ternary complexes of [Zn(Cit)(Cys)] (6.6%) and of [Zn(Cys)(His)H] (1.6%), and the binary complex of [Zn(CYS)(2)H] (1.2%). When zinc is deficient, the distribution of Zn(II) species is similar to that in normal blood plasma. Then, the distribution changes with increasing zinc(II) total concentration. Overloading Zn(II) is initially mainly bound to human serum albumin (HSA). As the available amount of HSA is exceeded, phosphate metal and carbonate metal species are established. Gd(III) entering human blood plasma predominantly competes for phosphate and carbonate to form precipitate species. However, Zn(II) complexes with phosphate and carbonate are negligible in normal blood plasma, so Gd(III) only have a little effect on zinc(II) species in human blood plasma at a concentration above 1.0x10(-4) M.

Solvent extraction of scandium(III), yttrium(III), lanthanides(III), and divalent metal ions with sec-nonylphenoxy acetic acid

Such physicochemical properties of sec-nonylphenoxy acetic acid (CA-100) as the solubility in water, acid dissociation constant in water, dimerization constant in heptane, and distribution constant in organic solvent-water were measured by two-phase titration. The extraction behaviors of scandium (III), yttrium (III), lanthanides (III), and divalent metal ions from hydrochloric acid solutions with CA-100 in heptane have been investigated, and the possibilities of separating scandium (yttrium) from lanthanides and divalent metal ions have been carefully discussed. The stoichiometries of the extracted metal complexes were investigated by the slope-analysis technique. The effect of the nature of diluent on the extraction of yttrium (III) with CA100 has been studied and correlated with the dielectric constant.

STUDIES ON THE COORDINATION OF TB(III) AND CA(III) WITH AMINO-ACID UNDER THE PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITION

Tb(Ca)-glycine, Tb(Ca)-alanine, Tb(Ca)-glycine-alanine systems were studied by potentiometry (37%, I = 0.15 mol/L NaCl). The stability constants of complexes and distribution of species in ternary system were obtained. The results show CaTb for the ternary complexes. The species convert each other with changing pH values.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of Ch-penaeidin, an antimicrobial peptide from Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis

A new member of antimicrobial peptide genes of the penaeidin family, Ch-penaeidin, has been cloned from the haemocytes of Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis, by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA end (3'-RACE) and smart cDNA methods. The Ch-penaeidin cDNA was 655 bp and the open reading frame of the cDNA encoded a 71 amino acid peptide. Ch-penaeidin contained a putative NH2-terminal signal Sequence (1-19) followed by a mature peptide (20-71). The sequence identify with other penaeidins from Litopenaeus vannamei and Litopenaeus setiferus is between 48% and 71%. The signal sequence of Ch-penaeidin is almost completely identical to that of other penaeidins, while differing relatively in the N-terminal domain of the mature peptide. Ch-penaeidin was designated as a novel member of class penaeidin 3 according to phylogenetic analysis. The Mature peptide. with a predicted molecular weight of 5589.32 Da, and a pI of 9.77, has eight positively charged amino acids and no negatively charged amino acids. The expression and distribution of Ch-penaeidin in Unchallenged shrimps were studied by RT-PCR, Northern blot and in situ hybridisation. The results showed that the Ch-penaeidin transcripts were detected in haemocytes (granular haemocytes), heart, gill, intestine, and subcuticular epithelia of the shrimp. and that Ch-penaeidin was constitutively expressed mainly in haemocytes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diverse tetracycline resistant bacteria and resistance genes from coastal waters of Jiaozhou Bay

Environmental microbiology investigation was carried out in Jiaozhou Bay to determine the source and distribution of tetracycline-resistant bacteria and their resistance mechanisms. At least 25 species or the equivalent molecular phylogenetic taxa in 16 genera of resistant bacteria could be identified based on 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid sequence analysis. Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Vibrionaceae constituted the majority of the typical resistant isolates. Indigenous estuarine and marine Halomonadaceae, Pseudoalteromonadaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, and Shewanellaceae bacteria also harbored tetracycline resistance. All the six resistance determinants screened, tet(A)-(E) and tet(G), could be detected, and the predominant genes were tet(A), tet(B), and tet(G). Both anthropogenic activity-related and indigenous estuarine or coastal bacteria might contribute to the tet gene reservoir, and resistant bacteria and their molecular determinants may serve as bioindicators of coastal environmental quality. Our work probably is the first identification of tet(E) in Proteus, tet(G) in Acinetobacter, tet(C) and tet(D) in Halomonas, tet(D) and tet(G) in Shewanella, and tet(B), tet(C), tet(E), and tet(G) in Roseobacter.

Molecular characterizations of chloramphenicol- and oxytetracycline-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in mariculture waters of China

In order to gain an understanding of the diversity and distribution of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes in maricultural environments, multidrug-resistant bacteria were screened for the rearing waters from a mariculture farm of China. Both abalone Haliotis discus hannai and turbot Scophthalmus maximus rearing waters were populated with abundant chloramphenicol-resistant bacteria. These bacteria were also multidrug resistant, with Vibrio splendidus and Vibrio tasmaniensis being the most predominant species. The chloramphenicol-resistance gene cat II, cat IV or floR could be detected in most of the multidrug-resistant isolates, and the oxytetracycline-resistance gene tet(B), tet(D), tet(E) or tet(M) could also be detected for most of the isolates. Coexistence of chloramphenicol- and oxytetracycline-resistance genes partially explains the molecular mechanism of multidrug resistance in the studied maricultural environments. Comparative studies with different antimicrobial agents as the starting isolation reagents may help detect a wider diversity of the antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dominant chloramphenicol-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in coastal marine waters of Jiaozhou Bay, China

Studies of abundance, diversity and distribution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their resistance determinants are necessary for effective prevention and control of antibiotic resistance and its dissemination, critically important for public health and environment management. In order to gain an understanding of the persistence of resistance in the absence of a specific antibiotic selective pressure, microbiological surveys were carried out to investigate chloramphenicol-resistant bacteria and the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase resistance genes in Jiaozhou Bay after chloramphenicol was banned since 1999 in China. About 0.15-6.70% cultivable bacteria were chloramphenicol resistant, and the highest abundances occurred mainly in the areas near river mouths or sewage processing plants. For the dominant resistant isolates, 14 genera and 25 species were identified, mostly being indigenous estuarine or marine bacteria. Antibiotic-resistant potential human or marine animal pathogens, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Shewanella algae, were also identified. For the molecular resistance determinants, the cat I and cat III genes could be detected in some of the resistant strains, and they might have the same origins as those from clinical strains as determined via gene sequence analysis. Further investigation about the biological, environmental and anthropogenic mechanisms and their interactions that may contribute to the persistence of antibiotic-resistance in coastal marine waters in the absence of specific antibiotic selective pressure is necessary for tackling this complicated environmental issue.

Mineral provinces and matter provenance of the surficial sediments in the western Philippine Sea: implication for modern sedimentation in West Pacific marginal basin

The characteristics and distribution patterns of detrital minerals (0.063 similar to 0.125 mm) in marine sediments provide a significant indicator for the identification of the origin of sediment. The detrital mineral composition of 219 surface sediment samples was analysed to identify the distribution of sediments within the western Philippine Sea. The area can be divided into three mineral provinces: ( 1) province east of the Philippine Trench, the detrital minerals in this province are mainly composed of calcareous or siliceous organisms, with the addition of volcanogenic minerals from an adjacent island arc; (II) middle mineral province, clastic minerals including feldspar, quartz and colorless volcanic glass, sourced from seamounts with intermediate-acid volcanic rock, or erupting intermediate-acid volcano; (III) province west of the Palau-Kyushii Ridge, the matter provenance within this province is complex; the small quantity of feldspar and quartz may be sourced from seamounts or erupting volcano with intermediate - acid composition, with a component of volcanic scoria sourced from a volcano erupting on the Palau-Kyushu Ridge. it is suggested that, ( I) Biogenic debris of the study area is closely related to water depth, with the amount of biogenic debris controlled by carbonate lysocline. (2) Volcaniclastic matter derived from the adjacent island are can be entrained by oceanic currents and transported towards the abyssal basin over a short distance. The weathering products of volcanic rocks of the submarine plateau ( e. g. I Benham Plateau) and adjacent ridges provide an important source of detrital sedimentation, and the influence scope of them is constrained by the intensity of submarine weathering. (3) Terrigenous sediments from the continent of Asia and the adjacent Philippine island arc have little influence on the sedimentation of this study area, and the felsic mineral component is probably sourced from volcanic seamounts of intermediate-acid composition.

Mineral provinces and material provenance of the surficial sediments near the Zhongsha Islands in the South China Sea

Characteristics and distribution patterns of elastic minerals (0.063 similar to 0.125 mm) in bottom sediments represent a significant indicator for the identification of the origin of sediment. One hundred and fourteen surface sediment samples, which were collected from the area near the Zhongsha Islands in the South China Sea, were analysed to identify the mineral suites and their distributions in the study area. The area can be divided into three mineral provinces: ( I) a province of biogenic minerals, which mainly originate from the Zhongsha Atoll; ( H) a province of volcanogenic minerals, which are mainly derived from local basaltic seamounts and small-scale volcanoes that are probably erupting, with some influences from the island-are volcanic region around the South China Sea; and (II) a mixed mineral province whose material source includes biogenic minerals, volcanogenic minerals and terrigenous minerals; the last province can be subdivided into a mixed mineral sub-province of the northeastern part of the study area, in which terrigenous minerals are mainly derived from China's Mainland and do not exceed 17 degrees N, and a mixed mineral sub-province of the southeastern part of the study area, in which terrigenous minerals are derived from Kalimantan and Indochina Peninsula and might be further transported into the deep sea basin through submarine canyons.

The possibility analysis of habitats, origin and reappearance of bloom green alga (Enteromorpha prolifera) on inshore of western Yellow Sea

Combining some information from field investigation of algae along the coastal areas in China and a few pictures materialized from the western Yellow Sea in 2008, authors analyze the necessary conditions and possible water area in China producing a large biomass, some reasons for firestorm, and the possibility of the reappearance of marine bloom green alga Enteromorpha prolifera. The change of habitats and the increase of nutritional levels related to the water area could be considered as direct reasons. It was transferred northward by the combination of the flow of rainwater, wind and alongshore marine current. The original region of large biomass produced is possibly located in the southwestern Yellow sea. It will possibly be appearing again in the coming years or in the future. A summary is also given referring to its reproduction, development and distribution worldwide.

大城市内部商业环境满意度评价与消费区位决策研究-以北京市西城区和海淀区为例

Since 1990s, commercial conditions in China including commercial environment, retail types, scale of retail enterprises, spatial structure of retail and shopping decision making factors have changed. In order to keep up with these changes, commercial geography should set up new perspectives, theories and methods to analyze its internal mechanism and changing rules, and thus provide reasonable and practical scientific basis to commercial planning, location decision of retail enterprises and commercial environment construction. Taking Xicheng and Haidian District of Beijing as research case, which is a sector region from city center to rural region, this paper selects 12 commercial centers as most important study objects of this sector. This paper mainly makes use of the methods of Modeling, Pearson Bivaiiate Correlations Analysis, Factor Analysis and Logit model. Based on 1300 questionnaires and fieldwork, this paper focuses on modeling of Consumer Satisfaction of Commercial Environment (CSCE), evaluation of commercial environment and driving factors of consumers' shopping location decision. Firstly, this paper discusses the development of commercial geography and commercial environment evaluation, the new characteristics and trends of commercial development in Beijing and physical commercial environment of Xicheng and Haidian District of Beijing from chapter 1 to chapter 4. Secondly, this paper summarizes characteristics of residents' shopping behavior in chapter 5. Thirdly, this paper sets up an evaluative model of CSCE, and analyzes consumer satisfaction indexes of commercial environment and their spatial features in chapter 6. Fourthly, this paper infers how residents' attributes and shopping behaviors affect their preferences of shopping location and what are residents' shopping location decisions and their influencing factors in chapter 7. Fifthly, this paper constructs a significant index model and a pyramidal framework of CSCE, and further analyzes the diversity and competitive advantage of commercial environment in chapter 8. Finally, some conclusions are drawn as follows: 1. Characteristics of residents' shopping behavior mostly embody residents' time distance preference, commodity consumption preference, shopping time distribution and shopping activity characteristics. The important factors that influence shopping location choice of residents are distance, transportation, commodity price, commodity types and commodity quality. However, the important factors, which influence shopping location re-choice of residents, are commodity price, commodity quality, commodity types and transportation. 2. CSCE indexes of 12 commercial centers show us significant spatial characteristics, such as spatial differences of "Center-fringe region", spatial characteristics of axes, spatial diversity of ring roads and so on. 3. Influencing factors including factor endowments, relative establishment factor and location and transportation factor of commercial environment are of importance for CSCE. 4. Logit model 1 indicates that shopping behavior of residents is significantly and positively related to working in high-tech companies, high income and by car and positively related to high school diploma, by bus and subway. 5. Logit model 2 indicates that residents' shopping location decision is significantly and positively related to leisure establishment and relative restaurant and entertainment establishment and negatively related to commercial location, commodity price, service quality, parking site. 6. The significant index model and the pyramidal framework of CSCE indicate competitive advantages are crucial to attractive capability of commercial center, and competitive weakness limits development of commercial centers, in particular the weakness of service quality and parking site now is the chief factors restricting development of commercial centers

Institutional Repositories, Policies, and Disruption

For many librarians, institutional repositories (IRs) promised significant change for academic libraries. We envisioned enlarging collection development scope to include locally produced scholarship and an expansion of library services to embrace scholarly publication and distribution. However, at the University of Rochester, as at many other institutions, this transformational technology was introduced in the conservative, controlled manner associated with stereotypical librarian culture, and so these expected changes never materialized. In this case study, we focus on the creation of our institutional repository (a potentially disruptive technology) and how its success was hampered by our organizational culture, manifested as a lengthy and complicated set of policies. In the following pages, we briefly describe our repository project, talk about our original policies, look at the ways those policies impeded our project, and discuss the disruption of those policies and the benefits in user uptake that resulted.

Studies on equine milk and comparative studies on equine and bovine milk systems

The composition of equine milk differs considerably from that of the milk of the principal dairying species, i.e., the cow, buffalo, goat and sheep. Because equine milk resembles human milk in many respects and is claimed to have special therapeutic properties, it is becoming increasingly popular in Western Europe, where it is produced on large farms in several countries. Equine milk is considered to be highly digestible, rich in essential nutrients and to possess an optimum whey protein:casein ratio, making it very suitable as a substitute for bovine milk in paediatric dietetics. There is some scientific basis for the special nutritional and health-giving properties of equine milk but this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the composition and physico-chemical properties of equine milk which is required to fully exploit its potential in human nutrition. Quantification and distribution of the nitrogenous components and principal salts of equine milk are reported. The effects of the high concentration of ionic calcium, large casein micelles (~ 260 nm), low protein, lack of a sulphydryl group in equine β-lactoglobulin and a very low level of κ-casein on the physico-chemical properties of equine milk are reported. This thesis provides an insight into the stability of equine casein micelles to heat, ethanol, high pressure, rennet or acid. Differences in rennet- and acid-induced coagulation between equine and bovine milk are attributed not only to the low casein content of equine milk but also to differences in the mechanism by which the respective micelles are stabilized. It has been reported that β-casein plays a role in the stabilization of equine casein micelles and proteomic techniques support this view. In this study, equine κ-casein appeared to be resistant to hydrolysis by calf chymosin but equine β-casein was readily hydrolysed. Resolution of equine milk proteins by urea-PAGE showed the multi-phosphorylated isoforms of equine αs- and β-caseins and capillary zone electrophoresis showed 3 to 7 phosphorylated residues in equine β-casein. In vitro digestion of equine β-casein by pepsin and Corolase PP™ did not produce casomorphins BCM-5 or BCM-7, believed to be harmful to human health. Electron microscopy provided very clear, detailed images of equine casein micelles in their native state and when renneted or acidified. Equine milk formed flocs rather then a gel when renneted or acidified which is supported by dynamic oscillatory analysis. The results presented in this thesis will assist in the development of new products from equine milk for human consumption which will retain some of its unique compositional and health-giving properties.

The Viking age glass beads of Ireland and their North Atlantic context

Hitherto, the majority of studies which have included the discussion of Viking glass beads have mainly focused on the assemblages from individual sites, with limited use of known parallels. Exceptions to this include recent publications regarding the Icelandic material and Callmer’s 1977 catalogue of the finds from mainland Scandinavia, now over thirty years old. Analysis of these finds from Ireland was, for the most part, non-existent. The aim of this research is to address this lack of analysis within Ireland, while incorporating the wider context of the beads within the Viking North Atlantic. The research thus examines the use of glass beads of diagnostically Scandinavian manufacture and import found in Ireland, particularly in relation to their context and distribution. The history of research from Ireland as well as from across the Viking world is considered and explored throughout the thesis, with critique of methods and discussions used. Focussed analysis of both published and unpublished material detailing artefacts from Scandinavia (especially Vestfold), Britain, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and L’Anse aux Meadows is presented within the thesis in order to provide the greater picture for the core section of the thesis, the glass beads found in Ireland. Three appendices are included within Volume 2, databases of the glass beads under discussion from Ireland, the Vestfold region graves in Norway and the topsoil finds from the Kaupang trading place, also located within Vestfold. These appendices therefore represent the first-hand analysis of glass beads by the author. In total, this research represents the most up-to-date analysis of Viking glass beads from Ireland and presents a new look at the patterns of use, trade and interpersonal contact that affected the everyday lives of individuals living within Viking Age Ireland.