Detection of alpha(2u)-globulin and its bound putative pheromones in the preputial gland of the Indian commensal rat (Rattus rattus) using mass spectrometry

The role of pheromones and pheromone-binding proteins in the laboratory rat has been extensively investigated. However, we have previously reported that the preputial gland of the Indian commensal rat produces a variety of pheromonal molecules and preputial glands would seem to be the predominant source for pheromonal communication. The presence of pheromone-binding proteins has not yet been identified in the preputial gland of the Indian commensal rat; therefore, the experiments were designed to unravel the alpha(2u)-globulin (alpha 2u) and its bound volatiles in the commensal rat. Total preputial glandular proteins were first fractionated by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and subsequently analyzed by mass spectrometry. Further, we purified alpha 2u and screened for the presence of bound pheromonal molecules with the aid of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A novel alpha 2u was identified with a high score and this protein has not been previously described as present in the preputial gland of Indian commensal rats.This novel alpha 2u was then characterized by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Peptides with m/z values of 969, 1192, 1303 and 1876 were further fragmented with the aid of MS/MS and generated de novo sequences which provided additional evidence for the presence of alpha 2u in the preputial gland. Finally, we identified the presence of farnesol 1 and 2 bound to alpha 2u. The present investigation confirms the presence of alpha 2u (18.54 kDa) in the preputial gland of the Indian commensal rat and identifies farnesol 1 and 2 as probably involved in chemo-communication by the Indian commensal rat.Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Critical behavior of the aqueous electrolytic system 3-methylpyridine+D2O+NaBr

The system 3-methylpyridine(3MP)+water(H2O)+NaBr has been the subject of an intense scientific debate since the work of Jacob [Phys. Rev. E. 58, 2188 (1988)] and Anisimov [Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 2336 (2000)]. The crossover critical behavior of this system seemed to show remarkable sensitivity to the weight fraction (X) of the ionic impurity NaBr. In the range X <= 0.10 the system displayed Ising behavior and a pronounced crossover to mean-field behavior in the range 0.10 <= X <= 0.16. A complete mean-field behavior was observed at X=0.17, a result that was later attributed to the existence of long-living nonequilibrium states in this system [Kostko , Phys. Rev. E. 70, 026118 (2004)]. In this paper, we report the near-critical behavior of osmotic susceptibility in the isotopically related ternary system, 3MP+heavy water(D2O)+NaBr. Detailed light-scattering experiments performed at exactly the same NaBr concentrations as investigated by Jacob reveal that the system 3MP+D2O+NaBr shows a simple Ising-type critical behavior with gamma similar or equal to 1.24 and nu similar or equal to 0.63 over the entire NaBr concentration range 0 <= X <= 0.1900. The crossover behavior is predominantly nonmonotonic and is completed well outside the critical domain. An analysis in terms of the effective susceptibility exponent (gamma(eff)) reveals that the crossover behavior is nonmonotonic for 0 <= X <= 0.1793 and tends to become monotonic for X > 0.1793. The correlation length amplitude xi(o), has a value of similar or equal to 2 A for 0.0250 <= X <= 0.1900, whereas for X=0, xi(o)similar or equal to 3.179 A. Since isotopic H -> D substitution is not expected to change the critical behavior of the system, our results support the recent results obtained by Kostko [Phys. Rev. E. 70, 026118 (2004)] that 3MP+H2O+NaBr exhibits universal Ising-type critical behavior typical for other aqueous solutions.

Structure-Reactivity Correlations of Benzoin Alkyl Ethers. Structures of 2-Methoxy-1,2-diphenylethanone (I) and 2-Isopropoxy-1,2-diphenylethanone (II)

(I): C15H1402, Mr---226.27, triclinic, Pi,a=8.441 (2), b= 10.276 (1), c= 15.342 (2)A, a=91.02 (2), ~ t= 79.26 (2), y= 105.88 (2) °, V=1256.8 (4)A 3, Z=4, D,,= 1.209 (flotation in KI),D x - 1.195 g cm -3, #(Mo, 2 = 0.7107/~) = 0.44 cm -~,F(000) = 480, T= 293 K, R -- 0.060 for 1793 significant reflections. (II): C~THlsO2, Mr= 254.83, orthorhombic, Pca21, a=8.476 (1); b= 16.098 (3), c=10.802(3)A, V=1473.9 (5) A s, Z=4, Dm=1.161 (flotation in KI), Dx= 1.148gem -3, /~(Mo, 2=0.7107 A) =0.41 cm -~, F(000) = 544, T= 293 K, R = 0.071 for 867 significant reflections. Both (I) and (II) crystallize in a cisoid conformation for the carbonyl group and alkoxy groups. Compounds (I) and (II) are photostable on irradiation in the solid state in spite of the favourable conformation of the functional groups for intramolecular H abstraction. Absence of photoreaction of (I)and (II) in the solid state is rationalized in the light of unfavourable intramolecular geometry.

Effects of molecular size in solvation dynamics

The effects of molecular size on the dynamics of polar solvation are studied by using a microscopic theory which includes the translational relaxation modes of the solvent consistently. It is shown that while in the absence of the translational contribution the solvation rate increases with the size of the solute (in agreement with the conclusions of the nonequilibrium MSA theory),a complete reversal of the solute size dependence occurs when translational modes make a significant contribution to the solvent polarization relaxation.

Effect of Substitution of Ca on Thermal Expansion of Cordierite (Mg2Al4Si5O18)

The effect of substitution of calcium on the anisotropic axial thermal expansion of cordierite was investigated by using a high-temperature X-ray diffraction technique. The compositions were prepared by the sol–gel route. In the Mg2-xCax-Al4Si5O18 system, single-phase cordierite can be prepared for x up to 0.5. Thermal expansion anisotropy (αa–αc) of cordierites reduces progressively by the substitution of increasing amounts of Ca for Mg.

Molecular structure and reactions of 1,1 '-bi(acenaphthen-1-ylidene)-2,2 '-dione

The molecular structure of 1,1'-bi(acenaphthen-1-ylidene)-2,2'-dione 1, a potential building-block for the synthesis of fullerene fragments, has been investigated by X-ray crystallography and semi-empirical (AM1 and PM3) calculations. There is a good agreement between the calculated and crystal structure which is essentially planar and has E-configuration. In the solid state, molecules of 1 pack in an interesting manner as corrugated sheets sustained by a network of C-H ... O hydrogen bonds and resulting in the formation of tetrameric loops. While steric factors limit the reactivity of the carbonyl groups in 1, the ene double bond of the ene-dione moiety present in it exhibits propensity toward [4 + 2]-cycloadditions to furnish novel and highly compressed polycycles 8-10.

Strength of lime-fly ash compacts using different curing techniques and gypsum additive

Lime-fly ash mixtures are exploited for the manufacture of fly ash bricks finding applications in load bearing masonry. Lime-pozzolana reactions take place at a slow pace under ambient temperature conditions and hence very long curing durations are required to achieve meaningful strength values. The present investigation examines the improvements in strength development in lime-fly ash compacts through low temperature steam curing and use of additives like gypsum. Results of density-strength-moulding water content relationships, influence of lime-fly ash ratio, steam curing and role of gypsum on strength development, and characteristics of compacted lime-fly ash-gypsum bricks have been discussed. The test results reveal that (a) strength increases with increase in density irrespective of lime content, type of curing and moulding water content, (b) optimum lime-fly ash ratio yielding maximum strength is about 0.75 in the normal curing conditions, (c) 24 h of steam curing (at 80A degrees C) is sufficient to achieve nearly possible maximum strength, (d) optimum gypsum content yielding maximum compressive strength is at 2%, (e) with gypsum additive it is possible to obtain lime-fly ash bricks or blocks having sufficient strength (> 10 MPa) at 28 days of normal wet burlap curing.

The role of surface texture on friction and transfer layer formation during repeated sliding of Al-4Mg against steel

In the present investigation, various kinds of textures, namely, unidirectional, 8-ground, and random were attained on the die surfaces. Roughness of the textures was varied using different grits of emery papers or polishing powders. Then pins made of Al-4Mg alloys were slid against steel plates at various numbers of cycles, namely, 1, 3, 5, 10 and 20 using pin-on-plate reciprocating sliding tester. Tests were conducted at a sliding velocity of 2 minis in ambient conditions under both dry and lubricated conditions. A constant normal load of 35 N was applied in the tests. The morphologies of the worn surfaces of the pins and the formation of transfer layer on the counter surfaces were observed using a scanning electron microscope. Surface roughness parameters of the plates were measured using an optical profilometer. In the experiments, it was observed that the coefficient of friction and formation of the transfer layer depend on the die surface textures under both dry and lubricated conditions. More specifically, the coefficient of friction decreases for unidirectional and 8-ground surfaces while for random surfaces it increases with number of cycles. However, the coefficient of friction is highest for the sliding perpendicular to the unidirectional textures and least for the random textures under both dry and lubricated conditions. The difference in friction values between these two surfaces decreases with increasing number of cycles. The variation in the coefficient of friction under both dry and lubrication conditions is attributed to the change in texture of the surfaces during sliding. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental analysis of composite single-lap joints using digital image correlation and comparison with theoretical models

The demand for energy efficient, low weight structures has boosted the use of composite structures assembled using increased quantities of structural adhesives. Bonded structures may be subjected to severe working environments such as high temperature and moisture due to which the adhesive gets degraded over a period of time. This reduces the strength of a joint and leads to premature failure. Measurement of strains in the adhesive bondline at any point of time during service may be beneficial as an assessment can be made on the integrity of a joint and necessary preventive actions may be taken before failure. This paper presents an experimental approach of measuring peel and shear strains in the adhesive bondline of composite single-lap joints using digital image correlation. Different sets of composite adhesive joints with varied bond quality were prepared and subjected to tensile load during which digital images were taken and processed using digital image correlation software. The measured peel strain at the joint edge showed a rapid increase with the initiation of a crack till failure of the joint. The measured strains were used to compute the corresponding stresses assuming a plane strain condition and the results were compared with stresses predicted using theoretical models, namely linear and nonlinear adhesive beam models. A similar trend in stress distribution was observed. Further comparison of peel and shear strains also exhibited similar trend for both healthy and degraded joints. Maximum peel stress failure criterion was used to predict the failure load of a composite adhesive joint and a comparison was made between predicted and actual failure loads. The predicted failure loads from theoretical models were found to be higher than the actual failure load for all the joints.

Low-Density Steels: The Effect of Al Addition on Microstructure and Properties

Density reduction of automotive steels is needed to reduce fuel consumption, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Aluminum addition has been found to be effective in making steels lighter. Such an addition does not change the crystal structure of the material. Steels modified with aluminum possess higher strength with very little compromise in ductility. In this work, different compositions of Fe-Al systems have been studied so that the desired properties of the material remain within the limit. A density reduction of approximately 10% has been achieved. The specific strength of optimal Fe-Al alloys is higher than conventional steels such as ultra-low-carbon steels.

Dynamic Site Characterization and Correlation of Shear Wave Velocity with Standard Penetration Test `N' Values for the City of Agartala, Tripura State, India

Seismic site characterization is the basic requirement for seismic microzonation and site response studies of an area. Site characterization helps to gauge the average dynamic properties of soil deposits and thus helps to evaluate the surface level response. This paper presents a seismic site characterization of Agartala city, the capital of Tripura state, in the northeast of India. Seismically, Agartala city is situated in the Bengal Basin zone which is classified as a highly active seismic zone, assigned by Indian seismic code BIS-1893, Indian Standard Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures, Part-1 General Provisions and Buildings. According to the Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi (2002), it is the highest seismic level (zone-V) in the country. The city is very close to the Sylhet fault (Bangladesh) where two major earthquakes (M (w) > 7) have occurred in the past and affected severely this city and the whole of northeast India. In order to perform site response evaluation, a series of geophysical tests at 27 locations were conducted using the multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) technique, which is an advanced method for obtaining shear wave velocity (V (s)) profiles from in situ measurements. Similarly, standard penetration test (SPT-N) bore log data sets have been obtained from the Urban Development Department, Govt. of Tripura. In the collected data sets, out of 50 bore logs, 27 were selected which are close to the MASW test locations and used for further study. Both the data sets (V (s) profiles with depth and SPT-N bore log profiles) have been used to calculate the average shear wave velocity (V (s)30) and average SPT-N values for the upper 30 m depth of the subsurface soil profiles. These were used for site classification of the study area recommended by the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) manual. The average V (s)30 and SPT-N classified the study area as seismic site class D and E categories, indicating that the city is susceptible to site effects and liquefaction. Further, the different data set combinations between V (s) and SPT-N (corrected and uncorrected) values have been used to develop site-specific correlation equations by statistical regression, as `V (s)' is a function of SPT-N value (corrected and uncorrected), considered with or without depth. However, after considering the data set pairs, a probabilistic approach has also been presented to develop a correlation using a quantile-quantile (Q-Q) plot. A comparison has also been made with the well known published correlations (for all soils) available in the literature. The present correlations closely agree with the other equations, but, comparatively, the correlation of shear wave velocity with the variation of depth and uncorrected SPT-N values provides a more suitable predicting model. Also the Q-Q plot agrees with all the other equations. In the absence of in situ measurements, the present correlations could be used to measure V (s) profiles of the study area for site response studies.