Twilight-zone and canopy shade induction of the Athb-2 homeobox gene in green plants.

We present evidence that a novel phytochrome (other than phytochromes A and B, PHYA and PHYB) operative in green plants regulates the "twilight-inducible" expression of a plant homeobox gene (Athb-2). Light regulation of the Athb-2 gene is unique in that it is not induced by red (R)-rich daylight or by the light-dark transition but is instead induced by changes in the ratio of R to far-red (FR) light. These changes, which normally occur at dawn and dusk (end-of-day FR), also occur during the daytime under the canopy (shade avoidance). By using pure light sources and phyA/phyB null mutants, we demonstrated that the induction of Athb-2 by changes in the R/FR ratio is mediated for the most part by a novel phytochrome operative in green plants. Furthermore, PHYB plays a negative role in repressing the accumulation of Athb-2 mRNA in the dark and a minor role in the FR response. The strict correlation of Athb-2 expression with FR-induced growth phenomena suggests a role for the Athb-2 gene in mediating cell elongation. This interpretation is supported by the finding that the Athb-2 gene is expressed at high levels in rapidly elongating etiolated seedlings. Furthermore, as either R or FR light inhibits cell elongation in etiolated tissues, they also down-regulate the expression of Athb-2 mRNA. Thus, these data support the notion that changes in light quality perceived by a novel phytochrome regulate plant development through the action of the Athb-2 homeobox gene.

Characterization of a voltage-gated K+ channel beta subunit expressed in human heart.

Voltage-gated K+ channels are important modulators of the cardiac action potential. However, the correlation of endogenous myocyte currents with K+ channels cloned from human heart is complicated by the possibility that heterotetrameric alpha-subunit combinations and function-altering beta subunits exist in native tissue. Therefore, a variety of subunit interactions may generate cardiac K+ channel diversity. We report here the cloning of a voltage-gated K+ channel beta subunit, hKv beta 3, from adult human left ventricle that shows 84% and 74% amino acid sequence identity with the previously cloned rat Kv beta 1 and Kv beta 2 subunits, respectively. Together these three Kv beta subunits share > 82% identity in the carboxyl-terminal 329 aa and show low identity in the amino-terminal 79 aa. RNA analysis indicated that hKv beta 3 message is 2-fold more abundant in human ventricle than in atrium and is expressed in both healthy and diseased human hearts. Coinjection of hKv beta 3 with a human cardiac delayed rectifier, hKv1.5, in Xenopus oocytes increased inactivation, induced an 18-mV hyperpolarizing shift in the activation curve, and slowed deactivation (tau = 8.0 msec vs. 35.4 msec at -50 mV). hKv beta 3 was localized to human chromosome 3 by using a human/rodent cell hybrid mapping panel. These data confirm the presence of functionally important K+ channel beta subunits in human heart and indicate that beta-subunit composition must be accounted for when comparing cloned channels with endogenous cardiac currents.

A search for anisotropy in the arrival directions of ultra high energy cosmic rays recorded at the Pierre Auger Observatory

Observations of cosmic rays arrival directions made with the Pierre Auger Observatory have previously provided evidence of anisotropy at the 99% CL using the correlation of ultra high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) with objects drawn from the Veron-Cetty Veron catalog. In this paper we report on the use of three catalog independent methods to search for anisotropy. The 2pt-L, 2pt+ and 3pt methods, each giving a different measure of self-clustering in arrival directions, were tested on mock cosmic ray data sets to study the impacts of sample size and magnetic smearing on their results, accounting for both angular and energy resolutions. If the sources of UHECRs follow the same large scale structure as ordinary galaxies in the local Universe and if UHECRs are deflected no more than a few degrees, a study of mock maps suggests that these three method can efficiently respond to the resulting anisotropy with a P-value = 1.0% or smaller with data sets as few as 100 events. using data taken from January 1, 2004 to July 31, 2010 we examined the 20, 30, ... , 110 highest energy events with a corresponding minimum energy threshold of about 49.3 EeV. The minimum P-values found were 13.5% using the 2pt-L method, 1.0% using the 2pt+ method and 1.1% using the 3pt method for the highest 100 energy events. In view of the multiple (correlated) scans performed on the data set, these catalog-independent methods do not yield strong evidence of anisotropy in the highest energy cosmic rays.

Management of Trihalomethanes in Finished Drinking Water Through Source Water Precursor Monitoring

Trihalomethanes are organic compounds formed in drinking water distribution systems as a result of disinfection. This capstone project researched and evaluated the statistical correlation of trihalomethanes in finished drinking water and total organic carbon in source water using data generated by Denver area utilities. Results of the study conclude that some drinking water supply systems show a slight correlation between source water total organic carbon levels and trihalomethane levels in finished water. Results of the study also verify the assertion that changes to treatment for the reduction of trihalomethanes, for the protection of human health under the Safe Drinking Water Act should be determined by each utility, using information from gathered data, seasonal trends, and small scale batch testing.

Kinetic study of the decompositions involved in the thermal degradation of commercial azodicarbonamide

The transitions and reactions involved in the thermal treatment of several commercial azodicarbonamides (ADC) in an inert atmosphere have been studied by dynamic thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A pseudo-mechanistic model, involving several competitive and non-competitive reactions, has been suggested and applied to the correlation of the weight loss data. The model applied is capable of accurately representing the different processes involved, and can be of great interest in the understanding and quantification of such phenomena, including the simulation of the instantaneous amount of gases evolved in a foaming process. In addition, a brief discussion on the methodology related to the mathematical modeling of TGA data is presented, taking into account the complex thermal behaviour of the ADC.

Tectonic control on the sedimentary record of the central Moldavidian Basin (Eastern Carpathians, Romania)

The sedimentary record of the Tarcău and Vrancea Nappes, belonging to the flysch accretionary zone of the Eastern Carpathians (Eastern Carpathian Outer Flysch), registered Cretaceous-Miocene events during the evolution of the Moldavidian Basin. Our biostratigraphic data indicate that the deposits studied are younger than previously reported. The comparison of sedimentary record studied with the Late Cretaceous-Early Miocene global eustatic curve indicates that eustatic factor played a secondary role, after the tectonic one. Four main stages of different processes influenced by tectonics are recognized in the sedimentary record: (1) Campanian-Maastrichtian-earliest Paleocene; (2) latest Ypresian-Lutetian; (3) late Chattian-earliest Aquitanian, and (4) late Aquitanian-early Burdigalian. The late Chattian- earliest Aquitanian and late Aquitanian-early Burdigalian records indicate a high tectonic influence. The first event was related to the foredeep stage of the sedimentary domain studied, and the second one to the deformation stage of the same domain. The sedimentary records of tectonic influence recognized during these stages are useful tools for geodynamic reconstructions. The stratigraphic correlation of Tarcău and Vrancea sedimentary records are used

Mapping Binary Liquid-Vapor or Liquid-Liquid-Vapor Equilibria Regions, including the Different Azeotropic Behaviours, as a Function of the NRTL Binary Parameters

13th Mediterranean Congress of Chemical Engineering (Sociedad Española de Química Industrial e Ingeniería Química, Fira Barcelona, Expoquimia), Barcelona, September 30-October 3, 2014

Gibbs Energy of Mixing Function: Topological Analysis in Azeotropic Systems

ESAT 2014. 27th European Symposium on Applied Thermodynamics, Eindhoven University of Technology, July 6-9, 2014.

Removal of 8-quinolinecarboxylic acid pesticide from aqueous solution by adsorption on activated montmorillonites

Sodium montmorillonite (Na-M), acidic montmorillonite (H-M), and organo-acidic montmorillonite (Org-H-M) were applied to remove the herbicide 8-quinolinecarboxylic acid (8-QCA). The montmorillonites containing adsorbed 8-QCA were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray fluorescence thermogravimetric analysis, and physical adsorption of gases. Experiments showed that the amount of adsorbed 8-QCA increased at lower pH, reaching a maximum at pH 2. The adsorption kinetics was found to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The Langmuir model provided the best correlation of experimental data for adsorption equilibria. The adsorption of 8-QCA decreased in the order Org-H-M > H-M > Na-M. Isotherms were also used to obtain the thermodynamic parameters. The negative values of ΔG indicated the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process.

Influence of the Difference Between Corneal and Refractive Astigmatism on LASIK Outcomes Using Solid-State Technology

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of the difference between preoperative corneal and refractive astigmatism [ocular residual astigmatism (ORA)] on outcomes obtained after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery for correction of myopic astigmatism using the solid-state laser technology. Methods: One hundred one consecutive eyes with myopia or myopic astigmatism of 55 patients undergoing LASIK surgery using the Pulzar Z1 solid-state laser (CustomVis Laser Pty Ltd, currently CV Laser) were included. Visual and refractive changes at 6 months postoperatively and changes in ORA and anterior corneal astigmatism and posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA) were analyzed. Results: Postoperatively, uncorrected distance visual acuity improved significantly (P < 0.01). Likewise, refractive cylinder magnitude and spherical equivalent were reduced significantly (P < 0.01). In contrast, no significant changes were observed in ORA magnitude (P = 0.81) and anterior corneal astigmatism (P = 0.12). The mean overall efficacy and safety indices were 0.96 and 1.01, respectively. These indices were not correlated with preoperative ORA (r = −0.15, P = 0.15). Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between ORA (r = 0.81, P < 0.01) and PCA postoperatively, but not preoperatively (r = 0.12, P = 0.25). Likewise, a significant correlation of ORA with manifest refraction was only found postoperatively (r = −0.38, P < 0.01). Conclusions: The magnitude of ORA does not seem to be a predictive factor of efficacy and safety of myopic LASIK using a solid-state laser platform. The higher relevance of PCA after surgery in some cases may explain the presence of unexpected astigmatic residual refractive errors.

A Comprehensive Discussion of HMBC Pulse Sequences: 4. Establishing Two-Bond Correlations from HMBC and Related Experiments

The utility of the HMBC experiment for structure elucidation is unquestionable, but the nature of the coupling pathways leading to correlations in an HMBC experiment creates the potential for misinterpretation. This misinterpretation potential is intimately linked to the size of the long-range heteronuclear couplings involved, and may become troublesome in those cases of a particularly strong 2JCH correlation that might be mistaken for a 3JCH correlation or a 4JCH correlation of appreciable strength that could be mistaken for a weaker 3JCH correlation. To address these potential avenues of confusion, work from several laboratories has been focused on the development of what might be considered “coupling pathway edited” long-range heteronuclear correlation experiments that are derived from or related to the HMBC experiment. The first example of an effort to address the problems associated with correlation path length was seen in the heteronucleus-detected XCORFE experiment described by Reynolds and co-workers that predated the development of the HMBC experiment. Proton-detected analogs of the HMBC experiment intended to differentiate 2JCH correlations from nJCH correlations where n = 3, 4, include the 2J,3J-HMBC, HMBC-RELAY, H2BC, edited-HMBC, and HAT H2BC experiments. The principles underlying the critical components of each of these experiments are discussed and experimental verification of the results that can be obtained using model compounds are shown. This contribution concludes with a brief discussion of the 1,1-ADEQUATE experiments that provide an alternative means of identifying adjacent protonated and non-protonated carbon correlations by exploiting 1JCC correlations at natural abundance.

Magnetostratigraphy of DSDP Leg 94 sediments

The primary objective of DSDP Leg 94 was to obtain continuous paleoclimatic records along a roughly north-south transect in the North Atlantic. The magnetostratigraphy of 21 holes at 6 sites cored with the hydraulic piston corer and extended-core-barrel corer is presented here and establishes an independent chronology for these sediments. Nearly complete records were obtained for the last 2.5 m.y.; in addition, deeper drilling at three sites to satisfy tectonic and paleoceanographic objectives produced older sections suitable for magnetostratigraphic study, allowing first-order correlations of the polarity sequences with calcareous and siliceous micro fossil events. The sections with high sediment accumulation rates yielded very detailed records of polarity history and allowed three short normal-polarity zones within the Matuyama Chronozone to be detected, in addition to the Jaramillo and Olduvai subchronozones. A short reversed-polarity zone also occurs, within the upper intervals of the Gauss Chronozone. These short zones are present in multiple holes, ruling out the possibility that they might be of local origin. Correlation of these short zones with radiometrically dated polarity zones in igneous rocks strongly supports the interpretation of these polarity zones as records of true geomagnetic polarity chrons.

Upper Eocene to Oligocene strontium, carbon and oxygen isotope record of DSDP holes

We improved upper Eocene to Oligocene deep-sea chronostratigraphic control by integrating isotope (87Sr/86Sr, delta18O, delta13C) stratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy. Most previous attempts to establish the timing of isotope fluctuations have relied upon biostratigraphic age estimates which have uncertainties of 0.5 to over 4.0 m.y. Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Site 522 contains the best available upper Eocene to Oligocene magnetostratigraphic record which allows first-order correlations of isotope records (87Sr/86Sr, delta18O, delta13C) to the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale (GPTS). Empirical calibrations between the 87Sr/86Sr of foraminifera and magnetochronology at Site 522 allow more precise correlation of ,unknown' samples with the GPTS. For example, shallow water and high-latitude sections may be tied into the deep-sea record. Sr-isotope stratigraphic resolution for the latest Eocene to Oligocene is approximately 2 m.y.

Paleogene calcareous nannofossil stratigraphy of ODP Leg 120 sites

Calcareous nannofossils are abundant in the Paleogene sediments recovered during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 120. Although no continuous Paleogene section was obtained, Sites 747 through 751 complemented each other so as to provide a virtually complete composite stratigraphic section. The calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy at Sites 747, 748, and 749 is discussed. Correlation of calcareous nannofossil biozones and magnetozones at these sites suggests some diachrony with low-latitude areas, as well as on a regional basis. Changes in calcareous nannofossil diversity throughout the Paleogene are analyzed and interpreted as reflecting major paleoclimatic events.