Complex formation of bovine serum albumin with a poly(ethylene glycol) lipid conjugate

In this work, we report the formation of complexes by self-assembly of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with a poly(ethylene glycol) lipid conjugate (PEG(2000)-PE) in phosphate saline buffer solution (pH 7.4). Three different sets of samples have been studied. The BSA concentration remained fixed (1, 0.01, or 0.001 wt % BSA) within each set of samples, while the PEG(2000)-PE concentration was varied. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), rheology, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) were used to study samples with 1 wt % BSA. DLS showed that BSA/PEG(2000)-PE aggregates have a size intermediate between a BSA monomer and a PEG(2000)-PE micelle. Rheology suggested that BSA/PEG(2000)-PE complexes might be surrounded by a relatively compact PEG-lipid shell, while SAXS results showed that depletion forces do not take an important role in the stabilization of the complexes. Samples containing 0.01 wt % BSA were studied by circular dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet fluorescence spectroscopy (UV). UV results showed that at low concentrations of PEG-lipid, PEG(2000)-PE binds to tryptophan (Trp) groups in BSA, while at high concentrations of PEG-lipid the Trp groups are exposed to water. CD results showed that changes in Trp environment take place with a minimal variation of the BSA secondary structure elements. Finally, samples containing 0.001 wt % BSA were studied by zeta-potential experiments. Results showed that steric interactions might play an important role in the stabilization of the BSA/PEG(2000)-PE complexes.

Dynamic Devensian ice flow in NE England: a sedimentological reconstruction

This study reconstructs the depositional environments that accompanied both ice advance and ice retreat of the last British–Irish Ice Sheet in NE England during the Last Glacial Maximum, and proposes three regional ice-flow phases. The Late Devensian (29–22 cal. ka BP) Tyne Gap Ice Stream initially deposited the Blackhall Till Formation during shelf-edge glaciation (Phase I). This subglacial traction till comprises several related facies, including stratified and laminated diamictons, tectonites, and sand and gravel beds deposited both in subglacial canals and in proglacial streams. Eventually, stagnation of the Tyne Gap Ice Stream led to ice-marginal sedimentation in County Durham (Phase II). During the Dimlington Stadial (21 cal. ka BP), the North Sea Lobe advanced towards the coastline of N Norfolk. This resulted initially in sandur deposition (widespread, tabular sand and gravel; the Peterlee Sand and Gravel Formation; Phase II) and ultimately in deposition of the Horden Till Formation (Phase III), a massive subglacial till. As the North Sea Lobe overrode previous formations, it thrusted and stacked sediments in County Durham, and dammed proglacial lakes between the east-coast ice, the Pennine uplands and the remaining Pennine ice. The North Sea Lobe retreated after Heinrich Event 1 (16 ka). This study highlights the complexity of ice flow during the Late Devensian glaciation of NE England, with changing environmental and oceanic conditions forcing a mobile and sensitive ice sheet.

The response of the sea ice edge to atmospheric and oceanic jet formation

The sea ice edge presents a region of many feedback processes between the atmosphere, ocean, and sea ice (Maslowski et al.). Here the authors focus on the impact of on-ice atmospheric and oceanic flows at the sea ice edge. Mesoscale jet formation due to the Coriolis effect is well understood over sharp changes in surface roughness such as coastlines (Hunt et al.). This sharp change in surface roughness is experienced by the atmosphere and ocean encountering a compacted sea ice edge. This paper presents a study of a dynamic sea ice edge responding to prescribed atmospheric and oceanic jet formation. An idealized analytical model of sea ice drift is developed and compared to a sea ice climate model [the Los Alamos Sea Ice Model (CICE)] run on an idealized domain. The response of the CICE model to jet formation is tested at various resolutions. It is found that the formation of atmospheric jets at the sea ice edge increases the wind speed parallel to the sea ice edge and results in the formation of a sea ice drift jet in agreement with an observed sea ice drift jet (Johannessen et al.). The increase in ice drift speed is dependent upon the angle between the ice edge and wind and results in up to a 40% increase in ice transport along the sea ice edge. The possibility of oceanic jet formation and the resultant effect upon the sea ice edge is less conclusive. Observations and climate model data of the polar oceans have been analyzed to show areas of likely atmospheric jet formation, with the Fram Strait being of particular interest.

Dynamic portrait of the planetary 2/1 mean-motion resonance - II. Systems with a more massive inner planet

This paper presents the second part in our study of the global structure of the planar phase space of the planetary three-body problem, when both planets lie in the vicinity of a 2/1 mean-motion resonance. While Paper I was devoted to cases where the outer planet is the more massive body, the present work is devoted to the cases where the more massive body is the inner planet. As before, outside the well-known Apsidal Corotation Resonances (ACR), the phase space shows a complex picture marked by the presence of several distinct regimes of resonant and non-resonant motion, crossed by families of periodic orbits and separated by chaotic zones. When the chosen values of the integrals of motion lead to symmetric ACR, the global dynamics are generally similar to the structure presented in Paper I. However, for asymmetric ACR the resonant phase space is strikingly different and shows a galore of distinct dynamical states. This structure is shown with the help of dynamical maps constructed on two different representative planes, one centred on the unstable symmetric ACR and the other on the stable asymmetric equilibrium solution. Although the study described in the work may be applied to any mass ratio, we present a detailed analysis for mass values similar to the Jupiter-Saturn case. Results give a global view of the different dynamical states available to resonant planets with these characteristics. Some of these dynamical paths could have marked the evolution of the giant planets of our Solar system, assuming they suffered a temporary capture in the 2/1 resonance during the latest stages of the formation of our Solar system.

Cell-cell signal-dependent dynamic interactions between HD-GYP and GGDEF domain proteins mediate virulence in Xanthomonas campestris

RpfG is a paradigm for a class of widespread bacterial two-component regulators with a CheY-like receiver domain attached to a histidine-aspartic acid-glycine-tyrosine-proline (HD-GYP) cyclic di-GMP phosphodiesterase domain. In the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), a two-component system comprising RpfG and the complex sensor kinase RpfC is implicated in sensing and responding to the diffusible signaling factor (DSF), which is essential for cell-cell signaling. RpfF is involved in synthesizing DSF, and mutations of rpfF, rpfG, or rpfC lead to a coordinate reduction in the synthesis of virulence factors such as extracellular enzymes, biofilm structure, and motility. Using yeast two-hybrid analysis and fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments in Xcc, we show that the physical interaction of RpfG with two proteins with diguanylate cyclase (GGDEF) domains controls a subset of RpfG-regulated virulence functions. RpfG interactions were abolished by alanine substitutions of the three residues of the conserved GYP motif in the HD-GYP domain. Changing the GYP motif or deletion of the two GGDEF-domain proteins reduced Xcc motility but not the synthesis of extracellular enzymes or biofilm formation. RpfG-GGDEF interactions are dynamic and depend on DSF signaling, being reduced in the rpfF mutant but restored by DSF addition. The results are consistent with a model in which DSF signal transduction controlling motility depends on a highly regulated, dynamic interaction of proteins that influence the localized expression of cyclic di-GMP.

Dynamic Scaling and Growth Kinetics of 3-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane-Derived Organic/Silica Hybrids

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Interactions between the non-ionic surfactant C(12)E(5) and poly(ethylene oxide) studied using dynamic light scattering and fluorescence quenching

Dynamic light scattering measurements have been made to elucidate changes in the coil conformation of a high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEG) fraction when the non-ionic surfactant C(12)E(5) is present in dilute solutions. The measurements were made at 20 degrees C as functions of(a) the C(12)E(5) concentration at constant PEO concentration, (b) the PEO concentration at constant C(12)E(5) concentration, and (c) the C(12)E(5)/PEO concentration ratio. The influence of temperature on the interactions in terms of the relaxation time distributions was also examined up to the cloud point. It was found that when the C(12)E(5)/PEO weight ratio was >2 and when the temperature was >14 degrees C, the correlation functions became bimodal with well-separated components. The fast mode derives fi om individual surfactant micelles which are present in the solution at high number density. The appearance of the slow mode, which dominates the scattering, is interpreted as resulting from the formation of micellar clusters due to an excluded-volume effect when the high molar mass (M = 6 x 10(5)) PEO is added to the surfactant solution. It is shown that the micellar clusters form within the PEO coils and lead to a progressive swelling of the latter for steric reasons. The dimensions of the PEO/C(12)E(5) complex increase with increasing surfactant concentration to a value of R(H) approximate to 94 nm (R(g) approximate to 208 nm) at C-C12E5 = 3.5%. Fluorescence quenching measurements show that the average aggregation number of C(12)E(5) increases significantly on addition of the high molar mass PEG. With increasing temperature toward the cloud point the clusters increase in number density and/or become larger. The cloud point is substantially lower than that for C12E5 in water solution and is strongly dependent on the PEO concentration.

Formation and characterization of soy bean oil/surfactant/water microemulsions

Pseudoternary phase diagrams, at 25 degrees C, were constructed for the systems soy bean oil (SBO)/surfactant/water, with single anionic sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT), nonionic monoolein (MO) and mixtures of these surfactants, showing the isotropic phase of W/O microemulsions (MEs). The area of ME formation in the phase diagrams was shown to be dependent of the relative amount of surfactants, being larger for MO:AOT equals to 2:1. Rheological and dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies indicated that the viscosity of the isotropic ME phase exhibited two different behaviors depending on composition. The viscosity of dry MEs initially decreased with increasing amount of water following a dilution line in the phase diagram, i.e., a constant surfactant:SBO percentage ratio. As the water content increased the relative viscosity attained a minimum and then increased. This minimum could be related to the transition between two ME regions, L-2 and L'(2), having different characteristics. DLS measurements confirm the existence of ordinary W/O ME droplets in the L-2 region and suggest the existence of another structure in the L'(2) region. The size of the MEs droplets in L-2 phase ranges from 3.6 to 16.5 nm, depending on composition of SBO, surfactant and water. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) also indicates the existence of structures with different characteristics, for the SAXS curves exhibit a typical micelle asymmetrical peak at low scattering vector q for MEs in L-2 but a symmetrical correlation peak at higher q vector in L'(2). (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Skill formation in Uruguay: what are the required labour qualifications for development?

Includes bibliography

Human capital formation and the linkage between trade and poverty: the cases of Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Includes bibliography

Thermal behaviour of succinic acid, sodium succinate and its compounds with some bivalent transitions metal ions in dynamic N 2 and CO 2 atmospheres

Thermal stability and thermal decomposition of succinic acid, sodium succinate and its compounds with Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) were investigated employing simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) in nitrogen and carbon dioxide atmospheres and TG-FTIR in nitrogen atmosphere. On heating, in both atmospheres the succinic acid melt and evaporate, while for the sodium succinate the thermal decomposition occurs with the formation of sodium carbonate. For the transition metal succinates the final residue up to 1180 °C in N 2 atmosphere was a mixture of metal and metal oxide in no simple stoichiometric relation, except for Zn compound, where the residue was a small quantity of carbonaceous residue. For the CO 2 atmosphere the final residue up to 980 °C was: MnO, Fe 3O 4, CoO, ZnO and mixtures of Ni, NiO and Cu, Cu 2O.

Involvement of N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor and nitric oxide in cardiovascular responses to dynamic exercise in rats

Dynamic exercise evokes sustained cardiovascular responses, which are characterized by arterial pressure and heart rate increases. Although it is well accepted that there is central nervous system mediation of cardiovascular adjustments during exercise, information on the role of neural pathways and signaling mechanisms is limited. It has been reported that glutamate, by acting on NMDA receptors, evokes the release of nitric oxide through activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the brain. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that NMDA receptors and nNOS are involved in cardiovascular responses evoked by an acute bout of exercise on a rodent treadmill. Moreover, we investigated possible central sites mediating control of responses to exercise through the NMDA receptor-nitric oxide pathway. Intraperitoneal administration of the selective NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) reduced both the arterial pressure and heart rate increase evoked by dynamic exercise. Intraperitoneal treatment with the preferential nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole reduced exercise-evoked tachycardiac response without affecting the pressor response. Moreover, treadmill running increased NO formation in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), bed nucleus of the stria teminalis (BNST) and periaqueductal gray (PAG), and this effect was inhibited by systemic pretreatment with MK-801. Our findings demonstrate that NMDA receptors and nNOS mediate the tachycardiac response to dynamic exercise, possibly through an NMDA receptor-NO signaling mechanism. However, NMDA receptors, but not nNOS, mediate the exercise-evoked pressor response. The present results also provide evidence that MPFC, BNST and PAG may modulate physiological adjustments during dynamic exercise through NMDA receptor-NO signaling. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) effect on the thermal stability of oxy-HbGp: Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies

Glossoscolex paulistus (HbGp) hemoglobin is an oligomeric protein, presenting a quaternary structure constituted by 144 globin and 36 non-globin chains (named linkers) with a total molecular mass of 3.6MDa. SDS effects on the oxy-HbGp thermal stability were studied, by DLS and SAXS, at pH 5.0, 7.0 and 9.0. DLS and SAXS data show that the SDS-oxy-HbGp interactions induce a significant decrease of the protein thermal stability, with the formation of larger aggregates, at pH 5.0. At pH 7.0, oxy-HbGp undergoes complete oligomeric dissociation, with increase of temperature, in the presence of SDS. Besides, oxy-HbGp 3.0mg/mL, pH 7.0, in the presence of SDS, has the oligomeric dissociation process reduced as compared to 0.5mg/mL of protein. At pH 9.0, oxy-HbGp starts to dissociate at 20°C, and the protein is totally dissociated at 50°C. The thermal dissociation kinetic data show that oxy-HbGp oligomeric dissociation at pH 7.0, in the presence of SDS, is strongly dependent on the protein concentration. At 0.5mg/mL of protein, the oligomeric dissociation is complete and fast at 40 and 42°C, with kinetic constants of (2.1±0.2)×10-4 and (5.5±0.4)×10-4s-1, respectively, at 0.6mmol/L SDS. However, at 3.0mg/mL, the oligomeric dissociation process starts at 46°C, and only partial dissociation, accompanied by aggregates formation is observed. Moreover, our data show, for the first time, that, for 3.0mg/mL of protein, the oligomeric dissociation, denaturation and aggregation phenomena occur simultaneously, in the presence of SDS. Our present results on the surfactant-HbGp interactions and the protein thermal unfolding process correspond to a step forward in the understanding of SDS effects. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) effect on the thermal stability of oxy-HbGp: Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Microstructural, physical, and fluid dynamic assessment of spinel-based and phosphate-bonded investments for dental applications

This work reports the experimental evaluation of physical and gas permeation parameters of four spinel-based investments developed with or without inclusion of sacrificial fillers. Data were compared with those of three commercial formulations. Airflow tests were conducted from 27 to 546°C, and permeability coefficients were fitted from Forchheimer's equation. Skeletal densities found for spinel- (ρs = 3635 ± 165 kg/m3) and phosphate-bonded (ρs = 2686 ± 11 kg/m3) samples were in agreement with the literature. The developed investments were more porous and less permeable than commercial brands, and the differences were ascribed to the different pore morphologies and hydraulic pore sizes of ceramic matrices. The inclusion of both fibers and microbeads resulted in increases of total porosity (42.6–56.6%) and of Darcian permeability coefficient k1 (0.76 × 10−14–7.03 × 10−14 m2). Air permeation was hindered by increasing flow temperatures, and the effect was related to the influence of gas viscosity on ΔP, in accordance with Darcy's law. Casting quality with molten titanium (CP Ti) was directly proportional to the permeability level of the spinel-based investments. However, the high reactivity of the silica-based investment RP and the formation of α-case during casting hindered the benefits of the highest permeability level of this commercial brand.