Coexpression, copurification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of a complex of ARL2-GTP and PDE delta

The small GTPase ARL2 (from Mus musculus) and an effector protein, the δ subunit of human cGMP phosphodiesterase (hPDE δ), were coexpressed and copurified from Escherichia coli as a stable complex. Coexpression significantly increased the otherwise low yield of PDE δ production in E. coli. The complex, which contains ARL2 in the activated GTP-bound form, was crystallized in two forms. The first belongs to the monoclinic space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 48.1, b = 45.7, c = 74.7 Å, β = 94.0° and one complex (39 kDa) in the asymmetric unit. Cryocooled crystals diffract to 2.3 Å using synchrotron radiation. The micro-focused X-­ray beam at beamline ID13 (ESRF) allowed the use of very small crystals, which helped to overcome twinning and enabled the identification of a molecular-replacement solution. The second form recrystallized from the first one after several months. These crystals belong to the orthorhombic space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 44.5, b = 65.4, c = 104.4 Å and one complex in the asymmetric unit. They diffracted to 1.8 Å using synchrotron radiation

Pendulum Mode Thermal Noise in Advanced Interferometers: A comparison of Fused Silica Fibers and Ribbons in the Presence of Surface Loss

The use of fused-silica ribbons as suspensions in gravitational wave interferometers can result in significant improvements in pendulum mode thermal noise. Surface loss sets a lower bound to the level of noise achievable, at what level depends on the dissipation depth and other physical parameters. For LIGO II, the high breaking strength of pristine fused silica filaments, the correct choice of ribbon aspect ratio (to minimize thermoelastic damping), and low dissipation depth combined with the other achievable parameters can reduce the pendulum mode thermal noise in a ribbon suspension well below the radiation pressure noise. Despite producing higher levels of pendulum mode thermal noise, cylindrical fiber suspensions provide an acceptable alternative for LIGO II, should unforeseen problems with ribbon suspensions arise.Comment: Submitted to Physics Letters A (Dec. 14, 1999). Resubmitted to Physics Letters A (Apr. 3, 2000) after internal (LSC) review process. PACS - 04.80.Nn, 95.55.Ym, 05.40.C

JTEC panel report on advanced composites in Japan

The JTEC Panel on Advanced Composites visited Japan and surveyed the status and future directions of Japanese high performance ceramic and carbon fibers and their composites in metal, intermetallic, ceramic and carbon matrices. The panel's interests included not only what composite systems were chosen, but also how these systems were developed. A strong carbon and fiber industry makes Japan the leader in carbon fiber technology. Japan has initiated an oxidation resistant carbon/carbon composite program. The goals for this program are ambitious, and it is just starting, but its progress should be closely monitored in the United States

Advanced composites in Japan

The JTEC Panel on Advanced Composites surveyed the status and future directions of Japanese high-performance ceramic and carbon fibers and their composites in metal, intermetallic, ceramic, and carbon matrices. Because of a strong carbon and fiber industry, Japan is the leader in carbon fiber technology. Japan has initiated an oxidation-resistant carbon/carbon composite program. With its outstanding technical base in carbon technology, Japan should be able to match present technology in the U.S. and introduce lower-cost manufacturing methods. However, the panel did not see any innovative approaches to oxidation protection. Ceramic and especially intermetallic matrix composites were not yet receiving much attention at the time of the panel's visit. There was a high level of monolithic ceramic research and development activity. High temperature monolithic intermetallic research was just starting, but notable products in titanium aluminides had already appeared. Matrixless ceramic composites was one novel approach noted. Technologies for high temperature composites fabrication existed, but large numbers of panels or parts had not been produced. The Japanese have selected aerospace as an important future industry. Because materials are an enabling technology for a strong aerospace industry, Japan initiated an ambitious long-term program to develop high temperature composites. Although just starting, its progress should be closely monitored in the U.S

ADIÇÃO DE APARAS DE PAPEL RECICLÁVEL NA FABRICAÇÃO DE CHAPAS DE MADEIRA AGLOMERADA

Neste trabalho, foram analisadas as propriedades físico-mecânicas de chapas aglomeradas produzidas com dois tipos de papel reciclável (papel jornal e offset) e partículas de madeira de Pinus elliottii Engelm. As aparas de papel foram usadas no colchão em dois diferentes formatos (tiras ou moídas) e em diferentes proporções: 0, 20, 40, 60 e 100% do peso seco das partículas. Utilizoaram-se 10% de adesivo à base de tanino-formaldeído na proporção 100:10. O experimento foi estabelecido segundo modelo fatorial, com três repetições. Os testes físico-mecânicos das chapas foram realizados segundo a norma ASTM D1037 (1995). Chapas aglomeradas produzidas tanto pela inclusão de papel jornal quanto offset no formato de tiras apresentaram tendência ao estouro durante a abertura dos pratos da prensa, causado pelo alto teor de umidade do colchão. A inclusão de aparas de papel prejudicaram a maioria das propriedades analisadas, fazendo com que não atendessem aos valores estabelecidos pelas normas DIN 68761 (1)-1961, (3)-1971 e ANSI A 208.1 (1987). A absorção d’água após 24 horas de imersão, a ligação interna e a resistência ao arrancamento de parafusos foram as propriedades mais prejudicadas. De modo geral, o uso de papel jornal se mostrou mais promissor do que o papel offset

The microwave spectrum and structure of krypton--phosphorus trifluoride

The rotational spectrum of the weak complex between krypton and phosphorus trifluoride has been observed using a Fourier transform microwave spectrometer with a pulsed supersonic nozzle molecular beam source. The complex is an asymmetric top. The distance rcm between the krypton atom and the center of mass of the PF3 molecule is 4.0722 A and the angle between the rcm vector and the C3 axis of the PF3 is 68.25[deg]. Based on the centrifugal distortion constant DJ and a pseudodiatomic model, the binding energy of the complex is estimated to be 218 cm-1.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/27096/1/0000087.pd

The chlorine nuclear quadrupole coupling tensor in chlorotrifluoroethylene

The 273 hyperfine components from 56 rotational transitions of chlorotrifluoroethylene were measured with a Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. A global least-squares fit was made to the rotational constants, quartic distortion constants, and 35Cl quadrupole coupling constants; the RMS deviation of the fit was 1.6 kHz. It is shown that such high-resolution measurements enable [chi]ab to be determined without the near degeneracies usually necessary with less precise data. The principle tensor quadrupole coupling constants are x[chi]zz = -77.46(10), xxx = 38.85(10), and [chi]yy = xcc = 38.614(3) MHz. The values are comparable to other vinyl chlorides, removing some anomalies from previous studies.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/27550/1/0000594.pd

Morphological characterization of sweet and sour cherry cultivars in a germplasm bank at Portugal

Nine sweet cherry and eight sour cherry varieties located in a germplasm bank at Fundauo, Portugal, were studied from the viewpoint of characterization. Most of them were autochthonous cultivars that have a high risk of extinction since at the present they are markedly minor varieties. Morphological characteristics were evaluated in different organs: crown and trunk of the trees, leaves, flowers and fruits, over a three consecutive years period. Statistical analyses were carried out in order to detect similarities between cultivars as well as the existence of synonymies. Qualitative characteristics of the fruits were scored in order to carry out the multivariate analysis. A dendrogram of the evaluated characters shows the marked differentiation between sour and sweet cherries and suggests the existing synonymies. Conservation of the autochthonous cultivars in the future is highly recommended

Clean Colorectum at Diagnostic Colonoscopy:Subsequent Detection of Extracolonic Malignancies by Plasma Protein Biomarkers?

Introduction: Most of the subjects undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy do not have neoplastic bowel lesions. Potentially, some of the symptoms may therefore be caused by extracolonic malignancy, and subjects with persisting symptoms may need subsequent examinations. Blood-based, cancer-associated biomarkers may aid in directing the examinations for other specific malignant diseases. Methods: EDTA plasma samples available from a previous prospective study of subjects undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy were used for analysis of 18 protein biomarkers. The study population of 3732 subjects included 400 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and 177 patients with extracolonic malignancies. Univariable analysis of the association of specific biomarkers and extracolonic cancers included those with 10 or more cases. Subsequently, reduced models of 4 or 6 biomarkers, respectively, were established by choosing those with the highest likelihood; age and sex were included as well. Results: Univariable analyses showed that CyFra21-1 had an area under curve (AUC) of 0.87 for lung cancers (n = 33), CA19-9 had an AUC of 0.85 for pancreatic cancer (n = 22), CA125 had an AUC of 0.95 for ovary cancer (n = 16), B2M had an AUC of 0.81 for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 12), and total prostate-specific antigen had an AUC of 0.99 for prostate cancer (n = 10). The multivariable analysis of 4 or 6 biomarkers plus age and sex as explanatory variables showed AUCs of 0.82 to 0.85 both for extracolonic cancers and CRC. The 4 biomarkers included in the model for detection of extracolonic cancers were CA125, hsCRP, CA19-9, and CyFra21-1; the 2 additional for the 6 biomarkers model were CEA and Galectin-3. Similarly, the 4 biomarkers included in the model for detection of CRC were CEA, CyFra21-1, Ferritin, and HE4; the two additional for the 6 biomarkers model were hsCRP and Pepsinogen 2. Conclusions: Results of this study indicate that it may be possible to detect subjects that have an increased risk of extracolonic cancer following a colonoscopy without findings of neoplastic lesions. Combinations of various protein biomarkers may direct subsequent examination after colonoscopy with clean colorectum. The results, although preliminary, may form the basis for additional research directed both for primary examinations of subjects with symptoms of malignancy and subsequent examinations after colonoscopy

Origin of Hysteresis Observed During Fatigue of Ceramic-Matrix Composites

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66076/1/j.1151-2916.1990.tb05239.x.pd