638 research outputs found
Crystal engineering using functionalized adamantane
We performed a first principles investigation on the structural, electronic,
and optical properties of crystals made of chemically functionalized adamantane
molecules. Several molecular building blocks, formed by boron and nitrogen
substitutional functionalizations, were considered to build zincblende and
wurtzite crystals, and the resulting structures presented large bulk moduli and
cohesive energies, wide and direct bandgaps, and low dielectric constants
(low- materials). Those properties provide stability for such
structures up to room temperature, superior to those of typical molecular
crystals. This indicates a possible road map for crystal engineering using
functionalized diamondoids, with potential applications ranging from space
filling between conducting wires in nanodevices to nano-electro-mechanical
systems
Chieftain, A New Apple for Mid-America
Years of development and testing proved apple variety #603 could stand severe midwest weather and meet other production requirements. Named Chieftain, it will likely be available from commercial growers in 1968
Characterization of IXINITY (Trenonacog Alfa), a Recombinant Factor IX with Primary Sequence Corresponding to the Threonine-148 Polymorph
The goal of these studies was to extensively characterize the first recombinant FIX therapeutic corresponding to the threonine-148 (Thr-148) polymorph, IXINITY (trenonacog alfa [coagulation factor IX (recombinant)]). Gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, and gel filtration were used to determine purity and confirm structure. Chromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques were used to identify and quantify posttranslationalmodifications. Activity was assessed as the ability to activate factor X (FX) both with and without factor VIIIa (FVIIIa) and in a standard clotting assay. All results were consistent across multiple lots. Trenonacog alfa migrated as a single band onCoomassie-stained gels; activity assayswere normal and showed97% -carboxylation and underwent the appropriate structural change upon binding calcium ions. Trenonacog alfa was activated normally with factor XIa (FXIa); once activated it bound to FVIIIa and FXa. When activated to FIXa, it was inhibited efficiently by antithrombin. Glycosylation patterns were similar to plasma-derived FIX with sialic acid content consistent with the literature reports of good pharmacokinetic performance. These studies have shown that trenonacog alfa is a highly pure product with a primary sequence and posttranslational modifications consistent with the common Thr-148 polymorphism of plasma-derived FIX
Characterization of IXINITY (Trenonacog Alfa), a Recombinant Factor IX with Primary Sequence Corresponding to the Threonine-148 Polymorph
The goal of these studies was to extensively characterize the first recombinant FIX therapeutic corresponding to the threonine-148 (Thr-148) polymorph, IXINITY (trenonacog alfa [coagulation factor IX (recombinant)]). Gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, and gel filtration were used to determine purity and confirm structure. Chromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques were used to identify and quantify posttranslationalmodifications. Activity was assessed as the ability to activate factor X (FX) both with and without factor VIIIa (FVIIIa) and in a standard clotting assay. All results were consistent across multiple lots. Trenonacog alfa migrated as a single band onCoomassie-stained gels; activity assayswere normal and showed97% -carboxylation and underwent the appropriate structural change upon binding calcium ions. Trenonacog alfa was activated normally with factor XIa (FXIa); once activated it bound to FVIIIa and FXa. When activated to FIXa, it was inhibited efficiently by antithrombin. Glycosylation patterns were similar to plasma-derived FIX with sialic acid content consistent with the literature reports of good pharmacokinetic performance. These studies have shown that trenonacog alfa is a highly pure product with a primary sequence and posttranslational modifications consistent with the common Thr-148 polymorphism of plasma-derived FIX
Deforestation in Ireland 2000 â 2012
Although Irelandâs national forest area continues to expand, recent evidence has suggested
that the gross annual rate of deforestation is also increasing. Heretofore, no spatially explicit
characterisation of contemporary deforestation areas in Ireland exists. Given uncertainties
associated with current deforestation estimates, investigation of new methodologies is required
to inform future land-use change accounting approaches. This paper presents a summary of the
DEFORMAP project, which investigated the extent and nature of deforestation in Ireland for
the 2000 â 2012 period. A combination of high resolution aerial photography, satellite imagery
and ancillary datasets was used to quantify forest loss in the Republic of Ireland. In total, 5,457
ha of deforested land was identified which, following accuracy assessment, was error-adjusted
to 7,465 ±785 ha. The error-adjusted gross annual national deforestation rate for the period of
study was 0.103%. The deforestation rate increased from the first time interval investigated
(2000-2005) to the second (2005-2010), followed by a reduction during the 2010 â 2012 period.
High inter-county variation in gross annual deforestation was identified, with the highest level
of deforestation occurring in Co. Monaghan (0.25% yr-1) and the lowest in Co. Limerick (0.02%
yr-1). Principal post-deforestation land-use transitions were to agricultural grassland, built-land and wetland. Patterns of post-deforestation land-use transitions varied widely between
counties indicating changing regional pressures on forest land. This paper presents an important
development in our understanding of contemporary land-use change in Ireland by developing
the first national deforestation map. The Deforestation Map presented here will provide a
valuable record of forest loss, which can be used to validate any future earth observation based
deforestation monitoring approaches, such as automated radar remote sensing techniques
Differential effects of biological invasions on coastal blue carbon: A global review and metaâanalysis
Humanâcaused shifts in carbon (C) cycling and biotic exchange are defining characteristics of the Anthropocene. In marine systems, saltmarsh, seagrass, and mangrove
habitatsâcollectively known as âblue carbonâ and coastal vegetated habitats (CVHs)
âare a leading sequester of global C and increasingly impacted by exotic species invasions. There is growing interest in the effect of invasion by a diverse pool of exotic
species on C storage and the implications for ecosystemâbased management of these
systems. In a global metaâanalysis, we synthesized data from 104 papers that provided
345 comparisons of habitatâlevel response (plant and soil C storage) from paired
invaded and uninvaded sites. We found an overall net effect of significantly higher C
pools in invaded CVHs amounting to 40% (±16%) higher C storage than uninvaded
habitat, but effects differed among types of invaders. Elevated C storage was driven
by blue Câforming plant invaders (saltmarsh grasses, seagrasses, and mangrove trees)
that intensify biomass per unit area, extend and elevate coastal wetlands, and convert
coastal mudflats into Cârich vegetated habitat. Introduced animal and structurally distinct primary producers had significant negative effects on C pools, driven by herbivory, trampling, and native species displacement. The role of invasion manifested
differently among habitat types, with significant C storage increases in saltmarshes,
decreases in seagrass, and no significant effect in mangroves. There were also counterâdirectional effects by the same species in different systems or locations, which
underscores the importance of combining data mining with analyses of mean effect
sizes in metaâanalyses. Our study provides a quantitative basis for understanding differential effects of invasion on blue C habitats and will inform conservation strategies
that need to balance management decisions involving invasion, C storage, and a range
of other marine biodiversity and habitat functions in these coastal systems
Interprofessional communication with hospitalist and consultant physicians in general internal medicine : a qualitative study
This study helps to improve our understanding of the collaborative environment in GIM, comparing the communication styles and strategies of hospitalist and consultant physicians, as well as the experiences of providers working with them. The implications of this research are globally important for understanding how to create opportunities for physicians and their colleagues to meaningfully and consistently participate in interprofessional communication which has been shown to improve patient, provider, and organizational outcomes
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