73 research outputs found
Modulation of the conductance of a 2,2′-bipyridine-functionalized peptidic ion channel by Ni2+
An α-helical amphipathic peptide with the sequence H2N-(LSSLLSL)3-CONH2 was obtained by solid phase synthesis and a 2,2′-bipyridine was coupled to its N-terminus, which allows complexation of Ni2+. Complexation of the 2,2′-bipyridine residues was proven by UV/Vis spectroscopy. The peptide helices were inserted into lipid bilayers (nano black lipid membranes, nano-BLMs) that suspend the pores of porous alumina substrates with a pore diameter of 60 nm by applying a potential difference. From single channel recordings, we were able to distinguish four distinct conductance states, which we attribute to an increasing number of peptide helices participating in the conducting helix bundle. Addition of Ni2+ in micromolar concentrations altered the conductance behaviour of the formed ion channels in nano-BLMs considerably. The first two conductance states appear much more prominent demonstrating that the complexation of bipyridine by Ni2+ results in a considerable confinement of the observed multiple conductance states. However, the conductance levels were independent of the presence of Ni2+. Moreover, from a detailed analysis of the open lifetimes of the channels, we conclude that the complexation of Ni2+ diminishes the frequency of channel events with larger open times
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation systems of Primula vulgaris
Background: Genetic transformation is a valuable tool and an important procedure in plant functional genomics contributing to gene discovery, allowing powerful insights into gene function and genetically controlled characteristics. Primulaceae species provide one of the best-known examples of heteromorphic flower development, a breeding system which has attracted considerable attention, including that of Charles Darwin. Molecular approaches, including plant transformation give the best opportunity to define and understand the role of genes involved in floral heteromorphy in the common primrose, Primula vulgaris, along with other Primula species. Results: Two transformation systems have been developed in P. vulgaris. The first system, Agrobacterium-mediated vacuum infiltration of seedlings, enables the rapid testing of transgenes, transiently in planta. GUS expression was observed in the cotyledons, true leaves, and roots of Primula seedlings. The second system is based on Agrobacterium tumefaciens infection of pedicel explants with an average transformation efficiency of 4.6%. This transformation system, based on regeneration and selection of transformants within in vitro culture, demonstrates stable transgene integration and transmission to the next generation. Conclusion: The two transformation systems reported here will aid fundamental research into important traits in Primula. Although, stable integration of transgenes is the ultimate goal for such analyses, transient gene expression via Agrobacterium-mediated DNA transfer, offers a simple and fast method to analyse transgene functions. The second system describes, for the first time, stable Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Primula vulgaris, which will be key to characterising the genes responsible for the control of floral heteromorphy
Search for New Physics in e mu X Data at D0 Using Sleuth: A Quasi-Model-Independent Search Strategy for New Physics
We present a quasi-model-independent search for the physics responsible for
electroweak symmetry breaking. We define final states to be studied, and
construct a rule that identifies a set of relevant variables for any particular
final state. A new algorithm ("Sleuth") searches for regions of excess in those
variables and quantifies the significance of any detected excess. After
demonstrating the sensitivity of the method, we apply it to the semi-inclusive
channel e mu X collected in 108 pb^-1 of ppbar collisions at sqrt(s) = 1.8 TeV
at the D0 experiment during 1992-1996 at the Fermilab Tevatron. We find no
evidence of new high p_T physics in this sample.Comment: 23 pages, 12 figures. Submitted to Physical Review
Ratio of the Isolated Photon Cross Sections at \sqrt{s} = 630 and 1800 GeV
The inclusive cross section for production of isolated photons has been
measured in \pbarp collisions at GeV with the \D0 detector at
the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The photons span a transverse energy ()
range from 7-49 GeV and have pseudorapidity . This measurement is
combined with to previous \D0 result at GeV to form a ratio
of the cross sections. Comparison of next-to-leading order QCD with the
measured cross section at 630 GeV and ratio of cross sections show satisfactory
agreement in most of the range.Comment: 7 pages. Published in Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 251805, (2001
Quasi-model-independent search for new high physics at D0
We apply a quasi-model-independent strategy ("Sleuth") to search for new high p_T physics in approximately 100 pb^-1 of ppbar collisions at sqrt(s) = 1.8 TeV collected by the DZero experiment during 1992-1996 at the Fermilab Tevatron. We systematically analyze many exclusive final states and demonstrate sensitivity to a variety of models predicting new phenomena at the electroweak scale. No evidence of new high p_T physics is observed
Search for single top quark production at D0 using neural networks
We present a search for electroweak production of single top quarks in ~90 pb^-1 of data collected with the DZero detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. Using arrays of neural networks to separate signals from backgrounds, we set upper limits on the cross sections of 17 pb for the s-channel process ppbar->tb+X, and 22 pb for the t-channel process ppbar->tqb+X, both at the 95% confidence level
Cross Section for b Jet Production in pbar-p Collisions at sqrt(s) = 1.8 TeV
Bottom quark production in pbar-p collisions at sqrt(s)=1.8 TeV is studied
with 5 inverse picobarns of data collected in 1995 by the DO detector at the
Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The differential production cross section for b
jets in the central rapidity region (|y(b)| < 1) as a function of jet
transverse energy is extracted from a muon-tagged jet sample. Within
experimental and theoretical uncertainties, DO results are found to be higher
than, but compatible with, next-to-leading-order QCD predictions.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure
Differential cross section for W boson production as a function of transverse momentum in proton-antiproton collisions at 1.8 TeV
We report a measurement of the differential cross section for W boson
production as a function of its transverse momentum in proton-antiproton
collisions at sqrt{s} = 1.8 TeV. The data were collected by the D0 experiment
at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider during 1994-1995 and correspond to an
integrated luminosity of 85 pb^{-1}. The results are in good agreement with
quantum chromodynamics over the entire range of transverse momentum.Comment: Accepted by Physics Letters
Measurement of the ratio of differential cross sections for W and Z boson production as a function of transverse momentum in pbar p collisions at sqrt(s)=1.8 TeV
We report on a measurement of the ratio of the differential cross sections
for W and Z boson production as a function of transverse momentum in
proton-antiproton collisions at sqrt(s) = 1.8 TeV. This measurement uses data
recorded by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron in 1994-1995. It
represents the first investigation of a proposal that ratios between W and Z
observables can be calculated reliably using perturbative QCD, even when the
individual observables are not. Using the ratio of differential cross sections
reduces both experimental and theoretical uncertainties, and can therefore
provide smaller overall uncertainties in the measured mass and width of the W
boson than current methods used at hadron colliders.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, to be published in Physics Letters
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