Impact Factor: 2.745 (SIJF)

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the structure of an 84-pulse voltage source converter (VSC), assembled by combining one twelve-pulse VSC, in conjunction with an asymmetric single phase seven-level converter plus an injection transformer. With this arrangement, the VSC output's total harmonic distortion in voltages is reduced, allowing it to be used in especial applications or as the basement of flexible A.C. transmission systems (FACTS) devices. The proposed strategy allows savings in the number of employed switches. Simulations and experimental results are provided to show the proposal appropriateness

Stabilization of functional recombinant cannabinoid receptor CB(2) in detergent micelles and lipid bilayers.

Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is among the most challenging tasks for modern membrane biology. For studies by high resolution analytical methods, these integral membrane receptors have to be expressed in large quantities, solubilized from cell membranes and purified in detergent micelles, which may result in a severe destabilization and a loss of function. Here, we report insights into differential effects of detergents, lipids and cannabinoid ligands on stability of the recombinant cannabinoid receptor CB(2), and provide guidelines for preparation and handling of the fully functional receptor suitable for a wide array of downstream applications. While we previously described the expression in Escherichia coli, purification and liposome-reconstitution of multi-milligram quantities of CB(2), here we report an efficient stabilization of the recombinant receptor in micelles - crucial for functional and structural characterization. The effects of detergents, lipids and specific ligands on structural stability of CB(2) were assessed by studying activation of G proteins by the purified receptor reconstituted into liposomes. Functional structure of the ligand binding pocket of the receptor was confirmed by binding of (2)H-labeled ligand measured by solid-state NMR. We demonstrate that a concerted action of an anionic cholesterol derivative, cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS) and high affinity cannabinoid ligands CP-55,940 or SR-144,528 are required for efficient stabilization of the functional fold of CB(2) in dodecyl maltoside (DDM)/CHAPS detergent solutions. Similar to CHS, the negatively charged phospholipids with the serine headgroup (PS) exerted significant stabilizing effects in micelles while uncharged phospholipids were not effective. The purified CB(2) reconstituted into lipid bilayers retained functionality for up to several weeks enabling high resolution structural studies of this GPCR at physiologically relevant conditions

MICROWAVE-ASSISTED SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF PHENYLACRYLAMIDE DERIVATIVES OF TRIAZOLES DERIVED FROM OXAZOLONES

Objective: The aim of the present study is to synthesize novel phenylacrylamide derivatives as potent bioactive agents.Methods: Novel N-(3-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-ylamino)-3-oxo-1-arylidene prop-2-yl) benzimidic acids (7a-c) have been synthesized by the reaction of 4-(arylidene)-2-phenyloxazol-5(4H)-ones (5a-c) with 4-amino-1, 2, 4-triazole (6) in the presence of anhydrous sodium acetate in glacial acetic acid. Titled compounds (7a-c) were obtained in good yields using microwave technology which resulted in dramatic reductions in reaction times leading to the formation of phenylacrylamide derivatives (7a-c) at a faster rate.Results: The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectral studies. This method can be an efficient method for the synthesis of phenylacrylamide derivatives (7a-c).Conclusion: All the final compounds were screened for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and found to be biologically active. Among all the compounds, 7b was found to be potent antimicrobial and antioxidant

Proteome Analysis Implicates Adaptive Changes in Metabolism and Body Wall Musculature of Caenorhabditis elegans Dauer Larva

Dauer larva is an alternative developmental stage of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) that occurs when the environmental condition is unfavorable for growth. Little is known regarding how the proteome of dauer larvae respond to  poor environmental growth conditions. Such knowledge is expected to help understand the survival mechanism(s) of dauer larvae. In order to uncover the proteome differences between dauer larvae and normally developed third stage larvae (L3),  an L2 stage larvae was starved to create the dauer larvae and this proteome was compared with that of the L3 larvae. Results showed that proteins involved in muscle assembly and fatty acid oxidation are increased in dauer larvae, while proteins involved in maintaining regular organismic activity such as reproduction, translation and apoptotic processes are decreased. The protein expression profile also suggested that the glyoxylate cycle is preferentially utilized during dauer arrest over the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and significant structural rearrangement occurs on the hypodermis, body wall musculature, and pharynx.

P. Vukoti}, et al.: Radiation Sur vey and De con tam i na tion of Cape Arza from De pleted Ura nium 51 RADIATION SUR VEY AND DE CON TAM I NA TION OF CAPE ARZA FROM DE PLETED URA NIUM by

Re ceived on Oc to ber 20, 2003; ac cepted in re vised form on December 15, 2003 In the ac tion of NATO A-10 air planes in 1999, the cape Arza, Ser bia and Montenegro was con tam i nated by de pleted ura nium. The clean-up op er a tions were un der taken at the site, and 242 ura nium pro jec tiles and their 49 larger frag ments were re moved from the cape. That is about 85 % of the to tal num ber of pro jec tiles by which Arza was con tam i nated. Here are de scribed de tails of the ap plied pro ce dures and re sults of the soil ra dio ac tiv ity mea sure ments af ter decontamination. Key words: de con tam i na tion, de pleted ura nium, ra di a tion sur vey IN TRO DUC TIO