Modifier-Free Microfluidic Electrochemical Sensor for Heavy Metal Detection

Poster presented at the 50. Jahrestreffen Deutscher Katalytike

Mid-frequency prediction of transmission loss using a novel hybrid deterministic and statistical method

A novel hybrid deterministic-statistical approach named ES-FE-SEA method specially used to predict the sound Transmission loss of panels in mid-frequency is proposed in this paper. The proposed hybrid methods takes the best advantages of edged-based smoothing FEM (ES-FEM) and statistical energy analysis (SEA) to further improve the accuracy of mid-frequency transmission loss predictions. The application of ES-FEM will “soften” the well-known “overly-stiff” behavior in the standard FEM solution and reduce the inherent numerical dispersion error. While the SEA approach will deal with the physical uncertainty in the relatively higher frequency range. Two different types of subsystems will be coupled based on “reciprocity relationship” theorem. The proposed was firstly applied to a standard simple numerical example, and excellent agreement with reference results was achieved. Thus the method is then applied to a more complicated model-a 2D dash panel in a car. The proposed ES-FE-SEA is verified by various numerical examples

Multiple genetic switches spontaneously modulating bacterial mutability

Background: All life forms need both high genetic stability to survive as species and a degree of mutability to evolve for adaptation, but little is known about how the organisms balance the two seemingly conflicting aspects of life: genetic stability and mutability. The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system is essential for maintaining genetic stability and defects in MMR lead to high mutability. Evolution is driven by genetic novelty, such as point mutation and lateral gene transfer, both of which require genetic mutability. However, normally a functional MMR system would strongly inhibit such genomic changes. Our previous work indicated that MMR gene allele conversion between functional and non-functional states through copy number changes of small tandem repeats could occur spontaneously via slipped-strand mis-pairing during DNA replication and therefore may play a role of genetic switches to modulate the bacterial mutability at the population level. The open question was: when the conversion from functional to defective MMR is prohibited, will bacteria still be able to evolve by accepting laterally transferred DNA or accumulating mutations? Results: To prohibit allele conversion, we "locked" the MMR genes through nucleotide replacements. We then scored changes in bacterial mutability and found that Salmonella strains with MMR locked at the functional state had significantly decreased mutability. To determine the generalizability of this kind of mutability 'switching' among a wider range of bacteria, we examined the distribution of tandem repeats within MMR genes in over 100 bacterial species and found that multiple genetic switches might exist in these bacteria and may spontaneously modulate bacterial mutability during evolution. Conclusions: MMR allele conversion through repeats-mediated slipped-strand mis-pairing may function as a spontaneous mechanism to switch between high genetic stability and mutability during bacterial evolution.Evolutionary BiologyGenetics & HereditySCI(E)9ARTICLEnull1

3-(4-Chloro­phen­yl)-2-(diisopropyl­amino)-1-benzofuro[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one

In the mol­ecule of the title compound, C22H22ClN3O2, the three fused rings of the benzofuro[3,2-d]pyrimidine system are almost coplanar. This ring system is oriented with respect to the substituted benzene ring at a dihedral angle of 79.05 (3)°. Intra­molecular C—H⋯N hydrogen bonding results in the formation of a six-membered ring. In the crystal structure, π–π stacking inter­actions involving the furan, pyrimidinone and benzene rings are present [centroid-to-centroid distances in the range 3.258 (1)–3.870 (1) Å]

Proceeding From in vivo Functions of Pheromone Receptors: Peripheral-Coding Perception of Pheromones From Three Closely Related Species, Helicoverpa armigera, H. assulta, and Heliothis virescens

Three closely related species, Helicoverpa armigera, H. assulta, and Heliothis virescens from Lepidoptera Noctuidae, are used as a model system for exploring sexual communication and species isolation. Pheromone receptors (PRs) previously discovered in model moth species include seven in H. armigera, six in H. assulta, and six in H. virescens. PRs named OR6, OR13, and OR16 among these species were found to be functional, characterized by an in vitro Xenopus oocytes system. Using an in vivo transgenic fly system, functional assays of OR6, OR13, and OR16 clades from three closely related Noctuidae species showed that OR13 function was highly conserved, whereas OR6 and OR16 exhibited functional divergence. Similar results were produced from assays in the Xenopus oocytes system. Combined with earlier behavioral results and electrophysiological recordings, we found corresponding relationships among pheromones, PRs, and neurons at the periphery sensory system of each species. Our results provide vital information at the neuronal and molecular level, shedding insight into the sexual communication of closely related species in Lepidoptera