A Graphic Review of the Free Speech Clause

This work acts as a spring board for the study of the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment. It builds useful graphical representations of complex constitutional theories from the ground up, allowing students to follow both development and the application of these theories

Effects of biochar immobilized microorganisms on the enzyme activity and remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon in contaminated soil

The high-temperature pyrolysis oxidation method was adopted to prepare reed biochar, and reed biochar was used as the immobilized material to load the dominant petroleum hydrocarbon degrading bacteria, and the effects of biochar immobilized microorganisms on the remediation effect and enzyme activity of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil were studied. The results showed that after 40 days of remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil by immobilized microorganisms with reed biochar, the removal rate of petroleum hydrocarbon in soil reached 55.01%, which was significantly higher than that of single biochar (45.82%) and blank treatment group (24.83%). It was also found that biochar immobilized microorganisms could significantly improve the activities of dehydrogenase, catalase, urease and polyphenol oxidase in soil. The use of biochar immobilized microorganism technology can not only improve the remediation efficiency of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil, but can also significantly increase the soil biological enzyme activity

Importación de espárragos verdes frescos de Perú a España

El presente proyecto es la conclusión del XIV Máster en Comercio Internacional, impartido por la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Su objetivo es servir de guía a la realización de operaciones de importación de espárragos frescos verdes de origen y procedencia Perú a España. La parte de financiación es una de las más sensibles del proyecto, en su elaboración se considero los temas de negociación, contratación, análisis de coste beneficio y gestión financiera de la empresa. La gestión de asuntos financieros es una tarea fundamental para una empresa con fondo propio limitado. Cómo funciona el flujo de tesorería, a cuánto tiempo se amortiza la inversión, son cuestiones que en nuestro caso importan más, a cierto nivel, que el beneficio. Con respecto a la gestión financiera en la operación planteada, la mayor limitación enfrentada es la costumbre en la forma de pago del sector. Por eso en el trabajo se analiza los costes y riesgos, dando soluciones a través de línea de financiación y forma de pago. El análisis financiero del proyecto se basa en datos reales logrados con mucha investigación, para ello se entrevisto con funcionarios de entidades financieras, proveedores y compradores del sector, entre otros

Expression of an extremely acidic β-1,4-glucanase from thermoacidophilic Alicyclobacillus sp. A4 in Pichia pastoris is improved by truncating the gene sequence

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Alicyclobacillus </it>sp. A4 is thermoacidophilic and produces many glycoside hydrolases. An extremely acidic β-1,4-glucanase (CelA4) has been isolated from <it>Alicyclobacillus </it>sp. A4 and purified. This glucanase with a molecular mass of 48.6 kDa decreases the viscosity of barley-soybean feed under simulated gastric conditions. Therefore, it has the potential to improve the nutrient bioavailability of pig feed. For the study reported herein, the full-length gene, <it>CelA4</it>, of this glucanase (CelA4) was identified using the sequences of six peptides and cloned from strain A4. The gene fragment (<it>CelA4</it>_<it>F</it>) encoding the mature protein was expressed in <it>Pichia pastoris</it>. Sequence truncation and glycosylation were found for recombinant CelA4_F, both of which affected the expression efficiency. The physical properties of various forms of CelA4 as they affected enzymatic activity were characterized.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We located the full-length 2,148-bp gene for CelA4 (<it>CelA4</it>) in the genome of <it>Alicyclobacillus </it>sp. A4. <it>CelA4 </it>encodes a 715-residue polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 71.64 kDa, including an N-terminal signal peptide (residues 1-39), a catalytic domain (residues 39-497), and a C-terminal threonine-rich region (residues 498-715). Its deduced amino acid sequence and that of an <it>Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius </it>endo-β-1,4-glucanase were identical at 44% of the residue positions. When the experimental molecular mass of CelA4_F--a recombinant protein designed to mimic the CelA4 sequence lacking the N-terminal signal peptide that had been expressed in <it>Pichia pastoris</it>--was compared with its hypothetical molecular mass, it was apparent that CelA4_Fwas truncated, possibly at residue 497. An artificially truncated gene fragment (<it>CelA4</it>_<it>T</it>) without C-terminal threonine-rich region was expressed in <it>P. pastoris</it>, and the expression efficiency of CelA4_Twas substantially greater than that of CelA4_F. Purified CelA4_Fand CelA4_Thad similar molecular masses (~60 kDa) and enzymatic properties (optimum pH, 3.4; optimum temperature, 60°C); they were relatively stable between pH 1.2 and 8.2 at 70°C and resistant to acidic and neutral proteases. However, their molecular masses and thermostabilities differed from those of CelA4 isolated from <it>Alicyclobacillus </it>sp. A4. A deglycosylated form of CelA4 (CelA4_D) had properties similar to that of CelA4 except that it was thermoliable at 60°C.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Truncation during expression of CelA4_For artificial truncation of its gene--both of which produced a form of CelA4 lacking a threonine-rich region that includes a putative linker--increased the level of enzyme produced in comparison with that produced by cultivation of <it>Alicyclobacillus </it>sp. A4. Glycosylation increased the thermostability of CelA4. Of the four forms of CelA4 studied, CelA4_Twas produced in highest yield and had the most favorable physical properties; therefore, it has potential for use in the feed industry.</p

Microstructural and Electron-Emission Characteristics of Nb-Si-N Films in Surface-Conduction Electron-Emitter Display

AbstractWe proposed ternary nitride Nb-Si-N film as a promising surface-conduction electron emitter (SCE) in surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED). Nb-Si-N films consisted of continuous NbN polycrystalline phase with (Si3-xNb4x)N4 amorphous phase in NbN grain boundaries. After electroforming, serrated nanogaps were observed in Nb-Si-N SCE strips. The emission current of Nb-Si-N SCE array of 1×18 cells was 6.50μA with anode voltage of 1.5kV and device voltage of 22V, indicating satisfying potential for display applications comparing with NbN SCEs. © 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V

Case Report: Rhabdomyolysis in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A rare case with implications for management

BackgroundIn recent years, some cases of rhabdomyolysis after surgery have been reported. In this report, we present an adult patient with rhabdomyolysis after intracranial aneurysm surgery.Case ReportA 59-year-old male suffered from a coma, fever, and soy sauce urine after intracranial aneurysm clipping. A routine blood examination showed that liver and kidney function were impaired, and creatine phosphokinase(CK) and creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme(CK-MB) levels increased. Therefore, we consider patients with rhabdomyolysis after intracranial aneurysm surgery. A series of treatment schemes, such as intravenous fluid infusion, alkalized urine, and hemodialysis, were adopted immediately, and finally the patient was discharged safely.ConclusionFor some postoperative patients, once the level of CK/CK-MB increases, acute renal damage occurs, and the urine color turns soy sauce, we should be alert to postoperative rhabdomyolysis.For those patients who have been diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, we need to take timely treatment measures to avoid an unfortunate occurrence