1,703 research outputs found
Circadian input kinases and their homologs in cyanobacteria: Evolutionary constraints versus architectural diversification
The circadian input kinase A (cikA) gene encodes a protein relaying environmental signal to the central circadian oscillator in cyanobacteria. The CikA protein has a variable architecture and usually consists of four tandemly arrayed domains: GAF, histidine kinase (HisKA), histidine kinase-like ATPase (HATPase-c), and a pseudo-receiver (REC). Among them, HisKA and HATPase-c are the least polymorphic, and REC is not present in heterocystic filamentous cyanobacteria. CikA contains several conserved motifs that are likely important for circadian function. There are at least three types of circadian systems, each of which possesses a different set of circadian genes. The originally described circadian system (kaiABC system) possesses both cikA and kaiA, while the others lack either only cikA (kaiABC Δ) or both (kaiBC). The results we obtained allowed us to approximate the time of the cikA origin to be about 2600-2200 MYA and the time of its loss in the species with the kaiABC Δ or kaiBC system between 1100 and 600 MYA. Circadian specialization of CikA, as opposed to its non-circadian homologs, is a result of several factors, including the unique conserved domain architecture and high evolutionary constraints of some domains and regions, which were previously identified as critical for the circadian function of the gene. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.postprin
Proizvodnja pektinaza, aktivnih pri niskim temperaturama, pomoću psihrotolerantnih mikroorganizama
In winemaking, low temperatures are favourable for the production and retention of flavour and colour components, requiring the use of cold-active enzymes. For this reason, \u27psychrotolerant\u27 microorganisms have been isolated and selected based on their ability to produce pectinolytic enzymes with satisfactory activity at low temperatures. Different mature grape varieties with designation of origin were sampled from the region of San Rafael (Mendoza, Argentina), and pectinolytic bacterial, fungal and yeast strains were isolated. The pectinolytic activity was measured by cup-plate assay, quantification of released reducing sugars and viscosity reduction of pectin solution. Two bacteria (Bacillus sp. SC-G and SC-H) and two yeast strains were selected for their good pectinase activity at low temperatures. Among them, the strain with the highest activity, Bacillus sp. SC-H, was selected. According to their 16S rRNA profiles, Bacillus sp. SC-G and SC-H can be classified as members of Bacillus subtilis. Among the assayed techniques, the rotary evaporation was found to be the most appropriate to obtain enzymatic extracts with highest activity. The optimal conditions for the enzymatic activity were 30 °C and pH=5.0 for the concentrated extract, and 45 °C and pH=6.0 for the filtered supernatant. The concentrated extract presented good activity at 3 °C, confirming that it was a cold-active enzyme. Natural extraction and enzymatic preparation were used to extract pigments and polyphenols from Malbec grapes. Better results were obtained for the enzymatic extract with regard to index, shade, CIELab coordinates, CIELab colour differences and polyphenols (measured using Folin-Ciocalteu).Da bi se dobili što boji okus i boja vina, u vinarstvu se primjenjuju enzimi aktivni pri niskim temperaturama. Izolirani su psihrotolerantni mikroorganizmi sposobni da sintetiziraju pektinolitičke enzime aktivne pri niskim temperaturama. Zrelo grožđe različitih sorata s oznakom podrijetla prikupljeno je s područja San Rafael (Mendoz, Argentina), pa su izolirani pektinolitički sojevi bakterija, kvasaca i plijesni. Njihova je učinkovitost ispitana utvrđivanjem aktivnosti pektinaze na agaru (tzv. „cup-plate assay“), određivanjem udjela reducirajućih šećera što nastaju djelovanjem enzima i praćenjem smanjenja viskoznosti otopine pektina. Odabrana su dva soja bakterija (Bacillus sp. SC-G i SC-H) i dva soja kvasaca što luče pektinaze aktivne pri niskim temperaturama. Najveću aktivnost imao je soj Bacillus sp. SC-H. Određivanjem profila 16S rRNA utvrđeno je da su obje bakterije sojevi Bacillus subtilis. Najučinkovitiji enzimski ekstrakti dobiveni su u rotacijskom isparivaču. Optimalni uvjeti za aktivnost enzima bili su: 30 ºC i pH=5,0 za koncentrirani ekstrakt, te 45 ºC i pH=6,0 za filtrirani supernatant. Koncentrirani je ekstrakt imao dobru aktivnost i pri 3 °C, što potvrđuje njegovu učinkovitost pri niskim temperaturama. Prirodnom i enzimskom ekstrakcijom iz grožđa sorte Malbec izdvojeni su pigmenti i polifenoli. Enzimska je ekstrakcija bila učinkovitija, što potvrđuju indeks boje, CIELab koordinate, razlika boje prema CIELab sustavu i udjel polifenola određen Folin-Ciocalteu metodom
Sortimentul viticol – component al securităţii şi siguranţei alimentare
The degree of viticulture contribution in ensuring the food security
and safety is considerably determined by the potential of genetic diversity of
assortment. In the paper is presented the evolution of grapevine assortment in
Republic of Moldova in terms of ecological-geographic origin of varieties, some
agrobiologic characteristics. To ensure the branch sustainability in conditions
of northern extremity of industrial viticulture, the concept of genetic
improvement of assortment is oriented at creation of varieties, inclusive
seedless with multiple biological resistance. In conditions of climatic and socio-
economic challenges, in order to ensuring food security, we note as necessary
the development and implementation of programs for exploration, conservation
and evaluation of genetic resources diversity - a basis for increasing the
competitiveness and resistance of varieties. Through the intelligent correlation
of classical breeding methods with the molecular biology, but also on new
methodological and instrumental basis under development, we see an
opportunity of grapevine genome fructification
A Theory of Magnets with Competing Double Exchange and Superexchange Interactions
We study the competition between ferromagnetic double exchange (DE) and
nearest-neighbour antiferromagnetic exchange in CMR materials. Towards this
end, a single site mean field theory is proposed which emphasizes the
hopping-mediated nature of the DE contribution. We find that the competition
between these two exchange interactions leads to ferro- or antiferromagnetic
order with incomplete saturation of the (sub)lattice magnetization. This
conclusion is in contrast to previous results in the literature which find a
canted spin arrangement under similar circumstances. We attribute this
difference to the highly anisotropic exchange interactions used elsewhere. The
associated experimental implications are discussed.Comment: 4 pages, Latex-Revtex, 3 PostScript figures. Please see report
cond-mat/980523
Periodical crossing of the laboratory population with the natural population would improve fitness in S. sunia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) [version 3; peer review: 2 approved, 2 not approved]
Background The research focused on evaluating the biological and reproductive parameters of the species Spodoptera sunia with the introduction of field genetic material, in the Noctuid Insect Breeding Laboratory. Methods The experiment consisted of three treatments and three repetitions involving 30 individuals each. Field-collected S. sunia population was reared in the laboratory under semi-controlled conditions of temperature and humidity for three generations. The progeny of the third generation was crossed with the laboratory population and the resulting progeny was observed for growth and reproductive fitness. Results The results revealed that the hybrid progeny (T3) has a sex ratio (F: M) of 0.82, as against 1.22 and 0.76 observed in the field (T1) and lab populations (T2) respectively. The T1 females oviposited 196 egg masses as against 160 and 59 egg masses by T3 and T2 females respectively. The larval growth was more in hybrid progeny with shorter larval duration. However, no variation was observed in the incubation and pupal periods. Conclusions Since the most optimal results were obtained in T2 and T3, it is recommended to introduce genetic material every six months to maintain a good laboratory population of the insect host under study and better breeding of its natural enemies
Magnon Damping by magnon-phonon coupling in Manganese Perovskites
Inelastic neutron scattering was used to systematically investigate the
spin-wave excitations (magnons) in ferromagnetic manganese perovskites. In
spite of the large differences in the Curie temperatures (s) of different
manganites, their low-temperature spin waves were found to have very similar
dispersions with the zone boundary magnon softening. From the wavevector
dependence of the magnon lifetime effects and its correlation with the
dispersions of the optical phonon modes, we argue that a strong magneto-elastic
coupling is responsible for the observed low temperature anomalous spin
dynamical behavior of the manganites.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure
Spin Wave Theory of Double Exchange Ferromagnets
We construct the 1/S spin-wave expansion for double exchange ferromagnets at
T=0. It is assumed that the value of Hund's rule coupling, J_H, is sufficiently
large, resulting in a fully saturated, ferromagnetic half-metallic ground
state. We evaluate corrections to the magnon dispersion law, and we also find
that, in contrast to earlier statements in the literature, magnon-electron
scattering does give rise to spin wave damping. We analyse the momentum
dependence of these quantities and discuss the experimental implications for
colossal magnetoresistance compounds.Comment: 4 pages, Latex-Revtex, 2 PostScript figures. Minor revisions,
references added. See also cond-mat/990921
Theory of anomalous magnon softening in ferromagnetic manganites
In metallic manganites with low Curie temperatures, a peculiar softening of
the magnon spectrum close to the magnetic zone boundary has experimentally been
observed. Here we present a theory of the renormalization of the magnetic
excitation spectrum in colossal magnetoresistance compounds. The theory is
based on the modulation of magnetic exchange bonds by the orbital degree of
freedom of double-degenerate e_g electrons. The model considered is an
orbitally degenerate double-exchange system coupled to Jahn-Teller active
phonons which we treat in the limit of strong onsite repulsions. Charge and
coupled orbital-lattice fluctuations are identified as the main origin of the
unusual softening of the magnetic spectrum
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