Cultivation and analysis of anthocyanin containing types of potatoes in organic farming regarding cultivability and additional health benefits

In a two year research project a representative spectrum of blue potato varieties were cultivated and tested in detail regarding disease infestation, yield potential and the influence of production systems (organic). Cultivation recommendations for blue potatoes could be deduced from this. Furthermore the varying anthocyanin content as well as the antioxidant capacity of the varieties used was analysed. Varieties with a particularly high content will undergo further tests to show the influence of the manner of preparation (boiling, steaming, frying) and determine their use for the processing industry. The combination of ecologically produced potatoes with „additional health benefits“ arouses the customers interest. The cultivation of high yield blue types can be an alternative to the cultivation of yellow fleshed high yield varieties in organic operating companies

Protein kinase C inhibitor and irradiation-induced apoptosis: Relevance of the cytochrome c-mediated caspase-9 death pathway

Caspases are a family of cysteine proteases that constitute the apoptotic cell death machinery, We report the importance of the cytochrome c-mediated caspase-9 death pathway for radiosensitization by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors staurosporine (STP) and PKC-412. In our genetically defined tumor cells, treatment with low doses of STP or the conventional PKC-specific inhibitor PKC-412 in combination with irradiation (5 Gy) potently reduced viability, enhanced mitochondrial cytochrome c release into the cytosol, and specifically stimulated the initiator caspase-9. Whereas treatment with each agent alone had a minimal effect, combined treatment resulted in enhanced caspase-3 activation. This was prevented by broad-range and specific caspase-9 inhibitors and absent in caspase-9-deficient cells. The tumor suppressor p53 was required for apoptosis induction by combined treatment but was dispensable for dose-dependent STP-induced caspase activation. These results demonstrate the requirement for an intact caspase-9 pathway for apoptosis-based radiosensitization by PKC inhibitors and show that STP induces apoptosis independent of p53

Ispitivanje protona i alfa čestica iz reakcija neutrona s jezgrom 40Ca

Energy spectra of protons and alpha particles from 14.6 MeV neutron- induced reactions on · 4°Ca have been studied using the nuclear -emulsion technique. Angular distributions of protons from the reactions 4°Ca(n, p)4°K and 4°Ca(n, np)39K have been measured. Experimental results have been analyzed in the framework of statistical theory and values for nuclear temperature for various reactions deduced.Energetski spektri protona i alfa čestica emitiranih bombardiranjem 4°Ca neutronima energije 14,6 MeV ispitani su metodom nuklearnih emulzija. Spektri su prikazani na slikama I i 4. Izmjerena angularna distribucija protona člana je na sl. 3. Angularna distribucija protona energije veće od 5,5 MeV, koja je dobivena samo iz reakcije 4°Ca (n, p) 4°K, prikazana je na slici 3b), a slika 3a) prikazuje angularnu distribuciju protona energije manje od 5,5MeV. Provedena je analiza eksperimentalnih rezultata primjenom statističke teorije. Dobivene vrijednosti udarnih presjeka, nuklearnih temperatura i parametara gustoće nivoa za reakcije 4°Ca (n,, p) 4°K, 4°Ca (n, np) aeK, 4°Ca (n, u) 37A i 4°Ca (n, na) SGA nalaze se u Tablici 1 i 2, upoređeni s podacima drugih autora

Identification of a novel vitispirane precursor in Riesling wine

Glycoconjugated forms of diastereoisomeric 1-(3-hydroxybutyl)-6,6-dimethyl-2-methylene-3-cyclohexen-1-ols have been identified as new natural vitispirane precursors in Riesling wine. Model degradation studies carried out with synthetic references of the precursors showed the easy formation of isomeric vitispiranes at pH conditions of wine. Based on these results a hypothetic pathway for vitispiranes in Riesling wine is proposed.Identifizierung eines neuen Vitispiranvorläufers in RieslingweinZwei Diastereomere von 1-(3-Hydroxybutyl)-6,6-dimethyl-2-methylen-3-cyclohexen-1-ol wurden erstmals als Aglykone in Glykosidextrakten von Rieslingwein identifiziert. Modellreaktionen bei pH 3,2 lieferten die isomeren Vitispirane als Hauptabbauprodukte. Aufgrund dieser Ergebnisse wird ein erweitertes Modell zur Vitispiranbildung in Rieslingwein vorgestellt

Plasma Depletion and Mirror Waves Ahead of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections

We find that the sheath regions between fast interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) and their preceding shocks are often characterized by plasma depletion and mirror wave structures, analogous to planetary magnetosheaths. A case study of these signatures in the sheath of a magnetic cloud (MC) shows that a plasma depletion layer (PDL) coincides with magnetic field draping around the MC. In the same event, we observe an enhanced thermal anisotropy and plasma beta as well as anti-correlated density and magnetic fluctuations which are signatures of mirror mode waves. We perform a superposed epoch analysis of ACE and Wind plasma and magnetic field data from different classes of ICMEs to illuminate the general properties of these regions. For MCs preceded by shocks, the sheaths have a PDL with an average duration of 6 hours (corresponding to a spatial span of about 0.07 AU) and a proton temperature anisotropy ${T_{\perp p}\over T_{\parallel p}}\simeq 1.2$ -1.3, and are marginally unstable to the mirror instability. For ICMEs with preceding shocks which are not MCs, plasma depletion and mirror waves are also present but at a reduced level. ICMEs without shocks are not associated with these features. The differences between the three ICME categories imply that these features depend on the ICME geometry and the extent of upstream solar wind compression by the ICMEs. We discuss the implications of these features for a variety of crucial physical processes including magnetic reconnection, formation of magnetic holes and energetic particle modulation in the solar wind.Comment: fully refereed, accepted for publication in J. Geophys. Re

Electrostatic and electrokinetic contributions to the elastic moduli of a driven membrane

We discuss the electrostatic contribution to the elastic moduli of a cell or artificial membrane placed in an electrolyte and driven by a DC electric field. The field drives ion currents across the membrane, through specific channels, pumps or natural pores. In steady state, charges accumulate in the Debye layers close to the membrane, modifying the membrane elastic moduli. We first study a model of a membrane of zero thickness, later generalizing this treatment to allow for a finite thickness and finite dielectric constant. Our results clarify and extend the results presented in [D. Lacoste, M. Cosentino Lagomarsino, and J. F. Joanny, Europhys. Lett., {\bf 77}, 18006 (2007)], by providing a physical explanation for a destabilizing term proportional to \kps^3 in the fluctuation spectrum, which we relate to a nonlinear ($E^2$) electro-kinetic effect called induced-charge electro-osmosis (ICEO). Recent studies of ICEO have focused on electrodes and polarizable particles, where an applied bulk field is perturbed by capacitive charging of the double layer and drives flow along the field axis toward surface protrusions; in contrast, we predict "reverse" ICEO flows around driven membranes, due to curvature-induced tangential fields within a non-equilibrium double layer, which hydrodynamically enhance protrusions. We also consider the effect of incorporating the dynamics of a spatially dependent concentration field for the ion channels.Comment: 22 pages, 10 figures. Under review for EPJ

A Statistical Study on the Morphology of Rays and Dynamics of Blobs in the Wake of Coronal Mass Ejections

In this paper, with a survey through the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) data from 1996 to 2009, we present 11 events with plasma blobs flowing outwards sequentially along a bright coronal ray in the wake of a coronal mass ejection. The ray is believed to be associated with the current sheet structure that formed as a result of solar eruption, and the blobs are products of magnetic reconnection occurring along the current sheet. The ray morphology and blob dynamics are investigated statistically. It is found that the apparent angular widths of the rays at a fixed time vary in a range of 2.1-6.6 (2.0-4.4) degrees with an average of 3.5 (2.9) degrees at 3 (4) Rs, respectively, and the observed durations of the events vary from 12 h to a few days with an average of 27 h. It is also found, based on the analysis of blob motions, that 58% (26) of the blobs were accelerated, 20% (9) were decelerated, and 22% (10) moved with a nearly-constant speed. Comparing the dynamics of our blobs and those that are observed above the tip of a helmet streamer, we find that the speeds and accelerations of the blobs in these two cases differ significantly. It is suggested that these differences of the blob dynamics stem from the associated magnetic reconnection involving different magnetic field configurations and triggering processes.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, accepted by Solar Physic

Charge-Fluctuation-Induced Non-analytic Bending Rigidity

In this Letter, we consider a neutral system of mobile positive and negative charges confined on the surface of curved films. This may be an appropriate model for: i) a highly charged membrane whose counterions are confined to a sheath near its surface; ii) a membrane composed of an equimolar mixture of anionic and cationic surfactants in aqueous solution. We find that the charge fluctuations contribute a non-analytic term to the bending rigidity that varies logarithmically with the radius of curvature. This may lead to spontaneous vesicle formation, which is indeed observed in similar systems.Comment: Revtex, 9 pages, no figures, submitted to PR

Detecting the orientation of magnetic fields in galaxy clusters

Clusters of galaxies, filled with hot magnetized plasma, are the largest bound objects in existence and an important touchstone in understanding the formation of structures in our Universe. In such clusters, thermal conduction follows field lines, so magnetic fields strongly shape the cluster's thermal history; that some have not since cooled and collapsed is a mystery. In a seemingly unrelated puzzle, recent observations of Virgo cluster spiral galaxies imply ridges of strong, coherent magnetic fields offset from their centre. Here we demonstrate, using three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamical simulations, that such ridges are easily explained by galaxies sweeping up field lines as they orbit inside the cluster. This magnetic drape is then lit up with cosmic rays from the galaxies' stars, generating coherent polarized emission at the galaxies' leading edges. This immediately presents a technique for probing local orientations and characteristic length scales of cluster magnetic fields. The first application of this technique, mapping the field of the Virgo cluster, gives a startling result: outside a central region, the magnetic field is preferentially oriented radially as predicted by the magnetothermal instability. Our results strongly suggest a mechanism for maintaining some clusters in a 'non-cooling-core' state.Comment: 48 pages, 21 figures, revised version to match published article in Nature Physics, high-resolution version available at http://www.cita.utoronto.ca/~pfrommer/Publications/pfrommer-dursi.pd

Biological effects of fast neutrons

Prikazan je razvojni put primjene brzih neutrona u terapiji. Opisana su biološka svojstva brzih neutrona koja uvjetuju njihovu kliničku primjenu. Istaknute su prednosti neutronskog zračenja pred konvencionalnim fotonskim i elektronskim zračenjima. Dani su izvori brzih neutrona koji se najčešće upotrebljavaju u radioterapiji, kao i bitni fizički i biološki parametri tih neutrona. Navedena su do sada stečena klinička iskustva i perspektive primjene neutrona u radioterapiji.The paper is a review of the development of the therapeutic application of fast neutrons. Biological properties of fast neutrons are described in view of their clinical application and advantages of neutron radiation over conventional photon and electron radiation are emphasized. The fast-neutron sources most widely used in radiotherapy are described and their physical and biological parameters are discussed. The results of the clinical application of fast neutrons are given and further possibilites of such application indicated