Photochemistry of Nitrous Acid and Nitrite Ion

Research is currently underway to elucidate the photochemical decomposition mechanism of nitrous acid and nitrite ion in aqueous and non-aqueous media. The quantum yield of the photochemical disappearance of nitrous acid and nitrite, as a function of pH and nitrous acid/nitrite ion concentration ratios, was examined. Spectroscopic studies have been done with nitrite ion in various aprotic organic solvents. Similar work has been started with molecular nitrous acid that was produced in aqueous solution and then extracted into organic solvents. These organic solvents were employed in order to study the quantum yield with respect to NO2- and HONO without the complications of the acid dissociation equilibrium seen in aqueous solutions. Other work includes the product analysis of hydroxyl radical scavenging reactions

Dispersed change agency and the improvisation of strategies during processes of change

This article explores the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) in a multinational corporation (MNC). It examines the notion of dispersed change agency and investigates the part played by different types of change teams, focusing on their roles, interactions and competencies. A processual research methodology was used in the collection of data through non-participant observation, face-to-face interviews (68), telephone interviews (3) and documentary evidence. Data collection occurred at four different geographical locations in Norway, Russia, Paris (MNC headquarters) and the UK. This article draws on data collected as part of the Paris case study. This was the location from where the ERP global implementation was coordinated by a specially created project team. A key finding centres on questioning conventional notions of leadership in highlighting the importance of dispersed change agency, clusters of competencies and development of best practices to facilitate the improvisation of strategy during processes of ERP change

SynDIG1 Promotes Excitatory Synaptogenesis Independent of AMPA Receptor Trafficking and Biophysical Regulation

AMPA receptors–mediators of fast, excitatory transmission and synaptic plasticity in the brain–achieve great functional diversity through interaction with different auxiliary subunits, which alter both the trafficking and biophysical properties of these receptors. In the past several years an abundance of new AMPA receptor auxiliary subunits have been identified, adding astounding variety to the proteins known to directly bind and modulate AMPA receptors. SynDIG1 was recently identified as a novel AMPA receptor interacting protein that directly binds to the AMPA receptor subunit GluA2 in heterologous cells. Functionally, SynDIG1 was found to regulate the strength and density of AMPA receptor containing synapses in hippocampal neurons, though the way in which SynDIG1 exerts these effects remains unknown. Here, we aimed to determine if SynDIG1 acts as a traditional auxiliary subunit, directly regulating the function and localization of AMPA receptors in the rat hippocampus. We find that, unlike any of the previously characterized AMPA receptor auxiliary subunits, SynDIG1 expression does not impact AMPA receptor gating, pharmacology, or surface trafficking. Rather, we show that SynDIG1 regulates the number of functional excitatory synapses, altering both AMPA and NMDA receptor mediated transmission. Our findings suggest that SynDIG1 is not a typical auxiliary subunit to AMPA receptors, but instead is a protein critical to excitatory synaptogenesis