Sequence analysis of SLA2 of the dimorphic yeasts Candida albicans and Yarrowia lipolytica.

We report the complete nucleotide sequence of SLA2 of the dimorphic yeasts Candida albicans and Yarrowia lipolytica. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, SLA2 codes for an actin binding protein. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequences of C. albicans CaSla2p and Y. lipolytica YlSla2p consist of 1063 and 1054 aa, respectively. The alignment of the deduced proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Y. lipolytica and C. albicans shows regions of identity in the N-terminal part of the proteins, which are essential for growth at 37 degrees C, endocytosis and actin organization in S. cerevisiae. The Sla2p proteins have also several conserved regions in the C-terminal moiety, the I/LWEQ boxes, displaying homology to the talin protein of mouse, Dictyostelium discoideum, Caenorhabditis elegans and to human huntingtin interacting protein (Hip 1p). The sequence data of C. albicans SLA2 are registered in the EMBL database (AJ009556), and for the Y. lipolytica gene in GenBank (U65409).     

The influence of underlying tension on partial slip in complete and nearly complete contacts

Solutions are given for the partial slip regime present under a square ended punch, a punch having a flat plus rounded profile (and, for completeness, a Hertzian contact), when subjected to a monotonically increasing proportional shear force and bulk tension. Particular attention is paid to the effect of the tension in stabilising the partial slip regime in cases where there is an abrupt transition from near adhesion to sliding, and to the various partial slip regimes which can exist.     

Mating activates NMDA receptors in the medial preoptic area of male rats.

Studies have emphasized the role of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) as an important site for the regulation of male sexual behavior. Indeed, ablations of the MPOA impair sexual behavior, whereas stimulation of the MPOA enhances behavior. Furthermore, neural activity in the MPOA increases with mating. The current study tested the hypothesis that activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors occurs in MPOA neurons and is essential for the expression of male sexual behavior in rats. Results indicate that nearly all MPOA neurons that expressed Fos following mating also contained the NR1 subunit of NMDA receptors. Furthermore, mating increased phosphorylation, thus activation, of NR1 in the MPOA. Additionally, blocking NMDA receptors significantly decreased mating-induced Fos expression and mating-induced phosphorylation of NMDA receptors and impaired male sexual behavior. These results provide evidence that mating activates NMDA receptors in the MPOA and that this activation is important for the expression of male sexual behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Kinetics of p-hydroxybenzoic acid photodecomposition and ozonation in a batch reactor

The decomposition of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, an important pollutant present in the wastewaters of the olive oil industry, has been carried out by a direct photolysis provided by a polychromatic UV radiation source, and by ozone. In both processes, the conversions obtained as a function of the operating variables (temperature, pH and ozone partial pressure in the ozonation process) are reported. In order to evaluate the radiation flow rate absorbed by the solutions in the photochemical process, the Line Source Spherical Emission Model is used. The application of this model to the experimental results provides the determination of the reaction quantum yields which values ranged between 8.62 and 81.43 l/einstein. In the ozonation process, the film theory allows to establish that the absorption process takes place in the fast and pseudo-first-order regime and the reaction is overall second-order, first-order with respect to both reactants, ozone and p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The rate constants are evaluated and vary between 0.18x10(5) and 29.9x10(5) l/mol s depending on the temperature and pH.     

The boundary element method in elasticity

This paper describes the application of the boundary element method in elasticity starting by discussing the basic weighted residual expressions. Boundary elements of different orders are presented and discussed, together with the numerical integration schemes. The relationships are presented for three dimensional elasticity and specialized to the two dimensional case. Results are presented and discussed, specially in relation to finite elements and other “domain” type techniques.     

The lack of effect of chronic metabolic acidosis on 25-OH-vitamin D metabolism and serum parathyroid hormone in humans

We evaluated the turnover of the plasma 25-OH-vitamin D pool, acid, and mineral balances in paired balance studies of 6 normal subjects during normal acid base conditions and during stable chronic metabolic acidosis induced by NH4Cl. Positive acid balances and negative Ca balances due to hypercalciuria were observed as previously reported. Plasma 25-OH-D pool turnover averaged 6.1+/-0.4 nmol/day during control and did not change during acidosis (6.5 +/- 0.5 nmol/day) nor were any significant increments in net intestinal absorption of Ca, PO4, or Mg, the physiological expression of vitamin D action, observed during acidosis. In 3 other subjects, repetitive measurements of serum iPTH during 7 control days and 24 days of stable NH4Cl acidosis showed no changes. We interpret the data to support the hypothesis that neither PTH nor vitamin D and its metabolites mediates the increase in net bone resorption that must accompany chronic metabolic acidosis.     

Important viewpoints proposed for a safety approach of HTGR reactors in Europe: Final results of the EC-funded HTR-L project

The inherent safety features of modular High Temperature Reactors (HTRs) make events leading to severe core damage highly unlikely and constitute the main differentiating aspects compared to LWRs. Furthermore, while a known and stable regulatory environment has long been established for Light Water Reactors (LWRs), different ways of thinking may help to develop a more appropriate licensing process for HTR-based power plants.The HTR-L project funded by the European Commission in the 5th Framework Programme was dedicated to the definition of a common and coherent European safety approach and the identification of the main licensing issues for the licensing framework of the modular HTRs. Several topics were developed during the course of this project.Due to the characteristics of the HTR design, it has been necessary to define specific defence-in-depth requirements which have then been evaluated for implementation in the safety approach. Safety-related functions appropriate for the HTR design have also had to be identified and listed.On one hand, the different possible solicitations of the fuel particles constituted the starting point for the identification of the accidental conditions (by means of the Master Logic Diagrams methodology); these accidental conditions were classified and the most appropriate methods to consider ultra low probability severe accidents were examined.On the other hand, the elements constituting the source term and, in particular, the requirements for the confinement of radioactive products and the conditions required to prevent the need for a “conventional” containment structure have been discussed.In the definition of the safety approach, attention has been paid to the need to maintain the potentially interesting economic perspectives of HTR reactors. Key issues to be addressed in the licensing process of the HTRs have also been identified. An innovative systems, structures and components classification method has been developed and rules that will govern equipment qualification proposed.     

Properties of Portland Cement Pastes Incorporating Nanometer-Sized Franklinite Particles Obtained from Electric-Arc-Furnace Dust

The present work presents preliminary results concerning ordinary portland cement (OPC) blended with electric-arc-furnace dust (EAFD) obtained from steel-smelting plants. The powder obtained after acid treatment of the EAFD consisted basically of nanometer-sized particles of ZnFe₂O₄. Incorporation of the EAFD in the OPC produced retardation of the setting process. Nevertheless, after 7 d, the compressive strength of the OPC/EAFD pastes was superior to undoped OPC, and, after 28 d, the extent of hydration of the OPC/EAFD pastes was equivalent to undoped OPC. A compressive strength of 72 MPa was attained after 42 d for OPC doped with 10 wt% EAFD.     

Investigation on boron carbide oxidation for nuclear reactor safety: Experiments in highly oxidising conditions

The oxidation kinetics of boron carbide pellets were investigated in steam/argon mixtures in the temperature range 1200-1800 °C for steam partial pressures between 0.2 and 0.8 bar and total flows (steam + argon) between 2.5 and 10 g/min resulting in gas velocities from 1.01 to 5.34 m/s. A kinetic model for boron carbide pellet oxidation depending on temperature, steam partial pressure and flow velocity is obtained. The activation energy of the oxidation process was determined to be 163 ± 8 kJ/mol. The strong influence of temperature and steam partial pressure on the boron carbide oxidation kinetics is confirmed. The obtained data suggest the coexistence of two kinetic regimes, one at 1200 °C and the other at 1400-1800 °C, with different dependence on steam partial pressure.