Response of normal aorta to endovascular grafting: a serial histopathological study

The initial data on the effect of ruthenium red on mature human type-1 VDAC are presented. Highly enriched human type-1 porin in planar lipid bilayers shows lowered voltage-dependence whenever a commercially available ruthenium red preparation is applied. The hexavalent polycationic dye ruthenium red affects different functions in varying cell compartments. Concerning the plasma membrane of cells the actual data, together with our former measurements on the interaction of VDAC and the polycationic synthetic polyamine Compound 48/80, refer to a second VDAC opener, which is relevant for studies on the stimulation of exocytotic processes of different cell types.     

Circular local likelihood

We introduce a class of local likelihood circular density estimators, which includes the kernel density estimator as a special case. The idea lies in optimizing a spatially weighted version of the log-likelihood function, where the logarithm of the density is locally approximated by a periodic polynomial. The use of von Mises density functions as weights reduces the computational burden. Also, we propose closed-form estimators which could form the basis of counterparts in the multidimensional Euclidean setting. Simulation results and a real data case study are used to evaluate the performance and illustrate the results.     

Noncovalent imprinted microspheres: Preparation,evaluation and selectivity of DBU template

1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) imprinted polymer was prepared as microspheres by precipitation polymerization method to obtain molecular recognition systems based on the noncovalent interactions between DBU template, methacrylic acid (MAA), and ethylene .glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) in acetonitrile. ¹H NMR analysis of DBU/MAA mixture has been performed and hydrogen bonding interactions have been established. Microspheres have been characterized by FTIR studies with evidence of DBU linkage in polymer particles and by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to study their morphological properties. How pH values affect the binding capacity of imprinted polymer during the binding stage has been also discussed and results suggest that imprinted poly‐(MAA‐EDMA) behavior is related to the influence of DBU basicity during rebinding processes and the optimum pH value for binding has been found around neutral range. Binding ability of the imprinted polymer towards different concentration of DBU buffered solutions has been evaluated and compared with binding ability of the non‐imprinted polymer. A more sensitive response to the template in the imprinted system suggests that a reasonable number of specific binding sites is formed. Finally, differential selectivity towards other less strong than DBU nitrogen bases, such as pyridine, imidazole, and 1,5‐diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non‐5‐ene (DBN) has been also discussed. Our results indicate that both specific sites and basic properties are involved in the rebinding process. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Superconducting Ti/TiN Thin Films for mm-Wave Absorption

Polarization-sensitive detectors at 120–500 GHz are required for the observation of the cosmic microwave background radiation. In this paper, superconducting thin films based on Ti/TiN bilayers are developed to be integrated as electromagnetic wave absorbers in suspended cooled silicon bolometers. The critical temperature (T_c) is tuned in the range of 600–800 mK through the superconductivity proximity effect between Ti and TiN to optimize the absorption of the incident power while minimizing the heat capacity of the system at low temperature. Ti/TiN bilayer samples are fabricated on silicon with two different thicknesses (100/5 and 300/5 nm). Electrical characterizations at low temperature have been performed and revealed the effect of thermal annealing (20–250 °C) on residual stress, T_c, critical magnetic field (H_c) and resistance above T_c. A physical characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provides evidences of oxidized states which may explain these effects.     

Dynamics of Fatty Acids,Tocopherols and Phenolic Compounds Biogenesis During Olive (Olea europaea L.) Fruit Ontogeny

Fatty acids, tocopherols, and phenolic compounds biogenesis from two major Spanish olive cultivars (Arbequina and Manzanilla) were analyzed for the function of the thermal regime during the fruit ontogeny in a non‐Mediterranean environment. Bilinear models characterized the dynamics of fatty acid biogenesis. Regressions between the accumulated thermal time (TT) and the levels of both oleic and linoleic acids showed different responses to temperature of each olive cultivar. After reaching similar absolute maximum oleic acid contents at similar TT, the levels of this fatty acid decreased markedly in cv. Arbequina and its final concentration was 10 % lower than that found in cv. Manzanilla. In both cultivars, concentrations of all tocopherol isoforms were negatively associated with the TT accumulated over the entire oil accumulation period. Dynamics of phenolic compounds biogenesis showed no clear tendencies with TT. Nevertheless, and whatever the stage of fruit development, secoiridoids were the major phenolic components. Results suggest greater sensitivity of fatty acid metabolism to temperature in cv. Arbequina. This fact points out the necessity of appropriate evaluation of the ambient thermal characteristics before introducing this cultivar into new growing environments.     

PGK1, the gene encoding the glycolitic enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase,acts as a multicopy suppressor of apoptotic phenotypes in S. cerevisiae

In a previous paper we reported the construction of a S. cerevisiae strain lacking the essential gene LSM4, which could survive by the introduction of a truncated form of the orthologous gene from Kluyveromyces lactis. This strain showed apoptotic hallmarks and other phenotypes, including an increased sensitivity to caffeine and acetic acid. The suppression of the latter phenotype by overexpressing yeast genes allowed the isolation of PGK1, the gene encoding the glycolytic enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase. This gene restored normal ageing, oxygen peroxide resistance and nuclear integrity in the mutant. Other phenotypes, such as caffeine sensitivity and glycerol utilization, were also suppressed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Behaviour of Loaded Cross-Laminated Timber Wall Elements in Fire Conditions

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is increasingly being used in medium-rise timber buildings for a number of reasons, such as rapidity of construction, cost effectiveness and robustness. Like for other building materials, verification of the load-bearing performance in fire conditions is an important issue. Experimental fire tests have been performed on loaded CLT wall elements at research institutes in Sweden and Italy. In total, three large-scale and four medium-scale tests have been carried out. The aim was to gain information about initially protected and unprotected elements, to be used for classification and also for validation of calculation models. In the test series, reference tests at normal temperature were included to obtain information (e.g. stiffness, strength) about the material tested in fire conditions. In addition, model-scale fire tests were performed to investigate the loss in stiffness resulting from fire exposure and the effect of different protection types. Loaded fire tests varied in the range of 41.8 min to 120 min, depending on the CLT structure, the level of load, and the type of protection. Data on temperature within specimens and residual cross-sections were collected. Charring rates evaluated from experimental results were comparable with values proposed by Eurocode for the design of timber structures. Conservative solutions were obtained by using simplified design methods and comparing their results to test results and results of advanced modelling. It was shown that the load-bearing performance of CLT may show abrupt changes due to its layered structure. It is strongly recommended that a minimum residual depth depending on the CLT structure should be required in order to ensure robust building products.     

Exploitation of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) puree added of stem infusion through fermentation by selected autochthonous lactic acid bacteria

Strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides were identified from 8 cultivars of sweet cherry by partial 16S rRNA gene sequence and subjected to typing by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) analysis. Representative isolates from each species and each cultivar were screened based on the kinetics of growth on cherry puree added of (10%, v/v) stem infusion (CP-SI). A protocol for processing and storage of CP-SI, which included fermentation by selected autochthonous P. pentosaceus SWE5 and L. plantarum FP3 (started CP-SI) or spontaneous fermentation (unstarted CP-SI), was set up. Starters grew and remained viable at elevated cell numbers (ca. 9.0 log cfu g⁻¹) during 60 days of storage at 4 °C. The number of presumptive lactic acid bacteria of the unstarted CP-SI did not exceed the value of ca. 3.0 log cfu g⁻¹. Consumption of carbohydrates (e.g., glucose and fructose) by starter lactic acid bacteria was limited as well as it was the lactic acid fermentation. Consumption of organic acids (e.g., malic acid) and free amino acids was evident, especially, throughout storage. Compared to CP-SI before processing, the concentrations of total phenolic compounds and anthocyanins did not vary in the started CP-SI. The concentration of anthocyanins slightly decreased in the unstarted CP-SI. The antioxidant activity, expressed as the scavenging activity toward DPPH radical, was found at highest level in the started CP-SI which approached that found in CP-SI before processing. During storage, viscosity and, especially, color indexes of started CP-SI were higher than those found in the unstarted CP-SI. Fermentation by autochthonous lactic acid bacteria seemed to also positively interfere with the sensory attributes of CP-SI.     

Water-repellent cellulose fiber networks with multifunctional properties

We demonstrate a simple but highly efficient technique to introduce multifunctional properties to cellulose fiber networks by wetting them with ethyl-cyanoacrylate monomer solutions containing various suspended organic submicrometer particles or inorganic nanoparticles. Solutions can be applied on cellulosic surfaces by simple solution casting techniques or by dip coating, both being suitable for large area applications. Immediately after solvent evaporation, ethyl-cyanoacrylate starts cross-linking around cellulose fibers under ambient conditions because of naturally occurring surface hydroxyl groups and adsorbed moisture, encapsulating them with a hydrophobic polymer shell. Furthermore, by dispersing various functional particles in the monomer solutions, hydrophobic ethyl-cyanoacrylate nanocomposites with desired functionalities can be formed around the cellulose fibers. To exhibit the versatility of the method, cellulose sheets were functionalized with different ethyl-cyanoacrylate nanocomposite shells comprising submicrometer wax or polytetrafluoroethylene particles for superhydophobicity, MnFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles for magnetic activity, CdSe/ZnS quantum dots for light emission, and silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial activity. Morphological and functional properties of each system have been studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, detailed contact angle measurements, light emission spectra and E. coli bacterial growth measurements. A plethora of potential applications can be envisioned for this technique, such as food and industrial packaging, document protection, catalytic cellulosic membranes, textronic (electrofunctional textiles), electromagnetic devices, authentication of valuable documents, and antimicrobial wound healing products to name a few.