Hydrogenases, accessory genes and the regulation of [NiFe] hydrogenase biosynthesis in Thiocapsa roseopersicina

The purple (Sulphur) phototrophic bacterium, Thiocapsa roseopersicina BBS contains several [NiFe] hydrogenases, of which two are membrane bound. Mutant T. roseopersicina cells, carrying deletions in both gene clusters showed hydrogenase activity. This activity was located in the cytoplasm. The structural gene cluster hoxEFUYH was identified and sequenced. In addition, genes homologous to hupUV/hoxBC, the hydrogen sensing hydrogenase have been identified and sequenced.Regulation of hydrogenase biosynthesis was studied in detail for HydSL (renamed HynSL). A random mutagenesis system was optimised for T. roseopersicina. One of the mutations was in a gene similar to that coding for the HypF proteins in other organisms. Inactivation of the hypF gene resulted in a 60-fold increase in hydrogen evolution under nitrogen fixing conditions. In addition to hypF, the following accessory genes were identified: hydD, hupK, hypC1, hypC2, hypDE. Characterisation of the corresponding gene products and search for additional accessory genes are in progress.     

耐高温微生物驱油提高低渗透油藏采收率先导性试验

胜利油田东辛高温低渗透油藏含蜡高,常温微生物无法存活,针对这一问题,引进美国NPC公司耐高温菌种,在Y6-16井组开展高温低渗油藏微生物驱油提高采收率研究和现场试验。施工后Y6-16井日增注52m3,表皮系数由施工前的2.069减小为施工后的-6.31,油层污染得到较好改善;原油含蜡量、胶质沥青质含量降低,轻质组分增加,重质组分降低;井组采收率提高5.09个百分点。     

L'impact des sympt?mes somatiques dans l'évaluation de la dépression chez une population gériatrique.

Studied the relationship among age, physical health status, and psychic and somatic symptoms of depression among elderly adults. Human Ss: 318 male and female Canadian older adults (aged 65–102 yrs). Information on sociodemographic factors and health status was obtained using the Older American Research Scale, French version, by R. Lefran?ois et al (1988). A French version by P. Bourque and D. Beaudette (1982) of the Beck Depression Inventory was also used. The results were evaluated according to each S's sex, age, institutionalized residence status, and health status. Statistical tests were used. (English abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A finite element analysis of damage propagation during metal forming process

In this paper damage propagation during metal forming process is investigated with the concept of continuum damage mechanics. An isotropic damage model based on the theory of materials of type N is adopted to describe the damage process of a ductile material with large elasto-viscoplastic deformation. To solve the finite elasto-viscoplasticity problem, a reasonable kinematic strain measure for largely deformed solids is used and the damage constitutive equations based on thermodynamical framework are developed. The stiffness degradation of the loaded material is chosen as a damage measure. An extended interior penalty method is used to impose the contact condition on the boundary. The highly nonlinear equilibrium equations are reduced to the incremental weak form and approximated by the total Lagrangian finite element method. The displacement control method along with the modified Riks' continuation technique based on displacement parameter is used to solve the incremental iterative equations. As numerical examples, upsetting, backward extrusion and punch problems are simulated and the results of damage propagation and J₂ stress contours with and without damage are presented. For punch problems, spring back and residual stresses are also presented.     

Survival of Yersinia enterocolitica and Escherichia coli in spring water

Survival of pure and mixed cultures of Yersinia enterocolitica and Escherichia coli in sterile spring water stored at 4 degrees C was evaluated. Y. enterocolitica increased two or three logs during the first 3 weeks of incubation, and at the end of 64 weeks viable cells in numbers corresponding to the initial inoculum level were still detectable. However, after 1 week of incubation, the number of E. coli in water started to decrease and in 13 weeks time no E. coli was detected. More rapid decrease of E. coli was observed in mixed cultures.     

A note on computing environments and network reliability

Interest has increased during recent years in using microcomputers for implementation of network reliability algorithms. There are indications that some implementations suffer severe restrictions imposed by such a computing environment, whereas some other results indicate otherwise. This brief note attempts to clarify the apparently contradictory conclusions that would be naturally drawn from recent papers that treat this subject.     

Output probability from a general combinational network

In this paper, we present the method which calculates the probability of the output of a general combinational network being 1, when the probabilities is given for each input being 1. Also we present the method which derives the output probability expression in terms of a given set of input probabilities.The method is based on a basic probability axiom and Binary Decision Diagrams. A Boolean function for a combinational network is transformed into a Binary Decision Diagram and the output probability expression is derived from it. Therefore a derivation of the output probability for a combinational network can be straightforward. Some examples are showed that the method using Binary Decision Diagrams is simple and efficient. We can see a variation of the output probability for a combinational network according to the given set of input probabilities.     

Prebiotic synthesis of sequential peptides on the Hadean beach by a molecular engine working with nitrogen oxides as energy sources

Addressing the still open question of the prebiotic origin of sequential macromolecules (peptides, nucleic acids) on the primitive Earth, we describe a molecular engine (the primary pump), which works at ambient temperature and continuously generates, elongates and complexifies sequential peptides. This new scenario is based on a cyclic reaction sequence, whose keystep is the activation of amino acids into their N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCA) through nitrosation by NOx. This process could have taken place on tidal beaches; it requires a buffered ocean, emerged land and a nitrosating atmosphere. With the help of geochemical studies and computer simulations of atmosphere photochemistry, we show that the primitive Earth during the Hadean may have satisfied all these requirements. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Analysis of hazard area associated with hydrogen gas transmission pipelines

Hydrogen is considered to be the most important future energy carrier in many applications reducing significantly greenhouse gas emissions, but the safety issues associated with hydrogen applications need to be investigated and fully understood to be applicable as the carrier. Generally, the locations of hydrogen production and consumption are different. Hydrogen must be transported from the point of production to the point of use. Pipeline delivery is cheaper than all other methods for large quantities of hydrogen. The rupture of a hydrogen pipeline can lead to outcomes that can pose a significant threat to people and property in the immediate vicinity of the failure point. In this work, a simplified equation of hazard analysis is proposed for the pipeline transporting hydrogen, which relates the diameter, the operating pressure and the length of the pipeline to the size of the affected area in the event of a failure of the pipeline. The dominant hazards are thermal radiation from sustained fire and shock pressure from gas cloud explosion. For a transmission pipeline of hydrogen gas, the hazard area from the fire is slightly larger than by the other event. The hazard area is directly proportional to the operating pressure raised to the power one-half, and to the pipeline diameter. This simplified equation to estimate the hazard area will be a useful tool for safety management of hydrogen gas transmission pipelines.