Resistance of Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) seeds to Callosobruchus maculatus is restricted to cotyledonary tissues

We have investigated the survival of Callosobruchus maculatus larvae when reared on resistant IT81D 1045 Vigna unguiculata seeds, whose resistance has been associated with variant forms of vicilins. Here, we present data which show that larvae of C. maculatus feeding on embryonic axis of resistant cowpea reach a mass of around 28 times higher than those feeding on cotyledonary tissues. Additionally, incorporation of 5–10% of embryonic axis flour on artificial seeds made of resistant flour restores toxicity of seeds to the bruchid. Vicilins purified from both susceptible and resistant embryonic axis had no deleterious effects either on insect development or on insect survival until a level of 4% of incorporation. In contrast, vicilins from resistant cotyledons show an LD₅₀ (50% lethal dose) and WD₅₀ (half weight dose) of 2%. Total vicilin contents of embryonic axes were around two times lower than in cotyledonary tissues, while proteolytic activities of all four proteinase classes were always higher in the former tissues. By 2D‐PAGE we visualized eight protein spots, which seem to be exclusively found on resistant cotyledons. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Determination of 4-octylphenol and 4-nonylphenol congeners in composite foods.

A method for the determination of alkylphenols in food using cold solvent extraction with methanol, followed by a two-stage chromatographic purification and GC-MS analysis, was developed. The method was validated and used to measure concentrations of 4-octylphenol and 4-nonylphenol congener totals in UK duplicate diet samples. Individual 4-n-octylphenol and 4-n-nonylphenol congeners were also measured, although these were not detected in any sample. Only one sample showed 4-tert-octylphenol at 8.7 microg kg(-1), but levels of 4-nonylphenol ranged from not detectable (<3.8 microg kg(-1)) to 25 microg kg(-1). This concentration range is lower than that reported by others. Tests carried out on the stability of the octyl- and nonylphenol congeners in a duplicate diet matrix over 6 months suggest that some analyte depletion might have occurred during extended frozen storage, which in part may account for the relatively lower concentrations detected, although the extent of usage of these compounds also needs to be taken into consideration.     

Influence of the wettability of silicon substrates on the thickness of sol-gel silica films

The fabrication of thick optical films by spinning from solution on silicon substrates is an important technique for integrated optics applications. In particular, several authors have studied the conditions under which the thickness of sol-gel silica films deposited on silicon wafers from solutions of water, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and ethanol can be maximized. The influence of processing parameters, such as composition, ageing period of the solution and spinning rate, have been studied. The effect of the wettability of the silicon substrate on the film thickness was investigated. The wetting characteristics of the silicon surface may be changed by adequate chemical cleaning methods. The hydrophilic wafers obtained by controlled oxidation of the silicon were found to have greater affinity to the film forming solution and to lead to thicker films than hydrophobic wafers obtained by etching the silicon surface with HF solution.     

Remote sensing in BOREAS: Lessons learned

The Boreal Ecosystem Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) was a large, multiyear internationally supported study designed to improve our understanding of the boreal forest biome and its interactions with the atmosphere, biosphere, and the carbon cycle in the face of global climate change. In the initial phase of this study (early 1990s), remote sensing played a key role by providing products needed for planning and modeling. During and after the main BOREAS field campaigns (1994 and 1996), innovative remote sensing approaches and analyses expanded our understanding of the boreal forest in four key areas: (1) definition of vegetation structure, (2) land-cover classification, (3) assessment of the carbon balance, and (4) links between surface properties, weather, and climate. In addition to six BOREAS special issues and over 500 journal papers, a principal legacy of BOREAS is its well-documented and publicly available database, which provides a lasting scientific resource and opportunity to further advance our understanding of this critical northern biome.     

Analysis of Antennas with PBG Substrate

The use of photonic materials has been used in the theory of optical waves. The PBG (Photonic Band Gap) theory and material, was developed recently for optical frequencies and can be easily applied to millimeter waves, microwaves and planar antenna frequencies. The presence of photonic materials as substrate in antennas has some good characteristics such as, supression of light spontaneous emission and suppression of surface waves, allowing the application in planar antenna array. In this work an elaborate analysis using the full wave Transverse Transmission Line - TTL method, that provides efficient and concise results is applied to the planar antennas array with PBG substrate.     

Catalytic degradation of polyethylene over SAPO-37 molecular sieve

The degradation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was studied alone and in presence of silicoaluminophosphate type silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO-37) as catalyst. This material was synthesized by the hydrothermal method using tetrapropylammonium hydroxide and tetramethylammonium chloride as organic templates. The characterization by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy showed that typical faujasite structure for the SAPO-37 was obtained. The total acidity, determined by n-butylamine adsorption, it was equivalent to 0.558 mmol g⁻¹, corresponding to moderate acid strength. For catalytic reaction, a physical mixture of 25%SAPO-37/HDPE was decomposed in a thermobalance at heating rates of 5, 10 and 20 °C min⁻¹, from 380 to 520 °C. At the maximum degradation rate, the products were collected in a cold trap and analyzed by a coupled gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. The degradation of HDPE without catalyst was carried out at the same conditions for comparison with the obtained data with SAPO-37. The HDPE alone suffers decomposition to a wide range of hydrocarbons (C₅–C₂₅) while in the presence of catalyst, light hydrocarbons (C₂–C₁₂) were obtained. By the application of the Vyazovkin model-free kinetic method, it was observed that the activation energy decreased from 290 kJ mol⁻¹ for HDPE alone, to 220 kJ mol⁻¹ for 25%SAPO-37/HDPE, evidencing that SAPO-37 is an effective catalyst for polyethylene degradation.     

Comparison of resin beads and resin membranes for extracting soil phosphate

Six Portuguese soils of varying P sorption capacity were incubated aerobically at 30° C without and with added P in order to give 0.1.mg P L^–1 in the soil solution. Two methods of measuring extractable P were compared: (i) mixed-bed cation-anion-resin beads in bags and (ii) a simpler method with anion-resin membrane only. The bag method extracted about twice and 1.5 times as much as the strip method, respectively, without and with added P. The relationships were much closer after one extraction for 2 hours (r = 0.982, p < 0.01) instead of the cumulative extraction of 24 hours (r = 0.635,p > 0.05.). P recovery after incubation was inversely related to some soil properties as organic matter, buffer capacity, selective dissolution Al forms (Al_ox and Al_d) and P sorption. It is suggested that the simpler resin membrane method is more adequate to assess P for many studies of P reaction with soil. A simpler incubation method was tried, consisting of incubation as a soil suspension in water at a high temperature (50° C). The results suggested that this method gave similar results to aerobic incubation, with the advantage that there was no need to measure the required and final water contents of incubated soil.     

In search of novel water soluble forskolin analogues for positive inotropic activity

Using the novel lead from hydroxy acetyl substituted forskolin analogues, such as 7 beta-hydroxyacetyl-7 beta-deacetyl forskolin or 6 beta-hydroxyacetyl forskolin, a number of water soluble omega-amino acyl derivatives were synthesized. Two such compounds 6 and 18 showed better in vitro activity but failed to show in vivo activity.     

Antibiotic therapy for seminal infection. Effect on antioxidant activity and T-helper cytokines

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of antibiotic therapy on seminal infection. STUDY DESIGN: The seminal plasma of 50 men was evaluated in three groups: (1) men with seminal infection (20), (2) men with leukocytospermia only (18), and (3) men of proven fertility (12). The evaluation protocol included semen analysis, culture and antibiotic sensitivity test, total antioxidant activity, alpha-tocopherol and retinol, T-helper cytokines, IL-2, IL-8, IL-4 and antisperm antibodies. RESULTS: Sperm parameters were worse with seminal infection: 25 versus 84 million per milliliter for fertile men. Antioxidant activity, total alpha-tocopherol and retinol were reduced in leukocytospermia (P < .02, .01) and seminal infection (P < .01, .05) as compared to controls. Antisperm antibodies IL-2 and IL-8 were highly expressed, while IL-4 was low in men with leukocytospermia and bacteriospermia. Gram-negative organisms were more associated with expression of T-helper 1 cytokines than T-helper 2 cytokines. Antibiotic therapy significantly improved the sperm parameters, antioxidant activity and IL-4 but reduced IL-2 and IL-8 and had no effect on antisperm antibody titer. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic therapy improves sperm parameters by increasing antioxidant activity and IL-4 and by reducing IL-2 and IL-8.