Alanine Scan of the Peptide Antibiotic Feglymycin: Assessment of Amino Acid Side Chains Contributing to Antimicrobial Activity

The antibiotic feglymycin is a linear 13‐mer peptide synthesized by the bacterium Streptomyces sp. DSM 11171. It mainly consists of the nonproteinogenic amino acids 4‐hydroxyphenylglycine and 3,5‐dihydroxyphenylglycine. An alanine scan of feglymycin was performed by solution‐phase peptide synthesis in order to assess the significance of individual amino acid side chains for biological activity. Hence, 13 peptides were synthesized from di‐ and tripeptide building blocks, and subsequently tested for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus strains. Furthermore we tested the inhibition of peptidoglycan biosynthesis enzymes MurA and MurC, which are inhibited by feglymycin. Whereas the antibacterial activity is significantly based on the three amino acids D ‐Hpg1, L ‐Hpg5, and L ‐Phe12, the inhibitory activity against MurA and MurC depends mainly on L ‐Asp13. The difference in the position dependence for antibacterial activity and enzyme inhibition suggests multiple molecular targets in the modes of action of feglymycin.     

Approximated matrix decomposition for IMRT planning with multileaf collimators

A standard problem in intensity modulated radiation therapy is the representation of a given intensity matrix, i.e. a matrix of nonnegative integers, as a nonnegative linear combination of special 0-1-matrices, called segments. These segments can be practically realized by multileaf collimators. One important aim is the minimization of the sum of the coefficients of the linear combination, i.e. the delivery time. In this article, we study the question how much the delivery time can be reduced if some small deviation from the given intensity matrix is allowed. We characterize the optimal solutions for one-row matrices and show that the approximation can be carried out in an iterative way. The structural characterization yields a fast algorithm that minimizes the delivery time and then also the deviation. Moreover, algorithms for the general case together with numerical results are presented.     

Development of a roadmap for advanced ceramics: 2010–2025

A roadmap for advanced ceramics for the period from 2010 to 2025 has been developed to provide guidelines for future investments for policy makers, scientists and industry alike. Based on questionnaires, interviews and a final workshop with well-balanced participation of members from industry and academia three roadmaps on application fields and two roadmaps on scientific areas have been developed and contrasted. The three application fields selected are: (i) electronics, information and communication; (ii) energy and environment; (iii) mechanical engineering and the two scientific fields are: (a) structural and functional properties; (b) process technology. Within these fields the tremendous growth opportunities for ceramics as an enabling technology are highlighted and manifold suggestions for future development are provided.     

Numerical approximation of incremental infinitesimal gradient plasticity

We investigate a representative model of continuum infinitesimal gradient plasticity. The formulation is an extension of classical rate‐independent infinitesimal plasticity based on the additive decomposition of the symmetric strain tensor into elastic and plastic parts. It is assumed that dislocation processes contribute to the storage of energy in the material whereby the curl of the plastic distortion appears in the thermodynamic potential and leads to an additional nonlocal backstress tensor. The formulation is cast into a numerical framework by a saddle point approximation of the corresponding minimization problem in each incremental loading step. This allows one to reformulate the (nonlocal) dissipation inequality to a point‐wise flow rule and yields a solution scheme, which is a direct extension of the standard approach in classical plasticity. Our numerical results show the regularizing effects of the additional physically motivated terms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydroxyapatite as a filler for biosynthetic PHB homopolymer and P(HB–HV) copolymers

This paper deals with some of the fundamental problems encountered when using a semicrystalline polymer as the matrix phase for a particulate‐filled composite. As our model system we adopted poly‐(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate, PHB, and two copolymers of (R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate and (R)‐3‐hydroxyvalerate, P(HB–HV), for the matrix phase, and the mineral calcium hydroxyapatite as a particulate filler. The structure and properties of compression‐moulded films of various compositions were investigated by polarized light microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering and mechanical testing. It was found that the degree of crystallinity of the matrix was lower in filled samples, and that the spherulitic crystallization of the matrix appeared to cause the filler particles to form agglomerates, which would not be as effective a reinforcement as finely dispersed primary filler particles. The tensile strength, strain‐to‐break and tensile modulus of samples of different compositions were analysed using well‐known theories for composite behaviour. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

络合剂在优化纺织品湿加工整理中的应用

新型络合剂在多种工序中的应用,可以为单道工序甚至整个生产过程节约大量成本,加速生产循环,省去部分加工步骤,同时还提高了不稳定配方的生产可靠性.极简化的操作水平也可以节约大量能源.现代技术和设计应将络合剂作为重要的过程控制参数,因为这关系到整个工艺的成败.     

The design of the Fort St. Vrain steam generators

The steam generators for the Fort St. Vrain nuclear power plant are the first application in the United States of once-through boiler design coupled with a high temperature gas-cooled reactor. They contain many design features which are unique for this type of component. Since they are an integral part of the primary system and completely enclosed by the prestressed concrete reactor vessel, they must be removable as well as fit the space available for penetrations. These requirements made the once-through boiler principle a logical choice. Multi-start helically wound tubes supported by perforated plates in a star-shape arrangement resulted in an extremely compact design. The helium inlet temperature of 1427°F and steam temperatures of 1005°F main and 1001°F reheat required unique solutions in terms of flexibility and cooling of support systems and selection of insulation materials and design. Operation in a helium atmosphere without a protective oxide layer called for materials with good wear protection characteristics where parts may experience relative motion. Stabilizing orifices, externally adjustable at the steam generator inlet, plus essentially equal tube lengths for each of the many parallel circuits are utilized to balance circuit performance. To minimize gas bypass flows, special gas seals are provided around individual tube bundles. Field erection time was minimized by developing an upper and a lower module assembly and joining them after erection in the reactor vessel.     

A novel extraction method for peanut allergenic proteins in chocolate and their detection by a liposome-based lateral flow assay

In this study, conditions for extracting the major peanut allergen (Ara h1) from chocolate were optimized, and the extracted samples were analyzed by a lateral flow assay (LFA) using liposomal nanovesicles. The optimal conditions using peanut-spiked chocolate were found to be extraction with a mixture of phosphate buffered saline and hexane for 30 min at 35 °C. After centrifugation, the buffer portion was treated with insoluble poly(vinylpolypyrrolidone) to remove phenolic compounds, and then analyzed by the LFA. The entire analysis, including sample preparation and LFA, could be easily completed within 2 h, and the detection limit was 158 g of peanuts/g of chocolate.