Transfer of rps19 to the nucleus involves the gain of an RNP-binding motif which may functionally replace RPS13 in Arabidopsis mitochondria

The discovery of disrupted rps19 genes in Arabidopsis mitochondria prompted speculation about the transfer to the nuclear compartment. We here describe the functional gene transfer of rps19 into the nucleus of Arabidopsis. Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of rps19 show that the nuclear gene encodes a long N-terminal extension. Import studies of the precursor protein indicate that only a small part of this extension is cleaved off during import. The larger part of the extension, which shows high similarity to conserved RNA-binding domains of the RNP-CS type, became part of the S19 protein. In the Escherichia coli ribosome S19 forms an RNA-binding complex as heterodimer with S13. By using immuno-analysis and import studies we show that a eubacterial-like S13 protein is absent from Arabidopsis mitochondria, and is not substituted by either a chloroplastic or a cytosolic homologue of this ribosomal protein. We therefore propose that either a highly diverged or missing RPS13 has been functionally replaced by an RNP domain that most likely derived from a glycine-rich RNA-binding protein. These results represent the first case of a functional replacement of a ribosomal protein by a common RNA-binding domain and offer a new view on the flexibility of biological systems in using well-adapted functional domains for different jobs.     

Experimental measurement of gain in erbium-doped fluoride fiber amplifier in the 850-nm signal band

In this letter, we report an efficient single-mode Er/sup 3+/ doped fluoride fiber amplifier (EDFFA) in the 850 mn signal band. The Ti-sapphire laser was used to pump the EDFFA at 792 mm with an estimated absorbed pump power of 35 mW. The EDFFA used a 4.2 meter long NA=0.39, /spl lambda//sub c/=850 nm fluoride fiber as the active medium. A peak gain of 25 dB was observed at 852 mm. The gain was measured for a 10 nm region between 847.5 mn and 857.5 nm. The 3 dB gain bandwidth is less than 3 nm. However, the gain exceeded 20 dB over wavelength region of at least 7.5 nm. The gain and the gain bandwidth can be further increased by optimizing the length of the active fiber.     

β-Si3N4Whiskers Embedded in Oxynitride Glasses: Interfacial Microstructure

Interfacial microstructures in βP-Si₃N₄( w )-Si-Al-Y-O-N-glass systems were investigated by systematically varying the nitrogen content and the Al:Y ratio of the glass matrix. High-resolution and analytical transmission electron microscopy (HREM and AEM) studies revealed that the interfacial microstructure is a function of the glass composition. No interfacial phases were formed in glasses with low Al:Y ratios and in glasses with high Al:Y ratios and low nitrogen content, whereas epitaxial growth of an interfacial layer (100–200 μm thick) on the βP-Si₃N₄( w ) occurred in a glass matrix with high Al:Y ratio and high nitrogen content. The interfacial layer was identified to be a β'-SiAION phase. Interfaces containing the SiAION layer exhibited high debonding energy compared to Si₃N₄( w )–glass interfaces. HREM studies indicated that the lattice-mismatch strain in the SiAION layer was relieved by dislocation formation at the SiAION–Si₃N₄( w ) interface. The difference in interfacial debonding energy was, hence, attributed to the local atomic structure and bonding between the glass-β-Si₃N₄ and the glass–β'-SiAION phases. This observation was clear evidence of the strong influence of glass chemistry on the interfacial debonding behavior by altering the interfacial microstructure.     

Modeling and control of magnet power supply system with switch-moderipple regulator

This paper presents the dynamic performance analysis and closed-loop design of a new power supply system for a high-current magnet load. This new system introduces a series switch-mode ripple regulator (SMRR) into a phase-controlled rectifier to improve system dynamic response and to reduce the harmonic content in the magnet current. In this paper, the new system control configuration is explained. The small signal dynamic model is established. The function of the SMRR as a speed-up feed-forward path during dynamic transients is assessed. The criteria of the closed-loop regulator design are identified. The theoretical analyses are accompanied by computer simulation and experimental results. The systematical design procedure is outlined by an example which offers better performance than ever reported on high-current magnet power supplies in terms of fast dynamic response (closed-loop bandwidth several kHz) and low harmonic content (less than 10 ppm) in the magnet current     

The use of 15N-labeled dietary proteins for determining true ileal amino acid digestibilities is limited by their rapid recycling in the endogenous secretions of pigs

We assessed the use of 15N-labeled dietary proteins as a possible tool for the determination of the true ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility in pigs. The first experiment was designed to study the dietary N excretion pattern at the ileum subsequent to the ingestion of a single 15N-labeled meal. In a second experiment, we compared ileal endogenous AA outputs and true AA digestibility estimates obtained in pigs ingesting 15N-labeled dietary proteins in a single meal vs. intravenous infusion of [15N]leucine for 10 d during the ingestion of a pea-based diet and a protein-free starch diet. The proportion of endogenous N found in the ileal digesta differed when the label was delivered orally (50%) vs. intravenously (72%) and changed with time. As a consequence, the true ileal AA digestibilities measured with labeled diets were lower. A third experiment demonstrated that this was due to the rapid recycling of labeled dietary N in endogenous moieties, because 15N was found in blood within 10 min of consuming the labeled meal, within 50 min of consumption in pancreatic enzymes, 90 min in bile and 4 h in ileal mucins. We conclude that the use of 15N-labeled meals for determination of true ileal AA digestibilities is limited by the fast recycling of dietary N in endogenous secretions following a single 15N-labeled meal. The accuracy of results will depend on meaningful estimates of AA flow during a limited period and accurate estimates of 15N in AA.     

An assessment of potential nonlinear circuit models for thecharacterization of resonant tunneling diodes

The intrinsically fast process of resonant tunneling through double barrier heterostructures along with the existence of negative differential resistance in the current-voltage characteristic of these structures has led to their implementation as sources for high frequency electromagnetic energy. While sources based upon resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) have produced frequency of oscillations up to 712 GHz, only microwatt levels of performance has been achieved above 100 GHz. Since stability criteria plays critical role in determining the deliverable power of any oscillator, a physically accurate equivalent-circuit model for the RTD is extremely important for optimizing the dynamics of the device-cavity package. This study identifies a distinctly new equivalent circuit model for characterizing the modes of oscillation in RTD-based sources. Specifically, in order to exhibit the fundamental self-oscillations and the overall I-V characteristics (plateau structure and hysteresis) observed experimentally, an accurate circuit model of the RTD must incorporate: (i) a quantum-well inductance which directly chokes the nonlinear conductance and, (ii) a nonlinear access resistance, associated with the accumulation of charge in the injection region of the double barriers, with a nonlocal dependence on the bias across the double barrier structure     

Self-ignition and combustion of a water-fuel emulsion during its injection into heated air. II. Ignition delay time of M-40 fuel oil

We studied experimentally the influence of the degree of water emulsification ofM-40 mazut heated to the water boiling point on the self-ignition time with its pulsed high-pressure injection into heated air. It is shown that water addition does not change the chemistry of the reaction and heating the water-fuel emulsion leads to the disappearance of differences in the ignition character of the emulsion and the moisture-free fuel. It is confirmed that the features of selfignition are determined mostly by conditions of mixture formation. Indirect evidence is obtained that the dynamic tensile strength of the fluid strongly influences the primary dispersion of the jet during its outflow from the sprayer nozzle.Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Novosibirsk 630090. Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, Vol. 31, No. 4, pp. 20–25, July–August, 1995.