Modelling of culture kinetics and physiology for c. acetobutylicum

A mathematical model of the batch acetone-butanol fermentation has been proposed which reflects the process kinetics and biochemistry. The degree of importance of the key kinetic parameters has been established by a parametric sensitivity analysis. The basic model was further extended by incorporating additional culture physiological parameters such as the number of active mass transport sites and the permeability of the cellular membrane as well as the intracellular and extracellular conditions. The model assisted in studying the role of the cellular membrane in the control of the culture performance and solvent biosynthesis. The theoretical predictions were confirmed by experimental results.     

Kinetics of lactic acid fermentation on glucose and corn by Lactobacillus amylophilus

The biosynthesis of ammonium lactate, a product of lactic acid fermentation was studied from corn and glucose at five different pH values of 5.4 to 7.8. In the glucose fermentations, a 100% conversion of substrate was obtained resulting in a maximum lactic acid production yield of 93.2%. The optimum pH for the maximum volumetric rate of lactic acid biosynthesis (1.56 g dm^?3 h^?1) was between 6.0 and 6.5. The corn fermentations were slower than the glucose fermentations with a resulting lactic acid yield of 67.5%. Hydrolysis of corn by enzymatic or chemical methods as well as the use of ammonium hydroxide for pH control increased both the final concentration and the rates of lactic acid production. An enhanced yield of more than 90% was finally obtained in the corn fermentations. A logistic model adequately described the kinetics of biomass growth, lactic acid production and sugar utilization in the glucose fermentations at different pH values. The dynamics of lactic acid formation in the corn fermentations were also successfully described by the developed model. The dependence of the model parameters on pH was investigated.     

Semiautomatic Transistor Characteristic-Curve Plotter

A simple semiautomatic instrument for tracing common-emitter hybrid collector and base characteristics of low-level transistors is described. DC supplies, including a transistorized automatic and continuously varying voltage supply, are encountered in the network which allows appropriate biasing of transistors to be tested. Plotting of transistor curves is provided by a conventional X-Y recorder. The range of the instrument comprises: for plotting collector characteristics?base currents up to 40 ?a, collector voltages up to 15 v; for base characteristics?base currents up to about 30 ?a. The instrument enables accurate and rapid plotting of transistor characteristics, which is of considerable importance for special design purposes, when trade data of transistors prove to be inadequate.     

Controlled nanoscale doping of semiconductors via molecular monolayers

One of the major challenges towards scaling electronic devices to the nanometre-size regime is attaining controlled doping of semiconductor materials with atomic accuracy, as at such small scales, the various existing technologies suffer from a number of setbacks. Here, we present a novel strategy for controlled, nanoscale doping of semiconductor materials by taking advantage of the crystalline nature of silicon and its rich, self-limiting surface reaction properties. Our method relies on the formation of a highly uniform and covalently bonded monolayer of dopant-containing molecules, which enables deterministic positioning of dopant atoms on the Si surfaces. In a subsequent annealing step, the dopant atoms are diffused into the Si lattice to attain the desired doping profile. We show the versatility of our approach through controlled p- and n-doping of a wide range of semiconductor materials, including ultrathin silicon-on-insulator substrates and nanowires, which are then configured into novel transistor structures.     

PAGE-1, an X chromosome-linked GAGE-like gene that is expressed in normal and neoplastic prostate, testis, and uterus

We have used a combination of computerized database mining and experimental expression analyses to identify a gene that is preferentially expressed in normal male and female reproductive tissues, prostate, testis, fallopian tube, uterus, and placenta, as well as in prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and uterine cancer. This gene is located on the human X chromosome, and it is homologous to a family of genes encoding GAGE-like proteins. GAGE proteins are expressed in a variety of tumors and in testis. We designate the novel gene PAGE-1 because the expression pattern in the Cancer Genome Anatomy Project libraries indicates that it is predominantly expressed in normal and neoplastic prostate. Further database analysis indicates the presence of other genes with high homology to PAGE-1, which were found in cDNA libraries derived from testis, pooled libraries (with testis), and in a germ cell tumor library. The expression of PAGE-1 in normal and malignant prostate, testicular, and uterine tissues makes it a possible target for the diagnosis and possibly for the vaccine-based therapy of neoplasms of prostate, testis, and uterus.     

Atrial-Synchronized Demand Heart Pacing

A universal heart pacing method is proposed, making use of the atrial-synchronized and demand operation modes. The system includes an ECG-sensing network for control of the pacing action. Special logic design provides for processing the P- and QRS-waves in two parallel channels.     

A psychoanalytic perspective on late adolescence in men in an Israeli combat unit.

Describes and discusses some central experiences that have a direct impact on the completion of developmental processes of late adolescents who serve as soldiers in Israeli combat units. Experiences such as the feeling of brotherhood in arms and complete devotion among the soldiers and the idealization by one's family and the larger society may serve as facilitating factors for psychosexual development. Constriction of the possibilities for social experimentation, dependency aroused by the totality of the army as an organization, and the lack of direct emotional contact with the other gender contribute to inhibit the developmental process. The adolescent needs to assess and consolidate his identity and character, as well as differentiate himself and negotiate his relationships with the people around him. He must clarify and define his sexual objectives while finding his own true gender identity through identification and role differentiation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence on metastatic spread of whole-body or local tumor hyperthermia

The isolation of rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum from rat parotid salivary gland is described. The rough membrane was stripped of its bound ribosomes using the KCl-puromycin method. Rough endoplasmic reticulum was reconstituted from stripped-rough membrane and polyribosomes. The reconstituted rough membrane resembled the native rough membrane in the following aspects: RNA/protein ratio, buoyant density in a continuous sucrose gradient and amino acid incorporation capacity. The in vitro synthesis of alpha-amylase by both rough and in vitro reconstituted rough membrane was demonstrated using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The reconstituted rough membrane could be restripped by KCl-puromycin. The in vitro synthesized alpha-amylase remained associated with the rough or the in vitro reconstituted rough membrane, even after these membranes were stripped of their bound ribosomes.