Peptide Bioconjugates of Electron‐Poor Metallocenes: Synthesis,Characterization, and Anti‐Proliferative Activity

We report the synthesis of metallocene compounds Cp₂M with two different electron‐withdrawing substituents on both cyclopentadienyl rings (hexafluoroacetone (HFA) and chlorobenzoyl ( 1 – 5 ); HFA and COOH ( 6 and 7 ), M=Fe or Ru). The COOH‐containing derivatives were used to synthesize peptide bioconjugates with enkephalin ( 8 and 9 ) and neurotensin ( 10 and 11 ) as well as fluorescein‐labeled neurotensin ( 12 ). All the molecules were fully characterized, including X‐ray structures for 6 and 7 . The physicochemical properties (lipophilicity and electrochemistry) and cytotoxicity on MCF‐7, HT‐29, and PT‐45 cancer cells were evaluated for selected compounds. Electrochemical investigation by cyclic voltammetry revealed that all bis‐substituted metallocenes are up to 300 mV harder to oxidize compared to the monosubstituted 2‐ferrocenylhexafluoropropan‐2‐ol (FcHFA: Δ${E{{{\rm f}\hfill \atop 0\hfill}}}$ =214 mV; disubstituted derivatives: up to Δ${E{{{\rm f}\hfill \atop 0\hfill}}}$ =512 mV; both vs. FcH^0/+). For the bis‐substituted compounds, log P determinations by RP‐HPLC showed increased lipophilicity in comparison to the monosubstituted FcHFA and RcHFA. Cellular uptake was investigated by fluorescence microcopy, and this revealed endosomal entrapment for 12 .     

Drying quality of rubberwood: an industrial perspective

In this study, the kiln drying yield of 30 mm Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) used for the furniture manufacturing industry in South East Asia was evaluated. The results showed that the average yield loss was 10%, and end-checks, splits and warping were the most common drying defects. It was found that sawn timber from older trees (> 21 years) were less prone to drying defects, and the use of stress relieving treatments significantly reduced the incidence of drying defects.     

Genetically modified maize and soybean on the Egyptian food market

The results of a survey study on food samples produced from genetically modified soybean and maize collected from the Egyptian market are presented. Forty samples of soybean and 40 samples of maize products have been gathered randomly from markets in Cairo and Giza. The genetic modification was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using official detection methods according to section 35 of the German Foodstuffs Act. Samples were investigated for the presence of material derived from the following genetically modified organisms (GMOs) all of which are approved for food use in Europe: Roundup Ready soybean (RRS) and maize lines Bt176, Bt11, T25 and MON810. In addition, samples were examined in qualitative and quantitative analysis for the presence of material derived from the transgenic maize line StarLink (Aventis) which was approved for animal feed use exclusively in the US. Twenty % of 40 investigated soy samples contained Roundup Ready soybean; 15% of 40 maize samples tested positive for Bt176 and 12.5% positive for Bt11 maize. Furthermore, the presence of StarLink maize could clearly be demonstrated in four samples mixed with Bt176 and Bt11. The percentage of StarLink was less than 1% in quantitative analysis. The maize lines T25 and MON810 were not detected.     

Mammalian mitochondrial ribosomal proteins. N-terminal amino acid sequencing, characterization, and identification of corresponding gene sequences

The integrity of healthy mitochondria is supposed to depend largely on proper mitochondrial protein biosynthesis. Mitochondrial ribosomal proteins (MRPs) are directly involved in this process. To identify mammalian mitochondrial ribosomal proteins and their corresponding genes, we purified mature rat MRPs and determined 12 different N-terminal amino acid sequences. Using this peptide information, data banks were screened for corresponding DNA sequences to identify the genes or to establish consensus cDNAs and to characterize the deduced MRP open reading frames. Eight different groups of corresponding mammalian MRPs constituted from human, mouse, and rat origin were identified. Five of them show significant sequence similarities to bacterial and/or yeast mitochondrial ribosomal proteins. However, MRPs are much less conserved in respect to the amino acid sequence among species than cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins of eukaryotes and bacteria.     

Ozone Treatment of Small–Size Swimming Pools and Whirlpools

Current pool water treatment system designs tend to ignore the relationships between rates of disinfection of microorganisms present and performances of the filters. In this paper, the two subjects will be discussed, with relationship to small swimming pools and whirlpools (spas), emphasizing the problems arising when operating at different system volumes. The effects of proper and improper disinfection upon the operating characteristics and performances of pool and whirlpool water filters will be presented. Furthermore, conditions reducing the trihalomethane concentrations are compared. The role of ozone in overcoming current problems in these two areas will be discussed, in particular, the recent use of compact high frequency ozone generators is examined.     

结构与建造实现——劳力士学习中心

正瑞士洛桑联邦理工学院(EPFL)于2004为其在瑞士沃州洛桑的新学习中心开展了一场建筑设计竞赛。最终,日本建筑设计事务所SANAA,连同德国工程事务所Bollinger+Grohmann摘得竞赛桂冠,并于2010年2月22日建成并向公众开放。这是一栋一层建筑,坐落在一块如园林景观般180m×140m大小的弧形混凝土底板上。该设计之所以获得青睐,在于其波浪起伏的建筑造型不会在视觉上挡住校园内已有的景观,使建筑与四周环境相得益彰。另一个主要原因在于其高低起伏的建筑特色,室内空间形成"山丘"和"低谷"的形态,自然划分成了不同的功能区域,不再需要使用传统的墙体楼板来分隔空间。劳力士学习中心不同寻常的建筑理念对项目的所有参与方来说都是一种挑战。具体而言,这栋景观建筑包括两组壳体建筑造型,各种跨度与平面空间将二者连接起来。与传统壳体建筑形成对比的是,"贝壳"不再是