SedLog: A shareware program for drawing graphic logs and log data manipulation

SedLog is a free multi-platform software package for creating graphic sediment logs providing an intuitive graphical user interface. The graphic sediment logs generated by SedLog can be exported as PDF, Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), or JPEG for use by other drawing applications or for publications. Log data can be imported and exported in Comma Separated Values (CSV) format. The logs can also be printed to any paper size the user wants. Zoom In, Zoom Out, Fit page, Fit Height and Fit Width facilities are also provided to enable the user to customise the workspace size.     

On the Ranks and Kernels Problem for Perfect Codes

A construction is proposed which, for n large enough, allows one to build perfect binary codes of length n and rank r, with kernel of dimension k, for any admissible pair (r, k) within the limits of known bounds.     

One-Step Chemical Synthesis of Native Met1-Linked Poly-Ubiquitin Chains

The enzyme-mediated construction of poly-ubiquitin (Ub) chains on target proteins leads to a variety of cellular responses and is involved in processes ranging from protein degradation to cell cycle control and immune responses. This complex post-translational modification system is under intense investigation, but generation of specific Ub chains and tools made thereof is not always trivial. We discovered that native methionine-1-linked polymeric ubiquitin chains can be constructed in a single chemical reaction. We validate correct folding and regioselective attachment of such chains using linkage specific proteases and further demonstrate that these poly-Ub chains can be converted into thioesters by the activating E1-enzyme. Subsequent ligation reactions using these in situ prepared thioesters leads to poly-ubiquitinated peptides.     

Supercritical Fluid Extraction and Chromatography of Lipids in Bilberry

A supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method has been developed for the extraction of lipids in bilberry. Experimental design was used to optimize pressure, temperature and extraction time using CO₂ as solvent. Best SFE condition for total lipids was 450 bar, 60 °C and 45 min. The SFE method was compared to conventional Bligh & Dyer (B&D) extraction. The amount of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) was found to be 4.84 ± 0.06 mg and 4.564 ± 0.003 mg per g of the freeze‐dried bilberry sample for the developed SFE and B&D methods, respectively, while the amount of total lipids was found to be 54.40 ± 6.06 mg and 65.70 ± 0.67 mg per g of sample for SFE and B&D, respectively. This discrepancy between FAME and total lipids could be explained by the presence of wax esters, sterol esters, carotenoids and phospholipids, as determined by supercritical fluid chromatography.     

From supercritical carbon dioxide to gas expanded liquids in extraction and chromatography of lipids

Analytical‐scale extraction and chromatography of oils, fats and other liposoluble compounds can be achieved by using supercritical carbon dioxide as a solvent. Since the 90's when supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) was a hot topic, this technology has developed into a robust, modern analytical technique that uses any proportions of compressed CO₂ mixed with an organic solvent. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) on the other hand is only recently starting to reform in a similar way, towards the use of more robust extraction system and enabling mixing of compressed CO₂ with larger proportions of organic solvents. In this Feature article, the development of SFC and SFE into what options we have today is described, including the latest trend of using CO₂‐expanded liquid (CXL) as extraction solvent for lipids.     

The Use of Infrared Thermography as a Novel Approach for Real-Time Validation of PCR Thermocyclers

Validation of PCR thermocycler performance is crucial to obtain reliable results. In this study, infrared (IR) thermography was evaluated as a novel validation tool. After stabilisation, no significant difference in the temperatures recorded using thermography and a reference block-based system was found. By employing IR thermography, information about the length of the time until temperature stabilisation in the sample could be obtained. This study shows the potential of using IR thermography for validation of thermocyclers.     

High-Fat Diet Alters Serum Fatty Acid Profiles in Obesity Prone Rats: Implications for In Vitro Studies

High‐fat diets (HFD) are commonly used in rodents to induce obesity, increase serum fatty acids and induce lipotoxicity in various organs. Invitro studies commonly utilize individual free fatty acids (FFA) to study lipid exposure in an effort to model what is occurring in vivo; however, these approaches are not physiological as tissues are exposed to multiple fatty acids in vivo. Here we characterize circulating lipids in obesity‐prone rats fed an HFD in both fasted and fed states with the goal of developing physiologically relevant fatty acid mixtures for subsequent in vitro studies. Rats were fed an HFD (60 % kcal fat) or a control diet (10 % kcal fat) for 3 weeks; liver tissue and both portal and systemic blood were collected. Fatty acid profiles and absolute concentrations of triglycerides (TAG) and FFA in the serum and TAG, diacylglycerol (DAG) and phospholipids in the liver were measured. Surprisingly, both systemic and portal serum TAG were ~40 % lower in HFD‐fed compared to controls. Overall, compared to the control diet, HFD feeding consistently induced an increase in the proportion of circulating polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with a concomitant decline in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFA) in both serum TAG and FFA. The elevations of PUFA were mostly attributed to increases in n‐6 PUFA, linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. In conclusion, fatty acid mixtures enriched with linoleic and arachidonic acid in addition to SFA and MUFA should be utilized for in vitro studies attempting to model lipid exposures that occur during in vivo HFD conditions.     

Characterisation of anthocyanins in red cabbage using high resolution liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization-linear ion trap mass spectrometry

The aim of this work was to analyse and tentatively identify anthocyanin species in red cabbage using HPLC/DAD-ESI/Qtrap MS. The extraction was realized by using a pressurized liquid technique and the separation of the pigments was achieved by a high resolution liquid chromatography system with a 1.8 μm particles C-18 column. Photodiode array detection was employed to determine the UV/Vis spectral characteristic of the pigments. Electrospray ionization-linear ion trap mass spectrometry allowed the specific determination of the fragmentation patterns of the anthocyanins, by performing different ion scan modes. Twenty four anthocyanins were separated and identified, all having cyanidin as aglycon, represented as mono- and/or di-glycoside, and acylated, or not, with aromatic and aliphatic acids. Nine anthocyanins were identified for the first time in red cabbage.     

Short-term effects of countermeasures for improved safety and mobility at marked pedestrian crosswalks in Borås, Sweden

The Swedish code concerning car drivers' responsibility to give way to pedestrians was strengthened in 2000. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the short-term effects of the change in code. Another goal is to look at the effects of the reconstruction of four sites in Bor?s, Sweden. One site had changes made prior to the change of code, two test sites had countermeasures implemented during the study, and one comparison site was left unchanged. All the sites were chosen because schools were situated nearby. The focus of the evaluation was on children and elderly as pedestrians and cyclists. The goal of traffic calming of a 90 percentile driving speed below 30 km/h was not fulfilled at any of the test sites. A conclusion is that the height of a speed cushion is important. After the speed cushions were lowered from 70 mm to 55 mm, the 90 percentile speed increased from 34 km/h to 41 km/h. Sites with no speed cushions had much higher speeds. The design of an intersection influences road users' behavior. At the site where one crosswalk was removed, pedestrians that were using the remaining marked crosswalk were given way to less frequently than at the other sites. At intersections where most pedestrians used marked crosswalks, the children benefited the most in mobility. At the intersection where pedestrians used marked crosswalks to a lower extent after reconstruction, children and the elderly had the smallest increase in frequency of being given way to. After reconstruction to a court-yard street, the pedestrians were given way to a lower extent compared with the other sites, though the vehicle speeds were the lowest observed at this study. At the sites were no physical changes were made, the change of code improved driver yield behavior, but no more towards children than other age groups.     

Safe pedestrian crossings for children and elderly

In May 2000, the Swedish code governing the conduct of drivers at marked crosswalks became stricter with the intent to improve safety and mobility for pedestrians. A crash analysis based on a macro study of all of Sweden suggests that the injury risk in marked, not reconstructed, crosswalks increased by 27% for pedestrians and 19% for bicyclists. The reason for this may be that pedestrians get a false sense of safety with the new code. Reconstructions aiming at lowering speeds are indeed needed for the change of code to be positive. The 90-percentile speed should not exceed 30 km/h or safety will deteriorate. However, low speed by itself may not guarantee optimal safety. Safety can be further improved at sites, which already have been reconstructed to ensure low speeds. Results based on field data collected at sites close to schools in Malm?, Trollh?ttan and Bor?s in Sweden, and in-depth studies and other analyses of Finnish and Swedish police-reported crashes, suggest that safety of children and elderly is further improved at sites where visibility, orientation and clarity are sufficient. Also, marking crosswalks may increase yield rates (expected improvement 6%) towards pedestrians; and speed cushions situated at a longer distance from the marked crosswalk increase yield rates towards pedestrians and cyclists compared to speed cushions closer by.