Recombinant antibody fragments that detect enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase in Brassica napus

Purified Brassica napus enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR) was used to select specific antibodies from a library of antibody fragments, single-chain F_v (scF_v), displayed on filamentous phage. Analysis of the selected clones by BstNl fingerprinting and nucleotide sequencing showed that the scF_v were derived from three different human V_H germline genes. The binding specificities were confirmed by Western blots and ELISA. The scF_v preparations reacted with B. napus ENR, but not with β-keto reductase, nor enoyl reductase from Escherichia coli. Analysis of fragments generated by CNBr treatment indicates that the scF_v 3.13 recognizes an epitope located within the n-terminal 80 amino acids of the enzyme molecule. The scF_v were used to detect ENR directly in extracts of B. napus seeds.     

Atmospheric pressure mass spectrometry: a new analytical chemical characterization method for dissolved organic matter in rainwater

The complex mixture of organic compounds in the atmosphere influences climate, air quality, and ecosystem processes. Atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (APESI-MS) was evaluated as a potential tool for direct measurement of the total suite of individual dissolved organic matter (DOM) compounds in rainwater. The APESI-MS response was linear to all DOM compounds of atmospheric significance examined as standard solutions. Urban precipitation samples from New Brunswick, NJ (USA) were analyzed by APESI-MS over the mass-to-charge (m/z) range 50-3,000. Over 95% of the m/z ions detected were in the low m/z range (50-500). Over 300 unique m/z ions were detected across the 11 rainwater samples indicating the complexity of the mixture of DOM in rainwater. Forty percent of the organic bases (positive mode detection) and 22% of the organic acids (negative mode) occurred in at least 6 of the 11 rainwater samples. Ions corresponding to the m/z of carboxylic acids standards (nonanedioic acid; 1,4-butanedicarboxylic acid; pentanedioic acid; hydroxybutanedioic acid; and butanedioic acid) and to reduced N standards (allylurea; caffeine; imidazole; and N-2-propenylurea) occurred in at least one of the 11 rainwater samples. Total dissolved organic carbon (DOC) estimated from the APESI-MS analysis and measured by standard DOC methods were not statistically different.     

Evidence for oligomer formation in clouds: reactions of isoprene oxidation products

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to investigate product formation in laboratory experiments designed to study secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation in clouds. It has been proposed that water soluble aldehydes derived from aromatics and alkenes, including isoprene, oxidize further in cloud droplets forming organic acids and, upon droplet evaporation, SOA. Pyruvic acid is an important aqueous-phase intermediate. Time series samples from photochemical batch aqueous phase reactions of pyruvic acid and hydrogen peroxide were analyzed for product formation. In addition to the monomers predicted by the reaction scheme, products consistent with an oligomer system were found when pyruvic acid and OH radical were both present. No evidence of oligomer formation was found in a standard mix composed of pyruvic, glyoxylic, and oxalic acids prepared in the same matrix as the samples analyzed using the same instrument conditions. The distribution of high molecular weight products is consistent with oligomers composed of the mono-, oxo-, and di-carboxylic acids expected from the proposed reaction scheme.     

Nitrogen inputs to rivers, estuaries and continental shelves and related nitrous oxide emissions in 1990 and 2050: a global model

The purpose of the current paper is to estimate future trends (up to the year 2050) in the global geographical distribution of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions in rivers, estuaries, and continental shelf regions due to biological processes, particularly as they are affected by anthropogenic nitrogen (N) inputs, and to compare these to 1990 emissions. The methodology used is from Seitzinger and Kroeze (1998) who estimated 1990 emissions assuming that N₂O production in these systems is related to nitrification and denitrification. Nitrification and denitrification in rivers and estuaries were related to external inputs of nitrogen to those systems. The model results indicate that between 1990 and 2050 the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) export by rivers more than doubles to 47.2 Tg N in 2050. This increase results from a growing world population, associated with increases in fertilizer use and atmospheric deposition of nitrogen oxides (NOy). By 2050, 90% of river DIN export can be considered anthropogenic. N₂O emissions from rivers, estuaries and continental shelves are calculated to amount to 4.9 (1.3 – 13.0) Tg N in 2050, of which two-thirds are from rivers. Aquatic emissions of N₂O are calculated to increase faster than DIN export rates: between 1990 and 2050, estuarine and river emissions increase by a factor of 3 and 4, respectively. Emissions from continental shelves, on the other hand, are calculated to increase by only 12.5%.     

The need to adapt sustainability audits to atypical business models

While a growing number of businesses aspire toward sustainability, doing so requires new business models that aim to achieve triple bottom line benefits (economic, environmental, and social), while utilizing appropriate technologies and new knowledge platforms for doing business. “Third Places,” defined as places of public gathering outside of work or home, have emerged as powerful platforms for business model innovation, in the form of incubators, co-working spaces, and innovation hubs. Third Places enable a diverse group of actors, including entrepreneurs, employees, and investors to informally interact and develop innovative ways of doing business. Third Places tend to be structurally more complex than traditional production facilities as they have multiple firms interacting in formal and informal ways. In this commentary, we discuss the challenges of measuring the sustainability performance of Third Places using conventional sustainability audit tools.     

Model Sensitivity Analysis for Biotrickling Filter Treatment of Graywater Simulant and Waste Gas. II

A detailed sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify key parameters for a biotrickling filter simultaneously treating graywater and waste gas containing ammonia and hydrogen sulfide contaminants. Sampling-based approaches were applied to quantitatively assess the sensitivity of both design and intrinsic model parameters. Specifically, the sensitivity of contaminant removal rates under system conditions was investigated. Results suggested that contaminant removal rates can be substantially improved by increasing the fraction of wetted area in a biotrickling filter. Although recirculation flow rate is insensitive when considering liquid contaminant removal, increasing this parameter improves gas removal efficiency and also increases wetted area within the biotrickling filter. Reactor performance can also be improved by increasing gas and liquid residence times. Contaminant diffusivity through the biofilm is an important parameter and should be accurately assessed. This study differentiated key from insignificant biotrickling filter reactor design parameters for the biotrickling filter and provides guidance for similar research applications.     

A developmental study of children's ability to acquire knowledge of spelling patterns.

Studied morphological and orthographic spelling-pattern abstraction by administering 3 multiple-choice tests (one of nonsense words, one of real words, and a dictation test of nonsense words) to 20 good and 20 poor spellers at each grade level from 2 to 5. Results indicate that both groups showed developmental trends in pattern abstraction on all tests. Good spellers were about 2 yrs ahead of poor spellers in pattern acquisition. On the nonsense word tests good spellers performed better on orthographic than on morphological patterns while the reverse was true for poor spellers. Findings indicate that pattern abstraction occurs as part of spelling acquisition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Model Development for Biotrickling Filter Treatment of Graywater Simulant and Waste Gas. I

A mathematical model was developed to simulate a biotrickling filter capable of simultaneous treatment of graywater simulant and waste gas contaminated with ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. The model accounts for mass transfer of gas phase contaminants into the liquid phase and subsequent transfer into a biofilm where microbial conversions of contaminants are modeled by Monod kinetics. A set of laboratory experiments was conducted to estimate parameters for each of the two components of the model. Separation of parameter estimation both decreased the total number of parameters estimated simultaneously and ensured that each component of the system was adequately represented. Process performance, as predicted by the calibrated model, was compared to results from the operation of bench-scale reactors. The model was capable of accurately predicting contaminant removal and thus was used to make a preliminary assessment on the feasibility of a proposed dual treatment biotrickling filter system. This model is a valuable tool not only to describe and predict process performance, but also to identify relevant design parameters.