Antibodies against a Gossypium hirsutum recombinant cellulose synthase (Ces A) specifically label cellulose synthase in Micrasterias denticulata

Using immunocytochemistry combined with light and electron microscopy, antibodies against cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) Ces A3 were used to identify and localize Ces A proteins in Micrasterias denticulata. Silver-enhanced, immuno-gold labeling of Ces A was localized on the plasma membrane with light and immuno-electron microscopy. Immuno-gold labeling of -1,4-glucan synthase always was observed in contact with the tips of negatively stained cellulose microfibrils. Although the -1,4-glucan synthesizing system in the cell wall of Micrasterias denticulata has been investigated by several methods in the past few decades, these results provide the first significant evidence that the hexagonal arrays of ‘rosettes’ observed in the freeze-etch replica techniques within the plasma membrane of Micrasterias denticulata are -1, 4-glucan synthases. In addition, the antibodies to cotton Ces A3 show no reactivity with -1,4-glucan synthases from Boergesenia forbesii (a Siphonocladaceaen alga with linear terminal complexes=TCs). These results suggest that the specific morphology of TCs (e.g., rosette or linear arrangement) is closely related to the cellulose synthase antibody binding sites (catalytic domains). These data are consistent with a recent phylogenic analysis which shows that Mesotaenium caldariorum possesses Ces A-type genes that are closely related to Ces A’s in vascular plants. This report suggests a significant divergence between the cellulose synthase catalytic subunits of the Chlorophyta (linear TCs) and the Streptophyta (rosette TCs).     

On minimal energies of trees of a prescribed diameter

The energy of a graph is defined as the sum of the absolute values of all the eigenvalues of the graph. Let denote the set of trees on n vertices and diameter d, . Yan and Ye [Appl. Math. Lett. 18 (2005) 1046–1052] have recently determined the unique tree in with minimal energy. In this article, the trees in with second-minimal energy are characterizedAMS Subject Classification: 05C50, 05C35     

Kinetics and Equilibria for Complex Formation between Palladium(II) and Chloroacetate

Kinetics and equilibria for the formation of a 1:1 complex between palladium(II) and chloroacetate were studied by spectrophotometric measurements in 1.00 mol HClO₄ at 298.2 K. The equilibrium constant, K, of the reaction

Interaction of an isolated state with an infinite quantum system containing several one-parameter eigenvalue bands: I. Time-independent case

A new method for the exact solution of the interaction of an isolated state with an infinite dimensional quantum system §_∞ ^b containing several one-parameter eigenvalue bands is developed. Unlike standard perturbation expansion approach, this method produces correct results however strong the interaction between the state and the system . It is shown that in the case of the weak interaction this method correctly reproduces standard results obtained within the formalism of the perturbation expansion method. In particular, due to the interaction with the system , eigenvalue E of the state shifts to a new position. In addition, if this eigenvalue is embedded inside the range of the unperturbed eigenvalues, this shifted eigenvalue broadens and spectral distribution of the state has the shape of the universal resonance curve. However, if the interaction is strong, one finds much more complex and much more complicated behavior     

Interaction of an isolated state with an infinite quantum system containing several one-parameter eigenvalue bands: II. time-dependent case

Time-dependent properties of a state that interacts with an infinite dimensional quantum system containing several one-parameter eigenvalue bands are considered. This is done by a new mathematical method that produces correct results, however strong the interaction between the state and the system . It is shown that in the case of the weak interaction one obtains standard results that are usually obtained within the formalism of the perturbation expansion method. In particular, if the eigenvalue E of the state is embedded inside the range of the unperturbed eigenvalues, time evolution of the state that is initially prepared in the state has typical exponential decay behavior. One also reproduces standard results concerning probabilities of the transition of the state at infinite time (t=∞) into various eigenvalue bands. However, if the interaction is strong, one finds much more complex and much more complicated behavior.     

Estimation of partial linear error-in-variables models for ρ<Superscript>−</Superscript>-mixing dependence data

Consider the partly linear regression model Y = xβ + g(t) + e where the explanatory x is erroneously measured, and both t and the response Y are measured exactly, the random error e is ρ⁻-mixing. Let be a surrogate variable observed instead of the true x in the primary survey data. Assume that in addition to the primary data set containing N observations of , which is ρ⁻-mixing data sets, an independent validation data containing n observations of is available. The exact observations on x may be obtained by some expensive or diffcult procedures for only a small subset of subjects enrolled in the study. In this paper, inspired by Berberan-Santos et al. [J. Math. Chem. 37 (2005)101], a semiparametric method with the primary data is employed to obtain the estimators of β and g(·) based on the least squares criterion with the help of validata. The proposed estimators are proved to be strongly consistent.      

Properties and performance of BaxSr1−xCo0.8Fe0.2O3−δ materials for oxygen transport membranes

The present paper discusses the oxygen transport properties, oxygen stoichiometry, phase stability, and chemical and mechanical stability of the perovskites (BSCF) and (SCF) for air separation applications. The low oxygen conductive brownmillerite phase in SCF is characterized using in-situ neutron diffraction, thermographic analysis and temperature programmed desorption but this phase is not present for BSCF under the conditions studied. Although both materials show oxygen fluxes well above 10 ml/cm²·min at T=1,273 K and pO₂=1 bar for self-supporting, 200 μm-thick membranes, BSCF is preferred as a membrane material due to its phase stability. However, BSCF’s long-term stable performance remains to be confirmed. The deviation from ideal oxygen stoichiometry for both materials is high: δ>0.6. The thermal expansion coefficients of BSCF and SCF are 24×10⁻⁶ and 30×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹, respectively, as determined from neutron diffraction data. The phenomenon of kinetic demixing has been observed at pO₂<10⁻⁵ bar, resulting in roughening of the surface and enrichment with alkaline earth metals. Stress–strain curves were determined and indicated creep behavior that induces undesired ductility at T=1,073 K for SCF. Remedies for mechanical and chemical instabilities are discussed.     

Visualization technique for uncertainty budgets: Onion charts

A concise graphical depiction, the “onion” chart, is described for presenting uncertainty budgets for any measurand, y, having a set of component variances, . The onion chart consists of a concentric series of rings. Each ring is constructed from the set of fractional contributions, . The outer ring includes all and depicts the combined standard uncertainty, u _c (y), where u _c ²(y) ≡ ∑u _i ²(y). Moving inward, each successive ring deletes the largest remaining . A “reduced” is calculated for that ring from the remaining set of , with the fractional contributions calculated using the “reduced” . This format facilitates rapid visual comparison of the importance of each component, with minor components becoming visible as the larger components are successively deleted. An example is presented using data from pH metrology, including the physical interpretation of the resulting diagram.     

Non-isothermal studies on crystallization kinetics of tellurite 20Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-80TeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> glass

Structural and thermal properties of the 20Li₂O-80TeO₂ glass were studied using X-ray diffraction analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques to understand and control the crystallization process on this glass. The γ-TeO₂, α-TeO₂ and α-Li₂Te₂O₅ phases were identified during the crystallization in this glass. Activation energies and Avrami exponent n were calculated from non-isothermal measurements for glasses with different particle size. The mean values of Avrami exponent were obtained for glasses with 63–75 and 45–63 μm particle sizes such as , but glasses with particle size 38–45 μm and smaller than 38 g,m presented .     

Unified treatment of nonrelativistic and quasirelativistic atomic integrals over complete orthonormal sets of $${\Psi^{\alpha}}$$ -exponential type orbitals

The new one- and two-electron nonrelativistic and quasirelativistic basic functions are introduced. The general analytical relations in terms of basic functions suggested are derived for the non- and quasi-relativistic atomic integrals over complete orthonormal sets of -exponential type orbitals introduced by the author, where α  = 1,0, − 1, − 2, . . . The relationships obtained are valid for the arbitrary values of quantum numbers and screening constants of orbitals.     

Interaction of glycine with cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants at different temperatures: a volumetric, viscometric, refractive index, conductometric, and fluorescence probe study

A number of thermodynamic parameters viz. apparent molar volumes, ϕ _v , partial molar volumes, , transfer volumes, , Falkenhagen coefficients, A, Jones–Dole coefficients, B, free energies per mole of solute, , and per mole of solvent, , molar refraction, R _D , and limiting molar conductivity, , have been calculated by using the experimentally measured densities, ρ, viscosities, η, refractive indices, n _D , and specific conductivities, κ, data of glycine (0.02–0.10 m) in 0.01 m aqueous sodium dodecyl sulphate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, and triton X-100 (TX-100) solutions at 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K. The above calculated parameters were found to be sensitive towards the interactions prevailing in the studied amino acid–surfactant–water systems. Moreover, fluorescence study using pyrene as a photophysical probe has also been carried out, the results of which support the conclusions obtained from other techniques.     

Thermodynamic data for nonmesomorphic solutes at infinite dilution in the nematic and isotropic phases of hexylcyanobiphenyl

Infinite dilution solute activity coefficients _o ² , partial molar excess enthalpies and entropies , and partial molar enthalpies ( ) and entropies ( ) of solution, obtained using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC), are reported for thirty nonmesomorphic solutes in the nematic and isotropic phases of p-n-hexyl-p-cyanobiphenyl (6CB). The solutes studied include normal and branched alkanes, alkenes and hexadienes (with some cis and trans isomers), and benzene. The results corroborate earlier studies on other members of the p-n-alkyl-p-cyanobiphenyl homologous series of liquid crystals. The results demonstrate the effect that solute structure (size, shape, flexibility, polarizability and polarity) has on the solution process. Thermodynamic data for the cis and trans isomers of 2-pentene and 2-hexene are examined. A method for the simultaneous examination of the effects of both solute and solvent structures on the solution process is suggested.     

Improvement of the electrochemical properties of “as-grown” boron-doped polycrystalline diamond electrodes deposited on tungsten wires using ethanol

The electrochemical properties of boron-doped diamond (BDD) polycrystalline films grown on tungsten wire substrates using ethanol as a precursor are described. The results obtained show that the use of ethanol improves the electrochemistry properties of “as-grown” BDD, as it minimizes the graphitic phase upon the surface of BDD, during the growth process. The BDD electrodes were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The boron-doping levels of the films were estimated to be ∼10²⁰ B/cm³. The electrochemical behavior was evaluated using the and redox couples and dopamine. Apparent heterogeneous electro-transfer rate constants were determined for these redox systems using the CV and EIS techniques. values in the range of 0.01–0.1 cm s⁻¹ were observed for the and redox couples, while in the special case of dopamine, a lower value of 10⁻⁵ cm s⁻¹ was found. The obtained results showed that the use of CH₃CH₂OH (ethanol) as a carbon source constitutes a promising alternative for manufacturing BDD electrodes for electroanalytical applications.     

Effect of Ammonium Salts on the Volumetric and Viscometric Behavior of D(+)-Glucose,D(−)-Fructose and Sucrose in Aqueous Solutions at 25°C

Apparent molar volumes, V _φ, and viscosity, η, of D(+)-glucose, D(−)-fructose and sucrose in water and in 0.02, 0.05, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mol·kg⁻¹ aqueous solutions of ammonium bromide, tetraethylammonium bromide and tetra-n-butylammonium bromide have been determined at 25 °C from density and efflux time measurements by using a vibrating-tube digital densimeter and a capillary viscometer, respectively. Partial molar volumes, , at infinite dilution that were extrapolated from the V _φ data were used to obtain the corresponding transfer volumes, , for saccharides from water to different aqueous solutions of co-solutes. The Jones-Dole equation viscosity B-coefficients were obtained from the viscosity data. Positive values of were obtained for the saccharides in the presence of ammonium bromide, whereas both positive and negative values were obtained in the presence of tetraethylammonium and tetra-n-butylammonium bromides. The negative values at very low concentrations have small magnitudes. Volumetric interaction coefficients have been calculated by using the McMillan-Mayer theory and Gibbs energies of activation of viscous flow have been calculated by using Feakin’s transition-state theory equation. The parameters obtained from the volumetric and viscometric studies were used to understand various mixing effects due to the interactions between saccharides and ammonium salts in aqueous solutions.     

Di storted s-type orbital s: the $${\rm H}^{+}_{2}$$ problem revi sited

On the example of the molecular ion, we show that spherically distorted s-type orbitals possessing angular dependent orbital exponents, even in a minimal basis may lead to total energies the accuracy of which is comparable with the ones obtained by fully numerical (‘complete basis’) calculations.     

Evaluation of recurrence relationships and numerical solutions for finite rotation matrix elements by using auxiliary functions

In this article, we derived several new recurrence relations of the rotation matrix elements by using Gauss’ recurrence formulas for hypergeometric functions and auxiliary functions , and . The aim of this contribution is to obtain general algorithm to compute the rotation matrix elements, paying attention to the use recurrence relationships of the auxiliary functions that allow the treatment of the functions with high angular momentum quantum numbers.     

Characterizations for Some Types of DNA Graphs

Vertex induced subgraphs of directed de Bruijn graphs with labels of fixed length k and over α letter alphabet are (α,k)-labelled. DNA graphs are (4,k)-labelled graphs. Pendavingh et al. proved that it is NP-hard to determine the smallest value α _k (D) for which a directed graph D can be (α _k (D),k)-labelled for any fixed . In this paper, we obtain the following formulas: and for cycle C _n and path P _n . Accordingly, we show that both cycles and paths are DNA graphs. Next we prove that rooted trees and self-adjoint digraphs admit a (Δ,k)-labelling for some positive integer k and they are DNA graphs if and only if Δ ≤ 4, where Δ is the maximum number in all out-degrees and in-degrees of such digraphs.     

Three crystal structures reported as lacking centers that should be refined as centrosymmetric

The compounds {[Fe(phen)₃]²⁺(TCNQ–TCNQ)²⁻) · 2(CH₃OH)} (FIWPRD), {[Fe(C₅H₅)(C₅H₄CH₂NMe₃)]⁺)(TCNQ⁻) (IKONOL), and {[Cu(1,4,5,12-tetraazacyclo-pentadecane)]²⁺(TCNQ⁻)₂} (AVOJEA) were reported in the non-centrosymmetric space groups Cc (#9), Pna2₁ (#33), and P1 (#1). Examination of the several sets of atomic coordinates shows that the space groups are more likely to be C2/c (#15), Pnma (#63), and (#2), respectively. Confirmation of the centrosymmetric models requires access to the diffraction intensities; unfortunately these are not in the public domain.

The variance of a consensus

In proficiency tests the consensus of the participants' results is often used as the assigned value to calculate z-scores. Where the consensus is quantified as the robust mean of n results, the standard error of the assigned value is often taken to be , where is the robust standard deviation estimated from the same data ¹ . As some of the results are downweighted in robust estimation, is too large a denominator, so that tends to have a somewhat low bias. This bias is shown to be inconsequential for proficiency testing purposes. However, an unbiased estimate can be obtained by using the bootstrap.

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Recurrence and Differential Relations for Spherical Spinors

We present a comprehensive table of recurrence and differential relations obeyed by spin one-half spherical spinors (spinor spherical harmonics) Ω_{κ μ}(n) used in relativistic atomic, molecular, and solid state physics, as well as in relativistic quantum chemistry. First, we list finite expansions in the spherical spinor basis of the expressions A·B Ω_κμ(n) and A·(B×C) Ω_κμ(n), where A, B, and C are either of the following vectors or vector operators: n=r/r (the radial unit vector), e ₀, e _±1 (the spherical, or cyclic, versors), (the 2×2 Pauli matrix vector), (the dimensionless orbital angular momentum operator; I is the 2×2 unit matrix), (the dimensionless total angular momentum operator). Then, we list finite expansions in the spherical spinor basis of the expressions A·B F(r)Ω_κμ(n) and A·(B×C) F(r)Ω_κμ(n), where at least one of the objects A, B, C is the nabla operator , while the remaining ones are chosen from the set .