Cellulose synthesis in maize: isolation and expression analysis of the cellulose synthase (CesA) gene family

Stalk lodging in maize results in significant yield losses. We have determined that cellulose per unit length of the stalk is the primary determinant of internodal strength. An increase in cellulose concentration in the wall might allow simultaneous improvements in stalk strength and harvest index. Cellulose formation in plants can be perturbed by mutations in the genes involved in cellulose synthesis, post-synthetic cellulose alteration or deposition, N-glycosylation, and some other genes with as yet unknown functions. We have isolated 12 members of the cellulose synthase (CesA) gene family from maize. The genes involved in primary wall formation appear to have duplicated relatively independently in dicots and monocots. The deduced amino acid sequences of three of the maize genes, ZmCesA10–12, cluster with the Arabidopsis CesA sequences that have been shown to be involved in secondary wall formation. Based on their expression patterns across multiple tissues, these three genes appear to be coordinately expressed. The remaining genes show overlapping expression to varying degrees with ZmCesA1, 7, and 8 forming one group, ZmCesA3 and 5 a second group, and ZmCesA2 and 6 exhibiting independent expression of any other gene. This suggests that the varying levels of coexpression may just be incidental except in the case of ZmCesA10–12, which may interact with each other to form a functional enzyme complex. Isolation of the expressed CesA genes from maize and their association with primary or secondary wall formation has made it possible to test their respective roles in cellulose synthesis through mutational genetics or transgenic approaches. This information would be useful in improving stalk strength.     

The mixing properties of hexafluorobenzene with carbon tetrachloride and with perfluoromethylcyclohexane

Excess thermodynamic functions (free energies, enthalpies and entropies of mixing) have been obtained from measurements of vapour pressures, together with excess volumes of mixing, for mixtures of hexafluorobenzene with carbon tetrachloride and with perfluoromethyl-cyclohexane (tetradecafluoromethylcyclohexane). Deviations from thermodynamic ideality are large, although the systems are completely miscible. Critical temperatures of the mixtures are also reported. A correlation between the data, anticipated from a simple model for mixtures of asymmetric molecules, does not obtain.     

Energy spectra for decaying 2D turbulence in a bounded domain

We use results derived in the framework of the replica approach to study the liquid-glass thermodynamic transition. The main results are derived without using replicas and applied to the study of the Lennard-Jones binary mixture introduced by Kob and Andersen. We find that there is a phase transition due to the entropy crisis. We compute both analytically and numerically the value of the phase transition point T(K) and the specific heat in the low temperature phase.     

The vapour pressures and excess free energies of mixing of the systems hexafluorobenzene-carbon tetrachloride and hexafluorobenzene-perfluoromethylcyclohexane

The vapour pressures of liquid mixtures of hexafluorobenzene with carbon tetrachloride and of hexafluorobenzene with perfluoromethylcyclohexane (tetradecafluoromethylcyclohexane) have been measured in the range of temperature 20–50 °C, in a static system. These have been used to obtain the excess free energies of the mixtures. Both mixtures show large positive deviations from thermodynamic ideality, and also show azeotropic behaviour.     

Chlorinated organic compounds evolved during the combustion of blends of refuse-derived fuels and coals

The objective of this study was to examine the possible formation of chlorinated organic compounds during the combustion of blends of refuse derived fuels (RDF) and coal under conditions similar to those of an atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) system. A series of experiments were conducted using a TG interfaced to FTIR. Additional experiments using a tube furnace preheated to AFBC operating temperatures were also conducted. The combustion products were cryogenically trapped and analyzed with a GC/MS system. The chlorination of phenols and the condensation reactions of chlorophenols were investigated in this study. A possible mechanism for the formation of chlorinated organic compounds such as dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans, by chlorination and condensation reactions involving phenols, was proposed.The financial support for this work received from the U.S. Department of Energy (Contract No. DE-FG22-94PC94211) and from the Huntsman Thermal Analysis Fellowship is gratefully acknowledged.     

Electrochemical processes in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Editorial Comment Last month we presented, as a Special Feature, a set of five articles that constituted a Commentary on the fundamentals and mechanism of electrospray ionization (ESI). These articles produced some lively discussion among the authors on the role of electrochemistry in ESI. Six authors participated in a detailed exchange of views on this topic, the final results of which constitute this month's Special Feature. We particularly hope that younger scientists will find value in this month's Special Feature, not only for the science that it teaches but also what it reveals about the processes by which scientific conclusions are drawn. To a degree, the contributions part the curtains on these processes and show science in action. We sincerely thank the contributors to this discussion. The give and take of intellectual debate is not always easy, and to a remarkable extent this set of authors has maintained good humor and friendships, even when disagreeing strongly on substance. Graham Cooks and Richard Caprioli Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Derivatization for electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. 4. Alkenes and alkynes

A survey of derivatization strategies and prospective derivatization reactions for conversion of simple alkenes and alkynes to 'electrospray-active' species is presented. General synthetic strategies are discussed and illustrative examples of prospective derivatives prepared from model compounds are presented along with their electrospray ionization (ES) mass spectra. The identified derivatives of these neutral, nonpolar analytes are either ionic or are ionizable in solution through Bronsted acid/base chemistry, by Lewis acid/base chemistry, or by chemical or electrochemical electron-transfer chemistry. Once ionized, the derivatives are expected to be amenable to detection by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Derivatives are identified for positive and negative ion analysis of both alkenes and alkynes. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermostable phytase production by Thermoascus aurantiacus in submerged fermentation

Phytases act on phytic acid, an antinutrient factor present in animal feeds, and release inorganic phosphate. We optimized the production parameters for phytase production using Thermoascus aurantiacus (TUB F 43), a thermophilic fungal culture, by submerged fermentation. A semisynthetic medium containing glucose, starch, peptone, and minerals supplemented with 3.75% (w/v) wheat bran particles was found to be the best production medium among the various combinations tried. Further supplementation of this medium with surfactants such as Tween-20 and Tween-80 considerably enhanced the enzyme yield. A maximum phytase activity (468.22 U/mL) was obtained using this production medium containing 2% (v/v) Tween-20 after 72 h of fermentation at 45°C in shake-flask cultures with a rotation of 150 rpm. Herein we present details of a few of the process parameter optimizations. The phytase enzyme was found to be thermostable, and the optimal temperature for phytase activity was found to be 55°C. However, 80% of the activity still remained when the temperature was shifted to 70°C.