Dunaliella tertiolecta (Chlorophyta) Avoids Cell Death Under Ultraviolet Radiation By Triggering Alternative Photoprotective Mechanisms

The effect of different ultraviolet radiation (UVR) treatments combining PAR (P), UVA (A) and UVB (B) on the molecular physiology of Dunaliella tertiolecta was studied during 6 days to assess the response to chronic UVR exposure. UVR reduced cell growth but did not cause cell death, as shown by the absence of SYTOX Green labeling and cellular morphology. However, caspase‐like enzymatic activities (CLs), (regarded as cell death proteases), were active even though the cells were not dying. Maximal quantum yield of fluorescence (F_v/F_m) and photosynthetic electron transport rate (ETR) dropped. Decreased nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) paralleled a drop in xanthophyll cycle de‐epoxidation under UVB. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and D1 protein accumulation were inversely correlated. PAB exhibited elevated ROS production at earlier times. Once ROS decayed, D1 protein recovered two‐fold compared with P and PA at later stages. Therefore, PsbA gene was still transcribed, suggesting ROS involvement in D1 recovery by its direct effect on mRNA‐translation. We add evidence of an UVB‐induced positive effect on the cells when P is present, providing photoprotection and resilience, by means of D1 repair. This allowed cells to survive. The photoprotective mechanisms described here (which are counterintuitive in principle) conform to an important ecophysiological response regarding light stress acclimation.     

The role of induced current density in Steroelectronic effects: Perlin effect

The normal and reverse Perlin effect is usually explained by the redistribution of electron density produced by hyperconjugative mechanisms, which increases the electron population within axial or equatorial proton in normal or reverse effect, respectively. Here an alternative explanation for the Perlin effect is presented on the basis of the topology of the induced current density, which directly determines the nuclear magnetic shielding. Current densities around the C? H bond critical point and intra‐atomic and interatomic contributions to the magnetic shielding explain the observed Perlin effect. The balance between intra‐atomic and interatomic contributions determines the difference in the total atomic shielding. Normal Perlin effect is dominated by intra‐atomic part, whereas reverse effect is dominated by interatomic contribution. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The importance of glyceraldehyde radiolysis in chemical evolution

Studies in chemical evolution are intended to demonstrate how compounds of biological importance are generated from substances that could have been found in abiotic conditions on the primitive Earth or in extraterrestrial environments. In this context, the aim of the present work was to examine the behavior of dl-glyceraldehyde in both aqueous solution and solid samples under gamma irradiation. We irradiated dl-glyceraldehyde at different doses and temperatures with a gamma source; even at low doses and temperature (77 K), free radicals were detected. Among the products formed were ethylene glycol and glycolaldehyde. Some sugar-like compounds were also detected.

     

On the geometric–arithmetic index by decompositions-CMMSE

The concept of geometric–arithmetic index was introduced in the chemical graph theory recently, but it has shown to be useful. There are many papers studying different kinds of indices (as Wiener, hyper–Wiener, detour, hyper–detour, Szeged, edge–Szeged, PI, vertex–PI and eccentric connectivity indices) under particular cases of decompositions. The main aim of this paper is to show that the computation of the geometric-arithmetic index of a graph G is essentially reduced to the computation of the geometric-arithmetic indices of the so-called primary subgraphs obtained by a general decomposition of G. Furthermore, using these results, we obtain formulas for the geometric-arithmetic indices of bridge graphs and other classes of graphs, like bouquet of graphs and circle graphs. These results are applied to the computation of the geometric-arithmetic index of Spiro chain of hexagons, polyphenylenes and polyethene.     

Addition of Surfactants and Non-Hydrolytic Proteins and Their Influence on Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Pretreated Sugarcane Bagasse

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG 4000) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated with the purpose of evaluating their influence on enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse. Effects of these supplements were assayed for different enzymatic cocktails (Trichoderma harzianum and Penicillium funiculosum) that acted on lignocellulosic material submitted to different pretreatment methods with varying solid (25 and 100 g/L) and protein (7.5 and 20 mg/g cellulose) loadings. The highest levels of glucose release were achieved using partially delignified cellulignin as substrate, along with the T. harzianum cocktail: increases of 14 and 18 % for 25 g/L solid loadings and of 33 and 43 % for 100 g/L solid loadings were reached for BSA and PEG supplementation, respectively. Addition of these supplements could maintain hydrolysis yield even for higher solid loadings, but for higher enzymatic cocktail protein loadings, increases in glucose release were not observed. Results indicate that synergism might occur among these additives and cellulase and xylanases. The use of these supplements, besides depending on factors such as pretreatment method of sugarcane bagasse, enzymatic cocktails composition, and solid and protein loadings, may not always lead to positive effects on the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material, making it necessary further statistical studies, according to process conditions.     

On parallel Branch and Bound frameworks for Global Optimization

Branch and Bound (B&B) algorithms are known to exhibit an irregularity of the search tree. Therefore, developing a parallel approach for this kind of algorithms is a challenge. The efficiency of a B&B algorithm depends on the chosen Branching, Bounding, Selection, Rejection, and Termination rules. The question we investigate is how the chosen platform consisting of programming language, used libraries, or skeletons influences programming effort and algorithm performance. Selection rule and data management structures are usually hidden to programmers for frameworks with a high level of abstraction, as well as the load balancing strategy, when the algorithm is run in parallel. We investigate the question by implementing a multidimensional Global Optimization B&B algorithm with the help of three frameworks with a different level of abstraction (from more to less): Bobpp, Threading Building Blocks (TBB), and a customized Pthread implementation. The following has been found. The Bobpp implementation is easy to code, but exhibits the poorest scalability. On the contrast, the TBB and Pthread implementations scale almost linearly on the used platform. The TBB approach shows a slightly better productivity.     

Tandem Michael addition–Claisen-type condensation of anions of O-ethyl carbonates of cyanohydrins to cyclohex-2-en-1-one

A one pot method for the synthesis of ethyl 2-acetoxy-6-aroylcyclohex-1-ene-1-carboxylates and ethyl 2-acetoxy-6-heterocarbonylcyclohex-1-ene-1-carboxylates through Michael addition of the anions of ethyl carbonates of cyanohydrins to cyclohex-2-en-1-one and subsequent reaction with acetic anhydride is described. These compounds are potential intermediates for the synthesis of 9,10-anthraquinone and heterofused 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives.     

Synthesis of 3-substituted 2-cyclohexenones through umpoled functionalization

A new protocol to obtain 3-substituted 2-cyclohexenones, was developed by reversing the chemical reactivity of 2-cyclohexenone. One-pot synthesis of 3-substituted 2-cyclohexenones can be achieved by treatment of 3-phenylthiosilyl enol ether with a mixture of t-BuLi/HMPA that allows hydrogen-selective exchange in presence of reactive electrophiles such as aldehydes, ketones and alkyl halides. This affords the corresponding product in moderate overall yield, after silyl enol ether cleavage and concomitant thiophenol elimination initiated with TBAF.     

Application of thermal analysis for evaluating the digestion of microwave pre-treated sewage sludge

The effect of microwave pre-treatment (MwP) on anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge was studied by means of thermal analysis and evolved gas analysis. The effect of the pre-treatment at low energy input (<1000 kJ L^?1) on sludge solubilisation was studied with the aid of response surface methodology. The pre-treatment process was subsequently studied at energies of 488–2700 kJ L^?1 to evaluate the improvement in biogas production under mesophilic conditions. Organic matter modifications were studied using a Setaram TGA92 analyser at atmospheric pressure coupled to an MSC200 quadrupole mass spectrometer from Balzers. Particle size analysis was carried out using a Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyser LS 13 320 Beckmann Coulter for evaluating the effect of MwP on sludge particles. Results showed an increase in organic matter solubilisation with the increase in the energy applied. Modifications in the specific surface area of the organic matter due to the MwP resulted in increments in methane yields. However, an accumulation of complex compounds was observed in thermal profiles at the maximum energy input (2700 kJ L^?1). Semi-continuous digestion experiments were evaluated using as substrate pre-treated sludge at the optimum energy value (975 kJ L^?1). Results showed a significant increase in methane yield (43 %) when evaluating the process at hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 25–10 days.