Morphological predictability and acoustic duration of interfixes in Dutch compounds

This study explores the effects of informational redundancy, as carried by a word's morphological paradigmatic structure, on acoustic duration in read aloud speech. The hypothesis that the more predictable a linguistic unit is, the less salient its realization, was tested on the basis of the acoustic duration of interfixes in Dutch compounds in two datasets: One for the interfix -s- (1155 tokens) and one for the interfix -e(n)- (742 tokens). Both datasets show that the more probable the interfix is, given the compound and its constituents, the longer it is realized. These findings run counter to the predictions of information-theoretical approaches and can be resolved by the Paradigmatic Signal Enhancement Hypothesis. This hypothesis argues that whenever selection of an element from alternatives is probabilistic, the element's duration is predicted by the amount of paradigmatic support for the element: The most likely alternative in the paradigm of selection is realized longer.     

Microscopic and Molecular Insights into Heterogeneous Phase Degradation of Agars and Carrageenans by Marine Bacterial Galactanases

Agars and carrageenans are sulfated galactans and are the main matrix component of the cell wall of red algae. They form gels made of a 3D network of fibres built by the aggregation of polysaccharide double-helices. Agarases and carrageenase are enzymes produced by marine bacteria involved in the conversion of algal biomass. We have analyzed the structures and the modes of action of these enzymes adapted to the degradation of anionic polysaccharides in heterogeneous phase. We found that κ- and ι-carrageenases proceed via an endo-processive mode of action as it was already described for other enzymes active on neutral polysaccharides (cellulose, starch).     

A comparison of liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry methods to determine xyloglucan structures in black currants

Different separation (HPAEC, RP-HPLC, CE) and identification (MALDI-TOF-MS, ESI-MS(n)) techniques were compared to analyse oligosaccharides obtained after incubation of xyloglucan with endo-glucanase. It was possible to analyse xyloglucan oligosaccharides with each technique. Several techniques, including off line (HPAEC-MALDI-TOF-MS) or online (CE-ESI-MS(n), RP-HPLC-ESI-MS(n)) connection provided complementary information on xyloglucan structure. Online CE-MS and RP-HPLC-MS are described for the first time in xyloglucan analysis. Advantages and disadvantages of the techniques for different purposes such as structural characterisation of oligosaccharides or oligosaccharide profiling are discussed. Black currant xyloglucans had a rather simple XXXG-type structure with galactose and fucose containing side chains.     

Preparation of Cr2O3-Al2O3 Solid Solutions by Reactive Magnetron Sputtering

 (Al,Cr)₂O₃ layers were deposited on cemented carbide insert tips at a substrate temperature of 500 °C by means of reactive magnetron sputtering. An Al target was sputtered in RF mode and a Cr target in DC mode simultaneously in an oxygen/argon plasma. The influence of the Al and Cr sputter power and of the oxygen partial pressure on composition and structure of the (Al,Cr)₂O₃ layers as well as on the binding states of their components were investigated. Special attention was paid to the interpretation of the O ls and O-KLL fine structure and peak shifts. For the binary phases γ-Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃, a good agreement with literature values was observed in each case. In case of the ternary phases a continuous shift of the energetic position of the O1s peak, the O-KL₂₃L₂₃ transition and the modified Auger parameter α ′ of oxygen between the two binary phases γ-Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ could be detected, indicating a wide range of solid solubility between Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃. As revealed by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, the crystallinity of the ternary phases is less pronounced as compared to the binaries and increases with increasing oxygen flow rate.     

μSR on the novel heavy‐fermion system Nd2-yCeyCuO4

The magnetic correlations in Nd_2-yCe_yCuO₄ have been studied by zero and longitudinal field μSR. Nd_1.8Ce_0.2CuO₄ reveals a saturation of the muon relaxation rate below 0.5 K. Even down to 70 mK LF spectra evidence spin fluctuations in the dynamic regime with a rate of \sim 10⁹ s^-1 excluding long range magnetic order or spin glass freezing. The average Nd moment is estimated to be \approx 0.2\mu_B, i.e., strongly reduced from the value determined for the ground state Kramers doublet of Nd₂CuO₄. Extending former μSR measurements on Nd₂CuO₄, a gradual enhancement of the internal field has been detected below 10 K which is accompanied by an increase of the relaxation rate. These results are attributed to the development of ordered Nd moments. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Quantitative LC/MS-MS determination of sulfonamides and some other antibiotics in honey

A simple and rapid method was developed for the determination of 20 antibiotics (sulfonamides, tetacyclines, and flumequine) in honey by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The proposed method is sensitive (limit of detection 0.5 to 10 ppb for the various antibiotics) and selective. A hydrolysis step ensures the liberation of sugar-bound sulfonamides. The approach has been used to analyze some 300 honey samples. A number of them were found to have exceeded the Swiss limit of 50 ppb.     

The MICE facility – a new tool to study plant–soil C cycling with a holistic approach

Plant–soil interactions are recognized to play a crucial role in the ecosystem response to climate change. We developed a facility to disentangle the complex interactions behind the plant–soil C feedback mechanisms. The MICE (‘Multi-Isotope labelling in a Controlled Environment’) facility consists of two climate chambers with independent control of the atmospheric conditions (light, CO₂, temperature, humidity) and the soil environment (temperature, moisture). Each chamber holds 15 plant–soil systems with hermetical separation of the shared above ground (shoots) from the individual belowground compartments (roots, rhizosphere, soil). Stable isotopes (e.g. ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ²H, ¹⁸O) can be added to either compartment and traced within the whole system. The soil CO₂ efflux rate is monitored, and plant material, leached soil water and gas samples are taken frequently. The facility is a powerful tool to improve our mechanistic understanding of plant–soil interactions that drive the C cycle feedback to climate change.