Deformations of arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay subvarieties of pn

We show that every arithmetically Cohen-Macaulay two-codimensional subscheme ofP ⁿ can be deformed to a reduced union of two-codimensional linear subvarieties. This problem (classical for curves with the name of Zeuthen problem) was solved for curves by F.Gaeta.     

6-Thia-1-aza-5λ5-phosphabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-3-ene und Isothiocyanatophosphin-sulfide aus (Methylidenamino)phosphinen,Schwefelkohlenstoff und Acetylen- oder Ethylen-Derivaten

6-Thia-l-aza-5λ⁵-phosphabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-3-enes and Isothiocyanatophosphine-sulfides from (Methylidenamino)phosphines, Carbon Disulfide, and Acetylene- or Ethylene Derivatives (Methylidenamino)phosphines react with carbon disulfide to 1,3,2-thiazaphosphete derivatives 2 . Acetylenedicarboxylates give with 2 6-thia-l-aza-5λ⁵-phosphabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-3-enes 4a , b , and acrylates yield isothio-cyanatophosphin-sulfides 5a – c . The structures of 4a and 5a are proven by an X-ray diffraction analysis.     

A highly active fungal β-glucosidase

A highly active thermostable β-glucosidase was purified to homogeneity from a strain ofTrichoderma sp. The enzyme was an extracellular glycoprotein and showed hydrolytic activity toward several β-glucosides. Cellobiose was found to be the substrate of choice for this enzyme. This finding could suggest future technological applications of the purified protein.     

Physical aging of a polyetherimide: Creep and DSC measurements

Creep and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements have been used to study the physical aging behavior of a polyetherimide. Isothermal aging temperatures ranged from 160°C to T_g with aging times ranging from 10 min to 8 days. The only measurable effect of physical aging on the short-time creep curves is a shift of the creep compliance to longer times. Andrade plots of the compliance versus the cube root of time are linear at short times with the slope β decreasing with increasing aging time to a constant value once equilibrium is reached. Log β³ is related directly to the degree to which the creep curves shift to longer times with physical aging, and is used in this work as a measure of physical aging. A reduced curve of log β³ versus log aging time is obtained for the aging temperatures investigated by appropriate vertical and horizontal shifts. The enthalpy change during aging increases linearly with the logarithm of the aging time, t_a, leveling off at equilibrium at values which increase with decreasing aging temperature. Hence, both nonequilibrium and equilibrium temperature shift factors can be calculated from the DSC data. Good agreement is observed between the equilibrium temperature shift factors obtained from the creep and DSC data. The temperature dependence of the nonequilibrium temperature shift factors is found to be an order of magnitude smaller than that of the equilibrium shift factors. The time scales to reach equilibrium for enthalpy and for mechanical measurements are found to be the same within experimental error. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Simple and convenient synthesis of a fluorinated GM4 analogue

A series of fluorinated galactosides, dodecyl 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-d-galactopyranoside (2F Gal), dodecyl 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-β-d-galactopyranoside (4F Gal) and dodecyl 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-β-d-galactopyranoside (6F Gal), was chemically synthesized and introduced to B16 cells to serve as scaffolds for cellular enzyme glycosylation. Results showed that the presence of fluorine exercised significant effects on cell viability. Among the fluorinated galactosides used, 2F Gal was glycosylated to afford a GM4 analogue.     

Upward and downward heat and mass transfer with miniature periodically operating loop thermosyphons

Upward and downward two-phase heat and mass transfer has been considered in the present paper. The heat and mass transfer with the condenser located below the evaporator has been obtained by inserting an accumulator tank in the liquid line of a loop thermosyphon and enforcing a pressure pulsation. In previous papers these heat transfer devices have been called pulsated two phase thermosyphons (PTPT). A mini PTPT has been experimentally investigated. It has shown a stable periodic heat transfer regime weakly influenced by the position of the condenser with respect to the evaporator. In contrast a classical loop mini thermosyphon (diameter of connecting pipes 4 mm) did not achieve a stable functioning for the investigated level differences between evaporator and condenser lower than 0.37 m. The present study shows that the functioning of a PTPT device does not directly depend on the level difference or the presence of noncondensable gas. In order to obtain a natural circulation in mini or micro loops, a periodically operating heat transfer regime should therefore be considered.     

Neuropeptide imaging on an LTQ with vMALDI source: The complete ‘all-in-one’ peptidome analysis

Direct tissue imaging was performed on dissected insect tissue using a MALDI ion trap to visualize endogenous neuropeptides. Coupling tissue imaging to tandem MSⁿ allows for the identification of previously known species and the ability to identify new ones by de novo sequencing, as searchable databases for insects are sparse. Direct tissue imaging is an attractive technique for the study of neuropeptides as minimal sample preparation is required prior to mass spectrometry. We successfully identified neuropeptides present in the corpora cardiaca and allata of Acheta domesticus (the house cricket). Diagnostic fragments at low m/z were used to distinguish between lipids and neuropeptides. The distribution of peptides appears to be more differentially localized than that of phospholipids, which seem to be more evenly distributed within the tissue.