Enzymatic Oxygen Microsensor Based on Bilirubin Oxidase Applied to Microbial Fuel Cells Analysis

A selective oxygen biosensor based on bilirubin oxidase (BOx) was developed. The sensor was used for determining oxygen profiles in a membraneless, single‐chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC), fed with raw wastewater. The linear response of the sensor was optimized by a diffusion layer of silica gel. A computer‐controlled stage was used to obtain accurate and precise measurements. Oxygen concentration in biofilms covering electrodes was measured, showing 3 mg L^?1 of O₂ in the bulk solution, decreasing to 0 mg L^?1 in the cathodic biofilm. The MFC generated power in the range of 0–0.08 mW, associated to the oxygen content.     

Explanation of different combinations of phase transitions via the generalized entropy function

In this contribution, scaling properties of hyperbolic and nonhyperbolic model systems are discussed by using the generalized thermodynamic formalism. With the help of this approach, insight into the possible occurrence of phase transitions in the various entropy-like scaling functions can be gained. These effects are shown to be determined by the existence of a critical line in the surface described by the generalized entropy function.     

The Effects of Glutamate and GABA (Gamma-Amino-Butyric-Acid) on Spontaneous Acetylcholine Release at the Neuromuscular Junction in Xenopus Laevis Embryo Cell Cultures

The miniature endplate currents (MEPC's) were recorded at the neuromuscular junction of Xenopus laevis embryo neuron-muscle co-cultured cells. These MEPC's were due to the spontaneous release of acetylcholine from the nerve terminal. After perfusion with glutamate (10 μmol/L), both frequency and amplitude of the MEPC's increased. After washing away of glutamate, this effect persisted. We named this phenomena "Long-Term Facilitation".GABA (20 μmol/L) on the other hand had an inhibitory effect on both frequency and amplitude of the MEPC's. After washing away of GABA, the MEPC frequency and amplitude increased. We named this effect "Post-Potentiation". Local perfusion experiments furthermore indicated that the effect of glutamate was restricted to the neuromuscular junction, the effect of GABA was restricted to the soma.     

Prion protein self-peptides modulate prion interactions and conversion

Background  

Molecular mechanisms underlying prion agent replication, converting host-encoded cellular prion protein (PrP^C) into the scrapie associated isoform (PrP^Sc), are poorly understood. Selective self-interaction between PrP molecules forms a basis underlying the observed differences of the PrP^C into PrP^Sc conversion process (agent replication). The importance of previously peptide-scanning mapped ovine PrP self-interaction domains on this conversion was investigated by studying the ability of six of these ovine PrP based peptides to modulate two processes; PrP self-interaction and conversion.     

Comment on the Shiner–Davison–Landsberg Measure

The complexity measure from Shiner et al. [Physical Review E 59, 1999, 1459–1464] (henceforth abbreviated as SDL-measure) has recently been the subject of a fierce debate. We discuss the properties and shortcomings of this measure, from the point of view of our recently constructed fundamental, statistical mechanics-based measures of complexity C_s(γ,β) [Stoop et al., J. Stat. Phys. 114, 2004, 1127–1137]. We show explicitly, what the shortcomings of the SDL-measure are: It is over-universal, and the implemented temperature dependence is trivial. We also show how the original SDL-approach can be modified to rule out these points of critique. Results of this modification are shown for the logistic parabola.