Effect of spermine and DNase on DNA release from bacteriophage T5

Bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) consist of nucleic acid protected by a protein envelope called capsid. At the start of infection, the phage genome is translocated into the bacterial cytoplasm. In vitro (and also in vivo), this DNA release can be triggered by binding a specific receptor protein to the phage tail. The force responsible for the release arises from energy stored in the capsid due to strong confinement of the DNA. We show that this force can be modified by adding molecules like spermine that affect DNA conformation. The tetravalent cation spermine can reduce the pressure inside the capsid and induce condensation of the released DNA. We examine the effect of spermine on DNA ejection from phage T5 by using light scattering and gel electrophoresis to measure the amount of DNA remaining in the capsid at the end of ejection. We discuss the results in terms of free energy minimization and we demonstrate that the presence of a DNA condensate outside the phage generates an additional force pulling passively on the DNA remaining inside the capsid.     

Supershell structure in alkali metal nanowires

Nanowires are formed by indenting and subsequently retracting two pieces of sodium metal. Their cross section gradually reduces upon retraction and the diameters can be obtained from the conductance. In previous work we have demonstrated that when one constructs a histogram of diameters from large numbers of indentation-retraction cycles such histograms show a periodic pattern of stable nanowire diameters due to shell structure in the conductance modes. Here, we report the observation of a modulation of this periodic pattern, in agreement with predictions of a supershell structure.     

Methodology for the determination of gaseous hydrogen peroxide in ambient air

Summary A method for the determination of gaseous hydrogen peroxide in ambient air is described. The cryogenic sampling technique (–45 ° C) employed represents an improvement compared with the impinger technique by diminishing artifacts which are bound to liquid phase production and decomposition, respectively. Results are given of H₂O₂ measurements from October 1984 to July 1985 in Dortmund (FRG), with mean concentrations of about 30 ppt (v/v). Preliminary results obtained with a coated denuder as a sampling device are also presented.

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Methodik zur Bestimmung von gasförmigem Wasserstoffperoxid in Umgebungsluft

Zusammenfassung Ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung von gasförmigem Wasserstoffperoxid in Umgebungsluft wird beschrieben. Die vorgeschlagene Verwendung eines Kryo-Sammlers (–45 °C) stellt insofern eine Verbesserung gegenüber der bisher üblichen Waschflaschen-Probenahme dar, als damit die bei Absorption in flüssiger Phase beobachteten Artefakte — Bildung und auch Zersetzung von Wasserstoffperoxid — deutlich vermindert werden. Feldmessungen, die zwischen Oktober 1984 und Juli 1985 auf dem Gelände der Universität Dortmund durchgeführt wurden, ergaben mittlere H₂O₂-Gasphasenkonzentrationen um 30 pptv. Darüber hinaus werden die Ergebnisse erster Versuche mit beschichteten Diffusionsabscheidern als Sammler für gasförmiges Wasserstoffperoxid vorgestellt.

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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. H. Monien on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Elemental composition of dental biologic tissues: study by means of different analytical techniques

The present study determined the organic and inorganic composition of human enamel and dentin. The instrumental neutron activation analysis, inductively-coupled plasma spectrometer, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis applied were and performed in the Nuclear Technology Development Centre (CDTN) and Elemental Analysis in the Department of Chemistry of the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil. The coronal dentin and enamel were separated from dentin mechanically (1) and by wear (2). The analyses were effective and led to the identification of the main elements present in enamel and dentin: Ca, Na, Cl, Zn, P, Mg, N, C, H, O. There was no contamination of samples of enamel or dentin in either separation technique; however, with separation technique 1, lower percentages of mainly Ca (7.25%) and O (15.16%) components were detected in dentin compared with technique 2.     

Evaluation of the effects of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus on inoculated citrus plants using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and chemometrics tools

This study investigated the organic and inorganic constituents of healthy leaves and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas)-inoculated leaves of citrus plants. The bacteria CLas are one of the causal agents of citrus greening (or Huanglongbing) and its effect on citrus leaves was investigated using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) combined with chemometrics. The information obtained from the LIBS spectra profiles with chemometrics analysis was promising for the construction of predictive models to identify healthy and infected plants. The major, macro- and microconstituents were relevant for differentiation of the sample conditions. The models were then applied to different inoculation times (from 1 to 8 months). The models were effective in the classification of 82-97% of the diseased samples with a 95% significance level. The novelty of this method was in the fingerprinting of healthy and diseased plants based on their organic and inorganic contents.     

Combination of Raman, Infrared, and X-Ray Energy-Dispersion Spectroscopies and X-Ray Diffraction to Study a Fossilization Process

X-ray diffraction was combined with X-ray energy-dispersion, Fourier-transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopies to study the fossilization of a Cretaceous specimen of the plant Brachyphyllum castilhoi, a fossil from the Ipubi Formation, in the Araripe Sedimentary Basin, Northeastern Brazil. Among the possible fossilization processes, which could involve pyrite, silicon oxide, calcium oxide, or other minerals, we were able to single out pyritization as the central mechanism producing the fossil, more than 100 million years ago. In addition to expanding the knowledge of the Ipubi Formation, this study shows that, when combined with other experimental techniques, Raman spectroscopy is a valuable tool at the paleontologist’s disposal.     

Vapor–liquid equilibrium calculations for refrigerant mixtures with the Mattedi–Tavares–Castier EOS

The present study uses the Mattedi–Tavares–Castier EOS to investigate VLE predictions for refrigerant binary mixtures. The refrigerant molecules are treated either by the associated-group or the uniform-molecular model. In the associated-group model, the refrigerant molecule is split into three groups: an electron-donor (α), an electron-acceptor (β), and a dispersion group (D). In the uniform-molecular model, the refrigerant molecule is represented as a single group. Results obtained with the MTC EOS are in agreement with experimental data reported in the literature. The EOS that treats refrigerant molecules with groups that can associate gives worse results than the uniform-molecular model.