Adaption of a fragment analysis technique to an automated high-throughput multicapillary electrophoresis device for the precise qualitative and quantitative characterization of microbial communities

The analysis of microbial communities is of increasing importance in life sciences and bioengineering. Traditional techniques of investigations like culture or cloning methods suffer from many disadvantages. They are unable to give a complete qualitative and quantitative view of the total amount of microorganisms themselves, their interactions among each other and with their environment. Obviously, the determination of static or dynamic balances among microorganisms is of fast growing interest. The generation of species specific and fluorescently labeled 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) fragments by the terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) technique is a suitable tool to overcome the problems other methods have. For the separation of these fragments polyacrylamide gel sequencers are preferred as compared to capillary sequencers using linear polymers until now because of their higher electrophoretic resolution and therefore sizing accuracy. But modern capillary sequencers, especially multicapillary sequencers, offer an advanced grade of automation and an increased throughput necessary for the investigation of complex communities in long-time studies. Therefore, we adapted a T-RFLP technique to an automated high-throughput multicapillary electrophoresis device (ABI 3100 Genetic Analysis) with regard to a precise qualitative and quantitative characterization of microbial communities.     

Kinetic parameters of the In(III)/In(I) electrode reaction in bromide medium

The electrode kinetic parameters of the In(III)/In(I) couple in acidic 4M bromide solution have been determined by means of the rotating disc electrode technique.

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Die elektrochemisch-kinetischen Parameter des In(III)/In(I)-Redoxsystems in Bromidlösung (Kurze Mitteilung)

Zusammenfassung Die elektrochemisch-kinetischen Parameter am In(III)/In(I)-Redoxsystem wurden in saurer 4-M-Bromidlösung mittels der rotierenden Scheibenelektrode bestimmt.

     

Structure of the O-Specific Polysaccharide of Hafnia Alvei 23 Having an Oligosaccharide-Phosphate Repeating Unit

ABSTRACT

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Hafnia alvei 23 has an acid-labile O-specific polysaccharide (OPS) with a pentasaccharide-phosphate repeating unit containing D-Glc1P, D-GlcNAc, L-Fuc, 6-deoxy-D-talose (D-6dTal), 4-acetamido-4,6-dideoxy-D-glucose (D-Qui4NAc), and an O-acetyl group. A partially degraded OPS was obtained by hydrolysis of LPS with 0.25 M sodium acetate in aqueous 0.5% acetic acid. Fractionation of LPS on Sephadex G-200 in DOC buffer allowed isolation of long-chain LPS species which, together with OPS, were studied by methylation analysis, chemical degradations (O-deacetylation, dephosphorylation with 48% hydrofluoric acid, Smith degradation), and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, including 2D COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, and H-detected ¹H,¹³C heteronuclear single-quantum coherence (HSQC) experiments. The following structure of the repeating unit of OPS was established:     

Paraxial designing of planar waveguide variable-index focusing elements: Part 1—lenses of circular symmetry

A paraxial ray equation is used to evaluate refractive index profiles for a family of radially symmetric planar waveguide lenses. Two cases are considered: the (theoretically) full-aperture solution, and the solution with smooth index variation (non-full-aperature case). In deriving the latter case a new method has been applied that consists of the proper choice of a continuous deflection function. Both types of index profiles are described by exceptionally simple formulas.     

Spin squeezing in finite temperature Bose-Einstein condensates: Scaling with the system size

We perform a multimode treatment of spin squeezing induced by interactions in atomic condensates, and we show that, at finite temperature, the maximum spin squeezing has a finite limit when the atom number N →∞ at fixed density and interaction strength. To calculate the limit of the squeezing parameter for a spatially homogeneous system we perform a double expansion with two small parameters: 1/N in the thermodynamic limit and the non-condensed fraction ⟨N _nc⟩/N in the Bogoliubov limit. To test our analytical results beyond the Bogoliubov approximation, and to perform numerical experiments, we use improved classical field simulations with a carefully chosen cut-off, such that the classical field model gives for the ideal Bose gas the correct non-condensed fraction in the Bose-condensed regime.     

Synthesis and Sm/Sm doping effects on photoluminescence properties of Sr4Al14O25

Complete and partial samarium reduction was achieved under strong reducing atmosphere by solid-state and combustion synthesis of Sr_3.96Sm_0.04Al₁₄O₂₅. Dependence of different fluxing agents on the formation of various strontium aluminates was examined. The samples were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, temperature dependent luminescence decay and photoluminescence measurements. Excitation with UV radiation resulted in sharp and well resolved emission lines of samarium ions. Distinct temperature behavior for Sm²⁺ and Sm³⁺ were detected in the range of 100-500 K. Estimated emission thermal quenching values (TQ_1/2) for divalent samarium were approximately 270 K while for trivalent state around 660 K. Measured luminescence decay values of Sm²⁺ are substantially lower than for Sm³⁺,≈1.7 and ≈2.7 ms, respectively. The spectral feature of Sm²⁺ emission spectrum indicates that dopant occupies low symmetry site in Sr₄Al₁₄O₂₅ compound.     

DELAYED MICROSECOND LUMINESCENCE OF PHYCOBILISOMES

The time-resolved luminescence spectra (in the microsecond range) of phycobilisomes and biliproteins in buffer and polymer matrix were measured in the temperature range from 8 K. to 293 K. Delayed luminescence located in the same spectral region as prompt fluorescence of investigated samples (DLF) and the long-wavelength delayed emission in the720–760 nm range (DL1) was observed. The temperature and viscosity dependencies of DLF and DL1 luminescences were different, but both do not have uniexponential decays and are not quenched by oxygen. This means that delayed luminescence could be generated without the participation of the triplet states, or the chromophores could be shielded by protein against interaction with oxygen. The linear dependence of delayed luminescence on exciting light intensity shows that delayed luminescence is monophotonically induced. It seems that both DLF and DL1 are related to electron-cation recombination, which yields excited singlet states. The DLF is emitted from the first excited singlet state of biliprotein chromophores and DL1 from the same state of the excimers or from the triplet state of some groups of chromophores. Ionization energy of chromophores can be lowered as a result of their interactions with the environment. Delay of emission is due to the trapping or solvation of electrons. Every type of biliprotein consisting of phycobilisomes possesses its own “trap” and can emit the DL. In the case of native phycobilisomes a competition between the excitation energy trapping and transfer occurs.     

DELAYED EMISSION OF CHLOROPHYLL a AGGREGATES AND RHODAMINE 6G EMBEDDED IN POLYMER MATRIX*

Delayed luminescence (in the microsecond time range) of the chlorophyll (Chl) a“dry” form as well as hydrated dimers located in a polyvinylalcohol film was measured from room temperature down to 8 K. In the same matrix the delayed luminescence of rhodamine 6G (Rhod) was investigated. The delayed emission both of Chl a and Rhod is probably due to the formation and delayed recombination of a radical pair. It seems that this process occurs without participation of triplet states, as it does not reflect their well-known sensitivity to oxygen. The temperature dependence of the delayed luminescence of vanous Chl forms is different. In the region around 678 nm (dry monomer) delayed luminescence needs a thermal activation energy of about 0.03 eV, whereas at 740 nm (wet aggregates) delayed luminescence intensity increases linearly with decreasing temperature. Its assignment as a-type delayed luminescence from the low-lying triplet state can consistently be excluded from both the weak temperature dependence of the delayed fluorescence and its large intensity as compared to the prompt fluorescence. Delayed luminescence of Rhod is almost independent of temperature between 8 K and 300 K. The dependence of delayed luminescence intensity on exciting light intensity is linear at lower intensities and tends to saturation at higher. Therefore the delayed luminescence is not related to exciton annihilation. Positions and intensities of the Chl delayed luminescence bands show that it is not phosphorescence (β-type delayed luminescence). The aggregation of both Chl and Rhod molecules strongly influences delayed luminescence since it differs in several properties if excited in the monomer or in the aggregate absorption range. Every aggregational form of dye emits its characteristic delayed luminescence band.     

Thermal and Some other Properties of 2,4′-Bipyridyl Complexes with Various Salts of Lead(II)

New complexes of lead(II) with 2,4′-bipyridyl (L), with the general formulae PbL₂X₂ (where X ^?1=Cl, Br, I, NCS) and PbL₃X₂ (where (X]^?1=NO₃, ClO₄), have been prepared. Analysis of the IR spectra indicates that the 2,4′-bipyridyl is bonded to the Pb(II) ion through the least hindering N(4′). The thermal decompositions of the complexes were studied under non-isothermal conditions in air. The intermediates of decomposition at different temperatures were characterized by thermal analysis (TG and DTG), chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction. Upon heating, the complexes undergo full or partial deamination. The complexes PbL₂Cl₂ and PbL₂Br₂ decompose to volatile lead(II) halide. PbO is the final product of decomposition for the other complexes.