Finite Degree Holomorphic Covers of Compact Riemann Surfaces

A conjecture of Ehrenpreis states that any two compact Riemann surfaces of genus at least two have finite degree unbranched holomorphic covers that are arbitrarily close to each other in moduli space. Here we prove a weaker result where certain branched covers associated with arithmetic Riemann surfaces are allowed, and investigate the connection of our result with the original conjecture.     

ASYMPTOTIC APPROXIMATION METHOD AND ITS CONVERGENCE ON SEMI-INFINITE PROGRAMMING

The aim of this article is to discuss an asymptotic approximation model and its convergence for the minimax semi-infinite programming problem. An asymptotic surrogate constraints method for the minimax semi-infinite programming problem is presented by making use of two general discrete approximation methods. Simultaneously, the consistence and the epi-convergence of the asymptotic approximation problem are discussed.     

A 45 ns 8+ isomer in the doubly odd150Eu nucleus

In the doubly odd ₆₃ ¹⁵⁰ Eu⁸⁷ nucleus a 45 ns 8⁺ isomer at 589 keV excitation has been identified through (p, 3n) in beamγ ande ^? measurements. The low lying negative parity levels populated in its decay show great similarity to analogous states in the lighter odd-odd Eu neighbours suggesting a spherical shape for¹⁵⁰Eu. A spherical shape is also proposed for the isomer which is assigned as (πh _11/2 vf ₇ ^2/?3 )8⁺ state analogous to the 9⁺ isomers known in¹⁴⁸Eu and¹⁴⁶Eu. The spin change is attributed to the crossing of the half-filledf _7/2 neutron shell atN=86.     

Kinetics of bioconjugate nanoparticle label binding in a sandwich-type immunoassay

Nanoparticle labels have enhanced the performance of diagnostic, screening, and other measurement applications and hold further promise for more sensitive, precise, and cost-effective assay technologies. Nevertheless, a clear view of the biomolecular interactions on the molecular level is missing. Controlling the ratio of molecular recognition over undesired nonspecific adhesion is the key to improve biosensing with nanoparticles. To improve this ratio with an aim to disallow nonspecific binding, a more detailed perspective into the kinetic differences between the cases is needed. We present the application of two novel methods to determine complex binding kinetics of bioconjugate nanoparticles, interferometry, and force spectroscopy. Force spectroscopy is an atomic force microscopy technique and optical interferometry is a direct method to monitor reaction kinetics in second-hour timescale, both having steadily increasing importance in nanomedicine. The combination is perfectly suited for this purpose, due to the high sensitivity to detect binding events and the ability to investigate biological samples under physiological conditions. We have attached a single biofunctionalized nanoparticle to the outer tip apex and studied the binding behavior of the nanoparticle in a sandwich-type immunoassay using dynamic force spectroscopy in millisecond timescale. Utilization of the two novel methods allowed characterization of binding kinetics in a time range spanning from 50 ms to 4 h. These experiments allowed detection and demonstration of differences between specific and nonspecific binding. Most importantly, nonspecific binding of a nanoparticle was reduced at contact times below 100 ms with the solid-phase surface.

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Figure A single biofunctionalized nanoparticle was attached to the outer tip apex and the binding behavior of the nanoparticle in a sandwich-type immunoassay, A) without analyte, B) with analyte and C) saturating analyte concentration, was recorded using dynamic force spectroscopy in millisecond timescale. The setting allowed measurement of the association speed of nonspecific binding.

     

In-beam spectroscopy of 253, 254No

In-beam conversion electron spectroscopy experiments have been performed on the transfermium nuclei ^{253, 254}No using the conversion electron spectrometer SACRED in nearly collinear geometry in conjunction with the gas-filled separator RITU at the University of Jyv?skyl?. The experimental setup is discussed and the spectra are compared to Monte Carlo simulations. The implications for the ground-state configuration of ²⁵³No are discussed. Received: 21 March 2002 / Accepted: 16 May 2002 / Published online: 31 October 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: rdh@ns.ph.liv.ac.uk RID="b" ID="b"Present address: GANIL, F-14021 Caen, France. RID="c" ID="c"Permanent address: IReS Strasbourg, IN2P3-CNRS, F-67037-Strasbourg, France. RID="d" ID="d"Present address: CEA/DIF DCRE/SDE/LDN F-91680 Bruyeres-le-Chatel. RID="e" ID="e"Present address: Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury WA4 4AD, UK. RID="f" ID="f"Permanent address: IPN Lyon, IN2P3-CNRS, F-69037 Lyon, France.     

0+ states and E0 and E2 transition rates in even Sn nuclei

0⁺ states and their depopulating E0 and E2 transitions have been studied in ^112–124Sn. Several methods of γ-ray and electron spectrometry have been employed, including special coincidence techniques for lifetime, conversion electron and double Coulomb excitation measurements. For ^114–118Sn the E2 transition probabilities from the first excited 0⁺states (0₂⁺) are about 20 W.u., which is compatible with a vibrational two-phonon character. Also the E0 transition probabilities from these states are within a factor of two from the vibrational values. For the second excited 0⁺ states (0₃⁺) the corresponding E2 and E0 transition probabilities are considerably smaller. A total of 12 E0 transitions have been observed. The 0₃⁺ → 0₂⁺ transition is observed in ^114–120Sn and has in ¹¹⁶Sn a reduced transition probability 1–2 orders of magnitude larger than those of the groundstate E0 transitions, which indicates that the 0₃⁺ and 0₂⁺ states are strong mixtures of components with different 〈r²〉. The 0⁺ states in ¹¹⁶Sn are discussed as possible rotational band heads associated with a deformation β₂ ≈ 0.2. The Coulomb excitation cross section of the 0₂⁺ state is found to be sensitive to an interference term including matrix elements with the 2₂⁺ state. The relative sign of this term has been determined.     

A disposable biosensor for the determination of alpha-amylase in human saliva

A disposable tri-enzymatic biosensor is presented for the determination of α-amylase in human saliva. It is based on the quantity of maltose generated by hydrolysis of maltopentose in the presence of salivary α-amylase. The biosensor is fabricated by co-immobilization of the enzymes α-glucosidase, glucose oxidase, and mutarotase on screen-printed electrodes modified with Prussian Blue. The assay can be performed with a “drop” of sample, this allowing for ease and simplicity. A linear relationship is found for the range from 5 to 250 units per mL, with an LOD of 5 units per mL. The biosensor is stable for at least one month and over this time retains 80% of its original activity. The system was then evaluated for matrix effects of human saliva and compared to a spectrometric method using a commercially available kit.     

Characterization of the first beta-class carbonic anhydrase from an arthropod (Drosophila melanogaster) and phylogenetic analysis of beta-class carbonic anhydrases in invertebrates

Background

The β-carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) enzymes have been reported in a variety of organisms, but their existence in animals has been unclear. The purpose of the present study was to perform extensive sequence analysis to show that the β-CAs are present in invertebrates and to clone and characterize a member of this enzyme family from a representative model organism of the animal kingdom, e.g., Drosophila melanogaster.

Results

The novel β-CA gene, here named DmBCA, was identified from FlyBase, and its orthologs were searched and reconstructed from sequence databases, confirming the presence of β-CA sequences in 55 metazoan species. The corresponding recombinant enzyme was produced in Sf9 insect cells, purified, kinetically characterized, and its inhibition was investigated with a series of simple, inorganic anions. Holoenzyme molecular mass was defined by dynamic light scattering analysis and gel filtration, and the results suggested that the holoenzyme is a dimer. Double immunostaining confirmed predictions based on sequence analysis and localized DmBCA protein to mitochondria. The enzyme showed high CO₂ hydratase activity, with a k_cat of 9.5 × 10⁵ s^-1 and a k_cat/K_M of 1.1 × 10⁸ M^{- 1}s^{- 1}. DmBCA was appreciably inhibited by the clinically-used sulfonamide acetazolamide, with an inhibition constant of 49 nM. It was moderately inhibited by halides, pseudohalides, hydrogen sulfide, bisulfite and sulfate (K_I values of 0.67 - 1.36 mM) and more potently by sulfamide (K_I of 0.15 mM). Bicarbonate, nitrate, nitrite and phenylarsonic/boronic acids were much weaker inhibitors (K_Is of 26.9 - 43.7 mM).

Conclusions

The Drosophila β-CA represents a highly active mitochondrial enzyme that is a potential model enzyme for anti-parasitic drug development.