Synthetic gene network for entraining and amplifying cellular oscillations

We present a model for a synthetic gene oscillator and consider the coupling of the oscillator to a periodic process that is intrinsic to the cell. We investigate the synchronization properties of the coupled system, and show how the oscillator can be constructed to yield a significant amplification of cellular oscillations. We reduce the driven oscillator equations to a normal form, and analytically determine the amplification as a function of the strength of the cellular oscillations. The ability to couple naturally occurring genetic oscillations to a synthetically designed network could lead to possible strategies for entraining and/or amplifying oscillations in cellular protein levels.     

Spatial resonances and superposition patterns in a reaction-diffusion model with interacting Turing modes

Spatial resonances leading to superlattice hexagonal patterns, known as "black-eyes," and superposition patterns combining stripes and/or spots are studied in a reaction-diffusion model of two interacting Turing modes with different wavelengths. A three-phase oscillatory interlacing hexagonal lattice pattern is also found, and its appearance is attributed to resonance between a Turing mode and its subharmonic.     

Some useful data of continuous variation method

Summary Conditions for the correct application of continuous variation are presented. The data (parameterR _mn , effective stability constant and total concentration) that enable a safe determination of the molar ratio metalligand (m/n) in the complex are computed. The possibility of the determination of true valuesm andn and effective stability constant from one continuous variation curve are discussed and demonstrated on the example of the iron(III)-chrome azurol S complex.

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Einige nützliche Daten zur Methode der kontinuierlichen Variation

Zusammenfassung Bedingungen für die korrekte Anwendung der Methode der kontinuierlichen Variation werden gegeben. Die Daten (ParameterR _mn effektive Stabilitätskonstante und Gesamtkonzentration), die eine zuverlässige Bestimmung des molaren Verhältnisses MetallLigand (m/n) im Komplex ermöglichen, werden berechnet. Die Möglichkeit zur Bestimmung der wahren Werte fürm undn sowie der effektiven Stabilitätskonstanten aus einer Kurve der kontinuierlichen Variation werden erörtert und am Beispiel des Eisen(III)-Chromazurol S-Komplexes demonstriert.

     

Photometric determination of calcium with antipyrylazo III

Antipyrylazo III or diantipyrylazo (3,6-bis(4-antipyrylazo)-4,5-dihydroxy-2, 7-napthalenedisulfonic acid) forms at PH 12.7 a complex Ca₂HL with calcium. The logarithmic overall stability constant, 10g β₂₁₁, is 23.99 ±0.03 (0.1 MNaClO₄,25°C).The effective molar absorptivity is 21,500 ±100 l mole^-1 cm^-1 at 605 nm. The complex can be used for a selective photometric determination of calcium(0.25–3.50μmole) if tri-and tetravalent ions are removed by extraction with cupferron (into chloroform) and transition divalent ions are masked with sodium cyanide. Only strontium (0.5 μmole) and EDTA (0.1 μmole) interfere seriously.     

Spectrophotometric investigation of analytically important metal complexes

Summary A convenient way of estimation of composition, molar absorptivity, effective and overall stability constants of complexes M _m Y _i H _j L _n is described.

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Spektrophotometrische Untersuchung von analytisch bedeutenden Metallkomplexen

Zusammenfassung Methoden zur Berechnung der Zusammensetzung, des molaren Extinktionskoeffizienten sowie der effektiven und Brutto-Stabilitätskonstanten von Komplexen der Art M _m Y _i H _j L _n werden beschrieben.

     

Organopolysiloxanes as Chemically Sensitive Coatings for Optical Fibers

Various types of UV-curable organically modified siloxanes have been synthesized by the sol-gel method with the aim of fabricating chemically sensitive coatings for silica optical fibers. The refractive index of the coating material can be tailored in the range from 1.46 to 1.56 and sensitivity towards CO2 is achieved by incorporation of amino groups. The interaction of the cured layers with CO2 or with hydrocarbons has been studied in immersion experiments. Both the reaction of CO2 with incorporated amino groups and the penetration of hydrocarbons into the layer induce changes of the light absorption coefficient and the refractive index of the coating which are detected by measuring the output light intensity from the fiber.     

Turing patterns in the chlorine dioxide-iodine-malonic acid reaction with square spatial periodic forcing

We use the photosensitive chlorine dioxide-iodine-malonic acid reaction-diffusion system to study wavenumber locking of Turing patterns to two-dimensional "square" spatial forcing, implemented as orthogonal sets of bright bands projected onto the reaction medium. Various resonant structures emerge in a broad range of forcing wavelengths and amplitudes, including square lattices and superlattices, one-dimensional stripe patterns and oblique rectangular patterns. Numerical simulations using a model that incorporates additive two-dimensional spatially periodic forcing reproduce well the experimental observations.     

Screening for acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant activity of selected plants from Croatia

The methanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of selected Croatian plants were tested for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and antioxidant activity. Assessment of AChE inhibition was carried out using microplate reader at 1?mg?mL?1. Antioxidant capacities were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test and ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay (FRAP). Total phenol content (TPC) of extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method. Out of 48 extracts, only methanolic extract of the Salix alba L. cortex exerted modest activity towards AChE, reaching 50.80% inhibition at concentration of 1?mg?mL?1. All the other samples tested had activity below 20%. The same extract performed the best antioxidative activity using DPPH and FRAP method, too. In essence, among all extracts used in the screening, methanolic extracts showed the best antioxidative activity as well as highest TPC.     

Enhanced post-source decay and cross-ring fragmentation of oligosaccharides facilitated by conversion to amino derivatives

Post-source decay (PSD) fragmentation of chemically or enzymatically produced aminoglycans has been evaluated through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Conversion of native glycans to their respective aminoglycan derivatives improved detection sensitivity of the usual fragments and promoted cross-ring fragmentation of linear oligosaccharides, facilitating linkage recognition. The cross-ring fragmentations for both dextrin and dextran oligosaccharides were not limited to the reducing-end glucose moiety, as they were extended throughout the entire molecule. When the amino group was generated for N-glycans derived from three different glycoproteins, an enhancement of PSD was observed, without a significant extent of cross-ring fragmentation.