Microarray-based in vitro evaluation of DNA oligomer libraries designed in silico.

We report on the microarray-based in vitro evaluation of two libraries of DNA oligonucleotide sequences, designed in silico for applications in supramolecular self-assembly, such as DNA computing and DNA-based nanosciences. In this first study which is devoted to the comparison of sequence motif properties theoretically predicted with their performance in real-life, the DNA-directed immobilization (DDI) of proteins was used as an example of DNA-based self-assembly. Since DDI technologies, DNA computing, and DNA nanoconstruction essentially depend on similar prereguisites, in particular, large and uniform hybridization efficiencies combined with low nonspecific cross-reactivity between individual sequences, we anticipate that the microarray approach demonstrated here will enable rapid evaluation of other DNA sequence libraries.     

Interesting interferences in a direct serum creatinine reaction

A spectrophotometric study on a direct picric acid reaction for creatinine in severely jaundiced serums is described. A problem appears to be caused by the oxidation of bilirubin which minimizes rising absorbance when using continuous measurement. Simple examples of interferences with the kinetic mode are shown along with the hitherto unreported interference of the drug, Cephalothin, which also undergoes a picric acid reaction. A procedure in which a delta absorbance is obtained after decolorization of the Jaffé complex by acidification is shown as one available means for obviating the bilirubin effect. However, the theory that Jaffé-reactive interferences do not decolorize with the same acid treatment is not totally applicable when the drug, Cephalothin, is present.     

Composition and thermal stability of SiO2-based hybrid materials TEOS-MTEOS system

Hybrid materials with different amounts of organics permanently bound on the inorganic network obtained in the TEOS-MTEOS (tetraethoxysilan-methyltriethoxysilan) system are used for obtaining coatings with different optical and mechanical properties. To study the thermal stability of the mentioned materials, compositions with different molar ratios of the precursors were prepared. The influence of the solvent and water amounts on the gelation process was also investigated. The gels obtained were characterised by IR spectrometry and their decomposition temperatures were determined by DTA/TG. Thermal stability of the gels is rather influenced by their composition than the conditions of the gelation process. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Essential serum trace metals: I. Determination of iron

Studies of serum iron determination have been described using sensitive color reagents of high molar absorptivities. Each selective reaction for iron is strengthened by means of complexing molecules which eliminate trace metal interferences. One ligand. 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol, exhibits two sensitive peaks, either of which can be used to determine iron quantitatively if an interference is present at one wavelength, or to qualitatively help ensure by ratio measurement that iron is the only metal determined. The second ligand, 2,4-bis(5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin3-yl) pyridinetetrasulfonic acid, is not only sensitive but has the capability of measuring iron, copper, or both by a judicious choice of selective conditions. Each compound has a useful potential in either discrete sampling or on-stream automation.     

Radiation dose contribution from coal-slags used as structural building material

A significant dose contribution on the population could be derived from coal slags used as isolation material. Extremely high natural activities are measured in the coal slag, derived from the region of the settlement Ajka, Hungary. In some buildings monitored, the elevated -doses were nearly 5–10 times higher than the world average ones. The annual average indoor radon concentrations from the slag exceeded 400 Bq/m³ and in some cases up to 1200 Bq/m³. Due to the elevated exposure and the radon concentrations in the dwellings the annual dose was estimated to 8–24 mSv/y more than 5–10 times of the world average one.     

CIRCULAR DICHROISM SPECTRA OF SYSTEM I PARTICLES FROM NORMAL CHLOROPLASTS AND CAROTENOID-DEFICIENT MUTANTS OF MAIZE

Abstract— Circular dichroism (CD) spectra were studied in System I particles prepared by digitonin fragmentation of chloroplasts of normal maize and carotenoid-deficient mutants. CD bands of pigment molecules were found to be higher in particles than in solutions. This phenomenon was most pronounced for the particles containing the carotenoid composition of normal chloroplast lamellae. The CD signal of chlorophylls bound to particles of carotenoid-deficient chloroplasts was closer to that found in solutions. This indicates that aggregation and/or binding of chlorophylls in carotenoid-deficient mutants may be less extensive than in normal chloroplasts.     

Electro-osmotic pore pressures in soil due to an alternating electrical field

Pore pressure development in a soil specimen due to electro-osmosis under alternating current conditions is examined theoretically. Solutions to the governing equation are derived for one-dimensional flow with boundary conditions corresponding to an impervious (conventional no-flow boundary), a partially drained boundary, and a partially drained boundary with an intervening permeable zone between the boundary and the soil. These latter two boundary conditions can arise from details of pore pressure measuring systems at the specimen boundaries during laboratory experiments. An analysis of the solutions indicates that for a perfect no-flow boundary, excess pore pressures measured at an electrode consist of a steady state and rapidly-decaying transient response. The pore pressures exhibit a 45 degree phase shift relative to the applied electric current. The effect of the partially drained boundary is to reduce the peak to peak amplitude of the pore pressure and to increase the phase shift to as much as 90 degrees depending on the compressibility of the pore pressure measuring system. The effect of the impeded and partially drained boundary is to further reduce the amplitude of the pore pressures and to increase the phase shift to as much as 180 degrees depending on the relative permeability of the impeded boundary.