11,962 research outputs found
An intracellular pH gradient in the anammox bacterium Kuenenia stuttgartiensis as evaluated by (31)P NMR
The cytoplasm of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (anammox) bacteria consists of three compartments separated by membranes. It has been suggested that a proton motive force may be generated over the membrane of the innermost compartment, the “anammoxosome”. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was employed to investigate intracellular pH differences in the anammox bacterium Kuenenia stuttgartiensis. With in vivo NMR, spectra were recorded of active, highly concentrated suspensions of K. stuttgartiensis in a wide-bore NMR tube. At different external pH values, two stable and distinct phosphate peaks were apparent in the recorded spectra. These peaks were equivalent with pH values of 7.3 and 6.3 and suggested the presence of a proton motive force over an intracytoplasmic membrane in K.stuttgartiensis. This study provides for the second time—after discovery of acidocalcisome-like compartments in Agrobacterium tumefaciens—evidence for an intracytoplasmic pH gradient in a chemotrophic prokaryotic cell.BiotechnologyApplied Science
Concept and development of an autonomous wearable micro-fluidic platform for real time pH sweat analysis
In this work the development of an autonomous, robust and wearable micro-fluidic platform capable of performing on-line analysis of pH in sweat is discussed. Through the means of an optical detection system based on a surface mount light emitting diode (SMD LED) and a light photo sensor as a detector, a wearable system was achieved in which real-time monitoring of sweat pH was performed during 55 minutes of cycling activity. We have shown how through systems engineering, integrating miniaturised electrical components, and by improving the micro-fluidic chip characteristics, the wearability, reliability and performance of the micro-fluidic platform was significantly improved
Exploring the effect of the pH on the corrosion of multilayer nickel-chromium coatings
The impact of the pH on the corrosion of microporous nickel-chromium coatings has been explored at localised scale by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy and validated by potentiodynamic polarisation measurements. Results not only reveal the correlation between both techniques but also enables to identify the different corrosion rate after increasing the electrolyte aggressiveness varying the pH. However, independently of the pH, a similar corrosion mechanism was determined: the cross-section micrographs (by Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscope) have revealed an isotropic growth of the actives sites at early-stage corrosion as well as the attack of different nickel layers during the corrosion propagation.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Team Yaiza Gonzalez Garci
Il dibattito italiano su principi e clausole generale e l'ideale della certezza del diritto
This essay provides a critical assessment of the current Italian debate on general clauses and principles as set forth in a recent book edited by Giovanni D’Amico. The Author focuses on the role that legal certainty has played so far in this discussion and suggests that its impact on real life decisions and the functioning of the legal system has been greatly undervalued. The essay’s central argument attempts to demonstrate that, in the interpretation of general clauses and their translation into specific rules, the objective of legal certainty should be pursued and can ultimately be achieved
Dynamics of Network Formation Processes in the Co-Author Model
This article studies the dynamics in the formation processes of a mutual consent network in game theory setting: the Co-Author Model. In this article, a limited observation is applied and analytical results are derived. Then, 2 parameters are varied: the number of individuals in the network and the initial probability of the links in the network in its initial state. A simulation result shows a finding that is consistent with an analytical result for a state of equilibrium while it also shows different possible equilibria.Dynamics, Network, Game Theory, Model,Simulation, Equilibrium, Complexity
Analysis of load shedding strategies for battery management in PV-based rural off-grids
Accepted Author ManuscriptOld - EWI-ESE-DC&S DC systems & Storag
Quinolinium-Based Fluorescent Probes for Dynamic pH Monitoring in Aqueous Media at High pH Using Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging
Spatiotemporal pH imaging using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is an excellent technique for investigating dynamic (electro)chemical processes. However, probes that are responsive at high pH values are not available. Here, we describe the development and application of dedicated pH probes based on the 1-methyl-7-amino-quinolinium fluorophore. The high fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield, the high (photo)stability, and the inherent water solubility make the quinolinium fluorophore well suited for the development of FLIM probes. Due to the flexible fluorophore-spacer-receptor architecture, probe lifetimes are tunable in the pH range between 5.5 and 11. An additional fluorescence lifetime response, at tunable pH values between 11 and 13, is achieved by deprotonation of the aromatic amine at the quinolinium core. Probe lifetimes are hardly affected by temperature and the presence of most inorganic ions, thus making FLIM imaging highly reliable and convenient. At 0.1 mM probe concentrations, imaging at rates of 3 images per second, at a resolution of 4 μm, while measuring pH values up to 12 is achieved. This enables the pH imaging of dynamic electrochemical processes involving chemical reactions and mass transport.ChemE/Transport PhenomenaChemE/Opto-electronic MaterialsChemE/Advanced Soft Matte
Systemic neoadjuvant chemotherapy in modern pancreatic cancer treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains a disease with a poor prognosis despite advances in surgery and systemic therapies. Neoadjuvant therapy strategies are a promising alternative to adjuvant chemotherapy. However, their role remains controversial. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the benefits of neoadjuvant therapy in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.Methods: Eligible studies were identified from MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Studies comparing neoadjuvant therapy with a surgery first approach (with or without adjuvant therapy) in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were included. The primary outcome assessed was overall survival. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed, together with pooling of unadjusted Kaplan-Meier curve data.Results: A total of 533 studies were identified that analysed the effect of neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Twenty-seven studies were included in the final data synthesis. Meta-analysis suggested beneficial effects of neoadjuvant therapy with prolonged survival compared with a surgery-first approach, (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.69-0.76). In addition, R0 resection rates were significantly higher in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy (relative risk 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.47-0.55). Individual patient data analysis suggested that overall survival was better for patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy (P = 0.008).Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that neoadjuvant chemotherapy has a beneficial effect on overall survival in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in comparison with upfront surgery and adjuvant therapy. Further trials are needed to address the need for practice change
Charles Berlitz, Author of "Doomsday," Takes Predictions
Charles Berlitz, author of "Doomsday," makes predictions that life will cease after 2000 A.D
Changing the electron donor improves azoreductase dye degrading activity at neutral pH
The oxygen-insensitive azoreductase AzoRo originating from Rhodococcus opacus 1CP was found to be most active at low pH (ca. 4) and high temperature (ca. 50 °C). AzoRo is not an efficient biocatalyst when used at low pH due to stability problems. To overcome this issue, we discovered that AzoRo accepts an alternative electron donor, 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH), which allows fast turnover at neutral pH. In order to screen this nicotinamide coenzyme mimic as a source of electrons, AzoRo-catalysed reactions were run under neutral conditions, under which typically slow rates are observed with NADH. For the reduction of 1 azo bond by azoreductases 2 mol nicotinamide coenzyme are needed. AzoRo displayed Methyl Red (MR) reduction activities with NADH and NADPH of 5.49 ± 0.14 U mg−1 and 4.96 ± 0.25 U mg−1, respectively, whereas with BNAH it displayed 17.01 ± 0.74 U mg−1 (following BNAH oxidation) and 7.16 ± 0.06 U mg−1 (following MR reduction). Binding of BNAH to AzoRo was determined with a Km of 18.75 ± 2.45 μM (BNAH oxidation) and 12.45 ± 0.47 μM (MR reduction). In order to show applicability of this system an upscaled reaction was performed using 78.6 μg of purified AzoRo to convert 2.96 μmol of MR (total reaction volume: 40 ml) within a 1 h reaction.Accepted Author ManuscriptBT/Biocatalysi
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