Maximum Rate Of Activity Research Articles

A Comprehensive Method for Casein-based Assay of Soil Protease Activity

ABSTRACT Proteolytic enzymes play an important role in soil N cycling and are assayed by measuring protease activity. The casein substrate-based method of Ladd and Butler is commonly used to assay soil protease activities, but usage is constrained by several issues: methodological details in the original protocol are incomplete; controls for non-enzymatic activity are missing; and modifications of the assay have led to inconsistencies in how activities are measured. To clarify soil protease assays and improve their accuracy, we describe a comprehensive protocol in which field-moist soil is incubated with casein for 2 h at 50°C, and protease activity is determined by colorimetric measurement of the tyrosine produced after correction for soil- and substrate-only controls. The importance of such correction was investigated by a comparative study involving a single soil-substrate control as well as the dual-control approach. Soil-specific optimization of assay conditions was achieved by kinetic characterization of the maximum rate of activity (Vmax) and the substrate concentration required to obtain half of Vmax (Km). Soil protease activities were higher with a single control due to differential extraction of humic-phenolic substances, and for this reason, the dual-control approach is recommended. The procedure detailed herein stands to enhance the utility of casein-based assays of soil protease activities and improve the value of these assays for comparative applications.

Activation, activity and inactivation of factor VIII in factor VIII products.

Factor VIII (FVIII) products used in haemophilia A treatment show inter-and intra-product and inter-assay differences in specific activity. The mechanistic basis of these differences remains unclear. The aim of this study was to mechanistically compare the functional properties of an in-house excipient-free full-length FVIII standard and pharmacologic recombinant products containing full-length (products A and B) or B-domainless (C and D) FVIII. Factor VIII protein concentration was quantitated by ELISA. Product potency determinations (APTT, intrinsic tenase assays) and kinetic analyses detailing these products' activations by thrombin and FXa, their spontaneous and activated protein C (APC) catalysed inactivation and their performances in coagulation proteome reconstructions were studied +/- von Willebrand factor (VWF). Computational models were developed to facilitate interpretation of empirical data. Factor VIII protein content per manufacturer activity unit was highest for product C with the other three products similar to the standard. Potency estimates, done five different ways, varied 20-30% in inter- and intra-assay comparisons, with product B consistently showing lower specific activity. Kinetic analyses showed the five FVIII species to differ somewhat in maximum rate of activation, the maximum level of activity achieved, the rate of spontaneous or APC catalysed inactivation and the magnitude of the effect of VWF on these parameters. When evaluated both computationally and empirically in the context of tissue factor initiated thrombin generation, product C appears the most dissimilar. Assessments of FVIII activation/inactivation dynamics report larger differences between FVIII products than standard functional assays. However, all FVIII products promote a 'normal' thrombin generation response to TF.

Removal of Basic Blue 9 Dye by Hydrogen Peroxide Activated by Electrogenerated Fe<sup>2+</sup>/Fe<sup>3+</sup> and Simultaneous Production of Hydrogen

Electrochemical techniques were used to oxidize organic pollutants by Fenton process using a mix of H2O2 and ferrous ions at a parallel plate reactor. The first stage was to build a micro scale reactor comprising two compartments, cathode and anode, separated by a membrane (Nafion-117). Each compartment has inlets and outlets to allow the flow of fluids (10 Lmin-1). The function of the reactor is to oxidize organic pollutants as well as to produce H2. Hydrogen is electrogenerated in the catholyte by the reduction of protons on a carbon steel cathode in acidic medium (0.05 M H2SO4). At the same time, a mixture of Fe2+/Fe3+ ions is produced in the anolyte (0.05 M Na2SO4, pH ≈ 2) by means of the oxidation of a sacrificial electrode made of stainless steel mesh. Fe2+/Fe3+ ions interact with H2O2 to generate strong oxidants which are responsible for oxidizing the organic matter and removing color. A voltage of 1 V was applied between the electrodes and remained constant, while the current observed was approximately 0.06 A. Under these conditions, the activation rate with different H2O2 concentrations (15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 mM) was evaluated. The maximum activation rate (1.3 mM·min-1) was obtained using 30 mM H2O2. Under these conditions, the oxidation of a synthetic industrial effluent (0.615 mM BB9) was performed and the following results were obtained: 95% of this concentration was removed in 5 minutes and 15 mL of H2 was electrogenerated in 30 minutes.

β2-adrenergic stimulation enhances Ca2+ release and contractile properties of skeletal muscles, and counteracts exercise-induced reductions in Na+-K+-ATPase Vmax in trained men.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of β2-adrenergic stimulation on skeletal muscle contractile properties, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) rates of Ca(2+) release and uptake, and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity before and after fatiguing exercise in trained men. The study consisted of two experiments (EXP1, n = 10 males, EXP2, n = 20 males), where β2-adrenoceptor agonist (terbutaline) or placebo was randomly administered in double-blinded crossover designs. In EXP1, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) of m. quadriceps was measured, followed by exercise to fatigue at 120% of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2, max ). A muscle biopsy was taken after MVC (non-fatigue) and at time of fatigue. In EXP2, contractile properties of m. quadriceps were measured with electrical stimulations before (non-fatigue) and after two fatiguing 45 s sprints. Non-fatigued MVCs were 6 ± 3 and 6 ± 2% higher (P < 0.05) with terbutaline than placebo in EXP1 and EXP2, respectively. Furthermore, peak twitch force was 11 ± 7% higher (P < 0.01) with terbutaline than placebo at non-fatigue. After sprints, MVC declined (P < 0.05) to the same levels with terbutaline as placebo, whereas peak twitch force was lower (P < 0.05) and half-relaxation time was prolonged (P < 0.05) with terbutaline. Rates of SR Ca(2+) release and uptake at 400 nm [Ca(2+)] were 15 ± 5 and 14 ± 5% (P < 0.05) higher, respectively, with terbutaline than placebo at non-fatigue, but declined (P < 0.05) to similar levels at time of fatigue. Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was unaffected by terbutaline compared with placebo at non-fatigue, but terbutaline counteracted exercise-induced reductions in maximum rate of activity (Vmax) at time of fatigue. In conclusion, increased contractile force induced by β2-adrenergic stimulation is associated with enhanced rate of Ca(2+) release in humans. While β2-adrenergic stimulation elicits positive inotropic and lusitropic effects on non-fatigued m. quadriceps, these effects are blunted when muscles fatigue.

Functional aspects of the EGF-induced MAP kinase cascade: a complex self-organizing system approach.

The EGF-induced MAP kinase cascade is one of the most important and best characterized networks in intracellular signalling. It has a vital role in the development and maturation of living organisms. However, when deregulated, it is involved in the onset of a number of diseases. Based on a computational model describing a “surface” and an “internalized” parallel route, we use systems biology techniques to characterize aspects of the network’s functional organization. We examine the re-organization of protein groups from low to high external stimulation, define functional groups of proteins within the network, determine the parameter best encoding for input intensity and predict the effect of protein removal to the system’s output response. Extensive functional re-organization of proteins is observed in the lower end of stimulus concentrations. As we move to higher concentrations the variability is less pronounced. 6 functional groups have emerged from a consensus clustering approach, reflecting different dynamical aspects of the network. Mutual information investigation revealed that the maximum activation rate of the two output proteins best encodes for stimulus intensity. Removal of each protein of the network resulted in a range of graded effects, from complete silencing to intense activation. Our results provide a new “vista” of the EGF-induced MAP kinase cascade, from the perspective of complex self-organizing systems. Functional grouping of the proteins reveals an organizational scheme contrasting the current understanding of modular topology. The six identified groups may provide the means to experimentally follow the dynamics of this complex network. Also, the vulnerability analysis approach may be used for the development of novel therapeutic targets in the context of personalized medicine.

Kinetics of soil enzyme activities under different ecosystems: An index of soil quality

Soil microbial activity plays an important role in regulating biotransformation, nutrient cycling and hence the microbiological processes are at the center of many ecological functions. The kinetic parameters (Vmax and KmMichaelis constant) of different enzymes (amylase, invertase, protease, urease, and dehydrogenase) were determined in order to assess the metabolic response of soil. The maximum reaction velocity (Vmax) represents a maximum rate of activity when all enzymes are saturated, which markedly increased in forest soil as compared to fresh mine spoil due to the gradual accumulation of soil organic matter. Smaller Kmvalue was estimated in forest soil (FS) as compared to fresh mine spoil (FMS), suggesting the greater affinity of soil enzymes for substrate in FS. The catalytic efficiency (Vmax /Km) reflects an impression on microbial community composition with a change in soil enzymes. These enzyme characters (activities and kinetic parameters) have greater significance as early and sensitive indicators of the changes in soil properties induced by different management systems. These parameters (Vmax and Km) can be useful markers to assess changes in microbial activity of soil, since they represent quantity and affinity of enzymes respectively. The metabolic index (dehydrogenase activity/organic carbon (OC)) was found to be correlated with Vmax of dehydrogenase (r = 0.953; p < 0.01) and OC (r = 0.880; p < 0.01). Principal component analysis was able to discriminate seven different soil samples into seven independent clusters based on their enzyme activities and kinetic parameters. Indeed, the study revealed the importance of kinetics study of soil enzymes, which can be considered valid parameters to monitor the evolution of microbiological activity in soil, and hence an index of soil quality.

Diel behaviour and habitat utilisation by the pearly razorfish during the spawning season

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 460:207-220 (2012) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09755 Diel behaviour and habitat utilisation by the pearly razorfish during the spawning season J. Alós1,*, M. Cabanellas-Reboredo1, S. Lowerre-Barbieri2 1Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados (IMEDEA; CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marqués, 21, Esporles, Illes Balears 07008, Spain 2Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA *Email: pep.alos@uib.es ABSTRACT: Despite its small size, the pearly razorfish Xyrichtys novacula (Linnaeus, 1758) supports important targeted recreational and commercial fisheries. Here, we present the first data on the movements of this species obtained using acoustic telemetry in a temperate marine protected area (MPA). The results demonstrate that acoustic telemetry is well suited for behavioural studies, even in species of small size. The results confirmed previous speculations regarding the behaviour of this species, demonstrating a clear diel pattern with maximum rates of activity during the day and fewer detections at night, when the fish bury themselves in the soft bottom. X. novacula exhibited a sedentary lifestyle with limited movement. The fish occurred in an accumulated averaged area of 0.32 ± 0.13 km2 95% of the time (95% kernel utilisation distribution [KUD]) and in a core area (50% KUD) of 0.07 ± 0.02 km2. These small areas of habitat utilisation existed independent of sex and diel behaviour. No daily migration pattern or specific resting locations were detected. The linearity index (as a proxy of site fidelity) demonstrated that the movement of X. novacula was random within a specific home range area (sedentary behaviour) rather than directional (nomadic behaviour). The observed diel pattern of behaviour confirms that this species is not vulnerable to nighttime fishing, and the small spatial scale of habitat utilisation suggests that small MPAs can be an effective management tool. KEY WORDS: Acoustic telemetry · Continuous wavelet transform · Control tag · Home range · MPA · Protogynous hermaphrodite · Xyrichtys novacula Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Alós J, Cabanellas-Reboredo M, Lowerre-Barbieri S (2012) Diel behaviour and habitat utilisation by the pearly razorfish during the spawning season. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 460:207-220. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09755 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 460. Online publication date: July 24, 2012 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2012 Inter-Research.

Mechanism of Regulation of Native Cardiac Muscle Thin Filaments by Rigor Cardiac Myosin-S1 and Calcium

We have studied the mechanism of activation of native cardiac thin filaments by calcium and rigor myosin. The acceleration of the rate of 2'-deoxy-3'-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl)ADP (mdADP) dissociation from cardiac myosin-S1-mdADP-P(i) and cardiac myosin-S1-mdADP by native cardiac muscle thin filaments was measured using double mixing stopped-flow fluorescence. Relative to inhibited thin filaments (no bound calcium or rigor S1), fully activated thin filaments (with both calcium and rigor-S1 bound) increase the rate of product dissociation from the physiologically important pre-power stroke myosin-mdADP-P(i) by a factor of ∼75. This can be compared with only an ∼6-fold increase in the rate of nucleotide diphosphate dissociation from nonphysiological myosin-mdADP by the fully activated thin filaments relative to the fully inhibited thin filaments. These results show that physiological levels of regulation are not only dependent on the state of the thin filament but also on the conformation of the myosin. Less than 2-fold regulation is due to a change in affinity of myosin-ADP-P(i) for thin filaments such as would be expected by a simple "steric blocking" of the myosin-binding site of the thin filament by tropomyosin. Although maximal activation requires both calcium and rigor myosin-S1 bound to the cardiac filament, association with a single ligand produces ∼70% maximal activation. This can be contrasted with skeletal thin filaments in which calcium alone only activated the rate of product dissociation ∼20% of maximum, and rigor myosin produces ∼30% maximal activation.

Room Temperature Implantation and Activation Kinetics of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in 4H-SiC Crystals

We report a comparative investigation of the activation kinetics of nitrogen and phosphorus ions implanted at room temperature in 4H-SiC semi-insulating substrates. We characterised the electrical activation through a fast non-contact method (eddy current) which gives the sheet resistance after every annealing step. The surface roughness was monitored by AFM. The crystal recovery was characterised by Raman spectroscopy. For a given annealing temperature, we show that, the N + -implanted sample reaches always a maximum activation rate at a shorter time ( ~ 3 times less) than the P + -implanted one. We find also that the best activation results are not obtained by using simply N + or P + but rather a co-implantation of N + and P + to the same dose.

A microplate fluorimetric assay for the study of enzyme diversity in soils

A fluorimetric microplate enzyme assay has been developed to study enzyme diversity in soil as an approach to understanding functional diversity. The microplate assay allows a large number of soil samples and/or enzymes to be analysed in a short time. The substrates used are conjugates of the highly fluorescent compounds 4-methylumbelliferone (MUB) and 7-amino-4-methyl coumarin (AMC). The main advantage of using fluorimetrically-labelled substrates is that product formation can be measured directly in the microplate without previous extraction and purification of the product. A detailed protocol for this new technology is presented and some potential applications are outlined. A comparative study was carried out between the new microplate fluorimetric assay and a standard colorimetric enzyme assay based on p-nitrophenyl substrates. The kinetics of β-glucosidase and phosphatase activities were investigated in soils with different fertilizer backgrounds. Both methods generated similar values for V max (maximum rate of activity) whereas the affinity of β-glucosidase and phosphatase for their respective substrates (as indicated by K m values, Michaelis–Menten constant) was up to two orders of magnitude greater for the 4-methylumbelliferyl substrates compared to the p-nitrophenyl substrates.

Modelling the role of Rubisco activase in limiting non-steady-state photosynthesis.

The roles of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and Rubisco activase in limiting the approach of photosynthesis to steady-state following a step increase from a low to a saturating value of photon flux density (PFD) are reviewed. This information, along with the effect of Rubisco on steady-state photosynthetic rate and the effect of Rubisco activase on maximum Rubisco activation state, is then used to construct a model to predict the optimum allocation of protein between Rubisco and Rubisco activase for plants exposed to different light environments. The model predicts that the distribution of protein that produces the maximum steady-state rate of photosynthesis does not produce the maximum activation rate for Rubisco or the maximum steady-state activation state. The latter conclusion may explain why Rubisco is rarely found to be fully activated in leaves, even at saturating PFD values. The former suggests that plants exposed to fluctuating PFD should allocate more protein to Rubisco activase than plants exposed to constant PFD. This aspect of the model is explored in more detail for lightflecks of differing duration.

The NAD(P)H dehydrogenase in barley thylakoids is photoactivatable and uses NADPH as well as NADH

An improved light-dependent assay was used to characterize the NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH) in thylakoids of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The enzyme was sensitive to rotenone, confirming the involvement of a complex I-type enzyme. NADPH and NADH were equally good substrates for the dehydrogenase. Maximum rates of activity were 10 to 19 &mgr;mol electrons mg-1 chlorophyll h-1, corresponding to about 3% of linear electron-transport rates, or to about 40% of ferredoxin-dependent cyclic electron-transport rates. The NDH was activated by light treatment. After photoactivation, a subsequent light-independent period of about 1 h was required for maximum activation. The NDH could also be activated by incubation of the thylakoids in low-ionic-strength buffer. The kinetics, substrate specificity, and inhibitor profiles were essentially the same for both induction strategies. The possible involvement of ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase (FNR) in the NDH activity could be excluded based on the lack of preference for NADPH over NADH. Furthermore, thenoyltrifluoroacetone inhibited the diaphorase activity of FNR but not the NDH activity. These results also lead to the conclusion that direct reduction of plastoquinone by FNR is negligible.

Kinetics of human factor VII activation.

In this study the activation of human factor VII by a variety of potential activators in the presence and absence of mixed phospholipid vesicles [25% phosphatidylserine (PS), 75% phosphatidylcholine (PC)] is evaluated. At the plasma concentration of factor VII, 10 nM, the activation rate of the zymogen by 0.05 nM factor Xa is anionic phospholipid (PCPS) dependent and achieves a maximum value of 18 pM/s at 5-20 microM PCPS; further increases in the levels of PCPS decrease the activation rate of factor VII. The maximum activation rate of factor VII (10 nM) by the factor VIIa-tissue factor complex (0.1 nM), 0.76 pM/s, is achieved at 200 microM PCPS. No detectable activation of 10 nM factor VII is observed under similar conditions when either thrombin (0.1 nM) or factor IXa (0.1 nM) is used as an activator. Factor VIIa (10 nM) and factor XIa (1 nM) are not observed to activate factor VII at detectable rates. The observed Michaelis-Menten constants (KM) for factor VII activation in the presence of PCPS at optimal concentrations vary from 1.2 microM for factor Xa to 3.2 microM for the factor VIIa-tissue factor complex. The highest catalytic constant (kcat) value (15.2 s-1) is observed for factor Xa-PCPS. The factor VIIa-tissue factor complex, factor IXa, and thrombin kcat values are 1.4, 0.32, and 0.061 s-1, respectively. Tissue factor does not increase the factor VII activation rate by factor Xa, factor IXa, or thrombin. Factor VIIIa in the presence of PCPS has no effect on factor VII activation by factor IXa. In contrast, factor Va decreases the factor VII activation rate by factor Xa, reaching saturation at concentrations consistent with complete prothrombinase complex formation. The formed prothrombinase complex activates factor VII at approximately 30% the rate of factor Xa bound to phospholipids. These data allow us to conclude that the predominant physiological factor VII activator is, most likely, membrane-bound factor Xa.

Influence of temperature and ambient oxygen on the swimming energetics of cyprinid larvae and juveniles

The relationship between respiration and swimming speed of larvae and juveniles (2–100 mg fresh mass) of Danube bleak, Chalcalburnus chalcoides (Cyprinidae), was measured at 15° and 20° C under hypoxic (50% air saturation), normoxic, and hyperoxic (140% air saturation) conditions. In a flow-tunnel equipped with a flow-through respirometer the animals swam at speeds of up to 8 lengths · s-1; speeds were sustained for at least two minutes. The mass specific standard, routine, and active respiration rates declined with increasing body mass at both temperatures. Metabolic intensity increased with temperature, but also the critical swimming speed (at which oxygen uptake reached its maximum) was higher at 20° than at 15° C by about 30%. Nevertheless, the oxygen debt incurred by the fish at the highest speeds was about 40%, and the net cost of swimming about 32%, lower at 20° than at 15°C. The standard metabolic rate was more strongly dependent on temperature (Q10 around 2.5) than the maximum active rate (Q10 below 2). Whereas standard and routine respiration rates were well regulated over the pO2-range investigated (8.5–25.8 kPa), the active rates showed a conformer-like pattern, resulting in factorial scopes for activity between 2 and 4. Under hypoxia, the critical swimming speed was lower than under normoxia by about 1.51 · s-1, but the net cost of swimming was also lower by about 30%. On the other hand, hyperoxia neither increased the swimming performance nor did it lead to a further increase of the metabolic cost of swimming. The hypoxia experiments suggest that in response to lowered tensions of ambient oxygen maintenance functions of metabolism not directly related to swimming may be temporarily reduced, leading to increased apparent swimming efficiency under these conditions. The responses of the larvae of Danube bleak to low temperature and low ambient oxygen are discussed in terms of the metabolic strategies by which energy-limited animals meet the challenge of environmental deterioration.

Parthenogenetic activation and development of fresh and aged human oocytes

To develop a systematic study of the parthenogenetic activation and early development of human oocytes. Human oocytes (both freshly retrieved and remaining unfertilized after exposure to spermatozoa) were exposed to alcohol or calcium ionophore and examined for evidence of activation. Academic research department of a teaching hospital. Couples donating oocytes were undergoing therapy for infertility with in vitro fertilization or gamete intrafallopian transfer. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and human menopausal gonadotropin were administered at therapeutic doses. After application of activation stimuli at varying doses and durations, oocytes were examined for evidence of meiotic reactivation, pronuclear formation, deoxyribonucleic acid content, and cleavage. Fresh and aged human oocytes can be activated parthenogenetically using a calcium ionophore but at lower rates than seen for mouse oocytes (typically 50% to 60% versus 90% to 100%, respectively). Ethanol was a poor activating agent (maximum activation rate 16%). Human parthenotes can complete division to the eight cell stage. These results indicate that parthenote embryos may provide a source of material to study changes that occur during early human development. The data also raise the possibility that some early human pregnancy losses may involve oocytes that have been parthenogenetically activated spontaneously.

Mathematical model for simulation of hierarchically distributed process control computer systems

This paper presents the concepts developed to create a program, SIMORD, used to simulate hierarchical configurations of distributed process control computers. To achieve adequate response times under all critical conditions, the distributed process control computer systems should be designed from two points of view: functions distributions and performance planning. Performance criteria can be specified both in terms of system response time to alarm conditions and the maximum activity rate for each processor during steady-state service. Based on these characteristics, different computer configurations can be evaluated and compared through simulation in order to select the best control system for a particular physical-chemical process. The results, in abbreviated form, of the simulation of a hierarchical configuration of computers controlling a wastewater treatment plant are presented.

Avaliação de marcapasso unicameral de ajuste automático de freqüência de pulso mediado por movimentação corporal

Quarenta e oito pacientes com marcapasso unicameral de ajuste automático de freqüência de pulso mediado por movimentação corporal (AAI-R/VVI-R) foram avaliados através da eletrocardiografia dinâmica, para correlacionar a atividade física com a variação da freqüência de estímulos e teste ergométrico em esteira (pareados e randomizados em modo AAI/VVI e modo AAI-R/VVI-R), para quantificar a capacidade de realizar esforço físico, um mês após o implante do gerador de pulso Activitrax 8400. A idade média dos pacientes era de 46 anos e a etiologia predominante da arritmia que motivou o implante era a miocardiopatia chagásica. O eletrocardiograma ambulatorial mostrou modificações apropriadas na freqüência cardíaca (exceto em 1 paciente, que permaneceu em ritmo sinusal). Teste ergométrico no modo AAI-R/VVI-R mostrou elevação significativa na freqüência cardíaca com relação ao valor médio controle: de 66,9+0,8 ppm para 84,6+2,1 ppm aos 14 minutos 90,5*2,8 ppm aos 6 minutos e 95,7+2,9 ppm aos 8 minutos (P < 0,05). O modo AAI-R/VVI-R possibilitou um aumento no tempo de exercício de 20,2% quando comparado ao modo AAI/VVI (P < 0,05). Em 12 pacientes, arritmias ventriculares foram detectadas durante o exercício em modo AAI/VVI, mas não no modo AAI-R/VVI-R. No curto período avaliado (1 mês), os pacientes referiram melhora clínica e puderam reassumir vida mais ativa. O gerador de pulsos Activitrax 8400 mostrou-se efetivo e seguro. A estimulação unicameral com variação da freqüência de pulso melhorou a capacidade de realizar exercícios físicos, quando comparada com a estimulação em freqüência pré-determinada.

Nitrogen fixation in hardwood forests of the northeastern United States

Nitrogen-fixing activity in hardwood forests of the northeastern United States occurred in wood litter, greater than 2 cm in diameter. Activity in large dead wood was independent of species, in the case of deciduous wood litter, but was restricted to partially decayed wood with a high moisture content. Maximum rates of activity were observed in the summer months, minimum rates in the winter. Evidence from six stands of varying ages showed that fixation in large wood litter occurred in only 25% of the samples assayed. Fixation was highest in the youngest, 4 years, and oldest, over 200 years, stands; being about 2 kg/ha/yr. The quantity of nitrogen fixed appears to be related to the biomass of dead wood. Large amounts of wood litter in the youngest stands were from slash left after cutting. As the supply of slash is exhausted by decay, nitrogen fixation decreases, with a low around year 20. Fixation then gradually increases as natural thinning adds wood to the litter compartment. Apparently, the amount of nitrogen fixed in dead wood the first 20 years following clearcutting can only replace a modest fraction of the amount lost as a result of the cutting and product removal. Finally, the results indicate that nitrogen fixation in wood litter does not equal nitrogen fixation in a northern hardwood forest calculated using a mass balance approach, suggesting that additional nitrogen inputs exist.

Nitrogen fixation in field beans (Vicia faba) as affected by population density, shading and its relationship with soil moisture

SUMMARYN fixation data, estimated by the acetylene reduction technique and by total N content are given for the field experiments reported by Sprent, Bradford &amp; Norton (1977).Maximum potential acetylene reducing activity per plant varied little from year to year. At low population densities a maximum rate of activity was observed shortly after flowering. As density increased this maximum became less pronounced and environmental factors (such as water supply) exerted increasing effects on activity. Shading prolonged activity and delayed nodule senescence.Total plant N continued to increase almost to seed maturation. As plants aged, the acetylene reduction technique progressively underestimated N accumulation. Maximum Nfixed/ha/year was over 600 kg. Itis concluded that the potential for N fixation in this crop is sufficient to sustain high yields.

Neuropharmacology of earthworm giant fibers.

The effects of a variety of neurotropic drugs on excitability and action potential form of the giant nerve fibers of the earthworm ventral cord were studied with external electrodes. Earthworm giant fibers were like frog sciatic myelinated fibers in the types of changes induced by most drugs tested, the worm fibers being generally more sensitive. Many centrally active drugs, such as chlordiazepoxide, LSD and methamphetamine, resembled local anesthetics in causing conduction block by increased threshold; unlike procaine, the threshold elevation caused by the above drugs could not be restored transiently toward normal by repetitive maximal stimulation. With most imipraminics, phenothiazines and related agents the mechanism of conduction block did not seem to depend on threshold increase. Earthworm fibers differed from frog sciatic in several respects: they were not made hyper-excitable by calcium depletion; they showed repetitive firing with high concentration of calcium (the repetitive firing could be antagonized by barbital and trimethadione, not by bromide or diphenylhydantoin); they showed transient lowering of threshold by cholinesterase inhibitors; catelectrotonic repetitive firing could be blocked byd-tubocurarine. Some of the above findings suggest that N-cholinergic receptors may function in earthworm but not in frog myelinated fibers. The following relationships held true over a wide range of variation of nerve properties by drugs and physiological maneuvers. The ratio of spike voltage when at maximum rate of activation to the maximum spike voltage itself remained relatively constant (0·7 approximately): spike amplitude was modifiable independently of threshold or maximum rate of activation; usually there was an inverse relation between threshold and maximum rate of activation, the only notable exception being initial threshold-lowering action of typical depolarizing monovalent cations (K, Rb, Cs).