Progressive Dilution Research Articles

Dietary restriction in Drosophila

The fruit fly Drosophila is a useful organism for the investigation of the mechanisms by which dietary restriction (DR) extends lifespan. Its relatively short generation time, well-characterised molecular biology, genetics and physiology and ease of handling for demographic analysis are all major strengths. Lifespan has been extended by DR applied to adult Drosophila, by restriction of the availability of live yeast or by co-ordinate dilution of the whole food medium. Lifespan increases to a maximum through DR with a progressive dilution of the food and then decreases through starvation as the food is diluted further. Daily and lifetime fecundities of females are reduced by food dilution throughout the DR and starvation range. Standard Drosophila food ingredients differ greatly between laboratories and fly stocks can differ in their responses to food dilution, and a full range of food concentrations should therefore be investigated when examining the response to DR. Flies do not alter the time that they spend feeding in response to DR. Both mean and maximum lifespan are extended by DR. The nutrients critical for the response to DR in Drosophila require definition. The extension of lifespan in response to DR is very much greater in females than in males. Two nutrient-sensing pathways, the insulin/IGF-like and TOR pathways, have been implicated in mediating this response of lifespan to DR in Drosophila, as have two protein deacetylases, dSir2 and Rpd3, although the precise nature of this interaction remain to be characterised. Although female fecundity is reduced by DR, the response of lifespan to DR appears normal in sterile females, possibly implying that reduced fecundity is not necessary for extension of lifespan by DR. There is no reduction in metabolic rate or in the rate of generation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide from isolated mitochondria in response to DR. DR acts acutely and rapidly (within 48 h) to reduce the mortality of flies that are fully fed to the level found in animals exposed to DR throughout life. This rapid mortality rate recovery provides a powerful framework within which to further investigate the mechanisms by which DR extends lifespan.

Low Temperature Non‐Isothermal Aging of Nitrocellulose

AbstractSlow multi‐sample thermal ramp aging experiments were performed on high viscosity lacquer grade nitrocellulose over the temperature range 30–80 °C. Nitrocellulose was used in the fibrous state, in solution and as the gelatinous nitro‐plasticized binder used to bind high explosive crystals (HMX) in a polymer‐bonded explosive (PBX) formulation. Samples were subjected to a slow, stable heating rate (dT/dt) of 10 °C per day with periodic sample withdrawal for analysis by triple detector size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity data indicate inter‐chain recombination/aggregation for fibrous material or highly concentrated solutions, when dry. When in fibrous or gelatinous binder form, little degradation was observed, aside from apparent recombination/aggregation. As a concentrated solution complex behavior was noted; fast eluting peaks formed with increased temperature, accompanied by rapid molecular weight reduction and a marked decrease in light scattering peak area. Progressive dilution of nitrocellulose solutions and/or addition of very small quantities of water reduced the recombination/aggregation effects but did not appear to significantly affect the overall rate of nitrocellulose degradation. Activation energies for nitrocellulose chain scission have been estimated from the molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity data obtained by the thermal ramp method.

Magnetism in the low-doping regime (x<0.50) of Bi1−xSrxMnO3 perovskites

The magnetic properties of low-doped Bi1−xSrxMnO3 manganites (x<0.50) are investigated. Although a progressive dilution by Sr doping of the ferromagnetic ground state of pure BiMnO3 was previously proposed, it is found that compounds with x=0.25, 0.33, and 0.5 present an antiferromagnetic ground state. However, it is confirmed that a strong ferromagnetic component is easily induced under field in the compounds with x=0.25 and 0.33, both presenting the same type of charge and polaron ordering.

Limiting oxygen concentration evaluation in flammable gaseous mixtures by means of calculated adiabatic flame temperatures

The limiting oxygen concentration (LOC) of fuel–air–inert premixed gaseous systems are usually determined from measurements of explosion limits at progressive dilution with inert gas of fuel–air mixtures, which is a long and cumbersome procedure. An alternative procedure to evaluate LOC would be of great interest for all fields of activity involving the use of flammable mixtures, especially when less characterized fuels are used. The paper describes a new procedure (algorithm) meant to estimate the LOC of fuel–air–inert premixed systems, using the values of lower explosion limit (LEL) of the fuel–air mixture and the calculated adiabatic flame temperature (CAFT) both at LOC and LEL when nitrogen is used as an inert gas. It is based on an empirical correlation established between the CAFT computed for fuel–air–nitrogen mixtures at LOC and CAFT at LEL, for a large number of flammable gases and vapors. This requires only the measurement of LEL. The correlation was derived from flammability data taken from literature sources (German and American recommended values). The method is based upon the assumption that mixtures at LOC have an equivalence ratio ϕ=1.250, which is close to the equivalence ratio of the most reactive fuel–air systems. Inverse calculations made with this new algorithm for nine fuel–air–nitrogen mixtures allowed the determination of LOC with a relative deviation of 2–22%.

Mixing of metamorphic and surficial fluids during the uplift of the Hercynian upper crust: consequences for gold deposition

A detailed geochemical study of fluids from representative quartz-sealed faults hosting late Hercynian gold concentrations shows that fluids percolating the mineralised faults had two main distinct reservoirs: one was a quite shallow and the other rather deep-seated. Both fluids have lost a great part of their original geochemical signature through interactions with host metamorphic formations. Early fluids, present during the primary sealing of the faults by quartz, are considered to have effectively equilibrated with the metamorphic pile and then predominantly flowed upwards along the faults. They are characterised by CH 4/CO 2/H 2O ratios rather typical of fluids equilibrated with graphite, and moderate to medium chlorinities with a high Br/Cl ratio. The striking feature of the gold-bearing quartz is that gold is not synchronous within any quartz deposition, and appears located in late microfractures and associated with Pb–Bi–Sb sulphosalts and sulphides. These late stages are characterised by fluids whose salinities decrease to very low values indicating their progressive dilution by waters of more surficial origin in the fault system. The long-lived activity of the fault favoured the connection between two distinct fluid reservoirs at a critical time during the basement uplift. The fluids evolved through two main driving mechanisms which were responsible for the Au deposition: (i) decrease in temperature accompanying decompression from supra-lithostatic to hydrostatic conditions which yielded, in some instances, volatile unmixing in the faulted systems, (ii) mixing of the resulting fluids with waters entering the hydrological systems from shallower reservoirs. In addition to dilution and fluid mixing which are favourable factors for decreasing the gold solubility, the presence of microfractured sulphides could have enhanced gold precipitation through electrochemical processes.

Plasma deposition of amorphous carbon films from CH 4 atmospheres highly diluted in Ar

The deposition, structure and mechanical properties of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films grown in highly Ar-diluted CH 4 atmospheres were investigated for a total pressure of 13 Pa. Films were investigated as a function of the self-bias voltage between −50 and −500 V for two extreme CH 4 partial pressures, 2 and 100%. For the self-bias voltage that optimizes the diamond-like properties of the films, −350 V, we carried out an investigation as a function of the Ar partial pressure, which ranged from 0 to 99%. The deposition rate and the hydrogen content decreased with progressive Ar dilution. The density and the compressive internal stress are nearly constant. The hardness decreased for Ar-rich precursor atmospheres. The surface roughness was independent of the CH 4 partial pressure.

Transition from debris flow to hyperconcentrated flow in a submarine channel (the Cretaceous Cerro Toro Formation, southern Chile)

ABSTRACT It is important to understand the exact process whereby very large amounts of sediment are transported. This paper reports peculiar conglomerate beds reflecting the transition of submarine debris flows into hyperconcentrated flows, something that has been well documented only in subaerial debris‐flow events until now. Voluminous debris flows generated along a Cretaceous submarine channel, southern Chile, transformed immediately into multiphase flows. Their deposits overlie fluted or grooved surfaces and comprise a lower division of clast‐supported and imbricated pebble–cobble conglomerate with basal inverse grading and an upper division of clast‐ to matrix‐supported, disorganized conglomerate with abundant intraformational clasts. The conglomerate beds suggest temporal succession of turbidity current, gravelly hyperconcentrated flow, and mud‐rich debris flow phases. The multiphase flows resulted from progressive dilution of gravelly but cohesive debris flows that could hydroplane, in contrast to the flow transitions in subaerial environments, which involve mostly non‐cohesive debris flows. This finding has significant implications for the definition, classification, and hazard assessment of submarine mass‐movement processes and characterization of submarine reservoir rocks.

Delivery characteristics of a combined nitric oxide nasal continuous positive airway pressure system.

Nitric oxide (NO), when inhaled, has a synergistic effect with airway recruitment strategies such as positive endexpiratory pressure (PEEP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in improving oxygenation in lung injury. We modified a commercially available nasal CPAP (nCPAP) system to enable the concomitant delivery of inhaled NO (iNO) and nCPAP to neonates and term babies. Oxygen, NO and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations were measured, comparing the effects of using 50 or 1000 parts per million (p.p.m.) NO stock gas cylinders. Stable and accurate delivery of iNO was found for both stock gas concentrations. Using a 50 p.p.m. NO stock gas resulted in limited NO2 formation, with a maximum inspired NO2 concentration of < or = 0.3 p.p.m. (dose range up to 37 p.p.m. iNO), which was interpreted as the result of progressive dilution with nitrogen. In contrast, using a 1000 p.p.m. NO stock gas cylinder, inspired NO2 levels increased nonlinearly as expected with an increasing inspired concentration of NO. Inhaled NO can be safely and reliably delivered by the system we describe. The NO2 levels generated by the system are low, at least up to a dose of 37 p.p.m. NO, regardless of a stock gas concentration of 50 or 1000 p.p.m. NO. Using a 50 p.p.m. NO stock gas concentration, up to 80% oxygen can be given at 10 p.p.m. iNO.

Safety of homeopathic products

Safety of homeopathic products

Niobia and silica–niobia catalysts from sol–gel synthesis: an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic characterization

An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of distinct series of niobia and silica–niobia mixed oxides, prepared via sol–gel at 1:2, 1:10 and 1:20 Nb/Si atomic ratios, is reported. The values of Nb 3d binding energy and the peak shapes for all the investigated samples exclude the presence of oxidation states other than Nb(V) at the surface. In the mixed oxides, the progressive Nb dilution in silica results in an increase in the values of the full width at half peak maximum of Nb 3d, which is particularly relevant on passing from the 1:10 to the 1:20 sample, while the symmetric shape of the 3d spin-orbit components is preserved even at the higher dilution. This is interpreted as due to a dramatic increase in Nb dispersion in the same sequence, which is further evidenced by a combination of XPS and X-ray-excited Auger results. While a progressive Nb dilution in silica would be expected to result in the narrowing of both the Si 2p and the Si KLL Auger peaks as the Si environment approaches that of pure silica, the effect experimentally observed by means of XPS is surprisingly the opposite. It is proposed that an unexpectedly growing fraction of Si atoms in a distinct environment from silica results at the higher Nb dilution. This fraction is assigned to the Si atoms engaged in Si–O–Nb bridging bonds, on the basis of XPS findings. The dramatic increase in the surface area values experimentally observed on passing from the 1:10 to the 1:20 silica–niobia sample, is therefore proposed to be due to a very high Nb dispersion.

Petrology of melilite-bearing rocks from the Montefiascone Volcanic Complex (Roman Magmatic Province): new insights into the ultrapotassic volcanism of Central Italy

The products of Montefiascone Volcanic Complex (MVC) encompass one of the most distinct association of potassic to ultrapotassic rocks of the Roman Magmatic Province (RMP), ranging in composition from trachybasalts to tephritic leucitites. New discovery of leucite melilitites, occurring as small lava flows, and of kalsilite–melilite pyroclastic ejecta, further expand the compositional range of the MVC products towards the extreme ultrapotassic compositions of the nearby Umbria-Latium Intra Apenninic Volcanism (IAV). Both lavas and ejecta are characterized by strong LILE and Th enrichments coupled with HFSE depletion, very radiogenic 87Sr/ 86Sr (0.7104–0.7106) and unradiogenic 143Nd/ 144Nd (0.51209–0.51213). Mineral and whole-rock chemistry indicate that the leucite melilites are transitional between ultrapotassic larnite-free, Roman-type magmas and kamafugites, whereas the ejecta (kalsilite melilitolites and clinopyroxene–kalsilite melilitolites) can be considered as intrusive kamafugites. Significant interactions with country rocks (mainly limestones and marls) have been excluded on the basis of trace elements and Sr–Nd isotopes, showing that low SiO 2, high (Ca+Na+K)/Al ratios and relatively high CO 2 contents (leading to crystallization of interstitial carbonates in both lavas and ejecta), are primary features of the melts which yielded the melilites and melilite-bearing ejecta. Petrogenesis of the whole range of MVC products is related to melting in the deepest part of a thinned lithosphere characterized by carbonate-bearing phlogopite–clinopyroxene veins with highly radiogenic 87Sr/ 86Sr and unradiogenic 143Nd/ 144Nd; progressive dilution of a vein-derived, K-rich (kamafugitic) end-member by a basaltic melt originated from a relatively depleted mantle would be able to explain the entire compositional range of MVC magmas. The common geochemical and isotopic signatures of MVC and IAV volcanics suggest that the same petrogenetic processes were simultaneously active in both regions, involving similar mantle domains metasomatized by carbonate–silicate or carbonatitic melts.

Mixing processes in a tropopause folding observed by a network of ST radar and lidar

Abstract. A campaign devoted to stratosphere-troposphere exchange mechanisms studies has been held on 4–5 March 1995, during a tropopause folding passage over western Europe. The observational network included 1 UHF and 3 VHF radar, 1 temperature lidar, and 1 ozone lidar, deployed in the south of France. The fold is associated with a strong quasi meridional jet stream running along the west side of an upper level trough forming a potential vorticity (PV) anomaly. During this campaign, the PV anomaly is advected east-wards without major deformations, with an average velocity of about 30 km per hour. Therefore, a frozen field hypothesis has been used in order to compare the results obtained in the different sites of the network. Under this hypothesis, the same structures associated with the anomaly are observed by each radar or lidar, at the same time relative to this anomaly. The fold is put into evidence by the ozone lidar of the network and by the VHF radars when computing the aspect ratio. The turbulent activity observed by the OHP VHF radar and by the high resolution UHF PROUST radar (30 m altitude resolution) is concentrated in the wind shear regions generated by the jet stream above and below its axis. In the lower level wind shear, turbulent layers are detected within the fold and across its anticyclonic boundary, thus allowing turbulent exchanges with the tropospheric air masses. A large area of aspect ratio greater than 3 is observed in the troposphere during more than ten hours after the passage of the fold by the VHF radars. This particular signature is tentatively analyzed as the progressive dilution of air masses of stratospheric origin extruded from the fold by the turbulent processes. In the upper level wind shears, turbulent layers parallel to the wind isotachs are observed, whose thickness is often smaller than 100 m and are separated by non turbulent regions. A good correlation is found between the spatio-temporal evolution of these turbulent structures observed by the PROUST radar, and the stability structures observed at the same relative time by the temperature lidar. In addition the same turbulent structures are observed to be parallel to the isophase lines of the wind fluctuations, observed at the same relative time by the Lannemezan radar. These characteristics are compatible with the presence of unstable inertia-gravity waves, generated by the jet stream while the turbulent layers could be the signature of their saturation processes.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (evolution of the atmosphere) – Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (middle atmosphere dynamics; turbulence)

Light Scattering Study of Turbid Heat-Set Globular Protein Gels Using Cross-Correlation Dynamic Light Scattering

The structure factor of aqueous solutions of the globular protein β-lactoglobulin was determined as a function of heating time at 76°C. We show how the effect of multiple scattering on the scattered light intensity can be effectively corrected using cross-correlation dynamic light scattering even if the transmission is only 1%. The structure factor of aggregated and gelled proteins can be described by the Ornstein–Zernike equation. The system is characterized by a correlation length that increases with heating time and stabilizes some time after the gel is formed. The correlation length of the protein gels decreases with decreasing concentration. Measurements after progressive dilution of a sample close to the gel point showed that the protein aggregates are initially interpenetrated and disinterpenetrate upon dilution.

Effect of meal viscosity and nutrients on satiety, intragastric dilution, and emptying assessed by MRI.

The relationship between the intragastric distribution, dilution, and emptying of meals and satiety was studied using noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging techniques in 12 healthy subjects with four polysaccharide test meals of varying viscosity and nutrient content as follows: 1) low-viscosity nonnutrient, 2) low-viscosity nutrient, 3) high-viscosity nonnutrient, and 4) high-viscosity nutrient. Increasing the nutrient content of the high-viscosity meal delayed gastric emptying from 46 +/- 9 to 76 +/- 6 min (P < 0.004), whereas increasing viscosity had a smaller effect. The volume of secretions within the stomach 60 min after ingestion was higher for the high-viscosity nutrient meal (P < 0.04). A simple model to calculate the total volume of secretion added to the test meal is presented. Color-coded dilution map images showed the heterogeneous process of progressive gastric dilution of high-viscosity meals, whereas low-viscosity meals were uniformly diluted. Fullness was found to be linearly related to total gastric volumes for the nutrient meals (R(2) = 0.98) and logarithmically related for the nonnutrient meals (R(2) = 0.96). Fullness was higher for high- compared with low-viscosity meals (P < 0.02), and with the nutrient meals this was associated with greater antral volumes (P < 0.05).

Quantitative determination of phospholipid compositions by ESI-MS: effects of acyl chain length, unsaturation, and lipid concentration on instrument response

Electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is a very promising tool for the analysis of phospholipid compositions, but is hampered by the fact that not all molecular species are detected with equal efficiency. We studied this and other issues that need to be taken into account to obtain truly quantitative compositional data. The key findings were as follows: First, the instrument response for both saturated and unsaturated phospholipid species decreased with increasing acyl chain length. This effect became increasingly prominent with increasing overall lipid concentration. Second, the degree of acyl chain unsaturation also had a significant effect on instrument response. At the highest concentration studied (10 pmol/microl), polyunsaturated species gave 40% higher intensity than the fully saturated ones. The effect of unsaturation diminished and nearly disappeared with progressive dilution. Third, the instrument response for the different head group classes varied markedly depending on the infusion solvent used. Notably, inclusion of ammonia in the infusion solvent eliminated sodium adduct formation in the positive ion mode, thus greatly simplifying the interpretation of the spectra. The fact that instrument response is dependent on many structural features, overall lipid concentration, solvent composition, and instrument settings makes it necessary to include several internal standards for each phospholipid class to obtain accurate data. Preferably, both unsaturated and saturated standards should be used. Finally, we quantified the major phospholipid classes of BHK cells using ESI-MS. The data agreed closely with those obtained with thin-layer chromatography and phosphorus analysis. This study indicates that quantitative compositional data can be obtained with ESI-MS, provided that proper attention is paid to experimental details, particularly the choice of internal standards.

Plasma deposition of amorphous carbon films from methane atmospheres highly diluted in argon

AbstractWe investigated the deposition, structure and mechanical properties of a-C:H films grown in Ar-CH4 mixtures with the Ar partial pressure ranging from 0 to 99 %. The deposition rate strongly decreased with progressive Ar dilution of the CH4 atmosphere. Films deposited in pure CH4 atmospheres have a hydrogen content of 20 at.% that showed a trend to decrease for lower CH4 partial pressures, while the density remained nearly constant at around 1.4x1023 at./cm3. Raman spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction revealed the amorphous character of the films. The compressive internal stress remained constant around 2.5 GPa and the hardness decreases for Ar rich precursor atmospheres.

Functional Heterodimerization of Prolactin and Growth Hormone Receptors by Ovine Placental Lactogen

Although homo- or heterodimerization are common mechanisms for activation of cytokine receptors, cross-talk between two distinct receptors in this superfamily has been never shown. Here we show a physiologically relevant example indicating that such an interaction does occurs, thus raising the hypothesis that heterodimerization between distinct cytokine receptors may be a novel mechanism contributing to the diversity of cytokine signaling. These findings were documented using both surface plasmon resonance and gel filtration experiments and show that ovine placental lactogen (PL) heterodimerizes the extracellular domains (ECDs) of ruminant growth hormone receptor (GHR) and prolactin receptor (PRLR). We also show that PL or PL analogues that exhibit little or no activity in cells transfected with PRLRs and no activity in cells transfected with ovine GHRs exhibit largely enhanced activity in cells cotransfected with both PRLRs and GHRs. Furthermore, chimeric receptors consisting of cytosolic and transmembrane part of ovine GHR or ovine PRLR and ECDs of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (GM-CSFR) alpha or beta were constructed. Upon transfection into Chinese hamster ovary cells along with reporter luciferase gene and stimulation by GM-CSF, a significant increase in luciferase activity occurred when GM-CSFR-alpha-PRLR and GM-CSFR-beta-GHR or GM-CSFR-alpha-GHR and GM-CSRR-beta-PRLR were cotransfected. In conclusion, we show that ovine PL is capable of functional heterodimerization of GHR and PRLR and that when their cytosolic parts, coupled to the ECD of GM-CSF receptors, are heterodimerized by GM-CSF, they are capable of transducing biological signal.

Syneresis of submerged single curd grains and curd rheology

Syneresis of a single curd grain submerged in ultrafiltrated milk permeate was determined over time by progressive dilution of an added tracer, blue dextran. The influence of pH, rennet concentration and the size of the curd grain was investigated. Dynamic rheological measurements were performed with renneted milk under the same conditions. Analysis of variance showed that grain size was the most important factor influencing shrinkage of the grain in the initial stage of syneresis. Smaller curd grain size resulted in more intense syneresis. The influence of pH and rennet concentration on shrinkage were of lesser importance. At a later stage of syneresis, pH was shown to be the dominating factor with the shrinkage being more pronounced at a lower pH. Inclusion of the storage modulus of curd in the syneresis model did not improve the prediction.

Heparin binding peptides co-purify with glycosaminoglycans from human plasma

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are complexed with plasma proteins and proteolysis of plasma reduced the protein–GAG ratio about 140-fold. After dialysis, analysis by gradient PAGE revealed heparinase-1-sensitive GAGs, thus suggesting that heparin could be among the plasma GAGs. However, after dialysis most of the plasma GAGs were still not ‘free’. PAGE of peptides resistant to proteolysis showed high molecular weight bands on the two sides of the dialysis membrane despite the 3.5 kDa molecular weight cut-off. Progressive dilution of the sample allowed passage of peptides appearing as high molecular weight bands in the diffusate. We interpret this phenomenon as the presence of low molecular weight peptides that aggregate when concentrated. Peptides on both sides of the membranes bound heparin.

Steady state maternal-fetal leucine enrichments in normal and intrauterine growth-restricted pregnancies.

The aim of this study was to compare the fetal/maternal (F/M) leucine-enrichment ratio in normal (AGA) and intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) pregnancies at the time of fetal blood sampling (FBS). A maternal primed-constant infusion of L-[1-13C]-leucine was given in six AGA and 14 IUGR pregnancies, divided into three groups according to the pulsatility index (PI) of the umbilical artery and to fetal heart rate (FHR): group 1 (normal FHR and PI, four cases); group 2 (normal FHR and abnormal PI, five cases); and group 3 (abnormal FHR and PI, five cases). Maternal arterialized samples were taken at time zero and every 20 min for 125+/-7 min. Umbilical venous samples were obtained after 114+/-42 min of infusion. Under steady state conditions, there was a significant linear relationship between maternal leucine disposal rate and maternal leucine concentration. The comparison of fetal to maternal leucine enrichment showed a progressive dilution of the fetal enrichment relative to the mother between AGA and IUGR of group 1 (0.89 versus 0.78, p < 0.02), group 2 (0.71, p < 0.001), and group 3 (0.62, p < 0.001), and also among the three IUGR groups. The F/M leucine molar percent enrichment (MPE) ratio showed a positive correlation with the umbilical venous oxygen content and an inverse correlation with fetal lactate concentration. We conclude that the dilution in the fetal/maternal leucine-enrichment ratio correlates with the severity of growth restriction and reflects decreased transplacental leucine flux and/or increased protein breakdown within the fetoplacental compartments.