Zr-based metallic glasses and quasicrystals were electrochemically charged with hydrogen. Hydrogen absorption/desorption as well as the influence of hydrogen on the formation and stability of ...quasicrystals were studied by means of X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal desorption analysis (TDA). In Zr69.5Cu12Ni11Al7.5 absorption kinetics and storage capacity were found to be better for the quasicrystalline than for the associated amorphous phase. Dissolved hydrogen was observed to play an important role not only in the stability of the quasicrystals, but also in their formation from glassy precursor material. Even hydrogen contents as low as 5 at.% changed the formation as well as the decomposition of the icosahedral quasicrystals: the formation was shifted to higher temperatures whereas decomposition temperatures were lowered. At larger hydrogen contents, changes in both transformations were observed, yet not fully understood.
Devices and methods for Integrated Bioprocessing have been developed for production of recombinant proteins with the yeast Pichia pastoris. In doing so cross flow filtration techniques for cell ...separation and product concentration are connected directly to high instrumented cultivation processes. These are equipped with on‐line measuring techniques for substrates and products, e.g., glycerol, methanol and pyruvate as well as recombinant proteins, e.g., the chemokines 1–8del MCP‐1 and vMIP‐II. Complex automation structures allow for process development at virtual plants which can be used as the basis for establishing and implementing fully automated real processes. Experiments for determination of reaction kinetics, optimization of productivity in high‐cell density cultures and Integrated Bioprocessing are outlined, along with detailed illustration of the realization of the methods at industrial pilot plant scale.
Devices and methods for integrated bioprocessing have been developed for production of recombinant proteins, such as 1–8del MCP and vMIP‐II, with the yeast Pichia pastoris. Experiments for determination of reaction kinetics, optimization of productivity in high‐cell density cultures and integrated bioprocessing are outlined, along with detailed illustration of the realization of the methods at industrial pilot plant scale.
An integrated bioprocess is built up for production of an antagonist of recombinant monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 with Pichia pastoris.
The process line based on full automated cultivation ...procedures includes micro-and ultra-filtration membrane modules for in-situ interactions as well as liquid chromatography methods for post cultivation opcrations.
Members of the BTB-kelch superfamily play important roles during fundamental cellular processes, such as the regulation of cell morphology, migration, and gene expression. The BTB-kelch protein ...LZTR-1 is deleted in the majority of DiGeorge syndrome patients and is believed to act as a transcriptional regulator. However, functional and expression profiling studies of LZTR-1 have not been performed thus far. Therefore, we examined the subcellular localization and function of LZTR-1 to gain insights into its biological role. Analysis of the primary structure of the protein revealed six N-terminal kelch motifs and two BTB/POZ domains at the C terminus within LZTR-1. Confocal analysis of the subcellular distribution of LZTR-1 using the Golgi markers GM130, Golgin-97, and TGN46 identified a localization of LZTR-1 exclusively on the cytoplasmic surface of the Golgi network that is mediated by its second BTB/POZ domain. In contrast to most other BTB-kelch proteins, LZTR-1 did not co-localize with actin. Treatment with brefeldin A did not lead to redistribution of LZTR-1 to the endoplasmic reticulum but caused its relocalization in dispersed, punctuated structures that were also positive for GM130. These data demonstrate that LZTR-1 is a Golgi matrix-associated protein. Upon induction of apoptosis, LZTR-1 was phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and subsequently degraded; that could be rescued partially by the addition of the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk and the proteasome inhibitors lactacystin and MG132. Taken together, our experiments identify LZTR-1 as the first BTB-kelch protein that exclusively localizes to the Golgi network, and the binding of LZTR-1 to the Golgi complex is mediated by its second BTB/POZ domain.
From theoretical work, as well as from empirical findings on the distribution of scientific performance, we can deduce that there are also great variations in the output of industrial research and ...development personnel. By analyzing the patenting output from research and development personnel, we are able to measure their technological performance. The inventor portfolio provides a method to measure and identify key inventors. Key inventors are characterized by a large number of patent applications which are of high quality. This paper presents the results from an empirical study that analyzes the distribution of the patenting output of inventors working in the chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering industry in 43 German companies. The findings of this study suggest that the technological performance of inventors defined by the number and quality of filed patents is highly concentrated. In particular, a very small group of key inventors is responsible for the major part of the company's technological performance, and thus for the company's competitiveness. These findings, in turn, have major practical implications for human resource management in industrial R&D departments.
Detection and prevention of nocturnal hypoglycemia is a major medical concern at diabetes camps.
We conducted an open-label trial of the Cygnus GlucoWatch biographer to detect nocturnal hypoglycemia ...in a diabetes camp, a nonclinical environment with multiple activities.
Forty-five campers (7-17 years old) wore a biographer. The biographer was placed on the arm at 6:00 PM, with the low alarm set to 85 mg/dL (4.7 mmol/L). Overnight glucose monitoring occurred per usual camp protocol. Counselors were to check and record blood glucose values if the biographer alarmed.
Biographers were worn for 154 nights by 45 campers. After a 3-hour warm-up period, 67% of biographers were calibrated, of which 28% were worn the entire night (12 hours). Thirty-four percent of readings were skipped because of: "data errors" (65%), sweat (20%), and temperature change (16%). Reported biographer values correlated with meter glucose values measured 11 to 20 minutes later (r = 0.90). Of 20 low-glucose alarms with corresponding meter values measured within 20 minutes, there were 10 true-positive alarms, 10 false-positive alarms, and no false-negative alarms. Campers reported sleep disruption 32% of the nights, and 74% found the biographer helpful. Campers reported they would wear the biographer 4 to 5 nights each week.
Half of the biographer low-glucose alarms that had corresponding blood meter values were true-positive alarms, and the remaining were false-positive alarms. There was close correlation between the biographer and meter glucose values. The majority of campers found the biographer helpful and would use it at home.
Microdialysis allows the biochemical analysis of interstitial fluids of nearly every organ as a bedside procedure. This technique could be useful to reveal data about the myocardial metabolism during ...cardiopulmonary bypass in human coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
In 17 patients undergoing CABG a myocardial microdialysis catheter (CMA 70, CMA/Microdialysis AB, Sweden) was inserted in the apical region of the beating heart. Microdialysis measurements were performed at timed intervals before, during, and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The concentrations of lactate and pyruvate were analyzed semi-continuously.
During CPB the myocardial lactate-pyruvate-ratio (LPR) rose from an initial 11 (8-15) to 33 (29-41) ( P<0.01). After CPB the LPR decreased to 4 (3-7) at the end of observation ( P<0.05). The pyruvate concentration showed an immediate increase from 34 (30-42) microM at the end of CPB to 181 (147-234) microM after removal of the cross-clamp with subsequent increase during reperfusion ( P<0.01). Plasma lactate and pyruvate showed no essential changes during the study.
Using the microdialysis technique it was possible to analyze myocardial metabolic changes during CABG. The course of myocardial LPR as a sensitive indicator of the myocardial redox state showed profound changes during and after CPB. We propose the microdialysis technique as an additional monitoring tool in CABG.
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