Humboldt University of Berlin

About: Humboldt University of Berlin is a education organization based out in Berlin, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Transplantation. The organization has 33671 authors who have published 61781 publications receiving 1908102 citations. The organization is also known as: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin & Universitas Humboldtiana Berolinensis.

Measurement of the Z/γ* boson transverse momentum distribution in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract: This paper describes a measurement of the Z/gamma* boson transverse momentum spectrum using ATLAS proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of root s = 7TeV at the LHC. The measurement is performed in the Z/gamma* -> e(+)e(-) and Z/gamma* -> mu(+)mu(-) channels, using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7 fb(-1). Normalized differential cross sections as a function of the Z/gamma* boson transverse momentum are measured for transverse momenta up to 800 GeV. The measurement is performed inclusively for Z/gamma* rapidities up to 2.4, as well as in three rapidity bins. The channel results are combined, compared to perturbative and resummed QCD calculations and used to constrain the parton shower parameters of Monte Carlo generators.

Comparison of various techniques used to estimate spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (the EuroBaVar study)

Abstract: This study compared spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) estimates obtained from an identical set of data by 11 European centers using different methods and procedures. Noninvasive blood pressure (BP) and ECG recordings were obtained in 21 subjects, including 2 subjects with established baroreflex failure. Twenty-one estimates of BRS were obtained by methods including the two main techniques of BRS estimates, i.e., the spectral analysis (11 procedures) and the sequence method (7 procedures) but also one trigonometric regressive spectral analysis method (TRS), one exogenous model with autoregressive input method (X-AR), and one Z method. With subjects in a supine position, BRS estimates obtained with calculations of alpha-coefficient or gain of the transfer function in both the low-frequency band or high-frequency band, TRS, and sequence methods gave strongly related results. Conversely, weighted gain, X-AR, and Z exhibited lower agreement with all the other techniques. In addition, the use of mean BP instead of systolic BP in the sequence method decreased the relationships with the other estimates. Some procedures were unable to provide results when BRS estimates were expected to be very low in data sets (in patients with established baroreflex failure). The failure to provide BRS values was due to setting of algorithmic parameters too strictly. The discrepancies between procedures show that the choice of parameters and data handling should be considered before BRS estimation. These data are available on the web site (http://www.cbi.polimi.it/glossary/eurobavar.html) to allow the comparison of new techniques with this set of results.

The crystal structure of an oxygen-tolerant hydrogenase uncovers a novel iron-sulphur centre

Abstract: Hydrogenases are metalloprotein enzymes that catalyse the reversible oxidation of dihydrogen to protons and electrons, a critical pathway in anaerobic metabolism. This reaction is of particular interest for hydrogen-based applications, in fuel cells for instance, but many applications are hindered by the high oxygen sensitivity that is an intrinsic feature of most hydrogenases. Two groups report the structures of oxygen-tolerant hydrogenases, one from the soil bacterium Ralstonia eutropha and the other from the marine bacterium Hydrogenovibrio marinus. The structures shed light on how redox-sensitive active-site intermediates are protected from destruction. Both enzymes feature a novel iron-sulphur centre at the active site, coordinated by a group of cysteine residues. Hydrogenases are abundant enzymes that catalyse the reversible interconversion of H2 into protons and electrons at high rates1. Those hydrogenases maintaining their activity in the presence of O2 are considered to be central to H2-based technologies, such as enzymatic fuel cells and for light-driven H2 production2. Despite comprehensive genetic, biochemical, electrochemical and spectroscopic investigations3,4,5,6,7,8, the molecular background allowing a structural interpretation of how the catalytic centre is protected from irreversible inactivation by O2 has remained unclear. Here we present the crystal structure of an O2-tolerant [NiFe]-hydrogenase from the aerobic H2 oxidizer Ralstonia eutropha H16 at 1.5 A resolution. The heterodimeric enzyme consists of a large subunit harbouring the catalytic centre in the H2-reduced state and a small subunit containing an electron relay consisting of three different iron-sulphur clusters. The cluster proximal to the active site displays an unprecedented [4Fe-3S] structure and is coordinated by six cysteines. According to the current model, this cofactor operates as an electronic switch depending on the nature of the gas molecule approaching the active site. It serves as an electron acceptor in the course of H2 oxidation and as an electron-delivering device upon O2 attack at the active site. This dual function is supported by the capability of the novel iron-sulphur cluster to adopt three redox states at physiological redox potentials7,8,9. The second structural feature is a network of extended water cavities that may act as a channel facilitating the removal of water produced at the [NiFe] active site. These discoveries will have an impact on the design of biological and chemical H2-converting catalysts that are capable of cycling H2 in air.