Showing papers by "University of Alicante published in 1996"

Midbrain development induced by FGF8 in the chick embryo

Abstract: VERTEBRATE midbrain development depends on an organizing centre located at the isthmus, a constriction in the embryonic mid/hindbrain region1–3,28. Isthmic tissue grafts transform chick caudal forebrain into an ectopic midbrain that is the mirror image of the normal midbrain4. Here we report that FGF8 protein has the same midbrain-inducing and polarizing effect as isthmic tissue. Moreover, FGF8 induces ectopic expression in the forebrain of genes normally expressed in the isthmus, suggesting that the ectopic midbrain forms under the influence of signals from a new 'isthmus-like' organizing centre induced in the forebrain. Because Fgf8 itself is expressed in the isthmus, our results identify FGF8 as an important signalling molecule in normal midbrain development.

Characterization of Activated Carbon Fibers by CO2 Adsorption

Abstract: The adsorption of CO2 up to pressures of 4 MPa has been studied using two series of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) covering a wide range of burn-off. The relative fugacities covered in these experiments range from 3 × 10-4 to 0.76. Additionally, N2 adsorption at 77 K and CO2 adsorption at 273 and 298 K at subatmospheric pressures have been carried out. The experiments performed at high pressures allow us to compare both adsorptives at similar ranges of adsorption potential. The results obtained led to the following conclusions: (i) CO2 adsorption at 273 K at subatmospheric pressures is a suitable technique to characterize the narrow microporosity of the ACF. (ii) The use of N2 to characterize the narrow microporosity is not appropriate because its adsorption is limited by the existence of diffusional restrictions in this type of porosity. (iii) CO2 at 273 K (or 298 K) is an adsorptive that behaves quite similarly to N2 at 77 K at comparable relative pressure ranges; thus, CO2 adsorbs in the super-micropo...

Chapter 3 Translation invariance in data envelopment analysis: A generalization

Abstract: In this paper, we undertake a revision and a generalization of the results contained in the only paper so far published on the matter of translation invariance by allowing inputs and outputs to take not only zero but negative values. This broadens the field of application of the DEA methodology.

Smoking Reduces Fecundity: A European Multicenter Study on Infertility and Subfecundity

Abstract: Several studies published within the past 10 years indicate that smoking reduces fecundity, but not all studies have found this effect, and smoking cessation is not used routinely in infertility treatment in Europe. The present study was designed to examine male and female smoking at the start of a couple's waiting time to a planned pregnancy. Two types of samples were used: population-based samples of women aged 25-44 years who were randomly selected in different countries from census registers and electoral rolls, in which the unit of analysis was the couple; and pregnancy-based samples of pregnant women (at least 20 weeks' pregnant) who were consecutively recruited during prenatal care visits, in which the unit of analysis was a pregnancy. More than 4,000 couples were included in each sample, and 10 different regions in Europe took part in data collection. The data were collected between August 1991 and February 1993 by personal interview in all population-based samples and in all but three regions of the pregnancy sample, where self-administered questionnaires were used. The results based on the population sample showed a remarkably coherent association between female smoking and subfecundity in each individual country and in all countries together, both with the first pregnancy (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.1, at the upper level of exposure) and during the most recent waiting time to pregnancy (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-2.1). Results based on the pregnancy sample were similar (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.3). No significant association was found with male smoking (in the population sample, OR = 0.9, 95% CI 0.7-1.1 (first pregnancy) and OR = 1.0, 95% CI 0.9-1.3 (most recent waiting time); in the pregnancy sample, OR = 0.9, 95% CI 0.7-1.1). The fecundity distribution among smokers appeared to be shifted toward longer waiting times without a change in the shape of the distribution. Women who have difficulty conceiving should try to stop smoking or to reduce their smoking to less than 10 cigarettes per day.

Crotonaldehyde hydrogenation over bimetallic PtSn catalysts supported on pregraphitized carbon black. Effect of the preparation method

Abstract: Three bimetallic PtSn/C catalysts have been prepared by successive impregnation of pregraphitized carbon black with an aqueous solutions of hexachloroplatinic acid and tin(II) chloride. One monometallic Pt/C sample was also prepared and studied for comparison. All catalysts were characterized by hydrogen and carbon monoxide chemisorption at room temperature and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and their behaviour in the gas phase hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde, at atmospheric pressure, determined. The amount of surface platinum is greatly reduced by the addition of tin, as deduced from chemisorption measurements and XPS. Both Pt0 and PtII are detected by XPS in the fresh bimetallic catalysts; after reduction in flowing hydrogen at 623 K platinum is completely reduced to the metallic state and, although a high proportion of tin remains in an oxidized state, a relatively important amount is reduced to Sn0, this allowing the possibility of PtSn alloys formation. The catalytic activity in the gas phase hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde is greatly improved by the presence of tin, in spite of the fact that the amount of surface platinum is reduced. Tin has also a very important effect on the selectivity towards the hydrogenation of the CO bond, increasing the production of crotyl alcohol in respect to the hydrogenation of the CC bond that would lead to the production of butyraldehyde. The observed results are explained on the basis of a promoting effect of oxidized tin species for the hydrogenation of the CO group, whereas the formation of a PtSn alloy or the dilution of surface platinum by metallic tin would hinder the hydrogenation of the olefinic CC bond.

NO reduction by activated carbons. 7. Some mechanistic aspects of uncatalyzed and catalyzed reaction

Abstract: In this last paper of a series devoted to uncatalyzed and catalyzed reduction of NO by carbon, we discuss some mechanistic aspects of this reaction, which is thought to be a viable alternative to selective catalytic reduction by ammonia or hydrocarbons. We present a summary of the results of isothermal and temperature-programmed reduction studies on a metal-free activated carbon and carbon loaded with K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Cr, Co, and Ni catalysts. All the results obtained on catalyzed NO reduction are consistent with a simple oxidation-reduction (redox) mechanism involving the following kinetically significant steps : (1) chemisorption of NO on the catalyst surface ; (2) transfer of oxygen from the catalytically active sites to the carbon reactive sites ; and (3) desorption of oxygen from the carbon surface. A comparison with the proposed mechanisms for selective catalytic reduction is offered, as well as a mechanistic interpretation of the NO reduction enhancement in the presence of O 2 .

Mulching treatment for postfire soil conservation in a semiarid ecosystem

Abstract: Fire may generate soil degradation and accelerate erosion processes, depending among other factors, on the regeneration capacity of the ecosystem. Conservation measures will be beneficial in those fragile systems where a high degradation hazard is estimated. Mulching treatment was evaluated in order to establish its efficiency in protecting soil and preventing runoff generation in a semiarid area affected by a wildfire. Straw mulch was applied at 200 g m‐2 in three replicated plots. Paired mulched and control plots were established in a three block experimental design. Runoff, sediment yield, plant cover, and dynamics of soil physical properties were measured in these plots over a 2‐year period. Most of the plant regeneration after the fire resulted from resprouting of the dry grassland species, dominated by Brachypodium retusum. Total plant cover was only 50% two years after passage of the fire. Runoff and sediment yield were significantly greater from control plots. Soil loss from control plots was abou...

A single residue in the M2-M3 loop is a major determinant of coupling between binding and gating in neuronal nicotinic receptors

Abstract: Binding of agonists to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors generates a sequence of changes that activate a cation-selective conductance. By measuring electrophysiological responses in chimeric alpha7/alpha3 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes, we have showed the involvement of the M2-M3 loop in coupling agonist binding to the channel gate. An aspartate residue therein, Asp-266 in the alpha7 subunit, was identified by site-directed mutagenesis as crucial, since mutants at this position exhibited very poor functional responses to three different nicotinic agonists. We have extended this investigation to another neuronal nicotinic receptor (alpha3/beta4), and found that a homologous residue in the beta4 subunit, Asp-268, played a similar role in coupling. These findings are consistent with a hypothesis that the aspartate residue in the M2-M3 loop, which is conserved in all homomer-forming alpha-type subunits and all neuronal beta-type subunits that combine to form functional receptors, is a major determinant of information transmission from binding site to channel gate in all neuronal nicotinic receptors.

Synthesis of SiC from rice husks catalysed by iron, cobalt or nickel

Abstract: The synthesis of SiC (both powder and whiskers) was carried out from rice husks with and without the use of catalysts (iron, cobalt and nickel). The introduction of the catalyst increased the reaction rate, the yield becoming up to three times that for the uncatalysed reaction, and increased the proportion of β-phase from 95% to 99%. The general behaviour of the three catalysts was very similar, although nickel was the most effective from the point of view of reaction rate, and cobalt in producing larger crystal size. Analysis of the evolution of reaction rate, morphology of the whisker formed, evolution of gases during reaction, crystal size and intermetallic phases, led to a reaction mechanism based on the formation of an M-Si-C liquid phase which is essential for the nucleation and growth of the SiC whiskers.

In vivo synchronous membrane potential oscillations in mouse pancreatic beta‐cells: lack of co‐ordination between islets.

Abstract: 1. The properties of the oscillations in electrical activity of different beta-cells within the same islet of Langerhans, and of different islets within the same pancreas, recorded in vivo, are described. 2. Simultaneous recordings of two cells within the same islet showed that the oscillations were synchronous. A rapid increase in blood glucose led to the simultaneous appearance of a transitory phase of continuous electrical activity in both cells. These results indicate that under physiological conditions, the islets operate as a functional syncytium. 3. Simultaneous recordings of cells from two different islets within the same pancreas showed that the oscillations in the electrical activity were not synchronous, which suggests that each islet is a functionally independent unit. Rapid changes in blood glucose led to the appearance of a transitory phase of increased electrical activity in both islets, although of different duration. These results suggest that the endocrine pancreas lacks a pacemaker driving the electrical activity of all the islets. 4. The comparison of the degree of activation of different islets, simultaneously recorded at different glucose concentrations, indicated that all the islets had a similar sensitivity to glucose. Furthermore, when the glucose concentration was increased, the electrical activity in both islets increased in parallel, suggesting that the amount of insulin released due to the increase in glycaemia was produced by the simultaneous response of all the islets and not by the recruitment of islets with different sensitivities to glucose. 5. Our results predict that the synchronous electrical activity of all the cells within an islet will result in widespread intracellular calcium oscillations and pulsatile insulin secretion. The periodicity of the pulses of insulin secretion in different islets is suggested to be of slightly different length and asynchronous.

Additive effect of nitric oxide and prostaglandin-E2 synthesis inhibitors in endotoxin-induced uveitis in the rabbit.

Abstract: The involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was investigated in a model of intraocular inflammation induced by intravitreal injection of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS, 10 ng) in rabbits. The severity of uveitis, the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in iris-ciliary body, and the protein concentration in aqueous humor were determined. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) activities were assessed respectively by nitrite and PGE2 levels in aqueous humor. Treatment with inhibitors of NOS (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, L-NAME, 50 mg/kg i.p.) or COX (diclofenac, 30 μg, topically), alone or in combination, were compared to a salinetreated group. Diclofenac or L-NAME alone reduced or delayed the intensity of uveitis, and partially decreased the protein concentration in aqueous humor; diclofenac, but not L-NAME, partially reduced the polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration in the iris ciliary body as indicated by the MPO activity. Treatment with both inhibitors in combination diminished the clinical uveitis, the disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier and the MPO activity in the iris-ciliary body. We conclude that NO and PGE2 have additive effects in endotoxin-induced uveitis in rabbits, and that the inhibition of both pathways would improve the therapeutical management of uveitis.

16s-23s rDNA intergenic sequences indicate that Leuconostoc oenos is phylogenetically homogeneous

Abstract: The study of the intra-specific phylogenetic structure of Leuconostoc oenos is essential to understand the participation of several strains in malo-lactic fermentation (MLF). RFLP of the PCR-amplified 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) was performed in Leuc. oenos and other related species. The RFLP patterns with seven endonucleases were identical for the 37 Leuc. oenos strains, but differed from those obtained for all other species tested. This method could provide an invaluable insight for molecular identification of the wine leuconostocs. The RFLP relationships of members of the genera Leuconostoc and Weissella were highly similar to those previously reported by 16S and 23S rRNA sequencing studies. The 16S-23S rDNA ISR was sequenced in five strains of Leuc. oenos. A single tRNAAla was detected. The ISR sequence seems to be identical in the two rRNA (rrn) operons found in Leuc. oenos and no significant sequence variation was observed between strains that revealed relative differences as previously shown by PFGE. Results from the present study demonstrated that Leuc. oenos is phylogenetically a very homogeneous species (according to DNA-DNA hybridization studies) and sustain that this species is different from the genus Leuconostoc. The extremely conserved ISR of these organisms suggests that Leuc. oenos strains currently isolated and characterized must have spread with the transfer of viticulture rather than coming from indigenous populations.

Major fatty acid composition of 19 almond cultivars of different origins. A chemometric approach

Abstract: Multivariate chemometric techniques have been applied to the fatty acid composition of gas chromatographic data from 19 almond cultivars. Analysis of variance indicates the important contribution of all major fatty acids to the typification of almond cultivars. Principal component analysis applied to all of the individual values of fatty acids of the different cultivars leads to three new variables which accumulate about 90% of the total variance. The projection of different cultivars in the reduced space allows the visualization of some different cultivar groups. Cluster analysis classifies the studied almond cultivars into three groups. Within a large group many cultivars of the Mediterranean area and the American cultivar Non Pareil are found. The second group includes some Italian and American cultivars. A third group covers one American and one Australian cultivar, in association with two Spanish ones. Discriminant analysis applied to the groups previously established by cluster analysis and principal component analysis brings out two discriminant functions, which explain 68.53% and 31.47% of the total variance, respectively. Application of these discriminant functions verified a correct assignment (100%) of each member to its group.

Thermal degradation of ethylene (vinyl acetate)

Abstract: Ethylene (vinyl acetate), EVA, is a copolymer which is thermally degraded at high temperatures, with acetic acid release at approximately 620 K. This release can be studied by using thermal methods, and in particular thermogravimetric analysis.

Description of prokaryotic biodiversity along the salinity gradient of a multipond solar saltern by direct PCR amplification of 16S rDNA

Abstract: New methods based on PCR amplification of 16S rRNA genes from DNA samples extracted directly from the environment allow the description of microbial diversity in natural ecosystems without the need for cultivation. We have applied this technique to an extreme environment presumed to have very low diversity: the crystallizer ponds of a marine saltern with salinity over NaCl saturation. The molecular methodology has shown that indeed very low diversity can be found here. Prokaryotes belonging to the Bacteria domain are a minor component and only members of a closely related cluster of sequences were found, all relatives of the α-Proteobacteria (ca. 83% to Rhodopseudomonas marina). Halophilic Archaea were as expected the largest component of biomass in this environment. All the clones sequenced corresponded again to a highly homologous cluster (probably members of the same genus). However, all the sequences diverged considerably from the ones of the described genera of halophilic Archaea, in fact the data are consistent with the idea that the 16S rRNA genes directly amplified from the saltern correspond to members of an undescribed genus. This is remarkable since many collection strains sequenced come specifically from this saltern. Furthermore, 16S rDNA obtained from archaeal cultures isolated from the same sample had no homology to the sequences obtained by PCR amplification, instead they appear to be members of the well known genus Haloarcula. However, this concurs with the findings of other authors who obtained different organisms by culture from those detected by the sequences retrieved directly by PCR. A possible explanation is that culturability, in standard media, is the exception rather than the rule. To study the biodiversity gradient present along the salinity gradient found in a multi-pond solar saltern we have also applied a novel molecular strategy. This method is based on the restriction digestion of a population of 16S rDNA sequences directly amplified from an environmental sample. Digested fragments separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis generate characteristic profile data for estimation of diversity and overall similarities between the organisms of different environments. The methodology has been applied to a set of five ponds covering the salinity gradient from about twice that of seawater (6.4%) to NaCI precipitation (30.8%). Bacterial (eubacterial) diversity estimated from the complexity of the banding pattern obtained by restriction of the amplicons from the different ponds decreased with increasing salinity while for Archaea (archaebacteria) the reverse was true i.e. the higher the salinity the higher the number of bands. The similarities in taxonomic composition of the prokaryotic populations present in those ponds were evaluated from the number of restriction bands shared by the different samples. The relationships found among the different environments were independent of the enzyme used for digestion and were consistent with previous descriptions obtained by the study of isolates from the different environments. This technique appears to be promising as a rapid method for microbial biodiversity fingerprinting useful to compare several environments and detect major shifts in species composition of the microbial population.

Salinity and nitrogen fertilization affecting the macronutrient content and yield of sweet pepper plants

Abstract: The effects of salinity due to sodium chloride (NaCl) and nitrogen (N) concentration in the nutrient solution were studied with sweet pepper plants. Four saline treatments combined with two N fertilization were used. Nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3 ‐‐N) presence in the nutrient solution produced an increase of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) contents in leaves as well as N. Salinity promoted a reduction of K, phosphorus (P) and Ca and increased the Na concentration in leaves. Calcium (Ca) concentrations were lower in the higher NO3 ‐‐N treatment although N level was reached adding calcium nitrate and salinity increased P, K, Na, Ca, and magnesium (Mg) contents in fruits. Yield was increased in the highest N treatment.