Deciphering the reaction dynamics underlying optimal control laser fields

Femtosecond high-resolution pump-probe experiments have been used together with theoretical ab initio quantum calculations and wave packet dynamics simulations to decode an optimal femtosecond pulse that is generated from adaptive learning algorithms. This pulse is designed to maximize the yield of the organometallic ion CpMn(CO)3 while hindering the competing fragmentation. The sequential excitation and ionization of the target ion are accomplished by an optimized field consisting of two dominant subpulses with optimal frequencies and time delays.     

Hidden in the woods? Meaning,determining, and practicing of ‘common welfare’ in the case of the German public forests

This article addresses the German debate on the issue of the common welfare designation of public forests. In the first part, drawing on two case studies, the political discourse on the issue is introduced. Two major competing ‘story lines’ can be made out that are both based on a long tradition of controversially discussed concepts of regulatory forest policy. While they both emphasise that common welfare services in forestry run counter to profit orientation, they fundamentally differ with regard to the consequences for forest policy, e.g., considering the degree of state intervention. Afterwards, an overview on the scientific debate on common welfare in the German context is given, and different concepts of common welfare determination are distinguished. Existing approaches of common welfare determination in German forest policy are related to these concepts and discussed. It is argued that the common welfare designation of the public forest is only insufficiently implemented by the actual governance arrangements. Based on this consideration, eventually, the implementation of a procedural concept of common welfare operationalisation in Germany’s public forests at the local level is proposed. While such a concept will not solve all complex problems related to the determination of common welfare in public forestry, it would notably contribute to a more operational definition of common welfare in public forestry and a more informed public debate on the issue.     

Activity and process stability of purified green pepper (Capsicum annuum) pectin methylesterase

Pectin methylesterase (PME) from green bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) was extracted and purified by affinity chromatography on a CNBr-Sepharose-PMEI column. A single protein peak with pectin methylesterase activity was observed. For the pepper PME, a biochemical characterization in terms of molar mass (MM), isoelectric points (pI), and kinetic parameters for activity and thermostability was performed. The optimum pH for PME activity at 22 degrees C was 7.5, and its optimum temperature at neutral pH was between 52.5 and 55.0 degrees C. The purified pepper PME required the presence of 0.13 M NaCl for optimum activity. Isothermal inactivation of purified pepper PME in 20 mM Tris buffer (pH 7.5) could be described by a fractional conversion model for lower temperatures (55-57 degrees C) and a biphasic model for higher temperatures (58-70 degrees C). The enzyme showed a stable behavior toward high-pressure/temperature treatments.     

Endomycorrhizae in a newly cultivated acidic meadow: Effects of three years of barley cropping,tillage, lime,and phosphorus on root colonization and soil infectivity

The dynamics of mycorrhizae under disturbance created by crop production is not well understood. A 3-year experiment was undertaken on a nutrient-poor and acidic land that had last been cultivated in the early 1970s. We observed the effects of cropping spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under four P-fertilizer levels and four levels of lime, in a minimum (rototillage), a reduced (chisel), or a conventional tillage system, on the mycorrhizal receptiveness of the host (maximum level of mycorrhizal colonization, as measured at harvest) and soil infectivity most probable number method. The host receptiveness decreased with time, while crop yields and soil infectivity increased simultaneously with time. Liming increased mycorrhizal colonization of barley roots and soil infectivity. P additions decreased root colonization but did not significantly affect the most probable number valuse. Slightly higher soil infectivity estimates were found under reduced tillage.     

Comparison of the chemical composition of extracts from Scutellaria lateriflora using accelerated solvent extraction and supercritical fluid extraction versus standard hot water or 70% ethanol extraction

The aqueous extract of American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora L. (S. lateriflora), Lamiaceae) has been traditionally used by North American Indians as a nerve tonic and for its sedative and diuretic properties. Recent reports stated that flavonoids and possibly amino acids are responsible for the anxiolytic activity. As a part of our search for environmentally friendly solvents to extract the active components from medicinal plants, we used S. lateriflora in a comparison of accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) using water, and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using CO2 and 10% EtOH as modifier, at different temperatures. Flavonoids and amino acids were quantified by HPLC-UV and HPLC-MS, respectively. The flavonoid content was compared with conventional extraction methods (hot water extraction and 70% ethanol). The use of ASE at 85 degrees C with water as solvent gave the best results for flavonoid glycosides and amino acids, whereas SFE gave higher yields of flavonoid aglycones. However, the results obtained for total flavonoids were not significatively superior to hot water extraction or 70% aqueous EtOH extract.     

Degradation pathway of dicyclanil in water in the presence of titanium dioxide. Comparison with photolysis

The solar photolytic behavior of the pesticide 4,6-diamino-2-cyclopropyl-pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile, currently known as dicyclanil, has been mimicked in a photoreactor operating with an artificial light flux. The rate and pathway of degradation were performed. An additional study, using TiO(2) photocatalysis, has been achieved in order to determine the efficiency of photocatalysis to degrade the molecule. The catalyst was titania Degussa P-25. The aim of this article was the identification of the intermediate products formed during the irradiation, to establish the degradation pathway of dicyclanil. The kinetics of the reactions were followed by liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (LC-DAD). Most of the organic compounds occurring during the photodegradation have been identified by means of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry coupled techniques (HPLC-MS). Additional analyses were carried out to evaluate the mineralization rates into nitrate and ammonium ions.     

The metabolism of [14C]aldicarb in the root of sugar beet plants

Sugar beet plants were grown in the field, after in-furrow application of [¹⁴C]- aldicarb (3 kg of aldicarb ha^?1) at planting. The ripe sugar beet plants were harvested, and the roots were analysed. The roots were fractionated according to a procedure similar to the normal beet-sugar manufacturing process. Expressed as a proportion of the total radioactivity incorporated into the root, the pulp contained 29.7%, the lime cake 9.7%, the crystallised sugar 17.7% (which gave, with the radioactivity found in the sugar in the molasses, a total of 20.7% of the radioactivity in the total sugar), and the molasses, 42.9%. A part of the labelled carbon from the radio- active aldicarb and its metabolites had thus been metabolised and incorporated into sugar molecules. Except for the radioactivity in the sugar and in the lime cake from the processing, the proportion of radioactive non-conjugated organosoluble compounds was very low (2.6%), and perhaps partially corresponded to the very low amount of aldoxycarb (aldicarb sulphone) in the root (less than 0.001 mg of [¹⁴C]-aldicarb equivalents kg^?1 fresh weight). Hydrolysis of the molasses yielded free radioactive 2-methyl-2-(methylsulphinyl)propan-1-ol (3.1%), 2-mesyl-2-methyl-propan-I-ol (8.9%) and 2-mesyl-2-methylpropionic acid (12.0%) which had been conjugated to plant constituents in the root. The corresponding concentrations (expressed as mg of [¹⁴C]aldicarb equivalents kg^?1 fresh weight of root) were 0.004, 0.011, and 0.016, respectively. No aldicarb, aldicarb sulphoxide or aldoxycarb (nor the corresponding nitrile, generated from aldicarb during the fractionation procedure) was liberated by the hydrolysis, indicating the absence of conjugates of these compounds in the root.     

Serological diagnosis of human hypodermosis: A preliminary report

In France, farm workers are occasionally infested with the larvae of Hypoderma lineatum and H. bovis, which are primirily parasites of cattle. A specific serological test for diagnosing human cases is described here.The immunological responses in cattle are directed mainly against the proteolytic secretion of the first instar larvae. This secretion was used as an antigen for the diagnostic immuno-electrophoretic test in man. The antigen was highly specific and produced negative results to human sera from 108 patients with other forms of parasitoses and 23 non- parasitized controls.We report here on 13 cases of Hypoderma infestation in man. Ten of these were positive and three negative to the test. In the negative cases, the serum was collected 1–2 months after the emergence of the larvae. The immunological response disappeared rapidly after larval emergence; in one case within 9 days.     

Factors associated with fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus outbreaks in quebec

ABSTRACT The Fusarium spp. causing Fusarium crown and root rot (FCRR) are ubiquitous and abundant in soils, but in contrast, disease expression is localized and sporadic. Previous studies have related FCRR infection to phenolic acids released by asparagus, to the repression of Mn-reducers in soil, and to various soil physicochemical conditions. Fifty commercial asparagus plantations were surveyed using an exploratory approach in order to pinpoint the ecological conditions associated with FCRR development. Twenty-eight variables were used to describe the soil environments of the asparagus crops as well as the influence of crop management practices used locally. The data set was analyzed both as a whole and parsed by main cultivars (Jersey Giant and Guelph Millenium). Both field conditions and percentage of field area affected by FCRR varied widely between asparagus plantations. Planting depth was positively correlated with percentage of field area affected by FCRR and, hence, deep planting may favor FCRR infection. Plantation age was positively correlated with percentage of field area affected by FCRR, while soil available Mn was inversely correlated. Most importantly, soil Mn availability decreased with increasing plantation age, supporting the hypothesis of an asparagusmediated negative impact on Mn-reducing bacteria and of the involvement of reduced Mn availability in FCRR development. Improving the availability of Mn could provide a solution to the problem of FCRR in asparagus plantations.