Metathesis of Alkanes Catalyzed by Silica-Supported Transition Metal Hydrides

The silica-supported transition metal hydrides (=Si-O-Si=)(=Si-O-)2Ta-H and (=Si-O-)xM-H (M, chromium or tungsten) catalyze the metathesis reaction of linear or branched alkanes into the next higher and lower alkanes at moderate temperature (25degrees to 200degreesC). With (=Si-O-Si=)(=Si-O-)2Ta-H, ethane was transformed at room temperature into an equimolar mixture of propane and methane. Higher and lower homologs were obtained from propane, butane, and pentane as well as from branched alkanes such as isobutane and isopentane. The mechanism of the step leading to carbon-carbon bond cleavage and formation likely involves a four-centered transition state between a tantalum-alkyl intermediate and a carbon-carbon final sigma-bond of a second molecule of alkane.     

Possible etiology of schizophrenia: progressive damage to the noradrenergic reward system by 6-hydroxydopamine

Single or repeated intraventricular injections of 6-hydroxydopamine caused marked and long-lasting deficits in brain self-stimulation and other rewarded behaviors in the rat. The behavioral deficits, as well as the depletion of brain norepinephrine induced by 6-hydroxydopamine, were prevented by prior treatment with chlorpromazine. Episodic or continuous formation of endogenous 6-hydroxydopamine in man as a result of a genetically determined enzymatic error could selectively damage the binding capacity and, eventually, the structural integrity of the noradrenergic reward mechanism. Such damage might cause the fundamental symptoms and long-term downhill course of schizophrenia.     

Judgments of sameness and difference: experiments on decision time

When asked to judge whether two stimuli (tones) were the "same" or "different," subjects took longer to decide that two identical stimuli were the same than to decide that two dissimilar stimuli were different. Thus these judgments are not equivalent obverse aspects of a unitary judgmental process. While decision theory can be extended to deal with the obtained data, a model based on an analogy with a statistical computer is more directly applicable.     

Spatial Variability of Turbulent Mixing in the Abyssal Ocean

Ocean microstructure data show that turbulent mixing in the deep Brazil Basin of the South Atlantic Ocean is weak at all depths above smooth abyssal plains and the South American Continental Rise. The diapycnal diffusivity there was estimated to be less than or approximately equal to 0.1 x 10(-4) meters squared per second. In contrast, mixing rates are large throughout the water column above the rough Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and the diffusivity deduced for the bottom-most 150 meters exceeds 5 x 10(-4) meters squared per second. Such patterns in vertical mixing imply that abyssal circulations have complex spatial structures that are linked to the underlying bathymetry.     

Association of TALS developmental disorder with defect in minor splicing component U4atac snRNA

The spliceosome, a ribonucleoprotein complex that includes proteins and small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), catalyzes RNA splicing through intron excision and exon ligation to produce mature messenger RNAs, which, in turn serve as templates for protein translation. We identified four point mutations in the U4atac snRNA component of the minor spliceosome in patients with brain and bone malformations and unexplained postnatal death [microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type 1 (MOPD 1) or Taybi-Linder syndrome (TALS); Mendelian Inheritance in Man ID no. 210710]. Expression of a subgroup of genes, possibly linked to the disease phenotype, and minor intron splicing were affected in cell lines derived from TALS patients. Our findings demonstrate a crucial role of the minor spliceosome component U4atac snRNA in early human development and postnatal survival.     

Comparison of foliar and soil formulations of neonicotinoid insecticides for control of potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), in wine grapes

BACKGROUND: The potential of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides to control potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), a damaging pest of wine grapes in the eastern United States, was investigated. Soil or foliar applications were made to potted or field‐grown vines, and the response of leafhoppers was determined in clip cages over the following month on young or mature leaves. RESULTS: Foliar application of imidacloprid caused immediate and long‐lasting reductions in E. fabae survival on both leaf ages, whereas the activity of soil‐applied imidacloprid was delayed. Clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam all provided long‐lasting reduction in leafhopper survival on young and mature foliage when applied through either delivery route. However, the percentage of moribund nymphs was significantly greater on foliar‐treated vines and increased over time in mature and immature leaves compared with soil‐treated vines. Residue analysis of foliar‐applied imidacloprid showed an 89% decline in mature leaves from day 1 to day 27, and a 98% decline in immature leaves over the same time period. Comparison of soil‐applied clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in field‐grown vines showed significant reduction in E. fabae only on mature leaves of vines treated with thiamethoxam. CONCLUSIONS: Neonicotinoids can control E. fabae in small vines, even in rapidly expanding foliage where this pest causes greatest injury. Soil application provides superior long‐term vine protection because declining residues on foliar‐treated vines lead to suboptimal activity within 2–3 weeks. Vineyard managers of susceptible cultivars may take advantage of this approach to E. fabae management by using foliar applications of the three neonicotinoids tested here, or by using soil‐applied thiamethoxam. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry