Stability, stabilisation and performance of multilevel controllers under structural perturbations. Part 2: Stabilisation under any structural perturbation

1980 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.F. Hassan ◽  
M.G. Singh
2008 ◽  
Vol 414 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. N. B. S. Srinivas ◽  
P. Yadagiri Reddy ◽  
G. Bhanuprakash Reddy

The small heat-shock protein α-crystallin isolated from the eye lens exists as a large (700 kDa) heteropolymer composed of two subunits, αA and αB, of 20 kDa each. Although trace amounts of αA-crystallin are found in other tissues, non-lenticular distribution of α-crystallin is dominated by the αB homopolymer. In most vertebrate lens, the molar ratio of αA to αB is generally 3:1. However, the importance of this ratio in the eye lens is not known. In the present study, we have investigated the physiological significance of the 3:1 ratio by determining the secondary/tertiary structure, hydrophobicity and chaperone-like activity of αA- and αB-homopolymers and heteropolymers with different ratios of αA to αB subunits. Although, under physiologically relevant conditions, the αB-homopolymer (37–40 °C) has shown relatively higher activity, the αA-homopolymer or the heteropolymer with a higher αA proportion (3:1 ratio) has shown greater chaperone-like activity at elevated temperatures (>50 °C) and also upon structural perturbation. Furthermore, higher chaperone activity at elevated temperatures as well as upon structural perturbation is mainly mediated through increased hydrophobicity of αA. Although homopolymers and heteropolymers of α-crystallin did not differ in their secondary structure, changes in tertiary structure due to structural perturbations upon pre-heating are mediated predominantly by αA. Interestingly, the heteropolymer with higher αA proportion (3:1) or the αA-homopolymer seems to be better chaperones in protecting lens β- and γ-crystallins at both normal and elevated temperatures. Thus lens might have favoured a combination of these qualities to achieve optimal protection under both native and stress (perturbed) conditions for which the heteropolymer with αA to αB in the 3:1 ratio appears to be better suited.


Author(s):  
H. M. Thieringer

It has repeatedly been show that with conventional electron microscopes very fine electron probes can be produced, therefore allowing various micro-techniques such as micro recording, X-ray microanalysis and convergent beam diffraction. In this paper the function and performance of an SIEMENS ELMISKOP 101 used as a scanning transmission microscope (STEM) is described. This mode of operation has some advantages over the conventional transmission microscopy (CTEM) especially for the observation of thick specimen, in spite of somewhat longer image recording times.Fig.1 shows schematically the ray path and the additional electronics of an ELMISKOP 101 working as a STEM. With a point-cathode, and using condensor I and the objective lens as a demagnifying system, an electron probe with a half-width ob about 25 Å and a typical current of 5.10-11 amp at 100 kV can be obtained in the back focal plane of the objective lens.


Author(s):  
Huang Min ◽  
P.S. Flora ◽  
C.J. Harland ◽  
J.A. Venables

A cylindrical mirror analyser (CMA) has been built with a parallel recording detection system. It is being used for angular resolved electron spectroscopy (ARES) within a SEM. The CMA has been optimised for imaging applications; the inner cylinder contains a magnetically focused and scanned, 30kV, SEM electron-optical column. The CMA has a large inner radius (50.8mm) and a large collection solid angle (Ω > 1sterad). An energy resolution (ΔE/E) of 1-2% has been achieved. The design and performance of the combination SEM/CMA instrument has been described previously and the CMA and detector system has been used for low voltage electron spectroscopy. Here we discuss the use of the CMA for ARES and present some preliminary results.The CMA has been designed for an axis-to-ring focus and uses an annular type detector. This detector consists of a channel-plate/YAG/mirror assembly which is optically coupled to either a photomultiplier for spectroscopy or a TV camera for parallel detection.


Author(s):  
Joe A. Mascorro ◽  
Gerald S. Kirby

Embedding media based upon an epoxy resin of choice and the acid anhydrides dodecenyl succinic anhydride (DDSA), nadic methyl anhydride (NMA), and catalyzed by the tertiary amine 2,4,6-Tri(dimethylaminomethyl) phenol (DMP-30) are widely used in biological electron microscopy. These media possess a viscosity character that can impair tissue infiltration, particularly if original Epon 812 is utilized as the base resin. Other resins that are considerably less viscous than Epon 812 now are available as replacements. Likewise, nonenyl succinic anhydride (NSA) and dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) are more fluid than their counterparts DDSA and DMP- 30 commonly used in earlier formulations. This work utilizes novel epoxy and anhydride combinations in order to produce embedding media with desirable flow rate and viscosity parameters that, in turn, would allow the medium to optimally infiltrate tissues. Specifically, embeding media based on EmBed 812 or LX 112 with NSA (in place of DDSA) and DMAE (replacing DMP-30), with NMA remaining constant, are formulated and offered as alternatives for routine biological work.Individual epoxy resins (Table I) or complete embedding media (Tables II-III) were tested for flow rate and viscosity. The novel media were further examined for their ability to infilftrate tissues, polymerize, sectioning and staining character, as well as strength and stability to the electron beam and column vacuum. For physical comparisons, a volume (9 ml) of either resin or media was aspirated into a capillary viscocimeter oriented vertically. The material was then allowed to flow out freely under the influence of gravity and the flow time necessary for the volume to exit was recored (Col B,C; Tables). In addition, the volume flow rate (ml flowing/second; Col D, Tables) was measured. Viscosity (n) could then be determined by using the Hagen-Poiseville relation for laminar flow, n = c.p/Q, where c = a geometric constant from an instrument calibration with water, p = mass density, and Q = volume flow rate. Mass weight and density of the materials were determined as well (Col F,G; Tables). Infiltration schedules utilized were short (1/2 hr 1:1, 3 hrs full resin), intermediate (1/2 hr 1:1, 6 hrs full resin) , or long (1/2 hr 1:1, 6 hrs full resin) in total time. Polymerization schedules ranging from 15 hrs (overnight) through 24, 36, or 48 hrs were tested. Sections demonstrating gold interference colors were collected on unsupported 200- 300 mesh grids and stained sequentially with uranyl acetate and lead citrate.


Author(s):  
D. E. Newbury ◽  
R. D. Leapman

Trace constituents, which can be very loosely defined as those present at concentration levels below 1 percent, often exert influence on structure, properties, and performance far greater than what might be estimated from their proportion alone. Defining the role of trace constituents in the microstructure, or indeed even determining their location, makes great demands on the available array of microanalytical tools. These demands become increasingly more challenging as the dimensions of the volume element to be probed become smaller. For example, a cubic volume element of silicon with an edge dimension of 1 micrometer contains approximately 5×1010 atoms. High performance secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) can be used to measure trace constituents to levels of hundreds of parts per billion from such a volume element (e. g., detection of at least 100 atoms to give 10% reproducibility with an overall detection efficiency of 1%, considering ionization, transmission, and counting).


1986 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 264-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
GH Westerman ◽  
TG Grandy ◽  
JV Lupo ◽  
RE Mitchell

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 87-92
Author(s):  
Leonard L. LaPointe

Abstract Loss of implicit linguistic competence assumes a loss of linguistic rules, necessary linguistic computations, or representations. In aphasia, the inherent neurological damage is frequently assumed by some to be a loss of implicit linguistic competence that has damaged or wiped out neural centers or pathways that are necessary for maintenance of the language rules and representations needed to communicate. Not everyone agrees with this view of language use in aphasia. The measurement of implicit language competence, although apparently necessary and satisfying for theoretic linguistics, is complexly interwoven with performance factors. Transience, stimulability, and variability in aphasia language use provide evidence for an access deficit model that supports performance loss. Advances in understanding linguistic competence and performance may be informed by careful study of bilingual language acquisition and loss, the language of savants, the language of feral children, and advances in neuroimaging. Social models of aphasia treatment, coupled with an access deficit view of aphasia, can salve our restless minds and allow pursuit of maximum interactive communication goals even without a comfortable explanation of implicit linguistic competence in aphasia.


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