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At least 181 records · Page 10

Bioinformatics Investigations of Universal Stress Proteins from Mercury-Methylating Desulfovibrionaceae

The presence of methylmercury in aquatic environments and marine food sources is of global concern. The chemical reaction for the addition of a methyl group to inorganic mercury occurs in diverse bacterial taxonomic groups including the Gram-negative, sulfate-reducing Desulfovibrionaceae family that inhabit extreme aquatic environments. The availability of whole-genome sequence datasets for members of the Desulfovibrionaceae presents opportunities to understand the microbial mechanisms that contribute to methylmercury production in extreme aquatic environments. We have applied bioinformatics resources and developed visual analytics resources to categorize a collection of 719 putative universal stress protein (USP) sequences predicted from 93 genomes of Desulfovibrionaceae. We have focused our bioinformatics investigations on protein sequence analytics by developing interactive visualizations to categorize Desulfovibrionaceae universal stress proteins by protein domain composition and functionally important amino acids. We identified 651 Desulfovibrionaceae universal stress protein sequences, of which 488 sequences had only one USP domain and 163 had two USP domains. The 488 single USP domain sequences were further categorized into 340 sequences with ATP-binding motif and 148 sequences without ATP-binding motif. The 163 double USP domain sequences were categorized into (1) both USP domains with ATP-binding motif (3 sequences); (2) both USP domains without ATP-binding motif (138 sequences); and (3) one USP domain with ATP-binding motif (21 sequences). We developed visual analytics resources to facilitate the investigation of these categories of datasets in the presence or absence of the mercury-methylating gene pair (hgcAB). Future research could utilize these functional categories to investigate the participation of universal stress proteins in the bacterial cellular uptake of inorganic mercury and methylmercury production, especially in anaerobic aquatic environments.

Isokpehi, Raphael D. (ORCID:0000000268770840)↗

Concentration distribution of methyl chloride in the atmosphere

Electron capture gas chromatography techniques were used to obtain measurements of methyl chloride concentrations in the atmosphere, at latitudes ranging from about 65 N to 90 S. Most of the measurements were made over the Pacific Ocean. Average global concentrations within the boundary layer were found to be 815 plus or minus 25 pptv in 1977 and 755 plus or minus 37 pptv in 1978. Lower concentrations were observed above the boundary layer with average values of 629 plus or minus 23 pptv and 618 plus or minus 23 pptv in 1977 and 1978, respectively. Within 20 deg of the equator, the boundary layer concentrations were significantly higher than those above the boundary layer. The sources, the sinks, the budgets, and the latitudinal distributions of methyl chloride are discussed in the paper.

Rasmussen, R. A.↗

On OMC-1 temperatures determined from methyl cyanide observations

An analysis is performed on the J(k) = 12(k)-11(k) and 13(k)-12(k) transitions of methyl cyanide detected by other investigators in the direction of OMC-1. The original interpretation of those observations argues for the presence of two distinct temperature regions or possibly a temperature gradient within the cloud. The analysis presented here demonstrates that the observations of these particular molecular transitions are consistent with a single methyl cyanide emission region with a source kinetic temperature of 121.2 + or - 8.2 K and a molecular rotational temperature of 16.6 + or - 1.8 K.

Hollis, J. M.↗

Methyl acetylene as a temperature probe for dense interstellar clouds

Methyl acetylene (propyne) appears to be a convenient and reliable probe of kinetic temperature for dense (few x 10 to the 4th/ cu cm) molecular clouds. A method is presented for fitting a (J + 1) - J K-multiplet to obtain the kinetic temperature from a single observation, facilitating the direct construction of kinetic temperature maps. Observations of Tau MC1, Ori MC1, Sgr B2, DR 21, DR 21 (OH), and S140 are presented to demonstrate the validity of the technique. Determination of methyl acetylene column densities requires, in addition, knowledge of the rotational excitation temperature. The relative abundance of CH3CCH appears to be within a factor of 2 of 2.5 x 10 to the -9th. Because of the large uncertainties in estimates of total gas column density, it is not clear whether there is genuine source-to-source variation in the CH3CCH relative abundance.

Kuiper, T. B. H.↗

Complexes of polyadenylic acid and the methyl esters of amino acids

A study of amino acid methyl esters binding to polyadenylic acid supports the theory that the genetic code originated through weak but selective affinities between amino acids and nucleotides. NMR, insoluble complex analysis, and ultraviolet spectroscopy are used to illustrate a correlation between the hydrophybicities of A amino acids and their binding constants, which, beginning with the largest, are in the order of Phe (having nominally a hydrophobic AAA anticodon), Ile, Leu, Val and Gly (having a hydrophilic anticodon with no A). In general, the binding constants are twice the values by Reuben and Polk (1980) for monomeric AMP, which suggests that polymer amino acids are interacting with only one base. No real differences are found betwen poly A binding for free Phe, Phe methyl ester or Phe amide, except that the amide value is slightly lower.

Khaled, M. A.↗

The millimeter and submillimeter laboratory spectrum of methyl formate in its ground symmetric torsional state

Over 200 rotational lines of methyl formate in its ground (v sub t = 0), symmetric (A) torsional state have been measured in the frequency range 140-550 GHz. Analysis of these and lower frequency transitions permits accurate prediction (below 0.1 MHz) of over 10,000 transitions at frequencies below 600 GHz with angular momentum J lower than 50. The measured spectral lines have permitted identification of over 100 new methyl formate lines in Orion.

Plummer, G. M.↗

The laboratory millimeter-wave spectrum of methyl formate in its ground torsional E state

Over 250 rotational transitions of the internal rotor methyl formate (HCOOCH3) in its ground v(t) = 0 degenerate (E) torsional substate have been measured in the millimeter-wave spectral region. These data and a number of E-state lines identified by several other workers have been analyzed using an extension of the classical principal-axis method in the high barrier limit. The resulting rotational constants allow accurate prediction of the v(t) = 0 E substate methyl formate spectrum below 300 GHz between states with angular momentum J not greater than 30 and rotational energy of not more than 350/cm. The calculated transition frequencies for the E state, when combined with the results of the previous analysis of the ground-symmetric, nondegenerate state, account for over 200 of the emission lines observed toward Orion in a recent survey of the 215-265 GHz band.

Plummer, G. M.↗

The 1-((diorganooxy phosphonyl) methyl)-2,4- and -2,6-diamino benzenes and their derivatives

The 1-((diorganooxy phosphonyl) methyl)-2,4- and -2,6-dinitro- and diamino benzenes are prepared by nitrating an (organo phosphenyl) methyl benzene to produce the dinitro compounds which are then reduced to the diamino compounds. The organo groups (alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl) on the phosphorus may be removed to give the free acids (HO)2P(=0)-. The diamino compounds may be polymerized with dianhydrides or diacyl halides to produce fire and flame resistant polymers which are useful in the manufacture of aircraft structures.

Mikroyannidis, John A.↗

The 1-((diorganooxyphosphonyl)-methyl)-2,4- and -2,6-diamido benzenes

1-((Diorgano oxyphosphonyl) methyl)-2,4- and -2,6-dinitro and diamino benzenes are prepared by nitrating an (organophosphonyl) methyl benzene to produce the dinitro compounds which are then reduced to the diamino compounds. The organo grounds (alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl) on the phosphorus may be removed to give the free acids (HO)2P(double bond O)single bond. The diamino compounds may be polymerized with dianhydrides or diacyl halides to produce fire and flame resistant polymers which are useful in the manufacture of aircraft structures.

Mikroyannidis, John A.↗

A study of the sources and sinks of methane and methyl chloroform using a global three-dimensional Lagrangian tropospheric tracer transport model

Sources and sinks of methane and methyl chloroform are investigated using a global three-dimensional Lagrangian tropospheric tracer transport model with parameterized hydroxyl and temperature fields. Using the hydroxyl radical field calibrated to the methyl chloroform observations, the globally averaged release of methane and its spatial and temporal distribution were investigated. Two source function models of the spatial and temporal distribution of the flux of methane to the atmosphere were developed. The first model was based on the assumption that methane is emitted as a proportion of net primary productivity (NPP). The second model identified source regions for methane from rice paddies, wetlands, enteric fermentation, termites, and biomass burning based on high-resolution land use data. The most significant difference between the two models were predictions of methane fluxes over China and South East Asia, the location of most of the world's rice paddies, indicating that either the assumption that a uniform fraction of NPP is converted to methane is not valid for rice paddies, or that NPP is underestimated for rice paddies, or that present methane emission estimates from rice paddies are too high.

Taylor, John A.↗

The effects of growth temperature on the methyl sterol and phospholipid fatty acid composition of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

Growth of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) at temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 C resulted in changes to the whole cell lipid constituents. As temperature was lowered, the overall proportion of hexadecenoic acid (C16:1) increased, and the relative proportions of the Delta9, Delta10, and Delta11 C16:1 double bond positional isomers changed. Methyl sterol content also increased as the growth temperature was lowered. The highest amounts of methyl sterol were found in 30 C cells and the lowest in 50 C cells (sterol-phospholipid ratios of 0.077 and 0.013, respectively). The data are consistent with a membrane modulating role for the sterol produced by this prokaryotic organism.

Jahnke, Linda L.↗

The effects of growth temperature on the methyl sterol and phospholipid fatty acid composition of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

Growth of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) at temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 degrees C resulted in changes to the whole cell lipid constituents. As temperature was lowered, the overall proportion of hexadecenoic acid (C16:1) increased, and the relative proportions of the delta 9, delta 10 and delta 11 C16:1 double bond positional isomers changed. Methyl sterol content also increased as the growth temperature was lowered. The highest amounts of methyl sterol were found in 30 degrees C cells and the lowest in 50 degrees C cells (sterol-phospholipid ratios of 0.077 and 0.013, respectively). The data are consistent with a membrane modulating role for the sterol produced by this prokaryotic organism.

Jahnke, L. L.↗

Measurement of the methyl cyanide E/A ratio in TMC-1

We have observed the methyl cyanide (CH3CN) J = 2-1 K = 0 and 1 transitions toward the cyanopolyyne peak of TMC-1 and have derived an E/A (ortho/para)abundance ratio N(E)/N(A) = 0.75 +/- 0.10. The total methyl cyanide column density is N(total) = 5 x 10 exp 12/sq cm toward TMC-1, in agreement with earlier results from the J = 1-0 lines.

Minh, Y. C.↗

Li-Ion Cells Employing Electrolytes With Methyl Propionate and Ethyl Butyrate Co-Solvents

Future NASA missions aimed at exploring Mars and the outer planets require rechargeable batteries that can operate at low temperatures to satisfy the requirements of such applications as landers, rovers, and penetrators. A number of terrestrial applications, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) also require energy storage devices that can operate over a wide temperature range (i.e., -40 to +70 C), while still providing high power capability and long life. Currently, the state-of-the-art lithium-ion system has been demonstrated to operate over a wide range of temperatures (-30 to +40 C); however, the rate capability at the lower temperatures is very poor. These limitations at very low temperatures are due to poor electrolyte conductivity, poor lithium intercalation kinetics over the electrode surface layers, and poor ionic diffusion in the electrode bulk. Two wide-operating-temperature-range electrolytes have been developed based on advances involving lithium hexafluorophosphate-based solutions in carbonate and carbonate + ester solvent blends, which have been further optimized in the context of the technology and targeted applications. The approaches employed include further optimization of electrolytes containing methyl propionate (MP) and ethyl butyrate (EB), which are effective co-solvents, to widen the operating temperature range beyond the baseline systems. Attention was focused on further optimizing ester-based electrolyte formulations that have exhibited the best performance at temperatures ranging from -60 to +60 C, with an emphasis upon improving the rate capability at -20 to -40 C. This was accomplished by increasing electrolyte salt concentration to 1.20M and increasing the ester content to 60 percent by volume to increase the ionic conductivity at low temperatures. Two JPL-developed electrolytes 1.20M LiPF6 in EC+EMC+MP (20:20:60 v/v %) and 1.20M LiPF6 in EC+EMC+EB (20:20:60 v/v %) operate effectively over a wide temperature range in MCMB-LiNiCoAlO2 and Li4Ti5O12-LiNi-CoAlO2 prototype cells. These electrolytes have enabled high rate performance at low temperature (i.e., up to 2.0C rates at -50 C and 5.0C rates at -40 C), and good cycling performance over a wide temperature range (i.e., from -40 to +70 C). Current efforts are focused upon improving the high temperature resilience of the methyl propionatebased system through the use of electrolyte additives, which are envisioned to improve the nature of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers.

Smart, Marshall C.↗

Methylation Pattern Detection in the Genome of Bacillus Pumilus Strain SAFR-032

Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032, an endospore-forming bacterial strain that was isolated from a spacecraft assembly facility (SAFR), was investigated to determine its methylation pattern (methylome) across the genome in comparison to the previously sequenced reference genome. In addition, a version of SAFR-032 that was flown as spores for 18 months on the International Space Station (ISS) was also investigated for possible genomic changes due to long-duration ISS-flight and to determine if methylation patterns may have changed. Both the genomics and methylomics were conducted using a Nanopore MinION sequencing device. In addition to the omics investigation, the two SAFR-032 strains, ISS flown and non-ISS flown, were compared phenotypically in chamber experiments testing individual environmental insults: ionizing radiation, UV exposure, and cold desiccation (i.e. freeze drying). Results from this study inform on Planetary Protection concerns and will reveal potential DNA damage associated with long-term spaceflight and how such damage may influence survivors after being transported to an extraterrestrial environment, such as Mars.

Serda, Bianca M.↗

Metal Phosphide Nanoparticles Generated via a Molecular Precursor Route for Hydrotreatment of Methyl Laurate

Transition metal phosphide nanoparticles supported on silica were used as catalysts to investigate the hydrodeoxygenation of methyl laurate (used as a model compound for vegetable oils). Ni 2 P, Ni 1 Mo 1 P, and Ni 1.6 Mo 0.4 P were synthesized using a molecular precursor route. The nanoparticles were added to the silica support without any changes in their structure or particle size. As a reference and for comparison, MoP/SiO 2 was also prepared by the phosphite method. The prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and chemical analysis. A higher conversion is reached with the MoP/SiO 2 monometallic catalyst, close to that with Ni 1 Mo 1 P/SiO 2 . However, this observation is misleading because the differences in dispersion obscure the result that the intrinsic activity (turnover frequency) of the bimetallic catalyst, prepared by a molecular precursor route, is significantly higher than that of the monometallic catalyst, prepared by the phosphite route, revealing a synergistic effect on the catalytic activity due to the formation of the bimetallic phosphide.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

PdCu Single Atom Alloys for the Selective Oxidation of Methanol to Methyl Formate at Low Temperatures

The selective catalytic oxidation of methanol to methyl formate (MF) has been considered as an attractive route to produce MF, an important precursor in the chemical industry. Although supported Pd nanoparticles are active for the selective oxidation of methanol to MF, the relatively low MF selectivity and yield remains an unsolved issue. Here in this paper, we show that adding a small amount of Pd into Cu forming PdCu single atom alloy (SAA) catalysts can catalyze the oxidation of methanol to MF selectively at low temperatures, with a high catalyst stability. The atomic dispersion of Pd atoms in the Cu matrix was confirmed by various in-situ characterization techniques. The activity and selectivity of PdCu SAA catalysts were compared to monometallic Cu and Pd catalysts, in a flow reactor at similar conditions. This work may guide the design of new SAA based catalysts for selective oxidation reactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗