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The microstructure of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) is strongly influenced by short‐chain branches (SCBs) incorporated into the polymer backbone. Varying the number, distribution, and length of SCBs allows the properties of the resulting polymer to be tailored to meet specific requirements. Using Ziegler–Natta (ZN) catalysts for synthesis has disadvantages in terms of the comonomer incorporation distribution (CID) compared to, for instance, metallocene and post–metallocene catalysts. Nevertheless, ZN catalysts continue to be widely used, as many of the new generations of catalysts are more difficult to handle and cannot match the cheap cost of ZN catalysts. To improve this aspect of ZN catalysts, we investigated the influence of catalyst titanation temperature and polymerization process parameters on the CID. Our results show that it is possible to manipulate the process parameters of the present ZN catalyst system to yield a desired comonomer amount and CID in the polymer. Varying the titanation temperature clearly influenced the titanium content of the catalyst. Molecular‐weight distribution analysis and deconvolution results indicate that changes in the amounts of comonomer incorporated and in the CID are directly related to the catalyst's active site that produces the lowest‐molecular‐weight fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An outbreak of salmonellosis due to Salmonella Typhimurium was detected coincidentally in a Swiss meat rabbitry, given that surveillance of Salmonella in rabbits is not mandatory in Switzerland. Methods: To assess the extent of potentially subclinical Salmonella carriage inmeat rabbits, faecal pool samples of 50 farms (90% of Swiss commercial rabbitries) with ground covering litter and group housing were bacteriologically tested. Additionally, 236 rabbits showing clinical signs compatible with intestinal diseases, such as salmonellosis, were examined postmortem and analysed bacteriologically. Salmonella isolates were serotyped and analysed bywhole genome sequencing (WGS). Results: Salmonella Typhimurium was detected in three commercial farms (6.0% of all tested farms). The affected farms were directly linked to the animal trade and Salmonella isolates were shown to be identical byWGS. Conclusion: There is no increased hazard for Salmonella carriage in the animalwelfarefriendly Swiss husbandry systems in general, despite risk factors such as ground covering litter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ziegler‐Natta (ZN) based co‐polymerization processes for the production of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) generally give rise to a non‐uniform incorporation distribution of the comonomer. It has been shown that lowering the titanation temperature during catalyst synthesis can increase the evenness of this distribution. However, polymerization process parameters also affect the resulting incorporation distribution. To investigate these factors, a ZN system using a variety of comonomer‐types, at various ‐concentrations and polymerization temperatures is studied. The molecular properties of the polymer samples obtained are analyzed by high‐temperature size‐exclusion chromatography (HT‐SEC). It is shown that a more uniform incorporation distribution of the comonomer can be achieved by lowering either the polymerization temperature or the comonomer concentration, and that lowering both increases the effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme droughts are expected to increase in frequency and severity in many regions of the world, threatening multiple ecosystem services provided by forests. Effective strategies to adapt forests to such droughts require comprehensive information on the effects and importance of the factors influencing forest resistance and resilience. We used a unique combination of inventory and dendrochronological data from a long‐term (>30 years) silvicultural experiment in mixed silver fir and Norway spruce mountain forests along a temperature and precipitation gradient in southwestern Germany. We aimed at examining the mechanisms and forest stand characteristics underpinning the resistance and resilience to past mild and severe droughts. We found that (i) fir benefited from mild droughts and showed higher resistance (i.e., lower growth loss during drought) and resilience (i.e., faster return to pre‐drought growth levels) than spruce to all droughts; (ii) species identity determined mild drought responses while species interactions and management‐related factors strongly influenced the responses to severe droughts; (iii) intraspecific and interspecific interactions had contrasting effects on the two species, with spruce being less resistant to severe droughts when exposed to interaction with fir and beech; (iv) higher values of residual stand basal area following thinning were associated with lower resistance and resilience to severe droughts; and (v) larger trees were resilient to mild drought events but highly vulnerable to severe droughts. Our study provides an analytical approach for examining the effects of different factors on individual tree‐ and stand‐level drought response. The forests investigated here were to a certain extent resilient to mild droughts, and even benefited from such conditions, but were strongly affected by severe droughts. Lastly, negative effects of severe droughts can be reduced through modifying species composition, tree size distribution and stand density in mixed silver fir‐Norway spruce forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously it was demonstrated that triptycene end‐capping can be used as a crystal engineering strategy to direct the packing of quinoxalinophenanthrophenazines (QPPs) towards cofacially stacked π dimers with large molecular overlap resulting in high charge transfer integrals. Remarkably, this packing motif was formed under different crystallization conditions and with a variety of derivatives bearing additional functional groups or aromatic substituents. Benzothienobenzothiophene (BTBT) and its derivatives are known as some of the best performing compounds for organic field‐effect transistors. Here, the triptycene end‐capping concept is introduced to this class of compounds and polymorphic crystal structures are investigated to evaluate the potential of triptycene end‐caps as synthons for crystal engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold‐catalyzed cyclization of 1,5‐diynes with ketones as reagents and solvent provides diversely substituted vinyl ethers under mild conditions. The regioselectivity of such gold‐catalyzed cyclizations is usually controlled by the scaffold of the diyne. Herein, we report the first solvent‐controlled switching of regioselectivity from a 6‐endo‐dig‐ to 5‐endo‐dig‐cyclization in these transformations, providing fulvene derivatives. With respect to the functional‐group tolerance, aryl fluorides, chlorides, bromides, and ethers are tolerated. Furthermore, the mechanism and selectivity are put to scrutiny by experimental studies and a thermodynamic analysis of the product. Additionally, 6‐(vinyloxy)fulvenes are a hitherto unknown class of compounds. Their reactivity is briefly evaluated, to give insights into their potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing evidence that mixed‐species forests can provide multiple ecosystem services at a higher level than their monospecific counterparts. However, most studies concerning tree diversity and ecosystem functioning relationships use data from forest inventories (under noncontrolled conditions) or from very young plantation experiments. Here, we investigated temporal dynamics of diversity–productivity relationships and diversity–stability relationships in the oldest tropical tree diversity experiment. Sardinilla was established in Panama in 2001, with 22 plots that form a gradient in native tree species richness of one‐, two‐, three‐ and five‐species communities. Using annual data describing tree diameters and heights, we calculated basal area increment as the proxy of tree productivity. We combined tree neighbourhood‐ and community‐level analyses and tested the effects of both species diversity and structural diversity on productivity and its temporal stability. General patterns were consistent across both scales indicating that tree–tree interactions in neighbourhoods drive observed diversity effects. From 2006 to 2016, mean overyielding (higher productivity in mixtures than in monocultures) was 25%–30% in two‐ and three‐species mixtures and 50% in five‐species stands. Tree neighbourhood diversity enhanced community productivity but the effect of species diversity was stronger and increased over time, whereas the effect of structural diversity declined. Temporal stability of community productivity increased with species diversity via two principle mechanisms: asynchronous responses of species to environmental variability and overyielding. Overyielding in mixtures was highest during a strong El Niño‐related drought. Overall, positive diversity–productivity and diversity–stability relationships predominated, with the highest productivity and stability at the highest levels of diversity. These results provide new insights into mixing effects in diverse, tropical plantations and highlight the importance of analyses of temporal dynamics for our understanding of the complex relationships between diversity, productivity and stability. Under climate change, mixed‐species forests may provide both high levels and high stability of production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bacteria Streptomyces davawensis and Streptomyces cinnabarinus produce roseoflavin, the only known natural riboflavin (vitamin B2) analogue with antibiotic activity. Roseoflavin can be considered a natural antimetabolite and has been postulated to be biosynthesized from riboflavin via the key intermediate 8-demethyl-8-aminoriboflavin (AF). The required site-specific substitution of one of the methyl groups on the dimethylbenzene ring of riboflavin by an amino group (to give AF) is challenging. The pathway from riboflavin to AF has remained elusive, and the corresponding enzyme/s was/were unknown. Herein, we show by systematic gene deletion, heterologous gene expression, and biochemical studies that the enzyme specified by the gene BN159_7989 from S. davawensis is able to carry out a whole set of chemical reactions starting from riboflavin-5′-phosphate to give the final product 8-demethyl-8-aminoriboflavin-5′-phosphate (AFP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Die Bakterienarten Streptomyces davawensis und Streptomyces cinnabarinus produzieren Roseoflavin, das einzige bekannte natürliche Analogon von Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) mit antibiotischer Wirkung. Roseoflavin kann als natürlicher Antimetabolit bezeichnet werden und soll aus Riboflavin über das Schlüsselintermediat 8 ‐ Demethyl ‐ 8 ‐ aminoriboflavin (AF) synthetisiert werden. Der ortsspezifische Austausch einer Methylgruppe des Dimethylbenzolrings von Riboflavin gegen eine Aminogruppe (der zu AF führt) ist mechanistisch schwierig. Der Biosyntheseweg von Riboflavin zu AF war unklar, und das/die zugehörige/n Enzym/e war/en unbekannt. Systematische Gendeletions ‐ und ‐ expressionsexperimente sowie biochemische Analysen zeigten jetzt, dass das vom Gen BN159_7989 aus S. davawensis kodierte Enzym mehrere chemischer Reaktionen katalysieren kann: Ausgehend von Riboflavin ‐ 5′ ‐ phosphat bildet BN159_7989 8 ‐ Demethyl ‐ 8 ‐ aminoriboflavin ‐ 5′ ‐ phosphat. Wer braucht hier Hilfe? Anders als erwartet katalysiert ein einziges Enzym die wesentlichen Schritte der Biosynthese von Roseoflavin aus Riboflavin, dem Vitamin B2. Dieses Enzym wurde RosB genannt. Roseoflavin, ein Antibiotikum, wird vom Bakterium Streptomyces davawensis beim Wachstum auf einem flüssigen Nährboden gebildet, der lösliche Stärke und Hefeextrakt enthält (siehe Bild). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FMN riboswitches are genetic elements that, in many bacteria, control genes responsible for biosynthesis and/or transport of riboflavin (vitamin B2). We report that the Escherichia coli ribB FMN riboswitch controls expression of the essential gene ribB coding for the riboflavin biosynthetic enzyme 3,4-dihydroxy-2-butanone-4-phosphate synthase (RibB; ). Our data show that the E. coli ribB FMN riboswitch is unusual because it operates at the transcriptional and also at the translational level. Expression of ribB is negatively affected by FMN and by the FMN analog roseoflavin mononucleotide, which is synthesized enzymatically from roseoflavin and ATP. Consequently, in addition to flavoenzymes, the E. coli ribB FMN riboswitch constitutes a target for the antibiotic roseoflavin produced by Streptomyces davawensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Despite the frequent use of porcine ear skin for tape-stripping experiments, the peculiarities of this skin type have not been characterised in detail yet. Thus, different techniques were employed to investigate the skin surface structure of porcine ear skin and the changes in barrier function during in vitro tape stripping. To this end, the potential of capacitance-based skin hydration imaging as a means of skin quality control was investigated for the first time. Methods The porcine ear model was characterised before and during tape stripping using transepidermal water loss ( TEWL) measurements, capacitance-based sensor imaging, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ( ATR- FTIR) and optical light microscopy. Results The capacitance-based sensor was found to deliver precise information about the quality of the employed skin sites before and during tape stripping. The removal of stratum corneum proteins was highly reproducible even for different porcine ear types. The mean greyscale values showed an excellent linear correlation to the corresponding TEWL values and the respective penetration depth. Optical light microscopy confirmed the presence of canyons on the surface of porcine ear skin. Conclusion The results suggest that the capacitance-based sensor is a suitable tool for skin integrity testing of porcine ear skin in vitro and for monitoring changes in skin barrier function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetate is an important intermediate in the decomposition of organic matter in anoxic freshwater sediments. Here, we identified distinct microorganisms active in its oxidation and transformation to methane in the anoxic methanogenic layers of Lake Kinneret (Israel) profundal sediment by rRNA-based stable isotope probing (RNA-SIP). After 18 days of incubation with amended [U-13C]acetate we found that archaeal 16S rRNA was 13C-labelled to a far greater extent than bacterial rRNA. We identified acetoclastic methanogens related to Methanosaeta concilii as being most active in the degradation and assimilation of acetate. Oxidation of the acetate-methyl group played only a minor role, but nevertheless ‘heavy’13C-labelled bacterial rRNA templates were identified. ‘Heavy’ bacteria were mainly affiliated with the Betaproteobacteria (mostly Rhodocyclales and Nitrosomonadales), the Nitrospira phylum (related to ‘ Magnetobacterium bavaricum’ and Thermodesulfovibrio yellowstonii), and also with the candidate phylum ‘ Endomicrobia’. However, the mode of energy gain that allowed for the assimilation of 13C-acetate by these bacterial groups remains unknown. It may have involved syntrophic oxidation of acetate, reduction of chlorinated compounds, reduction of humic substances, fermentation of organic compounds, or even predation of 13C-labelled Methanosaeta spp. In summary, this SIP experiment shows that acetate carbon was predominantly consumed by acetoclastic methanogens in profundal Lake Kinneret sediment, while it was also utilized by a small and heterogeneous community of bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An algal bloom of Peridinium gatunenese generally precedes the annual maximum of methane release from the profundal sediment of Lake Kinneret. Therefore, we investigated the response of the sediment methanogenic microbial community to simulated algal deposition. Addition of algal biomass on top of sediment cores resulted in increased CH4 production rates and concentrations of the fermentation products acetate and propionate in the upper 4-cm layers with maximum values at 1-cm depth. Addition of algae to sediment slurries also resulted in increased CH4 production rates and a transient increase of H2, propionate, and acetate concentrations within the first 10 d after addition. The composition of the active microbial community was determined by analysis of terminal restriction fragment polymorphism (T-RFLP) targeting ribosomal RNA and cloning and sequencing of reverse-transcribed 16S rRNA. Analysis of the sediment in the presence and absence of algae indicated that among the Bacteria, members of Deltaproteobacteria and Clostridiales responded by synthesis of ribosomes after 1 d of incubation and those of Bacteroidetes after 6 d. Among the Archaea, ribosomal RNA of the Methanosaetaceae (i.e., acetate-utilizing methanogens) slightly increased after 6 d. Algal deposition apparently stimulated ribosomal synthesis in these sediment microorganisms, thus resulting in increased activity. We conclude that these microorganisms were involved in degradation of the algal biomass resulting in transient release of acetate and other fermentation products and increased production of CH4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]