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Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses two glycogenin isoforms (designated as Glg1p and Glg2p) that both contain a conserved tyrosine residue, Tyr232. However, Glg2p possesses an additional tyrosine residue, Tyr230 and therefore two potential autoglucosylation sites. Glucosylation of Glg2p was studied using both matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization and electrospray quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry. Glg2p, carrying a C-terminal (His(6)) tag, was produced in Escherichia coli and purified. By tryptic digestion and reversed phase chromatography a peptide (residues 219-246 of the complete Glg2p sequence) was isolated that contained 4-25 glucosyl residues. Following incubation of Glg2p with UDPglucose, more than 36 glucosyl residues were covalently bound to this peptide. Using a combination of cyanogen bromide cleavage of the protein backbone, enzymatic hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds and reversed phase chromatography, mono- and diglucosylated peptides having the sequence PNYGYQSSPAM were generated. MS/MS spectra revealed that glucosyl residues were attached to both Tyr232 and Tyr230 within the same peptide. The formation of the highly glucosylated eukaryotic Glg2p did not favour the bacterial glycogen accumulation. Under various experimental conditions Glg2p-producing cells accumulated approximately 30% less glycogen than a control transformed with a Glg2p lacking plasmid. The size distribution of the glycogen and extractable activities of several glycogen-related enzymes were essentially unchanged. As revealed by high performance anion exchange chromatography, the intracellular maltooligosaccharide pattern of the bacterial cells expressing the functional eukaryotic transgene was significantly altered. Thus, the eukaryotic glycogenin appears to be incompatible with the bacterial initiation of glycogen biosynthesis
Xin is a protein that is expressed during early developmental stages of cardiac and skeletal muscles. Immunolocalization studies indicated a peripheral localization in embryonic mouse heart, where Xin localizes with beta- catenin and N-cadherin. In adult tissues, Xin is found primarily in the intercalated discs of cardiomyocytes and the myotendinous junctions of skeletal muscle cells, both specialized attachment sites of the myofibrillar ends to the sarcolemma. A large part of the Xin protein consists of unique 16 amino acid repeats with unknown function. We have investigated the characteristics of the Xin repeats by transfection experiments and actin-binding assays and ascertained that, upon expression in cultured cells, these repeats bind to and stabilize the actin-based cytoskeleton. In vitro co- sedimentation assays with skeletal muscle actin indicated that they not only directly bind actin filaments, but also have the capability of arranging microfilaments into networks that sediment upon low-speed centrifugation. Very similar repeats were also found in Xin-repeat protein 2' (XIRP2), a novel protein that seems to be expressed mainly in striated muscles. Human XIRP2 contains 28 Xin repeats with properties identical to those of Xin. We conclude that the Xin repeats define a novel, repetitive actin-binding motif present in at least two different muscle proteins. These Xin- repeat proteins therefore constitute the first two members of a novel family of actin-binding proteins
It is commonly adopted that X-rays from O stars are produced deep inside the stellar wind, and transported outwards through the bulk of the expanding matter which attenuates the radiation and affects the shape of emission line profiles. The ability of the X-ray observatories Chandra and XMM-Newton to resolve these lines spectroscopically provided a stringent test for the theory of the X-ray production. It turned out that none of the existing models was able to fit the observations consistently. The possible caveat of these models was the underlying assumption of a smooth stellar wind. Motivated by the evidence that the stellar winds are in fact structured, we present a 2-D numerical model of a stochastic, inhomogeneous wind. Small parcels of hot, X-ray emitting gas are permeated by cool, absorbing wind material which is compressed into thin shell fragments. Wind fragmentation alters the radiative transfer drastically, compared to homogeneous models of the same mass-loss rate. X-rays produced deep inside the wind, which would be totally absorbed in a homogeneous flow, can effectively escape from a fragmented wind. The wind absorption becomes wavelength independent if the individual fragments are optically thick. The X-ray line profiles are flat-topped in the blue part and decline steeply in the red part for the winds with a short acceleration zone. For the winds where the acceleration extends over significant distances, the lines can appear nearly symmetric and only slightly blueshifted, in contrast to the skewed, triangular line profiles typically obtained from homogeneous wind models of high optical depth. We show that profiles from a fragmented wind model can reproduce the observed line profiles from zeta Orionis. The present numerical modeling confirms the results from a previous study, where we derived analytical formulae from a statistical treatment
Sinusoidally shaped surface relief gratings made of polymer films containing, azobenzene moieties can be created by holographic illumination with laser light of about lambda approximate to 500 nm. The remarkable material transport takes place at temperatures far (100 K) below the glass transition temperature of the material. As probed by visible light scattering the efficiency of grating formation crucially depends on the polarization state of the laser light and is maximal when circular polarization is used. In contrast to VIS light scattering X-ray diffraction is most sensitive for periodic surface undulations with amplitudes below 10 nm. Thus, combined in-situ X-ray and visible light scattering at CHESS were used to investigate the dynamics of surface relief grating formations upon laser illumination. The time development of grating peaks up to 9th order at laser power of P = 20 mW/cm(2) could be investigated, even the onset of grating formation as a function of light polarization. A linear growth of grating amplitude was observed for all polarizations. The growth velocity is maximal using circularly polarized light but very small for s-polarized light
One of the core issues in psycholinguistic research concerns the relationship between word category information and verb-argument structure (e.g. transitivity) information of verbs in the process of sentence parsing. In two experiments (visual versus auditory presentation) using event-related brain potentials (ERPs), we addressed this question by presenting sentences in which the critical word simultaneously realized both a word category and a transitivity violation. ERPs for sentences with both types of violation clustered with the patterns for sentences with a word category violation only, but were different from the patterns elicited by argument structure violations in isolation, since only the latter elicited an N400 ERP component. The finding that an argument structure violation evoked an N400 only if the phrase structure of the respective sentence was correct suggests that a successful integration of the word category information of a verb functionally precedes the application of its argument structure information. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
We report a white beam x-ray waveguide (WG) experiment. A resonant beam coupler x-ray waveguide (RBC) is used simultaneously as a broad bandpass (or multibandpass) monochromator and as a beam compressor. We show that, depending on the geometrical properties of the WG, the exiting beam consists of a defined number of wavelengths which can be shifted by changing the angle of incidence of the white x-ray synchrotron beam. The characteristic far-field pattern is recorded as a function of exit angle and energy. This x-ray optical setup may be used to enhance the intensity of coherent x-ray WG beams since the full energetic acceptance of the WG mode is transmitted. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics
Weï re here, weï re queer, and weï re not going shopping! : queering space : Interventionen im Raum
(2004)
We present a wavelet coherence method that is capable of displaying local coherence information between two seismic stations in the sense of a spectrogram. We have analyzed the vertical components of a 20-min-long time series from four stations that were situated in the seismic near field of Stromboli volcano. Typical volcanic seismic signals recorded in the near field of Stromboli volcano consist of continuous volcanic tremor superimposed on frequent Strombolian explosion signals. The tremor exhibits a banded and frequency-stable structure, whereas the broadband explosion signals span two or three frequency decades. We demonstrate that signals related to explosion earthquakes are strongly correlated within the network over 1.5 frequency decades. Using synthetic data, we show how coherent signal portions can be extracted out of noisy data using a coherence-filtering method. A time delay analysis using coherence information results in a coarse source location estimation that lies within the crater region. With the exception of randomly fluctuating coherence peaks, low correlations have been observed in the characteristic bands that are assumed to be generated by continuous tremor. In the low-frequency band that is related to the ocean microseisms (period approximate to 4-8 sec), we observe mostly high correlation that breaks down during the appearance of explosion earthquake signals. Based on further analysis using the inverse wavelet transformation, we propose a model that describes the breakdown phenomenon as a superposition of two independent events
Voided space-charge electrets : piezoelectric transducer materials for electro-acoustic applications
(2004)
Visual Culture
(2004)
As part of the international refraction measurements in Central Europe in the year 2000, three profiles traversed the region of earthquake swarms in West-Bohemia/Vogtland. The shots were also recorded at the permanent stations of the local seismic networks. The travel times of P-waves, observed in the West-Bohemian region, are discussed and interpreted in the present paper. In general, significantly lower P-wave velocities were found in the Saxothuringian (northern) part of the studied area than in the adjacent southern parts. The observed travel times are interpreted separately for the individual geological units, in particular for the plutons, crystallinicum, and the Marianske Lazne(Marienbad) Complex. After smoothing the selected data using rational approximations, the Wiechert-Herglotz method was used to compute vertically inhomogeneous velocity models. The characteristic features of the derived models are relatively low P-wave velocities at the surface and prominent velocity increases within the uppermost crust down to a depth of about one kilometer
Herbivore populations are commonly restricted by resource limitation, by predation or a combination of the two. Food supplement experiments are suitable for investigating the extent of food limitation at any given time. The main part of this study was performed in an extremely acidic lake (pH 2.7) where the food web consists of only a few components and potential food sources for herbivores are restricted to two flagellates. Life table experiments proved that Chlamydomonas was a suitable food source whereas Ochromonas was an unsuitable food source. The two flagellates and the two rotifers exhibit a pronounced vertical distribution pattern. In this study, a series of food supplement experiments were performed in order to: (1) quantify and compare potential resource limitation of two primary consumers (Cephalodella hoodi and Elosa worallii, Rotatoria) over time, (2) compare their response at different temperatures, (3) evaluate the effect of having an unsuitable food source alongside a valuable one, (4) estimate the effect of predation on rotifers by Heliozoa, and (5) compare the results with those from other acidic lakes. Additionally, the spatio- temporal population dynamics of both species were observed. The field data confirmed a vertical separation of the two species with E. worallii dominating in the upper water layers, and C. hoodi in the deeper, cooler water layers. The results from the food supplement experiments in which Chlamydomonas served as the supplemented suitable food source showed that the two rotifers were food limited in the epilimnion throughout the season to different extents, with Cephalodella being more severely food limited than Elosa. The experiments at different temperatures provided evidence that Elosa had a higher optimum temperature for growth than Cephalodella. When the unsuitable food algae Ochromonas was added alongside the suitable food source Chlamydomonas, C. hoodi was unaffected but E. worallii was negatively affected. Predation of Heliozoa on rotifers was observed but the total effect on the rotifer dynamics is probably low. The comparison with other lakes showed that resource limitation also occurred in one other lake, although to a lesser extent. Overall, the vertical separation of the two rotifers could be explained by both their differential extent of resource limitation and differential response to temperature.
Microarray transcript profiling and RNA interference are two new technologies crucial for large-scale gene function studies in multicellular eukaryotes. Both rely on sequence-specific hybridization between complementary nucleic acid strands, inciting us to create a collection of gene-specific sequence tags (GSTs) representing at least 21,500 Arabidopsis genes and which are compatible with both approaches. The GSTs were carefully selected to ensure that each of them shared no significant similarity with any other region in the Arabidopsis genome. They were synthesized by PCR amplification from genomic DNA. Spotted microarrays fabricated from the GSTs show good dynamic range, specificity, and sensitivity in transcript profiling experiments. The GSTs have also been transferred to bacterial plasmid vectors via recombinational cloning protocols. These cloned GSTs constitute the ideal starting point for a variety of functional approaches, including reverse genetics. We have subcloned GSTs on a large scale into vectors designed for gene silencing in plant cells. We show that in planta expression of GST hairpin RNA results in the expected phenotypes in silenced Arabidopsis lines. These versatile GST resources provide novel and powerful tools for functional genomics
Unstable dimension variability is a mechanism whereby an invariant set of a dynamical system, like a chaotic attractor or a strange saddle, loses hyperbolicity in a severe way, with serious consequences on the shadowability properties of numerically generated trajectories. In dynamical systems possessing a variable parameter, this phenomenon can be triggered by the bifurcation of an unstable periodic orbit. This Letter aims at discussing the possible types of codimension-one bifurcations leading to unstable dimension variability in a two-dimensional map, presenting illustrative examples and displaying numerical evidences of this fact by computing finite-time Lyapunov exponents. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
The thermal-wave technique or laser-intensity modulation method is an important tool for the non-destructive probing of space-charge and polarization profiles in electrets. Analysing the experimental data requires solving a Fredholm integral equation which is known to be an ill-conditioned problem. This paper presents an iterative approach that is capable of reconstructing inherently unsmooth distributions. The deviations from the true profiles are slightly smaller than those obtained with Tikhonov regularization, while the computational burden is not a limiting factor on modem personal computers. The optimum number of iterations is estimated using the randomized generalized cross- validation technique. Results are shown for a number of model distributions, as well as for experimental data from a layered polyvinylidene fluoride film sandwich
We have performed Hubble Space Telescope imaging of a sample of 23 high-redshift (1.8<z<2.75) active galactic nuclei (AGNs), drawn from the COMBO-17 survey. The sample contains moderately luminous quasars (M(B)similar to-23). The data are part of the Galaxy Evolution from Morphologies and SEDs imaging survey that provides high-resolution optical images obtained with the Advanced Camera for Surveys in two bands (F606W and F850LP), sampling the rest-frame UV flux of the targets. To deblend the AGN images into nuclear and resolved (host galaxy) components, we use a point-spread function subtraction technique that is strictly conservative with respect to the flux of the host galaxy. We resolve the host galaxies in both filter bands in nine of the 23 AGNs, whereas the remaining 14 objects are considered nondetections, with upper limits of less than 5% of the nuclear flux. However, when we co-add the unresolved AGN images into a single high signal-to-noise ratio composite image, we find again an unambiguously resolved host galaxy. The recovered host galaxies have apparent magnitudes of 23.0<F606W<26.0 and 22.5<F850LP<24.5, with rest-frame UV colors in the range -0.2<(F606W-F850LP)(obs)<2.3. The rest-frame absolute magnitudes at 200 nm are -20.0<M-200 nm<-22.2. The photometric properties of the composite host are consistent with the individual resolved host galaxies. We find that the UV colors of all host galaxies are substantially bluer than expected from an old population of stars with formation redshift z<=5, independent of the assumed metallicities. These UV colors and luminosities range up to the values found for Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) at z=3. Our results suggest either a recent starburst of, e. g., a few percent of the total stellar mass at 100 Myr before observation, with mass fraction and age strongly degenerate, or the possibility that the detected UV emission may be due to young stars forming continuously. For the latter case we estimate star formation rates of typically &SIM;6 M&ODOT; yr(-1) (uncorrected for internal dust attenuation), which again lies in the range of rates implied from the UV flux of LBGs. Our results agree with the recent discovery of enhanced blue stellar light in AGN hosts at lower redshifts
We present a detailed numerical study of the dynamics and evolution of ultrarelativistic magnetohydrodynamic jets in the black hole-disk system under extreme magnetization conditions. We find that Lorentz factors of up to 3000 are achieved and derived a modified Michel scaling (Gamma similar to sigma) that allows for a wide variation in the flow Lorentz factor. Pending contamination induced by mass entrainment, the linear Michel scaling links modulations in the ultrarelativistic wind to variations in mass accretion in the disk for a given magnetization. The jet is asymptotically dominated by the toroidal magnetic field allowing for efficient collimation. We discuss our solutions ( jets) in the context of gamma-ray bursts and describe the relevant features such as the high variability in the Lorentz factor and how high collimation angles (similar to0degrees-5degrees), or cylindrical jets, can be achieved. We isolate a jet instability mechanism we refer to as the "bottleneck'' instability, which essentially relies on a high magnetization and a recollimation of the magnetic flux surfaces. The instability occurs at large radii where any dissipation of the magnetic energy into radiation would in principle result in an optically thin emission
The Saxon granulites, the type granulite locality, were deeply buried, extremely heated and then rapidly exhumed during the Variscan Orogeny; thus their evolution differs from many granulites elsewhere. The peak-metamorphic assemblages of layered felsic-mafic granulites from a 500 m deep borehole consist of garnet, kyanite, rutile, ternary feldspar and quartz in felsic granulite, and garnet, omphacite, titanite, ternary feldspar and quartz in mafic granulite. A minimum temperature of 1000-1020degreesC, calculated from reintegrated hypersolvus feldspar in felsic and mafic granulites, is consistent with the highest temperature estimates from garnet-clinopyroxene equilibria. Various equilibria in felsic and mafic granulites record a peak pressure of about 23 kbar. Diffusion zoning and local homogenisation of minerals reflect near-isothermal decompression that preceded cooling and partial hydration at medium- to low-pressure. U-Pb dating of titanite yields an age of peak metamorphism at 340.7+/-0.8 Ma (2sigma). However, chemical inheritance from precursor rutile and post-peak Pb loss are also evident, suggesting a protolith age of 499+/-2 Ma (2sigma) and partial resetting down to an age of 333+/-2 Ma (2sigma). Rb-Sr mica ages of 333.2+/-3.3 Ma (2sigma) are interpreted as dating cooling through about 620degreesC. Hence the Saxon granulites were exhumed to the upper crust during the short period of 6-11 Ma, which corresponds to average exhumation and cooling rates of 10 mm/year and 50degreesC/Ma, respectively. Such rapid exhumation is inconsistent with recent numerical models that assume foreland- directed transport of the Saxon granulites in the lower crust followed by extensional unroofing. Instead, high-pressure rocks of the Saxon Granulite Massif and the nearby Erzgebirge experienced a buoyant rise to the middle crust and subsequent juxtaposition with structurally higher units along a series of medium- to low-pressure detachment faults
In cellular, electromechanically active polymer films, the so-called ferroelectrets, the cell size and shape distributions can be varied through a controlled inflation process. Up to now, high-pressure treatments were usually performed at elevated temperatures. There are, however, significant experimental limitations and complications if the pressure and temperature treatments are performed at the same time. Here, we demonstrate the controlled inflation of cellular polypropylene films by means of sepal-ate pressure and temperature treatments. Separate procedures are Much easier to implement. Excellent electromechanical properties were achieved with Such a two-step inflation process. The technique has significant potential for inflating large-area transducer films for electromechanical and electroacoustical applications
The remaining carbon stocks in wet tropical forests are currently at risk because of anthropogenic deforestation, but also because of the possibility of release driven by climate change. To identify the relative roles of CO2 increase, changing temperature and rainfall, and deforestation in the future, and the magnitude of their impact on atmospheric CO2 concentrations, we have applied a dynamic global vegetation model, using multiple scenarios of tropical deforestation (extrapolated from two estimates of current rates) and multiple scenarios of changing climate (derived from four independent offline general circulation model simulations). Results show that deforestation will probably produce large losses of carbon, despite the uncertainty about the deforestation rates. Some climate models produce additional large fluxes due to increased drought stress caused by rising temperature and decreasing rainfall. One climate model, however, produces an additional carbon sink. Taken together, our estimates of additional carbon emissions during the twenty-first century, for all climate and deforestation scenarios, range from 101 to 367 Gt C, resulting in CO2 concentration increases above background values between 29 and 129 p.p.m. An evaluation of the method indicates that better estimates of tropical carbon sources and sinks require improved assessments of current and future deforestation, and more consistent precipitation scenarios from climate models. Notwithstanding the uncertainties, continued tropical deforestation will most certainly play a very large role in the build-up of future greenhouse gas concentrations
Results of energy-dispersive x-ray reflectivity and grazing incidence diffraction studies of Langmuir-Blodgett films exhibited evolution of conventional three-dimensional melting from continuous melting, characteristic of two- dimensional systems, as a function of deposited monolayers. Continuous expansion followed by a sharp phase transition of the in-plane lattice was observed before the melting point and found to be independent of number of deposited layers. Evolution of conventional melting with an increase in the number of monolayers could be quantified by measuring stiffness against tilting of the vertical stack of molecules, which are kept together by an internal field. The internal field as defined in this model reduces as the in-plane lattice expands and the sample temperature approaches melting point. The sharpness of the melting transition, which has been approximated by a Langevin function, increases with the number of deposited monolayers
Cholesterol uptake and efflux are key metabolic processes associated with macrophage physiology and atherosclerosis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) have been linked to the regulation of these processes. It remains to be identified how activation of these receptors is connected and regulated by endogenous lipid molecules. We identified CYP27, a p450 enzyme, as a link between retinoid, PPARgamma, and LXR signaling. We show that the human CYP27 gene is under coupled regulation by retinoids and ligands of PPARs via a PPAR-retinoic acid receptor response element in its promoter. Induction of the enzyme's expression results in an increased level of 27-hydroxycholesterol and upregulation of LXR-mediated processes. Upregulated CYP27 activity also leads to LXR-independent elimination of CYP27 metabolites as an alternative means of cholesterol efflux. Moreover, human macrophage-rich atherosclerotic lesions have an increased level of retinoid-, PPARgamma-, and LXR- regulated gene expression and also enhanced CYP27 levels. Our findings suggest that nuclear receptor-regulated CYP27 expression is likely to be a key integrator of retinoic acid receptor-PPARgamma-LXR signaling, relying on natural ligands and contributing to lipid metabolism in macrophages
Transcription factors, growth factors and signal cascades capable of priming morphogenesis of heart
(2004)
A well-known result by Stein (1956) shows that in particular situations, biased estimators can yield better parameter estimates than their generally preferred unbiased counterparts. This letter follows the same spirit, as we will stabilize the unbiased generalization error estimates by regularization and finally obtain more robust model selection criteria for learning. We trade a small bias against a larger variance reduction, which has the beneficial effect of being more precise on a single training set. We focus on the subspace information criterion (SIC), which is an unbiased estimator of the expected generalization error measured by the reproducing kernel Hilbert space norm. SIC can be applied to the kernel regression, and it was shown in earlier experiments that a small regularization of SIC has a stabilization effect. However, it remained open how to appropriately determine the degree of regularization in SIC. In this article, we derive an unbiased estimator of the expected squared error, between SIC and the expected generalization error and propose determining the degree of regularization of SIC such that the estimator of the expected squared error is minimized. Computer simulations with artificial and real data sets illustrate that the proposed method works effectively for improving the precision of SIC, especially in the high-noise-level cases. We furthermore compare the proposed method to the original SIC, the cross-validation, and an empirical Bayesian method in ridge parameter selection, with good results
The recent radar detection by Baggaley (2000) of a collimated stream of interstellar meteoroids postulated to be sourced at beta Pictoris, a nearby star with a prominent dust disk. presents a challenge to theoreticians. Two mechanisms of possible dust ejection from beta Pic have been proposed: ejection of dust by radiation pressure from comets in eccentric orbits and by gravity of a hypothetical planet in the disk. Here we re-examine observational data and reconsider theoretical scenarios, substantiating them with detailed modeling to test whether they can explain quantitatively and simultaneously the masses, speeds, and fluxes. Our analysis of the stream geometry and kinematics confirms that beta Pic is the most likely source of the stream and suggests that an intensive dust ejection phase took place similar to0.7 Myr ago. Our dynamical simulations show that high ejection speeds retrieved from the observations can be explained by both planetary ejection and radiation pressure mechanisms, providing, however, several important constraints. In the planetary ejection scenario, only a "hot Jupiter"-type planet with a semimajor axis of less than 1 AU can be responsible for the stream, and only if the disk was dynamically "heated" by a more distant massive planet. The radiation pressure scenario also requires the presence of a relatively massive planet at several AU or more, that had heated the cometesimal disk before the ejection occurred. Finally, the dust flux measured at Earth can be brought into reasonable agreement with both scenarios, provided that beta Pic's protoplanetary disk recently passed through an intensive short-lasting (similar to0.1 Myr) clearance stage by nascent giant planets, similar to what took place in the early solar system
We study arrays of mechanical oscillators in the quantum domain and demonstrate how the motions of distant oscillators can be entangled without the need for control of individual oscillators and without a direct interaction between them. These oscillators are thought of as being members of an array of nanoelectromechanical resonators with a voltage being applicable between neighboring resonators. Sudden nonadiabatic switching of the interaction results in a squeezing of the states of the mechanical oscillators, leading to an entanglement transport in chains of mechanical oscillators. We discuss spatial dimensions, Q factors, temperatures and decoherence sources in some detail, and find a distinct robustness of the entanglement in the canonical coordinates in such a scheme. We also briefly discuss the challenging aspect of detection of the generated entanglement
Time-resolved photoluminescence analysis of distribution and migration of terbium ions in zeolites X
(2004)
The photoluminescence (PL) dynamics of terbium-exchanged zeolites X was investigated upon laser excitation at 355 nm. The results evidenced the presence of at least two terbium main environments with PL lifetimes varying between 391-411 and 753-770 mus. The two-site nature of terbium distribution in zeolites X permitted a quantitative analysis of the migration process of terbium ions inside the pores and cavities upon dehydration in air at 200 degreesC. Besides the increase of the PL lifetimes with about 30% and 80% compared to those of the hydrated zeolite, a fraction of almost 30% of terbium ions was estimated to migrate from the supercages to the neighboring sodalites or hexagonal prisms. Our results evidenced for the first time the capability of time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy in quantitatively tracking for the intrazeolitic migration of lanthanides. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Motivation: Continued development of analytical techniques based on gas chromatography and mass spectrometry now facilitates the generation of larger sets of metabolite concentration data. An important step towards the understanding of metabolite dynamics is the recognition of stable states where metabolite concentrations exhibit a simple behaviour. Such states can be characterized through the identification of significant thresholds in the concentrations. But general techniques for finding discretization thresholds in continuous data prove to be practically insufficient for detecting states due to the weak conditional dependences in concentration data. Results: We introduce a method of recognizing states in the framework of decision tree induction. It is based upon a global analysis of decision forests where stability and quality are evaluated. It leads to the detection of thresholds that are both comprehensible and robust. Applied to metabolite concentration data, this method has led to the discovery of hidden states in the corresponding variables. Some of these reflect known properties of the biological experiments, and others point to putative new states
Cytochrome c was immobilized on screen-printed thick-film gold electrodes by a self-assembly approach using mixed monolayers of mercaptoundecanoic acid and mercaptoundecanol. Cyclic voltammetry revealed quasi-reversible electrochemical behavior of the covalently fixed protein with a formal potential of +10 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. Polarized at +150 mV vs. Ag/AgCl the electrode was found to be sensitive to superoxide radicals in the range 300-1200 nmol L-1. Compared with metal needle electrodes sensitivity and reproducibility could be improved and combined with the easiness of preparation. This allows the fabrication of disposable sensors for nanomolar superoxide concentrations. By changing the electrode potential the sensor can be switched from response to superoxide radicals to hydrogen peroxide-another reactive oxygen species. H2O2 sensitivity can be provided in the range 10-1000 mumol L-1 which makes the electrode suitable for oxidative stress studies
In this contribution, recent advances in the theory of laser and, to a lesser extent, of scanning tunneling microscope (STM) induced cleavage of bonds between an adsorbate and a solid surface, will be reviewed. Special emphasis will be given to the quantum dynamics of electronically non-adiabatic reactions. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
The science case of the PEPSI high-resolution echelle spectrograph and polarimeter for the LBT
(2004)
We lay out the scientific rationale for and present the instrumental requirements of a high-resolution adaptive- optics Echelle spectrograph with two full-Stokes polarimeters for the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) in Arizona. Magnetic processes just like those seen on the Sun and in the space environment of the Earth are now well recognized in many astrophysical areas. The application to other stars opened up a new field of research that became widely known as the solar-stellar connection. Late-type stars with convective envelopes are all affected by magnetic processes which give rise to a rich variety of phenomena on their surface and are largely responsible for the heating of their outer atmospheres. Magnetic fields are likely to play a crucial role in the accretion process of T-Tauri stars as well as in the acceleration and collimation of jet-like flows in young stellar objects (YSOs). Another area is the physics of active galactic nucleii (AGNs), where the magnetic activity of the accreting black hole is now believed to be responsible for most of the behavior of these objects, including their X-ray spectrum, their notoriously dramatic variability, and the powerful relativistic jets they produce. Another is the physics of the central engines of cosmic gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe, for which the extreme apparent energy release are explained through the collimation of the released energy by magnetic fields. Virtually all the physics of magnetic fields exploited in astrophysics is somehow linked to our understanding of the Sun's and the star's magnetic fields
The roots of evil : the foundation years of anti-semitism : from the time of Bismarck to Hitler
(2004)
The nation-state in question
(2004)
The serine protease thrombin is known as a blood coagulation factor. Through limited cleavage of proteinase- activated receptors it can also control growth and functions in various cell types, including neurons, astrocytes, and microglia ( brain macrophages). A number of previous studies indicated that thrombin induces the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines from microglial cells, suggesting another important role for the protease beyond hemostasis. In the present report, we provide evidence that this effect is not mediated by any proteolytic or non- proteolytic mechanism involving thrombin proper. Inhibition of the enzymatic thrombin activity did not affect the microglial release response. Instead the cyto-/chemokine-inducing activity solely resided in a high molecular weight protein fraction that could be isolated in trace amounts even from apparently homogenous alpha- and gamma-thrombin preparations. High molecular weight material contained thrombin-derived peptides as revealed by mass spectrometry but was devoid of thrombin-like enzymatic activity. Separated from the high molecular weight fraction by fast protein liquid chromatography, enzymatically intact alpha- and gamma-thrombin failed to trigger any release. Our findings may force a revision of the notion that thrombin itself is a direct proinflammatory release signal for microglia. In addition, they could be relevant for the study of other cellular activities and their assignment to this protease
Synthetic strategies for using the beta-linkage as a structural motif in electron transfer mimics have been tested. Exploratory syntheses of directly meso-beta-linked bis- and trisporphyrins and the first representative X-ray structure of a meso-beta-linked bisporphyrins are reported. The structure reveals a unique form of intramolecular- pi-pi stabilization between one porphyrin and a meso-aryl substituent in a second porphyrin unit that accounts for the stability of different atropisomers in trimers. Using beta-formyl porphyrins, dipyrromethanes, and suitable quinone precursor aldehydes, mixed condensations gave convenient access to porphyrin-porphyrin-quinone (P-P-Q) donor acceptor systems consisting of a meso-beta-linked bisporphyrin. a spacer, and a quinone acceptor. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
This paper shows the KMDL Knowledge Management Approach which is based on the SECI and ba model by Nonaka and Takeuchi and the KMDL Knowledge modeling language. The approach illustrates the creation of knowledge with the focus on the knowledge conversions by Nonaka and Takeuchi. Furthermore, it emphasizes the quality of knowledge being embodied in persons and creates a personalization and socialization strategy which integrates business process modeling, skill management and the selection of knowledge management systems. The paper describes the theoretical foundations of the approach and practical effects which have been seen in the use of this approach.
Referring to the work of Steinberg (1988), two hypotheses were tested: Does menarche intensify the individuation process of the mother-daughter relationship? ("distancing hypothesis") and do conflicts between mothers and daughters speed up the onset of menarche? ("acceleration hypothesis"). Additionally, the significance of different family-structures to these processes is considered. Data was collected in a three wave panel. Sixty-eigth girls aged ten at the first wave were observed in a playing situation with their mothers and questioned about their menarche. The hypotheses were partly confirmed by logistic and hierarchical regression analyses: Menarche led to more controlling and less egalitarian behavior of the mothers. Girls' separating behavior preceded menarche immediately and therefore wasn't interpreted as an acceleration effect. Comparing nuclear and stepfamilies to single mother families, in the former families mothers were more controlling and less egalitarian and the girls were less separating. The interplay of puberty and individuation is discussed
The international covenant on civil and political rights : cases, materials, and commentaries
(2004)
We report in this paper, the results of an investigation of the effect of national culture on the interpretation of "in context" verbal probability expressions. We develop hypotheses with regard to the effect that the interaction of the accounting value of conservatism and the context in which probability expressions are used will have on accountants' interpretations of those expressions. We elicit information from U.S. and German professional accountants to test three hypotheses. We find significant differences between U.S. and German accountants in the interpretation of several verbal probability expressions. In most cases, the German accountants are more conservative; for ...
The subcellular distribution of starch-related enzymes and the phenotype of Arabidopsis mutants defective in starch degradation suggest that the plastidial starch turnover is linked to a cytosolic glycan metabolism. In this communication, a soluble heteroglycan (SHG) from leaves of Pisum sativum L. has been studied. Major constituents of the SHG are galactose, arabinose and glucose. For subcellular location, the SHG was prepared from isolated protoplasts and chloroplasts. On a chlorophyll basis, protoplasts and chloroplasts yielded approximately 70% and less than 5%, respectively, of the amount of the leaf-derived SHG preparation. Thus, most of SHG resides inside the cell but outside the chloroplast. SHG is soluble and not membrane-associated. Using membrane filtration, the SHG was separated into a <10 kDa and a >10 kDa fraction. The latter was resolved into two subfractions (I and II) by field-flow fractionation. In the protoplast-derived >10 kDa SHG preparation the subfraction I was by far the most dominant compound. beta-Glucosyl Yariv reagent was reactive with subfraction II, but not with subfraction I. In in vitro assays the latter acted as glucosyl acceptor for the cytosolic (Pho 2) phosphorylase but not for rabbit muscle phosphorylase. Glycosidic linkage analyses of subfractions I and II and of the Yariv reagent reactive glycans revealed that all three glycans contain a high percentage of arabinogalactan-like linkages. However, SHG possesses a higher content of minor compounds, namely glucosyl, mannosyl, rhamnosyl and fucosyl residues. Based on glycosyl residues and glycosidic linkages, subfraction I possesses a more complex structure than subfraction II
Carbon-13 NMR is widely used in the determination of the stereochemistry of organic compounds. Changes in chemical shifts caused by interactions of groups that are close in space normally result in shielding of the carbon and deshielding of the hydrogen nuclei that are involved. This is not always the case, however, and further work on the origin of these effects would be desirable. Early applications of theoretical methods to the study of NMR shielding parameters were not particularly successful, but in recent years, the calculation of NMR shielding parameters by theoretical methods has developed into a useful and popular tool for structural studies by NMR. A promising approach to the problem of distinguishing and evaluating stereochemical influences on carbon and hydrogen chemical shifts is provided by natural chemical shielding (NCS) analysis. This method allows a partitioning of theoretical NMR shieldings into magnetic contributions from bonds and lone pairs of the molecule using the natural bond orbital (NBO) method. In order to investigate the origins of steric effects, we employed the NCS analysis to axial/equatorial-Me-cyclohexane, norbornane and exo/endo-Me-norbornane, in addition to n-pentane in the anti, gauche and g(P) g(M) conformations. Our results indicate that distortions in molecular structure due to steric effects can result in bond stretching or compression or in angular distortions. Changes in bond lengths result in the predictable shielding or deshielding of the nuclei that are involved. Where the molecular framework may be distorted to alleviate strain, chemical shifts appear to reflect changes in angles. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd
Searching for an adequate method to investigate human development (especially the development of theoretical thinking) Vygotsky and his collaborators developed the causal genetic method The basic idea of this method consists in the investigation of psychic functions and structures by their formation under controlled conditions'(for instance via a formation experiment in classroom). But is this method also applicable in instructional settings using modern communications media? This paper is an attempt to find. an answer to the question: By what means is the investigation of the formation of theoretical thinking realizable through the application of the causal-genetic method in instructional settings using hypermedia and distance learning? However, a closer examination of the question itself shows that there are three interrelated aspects, namely: the investigation and formation of theoretical thinking; distance learning using modern communications media; the causal-genetic method. It will be shown that in a formation experiment learning with a hyper-media- educational program, which is based on the theory of learning- activity,' students reach a new level of cognitive development which is characterized by the growing ability of complex and dialectical thinking
Morphology of the planetary nebula LMC-N66 (ionized by a [WN] star) indicates that the nebula is a multipolar object with a very narrow waist. It shows several jets, knots and filaments in opposite directions from the central star. A couple of twisted long filaments could be interpreted as due to point-symmetric type ejection. If such is the case, the progenitor would be a binary precessing system. High resolution spectroscopy shows that most of the material is approaching or receding from the star. However the line profiles are very complex, showing several components at different velocities. Our high resolution spectroscopic data show that the different structures (knots, filaments, ...) present different radial velocities spreading from 240 to more than 400 km/s. The system velocity is 300 km/s. There are high velocity knots located to the north of the central star, moving at more than 100 km/s relative to the system velocity.
The acinar salivary glands of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana, are innervated by dopaminergic and serotonergic nerve fibers. Serotonin stimulates the secretion of protein-rich saliva, whereas dopamine causes the production of protein-free saliva. This suggests that dopamine acts selectively on ion-transporting peripheral cells within the acini and the duct cells, and that serotonin acts on the protein-producing central cells of the acini. We have investigated the pharmacology of the dopamine-induced secretory activity of the salivary gland of Periplaneta americana by testing several dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists. The effects of dopamine can be mimicked by the non-selective dopamine receptor agonist 6,7-ADTN and, less effectively, by the vertebrate D1 receptor-selective agonist chloro-APB. The vertebrate D1 receptor-selective agonist SKF 38393 and vertebrate D2 receptor-selective agonist R(-)- TNPA were ineffective. R(+)-Lisuride induces a secretory response with a slower onset and a lower maximal response compared with dopamine-induced secretion. However, lisuride-stimulated glands continue secreting saliva, even after lisuride-washout. Dopamine-induced secretions can be blocked by the vertebrate dopamine receptor antagonists cis(Z)- flupenthixol, chlorpromazine, and S(+)-butaclamol. Our pharmacological data do not unequivocally indicate whether the dopamine receptors on the Periplaneta salivary glands belong to the D1 or D2 subfamily of dopamine receptors, but we can confirm that the pharmacology of invertebrate dopamine receptors is remarkably different from that of their vertebrate counterparts. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
The upper Eocene-lower Oligocene sediments deposited in the eastern part of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin in northern Italy provide a complete record of the unroofing of the Alpine orogenic prism during the early stages of exhumation in the Ligurian sector. From late Priabonian till late Rupelian time, the sediments in the study area were derived from two different sources, one characterised by white micas with Si<6.5 pfu and Permian Ar-40/Ar-39 ages (270 Ma), and the other characterised by white micas with S>7 pfu and Eocene-Oligocene Ar-40/Ar-39 ages (32-50 Ma). The first source is considered to be indicative of low-pressure metamorphic rocks that covered the HP rocks of the Ligurian Alps, and were completely eroded by Chattian time. From this time on, the study area started to record the first input from western Alpine sources characterised by a larger span of ages with a more frequent Eoalpine signal. Thus, sediments deposited in the eastern part of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin contain the only available evidence of rocks belonging to high crustal levels in the Alpine orogenic prism that were not affected by the Alpine overprint. These data also provide time constraints to the poorly dated first conglomerates deposited in this area. Ar-40/Ar-39 geochronology reveals a minimum age of 33 +/- 1.4 Ma for the Pianfolco Conglomerates in the type locality, and of 31.4 +/- 3.5 Ma for the Borbera Conglomerates. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
The development of the cardiovascular system in embryoid bodies deriverd from embryonic stem cells
(2004)
To address one of the central questions of plate tectonics-How do large transform systems work and what are their typical features?-seismic investigations across the Dead Sea Transform (DST), the boundary between the African and Arabian plates in the Middle East, were conducted for the first time. A major component of these investigations was a combined reflection/ refraction survey across the territories of Palestine, Israel and Jordan. The main results of this study are: (1) The seismic basement is offset by 3-5 km under the DST, (2) The DST cuts through the entire crust, broadening in the lower crust, (3) Strong lower crustal reflectors are imaged only on one side of the DST, (4) The seismic velocity sections show a steady increase in the depth of the crust-mantle transition (Moho) from 26 km at the Mediterranean to 39 km under the Jordan highlands, with only a small but visible, asymmetric topography of the Moho under the DST. These observations can be linked to the left-lateral movement of 105 km of the two plates in the last 17 Myr, accompanied by strong deformation within a narrow zone cutting through the entire crust. Comparing the DST and the San Andreas Fault (SAF) system, a strong asymmetry in subhorizontal lower crustal reflectors and a deep reaching deformation zone both occur around the DST and the SAF. The fact that such lower crustal reflectors and deep deformation zones are observed in such different transform systems suggests that these structures are possibly fundamental features of large transform plate boundaries
The Cassini-Huygens Cosmic Dust Analyzer (CDA) is intended to provide direct observations of dust grains with masses between 10(-19) and 10(-9) kg in interplanetary space and in the jovian and saturnian systems, to investigate their physical, chemical and dynamical properties as functions of the distances to the Sun, to Jupiter and to Saturn and its satellites and rings, to study their interaction with the saturnian rings, satellites and magnetosphere. Chemical composition of interplanetary meteoroids will be compared with asteroidal and cometary dust, as well as with Saturn dust, ejecta from rings and satellites. Ring and satellites phenomena which might be effects of meteoroid impacts will be compared with the interplanetary dust environment. Electrical charges of particulate matter in the magnetosphere and its consequences will be studied, e.g. the effects of the ambient plasma and the magnetic held on the trajectories of dust particles as well as fragmentation of particles due to electrostatic disruption. The investigation will be performed with an instrument that measures the mass, composition, electric charge, speed, and flight direction of individual dust particles. It is a highly reliable and versatile instrument with a mass sensitivity 106 times higher than that of the Pioneer 10 and I I dust detectors which measured dust in the saturnian system. The Cosmic Dust Analyzer has significant inheritance from former space instrumentation developed for the VEGA, Giotto, Galileo, and Ulysses missions. It will reliably measure impacts from as low as I impact per month up to 104 impacts per second. The instrument weighs 17 kg and consumes 12 W, the integrated time-of-flight mass spectrometer has a mass resolution of up to 50. The nominal data transmission rate is 524 bits/s and varies between 50 and 4192 bps
Interest in developing a new method of man-to-machine communication-a brain-computer interface (BCI)-has grown steadily over the past few decades. BCIs create a new communication channel between the brain and an output device by bypassing conventional motor output pathways of nerves and muscles. These systems use signals recorded from the scalp, the surface of the cortex, or from inside the brain to enable users to control a variety of applications including simple word-processing software and orthotics. BCI technology could therefore provide a new communication and control option for individuals who cannot otherwise express their wishes to the outside world. Signal processing and classification methods are essential tools in the development of improved BCI technology. We organized the BCI Competition 2003 to evaluate the current state of the art of these tools. Four laboratories well versed in EEG-based BCI research provided six data sets in a documented format. We made these data sets (i.e., labeled training sets and unlabeled test sets) and their descriptions available on the Internet. The goal in the competition was to maximize the performance measure for the test labels. Researchers worldwide tested their algorithms and competed for the best classification results. This paper describes the six data sets and the results and function of the most successful algorithms
Ab initio calculations have been carried out using the FP-APW+lo method in order to understand the atomic origin of the inverse piezoelectric effect in x-quartz. The external electric field was modelled by a saw-like potential V-ext in order to achieve translational symmetry within a supercell (SC) containing 72 atoms. The original trigonal quartz structure was repeated along the [110] direction, which corresponds to the direction of the external field. An electric field with 550 kV/mm was applied and the atomic positions of the SC were relaxed until the forces acting on the atoms vanished. In parts of the SC, V-ext changes almost linearly and thus the relaxed atomic positions can be used to determine the structural response due to the external electric field. The calculations provide the piezoelectric modulus of the correct order of magnitude. In contrast to previous models and in agreement with recent experimental results, the atomic origin of the piezoelectric effect can be described by a rotation of slightly deformed SiO4 tetrahedra against each other. The change of the Si-O bond lengths and the tetrahedral O-Si-O angles is one order of magnitude smaller than that of the Si-O-Si angles between neighbouring tetrahedra. The calculated changes of X-ray structure factors are in agreement with experiment when the theoretical data are extrapolated down to the much smaller field strength that is applied in the experiment (E < 10 kV/mm). (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
The relative energy of conformers, DeltaE, of monosubstituted cyclohexanes with OR (R = Me, Et, i-Pr and t-Bu) and R substituents (R = Me, Et, i-Pr and t-Bu) was calculated with MO ab initio theory at RHF, MP2 and QCISD levels with the 6-311G* and 6-311 + G* basis sets. A selected group of delocalizing interactions were calculated with the natural bond orbital method in order to quantify the hyperconjugative contribution, DeltaE(hyp.), to the relative stability of conformers. From the calculated values of DeltaE and DeltaE(hyp.) an estimate of the differential steric effect, DeltaE(ster.), of substituents in cyclohexane was obtained. The values of DeltaE(hyp), and DeltaE(ster.) show that they have a similar magnitude for OR substituents, while for R substituents the values of are greater. The shift in the conformational equilibrium towards the axial conformer, the so-called anomeric effect, takes place when, within a series of substituents, hyperconjugative interactions and steric interactions balance in favour of the stability of this conformer. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
We present different tests for phase synchronization which improve the procedures currently used in the literature. This is accomplished by using a two-sample test setup and by utilizing insights and methods from directional statistics and bootstrap theory. The tests differ in the generality of the situation in which they can be applied as well as in their complexity, including computational cost. A modification of the resampling technique of the bootstrap is introduced, making it possible to fully utilize data from time series
We study the inference of long-range correlations by means of Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) and argue that power-law scaling of the fluctuation function and thus long-memory may not be assumed a priori but have to be established. This requires the investigation of the local slopes. We account for the variability characteristic for stochastic processes by calculating empirical confidence regions. Comparing a long-memory with a short-memory model shows that the inference of long-range correlations from a finite amount of data by means of DFA is not specific. We remark that scaling cannot be concluded from a straight line fit to the fluctuation function in a log-log representation. Furthermore, we show that a local slope larger than alpha=0.5 for large scales does not necessarily imply long memory. We also demonstrate, that it is not valid to conclude from a finite scaling region of the fluctuation function to an equivalent scaling region of the autocoffelation function. Finally, we review DFA results for the Prague temperature data set and show that long-range correlations cannot not be concluded unambiguously
We develop a theory describing the transition to a spatially homogeneous regime in a mixing flow with a chaotic in time reaction. The transverse Lyapunov exponent governing the stability of the homogeneous state can be represented as a combination of Lyapunov exponents for spatial mixing and temporal chaos. This representation, being exact for time- independent flows and equal Peclet numbers of different components, is demonstrated to work accurately for time- dependent flows and different Peclet numbers
Temporary-pond species can be expected to use environmental cues to predict the onset of adverse conditions, while permanent-pond species may be insensitive to such cues. Temperature is such a potential cue in temporary waterbodies, as if fluctuates more widely with decreasing pond size than in deeper permanent ponds. We compared the temperature-induced response of a permanent-pond and a temporary-pond cyclopoid copepod focusing on juvenile development duration, diapause induction and survival during diapause. Nonlinear regression analysis suggested a stronger effect of temperature on the duration of juvenile development in the temporary-pond species. This species also showed a higher and temperature-dependent variation in development duration (highest coefficient of variation 26%) compared with the permanent species, for which variation was lower and similar at all temperatures (maximal coefficient of variation 6%). Temperature significantly influenced the induction of diapause in the temporary-pond species, where the percentage of individuals entering diapause increased from 0% at 5degreesC and 10degreesC to 63% at 15degreesC and 91% at 20degreesC. In the permanent-pond species, diapause induction was independent of temperature and was induced in 100% of experimental specimens. This suggests an obligatory diapause in the permanent-pond species, a type of dormancy that has not been described previously for cyclopoid copepods. Survival during diapause in both species was higher when the diapausing copepodid stage was reached at lower temperatures. At higher temperatures, the temporary-pond species survived longer than the permanent-pond species. These results suggest different temperature optima of the two species. The strategy displayed by the permanent-pond species might be selected for in more stable habitats and may preclude the colonization of temporary ponds. Higher flexibility in life-history traits and the use of temperature as an environmental cue in the temporary-pond species could be favoured in unpredictable habitats
Contemporary methods for the modification of porphyrins are presented. In association with the Third International Conference on Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-3) a survey of current method developments and reactivity studies is made. The review focuses on synthetic transformations of porphyrins currently in use for various applications and on functional group transformations. A brief survey of important developments covers selectively the literature from late 2001 to early 2004. Copyright (c) 2004 Society of Porphyrins C Phthalocyanines
Alkoxy-substituted CN-containing phenylene-vinylene-alt-phenylene-ethynylene hybrid polymers (CN-PPV-PPE), 3a, 3b, and 7a, were obtained from luminophoric dialdehydes 1 by step growth polymerization via Knoevenagel reaction as high molecular-weight materials. Corresponding CN-free polymers 3c and 7b and an ethynylene-free polymer 5 with similar side chains were synthesized for the purpose of comparison. The chemical structures of the polymers were confirmed by IR, H-1 and C-13 NMR, and elemental analysis. Thermal characterization was conducted by means of thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Morphology was investigated by means of optical microscopy and small-angle light scattering. The final morphologies are determined by the molecular characteristics (side chains volume fraction, backbone stiffness) of the studied polymers. All the CN-containing polymers 3b, 5, and 7a exhibit higher fluorescence quantum yield in solid state (50 to 60%), but lower quantum yields (12-40%) in dilute chloroform solution, in total contrast to CN-free polymers 3c, 3d, and 7b. Identical optical, E-g(opt), and electrochemical band gap energies, E- g(ec), were obtained for 3b, 3c and 3d with intrinsic self-assembly ability, whereas a discrepancy, DeltaE(g), was observed in the cases of the fully substituted polymers 5, 7a, and 7b, whose values are dependent on the level of backbone stiffness and length of the side groups combined with the presence or absence of CN units. The incorporation of CN units in 3b and 7a lowers their respective LUMO level by 220 and 350 meV compared to their corresponding CN-free counterparts 3c and 7b, suggesting an improvement of the electron-accepting strength. Polymers 3b and 7a are efficient electron acceptors suitable for photovoltaic application. The experiments indicate that 3b is a better electron acceptor when used together with M3EH-PPV, but transport properties seem to be better for 7a. With 3b, high external quantum efficiencies of up to 23%, an open circuit voltage of up to 1.52 V, and a white light energy efficiency of 0.65% could be realized in bilayer solar cell devices. LED-devices of configuration ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer/Ca/Al from 3b, 3c, 7a, and 7b showed low turn-on voltages between 2 and 2.5 V. The CN-free polymers 3c and 7b exhibit far better EL parameters than their corresponding CN containing counterparts 3b and 7a