Protective antigen (PA) is a central virulence factor of Bacillus anthracis and a key component in anthrax vaccines. PA binds to target cell receptors, is cleaved by the furin protease, self-aggregates to heptamers, and finally internalizes as a complex with either lethal or edema factors. Under mild room temp. storage conditions, PA cytotoxicity decreased (t1/2 ≈ 7 days) concomitant with the generation of new acidic isoforms, probably through deamidation of Asn residues. Ranking all 68 Asn residues in PA based on their predicted deamidation rates revealed five residues with half-lives of \textless60 days, and these residues were further analyzed: Asn10 in the 20-kDa region, Asn162 at P6 vicinal to the furin cleavage site, Asn306 in the pro-pore translocation loop, and both Asn713 and Asn719 in the receptor-binding domain. We found that PA underwent spontaneous deamidation at Asn162 upon storage concomitant with decreased susceptibility to furin. A panel of model synthetic furin substrates was used to demonstrate that Asn162 deamidation led to a 20-fold decrease in the bimol. rate const. (kcat/Km) of proteolysis due to the new neg. charged residue at P6 in the furin recognition sequence. Furthermore, reduced PA cytotoxicity correlated with a decrease in PA cell binding and also with deamidation of Asn713 and Asn719. On the other hand, neither deamidation of Asn10 or Asn306 nor impairment of heptamerization could be obsd. upon prolonged PA storage. We suggest that PA inactivation during storage is assocd. with susceptible deamidation sites, which are intimately involved in both mechanisms of PA cleavage by furin and PA-receptor binding. [on SciFinder(R)]

Abstract. Catchment scale hydrological studies on drylands are lacking because of the scarcity of consistent data: observations are often available at the plot scale, but their relevance for the catchment scale remains unclear. A database of 24 years of stream gauge discharge and homogeneous high-resolution radar data over the eastern Mediterranean allows to describe the properties of moderate floods over catchments spanning from Desert to Mediterranean climates. Comparing two climatic regions, Desert and Mediterranean, we are able to better identify specific rainfall-runoff properties. Despite the large differences in rainfall forcing between the two regions, the resulting unit peak discharges and runoff coefficients are comparable. In Mediterranean areas rain depth and antecedent conditions are the most important properties to shape flood response. In Deserts, instead, storm core properties display a strong correlation with unit peak discharge and, to a less extent, with runoff coefficient. In this region, an inverse correlation with mean catchment annual precipitation suggests also a strong influence of local surface properties. Preliminary analyses suggest that floods in catchments with wet headwater and dry lower section are more similar to desert catchments, with a strong influence of storm core properties on runoff generation.

The performances of hydrological models in arid areas are significantly lower than other climates. The reasons are numerous, from the scales involved, to specific processes and the lack of adequate measurements. Effective parameters have been often observed to change between runoff events, limiting the predictive capacity of the models. We look at the problems that can be found in an operational setting and present an analysis to improve the understanding of the errors. Our method characterizes the conditions where the model fails systematically, and the conditions where the parameterization holds between floods. We applied KINEROS2 to 24 years of radar rainfall and streamflow data in 6 arid catchments. A GLUE probabilistic framework is used to characterize model performance, and a method is developed to identify floods with similar calibration. The analysis shows that uninformative conditions are difficult to generalize. A basin-specific analysis can help to identify conditions where the model fails and exclude them from calibration. Despite the large uncertainties, similar catchments display groups of floods with similar parameterization. In some basin we find that it is important to quantify antecedent moisture conditions. Hydrological models show some consistency within limited conditions. These conditions, however, depend on the errors involved, and are site-specific. There is some potential for parameter transfer, but proximity alone might not be enough, and other factors such as mean annual rainfall or storm type, should be taken into account.

This work evaluates two numerical warning indicators of severe weather. These indicators, the MKI and RDI indices, were developed within the framework of the EU- funded FLASH project which studies flash flood events in the Mediterranean Basin. The MKI (Modified K-Index) is a modification of the K-Index, which expresses probability of lightning activity, and the RDI (Rain Dynamical Index) is the integrated upward moisture flux. The indices were tested on 59 episodes which occurred during nine rainstorms in Israel, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Cyprus. The data for calculation of the indices included rain cell identification derived from microwave radiometer imagery of polar orbiting NOAA satellites, rain RADAR data, and lightning activity from the international ZEUS detection system. Atmospheric data with 0.5? 9 0.5? spatial resolution and 6-h time res- olution were used for the calculation and the display of the two indices. The indices were tested by calculating the spatially correlating locations with high index values and actual locations of intense rain and intense lightning. The RDI detected both event types: rain and lightning, with a statistically significant success rate and a low rate of false results. The MKI was successful in indicating intense lightning activity, but the rate of correct indi- cations was not statistically significant and there was a high rate of false indications. The results suggest that the RDI computed with output of weather prediction models is a potentially good predictor of torrential rain and therefore can predict flash floods caused by such rain in the Mediterranean region.

 The typical short generation length of insects makes their population dynamics highly sensitive not only to mean annual temperatures but also to their intra-annual variations. To consider the combined effect of both thermal factors under global warming, we propose a modeling framework that links general circulation models (GCMs) with a stochastic weather generator and population dynamics models to predict species population responses to inter- and intra-annual temperature changes. This framework was utilized to explore future changes in populations of Bemisia tabaci, an invasive insect pest-species that affects multiple agricultural systems in the Mediterranean region. We considered three locations representing different pest status and climatic conditions: Montpellier (France), Seville (Spain), and Beit-Jamal (Israel). We produced ensembles of local daily temperature realizations representing current and future (mid-21st century) climatic conditions under two emission scenarios for the three locations. Our simulations predicted a significant increase in the average number of annual generations and in population size, and a significant lengthening of the growing season in all three locations. A negative effect was found only in Seville for the summer season, where future temperatures lead to a reduction in population size. High variability in population size was observed between years with similar annual mean temperatures, suggesting a strong effect of intra-annual temperature variation. Critical periods were from late spring to late summer in Montpellier and from late winter to early summer in Seville and Beit-Jamal. Although our analysis suggested that earlier seasonal activity does not necessarily lead to increased populations load unless an additional generation is produced, it is highly likely that the insect will become a significant pest of open-fields at Mediterranean latitudes above 40° during the next 50 years. Our simulations also implied that current predictions based on mean temperature anomalies are relatively conservative and it is better to apply stochastic tools to resolve complex responses to climate change while taking natural variability into account. In summary, we propose a modeling framework capable of determining distinct intra-annual temperature patterns leading to large or small population sizes, for pest risk assessment and management planning of both natural and agricultural ecosystems. 

Disclosed is a process for the manuf. of tomato products, comprises the steps of: (a) pretreating the tomatoes by conventional operations, including crushing; (b) subjecting them to heat treatment; (c) sepg. the crushed tomatoes into serum and pulp contg. at least 500 ppm of lycopene; (d) subjecting the pulp to solvent extn., in order to ext. therefrom an oleoresin contg. lycopene; (e) sepg. the spent pulp; and (f) sepg. the lycopene ext. from the solvents, whereby to obtain oleoresin contg. the lycopene and to recover the solvents. [on SciFinder(R)]

Disclosed is a process for the manuf. of tomato products, comprises the steps of: (a) pretreating the tomatoes by conventional operations, including crushing; (b) subjecting them to heat treatment; (c) sepg. the crushed tomatoes into serum and pulp contg. at least 500 ppm of lycopene; (d) subjecting the pulp to solvent extn., in order to ext. therefrom an oleoresin contg. lycopene; (e) sepg. the spent pulp; and (f) sepg. the lycopene ext. from the solvents, whereby to obtain oleoresin contg. the lycopene and to recover the solvents. [on SciFinder(R)]

Different oxidizing agents for performing the cleavage oxidn. of the double bond of the unsatd. fatty acids are presented, and their economic performance is analyzed. Ozone and sodium hypochlorite are the most com. efficient oxidants. Lab. work for the oxidn. of oleic acid to azelaic and pelargonic acids using hypochlorite as oxidant is described. The advantages of working in an emulsion system and using RuCl3 as a catalyst are discussed, and a possible mechanism of the reaction is presented. A flow sheet for an industrial process based on this concept is proposed. A simulation of a plant using this technol. is made by a computerized model, and the economic parameters obtained suggest that sodium hypochlorite can be an interesting reagent for industrial oxidns. of double bonds in fatty acids. [on SciFinder(R)]

In this paper the authors examd. feasible correlations between the structure of different lyotropic mesophases and transdermal administration of three diclofenac derivs. with varying degrees of kosmotropic or chaotropic properties, solubilized within the mesophases. It was found that the most chaotropic deriv. of diclofenac di-Et amine (DEA-DFC) interacted with the polar heads of glycerol monooleate (GMO), thus expanding the water-lipid interface of the lamellar and cubic mesophases. This effect was detected by an increase in the lattice parameter of both mesophases, enhanced elastic properties, and increased solid-like response of the systems in the presence of DEA. Potassium diclofenac (K-DFC), a less chaotropic salt, had less pronounced effect on the structural features of the mesophases. Kosmotropic Na+ salt (Na-DFC) had only minor influence on both lamellar and cubic structures. The locus of solubilization of the mols. with the host mesophases was correlated with their delivery. It was suggested that transdermal delivery of kosmotropic Na-DFC was accelerated by the aq. phase and less constrained by the interaction with monoglyceride. The chaotropic cations (K+ and DEA+), presumably entrapped in the water-lipid interface, interacted with monoglyceride headgroups, which is likely to be the key cause for their sustained administration. [on SciFinder(R)]

As a basis for crystn. studies, the solubilization of amino acids (glycine, l-histidine, and l-phenylalanine) in H2O-in-isooctane microemulsions stabilized by AOT (Na di-2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate) was studied. The max. amt. of amino acid that could be solubilized was detd. by the solid-liq. extn. method, and the effect of the guest mols. (amino acids) on the size and shape of the microemulsion droplets and their thermal properties were detd. using SAXS and DSC measurements, resp. The solubilization of glycine mols., which primarily dissolve in the H2O pool, was slightly lower than their soly. in pure H2O, decreasing with increasing concn. of AOT and increasing with increasing H2O content in the microemulsion. But the solubilization of phenylalanine, which is primarily located at the H2O/oil interface, exceeded several times the soly. in H2O, the solubilized amt. increasing with increasing AOT and/or H2O concns. Histidine had characteristics intermediate between these 2 extremes. Solubilization of those mols. effected an increase in droplet size. The thermal anal. showed that loading of the microemulsion droplets with glycine has a much stronger effect on the thermal behavior of the emulsified H2O than has loading with phenylalanine. The low solubilization of glycine as compared to its soly. in pure H2O can be explained by the state of H2O within the microemulsion droplets, i.e., part of it is present as free H2O and part as H2O bound to the AOT headgroups. The loading of phenylalanine changed the shape of the microemulsion droplets from spherical to ellipsoidal, and with increasing droplet sizes, the [phenylalanine]/[AOT] molar ratio at the interface increased. [on SciFinder(R)]

{The crystn. of glycine and L-phenylalanine from water-isooctane microemulsions stabilized by AOT (sodium di-2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate) has been investigated. Crystn. phenomena were strongly affected by the localization of the solubilized mols. within the microemulsion droplets. In the case of glycine, which is solubilized within the water pools, a significant redn. in crystal size was obsd. in the temp. range investigated (Ti = 35 °C

The hydroclimatology, hydrometeorology, and hydrology of flash floods in the arid/semiarid southwestern United States are examined through empirical analyses of long-term, high-resolution rainfall and stream gauging observations, together with hydrological modeling analyses of the 19 August 2014 storm based on the Kinematic Runoff and Erosion Model (KINEROS2). The analyses presented here are centered on identifying the structure and evolution of flood-producing storms, as well as the interactions of space–time rainfall variability and basin characteristics in determining the upper-tail properties of rainfall and flood magnitudes over this region. This study focuses on four watersheds in Maricopa County, Arizona, with contrasting geomorphological properties. Flash floods over central Arizona are concentrated in both time and space, reflecting controls of the North American monsoon and complex terrain. Thunderstorm systems during the North American monsoon, as represented by the 19 August 2014 storm, are the dominant flood agents that determine the upper tail of flood frequency over central Arizona and that also shape the envelope curve of floods for watersheds smaller than 250 km2. Flood response for the 19 August 2014 storm is associated with storm elements of comparable spatial extent to the drainage area and slow movement for the three compact, headwater watersheds. Flood response for the elongated and relatively flat Skunk Creek highlights the importance of the spatial distribution of rainfall for transmission losses in arid/semiarid watersheds.

Antibodies directed to citrullinated proteins (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) are highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent data suggest that the antibodies may be involved in the disease process of RA and that several RA-associated genetic factors might be functionally linked to RA via modulation of the production of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies or citrullinated antigens.

A new parameter is introduced: the lightning potential index (LPI), which is a measure of the potential for charge generation and separation that leads to lightning flashes in convective thunderstorms. The LPI is calculated within the charge separation region of clouds between 0°C and -20°C, where the noninductive mechanism involving collisions of ice and graupel particles in the presence of supercooled water is most effective. As shown in several case studies using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with explicit microphysics, the LPI is highly correlated with observed lightning. It is suggested that the LPI may be a useful parameter for predicting lightning as well as a tool for improving weather forecasting of convective storms and heavy rainfall.

A review. The present contribution summarizes our previous investigations on the formation of emulsions, whose particles consist of a self-assembled inverted-type liq. cryst. phase or an inverted-type microemulsion. In this context, the main focus was on replacing either the dispersed oil droplets in normal O/W emulsions, or the kinetically stabilized internal W/O emulsion in double W/O/W emulsions, by an inverted-type liq. cryst. phase or an inverted-type microemulsion system. Owing to the physico-chem. properties of their internal nanostructures, these unique aq. dispersions are superior to conventional emulsions and double emulsions. They are attractive as nanonreactors and as host systems for solubilizing active mols. (drugs, flavors, and vitamins) in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries. This chapter describes the effect of varying temp. and solubilizing oil on the reversible structural transitions of the internal nanostructures of these lipidic dispersions. [on SciFinder(R)]

A review. Soft self-assembled lipidic systems with well-defined nanostructures have become increasingly important in the development of pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic delivery systems. They have key roles in overcoming the insufficiency of bioavailability and other obstacles in drug delivery systems, such as severe side effects and the toxicity of poorly water-sol. bioactive mols. In particular, self-assembled nanostructures of naturally occurring surfactant-like lipids represent an interesting family of nanocarriers. This family of biodegradable and biocompatible materials displays structures closely related to those obsd. in biol. membranes and enables the formation of efficient delivery systems. The optimal utilization of these nanostructured objects requires a full understanding of their physicochem. properties and detailed characterization of their structures. Their stability after administration is a key issue in the development of excipients with a good performance and a significant redn. of unwanted side effects. This chapter summarizes recent studies of the possibility of utilizing soft lipidic self-assembled systems as drug and food nanocarriers. The scope covers recent investigations that have attempted to shed light on the formation of delivery systems based on microemulsions, and different nanostructured aq. dispersions. It highlights also some recent advances in the characterization of these complex soft nanoobjects. The main focus is placed on the recent developments in the field of small-angle scattering methods, dynamic light scattering (DLS), electron microscopy (tilt-angle cryo-TEM, and cryo-FESEM), and NMR (NMR) techniques. [on SciFinder(R)]

The improved water and oil solubilization in the presence of polyols (propylene glycol, PG, and glycerol, Gly) and short-chain alc. (ethanol) in U-type nonionic W/O and O/W food microemulsions was investigated. The phase behavior of systems based on Tweens (ethoxylated sorbitan esters) was compared with non-food-grade systems based on C18:1E10 (Brij 96v). Short-chain alc. (ethanol in food-grade systems) together with polyols (glycerol and propylene glycol) when added to a three component system (oil-surfactant-water) induce the formation of both water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsions. Alcs. and polyols destabilize the liq. cryst. phase and extend the isotropic region to higher surfactant concns. The total monophasic area, AT, at R(+)-limonene/ethanol of 1/1 (wt./wt.) and aq. phase of water/PG of 1/1 (wt./wt.), was 73 and 64% of the total area of the phase diagram for Brij 96v and Tween 60, resp. The transition from a W/O microemulsion into an O/W microemulsion happens gradually, and continuously without any phase sepn. The total monophasic area depends also on the type of the oil, on the compn. of the polar and apolar phases, and on the nature of the polyol. Solubilization properties are explained n terms of spontaneous curvature, film flexibility, etc. Deviations from the BSO equation are explained in terms of the nature of the oil and surfactants. The difference in temp. sensitivity of PG-based microemulsions vs. temp. sensitivity of Gly-based is demonstrated and explained. [on SciFinder(R)]