Phenoloxidase (PO) is a significant biomolecule involved in humoral defence mechanism of invertebrates. Spontaneous melanization of insect haemolymph is the major hinderance for studying PO activity, as haemolymph was collected devoid of phenylthiourea. In the study, no visible melanization was observed in crude serum from the grub of Oryctes rhinoceros up to 30 min of incubation amongst crude haemolymph, diluted haemolymph, crude serum and diluted serum that were subjected to visual observation for spontaneous melanization reaction. Accordingly, crude serum was taken for evaluating PO activity. At the same time, as PO substrates tend to auto-oxidize and provide false optical density value, tris-buffered saline devoid of any substrates were used as blank for PO assays. The ideal wavelength at which maximum PO activity occurred for each substrate, namely, tyrosine, tyramine, dopamine, L-dopa, DL-dopa, catechol, protocatechuic acid and pyrogallol was determined as 407, 410, 429, 465, 403, 466, 428 and 400 nm, respectively. Additionally, time course of oxidation for each phenolic substrate by the serum PO were examined and DL-dopa was identified as the specific substrate for serum PO in the grub of O. rhinoceros. Furthermore, maximum PO activity was observed at 5 min of incubation for 10 mM of DL-dopa that was considered as optimum concentration. The ideal pH and temperature for serum PO activity was observed as 7.5 and 20°C, respectively. These results suggested that standardizing a suitable substrate is an essential prerequisite to evaluate the real PO activity of serum which might significantly fluctuate in each insect model.

Through Spectroscopy, we aim to develop the field of pulsating stars, especially the atmospheric dynamics of high amplitude pulsators such as RR Lyr and R Scuti, in order to establish new models of the mechanical and thermal behavior of their atmospheres (shock waves, relaxation time, energy loss…). We used high-resolution spectra over a total of 81 nights from made with the spectrograph Eshell during years 2013 and 2015 runs from Oukaïmeden observatory in the High Atlas mountains (Morocco) completed with made with the spectrograph ELODIE (Haute Provence observatory, France) during years 1994–1997. A detailed analysis of line profile variations over the whole pulsation cycle is performed. Shock wave velocity and lines intensity were used as indicators of atmospheric dynamics activities. We have obtained and compared our results with those obtained by the large telescopes, we have obtained thanks to our site very satisfactory results, Indeed : For RR lyr: For the first time the second apparition of Helium (D3) was detected using our Telescope (0.35m) at Oukaïmeden Observatory.

For the first time, during the phase of expansion of the star, the emission of the line D3 is visible on various phases Blazhko, including during the minimum of the cycle Blazhko.

Also, we presented the results of a long- term, high-resolution spectroscopic study of the variable star R Sct. We analyzed the features of the optical spectra of this object and found RSct shows irregular behavior in its slight variations for much of the time that it was observed. Its average period is close to 142 d, but some- times the irregularities are so strong that it is not possible to define a periodic variation.

In this work, the technique and the pictorial materials employed by Claude Monet in Pink Water Lilies, presently housed at the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome, were investigated. The painting underwent noninvasive investigations such as energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and visible reflectance spectroscopies. The combined use of these techniques allowed us to identify most of the inorganic pigments such as cobalt blue and violet, zinc oxide, cadmium yellow, vermilion, and mixtures. Particularly, the spectrophotometric curves allow for the detection of the anhydrous and hydrated chromium greens. Two micro-fragments of the painting were also examined with micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the cross-sections obtained were analyzed with the optical microscope and with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy analyses allowed us to recognize the animal glue used for priming the canvas, which was covered with a ground layer consisting of calcite and lead white mixed with an oil binder. A lipidic binder was also detected in the color layer. Optical microscopy and SEM-EDS were useful to retrieve information about the stratigraphy, the distribution of pigments, and a more complete palette identification of phosphate, arsenate, and magnesium arsenate cobalt violets, and the red lake was possible.

In 1884, Lorenzen proposed the formula MgAl2SiO6 for his new mineral kornerupine from Fiskenæsset and did not suspect it to contain boron. Lacroix and de Gramont (1919) reported boron in Fiskenæsset kornerupine, while Herd (1973) found none. New analyses (ion microprobe mass analyser and spectrophotometric) of kornerupine in three specimens from the type locality, including the specimens analysed by Lorenzen and Herd, indicate the presence of boron in all three, in amounts ranging from 0.50 to 1.44 wt.% B2O3, e.g. (Li0.04 Na0.01 Ca0.01) (Mg3.49 Mn0.01 Fe0.17 Ti0.01 Al5.64)Σ9.30 (Si3.67 Al1.02 B0.31)Σ5 O21 (OH0.99 F0.01) for Lorenzen's specimen. Textures and chemical compositions suggest that kornerupine crystallized in equilibrium in the following assemblages, all with anorthite (An 92–95) and phlogopite (XFe = atomic Fe/(Fe + Mg) = 0.028–0.035): (1) kornerupine (0.045)-gedrite (0.067); (2) kornerupine (0.038–0.050)-sapphirine (0.032–0.035); and (3) kornerupine (0.050)-hornblende. Fluorine contents of kornerupine range from 0.01 to 0.06%, of phlogopite, from 0.09 to 0.10%. In the first assemblage, sapphirine (0.040) and corundum are enclosed in radiating bundles of kornerupine; additionally sapphirine, corundum, and/or gedrite occur with chlorite and pinite (cordierite?) as breakdown products of kornerupine. Kornerupine may have formed by reactions such as: gedrite + sapphirine + corundum + B2O3 (in solution) + H2O = kornerupine + anorthite + Na-phlogopite under conditions of the granulite facies. Boron for kornerupine formation was most likely remobilized by hydrous fluids from metasedimentary rocks occurring along the upper contact of the Fiske⇒set gabbro-anorthosite complex with amphibolite.

The dissociation constant for chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino] carbonyl] benzenesulfonamide} in aqueous solution measured by spectrophotometric titration is 3.58 ± 0.05. Chlorsulfuron was more strongly adsorbed on IRA-400-Cl strong anion exchange resin than on IR-4B-OH weak anion exchange resin or Al2O3 anionotropic adsorbent. Hydrogen bonding was probably responsible for the adsorption observed on IR-120-Na(H) cation exchange resin. No chlorsulfuron was adsorbed on Al2O3 cationotropic absorbent, technical montmorillonite, illite, or kaolinite. Adsorption did occur on organic matter derived from a histosol. Chlorsulfuron was strongly adsorbed on activated charcoal but had little affinity for α-cellulose. Adsorption onto hydrophobic polymeric XAD-2 adsorbent at pH 5.2 was not significant for chlorsulfuron concentrations below 30 μM. No significant adsorption occurred on a variety of mineral soils low in organic matter. Adsorption on a Sharpsburg silty clay loam was inversely related to solution pH. Hydrogen bonding and charge transfer bonds were postulated as the major mechanisms responsible for chlorsulfuron adsorption in soil.

The NASA/DLR Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a 2.5-meter infrared telescope on board a Boeing 747-SP, will conduct 0.3 - 1,600 μm photometric, spectroscopic, and imaging observations from altitudes as high as 45,000 ft., where the average atmospheric transmission is greater than 80 percent. SOFIA's first light cameras and spectrometers, as well as future generations of instruments, will make important contributions to the characterization of the physical properties of exoplanets. Our analysis shows that optical and near-infrared photometric and spectrophotometric follow-up observations during planetary transits and eclipses will be feasible with SOFIA's instrumentation, in particular the HIPO-FLITECAM optical/NIR instruments. The airborne-based platform has unique advantages in comparison to ground- and space-based observatories in this field of research which we will outline here. Furthermore we will present two exemplary science cases, that will be conducted in SOFIA's cycle 1.

Microscope and fiber-optic spectrophotometry of transmittance and backscattering both showed moss leaves to be capable of casting strong shadows, with a single leaf blocking approximately 90% of incident light from a point source. In leaves with only one layer of cells, the transmittance through the cytoplasm of single cells was similar to that for whole leaves. Analysis of cell wall birefringence by polarized-light interferometry indicated that cell walls might normally scatter rather than transmit light. Spectra transmitted through, or backscattered from, the upper green layers of moss were dominated by selective absorbance from chlorophyll, but there was also evidence of wavelength-dependent scattering, as detected in the lower layers of brown, dead moss. Specular reflectance from moss leaves was detected by polarimetry and may have contributed to the relatively high macroscopic transmittance of stationary moss in water. Shadowing by moss leaves was confirmed by dynamic measurements of mosses in turbulent water without bubbles. Flicker patterns from leaves were superimposed on the underwater flicker pattern created at the air-water interface, thus flecks of light were reduced in intensity, increased in frequency, and decreased in duration. This was detected with both point source and diffuse illumination of samples.

Adult albino mammals have specific retinal defects, including reduced numbers of rod photoreceptors. To examine when this rod deficit arises and whether it exists in nonmammalian albinos, we have used absorbance spectrophotometry to measure photopigment levels in dark-adapted eyes taken from three groups of pigmented and albino animals: adult rodents (rats and mice), developing rats, and mature Xenopus frogs. Rhodopsin concentrations were consistently and significantly reduced in mammalian albinos compared to their wild-type counterparts from before the time of eye opening, but photopigment levels were similar in frogs of both pigmentation phenotypes. The results strongly suggest that deficits in the rod cell population arise early in development of the mammalian albino retina, but do not generalize to nonmammalian mutants lacking retinal melanin.

Background and objective The effect of anaesthesia induced by intrathecal injection of 6.3% MgS04 or 4% lidocaine on intracellular electrolyte homeostasis in spinal cord neurones of a rat model was investigated. Methods Intracellular Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ concentrations were determined at different times after intrathecal administration of NaCI (saline, a control group), MgS04 or lidocaine.

Results In both thoracic and lumbar spinal cord segments, Ca2+ concentrations rose significantly 30min and 2 h after 6.3% MgSO4 injection, and after 24 h were still significantly increased compared with the values obtained from the control group which were subjected to sham ‘anaesthesia’ by saline injection (172,121 and 108ngmg−1 protein vs. control 23ngmg−1 protein, respectively, in the thoracic segment and 222, 229 and 176ngmg−1 protein vs. control 43ngmg−1 protein, respectively, in the lumbar segment). Lidocaine injection also produced a significant increase in intracellular Ca2+ in the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord segments (69, 64 and 53ngmg−1 protein vs. control 33.4 ngmg−1 protein and 26, 94 and 46ngmg−1 protein vs. 23ngmg−1 protein respectively). Only a modest rise in intracellular Mg2+ was observed after intrathecal MgS04 or lidocaine injection (27ngmg−1 protein vs. 23ngmg−1 protein). Na+ and K+ concentrations decreased 24 h after MgS04and 1h after lidocaine injection.

Conclusion Intrathecal anaesthesia by MgS04 or lidocaine alters intracellular electrolyte homeostasis in spinal cord neurones of experimental rats. A possible common mechanism of action via Ca2+ ion channels is discussed.

The method of Zinn & Owens (1986; Canadian Journal of Animal Science66, 157–166), based on release of purine bases by HClO4 followed by their precipitation with AgNO3, was used to study recovery of purines from lyophilized rumen microbial or Escherichia coli preparations added to matrices such as cellulose, starch and neutral-detergent fibre. The recovery of purines was poor (approximately 50 %). Under the hydrolysis conditions (12 M-HClO4, 90–95° for 1 h) used in the method of Zinn & Owens (1986), the recovery of purines from the rumen microbial preparations added to matrices measured using an HPLC method was 95–102 %, suggesting that the lower recovery of purines in the method of Zinn & Owens (1986) was not due to incomplete hydrolysis of nucleic acids. Using the HPLC method, adenine and allopurinol (an internal standard) were found to be heat-labile as substantial destruction was observed on heating at 121°. On the other hand, another commonly used internal standard, caffeine, was stable at 121°. A complete hydrolysis of nucleic acids from the rumen microbial preparation was observed with 2·5 ml 0·6 M-HClO4 in a total volume of 3 ml (0·5 M-HClO4 during hydrolysis) at 90–95° for 1 h, and under these conditions adenine, guanine, allopurinol and caffeine were stable. Moreover, under these milder hydrolysis conditions, the recovery of purine bases from the rumen microbial or E. coli preparations added to matrices ranged from 92 to 108 % using the method of Zinn & Owens (1986). Based on the results, changes in hydrolysis conditions have been proposed for accurate determination of purine bases using spectrophotometric or HPLC methods.