Ring opening metathesis polymerization derived polymers as photoresists: making use of thiol-ene chemistry.

Ring opening metathesis polymerization derived poly(norbornene) films and aggregates were crosslinked via photo chemically induced thiol-ene chemistry using a multifunctional thiol and the double bonds present in the polymer backbones. The presented method was illustrated by the description of a negative-toned photoresist formulation based on above mentioned ingredients.

Reticulate evolution in diploid and tetraploid species of Polystachya (Orchidaceae) as shown by plastid DNA sequences and low-copy nuclear genes.

Background And Aims: Here evidence for reticulation in the pantropical orchid genus Polystachya is presented, using gene trees from five nuclear and plastid DNA data sets, first among only diploid samples (homoploid hybridization) and then with the inclusion of cloned tetraploid sequences (allopolyploids). Two groups of tetraploids are compared with respect to their origins and phylogenetic relationships.

Methods: Sequences from plastid regions, three low-copy nuclear genes and ITS nuclear ribosomal DNA were analysed for 56 diploid and 17 tetraploid accessions using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference.

Conjugates of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) with carminic acid: Synthesis, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and biological evaluation.

We synthesized two carminic acid (7-alpha-d-glucopyranosyl-9,10-dihydro-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-2-anthracene carboxlic acid, CA)-GnRH conjugates to be used as a model for potential photoactive targeted compounds. CA was conjugated to the epsilon-amino group of [d-Lys(6)]GnRH through its carboxylic moiety or via a beta-alanine spacer (beta-ala). Redox potentials of CA and its conjugates were determined.

Sex differences in relative foot length and perceived attractiveness of female feet: relationships among anthropometry, physique, and preference ratings.

Foot size proportionate to stature is smaller in women than in men, and small feet apparently contribute to perceived physical attractiveness of females. This exploratory study investigated the sex difference in relative foot length and interrelations among foot length, physique, and foot preference ratings in samples from Austria and Canada, each comprised of 75 men and 75 women. The findings included the following lines of evidence: the sex difference in relative foot length replicated in both data sets; the magnitude of this sex effect was large.

Expression and purification of biologically active rat bone morphogenetic protein-4 produced as inclusion bodies in recombinant Escherichia coli.

Rat bone morphogenetic protein-4 (rBMP-4) cDNA was cloned from rat osteoblasts by RT-PCR and expressed in E. coli. Monomeric, dimeric and polymeric forms of recombinant rat BMP-4 (rrBMP-4) were obtained from inclusion bodies after solubilization with urea.