The structure and catalytic properties of the enzyme (E) chlorocatechol dioxygenase (CCD) adsorbed on a citrate-reduced silver colloid are analyzed by surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS). This is the first SERRS study of a non-heme metalloenzyme. It is demonstrated that the native conformation of CCD is retained in the adsorbed state by comparison of resonance Raman scattering...

We report the detection of broad absorptions due to Si IV λλ4088–4116 in the Luminous Blue Variable (LBV) AG Carinae during its last hot phase (2001-2003). Our NLTE spectral analysis, with the radiative transfer code CMFGEN, revealed the photospheric nature of these lines predicting, however, much narrower and deeper absorption profiles than observed. Using a recently-developed code to compute ...

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are responsible for exotic optical phenomena, including negative refraction, surface enhanced Raman scattering, and nanoscale focusing of light. Although many materials support SPPs, the choice of metal for most applications has been based on traditional plasmonic materials (Ag, Au) because there have been no side-by-side comparisons of the different materials ...

Problem analysis in designing thematic maps and user interfaces which assist map designers in incorporating their ideas into maps are presented. Problems in designing choropleth maps are analyzed from the map designers point of view. A graphical user interface, called "Histogram Interface" is implemented as a countermeasure for problems in designing choropleth maps. The user interface can assis...

Claudin-3 (CLDN3) and claudin-4 (CLDN4) are the major structural molecules that form tight junctions (TJs) between epithelial cells. We found that knockdown of the expression of either CLDN3 or CLDN4 produced marked changes in the phenotype of ovarian cancer cells, including an increase in resistance to cisplatin (cDDP). The effect of CLND3 and CLDN4 on cDDP cytotoxicity, cDDP cellular accumula...

The text analyzes the contradictions, ambiguities and accommodations underlying the remodelling of Portugal from an imperial metropolis into a European post-colonial nation. It focuses on two interrelated and contradictory facets of national redefinition – namely, the incorporation of Portuguese transnational migrants into the nation and Portugal’s transformation into a receptor of immigrants f...