Optical spin hall effect in exciton-polariton condensates in lead halide perovskite microcavities.

An exciton-polariton condensate is a hybrid light-matter state in the quantum fluid phase. The photonic component endows it with characters of spin, as represented by circular polarization. Spin-polarization can form stochastically for quasi-equilibrium exciton-polariton condensates at parallel momentum vector k|| ∼ 0 from bifurcation or deterministically for propagating condensates at k|| > 0 from the optical spin-Hall effect (OSHE). Here, we report deterministic spin-polarization in exciton-polariton condensates at k|| ∼ 0 in microcavities containing methylammonium lead bromide perovskite (CH3NH3PbBr3) single crystals under non-resonant and linearly polarized excitation. We observe two energetically split condensates with opposite circular polarizations and attribute this observation to the presence of strong birefringence, which introduces a large OSHE at k|| ∼ 0 and pins the condensates in a particular spin state. Such spin-polarized exciton-polariton condensates may serve not only as circularly polarized laser sources but also as effective alternatives to ultracold atom Bose-Einstein condensates in quantum simulators of many-body spin-orbit coupling processes.

Ethylene Production during Development of Mustard (Brassica juncea) and Canola (Brassica napus) Seed.

An open, continuous flow system was used to investigate ethylene production during degreening of maturing seed of mustard (Brassica juncea cv Cutlass and cv Lethbridge 22A) and canola (Brassica napus cv Westar and cv Alto). Isolated mustard seed evolved higher amounts of ethylene than those of canola, and this was particularly evident both early in embryogeny and later during the desiccation phase of seed maturation. The silique walls produced negligible amounts of ethylene in both species. The concentrations of ethylene surrounding seed as they matured within siliques were significantly higher in mustard than in canola, and this interspecies difference was greatest during the seed desiccation phase. In mustard, a 4-fold increase in silique internal ethylene levels was apparent during desiccation. In comparison, only a moderate increase in silique-derived ethylene occurred in canola.

Designing and evaluating strategies to recruit African Americans for AIDS/HIV interventions: targeting the African-American family.

The successful recruitment of African-Americans for AIDS/HIV interventions is essential to reducing HIV transmission and the spread of AIDS among this population. However, many high risk groups in the African-American community are reluctant to participate in AIDS/HIV interventions due to factors such as poverty, and cultural and religious values. This paper discusses the basis of these factors and presents a theoretical framework that holds some promise for designing and evaluating AIDS/HIV intervention recruitment strategies and a pilot study implementing this strategy is presented. The results emphasize the importance of targeting and empowering the African-American family in recruitment strategies, as opposed to specific subgroups of high risk individuals. Recruitment messages, which were channeled through a credible source and which stress the role of participants in contributing to the well-being of their families and communities, were most successful.

How "the best" companies use MRP (materiel requirements planning) and just-in-time for successful manufacturing.

A study of production planning and control methods used in six leading companies found that a blending strategy is more effective than reliance on a single system. The blending of just-in-time and materiel requirements planning and other approaches allowed companies to select methods that best fit the unique characteristics of their production environments.

Interactions between Ethylene, CO(2), and ABA on GA(3)-Induced Amylase Synthesis in Barley Aleurone Tissue.

Gibberellic acid-induced synthesis and release of alpha-amylase in barley aleurone tissue was inhibited by abscisic acid. This inhibition was relieved by simultaneous application of ethylene ranging in concentration from 0.1 to 100 microliters per liter. When CO(2) was applied, it eliminated the effect of 0.1 microliter per liter ethylene and reimposed the abscisic acid inhibition. All concentrations of CO(2) tested from 400 to 10(5) microliters per liter counteracted the effect of 0.1 microliter per liter ethylene, but had no observable effect on any higher concentration of ethylene. The results indicate that some processes necessary for embryo growth may be subject to regulation by ethylene and carbon dioxide at naturally occurring concentrations of the gases.

Purification and characterization of barley-aleurone xylanase.

Xylanase (ß-1,4-D-xylan xylanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.8) from aleurone layers of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Himalaya) was purified and characterized. Purification was by preparative isoelectric focusing and a Sephadex G-200 column. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the enzyme showed a single protein band with an apparent molecular weight (Mr)=34000 daltons. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was 4.6. The enzyme had maximum activity on xylan at pH 5.5 and at 35° C. It was most stable between pH 5 and 6 and at temperatures between 0 and 4° C. The Km was 0.86 mg xylan·ml(-1).

Effect of ethylene on the gibberellic Acid-enhanced synthesis and release of amylase by isolated barley aleurone layers.

Methods were developed and extended to enable the incubation of isolated barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Himalaya) aleurone layers under carefully controlled conditions for studies on effects of ethylene on amylase synthesis and release. When layers in medium containing gibberellic acid were exposed to ethylene, the synthesis and release of amylase were altered relative to layers maintained in an ethylene-free environment. These ethylene effects were detected at the smallest concentration used, 0.041 nl/ml, indicating a very low threshold value. During the initial 24 h, ethylene accelerated both the appearance of total amylase activity, and the release of this activity from the aleurone layers. On the other hand, ethylene reduced the total amount of amylase activity that was recovered from samples after 48 and 72 h.Ethylene did not stimulate the release of amylase from membrane-bound structures within the aleurone layers, and did not interact with the enzyme directly.The isoelectric patterns of amylase activity and proteins released from control and ethylene-treated aleurone layers in 24 h were identical. Therefore, ethylene promoted only quantitative differences in amylase synthesis rather than qualitative differences.

Modes of ethylene action in the release of amylase from barley aleurone layers.

The development of xylanase activity by isolated barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Himalaya) aleurone layers exposed to gibberellic acid was enhanced by ethylene, whereas the rate of glucanase synthesis was unaffected by ethylene. The elevated xylanase activity expressed in ethylene-treated tissue may be responsible for enhanced release of amylase in response to ethylene.The redistribution of ionic species in response to gibberellic acid and ethylene was explored. The release of calcium was much more sensitive to ethylene than the release of any of the other ions investigated (potassium, magnesium, and phosphate). Ethylene induced a 101% increase in the release of calcium from gibberellic acid-treated aleurone layers. The possible relevance of this observation to the ethylene-enhanced release of amylase is discussed.

Inhibition of cyanide-resistant respiration in pea cotyledon mitochondria by chloroquine.

The action on mitochondrial respiration of a ubiquinone analog, chloroquine, has been studied using purified mitochondria from the cotyledons of germinating peas (Pisum sativum L. var. Homesteader). Chloroquine at 3 millimolar did not inhibit malate or succinate oxidation at pH 7.2, but it did inhibit malate (but not succinate) oxidation at pH 8.2. Cyanide-resistant respiration was also inhibited.The implications of these experiments on the role of ubiquinone in the cyanide-resistant respiratory pathway and on the location of the alternate oxidase are discussed.

Effect of carbon dioxide and light on ethylene production in intact sunflower plants.

High CO(2) concentration (0.5%) increased the rate of ethylene production, measured in a continuous flow system, in intact sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants. However, the rate of ethylene production subsided to near control levels after approximately 24 hours. The effect of high CO(2) could only be observed in light. Although high CO(2) concentration had no effect on the rate of ethylene production in darkness, prolonged exposure (approximately 16 hours) of plants to high CO(2) in the dark prevented the increase in ethylene production when the plants were exposed to light and high CO(2).

Ethylene effects on amylase activity from isolated barley aleurone layers : possible modification by proteolytic enzymes.

The effect of protease inhibitors on the response of gibberellic acid-treated barley aleurone layers to ethylene was examined. In the absence of protease inhibitors, ethylene plus gibberellic acid initially increased the production of amylase activity relative to layers incubated with gibberellic acid alone. Exposure to ethylene plus gibberellic acid for 48 hours or longer, however, led to depressed levels of amylase activity compared to samples incubated with gibberellic acid in hydrocarbon-free air.The direct assay of proteolytic activity revealed a small increase in activity in response to ethylene. The significance of this response was probed further by including inhibitors of barley proteases in the incubation medium. When potassium bromate was introduced, ethylene did not cause any alteration in amylase activity compared to samples incubated in hydrocarbon-free air. However, in the presence of N-ethylmaleimide, ethylene treatment induced a 52% increase in amylase activity recovered from samples after 48 hours. These results suggest that proteases contribute to the loss of amylase activity in response to ethylene and thus alter the apparent effect of ethylene on amylase synthesis. The effect of protease inhibitors on other hydrolases is also discussed.During the incubation period, the pH of the medium declined significantly. However, ethylene had no effect on the extent of this decline.

Kinetics of ATP synthesis in pea cotyledon submitochondrial particles.

A kinetic study of oxidative phosphorylation by pea submitochondrial particles gave two K(m) values for ADP, one low, the other high. The high value probably reflected a damaged site or a population of leaky mitochondria. Only the high affinity site with a low K(m) for ADP was involved in ATP synthesis. alpha,beta-Methylene ADP was found to be a competitive inhibitor of ATP synthesis. The inorganic phosphate analog, thiophosphate, decreased the apparent K(m) of ADP while the rate of the reaction remained approximately the same. Adenyl imidodiphosphate, a specific inhibitor of ATP hydrolysis activity, had little effect on oxidative phosphorylation. A slight decrease in the K(m) of the high affinity binding site for ADP was noted. Aurovertin was found to be a potent inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation in pea submitochondrial particles. The K(m) of the high affinity site was increased 10-fold. Also, the inhibition normally exerted by ADP on ATPase activity was severely reduced by aurovertin. In contrast, increasing the concentration of aurovertin only slightly affected the level of inhibition caused by adenyl imidodiphosphate on ATP hydrolysis.

Solubilization and partial purification of n,n'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive ATPase from pea cotyledon mitochondria.

The N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD)-sensitive ATPase of pea (Pisum sativum L.) cotyledon mitochondria was solubilized from submitochondrial particle membranes with sodium cholate and ammonium sulfate. Ammonium sulfate precipitation of the enzyme resulted in an increase in specific activity. At between 38% and 45% saturated ammonium sulfate, 20% of the ATPase activity was precipitated, with a specific activity 4 to 5 times higher than that of the crude enzyme. The precipitate was highly sensitive to DCCD.The properties of the ammonium sulfate preparation were investigated. It contained levels of cytochrome and NADH dehydrogenase contamination comparable to those of the highly purified F(0)F(1) preparations from animal tissue. The high degree of purification was corroborated by sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis.

Does light inhibit ethylene production in leaves?

The effect of light on the rate of ethylene production was monitored using two different techniques-leaf segments incubated in closed flasks versus intact plants in a flow-through open system. Three different plants were used, viz sunflower (Helianthus annuus), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), and soybean (Glycine max). Experiments were conducted both in the presence and absence of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC).The results obtained indicate that, in all three species studied, light strongly inhibits ethylene production when cut leaf segments are incubated in the presence of ACC in closed flasks. When ethylene measurements are made with ACC-sprayed intact plants using a continuous flow system, the effect of light on ethylene production is only marginal. In leaf segments of sunflower and soybean incubated only in distilled H(2)O in closed flasks, light promotes ethylene production. In tomato, there is no difference between the rate of ethylene production between light and darkness under such conditions. When measurements are made with intact plants in a continuous flow system, the rate of ethylene production is almost identical in light and darkness, in the three plants studied.It is concluded that the effect of light on cut leaf segments incubated in the presence of ACC in closed flasks can be attributed to the techniques used for these measurements. Light has little effect on ethylene production by intact plants in an open system.

Use and support of multicultural and antiracist education: research-informed interdisciplinary social work practice.

Multicultural education (MCE) and antiracist education (ARE) are the primary curricula through which school educators are combating the effects of racism and bigotry. To assist in the efforts of the educators, social workers need an understanding of MCE and ARE objectives, assumptions, and current research to guide their practice. This article discusses the differences between MCE and ARE and presents the findings of a study conducted in five northwestern United States school districts. It examines curricula, policies, and practices used to address racism and bigotry among elementary, middle, and high school students; attempts to discover underlying barriers to implementing antiracist and antibigotry curricula; and reveals the perspectives of teachers, administrators, counselors, and social workers. Implications for social work practice, policy development, and research are discussed.

Cyanide-insensitive Respiration in Pea Cotyledons.

Mitochondria isolated by a zonal procedure from the cotyledons of germinating peas possessed a cyanide-resistant respiration. This respiration was virtually absent in mitochondria isolated during the first 24 hours of germination but thereafter increased gradually until the 6th or 7th day of seedling development. At this time between 15 and 20% of the succinate oxidation was not inhibited by cyanide. The activity of the cyanide-resistant respiration was also determined in the absence of cyanide. Relationships among mitochondrial structure, cyanide-resistant respiration, and seedling development are discussed.

A Cuvette Design for Measurement of Ethylene Production and Carbon Dioxide Exchange by Intact Shoots under Controlled Environmental Conditions.

A cuvette is described for simultaneous measurement of ethylene production and CO(2) fixation by intact shoots under controlled environmental conditions. This design overcomes potential problems associated with closed systems conventionally used for studies on ethylene production, allowing accurate determination of rates of ethylene production in plants exposed to different environmental conditions.

Hypochlorite Disinfection Influences the GA(3)-Induced Synthesis of alpha-Amylase Isozymes by Isolated Barley Aleurone Layers.

Aleurone layers isolated from half-seeds of Himalaya barley (Hordeum vulgare cv Himalaya) disinfected in hypochlorite solutions containing 1.0% available chlorine synthesized significantly less alpha-amylase in response to gibberellic acid than layers derived from half-seeds disinfected in 0.1% hypochlorite. This effect of hypochlorite involved neither a differential decrease in the synthesis of group A or B alpha-amylase isozymes nor a general decrease in alpha-amylase synthesis attributable to fewer viable aleurone cells in layers from half-seeds disinfected with 1% hypochlorite. Our results emphasize the need to evaluate the potential effects of routine disinfection procedures used in physiological and biochemical studies.

Ethylene Production by Attached Leaves or Intact Shoots of Tobacco Cultivars Differing in Their Speed of Yellowing during Curing.

Using an open air flow system, differences in the yellowing rate of leaves during curing were assessed in relation to ethylene production by shoots of intact seedlings or attached mature leaves of 60 day old tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants. The rate of ethylene evolution from the leaves of the fast yellowing cultivars was significantly higher than in the slow yellowing ones. The same differences were obtained with shoots of intact seedlings. The findings suggest that it is possible to use ethylene production by seedlings as a selection criterion in screening for genotypic differences in the rate of yellowing. The ability of carbon dioxide (1%) to enhance ethylene production by attached leaves was significant in a slow, but not in a fast yellowing cultivar. However, similar amounts of ethylene were produced on administration of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid to a slow and a fast yellowing cultivar. Exposure of attached leaves to exogenous ethylene (0.1 microliter per liter) accelerated the loss of chlorophyll and protein. This treatment was effective only for slightly yellow leaves and not for fully expanded green ones. The significance and possible use of ethylene in the flue-curing process are discussed.

Uptake and Fate of Ethephon ([2-Chloroethyl]phosphonic Acid) in Dormant Weed Seeds.

Although ethephon ([2-chloroethyl]phosphonic acid) is often used as a form of liquid ethylene in studies of seed germination, it is not known if ethylene evolved from ethephon in the seed is sufficient to elicit the desired response and/or if ethephon has a regulatory action that alone accounts for the response. For these reasons we studied the uptake and fate of [1,2-(14)C]ethephon in dormant seeds of Avena fatua, Sinapis arvensis, Thlaspi arvense, and Chenopodium album. The radioactivity within the seeds was separated into a labile carbon-labeled ethephon/ethylene fraction (64-87%) and, following extraction in methanol-chloroform-water (12:5:3), into fractions associated with insoluble (12-29%) and soluble (3-8%) seed constituents. The radioactivity associated with seed constituents was reduced 5 to 75% by hot alkaline hydrolysis (2.5 n KOH, 70 degrees C for 1 hour). Although a small portion of the ethephon (or metabolite of ethephon/ethylene) taken up by the seeds is tightly bound to the tissues, our results indicate that, at the appropriate external concentrations of ethephon, the amount of ethylene evolved from ethephon within the seeds is sufficient to produce the desired ethylene mediated responses. However, factors affecting the decomposition of ethephon must be considered in the decision as to whether to use ethephon as a liquid supply of ethylene.