Pathogenic Neisseria express type IV pili (tfp), which have been shown to play a central role in the interactions of bacteria with their environment. The regulation of piliation thus constitutes a central element in bacterial life cycle. The PilC proteins are outer membrane-associated proteins that have a key role in tfp biogenesis since PilC-null mutants appear defective for fibre expression. ...

The Gram-negative bacterial pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae is naturally competent for transformation with species-related DNA. We show here that two phase-variable pilus-associated proteins, the major pilus subunit (pilin, or PilE) and PilC, a factor known to function in the assembly and adherence of gonococcal pili, are essential for transformation competence. The PilE and PilC proteins are ne...

Strontium adsorption was studied in an aluminum-pillared montmorillonite (PILC) carrying organic acid groups. The in situ dissociation of these groups increases the number of negative sites in the modified PILC, promoting thus the uptake of cations from an exchange solution. To investigate the role of solution pH and acid strength in cation uptake phenomena, base titrations were performed for P...

A new functional AlNi-pillared clays (AlNi-PILC) with a large surface area and pore volume was synthesized. The performance of adsorption/desorption-catalytic combustion over CeO2-modified Pd/AlNi-PILC catalysts was also studied. The results showed that the d001-value and specific surface area (SBET) of AlNi-PILC reached 2.11 nm and 374.8 m²/g, respectively. The large SBET and the d001-value im...

Type IV pili (Tfp) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the Gram-negative etiologic agent of gonorrhea, facilitate colonization of the human host. Tfp are assumed to play a key role in the initial adherence to human epithelial cells by virtue of the associated adhesin protein PilC. To examine the structural and functional basis for adherence in more detail, we identified potential genes encoding polypepti...

Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium stearate (DES) protic ionic liquid crystal (PILC) has been added in 1 wt% and 2 proportion to di-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) succinate (DSU) (PIL) obtain (DSU+1%DES) (DSU+2%DES) lubricant blends. The new blends are non-Newtonian fluids with crystalline domains. Addition of PILC PIL reduces running-in friction coefficient more than 70% prevents surface damage, decreasing wea...

Alkylation of benzene with 1-dodecene catalyzed by metal-pillared montmorillonite (M-PILC, M = Al, Cr, Fe, Al-Fe, Fe-Cr) was successfully carried out. The formation of linear monoalkylbenzenes in 98% yield in the presence of Fe-PILC during two hours is remarkable. The 2-phenydodecane obtained with 30% concentration within the other 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-monosubstituted products is similar to that o...

This document discusses use of automatic repeat request (ARQ) procedures as an option in the design of a link protocol, and the impact of the use of ARQ on IP traffic travelling over the link. ARQ is described in a general way that includes its use over a wide range of underlying physical media, including cellular wireless, wireless LANs, RF links, and other types of bearer channel. This docume...

Removal of uranium [U(VI)] from aqueous solutions with humic acid-immobilized zirconium-pillared clay (HA-Zr-PILC) was investigated using a batch adsorption technique. The adsorbent was characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, TG/DTG, surface area analyzer and potentiometric titration. The effects of pH, contact time, initial concentration, adsorbent dose, and adsorption isotherm on the removal proc...