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Haemophilus parasuis is a commensal organism of the upper respiratory tract of pigs, but virulent strains can cause Glässer’s disease, resulting in significant economic losses to the swine industry. OmpP2 is an outer membrane protein of this organism that shows considerable heterogeneity between virulent and non-virulent strains, with classification into genotypes I and II. It also acts as a dominant antigen and is involved in the inflammatory response. In this study, 32 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against recombinant OmpP2 (rOmpP2) of different genotypes were tested for reactivity to a panel of OmpP2 peptides. Nine linear B cell epitopes were screened, including five common genotype epitopes (Pt1a, Pt7/Pt7a, Pt9a, Pt17, and Pt19/Pt19a) and two groups of genotype-specific epitopes (Pt5 and Pt5-II, Pt11/Pt11a, and Pt11a-II). In addition, we used positive sera from mice and pigs to screen for five linear B-cell epitopes (Pt4, Pt14, Pt15, Pt21, and Pt22). After porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) were stimulated with overlapping OmpP2 peptides, we found that the epitope peptides Pt1 and Pt9, and the loop peptide Pt20 which was adjacent epitopes could all significantly upregulated the mRNA expression levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. Additionally, we identified epitope peptides Pt7, Pt11/Pt11a, Pt17, Pt19, and Pt21 and loop peptides Pt13 and Pt18 which adjacent epitopes could also upregulate the mRNA expression levels of most proinflammatory cytokines. This suggested that these peptides may be the virulence-related sites of the OmpP2 protein, with proinflammatory activity. Further study revealed differences in the mRNA expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and IL-6, between genotype-specific epitopes, which may be responsible for pathogenic differences between different genotype strains. Here, we profiled a linear B-cell epitope map of the OmpP2 protein and preliminarily analyzed the proinflammatory activities and effects of these epitopes on bacterial virulence, providing a reliable theoretical basis for establishing a method to distinguish strain pathogenicity and to screen candidate peptides for subunit vaccines.

A novel kind of highly efficient photoanode was constructed with a SbSI/WO3 heterostructurefabricated through two hydrothermal reactions followed by an iodination reaction (WO3 → Sb2S3/WO3 → SbSI/WO3). After optimizing the solvent [carbon disulfide (CS2)] for SbI3, the SbSI(CS2)/WO3 photoanode shows high-density single-crystalline SbSI nanorods growing along the polar [001] direction on WO3 nanoplates, resulting in excellent photocurrent performance (∼2.1 mA cm−2@1.23 V vs. RHE) and an improved photostability. It is evidenced that the higher crystallinity of SbSI has a positive effect on the photostability of the constructed SbSI/WO3 photoanodes.

A novel kind of highly efficient photoanode was constructed with a SbSI/WO3 heterostructurefabricated through two hydrothermal reactions followed by an iodination reaction (WO3 → Sb2S3/WO3 → SbSI/WO3). After optimizing the solvent [carbon disulfide (CS2)] for SbI3, the SbSI(CS2)/WO3 photoanode shows high-density single-crystalline SbSI nanorods growing along the polar [001] direction on WO3 nanoplates, resulting in excellent photocurrent performance (∼2.1 mA cm-2@1.23 V vs. RHE) and an improved photostability. It is evidenced that the higher crystallinity of SbSI has a positive effect on the photostability of the constructed SbSI/WO3 photoanodes.

We have proposed a general numerical framework for plasma simulations on graphics processing unit clusters based on microscopic kinetic equations with full collision terms. Our numerical algorithm consistently deals with both long-range (classical forces in the Vlasov term) and short-range (quantum processes in the collision term) interactions. Providing the relevant particle masses, charges and types (classical, fermionic or bosonic), as well as the external forces and the matrix elements (in the collisional integral), the algorithm consistently solves the coupled multi-particle kinetic equations. Currently, the framework is being tested and applied in the field of relativistic heavy-ion collisions; extensions to other plasma systems are straightforward. Our framework is a potential and competitive numerical platform for consistent plasma simulations.

Although carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites (CF/EP) have been widely used in many fields, it is still unknown if such composites could be used in extreme environments exposed to high-intensity thermal radiation that could result in severe damage to materials. In this case, CF/CP has been prepared through thermocompression method and the thermal radiation experiment has been designed and performed. The obtained results show that the parameters including irradiation power density and irradiation time directly affect the damage degree. After irradiation with 4–6 W cm−2 of thermal radiation, decomposition occurred in all CF/EP composites. In addition, the numerical simulation method was used to calculate the effect process, and the results showed that when the thermal radiation coefficient was 0.88, the calculated temperature history was consistent with that of the experiment. After irradiated at 6 W cm−2 for 30 s, the decomposition thickness reaches to 0.7 mm, indicating the high-intensity thermal radiation has caused an obvious effect on CF/EP.

Mn-implanted Si with postannealing treatment at 873, 973, 1073, and 1173 K exhibited ferromagnetism at room temperature. Ferromagnetism was enhanced as the annealing temperature increased. The largest value of saturation magnetization was found in the sample annealed at 1173 K. X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra showed no formation of substitutional–interstitial Mn–Mn dimmers in all samples. On the other hand, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and glancing incidence X-ray diffraction revealed a variety of MnSi compounds. We propose that the ferromagnetism has the origin from the MnSi1.7 nanoparticles as well as the MnSi 1:1 phase, which possesses strong short-range spin correlation. The formation of antiferromagnetic Mn5Si3 compound in 873 and 973 K annealed samples substantially reduced the magnetism. This paper provides new insights into the understanding of ferromagnetism in Mn-implanted Si diluted magnetic semiconductors.

Si 1− x Mn x diluted magnetic semiconductor films were deposited on p-type Si(1 0 0) substrate by radio frequency magnetron sputtering method. Post thermal annealing was performed in an argon atmosphere at 1073 K for 300 s and at 1473 K for 120 s. The as-grown sample exhibits ferromagnetism at room temperature. Ferromagnetism is enhanced after annealing treatment. High resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that only Mn 4 Si 7 compound formed in all samples. X-ray diffraction patterns and Fast Fourier Transform image indicate Mn atoms incorporated into Si lattice upon annealing. X-ray absorption fine structure suggests the formation of substitutional–tetrahedral interstitial Mn–Mn and tetrahedral interstitial–substitutional–tetrahedral interstitial Mn–Mn–Mn complexes in the 1473 K annealed sample, which possesses the strongest ferromagnetism.

Si 1− x Mn x diluted magnetic semiconductor films were deposited on the p-Si (100) single crystal wafer using magnetron sputtering method. Post-rapid thermal annealing treatments were performed at temperatures of 700 °C, 800 °C, and 900 °C in an argon atmosphere for approximately 5 min. Alternating gradient magnetometer, scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra were employed to characterize magnetic properties and structure of the as-grown and annealed films. The films were about 2.8 μm thick and the RMS roughness of the surface was about 5–10 nm. All samples exhibit ferromagnetism at room temperature and the saturation magnetization reaches at the maximum value for the sample annealed at 700 °C. The silicide MnSi 1.7 was observed in the annealed samples. X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra indicated that Mn atoms preferred to occupy substitutional or interstitial sites instead of precipitating to form silicide when annealing at 700 °C. It is inferred that the observed ferromagnetism is attributed to the interstitial and substitutional Mn dimers, which existed mostly in the sample annealed at 700 °C. The weaker ferromagnetism of the 900 °C annealed sample was closely related to the increased content of Mn 4 Si 7 compound.

Polycrystalline Si 1 − x Cr x thin films have been prepared by magnetron sputtering followed by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) for crystallization. RTA was performed at 800 °C for 5 min, 1200 °C for 30 s and 1200 °C for 2 min, in a N 2 flow. The magnetic hysteresis loops were observed at room temperature in all the samples except for RTA at 800 °C for 5 min, and the annealing caused the decrease of saturation magnetization relative to the as-grown film. X-ray diffraction spectra and Raman spectra showed that the annealing process lead the deposited amorphous film to be crystallized and CrSi 2 phase formed. The magnetism of the films was determined by the competition between crystallinity and precipitation of diamagnetic CrSi 2 phase.

Persimmon, Diospyros kaki L., is an important fruit tree in northern China. Japanese wax scale, Ceroplastes japonicus Green (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae), is the most destructive pest in persimmon orchards and is difficult to control using chemical pesticides. This paper studied the variety of volatile emissions from persimmon trees attacked by wax scale or induced by applications of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), an exogenous signaling material. We also studied the role of volatiles in recruiting the ladybeetle, Chilocorus kuwanae Silvestri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a primary predator of wax scale. The results showed that the ladybeetles displayed strong taxis responses to the odor sources from trees treated with MeJA and wax scale-damaged trees. Within 24 h after the trees were treated with MeJA, the number of ladybeetles responding to the treated trees fluctuated based on the amount of volatiles released over a diel period. Chemical analysis of the volatiles showed that terpenoid compounds, especially alpha-pinene, increased from both the wax scale-damaged and MeJA-treated trees and that this was the reason for the ladybeetle attraction. Therefore, alpha-pinene was used as a single signal source to examine the taxis response of C. kuwanae. The results suggest that alpha-pinene plays a significant role in attracting the ladybeetles. It is therefore concluded that MeJA application might be used to stimulate the defense function of persimmon trees by inducing the release of terpenoids, especially alpha-pinene, and thereby recruiting more ladybeetles to control the scale insects.

In order to understand how the entomopathogenic fungi infect soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae), the integument of four species, namely Ceroplastes japonicus Green, Didesmococcus koreanus Borchsenius, Rhodococcus sariuoni Borchsenius and Coccus hesperidum L. were infected with the pathogenic fungus, Lecanicillium lecanii, strain NO. 3.4504. The invasion process was studied using the electron microscopy and chemical analyses methods. The results showed that the fungal conidia easily become attached on the surface of the cuticle, especially the sites with furrows and ridges. The hyphae penetrate the integument using mechanical force and also by the cuticle degradation by the extracellular enzymes. The fungal penetration results in the structural anamorphosis and disruption of chitin in the procuticle, causing damage and separation of cuticle from the epidermis with wax gland cells. The rise in fungal protease activity occurs prior to the production of chitinase and the activity values correlate with the quantities of the protein and chitin contained in the cuticle of the target scale insects.

Neutron diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) were employed to study complex two-phase coexistence structure and surface morphology of CaO-Al2O3-SiO2(ZnO-BaO-Na2O) glass ceramics prepared under different cooling conditions. With the rapid cooling temperature decreasing from above 850°C to 750°C and 300°C, the length of the needle-like precipitated β-wollastonite crystal decreased from 30 μm to 15 μm and 5 μm, respectively. Meanwhile, the transgranular fracture appeared and the grain boundary became indistinct in the sample rapidly cooled to 750°C, and the microcracks appeared in the samples rapidly cooled to 300°C and below. These phenomena contribute to the decrease of bending strength for the rapid cooling. Neutron diffraction revealed that the unit cell of precipitated β-wollastonite crystal elongated along its three axes and its volume increased at different cooling conditions. With the decrease of the cooling temperature, the elongation of axes and increase of volume were enhanced, implying that the tensile stress of the β-wollastonite crystal increased. At the same time, intensity of the crystal diffraction peaks increased and atomic temperature factors decreased, which revealed that defects inside a smaller size of crystal granular were less than that in larger one. Amorphous peaks at low diffraction angle did not changed with cooling temperature, showing that the middle-range-order inside residual glass phases were almost the same for all cooling conditions, while intensity of amorphous peaks at high diffraction angle increased notably for samples rapidly cooled to below 850°C, showing that rapid cooling may result in severe short-range-order in residual glass phase, which induced tensile stress of crystalline phase from around amorphous phase and therefore lead to occurrence of transgranular fracture and microcracks. This study suggests that rapid cooling to below 850°C should be avoided in order to obtain preferable mechanical properties for CaO-Al2O3-SiO2(ZnO-BaO-Na2O) glass ceramics.Copyright © 2010 by ASME