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Pigs deficient in three glycosyltransferase enzymes (triple-knockout [TKO] pigs) and expressing "protective" human transgenes are likely sources of organs for transplantation into human recipients. Testing of human sera against red blood cells (RBCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from TKO pigs has revealed minimal evidence of natural antibody binding. However, unlike humans, baboons exhibit natural antibody binding to TKO pig cells. The xenoantigen specificities of these natural antibodies are postulated to be one or more carbohydrate moieties exposed when N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is deleted. The aim of this study was to compare the survival of renal grafts in baboons from pigs that either expressed Neu5Gc (GTKO pigs; Group1, n = 5) or did not express Neu5Gc (GTKO/CMAHKO [DKO] or TKO pigs; Group2, n = 5). An anti-CD40mAb-based immunosuppressive regimen was administered in both groups. Group1 kidneys functioned for 90-260 days (median 237, mean 196 days), with histopathological features of antibody-mediated rejection in two kidneys. Group2 kidneys functioned for 0-183 days (median 35, mean 57), with all of the grafts exhibiting histologic features of antibody-mediated rejection. These findings suggest that the absence of expression of Neu5Gc on pig kidneys impacts graft survival in baboon recipients.

With this external quality assessment (EQA) scheme, we aim to investigate the diagnostic performance of the currently available methods for the detection of ALK alterations in non-small cell lung cancer on a national scale, namely, in situ hybridization (ISH), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and RNA/DNA sequencing (NGS). The EQA scheme cohort consisted of ten specimens, including four ALK positive and six ALK negative samples, which were thoroughly pretested using IHC, ISH, and RNA/DNA NGS. Unstained tumor sections were provided to the 57 participants, and the results were retrieved via an online questionnaire. ISH was used by 29, IHC by 38, and RNA/DNA sequencing by 19 participants. Twenty-eight institutions (97%) passed the ring trial using ISH, 33 (87%) by using IHC, and 18 (95%) by using NGS. The highest sensitivity and interrater agreement (Fleiss ‘ kappa) was observed for RNA/DNA sequencing (99%, 0.975), followed by ISH (94%, 0.898) and IHC (92%, 0.888). However, the proportion of samples that were not evaluable due to bad tissue quality was also higher for RNA/DNA sequencing (4%) compared with ISH (0.7%) and IHC (0.5%). While all three methods produced reliable results between the different institutions, the highest sensitivity and concordance were observed for RNA/DNA sequencing. These findings encourage the broad implementation of this method in routine diagnostic, although the application might be limited by technical capacity, economical restrictions, and tissue quality of formalin-fixed samples. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00428-021-03106-5.

The lithium manganese oxide spinel Li$_x$Mn$_2$O$_4$, with $0\leq x\leq 2$, is an important example for cathode materials in lithium ion batteries. However, an accurate description of Li$_x$Mn$_2$O$_4$ by first-principles methods like density functional theory is far from trivial due to its complex electronic structure, with a variety of energetically close electronic and magnetic states. It was found that the local density approximation as well as the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) are unable to describe Li$_x$Mn$_2$O$_4$ correctly. Here, we report an extensive benchmark for different Li$_x$Mn$_y$O$_z$ systems using the hybrid functionals PBE0 and HSE06, as well as the recently introduced local hybrid functional PBE0r. We find that all of these functionals yield energetic, structural, electronic, and magnetic properties in good agreement with experimental data. The notable benefit of the PBE0r functional, which relies on on-site Hartree-Fock exchange only, is a much reduced computational effort that is comparable to GGA functionals. Furthermore, the Hartree-Fock mixing factors in PBE0r are smaller than in PBE0, which improves the results for (lithium) manganese oxides. The investigation of Li$_x$Mn$_2$O$_4$ shows that two Mn oxidation states, +III and +IV, coexist. The Mn$^\text{III}$ ions are in the high-spin state and the corresponding MnO$_6$ octahedra are Jahn-Teller distorted. The ratio between Mn$^\text{III}$ and Mn$^\text{IV}$ and thus the electronic structure changes with the Li content while no major structural changes occur in the range from $x=0$ to $1$. This work demonstrates that the PBE0r functional provides an equally accurate and efficient description of the investigated Li$_x$Mn$_y$O$_z$ systems., Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures

Dry pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important crop in the Northern Great Plains of the USA and Canada. Information on dry pea quality as affected by cultivars and environments is limited. This experiment determined the effects of dry pea cultivars and environments on protein, starch, and ash concentrations. Six dry pea cultivars (‘Arcadia’, ‘Bridger’, ‘CDC Striker’, ‘Cruiser’, ‘Montech 4152’, and ‘SW Midas’) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications in 22 environments. The results showed that cultivar × environment interaction effects were highly significant on protein, starch, and ash concentration (p −1 seed for protein, 439 to 617 g kg−1 seed for starch, and 10.5 to 31.9 g kg−1 seed for ash. The differences among environmental means were substantial compared with cultivar means. When averaged over environments, ‘CDC Striker’, ‘Arcadia’, and ‘Montech 4152’ produced greater mean protein, starch, and ash concentrations, respectively, than the other cultivars. None of these cultivars simultaneously outperformed the others for protein, starch, and ash concentrations. This may indicate the need to develop cultivars with outstanding qualities across environments to receive satisfy premium end-user quality requirements.

Genetically engineered pig organs could provide transplants to all patients with end-stage organ failure, but Ab-mediated rejection remains an issue. This study examines the class II swine leukocyte Ag (SLA) as a target of epitope-restricted Ab binding. Transfection of individual α- and β-chains into human embryonic kidney cells resulted in both traditional and hybrid class II SLA molecules. Sera from individuals on the solid organ transplant waiting list were tested for Ab binding and cytotoxicity to this panel of class II SLA single-Ag cells. A series of elution studies from an SLA-DQ cell line were performed. Our results indicate that human sera contain Abs specific for and cytotoxic against class II SLA. Our elution studies revealed that sera bind the SLA-DQ molecule in an epitope-restricted pattern. Site-specific mutation of one of these epitopes resulted in statistically decreased Ab binding. Humans possess preformed, specific, and cytotoxic Abs to class II SLA that bind in an epitope-restricted fashion. Site-specific epitope mutagenesis may decrease the Ab binding of highly sensitized individuals to pig cells.

In order to fulfill their evolutionary role as support cells, astrocytes have to tolerate intense oxidative stress under conditions of brain injury and disease. It is well known that astrocytes exposed to mild oxidative stress are preconditioned against subsequent stress exposure in dual hit models. However, it is unclear whether severe oxidative stress leads to stress tolerance, stress exacerbation, or no change in stress resistance in astrocytes. Furthermore, it is not known whether reactive astrocytes surviving intense oxidative stress can still support nearby neurons. The data in this Brief Report suggest that primary cortical astrocytes surviving high concentrations of the oxidative toxicant paraquat are completely resistant against subsequent oxidative challenges of the same intensity. Inhibitors of multiple endogenous defenses (e.g., glutathione, heme oxygenase 1, ERK1/2, Akt) failed to abolish or even reduce their stress resistance. Stress-reactive cortical astrocytes surviving intense oxidative stress still managed to protect primary cortical neurons against subsequent oxidative injuries in neuron/astrocyte co-cultures, even at concentrations of paraquat that otherwise led to more than 80% neuron loss. Although our previous work demonstrated a lack of stress tolerance in primary neurons exposed to dual paraquat hits, here we show that intensely stressed primary neurons can resist a second hit of hydrogen peroxide. These collective findings suggest that stress-reactive astroglia are not necessarily neurotoxic, and that severe oxidative stress does not invariably lead to stress exacerbation in either glia or neurons. Therefore, interference with the natural functions of stress-reactive astrocytes might have the unintended consequence of accelerating neurodegeneration.

Rhizoctonia crown and root rot, caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2, is one of the most damaging sugar beet diseases worldwide and causes significant economic losses in more than 25% of the sugar beet production area in the United States. We report on field trials in the years 1996 to 1999 testing both experimental fungicides and antagonistic Bacillus sp. for their potential to reduce disease severity and increase sugar yield in trials inoculated with R. solani AG 2-2. Fungicides were applied as in-furrow sprays at planting or as band sprays directed at the crown at the four-leaf stage, or four- plus eight-leaf stage, while bacteria were applied at the four-leaf stage only. The fungicides azoxystrobin and tebuconazole reduced crown and root rot disease by 50 to 90% over 3 years when used at rates of 76 to 304 g a.i./ha and 250 g a.i./ha, respectively. The disease index at harvest was reduced and the root and sugar yield increased with azoxystrobin compared with tebuconazole. The combination of azoxystrobin applied at 76 g a.i./ha and the Bacillus isolate MSU-127 resulted in best disease reduction and greatest root and sucrose yield increase.

There are basically two kinds of water vapour explosions, viz. confined and unconfined. Confined explosions can occur in various situations in industry. Unconfined explosions typically occur when very hot molten metal accidentally makes contact with water. In order to explain the extremely rapid production of water vapour that can then occur, “fine fragmentation” of the molten metal must take place. The paper first presents some early suggestions for the nature of the fine fragmentation process. In more recent theories the Weber number, We, is used as a measure of expected extent of molten-metal fragmentation in a given situation. Film boiling plays a central role. Attempts at developing mathematical models of unconfined water vapour explosions have been made. The next section of the paper is devoted to case histories of unconfined water vapour explosions. Then various kinds of confined water vapour explosions are discussed, including water boiler explosions, water vapour BLEVEs, and water vapour explosions in the paper industry. Some case histories of confined water vapour explosions are also given. The final section of the paper is devoted to measures for preventing and mitigating water vapour explosions in industry.

Plant diversity has been shown to mitigate nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soil in some ecosystems. We tested the generality of this diversity effect on ecosystem functioning, as an application of ecological theory by quantifying potential nitrous oxide emissions in grasslands restored from agriculture containing high and low diversity. We performed an initial plant survey to develop the study design from quadrat analyses (used to determine sampling frame size that maximizes variance in plant community structure), semivariogram analyses of plant community PCA scores (used to determine minimum distance between sampling frames), and upper and lower quartiles of plant diversity (Shannon’s diversity). We sampled high (per field n = 6, total n = 60) and low (per field n = 6, total n = 60) diversity (high diversity: mean Shannon diversity index = 1.69; low diversity: mean Shannon diversity index = 0.73) plant communities within 10 to 12 y old restorations co-located at Nachusa Grasslands (Franklin Grove, IL, USA). We found potential N2O emissions were nearly seven times greater in low diversity compared to high diversity communities. Inorganic N availability, relative amounts of nitrification and denitrification, and water extractable C did not explain difference in potential N2O emission from soil with contrasting plant diversity. Although the mechanism for large variation in this ecosystem function corresponding with biodiversity remains undetermined, this work shows that management for plant diversity may reduce N2O emissions from soil.

Lithium ion batteries often contain transition metal oxides like Li$_{x}$Mn$_2$O$_4$ ($0\leq x\leq2$). Depending on the Li content different ratios of Mn$^\text{III}$ to Mn$^\text{IV}$ ions are present. In combination with electron hopping the Jahn-Teller distortions of the Mn$^\text{III}$O$_6$ octahedra can give rise to complex phenomena like structural transitions and conductance. While for small model systems oxidation and spin states can be determined using density functional theory (DFT), the investigation of dynamical phenomena by DFT is too demanding. Previously, we have shown that a high-dimensional neural network potential can extend molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of Li$_{x}$Mn$_2$O$_4$ to nanosecond time scales, but these simulations did not provide information about the electronic structure. Here we extend the use of neural networks to the prediction of atomic oxidation and spin states. The resulting high-dimensional neural network is able to predict the spins of the Mn ions with an error of only 0.03 $\hbar$. We find that the Mn e$_\text{g}$ electrons are correctly conserved and that the number of Jahn-Teller distorted Mn$^\text{III}$O$_6$ octahedra is predicted precisely for different Li loadings. A charge ordering transition is observed between 280 and 300 K, which matches resistivity measurements. Moreover, the activation energy of the electron hopping conduction above the phase transition is predicted to be 0.18 eV deviating only 0.02 eV from experiment. This work demonstrates that machine learning is able to provide an accurate representation of both, the geometric and the electronic structure dynamics of Li$_x$Mn$_2$O$_4$, on time and length scales that are not accessible by ab initio MD., Comment: 15 pages, 12 figures

BLEVEs remain a complex multi-faced phenomenon. The point of departure of the paper is the extensive review by Abbasi and Abbasi (2007) , and the paper starts with presenting some deviating definitions and suggested characteristics of BLEVEs. Then a step-by-step description of the chain of events in typical BLEVEs follows. In most cases the first step will be that a vessel containing a gas that has been liquefied by pressurization (PLG) gets accidentally exposed to heat (most often a fire). The next step is that the vessel suddenly fails due to the increased internal vapour pressure and the weakening of the vessel material. The resulting very sudden depressurization of the hot liquid gives rise to intense, often volumetric, evaporation. The central role of the superheat limit temperature (SLT) of the liquid in the evaporation process is discussed. The very rapid evaporation in turn gives rise to powerful blast wave emission. If the evaporated liquid is combustible and gets ignited, a huge fireball will most often be generated. Properties and effects of fireballs from BLEVEs are discussed. The shattering of the initial vessel may cause propelling of high-speed missiles, which when hitting other PLG vessels may give rise to secondary BLEVEs. The remaining part of the combustible liquid from a BLEVEed vessel that has not evaporated will, when ignited, give rise to pool fires. Emission of toxic gases/vapours requires special actions. However, BLEVEs can also occur with non-toxic gases, and even in the absence of an initial fire. The induction time preceding a BLEVE is an important parameter, e.g. for the time available for rescue operations. Long-duration BLEVEs require special concerns. A part of the paper is devoted to various categories of BLEVE case histories. Available means for preventing process situations that can lead to BLEVEs are then discussed. If PLG-vessels get engulfed in fire measures for preventing catastrophic vessel failure may be activated. Finally measures for mitigating the consequences if BLEVEs do occur in spite of taking preventive measures are discussed.

A systematic review and analysis of the most stable spatial arrangements of n carbon, n oxygen, and 2n hydrogen atoms including vibrational zero-point energy up to n = 5 shows that small-molecule aggregates win, typically followed by thermally unstable molecules, before kinetically stable molecules and finally carbohydrates are found. Near n ≈ 60 a crossover to carbon allotropes and ice as the global minimum structure is expected and the asymptotic limit is most likely graphite and ice. Implications for astrochemical and fermentation processes are discussed. Density functionals like B3LYPD3 are found to describe these energy sequences quite poorly, mostly due to an overestimated stability of carbon in high oxidation states.

This paper describes an experimental investigation of turbulent flame propagation in propane-air mixtures, and in mechanical suspensions of maize starch dispersed in air, in a closed vessel of length 3.6 m and internal cross-section 0.27 m × 0.27 m. The primary motivation for the work is to gain improved understanding of turbulent flame propagation in dust clouds, with a view to develop improved models and methods for assessing explosion risks in the process and mining industries. The study includes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with FLACS and DESC, for gas and dust explosions respectively. For initially quiescent propane-air mixtures, FLACS over-predicts the rate of combustion for fuel-lean mixtures, and under-predicts for fuel-rich mixtures. The simulations tend to be in better agreement with the experimental results for initially turbulent gaseous mixtures. The experimental results for maize starch vary significantly between repeated tests, but the subset of tests that yields the highest explosion pressures are in reasonable agreement with CFD simulations with DESC.

Dystrophin and utrophin are highly similar proteins that both link cortical actin filaments with a complex of sarcolemmal glycoproteins, yet localize to different subcellular domains within normal muscle cells. In mdx mice and Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients, dystrophin is lacking and utrophin is consequently up-regulated and redistributed to locations normally occupied by dystrophin. Transgenic overexpression of utrophin has been shown to significantly improve aspects of the disease phenotype in the mdx mouse; therefore, utrophin up-regulation is under intense investigation as a potential therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Here we biochemically compared the previously documented microtubule binding activity of dystrophin with utrophin and analyzed several transgenic mouse models to identify phenotypes of the mdx mouse that remain despite transgenic utrophin overexpression. Our in vitro analyses revealed that dystrophin binds microtubules with high affinity and pauses microtubule polymerization, whereas utrophin has no activity in either assay. We also found that transgenic utrophin overexpression does not correct subsarcolemmal microtubule lattice disorganization, loss of torque production after in vivo eccentric contractions, or physical inactivity after mild exercise. Finally, our data suggest that exercise-induced inactivity correlates with loss of sarcolemmal neuronal NOS localization in mdx muscle, whereas loss of in vivo torque production after eccentric contraction-induced injury is associated with microtubule lattice disorganization.

Hybrid mixtures of a combustible dust and flammable gas are found in many industrial processes. Such fuel systems are often encountered in the pharmaceutical industry when excipient (nonpharmaceutically active ingredient) powders undergo transfer in either a dry or solvent prewetted state into an environment possibly containing a flammable gas. The research described in this article simulated the conditions of the above scenarios with microcrystalline cellulose and lactose as excipients, and methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol as solvents. Standardized dust explosibility test equipment (Siwek 20-L explosion chamber, MIKE 3 apparatus, and BAM oven) and ASTM test protocols were used to determine the following explosibility parameters: maximum explosion pressure (Pmax), volume-normalized maximum rate of pressure rise (KSt), minimum explosible concentration (MEC), minimum ignition energy (MIE), and minimum ignition temperature (MIT). The experimental results demonstrate the significant enhancements in explosion likelihood and explosion severity brought about by solvent admixture in either mode. The extent of solvent influence was found to be specific to the given excipient and method of solvent addition. Solvent burning velocity considerations help to account for some of the experimental observations but for others, a more rigorous evaluation of solvent and excipient physical property data is needed. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 33: 374–379, 2014

Several factors influence the rate of flame propagation in dust clouds, such as the chemical composition of the dust, moisture content, particle shape, particle size distribution, flow conditions, pressure, temperature and humidity. For a given material, the particle size is arguably the most important physical property associated with the dust itself. Most dusts encountered in industry are not mono-sized, and particles with different sizes/shapes respond differently to gradients in the flow field. This paper reviews previous work on quantifying the effect of particle size on burning velocity, with particular emphasis on applications related to numerical modelling of dust explosions in the process industries. In the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tool FLACS-DustEx, which has been developed for simulating large-scale dust explosions, the turbulent burning velocity is calculated using an empirical correlation that incorporates turbulent flow conditions and laminar burning velocity. This paper reviews the effect of particle size on the laminar burning velocity of flammable dusts, and examines a formulation for the laminar burning velocity that takes into account the effect of particle size using the particle-size-dependent Damkohler and Thiele dimensionless numbers.

Explosibility of micron- and nano-titanium was determined and compared according to explosion severity and likelihood using standard dust explosion equipment. ASTM methods were followed using a Siwek 20-L explosion chamber, MIKE 3 apparatus and BAM oven. The explosibility parameters investigated for both size ranges of titanium include explosion severity (maximum explosion pressure (Pmax) and size-normalized maximum rate of pressure rise (KSt)) and explosion likelihood (minimum explosible concentration (MEC), minimum ignition energy (MIE) and minimum ignition temperature (MIT)). Titanium particle sizes were −100 mesh (

Electrical apparatus in industry for use in the presence of explosive gases must be specially designed to prevent the apparatus from igniting the gas. In the case of flameproof enclosures, any holes and gaps in the enclosure wall must be sufficiently long and narrow to prevent hot combustion products expelled by a gas explosion inside the enclosure from igniting an external explosive cloud. There are tight requirements as to the maximum permissible gap surface roughness. This article describes an experimental study of the influence of severe mechanical and corrosive damage of flame gap surfaces on gap performance for IIB and IIC gases in air, using ethylene and hydrogen as test gases. In agreement with previously published findings for propane (IIA gas), it appeared that even with ethylene and hydrogen gap surfaces can suffer considerable damage without this causing any reduction of gap performance. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 33: 49–55, 2014

Efficiently utilizing the nongrain portion of the corn plant as ruminant food and the grain for ethanol will allow the optimization of both food and fuel production. Corn and corn stover could be more effectively used if they were harvested earlier before dry down. Corn harvested at different moisture contents (MCs) may exhibit different processing characteristics for the ethanol industry, because of differences in physical and chemical properties. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of corn harvest MC on dry-grind fermentation characteristics and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) composition. Pioneer hybrid 32D78 was harvested at seven different dates from August 21 to November 23, 2009, with harvest MCs ranging from 73 to 21% (wb). The corn samples with different harvest MCs were evaluated by a conventional dry-grind process. Final ethanol concentration from the corn with harvest MC of 54% (kernel dent stage) was 17.9% (v/v), which was significantly h...

Renal injury induced by brain death is characterized by ischemia and inflammation, and limiting it is a therapeutic goal that could improve outcomes in kidney transplantation. Brain death resulted in decreased circulating nitrite levels and increased infiltrating inflammatory cell infiltration into the kidney. Since nitrite stimulates nitric oxide signaling in ischemic tissues, we tested whether nitrite therapy was beneficial in a rat model of brain death followed by kidney transplantation. Nitrite, administered over 2 h of brain death, blunted the increased inflammation without affecting brain death-induced alterations in hemodynamics. Kidneys were transplanted after 2 h of brain death and renal function followed over 7 days. Allografts collected from nitrite-treated brain-dead rats showed significant improvement in function over the first 2 to 4 days after transplantation compared with untreated brain-dead animals. Gene microarray analysis after 2 h of brain death without or with nitrite therapy showed that the latter significantly altered the expression of about 400 genes. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis indicated that multiple signaling pathways were affected by nitrite, including those related to hypoxia, transcription, and genes related to humoral immune responses. Thus, nitrite therapy attenuates brain death-induced renal injury by regulating responses to ischemia and inflammation, ultimately leading to better post-transplant kidney function.

The effects of harvest moistures and frozen storage times on corn wet-milling yields and the pasting properties of the resulting starch were studied. Pioneer hybrid P-0916-XR harvested at three moisture contents (49, 35, and 21% wb) were stored frozen for three days or for five months, followed by wet-milling. The pasting properties of the resulting starch were evaluated with a Rapid Visco Analyzer. The yields of starch and germ increased by 1.2 and 1.9 percentage points, respectively, when harvest moisture decreased from 49 to 21% wb, whereas the yields of steep water solids, total fiber, and gluten decreased by 2.1, 0.7, and 0.6 percentage points, respectively. The frozen corn had lower coarse fiber yields but higher cellular fiber yields. The starch pasting properties showed that peak and breakdown viscosities decreased by 8% (3,824 ± 36 versus 3,520 ± 38 cP) and 13% (2,336 ± 47 versus 2,029 ± 60 cP), respectively, when harvest moisture decreased from 49 to 21% wb, whereas peak time increased ...

Cercospora beticola, the causal agent of Cercospora leaf spot of sugar beet, survives as pseudostromata in infected sugar beet residues in the soil. Under optimal conditions, overwintering propagules germinate and produce conidia that are dispersed as primary inoculum to initiate infection in sugar beet. We developed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for rapid detection of C. beticola in field soils. Total DNA was first isolated from soil amended with C. beticola culture using the PowerSoil DNA Kit. The purified DNA was subjected to PCR in Extract-N-Amp PCR mix with CBACTIN primers over 35 cycles. The amplified products were resolved and compared by electrophoresis in 1% agarose gels. The PCR fragment size of C. beticola from the amended field soil correlated in size with the amplicon from control C. beticola culture DNA extract. Additionally, sample soils were collected from sugar beet fields near Sidney, MT and Foxholm, ND. Total DNA was extracted from the samples and subjected to PCR and resolved as previously described. The amplicons were purified from the gels and subjected to BigDye Terminator Cycle sequencing. All sequences from field soils samples, C. beticola-amended field soil, and pure culture were compared by alignment with a C. beticola actin gene sequence from GenBank. The result of the alignment confirmed the amplicons as products from C. beticola. Rapid screening for the presence of C. beticola in the soil by PCR will improve research capabilities in biological control, disease forecasting, and management of this very important sugar beet pathogen.

Es wurde der Einfluss von Blattdungung und Lagerverfahren auf die Empfindlichkeit von Apfeln fur Druckstellen untersucht. Die Blattdungung wurde mit Calcium, Mangan oder Zink bei den Sorten ‘Braeburn’ und ‘Jonagold’ durchgefuhrt. Die Apfel wurden bei 2°C in normaler Atmosphare (Kuhllager) oder im CA-/ULO-Folienbeutel (CA = controlled atmosphere, ULO = ultra low oxygen) uber drei Monate gelagert und monatlich untersucht. Druckstellen wurden in unterschiedlicher Starke mit einem Penetrometer erzeugt. Nach eintagiger Wartezeit erfolgte eine visuelle Druckstellenbonitur. Mit zunehmender Belastung nahm die Starke der Druckstellen zu. Die Blattdungung hatte bei beiden Sorten keinen Einfluss auf die Druckstellenempfindlichkeit der Fruchte. Durch Mangan- und Zinkapplikationen konnten die jeweiligen Gehalte im Blatt erhoht werden, ein Einfluss auf die Calciumgehalte der Fruchte wurde nicht festgestellt. Die Calciumapplikationen fuhrten zu leicht erhohten Calciumgehalten in den Fruchten, beeinflussten aber weder Fruchtfleischfestigkeit noch Druckstellenempfindlichkeit. Das Lagerverfahren hatte keinen signifikanten Einfluss auf die Druckstellenempfindlichkeit der Fruchte. Die Lagerdauer erhohte nur bei der Sorte ‘Braeburn’ die Druckstellenempfindlichkeit signifikant. Im Vergleich der Sorten war die Sorte ‘Braeburn’ unempfindlicher fur Druckstellen als die Sorte ‘Jonagold’.

Es wurde der Einfluss von Erntezeitpunkt und Lagerverfahren auf die Empfindlichkeit von Apfeln fur Druckstellen untersucht. Die Sorten ‘Braeburn’, ‘Jonagold’ und ‘Golden Delicious’ wurden an drei Terminen im Abstand von zehn Tagen geerntet. Die Apfel wurden bei 2°C in normaler Atmosphare (Kuhllager) oder im CA-/ULO-Folienbeutel (CA = Controlled Atmosphere, ULO = Ultra Low Oxygen) uber drei Monate gelagert und monatlich untersucht. Druckstellen wurden in unterschiedlicher Starke mit einem Penetrometer erzeugt. Nach eintagiger Wartezeit erfolgte eine visuelle Druckstellenbonitur.

The present investigation provides a new method for the nixtamalization process wherein corn endosperm fractions (corn meal) are treated in an alkaline solution that yields quality masa or instant masa flour like traditional nixtamalization process (alkaline cooking of corn with lime). The objective of this work was to determine the best combination of nixtamalization process variables for producing nixtamalized instant flour (NIF) from corn meal. Nixtamalization conditions were selected from factorial combinations of process variables including nixtamalization time (NT 8–22 min) and cooking temperature (CT 78–88°C). A central composite rotable experimental design was chosen. Lime concentration was 1% (10 g of Ca(OH)2/L of water) and ratio of corn meal to cooking medium was 1:4. At the end of each cooking, each treatment was steeped for 5 hr at room temperature (25°C). Nixtamalized corn meal was dried (55°C/12 hr) and milled to pass through 80 U.S. mesh to obtain NIF. Response surface methodology...

row irrigated sugarbeet. The objective of the current study was to evaluate sugarbeet response to varying rates of nitrogen under sprinkler and furrow irrigation. Plots with varying rates of nitrogen were set up under a linear overhead sprinkler irrigation system and under furrow irrigation. each year, the two irrigation sites were located in the same field and were separated by 15 sugarbeet rows (9 m). Sugarbeet grown under furrow irrigation achieved greatest sucrose yield with available n amounts ranging from 141-197 kg/ha. under furrow irrigation, sodium and amino-n continued to increase as applied n was increased. This resulted in sucrose loss to molasses continuing to increase with increased applied n, while percent extraction continued to decrease. Sugarbeet grown under sprinkler irrigation achieved greatest sucrose yield when available n ranged from 112-169 kg/ha. Impurities and sucrose loss to molasses were significantly increased in sprinkler irrigated sugarbeet when n at any rate was applied when compared to sugarbeet with no applied n.

The chapter begins by discussing burning velocities/burning rates in powder layers/deposits.

The chapter starts with a brief review of the chemical composition of some typical explosives. Then propagation of combustion/decomposition in explosives/pyrotechnics/propellants is discussed. The substantial difference between unconfined deflagration and detonation is pointed out. Then a section follows describing various experimental methods for measuring detonation properties and sensitivities to become ignited/initiated of explosives/pyrotechnics/propellants. This includes tests for decomposition temperatures, drop-hammer sensitivity tests, and electric-spark sensitivity tests. The next section gives a selection of case histories of accidental explosives/pyrotechnics/propellants explosions throughout the 20th century till recent years. Finally, measures for preventing and mitigating accidental explosions of explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics are discussed mainly based on Swedish and US experience.

SUMO-specific proteases, known as Ulps in baker's yeast and SENPs in humans, have important roles in controlling the dynamics of SUMO-modified proteins. They display distinct modes of action and specificity, in that they may act on the SUMO precursor, mono-sumoylated, and/or polysumoylated proteins, and they might be specific for substrates with certain SUMO paralogs. SUMO chains may be dismantled either by endo or exo mechanisms. Biochemical characterization of a protease usually requires purification of the protein of interest. Developing a purification protocol, however, can be very difficult, and in some cases, isolation of a protease in its pure form may go along with a substantial loss of activity. To characterize the reaction mechanism of Ulps, we have developed an in vitro assay, which makes use of substrates endowed with artificial poly-SUMO chains of defined lengths, and S. cerevisiae Ulp enzymes in crude extract from E. coli. This fast and economic approach should be applicable to SUMO-specific proteases from other species as well.

The corn (maize) wet milling process begins with steeping the corn kernels in an aqueous solution that contains varying amounts of sulfur dioxide and lactic acid for a period of 24–48 h at 50–55 °C. This prepares the kernel for milling, separation, and other downstream processes. Germ is recovered using hydrocyclones, fiber is recovered by pressure-fed screens, and starch and protein are separated using hydrocyclones. Corn germ, gluten feed, gluten meal, and starch are high-valued coproducts that are marketed by the corn wet miller.

The first section discusses mechanisms of generation of clouds of liquid droplets in air. A distinction between “mist” and “spray” is made, and the phenomenon of “coalescence” of drops in sprays/mists is presented. Then a discussion of combustion of clouds of liquid droplets in air, with laminar and turbulent flame propagation, follows. Experimental maximum constant-volume adiabatic explosion pressures in spray/mists explosions in air are presented and detonation-like phenomena are discussed. Then various ignition sources are discussed including hot surfaces and electric/electrostatic sparks/discharges. The following section is devoted to some case histories of accidental mist/spray explosions. Spays/mists may in fact have been involved in some well-known reported major “vapor cloud” explosions. The final part of the chapter is devoted to means of preventing and mitigating spray/mist explosions in the process industries.

BLEVE is defined as a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. Chains of events leading to BLEVEs and their consequences are discussed. Typically, a vessel containing pressurized liquefied gas (PLG), eg, propane, is accidentally exposed to heat by an outside fire. This causes the temperature and pressure inside the vessel to increase. Eventually the vessel bursts, and there will be sudden depressurization and explosive evaporation of the hot liquid. This emits a blast wave into the surroundings. Missiles (fragments) from the shattering of the first vessel may cause perforation and shattering of nearby secondary vessels. If the liquids are flammable, large fireballs and extensive pool fires can result. If the liquid is toxic, emission of toxic gases/vapors into the surroundings is a main hazardous effect. The central role of superheat limit temperature (SLT) of the liquid in BLEVE development is discussed. Then, a section presenting BLEVE case histories, including BLEVEs in storage tank facilities and transportation facilities, follows. The final parts of the chapter discuss various means for preventing the occurrence of BLEVEs and mitigating harmful/destructive effects if BLEVEs do occur.

Two kinds of water-vapor explosions occur, viz. unconfined and confined. Confined explosions can occur in various situations. Unconfined explosions typically occur when very hot molten metal accidentally makes contact with water. To explain the extremely rapid production of water vapor that can then occur, “fine fragmentation” of the molten metal must take place. Some early suggestions for the nature of the fine fragmentation process are presented. In theories that are more recent, the Weber number is used as a criterion of expected extent of molten-metal fragmentation. Film boiling also plays a central role. Attempts at developing mathematical models of unconfined water-vapor explosions have been made. The next section is devoted to case histories of unconfined water-vapor explosions. Then various kinds of confined water-vapor explosions are discussed, including water boiler explosions, water-vapor BLEVEs, and water-vapor explosions in the paper industry. Case histories of confined water-vapor explosions are described. The final section of the chapter is devoted measures for preventing and mitigating unconfined water-vapor explosions in practice.

Apoptosis is a major mechanism of treatment-induced T-cell depletion in leukemia and autoimmune diseases. While 'classical' apoptosis is considered to depend on caspase activation, caspase-independent death is increasingly recognized as an alternative pathway. Although the DNA-damaging drug cyclophosphamide (CY) is widely used for therapy of hematological malignancies and autoimmune disorders, the molecular mechanism of apoptosis induction remains largely unknown. Here, we report that treatment of Jurkat, cytotoxic, and primary leukemic T cells with an activated analog of CY, 4-hydroperoxy-cyclophosphamide (4-OOH-CY), induces caspase activation and typical features of apoptosis, although cell death was not prevented by caspase inhibition. Also depletion of murine thymocytes and splenocytes after CY treatment in vivo was not inhibited by Z-Val-Ala-DL-Asp-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD.fmk). Caspase-8 and receptor-induced protein (RIP) were dispensable for 4-OOH-CY-mediated apoptosis, while overexpression of Bcl-2 was partially protective. 4-OOH-CY treatment induced reactive oxygen species production, upregulation of Bax, and nuclear relocation of the mitochondrial factors apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and endonuclease G (EndoG). The antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine substantially inhibited conformational changes of Bax, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, nuclear relocation of mitochondrial factors, and apoptosis induction in 4-OOH-CY-treated T cells. These results strongly indicate that oxidative damage-induced nuclear translocation of AIF and EndoG in 4-OOH-CY-treated T cells might represent an alternative death pathway in the absence of caspase activity.

Catalysis Letters, 120 (1-2), ISSN:1011-372X, ISSN:1572-879X

The behavior of Pt during aging of Pt/Ba/CeO 2 and Pt/Ba/Al 2 O 3 NO x storage-reduction catalysts (NSR) was studied using model catalysts with high and low Pt loadings. Pt composite formation, due to the possible reaction between BaO and platinum oxides, was observed in several cases and was elucidated by a series of analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TA), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES, EXAFS), and electron microscopy. During calcination of mechanical mixtures of BaCO 3 and PtO 2 , BaPtO 3 was formed at ca. 600 °C, transforming to BaPtO 2.38 above 800 °C. Investigation of Pt/Ba/CeO 2 and Pt/Ba/Al 2 O 3 model catalysts with high and low Pt loadings revealed that in the case of Pt/Ba/CeO 2 , the mixed oxide BaPtO 3 was formed at relatively low temperature (600–700 °C) in oxidizing atmosphere. Above 800 °C, BaPtO 3 reacted further with BaCeO 3 to form a double perovskite, Ba 2 PtCeO 6 . In contrast, for Pt/Ba/Al 2 O 3 , only the sintering of Pt, with no mixed Pt–Ba oxides, was found. The recovery of the catalytically active metallic Pt species could be achieved in the aged Pt/Ba/CeO 2 catalyst by reduction with hydrogen at relatively low temperature. Finally, investigation of the NO x storage and reduction activity of the fresh, aged, and reduced catalyst confirmed that this treatment is beneficial for catalyst reactivation.

Umicore has developed a new generation of NOx storage catalysts for the market introduction of spray-guided gasoline direct injection engines. The systematic development steps are discussed in this article.

Antimalarial drugs are a powerful tool for malaria control and elimination. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) can reduce transmission when widely distributed in a campaign setting. Modelling mass antimalarial campaigns can elucidate how to most effectively deploy drug-based interventions and quantitatively compare the effects of cure, prophylaxis, and transmission-blocking in suppressing parasite prevalence. A previously established agent-based model that includes innate and adaptive immunity was used to simulate malaria infections and transmission. Pharmacokinetics of artemether, lumefantrine, dihydroartemisinin, piperaquine, and primaquine were modelled with a double-exponential distribution-elimination model including weight-dependent parameters and age-dependent dosing. Drug killing of asexual parasites and gametocytes was calibrated to clinical data. Mass distribution of ACTs and primaquine was simulated with seasonal mosquito dynamics at a range of transmission intensities. A single mass campaign with antimalarial drugs is insufficient to permanently reduce malaria prevalence when transmission is high. Current diagnostics are insufficiently sensitive to accurately identify asymptomatic infections, and mass-screen-and-treat campaigns are much less efficacious than mass drug administrations. Improving campaign coverage leads to decreased prevalence one month after the end of the campaign, while increasing compliance lengthens the duration of protection against reinfection. Use of a long-lasting prophylactic as part of a mass drug administration regimen confers the most benefit under conditions of high transmission and moderately high coverage. Addition of primaquine can reduce prevalence but exerts its largest effect when coupled with a long-lasting prophylactic., Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures

Intestinal macrophages, unlike macrophages from other tissues, do not support HIV-1 infection or produce proinflammatory cytokines. In vitro studies suggest this unique, functional phenotype is a result of the exposure of newly recruited blood monocytes to intestinal stromal products. However, in AIDS-related CMV colitis, mucosal macrophages express HIV-1 and proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, we investigated the mechanism by which CMV confers permissiveness to HIV-1 and cytokine production on intestinal macrophages. We show that intestinal stroma-conditioned media (S-CM) down-regulated monocyte-derived macrophage infection by HIV-1 (pseudotyped with YU2 envelope or vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein) and production of TNF-α, but preinfection of the cells with CMV reversed this down-regulation, enhancing HIV-1 infection, p24 production, and TNF-α release. The ability of CMV to reverse S-CM down-regulation of macrophage HIV-1 infection was blocked by anti-TNF-α antibodies and over-ridden by exogenous TNF-α. Immunohistochemical analysis of monocyte-derived macrophages exposed to CMV and HIV-1 (YU2 pseudotype) revealed that the cells infrequently contained CMV and HIV-1 viral proteins. In addition, analysis of colon tissue sections from HIV-1-infected patients with CMV colitis showed that some macrophage-like cells contained CMV and TNF-α proteins, others contained HIV-1 and TNF-α proteins, but cells infrequently contained CMV and HIV-1 proteins. These results indicate that CMV blocks stromal product inhibition of HIV-1 infection in macrophages, and this inhibition is mediated, at least in part, by CMV-induced TNF-α acting in trans to enhance HIV-1 infection.

Explosive gas mixtures and explosive dust clouds, once existing, exhibit similar ignition and combustion features. However, there are two basic differences between dusts and gases which are of substantially greater significance in design of safety standards than these similarities. Firstly, the physics of generation and up-keeping of dust clouds and premixed gas/vapour clouds are substantially different. This means that in most situations where accidental explosive gas clouds may be produced quite readily, generation of explosive dust clouds would be highly unlikely. Secondly, contrary to premixed gas flame propagation, the propagation of flames in dust/air mixtures is not limited only to the flammable dust concentration range of dynamic clouds. The state of stagnant layers/deposits offers an additional discrete possibility of flame propagation. The two European Directives 94/9/EC (1994) and 1999/92/EC (1999) primarily address gases/vapours, whereas the particular properties of dusts are not addressed adequately. Some recent IEC and European dust standards resulting from this deficiency are discussed, and the need for revising the two directives accordingly is emphasized.

Recent improvements in methodology for the determination of alcohol ethoxylates (AE) in effluents now enable measurement of the full range of AE components, at ng/L levels, in the same analysis. This approach was deployed in effluent monitoring of biofilm and activated sludge wastewater treatment plants from Europe ( n = 12 ) and Canada ( n = 8 ) receiving predominantly municipal effluent. Individual component or “environmental fingerprint” analyses for alkyl carbon numbers C12–C18 and ethoxylate numbers 0–18 were conducted using a derivatization procedure with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry determination. The AE results were very similar with an overall mean level of 5.7 μg/L (range 1.0–22.7 μg/L). The major contribution to the total AE content was from fatty alcohol, which constituted, on average, 43% of the total. The exposure data can then be corrected to account for alcohol derived from sources other than AE and for sorption to particulate matter to determine AE concentrations in undiluted effluents. These data can be used with site-specific dilution information to estimate river water exposure in mixing zones and then to determine aquatic risk by integrating normalized AE effect concentrations determined through quantitative structure–activity relationships.

Alcohol ethoxylates (AE) are a common nonionic surfactant employed in consumer and industrial detergents worldwide. Commercial AE are typically complex mixtures composed of > 100 homologous compounds with varying alkyl chain lengths and varying numbers of ethylene oxide (EO) units. Recent improvements in analytical methodology have enabled accurate measurement of the entire AE mixture in sewage treatment plant (STP) influents and effluents, including alkyl chain lengths from 12 to 18 carbons with a range of ethoxylation from 0 to 18 EO units. These improved analytical methods were used to measure AE concentrations at nine sites representative of sewage treatment processes and geographical locations. These new data will make possible a more accurate assessment of environmental risk for AE in the United States. The results indicate that all AE homologues are effectively removed (> 99%) in the most common treatment types. Individual STP total AE effluent concentrations ranged from a low of 0.92 microg/L for activated sludge to a high of 15.6 microg/L for a trickling filter process. For the purpose of representing a national average distribution, an average-flow-weighted wastewater treatment plant effluent concentration was determined for each AE component. The total-flow-weighted average AE effluent concentration was 3.64 microg/L.

Two corn hybrids (3394 and 33R87) were steeped with three sulfite salts and five acids to test the effect of sulfur dioxide (SO2) source and acid sources on wet-milling yields and starch properties. Milling yields from each treatment were compared with a control sample that was steeped with 2,000 ppm of SO2 (using sodium metabisulfite) and 0.55% lactic acid. Sulfur dioxide sources were potassium sulfite, sodium sulfite, and ammonium sulfite; acids were acetic, hydrochloric, oxalic, phosphoric, and sulfuric. Starch yields were affected by the SO2 source and steep acids but the effects were hybrid-dependent. Different steep acids gave different starch yields when wet milled at the same pH. Among the acids tested, weak acids (lactic and acetic) tended to give higher starch yields compared with strong acids (hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, and oxalic). Some differences were observed with different sulfite salts and acids on starch pasting properties; however, there were no clear trends.

Yellow dent corn soaked in deionized water at 52°C for 24 h without addition of SO2 was wet-milled using a modified 100-g laboratory procedure employing ultrasound treatment at different points in the milling process and compared to conventional wet milling and milling-only corn. Starch yields from ultrasound treatments varied from 66.93 to 68.72% and were comparable to conventional wet milling (68.92%). The ultrasound treated samples produced 6.35 to 7.02 more percentage point starch compared to the milling-only corn. Compared to the starch from milling-only corn, the ultrasound-produced starches showed a significant increase in whiteness and decrease in yellowness that are comparable to starches produced by conventional wet milling. Ultrasound treatment after the second grinding produced the highest starch yield and the lowest protein content in the resulting starch. The ultrasound-treated starches exhibited different pasting properties as evidenced by higher paste viscosities.