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SUMMARY This in vitro study examined the utility of comparing red fluorescence between active and inactive caries lesions and investigated whether changes in red fluorescence and fluorescence loss are influenced by lesion activity following remineralization. Sixty-two noncavitated smooth surface caries lesions on extracted human teeth were classified into active or inactive lesions using the Nyvad system prior to a 12-day pH-cycling procedure. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital images were used to measure fluorescence parameters before and after pH cycling. At baseline, the intensity (ΔR) and area (AΔR) of red fluorescence were 1.5- and 2.2-fold higher in active lesions than in inactive lesions (p

The characteristics of parametric spin-wave pumping are investigated in three rectangular permalloy blocks with in-plane aspect ratios of 12, 6, and 4. Micro-Brillouin light scattering (BLS) spectroscopy is utilized to detect the intrinsic properties of excited spin waves under various excitation conditions of an external magnetic field and microwave power. Based on the theoretical dispersion relation and BLS intensity and its spatial profile, the parametric spin wave with a frequency of f sw = 5 .6 GHz is found to be excited in fundamental mode in a block of largest aspect ratio while the other block have higher-order or edge-localized modes along the width direction. The data shows that the nature of spin waves is quite sensitive on the conditions of sample geometry, applied field and microwave power. Thus, with the appropriate combination of the three parameters, it would be possible to control the nature of spin wave in each block simultaneously, which increase the blocks’ potential in magnonic applications, such as spin-logic and interferometer.

The RENO experiment has been in operation since August 2011 to measure reactor antineutrino disappearance using identical near and far detectors. For accurate measurements of neutrino mixing parameters and efficient data taking, it is crucial to monitor and control the detector in real time. Environmental conditions also need to be monitored for stable operation of detectors as well as for safety reasons. In this paper, we report the design, hardware, operation, and performance of the slow control system.

Amaranthus dubius (Amaranthaceae), often called “spleen amaranth,” is one of the most popular edible leafy amaranths throughout the world. The plant was accidentally introduced to Korea but currently is cultivated as a leafy vegetable. Edible young leaves and stems are cooked like spinach. In July 2019, symptoms of white blister rust were found on A. dubius on farmland in Jeongeup (35°32′09″N, 126°54′26″E), Korea, with a disease incidence of 70%. Symptoms appeared as light green to yellow chlorotic spots on the upper surface of the leaves. Blister sori formed on the corresponding lower surface were white, oval to ellipsoidal, and 3 to 4 mm in diameter. A representative sample was deposited in the Kunsan National University Herbarium (KSNUH401). Sporogenous hyphae were hyaline, clavate or cylindrical, mostly grouped, and (24 to) 32 to 42 (to 44) (av. 37.2) µm long. Primary sporangia were hyaline, globose or subglobose, and (12 to) 14.9 to 16.6 (to 18) (av. 15.26) µm in diameter, with a thick wall of 1.5 to 2.5 µm. Secondary sporangia were hyaline, subglobose, and (15 to) 16.7 to 19.4 (to 21) (av. 18.09) × (12 to) 14.0 to 16.5 (to 19) (av. 15.27) µm. Oogonia were irregular in shape but mostly subglobose to ellipsoidal and were (48 to) 56.1 to 68.1 (to 74) (av. 62.1) µm in diameter. Oospores were globose, dark brown, reticulated and (34 to) 39.6 to 50.8 (to 56) (av. 45.2) µm in diameter. The morphological characteristics were similar to those reported for Wilsoniana amaranthi (= Albugo amaranthi) (Choi et al. 2007; Voglmayr and Riethmuller 2006). To confirm this morphological identification, genomic DNA was extracted from an infected leaf of KSNUH401. Amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA with primers ITS1-O and LR0 and cytochrome oxidase II (cox2) mtDNA with primers cox2-F and cox2-RC4 were performed (Choi et al. 2015). Two resulting sequences were deposited in GenBank (accession nos. MN526483 for ITS, MN533957 for cox2). A BLASTn search showed that this sample is identical with W. amaranthi: AY929824 (ex Amaranthus spinosus), MK333400 (ex A. hybridus), and JN849471 (ex A. chlorostachys) for the ITS and AY913805 (ex A. spinosus) and JN849486 (ex A. chlorostachys) for the cox2 sequence. For a pathogenicity test, sporangia (4 × 10⁵ sporangia/ml) were harvested from the infected leaves, kept at 4°C for 30 min to induce the formation of zoospores, and inoculated onto the lower leaf surface of three healthy A. dubius (3 weeks old). Three noninoculated plants served as controls. Inoculated and noninoculated plants were incubated in an outdoor greenhouse at 80% relative humidity and 25 to 30°C. After 2 weeks, all inoculated plants formed yellow spots on the upper surface of leaves and then typical white rust pustules on the corresponding lower surface, identical to those observed in the field, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The W. amaranthi successfully sporulated on the inoculated plants, fulfilling Koch’s postulates as thoroughly as possible with an obligate parasite. Based on morphological characteristics, sequencing data, and pathogenicity testing, the causal organism was identified as W. amaranthi. Previously, occurrences of white blister rusts on A. dubius have been known in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, the Virgin Islands, and the West Indies (Farr and Rossman 2019). To our knowledge, this is the first report of white blister rust caused by W. amaranthi on A. dubius in Korea. Given the high incidence of this disease, this pathogen could be a potential concern for cultivation of A. dubius.

Lactuca serriola L. (syn. L. scariola L.), called prickly lettuce, has become naturalized globally in temperate regions. Because the plant was accidentally introduced to Korea in the late 1970s (Yim and Jeon 1980), they are now distributed throughout the country, threatening native plant communities. Thus, prickly lettuce has been designated as one of the 12 harmful nonindigenous plants by the Korean Ministry of Environment (Kim et al. 2013). In June 2019, leaf spot symptoms on this weed were found at a public garden in Gunsan (35°57′59″N, 126°43′28″E), Korea. Leaf lesions were 2 to 10 mm in diameter, mostly angular, vein-limited, dark brown, and exhibited numerous black pycnidia with a hyaline cirrhus. A representative specimen was deposited in the Kunsan National University Herbarium (KSNUH379). Pycnidia were amphigenous, globose, dark brown to blackish, and measured 70 to 90 μm in diameter. Ostioles were 15 to 22 μm in diameter, with a hyaline, slender cirrhus. Conidia were hyaline, filiform, slightly curved to straight, aguttulate, uniseptate, subtruncate at the base, tapering to a rounded apex, and measured 20 to 32 × 1.5 to 2.0 μm. Single-conidial isolations on potato dextrose agar formed dark grayish colonies and grew slowly (10 mm 5 weeks after inoculation at 25°C). On the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics, the fungus was identified as Septoria lactucae Pass. (Verkley et al. 2013). An isolate was deposited in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC48731). To confirm the morphological identification, genomic DNA was extracted from a diseased leaf of KSNUH379. Three DNA regions were sequenced: internal transcribed spacer (ITS rDNA) with primers ITS1-F and ITS4, large subunit (LSU) rDNA with LSU1Fd and LR5 (Verkley et al. 2013), and actin gene region (ACT) with ACT512F and ACT783R (Carbone and Kohn 1999). The resulting sequences were deposited in GenBank (accession nos. MN267567 for ITS, MN267564 for LSU, and MN284910 for ACT). A BLASTn search revealed that the Korean sample is identical with the sequences of S. lactucae parasitic to Lactuca sativa (KF251439 and KF251440 for ITS, KF251943 and KF251944 for LSU, and KF253743 and KF253744 for ACT). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating the leaves of three 4-week-old lettuce plants with a conidial suspension (∼1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml). Three noninoculated plants served as controls. For 72 h after inoculation, the plants were incubated in a growth chamber at 100% relative humidity and darkness at 25°C and then kept in an outdoor greenhouse at 80% relative humidity and 25 to 30°C. After 3 weeks, typical leaf spots, identical to those observed in the field, developed on the inoculated leaves. No symptoms were observed on the control plants. The fungus was successfully reisolated from the symptomatic plants, fulfilling Koch’s postulates. Based on the morphological characteristics, sequencing data, and pathogenicity test, the pathogen was identified as S. lactucae. Previously, the association of L. serriola with Septoria leaf spot has been known in Australia, the Canary Islands, Ethiopia, and the United States (Farr and Rossman 2019). To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. lactucae on prickly lettuce in Asia. Because of its potential as a biocontrol agent, further studies are needed.

Concerns regarding the safety of transgenic foods have been raised because of possibility of undesirable effects development during genetic engineering. Analysis of phenotypic traits can increase the likelihoods of identifying those unintended effects in dietary composition of the GM crops. Objective of this study was to compare the transgenic lines with their non-transgenic counterpart. Different vegetative and reproductive traits as well as antioxidant properties were considered to evaluate the transgenic (HV8 and HV23) lines containing CaMsrB2 gene and their non-transgenic (Ilmi) parent line. Grain size and weight, seed germination, root length, root and shoot dry weight, length and width of flag leaf, plant height, and ligule, stamen and carpel length were not significantly different. Onset and completion of heading in each line occurred almost during the same period. The antioxidant properties in terms of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and polyphenol content were not statistically different under same treatment condition. The results suggested that the transgenic rice lines containing CaMsrB2 gene were equivalent to their non-transgenic counterpart without any visible unintended effects.

Lithium manganese phosphate (LiMnPO4) porous hollow nanofibers have been obtained by electrospinning method with LiNO3, Mn(NO3)2∙4H2O, and NH4H2PO4 as starting materials. The results show that the external diameter of the LiMnPO4 hollow nanofibers was in the range of 500–800 nm and the internal diameter was in the range of 50–500 nm at 750 °C for 5 h in N2 atmosphere. The porous hollow nanofibers obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that fibers with porous and hollow morphology were successfully formed by controlling the electrospinning parameters and calcination temperature. It is to be easy of uniform distribution of PVP and make hollow structure.

Vitis coignetiae Pulliat ex Planch., known as crimson grapevine, is a deciduous climbing vine native to the temperate climate zone of East Asia, including Korea and Japan. Edible fruits of crimson grapevine are used for wine production and medicinal purposes in Korea. In November 2018, downy mildew infections were observed on the vines growing at a farm of the Grape Research Institute of Chungcheongbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension services (36°19′55″N, 127°45′39″E), Korea. Symptoms appeared as reddish or dark brownish, vein-limited, angular spots on the upper surface of leaves, with a white downy oomycete growth developed on the corresponding lower surface. A representative specimen was deposited in the Kunsan National University Herbarium (KSNUH376). Sporangiophores were hyaline, straight or slightly curved, (220–) 420 to 690 (–770) (n = 50), tree-like, and monopodially branched in three to six orders. Ultimate branchlets in pairs or three, straight to slightly curved, 2.5 to 7.0 μm long, 0.9 to 1.6 μm wide at the base (n = 50), with truncate or rarely swollen tips. Sporangia were hyaline, ovoidal or lemon-shaped, measured (17.7–) 20.9 to 24.4 (–26.9) × (12.7–) 13.9 to 16.6 (–18.3) μm, with a length/width ratio of (1.18–) 1.37 to 1.59 (–1.72) (n = 50). The morphological characteristics closely resembled those reported for Plasmopara viticola (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Berl. & De Toni (Hall 1989). To confirm the morphological identification, genomic DNA was extracted from a diseased leaf of KSNUH376. Three DNA regions were sequenced: internal transcribed spacer I (ITS1) using primers DC6 and ITS2, large subunit (LSU) rDNA using primers LROR and LR6-O (Choi et al. 2011), and cytochrome c oxidase II (cox2) mtDNA using primers cox2F and cox2-RC4 (Choi et al. 2015). The resulting sequences were deposited in GenBank (accession nos. MK557845 for ITS1, MK517538 for LSU, and MK519373 for cox2). A BLASTn search revealed that the Korean sample is identical to the sequences of P. viticola parasitic to V. vinifera (DQ665668 for the ITS1, HM628762 for the LSU, and MH468768 and DQ365760 for the cox2). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by putting four discs (diameter 3 mm) of the infected leaves onto the lower leaf surface of five healthy V. coignetiae. They were incubated in a growth chamber at 25°C under a relative humidity of 80%, and sterilized dH₂O was sprayed daily on the inoculated leaves to induce zoospore formation and infection. Five noninoculated leaves served as controls. After 10 days, downy mildew symptoms developed on the lower surface of the inoculated leaves, whereas the control leaves remained symptomless. Based on morphological characteristics, molecular sequencing data, and the pathogenicity test, the pathogen was identified as P. viticola. Previously, P. viticola has been recorded on V. coignetiae in the United Kingdom and Japan (Farr and Rossman 2019) and under a laboratory condition by Jurges et al. (2009). To our knowledge, this is the first report of downy mildew caused by P. viticola on V. coignetiae in Korea. Our field observations suggest that downy mildew would be a potential threat to crimson grapevine cultivation.

Reactor experiment for neutrino oscillation (RENO) began data-taking from August 2011. It successfully observed reactor antineutrino disappearance in April 2012 to measure the smallest mixing angle of θ 13 . Two identical detectors, one at near location and the other at far location, are constructed at the Yonggwang nuclear power plant in South Korea, to compare the observed reactor neutrino fluxes. Each RENO detector is filled with 16 mass tons of Gadolinium loaded liquid scintillator (GdLS) in the neutrino target region, and with 28 mass tons of unloaded liquid scintillator (LS) in the γ - catcher region surrounding the target. LS was developed to satisfy chemical, physical, optical properties, and safety requirements. Linear alkyl benzene (LAB) was chosen as a solvent because of its high flash-point, sufficient light yield, and being environmentally friendly. GdLS is carefully developed to keep a long attenuation length and high light yield for a long time period. In this paper, we report the characteristics and mass production of the RENO LS and GdLS.

The Reactor Experiment for Neutrino Oscillation (RENO) has been taking electron antineutrino ($\overline{\nu}_{e}$) data from the reactors in Yonggwang, Korea, using two identical detectors since August 2011. Using roughly 500 live days of data through January 2013 we observe 290,775 (31,514) reactor $\overline{\nu}_{e}$ candidate events with 2.8 (4.9)% background in the near (far) detector. The observed visible positron spectra from the reactor $\overline{\nu}_{e}$ events in both detectors show discrepancy around 5 MeV with regard to the prediction from the current reactor $\overline{\nu}_{e}$ model. Based on a far-to-near ratio measurement using the spectral and rate information we have obtained $\sin^2 2 \theta_{13} = 0.082 \pm 0.009({\rm stat.}) \pm 0.006({\rm syst.})$ and $|\Delta m_{ee}^2| =[2.62_{-0.23}^{+0.21}({\rm stat.})_{-0.13}^{+0.12}({\rm syst.})]\times 10^{-3}$eV$^2$., Comment: 24 pages, 30 figures. Submitted to PRD. Total detection efficiency change from 76.44% to 76.47%. Some modifications of text to improve readability and clarification of the paper

The RENO experiment has analyzed about 500 live days of data to observe an energy dependent disappearance of reactor $\overline{\nu}_e$ by comparison of their prompt signal spectra measured in two identical near and far detectors. In the period between August 2011 and January 2013, the far (near) detector observed 31541 (290775) electron antineutrino candidate events with a background fraction of 4.9\% (2.8\%). The measured prompt spectra show an excess of reactor $\overline{\nu}_e$ around 5 MeV relative to the prediction from a most commonly used model. A clear energy and baseline dependent disappearance of reactor $\overline{\nu}_e$ is observed in the deficit of the observed number of $\overline{\nu}_e$. Based on the measured far-to-near ratio of prompt spectra, we obtain $\sin^2 2 \theta_{13} = 0.082 \pm 0.009({\rm stat.}) \pm 0.006({\rm syst.})$ and $|\Delta m_{ee}^2| =[2.62_{-0.23}^{+0.21}({\rm stat.}) _{-0.13}^{+0.12}({\rm syst.})]\times 10^{-3}$~eV$^2$., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, Accepted in PRL for publication

The aim of the RENO (Reactor Experiment for Neutrino Oscillation) is to measure the smallest neutrino mixing angle, θ 13 . The RENO detector consists of four concentric cylindrical layers: the target, γ - catcher , buffer and veto. Acrylic is used for the target and γ - catcher vessels, both of which contain liquid scintillator. Acrylic was chosen because it has good transmittance in the wavelength range of 400 – 430 nm and also does not react with liquid-scintillating solvents. In order to reduce systematic uncertainties, the target volume should be identical to a level of less than 0.1% between the near and far detectors. Furthermore, the acrylic vessel should not have any leaks. In this paper, we investigate the optical properties, design and construction of the acrylic vessels used in the RENO detector.

The calibration of the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 6.8 μm water vapor (WV) channel was assessed by comparing Terra/MODIS measurements with the WV channel brightness temperatures equivalent to Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) measurements for June 2007 and December 2007. IASI spectral information was transferred to the Japanese Multifunctional Transport Satellite (MTSAT)-1R WV channel and then to the MODIS WV channel. Results indicate that the MODIS WV channel is biased low by 2–3 K, possibly caused by the shift of the spectral response function by about +11 cm−1. This finding is particularly important because the bias of −3 K can cause about +30% relative errors in the retrieval of upper tropospheric humidity (UTH) over the tropics. In other words, the current MODIS measurements may result in higher UTH values, showing relative errors up to +30%.

Rice blast disease caused by Magnaporthe grisea is a continuous threat to stable rice production worldwide. In a modernized agricultural system, the development of varieties with broad-spectrum and durable resistance to blast disease is essential for increased rice production and sustainability. In this study, a new gene is identified in the introgression line IR65482-4-136-2-2 that has inherited the resistance gene from an EE genome wild Oryza species, O. australiensis (Acc. 100882). Genetic and molecular analysis localized a major resistance gene, Pi40(t), on the short arm of chromosome 6, where four blast resistance genes (Piz, Piz-5, Piz-t, and Pi9) were also identified, flanked by the markers S2539 and RM3330. Through e-Landing, 14 BAC/PAC clones within the 1.81-Mb equivalent virtual contig were identified on Rice Pseudomolecule3. Highly stringent primer sets designed for 6 NBS-LRR motifs located within PAC clone P0649C11 facilitated high-resolution mapping of the new resistance gene, Pi40(t). Following association analysis and detailed haplotyping approaches, a DNA marker, 9871.T7E2b, was identified to be linked to the Pi40(t) gene at the 70 Kb chromosomal region, and differentiated the Pi40(t) gene from the LTH monogenic differential lines possessing genes Piz, Piz-5, Piz-t, and Pi-9. Pi40(t) was validated using the most virulent isolates of Korea as well as the Philippines, suggesting a broad spectrum for the resistance gene. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) and pathotyping of BC progenies having two japonica cultivar genetic backgrounds further supported the potential of the resistance gene in rice breeding. Our study based on new gene identification strategies provides insight into novel genetic resources for blast resistance as well as future studies on cloning and functional analysis of a blast resistance gene useful for rice improvement.

Aims: Enhancement of algicidal activity by immobilization of algicidal bacteria antagonistic to Stephanodiscus hantzschii. Methods and Results: In laboratory studies, A diatom-lysing bacterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens HYK0210-SK09 showed strong algicidal activity against S. hantzschii, but a natural mesocosm study revealed that this bacterium failed to fully control natural blooms of Stephanodiscus at the low water temperatures that favour these blooms. Here, we sought to develop an effective immobilization strategy for enhancing the algicidal activity of HYK0210-SK09 in the natural setting. Bacterium HYK0210-SK09 was immobilized with various carriers including agar, alginate, polyurethane and cellulose sponge. The bacterial cells immobilized with cellulose sponge (CIS) induced more rapid and complete lysis of S. hantzschii than other carriers, and had a higher packing ability than polyurethane. Furthermore, CIS-immobilized cells showed higher lysis of S. hantzschii at the same concentrations as that of free cells (≤1 × 107 cells ml−1), and had especially strong algicidal activity at the low temperatures (

Although the cephalic vein follows a fairly consistent course, numerous variants have been reported. We found a rare anatomical presentation of the cephalic vein in a 43-year-old Korean male cadaver. The cephalic vein had anastomosed with the basilic vein and brachial vein at the level of the elbow, perforated the pectoralis major muscle between the clavicular and sternal heads, and then entered into one of the double axillary veins. Knowledge of the variations on the cephalic vein is important for clinicians as well as anatomists since the approach through the axillary base is favoured in many invasive procedures.

An integrated scheme has been studied to reduce gaseous (volatile organic compounds [VOCs]), liquid (scrubber water), and solid (paint sludge) emissions from automotive painting operations by converting an existing spray-booth scrubber system to a bioreactor to capture and degrade VOCs and pyrolyzing paint sludge to produce an adsorbent. This paper describes the experimental results of 1) a pilot-scale study conducted at an assembly plant to evaluate the biological VOC removal using activated-sludge bioreactors and 2) a bench-scale study on VOC adsorption on paint-sludge adsorbents. The results indicate that the biological VOC removal is technically feasible (comparable VOC removal and less energy usage as compared to the widely used, vapor phase-activated carbon adsorption/thermal oxidation process) and economically feasible (one order of magnitude cheaper) and that paint-sludge adsorbents exhibited appreciable adsorption capacity. Implementation of the scheme requires more than technical and economical feasibility. The issues to be overcome include the inertia of past practices, overall systemic thinking, and moving targets (processes and regulations).

Among the pollutants that automotive plants produce, volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions caused by paint solvents from painting operations are the largest in quantity. The current control process, based on vapor-phase adsorption followed by thermal oxidation, is costly to install and operate. At Ford Motor Company, a cost-effective method of removing VOCs has been investigated that involves converting an existing spraybooth scrubber system to a biological reactor. This paper reports the results of a pilot-scale investigation in which two activated-sludge bioreactors, one with and the other without powdered activated carbon (PAC), were operated in parallel for 16 months. The primary findings include the following: the biological VOC removal process was technically feasible, and a scrubber system at a typical assembly plant is sufficiently large to handle the solvent loading used under normal vehicle-production conditions; compared with the adsorption/thermal oxidation process, the biological process was found to be comparable in VOC removal efficiency, an order of magnitude more cost-effective in capital cost, and a factor of two more cost-effective in operating and maintenance cost; and the bioreactors effectively captured and degraded hydrophilic paint solvents (methyl ethyl ketone, n-butanol, and butyl cellosolve) that were fed via the vapor phase. Toluene, a hydrophobic solvent, was also well-captured and degraded (74-91% without PAC and 86-93% with PAC).

Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from painting operations are the largest source of manufacturing emissions for the automotive industry and are costly to control. While investigating the biological degradation of paint solvents in spraybooth scrubber water as a cost-effective VOC control scheme, it was discovered that a significant portion (10 to 20%) of dissolved organics in the water was not biodegradable. All detected paint solvents were degraded, however. Therefore, raw and biologically treated scrubber water samples were analyzed to identify and quantify the nonbiodegradable organics by combined chromatographic, spectroscopic, and thermogravimetric methods. Results indicate that the nonbiodegradable compounds consisted mostly of nitrogen-containing organic polymers (more than 70%) and other organics. The nitrogen-containing compounds are believed to have come mostly from paints and possibly from polymeric detackifiers. Other organics included silicon-containing compounds that might have come from paint additives and maintenance chemicals used at the plant.

The objective of this work is to develop a fundamental mathematical model that describes the biodegradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in gas phase trickle-bed biofilters, and to estimate the unknown model parameters. The mathematical model considers a three-phase system (biofilm, water, and gas phase), non-uniform bacterial population, and one limiting substrate. Two pilot-scale trickle-bed biofilters were operated to remove the VOC diethyl ether from a waste gas stream. Experimental results from this system were used to estimate the unknown parameters of the steady-state model: the maximum rate of substrate utilization μmXf/Y, the Monod constant, Ks, and the ether biofilm/water diffusivity ratio, rd. While the value of μmXf/Y was uniquely determined, the values of Ks and rd were highly correlated. High values of the Monod constant and the ether diffusivity in the biofilm gave similar predictions to those corresponding to low values of both parameters. Batch studies were used to estimate the value of Ks without mass transfer limitations showing that Ks < 1 mg/L=2.6 mg COD/L. Using this information and biofilter operating data the true values of Ks and rd were determined.

The Hematoflow (Beckman Coulter, USA) is a new automated hematology analyzer, which provides a 16-part white blood cell count (WBC) differential.We evaluated the differential WBC count performance of the Hematoflow. 101 blood samples from patients were selected for comparison analysis.The methodological comparison of the WBC differential parameters of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils showed good correlations among 4 different analyses. More than 1% of blast cells were counted in 30 of 101 samples. A good correlation for blast cell counts obtained by Hematoflow was found with the reference manual method (r=0.9637, P 0.0001). For blast B, Hematoflow shows good correlation with reference method results but did not identify blast T.These results demonstrate that the Hematoflow has a comparable performance with the Sysmex XE-2100 and indicate that B cell lineage ALL can be identified by the use of the Hematoflow in an initial evaluation of acute leukemia.

Summary Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9), a specific molecular marker for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), serves as a potential target for RCC-specific immunotherapy using dendritic cells (DCs). However, pulsing of DCs with CA9 alone is not sufficient for generation of a therapeutic anti-tumour immune response against RCC. In this study, in order to generate a potent anti-tumour immune response against RCC, we produced recombinant CA9-Acinetobacter baumannii outer membrane protein A (AbOmpA) fusion proteins, designated CA9-AbOmpA, and investigated the ability of DCs pulsed with CA9-AbOmpA fusion proteins in a murine renal cell carcinoma (RENCA) model. A recombinant CA9-AbOmpA fusion protein was composed of a unique proteoglycan-related region of CA9 (1–120 amino acids) fused at the C-terminus with transmembrane domain of AbOmpA (1–200 amino acids). This fusion protein was capable of inducing DC maturation and interleukin (IL)-12 production in DCs. Interaction of DCs pulsed with CA9-AbOmpA fusion proteins with naive T cells stimulated secretion of IL-2, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in T cells. Lymphocytes harvested from mice immunized with DCs pulsed with CA9-AbOmpA fusion proteins secreted IFN-γ and showed a specific cytotoxic activity against CA9-expressing RENCA (RENCA-CA9) cells. Administration of CA9-AbOmpA-pulsed DC vaccine suppressed growth of RENCA-CA9 cells in mice with an established tumour burden. These results suggest that DCs pulsed with CA9-AbOmpA fusion proteins generate a specific anti-tumour immune response against RCC, which can be utilized in immunotherapy of RCC.

A plasma generator for a long pulse H(+)/D(+) ion source has been developed. The plasma generator was designed to produce 65 A H(+)/D(+) beams at an energy of 120 keV from an ion extraction area of 12 cm in width and 45 cm in length. Configuration of the plasma generator is a multi-cusp bucket type with SmCo permanent magnets. Dimension of a plasma chamber is 25 cm in width, 59 cm in length, and 32.5 cm in depth. The plasma generator was designed and fabricated at Japan Atomic Energy Agency. Source plasma generation and beam extraction tests for hydrogen coupling with an accelerator of the KSTAR ion source have been performed at the KSTAR neutral beam test stand under the agreement of Japan-Korea collaborative experiment. Spatial uniformity of the source plasma at the extraction region was measured using Langmuir probes and ±7% of the deviation from an averaged ion saturation current density was obtained. A long pulse test of the plasma generation up to 200 s with an arc discharge power of 70 kW has been successfully demonstrated. The arc discharge power satisfies the requirement of the beam production for the KSTAR NBI. A 70 keV, 41 A, 5 s hydrogen ion beam has been extracted with a high arc efficiency of 0.9 -1.1 A/kW at a beam extraction experiment. A deuteron yield of 77% was measured even at a low beam current density of 73 mA/cm(2).

The calibration of the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 6.8 μm water vapor (WV) channel was assessed by comparing Terra/MODIS measurements with the WV channel brightness temperatures equivalent to Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) measurements for June 2007 and December 2007. IASI spectral information was transferred to the Japanese Multifunctional Transport Satellite (MTSAT)-1R WV channel and then to the MODIS WV channel. Results indicate that the MODIS WV channel is biased low up to 3 K, likely caused by the shift of the spectral response function by about +11 cm−1. This finding is particularly important because the bias of −3 K can cause about +30% relative errors in the retrieval of upper tropospheric humidity (UTH). In other words, the current MODIS measurements may result in higher UTH values, showing relative errors up to +30%.

BackgroundCentral bisectionectomy, which involves the removal of the central hepatic segments (IVA, IVB, V, VIII) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is performed to reduce the volume of resected liver and to overcome the problem of insufficient future residual volume.MethodsTwenty-seven patients with HCC underwent central bisectionectomy from January 1998 to April 2007 in one hospital. The surgical techniques, clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes were reviewed.ResultsThe median operating time was 330 min. Twelve patients developed postoperative complications and two died. The most common complication, occurring in five patients, was bile duct injury leading to biloma or bile leakage. Median follow-up was 19·1 (range 1·4–102·2) months and eight patients developed a recurrence. Twenty-four patients were alive at the time of writing.ConclusionAlthough biliary complications occur somewhat frequently, central bisectionectomy in centrally located HCC can be performed safely to preserve liver volume.

We describe our experience with the ‘four-in-one’ procedure for habitual dislocation of the patella in five children (six knees). All the patients presented with severe generalised ligamentous laxity and aplasia of the trochlear groove. All had a lateral release, proximal ‘tube’ realignment of the patella, semitendinosus tenodesis and transfer of the patellar tendon. The mean age at the time of the operation was 6.1 years (4.9 to 6.9), and the patients were followed up for a mean of 54.5 months (31 to 66). The clinical results were evaluated using the Kujala score. There has been no recurrence of dislocation. All the patients have returned to full activities and the parents and children were satisfied with the clinical results. The mean Kujala score was 95.3 (88 to 98). Two patients had marginal skin necrosis which healed after debridement and secondary closure. These early results in this small group have shown that the ‘four-in-one’ procedure is effective in the treatment of obligatory dislocation of the patella in children with severe ligamentous laxity and trochlear aplasia.

Enhancement of algicidal activity by immobilization of algicidal bacteria antagonistic to Stephanodiscus hantzschii.In laboratory studies, A diatom-lysing bacterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens HYK0210-SK09 showed strong algicidal activity against S. hantzschii, but a natural mesocosm study revealed that this bacterium failed to fully control natural blooms of Stephanodiscus at the low water temperatures that favour these blooms. Here, we sought to develop an effective immobilization strategy for enhancing the algicidal activity of HYK0210-SK09 in the natural setting. Bacterium HYK0210-SK09 was immobilized with various carriers including agar, alginate, polyurethane and cellulose sponge. The bacterial cells immobilized with cellulose sponge (CIS) induced more rapid and complete lysis of S. hantzschii than other carriers, and had a higher packing ability than polyurethane. Furthermore, CIS-immobilized cells showed higher lysis of S. hantzschii at the same concentrations as that of free cells (or =1 x 10(7) cells ml(-1)), and had especially strong algicidal activity at the low temperatures (10 degrees C). Based on these laboratory studies, we assessed the possible application of HYK0210-SK09 cells in the field by performing a mesocosm study during the winter season. The CIS-immobilized cells with species-specific activity towards the genera Stephanodiscus showed extremely high algicidal activity (up to 95%) against a bloom of Stephanodiscus hantzschii even at low water temperatures, because of high cell packing and subsequent cell protection against low temperatures and predators, whereas free cells showed negligible algicidal activities under these conditions.Immobilizing cells of HYK0210-SK09 in CIS foam, rather than in the other matrices tested, could achieve more efficient control of Stephanodiscus blooms and showed a significant algicidal activity on in vitro and in vivo blooms, even at low water temperature.Collectively, these results indicate that CIS of algicidal bacteria may form an important strategy for effective management of Stephanodiscus blooms at low water temperatures.

In a previous paper, polymer coating viscoelastic/plastic properties were determined using nanoindentation and the finite element method. In this work, the individual layers, once characterized, were assembled into a multi-layered structure and subject to micro-scratch tests. These tests determined a critical scratch indentation load for the layered structure, as designated by the first appearance during scratching of visible surface layer tensile cracks. Scratch tests were carried out for three different conical scratch tip radii. The top-layer tensile strength of the layered structures was then estimated, utilizing the individual layer properties, the top layer friction coefficients, the micro-scratch test critical loads, and a finite element scratch model, for each scratch tip radius. The values of the top layer scratch tensile strengths were in good agreement for each of the three tip radii, as anticipated. The top-layer scratch tensile strengths may be utilized for further analysis and comparison of differences in gloss retention after gloss reduction experiments. The method may be used as a basis for coating selection, comparison, and performance testing in scratch-resistant polymer coating applications.Copyright © 2005 by ASME

Mass transport phenomena occurring in the biofilms of gas phase trickle-bed biofilters are investigated in this study. The effect of biofilm structure on mass transfer mechanisms is examined using experimental observation from the operating of biofilters, microelectrode techniques and microscopic examination. Since the biofilms of biofilters used for waste gas treatment are not completely saturated with water, there is not a distinguishable liquid layer outside the biofilm. Results suggest that due to this characteristic, gas phase substrates (such as oxygen or volatile organic compounds) may not be limited by the aqueous phase because transport of the compound into the biofilm can occur directly through non-wetted areas. On the other hand, for substrates that are present only in the liquid phase, such as nitrate, the mass transfer limitation is more serious because of the limited liquid supply. Microscopic observations show that a layered structure with void spaces exists within the biofilm. Oxygen concentration distributions along the depth of the biofilms are examined using an oxygen microelectrode. Results indicate that there are some high dissolved oxygen zones inside the biofilm, which suggests the existence of passages for oxygen transfer into the deeper sections of the biofilm in a gas phase trickle-bed biofilter. Both the low gas-liquid mass transfer resistance and the resulting internal structure contribute to the high oxygen penetration within the biofilms in gas phase trickle-bed biofilters.

Since October 1994, we have performed 15 laparoscopic splenectomies for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. All the patients were women, aged 23 to 47 years. We used five ports (three 10-mm ports and two 5-mm ports) for the first eight cases, but we could save one 10-mm port after changing patient's position from supine to the right lateral kidney position. There was no case of conversion to exploratory laparotomy. The mean hospital stay was 6 days. No significant perioperative morbidity or mortality was associated with the surgery. Since undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy, 12 patients have been off steroids, two patients have been on small doses of steroids, and one patient has been on the same dose of steroid with no response. Laparoscopic splenectomy is a relatively safe and reasonable operative procedure for the patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or normal-sized spleen.

Incubation of taxol with human hepatic microsomal fractions or freshly isolated human liver slices yields three metabolite high performance liquid chromatography peaks, metabolite A, metabolite B, and 6 alpha-hydroxytaxol. These metabolites are formed in patients given taxol, with 6 alpha-hydroxytaxol formation representing the principal biotransformation pathway. Metabolite B and 6 alpha-hydroxytaxol are shown to be products of different, highly regioselective cytochrome P-450 (P450) enzymes, while metabolite A results from stepwise metabolism by each of these enzymes. Correlation of metabolite B formation with P450 3A markers was good (r2 = 0.91-0.94), but the correlation of 6 alpha-hydroxytaxol formation with markers for several P450 enzymes was poor. Chemical inhibitors that selectively inhibited metabolite B formation (troleandomycin, cyclosporine), that selectively inhibited 6 alpha-hydroxytaxol formation (naringenin, quercetin), or that nonselectively inhibited both pathways (felodipine, ketoconazole) were found. Metabolite B formation was selectively reduced by anti-P450 3A4 antibodies. Expressed human P450 3A4 preparations were efficient catalysts of metabolite B formation; no expressed P450 preparation tested showed a capacity for catalyzing taxane 6 alpha-hydroxylation reactions. The combined results of several experimental approaches show that P450 3A4 is the major catalyst of metabolite B formation and that the identity of the P450 enzyme or enzymes responsible for 6 alpha-hydroxytaxol formation cannot be assigned with certainty.

The biotransformation of drugs in the body has been appreciated for over a century (Keller 1842; Baumann and Preusse 1879; Jaffe 1879). Cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes were reported more than 50 years ago (Mueller and Miller 1953; Brodie et al. 1958), and they are now recognized to be the major catalysts involved in the metabolism of drugs, steroids, carcinogens, pesticides, and pollutants (see entire January 1992 issue of FASEB Journal). There has been considerable interest in being able to understand and predict transformation of xeno-biotic chemicals in fields such as drug metabolism and chemical carcinogenesis. With appreciation of the increasing complexity of P450 enzymes in the 1970s it was unclear as to whether the biotransformation of xenobiotics could ever be comprehended in terms of a limited number of P450 enzymes. In the 1980s there was extensive characterization of many of the human P450s. Many drug oxidations can now be attributed to a few, major P450 enzymes. Several lines of evidence suggest that the enzyme P450 3A4 is, on the average, the major P450 present in human liver, and that small intestine plays a significant role in the metabolism of many drugs.

In order to study the immunological status of rats transplanted with H-1-compatible kidney allografts, LEW rats were grafted with F and (Fischer X Lewis)F1 (FLEWF1) kidneys. Most of the F kidneys were rejected within 55 days, only 4 of 24 surviving for more than 4 months. However, two-thirds of the FLEWF1 recipients survived for more than 4 months, the others having died within 64 days. During the first postoperative week, high levels of serum lymphocytotoxic antibodies were found in recipients of F kidneys, and thereafter there was little change. In this respect these rats did not differ from recipients of kidneys with major histocompatibility differences. However, recipients of FLEWF1 kidneys had low haemagglutinating and lymphocytotoxic antibody titres. No serum-blocking factor could be found in kidney of recipients by use of the microcytotoxicity assay (MCA) or inhibition of allorosette formation. Cellular immunity, which was studied by means of the graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) and the microcytotoxicity assay, was detected in the first postoperative week. This immunity gradually declined, and after 6 weeks it was no longer detectable. The immunological status of the long-term surviving kidney recipients remained unchanged, even when they were provided with further antigenic challenge in the form of two successive donor strain skin grafts.

In an SU(2) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} U(1) model with the standard doublet assignment of the electron and with a right-handed doublet assignment for the $u$ quark, which is consistent with all present data for neutral-current processes, we show that the weak charge of the atomic bismuth is not accidentally small, in the sense that with the same values of the parameters the weak charge of any atom is of the same order as that of the bismuth or smaller. Further the ${Z}^{3}$ law for the parity-mixing amplitudes does not hold in this model.

We discuss a natural way of introducing fermion currents in a unified model of quarks and leptons. The weak neutral current of our model is, in low-energy approximation, equal to the sum of the Weinberg-Salam neutral current with θ=0 (where θ is the Weinberg angle) and fermion currents.

We propose to test the hypothesis that the lepton number is a color in two-body lepton-hadron scattering, in particular neutrino-nucleon scattering. Detailed analysis shows that these tests can be done well at small momentum transfer (as small as possible) and high energies (say E/sub nu/ > or = 3 GeV and E/sub nu-bar/ > or = 5 GeV for q/sup 2/ < or = -0.1 GeV). Also, possible implications of this hypothesis for total cross sections are considered. Models and their implications for two-body reactions and vice versa are discussed. (AIP)

Within the framework of Harari’s conjecture and the constraints provided by duality we investigate the consequences of a non-SU3 singlet pomeron in deep inelastic lepton-hadron scattering. The corresponding distribution functions of the quark-parton model are discussed.