Search

The overall cooling performance of turbine nozzle guide vane, with the impingement-cutback structure, is experimentally studied in the actual-scale cascade. The gas with the high temperature is used to achieve the actual dynamic viscosity coefficient and the density ratios. The coolant-to-gas mass flow ratio (KG) varies between 0.034 and 0.050 and the gas-to-coolant temperature ratio (KT) varies between 1.5 and 2.4. The local Overall Cooling Effectiveness (OCE) on the middle cross-section of the vane is obtained. The experimental results reveal that the lowest value of the OCE achieves a 10% relative arc length on the suction side of the vane; however, the highest value appears at 40% relative arc length on the pressure side of the vane. The averaged values of the OCE are respectively enhanced by 19.45%, 24.22%, and 35.57% at temperature ratios equal to 1.7, 1.9, and 2.3, with an increase of the KG from 0.034 to 0.050. Added to that, it was identified that an increase of KT from 1.7 to 2.3 leads to the decrease of the OCE. The comparison results show that this characteristic becomes dramatical while KG is 0.034. The higher KT leads to a greater influence of KG, which is illustrated clearly by the compared results of the OCE.

The design of the pavement structure can make use of moduli to predict its performance during a preset lifetime. It is essential to study static and dynamic moduli characteristics. The static modulus was derived from the compression rebound modulus of the hot-mixed asphalt. The dynamic modulus was checked against a simple performance tester. The modulus of a cold recycled emulsified asphalt mixture was tested in a series of experiments on cement contents, emulsified asphalt contents, loading frequency, and temperature. The results show that high cement and asphalt contents resulted in a lower compression rebound modulus. The dynamic modulus maximum is reached at a 2% cement content. The dynamic modulus also increases with the loading frequency. This increase is observed during the early period. When the frequency increased to 10 Hz, an increase in the dynamic modulus becomes linear, and its rate gradually decreases.

An HPLC method for simultaneous determination of insecticide clothianidin and its metabolites (TZNG, TMG, TZMU, and MNG) in rice was developed and is described in this paper. We extracted the parent clothianidin compound and its metabolites from samples with methanol and an aliquot of the extract was evaporated in a rotary evaporator to remove methanol. The residue was dissolved in 1 mL of 0.005 M 1-sodium octansulfonate (pH 8.3) and transferred to the ENVI-CARB cartridge coupled with an HLB cartridge for solid phase extraction (SPE). Clothianidin and its 4 metabolites were eluted from the cartridges with 3.5 mL of 70% acetonitrile in 0.005 M 1-sodium octansulfonate (pH 7). Determination and separation of clothianidin and its four metabolites were performed in an Agilent Aq column using gradient mobile phase and different UV wavelengths. The average recoveries of clothianidin, TZNG, TMG, TZMU, and MNG were 110%, 87%, 113%, 108%, and 61%, respectively, spiked at 2 ppm into rice. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was determined to be less than 10% in a triple-repeated confirmation test. The limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.05 ppm for clothianidin, TZNG, TZMU and MNG, and 0.1 ppm for TMG in rice. The method was applied for the determination of clothianidin and its metabolites in 8 polished and 4 unpolished rice grain samples, each of which was collected from a different market in Taiwan. No residue of clothianidin or any of its metabolites was found at levels or at greater than the LOQ in these rice samples.

Hollow concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) member is mainly adopted in power transmission and transformation structures, but when it is used in the superstructure with complex stress, the hollow CFST member has a low bearing capacity and is prone to brittle failure. To improve the mechanical performance of hollow CFST members, a new type of reinforced hollow high strength concrete-filled square steel tube (RHCFSST) was proposed, and its axial compression performance was researched. 18 finite element analysis (FEA) models of axially loaded RHCFSST stub columns were established through FEA software ABAQUS. The whole stress process of composite columns was studied, and parametric studies were carried out to analyze the mechanical performance of the member. Parameters of the steel strength, steel ratio, deformed bar and sandwich concrete strength were varied. Based on the simulation results, the stress process of members can be divided into four stages: elastic stage, elastoplastic stage, descending stage and gentle stage. With the increase of steel strength, steel ratio, the strength of sandwich concrete and the addition of deformed bars, the ultimate bearing capacity of members also increases. Additionally, the increment of those parameters will improve the ductility of the member, except for the sandwich concrete strength.

To treat the coking wastewater with phenolic compounds over 3000 mg/L, the biological method cannot be directly employed due to the toxicity to microorganisms and other methods are usually expensive. In this study, the aldol condensation followed by ozonation was developed to reduce the phenolic compounds in the wastewater from a coal coking plant in Gansu Province of China. For the aldol condensation reaction, the removal efficiency of phenolic compounds increases with increasing the molar ratio of formaldehyde to phenol (F/P), reaction time, reaction temperature, and acidity or alkalinity. Under alkaline conditions the removal efficiency of phenolic compounds is higher than under acid conditions. If the reaction temperature, reaction time, F/P and pH values of the aldol condensation are respectively 95°C, 3 hours, 2.0 and 10.5, the concentration of phenolic compounds decreases from 9018.3 mg/L to 1901.2 mg/L after precipitation separation of phenolic resins. Subsequently adjusting the pH value to 7 further reduces the concentration of phenolic compounds to 764.7 mg/L. Thereafter 2 hours ozonation further reduces the concentration of phenolic compounds to 22 mg/L, resulting in total removal efficiency of 99.75%. The ozonation removes phenolic compounds with methyl/ethyl substituent on benzene ring easier than phenol.

This research has showed that exosomal miRNAs from cerebrospinal fluid could act as biomarkers for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, no analysis has been conducted to explore the potential value of exosomal miRNAs from plasma.52 patients with PD were included in study group. 48 healthy adults were included in control group. Blood samples were collected from all those people and then exosomes were extracted from the plasma.Compared with controls, patients with PD showed a significantly higher expression of circulating exosomal miR-331-5p. ROC curve showed that the area values under the curve of miR-331-5p and miR-505 were 0.849 and 0.898, respectively.Exosomal miRNAs, including miR-331-5p and miR-505, could potentially act as biomarkers for PD.

Between January and May 2011, southern China suffered perhaps the most severe drought since 1954. This investigation was carried out based on OLR (Outgoing Long-wave Radiation) data derived from NOAA/AVHRR satellite observations, precipitation records at 753 meteorological stations in China and NCEP reanalysis data during 1990 and 2011. This was done by first calculating the January to May climate averages of all required atmospheric parameters during 1990 and 2011, and then calculating the January to May 2011 anomalies (the difference between the parameter value in January to May 2011 and its climate average), with the goal to understand the dynamic and thermal mechanisms behind the 2011 5 month drought. Results show that during the drought: (1) the large-scale circulations were abnormal with a strengthened Mongolian High, a weakened subtropical high and abnormal northerly winds prevailing over southern China and the South China Sea; (2) the air was drier due to the anomalous deep dry-cold air column at middle and lower levels over southern China (linked to the northerly wind from the Mongolian anticyclone and the northwesterly wind from the Yellow Sea cyclone); (3) the abnormal air temperature structure, i.e. warm at higher levels (due to the abnormal South Asian High) and cold at middle and lower levels (due to the anomalous deep dry-cold air column over southern China), and (4) a formation of an abnormal mesoscale circulation structure, with the cyclonic convergence at the mid-level low (due to the Yellow Sea cyclone), the anticyclonic divergence at the low-level small high (due to the Mongolian anticyclone) and the resulting abnormal vertical downward movement over southern China. All these factors contributed significantly to the January to May 2011 drought over southern China.

To evaluate the validity, reliability, and acceptability of the brief version of the self-management knowledge, attitude, and behavior (KAB) assessment scale for diabetes patients.Diabetes patients who were managed at the Xinkaipu Community Health Service Center of Tianxin in Changsha, Hunan Province were selected for survey by cluster sampling. A total of 350 diabetes patients were surveyed using the brief scale to collect data on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of self-management. Content validity was evaluated by Pearson correlation coefficient between the brief scale and subscales of knowledge, attitude, and behavior. Structure validity was evaluated by factor analysis, and discrimination validity was evaluated by an independent sample t-test between the high-score and low-score groups. Reliability was tested by internal consistency reliability and split-half reliability. The evaluation indexes of internal consistency reliability were Cronbach's α coefficients, θ coefficient, and Ω coefficient. Acceptability was evaluated by valid response rate and completion time of the brief scale.A total of 346(98.9%) valid questionnaires were returned, with average survey time of (11.43±3.4) minutes. Average score of the brief scale was 78.85 ± 11.22; scores of the knowledge, attitude, and behavior subscales were 16.45 ± 4.42, 21.33 ± 2.03, and 41.07 ± 8.34, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients between the brief scale and the knowledge, attitude, and behavior subscales were 0.92, 0.42, and 0.60, respectively; P-values were all less than 0.01, indicating that the face validity and content validity of the brief scale were achieved to a good level. The common factor cumulative variance contribution rate of the brief scale and three subscales was from 53.66% to 61.75%, which achieved more than 50% of the approved standard. There were 11 common factors; 41 of the total 42 items had factor loadings above 0.40 in their relevant common factor, indicating that the brief scale and three subscales had good construct validity. Patients were divided into a high-score group and a low-score group, then scores of the brief scale and three subscales were compared between the groups using a t-test. The results were all significant, indicating that the brief scale and three subscales had good discriminate validity. Mean scores of the brief scale and three subscales of the high-score group were 91.55±6.81, 19.51±2.17, 22.74±1.88, and 49.30±6.20, respectively; these were higher than the low-score group (65.89±5.79, 12.29±4.76, 20.22±1.88, and 33.39±6.17, respectively) with t-values 27.76, 13.31, 9.20, and 17.56 (P-values were less than 0.001). The Cronbach's α coefficient, θ coefficient, Ω coefficient, and split-half reliability of the brief scale were 0.83, 0.87, 0.96, and 0.84, respectively. These values for the three subscales were all above 0.70, except for the θ coefficient of the attitude subscale with 0.64, indicating that the brief scale and three subscales had acceptable internal consistency reliability.The brief version of the diabetes self-management knowledge, attitude, and behavior assessment scale showed good acceptability, validity, and reliability, to responsibly evaluate self-management KAB among patients with diabetes.

The aims of this study were to investigate intrapapillary capillary loops (IPCLs) of superficial esophageal lesions changes in different types classified by the Japan Esophageal Society classification. The calibers, areas, and densities of IPCLs were detected in 34 cases of esophageal lesions using immunohistochemical analysis. Statistically significant differences in calibers, areas, and densities of IPCLs were observed between type A, type B1/B2, and type B3 area (P 0.001). In conclusion, the results of this observation showed the Japan Esophageal Society classification of IPCL would help endoscopists to diagnose the type and the invasion depth of lesion in esophagus, and decide the treatment strategy.

The preparation and characterisation of a novel dmit organometallic complex crystal [(C4H9)4N]2[Mn(dmit)2] (dmit2− = 4,5-dimercapto-1,3-dithiole-2-thionate) (BAMDT) are described. The crystal was characterised by elemental analyses, UV-Vis-NIR absorption and infrared spectra. Thermal decomposition process was investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis measurements both in air and under nitrogen flux. The third order optical non-linearity at the acetone solution is characterised using the Z-scan technique with a 20 ps pulse width at 1064 nm. The Z-scan curves show that BAMDT possesses a negative non-linear refraction and negligible non-linear absorption. The effective molecular second order hyperpolarisability γeff of the BAMDT molecule was estimated to be as large as 3·2×10−31 esu, suggesting that BAMDT has potential for non-linear optical device applications.

The situation of career identity and job satisfaction among young hospital pharmacists in Guangdong, China was investigated. A mail-based questionnaire was sent to young hospital pharmacists in Guangdong, China. The questionnaire was designed to obtain information regarding demographic characteristics, career identity and job satisfaction. Pharmacists who were under 35 years old were defined as young pharmacists. Data were analyzed using SAS software. Of the 625 questionnaires mailed, 619 questionnaires, returned from 14 hospitals in Guangdong, were completed and suitable for analysis. Regarding career identity, only about 22% of young pharmacists thought pharmacists have high social status. Less than half of respondents felt pride when they were introduced as pharmacist in social activity. Only about 28% of respondents expected to obtain professional achievement. Only about 11% of respondents would not change profession had they got more work pay from other jobs. Regarding job satisfaction, about 90% of respondents were satisfied with their working environment, utilization of skills and promotion. About 76% of young hospital pharmacists were satisfied with their work pay. The authors concluded that, although the young hospital pharmacists in Guangdong province, China were satisfied with their current job on the whole, they showed low career identity. Key words: Career, hospital pharmacists, job satisfaction, China.

The use of three freshwater microalgal cultures—Chlorella sorokiniana, Anabaena laxa, and Hapalosiphon welwitschii—for sorption of copper(II) from synthetic Cu(II) solutions and Marinduque, Philippines, wastewater was studied. The optimum amount of biomass for the three species was 0.025 g dry weight. The optimum contact time for both C. sorokiniana and A. laxa was 1 h, whereas that of H. welwitschii was 30 min. All three species exhibited maximum Cu(II) sorption at pH 4.0–6.0. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm was the best fit model for the three species. The three cultures were found to be effective biosorbents when used in synthetic wastewaters of low concentration (10–30 ppm). Maximum Cu(II) reductions obtained were 88.2, 88.6, and 91.7% for the C. sorokiniana, A. laxa, and H. welwitschii cultures, respectively. C. sorokiniana, A. laxa, and H. welwitschii removed 5.70, 11.16, and 7.15% of Cu(II), respectively, when applied to wastewater taken from Consolidated Mines Inc. (CMI) containing around 150 ppm Cu(II). C. sorokiniana and A. laxa, in combination, exhibited 14.05% Cu(II) removal from CMI wastewater. Desorption with 0.11 M HCl effected 73.20, 64.54, and 70.85% removal of Cu(II) from the surfaces of C. sorokiniana, A. laxa, and H. welwitschii, respectively. SEM-EDS spectra of the three species confirmed the presence of Cu(II) on their surfaces.

SummaryThe desirable columnar trait in apple (Malus pumila Mill.) is determined by the Co gene.The first step towards cloning this gene, and the production of transgenic plants, is the construction of a saturated linkage map in the region of the Co gene. To map this gene, we used inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analysis. ISSR primers (100) were first used on an F1 population of 120 individuals. These individuals were derived from a cross between ‘Fuji’ (normal growth type) and ‘Telamon’ (columnar type). Two bulks (columnar and normal), with 20 seedlings in each, were prepared for bulked segregant analysis (BSA). For the selection of primers, BSA analysis between these gene pools was used to examine F1 seedlings of ‘Fuji’ and ‘Telamon’ for further screening. Thirty-three ISSR markers were available for analysing cosegregation with the Co gene. The resulting linkage map of the Co gene region contained 13 markers. It was flanked by UBC834900 from ‘Fuji’ with a genetic distance of 10.1 cM and UBC8181000 f...

This experiment was carried out to identify 12 genotypes of apple rootstock (Malus) using AFLP markers in 1996-1997. The materials tested are widely used in China apple production, including CG24, CG57, B9, B490, SH7, SH9, S63, Ottawa 3, Balenghaitang, Shandingzi, Xiaojinhaitang, and Ningxia 8. The enzymes for restriction digestion of genomic DNA are PstI and MseI. Radioisotope method (γ- 33 P ATP) had been used for AFLP detecting. Primer selection was performed after the AFLP analysis system was constructed. It is found that the PstI-AAC / MseI-GAC is an ideal primer combination for AFLP fingerprinting construction of apple rootstocks. The primer had detected 105 sites of the apple genomic DNA, and 67 polymorphic sites among them. The ratio of polymorphic sites to total amplification sites is 63.8%. The fingerprinting map can be divided into three areas. The area I, II and III are long fragment area, middle fragment area, and short fragment area respectively. The polymorphism decreases from I to III area. The AFLP fingerprinting is very clear with brightness background. All 12 genotypes of apple rootstock tested have been identified through their specific bands on the AFLP fingerprinting.

A new inductive photo-catalytic reactor was obtained by the alternative magnetic field and optical coupling, which was driven by AC supply. In the cylinder reactor, UV-LED lights with the wavelength of 375-380nm were evenly distributed, and the phenol solution was used as simulated wastewater. The effects of initial phenol concentration, pH, TiO2, H2O2, alternative magnetic frequency, current, and reaction time on the phenol degradation were investigated under an imposed alternative magnetic field. The optimized conditions and results were as follows: phenol concentrations of 15mg/L, pH of 7, H2O2 of 15μL, TiO2 of 0.18g and alternative magnetic frequency of 12 KHz and current of 2A. With these conditions, the phenol degradation ratio reached 47.1% in 1 h reaction time. The new reactor is very promising for the effective treatment of refractory organic pollutants.

The introduction of plant materials into a soil can impact the nitrogen (N) status and the fertilizer requirement for agronomic crop production. Consequently, an accurate estimate of N mineralization from soil organic matter and incorporated plant material is necessary to adequately make a N fertilizer recommendation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of plant parameters including type, size, incorporation rate, and time after incorporation on N mineralization and to derive localized values for parameters in a widely used potential N mineralization model. Soil from the Ap horizon of a Latahco silt loam was amended with alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.), spring pea (Pisum sativum L.), and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plant materials sized to either 2 mm at rates of 0, 2, 4, and 6%. The soils were incubated at 35°C for 20 weeks. The inorganic N in soils was removed by leaching with 100 mL 0.001M CaCl2 in 5‐ to 10‐mL intervals followed by 25 mL of a nutrient solu...

This paper presents a study of the residual stress in the welding connection between hydrogen nozzle and spherical head in a hydrofining reactor. A sequential coupling finite element program is developed to analyze the residual stress in nozzle-to-sphere connection. The results show that large residual stresses are generated in the weld and weld/parent interface during the welding of hydrogen nozzle. Large axial stress is generated on the internal surface of hydrogen nozzle due to the angular deformation, which has a great effect on hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) and stress corrosion cracking (SCC). Based on the residual stress distribution character, a new connection structure between hydrogen nozzle and head is developed. A stressless flanging is proposed to insert into the nozzle to isolate the residual stresses, which can be useful to prevent HIC and SCC. To cover all the residual stresses effectively, the arc length of flanging should be not less than 80 mm.

Soils in the Kootenai River Valley of northern Idaho are both high in organic matter and pH (>7.0). This combination causes a tendency for crops to exhibit micronutrient deficiencies. Since soil pH is a dominant factor affecting micronutrient availability in soils, this study was designed to: (1) evaluate the effect of amendments [elemental S and Ca(OH)2] on soil pH modification and resulting changes in DTPA‐extractable Cu, Mn, and Zn; (2) determine the effect of soil water potential on Cu, Mn, and Zn availability; and (3) develop a prescription for enhancement of Cu, Mn, and Zn availability in these soils. Elemental S rates of 0, 2, 4, and 6 Mg/ha and Ca(OH)2 rates of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 Mg/ha were amended into soil from the Ap horizon of a Ritz silt loam [coarse‐silty, mixed (calcareous), frigid Typic Fluvaquent]. Soils were incubated at water potentials of ‐0.03 and ‐0.20 Mpa at 25°C over a 10‐week period. The study design was a randomized block factorial with repeated measures. Soils were sampl...

We have performed experiments to examine whether the overexpression of different members of the hsp70 family (SSA1, SSA2 and SSA4) in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae protects cells from thermal stress. Yeast cells were transformed with plasmids containing the SSA1 or SSA4 gene which was placed under the control of a galactose-inducible GAL1 promoter. In galactose, transformed yeast cells successfully overexpressed these hsp70 proteins at 23 degrees C, their normal growth temperature. When cell survival after heat shock at 50 or 56 degrees C was examined, our results showed that overexpression of SSA1 or SSA4 protein did not protect yeast cells against thermal stress, nor affect the cells' ability to develop thermotolerance. In contrast, thermal sensitivity was modified significantly by growing cells in galactose. Cellular survival of these cells after a 50 degrees C, 30-min heat treatment was 10(4)-fold higher than that of the same strains grown in glucose. In order to study the effects of overexpression of hsp70 on the thermal response of yeast cells independent of the carbon source, we eliminated the glucose-galactose-associated differences in thermal sensitivity by cloning the aforementioned hsp70 genes under the control of a glyceraldehyde phosphatase GAP promoter. S. cerevisiae transformed with these plasmids overexpressed the appropriate hsp70 gene in glucose as well as in galactose at 23 degrees C. Again, the overexpression of hsp70 neither protected cells from thermal stress, nor had a significant effect on the development of thermotolerance.

Axisymmetric notched bars with notch roots of large and small radii were tested under large strain cyclic loading. The main attention is focused on the fracture behaviour of steels having cycles to failure within the range 1-100. Our study shows that a gradual transition from a static ductile nature to one of fatigue cleavage can be observed and characterized by the Coffin-Manson formula in a generalized form. Both the triaxial tensile stress within the central region of specimens and static damage caused by the first increasing load have effects on the final failure event. A generalized cyclic strain range parameter DELTAepsilon is proposed as a measure of the numerous factors affecting behaviour. Fractographs are presented to illustrate the behaviour reported in the paper.

Manganese is often limiting in cereal crop production in the Kootenai River Valley of Northern Idaho; however, attempts to relate DTPA‐extractable Mn in soils to crop yield response have not been successful. Consequently, Mn plant tissue diagnosis may be an alternate diagnostic tool. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the critical nutrient concentration (CNC) of Mn in spring wheat and spring barley tissue in the Kootenai River Valley of northern Idaho, (2) examine yield response of spring wheat and spring barley to Mn fertilization, and (3) assess relative efficiencies of foliar and surface broadcast Mn applications to these crops. Paired plots with four replications consisting of a foliar Mn application rate of 1.5 kg ha‐1 and a control were located at four sites in 1988 and at ten sites in 1989. Soil, plant tissue samples and grain yield data were evaluated by linear plateau regression to determine CNCs of Mn for spring wheat and spring barley tissue. In addition, five randomiz...

Crops grown on soils of the Kootenai River Valley of northern Idaho are showing an increasing tendency for micronutrient deficiencies. These soils are generally high in organic carbon (OC) and slightly alkaline. Soil pH has been increasing at the rate of 0.2 units every 10 years for the last 30 years. Normal soil sampling and testing procedures have failed to identify potential deficiencies of micronutrients prior to planting crops. Consequently, a different way to predict the tendency of micronutrient deficiencies is desired. The objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate the effects of soil pH and OC on DTPA‐extractable Cu, Mn, and Zn, (2) establish relationships between pH, OC, Cu, Mn, and Zn and soil mapping units and geographic areas (drainage districts), and (3) predict tendencies for deficiencies or sufficiencies of evaluated micronutrients. One hundred fifty‐four soil samples were collected from the surface 30 cm of fields in the Kootenai River floodplain during 1989 and 1990. Six soi...

Dilatational plastic equations, which can include the effects of ductile damage, are derived based on the equivalency in expressions for dissipated plastic work. Void damage developed internally at the large-strain stage is represented by an effective continuum being strain-softened and plastically dilated. Accumulation of this local damage leads to progressive failure in materials. With regard to this microstructural background, the constitutive parameters included for characterizing material behaviour have the sense of internal variables. They are not able to be determined explicitly by macroscopic testing but rather through computer simulation of experimental curves and data. Application of this constitutive model to mode-I cracking examples demonstrates that a huge strain concentration accompanied by a substantial drop of stress does occur near the crack tip. Eventually, crack propagation is simulated by using finite elements in computations. Two numerical examples show good accordance with experimental data. The whole procedure of study serves as a justification of the constitutive formulation proposed in the text.

It is accepted practice to test field‐cast cylinders in the laboratory under control conditions, then assume that the determined strength is representative of the compressive strength of the concrete in the structure itself. In recent years, pullout tests have been increasingly used to evaluate the compressive strength of in‐place concrete. In this paper, it is emphasized that concrete subjected to a pull‐out force experiences a complex state of behavior, the existence of which cannot be attributed to a uniaxial state of stress. First, a brief review of the experimental studies is presented, and the relevant theoretical studies are evaluated. This is followed by a discussion of the numerical modeling scheme adopted in the present study. Finally, along with a parameter study, the writers describe the progressive failure of concrete subjected to pullout tests based on their plastic‐fracture predictive finite element analysis.

Standardization of the P soil test procedures is desirable; however, both NaOAc and NaHCO3 are currently used to extract P from soils in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA. The purpose of this...

Phosphorus availability is a major nutritional problem in several northern Idaho soils. Traditionally, fertilizers containing P have been applied to improve availability in soils; however, organic materials added to soils have the ability to provide large quantities of labile P via mineralization processes and to reduce sorption of P. Using this concept, plant residues applied to soils would increase P availability for future plant needs. This research evaluated the effect of plant residue, incorporated into a Northern Idaho soil, on P availability under controlled laboratory conditions. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), pea (Pisum sativum) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) plant residues were incorporated into soil collected from the Ap horizon of a Latahco silt loam (fine‐silty, mixed, frigid Argiaquic Xeric Argialboll) at rates of 0, 1, 5 and 10% (w/w). The soils were incubated at soil water potentials of ‐0.05, ‐0.15 and ‐0.40 MPa, and temperatures of 10, 20 and 30°C over a 20 week period. Soils were sa...

We prepared anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies (Ab2) against FC2 and HNL5 that recognized as nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) associated antigens. These Ab2, which designated as 2H4 and 5D3, could inhibit the binding of FC2 or HNL5 to NPC cell lines. The anti-sera from the immunized mice that contained anti-anti-idiotype antibodies (Ab3) could compete with FC2 or HNL5 for binding with NPC cell by a competitive inhibition assay. When 2H4 or 5D3 immunized mice coupled with keyhole limpet hemocyanin(KLH), positive and specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction occurred after the mice were stimulated by NPC cells. The proliferative response of the splenocytes was significantly higher in experimental groups than that in control groups. Therefore, it is suggested that the anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab2) 2H4 and 5D3 are the Ab2 beta bearing the internal image of the epitope of NPC associated antigen, that either 2H4 or 5D3 expressing three dimensional shapes which resemble the structure of natural antigens can induce humoral and cellular immune response.

We report a new strategy for the generation of human anticolon cancer monoclonal antibodies based on the molecular cloning and expression of immunoglobulin variable region cDNAs derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) that were transformed by EBV. The immortalized B cells secreting tumor-specific antibodies were identified by HRT-18 cell ELISA and cloned by limiting dilution. Heavy- and light-chain VH-CH1 (gamma) and V kappa-C kappa cDNAs were rescued from ELISA-positive cells wells by RT-PCR. VH and V kappa were amplified by 2nd PCR and linked them together by 3rd PCR assembly with the use of a (Gly4Ser)3 linker. The ScFv cDNAs were then cloned into the fUSE 5 vector and displayed on phage. Phage clones were selected on HRT-18 cells and normal human PBMC. ELISA tested phage clones randomly picked after each panning step.80% of the clones showed a strong ELISA reaction, demonstrating the effectiveness of the panning procedure for selecting anticolon cancer antibodies. This approach offers an effective method by combining in vitro immunization, B-cell expansion for enrichment of specific B-lymphocytes, PCR gene cloning and phage display to make high-affinity human anticolon cancer monoclonal antibody molecules.

The Ku70/80 autoantigens (Ku) are the DNA-binding components of a DNA-dependent protein kinase (PK) involved in DNA double strand breaks repairing a V(D)J recombination. Because apoptosis is associated with DNA fragmentation and, consequently, creation of double strand breaks, and a variety of DNA-damaging drugs kill tumor cells by apoptosis, we tested the impact of Ku deficiency on the sensitivity of anticancer drugs. Ku-null mutant cell lines Ku70-/- and Ku80-/- were highly sensitive to anticancer drugs, compared with their wild-type cells. Ku-deficient cells were more sensitive to bleomycin-induced DNA fragmentation and exhibited a higher level of c-jun NH2-kinase/stress-activated PK activity than wild-type cells, whereas R7080-6 cells overexpressing both human Ku70 and Ku80 were resistant to bleomycin-induced apoptosis and exhibited a lower level of c-jun NH2-kinase/stress-activated PK activity. The Ku-protein level and Ku DNA binding activity were decreased after treatment with bleomycin, adriamycin, or vincristine, and the decreases were blocked by the treatment of z-DEVD-fmk, a specific inhibitor of caspase-3, suggesting that loss of Ku DNA binding is, in part, due to a caspase-mediated decrease in Ku protein levels. By contrast, HSF1 DNA-binding activity was increased by the treatment of these anticancer drugs and, subsequently, mitochondrial heat shock protein HSP75 was specifically induced. Our data suggest that Ku can affect the susceptibility to anticancer drug-induced apoptosis.