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Several thousand tracers from a 2D model of a thermonuclear supernova were used in a Monte Carlo post-processing approach to determine p-nuclide abundance uncertainties originating from nuclear physics uncertainties in the reaction rates.

A series of rigid cyanuryl polyimines, polyguanamines (PGs) bearing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pendants were successfully synthesized from 2-substituted 4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine and aromatic diamine monomers used in conventional solution polymerization. In addition, their thermal and optical properties were also investigated. All polymers showed high thermostabilities (Tg ∼ 320 °C, Td5 (N2) ∼ 466 °C, residue at 800 °C under nitrogen ∼69.0%) and adequate solubilities in polar organic solvents. Films prepared by the solvent-cast method showed good transparencies, which mainly depended on the diamine structure as opposed to the dichloride moiety. The refractive indices at the D-line (589 nm) of the PG films were unexpectedly high, between 1.677 and 1.800, compared to those of common organic optical polymeric resins. The incorporated melamine moieties afforded effective dense packing with the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon groups filling the free spaces between rigid polymer chains, resulting in unusually high refractive indices. The PG polymer solution in N-methylpyrrolidone showed strong blue fluorescence (371–471 nm) with a quantum yield of up to 98%.

TP53 is a tumor suppressor gene that is mutated in 50% of cancers, and its function is tightly regulated by the E3 ligase, Mdm2. Both p53 and Mdm2 are localized in the cell nucleus, a site that is impervious to therapeutic regulation by most antibodies. We identified a cell-penetrating lupus monoclonal anti-DNA antibody, mAb 3E10, that targets the nucleus, and we engineered mAb 3E10 to function as an intranuclear transport system to deliver therapeutic antibodies into the nucleus as bispecific single chain Fv (scFv) fragments. Bispecific scFvs composed of 3E10 include PAb421 (3E10-PAb421) that binds p53 and restores the function of mutated p53, and 3G5 (3E10-3G5) that binds Mdm2 and prevents destruction of p53 by Mdm2. We documented the therapeutic efficacy of these bispecific scFvs separately in previous studies. In this study, we show that combination therapy with 3E10-PAb421 and 3E10-3G5 augments growth inhibition of cells with p53 mutations compared to the effect of either antibody alone. By contrast, no enhanced response was observed in cells with wild-type p53 or in cells homozygous null for p53.

Uncertainties in nucleosynthesis models originating from uncertainties in astrophysical reaction rates were estimated in a Monte Carlo variation procedure. Thousands of rates were simultaneously varied within individual, temperature-dependent errors to calculate their combined effect on final abundances. After a presentation of the method, results from application to three different nucleosynthesis processes are shown: the $\gamma$-process and the s-process in massive stars, and the main s-process in AGB stars (preliminary results). Thermal excitation of nuclei in the stellar plasma and the combined action of several reactions increase the final uncertainties above the level of the experimental errors. The total uncertainty, on the other hand, remains within a factor of two even in processes involving a large number of unmeasured rates, with some notable exceptions for nuclides whose production is spread over several stellar layers and for s-process branchings., Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures; Proceedings of OMEG 2017, Daejeon, Korea, June 27-30, 2017; to appear in AIP Conf. Proc

We have investigated the revival of a shock wave by nuclear burning reactions at the central region of core-collapse supernovae. For this purpose, we performed hydrodynamic simulations of core collapse and bounce for 15 M⊙ progenitor model, using ZEUS-MP code in axi-symmetric coordinates. Our numerical code is equipped with a simple nuclear reaction network including 13 α nuclei form 4He to 56Ni, and accounting for energy feedback from nuclear reactions as well as neutrino heating and cooling. We found that the energy released by nuclear reactions is significantly helpful in accelerating shock waves and is able to produce energetic explosion even if the input neutrino luminosity is low.

Background Although early reperfusion is the most desirable intervention after ischemic myocardial insult, it may add to damage through oxidative stress. Objectives This study investigated the cardioprotective effects of a single intravenous dose of heat shock protein-72 (HSP72) coupled to a single-chain variable fragment (Fv) of monoclonal antibody 3E10 (3E10Fv) in a rabbit ischemia-reperfusion model. The Fv facilitates rapid transport of HSP72 into cells, even with intact membranes. Methods A left coronary artery occlusion (40 min) reperfusion (3 h) model was used in 31 rabbits. Of these, 12 rabbits received the fusion protein (Fv-HSP72) intravenously. The remaining 19 control rabbits received a molar equivalent of 3E10Fv alone (n = 6), HSP72 alone (n = 6), or phosphate-buffered saline (n = 7). Serial echocardiographic examinations were performed to assess left ventricular function before and after reperfusion. Micro–single-photon emission computed tomography imaging of 99mTc-labeled annexin-V was performed with micro–computed tomography scanning to characterize apoptotic damage in vivo, followed by gamma counting of the excised myocardial specimens to quantify cell death. Histopathological characterization of the myocardial tissue and sequential cardiac troponin I measurements were also undertaken. Results Myocardial annexin-V uptake was 43% lower in the area at risk (p = 0.0003) in Fv-HSP72–treated rabbits compared with control animals receiving HSP72 or 3E10Fv alone. During reperfusion, troponin I release was 42% lower and the echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction 27% higher in the Fv-HSP72–treated group compared with control animals. Histopathological analyses confirmed penetration of 3E10Fv-containing molecules into cardiomyocytes in vivo, and treatment with Fv-HSP72 showed fewer apoptotic nuclei compared with control rabbits. Conclusions Single-dose administration of Fv-HSP72 fusion protein at the time of reperfusion reduced myocardial apoptosis by almost one-half and improved left ventricular functional recovery after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits. It might have potential to serve as an adjunct to early reperfusion in the management of myocardial infarction.

Insects with complex life cycles show a variety of developmental strategies when faced with low nutrient conditions requiring trade-offs in timing and nutrient storage. Previously documented strategies among insects include plasticity or canalization (fixation) of the pupation threshold, postthreshold developmental time, and adult size or stored resources. Using four models previously developed by Juliano et al. (2004), we tested the plasticity of these traits in the aquatic larvae of the frog-biting midge, Corethrella appendiculata Grabham. Rates of prey consumption and timing of pupation of fourth instar midges were compared across a range of prey densities. Model comparisons revealed that final instar C. appendiculata larvae exhibit a canalized pupation threshold followed by a canalized lengthy postthreshold period. Males entered the final instar earlier and reached a significantly lower threshold while females entered later and averaged more prey consumed daily, suggesting differing developmental strategies between sexes. Plasticity in body and egg clutch sizes of females from differing nutrient treatments was observed, but all females produced eggs autogenously. The canalized developmental pattern and long postthreshold period displayed in C. appendiculata is hypothesized to be related to the midge's preference for relatively permanent aquatic habitats.

The purpose of this paper is to prove the reliability of artificial hip joints’ surface generated by the electrolytically treated grinding process; the evaluation was carried out in a hip simulator and animal tests. The evaluation indicated that the fabricated hyper-hemispherical shaped artificial hip joints presented a high quality smoother surface than 10 nm in Ra. The fabricated surface also showed its ability to prevent crystalline phase transition during the hip simulation test, suggesting that the stably modified layer was generated via grinding process. The results of animal test showed that the fabricated surface could have a highly-improved biocompatibility.

The spread of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) eastward in the mid-1980s from its initial establishment in Houston, TX, was associated with rapid declines and local disappearances of Aedes aegypti (L.) in Gulf Coast states and Florida where annual larval surveillance during the early 1990s described temporal and spatial patterns of competitive displacements in cemeteries and tire shops. Approximately 20 yr later in 2013-2014, we re-visited former collection sites and sampled aquatic immatures of these two species from tire shops in 10 cities on State Route 441 and from 9 cemeteries from Lakeland to Miami in southwest Florida. In the recent samples Ae. aegypti was recovered from three central Florida cities where it had not been detected in 1994, but its northern limit on Rte. 441, Apopka, did not change. Other evidence, such as trends at a few cemeteries, suggested a moderate resurgence of this species since 1994. Cage experiments that exposed female progeny of Ae. aegypti from recent Florida collection sites to interspecific mating by Ae. albopictus males showed that females from coexistence sites had evolved resistance to cross-mating, but Ae. aegypti from sites with no Ae. albopictus were relatively susceptible to satyrization. Habitat classifications of collection sites were reduced by principal component (PC) analysis to four variables that accounted for > 99% of variances; PCs with strong positive loadings for tree cover and ground vegetation were associated with collection sites yielding only Ae. albopictus Within the coexistence range of the two species, the numbers of Ae. aegypti among total Aedes collected were strongly correlated in stepwise logistic regression models with two habitat-derived PCs, distance from the coast, and annual rainfall and mean maximum temperatures at the nearest weather station. Subtle increases in the range of Ae. aegypti since its previous displacements are interpreted in the context of the evolution of resistance to mating interference, realized versus fundamental niches of the two species, and persisting competition with Ae. albopictus.

The success of an invasive species in a new region depends on its interactions with ecologically similar resident species. Invasions by disease vector mosquitoes are important as they may have ecological and epidemiological consequences. Potential interactions of a recent invasive mosquito, Aedes japonicus Theobald, with resident species in Virginia were evaluated by sampling larvae from containers and trapping adults. Distinct species compositions were observed for artificial containers and rock pools, with Ae. albopictus most abundant in the former and Ae. japonicus in the latter. However, these two species were found to co-occur in 21.2% of containers sampled. Among the six mosquito species most common in containers from May through September, 2006, only interspecific associations of Ae. japonicus with Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes triseriatus (Say) were significant, and both were negative. In addition to differences in habitat preference, mean crowding estimates suggest that interspecific repulsion may contribute to the significant negative associations observed between these species. High relative abundances of late instars and pupae of Ae. japonicus seem to provide this species with a mechanism of evading competition with Ae. albopictus, facilitating their coexistence in artificial containers. Although annual fluctuations were observed, trends in adult populations over a 6-yr period provide no evidence of declines. In summary, this survey of diverse container types and all life stages provided only limited evidence for competitive displacements or reductions of resident container species by Ae. japonicus, as observed elsewhere in its invasive range.

The therapeutic use of antibodies is restricted by the limited access of antibodies to intracellular compartments. To overcome this limitation, we developed a cell-penetrating monoclonal antibody, mAb 3E10, as an intracellular delivery vehicle for the intracellular and intranuclear delivery of antibodies constructed as bispecific single-chain Fv fragments. Because MDM2 is an important target in cancer therapy, we selected monoclonal antibody (mAb) 3G5 for intracellular transport. mAb 3G5 binds MDM2 and blocks binding of MDM2 to p53. Here, we show that the resulting 3E10-3G5 bispecific antibody retains cell-penetrating and MDM2-binding activity, increases tumor p53 levels, and inhibits growth of MDM2-addicted tumors. The use of cell-penetrating bispecific antibodies in targeted molecular therapy will significantly broaden the spectrum of accessible intracellular targets and may have a profound impact in cancer therapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(10); 2169–73. ©2012 AACR.

Upon mating, male mosquitoes transfer accessory gland proteins (Acps) that induce refractoriness to further mating in females. This can also occur because of cross-insemination by males of related species, a process known as mating interference (satyrization). This mechanism could explain the competitive displacement of resident Aedes aegypti by the invasive Aedes albopictus where they co-occur. We tested this hypothesis in mosquito populations in Florida. A new polymerase chain reaction species diagnostic applied to sperm dissected from 304 field-collected females revealed bidirectional cross-mating in five (1.6%) individuals. Cross-injections of females with Acps showed that Ae. albopictus males induced monogamy in heterospecific females but not Ae. aegypti males. Despite its low frequency in the areas under study, the first evidence of cross-mating in nature and the asymmetric effect of Acps on mating suggest that satyrization may have initially contributed to the observed competitive reduction of Ae. aegypti by invasive Ae. albopictus in many areas.

Foxp3 is a nuclear transcription factor that is both a tumor suppressor factor and regulator of T-regulatory cell (Treg) function, and is a potential therapeutic target in both autoimmunity and cancer. In order to distinguish molecular pathways responsible for these separate Foxp3 functions, deletion mutants of Foxp3 proteins were transduced and analyzed for cytotoxic activity in human cancer cell lines Skov3, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and Jurkat. Human Foxp3 cDNA mutants were amplified and ligated to produce plasmids for direct cell transfection. Constructs were produced and confirmed by DNA sequencing. Lipofectamine 2000 was used for plasmid transfection. Foxp3 cells were then examined. The results of our experiments reveal retention of tumor suppressor function in the absence of NFAT binding and transcriptional activation required for Treg function. Our results have significant implications for the design of autoimmune and cancer therapies that target Foxp3 and Treg cells.

Within 2 yr of the arrival of the invasive container mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse), the previously dominant invasive mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) disappeared from many Florida cemeteries. At some cemeteries, however, Ae. aegypti populations seem stable despite Ae. albopictus invasion. We sought to understand this variation in the outcome (exclusion, coexistence) of this invasion, given that previous experiments show that Ae. albopictus is the superior larval competitor. We tested experimentally the hypothesis that climate-dependent egg survivorship differs between exclusion and coexistence cemeteries and that differences in invasion outcome are associated with microclimate. Viability of eggs oviposited in the laboratory and suspended in vases at six cemeteries was significantly greater for Ae. aegypti than for Ae. albopictus, and greater in 2001 than in 2006. Cemeteries differed significantly in egg survivorship of Ae. albopictus, but not of Ae. aegypti, which is consistent with the hypothesis that Ae. albopictus suffers site-specific, climate-driven egg mortality that mitigates the competitive superiority of larval Ae. albopictus. Principal component (PC) analysis of microclimate records from vases during the experiments yielded three PCs accounting for >96% of the variance in both years of experiments. Multivariate analysis of variance of the three PCs revealed significant microclimate differences among the six cemeteries and between exclusion versus coexistence cemeteries. Stepwise logistic regression of egg survivorship versus microclimate PCs yielded significant fits for both species, and twice as much variance explained for Ae. albopictus as for Ae. aegypti in both years, Higher mortalities in 2006 were associated with high average daily maximum temperatures in vases, with lethal thresholds for both species at ≈40°C. From 1990 to 2007, vase occupancy by Ae. albopictus increased and that by Ae. aegypti decreased, with increasing seasonal precipitation at one well-sampled cemetery. Results support the hypothesis that locally variable climate-driven mortality of Ae. albopictus eggs contributes to patterns of exclusion of, or coexistence with, Ae. aegypti.

Background and Purpose— This study investigated the effects of intravenous recombinant Fv-Hsp70 protein on infarction volume and behavior after experimental ischemic stroke. Methods— Focal cerebral ischemia was produced by occluding the middle cerebral artery using the intraluminal suture technique. Rats subjected to 2 hours of focal ischemia were allowed to survive 24 hours. At 2¼ hours and 3 hours after onset of ischemia, Fv-Hsp70 recombinant protein (0.5 mg/kg) or saline was injected through the tail vein. Sensorimotor function and infarction volume were assessed at 24 hours after ischemia. Results— Administration of Fv-Hsp70 after focal cerebral ischemia significantly decreased infarct volume by 68% and significantly improved sensorimotor function compared with the saline-treated control group. Western blots showed Fv-Hsp70 in ischemic but not in control brain; and Fv-Hsp70 suppressed endogenous Hsp70. Conclusion— Fv-Hsp70 protected the ischemic brain in this experimental stroke model.

Native predators are postulated to have an important role in biotic resistance of communities to invasion and community resilience. Effects of predators can be complex, and mechanisms by which predators affect invasion success and impact are understood for only a few well-studied communities. We tested experimentally whether a native predator limits an invasive species' success and impact on a native competitor for a community of aquatic insect larvae in water-filled containers. The native mosquito Aedes triseriatus alone had no significant effect on abundance of the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus. The native predatory midge Corethrella appendiculata, at low or high density, significantly reduced A. albopictus abundance. This effect was not caused by trait-mediated oviposition avoidance of containers with predators, but instead was a density-mediated effect caused by predator-induced mortality. The presence of this predator significantly reduced survivorship of the native species, but high predator density also significantly increased development rate of the native species when the invader was present, consistent with predator-mediated release from interspecific competition with the invader. Thus, a native predator can indirectly benefit its native prey when a superior competitor invades. This shows the importance of native predators as a component of biodiversity for both biotic resistance to invasion and resilience of a community perturbed by successful invasion.

To provide for the future progression of the theoretical calculations beyond the adiabatic approximation by taking account of not only the electronic wave functions but also the nuclear wave functions, the formation energy, ΔfEtotal, determined experimentally from the ground state to the thermally excited state is inevitably necessary. In the present study, for each intermetallic compounds of the Mg-Zn and Mg-La binary systems, the standard enthalpy of formation, ΔfH, which is defined as the sum of ΔfEtotal and the volume work, pΔfV, was determined from 2 K to high temperature by combining solution calorimetry with heat capacity measurement. Because the pΔfV term for solids is negligibly small, the ΔfEtotal values at T are approximately equal to the measured ΔfH values. Thus the ΔfEtotal values obtained extrapolated to 0 K from the data measured near 2 K were consistent with ones obtained by the ab initio FLAPW energetic calculation. Temperature dependences of the ΔfEtotal values were small below 20 K. However, the ΔfEtotal values over 20 K decreased linearly as a function of temperature due to the enhanced lattice vibration. In the near future, the ΔfEtotal values obtained in the present study will be used for constructing the nuclear wave functions in solids. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009

A thermoelectroelastic problem of a functionally graded piezoelectric material (FGPM) strip containing an annular crack is solved. It is assumed that the thermoelectroelastic properties of the strip vary continuously along the thickness of the strip, and that the strip is under the thermoelectric loadings. The crack faces are supposed to be insulated thermally and electrically. Using integral transform techniques, the problem is reduced to that of solving a singular integral equation and a system of singular integral equations. Numerical calculations are carried out, and the variations of the stress and electric displacement intensity factors are plotted against the geometric parameters for some values of the material non-homogeneity parameters.

mTORC2 is a multiprotein kinase composed of mTOR, mLST8, PRR5, mSIN1 and Rictor. The complex is insensitive to rapamycin and has demonstrated functions controlling cell growth, motility, invasion and cytoskeletal assembly. mTORC2 is the major hydrophobic domain kinase which renders Akt fully active via phosphorylation on serine 473. We isolated Hsp70 as a putative Rictor interacting protein in a yeast two-hybrid assay and confirmed this interaction via co-immunoprecipitation and colocalization experiments. In cells expressing an antisense RNA targeting Hsp70, mTORC2 formation and activity were impaired. Moreover, in cells lacking Hsp70 expression, mTORC2 activity was inhibited following heat shock while controls demonstrated increased mTORC2 activity. These differential effects on mTORC2 activity were specific, in that mTORC1 did not demonstrate Hsp70-dependent alterations under these conditions. These data suggest that Hsp70 is a component of mTORC2 and is required for proper assembly and activity of the kinase both constitutively and following heat shock.

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Aedes japonicus (Theobald) are two of the most recent and widespread invasive mosquito species to have become established in the United States. The two species co-occur in water-filled artificial containers, where crowding and limiting resources are likely to promote inter- or intraspecific larval competition. The performance of northern Virginia populations of Ae. japonicus and Ae. albopictus competing as larvae under field conditions was evaluated. Per capita rates of population increase for each species were estimated, and the effects of species composition and larval density were determined. In water-containing cups provided with oak leaves, Ae. albopictus larvae exhibited a competitive advantage over Ae. japonicus as a consequence of higher survivorship, shorter developmental time, and a significantly higher estimated population growth rate under conditions of interspecific competition. Intraspecific competition constrained population performance of Ae. albopictus significantly more than competition with Ae. japonicus. In the context of the Lotka-Volterra model of competition, these findings suggest competitive exclusion of Ae. japonicus in those habitats where this species co-occurs with Ae. albopictus.

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) is a G protein-coupled receptor that “senses” extracellular calcium ions (Ca2+o) as an extracellular first messenger. In this report, we have shown that the CaR is expressed in primary cultures of microglial cells derived from rat brain as assessed by RT-PCR using four CaR-specific primer pairs followed by sequencing of the amplified products, by northern blot analysis using a CaR-specific probe, as well as by immunocytochemistry and western analysis utilizing a specific polyclonal anti-CaR antiserum. In addition, raising Ca2+, from 0.75 to 3.0 mM or addition of the polycationic CaR agonist neomycin or a “calcimimetic” CaR activator (R-467; NPS Pharmaceuticals) increased the open state probability (Po) of a Ca+-activated Kf channel having a unitary conductance of 84 ± 4 pS, indicating that the channel is modulated by the CaR. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that a functional CaR is expressed in cultured rat microglia, similar to that in parathyroid gland and kidney, which could potentially play an important role(s) in regulating microglial function.

The applicability of numerical simulation to the sheet metal drawing by Maslennikov's technique is examined. A circular cup drawing process is numerically simulated using the dynamic explicit finite element code DYNA3D. The effect of the forming parameters, such as dimension and hardness of the rubber ring, frictional coefficient of the interface between the sheet and the rubber ring and mechanical properties of the sheet, on the sheet deformation is investigated. The increment in the cup depth obtained by each drawing operation tends to decrease with the number of times of the operations. The effect of frictional coefficient of the interface between the sheet and the rubber ring on the sheet deformation is not prominent. The sheet drawing with a harder rubber produces the deeper cup. On the other hand, the sallower cup is obtained with a thicker rubber ring. These demonstrated deformation behaviors are considered qualitatively adequate, therefore, it is concluded that the numerical simulation may be helpful in determining the forming conditions for the sheet metal drawing by Maslennikov's technique.

Hydrophilic porous Si is prepared by surface modification with polyethylene oxide (PEO) molecules. The surface modification is confirmed by infrared absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The effect of surface modification on the efficiency of photosensitization of oxygen molecules, i.e., the efficiency of singlet oxygen generation, is studied. The PEO-terminated hydrophilic porous Si is shown to hold the photosensitization ability although the efficiency is reduced by the modification.

A nuclear-penetrating lupus anti-DNA autoantibody, 3E10, has been found to inhibit DNA repair and selectively kill certain cancer cells that are highly vulnerable to DNA damage. In addition, a 3E10 single chain variable fragment (scFv) has been developed for use as a delivery vehicle to carry therapeutic cargo proteins into cell nuclei. A greater understanding of the mechanism by which 3E10 penetrates cell nuclei is needed to help determine the scope of its potential therapeutic applications. Here we show that the presence of extracellular DNA significantly enhances the nuclear uptake of 3E10 scFv. In addition, we find that 3E10 scFv preferentially localizes into tumor cell nuclei in vivo, likely due to increased DNA in the local environment released from ischemic and necrotic regions of tumor. These data provide insight into the mechanism of nuclear penetration by 3E10 and demonstrate the potential for use of 3E10 in therapeutic approaches to diseases ranging from malignancy to ischemic conditions such as stroke.

The F(1) hybrid of autoimmune hemolytic anemia-prone NZB and nonautoimmune NZW strains of mice has been studied as a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus. Both NZB and F(1) hybrid mice show age-dependent spontaneous activation of peripheral CD4(+) T cells as reflected by the elevated frequencies of CD4(+) T cells positive for CD69 early activation marker. Both strains also show age-dependent abnormal decrease of the frequencies of CD62L(+) naive CD4(+) T cells and/or NTA260(+) memory CD4(+) T cells in the spleen. We studied the multigenic control of these abnormal features of peripheral CD4(+) T cells in (NZB x NZW) F(1) x NZW backcross mice by quantitative trait loci mapping and by association rule analysis. The abnormally elevated frequencies of CD69(+)CD4(+) T cells and decreased frequencies of CD62L(+) naive and/or NTA260(+) memory CD4(+) T cells were under the common genetic control, in which the interaction between MHC and a hitherto unknown locus, designated Sta-1 (spontaneous T-cell activation) on chromosome 12, plays a major role. The allelic effects of these loci likely predispose CD4(+) T cells to the loss of self-tolerance, and are responsible for the accelerated autoimmune phenotypes of (NZB x NZW) F(1) hybrid mice.

Japanese experience of steam oxidation behavior of advanced heat-resistant steel tubes in power boilers is discussed. Severe scale separation, cracking, and exfoliation were observed in T91 pendant reheater tubing in a Japanese utility boiler after around 40,000 hours of operation. Separation occurred at the interface between the inner and outer layers of scale. A high-pressure steam oxidation test rig in which the steam conditions could be controlled in a similar manner to that of an actual boiler was developed and T91 steel samples were tested up to 10,269 hours. The scale separation behavior of T91 was reproduced in the steam oxidation test. The growth rate of T91 was lower than that for conventional 9Cr-1Mo steel reported by EPRI. The scale separation was related to void formation at the interface between the inner and outer layers of scale, as well as the transformation of magnetite into hematite in the outer layer. Field exposure testing was carried out for T23 and T122 for 80,000 hours, and...

Protein therapy refers to the direct delivery of therapeutic proteins to cells and tissues with the goal of ameliorating or modifying a disease process. Current techniques for delivering proteins across cell membranes include taking advantage of receptor-mediated endocytosis or using protein transduction domains that penetrate directly into cells. The most commonly used protein transduction domains are small cell-penetrating peptides derived from such proteins as the HIV-1 Tat protein. A novel protein transduction domain developed as the single chain fragment (Fv) of a murine anti-DNA autoantibody, mAb 3E10, has recently been developed and used to deliver biologically active proteins to living cellsin vitro. This review will provide a brief overview of the development of the Fv fragment and provide a summary of recent studies using Fv to deliver therapeutic peptides and proteins (such as a C-terminal p53 peptide, C-terminal p53 antibody fragment, full-length p53, and micro-dystrophin) to cells.

Fluorescence characteristics of Yb 3+ :Ce 3+ :Er 3+ -codoped fluoride glasses is reported. Yb 3+ codoping improved the excitation efficiency at 980 nm pumping and Ce 3+ codoping improved the branching ratio of the Er 3+ 4 I 11/2 – 4 I 13/2 transition level, resulting in an enhancement in the fluorescence quantum yield at 1550 nm. The energy transfer dynamics of the Yb 3+ :Ce 3+ :Er 3+ -codoped fluoride glass was also analyzed based on a rate equation model. The separately measured energy transfer rates between Yb 3+ and Er 3+ , and between Er 3+ and Ce 3+ agreed to some extent with the theoretical simulation based on the rate equation model at a lower Yb 3+ concentration (

Summary Aim : To assess safety and clinical efficacy of granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis for distal ulcerative colitis. Methods : Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis therapy (five aphereses for 5 consecutive weeks) was performed for 30 consecutive patients with active distal ulcerative colitis. Patient compliance, adverse effects and clinical symptoms were regularly assessed. Results : Adverse effects were noted during nine (6%) apheresis sessions in eight patients; slight headache five, transient abdominal pain with tenesmus two, fever (38 °C) one and mild liver dysfunction one. None of these adverse effects was serious and all patients could complete five aphereses. Clinical symptoms (stool frequency and consistency, rectal bleeding, tenesmus and mucus in stools) significantly improved after the third apheresis. Clinical remission (normal stool frequency and no rectal bleeding) was achieved in 21 patients (70%) after five aphereses. The median Disease Activity Index score significantly decreased; from 6 [interquartile range (IQR): 4–7] to 2 (IQR: 1–3) (P

Dynamics of forward energy transfer and backward energy transfer processes in fluorozirconate glass doubly doped with Yb3+ and Er3+ have been explained by “rate equation” and “fluorescence transfer function” models. From the rate equation analysis, macroscopic energy transfer parameters, the cross-relaxation coefficients, were determined to be 1.36×10−17 and 3.38×10 −17 s −1 cm 3 for the forward energy transfer (Yb3+→Er3+) and the backward transfer (Er3+→Yb3+), respectively. Based on the fluorescence “transfer-function” model, the kinetics of the energy transfer processes between Yb3+ and Er3+ ions has been analyzed, and the microscopic energy transfer parameters of the Yb:Er-codoped system, the critical radii, were derived as 13.0 and 18.0 A for the donor–acceptor (Yb3+→Er3+) and the acceptor–donor (Er3+→Yb3+), respectively. The 1.55 μm band emission property of the rare-earth-codoped fluoride glass systems has been discussed.

This paper describes an experimental investigation of the coagulation of particles in oil accelerated by the action of an a.c. electric field. The ultimate goal of the investigation is to develop a high-performance electrostatic filter for insulating liquids. In order to reveal the coagulation mechanism and find out the mechanical conditions suitable for the coagulation, the effects of various factors on the coagulation are investigated using spherical silica particles of 2, 4 and 6 μm in diameter. The coagulating state of the silica particles in oil is observed using a video-microscope with a CCD (charge coupled device) camera under various conditions. It is shown that the coagulation is better promoted with larger particles and that the particles having a small diameter are not easily coagulated. It is also shown that the oscillation amplitude relative to the double-layer thickness dominates the coagulation phenomenon. The experimental results suggest that when the surface charge on a particle and the charge in the surrounding double layer are appropriately polarized by the influence of the a.c. electric field, the coagulation is accelerated by virtue of a (relatively) strong attractive force acting between two-particle-double-layer pairs.

1. Immatures of the invasive container mosquito Aedes albopictus occur in water-holding tanks and axils of ornamental bromeliads in Florida, where this species established and became abundant in the late 1980s and early 1990s. 2. The numbers of A. albopictus in bromeliads in gardens vary geographically in Florida, being significantly higher in northern sites where two species of Wyeomyia mosquitoes, native specialists of this microhabitat, are absent. 3. Causes of the negative relationship between abundances of A. albopictus and Wyeomyia spp. were investigated experimentally using Billbergia pyramidalis, an introduced bromeliad popular in Florida gardens. 4. Egg laying by A. albopictus in B. pyramidalis confined in a large outdoor cage was unaffected by the presence or absence of Wyeomyia spp. fourth instars, indicating that immatures of the native bromeliad mosquito species do not deter oviposition by the invasive species in this microhabitat. 5. Growth and survivorship of A. albopictus first instars in tanks of B. pyramidalis were negatively affected by the presence of fourth instar, but not first instar, Wyeomyia spp. larvae at natural densities. Stimulative effects of leaf litter on A. albopictus growth and survivorship in this microhabitat were independent of the presence or absence of Wyeomyia spp. immatures. 6. These results demonstrate that interspecific larval interactions regulate the production and explain the geographic patterns in abundance of A. albopictus from ornamental bromeliads in Florida.

We investigated the population structure and spatial pattern of major trees in a subalpine old-growth coniferous forest stand in the Ontake Forest Reserve of central Japan to examine the coexistence strategies of different species. We mapped all stems ≥5 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) on a 2 ha plot. The stand contained nine woody plant species and 1508 living stems with a combined basal area of 55.6 m2 ha−1. The four major species were divided into two groups based on density and size/age structure. Group A (Abies mariesii and Abies veitchii) had a lower maximum age and higher density than group B, as well as reverse J- or L-shaped dbh distribution of live stems. Species in group B (Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis and Tsuga diversifolia) had very few stems in the understory, higher maximum ages than group A, and bell-shaped dbh distributions. Group B species may compensate for having fewer stems in the understory by having a longer lifespan, while species in group A may compensate for lower longevity by having numerous young stems in the understory. Canopy and understory stems of the four major coniferous species were patchily distributed throughout the plot. The distribution of canopy stems of species in group B was negatively associated with that of group A, but positively associated with understory stems in their own group. Similarly, the distribution of canopy stems of species in group A was negatively associated with that of understory stems of group B species. These results suggest species differences in favourable canopy and forest floor condition. Differences in life history strategies and site preferences may explain the coexistence of these species.

Aim: To observe hemichrome formation in human haemoglobin A under various buffer conditions. Method: Hemichrome formation of human oxyhaemoglobin A (HbO2) was studied spectrophotometrically in 0.1 m buffer at various temperatures and pH values. Results: Following autoxidation in ferrous HbO2, it was evident that formation of hemichrome, which tends to precipitate, occurred at various stages during the course of the autoxidation reaction namely at initial, intermediate or final stages, depending on temperature and pH of the solution. By varying temperature of the solution from 35 to 55 °C and pH from 4.5 to 10.5, it is shown here that HbO2 exhibits high susceptibility for hemichrome formation and its occurrence is a function of pH, temperature and progress of autoxidation of HbO2. Unlike HbO2 and its separated haemoglobin chains, monomeric bovine heart myoglobin (MbO2) did not easily form hemichrome. Conclusion: These findings provide a clue on the crucial role of haemoglobin molecule for senescent cell recognition or homeostasis in the blood circulation.

IV–VI diluted magnetic semiconductor Ge1−xMnxTe films with various Mn compositions up to x=0.53 were prepared on glass substrates by a rf sputtering method. Magnetic measurements indicate that all the Ge1−xMnxTe films (0.07⩽x⩽053) show ferromagnetic order at low temperatures since hysteretic behavior is clearly observed. The effective spin Seff’s of Mn ions deduced from the spontaneous magnetization at 4.2 K are less than 1.0, indicating that Mn ions are partially aligned ferromagnetically. The value of the Seff depends on the carrier concentration as well as the Mn composition. The magnetic order of the Ge1−xMnxTe films is thus caused by the competition between the ferromagnetic Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida (RKKY) interaction and the antiferromagnetic superexchange mechanism. The Curie temperature based on the mean field approximation increases linearly with increasing Mn composition up to x=0.3 and above this point tends to saturate around 80 K. On the basis of a simple RKKY mechanism, the spin exchang...

The regeneration mode of major tree species (Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl., Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc., Chamaecyparis pisifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl., Quercus mongolica Fischer ex Turcz., Magnolia obovata Thunb. and Betula grossa Sieb. et Zucc.) in relation to four canopy conditions (closed evergreen conifer canopy, closed evergreen conifer canopy adjacent to canopy gap (gap-adjacent), canopy gap, and closed deciduous broad-leaved tree (DBL) species canopy) was studied from 1988 to 1998 in a 4-ha permanent plot in the Akasawa Forest Reserve, central Japan. The vertical distribution of stems and the major species composition in four height (canopy; ≥25 m tall overtopping neighboring trees, subcanopy; ≥25 m tall, middle; ≥10 m tall, and understory

The growth dynamics and mode of competition between adult trees ≥ 5.0cm in diameter at breast height (DBH) of nine abundant treespeciesoccupying ca. 85% of the total basal area were investigated in a 4ha study plot (200 m × 200 m) of awarm-temperate old-growth evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Tatera ForestReserve of Tsushima Island, southwestern Japan. In the plot, adult trees ≥5.0 cm DBH co-occurred with 35 woody plant species (except forwoody vine species). The most dominant and largest species,Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldiiexhibited a bimodal DBH distribution; it was found in both the upper and lowervertical layers. Other tree species had unimodal DBH distributionscorrespondingmostly to the lower vertical layer. We developed a model for individual growthincorporating both intra- and interspecific competition and degree ofcompetitive asymmetry. One-sided interspecific competition was detected in 17cases out of the 66 possible combinations on the scale of the 4 hastudy plot. The direction of interspecific competition was generally one-sidedfrom layer-I species to layer-II and III ones. The effects of two-sidedcompetition were detected only in layer-II and III species. OnlyDistylium racemosum exhibited one-sided intraspecificcompetition. We also found 11 cases of positive interspecific relationships.Generally, competitive relationships prevailed over positive relationshipsbetween adult trees in this warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved forest.Competition between adult trees ≥ 5.0 cm in DBH did not occurinthe same vertical layer, but occurred only between trees in different verticallayers. This suggests that competition between adult trees ≥ 5.0cm in DBH plays a key role in the variation in species coexistencebetween different vertical layers on the 4 ha scale of thewarm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved forests. Moreover, it was found bycomparing with three different forest types that interspecific competition ismore intense in warm-temperate forests than in cool-temperate or sub-borealforests. We conclude that, compared to cool-temperate or sub-boreal forests(which have little interspecific competition), warm-temperate forests supportmore complex interspecific relationships and species-specific habitatpreferences that result in higher species diversity.