Using aeration and insulation to reduce grain temperature in China grain warehouses

Reducing grain temperature is a safe, effective and economic way to minimize damage to grain. It suppresses the activity of all life forms in a grain storage ecosystem. As a result, it stabilizes the grain during storage, reduces loss and keeps freshness. We conducted trials on grain storage facilities (2800-8000 t) in Tianjin, China. The technologies are based on the following factors: the characteristics of local climate (cold dry winters and hot humid summers), large scale storage structure and grain special requirements. Based on these factors, the researchers devised comprehensive and targeted solutions. For example, the insulation of existing large flat top storage was increased, by using various insulation materials in exterior roofing, interior ceiling, walls, vents, windows and doors, using efficient yet economic insulation material in new storage construction. In winter, we used ventilation by natural and forced aeration to maintain low temperatures. In summer, we used insulation and cooling to achieve temperature control. The technology can effectively reduce grain losses and maintain quality by reducing grain respiration, insect and microbial activities. At the same time, it reduces and avoids chemical pollution, protects the grain and the environment from pollution. It achieves low grain loss, low environmental impact, lower cost; high grain quality, high grain nutrient and high efficiency. It is becoming a new direction in scientific grain storage. Keywords: Temperature controlled grain storage, Tianjin, Chin

The chloride channel cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) controls cellular quiescence by hyperpolarizing the cell membrane during diapause in the crustacean Artemia

Cellular quiescence, a reversible state in which growth, proliferation, and other cellular activities are arrested, is important for self-renewal, differentiation, development, regeneration, and stress resistance. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying cellular quiescence remain largely unknown. In the present study, we used embryos of the crustacean Artemia in the diapause stage, in which these embryos remain quiescent for prolonged periods, as a model to explore the relationship between cell-membrane potential (V-mem) and quiescence. We found that V-mem is hyperpolarized and that the intracellular chloride concentration is high in diapause embryos, whereas V-mem is depolarized and intracellular chloride concentration is reduced in postdiapause embryos and during further embryonic development. We identified and characterized the chloride ion channel protein cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) of Artemia (Ar-CFTR) and found that its expression is silenced in quiescent cells of Artemia diapause embryos but remains constant in all other embryonic stages. Ar-CFTR knockdown and GlyH-101-mediated chemical inhibition of Ar-CFTR produced diapause embryos having a high V-mem and intracellular chloride concentration, whereas control Artemia embryos released free-swimming nauplius larvae. Transcriptome analysis of embryos at different developmental stages revealed that proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism are suppressed in diapause embryos and restored in postdiapause embryos. Combined with RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) of GlyH-101-treated MCF-7 breast cancer cells, these analyses revealed that CFTR inhibition down-regulates the Wnt and Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) signaling pathways and up-regulates the p53 signaling pathway. Our findings provide insight into CFTR-mediated regulation of cellular quiescence and V-mem in the Artemia model

Soil moisture and electrical conductivity relationships under typical Loess Plateau land covers

Vegetation changes that are driven by soil conservation measures significantly affect subsurface water flow patterns and soil water status. Much research on water consumption and sustainability of newly introduced vegetation types at the plot scale has been done in the Loess Plateau of China (LPC), typically using local scale measurements of soil water content (SWC). However, information collected at the plot scale cannot readily be up-scaled. Geophysical methods such as electromagnetic induction (EMI) offer large spatial coverage and therefore could bridge between the scales. A non-invasive, multi-coil, frequency domain, EMI instrument was used to measure the apparent soil electrical conductivity (σ_a) from six effective depths under four typical land-covers; shrub, pasture, natural fallow and crop, in the north of the LPC. Concurrently, SWC was monitored to a depth of 4 m depth using an array of 44 neutron probes distributed along the plots. The measurements of σ_a for six effective depths and the integrated SWC over these depths, show consistent behavior. High variability of σ_a under shrub cover, in particular, is consistent with long term variability of SWC, highlighting the potential unsustainability of this land cover. Linear relationships between SWC and σ_a were established using cumulative sensitivity forward models. The conductivity-SWC model parameters show clear variation with depth, despite lack of appreciable textural variation. This is likely related to the combined effect of elevated pore water conductivity as was illustrated by the simulations obtained with water flow and solute transport models. The results of the study highlight the potential for the implementation of the EMI method for investigations of water distribution in the vadose zone of the LPC, and in particular for qualitative mapping of the vulnerability to excessive vegetation demands, and hence unsustainable land cover

The prognostic role of circulating CD8+ T cell proliferation in patients with untreated extensive stage small cell lung cancer.

peer reviewed[en] BACKGROUND: Immunosuppression caused by tumorigenesis may promote tumor progress and invasion. Here, we investigated whether the characteristics of circulating T lymphocyte subtypes in patients with extensive small cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC) can be used as an alternative marker of tumor progression. METHODS: This study included 36 newly diagnosed ED-SCLC patients before treatment and the patients were followed up. 22 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers were selected as control. The percentages and proliferation potential of T lymphocyte subpopulations from peripheral blood were measured. RESULTS: CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were elevated in ED-SCLC patients compared with healthy controls (p = 0.0083). In contrast, the percentages of CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ T cells were significantly lower in SCLC patients (p < 0.001; p = 0.0014). The proliferation (%divided) of CD8+ T cells of SCLC patients was suppressed compared with healthy controls (p = 0.0058), but not of CD4+ T cells (p = 0.1611). Multivariate analyses showed that the %divided of CD8+ T cells is an independent predictor for PFS (HR: 4.342, 95% CI 1.324-14.245; p = 0.015). The percentages of peripheral Tregs and the degree of chemotherapy or radiotherapy induced lymphopenia negatively correlated with the proliferation of CD8+ T cells (p = 0.0225, r = - 0.379; p = 0.0003, r = - 0.464). CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that SCLC patients have impaired immunity in peripheral blood, and the proliferation potential of circulating CD8+ T cells is a significant predicator for PFS