Approaches for High-throughput Quantification of Periplasmic Recombinant Proteins

The Gram-negative periplasm is a convenient location for the accumulation of many recombinant proteins including biopharmaceutical products. It is the site of disulphide bond formation, required by some proteins (such as antibody fragments) for correct folding and function. It also permits simpler protein release and downstream processing than cytoplasmic accumulation. As such, targeting of recombinant proteins to the E. coli periplasm is a key strategy in biologic manufacture. However, expression and translocation of each recombinant protein requires optimisation including selection of the best signal peptide and growth and production conditions. Traditional methods require separation and analysis of protein compositions of periplasmic and cytoplasmic fractions, a time- and labour-intensive method that is difficult to parallelise. Therefore, approaches for high throughput quantification of periplasmic protein accumulation offer advantages in rapid process development

Durability testing at 5 atmospheres of advanced catalysts and catalyst supports for gas turbine engine combustors

The durability of CATCOM catalysts and catalyst supports was experimentally demonstrated in a combustion environment under simulated gas turbine engine combustor operating conditions. A test of 1000 hours duration was completed with one catalyst using no. 2 diesel fuel and operating at catalytically-supported thermal combustion conditions. The performance of the catalyst was determined by monitoring emissions throughout the test, and by examining the physical condition of the catalyst core at the conclusion of the test. Tests were performed periodically to determine changes in catalytic activity of the catalyst core. Detailed parametric studies were also run at the beginning and end of the durability test, using no. 2 fuel oil. Initial and final emissions for the 1000 hours test respectively were: unburned hydrocarbons (C3 vppm):0, 146, carbon monoxide (vppm):30, 2420; nitrogen oxides (vppm):5.7, 5.6

A physics-based life prediction methodology for thermal barrier coating systems

A novel mechanistic approach is proposed for the prediction of the life of thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems. The life prediction methodology is based on a criterion linked directly to the dominant failure mechanism. It relies on a statistical treatment of the TBC's morphological characteristics, non-destructive stress measurements and on a continuum mechanics framework to quantify the stresses that promote the nucleation and growth of microcracks within the TBC. The last of these accounts for the effects of TBC constituents' elasto-visco-plastic properties, the stiffening of the ceramic due to sintering and the oxidation at the interface between the thermally insulating yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) layer and the metallic bond coat. The mechanistic approach is used to investigate the effects on TBC life of the properties and morphology of the top YSZ coating, metallic low-pressure plasma sprayed bond coat and the thermally grown oxide. Its calibration is based on TBC damage inferred from non-destructive fluorescence measurements using piezo-spectroscopy and on the numerically predicted local TBC stresses responsible for the initiation of such damage. The potential applicability of the methodology to other types of TBC coatings and thermal loading conditions is also discussed

Inert Gas Generation Utilizing Diesel Exhaust

The generation of inert gas from 60 KW diesel engine exhaust by catalytic reduction of O{sub 2} and NO{sub x} has been demonstrated. Measured O{sub 2} levels were < 10 V{sub ppm} and NO{sub x} levels were {approx} 0.1 V{sub ppm} over a wide range of equivalence ratios. Durability of the catalytic converter was demonstrated up to 200 hours operating time at two diesel engine load conditions. Effective catalyst operating range was stoichiometric to rich fuel/air ratios. Optimum operation is at stoichiometric fuel/air ratios to minimize CO emissions. Alternative converter designs are proposed to allow operation over the full diesel engine load range with essentially zero emissions of O{sub 2}, NO{sub x} and CO

N-Ferrocenymethyl-N-phenyl­propionamide

In the title compound, [Fe(C5H5)(C15H16NO)], the two cyclo­penta­dienyl (Cp) rings are nearly parallel to each other, forming a dihedral angle of 3.7 (1)°, and adopt a staggered conformation. The amide group is almost perpendicular to the plane of the substituted Cp ring, with a C—N—C—C torsion angle of 101.3 (2)°, and the N and O atoms in the ethanoyl group are coplanar, with a C—N—C—O torsion angle of −0.7 (3)°. Weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link adjacent mol­ecules