Rapidly drying sorghum biomass for potential biofuel production

The Southern U.S. has an ideal climate that may aid in growing large amounts of biomass suitable for biofuel; however, droughts during the growing season may reduce yields.  Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) may have great potential as an energy crop, because it is capable of high biomass yields and is drought tolerant. However, sorghum biomass has relatively high moisture content and should be conditioned and dried before transported to reduce costs.  Sorghum-sudan hybrid was harvested with two different headers on a self-propelled windrower:  a Massey Ferguson 9145 (sickle) and a Massey Ferguson 9185 (disc).  The disc header was comprised of two pairs (rear front) of metal conditioner rollers which compressed the biomass, thus improving the drying process. The roller pairs were used with three different pressures (0, 3500 and 7,000 kPa), and with different gaps (0 and 0.02 m). Sorghum biomass samples were collected after harvest and the percentage of moisture content wet basis evaluated daily until they remained constant. Results revealed that the higher pressures and smaller gaps resulted in faster drying of biomass. Thus, the best settings for the disc header were “7,000 kPa -0 m” or “7,000 kPa - 0.02 m” which showed, respectively, moisture content levels of 13.6% and 16.8% after 14 days. However, when the disc header was set to “0 kPa - 0.02 m”, the moisture content was significantly higher (43.2%).  These results indicate sorghum was adequately dried for bailing in Southeastern U.S. condition, when proper machinery and settings were applied.   Keywords: moisture, sorghum, baling, windrower

Factors Associated with HIV Disclosure Status among iENGAGE Cohort of New to HIV Care Patients

HIV disclosure is an important behavior with implications for HIV treatment and prevention but understudied among new to HIV care patients who face unique challenges adjusting to a new diagnosis. This study evaluated the factors associated with HIV disclosure status and patterns of HIV disclosure among new to HIV care patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted evaluating the iENGAGE (integrating ENGagement and Adherence Goals upon Entry) cohort. Participants were enrolled in this randomized behavioral trial between December 2013 and June 2016. The primary and secondary outcomes included HIV disclosure status (Yes/No) and patterns of disclosure (Broad, Selective and Nondisclosure), respectively. Logistic and Multinomial Logistic Regression were used to evaluate the association of participant factors with HIV disclosure and patterns of HIV disclosure, respectively. Of 371 participants, the average age was 37 ± 12 years, 79.3% were males, and 62.3% were African Americans. A majority of participants (78.4%) disclosed their HIV status at baseline, 63.1% were broad disclosers and 15.2% were selective disclosers. In multivariable regression, black race, emotional support, and unmet needs predicted any HIV and broad disclosure, whereas males, emotional support, active coping, and acceptance were associated with selective disclosure. Interventions to promote early disclosure should focus on coping strategies and unmet needs, particularly among black and male people living with HIV initiating care

Towards liver-directed gene therapy: Retrovirus-mediated gene transfer into human hepatocytes

Liver-directed gene therapy is being considered in the treatment of inherited metabolic diseases. One approach we are considering is the transplantation of autologous hepatocytes that have been genetically modified with recombinant retroviruses ex vivo. We describe, in this report, techniques for isolating human hepatocytes and efficiently transducing recombinant genes into primary cultures. Hepatocytes were isolated from tissue of four different donors, plated in primary culture, and exposed to recombinant retroviruses expressing either the LacZ reporter gene or the cDNA for rabbit LDL receptor. The efficiency of gene transfer under optimal conditions, as determined by Southern blot analysis, varied from a maximum of one proviral copy per cell to a minimum of 0.1 proviral copy per cell. Cytochemical assays were used to detect expression of the recombinant derived proteins, E. coli β-galactosidase and rabbit LDL receptor. Hepatocytes transduced with the LDL receptor gene expressed levels of receptor protein that exceeded the normal endogenous levels. The ability to isolate and genetically modify human hepatocytes, as described in this report, is an important step towards the development of liver-directed gene therapies in humans.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45540/1/11188_2005_Article_BF01233625.pd