DEM Simulation of Soil Loosening Process Caused by a Vibrating Subsoiler

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 9 (2007): DEM Simulation of Soil Loosening Process Caused by a Vibrating Subsoiler. Manuscript PM 05 010. Vol. IX. November, 2007

High-Field ESR Measurements of S=1/2 Kagome Lattice Antiferromagnet BaCu3_3V2_2O8_8(OH)2_2

High-field electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements have been performed on vesignieite BaCu$_3$V$_2$O$_8$(OH)$_2$, which is considered as a nearly ideal model substance of $S$=1/2 kagome antiferromagnet, in the temperature region from 1.9 to 265 K. The frequency region is from 60 to 360 GHz and the applied pulsed magnetic field is up to 16 T. Observed g-value and linewidth show the increase below 20 K, which suggest the development of the short range order. Moreover, a gapless spin liquid ground state is suggested from the frequency-field relation at 1.9 K.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures, jpsj2 class file, to be published in J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Enhancing Oral Vaccine Potency by Targeting Intestinal M Cells

The immune system in the gastrointestinal tract plays a crucial role in the control of infection, as it constitutes the first line of defense against mucosal pathogens. The attractive features of oral immunization have led to the exploration of a variety of oral delivery systems. However, none of these oral delivery systems have been applied to existing commercial vaccines. To overcome this, a new generation of oral vaccine delivery systems that target antigens to gut-associated lymphoid tissue is required. One promising approach is to exploit the potential of microfold (M) cells by mimicking the entry of pathogens into these cells. Targeting specific receptors on the apical surface of M cells might enhance the entry of antigens, initiating the immune response and consequently leading to protection against mucosal pathogens. In this article, we briefly review the challenges associated with current oral vaccine delivery systems and discuss strategies that might potentially target mouse and human intestinal M cells

Purification And Characterization Of A New Trypsin Inhibitor From Dimorphandra Mollis Seeds.

A second trypsin inhibitor (DMTI-II) was purified from the seed of Dimorphandra mollis (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae) by ammonium sulfate precipitation (30-60%), gel filtration, and ion-exchange and affinity chromatography. A molecular weight of 23 kDa was estimated by gel filtration on a Superdex 75 column SDS-PAGE under reduced conditions showed that DMTI-II consisted of a single polypeptide chain, although isoelectric focusing revealed the presence of three isoforms. The dissociation constant of 1.7 x 10(-9) M with bovine trypsin indicated a high affinity between the inhibitor and this enzyme. The inhibitory activity was stable over a wide pH range and in the presence of DTT. The N-terminal sequence of DMTI-II showed a high degree of homology with other Kunitz-type inhibitors.20625-3

Effects of neostigmine on bronchoconstriction with continuous electrical stimulation in rats.

PURPOSE: When neostigmine is used to reverse muscle relaxants in patients with asthma without signs of airway inflammation, asthma attack is occasionally encountered. It is likely that abnormally increased electrical impulses traveling from the brain through cholinergic nerves to airway smooth muscles may be one of the pathogeneses of asthma attack. We applied continuous electrical field stimulation (c-EFS) or continuous electrical stimulation (c-ES) of low frequency to the vagal nerve of the rat in vitro and in vivo to determine the role of cholinergic nerve activation in inducing airway constriction. METHODS: Fifty-seven male Wistar rats were used. In an in vitro study we examined whether tetrodotoxin (TTX), an Na(+)-channel blocker, 4-DAMP, a muscarinic M(3) receptor antagonist, or neostigmine could affect c-EFS-induced contraction of the tracheal ring. In an in vivo study, we examined whether c-ES of the vagal nerve could increase maximum airway pressure (P (max)) and whether neostigmine could potentiate c-ES-induced P (max). RESULTS: TTX and 4-DAMP completely inhibited c-EFS-induced contraction whereas neostigmine potentiated c-EFS-induced contraction dose-dependently. P (max) was not increased by neostigmine. P (max) was not increased by 2-Hz c-ES, but was increased by the addition of neostigmine. P (max) was increased by 5-Hz c-ES, and further increased by the addition of neostigmine. CONCLUSION: The contractile response of the tracheal ring to c-EFS is potentiated by neostigmine. P (max) is increased by c-ES of the vagal nerve, and is potentiated by neostigmine. These data suggest that increased activity of the cholinergic nerve could be involved in asthma attack