Carbohydrate moieties on the in vitro immunoreactivity of soy β-conglycinin

β-Conglycinin is a functional glycoprotein and one of the most important soybean allergens. The aim of the present research was to investigate the role of the N-glycans moieties of β-conglycinin on its in vitro immunoreactivity. The soy allergen was obtained by isoelectric precipitation from commercial soy protein isolate and was enzymatically deglycosylated by PNGase F (Peptide N-Glycosidase F EC 3.5.1.52). In order to optimize deglycosylation conditions different reaction times and allergen concentrations were tested. The extent of deglycosylation was estimated by SDS–PAGE, CZE, RP-HPLC, and MALDI-TOF MS analyses, which provided information related to changes in protein structure. The antigenicity of both native β-conglycinin and its deglycosylated form was evaluated by western-blotting and indirect ELISA employing polyclonal rabbit anti-soybean sera and horseradish peroxidase-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG while the in vitro allergenicity was assessed by means of indirect competitive inhibition ELISA employing human sera (IgE) of soy allergics. β-Conglycinin was effectively deglycosylated by PNGase F. Data on immunological tests suggested that glycosyl moieties forming this glycoprotein might be involved in its immunoreactivity.     

Using modeling,satellite images and existing global datasets for rapid preliminary assessments of renewable energy resources: The case of Mali

This paper presents a novel approach to the preliminary, low-cost, national-scale mapping of wind energy, solar energy and certain categories of bio-energy resources in developing countries, using Mali as an example. The methods applied make extensive use of satellite remote sensing and meteorological mesoscale modeling. The paper presents first results from applying the methodology in Mali and discusses the appropriateness of the results obtained. It is shown that northern Mali has considerable wind energy potential, while average wind speeds in the southern part are too low to make wind power a competitive option. Solar energy resources are shown to be abundant in all of Mali, though the highest values are found in the south. The temporal variation is relatively limited. Bio-energy resources are also concentrated in the south, but there are small pockets of high vegetation productivity in the irrigated areas of the Niger inland delta that might be interesting from a renewable energy resource perspective. Finally, the paper discusses the role that renewable energy resources might play in the energy systems of Mali, given the spatio-temporal distribution of renewable energy resources. It is argued that at the current price of about 70 US$/barrel for fossil fuels, renewable energy resources are becoming economically as well as environmentally attractive options.     

System for interactive scientific driving simulation with haptic information

An interactive wheeled vehicle simulator is described, consisting of a software application for simulating vehicle dynamics and presenting the results in virtual 3D environment, and a haptic interface. The latter consists of a hydraulically actuated active seat and an electrically activated active steering wheel. The system makes it possible to simulate wheeled vehicles of various configurations on arbitrary terrains. The design of the system is presented and the specific considerations are discussed. The system was experimentally verified by measurements on a real off-road vehicle. The kinematic values measured on the real vehicle and those, measured on the haptic interface were compared. The results are discussed and are generally found to correspond well, making the system usable for studying vehicle performance and training its operators.     

Texture evolution in Fe–3% Si steel treated under unconventional annealing conditions

The present work investigates texture evolution stages in grain-oriented steel heat-treated using unconventional conditions. The Fe–3%Si steel taken after final cold rolling reduction from an industrial line was subjected to a laboratory isothermal annealing at different temperatures. The annealing temperatures were varied in a range of 850–1150 °C. During the annealing each specimen was heated at 10 °C/s and kept at the stated temperature for 5 min. Development of microstructure and texture in the annealed specimens were followed by the DC measurements of magnetic properties. The grain oriented steel, taken from the same industrial line after final box annealing was also analyzed and compared with the laboratory annealed specimens. It was shown that there is an optimal temperature region that, with combination of a fast heating rate, led to the best conditions of a drastically reduced development time of the {110} < 001 > crystallographic texture in the cold rolled grain-oriented steel. Materials heat treated below the optimum temperature region account for a primary recrystallization, while applying heat above this region leads to a secondary recrystallization without abnormal grain growth. Moreover, in the optimum temperature range, there was a particular temperature leading to the most optimal microstructure and texture. The magnetic properties, measured after the optimal heat treatment, were close to that measured on specimens taken after the final box annealing. The electron back scattered diffraction measurement technique revealed that sharpness of the {110} < 001 > crystallographic texture, developed at the optimum temperature is comparable to the steel taken after the industrial final box annealing. This fact is evidence that there is a temperature where the abnormal grain growth proceeds optimally.     

Cyclic acetals: Synthesis and polymerization

Mixtures of 5‐membered and 6‐membered 2‐vinyl (2‐propenyl or 2‐isopropyl)‐4‐hydroxymethylene or 5‐hydroxy‐substituted cyclic acetals were synthesized by the reaction of aldehydes with glycerol. Reesterification of the hydroxyl group in position 4 or 5 was achieved using methyl methacrylate. The compounds were subjected to radical copolymerization using different initiating systems. Both radical copolymerization and ring cleavage were observed to be dependent on the reaction conditions. The ring cleavage was confirmed on model compounds of 2‐substituted 5‐membered and 6‐membered cyclic acetals without any polymerizable substituent. The rate of the ring opening was measured and compared to the rate of copolymerization. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2875–2880, 2001     

The GIFT Program for Major Depression: Integrating Group, Individual, and Family Treatment.

Traditional models of psychotherapy for depression have focused primarily on modification of a single area of functioning (e.g., cognition or behavior). The Group, Individual, and Family Treatment (GIFT) program is an integrative psychotherapy program designed to build on current cognitive and behavioral theory and technology, with modifications intended to create a more transportable and cost-effective version of existing group treatment. The authors describe the emotional fitness model of mental health that underlies the GIFT program. They then describe how GIFT structurally integrates group, individual, and family-based interventions. The authors explain how GIFT uses cognitive, behavioral, and acceptance-based strategies. They then present data from an open, uncontrolled trial. Thirteen of 20 (65%) patients initially presenting for treatment of major depression completed the GIFT program. Symptom reduction, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II, was comparable to other group treatments for depression (pretreatment-posttreatment effect size, d = 1.95). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)