Repulsive Flux Pinning Force in NbTi/Nb Superconductor/Superconductor Multilayers

Flux pinning characteristics have been investigated for the Nb _x Ti_100-x /Nb(x = 65, 50 and 28) and Nb ₂₈ Ti ₇₂/Nb ₆₅ Ti ₃₅ superconductor(S)/superconductor(S^′) multilayers. The maximum of the pinning force F _{p⊥ max} perpendicular to the layer plane as a function of the structure modulation length λ has a peak in the quasi-two-dimensional region (λ～20 nm). The maximum. values of the F _{p⊥ max} versus λ curve are proportional to the difference of the GL coherence length (ξ _GL ) between the superconductive sublayers S and S^′. The results suggest that the large F _{p⊥ max} in the S/S^′ multilayer is caused by the repulsive pinning force due to Nb layers with larger ξ _GL .     

Modification of the Methods for the Extraction of Carboxypeptidase and Proteinase Activities from Sorghum Malts

The effects of two extractants on the activities of carboxypeptidase and proteinase enzymes from three sorghum varieties germinated for 3 and 5 days were studied. In all three varieties, cysteine hydrochloride (Cyst. HCl) proved a better extractant than 2‐mercaptoethanol (2‐ME) as shown by the increase in carboxypeptidase and proteinase activities with 5‐day malts. A three‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) on the effect of germination time, extractant and variety on the carboxypeptidase activities of the three malts showed that all the factors plus their possible four‐way interactions highly significantly (P < 0.001) affected the extractability/activity of the enzyme. However, while the three factors had a highly significant (P < 0.001) effect on the proteinase activity, one of their four‐way interactions, specifically, extractant/variety, had no significant effect. This suggests that, unlike the carboxypeptidase enzyme, the effectiveness of the extractants in enhancing the extractability/activity of the proteinase enzyme in all the sorghum malt samples was amongst other factors, not variety‐dependent.     

Turkey rhinotracheitis virus isolated from broiler chicken with swollen head syndrome in Japan

Turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT) virus was first isolated from a commercial broiler chicken with swollen head syndrome (SHS) in Japan. At the same time, Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), avian reovirus (ARV), Escherichia coli (E.coli), Morganella morganii, and Proteus mirabilis were also isolated from the same broiler chicken. The presence of antibodies to TRT virus was confirmed in the sera of 34-day-old chickens of the flock with SHS, however the antibodies to TRT virus were undetectable in the sera of 17-day-old chickens. In this investigation, we confirmed avian pneumovirus infection in chickens in Japan, and the virus and other agents may be considered as a cause of SHS.     

Cloning and sequencing of the Sphingomonas (Pseudomonas) paucimobilis gene essential for the O demethylation of vanillate and syringate

A growing body of evidence supports the existence of a tissue-based renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the vasculature, but the functional capacity of vascular RAS was not investigated in humans. In 28 normotensive healthy control subjects, the metabolism of angiotensins through vascular tissue was investigated in normal, low, and high sodium diets by the measurement of arterial-venous gradient of endogenous angiotensin (Ang) I and Ang II in two different vascular beds (forearm and leg), combined with the study of 125I-Ang I and 125I-Ang II kinetics. In normal sodium diet subjects, forearm vascular tissue extracted 36+/-6% of 125I-Ang I and 30+/-5% of 125I-Ang II and added 14.9+/-5.1 fmol x 100 mL(-1) x min(-1) of de novo formed Ang I and 6.2+/-2.8 fmol x 100 mL(-1) x min(-1) of Ang II to antecubital venous blood. Fractional conversion of 125I-Ang I through forearm vascular tissue was about 12%. Low sodium diet increased (P<.01) plasma renin activity, whereas de novo Ang I and Ang II formation by forearm vascular tissue became undetectable. Angiotensin degradation (33+/-7% for Ang I and 30+/-7% for Ang II) was unchanged, and vascular fractional conversion of 125I-Ang I decreased from 12% to 6% (P<.01). In high sodium diet subjects, plasma renin activity decreased, and de novo Ang I and Ang II formation by forearm vascular tissue increased to 22 and 14 fmol x 100 mL(-1) x min(-1), respectively (P<.01). Angiotensin degradation did not significantly change, whereas fractional conversion of 125I-Ang I increased from 12% to 20% (P<.01). Leg vascular tissue functional activities of RAS paralleled those of forearm vascular tissue both at baseline and during different sodium intake. These results provide consistent evidence for the existence of a functional tissue-based RAS in vascular tissue of humans. The opposite changes of plasma renin activity and vascular angiotensin formation indicate that vascular RAS is independent from but related to circulating RAS.     

Secretion of gastrin and calcitonin after ingestion of meat extract in patients with peptic ulcer

A 73-year-old man with malignant lymphoma who was undergoing treatment with systemic chemotherapy presented with an acute, febrile illness associated with cough and sputum production. The patient developed bilateral, diffuse, pulmonary interstitial infiltrates with rapidly progressive respiratory insufficiency. The diagnosis was made by demonstrating Blastomyces dermatitidis in bronchial brush and transbronchial lung biopsy specimens obtained through fiberoptic bronchoscopy.     

Planar circular loop antennas with self-biased magnetic film loading

A circular loop antenna with self-biased magnetic film loading at 1.7 GHz is presented. The proposed circular loop antenna is realised by cascading a microstrip loop and a tuning stub. Self-biased NiCo-ferrite magnetic films were used to tune the working frequency of the loop antenna. Three different cases of antennas with films loading were designed and analysed. Antennas with self-biased magnetic films loading working at 1.7 GHz with a tuning range of 50-400% of the antenna bandwidth were achieved.     

Concentrations and risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in smoke-cured fish products in Nigeria

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in nine popular smoked fish species, (Clarias gariepinus, Parachana obscura, Heterotis niloticus, Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Gymnarchus niloticus, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Sardinella aurita, Scromber scrombus and Trachurus trachurus), in the Nigerian market by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after extraction by ultrasonication with hexane/dichloromethane. The mean concentrations of ∑16 PAHs in these species ranged from 52.4 μg kg^?1 to 1230 μg kg^?1. The estimated margins of exposure (MOE values) were less than 10,000 for C. gariepinus, G. niloticus and E. fimbriata indicating serious concern for the consumers’ health. The estimated excess cancer risk factors for these fish species investigated indicate that approximately 1 to 65 out of 10⁶ equally exposed adults may suffer from cancer and cancer-related diseases during their lifetime through the ingestion of carcinogenic PAHs from smoked fish in their diet.     

Evaluation of Air Oven Moisture Content Determination Procedures for Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

This study evaluated moisture content determination procedures for pearl millet using seven different air oven methods. The moisture content of the pearl millet samples varied from 11–41% (wet basis). The procedures included 130°C for 1 h; 130°C for 2 h; 105°C for 5 h; 105°C for 48 h; 105°C for 72 h; 130°C for 16 h; and 130°C for 20 h. Analysis of variance revealed that at high moisture content levels above 27% (wet basis), and the mean values of the moisture content determined were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Error analysis carried out showed that the moisture content determination methods were adequate to completely remove the moisture in pearl millet with moisture less than 35% (wet basis). Regression models were developed to predict the base moisture determination method (105°C for 72 h) as a function of other procedures.