Development of Microstructure and Properties of Multicomponent MoS2/HA/PEEK Coatings on a Titanium Alloy Via Electrophoretic Deposition and Heat Treatment

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - In this study, molybdenum disulfide nanosheets, bioactive hydroxyapatite particles of two types in various amounts, and PEEK 704 microparticles were...     

MSQL: A Query Language for Database Mining

The tremendous number of rules generated in the mining process makes it necessary for any good data mining system to provide for powerful query primitives to post-process the generated rulebase, as well as for performing selective, query based generation. In this paper, we present the design and compilation of MSQL, the rule query language developed as part of the Discovery Board system.     

Two Paralogous Gb3/CD77 Synthases in Birds Show Different Preferences for Their Glycoprotein and Glycosphingolipid Substrates

Most glycosyltransferases show remarkable gross and fine substrate specificity, which is reflected in the old one enzyme-one linkage paradigm. While human Gb3/CD77 synthase is a glycosyltransferase that synthesizes the Galα1→4Gal moiety mainly on glycosphingolipids, its pigeon homolog prefers glycoproteins as acceptors. In this study, we characterized two Gb3/CD77 synthase paralogs found in pigeons (Columba livia). We evaluated their specificities in transfected human teratocarcinoma 2102Ep cells by flow cytofluorometry, Western blotting, high-performance thin-layer chromatography, mass spectrometry and metabolic labelling with ¹⁴C-galactose. We found that the previously described pigeon Gb3/CD77 synthase (called P) can use predominately glycoproteins as acceptors, while its paralog (called M), which we serendipitously discovered while conducting this study, efficiently synthesizes Galα1→4Gal caps on both glycoproteins and glycosphingolipids. These two paralogs may underlie the difference in expression profiles of Galα1→4Gal-terminated glycoconjugates between neoavians and mammals.     

Model of inelastic impact of unit loads

In this study, the authors present a model of the inelastic impact of bodies that takes place during handling of unit loads (cubiform parcels). A modified non‐linear Kelvin model is proposed, in which the relationships between object strains and elastic and damping forces of the impact are represented by power functions. The results of analytical investigations on the proposed model were confirmed by experiments consisting in tests of free fall of the load on rigid ground and on elastic beam. The developed model allows the assessment of the influence of mechanical properties of loads and conveyor‐line deflection mechanisms as well as impact velocity, on the dynamic forces exerted on the manipulated objects during the impact. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modifying the properties of the Inconel 625 nickel alloy by glow discharge assisted nitriding

The nickel alloys of the Inconel type (containing above 15wt% of chromium), used in many industrial applications including the manufacture of aircraft, chemistry, power generation, and material processing, have advantageous mechanical properties, high plasticity and good corrosion resistance, but their frictional wear resistance is poor. This drawback can be obviated by subjecting the alloys to various surface treatments.The paper describes the structure and properties of nitrided layers produced on the Inconel 625 nickel alloy (20wt%Cr, 10wt%Mo, 5wt%Fe, 1wt%Co, balance-Ni). It has been found that the diffusion-type chromium nitride layer produced on the alloy surface improves the hardness, frictional wear resistance, fatigue strength and corrosion resistance of the alloy. It was demonstrated that the nitriding process can be successfully used for prolonging the service life of the fiberizing disc intended for the fabrication of what is known as glass wool.     

Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) and Adenosine Deaminase (ADA)-Deficient Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)—Two Diseases That Exacerbate Each Other: Case Report

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is defined by the triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury (AKI). Atypical HUS (aHUS), distinguished by its etiology, is caused by uncontrolled overactivation of the alternative complement pathway. The correct diagnosis of aHUS is complex and involves various gene mutations. Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), characterized by severe T-cell lymphocytopenia and a lack of antigen-specific T-cell and B-cell immune responses, is of seldom occurrence. In 10–15% of pediatric patients, SCID is caused by adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency. The authors describe the case of a boy who suffered from both aHUS and ADA-deficient SCID. At the age of 9 months, the patient presented acute kidney injury with anuria and coagulopathy. The diagnosis of aHUS was established on the basis of alternative complement pathway deregulation and disease-associated gene mutations. Further examination revealed immune system failure and, at the age of 13 months, the ADA deficiency was confirmed by genetic tests and the boy was diagnosed with ADA-SCID. ADA SCID has recently been described as a possible triggering factor of aHUS development and progression. However, more research is required in this field. Nevertheless, it is crucial in clinical practice to be aware of these two co-existing life-threatening diseases.     

Catalytic reduction of SO2 with methane over molybdenum catalyst

This paper deals with catalytic reduction of SO₂ with methane using molybdenum sulfide catalyst supported on two different activated carbons (Darco TRS and Norit ROZ-3). The experiments evaluated the effects of MoS₂ catalyst loading (10%, 15%, and 20% Mo, by weight), gas feed-rate concentration ratios of CH₄ to SO₂ (CH₄: SO₂ ratios of 2: 1, 1: 1, and 1: 2) and reaction temperatures (450°C, 500°C, and 600°C). The reactivity of each catalyst was evaluated by three different parameters: (a) SO₂ conversion, (b) CH₄ conversion and (c) the yield of elemental sulfur. The results show that the catalytic activity of MoS₂ supported on activated carbons is strongly related to the reaction temperature and the CH₄ : SO₂ feed ratio, with a secondary dependency on the loading of the MoS₂. The 20% MoS₂ catalyst supported on Darco TRS in a reactor stream with CH₄ : SO₂ = 1 : 1 demonstrated the highest activity of all the catalysts tested, having an SO₂ conversion of 99·8%. At 600°C and with a CH₄ : SO₂ = 1 : 1, the catalysts with 20% loading supported on both Dacro TRS and Norit ROZ-3 exhibited comparable SO₂ conversion, both above 90%.     

Successful Treatment of Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a B-Cell Depleted Patient with Activated Cytotoxic T and NK Cells: A Case Report

We report a lymphoma patient with profound B-cell deficiency after chemotherapy combined with anti-CD20 antibody successfully treated with remdesivir and convalescent plasma for prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection. Viral clearance was likely attributed to the robust expansion and activation of TCR Vβ2 CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and CD16 + CD56- NK cells. This is the first presentation of TCR-specific T cell oligoclonal response in COVID-19. Our study suggests that B-cell depleted patients may effectively respond to anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatment when NK and antigen-specific Tc cell response is induced.