N-linked glycan structures of a mouse monoclonal antibody produced from tobacco BY2 suspension-cultured cells

cDNA encoding H- and L-chains from a mouse monoclonal antibody was introduced into tobacco BY2 cells, and the resulting sugar chain structures of plant-produced antibodies were analyzed by a combination of HPLC, exoglucosidase digestion and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The glycan structures determined were Man(5-6)GlcNAc2 (22.3%), GlcNAcMan5GlcNAc2 (3.1%), GlcNAcMan3FucXylGlcNAc2 (24.4%), GlcNAcMan3XylGlcNAc2 (17.8%), Man3FucXylGlcNAc2 (24.3%), and Man3XylGlcNAc2 (8.1%). The major glycan structures of the antibodies produced by transgenic suspension-cultured cells contain typical plant bisecting beta(1,2)-xylose and alpha(1,3)-fucose residues, suggesting the posttranslational modification of a recombinant antibody in the late Golgi apparatus.     

Optical microcantilever consisting of channel waveguide for scanning near-field optical microscopy controlled by atomic force

We develop a novel optical microcantilever for scanning near-field optical microscopy controlled by atomic force mode (SNOM/AFM). The optical microcantilever has the bent channel waveguide, the corner of which acts as aperture with a large tip angle. The resonance frequency of the optical microcantilever is 9 kHz, and the spring constant is estimated to be 0.59 N/m. The optical microcantilever can be operated in contact mode of SNOM/AFM and we obtain the optical resolution of about 200 nm, which is as same size as the diameter of aperture. We confirm that the throughput of optical microcantilever with an aperture of 170 nm diameter would be improved to be more than 10⁻⁵.     

Magnetic Phase Transition and Electronic Anomalies in La1.96−x Y0.04Sr x CuO4 around x∼1/8

La-NMR, Hall coefficient and sound velocity have been measured in order to investigate the correlation between the magnetic ordering, the prominent change of transport properties, the suppression of T _c and the structural transformation around x1/8 in La _1.96–x Y _0.04 Sr _x CuO ₄. By the substitution of 0.04/2 Y for La-sites, the structural transformation to the low temperature tetragonal phase (LTT) is caused at 57±14 K for samples around x0.115. The. prominent decrease of the Hall coefficient followed by the sign reversal and the magnetic ordering are observed around x0.115 below temperatures T _s and T _N, respectively. T _s vs x shows a bell shaped curve with the maximum value of 65 K at x00115 where most prominent suppression of T _c appears. T _N shows similar x dependence to T _s with the maximum value of 40 K at x0.115. The change of the electronic state below T _s and the suppression of T _c become more prominent and the magnetic ordering is observed more wide range of x under the LTT phase.     

A case of type A dissecting aneurysm who are complicated by paraplegia at the 4th day after emergent operation

The 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with chief complaints of chest and back pain. He was diagnosed type A acute dissecting aneurysm by chest computed tomography, and underwent urgent operation, replacement of the ascending aorta and resuspension of the aortic valve. He was recovered without any neurologic complications. However, he was complicated by paraplegia at the 4th postoperative day. We suspect that is due to early thrombotic occlusion of the false lumen where the anterior spinal arteries branch by the operation.     

Improved analysis of a bearingless switched reluctance motor

Bearingless switched reluctance motors, which can control rotor radial positions with magnetic force, have been proposed. Bearingless switched reluctance motors have combined characteristics of switched reluctance motors and magnetic bearings. Production of radial force for rotor shaft magnetic suspension is explained with differential stator windings. Mathematical relations between motor currents and radial force are derived by considering cross coupling and fringing fluxes. Theoretical relationships are verified with experimental results at partial overlap positions     

Generation of tree movement sound effects

This paper presents a method for automatically generating sound effects for an animation of branches and leaves moving in the wind. Each tree is divided into branches and leaves, and an independent sound effect generation process is employed for each element. The individual results are then compounded into one sound effect. For the branches, we employ an approach based on the frequencies of experimentally obtained Karman vortex streets. For the leaves, we use the leaf blade state as the input and assume a virtual musical instrument that uses wave tables as the sound source. All computations can be performed independently for each frame step. Therefore, each frame step can be executed on completion of the animation step. The results of the implementation of the approach are presented and it is shown that the process offers the possibility of real‐time operation through the use of parallel computing techniques. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In-situ monitoring of decane-in-water emulsion during microwave irradiation

Microwave (MW)-assisted de-emulsification has been attractive in processes of petroleum production and refining. However, the mechanism and optimal operation remain poorly understood. In this study, the behaviour of decane-in-water emulsion under MW irradiation was monitored in-situ through a size measurement system equipped with the reactor and surface tension profiles. The results indicated that the bubble was formed around the oil droplet during MW irradiation. The MW-induced bubbles can enhance de-emulsification in a similar mechanism as the flotation column. The efficiency of MW de-emulsification depends on emulsion content and MW power. Although a higher MW power is more effective, boiling caused by excessive energy must be considered due to the higher local heating. As a result, moderate power is more desirable. For the decane-in-water emulsions in this study, the optimal condition was determined to be around 500 W.