Mapping and Characterization of HCMV-Specific Unconventional HLA-E-Restricted CD8 T Cell Populations and Associated NK and T Cell Responses Using HLA/Peptide Tetramers and Spectral Flow Cytometry

HCMV drives complex and multiple cellular immune responses, which causes a persistent immune imprint in hosts. This study aimed to achieve both a quantitative determination of the frequency for various anti-HCMV immune cell subsets, including CD8 T, γδT, NK cells, and a qualitative analysis of their phenotype. To map the various anti-HCMV cellular responses, we used a combination of three HLA_peptide tetramer complexes (HLA-E_VMAPRTLIL, HLA-E_VMAPRSLLL, and HLA-A2_NLVPMVATV) and antibodies for 18 surface markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19, CD45RA, CD56, CD57, CD158, NKG2A, NKG2C, CCR7, TCRγδ, TCRγδ2, CX3CR1, KLRG1, 2B4, and PD-1) in a 20-color spectral flow cytometry analysis. This immunostaining protocol was applied to PBMCs isolated from HCMV⁻ and HCMV⁺ individuals. Our workflow allows the efficient determination of events featuring HCMV infection such as CD4/CD8 ratio, CD8 inflation and differentiation, HCMV peptide-specific HLA-E_UL40 and HLA-A2_pp65CD8 T cells, and expansion of γδT and NK subsets including δ2⁻γT and memory-like NKG2C⁺CD57⁺ NK cells. Each subset can be further characterized by the expression of 2B4, PD-1, KLRG1, CD45RA, CCR7, CD158, and NKG2A to achieve a fine-tuned mapping of HCMV immune responses. This assay should be useful for the analysis and monitoring of T-and NK cell responses to HCMV infection or vaccines.     

Densification of 8Y‐Tetragonal‐Stabilized Zirconia Optoceramics with Improved Optical Properties by Y Segregation

8% Yttria‐stabilized zironcia (8YSZ) transparent ceramics have a wide technological applications. Segregation of the Y around the grain boundaries is favored by slow heating rate. The optimized sintering parameters helped in obtaining transparent ceramics of 8YSZ with a high percentage of cubic phase in addition to the presence of tetragonal phase. HRTEM was used to verify the grain growth suppression and to observe the presence of the cubic phase. The presence of cubic phase has suppressed the grain growth, which increased the transparency in the visible and infrared region without the addition of dopants or by utilizing high pressure.     

Catalytic composites based on yttria stabilized zirconia for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane

LiCl/YSZ is found to be a very effective catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. LiCl supported on YSZ-MgO composite shows increase in catalytic activity and ethylene selectivity. Addition of Mn and Sn as promoters to this system leads to 85% ethane conversion, 77% ethylene selectivity and 65% ethylene yield at 662 °C. Use of Li₂O in the place of LiCl results in lower ethylene yields. Further modification is needed to improve the catalyst stability.     

Photocatalytic degradation of methanol on titania and titania–silica aerogels prepared by non-alkoxide sol–gel route

Titania and titania–silica aerogels were prepared by alkoxide or non-alkoxide sol–gel route and subsequent supercritical drying with carbon dioxide at low temperature. The resulting aerogels having high surface area and mesoporosity were used as photocatalysts for gas phase methanol degradation reaction. Photocatalytic degradation reactions were carried out on titania and titania–silica aerogels, and commercial Degussa P-25 titania. The photocatalytic activities of titania and titania–silica aerogels were higher than that of the P-25. While the conversion of methanol degradation over the P-25 catalyst was only 50–60%, that for the titania aerogel was observed to be above 98% due to the higher specific surface area and the well developed mesoporous structure. In spite of lower titania contents, much higher surface area and high dispersion of titania of titania–silica aerogel gave rise to the high photocatalytic activity in comparison to those of titania aerogels. Moreover, titania–silica aerogel was also used for the photodegradation and adsorption hybrid system. It was observed that the high removal efficiency for methanol was caused by the combination of higher catalytic activity and adsorption capacity.     

Multiphase coatings from complex radiation curable polyurethane dispersions

The waterborne nature of radiation curable polyurethane dispersions largely respond to the current environmental concerns and do not require any additional coalescent since the film formation (drying) and hardening (photo-curing) take place in distinct steps. It is possible to design aqueous dispersions with distinct polymer particle populations resulting in micro-structured coatings with optimized properties over a wide range of curing conditions. Mixed dispersions based on hard and soft acrylated polyurethane particles were used as model systems for the present study. The minimum film formation temperature has been investigated as a function of the hard:soft polymer ratio. The elastic modulus of the dry coatings shows a reinforcing effect consistent with the inclusion of hard domains in a soft continuous matrix. However, the level of reinforcement is not properly predicted by the usual mechanical models and it is qualitatively accounted for by assuming a composition gradient (interphase) between the hard domains and the matrix. The multiple-phase structure was clearly established by Atomic Force Microscopy in agreement with thermal analysis data. Furthermore the local nanoscale mechanical properties were mapped using a new imaging mode based on real-time force–distance curve analysis. Finally, the coatings prepared using this multiple-phase pattern present a clear benefit over conventional homogeneous coatings by offering an improved balance of chemical and mechanical resistance in pigmented systems applied on melamine-coated MDF panels.     

Alternating anoxic feast/aerobic famine condition for improving granular sludge formation in sequencing batch airlift reactor at reduced aeration rate

In this study the influence of a pre-anoxic feast period on granular sludge formation in a sequencing batch airlift reactor is evaluated. Whereas a purely aerobic SBR was operated as a reference (reactor R2), another reactor (R1) was run with a reduced aeration rate and an alternating anoxic-aerobic cycle reinforced by nitrate feeding. The presence of pre-anoxic phase clearly improved the densification of aggregates and allowed granular sludge formation at reduced air flow rate (superficial air velocity (SAV) = 0.63 cm s⁻¹). A low sludge volume index (SVI₃₀ = 45 mL g⁻¹) and a high MLSS concentration (9–10 g L⁻¹) were obtained in the anoxic/aerobic system compared to more conventional results for the aerobic reactor. A granular sludge was observed in the anoxic/aerobic system whilst only flocs were observed in the aerobic reference even when operated at a high aeration rate (SAV = 2.83 cm s⁻¹). Nitrification was maintained efficiently in the anoxic/aerobic system even when organic loading rate (OLR) was increased up to 2.8 kg COD m⁻³ d⁻¹. In the contrary nitrification was unstable in the aerobic system and dropped at high OLR due to competition between autotrophic and heterotrophic growth. The presence of a pre-anoxic period positively affected granulation process via different mechanisms: enhancing heterotrophic growth/storage deeper in the internal anoxic layer of granule, reducing the competition between autotrophic and heterotrophic growth. These processes help to develop dense granular sludge at a moderate aeration rate. This tends to confirm that oxygen transfer is the most limiting factor for granulation at reduced aeration. Hence the use of an alternative electron acceptor (nitrate or nitrite) should be encouraged during feast period for reducing energy demand of the granular sludge process.     

Neutronic characterization of the MEGAPIE target

The MEGAPIE project aimed to design, build and operate a liquid metal spallation neutron target of about 1 MW beam power in the SINQ facility at the Paul Scherrer Institut (Villigen, Switzerland). This project is an important step in the roadmap towards the demonstration of the accelerator driven system (ADS) concept and high power liquid metal targets in general. Following the design phase, an experimental program was defined to provide a complete characterization of the facility by performing a “mapping” of the neutron flux at different points, from the center of the target to the beam lines. The neutronic performance of the target was studied using different experimental techniques with the goals of validating the Monte Carlo codes used in the design of the target; additionally, the performance was compared with the solid lead targets used before and after the MEGAPIE experiment.     

ITER CODAC interface for the visible and infra-red wide angle viewing cameras

The amount of data generated by the infra-red and visible cameras at ITER is expected to be considerably larger than most diagnostics. ITER will have 12 infra-red cameras plus 12 visible cameras in four different equatorial port plugs. Each of the ports will have a Plant System Host (PSH) that will provide a standard image of the plant system to the ITER's Control and Data Access and Communication (CODAC) system.The two key functions of these cameras will be the scientific exploitation with the detection of interesting physics events and the operational protection of the machine, namely the first wall. Already assuming high bandwidth requirements for both audio and video, ITER will provide a separate network for this kind of communication, which will be used to transmit both the experimental and informational data provided by the cameras.This paper presents the current camera plant system design and its interaction with ITER CODAC system and networks. Starting from the camera specifications several alternatives for data collection and compression are discussed. The required inputs from CODAC and a first specification for the internal finite state machine are also presented. Finally, a possible hardware straw man design solution for the plant system hardware is proposed.     

The effects of soaking of whole, dehulled and ground millet and soybean seeds on phytate degradation and Phy/Fe and Phy/Zn molar ratios

The degradation and leaching of phytates, phytase activity and iron and zinc concentrations have been studied after soaking of whole seeds, dehulled seeds and flours of millet and soybean, in order to investigate the efficiency of soaking on reducing Phy/Fe and Phy/Zn molar ratios. When using millet grains, dehulling and milling before soaking facilitated the leaching of phytates and phytases in the aqueous medium and hence phytate degradation. Dehulling of soybean seeds led to a marked increase in phytate content, whereas milling favoured reactions between phytases and phytates. The Phy/Fe and Phy/Zn molar ratios decreased only slightly during soaking. The highest decreases for millet were obtained after soaking of flour for 8 h (Phy/Fe: 10.8–7.7 and Phy/Zn: 20.3–15.1), and after soaking of whole seeds for 24 h for soybean (Phy/Fe: 10.4–9.4 and Phy/Zn: 23.8–19.1). Cooking of flours with water used for soaking did not increase phytate degradation.     

In vitro comparisons between Carica papaya and pancreatic lipases during test meal lipolysis: Potential use of CPL in enzyme replacement therapy

High levels of lipase activity are known to occur in Carica papaya latex, and this activity is being used in some biotechnological applications. The lipolytic activity of C. papaya lipase (CPL) on dietary triacylglycerols (TAG) has not yet been studied. Hence, the aim of this study was to characterise the specific activity of CPL on dietary TAG present in a crude preparation. Also, we have determined its stability during the lipolysis of a test meal at various pH values mimicking those occurring in the gastro-intestinal tract, with or without bile, and have compared these properties with those of porcine pancreatic extract (PPE) and human pancreatic lipase (HPL). CPL showed maximum stability at pH 6.0, both with and without bile. Some residual activity was still observed at pH 2 (20%), whereas the pancreatic lipases tested were immediately completely inactivated at this pH. In the absence of bile, the highest specific activities were measured at pH 6 in the case of CPL, PPE and HPL. Adding bile slightly decreased the CPL activity in the 4–6 pH range, thus shifting the optimum CPL activity to pH 7, where the presence of bile had no effect. Lipolysis levels decreased with the pH, but CPL was still more active than PPE at pH 5 on a relative basis. These results suggest that CPL might be a promising candidate for use as a therapeutic tool on patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.