Mining the Wheat Grain Proteome

Bread wheat is the most widely cultivated crop worldwide, used in the production of food products and a feed source for animals. Selection tools that can be applied early in the breeding cycle are needed to accelerate genetic gain for increased wheat production while maintaining or improving grain quality if demand from human population growth is to be fulfilled. Proteomics screening assays of wheat flour can assist breeders to select the best performing breeding lines and discard the worst lines. In this study, we optimised a robust LC–MS shotgun quantitative proteomics method to screen thousands of wheat genotypes. Using 6 cultivars and 4 replicates, we tested 3 resuspension ratios (50, 25, and 17 µL/mg), 2 extraction buffers (with urea or guanidine-hydrochloride), 3 sets of proteases (chymotrypsin, Glu-C, and trypsin/Lys-C), and multiple LC settings. Protein identifications by LC–MS/MS were used to select the best parameters. A total 8738 wheat proteins were identified. The best method was validated on an independent set of 96 cultivars and peptides quantities were normalised using sample weights, an internal standard, and quality controls. Data mining tools found particularly useful to explore the flour proteome are presented (UniProt Retrieve/ID mapping tool, KEGG, AgriGO, REVIGO, and Pathway Tools).     

Qualitative assessment of RANS models for Hypervapotron flow and heat transfer

The power densities present within a fusion device and its heating systems require the use of high heat flux (HHF) devices to sustain power densities >10 MW/m² in steady state. One such device, known as the Hypervapotron, uses internal water cooling along with a series of fins and cavities perpendicular to the flow to maximise the heat transfer capability. UKAEA, in collaboration with Cranfield University, have initiated a study whereby computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software will be used to predict the variation of heat transfer coefficients (HTC) throughout the Hypervapotron, allowing accurate calculations of both thermal and thermo-mechanical performance. In this paper, the first steps in this process are presented. In particular, different turbulence models are assessed and best practices identified for predicting single phase flow and heat transfer within Hypervapotron-sized cavities.     

Performance of a concentrating photovoltaic/thermal solar collector

The performance of a parabolic trough photovoltaic/thermal collector with a geometric concentration ratio of 37× is described. Measured results under typical operating conditions show thermal efficiency around 58% and electrical efficiency around 11%, therefore a combined efficiency of 69%. The impact of non-uniform illumination on the solar cells is investigated using purpose built equipment that moves a calibrated solar cell along the line of the receiver and measures short circuit current. The measured illumination flux profile along the length shows significant variation, despite the mirror shape error being less than 1 mm for most of the mirror area. The impact of the illumination non-uniformities due to the shape error, receiver support post shading and gaps between the mirrors is shown to have a significant effect on the overall electrical performance. The flux profile transverse to the receiver length is also investigated. Peak flux intensities are shown to be around 100 suns. The impact on efficiency due to open circuit voltage reduction is discussed.     

Experimental investigation and numerical modelling of transient two-phase flow in a geysering geothermal well

Measurements of the periodic transient flow in a vertical geysering geothermal well are presented. The 70-m deep, 0.1-m internal diameter well taps a hot (about 87 °C) water aquifer rich in dissolved carbon dioxide. Transient pressures measured at various depths show the various flow regimes that develop in the borehole and demonstrate that the periodic flow is caused by the degassing of the water flowing up the well. A one-dimensional numerical model of the flow has been developed. The computed results exhibit the main characteristics of the test measurements. This agreement between model and measurements is considered to support both the numerical model and the conceptual model of the system deduced from the measurements.     

Regulation of cardiac myocyte contractile function by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS): mechanisms of contractile depression by nitric oxide

Inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the reversible depression of cardiac contractile function accompanying local or systemic immune stimulation. Incubation of cardiac myocytes with soluble components in the supernatant from cultured rat lung macrophages activated with endotoxin decreases their contractile response to beta-adrenergic stimulation through the induction of iNOS and the subsequent production of nitric oxide by these cells. In the present study, we characterize the mechanisms underlying NO's attenuation of adrenergic responsiveness in cardiac myocytes. iNOS was induced in cultured ventricular myocytes from adult rats by incubation for 20 h with conditioned medium from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. iNOS induction did not induce any alteration in beta-adrenergic receptor density or affinity, Galphai protein abundance, or adenylyl cyclase activity in cultured myocytes. Myocyte exposure to activated macrophage-conditioned medium markedly attenuated the elevation of cAMP in response to isoproterenol (Iso, 2 nM). Induction of iNOS with the macrophage-conditioned medium also potentiated the Iso-induced increase in myocyte cGMP. This cGMP increase was totally abolished by NOS inhibitors. NOS inhibition also returned the attenuated cAMP response to 2 nM Iso to levels observed in control cells. Pre-incubation of the cells in isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, also partly reversed the attenuation of cAMP increase with 2 nM Iso in cells expressing iNOS. Brief (15 min) exposure of myocytes to the NO donor, S-nitrosoacetylcysteine (SNAC, 100 micro M) which produced a three-fold increase in intracellular cGMP, also decreased by half the contractile response of cardiac myocytes to Iso (2 nM). We conclude that NO endogenously produced by iNOS decreases the intracellular levels of cAMP in response to beta-adrenergic stimulation in isolated cardiac myocytes, in part through a cGMP-mediated mechanism. This effect may participate in the NO-dependent depression of cardiac function following cytokine exposure.     

Sparking Nano-Metals on a Surface of Polyethylene Terephthalate and Its Application: Anti-Coronavirus and Anti-Fogging Properties

The nano-metal-treated PET films with anti-virus and anti-fogging ability were developed using sparking nano-metal particles of Ag, Zn, and Ti wires on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films. Ag nanoparticles were detected on the PET surface, while a continuous aggregate morphology was observed with Zn and Ti sparking. The color of the Ag-PET films changed to brown with increasing repeat sparking times, but not with the Zn-PET and Ti-PET films. The water contact angle of the nano-metal-treated PET films decreased with increasing repeat sparking times. The RT-PCR anti-virus test confirmed the high anti-virus efficiency of the nano-metal-treated PET films due to the fine particle distribution, high polarity, and binding of the nano-metal ions to the coronavirus, which was destroyed by heat after UV irradiation. A highly transparent, anti-fogging, and anti-virus face shield was prepared using the Zn-PET film. Sparking was an effective technique to prepare the alternative anti-virus and anti-fogging films for medical biomaterial applications because of their low cost, convenience, and fast processing.     

The Cost of Diversity in Textile Finishing

The effect on specific operating and capital costs of textile finishing, incurred by catering for the demands of a wide range of customers in varied styles, is illustrated. The return on investment in a new factory planned to operate under these conditions is realistically examined and a view expressed on the likely pattern of future investment in textile finishing.