Impact of the surface characteristics of rainwater tank material on biofilm development

In order to determine the impact of rainwater construction material on the development of a biofilm, three materials were tested: concrete, clay, and PVC. The biofilm attachment was initially more effective on clay coupons, but, after a period of three days, concrete coupons produced a greater quantity of biofilm than clay and PVC, in that order. The heterotrophic plate count in the rainwater indicated that this quantity tended to first increase following a rainfall, and then decrease. The new materials seemed to attach themselves to the existing biofilm on the wall and/or sediment in the form of small particles. The presence of fecal coliforms in the biofilm coupons was noted after major rainfall events, and this was correlated with the increase in fecal coliforms in the water. This study concluded that the most favorable support for biofilm development is concrete, clay, and PVC, in that order.     

Monoclonal Antibody Engineering and Design to Modulate FcRn Activities: A Comprehensive Review

Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying the pH-dependent nature of FcRn binding, as well as the various factors influencing the affinity to FcRn, was concurrent with the arrival of the first recombinant IgG monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and IgG Fc-fusion proteins in clinical practice. IgG Fc–FcRn became a central subject of interest for the development of these drugs for the comfort of patients and good clinical responses. In this review, we describe (i) mAb mutations close to and outside the FcRn binding site, increasing the affinity for FcRn at acidic pH and leading to enhanced mAb half-life and biodistribution, and (ii) mAb mutations increasing the affinity for FcRn at acidic and neutral pH, blocking FcRn binding and resulting, in vivo, in endogenous IgG degradation. Mutations modifying FcRn binding are discussed in association with pH-dependent modulation of antigen binding and (iii) anti-FcRn mAbs, two of the latest innovations in anti-FcRn mAbs leading to endogenous IgG depletion. We discuss the pharmacological effects, the biological consequences, and advantages of targeting IgG–FcRn interactions and their application in human therapeutics.     

NX210c Peptide Promotes Glutamatergic Receptor-Mediated Synaptic Transmission and Signaling in the Mouse Central Nervous System

NX210c is a disease-modifying dodecapeptide derived from the subcommissural organ-spondin that is under preclinical and clinical development for the treatment of neurological disorders. Here, using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, we demonstrate that NX210c increased α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR)- and GluN2A-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (GluN2A-NMDAR)-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents in the brain. Accordingly, using extracellular field excitatory postsynaptic potential recordings, an enhancement of synaptic transmission was shown in the presence of NX210c in two different neuronal circuits. Furthermore, the modulation of synaptic transmission and GluN2A-NMDAR-driven signaling by NX210c restored memory in mice chronically treated with the NMDAR antagonist phencyclidine. Overall, by promoting glutamatergic receptor-related neurotransmission and signaling, NX210c represents an innovative therapeutic opportunity for patients suffering from CNS disorders, injuries, and states with crippling synaptic dysfunctions.     

Overview of the local production process of raw milk butter in Wallonia (Belgium)

This study aims to describe the procedures and practices used in local production of raw milk butter. The demand for local products is increasing; hence, there is a need to describe the practices used in the artisanal production of raw milk butter. Therefore, a survey of 147 raw milk butter producers was carried out. The results from the survey indicate that there is not one single way to produce butter at artisanal level. In terms of maturation, six temperature sequences were distinguished. Attention is required at every step of production starting from breeding.     

基建仓库

基建仓库项目位于莱瓦顿的Harlingervaart运河岸边,作为周边建筑的仓库,它具有独特的趣味性良好的形体感,因此被认为是立于运河沿岸广场上的一座雕塑。建筑的入口处挑出悬臂,并且顺势突出建筑南侧的体量     

Comparing Al-SBA-15 Support and Pt/Al-SBA-15 Catalyst: Changes in Al Speciation and Acidic Properties Induced by the Introduction of Pt via Aqueous Medium

Differences between the acidic properties of silicoaluminic Pt-containing catalysts and those assessed on their parent supports have been reported in the literature and attributed to the presence of the metal nanoparticles and to their influence on the acid sites. It is shown here that for mesoporous materials containing various types of Al species, an alternative explanation can be proposed. ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy, FTIR of adsorbed CO and probe catalytic tests suggest the redistribution of aluminium atoms upon contact of the parent support with the aqueous solution containing the Pt precursor. Upon contact with water and thermal treatment, strong and mild Brønsted sites (Si–O(H)–Al) transform into strong Lewis sites (isolated tetracoordinated Al atoms). As a consequence, it may not be straightforward to deduce the acidic properties of metal-containing catalysts supported on Al-containing mesoporous materials from those of the bare support, because the surface species may differ significantly.     

Theoretical Modelling of Film-Forming Mechanisms Under Transient Conditions: Application to Deceleration and Experimental Validation

This paper proposes an analytical model for line (1D) and point contacts (2D), based upon the Ertel’s hypothesis to predict the evolution of film thickness in steady-state and transient conditions in elastohydrodynamic lubrication. This theoretical approach, applied to a velocity ramp at constant deceleration, is perfectly supported by experimental results in terms of film thickness distribution during the deceleration process and in terms of central film thickness at the vanishing of the entrainment velocity. This work emphasizes the role of the transport effects of the lubricant at the instantaneous entrainment velocity on the time and length scales at which the film thickness disturbances induced by the deceleration process occur until the complete halting of the surfaces.     

Context-sensitive decision support systems in road safety

Enterprises often embed decision-making processes in procedures in order to address issues in all cases. However, procedures often lead to sub-optimal solutions for any specific decision. As a consequence, each actor develops the practice of addressing decision making in a specific context. Actors contextualize decision making when enterprises are obliged to decontextualize decision making to limit the number of procedures and cover whole classes of decision-making processes by generalization. Practice modeling is not easy because there are as many practices as contexts of occurrence. This chapter proposes a way to deal effectively with practices. Based on a conceptual framework for dealing with context, we present a context-based representation formalism for modeling decision making and its realization by actors. This formalism is called contextual graphs and is discussed using the example of modeling car drivers’ behaviors. This article is part of the “Handbook on Decision Support Systems” edited by Frada Burstein and Clyde W. Holsapple (2008) Springer.     

Oligophenylenevinylenes in Spatially Confined Nanochannels: Monitoring Intermolecular Interactions by UV/Vis and Raman Spectroscopy

Perhydrotriphenylene‐based channel‐forming inclusion compounds (ICs) and thin films made of polyphenylenevinylene (PPV)‐type oligomers with terminal alkoxy groups are investigated and compared in a combined experimental and theoretical approach. Interchromophore interactions and host‐guest interactions are elucidated by UV/Vis and Raman spectroscopy. The impact of the local environment of the chromophore on the optical and photophysical properties is discussed in light of quantum‐chemical calculations. In stark contrast to thin films where preferential side‐by‐side orientation leads to quenching of photoluminescence (PL) via non‐emissive traps, the ICs are found to be attractive materials for opto‐electronic applications: they offer high chromophore concentrations, but at the same time behave as quasi‐isolated entities of tightly packed, well‐oriented objects with high PL quantum yields and the possibility of color tuning.