Effect of human C-reactive protein on chemokine and chemotactic factor-induced neutrophil chemotaxis and signaling

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a unique serum pentraxin and the prototype acute phase reactant. CRP is a ligand for specific receptors on phagocytic leukocytes, and mediates activation reactions of monocytes/macrophages, but inhibits the respiratory burst of neutrophils (PMN). Since CRP selectively accumulates at inflammatory sites in which IL-8 is also produced, we tested the effects of CRP on the responsiveness of PMN to IL-8 and the bacterial chemotactic peptide, FMLP-phenylalanine (FMLPP). Purified human CRP inhibited the chemotactic response of PMN to IL-8 and FMLPP. A mouse IgM mAb that was generated against the leukocyte CRP receptor (CRP-R) also inhibited the chemotactic response. Incubation of purified CRP with activated PMN generated CRP-derived peptides that also inhibited chemotaxis. A synthetic CRP peptide (residues 27-38) that binds to the CRP-R had weak chemotactic activity, whereas two other CRP synthetic peptides (residues 174-185 and 191-205) inhibited chemotaxis of PMNs to both IL-8 and FMLPP. CRP did not alter receptor-specific binding of IL-8, but exerted its effect at the level of signaling. CRP augmented both IL-8- and FMLPP-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2) activity. CRP at acute phase levels increased both agonist-induced and noninduced phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase activity. The results suggest a role for CRP as a regulator of leukocyte infiltration at inflammatory sites.     

An experimental investigation of primary and secondary velocity for turbulent flow in eccentric annuli

Velocity profiles for the turbulent flow of air in annuli of high eccentricities were determined. Unusual isovel curvature suggestive of secondary flow was found, but hot-wire measurements did not detect secondary flow within experimental accuracy. Evidence suggests that most of the observed isovel structure is due to developing flow and the remainder is a normal pattern of primary velocity. The use of irrelevant velocity correlations and not the assumption of negligible secondary flow is suggested as the reason for lack of agreement between recent flow hypotheses and measured velocities.     

苏里格气田西南部致密砂岩气藏资源评价方法及评价参数的影响因素

对储层特征及其对资源评价影响的认识,是致密砂岩气藏资源评价、生产和高效开发的基础之一。通过测井分析、薄片观察、生烃条件和生产数据分析,研究苏里格气田西南部石盒子组8段和山西组1段储层特征、砂体展布、砂体厚度、砂体叠置模式,明确储层特征和适用的评价方法,探讨储层特征对资源评价参数的影响。研究表明：苏里格气田储层具有典型的低孔低渗、强非均质性特征,适用容积法进行资源评价;储层厚度和面积受控于砂体展布和叠置模式,一般砂体厚度大,展布面积广的分流河道和复合砂体的资源量较大,产气量较高;储层孔渗受控于碎屑组分和微观孔隙类型,并受后期成岩作用强烈改造,压实作用和胶结作用破坏孔隙,溶蚀作用有力地改善了孔隙;生烃强度在根本上控制了产水区和产气区的分布,而致密气富集的甜点区主要分布于有利储层的相对高孔渗部位。在致密砂岩气资源评价中,沉积作用控制了砂体展布和叠置模式,塑造了不同类型的复合砂体,决定了储层面积、厚度,进而控制了油气赋存规模和产能。成岩作用改变储层储集和渗滤性能,主要以微观形式来对整个油气开采区的油气储量带来影响。     

Determination of uranyl incorporation into biogenic manganese oxides using x-ray absorption spectroscopy and scattering

Biogenic manganese oxides are common and an important source of reactive mineral surfaces in the environment that may be potentially enhanced in bioremediation cases to improve natural attenuation. Experiments were performed in which the uranyl ion, UO2(2+) (U(VI)), at various concentrations was present during manganese oxide biogenesis. At all concentrations, there was strong uptake of U onto the oxides. Synchrotron-based extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies were carried out to determine the molecular-scale mechanism by which uranyl is incorporated into the oxide and how this incorporation affects the resulting manganese oxide structure and mineralogy. The EXAFS experiments show that at low concentrations (<0.3 mol % U, <1 microM U(VI) in solution), U(VI) is present as a strong bidentate surface complex. At high concentrations (>2 mol % U, >4 microM U(VI) in solution), the presence of U(VI) affects the stability and structure of the Mn oxide to form poorly ordered Mn oxide tunnel structures, similar to todorokite. EXAFS modeling shows that uranyl is present in these oxides predominantly in the tunnels of the Mn oxide structure in a tridentate complex. Observations by XRD corroborate these results. Structural incorporation may lead to more stable U(VI) sequestration that may be suitable for remediation uses. These observations, combined with the very high uptake capacity of the Mn oxides, imply that Mn-oxidizing bacteria may significantly influence dissolved U(VI) concentrations in impacted waters via sorption and incorporation into Mn oxide biominerals.     

Cr(III) is indirectly oxidized by the Mn(II)-oxidizing bacterium Bacillus sp. strain SG-1

Manganese oxides are the only known oxidants of Cr(III) in the environment, and predictions of the fate of Cr(III) have been based on Cr(III) oxidation rates with well-characterized Mn(III, IV) oxide minerals. Our research, however, indicates that the presence of Mn(II)-oxidizing bacteria may accelerate these rates through the production of very reactive Mn oxides or intermediates formed in the oxidation process. Experiments with the Mn(II)-oxidizing Bacillus sp. strain SG-1 show that this bacterium can accelerate Cr(III) oxidation compared to both abiotic and biologically produced Mn oxides. Initial rates of Cr(III) oxidation by biogenic oxides were approximately 7 times faster than Cr(III) oxidation rates by equivalent amounts of synthetic delta-MnO2 and 25 times faster by SG-1 spores with Mn(II). Cr(III) oxidation by SG-1 is not direct; Mn is required, but only in small amounts, indicating that it is recycled. Cr(III) oxidation is inhibited above 5 microM dissolved Mn(II),while Mn(II) oxidation is not, suggesting that the processes are controlled by different mechanisms. These results illustrate the need to consider bacterial activity and the concentration of Mn when predicting the potential for Cr(III) oxidation.     

苏里格气田东区马五5气藏主控因素及富集区优选

为提高鄂尔多斯盆地马五₅气藏有效储集层钻遇率,运用钻井、测井、录井、岩心及生产试气等资料,通过对沉积微相、成岩作用、古地形等有效储集层主控因素分析,明确了马五₅气藏白云岩分布规律,并对储集层进行综合分类评价,优选出马五₅气藏有利富集区。研究结果表明,苏里格气田东区马五₅储集层呈局部透镜状分布,连片性不强,最有利的储集体是颗粒白云岩和粗粉晶白云岩,主要储集空间为晶间孔、晶间溶孔和构造裂缝。沉积相和成岩作用是马五₅储集层的主控因素,颗粒滩是马五₅储集层白云岩最有利的沉积微相;有效储集层主要受控于准同生白云化作用和埋藏白云岩成岩作用对储集层的改造程度;相对高部位的古斜坡是马五₅气藏开发的有利区。     

梨树断陷苏家屯地区营城组沉积特征

松辽盆地梨树断陷苏家屯地区营城组具有形成油气藏的良好条件,且研究程度低。为了研究其沉积微相与砂体储集条件,以指明有利储集相带,应用沉积学与高分辨率层序地层序理论方法,通过分析岩心、录井、测井、地震资料、古地貌特征,认为研究区主要发育湖泊相和辫状河三角洲相,并进一步识别出了分流河道、水下分流河道、水下分流间湾、河口坝、远砂坝、席状砂、泥坪、滩坝等8种沉积微相,并描述了主要沉积微相砂体特征。同时,将营城组划分为4段、6个四级层序和7个砂组,阐明了各砂组沉积相分布特征和时空演化规律。研究认为,营一段末期(SG2)湖侵至最大湖泛面,沉积于其上的SG3砂组进积体系是最有利的油气储集层。沉积微相平面展布与储层分析表明,该区存在两支主辫状水道,分流河道砂体叠置且储层物性好,其与后期鼻状构造相组合是构造-岩性圈闭与岩性圈闭发育的最有利区。     

Chemical characterisation and speciation of organic selenium in cultivated selenium-enriched Agaricus bisporus

The selenium concentration in Agaricus bisporus cultivated in growth compost irrigated with sodium selenite solution increased by 28- and 43-fold compared to the control mushroom irrigated solely with water. Selenium contents of mushroom proteins increased from 13.8 to 60.1 and 14.1 to 137 μg Se/g in caps and stalks from control and selenised mushrooms, respectively. Selenocystine (SeCys; detected as [SeCys]₂ dimer), selenomethionine (SeMet), and methyl-selenocysteine (MeSeCys) were separated, identified and quantified by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry from water solubilised and acetone precipitated proteins, and significant increases were observed for the selenised mushrooms. The maximum selenoamino acids concentration in caps and stalks of control/selenised mushrooms was 4.16/9.65 μg/g dried weight (DW) for SeCys, 0.08/0.58 μg/g DW for SeMet, and 0.031/0.10 μg/g DW for MeSeCys, respectively. The most notable result was the much higher levels of SeCys accumulated by A. bisporus compared to SeMet and MeSeCys, for both control and selenised A. bisporus.     

Developing Construction Management Events in Situational Simulations

Abstract: The challenge and promise of educational computer simulations are to provide user experiences that allow for immersion into a dynamic system in which participants discover the ramifications of their decisions in a complex environment. Researchers at the University of Washington, in collaboration with Michigan Technological University, are developing situational simulations to meet the needs of construction management education. This article explores the development of simulation events where simulation variables are changed due to an event, and then the player is challenged to interact with the simulation by making decisions that impact the project outcome. A simulation event includes the player's experience, variables altered by the event, and variables changed by the player. This article defines the concept of simulation events within the context of situational simulations; explains how events are triggered, represented, and handled within the simulation and database; describes how players engage with the simulation; and identifies the challenges of incorporating the social dynamics of project management into the simulation environment.