For several years, a 1 m3 fixed bed anaerobic digestion process has been operated for the treatment of distillery vinasses. This reactor has been fully instrumented with the following variables ...available on-line: pH, temperature, liquid and gas flow rates, gas composition (i.e., CH4, CO2 and H2), concentration of bicarbonate, chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, volatile fatty acids and partial and total alkalinity, these last four variables being measured twice by different techniques (i.e., using a TOC analyzer, a titrimetric sensor and an infrared spectrometer). The purpose of this paper is to compare the respective benefits of advanced instrumentation for the monitoring of wastewater treatment processes in general, and for anaerobic digestion in particular. It will also provide some statistical analysis of the time required to operate a fully instrumented wastewater treatment process. It is indeed well admitted in the literature that instrumentation is usually the main limitation step for using closed-loop control. However, it is our opinion that, in the near future, this situation will change. This point is discussed based on our four years practical experience.
This paper describes the use of a Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) spectrometer as an on-line sensor to measure Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Volatile Fatty Acids ...(VFA), and Partial and Total Alkalinity (PA and TA) in anaerobic digestion processes for the treatment of industrial wastewaters. Comparison with manual off-line analysis and with an on-line industrial TOC analyser and an on-line titrimetric sensor (for the measurements of VFA, TA and PA) are provided to demonstrate the interest of spectral analysis in the mid infra-red domain for the monitoring of anaerobic digestion processes. In order to further illustrate the advantages of using such a technique, on-line measurements recorded during an accident of the pH regulation in the input (pH in the reactor went above 11 and biomass activity stopped) are shown. They demonstrate that, if carefully performed, the calibration can be extended outside its range while being still compatible with requirements of wastewater treatment processes.
In a previous study of a t(4;16)(q26;p13) translocatlon, found in a human malignant T-cell lymphoma the BCMA gene, located on chromosome band 16p13.1, has been characterized. In this study we show ...that the BCMA gene is organized into three exons and its major initiation transcription site is located 69 nucleotldes downstream of a TATA box. RNase protection assays demonstrated that the BCMA gene is preferentially expressed in mature B cells, suggesting a role for this gene in the B-cell developmental process. A cDNA complementary to the BCMA cDNA was cloned and sequenced and its presence was assessed by RNase protection assay and anchor-PCR amplification. This antlsense-BCMA RNA is transcribed from the same locus as BCMA, and exhibits mRNA characteristic features, e.g. polyadenylation and splicing. It also contains an ORF encoding a putative 115 aa polypeptlde, presenting no homology with already known sequences. RNase protection assays demonstrated the simultaneous expression of natural sense and antisense-BCMA transcripts In the majority of human B-cell lines tested.
Gliadins were extracted from wheat and individual groups (α-, β-, γ-, ω-1 and ω-2) purified. The effects of the individual groups of gliadin on the mixing properties of doughs from low and high ...protein flours were measured on a 2-g Mixograph and a prototype microextension tester. The addition of all groups of gliadin resulted in a decrease in dough strength. The relative weakening effects were ω-1>ω-2≈α-≈β->γ- in the Mixograph, and γ->α-≈β-≈ω-2≈ω-1 in the Extensograph.
Mitral annulus disjunction (MAD) and Pickelhaube sign are increasingly identified as risk factors for malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and sudden cardiac death in adults with mitral valve ...prolapse (MVP). Their prevalence and consequences in children have never been studied.
To determine MAD prevalence in children with MVP and its potential link with Vas.
A cohort of 49 consecutive children from a single institution (age 12.8±3.0, 33 females) with MVP and comprehensive clinical, arrhythmia (24-h Holter monitoring and exercise test) and doppler echocardiographic characterization including pulsed wave tissue doppler (PWTD) of the lateral mitral annulus was identified. The relationship between clinical and echocardiographic data and the presence of VAs was studied.
The presence of MAD was common (n=25, 51%). Only 5 patients had significant VAs (lown>2) characterized by polymorphic premature ventricular contractions or couplets. The presence of MAD was not associated with significant VAs on 24h-Holter monitoring but an association was found between significant VAs and spiked high velocity midsystolic signal>16cm/s on PWTD of the lateral mitral annulus (Pickelhaube sign, Figure 1) (P=0.004), myxomatous mitral valve (P=0.004) and left ventricular dilatation (P=0.01). No patient had severe VAs characterized by ventricular tachycardia nor symptoms of dysrhythmia. Four out of 7 patients (57%) with coexisting Pickelhaube sign and myxomatous mitral valve had significant VAs. No difference was found between patients with or without MAD for gender, history of palpitation, severity of mitral regurgitation, incidence of connective tissue disorders and medications with beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors.
MAD is a common finding in children with MVP. Its presence was not associated with significant VAs on 24-hour Holter monitoring, but the Pickelhaube sign and the presence of myxomatous mitral valve may help to detect patients prone to significant VAs.
The transgenic wheat line B73-6-1 contains additional genes encoding a gluten protein called HMW subunit 1Dx5, resulting in a four-fold increase in the proportion of this component in the seed ...proteins and corresponding increases in the proportions of total HMW subunits and total glutenins. This is associated with a dramatic increase in dough strength, as measured using a small scale Mixograph, with dough produced from B73-6-1 being too strong to be used in conventional breadmaking.
Type VII collagen is the major collagenous component of the anchoring fibrils, attachment structures that stabilize the association of the cutaneous basement membrane zone to the underlying dermis. ...It is expressed by both epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. In this study, we have examined the pharmacological control of COL7A1 gene expression by the glucocorticorticoid dexamethasone. We demonstrate that dexamethasone is a potent transcriptional inhibitor of COL7A1 promoter activity in dermal fibroblasts, and we identify a potential glucocorticoid response element in the region -318/-212 of the promoter. In addition, we have determined that dexamethasone antagonizes transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) activation of the COL7A1 promoter. This effect occurred without dexamethasone interfering with TGF-beta-induced Smad-specific gene transcription. These results indicate potential deleterious effects of glucocorticosteroids on epidermal wound healing, as reduced COL7A1 expression likely leads to decreased anchoring fibril formation, which may translate into delayed or impaired reepithelialization.
Particle bombardment has been used to transform three cultivars (L35, Ofanto, Svevo) and one breeding line (Latino X Lira) of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). These varieties were ...co-transformed with plasmids containing selectable and scorable marker genes (bar and uidA) and plasmids containing one of two high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunit genes (encoding subunits 1Ax1 or 1Dx5). Ten independent transgenic lines were recovered from 1683 bombarded scutella (transformation efficiency thus 0.6%). Five lines expressed either subunit 1Dx5 or 1Ax1 at levels similar to those of endogenous subunits encoded on chromosome 1B. To identify the effects of the transgenes on the functional properties of grain, three lines showing segregation for transgene expression were used to isolate sibling T2 plants which were null or positive for the transgene product. Analysis of these plants using a small-scale mixograph showed that expression of the additional subunits resulted in increased dough strength and stability, demonstrating that transformation can be used to modify the quality of durum wheat for bread and pasta making.
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