Grain refinement of Mg-Al alloys inoculated by MgAl_(2)O_(4)powder

As a potent nucleating substrate forα-Mg grain,MgAl_(2)O_(4) powder was used to inoculate the Mg-Al melt in this study.The effects of MgAl_(2)O_(4)amount,holding time and Al content on the grain size and grain refining ratio of the inoculated Mg-Al alloys are systematically investigated.The results show that the minimum grain size of Mg-3Al alloy is achieved by adding 2wt.%MgAl_(2)O_(4)powder and this alloy exhibits higher grain refining ratio than Mg-5Al and Mg-8Al alloys.The crystallographic misfit calculation indicates the wellmatching and possible orientation relationships(ORs)betweenα-Mg and MgAl_(2)O_(4).Among these predicted ORs,[10–10]α−Mg//[110]MgAl2O4 in(0002)α−Mg//(1–13)MgAl2O4 possesses the smallest misfit,i.e.,2.34%(fr).Both results of the experiment and crystallographic calculation demonstrate that the grain refinement of Mg-Al alloys is attributed to the MgAl_(2)O_(4)particles acting as the heterogeneous nucleation substrates forα-Mg grains.

Ruminal degradability of Guinea grass silage inoculated with Streptoccocus bovis isolated from bovine rumen combined or not with com wheat bran

This experiment aimed to evaluate the ruminal degradability in situ of the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of Guinea grass silages. The experimental design was completely randomized with six treatments and six repetitions: Guinea grass silage, Guinea grass silage inoculated with 10% wheat bran, Guinea grass silage inoculated with 106 cfu/g of strains of Streptococcus bovis JB1;Guinea grass silage inoculated with 106 cfu/g of strains of Streptococcus bovis JB1 plus 10% of wheat bran;Guinea grass silage inoculated with 106 cfu/g of strains of Streptococcus bovis HC5;Guinea grass silage inoculated with 106 cfu/g of strains of Streptococcus bovis HC5 plus 10% of wheat bran. The silages inoculated with Streptococcus bovis and with added wheat bran resulted in higher values of ruminal degradability of DM, 32.76% and 32.17%, and of crude protein 38.28% and 37.89%. For the effective and potential degradability of DM, CP, NDF and ADF the highest values occurred for silages in these silages as well, in all passage rates. There is a similarity between the responses of Streptococcus bovis JB1 and the HC5, and the wheat bran enhanced the effectiveness of the microbial additive.

Strength Characteristics of Inoculated and Nodularised Thin Wall Ductile Iron Castings

Carbide precipitates in Thin Wall Ductile Iron (TWDI) used for automotive applications needs to be eliminated or reduced for improved strength, ductility, crack propagation resistance and good machinability. Ductile iron thin section profiles (≤3 mm) present danger of massive carbide precipitations in the as-cast sample. Precipitated carbide phase is brittle and negatively affects the mechanical properties of the iron matrix. The suppression of carbide formation is associated with the nucleating properties of the nodularizer and innoculant alloys. This treatment is vital in ensuring that carbide precipitation, flake graphite structure and non-nodular graphite phases are reduced or completely eliminated in the TWDI castings. Therefore, the temperature and technique of treatment would influence the yield of the process, and ultimately the mechanical properties. In this study, the effect of nodularization and inoculation treatment temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TWDI castings is examined. The results indicate that good nodularity and nodule count with better percent elongations are achieved using low treatment temperatures in descending order of 1490°C, 1470°C and 1450°C, but have negative effect at lower treatment temperature of 1430°C. However, TWDI castings have superior properties in terms of nodule counts and nodularity at 1450°C. Treatment temperature does not produce significant influence on ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and hardness of TWDI castings. TWDI castings show poor nodularity, nodule count and ductility at higher inoculation treatment temperatures of 1550°C, 1530°C and 1510°C.

Effect of Cu-Ni and Cu-Ni-Mn on the Microstructural and Mechanical Behaviour of As-Cast Non-Inoculated Hypereutectic Grey Iron

The hypereutectic region of grey cast iron has received very little attention especially for designing cast products by researchers. Due to its high carbon equivalence, hypereutectic grey iron poses some challenges especially its tendency for grey to white transition (GWT) at this level of carbon content. However, hypereutectic grey iron possesses inherent properties that could be easily utilized for improved performance in automobile engines and brake pad system. Significantly, they could be modified for superior hardness, strength and toughness. This study presents the effect of microalloying on the mechanical behaviour of hypereutectic grey cast iron with carbon equivalence above 4.5. The first part of this work presented in this paper considers the addition of Cu-Ni and Cu-Ni-Mn to series of as-cast hypereutectic grey cast iron and their hardness and tensile strength were studied and compared. A total of 33 cast samples were obtained with the control sample. The examination of the micrographs revealed that graphite eutectics cells of Type A and A + D were obtained in the resulting microstructure. Results analyses showed that the ferrite forming tendency of silicon was suppressed due to the high carbon content of the as-cast hypereutectic grey iron coupled with the absence of inoculation which plays a great role in the graphite flake type, network, size and distribution. Cu-Ni microalloying was also confirmed to promote hardness with the hardening effect limit of nickel observed at 1.3% composition. For Cu-Mi-Mn addition, excess and free sulphur in the hyper- eutectic grey iron results in reverse effect of manganese on strength, hardness, reduced graphite flake size and shape.

Recorded Marked Changes in the Haematological and Immune Responses of Two Non-Transgenic Rodents Inoculated Orally and Intraperitoneally with <i>Trypanosoma brucei brucei</i>

Objectives: The digestive track of mice and humans has always been an integral part of the pathogenesis of the Trypanosomes but is constantly overlooked. This realization opens up completely new strategies for the development of trypanosomes vaccines, allowing approaches that parenteral delivery forms would not permit. The target of the study was to compare the haematological changes and immunological responses of trypanosomiasis model systems (mice and rats) inoculated orally and intraperitoneally and to observe the afterward effect of a controlled drug [Isometamidium chloride (ISM)] in the restoration of these initial parameters. Methods: To achieve this, a total of 40 rodents (20 rats and 20 mice) were purchased, then grouped into two [sixteen younger (1 - 5 weeks) and older (7 - 15 weeks) groups each]. They were further sub-grouped into five each. Body weights, Parasitaemia and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were taken before, after inoculation and after treatment with ISM at 4 mg/kg. Results: Based on presumptive clinical diagnosis, all rodents inoculated intraperitoneally showed clinical signs of fluctuations in weight, PCV and parasitaemia levels before, after inoculations and after treatment compared to those inoculated orally with a significant difference (P < 0.05) observed. Both young and older rodents also responded differently to the inoculants and to the different methods of inoculation. But more deaths were recorded among the mice when compared to the rats. Conclusion: Although these non-transgenic models would not have offered a completely new methods to vaccine development, their differences in response to various methods of inoculations is an indication of an exciting research processes and could offer desired results, particularly where transgenic rodents are employed.

Biological soil crusts and their potential applications in the sand land over Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is now experiencing ecological degradation risks as a result of climate change and human activities.The alpine grassland ecology in permafrost zones is fragile and susceptible to deterioration due to its high altitude,low temperature,and limited oxygen,which complicates the repair of damaged land.Biological soil crusts(BSCs)are crucial for land restoration in plateau regions because they can thrive in harsh conditions and have environmentally beneficial traits.Inoculated biological soil crust(IBSC)has shown success in low-altitude desert regions,but may not be easily duplicated to the plateau environment.Therefore,it is essential to do a comprehensive and multifaceted analysis of the basic theoretical comprehension and practical application of BSCs on the Tibetan Plateau.This review article aims to provide a brief summary of the ecological significance and the mechanisms related to the creation,growth,and progression of BSCs.It discusses the techniques used for cultivating BSCs in laboratories and using them in the field,focusing on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau circumstance.We thoroughly discussed the potential and the required paths for further studies.This study may be used as a basis for selecting suitable microbial strains and accompanying supplemental actions for implementing IBSCs in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Seedling Petri-dish inoculation method:A robust,easy-to-use and reliable assay for studying plant-Ralstonia solanacearum interactions

Ralstonia solanacearum causes a lethal bacterial wilt disease in many crops,leading to huge losses in crop production every year.Understanding of plant-R.solanacearum interactions will aid to develop efficient strategies to control the disease.As a soilborne pathogen,R.solanacearum naturally infects plants via roots.A huge limitation in studying plant-R.solanacearum interactions is the large variation of R.solanacearum infection assay due to the variable soil conditions and uneven inoculum exposure.Here,we developed a robust and reliable Petri-dish inoculation method which allows consistent and stable infection in young plant seedlings.This method is easy to use,takes about only 10 days from seed germination to the completion of inoculation assay,and requires less inoculum of bacteria as well as growth chamber space.We proved the efficacy of the seedling Petri-dish inoculation method by analyzing plant defense primed by molecular patterns,resistance of defense-related plant mutants,and virulence of R.solanacearum mutants.Furthermore,we demonstrated that the seedling Petri-dish inoculation method can be applied to other host plants such as tobacco and has great potential for high-throughput screening of resistant plant germplasms to bacterial wilt in the future.

Biotransformation of Shrimp Wastes by Bacillus subtilis OKF04 and Evaluation of Growth Promoting Effect in Crop Planting

In this study,we proposed a reliable and sustainable technique for the clean utilization of shrimp wastes,which can yield a solid inoculant of Bacillus subtilis OKF04 containing micronutrients at low cost without the risk of contamination.Study of the culture conditions revealed that the head of shrimp Litopenaus vannamei and the wheat bran acted as suitable substrates for the growth of B.subtilis OKF04.With 60%initial moisture content,30℃culture temperature,and 5%inoculation amount,followed by 48 hours of fermentation and 0.5%soluble starch added during the drying process(50℃for 6h),a solid B.subtilis OKF04 inoculant with a spore amount of 2.4×10^(10)CFU g^(-1)and a high amino acid content was obtained.The solid B.subtilis OKF04 inoculant was applied to cultivate pakchoi under pot experiment.As the result,of adding to,the size of stems and leaves,nutritional composition,and physiological activity of pakchoi were significantly(P<0.05)enhanced by solid B.subtilis OKF04 inoculant.B.subtilis OKF04 also significantly(P<0.05)increased the soil’s nutrient content and improved its microbial composition.Furthermore,pakchoi cultivated with a low dose of solid B.subtilis OKF04 inoculant(0.05 g kg^(-1)soil)resulted in the best results.This study provides a new method for the preparation of microbial inoculants with solid waste shrimp heads.

Drought adaptation of Bauhinia faberi var.Microphylla seedlings with dual inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Bauhinia faberi via.Microphylla(BFM)is an important tree species for vegetation restoration in the dry valley of southwestern China.However,there were few studies on the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)in improving the drought adaptation of BFM.In order to investigate the response of BFM to water stress(WS),we tested four inoculation treatments((no AMF,Control),Glomus mosseae(GM),Glomus intraradices(GI),Glomus mosseae+Glomus intraradices(GMI))in pots,experimented under three field water holding capacity(WHC)of 70%,50%and 30%.The changes of seedling survival rate(SR),AMF relative root length colonization rate(Col),growth,photosynthetic parameters,water status and leaf nutrients were examined.The results showed that under 30%WHC drought conditions,SR with dual inoculation of AMF was not higher than with single inoculation of GM,suggesting that increasing the diversity of AMF did not definitely improve plant SR,and that the species of inoculated AMF might have an important impact on SR.The sensitivity of dual inoculated Col to water stress was lower than that of single inoculation,which was more favorable for dual inoculated BFM seedlings adapting to drought environment.The overall drought resistance ability(D)also showed that dual inoculation of AMF improved plant drought adaptation compared with single inoculation,which was related to the higher Col of dual inoculated AMF.This study is of practical importance to promote vegetation restoration in arid areas in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.

Establishment and Application of Identification Methods for Resistance to Sugarcane White Leaf Disease(SCWL)

[Objectives]This study was conducted to establish simple, efficient, stable, standardized and practical identification methods for sugarcane resistance to white leaf disease(SCWL), and promote the breeding for sugarcane resistance to SCWL. [Methods]The identification technology of sugarcane resistance to SCWL was systematically studied and explored from the aspects of sugarcane material treatment and planting, inoculation liquid preparation, inoculation method, disease investigation, grading standard formulation, etc., and two sets of simple, efficient, stable, standardized and practical accurate identification methods for sugarcane resistance to SCWL were created for the first time, namely, the seed cane coating inoculation method and the stem-cutting inoculation method at the growth stage. The seed cane coating inoculation method includes the steps of directly screening SCWL phytoplasma, extracting juice from cane and adding 10 times of sterile water to prepare an inoculation liquid, spraying seed cane on plastic film to keep moisture, planting the inoculated materials in barrels in an insect-proof greenhouse for cultivation, investigating the incidence rate 30 d after inoculation, and evaluating the disease resistance according to the 1-5 level standard. The method of stem-cutting inoculation includes the steps of directly screening sugarcane stems carrying SCWL phytoplasma and adding 10 times of sterile water to prepare an inoculation liquid, cultivating the identification materials in an insect-proof greenhouse, dropping 100 μl of the inoculation liquid into each root incision with a pipette gun at the age of 6 months, investigating the incidence rate 20 d after planting, and evaluating the disease resistance according to the 1-5 level standard. [Results] The two methods are similar to the natural transmission method. After inoculation, SCML occurred significantly, with high sensitivity and good reproducibility. The results of resistance identification were consistent with those of natural disease in the field. Through the two inoculation methods and field natural disease investigation, the resistance of 10 main cultivars to SCML was identified, which was true and reliable. [Conclusions] This study can provide standard varieties for identification of SCML resistance in the future.

Recurred forehead osteoma disseminated after previous osteoma excision:A case report

BACKGROUND Forehead osteoma is a commonly encountered benign facial bone tumor.Endoscopic excision of benign forehead masses is widely performed.Here,we report a rare case of recurrent forehead osteoma that disseminated after a previous osteoma excision.CASE SUMMARY A 54-year-old female patient had previously undergone endoscopic removal of a single forehead osteoma at 30 years of age.However,she had a recurrent osteoma around the same site and underwent another endoscopic resection at 40 years of age.During her first visit to our outpatient clinic,she presented with a cobblestone-like irregular surface on the forehead and a 3D facial bone computed tomography scan revealed a widely ragged surface of the inoculated osteoma on the outer table of the frontal bone.Under general anesthesia,we performed a radical complete excision of the disseminated osteoma through a bicoronal incision using an osteotome,chisel,mallet,and rasping.We hypothesized that the recurrence may have been caused by the inoculation of residual osteoma remnants from the previous procedure.Craniofacial surgeons should be cautious when removing osteoma particles,particularly when using an endoscopic approach.CONCLUSION To prevent recurrence,it is essential to conduct additional meticulous burring and a thorough inspection of the surface after copious irrigation.

Tissue Culture Application of Maranta arundinacea

The reproductive methods of ornamental arrowroot(Maranta arundinacea)mainly include plant division,cutting propagation,truncation and sprout promotion propagation,and tissue culture.Large-scale seedling production mainly relies on tissue culture.In the process of tissue culture,the culture conditions can be artificially controlled,and the plant materials used for tissue culture grow completely in artificially-provided culture media and microclimate environment,free from the adverse effects of catastrophic climate,seasonal and diurnal changes.Because the conditions are relatively uniform,tissue culture is very beneficial for plant growth and more convenient for stable long-term cultivation and production.In the process of tissue culture,the inoculation process is more important.How can we achieve standardized operation and reduce pollution during the inoculation process is worth exploring.

Culture Media Options for Growth and Morphological Characterisation of Cercospora coffeicola Affecting Coffee in Zimbabwe

Cercospora leaf spot is fast turning into a critically important disease in Zimbabwe.The disease is caused by Cercospora coffeicola which significantly reduces productivity and quality of coffee.Disturbingly,optimum sporulation of Cercospora coffeicola in culture remains a limiting factor for microbial analysis and quantitative studies of Cercospora leaf spot.Faced with this challenge,an in-vitro study was conducted at Coffee Research Institute,Manicaland,Zimbabwe to examine growth of Cercospora coffeicola in different nutrient media and to determine the best media for Cercospora coffeicola analysis.Six nutrient media were assessed(corn meal agar,oat meal agar,Czapek Dox agar,malt extract agar,yeast extract agar and potato dextrose agar)for the growth of Cercospora coffeicola.The laboratory-based experiment was duplicated,laid out in a Completely Randomized Design,replicated three times and based on Cercospora coffeicola nutrient inoculation.Data were collected on radial growth,colour and texture of mycelium at 3 and 6 days after inoculation.There were significant differences(p<0.05)in the growth of Cercospora coffeicola in media after 3 and 6 days.Malt extract agar had the greatest radial growth(34 mm and 32 mm)of Cercospora coffeicola for trials 1 and 2 respectively,whilst the least growth was in the oat meal agar(14.2 mm and 15.7 mm)for trials 1 and 2 respectively.There were variations in colour and texture of mycelium with malt extract agar,potato dextrose agar and oat meal agar associated with darker colours and rough texture while smooth white mycelia were found in corn meal agar.After considering all nutrient media,malt extract agar was found to be the best media for the growth of Cercospora coffeicola in-vitro.On the basis of our findings,the authors recommend the use of malt extract agar as the primary media for identification and characterisation of Cercospora coffeicola.

HISTOCHEMICAL CHANGES OF HOST CELLS IN TISSUE CULTURE INOCULATED WITH RICKETTSIA TSUTSUGAMUSHI

Investigation of metabolic changes of host cells in tissue culture caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi helps to elucidate the pathogenesis and mechanism of immunity in scrub typhus. We used the histochemical methods for observing the changes of nucleic acids in the rabbit testicular monolayer tissue culture inoculated with R. tsutsugamushi. The method of preparation and inoculation of the tissue culture was the same as already reported. In the present experiment a glass slide was first inserted into the tube. before introduction of tissue cells. Examination was made once every 4 days after the cells had been inoculated with rickettsia. On the days

STERIGMATOCYSTIN INDUCED ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE LUNG AND ATYPICAL HYPERPLASIA OF GLANDULAR STOMACH IN MICE

Aspergillus versicolor was isolated from the gastric juice of patients with chronic stomach diseases in high-risk area of gastric cancer. Mice fed with Aspergillus-inoculated corn flour developed adenocarcinoma of the lung in 15 of 35 mice (42.9%) and atypical hyperplasia of the glandular stomach in 13 of 35 mice (37.4%). Sterigmatocystin was identified by high performance liquid chromato-graphy (HPLC) and fluorescence spectrophotometry in the extract of Aspergillus-inoculated corn flour. The results suggest that the mycotoxin Sterigmatocystin may play a potential role in carcinogenesis in human.

Bibliography of Science and Technology of Rare Earths Phblished in China(1991)

Application310 Influence of rare earth upon the resising power to nodularizing-fade for liquid ductile iron,Zhu Lei et al.,Foundry,1991,(8),15.311 Study on the fast annealing of the RE composite-inoculated malleable cast iron,Liu Chao et al.,Foundry,1991,(4),15.312 Study on rare earth catalysts of perovskite type,Chert Zhaoping et al.,Journal of Northeast University of Technology,1991,12(1),79.313 Effect of rare earth on toughness of atmospheric corrosion resisting steel containing copper and phosphorus,RenHaipeng,Journal of Northeast University of Technology,1991,12(2),172.

Therapeutic effects of combined suicide gene and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor gene transfer on erythroleukemia in mice

Adenoviruses harboring E. coli. cytosine deaminase(CD) gene (Ad-CD) and murine granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene(Ad-GM-CSF) were used for gene transfer in vivo.(C57BL/6 mice were inoculated subeutaneously with FBL-3 erythroleukemia cells and three days later treated withadenovirus injection at the site of tumor inoculation.

In vitro germination and propagation of a threatened medicinal orchid,Cymbidium aloifolium(L.) Sw.through artificial seed

Objective:To study the in vitro germination and plantlet regeneration from artificial seeds of Cymbidium aloifolium(C.aloifolium),a highly threatened medicinal orchid of Nepal.Methods:Artificial seeds were produced in vitro by encapsulation of protocorms with 4%sodium alginate and 0.2 mol/L calcium chloride solution.In vitro germination and plantlet regeneration of the artificial seeds were tested by culturing them on different strength of Murashige and Skoog(MS) liquid media(0.25,0.5 and 1.0) and MS liquid medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L benzyl amino purine and 0.5 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid.Freshly produced artificial seeds were stored up to 28 d at 4 ℃.In order to check the viability,storage artificial seeds were treated with five different sterilization techniques(T_1 T_2,T_3 T_4,T_5) and inoculated on full strength(1.0) of MS liquid medium after each 7 d of interval upto28 th days.Results:The highest percentage of germination(100%) of artificial seed was obtained on quarter(0.25),half(0.5) and full(1.0) strength of MS liquid medium.Experimentally,full strength of MS liquid medium was more effective for earlier seedling development of C.aloifolium.Artificial seeds were successfully stored at 4 ℃ till 28 th days.Treatments T_1 and T_2showed 97.5%viability of storage artificial seeds and hence considered as the most effective sterilization techniques to recover the plant from storage artificial seeds.Plantlets developed from artificial seeds were successfully acclimatized in potting mixture containing cocopeat,litter and sphagnum moss with 85%survival rate.Conclusions:The present study revealed that artificial seeds are the good alternative explants for in vitro mass propagation and short term conservation of C.aloifolium.

Augmentation of antitumor effects by fibroblast-mediated IL-2 and IL-3 gene therapy in mice treated with chemotherapy and BMT

Effects of fibroblast-mediated IL-2 and IL-3 genetherapy on recovery of bone marrow depression in tumor-bearing mice treated with cyclophosphamide (300 mg/kg) and syngeneic BMT were investigated in the presentreport. BALB/c mice were inoculated with J558Lplasmacytoma cells s. c. and 3 days later IL-2 secretingNIH3T3-IL-2, IL-3 secreting NIH3T3-IL-3 fibroblastcells were implanted into the tumor-bearing mice

The development and characterization ot recombinant adenovirus encoding RA538, p53 or p16 for gene therapy of cancer

We have constructed three recombinantadenoviruses encoding RA538, p53 or p16 respec-tively. These recombinant adenoviruses are able toexpress RA538, p53 or p16 in infected human cancercells. The transduction efficiency assay showed thatthe infected cancer cells inoculated with theserecombinant adenoviruses at MOI of 25 or greaterexhibited 100% transduction efficiency. The growthrates and colony formation of cancer cells infectedwith these recombinant adenoviruses were