Earlier Laboratory Studies Research Articles

Evaluation of subsurface transport processes of delayed gas signatures applicable to underground nuclear explosions

Radioactive gas signatures from underground nuclear explosions (UNEs) result from gas-migration processes occurring in the subsurface. The processes considered in this study either drive or retard upward migration of gases from the detonation cavity. The relative importance of these processes is evaluated by simulating subsurface transport in a dual-permeability medium for the multi-tracer Noble Gas Migration Experiment (NGME) originally intended to study some aspects of transport from a UNE. For this experiment, relevant driving processes include weak two-phase convection driven by the geothermal gradient, over pressuring of the detonation cavity, and barometric pumping while gas sorption, dissolution, radioactive decay, and usually diffusion represent retarding processes. From deterministic simulations we found that over-pressuring of the post-detonation chimney coupled with barometric pumping produced a synergistic effect amplifying the tracer-gas reaching the surface. Bounding simulations indicated that the sorption and dissolution of gases, tending to retard transport, were much smaller than anticipated by earlier laboratory studies. The NGME observations themselves show that differences in gas diffusivity have a larger effect on influencing upward transport than do the combined effects of tracer-gas sorption and dissolution, which is consistent with a Sobol’ sensitivity analysis. Both deterministic simulations and those considering parametric uncertainties of transport-related properties predict that the excess in concentration of SF_6 compared to ^{127}Xe as might be captured in small volumetric samples should be much smaller than the order-of-magnitude contrast found in the large-volume gas samples taken at the site. While extraction of large-volume subsurface gas samples is shown to be capable of distorting in situ gas compositions, the highly variable injection rate of SF_6 into the detonation cavity relative to that of ^{127}Xe at the start of the field experiment is the most likely explanation for the large difference in observed concentrations.

Patch testing with aluminium Finn Chambers could give false-positive reactions in patients with contact allergy to aluminium.

Earlier laboratory studies have shown that sodium tetrachloropalladate, Myroxylon pereirae, caine mix II, and palladium chloride trigger the release of aluminium (Al) from Finn Chambers (FC). To investigate whether aluminium realease from FC could influence the diagnostic outcome of patch testing with FC. A retrospective analysis of patch test results from 2010 to 2019 was performed. A two-sided Fisher's exact test was used to calculate any overrepresentation of contact allergy to Al among patients with positive reactions to sodium tetrachloropalladate, Myroxylon pereirae, caine mix II, and palladium chloride. A total of 5446 patients had been tested with FC during the study period. There was a significant overrepresentation of contact allergy to Al among patients with positive reactions to sodium tetrachloropalladate, Myroxylon pereirae, caine mix II, and palladium chloride. Patients with a strong Al allergy had significantly higher amounts of concomitant reactions to sodium tetrachloropalladate, Myroxylon pereirae, caine mix II, and palladium chloride compared to patients with weak Al allergy. These results were not seen for patients tested with Finn Chambers AQUA. In patients with contact allergy to Al, patch testing with Finn chambers could give false-positive reactions to sodium tetrachloropalladate, Myroxylon pereirae, caine mix II, and palladium chloride.

An effective-medium model for P-wave velocities of saturated, unconsolidated saline permafrost

To better understand the relationship between P-wave velocities and ice content in saturated, unconsolidated saline permafrost, we constructed an effective-medium model based upon ultrasonic P-wave data that were obtained from earlier laboratory studies. The model uses a two-end-member mixing approach in which an ice-filled, fully frozen end member and a water-filled, fully unfrozen end member are mixed together to form the effective medium of partially frozen sediments. This mixing approach has two key advantages: (1) It does not require parameter tuning of the mixing ratios, and (2) it inherently assumes mixed pore-scale distributions of ice that consist of frame-strengthening (i.e., cementing and/or load-bearing) ice and pore-filling ice. The model-predicted P-wave velocities agree well with our laboratory data, demonstrating the effectiveness of the model for quantitatively inferring ice content from P-wave velocities. The modeling workflow is simple and is largely free of calibration parameters — attributes that ease its application in interpreting field data sets.

Phase state of ambient aerosol linked with water uptake and chemical aging in the southeastern US

Abstract. During the summer 2013 Southern Aerosol and Oxidant Study (SOAS) field campaign in a rural site in the southeastern United States, the effect of hygroscopicity and composition on the phase state of atmospheric aerosol particles dominated by the organic fraction was studied. The analysis is based on hygroscopicity measurements by a Hygroscopic Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer (HTDMA), physical phase state investigations by an Aerosol Bounce Instrument (ABI) and composition measurements using a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS). To study the effect of atmospheric aging on these properties, an OH-radical oxidation flow reactor (OFR) was used to simulate longer atmospheric aging times of up to 3 weeks. Hygroscopicity and bounce behavior of the particles had a clear relationship showing higher bounce at elevated relative humidity (RH) values for less hygroscopic particles, which agrees well with earlier laboratory studies. Additional OH oxidation of the aerosol particles in the OFR increased the O : C and the hygroscopicity resulting in liquefying of the particles at lower RH values. At the highest OH exposures, the inorganic fraction starts to dominate the bounce process due to production of inorganics and concurrent loss of organics in the OFR. Our results indicate that at typical ambient RH and temperature, organic-dominated particles stay mostly liquid in the atmospheric conditions in the southeastern US, but they often turn semisolid when dried below ∼ 50 % RH in the sampling inlets. While the liquid phase state suggests solution behavior and equilibrium partitioning for the SOA particles in ambient air, the possible phase change in the drying process highlights the importance of thoroughly considered sampling techniques of SOA particles.

Reproductive Incompatibility Involving Senegalese Aedes aegypti (L) Is Associated with Chromosome Rearrangements

Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue, yellow fever and Zika flaviviruses, consists of at least two subspecies. Aedes aegypti (Aaa) is light in color, has pale scales on the first abdominal tergite, oviposits in artificial containers, and preferentially feeds on humans. Aedes aegypti formosus (Aaf), has a dark cuticle, is restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, has no pale scales on the first abdominal tergite and frequently oviposits in natural containers. Scale patterns correlate with cuticle color in East Africa but not in Senegal, West Africa where black cuticle mosquitoes display a continuum of scaling patterns and breed domestically indoors. An earlier laboratory study did not indicate any pre- or postzygotic barriers to gene flow between Aaa and Aaf in East Africa. However, similar attempts to construct F1 intercross families between Aaa laboratory strains and Senegal Ae. aegypti (SenAae) failed due to poor F1 oviposition and low F2 egg-to-adult survival. Insemination and assortative mating experiments failed to identify prezygotic mating barriers. Backcrosses were performed to test for postzygotic isolation patterns consistent with Haldane’s rule modified for species, like Aedes, that have an autosomal sex determining locus (SDL). Egg-pupal survival was predicted to be low in females mated to hybrid F1 males but average when a male mates with a hybrid F1 female. Survival was in fact significantly reduced when females mated to hybrid males but egg-pupal survival was significantly increased when males were mated to hybrid F1 females. These observations are therefore inconclusive with regards to Haldane’s rule. Basic cytogenetic analyses and Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) experiments were performed to compare SenAae strains with the IB12 strain of Aaa that was used for genome sequencing and physical mapping. Some SenAae strains had longer chromosomes than IB12 and significantly different centromeric indices on chromosomes 1 and 3. DAPI staining was used to identify AT-rich regions, chromomycin A3 following pretreatment with barium hydroxide stained for GC-rich regions and stained the ribosomal RNA locus and YOYO-1 was used to test for differential staining. Chromosome patterns in SenAae strains revealed by these three stains differed from those in IB12. For FISH, 40 BAC clones previously physically mapped on Aaa chromosomes were used to test for chromosome rearrangements in SenAae relative to IB12. Differences in the order of markers identified two chromosomal rearrangements between IB12 and SenAae strains. The first rearrangement involves two overlapping pericentric (containing the centromere) inversions in chromosome 3 or an insertion of a large fragment into the 3q arm. The second rearrangement is close to the centromere on the p arm of chromosome 2. Linkage analysis of the SDL and the white-eye locus identified a likely chromosomal rearrangement on chromosome 1. The reproductive incompatibility observed within SenAae and between SenAae and Aaa may be generally associated with chromosome rearrangements on all three chromosomes and specifically caused by pericentric inversions on chromosomes 2 and 3.

Adaptive tolerance to a pathogenic fungus drives major histocompatibility complex evolution in natural amphibian populations.

Amphibians have been affected globally by the disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), and we are just now beginning to understand how immunogenetic variability contributes to disease susceptibility. Lineages of an expressed major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II locus involved in acquired immunity are associated with chytridiomycosis susceptibility in controlled laboratory challenge assays. Here, we extend these findings to natural populations that vary both in exposure and response to Bd. We find that MHC alleles and supertypes associated with Bd survival in the field show a molecular signal of positive selection, while those associated with susceptibility do not, supporting the hypothesis that heritable Bd tolerance is rapidly evolving. We compare MHC supertypes to neutral loci to demonstrate where selection versus demography is shaping MHC variability. One population with Bd tolerance in nature shows a significant signal of directional selection for the same allele (allele Q) that was significantly associated with survival in an earlier laboratory study. Our findings indicate that selective pressure for Bd survival drives rapid immunogenetic adaptation in some natural populations, despite differences in environment and demography. Our field-based analysis of immunogenetic variation confirms that natural amphibian populations have the evolutionary potential to adapt to chytridiomycosis.

Zebrafish Social Behavior in the Wild.

Wild zebrafish exhibit a wide range of behavior. We found abundant wild zebrafish in flowing rivers and still water, in large, tightly-knit groups of hundreds of individuals, as well as in small, loose shoals. In two still-water populations, zebrafish were quite small in body size, common, and in tight groups of up to 22 fish. As in earlier laboratory studies, these zebrafish exhibited very low levels of aggression. In slowly flowing water in central India, zebrafish were relatively rare and gathered in small shoals (4-12 fish), often with other small fish, such as Rasbora daniconius. These stream zebrafish were larger in body size (27 mm TL) and much more aggressive than those in still water. In a second river population with much faster flowing water, zebrafish were abundant and again relatively large (21 mm TL). These zebrafish occurred in very large (up to 300 individuals) and tightly-knit (nearest-neighbor distances up to 21 mm) groups that exhibited collective rheotaxis and almost no aggression. This remarkable variation in social behavior of wild zebrafish offers an opportunity for future studies of behavioral genetics, development, and neuroscience.

THE EFFECTS OF WAVE-BREAKING-INDUCED TURBULENT COHERENT STRUCTURES ON BOTTOM STRESS AND SUSPENDED SEDIMENT TRANSPORT – A 3D NUMERICAL STUDY

To better understand the effect of wave-breaking-induced turbulence on nearshore sand transport, we carry out a 3D Large Eddy Simulation study of breaking solitary wave in spilling condition. Using a turbulence-resolving approach, we investigate the formation and evolution of wave-breaking-induced turbulent coherent structures, commonly known as obliquely descending eddies (ODEs), and how they may interact with the bed and enhance the suspended sediment transport. The numerical implementation is based on an open-source CFD library of solvers, called OpenFOAM®, where the incompressible 3D filtered Navier-Stokes equations for the water and the air phases are solved with a finite volume scheme. The evolution of the water-air interfaces are approximated with a Volume of Fluid (VOF) method. With the dynamic Smagorinsky closure, the numerical model results show good agreement with measured wave flume data of solitary wave breaking over a 1/50 sloping beach. Simulation results show that 3D hairpin vortices are generated under breaking wave, and they possess counter-rotating and downburst features, which are the key characteristics of obliquely descending eddies (ODEs) observed by earlier laboratory studies with Particle Image Velocimetry. A suspended sediment transport formulation (Liu and Garcia 2008) has been incorporated into the present hydrodynamic solver as part of the OpenFOAM® framework. Model results suggest that those ODEs that impinge onto the bed can cause significant bottom sediment suspension, and the location of the sediment plume is highly associated with the impinging points of ODEs but with notable time-lag.

A numerical investigation of wave‐breaking‐induced turbulent coherent structure under a solitary wave

AbstractTo better understand the effect of wave‐breaking‐induced turbulence on the bed, we report a 3‐D large‐eddy simulation (LES) study of a breaking solitary wave in spilling condition. Using a turbulence‐resolving approach, we study the generation and the fate of wave‐breaking‐induced turbulent coherent structures, commonly known as obliquely descending eddies (ODEs). Specifically, we focus on how these eddies may impinge onto bed. The numerical model is implemented using an open‐source CFD library of solvers, called OpenFOAM, where the incompressible 3‐D filtered Navier‐Stokes equations for the water and the air phases are solved with a finite volume scheme. The evolution of the water‐air interfaces is approximated with a volume of fluid method. Using the dynamic Smagorinsky closure, the numerical model has been validated with wave flume experiments of solitary wave breaking over a 1/50 sloping beach. Simulation results show that during the initial overturning of the breaking wave, 2‐D horizontal rollers are generated, accelerated, and further evolve into a couple of 3‐D hairpin vortices. Some of these vortices are sufficiently intense to impinge onto the bed. These hairpin vortices possess counter‐rotating and downburst features, which are key characteristics of ODEs observed by earlier laboratory studies using Particle Image Velocimetry. Model results also suggest that those ODEs that impinge onto bed can induce strong near‐bed turbulence and bottom stress. The intensity and locations of these near‐bed turbulent events could not be parameterized by near‐surface (or depth integrated) turbulence unless in very shallow depth.

Seasonal activity, habitat preferences and larval mortality of the leaf-mining fly Calycomyza eupatorivora (Agromyzidae), a biological control agent established on Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) in South Africa

The leaf-mining fly Calycomyza eupatorivora Spencer (Diptera: Agromyzidae) has become widely established in the eastern regions of South Africa, following its release for the biological control of the invasive shrub Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson. This study was conducted to gain some insight into the impact of C. eupatorivora populations, by assessing their seasonal activity, habitat preferences, levels of leaf exploitation and extent of larval mortality in the field over a 1-year period. Leaf mining intensity was poorly synchronised with leaf availability, with leaf exploitation peaking at the end of the growing season of C. odorata. Although significantly more mines were recovered on plants growing in shaded situations, the percentage of available leaves that were exploited for mining was not significantly different between plants growing in shaded versus open situations. Overall, the levels of leaf damage were trivial with mines recovered from <5% of available leaves that were sampled during the study. Besides leaf-quality requirements, these low levels of leaf exploitation may have been influenced by high larval mortality which varied between 60 and 83%, depending on whether lower or higher estimates were used. These evaluations have verified the results of earlier laboratory studies which suggested that the impact of C. eupatorivora on mature populations of C. odorata in South Africa will be negligible.

Endocrine biomarkers and symptom clusters during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause: observations from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study.

During the menopausal transition and early postmenopause, participants in the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study were likely to belong to one of three symptom severity classes: severe hot flashes with moderate sleep, mood, cognitive, and pain symptoms (high-severity hot flash); moderate levels of all but hot flashes (moderate severity); and low levels of all (low severity). We tested models of the differential effects of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) biomarkers on the three symptom severity classes. The Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study participants recorded symptoms monthly in diaries and provided overnight urine samples several times per year that were analyzed for estrone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), cortisol, testosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Multilevel latent class analysis with multinomial regression was used to determine the effects of HPO axis, HPA axis, and ANS biomarkers on symptom severity class membership. Having lower estrogen and higher FSH levels was significantly associated with belonging to the high-severity hot flash class versus the low-severity class. Having lower epinephrine and higher norepinephrine levels increased the likelihood of belonging to the high-severity hot flash class versus the low-severity class. Having lower epinephrine levels was significantly associated with belonging to the moderate-severity class versus the low-severity class. Cortisol and testosterone were unrelated to symptom severity class membership. The association of HPO axis biomarkers (estrogen and FSH) with the high-severity hot flash class is anticipated based on prior hot flash research, and the associations of HPA axis biomarkers are as expected based on earlier laboratory studies. The association of lower epinephrine levels with the moderate-severity class suggests that these symptoms may be mediated by the ANS.

Fine-scale diel and gender-based patterns in behaviour of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) on a spawning ground in the Western Gulf of Maine

Abstract Understanding the influence of spawning behaviour on the fine-scale distribution of Atlantic cod is essential to the design of effective conservation measures. Laboratory studies suggest that spawning activity occurs primarily at night, yet no field studies have evaluated the influence of diel period on the behaviour of individual wild spawning cod. Using an acoustic telemetry positioning system, the fine-scale movements of spawning cod were observed in situ as they returned to the same spawning location over consecutive seasons. The resulting data identify clear gender-based diel patterns in space use and aggregation behaviour among cod on a spawning ground. During the day, females remained aggregated in one small location that varied little within and between years. Males also aggregated during the day, but occupied a much larger adjacent area. At night, individual males sought out separate small territories while females generally remained near their daytime aggregation site, making periodic excursions into the surrounding area. These patterns were surprisingly stable over the 2 years of observation, indicating little interannual variability in spawning behaviour. This study provides an unprecedented examination of the natural spawning behaviour of Atlantic cod, and makes connections between earlier laboratory studies and field observations.

Are Relative-Income Effects Constant Across the Well-Being Distribution?

This paper challenges the common assumption made by economists to date that income comparisons are similarly important in different segments of the subjective well-being (SWB) distribution. The results, based on the 2000–2007 waves of the German SOEP and on a Generalized Ordered Probit for panel data, show that relative income, as measured either by the mean income of the reference group or the individual ordinal ranking within the group, exerts a differential effect across SWB levels. Such divergence is assessed by means of the tradeoff ratio between household income and the relative income variables. The results show that a low rank and falling below the average income in one’s group are significant determinants of low SWB but largely irrelevant when accounting for high SWB. The fact that conditionally unhappy individuals are more sensitive to comparisons, particularly if they are unfavorable, is consistent with earlier laboratory studies in the field of psychology.

Are Relative-Income Effects Constant Across the Well-Being Distribution?

This paper challenges the common assumption made by economists to date that income comparisons are similarly important in different segments of the subjective well-being (SWB) distribution. The results, based on the 2000-2007 waves of the German SOEP and on a Generalized Ordered Probit for panel data, show that relative income, as measured either by the mean income of the reference group or the individual ordinal ranking within the group, exerts a differential effect across SWB levels. Such divergence is assessed by means of the tradeoff ratio between household income and the relative income variables. The results show that a low rank and falling below the average income in one's group are significant determinants of low SWB but largely irrelevant when accounting for high SWB. The fact that conditionally unhappy individuals are more sensitive to comparisons, particularly if they are unfavorable, is consistent with earlier laboratory studies in the field of psychology.

Eye fluke-induced cataracts in natural fish populations: is there potential for host manipulation?

Manipulation of host phenotype (e.g. behaviour, appearance) is suggested to be a common strategy to enhance transmission in trophically transmitted parasites. However, in many systems, evidence of manipulation comes exclusively from laboratory studies and its occurrence in natural host populations is poorly understood. Here, we examined the potential for host manipulation by Diplostomum eye flukes indirectly by quantifying the physiological effects of parasites on fish. Earlier laboratory studies have shown that Diplostomum infection predisposes fish to predation by birds (definitive hosts of the parasites) by reducing fish vision through cataract formation. However, occurrence of cataracts and the subsequent potential for host manipulation in natural fish populations has remained poorly explored. We studied the occurrence of eye fluke-induced cataracts from 7 common fish species (Gymnocephalus cernuus, Rutilus rutilus, Leuciscus leuciscus, Alburnus alburnus, Osmerus eperlanus, Coregonus lavaretus and Gasterosteus aculeatus) from the Bothnian Bay in the Baltic Sea. We found that the parasite-induced cataracts were common in fish and they also reached high levels which are likely to predispose fish to predation. However, we observed such cataracts only in species with the highest parasite abundances, which suggests that only certain hosts may be strongly affected by the infection.

Integrating physiology, population dynamics and climate to make multi‐scale predictions for the spread of an invasive insect: the Argentine ant at Haleakala National Park, Hawaii

Mechanistic models for predicting species’ distribution patterns present particular advantages and challenges relative to models developed from statistical correlations between distribution and climate. They can be especially useful for predicting the range of invasive species whose distribution has not yet reached equilibrium. Here, we illustrate how a physiological model of development for the invasive Argentine ant can be connected to differences in micro‐site suitability, population dynamics and climatic gradients; processes operating at quite different spatial scales. Our study is located in the subalpine shrubland of Haleakala National Park, Hawaii, where the spread of Argentine ants Linepithema humile has been documented for the past twenty‐five years. We report four main results. First, at a microsite level, the accumulation of degree‐days recorded in potential ant nest sites under bare ground or rocks was significantly greater than under a groundcover of grassy vegetation. Second, annual degree‐days measured where population boundaries have not expanded (456–521 degree‐days), were just above the developmental requirements identified from earlier laboratory studies (445 degree‐days above 15.9°C). Third, rates of population expansion showed a strong linear relationship with annual degree‐days. Finally, an empirical relationship between soil degree‐days and climate variables mapped at a broader scale predicts the potential for future range expansion of Argentine ants at Haleakala, particularly to the west of the lower colony and the east of the upper colony. Variation in the availability of suitable microsites, driven by changes in vegetation cover and ultimately climate, provide a hierarchical understanding of the distribution of Argentine ants close to their cold‐wet limit of climatic tolerances. We conclude that the integration of physiology, population dynamics and climate mapping holds much promise for making more robust predictions about the potential spread of invasive species.

Properties and cleanability of new and traditional surface materials in cattle barns - a field study

In this study surface properties and cleanability of new and traditional surface materials in cattle barns were examined in a field test. The concrete and plastic-coated samples were placed on a walking path on the floor and on a feeding table in a cattle barn. The surfaces were characterized using colorimetric and gloss measurements and determination of topography. In most cases, the colour of the surfaces placed on the floor darkened during the one year study period, whereas the colour changes of the samples placed on the feeding table did not show a similar trend. However, in both locations the plastic-coated surfaces were generally the easiest to clean, and the highest colour changes indicating soil residues were detected on the uncoated and silane-impregnated concrete surfaces. The difference between the locations was also seen in the gloss values, which increased in the samples placed on the floor during the one-year test period but varied considerably between the different materials on the surfaces placed on the feeding table. This field study confirmed the observation from earlier laboratory studies that plastic coatings improved the cleanability of concrete cattle barn surfaces. Silane impregnation was not functionally competitive with the plastic coatings. In general, the cleanability results were in accordance with the results of previous laboratory experiments but the field study provided practical information about the behaviour of the surface materials examined.;

Inventory Service-Level Agreements as Coordination Mechanisms: The Effect of Review Periods

Asupplier stocking goods for delivery to a retailer may face a (finite-horizon) service-level agreement (SLA). In this context, the SLA is a commitment by a supplier to achieve a minimum fill rate over a specified time horizon. This kind of SLA is an important, but understudied coordination mechanism. We focus on the impact of two contract parameters: the length of the review period and the magnitude of the bonus for meeting or exceeding the service-level target. For a supplier following a base stock (order-up-to) inventory policy, increasing the bonus increases optimal supplier stocking levels, whereas lengthening the review period may increase or decrease optimal stocking levels. We investigate these mechanisms in a controlled laboratory setting and find that longer review periods are generally more effective than shorter review periods in inducing higher stocking levels. As in several earlier laboratory studies, the explanation lies in the improved feedback reliability that longer review periods provide. The primary managerial implication of our findings is that, in practice, longer review periods may be more effective than shorter ones at inducing service improvements.

Control of blue mold decay of apple during commercial controlled atmosphere storage with yeast antagonists and sodium bicarbonate

A mixture of two yeast antagonists, Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Cryptococcus laurentii, originally isolated from apples and exhibiting greater biocontrol activity against blue mold of apple than either yeast applied alone, were used in combination with sodium bicarbonate (SBC) in a pilot test in which treated fruit were stored under commercial controlled atmosphere (CA) storage conditions. Conidia of Penicillium expansum, antagonists cells and SBC were added to the drench solution. The treatments were applied to apples by drenching entire bins filled with apples containing 100 wounded fruit evenly distributed among five positions in each bin. The treated fruit were stored in commercial CA storages for approximately six months in the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 storage seasons and then evaluated for incidence of decay. In both years, the treatments with the antagonist alone or in combination with SBC were equally effective and reduced blue mold incidence by 84–97% in 2005–2006 and 73–82% in 2006–2007. SBC alone significantly reduced blue mold incidence compared to the non-treated control but was less effective than the antagonist alone or in combination with SBC. This pilot test showed that the combination of these two antagonists and SBC can be an effective decay control method under commercial CA conditions, confirming results from our earlier laboratory studies using similarly treated fruit stored under CA conditions.

Proteome alterations induced in human white blood cells by consumption of Brussels sprouts: Results of a pilot intervention study

Epidemiological studies indicate a correlation of cruciferous vegetables consumption with reduced incidence of cancer. This study was designed to investigate molecular mechanisms, which may help to understand the beneficial effects of Brussels sprout consumption. In order to avoid the limitations of in vitro model systems, we performed a dietary intervention study with five participants. We investigated, whether sprout consumption affects the proteome profile of primary white blood cells. In order to achieve maximal sensitivity in detecting specific adaptive proteome alterations, we metabolically labelled freshly isolated cells in the presence of (35) S-methionine/cysteine and performed autoradiographic quantification of protein synthesis. Proteins were separated by 2-DE and spots of interest were cut out, digested and identified by MS. After the intervention, we found a significant up-regulation of the synthesis of manganese superoxide dismutase (1.56-fold) and significant down-regulation of the synthesis of heat shock 70 kDa protein (hsp70; 2.27-fold). Both proteins play a role in malignant transformation of cells. Hsp-70 is involved in the regulation of apoptosis, which leads to elimination of cancer cells, while SOD plays a key role in protection against reactive oxygen species mediated effects. Our findings indicate that the alteration of the synthesis of these proteins may be involved in the anticarcinogenic effects of cruciferous vegetables, which was observed in earlier laboratory studies with animals.