Midwest Research Institute Research Articles

Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of radish

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is necessary to enhance sustainable yield in an eco-friendly way. A field experiment was conducted in the research field of Midwest Academy and Research Institute College of Live Sciences, Tulsipur, Dang from November 2018 to January 2019 to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of radish. Mino Early variety was used in the experiment. The experiment was laid out on Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications and 5 treatments. Nitrogen (N) was supplied through different sources. The treatment combinations were: control (T1), 100% recommended N through chemical fertilizer (T2), 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through farmyard manure (FYM) (T3), 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure (T4) and 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% vermicompost (T5). Significant effect was noted on leaf numbers, root length, root diameter and yield per ha but no significant effect was noted on the germination percentage and plant height. The highest germination percentage (77.00 %), plant height (13.27 cm), root length (16.94 cm), root diameter (3.01 cm), and yield per ha (16.55 t/ha) was recorded at T4 (50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure). T5 (50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% vermicompost) recorded the highest leaf numbers (10.40). In our experiment, T4 (50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure) was found to be superior, so in inner terai places like Tulsipur, Dang it is suggested to apply 50% recommended N through chemical fertilizer + 50% N through poultry manure to obtain a high yield of radish.

Optimization and designing of hybrid power system using HOMER pro

HOMER stands for Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables. Midwest Research Institute has the copyrights of this software. It was developed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of United States. It is used to help the designing of various power plant configurations. It has different built in components in it such as PV panels, Wind turbines, Utility loads of various kinds, Generators, Converters and Battery Backup etc. It is used to simulate various schematics of power plants and then those schematics are simulated to find most optimized power plant configuration with respect to operating cost, net present cost (NPC), gases emission and economic comparison etc. The demand of electricity is increasing throughout the world. Needed to design some innovative new renewables energy systems which can decrease the dependence on conventional energy resources. A hybrid system is designed for the Baluchistan’s Seashore in which the designing of grid deals with wind, solar installation and converters installation which decreases amount payable to grid. Analyzing different cases and according to these cases we can evaluate their power generation, pollutant gases emissions, net present cost and average electrical production cost are estimated using HOMER Pro software. There are four kinds of results provided in the optimized results. For better visualization simulation results are given in graphical and tabulated form. The results are sorted in such a way that the proposed hybrid system design is the most economical in terms of operating cost, net present cost and gases emissions.

Profiling Cys34 Adducts of Human Serum Albumin by Fixed-Step Selected Reaction Monitoring

A method is described for profiling putative adducts (or other unknown covalent modifications) at the Cys34 locus of human serum albumin (HSA), which represents the preferred reaction site for small electrophilic species in human serum. By comparing profiles of putative HSA-Cys34 adducts across populations of interest it is theoretically possible to explore environmental causes of degenerative diseases and cancer caused by both exogenous and endogenous chemicals. We report a novel application of selected-reaction-monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry, termed fixed-step SRM (FS-SRM), that allows detection of essentially all HSA-Cys34 modifications over a specified range of mass increases (added masses). After tryptic digestion, HSA-Cys34 adducts are contained in the third largest peptide (T3), which contains 21 amino acids and an average mass of 2433.87 Da. The FS-SRM method does not require that exact masses of T3 adducts be known in advance but rather uses a theoretical list of T3-adduct m/z values separated by a fixed increment of 1.5. In terms of added masses, each triply charged parent ion represents a bin of ±2.3 Da between 9.1 Da and 351.1 Da. Synthetic T3 adducts were used to optimize FS-SRM and to establish screening rules based upon selected b- and y-series fragment ions. An isotopically labeled T3 adduct is added to protein digests to facilitate quantification of putative adducts. We used FS-SRM to generate putative adduct profiles from six archived specimens of HSA that had been pooled by gender, race, and smoking status. An average of 66 putative adduct hits (out of a possible 77) were detected in these samples. Putative adducts covered a wide range of concentrations, were most abundant in the mass range below 100 Da, and were more abundant in smokers than in nonsmokers. With minor modifications, the FS-SRM methodology can be applied to other nucleophilic sites and proteins.

Nonprofit organizations and pharmaceutical research and development

AbstractNot‐for‐profit or nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are playing an increasingly important role in providing solutions to the significant challenges faced by both large pharmaceutical and smaller biotechnology companies in today's world. NPOs chartered for the public benefit are common in the United States and in selected other parts of the world. The largest NPOs in the U.S. with bioscience programs include Battelle, the Midwest Research Institute, the Research Triangle Institute, Southern Research, and SRI International. To provide a perspective on NPO business models, 10 SRI case studies spanning a broad range of technical and business initiatives are summarized herein, including basic and contract research, discovery of new drugs and biologics, pharmaceutical and biotech R&D services, technology pivots, company spin‐ins and spin‐outs, and the creation of new NPOs. The article concludes with lessons learned and food for thought for both pharmaceutical companies and outsourcing participants. Drug Dev Res 70: 461–471, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

BPDE Induced Lymphocytic Chromosome 3p Deletions May Predict Renal Cell Carcinoma Risk

Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for renal cell carcinoma. BPDE (benzo[alpha]pyrene diol epoxide) (Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, Missouri), which is a major constituent of cigarette smoke, induces 3p aberrations that are associated with susceptibility to other smoking associated cancers. Because chromosome 3p deletions are known to be the most frequent genetic alterations in renal cell carcinoma, we tested whether 3p sensitivity to BPDE predicts susceptibility to renal cell carcinoma. Cultured peripheral blood lymphocytic cells from 170 cases and 135 controls were treated with 2 microM BPDE for 24 hours and assessed for 3p deletions by fluorescence in situ hybridization using probes directed to 3p25.2, 3p21.3, 3p14.2 and 3p12.2. A probe for 3q13 served as a control. One thousand lymphocyte interphases were scored per sample. At each locus BPDE induced 3p deletions were significantly more common in cases than in controls. No significant differences between cases and controls were observed for deletions in 3q13. Using the median value in controls as the cutoff point for BPDE sensitivity we found that the OR in subjects with high BPDE sensitivity at 3p25.2, 3p21.3, 3p14.2 and 3p12.2 was 2.02 (95% CI 1.18-3.46), 2.28 (95% CI 1.33-3.92), 1.84 (95% CI 1.07-3.16) and 1.97 (95% CI 1.15-3.37), respectively. There were dose dependent relationships between the number of deletions at each locus and the risk of renal cell carcinoma. This study demonstrates that chromosome 3p may be a specific molecular target of cigarette carcinogens and BPDE sensitivity in chromosome 3p may reflect the genetic susceptibility of an individual to renal cell carcinoma.

Energy, economic and environmental analysis on RET-hydrogen systems in residential buildings

The aim of this study was to analyze energy, economic and environmental performances of a set of scenarios dealing with the production and the use of hydrogen as energy carriers in residential applications in combination with renewable energy (RE). The authors also made an investigation into the required economic conditions necessary for making H 2–RE residential systems competitive with conventional ones, which are based on the use of grid electricity and natural gas. A case study was enacted in a small residential district in Palermo (Italy) made by five multi-storey buildings. Many energy systems have been considered according to several fuel-device combinations (electric grid, fuel cell, PV panels, wind turbines, boiler etc.). The software HOMER (hybrid optimization model for electric renewables), developed by NREL and Midwest Research Institute (USA), was used, in order to study the energy balance of the system and its components. Moreover, it was possible to simulate the hourly operation of each system and to calculate technical, economic and environmental performance parameters. The net present cost and the cost of energy are the two main parameters used to compare economic performances of the systems with both actual and expected costs in the medium term. A sensitivity analysis was carried out in order to appreciate the most important parameters influencing the economic performances of the systems and to define possible future scenarios of competitiveness between technologies. Emissions of CO 2 (the most important greenhouse gas) and other pollutants have been considered for an environmental benefits analysis.

Properties of silorane-based dental resins and composites containing a stress-reducing monomer

Objective To evaluate properties of silorane-based resins and composites containing a stress reducing monomer. Methods Resin mixtures and composites were formulated containing (a) a developmental stress reducing monomer [TOSU; Midwest Research Institute]; (b) Sil-Mix (3M-ESPE); (c) photo cationic initiator system. Standard BISGMA/TEGDMA resin (B/T) and composite (Filtek Z250) were used as controls. Polymerization volume change was measured using a NIST mercury dilatometer and polymerization stress using an Enduratec mechanical testing machine. Three point bend tests determined flexural elastic modulus, work of fracture, and ultimate strength (ADA 27; ISO 4049). Fracture toughness was measured using ASTM E399-90. Four groups of resins and composites were tested: Sil-Mix, methacrylate standard, and Sil-Mix with two addition levels of TOSU. An ANOVA was used and significant differences ranked using Student–Newman–Keuls test ( α = 0.05). Results Polymerization stress values for resins containing TOSU were significantly less than the other materials. Polymerization shrinkage values for Sil-Mix formulations were significantly less than for B/T, but were not different from each other. TOSU-containing formulations generally had somewhat lower mechanical properties values than Sil-Mix or B/T. Polymerization stress values for Sil-Mix-based composites were significantly less as compared to Z250. The 1 wt.% TOSU composite had the lowest stress. No difference between composite groups was noted for fracture toughness or work of fracture. For ultimate strength, the 5 wt.% TOSU formulation differed significantly from Z250. All Sil-Mix formulations had elastic modulus values significantly different from Z250. Significance The ability of TOSU to reduce polymerization stress without a proportional reduction in mechanical properties provides a basis for improvement of silorane-based composites.

Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid Potentiates Apoptosis, Inhibits Invasion, and Abolishes Osteoclastogenesis by Suppressing Nuclear Factor-κB Activation

Because of its ability to suppress tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and inflammation, the histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) is currently in clinical trials. How SAHA mediates its effects is poorly understood. We found that in several human cancer cell lines, SAHA potentiated the apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and chemotherapeutic agents and inhibited TNF-induced invasion and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand-induced osteoclastogenesis, all of which are known to require NF-kappaB activation. These observations corresponded with the down-regulation of the expression of anti-apoptotic (IAP1, IAP2, X chromosome-linked IAP, Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L), TRAF1, FLIP, and survivin), proliferative (cyclin D1, cyclooxygenase 2, and c-Myc), and angiogenic (ICAM-1, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor) gene products. Because several of these genes are regulated by NF-kappaB, we postulated that SAHA mediates its effects by modulating NF-kappaB and found that SAHA suppressed NF-kappaB activation induced by TNF, IL-1beta, okadaic acid, doxorubicin, lipopolysaccharide, H(2)O(2), phorbol myristate acetate, and cigarette smoke; the suppression was not cell type-specific because both inducible and constitutive NF-kappaB activation was inhibited. We also found that SAHA had no effect on direct binding of NF-kappaB to the DNA but inhibited sequentially the TNF-induced activation of IkappaBalpha kinase, IkappaBalpha phosphorylation, IkappaBalpha ubiquitination, IkappaBalpha degradation, p65 phosphorylation, and p65 nuclear translocation. Furthermore, SAHA inhibited the NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene expression activated by TNF, TNFR1, TRADD, TRAF2, NF-kappaB-inducing kinase, IkappaBalpha kinase, and the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. Overall, our results indicated that NF-kappaB and NF-kappaB-regulated gene expression inhibited by SAHA can enhance apoptosis and inhibit invasion and osteoclastogenesis.

Prenatal methylazoxymethanol exposure alters evoked responses in fetal rats

Although there is considerable interest in identifying methods to detect central nervous system impairment early in development, few behavioral assessment tools are available for detecting CNS deficits in the fetus. In the present study, methylazoxymethanol [MAM; Midwest Research Institute, (MRI)] was used to induce deficits in CNS development in fetal rats to assess effects on coordinated fetal behavior. Fetuses were exposed by administering MAM to pregnant rats on E17 of gestation via intraperitoneal injection and then were prepared for behavioral testing 3 days later on E20. After externalization from the uterus into a warm saline bath, fetal subjects received either an intraoral infusion of lemon extract to evoke a facial wiping response or were presented with an artificial nipple to evoke an oral grasping response. Interlimb coordination and paw–face contact during facial wiping were disrupted in MAM-exposed fetuses. Similarly, MAM exposure diminished the ability of fetuses to grasp or maintain oral contact with the artificial nipple. Although clear disruptions of movement coordination were seen in the MAM-treated subjects, there were no significant differences from saline controls in weight or anatomical measures. Together, these findings suggest that behavioral assessments of fetal motor coordination may be useful in identifying neural insult during prenatal development.

TOXIN FOUND IN SENATE MAIL ROOM

THE ANTHRAX ATTACKS OF October 2001 have had one salutary effect: Congress was better prepared for the recent ricin scare that harmed no one and only temporarily closed three Senate office buildings. On Feb. 2, a white powder was discovered in Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's Dirksen building mail room. Analyses of the powder identified the potentially lethal poison ricin, aplant protein. Officials have not released information on the purity, formulation—whether other chemicals were added—or particle size of the ricin used, says Jonathan B. Tucker, abioweapons expert with the Monterey Institute. The fact that no one has become ill suggests that the material was crude and not particularly dangerous. Unlike anthrax, ricin not infectious and is not a good mass casualty agent, says David R. Franz, a senior biological scientist at Midwest Research Institute and former commander of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). It makes a good terror weapon, ...

Recognition of Embedded Generation within Distributed Power Systems in the USA: The New Centre at the NREL

INTRODUCTION Electricity generated from wind power, as from most other renewable energy resources, is generated at dispersed locations and is of variable output. This contrasts with conventional power, usually of much larger scale and generated centrally. Both types of system require grid distribution sy stems to service consumers, however the control and power flow within each type is clearly different. A s renewables develop, the power enters grids designed for central distribution and there can be incompatibility. Such ‘embedded generation’ is often significant and so reconsideration of the grid is necessary. The challenge concerning the compatibility of renewables supplying electricity power grids and gas distribution networks has been recognised recently in the USA by the establishment of a special centre at the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at Golden. This is an important recognition of the changes taking place in energy delivery and will have favourable implications for the increase use of wind power and other renewable sources in main market power generation. The normal expectation is for wind power to be electricity generation and immediate dispersal in a power grid. However the policy of the Center to include the distribution of hy drogen and other gases, gives the possibility for wind power to be dispersed in this form also, thereby allowing the power to be stored and dispersed. NREL is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory managed by Midwest Research Institute, Battelle and Bechtel. Beyond its w ork on distributed power, the lab is a leading centre for research into photovoltaics, wind energy, plantand waste-derived fuels, chemicals, and electric power, energy -ef ficient buildings, advanced vehicle design and hydrogen fuel cells.

Test facility for human exposure to AC and DC magnetic fields.

For more than a decade, Midwest Research Institute (MRI) has investigated the effects of exposure to 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields (EMF) on human physiology, performance, and biochemistry. This accumulated experience, new research directions, and limited resources made it important to design more comprehensive and operationally cost-effective exposure facilities. Here we describe the new, integrated laboratory exposure test facilities recently constructed at MRI and present data on relevant characteristics of the exposure systems. Concentric coil systems were developed to generate uniform magnetic fields within the three new exposure rooms, with rapid cancellation of the field to ambient levels in the rest of the laboratory. Control systems are fully automated, computer-based, and independent. These provide the operational flexibility needed to present fields of different magnitudes, frequencies, and polarization. The local geomagnetic field can be modulated and/or canceled, and both AC and DC fields can be presented in various combinations. Capabilities for conducting double-blind experiments with true active-sham exposure conditions were implemented using bifilar windings and applying current flow in the opposite direction for each wire in a pair. The new facilities provide a comprehensive capability for laboratory-based human research on the potential effects of exposure to AC and DC magnetic fields.

5627081 Method for processing silicon solar cells : Tsuo Y Simon; Landry Marc D; Pitts John R Golden, CO, United States assigned to Midwest Research Institute

5627081 Method for processing silicon solar cells : Tsuo Y Simon; Landry Marc D; Pitts John R Golden, CO, United States assigned to Midwest Research Institute

Field Analytical Chemistry

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVReviewNEXTField Analytical ChemistryViorica Lopez-Avila and Herbert H. HillView Author Information Midwest Research Institute, California Operations, 555-C Clyde Avenue, Mountain View, California 94043-2211 Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4630 Cite this: Anal. Chem. 1997, 69, 12, 289–306Publication Date (Web):June 15, 1997Publication History Published online15 June 1997Published inissue 1 June 1997https://doi.org/10.1021/a19700121Copyright © 1997 American Chemical SocietyRIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views961Altmetric-Citations60LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit Read OnlinePDF (235 KB) Get e-AlertsSUBJECTS:Chromatography,Ions,Mass spectrometers,Mass spectrometry,Sensors Get e-Alerts

5504259 Process to convert biomass and refuse derived fuel to ethers and/or alcohols : Diebold James P; Scahill John W; Chum Helena L; Evans Robert J; Rejai Bahman; Bain Richard L; Overend Ralph P Lakewood, CO, United States assigned to Midwest Research Institute

5504259 Process to convert biomass and refuse derived fuel to ethers and/or alcohols : Diebold James P; Scahill John W; Chum Helena L; Evans Robert J; Rejai Bahman; Bain Richard L; Overend Ralph P Lakewood, CO, United States assigned to Midwest Research Institute

5380445 Pretreatment of microbial sludges : Rivard Christopher J; Nagle Nicholas Lakewood, CO, United States Assigned to Midwest Research Institute

5380445 Pretreatment of microbial sludges : Rivard Christopher J; Nagle Nicholas Lakewood, CO, United States Assigned to Midwest Research Institute

NCI/MRI Chemical Carcinogen Reference Standard Repository

Abstract The National Cancer Institute repository was established nearly 18 years ago to provide a centralized source of well-characterized standards for distribution to the carcinogenesis research community. The NCI repository at Midwest Research Institute consists of over 800 chemicals. During the last fiscal year, 237 orders for characterized standards, consisting of 837 aliquots of 82 chemicals, were received; 185 orders were from organizations within the United States and 52 were from foreign countries. A total of 412 aliquots of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites were shipped, making this the most requested class of chemicals in the repository. The average turnaround time during the last fiscal year, from receipt of an order until shipment of the material, was 5 days. A publication, “Handbook of Analytical and Spectral Data for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Volume I, Benzo[a]pyrenes and its Metabolites”, is available through the repository.

Correlation of Tests for Material Dustiness with Worker Exposure from the Bagging of Powders

Abstract A significant correlation was found between worker dust exposure from a bag packing operation and the results of two dustiness testers. The dustiness testers were the Heubach Dust Measurement Appliance and the Midwest Research Institute (MRI) Dustiness Tester. Both the Heubach and MRI dustiness tester predicted dust exposures to within an order of magnitude for the operation studied. The width of the prediction interval reflects typical variability in worker dust exposure measurements. Although the correlation between dustiness test results and dust exposures may be different for other operations, these results suggest that dustiness tests can be used to compare the relative potential of different materials to cause dust exposures. Heitbrink, W.A.; Todd, W.F.; Fischbach, T.J.: Correlation of Tests for Material Dustiness with Worker Exposure from the Bagging of Powders. Appl. Ind. Hyg. 4:12–16; 1989.

A Practical Guide to Trial Burns for Hazardous Waste Incinerators

This guide concentrates on those aspects of a trial burn that are the most important and those that are potentially troublesome. It contains practical explanations based on experience of Midwest Research Institute (MRI) and others in conducting trial burns and related tests for EPA. Comments of several industrial plant owners and operators are included in the Guide. It is directed mainly to incinerator operators, those who may conduct the actual sampling and analysis and those who must interpret trial burn results, but it will also be useful for regulatory personnel and others who need to understand trial burns. Potential trouble spots that have been encountered are: (1) trial burns frequently take more time and effort than an operator anticipates and (2) failure to meet the trial burn requirements. This project summary was developed byEPA’s Hazardous Waste Engineering Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, to announce key findings of the research project that is fully documented in a separate report of the...

Preparation and Stability of Animal Feed Mixtures Dosed with Rotenone

Studies at Midwest Research Institute for the National Toxicology Program show that rotenone/animal feed mixtures prepared by dry-mixing are more stable than mixtures produced by dosing the feed with alcoholic solutions of rotenone and then stripping the solvent. Also, recoveries of rotenone from the dry mix feeds are higher than those from feeds dosed by the solution method. A simplified analytical method from one previously reported for rotenone in feed is described.