Search

Connecting infrastructures such as steel bridges are important for sustainable and economic development of society. Understanding the risks to these infrastructures associated with wind is crucial to ensure their resilience, particularly with the evident threat of climate change. The authors will discuss the benefits of early‐stage consulting in delivering climate aware performance‐based design for steel bridges. A holistic approach comprising bridge monitoring, aerodynamic consultation coupled with wind tunnel testing and numerical simulations enables us to understand the structural response of bridges, from an aerodynamic perspective. By combining this knowledge with a local climate model, the bridge response to current and future expected wind conditions, can be predicted and assessed. The outcomes of such an approach enable us to refine design wind loads optimizing material usage and ensuring safe and cost‐effective construction processes, thereby reducing embodied carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Peri-operative Care Summit series, which aims to address the increasing burden of surgical illness and complications. The goal of the summit is to bring together stakeholders from various sectors of surgical healthcare delivery to brainstorm ideas and develop actionable solutions. The article highlights the principles proposed at Summit I and the framework for peri-operative care presented as an example structure. The burden of surgical care is rapidly surpassing available resources, and innovative solutions are urgently needed. The article concludes by urging all stakeholders to get involved in finding solutions to this challenge. [Extracted from the article]

This study aimed to evaluate the utility and applicability of electrooculography (EOG) when studying ocular activity during complex motor behavior. Due to its lower spatial resolution relative to eye tracking (ET), it is unclear whether EOG can provide valid and accurate temporal measurements such as the duration of the Quiet Eye (QE), that is the uninterrupted dwell time on the visual target prior to and during action. However, because of its greater temporal resolution, EOG is better suited for temporal‐spectral decomposition, a technique that allows us to distinguish between lower and higher frequency activity as a function of time. Sixteen golfers of varying expertise (novices to experts) putted 60 balls to a 4‐m distant target on a flat surface while we recorded EOG, ET, performance accuracy, and putter kinematics. Correlational and discrepancy analyses confirmed that EOG yielded valid and accurate QE measurements, but only when using certain processing parameters. Nested cross‐validation indicated that, among a set of ET and EOG temporal and spectral oculomotor features, EOG power was the most useful when predicting performance accuracy through robust regression. Follow‐up cross‐validation and correlational analyses revealed that more accurate performance was preceded by diminished lower‐frequency activity immediately before movement initiation and elevated higher‐frequency activity during movement recorded from the horizontal channel. This higher‐frequency activity was also found to accompany a smoother movement execution. This study validates EOG algorithms (code provided) for measuring temporal parameters and presents a novel approach to extracting temporal and spectral oculomotor features during complex motor behavior. This study validates electrooculography for computing temporal indices of oculomotor activity typically obtained through mobile eye tracking. It also indicates that using EOG indices that embed both temporal and spectral features can improve predictions of movement accuracy compared to those that rely on temporal features only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) can be considered a promising material platform for solution‐processed laser diodes. However, due to some fundamental challenges, the realization of electrically pumped lasing based on QDs remains unresolved. Here, a binary blend of QDs and ZnO nanocrystals is employed, which serve as nano‐sized scatterers to facilitate waveguide gain in ultra‐thin films. By carefully engineering the electric field in these films, an infrared amplified spontaneous emission in a record thin colloidal gain medium is observed, with a thickness of 16 nm, at a wavelength of 1675 nm. Employing these binary blends as a gain medium, an optically pumped infrared stimulated emission in a full‐stacked light‐emitting diode (LED) device is demonstrated. The functional LED device, which comprises a single layer of graphene as an anode electrode, shows strong electroluminescence under electrical injection. This study suggests a promising device for realizing infrared QD‐based laser diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passive radiative cooling (RC) enables the cooling of objects below ambient temperature during daytime without consuming energy, promising to be a game changer in terms of energy savings and CO2 reduction. However, so far most RC surfaces are obtained by energy‐intensive nanofabrication processes or make use of unsustainable materials. These limitations are overcome by developing cellulose films with unprecedentedly low absorption of solar irradiance and strong mid‐infrared (mid‐IR) emittance. In particular, a cellulose‐derivative (cellulose acetate) is exploited to produce porous scattering films of two different thicknesses, L ≈ 30 µm (thin) and L ≈ 300 µm (thick), making them adaptable to above and below‐ambient cooling applications. The thin and thick films absorb only ≈5%${\approx}5\%$ of the solar irradiance, which represents a net cooling power gain of at least 17 W m−2, compared to state‐of‐the‐art cellulose‐based radiative‐cooling materials. Field tests show that the films can reach up to ≈5 °C below ambient temperature, when solar absorption and conductive/convective losses are minimized. Under dryer conditions (water column = 1 mm), it is estimated that the films can reach average minimum temperatures of ≈7–8 °C below the ambient. The work presents an alternative cellulose‐based material for efficient radiative cooling that is simple to fabricate, cost‐efficient and avoids the use of polluting materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congruential pseudorandom number generators rely on good multipliers, that is, integers that have good performance with respect to the spectral test. We provide lists of multipliers with a good lattice structure up to dimension eight and up to lag eight for generators with typical power‐of‐two moduli, analyzing in detail multipliers close to the square root of the modulus, whose product can be computed quickly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV‐2) is the main causative agent associated with a group of diseases collectively known as porcine circovirus‐associated disease (PCAD). There is a significant economic strain on the global swine industry due to PCAD and the production of commercial PCV‐2 vaccines is expensive. Plant expression systems are increasingly regarded as a viable technology to produce recombinant proteins for use as pharmaceutical agents and vaccines. However, successful production and purification of PCV‐2 capsid protein (CP) from plants is an essential first step towards the goal of a plant‐produced PCV‐2 vaccine candidate. In this study, the PCV‐2 CP was transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana plants via agroinfiltration and PCV‐2 CP was successfully purified using sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. The CP self‐assembled into virus‐like particles (VLPs) resembling native virions and up to 6.5 mg of VLPs could be purified from 1 kg of leaf wet weight. Mice immunized with the plant‐produced PCV‐2 VLPs elicited specific antibody responses to PCV‐2 CP. This is the first report describing the expression of PCV‐2 CP in plants, the confirmation of its assembly into VLPs and the demonstration of their use to elicit a strong immune response in a mammalian model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Thin‐film organic lasers are attractive light sources for a variety of applications. Recently, it is reported that carbon‐bridged oligo(p‐phenylenevinylene)s (COPVn with repeating unit n = 1–6) function as unique laser dyes which combine high fluorescence efficiency, wavelength tunability, and both thermal and photostability, making them ideal for use in organic semiconductor lasers. However, in order to obtain such excellent properties, COPVn require blending in a matrix, such as a thermoplastic polymer, thus leading to miscibility issues, limited absorption, and charge transporting properties. Here, high‐performance lasers with a novel active polymer poly‐COPV1, based on the basic unit of COPV1 and prepared as a high‐quality neat film, are reported which overcome the trade‐off between the device performance and durability. The prepared lasers show thresholds 30 times lower and operational lifetimes 300 times longer than devices based on COPV1 dispersed in polystyrene. The low threshold operation allows the poly‐COPV1 lasers to be pumped by a nitride diode laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Accurate identification of patients at risk of early postoperative deterioration allows needs-based allocation of patients to appropriate levels of care. This study aimed to record the incidence of early postoperative deterioration and identify factors predictive of at-risk patients. Doing so may assist future evidence-based perioperative planning and allocation of patients to high-acuity facilities. Methods With ethical approval, data from elective non-cardiac surgical patients were collected between May and August 2013. Patient and surgical factors potentially related to postoperative deterioration were collected from preoperative assessment records. Data on deterioration in the postanaesthesia care unit ( PACU), and on the wards were collected prospectively for a period of 72 h postoperatively. Patient factors, surgical factors and PACU events were compared with ward events using binomial logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 747 patients, postoperative deterioration was common both in PACU (155 (20.1%) patients) and on the wards (125 (16.7%)). Common ward events included hypotension (64 (8.2%)) and desaturation (59 (6.2%)). A rapid response team call occurred for 33 (4.4%) patients and an unplanned ICU admission for seven (0.9%) patients. A history of atrial fibrillation and chronic liver disease, duration of surgery and excessive sedation in PACU, among others, were strongly associated with subsequent ward deterioration. However, measures of surgical complexity were not. Conclusions Patient factors, duration of surgery and events in PACU can be predictive of subsequent early postoperative ward clinical deterioration. Such information may aid appropriate perioperative decision-making with respect to postoperative utilization of high-acuity facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, degenerative muscle disease that is commonly studied using the mdx mouse. The mdx diaphragm muscle closely mimics the pathophysiological changes in DMD muscles., mdx diaphragm force is commonly assessed ex vivo, precluding time course studies. Here we used ultrasonography to evaluate time-dependent changes in diaphragm function in vivo, by measuring diaphragm movement amplitude., In mdx mice, diaphragm amplitude decreased with age and values were much lower than for wild-type mice. Importantly, diaphragm amplitude strongly correlated with ex vivo specific force values., Micro-dystrophin administration increased mdx diaphragm amplitude by 26% after 4 weeks. Diaphragm amplitude correlated positively with ex vivo force values and negatively with diaphragm fibrosis, a major cause of DMD muscle weakness., These studies validate diaphragm ultrasonography as a reliable technique for assessing time-dependent changes in mdx diaphragm function in vivo. This technique will be valuable for testing potential therapies for DMD., Abstract Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, degenerative muscle disease caused by dystrophin mutations. The mdx mouse is a widely used animal model of DMD. The mdx diaphragm muscle most closely recapitulates key features of DMD muscles, including progressive fibrosis and considerable force loss. Diaphragm function in mdx mice is commonly evaluated by specific force measurements ex vivo. While useful, this method only measures force from a small muscle sample at one time point. Therefore, accurate assessment of diaphragm function in vivo would provide an important advance to study the time course of functional decline and treatment benefits. Here, we evaluated an ultrasonography technique for measuring time-dependent changes of diaphragm function in mdx mice. Diaphragm movement amplitude values for mdx mice were considerably lower than those for wild-type, decreased from 8 to 18 months of age, and correlated strongly with ex vivo specific force. We then investigated the time course of diaphragm amplitude changes following administration of an adeno-associated viral vector expressing Flag-micro-dystrophin (AAV-μDys) to young adult mdx mice. Diaphragm amplitude peaked 4 weeks after AAV-μDys administration, and was 26% greater than control mdx mice at this time. This value decreased slightly to 21% above mdx controls after 12 weeks of treatment. Importantly, diaphragm amplitude again correlated strongly with ex vivo specific force. Also, diaphragm amplitude and specific force negatively correlated with fibrosis levels in the muscle. Together, our results validate diaphragm ultrasonography as a reliable technique for assessing time-dependent changes in dystrophic diaphragm function in vivo, and for evaluating potential therapies for DMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microglia are a specialized population of myeloid cells that mediate CNS innate immune responses. Efforts to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate microglia behaviors have been hampered by the lack of effective tools for manipulating gene expression. Cultured microglia are refractory to most chemical and electrical transfection methods, yielding little or no gene delivery and causing toxicity and/or inflammatory activation. Recombinant adeno-associated viral ( rAAVs) vectors are non-enveloped, single-stranded DNA vectors commonly used to transduce many primary cell types and tissues. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and efficiency of utilizing rAAV serotype 2 ( rAAV2) to modulate gene expression in cultured microglia. rAAV2 yields high transduction and causes minimal toxicity or inflammatory response in both neonatal and adult microglia. To demonstrate that rAAV transduction can induce functional protein expression, we used rAAV2 expressing Cre recombinase to successfully excise a LoxP-flanked miR155 gene in cultured microglia. We further evaluated rAAV serotypes 5, 6, 8, and 9, and observed that all efficiently transduced cultured microglia to varying degrees of success and caused little or no alteration in inflammatory gene expression. These results provide strong encouragement for the application of rAAV-mediated gene expression in microglia for mechanistic and therapeutic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Hypothesis: Hypotensive anesthesia is often used in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) to improve surgical visibility; however, its safety and efficacy in this role are yet to be justified. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hypotensive anesthesia on both real-time middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (Vmca) and the severity of surgical bleeding in patients undergoing ESS. Study Design: Prospective, observational cohort study. Methods: Thirty-two patients undergoing hypotensive anesthesia for ESS at a single tertiary institution during February 2011 to July 2012 were recruited for the study. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography measured periodic Vmca, which were time-matched for hemodynamic and respiratory factors. One-minute video segments corresponding with each Vmca reading were randomized and distributed to two blinded observers for bleeding assessment. Results: Three hundred and fifty-six data time points were recorded for systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), pulse rate, respiratory rate, end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration, Vmca, and bleeding assessment score (BAS). A direct relationship exists between MAP and Vmca (r = 0.77, P<.0001) as well as MAP and BAS (r = 0.36, P<.0001). MAP levels above 60 mm Hg maintained at least 50% of baseline Vmca flow in almost 90% of all time points. Conclusions: Hypotensive anesthesia is an effective method of controlling intraoperative bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery; however the effect is clinically small in low MAP ranges. In otherwise healthy patients undergoing ESS with general anesthesia, reducing MAP to below 60 mm Hg may increase the risk of cerebral ischemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used a robust dataset of count and mark-resighting data for Pacific black brant from 1989-2004, and a novel mark-recapture model capable of analyzing such data, to calculate the annual variability and timing of brant as they migrated through the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area, a traditional spring staging site in coastal British Columbia, Canada. Our analysis indicated that the date of departure from this site to northern breeding sites advanced between 10 and 20 days over this period because of a combination of earlier arrival and shorter residence times. Given this change in migration behavior, and the potential implications for population dynamics, we recommend that targeted research on brant wintering, migration, and reproductive strategies should be examined within a greater Pacific-wide context. In this way, the consequences of proximate factors (e.g., disturbance, food, and climate) can be understood in terms of individual fitness and population dynamics. Finally, at the local level, conservation actions are needed to ensure the long term sustainability of Parksville-Qualicum Beach as an important spring staging site for Pacific black brant. © 2011 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We constructed a novel autonomously replicating gene expression shuttle vector, with the aim of developing a system for transiently expressing proteins at levels useful for commercial production of vaccines and other proteins in plants. The vector, pRIC, is based on the mild strain of the geminivirus Bean yellow dwarf virus (BeYDV-m) and is replicationally released into plant cells from a recombinant Agrobacterium tumefaciens Ti plasmid. pRIC differs from most other geminivirus-based vectors in that the BeYDV replication-associated elements were included in cis rather than from a co-transfected plasmid, while the BeYDV capsid protein (CP) and movement protein (MP) genes were replaced by an antigen encoding transgene expression cassette derived from the non-replicating A. tumefaciens vector, pTRAc. We tested vector efficacy in Nicotiana benthamiana by comparing transient cytoplasmic expression between pRIC and pTRAc constructs encoding either enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or the subunit vaccine antigens, human papillomavirus subtype 16 (HPV-16) major CP L1 and human immunodeficiency virus subtype C p24 antigen. The pRIC constructs were amplified in planta by up to two orders of magnitude by replication, while 50% more HPV-16 L1 and three- to seven-fold more EGFP and HIV-1 p24 were expressed from pRIC than from pTRAc. Vector replication was shown to be correlated with increased protein expression. We anticipate that this new high-yielding plant expression vector will contribute towards the development of a viable plant production platform for vaccine candidates and other pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective– To describe successful treatment of canine moxidectin toxicosis with the novel therapy of IV lipid administration. Case Summary– A 16-week-old female Jack Russell Terrier was presented with acute onset of seizures followed by paralysis and coma shortly following suspected exposure to an equine formulation of moxidectin. Moxidectin toxicity was later confirmed. Initial therapy consisted of diazepam, glycopyrrolate, and IV fluids. Mechanical ventilation and supportive nursing care were provided as needed. An emulsion of 20% soybean oil in water, commonly used as the fat component of parenteral nutrition, was administered intravenously as a bolus of 2 mL/kg followed by 4 mL/kg/h for 4 hours beginning 10 hours after exposure and was administered again at a rate of 0.5 mL/kg/min for 30 minutes beginning 25.5 hours post-exposure. Mild improvement was seen after the first dose, and dramatic improvement was noted within 30 minutes of the second dose. The puppy's neurologic status returned to normal within 6 hours of the second administration, with no relapses. Unique Information Provided– IV lipid therapy is a novel treatment approach for moxidectin toxicity. Its use is supported by recent research and case studies involving IV lipid administration for bupivacaine and other fat-soluble toxins. Lipid administration appeared to reverse the signs of toxicity and may prove to be a highly effective therapy for moxidectin and other fat-soluble toxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Indomethacin has been used to manage raised intracranial pressure (ICP) in humans during neuroanaesthesia and neurosurgery. Indomethacin causes cerebral vasoconstriction and reduces cerebral blood flow (CBF) and, therefore, ICP. 2. The systemic kinetics, cerebral kinetics and cerebral dynamics of indomethacin (0.2 mg/kg) were measured and modelled using a population approach. Data were collected using an instrumented sheep preparation with raised ICP and under either isoflurane or propofol anaesthesia to parallel the clinical use of indomethacin in neurosurgery. 3. The systemic kinetics of indomethacin could be described by a two-compartment model, with small distribution volumes and a clearance of 0.68 L/min. The cerebral kinetics of indomethacin could be described using a model with a cerebral distribution volume between 5 and 8 mL and a loss term of 3.3 mL/min, the latter probably representing slow diffusion across the blood–brain barrier. 4. The changes in CBF lagged behind the blood concentrations of indomethacin. Indirect response models with turnover times of 1.70–4.08 min were generally better able to describe the effect of indomethacin on CBF than effect compartment models. 5. There was a non-linear concentration–effect relationship, with the maximum possible reduction in CBF being to 73–74% of baseline. 6. The data and model support the concept of indomethacin having limited uptake into the brain, with its effect on CBF being the result of its action on the endothelium, where it indirectly modifies the turnover of a compound regulating vascular tone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscular dystrophies are a diverse group of severe degenerative muscle diseases. Recent interest in the role of the Golgi complex (GC) in muscle disease has been piqued by findings that several dystrophies result from mutations in putative Golgi-resident glycosyltransferases. Given this new role of the Golgi in sarcolemmal stability, we hypothesized that abnormal Golgi distribution, regulation and/or function may constitute part of the pathology of other dystrophies, where the primary defect is independent of Golgi function. Thus, we investigated GC organization in the dystrophin-deficient muscles of mdx mice, a mouse model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We report aberrant organization of the synaptic and extrasynaptic GC in skeletal muscles of mdx mice. The GC is mislocalized and improperly concentrated at the surface and core of mdx myofibers. Golgi complex localization is disrupted after the onset of necrosis and normal redistribution is impaired during regeneration of mdx muscle fibers. Disruption of the microtubule cytoskeleton may account in part for aberrant GC localization in mdx myofibers. Golgi complex distribution is restored to wild type and microtubule cytoskeleton organization is significantly improved by recombinant adeno-associated virus 6-mediated expression of ΔR4-R23/ΔCT microdystrophin showing a novel mode of microdystrophin functionality. In summary, GC distribution abnormalities are a novel component of mdx skeletal muscle pathology rescued by microdystrophin expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten acidic and two neutral pharmaceuticals were detected in the effluents of eight sewage treatment plants (STPs) from across Atlantic Canada. Concentrations varied between nondetectable and 35 μg/L. The analgesic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and naproxen were predominant. Carbamazepine, a neutral compound used as an antiepileptic drug, was observed consistently at a median concentration of 79 ng/L. Acetaminophen was found in the effluents of the three largest mechanical STPs at a median concentration of 1.9 μg/L, but not in the lagoon treatment systems. The substantially longer hydraulic retention times may have contributed to more effective removal of acetaminophen in the lagoon treatment systems. Drugs generally were not detected at significant concentrations in the larger bodies of receiving water (Saint John River, Hillsborough River, and Bedford Bay, Canada). However, drug residues in the small receiving streams were 15 to 30% of the effluent median concentrations. Six compounds (caffeine, naproxen, salicylic acid, carbamazepine, metoprolol, and sotolol) were found to persist in a small stream for a distance of at least 17 km, suggesting that small stream exposure to pharmaceutically active residues may be relatively greater than that in large bodies of water. Bioassays assessing acute and chronic effects on four organisms were conducted on four highuse drugs: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and salicylic acid (metabolite of acetyl salicylic acid). Results indicated no negative effects except for the chronic algal (Selanastrum capricornutum) growth test on ibuprofen (no-observed-effect concentration, 10 μg/L; lowest-observed-effect concentration, 32 μg/L). Effects of these four compounds on invertebrates and plants in the receiving environments are unlikely based on the concentrations measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As currently delimited, Solidagininae are a large (approximately 190 species) subtribe of tribe Astereae. Recent molecular and morphological studies have prompted a new definition of the subtribe, but the lack of absolute morphological synapomorphies raises the possibility that this assemblage may not be monophyletic. Cladistic and likelihood-based analyses were conducted on a nuclear rDNA ITS sequence dataset derived from 23 of the 24 genera included in recent Solidagininae circumscriptions. Cladistic analyses identified two clades entirely composed of proposed Solidagininae genera. The data were not able to support deeper relationships, and these two clades might or might not form one monophyletic lineage. Topology testing indicated compatibility between the taxonomic definition of Solidagininae and molecular data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Here we draw on phylogenies of figs and fig wasps to suggest how modes of speciation may be affected by interspecific interactions. Mutualists appear to have cospeciated with their hosts to a greater extent than parasites, which showed evidence of host shifting. However, we also repeatedly encountered a pattern not explained by either cospeciation or host switching. Sister species of fig parasites often attack the same host in sympatry, and differences in ovipositor length suggest that parasite speciation could result from divergence in the timing of oviposition with respect to fig development. These observations on fig parasites are consistent with a neglected model of sympatric speciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasminogen (Plgn) is usually activated by proteolysis of the Arg561–Val562 bond. The amino group of Val562 forms a salt-bridge with Asp740, which triggers a conformational change producing the active protease plasmin (Pm). In contrast, streptokinase (SK) binds to Plgn to produce an initial inactive complex (SK·Plgn) which subsequently rearranges to an active complex (SK·Plgn*) although the Arg561–Val562 bond remains intact. Therefore another residue must substitute for the amino group of Val562 and provide a counterion for Asp740 in this active complex. Two candidates for this counterion have been suggested: Ile1 of streptokinase and Lys698 of Plgn. We have investigated the reaction of SK mutants and variants of the protease domain of microplasminogen (µPlgn) in order to determine if either of these residues is the counterion. The mutation of Ile1 of SK decreases the activity of SK·Plgn* by 100-fold (Ile1Val) to ≥ 104-fold (Ile1→Ala, Gly, Trp or Lys). None of these mutations perturb the binding affinity of SK, which suggests that Ile1 is not required for formation of SK·Plgn but is necessary for SK·Plgn*. The substitution of Lys698 of µPlgn decreases the activity of SK·Plgn* by only 10–60-fold. In contrast with the Ile1 substitutions, the Lys698 mutations also decreased the dissociation constant of the SK complex by 15–50-fold. These observations suggest that Lys698 is involved in formation of the initial SK·Plgn complex. These results support the hypothesis that Ile1 provides the counterion for Asp740. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the report of the Coordinating Center of the Cooperative Research Program in First-Grade Reading Instruction. Information on the data used in the study; Three basic question of the study; What the results of the correlation analysis of the study revealed; Advantage of nonbasal teaching programs compared to basal teaching programs; Differences between the two programs; Conclusion.

Background. Pemphigus vegetans, a rare form of pemphigus vulgaris, consists of vegetating plaques localized to flexural areas. Two types, the Neumann and the Hallopeau type, are recognized with their own characteristics. Methods. Three patients with pemphigus vegetans were examined, two with Hallopeau type and one with Neumann type. The microscopic and immunofluorescence findings were recorded. Results. Two remarkable features were present. In one case pemphigus vegetans was possibly induced by the use of enalapril. Only in three previous cases has enalapril been described in relation to pemphigus. A second case was associated with a malignant lung tumor, a phenomenon which could not be traced in the literature. Conclusions. Two types of pemphigus vegetans must be distinguished. Induction of pemphigus (also vegetans) is an accepted side effect of captopril. The effect of enalapril on pemphigus is still in debate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a patient with pemphigus vegetans and a simultaneously occurring internal malignancy is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT The reduction of the liability of pollution to urban water resources is considered as one of the common goals of all elements of our society. To approach the challenge with a sense of realism the probabilistic nature of the performance of pollution control facilities as well as environmental responses must not be ignored and cannot be eliminated. Reliability is defined herein as the measure of effectiveness for the attainment of water quality managerial goals. The objective of this paper is to develop an optimization model for the determination of the best pollution control policies for each treatment facility in terms of the minimization of total regional cost requirements, the quality control requirements, and the reliability desired. A chance-constrained quadratic programming technique coupled with parametric analysis is utilized as the basic solution approach. A practical problem based on the situation existing in the San Antonio River Basin Region of Texas was used for the illustration of this application. The implications resulting from the sensitivity analysis of this model will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beyond their critical role in thrombosis, platelets perform important functions in vascular remodeling, inflammation, and wound repair. Many of these functions are executed by molecules expressed by activated platelets. A novel molecule, activated-platelet protein-1 (APP-1), was identified by a monoclonal antibody against activated rabbit platelets. When platelets were stimulated by thrombin, A23187 or ADP, APP-1 was expressed on the platelet surface. APP-1 was also detected in whole cell lysates of platelets, but not on the external surfaces of resting platelets. With maximal activation by thrombin, 15900 ± 2800 molecules APP-1 were expressed/platelet. A 2.3-kb cDNA fragment containing a partial coding sequence for APP-1 was isolated from a rabbit bone marrow library by expression cloning with the anti-APP-1 monoclonal antibody. When expressed as a recombinant fusion protein in bacteria, .APP-1 bound specifically to poly(A)-Sepharose. The full-length cDNA coding for human APP-l, obtained by DNA hybridization techniques, showed 98.7% amino acid sequence identity with the rabbit protein. Northern analysis with human APP-1 identified a 3.7-kb mRNA transcript in megakaryocytic lines that express transcripts for platelet proteins. Human APP-1 has four ribonucleotide binding domains with ribonucleoprotein 1 and 2 motifs. By virtue of its ribonucleotide binding domains, APP-1 is structurally related to polyadenylate-binding protein, which regulates translation initiation and polyadenylate shortening, and to nucleolysin, a specific effector molecule found in the granules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]