An overview of the Telecommunications Information NetworkingArchitecture

The Telecommunications Information Networking Architecture (TINA) Consortium is an international collaboration aiming at defining and validating an open architecture for telecommunication services for the broadband, multimedia, and information era. The architecture is based on distributed computing, object orientation, and other concepts and standards from the telecommunications and computing industries. This paper provides an introduction to TINA. First, it presents an overall view of TINA, followed by a brief introduction to the main parts of the architecture, namely the computing, network, service, and management architectures. This is followed by a brief overview of interworking and migration scenarios for legacy systems. Finally, an overview of a tool-set to aid service specification and design is presented     

A novel mutation of presenilin 1 in familial Alzheimer's disease in Israel detected by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

Germline mutations in the presenilin 1 (PS1) gene apparently account for the majority of early-onset, familial Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using a mutation-screening strategy (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis; DGGE), we analyzed a large family with early onset AD and seizures. The patients in this family showed a novel missense mutation in exon 5 of the PS1 gene (A to T change in codon 120, altering glutamine to aspartic acid). This novel mutation is located within the second hydrophilic domain of the molecule, a region not particularly involved in previously described germline mutations, and is of unknown biological significance. These results also demonstrate that DGGE can be used effectively to screen for mutations within this gene.     

Early modifications of chemokine production and mRNA expression during rush venom immunotherapy

The mechanism by which specific immunotherapy exerts its beneficial effect remains unclear. Chemokines are implicated in inflammatory and allergic diseases, in particular via their ability to induce histamine release from basophils, a potential early target of rush venom immunotherapy (RVIT), In this study, the authors evaluated ex vivo regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), interleukin 8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) production and mRNA expression by mononuclear cells (MNC) from nine patients undergoing a 3.5-h ultra rush treatment, before treatment at Day 0 (D0), at the end of the 3.5-h of the rush at Day 4h (D4h), at Day 15 (D15) and Day 45 (D45) after treatment. Increased RANTES release and mRNA expression were observed in 24-h culture of peripheral blood MNC collected at D4h. This was followed by a decrease in the production of RANTES, IL-8 and MCP-1, 45 days after initiation of RVIT. The same pattern was observed after in vitro venom stimulation of MNC. At the mRNA level, similar profiles were observed except for IL-8 mRNA which inversely increased during RVIT. These results suggest that RVIT is associated with a general decrease in chemokines which may explain, in part, the clinical efficacy of specific immunotherapy.     

The 9-hexadecenoic and 11-octadecenoic acid content of natural fats and oils

The monoenoic methyl esters from numerous fats and oils which contained appreciablecis-9-hexadecenoic acid (cis-9-16∶1) were isolated by liquid-solid chromatography on silver nitrate-silica gel. Analysis of the monoenes by packed and capillary column gas-liquid chromatography showed that significant amounts ofcis-11-octadecenoic acid (cis-11-18∶1) were present in all samples. The amount ofcis-11-18∶1 found in the monoenoic methyl esters increased proportionally to logarithmic increases in thecis-9-16∶1 level. Most analyses reported in the literature also show this proportionality. This mathematical relationship suggests that chain elongation ofcis-9-16∶1 tocis-11-18∶1 is a biosynthetic pathway operative in a wide variety of species.     

Pt/Sn bimetallic catalysts for the electro-oxidation of methanol: poisoning by silicate and phosphate unions

The influence of silicate and phosphate anions on the performance of Pt/Sn electrodeposited catalysts for the electro-oxidation of methanol has been studied. Both anions were found to have serious poisoning effects on the catalyst, whereas platinum catalysts were unaffected. The poisoning mechanism in both cases was thought to be initiated by the formation of either stannosilicates or stannophosphates species followed by the build-up of polymeric silicate or phosphate that ultimately blocks the active sites. The origin of the poisoning mechanism in both cases was found to be chemical rather than electrochemical. In the case of silicate, the poisoning species could be removed and the catalytic activity restored by chemical treatment with sulphuric acid.     

Relationship of passive cigarette-smoking to sudden infant death syndrome

The smoking habits of 56 families who lost babies to the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) were compared to those of 86 control families. A higher proportion of SIDS mothers smoked both during pregnancy (61% vs. 42%) and after their babies were born (59% vs. 37%). SIDS mother also smoked a significantly greater number of cigarettes than controls. Exposure to cigarette smoke ("passive smoking") appears to enhance the risk of SIDS for reasons not known.     

Calculation of neutron and gamma-ray energy spectra for fusion reactor shield design: Comparison with experiment-II

Measured and calculated neutron and gamma-ray energy spectra resulting from the transport of 14 MeV neutrons through a 0.30-m-thick lithium hydride slab and through a 0.05-m-thick lead slab followed by 0.30 m of lithium hydride are compared. Also reported are comparisons of the measured and calculated neutron energy spectra behind an 0.80-m-thick assembly comprised of stainless steel type 304 and borated polyethylene. The spatial dependence of the gamma-ray energy deposition rate measured using thermoluminescent detectors is compared with calculated data. The calculated data obtained using two-dimensional radiation transport methods and ENDF/B-IV cross-section data are in good agreement for all of the experimental configurations. Calculated integral neutron energy spectra agree with the measured data within 5 to 20% depending on neutron energy for the LiH and Pb plus LiH assemblies. The gamma-ray spectra agree within 20% for these slabs. The measured and calculated neutron energy spectra behind the SS-304-borated polyethylene assembly agree within 5% except at neutron energies below 5 MeV where background radiation influences the measured spectra. The gamma-ray energy deposition rates as a function of depth agree within a factor of two at all detector locations.