Surface exposure and species specificity of an immunoreactive domain of a 66-kilodalton outer membrane protein (P66) of the Borrelia spp. that cause Lyme disease

A chromosomally encoded 66-kDa protein (P66) of Borrelia spp. that cause Lyme disease has previously been shown to be associated with the spirochetal outer membrane. A topological model of P66 predicts a surface-exposed fragment which links the N- and C-terminal intramembranous domains of the protein (J. Bunikis, L. Noppa, and S. Bergstr?m, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 131:139-145, 1995). In the present study, an immunogenic determinant of P66 was identified by a comparison of the immunoreactivities of different fragments of P66 generated either by proteolytic treatment of intact spirochetes or as recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli. The immune response to P66 during natural infection was found to be directed against the predicted surface domain which comprises amino acids at positions 454 through 491. A sequence comparison revealed considerable polymorphism of the surface domains of P66 proteins of different Lyme disease-causing Borrelia species. Five sequence patterns of this domain were observed in the B. garinii strains studied. In contrast, sequences of the relevant part of P66 of the B. afzelii and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto isolates studied were identical within the respective species. In immunoblotting, 5 of 17 (29.4%) sera from North American patients with early disseminated or persistent Lyme disease reacted against P66 of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto B31. These sera, however, failed to recognize P66 of B. afzelii and B. garinii, as well as an analog of P66 in the relapsing fever agent, B. hermsii. In conclusion, the topological model of P66 is supported by the demonstration of an apparent surface localization of an immunoreactive domain of this protein. Furthermore, analogous to the plasmid-encoded borrelial outer surface proteins, the predicted surface-exposed portion of chromosomally encoded P66 appears to be antigenically heterogenous.     

Novel polymeric aromatic lithium sulfonylimides as salts for polymer electrolytes

Three new polymeric aromatic lithium sulfonylimides were used as salts in high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) electrolytes. Their conductivity and electrochemical stability behaviors were investigated. The electrolytes with lithium poly[4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenoxy]sulfonylimide (LiPHFIPSI) showed a better conductive performance compared with the other two lithium salts. The best conductivity was obtained for PEO/LiPHFIPSI EO/Li = 16 (1.90 × 10^?4 S/cm at 60°C). Thermal analysis indicated that the salts effectively decreased the crystallinity of PEO. Moreover, the electrolytes also had good electrochemical stability and their oxidative potential was to 5.5 V versus Li/Li⁺. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1802–1805, 2002     

Bone replacement in head and neck surgery: a biocompatible alternative

BACKGROUND: Defects in the skull have presented difficult reconstructive problems. Recently glass-ionomer cement and preformed. implants have been used to repair bony defects in the skull base and in cranio-facial surgery. Three patients are reported to illustrate possible applications for this new material. METHODS: Ionocap cement and Ionoroc-skull standardized implants have been used. The cement is available as a two component blister pack. When mixed and blended a gel is produced which can be worked for approximately 5 min before hardening. It can then be contoured and drilled to the required shape. The resultant material is biocompatible and biostable, is non-toxic and permanently bonds to bone with no increase in temperature or shrinkage. RESULTS: The material has been used to fill the temporal defect left by transplantation of the temporalis muscle for oral reconstruction, the anterior and lateral walls of the maxilla and following craniofacial resection, the posterior wall of the frontal sinus and anterior skull base. CONCLUSIONS: Three patients with different reconstructive problems have been presented to illustrate the use of an alloplastic material that has a tensile strength similar to bone and firmly adheres to it. The material was found to be safe and easy to use. All three patients have now been followed for 12 months with no adverse affects.     

Renal sodium excretion after oral or intravenous sodium loading in sodium-deprived normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats that had been on a low sodium diet for 3 days were given 1.5 mmol sodium chloride kg-1 body weight either orally or intravenously. The rats receiving an oral sodium load showed a greater natriuresis than those receiving the same saline load intravenously. No increase of renal sodium excretion was observed when the rats received a hypertonic mannitol solution orally. The cumulative sodium excretion during the 8 h following oral loading was two to three times larger in SHR than in WKY, whereas no difference between strains could be demonstrated after giving saline intravenously. Furthermore, after switching from normal to low sodium diet the rate of decrease of renal sodium excretion was greater in SHR than in WKY rats. It is proposed that there exists a gastrointestinal sensory mechanism for sodium controlling the renal sodium excretion. Furthermore, it is suggested that the function of this mechanism differs between SHR and WKY.     

高温超导红外探测器的电极工艺探讨

介绍了高温超导红外探测器电极材料的选择和制备。选用先蒸、后蒸金，再合金化的电极工艺。芯片装配成器件后，器件性能稳定，膜层牢固，接触电阻小。     

ConcurrentC语言在分布式系统上的一种高效实现

本文介绍了ＣｏｎｃｕｒｒｅｎｔＣ语言在一分布式系统上的实现。该实现使用了不同于预编译法的编译器的构造方法，同时将Ｃｏｎｃｕｒｒｅｎｔ Ｃ语言中的进程实现为ＵＮＩＸ进程中的用户级线索，是ＣｏｎｃｕｒｒｅｎｔＣ语言在分布式系统上的一种高效实现。     

用于计算机教育的Android实验软件(英文)

In this paper,we address the need for better hands-on learning materials in computing education and the need for integrating mobile computing education into computing curricular.We propose an innovative learning approach that uses state-of-the-art mobile computing technologies and devices to design a highly accessible and real-world relevant hands-on labware for computing education.The labware employs a modular design such that the learning materials can both be combined together into a single course of mobile program development and be integrated into the related computing courses as building blocks.The labware will help students understand the concepts,improve their problem solving skills,and prepare them for the mobile computing industrial workforce.The pilot modules of the labware have been presented to undergraduate students and have received positive feedbacks.     

集成电路测试系统中波形数字化仪的校准研究

文章介绍了波形数字化仪的原理、结构、工作方式及特点,并针对其校准技术进行了深入的研究。通过多功能校准源、示波器及测试系统数字模块实现波形数字化仪模块的精确校准,解决了波形数字化仪模块的校准问题。校准结果表明,该校准装置及校准方法能够满足集成电路测试系统任意波形发生器的校准要求。