Liposomes containing lipid A serve as an adjuvant for induction of antibody and cytotoxic T-cell responses against RTS,S malaria antigen

Encapsulation of soluble protein antigens in liposomes was previously shown to result in processing of antigen via the major histocompatibility complex class I pathway, as evidenced by costaining of the trans-Golgi region of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMs) by fluorophore-labeled liposomal antigen and by a trans-Golgi-specific fluorescent lipid. Evidence is presented here that free or liposome-encapsulated RTS,S, a particulate malaria antigen consisting of hepatitis B particles coexpressed with epitopes from the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein, also was localized in the trans-Golgi after incubation with BMs, suggesting processing by the class I pathway. An in vivo cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response was detected, however, only after immunization with RTS,S encapsulated in liposomes containing lipid A and not after immunization with free RTS,S or with RTS,S encapsulated in liposomes lacking lipid A. Therefore, intracellular delivery of antigen containing CTL epitopes to the Golgi of BMs does not necessarily result in a CTL response in vivo unless an additional adjuvant, such as liposomes containing lipid A, is utilized. Encapsulation of RTS,S in liposomes containing monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) resulted in a dose-dependent enhancement of the NANP-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response compared to that of free RTS,S. The IgG1 and IgG2a subclasses predominated after immunization with RTS,S encapsulated in liposomes containing MPL. These results demonstrate that encapsulation of a lipid-containing particulate antigen, such as RTS, S, in liposomes containing lipid A can enhance both humoral and cellular immune responses.     

Integrating statistical and nonstatistical audit evidence using belief functions: A case of variable sampling

The main purpose of this article is to show how one can integrate statistical and nonstatistical items of evidence in the belief function framework. First, we use the properties of consonant belief functions to define the belief that the true mean of a variable lies in a given interval when a statistical test is performed for the variable. Second, we use the above definition to determine the sample size for a statistical test when a desired level of belief is needed from the sample. Third, we determine the level of belief that the true mean lies in a given interval when a statistical test yields certain values for the sample mean and the standard deviation of the mean for the variable. Finally, we use the auditing situation to illustrate the process of integrating statistical and nonstatistical items evidence. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A Heuristic Approach to the Discovery of Macro-Operators

This paper describes a heuristic approach to the discovery of useful macro-operators (macros) in problem solving. The approach has been implemented in a program, MACLEARN, that has three parts: macro-proposer, static filter, and dynamic filter. Learning occurs during problem solving, so that performance improves in the course of a single problem trial. Primitive operators and macros are both represented within a uniform representational framework that is closed under composition. This means that new macros can be defined in terms of others, which leads to a definitional hierarchy. The representation also supports the transfer of macros to related problems. MACLEARN is embedded in a supporting system that carries out best-first search. Experiments in macro learning were conducted for two classes of problems: peg solitaire (generalized Hi-Q puzzle), and tile sliding (generalized Fifteen puzzle). The results indicate that MACLEARN'S filtering heuristics all improve search performance, sometimes dramatically. When the system was given practice on simpler training problems, it learned a set of macros that led to successful solutions of several much harder problems.     

Do the Kallikaks look "menacing" or "retarded?"

To extend R. E. Fancher's (see record 1987-31600-001) review of claims that photographs of the Kallikak family in H. H. Goddard's (1912) study had been retouched to make them look more menacing and retarded, 29 Ss (aged 18–69 yrs) were surveyed for their impressions of the photographs. Overall, Ss were strongly inclined to view the photographed individuals as "kind" and "very bright." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Monoterpene concentrations in fresh,senescent, and decaying foliage of singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla Torr. & Frem.: Pinaceae) from the western Great Basin

Senescent foliage from pines is potentially a large contributor to the total monoterpene content of the litter layer, and the availability of these compounds as phytotoxins may result from release of these compounds into the vapor phase. In order to determine the fate of several monoterpene hydrocarbons in the natural environment, we examined their concentrations in fresh, senescent, and decaying needles from 32 single-leaf pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla Torr. & Frem.: Pinaceae) trees growing at two different locations. Total monoterpene content was highest in the fresh needles (mean=5.6 ± 2.2 mg/g extracted air dry weight), but also remained relatively high in senescent needles (mean=3.6 ±1.8 mg/g extracted air dry weight), either still attached to the tree or forming the freshest layer of understory litter. Decaying needles within a dark decomposing layer of litter material 5–20 cm from the surface were found to contain much lower amounts of total monoterpenes (average: =0.12 ±0.06 mg/g extracted air dry weight). Further investigation of the fate of these compounds in the pinyon understory is required to determine if these hydrocarbons are indeed exerting phytotoxic characteristics.     

Start-Up and Optimization of the Ozone Disinfection Process At the Sebago Lake Water Treatment Facility

The purpose of the ozone process at the Sebago Lake Water Treatment Facility (SLWTF) is to meet the disinfection requirements of the Surface Water Treatment Rule with ozone and without filtration. The start-up experience is presented including initial operating strategies to meet disinfection requirements. An ozone system performance test conducted during the first month of plant operation is described and the results are reviewed. The initial and proposed activities of an ozone optimization project are discussed.     

Impact strength and melt viscosity of bisphenol-a polycarbonate and styrene-maleic-anhydride copolymer blends

Mixtures of 90, 80, and 70 percent by weight bisphenol-A-polycarbonate (PC) and 10, 20, and 30 percent by weight styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer were melt-blended in a single screw extruder. Differential scanning calorimetry (DCS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine the miscibility of the blends. The viscosity, as a function of shear rate and temperature, was measured by an Instron capillary viscometer. The notched impact strength as a function of temperature was measured by an Izod impact tester. The results of DSC showed two glass transition temperatures which merged slightly towards each other, indicating marginal miscibility of these blends. There was a decrease in viscosity as the fraction of SMA copolymer was increased. The most significant decrease occurred with the initial addition of SMA copolymer. The viscosity also decreased with increases in temperature. The impact strength of the blends was also dependent on SMA copolymer content. The blends showed six to ten times lower impact strengths at room temperature than the 100 percent polycarbonate. SEM analysis helped to determine the reason why the impact strength was lower for the blends. High magnification showed the presence of SMA copolymer inclusions dispersed throughout the PC matrix. These inclusions, which increased in size as SMA copolymer content was increased, acted as defects in the system.     

The distribution and phylogenetic significance of desmethylsterols inChenopodium andAtriplex: Coexistence of Δ7- and Δ5 -sterols

Twenty-one species in the Chenopodiaceae were analyzed for sterol composition. In ten of eleven species ofChenopodium, the major desmethylsterols were Δ⁷-sterols accompanied by lower proportions of Δ⁵-sterols. InC. fremontii this pattern was reversed. The sterol profiles of five species ofAtriplex were characterized by the coexistence of Δ⁷- and Δ⁵-sterols in ratios of 0.3∶1 to 0.4∶1. MaleAtriplex plants contained higher proportions of Δ⁵-sterols than femaleAtriplex plants. OneCeratoides and twoSalicornia species contained Δ⁵-sterols as their predominant sterols.     

A microfluidic device for thermal particle detection

We demonstrate the use of heat to count microscopic particles. A thermal particle detector (TPD) was fabricated by combining a 500-nm-thick silicon nitride membrane containing a thin-film resistive temperature detector with a silicone elastomer microchannel. Particles with diameters of 90 and 200 μm created relative temperature changes of 0.11 and ?0.44 K, respectively, as they flowed by the sensor. A first-order lumped thermal model was developed to predict the temperature changes. Multiple particles were counted in series to demonstrate the utility of the TPD as a particle counter.     

Electrical resistivity and magnetoresistance of carbon/graphite fibers intercalated with nitric acid and arsenic pentafluoride

A series of high performance, experimental carbon/graphite fibers was intercalated and examined with respect to their metallic conductivity behavior by resistivity and magnetoresistance versus temperature measurements. One fiber was a polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-type precursor and three were pitch base precursors. All four types showed substantially similar behavior in the pristine state with respect to room temperature resistivity and the sign and magnitude of the temperature coefficient of resistivity. After intercalation with either nitric acid or nitric acid followed by AsF₅, the PAN-based fibers displayed a resistivity versus temperature behavior qualitatively similar to their pristine counterparts but displaced to lower resistivity. On the other hand, the pitch fibers with the same intercalation treatment exhibited metallic behavior (a positive temperature coefficient of electrical resistivity and a small magnetoresistance). These manifestations of metallic behavior are usually indicative of some three dimensional graphite structure in the carbon fibers.