The Antimicrobial Activity of Peripheral Blood Neutrophils Is Altered in Patients with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

The airways of patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) contain persistently elevated neutrophil numbers and CXCL8 levels. Despite their abundance, neutrophils fail to clear the airways from bacterial infections. We investigated whether neutrophil functions are altered in patients with PCD. Neutrophils from patients and healthy controls (HC) were isolated from peripheral blood and exposed to various bacterial stimuli or cytokines. Neutrophils from patients with PCD were less responsive to low levels of fMLF in three different chemotaxis assays (p < 0.05), but expression of the fMLF receptors was unaltered. PCD neutrophils showed normal phagocytic function and expression of adhesion molecules. However, PCD neutrophils produced less reactive oxygen species upon stimulation with bacterial products or cytokines compared to HC neutrophils (p < 0.05). Finally, the capacity to release DNA, as observed during neutrophil extracellular trap formation, seemed to be reduced in patients with PCD compared to HC (p = 0.066). These results suggest that peripheral blood neutrophils from patients with PCD, in contrast to those of patients with cystic fibrosis or COPD, do not show features of over-activation, neither on baseline nor after stimulation. If these findings extend to lung-resident neutrophils, the reduced neutrophil activity could possibly contribute to the recurrent respiratory infections in patients with PCD.     

Comparison of methodologies for externality assessment

The production of energy causes different kinds of damage to the environment depending on the specific type of technology used in producing a given energy supply. The common term that expresses the costs of these environmental damages is externalities. These costs are not included in the cost and price structure faced by the producer and the consumer. During the last few years, external costs related to power production technologies have been calculated making use of different methodologies. The external costs may turn out to be very different for the same fuel cycle depending on the methodology that has been used to assess the externalities. The article will focus on some of the most important reasons for differences in the numbers. To illustrate the importance of knowing the exact data and assumptions used, two studies using the same approach and with integrated computer models are compared. The models are based on the same concept with air dispersion modules and dose–response functions for the calculation of impacts. Although the models are comparable, the resulting external costs turn out to differ with a factor of five in the two studies for the same power plant due to different assumptions, different dose–response functions used and different impacts included in the studies. In the paper the most important differences to be aware of will be illustrated.     

Directional Control of Light-Emitting-Diode Emission Via a Subwavelength-Apertured Metal Surface

A thin Au film with a hexagonal array of subwavelength apertures has been integrated onto a semiconductor light-emitting diode. This produces a highly directional far-field pattern with a strong polarization dependence and alters the spectral shape of the light emission from the semiconductor. A two-dimensional k-space analysis of the experimental data shows good agreement with a simple model of surface plasmon to photon coupling via the periodic structure of the metal film     

Performance‐based design of high‐rise coupled wall systems

Coupled core walls provide an efficient lateral load‐resisting system. Performance of coupled wall systems depends primarily on ensuring that coupling beams provide adequate stiffness and strength. Current design guidelines, which are based on a strength‐based design approach, often result in beams with unrealistic details. Previous studies have also demonstrated that coupled core walls behave differently from what is assumed in a traditional strength‐based design approach. Therefore, currently available strength‐based design methodology is inadequate to address a large class of coupled core wall systems, and alternative design approaches are necessary. In this paper, a rational approach based on a performance‐based design method is demonstrated through the design and analysis of a prototype 30‐story coupled core wall structure. Critical responses of the prototype structure at different limit states under representative ground motions are compared in order to evaluate the adequacy of the performance‐based design method. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural Testing of Prestressed Concrete Girders from the Lake View Drive Bridge

On the evening of December 27, 2005, the fascia beam supporting the east-side parapet wall of the third span of the Lake View Drive Bridge failed under the action of dead load. This paper describes the structural testing and posttest forensic examination of two girders recovered from the partially collapsed Lake View Drive Bridge. The objective of this paper is to describe the tests conducted and report the observations. An interior and an exterior prestressed concrete adjacent box girder were tested to failure in flexure. Prior to testing, an extensive visual inspection was conducted to assess the extant condition of the 42-year-old girders. Following testing, the girders were sawcut near their failure regions to permit an extensive forensic investigation. Conclusions based on the pre- and posttest inspections and test results are presented. Recommendations intended to reinforce issues that need to be considered in the bridge inspection and rating process of similar structures are presented.     

Instabilities when using a standard (T/3) rushton turbine for stirring as foam disruption (SAFD)

The concept of using the upper stirrer for foam disruption in a bioreactor agitated by multiple impellers has recently been published by Hoeks et al. (1997). This concept, stirring as foam disruption (SAFD), was shown by them to be effective with a range of impellers. However, the commonly used (so‐called) standard Rushton turbine of one‐third the fermenter diameter was not included. This paper fills that important gap. By measuring the foam height, the holdup, the power draw and the velocities of the liquid in the dispersion just below its top surface, it is concluded that the SAFD concept does not work well with the standard Rushton turbine. This is because the amount of broth for which foam can be disrupted is less than that found with all the other impellers tested to date; and even when foam disruption occurs, significant flow instabilities and torque fluctuations are found. Perhaps the poor performance of this impeller, which has been used so frequently in industry and in academic studies, explains why the concept of SAFD was not developed earlier.     

European Union associated university websites

Scientometrics - The web site is an important communication medium for universities in many countries. There are numerous reasons to expect that their characteristics will vary along national...     

Protein lactosylation in UHT milk during storage measured by Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry and quantification of furosine

The initial stage of the Maillard reaction, protein lactosylation, occurs during heat treatment of milk and continues during subsequent storage. We compared the initial lactosylation as well as the rate of lactosylation of milk proteins during storage in UHT milk subjected to direct or indirect heat treatment using liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with electrospray injection mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). Furosine content was used as an overall marker to allow for a quantitative correlation of lactosylation measured by LC‐ESI‐MS in the UHT milks. Protein lactosylation increased during the storage period of 6 months at 20 °C. Both the initial extent and the rate of lactosylation positively correlated with the number of lysine residues in the different proteins. An exponential or linear correlation with furosine concentration could be established for major and minor lactosylated proteins, respectively.