Transamidation Down-Regulates Intestinal Immunity of Recombinant α-Gliadin in HLA-DQ8 Transgenic Mice

Enzymatic transamidation of gliadins by microbial transglutaminase (mTG) inhibits interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secretion by intestinal T cell lines in patients with celiac disease (CD). To gain insight into the cellular mechanisms underlying the down-regulatory effects of transamidation, we tested a single recombinant α-gliadin (r-gliadin) harbouring two immunodominant peptides, p13 (aa. 120–139) and p23 (aa. 220–239), in HLA-DQ8 transgenic mice, a model of gluten sensitivity. Mice were intranasally immunised with r-gliadin or r-gliadin transamidated by mTG (K-r-gliadin) along with cholera toxin, and the response of mesenteric lymph node cells was analysed by cytokine multiplex assay. An in vitro challenge with r-gliadin was characterised by secretion of specific cytokines featuring both innate immunity and the Th1/Th2/Th17 pattern of the adaptive response. Notably, transamidation specifically down-regulated the Th1 response. Structural studies performed on K-r-gliadin confirmed that specific glutamine residues in p13 and p23, previously found to be deamidated by tissue transglutaminase, were also transamidated by mTG. In silico analysis, simulating p13 and p23 peptide binding to HLA-DQ8 showed that these glutamines, in the form of glutamate, could interact by means of salt bridges with peculiar amino acids of the alpha chain of HLA-DQ8, suggesting that their transamidation may influence the HLA-restricted recognition of these peptides. Thus, the structural findings provided a rationale to explain the down-regulation of the r-gliadin-specific Th1 response following transamidation.     

NERC and Enforcement Issues: Self‐Reporting Routine Compliance Violations

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) assessed a $750,000 civil penalty against International Transmission Company and several of its public utility affiliates for failure to obtain FERC approval under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) for 20 jurisdictional transactions, which were self‐reported to FERC. The company and its affiliates were also penalized here for failing to make appropriate filings under FPA Section 205 with respect to 174 jurisdictional agreements that were not self‐reported to FERC.     

Effect of Composition and Physical Properties of Silicon Nitride on Rolling Wear and Fatigue Performance

The improved performance of silicon nitride components over all-steel bearings in several applications has been demonstrated. However, the effects of grain size, intergranular phase composition, fracture toughness, and hardness on rolling wear and fatigue performance are not completely understood. Three commercial bearing materials were tested under standard conditions and their physical properties were obtained. Wear and fatigue properties were compared to physical properties and material composition. It was found that a high fracture toughness is not required for high fatigue life and wear resistance. Total wear and fatigue life of the assembly must be considered, in addition to performance of the ceramic material alone, for specific applications. Grain boundary composition did not appear to affect the wear mechanism of these hot-isostatically-pressed materials.     

Reactivity and chemical characterization of effluent organic nitrogen from wastewater treatment plants determined by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

In advanced wastewater treatment plants that achieve high levels of nitrogen (N) removal, up to one-third of the N in effluent is organic, herein referred to as effluent organic N (EON). While we know that inorganic N is highly labile, it is unclear what fraction of EON is bioavailable. In this study, we demonstrate the utility of a method that can be used to examine the reactivity of EON in natural receiving waters to better understand both the ecosystem response and the potential bioavailability of EON. The technique is suitable for analyzing polar organic matter in natural waters; electrospray ionization coupled with Fourier transform mass spectrometry. Bioassays were performed on samples collected at the end of the biological process from two wastewater treatment plants achieving advanced N removal. The samples were concentrated, and then added to natural water samples collected from the oligohaline James River, a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. Our results demonstrate that while the lignin-like fraction of the effluent dissolved organic matter (some of which contains N) was conserved, a large portion of aliphatic and aromatic compounds containing N was removed (79-100%) during incubations, while other compounds were produced. Furthermore, the two effluents exhibited differences in the degree of degradation and type of degradation, which can be related both to the various processes employed in the two WWTPs and the dramatic differences in the type of influent they received. These findings suggest that EON is highly reactive in the natural environment and that simple assays examining net consumption or production of bulk dissolved organic N pools are inadequate for assessing the bioavailability of EON.     

Meanings of limited equity homeownership in community land trusts

Abstract

Discourses regarding homeownership in the United States emphasize housing as an economic investment. This focus fosters a number of problems, including inflated housing values, increased segregation, economic divisions, and the foreclosure crisis. Community land trusts (CLTs) put land in a non-profit trust to keep it affordable long-term. We examine CLTs as affordable housing organizations where individual residents own homes in the trust and lease the land underneath from the CLT. Interviews of CLT homeowners and staff in Minnesota, USA, show that the use value of CLT housing creates opportunities for different life choices. CLT homeowners cite stability and autonomy as the primary benefits of homeownership. They expressed newfound confidence and freedom to pursue personal goals and live less restricted lives after moving into CLT homes, a finding also emphasized by CLT staff. Limited equity housing such as CLTs can both reinforce dominant meanings of homeownership as providing security and autonomy, while also fostering access and affordability for low-income residents.     

Disproportionate referrals for child academic/behavior problems: Replication and extension.

R. S. Drabman et al (see record 1988-15423-001) investigated children's month of birth in relation to mental health referrals and found that the younger children in a class were disproportionately referred for services. We conducted a replication and extension of the Drabman et al. investigation. Data were collected on children's (N?=?222) cognitive and academic competencies. Results indicated that (a) younger children in a class were disproportionately referred, (b) the referral pattern remained constant across all grades examined, (c) the referral pattern could not be explained by differences in children's competencies, and (d) although the youngest children in the class were referred most frequently, they had the lowest rate of qualification for special services. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

High-power, low-threshold BH lasers operating at 1.52 ?m grown entirely by MOVPE

BH laser devices with efficient optical and current confinement have been grown using a new all-MOVPE growth technique. The devices produced operated with CW threshold currents as low as 14 mA and output powers of up to 28 mW at 20°C. In initial experiments, over 70% of the working devices tested had threshold currents of less than 30 mA, substantiating the view that MOVPE is a highly promising technique for the large-scale production of complex optoelectronic devices.     

Effects of running or weight lifting on self-concept in clinically depressed women.

Forty clinically depressed women were randomized to a running, weight lifting, or delayed treatment condition. Self-concept was assessed at baseline, pre-, mid-, and posttreatment for all subjects and at 1, 7, and 12 months for exercise groups. Significant improvements in self-concept were found for exercise groups relative to control groups. No significant differences between exercise groups were found, and improvements were reasonably well-maintained over time. Differential changes on dimensions of self-concept were not demonstrated. These results suggest that both running and weight lifting exercise programs improve self-concept in clinically depressed women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Research Needs and Challenges in Application of Computer and Information Sciences for Industrial Engineering

By invitation from the Editor of IIE Transactions, a research forum was established in 1987 to develop and prepare this article. The objective: to write on the directions, needs and challenges for research by the IE com-munity in applying computer and information sciences. The motivation: realizing the major advancements in computer and information sciences in the recent decade and their significant impact on the IE profession, it is vital to examine how IE research activities can respond effectively to current and emerging needs. This article is viewed as a useful contribution to such an examination.

Forum members were invited from academia, government and industry based on their experience in and commitment to research in this area. The forum was chaired by Shimon Y. Nof and the members are the co-authors of this article.

Forum members communicated and deliberated throughout 1987 and met for a review and planning session dur-ing the IIE Conference in Washington, D.C. in May, 1987 (Forum, 1987). The following article summarizes the contributions and recommendations of the forum members, and was reviewed by four guest reviewers. The re-viewers, invited by the Editor, have provided comments that have been incorporated into this article