FM/FM Multiplex Radio-Telemetry System for Handling Biological Data

Multiplex systems are examined in the time and frequency domains for their utility in applications to biological studies. The continuous-wave FM is shown to fit best the requirements of genuine signal reproduction, reasonable construction and reliability.     

Generic nanomaterial positioning by carrier and stationary phase design

A generic approach for deploying various types of synthetic nanomaterials, including single-walled carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles, at well-defined locations on substrates is presented. The assembly is achieved through the complementary design of the stationary and carrier phases and utilizes the dewetting process during which polymer-encapsulated nanomaterials are delivered and positioned on predefined locations of substrates. Covalent modification of the nano-objects is not required for the building block positioning, therefore, preserving their intrinsic chemical and physical properties. The potency of this new approach is demonstrated for various synthetic nanomaterials, such as polystyrene, silica, and gold nanoparticles as well as single-walled carbon nanotubes, showing highly specific and direct patterning of cm2 areas using a generic assembly strategy.     

Toward the Development of Printable Nanowire Electronics and Sensors

In recent years, there has been tremendous progress in the research and development of printable electronics on mechanically flexible substrates based on inorganic active components, which provide high performances and stable device operations at low cost. In this regard, various approaches have been developed for the direct transfer or printing of micro‐ and nanoscale, inorganic semiconductors on substrates. In this review article, we focus on the recent advancements in the large‐scale integration of single crystalline, inorganic‐nanowire (NW) arrays for electronic and sensor applications, specifically involving the contact printing of NWs at defined locations. We discuss the advantages, limitations, and the state‐of‐the‐art of this technology, and present an integration platform for future printable, heterogeneous‐sensor circuitry based on NW parallel arrays.     

Assay and use of magnesium ferrite as a reference in absorption trials with cattle.

Magnesium ferrite, an inert ferrimagnetic material, was introduced as reference substances in absorption trials with ruminants. A method for assaying magnesium ferrite was based upon the difference between the weight of the test material on an analytic balance and that of the same material weighed below a permanent magnet. Four heifers in two pairs were in a feeding experiment lasting for 6 wk divided into two 3-wk periods. Each animal received once daily 12 g magnesium ferrite and, as control, 12 g shredded paper impregnated with 4.2 g chromium oxide. The rations were composed of chopped wheat straw and concentrates, given twice daily, with a different straw-concentrate ratio for each group. The treatments were reversed after the first experimental period. Mean recoveries of magnesium ferrite and chromic oxide in total collection of feces were 103 and 90.2%. Mean absorption coefficients of organic matter calculated by total collection and by the ratios of magnesium ferrite and chromic oxide in feces taken from the rectum were 68.1, 70.1, and 65.7%. The method is simple and accurate and may replace methods involving time consuming chemical determinations.     

Safety and immunogenicity of a novel mammalian cell-derived recombinant hepatitis B vaccine containing Pre-S1 and Pre-S2 antigens in neonates

BACKGROUND: Most of the licensed hepatitis B vaccines produced by recombinant DNA contain the S protein component of the hepatitis B virus surface antigen particle but lack two important components, Pre-S1 and Pre-S2. These components have recently been shown to play an important immunogenic role by enhancing the hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) titers, stimulating response and circumventing genetic nonresponsiveness. OBJECTIVE: To assess safety, tolerability and immunogenicity in neonates of a novel recombinant HBV vaccine (Bio-Hep-B) containing the S, Pre-S1 and Pre-S2 components compared with a licensed recombinant vaccine (Engerix-B) containing the S component only. METHODS: Healthy neonates were randomized to receive either Bio-Hep-B (2.5 micrograms/dose) or Engerix-B (10 micrograms/dose) at ages < 24 h, 1 month and 6 months. Blood was obtained at ages 0, 1, 7 and 12 months. Tolerability was assessed by diary cards filled by the parents for 5 successive days after immunization. Immunogenicity was assessed by determination of anti-HBs antibody. RESULTS: Of 205 neonates 153 were in the Bio-Hep-B group and 52 were in the Engerix-B group. Both vaccines were well-tolerated and all infants became seroprotected (anti-HBs > 10 mIU/ml). After the first dose a significantly higher proportion of neonates seroconverted in the Bio-Hep-B group than in the Engerix-B group (83% vs. 34%; P < 0.001); this difference in seroresponse was even more pronounced for those achieving seroprotective concentrations (> 10.0 mIU/ml) after the first dose: 54% vs. 7%, respectively (P < 0.001). Geometric mean concentrations were significantly higher at all points in the Bio-Hep-B group. CONCLUSION: Both vaccines were well-tolerated and immunogenic. Bio-Hep-B, despite its low dose, was significantly more immunogenic and elicited more rapid antibody response. This finding has implication for future vaccine programs in regions where maternal screening for hepatitis B virus surface antigen and administration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin are not routinely practiced at birth for infants of hepatitis B virus carrier mothers.     

Parental care and intrusiveness as predictors of the abilities-achievement gap in adolescence

High levels of histamine can be found in the airways of asthma patients. This study describes the effects of histamine on anti-CD3-induced production of IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-gamma by T cell clones from subjects with allergic asthma and healthy subjects. T cell clones were obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and blood. The number of clones tested, and the percentage of clones in which histamine inhibited or enhanced cytokine production by more than 25%, were as follows: IL-4, 47, 8.5%, and 4.3%; IL-5, 43, 14%, and 30%; and IFN-gamma, 52, 40%, and 15%. Inhibition of IL-5 and IFN-gamma production was reversed by IL-2. The enhancement of IFN-gamma production was associated with an enhancement of both IL-2 production and proliferation. In 21% of the clones a combined effect consisting of inhibition of IFN-gamma production and enhancement of IL-5 production was found. This response was reversed by H2-receptor antagonists and was significantly associated with a histamine-induced increase in intracellular levels of cAMP. The role of cAMP in mediating the histamine effects was supported by the observations that the beta2-agonist salbutamol had effects similar to histamine and that high concentrations of PGE2 mimicked the inhibitory effects of histamine. Clones from BAL fluid and blood showed similar responses, as did clones from patients with asthma and from control subjects. The enhancement of IFN-gamma production by histamine, however, was found only in clones from healthy subjects. The results warrant further investigations on the role of cAMP in the regulation of cytokine production.     

Status of sexuality in contemporary psychoanalytic psychotherapy as reported by therapists.

Contemporary psychoanalytic literature places less emphasis than its classical counterpart on sexuality in explaining human motivation. However, up until now no methodical research has been done on the status of sexuality in clinical work. We report on a qualitative interview study that examined the status of sexuality in psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy (n = 10). We studied the extent to which therapists used sexual factors to explain patient behavior: To what extent were sexual themes dominant in the treatment, what importance did therapists attach to them, and what factors affected their place in therapy? The data gathered from the investigation were related to theoretical thinking on the marginalization of sexuality in psychoanalytic theory and practice. On the basis of the investigation, we describe four factors that affect the status of sexual themes in therapy: the extent of the belief in the centrality of sexuality in human motivation, the level of expressiveness of therapy, the narrowing of the concept of sexuality and the separation between sexuality and intimacy, and the tendency to avoid sexual issues because of the discomfort their discussion causes to patient or therapist. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Kinetics of biodegradation of gasoline and its hydrocarbon constituents

The response to acute inflammation of rats at two levels of prior weight reduction were compared with normal-weight rats to examine how prior alterations in body energy status influence inflammation-induced anorexia and weight loss. Specifically, body weights were either reduced by 6%, the level of weight loss expected in normal-weight rats following induction of acute inflammation, or by 12%, a level 6% below that expected of the normal-weight rats. Rats were either allowed to eat ad lib. on postinflammation Day 1 or were kept on food restriction until Day 5, when anorexia was no longer expected to be present. As predicted, normal-weight rats allowed to eat ad lib. beginning Day 1 displayed the most severe anorexia. Total food intake of this group over the first 5 days following inflammation induction was 33% less than the control (CON) group. Rats with 6% prior weight reduction displayed a milder anorexia, eating only 15% less than the CON group over the first 5 days. In contrast, rats with 12% prior weight reduction ate the same amount of food as the CON group. Interestingly, similar feeding patterns were observed in rats that resumed ad lib. feeding on Day 5. The outcome of these various feeding patterns was to bring body weights of all the inflammation groups to the same level, approximately 6% below CON group weights. These results provide further evidence that proinflammatory mediators induce a temporary reduction in the amount of body tissue (weight) spontaneously maintained that is directly proportionate to the magnitude of insult.     

Facilitating personal growth.

The theory of multiple self-states postulates the coexistence of various discrete organizations of self, each with a particular perspective on reality and each prevailing in a specific intersubjective context. The present article suggests some applications of the theory to clinical psychoanalytic practice and focuses on the state of personal crisis. The approach presented here proposes that there is a total or partial destruction of a state of the self in a particular intersubjective context. It is also proposed that, in addition to traditional analytic work, there be exploration of the parameters of the damaged self-state and of the contexts in which this state is ascendant, and that the dialogue between the damaged self-state and other intact self-states be encouraged. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Modelling of culture kinetics and physiology for c. acetobutylicum

A mathematical model of the batch acetone-butanol fermentation has been proposed which reflects the process kinetics and biochemistry. The degree of importance of the key kinetic parameters has been established by a parametric sensitivity analysis. The basic model was further extended by incorporating additional culture physiological parameters such as the number of active mass transport sites and the permeability of the cellular membrane as well as the intracellular and extracellular conditions. The model assisted in studying the role of the cellular membrane in the control of the culture performance and solvent biosynthesis. The theoretical predictions were confirmed by experimental results.