Cascades of mammalian caspase activation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Caspases (aspartate-specific cysteine proteases) play a critical role in the execution of the mammalian apoptotic program. To address the regulation of human caspase activation, we used the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is devoid of endogenous caspases. The apical procaspases, -8beta and -10, were efficiently processed and activated in yeast. Although protease activity, per se, was insufficient to drive cell death, caspase-10 activity had little effect on cell viability, whereas expression of caspase-8beta was cytotoxic. This lethal phenotype was abrogated by co-expression of the pan-caspase inhibitor, baculovirus p35, and by mutation of the active site cysteine of procaspase-8beta. In contrast, autoactivation of the executioner caspase-3 and -6 zymogens was not detected. Procaspase-3 activation required co-expression of procaspase-8 or -10. Surprisingly, activation of procaspase-6 required proteolytic activities other than caspase-8, -10, or -3. Caspase-8beta or -10 activity was insufficient to catalyze the maturation of procaspase-6. Moreover, a constitutively active caspase-3, although cytotoxic in its own right, was unable to induce the processing of wild-type procaspase-6 and vice versa. These results distinguish sequential modes of activation for different caspases in vivo and establish a yeast model system to examine the regulation of caspase cascades. Moreover, the distinct terminal phenotypes induced by various caspases attest to differences in the cellular targets of these apoptotic proteases, which may be defined using this system.     

Social cognition and the manic defense: Attributions, selective attention, and self-schema in bipolar affective disorder.

Manic patients, depressed bipolar patients, and normal controls were compared on measures of social cognition. Manic patients showed a normal self-serving bias on the Attributional Style Questionnaire, but depressed patients attributed negative events more than positive events to self. On an implicit test of attributional style, both patient groups attributed negative events more than positive events to self. Both patient groups showed slowed color naming for depression-related but not euphoria-related words. Manic patients, like normal controls, endorsed mainly positive words as true of self but, like the depressed patients, recalled mainly negative words. Findings from the implicit tests indicate a common form of psychological organization in manic and depressed patients, whereas the contrasts between the scores on the implicit and explicit measures are consistent with the hypothesis of a manic defense. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fractal stacked monopole with very wide bandwidth

A parallel feed stacked fractal antenna using the square Sierpinski and diamond Sierpinski carpet is introduced. The design achieves a good input impedance match throughout the passband (1-20 GHz) but occasional slight mismatch occurs. Three different experimental results are shown and the measured gain of these antennas is generally >0 dBi. These antennas are suitable for applications in picocell environments for the operating bands of GSM, DECT and WLAN systems     

Compact wideband planar monopole antenna

When a shorting pin is added to the planar monopole antenna, an additional mode is excited below the fundamental mode. By optimising the dimensions. A compact wideband antenna can be constructed. The size reduction achievable for this antenna is ~50% compared with an equivalent planar monopole without a shorting pin. Owing to its compact size and wideband performance, this antenna is suitable for use in existing and future mobile communication terminals     

Computer self-efficacy, training effectiveness and user attitudes: an empirical study

Using 414 business undergraduates at two universities in the US, a 28-item computer self-efficacy scale is validated and used to examine the relationship between (a) training and computer self-efficacy and (b) user attitudes and computer self-efficacy. Survey responses were collected both at the beginning and end of an introductory computer course. A principal factor analysis of the computer self-efficacy scale supported a conceptually meaningful four-factor solution with high alpha reliabilities. Results suggest that training significantly improved the computer self-efficacy of males and females in this study for all factors. Training programs seemed more effective for male and female respondents with positive attitudes toward computers. Training programs seemed less effective for respondents with negative attitudes toward computers. Implications of these findings are discussed and research opportunities described.     

Evaluation of the MMCLIFE 3.0 code in predicting crack growth in titanium aluminide composites

Crack growth and fatigue life predictions made with the MMCLIFE 3.0 code are compared to test data for unidirectional, continuously reinforced SCS-6/Ti-14Al-21Nb (wt pct) composite laminates. The MMCLIFE 3.0 analysis package is a design tool capable of predicting strength and fatigue performance in metal matrix composite (MMC) laminates. The code uses a combination of micromechanic lamina and macromechanic laminate analyses to predict stresses and uses linear elastic fracture mechanics to predict crack growth. The crack growth analysis includes a fiber bridging model to predict the growth of matrix flaws in 0-deg laminates and is capable of predicting the effects of interfacial shear stress and thermal residual stresses. The code has also been modified to include edge-notch flaws in addition to center-notch flaws. The model was correlated with constant amplitude, isothermal data from crack growth tests conducted on 0- and 90-deg SCS-6/Ti-14-21 laminates. Spectrum fatigue tests were conducted, which included dwell times and frequency effects. Strengths and areas for improvement for the analysis are discussed. This article is based on a presentation made in the symposium “Fatigue and Creep of Composite Materials” presented at the TMS Fall Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, September 14–18, 1997, under the auspices of the TMS/ASM Composite Materials Committee.     

Design through making: crafts knowledge as facilitator to collaborative new product development

Collaboration between manufacturers and craft makers is believed by many crafts theorists to offer new originality, insight and specialist expertise to design for production. In practice, however, there exists a discrepancy between this ideal and a reality of unreconcilable cultural and methodological differences. This paper documents and discusses such a collaboration as an example of best practice with implications for managers, educators, designers and craft makers. It identifies a new role for craft makers with the appropriate knowledge and experience to act as bridges within companies, facilitating the adoption of design methodologies appropriate to changing priorities in the manufacturing industries.     

Wide-load-range resonant converter supplying the SAE J-1773electric vehicle inductive charging interface

The recommended practice for electric vehicle battery charging using inductive coupling (SAE J-1773), published in January 1995 by the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., outlines values and tolerances for critical vehicle inlet parameters which must be considered when selecting a coupler driving topology. The inductive coupling vehicle inlet contains a significant discrete capacitive component in addition to low magnetizing and high leakage inductances. Driving the vehicle interface with a variable-frequency series-resonant power converter results in a four-element topology with many desirable features: unity transformer turns ratio; buck/boost voltage gain; current-source operation; monotonic power transfer characteristic over a wide load range; throttling capability down to no load; high-frequency operation; narrow modulation frequency range; use of zero-voltage-switched MOSFETs with slow integral diodes; high efficiency; inherent short-circuit protection; soft recovery of output rectifiers; and secondary dν/dt control and current waveshaping for the cable, coupler and vehicle inlet, resulting in enhanced electromagnetic compatibility. In this paper, characteristics of the topology are derived and analyzed using two methods. Firstly, the fundamental mode AC sine-wave approximation is extended to battery loads and provides a simple, yet insightful, analysis of the topology. A second method of analysis is based on the more accurate, but complex, time-based modal approach. Finally, typical experimental results verify the analysis of the topology presented in the paper     

CONTROL OF FLUID DYNAMICS WITH ENGINEERED FRACTALS - ADSORPTION PROCESS APPLICATIONS

Engineered fluid transporting fractals can be utilized for a broad range of fluid control applications. These applications include use as alternatives to turbulence, controlled formation of fluid geometry and rapid transition of effective fluid dimension. As applied to adsorption processes, fractals can be used to provide rapid and homogeneous distribution of fluids to form surfaces or rapid distribution and collection of volumes.