Antibody library selection by the {beta}-lactamase protein fragment complementation assay

Protein fragment complementation assay (PCA) is based on the interaction between two protein partners (e.g. target antigen and antibody), which are genetically fused to the two halves of a dissected marker protein. Binding of the two partners reassembles the marker protein and hence reconstitutes its activity. In this work we have developed the first application of beta-lactamase-based PCA for the isolation of single chain Fv fragments (scFvs) binding to the human receptor RON from a na?ve library. Specific scFvs with the ability to immunoprecipitate could be isolated after a single round of PCA selection from an scFv repertoire previously pre-selected by phage display. Furthermore, the PCA was used to successfully map the epitopes recognized by the selected scFvs by screening them against a small library of random RON fragments.     

Determination of Lutein from Fruit and Vegetables Through an Alkaline Hydrolysis Extraction Method and HPLC Analysis

A simple and rapid analytical method for the determination of lutein content, successfully used for cereal matrices, was evaluated in fruit and vegetables. The method involved the determination of lutein after an alkaline hydrolysis of the sample matrix, followed by extraction with solvents and analysis by normal phase HPLC. The optimized method was simple, precise, and accurate and it was characterized by few steps that could prevent loss of lutein and its degradation. The optimized method was used to evaluate the lutein amounts in several fruit and vegetables. Rich sources of lutein were confirmed to be green vegetables such as parsley, spinach, chicory, chard, broccoli, courgette, and peas, even if in a range of variability. Taking into account the suggested reference values these vegetables can be stated as good sources of lutein.     

Innovative Caciocavallo cheeses made from a mixture of cow milk with ewe or goat milk

This study assessed and compared the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensorial characteristics of Caciocavallo cheeses, made from cow milk and a mixture of cow with ewe or goat milk, during ripening. Different cheese-making trials were carried out on an industrial scale following the standard procedure of pasta filata cheeses, with some modifications. The percentage of the different added milk to cow milk influenced compositional and nutritional characteristics of the innovative products, leading to a satisfactory microbiological and sensorial quality.     

Spatial spectral estimation using multiple beam antennas

The processing simplifications which result in using a multiple beam antenna (MBA) as a spatial sensor for performing spectral estimation are considered. Sources are presumed to be located over a two-dimensional field of view characterized by the two angular coordinatesthetaandphi. The MBA configuration consists of an aperture (usually either a reflector or lens) illuminated by a collection of feeds located in its focal plane (see Fig. 1), followed by a switch network for selecting the outputs of any desired feed port. Using the MBA as the spatial sensor for performing spectral estimation, as contrasted to the array antenna configuration, has a distinct advantage: for a given collection of source wavefronts incident on the aperture, a crude estimate of each source position is obtained simply by monitoring the power output of each feed port. This is to be contrasted to the array configuration, where the average output power of each element port is the same, so long as the wavefronts incident on the aperture emanate from uncorrelated sources. As shall be developed further, this initial crude estimate of source location can be used to develop refined estimates using processing algorithms which significantly reduce processing requirements when compared to those required using a comparable array when the number of anticipated sources existing over the field of view (FOV) is large. Finally, since the spectral estimate of the source location is essentially an "open-loop" estimate, involving a priori measured quantities such as the antenna port radiation patterns, we consider the effects of measurement errors on the estimate. The results are normalized so as to be generally applicable to both the array antenna configuration as well as for the MBA.     

Reliability of new semiconductor devices for long-distance opticalsubmarine-cable systems

Results from reliability tests conducted on three types of semiconductor devices used in optical repeaters are reported. The devices tested are: two types of 1.3-μm-band InGaAsP/InP laser diodes: a Ge avalanche photodiode; and monolithic integrated circuits. The devices have proved to be suitable for use in a long-distance optical submarine-cable system, such as the third transpacific cable system     

Screening and Analysis of Spices with Ability to Suppress Verocytotoxin Production by Escherichia coli O157

ABSTRACT:  To reduce the amounts of verocytotoxin (VT) produced by  Escherichia coli  O157:H7, various spices were screened for their ability to suppress VT production. Extracts of these spices were prepared with 70% ethyl alcohol. When  E. coli  O157:H7 cells were grown to the stationary phase at 37 °C in Luria-Bertani medium supplemented with 0.02% allspice extract, the production of both VT1 and VT2 was significantly reduced. Neither growth inhibition nor a delay in the lag phase was observed when the cells were cultured in the presence of 0.02% allspice extract. An active component of the allspice extract was purified by HPLC and was identified as eugenol. When we examined the suppressive effect of eugenol on VT production by  E. coli  O157:H7, the amounts of both intracellular and extracellular VTs were found to decrease with an increase in eugenol concentration. Our results suggest that eugenol is useful for reducing the virulence of  E. coli  O157:H7.     

Identification of viable myocardium by 201Tl scintigraphy: a comparison of methods

The present study was undertaken to compare four different imaging approaches to evaluate uptake defect reversibility. 24 infarcted patients underwent standard stress/redistribution 201Tl imaging (R1). Then, after reinjection of 37 MBq of 201Tl, patients were re-imaged either after 15 min (R2) 24 h later (R3). A separate rest study (R4) following a new tracer injection was done within 2-3 days. Planar images were obtained in the standard three views and subdivided into 216 segments for qualitative analysis based on a visual score. A semiquantitative analysis based upon circumferential profiles was also applied. A stress defect was found in 127 segments (58.7%). By visual inspection reperfusion was considered to occur in 32.3%, 41.7%, 33.0% and 49.6% of the cases with R1, R2, R3, and R4, respectively. The semiquantitative method showed a high reperfusion only with R1 (62%), while the other procedures proved less effective. No improvement was found with R4. Six patients (25%) showed myocardial viability that was not detected with the early reinjection technique.     

A novel dry photopolymer for volume‐phase holograms

A novel photopolymer for the fabrication of high‐resolution volume‐phase holograms, which primarily are used for holographic optical elements, is reported. This photopolymer consists of a thermosetting resin as a polymeric binder, a polyfunctional monomer, a photoinitiator, and a sensitizing dye. The chemistry to form images is based on the polymerization of an acrylic monomer initiated by radical species while making the holographic exposure, and accelerated diffusion transfer of the polymerized monomer with postexposure baking, and of a bisphenol‐type epoxy resin as a binder initiated by cations with UV exposure, which are generated through photodecomposition of a diaryliodonium salt‐sensitized 3‐ketocoumarin dye. Exposure of these photopolymer films to an Ar⁺ laser beam emitting 514.5 nm light at 60–150 mJ/cm² and subsequent heat treatment resulted in a refractive index alteration according to the light intensity. With this dry process, high diffraction efficiency and heat‐stable holograms can be formed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2189–2200, 2000     

Predicting workplace aggression: A meta-analysis.

The authors conducted a meta-analysis of 57 empirical studies (59 samples) concerning enacted workplace aggression to answer 3 research questions. First, what are the individual and situational predictors of interpersonal and organizational aggression? Second, within interpersonal aggression, are there different predictors of supervisor- and coworker-targeted aggression? Third, what are the relative contributions of individual (i.e., trait anger, negative affectivity, and biological sex) and situational (i.e., injustice, job dissatisfaction, interpersonal conflict, situational constraints, and poor leadership) factors in explaining interpersonal and organizational aggression? Results show that both individual and situational factors predict aggression and that the pattern of predictors is target specific. Implications for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Numerical simulation of snow melting on pavement surface with heat dissipation pipe embedded

Programmed software was developed in order to numerically simulate time variation of the temperature field and snow depth around a pipe‐in‐pile snow‐melting system, using meteorological data. The system utilized underground piles as the heat exchanger between underground soil and water flowing inside the pipes. The water was pumped into heat dissipation pipes embedded beneath the pavement surface, on which snow melted. The unsteady three‐dimensional heat conduction inside the pavement and the underground soil was numerically solved. On the surface, the heat balance of conduction, convection, and radiation was considered. Snow fall depth was estimated by rainfall weather data, ratio of snowfall to rainfall, and dry density of snowfall. For simulating the snow layer, an unsteady one‐dimensional heat conduction was solved while incorporating partial absorption of solar radiation. Experiments for measuring time variation of the temperature field and snow depth around the system were conducted for verification of the software. The obtained simulation results showed good agreements with experimental data, demonstrating the utility and validity of the software. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20226