Pectic Galactan Polysaccharide-Based Gene Delivery System for Targeting Neuroinflammation

Treating neuroinflammation-related injuries and disorders through manipulation of neuroinflammation functions is being heralded as a new therapeutic strategy. In this study, a novel pectic galactan (PG) polysaccharide based gene therapy approach is developed for targeting reactive gliosis in neuroinflammation. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a cell protein with a high affinity to β-galactoside sugars and is highly expressed in reactive gliosis. Since PG carries galactans, it can target reactive gliosis via specific carbohydrate interaction between galactan and Gal-3 on the cell membrane, and therefore can be utilized as a carrier for delivering genes to these cells. The carrier is synthesized by modifying quaternary ammonium groups on the PG. The resulting quaternized PG (QPG) is found to form complexes with plasmid DNA with a mean diameter of 100 nm and have the characteristics required for targeted gene therapy. The complexes efficiently condense large amounts of plasmid per particle and successfully bind to Gal-3. The in vivo study shows that the complexes are biocompatible and safe for administration and can selectively transfect reactive glial cells of an induced cortical lesion. The results confirm that this PG-based delivery system is a promising platform for targeting Gal-3 overexpressing neuroinflammation cells for treating neuroinflammation-related injuries and neurodegenerative diseases.     

An exemplar-based random walk model of speeded classification

The authors propose and test an exemplar-based random walk model for predicting response times in tasks of speeded, multidimensional perceptual classification. The model combines elements of R. M. Nosofsky's (1986) generalized context model of categorization and G. D. Logan's (1988) instance-based model of automaticity. In the model, exemplars race among one another to be retrieved from memory, with rates determined by their similarity to test items. The retrieved exemplars provide incremental information that enters into a random walk process for making classification decisions. The model predicts correctly effects of within- and between-categories similarity, individual-object familiarity, and extended practice on classification response times. It also builds bridges between the domains of categorization and automaticity.     

Depressive symptomatology in maritally discordant women and men: The role of individual and relationship variables.

Marital discord and depressive symptomatology have repeatedly been found to be associated, but little is known about variables that influence this relationship. Data were collected from 139 couples seeking marital therapy, and analyses were conducted separately by gender. For wives, lower problem-solving ability, physical aggression by the partner, and 1 relationship belief predicted depressive symptomatology after the variance due to marital discord was removed in regression analyses. In addition to these predictors, less spouse-specific assertiveness, unemployment, and 1 other relationship belief were associated with depressive symptomatology for women after the variance due to marital discord was removed in partial correlation analyses. For men, only lower problem-solving ability added to the prediction of depressive symptomatology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Random Vibration of Systems with Viscoelastic Memory

The equation of motion of linear dynamic systems with viscoelastic memory is usually expressed in a integrodifferential form, and its numerical solution is computationally heavy. In two recent papers, the writers suggested that the system memory be accounted for through the introduction of a number of additional internal variables. Following this approach, the motion of the system is governed by a set of first-order, linear differential equations, whose solution is quite easy. In this paper, the approach is extended to single-degree-of-freedom systems subjected to random, nonstationary excitation. The equations governing the time variation of the second-order statistics are derived, and an effective step-by-step solution procedure is proposed. Numerical example shows the accuracy of the procedure for white and nonwhite excitations.     

Multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock wavelengths and transition rates in the X-ray spectra of highly charged Ga-like ions from Yb to U

A multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock (MCDF) technique has been used for computing the wavelengths and transition probabilities for lines in the X-ray spectra of the gallium-like ions from Yb XL to U LXII. Results are presented for the 4s²4p-4s²4d and 4s²4p-4s4p² allowed transitions (E1) as well as for the forbidden transitions (M1 and E2) within the ground configuration 4s²4p. A comparison of the calculated wavelengths with the few experimental results available is also presented.     

A log mining approach for process monitoring in SCADA

SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems are used for controlling and monitoring industrial processes. We propose a methodology to systematically identify potential process-related threats in SCADA. Process-related threats take place when an attacker gains user access rights and performs actions, which look legitimate, but which are intended to disrupt the SCADA process. To detect such threats, we propose a semi-automated approach of log processing. We conduct experiments on a real-life water treatment facility. A preliminary case study suggests that our approach is effective in detecting anomalous events that might alter the regular process workflow.     

Infants' sensitivity to optical flow for controlling posture.

Infants' sensitivity to optical flow for controlling sitting and standing was tested using a "moving room" in which all of the walls moved together, or only the side walls or front wall moved. Two questions motivated this research. (a) is the optical flow necessary for inducing postural compensations spatially distributed in the optic array? (b) Do visually induced compensations follow a developmental progression, or alternatively, emerge all at once? Experiment 1 was designed to test postural compensations by 14-month-old infants capable of standing in the moving room. Experiment 2 was designed to test postural compensations by 5- to 9-month-old infants who were passively supported while sitting in the moving room. The results revealed that partial flow is generally sufficient for inducing postural compensations, but that the amplitude and consistency of the response depend on the location of the flow in the optic array. In addition, there was evidence suggesting that compensatory responses become increasingly systematic during the second half of the first year. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

X-ray Fluorescence Uptake Measurement of Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles in Tumor Cell Microsamples

Quantitative cellular in vitro nanoparticle uptake measurements are possible with a large number of different techniques, however, all have their respective restrictions. Here, we demonstrate the application of synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence imaging (XFI) on prostate tumor cells, which have internalized differently functionalized gold nanoparticles. Total nanoparticle uptake on the order of a few hundred picograms could be conveniently observed with microsamples consisting of only a few hundreds of cells. A comparison with mass spectroscopy quantification is provided, experimental results are both supported and sensitivity limits of this XFI approach extrapolated by Monte-Carlo simulations, yielding a minimum detectable nanoparticle mass of just 5 pg. This study demonstrates the high sensitivity level of XFI, allowing non-destructive uptake measurements with very small microsamples within just seconds of irradiation time.