The convective heat-transfer rate from a window surface to an adjacent venetian blind has been studied using a finite-element code. For this study, the window surface was modeled as an isothermal ...vertical flat plate, and the effects of radiation exchange between the window and blind were ignored. This investigation was undertaken to investigate the effects of blade-to-plate spacing d and blade angle theta on the flow pattern and convective heat-transfer coefficients. Results are presented for values of d identical with 15, 20, 25, 30, and 40 mm, and at each of these spacings, the blade angle was varied, i.e., theta identical with 0 degree , 45 degree , -45 degree , 80 degree . To support model development, the modeling of a common base case, i.e., the laminar natural convection on an isothermal, vertical flat plate, was studied. Comparisons with experimental results were also made for both local heat flux and flow distribution for d identical with 15 mm. The results of this paper indicate that convective heat transfer from a vertical flat surface is influenced by the presence of a venetian blind. These results represent a first step in the analysis of the effects of venetian blinds on fenestration heat transfer. Future studies will investigate the effects of solar energy absorption in the blind surface and coupled convective/radiative heat transfer.
Thymosin α1(Tα1), the N-terminal 28-amino acid fragment of prothymosin α (ProTα), and ProTα, although originally isolated from whole thymus extracts, are also present in nonthymic cells and tissues. ...We used an ELISA with an antibody raised against Tα1to investigate the relationship between intracellular levels of thymosin immunoreactive peptide(s) (TIP) and cell proliferation in a rat small intestinal IEC-6 cell line. Increasing TIP levels were observed during cell proliferation, which decreased when proliferation was halted by cellular contact inhibition. Serum feeding of cells previously rendered quiescent by serum starvation resulted in a significant increase in TIP within 1 hr. Conversely, serum starvation decreased TIP levels within 1 hr. Peak TIP levels appeared after 3 hr of serum incubation, while maximum 3Hthymidine incorporation was noted after 9 hr, suggesting maximum TIP concentrations in the G1phase of the proliferative cycle. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated an association of TIP with condensed nuclear chromatin. These results support a relation of intracellular TIP levels to IEC-6 cell proliferation and also a nuclear site of action. HPLC analysis of cellular homogenates from proliferating IEC-6 cells revealed a peak of immune reactivity that elutes in the position of Tα1.
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BFBNIB, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Numerous studies have focused on the need to expand production of ‘blue foods’, defined as aquatic foods captured or cultivated in marine and freshwater systems, to meet rising population- ...and income-driven demand. Here we analyze the roles of economic, demographic, and geographic factors and preferences in shaping blue food demand, using secondary data from FAO and The World Bank, parameters from published models, and case studies at national to sub-national scales. Our results show a weak cross-sectional relationship between per capita income and consumption globally when using an aggregate fish metric. Disaggregation by fish species group reveals distinct geographic patterns; for example, high consumption of freshwater fish in China and pelagic fish in Ghana and Peru where these fish are widely available, affordable, and traditionally eaten. We project a near doubling of global fish demand by mid-century assuming continued growth in aquaculture production and constant real prices for fish. Our study concludes that nutritional and environmental consequences of rising demand will depend on substitution among fish groups and other animal source foods in national diets.
Zadaxin (thymosin 1; T 1) is a synthetic 28 amino acid peptide with multiple biological activities primarily directed towards immune response enhancement. Since the immune system plays a critical ...role in the control and elimination of viral hepatitis infection, immune active agents such as T 1 are of potential therapeutic value. In clinical trials, T 1 has been shown to be effective in chronic hepatitis B, both asmonotherapy and in combination with interferon- (IFN- ). In chronic hepatitis C it was effective in combination with IFN- . Since T 1 has few side-effects and is effective in combination with IFN- , future clinical trials should evaluate the potential of T 1 to enhance the activity of antivirals such as IFN- , ribavirin and lamivudine as viral hepatitis therapy.
Although administration of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) via the oral-mucosal route has shown efficacy in a variety of human and animal diseases, the mechanism of action of orally administered IFN is ...not clearly understood. To assess the possibility that IFN-alpha given via a lozenge alters the local mucosal immune system, immunoglobulins (Ig) and cytokines were measured in salivary secretions. Volunteers were given low doses of IFN-alpha and saliva was collected over a 24-h period. IgA and precursor IgM were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Salivary concentrations of interleukin-5 (IL-5), the T helper cytokine primarily responsible for the switch from IgM to IgA, were also determined. After oral administration of IFN-alpha, there was an initial decline in IgM and IgA followed by a return to baseline levels by 8-24 h. This change in Ig concentration was associated with a gradual increase in IL-5, consistent with the return of Ig to baseline as a result of modulation by Ig-mediating cytokines.
Evaluation of the immune response of individuals exposed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an important component of any plan designed to lead toward the development of an AIDS vaccine. Since ...the levels of antibodies to HIV p17 and the synthetic p17 peptide HGP-30 correlate with stages of progression to AIDS, studies were initiated to determine whether cytotoxic lymphocytes directed toward target cells pulsed with HGP-30 and radioactive chromium were present in seropositive individuals. The significance of such cells in controlling HIV viral infection has recently been enhanced by reports that HIV p17 is on the surface of infected cells and that an inactivated virus vaccine depleted of viral envelope appears to be effective in controlling expression. The selection of HGP-30 as the p17 peptide to be evaluated in early studies is based on the presence of both T-cell and B-cell epitopes as predicted by computer modeling and mouse studies and the demonstration of in vitro neutralization activity by antibodies to the epitope. By using B-lymphoblastoid cells pulsed with HGP-30 and radioactive chromium as autologous targets and mixed leukocyte culture-expanded peripheral blood lymphocytes as effectors, CD8+cytotoxic T lymphocytes against HGP-30-coated targets were identified in seropositive individuals. In this report we demonstrate that a synthetic p17 epitope can be a target for major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes in HIV-infected individuals.
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Background. “Women should have mammograms” is the usual perspective of educational interventions about screening. The perspective that “women should be informed” about potential risks and benefits so ...they can make value- and evidence-integrated personal decisions has recently been advocated. However, this perspective has not previously been operationalized. We developed an evidence-based cross-cultural mammography decision aid (MDA), for European American and Mexican American women who are 50–70 years old, at average risk of breast cancer, of varying educational levels, and English- or Spanish-speaking.
Methods. MDA development included: (1) content development by a multidisciplinary team and lay women and (2) testing for validity and reliability. Four parts include: (1) introduction; (2) information about logistics (cost, time, discomfort) and risks (sequelae of false-positive or negative results; (3) probability of developing breast cancer; and (4) benefit of mammography regarding breast cancer outcomes (e.g., death and recurrence). We assessed reliability (stability of decisions with the same information) after 1–2 weeks. We assessed validity (comprehension of information) quantitatively (probabilities were changed to see whether preferences changed predictably) and qualitatively (focus groups, standardized probes for comprehension). Subjects were a convenience sample of 49 European American (50–81 years old) and 54 Mexican American (49–89 years old) women from administrative staff at a medical school, the waiting room of an indigent primary care clinic, and a community center.
Results. Reliability was 100%. In quantitative validity testing, 22 of 28 women (89%) changed preference as predicted with changed probabilities. Comprehension was confirmed qualitatively in all phases of testing with both Spanish and English versions.
Conclusion. The decision aid is valid and reliable in English and Spanish for southwestern Mexican American and European American women at average risk of breast cancer, including those of low educational levels.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Anaerobic fungi are key players in the breakdown of fibrous plant material in the rumen, but not much is known about the composition and stability of fungal communities in ruminants. We analyzed ...anaerobic fungi in 53 rumen samples from farmed sheep (4 different flocks), cattle, and deer feeding on a variety of diets. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprinting of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region of the rrn operon revealed a high diversity of anaerobic fungal phylotypes across all samples. Clone libraries of the ITS1 region were constructed from DNA from 11 rumen samples that had distinctly different fungal communities. A total of 417 new sequences were generated to expand the number and diversity of ITS1 sequences available. Major phylogenetic groups of anaerobic fungi in New Zealand ruminants belonged to the genera Piromyces, Neocallimastix, Caecomyces and Orpinomyces. In addition, sequences forming four novel clades were obtained, which may represent so far undetected genera or species of anaerobic fungi. We propose a revised phylogeny and pragmatic taxonomy for anaerobic fungi, which was tested and proved suitable for analysis of datasets stemming from high-throughput next-generation sequencing methods. Comparing our revised taxonomy to the taxonomic assignment of sequences deposited in the GenBank database, we believe that >29% of ITS1 sequences derived from anaerobic fungal isolates or clones are misnamed at the genus level.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Synthetic peptides are covalently linked to immunogenic carrier proteins to enhance the ami-peptide immune response.To investigate whether the method of conjugation influences the immune response, we ...evaluated two distinctly different choices of linker for a peptide-carrier construct.HPG-30, a synthetic peptide derived from the p17
gag protein of human immunodeficiency virus 1, was covalently linked to keyhole limpet hemocyanin by either glutaraldehyde or a maleimide ester.Glutaraldehyde linkage enhanced the anti-peptide antibody and native protein response compared to maleimide.The maleimide-linked conjugate was more effective at inducing a peptide-specific cellular response.Thus, manipulation of the conjugation method can modify the magnitude and character of the immune response to a synthetic peptide vaccine.
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IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
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