Encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae is a causative agent of invasive disease, such as meningitis and septicemia. Several interactions exist between H. influenzae and the human host. H. influenzae has been reported to bind IgD in a nonimmune manner, but the responsible protein has not yet been identified. To define the binding site on IgD for H. influenzae, full-length IgD and four chimeric IgDs wi

In the work presented in the thesis, different laser spectroscopic techniques were utilized for measurement of species concentrations, as well as for surface thermometry. Experiments were conducted in various combustion environments, ranging from laboratory burners to truck-sized internal combustion (IC) engines, gas turbine combustors and a full-size aircraft turbofan engine. A multiple Nd:YAG l

BACKGROUND: Yeast and bacteria elicit arachidonate release in macrophages, leading to the formation of leukotrienes and prostaglandins, important mediators of inflammation. Receptors recognising various microbes have been identified, but the signalling pathways are not entirely understood. Cytosolic phospholipase A2 is a major down-stream target and this enzyme is regulated by both phosphorylation

In 1986, Keil provided an O(n(2)) time algorithm for the problem of covering monotone orthogonal polygons with the minimum number of r-star-shaped orthogonal polygons. This was later improved to O(n) time and space by Gewali et al. in [L. Gewali, M. Keil, S.C. Ntafos, On covering orthogonal polygons with star-shaped polygons, Information Sciences 65 (1992) 45-63]. In this paper we simplify the lat

Detergent/polymer aqueous two-phase systems are studied as a fast, mild and efficient general separation method for isolation of labile integral membrane proteins. Mechanisms for phase behaviour and protein partitioning of both membrane-bound and hydrophilic proteins have been examined in a large number of detergent/polymer aqueous two-phase systems. Non-ionic detergents such as the Triton series

Young entrepreneurs establishing enterprises in Hanoi, Vietnam, are faced with an economic environment very different from that of their parents' generation, as doi moi (renovation) introduced in 1986 creates an increasingly capitalist market economy. Drawing on field studies in Hanoi we consider whether such entrepreneurs are able to take advantage of social capital networks - namely, bonding, br

Background: The acid-producing part of the rat stomach (fundus) is rich in endocrine cells, i.e. ECL cells and A-like cells. The ECL cells operate under gastrin control and manufacture histamine, the chromogranin-derived peptide pancreastatin and an unidentified peptide hormone. The A-like cells produce ghrelin, a newly discovered growth hormone-releasing hormone. Surgical removal of the entire gl

A new method for remote and non-intrusive diagnostics and surveillance of high-voltage insulators and insulation materials is presented, in particular pertinent to outdoor insulation. The method is based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy. The relationship between the LIF-spectrum and different materials and surface characteristics of silicone rubber samples are studied. These charac

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The use of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) in chemical and bioanalytical applications has been gaining in interest in recent years. Compared to their biological receptor counterparts, MIP's are easy to prepare, have long shelf stability and can be used under a variety of harsh conditions. The majority of MIPs currently used are produced by traditional free radical polymerization. One drawbac

The etiology of exercise-induced rib stress fractures (RSFs) in elite rowers is unclear. The purpose of the study was to investigate thoracic muscle activity, movement patterns and muscle strength in elite rowers. Electromyographic (EMG) and 2-D video analysis were performed during ergometer rowing, and isokinetic muscle strength was measured in seven national team rowers with a history of RSF and

This paper argues for the need to further develop an understanding of tourist experiences that more aggressively transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, and that simultaneously re-centers tourist experiences as integral aspects of daily life. In order to do this, the text begins by problematizing the concept of the tourist. Whose experiences are we talking about, and in what ways do issues

The maximum diameter of chromite (FeCr2O4) grains within L chondrites reflects the petrographic type of the sample. On the basis of our measurements of nine recent L chondrites, L3 chromite D-mac = 34-50 mu m, L4 = 87-150 mu m, L5 = 76-158 mu m, and L6 = 253-638 mu m. This variation reflects the crystallization of the chromite grains during parent body thermal metamorphism.We use this calibration

In this paper, we present a comparison between the reduced mechanisms obtained through a computational singular perturbation method (CSP) and the reduced mechanisms obtained through a lifetime analysis based only on the diagonal elements of the Jacobian matrix and a species sensitivity The two methods are used for the analysis of autoignition, which is an interesting test situation because of the