Detection of glial interleukin-6 release: Development of a novel interleukin-6 Elisa

The development of an interleukin-6 (IL-6) enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay resulted in a detection range of 1 ng/m1 to 10 ng/mL IL-6. The limit of detection (LOD) for IL-6 was 0.25 ng/mL. Troubleshooting techniques were attempted including matrix effects, non-specific binding, and coating buffer pH differences. In comparison to the ELISA, the LOD for IL-6 using the 7TD1 bioassay was 2--5 pg/mL. Therefore the 7TD1 bioassay was implemented for the experiments described in this study. IL-6 is a cytokine known to stimulate B-cell differentiation and to activate T-cells. IL-6 is elevated in inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) stimulates IL-6 release from glial cells. Catecholamines and IL-1beta synergistically release IL-6 from glial cells. In the rat C6 glioma cell line, the role of indoleamines was examined alone and in combination with IL-1beta resulting in no synergistic effects on IL-6 release. Isoproterenol synergistically acted with IL-1beta on stimulating IL-6 release. IL-1 receptor antagonist decreased the IL-1beta stimulation of IL-6. These results demonstrate that the catecholamines and IL-1beta play a role in the regulation of IL-6 expression

An assessment of foster youth and the California High School Exit Exam

The purpose of this study was to identify possible variables that may contribute to a foster child\u27s passing or failing of the California High School Exit Exam

A parametric shell analysis of the shuttle 51-L SRB AFT field joint

Following the Shuttle 51-L accident, an investigation was conducted to determine the cause of the failure. Investigators at the Langley Research Center focused attention on the structural behavior of the field joints with O-ring seals in the steel solid rocket booster (SRB) cases. The shell-of-revolution computer program BOSOR4 was used to model the aft field joint of the solid rocket booster case. The shell model consisted of the SRB wall and joint geometry present during the Shuttle 51-L flight. A parametric study of the joint was performed on the geometry, including joint clearances, contact between the joint components, and on the loads, induced and applied. In addition combinations of geometry and loads were evaluated. The analytical results from the parametric study showed that contact between the joint components was a primary contributor to allowing hot gases to blow by the O-rings. Based upon understanding the original joint behavior, various proposed joint modifications are shown and analyzed in order to provide additional insight and information. Finally, experimental results from a hydro-static pressurization of a test rocket booster case to study joint motion are presented and verified analytically

Facebook Activity of Oklahoma Agritourism Operations

Agritourism is an expanding industry in rural areas. Agritourism operators seek to efficiently market their operations and reach consumers far removed from agriculture. Social media serves a crucial role in tourism marketing; however, limited research exists on agritourism marketing to advise agritourism operators or those who advise agritourism operators. A quantitative content analysis was performed on 174 Oklahoman agritourism operation Facebook pages to describe posts, events, and business information created during the month of June 2018.Pages with at least one original post had more page likes than pages without. Amongst farm types, hunting agritourism operations had the lowest proportion of pages with at least one original post, while farm-to-table agritourism operations had the highest proportion. Number of reviews had a very strong relationship to total page likes, while other factors such as number of community and event posts had only a moderate relationship to page likes. Events were not frequent on Oklahoma agritourism Facebook pages, and overall page activity did not have a relationship with the number of people interested in going to events. Amongst original posts, posts created by the agritourism operator were most frequent, followed by posts shared from other sources. Pages with at least one live video or post about an event were most active. Hashtags were infrequently observed amongst Facebook posts, with limited consistency within individual pages or across multiple pages. Pages with an advertisement had more page likes than pages without advertisements.Recommendations to agritourism operators include encouraging agritourism visitors to create Facebook content, utilizing Facebook advertisements, and creating at least one original post. Additionally, agritourism operators should create a variety of types of original posts and utilize advertisements. Perhaps most important, agritourism operations should be wary of emphasizing quantity over quality in Facebook marketing. Future research should qualitatively describe Facebook pages and interview agritourism operators and visitors. Additionally, comparing Facebook data to "real life" data, such as business revenue/expense and number of visitors, could further measure the effective of various Facebook marketing practices

Combination structural support and thermal protection system

A combination structural support and thermal protection system is provided. A cured preceramic polymer matrix reinforced with carbon fibers can be used alone or in a multiple component system

Nurses Alumni Association Bulletin, June 1981

Alumni Calendar Officers and Chairmen of Committees Letter from the President School of Nursing Annual Report Frontier Nursing by Debbie Jones, 1978 The Infection Control Practitioner by Jeanne Holzbauer, 1951 Commencement Address by Patricia Zarella, 1951 Student Affairs Council Nurses Scholarship Fund Nurses Relief Fund Benefits Committee Reports Alumni Office News Ways and Means Committee Report Memorial Gifts Class Notes Pictures, Luncheon School of Nursing, Graduates 1981 School of Nursing, 1981 Awards Resume\u27 of Minutes of Alumni Association Meeings Happy Birthday Fiftieth Anniversary, Class 1931 Marriages and Births In Memoriam, Names of Deceased Alumni Notices Change of Address For

In Space Assembled Telescope (ISAT) Study Preliminary Findings

When is it advantageous to assemble telescopes in space rather than deploying them from launch vehicle fairings? This question forms the crux of the objectives of a NASA study we have been conducting in collaboration with colleagues from different NASA centers, industry and academia. In this study, we have engaged a broad cross section of experts from the various fields of optics engineering, that is, telescope design and instrument design, structure and thermal engineering, robotics, launch system engineering, orbital mechanics, integration and testing, astrophysics, and NASA programmatics among others. Initial efforts began with a quick review of the current state of art of the component technologies that contribute towards an in-space assembled telescope. Then, leveraging the collective expertise of the diverse group of experts, we formulated a reference telescope design and attempted to develop a baseline approach to modularize the telescope into components amenable for robotic assembly. The group identified different trades associated with modularization and also developed a set of criteria to discern between the different options as revealed by the trades. Based on the modularization of the telescope, we will assess the impact of various launch vehicles, orbits for assembly and operation, robotic systems and operational approaches, and other related variables. From this, a concept to assemble the reference telescope in space from modular components will be developed. Based on this concept, and definition of the modules, we will develop a mission lifecycle plan for an assembled telescope over different phases of preliminary design, detailed design, assembly-test-and-integration, and in space operations. The mission lifecycle plan will be used to evaluate cost and risk implications of in-space assembly toward answering our fundamental question of the advantages, if any, of assembling a telescope in space as compared to self-deployment. In this paper, we summarize the objectives of the study, a review of the status of the underlying component technologies, a description of the methodology, including three different multi-day technical interchange meetings (TIMs), summary of findings from the TIMs and other related activities. In addition, a detailed description of the various factors that impact in-space assembly, their interplay and criteria for discerning among them, a preliminary description of the life cycle plan, including the test and integration plan, and initial observations on cost and risk implications will be included in the paper

Treatment of Produced Waters Using a Surfactant Modified Zeolite/Vapor Phase Bioreactor System

Co-produced water from the oil and gas industry accounts for a significant waste stream in the United States. It is by some estimates the largest single waste stream in the country, aside from nonhazardous industrial wastes. Characteristics of produced water include high total dissolved solids content, dissolved organic constituents such as benzene and toluene, an oil and grease component, and chemicals added during the oil-production process. While most of the produced water is disposed via reinjection, some of them must be treated to remove organic constituents before the water is discharged. Current treatment options are successful in reducing the organic content; however, they cannot always meet the levels of current or proposed regulations for discharged water. Therefore, an efficient, cost-effective treatment technology is needed. Surfactant-modified zeolite (SMZ) has been used successfully to treat contaminated ground water for organic and inorganic constituents. In addition, the low cost of natural zeolites makes their use attractive in water-treatment applications. Our previous DOE research work (DE-AC26-99BC15221) demonstrated that SMZ could successfully remove BTEX compounds from the produced water. In addition, SMZ could be regenerated through a simple air sparging process. The primary goal of this project is to develop a robust SMZ/VPB treatment system to efficiently remove the organic constituents from produced water in a cost-effective manner. This report summarizes work of this project from October 2002 to March 2003. In this starting stage of this study, we have continued our investigation of SMZ regeneration from our previous DOE project. Two saturation/stripping cycles have been completed for SMZ columns saturated with BTEX compounds. Preliminary results suggest that BTEX sorption actually increases with the number of saturation/regeneration cycles. Furthermore, the experimental vapor phase bioreactors for this project have been designed and are currently being assembled to treat the off-gas from the SMZ regeneration process

Exile Vol. I No. 1

SHORT STORIES Louie, the Cab Driver by Lynn Herrick 5 Anna Dietrich by Jane Erb 13 Ground-Level Appointment by Keith Opdahl 15 Conveyor Belt by George Mahon 30 ESSAYS The Examined Life Re-Examined by Doug James 10 Concerning Flem Snopes and Benjamin Franklin by David Schieber 24 Who Fathered the Footnote? by Diane Hostetler 28 POETRY Carousel by Sally Falch 12 March and Yesterday by Midge Greenlee 23 Amusement Muse by John Miller 27 North Watch by John Hodges 27 Pursuit by James Bowman 32 Three Poems by Jean Duncan: Venice 33 Innsbruck 34 Darmstadt 3