A Son of Liberty: The Life and Times of John Elliot Ward

John Elliot Ward was born in Sunbury, Georgia, in 1814. His parents were William ward and Ann McIntosh, who was the daughter of Lachlan McIntosh, a very prominent Georgian. In 1835, Ward attended Amherst College but dropped out. Later that year, Ward became an attorney. Ward later became Solicitor General of the Eastern District Court, opened his own law practice in Savannah, became a ember of the Georgia legislature, was selected as President of the Senate, Became Mayor of Savannah, was selected as a minister to China and moved to New York City after the Civil War. Ward Died in Dorchester, Georgia, on November 29, 1902.https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/sav-bios-lane/1116/thumbnail.jp

Molecular genetic analysis of bile salt hydrolase expression and transport in Lactobacillus Johnsonii strain 100-100

Bile salt hydrolysis (BSH) activity of Lactobacillus johnsonii strain 100-100 is catalyzed by four cytosolic homo- and heterotrimeric isozymes composed of two antigenically distinct peptides, a and p. Two separate genomic libraries of strain 100-100 were prepared with Sau3Al and EcoRl and cloned into Escherichia coli cells. The libraries were screened on MRS Lactobacillus agar medium containing 0.5 % taurodeoxycholic acid for halos of deoxycholic acid precipitate in the medium surrounding the colonies (plate assay). Clones encoding the a and P peptides were identified from the Sau3AI and EcoRl libraries, respectively. The a peptide gene, cbsHa, was encoded at a locus separate from the p peptide gene and did not share tandem arrangement with other genes. The P peptide gene, cbsHfi, shared tandem arrangement with two other genes, cbsTl and cbsT2. These genes were duplicates with sequence similarity and hydropathy profiles consistent with transporters of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS). However, they represented a new subfamily of the MFS. All three genes, cbsTl, cbsT2, and cbsHB, were coordinately regulated in stationary phase strain 100-100 cells and were present in L. acidophilus strain KS-13, a human isolate. Lactobacillus species from culture banks were screened for the BSH phenotype via plate assay and the cbsHfi genotype via the polymerase chain reaction. These properties were not always constant in isolates of the same species, which suggests a horizontal origin for the activity. E. coli cells expressing a construct containing a complete cbsT2 was assayed for capacity to accumulate [24-^14C]taurocholic acid. When an extracellular factor (EF) produced by strain 100-100 was present, uptake of [24-^14C]taurocholic acid was increased up to threefold over control levels. However, a statistically significant decrease in uptake of [24-^14C]cholic acid was also observed in these cells. Assays of net [24-^14C]taurocholic acid accumulation over time and concentration with CbsT2 and EF demonstrated that the increase is rapid (\u3c15 sec), but saturable. Unlabeled cholic acid, if added to identical cells not exposed to EF, could produce an EF-like effect on uptake of [24-^14C]taurocholic acid. Studies with ionophores, 2,4dinitrophenol and CCCP did not decrease [24-^14C]taurocholic acid uptake in such cells and demonstrate that the uptake is independent of Ap. Moreover, uptake with [24-^14C]- and [^3H]taurocholic acid, labeled on the cholic acid and taurine respectively, demonstrated that [24-^14C]cholic acid leaves the cell, but [^3H]taurine remains intracellular in constructs expressing cbsT2 and cbsHB. The data support a hypothesis that CbsT2 (and CbsTl) is a facilitated taurocholic acid:cholic acid exchanger. I conclude that the known genetic determinants for BSH activity in strain 100-100 have been cloned and identified

Characterization of the hgbA locus encoding a hemoglobin receptor from Haemophilus ducreyi.

Haemophilus ducreyi can bind hemoglobin and use it as a source of heme, for which it has an obligate requirement. We previously identified and purified HgbA, a hemoglobin-binding outer membrane protein from H. ducreyi. In this report, we describe the molecular cloning, expression, DNA sequence, and mutagenesis of the structural gene for HgbA, hgbA. H. ducreyi and recombinant Escherichia coli expressing hgbA bound [125I]hemoglobin, establishing HgbA as a receptor. Insertions or deletions in the cloned hgbA gene abolished expression of HgbA and hemoglobin binding in E. coli. Mutagenesis of H. ducreyi by allelic exchange of insertions into hgbA abolished its ability to bind [125I]hemoglobin or utilize hemoglobin as a source of heme. The deduced protein sequence was similar to those of the TonB-dependent family of outer membrane receptors. The most similar member was HutA (heme receptor) from Vibrio cholerae. Tbp1 and Lbp1 (transferrin and lactoferrin receptors, respectively, from pathogenic Neisseria spp.) also showed very significant homology. Thus, by characterizing the hgbA locus, this work elucidates a potentially important role of HgbA in obtaining heme and/or iron from the host

Plastic surgical techniques in the repair of vesicovaginal fistulas: A review

A variety of plastic surgical techniques may be used in the repair of vesicovaginal fistulas. The indication for their use include: (a) diameter greater than 4 cm; (b) involvement of the bladder neck/proximal urethra; (c) radiation-induced fistulas; and (d) previous failed repair(s). In the developing world the vast majority of complex fistulas are caused by obstetric trauma; elsewhere they occur mainly following radiotherapy or radical surgery for gynecologic malignancy. The majority of complex fistulas requiring tissue donation may be effectively treated using a vaginal approach and a modified Martius graft. There is probably little or no advantage in encorporating bulbocavernosus muscle fibers in this graft. Although some concern exists regarding the long-term viability of these grafts in radiation-induced fistulas, in view of the relatively simple operative technique, together with the low associated morbidity, modified Martius grafts may be deemed suitable for first-time repairs. The gracilis muscle graft should be considered next in cases of exclusive transvaginal repair. The omental graft is undoubtedly the most versatile: it can be used in both abdominal and combined abdominovaginal procedures. The recently described posterosuperior sliding bladder flaps warrant further evaluation. For most fistulas involving the bladder neck/proximal urethra, there is no clear advantage in bladder flap reconstruction over vaginal flap reconstruction, the latter being augmented by an anti-stress incontinence procedure were appropriate. When continent urinary diversion is required, the Indiana pouch appears preferable to the Kock pouch; ureterosigmoidostomy is, however, technically and culturally more acceptable in these circumstances in the developing world.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45898/1/192_2004_Article_BF00372740.pd

Turbulent Scalar Mixing in a Skewed Jet in Crossflow: Experiments and Modeling

Turbulent mixing of an inclined, skewed jet injected into a crossflow is investigated using MRI-based experiments and a high-fidelity LES of the same configuration. The MRI technique provides three-dimensional fields of mean velocity and mean jet concentration. The 30° skew of the jet relative to the crossflow produces a single dominant vortex which introduces spanwise asymmetries to the velocity and concentration fields. The turbulent scalar transport of the skewed jet is investigated in further detail using the LES, which is validated against the experimental measurements. Mixing is found to be highly anisotropic throughout the jet region. Isotropic turbulent diffusivity and viscosity are used to calculate an optimal value of the turbulent Schmidt number, which varies widely over the jet region and lies mostly outside of the typically accepted range 0.7 ≤ Sct ≤ 0.9. Finally, three common scalar flux models of increasing complexity are evaluated based on their ability to capture the anisotropy and predict the scalar concentration field of the present configuration. The higher order models are shown to better represent the turbulent scalar flux vector, leading to more accurate calculations of the concentration field. While more complex models are better able to capture the turbulent mixing, optimization of model constants is shown to significantly affect the results

Trimeric Autotransporter DsrA Is a Major Mediator of Fibrinogen Binding in Haemophilus ducreyi

ABSTRACT Haemophilus ducreyi is the etiologic agent of the sexually transmitted genital ulcer disease chancroid. In both natural and experimental chancroid, H. ducreyi colocalizes with fibrin at the base of the ulcer. Fibrin is obtained by cleavage of the serum glycoprotein fibrinogen (Fg) by thrombin to initiate formation of the blood clot. Fg binding proteins are critical virulence factors in medically important Gram-positive bacteria. H. ducreyi has previously been shown to bind Fg in an agglutination assay, and the H. ducreyi Fg binding protein FgbA was identified in ligand blotting with denatured proteins. To better characterize the interaction of H. ducreyi with Fg, we examined Fg binding to intact, viable H. ducreyi bacteria and identified a novel Fg binding protein. H. ducreyi bound unlabeled Fg in a dose-dependent manner, as measured by two different methods. In ligand blotting with total denatured cellular proteins, digoxigenin (DIG)-Fg bound only two H. ducreyi proteins, the trimeric autotransporter DsrA and the lectin DltA; however, only the isogenic dsrA mutant had significantly less cell-associated Fg than parental strains in Fg binding assays with intact bacteria. Furthermore, expression of DsrA, but not DltA or an empty vector, rendered the non-Fg-binding H. influenzae strain Rd capable of binding Fg. A 13-amino-acid sequence in the C-terminal section of the passenger domain of DsrA appears to be involved in Fg binding by H. ducreyi . Taken together, these data suggest that the trimeric autotransporter DsrA is a major determinant of Fg binding at the surface of H. ducreyi

Successful strategies for high participation in three regional healthcare surveys: an observational study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Regional healthcare facility surveys to quantitatively assess nosocomial infection rates are important for confirming standardized data collection and assessing health outcomes in the era of mandatory reporting. This is particularly important for the assessment of infection control policies and healthcare associated infection rates among hospitals. However, the success of such surveys depends upon high participation and representativeness of respondents.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This descriptive paper provides methodologies that may have contributed to high participation in a series of administrative, infection control, and microbiology laboratory surveys of all 31 hospitals in a large southern California county. We also report 85% (N = 72) countywide participation in an administrative survey among nursing homes in this same area.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using in-person recruitment, 48% of hospitals and nursing homes were recruited within one quarter, with 75% recruited within three quarters.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Potentially useful strategies for successful recruitment included in-person recruitment, partnership with the local public health department, assurance of anonymity when presenting survey results, and provision of staff labor for the completion of detailed survey tables on the rates of healthcare associated pathogens. Data collection assistance was provided for three-fourths of surveys. High compliance quantitative regional surveys require substantial recruitment time and study staff support for high participation.</p

Evaluation of alternatives for two-dimensional linear cascade facilities

This paper presents two low-cost alternatives for turbine blade surface heat transfer and fluid dynamics measurements. These models embody careful compromises between typical academic and full-scale turbomachinery experiments and represent a comprehensive strategy to develop experiments that can directly test shortcomings in current turbomachinery simulation tools. A full contextual history of the wide range of approaches to simulate turbine flow conditions is presented, along with a discussion of their deficiencies. Both models are simplifications of a linear cascade: the current standard for simulating two-dimensional turbine blade geometries. A single passage model is presented as a curved duct consisting of two half-blade geometries, carefully designed inlet and exit walls and inlet suction. This facility was determined to be best suited for heat transfer measurements where minimal surface conduction losses are necessary to allow accurate numerical model replication. A double passage model is defined as a single blade with two precisely designed outer walls, which is most appropriate for flow measurements. The design procedures necessary to achieve a desired flow condition are discussed

Soft Elastomers for Fused Deposition Modeling

This paper describes an ongoing effort towards extending the capabilities of the fused deposition modeling (FDM) process to soft thermoplastic elastomers (STPEs). Two thermoplastic elastomers with hardness of 72 and 78 Shore A, respectively, have been processed into 0.070" (1.78 mm) filament stock for use in the FDM 1600 rapid prototyping system. The FDM 1600 liquifier subsystem has been modified to accommodate the reduced column strength ofthe STPE filament stock. Sample STPE parts have been fabricated with ABS material support structures.Mechanical Engineerin