Paper Session III-A - Environmental Sensitivities of the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES)

CRRES on-orbit experiments frequently required reconfiguration to meet test objectives. Our analysis of the environmental conditions, during the time of these satellite anomalies, indicated a probable environmental cause. We examined possible contributing factors; such as geomagnetic storms, proton enhancements, and transient, high-energy electron fluxes; to develop experiment reconfiguration thresholds. This paper specifies each threshold f s accuracy as an alert or warning criteria and indicates the time-dependence of satellite vulnerability, particularly after the major solar flare of 22 March 1991. We further suggest implications for other similarly radiation hardened satellites or satellite subsystems

Finance Challenges of Manufacturing Companies in Ghana and Their Contributions to the Economic Growth of Ghana

This study sought to outline some of the financial challenges of manufacturing companies in Ghana as well as their contributions as companies to the economic growth of Ghana. Moreover, it also aimed to analyze some of the effect of adequate financing on the growth of the manufacturing companies in Ghana and the diverse effects of financial challenges on the performance of manufacturing companies in Ghana. Again, the study intended to determine the relationship between the activities of the manufacturing companies in relation to economic growth and development in Ghana as well as to investigate some the factors affecting the availability of finance for the manufacturing sector in Ghana. Various literature and theories were reviewed so as to have ample knowledge background on the research topic. The study adopted the method of primary data (questionnaires) to elicit information from the respondents. The study considered a total of 400 population and a sample size of 200 respondents were selected for the purpose of the research work. The study made useful findings and recommendations. Keywords: Finance, Manufacturing, Economic growt

The Role of Financial Institutions in Export Financing in Ghana

The study on the role of financial institutions in export financing in Ghana, aims to determine the economic policy finance as well as their effectiveness on the export business. It also hopes to ascertain the problems encountered by the financial institutions in export production finance. Further, to examine the prospects of export financing in Ghana, and to ascertain the extent to which oriented industries benefit from export financing. Various literatures and theories were reviewed so as to have a good knowledge background on the research topic. The study adopted the method of primary data (questionnaires) to elicit information from the respondents. The study considered a total of 200 questionnaires and a sample size of 150 respondents were selected for the purpose of the research work. The study made useful findings and recommendations

Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa in the German shorthaired pointer: a spontaneous model for Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa in man

A Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa (JEB), described in the German shorthaired pointer, is a remarkable spontaneous canine model for Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa in man. In the German shorthaired pointer, JEB is caused by a homozygous substitution of the 1514C-T nucleotide. This variation in sequence results in a non-conservative change of 14 amino acids (505T –I) in domain I of laminin-5 α3. This non-conservative substitution modifies the hydrophobicity profile of the peptidic fragment, and therefore alters the stability of the binding between the α3 chain and the β3γ2 heterotrimer, which could result in a breakdown of the muted polypeptide. A fraction of muted α3 could be incorporated in laminin-5, modifying its function and hindering the extracellular cleavage of the γ2 chain. Genetic complementation studies were carried out. An MMLV retrovirus expressing the whole cDNA, muted and wild, of the α3 chain was developed to be transducted in the keratinocytes of JEB dogs (KJEB). This phenotypic transversion was successful and brought back a3 chain secretion, and thus the production of functional laminin-5 molecules. In addition, the adhesion capabilities of these transducted KJEB in cultures also returned. Finally, the reconstitution of canine JEB epithelia expressing a hybrid laminin-5 is now possible, and is currently used in studies on the fate of these ex vivo grafts in JEB dogs.Une Epidermolyse Bulleuse Jonctionnelle (EBJ) est décrite chez le Braque allemand et constitue un remarquable modèle canin de l'épidermolyse bulleuse jonctionnelle de l'Homme. Chez le Braque allemand, cette maladie est causée par une substitution homozygote du nucléotide 1514 C-T chez les chiens EBJ. Cette variation de séquence induit un changement non conservatif de 14 acides aminés (505T-I) dans le domaine I de la laminine a3. Cette substitution non conservative modifie le profil d'hydrophobicité du fragment peptidique et altère donc la stabilité d'association de la chaîne a3 avec l'hétérotrimère β3γ2. Ceci pourrait aboutir à une dégradation du polypeptide muté. Une fraction d'a3 mutée pourrait s'incorporer dans la laminine 5, en altérer le fonctionnement et entraver le clivage extra-cellulaire de la chaîne y2. Des expériences de complémentation génétique ont donc été réalisées. Pour cela, un rétrovirus MMLV exprimant l'ADNc entier muté et sauvage de la chaîne a3 a été construit pour être transduit dans les kératinocytes des chiens EBJ (KEBJ). Cette transversion phénotypique a été réussie et a permis aux KEBJ de sécréter de nouveau la chaîne a3 et ainsi, de produire des molécules de laminine 5 fonctionnelles. Par ailleurs, ces KEBJ transduits ont montré aussi la restauration de leur capacité d'adhésion en culture. Enfin, la reconstitution d'épithéliums canins EBJ exprimant une laminine 5 hybride est désormais possible et actuellement à l'origine d'études sur le devenir de ces greffes ex vivo chez des chiens atteints d'EBJ