Development of a material processing plant for lunar soil

Currently there is considerable interest in developing in-situ materials processing plants for both the Moon and Mars. Two of the most important aspects of developing such a materials processing plant is the overall system design and the integration of the different technologies into a reliable, lightweight, and cost-effective unit. The concept of an autonomous materials processing plant that is capable of producing useful substances from lunar regolith was developed. In order for such a materials processing plant to be considered as a viable option, it must be totally self-contained, able to operate autonomously, cost effective, light weight, and fault tolerant. In order to assess the impact of different technologies on the overall systems design and integration, a one-half scale model was constructed that is capable of scooping up (or digging) lunar soil, transferring the soil to a solar furnace, heating the soil in the furnace to liberate the gasses, and transferring the spent soil to a 'tile' processing center. All aspects of the control system are handled by a 386 class PC via D/A, A/D, and DSP (Digital Signal Processor) control cards

EARSS: European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System; gegevens uit Nederland (1999). Prevalentie en incidentie van resistentie voor Streptococcus pneumoniae en Staphylococcus aureus

In a porspective prevalence and incidence survey in The Netherlands in 1999 antimicrobial susceptibility data on invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus infections were collected sithin the framework of European Antomicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS). The EARSS project covered approximately 40% of the Dutch population (extramural) and 40% of the total number of patient-days (intramural). Penicillin resistance in S. pneumoniae was minimal; only 9 of 767 (1,2%) isolates were non-susceptible. Resistance to oxacillin in S. aureus was low, only (0,3%) isolates were MRSA (mecA positive). The incidence of invasive S. pneumoniae was 117 cases/1.000.000 person-years; the incidence of invasive penicillin non-susceptible S. pneumoniae was 1 case/1.000.000 person-years. The incidence of invasive S. aureus infections was 0.25 cases/1000 patient-days; the incidence of invasive MRSA infections was 0.0006 cases/1000 patient-days. It may be concluded that resistance to antibiotics in these two pathogens, when compared to other European countries, is still very low.Gevoeligheid voor antimicrobiele middelen in Streptococcus pneumoniae en Staphylococcus aureus werd bepaald in 1999 in Nederland binnen het raamwerk van het European antomicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS). Het EARSS project had in Nederland een dekkingsgraad van 40% van de Nederlandse populatie (extramuraal) en 40% van het totale aantal patientdagen (intramuraal). Resistentiie tegen penicilline in S. pneumoniae was minimaal; slechts 9 van 767 (1,2%) isolatn waren niet gevoelig. Resistentie tegen oxacilline in S. aureus was ook laag; slechts 4 ((0,3%) isolaten waren MRSA. de incidentie van invasieve S. pneumoniae was 117 gevallen/1.000.000 persoonsjaren, de incidentie van invasieve penicilline niet gevoelige S. pneumoniae was 1 geval/1.000.000 persoonsjaren. De incidentie van invasieve S. aureus infecties was 0,25 gevallen/1000 patientdagen; de incidentie van invasieve MRSA infecties was 0,0006 gevallen/1000 patientdagen. hetis duidelijkj dat resistentie tegen antibiotica bij deze twee pathogenen in vergelijkijng tot andere Europese landen nog steeds erg laag is

Enrichment of calcifying extracellular vesicles using density-based ultracentrifugation protocol

Calcifying extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from cells within atherosclerotic plaques have received increased attention for their role in mediating vascular calcification, a major predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the difference between this pathologic vesicle population and other EVs that contribute to physiological cellular processes. One major challenge that hinders research into these differences is the inability to selectively isolate calcifying EVs from other vesicle populations. In this study, we hypothesized that the formation of mineral within calcifying EVs would increase the density of the vesicles such that they would pellet at a faster rate during ultracentrifugation. We show that after 10 min of ultracentrifugation at 100,000×g, calcifying EVs are depleted from the conditioned media of calcifying coronary artery smooth muscle cells and are enriched in the pelleted portion. We utilized mass spectrometry to establish functional proteomic differences between the calcifying EVs enriched in the 10 min ultracentrifugation compared to other vesicle populations preferentially pelleted by longer ultracentrifugation times. The procedures established in this study will allow us to enrich the vesicle population of interest and perform advanced proteomic analyses to find subtle differences between calcifying EVs and other vesicle populations that may be translated into therapeutic targets for vascular calcification. Finally, we will show that the differences in ultracentrifugation times required to pellet the vesicle populations can also be used to estimate physical differences between the vesicles

Deficits in trabecular bone microarchitecture in young women with Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Context: The pathophysiological mechanism of increased fractures in young adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is unclear. Objective: Case:control study of trabecular bone microarchitecture and vertebral marrow adiposity in young women with T1DM. Patients and Settings: 30 women with T1DM with a median (range) age of 22.0yrs (16.9, 36.1) attending one outpatient clinic with a median age at diagnosis of 9.7yrs (0.46, 14.8) were compared to 28 age-matched healthy women who acted as controls. Methods and Main Outcome Measures: Measurements included MRI-based assessment of proximal tibial bone volume/total volume (appBV/TV), trabecular separation (appTb.Sp), vertebral bone marrow adiposity (BMA) and abdominal adipose tissue and biochemical markers of GH/IGF-1 axis (IGF-1, IGFBP3, ALS) and bone turnover. Results: Median appBV/TV in cases and controls was 0.3 (0.22, 0.37) and 0.33 (0.26, 0.4), respectively (p = 0.018) and median appTb.Sp in T1DM was 2.59 (2.24, 3.38) and 2.32 (2.03, 2.97), respectively (p = 0.012). The median appBV/TV was 0.28 (0.22, 0.33) in those cases with retinopathy (n,15) compared to 0.33 (0.25, 0.37) in those without retinopathy (p = 0.02). Although median visceral adipose tissue in cases was higher than in controls at 5,733mm3 (2030, 11,144) and 3,460mm3 (1,808, 6,832), respectively (p = 0.012), there was no difference in median BMA which was 31.1% (9.9, 59.9) and 26.3% (8.5, 49.8) in cases and controls, respectively (p = 0.2). Serum IGF-1 and ALS were also lower in cases and the latter showed an inverse association to appTbSp (r = -0.30, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Detailed MRI studies in young women with childhood-onset T1DM have shown clear deficits in trabecular microarchitecture of the tibia. Underlying pathophysiological mechanisms may include a microvasculopathy

Adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate - a multifaceted modulator of bifunctional 3′-phospho-adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate synthases and related enzymes

All sulfation reactions rely on active sulfate in the form of 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS). In fungi, bacteria, and plants, the enzymes responsible for PAPS synthesis, ATP sulfurylase and adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate (APS) kinase, reside on separate polypeptide chains. In metazoans, however, bifunctional PAPS synthases catalyze the consecutive steps of sulfate activation by converting sulfate to PAPS via the intermediate APS. This intricate molecule and the related nucleotides PAPS and 3′-phospho-adenosine-5′-phosphate modulate the function of various enzymes from sulfation pathways, and these effects are summarized in this review. On the ATP sulfurylase domain that initially produces APS from sulfate and ATP, APS acts as a potent product inhibitor, being competitive with both ATP and sulfate. For the APS kinase domain that phosphorylates APS to PAPS, APS is an uncompetitive substrate inhibitor that can bind both at the ATP/ADP binding site and the PAPS/APS-binding site. For human PAPS synthase 1, the steady-state concentration of APS has been modelled to be 1.6 lM, but this may increase up to 60 lM under conditions of sulfate excess. It is noteworthy that the APS concentration for maximal APS kinase activity is 15 lM. Finally, we recognized APS as a highly specific stabilizer of bifunctional PAPS synthases. APS most likely stabilizes the APS kinase part of these proteins by forming a dead-end enzyme–ADP–APS complex at APS concentrations between 0.5 and 5 lM; at higher concentrations, APS may bind to the catalytic centers of ATP sulfurylase. Based on the assumption that cellular concentrations of APS fluctuate within this range, APS can therefore be regarded as a key modulator of PAPS synthase functions

Docking Studies of Isoform-Selectivity of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K) Inhibitors

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) and their related pathways are reputed targets for drug-based anticancer therapies. Mutations in PI3K genes, expression, and pathways are frequent among multiple cancer types. Four isoforms of PI3Ks exist: α, β, γ, & δ and studies have identified several ligands for each isoform which are capable of serving as inhibitory therapeutic compounds. However, the biochemical efficacy of these molecules varies and the isoform selectivity is not well understood. In this study, we applied in silico docking methods and free energy calculation methods to estimate the binding of reported PI3K ligands against 5 PI3K structures: PI3Kα (PBD ID: 2RD0), PI3Kβ (2Y3A), PI3Kγ (3IBE), PI3Kγ (1E8W), & PI3Kδ (2WXG) and to explore binding residues that may be responsible for isoform-selective binding. Our free energy estimation method was successful in predicting the ligand binding parameters (binding constants Kds or IC50s). Residues responsible for isoform-specific binding will be reported

Working with Global Virtual Teams: A Case Study Reality Check on Intercultural Communication Best Practices

In today’s global workplaces, when best practices in intercultural communication are not implemented or fail to live up to their promise, team reality checks can be a sobering reminder of the many interwoven complexities of international business communication. This global virtual team (GVT) case study highlights best practices and compares realities related to execution. The discussion includes strategies for effective intercultural teams and reflections on how the multiple roles one may be playing – of researcher, educator or practitioner – influence one’s perspective. This article will discuss two facets of this intercultural communication case: first, it highlights recommendations and strategies from a qualitative research study of native and non-native English speakers’ challenges with language, culture, technology and collaboration on GVTs in the workplace; and, second, it reflects on the challenges and realities faced in putting the recommendations and strategies into practice. The challenges are both organizational constraints and those driven by and observed through the author’s multiple roles. Some practical mitigating strategies are suggested to balance the constraints. Finally, the need for further similar inquiries and collaborative stakeholder partnerships is highlighted

Improved production systems for common bean in south-central Uganda: I. Liddugavu soil, II. Limyufumyufu soil

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important source of dietary protein in Uganda but current grain yields are extremely low. Beans are produced on a variety of soils in south-central Uganda but the two most important soils for bean production are the highly weathered Limyufumyufu (Ferralsol) and the relatively fertile Liddugavu (Phaeozem) soils. These two soils vary in level of pH and fertility and therefore must be managed appropriately. Beans managed under conventional systems have a yield gap of about 75% due to poor agronomic practices, soil infertility, lack of seed from improved cultivars, moisture stress, weed competition, and damage caused by pests and diseases. The objective of this study was to compare the productivity and net profitability of four bean cultivars grown under three management systems on Limyufumyufu and Liddugavu soils in Masaka District, Uganda. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block in a split-plot arrangement. Management system was the whole-plot factor and included the Conventional Farmer (CFS), Improved Farmer (IFS), and High Input systems (HIS). Management systems differed for seed fungicide treatment (no vs. yes), seeding density (10 vs. 20 seed m-2), plant configuration (scatter vs. rows), fertilizer applications (P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, and S), rhizobium inoculation (no vs. yes), pesticide applications (no vs. yes), and frequency and timing of weeding. Subplots were four bush type common bean cultivars that differed for resistance to foliar pathogens. Increasing management level, independent of rainy season, and planting bean cultivars tolerant to common bean diseases improved bean grain yield. On the Limyufumyufu soil, there were only grain yield differences between cultivars in the 2015A season; NABE 14 had the greatest grain yield (772 kg ha-1), 168% greater than NABE 15 (288 kg ha-1). The HIS with NABE 14 (1274 kg ha-1), the HIS with NABE 4 (1225 kg ha-1), and the IFS with NABE 14 (1025 kg ha-1) were the best management system × cultivar combinations for grain yield. The increased yields for these management system × cultivar combinations were likely due to the cultivars\u27 greater host plant resistance to several bean diseases and tolerance to low soil fertility. The economic return to labor and management was only profitable for the CFS ($40 ha-1), and no differences were observed between cultivars. Additionally, both rainy seasons resulted in a net loss. On the Liddugavu soil, mean grain yield was greater in the HIS (1275 kg ha-1) than in the IFS (818 kg ha-1) and the CFS (593 kg ha-1). Across management systems, disease resistant NABE 14 had greater grain yield (1212 kg ha-1) than NABE 15 (668 kg ha-1), K132 (803 kg ha-1), and NABE 4 (899 kg ha-1). The HIS with NABE 14 had the greatest grain yield (1772 kg ha-1). The increase in yield for NABE 14 was likely due to its greater host plant resistance to several bean diseases including angular leaf spot, bean common mosaic virus, and root rots. The economic return to labor and management resulted in many net losses in the 2015A season, except when planting NABE 14. Over both seasons, the greatest management system × cultivar combination was the HIS with NABE 14 ($559 ha-1). All inputs and seed of bean cultivars used were obtained locally, except the rhizobia, suggesting that increased yields are obtainable by farmers under both soils, especially when utilizing NABE 14 under improved management practices with increased inputs. However, increased profits are only obtainable under the Liddugavu. The greater level of infertility and need for higher rates of nutrients for enhanced bean production on Limyufumyufu resulted in poor yields and poor economic returns to labor and management. The need for inputs was too great for Limyufumyufu and the value of bean was too low to recover the investment for all improved management system combinations