Diversity and structure of human T-Cell receptor β-chain variable region genes

The nucleotide sequences of 27 T-cell receptor β cDNA clones isolated from a human peripheral lymphocyte library were determined and compared to five additional published sequences. These cDNA clones represent 22 distinct T-cell receptor β-chain variable region (Vβ) gene segment sequences, which fall into 15 different Vβ gene subfamilies, each containing six or fewer members. From this analysis, we estimate that the repertoire of expressed human Vβ genes is <59, apparently much smaller than the immunoglobulin heavy chain and light chain variable region (VH and VL) repertoires. Variability plots comparing these human Vβ regions with each other and with published mouse Vβ regions provide evidence for only four hypervariable regions homologous to those seen in comparisons of immunoglobulin V regions. Somatic hypermutation appears to be used infrequently, if at all, in these Vβ genes

Structural Health Monitoring and Condition Assessment of Chulitna River Bridge

INE/AUTC 12.29 (Training Report) and INE/AUTC 12.30 (Sensor Selection and Field Installation Report

The acoustic behavior of the katydid Amblycorypha parvipennis and the function of acoustic interaction in sexual selection

The sounds of Amblycorypha parvipennis Stal katydid males consist of sequences of 4-5 s phrases consisting of an average of 24 phonatomes (20-25°C). Phonatomes consisting of 3-4 pulse trains generated during a single wingstroke, were produced at average rates of 4.5-5.5/s. Adjacent singing males alternate and overlap phrases and, where phrases overlap, phonatomes are synchronized. A. parvipennis females produce ticks which fall between male phonatomes. Trials in which paired chorusing males were recorded at intermale distances of 3.3 m and 40 cm with and without a ticking female present revealed that female presence elicited an increase in phrase rate and overlap and a decrease in phrase interval. In contrast, shortening the distance between males in the absence of a female elicited a reduction in phrase rate and overlap and an increase in phrase interval. The increase in phrase interval and reduction in phrase overlap when males are moved closer together in the absence of a female is explained by enhanced inhibition that the phrase of one katydid has on the phrase production of his chorusing partner. The increase in phrase rate and phrase overlap in the presence of a female may be a byproduct of the two males competing acoustically for the female or as indicated in a study on male competition, for a singing site. Another study involving two-choice discrimination tests, demonstrated that females moved to louder males and males that produced longer phrases, and that females tick more in response to the male they eventually move toward. A further study involving two-choice discrimination tests using computer-generated male calls also demonstrated female preference for loud calls, calls having long phrases, and calls containing phrases that did not overlap the ends of other phrases. It was also shown that females prefer phrase beginnings to endings and prefer phrases with fast phonatome rates similar to the rate at a phrase\u27s beginning. Apparently, singing males compete to avoid overlapping the portion of their phrase that is most attractive to the female. The roles of the above male and female acoustic attributes in sexual selection are discussed

Rings Over Which Cyclics are Direct Sums of Projective and CS or Noetherian

R is called a right WV -ring if each simple right R-module is injective relative to proper cyclics. If R is a right WV -ring, then R is right uniform or a right V -ring. It is shown that for a right WV-ring R, R is right noetherian if and only if each right cyclic module is a direct sum of a projective module and a CS or noetherian module. For a finitely generated module M with projective socle over a V -ring R such that every subfactor of M is a direct sum of a projective module and a CS or noetherian module, we show M = X \oplus T, where X is semisimple and T is noetherian with zero socle. In the case that M = R, we get R = S \oplus T, where S is a semisimple artinian ring, and T is a direct sum of right noetherian simple rings with zero socle. In addition, if R is a von Neumann regular ring, then it is semisimple artinian.Comment: A Para\^itre Glasgow Mathematical Journa

Digitization of multistep organic synthesis in reactionware for on-demand pharmaceuticals

Chemical manufacturing is often done at large facilities that require a sizable capital investment and then produce key compounds for a finite period. We present an approach to the manufacturing of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals in a self-contained plastic reactionware device. The device was designed and constructed by using a chemical to computer-automated design (ChemCAD) approach that enables the translation of traditional bench-scale synthesis into a platform-independent digital code. This in turn guides production of a three-dimensional printed device that encloses the entire synthetic route internally via simple operations. We demonstrate the approach for the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor agonist, (±)-baclofen, establishing a concept that paves the way for the local manufacture of drugs outside of specialist facilities

Imaging indicator for ESD safety testing.

This report describes the development of a new detection method for electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing of explosives, using a single-lens reflex (SLR) digital camera and a 200-mm macro lens. This method has demonstrated several distinct advantages to other current ESD detection methods, including the creation of a permanent record, an enlarged image for real-time viewing as well as extended periods of review, and ability to combine with most other Go/No-Go sensors. This report includes details of the method, including camera settings and position, and results with wellcharacterized explosives PETN and RDX, and two ESD-sensitive aluminum powders