Characterization of interleukin-1 beta 2, a novel interleukin-1 expressed by the early pig conceptus during establishment of pregnancy

It is essential that the early mammalian embryo attaches to the uterus or implants to survive. Most embryonic mortality is associated with complications during this process resulting in a loss of 25-60% of embryos or pregnancies. To promote implantation, the embryo will release proinflammatory cytokines. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1B) is a proinflammatory cytokine released by the human, rodent and pig embryo that is believed to be important for implantation. The gene encoding IL-1B has duplicated in the pig resulting in two distinct genes; IL-1B1 and a novel gene referred to as interleukin-1 beta 2 (IL-1B2). It�s believed that IL-1B2, rather than IL-1B1, is released by the early pig embryo, however, the function of IL-1B2 is unknown. To better understand the involvement of proinflammatory cytokines during implantation, we characterized IL-1B2�s activity within the pig endometrium. Based on experiments presented in this dissertation we conclude that pig embryos release IL-1B2 as early as Day 6 of development, IL-1B2 increases the activity and production of proteins within the endometrium that may be necessary for implantation and within the endometrium, IL-1B2 may have less activity when compared with IL-1B1. Overall, the early pig embryo releases a newly discovered IL-1 that likely creates a balanced proinflammatory environment within the endometrium to enhance implantation. Investigations of embryo implantation, with a special emphasis on IL- 1 system, will increase our understanding of early pregnancy in humans and in animals used in production of food and biomedical research

The Legal Status of Spyware

This Article examines the legal status of Spyware under federal and common law in the United States of America. The Authors begin with a technical overview of Spyware technology, which covers Spyware\u27s functionality, methods of dispersion, and classification. The Authors then analyze the treatment of Spyware under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Stored Communications Act, the Wiretap Act, and under general tort claims of trespass to chattels, invasion of privacy, and intrusion upon seclusion. The Authors conclude that none of the aformentioned causes of action provide an adequate remedy at law for Spyware victims. Moreover, the Authors note that even if an adequate cause of action were to exist, Spyware developers could avoid civil litigation by operating solely within Spyware friendly jurisdictions. The Authors speculate that an appropriate solution would be for the legislature to require all Spyware programs to contain multi-click End User License Agreements. Not only would this approach protect consumers by enabling them to make informed decisions and creating an effective cause of action against Spyware distributors, it would also help the Spyware industry as a whole by legitimizing commercially viable Spyware programs

Quit Smoking and Run For Your Life!

To The Editor: The World Health Organization promotes the World No Tobacco Day on May 31

Advances in understanding large-scale responses of the water cycle to climate change

Globally, thermodynamics explains an increase in atmospheric water vapor with warming of around 7%/°C near to the surface. In contrast, global precipitation and evaporation are constrained by the Earth's energy balance to increase at ∼2–3%/°C. However, this rate of increase is suppressed by rapid atmospheric adjustments in response to greenhouse gases and absorbing aerosols that directly alter the atmospheric energy budget. Rapid adjustments to forcings, cooling effects from scattering aerosol, and observational uncertainty can explain why observed global precipitation responses are currently difficult to detect but are expected to emerge and accelerate as warming increases and aerosol forcing diminishes. Precipitation increases with warming are expected to be smaller over land than ocean due to limitations on moisture convergence, exacerbated by feedbacks and affected by rapid adjustments. Thermodynamic increases in atmospheric moisture fluxes amplify wet and dry events, driving an intensification of precipitation extremes. The rate of intensification can deviate from a simple thermodynamic response due to in‐storm and larger‐scale feedback processes, while changes in large‐scale dynamics and catchment characteristics further modulate the frequency of flooding in response to precipitation increases. Changes in atmospheric circulation in response to radiative forcing and evolving surface temperature patterns are capable of dominating water cycle changes in some regions. Moreover, the direct impact of human activities on the water cycle through water abstraction, irrigation, and land use change is already a significant component of regional water cycle change and is expected to further increase in importance as water demand grows with global population

Impacts of Beef Cattle–Grazing Systems on Cattle Distribution and Streambank Erosion

Many of Iowa’s surface waters contain high sediment and phosphorus(P) concentrations. It is recognized that overgrazing along pasture streams may result in soil erosion and manure deposition that contribute to P loading of pasture streams. Little research has evaluated the effects of grazing management on sediment and P loading of pasture streams in the Midwest, but grazing management is still generally considered to limit sediment and P loading of pasture streams. The objective of this study was to measure the effects of beef cattle– grazing systems on the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of cattle, the resulting impacts on selected pasture characteristics, and streambank erosion from pasture streams

North American Pollution Outflow and the Trapping of Convectively Lifted Pollution by Upper-Level Anticyclone

We examine the major outflow pathways for North American pollution to the Atlantic in summer by conducting a 4-year simulation with the GEOS-CHEM global chemical transport model, including a coupled ozone-aerosol simulation with 1° × 1° horizontal resolution for summer 2000. The outflow is driven principally by cyclones tracking eastward across North America at 45–55°N, every 5 days on average. Anthropogenic and fire effluents from western North America are mostly transported north and east, eventually merging with the eastern U.S. pollution outflow to the Atlantic. A semipermanent upper-level anticyclone traps the convective outflow and allows it to age in the upper troposphere over the United States for several days. Rapid ozone production takes place in this outflow, driven in part by anthropogenic and lightning NO x and in part by HO x radicals produced from convectively lifted CH2O that originates from biogenic isoprene. This mechanism could explain ozonesonde observations of elevated ozone in the upper troposphere over the southeastern United States. Asian and European pollution influences in the North American outflow to the Atlantic are found to be dispersed into the background and do not generate distinct plumes. Satellite observations of CO columns from MOPITT and of aerosol optical depths (AODs) from MODIS provide useful mapping of outflow events, despite their restriction to clear-sky scenes.Earth and Planetary Science