Expression of the CD6 T lymphocyte differentiation antigen in normal human brain

Antigens shared by the immune and central nervous systems (CNS) have been described repeatedly. The present study reports the expression of the CD6 lymphocyte differentiation antigen in normal human brain evidenced by immunohistochemistry and Northern blot analysis. A panel of various anti-CD6 monoclonal antibodies (mabs) tested on serial cryostat sections identified CD6-positive cells randomly scattered in parenchyma of all examined brain areas. Northern blot analysis with a highly sensitive cRNA probe revealed a 3.1 kb CD6-specific mRNA in various brain regions, especially in basalganglia and cortex cerebellum. Staining with mabs raised against different hematopoietic cell types, as well as hybridization with probes specific for the ß- and y-T cell receptor (TCR) chains support the notion that CD6 is expressed by original brain cells. The nature of the CD6-positive cell type and possible functions of shared antigens in immune and nervous systems are discusse

Earthquake-Resistant Design of Earth Dams

Lessons gained from observations of the field performance of earth darns during earthquakes are reviewed and used to illustrate the primary problems of concern. Defensive design measures which may be taken to mitigate the various hazards are reviewed and illustrated. Analytical approaches for evaluating seismic stability and the deformations of earth darns during earthquakes are discussed, together with recent developments which facilitate their implementation in special cases; situations which require careful consideration of special effects such as the three-dimensionality of the dam-valley system and pore pressure re-distribution following an earthquake are discussed and illustrated

Effectiveness of PV Drains for Mitigating Earthquake-Induced Deformations in Sandy Slopes

This paper considers the effectiveness of a Pre-fabricated Vertical (PV) drain array for mitigating the earthquake-induced permanent ground deformations of a water-fronting loose sand fill based on results of numerical simulations. The numerical simulations are performed using the OpenSees finite element framework to represent the non-linear coupled ground deformation and transient pore pressures with customized 1-D finite elements to describe flow in the PV drains. Soil behavior is modeled using an advanced elasto-plastic effective stress soil model ("DM" for Dafalias & Manzari, 2004). The analyses focus on the performance of an 18.3m high sand fill, representative of many west-coast port facilities, and compare the response with and without the PV drain mitigation system for a suite of 58 reference seismic ground motions. The computed permanent slope deformations are well correlated with the peak ground accelerations (PGA) and especially the Arias intensity (I[subscript a]). The PV drain mitigation system is effective in reducing permanent lateral deformations at the crest of the slope by a factor of 1.2 - 3.5. The system effectiveness is largely independent of the characteristics of the ground motions. The damage results have been incorporated in slope fragility curves that can be used to quantify the expected costs from earthquake damage.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant CMS-0530478)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Research (NEESR) Challenge Project

Fabric anisotropy & DEM informed two-surface hyperplasticity : constitutive formulation, asymptotic states & experimental validation.

In geotechnical analysis continuum idealisations of the bulk material still provide the most appropriate approach for engineers designing large-scale structures. In this area, the most successful framework for describing the behaviour of soils is Critical State (CS) soil mechanics. However, the findings from discrete element method (DEM) analysis, such as the uniqueness of the CS, can provide invaluable information in the development such models. This paper details the key concepts behind a two-surface hyperplasticity model (?) whose development was informed by recent DEM findings on the uniqueness of the CS. Asymptotic states of the model will be confirmed and the DEM-continuum-experimental loop will be closed through comparison of the developed model with experimental data on coarse-grained particulate media. This will demonstrate, that providing the previous stress history is accounted for, the proposed model is suitable for a variety of particulate media

The microbiome in patients with atopic dermatitis.

As an interface with the environment, the skin is a complex ecosystem colonized by many microorganisms that coexist in an established balance. The cutaneous microbiome inhibits colonization with pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, and is a crucial component for function of the epidermal barrier. Moreover, crosstalk between commensals and the immune system is now recognized because microorganisms can modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. Host-commensal interactions also have an effect on the developing immune system in infants and, subsequently, the occurrence of diseases, such as asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD). Later in life, the cutaneous microbiome contributes to the development and course of skin disease. Accordingly, in patients with AD, a decrease in microbiome diversity correlates with disease severity and increased colonization with pathogenic bacteria, such as S aureus. Early clinical studies suggest that topical application of commensal organisms (eg, Staphylococcus hominis or Roseomonas mucosa) reduces AD severity, which supports an important role for commensals in decreasing S aureus colonization in patients with AD. Advancing knowledge of the cutaneous microbiome and its function in modulating the course of skin disorders, such as AD, might result in novel therapeutic strategies

Clinical- and cost-effectiveness of a nurse led self-management intervention to reduce emergency visits by people with epilepsy

People with chronic epilepsy (PWE) often make costly, and clinically unnecessary emergency department (ED) visits. Some do it frequently. No studies have examined interventions to reduce them. An intervention delivered by an epilepsy nurse specialist (ENS) might reduce visits. The rationale is it may optimize patients' self-management skills and knowledge of appropriate ED use. We examined such an intervention's clinical- and cost-effectiveness. Eighty-five adults with epilepsy were recruited from three London EDs with similar catchment populations. Forty-one PWE recruited from two EDs received treatment-as-usual (TAU) and formed the comparison group. The remaining 44 PWE were recruited from the ED of a hospital that had implemented a new ENS service for PWE attending ED. These participants formed the intervention group. They were offered 2 one-to-one sessions with an ENS, plus TAU. Participants completed questionnaires on health service use and psychosocial well-being at baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Covariates were identified and adjustments made. Sixty-nine (81%) participants were retained at follow-up. No significant effect of the intervention on ED visits at 12 months or on other outcomes was found. However, due to less time as inpatients, the average service cost for intervention participants over follow-up was less than for TAU participants' (adjusted difference £558, 95% CI, −£2409, £648). Covariates most predictive of subsequent ED visits were patients' baseline feelings of stigmatization due to epilepsy and low confidence in managing epilepsy. The intervention did not lead to a reduction in ED use, but did not cost more, partly because those receiving the intervention had shorter hospital admissions. Our findings on long-term ED predictors clarifies what causes ED use, and suggests that future interventions might focus more on patients' perceptions of stigma and on their confidence in managing epilepsy. If addressed, ED visits might be reduced and efficiency-savings generated

Photonics, fiber and THz wireless communication

Optical-fiber’s long-haul strengths, coupled with improvements in terahertz wireless signal generation and handling with photonic technology, could constitute part of the solution for a data-hungry society

The Evaluation of Protective Coatings and Their Effect on Salt Formation on Brick Substrate

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