21,645 research outputs found
Vaccine antigen production in transgenic plants: strategies, gene constructs and perspectives
No full textStable integration of a gene into the plant nuclear or chloroplast genome can transform higher plants (e.g. tobacco, potato, tomato, banana) into bioreactors for the production of subunit vaccines for oral or parental administration. This can also be achieved by using recombinant plant viruses as transient expression vectors in infected plants. The use of plant-derived vaccines may overcome some of the major problems encountered with traditional vaccination against infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and tumours. They also offer
a convenient tool against the threat of bio-terrorism. State of the art, experimental strategies, safety and perspectives are discussed in this article
Protecting Animals 36: Author Witi Ihimaera
No full textIn this very special episode of Knowing Animals I am joined by beloved New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. Witi has written many books featuring nonhuman animals. He offers us a non-colonial lens through which to think about the human/nonhuman relationship
Mechanisms to reverse impaired macrophage function in COPD
Get PDFCOPD is major health problem and is set to become the third leading cause
of death globally by 2030. To date we have no therapies which significantly
alter the course of this debilitating disease. The lungs of COPD patients are
characterised by chronic inflammation which results in airway narrowing and
tissue destruction and persists even after smoking cessation.
Patients with COPD experience defective innate immunity, characterized in
part by macrophage dysfunction. In established disease, COPD
macrophages have impaired phagocytosis of bacteria and apoptotic cells
(efferocytosis). There is evidence that COPD macrophages have altered
expression of a transcription factor, Nrf2, the master regulator of antioxidant
defences. I hypothesised that impaired macrophage functions in COPD share
common mechanistic defects. These defects may relate to cellular energetics
and or antioxidant responses.
To address if macrophage dysfunction in COPD was regulated by the lung
microenvironment alone, I isolated macrophages from the airways [Alveolar
macrophages (AM)], and from the peripherally circulating blood [Monocytederived
macrophages (MDM)], of COPD and Healthy donors . I found that in
COPD both AM and MDM had impaired bacterial phagocytosis and
efferocytosis. I also found that efferocytosis and phagocytosis rates were
closely correlated , suggesting a shared underlying mechanistic defect.
Efferocytosis and phagocytosis rates also correlated with markers of disease
severity in COPD.
Dynamic metabolic profiling of macrophages, using Seahorse technology,
revealed that AM and MDM from COPD patients have impaired energy
reserves in both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Whilst
experiencing reduced reserves in both of these central metabolic pathways ,
Seahorse evaluation also revealed an apparent over reliance on glycolysis in
COPD macrophages . This was mirrored in LC-MS (liquid chromatography
mass spectrometry) analysis of resting state macrophages. LC-MS revealed
a global up regulation of the glycolytic intermediaries in resting state AM and
MDM from COPD Donors.
In parallel with this work , I established that COPD AM display an impaired
transcriptional response to infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae, which
primarily related to failure to mount an adequate anti-oxidant response.
Manipulation of the anti-oxidant pathway with highly specific activators of
Nrf2, enhanced bacterial phagocytosis and efferocytosis in COPD AM and
MDM. Moreover ,treatment with Nrf2 agonists increased TCA cycle
intermediaries, and restored redox balance to the cell, as assessed by LCMS.
Using transcriptomics analysis we identified a number of key metabolic
targets which differed at baseline between COPD AM and Healthy Donor
AM, with key shifts in metabolism induced by Nrf2 activation in COPD AM.
In summary I have established that there is a global defect in macrophage
function in COPD, which is not singularly driven by tissue specific factors. I
have determined that both AM and MDM from COPD patients have an
impaired bioenergetic profile and I suggest that this may be the common
underlying mechanism driving the phenotype. I have demonstrated a failure
in COPD AM to mount an anti-oxidant response. I have subsequently shown
a reversal of impaired macrophage function in COPD using a highly specific
Nrf2 activator .Lastly, I have evidence that the Nrf2 mediated restoration of
macrophage function in COPD is due, in part, to metabolic reprogramming,
with a skewing towards oxidative phosphorylation. This highlights both the
therapeutic potential for metabolic reprogramming in COPD and the role of
Nrf2 activation in modulating disease behaviour in COPD
I Think I Am Philip K. Dick
No full textFor years, noted writer Laurence A. Rickels often found himself compared to novelist Philip K. Dickthough in fact Rickels had never read any of the science fiction writers work. When he finally read his first Philip K. Dick novel, while researching for his recent book The Devil Notebooks , it prompted a prolonged immersion in Dicks writing as well as a recognition of Rickelss own long-documented intellectual pursuits. The result of this engagement is I Think I Am: Philip K. Dick , a profound thought experiment that charts the wide relevance of the pulp sci-fi author and paranoid visionary. I Think I Am: Philip K. Dick explores the science fiction authors meditations on psychic reality and psychosis, Christian mysticism, Eastern religion, and modern spiritualism. Covering all of Dicks science fiction, Rickels corrects the lack of scholarly interest in the legendary Californian author and, ultimately, makes a compelling case for the philosophical and psychoanalytic significance of Philip K. Dicks popular and influential science fiction.Intro -- Contents -- Introjection -- Part I -- Endopsychic Allegories -- Schreber Guardian -- Belief System Surveillance -- Part II -- Deeper Problems -- Veil of Tears -- Go West -- Dick Manfred -- Timing -- Glimmung -- Part III -- Spiritualism Analogy -- Imitating the Dead -- Indexical Layer -- Ilse -- Hammers and Things -- Crucifictions -- Over There -- Martyrology -- Can't Live, Can't Live -- Lola -- Umwelt, Mitwelt, and Eigenwelt -- Outer Race -- The German Introject -- Part IV -- Materialism, Idealism, and Cybernetics -- Startling Stories -- A Couple of Years -- Android Empathy -- Homunculus and Robot -- ALL OF YOU ARE DEAD. I AM ALIVE. -- Go with the Flow -- Part V -- Room for Thought -- Caduceus -- Jump -- Still -- A Wake -- Spätwerk -- Let the Dead Be -- Play Bally -- Das Hund -- Notes -- BibliographyFor years, noted writer Laurence A. Rickels often found himself compared to novelist Philip K. Dickthough in fact Rickels had never read any of the science fiction writers work. When he finally read his first Philip K. Dick novel, while researching for his recent book The Devil Notebooks , it prompted a prolonged immersion in Dicks writing as well as a recognition of Rickelss own long-documented intellectual pursuits. The result of this engagement is I Think I Am: Philip K. Dick , a profound thought experiment that charts the wide relevance of the pulp sci-fi author and paranoid visionary. I Think I Am: Philip K. Dick explores the science fiction authors meditations on psychic reality and psychosis, Christian mysticism, Eastern religion, and modern spiritualism. Covering all of Dicks science fiction, Rickels corrects the lack of scholarly interest in the legendary Californian author and, ultimately, makes a compelling case for the philosophical and psychoanalytic significance of Philip K. Dicks popular and influential science fiction.Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, YYYY. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries
Liftings for noncomplete probability spaces
No full textThe current state of knowledge concerning liftings for noncomplete probability spaces is discussed. This is a somewhat expanded version of the author's talk given at the 1991 Summer Conference on General Topology and Applications in Honor of Mary Ellen Rudin and Her Work.PT: S; CR: BURKE MR, IN PRESS P AM MATH S BURKE MR, 1991, ISRAEL J MATH, V73, P33 BURKE MR, 1992, ISRAEL J MATH, V79, P289 CARLSON T, THEOREM LIFTING CHRISTENSEN JPR, 1974, TOPOLOGY BOREL STRUC FREMLIN DH, 1989, HDB BOOLEAN ALGEBRAS, P877 INOESCUTULCEA A, 1966, 5TH P BERK S MATH ST, V2 IONESCUTULCEA A, 1967, CONTRIBUTIONS PROB 1, P63 IONESCUTULCEA A, 1969, TOPICS THEORY LIFTIN JECH TJ, 1978, SET THEORY JOHNSON RA, 1980, P AM MATH SOC, V80, P234 JUST W, IN PRESS T AM MATH S KUPKA J, 1983, INDIANA U MATH J, V32, P717 LOSERT V, 1983, LNM, V1080, P95 MAHARAM D, 1958, P AM MATH SOC, V9, P987 SHELAH S, 1983, ISRAEL J MATH, V45, P90 TALAGRAND M, 1982, P AM MATH SOC, V84, P379 VONNEUMANN J, 1931, CRELLES J MATH, V165, P109; NR: 18; TC: 0; J9: ANN N Y ACAD SCI; PG: 4; GA: BZ86BSource type: Electronic(1
The AM Canum Venaticorum binary SDSS J173047.59+554518.5
Get PDFThe AM Canum Venaticorum (AM CVn) binaries are a rare group of hydrogen-deficient, ultrashort period, mass-transferring white dwarf binaries and are possible progenitors of Type Ia supernovae. We present time-resolved spectroscopy of the recently discovered AM CVn binary SDSS J173047.59+554518.5. The average spectrum shows strong double-peaked helium emission lines, as well as a variety of metal lines, including neon; this is the second detection of neon in an AM CVn binary, after the much brighter system GP Com. We detect no calcium in the accretion disc, a puzzling feature that has been noted in many of the longer period AM CVn binaries. We measure an orbital period, from the radial velocities of the emission lines, of 35.2 ± 0.2 min, confirming the ultracompact binary nature of the system. The emission lines seen in SDSS J1730 are very narrow, although double-peaked, implying a low-inclination, face-on accretion disc; using the measured velocities of the line peaks, we estimate i ≤ 11°. This low inclination makes SDSS J1730 an excellent system for the identification of emission lines
Freedom of choice or force of circumstance? : Eastern European sex-workers in the Republic of Cyprus ; paper for the conference 'Alltag der Globalisierung. Perspektiven einer transnationalen Anthropologie', January 16-18, 2003, Institute of Cultural Anthropology and European Ethnology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main
No full textThis paper focuses on Eastern European migrants who, since the beginning of the 1990s, are entering the Republic Cyprus as “artistes”. This is a visa permit status as well as an euphemism for short-term work permits in the local sex industry. In addition to exploring the migrational experiences of these women and their living and working conditions in the Republic of Cyprus, the paper reconstructs, empirically and analyt ically, the connection between immigration and the local sex industry. Here, several categories of social actors and institutions in Cyprus are actively involved. The rhetoric of government representatives, entrepreneurs and clients in the sex business on the one hand is contrasted with the discourse of local NGO representatives concerned with immigrants’ rights on the other hand. The paper comes to the conclusion that all of these discursive positions ultimately do not do justice to the complex process of decisionmaking that women undergo who migrate into the sex industry. Either, freedom of choice is emphasized – such as by entrepreneurs and the government – or the domination of women – as in the public statements of the NGO. In order to analyze the ambivalent tension between freedom of choice and submission to force by which the women’s decision is characterized, the author employs Michel Foucault’s concept of governmentality, which describes forms of political regulation that use the individual’s freedom of action as an instrument to exercise power
Anleitung Zu der Frantzösischen Sprach/ Begreiffend was anfänglich/ diese Sprach zuerlernen/ am allernöhtigsten sey: Der Jugend Teutscher Nation: zu besten verfertiget
Get PDFANLEITUNG ZU DER FRANTZÖSISCHEN SPRACH/ BEGREIFFEND WAS ANFÄNGLICH/ DIESE SPRACH ZUERLERNEN/ AM ALLERNÖHTIGSTEN SEY: DER JUGEND TEUTSCHER NATION: ZU BESTEN VERFERTIGET
Anleitung Zu der Frantzösischen Sprach/ Begreiffend was anfänglich/ diese Sprach zuerlernen/ am allernöhtigsten sey: Der Jugend Teutscher Nation: zu besten verfertiget
Anleitung Zu der Frantzösischen Sprach/ Begreiffend was anfänglich/ diese Sprach zuerlernen/ am allernöhtigsten sey: Der Jugend Teutscher Nation: zu besten verfertiget (Theil 2) ([1]r)
Anleitung Zu der Frantzösischen Sprach/ Begreiffend was anfänglich/ diese Sprach zuerlernen/ am allernöhtigsten sey: Der Jugend Teutscher Nation: zu besten verfertiget (Forts.) ([1]r
An examination of author characteristics in national and regional criminology and criminal justice journals, 2008-2010: Are female scholars changing the nature of publishing in criminology and criminal justice?
No full textCriminology and criminal justice (CCJ) as an academic discipline has experienced an increase in the focus on various aspects of academic productivity in recent years. Much of the extant literature examining journal article authorship has focused on various measures of the publication productivity of specific authors but not on the characteristics of the authors themselves. The current study expands upon previous work by examining several author characteristics across different journal types and research methodologies, with a particular focus on how gender relates to these issues. The findings reveal several interesting differences with regard to gender, academic rank, and university affiliation. Among these findings is evidence that although males are more likely to author CCJ articles regardless of journal type, females are more likely to be lead authors in regional journal articles and more likely to publish with other female authors. Regional journals are also the publication outlet of choice for students and assistant professors in the beginning of their careers. The findings also provide evidence of important differences in author rank, academic affiliation, methodology, and publication outlet for articles authored by females.Journal ArticlePublishe
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