A Gag peptide encompassing B- and T-cell epitopes of the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus functions as modular carrier peptide

Short synthetic peptides are important tools in biomedical research permitting to generate hapten specific polyclonal sera for analytical purposes or functional studies. In this paper we provide proof of principle that a peptide located in a highly conserved portion of the Gag protein of the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus and carrying an immunodominant T helper cell epitope functions as an efficient carrier peptide, mediating a strong antibody response to a peptidic hapten encompassing a well-characterized B cell epitope of Env. The carrier and hapten peptides were collinearly synthesized permutating their molecular arrangement. While the antibody response to the hapten was similar for both constructs, the antibody response to a B cell epitope overlapping the T helper cell epitope of the Gag carrier peptide was considerably different. This permits a modular use of the carrier peptide to generate antibody directed exclusively to the hapten peptide or a strong humoral response to both carrier- and hapten-peptide. Finally, we have mapped the epitopes involved in this polarized antibody response and discussed the potential immunological implications.

Spin ladders and quantum simulators for Tomonaga–Luttinger liquids

Magnetic insulators have proven to be usable as quantum simulators for itinerant interacting quantum systems. In particular the compound (C5H12N)2CuBr4 (for short: (Hpip)2CuBr4) was shown to be a remarkable realization of a Tomonaga–Luttinger liquid (TLL) and allowed us to quantitatively test the TLL theory. Substitution weakly disorders this class of compounds and thus allows us to use them to tackle questions pertaining to the effect of disorder in TLL as well, such as that of the formation of the Bose glass. In this paper we present, as a first step in this direction, a study of the properties of the related (Hpip)2CuCl4 compound. We determine the exchange couplings and compute the temperature and magnetic field dependence of the specific heat, using a finite temperature density matrix renormalization group procedure. Comparison with the measured specific heat at zero magnetic field confirms the exchange parameters and Hamiltonian for the (Hpip)2CuCl4 compound, giving the basis needed to begin studying the disorder effects.

A modular LHC built on the DNA three-way junction

A light-harvesting complex composed of a p-stacked multichromophoric array in a DNA three-way junction is described. The modular design allows for a ready exchange of non-covalently attached energy acceptors

Modular organization of the cortical connections linking visual areas V1, V2 and V4 in Macaque monkeys

The macaque cortical visual system is hierarchically organized into two streams, the ventral stream for recognizing objects and the dorsal stream for analyzing spatial relationships. The ventral stream extends from striate cortex or area V1 to inferior temporal cortex (IT) through extra-striate areas V2 and V4. Between V1 and V2, the ventral stream consists of two roughly parallel sub-streams, one extending from the cytochrome oxidase (CO) rich blobs in V1 to the CO rich thin stripes in V2, the other extending from the interblobs in V1 to interstripes, in V2. The blob-dominated sub-stream is thought to analyze the surface features such as color, whereas the interblob-dominated one is thought to analyze the contour features such as shape. ^ In the current study, the organization of cortical pathways linking V2 thin stripe and interstripe compartments with area V4 was investigated using a combination of physiological and anatomical techniques. Different compartments of V2 were first characterized, in vivo, using optical recording of intrinsic cortical signals. These functionally derived maps of V2 stripe compartments were then used to guide iontophoretic injections of multiple, distinguishable, anterograde tracers into specific V2 compartments. The distribution of labeled axons was analyzed either in horizontal sections through the prelunate gyrus, or in tangentially sectioned portions of physically unfolded cortex containing the lunate sulcus, prelunate gyrus and superior temporal sulcus. When a V2 thin stripe and adjacent interstripe were injected with distinguishable tracers, a large primary and several secondary foci were observed in V4. The primary focus from the thin stripe injection was spatially segregated from the primary focus from the V2 interstripe injection, suggesting a retention of the pattern of compartmentation. ^ We examined the distribution of retrogradely labeled cells in V1 following the injections of tracers into V2 different compartments, in order to quantitate just how parallel the two sub-streams are from V1 to V2. Our results suggest that both blobs and interblobs project to thin stripes in V2, whereas only interblobs project to interstripes. This asymmetrical segregation argues against the original proposal of strict parallelism. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) ^

Plasticity to wind is modular and genetically variable in Arabidopsis thaliana

Thigmomorphogenesis, the characteristic phenotypic changes by which plants react to mechanical stress, is a widespread and probably adaptive type of phenotypic plasticity. However, little is known about its genetic basis and population variation. Here, we examine genetic variation for thigmomorphogenesis within and among natural populations of the model system Arabidopsis thaliana. Offspring from 17 field-collected European populations was subjected to three levels of mechanical stress exerted by wind. Overall, plants were remarkably tolerant to mechanical stress. Even high wind speed did not significantly alter the correlation structure among phenotypic traits. However, wind significantly affected plant growth and phenology, and there was genetic variation for some aspects of plasticity to wind among A. thaliana populations. Our most interesting finding was that phenotypic traits were organized into three distinct and to a large degree statistically independent covariance modules associated with plant size, phenology, and growth form, respectively. These phenotypic modules differed in their responsiveness to wind, in the degree of genetic variability for plasticity, and in the extent to which plasticity affected fitness. It is likely, therefore, that thigmomorphogenesis in this species evolves quasi-independently in different phenotypic modules.

A modular LHC built on the DNA three-way junction

Over the past years, in numerous studies the DNA double helix serves as a scaffold for the controlled arrangement of functional molecules, including a wide range of different chromophores. Other nucleic acid structures like the DNA three-way junction have been exploited for this purpose as well. Recently, the successful development of DNA-based light-harvesting antenna systems have been reported. Herein, we describe the use of the DNA three-way junction (3WJ) as a versatile scaffold for the modular construction of an artificial light harvesting complex (LHC). The LHC is based on a modular construction in which a phenanthrene antenna is located in one of the three stems and the acceptor is brought into proximity of the antenna through the annealing of the third strand. Phenanthrene excitation (320 nm) is followed by energy transfer to pyrene (resulting in exciplex emission), perylenediimide (quencher) or a cyanine dye (cyanine fluorescence).

Modular training in vascular and endovascular surgery exemplified by the Vascular International Foundation and School

The partial shift from patient to model is a reasonable and necessary paradigm shift in surgery in order to increase patient safety and to adapt to the reduced training time periods in hospitals and increased quality demands. Since 1991 the Vascular International Foundation and School has carried out many training courses with more than 2,500 participants. The modular build training system allows to teach many open vascular and endovascular surgical techniques on lifelike models with a pulsatile circulation. The simulation courses cannot replace training in operating rooms but are suitable for supporting the cognitive and associative stages for achieving motor skills. Scientific evaluation of the courses has continually shown that the training principle established since 1991 can lead to significant learning success. They are extremely useful not only for beginners but also for experienced vascular surgeons. They can help to shorten the learning curve, to learn new techniques or to refine previously used techniques in all stages of professional development. Keywords Advanced training · Advanced training regulations · Training model · Vascular International · Certification

Plug-and-Display: decoration of Virus-Like Particles via isopeptide bonds for modular immunization.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are non-infectious self-assembling nanoparticles, useful in medicine and nanotechnology. Their repetitive molecularly-defined architecture is attractive for engineering multivalency, notably for vaccination. However, decorating VLPs with target-antigens by genetic fusion or chemical modification is time-consuming and often leads to capsid misassembly or antigen misfolding, hindering generation of protective immunity. Here we establish a platform for irreversibly decorating VLPs simply by mixing with protein antigen. SpyCatcher is a genetically-encoded protein designed to spontaneously form a covalent bond to its peptide-partner SpyTag. We expressed in E. coli VLPs from the bacteriophage AP205 genetically fused to SpyCatcher. We demonstrated quantitative covalent coupling to SpyCatcher-VLPs after mixing with SpyTag-linked to malaria antigens, including CIDR and Pfs25. In addition, we showed coupling to the VLPs for peptides relevant to cancer from epidermal growth factor receptor and telomerase. Injecting SpyCatcher-VLPs decorated with a malarial antigen efficiently induced antibody responses after only a single immunization. This simple, efficient and modular decoration of nanoparticles should accelerate vaccine development, as well as other applications of nanoparticle devices.

Modular las voces para llegar a la Historia : Una lectura de 'Bilbao Song', de José Agustín Goytisolo

El artículo se propone a discutir el entrelace entre historia, poesía y ciudad en la obra Taller de arquitectura, de José Agustín Goytisolo, especialmente en su poema 'Bilbao song'. Integrante de la denominada generación de los 50, Goytisolo demostró, frecuentemente, gran preocupación sobre la condición del hombre en la sociedad moderna y su vida en las grandes ciudades. Taller de arquitectura es una obra representativa en el contexto de sus reflexiones sobre el hombre y su entorno. En nuestro texto discutiremos como el poeta articula distintas visiones de la ciudad de Bilbao con los discursos que surgen a lo largo del poema. Para emprender dicha discusión, proponemos un recorrido por la historia política, social y estética del final de los años 60 y principios de los 70 en España, a fin de examinar los procedimientos poéticos utilizados por el autor en la configuración de las relaciones entre historia, poesía y sociedad presentes en 'Bilbao song'. Expondremos como el autor aprehende y modula las voces de 'Bilbao song' utilizándose de la yuxtaposición de imágenes, de historias y de ritmos, para componer un mosaico que revela las diversas caras de la ciudad y de sus gentes bajo el cielo de la dictadura franquista

Modular las voces para llegar a la Historia : Una lectura de 'Bilbao Song', de José Agustín Goytisolo

El artículo se propone a discutir el entrelace entre historia, poesía y ciudad en la obra Taller de arquitectura, de José Agustín Goytisolo, especialmente en su poema 'Bilbao song'. Integrante de la denominada generación de los 50, Goytisolo demostró, frecuentemente, gran preocupación sobre la condición del hombre en la sociedad moderna y su vida en las grandes ciudades. Taller de arquitectura es una obra representativa en el contexto de sus reflexiones sobre el hombre y su entorno. En nuestro texto discutiremos como el poeta articula distintas visiones de la ciudad de Bilbao con los discursos que surgen a lo largo del poema. Para emprender dicha discusión, proponemos un recorrido por la historia política, social y estética del final de los años 60 y principios de los 70 en España, a fin de examinar los procedimientos poéticos utilizados por el autor en la configuración de las relaciones entre historia, poesía y sociedad presentes en 'Bilbao song'. Expondremos como el autor aprehende y modula las voces de 'Bilbao song' utilizándose de la yuxtaposición de imágenes, de historias y de ritmos, para componer un mosaico que revela las diversas caras de la ciudad y de sus gentes bajo el cielo de la dictadura franquista

Modular las voces para llegar a la Historia : Una lectura de 'Bilbao Song', de José Agustín Goytisolo

El artículo se propone a discutir el entrelace entre historia, poesía y ciudad en la obra Taller de arquitectura, de José Agustín Goytisolo, especialmente en su poema 'Bilbao song'. Integrante de la denominada generación de los 50, Goytisolo demostró, frecuentemente, gran preocupación sobre la condición del hombre en la sociedad moderna y su vida en las grandes ciudades. Taller de arquitectura es una obra representativa en el contexto de sus reflexiones sobre el hombre y su entorno. En nuestro texto discutiremos como el poeta articula distintas visiones de la ciudad de Bilbao con los discursos que surgen a lo largo del poema. Para emprender dicha discusión, proponemos un recorrido por la historia política, social y estética del final de los años 60 y principios de los 70 en España, a fin de examinar los procedimientos poéticos utilizados por el autor en la configuración de las relaciones entre historia, poesía y sociedad presentes en 'Bilbao song'. Expondremos como el autor aprehende y modula las voces de 'Bilbao song' utilizándose de la yuxtaposición de imágenes, de historias y de ritmos, para componer un mosaico que revela las diversas caras de la ciudad y de sus gentes bajo el cielo de la dictadura franquista

Cooperative Task Execution between Modular Robots Based on Tight-Loose Cooperation Strategies

The complexity in the execution of cooperative tasks is high due to the fact that a robot team requires movement coordination at the beginning of the mission and continuous coordination during the execution of the task. A variety of techniques have been proposed to give a solution to this problem assuming standard mobile robots. This work focuses on presenting the execution of a cooperative task by a modular robot team. The complexity of the task execution increases due to the fact that each robot is composed of modules which have to be coordinated in a proper way to successfully work. A combined tight and loose cooperation strategy is presented and a bar-pushing example is used as a cooperative task to show the performance of this type of system.

Tiled Projector Displays Correction for Dark Scenes in Railway Simulators

Tiled projector displays are a common choice for training simulators, where a high resolution output image is required. They are cheap for the resolution that they can reach and can be configured in many different ways. Nevertheless, such kinds of displays require geometric and color correction so that the composite image looks seamless. Display correction is an even bigger challenge when the projected images include dark scenes combined with brighter scenes. This is usually a problem for railway simulators when the train is positioned inside a tunnel and the black offset effect becomes noticeable. In this paper, a method for fast photometric and geometric correction of tiled display systems where dark and bright scenes are combined is presented. The image correction is carried out in two steps. First, geometric alignment and overlapping areas attenuation for brighter scenes is applied. Second, in the event of being inside a tunnel, the brightness of the scene is increased in certain areas using light sources in order to create the impression of darkness but minimizing the effect of the black offset