Search

5G networks offer unparalleled data rates and features. However these are still far from what a hyperconnected society and industry needs. Future wireless connectivity Beyond 5G (B5G)/6G will require a smart and green platform that is ultra-fast, highly adaptive, and dependable to support innovative, human-centric applications securely. This is the focus of the EU-funded DEDICAT 6G project, the vision and methodology of which is presented in this paper. DEDICAT 6G investigates enablers for dynamic distribution of intelligence to improve task execution time, energy efficiency, and ultimately, reduce end-to-end latency. The project also examines solutions for dynamic coverage extensions utilizing robots, connected vehicles and drones. The scope also comprises methods for security, privacy, and trust assurance including enablers for novel interaction between humans and digital systems exploiting innovative interfaces and devices, like smart glasses. DEDICAT 6G focuses on four representative 6G use cases: Smart Warehousing, Enhanced Experience, Public Safety and Smart Highway. The developed solutions will be demonstrated and tested in these use cases through experiments in laboratory environments, and larger field evaluations utilizing diverse assets and testing facilities. The aim is to derive results that will showcase substantial improvements in terms of intelligent network load balancing and resource allocation, extended coverage, enhanced security, privacy and trust and human-machine applications

This paper focuses on the impacts that noise generated by the light emitting diodes (LED) have on high-frequency surface wave (HFSW) radars. Initially, the measurements of the electromagnetic interference caused by the LED lights were conducted in an anechoic chamber, in order to eliminate the influences of other interference sources. It was determined that the most significant interference in the HF range is generated between 6 and 12 MHz. Next, the HFSW radar measurements in real field conditions were conducted at an operating frequency of 6.7 MHz. The LED influence on the HFSW radar was analyzed using the range-Doppler (RD) images. A novel algorithm based on the image segmentation and image processing methods for the automatic detection of the LED noise in the HFSW radar RD image is proposed. The proposed algorithm was experimentally validated using the data obtained from the HFSW radar sites located in the Gulf of Guinea. It was concluded that the proposed algorithm is capable of identifying and eliminating the noise originating from the LEDs with a probability of 91%.

The food safety issue is among the cornerstones of the environmental protection schemes worldwide and beside hazard issues, there is great concern about monitoring of food spoilage in a reliable way. Current practices of assessment of food spoilage still relies heavily on regulatory inspection and sampling regimes. A portable photonic multisensor device for the detection of food contaminations, spoilage and fraud is the objective of the EU PhasmaFOOD project. It will integrate different capabilities: spectroscopic detection (VIS/ NIR), imaging, smart signal processing, data analysis and comparison with updated models on cloud platform hosting data set for training and calibration of food analysis algorithms, user friendly interfaces by smartphone/tablet/PC also through wireless connection.

Physicians who frequently perform fluoroscopic examinations are exposed to high intensity radiation fields. The exposure monitoring is performed with a regular personal dosimeter under the apron in order to estimate the effective dose. However, large parts of the body are not protected by the apron (e.g. arms, head). Therefore, it is recommended to wear a supplemental dosimeter over the apron to obtain a better representative estimate of the effective dose. The over-apron dosimeter can also be used to estimate the eye lens dose. The goal of this study was to investigate the relevance of double dosimetry in interventional radiology. First the calibration procedure of the dosimeters placed over the apron was tested. Then, results of double dosimetry during the last five years were analyzed. We found that the personal dose equivalent measured over a lead apron was underestimated by ∼20% to ∼40% for X-ray beam qualities used in radiology. Measurements made over five-year period confirm that the use of a single under-apron dosimeter is inadequate for personnel monitoring. Relatively high skin dose (>10 mSv/month) would have remained undetected without a second dosimeter placed on the apron.

Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a major myelin constituent produced by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS). Expression of MBP was considered to be a marker for oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination in the developing CNS. In this study, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and its messenger RNA (mRNA) was examined in human embryos and fetuses ranging in age from 5 to 20 gestational weeks (g.w.). We were able to demonstrate that MBP antibody labels cells in both human nervous and non-nervous tissues beginning from early embryonic life (5-6 g.w.). MBP positive (MBP+) cells were rounded, with either no cell processes or only 1-2 short processes, and were located in caudal regions of the CNS. MBP+ cells were also observed in the non-nervous tissue, such as leptomeninges, choroid plexus, and connective tissues. A number of MBP+ cells in nervous and non-nervous tissues were morphologically similar to macrophages and showed a positive reaction to macrophage-microglia markers: lectin (RCA-1) and the monoclonal antibody (EBM-11) to human macrophage antigen CD68, whereas they were negative for neuronal, astroglial, or marker for oligodendrocyte progenitors. At the same embryonic age, 5 g.w. and onward, the MBP mRNA was observed in the CNS by in situ hybridization. The results of this study show that MBP immune reaction is spread in a large area of the CNS prior to myelin appearance. In addition, for the first time it has been demonstrated that the same population of cells could be labelled with both MBP and macrophage markers. These results indicate that MBP, or MBP-related proteins, could represent a link between the immune and nervous system during early development. Thus, besides the well established role in myelination, these proteins might have an additional and still unknown function in development.

Background and purpose: Accurate placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) for the treatment of hydrocephalus is of paramount importance for its functionality and in order to minimize morbidity and complications. The aim of this study was to compare two different drain insertion assistance tools with the traditional free-hand anatomical landmark method, and to measure efficacy, safety and precision. Methods: Ten cadaver heads were prepared by opening large bone windows centered on Kocher's points on both sides. Nineteen physicians, divided in two groups (trainees and board certified neurosurgeons) performed EVD insertions. The target for the ventricular drain tip was the ipsilateral foramen of Monro. Each participant inserted the external ventricular catheter in three different ways: 1) free-hand by anatomical landmarks, 2) neuronavigation-assisted (NN), and 3) XperCT-guided (XCT). The number of ventricular hits and dangerous trajectories; time to proceed; radiation exposure of patients and physicians; distance of the catheter tip to target and size of deviations projected in the orthogonal plans were measured and compared. Results: Insertion using XCT increased the probability of ventricular puncture from 69.2 to 90.2% (p = 0.02). Non-assisted placements were significantly less precise (catheter tip to target distance 14.3 ± 7.4mm versus 9.6 ± 7.2mm, p = 0.0003). The insertion time to proceed increased from 3.04 ± 2.06min. to 7.3 ± 3.6min. (p

The work package 3 of the ORAMED project, Collaborative Project (2008–11) supported by the European Commission within its seventh Framework Programme, is focused on the optimisation of the use of active personal dosemeters (APDs) in interventional radiology and cardiology (IR/IC). Indeed, a lack of appropriate APD devices is identified for these specific fields. Few devices can detect low-energy X rays (20–100 keV), and none of them are specifically designed for working in pulsed radiation fields. The work presented in this paper consists in studying the behaviour of some selected APDs deemed suitable for application in IR/IC. For this purpose, measurements under laboratory conditions, both with continuous and pulsed X-ray beams, and tests in real conditions on site in different European hospitals were performed. This study highlights the limitations of APDs for this application and the need of improving the APD technology so as to fulfil all needs in the IR/IC field.

The optimization of the use of active personal dosemeters (APDs) in interventional radiology is performed by one of the work packages of the ORAMED project (2008-2011), which is a Collaborative Project supported by the European Commission within its 7th Framework Program. Interventional radiology procedures can be very complex and they can lead to relatively high doses to medical staff who stand close to the primary radiation field and are mostly exposed to radiation scattered by the patient. For the adequate dosimetry of these scattered photons, APDs must be able to respond to low-energy [10-100 keV] and pulsed radiation with relatively high instantaneous dose rates. Very few devices can detect low energy radiation fields and none of them are specially designed for working in pulsed radiation fields. The work presented in this paper is aimed at 1) studying the radiation field characteristics encountered in interventional radiology 2) making a selection of APDs deemed suitable for application in interventional radiology 3) defining, by measurements under laboratory conditions, the dose, the energy, the dose rate and the angular response of the selected APDs.

Parallel developmental studies of central nervous system myelin proteins and morphology (postnatal days 15–118; P15–118) confirm qualitative similarities but substantial quantitative differences betwe

Potential of agile management has been successfully proven in several different application domains, particularly in software development. In this paper, we propose process model for application of the agile methodologies to project management in general. In order to address the aspect of interaction, we discuss few collaborative computing mechanisms that may be adopted in intelligent information systems enabling knowledge acquisition for agile project management and further investigate qualitative benefits of the approach. The mechanisms are illustrated by means of our collaborative semantic Web portal prototype

The myelin basic protein gene (Mbp) encodes for the major myelin structural proteins and it is included in the Golli-Mbp gene complex. Previously, we observed MBP-like proteins in the human central nervous system (CNS) at developmental stages preceding myelination. In an effort to distinguish between Golli (HOG5 and HOG7) and MBP mRNAs and to determine their spatiotemporal distribution, we performed in situ hybridization using two human Golli specific probes: one corresponding to exon 5a absent from all MBP transcripts, and the other corresponding to exon 5c specific for HOG5. HOG7 transcript was observed first, in 5 gestational week-old embryos, whereas both Golli transcripts were detected at 6-7 weeks gestation in the proliferative zones of the entire CNS. Golli proteins immunoreactivity was observed in microglia and early neurons of the developing telencephalon. During midgestation (17-22 weeks gestation), at the onset of myelination, MBP and Golli mRNAs were observed in the telencephalic subventricular zone and occasionally in the future cerebral cortex. Developmental expression of the human Golli-Mbp indicates that the two Golli proteins have different onset of expression, distribution and possibly function. These results support the hypothesis that at least one of them, HOG7, may be involved in the regulation of early neurogenesis, while both may have additional, still undefined function at the onset of myelination. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Background Serum 14-3-3 eta has been described to have diagnostic utility and in established RA an association has been established between the levels of this marker and the degree of joint damage. The η isoform of 14-3-3 is expressed extracellularly in much higher concentration than the Υ isoform or MMP 1 and 3 levels in the synovial fluid and serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to the normal population. Rheumatoid factor (RF) is known to be sensitive and anti CCP highly specific for RA, but a high number of patients remain seronegative. There is a need for a biomarker to prevent underdiagnosis in this subset. Objectives The purpose of the study was to investigate if serum 14-3-3 η enhanced the detection of RA over RF or anti CCP in RA patients. We also studied the utility of 14-3-3 eta as a diagnostic test by comparing presence of this protein in RA v/s non-RA patients. Methods A retrospective chart review study was conducted in RA patients at an outpatient rheumatology clinic in an inner city population at a community teaching hospital serving a large immigrant population. 91 RA patients were identified who satisfied the 2010 ACR diagnostic criteria and 37 non RA patients seen in the clinic for other rheumatologic conditions were chosen as the control group. Serum 14-3-3η protein was measured by ELISA. The positive threshold range using Quest Diagnostic for RF was 15 International Unit/ml, Anti CCP was 20 Units and for 14-3-3 eta was 0.2 ng/mL. The chi-square goodness-of-fit test was used to analyze the frequency of eta positivity in the RA population while kappa was calculated to compare the RA and non RA patients. Results Of the 91 RA patients, 75.8% were females and mean age was 58 (range 28- 90) years. The population was predominantly Hispanic (75%). In the non-RA group, 9% had psoriatic arthritis and 14% lupus, 73% were females,76% Hispanic and the mean age was 54 (range 19-93) years. In the RA population, none of group without RF or anti-CCP was positive for eta. For those with either RF or anti-CCP, the prevalence of eta positivity was 11.1% (95%CI 2.8-35.2%). For those with both RF and anti-CCP, the prevalence of eta positivity was 81.0% (95% CI 68.9-89.2%). All comparisons between groups were significant at p Conclusions Measurement of 14-3-3η complements RF and anti-CCP antibody tests in RA and may improve diagnostic sensitivity. Used in combination with other serological markers, 14-3-3 eta can increase identification of patients with RA. *Equal Contribution Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.5776

Mutations in myelin protein zero (P0) are responsible for several peripheral neuropathies. We studied transport and membrane integration of the truncated P0 mutants using transfected oligodendroglial cell line (Oln93). Starting with rat cDNA, we produced two P0 deletions. The first, called P0-Tyr contains a 66 amino acid deletion in the extracellular domain and a tyrosine at the new position 32. In the second, called P0-Cys, the tyrosine 32 is replaced by a cysteine. This replacement restores a disulfide bond in the extracellular domain. Our results show that P0 proteins, truncated or not, were expressed in the plasma membrane of the transfected cells. Transcription rates of both mutants were normal. However, P0-Tyr was detected in only 3-5% of the cells compared to the P0-Cys and the wild type. Thus, the disulfide bond in the extracellular domain is important for stability and correct addressing of the P0 protein.

Inauguration of the myelin program in developing oligodendrocytes requires the activation of those genes that encode the myelin proteins and the enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of myelin lipids. An activator of the most abundantly expressed myelin protein, proteolipid protein (PLP), has been identified in a yeast one-hybrid system. The ubiquitously expressed zinc finger protein Yin Yang 1 (YY1) recognizes the myelin PLP promoter in vitro and in vivo. When overexpressed in an oligodendrocyte cell line, YY1 enhances transcription of the PLP promoter. A truncated version of YY1 that includes only the four zinc finger domains has little effect. The binding site for YY1 in the PLP promoter (site 3) fits the YY1 consensus site and DNA-protein complexes containing site 3 can be supershifted with an antibody directed against YY1 protein. Moreover, oligonucleotides with a mutated version of the PLP promoter site 3 are unable to bind to nuclear proteins or to compete for binding in a gel shift system. Finally, mutation of this site greatly reduces the activity of a 1-kb PLP promoter region in transfected glial cells. Our results suggest that PLP is a target gene for the transcriptional regulator YY1. This versatile transcription factor and nuclear matrix protein may boost transcription of the PLP gene to meet the demands of actively myelinating oligodendrocytes.

Paralytic tremor (pt) in rabbits and shaking pup (shp) in dogs are allelic dysmyelinated mutants of the proteolipid protein (Plp) gene. Both mutations affect the same amino acid, histidine36, which is replaced by glutamine in pt and by proline in shp. Phenotypic expression of these two mutations is very different. Paralytic tremor presents a much milder form of dysmyelination than shaking pup. The number of oligodendrocytes in the mutant rabbit is normal, while in the dog, the oligodendrocyte number is reduced due to early death or incomplete maturation. We have previously reported an abnormal intracellular transport of the PLPpt, whereas DM-20pt was normally transported to the cell membrane. In the present study, we show that the transport of the two isoforms containing the shp mutation is impaired in transfected Cos-7 cells. Cotransfecting cells with different ratios and combinations of mutated PLP and DM-20 cDNAs, we demonstrated that DM-20pt, but not DM-20shp, facilitates intracellular trafficking and integration into the plasma membrane of either of the two mutated PLPs. The phenotypic difference between these two allelic mutations can result from differences in DM-20 protein trafficking and sorting. These results show that the loss of function of PLP is not position-dependent but depends on the nature of the mutation.

A new broad-beam ion source of alkali (K+) ions for use in ultra high vacuum was designed, built and tested. The basic principles used have advantages over gas-fed broad-beam ion sources, because there is no need for differential pumping, and because an intrinsically pure ion beam obviates the necessity for charge-to-mass analysis. The source is based on the effect of thermionic emission of K+ ions from solid potassium aluminosilicate (K2O . Al2O3 . 2SiO(2)) emitter. An ion beam current of 0.4 mA has been achieved at an extraction voltage of 3.5 kV with 1.5 cm beam diameter. The degassed broad-beam ion source in operation does not appreciably influence the background pressure in the ultra high vacuum system.

A cytological comparison has been made of representative isolates of johnsongrass mosaic (JGMV), maize dwarf mosaic (MDMV), sorghum mosaic (SrMV) and sugarcane mosaic (SCMV) viruses. These four viruses now encompass the complex of virus strains which were formerly considered as strains of sugarcane mosaic and/or maize dwarf mosaic viruses. The structure of the cytoplasmic cylindrical inclusions induced by these viruses, together with other cytological alterations, allow the four viruses to be distinguished. Pinwheels, scrolls and laminated aggregates were produced only by SCMV whereas JGMV, MDMV, and SrMV produced only pinwheels and scrolls. SrMV produced amorphous cytoplasmic inclusions which are not produced by JGMV and MDMV. The latter two were rather similar in cytological effects except that the SCMV-JG (U.S.A.) isolate of MDMV produced aggregates of needle-like structures in the cytoplasm which were not found with JGMV and the other MDMV isolates. The specific cytological effects induced by these viruses thus corroborate the recent classification of these viruses based mainly on the properties of the coat-protein gene, the 3' noncoding nucleotide sequences, and host reactions.

Until recently, sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) was believed to be a single potyvirus consisting of a large number of strains, differing from each other in certain biological and antigenic properties. The use of affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies directed towards the surface-located, virus-specific amino termini of the coat proteins showed that 17 strains from Australia and the United States represented four distinct potyviruses, namely johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV), maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV), sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV) and SCMV. Comparisons of strains from each of these four viruses on the basis of reactions on differential sorghum and oat cultivars, cell-free translation of RNAs, morphology and serology of cytoplasmic cylindrical inclusions, amino acid sequence and peptide profiling of coat proteins, 3' non-coding nucleotide sequences, and molecular hybridization with probes corresponding to the 3' non-coding regions, resulted in exactly the same taxonomic assignments as obtained using amino-terminal serology. These results further confirm that the former sugarcane mosaic virus actually consists of four distinct viruses and show that MDMV, SrMV, and SCMV are more closely related to each other than they are to JGMV. Because these four viruses are closely related but distinct, formation of a sugarcane mosaic subgroup in the genus Potyvirus would be appropriate.

Until recently, sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) was believed to be a single potyvirus consisting of a large number of strains, differing from each other in certain biological and antigenic properties. The use of affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies directed towards the surface-located, virus-specific amino termini of the coat proteins showed that 17 strains from Australia and the United States represented four distinct potyviruses, namely johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV), maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV), sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV) and SCMV. Comparisons of strains from each of these four viruses on the basis of reactions on differential sorghum and oat cultivars, cell-free translation of RNAs, morphology and serology of cytoplasmic cylindrical inclusions, amino acid sequence and peptide profiling of coat proteins, 3′ non-coding nucleotide sequences, and molecular hybridization with probes corresponding to the 3′ non-coding regions, resulted in exactly the same taxonomie assignments as obtained using amino-terminal serology. These results further confirm that the former sugarcane mosaic virus actually consists of four distinct viruses and show that MDMV, SrMV, and SCMV are more closely related to each other than they are to JGMV. Because these four viruses are closely related but distinct, formation of a sugarcane mosaic subgroup in the genus Potyvirus would be appropriate.

A cytological comparison has been made of representative isolates of johnsongrass mosaic (JGMV), maize dwarf mosaic (MDMV), sorghum mosaic (SrMV) and sugarcane mosaic (SCMV) viruses. These four viruses now encompass the complex of virus strains which were formerly considered as strains of sugarcane mosaic and/or maize dwarf mosaic viruses. The structure of the cytoplasmic cylindrical inclusions induced by these viruses, together with other cytological alterations, allow the four viruses to be distinguished. Pinwheels, scrolls and laminated aggregates were produced only by SCMV whereas JGMV, MDMV, and SrMV produced only pinwheels and scrolls. SrMV produced amorphous cytoplasmic inclusions which are not produced by JGMV and MDMV. The latter two were rather similar in cytological effects except that the SCMV-JG (U.S.A.) isolate of MDMV produced aggregates of needle-like structures in the cytoplasm which were not found with JGMV and the other MDMV isolates. The specific cytological effects induced by these viruses thus corroborate the recent classification of these viruses based mainly on the properties of the coat-protein gene, the 3′ non-coding nucleotide sequences, and host reactions.

In order to control diseases affecting myelination, an understanding of normal myelin structure and its formation is essential. Paradoxically, much information about normal development can be obtained through investigations of hypomyelinated mutants.

Cross-protection was studied between strains of viruses comprising the sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) subgroup, namely Johnsongrass mosaic, maize dwarf mosaic, sorghum mosaic, and SCMV, in 53 different combinations using differential hosts and Western blot immunoassays, Cross-protection occurred only between SCMV-MDB and SCMV-BC when the former was inoculated first and the latter used as the challenge strain, but neither vice versa nor in any other combinations including the 19 that involved recognized strains of the one virus, SCMV. The unidirectional protection between SCMV-MDB and SCMV-BC and the negative cross-protection results between other strains of SCMV appear to correlate with different sequence motifs present in the hypervariable region of the coat protein N-terminus of the SCMV strains

A number of potyvirus isolates have been identified as strains of soybean mosaic virus (SMV) on the basis of host range, symptomatology, vector specifiicity, and antigenic properties. Comparison of recently established coat protein gene sequences of two of the strains, SMV-N and SMV-VA, suggested that they represent two distinct potyviruses. The taxonomic status of other strains relative to these two strains is uncertain at present. To address this question we have compared high-performance liquid chromatographic peptide profiles of coat protein tryptic digests from 14 such strains, including SMV-N and SMV-VA (...)

The taxonomic status of sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) strains reported from various parts of the world has been uncertain. Previous analyses of 17 SCMV strains with virus-specific polyclonal antibodies demonstrated that they represent four distinct potyviruses, namely Johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV), maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV), sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV), and SCMV. To confirm this classification, we have now compared six strains of SCMV, three strains of JGMV, and two strains each of MDMV and SrMV using high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) peptide profiling of tryptic digests of their coat proteins (...)

Channeling experiments have been performed on [111] yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) single crystals with uniform Y concentration of 19 mol %. These crystals have the fluorite structure and contain 5% of oxygen vacancies. Various axial and planar, mixed (ZrO) and single crystallographic directions have been investigated. The results show a strong oxygen-oxygen vacancy interaction: the nearest neighbours of a vacancy (i.e. 6 oxygen atoms) are displaced from regular lattice sites by a distance greater than 0.5 A. The other oxygen atoms are also certainly displaced but by smaller quantities. No preferential direction could be evidenced for this displacement. A cation relaxation is not excluded by our results but its amplitude should not exceed ≅0.1 A . Some YSZ crystals were implanted with 1.2×1016 and 1.2×1017 Yb atoms/cm2 at 210 keV. The lattice parameters of YSZ and ytterbium stabilized zirconia are identical. For the low implantation dose, a full crystalline recovery is observed after a 1000°C annealing and Yb is 100% substitutional. A 1300°C annealing is required for the high implantation dose, for which the concentration ratio [Yb]/[Zr]≅1.1 in the implanted region. This region appears, after annealing, in full epitaxy with the substrate and the behaviour of Yb and Zr atoms is identical. However, the rather high minimum yields measured are indicative of strong atom relaxation.

Calcia stabilized zirconia thin films and yttria stabilized zirconia single crystals were Yb implanted at 150 and 210 keV, and at various doses up to 1.3 × 1017 ions/cm2 in order to modify locally the oxygen transport properties. Rutherford back-scattering and nuclear microanalysis on the implanted thin films give information about the implantation profiles and sputtering yields. The results show that the ratio of the sputtering rates of two elements of the film is equal to their concentration ratio. At high implantation doses the Yb profile is nearly flat in the surface region with [Yb]/[Zr] = 1.1. 18O tracing experiments demonstrate that a significant oxidation of the implanted samples occurs in air at room temperature. Further oxidation takes place during a 500 °C annealing in air which does not modify the Yb profile and leads to a final mean composition (ZrO2)x(Yb2O3)y (CaO)z. For the YSZ single crystals, channelling measurements demonstrate that the implanted region is highly damaged. As YSZ...

Summary Attempts to identify and classify distinct potyviruses and their strains have frequently been hampered by the presence of variable proportions of cross-reacting antibodies in antisera. Investigations of reactivities in electroblot immunoassays of 11 polyclonal antisera raised by injection of intact particles of potyviruses produced in different laboratories with 12 distinct potyviruses showed that such cross-reacting antibodies were directed towards the homologous core protein region of potyvirus coat proteins. A simple method was developed to obtain virus-specific antibodies using affinity chromatography. It involved removal of the surface-located, virus-specific N-terminal peptide region from particles of one potyvirus using lysyl endopeptidase, coupling of the truncated coat protein to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose gel, and passing antisera to different potyviruses through the column. Antibodies that did not bind to the column were found to be highly specific.

There are at least ten viruses identified in the literature that resemble definitive potyviruses in having flexuous filamentous particles and inducing the formation of “pinwheel” cytoplasmic inclusions in infected cells but that are transmitted by eriophyid mites, whiteflies or soil fungi and not by aphids, the vectors of the definitive potyviruses. The taxonomic status of these viruses is uncertain at present. Using a broadly cross-reactive antiserum raised against the dissociated coat protein core (residues 68–285) of a definitive potyvirus (Johnsongrass mosaic virus), we have shown that wheat streak mosaic virus which is transmitted by mite and sweet potato mild mottle virus which is transmitted by whitefly have coat proteins that share epitopes with definitive potyviruses. This finding further supports their classification as definitive members of the potyvirus group. The cross-reactive antiserum used here had been shown previously to react with coat proteins of fifteen different definitive potyviruses. The antiserum did not react with coat proteins of potexviruses and tobamoviruses.

18 O has been implanted at room temperature up to dosesof 4.4 × 10 17 /cm 2 in a [100] Ni crystal. The implantation energy was 60 keV. Backscattering and channeling analyses at various implantation steps give evidence for oxygen migration towards the surface. After the overall implantation, X-ray analysis reveals the presence of NiO in epitaxy [100]//[100] with the substrate. Backscattering and channeling experiments tend to indicate that between the surface and R p the sample is formed of NiO epitaxial crystallites and of pure nickel leading to a mean stoichiometry NiO 0.75 , constant in depth up to R p . The misfit between the Ni and NiO lattice parameters induces strains and extended defects formation. Between R p and R p + ΔR p the oxygen concentration decreases, and the channeling results show no preferential direction. This region corresponds probably to a highly disordered NiO alloy. This hypothesis is confirmed by annealing experiments: the oxygen present between R p and R p + ΔR p migrates towards the surface at 400°C and a reordering of this region is observed. There is also an improvement of the structural quality of the NiO crystallites.

A term "paralytic tremor" (pt) is attributed to a neurological mutation of Chinchilla rabbits, affecting the development of the central nervous system (CNS). A quantification of myelin protein content indicates the strong CNS hypomyelination during the development (1-120 postnatal days). SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of total brain homogenates, followed by immunoblotting, shows a reduced concentration of major myelin-connected proteins. MBP deficiency corresponds approximately to the level of the hypomyelination, whereas PLP expression is drastically reduced.

(...) In this paper we have compared 17 SCMV/MDMV strains from Australia and the United States on the basis of their reactivities, in electro-blot immunoassay, with cross-absorbed polyclonal antibodies directed towards surface-located, virus-specific N-termini of coat proteins. (...)

The original version of this Article contained an error in the Acknowledgements section.