Progress in the use of adeno-associated viral vectors for gene therapy

The development of safe and efficient gene transfer vectors is crucial for the success of gene therapy trials. A viral vector system promising to meet these requirements is based on the apathogenic adeno-associated virus (AAV-2), a member of the parvovirus family. The advantages of this vector system is the stability of the viral capsid, the low immunogenicity, the ability to transduce both dividing and non-dividing cells, the potential to integrate site specifically and to achieve long-term gene expression even in vivo, and its broad tropism allowing the efficient transduction of diverse organs including the skin. All this makes AAV-2 attractive and efficient for in vitro gene transfer and local injection in vivo. This review covers the progress made in AAV vector technology including the development of AAV vectors based on other serotypes, summarizes the results obtained by AAV targeting vectors and outlines potential applications in the field of cutaneous gene therapy. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

Viscous computation of a space shuttle flow field

A procedure is presented, as well as some results, to calculate the flow over the winged orbiter. This necessitates the use of two computer codes. A parabolized marching Navier-Stokes code is used to obtain the solution up to the bow shock-wing shock interaction region and for the region after the interaction. An unsteady Navier-Stokes code is to be used in the region of the shock interaction. Only resuls for the marching code are presented. For the flow conditions calculated, M infinity = 7.9, alpha = 25 deg, T(wall) = 540 R, Re(L) = 60728 per inch, laminar or turbulent, the PNS code was marched up to an X/L = 0.7 which is where the bow shock-wing shock interaction region occurs

Examining Differential Coaching Behaviors in Positive Coaches: A Mixed-Methods Perspective Guided by the Expectation Performance Process

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine differences in perceptions of coach behaviors of athletes of varying performance abilities situated within a self-fulfilling prophecy.  The mixed-methods approach allowed for a more holistic examination of softball athletes’ perspectives of head coaching behaviors.  Division I softball athletes (n = 148) completed the CBAS-PBS providing perceptions of head coach (n =20) behavior.  Coaches rated each athlete using the MERS providing a performance expectation score.  Thirty-eight athletes provided supporting perspectives through individual interviews on perceptions of differential treatment based on expected performance level.  Cluster analysis produced low, average, and high expectancy groups.  MANOVA and DFA revealed two underlying functions that distinguished between groups.  High expectancy athletes experienced less ‘detached’ coaching behaviors than low or average athletes. Qualitative findings supported teammates perceive lower rated athletes are treated differently. 

Developments in the simulation of compressible inviscid and viscous flow on supercomputers

In anticipation of future supercomputers, finite difference codes are rapidly being extended to simulate three-dimensional compressible flow about complex configurations. Some of these developments are reviewed. The importance of computational flow visualization and diagnostic methods to three-dimensional flow simulation is also briefly discussed

The Evolution of Active Sport Event Travel Careers

Using the event-travel-career concept, this study examined the trajectory of active-sport-event travel careers through stages of development and the corresponding factors and dimensions perceived to influence career progression in the sport of cycling. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 amateur cyclists engaged in lifestyles geared toward active event travel. A grounded theory approach revealed that active event travel careers evolve through a complex progression of 9 core themes and related subthemes. The core themes included the first event, starting out, motivation, temporal, travel style, destination criteria, event types, spatial, and later in life. On the basis of these findings, a 6-stage active-sport-event travel career model is proposed consisting of initiation, introduction, expansion, peak threshold, maintenance, and maturity. From this model, theoretical contributions, suggestions for future research, and practical implications for sport tourism and event management are discussed

Pivalolactone, 2. Copolyester synthesis via interchange reactions with polypivalolactone

The synthesis of copolyesters via interchange reactions of polypivalolactone (PPVL) with several compounds was studied. The synthetical procedures are two-stage melt processes: in the first stage ester bonds in the polymer chain are cleaved and new groups are incorporated in the polymer chain, while in the second step condensation of the end-groups formed occurs. For the synthesis of copolymers, three procedures were used, with tetrabutyl orthotitanate as a catalyst. PPVL was heated with equimolar mixtures of bisphenol-A diacetate (BPAac) and terephthalic acid (TA), but no copolymers were formed; instead, polycondensation of BPAac with TA occurred, leaving the PPVL unaffected. From PPVL and mixtures of BPAac and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) polymers were obtained which contained a significant amount of copolymeric sequences. However, most of the polymeric chains consisted of PPVL and poly(bisphenol-A terephthalate) blocks. Random copolymers with thermal stability were obtained after heating PPVL with bisphenol-A polycarbonate and DMT. The latter process was studied in detail by IR, DSC, and solubility and selective degradation tests. Based on the results of these studies, the reactions occurring during the three procedures were discussed

PLOT3D user's manual

PLOT3D is a computer graphics program designed to visualize the grids and solutions of computational fluid dynamics. Seventy-four functions are available. Versions are available for many systems. PLOT3D can handle multiple grids with a million or more grid points, and can produce varieties of model renderings, such as wireframe or flat shaded. Output from PLOT3D can be used in animation programs. The first part of this manual is a tutorial that takes the reader, keystroke by keystroke, through a PLOT3D session. The second part of the manual contains reference chapters, including the helpfile, data file formats, advice on changing PLOT3D, and sample command files

The Role of Travel Conditions in Cycling Tourism: Implications for Destination and Event Management

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of travel conditions on preferred destination, event, and travel characteristics in the context of Active-Sport-Event Travel Carers among cyclists who travel to take part in events. Travel conditions are circumstances surrounding a trip such as travel with family or the length of travel. A sample of cyclists that travel to participate in events (N = 1452) was collected via online survey through cycling organizations and websites. Data analysis consisted of a series of repeated measures ANOVAs and paired sample t-tests. The results indicated an individual's event, destination, and travel-style preferences are dependent on whether he or she was traveling with a non-cyclist (e.g. family member) and the distance traveled. Prior research has suggested that for active sport tourists event criteria are more important than destination characteristics and travel preferences remain relatively stagnant with career progression. In contrast, the findings here suggest travel preferences vary based on travel conditions and that attractive destinations only become advantageous if event participants are traveling with non-cyclists or on trips involving longer distances. For instance when non-participant travel companions are included, the entertainment, attractions, and activities available in the destination become much more important to active event tourists. Communities seeking to attract sport tourists as a form of sustainable tourism development would be advised to organize events incorporating these preferences and to consider the influence of travel conditions

Pivalolactone, 3. Reactive blending of polypivalolactone with polycarbonate

The occurrence of interchange reactions during heating of polypivalolactone (PPVL) with three polymers and their influence on the blend properties were studied. Physical blends of PPVL and bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC) were found to be immiscible. By heating of PPVL/PC blends in the melt at 280°C, in diphenyl ether at 260°C and in a twin-screw extruder (TSE) at 280°C partial formation of copolymers was observed, provided that tetrabutyl orthotitanate (TnBT) was added. After heating of equimolar PPVL/PC blends in a TSE for 15 min, a PPVL-PC block copolymer could be isolated containing 25 mol-% pivalolactone (PVL) units. The results from thermal analyses indicated that PPVL/PC blends had become more miscible, due to the presence of copolymers formed by interchange reactions. After heating of equimolar mixtures of PPVL and a polyarylate (PAr) in a TSE for 15 min, PPVL-PAr copolymers with 5 mol-% PVL units could be isolated. Probably due to this low degree of interchange, no effect on the miscibility of the initially immiscible PPVL/PAr blends could be observed. PPVL/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) blends, obtained after heating in a TSE, decomposed at a temperature between the melting temperatures of PPVL and PBT, indicating that interchange reactions may have occurred