There are 2 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. TERRORISM : BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS : ANIMALS: LLAMAS : MEDICAL: RESEARCH
From: David P. Dillard
2. MEDICAL DEVICES : DATABASES: SCIENCE ENGINEERING COMPUTER AND
From: David P. Dillard
Messages
________________________________________________________________________
1. TERRORISM : BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS : ANIMALS: LLAMAS : MEDICAL: RESEARCH
Posted by: "David P. Dillard" [EMAIL PROTECTED] jwneastro
Date: Fri Dec 8, 2006 8:17 am ((PST))
TERRORISM :
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS :
ANIMALS: LLAMAS :
MEDICAL: RESEARCH:
Llamas Enlisted to Thwart Biological Weapons
Llamas Enlisted to Thwart Biological Weapons
New Biosensors From The Blood Of Llamas
Main Category: Blood / Hematology News
Article Date: 07 Dec 2006 - 16:00pm (PST)
Medical News Today
<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=58226>
An unusual protein found in the blood of llamas has enabled scientists to
develop a quick, simple method for making antibodies that could be used in
a new generation of biosensors. The biosensors could detect deliberate
environmental contamination with a wide range of disease-causing microbes
and toxins, with new sensors produced quickly in response to newly
emerging biothreats, researchers said.
The U. S. Naval Research Laboratory's Ellen R. Goldman and Andrew
Hayhurst, of the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, describe
their research in a report scheduled for the Dec. 1 issue of the ACS's
Analytical Chemistry, a semi-monthly journal. Llamas, they point out, are
among certain animals (camels and sharks being the others) that produce
heavy chain antibodies, from which so-called single domain antibodies
(sdAbs) can be isolated by genetic engineering.
----------------------------------------
SCIENCE NEWS
December 05, 2006
Llamas Recruited to Fight against Biological Threats
A protein found in some animals could lead to a new class of biosensors
for detecting environmental contamination or airborne disease
Scientific American
<http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&;
articleID=5396CBDE-E7F2-99DF-3C8D774590AA9DCC>
A shorter URL for the above link:
<http://tinyurl.com/ychrm9>
Llamas are not just for transportation anymore. It turns out that the
animals' blood could be useful for detecting all sorts of maladies in the
surrounding environment--from deadly pathogens to industrial emissions. A
research effort has done just that, manipulating a rare type of antibody
found in llamas to make an inexpensive and diverse biosensor.
Normal mammalian antibodies are Y-shaped compounds made up of two
different protein chains: one heavy and one light. The heavy chain
typically has about two and a half times as many amino acids as the light
one.
At each short-end of the antibody are the sites of the complementarity
determining regions (or CDRs), where they bind antigens, or invading
substances. Although these doubled proteins can identify and fight many
foreign proteins within the mammalian immune system, their use in the
emerging field of biosensors has been limited by their instability at high
temperatures of about 60 to 70 degrees Celsius. "That's the Achilles' heel
of these antibodies--when you start heating them up, those domains come
apart and they catastrophically aggregate and they refold and they can't
reassemble," says Andrew Hayhurst, a virologist and immunologist at the
Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, who coauthored the current
study, published in November in the journal Analytical Chemistry.
----------------------------------------
Llama antibodies warn of terrorists attacks?
<http://www.chinaview.cn> 2006-12-06 16:37:12
China View
<http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/06/content_5444278.htm>
Llama, camel and shark antibodies consist only of chains of heavy
proteins. They don't have the additional lighter protein chains that more
complicated antibodies from other species use. Their relative simplicity
makes them stronger and more capable of withstanding temperatures of
almost 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Goldman and virologist Andrew Hayhurst at the Southwest Foundation for
Biomedical Research and their colleagues investigated llama antibodies.
Past studies revealed that the binding regions of these antibodies and
those from camels and sharks are unusually small, just one-tenth the size
of common human antibodies.
The researchers generated more than a billion kinds of antibody
binding regions in the laboratory based on genes taken from small blood
samples from llamas.
After testing their antibodies against various biological threats, the
researchers found they could successfully identify antibodies targeting
cholera toxin, a smallpox virus surrogate and ricin within days.
The researchers wrote they could advance their technology to isolate
useful antibodies against emerging threats within hours. Goldman added
that while the antibodies they have tested successfully bind to their
targets, they hope to develop antibodies that bind more strongly.
----------------------------------------
Llamas Enlisted to Thwart Biological Weapons
Charles Q. Choi
Special to LiveScience
LiveScience.com
Wed Dec 6, 2:41 PM ET
<http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20061206/
sc_livescience/llamasenlistedtothwartbiologicalweapons>
A shorter URL for the above link:
<http://tinyurl.com/yyg6xw>
Llama, camel and shark antibodies consist just of chains of heavy
proteins, missing the additional lighter protein chains that more
complicated antibodies from other species use. Their relative simplicity
makes them more durable, capable of withstanding temperatures of almost
200 degrees Fahrenheit.
The researchers generated more than a billion kinds of antibody binding
regions in the laboratory based on genes taken from small blood samples
from llamas. After testing their antibodies against various biological
threats, the researchers found they could within days successfully
identify antibodies targeting cholera toxin, a smallpox virus surrogate
and ricin, among other known menaces.
<snip>
The researchers noted they could advance their technology to isolate
useful antibodies against emerging threats within hours. Goldman added
that while the antibodies they have tested successfully bind to their
targets, they hope to develop antibodies that bind more strongly.
The findings are scheduled to be detailed in the Dec. 14 issue of the
journal Analytical Chemistry.
Virtual Virus is First Simulation of an Entire Life Form
Microscopic Barcodes Identify Biological Weapons Quickly
Natural Body Guards: How Your Killer Cells Get Motivated
Original Story: Llamas Enlisted to Thwart Biological Weapons
----------------------------------------
Llama
>From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llama>
The llama (Lama glama) is a large camelid that originated in North America
and then later on moved on to South America. The term llama is sometimes
used more broadly, to indicate any of the four closely related animals
that make up the South American branch of the family Camelidae: the true
llama, the vicua, alpaca, and guanaco. They were used as a system of
transportation for the Incas.[1]
Differentiating characteristics between llamas and alpacas include the
llama's larger size and longer head. Alpacas are sometimes considered to
have more valuable fiber, as it is typically finer than that of a llama.
Alpacas also tend to have darker fur than that of llamas. The most
apparent visual difference between llamas and camels is that camels have a
hump or humps and llamas do not.
Contents
1 Classification
2 Characteristics
3 Reproduction
3.1 Mating
3.2 Gestation
3.3 Breeding situations
3.3.1 Harem breeding
3.3.2 Field breeding
3.3.3 Hand breeding
3.4 Pregnancy
3.4.1 Testing for pregnancy
3.4.2 Pros and Cons of Pregnancy
4 Behaviour
5 Llamas in popular culture
5.1 Computer culture
5.2 Popular Culture Llama Noises
5.3 List of notable llamas
6 References
7 See also
8 External links
----------------------------------------
Llama
Author: Randy Sell, Research Associate
Department of Agricultural Economics, NDSU
Series Editor: Dwight Aakre, Farm Mangement Specialist
NDSU Extension Service
<http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/alt-ag/llama.htm>
Llamas are one of four main species of New World camelids. The other three
species are the alpaca, guanaco and vicuna. These species are thought to
have originated from a common ancestor that came across the Bering Strait
land bridge. Camelids are thought to be related to Bactrian and Dromedary
camels of Asia. The high dependence of Incan Indians of South America on
llamas and alpacas for food and fiber is analogous to the Plains Indians
of North America and their relationship to the bison. Incas carried their
relationship with llamas a step further through domestication and
controlled breeding for beasts of burden. With the collapse of Incan
culture, llamas were nearly pushed into extinction and only survived in
the harsh upper regions of their natural territory. The last 25 years have
seen a resurgence of interest in llamas, especially in the United States.
Llamas are first and foremost pets and companions. They are ideally suited
to this task because of their predictable low-key temperament,
intelligence and ease of maintenance. Wilderness packing is probably the
second greatest demand for llamas. Llamas make ideal pack animals for the
western mountainous regions of the United States because of their inherent
thriftiness in this climate, their low-cost maintenance and their
durability as pack animals. Wool may represent another use for llamas,
although, with a large number of natural and synthetic substitutes for
wool, it seems unlikely that llama herds will be maintained for wool
production. In some instances, llamas have been used as a sheep guards
against predators. The potential of this market has not yet been verified,
but may hold some promise in the future. In some foreign countries, where
the resident llama population is quite high, there is interest in using
llamas as a food source. But, because of a relatively low population of
llamas in the United States (about 35,000 animals in 1992) and a
relatively high price, llamas are not likely to become a food source for
Americans.
----------------------------------------
Llamapaedia
<http://www.llamapaedia.com/>
Llamapaedia is for everyone with an interest in Llamas. Written by
veterinarians, it is intended to be an accurate source of information on
husbandry, breeding, care and resources for further information.
Llamapaedia was first published on May 29, 1996 and is authored by Greta
Stamberg, DVM and Derek Wilson, DVM. We will be adding valuable
information and resources on a regular basis.
The site is a source for management, general maintenance and practical
information. It is not a substitute for regular veterinary care. Problems
with llamas of a medical nature should be referred to your veterinarian.
Partial Website Table of Contents
What's New
Links to new additions in Llamapaedia.
Origin
Llamas are originally from North America. Find out how they got to South
America and then back to North America.
Uses
Discover the many things these versatile animals are capable of doing.
The Llama Industry
Common llama terms are defined. Llamas can be permanently identified,
blood typed and registered. There are several national llama organizations
and publications as well as current medical research.
Purchasing a Llama New Category!!
Learn general guidelines for purchasing a llama as well as criteria for
selecting different types of llamas. The places to look for llamas and
price ranges are discussed. Insurance options for the llamas you purchase.
Anatomy
Llamas are physically distinct from other livestock in a number of ways.
Some ways you can see and some ways you can't.
Behavior
Llamas are very social animals with a variety of personalities who can
strongly interact with their environment. Llamas may hum, roll, spit,
guard other animals, use the dung pile and more.
Wool
The fiber produced by llamas has unique characteristics and can be used
for all types of projects. Lots of fiber-related terms are defined to
clarify the technical details on llama wool.
General Maintenance
Training, grooming, deworming, nail trimming and vaccinations are all
involved in the regular care and management of llamas. Record keeping is
very important as well as proper halter and pack fitting.
Feeding and Nutrition
Every animal has special nutritional concerns and llamas are no exception.
There are nutritional basics which must be considered before feeding your
llamas. Body condition scoring is one of your best monitoring devices.
Reproduction
Llama reproduction is a mystery to some breeders. Learn the basics and
understand what is going on inside your llamas and how it can improve your
management.
----------------------------------------
<http://www.rockisland.com/~mhildegard/images/juana3.jpg>
<http://www.rockisland.com/~mhildegard/llamas.html>
<http://www.phf-llamas.com/images/cadfael2.jpg>
<http://www.mindspring.com/~marianllama/llamas.html>
<http://personal.smartt.com/~brianp/history.html>
<http://www.llamas.co.nz/06%2003%2012%20Encore.jpg>
<http://hypotheticalwren.typepad.com/photos/hypowren/dscn0052.html>
----------------------------------------
The complete articles may be read at the URLs provided for each.
Sincerely,
David Dillard
Temple University
(215) 204 - 4584
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Net-Gold
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/net-gold>
<http://listserv.temple.edu/archives/net-gold.html>
General Internet & Print Resources
<http://library.temple.edu/articles/subject_guides/general.jsp>
<http://www.learningis4everyone.org/>
<http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/ringleaders/davidd.html>
Digital Divide Network
<http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/jwne>
Educator-Gold
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Educator-Gold/>
Messages in this topic (1)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. MEDICAL DEVICES : DATABASES: SCIENCE ENGINEERING COMPUTER AND
Posted by: "David P. Dillard" [EMAIL PROTECTED] jwneastro
Date: Sat Dec 9, 2006 6:17 am ((PST))
MEDICAL DEVICES :
DATABASES: SCIENCE ENGINEERING COMPUTER AND TECHNOLOGY :
ORGANIZATIONS: ASM INTERNATIONAL:
Granta, ASM Partner for Materials Information Resources
Granta, ASM Partner for Materials Information Resources
Ten Links.com
The Web Organized for Technical Professionals
<http://www.tenlinks.com/NEWS/PR/Granta/120806_asm.htm>
CAMBRIDGE, UK and CLEVELAND, Ohio, December 8, 2006 - Granta Design and
ASM International (The Materials Information Society) today announced a
new five-year strategic collaboration to advance materials information
resources that are critical to the engineering process. The new agreement
extends, deepens, and renews the existing successful partnership and
includes a commitment to co-develop new products serving specific
engineering sectors.
ASM International provides a vast library of professional reference
content, enormous experience in developing and using such content, and the
backing of a membership of 38,000 materials scientists and engineers.
Granta's unique expertise and technology helps engineering enterprises to
capture, manage, and apply information about metals, ceramics, composites,
and plastics. The partners have collaborated on projects including the
delivery of ASM's Materials Information Online service via the Internet
and support for the Material Data Management Consortium (MDMC), an
international project to develop best practice materials information
management with leading aerospace, defense, and energy organizations.
The immediate focus of the new agreement is the Materials for Medical
Devices database system, which will be the first comprehensive online
database to support medical device design. The GRANTA MI software powers
the database and an ASM committee of world-leading experts from the
medical devices industry has supervised content development. Future
projects will target materials for micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)
and materials for alternatives to petroleum-based energy. The
collaboration will also upgrade and evolve existing ASM Materials
Information Online products.
----------------------------------------
The complete press release may be read at the URL above.
Website of Granta
<http://www.grantadesign.com/>
Cambridge, UK and Cleveland, OH, December 7, 2006
Granta and ASM International Sign Five-Year Strategic Agreement
Collaboration will advance materials information resources for sectors
including aerospace and medical devices
<http://www.grantadesign.com/news/news/ASM_Dec06.htm>
ASM International
<http://www.asminternational.org/>
"ASM International is the society for materials engineers and scientists,
a worldwide network dedicated to advancing industry, technology, and
applications of metals and materials."
Explore Our Society
<http://www.asminternational.org/
Template.cfm?Section=AboutASM&NavmenuID=421>
A shorter URL for the above link:
http://tinyurl.com/5jgal
"Since our founding in 1913, ASM International has existed to provide a
means for exchanging information and professional interaction. Today, our
role has expanded to serve the technical interests of metals and
materials professionals all over the world - but providing information
and interaction remains our main purpose."
Take a closer look and explore ASM International:
History
Milestones
Materials Park
Library
Annual Report
Strategic Plan
Society FAQ
Site Map
<http://www.asminternational.org/
Template.cfm?Section=SiteMap&NavmenuID=734>
A shorter URL for the above link:
<http://tinyurl.com/y65dn8>
Excerpt from Site Map: Bookstore, Standards and Journals
Bookstore
ASM Handbooks
New Products
- New Titles 2006
- New Titles 2005
New! AIST Steel Tech Best Sellers
New! MMPDS
Sneak Preview
Clearance Products
- Phase Diagrams
Browse by Format
Browse by Topic
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Corrosion
- Failure Analysis
- Heat Treating
- Industrial Design
- Medical Devices
- Metallography
- Shape Memory
Signature Collection
CASTI
E-Journals
ASM Archives
Get Published
Our Publications
Successful Books
Call for Books
Catalog Request
Dealer Price List
Customer Service
Search
Standards
Journals
Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A
Editorial Committee
For Authors
Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B
Editorial Committee
For Authors
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance
Editorial Committee
For Authors
Current Issue
Journal of Thermal Spray Technology
Editorial Committee
For Authors
Current Issue
JTST Spotlights
International Materials Reviews
Editorial Committee
For Authors
Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention
Editorial Review Board
For Authors
Current Issue
Journal of Phase Equilibria and Diffusion
Editorial Committee
For Authors
Current Issue
Electronic Device Failure Analysis
Alloy Digest
ASM Archives
E-Journals
ASM and TechStreet
The Standards Store for the Metals Industry
- 500,000 titles from 10,000 publishers
- Brought to you by Techstreet
<http://www.techstreet.com/asmgate.tmpl>
Sincerely,
David Dillard
Temple University
(215) 204 - 4584
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Net-Gold
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/net-gold>
<http://listserv.temple.edu/archives/net-gold.html>
General Internet & Print Resources
<http://library.temple.edu/articles/subject_guides/general.jsp>
<http://www.learningis4everyone.org/>
<http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/ringleaders/davidd.html>
Digital Divide Network
<http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/jwne>
Educator-Gold
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Educator-Gold/>
Messages in this topic (1)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
This e-mail service is voluntarily managed and moderated by
George Lessard http://mediamentor.ca
Public, keyword searchable archives @
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mediamentor
RSS feed for MediaMentor list:
http://rss.groups.yahoo.com/group/mediamentor/rss
FEEDBACK:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
POST: If subscribed, post to the list @ [email protected]
No attachments...... less viruses.... text only please....
No HTML and no RTF from your subscription's e-mail address only.
UNSUBSCRIBE:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Change your subscription to daily digest mode
by sending a blank message to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Change your subscription to individual emails:
by sending a blank message to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Put your email message delivery on hold for your vacation:
by sending a blank message to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(c)info
http://members.tripod.com/~media002/disclaimer.htm
Due to the nature of email & the WWW,
check ALL sources.
Members who post to this list retain their copyright but grant a non-exclusive
license to others to forward any message posted here. They also grant the list
owner permission to maintain an archive or approve the archiving of list
messages.
Other use of e-mail to this list requires the permission of individual writers..
Also.... Mr. Yahoo! says.....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mediamentor/
<*> Your email settings:
Digest Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mediamentor/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
