cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medium dose intermittent cyclophosphamide induces immunogenic cell death and cancer cell autonomous type I interferon production in glioma models.

Cyclophosphamide treatment on a medium-dose, intermittent chemotherapy (MEDIC) schedule activates both innate and adaptive immunity leading to major regression of implanted gliomas. Here, we show that this MEDIC treatment regimen induces tumor cell autonomous type-I interferon signaling, followed by release of soluble factors that activate interferon-stimulated genes in both tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. In cultured GL261 and CT-2A glioma cells, activated cyclophosphamide stimulated production and release of type-I interferons, leading to robust activation of downstream gene targets. Antibody against the type-I interferon receptor IFNAR1 blocked the cyclophosphamide-stimulated induction of these genes in both cultured glioma cells and implanted gliomas. Furthermore, IFNAR1 antibody strongly inhibited the MEDIC cyclophosphamide-stimulated increases in tumor cell infiltration of macrophages, dendritic cells, B-cells, as well as natural killer cells and cytotoxic T-cells and their cytotoxic effectors. Finally, cyclophosphamide-treated dying glioma cells producing type-I interferons were an effective vaccine against drug-naive glioma cells implanted in vivo. Thus, cyclophosphamide induces local, tumor cell-centric increases in type-I interferon signaling, which activates immunogenic cell death and is essential for the striking antitumor immune responses that MEDIC cyclophosphamide treatment elicits in these glioma models.
Foraging behavior across paths that vary in risk cues and frequency of occurrence

Cooperatively foraging species often adjust their search strategies in complex environments to efficiently find and exploit food sources. These strategies become more complicated when food and risk can be simultaneously present and when they differ in predictability. For example, there may be multiple paths to reach a foraging site that vary in risk. This study examines how colonies of Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) respond to such a situation where identical-length paths differ in how they present risk. The risk cues are either a live competitor (velvety tree ants, Liometopum occidentale (LO)) or formic acid (FA), a defensive chemical commonly associated with formicine ant species. Across four paths to food, the presence of cues also varied from always to never present. Although the non-risky path was used more often, in no case did colonies completely avoid the paths with risk. Overall, more L. humile workers explored paths associated with LO than with FA. This had a significant impact on foraging ability where LO colonies were faster at finding food than FA colonies. Further, L. humile workers9 response to FA was similar over time while declined for LO, suggesting a "dear enemy" habituation and reduction in aggression over time. Thus, it appears that L. humile foragers categorize risk cues and will vary their responses in potentially effective ways.
Chronic Kidney Disease: A Vicarious Relation to Premature Cell Senescence

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), commonly fostering nonrenal complications, themselves more life threatening than renal pathology, remains enigmatic. Despite more than a century of intense research, therapeutic options to halt or reverse renal disease are rather limited. Recently, similarity between manifestations of progressive CKD and aging kidney has attracted investigative attention that revealed senescent cells and secreting proinflammatory and profibrotic mediators in all renal compartments, even at young age, in patients with kidney maladies. The overlapping features of these categories have been noticed previously and are briefly summarized herein. I propose two hypothetical scenarios for interactive association of kidney diseases and cell senescence, both culminating in progressive deterioration of renal function. Persistence of senescent cells is considered as a critical contributor to this association; and the mechanisms explaining persistence, such as activation of cell cycle regulators, anti-apoptotic stimuli, metabolic aberrations, and their interactions, are discussed. The mutual encroachment of underlying kidney disease and cell senescence bring about the conclusion that both entities merge along the natural history of the disease. This putative interpretation of vicarious relation between cell senescence and CKD may expand the arsenal of pharmacotherapy to include the judicious use of senotherapeutics in the management of renal disease.
Providing for Able Students at the Local School Level.

Many of the same curricula provided the basis for acceleration by increasing the level of abstraction in mathematics at progressively earlier stages in elementary schools. These curricula also extended the scope of elementary school mathematics to include topics formerly not introduced until secondary school (e.g., intuitive geometry, structure properties of number systems, simple finite systems such as clock arithmetic). In those schools in which the new programs were accepted and adequately taught, the needs of the mathematically able student seemed well served. In addition, the Advanced Placement (AP) program provided acceleration opportunities for able students in those high schools which could and did provide an adequate preparatory curriculum. Thus, participation by a student in AP depended primarily, on the ability of a particular high school to provide the necessary scope and depth in curricular offerings. With the general shift in emphasis to a "back to basics" curriculum in the
Histopathologic changes in cadaver eyes after MicroPulse and continuous wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the acute histological effects of MicroPulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MPCPC) using the MicroPulse P3 Device and continuous wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (CWCPC) on the ciliary body and adjacent structures in human cadaver eyes. Methods Quadrants of 6 human cadaver eyes from 3 different donors were subjected to traditional CWCPC, slow burn CWCPC, MPCPC, or no treatment (internal control). Sutures were used to differentiate different treatment areas on each eye. Differential inking was applied after treatments to aid in microscopic correlation. All specimens were subject to standard histologic processing. Tissue sections were cut at 4 microns and stained with hematoxylin and eosin according to established protocols. Pathologic evaluation by light microscopy was confirmed by a senior pathologist blinded to treatment groups. Results In all 6 eyes, tissues treated with traditional and low burn CWCPC showed variable coagulative tissue damage to the ciliary body compared with untreated tissues. Minimal histologic changes were identified within the ciliary processes, although variable pigment clumping and streaming were noted within the pigmented ciliary epithelium. In contrast to CWCPC, MPCPC-treated tissues showed only minimal coagulative tissue damage to the ciliary body. Variable pigment clumping and streaming, however, were also noted in the pigmented ciliary epithelium in MPCPC-treated tissues. Conclusions In human cadaver eyes, MPCPC treatment caused less tissue disruption to the ciliary body compared with traditional and low burn CWCPC treatments. MPCPC may be a less destructive and more selective method of cyclophotocoagulation when compared with traditional and low burn CWCPC.
Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension

HIV-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (HIV-PAH) is an increasingly recognized complication of HIV, with a significant degree of associated morbidity and mortality. Given a wide array in th...
Stable Isotope Fractionation in a Cold Spring System, Utah, USA: Insights for Sample Selection on Mars

Stable δ13C isotope analysis at hot and cold springs suggests that rapid degassing overprints carbon isotopic biosignatures even when microbial activity produces biogenic textures in the minerals. Mineral precipitation and potential biosignature preservation are evaluated at a cold spring system in Ten Mile Graben, Utah, USA, with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and stable carbon isotopes. Putative biogenic mineral habits such as aragonite microspheres and botryoids, and biologic materials (EPS and diatom tests) are abundant in modern mats, but the δ13C values are between +2‰ and +7.8‰, consistent with rapid CO2 degassing reported by other researchers. Multiple factors, however, influence isotopic signatures of mineral precipitates in this spring system, including rapid degassing, preferential microbial uptake of light carbon isotopes via multiple carboxylation pathways, hydrocarbon-charged fluid, and other inherited isotopic signatures in the fluid, particularly from dissolution of older limestones; therefore, it is not likely that this narrow range of isotopic ratios definitively shows an abiotic signature. A fossil vent preserves biogenic mineral habits, but not microbial body fossils. This study highlights the need for novel biosignature detection methods-and an understanding of what an abiotic signature definitively is-as we prepare for sample caching of carbonate rocks by the Mars2020 mission and future sample return.
The Impact of Policy and Law Enforcement Strategies on Reducing Gun Violence in America

Law enforcement and policing strategies have traditionally been the approaches used to combat gun violence in America. This chapter provides a historical overview and the evidence base supporting such measures, as well as some of the limitations and negative consequences of this approach.
Adapting to Climate Change in the Upper Mississippi River Basin: Exploring Stakeholder Perspectives on River System Management and Flood Risk Reduction

In the Midwestern United States (US), river flooding is a climate change-related hazard that poses a significant threat to health, well-being and economic stability. The 2019 Midwest floods led to ...
18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography (NaF-18-PET/CT) radiomic signatures to evaluate responses to alpha-particle Radium-223 dichloride therapy in osteosarcoma metastases

Patients with osteoblastic metastases from high risk osteosarcoma continue to have a poor prognosis after progression from standard-of-care multi-agent chemotherapy. In a first-in-human dose escalation trial of bone targeted Radium 223 dichloride alpha-particle therapy in 18 patients with advanced osteosarcoma only 1 patient responded based on conventional Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Na18F PET response Criteria in Solid Tumors(NAFCIST), based on Sodium fluoride-18 (Na18F) positron emission tomography (PET)-CT was developed to better evaluate bone specific response. To further appreciate the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the partial or mixed responses, a radiomics method was developed. Analyses were performed with 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography imaging studies before and after alpha-particle therapy. Radioactive 18F- -atom concentrations were measured in soft-tissues, in approximately 1000 concentration data points for 18F- per 1 cm3 metastatic tumor. Data was analyzed from the SUV intensity values, the histogram of intensities and entropy values. Radiomics may inform intra-tumoral and inter-tumoral heterogeneity in response of bone forming osteosarcoma to alpha particle therapy. Each patient (and each tumor) represents an "N of 1" case and warrants in depth analysis individually.
To Measure the Sky: An Introduction to Observational Astronomy

The second edition of this popular text provides undergraduates with a quantitative yet accessible introduction to the physical principles underlying the collection and analysis of observational data in contemporary optical and infrared astronomy. The text clearly links recent developments in ground- and space-based telescopes, observatory and instrument design, adaptive optics, and detector technologies to the more modest telescopes and detectors that students may use themselves. Beginning with reviews of the most relevant physical concepts and an introduction to elementary statistics, students are given the firm theoretical foundation they need. New topics, including an expanded treatment of spectroscopy, Gaia, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, and photometry at large redshifts bring the text up to date. Historical development of topics and quotations emphasize that astronomy is both a scientific and a human endeavour, while extensive end-of-chapter exercises facilitate the students' practical learning experience.
VoIP MTIC - The Italian Job (Operazione 'Phuncards-Broker')

On February 8, 2010 a speculative paper on the likelihood that fraudsters proficient in missing trader intra-community (MTIC) fraud might move into voice over internet protocol (VoIP) was submitted to the Boston University School of Law Working Paper Series. Prior to that paper there was very little (if any) public discussion of VoIP MTIC. There were no assessments, no arrests, and not a hint of litigation. Fifteen days later, and before final publication the financial press exploded with coverage of a massive VoIP MTIC fraud (the Operazione “phuncards-broker” investigation). The Wall Street Journal reported: An [Italian] judge…ordered the arrest of 56 people, including one of Italy's richest men as part of an international probe into an alleged $2.7 billion money-laundering and tax-evasion scheme involving two major Italian telecommunications providers. Because of the importance of the phuncards-broker investigation, this paper follows these allegations, relates them to the earlier speculative paper on VoIP MTIC, and then demonstrates why this is a global problem with a digital solution. MTIC is becoming a serious problem in such a large number of economic sectors that it is beginning to double up on itself. Not only are fraudster migrating from one type of MTIC to another, and not only is MTIC mutating from goods into services, but the proceeds of one MTIC fraud are clearly being laundered through another. A significant portion of the funds laundered through the VoIP MTIC funds in Operazione “Phuncards-Broker” came from previously successful CO2 MTIC frauds. It is only a matter of time before the true cost of MTIC is tallied.
Proposal for CMOS-compatible optoelectronic integrated circuit for online wideband PCA

We propose an integrated optoelectronic circuit capable of tracking on real-time the first principal component of an array of wideband analog RF signals. Preliminary results warrants the suitability of photonic components for wideband PCA.
Molecular genetic improvement of salt tolerance in plants

Abstract Salinization of soils has had an adverse effect on ancient civilizations and it continues to affect agricultural productivity in many parts of the world. A growing world population and a continual decline in arable land area will necessitate, in addition to appropriate soil management practices, bringing into production marginal lands that are unsuitable for conventional crops. While soil reclamation will continue to play a role in this regard, development of new crops from halo-phytes and modification of existing crops will provide a sustainable solution. Given the magnitude of the task, development of salt-tolerant crops is being pursued from many angles, and judicious approaches should evolve from these efforts. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the problem of salinity and summarize the contributions of molecular biology to the knowledge base in improving salinity tolerance in plants.
Factors affecting stresses in cortical bone around miniscrew implants: a three-dimensional finite element study.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate various types of stress in cortical bone around miniscrew implants using finite element analysis. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six three-dimensional assemblies of miniscrew models placed in alveolar bone blocks were constructed using Abaqus (Dassault Systemes Simulia Corp, Providence, RI), a commercial finite element analysis software package. The model variables included implant design factors and bone-related factors. All miniscrew implants were loaded in the mesial direction with a linear force equal to 2 N. Peak von Mises and principal stress values in cortical bone were compared between the different models for each factor. Results: The results demonstrated that some factors affected the stresses in bone (implant diameter, implant head length, thread size, and elastic modulus of cancellous bone), while other factors did not (thread shape, thread pitch, and cortical bone thickness). Conclusions: Miniscrew implant diameter, head length, and thread size as well as the el...
Error Analysis of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) Mission

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) is a dedicated spaceborne mission to map the gravity field with unprecedented accuracy. It consists of two satellites co-orbiting in a nearly polar orbit, at approximately 300–500 km altitude, separated by 100–500 km along track. The satellites are to launch in 2001 with a lifetime of approximately 5 years. Primary measurements are the range change between the two satellites using a dual one-way microwave ranging system. These measurements are combined with accelerometer and GPS measurements. Accelerometer measurements are for estimating the non-gravitational acceleration effect on the range changes. The GPS measurements are used for providing satellite orbit and time-tag information.
Iron supplement use among women in the United States: science, policy and practice.

The use of iron supplements is an accepted treatment for nonhereditary anemia. The use of iron supplements as prophylaxis is more controversial. We estimated the proportion of persons who consumed supplements that contain iron among the following groups: nonpregnant, nonlactating adolescents, aged 14-18 y (n = 992); women aged 19-50 y (n = 5,062); women aged 51 y and older (n = 3,593); pregnant women (n = 295); and lactating women (n = 97) using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994. We found that the proportion (% +/- SE) of U.S. women consuming supplements containing iron in the previous month was 9 +/- 2% among nonpregnant, nonlactating adolescents; 23 +/- 1% among women aged 19 y and older; 72 +/- 4% among pregnant women; and 60 +/- 8% among lactating women. Low income women were less likely to consume supplements containing iron. Minority women were less likely to consume supplements containing iron in all groups except adolescents. Among consumers of supplements that contain iron, the median intake of iron was 11 mg/d among nonpregnant adolescents, approximately 17 mg/d among nonpregnant women, 58 mg/d among pregnant women and 57 mg/d among lactating women. Use of supplements that contain iron was associated with a significantly reduced prevalence of iron deficiency among women 19-50 y but not among other groups. Groups at highest risk of iron deficiency (e.g., low income and minority women) are often least likely to consume supplements containing iron, suggesting that supplement use is unrelated to actual need.
A facile catalytic synthesis of trimethylene carbonate from trimethylene oxide and carbon dioxide

The coupling of oxetane (trimethylene oxide) and carbon dioxide catalyzed by VO(acac)2 in the presence of an onium salt was studied. The process was found to be highly selective and quantitative for the production of the six-membered cyclic carbonate, trimethylene carbonate, under very mild reaction conditions of 60 °C and 1.7 MPa. Other derivatives of trimethylene oxide were shown to similarly selectively afford the corresponding cyclic carbonates upon reaction with CO2.
Drosophila glutathione S-transferases have sequence homology to the stringent starvation protein of Escherichia coli.

Summary The Drosophila glutathione S -transferase D genes encode a family of isozymes. We have determined the amino acid sequence of a new member of this family by nucleotide sequence analysis of a genomic DNA clone. The open reading frame of this intronless gene should encode an isozyme subunit of 211 amino acids. This sequence has significant homology to the E. coli stringent starvation protein, SSP, which is also a protein of two identical 211 amino acid subunits. The two proteins have very similar overall amino acid composition as well. It is possible that SSP may be a glutathione S -transferase(s) in E. coli or is evolutionarily related to glutathione S -transferases. Because SSP is known to be tightly associated with the RNA polymerase holoenzyme during purification, it is conceivable that Drosophila glutathione S -transferase(s) may potentially interact with the transcription machinery in a fashion similar to SSP's interaction with E. coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme.
Nifty Ways to Leave Your Lover: The Tactics People Use to Entice and Disguise the Process of Human Mate Poaching

Although a number of studies have explored the ways that men and women romantically attract mates, almost no research exists on the special tactics people use when already in a relationship and trying to attract someone new—a process known as mate poaching enticement. In Study 1, the authors investigated the tactics people use to entice others into making mate poaching attempts. Enticement tactic effectiveness conformed to evolutionary-predicted patterns across sex and temporal context. In Study 2, the authors examined the tactics men and women use to disguise mate poaching enticement. The most effective camouflage for poaching also varied between sex in evolutionary-predicted ways, regardless of the target of deception (i.e., current partner vs. larger community). Discussion focuses on limitations of this research, future investigative directions, unexpected findings, and the utility of placing mate poaching attraction within the broader context of human sexual strategies.
Imaging atherosclerotic plaques in vivo using peptide-functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles

Atherosclerosis, or the formation of plaques in the arterial wall, leads to cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death in the United States. Atherosclerosis develops through multiple stages, which makes it a particularly difficult disease to detect. Markers of these different stages of plaque development have been discovered, however. Our work aims to selectively target and deliver a contrast agent to atherosclerotic plaques through the use of peptides that bind to unique markers of plaque development. Our goal is to use Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) to diagnose atherosclerotic plaques.
Branching-ratio predictions for the iota (1440)

A simple pole model is used to predict $\ensuremath{\iota}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\pi}, \ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\gamma}, \ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\gamma}, \ensuremath{\varphi}\ensuremath{\gamma}, \ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}, \mathrm{and} \ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$.. The rates $\ensuremath{\iota}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\iota}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}K\overline{K}\ensuremath{\pi}$ are examined in detail. In the pole model the rate $\ensuremath{\iota}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ is compared to ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ and we have the prediction $\frac{B(\ensuremath{\iota}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi})}{B(\ensuremath{\iota}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}K\overline{K}\ensuremath{\pi})}=10%$. A direct calculation that takes into account the cancellation between $\ensuremath{\iota}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\pi})\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\iota}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\eta}(\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi})$, the $K\overline{K}$ threshold, and SU(3) violations seen in the decay of the $\ensuremath{\delta}$, predicts $20%l~\frac{B(\ensuremath{\iota}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi})}{B(\ensuremath{\iota}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}K\overline{K}\ensuremath{\pi})}l~110%$. Both calculations are consistent with the experimental limit of 50%.
Coupled continuum and discrete analysis of random heterogeneous materials: Elasticity and fracture

Abstract Recent work has suggested that the heterogeneous distribution of mechanical properties in natural and synthetic materials induces a toughening mechanism that leads to a more robust structural response in the presence of cracks, defects or other types of flaws. Motivated by this, we model an elastic solid with a Young′s modulus distribution described by a Gaussian process. We study the pristine system using both a continuum and a discrete model to establish a link between the microscale and the macroscale in the presence of disorder. Furthermore, we analyze a flawed discrete particle system and investigate the influence of heterogeneity on the fracture mechanical properties of the solid. We vary the variability and correlation length of the Gaussian process, thereby gaining fundamental insights into the effect of heterogeneity and the essential length scales of heterogeneity critical to enhanced fracture properties. As previously shown for composites with complex hierarchical architectures, we find that materials with disordered elastic fields toughen by a ‘distribution-of-weakness’ mechanism inducing crack arrest and stress delocalization. In our systems, the toughness modulus can increase by up to 30% due to an increase in variability in the elastic field. Our work presents a foundation for stochastic modeling in a particle-based micromechanical environment that can find broad applications within natural and synthetic materials.
A hierarchy of skills approach to teaching accounting present value

Abstract This paper demonstrates how to teach accounting present value in a way which separates individual topics and progresses from skills which are easily learned to activities which require abstraction and integration. The method stresses a visual frame of reference, and explains the relationship between the interest rate and the flow of funds in a business transaction according to a simple funds inflows equals funds outflows rule. The approach is consistent with accepted learning theory, and is especially helpful for students who have difficulty with algebra.
Postnatal development of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) in the unanesthetized gerbil

The auditory brainstem response (ABR) was used to study the development of 8th nerve and auditory brainstem function in 71 unanesthetized gerbils. Initial replicable responses were observed on day 14. Six vertex-positive waves and a slow negative response (SNR) were obtained in response to a 100 dB HL (re adult threshold) click stimulus on day 20. A general pattern of development characterized by decreasing threshold and wave latencies and increasing amplitudes was found. Latency changes occurred in two stages; rapid decreases in the third postnatal week, followed by a period of gradual decline toward adult latencies during the fourth and fifth weeks. Greater changes in absolute latency were observed for later waves. Development of adult-like thresholds and resistance of response detectability (presence or absence) to increasing stimulus rates occurred prior to or simultaneous with maturation of wave latencies. Increases in amplitude with age continued to adulthood for waves IV and SNR, while other waves declined in amplitude after day 20. The maturation of the ABR overlapped with the emergence and development of the auditory middle latency response (MLR). Waves B (adult latency 16 ms) and C (adult latency 25 ms) were discernable at approximately the same age that a replicable ABR was first obtained, and wave A (adult latency 14 ms) shortly thereafter. The general pattern of decreasing ABR wave thresholds and latencies with age seen in the gerbil is similar to that found in other mammals, including humans. However, the development of mature response characteristics appeared to proceed at a somewhat independent rate among the different ABR and MLR waves. The emergence of the MLR before several ABR waves suggests that development of auditory function in the gerbil may not follow a strictly sequential pattern.
Chiral separation: Mechanism modeling in two-dimensional systems

Fluid phase separations of racemates are difficult because the subtle, short-ranged differences in intermolecular interactions of like and unlike pairs of chiral molecules are typically smaller than the thermal energy. A surface restricts the configurational space available to the pair of interacting molecules, thus changing the effective interactions between them. Because of this restriction, a surface can promote chiral separation of mixtures that are racemic in bulk. In this paper, we investigate chiral symmetry breaking induced by an achiral surface in a racemate. A parallel tempering Monte Carlo algorithm with tempering over the temperature domain is used to examine the interplay between molecular geometry and energetics in promoting chiral separations. The system is restricted to evolve in two dimensions. By controlling the balance between electrostatic and steric interactions, one can direct the surface assembly of the chiral molecules toward formation of small clusters of identical molecules. When molecular shape asymmetry is complemented by dipolar alignment, chiral micellar clusters of like molecules are assembled on the surface. We examine the case of small model molecules for which the two-dimensional restriction of the pair potential is sufficient to induce chiral segregation. An increase in molecular complexity can change the balance of intermolecular interactions to the point that heterochiral pairs are energetically more favored. In this case, we find conditions in which formation of homochiral micelles is still achieved, due to a combination of multibody and entropic effects. In such systems, an examination of the pair potential alone is insufficient to predict whether the multimolecular racemate will or will not segregate.
Determinism versus nondeterminism for linear time RAMs with memory restrictions

Our computational model is a random access machine with n read only input registers each containing c log n bits of information and a read and write memory. We measure the time by the number of accesses to the input registers. We show that for all k there is an e > 0 so that if n is sufficiently large then the elements distinctness problem cannot be solved in time kn with en bits of read and write memory; that is, there is no machine with this value of the parameters which decides whether there are two different input registers whose contents are identical.
Protein Folding and Confinement: Inherent Structure Analysis of Chaperonin Action

A coarse-grained model of the action of a chaperonin cage of tunable hydrophobicity, h, upon a protein with the possibility of misfolding is studied with inherent structure (IS) analysis and statistical temperature molecular dynamics (STMD) simulation. Near the folding temperature, the equilibrium properties of the system may be understood in terms of <10 IS. The known phenomenon of an optimal cage hydrophobicity for productive folding, found at h = 0.25, is seen to arise from a striking suppression of the occupations of IS in the misfolding funnel, which in turn arises from a decrease in translational entropy due to confinement to the region of the cage wall. The kinetics of folding is correspondingly fastest at h = 0.25, where a minimum is found in the h-dependent barrier height. While true kinetics is determined by conventional MD, it is shown that the accelerated dynamics of STMD provide a valuable quantitative perspective.
Energy intake and activity level of normal weight and overweight women during and after gestation

ENERGY INTAKE AND ACTIVITY LEVEL OF NORMAL WEIGHT AND OVERWEIGHT WOMEN DURING AND AFTER GESTATION. C.S. Elliff, PhD, RD, LD, and K.S. Kubena, PhD, RD, LD, Lamar University, Beaumont TX, and Texas AM n9 NW and 7 OW for other periods). Subjects maintained a 3day food record (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) and a 1-day activity record during each measurement period. Although energy intake on a kcal/kg body weight basis tended to be lower in OW than in NW women at each measurement period, no significant differences were found in energy intake between NW and OW women. Weight gains in NW and OW groups were similar [NW 14.7±3.7, OW 14.5_ 9.1 kg (mean±SD)]. Energy intake also did not differ among gestation periods. Women who reported dieting to lose weight during the three years prior to gestation tended to have lower energy intakes than those who had not dieted. Energy intake was significantly lower for women who reported losing > 6.8 kg during the previous three years when compared to energy intake of women who had lost less weight; however, their gestational weight gains were similar. Activity records indicated that more time was spent sitting at wk 12-13 and 37-38 of gestation and postpartum than at wk 2526 gestation. At each time period, OW women reported from 7 to 15% more time spent in sedentary activities and 15 to 28% less time in more active ones than reported by the NW group. Results support the need to consider activity level and weight status, as well as dieting and recent weight changes, in assessing adequacy of energy intake to achieve optimal gestational weight gain. Lactating women had an average energy intake of 1945±490 kcal which did not differ from the intake of 1642±506 kcal by nonlactating women. Energy intake by NW and OW women was similar regardless of lactation status. Perhaps because of the time spent breastfeeding, lactating women were significantly less active than nonlactating women which may explain why they did not lose more weight than nonlactating ones in spite of their higher energy demands.
Computing the distribution of spearman's footrule in O ( n^4 ) time

Consider the exact distribution of Spearman's "footrule", D(\sigma, \pi) = \sum_{i=1}^n \vert \sigma (i) - \pi (i)\vert , where \sigma and \pi are chosen independently at random from S_n , the set of all permutations of the first n integers; or, equivalently, where \sigma is chosen at random and \pi = (1,2,\ldots,n) . This can obviously be obtained by complete enumeration of all n ! permutations: that is, in O(n!) time. However, we show that the intrinsically different approach used by Salama and Quade (1990) reduces the computation to the polynomial-time class, specifically, to O(n^4) time.
Separation of HMG proteins by reverse-phase HPLC

Abstract A high-pressure liquid chromatographic method is described for separating the high mobility group (HMG) proteins on a 5-μm Nucleosil C18 column with the use of the ion pairing agent trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in the mobile phase. With a multistep acetonitrile-TFA gradient, the calf thymus HMG proteins elute from this column as separate peaks in the order HMG 17, 14, 2, and 1. Protein elution is monitored by measuring the absorbance at 214 nm in a 3-mm flow cell, and the identity and purity of the peaks are confirmed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and amino acid analysis. Both HMG 1 and 2 elute as multiple peaks, suggesting the presence of major variants of these two proteins. Other peaks in the chromatogram include degradation products of HMG 1 and histone H1.
Accelerated Migration of Respiratory Dendritic Cells to the Regional Lymph Nodes Is Limited to the Early Phase of Pulmonary Infection

Respiratory dendritic cells (RDC) are believed to play a central role in the induction of adaptive immune responses to pulmonary infection. Herein we examine the basal migration of RDC from the lungs to secondary lymphoid tissues and their enhanced maturation/migration after pulmonary infection/inflammation. We demonstrate that the accelerated migration of RDC to the draining peribronchial lymph nodes occurs only during the first 24 hr after pulmonary virus infection. RDC are refractory to further migration thereafter in spite of ongoing virus replication and pulmonary inflammation. We further demonstrate that induction of this RDC refractory state suppresses additional RDC mobilization to subsequent pulmonary virus infection and results in concomitant suppression of an antiviral pulmonary CD8(+) T cell response.
The effects of glucocorticoids on phorbol ester and cytokine stimulated transcription factor activation in human lung

Abstract Glucocorticoids have a wide variety of effects which result in the dampening of inflammatory and immune responses and other challenges to homeostasis. An important site of steroid action may be on the control of transcription factor binding to DNA. The interaction of the transcription factors, activator protein 1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa from B cells (NFκB) with DNA and glucocorticoid receptors was analysed by gel mobility shift assays following stimulation by tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and a phorbol ester (PMA) that activates protein kinase C. PMA and TNFα both caused significant (180–340%) increases in AP-1 and NFκB DNA binding which peaked at 15 minutes and decreased to a constant elevated level at between 1–3 hrs and was sustained for 24hrs. Dexamethasone (1μM) caused a rapid and long lasting 40–50% decrease in both AP-1 and NFκB DNA binding lasting over 24 hrs. Combined treatment with dexamethasone and PMA or TNFα prevented the increase in both AP-1 and NFκB binding due to PMA and TNFα returning levels to those seen in control untreated samples. This suggests that in human lung, the glucocorticoid receptor functionally interacts within the nucleus with other transcription factors that are induced by inflammatory mediators such as cytokines. This may be an important molecular site of steroid action in chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma.
Protonation of the Human PIEZO1 Ion Channel Stabilizes Inactivation

PIEZO1 is a recently cloned eukaryotic cation-selective channel that opens with mechanical force. We found that extracellular protonation inhibits channel activation by ≈90% by increased occupancy in the closed or the inactivated state. Titration between pH 6.3 and 8.3 exhibited a pK of ≈6.9. The steepness of the titration data suggests positive cooperativity, implying the involvement of at least two protonation sites. Whole-cell recordings yielded results similar to patches, and pH 6.5 reduced whole-cell currents by >80%. The effects were reversible. To assess whether pH acts on the open or the inactivated state, we tested a double-mutant PIEZO1 that does not inactivate. Cell-attached patches and whole-cell currents from this mutant channel were pH-insensitive. Thus, protonation appears to be associated with domain(s) of the channel involved with inactivation. pH also did not affect mutant channels with point mutations at position 2456 that are known to exhibit slow inactivation. To determine whether the physical properties of the membrane are altered by pH and thereby affect channel gating, we measured patch capacitance during mechanical stimuli at pH 6.5 and 7.3. The rate constants for changes in patch capacitance were independent of pH, suggesting that bilayer mechanics are not involved. In summary, low pH stabilizes the inactivated state. This effect may be important when channels are activated under pathological conditions in which the pH is reduced, such as during ischemia.
Metric Characteristics Of Thermography

Thermography is concerned with the pictorial representation of infrared radiation emanating from an object. The instrument that produces visible images of this thermal radiation is called a thermograph, and the permanent recordings of these images are called thermograms. The thermograph may thus be characterized as being an electro-optical imaging device that operates as a wavelength converter, translating spatial and thermal information about an object to the visible spectrum from that of the infrared. In addition, special processing techniques may be employed to enhance or identify certain signal characteristics as an aid for the user in evaluating the displayed data.© (1971) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hypothesis-Testing Abilities of Language-Impaired Children

Hypothesis-testing abilities were assessed using a modification of the discrimination-learning paradigm employed by Nelson, Kamhi, and Apel (1987) that was designed to minimize the short-term memor...
Influence of light level on the growth and morphology of saplings in a panamanian forest

Leaf spacing and aboveground growth were monitored in saplings of ten species in a range of light environments in a Panamanian lowland humid forest. Oneto 2-m-tall individuals of the chosen species had intermediate to large leaves on stems with few or no branches. Saplings in high light environments grew faster in height and produced more biomass per unit leaf area than shaded saplings for all species. These growth responses involved morphological plasticity with greater extension per unit biomass increment increasing the height growth rate of gap-grown saplings and greater biomass allocation to leaves decreasing the whole plant light compensation point in shade. The relative performance of the species also varied across the light gradient and was related to differences in leaf lifespan and specific leaf mass. Light-demanding species grew as rapidly in shade as shade-tolerant species, but the shorter leaf lifespan of the former necessitates higher production rates to maintain a given leaf area, largely excluding light-demanders from shaded understory locations. Height growth rate was positively correlated with leaf spacing for each species, and differences between species in the height growth rate-internode length relationship were related to interspecific differences in specific leaf mass. Thus, sapling growth histories may be inferred from their morphologies.
Interaction of antibiotics with functional sites in 16S ribosomal RNA

Chemical footprinting shows that several classes of antibiotics (streptomycin, tetracycline, spectinomycin, edeine, hygromycin and the neomycins) protect concise sets of highly conserved nucleotides in 16S ribosomal RNA when bound to ribosomes. These findings have strong implications for the mechanism of action of these antibiotics and for the assignment of functions to specific structural features of 16S rRNA.
Similarity and associative recognition

The effects of similarity on associative recognition are studied. Participants are more likely to give positive responses in associative recognition when a test pair consists of related words (synonyms, antonyms, or members of the same taxonomic category) than when it consists of unrelated words. This effect is greater on distractors than on targets, thereby leading to a negative effect of within-pair similarity on accuracy. This finding is inconsistent with the conclusion based on previous paired-associate and cued-recall studies that similarity enhances associative memory and may reflect the fact that related pairs are higher-frequency units than are unrelated pairs. A similarity decrement was also found on a test where participants had to remember the order of items in a pair. However, a test on item recognition, in which items were studied individually but tested a pair at a time, led to fewer positive responses to related pairs than to unrelated pairs.
Computer structures: past, present and future (abstract)

First, Blaauw's law of the persistence of established technology leads me to predict that both c.p.u. architecture and technology will change little by 1975, and will be surprisingly similar in 1980.
Differential rescue of spatial memory deficits in aged rats by L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel and ryanodine receptor antagonism

Age-associated memory impairments may result as a consequence of neuroinflammatory induction of intracellular calcium (Ca(+2)) dysregulation. Altered L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (L-VDCC) and ryanodine receptor (RyR) activity may underlie age-associated learning and memory impairments. Various neuroinflammatory markers are associated with increased activity of both L-VDCCs and RyRs, and increased neuroinflammation is associated with normal aging. In vitro, pharmacological blockade of L-VDCCs and RyRs has been shown to be anti-inflammatory. Here, we examined whether pharmacological blockade of L-VDCCs or RyRs with the drugs nimodipine and dantrolene, respectively, could improve spatial memory and reduce age-associated increases in microglia activation. Dantrolene and nimodipine differentially attenuated age-associated spatial memory deficits but were not anti-inflammatory in vivo. Furthermore, RyR gene expression was inversely correlated with spatial memory, highlighting the central role of Ca(+2) dysregulation in age-associated memory deficits.
Disintegrating Agents in Hard Gelatin Capsules. Part I: Mechanism of Action

AbstractThe mechanism of disintegrants in encapsulated mixtures was investigated by measurements of liquid uptake and swelling. An apparatus was designed to accomodate the capsule plugs and an LVDT was used to measure expansion of the compacts upon liquid uptake. AcDiSol, Primojel, Polyplasdone-XL 10 and corn starch, representing four distinct classes of disintegrants, were tested in anhydrous lactose and dicalcium phosphate based capsules. AcDiSol was found the most effective in improving the release of hydrochlorothiazide from dicalcium phosphate capsules, followed by Primojel, Polyplasdone-XL and corn starch. A minimum concentration was necessary to produce primary particles upon disintegration and significantly affect dissolution. Increased compaction resulted in faster disintegration and dissolution times due to higher degree of swelling of the powder compact at lower porosities. Disintegrants were less effective in the already fast dissolving lactose system. In both systems, disintegration times and...
Interactions between KCNQ1 and hERG α-Subunits are Mediated by C-Termini and Modulated by Intracellular cAMP

KCNQ1 and hERG encode the voltage-gated K+ channel α-subunits of the cardiac repolarizing currents IKs and IKr, respectively. These currents function in vivo with some redundancy to maintain appropriate action potential durations (APDs), following the concept of repolarization reserve, and mutations can manifest clinically as long QT syndrome, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Previous work in transgenic rabbit cardiomyocytes and heterologous cells demonstrated functional downregulation of complementary repolarizing currents due to direct interactions between hERG and KCNQ1 α-subunits, which may involve the hERG cyclic nucleotide binding domain (CNBD). We hypothesize that direct interactions between KCNQ1 and hERG are mediated by their C-termini and are dynamically regulated by physiological stimuli, specifically intracellular cAMP levels. We created ion channel fusions to GFP variants, which have been characterized by cellular electrophysiology and fluorescent imaging. Acceptor photobleach FRET (apFRET) was employed in fixed cells to quantitatively assess the extent of interactions based on fluorophore location and to examine the effects of altering cAMP levels. apFRET results show interactions between α-subunits with the highest FRET efficiency (Ef) for C-terminally labeled KCNQ1 and hERG (12.0 ± 5.2%), similar to intra-tetramer FRET, only between labeled hERG α-subunits (11.9 ± 5.9%). Acute treatment for 5 or 30 min. with Forskolin (100μM) + IBMX (100μM) significantly and specifically reduced Ef (7.1 ± 7.2% and 7.9 ± 4.3%, respectively, P < 0.001). Cells expressing a FRET positive control (KCNQ1-CFP-YFP) showed no change in Ef with treatment (21.4 ± 5.1% vs. 20.8 ± 5.6%, P=0.6). This work demonstrates regulated interactions between the C- termini of KCNQ1 and hERG, members of two distinct potassium channel families, and future studies will determine whether direct binding of cAMP abrogates KCNQ1-hERG interactions or if other downstream (PKA-mediated) processes are involved.