cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suppression of Lethal Plasmodium yoelii Malaria following Protective Immunization Requires Antibody-, IL-4-, and IFN-γ-Dependent Responses Induced by Vaccination and/or Challenge Infection

Immunization with Plasmodium yoelii merozoite surface protein ( Py MSP)-8 protects mice from lethal malaria but does not prevent infection. Using this merozoite surface protein-based vaccine model, we investigated vaccine- and infection-induced immune responses that contribute to protection. Analysis of prechallenge sera from r Py MSP-8-immunized C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice revealed high and comparable levels of Ag-specific IgG, but differences in isotype profile and specificity for conformational epitopes were noted. As both strains of mice were similarly protected against P. yoelii , we could not correlate vaccine-induced responses with protection. However, passive immunization studies suggested that protection resulted from differing immune responses. Studies with cytokine-deficient mice showed that protection was induced by immunization of C57BL/6 mice only when IL-4 and IFN-γ were both present. In BALB/c mice, the absence of either IL-4 or IFN-γ led to predictable shifts in the IgG isotype profile but did not reduce the magnitude of the Ab response induced by r Py MSP-8 immunization. Immunized IL-4 −/− BALB/c mice were solidly protected against P. yoelii . To our surprise, immunized IFN-γ −/− BALB/c mice initially controlled parasite growth but eventually succumbed to infection. Analysis of cytokine production revealed that P. yoelii infection induced two distinct peaks of IFN-γ that correlated with periods of controlled parasite growth in intact, r Py MSP-8-immunized BALB/c mice. Maximal parasite growth occurred during a period of sustained TGF-β production. Combined, the data indicate that induction of protective responses by merozoite surface protein-based vaccines depends on IL-4 and IFN-γ-dependent pathways and that vaccine efficacy is significantly influenced by host responses elicited upon infection.
Tryptophan Biosynthesis from Indole-3-Acetic Acid by Anaerobic Bacteria from the Rumen

Microbes in ruminal contents incorporated (14)C into cells when they were incubated in vitro in the presence of [(14)C]carboxyl-labeled indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Most of the cellular (14)C was found to be in tryptophan from the protein fractions of the cells. Pure cultures of several important ruminal species did not incorporate labeled IAA, but all four strains of Ruminococcus albus tested utilized IAA for tryptophan synthesis. R. albus did not incorporate (14)C into tryptophan during growth in medium containing either labeled serine or labeled shikimic acid. The mechanism of tryptophan biosynthesis from IAA is not known but appears to be different from any described biosynthetic pathway. We propose that a reductive carboxylation, perhaps involving a low-potential electron donor such as ferredoxin, is involved.
Diffuse Panbronchiolitis in a 10-Year-Old Boy

Diffuse panbronchiolitis is a progressive fatal respiratory disease of unknown cause seen predominantly in Southeast Asian adults. We report this condition in a 10-year-old child of Korean birth because of the uncommon presentation at this age and the favorable outcome associated with early diagnosis. Our objective was also to demonstrate the gradual but complete resolution of the disease and sustained remission from early institution of azithromycin.
WE-D-211A-07: Medical Response to Radiation Incidents, summary of ACMP/AAPM Workshop

The American College of Medical Physics and the AAPM recently co‐sponsored an all day workshop on Response to Radiation Incidents. The talks included information on the federal response framework as well as how medical physicists could become involved through organizations such as the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). Within the Florida MRC, a section known as the Radiation Response Volunteer Corps (RRVC) was formed. The Florida AAPM and FL Health Physics Society chapters participated in training in June 2008. The RRVC was designed specifically for medical and health physicists.Information on the MRC and RRVC were presented at the workshop. In the afternoon, staff from the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center and Training Site (REAC/TS) conducted a realistic demonstration of patient decontamination procedures. All participants received a toolkit with valuable training tools.
Effect of sterilized human fecal extract on the sensitivity of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 to enrofloxacin.

The ingestion of antimicrobial residues in foods of animal origin has the potential risk of exposing colonic bacteria to small concentrations of antibiotics and inducing resistance in the colonic bacteria. To investigate whether human intestinal contents would influence resistance development in bacteria, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (MIC of enrofloxacin <0.03 μg ml−1) was exposed to 0.01 to 1 μg ml−1 of enrofloxacin in media supplemented with glucose, sucrose, sodium acetate or sterilized human fecal extract. In the first passage, only the medium containing sterilized fecal extract supported the growth of E. coli at an enrofloxacin concentration equal to the MIC. In the second and third passages following exposure to sub-inhibitory concentrations of the drug, the bacteria in media containing sterilized fecal extract grew at 0.1 μg ml−1 of enrofloxacin. The efflux pump inhibitors, reserpine and carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), increased the sensitivity of bacteria to 0.1 μg ml−1 of enrofloxacin in the medium containing sucrose, but their effect was not observed in the medium supplemented with 2.5% sterilized fecal extract. The proportions of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids in E. coli grown in the medium with 2.5% sterilized fecal extract differed from those grown in the medium alone. Fecal extract may contain unknown factors that augment the ability of E. coli to grow in concentrations of enrofloxacin higher than MIC, both in the presence and absence of efflux pump inhibitors. This is the first study showing that fecal extract affects the level of sensitivity of E. coli to antimicrobial agents.
The solid angle subtended by a solid, right, circular cylinder as seen from a point in space

Abstract A Monte-Carlo technique was utilized to calculate the solid angle subtended by a solid, right, circular cylinder as seen from a point in space for two height-to-radius ratios of the cylinder, two-to-one and one-to-one. The calculation was made for source-point distances out to twelve cylinder radii from the cylinder center and for angular displacements of the source point up to ninety degrees from the cylinder axis.
Efficacy of standard slow-acting antirheumatic drugs

There are few published reports of the efficacy of slow-acting antirheumatic drugs (SAARDs) specific to the treatment of persons with early rheumatoid arthritis. Two published meta-analyses of the literature on SAARD therapy are reviewed, together with some empirical data on patients with less than 2 years' disease duration treated over an 8-year period. Although the literature suggests short-term benefit of SAARDs compared with placebo therapy, there is little to warrant considering presently available drugs to be disease-remittive agents. Based on known toxicities and purported benefits of available SAARDs, a treatment schema is proposed that responds incrementally to the course of the illness when treatment is started before irreversible joint injury occurs. The advent of new classes of therapeutic agents (eg, biologicals) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis warrants examination of present methods for the evaluation of antirheumatic drugs.
Fluorine as an NMR probe for structural studies of chemical and biological systems

Applications of fluorine NMR to probe long-range interactions in rigid organic molecules, namely cubanes, and to study structures and dynamics of proteins and other biological systems, are presented. 19F NMR parameters, especially long-range coupling constants are shown to reveal intrinsic features of the molecules. Correlations between long-range (more than three-bond) couplings involving fluorine and other chemical and physico-chemical properties of the compounds are demonstrated, and examples of unusual couplings which cannot be explained by existing theories of ‘through-bond’ and ‘through-space’ mechanisms are discussed. Recent applications of fluorine labeling of aromatic and aliphatic amino acids in investigating protein structures and dynamics are highlighted. The potential of using 19F NMR parameters, such as large spin–spin coupling constants observed for organic compounds, for structural analysis of biological macromolecules is outlined. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Infrared Spectroscopy of the Amidogen Ion, NH+2

Abstract The absorption spectrum of NH + 2 has been recorded continuously between 3500 and 2900 cm −1 with a difference frequency laser spectrometer along with the velocity modulation technique. The molecular ions were produced in the positive column of an ac glow discharge with a gas mixture of N 2 /H 2 /He in a ratio of around 1/1/100 with a total pressure of ∼7 Torr. In view of the very low barrier to linearity (155 cm −1 ) and the high bending vibrational states involved, the observed spectrum was analyzed using the Hamiltonian for linear molecules. The choice of this model is discussed in relation to the previous experimental results and ab initio calculations. Four hot bands have been assigned: 2ν 0 2 + ν 3 ← 2ν 0 2 , ν 1 + ν 3 ← ν 1 , ν 1 + ν 2 + ν 3 ← ν 1 + ν 2 , and 2ν 1 + ν 3 ← 2ν 1 . The matrix elements of the Hamiltonian used for the analysis of the rotational fine structure of the excited degenerate bending vibrational states of a linear molecule in a triplet electronic state are presented. The resultant rotational and vibrational constants are discussed.
THE RELATION BETWEEN ANTIANAPHYLAXIS AND ANTIBODY BALANCE : I. THE ROLE OF EXCESS OF CIRCULATING ANTIBODY IN HYPERSENSITIVENESS.

1. Sensitized guinea pigs injected with normal rabbit or guinea pig serum previous to intravenous inoculation of antigen may be protected against a few lethal doses of antigen. The protection is greater with foreign than with homologous serum and appears to be related roughly to the amount of serum introduced. 2. Sensitized guinea pigs injected with antibody-containing serum preliminary to intravenous injection of antigen, show no greater refractoriness to anaphylaxis than do those injected with normal serum. 3. Moreover, in many instances, the injection of an excess of antibody into the circulation of sensitized guinea pigs, leads to an increased susceptibility of these animals to anaphylaxis. 4. These results indicate that an excess of circulating antibody is not responsible for a state of antianaphylaxis, but on the contrary, may contribute toward the anaphylactic reaction itself.
Modeling of field-aligned electron bursts by dispersive Alfvén waves in the dayside auroral region

electron resonance. We show that an increased mass density (significant O + density) in the acceleration region is an essential prerequisite to generate an electron burst. The primary effect of the O + is to decrease the phase speed of the Alfven wave. Furthermore, the full gyrokinetic effects of the O + act to produce a region in which the Alfven speed profile is gradually slowing, which allows electrons remaining within the wave to lower altitudes. In these electron bursts, the energy gain experienced by the majority of electrons ranges from tens to hundreds of eV. The trapping occurs if the parallel electric field is substantial enough (� 0.2 mV/m) in the acceleration region to accelerate the background electrons. An integrated energy flux of accelerated electrons is estimated to be 3 erg s � 1 cm � 2 , about 20% of the Alfven wave Poynting flux. INDEX TERMS: 2431 Ionosphere: Ionosphere/ magnetosphere interactions (2736); 2451 Ionosphere: Particle acceleration; 2487 Ionosphere: Wave propagation (6934); 2483 Ionosphere: Wave/particle interactions; KEYWORDS: electron acceleration, Alfven wave propagation, magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, particle acceleration
First-Principles Band-Structure Calculations of p- and n-Type Substitutional Impurities in Zinc-Blende Aluminum Nitride

The tight-binding linearized muffin-tin orbitals technique is used in the atomic-sphere approximation (TB-LMTO-ASA) to study electronic properties of zinc-blende aluminum nitride (c-AlN) doped with various substitutional impurities. p-type impurities include Mg and Zn substituted at Al sites of the host lattice, and C and Si atoms substituted at N sites. The n-type impurities considered here include C and Si at Al sites and O substituted at N sites. To mitigate the shortcomings of the local density approximation (LDA) in accurately predicting energy differences between impurity bands and the bottom of the conduction band, the predictions of Zn and O substitutional impurities are compared with experimental results for these impurities. Based on these electronic-structure comparisons, we suggest that Mg is the best candidate among the four elements investigated as p-type dopants, and that Si is better than C for n-type doping.
Flame Speed and Velocity Measurements in Premixed Hydrogen-Enriched Flames

Measurements of the velocity field and burning velocity are reported for a swirl-stabilized premixed laboratory scale burner. Of specific interest in the present study is the role of hydrogen addition in premixed methane flames. Because of the high flame speeds associated with hydrogen, flames enriched with hydrogen are prone to flashback. Therefore detailed characterization of hydrogen enriched flames is of interest. In particular, measurements of turbulent flame speeds for different hydrogen contents are desired. In this study, we present detailed PIV measurements of the velocity field for two hydrogen concentrations in hydrogen-methane flames. The measured velocity fields are analyzed to extract flame speeds and these are correlated with measurements of CH chemiluinescence.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
BIOAVAILABILITY OF ELECTROLYTIC IRON IN FORTIFIED INFANT CEREAL DETERMINED BY HEMOGLOBIN REPLETION IN PIGLETS

Abstract Objectives of this research were to compare iron bioavailabilities from infant rice cereals fortified with either electrolytic iron (EI) or ferrous sulfate (FS) and to evaluate the piglet as a model for iron bioavailability studies. Iron bioavailability was assessed by hemoglobin repletion assay. Yorkshire piglets were weaned at 21 days of age and assigned to 2 groups of 8 on the basis of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, litter, and sex. Iron depletion was achieved by simply withholding the iron injections normally given to newborn pigs. Repletion diets contained 780 g of iron fortified rice cereal per kg diet and new formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of piglets. The diets were identical except for the form of iron used to fortify the cereal (iron concentrations in the EI and FS diets were 118 and 127 mg/kg diet, respectively). The piglets were fed the repletion diets for 10 days. Means of initial/final Hb concentrations were 7.0/6.5 and 7.0/8.8 g/dL for the EI and FS groups, respectively. mean Hb iron gain (total Hb iron on day 11 minus total Hb iron on day 1) was significantly lower (P
Markets: Continuity and Change in the International Diamond Market

The international diamond cartel, which presides over the production side of the industry, may be the most successful and longest-lasting cartel in the world. The dominant company in the industry, DeBeers, has been around since 1880 and has been controlled by a single South African family, the Oppenheimers, since 1925. Eight countries produce the bulk of the world's gem diamonds, and most of the producing entities within these countries conform to a set of rules. This conformity is the product of over a century of careful planning and negotiation, in which DeBeers has undertaken largely successful efforts to control the diamond trade and maximize its long-term prospects. The past decade has seen the end of apartheid in South Africa, the fall of communism in Russia, the opening of major mines in Canada, and the emergence of a worldwide movement against so-called "blood" or "conflict" diamonds. While, these developments have pummeled the diamond industry and forced its central players -- most notably DeBeers -- to change the nature of their trade, these changes have not affected the core dynamic of the global diamond market. It remains an industry dominated by a single firm and an industry in which, perhaps uniquely, all of the major players understand the extent to which their long-term livelihood depends on the fate and actions of the others.
An Experimentally Determined Persistence‐Rate Correction Factor for Scat‐Based Abundance Indices

Indices or density estimators derived from counts of scat can be used as indirect measures of animal population density. An important issue in these studies is that scat decay rates vary across habitats and seasons. This is an often overlooked source of bias when using scat-based indices to make comparisons of relative abundance among sites or over time. I propose a simple method by which experimentally determined scat-persistence rates can be used as a correction factor in such indices. This measured persistence rate also serves as an important parameter in models that convert scat count data into population estimators. I test this method in a relative abundance survey of sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) for 6 sites across 2 national parks in northern Thailand. Using the correction factor changed the qualitative predictions of the abundance survey by altering the rank of the sites ordered by estimated sambar density. The ratio of corrected:uncorrected index values, which would stay constant across sites if there was no habitat-based variability in scat-persistence rates, changed by a factor of 2.7 when measured across sites and by 1.6 when measured across parks. This suggests that the application of persistence-rate correction factors could reduce the bias of scat-based index or estimator surveys by specifically accounting for decay rate variability.
Treating Parent-Adolescent Conflict: Is Acceptance the Missing Link for an Integrative Family Therapy?.

Change-oriented strategies such as problem-solving/communication training (PS/CT) and parental behavior management training (BMT) have been used to treat parent-adolescent conflict. Although several studies have documented the efficacy of these approaches relative to wait-list control conditions, clinically significant improvements have not been achieved for the majority of adolescents with significant behavioral problems such as comorbid ADHD/ODD. A similar pattern of findings was observed in earlier studies examining couple relationships. Extending the focus and scope of traditional couple therapy to an acceptance-based integrative approach has led to impressive treatment improvements in that area. In a similar vein, we propose an integrative family therapy and suggest enhancing more traditional change-oriented approaches such as PS/CT and BMT by integrating acceptance strategies into a values-centered family therapy. We discuss the role of experiential avoidance and values orientation within a family context and present examples of techniques adapted from traditionally adult- and couple-focused therapies. Finally, we discuss the balancing and sequencing of acceptance and change techniques and offer suggestions for future research and practice.
Biosynthesis of limonoids in Citrus: Sites and translocation

Abstract Sites of limonoid biosynthesis were located in Citrus limon . The stem was found to be the major site of nomilin biosynthesis from acetate. Epicotyl, hypocotyl and root tissues were also capable of biosynthesizing nomilin from acetate, but leaves, fruits and seeds did not show this capacity under the conditions used. All the tissues tested were capable of biosynthesizing other limonoids starting from nomilin. C. limon was capable of translocating nomilin from the stem to other sites.
The ‘imponderable fluidity’ of modernity: Georges Méliès and the architectural origins of cinema

This essay situates the development of early ‘glass house’ film studios in the history of nineteenth‐century glass‐and‐iron architecture. It focuses on Georges Melies’s first studio (built in 1897) and describes its roots in structures including the Galeries des Machines at Paris’s international expositions and the photography studio on the roof of Melies’s magic theatre in Paris. Filmmakers such as Melies used the same materials and designs that changed turn‐of‐the‐century Western cities to create the first buildings for film production. In doing so, they made the primary characteristics of nineteenth‐century architecture – spatial plasticity and fluidity, artificiality, and the manipulation of light – defining elements of both the first film studios and the films created there. This essay argues that early cinema, especially in its relationship to architecture, played a significant role in the changes of industrial modernity that historians of technology describe as the greatest technological revolution...
Quality and safety initiatives in the future practice of surgery: Meeting patient demands for enhanced professionalism

This article is based on a speech that Thomas R. Russell, MD, FACS, Executive Director of the American College of Surgeons, delivered to the Japan Surgical Society in May 2008, which centered on quality of care and patient safety issues and their relationship to professionalism. The article provides a brief overview of the American and Japanese health care systems, outlines the quality and safety issues facing our health care systems, and addresses the changes that need to occur within surgery’s professional culture in order to improve patient care. In addition, he explains what the American College of Surgeons is doing to advance quality, safety, and professionalism.
Efficacy of betaxolol in neuroleptic-induced akathisia.

Abstract Betaxolol, a β 1 -selective antagonist, produced marked improvement in eight patients with neuroleptic-induced akathisia. No further improvement was seen with subsequent propranolol treatment. These findings, along with the results of prior studies of betaxolol and metoprolol, suggest that blockade of central β 1 -receptors may be sufficient for efficacy in akathisia.
Arthroscopic Ankle Arthrodesis

Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis provides the surgeon with an alternative to traditional open techniques. Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis has demonstrated faster union rates, decreased complications, reduced postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays. Adherence to sound surgical techniques, particularly with regard to joint preparation, is critical for success. Although total ankle replacement continues to grow in popularity, arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis remains a viable alternative for the management of end-stage arthritic ankle.
Purification and properties of fetal hematopoietic stem cells

Abstract During mid-gestation in the mouse the fetal liver is the major hematopoietic organ. Stem cell populations from this organ have been extensively characterized by retroviral marking and transplantation into irradiated adult animals. To a large extent these cells behave identically to their adult bone marrow counterparts in that they give rise to permanent, oligoclonal hematopoietic systems. Stem cell populations have also been directly characterized and purified by a variety of immuno-chemical and physical criteria. A combination of clonal marking and purification has provided a detailed physical description of stem cells which are capable of permanent hematopoietic function in vivo. An overall stem cell enrichment of 1000- to 2000-fold has been achieved.
PBP1: A flagella specific bacteriophage mediating transduction in Bacillus pumilus

Abstract Bacteriophage PBP1 was purified by differential and equilibrium centrifugation and characterized with respect to morphology, adsorption properties, and host range. PBP1 is a phage with a flexible noncontractile tail. The adsorption of PBP1 to cells of Bacillus pumilus NRRL B-3275 (BpB1) in penassay broth follows first-order kinetics with an average adsorption velocity constant at 37° of 6.1 × 10−9 ml−1 min−1. The activation energy for the adsorption reaction is approximately 24 kcal. On the basis of the following properties, it is concluded that PBP1 interacts with the bacterial flagellum during the adsorption process: (1) PBP1 does not adsorb to nonflagellated mutants derived from three phage-sensitive strains of B. pumilus. (2) Mechanical deflagellation of BpB1 renders the cells incapable of adsorbing PBP1 until the flagella have regenerated. (3) Nonflagellated mutants of B. pumilus ATCC 7065 can be isolated by selecting for resistance to PBP1. (4) Addition of a high multiplicity of PBP1 particles (>20) to motile BpB1 cells results in immobilization of the cells. (5) Electron microscopical examinations of mixtures of PBP1 and BpB1 cells demonstrate that the phage are capable of attaching to flagella. Comparison of the host ranges of PBP1 and PBS1 on thirty-two strains of B. pumilus divides the strains into three groups. One group is sensitive to PBP1 and PBS1, one group is sensitive to PBP1 but resistant to PBS1, and one group is resistant to both viruses. The possible use of PBP1 and PBS1 for distinguishing flagella types in B. pumilus strains is discussed. PBP1 mediates generalized transduction in BpB1 at a frequency on the order of 10−8 transductants per plaque-forming unit. Preliminary genetic studies indicate that contransducible markers in BpB1 are more weakly linked by PBP1 transduction than by PBS1 transduction.
Inhibition of human neutrophil elastase by ICI 200,355.

Abstract To examine the pathogenetic role of neutrophil elastase in airway hypersecretion, we have studied the novel inhibitor of this enzyme, [4-(4-bromophenylsulfonylcarbamoyl)benzoyl-L-valyl-L-proline 1 (RS)-(1-trifluroacetyl-2-methylprolyl)amide] (ICI 200, 355). This compound was a potent (K i = 0.6 ± 0.22 nM) inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase and a much weaker inhibitor of other hydrolases. ICI 200,355 also inhibited the ongoing destruction of insoluble elastin by human neutrophil elastase. ICI 200,355 produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the secretory response induced by human neutrophil elastase (10 −8 M), with an IC 50 of 1.6 × 10 −8 M. ICI 200,355 had no effect on baseline secretion or on the secretory response to chymase, cathepsin G or Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase. Thus, ICI 200,355 appears to be a useful tool for investigating the role of human neutrophil elastase in inflammatory disorders associated with hyperscretion, such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and asthma.
Validation and time step determination of discrete element modeling of flexible fibers

Abstract In this paper, a flexible fiber model, based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and the bonded-particle model by Potyondy and Cundall ( International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences 41 (2004) 1329–1364 ), is comprehensively examined by considering the cases of the bending, stretching, and twisting of a fiber under static loads and dynamic vibrations. The numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the analytical predictions from elastic thin beam theories. In addition, a time step criterion is discussed and proposed in order to ensure numerical stability and obtain correct dynamic behaviors of fibers. It is found that the time step should be less than the time it takes for an axial extensional/compressional wave to travel a single bond length.
Techniques for measurement of water vapor sorption and permeation in polymer films

The accurate measurement of water vapor sorption and permeation in polymers is complicated because water has a tendency to adsorb on high energy surfaces, a relatively high heat of vaporization, and a high solubility in most polymers. These issues and the difficulties they cause in the design of sorption and permeation equipment are reviewed. Some new approaches to circumvent these problems are described. Data for bisphenol A polysulfone films are used to illustrate these approaches. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Grapefruit juice and its furocoumarins inhibits autoinducer signaling and biofilm formation in bacteria.

Abstract Cell-to-cell communications in bacteria mediated by small diffusible molecules termed as autoinducers (AI) are known to influence gene expression and pathogenicity. Oligopeptides and N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHL) are major AI molecules involved in intra-specific communication in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria respectively, whereas boronated-diester molecules (AI-2) are involved in inter-specific communication among both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Naturally occurring furocoumarins from grapefruit showed > 95% inhibition of AI-1 and AI-2 activities based on the Vibrio harveyi based autoinducer bioassay. Grapefruit juice and furocoumarins also inhibited biofilm formation by Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These results suggest that grape fruit juice and furocoumarins could serve as a source to develop bacterial intervention strategies targeting microbial cell signaling processes.
Language classification using n-grams accelerated by FPGA-based Bloom filters

N-Gram (n-character sequences in text documents) counting is a well-established technique used in classifying the language of text in a document. In this paper, n-gram processing is accelerated through the use of reconfigurable hardware on the XtremeData XD1000 system. Our design employs parallelism at multiple levels, with parallel Bloom Filters accessing on-chip RAM, parallel language classifiers, and parallel document processing. In contrast to another hardware implementation (HAIL algorithm) that uses off-chip SRAM for lookup, our highly scalable implementation uses only on-chip memory blocks. Our implementation of end-to-end language classification runs at 85x comparable software and 1.45x the competing hardware design.
Encapsidation of heterologous RNAs by bacteriophage MS2 coat protein

The RNA bacteriophages of E. coli specifically encapsidate a single copy of the viral genome in a protein shell composed mainly of 180 molecules of coat protein. Coat protein is also a translational repressor and shuts off viral replicase synthesis by interaction with a RNA stem-loop containing the replicase initiation codon. We wondered whether the translational operator also serves as the viral pac site, the signal which mediates the exclusive encapsidation of viral RNA by its interaction with coat protein. To test this idea we measured the ability of lacZ RNA fused to the translational operator to be incorporated into virus-like particles formed from coat protein expressed from a plasmid. The results indicate that the operator-lacZ RNA is indeed encapsidated and that nucleotide substitutions in the translational operator which reduce the tightness of the coat protein-operator interaction also reduce or abolish encapsidation of the hybrid RNA. When coat protein is expressed in excess compared to the operator-lacZ RNA, host RNAs are packaged as well. However, elevation of the level of operator-lacZ RNA relative to coat protein results in its selective encapsidation at the expense of cellular RNAs. Our results are consistent with the proposition that this single protein-RNA interaction accounts both for translational repression and viral genome encapsidation.
Effect of extrusion of the gamma-phase composition of the U-2.4Nb alloy

Extrusion at temperatures high in the ..cap alpha..+..gamma../sub 2/ equilibrium region produce a metastable structure with a composition dependent on extrusion conditions. The more severe the conditions, the lower the niobium concentration in the /sup -/..gamma../sub 1/-phase. Friction-induced heating forced the rod into higher temperature regions causing reduction in ..gamma nu.. /SUB b/ . The ..cap alpha --> beta.. phase transformation tended to limit the temperature of the extruded rod, thus limiting the compositional changes.
Recent Books on Resources

(1964). Recent Books on Resources. Journal of the American Institute of Planners: Vol. 30, No. 4, pp. 328-332.
Metabolic factors in the development of hepatic steatosis and altered mitochondrial gene expression in vivo

The objective of the study was to understand the role in vivo of elevated plasma free fatty acids (FFA), insulin, and glucose levels in the development of steatosis and altered mitochondrial gene/protein expression. We studied 4 groups of Sprague-Dawley rats: (1) high-fat diet (HFD), (2) high-dose streptozotocin–induced diabetes (T1DM), (3) low-dose streptozotocin–induced diabetic rats on an HFD (T2DM), and (4) controls. Liver histology and expression of genes/proteins related to mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and biogenesis were analyzed. Despite an attempt to compensate by increasing expression of genes of fatty acid oxidation (carnitine palmitoyl transferase–1/medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase), the HFD and diabetic groups developed marked steatosis and suffered a significant reduction in mitochondrial biogenesis gene expression (nuclear respiratory factor 1/transcriptional factor A, mitochondrial). In T2DM rats, the combination of high glucose and FFA unexpectedly did not lead to greater fat accumulation than HFD alone. Greater steatosis in HFD vs T2DM (P < .001) correlated with impairment in the gene expression of PPAR-α (ie, fatty acid oxidation) and PGC1α, a major coactivator for mitochondrial biogenesis. Steatosis was not severe in insulin-deficient T1DM rats despite very elevated FFA and glucose levels. Increased carnitine palmitoyl transferase–1/medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase/PPAR-α gene expression suggested inadequate adaptation to high FFA in both T1DM/T2DM rats. Hyperinsulinemia combined with elevated FFA is the key metabolic factor driving hepatic lipogenesis in vivo (HFD rats). Mitochondrial biogenesis (nuclear respiratory factor 1; transcriptional factor A, mitochondrial) is highly susceptible to FFA-induced steatosis. In contrast, hyperglycemia does not have an additive effect (T2DM) and leads to only a modest degree of steatosis in the absence of hyperinsulinemia, even when FFA are extremely elevated as in T1DM rats.
Evaporation rates of pure hydrocarbon liquids under the influences of natural convection and diffusion

Evaporation of liquid hydrocarbons was studied in order to better understand the relative influences of diffusion and buoyancy-induced convection of the vapors on the evaporation rate. Evaporation rates were measured using a simple gravimetric technique and the behavior of the vapor layer that quickly forms above the film was observed using schlieren imaging. Even for conditions for which the influence of buoyancy is strong, the evaporation rates are well correlated by a one-dimensional diffusion model if an effective vapor layer thickness is used.
Artificial intelligence: new jobs from old

The age of artificial intelligence (AI) is upon us, and its effect upon society in the coming years will be noteworthy. Artificial intelligence is a field that encompasses such applications as robotics, expert systems, natural language understanding, speech recognition, and computer vision. The effect of these AI systems upon existing and future job occupations will be important. This paper takes a look at artificial intelligence in terms of the creation of new job categories. Also, the introduction of AI into the organization to better familiarize the employees about AI will be discussed.
Chemical characterization of a hormone that promotes cell arrest in g2 in complex tissues.

A G 2| factor in the cotyledons of Pisum sativum, which arrests the growth of cells in both roots and shoots in the G 2 stage of the cell cycle, has been isolated and identified as trigonelline (N- methylnicotinic acid). To our knowledge, trigonelline is the first hormone that effects cell arrest in complex tissues of plants and animals to be chemically identified.
Association between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the association between plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A 2 (Lp-PLA 2 ) levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS We searched MEDLINE (January 1, 1985, through September 30, 2006), the Cochrane library (from inception through 2006), conference proceedings, and reference sections of obtained articles and contacted experts for unpublished studies. Eligible studies were cohorts with 1 year or more of follow-up or case-control designs that provided risk estimates for CVD according to blood levels of Lp-PLA 2 that were unadjusted or adjusted for conventional CVD risk factors. We used random-effects meta-analysis to estimate the association between Lp-PLA 2 and CVD risk and conducted preplanned subgroup analyses to identify risk-subgroup interactions that could explain between-study differences. RESULTS We found 14 eligible studies (N=20,549 patients) that reported either Lp-PLA 2 plasma activity (n=5) or an immunoassay that measured the plasma concentration (n=9). The meta-analytic estimate from the unadjusted odds ratio for the association between elevated Lp-PLA 2 levels and CVD risk was 1.51 (95% confidence interval, 1.30-1.75) and from the odds ratio adjusted for conventional CVD risk factors was 1.60 (95% confidence interval, 1.36-1.89). Differences in study methods explained differences in results across studies. CONCLUSIONS Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A 2 is significantly associated with CVD. The risk estimate appears to be relatively unaffected by adjustment for conventional CVD risk factors. Measurement of Lp-PLA 2 may be useful in CVD risk stratification. In addition, Lp-PLA 2 may represent a potential therapeutic target for CVD risk reduction.
A nonvolatile analog neural memory using floating-gate MOS transistors

Simple floating-gate transistors fabricated by a conventional double-polysilicon process show excellent programming and charge-retention characteristics. A five-transistor synapse cell achieves 8-bit resolution and at least 6-bit accuracy for analog neural computation. It occupies 67 μm×73 μm in a 2-μm CMOS process and can retain charge accuracy for over 25 years.
Cholelithiasis Associated With the Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome

The hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) exhibits a prodrome characterized by prominent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea that is often bloody, and colicky abdominal pain. 1-3 Persistent vomiting and abdominal pain continued after return of normal renal function and cessation of hemolysis in a 15-year-old girl with severe HUS. She was found to have cholecystitis because of calcium bilirubinate stones, which developed as a consequence of hemolysis. Cholelithiasis occurring as a complication of HUS has not previously been reported. Report of a Case.— A previously healthy 15-year-old girl had anuria after five days of vomiting and bloody diarrhea. The diagnosis of HUS was made because of renal failure, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and the presence of many schistocytes on peripheral smear. The patient was then transferred to the Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, where she remained anuric for 11 days. She required eight hemodialysis treatments and four transfusions of packed RBCs. Platelet counts
Radiographic visualization of vaginal cylinders in gynecologic high dose rate brachytherapy.

Abstract Purpose : To develop a marker system allowing an accurate determination of vaginal applicator dimensions and geometry from a radiograph. Methods and Materials : The markers consist of two sets of gold seeds embedded into each cylinder identifying the cylinder diameter, and a thin stainless steel disk interposed between adjacent cylinders identifying their interface. An evaluation of the dosimetric properties of the markers was undertaken. An applicator was assembled using four cylinders (4 cm diameter) surrounding a stainless steel uterine tandem with a stainless steel disk 0.05 mm thick and 3.6 cm in diameter interposed between each consecutive pair of cylinders. The assembly was placed on a film and an Ir-192 high dose rate source was programmed to a single dwell position within the applicator. The markers were removed and a second film was exposed with the same dwell position and time. This procedure was repeated with various dwell positions along the applicator. A scanning densitometer was used to measure the density profiles and isodensity distributions of each film. Results : The optical density profiles and isodensity distributions with and without the markers in place were identical for all source dwell positions except when the source was centered in the plane of one of the stainless steel disks, where a maximum decrease of less than 2% in the dose rate was measured. The disks had no effect on the profiles measured along axes more than 2 cm from the projection of the applicator central axis on the film. Conclusion : The markers provide geometric information about the position of the applicator relative to the anatomy necessary for optimized treatment planning. Slight dose perturbations resulting from the markers do occur, but only for dwell positions that center the source in the plane of a disk, and even then only at points very close to the disk. The markers can therefore be ignored from a dosimetric point of view.
Trade-offs and challenges of short channel design on millimetre-wave power performance of GaN HFETs

For the application of undoped AlGaN/GaN HFETs to Ka-band millimetre(mm)-wave high frequency power performance, the maximum frequency of oscillation, fmax, was found to be seriously limited by gate resistance and output conductance with the gate length down to 0.1 µm. This makes it difficult for devices to achieve both high fT and fmax at the same time. However, the technology of field-plate gate, to increase device breakdown voltage, will add extra gate capacitance. It makes the optimum gate structure design more important. The influence of gate metal thickness and gate length on fmax based on the lumped small signal circuit model analysis and the possibility to obtain high fT and fmax simultaneously for the GaN material structure is discussed for application to the Ka-band mm-wave operating system.
A quantitative histologic analysis of selected tissues in growing mice.

Summary Quantitative histologic methods were utilized to determine some of the changes that take place in selected tissues of normal growing mice from birth to 30 days of age. Four groups of mice were sacrificed at the ages of 0, 10, 20, and 30 days, respectively. Body and selected organ weights were obtained, and the organs were processed histologically. Cellular or structural measurements were made, using the stereologic methods of planimetry and line analysis. Changes in relative organ weights, component volumes, and relative component dimensions were analyzed. Because of the loss of extramedullary hematopoietic cells, relative liver weight was reduced in 10-day-old animals. Relative heart weight decreased throughout the period studied. Relative kidney weight increased from birth to 10 days, but returned to the original level from 20 to 30 days. Liver cell numbers increased at a decreasing rate throughout the investigation. Changes in hepatic cell size were erratic. The number of fibers in the left ventricle of the heart increased from birth to 10 days, after which further growth was by fiber enlargement. Kidney growth was the result of tubular expansion, occurring first in both the medulla and cortex, and later involving primarily the cortex. Little postnatal increase in size or number of glomeruli was observed.
Thermal diffusive conductivity of dilute superfluid (He-3)-(He-4) mixtures

A new technique is described for measuring the effective thermal conductivity of superfluid (He-3)-(He-4) mixtures. The results confirm the large departures from hydrodynamic theory reported previously. The analysis suggests that the measured conductivity is the finite thermal diffusive conductivity of superfluid helium in the absence of counterflow. This conductivity need not diverge in the limit of small He-3 concentration.
Teaching and learning programming and software engineering via interactive gaming

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have recently gained high popularity among various universities and even in global societies. A critical factor for their success in teaching and learning effectiveness is assignment grading. Traditional ways of assignment grading are not scalable and do not give timely or interactive feedback to students. To address these issues, we present an interactive-gaming-based teaching and learning platform called Pex4Fun. Pex4Fun is a browser-based teaching and learning environment targeting teachers and students for introductory to advanced programming or software engineering courses. At the core of the platform is an automated grading engine based on symbolic execution. In Pex4Fun, teachers can create virtual classrooms, customize existing courses, and publish new learning material including learning games. Pex4Fun was released to the public in June 2010 and since then the number of attempts made by users to solve games has reached over one million. Our work on Pex4Fun illustrates that a sophisticated software engineering technique -- automated test generation -- can be successfully used to underpin automatic grading in an online programming system that can scale to hundreds of thousands of users.
Air and air contaminant flows in office cubicles with and without personal ventilation: A CFD modeling and simulation study

The paper is aimed at building an appropriate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for simulating the flow field in the office cubicle with and without personalized ventilation (PV) and using it to investigate the flow field in the cubicle. A computational model was first constructed by using a commercial CFD code (STAR-CCM). In this process, different approaches to represent manikins, boundary conditions, geometries, and gridding were tested, and a proper approach was selected for simulating the air and contaminant movement in the cubicles and their interactions with the remaining room space. A comparison between the simulation and the experimental results are made to show how accurate the CFD model can be. A brief evaluation of the environmental quality was conducted for both cases with PV and underfloor air diffuser (UFAD). This comparison showed a significant advantage in the PV system, indicating how the PV system performed under different airflow rates. This verified CFD model will be utilized in the future to investigate the performance of the partitioned cubicle collaborating with personalized ventilation systems.
Nuclear transfer and cell transplantation : Making more with less

Pig cloning can be achieved by transfer of nuclei of differentiated somatic cells into enucleated oocytes. Then, developing embryos are placed into surrogate mothers for further development to full term. Although cloned pigs offer the possibility of unlimited organ supply for compatible xenotransplantation in humans, the yield of a predictable number of offspring is still at an experimental phase. Spermatogonial stem cells from a fertile donor can be transplanted to the testes of infertile recipients and generate sperm. At present, results from xenogeneic spermatogenesis by transplantation indicate that porcine, bovine and equine spermatogonia find the interior of the seminiferous tubular environment not favorable for further differentiation into meiotic prophase spermatocytes. Spermatogenic cell transplantation is a promising experimental alternative for understanding the conditions required by both the donor cells and the recipient testis to coexist and even cooperate towards the full development of fertilizing sperm.