cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Restoration of Coronary flow in Myocardial Infarction by intravenous chimeric 7E3 antibody without exogenous plasminogen activators: Observations in animals and humans

Background Coronary thrombus is composed of platelets and fibrin, and during thrombolytic treatment, reflow may be slowed by platelet deposition. It may be possible to initiate coronary reflow without exogenous plasminogen activators by blocking platelet aggregation while fibrin generation is impeded with heparin. Methods and Results In 14 dogs, left anterior descending coronary artery thrombosis was produced by endothelial trauma and thrombin instillation in the presence of stenosis distally. Reflow was monitored by flow probe during treatment with (1) heparin, (2) heparin and aspirin, and (3) heparin, aspirin, and intravenous 7E3. Eighty percent of dogs treated with the third combination showed stable reflow (≥25% of prestenotic flow) in 50±9 minutes. In addition, 13 patients were studied during intravenous administration of c7E3 10 minutes before primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 0 or 1 flow. Pretreatment included heparin and oral...
Modulated Expression of Type X Collagen in the Meckel's Cartilage with Different Developmental Fates

Abstract Mammalian Meckel's cartilage undergoes regionally diverse histodifferentiation: the caudal end of Meckel's cartilage extends to the developing ear and gives rise to malleus and incus through endochondral ossification while its major distal region differentiates into sphenomandibular ligament and the anterior ligament of the malleus tympanic plate through fibrous transformation. Since the entire Meckel's cartilage develops up to chondrocyte hypertrophy, the regional extracellular matrix components in the hypertrophic Meckel's cartilage may differ in association with the diverse developmental fates. In this project, the expressions of cartilage collagens were investigated in developing rat Meckel's cartilage and particular interest was given to type X collagen. A cDNA, HP114, encoding the NC1 domain of rat α1(X) collagen was cloned, and a synthetic peptide based on the sequence deduced from HP114 was used to generate a monospecific antibody. In situ hybridization of newborn rat condylar and angular cartilages undergoing endochondral ossification showed restricted labeling with the α1(X) collagen probe in the hypertrophic chondrocyte layer. In contrast, the α1(X) collagen probe totally failed to label the major distal portion of Meckel's cartilage even in the hypertrophic cartilage zone. Immunohistochemistry using the anti-type X collagen monospecific antibody consistently failed to recognize the epitope in the corresponding portion of Meckel's cartilage throughout the experimental periods of gestational Day 17, newborn, and Postnatal Day 7, while the strictly localized positive staining was found in the posterior part of Meckel's cartilage which gave rise to malleus and incus. Since major cartilage collagens type II and type IX were found to be present throughout Meckel's cartilage, we postulate that the regulatory molecular mechanism of type X collagen expression may be closely associated with the developmental fates of fibrous transformation and endochondral ossification in mammalian Meckel's cartilage.
Antibiotic considerations in the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens: A case-based review

The recent rise in antimicrobial resistance among health-care associated pathogens is a growing public health concern. According to the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System, rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in intensive care units have nearly doubled over the last decade. Of equal importance, gram-negative agents such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and extended-spectrum beta lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae demonstrate increasing resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and, in some cases, carbapenems. As a consequence, hospitalists may find themselves utilizing new antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infections. This case-based review will highlight 8 antibiotics that have emerging clinical indications in treating these multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:E8–E15. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
The social maximum: American attitudes toward extremely high incomes

Abstract In light of the dramatic rise in income inequality at the top of the income distribution, this study investigates how the American public is reacting to extremely high incomes. Tolerance for high incomes is measured using survey items about a cap on compensation. The paper aims to answer the following questions: What do people think about compensation caps? What are the determinants of favoring a cap and favoring various levels of caps? Do characteristics of high earners affect these preferences? Why do people favor or oppose a cap on compensation? Analyses show that 61% of Americans support a cap on compensation and that this support for a cap is remarkably stable even when high earners are described as being exceptionally productive or hard-working. Common reasons for favoring a cap include a concern about scarcity of resources, a belief that high incomes are disproportionate to contribution, a commitment to equality and the belief that the legitimate needs of high earners are sated. Common reasons for opposing a cap include seeing the idea of a cap as conflicting with a free market system, a belief that high earners deserve their incomes, and a concern that a cap is a restriction on individual freedom. It is suggested that these attitudes should not be understood as arising mainly or only due to the economic recession. The findings show some support for the proposition that economic individualism, which inoculates modestly high incomes from criticism, may be weakened at the extreme.
Anterior Pituitary Growth Factor and Blood Sugar.

SummaryIntravenous injection of 50 units of Antuitrin Growth into adult healthy dogs induced progressive depression of fasting blood sugar for 2 hours. At 24 hours the level approached that found at 1 hour, and after a lapse of 48 hours the fasting level closely approximated the initial level.
Value of Screening for Markers of Hepatitis in Dialysis Units

The value of monitoring the serum activity of SGOT, as well as markers of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis A virus infections, in the patients and staff of two dialysis units has been assessed retrospectively. Sera were checked each month for SGOT and HBsAg on 406 patients and 170 staff members over a 4-year period. Anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and anti-hepatitis A antibodies were assayed on the stored sera. Only 30% of the patients had normal SGOT values (<65 units per ml) on all occasions. Most of the abnormal values were <100 units per ml and could not be explained. Viral hepatitis was a reasonable explanation for only half of those instances where the SGOT value was greater than 100 units per ml. Hepatitis A virus contributed nothing to the problem of dialysis-associated liver disease. Testing for HBsAg alone missed approximately 40% of the hepatitis B events acquired in the unit. Only two of these episodes were of epidemiologic importance, however, because the rest were recognized only after there was serologic resolution of the infection. There was a high frequency of potentially “false positive” reactions with all the antibodies tested. It is not cost-effective to monitor dialysis patients and staff regularly with anti-HBc, anti-HBs, or antibodies against hepatitis A. Initial screening with anti-HBc and anti-HBs on entry to the unit is of value but weak positive results must be interpreted with caution since approximately half of such results will prove to be nonspecific.
H-Y antigen in a 46,XX female with dysgenetic ovaries.

Hypogonadism secondary to ovarian dysgenesis or resistant ovary syndrome was diagnosed in a 19–yr-old obese woman with primary amenorrhea, a 46.XX karyotype, and an H-Y+ cellular phenotype. Small ovoid gonads (1.5 × 0.6 cm) were found bilaterally; these were encased in a dense venous network. The stroma was ovarian, and primordial follicles and some primary follicles were present, but there were no follicles at or beyond the antrum stage. There was no evidence of testicular tissue and no evidence of malignancy. Analysis of serological data indicated the possibility of residual H-Y antigen in the blood cells of the mother.
Characterization and gene expression of Babesia bovis elongation factor-1α☆

Abstract Elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1α) is a constitutively expressed, abundant protein that is a key element in eukaryotic protein translation. Because of its high level of transcription, the EF-1α promoter has been utilised to drive exogenous gene expression in transfected cells. In this study, we identified and characterised the ef-1α locus of Babesia bovis, a causative agent of bovine babesiosis, and examined the transcriptional activity of the EF-1α promoter. The ef-1α locus in the T2Bo strain of B. bovis contains two identical ef-1α genes (‘A’ and ‘B’) arranged in a head to head orientation and separated by a 1.4 kb intergenic (IG) region containing a 260 bp terminal inverted repeat. Both ef-1α genes encode identical proteins with 448 amino acids and a calculated molecular mass of 49 kDa. While the B. bovis ef-1α-IG sequence is conserved among multiple strains of B. bovis, it is not significantly related to any regulatory sequence in the DNA databases. The IG region promotes expression of both ef-1α genes. Both fragment Ig-A containing 730 bp upstream of ef-1α open reading frame A and fragment Ig-B containing 720 bp upstream of ef-1α open reading frame B were able to promote luciferase in transient transfection. In the 5′ to 3′ orientation, the Ig-B fragment resulted in the highest level of luciferase activity, 10 times higher than positive control plasmid p40-15-luc containing the rap-1 IG region, suggesting that this fragment contains a very strong promoter. Analysis of ef-1α transcripts confirms that both ef-1α genes are transcribed in merozoites. Interestingly, in contrast to other related intra-erythrocytic apicomplexans, the ef-1α locus of B. bovis contains a 160 bp intron in the 5′ untranslated region.
Corneal pain activates a trigemino-parabrachial pathway in rats

Corneal pain is mediated by primary afferent fibers projecting to the dorsal horn of the medulla, specifically the trigeminal nucleus caudalis. In contrast to reflex responses, the conscious perception of pain requires transmission of neural activity to higher brain centers. Ascending pain transmission is mediated primarily by pathways to either the thalamus or parabrachial nuclei. We previously showed that some corneal afferent fibers preferentially contact parabrachial-projecting neurons in the rostral pole of the trigeminal nucleus caudalis, but the role of these projection neurons in transmitting noxious information from the cornea has not been established. In the present study, we show that noxious stimulation of the corneal surface activates neurons in the rostral pole of the nucleus caudalis, including parabrachially projecting neurons that receive direct input from corneal afferent fibers. We used immunocytochemical detection of c-Fos protein as an index of neuronal activation after noxious ocular stimulation. Animals had previously received injections of a retrograde tracer into either thalamic or parabrachial nuclei to identify projection neurons in the trigeminal dorsal horn. Noxious stimulation of the cornea induced c-Fos in neurons sending projections to parabrachial nuclei, but not thalamic nuclei. We also confirmed that corneal afferent fibers identified with cholera toxin B preferentially target trigeminal dorsal horn neurons projecting to the parabrachial nucleus. The parabrachial region sends ascending projections to brain regions involved in emotional and homeostatic responses. Activation of the ascending parabrachial system may explain the extraordinary salience of stimulation of corneal nociceptors.
Metamaterial Electromagnetic Wave Absorbers

The advent of negative index materials has spawned extensive research into metamaterials over the past decade. Metamaterials are attractive not only for their exotic electromagnetic properties, but also their promise for applications. A particular branch–the metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA)–has garnered interest due to the fact that it can achieve unity absorptivity of electromagnetic waves. Since its first experimental demonstration in 2008, the MPA has progressed significantly with designs shown across the electromagnetic spectrum, from microwave to optical. In this Progress Report we give an overview of the field and discuss a selection of examples and related applications. The ability of the MPA to exhibit extreme performance flexibility will be discussed and the theory underlying their operation and limitations will be established. Insight is given into what we can expect from this rapidly expanding field and future challenges will be addressed.
Mediators of fruit and vegetable consumption among colorectal cancer survivors

Introduction Due to early detection and treatment, survival from colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis has been steadily increasing. A CRC diagnosis could be considered a “teachable moment,” a time when interventionists might successfully promote dietary changes. CRC interventions with tailored print communication (TPC) and telephone motivational interviewing (TMI) have been shown to be effective in promoting fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) among CRC survivors. However, little is known about how these interventions work to exert their effect. This study investigated whether information processes mediate the relationship between a CRC intervention and FVC among CRC survivors.
The Semiotics of Singapore’s Founding Myths of Multiracialism and Meritocracy

Conventional wisdom maintains that Singapore, a one-time marginal British commercial post of 580 km2 devoid of any natural resources, and a general population of merely two million, emerged from the ruins of a bitter partition from Malaysia, and a hotbed of ethnic communalism and Communism to achieve ‘First World’ economic status in a generation. Indeed, multi-ethnic Singapore is today Southeast Asia’s high-tech hub with a burgeoning class of professionals and technicians. Accordingly, this paper seeks to elucidate the central “signs” that constitute the grand narrative of independent Singapore, identify the interpretive networks and verify its materialization. In so doing, this essay will scrutinize the place of Peircean semiotics within sociological theories and demonstrate its relevance to historical sociology.
Generation and structure–property behavior of novel liquid crystalline foams produced via a gas supersaturation technique

Linear and star-branched polyoxybenzoate–polyoxyphenoxybenzoate copolymers (POB-co-POPB) at a 65/35 molar ratio were synthesized via melt acidolysis using AB-type monomers and branching agents. By controlling the molecular weight and topology of these polymers, both melt processability and solid-state CO2 gas absorption behavior were enhanced. POB–POPB copolymers with a molar ratio 65/35 showed a glass transition of 143°C and completion of melting at ca. 300°C. POB–POBP copolymers with a systematically increasing branching agent content showed a systematically decreasing peak intensity in wide-angle X-ray diffraction, indicating that increasing branch-point concentration leads to a decrease in liquid-crystal ordering. Star-branched POB–POPB copolymers showed greatly enhanced carbon dioxide gas absorption behavior relative to their linear counterparts. Whereas CO2 blown foams of linear POB-co-POPB produced by the gas supersaturation technique had a relatively high density and showed highly anisotropic bubble growth, well-defined, nearly isotropic foams of star-branched POB-co-POPB with a mean cell size from 200 to 400 μ were made using the gas supersaturation technique. Structural features were characterized via scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical properties were determined by indentation testing with a 0.25 in. ball indenter. These LCP foams exhibit relative mechanical properties similar to polystyrene and microcellular polycarbonate foams. A strong inverse relationship was noted between cell size and modulus for liquid crystalline foams with a cell size below 400 μm. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Persistent photoconductivity in ii-vi magnetic two-dimensional electron gases

Persistent photoconductivity is studied in ZnSe/(Zn,Cd,Mn)Se two-dimensional electron-gas structures as a function of Mn concentration. Measurements of spectral photoconductivity, photoinduced transient spectroscopy, and deep-level transient Fourier spectroscopy show the presence of a deep trap located 2.1 eV below the conduction band at near room temperature. The buildup of persistent photoconductivity and its decay kinetics are formulated in accordance with the large lattice relaxation model. Implications of the presence of Mn in the two-dimensional electron gas are discussed.
Relative displacement between Eurasia and North America prior to the formation of oceanic crust in the North Atlantic

Abstract The relative positions of North America and Eurasia prior to the opening of the North Atlantic can be reconstructed using three independent data sets: ocean-floor magnetic anomalies and fracture zones, the shape of the shelf line at the continental margins of North America and Eurasia, and the apparent polar wander paths (APWPs) of these two continents together with geological constraints. We here examine the internal consistency of these reconstructions, discuss the tectonic implications of the inconsistencies, and show how all three data sets can be combined to obtain a best fit reconstruction pole. In our analysis we find that the combined errors of the new North American and European APWPs are smaller for 290-240 Ma than at earlier or later times. Therefore this interval was used. Rotation poles derived from magnetic anomalies from the North Atlantic do not bring the APWPs into coincidence. A rotation pole located at 88°N, 215° E with rotation angle −42°, superimposes the two APWPs and is reasonably consistent with the geology of the continental margins in the North Atlantic. The difference between the rotation pole based on APWPs and that based on magnetic anomalies probably reflects relative motion of the two cratons between the Early Triassic and the Late Cretaceous, cratonal Germany moving about 800 km to the east relative to North America and Norway moving about 500 km northeast relative to Greenland. This motion is expressed in extension in the North Sea and the continental shelves. On the other side of the globe, in the vicinity of Siberia and Alaska, our reconstruction places cratonal North America farther away from cratonal Eurasia than do reconstructions based on North Atlantic magnetic anomalies. This greater separation is consistent with the presence in the Late Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic of a sea way in Siberia located in the gap between Eurasia and North America. The magnitude of this gap is uncertain because of Mesozoic deformation in Alaska, and Siberia.
Analysis of production as a closed self-regulating system

Abstract Production management is concerned with the efficient transformation of inputs into desired outputs. Usually the operations are carried out under conditions of uncertain and fluctuating customers’ demand, varying procurement lead times for difference inputs, and the necessity to fix the production schedules long before the magnitude and the mix of the orders that must be filled from the resulting output can be determined. Under certain conditions it is possible to view production of this kind as a closed, self-regulating system which may be studied using some common techniques and procedures. In this paper we define such an operation in terms of several difference equations which describe the behaviour of a simple coupled production inventory system. It is shown that the coupling arises from the fact that the equations are both functionally and time-wise inter-dependent. A single equation of motion is developed to describe the dynamic behaviour of the system. Analysis ofthe equation shows that pr...
Predicted Protein Subcellular Localization in Dominant Surface Ocean Bacterioplankton

Bacteria consume dissolved organic matter (DOM) through hydrolysis, transport and intracellular metabolism, and these activities occur in distinct subcellular localizations. Bacterial protein subcellular localizations for several major marine bacterial groups were predicted using genomic, metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data sets following modification of MetaP software for use with partial gene sequences. The most distinct pattern of subcellular localization was found for Bacteroidetes, whose genomes were substantially enriched with outer membrane and extracellular proteins but depleted of inner membrane proteins compared with five other taxa (SAR11, Roseobacter, Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, oligotrophic marine Gammaproteobacteria). When subcellular localization patterns were compared between genes and transcripts, three taxa had expression biased toward proteins localized to cell locations outside of the cytosol (SAR11, Roseobacter, and Synechococcus), as expected based on the importance of carbon and nutrient acquisition in an oligotrophic ocean, but two taxa did not (oligotrophic marine Gammaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes). Diel variations in the fraction and putative gene functions of transcripts encoding inner membrane and periplasmic proteins compared to cytoplasmic proteins suggest a close coupling of photosynthetic extracellular release and bacterial consumption, providing insights into interactions between phytoplankton, bacteria, and DOM.
Barlaam and Ioasaph

Source of half a hundred medieval popular romances, the Greek version of the Barlaam and Ioasaph legend has been variously ascribed to three different authors widely separated in time: to St. John of Damascus (c. 676–749), to an anonymous author supposed to have flourished about 600, and to St. Euthymius (d. 1028), a monk of Mount Athos. All three attributions are at present current; it now seems clear that we must discard the first two, and that we are justified in naming Euthymius as the author of this Greek version. The oriental language from which he derived this version we can now identify as Georgian. A brief summary of the evidence which may be adduced for all three attributions is in order here.
Array Optimization for VLSI Synthesis

We present in this paper an algorithm that solves a general array optimization problem. The algorithm can be used for compacting Gate Matrix layouts, SLA's, Weinberger Arrays, and for multiple folding of PLA's. Our approach is based on the technique of simulated annealing. A major contribution of this paper is the formulation of the solution space which facilitates an effective search for an optimal solution. Experimental results are very encouraging.
Let’s Talk! Facilitating a Faculty Learning Community Using a Critical Friends Group Approach

This article focuses on the complex process of facilitating a Critical Friends Group as a form of a professional learning community by teacher education faculty. During a three-year initiative, seven faculty members created a forum for collegial conversations regarding pedagogical dilemmas in efforts of improving teaching practice and student achievement. Critical Friends Groups use protocol guides to actively engage its members in learning, thinking, reading and discussing dilemmas from interdisciplinary perspectives. This article reviews the literature of Critical Friends Groups, the work of this particular Critical Friends Group and concludes by providing a rationale for sustainability of Critical Friends Groups in Institutions of Higher Education.
Radionuclides in Nephrourology, Part 2: Pitfalls and Diagnostic Applications

Radionuclide renal scintigraphy provides important functional data to assist in the diagnosis and management of patients with a variety of suspected genitourinary tract problems, but the procedures are underutilized. Maximizing the utility of the available studies (as well as the perception of utility by referring physicians) requires a clear understanding of the clinical question, attention to quality control, acquisition of the essential elements necessary to produce an informed interpretation, and production of a report that presents a coherent impression based on data contained in the report and that specifically addresses the clinical question. To help achieve these goals, part 1 of this review addressed the available radiopharmaceuticals, quality control, and quantitative indices, including the measurement of absolute and relative renal function. Part 2 assumes familiarity with part 1 and focuses on the common clinical indications of suspected obstruction and renovascular hypertension; part 2 also summarizes the status of radionuclide renal imaging in the evaluation of the transplanted kidney and the detection of infection, discusses potential pitfalls, and concludes with suggestions for future research. The series of SAM questions accompanying parts 1 and 2 has been designed to reinforce and extend points made in the review. Although the primary focus is the adult patient, aspects of the review also apply to the pediatric population.
Empowering family caregivers: The powerful tools for caregiving program

ABSTRACT “Powerful Tools for Caregiving” is an education program for family caregivers of older adults. Based on a self-efficacy model, the program empowers family caregivers to reduce negative effects of caregiving and to practice self-care. Through a train-the-trainer approach, professional and community volunteers were trained as class leaders and master trainers. This enabled the Powerful Tools for Caregiving program to reach family caregivers in geographically dispersed regions and underserved communities. The program was evaluated using preclass, postclass, and 6-month follow-up surveys. Class participants rated the classes very positively, reported high use of the tools taught during the series, and showed significant improvements in self-efficacy, emotional well-being, and self-care behaviors.
Habit, Deliberation, and Action: Strengthening the Microfoundations of Routines and Capabilities

The proponents of the “microfoundations project” have advanced a number of criticisms of theories of organizational routines and capabilities. While the criticisms derive in part from philosophical or methodological premises that are open to serious question, and tend to ignore the empirical research on the subject, there remains a valid core concern about the foundational characterization of human nature and particularly about the relationship of the individual level of analysis to the organizational level. This paper makes the case that a suitable individual-level foundation can be found only in an account of individual psychology that gives due weight to habit and clearly distinguishes habit from deliberative decision making. Insight is drawn from the writings of John Dewey and from recent research in psychology.
The calculation of the van der Waal forces for hydrogen and helium at large inter-atomic distances

This paper deals with the calculation of the inter-atomic force at large distances for the cases of hydrogen and helium, and is based on the method used in calculating the polarizability of helium.
Smooth Muscle Tumors of the Uterus: A Practical Approach

Smooth muscle tumors (SMTs) are the most frequent mesenchymal tumors of the uterus. The majority of the uterine SMTs are readily classificable as benign or malignant based on their gross and microscopic appearances. However, when unusual features are seen in some leiomyoma variants, the differential diagnosis with a leiomyosarcoma may become challenging. Moreover, diagnostic criteria for the different subtypes of leiomyosarcoma are not uniform. Finally, non-smooth muscle tumors that originate in the uterus may show overlapping histologic and even immunohistochemical features with uterine SMTs, more commonly with the spindle and epithelioid variants, complicating their correct classification. The diagnosis of malignant uterine SMTs has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. This review provides a practical approach to the diagnosis of uterine leiomyosarcoma based on a systematic assessment of histologic parameters as well as a systematic approach to its differential diagnosis based on histologic and immunohistochemical features.
Oceanic alkyl nitrates as a natural source of tropospheric ozone

Observations have revealed widespread emissions of alkyl nitrates from the tropical and Southern Oceans. We present the first chemical transport model simulations to examine the global impact of these emissions. Matching observed atmospheric abundances, we derive a total oceanic flux of methyl nitrate (MeONO2) and ethyl nitrate (EtONO2) equivalent to 0.35 Tg of N per year, which contributes as much as 1 DU to the tropospheric ozone column in the Western Pacific and is responsible for about 3% of the global oxidative capacity of the troposphere.
Distributed Capacity of Single-Layer Coils

The results of previous work done on the distributed capacity of single-layer coils are briefly outlined. Previous theory and experiment do not agree. The reasons for this disagreement are discussed. Two important parameters were omitted from previous theory. The theoretical part of the present paper yields a formula which includes these two additional parameters. This formula is substantiated by experimental evidence and gives the internal capacity of short single-layer coils. By a short single-layer coil, the author means one whose length of winding is, at most, of about the order of the diameter of winding. Any capacity due to leads or terminals should not be considered as part of the internal coil capacity but should be treated separately.
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus mitochondrial K7 protein targets a cellular calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand to modulate intracellular calcium concentration and inhibit apoptosis

On viral infection, infected cells can become the target of host immune responses or can go through a programmed cell death process, called apoptosis, as a defense mechanism to limit the ability of the virus to replicate. To prevent this, viruses have evolved elaborate mechanisms to subvert the apoptotic process. Here, we report the identification of a novel antiapoptotic K7 protein of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) which expresses during lytic replication. The KSHV K7 gene encodes a small mitochondrial membrane protein, and its expression efficiently inhibits apoptosis induced by a variety of apoptogenic agents. The yeast two-hybrid screen has demonstrated that K7 targets cellular calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand (CAML), a protein that regulates the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. Similar to CAML, K7 expression significantly enhances the kinetics and amplitudes of the increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration on apoptotic stimulus. Mutational analysis showed that K7 interaction with CAML is required for its function in the inhibition of apoptosis. This indicates that K7 targets cellular CAML to increase the cytosolic Ca(2+) response, which consequently protects cells from mitochondrial damage and apoptosis. This is a novel viral antiapoptosis strategy where the KSHV mitochondrial K7 protein targets a cellular Ca(2+)-modulating protein to confer resistance to apoptosis, which allows completion of the viral lytic replication and, eventually, maintenance of persistent infection in infected host.
Two-band electronic metal and neighboring spin Bose-metal on a zigzag strip with longer-ranged repulsion

We consider an electronic model for realizing the spin Bose-metal (SBM) phase on a two-leg triangular strip—a spin liquid phase found by Sheng et al. [Phys. Rev. B 79, 205112 (2009)] in a spin-1/2 model with ring exchanges. The SBM can be viewed as a “C1S2” Mott insulator of electrons where the overall charge transporting mode is gapped out. We start from a two-band “C2S2” metal and consider extended repulsion motivated by recent ab initio derivation of electronic model for κ-ET spin liquid material [K. Nakamura et al., J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 78, 083710 (2009)]. Using weak coupling renormalization group analysis, we find that the extended interactions allow much wider C2S2 metallic phase than in the Hubbard model with on-site repulsion only. An eight-fermion umklapp term plays a crucial role in producing a Mott insulator but cannot be treated in weak coupling. We use bosonization to extend the analysis to intermediate coupling and study phases obtained out of the C2S2 metal upon increasing overall repulsion strength, finding that the SBM phase is a natural outcome for extended interactions.
Transmembrane Proteins in the Tight Junction Barrier

Three types of transmembrane proteins have been identified within the tight junction, but it remains to be determined how they provide the molecular basis for regulating the paracellular permeability for water, solutes, and immune cells. Several of these proteins localize specifically within the continuous cell-to-cell contacts of the tight junction. One of these, occludin, is a cell adhesion molecule that has been demonstrated to influence ion and solute permeability. The claudins are a family of four-membrane spanning proteins; unexpectedly, other members of this family have already been characterized without recognizing their relationship to tight junctions. Junction adhesion molecule, the most recently identified tight junction component, is a member of the Ig superfamily and influences the paracellular transmigration of immune cells. A plaque of cytoplasmic proteins under the junction may be responsible for scaffolding the transmembrane proteins, creating a link to the perijunctional actin cytoskeleton and transducing regulatory signals that control the paracellular barrier.
Application of dynamic band brake model for enhanced drivetrain simulation

AbstractIn a modern vehicle design process, analytical tools are widely employed to complement experimental approaches for design evaluation. When effectively utilized, they lead to a reduced development time with improved vehicle performance. The development process of an automatic transmission (AT) system can benefit from an analytical representation which accurately captures AT shifting behaviours. In a typical AT system, friction components such as wet clutches and band brakes are utilized to alter planetary gear configurations for automatic shifting. Thus, an accurate representation of friction component dynamics is critical in predicting AT shifting behaviour. Engagement characteristics of friction components vary widely under different operating conditions. Although the basic engagement physics was identified in the 1970s, it is relatively recently that a predictive, yet computationally efficient model became available. This paper describes the first attempt to utilize a dynamic friction component ...
The Regulatory Approach to Fastener Integrity in the Nuclear Industry

Fasteners used in operating nuclear power plants are subjected to specific design rules. The regulatory basis for these rules is contained in Part 50 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR Part 50). The Code specifies that safety-related components in an operating nuclear power plant be designed in accordance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Section III of the Code sets design rules for tensile loads, bending loads, fatigue stresses, and stress-corrosion-cracking load limits for fasteners larger than 1 in. (2.54 cm) in diameter. The ASME Code also permits design of fasteners by analysis using generally accepted methods such as finite element analysis in place of the ASME Code recommended methods. Section XI of the ASME Code describes inspection requirements for fasteners. Typical inspection methods covered by this code are visual inspection, magnetic particle inspection, liquid penetrant inspection and ultrasonic inspection. There has been a great deal of interest in safety-related fasteners in nuclear power plants because of the many fasteners that failed in the 1970s and early 1980s. In the early 1980s, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) established Generic Safety Issue 29, "Bolting Degradation or Failure in Nuclear Power Plants." The industry responded to this generic safety issue by forming a Joint Task Group on Bolting that included the Atomic Industrial Forum, the Materials Properties Council, and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). Generic Safety Issue 29 was resolved in October 1991 as a result of the work of the Joint Task Group on Bolting and numerous NRC actions. Typical examples of fastener degradation will be discussed in this paper along with the regulatory response that was taken to minimize the probability of reoccurrence.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Can Utilize Heme as an Iron Source

Most iron in mammals is found within the heme prosthetic group. Consequently, many bacterial pathogens possess heme acquisition systems to utilize iron from the host. Here, we demonstrate that Mycobacterium tuberculosis can utilize heme as an iron source, suggesting that M. tuberculosis possesses a yet-unknown heme acquisition system.
Unlocking the Benefits of Diversity All-Inclusive Multiculturalism and Positive Organizational Change

As the demographic composition of organizations in the United States rapidly shifts, such that minority groups are becoming the numerical and economic majority, organizations are grappling with ways to manage diversity in the workplace. The two forms of diversity initiatives most frequently implemented in organizations—colorblindness and multiculturalism—have clear benefits; however, each also contributes to feelings of exclusion by different organizational members. In this article, the authors describe problematic issues raised by these two approaches to diversity and offer an alternative perspective—all-inclusive multiculturalism, or the AIM model. The authors posit that AIM serves as a catalyst for positive and effective organizational change through the development of social capital and positive relationships at work and enables organizational members to grow to their fullest potential.
PROPERTIES OF TWO SUGAR PHOSPHATE PHOSPHATASES FROM STREPTOCOCCUS BOVIS AND THEIR POTENTIAL INVOLVEMENT IN INDUCER EXPULSION

Streptococcus bovis possesses two sugar phosphate phosphatases (Pases). Pase I is a soluble enzyme that is inhibited by the membrane fractions from lactose-grown cells and is insensitive to activation by S46D HPr, an analog of HPr(ser-P) of the sugar phosphotransferase system. Pase II is a membrane-associated enzyme that can be activated 10-fold by S46D HPr, and it appears to play a role in inducer expulsion.
Lentiviral vectors: are they the future of animal transgenesis?

Lentiviral vectors have become a promising new tool for the establishment of transgenic animals and the manipulation of the mammalian genome. While conventional microinjection-based methods for tra...
COPS GRANTS AND CRIME REVISITED

Using 6 years of panel data, Zhao, Scheider, and Thurman (2002) found that funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), reduced property and violent crime in large U.S. cities. We merged their COPS data with 11 years of panel data from a sample of 189 large cities, such that the period before the COPS program was covered. We also controlled for pre-existing effects on crime of police spending. Finally, we performed various robustness checks and explored state-specific effects of COPS spending. Our findings suggest that COPS spending had little to no effect on crime.
Robust Stratified Sampling Plans for Low Selectivity Queries

We consider the problem of estimating the result of an aggregate query with a very low selectivity. Traditional sampling techniques can be ineffective for such a problem since a small random sample is likely to miss most or even all of the records satisfying the restrictive selection predicate. Stratfied sampling is useful in this situation, but a key problem in applying stratified sampling effectively is identifying which strata are important and developing a sampling plan that favors those strata in a robust fashion. We develop a solution to this problem that combines any prior knowledge or expectation about the stratification with information obtained from pilot sampling in a principled Bayesian framework.
A Neuronal Model for Variable Latency Response

The rabbit conditioned eyeblink (nictitating membrane response, NMR) can be trained to occur with a latency varying from about 100 msec to more than 2000 msec [3]. This programmable delay is, in fact, a common feature of classically conditioned responses. Can such a range of delays arise naturally in a simple neuronal network as a function of connection strengths?
Resolution of the vibrational energy distribution function using a direct simulation Monte Carlo-master equation approach

The direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method is the primary numerical technique for analysis of rarefied gas flows. While recent progress in computational chemistry is beginning to provide vibrationally resolved transition and reaction cross sections that can be employed in DSMC calculations, the particle nature of the standard DSMC method makes it difficult to use this information in a statistically significant way. The current study introduces a new technique that makes it possible to resolve all of the vibrational energy levels by using a master equation approach along with temperature-dependent transition rates. The new method is compared to the standard DSMC technique for several heat bath and shock wave conditions and demonstrates the ability to resolve the full vibrational manifold at the expected overall rates of relaxation. The ability of the new master equation approach to the DSMC method for resolving, in particular, the high-energy states addresses a well-known, longstanding deficiency of the standard DSMC method.
Soil–Cement Laboratory Mixture Design That Interfaces with Pavement Design and Construction Quality Control

A growing need among agencies is the ability to interface soil–cement pavement layer thickness design, laboratory mixture design, and field quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) operations. This need has existed for some time, but in recent years implementation of the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) has reinforced the need for a more unified system for materials, design, and construction. As part of a Mississippi Department of Transportation (DOT) study, equipment referred to as the plastic mold (PM) device was developed to help meet this need. This paper’s objective is to present alternative soil–cement laboratory mixture design concepts that use the PM device to bring continuity between pavement layer thickness design, laboratory mixture design, and construction QC/QA. More than 1,100 soil–cement specimens were tested to evaluate unconfined compressive strength (UCS) development over time, wheel-tracking performance, and variability. Data presented confirmed the design cement con...
Above-Threshold Photodissociation and Bond Softening at High Intensities

Molecules subjected to intense optical fields can ionize and dissociate by the multiple absorption and scattering of photons. A new kind of dissociation and ionization has been seen in laser fields that approach or exceed the binding fields in the molecule. The electron spectra show many peaks, corresponding to the absorption of more photons than the minimum number necessary for ionization. This new behavior is called above-threshold ionization, or ATI.1 The energies of dissociating molecular fragments also show absorption or emission of additional photons beyond the minimum order process; this has been called above-threshold dissociation, or ATD.2 These two new phenomena will be reviewed in this paper. Recent experiments in molecular hydrogen and deuterium performed at the University of Michigan and at AT&T Bell Laboratories illustrate the main features.3–6
Design and Production of Composite Structures: Thermoplastic Wind Turbine Blades

Current wind turbine blade manufacturing technology uses thermoset plastic composites. An alternative approach is the reactive processing of thermoplastic composite parts using Anionic Polyamide-6, as has been completed at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. The noted benefits to blade design incorporating this technology include: higher strength; better impact properties; not turning brittle at low temperatures; unlimited shelf-life of raw materials; environmental and economic benefits from fully recyclable 1 blades. Thermoplastic blades might have an added potential for longer lifetimes compared with thermoset plastic. A blade that lasts longer would be a sound financial investment for energy companies and is therefore worth pursuing. In this paper we outline our efforts to process thermoplastic composites using vacuum infusion technology, which is the standard practice used by industry for processing thermosetcomposite blades. We also highlight the many hurdles faced in the reactive processing of thermoplastic composite parts using Anionic Polyamide-6.
Growth and Development of the Red Flour Beetle in Flour Supplemented with Eggs or Adults of the Indian Meal Moth

Growth and development of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), was determined in the laboratory at 28°C and 60% RH. When the flour was supplemented with dead eggs or adults of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), the red flour beetle larvae weighed an average 2.92±0.51 (SE) or 3.0±0.32 mg, respectively, after 15 days; larvae in unsupplemented flour weighed an average 1.51 ±0.20 mg. However, there was no difference in the maximum weights of the larvae. Larvae in flour supplemented with eggs had a mean developmental period of 19.1± 0.8 days, those in flour supplemented with moths required 20.0±1.0 days, and those in unsupplemented flour required 24.9±0.8 days. Supplemented diets did not influence pupal duration (6.4±0.4 days). Days to 50% adult emergence were 26, 27, or 32 for beetles in flour with eggs, moths, or no supplement, respectively.
Effects of Aspect Ratio on Compressible Gas Flow in Microchannels

*† In this paper, the effects of microchannel aspect ratio on laminar friction factors are investigated for compressible gas flow. The compressible Nitrogen flow in a long microchannel was simulated numerically with a three-dimensional continuum model. The governing equations of the model were solved using a control volume method. The calculated mass flow rate and pressure distribution were compared with known analytical solution for a two-dimensional microchannel flow and experimental data. As the slip affects plays in important role in the friction characteristic of microchannel flows, slip boundary conditions were considered. It was found that a large increase in the normalized laminar friction constant was evident at both low and high aspect ratios, while the square microchannel had the minimum friction constant. Normalized friction constant was not only a function of aspect ratio but also of Knudsen number and compressibility (pressure ratio).