cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A longitudinal study of Babesia microti infection in seropositive blood donors.

Background Babesia infection is caused by intraerythrocytic tick-borne parasites. Cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis have been increasingly recognized. To date, no Babesia test has been licensed for screening US blood donors. We conducted a longitudinal study to assess the course and markers of Babesia infection among seropositive donors identified in a seroprevalence study. Study Design and Methods Eligible donors had B. microti indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) titers of 64 or greater. Enrollees were monitored up to 3 years, by IFA and three methods for evidence of parasitemia: B. microti nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis (at two laboratories), hamster inoculation, and blood-smear examination. Results Among 115 eligible donors, 84 (73%) enrolled. Eighteen enrollees (21%) had evidence of parasitemia for 30 total specimens (17% of 181), which were collected in 9 different months and tested positive by various approaches: PCR (25 specimens/16 persons), hamster inoculation (13 specimens/8 persons), and blood smear (one specimen positive by all three approaches). Overall, 14 persons had one or more specimen with positive PCR results at both laboratories (12 persons) and/or had parasitologically confirmed infection (eight persons). Three of nine persons who had more than one specimen with evidence of parasitemia had nonconsecutive positives. Several enrollees likely had been infected at least 1 year when their last positive specimen was collected. The final three specimens for seven persons tested negative by all study methods, including IFA. Conclusion Seropositive blood donors can have protracted low-level parasitemia that is variably and intermittently detected by parasitologic and molecular methods. Donor-screening algorithms should include serologic testing and not solely rely on molecular testing.
Demand-supply balancing using multi-agent system for bus-oriented microgrids

To balance demand and supply in a microgrid can be considered as a demand-supply balancing problem, and it can be solved in either a static way or a dynamic way. In static algorithms knowledge about the system is known ahead of time. The connection of load and generator is made at the designing phase. A demand-supply balancing algorithm using the knowledge of system state at runtime has potentials of performing better than static algorithms. Demand-supply balancing problem is a large optimization problem with many variables for consumption or generation power flow at connected buses. We developed a market-based multi-agent system solving the problem in a decentralized way. Our approach is iterative with a fixed number of inter-agent communication steps. Consumer agents exchange simple messages with producers in the power network and then solve their own optimization problem by maximizing their own benefits. It has been shown that this approach converges to a solution when the agents’ objectives are achieved without a global coordinator. We have simulated different scaled bus-oriented microgrids and the simulation results show that the performance of the approach is promising.
Determining the focal mechanisms and depths of relatively small earthquakes using a few stations by full‐waveform modelling

Determining the focal mechanism of earthquakes helps us to better define faults and understand the stress regime. This technique can be helpful in the oil and gas industry where it can be applied to microseismic events. The objective of this paper is to find double couple focal mechanisms, excluding scalar seismic moments, and the depths of small earthquakes using data from relatively few local stations. This objective is met by generating three-component synthetic seismograms to match the observed normalized velocity seismograms. We first calculate Green's functions given an initial estimate of the earthquake's hypocentre, the locations of the seismic recording stations and a 1D velocity model of the region for a series of depths. Then, we calculate the moment tensor for different combinations of strikes, dips and rakes for each depth. These moment tensors are combined with the Green's functions and then convolved with a source time function to produce synthetic seismograms. We use a grid search to find the synthetic seismogram with the largest objective function that best fits all three components of the observed velocity seismogram. These parameters define the focal mechanism solution of an earthquake. We tested the method using three earthquakes in Southern California with moment magnitudes of 5.0, 5.1 and 4.4 using the frequency range 0.1–2.0 Hz. The source mechanisms of the events were determined independently using data from a multitude of stations. Our results obtained, from as few as three stations, generally match those obtained by the Southern California Earthquake Data Center. The main advantage of this method is that we use relatively high-frequency full-waveforms, including those from short-period instruments, which makes it possible to find the focal mechanism and depth of earthquakes using as few as three stations when the velocity structure is known.
(Un)Real Animals: Anthropomorphism and Early Learning About Animals

Children are frequently exposed to anthropomorphic depictions of animals. The impact of anthropomorphism on children's development of factual and biological knowledge about real animals has consequences for how we engage children in early learning about the natural world. In this article, I discuss recent cross-cultural and experimental studies on children's exposure to differing representations of animals, and studies that highlight the role that experiences with and about animals play in the development of biological reasoning and factual learning. Continued research that considers the conditions in which anthropomorphism may support early learning can explain discrepancies in previous research and help advance the ways we address the place of anthropomorphism in early educational experiences.
The Enteric Two‐Step: nutritional strategies of bacterial pathogens within the gut

The gut microbiota is a dense and diverse microbial community governed by dynamic microbe–microbe and microbe–host interactions, the status of which influences whether enteric pathogens can cause disease. Here we review recent insights into the key roles that nutrients play in bacterial pathogen exploitation of the gut microbial ecosystem. We synthesize recent findings to support a five-stage model describing the transition between a healthy microbiota and one dominated by a pathogen and disease. Within this five-stage model, two stages are critical to the pathogen: (i) an initial expansion phase that must occur in the absence of pathogen-induced inflammation, followed by (ii) pathogen-promoting physiological changes such as inflammation and diarrhoea. We discuss how this emerging paradigm of pathogen life within the lumen of the gut is giving rise to novel therapeutic strategies.
Unfractionated Heparin Dosing in the FRIC Study

To the Editor: In the recent FRIC study,1 the subheading on page 65 states “Anti–Factor Xa Activity and aPTT Values in the Acute Phase,” but no activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) values were provided. Because one of the measures of performance of unfractionated heparin (UFH) dosing is the aPTT achieved, the reader cannot interpret the degree of anticoagulation achieved with UFH if no aPTT values are provided. Because aPTT measurement was mandated per protocol at 6 and 12 hours as well as daily through 48 hours, these median aPTT values should be reported as well as the percentages of patients below and above …
Assessing the optimal strategy for dual antiplatelet therapy

Coronary artery disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Each year, millions of patients undergo stent placement to treat coronary artery disease. As stents are prone to thrombosis, which can potentially be devastating, patients are treated with dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin plus a thienopyridine for at least 6–12 months after stent placement. New evidence suggests that long-term dual antiplatelet therapy beyond 1 year prevents ischemic events but also leads to increased risk of bleeding. To determine the optimal strategy for dual antiplatelet therapy after stent placement, the benefits and risks must be carefully considered and individualized for each patient.
Soft-x-ray amplification in lithiumlike Al xi (154 Å) and Si xii (129 Å)

Recent experiments on soft-x-ray amplification in lithiumlike ions in a CO2 laser-produced recombining plasma in a magnetic field are presented. The maximum gain–length (GL) products observed are GL ≃ 3–4 for confined the 154-A 4f–3d transition in Al xi and GL ≃ 1–2 for the 129-A 4f–3d transition in Si xii. A one-dimensional hydrodynamic code with a collisional-radiative atomic model was used to model the plasma, and the theoretical of gain agree well with the observations. Descriptions of both hydrodynamic and atomic physics codes predictions are given.
Ignition and extinction of non-premixed flames of single-component liquid hydrocarbons, jet fuels, and their surrogates

Abstract In the present study, extinction strain rates and ignition temperatures of a wide range of jet fuels were experimentally determined in the counterflow configuration under non-premixed conditions. Similar measurements were also made for single-component hydrocarbon fuels and surrogate fuels, and were compared with those obtained for the jet fuels. The experiments were conducted at atmospheric pressure and elevated temperatures. Comparing single-component hydrocarbon fuels, it was found that those with lower carbon number exhibit greater resistance to extinction and greater ignition propensity. The results for the jet fuels revealed that there is a large variation in both extinction and ignition limits. Jet fuels with similar extinction behavior were found to display a rather different ignition response. Two recently proposed JP-8 surrogates were also tested, and both the ignition and extinction states of a reference JP-8 fuel were not predicted satisfactorily. Both surrogates were found to exhibit a more robust combustion behavior compared to JP-8, as manifested by their increased ignition propensity and their increased resistance to extinction.
Monte Carlo Simulation of Particle Aggregation and Simultaneous Restructuring.

Abstract Ultrafine (“nano”-) particles produced from highly supersaturated vapors or liquids often undergo rapid coagulation and slow interspherule coalescence. Resulting “aggregates” typically contain hundreds of small spherules bound together in tenuous structures characterized by mass fractal dimensions much less than 3. Such aggregates have large and relatively accessible initial surface area but are metastable with respect to more compact configurations, especially in high temperature environments (e.g., flames). Subject to deliberately idealized “uncoupled” rate laws for coagulation and coalescence, we illustrate the power of Monte Carlo simulation methods to obtain the self-preserving joint distribution function (with respect to both particle size and surface area) of populations of coagulating fractal aggregates in the continuum regime, simultaneously undergoing finite-rate restructuring (e.g., via surface-energy-driven viscous flow). Unconditional distributions with respect to either particle volume or area are also obtained from the Monte Carlo simulations. These are conveniently quantified by fitting them to log-normal distributions and we report the sensitivity of the associated spreads to characteristic fusion/coagulation time ratio, χ, and particle fractal dimension,Df, here prespecified. We also calculate and report selected “mixed” moments of the joint pdf with respect to particle volume and surface area needed for engineering calculations of deposition or diffusion-controlled vapor scavenging, as well as the important ratio of actual mean area to that area corresponding to the mean particle volume in the aerosol population. This work sets the stage for tractable simulations of particle dynamics in more complex coagulating systems requiring multi-internal (state-) variables for their more realistic and self-consistent description.
Regulation of CD28 expression on CD8+ T cells by CTLA-4

CD28 and CTLA-4 are the critical costimulatory receptors that predominantly determine the outcome of T cell stimulation, with CD28 promoting positive costimulation and CTLA-4 inducing inhibitory signals. Blockage of the B7-CD28/CTLA-4 pathway leads to transplantation tolerance. However, the exact mechanism of the inhibitory function of CTLA-4 remains elusive. Here, we investigated the influence of CTLA-4 expression on CD28 using CTLA-4-transfected Jurkat T cells as well as primary T cells. Up-regulation of CTLA-4 induced abrogation of IL-2 production, indicating an anergic phenotype of CTLA-4(high) T cells. Besides the negative signaling function of CTLA-4, we show for the first time that CTLA-4 expression promotes the down-regulation of CD28 on the T cell surface as a result of enhanced internalization and degradation of CD28. These data suggest that apart from the established competition for B7.1 and B7.2 by CTLA-4, inhibition of T cells by CTLA-4 might be additionally explained by reduction of CD28 on the cell surface, which might impede T cell response to stimulation. Our data provide a previously unrecognized mechanism for T cell regulation.
Intercalation of hydrazines in lead iodide

Abstract Hydrazine and methylated hydrazines were intercalated into thin films and crystalline powders of lead iodide. Interplanar spacing increased with increasing methylation. Weight gain and X-ray data provide estimates of the guest orientation. All three guest molecules have their major axis approximately perpendicular to the layers of the host. The large optical band-edge shifts in this intercalation decreased with increasing methylation. Intercalation of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine produces the first evidence for staging in the heavy-metal iodide systems.
A1 noradrenergic action on medial preoptic-medial septal neurons: a neuropharmacological study.

In an attempt to determine whether the excitatory and inhibitory orthodromic responses of single medial preoptic-medial septal (MPO-S) neurons to discrete electrical stimulation of the A1 noradrenergic region were mediated specifically by norepinephrine (NE) and involved different types of adrenoreceptors, a series of electrophysiological and neuropharmacological experiments was conducted. Extracellular single unit recording and local drug application techniques were used in female rats under urethane anesthesia. Chemical lesion of the catecholaminergic nerve terminal plexus in the medial preoptic area with 6-hydroxydopamine abolished both excitatory and inhibitory orthodromic effects of A1 region stimulation on MPO-S neurons, suggesting the noradrenergic nature of the effects. This conclusion was corroborated by the observation that the orthodromic effects were mimicked by locally applied exogenous NE. The excitatory effects were reliably mimicked by a low concentration of NE (0.5 mM; in-barrel concentration) and methoxamine (1.0 mM, an alpha-1 agonist), but not by either low or high concentration (1 and 100 mM) of clonidine (an alpha-2 agonist) and isoproterenol (a beta agonist). The inhibitory orthodromic effects of A1 region stimulation were reliably mimicked by a high concentration of NE (50 mM), clonidine (100 mM) and isoproterenol (100 mM), but not by a low concentration of NE (0.5 mM), methoxamine (1mM), clonidine (1 mM) or isoproterenol (1 mM). A high concentration (100 mM) of methoxamine mimicked the inhibitory effects less than 40% of the time. The low concentration (0.5 mM) NE-induced excitation that matched the excitatory orthodromic effect of A1 region stimulation was blocked by phentolamine (100 mM), an alpha blocker, but not by timolol (100 mM), a beta blocker. On the other hand, the high concentration (50 mM) NE-induced inhibition that matched the inhibitory orthodromic effect of A1 region stimulation was blocked by timolol, but not by phentolamine. Taken together, the present results are consistent with the hypothese that the ascending noradrenergic projections from the A1 region affect the excitability of MPO-S neurons directly through NE and that the excitatory and inhibitory orthodromic effects involve different types of adrenoreceptors, i.e., alpha-1 and beta receptors, respectively.
Executive functions and extraversion

Abstract Executive functions and extraversion have been linked to similar neurological substrates. Participants were tested on a variety of tasks that assessed performance on three components of executive functioning (i.e., shifting, updating, and inhibition) and two measures of extraversion (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised and Carver and White’s BIS/BAS scales). More extraverted participants showed different patterns of executive function performance than the more introverted participants. Extraverts performed best on more difficult tasks and on updating tasks. Conversely, introverts performed best on set shifting tasks. These results suggest that executive functioning strengths differ based on degree of extraversion.
Selective ablation of orthodontic composite by using sub-microsecond IR laser pulses with optical feedback

Background and Objective Conventional methods of residual composite removal after debonding orthodontic brackets involve the use of abrasives that damage the underlying enamel. The objective of this study was to determine whether infrared pulsed lasers are suitable for the removal of composite through selective laser ablation. Study Design/Materials and Methods Pulsed CO2 and Er:YAG lasers were evaluated for their ability to selectively ablate orthodontic composites. Optical emission spectra of the luminous plasma produced during composite and enamel ablation were acquired to differentiate between enamel and composite ablation to minimize accidental removal of enamel. Results TEA CO2 laser pulses at a wavelength of 10.6 μm were best suited for the selective ablation of composite. Spectral analysis of plume emission identified several calcium emission lines that can potentially be used to distinguish between enamel and composite ablation. Conclusion TEA CO2 lasers operating at 10.6 μm used in conjunction with optical feedback have the potential to selectively ablate residual dental composite and minimize inadvertent removal of enamel. Lasers Surg. Med. 27:103–110, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On the importance of difference: re-envisioning sex and gender in ancient Mesoamerica

Models currently employed to investigate gender ideologies and practices in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica tend to rely on binary constructions. As a result, if applied uncritically to archaeological case studies, they may obscure variability and marginalize the importance of difference in the lives of past peoples. I propose that models such as gender hierarchy and complementarity have been strongly impacted upon by processes of conquest and colonization, which may render them inappropriate frameworks for investigating ancient societies. I conclude that we should turn our attention away from debating the relative merits of these models and focus instead on the exploration of pre-Columbian identity. By considering the ways that identity served to articulate individuals into groups, as well as distinguish the individual from the group, we can avoid creating grand narratives about past gender ideologies and appropriately situate the role of gendered difference within its larger social context.
THE SOLUBILITY OF d-VALINE IN WATER.

1. The solubility of d-valine in water has been determined over a range of 0-60 degrees . 2. The solubility of this amino acid varies with the mode of crystallization, indicating a dependence of solubility on the crystal form.
Dynamical Mass Generation by Compact Extra Dimensions

Abstract We show that there is a physical spacelike extra dimension of a circle (S1) with small size β, the existence of fermions can cause dynamical instability of a vacuum at low energies 《 1/β by quantum effects. In a system consisting of gauge fields (Aμ) and fermions with minimal gauge interactions an ordinary vacuum (〈Aμ〉 = 0) is always destabilized by fermions obeying a periodic boundary condition in the extra dimensional coordinate. In a new vacuum the gauge symmetry remains unbroken, but fermions acquire dynamical masses by quantum corrections, even if they are massless at the tree level. We also present a toy model consisting of gauge and scalar fields in which SU(2) symmetry breaks down to U(1) without the scalar fields developing non-vanishing expectation value.
Kinetics of the FCC to HCP phase transformation and the formation of martensite in pure cobalt

Abstract The experimental data on the kinetics of the fcc to hcp phase transformation in pure cobalt have been summarized (in Figs. 1 and 2) and analyzed in conjunction with the recent finding of a metastable 9R martensite structure by Kajiwara et al. [12,13]. From the observed transformation kinetics, it is predicted that there should exist another martensitic structure for cobalt in addition to the e martensite and the 9R (e″) martensite, i.e., there are three kinds of martensite. Each martensite has a separate Ms temperature, which is identified as 390 ± 5 °C (e), 370 ± 8 °C (e′) and 330 ±15 °C (e″), respectively. The absence of this unidentified e′ martensite in the ultra-fine particles of Kajiwara et al. does not exclude its existence in other forms of pure cobalt. Grain size and impurity effects on the transformation kinetics are also discussed and used to explain the experimental observations in both bulk and ultra-fine particle cobalt.
The effect of suggestion and pretesting on avoidance reduction in fearful subjects

Abstract The effect of suggestion (instructions for therapeutic change) in the absence of veridical treatment was evaluated with snake avoidant college students. 81 subjects (selected for high fear on two paper-and-pencil measures administered in class) received one of four conditions: Instructions-Pretest, Instructions-No Pretest, No Instructions-Pretest, and No Instructions- No Pretest. The instructions suggested that there would be an improvement in performance (at second testing for the pretested group) or little initial avoidance (at the first assessment for the nonpretested group). On behavioral, attitudinal, and fear measures of avoidance, instructed subjects showed significantly less avoidance than subjects for whom no induced expectancy was given. No pretest sensitization effect was found.
Discrete-event simulation for the design and evaluation of physical protection systems

Explores the use of discrete-event simulation for the design and control of physical protection systems for fixed-site facilities housing items of significant value. The paper begins by discussing several modeling and simulation activities currently being performed in designing and analyzing these protection systems and then discusses the capabilities that design/analysis tools should have. The authors then discuss in detail how some of these new capabilities have been implemented in software to achieve a prototype design and analysis tool. The simulation software technology provides a communications mechanism between a running simulation and one or more external programs. In the prototype security analysis tool, these capabilities are used to facilitate human-in-the-loop interaction and to support a real-time connection to a virtual reality model of the facility being analyzed. This simulation tool can be used for both training (in real-time mode) and facility analysis and design (in fast mode).
Biofilms and the technological implications of microbial cell adhesion

Abstract Biofilms are a collection of cells entrapped within a gelatinous matrix comprising mostly insoluble extracellular polymers that the cells secrete. Although the term is applied mostly to bacterial cells and their secreted insoluble exopolymers, any biologically active layer of cells (microbial, plant, or mammalian cells) can be considered a biofilm. Any surface in contact with a biological fluid is a potential target surface for microbial cell adhesion. Once cells are attached, subsequent growth and replication of surface-attached cells, cell exopolymer production, further recruitment of planktonic cells from the fluid phase, and various biofilm detachment processes constitute what is collectively known as biofilm formation and persistence. Biofilms can play both beneficial or detrimental roles depending on whether their formation within a specific system is intentional or inadvertent. This article will review both the current and emerging technological implications of bacterial cell adhesion and biofilm formation including biomaterials preparation to prevent bacterial infections of medical implants; development of novel antibiotic therapies to control biofilm-bound bacteria; designer nanocrystalline filaments called “bionites”, fabricated from strands of bacteria, that possess unusual magnetic, optical and biocatalytic properties; specific hazardous waste detoxification by immobilized recombinant bacteria; improved recombinant plasmid retention within biofilm populations; and stable biosensors.
Robust principal component analysis?: Recovering low-rank matrices from sparse errors

The problem of recovering a low-rank data matrix from corrupted observations arises in many application areas, including computer vision, system identification, and bioinformatics. Recently it was shown that low-rank matrices satisfying an appropriate incoherence condition can be exactly recovered from non-vanishing fractions of errors by solving a simple convex program, Principal Component Pursuit, which minimizes a weighted combination of the nuclear norm and the l1 norm of the corruption [1]. Our methodology and results suggest a principled approach to robust principal component analysis, since they show that one can efficiently and exactly recover the principal components of a low-rank data matrix even when a positive fraction of the entries are corrupted. These results extend to the case where a fraction of entries are missing as well.
On the seventh order mock theta functions

In a recent paper [H], we proved the "Mock Theta Conjectures". These are identities, stated by Ramanujan in his "lost notebook" JR2, pp. 19-20], involving two of the 5th order mock 0-functions. In fact, Ramanujan gave one such identity for each of the ten 5th order functions; as shown in [A-G1], these ten identities are all equivalent to the two proved in I-HI. In this paper, we prove the corresponding identities for Ramanujan's 7th order mock 0-functions, and show how they are related to rank differences of partitions. To state our results, we first introduce some standard notation: If q and x are complex numbers with [ql < 1 and n is a nonnegative integer, then
Role of Model Proteins on Membrane Fusion

Within neural cells, synaptic vesicles carry neurotransmitters (signaling molecule) through the plasma membrane. In order to do so synaptic vesicles must fuse with the plasma membrane, so that the enclosed neurotransmitter can cross it. Typically, without fusion proteins membrane fusion occurs on a very long time scale. However, it has been established that the fusion occur via fusion proteins (FPs), which initially are bound to one or both of the fusing membranes via a trans-membrane (TM) helix, utilize energetically favorable conformational transitions to lower the activation energy for membrane fusion, and thus are key participants in shaping the energy landscape by facilitating bilayer-bilayer apposition and dehydration as bilayers come into more intimate contact. It is also widely accepted that the trans-membrane (TM) part of the FPs has vital role in governing the fusion, fusion does not occur if TM is replaced with lipid molecules. In order to understand how the TM segment of FPs facilitates membrane fusion, we used a model protein that mimics mostly the TM part of the FPs, of similar dimensions to an α-helix. In doing so, the length of the model protein was chosen to match the thickness of a POPC bilayer. To retain the trans-membrane orientation of the model proteins without adding the soluble domains, we truncated the ends with polar groups. The middle portion was kept non-polar. We observed via coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations that the self-aggregation of the model proteins greatly enhances the rate of formation of hemi-fused intermediate states. Also, the model-proteins if present in relatively higher concentration drive the attachment of a 20nm size vesicle to a flat bilayer.
13C NMR and 1H NMR chemical shifts of bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) disulfide and bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) trisulfide and their oxide derivatives

The 13C NMR and 1H NMR spectra of bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) disulfide and bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) trisulfide and their oxygenated derivatives, including sulfinothioic acid S-esters and sulfonothioic acid S-esters, have been studied. Deshielding βSO and β effects and shielding γSO and γ effects are observed. The NMR spectra of tert-butyl polysulfides and the influences of sulfur atoms are also compared and discussed.
MHC-DRB allelic sequences incorporate distinct intragenic trans-specific segments.

The second exon of primate MHC-DRB genes encodes discrete areas of allelic hypervariability (HVR), which are used as the basis for lineage assignments to determine genetic and evolutionary relationships. Comparisons of these regions have led to the "trans-species hypothesis", which proposes that certain MHC alleles from one species are more closely related to those from other species than they are to each other; i.e., that allelic lineages are ancestral in origin. We evaluated this paradigm in an analysis of macaque and baboon MHC-DRB genes using oligotyping and sequencing of 87 new nonhuman primate DRB alleles. A remarkable conservation of sequence motifs in the HVRIII region (codon 60-79) was observed, detected both by hybridization and by sequencing; some of these motifs were found in species such as prosimians that have diverged from the human lineage 50 MYA. However, these fixed HVRIII motif sequences nevertheless occur on a background of diverse lineages suggesting that it is the segmental motif, rather than the allele per se which is trans-specific in origin. Sequences within the first hypervariable region (codons 7-14) identified lineage assignments to several DRB loci (DRB1, DRB3, DRB4, DRB5, DRB6 and DRB7), although a large number of DRB nucleotide sequences did not correspond to a defined allelic motif, suggesting that many of the nonhuman sequences lack human HVRI homologs and have accumulated additional intraspecies variation subsequent to speciation. While there are certain allelic lineages in HVRI that show trans-species conservation, other sequence motifs seem purely species-specific. These differences suggest that HVRI and HVRIII regions have distinct mechanisms for maintenance of trans-specific sequence elements, with different evolutionary histories for segmental nucleotide conservation.
Potential for Agricultural Pesticide Runoff to a Puget Sound Estuary: Padilla Bay, Washington

Eelgrass meadows, worldwide, are major contributors to estuarine primary productivity (Thayer et al. 1978). The highly productive eelgrasses that lie submerged in parts of Puget Sound serve as nursery grounds and habitat for many species of fish, sea mammals, and birds (Thayer and Phillips 1977). For this reason the potential for chemical contamination of the eelgrass ecosystem is of great concern.
Focal hyperintensities in cerebral white matter on MR images of asymptomatic volunteers: correlation with social and medical histories.

Previous attempts to explain the presence of focal hyperintensities in the cerebral white matter on MR images have focused on the patient's age and cardiovascular risk factors. The purpose of this study was to survey many variables in subjects' social, medical, and surgical histories to identify those factors associated with focal hyperintensities in asymptomatic persons.Asymptomatic volunteers were examined with MR imaging of the head and questioned concerning smoking history; chemical dependence; alcohol consumption; medical history (e.g., high blood pressure, kidney disease); surgical history (e.g., for appendix, gallbladder); medications (e.g., antihypertensives, analgesics); and other historical family and social variables. Vital signs were recorded. Focal hyperintensities were counted by observers who were not provided any information about the subjects other than that they were either volunteers or patients. Each of the variables in the history was tested for an association with the number of focal...
Metaphor, poetry, storytelling and cross‐cultural leadership

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the theory and benefits of poetry, storytelling, and metaphor when applied to cross‐cultural leadership.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology utilized is founded on preliminary research on metaphors, poetry and leadership with examples and connections based upon experience.Findings – Explains how the use of poetry and metaphors can be utilized by a leader to build trust and demonstrate empathy; how to communicate more effectively; and, how to inspire.Research limitations/implications – Possible future research on the psychological and sociological aspects of the messages that most impel, mobilize, and inspire people to act on complex ideas.Practical implications – Leaders can approach communications, empathy, and trust with a tool that will enable them to inspire action in complex cultural environments.Originality/value – There has been little published on the connection between effective leadership and the use of poetry and metaphor. Leadership r...
Electron-Repulsion Effects in a Klystron

This paper is an extension of an article by V. Y. Savelyev appearing under the title "On the Theory of the Klystron," in the Journal of Technical Physics (Russian), vol. 10, no. 16; 1940. Appreciation is here expressed for the permission granted to The Institute of Radio Engineers to present portions, modifications or extensions of this material in the pages of its PROCEEDINGS. Savelyev's work is a review of some of the results of Webster, and seems to present a simpler method of development, especially in respect to electron-repulsion effects in the beam. In this article the use of the kiystron as an amplifier and as an oscillator, and the optimum operating conditions are considered. The restricting assumption is that the depth of modulation be small, and the time of flight of an electron through the buncher is neglected. It is found that, in the case of an amplifier, the presence of electron-repulsion debunching sets a limit to the upper value of length of drift space which can be used. Thus the gain is limited. In the case of the oscillator operating under optimum conditions the debunching has very little effect.
Application of split-gate and dual-gate field-effect transistor designs to InAs field-effect transistors

On presente les avantages des grilles partagees et des grilles doubles dans des transistors a effet de champ (PET). Les transconductances des dispositifs a grilles partagees peuvent augmenter jusqu'a 60% par rapport aux dispositifs a grille unique, et les dispositifs a grille double (dual gate) ont des gains de faible frequence allant jusqu'a 40 dB superieurs a ceux des dispositifs similaires de base
A variety of automated turing tests for network security: Using AI-hard problems in perception and cognition to ensure secure collaborations

There are a multitude of collaborative and network applications that are vulnerable to interference, infiltration, or attack by automated computer programs. Malicious programs can spam or otherwise disrupt email systems, blogs, and file sharing networks. They can cheat at online gaming, skew the results of online polls, or conduct denial-of-service attacks. And sophisticated AI “chat-bots” can pose as humans in order to gather intelligence from unsuspecting targets. Thus, a recurring problem in collaborative systems is how to verify that a user is a human and not a computer. Following the work of Coates et al. [1], von Ahn et al. [2], and others, we propose several AI-hard problems in perception and cognition that can serve as “CAPTCHAs,” or tests capable of distinguishing between human-level intelligence and artificial intelligence, ensuring that all collaborators interfacing a particular system are humans and not nefarious computer programs.
Individual Differences in Risk Preference Predict Neural Responses during Financial Decision-Making

We investigated the neural correlates of subjective valuations during a task involving risky choices about lotteries. Because expected value was held constant across all lotteries, decisions were influenced by subjective preferences, which manifest behaviorally as risk-seeking or risk-averse attitudes. To isolate structures encoding risk preference during choice, we probed for areas showing increased activation as a function of selected risk-level. Such response patterns were obtained in anterior (ACC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), superior frontal gyrus, caudate nucleus, and substantia nigra. Behavioral results revealed the presence of risk-averse and risk-neutral individuals. In parallel, brain signals revealed modulation of activity by risk attitude during choice. Correlations between risk-seeking attitudes and neural activity during risky choice were obtained in superior and inferior frontal gyri, medial and lateral orbitofrontal cortex, and parahippocampal gyrus, while correlations with risk-averse attitudes were found in the caudate. The dynamics of neural responses relevant to each stage of the task (decision, anticipation, outcome) were investigated via timeseries and conjunction analyses. Though the networks engaged in each of the task stages were mostly distinct, regions within ACC, PCC and caudate were consistently activated during each decision-making phase. These results demonstrate (1) that subjective assessments of risk, as well as individual attitudes toward risk, play a significant role in modulating activity within brain regions recruited during decision-making, and (2) that ACC, PCC and caudate are relevant during each phase of a decision-making task requiring subjective valuations, strengthening the role of these regions in self-referential subjective valuations during choice.
Nitric oxide's reactions with hemoglobin: a view through the SNO-storm

S-nitroso-hemoglobin (SNOHb) has been proposed to regulate blood flow and tissue oxygenation through allosterically controlled binding and delivery of nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen in the vasculature. This precept and the experiments that test it have provoked both ardent support and expanding dissent. An alternative view suggests that a physiologically tightly regulated balance of NO scavenging by hemoglobin and NO production by endothelial cells determines NO bioavailability.
Inhibition of the lordosis reflex in rats by intrahypothalamic infusion of neural excitatory agents: evidence that the hypothalamus contains separate inhibitory and facilitatory elements.

Abstract In attempts to activate lordosis-facilitating neural mechanisms in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), neural excitatory agents were infused into the medial hypothalamus, and the effects of the infusions on the lordosis reflex and on the electrical activity of VMH neurons were studied. Surprisingly, bilateral intrahypothalamic infusion of glutamate (10 mM, 1.0 μl/side) into behaving, ovariectomized, estrogen-treated rats displaying moderate lordotic responsiveness did not facilitate lordosis, but instead, resulted in a rapid (within a few minutes) and transient (recovery in about 20 min) inhibition of lordosis. Further experiments showed that this lordosis-inhibiting effect of glutamate was dose-related, and was completely blocked by prior infusion of a local anesthetic, procaine. Infusion of KCl (1.5 or 15%, 1.0 μl/side) also induced a dose-related, rapid and transient inhibition of lordosis, that was essentially identical to that induced by glutamate. Kainic acid (0.25 μg/0.5 μl/side) also caused a rapid inhibition of lordosis, but the effect was long-lasting (days). The inhibition of lordosis by these agents was dissociated in time course, presence, and/or severity from effects on non-lordotic behaviors. Electrophysiological studies showed that all three agents tested could excite multiunit activity of the VMH, and that the time courses of these excitations were closely comparable to those of the inhibition of lordosis induced by the respective agents. Altogether, these studies indicated that the excitation of certain medial hypothalamic neurons can inhibit the lordosis reflex. The implied lordosis-inhibiting neural mechanisms are separate from facilitatory mechanism(s), according to differences in latency, duration, and procaine-sensitivity of response.
Vacuum-ultraviolet emission from high-pressure xenon and argon excited by high-current relativistic electron beams

High pressure Xe and Ar were excited by high-current relativistic-electron bursts. The spectral and temporal characteristics of the uv continua, centered near 1700 \AA{} in Xe and 1260 \AA{} in Ar, were measured. The maximum of the Xe spectral distribution shifted from 1690 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 9 to 1710 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 9 \AA{}, and the spectral width decreased from 150 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 3 to 110 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 3 \AA{} when the pressure was raised from 2 to 34 atm. The shift of the Ar continuum centered at 1260 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 9 \AA{} was negligible and the spectral width decreased from 130 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 3 to 90 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 3 \AA{} when the pressure was raised from 2 to 61 atm. Exponential time constants for the buildup and decay of the Xe and Ar continua were obtained. They are characterized by a ${p}^{\ensuremath{-}1.5}$ pressure dependence below 3 atm. Pressure-independent decay time constants of 4 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1, 16 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2.5, and about 280 nsec were obtained for Xe at high pressure. For Ar the pressure-independent decay time constants were 6 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1.5, 30 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 5, and about 230 nsec. The efficiency for conversion of electron kinetic energy to uv energy was 10 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 4% in Xe and 15 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 7% in Ar.
Contrasting insulin dose-dependent defects in activation of atypical protein kinase C and protein kinase B/Akt in muscles of obese diabetic humans.

Aims/hypothesis Insulin-stimulated glucose transport in muscle is impaired in obesity and type 2 diabetes, but alterations in levels of relevant signalling factors, i.e. atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), are still uncertain. Clamp studies using maximal insulin concentrations have revealed defects in activation of aPKC, but not PKB, in both obese non-diabetic and obese diabetic subjects. In contrast, clamp studies using submaximal insulin concentrations revealed defects in PKB activation/phosphorylation in obese non-diabetic and diabetic subjects, but changes in aPKC were not reported. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that dose-related effects of insulin may account for the reported differences in insulin signalling to PKB in diabetic muscle.
Maternal immune activation leads to activated inflammatory macrophages in offspring

Several epidemiological studies have shown an association between infection or inflammation during pregnancy and increased risk of autism in the child. In addition, animal models have illustrated that maternal inflammation during gestation can cause autism-relevant behaviors in the offspring; so called maternal immune activation (MIA) models. More recently, permanent changes in T cell cytokine responses were reported in children with autism and in offspring of MIA mice; however, the cytokine responses of other immune cell populations have not been thoroughly investigated in these MIA models. Similar to changes in T cell function, we hypothesized that following MIA, offspring will have long-term changes in macrophage function. To test this theory, we utilized the poly (I:C) MIA mouse model in C57BL/6J mice and examined macrophage cytokine production in adult offspring. Pregnant dams were given either a single injection of 20 mg/kg polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid, poly (I:C), or saline delivered intraperitoneally on gestational day 12.5. When offspring of poly (I:C) treated dams reached 10 weeks of age, femurs were collected and bone marrow-derived macrophages were generated. Cytokine production was measured in bone marrow-derived macrophages incubated for 24 h in either growth media alone, LPS, IL-4/LPS, or IFN-γ/LPS. Following stimulation with LPS alone, or the combination of IFN-γ/LPS, macrophages from offspring of poly (I:C) treated dams produced higher levels of IL-12(p40) (p < 0.04) suggesting an increased M1 polarization. In addition, even without the presence of a polarizing cytokine or LPS stimulus, macrophages from offspring of poly (I:C) treated dams exhibited a higher production of CCL3 (p = 0.05). Moreover, CCL3 levels were further increased when stimulated with LPS, or polarized with either IL-4/LPS or IFN-γ/LPS (p < 0.05) suggesting a general increase in production of this chemokine. Collectively, these data suggest that MIA can produce lasting changes in macrophage function that are sustained into adulthood.
Optimizing anti-tumor necrosis factor strategies in inflammatory bowel disease.

The introduction of infliximab, a mouse/human chimeric monoclonal antibody to tumor necrosis factor (TNF), is an important advance in the treatment of Crohn’s disease. Infliximab is effective for induction and maintenance of remission in patients with inflammatory luminal and fistulizing disease. The development of human antichimeric antibodies (HACAs) has led to infusion reactions and loss of efficacy in patients treated with infliximab. Strategies to reduce the frequency of HACA formation include induction of immunologic tolerance with a three-dose regimen at 0, 2, and 6 weeks followed by systematic maintenance dosing every 8 weeks; concomitant immunosuppressive therapy with azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or methotrexate; and premedication with intravenous corticosteroids. Humanized or fully human anti-TNF biotechnologic agents, including CDP571, CDP870, etanercept, adalimumab, and onercept, are theoretically less immunogenic than the chimeric antibody infliximab. Etanercept is not effective for Crohn’s disease. CDP571 is not effective in unselected patients with active Crohn’s disease, but it may be effective in patients with elevated C-reactive protein. The efficacy of CDP870, adalimumab, and onercept is under investigation. The different mechanisms of action of these anti-TNF agents may account for their variable efficacy. Their benefits, however, must be considered in the context of their risks, including infusion reaction; delayed hypersensitivitylike reaction; new onset of autoimmunity, with rare cases of drug-induced lupus and new-onset demyelination; and the potential for rare but serious infections.
IN‐VIVO TESTING OF TECHNETIUM‐99m‐LABELED MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES SPECIFIC FOR DIROFILARIA IMMITIS

Monoclonal antibodies specific for Dirofilaria immitis were labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) and tested in vivo in five heartworm positive and five heartworm negative dogs. Diethlyenetriaminepentaactic acid (DTPA) was used to label the 99mTc to the antibody. Radiochemical purity of the 99mTc-labeled antibodies (99mTc-MoAb) was determined by gel filtration and by instant thin-layer chromatography. The uptake percentages in the blood, heart, lung, liver, and kidneys were determined from tissues obtained at necropsy and by computer analysis of images obtained at two and 24 hours. The percent uptake in the heart region of interest (ROI) at two hours was significantly higher in the heartworm-positive dogs. There was significant correlation between the uptake in the heart at two hours to the number and activity of the worms at necropsy.