cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Murine embryonic antigen (SSEA-1) is expressed on human cells and structurally related human blood group antigen I is expressed on mouse embryos

Abstract The stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA-1), present on embryonal carcinoma cells and on murine preimplantation embryos, is defined by a monoclonal antibody. The antigenic determinant of SSEA-1 is a carbohydrate structurally related to the human blood group antigen I. Since it has been suggested that the I antigen might represent a precursor or SSEA-1, we used antibodies to SSEA-1 and to I to analyze their expression on mouse preimplantation embryos. Both are expressed on mouse embryos; moreover, I is expressed on earlier embryos than SSEA-1. The I antigen is defined by its expression on human erythrocytes; accordingly, we examined expression of I and SSEA-1 on human peripheral blood elements. We find SSEA-1 to be expressed exclusively on human granulocytes while I is found only on erythrocytes. These results suggest that these closely related antigens can be independently expressed. Analysis of the expression of I and SSEA-1 was then extended to a series of mouse and human cell lines; some express both, some express only one, and some express neither of these antigens. The activation of specific glycosyltransferases and/or glycosidases during development and differentiation appears to be the biochemical mechanism regulating expression of these antigens.
Dosimetric characteristics of a 6 MV photon beam from a linear accelerator with asymmetric collimator jaws

Dosimetric measurements have been made of a 6 MV photon beam from a linear accelerator equipped with asymmetric jaws. The field size factors for asymmetrically set fields are compared to those for symmetrically set fields. The change of beam quality has been measured as a function of off-axis position of the asymmetric fields to assess its effect on depth dose. Additional measurements include beam penumbra and shape of isodose curves for open and wedge fields as the field opening is moved asymmetrically from the central ray.
A Mechanistic Model of Effects of Dioxin on Thyroid Hormones in the Rat

A physiological dosimetric model of the disposition of TCDD in the rat (Kohn et al., Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 120, 138-154, 1993) was extended to include effects of dioxin on serum concentrations of thyroid hormones in the rat. The extended model included distribution of blood among major vessels and tissue capillary beds and resorption of TCDD released into the gut lumen from the liver by cell lysis consequent to cytotoxicity. TCDD metabolism was represented by Hill kinetics. Parameter values were estimated by fitting time-course data for a single oral subcutaneous injection of TCDD and dose-response data for biweekly oral dosing. The extended model included new compartments for the thyroid and thyroxine-sensitive tissues (e.g., pituitary, kidney, and brown fat), secretion and tissue uptake of thyroid hormones, binding of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodothyronine (thyroxine, T4) to proteins in blood and tissues, deiodination of iodothyronines, and glucuronidation of T4 by the hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity induced by TCDD. Secretion of thyroid hormones was modeled as regulated by thyrotropin (TSH), whose secretion was modeled as regulated by the hypothalamic factors thyrotropin releasing hormone and somatostatin. Release of the hypothalamic factors was modeled as under feedback control by the blood T4 level. Induction of UGT was modeled as stimulated by the Ah receptor-TCDD complex. The extended model fit the observed dose-response of P450 isozymes and Ah and estrogen receptors following repeated oral doses with comparable accuracy as the earlier model. The fit to liver and fat TCDD levels following single and repeated oral and subcutaneous doses was improved over the earlier model. The revised model's predicted liver TCDD concentrations at very low doses were verified experimentally. The model reproduced the responses observed for blood T3, T4, and TSH after 31 weeks of biweekly oral dosing of rats with TCDD. The model also predicted responses of UGT mRNA and UGT enzymatic activity comparable to those observed in TCDD-treated rats in experiments whose data were not used in constructing the model. Calculated increases in blood TSH levels are consistent with prolonged stimulation of the thyroid and may represent an early stage in the induction of thyroid tumors identified in previous two-year bioassays. Thus, increases in UGT activity may be useful as a biomarker for tumorigenic changes in hormone levels subsequent to TCDD exposure.
The Effects of Emblematic Gestures on the Development and Access of Mental Representations of French Expressions

The study investigated the effect of emblematic gestures on the development and access of mental representations of French expressions. The major hypothesis of the study was that learning emblematic gestures with simultaneously presented French expressions would cause an increased depth of processing as measured by greater retention. The second hypothesis was that recall would persist over time. A pretest posttest repeated measures design was used. Three groups consisting of 112 first-semester university French students participated in the study. The experimental group learned the gestures and used them to recall the expressions in the posttest. The no-treatment group did not see the gestures at any time. The comparison group did not learn the gestures, but did see them in the posttest. Results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) performed on the posttest scores revealed that learning emblematic gestures simultaneously with French expressions does lead to greater recall. Secondly, although all groups experienced a decay in recall, the groups that saw the emblematic gestures forgot significantly fewer sentences than the group that did not see the gestures.
Do Dühring’s tribulations have any lessons for us today?

This is an article about the possible lessons for academic freedom that Duhring’s expulsion from the University of Berlin might have for us today. It begins with a brief discussion of his strange fate in the English language literature in contrast with his high position in the history of economic thought. It is no surprise that questions of the denial of academic freedom have long been discussed. The remainder of the article is devoted to a discussion of academic freedom since his time and the possible lessons these developments might have for us today. The most important of these is the ancient truism – academic freedom is always under attack from many sides and must be vigorously defended.
DNA hypermethylation in tumorigenesis: epigenetics joins genetics

Recently, the concept that epigenetic, as well as genetic, events might be central to the evolution of human cancer is re-emerging. Cancers often exhibit an aberrant methylation of gene promoter regions that is associated with loss of gene function. This DNA change constitutes a heritable state, not mediated by altered nucleotide sequence, that appears to be tightly linked to the formation of transcriptionally repressive chromatin. This epigenetic process acts as an alternative to mutations to disrupt tumor-suppressor gene function and can predispose to genetic alterations through inactivating DNA-repair genes. Dissecting the molecular processes that mediate these methylation changes will enhance our understanding of chromatin modeling and gene regulation and might present novel possibilities for cancer therapy. Methylation changes constitute potentially sensitive molecular markers to define risk states, monitor prevention strategies, achieve early diagnosis, and track the prognosis of cancer.
APOBEC3G restricts early HIV-1 replication in the cytoplasm of target cells

Cellular APOBEC3G (A3G) protein is packaged into human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virions in producer cells yet restricts viral replication in target cells. To characterize this restriction in target cells, the effect of A3G on generating various HIV-1 cDNA products was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. A3G decreased cDNA products from Vif-deficient HIV-1, with minor effects on early reverse transcripts and larger declines in late reverse transcripts. However, the greatest decline was typically observed in nuclear 2-LTR circles. Moreover, the magnitude of these declines varied with A3G dose. Adding integration inhibitor did not stop the A3G-mediated loss in 2-LTR circles. Moreover, obstructing HIV-1 nuclear entry using vesicular stomatitis virus matrix protein did not stop the A3G-mediated decline in late reverse transcripts. Collectively, these data suggest that A3G has important restriction activity in the cytoplasm and progressively diminishes viral cytoplasmic and nuclear cDNA forms with increasing magnitude during restriction.
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Review of Literature and Results of Cardiac Catheterization in Ten Patients

A brief historical review of primary pulmonary arteriosclerosis and hypertension has been given. Ten additional cases with detailed laboratory, roentgenographic, electrocardiographic, cardiac catheterization, and angiocardiographic studies are presented. The findings on 4 necropsied cases are also included. Progressive exertional shortness of breath, syncope, left chest pain, right ventricular hypertrophy, and pulmonary arterial dilatation, combined with high right ventricular and pulmonary arterial pressure and normal pulmonary capillary pressure in the absence of pulmonary disease, should be extremely suggestive of primary pulmonary hypertension. An unrelenting downhill course of right ventricular failure is usually seen.
Absorption of Electromagnetic Waves in Molecular Crystals

The absorption of electromagnetic waves in molecular crystals at low temperature has been studied using the Green's-function method. The spin dependence of the excitations created by photon absorption has been explicitly considered. In the Hartree-Fock (HF) approximation and in the absence of the radiation field, the poles of the exciton Green's function consist of two frequency modes corresponding to the singlet and triplet exciton fields, respectively, and propagate through the medium independently; beyond the HF approximation, the two modes are no longer independent. The spectral function for the photon field is found to consist of the superposition of symmetric and asymmetric Lorentzian lines. General expressions for the energy shift and spectral width are derived. An example is worked out for the resonance Raman scattering of triplet excitions, where the incident photon becomes a polariton and then decays into two triplet excitons. Physical processes, where a singlet exciton decays into two triplet excitons, as well as the excitation spectrum of triplet excitons, have been studied in detail.
Different strains of noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) vary in their affinity for in vivo-derived bovine embryos.

Abstract Washing procedures (without trypsin treatment) recommended by the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) for use on in vivo-derived embryos effectively removed a cytopathic strain (NADL) of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) after artificial exposure. However, these washing procedures have not been evaluated using other isolates of BVDV, including representative non-cytopathic strains. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the IETS procedures following artificial exposure of in vivo-derived bovine embryos to two different strains and biotypes of BVDV. One hundred and twenty-nine zona pellucida-intact (ZP-I) morulae and blastocysts (MB) and 56 non-fertile and degenerated (NFD) ova were collected 7 days following exposure to bulls from 32, BVDV-negative, superovulated cows. After collection, all MB and NFD ova were washed according to IETS standards. Subsequently, half of the MB and NFD ova were exposed for 1 h to approximately 10 6 -cell culture infective doses (50% endpoint) per milliliter of viral strain SD-1, and the other half were exposed to the same concentration of CD-87. After exposure, groups of ≥3 and ≤10 MB or NFD ova were washed using methods that met or exceeded IETS standards. Then, the washed groups were sonicated, and sonicate fluids were assayed for presence of virus using virus isolation and a reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction. No virus was detected in any group of MB or NFD ova that had been exposed to the CD-87 isolate. However, virus was detected in association with 50% of the groups of MB and 33% of the groups of NFD ova that had been exposed to the SD-1 isolate. Therefore, standard embryo-washing procedures recommended by the IETS are more effective for removal of some isolates of BVDV than for others. It remains to be determined if the quantity of a high-affinity isolate of BVDV associated with individual washed embryos would infect recipients via the intrauterine route. Further, it should be determined if an alternative embryo processing procedure, washing and trypsin treatment, would be more effective for removal of high-affinity isolates.
Unipolar charging based, hand-held mobility spectrometer for aerosol size distribution measurement

Abstract A hand-held particle size spectrometer for monitoring workplace exposure to aerosols and nanoparticles with 13 channels in the 15–630 nm has been described. The instrument uses electrical mobility-based size classification in which aerosol particles are electrically charged using a unipolar corona charger, followed by classification in a condenser-type disk classifier, and particle counting using a commercial handheld condensation particle counter (CPC; Model 3007, TSI Inc., Shoreview, MN). A unipolar charger was designed to reduce multiple charging of particles which helped extend the measurable size range. The electrical classifier, which served as a low-pass mobility filter, was operated at 2:1 sheath-to-aerosol flow ratio using a single pump inside the CPC. An inversion scheme was developed to obtain discrete size distributions from cumulative mobility distributions. The sizing accuracy was also experimentally investigated using DMA-classified, near-monodisperse particles and was found to be in the range 1.4–8.1% below 300 nm, and increased to 13.6% for 500 nm particle. Experimentally measured sizing uncertainties ranged from 78–114%. The counting uncertainties of the instrument were in the range 0.1–10.5% for typical concentration range for ambient and workplace aerosols. Size distributions of test unimodal and bimodal polydisperse aerosols measured using HPSS agreed reasonably well with that from the laboratory scanning mobility spectrometer. HPSS can be useful in many routine monitoring applications, though the measured uncertainties can be large for some applications.
Regulation of vertebrate collagenase activity in vivo and in vitro.

Collagenase has been demonstrated both immunologically and enzymatically in tissue extracts from a number of vertebrates. The role of serum antiproteases, inactive enzyme precursors (zymogens) and steroid hormones in the control of collagenase activity both in vivo and in vitro is discussed.
A High-level Interconnect Power Model for Design Space Exploration

In this paper, we present a high-level power model to estimate the power consumption in semi-global and global interconnects. Such interconnects are used for communications between logic modules, clock distribution networks, and power supply rails. The main purpose of our model is to set forward a simple methodology to efficiently obtain first-order estimates of interconnect power in early stages of the design process. Hence, the objective is to provide designers and/or high-level design automation tools with a way to quickly explore the design space and weed out architectures whose interconnect power requirements do not meet the allocated power budget. In addition to switching power, which includes inter-wire coupling, our model also considers power due to vias and repeaters. Our experimental results show that in comparison to an accurate low-level model, the error in our method in estimating total switching power is only 6% (while the speedup is three-to-four orders of magnitude), and an estimate of the numbers of vias (hence, via power) is within 3% agreement of that obtained for designs synthesized by commercial tools. Furthermore, we develop a probabilistic segment length distribution model for cases in which Rent's rule is inadequate. By analyzing the netlists of a set of complex designs, we have been able to validate our segment length distribution model. The novelty of this work lies in the introduction of a high-level interconnect modeling methodology in which it is possible to efficiently compute all the major sources of power consumption in interconnects and hence, enable interconnect-aware, high-level design space exploration.
Cost–benefit comparison of two proposed overseas programs for reducing chronic Hepatitis B infection among refugees: Is screening essential? ☆

Abstract Background Refugees are at an increased risk of chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection because many of their countries of origin, as well as host countries, have intermediate-to-high prevalence rates. Refugees arriving to the US are also at risk of serious sequelae from chronic HBV infection because they are not routinely screened for the virus overseas or in domestic post-arrival exams, and may live in the US for years without awareness of their infection status. Methods A cohort of 26,548 refugees who arrived in Minnesota and Georgia during 2005–2010 was evaluated to determine the prevalence of chronic HBV infection. This prevalence information was then used in a cost–benefit analysis comparing two variations of a proposed overseas program to prevent or ameliorate the effects of HBV infection, titled ‘Screen, then vaccinate or initiate management’ (SVIM) and ‘Vaccinate only’ (VO). The analyses were performed in 2013. All values were converted to US 2012 dollars. Results The estimated six year period-prevalence of chronic HBV infection was 6.8% in the overall refugee population arriving to Minnesota and Georgia and 7.1% in those ≥6 years of age. The SVIM program variation was more cost beneficial than VO. While the up-front costs of SVIM were higher than VO ($154,084 vs. $73,758; n = 58,538 refugees), the SVIM proposal displayed a positive net benefit, ranging from $24 million to $130 million after only 5 years since program initiation, depending on domestic post-arrival screening rates in the VO proposal. Conclusions Chronic HBV infection remains an important health problem in refugees resettling to the United States. An overseas screening policy for chronic HBV infection is more cost–beneficial than a ‘Vaccination only’ policy. The major benefit drivers for the screening policy are earlier medical management of chronic HBV infection and averted lost societal contributions from premature death.
Analytic smoothing for equipercentile equating under the common item nonequivalent populations design

A cubic spline method for smoothing equipercentile equating relationships under the common item nonequivalent populations design is described. Statistical techniques based on bootstrap estimation are presented that are designed to aid in choosing an equating method/degree of smoothing. These include: (a) asymptotic significance tests that compare no equating and linear equating to equipercentile equating; (b) a scheme for estimating total equating error and for dividing total estimated error into systematic and random components. The smoothing technique and statistical procedures are explored and illustrated using data from forms of a professional certification test.
In vivo electrochemical studies of dopamine clearance in the rat substantia nigra : Effects of locally applied uptake inhibitors and unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions

Abstract: High-speed chronoamperometric recordings were used to measure the uptake and clearance of locally applied dopamine (DA) within the substantia nigra (SN) of anesthetized rats. To establish that DA clearance within the SN was mediated primarily by the DA transporter (DAT) rather than the norepinephrine transporter (NET) or the serotonin transporter (SERT), we locally applied uptake inhibitors with different selectivity profiles for the various amine transporters. Nomifensine, a DAT/NET inhibitor, significantly potentiated both the amplitude and the time course of the DA signals. In contrast, neither the selective NET inhibitor desipramine, nor the selective SERT inhibitor citalopram affected the DA signal, suggesting that NET and SERT do not contribute to DA uptake and clearance within the regions of the SN studied over the concentration ranges (1–5 µM) used. In unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, the time course of the DA signal was increased in both the lesioned SN and striatum, relative to the unlesioned hemisphere, indicating loss of DAT and decreased DA uptake and clearance. In addition, when identical amounts of DA were injected in the striatum and SN, peak signal amplitudes were larger in the SN, suggesting that the amplitudes are related to the number of DAT sites in a given region of brain tissue. For signals of equivalent amplitudes, clearance rates were lower in the SN than in the striatum, consistent with a lower capacity for DAT-mediated DA uptake within the SN. These results suggest that the DAT is the major transporter responsible for DA clearance within the rat SN.
Safe query languages for constraint databases

In the database framework of Kanellakis et al. [1990] it was argued that constraint query languages should take constraint databases as input and give other constraint databases that use the same type of atomic constraints as output. This closed-form requirement has been difficult to realize in constraint query languages that contain the negation symbol. This paper describes a general approach to restricting constraint query languages with negation to safe subsets that contain only programs that are evaluable in closed-form on any valid constraint database input.
X chromosome regulation: diverse patterns in development, tissues and disease

Genes on the mammalian X chromosome are present in one copy in males and two copies in females. The complex mechanisms that regulate the X chromosome lead to evolutionary and physiological variability in gene expression between species, the sexes, individuals, developmental stages, tissues and cell types. In early development, delayed and incomplete X chromosome inactivation (XCI) in some species causes variability in gene expression. Additional diversity stems from escape from XCI and from mosaicism or XCI skewing in females. This causes sex-specific differences that manifest as differential gene expression and associated phenotypes. Furthermore, the complexity and diversity of X dosage regulation affect the severity of diseases caused by X-linked mutations.
Parental live liver donation: a transformational experience.

Background - Parental live liver donation is an attractive alternative to deceased donation for pediatric patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD), yet very little has been published about the long-term emotional consequences of live liver donations on donors and their families.Objectives - To better understand the impact that a parental live liver donation has on the everyday life of the donor.Method - Thirteen living parental donors from 2 West Coast transplant centers participated. Data included semistructured interviews, observations, and field notes about the donors and their physical, emotional, and familial lives since their donation. The perceived impact of donation on parental donors and their intrafamilial relationships are reviewed and the social and emotional context of parental liver donation, including impacts on the predonation decisions and life after donation are analyzed.Results - Thematic analysis was used to analyze this set of interviews, and after open coding, 3 major categories emerged: a self-awareness process, a clarification of familial relationships, and a change in perspectives on community. The overarching theme that was constructed from the interviews suggested that the impact the donation had on the donors' lives was one of transformation. © 2014 NATCO, The Organization for Transplant Professionals.
Acoustic startle eyeblink response after acute exercise.

The acoustic startle eyeblink response (ASER) is a useful probe for investigating central nervous system activity associated with emotional responses to aversive and appetitive stimuli. Though the ASER is sensitive to change in emotional arousal, the effect of acute physical exertion on ASER has not been reported. We examined changes in ASER amplitude and latency in 26 healthy young men (24 ± 5 yr) after 20 min of cycling at light and hard intensities (40% and 75% VO2peak) and after 20 min of quiet rest. Mixed model ANCOVA, controlling precondition scores, indicated no effects for ASER amplitude or latency in either sedentary or active participants (p >. 10). Our findings indicate that possible effects of acute exercise on potentiated startle or ASER responses elicited by positive or negative foreground stimuli should not be expected to be confounded by an altered baseline acoustic startle eyeblink response when measured in healthy young men.
Monazite (monoclinic LaPO4) slip systems at room temperature

Polycrystalline monazite (monoclinic LaPO4) was deformed by spherical indentation at room temperature. Slip systems were identified using TEM of thin sections prepared parallel and close to the indented surface. Dislocation Burgers vectors (b) were identified by Burgers circuit closure in high resolution TEM images, supplemented by diffraction contrast where possible. A total of 441 b determinations were made in 97 grains. The most common slip systems were [001]/(010), [100]/(010) and [010]/(100). Slip on (001) was less common. Many other less common slip systems and Burgers vectors were also identified, including b = [101], [101], [011], [110] and [111]. b = [101] dislocations dissociate into ½[101] partials, and b = [101] dislocations are inferred to dissociate to ½[101] partials, with a low energy stacking fault of ∼30 mJ/m2. b = [100] dislocations may dissociate into ¼[210] + ¼[210] partials. b = [010] may sometimes dissociate to ½[010] + ½[010] partials. Other types of partial dislocations were also ...
The effect of internal mammary artery grafting on the perioperative course

Abstract Internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts are being used for myocardial revascularization with increasing frequency because of a higher 10-year patency rate and actuarial survival rate as compared to saphenous vein grafts. This study sought to evaluate whether IMA grafts are associated with an increased usage of blood and blood products, operating time, postoperative hospital stay, or incidence of reoperation due to bleeding. A total of 189 consecutive patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass procedures (group I, N = 59, with no IMA grafts; group 11, N = 108, with single IMAs; and group III, N = 22, with double IMAs) were studied over 6 months. Significant differences were seen in their age (group I, 71.6 years; group II, 62.1 years; and group 111, 57.1 years); cross-clamp time (62 minutes for group 1, 65 minutes for group II, and 83.7 minutes for group 111); and duration of operation (400 minutes for group I, 423 minutes for group II, and 501 minutes for group 111). Use of blood products including packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets during the operation and postoperatively was similar in all three groups. The duration of postoperative hospital stay was statistically similar for each group, being 16.6 days for group I, 13.1 days for group 11, and 13.7 days for group III. The number of vessels grafted was statistically similar for groups I and II (3.1 and 3.3 vessels, respectively), but group III had a statistically larger number of vessels grafted (3.7 vessels). The reoperation rate for bleeding was similar for all three groups. Renal failure occurred in three (5.1 %) patients in group 1, one (1%) patient in group II, and none in group III. There were 4 59 (6.77%) postoperative deaths in group 1, 2 108 (1.9%) in group II, and no deaths in group Ill. Postoperative renal failure and mortality were probably related to age differences within groups. There do not appear to be any significant short-term disadvantages of IMA grafting, although double IMA grafts are associated with significantly prolonged operating times.
Lessons from Polyoma Middle T Antigen on Signaling and Transformation: A DNA Tumor Virus Contribution to the War on Cancer

Abstract Middle T antigen (MT) is the principal oncogene of murine polyomavirus. Its study has led to the discovery of the roles of tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling in mammalian growth control and transformation. MT is necessary for viral transformation in tissue culture cells and tumorigenesis in animals. When expressed alone as a transgene, MT causes tumors in a wide variety of tissues. It has no known catalytic activity, but rather acts by assembling cellular signal transduction molecules. Protein phosphatase 2A, protein tyrosine kinases of the src family, PI3K, phospholipase Cγ1 as well as the Shc/Grb2 adaptors are all assembled on MT. Their activation sets off a series of signaling cascades. Analyses of virus mutants as well as transgenic animals have demonstrated that the effects of a given signal depend not only tissue type, but on the genetic background of the host animal. There remain many opportunities as we seek a full molecular understanding of MT and apply some of its lessons to human cancer.
Antibody Repertoire Development in Fetal and Neonatal Piglets. XIII. Hybrid VH Genes and the Preimmune Repertoire Revisited

The expressed porcine VH genes belong to the VH3 family (clan), four of which, VHA, VHB, VHC, and VHE, alone comprise approximately 80% of the preimmune repertoire. However, so-called "hybrid" VH genes that use CDR1 of one VH gene and the CDR2 of another are frequently encountered. We studied > 3000 cloned VDJs and found that such hybrids can contribute up to 10% of the preimmune repertoire. Based on the 1) recovery of hybrid VH genes from bacterial artificial chromosome clones, 2) frequency of occurrence of certain hybrids in the preimmune repertoire, and 3) failure to recover equal numbers of reciprocal hybrids, we concluded that some chimeric genes are present in the genome and are not PCR artifacts. Two chimeric germline genes (VHZ and VHY), together with VHF and the four genes mentioned above, constitute the major VH genes and these account for > 95% of the preimmune repertoire. Diversification of the preimmune IgG and IgM repertoires after environmental exposure was mainly due to somatic hypermutation of major VH genes with no evidence of gene conversion. Somatic hypermutation was 3- to 10-fold higher in CDRs than in framework regions, most were R mutations and transversions and transitions equally contributed. Data were used to 1) develop an index to quantify the degree of VH repertoire diversification and 2) establish a library of 29 putative porcine VH genes. One-third of these genes are chimeric genes and their sequences suggest that the porcine VH genome developed by duplication and splicing from a small number of prototypic genes.
Model-Based, Closed-Loop Control of PZT Creep for Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy

Cavity ring-down spectrometers typically employ a PZT stack to modulate the cavity transmission spectrum. While PZTs ease instrument complexity and aid measurement sensitivity, PZT hysteresis hinders the implementation of cavity-length-stabilized, data-acquisition routines. Once the cavity length is stabilized, the cavity’s free spectral range imparts extreme linearity and precision to the measured spectrum’s wavelength axis. Methods such as frequency-stabilized cavity ring-down spectroscopy have successfully mitigated PZT hysteresis, but their complexity limits commercial applications. Described herein is a single-laser, model-based, closed-loop method for cavity length control.
Efficient discriminative learning of Bayesian network classifier via boosted augmented naive Bayes

The use of Bayesian networks for classification problems has received significant recent attention. Although computationally efficient, the standard maximum likelihood learning method tends to be suboptimal due to the mismatch between its optimization criteria (data likelihood) and the actual goal for classification (label prediction). Recent approaches to optimizing the classification performance during parameter or structure learning show promise, but lack the favorable computational properties of maximum likelihood learning. In this paper we present the Boosted Augmented Naive Bayes (BAN) classifier. We show that a combination of discriminative data-weighting with generative training of intermediate models can yield a computationally efficient method for discriminative parameter learning and structure selection.
Determination of trapped oxide charge in flash EPROMs and MOSFETs with thin oxides

A technique for determining the sign and the effective density of the trapped oxide charge near the junction transition region, based on the measurement of the gate-induced drain leakage (GIDL) current, is used to investigate the hot-carrier effects resulting from the erase operation and bit-line stress in flash EPROM devices. While the trapped oxide charge depends on the stress conditions, it has been found that a significant amount of hole trapping is likely when a sufficiently large potential difference exists between the gate and junction for either an abrupt or graded junction. >
Design, fabrication, and performance of a flextensional transducer based on electrostrictive polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymer

Taking advantage of the high electrostrictive strain and high elastic energy density of a newly developed electrostrictive polymer, modified poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] based polymers, a flextensional transducer was designed, and its performance was investigated. The flextensional transducer consists of a multilayer stack made of electrostrictive P(VDF-TrFE) polymer films and two flextensional shells fixed at the ends to the multilayer stack. Because of the large transverse strain level achievable in the electrostrictive polymer and the displacement amplification of the flextensional shells, a device of a few millimeters thick and lateral dimension about 30 mm /spl times/ 25 mm can generate an axial displacement output of more than I rum. The unique flextensional configuration and the high elastic energy density of the active polymer also enable the device to offer high-load capability. As an underwater transducer, the device can be operated at frequencies below 1 kHz and still exhibit relatively high transmitting voltage response (TVR), very high source level (SL), and low mechanical quality factor (Q/sub m/).
Noise Figure of Silicon Raman Amplifiers

The noise figure of silicon Raman amplifiers in the presence of nonlinear losses is calculated. The impact of two-photon absorption (TPA) and free-carrier scattering on the noise figure is quantified using the quantum formulation of the Langevin approach. It is found that TPA-induced free-carrier loss degrades the noise figure by an amount that depends on the carrier lifetime. For example, in a 1-cm-long waveguide pumped at 200 MW/cm2, the noise figure is 5.2 dB for a lifetime of tau = 1.6 ns and is reduced to 3.7 dB for tau = 0.1 ns. The reduction in the noise figure along with a concomitant increase in Raman gain from 2 to 8 dB suggests that lifetimes on the order of 0.1 ns or less are needed to create a useful silicon Raman amplifier that operates in the continuous-wave mode. It is also shown that in devices that use a p-n junction for carrier sweep-out, the screening of the junction field by generated free carriers results in a sharp increase in the noise figure at high-pump intensities. These results apply to operation in the near-infrared communication wavelengths. For mid-infrared wavelengths above the two photon absorption band-edge (2.3 nm), the absence of TPA and pump-induced free-carrier absorption ensures that the amplifier has a low-noise figure.
Exposing private information by timing web applications

We show that the time web sites take to respond to HTTP requests can leak private information, using two different types of attacks. The first, direct timing, directly measures response times from a web site to expose private information such as validity of an username at a secured site or the number of private photos in a publicly viewable gallery. The second, cross-site timing, enables a malicious web site to obtain information from the user's perspective at another site. For example, a malicious site can learn if the user is currently logged in at a victim site and, in some cases, the number of objects in the user's shopping cart. Our experiments suggest that these timing vulnerabilities are wide-spread. We explain in detail how and why these attacks work, and discuss methods for writing web application code that resists these attacks.
Optimal Synthesis of the Zermelo–Markov–Dubins Problem in a Constant Drift Field

We consider the optimal synthesis of the Zermelo–Markov–Dubins problem, that is, the problem of steering a vehicle with the kinematics of the Isaacs–Dubins car in minimum time in the presence of a drift field. By using standard optimal control tools, we characterize the family of control sequences that are sufficient for complete controllability and necessary for optimality for the special case of a constant field. Furthermore, we present a semianalytic scheme for the characterization of an optimal synthesis of the minimum-time problem. Finally, we establish a direct correspondence between the optimal syntheses of the Markov–Dubins and the Zermelo–Markov–Dubins problems by means of a discontinuous mapping.
Quinolizidine and piperidine alkaloid teratogens from poisonous plants and their mechanism of action in animals.

Quinolizidine and piperidine alkaloid teratogens from Lupinus,Conium, and Nicotiana genera have been identified as causes ofbirth defects in livestock induced by poisonous plants. Manydefects now known to be related to poisonous plant ingestionwere once thought to have a genetic origin. This suppositiondelayed diagnosis, reporting, and understanding of such birthdefects, because breeders and producers feared the news wouldmake it difficult to sell breeding stock. Defects caused by quinolizidineand piperidine teratogens include cleft palate andcontracture-type skeletal defects such as arthrogryposis, scoliosis,torticollis, and kyphosis. Teratogens have been identified,differences in susceptibility to teratogenic compounds amonglivestock species have been elucidated, periods of gestation whenspecific types of birth defects occur have been determined, andinformation about mechanism of action has been developed.
Global Climate Change and Emerging Infectious Diseases

Climatic factors influence the emergence and reemergence of infectious diseases, in addition to multiple human, biological, and ecological determinants. Climatologists have identified upward trends in global temperatures and now estimate an unprecedented rise of 2.0 degrees C by the year 2100. Of major concern is that these changes can affect the introduction and dissemination of many serious infectious diseases. The incidence of mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue, and viral encephalitides, are among those diseases most sensitive to climate. Climate change would directly affect disease transmission by shifting the vector's geographic range and increasing reproductive and biting rates and by shortening the pathogen incubation period. Climate-related increases in sea surface temperature and sea level can lead to higher incidence of water-borne infectious and toxin-related illnesses, such as cholera and shellfish poisoning. Human migration and damage to health infrastructures from the projected increase in climate variability could indirectly contribute to disease transmission. Human susceptibility to infections might be further compounded by malnutrition due to climate stress on agriculture and potential alterations in the human immune system caused by increased flux of ultraviolet radiation. Analyzing the role of climate in the emergence of human infectious diseases will require interdisciplinary cooperation among physicians, climatologists, biologists, and social scientists. Increased disease surveillance, integrated modeling, and use of geographically based data systems will afford more anticipatory measures by the medical community. Understanding the linkages between climatological and ecological change as determinants of disease emergence and redistribution will ultimately help optimize preventive strategies.
Comparison of ammonium sulfate and urea as nitrogen sources in rice production

Abstract Wetland rice agriculture is the major anthropogenic source of methane, an important greenhouse gas. Methane emissions are less when ammonium sulfate (AS) rather than urea is the nitrogen (N) source. However, an agronomic advantage of AS over urea has not been established. The objectives of this study were: (i) to compare the effectiveness of AS, urea, and urea plus elemental sulfur (S) as sources of N in flooded rice culture, (ii) to compare fertilizer recovery of each source of N from application at preflood (PF) and panicle initiation (PI), and (iii) to determine if there is a response to S by rice grown on a soil with a less than optimum level of available S. ‘Cypress’ rice was . drill‐seeded in a Crowley silt loam soil (fine, montmorillonitic, thermic Typic Albaqualf) of 7.25 to 10.75 mg S kg‐1. Ammonium sulfate, urea, or urea plus S was applied in split applications of 101 kg N ha‐l PF and 50 kg N ha‐1 PI. Microplots with retainers and 15N‐labeled N were used. Unlabeled N was used in field p...
Outplacement services for displaced employees: attitudes of human resource managers based on differences in internal and external delivery

The results from a survey of 238 human resources executives from organizations that offer outplacement counseling (OPC) internally and 168 that offer it externally suggest that internal OPC delivery is inferior to external OPC delivery. The author found that most internal OPC organizations did not offer the 13 traditional OPC services, even when they were viewed as important. However, both groups had deficiencies in measuring their OPC relative to gender, age, and effectiveness. Internal OPC organizations rated the quality of their OPC service as 4.77 on a scale of 10, whereas external OPC organizations rated their services as 7.96.
The murine fem1 gene family: homologs of the Caenorhabditis elegans sex-determination protein FEM-1

The pathway controlling sex determination in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a model for the genetic control of cell-fate determination. We report here the cloning and characterization of a new mouse gene family with homology to FEM-1, a signal-transducing regulator in the C. elegans sex-determination pathway. This gene family consists of two known members, designated Fem1a and Fem1b. The highest degree of homology between the two mouse proteins and the nematode protein is in a domain that encodes seven sequential ANK repeats. The Fem1a gene localizes to chromosome 17 and is highly expressed in adult heart and skeletal muscle. The Fem1b gene localizes to chromosome 9 and is highly expressed in adult testis. Both genes are expressed during embryogenesis. The existence of FEM-1 homologs in the mouse raises the possibility that evolutionary conservation of ancient FEM-1 signaling interactions may play a role in vertebrate cell-fate determination.
OmpA and OmpC are critical host factors for bacteriophage Sf6 entry in Shigella.

Despite being essential for successful infection, the molecular cues involved in host recognition and genome transfer of viruses are not completely understood. Bacterial outer membrane proteins A and C co-purify in lipid vesicles with bacteriophage Sf6, implicating both outer membrane proteins as potential host receptors. We determined that outer membrane proteins A and C mediate Sf6 infection by dramatically increasing its rate and efficiency. We performed a combination of in vivo studies with three omp null mutants of Shigella flexneri, including classic phage plaque assays and time-lapse fluorescence microscopy to monitor genome ejection at the single virion level. Cryo-electron tomography of phage 'infecting' outer membrane vesicles shows the tail needle contacting and indenting the outer membrane. Lastly, in vitro ejection studies reveal that lipopolysaccharide and outer membrane proteins are both required for Sf6 genome release. We conclude that Sf6 phage entry utilizes either outer membrane proteins A or C, with outer membrane protein A being the preferred receptor.
A Study of the Iceland-Faeroe Frontal Variability Using the Multiscale Energy and Vorticity Analysis

The multiscale nonlinear interactive Iceland‐Faeroe frontal (IFF) variability during 14‐22 August 1993 is investigated for complex dynamics with the localized multiscale energy and vorticity analysis (MS-EVA). In terms of multiscale window transform, the cold meandering intrusion observed in the IFF experiment is represented on a mesoscale window. The resulting mesoscale energetics for the deep layer show an isolated center of transfer of potential energy from the large-scale window into the mesoscale window in the study domain. This large-to-mesoscale potential energy transfer, or BC for short, is a baroclinic instability indicator by the MS-EVA-based stability theory. Signatures on other energetics maps and the reconstructed mesoscale structures all support this baroclinic instability. On the BC map, the transfer hotspot originally resides near the western boundary. It travels along the front into the interior domain in a form of convective instability and then, on 19 August, changes into another instability that is absolute in character. Correspondingly, disturbances switch from a spatial growing pattern into a time growing mode, culminating on 21 August, the day just before the intrusion matures. The whole process lasts for about five days, limited within a small horizontal region and beneath a depth of approximately 150 m. By interaction analysis, the energy locally gained from this process goes to the submesoscale window as well, but most of it remains in the mesoscale window, serving to fuel the growth of the meandering intrusion.
BAZ1B is dispensable for H2AX phosphorylation on Tyrosine 142 during spermatogenesis

Meiosis is precisely regulated by the factors involved in DNA damage response in somatic cells. Among them, phosphorylation of H2AX on Serine 139 (γH2AX) is an essential signal for the silencing of unsynapsed sex chromosomes during male meiosis. However, it remains unknown how adjacent H2AX phosphorylation on Tyrosine 142 (pTyr142) is regulated in meiosis. Here we investigate the meiotic functions of BAZ1B (WSTF), the only known Tyr142 kinase in somatic cells, using mice possessing a conditional deletion of BAZ1B. Although BAZ1B deletion causes ectopic γH2AX signals on synapsed autosomes during the early pachytene stage, BAZ1B is dispensable for fertility and critical events during spermatogenesis. BAZ1B deletion does not alter events on unsynapsed axes and pericentric heterochromatin formation. Furthermore, BAZ1B is dispensable for localization of the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling protein SMARCA5 (SNF2h) during spermatogenesis despite the complex formation between BAZ1B and SMARCA5, known as the WICH complex, in somatic cells. Notably, pTyr142 is regulated independently of BAZ1B and is dephosphorylated on the sex chromosomes during meiosis in contrast with the presence of adjacent γH2AX. Dephosphorylation of pTyr142 is regulated by MDC1, a binding partner of γH2AX. These results reveal the distinct regulation of two adjacent phosphorylation sites of H2AX during meiosis, and suggest that another kinase mediates Tyr142 phosphorylation.