cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Balsam Pear an Edible, Medicinal and Toxic Plant'

Many plants serve dual or multiple purposes. The status and uses of the balsam pear vary from one region to another. In temperate climates, including the northern United States, England and France, it is grown in gardens and greenhouses primnarily as an ornamenital annual (11, 12, 14, 51, 52, 109). Along the Gulf Coast of the United States and throughout Florida, the vine is a pestiferous weed, perennial in the warmest areas (126), and the fruit is a hazard to children and animals. In the West Indies and tropical areas of Mexico, Central, and South America, it is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs (86) and a popular abortifacient. In central and southern Africa, it is mainly employed in folk medicine. In India, it is commonly cultivated (30, 45, 96, 97, 98, 99) both as a vegetable and for remedial purposes. In China, the unripe fruit is prized in the dietary, has a lesser role in medicine, and Chinese residents in Malaya (118) and in cities throughout the world grow the fruit for food use. In Indonesia, the Philippines and Hawaii, the importance of the vine in the diet greatly exceeds that of the fruit and neither has extensive therapeutic use (68, 75, 82). Momordica charantia Linn. (syns. M. balsamina Blanco non Linn.; M. cylindrica Blanco non Linn.) (67), is widely called balsam pear to distinguish it from the balsam apple (M. balsamina Linn.) a slender, smaller-leaved, smaller-fruited and somewhat hardier species. The two plants are often confused in the literature (34) and the term "balsam apple" applied to both. Among other vernacular names of 1M1. charantia are
Mechanisms of congenital cytomegalovirus-induced deafness

Recently there has been increased recognition of the importance of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) as an etiology of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in newborns. Current data suggest that between 10 and 60% of cases of SNHL in newborns are caused by CMV. This review summarizes current information about the epidemiology and pathogenesis of CMV-induced SNHL, with an emphasis on high-priority areas for future research and potential hypotheses regarding virus and host factors which might play a role in the development and progression of this disease process in newborns with congenital CMV infection.
Fibroblast heterogeneity in physiological conditions and fibrotic disease.

Inflammation and tissue injury are strong stimuli for fibroblast activation and initiation of reparative processes. In certain disease states, pathological fibrosis occurs. Fibroblasts isolated from these diseased tissues often display a persistently abnormal phenotype characterized by increased synthesis of matrix components such as collagen. This metabolic abnormality is apparently independent of continued exposure to any pathological stimulus that may have initiated the process. Since fibroblasts are heterogeneous in proliferative capacity, in synthesis of collagen and other matrix proteins and in response to immune mediators and growth factors, clonal selection, i.e. selective increase in fibroblast subpopulations, may explain the long-term effects of acute in vivo activation on fibroblast behavior. Studies of SSc fibroblasts are consistent with clonal selection and/or clonal activation, processes that may play an important role in fibrosis in this and other disorders.
Minimally Invasive versus Open Cervical Foraminotomy: A Systematic Review.

Posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy is an effective treatment for cervical radiculopathy due to disc herniations or spondylosis. Over the last decade, minimally invasive (i.e., percutaneous) proc...
Cat-P300 present after association cortex ablation.

The cat-P300 is a positive endogenous potential, larger to a stimulus when rare than when frequent, with a latency of 200–500 msec. The role of polysensory association cortex, postulated to be important in human P300 generation, was assessed in the cat. EEG was recorded in 13 awake cats from a skull screw at the vertex. Stimuli included frequent (P = 0.80) 1 kHz and rare (P = 0.10) 2 kHz tone pulses with probabilities counterbalanced across 260-trial blocks. After 12 preoperative sessions, bilateral ablations were made of pericruciate cortex (4 cats), anterior lateral and medial suprasylvian gyri (4 cats) and all 3 areas (5 cats). Postoperatively, all 13 cats showed a P300 across 12 recording sessions. Thus polysensory association cortex is not essential for generation of the cat-P300.
Transfer of Small-Pattern Practice To Large-Pattern Learning

Abstract The large-maze learning proficiencies of four groups of male university students were compared to determine the influence of prior practice in three small-patterned mazes. The mazes were learned blindfolded, contained no blind alleys, and had irregular patterns. Learning criterion was traversal time. It was concluded that prior practice of a similar patterned small maze caused initial positive transfer to the large maze task and that prior reverse pattern practice caused initial negative transfer, while the effect of other unidentifiable factors was evidenced in the final trial of the large maze. A temporal element associated with the transfer effect was identified. The subjects were unable to report an accurate awareness of pattern relationships either during or at the completion of the study. A two-factor theory of motor learning was proposed.
Numerical Model for Tracing the Response of FRP-Strengthened RC Beams Exposed to Fire

This paper presents the development of a numerical model for evaluating the performance of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)-strengthened RC beams under fire conditions. The model is based on a macroscopic finite-element approach and utilizes moment-curvature relationships to trace the response of insulated FRP-strengthened RC beams from linear elastic stage to collapse under any given fire exposure and loading scenarios. In the analysis, high temperature properties of constitutive materials, load and restraint conditions, material and geometric nonlinearity are accounted for, and a realistic failure criterion is applied to evaluate the failure of the beams. The model is validated against fire test data on FRP-strengthened RC beams and is applied to study the effect of FRP-strengthening, insulation scheme, and failure criterion on the fire response of FRP-strengthened RC beams. Results from the analysis indicate that FRP-strengthened RC beams should be protected with supplemental fire insulation to satisfy f...
What Am I? Virtual Machines and the Mind/Body Problem

When your word processor or email program is running on your computer, this creates a "virtual machine” that manipulates windows, files, text, etc. What is this virtual machine, and what are the virtual objects it manipulates? Many standard arguments in the philosophy of mind have exact analogues for virtual machines and virtual objects, but we do not want to draw the wild metaphysical conclusions that have sometimes tempted philosophers in the philosophy of mind. A computer file is not made of epiphenomenal ectoplasm. I argue instead that virtual objects are "supervenient objects". The stereotypical example of supervenient objects is the statue and the lump of clay. To this end I propose a theory of supervenient objects. Then I turn to persons and mental states. I argue that my mental states are virtual states of a cognitive virtual machine implemented on my body, and a person is a supervenient object supervening on his cognitive virtual machine.
Latent Semantic Analysis: five methodological recommendations

The recent influx in generation, storage, and availability of textual data presents researchers with the challenge of developing suitable methods for their analysis. Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA), a member of a family of methodological approaches that offers an opportunity to address this gap by describing the semantic content in textual data as a set of vectors, was pioneered by researchers in psychology, information retrieval, and bibliometrics. LSA involves a matrix operation called singular value decomposition, an extension of principal component analysis. LSA generates latent semantic dimensions that are either interpreted, if the researcher's primary interest lies with the understanding of the thematic structure in the textual data, or used for purposes of clustering, categorization, and predictive modeling, if the interest lies with the conversion of raw text into numerical data, as a precursor to subsequent analysis. This paper reviews five methodological issues that need to be addressed by the researcher who will embark on LSA. We examine the dilemmas, present the choices, and discuss the considerations under which good methodological decisions are made. We illustrate these issues with the help of four small studies, involving the analysis of abstracts for papers published in the European Journal of Information Systems.
Behavior of a Novel Iterative Deconvolution Algorithm for System Identification

This paper demonstrates the effectiveness and versatility of an iterative deconvolution algorithm in dealing with noise-rendered, truncated signals when signal averaging is not an option. An iterative deconvolution algorithm for system identification and signal restoration is presented, and its effectiveness and robustness are validated through the analysis of several artificially generated signals that are intended to mimic practically measured signals. Its application is intended for use in improving the quality of system identification by reducing the detrimental effect of information leakage caused by windowing. System identification was conducted for various scenarios, in which the input and output signals were rendered with noise and subjected to different truncation levels at the heads and/or tails. The ability of the algorithm to restore the truncated portion of signals is demonstrated. It is concluded that the algorithm has superior performance compared to currently available traditional approach...
Fine-scale distribution of larval fishes: patterns and processes adjacent to coral reefs in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

Plankton samples were taken from January to June 1987 in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, with a free-fall plankton net, to investigate the fine-scale distribution of larval fishes around coral reefs. Daytime samples indicated that the postflexion larvae of two gobiids (Psilogobius mainlandi and an unidentified species) were significantly more abundant at stations immediately adjacent to reefs (near-reef) than at stations in open water off the reef (off-reef). These postflexion gobiid larvae appeared to be capable of resisting advection and dispersal while remaining in the water column near suitable adult habitats. The larvae of Foa brachygramma (Apogonidae) and Encrasicholina purpurea (Engraulidae) were significantly more abundant at off-reef stations than at near-reef stations. Nighttime samples indicated that the gobiid larvae depend on visual cues to remain near the reef. The horizontal distributions of F. brachygramma and E. purpurea larvae appeared to be related to their vertical positioning. These data suggest that typical ichthyoplankton surveys which do not sample close to adult fish habitats would greatly underestimate the abundances of larvae such as the gobiids.
Observation of A2E oxidation products in human retinal lipofuscin

Several retinal dystrophies are associated with the accumulation of lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The only structurally characterized component of human retinal lipofuscin is the bis-retinoid pyridinium compound A2E. We report here on the observation of a monooxygenated product of A2E in the organic soluble portion of human retinal lipofuscin and in the organic extract of bovine RPE cells that have been fed A2E and irradiated. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry confirms that the products are identical. This is the first observation of a photoproduct of A2E in human retinal lipofuscin.
Oceanographer transform fault structure compared to that of surrounding oceanic crust: Results from seismic refraction data analysis

A high quality seismic refraction data set was collected near the intersection of the tranform portion of the Oceanographer Fracture Zone (OFZ) with the adjacent northern limb of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge spreading center (MAR). One seismic line was shot down the axis of the transform valley. Another was shot parallel to the spreading center, crossing from normal oceanic crust into the transform valley, and out again. This latter line was recorded by four Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBSs) spaced along its length, providing complete reversed coverage over the crucial transform valley zone. Findings indicate that whereas the crust of the transform valley is only slightly thinner (4.5 km) compared to normal oceanic crust (5–8 km), the structure is different. Velocities in the range of 6.9 to 7.7. km/sec, which are characteristics of seismic layer 3B, are absent, although a substantial thickness (approximately 3 km) of 6.1–6.8 km/sec material does appear to be present. The upper crust, some 2 km in thickness, is characterized by a high velocity gradient (1.5 sec−1) in which veloxity increases from 2.7 km/sec at the seafloor to 5.8 km/sec at the base of the section. A centrally-located deep of the transform valley has thinner crust (1–2 km), whereas the crust gradually thickens past the transform valley-spreading center intersection. Analysis of the seismic line crossing sub-perpendicular to the transform valley demonstrates abrupt thinning of the upper crustal section, and thickening of the lower crust outside of the trasform valley. In addition, high-velocity material seems to occur under the valley flanks, particularly the southern flanking ridge. This ridge, which is on the side of the transform opposite to the intersection of spreading ridge and transform, may be an expression of uplifted, partially serpentinized upper mantle rocks.
Estimates of the diffusion rate of the dominant paramagnetic defect in hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Abstract The diffusion rate of the dominant paramagnetic defect in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (g = 2.0055) has been estimated for temperatures between 360–450 C. The diffusion rate for this defect is less than the rate for hydrogen. The high defect density material retards H diffusion. These results do not support models postulating high defect mobility or H motion via paramagnetic defect interactions.
Vinculin--a dynamic regulator of cell adhesion.

The ability of cells to tightly adhere to one another and to the extracellular matrix is fundamentally important in numerous biological processes, including embryogenesis, wound healing and maintenance of tissue integrity. Vinculin, a protein localized at the cytoplasmic face of cell–matrix and cell–cell adhesions, is required for strong cell adhesion. Two new crystal structures reveal that vinculin exhibits a high degree of structural plasticity upon ligand binding that might promote rapid changes in cell adhesion.
The story of the condom

Condoms have been a subject of curiosity throughout history. The idea of safer sex has been explored in ancient and modern history, and has been used to prevent venereal diseases. We conducted a historical and medical review of condoms using primary and secondary sources as well as using the RSM library and the internet. These resources show that the first use of a condom was that of King Minos of Crete. Pasiphae, his wife, employed a goat's bladder in the vagina so that King Minos would not be able to harm her as his semen was said to contain scorpions and serpents that killed his mistresses. To Egyptians, condom-like glans caps were dyed in different colours to distinguish between different classes of people and to protect themselves against bilharzia. The Ancient Romans used the bladders of animals to protect the woman; they were worn not to prevent pregnancy but to prevent contraction of venereal diseases. Charles Goodyear, the inventor, utilized vulcanization, the process of transforming rubber into malleable structures, to produce latex condoms. The greater use of condoms all over the world in the 20 th and 21 st centuries has been related to HIV. This account of the use of condoms demonstrates how a primitive idea turned into an object that is used globally with a forecast estimated at 18 billion condoms to be used in 2015 alone.
Mass balance calculations for two sections of island arc crust and implications for the formation of continents

Abstract The bulk compositions of two exposed sections of intra-oceanic island arc crust (the Talkeetna volcanics and Border Ranges ultramafic-mafic complex in southeastern Alaska, and the Canyon Mountain Complex in northeastern Oregon) represent basalt ( MgO = 11% ) and probably basaltic andesite ( MgO = 8% ), respectively. Both have REE abundances approximately 10 times chondrite, with no LREE-enrichment. These compositions, determined by mass balance based on the relative thicknesses of lithologic units in the exposed sections, are reasonable parental magma compositions based on Fe/O * MgO and Ni contents of olivine in the basal crustal cumulate rocks and the lack of significant Eu anomalies. Accretion of arcs such as these is inappropriate as a sole mechanism for generating post-Archean continental crust, since the latter is significantly LREE-enriched and is generally considered to be andesitic. Thus, if these arcs represent a major ingredient in Proterozoic and younger continental crust, their bulk compositions need to be modified. A combination of processes may be invoked, including (a) delamination of basal cumulates to make the sections less mafic, (b) addition of an alkalic component to enrich the crust in LREE and other lithophile elements, and (c) partial melting of the lower crust combined with delamination of the residue to do both. The basal parts of these crustal sections represent potential mantle heterogeneities.
Postbuckling Behavior of Segmented Circular Composite Cylinders

The response characteristics of composite cylinders constructed in four circumferential segments are discussed. Two cylinder configurations, referred to as axially stiff and circumferentially stiff cylinders, are studied. Numerical results from STAGS finite element analyses are presented and include predicted radial displacements and selected stress resultants. Compressive loading into the postbuckling range by an axial endshortening is considered. The results show that, as the endshortening increases toward the buckling value, some segments of the cylinders begin to develop axial wrinkles, whereas other segments remain relatively unwrinkled. For the two cylinders considered here, the wrinkling of the segments is correlated with the level of axial stress resultant supported in the segment. Load drops of 20 and 57% for the axially stiff and circumferentially stiff cylinders, respectively, are predicted for levels of endshortening beyond the buckling values. The postbuckled cylinders are characterized by regions of large localized inward dimples and outward ridges in the radial displacement pattern. These regions are sites of large-magnitude axial and transverse shear stress resultants.
p38 MAP Kinase Mediates Apoptosis through Phosphorylation of BimEL at Ser-65

The stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (p38) regulate apoptosis induced by several forms of cellular insults. Potential targets for these kinases include members of the Bcl-2 family proteins, which mediate apoptosis generated through the mitochondria-initiated, intrinsic cell death pathway. Indeed, the activities of several Bcl-2 family proteins, both pro- and anti-apoptotic, are controlled by JNK phosphorylation. For example, the pro-apoptotic activity of BimEL, a member of the Bcl-2 family, is stimulated by JNK phosphorylation at Ser-65. In contrast, there is no reported evidence that p38-induced apoptosis is due to direct phosphorylation of Bcl-2 family proteins. Here we report evidence that sodium arsenite-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells may be due to direct phosphorylation of BimEL at Ser-65 by p38. This conclusion is supported by data showing that ectopic expression of a wild type, but not a non-phosphorylatable S65A mutant of BimEL, potentiates sodium arsenite-induced apoptosis and by experiments showing direct phosphorylation of BimEL at Ser-65 by p38 in vitro. Furthermore, sodium arsenite induced BimEL phosphorylation at Ser-65, which was blocked by p38 inhibition. This study provides the first example whereby p38 induces apoptosis by phosphorylating a member of the Bcl-2 family and illustrates that phosphorylation of BimEL on Ser-65 may be a common regulatory point for cell death induced by both JNK and p38 pathways.
Insulin and IGF Binding by IGFBP-3 Fragments Derived From Proteolysis, Baculovirus Expression and Normal Human Urine

Recombinant human IGFBP-3 was proteolysed with different concentrations of plasmin for various periods of time. The major IGFBP-3 fragment resulting from this digestion migrated at ca. 15 kDa in nonreducing SDS-PAGE. Following the identification of this fragment as an N-terminal IGFBP-3 fragment, by use of N-terminus-specific monoclonal antibody and amino acid sequence analysis, we constructed and expressed a similar fragment in a baculovirus expression system. The fragments resulting from plasmin digestion, as well as the baculovirus-expressed recombinant human IGFBP-31–97, retain weak IGF binding and show specific insulin binding on cross-linking and western ligand blot. RhIGFBP-31–97 can inhibit insulin receptor autophosphorylation in insulin receptor-overexpressing NIH 3T3 cells. Insulin and IGF binding to IGFBP-3 fragments could be further demonstrated in normal urine. These data indicate the physiological significance of IGFBP-3 fragments derived from proteolysis in vivo.
143. Vendor-specific commensal gut microbiota differentially affect immune function and behavior in mice

The commensal gut microbiota plays a central role in the ontogeny of the mucosal immune system and, as a consequence, peripheral immunity. Considering the well- recognized link between inflammation, and various behavioral traits, it follows that the gut microbiota may influence behavior via changes in peripheral immunity. Using robust next-generation sequencing, we detected consistent vendor- and housing density-dependent differences in the composition of the gut microbiota of several inbred mouse strains. These varying but distinct microbial communities correlate with circulating levels of glucocorticoids and several surrogate markers of increased systemic immune tone, including production of inflammatory cytokines and changes in the leukogram. To investigate a causal relationship between these dependent variables and characteristics of the gut microbiota, isogenic mice harboring distinct gut microbial compositions were generated and prospectively subjected to a battery of assays to assess peripheral immune tone and behavioral phenotype. Significant differences in anxiety-related behavior and neuroimmune correlates of stress were detected between groups of genetically identical mice colonized with microbial populations that differ significantly between two major animal vendors. These results support the hypothesis that the composition of the gut microbiota is causally related to different behavioral responses to stress, and that this effect is mediated by changes in peripheral immune tone. These results also underscore the need to consider the gut microbiota as an important intercurrent variable in behavioral research.
Use of a confined space (zeolite) in enantio- and diastereo-selective photoreactions

Abstract The confined spaces of zeolites have been found to be ideal for carrying out enantio- and diastereo-selective photoreactions. Four methods, (chiral inductor, chiral auxiliary, a combination (chiral inductor + chiral auxiliary) and chiral inductor as a reagent) have been explored and all were found to give reasonable chiral induction on several systems. The uniqueness of zeolites as media although established in this study, the factors that control the high chiral induction in zeolite with respect to solution are yet to be established.
How does the brain control lifespan

There is generally a positive correlation between brain/body size ratio and lifespan, particularly among mammals, suggesting a role for the brain in determining lifespan. Recent studies in diverse organisms including nematodes, flies and rodents have provided evidence that, indeed the brain may control lifespan. Signaling pathways involved in both central nervous system and peripheral stress responses and regulation of energy metabolism may play important roles in lifespan determination. Indeed, genetic and environmental manipulations of these systems can greatly affect lifespan by changing levels of hormones that modulate energy metabolism, stress resistance and regenerative capacity of cells throughout the body. A signal transduction pathway in neurons involving receptors coupled to phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3β appears to play a key role in regulation of longevity by the brain. Mutations in genes that encode proteins in the insulin signaling pathway can increase lifespan in C. elegans and Drosophila, this signaling pathway in neurons in the brain may be particularly important in limiting lifespan. Dietary restriction results in the upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain, which may increase the resistance of neurons to aging. Interestingly, BDNF signaling in the brain can increase peripheral insulin sensitivity, suggesting a mechanism whereby the brain can control lifespan. We speculate that during evolution the brain took on the task of monitoring and controlling peripheral energy metabolism, and thereby regulating lifespan in the context of food availability. Roles for other evolutionarily conserved brain signaling pathways in lifespan determination are likely to be discovered in the near future.
K+ and Na+ absorption by outer sulcus epithelial cells

Abstract Transduction of sound into nerve impulses by hair cells depends on modulation of a current carried primarily by K+ into the cell across apical transduction channels that are permeable to cations. The cochlear function thus depends on active secretion of K+ accompanied by absorption of Na+ by epithelial cells enclosing the cochlear duct. The para-sensory cells which participate in the absorption of Na+ (down to the uniquely low level of 1 mM) were previously unidentified and the existence of a para-sensory pathway which actively absorbs K+ was previously unknown. A relative short circuit current (Isc,probe, measured as the extracellular current density with a vibrating electrode) was directed into the apical side of the outer sulcus epithelium, decreased by ouabain (1 mM), an inhibitor of Na+, K+-ATPase, and found to depend on bath Na+ and K+ but on neither Ca2+ nor Cl−. Isc,probe was shown to be an active current by its sensitivity to ouabain. On-cell patch clamp recordings of the apical membrane of outer sulcus cells displayed a channel activity, which carried inward currents under conditions identical to those used to measure Isc,probe. Both Isc,probe and non-selective cation channels (27.4±0.6 ps, n=22) in excised outside-out patches from the apical membrane were inhibited by Gd3+ (1 mM). Isc,probe was also inhibited by 5 mM lidocaine, 1 mM quinine and 500 μM amiloride but not by 10 μM amiloride. These results demonstrate that outer sulcus epithelial cells contribute to the homeostasis of endolymph by actively absorbing Na+ and K+. An entry pathway in the apical membrane was shown to be through non-selective cation channels that were sensitive to Gd3+.
Internal structure of the Martian south polar layered deposits

[1] We investigate the three-dimensional (3-D) stratigraphic structure of the south polar layered deposits (SPLD) on Mars. Prominent bench-forming layers exposed on SPLD scarps were observed and mapped in three dimensions using high-resolution topographic and imaging data sets. Using the 3-D location of exposures of one of these strata, we can accurately describe the shape of that layer using simple mathematical functions. Analysis of these functions and the surface topography can be used to reliably predict where on other scarps this layer is exposed. In general this bench-forming layer (and its surrounding strata) is not flat and is well approximated as a parabolic dome near the center of the SPLD. Its curvature indicates that when deposited it was draped over a topographic dome similar in size to that of the present day. The scarps in which this layer is exposed must have formed subsequently and have not been significantly modified by flow processes. The basement topography exercises some control over the shape of the interior strata in extreme cases. Our successful layer-fitting technique illustrates the regional uniformity in layer formation and the lack of major internal defects (such as faulting) within the SPLD. We have mapped exposures of what appear to be this layer in scarps farther from the center of the deposits. The position of these exposures can be used to modify the modeled parabolic shape at the periphery of the SPLD. These peripheral elevations provide constraints on the role of flow in the overall shaping of the SPLD.
Requirements for Prolongation of Allograft Survival with Regulatory T Cell Infusion in Lymphosufficient Hosts

Background For the clinical applicability of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in transplantation, it is critical to determine if donor antigen specificity is required for their immunosuppressive function. We developed an allospecific CD4 + T cell receptor transgenic (TCR-tg) mouse as a source for large numbers of Tregs with defined allospecificity and tested whether they are more effective than polyclonal Tregs at suppressing allograft rejection. Materials and Methods CD4 + CD25 + CD62L hi T cells were sorted from the spleen and peripheral lymph nodes of wild-type (WT-Tregs) and TCR-tg (Allo-Tregs) mice, and expanded using IL-2 and anti-CD3/anti-CD28 conjugated magnetic beads. Tregs were tested for their ability to suppress the proliferation and cytokine production of alloreactive CD4 + CD25 − T cells in mixed leukocyte assays. Syngeneic WT hosts were adoptively transferred 5 × 10 6 Tregs and transplanted with allogeneic hearts. Results Using anti-CD3/anti-CD28 conjugated beads, Tregs were expanded in vitro 100-fold and maintained their suppressor phenotype and function. Allo-Tregs were 6–8 times more potent on a cell-for-cell basis than WT-Tregs in suppressing allospecific proliferation in vitro . Allo-Tregs were unable to suppress in the absence of allo-antigen. Adoptive transfer of expanded Allo-Tregs into WT recipients prolonged the graft survival in a F1 heart transplant model compared with WT-Treg or no treatment [20.0 ± 4.4 d ( n = 6) versus 10.4 ± 1.2 ( n = 8) and 9.7 ± 1.6 d ( n = 6)]. Conclusions Unlike polyclonal Tregs, allospecific Tregs are able to prolong allograft survival. However, large numbers of Allo-Tregs were unable to induce tolerance, suggesting that Treg therapy in immunocompetent recipients will require conditioning and/or additional immunomodulation for the induction of tolerance.
Shortening ocular pain duration following intravitreal injections.

Purpose.To determine ocular pain duration after routine in-office intravitreal injection and to determine whether topical eyedrops are beneficial in increasing patient comfort.Methods.Forty injecti...
Covering the birth of a nation: The rise of Saudi Arabia in The London Times, 1927–1937

Abstract Saudi Arabia is considered as one of the most conservative countries in the world with regards to the role of religion in shaping national politics. We use a history of Saudi Arabia and British imperialist policy to contextualize the framing of religion in news coverage of Saudi Arabia in The London Times between 1927 and 1937 to uncover themes that were available to British readers before and after recognizing Saudi Arabia as a nation on September 23, 1932. We found that religious fundamentalism was part of this coverage, providing one potential media framework for understanding Saudi Arabia that is consistent with current coverage and discussions. We also found instances of favorable framing of events and individuals, which seemed to intensify after Saudi Arabia's recognition as a nation.
Vpm tokens: virtual machine-aware power budgeting in datacenters

Power consumption and cooling overheads are becoming increasingly significant for large scale machines, affecting overall costs and the ability to extend resource capacities and performance capabilities. To help mitigate these issues, active power management technologies are being deployed aggressively, including power budgeting, which enables improved power provisioning and can address critical periods when power delivery or cooling capabilities are temporarily reduced. Given the use of virtualization to encapsulate application components into virtual machines (VMs), however, such power management capabilities must address the interplay between budgeting physical resources and the performance of the virtual machines used to run these applications. This paper proposes a set of cluster- and datacenter-level management components and abstractions for use by power budgeting policies. The key idea is to manage power from a VM-centric point of view, where the goal is to be aware of global utility tradeoffs between different virtual machines (and their applications) when maintaining power constraints for the physical hardware on which they run. Our approach to VM-aware power budgeting uses multiple distributed managers integrated into the VirtualPower Management (VPM) framework whose actions are coordinated via a new abstraction, termed VPM tokens. An implementation with the Xen hypervisor illustrates technical benefits of VPM tokens that include up to 43% improvements in global utility, highlighting the ability to dynamically improve cluster performance while still meeting power budgets.
Damage zone in PVC and PVC/MBS blends. I. The effect of rubber content and temperature

The damage zone development in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and its transparent blends with methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) core/shell rubber was studied as a function of temperature and rubber content in a triaxial stress state under slow tensile loading. Failure at the semicircular notch occurred by shear yielding followed by stress whitening. In unmodified PVC, the shear yielded plastic zone size was not affected by temperature in the range between -40 and 40°C. In the blends, the plastic zone preceding stress whitening increased in size with temperature and rubber content, shifting the stress-whitened zone further away from the notch root. Below 0°C, stress whitening initiated at the notch root and the stress-whitened zones had a crescent shape similar to those of PVC/CPE blends studied previously. In unmodified PVC, stress whitening initiated from the growth of preexisting microvoids at the tip of the shear yielded zone containing two families of curving slip lines emanating from the notch root. In contrast, stress whitening in the blends was more intense and was initiated by the cavitation of the rubber particles.
Processing of pro-opiomelanocortin-derived amidated joining peptide and glycine-extended precursor in monkey pituitary

Abstract The molecular forms of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) derived amidated and C-terminal glycine-extended joining peptide from monkey (Macaca mulatta) pituitary were determined. The predominant forms of joining peptide found were the low molecular peptides POMC(76–105) and POMC(76–106), respectively. Significant amounts of N-terminally truncated POMC(78–105) and POMC(78–106) were also detected in the posterior-intermediate lobe. No N-terminal extended forms were detected. The relative amount of amidated joining peptide to total joining peptide was 6–35%. It is concluded that not only is the primary sequence of monkey and human POMC extremely conserved, but also the processing patterns are similar. The monkey therefore serves as a suitable model for studying regulation of the processing of POMC and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in man.
MBARI new antibiofouling shutter

The first MBARI shutter was developed to reduce the effect of biofouling (barnacles, etc.) on a variety of optical instruments in use on MBARI's oceanic moored platforms. While the first shutter has been quite effective, the second shutter is smaller, consumes less power, and is contained in a simple package, making it easier to integrate into other MBARI platforms.
Preventing Local Government Fiscal Crises: The North Carolina Approach

Some local governments face fiscal challenges due to mismanagement and declining economies. In particular, manufacturing states like Michigan and Ohio have been hard hit by the effects of international competition. To prevent fiscal distress from becoming a crisis, states exercise oversight over local government fiscal management. The three bond rating agencies consider the North Carolina oversight system a model. This paper discusses the North Carolina oversight system, including audit review, technical assistance, debt issuance, and power to take over the financial operations of distressed local units.
Spontaneous Dissociation of Fluocinolone Acetonide Sustained Release Implant (Retisert) with Dislocation into the Anterior Chamber.

AbstractPurpose: To report two cases of spontaneous Retisert implant dissociation with dislocation of the medication reservoir into the anterior chamber.Design and methods: Case reports.Results: Two patients with chronic, noninfectious uveitis following Retisert implantation between 6 and 7 years prior presented with a complaint of a “white spot” in their right eyes. Both patients had previous pars plana vitrectomies. Anterior segment examination revealed a dislocated medication reservoir of the Retisert implant in the inferior portion of anterior chamber with associated reservoir-corneal endothelial touch and stromal edema. The reservoirs were subsequently retrieved via a pars plana approach and removed from the anterior chamber through a corneal incision.Conclusions: Spontaneous dissociation of the Retisert implant with dislocation of the medication reservoir into the anterior chamber can be a late complication of Retisert implantation. Eye care professionals and patients should be aware of this complic...
Transformation-defective virus mutants in a class of morphologic revertants of sarcoma virus transformed nonproducer cells.

Abstract In studies of the viral and cellular functions involved in expression of transformation by murine sarcoma virus, selective methods have led to the isolation of morphologic revertants following mitomycin C mutagenization of nonproductively transformed mouse cells. The revertants exhibit normal growth properties, yet still contain the sarcoma virus. Further, they are as susceptible as normal cells to exogenous sarcoma virus infection. In the present studies, these revertants are shown to contain levels of sarcoma viral RNA quantitatively and qualitatively indistinguishable from that present in the parental transformed clone. Following rescue with helper leukemia virus, they release low levels of wild-type transforming virus and a large excess of transformation-defective sarcoma virus as measured by molecular hybridization. The defective viruses can be transmitted to new cells in the absence of morphologic alteration. These results provide strong evidence that the revertants contain mutant viruses defective in transforming functions. The release of wild-type sarcoma virus by cells in a revertant culture appears to occur concomitantly with the spontaneous appearance of retransformed cells. This suggests that the reversion of mutant virus to wild-type within the cell occurs as a result of reversion of a point mutation in the integrated sarcoma viral genome. The present sarcoma virus mutants appear to be the first obtained by spontaneous or chemically-induced genetic alteration of stably integrated virus in eucaryotic cells.
Mammillary body and cerebellar shrinkage in chronic alcoholics with and without amnesia

Mammillary body and cerebellar atrophy have been described as postmorten neuropathologic markers of Korsakoff's syndrome. This study examined whether shrinkage in the mammillary bodies and cerebellum is present consistently in amnesic chronic alcoholics during life and whether the degree of abnormality in these patients differs from that in nonamnesic alcoholic and healthy controls. The severity of shrinkage in the mammillary bodies, cerebellar hemispheres, and cerebellar vermis visualizable on MRI scans was rated on a three-point scale in 33 chronic nonamnesic alcoholics, 9 amnesic alcoholics, and 20 healthy controls. Although both alcoholic groups showed significant mammillary body and cerebellar shrinkage relative to controls, the two patient groups did not differ from each other. Furthermore, four of eight amnesic patients in our sample did not demonstrate clinically significant mammillary body atrophy. These results suggest that alcoholism is associated with mammillary body and cerebellar tissue volume loss but do not provide evidence that these markers distinguish accurately between amnesic and nonamnesic patients. In addition, they suggest that visualizable mammillary body atrophy is not necessary for the development of amnesia in alcoholic patients.
Significance of dose in postoperative radiotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma

Abstract Purpose For soft tissue sarcoma, adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy improves the local control rate over surgery alone. However, the issue of a dose–control relationship is controversial and was addressed in this study. Methods and materials We retrospectively reviewed the records of 775 consecutive patients who received postoperative external beam radiotherapy and used univariate and multivariate analysis to determine whether a dose–control relationship exists for the whole group and for specific high-risk subgroups. Results With a median follow-up of 12.3 years, overall local control rates were 82%, 80%, and 79% at 5, 10, and 15 years. Factors adverse for local control were positive resection margins; tumor location in the head and neck and deep trunk; presentation with locally recurrent disease; patient age >64 years; histopathologic subtype of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, neurogenic sarcoma or epithelioid sarcoma; and tumor size >10 cm. In multivariate analysis, radiation dose ≥64 Gy vs. Conclusion After gross total resection, soft tissue sarcoma with features predictive of a higher than average local recurrence rate benefited from doses of 64–68 Gy compared with 60 Gy.
Striped superconductors: how spin, charge and superconducting orders intertwine in the cuprates

Recent transport experiments in the original cuprate high temperature superconductor, La2−xBaxCuO4, have revealed a remarkable sequence of transitions and crossovers that give rise to a form of dynamical dimensional reduction, in which a bulk crystal becomes essentially superconducting in two directions while it remains poorly metallic in the third. We identify these phenomena as arising from a distinct new superconducting state, the 'striped superconductor', in which the superconducting order is spatially modulated, so that its volume average value is zero. Here, in addition to outlining the salient experimental findings, we sketch the order parameter theory of the state, stressing some of the ways in which a striped superconductor differs fundamentally from an ordinary (uniform) superconductor, especially concerning its response to quenched randomness. We also present the results of density matrix renormalization group calculations on a model of interacting electrons in which sign oscillations of the superconducting order are established. Finally, we speculate concerning the relevance of this state to experiments in other cuprates, including recent optical studies of La2−xSrxCuO4 in a magnetic field, neutron scattering experiments in underdoped YBa2Cu3O6+x and a host of anomalies seen in STM and ARPES studies of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ.
Health Information Seeking and Social Media Use on the Internet among People with Diabetes.

Objective: To understand the online health information-seeking behaviors of people with diabetes, determine whether they utilize online social media, and to see if they would be willing to use these sites to discuss health information. Design and sample: 57 participants were recruited from the South-Eastern US between June and October 2009 and asked to take an online survey. Participants were asked demographic data, information about their diabetes, and Internet and online social networking use. Results: The majority of participants utilize popular online social networking sites and many would be willing to discuss health information online. Conclusions: Popular online social networks and online social media have the potential to serve as important platforms for nursing and public health interventions. In particular, these venues may serve as appropriate tools to reach minority populations and people in rural areas. Further research is needed to understand how we can use these Internet sites to reach people directly where they are and for delivering diabetes education and support.
Cyclophosphamide inhibition of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in Wistar rats.

SummaryExperimental allergic encepha-lomyelitis can be inhibited in Wistar rats treated with doses of cyclophosphamide which carry little or no toxicity for this species of laboratory animal. Inhibition of the disease lasts for at least 3 weeks after discontinuing cyclophosphamide treatment. The suppres-sive effect of this alkylating agent can be achieved starting treatment as late as 9 days after nervous tissue-adjuvant sensitization. Cyclophosphamide inhibits production of complement-fixing antibrain antibody in parallel with its EAE-inhibitory effect.
Arsenic exposure, AS3MT polymorphism, and neuropsychological functioning among rural dwelling adults and elders: a cross-sectional study

Background: The aim was to examine the link between low-level arsenic exposure and cognitive functioning, and the potential role of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP A35991G, rs10748835) of the AS3MT gene in modifying this link. Methods: Data were analyzed on 526 participants from Project FRONTIER. Hierarchical linear regressions were created with neuropsychological raw index scores as the outcome variable and arsenic exposure and AS3MT SNP as different predictor variables. Results: Within the total sample, arsenic exposure was negatively associated with language (p<0.001) and executive functioning (p<0.001). Among those with the AA genotype of the AS3MT gene, arsenic levels were negatively associated with language (p<0.001), attention (p=0.01), and executive functioning (p=0.04). Among those with the AG genotype, arsenic levels were positively associated with immediate (p=0.04) and delayed memory (p<0.001) and negatively associated with executive functioning (p=0.03). Among those with the GG genotype, arsenic levels were negatively associated with visuospatial functioning (p= 0.02). Conclusions: Low-level arsenic exposure is associated with cognitive functioning; however, this association is modified by an AS3MT gene.