cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of resistance/susceptibility to murine encephalitozoonosis.

Summary Mechanisms of resistance/susceptibility to the obligate intracellular protozoan Encephalitozoon cuniculi were studied in resistant BALB/c and susceptible C57BL/6 mice. Three immunological functions were examined: the production of lymphokine(s) (LK) by T-lymphocytes, the proliferative response of spleen cells to parasite spore fragments, and the ability of splenic and thioglycollate-induced peritoneal macrophages to act as accessory cells in antigen-induced T-cell proliferation. The two strains showed differences in the time required for LK production in vitro but not in their ability to generate LK. Spore fragment-induced lymphoblastogenesis was found in spleen cells of infected BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. There was no difference between the two strains in dose response and time of maximal response, but the magnitude of maximal response was significantly less in C57BL/6 mice. Indomethacin was found to augment the lymphoproliferative response of C57BL/6 but not BALB/c mice, suggesting that prostaglandin production may be involved in immunosuppression in C57BL/6 mice. C57BL/6 mice required more splenic adherent cells to achieve the same proliferative response as found in BALB/c mice. The ability of thioglycollate-induced peritoneal macrophages to act as accessory cells in antigen-induced T-cell proliferation was less in C57BL/6 mice than in BALB/c mice. Thus, it appeared that the relative susceptibility of C57BL/6 mice to encephalitozoonosis may be due to defective accessory cell function of splenic and peritoneal macrophages, depressed lymphoproliferation against spore fragments (possibly due to prostaglandin-mediated suppression) and a delay in LK production. There was no significant difference between the survival times of BALB/c-nu and C57BL/6-nu mice, suggesting that non-immune mediated resistance did not play a role in determining resistance/susceptibility.
High and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic school children.

To most fully explicate risk to coronary heart disease (CHD) in adults and children with elevated plasma total cholesterol, the levels of high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (C-HDL, C-LDL) must be quantitated. This report focuses upon C-HDL and C-LDL levels in children identified in a lipid and lipoprotein sampling survey of 6,775 Princeton School children, by either total plasma cholesterol ≥205 mg/dl, the approximate 95th percentile for children 6–17 years of age, or age-, sex-, and race-specific 95th percentiles for cholesterol. Using the sex-, race-specific local 95th percentiles for C-HDL and C-LDL, the hypercholesterolemic children were separated into four categories according to whether they had elevations of both C-HDL and C-LDL, C-HDL only, C-LDL only, or neither. When selection for hypercholesterolemia was based on the overall 95th percentile (205 mg/dl), black children were more likely than white to have elevations of C-HDL only, which accounted for their hypercholesterolemia, p<.05, whereas white children were much more likely to have elevations of C-LDL only, than were black children, p<.005. However, when selection for hypercholesterolemia was based on age-, sex-, and race-specific 95th percentile cholesterol levels, there were no differences in the proportion of black and white children having elevations of C-HDL and C-LDL, accounting for their hypercholesterolemia. Elevated levels of C-HDL can explain apparent hypercholesterolemia in at least 16% of children, ages 6–17, who may putatively be at reduced, rather than increased CHD risk.
Evaluation of a simple nonlinear elastic constitutive form

A nonlinear, two constant stress-deformation form is deduced for elastic materials. At very large stretch ratios of greater than about 3 or 4, the model exhibits the strain stiffening behavior common to many elastomers. The constitutive form is very simple since the two material constants enter it as multiplying constants times certain nonlinear deformation terms. The model is evaluated with respect to data upon natural rubber under both uniaxial and bi-axial stress conditions. The model is also used to evaluate data obtained from a nonlinear membrane inflation experiment. The latter experimental capability and corresponding data are new.
Evolutionary history of the ABCB2 genomic region in teleosts.

Gene duplication, silencing and translocation have all been implicated in shaping the unique genomic architecture of the teleost MH regions. Previously, we demonstrated that trout possess five unlinked regions encoding MH genes. One of these regions harbors ABCB2 which in all other vertebrate classes is found in the MHC class II region. In this study, we sequenced a BAC contig for the trout ABCB2 region. Analysis of this region revealed the presence of genes homologous to those located in the human class II (ABCB2, BRD2, ψDAA), extended class II (RGL2, PHF1, SYGP1) and class III (PBX2, Notch-L) regions. The organization and syntenic relationships of this region were then compared to similar regions in humans, Tetraodon and zebrafish to learn more about the evolutionary history of this region. Our analysis indicates that this region was generated during the teleost-specific duplication event while also providing insight about potential MH paralogous regions in teleosts.
Inhibition of hydrocarbon oxidation in laminar flames and detonations by halogenated compounds

A detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanism is developed to describe the inhibition ofhydrocarbon fuel oxidation by halogenated species. Included in this mechanism are the halogen acids HCl, HBr, and HI, as well as halogenated hydrocarbons formed by combining together Cl, Br, or I atoms with methyl, ethyl, or vinyl radicals. Also included is a submechanism describing the kinetics of the combustion of CF3Br. The resulting mechanism is combined with a complete hydrocarbon oxidation mechanism and used to study inhibition of laminar flames and detonations in hydrocarbon-air mixtures. In all of the cases examined, the halogenated species act by catalyzing the recombination of H atoms into relatively nonreactive H2 molecules, reducing the available radical pool and lowering the overall rate of chain branching. In agreement with experimental observations, the present modeling study indicates that I atoms are the most effective, Br atoms are slightly less effective than I atoms, and Cl atoms are very much less effective as kinetic inhibitors. The additional fuel content of the halogenated hydrocarbons makes their inhibition efficiency vary with equivalence ratio, and for all of the inhibitors increased pressure also increases the inhibition efficiency. Discussions of the kinetic factors responsible for this behavior are presented.
The geography of celebrity and glamour: Reflections on economy, culture, and desire in the city☆

Abstract Our goal in this paper is to trace out the main lines of symbiosis that link the cultural economy with celebrity and glamour. We observe two trends emerging with great force in the 21st century: The commodification of celebrity and its trappings, and the democratization of celebrity across the globe. These phenomena emerge in the context of the modern city, and they constitute a dynamic nexus of developmental effects. We proceed by deriving celebrity and glamour out of the logic of commercialized cultural production in association with localized scenes, fandom, and a specific kind of economic and cultural infrastructure. We show that this logic is most intense in major world centers of contemporary capitalism. Celebrity and glamour have major economic impacts on these centers both through their integration into localized systems of agglomeration economies and their effects on the marketing and commercialization of culturally inflected outputs, producing winner-take-all geographies responsible for the individuals and scenes that maintain the celebrity ecosystem. We conclude the paper with a critical examination of the wider social and political meaning of celebrity and glamour and their relations to commodified culture generally.
Architectural foundations for real-time performance in intelligent agents

Intelligent agents perform concurrent tasks requiring interaction with a dynamic environment, under real-time constraints. Because an agent’s opportunities to perceive, reason, and act exceed its resources, it must determine which operations to perform and when to perform them so as to achieve its most important objectives. Accordingly, we view the problem of real-time performance as a problem in intelligent real-time control. We propose control requirements and present an agent architecture designed to address them. Key features include: parallel perception, action, and cognition processes, limitedcapacity I/O buffers with best-first retrieval and worst-first overflow, dynamic control planning, dynamic focus of attention, and a satisficing execution cycle. These features allow an agent to trade quality for speed of response under dynamic goals, resource limitations, and performance constraints. We illustrate the architecture in the Guardian system for intensive care monitoring and contrast it with alternative architectures.
Ultrahigh vacuum–scanning tunneling microscopy nanofabrication and hydrogen/deuterium desorption from silicon surfaces: implications for complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology

Abstract The development of ultrahigh vacuum–scanning tunneling microscopy (UHV–STM)-based nanofabrication capability for hydrogen passivated silicon surfaces has opened new opportunities for selective chemical processing, down to the atomic scale. The chemical contrast between clean and H-passivated Si(100) surfaces has been used to achieve nanoscale selective oxidation, nitridation, molecular functionalization, and metallization by thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Further understanding of the hydrogen desorption mechanisms has been gained by extending the studies to deuterated surfaces. In these experiments, it was discovered that deuterium is nearly two orders of magnitude more difficult to desorb than hydrogen in the electronic desorption regime. This giant isotope effect provided the basis for an idea that has since led to the extension of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistor lifetimes by factors of 10 or greater. Low temperature hydrogen and deuterium desorption experiments were performed to gain further insight into the underlying physical mechanisms. The desorption shows no temperature dependence in the high energy electronic desorption regime. However, in the low energy vibrational heating regime, hydrogen is over two orders of magnitude easier to desorb at 11 K than at room temperature. The enhanced desorption in the low temperature vibrational regime has enabled the quantification of a dramatic increase in the deuterium isotope effect at low voltages. These results may have direct implications for low voltage and/or low temperature scaled CMOS operation.
Detection of a proliferation specific gene during development of the osteoblast phenotype by mRNA differential display

Fetal rat calvarial-derived osteoblasts in vitro (ROB) reinitiate a developmental program from growth to differentiation concomitant with production of a bone tissue-like organized extracellular matrix. To identify novel genes which may mediate this sequence, we isolated total RNA from three stages of the cellular differentiation process (proliferation, extracellular matrix maturation, and mineralization), for screening gene expression by the differential mRNA display technique. Of 15 differentially displayed bands that were analyzed by Northern blot analysis, one prominent 310 nucleotide band was confirmed to be proliferation-stage specific. Northern blot analysis showed a 600-650 nt transcript which was highly expressed in proliferating cells and decreased to trace levels after confluency and throughout the differentiation process. We have designated this transcript PROM-1 (for proliferating cell marker). A full length PROM-1 cDNA of 607 bp was obtained by 5' RACE. A short open reading frame encoded a putative 37 amino acid peptide with no significant similarity to known sequences. Expression of PROM-1 in the ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cell line was several fold greater than in normal diploid cells and was not downregulated when ROS 17/2.8 cells reached confluency. The relationship of PROM-1 expression to cell growth was also observed in diploid fetal rat lung fibroblasts. Hydroxyurea treatment of proliferating osteoblasts blocked PROM-1 expression; however, its expression was not cell cycle regulated. Upregulation of PROM-1 in response to TGF-beta paralleled the stimulatory effects on growth as quantitated by histone gene expression. In conclusion, PROM-1 represents a small cytoplasmic polyA containing RNA whose expression is restricted to the exponential growth period of normal diploid cells; the gene appears to be deregulated in tumor derived cell lines.
Higher-order statistics (spectra) and their application in signal processing

Most real-world signals are non-Gaussian. If they were Gaussian then they could be completely characterized by their first- and second-order statistics, because the probability density function (p.d.f.) for a Gaussian signal is completely described by these statistics. Because most real-world signals are not Gaussian, we need to use more than just first- and second-order statistics, i.e., we need to use "higher-order statistics." We could use higher-order moments, e.g., triplecorrelations, quadruple-correlations, etc., or we could use cumulants. Cumulants are related to higher-order moments, but do not necessarily always equal these moments. Reasons for preferring cumulants over moments are explained below.
A double isotope derivative assay for progesterone and 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one

Abstract A double isotope derivative method for the estimation of progesterone and 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one in tissues and biological fluids is described. Progesterone is enzymatically reduced and measured as 20β-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one. 14C-steroids are used as indicators, and acetic-3H anhydride is used as the derivatizing reagent to estimate mass. Extraneous tritium, not associated chemically with purified steroid acetates is removed by combinations of absorption and partition-type paper Chromatographie techniques. Specificity is enhanced through formation of the o-methyloxime derivatives of the 20-acetoxy-pregn-4-en-3-ones. critical evaluation of the method is included giving attention to its specificity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy. The method is suitable for the estimation of from 0. 05 to 1. 0 μg progesterone with an error of 10% or less, and 0. 005 μg is estimated with an error of about 30%. A method for calculating endogenous steroid is presented which relies on a comparison between the 3H/14C ratios of the isolated steroid acetate and the acetylated indicator steroids. By this operation a more meaningful evaluation of the sample blank is possible and specificity can be more rigorously assessed. Analyses of progesterone and 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one are reported for peripheral plasma and endocrine tissues taken from pregnant and pseudopregnant rats and pregnant rabbits.
Centrioles: Some Self-Assembly Required

Centrioles play an important role in organizing microtubules and are precisely duplicated once per cell cycle. New (daughter) centrioles typically arise in association with existing (mother) centrioles (canonical assembly), suggesting that mother centrioles direct the formation of daughter centrioles. However, under certain circumstances, centrioles can also selfassemble free of an existing centriole (de novo assembly). Recent work indicates that the canonical and de novo pathways utilize a common mechanism and that a mother centriole spatially constrains the self-assembly process to occur within its immediate vicinity. Other recently identified mechanisms further regulate canonical assembly so that during each cell cycle, one and only one daughter centriole is assembled per mother centriole.
Fleet Size Estimation for Snowplowing Operation Considering Road Geometry, Weather, and Traffic Speed

Estimating truck fleet size for winter road maintenance, such as snowplowing, is a challenging task for highway maintenance agencies. To estimate the fleet size for a snowplowing operation, a mathematic model is developed considering road geometry, weather, and traffic speed, subject to service time limit. The complexity of the problem lies in the varying pavement width of road sections, different plowing patterns on the mainline and ramps, weather- and time-dependent traffic speed, and the use of mixed types of plows. With real-world data, the developed model is applied in a case study, and the model demonstrates itself to be considerably flexible in adapting to various circumstances in estimating fleet size for snowplowing operations.
Precipitation Composition in the Ohio River Valley: Spatial Variability and Temporal Trends

Sulfate (SO42−), nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) concentrations in precipitation as measured at NADP sites within the Ohio River Valley of the Midwestern USA between 1985 and 2002 are quantified and temporal trends attributed to changes/ variations in (i) the precipitation regime, (ii) emission patterns and (iii) air mass trajectories. The results indicate that mean SO42− concentrations in precipitation declined by 37–43% between 1985 and 2002, while NO3− concentrations decreased by 1–32%, and NH4+ concentrations exhibited declining concentrations at some sites and increasing concentrations at others. The change in SO42− concentrations is in broad agreement with estimated reductions in sulfur dioxide emissions. Changes in NO3− concentrations appear to be less closely related to variations in emissions of oxides of nitrogen and exhibit a stronger dependence on weekly precipitation volume. Up to one quarter of the variability in log-transformed weekly NO3− concentrations in precipitation is explicable by variations in precipitation volume. Trends in annual average log-transformed SO42− concentrations exhibit only a relatively small influence of variability in weekly precipitation amount but at each of the sites considered the variance explanation of annual average log-transformed SO42− by sampling year was increased by removing the influence of precipitation volume. Annual mean log-transformed ion concentrations detrended for precipitation volume (by week) and emission changes (by year) exhibit positive correlations at all sites, indicating that the residual variability of SO42−, NO3− and NH4+ may have a common source which is postulated to be linked to synoptic scale variability and air mass trajectories.
Isolation of ribonucleic acid from animal tissue by use of chaotropic agents

Abstract A method is presented for solubilizing and isolating pulse-labeled RNA from isolated nuclei, whole cells, and the insoluble material which collects at the interface between the phenol and aqueous layers during phenol extraction procedures. For this we have used solutions of the chaotropic salt, lithium trichloroacetate. It appears that the method may be useful for extracting the more stable RNA species as well. The RNA extracted from whole cells and phenol interface precipitate is undegraded, as determined by acrylamide gel electrophoresis after exposure to dimethyl sulfoxide. Pulse-labeled RNA extracted from isolated nuclei shows a marked tendency to aggregate and this fraction is being investigated further.
Determination of nitric oxide synthase activity by measurement of the conversion of l-arginine to l-citrulline

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO), first recognized for its importance as an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, is now recognized as an important messenger molecule for the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase in a wide variety of tissues, including the central and the peripheral nervous system. In addition, NO by itself may have multiple functions independent of cyclic GMP, ranging from cytotoxicity to ADP ribosylation. In brain tissue, NO is produced enzymatically from l -arginine by NO synthase, a constitutive, calcium-, calmodulin-, and NADPH-dependent enzyme. In this article we describe several methods for the quantitation of NO synthase activity based on the measurement of l -citrulline, the stable by-product of NO synthesis from l -arginine. This method is sensitive, rapid, and reliable and can be performed with a simple experimental setup that is convenient for quantitating NO production of a large number of samples at a time. The l -citrulline methodology is compared to several other methods of quantifying NO and NO synthase activity, and its advantages and disadvantages are discussed.
Impact of Mutations in the Coreceptor Binding Site on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Fusion, Infection, and Entry Inhibitor Sensitivity

An increasingly large number of antiviral agents that prevent entry of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) into cells are in preclinical and clinical development. The envelope (Env) protein of HIV is the major viral determinant that affects sensitivity to these compounds. To understand how changes in Env can impact entry inhibitor sensitivity, we introduced six mutations into the conserved coreceptor binding site of the R5 HIV-1 strain YU-2 and measured the effect of these changes on CD4 and coreceptor binding, membrane fusion levels and rates, virus infection, and sensitivity to the fusion inhibitors enfuvirtide (T-20) and T-1249, the CCR5 inhibitor TAK-779, and an antibody to CD4. The mutations had little effect on CD4 binding but reduced CCR5 binding to various extents. In general, reductions in coreceptor binding efficiency resulted in slower fusion kinetics and increased sensitivity to TAK-779 and enfuvirtide. In addition, low CCR5 binding usually reduced overall fusion and infection levels. However, one mutation adjacent to the bridging sheet β21 strand, P438A, had little effect on fusion activity, fusion rate, infectivity, or sensitivity to enfuvirtide or T-1249 despite causing a marked reduction in CCR5 binding and a significant increase in TAK-779 sensitivity. Thus, our findings indicate that changes in the coreceptor binding site of Env can modulate its fusion activity, infectivity, and entry inhibitor sensitivity by multiple mechanisms and suggest that reductions in coreceptor binding do not always result in prolonged fusion kinetics and increased sensitivity to enfuvirtide.
Turkey in the Twenty-First Century: Quest for a New Foreign Policy

Turkey in the Twenty-First Century: Quest for a New Foreign Policy Ozden Zeynep Oktav, Ed. Farnham, Ashgate, 2011 ISBN: 978-1-40943-184-8 In the past decade Turkey has become an important regional ...
Thermomechanical response of DH-36 structural steel over a wide range of strain rates and temperatures

Abstract To understand and model the thermomechanical response of DH-36 Naval structural steel, uniaxial compression tests are performed on cylindrical samples, using an Instron servohydraulic testing machine and UCSD’s enhanced Hopkinson technique. True strains exceeding 60% are achieved in these tests, over the range of strain rates from 0.001/s to about 8000/s, and at initial temperatures from 77 to 1000 K. The microstructure of the undeformed and deformed samples is examined through optical microscopy. The experimental results show: (1) DH-36 steel displays good ductility and plasticity (strain > 60%) at low temperatures (even at 77 K) and high strain rates; (2) at relatively high temperatures and low strain rates (especially below about 0.1/s), its strength is not temperature sensitive, indicating that the material has good weldability; (3) dynamic strain aging (DSA) occurs at temperatures between 500 and 1000 K and in the range of strain rates from 0.001/s to 3000/s, the peak value of the stress shifting to higher temperatures with increasing strain rates (it is about 600 K at 0.001/s, about 650 K at 0.1/s, and about 800 K at 3000/s); (4) adiabatic shearbands develop when the strain exceeds about 30% at 77 K, and at higher strains for higher temperatures; and (5) the microstructural evolution of the material is not very sensitive to changes in strain rates and temperatures. Finally, based on the mechanism of dislocation motion, and using our experimental data, the parameters of a physically-based model developed earlier for AL-6XN stainless steel [J. Mech. Phys. Solids 49 (2001) 1823] are estimated and the model predictions are compared with various experimental results, excluding the dynamic strain aging effects. Good agreement between the theoretical predictions and experimental results is obtained. In order to further verify the model independently of the experiments used in the modeling, additional compression tests at a strain rate of 8000/s and various initial temperatures are performed, and the results are compared with the model predictions. Good correlation is observed. As an alternative to this model, the experimental data are also used to estimate the parameters in the Johnson–Cook model [G.R. Johnson, W.H. Cook, 1983, in: Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium on Ballistic, The Hague, The Netherlands, p. 541] and the resulting model predictions are compared with the experimental data, again excluding the dynamic strain-aging effects. These and related results suggest that the physically based model has a better prediction capability over a broader strain rate and temperature range.
Persistent Telomere Damage Induces Bypass of Mitosis and Tetraploidy

Tetraploidization has been proposed as an intermediate step toward aneuploidy in human cancer but a general mechanism for the induction of tetraploidy during tumorigenesis is lacking. We report that tetraploidization occurs in p53-deficient cells experiencing a prolonged DNA damage signal due to persistent telomere dysfunction. Live-cell imaging revealed that these cells have an extended G2 due to ATM/ATR- and Chk1/Chk2-mediated inhibition of Cdk1/CyclinB and eventually bypass mitosis. Despite their lack of mitosis, the cells showed APC/Cdh1-dependent degradation of the replication inhibitor geminin, followed by accumulation of Cdt1, which is required for origin licensing. Cells then entered a second S phase resulting in whole-genome reduplication and tetraploidy. Upon restoration of telomere protection, these tetraploid cells resumed cell division cycles and proliferated. These observations suggest a general mechanism for the induction of tetraploidization in the early stages of tumorigenesis when telomere dysfunction can result from excessive telomere shortening.
Tellurium tetrachloride and diphenyl ditelluride cause cytotoxicity in rat hippocampal astrocytes.

Abstract Tellurium tetrachloride (TeCl4) and diphenyl ditelluride (DPDT) cytotoxicity, was investigated in rat astrocytes. Concentrations of 0.24–250 μM (24 h) were tested for viability using MTT(3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) and trypan blue exclusion. MTT showed significant decreases at all concentrations tested for both compounds. Significant decreases in viability were seen in 1.95–250 μM of DPDT and 0.97–250 μM of TeCl4 with trypan blue exclusion. The LC50 for both compounds was 62.5 μM. Light and scanning microscopy confirm toxicity observed at higher concentrations. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) assay, TUNEL, cytochrome c and caspase release were carried out. No significant increase in TBARS with either agent was observed (15.625–62.5 μM). TUNEL and cytochrome c assays demonstrated apoptosis in TeCl4 treated cells (31.25–125 μM). Non-apoptotic cells were observed in DPDT treated cells. Studies of caspase 3/7 and caspase 9 indicated increased activity in TeCl4 but not in DPDT treated cells. Optical Emission Spectroscopy of DPDT and TeCl4 treated cells demonstrated significant accumulation of elemental tellurium in all treatment groups (31.25–125 μM). We conclude that DPDT and TeCl4 are cytotoxic to astrocytes. TeCl4 treated cells die via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Accumulation of tellurium occurs with both compounds, but results in different mechanisms of cell death.
Marginal Zone and B1 B Cells Unite in the Early Response against T-Independent Blood-Borne Particulate Antigens

The rate of pathogen elimination determines the extent and consequences of an infection. In this context, the spleen with its highly specialized lymphoid compartments plays a central role in clearing blood-borne pathogens. Splenic marginal zone B cells (MZ), by virtue of their preactivated state and topographical location, join B1 B cells to generate a massive wave of IgM producing plasmablasts in the initial 3 days of a primary response to particulate bacterial antigens. Because of the intensity and rapidity of this response, combined with the types of antibodies produced, splenic MZ and B1 B cells endowed with a "natural memory" provide a bridge between the very early innate and the later appearing adaptive immune response.
Elevated Expression of Inhibin α in Prostate Cancer

ABSTRACTPurpose: Less than 50% of men who undergo radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer are cured of disease. We evaluate tumor expression of inhibin α, a putative tumor suppressor, and the related protein, follistatin, to determine whether expression correlated with failure to be cured by surgery.Materials and Methods: Tissues were selected from an archival collection of 379 prostatectomy specimens from men with followup of at least 5 years after surgery. Since previous studies showed that such men with only Gleason grade 3 cancer had a greater than 95% chance of no biochemical recurrence (increase in serum prostate specific antigen), our investigation was confined to 174 men with 2% or greater grade 4/5 cancer. These men had an intermediate rate of failure, providing an opportunity to analyze the potential contribution of inhibin α or follistatin to progression. Intensity of immunohistochemical labeling for inhibin α and follistatin in each cancer was compared with that in normal glands within the s...
70—THE MECHANICS OF SELF-PLYING STRUCTURES. PART II: MULTIFILAMENT STRANDS

Analyses of the mechanics of self-plying structures are presented for multi-filament component strands, and an account is given of the experimental verification of theoretical predictions, made by means of the use of nylon multifilament model yarns.
Enhanced sampling techniques in molecular dynamics simulations of biological systems

Abstract Background Molecular dynamics has emerged as an important research methodology covering systems to the level of millions of atoms. However, insufficient sampling often limits its application. The limitation is due to rough energy landscapes, with many local minima separated by high-energy barriers, which govern the biomolecular motion. Scope of review In the past few decades methods have been developed that address the sampling problem, such as replica-exchange molecular dynamics, metadynamics and simulated annealing. Here we present an overview over theses sampling methods in an attempt to shed light on which should be selected depending on the type of system property studied. Major conclusions Enhanced sampling methods have been employed for a broad range of biological systems and the choice of a suitable method is connected to biological and physical characteristics of the system, in particular system size. While metadynamics and replica-exchange molecular dynamics are the most adopted sampling methods to study biomolecular dynamics, simulated annealing is well suited to characterize very flexible systems. The use of annealing methods for a long time was restricted to simulation of small proteins; however, a variant of the method, generalized simulated annealing, can be employed at a relatively low computational cost to large macromolecular complexes. General significance Molecular dynamics trajectories frequently do not reach all relevant conformational substates, for example those connected with biological function, a problem that can be addressed by employing enhanced sampling algorithms. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Recent developments of molecular dynamics.
Autoimmune hepatitis: CT and MR imaging features with histopathological correlation.

To describe the CT and MRI features of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and correlate them with histological grade and stage. Observed changes associated with treatment are also described. A retrospective analysis of the initial CT scans (n = 22) and MRI exams (n = 12) of 27 patients with pathologically-proven AIH was conducted. Multiple objective and subjective imaging features were evaluated. Correlation of imaging features with histological inflammatory grade and fibrotic stage was performed using the Fisher exact test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. In eight patients serial CT and MR imaging during treatment was used to describe the changes associated with treatment. The presence of ascites, expanded gallbladder fossa, spleen size, and enlarged preportal space had significant positive correlations with fibrotic stage. No significant positive correlations existed between imaging features and portal or lobular inflammatory grade. Seven patients (25.9%) were normal. The most common abnormal finding was surface nodularity: CT (n = 11 [50%]) and MRI (n = 8 [66.7%]). There was a wide variability in imaging appearances of patients who had serial scans on treatment. There is a wide spectrum of CT and MR imaging features in patients with AIH. Several MRI features demonstrate a significant positive correlation with fibrotic stage.
The Uniformity of Spiritual Culture in Nine Southern Student Affairs Graduate Preparation Programs

This study examined the culture of spirituality in graduate preparation programs at Southern institutions. The collected and analyzed data included the College Students' Beliefs and Values spirituality factor scale for 171 graduate students enrolled at nine Southern institutions. The nonsignificant statistical findings indicated that a common spiritual culture existed among participating institutions and programs of study. The lack of statistical differentiation provides an even foundation upon which to build theoretically grounded educational experiences.
The prevalence and correlates of psychiatric comorbidity in individuals with complicated grief.

Abstract Background Complicated grief (CG), variously called pathological or traumatic grief , is a debilitating syndrome that is not currently included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition , ( DSM-IV ) nomenclature. One issue that remains under debate is whether this condition can be clearly distinguished from other psychiatric disorders, such as major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, with which CG frequently coexists. Methods Using a structured clinical interview for CG and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV , trained experienced raters conducted careful diagnostic assessments of individuals seeking treatment of bereavement-related distress. All study participants met criteria for a current CG syndrome. Liberal criteria were used to diagnose DSM-IV disorders, making no attempt to decide if symptoms could be explained by grief. Results Of 206 who met the criteria for CG, 25% had no evidence of a current DSM-IV Axis I disorder. When present, psychiatric comorbidity was associated with significantly greater severity of grief; however, even after adjustment for the presence of comorbidity, severity of CG symptoms was associated with greater work and social impairment. Limitations It is likely that our study underestimated the rate of CG without comorbidity because fewer DSM diagnoses would have been made if a judgment about grief had been taken into consideration. Conclusions Our data provide further support for the need to identify CG as a psychiatric disorder.
Thermoregulation in a Brooding Female Indian Python, Python molurus bivittatus

At varying environmental temperatures, measurements of body temperatures and gas exchange of a female Indian python (Python molurus bivittatus) show that during the brooding period this animal can regulate its body temperature by physiological means analogous to those in endotherms. Ambient temperatures below 33°C result in spasmodic contractions of the body musculature with a consequent increase in metabolism and body temperature.
The origin, history and future of fiber-optic interferometric acoustic sensors for US Navy applications

Fiber-optic interferometric acoustic sensors were first proposed for US Navy applications 36 years ago. This paper will review the origin, development and deployment of these sensors. Future applications will also be discussed.
Comparison of Different Types of Materials for Broiler Litter

Abstract INTRODUCTION THERE are many different materials used for litter in the broiler industry. Materials used are usually ones that are available locally and are fairly inexpensive. Many materials used for this purpose are by-products of other industries; for example, cane bagasse, the chopped sugar cane stalk after the sugar has been extracted; rice hulls, which are the hulls from the rice grain; and straw, which is the by-product from oat and wheat farming. The particle size is an important consideration in selecting a litter for broilers. Smith (1956) found that corn cobs caused the birds to have more breast blisters than finer ground corn cobs. He recommended using a material with a particle size less than 3/8 inch in diameter. Aho et al. (1955) found that a wood chip of one to two inches in circumference created drier conditions than wood chips three or four inches in circumference. The use …
Replacement synthesis labeling of DNA molecules in vitro using the Escherichia coli exonuclease III/DNA polymerase I enzyme pair

In vitro labeling of DNA molecules using the Escherichia coli exonuclease III/DNA polymerase I enzyme pair has been examined as an alternative to existing methods of replacement synthesis labeling. It is shown that exonuclease III is able to act in a common restriction enzyme buffer [50 mM Tris (pH 8.0), 10 mM MgCl2, 50 mM NaCl] to produce a population of base-paired primer:template molecules which decrease uniformly in single-strand length with time. After heat inactivation of the exonuclease III and in the presence of radiolabeled deoxynucleotides the polymerase I reaction faithfully resynthesizes full-length molecules, asymmetrically labeled to high specific activity.
Diffuse esophageal spasm: A cause of paroxysmal posturing and irritability in infants and mentally retarded children

2. Skinner DB, Walther BC, Riddell RH, Schmidt H, lascone C, DeMeester TR. Barrett's esophagus: comparison of benign and malignant cases. Ann Surg 1983;198:554-66. 3. Renaud J. Les Ad6nocarcinomes sur endobrachyoesophage avec 6tude de 14 nouveaux cas. Paris: Th6se m6dicinc, 198l:1-117. 4. Herlihy K J, Orlando RC, Bryson JC, Bozymski EM, Carney CN, Powell DW. Barrett's esophagus: clinical, endoscopic, histologic, manometric, and electrical potential difference characteristics. Gastroenterology 1984;86:436-43. 5. AI Hilou R, Atkins J, Matthews HR. Oesophageal adenocarcinoma in a boy of fifteen years. J Laryngol Otol 1984; 98:643-6. 6. Elliott M J, Ashcroft T. Primary adenocarcinoma of the gastro-oesophageal junction in childhood. Scand J Thor Cardiovasc Surg 1983;17:65-6. 7. Fleury MB. Lymphome malin non hodgkinien de l'eosophage chez l'enfant (~ propos d'un cas et d'une revue de la litt6rature). Lyon: Th6se M6d., 1978:1-58. 8. Ghadirlan P. Familial history of esophageal cancer. Cancer 1985;56:2112-6. 9. Guisez J. Du cancer de l'oesophage. Bull Otorhinolaryngol 1925;23:49-87. i0. Jackson C. Carcinoma and sarcoma of the esophagus: a plea for early diagnosis. Am J Med Sci 1925;169:625-47. 11. Soni NK, Chatterji P. Carcinoma of the oesophagus in an eight-year-old child. J Laryngol Otol 1980;94:327-9. 12. Stephan BH. Zur Casuistik der Dysphagie bei Kindern (Sarcoma Oesophagei bei einem 4 j/ihrigen Knaben). Jahrb Kinderheitkd 1890;30:354-9.
Evolution of Eyewall Convective Events as Indicated by Intracloud and Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Activity during the Rapid Intensification of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina

AbstractLightning data (cloud-to-ground plus intracloud) obtained from the Los Alamos Sferic Array (LASA) for 2005’s Hurricanes Rita and Katrina were analyzed to provide a first insight into the three-dimensional electrical activity of rapidly intensifying hurricanes. This information is crucial for modelers aiming at better forecasting hurricane intensity, because it is inherently related to key structural aspects of the storm often misrepresented in numerical models. Analysis of the intracloud narrow bipolar events (NBEs) for Rita revealed a general increase in discharge heights during the period of rapid intensification. The results also showed that for the case of Rita, NBEs were useful in tracking and mapping the evolution of individual strong convective elements embedded in the eyewall during rapid intensification. Those results are particularly revealing, and suggest that the general increase in height of the intracloud lightning is an aggregate consequence of numerous short-lived convective events...
Asphalt rubber: Performance tests and pavement design issues

Abstract Asphalt rubber mixtures continue to receive great attention from many transportation agencies world-wide because of their ability to improve pavement performance compared to conventional designs. A number of studies reported on the unique properties and characteristics of asphalt rubber mixtures in terms of improved permanent deformation and fatigue cracking. Several states in the US and countries around the world have used, or are in the process of using asphalt rubber mixtures in new pavement designs and rehabilitation programs. This paper summarizes findings from several research studies conducted at Arizona State University in the areas of binder and mixture performance. The unique engineering properties of asphalt rubber mixtures are discussed along with recommendation on how to use them in current pavement design procedures.
Gene Regulation by Thyroid Hormone

Regulation of gene expression by thyroid hormones (T3, T4) is mediated via thyroid hormone receptors (TRs). TRs are DNA-binding transcription factors that function as molecular switches in response to ligand. TRs can activate or repress gene transcription depending on the promoter context and ligand-binding status. In most cases, in the absence of ligand, TRs interact with a corepressor complex containing histone deacetylase activity, which actively inhibits transcription. The binding of ligand triggers a conformational change in the TR that results in the replacement of the corepressor complex by a coactivator complex containing histone acetyltransferase activity, through which the chromatin structure is remodeled, thereby leading to activation of transcription. In addition, the finding that several TR-interacting coregulators act more directly on the basal transcriptional machinery suggests that mechanisms independent of histone acetylation and deacetylation also are involved in TR action.
Phosphorylated-intermediate of microsomal ATPase from rabbit gastric mucosa☆

Abstract Gamma-labelled [ 32 P]ATP was used to study intermediate reactions of an active Mg 2+ -dependent ATPase (EC 3.6.1.4) found in a microsomal fraction (35,000 g × 30′-105,000 g × 90′) isolated from rabbit gastric mucosa. At least two general types of 32 P-labeling can be demonstrated, one exhibiting rapid formation and turnover and sensitivity to hydroxylaminolysis; the other revealing slow formation and turnover and insensitivity to the hydroxylamine treatment. The former type of labeling was consistent with the rapid ATPase activity and thus was further studied. The 32 P-label was not extractable with lipid solvents and the pH lability profile and sensitivity to hydroxylamine suggests the possibility of an acyl phosphate linkage. Incorporation required Mg 2+ ; however, Na + and ouabain did not alter its formation which distinguished it from the ATPase found in tissues which primarily transport Na + and K + . Thiocyanate, a potent inhibitor of gastric acid secretion, reduced the ATPase activity and the intermediate was increased; whereas, K + , which has been found necessary for acid secretion, stimulated ATPase activity while the intermediate was decreased. It is suggested that SCN − and K + act by either diminishing or accelerating, respectively, the ultimate dephosphorylation of the intermediate. However, additional possibilities relating to the energy transduction steps are also presented.
Evaluating how placebos produce change. Logical and causal traps and understanding cognitive explanatory mechanisms.

The renewed interest in placebo effects from psychological and methodological angles is manifested in two complementary facets: the causal relationship between placebo effects inside and outside of...
Detection of dysplastic intestinal adenomas using enzyme-sensing molecular beacons in mice.

Abstract Background & Aims: Proteases play key roles in the pathogenesis of tumor growth and invasion. This study assesses the expression of cathepsin B in dysplastic adenomatous polyps. Methods: Aged Apc Min/+ mice served as an experimental model for familial adenomatous polyposis. The 4 experimental groups consisted of (a) animals injected with a novel activatable, cathepsin B sensing near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging probe; (b) animals injected with a nonspecific NIRF; (c) uninjected control animals; and (d) non-APC Min/+ mice injected with the cathepsin B probe. Lesions were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and optical imaging. Results: Cathepsin B was consistently overexpressed in adenomatous polyps. When mice were injected intravenously with the cathepsin reporter probe, intestinal adenomas became highly fluorescent indicative of high cathepsin B enzyme activity. Even microscopic adenomas were readily detectable by fluorescence, but not light, imaging. The smallest lesion detectable measured 50 μm in diameter. Adenomas in the indocyanine green and/or noninjected group were only barely detectable above the background. Conclusions: The current experimental study shows that cathepsin B is up-regulated in a mouse model of adenomatous polyposis. Cathepsin B activity can be used as a biomarker to readily identify such lesions, particularly when contrasted against normal adjacent mucosa. This detection technology can be adapted to endoscopy or tomographic optical imaging methods for screening of suspicious lesions and potentially for molecular profiling in vivo. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2002;122:406-414
Design and Development of an Architecture for Computer-Integrated Manufacturing in the Apparel Industry Part II: The Function Model

The U.S. Air Force's IDEF methodology and IDEFine® software have been selected for developing an apparel manufacturing architecture based on the evaluation criteria proposed in Part I. The apparel ...
Low-loss titanium dioxide waveguides and resonators using a dielectric lift-off fabrication process

We present a bi-layer lift-off fabrication approach to create low-loss amorphous titanium dioxide (TiO2) integrated optical waveguides and resonators for visible and near-infrared applications. This approach achieves single-mode waveguide losses as low as 7.5 dB/cm around 633 nm and 1.2 dB/cm around 1550 nm, a factor of 4 improvement over previous reports, without the need to optimize etching conditions. Depositing a secondary 260-nm TiO2 layer can reduce losses further, with the optimized process yielding micro-ring resonators with loaded quality factors as high as 1.5 × 105 around 1550 nm and 1.6×105 around 780 nm. These losses render our TiO2 devices suitable for visible and telecommunications applications; in addition, the simplicity of this lift-off approach is broadly applicable to other novel material platforms, particularly using near-visible wavelengths.