cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional significance of a hepta nucleotide motif present at the junction of Cucumber mosaic virus satellite RNA multimers in helper-virus dependent replication

Satellite RNAs (satRNA) associated with Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) have been shown to generate multimers during replication. We have discovered that multimers of a CMV satRNA generated in the absence of its helper virus (HV) are characterized by the addition of a hepta nucleotide motif (HNM) at the monomer junctions. Here, we evaluated the functional significance of HNM in HV-dependent replication by ectopically expressing wild type and mutant forms of satRNA multimers in planta either in ( þ )o r (� )-strand polarity. Comparative replication profiles revealed that ( � )-strand multimers with complementary HNM (cHNM) are the preferred initial templates for HV-dependent replication than ( � )-strand monomers and multimers lacking the cHNM. Further mutational analyses of the HNM accentuate that preservation of the sequence and native length of HNM is obligatory for efficient replication of satRNA. A model implicating the significance of HNM in HV-dependent production of monomeric and multimeric forms of satRNA is presented.
A dynamic in vitro BBB model for the study of immune cell trafficking into the central nervous system.

Although there is significant evidence correlating overreacting or perhaps misguided immune cells and the blood–brain barrier (BBB) with the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory diseases, the mechanisms by which they enter the brain are largely unknown. For this purpose, we revised our humanized dynamic in vitro BBB model (DIV-BBBr) to incorporate modified hollow fibers that now feature transmural microholes (2 to 4 μm ∅) allowing for the transendothelial trafficking of immune cells. As with the original model, this new DIV-BBBr reproduces most of the physiological characteristics of the BBB in vivo. Measurements of transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), sucrose permeability, and BBB integrity during reversible osmotic disruption with mannitol (1.6 mol/L) showed that the microholes do not hamper the formation of a tight functional barrier. The in vivo rank permeability order of sucrose, phenytoin, and diazepam was successfully reproduced in vitro. Flow cessation followed by reperfusion (Fc/Rp) in the presence of circulating monocytes caused a biphasic BBB opening paralleled by a significant increase of proinflammatory cytokines and activated matrix metalloproteinases. We also observed abluminal extravasation of monocytes but only when the BBB was breached. In conclusion, the DIV-BBBr represents the most realistic in vitro system to study the immune cell trafficking across the BBB.
Expedited detection of drug resistance in tuberculosis patients

The increase in disease-causing organisms resistant to standard drug therapy has captured the attention of the medical community and the lay press. Drug resistance in rapidly growing bacteria can be detected within a short period. However, in the case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis , detection may take weeks. This paper examines the current methods available to determine drug susceptibility in M tuberculosis . These laboratory methods can be used as a model to assist the clinician in making rational decisions when managing patients with pontentially resistant bacterial infections.
Fractional Powers of Operators of Regularized Type

We construct fractional powers of operators whoseC-regularized resolvent (w−A)−1CisO(1/w) in an appropriate sector. This includes operators with polynomially bounded resolvent. Our construction has the properties one expects, analogous to the case whenC=I; in particular, it satisfies mapping properties. We derive many new facts about the regularized resolvent.
Fire fighter noise exposure

Occupational noise exposure was evaluated for eight fire fighter positions on board three types of emergency vehicles. One hundred seventy code-3 responses were monitored and sound pressure levels in excess of 115 dBA found. Furthermore, sound pressures exceeding the OSHA allowable level of 90 dBA for eight hours exposure were determined. Octave band analyses were performed for overall code-3 noise and for specific noise sources on each vehicle. An evaluation of eighty-nine audiograms of fire fighters was also carried out. The findings of this study suggest that under present operational conditions fire fighters experience excessive short-duration, high intensity noise exposure and a hearing conservation program for the fire service is therefore recommended.
Spinal cord compression secondary to metastatic non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: A case report

Non-Hodgkins lymphoma spine metastasis is a rare entity. A woman in her mid fifties with history of non-Hodgkins lymphoma was admitted to the hospital with bilateral leg weakness, anesthesia, and incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine showed diffuse metastatic disease involving the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine. She was treated with radiation therapy and high doses of corticosteroids. When discharged to home, she could ambulate with a rolling walker independently, was capable of self-catheterization, and could insert suppositories for a bladder and bowel program.
Of budgets and boycotts: the battle over open access publishing

This article recounts the history of electronic journals, and the evolution of library processes to manage them. The article reviews recent controversies regarding the future of electronic publishing, and describes one important and innovative electronic publisher, the Public Library of Science.
Human vocal cord movements during voluntary hyperventilation

Abstract Using a fiberoptic laryngoscope and video equipment, we studied the respiratory movements of the vocal cords during sustained hyperventilation in 4 normal human subjects. The expiratory narrowing of the glottic airway that occurs in quiet breathing was attenuated during hyperventilation in 7 of 8 experiments, and the pattern of vocal cord movements throughout the breathing cycle closely resembled the patterns previously found in exercise and hypercapnia. These responses were similar during normocapnic and hypocapnic hyperventilation. The similarity of laryngeal movements in voluntary and involuntary hyperpneic states suggests that common brain stem mechanisms may be entrained by both ‘behavioral’ and ‘automatic’ ventilatory control systems.
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE DETECTION AND ASSESSMENT FROM MODAL RESPONSE

This paper presents a global damage detection and assessment algorithm based on a parameter estimation method using a finite-element model and the measured modal response of a structure. Damage is characterized as a reduction of the member constitutive parameter from a known baseline value. An optimization scheme is proposed to localize damaged parts of the structure. The algorithm accounts for the possibility of multiple solutions to the parameter estimation problem that arises from using spatially sparse measurements. Errors in parameter estimates caused by sensitivity to measurement noise are reduced by selecting a near-optimal measurement set from the data at each stage of the localization algorithm. Damage probability functions are computed upon completion of the localization process for candidate elements. Monte Carlo methods are used to compute the required probabilities based on the statistical distributions of the parameters for the damaged and the associated baseline structure. The algorithm is tested in a numerical simulation environment using a planar bridge truss as a model problem.
Tebufenozide targeted against codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) adults, eggs, and larvae.

The effectiveness of tebufenozide applied against the adult, egg, and larvae of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), was evaluated. Significant reductions in fecundity and egg hatch occurred after 1-h and 24-h exposures of females and 24-h exposures of males-only to residues in plastic plates. A significant reduction in egg hatch was also found after a 1-h exposure of males. The ovicidal effects of tebufenozide in field trials did not significantly differ for eggs laid on residues or treated topically. Corrected egg mortality exceeded 95% for cohorts laid 90% when applied early during emergence. Plots treated after the beginning of egg hatch had a larger proportion of injured fruits with shallow larval feeding.
A NEW FORM OF CONGENITAL LACTIC ACIDOSIS

Two siblings, 6 and 40 months of age, with a previously unrecognized form of pyruvate decaboxylase (PDC) developed lactic acidosis, hyperammonemia, and proximal renal tubular acidosis, along with persistent ketosis and severe retardation of growth and development. Urine metabolites showed consistently high lactate, pyruvate, fumarate, and succinate, the latter two unusual in most forms of congenital lactic acidosis. Ornithine transcarbmyalase was demonstrated at 50% normal activity in the one patient measured. This may partially explain the persistent hyperammonemia. Therapy with megadoses of thiamine, pyridoxine, and monosodium glutamate were without effect. Large doses of biotin caused a transient decrease in the lactic acidosis but no long term clinical effect was demonstrated. Ketogenetic diet, often advocated for treatment of lactic acidosis, resulted in clinical deterioriation. Therapy with large doses of citrate, possibly acting as a TCA cycle substrate, resulted in clinical stabilization but continued poor development. These two patients appear to represent a new variation of congenital lactic acidosis which have not responded to conventional forms of therapy.
QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF FREE SUGARS AND MYO-INOSITOL IN CITRUS JUICES BY HPLC AND A LITERATURE COMPILATION

Three hundred and six (306) commercial samples from 19 processing plants in Florida, composed of frozen concentrated orange juice, orange juice from concentrate, and pasteurized orange juice, were analyzed for their sugars content by HPLC. In addition, the sugar profile of fresh-squeezed juice from 9 different cultivars of sweet oranges, 2 tangors, and 4 tangelos grown in Florida are included. Sucrose, fructose, glucose, total sugars, glucose/fructose ratio, and myo-inositol contents are presented. Mean ± standard deviation sugar levels for 100 mL of frozen concentrated orange juice were 4.1 ± 0.5 g of sucrose, 2.1 ± 0.2 g of fructose, 1.9 ± 0.2 g of glucose, and 0.1 ± 0.1 g of myo-inositol, from juices processed in Florida. A review of the methodology for the detection of sugars by HPLC in citrus products is presented; most results having been acquired by HPLC analysis utilizing NH2 column and acetonitrile/water. A compilation of literature furnishing information on free sugar contents in orange and grap...
Identification of a Fourth Subunit of Mammalian DNA Polymerase δ

A 12-kDa and two 25-kDa polypeptides were isolated with highly purified calf thymus DNA polymerase delta by conventional chromatography. A 16-mer peptide sequence was obtained from the 12-kDa polypeptide which matched a new open reading frame from a human EST () encoding a hypothetical protein of unknown function. The protein was designated as p12. Human EST was identified as the putative human homologue of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cdm1 by a tBlastn search of the EST data base using S. pombe Cdm1. The open reading frame of human EST encoded a polypeptide of 107 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 12.4 kDa, consistent with the experimental findings. p12 is 25% identical to S pombe Cdm1. Both of the 25-kDa polypeptide sequences matched the hypothetical KIAA0039 protein sequence, recently identified as the third subunit of pol delta. Western blotting of immunoaffinity purified calf thymus pol delta revealed the presence of p125, p50, p68 (the KIAA0039 product), and p12. With the identification of p12 mammalian pol delta can now be shown to consist of four subunits. These studies pave the way for more detailed analysis of the possible functions of the mammalian subunits of pol delta.
Coupling conditions for integrating boundary layer and rotational inviscid flow

The matching of a boundary layer and a rotational inviscid flow is reexamined by extending the Johnson and Sockol (1979) coupling conditions to include the case where the boundary layer solution includes the second-order effects of the freestream vorticity and the total temperature gradient. It is pointed out that two of the three conditions are not independent. If the boundary layer solution satisfies the appropriate momentum and energy integral equations, it follows that the imposition of the normal mass flux condition insures that the conditions on a normal flux of streamwise momentum and total enthalpy will also be satisfied.
Isomer differentiation in 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-pyridine adducts by fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry.

Three isomeric 7,12-dL-nethylbenz[α]anthracene-pyridine adduct salts, namely.. the 5-N-pyridinium-7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene perchlorate, the 7-N-pyridiniummethylene-12methylbenz[ α]anthracene picrate, and the 7-methyl-12-N-pyridiniummethylenebenz[ α]anthracene picrate, were studied by fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry using high energy collisional-activated dissociation (CAD). The CAD mass spectra of the molecular cations and the (M – pyridine)+ ions allow one to distinguish positional isomers on the basis of daughter ion peak height ratios. The differences in the CAD mass spectra of the (M – pyridine)+ ions are probably due in part to formation of isomer-specific fused-ring tropyliumions.
The use of unfolding case studies: Innovation in online undergraduate nursing education

Background: Educational strategies are needed to prepare nurses to become sophisticated consumers of information and to apply that information in practice. Expertise in problem solving and clinic decision making skills is necessary if nurses are to function effectively in an increasingly complex health care environment. RNs entering programs leading to bachelor degrees (RN-BSN) have basic skills but need opportunity to develop higher level creative problem solving and critical thinking skills. The purpose of this article is to investigate the use of the “unfolding case study” as an innovative strategy to increase clinical decision making and problem solving skills in participants in a public health course in an online nursing program. Methods: Participants in a public health nursing course were assigned to develop a case study over time integrating concepts of chronic illness with public health nursing. This problem based learning method supported adult learning principles of motivation, autonomous learning, and application to practice, all elements of online learning. The unfolding case studies were evaluated using a rubric to insure that participants completed course objectives. A survey, administered at the end of the course, provided feedback on perceptions of learning using this strategy. Results: All students successfully completed the unfolding case study over a four week period through which they demonstrated integration of knowledge and application in the clinical setting. Feedback provided by participants confirmed an increase in knowledge of public health nursing, creative problem solving, and the ability to apply concepts of chronic illness using a public health framework. Conclusions: The “unfolding case study” in this public health nursing course served as a means of increasing nurses’ knowledge, complex critical thinking and problem solving skills in an online program for RN-BSN participants. While participants presented initially with a wide range of abilities in problem solving and clinical decision making, they demonstrated an increase in problem solving, awareness and application to practice through the use of the unfolding case study.
Synthesis and Reaction Chemistry of the Disodium Alkoxide of 2,6-Bis(trifluoromethyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-3,3,4,4,5,5-hexafluorooxane

The disodium alkoxide of 2,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2,6-dihydroxy-3,3,4,4,5,5-hexafluorooxane, C7F12O3Na2, 1, was prepared by reaction of the corresponding diol with MeONa in MeOH. This cyclic alkoxide readily mimics the reaction chemistry of the lithium and sodium alkoxides of perfluoropinacol. The reaction of the alkoxide 1 with covalent dichlorides and metallocene dichlorides yields a series of novel bicyclic ring systems. The crystal structure of the trioxasilane, 3, formed from (CH3)2SiCl2 was determined to provide structural information about these ring systems. Crystal data: C9H6O3F12Si, fw = 418.21 u, orthorhombic space group, Pnma (No. 62), a = 15.822(3) A, b = 12.163(3) A, c = 7.373(2) A, V = 1418.9(4) A3, and Dcalc = 1.96 g cm-3 for Z = 4 (molecule possesses mirror symmetry). Least-squares refinement on 1075 observed reflections (I > 3σ(I)) converged with R = 0.0357 and Rw = 0.0478.
The climate gap: environmental health and equity implications of climate change and mitigation policies in California—a review of the literature

Climate change is an issue of great importance for human rights, public health, and socioeconomic equity because of its diverse consequences overall as well as its disproportionate impact on vulnerable and socially marginalized populations. Vulnerability to climate change is determined by a community’s ability to anticipate, cope with, resist, and recover from the impact of major weather events. Climate change will affect industrial and agricultural sectors, as well as transportation, health, and energy infrastructure. These shifts will have significant health and economic consequences for diverse communities throughout California. Without proactive policies to address these equity concerns, climate change will likely reinforce and amplify current as well as future socioeconomic disparities, leaving low-income, minority, and politically marginalized groups with fewer economic opportunities and more environmental and health burdens. This review explores the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable groups in California and investigates the costs and benefits of the climate change mitigation strategies specified for implementation in the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32). Lastly, knowledge gaps, future research priorities, and policy implications are identified.
A Convergent Paradigm for Examining Knowledge Mapping as a Learning Strategy

Abstract In this study, a paradigm that coupled an ecologically valid assessment with an extended testing session was used to examine the effects of student-generated knowledge maps as a learning strategy. The effects of mapping were first examined in the context of an ongoing general psychology course at Texas Christian University. Eighty-one students participated in an out-of-class testing session intended to replicate and extend the results obtained in the classroom. The results indicated that mapping positively affected students' performance on both recognition and recall tests. Further, the effects of mapping appeared to be robust, for they were maintained over time and dependent measures.
QCD corrections to the hadronic decay width of a charged Higgs boson.

The complete {ital O}({alpha}{sub {ital s}}) QCD corrections to the decay process {ital H}{sup {minus}}{r arrow}{ital {bar u}}{sub {ital i}d{ital j}} of a charged Higgs boson are calculated for an arbitrary up-type quark mass while treating the down-type quark as massless. In the leading-logarithmic approximation, the QCD corrections to the decay rates can be conveniently expressed in terms of the running masses. The corrections decrease the charged-Higgs-boson decay width, as in the case of the standard-theory neutral-Higgs-boson decay.
Do smokers want to know more about the cigarettes they smoke? Results from the EDUCATE study

The present study (a) assessed smokers' receptivity to receiving information about the product features of their cigarette brand, (b) tested whether the use of targeted (personalized), brand-specific information affected participants' attention to the information, and (c) tested whether attention to the targeted information affected participants' beliefs about the product features and their smoking behavior. The study population included current cigarette smokers who called the New York State Smokers' Quit Line seeking assistance to stop smoking in February and March 2003. Subjects were randomized to one of three experimental groups. Group 1 received telephone counseling and the quit line's stop-smoking booklet, which included information on ingredients found in cigarettes. Group 2 received the same intervention as Group 1 plus a basic brochure with a generic cover. Group 3 received the same intervention as Group 2 except that the cover to the brochure was targeted to individual cigarette brand and type. All smokers who called the quit line were receptive to receiving information about their cigarette brand. In a 6-week follow-up interview, 60% of those who received the targeted product information brochure recalled receiving it vs. 51% of those who received the identical guide with the nontargeted cover. Recall of the material discussed in the brochure was slightly higher (not statistically significant) among subjects who received the brochure with the targeted cover compared with the same brochure with a basic cover. Regardless of whether the brochure was targeted, smokers' beliefs about different product features or their smoking behavior were not affected measurably, although those who reported reading some or all of the brochure had higher levels of awareness regarding low-tar, filtered, and no-additive cigarettes. Smokers are receptive to receiving information about their cigarette brand, but either persistent efforts or possibly more potent interventions to personalize the information are needed to ensure that they recall information about the cigarette brand they smoke.
Examining Americans’ Attitudes toward Drone Strikes on the Eve of the 2012 Presidential Election

On the eve of the 2012 U.S. Presidential election, we conducted an initial investigation into the determinants of people's attitudes toward the U.S. military's use of drone strikes in Pakistan. Drawing on existing research and theory in social and political psychology, we examined the effects of political ideology, framing effects (national security vs. human costs), value orientations, and the salience of Presidential candidate endorsement (Obama vs. Romney) on attitudes toward drone policy. The perceived relevance of security values and universalism values to judgments of drone policy mediated the relationship between ideology and drone policy attitudes. Additionally, a human costs frame increased the relevance of universalism values and decreased the relevance of security values to drone policy attitudes relative to a national security frame, and, through these values, decreased support for drone strikes. Neither of these effects was moderated by candidate salience. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings, and identify several avenues for future research on this important and controversial policy.
Tigecycline for the Treatment of Acinetobacter Infections: A Case Series

BackgroundAcinetobacter infections resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics have become prevalent in many institutions. Tigecycline has in vitro activity against Acinetobacter spp. and has been suggested as a therapeutic option in these infections.ObjectiveTo describe the clinical and microbiologic outcomes of patients who received tigecycline for the treatment of infections caused by Acinetobacter spp. at our institution.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of the medical records of 29 sequential patients who received tigecycline for treatment of Acinetobacter infections. The outcomes assessed for efficacy were clinical improvement or cure and microbiologic cure in evaluable patients.Results:Patients received tigecycline a median of 30 days into hospitalization for a median of 11 days. Common indications were pneumonia (15 pts.), bacteremia (6), and urinary tract infection (3). Positive clinical outcomes (clinical cure or improvement) were seen in 8 (28%) of 29 patients. Of the 25 microbiologi...
Endocrine studies in a quintuplet pregnancy.

This communication describes a 21 year old patient who developed secondary amenorrhea following the administration of an oral contraceptive Orthe-Novum 2 mg (2 mg norethindrone plus .1 mg mestranol) for 10 months. For the 10 months of administration the patient noted a marked diminution in menstrual flow. After the last cycle of treatment slight bleeding occurred for 2 days and during the next 7 months menstruation did not occur. Tests showed she was not pregnant and bleeding did not occur after giving 10 mg 6-dehydroretroprogesterone per day for 5 days. Admitted to the hospital an attempt was made to induce ovulation by administration of human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) (Pergonal) followed by human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). This treatment resulted in a quintuplet pregnancy. Clinical and endocrinological findings are reported. Urinary excretion values for estrogens pregnanediol and HCG were abnormally high for the last 5 weeks of pregnancy which terminated at 24 weeks. Placental histology and fetal blood group determinations were conducted in an attempt to establish the zygosity of the fetuses but a definite conclusion on this point could not be drawn.
Yolk sac tumor of the mandible.

Malignant germ cell tumors represent 3% of neoplasms in the pediatric population. Yolk sac tumors (endodermal sinus tumors) are the most common malignant germ cell tumors in this age group. In young children, the majority of these tumors affect extragonadal sites, principally the sacrococcygeal region. Adolescents and adults usually present with a gonadal primary. Only 6% of germ cell tumors involve the extracranial head and neck. No cases have been reported involving the mandible. Here, we present the first reported case of an infant with isolated yolk sac tumor of the right mandible.
Promoter Specificity Elements in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum-Sensing-Controlled Genes

The LasR-dependent and RhlR-dependent quorum-sensing systems are global regulators of gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Previous studies have demonstrated that promoter elements of the quorum-sensing-controlled genes lasB and hcnABC are important in density-dependent regulation. We have identified LasR- and RhlR-dependent determinants in promoters of quorum-sensing-controlled genes qsc102, qsc117 (acpP), and qsc131 (phzA to -G) by in silico, deletion, point-mutational, and primer extension analyses. Each of these genes (in addition to lasI and rsaL) is activated by LasR, and qsc117 and qsc131 also respond to RhlR. Point mutations in the promoters of the LasR-specific gene, qsc102, relax specificity so that this promoter can respond to RhlR in addition to LasR. Our findings indicate that quorum-sensing-controlled promoters in P. aeruginosa are either specific for LasR or respond to both LasR and RhlR and that critical bases in the promoter elements determine specificity.
Evolving and implementing a social economics: the American Catholic experience

This article is modeled after Robert Michels' classic study of European social democracy. It attempts to ascertain the possibility of evolving and implementing, independent of government sponsorship, an integrative social economics. The study focuses on the largest American denomination, American Catholicism, which possesses a hierarchical structure and sophisticated techniques of communication and mobilization. It examines a representative sample of Catholic publications dividing them into three ideological categories – Augustinian, Thomist, and Liberationist – and it scrutinizes these in terms of orientation on a variety of social economic issues. The paper concludes pessimistically about the improbability of evolving and implementing an integrative social economics.
Simulation of emittance dilution in electron storage ring from Compton backscattering

A Monte-Carlo simulation of Compton backscattered /spl lambdasub L/=3.2-/spl mu/m (E/sub L/=.38494 eV) photons from an IR-FEL on 75-MeV electrons in a storage ring yields an RMS electron energy spread of /spl Deltasub E/=11.9-keV for a sample of 10/sup 7/ single scattering events. Electrons are sampled from a beam of natural energy spread /spl sigmasub E/=5.6-keV and damped transverse angle spreads /spl sigmasub x'/=.041-mrad and /spl sigmasub y'/=.052-mrad (100%) coupling, scaled from the 200-MeV BNL XLS compact storage ring. The Compton-scattered X-Rays are generated from an integral of the CM Klein-Nishina cross-section transformed to the lab. A tracking calculation has also been performed in 6-dimensional phase space. Initial electron coordinates are selected randomly from a Gaussian distribution of RMS spreads /spl sigmasub x0/=.102-mm, /spl sigmasub x'0/=0.41-mrad, /spl sigmasub y0/=.018-mm, /spl sigmasub y'0/=.052-mrad, /spl sigmasub /spl phi/0a/=22-mrad and /spl sigmasub E0/=6 keV. A sample of 10000 electrons were each following for 40000 turns around the ring through an RF cavity of f/sub rf/=211.54-MHz and peak voltage V/sub m/=300-keV. Preliminary results indicate that the resulting energy distribution is quite broad with an RMS width of /spl Deltasub E/=124-keV. The transverse widths are only slightly increased from their original values, i.e. /spl Deltasub x/=.106-mm and /spl Deltasub x'/=.043 mrad. The scaled energy spread of /spl Deltasub Espl sim/360-keV for /spl sim/350,000 turns desired in a 10-msec X-ray angiography exposure is well within the RF bucket used here; even V/sub m/ >
First-principles analysis of elementary steps in the catalytic decomposition of NO by Cu-exchanged zeolites

First-principles quantum calculations are potentially of great value for assessing the plausibility of proposed catalytic reaction mechanisms. The present analysis of reaction pathways and energetics for key elementary steps in the catalytic decomposition of NO to N2 + O2 by Cu-exchanged zeolites yields novel insights into this widely studied reaction. We find evidence for a pathway involving two successive O-atom transfers to an isolated, zeolite-bound Cu+ center, initiated by formation of a short-lived and difficult to detect isonitrosyl intermediate, and yielding sequentially N2O and Cu-bound O followed by N2 and Cu-bound O2. The calculations allow us to identify a complete catalytic cycle with reasonable energetics.
Approximating the distribution of fitness over hamming regions

The distribution of fitness values across a set of states sharply influences the dynamics of evolutionary processes and heuristic search in combinatorial optimization. In this paper we present a method for approximating the distribution of fitness values over Hamming regions by solving a linear programming problem that incorporates low order moments of the target function. These moments can be retrieved in polynomial time for select problems such as MAX-k-SAT using Walsh analysis. The method is applicable to any real function on binary strings that is epistatically bounded and discrete with asymptotic bounds on the cardinality of its codomain.We perform several studies on the ONE-MAX and MAX-k-SAT domains to assess the accuracy of the approximation and its dependence on various factors. We show that the approximation can accurately predict the number of states within a Hamming region that have an improving fitness value.
Host responses to pathogenic Salmonella infection

Exposure to bacteria, fungi, and protozoa is an inescap­ able part of life from the moment that we are born until we die. Our contact with many of these microorganisms is very brief, whereas others stay behind and establish a more stable relationship. These organisms become part of our normal flora and are found, among other places, on the skin, in the mouth, and in the gastrointestinal tract. Typically these relationships are beneficial to both the host and the microorganism. Although the commensal flora appears to provide several benefits, it can also, un­ der certain conditions, represent a significant threat to our health. The immune system has the primary respon­ sibility of ensuring that the growth and location of com­ mensal organisms is optimal for the host. If defensive immunity is compromised or fails in any way then be­ nign commensals quickly become opportunistic patho­ gens. Some of the microorganisms that we encounter rely upon their ability to cause cellular damage to a host for survival and replication. Upon entering a suitable host, these pathogens initiate a series of events that test in­ nate host defense mechanisms and the capabilities of the immune system. From the perspective of the microor­ ganism, these interactions challenge the ability of the bacteria to respond to constantly changing obstacles within the host environment. This review will focus on the interactions between virulent Salmonella strains and the hosts that they infect as an example of how selective pressure helps to shape host-pathogen relation­ ships. Efforts will be made to highlight the various im­ munological and cellular host responses that occur in response to Salmonella infection and invasion. Salmonella infections are initiated when a pathogenic strain is ingested into a suitable host via contaminated food or water. Ingested organisms move from the mouth to the extremely acidic environment of the stomach. Or­ ganisms that survive this low pH environment then move into the small intestine where they begin to com­ pete with the normal enteric flora of the host for nutri­ ents and space. The first pathogenic step of the bacteria is taken when organisms breach the intestinal epithe­ lium of lymphoid follicles and enter the lymphatic sys
Analysis of a Strategic Terror Organization

The authors model a terrorist organization’s choice over the scale and planning horizon of terror attacks and the consequences for the organization’s evolution. The organization can engage in short-term attacks planned and executed in a single period, characterized by a low fixed cost and relatively high marginal cost, and longer term attacks planned and executed over two periods, having a high fixed cost but relatively low marginal cost. Longer term attacks require more resources and cause more damage if successful. Successful attacks increase the organization’s size; in addition, the organization has a natural growth rate. Attacks can fail because of failed execution or counterterror interdiction. In a two-period version of this model, the authors analyze the terror organization’s attack decisions. They use simulations to characterize optimal strategies and explore their implications for the growth of the organization. The authors identify a set of strategic regimes, and the results show that they alway...
Determination of Homalodisca coagulata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) egg ages suitable for oviposition by Gonatocerus ashmeadi, Gonatocerus triguttatus, and Gonatocerus fasciatus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae)

Homalodisca coagulata (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) eggs 1–10 days of age were exposed to Gonatocerus ashmeadi Girault, Gonatocerus triguttatus Girault, and Gonatocerus fasciatus Girault (all Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) in no choice laboratory trials to investigate egg age utilization and to determine which egg ages are vulnerable to attack by these three parasitoids. The H. coagulata egg ages that were most suitable for oviposition by G. ashmeadi, G. triguttatus, and G. fasciatus were eggs 3, 4, and 2 days of age, respectively. Egg ages least suitable for parasitoid development were 6–10 days for G. ashmeadi (resulting in <50% parasitism), 1–2 and 7–10 days for G. triguttatus (resulting in <25% parasitism), and 3–10 days for G. fasciatus (resulting in <11% parasitism). Pooling parasitism data across all egg ages showed that parasitism by G. ashmeadi was 12.9 and 28.5% higher compared with G. triguttatus and G. fasciatus, respectively, and G. triguttatus resulted in 15.6% higher percentage parasitism compared with G. fasciatus. Egg age had a signiWcant eVect on the percentage of female G. ashmeadi oVspring produced, but this was not signiWcant for G. triguttatus, and low G. fasciatus parasitism prevented statistical analyses for comparisons. Results from tests where females were oVered a choice for oviposition between eggs 1, 3, and 5 days of age demonstrated that G. ashmeadi and G. triguttatus showed no signiWcant oviposition preference, while percentage parasitism by G. fasciatus was 29.4 and 7.4% higher when females were presented eggs 1 and 3 days of age, respectively, compared with eggs 5 days of age. Choice tests indicated that an overlap in egg age suitability for oviposition exists between G. ashmeadi, G. triguttatus, and G. fasciatus, and that interspeciWc competition for eggs 1, 2, and 3 days of age may occur in the Weld environment.
Visual experience modulates spatio-temporal dynamics of circuit activation.

Persistent reduction in sensory drive in early development results in multiple plastic changes of different cortical synapses. How these experience-dependent modifications affect the spatio-temporal dynamics of signal propagation in neocortical circuits is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that brief visual deprivation significantly affects the propagation of electrical signals in the primary visual cortex. The spatio-temporal spread of circuit activation upon direct stimulation of its input layer (Layer 4) is reduced, as is the activation of L2/3 – the main recipient of the output from L4. Our data suggest that the decrease in spatio-temporal activation of L2/3 depends on reduced L4 output, and is not intrinsically generated within L2/3. The data shown here suggest that changes in the synaptic components of the visual cortical circuit result not only in alteration of local integration of excitatory and inhibitory inputs, but also in a significant decrease in overall circuit activation. Furthermore, our data indicate a differential effect of visual deprivation on L4 and L2/3, suggesting that while feedforward activation of L2/3 is reduced, its activation by long range, within layer inputs is unaltered. Thus, brief visual deprivation induces experience-dependent circuit re-organization by modulating not only circuit excitability, but also the spatio-temporal patterns of cortical activation within and between layers.
Restoration of full-length SMN promoted by adenoviral vectors expressing RNA antisense oligonucleotides embedded in U7 snRNAs.

Background: Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disease that leads to specific loss of motor neurons. It is caused by deletions or mutations of the survival of motor neuron 1 gene (SMN1). The remaining copy of the gene, SMN2, generates only low levels of the SMN protein due to a mutation in SMN2 exon 7 that leads to exon skipping. Methodology/Principal Findings: To correct SMN2 splicing, we use Adenovirus type 5–derived vectors to express SMN2antisense U7 snRNA oligonucleotides targeting the SMN intron 7/exon 8 junction. Infection of SMA type I–derived patient fibroblasts with these vectors resulted in increased levels of exon 7 inclusion, upregulating the expression of SMN to similar levels as in non–SMA control cells. Conclusions/Significance: These results show that Adenovirus type 5–derived vectors delivering U7 antisense oligonucleotides can efficiently restore full-length SMN protein and suggest that the viral vector-mediated oligonucleotide application may be a suitable therapeutic approach to counteract SMA.
Automated RBC exchange transfusion:treatment for cerebral malaria.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral malaria is a life-threatening complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection. RBC exchange transfusion can reduce the level of parasitemia in this setting. Experience with automated RBC exchange for cerebral malaria may be limited, as most cases occur when the necessary equipment and blood components are not readily available. CASE REPORTS: Three patients were admitted with cerebral malaria. Parasites were found in more than 30 percent of RBCs in two cases and in more than 60 percent of RBCs in the third case. Many RBCs contained multiple organisms. In each case, antimalarial therapy was begun, and an automated RBC exchange was performed emergently with a cell separator. Exchange transfusion was repeated within 24 hours for two patients. Parasitemia levels were less than 1 percent in all patients 24 hours after the last exchange. The neurologic status of these patients returned to baseline, and they were discharged 7 to 18 days after admission. CONCLUSION: Automated RBC exchange transfusion can rapidly reduce the level of parasitemia and restore neurologic functioning in patients with cerebral malaria.
SCWIM an Integrity Model for SOA Networks

Interest in service oriented architecture (SOA) is rapidly increasing in the business world due to the many benefits it offers such as reliability, manageability, reusability, flexibility, efficiency, and interoperability. There are many security technologies and models being developed for SOA. They implement or encode specific aspects of authentication, authorization, encryption, trust, and access control respectively but none of them was entirely devoted to integrity. In this paper we propose service Clark-Wilson integrity model (SCWIM), a top down integrity model for SOA capable of describing sufficient conditions to protect data integrity in any SOA implementation. Based on the original Clark-Wilson integrity model, our model can form the basis for system security audits and assist SOA architects in developing systems that protect data integrity, as well as providing guidance for evaluating existing SOA systems.
PipeRench implementation of the instruction path coprocessor

The paper demonstrates how an Instruction Path Coprocessor (I-COP) can be efficiently implemented using the PipeRench reconfigurable architecture. An I-COP is a programmable on-chip coprocessor that operates on the core processor's instructions to transform them into a new format that can be more efficiently executed. The I-COP can be used to implement many sophisticated hardware code modification techniques. We show how four specific techniques can be mapped to the PipeRench pipelined computation model. The experimental results show that a PipeRench I-COP used to perform trace construction and trace optimizations for a trace cache fill unit not only achieves good performance gains but can potentially be implemented in less than 10 mm/sup 2/ (assuming 0.18 micron technology) or approximately 3% of the die area of a current high-end microprocessor. We believe these results demonstrate the usefulness and feasibility of the I-COP concept.
Sparse solutions to random standard quadratic optimization problems

The standard quadratic optimization problem (StQP) refers to the problem of minimizing a quadratic form over the standard simplex. Such a problem arises from numerous applications and is known to be NP-hard. In this paper we focus on a special scenario of the StQP where all the elements of the data matrix Q are independently identically distributed and follow a certain distribution such as uniform or exponential distribution. We show that the probability that such a random StQP has a global optimal solution with k nonzero elements decays exponentially in k. Numerical evaluation of our theoretical finding is discussed as well.
GACT: a Genome build and Allele definition Conversion Tool for SNP imputation and meta-analysis in genetic association studies

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified genes associated with complex human diseases. Although much of the heritability remains unexplained, combining single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes from multiple studies for meta-analysis will increase the statistical power to identify new disease-associated variants. Meta-analysis requires same allele definition (nomenclature) and genome build among individual studies. Similarly, imputation, commonly-used prior to meta-analysis, requires the same consistency. However, the genotypes from various GWAS are generated using different genotyping platforms, arrays or SNP-calling approaches, resulting in use of different genome builds and allele definitions. Incorrect assumptions of identical allele definition among combined GWAS lead to a large portion of discarded genotypes or incorrect association findings. There is no published tool that predicts and converts among all major allele definitions. In this study, we have developed a tool, GACT, which stands for Genome build and Allele definition Conversion Tool, that predicts and inter-converts between any of the common SNP allele definitions and between the major genome builds. In addition, we assessed several factors that may affect imputation quality, and our results indicated that inclusion of singletons in the reference had detrimental effects while ambiguous SNPs had no measurable effect. Unexpectedly, exclusion of genotypes with missing rate > 0.001 (40% of study SNPs) showed no significant decrease of imputation quality (even significantly higher when compared to the imputation with singletons in the reference), especially for rare SNPs. GACT is a new, powerful, and user-friendly tool with both command-line and interactive online versions that can accurately predict, and convert between any of the common allele definitions and between genome builds for genome-wide meta-analysis and imputation of genotypes from SNP-arrays or deep-sequencing, particularly for data from the dbGaP and other public databases. http://www.uvm.edu/genomics/software/gact
Evidence of altered matrix composition in iliac crest biopsies from patients with idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis

ABSTRACTPurpose: Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis (IJO) is a rare condition in children, characterized by bone pain and long bone and vertebral fractures. Previously, IJO bone was solely characterized by histomorphometry and quantitative computed tomography. The goal of this study is to describe IJO bone composition. Materials and methods: Fourier transform infrared imaging (FTIRI), a vibrational spectroscopic technique providing spatially resolved images of chemical composition, was used to determine whether iliac crest biopsies from children with IJO differed in composition from and age- and sex-matched controls, and, as a secondary analysis, whether IJO bone showed the same disease dependent change in composition as do iliac crest bone biopsies from women with post-menopausal osteoporosis (PMO). Wilcoxon rank tests and linear regressions were used to analyze FTIRI variables (mineral-to-matrix ratio, carbonate-to-phosphate ratio, crystallinity, acid phosphate substitution, collagen maturity) and their i...
Impact of initial local therapy on survival in men later receiving chemotherapy for prostate cancer: a population-based, propensity-weighted multivariable analysis.

Purpose Prostate cancer remains a common disease that is frequently treated with multimodal therapy. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of treatment of the primary tumor on survival in men who go onto receive chemotherapy for prostate cancer.
Exploratory study on laser induced hyperthermia effected by local delivery of gold nanoshells in laboratory and animal tissue phantoms

We have explored the possibility of using locally delivered gold nanoshells as a means for effecting locally confined thermal ablation treatments. Feasibility of the proposed method has been tested through laboratory and animal tissue phantoms.