cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recent behavioral history modifies coupling between cell activity and Arc gene transcription in hippocampal CA1 neurons.

The ability of neurons to alter their transcriptional programs in response to synaptic input is of fundamental importance to the neuroplastic mechanisms underlying learning and memory. Because of technical limitations of conventional gene detection methods, the current view of activity-dependent neural transcription derives from experiments in which neurons are assumed quiescent until a signaling stimulus is given. The present study was designed to move beyond this static model by examining how earlier episodes of neural activity influence transcription of the immediate–early gene Arc. Using a sensitive FISH method that detects primary transcript at genomic alleles, the proportion of hippocampal CA1 neurons that activate transcription of Arc RNA was constant at ≈40% in response to both a single novel exploration session and daily sessions repeated over 9 days. This proportion is similar to the percentage of active neurons defined electrophysiologically. However, this close correspondence was disrupted in rats exposed briefly, but repeatedly, to the same environment within a single day. Arc transcription in CA1 neurons declined dramatically after as few as four 5-min sessions, despite stable electrophysiological activity during all sessions. Additional experiments indicate that the decrement in Arc transcription occurred at the cellular, rather than synaptic level, and was not simply linked to habituation to novelty. Thus, the neural genomic response is governed by recent, but not remote, cell firing history in the behaving animal. This state-dependence of neuronal transcriptional coupling provides a mechanism of metaplasticity and may regulate capacity for synaptic modification in neural networks.
Melamine-based organoclay to sequester atrazine.

Abstract Sequestration of aqueous atrazine by organoclays prepared from the surfactant 6-piperazin-1-yl-N,N′-bis-(1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-butyl)-(1,3,5)triazine-2,4-diamine and Gonzales bentonite was assessed using 14C-labeled atrazine. Organoclays with varying ratios of surfactant to clay were evaluated with respect to their ability to sequester atrazine from an aqueous solution. Organoclays containing 100–200 g kg−1 surfactant on a total weight basis provided the most efficient adsorption of atrazine, with apparent KOC values exceeding 5000 l kg−1 at these loading fractions. Less than 12% of sequestered atrazine was released during four sequential daylong washings, supporting our expectation that the majority of the reaction of atrazine with the surfactant lead to irreversible chemical bond formation through nucleophilic aromatic substitution.
Development of a combined optical and fluorescence imaging system in frequency-domain for breast cancer detection

We have developed a fully automated frequency-domain system for combined optical and fluorescence reconstruction imaging. The system is currently being evaluated using tissue phantom experiments.
Assessment of the Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Comorbidity Index in Patients Receiving Reduced-Intensity Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

s / Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 19 (2013) S279eS312 S290 Introduction: Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is indicated for patients with intermediate or high risk primary Myelofibrosis (MF), and also in patients with Policitemia Vera or Essential Thrombocythemia who have progressed to high risk MF. The results for allogeneic HSCT with myeloablative conditioning seem to be better for patients younger than 45 years, determining lower relapse risk. However, Reduced Intensity Conditioning (RIC) for patients between 45 and 65 years-old has shown to be a promising strategy, with less mortality related to the procedure. This study aims describing a series of patients diagnosed with myelofibrosis, transplanted in the Hospital de Clinicas (HC) from the Federal University of Parana and Hospital Nossa Senhora das Gracas (HNSG) (Curitiba, Brazil). Patients and Methods: From 1984 to 2011, fourteen patients with MF were submitted to HSCT, eleven from the HC and three from HNSG. The median of age was 42 years (10-51). Therewere ten males and four females. In average, five blood transfusions were done per patient (0-61). Five male patients received the graft from a female donor, and two patients received an unrelated HSCT. The median of duration of the disease was 20 months (2-150). According to Dupriez Classification, all the patients were of intermediate and high risk. Five patients had a myeloablative conditioning (Busulfan plus Cyclophosphamide: 4; Cyclophosphamide plus Total Body Irradiation:1) while nine had a RIC transplant (Fludarabine 150mg/m2 plus Melphalan 140mg/m2:6; Fludarabine plus Melphalan plus Antithymocyte Globulin:2; Fludarabine 180mg/m2 plus Bulsufan 10mg/m2 plus Antithymocyte globulin 5mg/kg:1). Results: In the myeloablative conditioning group (n1⁄45), all the patients presented marrow engraftment; one relapsed. Three patients presented grade II-IV acute graft versus host disease, and four developed severe chronic graft versus host disease. Four patients died, and the only survivor was 10 years-old. Median survival was 479 days. In RIC group (n1⁄49), engraftment didn't occur in one patient (which had splenomegaly of 18 cm at the time of transplantation), and another three relapsed. The other seven patients remained alive and free of disease, with median survival of 750 days (34-1872; P1⁄4 0,000123). Conclusion: In spite of the limited number of patients in this study, data suggest that RIC regimens improved survival in HSCT for myelofibrosis in our center, even with a slightely greater relapse risk. Except for very young patients, this strategy should be considered for further investigation.
The vorticity dynamics of an exothermic, spatially developing, forced, reacting shear layer

The effects of combustion exothermicity on the vorticity dynamics of a low Mach number, forced,spatially developing, high Reynolds number, reacting shear layer are investigated using the results of a two-dimensional numerical simulation. The chemical reaction is modeled by single-step, irreversible, Arrhenius kinetics with a high Damkohler number, a moderate Karlovitz number, and significant heat release. The numerical solution is obtained using the Lagrangian transport-element method. Results indicate that a fast exothermic reaction, with the concomitant density variation, modifies the shape, size, speed, and orientation of the large-scale vortical structures and their downstream interactions, leading to an overall reduction of the cross-stream growth of the mixing region. These changes are traced to the two primary mechanisms by which density variation due to heat release modifies vorticity: volumetric expansion and baroclinic generation. It is shown that the weakening of the vorticity due to volumetric expansion diminishes the cross-stream mixing zone by aligning the eddy major axis with the flow direction. Baroclinic vorticity generation, on the other hand, is responsible for the formation of a band of positive vorticity on the outer perimeter of the large eddies, whose vorticity is predominantly negative, which inhibits entrainment and alters the eddy interaction mechanism from pairing of adjacent addies to tearing of smaller eddies by their larger neighbors. Both mechanisms contribute to the acceleration of the eddies in the streamwise direction.
Development of the CODER system: a testbed for artificial intelligence methods in information retrieval

Abstract The CODER ( Co mposite D ocument E xpert/Extended/Effective R etrieval) system is a testbed for investigating the application of artificial intelligence methods to increase the effectiveness of information retrieval systems. Particular attention is being given to analysis and representation of heterogeneous documents, such as electronic mail digests or messages, which vary widely in style, length, topic, and structure. Since handling passages of various types in these collections is difficult even for experimental systems like SMART, it is necessary to turn to other techniques being explored by information retrieval and artificial intelligence researchers. The CODER system architecture involves communities of experts around active blackboards, accessing knowledge bases that describe users, documents, and lexical items of various types. The initial lexical knowledge base construction work is now complete, and experts for search and time/date handling can perform a variety of processing tasks. User information and queries are being gathered, and a simple distributed skeletal system is operational. It appears that a number of artificial intelligence techniques are needed to best handle such common but complex document analysis and retrieval tasks.
Efficient Surgical Management of Mandibular Asymmetry

Although most cases of mandibular asymmetry are developmental, it can also result from congenital anomalies (eg, hemifacial microsomia), tumors, trauma, unilateral condylar hyperplasia, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. Severe cases may require staging during growth. Early bone grafting or distraction osteogenesis can be useful when there is marked hypoplasia or if tissue is absent. After the completion of skeletal growth, milder cases or cases that have undergone previous staging procedures are managed with asymmetric mandibular osteotomies. Because asymmetric mandibular movements require that the teeth move toward one TMJ and away from the other (Fig 1), they pose a greater potential risk to the TMJs than other orthognathic movements. Experience has shown that small alterations in condylar position are well tolerated so long as torque is not applied during fixation (Fig 2). Condylar torque results in occlusal instability and TMJ dysfunction.
Initial performance evaluation of the Cray SeaStar interconnect

The Cray SeaStar is a new network interface and router for the Cray Red Storm and XT3 supercomputer. The SeaStar was designed specifically to meet the performance and reliability needs of a large-scale, distributed-memory scientific computing platform. In this paper, we present an initial performance evaluation of the SeaStar. We first provide a detailed overview of the hardware and software features of the SeaStar, followed by the results of several low-level micro-benchmarks. These initial results indicate that SeaStar is on a path to achieving its performance targets.
Current Health-Related Quality of Life Is Lower in Former Division I Collegiate Athletes Than in Non–Collegiate Athletes

Background:College athletes participate in physical activity that may increase chronic stress and injury and induce overtraining. However, there is little known about how previous injuries that have occurred during college may limit current physical activity and/or decrease their subsequent health-related quality of life (HRQoL).Purpose:To evaluate HRQoL in former United States National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes and nonathletes with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and a demographics questionnaire.Study Design:Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2.Methods:The study sample was recruited through alumni databases at a large Midwestern university and consisted of 2 cohorts: (1) former Division I athletes and (2) nonathletes who participated in recreational activity, club sports, or intramurals while attending college. Participants answered a survey constructed with a web-based system. All individuals contacted were between the ages of 40 ...
The use of CAAARS (Computer Aided Assignment of Asymmetric Rotor Spectra) in the analysis of rotational spectra

Abstract The approach presented for the assignment of rovibrational spectra, CAAARS (Computer Aided Assignment of Asymmetric Rotor Spectra), provides an integrated suite of computer programs to simplify and speed up spectral analysis. CAAARS combines visual, interactive, mouse-assisted line assignment with real-time fitting of the assigned transitions to the spectroscopic constants of an appropriate rovibrational Hamiltonian. The ease of operation and flexibility in the choice of an appropriate theoretical model make it a powerful tool in the hands of a spectroscopist. Its advanced user interface, capable of displaying multiple traces of the experimental spectrum for unambiguous line identification, is a logical extension of the Loomis–Wood approach to line assignment. CAAARS implements user-specified sorting to select subsets of the predicted transitions for transparent assignment and manipulation. The current version of CAAARS is available for downloading at http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~medvedev/caaars.htm .
Parametrically deformable contour models

Segmentation using boundary finding is enhanced both by considering the boundary as a whole and by using model-based shape information. Flexible constraints, in the form of a probabilistic deformable model, are applied to the problem of segmenting natural objects whose diversity and irregularity of shape makes them poorly represented in terms of fixed features of forms. The parametric model is based on the elliptic Fourier decomposition of the boundary. The segmentation problem is solved as an optimization problem, where the best match between the boundary (as defined by the parameter vector) and the image data is found. Initial experimentation shows good results on a variety of images. >
Chemistry Education: Ten Dichotomies We Live By

Modern thought in chemical education seems to be shaped by a set of dichotomies that are useful in identifying and highlighting problems, as well as in generating and communicating novel ideas. However, these binary oppositions may also constrain our thinking. Among these dichotomies, we draw attention to 10 different oppositions including, among others, the pairs abstract/concrete, algorithmic/conceptual, and symbolic/microscopic. The central goal of this contribution is to reflect on the scope and limitations of common dichotomic conceptualizations of critical elements of chemical education. The major motivation is to invite chemical educators to critically analyze ideas or beliefs that we often take for granted.
Reciprocal Interareal Connections to Corticospinal Neurons in Mouse M1 and S2

Primary motor (M1) and secondary somatosensory (S2) cortices, although anatomically and functionally distinct, share an intriguing cellular component: corticospinal neurons (CSP) in layer 5B. Here, we investigated the long-range circuits of CSPs in mouse forelimb-M1 and S2. We found that interareal projections (S2 → M1 and M1 → S2) monosynaptically excited pyramidal neurons across multiple layers, including CSPs. Area-specific differences were observed in the relative strengths of inputs to subsets of CSPs and other cell types, but the general patterns were similar. Furthermore, subcellular mapping of the dendritic distributions of these corticocortical excitatory synapses onto CSPs in both areas also showed similar patterns. Because layer 5B is particularly thick in M1, but not S2, we studied M1-CSPs at different cortical depths, quantifying their dendritic morphology and mapping inputs from additional cortical (M2, contralateral M1, and local layer 2/3) and thalamic (VL nucleus) sources. These results indicated that CSPs exhibit area-specific modifications on an otherwise conserved synaptic organization, and that different afferents innervate M1-CSP dendritic domains in a source-specific manner. In the cervical spinal cord, CSP axons from S2 and M1 partly converged on middle layers, but S2-CSP axons extended further dorsally, and M1-CSP axons ventrally. Thus, our findings identify many shared features in the circuits of M1 and S2 and show that these areas communicate via mutual projections that give each area monosynaptic access to the other area's CSPs. These interareally yoked CSP circuits may enable M1 and S2 to operate in a coordinated yet differentiated manner in the service of sensorimotor integration.
Vascular endothelial growth factor: the salt in the Hodgkin cytokine stew?

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is distinguished from non-Hodgkin lymphomas by a florid and heterogeneous non-neoplastic infiltrate ranging from bands of sclerosis with eosinophil-rich polymorphous infi...
Visual perception: Adapting to a loss

The visual system is built to be highly adaptable, but the nature and purpose of this adaptation remains poorly understood. A new study opens the door to exploring visual plasticity in entirely new ways.
Analysis of grouped and censored data from step-stress life test

This paper studies statistical analysis of grouped and censored data obtained from a step-stress accelerated life test. We assume that the stress change times in the step-stress life test are fixed and the lifetimes observed are type I censored. Maximum likelihood estimates and asymptotic confidence intervals for model parameters are obtained. We provide an asymptotic statistical test for the cumulative exposure model based on the grouped and type I censored data. We also present the optimum test plan for a simple step-stress test when the lifetime under constant stress is assumed exponential. Finally we give an application of our methods by applying our analysis process to a real life data set. The proposed statistical methodology is especially useful when intermittent inspection is the only feasible way of checking the status of test units during a step-stress test.
Oxalate, a Potential Atherogenic Toxin of Uremia, Inhibits Endothelial Proliferation Induced by Heparin-binding Growth Factors In Vitro

Uremia, when treated with chronic dialysis, accelerates atherogenesis and its attendant complications. Using a chronic exposure model in vitro, it has previously been shown that uremic concentrations of oxalic acid inhibit endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and migration. In this paper the permeability of ECs to oxalate and the effect of oxalate on the proliferation of ECs stimulated by heparin-binding growth factors are studied. ECs were permeable to [14C]oxalate with uptake dependent on external oxalate concentration and efflux dependent on temperature, time, and external oxalate concentration (all P < 0.0001). The proliferation of unstimulated cultures and cultures stimulated with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), endothelial cell growth supplement, α endothelial cell growth factor and β endothelial cell growth factor was inhibited by exposure to oxalate in all experiments from 14 to 100% in 14 to 60 d (N=19, all P < 0.001). Furthermore, surviving cultures were converted from the proliferative to...
All-pole modeling of speech based on the minimum variance distortionless response spectrum

We present all-pole models based upon the minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) spectrum for spectral modeling of speech. The MVDR method, which is popular in array processing, provides all-pole spectra that are robust for modeling both voiced and unvoiced speech. Although linear prediction (LP) is a popular method for obtaining all-pole model parameters, LP spectral envelopes overestimate and overemphasize the medium and high pitch voiced speech spectral powers, thereby featuring unwanted sharp contours, and do not improve in spectral envelope modeling performance as the filter order is increased. In contrast, the MVDR all-pole spectrum which can be easily obtained from the LP coefficients, features improved spectral envelope modeling as the filter order is increased. In particular, the high order MVDR spectrum models voiced speech spectra very well, particularly at the perceptually important harmonics, and features a smooth contoured envelope. Furthermore, the MVDR spectrum can be based upon either conventional time domain correlation estimates or upon spectral samples, a task that is common in frequency domain speech coding. In particular, the MVDR spectrum of sufficient order provides an all-pole envelope that models a set of spectral samples exactly. In addition, the MVDR all-pole spectrum is also suitable for modeling unvoiced speech spectra.
Signet ring cell gastric schwannoma: report of a new distinctive morphological variant

An 89-year-old woman was seen for indigestion, light chest pain, and melanotic stools. Endoscopic examination revealed 2 submucosal gastric masses. A subtotal gastrectomy showed 2 submucosal masses in the stomach: one infiltrating through the muscularis propria into the serosa, the second one, a well-circumscribed submucosal nodule. Histologic examination showed large tumor cells infiltrating diffusely through the muscularis propria into the subserosa. On higher magnification, numerous signet ring cells were present against a myxoid stroma, in addition to large vacuolated epithelioid cells. There was no evidence of invasion, necrosis, nuclear pleomorphism, or mitotic activity. Initial diagnostic considerations based on the histology included signet ring cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and a myxoid mesenchymal tumor, including gastrointestinal stromal tumor. A panel of immunohistochemical stains showed diffuse strong positivity for S-100 protein and negative reaction for CD117, bcl-2, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, Melan-A, HMB45, smooth muscle antigen, and other differentiation markers. Electron microscopic examination revealed elongated, complex, and interdigitating cell processes covered by a thin layer of continuous basement membrane material characteristic of peripheral nerve sheath differentiation. The presentation of this tumor was significant in that it was multifocal and infiltrative, mimicking a malignant neoplasm. The extensive myxoid/signet ring cell change represents a heretofore-unreported histologic variant of gastric schwannoma.
Juvenile hyaline fibromatosis (Murray-Puretic-Drescher syndrome): Oral and systemic findings in siblings

G ingival fibromatosis is a relatively uncommon benign oral condition, clinically characterized by a slowly progressive, nonhemorrhagic, nonpainful local or generalized enlargement of maxillary and mandibular gingiva. The gingival tissues are firm to palpation, with a keratinized, stippled surface and pink color. There are several conditions under which gingival fibromatosis is seen as the oral finding and can be correlated with systemic or extraoral findings, many of which have a genetic basis. In most cases the condition of gingival fibromatosis develops before the age of 20, and it most frequently occurs at the time of eruption of either the primary or the secondary dentition. A thorough review of the literature reveals that hereditary gingival fibromatosis, in addition to being found as an isolated entity, may also be a component in a variety of genetic syndromes, as noted in Table I.
THE RECOVERY OF MASADA: A STUDY IN COLLECTIVE MEMORY*

The battle of Masada in 73 A. D. was one of the least significant and least successful events in ancient Jewish history. Our concern is to understand why, after almost two thousand years of obscurity, this event was suddenly remembered and commemorated by Palestinian Jews. Precipitating the 1927 recovery of Masada was the appearance of a very popular poem which used the ancient battle as an allegory of the Jewish settlers' struggle. By restoring this poem to its social context, and by analyzing both in terms of George Herbert Mead's theory of symbolically reconstructed pasts, this article explains the modern appeal of Masada, then brings it to bear on our general knowledge of collective memory.
Antifungal prophylaxis during remission induction therapy for acute leukemia fluconazole versus intravenous amphotericin B

Background. Fungal infection is a frequent and often fatal complication in patients undergoing remission induction therapy for acute leukemia. Although candidiasis is the most common infection, mold infections are increasing in frequency. Fluconazole (FLU) is a new anti-fungal agent that has been used successfully to treat Candida infections and has modest activity against aspergillosis in animal models. Subtherapeutic doses of amphotericin B (AMB) have been considered effective as prophylaxis in these patients. This study was designed to compare the efficacy and toxicity of these agents as anti-fungal prophylaxis. Methods. Adults with acute leukemia undergoing remission induction chemotherapy randomly were assigned to receive antifungal prophylaxis with AMB (0.5 mg/kg three times weekly) or FLU (400 mg daily). Tri-methoprim-sulfamethoxazole was administered as an antibacterial prophylaxis. Prophylaxis was continued until the patient achieved complete remission or was treated for 8 weeks without antileukemic response. Prophylaxis was discontinued if the patient experienced a possible or proven fungal infection or a serious toxicity. Results. Overall, 58% of the 36 patients assigned to AMB successfully completed prophylaxis compared with 80% of the 41 patients assigned to FLU (< 0.05). Proven, probable, or possible fungal infections occurred in 31% and 17% of the patients, respectively. The risk of discontinuing prophylaxis due to fungal infection or toxicity increased with time in the study and was significantly greater for AMB (P = 0.02). Conclusions. At the dose used in this study, AMB was no more effective and was more toxic than FLU for prophylaxis of fungal infections in patients undergoing remission induction chemotherapy for acute leukemia.
THERMAL REDUCTION OF NO BY H2: KINETIC MEASUREMENT AND COMPUTER MODELING OF THE HNO+NO REACTION

The kinetics and mechanism of the thermal reduction of NO by H2 have been investigated by FTIR spectrometry in the temperature range of 900 to 1225 K at a constant pressure of 700 torr using mixtures of varying NO/H2 ratios. In about half of our experimental runs, CO was introduced to capture the OH radical formed in the system with the well-known, fast reaction, OH + CO H + CO2. The rates of NO decay and CO2 formation were kinetically modeled to extract the rate constant for the rate-controlling step, (2) HNO + NO N2O + OH. Combining the modeled values with those from the computer simulation of earlier kinetic data reported by Hinshelwood and co-workers (refs. [3] and [4]), Graven (ref.[5]), and Kaufman and Decker (ref. [6]) gives rise to the following expression: . This encompasses 45 data points and covers the temperature range of 900 to 1425 K. RRKM calculations based on the latest ab initio MO results indicate that the reaction is controlled by the addition/stabilization processes forming the HN(O)NO intermediate at low temperatures and by the addition/isomerization/decomposition processes producing N2O + OH above 900 K. The calculated value of k2 agrees satisfactorily with the experimental result. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Experiences in integrating research and education after the NSF Engineering Education Scholars Workshop

Last year the National Science Foundation sponsored a new program entitled "NSF Engineering Scholars Workshop: Preparing Engineering Faculty of the Future" which was hosted by Carnegie Mellon University, USA, July 21-26, 1996. The primary objective of the workshop was to provide new engineering educators with a variety of skills to succeed in both education and research. Focusing on an approach for the integration of research and education, this paper discusses one area in which the workshop influenced the author's experiences as a new faculty member.
A mathematical solution to power optimal pipeline design by utilizing soft edge flip-flops

This paper presents a novel technique to minimize the total power consumption of a synchronous linear pipeline circuit by exploiting extra slacks available in some stages of the pipeline. The key idea is to utilize soft-edge flip-flops to enable time borrowing between stages of a linear pipeline in order to provide the timing-critical stages with more time to complete their computations. Time borrowing, in conjunction with keeping the clock frequency unchanged, gives rise to a positive timing slack in each pipeline stage. The slack is subsequently utilized to minimize the circuit power consumption by reducing the supply voltage level. We formulate and solve the problem of optimally selecting the transparency window of the soft-edge flip-flops and choosing the minimum supply voltage level for the pipeline circuit as a quadratic program, thereby minimizing the power consumption of the linear pipeline circuit under a clock frequency constraint. Experimental results prove the efficacy of the problem formulation and solution technique.
THE GENERATION OF NEURONAL DIVERSITY IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Over the course of development, proceeding from a single oocyte to an organism composed of an astounding variety of differentiated tissues, the production of the cells of the nervous system must stand as development's most ambitious feat. Not only is the system faced with the task of gen­ erating a variety of basic cell types, including both neurons and glia, but it must also produce a huge number of specific types of neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems-neurons that will differ in their morphologies, connections, neurotransmitters, and receptor pheno­ types. The cells that have been most closely studied in this light have been the neural crest derivatives that give rise to the PNS; these studies have yielded fascinating insights into the nature of cellular determination in the vertebrate nervous system (LeDouarin 1980, 1986, Anderson 1989). Recently, however, some exciting progress has been made in understanding the origins of cellular diversity in the central nervous system as well, and it is on this topic that this review is centered. As in the development of any tissue or cell type, neurons may make use of two basic strategies in deciding their fates. The outcome of a cell's development may be determined by its lineage-that is, by inherited pat­ terns of gene regulation or the inheritance of cytoplasmic factors that act ultimately to control gene regulation-or it may be determined by the cell's environment, broadly defined to include positional information, cell-
Haemophilus ducreyi strain ATCC 27722 contains a genetic element with homology to the vibrio RS1 element that can replicate as a plasmid and confer NAD independence on haemophilus influenzae.

The nucleotide sequence of pNAD1, a plasmid from Haemophilus ducreyi identified on the basis of its ability to confer NAD independence on Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and H. influenzae, has been determined. In addition to containing the nadV gene, the plasmid contains homologues of the rstR and rstA genes, genes encoding repressor and replication proteins, respectively, in the Vibrio CTXφ and the Vibrio RS1 element, suggesting a single-stranded bacteriophage origin for pNAD1. Tandem copies of the plasmid are integrated into the H. ducreyi 35000HP genome.
Development of Innate CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells in Itk-Deficient Mice Is Regulated by Distinct Pathways

T cell development in the thymus produces multiple lineages of cells, including innate T cells such as γδ TCR(+) cells, invariant NKT cells, mucosal-associated invariant T cells, and H2-M3-specific cells. Although innate cells are generally a minor subset of thymocytes, in several strains of mice harboring mutations in T cell signaling proteins or transcriptional regulators, conventional CD8(+) T cells develop as innate cells with characteristics of memory T cells. Thus, in Itk-deficient mice, mature CD4(-)CD8(+) (CD8 single-positive [SP]) thymocytes express high levels of the transcription factor eomesodermin (Eomes) and are dependent on IL-4 being produced in the thymic environment by a poorly characterized subset of CD4(+) thymocytes expressing the transcriptional regulator promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger. In this study, we show that a sizeable proportion of mature CD4(+)CD8(-) (CD4SP) thymocytes in itk(-/-) mice also develop as innate Eomes-expressing T cells. These cells are dependent on MHC class II and IL-4 signaling for their development, indicating that they are conventional CD4(+) T cells that have been converted to an innate phenotype. Surprisingly, neither CD4SP nor CD8SP innate Eomes(+) thymocytes in itk(-/-) or SLP-76(Y145F) mice are dependent on γδ T cells for their development. Instead, we find that the predominant population of Eomes(+) innate itk(-/-) CD4SP thymocytes is largely absent in mice lacking CD1d-specific invariant NKT cells, with no effect on innate itk(-/-) CD8SP thymocytes. In contrast, both subsets of innate Eomes(+)itk(-/-) T cells require the presence of a novel promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger-expressing, SLAM family receptor adapter protein-dependent thymocyte population that is essential for the conversion of conventional CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells into innate T cells with a memory phenotype.
Microcellular poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate)-hyperbranched polymer–nanoclay nanocomposites

The effects of incorporating hyperbranched polymers (HBPs) and different nanoclays [Cloisite® 30B and halloysite nanotubes (HNT)] on the mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of solid and microcellular poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) were investigated. According to the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses, Cloisite 30B exhibited a combination of exfoliation and heterogeneous intercalation structure for both solid and microcellular PHBV–12% HBP–2% Cloisite 30B nanocomposites. TEM images indicated that HNTs were uniformly dispersed throughout the PHBV matrix. The addition of 2% nanoclays improved the thermal stability of the resulting nanocomposites. The addition of HBP+poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene) (PA), Cloisite 30B, and HNT reduced the average cell size and increased the cell density of the microcellular components. The addition of (HBP+PA), Cloisite 30B, and HNT also increased the degree of crystallinity for both solid and microcellular components in comparison with neat PHBV. Also, with the addition of 12% (HBP+PA), the area under the tan-δ curve, specific toughness, and strain-at-break of the PHBV–HBP nanocomposite increased significantly for both solid and microcellular specimens, whereas the storage modulus, specific Young's modulus, and specific tensile strength decreased. The addition of 2% nanoclays into the PHBV–HBP nanocomposites improved the storage modulus, specific Young's modulus, and specific tensile strength of the PHBV–HBP–nanoclay-based nanocomposites, but they were still lower than those of the neat PHBV. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Vietnamese American College Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward HIV/AIDS

Mail and telephone surveys were used to investigate the extent of HIV-related knowledge and attitudes among Vietnamese-American college students. Findings indicated that the 412 respondents who completed the survey were aware of the major modes of HIV transmission but had many misconceptions about HIV. Female students were more knowledgeable than male students, but sexually active participants were less knowledgeable than those who were not sexually active. The findings also suggest that respondents were not comfortable discussing their HIV and safe sex concerns with their sexual partners. The results of the study underscore the need for culturally sensitive HIV/AIDS education for Vietnamese students, especially for those who are sexually active. HIV prevention interventions should be directed toward this minority ethnic group to maintain the currently low rates of HIV infection.
cAMP regulation of vasopressin mRNA content in hypothalamo-neurohypophysial explants

Stimulation of vasopressin (VP) gene expression by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) has been observed in dispersed hypothalamic cultures, in VP-expressing cell lines, and in cells transfected with reporter genes regulated by the VP gene promoter. However, treatment of hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (HNS) explants with forskolin (25 microM), an activator of adenyl cyclase, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX; 500 microM), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, resulted in a decrease in VP mRNA. Time course analysis revealed that IBMX and forskolin reduced the VP mRNA content to 50% of control explants after 8 and 12 h despite a dramatic stimulation of VP release. This effect was due to the activation of adenyl cyclase by forskolin, because neither IBMX alone nor the inactive analogue of forskolin, 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, decreased VP mRNA content. In contrast, 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and the D1 dopamine receptor agonist, SKF-38393, increased VP mRNA content, but these agents were less potent in stimulating VP release, suggesting a concentration dependency of the forskolin effect. This was confirmed when forskolin (10 microM) was found to increase VP mRNA content. Thus receptor-mediated activation of adenyl cyclase results in an increase in VP mRNA content.
Urban Crime and Violence

Crime and violence are endemic to many urban communities. Some metropolitan areas and some people who live in them are at higher risk than others of being in conflict with the law. In the United States people of color and Hispanics are at the greatest risk of committing predatory street crime, murder, and of becoming involved with drugs. There are numerous explanations for crime in urban places, but some are much better than others, including those that focus on the influence of broader social forces. Additionally, the criminal justice system continues to fail to curb urban crime and violence. Therefore, it is necessary to implement more progressive solutions, such as quality employment and a higher minimum wage. Keywords: Chicago School; crime; deviance and social control; poverty; race and ethnicity
Cefsulodin Therapy for Infections Due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Patients with Burns

This multicenter trial compared treatment with either cefsulodin or reference antibiotics (gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, or ticarcillin) in 67 patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and burn injury. Safety of treatment was evaluated for all 67 patients; clinical efficacy, for 29; and bacteriologic efficacy, for 26. The average daily dose and duration of treatment for the 37 cefsulodin-treated patients were 5.6 g and 10.3 days, respectively. The percentage of total body surface burned was greater than or equal to 50% for 40% and greater than or equal to 25% for 85% of the patients. Rates of bacteriologic cure for 30 sites of infection were 64% (7/11) for skin and skin-structure infections treated with cefsulodin or reference antibiotics; 100% (1/1) for respiratory tract infections treated with cefsulodin and 33% (2/6) for those treated with reference antibiotics; and 100% (1/1) for septicemia treated with a reference antibiotic. Overall bacteriologic and clinical efficacy for cefsulodin treatment was 67% (8/12) and 73% (11/15), respectively, and for treatment with a reference antibiotic was 56% (10/18) and 64% (9/14), respectively. Cefsulodin was found to be safe and comparable in efficacy to reference antibiotics in this patient population.
Damage Mapping of Composites with Piezospectroscopic Coatings

In composite structures there are many different types of damage with varying effects on mechanical performance. This work explores a revolutionary non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique to diagnose composite damage with Piezospectroscopic (PS) coatings. Several PS phenomena are shown here which reveal intrinsic damage patterns of a composite coupon. A unique integration of piezospectroscopy and digital image correlation (DIC) enables determination of local mechanical properties. With applied multi-scale damage mechanics, it is shown that this integration produces a degrading elastic modulus map with in-situ mechanical loading. Using a phenomenological approach, the PS coating’s properties are studied as a comprehensive damage indicator.
Tests of a 3-Layer Laminated Plastic Bait Dispenser for Controlled Emission of Attractants from Insect Traps

A new type of bait dispenser for insect traps is a 3-layer plastic laminate in which pheromone is concentrated in the inner layer. When the dispenser was compared with currently used dispensers of pheromone of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), and of the gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar (L.), the laminate dispenser generally caught greater numbers of insects. Also, in an aging test, the attraction of the laminate dispenser containing gypsy moth pheromone remained high for 120 days, and even the aged laminates outdrew freshly baited, standard bait-dispensers in all but one instance. Dispensers that emit lure at a constant rate are needed if traps are to be used for reliable estimates of insect populations.
Study of Initial Stages of Heteroepitaxy Using Graded Thickness Samples

In this paper we introduce the technique of graded thickness sample deposition to study the heteroepitaxial growth mechanisms of GaAs on Si. We can observe the continuous evolution from the initial clean surface, through nucleation, growth and coalescence of the deposited material.
Effect of calmodulin on dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity in rat striatal membranes

The effect of an endogenous calcium-binding protein, calmodulin, on basal and dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in rat striatum was studied. Basal adenylate cyclase activity in a rat striatal particulate preparation depleted of calmodulin was stimulated by calmodulin as well as the guanyl nucleotides, guanosine triphosphate and guanyl-59-yl-imidodiphosphate. The presence of guanyl nucleotides was required for dopamine stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in the membrane preparation. Calcium inhibited dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, decreasing the maximal velocity by 50%. When calmodulin was added to the assay with calcium, the V max was restored to that found in the absence of calcium and the K act for dopamine was further decreased more than 2-fold. The effects of calmodulin on basal and dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity were specific for calmodulin, since these effects were not obtained in the presence of troponin C, a calcium-binding protein from muscle. This work demonstrates that calmodulin is important both for the sensitivity of striatal adenylate cyclase to dopamine and the maximal velocity of the reaction. Furthermore, this work suggests that, in the presence of physiological concentrations of calcium, dopamine stimulation would be curtailed unless calmodulin were present.
Contending with Political and Cultural Campus Challenges

This chapter chronicles our efforts to establish a certificate (i.e., an interdisciplinary minor) in public service and civic engagement at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The proposal, which we submitted in 2009, initially met with considerable resistance from some members of our Faculty Senate. After more than a year of negotiations, modifications, and compromises, we arrived at a much stronger proposal, which was endorsed by the Faculty Senate and implemented in fall 2011. We describe the certificate and its academic rationale, recount the objections of our colleagues, and offer an anthropological analysis of their resistance. From this experience we are able to offer some advice to colleagues hoping to undertake a similar endeavor, including a mapping tool that can help them organize to get their own programs approved.
Metaphysics as a Kind of Magic

One purpose of the argument of Chapter 3 was to suggest that the Remarks on Frazer cannot be construed as the sketch of an expressive interpretation of magic and religion. This conclusion was reached, not by reflection on Wittgenstein’s thoughts on ritual, but, rather, by attention to his later philosophy of language. It would be incomplete to assume, however, that this constitutes the sole reason for denying the near-habitual expressivist appellation. On the contrary, a deeper reading of Wittgenstein’s notes on The Golden Bough provide us with ample evidence of an account of ritual far different from the standard expressivist view; the view, that is, that rituals aim at no concrete ends and are rather acts of personal and/or social catharsis. In this chapter, I will begin to examine what I take to be the core notions of the Remarks, starting with Wittgenstein’s striking comparison of magic with metaphysics. And one fruitful way to commence this analysis is by comparing his views on magic with those of G. K. Chesterton.
Cost-efficient elastic stream processing using application-agnostic performance prediction

Cloud computing adds great on-demand scalability to stream processing systems with its pay-per-use cost model. However, to promise service level agreements to users while keeping resource allocation cost low is a challenging task due to uncertainties coming from various sources, such as the target application's scalability, future computational demand, and the target cloud infrastructure's performance variability. To deal with these uncertainties, it is essential to create accurate application performance prediction models. In cloud computing, the current state of the art in performance modelling remains application-specific. We propose an application-agnostic performance modeling that is applicable to a wide range of applications. We also propose an extension to probabilistic performance prediction. This paper reports the progress we have made so far.
Data-processing inequalities for quantum metrology

We apply the classical data-processing inequality to quantum metrology to show that manipulating the classical information from a quantum measurement cannot aid in the estimation of parameters encoded in quantum states. We further derive a quantum data-processing inequality to show that coherent manipulation of quantum data also cannot improve the precision in estimation. In addition, we comment on the assumptions necessary to arrive at these inequalities and how they might be avoided, providing insights into enhancement procedures which are not provably wrong.
Review of Methods for Determining Residual Stresses in Biological Materials

Over the years, a variety of methods for finding residual stresses have been developed in the field of experimental mechanics. Adaptations of those methods by biomechanical researchers to the determination of residual stresses in various biological materials are reviewed. Methods considered include deflections and strains from release of residual stresses, X-ray diffraction, hole drilling, photoelasticity, indentation and membrane deflection.
Human Herpesvirus 8 K1 Blocks Fas in Cells and Mice by Binding and Blocking Fas.

Background: Kaposi’s sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma are linked to human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8 or Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated virus) infection. Key to the pathogenesis of these cancers is the HHV-8 transmembrane oncoprotein K1. This viral protein, which immortalizes cells, produces lymphoproliferation and lymphomas through unknown mechanisms when expressed in mice. Results: We show here that K1 blocks Fas (CD95)-mediated apoptosis by binding the ectodomain of K1 to Fas in hematopoietic cancer cells (BJAB, U937 and THP-1). K1 bound to Fas in K1-transfected BJAB cells. To assess whether K1 and Fas formed complexes in cells, we chemically crosslinked proteins in transfected cells using 3,3′-dithiobissulfosuccinimidyl propionate in the presence of N-ethyl maleimide. Stabled K1-Fas complexes were present in intact cells despite blocking of free reactive cysteines. The selective ability of K1 to antagonize Fas-mediated apoptosis was strictly dependent on having its immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM). Using activating anti-Fas (CH-11) and nonactivating anti-Fas (B10) antibodies in a serial manner, we showed that K1 associated with Fas that was not activated, strongly suggesting that K1 prevents Fas from being activated. Mice transfected with K1 were protected from the apoptosis inducing effects of agonistic Jo2 anti-Fas antibody and tissues from these mice contained K1-Fas complexes. K1-transfected compared to vector-transfected mice had fewer terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling positive cells (13 ± 3% vs. 60 ± 7%, P=0.008), fewer activated caspase 3 positive cells (24 ± 5% vs. 88 ± 6%, P=0.006). Tissues had less hemorrhaging, and necrosis. Conclusion: These data support a mechanism of K1 direct binding to and blockage by K1 to Fas in suppression of apoptosis in an ITAM-dependent manner, which may be a key step in lymphoma development.