cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of neuronal nicotinic receptors in the effects of nicotine and ethanol on contextual fear conditioning.

Abstract Nicotine can enhance contextual learning while ethanol impairs some forms of learning. Nicotine can overcome some of the impairing effects of ethanol when the two drugs are co-administered. The specific brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that mediate nicotine's effects on contextual learning and whether any of ethanol's actions are mediated by nAChRs are unknown. The potential roles of nAChRs in contextual and cued fear conditioning as well as the effects of nicotine, ethanol, or co-administration of nicotine and ethanol were examined in wild type and homozygous null mutant mice from α7, β2, β3, and β4 mouse lines at 24 h after training. Nicotine was given prior to training and testing, whereas ethanol was given only before training. Nicotine enhanced contextual learning in both α7 wild types and mutants when mice were trained at 0.17 mA, but not 0.35 mA. Mutants lacking the α7 subunit were less sensitive to the memory impairing effects of ethanol trained at 0.35 mA. β2 Null mutants receiving saline showed a small, but significant, impairment in contextual learning compared with wild type littermates when the shock stimulus was 0.35 mA. β2 Null mutant mice also did not respond to the cognitive enhancing effects of nicotine alone, or after ethanol administration. β3 and β4 null mutants did not differ from wild types either after saline or any of drug treatments, These results show that β2-containing nAChRs, but not β3- or β4-containing receptors, mediate the enhancing effects of nicotine on contextual learning and confirm previous studies implicating β2 in other forms of learning. A new role for α7 nAChRs in regulating sensitivity to the cognitive disrupting effects of ethanol is proposed.
Shrub invasion decreases diversity and alters community stability in northern Chihuahuan Desert plant communities.

Background: Global climate change is rapidly altering species range distributions and interactions within communities. As ranges expand, invading species change interactions in communities which may reduce stability, a mechanism known to affect biodiversity. In aridland ecosystems worldwide, the range of native shrubs is expanding as they invade and replace native grassland vegetation with significant consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Methodology: We used two long-term data sets to determine the effects of shrub encroachment by Larrea tridentata on subdominant community composition and stability in formerly native perennial grassland dominated by Bouteloua eriopoda in New Mexico, USA. Principal Findings: Our results indicated that Larrea invasion decreased species richness during the last 100 years. We also found that over shorter temporal scales species-poor subdominant communities in areas invaded by Larrea were less stable (more variable in time) compared to species rich communities in grass-dominated vegetation. Compositional stability increased as cover of Bouteloua increased and decreased as cover of Larrea increased. Significance: Changes in community stability due to altered interspecific interactions may be one mechanism by which biodiversity declines in grasslands following shrub invasion. As global warming increases, shrub encroachment into native grasslands worldwide will continue to alter species interactions and community stability both of which may lead to a decline in biodiversity.
QWIP structural optimization

Quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP) are flexible in tailoring their characteristics to suit an application. In this article, we present a design and optimization concept to construct an infrared spectrometer. It utilizes the broadband absorption of a QWIP and the narrow band light coupling of a grid structure. The QWIP material defines the range of detection wavelengths of the spectrometer while the grid geometry selects out different wavelengths to detect in different detector elements. We will present specific design examples in two wavelength ranges, one from 7.5 to 12 μm and another from 6 to 15 μm. We will also present some experimental results to support the design feasibility.
An index of impulsiveness for 2800 MHz impulsive solar noise bursts

The initial growth of intensity, I, of the impulsive solar noise burst observed at 2800 MHz has been fitted with a parabolic curve of the form I=ct2and the quantity c taken as the index of impulsiveness. Two groups of bursts comprising 85% of all impulsive bursts observed in 1962–63 and 1966 were selected for study. A good fit has been obtained for bursts having peak flux density up to 20 flux units, while for more intense bursts, the average observed growth is more rapid than the parabolic rate. The distribution of the index in the range 0.1 to more than 100 shows two peaks, one for c values 1–10 and another apparent peak for those with c greater than 100. The index is independent of the peak intensity of the burst and its position on the solar disc, while there is a small trend, indicating that shorter bursts are more impulsive than longer duration events. The more easily derived linear rate of rise, b = Peak Flux/Interval from start to peak is related to the parabolic impulsive index by b = 1.86 c0.57. The non-linear rate of expansion of a flaring volume suggested by Pneuman when applied to explain the parabolic rise of microwave bursts indicates that the impulsiveness of bursts is inversely related to the contained magnetic field.
Childhood sexual abuse and the gender wage gap

Abstract This paper examines the effect of childhood sexual abuse on adult wages for men and women, and determines whether the gender wage gap is a function of differences in the prevalence and long-term effects of childhood abuse.
Nucleotide sequence determination and genetic analysis of the Bacteroides plasmid, pBI143.

The nucleotide sequence and genetic organization of the Bacteroides plasmid pBI143 were determined. The plasmid was 2747 base pairs (bp) and had a G+C content of 41% (GenBank Accession No. U30316). There were two open reading frames greater than 50 codons and these were designated mobA and repA. A 56-bp inverted repeat divided pBI143 into modules with repA and mobA in separate regions. There was a marked difference in the G+C content and codon usage for the two regions; repA had 33% G+C and mobA was 44% G+C. MobA had homology to other Bacteroides mobilization proteins and RepA shared homology to a replication protein from Zymomonas mobilis plasmid pZM2. These two putative replication proteins formed a subgroup of the rolling-circle replication.proteins belonging to the pSN2 family of gram-positive plasmids. Consistent with this finding, single-stranded pBI143 DNA was detected in plasmid containing Bacteroides fragilis cultures. Availability of the pBI143 sequence allowed the elucidation of the complete nucleotide sequence for pFD288 an 8.9-kb Bacteroides shuttle vector (GenBank Accession No. U30830).
Latrunculin-A, ichthyotoxic constituent of the nudibranchChromodoris elisabethina

Latrunculin-A, an ichthyotoxin previously described from a Red Sea sponge,Latrunculia magnifica, has been isolated from a Pacific nudibranch,Chromodoris elisabethina, for which it serves as a defense allomone.
Associations of Special Care Units and Outcomes of Residents With Dementia: 2004 National Nursing Home Survey

Purpose: We compared the rates of specialized care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in special care units (SCUs) and other nursing home (NH) units and examined the associations of SCU residence with process of care and resident outcomes. Design and Methods: Data came from the 2004 National Nursing Home Survey. The indicators of process of care included physical restraints, continence management, feeding tubes, and influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations. Resident outcomes included pressure ulcers, hospitalization, emergency room visits, weight loss, and falls. Analyses were conducted by using Stata SE version 10. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analyses show that SCU residents were more likely to have received specialized dementia care and specialized behavioral problem management. They were less likely to have bed rails (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.39, AOR = 0.35, ps < .01), use catheters (AOR = 0.33, AOR = 0.33, ps < .01), and yet more likely to have toilet plans/ bladder training for incontinence control (AOR = 1.90, AOR = 1.62, ps < .01) than those in regular units and those in NHs without an SCU. Moreover, SCU residents were less likely to have pressure ulcers, hospitalization than those in regular units, and less likely to have experienced weight loss than those in NHs without an SCU. However, they were more likely to have falls (AOR = 1.32, AOR = 1.36, ps < .05) than those in regular units and those in NHs without an SCU. Implications: Our study shows that SCU residents had, in general, better process of care than those in regular units and in NHs without an SCU. Further studies are needed to assess specific outcome changes among SCU residents and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of having such units.
Twelve Tips for use of a white board in clinical teaching: Reviving the Chalk Talk

Little has been written on the art of using a board in clinical teaching. The technological development of the white board appears to have coincided with that of the laptop computer and accompanying LCD projector, so that fewer and fewer teaching sessions appear to utilize the board as an efficient teaching tool. I have observed this most commonly among younger faculty who are most comfortable with technology and who may lack training and experience with a blank board. This paper offers suggestions on using the board in clinical teaching in order to enhance the educational process through better engagement of the learners.
John Rawls: Between Two Enlightenments

John Rawls shares the Enlightenment's commitment to finding moral and political principles which can be reflectively endorsed by all individuals autonomously. He usually presents reflective autonom...
Flashing flow of initially subcooled water in convergent--divergent nozzles

Results from a research program conducted a number of years ago on the problem of flashing flow of water in nozzles are presented. In a previous paper results for the case of stagnation states in the low quality two-phase region were reported. The present paper reports results for stagnation states in the subcooled region at pressures up to 9.05 x 10/sup 3/ kN/m/sup 2/ and subcooling from 0 to 60/sup 0/C. Pressure profiles and flow rates are reported. The results are compared with limiting cases of Bernoulli flow (meta-stable liquid flow) and homogeneous equilibrium flow. As expected neither was able to predict the experimental results. A two-step model based upon nucleation delay, ''discontinuous'' transition to two-phase flow followed by frozen composition gave reasonable predictions of the flowrates and pressure profiles in the convergent section.
Voluntary Provision of Public Goods and Administrative Costs

This article considers voluntary provision of public goods in the presence of administrative costs. Government collects taxes and provides grants to a charity. Using government grants and private donations, the charity provides a public good. Administrative costs are paid twice for the government and for the charity in the case of taxes, and less of a one dollar tax goes toward the public good than from a one dollar donation. Donations are thus more efficient in terms of administrative costs than taxes. Donors then wish to donate more than in the standard model without administrative costs, and donors decrease their donations less than one dollar in response to a one-dollar increase in taxes. This partial crowding out caused by administrative costs helps explain the coexistence of the public provision and private provision of public goods in a number of contexts.
Pretreatment with inducers of ER molecular chaperones protects epithelial cells subjected to ATP depletion

We have investigated the potential cytoprotective role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) molecular chaperones in a cultured cell model of renal ischemia. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were pre...
The use of δ13C values of leporid teeth as indicators of past vegetation

Abstract δ 13 C records from vertebrate teeth offer an opportunity to gain insight into changes in past vegetation. Increasingly, teeth from small mammals are used for such purposes, but because their teeth grow rapidly, seasonal changes in vegetation are potentially a large source of variability in their carbon isotope composition, complicating interpretations of isotope data. To investigate the influence of seasonality on the stable isotope composition of fossil teeth, we constructed a Monte-Carlo-based model to simulate the effects of changes in the seasonal pattern of diet in leporid lagomorphs (rabbits and hares) on the distribution of δ 13 C values in random populations of leporid teeth from the Edwards Plateau in central Texas. Changes in mean-state, seasonal vegetation range, and relative season length manifest themselves in predictable ways through changes in the median, standard deviation, and skewness of simulated tooth δ 13 C populations, provided sufficient numbers of teeth are analyzed. This Monte Carlo model was applied to the interpretation of a 20,000 year record of leporid tooth δ 13 C values from Hall's Cave on the Edwards Plateau in central Texas. Populations of teeth from different climate intervals (e.g., the late Glacial, Younger Dryas, and the Holocene) display changes in tooth δ 13 C distributions that may reflect changes in seasonal vegetation. The inferred changes in seasonality of vegetation based upon our modeling are consistent with hypothesized climatic changes. These results indicate that small mammal teeth can potentially provide unique insights into climate and vegetation on seasonal and longer timescales that complement other approaches, but should be interpreted with a careful consideration of local conditions, taxon ecology and physiology, and the dominant timescales of isotope variability in a rigorous statistical framework.
Determinants Of Mortgage Delinquency

This paper examines mortgage delinquency rates for loans in each state and Washington, DC from 2004 through 2009 in order to gain insight into the key factors that drive residential mortgage delinquency. Models are estimated for 30-day, 60-day, 90-day, 90+ day, and all delinquency rates. Prime and subprime loans are modeled separately in cross-sectional time series regressions. The findings suggest that borrower income, type of loan, and the general health of the economy remain important in determining delinquency risk. Also, factors that determine 30- and 60-day delinquency rates differ from those that determine 90-day and 90+ day delinquency rates. In addition, factors that determine prime delinquency rates differ from those that determine subprime delinquency rates. Finally, borrower race does not consistently explain delinquency rates.
Second class minors: molecular identification of the autosomal H46 histocompatibility locus as a peptide presented by major histocompatibility complex class II molecules.

CD4 T cells regulate immune responses that cause chronic graft rejection and graft versus host disease but their target antigens remain virtually unknown. We developed a new method to identify CD4 T cell–stimulating antigens. LacZ-inducible CD4 T cells were used as a probe to detect their cognate peptide/MHC II ligand generated in dendritic cells fed with Escherichia coli expressing a library of target cell genes. The murine H46 locus on chromosome 7 was thus found to encode the interleukin 4–induced IL4i1 gene. The IL4i1 precursor contains the HAFVEAIPELQGHV peptide which is presented by Ab major histocompatibility complex class II molecule via an endogenous pathway in professional antigen presenting cells. Both allelic peptides bind Ab and a single alanine to methionine substitution at p2 defines nonself. These results reveal novel features of H loci that regulate CD4 T cell responses as well as provide a general strategy for identifying elusive antigens that elicit CD4 T cell responses to tumors or self-tissues in autoimmunity.
Fabricating complete dentures with CAD/CAM technology

Conventional complete denture prosthetics require several appointments to register the maxillomandibular relationship and evaluate the esthetics. The fabrication of milled complete dental prostheses with digital scanning technology may decrease the number of appointments. The step-by-step method necessary to obtain impressions, maxillomandibular relation records, and anterior tooth position with an anatomic measuring device is described. The technique allows the generation of a virtual denture, which is milled to exact specifications without the use of conventional stone casts, flasking, or processing techniques.
Elevated blood viscosity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract Objectives: It has been proposed that elevated blood viscosity contributes to atherothrombotic and thromboembolic processes. We evaluated whether there is increased blood viscosity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that might contribute to cardiovascular complications and reduced tissue perfusion. Methods: Blood viscosity profiles were evaluated in SLE patients to determine whether rheologic disturbances contribute to the cardiovascular risk profile. Blood viscosity profiles were evaluated in 27 patients with SLE and 46 age- and gender-matched controls. Blood viscosity was measured at 37°C and shear rates of 1 s −1 and 100 s −1 , then corrected to the average hematocrit of the SLE patients. Results: Corrected blood viscosity values were higher in SLE patients than in controls at 100 s −1 ( P =.002). Positive correlations were found between the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index for SLE, which quantifies damage to 12 organ systems and fibrinogen (rho =.39; P =.042) and plasma viscosity (rho =.38; P =.049). Conclusions: Our data indicate that blood viscosity values at a standard hematocrit are elevated in SLE patients. Further investigations are needed to evaluate whether the increased blood viscosity values in SLE patients contribute to cardiovascular complications and tissue ischemia. Clinical Relevance: Because blood viscosity values correlate with the clinical severity of SLE, blood viscosity may contribute to the cardiovascular complications and reduced tissue perfusion in SLE patients. Semin Arthritis Rheum 31:52-57. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
A paradoxical signal intensity increase in fatty livers using opposed-phase gradient echo imaging with fat-suppression pulses.

With the increase in obese and overweight children, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has become more prevalent in the pediatric population. Appreciating subtleties of magnetic resonance (MR) signal intensity behavior from fatty livers under different imaging conditions thus becomes important to pediatric radiologists. We report an initially confusing signal behavior—increased signal from fatty livers when fat-suppression pulses are applied in an opposed-phase gradient echo imaging sequence—and seek to explain the physical mechanisms for this paradoxical signal intensity behavior. Abdominal MR imaging at 3 T with a 3-D volumetric interpolated breath-hold (VIBE) sequence in the opposed-phase condition (TR/TE 3.3/1.3 ms) was performed in five obese boys (14±2 years of age, body mass index >95th percentile for age and sex) with spectroscopically confirmed fatty livers. Two VIBE acquisitions were performed, one with and one without the use of chemical shift selective (CHESS) pulse fat suppression. The ratios of fat-suppressed over non-fat-suppressed signal intensities were assessed in regions-of-interest (ROIs) in five tissues: subcutaneous fat, liver, vertebral marrow, muscle and spleen. The boys had spectroscopically estimated hepatic fat levels between 17% and 48%. CHESS pulse fat suppression decreased subcutaneous fat signals dramatically, by more than 85% within regions of optimal fat suppression. Fatty liver signals, in contrast, were elevated by an average of 87% with CHESS pulse fat suppression. Vertebral marrow signal was also significantly elevated with CHESS pulse fat suppression, while spleen and muscle signals demonstrated only small signal increases on the order of 10%. We demonstrated that CHESS pulse fat suppression actually increases the signal intensity from fatty livers in opposed-phase gradient echo imaging conditions. The increase can be attributed to suppression of one partner of the opposed-phase pair that normally contributes to the destructive interference between water and fat. The result is a paradoxical increase in signal from fatty liver that will depend on both fat content and the relative longitudinal relaxation times of fat methylene protons and water.
Laser phase noise effects in fiber-optic signal processors with recirculating loops.

The power spectrum laser of the optical intensity at the output of a single-mode-fiber recirculating delay line driven by a multimode semiconductor laser is shown to exhibit a spectral structure with notches at zero frequency as well as at other multiples of 1/(loop delay). A theoretical model based on laser phase noise is suggested to explain the experimental data.
Technical Advances in Microstructured Plastic Optics for Display Applications

This paper will present recent technological advances in the field of replicated, microstructured plastic optics, and their applications in display optics. A number of technology areas will be discussed, including moth-eye Antireflective Microstructure™, High Precision Molding (HPM), high temperature polymers, and one-piece, diffusive imaging screens. Applications discussed will include field lenses, condenser lenses, microlens arrays, and light integrators for LCD Projection systems, specialized optics for microdisplay applications, and imaging screens for photographic and rear projection systems.
Schizophrenia and the immediacy mechanism.

This paper reviews Immediacy Theory which posits a mechanism making schizophrenic behavior preponderantly controlled by stimuli immediate in the patient ’s environment. It reviewed all studies of schizophrenia in the 2003 year of the Journal of Abnormal Psychology . Of those 12 studies, nine were found to confirm that mechanism and three not to be relevant.
Roots of avian evolution: clues from relict reproductive behaviors

Remarkable, previously little known, relict reproductive behaviors of small parrots are detailed here. Because of the highly conservative nature of brain evolution, neural circuitry for many such primitive behaviors is preserved in functional condition. These behaviors can be elicited by exposing birds to appropriate conditions during breeding cycles. Founded largely on clues from these elicited responses, six main-line avian evolutionary stages are postulated, being described primarily in terms of lifestyles and reproductive practices. The progression began with small, ectothermic, shallow-nesting theropodan ancestors of birds. In warm, equable Mesozoic climates, the eggs were shallowly covered by dry vegetative debris and incubated solely by climatic heat. The following ectothermic surface-nesting ancestors of Stage 2 maintained sustainedly higher incubative temperatures by appropriately exposing and/or covering eggs with dry or moist vegetative debris, and alternately shading them from direct midday insolation with the parental bodies. Rapid double-clutching became adaptive in Stage 3, with the achievement of primitive endothermy. Higher core and incubative temperatures of Stage 4 and continued rapid double-clutching permitted more annual breeding episodes. In more seasonable early Cretaceous climates, sequential single-clutching again became adaptive in stage 5. Modern birds comprise Stage 6. Mates in Stages 1 and 2 maintained close nest vigilance from nearby, overhead resting sites in vegetation, and jumped or parachuted to protect nests from small egg-predators. Pervasive selection for these practices led to skeletal adaptations for arboreality, and integumentary adaptations for thermal insulation and increased drag. These practices and their selective effects are the proposed roots of avian evolution. Feathers and flight evolved with continued selection along these lines, with gliding achieved in Stage 3 and sustained wing-flapping flight in stage 4.
Toxicity and horizontal transfer of chlorantraniliprole in the eastern subterranean termite.

Toxicity and horizontal transmission of chlorantraniliprole were measured against field-collected eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Chlorantraniliprole was highly toxic to termite workers in brief and continuous exposure assays across a range of concentrations from 5 to 100 ppm. All doses tested resulted in 100% mortality in the termites in 14 d. The effect of exposure route (topical, oral, or both) was investigated by exposing termites to treated substrate only, treated food only, or both. Results indicate that exposure route has no significant effect on chlorantraniliprole toxicity and demonstrate that chlorantraniliprole is highly active by feeding and contact. Results of feeding assays (paper consumption tests) demonstrate that as little as 5-ppm chlorantraniliprole applied to sand prevents termites from consuming cellulose that is in contact with the treated sand. Termites on untreated soil consumed 79 ± 3% of the available paper in 3 d, whereas termites on chlorantraniliprole-treated did not consume any paper before they became symptomatic and died. Results of transfer tests demonstrate that chlorantraniliprole is transferred efficiently among the termites. The rate and the level of secondary mortality in the recipient termites depend on both the concentration of chlorantraniliprole and the duration of exposure in the donors. Little secondary mortality was observed with the lowest dose of 5 ppm, which was effective at killing the donor termites, but insufficient to cause mortality in the recipient termites. In contrast, highly efficient transfer was observed with 25 and 50 ppm chlorantraniliprole. Both doses resulted in 100% mortality in the donors and the recipients at 21 d after exposing the recipients to the treated donors. These data demonstrate that chlorantraniliprole has dose-independent toxicity, delayed toxicity, and is readily transferred in eastern subterranean termites.
Dynamics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication in Vertically Infected Infants

Plasma human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) turnover and kinetics were studied in children aged 15 days to 2 years following the initiation of a triple antiretroviral drug regimen consisting of zidovudine, lamivudine, and nevirapine. HIV-1 turnover was at least as rapid as that previously described in adults; turnover rates were more rapid in infants and children aged 3 months to 2 years than in infants less than 3 months of age. These data confirm the central role of HIV-1 replication in the pathogenesis of vertical HIV-1 infection and reinforce the importance of early, potent combination therapies for the long-term control of HIV-1 replication.
Low apparent risk of CCNU (lomustine)-associated clinical hepatotoxicity in cats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) increases in cats treated with 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU, lomustine). The medical records of 95 cats treated with CCNU were reviewed, 29 of which met study criteria (at least one treatment with CCNU as a single agent, and at least one pretreatment and one post-treatment complete biochemical profile). Cats that received concurrent prednisone or dexamethasone were included, but those that received concurrent hepatoprotective or hepatotoxic medications were excluded. Cats included in the study were diagnosed with hepatic carcinoma, mammary carcinoma, lymphoma, mast cell tumor, plasma cell tumor and gastrointestinal leiomyoma. CCNU was given as a single agent at 31-60 mg/m(2), once every 4-8 weeks. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) activity was measured after at least one dose of CCNU. Four cats (13.7%) had increased ALT activity above the reference interval before starting treatment. Two additional cats (6.8%) developed increased ALT activity above the reference interval 1 month after treatment with CCNU. One cat developed clinical signs potentially associated with hepatotoxicity, without a concurrent increase in ALT, 3 weeks following the final dose of CCNU. No association between dosing frequency, cumulative dose, initial starting dose or concurrent medications, and increases in ALT were found. Clinically significant hepatic injury is seemingly uncommon in cats treated with CCNU.
Correlation-based Shack-Hartmann wavefront slope sensing in strong turbulence

The Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor is the most common wavefront sensor used today in adaptive optics. While the most common way to employ a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor is with a centroiding-based algorithm, recent studies have shown how its accuracy can be increased by using a correlation-based algorithm. This paper compares the accuracy of a correlation-based Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor to a centroiding-based Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor by measuring the distortions of a point source viewed through strong turbulence where scintillation, variations in the amplitude of the field, plays an important role. In particular, this paper demonstrates that a correlation-based algorithm generally does outperform the centroiding-based algorithm, but by using a simple threshold a centroiding-based Shack-Hartmann can produce similar results as a correlation-based Shack-Hartmann. Also, in very low signal levels, such as when the average signal level is below the detector read noise, a regular centroiding-based Shack-Hartmann outperforms all other methods tested.1,2
Escape from CD8+ T Cell Responses in Mamu-B*00801+ Macaques Differentiates Progressors from Elite Controllers

A small number of HIV-infected individuals known as elite controllers experience low levels of chronic phase viral replication and delayed progression to AIDS. Specific HLA class I alleles are associated with elite control, implicating CD8+ T lymphocytes in the establishment of these low levels of viral replication. Most HIV-infected individuals that express protective HLA class I alleles, however, do not control viral replication. Approximately 50% of Mamu-B*00801+ Indian rhesus macaques control SIVmac239 replication in the chronic phase in a manner that resembles elite control in humans. We followed both the immune response and viral evolution in SIV-infected Mamu-B*00801+ animals to better understand the role of CD8+ T lymphocytes during the acute phase of viral infection, when viral control status is determined. The virus escaped from immunodominant Vif and Nef Mamu-B*00801–restricted CD8+ T lymphocyte responses during the critical early weeks of acute infection only in progressor animals that did not control viral replication. Thus, early CD8+ T lymphocyte escape is a hallmark of Mamu-B*00801+ macaques who do not control viral replication. By contrast, virus in elite controller macaques showed little evidence of variation in epitopes recognized by immunodominant CD8+ T lymphocytes, implying that these cells play a role in viral control.
The Fine Structure of a Multiterminal Innervation of an Insect Muscle

The detailed structure of nerve branches, neuromuscular junctions, and muscle fibers of a multiterminal innervation of cockroach abdominal muscle has been studied with the electron microscope. The muscle fiber is of the banded myofibril type; with paired mitochondria and abundant endoplasmic reticulum. The peripheral nerve branches are multiaxonal with large central axon and several small peripheral tunicated axons. Tracheoblasts closely accompany the nerve branches. The multiple neuromuscular junctions show typical axonal vesicles, muscle aposynaptic granules, and close plasma membrane apposition with no interposition of basement membrane material.
Origins of open-channel noise in the large potassium channel of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

A B S T R A C T Open-channel noise was studied in the large potassium channel of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Inside-out patches were excised directly from the SR of split skeletal muscle fibers of lobster, with lobster relaxing ringer (LRR) in bath and pipette. The power spectrum of open-channel noise is very low and approximately flat in the 100 Hz-10 kHz frequency range. At 20~ with an applied voltage of 50 mV, the mean single-channel current (i) is 9 pA (mean single-channel conductance -- 180 pS) and the mean power spectral density 1.1 x 10 -29 AZ/Hz. The latter increases nonlinearly with (i), showing a progressively steeper dependence as (i) increases. At 20 mV, the mean power spectral density is almost independent of (i) and ~ 1.4 times that of the Johnson noise calculated for the equivalent ideal resistor with zero net current; at 70 mV it increases approximately in proportion to (i) 2. The mean power spectral density has a weak temperature dependence, very similar to that of (i), and both are well described by a Ql0 of 1.3 throughout the range 3-40~ Discrete ion transport events are thought to account for a significant fraction of the measured open-channel noise, probably ~ 30-50% at 50 inV. Brief interruptions of the single-channel current, due either to blockage of the open channel by an extrinsic aqueous species, or to intrinsic conformational changes in the channel molecule itself, were a possible additional source of open-channel noise. Experiments in modified bathing solutions indicate, however, that open-channel noise is not affected by any of the identified aqueous species present in LRR. In particular, magnesium ions, the species thought most likely to cause brief blockages, and calcium and hydrogen ions, have no detectable effect. This channel's openings exhibit many brief closings and substates, due to intrinsic gating of the channel. Unresolved brief full closings are calculated to make a negligible contribution (< 1%) to the measured power spectral density. The only significant source of noise due to band width-limited missed events is brief, frequent 80% substates (mean duration 20 ~s, mean frequency 1,000 s -1) which account for a small part of the measured power spectral density (~ 14%, at 50 mV, 20~
Studies of the Biogenic Amine Transporters 15. Identification of Novel Allosteric Dopamine Transporter Ligands with Nanomolar Potency

Novel allosteric modulators of the dopamine transporter (DAT) have been identified. We have shown previously that SRI-9804 [N-(diphenylmethyl)-2-phenyl-4-quinazolinamine], SRI-20040 [N-(2,2-diphenylethyl)-2-phenyl-4-quinazolinamine], and SRI-20041 [N-(3,3-diphenylpropyl)-2-phenyl-4-quinazolinamine] partially inhibit [125I]RTI-55 ([125I]3β-(4′-iodophenyl)tropan-2β-carboxylic acid methyl ester) binding and [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA) uptake, slow the dissociation rate of [125I]RTI-55 from the DAT, and allosterically modulate d-amphetamine–induced, DAT-mediated DA release. We synthesized and evaluated the activity of >500 analogs of these ligands and report here on 36 selected compounds. Using synaptosomes prepared from rat caudate, we conducted [3H]DA uptake inhibition assays, DAT binding assays with [3H]WIN35428 ([3H]2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane), and DAT-mediated release assays with either [3H]MPP+ ([3H]1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) or [3H]DA. We observed three groups of [3H]DA uptake inhibitors: 1) full-efficacy agents with a one-site fit, 2) full-efficacy agents with a two-site fit, and 3) partial-efficacy agents with a one-site fit—the focus of further studies. These agents partially inhibited DA, serotonin, and norepinephrine uptake, yet were much less potent at inhibiting [3H]WIN35428 binding to the DAT. For example, SRI-29574 [N-(2,2-diphenylethyl)-2-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl)quinazolin-4-amine] partially inhibited DAT uptake, with an IC50 = 2.3 ± 0.4 nM, without affecting binding to the DAT. These agents did not alter DAT-mediated release of [3H]MPP+ in the absence or presence of 100 nM d-amphetamine. SRI-29574 had no significant effect on the d-amphetamine EC50 or Emax value for DAT-mediated release of [3H]MPP+. These studies demonstrate the existence of potent DAT ligands that partially block [3H]DA uptake, without affecting DAT binding or d-amphetamine–induced [3H]MPP+ release. These compounds may prove to be useful probes of biogenic amine transporter function as well as novel therapeutics.
Julianna Fjeld's the journey: Identity production in an ASL performance

This essay explores the enactment of subjectivity through an autobiographical narrative created and performed in ASL‐chiefly how one Deaf artist's relationship with ASL directly communicates her construction of self.
Bubble-Propelled Micromotors for Enhanced Transport of Passive Tracers

Fluid convection and mixing induced by bubble-propelled tubular microengines are characterized using passive microsphere tracers. Enhanced transport of the passive tracers by bubble-propelled micromotors, indicated by their mean squared displacement (MSD), is dramatically larger than that observed in the presence of catalytic nanowires and Janus particle motors. Bubble generation is shown to play a dominant role in the effective fluid transport observed in the presence of tubular microengines. These findings further support the potential of using bubble-propelled microengines for mixing reagents and accelerating reaction rates. The study offers useful insights toward understanding the role of the motion of multiple micromotors, bubble generation, and additional factors (e.g., motor density and fuel concentration) upon the observed motor-induced fluid transport.
Amplitude and phase transmission characteristics of parallel-coupled dual racetrack silicon microresonator structure

Parallel-coupled dual racetrack silicon microresonator structures are fabricated and characterized. With an integrated Mach–Zehnder interferometer, the full information of amplitude and phase of the structure is obtained experimentally. The spectral characteristics of the amplitude and phase are shown to be in reasonable agreement with simulation results, considering possible small structure variations in fabrication. The structure is potentially useful for developing modulators for advanced modulation formats.
Management of patients with acute myocardial infarction and end-stage renal disease.

I suppose most physicians, particularly cardiologists, are aware of the malignant nature of the combination of severe end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and symptomatic coronary artery disease. The term “end-stage renal disease” is often used rather casually in patients whose renal function is not
Phylogenomics Reveals Three Sources of Adaptive Variation during a Rapid Radiation.

Speciation events often occur in rapid bursts of diversification, but the ecological and genetic factors that promote these radiations are still much debated. Using whole transcriptomes from all 13 species in the ecologically and reproductively diverse wild tomato clade (Solanum sect. Lycopersicon), we infer the species phylogeny and patterns of genetic diversity in this group. Despite widespread phylogenetic discordance due to the sorting of ancestral variation, we date the origin of this radiation to approximately 2.5 million years ago and find evidence for at least three sources of adaptive genetic variation that fuel diversification. First, we detect introgression both historically between early-branching lineages and recently between individual populations, at specific loci whose functions indicate likely adaptive benefits. Second, we find evidence of lineage-specific de novo evolution for many genes, including loci involved in the production of red fruit color. Finally, using a “PhyloGWAS” approach, we detect environment-specific sorting of ancestral variation among populations that come from different species but share common environmental conditions. Estimated across the whole clade, small but substantial and approximately equal fractions of the euchromatic portion of the genome are inferred to contribute to each of these three sources of adaptive genetic variation. These results indicate that multiple genetic sources can promote rapid diversification and speciation in response to new ecological opportunity, in agreement with our emerging phylogenomic understanding of the complexity of both ancient and recent species radiations.
Unbelievable Folly of Clinical Trials in Heart Failure The Inconvenient Truth About How Investigators and Guidelines Weigh Evidence

Despite significant advances in the treatment of chronic heart failure during the past 30 years, there is a broad consensus that new treatments are needed because morbidity and mortality in this disorder remain unacceptably high.1 Nevertheless, the development of new drugs for chronic heart failure has waned during the past 20 years; the quantity of novel agents in clinical testing and the number of well-designed clinical trials have diminished to a small fraction of that seen in the 1980s and 1990s.2 Some have suggested that investment in heart failure has declined because the primary mechanisms of the disorder are poorly understood, because the promising results of phase II trials are frequently not confirmed in large-scale definitive studies, and because the large-scale clinical trials needed for regulatory approval have often become prohibitively expensive.2,3 We know that clinical research in heart failure is extremely challenging, and so we beg innovators in the pharmaceutical and device industries to be patient, and we plead with sponsors to invest in large-scale investigations because the need is so great. Yet, when we critically examine how we react to data, it may not be too surprising that meaningful clinical trials in heart failure are becoming increasingly scarce.2 Do cardiologists act as if the results of clinical trials in heart failure really matter? Most heart failure trials yield results that are disappointing or difficult to interpret. Yet, such studies would nevertheless be enormously useful if we learned from these setbacks and moved on. But do we? At the 2015 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association, every randomized trial in heart failure presented in the late-breaking sessions yielded distressing results. A phase II trial of the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator vericiguat failed to meet its primary end point, even though the change …
Physical and sociocultural factors affecting walrus subsistence at three villages in the northern Bering Sea: 1952–2004

Changes in sea-ice conditions have direct bearing on ice-associated species such as Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens), an important species for coastal Alaska Native subsistence. We expl...
Energetic Ionic Materials: How Green Are They? A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Study

Recently, several energetic ionic salts and liquids have been proposed as novel high-energy materials, propellants, and explosives. The life cycle environmental impacts of these new energetic salts have not been previously studied. Environmental impacts arise both from release of these energetic materials themselves as well as from their synthesis. In this work, for the first time, we report the results of cradle-to-gate life cycle environmental impacts of production of energetic ionic salt 1,2,3-triazolium nitrate and compare it with traditional energetic material 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). The results indicate that the production processes of ionic salt have a significantly higher environmental footprint than conventional energetic materials. The above result was consistent across all nine impact categories analyzed and can be directly attributed to energy intensive steps needed to prepare the ionic salt and its precursors. The findings suggest that ionic energetic materials have higher environmental ...
On the inhomogeneous system of isentropic gas dynamics by the viscosity method

The existence of global weak solutions is shown for the equations of isentropic gas dynamics with inhomogeneous terms by the viscosity method. A generalised version of the method of invariant regions is developed to obtain the uniform L∞ bounds of the viscosity solutions, and the method of compensated compactness is applied to show the existence of weak solutions as limits of the viscosity solutions. The lower positive bound for the density function is also obtained. As an example, a hydrodynamic model for semiconductors is analysed
Anabolic effect of IGF-I coinfused with total parenteral nutrition in dexamethasone-treated rats.

We determined the anabolic effects of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (rhIGF-I, 800 micrograms/day) coinfused with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in male Sprague-Dawley rats (230-2...
Pathologic spectrum of lethal short-limbed dwarfism

Based principally on radiological features, an international nomenclature for constitutional disorders of bone has recently been adopted. Pathological studies on these conditions may provide a better understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms. Lethal forms of short-limbed dwarfism are a group of chondrodysplasias that form a heterogeneous group of disorders that have been largely defined by clinical, genetic and radiological criteria. This group includes a number of disorders that may be readily differentiated on the basis of chondro-osseous histology. The histopathological features of most of these disorders are sufficiently distinctive to provide additional diagnostic criteria and to contribute to the understanding and delineation of these disorders. Achondrogenesis is the severest form of the lethal chondrodysplasias; type 1 is characterized by severe disorganization of endo chondral ossification and the chondrocytes contain intracytoplasmic inclusions; in type 2 achondrogenesis, the cartilaginous matrix is deficient and the chondrocytes are large and ballooned. In thanatophoric dwarfism, there is severe disruption of endochondral ossification and when associated with cloverleaf skull, osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity in the metaphyses is prominent. Homozygous achondroplasia shows disorganized endochondral ossification and physeal chondrocytes contain abundant glycogen. In campomelic dysplasia, dense mineralization in the provisional zone of calcification and reduction of cartilaginous trabeculae in the metaphysis occurs; it may be associated with sex reversal. Two variants of asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy have been defined: type 1 shows irregularity of the physeal-metaphyseal junction with poorly mineralized cartilage; type 2 shows a lacelike network of advancing cartilage at the metaphysis. The rhizomelic form of chondrodysplasia punctata has a distinctive Swiss-cheese appearance of the epiphyseal cartilage. Kniest syndrome is characterized by severe cartilaginous changes with defective cartilaginous maturation producing soft crumbly cartilage. The short rib-polydactyly syndromes may be differentiated by a rather distinctive pattern of abnormal endochondral ossification. Immunodeficiency syndromes may be associated with short limb dwarfism and are characterized by disturbances in the physeal growth plate. The major pathological differences between these disorders suggest a distinct pathogenetic mechanism.
A Review of “The Disability Studies Reader 4th ed.”: Edited by Lennard J. Davis. New York: Routledge, 2013. iv; 577 pp. $61.87. (paperback)

When I first discovered this text, it was at my earliest foray into disability studies. Although I have been teaching in special education for decades, I was new to this area of research. Since the...