cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postassembly cleavage of a retroviral glycoprotein cytoplasmic domain removes a necessary incorporation signal and activates fusion activity.

Abstract Viral protease-mediated cleavage within the cytoplasmic domain of the transmembrane (TM) glycoprotein of the type D retrovirus, Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, removes approximately 16 amino acids from the carboxy terminus of the protein. To determine the functional significance of this cleavage in the virus life cycle, we introduced premature stop codons into the TM coding domain, resulting in the production of truncated glycoproteins. Progressive truncated of the cytoplasmic domain identified the carboxy-terminal third as being required for efficient incorporation of the glycoprotein complex into budding virions and profoundly increased the fusogenic capability of the TM glycoprotein. These results, together with the ability of matrix protein mutations to suppress TM cleavage, imply that this portion of the glycoprotein interacts specifically with the capsid proteins during budding, suppressing glycoprotein fusion function until virus maturation has occurred.
An Analysis of the In-Situ Resistivity of Sea Ice in Terms of its Microstructure

The results of 66 Schlumberger geoelectric soundings on first-year sea ice are analysed to obtain average values of d.c. electrical resistivity both parallel ρ1 and perpendicular ρ p to the long brine cell direction. This analysis yields ρ1 = 104 Ω m, 80 Ω m, 45 Ω m, and ρ p = 298 Ω m, 230 Ω m, 129 Ω m for brine volumes ν b of 40‰, 67‰, and 82‰ respectively. The observed dependence of ρ1 on ν b is used in conjunction with a mixing formula for the electrical resistivity of a two-phase heterogeneous system to arrive at values of “average” brine cell lengths l for relatively warm sea ice. This treatment yields l ≈ 1.7 cm for 40‰ ≤ ν b ≤ 70‰ with a rapid extension of brine cell lengths for brine volumes above c. 70‰.
Saccharide Traffic Signals in Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis and Transport of Acid Hydrolases

Endocytosis is a transport process which allows cells to interiorize extracellular material (1). Endocytic vesicles form when segments of the plasma membrane invaginate, pinch off, and enclose a volume of extracellular fluid. Fusion of plasma membrane to plasma membrane seals the neck of the vesicles (2) and the sites from which they invaginate. Fusion of the endocytic vesicle with another membrane permits the transport of the contents of the vesicle to another cellular compartment, or to the cell exterior.
Sexual risk behaviors associated with having older sex partners: a study of Black adolescent females.

Background: Volunteer black adolescent females from neighborhoods characterized by high rates of unemployment substance abuse violence and sexually transmitted disease were studied to determine the frequency of condom use and unprotected vaginal sex with steady older partners during various time periods over the previous 6 months. Goal: To examine associations between having male sex partners who were typically older (by at least 2 years) and adolescent females sexually transmitted disease (STD)/HIV-associated sexual risk behaviors. Study Design: In this cross-sectional study 522 sexually active black adolescent females completed a questionnaire and a structured interview of which a portion assessed the age difference between the adolescents and their typical sex partners. The adolescents ages length of relationship and their use of hormonal contraception were identified as covariates. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) their 95% confidence intervals and respective P values were calculated to detect significant associations. Results: Sixty-two percent of the adolescents reported their typical sex partners were at least 2 years older. These adolescents were more likely to report never using condoms during the most recent sexual encounter (AOR = 2.0) during the last five sexual encounters (AOR = 2.0} and during the past month (AOR = 2.2). Similarly having older partners was associated with greater odds of reporting any unprotected vaginal sex in the past 30 days (AOR = 1.7) or the past 6 months (AOR = 1.5}. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that many adolescent females have sex partners who are at least 2 years older and that their relationship dynamics do not favor the adoption and maintenance of behavior protective against STD or HIV infection. Prevention programs could include training designed to help adolescent females overcome barriers to safer sex with older male partners. (authors)
Effect of exogenous beta-galactosidase in patients with lactose malabsorption and intolerance: a crossover double-blind placebo-controlled study.

To evaluate the efficacy of the addition to milk, 5 min and 10 h before its consumption, of a lactase obtained from Kluyveromyces lactis in lactose malabsorbers with intolerance. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. University Hospital. In total, 11 male and 19 female (aged from 18 to 65 y, mean age 43.3 y) lactose malabsorbers with intolerance participated. Each patient underwent three H2 breath tests, in a random order. We used 400 ml of cow's semiskimmed milk as substrate and a β-galactosidase obtained from K. lactis. The test A was carried out adding to the milk the enzyme (3000 UI), 10 h before its consumption; the test B was performed adding the β-galactosidase (6000 UI) 5 min before milk ingestion and the test C was made using placebo. We evaluated the maximum breath H2 concentration, the cumulative H2 excretion and a clinical score based on intolerance symptoms (bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence and diarrhoea). Our study showed a significant reduction of the mean maximum H2 concentration after both test A (12.07±7.8 p.p.m.) and test B (13.97±7.99 p.p.m.) compared with test C (51.46±16.12 p.p.m.) (ANOVA F=54.33, P<0.001). Similarly, there was a significant reduction of the mean cumulative H2 excretion after both test A (1428±1156 p.p.m.) and test B (1761±966 p.p.m.) compared with test C (5795±2707 p.p.m.) (ANOVA F=31.46, P<0.001). We also observed a significant reduction of the mean clinical score after both test A (0.36±0.55) and test B (0.96±0.85) compared with test C (3.7±0.79) (ANOVA F=106.81, P<0.001). Moreover, with regard to the mean clinical score, there was a significant reduction after test A with respect to test B (Bonferroni's P=0.03). Our study shows that in lactose malabsorbers with intolerance, the lactase obtained from K. lactis can represent a valid therapeutic strategy, with objective and subjective efficacy and without side effects.
A Model for Information Growth in Collective Wisdom Processes

Collaborative media such as wikis have become enormously successful venues for information creation. Articles accrue information through the asynchronous editing of users who arrive both seeking information and possibly able to contribute information. Most articles stabilize to high-quality, trusted sources of information representing the collective wisdom of all the users who edited the article. We propose a model for information growth which relies on two main observations: (i) as an article’s quality improves, it attracts visitors at a faster rate (a rich-get-richer phenomenon); and, simultaneously, (ii) the chances that a new visitor will improve the article drops (there is only so much that can be said about a particular topic). Our model is able to reproduce many features of the edit dynamics observed on Wikipedia; in particular, it captures the observed rise in the edit rate, followed by 1/t decay. Despite differences in the media, we also document similar features in the comment rates for a segment of the LiveJournal blogosphere.
Time-domain computations of one-dimensional elastic waves in liquids, solids and ferroelectric ceramics

Abstract Computational solutions of linear-elastic wave equations are usually executed with frequency-domain algorithms; however, time-domain methods offer significant advantages in speed and simplicity. In this work, a time-domain algorithm is developed for one-dimensional problems in rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates. The result is simultaneously a finite-difference and method-of-characteristics algorithm. For most materials, the algorithm is explicit — for a given time, the solution at a particular position depends only upon solutions at earlier times. The exceptions are the ferroelectric ceramics which are an important class of electromechanical transducers. For these materials, the algorithm is implicit — for a given time, the solution at a particular position within the ceramic depends not only upon solutions at earlier times but also upon the current solutions at all other positions within the ceramic. Application of the algorithm is demonstrated for a variety of problems. Solutions are compared to the conventional finite-difference method, the conventional method of characteristics, and the Laplace transform method. Practical applications include the analysis of a lithotripter tool for fragmenting human kidney stones, and an acoustic logging tool for measuring the diameter and thickness of well casing.
Sharp constants in the Hardy-Littlewood-Sobolev and related inequalities

A maximizing function, f, is shown to exist for the HLS inequality on R': 11 IXI - * fIq < Np f A , Iif IIwith Nbeing the sharp constant and i/p + X/n = 1 + 1/q, 1 <p, q, n/X < x. When p =q' or p = 2 or q = 2, f and N are explicitly evaluated. A maximizing f is also shown to exist for other inequalities: (i) The Okikiolu, Glaser, Martin, Grosse, Thirring inequality: Kn vjj Vf 11?2 11 IIx-bfjIp, n ? 3, 0 < b < 1, p = 2n/(2b + n - 2). (This was known before, but the proof here has certain simplifications.) (ii) The doubly weighted HLS inequality of Stein and Weiss:
Cultural and economic influences on current accounting standards in the People's Republic of China

Abstract Accounting Principles in the People's Republic of China have undergone dramatic reform since the 1970s. In moving toward a more market driven economy, the market structures and accounting rules have changed to the point that today many of the concepts and principles familiar in the most advanced economies are part of the Chinese regulations and laws. While China has forged many principles that are similar to Western and international practice, there are anomalies that may not be easily explained without a more detailed understanding of the cultural, economic and political environment now facing China. The principle of Guo Qing implies that change will be implemented only in conjunction with Chinese needs. As evidenced in the statutory restrictions on the value of certain contributed intangibles, the write-offs of accounts receivable and the discretionary write-downs of inventory for lower-of-cost-or-market considerations, there remain some areas of accounting practice that Chinese historical, cultural, and economic circumstances encourage an inexplicable result. Additionally, there remain differences in perspective that are more attributable to history than to specific accounting rules.
Orientation to vibrations in sand by the nocturnal scorpion Paruroctonus mesaensis : Mechanism of target localization

Paruroctonus mesaensis accurately determines the direction and distance of a local source of substrate vibrations in sand. This scorpion has two types of vibration-sensitive mechanoreceptors on its tarsal leg segments and one of these receptors, the basitarsal compound slit sensillum (BCSS), appears to mediate the information used to determine vibration source direction.
Mild cognitive impairment is related to alzheimer disease pathology and cerebral infarctions

Objectives: To examine the extent to which persons with mild cognitive impairment have intermediate levels of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology, cerebral infarcts, and Lewy body disease. Methods: A total of 180 Catholic clergy participating in the Religious Orders Study underwent annual detailed evaluation and brain autopsy. Blocks of midfrontal, superior temporal, medial temporal lobe, inferior parietal, entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, and substantia nigra were paraffin embedded, and sectioned at 6 μm. Cortical neuritic plaques, diffuse plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles were visualized with Bielschowsky silver stain, and counted and summarized to yield a Braak stage, Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) diagnosis, National Institute on Aging (NIA)–Reagan diagnosis, and composite measure of AD pathology. The authors recorded the number and location of all gross chronic cerebral infarctions. Lewy bodies were identified with antibodies to alpha-synuclein. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relation of AD pathology and cerebral infarctions to clinical diagnosis proximate to death, controlling for age, sex, and education. Results: A total of 37 had mild cognitive impairment, 60 did not have cognitive impairment, and 83 had dementia proximate to death. Nearly all persons had at least some AD pathology. Cerebral infarctions were present in 35.2%, and 15.6% had Lewy body disease. Persons with mild cognitive impairment were intermediate in terms of Braak stage and CERAD and NIA–Reagan neuropathologic criteria for AD compared to the other two groups. In multiple regression analyses, persons with mild cognitive impairment had intermediate levels of AD pathology from those without cognitive impairment and those with dementia (test for trend, F = 45.2, p p = 0.04). Only 3 (8.1%) persons with mild cognitive impairment had Lewy body disease. Conclusion: These data suggest that mild cognitive impairment may be the earliest clinical manifestation of common age-related neurologic diseases.
The effect of processing conditions on microstructure of Pd-containing activated carbon fibers

Abstract Palladium-doped activated carbon fibers are being evaluated as candidate materials for enhanced hydrogen storage at near ambient conditions. Pd-doped fibers were spun using a Pd salt mixed with an isotropic pitch precursor. Experimental techniques such as in situ X-ray analysis, thermogravimetric studies, scanning transmission electron microscopy and gas adsorption were employed to understand how processing conditions for the production of Pd-doped activated carbon fibers affect the microstructure, pore development, and dispersion of metal particles throughout the fibers. The results showed that PdO phase is present in the stabilized fibers and that this oxide phase is stable up to about 250 °C. The oxide phase transforms into Pd metal with increasing heat treatment temperature, going through the formation of an intermediate carbide phase. Sintering of Pd particles was observed with heat treatment at temperatures over 750 °C. It was also found that pore development during physical activation with CO2 was not significantly affected by the presence of Pd particles within the fibers.
Studying the effects of modified surface chemistry on chrome migration in binary photomasks

ABSTRACT Migration of the Cr/Cr x O y film in binary photomasks duri ng use in 193nm photolithography has been observed for some time in the semiconductor industry. This phenomenon leads to a shift in the reticle critical dimensions (CDs) that worsen with increased exposure eventually resulting in wafer yield loss. This paper studies the impact of varying annealing conditions on the Cr x O y species on the surface of the mask. Further, we examined the effect of a surface condition with maximized Cr 2 O 3 content on the 193nm-induced chrome migration phenomenon. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and X-Ray Photoel ectron Spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the composition of the Cr/Cr x O y film. A 193nm accelerated exposure test bench was used to induce film migration in samples of varying surface chemistry. Key Words : Chrome Migration, SEM, TEM, XPS, CDs, photomask 1. INTRODUCTION Reticle durability issues associated with 193nm exposure of binary masks with the typical Cr/Cr
Proton Affinity and Gas-Phase Basicity of Urea

Urea undergoes O-protonation in the gas phase to yield a product that is thermodynamically more stable than the N-protonated isomer, as also is the case in aqueous solution. The proton affinity and...
Effects of modulated very high frequency fields on specific brain rhythms in cats.

Abstract The effects of exposures to low intensity (1 mW/sq.cm or less), very high frequency (VHF) (147 MHz) electrical fields, amplitude-modulated at biological frequencies (1–25 Hz), were studied on untrained and conditioned chronically implanted cats. The fields were applied between two aluminum plates (identical voltages, 180° phase shift) firmly anchored to the floor of an isolation booth, especially designed for use of VHF fields. The animals were restrained in a hammock, the longitudinal axis of the body kept parallel to the field plates. EEG and EOG were recorded through a system of low pass filters on a Model 6 Grass electroencephalograph and an Ampex FR 1100 tape recorder; behavior was continuously observed through a closed circuit TV. A series of animals was operantly trained to produce specific transient brain rhythms following periodic (every 30 sec) presentations of a light flash stimulus. The levels of performance were established (visual and spectral analysis) during conditioning and extinction schedules for a series of cats submitted to VHF fields amplitude-modulated at the dominant frequencies of the selected transient patterns and for a control group, in the absence of fields. The irradiated animals differed markedly from the control group in the rate of performance, accuracy (in terms of frequency bandwidth) of the reinforced patterns and resistance to extinction (minimum of 50 days versus 10 days). The specificity of the frequency of the modulation was tested on another group of untrained animals where spontaneous transient patterns were used to trigger for short epochs (20 sec following every burst) the VHF fields amplitude-modulated at various frequencies. The experimental results indicated clearly that the fields were acting as reinforces (increasing the rate of occurence of the spontaneous rhythms) only when modulated at frequencies close to the biologically dominant frequency of the selected intrinsic EEG rhythmic episodes. Various possible routes of interaction between the external fields and the CNS are discussed, and the hypothesis is offered that the amplitude-modulated VHF fields could influence the excitability of neuronal membranes.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α represses the expression of NHE2 through NF‐κB activation in intestinal epithelial cell model, C2BBe1

Background: High levels of proinflammatory cytokines are linked to pathogenesis of diarrhea in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Na+ absorption is compromised in IBD. The studies were designed to determine the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on the expression and activity of NHE2, a Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) that is involved in transepithelial Na+ absorption in intestinal epithelial cells. Methods: NHE2 regulation was examined in TNF-α-treated C2BBe1 cells by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), reporter gene assays, and Western blot analysis. NHE isoform activities were measured as ethyl-isopropyl-amiloride- and HOE694-sensitive 22Na-uptake. In vitro and in vivo protein-DNA interactions were assessed by gel mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies. Results: TNF-α treatment of C2BBe1 cells led to repression of NHE2 promoter activity, mRNA, and protein levels; and inhibited both NHE2 and NHE3 mediated 22Na-uptake. 5′-deletion analysis of the NHE2 promoter-reporter constructs identified basepair −621 to −471 as the TNF-α-responsive region (TNF-RE). TNF-α activated NF-κB subunits, p50 and p65, and their DNA-binding to a putative NF-κB motif within TNF-RE. Mutations in the NF-κB motif abolished NF-κB-DNA interactions and abrogated TNF-α-induced repression. Ectopic overexpression of NF-κB resulted in repression of NHE2 expression. Two functionally distinct inhibitors of NF-κB blocked the inhibitory effect of TNF-α. Conclusions: The human NHE2 isoform is a direct target of transcription factor NF-κB. TNF-α-mediated activation of NF-κB decreases the expression and activity of NHE2 in the intestinal epithelial cell line, C2BBe1. These findings implicate NF-κB in the modulation of Na+ absorption during intestinal inflammatory conditions such as IBD where a high level of TNF-α is detected. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)
Evaluation of experimental design and computational parameter choices affecting analyses of ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data in undomesticated poplar trees

One of the great advantages of next generation sequencing is the ability to generate large genomic datasets for virtually all species, including non-model organisms. It should be possible, in turn, to apply advanced computational approaches to these datasets to develop models of biological processes. In a practical sense, working with non-model organisms presents unique challenges. In this paper we discuss some of these challenges for ChIP-seq and RNA-seq experiments using the undomesticated tree species of the genus Populus. We describe specific challenges associated with experimental design in Populus, including selection of optimal genotypes for different technical approaches and development of antibodies against Populus transcription factors. Execution of the experimental design included the generation and analysis of Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) data for RNA polymerase II and transcription factors involved in wood formation. We discuss criteria for analyzing the resulting datasets, determination of appropriate control sequencing libraries, evaluation of sequencing coverage needs, and optimization of parameters. We also describe the evaluation of ChIP-seq data from Populus, and discuss the comparison between ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data and biological interpretations of these comparisons. These and other "lessons learned" highlight the challenges but also the potential insights to be gained from extending next generation sequencing-supported network analyses to undomesticated non-model species.
Tau polarimetry with inclusive decays.

The spin asymmetry parameter ${\mathit{A}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}$ characterizing the angular distribution of the total hadron momentum in the decay of a polarized tau can be calculated rigorously using perturbative QCD and the operator product expansion. Perturbative QCD corrections to the free quark result ${\mathit{A}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}$=1/3 can be expressed as a power series in ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}_{\mathit{s}}$(${\mathit{M}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}$) and nonperturbative QCD corrections can be expanded systematically in powers of 1/${\mathit{M}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}^{2}$. The QCD prediction is ${\mathit{A}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}$=0.41\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02. A measurement in agreement with this prediction would provide strong support for the precise determination of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}_{3}$ from tau decay data.
St. Patrick Company: Using Role Play to Examine Internal Control and Fraud Detection Concepts

This instructional case uses role play to provide students in accounting information systems or auditing with experience in evaluating a firm's internal control environment to assess the likelihood of errors and fraud. The objective is to illustrate how role play can reinforce two important systems/auditing topics: internal control evaluation and fraud detection. The case provides a framework for the discussion of internal control and fraud detection concepts developed in audit standards.
Innovation 101: Promoting Undergraduate Innovation Through a Two-Day Boot Camp

Over the years, many training methods for creativity and innovation have been developed. Despite these programs and research, further improvement is necessary, particularly in schools of technology and engineering education, where previous efforts have focused on developing solutions to defined problems, not in identifying and defining the problems themselves in ways that promote creative outcomes. This study presents initial efforts to develop an instructional program designed to teach innovation to undergraduate technology and engineering students. Results from a pre/posttest analysis using both the Torrance Tests for Creative Thinking and a survey with self-reported data indicate that the Innovation Boot Camp was successful because it (a) encapsulated innovation into a process that students could learn and apply, (b) engaged students in multidisciplinary groups, and (c) provided a hands-on, activities-oriented curriculum explicitly designed to enhance innovation. Notwithstanding, ideas for improvement ...
Circular dichroism of uns-cis-trimethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid cobalt(III) complexes with a carbonate, oxalato, or malonate anion

The uns-cis complexes [Co(TMDDA)(CO3)]−, [Co(TMDDA)(oxalate)]−, and [Co(TMDDA)(malonate)]− (TMDDA = trimethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetate ion) have been prepared and resolved. Their absorption and circular dichroism spectra are reported. Rotational strengths decrease with increasing chelate ring size for the bidentate ligands and for the larger diamine ring of the framework of the TMDDA complexes compared to those of EDDA.
Realized heritability and response to selection for fecundity, hatching rate and fry/Kg for channel catfish females (Ictalurus punctatus) induced to ovulate and fertilized with blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) males for the production of hybrid catfish embryos

Abstract The objective of the this research was to determine the heritabilities and response to selection for fecundity, percent kg per kilogram body weight for channel catfish females induced to ovulate with luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa) for the production of hybrid catfish embryos. Age and/or environmental effects influences the reproductive traits measured over two spawning seasons. When the fish were three years old the relative fecundity was 10,247 and 10,127 for the select and control lines, respectively. The percent kg per kilogram female for select line was 34.7 and 3,311 and for the control was 35.5 and 3,124, respectively. Realized heritabilities were 0.10, − 0.03, and 0.06 for fecundity, percent hatch and fry per kilogram female, respectively. When the fish were four years old, the relative fecundity was 9429 and 8968 for the select and control lines, respectively. The percent hatch and fry per kilogram female for the select progeny was 9.8 and 835 and the control progeny was 13.3 and 1026, respectively. Realized heritabilities were 0.42, − 0.13, and − 0.06 for fecundity, percent hatch and fry per kilogram female, respectively. A response to selection for fecundity was observed for both years with realized heritability ranging from 0.10 to 0.42. This trait appears to have additive genetic variation and can be improved via selection. Heritabilities for percent hatch and fry/kg were near zero, and likely cannot be improved via mass selection.
Seven hundred days of startup: a day in the life of a medical student in Silicon Valley

Ever since I was a child, I had an odd obsession with changing rules to games in order to make them, at least to me, more fun: card games, board games, video games, and sports. No game was safe from my tinkering ways. It drove my brothers crazy. “Why can't we just play the game as it was meant to be played!?” they would shout. Looking back, I realize it came from a healthy disregard for the status quo. The status quo, like the original rules to games, is simply a fertile ground from which something better and something more effective can grow. As I aged, this inclination manifested itself in my academic and professional interests. In medicine, the traditional path to innovation has been through research. As a medical student, there were countless opportunities to get involved in basic science, translational, and clinical research. However, having been part of the generation that witnessed the meteoric birth and rise of web startups like Google and Facebook, I was inspired to find ways to address problems in health care using web and mobile technology and startup tactics. Fortunately, we are in an era in which more and more clinicians and researchers are considering commercialization as a viable alternative to traditional research as a vehicle for change. One professor that had a profound influence on me noted his frustration after having to shut down his text message-based patient follow-up system, despite showing improved patient outcomes, because his grant had run out. Seeking other means of funding, he ended up incorporating the project and getting private investors. With a compelling business case, commercial funding can sometimes be more readily available than research grants. Startups, by nature, change quickly. Over the course of my 1 year at AgileMD, my days were drastically different. Instead of giving you a glimpse of just 1 day, I will highlight days 1, 90, 500, and 700: validation, big dreams, great expectations, and goodbye and thanks.
Bacterial Superantigens Induce The Proliferation of Resting γ/δ Receptor Bearing T Cells

We observe that highly purified (≥97% pure) γ/δ T cells isolated from normal peripheral blood proliferate to bacterial toxin superantigens SEA, SEB, SED, and TSST-1. MHC class II molecules were necessary and sufficient for the recognition of superantigens by γ/δ T cells because MHC Class II deficient B cell line failed to support the proliferation of γ/δ T cells to toxins and murine L cells transfected with HLA-DR but not untransfected cells were capable of presenting toxins to γ/δ T cells. As in the case with α/β T cells, bacterial superantigens synergized with PMA in causing the proliferation of purified γ/δ T cells rigorously depleted of accessory cells. Together, our findings suggest that γ/δ T cells recognize and respond to bacterial superantigens in a manner similar to α/β T cells.
Magnetization spectroscopy of biocompatible magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles for MPI

We report the use of a nanoparticle magnetization spectrometer to measure the suitability of magnetite nanoparticles for magnetic particle imaging (MPI). The spectrometer, which measures the strength of harmonics in the magnetization of magnetic nanoparticles, produces a driving field at 25 kHz and measures up to 40 harmonics (1Mhz bandwidth). Large, uniform, single-core magnetite particles with diameter ranging from 17 to 22 nm were synthesized for this work and their magnetization spectra were compared with a commercially available option, Resovist. The driving field amplitude was varied and spectra were acquired for field amplitudes ranging from 9.7 to 18.6 mTμ0-1. Compared with Resovist, synthesized particles showed increased harmonic power over the full measured frequency range at each driving field.© (2011) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Arginine pathways and the inflammatory response: Interregulation of nitric oxide and polyamines: Review article

An early response to an acute inflammatory insult, such as wound healing or experimental glomerulonephritis, is the conversion of arginine to the cytostatic molecule nitric oxide (NO). This ‘anti-bacterial’ phase is followed by the conversion of arginine to ornithine, which is the precursor for the pro-proliferative polyamines as well as proline for the production of extracellular matrix. This latter, pro-growth phase constitutes a ‘repair’ phase response. The temporal switch of arginine as a substrate for the cytostatic iNOS/NO axis to the pro-growth arginase/ ornithine/polyamine and proline axis is subject to regulation by inflammatory cytokines as well as interregulation by the arginine metabolites themselves. Arginine is also the precursor for another biogenic amine, agmatine. Here we describe the capacity of these three arginine pathways to interregulate, and propose a model whereby agmatine has the potential to serve in the coordination of the early and repair phase pathways of arginine in the inflammatory response by acting as a gating mechanism at the transition from the iNOS/NO axis to the arginase/ODC/polyamine axis. Due to the pathophysiologic and therapeutic potential, we will further examine the antiproliferative effects of agmatine on the polyamine pathway.
Opioids and the developing organism: a comprehensive bibliography, 1984-1988.

A comprehensive bibliography of the literature concerned with opioids and the developing organism for 1984-1988 is presented. Utilized with companion papers (Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 6:439-479; 1982; 8:387-403; 1984), these articles cover the clinical and laboratory references beginning in 1875. For the years 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1988, a total of 877 citations were recorded. A series of indexes accompanies the citations in order to make the literature more accessible. These indexes are divided into clinical and laboratory topics, and subdivided into such topics as the type of opioid explored and the general area of biological interest (e.g., physiology).
Gravitational Form Factors in the Axial Sector from an AdS/QCD Model

We calculate the stress tensor, or energy-momentum tensor, form factors of the pion and of axial-vector mesons in the chiral limit of a hard-wall AdS/conformal-field-theory model of QCD. One (of the two) pion gravitational form factors is directly related to the second moment of the pion generalized parton distribution, thus providing a sum rule for the latter. As was also the case for vector mesons, both the pion and the axial-vector mesons appear strikingly more compact measured by the gravitational form factor than by the electromagnetic form factor.
Limatic variables that control development of stripe rust disease on winter wheat

The frequency and severity of the stripe rust disease (caused byPuccinia striiformis) on winter wheat in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.A. has increased since 1958 in association with climatic variation. From 1968–1979, rust intensities on ‘Gaines’ wheat were most highly correlated with accumulated negative degree days (NDD) between 1 December and 31 January and positive degree days (PDD) between 1 April and 30 June. NDD and PDD were calculated from a 7 °C base. Linear regression equations using NDD alone accounted for 76% of the variation in stripe rust. When NDD and PDD were combined, 88% of the variation in stripe rust was explained. When a growth index (GI), and NDD plus PDD were used as independent variables in a multiple regression analysis, 91% of the variation in disease was explained. Frequency of precipitation in June was correlated with stripe rust intensity, but when it was added to the multiple regression analysis, it explained less than an additional 1% of the variation. The relationships between NDD, PDD, and disease index help to explain why stripe rust was not severe from 1941 to 1957. Methods used in this research should be applicable to similar studies of the effect of climatic variation on other pests.
Status of dynamic holography

Review of dynamic or real time holography is given with emphasis on applications. Comparison of different materials for holographic recording (photorefractive crystals, photoconductive polymers, liquid- crystals, semiconductor) will be given.
Electron Nematic Phases Proliferate

Even though electrons in solids form a dense and strongly interacting fluid, electrons in many metals can also be considered as a weakly interacting quantum gas of “quasiparticles.” Like a gas, the electron fluid is essentially homogeneous and isotropic. On the other hand, if the electrons interact sufficiently strongly, they crystallize, freezing into an insulating state that exhibits density modulations that are periodic in space. However, both of these conventional descriptions fail dramatically in many of the most interesting electronic materials discovered in the past two decades. In these materials, the electrons appear to organize into phases with a spatial structure that partially resembles the electron crystal but is still a conducting fluid. The behavior of these materials has the characteristics of both, seemingly opposite, states. On page 181 of this issue, Chuang et al. ( 1 ) report the observation of such a phase, in a scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) study of an iron-based high-temperature superconductor ( 2 ).
Abundant seamounts of the Rano Rahi seamount field near the Southern East Pacific Rise, 15° S to 19° S

A widespread seamount province, the Rano Rahi Field, is located near the superfast spreading Southern East Pacific Rise (SEPR) between 15°–19° S. Particularly abundant volcanic edifices are found on Pacific Plate aged 0 to ∼ 6.5 Ma between 17°–19° S, an area greater than 100,000 km2. The numbers of seamounts and their volume are several times greater than those of a comparablysurveyed area near the Northern East Pacific Rise (NEPR), 8°–17° N. Most of the Rano Rahi seamounts belong to chains, which vary in length from ∼ 25 km to >240 km and which are very nearly collinear with the Pacific absolute and relative plate motion directions. Bends of 10°–15° occur along a few of the chains, and some adjacent chains converge or diverge slightly. Many seamount chains have fluctuations in volume along their length, and statistical tests suggest that some adjacent chains trade-off in volume. Several seamount chains split into two lines of volcanoes approaching the axis. In general, seamount chains composed of individual circular volcanoes are found near the axis; the chains consist of variably-overlapping edifices in the central part of the survey; to the west, volcanic ridges predominate. Near the SEPR, the volume of nearaxis seamount edifices is generally reduced near areas of deflated cross-sectional area of the axial ridge. Fresh lava flows, as imaged by sidescan sonar and sampled by dredging, exist around some seamounts throughout the entire survey area, in sharp contrast to the absence of fresh flows beyond ∼ 30 km from the NEPR. Also, the increases in seamount abundance and volume extend to much greater crustal ages than near the NEPR. Seamount magnetization analysis is also consistent with this wider zone of seamount growth, and it demonstrates the asynchronous formation of most of the seamount chains and volcanic ridges. The variety of observations of the SEPR seamounts suggests that a number of factors and mechanisms might bring about their formation, including the mantle upwelling associated with superfast spreading, off-axis mantle heterogeneities, miniplumes and local upwelling, and the vulnerability of the lithosphere to penetration by volumes of magma. In particular, we note the association of extensive, recent volcanism with intermediate wavelength gravity lineaments lows on crust aged ∼ 6 Ma. This suggests that the lineaments and some of the seamounts share a common cause which may be related to ridge-perpendicular asthenospheric convection and/or some manner of extension in the lithosphere.
Molecular analysis of membrane immunoglobulin-negative variants.

The mouse B-cell lymphoma WEHI 279.1 is a tumor which synthesizes both membrane and secreted immunoglobulin M (IgM). We have immunoselected variants which fail to express the membrane form (mIgM−); the most frequently isolated phenotype is a complete loss of both membrane expression and synthesis of the μ heavy chain within the cells. We have chosen four of these mIgM− mutants for detailed molecular investigation. One of these has suffered a large deletion which covers the region of chromosome 12 containing the expressed μ gene, but three have no detectable changes in the DNA arrangement of the μ gene. All of the mutants, including the deletion mutant, synthesize 10–30% of the wild-type level of cytoplasmic μ RNA; however, none is the appropriate size for membrane μ (μm) or secreted μ (μs) message. Based on our studies of the deletion mutant, which retains its nonproductively arranged allele, at least some of these RNAs may be ‘sterile’ transcripts from the nonproductively arranged allele. However, if all of these mRNAs derive from the other allele, they represent a substantial elevation of these sterile messages relative to the wild-type level. Furthermore, the three nondeletion mutants transcribe μ RNA at a level indistinguishable from the wild type. It is likely that their defects lie in the stability, processing, or transport of the μ RNA within the nucleus. Somatic cell hybrids between P3X and the IgM− variants produced mostly mIgM− hybrids. However, a few mIgM+ hybrids were produced, suggesting that the μ− defects may be partly complemented by the P3X fusion partner.
An X-Ray View of Weak-Line Radio Galaxies/LINERs

We present X-ray observations of nine weak-line radio galaxies (WLRGs), optically classified as confirmed or possible LINERs. The data were taken from the Chandra, XMM-Newton, and BeppoSAX archives. The Chandra images typically show complex X-ray morphologies, with hard (2-10 keV) point sources embedded in diffuse soft (0.3-2.0 keV) emission in all cases except those of 1246-41 (NGC 4696), in which only diffuse emission is detected on the scale of the cluster, and 0334-01 (3C 15), in which only a point source is detected. The nuclear X-ray spectra are well fitted at hard energies by an absorbed power law, with a wide range of photon indices, Γ = 1.5-2.7. Excess absorption over the Galactic value is detected in six of the nine sources, with column densities NH ≈ 1021-1022 cm-2. A thermal component is required at softer energies, in agreement with the results of the spatial analysis. We find that there is no correlation between the core X-ray luminosity and the radio core dominance parameter, suggesting that the bulk of the core X-ray emission is not beamed but rather is isotropic and thus likely related to the accretion flow. In an attempt to constrain the nature of the accretion flow, we calculate the ratios of bolometric to Eddington luminosities, Lbol/LEdd, and the radiative efficiency η based on the Bondi accretion rates. We find that Lbol/LEdd ~ 10-4-10-6 and η ~ 10-2-10-6 for all the objects in our sample, suggesting radiatively inefficient accretion flows.
Adaptation of thermal testing for real - time testing in both the factory and depot

Since the start of thermal testing it has always been an offline process. Therefore it has baffled the best industrial engineers for optimizing and balancing flows, added undo complexity for the test engineers to develop real-time tests and made it extremely expensive for low volumes especially in a depot setting. By throwing out all of our previous notions of how and what thermal testing should be, a new design and approach was invented. Using the Toyota Production System model of combining 6sigma and Lean Manufacturing, a new thermal process has been design and implemented. This has allowed the ability for real time testing under temperature in units of one, ability to debug under temperature, and dramatically reduced cycle times, energy and floor space costs. This paper will walk through the strategy, implementation and advantages of using this new approach.
Optical payload for the STARE pathfinder mission

The Space-based Telescopes for Actionable Refinement of Ephemeris (STARE) program will collect the information needed to help satellite operators avoid collisions in space by using a network of nano-satellites to determine more accurate trajectories for selected space objects orbiting the Earth. In the first phase of the STARE program, two pathfinder cube-satellites (CubeSats) equipped with an optical imaging payload are being developed and deployed to demonstrate the main elements of the STARE concept. In this paper, we first give an overview of the STARE program. We then describe the details of the optical imaging payload for the STARE pathfinder CubeSats, including the optical design and the sensor characterization. Finally, we discuss the track detection algorithm that will be used on the images acquired by the payload.
Inbreeding depression and growth heterosis in larvae of the purple sea urchin Stronglyocentrotus purpuratus (Stimpson)

Abstract Effects of inbreeding and crossbreeding in the purple sea urchin Stronglyocentrotus purpuratus were examined by means of a controlled factorial cross of adult urchins from two full-sib families, which produced inbred ( f = 0.25) and crossbred offspring ( f = 0). Larvae were reared in two different culture systems: static 20-l bucket cultures and replicated 8-l buckets in a shared flow-through water system. The square root of larval area, measured by image analysis, was taken as a measure of size at one and two weeks of age. Linear models explained 60–80% of size variance in these experiments. Inbred larvae were significantly smaller and had greater coefficients of size variance than crossbred larvae, in both systems and at both time points. At week 1, the worst-performing crossbred family in the 8-l system was 33 μm greater than the best inbred family ( P ≪ 0.001); at week 2, the worst-performing crossbred family was 28 μm greater than the best-performing inbred cross ( P ≪ 0.001). The cost of inbreeding, δ / f , at week 1, was 1.0 and, at week 2, 0.8, suggesting severe inbreeding depression; the number of detrimental equivalents for larval size ranged from 0.89 to 1.32, with an average dominance of 0.06. These results, together with previous evidence for inbreeding depression of larval survival, suggest that the purple sea urchin has a large load of recessive deleterious mutations and that inbreeding and inbreeding depression could pose significant risks for hatchery-based stock enhancement or aquaculture programs, as well as for declining natural populations.
Ligand/receptor internalization: A kinetic, flow cytometric analysis of the internalization of N-formyl peptides by human neutrophils

Fluorescence flow cytometry was used to measure the internalization of the fluorescent ligand N-formyl-nle-leu-phe-nle-tyr-lys-fluorescein by human neutrophils. The internalization process was monitored by the accessibility of the receptor-bound fluorescent ligand to quenching following a change in the pH of the extracellular medium from 7.4 to 3.0. In such a pH change, extracellular ligand or fluorescein are quenched immediately (excitation 488 nm). In contrast, intracellular fluorescein (derived from fluorescein diacetate) or intracellular ligand are quenched with half-times of approximately 20 or approximately 40 sec, respectively, at 37 degrees C. The fraction of internalized ligand is calculated by resolving the fast and slow components of the quenching process. Temporal resolution of the internalization process in this system depends upon two factors. We have previously shown that it is possible to examine essentially continuously the kinetics of ligand binding in the nM concentration range without removing the free ligand (Sklar LA, Finney DA, Cytometry 3:161, 1982). We have now modified a Becton Dickinson FACS IV sample head assembly to permit direct addition of reagents into the cell suspension while on-line. This enables us to change the suspension pH and evaluate internalization with a time resolution of a few seconds. We observe that internalized ligand can be detected within 1 min and that the rate is proportional to the number of receptors occupied. The rate is essentially linear over the first few minutes and approximately 60% of the receptor-bound ligand is internalized after 3 min.
Oxidative phosphorylation defect associated with primary adrenal insufficiency

An 18-month-old girl with an oxidative phosphorylation defect had neonatal onset of chronic lactic acidosis, lipid storage myopathy, bilateral cataracts, and primary adrenal insufficiency. Chronic lactic acidosis responded to treatment with dichloroacetate. Sequential muscle biopsies demonstrated resolution of the lipid storage myopathy associated with the return to normal muscle free carnitine levels. This case demonstrates a new clinical phenotype associated with a defect in oxidative phosphorylation and the need to consider mitochondrial disorders in the differential diagnosis of primary adrenal insufficiency in childhood.