cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health-seeking Behavior, Product Characteristics, and Social Factors Affect Dairy Product Consumption By Elders.

Abstract A national telephone survey of 495 adults aged in their 60s (n=155), 70s (n=187) and 80+ (n = 151) was conducted to assess behaviors and attitudes concerning dairy product intake. Participants were asked how frequently they consumed milk, yogurt, frozen yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese, and cheese. Total dairy product intake was the sum of the frequencies of all dairy products. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the effect of age, gender, race, income, money spent on food, education, eating with others, overall health, health seeking behavior, nutrition knowledge about dairy products, and product characteristics on dairy product intake. Ratings of product taste, healthfulness and/or food value were strong predictors of consumption of all dairy products. The health seeking behavior "try to get enough calcium" was positively related to milk and yogurt intakes, while trying to reduce cholesterol intake was negatively related to consumption of whole milk, ice cream, and cheese. Lactose intolerance was negatively related to intakes of milk and ice cream, while eating with others was positively associated with intake of ice cream, cottage cheese and cheese. Total dairy product intake was positively associated with the health seeking behavior "trying to get enough calcium" (P
The communicator style measure applied to nonnative speaking teaching assistants

Abstract This study investigates the influence of seven variables on the student-rated teaching evaluations of 16 nonnative speaking teaching assistants (NNSTAs). The first variable is the students'perception of the NNSTAs' English speaking ability, the second is a SPEAK score, and the five remaining variables are communicator style subconstructs (attentive, friendly, relaxed, dramatic, animated) developed by R. Norton (1977). The results indicate that the attentive subconstruct is highly and positively related to the teaching evaluation (.85, p =
Protein targeting and degradation are coupled for elimination of mislocalized proteins

A substantial proportion of the genome encodes membrane proteins that are delivered to the endoplasmic reticulum by dedicated targeting pathways. Membrane proteins that fail targeting must be rapidly degraded to avoid aggregation and disruption of cytosolic protein homeostasis. The mechanisms of mislocalized protein (MLP) degradation are unknown. Here we reconstitute MLP degradation in vitro to identify factors involved in this pathway. We find that nascent membrane proteins tethered to ribosomes are not substrates for ubiquitination unless they are released into the cytosol. Their inappropriate release results in capture by the Bag6 complex, a recently identified ribosome-associating chaperone. Bag6-complex-mediated capture depends on the presence of unprocessed or non-inserted hydrophobic domains that distinguish MLPs from potential cytosolic proteins. A subset of these Bag6 complex 'clients' are transferred to TRC40 for insertion into the membrane, whereas the remainder are rapidly ubiquitinated. Depletion of the Bag6 complex selectively impairs the efficient ubiquitination of MLPs. Thus, by its presence on ribosomes that are synthesizing nascent membrane proteins, the Bag6 complex links targeting and ubiquitination pathways. We propose that such coupling allows the fast tracking of MLPs for degradation without futile engagement of the cytosolic folding machinery.
Expanding the physiological role of the hexameric DnaB helicase

The hexameric DnaB protein is the Escherichia coli primary replicative helicase. However, recent studies indicate that this enzyme is capable of driving branch migration of a Holliday junction, acting more like an ATP-driven pump than a helicase. This offers an attractive possibility that the protein is directly involved in DNA recombination in vivo. Thus, the physiological role of the DnaB protein in DNA metabolism, and its modes of action, might be more complex than previously thought.
Can mycobacterial katG genetic changes in isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis influence human disease features?

BACKGROUND Isoniazid-resistant (INHr) Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates often have katG mutations, and katG is a virulence factor in animal models. It is unclear if katG mutations or other mutations influence the characteristics of human disease. OBJECTIVE To determine if the presence of INHr-conferring mutations were associated with distinct clinical features of tuberculosis (TB). METHODS In a retrospective case-control study, INHr-conferring mutations were determined by DNA sequencing. We examined associations between clinical characteristics in patients with INHr M. tuberculosis (stratified by groups of relevant INHr-conferring mutations, including katG-S315T and inhA-C(-)15T mutations) and pan-susceptible (PS) isolates. RESULTS Twenty-nine INHr TB cases and 50 PS controls were evaluated. Disease characteristics were not statistically different between INHr and PS cases. However, patients infected with non-katG mutants were associated with a higher rate of sputum culture conversion at 1 month after adjustment for relevant covariates (adjusted OR [aOR] 4.4, 95%CI 1.1-23.6, P = 0.04). Patients infected with katG mutants were associated with a higher rate of unilateral disease (aOR 4.7, 95%CI 1.0-34.3, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Most INHr TB cases with non-katG mutations have disease associated with faster response to treatment, and most cases with katG mutants have localized lung involvement.
Industries in Turmoil: Driving Transformation During Periods of Disruption

Organizational scholars have studied the process of organizational transformation for decades, focusing on the impact of inertia and environmental disruptions as drivers of transformation. Building on this body of work, the present study demonstrates the importance of organizational agency in affecting long-term organizational change. The analysis focuses on 487 newspapers in the United States and looks at the adoption of hyperlinking as part of the process of transforming from print-based organizations to multimedia information providers during an 11-year period from 1997 to 2007. The results show that traditional newspapers that aggressively adopted hyperlinking practices had a decreased likelihood of failure in the long run. The findings provide insights into the important role of individual and organizational action in the transformation process and emphasize the utility of hyperlinks as a communicative tool for organizations seeking to adapt in a digital environment.
HIV-infected individuals with co-occurring bipolar disorder evidence poor antiretroviral and psychiatric medication adherence.

The contribution of bipolar disorder (BD), a prevalent serious mental illness characterized by impulsivity and mood instability, to antiretroviral (ART) and psychiatric medication adherence among HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals is unknown. We examined medication adherence among 44 HIV+/BD+ persons as compared to 33 demographically- and medically-comparable HIV+/BD− persons. Classification of adherent (≥90%) or non-adherent (<90%) based on proportion of correctly taken doses over 30 days was determined using electronic medication monitoring devices. HIV+/BD+ persons were significantly less likely to be ART adherent (47.7%) as compared to HIV+/BD− (90.9%) persons. Within the HIV+/BD+ group, mean psychiatric medication adherence was significantly worse than ART medication adherence, although there was a significant correlation between ART and psychiatric adherence levels. Importantly, 30-day ART adherence was associated with plasma virologic response among HIV+/BD+ individuals. Given the high overlap of HIV and BD, and the observed medication adherence difficulties for these persons, specialized adherence improvement interventions are needed.
IL-9 is important for T-cell activation and differentiation in autoimmune inflammation of the central nervous system

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is generally believed to be an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by myelin-specific Th1 and/or Th17 effector cells. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, however, are not fully understood. Using mice deficient in IL-9 (IL-9−/−), we showed that IL-9 plays a critical role in EAE. Specifically, IL-9−/− mice developed significantly less severe EAE than their WT counterparts following both immunization with myelin proteolipid protein (PLP)180–199 peptide in the presence of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA), and adoptive transfer of PLP180–199 peptide-specific effector T cells from WT littermates. EAE-resistant IL-9−/− mice exhibited considerably fewer infiltrating immune cells in the CNS, with lower levels of IL-17 and IFN-γ expression, than their WT littermates. Further studies revealed that null mutation of the IL-9 gene resulted in significantly lower levels of PLP180–199 peptide-specific IL-17 and IFN-γ production. Moreover, IL-9−/− memory/activated T cells exhibited decreased C–C chemokine receptors (CCR)2, CCR5, and CCR6 expression. Interestingly, IL-10 was significantly increased in IL-9−/− mice compared with WT littermates. Importantly, we found that IL-9-mediated Th17-cell differentiation triggers complex STAT signaling pathways.
Synthesis of Glass‐like Cordierite from Metal Alkoxides and Characterization by 27Al and 29Si MASNMR

A sol-gel process for the preparation of glass-like cordierite and ceramic oxide powder is described. Metal alkoxide precursors were dissolved in 2-methoxy ethanol and the metal cations were complexed using 2,4-pentanedione to overcome different hydrolysis rates of metal alkoxides which lead to microscopic inhomogeneities during gelation. Heating the gel in an aerated furnace resulted in ultrafine cordierite powder of stoechiometric composition at a relatively low temperature. Cordierite gel and glass were also prepared by other methods and compared with the above gel. The environments of aluminium and silicon in the glass and gels heated at various temperatures were studied using 27 Al and 29 Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MASNMR) spectroscopy. Most of the heated gels and the glass showed resonance due to pentacoordinated aluminum along with 4- and 6-coordinated aluminum. The homogeneities of the resulting gels and glass are compared using the MASNMR data
Fracture mechanics testing of the bond between composite overlays and a concrete substrate

This paper presents a methodology for assessing the bond strength of composite overlays to concrete utilizing a fracture toughness test. The principles and practices of existing ASTM standards for determining the fracture toughness of adhesive bonds between double cantilever beam (DCB) metallic and composite specimens (D 3433-93 and D 5528-94a) have been extended to cover the case of an elastic composite layer bonded to a rigid concrete/masonry substrate. In the theoretical section, the dominant loading conditions, relevant ASTM standards, and the development of energy release rate concepts for analyzing a disbonding composite layer modeled as an elastic cantilever beam are presented. The experimental section covers specimen fabrication and preparation, experimental setup, test procedures, post-test evaluation of the specimens, and data processing. The discussion of test results focuses on explaining the variability in measured strain energy release rate, and identifies trends between the measured strain ...
Recent Insights Pertaining to Sarcolemmal Phospholipid Alterations Underlying Arrhythmogenesis in the Ischemic Heart

Sarcolemmal Phospholipid Alterations and Arrhythmogenesis. Myocardial ischemia in vivo is associated with dramatic electrophysiologic alterations that occur within minutes of cessation of coronary flow and are rapidly reversible with reperfusion. This suggests that subtle and reversible biochemical alterations within or near the sarcolemma may contribute to the electrophysiologic derangements. Our studies have concentrated on two amphipathic metabolites, long-chain acylcarnitines and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). which have been shown to increase rapidly in ischemic tissue in vivo and to elicit electrophysiologic derangements in normoxic tissue in vitro. Incorporation of these amphiphiles into the sarcolemma at concentrations of 1 to 2 mole %, elicits profound electrophysiologic derangements analogous to those observed in ischemic myocardium in vivo. The pathophysiological effects of the accumulation of these amphiphites are thought to be mediated by alterations in the biophysical properties of the Sarcolemmal membrane, although there is a possibility of a direct effect upon ion channels. Inhibition of carnitine acyltransferase I (CAT-I) in the ischemic cat heart was found to prevent the increase in long-chain acylcarnitines and LPC and to significantly reduce the incidence of malignant arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. This review focuses on the electrophysiologic derangements that are observed during early ischemia and presents data supporting the concept that accumulation of these amphiphiles within the sarcolemma contributes to these changes. The potential contribution of these amphiphiles to the increases in extracellular potassium and intracellular calcium are examined. Finally, recent data pertaining to the accumulation of long-chain acylcarnitines on cell-to-cell uncoupling are presented. In addition to the events reviewed here, there are many other alterations that occur during early myocardial ischemia, but the results from multiple studies over the past two decades indicate that the accumulation of these amphiphiles contributes importantly to arrhythmogenesis and that development of specific inhibitors of CAT-I or phospholipase A may be a promising therapeutic strategy to attenuate the incidence of lethal arrhythmias associated with ischemic heart disease in man.
Correction of Ocular Shape in Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography and Effect on Current Clinical Measures

Purpose To address the misrepresentation of the eye in retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and to examine the effect of this misrepresentation on retinal thickness measurements. Design Prospective case series. Methods Five subjects with recent orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and normal eye examinations were consented from the clinics of the Duke Eye Center. Each subject had both eyes imaged using a retinal spectral-domain OCT system and ocular biometry measured. Two types of individualized optical models of the subject eyes—numerical and analytical—were used to determine the spatial paths of the OCT A-scans. These paths were used to reorient the A-scans in the associated retinal OCT images and generate corrected images. Using curvature as a general measure of shape, the radii of curvature of the retinal pigment epithelium in the original and corrected OCT images were compared to the ocular radii of curvature in the MRI images. Differences between the retinal thickness maps derived from the original and corrected OCT images were then determined. Results The retinal curvatures were substantially flatter in the original OCT than in the MRI images (mean paired difference: 52.8 ± 41.8 mm, P P = .091; analytical: 1.9 ± 4.3 mm, P = .278). Retinal thickness measurements between the corrected and uncorrected images differed, with a root mean square difference of 5.61 μm over the entire 6-mm extent of the image; this difference was greater peripherally (6.02 μm) than centrally (2.54 μm). Conclusions Optically based algorithms can be used to correct the shape of the retina as represented in OCT; this correction makes OCT more consistent with other clinical imaging techniques. Resultant retinal thickness maps were minimally affected by the change in shape. Ocular shape correction should be considered in future development of posterior segment OCT-based morphologic measurements.
Coital behaviour in dogs. I. Preferential mating in the bitch

Abstract Five male and five female beagles were raised together from puppyhood in a large field and were tested for copulatory behaviour when the females came into oestrus. Mating tests were repeated 8 to 13 months later during a second oestrous period. Females exhibited clear-cut preferences for particular males as sexual partners. Feminine rejection behaviour ranged from simple avoidance to active attack. Some females were more selective than others, but all showed discriminatory responses. Some males were rarely rejected by any bitch, whereas others were generally unpopular. It is suggested that any concept of sexual receptivity as an endogenously controlled condition leading to indiscriminated acceptance of all conspecific masculine partners must be evaluated separately for each species. The absence of preferential responsiveness on the part of the females should not be assumed a priori. Its existence or nonexistence can be established only by direct investigation.
Plant regeneration in vitro from primary leaf nodes of soybean (Glycine max) seedlings.

Summary A simple and reproducible protocol for regeneration of soybean plants from explants derived from 7-day-old seedlings has been developed.Explants, each consisting of the primary leaf node (the unifoliate leaf node), the cotyledonary node, the internode between them, and one cotyledon, were cultured in vitro on a modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) agar medium containing 3% sucrose, four times the MS inorganic micronutrient level, the vitamins of B 5 medium, 2g L-1 L-proline,2mgL-1 N6-benzyladenine (BA), and 0.02mgL-1 α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) to induce the formation of adventitious shoots at the primary leaf node.In inducing shoot formation, this medium was superior to MS and B5 media even when all were supplemented with the same BA, NAA and proline levels.Explants from seedlings of the cultivar Peking produced an average of ca.20 shoots per explant after 4–5 weeks on this medium.Shoot formation was greater when a cotyledon remained attached to the explant.Shoot formation was also influenced by medium composition, explant orientation, age of donor seedling, and cultivar.Exogenous cytokinin (BA) was essential for shoot formation; proline and the fourfold-raised level of MS inorganic micronutrients caused a large increase in shoot number.
Formation of a high valent di-μ-oxo manganese dimer in aqueous solution

Abstract We find an unusual example in which different clusters can be isolated from the same reaction mixture depending on the choice of counter-ion. The complex [(bipy) 2 Mn(III)(μ-O) 2 Mn(IV)(bipy) 2 ] 3+ ( 1 ) (bipy=2,2′-dipyridyl) is isolated from Mn(II) and permanganate in acetate buffer with ClO 4 − , but [(bipy)(H 2 O)Mn(III)(μ-O)(μ-OAc) 2 Mn(III)(bipy)(H 2 O)] 2+ ( 2 ) with NO 3 − . 1 e − /2H + or 1 e − /1H + proton-coupled electron transfer chemistry is found for 2 according to the type of buffer used. The new complex [(bipy)(H 2 O)Mn(III)(μ-O) 2 (μ-OAc)Mn(IV)(bipy)(H 2 O)] 2+ ( 3 ) is also postulated as an intermediate in the formation of 1 .
Selective discount for supplier–buyer coordination using common replenishment epochs

Abstract A supplier may reduce its order costs by providing an incentive in the form of price discounts to buyers to restrict their replenishment intervals to multiples of a common replenishment epoch (CRE). This coordination mechanism was studied by Viswanathan and Piplani who suggested that the supplier offer a discount that is the maximum of the discount required by all buyers. We generalize their model to allow for a selective discount policy that, if beneficial, excludes some buyers to minimize the supplier’s total cost. Using a computational study, we observe that offering discounts to buyers selectively, if necessary, by segmenting them and offering multiple CRE, reduces the supplier’s cost in many scenarios.
Effects of Seasonal Freezing on Bridge Column–Foundation–Soil Interaction and Their Implications

Several seismic regions around the world experience seasonal freezing that can drastically alter the soil-foundation-structure interaction and structural response under earthquake loads. This paper analytically investigates the effects of seasonal freezing on lateral load response of a bridge column supported by a cast-in-drilled-hole CIDH foundation shaft. Accounting for the temperature effects on materials, the analyses were conducted at ambient temperatures of 23° C, �1°C , �7°C , �10°C , and �20°C , and the results obtained at 23° C and �10°C were validated using experimental data. In comparison to the response at 23° C, the response of the column-shaft system in the range of �1°C to �20°C exhibited 40%–188% increase in the effective elastic stiffness, 17%–63% reduction in the lateral displacement capacity, 0.54– 0.82 m upward shift in the maximum moment location, 25%–30% increase in the column shear demand, and 25%–80% increase in shear and 19%–68% reduction in the length of the plastic region in the CIDH shaft. DOI: 10.1193/1.2423071
Regulation of mitochondrial DNA content and cancer.

Abstract Enzymatic activities of the proteins encoded in nuclear genome are regulated by transcriptional, translational and post-transcriptional level. Enzymatic activities of proteins encoded in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been considered to be regulated by the same steps although detailed mechanisms might differ. However, dynamic change of the number of mtDNA, from some hundred to more than ten thousand, should be considered as another novel mechanism to regulate mtDNA-encoded proteins. Recently, we showed the connection of mtDNA depletion and deletion to cancer progression [Higuchi, M., Kudo, T., Suzuki, S., Evans, T.T., Sasaki, R., Wada, Y., Shirakawa, T., Sawyer, J.R., Gotoh, A., 2006. Mitochondrial DNA determines androgen dependence in prostate cancer cell lines. Oncogene 25, 1437–1445]. This review focuses and describes the possible connections of the mitochondrial DNA depletion and deletion to cancer.
Transient cryogenic liquid discharge in normal and micro-gravity

Transient discharge of liquid cryogens from partially filled tanks under microgravity is considered. The discharge is made to a low-pressure site through a straight tube. The ultimate objective of the study is to predict the transient mass flow rate. In addition, the pressure history in the tank is of interest, since the pressure falls below the triple point toward the end of the dump, causing solidification in the tank and/or the discharge line. As first steps, experiments have been performed in normal gravity and attempts are made to predict the transient rate and pressure history under this condition. Experiments are performed with liquid nitrogen dumped to sites with pressures below the triple point. Homogeneous equilibrium and nonequilibrium two-phase critical flow models are compared to the experimental results. Equilibrium and nonequilibrium tank pressure history models are also compared to experimental data.
Ecdysteroids, juvenile hormone and vitellogenesis in the cockroach Leucophaea maderae.

Topical application of 400 micro g of the juvenile hormone analog, methoprene, to females of the penultimate instar of Leucophaea maderae failed to induce vitellogenin synthesis. However, last instar females showed an increasing response level in making vitellogenin as they aged during the first half of the instar. In the second half of the last instar the response to methoprene declined to nearly zero when the prothoracic glands have become highly active. Then, a few days before the metamorphic molt the responsiveness reached maximal levels, i.e., comparable to adult females. These data suggest that the fat body develops competency to produce vitellogenin during the last nymphal instar, but increasing titers of ecdysone then interfere with the action of methoprene and consequently production of vitellogenin is curtailed. When prothoracic glands from the second half of the last instar were implanted into adult females, the normal activation of the corpora allata, or their accelerated activation induced by mating, did not occur. Likewise, an activation of the corpora allata due to the severance of the NCCI was not observed when prothoracic glands had been implanted prior to such operations. Thus, ecdysone released by the prothoracic glands appeared to directly inhibit the isolated corpora allata in vivo i.e. without the mediation by the brain. Methoprene applied to allatectomized adult females induced vitellogenin synthesis in a dose dependent manner. This induction was, however, quantitatively reduced by implanted active prothoracic glands, particularly when low doses of methoprene had been applied. Methoprene higher than 5 micro g overcame the inhibitory potency of the implanted prothoracic glands. The effect of the prothoracic glands, i.e. ecdysone, appears to signal an interference with the action of methoprene at the target tissues, the fat body. The exposure of the fat body to a given juvenile hormone/ecdysone ratio dictates the apparent effectiveness of ecdysone. The precise mode of the interaction of juvenile hormone and ecdysone on the adult fat body is not known. These data show that ecdysone inhibits vitellogenesis by two independent mechanisms: 1) inhibition of the corpora allata resulting in the inhibition of juvenile hormone production and 2) inhibition of vitellogenin synthesis by the fat body. Both of these mechanisms appear to be operative in immature and mature animals. However, the action of ecdysones on the fat body is only seen after it had acquired competency to make vitellogenin during the last nymphal instar.
Electronic structure, vibrational stability, infra-red, and Raman spectra of B24N24 cages

Abstract We report an all electron density functional study of three candidate structures for the B24N24 cage. The structures considered are an octahedral O round cage, S4 symmetric cage that satisfies the isolated square rule, and a cage of S8 symmetry with caps of (4,4) nanotube. The S4 and S8 cages are energetically nearly degenerate and are favored over the O cage containing six extra octagons and squares. The infra-red and Raman spectra of the three clusters show notable differences providing thereby a way to identify and possibly synthesize the cages. The ionization potentials and static dipole polarizabilities are also reported.
My sister for abbess: fifteenth-century disputes over the Abbey of Sainte-Croix, Poitiers

Between 1491 and 1520 the Abbey of Sainte-Croix in Poitiers, France, suffered two major assaults on its community of nuns. First, armed troops compromised the election of Abbess Jeanne de Couhe and occupied the abbey for months as her rivals contested her claim to the position. Second, Jeanne's successor, her niece Marie Berland, was removed from office under threat of violence and replaced by a candidate selected by the king of France. These two shocking disputes demonstrate the growing power of the French monarchy over religious institutions, the dangerous strength of family connections to – and family politicking in – the monastery and the influence of the fifteenth-century monastic-reform movement on shifting control over institutions for religious women.
Monitoring of redox state in a dechlorinating culture with immobilized redox indicators.

During the dechlorination of tetrachloroethene (PCE) to ethene (ETH) in a microcosm bottle containing an enriched chlororespiring culture, redox conditions were spectrophotometrically monitored with the redox indicators thionine (THI) and cresyl violet (CV) immobilized on transparent films. Measurements were taken with a unique flow redox monitoring system based on circulating solution from the bottle through a specially constructed flow cell and returning it to the bottle. An enclosure for a peristaltic pump was constructed to minimize contamination of the solution with atmospheric O2. The redox monitoring instrumentation was shown to be an excellent tool to evaluate the ability of an enclosure for anoxic samples to prevent diffusion of very small amounts of oxygen from the atmosphere into the sample. With careful design of the apparatus, the O2 permeation rate into a solution of THI in a microcosm bottle during redox monitoring was reduced to less than 40 nmol h−1. When monitoring a dechlorinating culture, dechlorination was not observed until immobilized THI was completely reduced and vinyl chloride was not produced until partial reduction of CV.
Transcriptional control of capsid size in the P2:P4 bacteriophage system.

Abstract Satellite virus P4 is a defective bacteriophage which utilizes all of the 17 known morphogenic genes of a helper phage such as P2 to construct its virion (Six, 1975). In so doing, it causes the products of some of these genes to condense into an icosahedral capsid one-third the size of that produced by the P2 helper itself (Inman et al., 1971; Shore et al., 1978). It has also been shown that P4 wild-type suppresses the very strong polarity normally associated with certain amber mutations in the morphogenic gene operons of P2 (Sunshine et al., 1976). Such polarity is known to be mediated by the Escherichia coli transcription factor rho (Richardson et al., 1975; Korn & Yanofsky, 1976b; Adhya et al., 1976; Guarente et al., 1975). This paper demonstrates that: (1) P4 sid1, a mutant which cannot cause the production of small capsids (Shore et al., 1978), has also lost most of the P4 wild-type ability to suppress the polarity of P2 late gene amber mutations; (2) the size-directing lesion in P4 sid1 is bypassed by a host rho mutation, since small capsids are produced after P4 sid1 infection of a P2 lysogen carrying this rho mutation; and (3) the lack of normal termination of transcription exhibited by this same rho mutation is sufficient to force the production of small P4-sized capsids, since they are produced after infection of this host by P2 alone. The results suggest that the choice between two distinct capsid sizes produced from the same gene products is mediated by an effect at the level of transcription termination which in turn regulates the relative levels of gene products. P4 apparently influences this choice by producing an antitermination factor whose function is rendered defective by the P4 sid1 mutation. Our results in this area are interesting because they present a clear example of the biological consequences resulting from such modulations in transcription termination. The consequences in this case, i.e. virion capsid size determination, suggest that transcriptional control at this level may be an unexpected but important mechanism involved in regulation of the assembly and function of complex biological structures.
Mutations in the NS5A gene of hepatitis C virus in North American patients infected with HCV genotype 1a or 1b

Previous studies from Japan have described an association between a conserved sequence within the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome and resistance to interferon (IFN) therapy for patients infected with HCV genotype 1b [Enomoto et al. (1995): Journal of Clinical Investigation 96: 224-230; Enomoto et al. (1996): New England Journal of Medicine 334:77-81]. The present study examines amino acid sequences surrounding the putative Interferon Sensitivity Determining Region (ISDR) of the NS5A gene of HCV in 21 North American patients with genotype 1a or 1b infection receiving recombinant IFN therapy. The ISDR consensus or intermediate pattern was observed in 13 of 14 NS5A clones from North American patients infected with genotype 1b. However, we found no evidence of the consensus ISDR sequence in any NS5A clones isolated from 15 patients with genotype 1a infection. In select cases, gel shift analysis showed no significant changes in the clonal frequency of the putative ISDR domain of HCV genotype 1a or 1b infected patients who were either nonresponsive to IFN therapy, or relapsed following withdrawal of IFN therapy. These results suggest that a conserved ISDR domain is neither associated with, nor responsible for, IFN resistance in North American patients infected with HCV genotype 1a, and demonstrate a need for further investigation into the reported association between ISDR consensus sequences and IFN resistance in genotype 1b clones.
FIXATION AND STAINING OF PLANARIA FOR HISTOLOGICAL STUDY

Fixation and staining of planaria can affect the interpretation of histopathological changes following their exposure to various agents. We assessed several fixation protocols with various stains in planaria to determine an optimal combination. Planaria were fixed in each of the following: 10% neutral buffered formalin, 2.5%, glutaraldehyde, Bouin's, Zenker's, 70% ethanol, and relaxant. In addition, planaria were fixed in relaxant and postfixed in each of the fixatives above. Paraffin embedded sections from each fixation protocol were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E), toluidine blue, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), or phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin (PTAH). Relaxant fixed planaria were also stained with Steiner's, Holmes, trichrome, Giemsa, Grocott's methenamine silver (GMS) and antibodies for intermediate filaments (cytokeratin, vimentin and desmin). Relaxant and Zenker's gave the best fixation with minimal artifacts. Formalin, glutaraldehyde, and ethanol were unacceptable because they caused contortions of the body, crenation, and a darkly pigmented epidermis. Gastroderm could be differentiated from stroma best when stained with H & E, toluidine blue and PTAH. Other organ systems differentially stained included the epidermis, marginal adhesion gland, nervous tissue, and muscle. PAS, Steiner's, Holmes, trichrome and the intermediate filament stains were not useful for planaria staining. The most morphological information was obtained with relaxant fixative and a combination of sections stained with H & E and PTAH.
Rates of time preference and valuations of the duration of life

Abstract This paper develops a multi-period Markov model of the lifetime choice of occupational fatality risks. The empirical model analyzes the wage effects of job risks using the 1982 University of Michigan Panel Study of Income Dynamics in conjunction with death statistics from the U.S. National Traumatic Occupational Fatality Survey. Evidence regarding workers' intertemporal choices with respect to risks with long-term implications is broadly consistent with rational behavior. Workers' implicit real rate of time preference with respect to future life years equals approximately 11 percent. This rate of time preference decreases with education.
Effect of Cytomegalovirus Co-Infection on Normalization of Selected T-Cell Subsets in Children with Perinatally Acquired HIV Infection Treated with Combination Antiretroviral Therapy

Background We examined the effect of cytomegalovirus (CMV) co-infection and viremia on reconstitution of selected CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets in perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) children 1-year old who participated in a partially randomized, open-label, 96-week combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-algorithm study.
A comparative analysis of eutrophication patterns in a temperate coastal lagoon

The coastal bays and lagoons of Maryland extend the full length of the state's Atlantic coast and compose a substantial ecosystem at the land-sea margin that is characterized by shallow depth, a well-mixed water column, slow exchange with the coastal ocean, and minimal freshwater input from the land. For at least 25 years, various types of measurements have been made intermittently in these systems, but almost no effort has been made to determine if water quality or habitat conditions have changed over the years or if distinctive spatial gradients in these features have developed in response to changing land uses. The purpose of this work was to examine this fragmented database and determine if such patterns have emerged and how they may be related to land uses. Turbidity, dissolved inorganic phosphate, algal biomass, and primary production rates in most areas of the coastal bays followed a regular seasonal pattern, which was well correlated with water temperature. Nitrate concentrations were low (<5 μM), and only modestly higher in tributary creeks (<20 μM). Additionally, there was little indication of the spring bloom typical of river-dominated systems. There does appear to be a strong spatial gradient in water quality conditions (more eutrophic in the upper bays, especially in tributary creeks). Comparisons of water quality data collected between 1970 and 1991 indicate little temporal change in most areas and some small improvements in a few areas, probably related to decreases in point-source discharges. Seagrass communities were once extensive in these systems but at present are restricted to the eastern portion of the lower bays where water clarity is sufficient to support plant survival. Even in these areas, seagrass densities have recently decreased. Examination of diel dissolved oxygen data collected in the summer indicates progressively larger diel excursions from lower to upper bays and from open bays to tributary subsystems; however, hypoxic conditions (<2 mg 1−1) were rarely observed in any location. Nitrogen input data (point, surface runoff, groundwater and atmospheric deposition to surface waters) were assembled for seven regions of the coastal bay system; annual loading rates ranged from 2.4 g N m−2 yr−1 to 39.7 g N m−2 yr−1. Compared with a sampling of loading rates to other coastal systems, those to the upper and lower bays were low while those to tributaries were moderate to high. Regression analysis indicated significant relationships between annual nitrogen loading rates and average annual total nitrogen and chlorophyll a concentrations in the water column. Similar analyses also indicated significant relationships between chlorophyll a and the magnitude of diel dissolved oxygen changes in the water column. It is concluded that these simple models, which could be improved with a well-designed monitoring program, could be used as quantitative management tools to relate habitat conditions to nutrient loading rates.
Parallel pathways and convergence onto HVc and adjacent neostriatum of adult zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)

The structure and connectivity of the forebrain nucleus HVc, a site of sensorimotor integration in the song control system of oscine birds, were investigated in adult zebra finches. HVc in males comprises three cytoarchitectonic subdivisions: the commonly recognized central region with large and medium-sized darkly staining cells, a ventral caudomedial region with densely packed small and medium-sized cells, and a dorsolateral region with oblong cells and rows of cells. All three subdivisions project to area X and the robust nucleus of the archistriatum, with more complexity in the classes and distribution of cells than previously reported. In females, HVc is very small and has a cytoarchitecture distinct from that of the three male subdivisions. The structure of HVc in females treated with estradiol at 15 days of age is similar to male HVc. Tracer studies in males with fluorescent and biotinylated dextrans demonstrate non-topographic projections onto HVc that may carry auditory information, including type 1 and type 2 neurons in subdivisions L1 and L3 of the field L complex, a class of neurons in nucleus interface, nucleus uvaeformis, the caudal neostriatum ventral to HVc, and intrinsic HVc connections. These data are interpreted in terms of HVc's functional properties. Additionally, the neostriatum immediately ventral to HVc receives projections from field L, ventral hyperstriatum, and caudal neostriatum, and projects to a region surrounding RA and near to or into area X. The similarity of the connectivity of HVc and adjacent neostriatum suggests the possibility that they share a common origin. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Integrated modelling for prediction of optimized ITER performance

ITER hybrid and target steady-state fusion burn scenarios are simulated using the PTRANSP integrated modelling code together with input from the TSC code. In the hybrid scenarios, the majority of the current is driven inductively; whereas, for the target steady-state scenarios, approximately 22% of the current (at 1000 s) is driven inductively with the remaining current driven by the bootstrap, neutral beam and radio frequency sources. Predictive simulations are carried out using either the new Multi-Mode or the GLF23 anomalous transport model. Momentum transport is used to compute the toroidal angular frequency profile which, in turn, is used to compute the self-consistent flow shear suppression of anomalous transport. The simulations of the hybrid scenario indicate that the fusion power production at 1000 s will be approximately 500 MW corresponding to a fusion Q = 9.4. The fusion power predicted in the simulations of the target steady-state scenarios is found to depend on the time dependence of the input heating and associated current drive. It is found that turning off some components of auxiliary heating causes the fusion power production to increase. The fusion power obtained in the target steady-state scenarios, depending on the transport model and input injected power, ranges from 168 MW up to 226 MW, corresponding to a fusion Q ranging from 2.0 to 6.8.
Yu, Confucius, and Ren

As I interpret it, the overall thesis of YU Jiyuan’s book is that the Confucian tradition and Aristotle are in close agreement on “the most significant issues” (Yu 2007: ix). This overall thesis is elaborated and defended in the main theses of the introduction and first six chapters of the book as follows: (1) “Both are concerned with the same issue regarding how one can be a good person, and both ... seek to understand what is good for human beings as such, rather than just for the Greeks or for the Chinese” (Yu 2007: 10; references to this book hereafter will be indicated with page or chapter number only). It follows that a comparison of these two thinkers is possible and meaningful (Introduction); (2) Both give virtue theories, identifying the human good as an excellent life that we achieve by cultivating key character traits (Chapter 1); (3) Aristotle’s theory of the human function and Mencius’ theory of innate human goodness provide parallel natural foundations for both ethical theories (Chapter 2); (4) Both characterize virtue as a mean, an inner disposition of one’s feelings that enables one to hit upon the correct action, as expertise in archery enables one to hit the target (Chapter 3); (5) Both refer to social traditions of propriety as essential for developing the proper dispositions of one’s feelings (Chapter 4); (6) Both refer to a rational power of practical wisdom that enables the excellent human being to discern what is appropriate in the particular circumstances of life (Chapter 5); (7) Both see the highest human good as a unity between the human and divine (Chapter 6); (8) Nevertheless, there is also a significant disagreement: for Aristotle, the highest good is a theoretical contemplation of the divine eternal and necessary truths, apart from relatively insignificant human concerns and needs, while for Confucius, there is no such tension between theoretical and practical life (Chapters 7 and 8). In my judgment, the book succeeds in its argument for the overall and main theses. This is an important result. Since the 1970s, the standard interpretations of Dao (2011) 10:341–348 DOI 10.1007/s11712-011-9229-y
Studies of low-energy electron attachment at surfaces

Abstract Studies of the formation of negative ions at heated metal surfaces are reported under two experimental conditions: (1) laser desorption/ablation ionization and (2) heated metal wires in the presence of fluorine gas. In condition (1), nanoclusters of boron nitride/graphite are first produced by laser ablation of boron nitride mixed with graphite in a heated (∼1100 °C) rare gas followed by laser desorption negative ionization to yield a wide variety of cluster anions. The negative ion mass spectra for laser ablation/desorption ionization of small cluster ions from fullerenes, graphite, or most carbon containing metals (e.g. stainless steel) show common features (Cn− for n = 1 to ∼10, with even > odd alternation). The laser serves to heat the surface, produce clusters, and provides free and “quasifree” electrons for attachment and to dissociate larger negative ions/neutrals to produce low-mass cluster anions. Laser desorption of C60H36 and C60F48 at high laser power results in intense H− and F− ion signals, respectively. In the case of C60H36, the H− ion production is attributed to dissociative electron attachment, i.e. e + C60H36 → C60H35 + H−. For the case of C60F48, both dissociative attachment and photodissociation of C60F48− are believed responsible for the F− ion yield. These observations form the basis for the development of intense pulsed ion sources of H− and F− ions for use in energy production (fuel injection into fusion reactors), spallation neutron devices, lithography, and other applications. In condition (2), heated metal wires of Al, Au, Au/Pd, Nb, Ni/Cr, Pt, Re, Ta, Ti, V, W, and Zr are “burned” in a low pressure vapor of fluorine gas (∼10−4 Torr) resulting in a wide variety of molecular anions (e.g. Al2F9−; AuF2,3−; NbF6−; ReF5,6−; TaF6−; Ti4,5−; VF4,5−; WF5,6−; ZrF5−, and Zr2F9−) of varying intensity. Also of interest are the occurrences of F3− and the “impurity” ion Na2F3−.
A Simple and Rapid Genotyping Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Two ADRB2 Allelic Variants Using Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Probes and Melting Curve Analysis

Allelic variants at codons 16 and 27 of the β2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2) have shown clinical and pharmacological implications in asthma, hypertension, ischemic heart failure, diabetes, obesity, and cystic fibrosis. We have developed a simultaneous genotyping assay for the c.46A>G and c.79C>G allelic variants using hybridization probes and melting curve analysis. The assay was optimized on a panel of 30 DNA samples of known ADRB2 genotype as determined by sequencing with 100% concordance between the two techniques. Melting temperature (Tm) ranges for the different genotypes were obtained using data from three independent experiments. Single peaks for p.Arg16Arg (Tm = 57.76°C ± 0.10°C) and p.Gly16Gly (Tm = 66.73°C ± 0.18°C) and two melting peaks for p.Arg16Gly were obtained. Similarly, single peaks for p.Gln27Gln (Tm = 53.98°C ± 0.19°C) and p.Glu27Glu (Tm = 64.93°C ± 0.16°C) and two peaks for p.Gln27Glu were detected. Independent operators easily assigned genotypes in a sample set of 385 asthmatic patients. Haplotype and allele frequencies were in concordance with previously published data: Arg allele frequencies in children/adults were 0.34/0.30 in Caucasians and 0.45/0.52 in African Americans, and Gln allele frequencies were 0.58/0.52 in Caucasians and 0.82/0.84 in African Americans. Thus, the ADRB2 genotyping assay represents a highly reliable and rapid technique for routine clinical use in the simultaneous detection of ADRB2 variants.
The lie of the lion: racialization of nature in the safari souvenir

The narrative of the Maasai lion hunt, invoked to sell souvenirs in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area, establishes a vision of nature intertwined with racial otherness; on safari, nature is racialized, and this racialized nature is exemplified by the souvenir. The Maasai souvenir represents wild, external nature because it includes ‘natural products,’ and it mimics the trophy. It symbolizes wild, internal, human nature by invoking the mythos of the lion hunt, thereby solidifying time by recalling the colonial past and tying it to the tourist present. Such race-environment issues can best be understood via social ecology rather than framed by environmental justice. Building on ethnographic field work, interviews, and archival research conducted over the past decade, I have found that nature is racialized on safari. To go to or know of Tanzania, and perhaps Africa more generally, is to see nature through the lens of racial difference. This racialization of nature therefore has much wider implications ...