cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A displacement‐based approach for the seismic design of continuous concrete bridges

A displacement-based design procedure for continuous concrete bridges is proposed which can be incorporated into a performance-based design philosophy. The procedure is applicable to multi-degree-of-freedom bridges with flexible or rigid superstructures, and for varying degrees of abutment restraint. The background and development of the design procedure is presented first, followed by a series of examples and validation studies using dynamic inelastic time-history analysis. The procedure is applied to the transverse response of bridge structures; however, it is equally well-suited for longitudinal response. The results indicate that the process is able to capture non-linear deformation patterns and thus reasonably control damage.
Lack of Smad or Notch leads to a fatal game of brain pericyte hopscotch.

Pericytes surround and stabilize the vast capillary network of the central nervous system. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Li et al. (2011) show that Smad4 and Notch signaling together regulate endothelial expression of an adhesion factor, N-cadherin, which couples pericytes to the endothelial cell wall, thereby preventing neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage.
Molecular prognostic factors in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia

Chromosomal abnormalities are detected in 50–60% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are important predictors of prognosis and risk of relapse. The remaining patients, those with cytogenetically normal AML, are a seemingly homogeneous group that in fact consists of subsets of patients with distinct clinical outcomes. This heterogeneity is likely related to acquired gene mutations, as well as altered miRNA and gene-expression profiles, which occur within the group. The identification of recurrent molecular abnormalities has improved prognostication and provided insight into mechanisms of leukemogenesis for patients with cytogenetically normal AML, as well as led to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. As the number of mutations continues to expand, bioinformatic algorithms that allow for integration of multiple markers will be necessary to provide optimal care for patients with this disease.
Effects of social experience on subsequent sexual performance in naïve male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

On their first sexual encounter, naive male Japanese quail will attend to and approach a female; they sometimes mount but they do not always copulate. During the second encounter, most males successfully copulate. Although sexual experience facilitates subsequent sexual interactions, sensory cues provided by females, independent of any sexual encounter, may also enhance sexual performance. To investigate whether previous exposure to a conspecific affects subsequent sexual behavior, we allowed inexperienced males to observe an empty box, or a conspecific consisting of either an experienced female or male for 2.5 min/day on 7 days. Measures of appetitive sexual behavior were recorded during these tests. On day 8, subjects were allowed to copulate with a novel female for 5 min. On the following days, all subjects were repeatedly provided with visual access to a female and allowed to mate. In the pre-copulatory trials males initially exhibited a high frequency of appetitive responses that dissipated with repetition. Pre-copulatory experience also significantly affected motivation to mate with subjects exposed to females copulating more quickly than other subjects. Post-copulatory appetitive behavior also differed between groups: control subjects showed the highest behavioral frequency followed by males exposed to females and finally males exposed to males. These data indicate that pre-copulatory social experience profoundly influences subsequent sexual behavior and probably reproductive success. This experience effect is independent of any hormonal effect (such as one resulting from changes in secretion following different social interactions) given that the subjects were castrates chronically treated with testosterone.
Kinetics of strain-induced crystallization during injection molding of short fiber composites of poly(ether ether ketone)

Crystallization kinetics of short glass and carbon fiber composites of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) under melt-strain conditions have been obtained for the first time, using in-situ wide angle X-ray scattering, and have been correlated to a model based on the Avrami equation in order to enable minimization of the processing time for injection molding of these materials. It has been demonstrated that increased flow rate of the melt in the mold and, consequently, increased shear rate accelerates the crystallization process of PEEK composites, analogous to similar trends observed previously in PEEK resin. Short glass fiber composites of PEEK crystallize slower than the resin under identical processing conditions, while short carbon fiber composites crystallize faster than the resin, except at the highest mold temperatures and the lowest flow rates. A model based on the Avrami equation has been proposed to fit the kinetics data obtained experimentally. The Avrami coefficient has been calculated and Arrhenius plots have been used to predict the crystallization kinetics at temperatures lower than those at which experimental data have been obtained here. Fiber orientation, flexural elastic modulus, and flexural fracture toughness of the composites have also been evaluated.
Benchmark calculations with correlated molecular wave functions. I: Multireference configuration interaction calculations for the second row diatomic hydrides

Multireference configuration interaction calculations (valence electrons only) based on generalized valence bond (GVB) and complete active space (CAS) self‐consistent field wave functions are used to compute potential energy functions and spectroscopic constants for the second row diatomic hydrides of aluminum through chlorine. The correlation consistent basis sets of Dunning and co‐workers have been used. This suite of sets—standard and augmented sets of double through quintuple zeta quality—provides a systematic means of improving the description of chemical bonding. The regularity of De and re as a function of basis set quality allows extrapolation to an estimated ‘‘complete’’ basis set limit. The error in the CAS+1+2 predictions of De for the five species varies from 0.3 kcal/mol (AlH) to 1.4 kcal/mol (HCl) with a root‐mean‐square (rms) error of 0.7 kcal/mol. The error in re varies from 0.0008 A (SH) to 0.0028 A (SiH) with a rms error of 0.002 A. Other properties are described with comparable accuracy...
Colony founding by the ant Myrmelachista flavocotea

Identifying key life history characters is crucial to understanding the selective forces that influence species interactions and reciprocal evolution. We often know little about colony-founding behavior and colony structure of ants involved in obligate interactions with plants. Here, I describe colony-founding behavior of Myrmelachista flavocotea (Formicidae: Formicinae) on its obligate host plants Ocoteaatirrensis and O. dendrodaphne (Lauraceae) in a lowland Caribbean rainforest at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. Ocotea seedlings produce specialized nodules on the main stem that are used as domatia by founding queens. In this study, Ocotea seedlings were colonized by multiple haplometrotically founding M.flavocotea queens. Mature colonies typically had only a single queen, apparently as a result of secondary monogyny. The number of foundress queens per tree was positively correlated with seedling height and stem diameter (nesting space) at time of colony founding. The extent to which foundress queens cooperate in colony founding is not known. Nonetheless, colony establishment by multiple foundress queens may be critical in ensuring the successful founding by at least one queen, thus allowing the perpetuation of the Myrmelachista-Ocotea interaction.
An enzymatic method for the measurement of GTP and GDP in biological samples

Abstract A method is described for the analysis of GTP GDP , or GDP alone, in a coupled enzymatic assay. Samples are pretreated with creatine kinase in the presence of phosphocreatine to remove the ADP present. Succinyl CoA synthetase is used to convert GTP to GDP in the presence of succinate and coenzyme A. Endogenous GDP and that formed from GTP are measured in a second step with pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in the presence of excess NADH. The sensitivity of the assay is in the nanomole range. A further modification is described, where the final product NAD+ is cycled in yet another enzyme system, extending the sensitivity to the pleomole range. Sample analyses are given for a variety of tissues using 7 mg of sample and for 1-μg freeze-dried sections from the cerebellum of mouse brain.
Endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration in esophageal cancer

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was developed in the early 1980s with the hope that it would circumvent the limitations of transabdominal ultrasound and transthoracic computed tomography-guided biopsy of mediastinal masses which had a high rate of pneumothorax. The clinical utility of EUS-guided fineneedle aspiration (FNA) for esophageal cancer is in establishing the presence of regional metastases to periesophageal lymph nodes, as well as distant metastases to celiac lymph nodes and the left lobe of the liver. It has also been used to make a primary diagnosis in esophageal cancers that present submucosally or to detect esophgeal cancer recurrence following surgical resection. The ability of FNA, in addition to EUS, to change management in esophageal cancer has not yet been fully evaluated, but the detection of celiac lymphadenopathy or liver metastases can prevent unnecessary surgery. This could translate into cost savings in the overall management of the patient with esophageal cancer.
REVIEW ■ : LTP and LTD: Dynamic and Interactive Processes of Synaptic Plasticity

Long-lasting, activity-dependent changes in the efficacy of synaptic transmission are considered to be of fundamental importance for the storage of information and for the development of neural circuitry. The leading experimental model for such a change has been long-term potentiation (LTP), a long-lasting increase in synaptic strength. Intensive experimental analysis of LTP in the hippocampus has resulted in a detailed description of the initial steps responsible for its generation. Recently, a form of long-term depression (LTD) in the hippocampus has been described and examined. It shares several mechanistic features with LTP and appears to be able to reverse LTP. The intracellular second messenger systems that are required to generate and maintain LTP and LTD have been difficult to identify definitively. Leading candidates include diffusible intercellular messengers as well as protein kinases and protein phosphatases, the activities of which may converge at the level of specific phosphoproteins. In add...
Benthic biomass estimates from the northwestern atlantic ocean and the northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Estimates have been made of the biomass and abundance of macrobenthic invertebrates off the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts of the United States. Based on these estimates, it is concluded that deep-sea life is more abundant in the Atlantic than in the Gulf. Regressions of the logarithm (base 10) of biomass and animal density against depth indicate that the abundance of life followed an exponential decline with depth, Y = ae−bx, where Y is either density of individuals or biomass, x is depth and a is proportional to average surface-water phytoplankton production. The rate of decline (b) can be related to the rate of decrease in phytoplankton production in an offshore direction and the efficiency of water-column heterotrophs at utilizing sinking organic matter. The regressions also indicate, through comparison with the literature, that both benthos and zooplankton follow similar exponential decays in quantity of life with depth. The constants (a) both appear to be functions of surface productivity and it can be inferred that the sources of food for zooplankton and benthos in the deep sea are the same. The seemingly conservative nature of organic matter over depth ranges where there is an exponential decrease in life can probably be attributed to the increase in the relative abundance of the refractory organic compounds with depth.
Regulation of Human β-Cell Adhesion, Motility, and Insulin Secretion by Collagen IV and Its Receptor α1β1

Collagens have been shown to influence the survival and function of cultured β-cells; however, the utilization and function of individual collagen receptors in β-cells is largely unknown. The integrin superfamily contains up to five collagen receptors, but we have determined that α1β1 is the primary receptor utilized by both fetal and adult β-cells. Cultured β-cells adhered to and migrated on collagen type IV (Col-IV), and these responses were mediated almost exclusively by α1β1. The migration of cultured β-cells to Col-IV significantly exceeded that to other matrix components suggesting that this substrate is of unique importance for β-cell motility. The interaction of α1β1 with Col-IV also resulted in significant insulin secretion at basal glucose concentrations. A subset of β-cells in developing islets was confirmed to express α1β1, and this expression co-localized with Col-IV in the basal membranes of juxtaposed endothelial cells. Our findings indicate that α1β1 and Col-IV contribute to β-cell functions known to be important for islet morphogenesis and glucose homeostasis.
Proteomic profiling of the effect of prostate-specific antigen on prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a well-known biomarker for diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. PSA has been shown to have anti-angiogenic activity. We used the emerging proteomic research technology to identify proteins in prostate cancer cells whose expression is regulated by enzymatically active PSA. METHODS Differentially expressed proteins in PC-3M cells treated with PSA were analyzed by 2D-DIGE analysis and identified by HPLC–MS/MS and SEQUEST data mining. Biological network analysis was carried out using MetaCore integrated software designed for functional analysis of experimental data. Gene expression data for several regulated proteins were confirmed by real-time, quantitative PCR. RESULTS A total of 41 proteins were significantly (P < 0.05) changed in abundance in PC-3M cells in response to PSA treatment. Proteins from 26 gel-spots were identified. Many of the down-regulated proteins including N8 gene product long isoform, laminin receptor, vimentin, DJ-1 and Hsp60 are known to be involved in tumor progression. DISCUSSION The relevance of the level of PSA in prostate tissue microenvironment and its relation to tumor progression has not been elucidated. PSA has been shown to down-regulate several proteins that are known to have involvement in tumor progression. This suggests that normal physiological levels of PSA in prostate tissue microenvironment may be promoting non-angiogenic environment and its down-regulation may promote tumor growth. Prostate 68: 1531–1545, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An integrated data structure with multiple access paths for database systems

This article presents an integrated data structure which offers multiple access paths for processing different types of queries efficiently. The data structure is developed by fusing the B+ - tree, the grid file and extendible hashing structures using a proper interface. We show that this type of data structure is an efficient way for providing multiple access paths to data.
Tuning metal coordination number by ancillary ligand steric effects: synthesis of a three-coordinate iron(II) complex.

The coordination number of the metal in iron(II) β-diketiminate complexes can be tuned through the size of the alkyl substituents on the ligand backbone.
Electron-Transfer Processes in Zinc Phthalocyanine-Phosphonic Acid Monolayers on ITO: Characterization of Orientation and Charge-Transfer Kinetics by Waveguide Spectroelectrochemistry.

Using a monolayer of zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPcPA) tethered to indium tin oxide (ITO) as a model for the donor/transparent conducting oxide (TCO) interface in organic photovoltaics (OPVs), we demonstrate the relationship between molecular orientation and charge-transfer rates using spectroscopic, electrochemical, and spectroelectrochemical methods. Both monomeric and aggregated forms of the phthalocyanine (Pc) are observed in ZnPcPA monolayers. Potential-modulated attenuated total reflectance (PM-ATR) measurements show that the monomeric subpopulation undergoes oxidation/reduction with ks,app = 2 × 102 s–1, independent of Pc orientation. For the aggregated ZnPcPA, faster orientation-dependent charge-transfer rates are observed. For in-plane-oriented Pc aggregates, ks,app = 2 × 103 s–1, whereas for upright Pc aggregates, ks,app = 7 × 102 s–1. The rates for the aggregates are comparable to those required for redox-active interlayer films at the hole-collection contact in organic solar cells.
Efflux of the Natural Polyamine Spermidine Facilitated by the Bacillus subtilis Multidrug Transporter Blt

Multidrug transporters pump structurally dissimilar toxic molecules out of cells. It is not known, however, if detoxification is the primary physiological function of these transporters. The chromosomal organization of the gene encoding the Bacillus subtilis multidrug transporter Blt suggests a specific function for this protein; it forms a single operon with another gene, bltD, whose protein product is identified here as a spermine/spermidine acetyltransferase, an enzyme catalyzing a key step in spermidine degradation. Overexpression of the Blt transporter in B. subtilis leads not only to the multidrug-resistance phenotype but also to the efflux of large amounts of spermidine into the medium; this efflux is supressed by an inhibitor of Blt, reserpine. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the natural function of the Blt transporter is the efflux of spermidine, whereas multiple drugs may be recognized by Blt merely opportunistically.
Ischemia‐Induced Changes in Extracellular Lévels of Striatal Cyclic AMP: Role of Dopamine Neurotransmission

Dopamine has been demonstrated to be involved in the development of ischemic neuronal damage in the striatum. This detrimental effect of dopamine may involve activation of second messenger systems, such as the cyclic AMP (cAMP) cascade, which may enhance the susceptibility of striatal neurons to ischemia. In the present study, we have evaluated the relationship between ischemia-induced changes in cAMP and dopamine neurotransmission. Microdialysis probes were implanted in both striata, and a D1 antagonist (SCH-23390, 100 microM) was administered through one probe and modified Ringer's solution through the other. After a stabilization period, rats (n = 6) were subjected to 20 min of ischemia by two-vessel occlusion plus hypotension. Extracellular samples were collected from both striata, before, during, and after ischemia, and analyzed for cAMP by radioimmunoassay. Ischemia induced a significant increase in extracellular cAMP (means +/- SE, fmol/microliter; baseline: 4.35 +/- 1.1, ischemia: 12.2 +/- 1.98), which was also observed at 4 h of recirculation (mean level of 8.45 +/- 1.14). Treatment with the D1 antagonist significantly inhibited the rise in extracellular cAMP during ischemia and recirculation. These results indicate that an ischemia-induced surge in dopamine and activation of D1 receptors are involved in the generation of cAMP during ischemia and recirculation. Because activation of the adenylate cyclase cascade may modulate the effects of glutamate, generation of cAMP through this pathway may play a role in facilitating the injurious effects of dopamine during ischemia.
Anti-fuse memory array embedded in 14nm FinFET CMOS with novel selector-less bit-cell featuring self-rectifying characteristics

A novel anti-fuse memory array is presented in this paper featuring one-capacitor (1C) per bit-cell design and fully compatible with 14nm FinFET CMOS technology. The rectifying I-V characteristics of the metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structure after programming prevents the sneak current in the cross-point array, therefore no need for select transistor in each cell. Thus enables the smallest reported bit-cell with area measuring 0.036 μm 2 .
A built-in self-test high-current LED driver

In this paper, a built-in self-test (BIST) high-current light-emitting-diode (LED) driver circuit is proposed. The circuit not only maintains different constant currents for multiple LED strings, but it also minimizes the conduction power dissipation by keeping the power MOSFETs in the constant-current controllers operating in the linear region. The proposed driver first acquires the current-voltage (I–V) data of the constant-current power MOSFETs and stores them into memories. These stored I–V data, along with a duty cycle control of the switching converter, are used to ensure that these power MOSFETs are operating in their linear region to minimize conduction power dissipation. The proposed circuit was verified using PSPICE with two to five LED strings. Simulation results show a maximum efficiency of 95.6%.
Tracking Amorphous Precursor Formation and Transformation during Induction Stages of Nucleation

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) participates in vertebral bone and tooth formation by a nonclassical hitherto unknown nucleation mechanism, in which amorphous precursors form and transform during long induction periods. Elucidation of the mechanism by which amorphous precursors assemble and transform is essential to understanding how hard tissues form in vivo and will advance the design and fabrication of new biomaterials. The combination of conductance and potentiometric techniques to monitor Ca–P mineral formation has given new insight into the mechanism of nucleation. Differences detected in the dehydration rates of calcium and phosphate ions indicate the formation of nonequilibrium calcium-deficient clusters. The aggregation of these clusters forms a calcium-deficient amorphous phase I [Ca-(HPO4)1+x·nH2O]2x−) early in the induction period, which slowly transforms to amorphous phase II [Ca-(HPO4)·mH2O] by dehydration. Precritical nuclei form within amorphous phase II later in the induction period, leading to mine...
A Semisynthetic Eph Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Provides Insight into Ligand- Induced Kinase Activation

Summary We have developed a methodology for generating milligram amounts of functional Eph tyrosine kinase receptor using the protein engineering approach of expressed protein ligation. Stimulation with ligand induces efficient autophosphorylation of the semisynthetic Eph construct. The in vitro phosphorylation of key Eph tyrosine residues upon ligand-induced activation was monitored via time-resolved, quantitative phosphoproteomics, suggesting a precise and unique order of phosphorylation of the Eph tyrosines in the kinase activation process. To our knowledge, this work represents the first reported semisynthesis of a receptor tyrosine kinase and provides a potentially general method for producing single-pass membrane proteins for structural and biochemical characterization.
Induction of c-jun independent of PKC, pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, and polyamines in quiescent SV40-transformed 3T3 T cells.

Abstract CSV3 clones of simian virus 40 large T antigen-transformed murine 3T3 T cells can be made quiescent as part of a differentiation process. In these quiescent cells, insulin- and vanadate-induced mitogenesis are both associated with the induction of the c-jun proto-oncogene (Wang and Scott 1991 J. Cell. Physiol. 147, 102–110; Wang et al. 1991 Cell Growth Differ. 2, 645–652). The current studies were therefore designed to compare the early signal transduction pathways employed by insulin and vanadate to regulate c-jun expression. In quiescent CSV3-1 cells, down-regulation of protein kinase C by prolonged exposure to 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or inhibition of protein kinase C activity by treatment with the protein kinase C antagonist staurosporine is shown not to affect c-jun induction by insulin or vanadate. This suggests that both insulin and vanadate act in a protein kinase C-independent manner. Insulin's effect on c-jun induction does, however, involve a G protein because insulin's effect can be inhibited by pertussis toxin. In contrast, vanadate induction of c-jun is not affected by pertussis toxin. Genistein, a general tyrosine kinase inhibitor, can inhibit the ability of vanadate to induce c-jun but it does not inhibit insulin's effect. Finally, the depletion of polyamines, particularly spermidine, by dl -α-difluoromethylornithine treatment also prevents c-jun induction by insulin but dl -α-difluoromethylornithine treatment has no effect on c-jun induction by vanadate. These observations indicate that the c-jun induction by insulin and vanadate in CSV3-1 cells is mediated by different signal transduction mechanisms. Together with our previously published data, these results suggest that c-jun can be induced independent of protein kinase C activation, without involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, independent of induction of c-fos, and without expression of high levels of intracellular polyamines.
Optimum Heat Rejection Temperatures for Spacecraft Heat Pumps

Use of two heat rejection temperatures instead of one for a heat-driven heat pump is shown to reduce spacecraft waste heat radiator area and heat rejection system mass. The optimum high rejection temperature T1 is shown to be somewhat less than Kerrebrock's rule, three-fourths of the heat source temperature TH. The optimum low rejection temperature T2 is 50-80 K above the cooling load temperature Tc. General results are presented based upon the assumption of constant fractions of Carnot efficiency for the heat engine and refrigerator, and specific results are reported for a mercury-vapor engine coupled to an isobutane-R113 binary refrigerator. A single dimensionless grouping composed of ratios of equipment mass per unit power to radiator mass per unit area, and the ratios of the sink temperature Ts and cooling load temperature Tc to TH, are shown to be the major parameters characterizing the advantages of a spacecraft heat pump. Nomenclature A = radiator area, m2 a = radiator mass per unit area, kg/m2 B - equipment to radiator parameter, b/a, m2/W b - equipment mass per unit power, kg/W C = constants in nonlinear models, Eqs. (19) and (20) c - constant in mass relationship, Eq. (6), kg h = specific enthalpy, J/kg M =mass, kg p - pressure, N/m2 Q = heat flow, W s = specific entropy, J/kg K T = temperature, K W = mechanical power or heat flow of high availability, W e = radiator emissivity f = Carnot efficiency or COP ry = component isentropic efficiency a = Stefan-Boltzmann constant = fraction of Carnot efficiency or COP
Evaluation of urinary markers in acute renal failure

Acute renal failure continues to be a difficult clinical problem despite developments in dialysis and critical care. Diagnosis of the etiology frequently determines treatment. Urinalysis remains an essential diagnostic tool in the approach to acute renal failure, particularly with the current emphasis on cost-containment and evidence-based medicine. This review focuses on some of the characteristic features in the urinalysis found in different forms of acute renal failure, current developments into the molecular basis for these urinary abnormalities, and new markers on the horizon.
Absence of DNA damage-mediated induction of human methyltransferase specific for precarcinogenic O6-methylguanine

The ability of cultured normal human fetal liver and kidney epithelial cells to repair the premutagenic and precarcinogenic O6-methylguanine (O6-MeGua) DNA adduct was determined by directly monitoring its loss in cellular DNA and quantitating the number of O6-MeGua-DNA-methyltransferase (O6-MT) molecules per cell. Following treatment of the epithelial cells with the direct acting carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), the loss of the O6-MeGua adduct was biphasic, exhibiting a half-life of 2.0 and 1.5 h in the liver and kidney cells, respectively. The activity of O6-MT in the liver and kidney epithelial cells in culture was 0.19 pmol/mg protein or 18,500 molecules/cell. The activity of O6-MT was maintained throughout the life of the cultures, i.e., 20 subpassages or 50 cumulative population doublings for the liver and kidney. In order to ascertain whether human fetal epithelial cells exhibit an induction of O6-MT, the cell cultures were treated with single and multiple conditioning doses of N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine (MNNG) or gamma-irradiated and assayed for the amount of O6-MT. A 1 h exposure of cells to 2, 4, and 8 microM MNNG resulted in an 80-100% decrease of the initial O6-MT activity which was restored to the constitutive levels within 48 and 72 h post-treatment. Rat hepatoma cells, used as a positive control, increased their levels of O6-MT to 2.8-fold the constitutive levels following treatment with MNNG. Treatment of the human liver and kidney epithelial cells with chronic low doses of MNNG exhibited O6-MT levels identical to untreated cells. The O6-MT activity in epithelial cells remained unaffected upon pre-irradiation with 1.2 or 2.5 Gy of gamma-irradiation.
Effect of different promoters on immune responses elicited by HIV-1 gag/env multigenic DNA vaccine in Macaca mulatta and Macaca nemestrina.

Abstract pCMV–NL Δpol and pAKV–NL Δpol expressed human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gag and env under the regulation of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate–early (IE) promoter/enhancer and the endogenous AKV murine leukemia viral long terminal repeat (LTR), respectively. Analysis of the immune responses elicited by direct DNA injection of pCMV–NL Δpol and pAKV–NL Δpol in macaques indicated that generation of the humoral and T-cell proliferative responses correlated directly with the promoter strength of the vaccine DNAs. In Macaca mulatta , pCMV–NL Δpol generated stronger humoral responses and T-cell proliferative responses to Gag and Env using less DNA and fewer number of injections than pAKV–NL Δpol . Similarly, in Macaca nemestrina pCMV–NL Δpol elicited high humoral responses, which persisted long-term and were boostable. Injection of large amounts of pAKV–NL Δpol , in general, failed to produce antibody levels comparable to pCMV–NL Δpol . However, injection of a control animal with large amounts of vector DNA produced a generalized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reactivity to HIV-1. The results indicated that generation of high immune responses to HIV-1 cannot be achieved by increasing the vaccine DNA dose and may require high protein expression from the DNA by including a strong promoter or by the use of other boosting agents. Furthermore, safety concerns may arise with increasing the DNA dose that could need additional investigation.
On the applicability of various scaling laws to the turbulent wall jet

The spatial distribution of the mean velocity in a two-dimensional turbulent wall jet was measured for a variety of nozzle Reynolds numbers. It was determined that the bulk of the flow is self-similar and it depends on the momentum flux at the nozzle and on the viscosity and density of the fluid. The width of the nozzle which was commonly used to reduce these data has no part in the similarity considerations as has already been suggested by Narasimha et al. (1973). This type of self-similarity can be easily applied to determine the skin friction, which can otherwise only be determined with considerable difficulty. It was also shown that the ‘law of the wall’ applies only to the viscous sublayer. The Reynolds stress in the inviscid, inner portion of the flow is not constant thus the assumption of a ‘constant stress layer’ is not applicable. The applicability and universality of the ‘outer scaling law’ (i.e. Coles’ law of the wake) has been verified throughout the inviscid inner portion of the wall jet. The logarithmic velocity distribution cannot be derived by making the usual assumptions based on the constancy of the Reynolds stresses or on the thinness of the logarithmic region relative to the thickness of the inner layer.
Multiplex Conditional Mutagenesis Using Transgenic Expression of Cas9 and sgRNAs

Determining the mechanism of gene function is greatly enhanced using conditional mutagenesis. However, generating engineered conditional alleles is inefficient and has only been widely used in mice. Importantly, multiplex conditional mutagenesis requires extensive breeding. Here we demonstrate a system for one-generation multiplex conditional mutagenesis in zebrafish (Danio rerio) using transgenic expression of both cas9 and multiple single guide RNAs (sgRNAs). We describe five distinct zebrafish U6 promoters for sgRNA expression and demonstrate efficient multiplex biallelic inactivation of tyrosinase and insulin receptor a and b, resulting in defects in pigmentation and glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, we demonstrate temporal and tissue-specific mutagenesis using transgenic expression of Cas9. Heat-shock-inducible expression of cas9 allows temporal control of tyr mutagenesis. Liver-specific expression of cas9 disrupts insulin receptor a and b, causing fasting hypoglycemia and postprandial hyperglycemia. We also show that delivery of sgRNAs targeting ascl1a into the eye leads to impaired damage-induced photoreceptor regeneration. Our findings suggest that CRISPR/Cas9-based conditional mutagenesis in zebrafish is not only feasible but rapid and straightforward.
GENETICS OF THE ROTAVIRUSES

Genetic analyses have contributed significantly to our understanding of the biology of the rotaviruses. The distinguishing feature of the virus is a genome consisting of 11 segments of double-stranded RNA. The segmented nature of the genome allows reassortment of genome segments during mixed infections, which is the major distinguishing feature of rotavirus genetics. Reassortment has been a powerful tool for mapping viral mutations and other determinants of biological phenotypes to specific genome segments. However, more detailed genetic analysis of rotaviruses is currently limited by the inability to perform reverse genetics. Development of a reverse genetic system will facilitate analysis of the molecular mechanisms involved in various genetic, biochemical, and biological phenomena of the virus.
Functional well-being is positively correlated with spiritual well-being in women who have spontaneous premature ovarian failure.

Objective To examine the relationship between spiritual well-being and functional well-being in women who have spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Design Cross-sectional. Setting The Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center at the US National Institutes of Health. Patient(s) Women diagnosed with spontaneous premature ovarian failure (N = 138) at a median age of 28 years. Intervention(s) Administration of validated self-reporting instruments. Main Outcome Measure(s) Functional Well-Being, Spiritual Well-Being, Meaning/Peace, and Faith scores. Result(s) We found a significant positive correlation between overall spiritual well-being and functional well-being scores. The Meaning/Peace subscale strongly correlated with functional well-being, explaining approximately 62% of the variance. In contrast, the Faith subscale was less strongly correlated with functional well-being, explaining only 7% of the variance. In multiple regression analysis evaluating the relative subscale contributions to functional well-being, only Meaning/Peace remained statistically significant. We found no significant associations between either spiritual well-being or functional well-being and age; age at diagnosis; time since diagnosis; or partner, children, or racial status. Conclusion(s) This study provides cross-sectional data supporting the need for prospective controlled studies. Strategies to improve spiritual well-being in the domains of meaning, purpose, and inner peace may provide a therapeutic approach to reduce the emotional suffering that accompanies the life-altering diagnosis of premature ovarian failure.
Bilateral Cavernous Nerve Interposition Grafting During Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Experience

Purpose: Cavernous nerve graft is an option for men requiring bilateral cavernous nerve resection for cancer control during radical prostatectomy. We determined the success rate and identified determinants of success of bilateral cavernous nerve grafting following resection of the 2 nerves during radical prostatectomy in patients who were potent preoperatively.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 44 consecutive patients who underwent bilateral nerve grafting from 1999 to 2004. Postoperative erectile function was defined as the achievement of erections satisfactory for intercourse with or without oral medication. We calculated cumulative erectile function recovery rates using Kaplan-Meier curves. The log rank test was used to compare variables affecting erectile function recovery with p <0.0083 considered significant after adjusting for the number of variables evaluated using the Bonferroni correction.Results: The overall 5-year cumulative recovery of erectile function permitti...
Sampling Alignment Structure under a Bayesian Translation Model

We describe the first tractable Gibbs sampling procedure for estimating phrase pair frequencies under a probabilistic model of phrase alignment. We propose and evaluate two nonparametric priors that successfully avoid the degenerate behavior noted in previous work, where overly large phrases memorize the training data. Phrase table weights learned under our model yield an increase in BLEU score over the word-alignment based heuristic estimates used regularly in phrase-based translation systems.
Epizootic Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Three Bison Herds: Differences from Cattle and Association with Ovine Herpesvirus-2

Three bison herds in Colorado experienced high mortality from malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). In comparison with cattle, the bison had a more rapidly progressive disease, fewer clinical signs, and milder inflammatory histologic lesions. There was consistent association with ovine herpesvirus-2 (OHV-2). Contact with sheep was not consistent. Of 17 animals in herd A, 15 died of acute MCF; 1 was slaughtered while healthy; and 1 developed clinical signs of MCF, was treated with corticosteroids and antibiotics, and died of fungal abomasitis and rhinitis after 5 months. In herds B and C, approximately 300 of 900 and 18 of 20 died of MCF following brief clinical disease. The nearest sheep were 1 mile away from herd A, but direct contact with sheep could be documented in herds B and C. Complete gross and histologic examinations were conducted on 34 animals, including all animals in herd A, and MCF was diagnosed in 31. In addition, field necropsies were performed on all dead animals in herd B and most in herd C and MCF was diagnosed on the basis of the gross lesions in most animals. Clinical signs of each animal in herd A were recorded. Illness was brief, usually 8-48 hours. Clinical signs were subtle; separation from the herd was often observed. In all 3 herds, hemorrhagic cystitis and multifocal ulceration of the alimentary tract were consistently found at necropsy. Mild lymphocytic vasculitis was present in multiple organs. Ovine herpesvirus-2 was found by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 71 of 105 formalin-fixed tissue specimens from 29 of 31 animals with MCF. In herd A, blood samples from 13 animals were collected at 5 time points and tested by PCR for the presence of OHV-2 viral sequences in peripheral blood leukocytes. Nine bison with a positive PCR test and 4 with negative results prior to clinical illness died of MCF.
Efficient web content delivery using proxy caching techniques

Web caching technology has been widely used to improve the performance of the Web infrastructure and reduce user-perceived network latencies. Proxy caching is a major Web caching technique that attempts to serve user Web requests from one or a network of proxies located between the end user and Web servers hosting the original copies of the requested objects. This paper surveys the main technical aspects of proxy caching and discusses recent developments in proxy caching research including caching the "uncacheable" and multimedia streaming objects, and various adaptive and integrated caching approaches.
Building Capacity for Global Education in a School Library Media Education Program through International Exchange

It is important for educators of school library media specialists in the United States to begin incorporating a global approach to education. Research on short-term international exchange programs indicates they contribute to the cognitive and personal growth prerequisite for developing a global perspective in both students and faculty. In efforts to develop a global perspective among students and faculty in the Western Kentucky University Library Media Education Program, two members of the faculty initiated an international exchange program with the Colegio San Estanislao de Kostka (SEK) Catalunya, a private P-12 school near Barcelona, Spain.
Pegaptanib sodium for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration

Background: Pegaptanib sodium, the first aptamer therapeutic approved for use and the first antiangiogenic agent used to treat ocular neovascular disease, acts by inhibiting the 165 isoform of vascular endothelial growth factor believed primarily responsible for pathologic ocular neovascularization and vascular permeability. Objective: To briefly present the pharmacology, clinical efficacy and safety, and role of pegaptanib in treating ocular neovascular diseases. Methods: A systematic literature review and synopsis. Results/conclusion: After more than 10 years in development, clinical trials have shown pegaptanib efficacy in treating choroidal neovascularization of age-related macular degeneration. Its excellent ocular and systemic safety profiles have been confirmed in up to 3 years of experience. Early phase, well-controlled studies also suggest therapeutic benefit in diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion.
Media Images of the Poor

This article provides a comprehensive overview of research that has examined the content and prevalence of stereotypic media images of the poor. Research examining televised images and print media are reviewed. An analysis of media framing as well as classist, racist, and sexist imagery is provided. Additionally, to assess media depictions of the poor in the wake of welfare reform, 412 newspaper articles about poverty and welfare published during a 3-month period in 1999 were content analyzed. Although most articles were neutral in tone and portrayed the difficulties facing welfare recipients and the poor sympathetically, they did little to contextualize poverty or illuminate its causes. These findings are discussed in terms of their context and political function.
New Perspectives on Atherogenesis Role of Abnormal Triglyceride-Rich Lipoprotein Metabolism

Atherosclerosis, along with the resultant coronary artery disease (CAD), is a leading cause of mortality in industrialized countries. Significant attention has focused on the role of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the pathogenesis of CAD. A dyslipidemia characterized by a combination of abnormalities in the plasma levels of triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, with or without elevated LDL cholesterol levels, affects many persons with premature CAD, however. In particular, both qualitative and quantitative abnormalities in circulating triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLPs) may be a key factor in the development of CAD.1 A number of advances have led to an increased appreciation of TRLP concentrations as independent predictors of risk for CAD. First, the meta-analysis by Hokanson and Austin2 demonstrated that increases in plasma triglyceride levels were associated with increased risk for CAD events, even after adjusting for numerous other predictive factors. The meta-analysis was supported by a more recent prospective study by Jeppesen et al,3 which demonstrated that triglyceride levels were independent predictors of ischemic heart disease in men. Second, a number of studies have demonstrated that TRLPs, whether assembled in and secreted from the intestine or the liver, can penetrate the artery wall and initiate or aggravate atherogenesis. Third, during the last decade, we have gained a much more detailed understanding of the metabolic relationship between high levels of TRLPs, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and an abnormally small, cholesterol-depleted, dense LDL.4 This review will attempt to bring together information from recent cellular, biochemical, physiological, and molecular studies to provide an update of our understanding of both normal and abnormal TRLP metabolism and of the atherogenicity of TRLPs. ### Physical and Chemical Characteristics of TRLPs All lipoproteins are macromolecular complexes composed of hundreds to thousands of core lipid molecules (triglycerides and cholesteryl esters) that are covered by a surface monolayer of phospholipids, …
Atomic coherence induced Kerr nonlinearity enhancement in Rb vapour

The Kerr nonlinear index of refraction for rubidium atoms is measured by using an optical ring cavity with and without electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). Significant enhancement and inhibition of the Kerr nonlinear index is observed near resonance with EIT. The nonlinear index of refraction is measured as functions of probe and coupling frequency detunings, respectively, with and without the presence of EIT. A simple theoretical calculation including Doppler broadening is presented and is found to be in good qualitative agreement with the experimentally measured results.
Metabolic imprinting : critical impact of the perinatal environment on the regulation of energy homeostasis

Epidemiological studies in humans suggest that maternal undernutrition, obesity and diabetes during gestation and lactation can all produce obesity in offspring. Animal models have allowed us to investigate the independent consequences of altering the pre- versus post-natal environments on a variety of metabolic, physiological and neuroendocrine functions as they effect the development in the offspring of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia (the 'metabolic syndrome'). During gestation, maternal malnutrition, obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes and psychological, immunological and pharmacological stressors can all promote offspring obesity. Normal post-natal nutrition can reduce the adverse impact of some of these pre-natal factors but maternal high-fat diets, diabetes and increased neonatal access to food all enhance the development of obesity and the metabolic syndrome in offspring. The outcome of these perturbations of the perinatal environmental is also highly dependent upon the genetic background of the individual. Those with an obesity-prone genotype are more likely to be affected by factors such as maternal obesity and high-fat diets than are obesity-resistant individuals. Many perinatal manipulations appear to promote offspring obesity by permanently altering the development of central neural pathways, which regulate food intake, energy expenditure and storage. Given their strong neurotrophic properties, either excess or an absence of insulin and leptin during the perinatal period are likely to be effectors of these developmental changes. Because obesity is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality and because of its resistance to treatment, prevention is likely to be the best strategy for stemming the tide of the obesity epidemic. Such prevention should begin in the perinatal period with the identification and avoidance of factors which produce permanent, adverse alterations in neural pathways which control energy homeostasis.