cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of Vaccines Using SeV Vectors Against AIDS and Other Infectious Diseases

Development of effective vaccines, essential for the control of a variety of infectious diseases, requires optimization of antigens and delivery systems. Sendai virus (SeV) vector has been recognized as a promising, novel vaccine delivery tool. We have shown the potential of a recombinant SeV vector vaccine to efficiently induce antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses, leading to control of viral replication in a macaque AIDS model. An international collaborative project toward a clinical trial of an AIDS vaccine using SeV vectors is now proceeding. This vector with the potential to efficiently induce CTL as well as antibody responses would be useful for vaccines against a large variety of infectious diseases.
Mesoporous Pillared Layered Materials

There is a need for catalysts with designed or regular pore systems in the 10–20 A range for cracking and oxidation of large molecules. The search for such materials has centered on the synthesis of large pore molecular sieves and pillared clays. This work will be briefly reviewed, as well as the authors results on pillaring of layered compounds. A true mesoporous product has been prepared in the synthesis of Zr(O3PC6H4C6H4PO3). B.E.T. measurements and other data indicate an average pore radius of 24 A.
Impact of surface interactions on protein conformation

Understanding the behavior of proteins at material interfaces has become increasingly important as the intersection between the biological and synthetic worlds continues to grow. By inducing changes in protein structure, interactions with materials may lead to a loss of function and/or biological activity, as well as undesirable cellular interactions in vivo, including the foreign body reaction to implantable materials. Despite extensive research, the understanding of the mechanisms that lead to protein conformational changes on surfaces remains incomplete. Here, we highlight recent advances in understanding and controlling protein conformation on the surface of synthetic materials, including nanomaterials, polymer films and brushes, metal coatings and particles, and graphitic materials. We also review developments in the use of biophysical and computational methods for characterizing the structure of proteins at solution–solid interfaces. These approaches have provided important new insights into the physico-chemical factors that control protein conformation in near-surface environments, which represents a critical step towards the rational design of biotic–abiotic interfaces in biomedical and biotechnological applications.
Generation of membrane proteins in polymer-based lipoparticles as flow cytometry antigens

Abstract A major obstacle in the study of membrane proteins is the challenge in generating purified targets in a stable and native conformation. Potentially destabilizing detergents are often used to extract targets out of their native membranes. One approach to overcome these destabilization issues is to present targets in a lipid bilayer environment. While numerous lipid bilayer presentation approaches such as Nanodiscs and liposomes have been used through the years, most still require a detergent purified protein intermediate. Styrene-maleic acid lipoparticles (SMALPs) have been developed to directly solubilize membranes without the use of detergents and present membrane proteins in a native lipid bilayer environment. These discoidal lipid bilayer particles have been evaluated on several membrane protein classes (e.g. ion channels, transporters) and applications (e.g. spectroscopy, electron microscopy). Here, cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), a class A G-protein coupled receptor, was incorporated into a SMALP (CB1-SMALP) and shown to retain its native fold through binding studies with a CB1-specific conformational antibody. The binding studies were conducted in yeast and mammalian display formats using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Compared to detergent preparations, CB1-SMALP also exhibited a marked increase in thermostability. This study provides the framework for a platform to generate full-length membrane protein screening antigens for flow cytometry-based studies.
Mapping Homicide Clusters across the United States Using County Level Data, 2004-2012 with Comparisons to Earlier Studies

Mapping crime can help identify geographic areas where crime clusters, and potentially help reveal factors that affect the production of crime at the structural level. Such information could have u...
Peer Effects of Migrant and Left-behind Children: Evidence from Classroom Random Assignment in China

In this study, we investigate the peer effects of domestic migrant children and left-behind children on their classmates. Left-behind children are the children who are left in their hometown when their parents migrate. We exploit the large-scale random assignment of students into classes within schools in China to deal with the identification challenge due to the self-selection of students, which is rarely seen in other countries. Results show that an increase of ten percentage points in the proportion of left-behind peers and the proportion of migrant peers in the class results in a decrease of 0.12 and 0.06 standard deviations in a student's test score, respectively. However, the negative peer effects of left-behind peers are halved and the negative peer effects of migrant peers are totally erased in the second year. The reduction can be attributed to an improved class environment, such as students' relationships. Left-behind students' misbehavior due to the lack of parents' supervision may cause long-lasting damage and negative spillover. In addition, the indirect channel of family background of migrant and left-behind students explains only part of the peer effect. Relaxing the enrollment restriction of migrant students and encouraging migrant parents to take their children with them might reduce the overall negative spillovers.
Achievable Capacity of Multi-Polarization MIMO (MP-MIMO) toward 6G Wireless Communications

In recent years, polarization diversity has gained momentum in the research areas of 5th and 6th generation (5G/6G) wireless communications due to its benefit in the improvement of channel capacity. One driving technology behind polarization diversity is the advancement of polarization-agile antennas that allows flexible reconfiguration of their transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) polarization. The current polarization-agile antennas can take several discrete polarization angles. This paper proposes a practical scheme to determine optimal Tx and Rx polarization among the limited number of polarization angles to maximize channel capacity. Comprehensive simulation results are provided showing that the multi-polarization multi-input multi-output (MP-MIMO) system toward 6G wireless communications can successfully reach the achievable channel capacity with the practical polarization-agile antennas.
Stochastic processes dominate the within and between host evolution of influenza virus

The global evolutionary dynamics of influenza virus ultimately derive from processes that take place within and between infected individuals. Here we define the dynamics of influenza A virus populations in human hosts through next generation sequencing of 249 specimens from 200 individuals collected over 6290 person-seasons of observation. Because these viruses were collected over 5 seasons from individuals in a prospective community-based cohort, they are broadly representative of natural human infections with seasonal viruses. We used viral sequence data from 35 serially sampled individuals to estimate a within host effective population size of 30-70 and an in vivo mutation rate of 4x10-5 per nucleotide per cellular infectious cycle. These estimates are consistent across several models and robust to the models9s underlying assumptions. We also identified 43 epidemiologically linked and genetically validated transmission pairs. Maximum likelihood optimization of multiple transmission models estimates an effective transmission bottleneck of 1-2 distinct genomes. Our data suggest that positive selection of novel viral variants is inefficient at the level of the individual host and that genetic drift and other stochastic processes dominate the within and between host evolution of influenza A viruses.
Enhanced White Matter Fiber Tracts in Advanced Jazz Improvisers

Human cognition and behavior arise from neuronal interactions over brain structural networks. These neuronal interactions cause changes in structural networks over time. How a creative activity such as musical improvisation performance changes the brain structure is largely unknown. In this diffusion magnetic resonance imaging study, we examined the brain’s white matter fiber properties in previously identified functional networks and compared the findings between advanced jazz improvisers and non-musicians. We found that, for advanced improvisers compared with non-musicians, the normalized quantitative anisotropy (NQA) is elevated in the lateral prefrontal areas and supplementary motor area, and the underlying white matter fiber tracts connecting these areas. This enhancement of the diffusion anisotropy along the fiber pathway connecting the lateral prefrontal and supplementary motor is consistent with the functional networks during musical improvisation tasks performed by expert jazz improvisers. These findings together suggest that experts’ creative skill is associated with the task-relevant, long-timescale brain structural network changes, in support of related cognitive underpinnings.
Use of single guided Cas9 nickase to facilitate precise and efficient genome editing in human iPSCs.

Cas9 nucleases permit rapid and efficient generation of gene-edited cell lines. However, in typical protocols, mutations are intentionally introduced into the donor template to avoid the cleavage of donor template or re-cleavage of the successfully edited allele, compromising the fidelity of the isogenic lines generated. In addition, the double-stranded breaks (DSBs) used for editing can introduce undesirable “on-target” indels within the second allele of successfully modified cells via non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). To address these problems, we present an optimized protocol for precise genome editing in human iPSCs that employs (1) single guided Cas9 nickase to generate single-stranded breaks (SSBs), (2) transient overexpression of BCL-XL to enhance survival post electroporation, and (3) the PiggyBac transposon system for seamless removal of dual selection markers. We have used this method to modify the length of the CAG repeat contained in exon 7 of PPP2R2B. When longer than 43 triplets, this repeat causes the neurodegenerative disorder spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCA12); our goal was to seamlessly introduce the SCA12 mutation into a human control iPSC line. With our protocol, ~ 15% of iPSC clones selected had the desired gene editing without “on target” indels or off-target changes, and without the deliberate introduction of mutations via the donor template. This method will allow for the precise and efficient editing of human iPSCs for disease modeling and other purposes.
Satisfaction with care and attention to salient concerns by race in a diverse national sample of young women with breast cancer.

e18561Background: Young women with breast cancer (BC) have unique issues, including fertility, genetic, and emotional health concerns; these may sometimes be inadequately addressed by providers. Gi...
Enhanced data efficiency using deep neural networks and Gaussian processes for aerodynamic design optimization

Abstract Adjoint-based optimization methods are attractive for aerodynamic shape design primarily due to their computational costs being independent of the dimensionality of the input space and their ability to generate high-fidelity gradients that can then be used in a gradient-based optimizer. This makes them very well suited for high-fidelity simulation based aerodynamic shape optimization of highly parametrized geometries such as aircraft wings. However, the development of adjoint-based solvers involve careful mathematical treatment and their implementation require detailed software development. Furthermore, they can become prohibitively expensive when multiple optimization problems are being solved, each requiring multiple restarts to circumvent local optima. In this work, we propose a machine learning enabled, surrogate-based framework that replaces the expensive adjoint solver, without compromising on predicting predictive accuracy. Specifically, we first train a deep neural network (DNN) from training data generated from evaluating the high-fidelity simulation model on a model-agnostic design of experiments on the geometry shape parameters. The optimum shape may then be computed by using a gradient-based optimizer coupled with the trained DNN. Subsequently, we also perform a gradient-free Bayesian optimization, where the trained DNN is used as the prior mean. We observe that the latter framework (DNN-BO) improves upon the DNN-only based optimization strategy for the same computational cost. Overall, this framework predicts the true optimum with very high accuracy, while requiring far fewer high-fidelity function calls compared to the adjoint-based method. Furthermore, we show that multiple optimization problems can be solved with the same machine learning model with high accuracy, to amortize the offline costs associated with constructing our models. Our methodology finds applications in the early stages of aerospace design.
Connective Tissue Graft with or without Enamel Matrix Derivative for Treating Gingival Recession Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Objectives The aim of this systematic review is to compare the root coverage outcomes of using a connective tissue graft (CTG) with and without the application of enamel matrix derivative (EMD). Methodology An electronic search was performed up to July 2020 in four databases, including Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Central. Human clinical studies with data on comparing outcomes of root coverage using CTG with and without the application of EMD were included. Meta-analyses for the recorded parameters were performed and the weighted mean difference (WMD) between the two groups and 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported. Results Nine clinical studies were selected for inclusion in this review. The WMD of CAL gain was 0.78 mm (95% CI of 0.23 mm to 1.34 mm, p= 0.005) and the WMD of recession depth reduction was 0.28 mm (95% CI of 0.06 mm to 0.51 mm, p= 0.01), favoring the CTG+EMD approach. However, the comparisons for the percentage of complete root coverage (CRC) and mean root coverage (MRC) between the two approaches were not statistically significant. Conclusion Although the use of a CTG with and without the application of EMD in root coverage procedures achieved a similar percentage of CRC and MRC, the addition of EMD to CTG may improve the outcome of recession depth reduction and CAL gain.
A theory of justified reformulations

Present day systems, intelligent or otherwise, are limited by the conceptualizations of the world given to them by their designers. This thesis explores issues in the construction of adaptive systems that can incrementally reformulate their conceptualizations to achieve computational efficiency or descriptional adequacy. A detailed account of a special case of the reformulation problem is presented: we reconceptualize a knowledge base in terms of new abstract objects and relations in order to make the computation of a given class of queries more efficient. Automatic reformulation will not be possible unless a reformulator can justify a shift in conceptualization. We present a new class of meta-theoretical justifications for a reformulation, called irrelevance explanations. A logical irrelevance explanation proves that certain distinctions made in the formulation are not necessary for the computation of a given class of problems. A computational irrelevance explanation proves that some distinctions are not useful with respect to a given problem solver for a given class of problems. Inefficient formulations make irrelevant distinctions and the irrelevance principle logically minimizes a formulation by removing all facts and distinctions in it that are not needed for the specified goals. The automation of the irrelevance principle is demonstrated with the generation of abstractions from first principles. We also describe the implementation of an irrelevance reformulator and outline experimental results that confirm our theory.
Inductor coupled converter (IC/sup 2/) for high-power DC-DC applications

The suitability of the inductor coupled converter (IC/sup 2/) and its extension is analyzed for high-power DC-DC conversion. Moderate device and component stresses and zero-loss switching, make this converter a good candidate for applications where both voltage step-up and voltage step-down are required. Analysis shows that, due to the circulating currents, device current rating is a limiting factor in the scalability of this topology to very high powers. Simulation and experimental prototype results are included to demonstrate the operation of the converter. >
Mead, Margaret (1901–78)

This article gives details on the life and professional career of American cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead, at the time of her death in 1978 the most famous anthropologist in the United States. It also outlines and follows what is known of the Mead–Freeman controversy, New Zealand anthropologist Derek Freeman's severe critiquing of her Samoan fieldwork and of Coming of Age in Samoa after her death. The controversy lasted an intense 18 years until Freeman's own death in 2001. That year was also the centennial of Margaret Mead's birth, and seems to have marked a turn away from the controversy and more interest in pursuing other lines of Margaret Mead scholarship.
A Theory of Dynamic Oligopoly, III: Cournot Competition

Abstract We study the Markov perfect equilibrium (MPE) of an alternating move, infinite horizon duopoly model where the strategic variable is quantity. We exhibit a pair of difference-differential equations that, when they exist, differentiable MPE strategies satisfy. For quadratic payoff functions, we solve these equations in closed form and demonstrate that the MPE corresponding to the solution is the limit of the finite horizon equilibrium as the horizon tends to infinity. We conclude with a discussion of adjustment costs and endogenization of the timing.
Empathy in Patient Care: Antecedents, Development, Measurement, and Outcomes

Empathy in Human Relationships.- Definitions and Conceptualization.- Human Connection in Health and Illness.- An Evolutionary Perspective, Psycho-Socio-Physiology, Neuroanatomy, and Heritability.- Psychodynamics and Development.- Measurement of Empathy in the General Population.- Empathy in Patient Care.- A Definition and Key Features of Empathy in Patient Care.- The Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy.- The Interpersonal Dynamics in Clinician-Patient Relationships.- Empathy as Related to Sex, Personal Qualities, Clinical Competence, and Career Choice.- Patient Outcomes.- Enhancement of Empathy.- Parting Thoughts: A Paradigm of Empathy and Future Directions.
SU-F-BRB-14: Dosimetric Effects at Air- Tissue Boundary Due to Magnetic Field in MR-Guided IMRT/VMAT Delivery for Head and Neck Cancer

Purpose: The advent of the MR-Linac enables real-time and high soft tissue contrast image guidance in radiation therapy (RT) delivery. Potential hot-spots at air-tissue interfaces, such as the sphenoid sinus, in RT for head and neck cancer (HNC), could potentially occur due to the electron return effect (ERE). In this study, we investigate the dosimetric effects of ERE on the dose distribution at air-tissues interfaces in HNC IMRT treatment planning. Methods: IMRT plans were generated based on planning CT’s acquired for HNC cases (nasopharynx, base of skull and paranasal sinus) using a research planning system (Monaco, v5.09.06, Elekta) employing Monte Carlo dose calculations with or without the presence of a transverse magnetic field (TMF). The dose in the air cavity was calculated in a 1 & 2 mm thick tissue layer, while the dose to the skin was calculated in a 1, 3 and 5 mm thick tissue layer. The maximum dose received in 1 cc volume, D1cc, were collected at different TMF strengths. Plan qualities generated with or without TMF or with increasing TMF were compared in terms of commonly-used dose-volume parameters (DVPs). Results: Variations in DVPs between plans with and without a TMF present were found to be within 5% of the planning CT. The presence of a TMF results in <5% changes in sinus air tissue interface. The largest skin dose differences with and without TMF were found within 1 mm of the skin surface Conclusion: The presence of a TMF results in practically insignificant changes in HNC IMRT plan quality, except for skin dose. Planning optimization with skin DV constraints could reduce the skin doses. This research was partially supported by Elekta Inc. (Crowley, U.K.)
Guillermo Sheridan. Un corazón adicto: la vida de Ramón López Velarde. México: Fondo de Cultura Económica, 1989.

El presente libro, publicado en abril de 1989, es prueba contundente de la seriedad con que han sido examinados el verso y la prosa del escritor, asi como su vida personal y literaria.
Biomarkers for NeuroAIDS: The Widening Scope of Metabolomics

"Metabolomics", the measurement of metabolite concentrations and fluxes in cell systems, is an emerging science that has enormous potential and several unique characteristics. The current applications for this field are, primarily, toxicological profiling and biomarker studies. This review of metabolomics research highlights the identification of reliable biomarkers with emphasis on neuroAIDS. Such identification of candidate markers will be advantageous for tracking the progression of human immunodeficiency virus/central nervous system (HIV/CNS) disease to gain maximal benefit from antiretroviral treatment and to provide insight into the mechanism of related neuropathogenesis.
Ethically Evaluating Land Art: Is It Worth It?

Land art requires careful evaluation when assessing its aesthetic and ethical value. Critics of land art charge that it is unethical in that it uses nature without such use being justified by some future good. Other critics charge that land art harms nature aesthetically. In this essay, the author canvasses these charges and argues that some land art is ethically and aesthetically defensible, and that some has great and rare potential in both realms.
Utility of the sickness impact profile in Parkinson's disease.

The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) is a questionnaire consisting of 136 items grouped into 12 categories and two dimensions (physical and psychosocial). To characterize its utility in Parkinson's disease (PD), we administered the SIP to 44 consecutive clinic patients with PD. Compared to 44 age- and sex-matched control subjects, PD patients had their greatest dysfunction in the categories of mobility, communication, and home management. The two items that PD patients most commonly endorsed were, “I am having trouble writing or typing” (75%) and, “My sexual activity is decreased” (61%). In general, these treated PD patients had greater dysfunction in the psychosocial than physical dimensions. Two simple PD-specific scales correlated well with the physical dimension score but less so with the psychosocial dimension, suggesting that the SIP assesses more functional domains than the PD-specific scales used. The SIP holds some promise as a broad measure of functional status in PD patients. (J Geriatr Psychiatry...
Within-farm variability in age structure of breeding-female pigs and reproductive performance on commercial swine breeding farms

This study investigated relationships between herd age structure and herd productivity in breeding herds; it also investigated a pattern in parity proportions of females over 2 years and its relationship with herd productivity in commercial swine herds. This study was based on data from 148 commercial farms in North America stored in the swine database program at the University of Minnesota. The primary selection criterion was fluctuations in breeding-female pig (female) inventories over a 2-year interval. Productivity measurements and parity proportions of females were extracted from the database. A 24-month time-plot in proportions of Parity 0 and Parities 3-5 females (mid-parity) was charted for each farm. Using these charts, a change in proportions of Parity 0 and mid-parity for each farm was categorized into patterns: FLUCTUATE (Parity 0 and mid-parity proportion lines crossed) or STABLE (the two proportion lines never crossed). Higher proportions of mid-parity sows were correlated with greater pigs weaned per female per year (PWFY; P < 0.01). Farms with a FLUCTUATE (73% of the 148 farms) pattern had lower PWFY than those with a STABLE pattern (P < 0.01). The STABLE farms had higher proportions of mid-parity sows, higher parity at culling, higher frequency of gilt deliveries per year, and lower replacement rate than the FLUCTUATE farms (P < 0.01). In conclusion, maintaining stable subpopulations with mid-parity and Parity 0 are recommended to optimize herd productivity.
EVALUATION OF A COUPLED SOLUTION APPROACH FOR FLUID FLOW CALCULATIONS IN BODY-FITTED CO-ORDINATES

SUMMARY An investigation has been conducted to study the performance of a coupled solution approach for solving the fluid flow equations in body-fitted co-ordinates using a covariant velocity formulation. The set of discrete equations is solved using a sparse matrix variant of LU decomposition. A series of test problems have been considered to study the effects of Reynolds number, mesh skewness and grid size on the convergence rate. The coupled solution approach has been compared with a state-of-the-art sequential approach. The results indicate that the coupled technique is faster by a factor of about two for reasonable grids. For severely non-orthogonal grids the performance of the coupled solution approach deteriorates considerably.
Role of Penicillin-Binding Protein 2 (PBP2) in the Antibiotic Susceptibility and Cell Wall Cross-Linking of Staphylococcus aureus: Evidence for the Cooperative Functioning of PBP2, PBP4, and PBP2A

Ceftizoxime, a beta-lactam antibiotic with high selective affinity for penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2) of Staphylococcus aureus, was used to select a spontaneous resistant mutant of S. aureus strain 27s. The stable resistant mutant ZOX3 had an increased ceftizoxime MIC and a decreased affinity of its PBP2 for ceftizoxime and produced peptidoglycan in which the proportion of highly cross-linked muropeptides was reduced. The pbpB gene of ZOX3 carried a single C-to-T nucleotide substitution at nucleotide 1373, causing replacement of a proline with a leucine at amino acid residue 458 of the transpeptidase domain of the protein, close to the SFN conserved motif. Experimental proof that this point mutation was responsible for the drug-resistant phenotype, and also for the decreased PBP2 affinity and reduced cell wall cross-linking, was provided by allelic replacement experiments and site-directed mutagenesis. Disruption of pbpD, the structural gene of PBP4, in either the parental strain or the mutant caused a large decrease in the highly cross-linked muropeptide components of the cell wall and in the mutant caused a massive accumulation of muropeptide monomers as well. Disruption of pbpD also caused increased sensitivity to ceftizoxime in both the parental cells and the ZOX3 mutant, while introduction of the plasmid-borne mecA gene, the genetic determinant of the beta-lactam resistance protein PBP2A, had the opposite effects. The findings provide evidence for the cooperative functioning of two native S. aureus transpeptidases (PBP2 and PBP4) and an acquired transpeptidase (PBP2A) in staphylococcal cell wall biosynthesis and susceptibility to antimicrobial agents.
The benefit of revision knee arthroplasty for component malrotation after primary total knee replacement

Purpose Revision surgery for component malrotation in the painful TKA is a relatively novel indication. The purpose of this study was to assess the benefit of revision TKA for component malrotation with regard to the clinical and functional outcomes.
Bolus Injections of Recombinant Human Interleukin-1 Cause Transient Hypocalcemia in Normal Mice

Abstract Single daily injections of recombinant human interleukin-lα (IL-lα) or interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were given for 1-3 days to normal mice, and blood ionized calcium concentrations were measured before and at various times after each injection. Mean blood calcium levels fell significantly in both groups of animals 3 h after the first IL-1 injections and returned to pretreatment values at 5 h. However, at 24 and 48 h mean values were significantly higher than those in saline-heated controls. Despite this progressive underlying increase in mean blood ionized calcium concentrations, blood calcium concentrations also fell significantly 3 h after the second and third IL-1 injections. The transient decrease in blood calcium was prevented by treatment with indomethacin and, thus, appears to be prostaglandin mediated. Hypocalcemia was not observed after single bolus injections of tumor necrosis factor-α or -β (lymphotoxin). These findings suggest that IL-1 is a potential mediator of the hypocalcemia that occur...
Electron flow through proteins

Electron transfers in photosynthesis and respiration commonly occur between metal-containing cofactors that are separated by large molecular distances. Employing laser flash-quench triggering methods, we have shown that 20-A, coupling-limited Fe^(II)–Ru^(III) and Cu^I–Ru^(III) electron tunneling in Ru-modified cytochromes and blue copper proteins can occur on the microsecond timescale both in solutions and crystals. Redox equivalents can be transferred even longer distances by multistep tunneling, often called hopping, through intervening amino acid side chains. Our work has established that 20-A hole hopping through an intervening tryptophan is two orders of magnitude faster than single-step electron tunneling in a Re-modified blue copper protein.
Antibonding plasmon mode coupling of an individual hole in a thin metallic film

The polarization dependence of the optical properties of individual subwavelength holes in a thin metallic film is studied using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. We show that for parallel polarization of the incident light, the coupling is predominantly to short-range bonding film plasmons while for perpendicular polarization the incident light couples more efficiently to long-range antibonding film plasmons. These results represent a direct observation of antisymmetric hybridized plasmons and clarify the nature of plasmonic excitations in metallic structures with subwavelength-scale geometrical features. They show that polarization can be used as a means for selective excitation of film plasmon modes.
ethylene receptor 1 (etr1) Is Sufficient and Has the Predominant Role in Mediating Inhibition of Ethylene Responses by Silver in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Background: Silver ions block ethylene perception yet support ethylene binding to Ethylene Receptor 1 (ETR1). Results: Loss of ETR1 reduces the effects of silver while loss of the other receptors has less of an effect. Conclusion: ETR1 has the predominant role and is sufficient for the effects of silver. Significance: This could underlie differences in the roles of the receptors in plants.
Feeding ecology of benthopelagic zooplankton on an eastern tropical Pacific seamount

The gut contents of dominant deep-sea benthic boundary layer zooplankton (primarily copepods and mysids) and the vacuole contents of phaeodarians collected and preserved in situ at four depths (from 724 to 3112 m) on an eastern tropical Pacific seamount (Volcano 7; 13°23′N, 102°27′W) between 23 November and 4 December 1988 were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Suspended, and sinking plus resuspended particles, were quantitatively sampled to characterize potential food sources. The broad oxygen minimum characteristic of this region intersects the summit of the seamount and affects the feeding ecology of these organisms. Several copepods and mysids and an amphipod contained guts packed with what appeared to be gram-positive bacteria, an unusual finding. We hypothesize that the source of these bacteria-like bodies was a mat or aggregate that originated in the oxygen minimum or at its upper or lower interface. The presence of the bacteria-like bodies in 43 to 100% of the particlefeeding zooplankton that were sectioned and that had gut contents, suggests that the bacteria-like bodies are an important food source. The diverse gut and vacuole contents of other detritivores were similar among depths. Particles and microorganisms from the depths were also similar. This finding can be explained by the rapid sinking of particles and aggregates from surface waters and their relatively intact transit through the broad oxygen minimum with its reduced populations of zooplankton. The presence of algal cells in guts and vacuoles of benthic boundary-layer zooplankton suggests that these zooplankton select particles of recent surface origin for consumption. The presence of the guts filled with bacteria-like bodies shows that some deep-sea copepods and mysids that are normally generalist feeders can specialize opportunistically. The similarity of gut contents of crustaceans and vacuole contents of phaeodarians suggests that these two very different groups of particle feeders utilize similar food sources in the deep sea.
Comparison of dual-source 64-slice adenosine stress CT perfusion with stress-gated SPECT-MPI for evaluation of left ventricular function and volumes

Background Evaluation of left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (LVEF) represent important components of pharmacologic stress imaging with either myocardial CT perfusion (CTP) or gated single-photon emission CT (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI). Objectives We compared measurements of left ventricular function and volumes obtained with CTP and SPECT-MPI. Methods Forty-seven patients (mean age, 62 ± 11 years; male, n=39) underwent stress CTP and SPECT-MPI. LVEF (in %), end-systolic volume (ESV; in mL), and end-diastolic volume (EDV; in mL) derived from stress CTP images were compared with SPECT-MPI. Results Stress CTP was in good agreement with SPECT-MPI for quantification of LVEF ( r = 0.91), EDV ( r = 0.75), and ESV ( r = 0.83; all P Conclusions LVEF and LV volume parameters as determined by dual-source 64-slice adenosine stress CTP show a high correlation with values obtained with stress-gated SPECT-MPI.
Electronic structure and light induced degradation of amorphous silicon-germanium alloys

Abstract A systematic study of the deep defect related electronic transitions on a series of device quality amorphous silicon-germanium alloys (a-Si,Ge:H) produced by the glow discharge method was carried out. The experimental results indicate a unique defect structure in these alloys; specifically, a deep defect band below the Fermi level and a clear majority carrier trap distribution above the Fermi level. More significantly, a defect band disclosed by sub-band-gap spectroscopy exhibits a strong relaxation effect, which suppress the electron thermal emission. It is believed that band may act as a ‘safe electron trap’ to enhance the lifetime of the minority carriers.
CONCANAVALIN A ACTIVATES THE SUPPRESSOR/INDUCER SUBPOPULATION OF CD4+ T LYMPHOCYTES

Human CD4+ inducer T lymphocytes consist of heterogeneous populations that can be defined either by the monoclonal antibody anti-2H4, which identifies CD4+ cells capable of inducing suppressor T cell function, or by anti-4B4, which identifies CD4+ cells that induce T cell help for B cells. To determine if these subpopulations are terminally differentiated cells within the CD4 lineage, or if they can be modulated by various stimuli, we examined the number and function of the CD4+2H4+ and CD4+4B4+ subpopulations before and after mitogenic activation. Stimulation of CD4+ cells with 10 mcg/ml Concanavalin A (Con A) selectively increased the percentage of cells expressing the CD4+2H4+ phenotype from 43±2% to 82±4%. No change occurred in CD4+4B4+ cells (41±2% to 40±14%). Mitomycin C treatment prior to Con A stimulation abrogated the increase in CD4+2H4+ expression. In contrast to Con A, PHA stimulation produced a non-selective increase in both 2H4 (96%) and 4B4 (92%) expression. Functional studies using autologous T plus B cells in pokeweed driven cocultures, revealed that the Con A activated CD4+ cells induced a T-cell mediated suppression (80±4%) of IgG synthesis. Thus, Con A selectively expands the 2H4+ subpopulation within the CD4+ subset of T cells. The CD4+2H4+ subpopulation may represent a functionally distinct, terminally differentiated suppressor/inducer cell.
The effects of alprazolam on corticotropin-releasing factor neurons in the rat brain: Implications for a role for CRF in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders

Considerable evidence indicates that corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is responsible for integrating not only the endocrine, but the autonomic and behavioral responses of an organism to stress. We have investigated the effects of the anxiolytic triazolobenzodiazepine, alprazolam, on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and of CRF neurons following acute and chronic administration. In addition, because many of the signs and symptoms observed in animals and humans following abrupt discontinuation of benzodiazepines resemble those of the stress response, we examined the effect of alprazolam withdrawal on CRF neurons and HPA axis activity. Alprazolam decreases CRF concentrations in the locus coeruleus 0.5-3.0 hours following acute injection. Similarly, chronic (14 days) alprazolam administration also results in decreased CRF concentrations in the locus coeruleus. CRF concentrations return to control values 24 hours following abrupt alprazolam withdrawal. Moreover, abrupt alprazolam withdrawal results in increased plasma ACTH and corticosterone concentrations and decreased anterior pituitary CRF receptor concentrations 24 hours following drug discontinuation. Thus, abrupt alprazolam withdrawal profoundly activates the HPA axis. These indices of HPA axis activity return to control values by 48 hours post-withdrawal. These actions of alprazolam on CRF neurons are opposite to those observed following acute or chronic stress. These results support the hypothesis that CRF-containing neurons innervating the locus coeruleus may be involved in the pathogenesis of anxiety, and in the actions of clinically efficacious anxiolytics.
Stimulation of biogenic methane generation in coal samples following chemical treatment with potassium permanganate

Abstract Bioconversion of coal to methane has many economic and environmental advantages over more conventional processes. This study summarizes data on the stimulation of generation of methane from a subbituminous coal treated with potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as a depolymerization agent. The general bioavailability of the soluble coal-derived components is also evaluated by the aerobic production of CO2. Of the total coal carbon, 5.4% was solubilized into the aqueous phase. Based on aerobic and anaerobic bioassay, 27.7% of the soluble carbon was used as substrate by microorganism to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), and 3.2% was used to produce methane (CH4). The methane accumulated rapidly and peaked at day 40 with 93.4 μmol CH4/g coal. A small fraction of the soluble carbon (143.0 μmol CH4/g coal) was designated as volatile and was removed by sparging with nitrogen gas. This fraction was shown to have a significant impact on gas generation. The findings of this study provide the basis for a better understanding of the underlying processes involved in the rate-limiting step of coal solubilization; moreover, they provide evidence of the significant potential for the in situ/ex situ enhancement of biogenic natural gas production in depleted hydrocarbon reserves such as coal. The aerobic and anaerobic bioassays may be useful to evaluate sites for field applications intended to enhance methane production processes.
CENTER PROBLEM FOR THIRD-ORDER ODEs

We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a center on a local center manifold for three 4-parameter families of quadratic systems on ℝ3. We also give a positive answer to an open question posed in [Dias & Mello, 2010] related to similar systems.
Behavioral Economics and the Retirement Savings Crisis

at risk of having inadequate funds to maintain their lifestyle retirement is estimated increased to 53% from ( 1). Roughly half U.S. employees (78 million) have no access to retirement plans at their workplace ( 2). Fortunately, there to these We simply have to change the choice architecture of retirement plans the ndings research ( 3) and make such plans available to all workers. We describe a large-scale fi eld demonstration of the impact of such research-based changes in how we save. One reason for the savings crisis shift in the private sector from defi ned benefi t pension plans (DB, retirement benefi ts formulaic and in advance) to defi ned bution plans (DC, where benefi ts
Normal personality correlates of sensorimotor, cognitive, and visuospatial gating

Specific psychiatric disorders are characterized by impaired selective inhibition or "gating" of responses to sensory or cognitive information. Less is known about gating differences among normal individuals. We tested carefully screened controls in measures of central inhibition: prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle, the Stroop test, and negative priming (NP). Subjects were defined as "normal" or "psychosis prone," based on theoretically and empirically derived MMPI criteria. Performance on all measures by "psychosis-prone" individuals suggested reduced sensorimotor gating and/or increased cognitive or visual interference. Performance was most impaired in individuals scoring highest on the MMPI Goldberg Index, which was originally designed to distinguish "psychotic" from "neurotic" inpatients. Inhibition in Stroop and NP was correlated across all subjects, but PPI was not correlated with other measures. Gender differences were noted in PPI (male > female), but not Stroop or NP. Performance deteriorated with age in Stroop and NP, but not PPI. The results are discussed as they relate to psychophysical and neural correlates of normal personality dimensions.
The effect of salt-loading on corticotropin releasing hormone and arginine vasopressin mRNA levels in the mouse hypothalamus: a quantitative in situ hybridization analysis.

Abstract Previously, we showed that during salt-loading in mice there was an acute rise in plasma ACTH levels after 2 days followed by a transient decrease after 4 and 9 days. Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA levels in the anterior pituitary increased after 2 days and returned to normal thereafter. In this study, changes in hypothalamic CRH and AVP mRNA levels during salt-loading were investigated using quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry. CRH mRNA was expressed only in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), while AVP mRNA was expressed in both the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei. CRH mRNA levels were unchanged after 2 days salt-loading, but declined to 77% of control levels after 9 days. AVP mRNA levels rose to 260% and 634% of control levels in the SON, and to 352% and 522% of control levels in the PVN, after 2 and 9 days salt-loading, respectively. These data suggest a major role of AVP in the acute stimulation of ACTH secretion and POMC mRNA levels seen after 2 days salt-loading. Densitization of AVP receptors at the corticotroph level and a centrally mediated inhibition of CRH release may account for the decrease of ACTH secretion and POMC mRNA levels in the anterior pituitary with prolonged salt-loading.
ABSOLUTE ROVIBRATIONAL INTENSITIES OF 12C16O2 ABSORPTION BANDS IN THE 3090-3850 CM-1 SPECTRAL REGION

A multispectrum nonlinear least-squares fitting technique has been used to determine the absolute intensities for approximately 1500 spectral lines in 36 vibration - rotation bands Of C-12O2-16 between 3090 and 3850/ cm. A total of six absorption spectra of a high- purity (99.995% minimum) natural sample of carbon dioxide were used in the analysis. The spectral data (0.01/cm resolution) were recorded at room temperature and low pressure (1 to 10 Torr) using the McMath-Pierce Fourier transform spectrometer of the National Solar Observatory (NSO) on Kitt Peak. The absorption path lengths for these spectra varied between 24.86 and 385.76 m. The first experimental determination of the intensity of the theoretically predicted 2(nu)(sub 2, sup 2) + nu(sub 3) "forbidden" band has been made. The measured line intensities obtained for each band have been analyzed to determine the vibrational band intensity, S(sub nu), in /cm/( molecule/sq cm) at 296 K, square of the rotationless transition dipole moment |R|(exp 2) in Debye, as well as the nonrigid rotor coefficients. The results are compared to the values listed in the 1996 HITRAN database which are obtained using the direct numerical diagonalization (DND) technique as well as to other published values where available.
Neural representation of interval timing using electrocorticography

Interval timing refers to the cognitive ability to remember and process the length of time between two events, primarily on the scale of hundreds of milliseconds to tens of seconds [1]. It is critical for a wide range of behaviors, and deficits in interval timing are correlated with several disorders, including schizophrenia, ADHD, and autism [2]. While mechanisms for timing very short and very long periods (milliseconds and hours, respectively) have been extensively studied, the physiological basis for interval timing remains largely unknown [3]. It has often been assumed that specialized brain regions are used for estimating temporal intervals, but currently there is no significant evidence supporting this view. Recent experimental evidence in rodents indicates that the representation of timing might be distributed, and might even exist in primary sensory cortices [4]. For example, Shuler et al. (2006) found timing related neural spiking in V1, and subsequent work has found timing related activity even in cortical slices [5,6]. Our lab has proposed a model of how such temporal intervals can be represented and learned with recurrent neural networks [7]. These new experimental findings and related models suggest a theoretical framework in which interval timing has a distributed representation throughout the brain, and that this representation is formed via cortical plasticity. Experimental work examining the mechanism of interval timing has been carried out in animal models, but not in humans. To explore the applicability of the distributed framework to humans, we have designed a set of experiments using electrocorticography (ECOG) in human patients. The patients were instructed to perform a basic interval-timing task, where they learned to respond to two different tones. For the lower frequency tone, patients were trained to press a button 1 second following the sound. For the higher frequency tone, patients were trained to press a button 3 second following the sound. Patients were given a ‘reward’ in the form of points based on how accurately they performed on the task. During the experiment, data was recorded from 50 to 128 subdural electrodes at a rate of 2000 Hz. The data was then filtered and band passed into frequency ranges that have been established to correlate with cognitive activity. Activity in different tone conditions was compared, primarily between the 1 and 3 second time points following the tone. Additionally, the activity immediately prior to reaction was compared to baseline. Preliminary power analysis has shown significant interval timing related activity in and around the auditory cortex. Activation in the anterior temporal lobe and the DLPFC also appear to correspond to timing behavior, suggesting that they may play some physiological role in interval timing. These combined findings support the basic assumptions of the distributed representation framework.