cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural and Functional Basis for the Long QT Syndrome: Relevance to Veterinary Patients

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a condition characterized by prolongation of ventricular repolarization and is manifested clinically by lengthening of the QT interval on the surface ECG. Whereas inherited forms of LQTS associated with mutations in the genes that encode ion channel proteins are identified only in humans, the acquired form of LQTS occurs in humans and companion animal species. Often, acquired LQTS is associated with drug-induced block of the cardiac K + current designated I K r . However, not all drugs that induce potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias antagonize I K r , and not all drugs that block I K r are associated with ventricular arrhythmias. In clinical practice, the extent of QT interval prolongation and risk of ventricular arrhythmia associated with antagonism of I K r are modulated by pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variables. Veterinarians can influence some of the potential risk factors (eg, drug dosage, route of drug administration, presence or absence of concurrent drug therapy, and patient electrolyte status) but not all (eg, patient gender/genetic background). Veterinarians need to be aware of the potential for acquired LQTS during therapy with drugs identified as blockers of HERG channels and I K r .
Novel blunt-end addition reactions catalyzed by DNA polymerase I of Escherichia coli

Abstract DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment) of Escherichia coli catalyzes the addition of deoxynucleotides to 3′ hydroxyl termini of blunt-ended DNA fragments. The product of the reaction, which we call +1 addition, is found only in very low yield under conditions that permit editing by the 3′ → 5′ exonuclease activity of the wild-type polymerase. A mutant form of the Klenow fragment that lacks detectable 3′ → 5′ exonuclease activity shows an elevated accumulation of the +1 addition product. The mutant enzyme can use any one of the four dNTPs to carry out the reaction when each precursor is provided individually. However, in the presence of all four dNTPs the addition of dATP is strongly preferred. Suppression of the editing function of the wild-type polymerase through the use of high concentrations of exogenous deoxynucleoside monophosphates also results in a significant increase in the amount of +1 addition product formed. The presence of a high dNMP concentration also alters the specificity of the nucleotide addition reaction carried out by the wild-type enzyme. Thus, in addition to dATP, the dNTP which is complementary to the exogenous deoxynucleoside monophosphate, is also used in the +1 addition reaction. A similar effect of dNMPs on the specificity of nucleotide addition was obtained with the mutant Klenow fragment. These results define two pathways for the +1 addition reaction: one that does not require coding information from the DNA template and a second in which coding information is provided by the exogenous dNMP.
Conjugative Transfer by the Virulence System of Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' pneumonia, replicates within alveolar macrophages by preventing phagosome-lysosome fusion. Here, a large number of mutants called dot (defective for organelle trafficking) that were unable to replicate intracellularly because of an inability of the bacteria to alter the endocytic pathway of macrophages were isolated. The dot virulence genes encoded a large putative membrane complex that functioned as a secretion system that was able to transfer plasmid DNA from one cell to another.
Minefield performance for LAMD using AMBER broadband/multiband MWIR imagery

This paper includes analysis/assessment and development of detection algorithms: (1) the assessment of detectability of surface mines using the RX algorithm implementation, which in turn, provides a first look at the limitation of the algorithm for suitable real-time implementation; (2) the development of the adaptive real-time mine detection algorithm (ARMD) based on statistical analysis of the data. The statistical analysis includes the class distribution between mines and background, the underlying distribution for mines and background based on the quantile-quantile plot. The paper also compares the quantitative performance of probability of detection (Pd) and false alarm rates (FAR) for different detection techniques for different background and mine types. This paper also presents the minefield probability of detection versus minefield false alarm rate to gauge the minefield detection performance trade-off using: (1) only mine density; and (2) mine density with pattern. This paper also demonstrates the importance of the observables that offer the class separability between mine/target and background for automatic target detection/recognition applications. Detection algorithms with high computational capability are not the 'silver bullet' for automatic target detection/recognition as commonly believed. The art of ATR is the ability to be able to pinpoint the observables that distinguish mines and background. Once the observables offer the class separability between classes are established, any simple correlation method can deliver an acceptable performance (demonstrating that highly computational methods, indeed, are wasteful and unnecessary). This paper uses the multiband and broadband data collected with the AMBER (3.5-5)mum) camera in May 2000. This data set contains about 513 (approximately 1.1 in resolution) images covering three spectral regions: 3-5)mum, 3- 4.2)mua and 4.2-5)mua. The total number of mines and the area coverage for these three spectral regions are approximately 579, and 25200m 2 , respectively. Note that each spectral region contains 171 images (of which 53 images contain mines with 131 large mines, and 62 small mines) covering about 8400m 2 . Also note that to stimulate minefields, an image containing 3 mines with a straight line pattern is defined as a minefield opportunity.
Anticoagulation and Psychotropic Medications

Anticoagulants and psychotropic medications are commonly prescribed together. Thus, the potential for interaction exists. Whereas thrombolytics and heparins are implicated in few pharmacokinetic interactions, warfarin and platelet inhibitors have been implicated in various interactions with psychotropic medications. In this article, I review the various psychotropic drug classes’ relationships to anticoagulants. In a field devoid of randomized, placebo-controlled trials, clinical vigilance is advised when managing patients on concomitant therapy.
Overview of Quick Plastic Forming Technology

General Motors has developed Quick Plastic Forming (QPF) as a hot blow forming process capable of producing aluminum closure panels at high volumes. This technology has been successfully implemented for automotive liftgates and decklids with complex shapes. This talk will review key elements of the QPF process, describe some of the technical achievements realized in this process, and identify areas for future research in process, material, and lubricant development.
Comparative study of microstructural properties for YBa2Cu3O7 films on single-crystal and Ni-based metal substrates

We conducted a comparative study of microstructural properties for YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) films on single-crystal MgO and polycrystalline Ni-based metal substrates with ion-beam-assisted deposited (IBAD) MgO as a template. The film grown on the metal substrate shows more crystalline imperfections with density of screw dislocations four times higher than that of the film on single-crystal MgO, as revealed by high-resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD). These high-density screw dislocation cores connect well and form bigger clustered grains as detected by scanning tunneling microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy studies confirm that the structural quality of YBCO on the Ni-based alloy is comparable to that on single-crystal MgO. All these factors contribute to our routine fabrication of high-quality YBCO films on metal substrates with critical current densities in self-field as high as those for the films grown on single-crystal MgO substrates. Superconducting properties in fields are also discussed.
Association of RNA with the cytoskeleton and the nuclear matrix.

SUMMARY Heteronuclear RNA (hnRNA) is preferentially associated (76%) with the nuclear matrix in mammalian cells. Active mRNA, in the form of polyribosomes, is associated (>97 %) with the cytoskeletal framework. In this report, we present evidence that the association of both hnRNA and mRNA with structural networks of the cell may be essential features of gene expression. To study the association of polyribosomes with the cytoskeletal framework, cytochalasin D was used to release mRNA from the cytoskeletal framework. Protein synthesis was inhibited by cytochalasin D in direct proportion to the release of mRNA. The released mRNA is unaltered in its translatability as measured in vitro but is no longer translated in the cytochalasin-treated HeLa cells. The residual protein synthesis occurs on polyribosomes that are reduced in amount but display a normal sedimentation distribution. The results support the hypothesis that mRNA binding to the cytoskeletal framework is necessary, though not sufficient, for translation. Further fractionation of the cytoskeletal framework separates nuclear constituents into three distinct protein fractions. Chromatin proteins and 94% of the DNA are released by 0.25 m-ammonium sulphate after inter-nucleosomal DNA is cut with DNase I. The resulting structure retains 76 % of the hnRNA in the form of ribonucleoprotein and is designated the RNP-containing nuclear matrix. The proteins of hnRNP complex are those associated with the nucleus only if RNA is intact. These proteins and 97 % of the hnRNA are released after brief digestion with RNase A. Visualizing the nuclear matrix using resinless sections shows that nuclear RNA plays an important role in the organization of the nuclear matrix. Electron micrographs of resinless sections show the interior of the matrix to be a three-dimensional network of thick filaments bounded by the nuclear lamina. The filaments are densely covered with 20–30 nm electron-dense particles, which may contain the hnRNA. The RNP-depleted matrix is disordered and the interior fibres aggregated. These results suggest that hnRNA is involved in the spatial organization of the interior of the nuclear matrix.
Seasonal variation in estrous cycling in the mouse: Implications for artificial insemination

Artificial insemination in the C3HeB/FeJ inbred strain of mice has been shown to be more successful at the middle and end of the calendar year. The reasons are twofold: 1) an increase in the number of normal estrous cycles exhibited by females and 2) an increase in the tightness of the phasing of ovarian and vaginal events. The latter phenomenon was found to be the key to the success of artificial insemination, since it permitted the use of vaginal smears to predict accurately the time females could be expected to ovulate and, therefore, the appropriate time for artificial insemination. Seasonal variations in the frequency of estrous cycling also have been observed in SJL/J and B6D2F1/J females.
EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH ASPECTS OF NON‐METRIC, CLOSE RANGE ANALOGUE PHOTOGRAMMETRY

A close range photogrammetric system, developed around a 35 mm Pentax camera fitted with a wide angle lens (f = 21 mm) and an early Zeiss wide angle multiplex, has proved useful for both instruction and research. Student exercises involve all phases of photogrammetry, from establishing ground control to plotting, and permit the integration of useful statistical routines for data analysis. Research applications have centred on the topographic mapping of microscale landforms at scales of 1: 1 to 1: 10 with accuracies of ± 1 mm to ± 5 mm. Resume Un systeme mis au point pour la photogrammetrie a courte distance, et dont les elements essentiels sont une chambre Pentax (f = 21 mm) et un Zeiss grand angle multiplex, a fait la preuve de son utilite tant pour l'instruction que pour la recherche. Les exercices proposes aux etudiants comportent toutes les phases reelles, depuis l'etablissement d'un canevas d'appui jusqu'a la restitution. Les applications a la recherche sont centrees sur la cartographie des microreliefs a des echelles variant de 1: 1 a 1: 10 avec des exactitudes variant de ± 1 mm a± 5 mm. Zusammenfassung Ein Aufnahme- und Auswertesystem zur Nahphotogrammetrie, bestehend aus einer 35 mm Pentax Kamera, die mit einem Weitwinkelobjektiv (f= 21 mm) ausgerustet war, und ein alter Weitwinkel-Multiplex von Zeiss haben sich bei der Ausbildung und Forschung als nutzlich erwiesen. Bei den studentischen Ubungen werden alle Phasen der Auswertung von der Passpunktbestimmung im Gelande bis zur Stereokartierung erfasst, wobei es auch moglich ist, statistische Tests zur Datenanalyse einzubeziehen. Die Forschungsarbeiten konzentrierten sich auf die Herstellung topographischer Karten von kleinmassstabigen Gelandeformen in den Massstaben 1: 1 bis 1: 10 mit Genauigkeiten von ± 1 mm bis ± 5 mm.
Are drug labels static or dynamic

Understanding drug metabolism is essential for identifying drug–drug interactions (DDIs). As new data concerning a drug's pharmacokinetics arise, updates to drug labels and administration procedures should rapidly follow. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has inconsistently updated drug labels, based on new research findings (i.e., in peer-reviewed publications). In this Commentary, we highlight recent findings on the metabolism of imatinib and argue for a more stringent protocol for updating drug labels. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2013); 94 3, 302–304. doi:10.1038/clpt.2013.109
It's Not What You Know: A Transactive Memory Analysis of Knowledge Networks at NASA

Much of America was stunned into mourning on February 1, 2003 as the space shuttle Columbia was reported to have broken up over Texas. The ensuing investigation revealed that debris at liftoff was the cause of the crash, but the official report suggested that NASA's organizational communication was just as much to blame. This article uses transactive memory theory to argue that there were significant gaps in the knowledge network of NASA organizational members, and those gaps impeded information flow regarding potential disaster. E-mails to and from NASA employees were examined (the “To” and “From” fields) to map a network of communication related to Columbia's damage and risk. Although NASA personnel were connected with each other in this incident-based network, the right information did not get to the people who needed it. The article concludes with extensions of theory and practical implications for organizations, including NASA.
Design and efficacy of a head-coil bite bar for reducing movement-related artifacts during functional MRI scanning

This article describes the design, construction, application, and effectiveness of a simple bite bar for use with an MRI whole-head coil to reduce head-movement-related artifacts during functional brain imaging. The device is comfortable to use and allows considerable flexibility in positioning the subject’s head. Eleven subjects were scanned while performing a motor-sequencing experiment with and without the bite bar. The bite bar was generally effective in reducing maximum head movement to less than 0.5 mm (translation) and 0.5° (rotation).
Reduction in lung injury after combined surfactant and high-frequency ventilation.

Previous studies demonstrated that high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) begun at birth limits the development of alveolar proteinaceous edema in premature monkeys at risk for hyaline membrane disease (HMD). We hypothesized that exogenous surfactant combined with HFOV would lead to even further reductions in edema. Twenty Macaca nemestrina monkeys were delivered at 134 d gestation (term = 168 d) and treated with either HFOV or conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) from the first breath; modified bovine surfactant (Survanta [beractant]) was introduced into the trachea over the first few minutes of life. These animals were compared with 20 animals treated with either CMV or HFOV but without surfactant. At 6 h the lung was rapidly frozen in situ during inflation for determination of the volume fraction of alveolar edema. The combined use of surfactant and HFOV from the first breath reduced alveolar proteinaceous edema (3 +/- 1%; mean +/- SEM) from that seen with CMV alone (27 +/- 3%, p < 0.0001),...
Ultrastructural localization of monoclonal IgG antibodies for antigenic sites of Eimeria tenella oocysts, sporocysts, and sporozoites.

Monoclonal IgG antibodies against sporozoites of Eimeria tenella were obtained from the ascites fluid of BALB/c mice. Oocysts, sporocysts, and sporozoites were exposed to medium 199, normal ascites fluid, or monoclonal antibodies 1A, 9D, 3D3II, or 2G8f. Specimens were then incubated with ferritin-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG antibody. Ferritin was uniformly distributed over the surface of sporozoites exposed to 1A, 9D, or 3D3II; ferritin was localized in patches on sporozoites exposed to 2G8f. A uniform layer of ferritin was present on the inner layer of oocyst walls and on the Stieda body and outer surface of sporocysts exposed to 1A, 9D or 3D3II. In specimens treated with 2G8f, ferritin was present on the inner layer of the oocyst wall and the Stieda body, but not on the sporocyst wall. No ferritin was found on specimens exposed to medium 199 or normal ascites fluid. Monoclonal antibodies 1A, 9D, and 3D3II, but not 2G8f, caused complement-mediated lysis of sporozoites. These findings indicate that oocysts, sporocysts, and sporozoites of E. tenella contain common antigens specific for each monoclonal antibody tested.
On the Concentration of Certain Elements at the Earth's Surface

A survey of the abundances of elements in the ocean and sedimentary rocks as compared to their abundances in the weathered igneous rocks shows that carbon, nitrogen, oxygen as water, chlorine, bromine and boron are highly concentrated in the surface materials and that thicknesses of from 17 to 89 km of the outer part of the earth would be required to produce these elements if all of them now present in the igneous rocks were removed. A study of the available information indicates that many other elements would be concentrated at the earth’s surface if chlorine, bromine and boron were concentrated there by a high-temperature volatilization process either from volcanoes or in an original high-temperature atmosphere of the earth . It is concluded that the removal of these elements from the outer parts of the earth occurred through solution in water at low or moderate temperatures ( ~ 100°C or less), since they are soluble and other elements are not. Iodine should belong to this group, but its position is uncertain because of doubtful analytical data. Sulphur may belong in some degree with the volatiles, i.e. carbon as methane or carbon dioxide, nitrogen as ammonia or molecular nitrogen, and water. It is shown that the low abundances of mercury and arsenic in the sediments are inconsistent with a temperature of formation of the earth’s surface regions higher than a few hundred degrees centigrade. The presence of appreciable quantities of nitrogen in the igneous rocks indicates that this element was present in condensed phases during the earth ’s formation, and a survey of the conditions of stability of such compounds indicates temperatures of about 200°C or less. It has not been possible to decide whether liquid water was present on the primitive earth .
Register integration: a simple and efficient implementation of squash reuse

Register integration (or simply integration) is a mechanism for incorporating speculative results directly into a sequential execution using data-dependence relationships. In this paper we use integration to implement squash reuse, the salvaging of instruction results that were needlessly discarded during the course of sequential recovery from a control- or datamis-speculation. To implement integration, we first allow the results of squashed instructions to remain in the physical register file past mis-speculation recovery. As the processor re-traces portions of the squashed path, integration logic examines each instruction as it is being renamed. Using an auxiliary table, this circuit searches the physical register file for the physical register belonging to the corresponding squashed instance of the instruction. If this register is found, integration succeeds and the squashed result is re-validated by a simple update of the rename table. Once integrated, an instruction is complete and may bypass the out-of-order core of the machine entirely. Integration reduces contention for queuing and execution resources, collapses dependent chains of instructions and accelerates the resolution of branches. It achieves this using only rename-table manipulations; no additional values are read from or written to the physical registers. Our preliminary evaluation shows that a minimal integration configuration can provide performance improvements of up to 8% when applied to current-generation micro-architectures and up to 11.5% when applied to more aggressive microarchitectures. Integration also reduces the amount of wasteful speculation in the machine, cutting the number of instructions executed by up to 15% and the number of instructions fetched along mis-speculated paths by as much as 6%.
Transactivation of Sphingosine-1–Phosphate Receptors by FcεRI Triggering Is Required for Normal Mast Cell Degranulation and Chemotaxis

Mast cells secrete various substances that initiate and perpetuate allergic responses. Cross-linking of the high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonRI) in RBL-2H3 and bone marrow-derived mast cells activates sphingosine kinase (SphK), which leads to generation and secretion of the potent sphingolipid mediator, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). In turn, S1P activates its receptors S1P1 and S1P2 that are present in mast cells. Moreover, inhibition of SphK blocks FcepsilonRI-mediated internalization of these receptors and markedly reduces degranulation and chemotaxis. Although transactivation of S1P1 and Gi signaling are important for cytoskeletal rearrangements and migration of mast cells toward antigen, they are dispensable for FcepsilonRI-triggered degranulation. However, S1P2, whose expression is up-regulated by FcepsilonRI cross-linking, was required for degranulation and inhibited migration toward antigen. Together, our results suggest that activation of SphKs and consequently S1PRs by FcepsilonRI triggering plays a crucial role in mast cell functions and might be involved in the movement of mast cells to sites of inflammation.
Thermal stability issues in copper based metallization

The thermally induced reactions in Cu/Si, Cu/metal, Cu/silicide and Cu/dielectric films have been studied by both Rutherford backscattering and Auger electron spectroscopy. Diffusion barrier layers (TiN, TiW, Ta, Cr and Co) have been tested in the Cu based metallization regime. Alloying Cu with other elements (Pd, Ti, Cr and Al) can significantly prevent Cu from oxidation. Methods to produce Cu thin films (e.g. electroless Cu) have been summarized. >
Brunswik'S Lens Model in Human Factors Research: Modern Applications of a Classic Theory:

As we develop new ways of looking at decision making in applied contexts, such as those outlined in naturalistic decision models, it is easy to assume that these new models should be used in place ...
Variance of phase fluctuations of waves propagating through a random medium

As an electromagnetic wave propagates through a random scattering medium, such as a forest, its energy is attenuated and random phase fluctuations are induced. The magnitude of the random phase fluctuations induced is important in estimating how well a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) can image objects within the scattering medium. The two-layer random medium model, consisting of a scattering layer between free space and ground, is used to calculate the variance of the phase fluctuations induced between a transmitter located above the random medium and a receiver located below the random medium. The scattering properties of the random medium are characterized by a correlation function of the random permittivity fluctuations. The effective permittivity of the random medium is first calculated using the strong fluctuation theory, which accounts for large permittivity fluctuations of the scatterers. The distorted Born approximation is used to calculate the first-order scattered field. A perturbation series for the phase of the received field in the Rytov approximation is then introduced and the variance of the phase fluctuations is also calculated assuming that the transmitter and receiver are in the paraxial limit of the random medium, which allows an analytic solution to be obtained. Results are compared using the paraxial approximation, scalar Green's function formulation, and dyadic Green's function formulation. The effects studied are the dependence of the variance of the phase fluctuations on receiver location in lossy and lossless regions, medium thickness, correlation length and fractional volume of scatterers, depolarization of the incident wave, ground layer permittivity, angle of incidence, and polarization.
Effect of arterial oxygenation on quadriceps fatigability during isolated muscle exercise

The effect of various levels of oxygenation on quadriceps muscle fatigability during isolated muscle exercise was assessed in six male subjects. Twitch force (Qtw) was assessed using supramaximal m...
Theory of Vertical Amorphous Silicon Thin-Film Transistors

We describe a vertical amorphous silicon thin-film transistor which is easy to fabricate and has a very short channel length that is determined by deposition, not lithography. Our vertical TFTs are compatible with large-area processing techniques andd have suitable terminal characteristics for use in practical circuits. Unlike a conventional thin-film transistor, the current path is primarily parallel to the electric field created by an insulated gate electrode. A two-dimensional computer program is used to analyze these devices and guide their design and optimization. We show how to suppress excessive leakage currents and improve the saturation of the output characteristics by a novel current-blocking technique.
Heart transplantation in patients seventy years of age and older: A comparative analysis of outcome.

Abstract Objective: Advanced age has traditionally been considered a contraindication for heart transplantation because of the reported adverse effect of increased age on long-term survival. However, as the field of transplantation continues to evolve, the criteria regarding the recipient's upper age limit have been expanded and older patients are being considered as potential candidates. We analyzed the outcome of heart transplantation in patients 70 years of age and older and compared these results with those in younger patients ( Method: We retrospectively analyzed the results of 15 patients 70 years of age and older who underwent heart transplantation between November 1994 and May 1999 and compared them with results in 98 younger patients undergoing transplantation during the same period Results: The older age group had a higher preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction ( P =.02), higher incidence of female donors ( P =.02), and longer cardiac allograft ischemic time ( P =.01). No differences were found regarding incidence of diabetes mellitus, donor age, donor/recipient weight ratio, and mismatch ( Conclusions: Heart transplantation in selected patients 70 years of age and older can be performed as successfully as in younger patients (
Up-regulation of PD-L1, IDO, and T(regs) in the melanoma tumor microenvironment is driven by CD8(+) T cells.

Tumor escape from immune-mediated destruction has been associated with immunosuppressive mechanisms that inhibit T cell activation. Although evidence for an active immune response, including infiltration with CD8 + T cells, can be found in a subset of patients, those tumors are nonetheless not immunologically rejected. In the current report, we show that it is the subset of T cell–inflamed tumors that showed high expression of three defined immunosuppressive mechanisms: indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), PD-L1/B7-H1, and FoxP3 + regulatory T cells (T regs ), suggesting that these inhibitory pathways might serve as negative feedback mechanisms that followed, rather than preceded, CD8 + T cell infiltration. Mechanistic studies in mice revealed that up-regulated expression of IDO and PD-L1, as well as recruitment of T regs , in the tumor microenvironment depended on the presence of CD8 + T cells. The former was driven by interferon-γ and the latter by a production of CCR4-binding chemokines along with a component of induced proliferation. Our results argue that these major immunosuppressive pathways are intrinsically driven by the immune system rather than being orchestrated by cancer cells, and imply that cancer immunotherapy approaches targeting negative regulatory immune checkpoints might be preferentially beneficial for patients with a preexisting T cell–inflamed tumor microenvironment.
Defining the patient group for cost-effective withdrawal of antihypertensive therapy.

Many people receiving drug treatment for hypertension have had good control of their blood pressure for several years. It is feasible and might be desirable to discontinue drug treatment in selected groups of these patients if their long term outcome was not adversely affected. A few small series and 2 larger trials indicate that withdrawal of antihypertensive medication can be followed by 1 to 4 years of normal blood pressure especially for those with mild hypertension pretreatment diastolic blood pressure 100mm Hg) and who have no evidence of target organ damage.
Hapivirins and Diprovirins: Novel θ-Defensin Analogs with Potent Activity against Influenza A Virus

θ-Defensins are cyclic octadecapeptides found in nonhuman primates whose broad antiviral spectrum includes HIV-1, HSV-1, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and influenza A virus (IAV). We previously reported that synthetic θ-defensins called retrocyclins can neutralize and aggregate various strains of IAV and increase IAV uptake by neutrophils. This study describes two families of peptides, hapivirins and diprovirins, whose design was inspired by retrocyclins. The goal was to develop smaller partially cyclic peptides that retain the antiviral activity of retrocyclins, while being easier to synthesize. The novel peptides also allowed for systemic substitution of key residues to evaluate the role of charge or hydrophobicity on antiviral activity. Seventy-two hapivirin or diprovirin peptides are described in this work, including several whose anti-IAV activity equals or exceeds that of normal α- or θ-defensins. Some of these also had strong antibacterial and antifungal activity. These new peptides were active against H3N2 and H1N1 strains of IAV. Structural features imparting strong antiviral activity were identified through iterative cycles of synthesis and testing. Our findings show the importance of hydrophobic residues for antiviral activity and show that pegylation, which often increases a peptide’s serum t 1/2 in vivo, can increase the antiviral activity of DpVs. The new peptides acted at an early phase of viral infection, and, when combined with pulmonary surfactant protein D, their antiviral effects were additive. The peptides strongly increased neutrophil and macrophage uptake of IAV, while inhibiting monocyte cytokine generation. Development of modified θ-defensin analogs provides an approach for creating novel antiviral agents for IAV infections.
On-air results of spatial diversity for the MIL-STD-188-110B Appendix C (STANAG 4539) 9600 bps waveform

In the early days of HF communications, CW and FSK waveforms were the prevalent means for data communications. These tone based signaling methods were very susceptible to frequency selective fading caused by multipath. To improve the reliability of these links, spatial diversity was commonly used. As newer, more robust waveforms were developed for HF, it was felt that spatial diversity was no longer needed. This paper investigates possible on-air performance improvements of using spatial diversity on modern HF waveforms such as the high data rate waveforms defined in US MIL-STD-188-110B.
Thiazide Diuretic Prophylaxis for Kidney Stones and the Risk of Diabetes Mellitus

Purpose: Thiazide diuretics used to treat hypertension are associated with a modest risk of diabetes mellitus. It is unknown if there is a similar risk with kidney stone prevention.Materials and Methods: We identified and validated incident stone formers in Olmsted County, Minnesota from 1984 to 2011 with manual review of medical records using the Rochester Epidemiology Project. The risk of diabetes mellitus after thiazide therapy was evaluated with and without multivariate adjustment for hypertension, age, gender, race, family history of stones, body mass index and number of stone events.Results: Among 2,350 incident stone formers with a median followup of 10 years, 332 (14%) were treated with thiazide diuretics at some point after the first stone event and 84 (3.6%) received the thiazide diuretic only for kidney stone prevention. Stone formers who received thiazide diuretics were more likely to be older, have hypertension, have higher body mass index and have more stone events. The incidence of diabetes...
Acute changes in ventricular volume during treatment for hepatic and renal failure

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) exists on a spectrum from minimal dysfunction to coma and may arise from ammonia-associated neurotoxicity whereby metabolic dysfunction leads to glutamine accumulation, astrocyte swelling, and nitric oxide–induced vasodilation.1 Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), secondary to cerebral edema, is common in liver failure and occurs in 80% of comatose patients.1–3 Nonetheless, invasive ICP monitoring remains contentious in HE due to hemorrhagic complications and lack of evidence supporting benefit.3 A radiographic technique to assess edema could be helpful but head CT is only 33% sensitive for cerebral edema.2,3 We present a case illustrating this limitation of CT, the potential for rapid changes in cerebral edema, and a potential noninvasive means of assessing cerebral edema evolution.
Detecting nanoparticulate silver using single-particle inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry

The environmental prevalence of engineered nanomaterials, particularly nanoparticulate silver (AgNP), is expected to increase substantially. The ubiquitous use of commercial products containing AgNP may result in their release to the environment, and the potential for ecological effects is unknown. Detecting engineered nanomaterials is one of the greatest challenges in quantifying their risks. Thus, it is imperative to develop techniques capable of measuring and characterizing exposures, while dealing with the innate difficulties of nanomaterial detection in environmental samples, such as low-engineered nanomaterial concentrations, aggregation, and complex matrices. Here the authors demonstrate the use of inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, operated in a single-particle counting mode (SP-ICP-MS), to detect and quantify AgNP. In the present study, two AgNP products were measured by SP-ICP-MS, including one of precisely manufactured size and shape, as well as a commercial AgNP-containing health food product. Serial dilutions, filtration, and acidification were applied to confirm that the method detected particles. Differentiation of dissolved and particulate silver (Ag) is a feature of the technique. Analysis of two wastewater samples demonstrated the applicability of SP-ICP-MS at nanograms per liter Ag concentrations. In this pilot study, AgNP was found at 100 to 200 ng/L in the presence of 50 to 500 ng/L dissolved Ag. The method provides the analytical capability to monitor Ag and other metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in fate, transport, stability, and toxicity studies using a commonly available laboratory instrument. Rapid throughput and element specificity are additional benefits of SP-ICP-MS as a measurement tool for metal and metal oxide engineered nanoparticles. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:115–121. © 2011 SETAC
Plant resistance to the Russian wheat aphid: effects on a nontarget aphid and the role of induction

Several resistant lines of wheat, Triticum aestivum (L.) (Poaceae), have been developed to control populations of the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). We examined the potential effects of D. noxia resistant lines on another aphid, the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)), which commonly co-occurs with D. noxia. Because one type of resistance (mediated by the Dn1 gene) is purported to be induced rather than constitutive, we also determined the degree to which the suitability of resistant and susceptible plants is modified by previous infestation. Although resistant lines were derived from five different sources, we did not detect any differences in the popula- tion growth of R. padi on resistant and near-isogenic susceptible plants. The perfor- mance of D. noxia was reduced as expected on resistant plants but was unaffected by whether or not plants had been previously infested. In contrast, the performance of R. padi was reduced on plants that had been previously infested but was unaf- fected by whether plants were resistant or susceptible to D. noxia. Because neither species' performance was especially low on previously infested, resistant plants, there was no evidence that prior aphid feeding induces a higher level of resistance. Messina FJ, Bloxham AJ. 2004. La resistance des plantes au puceron russe du ble : effets sur un puceron non cible et role de l'induction. The Canadian Entomologist 136 : 129-137. Resume—Plusieurs lignees resistantes du ble tendre, Triticum aestivum (L.) (Poaceae), ont ete developpees pour lutter contre les populations du puceron russe du ble, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) (Hemiptera : Aphididae). Nous avons etudie les effets potentiels des lignees resistantes a D. noxia sur un autre puceron commun, le puceron bicolore des cereales, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera : Aphididae). Puisqu'on croit que la resistance mediee par le gene Dn1 est induite plutot que constitutive, nous avons aussi determine dans quelle mesure une infestation ante- rieure rend les plants resistants et vulnerables plus ou moins appropries a l'insecte. Bien que les lignees resistantes proviennent de cinq sources distinctes, il n'y a pas de difference dans la croissance des populations de R. padi sur les plants resistants et les plants vulnerables quasi-isogeniques. Le succes de D. noxia est reduit, comme prevu, sur les plants resistants, mais il n'est pas modifie par une infestation ante- rieure de la plante. En revanche, le succes de R. padi est restreint sur les plants qui ont subi une infestation anterieure, mais il ne varie pas selon que les plants soient ou non resistants a D. noxia. Puisque la performance des deux especes n'est pas par- ticulierement reduite sur des plants resistants qui ont subi une infestation anterieure, il n'y a pas d'indication que l'alimentation prealable par les pucerons entraine une resistance accrue.
The Lebanese in West Africa

Emigration from the land that now constitutes the Lebanese republic has long historical roots going back to the time of the Phoenicians, and probably only the Irish rival the Lebanese in exporting themselves. One commonly associates these emigrants with trade, although emigrant scholars, writers, and publishers, such as Yūsuf Samān al-Samān (Assemani) in eighteenth-century Rome, Jurjī Zaydān in nineteenth-century Cairo, or Khalil Gibran (Jubrān Khalīl Jubrān) in twentieth-century New York, are by no means exceptions.
Living in a Superposition

This essay considers a model quantum universe consisting of a very large box containing a screen with two slits and an observer (us) that can pass though the slits. We apply the modern quantum mechanics of closed systems to calculate the probabilities for alternative histories of how we move through the universe and what we see. After passing through the screen with the slits, the quantum state of the universe is a superposition of classically distinguishable histories. We are then living in a superposition. Some frequently asked questions about such situations are answered using this model. The model's relationship to more realistic quantum cosmologies is briefly discussed.
Biofuels, Land, and Water: A Systems Approach to Sustainability

There is a strong societal need to evaluate and understand the sustainability of biofuels, especially because of the significant increases in production mandated by many countries, including the United States. Sustainability will be a strong factor in the regulatory environment and investments in biofuels. Biomass feedstock production is an important contributor to environmental, social, and economic impacts from biofuels. This study presents a systems approach where the agricultural, energy, and environmental sectors are considered as components of a single system, and environmental liabilities are used as recoverable resources for biomass feedstock production. We focus on efficient use of land and water resources. We conducted a spatial analysis evaluating marginal land and degraded water resources to improve feedstock productivity with concomitant environmental restoration for the state of Nebraska. Results indicate that utilizing marginal land resources such as riparian and roadway buffer strips, brownfield sites, and marginal agricultural land could produce enough feedstocks to meet a maximum of 22% of the energy requirements of the state compared to the current supply of 2%. Degraded water resources such as nitrate-contaminated groundwater and wastewater were evaluated as sources of nutrients and water to improve feedstock productivity. Spatial overlap between degraded water and marginal land resources was found to be as high as 96% and could maintain sustainable feedstock production on marginal lands. Other benefits of implementing this strategy include feedstock intensification to decrease biomass transportation costs, restoration of contaminated water resources, and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.
Vasilius: The design of an autonomous ground robotic vehicle

This paper presents the design and provides a partial analysis of the performance of an autonomous ground robotic vehicle called Vasilius. Applications for Vasilius include autonomous navigation on a somewhat marked path with obstacles, leader following, and waypoint navigation. The paper focuses on three aspects of Vasilius: the design, the performance, and a technique for filtering, mapping, and learning. The design of Vasilius embodies a novel idea of modeling an autonomous vehicle after human senses and the human decision-making process. For instance, Vasilius integrates information from seven types of independent sensors, and categorizes them into either short-range reaction sensors andsor long-range planning sensors, analogous to what the human brain does. The paper also analyzes the performance of Vasilius, relating theoretical predictions to actual behavior. Some of these analyses, especially for the filtering, mapping, and learning, are still in progress. Performance measures that have been measured include speed, ramp climbing, turn reaction time, battery life, stop reaction time, object detection, and waypoint accuracy. Finally, the paper discusses Vasilius' use of a new approach to filtering, mapping, and learning to enhance its performance. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diamond-on-Polymer Microelectrode Arrays Fabricated Using a Chemical Release Transfer Process

This paper reports the design, fabrication, and characterization of diamond-on-polymer microelectrode arrays. A “diamond-first” chemical release transfer process was implemented to integrate diamond electrodes, grown at temperatures >; 700 °C, on a temperature-sensitive polynorbornene-based (PNB) substrate, allowing for the advantageous neural interfacing properties of diamond to be utilized in a flexible device. Intracortical probes with two electrodes and peripheral nerve electrode arrays with ten electrodes ranging in area from 800 to 41 000 μm2 were fabricated. Mechanical testing showed that the structures were flexible, with the composite structure having mechanical characteristics similar to bare PNB. Electrical testing confirmed that ohmic contacts were formed without a postanneal step and determined a diamond-on-polymer electrode impedance of ~ 1.5 MΩ at 1 kHz.
Control of Biofilms with the Fatty Acid Signaling Molecule cis-2-Decenoic Acid

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms in organized structures attached to surfaces. Importantly, biofilms are a major cause of bacterial infections in humans, and remain one of the most significant challenges to modern medical practice. Unfortunately, conventional therapies have shown to be inadequate in the treatment of most chronic biofilm infections based on the extraordinary innate tolerance of biofilms to antibiotics. Antagonists of quorum sensing signaling molecules have been used as means to control biofilms. QS and other cell-cell communication molecules are able to revert biofilm tolerance, prevent biofilm formation and disrupt fully developed biofilms, albeit with restricted effectiveness. Recently however, it has been demonstrated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces a small messenger molecule cis-2-decenoic acid (cis-DA) that shows significant promise as an effective adjunctive to antimicrobial treatment of biofilms. This molecule is responsible for induction of the native biofilm dispersion response in a range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and in yeast, and has been shown to reverse persistence, increase microbial metabolic activity and significantly enhance the cidal effects of conventional antimicrobial agents. In this manuscript, the use of cis-2-decenoic acid as a novel agent for biofilm control is discussed. Stimulating the biofilm dispersion response as a novel antimicrobial strategy holds significant promise for enhanced treatment of infections and in the prevention of biofilm formation.
Evolution of water balance in the genus Drosophila

SUMMARY Fruit flies of the genus Drosophila have independently invaded deserts around the world on numerous occasions. To understand the physiological mechanisms allowing these small organisms to survive and thrive in arid environments, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of water balance in Drosophila species from different habitats. Desert (cactophilic) species were more resistant to desiccation than mesic ones. This resistance could be accomplished in three ways: by increasing the amount of water in the body, by reducing rates of water loss or by tolerating the loss of a greater percentage of body water (dehydration tolerance). Cactophilic Drosophila lost water less rapidly and appeared to be more tolerant of low water content, although males actually contained less water than their mesic congeners. However, when the phylogenetic relationships between the species were taken into account, greater dehydration tolerance was not correlated with increased desiccation resistance. Therefore, only one of the three expected adaptive mechanisms, lower rates of water loss, has actually evolved in desert Drosophila , and the other apparently adaptive difference between arid and mesic species (increased dehydration tolerance) instead reflects phylogenetic history.
Clinical, pathologic, and genetic features of Wilms tumors with WTX gene mutation.

Clinical and pathologic features of patients with WTX-mutated Wilms tumor (WT) have not been studied in detail. We characterize the clinical and pathologic findings in WT with WTX abnormalities and...