cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Action of pertussigen (pertussis toxin) on serum IgE and on Fcϵ receptors on lymphocytes

Abstract Pertussigen (pertussis toxin (PT)) is one of the most effective stimulators of IgE production in mice and rats. Employing flow microfluorimetric analysis (FMF), we showed that PT increases the percentage of blood and spleen lymphocytes with IgE on their surface. The percentage of IgE-bearing cells in the spleen of normal untreated C57B1/10SCN mice of various ages varied from 2.2 to 12.2%, with an average value of 6.1 ± 5.4%. In mice treated with 400 ng of PT and 1 mg of chicken egg albumin (EA), the percentage of these cells increased, 14 days after immunization, to an average value of 31.1 ± 2.2%. Immunization of mice with PT alone increase the percentage of IgE-bearing cells only slightly (13.1 ± 2.2% of the splenic lymphocytes) while injection of 1 mg of EA alone did not have any detectable action. As little as 6 ng of PT, when given simultaneously with 1 mg of EA, increased the percentage of IgE-bearing lymphocytes. A booster dose of 10 μg of EA given on Day 14 induced a further increase in the percentage of these cells even when as little as 0.039 ng of PT had been given at the time of initial immunization. PT was effective when given 4 days before or 5 days after EA. EA was effective when given 4 days before or 4 days after PT, but not 8 days after. The increase in IgE-bearing cells was mainly due to cytophilic binding of IgE to receptors for the ϵ chain of IgE (Fcϵ) on the surface of lymphocytes rather than to a greater number of IgE-producing cells. This was shown by removing the IgE from Fcϵ receptors by acid treatment which reduced the percentage of IgE-bearing cells to nearly normal values. The antibodies of IgE class with specificity to EA were increased dramatically, while antibodies with specificity to PT were not detected.
A comparison of the effects of cisplatin and N-methyliminodiacetato-(1,2-diaminocyclohexane)-platinum(II) on renal function and gentamicin excretion in rats.

Abstract N -methyliminodiacetato(1,2-diaminocyclohexane)-platinum(II) (MIDP) is a new third-generation water-soluble antitumor platinum complex. This study compares the effects of MIDP (3 injections of 25 mg/kg each on days 1, 5 and 9) on renal structure and function and the urinary excretion of gentamicin (GENT) with those of a single 6 mg/kg dose of cisplatin (DDP) in F-344 (Fischer) rats. GENT was given as a single dose of 30 mg/kg 7 days after DDP injection or the last MIDP injection. Rats given DDP and GENT had significantly different plasma urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (315 ± 79 mg/dl) and creatinine clearance (0.40 ± 0.24 ml/[min · kg]) than did the control group that was given only GENT (15 ± 1 mg/dl and 5.5 ± 0.6 ml/[min · kg]) MIDP did not affect renal function (BUN, 16 ± 3 mg/dl; creatinine clearance, 6.1 ± 1.0 ml/[min · kg]). Light microscopic examination of renal tissue from MIDP-treated rats did not reveal any evidence of cell degeneration or necrosis. Rats given GENT alone excreted 72 ± 4% of the dose in 24 h and had plasma gentamicin levels of 19 ± 2 ng/ml 24 h after injection. The group pretreated with DDP had lower urinary GENT excretion (31 ± 10%) and higher plasma GENT levels (7491 ± 3750 ng/ml). MIDP pretreatment had no effect on GENT excretion (72 ± 8%) or plasma GENT levels (16 ± 2 ng/ml). Thus, MIDP did not cause any measurable decrease in renal function or GENT excretion in our study. Since nephrotoxicity is a significant problem with DDP administration, further studies with MIDP are warranted.
Symmetry in running

Symmetry plays a key role in simplifying the control of legged robots and in giving them the ability to run and balance. The symmetries studied describe motion of the body and legs in terms of even and odd functions of time. A legged system running with these symmetries travels with a fixed forward speed and a stable upright posture. The symmetries used for controlling legged robots may help in elucidating the legged behavior of animals. Measurements of running in the cat and human show that the feet and body sometimes move as predicted by the even and odd symmetry functions.
Computer-simulated electron diffraction patterns

Abstract A computer technique for determining the geometry of electron diffraction patterns of two-phase cubic crystals having specific orientation relationships is presented. The program calculates, via matrix methods, the cordinatess of the diffraction pattern corresponding to a particular direction of the incident beam and also the magnitude of the deviation from the Bragg condition. Diffraction patterns corresponding to the Nishiyama, Kurdjumov-Sachs and Pitsch orientations of b.c.c. precipitates in a f.c.c. matrix crystal are presented. A pattern associated with a f.c.c. crystals which exhibits multiple twinning is also shown. These examples are used to demonstrate the program developed for cubic crystals. A generalized version of this program capable of handling arbitrary crystals systems is listed.
Unique arrangement of coding sequences for 5 S, 5.8 S, 18 S and 25 S ribosomal RNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as determined by R-loop and hybridization analysis

Abstract The arrangement of the coding sequences for the 5 S, 5.8 S, 18 S and 25 S ribosomal RNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was analyzed in λ-yeast hybrids containing repeating units of the ribosomal DNA. After mapping of restriction sites, the positions of the coding sequences were determined by hybridization of purified rRNAs to restriction fragments, by R-loop analysis in the electron microscope, and by electrophoresis of S 1 nuclease-treated rRNA/rDNA hybrids in alkaline agarose gels. The R-loop method was improved with respect to the length calibration of RNA/DNA duplexes and to the spreading conditions resulting in fully extended 18 S and 25 S rRNA R-loops. The qualitative results are: (1) the 5 S rRNA genes, unlike those in higher eukaryotes, alternate with the genes of the precursor for the 5.8 S, 18 S and 25 S rRNA; (2) the coding sequence for 5.8 S rRNA maps, as in higher eukaryotes, between the 18 S and 25 S rRNA coding sequences. The quantitative results are: (1) the tandemly repeating rDNA units have a constant length of 9060 ± 100 nucleotide pairs with one Sst I, two Hin dIII and, dependent on the strain, six or seven Eco RI sites; (2) the 18 S and 25 S rRNA coding regions consist of 1710 ± 80 and 3360 ± 80 nucleotide pairs, respectively; (3) an 18 S rRNA coding region is separated by a 780 ± 70 nucleotide pairs transcribed spacer from a 25 S rRNA coding region. This is then followed by a 3210 ± 100 nucleotide pairs mainly non-transcribed spacer which contains a 5 S rRNA gene.
Standard Intercepts for Calculating Lengths from Scale Measurements for Some Centrarchid and Percid Fishes

Abstract Tabulation of α, the intercept values of rectilinear body-scale regressions used in Fraser-Lee calculation of growth from scales, for several species of centrarchids and percids showed wide variation from population to population. This variation is believed to be less the result of actual differences among populations than the result of measuring scales at different angles, collecting scales from different areas of the body, season of collection, and samples with poor representation of all sizes. Use of standard α values for each species would eliminate the variance caused by poor sampling. The following standards are proposed for all studies in which there is question of adequate sampling for body-scale regressions: 10 mm, Lepomis cyanellus; 20 mm, Ambloplites rupestris, L. gulosus, L. macrochirus, Micropterus salmoides; 25 mm, L. gibbosus; 30 mm, Perca flavescens; 35 mm, M. dolomieui, Pomoxis annularis, Pomoxix nigromaculatus; 55 mm, Stizostedion vitreum. Collection of scales for these species ...
Balance laws associated with nonlocal equations of motion for theories containing one dependent variable

Abstract Nonlocal (integrodifferential) self-adjoint linear second-order equations of motion containing one dependent variable are directly related to associated balance laws. These laws augment the equations of motion as further useful information about the physical system. Under certain conditions the balance laws reduce to conservation laws. The formalism can be applied to physical systems whose equations of motion may be relativistic and either classical or quantum mechanical. It is shown how it can be used to facilitate obtaining global conservation laws for quantities which include energy and momentum. An application of the formalism is given for an elastic membrane subject to nonlocal forces.
Characterization of mechanical and physical parameters of IMCs in solder materials using nano hardness tests and EBSD measurements

In lead free solder alloys — SnAgCu or SnZn alloys — the knowledge of the composition and the mechanical behavior of their IMCs is important to understand the reliability of small solder joint built up by one or two grains. Metallographic investigations, hardness testing and EBSD measurements (Electron Backscatter Diffraction) will be combined to characterize the mechanical and physical parameters of phases — 0-tin or IMCs. A combination of theses measurements is necessary due to the anisotropic behavior of tin and its IMCs. First results will be presented.
ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND PROPAGATION OF MITOTICALLY ACTIVE GERM CELLS FROM ADULT MOUSE AND HUMAN OVARIES

Accruing evidence indicates that production of new oocytes (oogenesis) and their enclosure by somatic cells (folliculogenesis) are processes not limited to the perinatal period in mammals. Endpoints ranging from oocyte counts to genetic lineage tracing and transplantation experiments support a paradigm shift in reproductive biology involving active renewal of oocyte-containing follicles during postnatal life. The recent purification of mitotically active oocyte progenitor cells, termed female germline stem cells (fGSCs) or oogonial stem cells (OSCs), from mouse and human ovaries opens up new avenues for research into the biology and clinical utility of these cells. Here we detail methods for the isolation of mouse and human OSCs from adult ovarian tissue, cultivation of the cells after purification, and characterization of the cells before and after ex vivo expansion. The latter methods include analysis of germ cell-specific markers and in vitro oogenesis, as well as the use of intraovarian transplantation to test the oocyte-forming potential of OSCs in vivo.
Comparison of ray theory with exact theory for scattering by an open waveguide

The exact solution for scattering by a semi-infinite parallel-plane waveguide is expanded asymptotically for large separation distances between the two half-planes. The result yields a term-by-term comparison with the corresponding result derived by means of ray theory. The simple ray method does not yield complete agreement with the asymptotic form of the exact solution.
Low-pressure metamorphism and anatexis of Carolina Slate Belt Phyllites in the contact aureole of the Lilesville Pluton, North Carolina, USA

In the contact aureole of the Lilesville granite and comagmatic Pee Dee gabbro, N.C., greenschist-facies phyllites of the Carolina slate belt have been overprinted by a series of metamorphic reactions producing opx-bearing hornfelses and migmatitic gneisses. In the exterior aureole the slate belt assemblage (chl+ms+ep+ab+qz) gives way to the continuous reaction assemblages (chl+bt+cd+ ms+ab±ep+qz), (bt+cd+ms+An8–29+qz), (bt+cd+ kf+ms+pl+qz), (bt+cd+als±ms+kf+pl+qz), and (bt+cd+ga+kf+pl+qz), from lowest to highest grade. The interior aureole, interpreted as part of the floor of the granite, bears the continuous and discontinuous reaction assemblages (bt+cd+als+kf+pl+qz),(bt+cd+kf+ pl+qz), and, near the gabbro, (bt+cd+ga+opx+kf+ pl+qz). The leucosomes of the migmatitic interior aureole are predominantly trondhjemites with the assemblage (An35–45+qz±bt±cd±kf). Restites in the migmatitic interior aureole contain the AFM assemblages (bt), (bt + cd), (bt+cd+als), and (bt+cd+ga), plus kf, An40–50, and qz. Contact metamorphism was isobaric at 4.0–5.1 or 2.0–3.5 kb depending on choice of aluminosilicate triple point; temperatures reached 650° C in the migmatitic interior aureole and approached 750° C near the gabbro; \({\text{P}}_{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}}\) was less than 0.8 in the migmatites, and was lower in the interior aureole and in the high grade exterior aureole. Partial melting in the migmatitic interior aureole took place during dynamothermal metamorphism caused by the magmatic diapir. Incipient melting occurred by the reaction bt+cd+kf+pl+qz+w = liquid. The melt was H2O-undersaturated and coefficients of the reactants were weighted heavily toward the felsic minerals; the proportion of felsic minerals in the leucosomes was controlled in part by modal abundance of kf, pl, and qz available for melting. The incorporation of K into biotite by subsolidus reactions, coupled with the high thermal stability and low solubility of biotite in a felsic melt, are responsible for the trondhjemitic composition of the early anatectic liquids.
Biosynthesis of stress ethylene in soybean seedlings: Similarities to endogenous ethylene biosynthesis

The similarity of stress ethylene biosynthesis in whole plants to endogenous ethylene biosynthesis was investigated using two inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and cobalt chloride (Co2+); and the intermediates, methionine, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), of basal ethylene biosynthesis. Stress ethylene production induced by ozone, cadmium, or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid was inhibited in hydroponically-grown soybean seedlings in a concentration-dependent manner by both AVG and CO2+. The ethylene intermediates evoked responses in intact seedlings similar to that described for endogenous ethylene production in isolated vegetative tissue. The addition of SAM to the hydroponic system relieved AVG inhibition of stress ethylene production. Feeding ACC to the seedlings resulted in increased ethylene production independent of stress application or prior AVG inhibition. Cobalt inhibition of stress ethylene production was relieved by increasing concentrations of ACC. A short lag period of 12–18 min was observed in stress ethylene production following a 30-min ozone exposure. Addition of cycloheximide partially inhibited ozone-induced ethylene production. These results suggest a common pathway in whole plants for stress ethylene production and endogenous ethylene biosynthesis.
JNK activation is required for JB6 cell transformation induced by tumor necrosis factor-α but not by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

Signal transduction viamitogen-activated protein kinase pathways plays a key role in a variety of cellular responses, including cell proliferation, differentiation, tumor promotion, and cell death. c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are identified as members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family and are known to phosphorylate and activate several transcription factors, including c-Jun, ATF, and Elk-1. However, the role of JNK activation in tumor promotion is not yet defined. Because previous studies have indicated that exposure of JB6 Cl 41 cells to either 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) results in cell transformation, we investigated the role of JNKs in this biological process by using dominant negative JNK1 and the cell transformation model JB6 Cl 41 cells. Incubation of Cl 41 cells with TNF-α led to cell transformation and activation of JNKs. Introduction of the dominant negative mutant of JNK1 into JB6 Cl 41 cells specifically inhibited TNF-α-induced activation of JNKs, but not Erks and p38 kinases. Most importantly, expressing dominant negative mutant JNK1 inhibited TNF-α-induced cell transformation but not TPA-induced cell transformation. Our results directly demonstrated for the first time that JNK activation is required for TNF-α- but not TPA-induced cell transformation.
Safety and in-hospital outcomes of bivalirudin use in dialysis patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Chronic dialysis-dependent patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are at a greater risk of bleeding and ischemic events. Bivalirudin has been associated with fewer bleeding complications than unfractionated heparin (UFH) in patients undergoing PCI in various clinical settings. These studies, however, have systematically excluded patients dependent on chronic dialysis. We sought to assess the safety, bleeding rates, and in-hospital outcomes of bivalirudin use compared to UFH use alone in patients requiring dialysis and undergoing PCI. A retrospective analysis of 396 dialysis-dependent patients undergoing PCI from January 2000 to March 2009 was performed. Patients treated with a dose-adjusted bivalirudin regimen (n = 267) were compared to those treated with UFH alone (n = 129). The primary end point of major bleeding (hematocrit decrease ≥15%, gastrointestinal or intracerebral bleeding) and the composite end point of in-hospital death, nonfatal Q-wave myocardial infarction, and urgent target vessel revascularization were compared between groups. The baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups, except for the proportion of men and nonsmokers and body mass index, which were greater in patients treated with bivalirudin. The rate of major bleeding was similar between the bivalirudin and UFH groups (3.4% vs 3.1%, respectively, p = 0.9). The rate of the composite end point (death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, urgent target vessel revascularization) was not significantly different between the 2 groups (1.8% for bivalirudin vs 0.8% for UFH group, p = 0.7). After adjustment, bivalirudin use was not associated with major bleeding (odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 0.37 to 4.13, p = 0.7). In conclusion, a dose-adjusted bivalirudin anticoagulation regimen for patients requiring chronic dialysis undergoing PCI seems to be as safe and as effective as UFH use alone. These results do not suggest the superiority of bivalirudin over UFH.
Human and mouse introns are linked to the same processes and functions through each genome's most frequent non-conserved motifs

We identified the most frequent, variable-length DNA sequence motifs in the human and mouse genomes and sub-selected those with multiple recurrences in the intergenic and intronic regions and at least one additional exonic instance in the corresponding genome. We discovered that these motifs have virtually no overlap with intronic sequences that are conserved between human and mouse, and thus are genome-specific. Moreover, we found that these motifs span a substantial fraction of previously uncharacterized human and mouse intronic space. Surprisingly, we found that these genome-specific motifs are over-represented in the introns of genes belonging to the same biological processes and molecular functions in both the human and mouse genomes even though the underlying sequences are not conserved between the two genomes. In fact, the processes and functions that are linked to these genome-specific sequence-motifs are distinct from the processes and functions which are associated with intronic regions that are conserved between human and mouse. The findings show that intronic regions from different genomes are linked to the same processes and functions in the absence of underlying sequence conservation. We highlight the ramifications of this observation with a concrete example that involves the microsatellite instability gene MLH1.
Lymph node counts as an indicator of quality at the hospital level in colorectal surgery.

Background Substantial evidence suggests that the number of lymph nodes examined in colorectal cancer (CRC) is a powerful predictor of outcomes. However, the lymph node count as a benchmark of quality in CRC is controversial. We sought to examine the impact of lymph node counts on disease-specific survival (DSS) of CRC patients at the hospital level. Study Design This study used data obtained between 1994 and 2003 from Region 5 of the California Cancer Registry. Hospitals in Region 5 of the California Cancer Registry were stratified according to the median number of nodes examined and grouped according to the median number of nodes examined, Results Median number of nodes examined in group A was 4 (mean 5.6, SD 5.9), in group B was 8 (mean 9.7, SD 8.5), and in group C was 10 (mean 11.3, SD 9.2). In group A, 13.7%, in group B 32.8%, and in group C, 42.8% met the 12-node threshold. The frequency of N1 and N2 disease for group A was 20.7% and 9.1%, 19. 7% and 11.1% for group B, and 20.1% and 11.3% for group C (p = 0.12). Five-year DSS was 72.7% for group A, 73.7% for group B, and 76.7% for group C (p = 0.002). DSS survival of N0 patients for group A was 78.6%, 81.5% for group B, and 85.1% for group C (p Conclusions Lymph node counts can have value as a benchmark of surgical/pathologic quality in node-negative CRC. These results question the value of lymph node counts as a benchmark of surgical/pathologic quality for node-positive CRC.
Like a Deer in the Headlights: The Paralysis of Stuckness.

SUMMARY When describing how they experience moments of not-knowing, youth workers often talk about a sense of paralysis, as though their uncertainty becomes physically constraining. This chapter describes the first of five themes associated with youth workers' experiences of not knowing what to do: the paralysis of stuckness. In addition to describing and investigating the dominant theme of paralysis, this chapter discusses its three variations, as described by youth worker participants: (a) It's just me, and that's not enough, (b) It's like a mental freefall, and (c) That crushing becomes your world.
Turbulent Mixing of Two Parallel Streams—Part 2: An Experimental Investigation

Turbulent mixing of two parallel similar and dissimilar fluid streams, comparing velocity and density profiles measurements with similarity solution
Behavior analysis of a case of hypochondriacal anxiety: Transcript of first interview

The patient involved in this interview suffered from very disabling anxiety in response to some somatic symptoms, especially pain in the chest. Fear of such symptoms had been conditioned in a series of episodes over the previous 30 years. The interview shows how the relevant stimuli were identified, and how the outlines of a treatment program were developed from the information obtained.
Rheology of a Suspension of 1000 Liquid Capsules in Channel Flow

Three-dimensional numerical simulations are presented on the motion of large ensembles of deformable particles (up to 1096 in number) in a channel flow at small inertia. Particles are modeled as capsules, that is, liquid drops surrounded by elastic membranes. Unlike liquid drops where the fluid-fluid interface is characterized by isotropic surface tension, that of a capsule is governed by more complex constitutive laws. Here we assume that the capsule membrane follows the neo-Hookean constitutive law. The particle volume fraction considered is up to 29%. The numerical methodology is based on a mixed finite-difference/Fourier transform method for the flow solver and a front-tracking method for fluid/membrane interaction. In the simulations, the flow field is resolved using up to 288×288×288 grid points, and each particle surface is resolved by 1280 triangular elements. The simulations are computation- and data-intensive, and the first of their kind in the context of deformable capsule suspension. The database generated from the simulations provides a wealth of information on the dynamics of semi-dense suspension of liquid capsules, in particular, and of deformable particles, in general. Preliminary results on flow visualization, particle trajectory, deformation, mean velocity and suspension viscosity are presented.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Identification of Upstream Sequences Essential for Activation of a Bacteriophage P2 Late Promoter

We have carried out a mutational scan of the upstream region of the bacteriophage P2 FETUD late operon promoter, PF, which spans an element of hyphenated dyad symmetry that is conserved among all six of the P2 and P4 late promoters. All mutants were assayed for activation by P4 Delta in vivo, by using a lacZ reporter plasmid, and a subset of mutants was assayed in vitro for Delta binding. The results confirm the critical role of the three complementary nucleotides in each half site of the upstream element for transcription factor binding and for activation of transcription. A trinucleotide DNA recognition site is consistent with a model in which these transcription factors bind via a zinc finger motif. The mutational scan also led to identification of the −35 region of the promoter. Introduction of a σ70 −35 consensus sequence resulted in increased constitutive expression, which could be further stimulated by Delta. These results indicate that activator binding to the upstream region of P2 late promoters compensates in part for poor σ70 contacts and helps to recruit RNA polymerase holoenzyme.
Volumetric and speed-of-sound measurements for liquid tetrachloromethane under pressure

Abstract For liquid tetrachloromethane ( p , V m , T ) has been measured with a direct-weighing apparatus from 329 to 409 K and at pressures to 55 MPa. The results compare very well with published values, especially at the lower temperatures, and have been fitted to a modified form of the Tait equation. Speeds of sound c have been measured at temperatures between 283 and 455 K and pressures to 125 MPa. Experiments have been carried out at 3 MHz with a newly constructed apparatus, using a pulse-echo overlap technique.
Fallopian tube torsion: A case report

This case report demonstrates the gray scale ultrasound findings of fallopian tube torsion in a 10 year old girl. Some of the clinical manifestations of this entity are discussed.
Orthognathic Surgery in the Office Setting

The delivery of care by oral and maxillofacial surgeons is becoming more challenging because of escalating health care costs and limited reimbursement from insurance providers. The changing health care landscape forces surgical practices to be flexible and adaptive to change in order to remain viable. The delivery of surgical services continues to evolve as care traditionally performed in a hospital environment is now routinely achieved in an outpatient setting. Outpatient facilities can aid in controlling the perioperative costs associated with orthognathic surgery. Safe and efficient orthognathic surgery completed in the office can aid in controlling the escalation of health care costs.
6: Cathepsin G is co-localized in tryptase/chymase positive human cardiac mast cells (MCTC) during heart failure and mechanical circulatory support

Purpose: The role of cardiac mast cells (MC) in the progression to heart failure has recently become increasingly evident. Previously, two types of MCs have been described: MCs with the protease tryptase (MCT), and the subtype with the proteases tryptase and chymase (MCTC). Cathepsin g is a neutrophiland MC-derived protease, and like chymase, it can convert angiotensin I to angiotensin II and thereby activate the TGFpathway resulting in myocyte necrosis, hypertrophy and increased fibrosis. This study focuses on MC-derived cathepsin g in the human heart, during heart failure and following mechanical unloading by means of LVADs. Methods and Materials: Myocardial tissue was obtained from 10 patients with end-stage cardiomyopathy at the time of LVAD implantation (preLVAD) and following orthotopic heart transplantation (post-LVAD). In addition, biopsies of 4 normal hearts served as a control group. Paraffin embedded sections were dual stained for cathepsin g and tryptase, as well as chymase and cathepsin g, using standard immunohistochemistry protocols. Total positive (pos.) mast cells per section were counted. Results: No cathepsin g or chymase pos. MCs were found in normal hearts. However, we found evidence for cathepsin g in cardiac MCs in heart failure tissues (Pre-LVAD). During heart failure 46% of total MCs were cathepsin g pos. as compared to after mechanical unloading where only 11% of total MCs were cathepsin g pos. (p 0.001). Cathepsin g was co-localized in the MCTC subtype. Conclusions: Heart failure causes an increase of myocardial MCs. We have provided evidence that cathepsin g pos. MCs accumulate during heart failure and their total percentage decreases after ventricular unloading. This coincides with the decrease in myocyte necrosis, hypertrophy and fibrosis. Thus, cathepsin g may play a role in the progression to heart failure due to similar formation of angiotensin II as chymase. Both MC proteases should be future therapeutic targets, in order to reverse the progression of heart failure.
The role of the Rieske iron-sulfur center as the electron donor to ferricytochrome c2 in Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides

Abstract The Rieske iron-sulfur center in the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides appears to be the direct electron donor to ferricytochrome c2, reducing the cytochrome on a submillisecond timescale which is slower than the rapid phase of cytochrome oxidation ( t 1 2 3–5 μ s ). The reduction of the ferricytochrome by the Rieske center is inhibited by 5-n-undecyl-6-hydroxy-4,7-dioxobenzothiazole (UHDBT) but not by antimycin. The slower (1–2 ms) antimycin-sensitive phase of ferricytochrome c2 reduction, attributed to a specific ubiquinone-10 molecule (Qz), and the associated carotenoid spectral response to membrane potential formation are also inhibited by UHDBT. Since the light-induced oxidation of the Rieske center is only observed in the presence of antimycin, it seems likely that the reduced form of Qz (QzH2) reduces the Rieske center in an antimycin-sensitive reaction. From the extent of the UHDBT-sensitive ferricytochrome c2 reduction we estimate that there are 0.7 Rieske iron-sulfur centers per reaction center. UHDBT shifts the EPR derivative absorption spectrum of the Rieske center from gy 1.90 to gy 1.89, and shifts the Em,7 from 280 to 350 mV. While this latter shift may account for the subsequent failure of the iron-sulfur center to reduce ferricytochrome c2, it is not clear how this can explain the other effects of the inhibitor, such as the prevention of cytochrome b reduction and the elimination of the uptake of H+II; these may reflect additional sites of action of the inhibitor.
Increased Severity of Stroke in CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor Knock-Out Mice

Endogenous cannabinoid signaling pathways have been implicated in protection of the brain from hypoxia, ischemia, and trauma, but the mechanism for these protective effects is uncertain. We found that in CB1 cannabinoid receptor knock-out mice, mortality from permanent focal cerebral ischemia was increased, infarct size and neurological deficits after transient focal cerebral ischemia were more severe, cerebral blood flow in the ischemic penumbra during reperfusion was reduced, and NMDA neurotoxicity was increased compared with wild-type littermates. These findings indicate that endogenous cannabinoid signaling pathways protect mice from ischemic stroke by a mechanism that involves CB1 receptors, and suggest that both blood vessels and neurons may be targets of this protective effect.
Nucleic Acid Related Compounds. 82. Conversions of Adenosine to Inosine 5′-Thioether Derivatives with Aspergillus oryzae Adenosine Deaminase or Alkyl Nitrites. Substrate and Inhibitory Activities of Inosine 5′-Thioether Derivatives with Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase

Abstract Adenosine derivatives lacking a 5′-hydroxyl group seldom act as alternative substrates of adenosine deaminases from calf intestine and other mammalian sources. A deaminase from Aspergillus oryzae deaminated adenosine 5′-thioether derivatives cleanly and more efficiently than alkyl nitrites. The inosine derivatives were very poor alternative substrates and weak inhibitors of purine nucleoside phosphorylase.
Changing middle-school students' attitudes and performance regarding engineering with computer-based social models

Women's under-representation in fields such as engineering may result in part from female students' negative beliefs regarding these fields and their low self-efficacy for these fields. In this experiment, we investigated the use of animated interface agents as social models for changing male and female middle-school students' attitudes toward engineering-related fields, their self-efficacy for these fields, and their math performance. Students interacted with either a female or a male computer-based agent or they did not interact with an agent. The female agent increased interest, utility beliefs, self-efficacy, and math performance compared to control and, for boys, decreased stereotyping. Mediational analyses indicated that the female agent facilitated interest and math performance by enhancing self-efficacy. The findings indicate that interface agents may be used effectively as social models for influencing attitudes and beliefs and supporting performance.
EARLY DETECTION OF A CHANGE IN POISSON RATE AFTER ACCOUNTING FOR POPULATION SIZE EFFECTS

Motivated by applications in bio and syndromic surveillance, this arti- cle is concerned with the problem of detecting a change in the mean of Poisson distributions after taking into account the effects of population size. The family of generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) schemes is proposed and its asymptotic opti- mality properties are established under the classical asymptotic setting. However, numerical simulation studies illustrate that the GLR schemes are at times not as efficient as two families of ad-hoc schemes based on either the weighted likelihood ratios or the adaptive threshold method that adjust the effects of population sizes. To explain this, a further asymptotic optimality analysis is developed under a new asymptotic setting that is more suitable to our finite-sample numerical simulations. In addition, we extend our approaches to a general setting with arbitrary probability distributions, as well as to the continuous-time setting involving the multiplicative intensity models for Poisson processes, but further research is needed.
High speed digital input buffer circuits

This paper illustrates design, fabrication and testing of novel differential high-speed digital input buffers. The delay of the proposed input buffers are nearly independent of power supply voltage and input signal amplitudes. The pulse shape of the output signal is highly symmetric which mitigates skew related errors.
Rates of Processing Determine the Immunogenicity of Immunoproteasome-Generated Epitopes

CD8 T cells resolve intracellular pathogens by responding to pathogen-derived peptides that are presented on the cell surface by MHC class I molecules. Although most pathogens encode a large variety of antigenic peptides, protective CD8 T cell responses target usually only a few of these. To determine the mechanism by which the IFN-gamma-inducible proteasome (immuno) subunits enhance the ability of specific pathogen-derived peptides to elicit CD8 T cell responses, we generated a recombinant Listeria monocytogenes strain (rLM-E1) that secretes a model Ag encompassing the immunoproteasome-dependent E1B(192-200) and immunoproteasome-independent E1A(234-243) epitope. Analyses of Ag presentation showed that infected gene-deficient professional APCs, lacking the immunosubunits LMP7/ibeta5 and MECL-1/ibeta2, processed and presented the rLM-E1-derived E1B(192-200) epitope but with delayed kinetics. E1A epitope processing proceeded normally in these cells. Accordingly, infected gene-deficient mice failed to respond to the otherwise immunodominant E1B(192-200) epitope but mounted normal CD8 T cell responses to E1A(234-243) which was processed by the same professional APCs, from the same rLM-E1 Ag. The inability of gene-deficient mice to respond to E1B(192-200) was not explained by insufficient quantities of antigenic peptide, as splenic APC of 36-h-infected gene-deficient mice that presented the two E1 epitopes at steady state levels elicited responses to both E1B(192-200) and E1A(234-243) when transferred into LMP7+MECL-1-deficient mice. Taken together, our findings indicate that not absolute epitope quantities but early Ag-processing kinetics determine the ability of pathogen-derived peptides to elicit CD8 T cell responses, which is of importance for rational T cell vaccine design.
Design methodology and optimization of gate-driven NMOS ESD protection circuits in submicron CMOS processes

This paper describes the design methodology for gate driven NMOS ESD protection in submicron CMOS processes. A new PNP Driven NMOS (PDNMOS)-protection scheme is presented. Without requiring any additional process steps or introducing any additional impedance in signal path, the PDN-MOS is effective even for small analog/mixed-signal designs. SPICE simulations are used to optimize the design. High ESD performance of the PDNMOS protection in both nonsilicided and silicided submicron processes is demonstrated in this work.
Selection of organisms for systems biology study of microbial electricity generation: a review

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a device that uses microorganisms as biocatalysts to transform chemical energy or light energy into electricity. However, the commercial applications of MFCs are limited by their performance. This review presents the perspective that in silico metabolic modelling based on genome-scale metabolic networks can be used for understanding the metabolisms of the anodic microorganisms and optimizes the performance of their metabolic networks for MFCs. This is in contrast to conventional research that focuses on engineering designs and study of biological aspects of MFCs to improve interactions of anode and microorganisms. Four categories of biocatalysts - microalgae, cyanobacteria, geobacteria and yeast - are nominated for future in silico constraint-based modelling of MFCs after taking into account the cell type, operation mode, electron source and the availability of metabolic network specifications. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of each organism for MFCs are discussed and compared.
Analysis for non-strictly-proper systems

We consider feedback systems where the plant and compensator are governed by arbitrary rational matrices. Several conventional methods of closed-loop stability analysis are examined. These include state-space theory, rational matrix analysis, Q-parametrization, and singular system theory. We show that existing methods are inadequate to fully characterize closed-loop stability when non-strictly-proper systems are involved. Our analysis establishes a simple necessary condition under which the closed-loop system is stable. Our condition is then applied to refine the existing methods.
Automatically constructing blue pages for characters in instructional videos

This paper presents our recent work on automatically constructing blue pages for main characters in instructional videos. Specifically, a blue page is a personal profile which contains various types of information such as name, affiliation, portrait and voice that are specific to each individual. To accomplish this, we first extract various types of personal identity information from the video by analyzing multiple media cues; then we carefully correlate them with each other w.r.t. individual video characters based on an advanced video context analysis. When additional information sources are available, the constructed blue pages could be further enriched with advanced data mining and information extraction techniques. To validate the proposed ideas, we have carried out some preliminary experiments on a set of instructional videos with acceptable results obtained.
Rotating Stall Acoustic Signature in a Low-Speed Centrifugal Compressor: Part 1—Vaneless Diffuser

An experimental study is performed to identify spatially coherent pressure waves, which would serve as precursors to the development of an instability in the Purdue Low-Speed Centrifugal Research Compressor when configured with a vaneless diffuser. To achieve this, sensitive electret microphones were uniformly distributed around the circumference in the inlet and diffuser sections of the compressor. Fourier analysis of simultaneously sampled data from these microphone arrays was employed to identify the development of dominant spatial modes in the pressure field in the compressor. The transition to stall was observed to be a gradual process, with the growth of the pressure waves into those corresponding to a large-scale stall condition occurring over a time span of 26 impeller revolutions. The excitation of the pressure waves, as indicated by spatial Fourier analysis, occurred 14 impeller revolutions before small changes were evident in the microphone signals, and 26 revolutions before the stall condition could be considered fully developed
Nutrition and Pain

Research is providing compelling evidence for Hippocrates' oft quoted "Let food be thy medicine." Despite this, most graduating physicians receive only a few hours of instruction about nutrition and coaching to help patients change their eating habits. Appropriate nutritional interventions may be one of the most useful tools doctors have to improve overall health outcomes in their patients and specifically reduce inflammation. Whether doctors choose to do this themselves or collaborate with other professionals trained in nutritional coaching, the benefits of attending to nutritional status can enhance outcomes of other therapies.
Tobacco use and suicidality: latent patterns of co-occurrence among black adolescents.

Introduction: Tobacco use is responsible for a considerable portion of the health disparities experienced by Blacks. In addition to its physiological effects, tobacco use has consistently been shown to be associated with suicidality among adolescents. The purpose of the present study is to describe the association between specific patterns of tobacco use behavior and those of suicidality among a nationally representative sample of Black high school students.
Taste and the Logic of Practice in Distinction

Proper engagement with the theory of taste that Bourdieu formu- lates in Distinction (1984) has been marred by an inability to differentiate be- tween the theory of the functions of taste and the theory of the origins of taste. In this paper, the author shows that the theory of taste developed in Distinc- tion is one concerned primarily with the origins and only secondarily with the functions of taste. The author further argues that this theory is inseparable from Bourdieu's practice-theoretical project; it therefore cannot be coherently understood or evaluated unless it is presented in those terms (with habitus as the centrepiece concept). To that end, the author engages in a close reading of the basic argument in Distinction and shows that, according to Bourdieu, there is a tight (dynamically adjusting) relationship between tastes, conscious preferences, practical anticipations, and accumulated competences. Likes and dislikes function as partial glimpses into the store of practical capacities for cultural appropriation accumulated by a person. Most importantly, tastes op- erate via practical anticipatory action and not by conscious regulation. The au- thor closes by outlining the implications of Bourdieu's 'scandalous' proposal for future research in the sociology of taste.
Insecticide Susceptibilities of Cat Fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) from Several Regions of the United States

Eleven cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche), strains, seven field-collected and four laboratory-colonized, were assayed for susceptibilities to five insecticides (carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, malathion, permethrin, and pyrethrin) with an insecticide-treated, horizontally-oriented, Nylon 6,6 disk in a test tube. The pyrethrin was synergized using piperonyl butoxide (PBO). Flea mortality at two doses was recorded after 4 and 24 h exposures. The field strains from Texas and Florida tolerated carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, and malathion; and carbaryl and PBO-synergized pyrethrin, respectively. Tolerance was observed in a field strain from Kansas against malathion. Colonies from California and North Carolina were susceptible to malathion and PBO-synergized pyrethrin, and chlorpyrifos and permethrin, respectively, but three colonies showed tolerance. The insecticidal response of the California colony varied; when exposed to a chlorpyrifos dose of 10 mg (AI)/m2 for 24 h, at various times had mortality of 3–100%. With a PBO-synergized pyrethrin dose of 396 mg (AI)/m2 for 4 h, the mortality ranged between 4.2 and 97%. Colonized strains were more susceptible than field strains at 4 h exposure to all insecticides except PBO-synergized pyrethrin. Colonized strains survived better in control tubes. The colony strains’ susceptibility and variability are of considerable importance because these strains are used for flea product efficacy evaluations and bioassays. The differences in susceptibility between laboratory colonies and the field strains suggested development of both adaptation to colonization, and extensive, multiple cross-resistance to insecticides in field strains. Varying susceptibility of cat fleas may affect control success.
Mobile technology boosts the effectiveness of psychotherapy and behavioral interventions: a meta-analysis

We conducted a meta-analysis on the effects of mobile technology on treatment outcome for psychotherapy and other behavioral interventions. Our search of the literature resulted in 26 empirical articles describing 25 clinical trials testing the benefits of smartphone applications, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or text messaging systems either to supplement treatment or substitute for direct contact with a clinician. Overall, mobile technology use was associated with superior treatment outcome across all study designs and control conditions, effect size (ES) = .34, p < .0001. For the subset of 10 studies that looked specifically at the added benefit of mobile technology using a rigorous "Treatment" versus "Treatment + Mobile" design, effect sizes were only slightly more modest (ES = .27) and still significant (p < .05). Overall, the results support the role of mobile technology for the delivery of psychotherapy and other behavioral interventions.
Suboptimal Antigen Presentation Contributes to Virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis In Vivo.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis commonly causes persistent or chronic infection, despite the development of Ag-specific CD4 T cell responses. We hypothesized that M. tuberculosis evades elimination by CD4 T cell responses by manipulating MHC class II Ag presentation and CD4 T cell activation and tested this hypothesis by comparing activation of Ag85B-specific CD4 T cell responses to M. tuberculosis and M. bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) Pasteur in vivo and in vitro. We found that, although M. tuberculosis persists in lungs of immunocompetent mice, M. bovis BCG is cleared, and clearance is T cell dependent. We further discovered that M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages and dendritic cells activate Ag85B-specific CD4 T cells less efficiently and less effectively than do BCG-infected cells, in vivo and in vitro, despite higher production and secretion of Ag85B by M. tuberculosis. During BCG infection, activation of Ag85B-specific CD4 T cells requires fewer infected dendritic cells and fewer Ag-producing bacteria than during M. tuberculosis infection. When dendritic cells containing equivalent numbers of M. tuberculosis or BCG were transferred to mice, BCG-infected cells activated proliferation of more Ag85B-specific CD4 T cells than did M. tuberculosis-infected cells. Differences in Ag85B-specific CD4 T cell activation were attributable to differential Ag presentation rather than differential expression of costimulatory or inhibitory molecules. These data indicate that suboptimal Ag presentation contributes to persistent infection and that limiting Ag presentation is a virulence property of M. tuberculosis.