cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional coactivator cAMP response element binding protein mediates induction of the human proliferating cell nuclear antigen promoter by the adenovirus E1A oncoprotein

The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a crucial component of eukaryotic cell cycle and DNA replication complexes, is induced by the adenovirus E1A 243R oncoprotein through a cis-acting element termed the PERE (PCNA-E1A responsive element). The PERE contains a sequence homologous to an activating transcription factor (ATF) motif, and ATF-1 is a major component of PERE-protein complexes. We have identified a second PERE-binding protein, the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) transcription factor, which forms heterodimers with ATF-1 at this site. CREB, but not ATF-1, is able to mediate transactivation of a minimal PCNA-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter by E1A 243R. Further analysis revealed that the transcriptional coactivator, the CREB-binding protein (CBP), associates with PERE-related complexes, and that CBP is able to mediate a strong transactivation response to E1A 243R at the PCNA promoter. Experiments conducted with mutants in the E1A or CREB components support a model whereby E1A 243R transactivates the PCNA promoter via a CBP-CREB-PERE pathway. These findings delineate a paradigm by which E1A 243R can target and transactivate specific DNA promoter sequences.
Noise models and cryo-EM drift correction with a direct-electron camera.

Blurring due to specimen-holder drift is a common occurrence in cryo-EM images. Cameras employing active-pixel sensors are capable of high frame rates such that a single low-dose exposure can be acquired as a series of frames. In this paper we consider the possibility of tracking and compensating for overall drift in typical single-particle specimens through the analysis of frame sequences. A problem that arises in tracking through cross-correlation of frames obtained with the DE-12 camera from Direct Electron LLC is the presence of “hot-pixel noise”. This random pattern of bright pixels is highly correlated among frames. We show how a model of this noise can be employed to greatly reduce its effects. A filter function is derived that optimizes the tracking of image shifts by cross-correlation, and we demonstrate the tracking of specimen drift in typical cryo-EM specimens.
129I/127I variations among enstatite chondrites

The iodine isotopic compositions and corresponding I-Xe ages were obtained for eight enstatite chondrites, bringing the total number of enstatite chondrites examined by the I-Xe technique to 11. Iodine isotopic compositions of these 11 chondrites indicate a well-defined hiatus correlated with the hiatus in chemical composition defining the two distinct enstatite groups: EH(4,5) and EL(6). Judging by the I-129/I-127 ratios and assuming that both the EH and EL groups originated from a reservoir with a uniform initial iodine isotopic composition, the EH(4,5) chondrites were estimated to be about 4 mln older than the El chondrites.
Exploring the Supportive Effects of Spiritual Well-Being on Job Satisfaction Given Adverse Work Conditions

Interest in spirituality as a protective factor in various aspects of daily life has increased over the years. Still there has been relatively little research attention paid to the effect of spirituality in the workplace. The current study was conducted to explore the role of spiritual well-being as positive spillover effect on job satisfaction when adverse workplace experiences are reported. Spiritual well-being was related to job satisfaction even when the adverse workplace conditions of job frustration, work tension and victimization were present. The context of the findings with other research and theory are discussed, as are directions for future research.
An Antiestrogen-responsive Estrogen Receptor-α Mutant (D351Y) Shows Weak AF-2 Activity in the Presence of Tamoxifen

Antiestrogens, including tamoxifen and raloxifene, block estrogen receptor (ER) action by blocking the interactions of an estrogen-dependent activation function (AF-2) with p160 coactivators. Although tamoxifen does show some agonist activity in the presence of ERα, this stems from a distinct constitutive activation function (AF-1) that lies within the ERα N terminus. Previous studies identified a naturally occurring mutation (D351Y) that allows ERα to perceive tamoxifen and raloxifene as estrogens. Here, we examine the contributions of ERα activation functions to the D351Y phenotype. We find that the AF-2 function of ERα D351Y lacks detectable tamoxifen-dependent activity when tested in isolation but does synergize with AF-1 to allow enhanced tamoxifen response. Weak tamoxifen-dependent interactions between the ERα D351Y AF-2 function and GRIP1, a representative p160, can be detected in glutathione S-transferase binding assays and mammalian two-hybrid assays. Furthermore, tamoxifen-dependent AF-2 activity can be detected in the presence of ERα D351Y and high levels of overexpressed GRIP1. We therefore propose that the D351Y mutation allows weak tamoxifen-dependent AF-2 activity but that this activity is only detectable when AF-1 is strong, and AF-1 and AF-2 synergize, or when p160s are overexpressed. We discuss the possible structural basis of this effect.
Heterogeneity of Anti-Phospholipid and Anti-Endothelial Cell Antibodies

Abstract The role of the anti-phospholipid antibodies (APLA) and anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) in the pathogenesis of anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) is unclear. Differences in the reported involvement of APLA may be due, in part, to the polyclonal nature of these antibodies and the use of serum and serum fractions for analysis. To circumvent this issue, we generated monoclonal antibodies (MAB) from three patients with APS and two healthy controls. We then compared the antigen binding patterns and the heavy chain variable region (V H ) DNA sequences of the MAB derived from patients with APS to those from healthy controls. The results of this study indicate that APLA and AECA comprise a highly heterogeneous population of antibodies with respect to the antigens they recognize, as well as V H gene usage. MAB derived from patients with APS do not differ from those derived from normal individuals based on either antigen recognition or V H gene usage. These results suggest the importance of additional predisposing factors in the pathogenesis of APS.
Fractional tiers in fast multipole method calculations

Abstract One defining characteristic of the fast multipole calculation is the number of tiers (depth of tree) used to group the particles. For three dimensions, the standard boxing scheme restricts the number of lowest level boxes to be a power of eight. We present a method which through a simple scaling of the particle coordinates allows an arbitrary number of lowest level boxes. Consequently, one can better balance the near-field and far-field work by minimizing the variation in the number of particles per lowest level box from its optimal value. Test calculations show systems where this method gives a speedup approaching two times.
FUEL ECONOMY OF A VEHICLE AS A FUNCTION OF AIRSPEED: THE CONCEPT OF PARALLEL CORRIDORS

Abstract In this investigation, it is shown that when a highway vehicle is driven at a constant speed on a level road, what actually determines its fuel economy is the airspeed of the vehicle rather than its ground speed or its speedometer reading. A theoretical model is then developed for the first time that describes the fuel economy of a highway vehicle as a function of its airspeed. The functional form of this model turns out to be in good correlation with the experimental data that have been collected by the authors over the last 2 years. Finally, the concept of parallel corridors is introduced and a design for highway construction is suggested that can significantly improve fuel economy of vehicles where traffic is heavy, by establishing a controlled driving environment. The results of this investigation apply to any vehicle using any source of energy.
Electromagnetic mass differences of pions and kaons

We use the Cottingham method to calculate the pion and kaon electromagnetic mass differences with as few model-dependent inputs as possible. The constraints of chiral symmetry at low energy, QCD at high energy, and experimental data in between are used in the dispersion relation. We find excellent agreement with experiment for the pion mass difference. The kaon mass difference exhibits a strong violation of the lowest order prediction of Dashen{close_quote}s theorem, in qualitative agreement with several other recent calculations. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Copepod (Crustacea) emergence from soils from Everglades marshes with different hydroperiods.

ABSTRACT During a severe drought period in the winter and spring of 1989, we made three collections of dried marsh soils from freshwater sloughs in Everglades National Park, Florida, at sites characterized by either long or intermediate annual periods of flooding (hydroperiod). After rehydrating the soils in aquaria, we documented the temporal patterns of copepod emergence over two-week periods. The species richness of copepods in the rehydrated soils was lower than in predrought samples from the same slough sites. Only six of the 16 species recorded from the Everglades emerged in the aquarium tests. The long hydroperiod site had a slightly different assemblage and higher numbers of most species than the intermediate-hydroperiod sites. More individuals and species emerged from the early dry-season samples compared with samples taken later in the dry season. The harpacticoid, Cletocamptus deitersi, and the cyclopoid, Microcyclops rubellus, were abundant at most sites. The cyclopoids—Ectocyclops phaleratus,...
SU‐FF‐J‐86: A Digital Tomosynthesis Applications in Radiotherapy Toolkit

Purpose: To develop a toolkit to allow for the creation of cone‐beam digital tomosynthesis datasets and their registration to determine patient shifts before treatment delivery. Method and Materials: The Matlab and visual C++ platforms were utilized to create a user interface that allows for the use of megavoltage portal images to reconstruct digital tomosynthesis datasets via one of three reconstruction algorithms. The software also allows for the use of digitally reconstructedradiographs from a CT dataset to reconstruct a reference tomosynthesisimage set for registration purposes. To benchmark the software, a phantom study was created where known shifts were introduced in a phantom's position before portal images were acquired. The portal images were used to reconstruct tomosynthesis‐based datasets with one of the three algorithms. These were then compared against the reference image set. Results: The software allowed for the quick reconstruction of digital tomosynthesis datasets. Once the registration was performed, all the calculated parameters to shift the phantom back to its original position showed close agreement with the actual shifts introduced in the phantom before images were acquired. Conclusion: Based on the benchmarking experiment performed on this software toolkit, it seems like the program is performing all of its tasks correctly. The small deviations found between the registration results and the actual shifts introduced to the phantom may be due to the subjectivity of the user who performed the registration since it was performed manually.
Experimental study of high velocity air discharge noise from some ventilating ducts and elbows

Abstract The air discharged by a 12-in ‘Aphonic’ (quiet) radial flow fan, further quietened by long oversize felt-lined ducts and package attenuators, was passed into a large acoustically-deadened test chamber through straight round (4–10 in diam.) ducts and rectangular ducts of equivalent cross-sectional areas. The ducts were open-ended and, in the case of the round ducts, also fitted with 90° short and long elbows with and without terminating ducts. Duct velocities up to 4000 ft/min were attained in some cases by controlling fan speed. The A-weighted sound levels were measured in each case at 2 ft from the center of the exit section at an angle of 45°, and in some cases also at 3 ft for comparison. The object was to make measurements in the direct sound field of the exit plane. Relations between duct velocities and measured sound levels are evaluated over the ranges tested.
Remarks on the algebra of non first normal form relations

Usually, the first normal form condition of the relational model of data is imposed. Presently, a broader class of data base applications like office information systems is considered where this restriction is not convenient. Therefore, an extension of the relational model is proposed consisting of Non First Normal Form (NF2) relations. The relational algebra is enriched mainly by so called nest and unnest operations which transform between NF2 relations and the usual ones. We state some properties of these operations and some rules which occur in combination with the operations of the usual relational algebra. Since we propose to use the NF2 model also for the internal data model these rules are important not only for theoretical reasons but also for a practical implementation.
Scanning Electron Microscopic Observations on the Luminal Surface of the Rabbit Common Carotid Artery Sublected to lschemia by Arterial Occlusion

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been employed to study the effects of ischemia on the luminal surface of the common carotid artery. Fifteen adult rabbits were lightly anesthetized and the common carotid arteries surgically exposed. The right carotid artery was occluded with a single Heifetz clip for five minutes (five animals), 15 minutes (five animals), and 30 minutes (five animals). Following removal of the clip, the animals were immediately perfused with glutaraldehyde and the arteries excised and prepared for critical point drying. Four additional rabbits were perfused following the same method with no surgical procedures performed in the neck. Normal aortas were also examined. The nature and frequency of endothelial cell alterations were determined by analysis of ten randomly selected SEM fields. Examination of the endothelial surface of arterial segments distal to the occluding clip revealed the presence of numerous "crater-like" defects as well as outpouchings or "balloons." The numbers ...
Differential gene expression within the ovine corpus luteum: identification of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine as a major secretory product of small but not large luteal cells.

Limited information is available regarding secretory proteins of the corpus luteum (CL), and the potential local role these proteins may play in control of luteal function. An ovine small luteal cell complementary DNA library was immunologically screened with a polyclonal antiserum generated against small cell secretory proteins. A relatively abundant complementary DNA (approximately 2.1 kb) encoding a calcium binding glycoprotein Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) was isolated. Production of SPARC protein by ovine luteal cells was confirmed by immunoprecipitating it from labeled culture medium. Expression of SPARC messenger RNA (mRNA) was examined within CL collected on days 3, 7, 10, 13, and 16 post estrus (n = 4, 4, 4, 3, and 4 respectively), and within pools of purified small (n = 3) and large (n = 4) luteal cells by Northern and dot blot analysis. Amounts of SPARC mRNA increased during the early luteal phase, peaked by day 7 (P < 0.05) and subsequently declined on days 10 and 13 (P ...
Understanding Participation of Preschool-Age Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Participation in home, school, and community activities is a primary outcome of early intervention services for children with disabilities and their families. The objectives of this study were to (a) describe participation of preschool-age children with cerebral palsy (CP); (b) determine effects of sex, age, and gross motor function on intensity of participation; and (c) identify child, family, and service determinants of intensity of participation. A convenience sample of 85 preschool-age children with CP and their parents participated. Parents completed self-report measures on children’s participation, adaptive behavior, physical function, family functioning, and services. Children’s Gross Motor Function Classification System levels (Palisano, Rosenbaum, Bartlett, & Livingston, 2008) were determined by assessors. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the variance in intensity of participation explained by the determinants. Children with limited self-mobility had a lower intens...
Upper critical magnetic field measurements in RBa2Cu3O7−δ (R=rareearth) compounds

Abstract Upper critical magnetic field initial slopes -d H c2 /d T , have been measured for RBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ compounds where R=Y , Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu. If H at the resistive midpoint is defined as H c2 , then -d H c2 /d T falls within the range of 0.81 (R=Lu) to 2.86 (R=Eu) T/K. Extrapolations to T =0 K using the standard, three-dimensional, dirty-limit theory of theory of Werthamer, Helfand, Hohenberg and Maki yield (for R=Eu) (a) zero-temperature upper critical fields H c 2 ( T =0 K)=102–183 T, where the range is determined by the degree of paramagnetic limitation; (b) H c 2 ( T =77 K) ≃ 43 T, the upper critical field at the boiling point of liquid nitrogen. Excessive broadening of the resistive transition to the superconducting state which lowers | -d H c2 / dT | is discussed in terms of intergranular conduction and crystal anisotropy with comparison drawn to single crystal data.
Black Women and Feminist Sociology: The Emerging Perspective

Since the 1960s, leftists, interpretive sociologists, black nationalists and feminists have challenged the subject matter, methods, and social control functions of sociology. The feminist critique continues today, but it is arguable that a “fourth critique” of the field is in the making. This fourth critique emanates from the writings of a black feminist intelligentsia. Its theoretical anchor is a developing perspective on the intersection of race, class, and gender. This intersection is an important revision of feminist sociology and feminist theory, which tend to emphasize gender. The perspective is also corrective of race relations perspectives, which are often omissive of gender. The perspective, therefore, is recreative and may be transformatory of all prior critiques of the field.
Diminished hematopoietic activity associated with alterations in innate and adaptive immunity in a mouse model of human monocytic ehrlichiosis.

Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) is a tick-borne disease caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Patients exhibit diagnostically important hematological changes, including anemia and thrombocytopenia, although the basis of the abnormalities is unknown. To begin to understand these changes, we used a mouse model of ehrlichiosis to determine whether the observed hematological changes induced by infection are associated with altered hematopoietic activity. Infection with Ehrlichia muris, a pathogen closely related to E. chaffeensis, resulted in anemia, thrombocytopenia, and a marked reduction in bone marrow cellularity. CFU assays, conducted on days 10 and 15 postinfection, revealed a striking decrease in multipotential myeloid and erythroid progenitors. These changes were accompanied by an increase in the frequency of immature granulocytes in the bone marrow and a decrease in the frequency of B lymphocytes. Equally striking changes were observed in spleen cellularity and architecture, and infected mice exhibited extensive extramedullary hematopoiesis. Splenomegaly, a characteristic feature of E. muris infection, was associated with an expanded and disorganized marginal zone and a nearly 66-fold increase in the level of Ter119+ erythroid cells, indicative of splenic erythropoiesis. We hypothesize that inflammation associated with ehrlichia infection suppresses bone marrow function, induces the emigration of B cells, and establishes hematopoietic activity in the spleen. We propose that these changes, which may be essential for providing the innate and acquired immune cells to fight infection, are also responsible in part for blood cytopenias and other clinical features of HME.
Variable-precision recurrence coefficients for nonstandard orthogonal polynomials

A symbolic/variable-precision procedure is described (and implemented in Matlab) that generates an arbitrary number N of recurrence coefficients for orthogonal polynomials to any given precision nofdig. The only requirement is the availability of a variable-precision routine for computing the first 2 N moments of the underlying weight function to any precision dig > nofdig. The procedure is applied to Freud, Bose–Einstein, and Fermi–Dirac orthogonal polynomials.
Surface charge near the cardiac inward-rectifier channel measured from single-channel conductance.

The conductance of a channel to permeable ions depends on the number of ions near the mouth of the pore. Surface charge controls the local concentration, and impermeable cations can modify this charge. Correlating channel conductance with the concentration of impermeable cations therefore determines the local charge near the open pore. This paper presents data from cell-attached patches on embryonic chick ventricle cells, and it uses the conductance of inward-rectifier channels in the patch (in 100mm K, with various concentrations of Na, Ca, Ba, and Mg) to estimate the local surface potential. The results indicate the presence of ionized residues near the mouth of the channel. Using the Boltzmann equation and the Gouy-Chapman relation, the surface potential due to these residues (in 100K/33Na/0Ca/0Ba/0Mg) is −40 mV, and the charge density is −0.25e/nm2.
Association of Sleep Disorders with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Population-based Study.

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease. In smaller studies, sleep apnea has been previously associated with NAFLD. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and independent associations of sleep disorders in patients with NAFLD using recent population-based data. Methods Three cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2005 and 2010 were used. The diagnosis of NAFLD was established as elevated liver enzymes in the absence of all other causes of chronic liver disease. Sleep disorders were diagnosed using sleep disorder questionnaires completed by NHANES participants, and included self-reported history of sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome. The prevalence of sleep disorders was compared between those with and without NAFLD. Results A total of 10,541 adult NHANES participants with complete demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were included. Of those, 15.0% had NAFLD and 7.2% reported having sleep disorders. Of those with sleep disorders, 64.7% reported history of sleep apnea, 16.0% had history of insomnia, and 4.0% had restless leg syndrome. Individuals with NAFLD were more likely to be male (53.8% vs. 45.7%, P P P = 0.0118). In multivariate analysis, having any sleep disorder, sleep apnea and insomnia were all independently associated with NAFLD [OR (95% CI) = 1.40 (1.11–1.76), OR = 1.39 (0.98–1.97), and OR = 2.17 (1.19–3.95); respectively)]. Conclusions This large population-based data suggests that NAFLD is associated with sleep disorders. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, this association is most likely through metabolic conditions associated with NAFLD.
Electron microscopic studies of planarian regeneration. II. Changes in epidermis during regeneration

Histological changes in planarian epidermis, as well as the differentiation of new epidermal cells during the course of differentiation, were studied with the electron microscope. Immediately after decapitation, pre-existing epidermal cells of the area surrounding would stretch out over the cut-surface and cover it completely with a thin film within 16 hours. However, these epidermal cells in the film were replaced by newly differentiated cells during the period extending from the second to sixth day of regeneration. Thus, after injury, the initial compensational closure is formed on the cut-surface by the pre-existing epidermal film, but the epidermis which is finally regenerated is formed by complete colonization of pre-existing epidermis by newly differentiated epidermal cells. New epidermal and rhabdite-forming cells were found not only in epidermis but also in the interior and sub-epidermal regions of the blastema and in the old tissue close to the wound surface. Our observations suggest that ectodermally oriented cells, such as epidermal and rhabdite-forming cells, originate from neoblasts at the anterior of the old body, close to its interface with the regeneration blastema; such neoblasts differentiate into rhabdite-forming, or epidermal, cells as they migrate from the old somatic stump through the regeneration blastema into its epidermal surface layer. The characteristic polarity of epidermal cells appears in newly differentiated ones when they locate in the epidermal surface.
Participation of the SOS system in producing deletions in E. coli plasmids.

Abstract The participation of the SOS response in the deletion of palindromic and non-palindromic inserts of about 66 and 100 bp cloned within the EcoR1 site of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase ( cat ) gene of plasmid pBR325 was tested after introducing the derived plasmids into strains containing different combinations of lexA , recA and umuC alleles and the autotrophic mutation trpE65 . This allowed for a comparison of deletion frequency in the plasmids, measured as the reverision of chloramphenicol sensitivity to resistance (Cm s → Cm r ), to point frequency measured from the reversion of trpE65 to tryptophan independence (Trp − → Trp + ). We found that the spontaneous deletion frequency of palindromic inserts was increased by the overproduction of activated RecA and UmuC + and UmuC + in lexA (Def) backgrounds but the deletion of the non-palindromic insert was unaltered. Overproduction of RecA + had no significant effect on deletion incidence but it did increase Trp − → Trp + reversions. The SOS stimulation of palindrome deletions paralleled the SOS mutator effect of certain recA and umuC alleles on Trp − → Trp + reversions, suggesting that some form of SOS processing was responsible for the observed increases. The results further suggest that the SOS effect on deletions depends on the distinction between palindromy vs. non-palindromy, rather than on the sizes or sequences of the inserts or those of the terminal homologies bracketing them.
Bilateral Monopoly and Industrial Location

Abstract In the case of bilateral monopoly, Machlup and Taber (1960) pointed out that negotiation between separate monopolists would necessarily be carried on in terms of both quantity and price, and that the quantity agreed upon between the parties would be the same as that produced by an integrated monopoly. Along this line, this paper investigates the role of joint profit maximization through negotiation in the location decisions of bilateral monopoly. It shows that there may exist intermediate locations for the buyer and the seller. It also shows that the impact of rising energy cost on the patterns of industrial location depends upon not only the nature of the buyer's production function but also the nature of the seller's production function. These results are different from Sakashita's (1980) and Hwang-Mai's (1987).
Lyotropic effects of alkanes and headgroup composition on the Lα-HII lipid liquid crystal phase transition: hydrocarbon packing versus intrinsic curvature

Les effets lies a l'addition d'une petite quantite d'hydrocarbure et a la composition de groupements polaires de melanges de phospholipides ont ete examines relativement a la transition de phase lamellaire (Lα) hexagonale inverse (H II ) dans des cristaux liquides eau-phospholipide. L'etude du reseau cristallin et la determination des phases ont ete faites aux rayons X par diffraction. Kirk, Gruner, Stein (Biochem. 23 (1984) 1093) ont postule que la competition entre la repulsion d'hydratation, l'elasticite due a la courbure d'une monocouche de lipide et l'empilement d'hydrocarbones determine la transition Lα-H II . Dans cet article, nous decrivons les experiences qui permettent d'explorer les effets de courbure et d'empilement. Nous montrons que le rayon de courbure des tubes de lipides de la phase H II peut etre ajuste en changeant les proportions de lipides de haute et basse courbure
Computer Assisted Studies of Structure-Activity Relations Using Pattern Recognition

Structure-activity relationships (SAR) can be investigated for large sets of biologically active compounds using computer-assisted methods. The combination of chemical structure information handling, molecular mechanics model building, substructure searching, and related methods along with pattern recognition and statistical analysis provided an approach to SAR studies. An interactive computer software system, called ADAPT, has been implemented to automate this approach to SAR studies and to allow its application to large sets of organic compounds. A number of SAR studies have been performed using ADAPT, including studies of pharmaceuticals, anti-tumor compounds, olfactory stimulants, and genotoxic compounds (mutagenic or carcinogenic compounds). Results of two studies are discussed in detail: a study of 9-anilino-acridine anti-tumor compounds, and a study of N-nitroso carcinogens.
Infections of electrophysiologic cardiac devices

Infections related to electrophysiologic cardiac device placement are increasing dramatically and are associated with adverse outcomes. With the US population aging and living longer, cardiac devices are utilized in an older population with significant comorbidities, making the threat from infectious complications significant. Electrophysiologic cardiac devices typically include an implanted pulse generator and an intravascular lead. Infection may occur at any component of the device, resulting in varied presentations. Bacteremia in cardiac device recipients may reflect primary generator pocket infection, or alternate sources of bacteremia may result in secondary hematogenous lead infection. This review focuses on the pathology, diagnosis, management and prevention of electrophysiologic cardiac device infections.
Hybrid GPCR/cadherin (Celsr) proteins in rat testis are expressed with cell type specificity and exhibit differential sertoli cell-germ cell adhesion activity

Spermatogenesis requires Sertoli cell-germ cell adhesion for germ cell survival and maturation. Cadherins are a diverse superfamily of adhesion proteins; structurally unique members of this superfamily (celsr cadherins) are hybrid molecules containing extracellular cadherin repeats connected to a G protein-coupled receptor transmembrane motif. Here we demonstrate postnatal testicular mRNA expression of the 3 celsr paralogs (celsr1, celsr2, and celsr3), protein localization of celsr2 and celsr3, and functional analysis of celsr2 adhesion activity in primary Sertoli cell-germ cell co-cultures. Evaluation of celsr mRNA levels during a postnatal time course indicated that celsr1 and celsr2 were Sertoli cell and/or early-stage germ cell products, whereas celsr3 was expressed in later-stage germ cells. Cell type-specific expression was verified using the Sertoli cell line 93RS2, where celsr1 and celsr2 mRNA, but not celsr3, were detected. Immunostaining of testicular cryosections resulted in celsr2 protein localization to a spokelike pattern in the basal seminiferous epithelium and punctate figures in the apical epithelium, consistent with both Sertoli cell and germ cell expression. Celsr3 localized to punctate structures in the adluminal epithelium from postnatal day 40, consistent with elongate spermatid expression. The subcellular localization of celsr2 was examined further to define its localization in Sertoli cells and germ cells. Celsr2 localized to the Golgi complex in Sertoli cells and germ cells. In addition, germ cell celsr2 localized to a rab7-positive structure, which may be an endocytic compartment. Neither celsr2 nor celsr3 immunostaining was present at classic cadherin-based adhesion junctions. Nonetheless, the addition of a recombinant celsr2 protein fragment consisting of extracellular cadherin domains 4 through 8 to Sertoli cell-germ cell co-cultures resulted in germ cell detachment from Sertoli cells. Collectively, these data indicate that celsr cadherins have a cell type-specific expression pattern, and celsr2 may mediate Sertoli cell-germ cell adhesion outside of classic cadherin-based adhesion junctions.
Paraprofessional Preparation Training Senior Citizens to Work with the Handicapped

Given the projections for professionals needed in the field of special education over the next decade and the rate at which professionals are being trained in institutions of higher learning, it is evident that a discrepancy exists. In an effort to meet the increasing need for persons to provide special services, local programs have begun to use resources within the local community. This article examines the development and implementation of a program which was designeo to train senior citizens to work with the handicapped. An organizational outline, program activities, evaluation, and results are discussed.
Assessing Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Using Curriculum-Based Measurement

The authors propose the use of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) to evaluate the effectiveness of the academic and behavioral programming for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. When applied to a problem such as the school failure of students identified as having emotional or behavioral disorders, CBM data regarding the appropriateness of identification as well as the student's performance may reveal important features of effective instructional practices and their effects on students' academic performance. CBM data can help reveal features of practices that increase achievement and reduce failure for students with disabilities and may be particularly effective in addressing problems in the assessment of minority students.
Cosmic-Ray Streaming Perpendicular to the Mean Magnetic Field. II: The Gyrophase Distribution Function

The distribution function of cosmic rays streaming perpendicular to the mean magnetic field in a turbulent medium is re-examined. Urch's (1977) discovery that, in quasilinear theory, the flux is due to particles at 90° pitch angle is discussed and shown to be consistent with previous formulations of the theory. We point out that this flux of particles at 90° cannot be arbitrarily set equal to zero, and hence we dismiss the alternative theory which proceeds from this premise. A further, basic inconsistency in Urch's new transport equation is demonstrated, and the connection between quasilinear theory and compound diffusion is discussed.
FACILITATION DRIVES LOCAL ABUNDANCE AND REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF A RARE PLANT IN A HARSH ENVIRONMENT

The importance of facilitation to local community dynamics is becoming increasingly recognized. However, the predictability of positive interactions in stressful environments, the balance of competition and facilitation along environmental gradients, and the scaling of local positive interactions to regional distributions are aspects of facilitation that remain unresolved. I explored these questions in a habitat specialist, Delphinium uliginosum, and a moss, Didymodon tophaceus, both found in small serpentine wetlands. I tested three hypotheses: (1) moss facilitates germination, growth, and/or fecundity of D. uliginosum; (2) facilitation is stronger at the harsher ends of gradients in soil moisture, toxicity, and/or biomass; and (3) facilitation is reflected in positive associations at the levels of local abundance and regional occurrence. Although considerable competitive interactions occurred in later life stages, moss strongly facilitated D. uliginosum seedling emergence. There was no evidence that this facilitative effect weakened, or switched to competition, in benign environments. D. uliginosum was more locally abundant and more frequently present, across a large portion of its range, with than without moss, indicating a net facilitative effect in the face of competitive influences. Facilitated recruitment, possibly by seed retention, was found to be an important control on abundance and distribution in this rare species.
Masking autoprocessing of Clostridium difficile toxin A by the C-terminus combined repetitive oligo peptides.

Abstract Clostridium difficile toxin A and B (TcdA and TcdB) are the major virulence factors of the bacterium, both of which consist of two enzymatic domains: an effector glucosyltransferase domain (GTD) and a cysteine protease domain (CPD) responsible for autocleavage and release of GTD. Although the CPDs from both toxins share a similar structure and mechanism of hexakisphosphate (InsP6)-induced activation, TcdA is substantially less sensitive to the autocleavage as compared with TcdB. In this study, we provided evidence of inter-domain regulation of CPD activity of TcdA and its autoprocessing. The C-terminus combined repetitive oligo peptides (CROPs) of TcdA reduced the accessibility of TcdB CPD to its substrate in a chimeric toxin TxB-Ar, consequently blocking autoprocessing. Moreover, interference of antibodies with the CROPs of full-length TcdA efficiently enhanced its GTD release. In conclusion, by utilizing chimeric toxins and specific antibodies, we identified that the CROPs of TcdA plays a crucial role in controlling the InsP6-mediated activation of CPD and autocleavage of GTD. Our data provides insights on the molecular mode of action of the C. difficile toxins.
A Schwarz alternating procedure using spline collocation methods

A collocation method is described which obtains an approximate solution to Poisson's equation, δu = f, on an L shaped region. The L shaped region is viewed as the union of two overlapping rectangles. The Schwarz alternating procedure may be employed to reduce the problem to one in which collocation techniques are used on each rectangle. The convergence of the alternating scheme depends upon a discrete maximum principle for collocation methods. Several sample problems are presented to illustrate the order of convergence of this method and to compare it with several existing numerical methods for the L shaped region.
Pharmacokinetics of the Carmustine Implant

Controlled release delivery of carmustine from biodegradable polymer wafers was approved as an adjunct to surgical resection in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme after it was shown in clinical trials to be well tolerated and effective. Given the localised nature of the drug in the brain tissue, no direct pharmacokinetic measurements have been made in humans after implantation of a carmustine wafer. However, drug distribution and clearance have been extensively studied in both rodent and non-human primate brains at various times after implantation. In addition, studies to characterise the degradation of the polymer matrix, the release kinetics of carmustine and the metabolic fate of the drug and polymer degradation products have been conducted both in vitro and in vivo. GLIADEL wafers have been shown to release carmustine in vivo over a period of approximately 5 days; when in continuous contact with interstitial fluid, wafers should degrade completely over a period of 6 to 8 weeks. Metabolic elimination studies of the polymer degradation products have demonstrated that sebacic acid monomers are excreted from the body in the form of expired CO(2), whereas 1,3-bis-(p-carboxyphenoxy)propane monomers are excreted primarily through the urine. Carmustine degradation products are also excreted primarily through the urine. Pharmacokinetic studies in animals and associated modelling have demonstrated the capability of this modality to produce high dose-delivery (millimolar concentrations) within millimetres of the polymer implant, with a limited penetration distance of carmustine from the site of delivery. The limited spread of drug is presumably due to the high transcapillary permeability of this lipophilic molecule. However, the presence of significant convective flows due to postsurgical oedema may augment the diffusive transport of drug in the hours immediately after wafer implantation, leading to a larger short-term spread of drug. Additionally, in non-human primates, the presence of significant doses in more distant regions of the brain (centimetres away from the implant) has been shown to persist over the course of a week. The drug in this region was presumed to be transported from the implant site by either cerebral blood flow or cerebrospinal fluid flow, suggesting that although drug is able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier at the site of delivery, it may re-enter within the confines of the brain tissue.
Modeling hierarchy: Transitivity and the linear ordering problem

For dominance data, the problem of creating a transitive model of a system is considered. In particular the minimum errors criterion of the linear ordering problem for tournaments is discussed, and its relation to the probabilistic model of dominance data is examined. A heuristic is proposed for ranking actors by dominance which combines computational speed, intuitive appeal, and reasonable performance on the minimum errors criterion. In addition, one statistical approach, the Bradley‐Terry model, is discussed, and its appropriateness for dominance data is considered.
Voluntariness and efficiency in the provision of public goods

Abstract This paper presents a characterization of Lindahl allocations which makes no reference to personalized prices. Lindahl equilibria are characterized here by two conditions: Pareto efficiency and a voluntariness condition. Voluntariness requires that no consumer may benefit from a reduction in his contribution if this means that the vector of public goods must be reduced in the same proportion. The intersection of the (large) set of voluntary allocations and that of efficient ones turns out to be (under differentiability) the set of Lindahl allocations.
Distribution and chemical coding of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART)-immunoreactive neurons in the guinea pig bowel.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript-immunoreactive (CART-IR) neurons and nerve fibers were abundant in the submucosal and myenteric plexuses of the guinea pig duodenum, ileum, cecum, proximal and distal colon. CART immunoreactivity was also observed in cell bodies and nerve fibers in the extrahepatic biliary tract. In the myenteric plexus, similar proportions (~20–25%) of neurons were CART-IR in all regions, with the exception of the cecum, where only 13% were CART-IR. In the submucosal plexus, CART-IR was detected in 35–50% of the neurons along the bowel with the exception of the proximal colon (~10%). Multiple label immunohistochemistry in the myenteric plexus of the ileum demonstrated that CART-IR neurons were also immunoreactive for choline acetyltransferase (83%), tachykinins (77%), calbindin (50%), nitric oxide synthase (20%), and/or vasoactive intestinal peptide (23%). In triple label studies, we found that ~8% of the CART-IR neurons were also immunoreactive for both choline acetyltransferase and nitric oxide synthase. CART immunoreactivity was not colocalized with calretinin, somatostatin, or serotonin. These results, combined with previous studies of chemical coding and projection patterns in the guinea pig ileum, indicate that at least four different classes of gut neurons in the myenteric plexus express CART peptide, including excitatory and inhibitory motor neurons projecting to the circular muscle, intrinsic primary afferent neurons, and a subset of descending interneurons. Because all CART-IR neurons in the submucosal plexus were also vasoactive intestinal peptide-IR, they are likely to include secretomotor/vasodilator neurons.
The effects of preceding lead-alone and lag-alone click trains on the buildup of echo suppression.

Spatial perception in echoic environments is influenced by recent acoustic history. For instance, echo suppression becomes more effective or “builds up” with repeated exposure to echoes having a consistent acoustic relationship to a temporally leading sound. Four experiments were conducted to investigate how buildup is affected by prior exposure to unpaired lead-alone or lag-alone click trains. Unpaired trains preceded lead-lag click trains designed to evoke and assay buildup. Listeners reported how many sounds they heard from the echo hemifield during the lead-lag trains. Stimuli were presented in free field (experiments 1 and 4) or dichotically through earphones (experiments 2 and 3). In experiment 1, listeners reported more echoes following a lead-alone train compared to a period of silence. In contrast, listeners reported fewer echoes following a lag-alone train; similar results were observed with earphones. Interestingly, the effects of lag-alone click trains on buildup were qualitatively different when compared to a no-conditioner trial type in experiment 4. Finally, experiment 3 demonstrated that the effects of preceding click trains on buildup cannot be explained by a change in counting strategy or perceived click salience. Together, these findings demonstrate that echo suppression is affected by prior exposure to unpaired stimuli.
Requirement for multiple activation signals by anti-inflammatory feedback in macrophages

Pathogen killing is one of the primary roles of macrophages, utilizing potent effectors such as nitric oxide (NO) and involving other cellular machinery including iron regulatory apparatus. Macrophages become strongly activated upon receipt of appropriate signaling with cytokines and pathogen-derived endotoxins. However, they must resist activation in the absence of decisive signaling due to the energetic demands of activation coupled with the toxic nature of effector molecules to surrounding tissues. We have developed a mathematical model of the modular biochemical network of macrophages involved with activation, pathogen killing and iron regulation. This model requires synergistic interaction of multiple activation signals to overcome the quiescent state. To achieve a trade-off between macrophage quiescence and activation, strong activation signals are modulated via negative regulation by NO. In this way a single activation signal is insufficient for complete activation. In addition, our results suggest that iron regulation is usually controlled by activation signals. However, under conditions of partial macrophage activation, exogenous iron levels play a key role in regulating NO production. This model will be useful for evaluating macrophage control of intracellular pathogens in addition to the biochemical mechanisms examined here.