cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reply to Scheel and Hofmann: Progressing towards a better definition of PHD domains

Hidden Markov Models. Briefings Bioinf. 1, 167–179 9 Falquet, L. et al. (2002) The PROSITE database, its status in 2002. Nucleic Acids Res. 30, 235–238 10 Bateman, A. et al. (2002) The Pfam protein families database. Nucleic Acids Res. 30, 276–280 11 Hofmann, K. (1998) Protein classification and functional assignment. Trends Guide Bioinformatics, 18–21 12 Bucher, P. et al. (1996) A flexible motif search technique based on generalized profiles. Comput. Chem. 20, 3–23 13 Aravind, L.M. et al. (2003) Scores of RINGS but no PHDs in ubiquitin signaling. Cell Cycle 2, 123–126
Beyond Grantmaking: Philanthropic Foundations as Agents of Change and Institutional Entrepreneurs

Studies examining the role of philanthropic foundations in advancing social change have primarily focused on the impact of foundations’ financial resources. Few scholars have analyzed how foundatio...
CASE 8--2012 intraoperative embolization of renal cell tumor thrombus during radical nephrectomy.

ATIENTS PRESENTING FOR resection of renal cell carcinoma with supradiaphragmatic vena cava or right atrial extension offer a host of challenges to both their surgeons and anesthesiologists. The need to perform a complete resection while minimizing the risk of embolization and metastases, which classically calls for median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), with or without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA), must be balanced against the risks of coagulopathy, bleeding, and neurologic insult often encountered with this approach. Recently, some have advocated sternotomy and CPB-sparing techniques that do not compromise the goal of complete tumor resection. 1 A case of attempted resection of renal cell carcinoma with level III (suprahepatic, supradiaphragmatic, infra-atrial) extension is presented.
Transcriptional profiling and pathway analysis of monosodium iodoacetate-induced experimental osteoarthritis in rats: relevance to human disease.

Summary Objective The objective of this study was to characterize the rat monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced model for osteoarthritis (OA) and determine the translatability of this model to human disease. This was accomplished through pathway, network and system level comparisons of transcriptional profiles generated from animal and human disease cartilage. Methods An OA phenotype was induced in rat femorotibial joints following a single injection of 200μg MIA per knee joint for a period of 2 or 4 weeks. Lesion formation in the rat joints was confirmed by histology. Gene expression changes were measured using the Agilent rat whole genome microarrays. Cartilage was harvested from human knees and gene expression changes were measured using the Agilent human arrays. Results One thousand nine hundred and forty-three oligos were differentially expressed in the MIA model, of these, approximately two-thirds were up-regulated. In contrast, of the 2130 differentially expressed oligos in human disease tissue, approximately two-thirds were down-regulated. This dramatic difference was observed throughout each level of the comparison. The total overlap of genes modulated in the same direction between rat and human was less than 4%. Matrix degradation and inflammatory genes were differentially regulated to a much greater extent in MIA than human disease tissue. Conclusion This study demonstrated, through multiple levels of analysis, that little transcriptional similarity exists between rat MIA and human OA derived cartilage. As disease modulatory activities for potential therapeutic agents often do not translate from animal models to human disease, this and like studies may provide a basis for understanding the discrepancies.
The Productivity of Cities

I. The increase in productivity with city size, 393. — II. The labor productivity of cities, 396. — III. The contributions of Hicks-neutral productivity and capital intensity, 401. — IV. The direction of causality, 406. — V. Conclusions, 410. — Appendix A: choice of the industries included in this study, 411. — Appendix B: evidence relating to the capital-labor ratio in cities of different size, 412.
Photovoltaic Cells Based on Sequentially Adsorbed Multilayers of Conjugated Poly(p-phenylene ethynylene)s and a Water-Soluble Fullerene Derivative†

We describe the layer-by-layer (LBL) fabrication of multilayer films and photovoltaic cells using poly(phenylene ethynylene)-based anionic conjugated polyelectrolytes as electron donors and water-soluble cationic fullerene C60 derivatives as acceptors. LBL film deposition was found to be linearly related to the number of bilayers as monitored by UV−vis absorption. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the multilayer films revealed an aggregated but relatively uniform morphology devoid of any long-range phase separation. The maximum incident monochromatic photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of the photovoltaic cells was 5.5%, the highest efficiency reported to date for cells fabricated by using the LBL fabrication technique, and since the thin film cells do not provide complete absorption of the incident light, the current generation per photon absorbed may be as much as 10%. The cells exhibited open circuit voltages of 200−250 mV with highest measured short cir...
The effect of styrene α-substituents on the regiochemistry of [2+2] cycloadditions with difluoroallene.

Abstract Consistent with our hypothesis for a mechanism involving two kinetically-distinct diradical intermediates, the observed effects of styrene α-substituents can be explained as deriving either from steric effects or radical stabilizing effects.
Low-density properties of gaseous, spin-aligned atomic hydrogen

The ground-state properties of bulk atomic hydrogen are calculated for the low-density gas, assuming that the atoms interact via the 3Σ u + pair potential. The Monte Carlo technique is applied to a system consisting of 32 hydrogen atoms in a box, with periodic boundary conditions. These results are compared with those derived from the hard-sphere Bose-Einstein gas model.
Tregs are regulated by cytokines: Implications for autoimmunity

Several immune cell subsets contribute to the maintenance of peripheral tolerance by taking active participation in the networks that suppress autoreactive immune responses. There is ample evidence that CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) can have an important role in suppressing the production of autoimmune responses in animal models and in humans. This review describes the influences that specific cytokines have on the differentiation, maintenance and survival of Tregs, and how these effects can ultimately directly influence both number and functional activity of these cells in autoimmune disease.
The effects of Eimeria acervulina infection on the metabolism of chick duodenal tissue

Abstract Broiler chicks, 2–3 weeks old were infected with Eimeria acervulina, and the metabolism and ultrastructure of the infected duodenal tissue were studied during the period 3–14 days after inoculation (DAI). Between 4 and 5 DAI duodenal rings showed an increase in C-1/C-6 ratios of CO2 evolved from glucose as well as decreases in the rates of oxidation of glucose and octanoic acid. Between 4–7 DAI mitochondria from infected epithelial layers had reduced rates of octanoic acid and α-ketoglutaric acid oxidation as compared to controls. Electron microscopic observations confirmed the biochemical findings. At 5–6 DAI mitochondria in many uninfected cells were progressively swollen and then vacuolated as the cristae appeared to break down. Mitochondria in cells which contained parasites did not show these changes.
Linkage mapping and genome analysis in a Saccharum interspecific cross using AFLP, SRAP and TRAP markers

Framework genetic linkage maps of two progenitor species of cultivated sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum ‘La Striped’ (2n = 80) and S. spontaneum ‘SES 147B’ (2n = 64) were constructed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), sequence related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), and target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) markers. The mapping population was comprised of 100 F1 progeny derived from the interspecific cross. A total of 344 polymorphic markers were generated from the female (S. officinarum) parent, out of which 247 (72%) were single-dose (segregating in a 1:1 ratio) and 33 (9%) were double-dose (segregating in a 3.3:1 ratio) markers. Sixty-four (19%) markers deviated from Mendelian segregation ratios. In the S. spontaneum genome, out of a total of 306 markers, 221 (72%) were single-dose, 43 (14%) were double-dose, and 42 markers (14%) deviated from Mendelian segregation ratios. Linkage maps with Kosambi map distances were constructed using a LOD score ≥5.0 and a recombination threshold of 0.45. In Saccharum officinarum, 146 markers were linked to form 49 linkage groups (LG) spanning 1732 cM whereas, in S. spontaneum, 121 markers were linked to form 45 LG spanning 1491 cM. The estimated genome size of S. officinarum ‘La Striped’ was 2448 cM whereas that of S. spontaneum ‘SES 147B’ was 3232 cM. Based on the two maps, genome coverage was 69% in S. officinarum and 46% in S. spontaneum. The S. officinarum parent ‘La Striped’ behaved like an auto-allopolyploid whereas S. spontaneum ‘SES 147B’ behaved like a true autopolyploid. Although a large disparity exists between the two genomes, the existence of simple duplex markers, which are heterozygous in both parents and segregate 3:1 in the progeny, indicates that pairing and recombination can occur between the two genomes. The study also revealed that, compared with AFLP, the SRAP and TRAP markers appear less effective at generating a large number of genome-wide markers for linkage mapping in sugarcane. However, SRAP and TRAP markers can be useful for QTL mapping because of their ability to target gene-rich regions of the genome, which is a focus of our future research.
Reply to Walsh.

to the editor: We appreciate Dr. Walsh's suggestions and words of caution. We too think it is good news that participants are still interested in science-related careers. The purpose of our descriptive data is to demonstrate the plausibility of the concept of inspiring careers in science, technology
Induced gravity and Planck zeros

Starting with an asymptotically free gauge theory with dynamical symmetry breaking and a mass hierarchy, we investigate the Adler-Zee formula for the induced gravitational constant. We study the two-point function $\ensuremath{\psi}({q}^{2})$, constructed with the trace of the energy-momentum tensor. First, we show that if the zeros of $\ensuremath{\psi}$ are at a mass scale significantly below the leading scale, then ${{G}_{\mathrm{ind}}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}=O({{m}_{\mathrm{zero}}}^{2})$ making it impossible to get a realistic ${G}_{\mathrm{ind}}$ from the Adler-Zee formula with low-mass zeros. Next we use the Jensen formula to derive a sum rule for $|{m}_{\mathrm{zero}}|$. The analysis of this sum rule coupled with the result above leads to a dilemma with only one reasonable resolution. To get a realistic ${G}_{\mathrm{ind}}$ from the Adler-Zee formula, $\ensuremath{\psi}({q}^{2})$ must have a pair of complex-conjugate zeros at ${q}^{2}={{M}_{0}}^{2}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2i\ensuremath{\gamma}{M}_{0}$, where ${M}_{0}$ is large and of the maximal scale and $\frac{\ensuremath{\gamma}}{{M}_{0}}\ensuremath{\ll}1$. The presence of this zero essentially determines ${{G}_{\mathrm{ind}}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. It gives a lower bound, which with our previously derived general upper bound gives $[\frac{{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}}{4(\mathrm{ln}10)288}]{C}_{\ensuremath{\psi}}{{M}_{0}}^{2}\ensuremath{\le}{(16\ensuremath{\pi}G)}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\ensuremath{\le}[\frac{5{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{2}}{288}]{C}_{\ensuremath{\psi}}{{M}_{0}}^{2}$, where ${C}_{\ensuremath{\psi}}$ is the anomaly coefficient, a number easily determined by low-order perturbation theory for any group.
Secreted Forms of β-Amyloid Precursor Protein Protect Hippocampal Neurons against Amyloid β-Peptide-Induced Oxidative Injury

Alternative processing of the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta APP) can result in liberation of either secreted forms of beta APP (APPSs), which may play roles in neuronal plasticity and survival, or amyloid beta-peptide (A beta), which can be neurotoxic. In rat hippocampal cell cultures A beta 1-40 caused a time- and concentration-dependent reduction in neuronal survival. APPS695 and APPS751 significantly reduced A beta-induced injury in a concentration-dependent manner. A beta caused an elevation of intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) which was significantly attenuated by APPSs. A beta also caused induction of reactive oxygen species (measured using the oxidation-sensitive fluorescent dye 2,7-dichlorofluorescein) which was also attenuated by APPSs. A beta-induced neurotoxicity and elevations of [Ca2+]i were attenuated by vitamin E, suggesting the involvement of free radicals in A beta-induced loss of calcium homeostasis and neuronal injury. The APPSs protected neurons against oxidative injury caused by exposure to iron. Taken together, the data indicate that A beta kills neurons by causing free radical production and increased [Ca2+]i. APPSs can protect neurons against such free radical- and Ca(2+)-mediated injury. These findings support the hypothesis that altered processing of beta APP contributes to neuronal injury in Alzheimer's disease.
Encapsulating a Single G-Quadruplex Aptamer in a Protein Nanocavity

The α-hemolysin (αHL) protein pore has many applications in biotechnology. This article describes a single-molecule manipulation system that utilizes the nanocavity enclosed by this pore to noncovalently encapsulate a guest molecule. The guest is the thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA) that folds into the G-quadruplex in the presence of cations. Trapping the G-quadruplex in the nanocavity resulted in characteristic changes to the pore conductance that revealed important molecular processes, including spontaneous unfolding of the quartet structure and translocation of unfolded DNA in the pore. Through detection with Tag-TBA, we localized the G-quadruplex near the entry of the β-barrel inside the nanocavity, where the molecule vibrates and rotates to different orientations. This guest−nanocavity supramolecular system has potential for helping to understand single-molecule folding and unfolding kinetics.
SU‐E‐J‐114: Real‐Time 4DCT Using Magnetic Tracking Methods and Magnetic Shielding

Purpose: Real‐time, tumor tracking for 4DCT does not exist, which is needed for accurate gated therapy. Magnetic tracking is a possible method, however, eddy currents induced from the magnetic source create magnetic noise that is difficult to filter from the signal; the noise shares the same frequency as the signal and other characteristics have to be addressed. We present a method, based on a specialized algorithm, sensor configuration, and magnetic shielding to accurately calculate the transponder position.Method: The CT and transponder were modeled to calculate the magnetic fields within the ideal CT environment, where the gantry was a conducting cylinder. The magnetic fields were simulated using the Ansoft Maxwellelectromagnetic solver. The sensors were modeled as search coils of finite dimension, with different size, number, and geometry. An innovative algorithm was developed to use magnetic gradient information to filter eddy current noise. Magnetic material applied to the gantry was modeled to optimize the signal frequency, the magnetic permeability, and thickness. Results: We found that 4 detectors, with 7 sensors, were able to locate the transponder within 2 mm over the majority of points within the CT bore; however, there were regions where the errors were in excess of 4–5 mm. After modeling the magnetic layer on the gantry surface, we found that the localization accuracy was a function of permeability and magnetic thickness. Results showed a minimum in error as a function of magnetic thickness. The localization error in that region was less than 1 mm. Conclusions: We have developed an innovative method to localize a tumor in 4DCT to within 1 mm using a specifically developed algorithm, sensor configuration, and magnetic material along the CT surface. We believe this technique may solve the problem of real‐time 4DCT.
EE and CS: A powerful combination: Exploring the degree combination of the '80s

Over a year ago, IEEE Potentials (Feb. 1985) carried an article entitled “EE and MBA: a winning combination?” which discussed the usefulness of combining a B.S. in electrical engineering with a masters degree in business administration. In this article, similar consideration is given to a masters degree in computer science (CS). Our ever-increasing dependency on computers in most aspects of our personal and professional lives make the EE and CS degrees a highly marketable combination.
Environmental Testing Of UV-Cured Acrylate-Coated Fibers

Concurrent with the development of optical fibers for telecommunication applications many different coating (buffer) systems have been utilized. Each system has sought to preserve the optical characteristics of the fiber as well as fiber strength. Composite UV-cured acrylate coatings were developed to meet these requirements. This paper reports the results of environmental testing. The benefits of acrylate coated fibers to both the cable manufacturer and end user are discussed including practical stripping techniques.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Transparent recovery from intermittent faults in time-triggered distributed systems

The time-triggered model, with tasks scheduled in static (off line) fashion, provides a high degree of timing predictability in safety-critical distributed systems. Such systems must also tolerate transient and intermittent failures which occur far more frequently than permanent ones. Software-based recovery methods using temporal redundancy, such as task reexecution and primary/backup, while incurring performance overhead, are cost-effective methods of handling these failures. We present a constructive approach to integrating runtime recovery policies in a time-triggered distributed system. Furthermore, the method provides transparent failure recovery in that a processor recovering from task failures does not disrupt the operation of other processors. Given a general task graph with precedence and timing constraints and a specific fault model, the proposed method constructs the corresponding fault-tolerant (FT) schedule with sufficient slack to accommodate recovery. We introduce the cluster-based failure recovery concept which determines the best placement of slack within the FT schedule so as to minimize the resulting time overhead. Contingency schedules, also generated offline, revise this FT schedule to mask task failures on individual processors while preserving precedence and timing constraints. We present simulation results which show that, for small-scale embedded systems having task graphs of moderate complexity, the proposed approach generates FT schedules which incur about 30-40 percent performance overhead when compared to corresponding non-fault-tolerant ones.
RENAL SINUS FAT AND POOR BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL IN MIDDLE-AGED AND ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS AT RISK FOR CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS

Fat in the renal sinus (RS), a region of the kidney in which low pressure venous and lymphatic vessels are present, may indirectly influence blood pressure. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between RS fat and control of blood pressure on receipt of antihypertensive medications. A total of 205 participants aged 55 to 85 years at risk for cardiovascular events underwent MRI assessments of abdominal and RS fat, measurement of blood pressure, and determination of the number of prescribed antihypertensive medications. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine associations among RS fat, blood pressure, and the number of prescribed antihypertensive medications. Abdominal fat averaged 416±160 cm 3 (median and interquartile range of 396 cm 3 and 308 to 518 cm 3 ); intraperitoneal fat averaged 141±73 cm 3 (median and interquartile range of 129 cm 3 and 86 to 194 cm 3 ); and RS fat averaged 4.6±3.2 cm 3 (median and interquartile range of 4.2 cm 3 and 2.2 to 6.6 cm 3 ). After accounting for age, sex, height, body mass index, and intraperitoneal fat, RS fat correlated with the number of prescribed antihypertensive medications ( P =0.010), stage II hypertension ( P =0.02), and renal size ( P ≤0.001). In conclusion, after accounting for other body fat depots and risk factors for hypertension, RS fat volume is associated with the number of prescribed antihypertensive medications and stage II hypertension. These results indicate that further studies are warranted to determine whether fat accumulation in the RS promotes hypertension.
Recruiting Highly Qualified Teachers Do District Recruitment Practices Matter

This article presents results from a survey on teacher recruitment practices used in New York State school districts and analyzes whether the level of use of recruitment practices is related to teacher qualifications. We find that most districts employ a wide variety of practices and that the number of recruitment practices used by districts goes up with district size. To examine the effectiveness of recruitment practices, we estimate a model relating a composite measure of teacher qualifications to the level of use of recruitment practices and labor supply and demand factors. The recruitment regressor is treated as an endogenous variable with factors related to district use of these practices as instruments. While we cannot identify which individual practices are important, we find consistent evidence that districts using only a limited set of recruitment practices have hired less qualified teachers in New York.
DISCUSSION OF The Effects of Source Credibility on Tax Professional Judgment in Consulting Engagements

Alexander (2003) (hereafter Alexander) investigates how the source of a strategy memo (National Tax Office versus local staff) and the engagement type (clientinitiated versus firm-initiated) affect the extent of tax professionals’ review of the proposed tax-savings strategy and the difference in their assessed likelihood of success in litigation before and after conducting the review. 1 Her results suggest that tax professionals conduct the most extensive reviews when the firm initiated the engagement and the memo detailing the strategy came from the National Tax Office (NTO). Review was least extensive when the engagement was firm-initiated with a local staff memo or client-initiated with an NTO memo. Interestingly, both the smallest and largest changes in assessed likelihood of success in litigation were in the firm-initiated engagement condition. The smallest change was in the NTO memo condition where review was most extensive, and the largest change was in the local staff memo condition where review was relatively limited. In the following sections, I discuss the paper’s strengths, some concerns, what we can take away from the paper as it stands, and what can be done to increase the understanding we gain from this study. STRENGTHS I enjoyed reading the paper and believe it makes an important contribution to the tax decision-making literature. First, the paper addresses an interesting and timely topic: how do features of the tax decision-making setting affect the tax research process and resulting judgments? Understanding the effects of the decision setting on decision processes is particularly important in the current public accounting environment in which, amid concerns about accounting firms providing business consulting and auditing services, Big 4 accounting firms are returning to their core services of auditing and tax. As Alexander notes, over the past decade the nature of tax work has changed significantly. With tax consulting becoming an increasingly important element in the firms’ revenue streams and the development and marketing of ‘‘packaged’’ tax-planning opportunities on the rise, it is especially important to understand if and how features of the current institutional environment affect the decision processes of tax professionals, yet relatively little academic research has been
Work in progress - An improved teaching strategy for lean manufacturing education

This paper reports our continuous efforts in developing and implementing an improved teaching strategy to enhance lean manufacturing education. As an interdisciplinary engineering and business instructor- team, we have jointly taught a lean course twice. Based on our experience in the first course, we made five improvements in the second course, which include 1) careful redesign of the course syllabus to be more student friendly, 2) enhancements to the lean lego simulation focusing more on student learning, 3) starting the student-company team projects earlier to allow more learning through more meaningful projects, 4) introducing the use of a classroom response system to assess learning instantaneously in the classroom, and 5) using computer simulation to clearly show the benefits of lean principles in operational performance. This paper provides details for each of the five improvements and how they enhanced student learning. Enrollment in the second course grew nearly 300% and represents six departments from engineering, technology, and business. Course evaluation shows that the improved teaching strategy has generated a positive impact on student learning.
Derivation of a physical map of the chromosome of Bordetella pertussis Tohama I

We have used pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to derive a restriction map of the chromosome of Bordetella pertussis for the enzymes XbaI, SpeI, PacI, and PmeI, which cleave 25, 16, 2, and 1 times, respectively. The apparent size of the genome is 3,750 kb. The positions of genes for major virulence determinants in the vir regulon and of some housekeeping genes were determined. Apart from the previously known linkage of the vir and fha loci, no significant linkage of virulence genes was demonstrated.
NASA's Advanced Radioisotope Power Conversion Technology Development Status

NASA's Advanced Radioisotope Power Systems (ARPS) project is developing the next generation of radioisotope power conversion technologies that will enable future missions that have requirements that cannot be met by either photovoltaic systems or by current radioisotope power systems (RPSs). Requirements of advanced RPSs include high efficiency and high specific power (watts/kilogram) in order to meet future mission requirements with less radioisotope fuel and lower mass so that these systems can meet requirements for a variety of future space applications, including continual operation surface missions, outer-planetary missions, and solar probe. These advances would enable a factor of 2 to 4 decrease in the amount of fuel required to generate electrical power. Advanced RPS development goals also include long-life, reliability, and scalability. This paper provides an update on the contractual efforts under the Radioisotope Power Conversion Technology (RPCT) NASA Research Announcement (NRA) for research and development of Stirling, thermoelectric, and thermophotovoltaic power conversion technologies. The paper summarizes the current RPCT NRA efforts with a brief description of the effort, a status and/or summary of the contractor's key accomplishments, a discussion of upcoming plans, and a discussion of relevant system-level benefits and implications. The paper also provides a general discussion of the benefits from the development of these advanced power conversion technologies and the eventual payoffs to future missions (discussing system benefits due to overall improvements in efficiency, specific power, etc.).
Three Tapasin Docking Sites in TAP Cooperate To Facilitate Transporter Stabilization and Heterodimerization

The TAP translocates peptide Ags into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum for loading onto MHC class I molecules. MHC class I acquires its peptide cargo in the peptide loading complex, an oligomeric complex that the chaperone tapasin organizes by bridging TAP to MHC class I and recruiting accessory molecules such as ERp57 and calreticulin. Three tapasin binding sites on TAP have been described, two of which are located in the N-terminal domains of TAP1 and TAP2. The third binding site is present in the core transmembrane (TM) domain of TAP1 and is used only by the unassembled subunits. Tapasin is required to promote TAP stability, but through which binding site(s) it is acting is unknown. In particular, the role of tapasin binding to the core TM domain of TAP1 single chains is mysterious because this interaction is lost upon TAP2 association. In this study, we map the respective binding site in TAP1 to the polar face of the amphipathic TM helix TM9 and identify key residues that are essential to establish the interaction. We find that this interaction is dispensable for the peptide transport function but essential to achieve full stability of human TAP1. The interaction is also required for proper heterodimerization of the transporter. Based on similar results obtained using TAP mutants that lack tapasin binding to either N-terminal domain, we conclude that all three tapasin-binding sites in TAP cooperate to achieve high transporter stability and efficient heterodimerization.
Avian Influenza (H5N1) Update: Role of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

This article provides an update on the H5N1 virus and the role of the clinical microbiology laboratory in the diagnosis of H5N1 influenza. Although overshadowed recently by the influenza A H1N1 2009 pandemic, the influenza A H5N1 virus continues to circulate among avian species and cause morbidity and mortality in man. The H5N1 virus is evolving, creating the potential for a new strain that is efficiently transmitted from person to person, while remaining highly lethal. Surveillance is essential to detect the spread of, and changes in, the virus. Laboratory testing is an important element of surveillance and patient management. The clinical microbiology laboratory has a number of diagnostic tools for detecting influenza viruses, including antigen detection, serology, virus culture, and nucleic acid amplification. The relative performance characteristics of these tests vary significantly. In addition, the sensitivity of tests may differ between influenza strains, including H5N1.
Metatheorizing in a Postpositivist Frame

This paper situates metatheorizing in a postpositivist approach to social science. Postpositivism contends that social science is organized around competing traditions, which are comprised of gener...
A comparison of the flexibility of wrought wire and cast circumferential clasps.

M any dentists use wrought wire clasps instead of cast circumferential clasps on abutment teeth for distalextension removable partial dentures. The flexibility of the wrought wire clasp is believed to reduce transmission of excessive force to the abutment tooth.’ Recent investigations have compared the flexibility of various wrought wires and nickel-chrome-cobalt alloys commonly used for clasp construction. Morris et al.’ developed a stiffness index by testing clasps with a stress-relaxation cycling instrument. The index allows the stiffness of clasps to be compared regardless of dimension, form, or material. Brudvik and Morris3 tested six wrought wires including two different alloys and several gauges. Stress-relaxation cycling was used to determine the stiffness of the specimens. In a later study, Morris et aL4 found that the stiffness of cast circumferential clasps was greatly influenced by the width/thickness ratio of the clasp. A study by Frank and Nicholls5 ranked 16 precious and nonprecious wrought wires according to their flexibility. Each clasp sample was displaced one time until the proportional limit was exceeded. Twentygauge wires were found to be twice as flexible as l&gauge wires. Flexibility values also diKered due to the various alloys used in manufacturing the wires. Several wrought wires were tested independently by both the stress-relaxation cycling and the singledisplacement methods. Although the values for stiffness and flexibility cannot be compared directly, each method resulted in the same ranking of the clasp samples. The purpose of this study was to compare the flexibility of several forms of cast nickel-chrome and cobalt-chrome clasps with that of wrought wire clasps. Round and half-round forms were selected. The single-
Adaptation of middle aged rats to long-term restriction of dietary vitamin D and calcium.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that middle aged rats do not increase renal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25(OH)2D3) production in response to short-term (4 weeks) dietary vitamin D and calcium restriction. The purpose of the experiments reported here was to determine if middle aged rats demonstrate adaptation to long-term restriction of dietary calcium and vitamin D and to compare that adaptation to the adaptation seen in young rats. Middle aged (14–16 months) Fischer 344 rats were fed either a 0.02% calcium, vitamin D-deficient (restricted) or a 1.2% calcium, vitamin D-replete (control) diet. Rats from each group were sacrificed after 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 months on the diets. Renal conversion of 25(OH)D3 to 1,25(OH)2D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 was measured in vitro using isolated renal cortical slices. Renal 1,25(OH)2D3 production in the restricted group was not significantly increased until 3 months and reached a maximum of 85% higher than the control at 4.5 months. Renal 24,25(OH)2D3 production was significantly decreased after only 1.5 months of restriction and was decreased maximally by 70% at 3.0 months. Serum calcium remained in the range 11–12 mg/100 ml in both diet groups, and serum immunoreactive PTH (iPTH) was modestly increased one- to twofold in the restricted group compared to the control group. In contrast, young rats (3 months old) fed the deficient diet for 1 month had a fourfold increase in renal 1,25(OH)2D3 production and a 71% decrease in 24,25(OH)2D3 production. Feeding the deficient diet also produced a 43% reduction in serum calcium and a 13-fold increase in serum iPTH. These findings demonstrate that middle aged rats do alter their 25(OH)D metabolism in response to long-term vitamin D and calcium restriction. However, both the rapidity and the magnitude of the response is decreased compared to that seen in the young rat. This blunted vitamin D response in the middle aged rat reflects the lack of a decrease in serum calcium and the marginal increase in serum iPTH in response to vitamin D and calcium restriction.
Endothelial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress During Estrogen Deficiency in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Background—Postmenopausal estrogen deficiency is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, hypertension, and oxidative stress. Angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor regulation is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. To characterize vascular function, oxidative stress, and AT1 receptor regulation during estrogen deficiency, ovariectomized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were investigated in comparison with sham-operated animals and with ovariectomized rats receiving estrogen replacement therapy with 17β-estradiol. Methods and Results—Arterial blood pressure was similar in all 3 groups investigated. Five weeks after ovariectomy, endothelial dysfunction in aortic rings was observed, which was reversed by estrogen replacement therapy. Estrogen deficiency led to an enhanced vasoconstriction by angiotensin II. Vascular superoxide production was significantly increased compared with that in sham-operated rats, as measured by lucigenin chemiluminescence assays. Estrogen substitution normaliz...
Perspectives on Politics and Education Academic Freedom After September 11: Beshara Doumaini, editor. New York: Zone Books, 2006. Pp. 327. $21.95 (paper)

Academic freedom in the United States has always been contested terrain, with recurring threats imposed by changing political, intellectual, and legal landscapes. The essays in this volume analyze ...
Coalition formation for task allocation: theory and algorithms

This paper focuses on coalition formation for task allocation in both multi-agent and multi-robot domains. Two different problem formalizations are considered, one for multi-agent domains where agent resources are transferable and one for multi-robot domains. We demonstrate complexity theoretic differences between both models and show that, under both, the coalition formation problem, with m tasks, is NP-hard to both solve exactly and to approximate within a factor of $${O(m^{1-\epsilon})}$$ for all $${\epsilon > 0}$$ . Two natural restrictions of the coalition formation problem are considered. In the first situation agents are drawn from a set of j types. Agents of each type are indistinguishable from one another. For this situation a dynamic programming based approach is presented, which, for fixed j finds the optimal coalition structure in polynomial time and is applicable in both multi-agent and multi-robot domains. We then consider situations where coalitions are restricted to k or fewer agents. We present two different algorithms. Each guarantees the generated solution to be within a constant factor, for fixed k, of the optimal in terms of utility. Our algorithms complement Shehory and Kraus' algorithm (Artif Intell 101(1---2):165---200, 1998), which provides guarantee's on solution cost, as ours provides guarantees on utility. Our algorithm for general multi-agent domains is a modification of and has the same running time as Shehory and Kraus' algorithm, while our approach for multi-robot domains runs in time $${O(n^{\frac{3}{2}}m)}$$ , much faster than Vig and Adams (J Intell Robot Syst 50(1):85---118, 2007) modifications to Shehory and Kraus' algorithm for multi-robot domains, which ran in time O(n k m), for n agents and m tasks.
Insomnia and Physical Activity in Adults With Prediabetes

This secondary analysis study examines the relationship between physical activity and symptoms of insomnia among adults with prediabetes (N = 958) from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The sample of participants were generally obese, middle-aged, and racially diverse. NHANES questions included symptoms of insomnia, sleep duration, and sleep latency. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured height and weight; at least 2 days of ActiGraph activity monitor data determined mean steps walked. Men walked more steps than women; however, women had more insomnia symptoms. There were significant associations between insomnia symptoms and increased sleep latency and decreased sleep duration. Multiple regression analysis showed that younger age, lower BMI, higher self-rated health, high school education, and fewer insomnia symptoms were significantly related to increased steps walked. The findings indicate that insomnia in adults with prediabetes may be a barrier to their adapting an active lifestyle.
A hyperbranched mechanically interlocked rotaxane-type polymer

Abstract The interaction of the diacid chloride ( 2 ) of N,N’-bis(5″-carboxypentyl)-4,4′bipyridnium bis(hexafluorophosphate) ( 1 ) with m- phenylene-5′-hydroxymethyl-1′,3′-phenylene-32-crown-10 ( 3 ) at −70 °C led to the in situ formation of a pseudorotaxane 4 as an AB 2 monomer, which was allowed to polymerize by raising the temperature and adding a catalytic amount of pyridine. The resulting hyperbranched polymer was held together via mechanical bonds formed by threading of the crown ether units by the bipyridinium (paraquat) moieties. The polymer was initially precipitated into aqueous NH 4 PF 6 to remove any unreacted, water soluble diacid 1 to form 5b and then precipitated from DMSO into aqueous NH 4 PF 6 to remove any pyridinium monoester 8 complexed with crown ether units in the polymer, leading to 6 . The hyprerbranched polyester was characterized by 1 H NMR and NOESY spectroscopies, FAB and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and viscometry. NMR spectroscopy confirmed complete esterification of the crown ether alcohol; 5b contained 60% monoesterified paraquat units ( 8 ) and 40% diester moieties ( 9 ), while 6 contained only 24% monoester moieties, which existed primarily as “focal point” units ( 10 ), but also as uncomplexed linker units ( 11 ). A variety of mechanically linked structures containing cyclic units is possible, including 17 – 19 . Mass spectrometry on 6 detected masses up to 16.3 kDa, corresponding to a degree of polymerization of 11 units of the diester repeat unit in 17 (and/or isomeric structures).
Time-domain characteristics of slotted-waveguide leaky-wave antennas

A general asymptotic theory is presented to describe the time-domain behavior of leaky transmission lines and antennas. The results are interpreted via a simple geometric construct and data are presented for the particular case of time-domain radiation from a slotted-waveguide antenna. The example data are obtained both experimentally and numerically, with the expected phenomenology demonstrated via time-frequency processing.
Bathing in Krishna: A Study in Vaiṣṇava Hindu Theology

So Aṇṭāḷ begins her poem Tiruppāvai , portraying in thirty verses one episode in the life of Krishna and his cowherd lovers, but one highly significant for the Śrī Vaiṣṇavas of South India. In this poem, they believe, is embedded the essence of the Upanishads, and through it the Lord Vishnu will bathe his devotees with grace and unending delight. The purpose of this study is to consider what Śrī Vaiṣṇavas believe the essential teaching of the Upanishads to be and how it is found in the text. To do so we will focus on the theme of bathing as it is portrayed in the poem itself, in the traditional account of the poet's life, and in the earliest complete commentary on the poem.
Effect of aging on surface shear viscosity of surfactant solutions

Abstract The adsorption and accumulation of surfactants at fluid-fluid interfaces results in additional, intrinsic, hydrodynamic resistance to flow of which surface shear viscosity is a measure. Surface rheological behavior is often dependent on the rapid aging of surfactant solutions. This paper deals with the interpretation of interfacial shear flow data in the viscous traction surface viscometer in terms of aging effects on surface viscosity. It was found that the surface shear viscosity increased considerably with aging of dilute aqueous surfactant solutions. For the same age of the interface, the surface shear viscosity increased with the concentration of the surfactant.
SaLUTaRy: Survey of lung transplant rejection

Background The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) guidelines on the interpretation of lung rejection in pulmonary allograft biopsy specimens were revised most recently in 2007. The goal of our study was to determine how these revisions, along with nuances in the interpretation and application of the guidelines, affect patient care. Methods A Web-based survey was e-mailed to pathologists and pulmonologists identified as being part of the lung transplant team at institutions in the United States with active lung transplant programs as determined from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Web site (http://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/members/directory.asp). Results Grades B1 and B2 in asymptomatic patients would fall into the same treatment group under the 2007 classification, which combines B1 and B2 into B1R. Also, some pulmonologists would not interpret a pathologic diagnosis of lymphocytic bronchiolitis as grade B rejection, resulting in under-treatment of these patients. Regarding bronchiolitis obliterans, most pulmonologists would treat the patient differently if there were an active mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate, and most pathologists would comment on the presence of such an infiltrate, contrary to the 2007 guidelines, which discourage reporting this infiltrate. We also found discrepancies among pathologists in their interpretation of airway lymphocytic infiltrates, whether eosinophils can be present in bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue, and whether airway inflammation represents rejection or bacterial infection. Conclusions The issue of grading and treating airway inflammation in pulmonary allograft biopsy specimens continues to be problematic, despite revised ISHLT guidelines. Clarification of guidelines for pathologists and pulmonologists using evidence-based criteria could lead to improved communication and patient care.
The Specific Role of FAM20C in Amelogenesis

Previously, we showed that Sox2-Cre;Fam20Cfl/fl mice in which Fam20C was ubiquitously inactivated had severe defects in dentin, enamel, and bone, along with hypophosphatemia. It remains to be determined if the enamel defects in the mice with universal inactivation of Family with sequence similarity 20-C (FAM20C) were associated with the dentin defects and whether hypophosphatemia in the knockout mice contributed to the enamel defects. In this study, we crossed Fam20Cfl/fl mice with keratin 14-Cre (K14-Cre) transgenic mice to specifically inactivate Fam20C in the epithelial cells, including the dental epithelial cells that are responsible for forming tooth enamel. X-ray, backscattered scanning electron microscopic, and histological analyses showed that the K14-Cre;Fam20Cfl/fl mice had severe enamel and ameloblast defects, while their dentin and alveolar bone were not significantly affected. Accordingly, serum biochemistry of the K14-Cre;Fam20Cfl/fl mice showed normal phosphate and FGF23 levels in the circu...
V1- and V2-receptor contributions to ovine fetal renal and cardiovascular responses to vasopressin

To assess the contributions of arginine vasopressin (AVP) V1- and V2-receptors to the ovine fetal responses to AVP, we studied V2-receptor stimulation in the presence of V1-receptor blockade, and selective V2-receptor stimulation in chronically catheterized fetal lambs. AVP administration (20 ng/kg) to the saline infused fetuses (n = 8; 132 +/- 2 days) significantly increased mean arterial pressure (MAP; 45 +/- 2 to 53 +/- 4 mmHg) and urine osmolality (Uosm; 134 +/- 13 to 379 +/- 42 mosmol/kgH2O) and decreased heart rate (HR; 168 +/- 3 to 147 +/- 5 beats/min) and urine flow (V; 0.48 +/- 0.10 to 0.19 +/- 0.03 ml/min). V1-receptor antagonist infusion, [d(CH2)5,Tyr(Me)]AVP (n = 7; 134 +/- 1 days) had no effect on fetal MAP, Uosm, HR, or V. V1-receptor blockade abolished the MAP response to AVP without affecting the HR and urinary responses. In a second series of animals (n = 6; 131 +/- 1 days), selective V2-receptor agonist infusion [desmopressin (DDAVP)] had no effect on fetal MAP or HR while initial changes in V and Uosm were identical to the effects of AVP alone. Our results demonstrate clear discrimination of V1- and V2-receptor-mediated events in the fetal MAP and renal responses to AVP. Moreover, the HR response to AVP is not mediated by the population of V1-receptors blocked by [d(CH2)5,Tyr(Me)]AVP or V2-receptors stimulated by DDAVP, suggesting the presence of additional AVP receptor subclass(es) during fetal life.
Desert, Crime Control, Disparity, and Units of Punishment

A distribution of punishment according to principles of desert frequently conflicts with a distribution according to utilitarian principles of crime control. One can blamelessly cause a harm or evil prohibited by the criminal law. While little or no punishment may be deserved, the offender may be dangerous and his punishment may be an effective means of deterring others. Yet, in determining criminal liability, the criminal law most frequently bars liability in the absence of blameworthiness, deferring to the civil commitment system to provide needed protection from dangerous blameless offenders. But this preference for desert, even at the expense of crime control, is tested again at the time of sentencing. No matter what the offender's assigned liability, deterrent, incapacitative, or rehabilitative goals may suggest a greater (or a lesser ) degree of punishment than does an actor's blameworthiness. And in every instance where the criminal law takes the utilitarian course in assessing liability, it passes the conflict between desert and crime control on to the sentencing judge. Should the offender's sentence more closely match what he deserves or what will minimize future crime, or a compromise between the two?