cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NF-κB signaling

The NF-κB transcription factor is a critical regulator of the immune system, and is responsive to a large number of stimuli. Different stimuli engage signaling pathways to activate NF-κB, and effect distinct cellular responses. Mathematical modeling of the NF-κB network has been useful in studying the dynamic and cross-talk regulation of NF-κB. In this review, we discuss the regulation of NF-κB activity in response to different types of stimuli, including inflammatory signals, developmental cues, metabolic stress, and DNA damage. The distinct molecular mechanisms engaged in each pathway for activating and terminating NF-κB activity are discussed. In addition, we summarize the evidence for cross-talk mechanisms that allow for different stimuli to be integrated within the NF-κB signaling module to produce synergistic or qualitatively different signaling outcomes.
Molecules, development and fossils in the study of metazoan evolution; Articulata versus Ecdysozoa revisited

Summary Two conflicting hypotheses of protostome relationships, Articulata and Ecdysozoa, are reviewed by evaluating the evidence in favor and against each one of them. Understanding early embryonic development and segmentation in non-arthropod non-annelid protostomes seems crucial to the debate. New ways of coding metazoan matrices, avoiding ground-patterns and higher taxa, and incorporating fossil evidence seems the best way to avoid circular debates. Molecular data served as the catalyzer for the Ecdysozoa hypothesis, although morphological support had been implicitly suggested. Most molecular analyses published so far have shown some support for Ecdysozoa, whereas none has ever supported Articulata. Here, new analyses of up to four nuclear loci, including 18S rRNA, myosin heavy chain II, histone H3 and elongation factor 1-α are conducted to test the molecular support for Ecdysozoa, and, at least under some parameter sets, most data sets show a clade formed by the molting animals. In contrast, support for Articulata is not found under any analytical conditions.
Bemerkungen zu einer allgemeinen definition rekursiver schätzungen mit anwendungsbeispielen

In this note the author tried to give a general definition of the recursivity of estimation functions. Starting from a special structure of estimations there are recursive forms for the parameter estimations in linear regression models and in linear difference equation models given. The well-known formulas for the recursive form of LSE and the GLSE with block diagonal covariance structure become special cases of the general recursive forms in this note. As a generalisation of the formulas by T. O. LEWIN and P. L. ODELL a recursive form of the GLSE in the linear difference equation model with a disturbance, defined by an autoregressive process of p-th order is given.
State School Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy Environments and Youth Obesity

Background With the epidemic of childhood obesity, there is national interest in state-level school policies related to nutrition and physical activity, policies adopted by states, and relationships to youth obesity. Purpose This study develops a comprehensive state-level approach to characterize the overall obesity prevention policy environment for schools and links the policy environments to youth obesity for each state. Methods Using 2006 School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) state data, qualitative and quantitative methods were used (2008–2009) to construct domains of state-level school obesity prevention policies and practices, establish the validity and reliability of the domain scales, and examine their associations with state-level obesity prevalence among youth aged 10–17 years from the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health. Results Nearly 250 state-level obesity prevention–policy questions were identified from the SHPPS. Three broad policy topic areas containing 100 food service and nutrition (FSN) questionnaire items; 146 physical activity and education (PAE) items; and two weight assessment (WA) items were selected. Principal components analysis and content validity assessment were used to further categorize the items into six FSN, ten PAE, and one WA domain. Using a proportional scaled score to summarize the number of policies adopted by states, it was found that on average states adopted about half of the FSN (49%), 38% of the PAE, and 17% of the WA policies examined. After adjusting for state-level measures of ethnicity and income, the average proportion of FSN policies adopted by states was correlated with the prevalence of youth obesity at r =0.35 ( p =0.01). However, no correlation was found between either PAE or WA policies and youth obesity (PAE policies at r =0.02 [ p =0.53] and WA policies at r =0.16 [ p =0.40]). Conclusions States appear to be doing a better job adopting FSN policies than PA or WA policies, and adoption of policies is correlated with youth obesity. Continued monitoring of these policies seems to be warranted.
RADIATIVE CORRECTIONS TO MUON-ELECTRON UNIVERSALITY IN A GAUGE THEORY OF CHARGED PION DECAY

By embedding the pions in a spontaneously broken gauge theory of weak and electromagnetic interactions, we are able to remove certain ambiguities found in previous calculations of charged-pion decay. By doing so we confirm an apparent two-standard-deviation discrepancy between theory and experiment. (AIP)
Krypton ion thruster performance

Preliminary data were obtained from a 30 cm ion thruster operating on krypton propellant over the input power range of 0.4 to 5.5 kW. The data presented are compared and contrasted to the data obtained with xenon propellant over the same input power envelope. Typical krypton thruster efficiency was 70 percent at a specific impulse of approximately 5000 s, with a maximum demonstrated thrust to power ratio of approximately 42 mN/kW at 2090 s specific impulse and 1580 watts input power. Critical thruster performance and component lifetime issues were evaluated. Order of magnitude power throttling was demonstrated using a simplified power-throttling strategy.
Polarized Secretory Trafficking Directs Cargo for Asymmetric Dendrite Growth and Morphogenesis

Proper growth of dendrites is critical to the formation of neuronal circuits, but the cellular machinery that directs the addition of membrane components to generate dendritic architecture remains obscure. Here, we demonstrate that post-Golgi membrane trafficking is polarized toward longer dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal neurons in vitro and toward apical dendrites in vivo. Small Golgi outposts partition selectively into longer dendrites and are excluded from axons. In dendrites, Golgi outposts concentrate at branchpoints where they engage in post-Golgi trafficking. Within the cell body, the Golgi apparatus orients toward the longest dendrite, and this Golgi polarity precedes asymmetric dendrite growth. Manipulations that selectively block post-Golgi trafficking halt dendrite growth in developing neurons and cause a shrinkage of dendrites in mature pyramidal neurons. Further, disruption of Golgi polarity produces neurons with symmetric dendritic arbors lacking a single longest principal dendrite. These results define a novel polarized organization of neuronal secretory trafficking and demonstrate a mechanistic link between directed membrane trafficking and asymmetric dendrite growth.
Nω-Nitroarginine-Containing Dipeptide Amides. Potent and Highly Selective Inhibitors of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase

Selective inhibition of the isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) could be therapeutically useful in the treatment of certain disease states arising from the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO). Recently, we reported the dipeptide methyl ester, d-Phe-d-ArgNO2-OMe (19), as a modest inhibitor of nNOS (Ki = 2 μM), but with selectivity over iNOS as high as 1800-fold (Silverman, R. B.; Huang, H.; Marletta, M. A.; Martasek, P. J. Med. Chem. 1997, 40, 2813−2817). Here a library of 152 dipeptide amides containing nitroarginine and amino acids other than Phe are synthesized and screened for activity. Excellent inhibitory potency and selectivity for nNOS over eNOS and iNOS is achieved with the dipeptide amides containing a basic amine side chain (20−24), which indicates a possible electrostatic (or hydrogen bonding) interaction at the enzyme active site. The most potent nNOS inhibitor among these compounds is l-ArgNO2-l-Dbu-NH2 (23) (Ki = 130 nM), which also exhibits the highest selectivity over eNOS (>1500-fold)...
Participatory choral music as a means of engagement in a veterans' mental health and addiction treatment setting

Background: the purpose of this study was to investigate how participation in a music-based performance and instruction program influenced the sense of engagement experienced by participants at a residential setting for at-risk veterans. Methods: semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in a veterans' choir program conducted at the facility. Results: prominent themes that emerged from the interview included (1) the veterans' personal motivations for participating; (2) emotions associated with participation; and (3) perceptions of intragroup dynamics. Conclusions: primary conclusions drawn include: (1) opportunities to connect with others through shared interests may contribute to sense of engagement; (2) connections forged with other residents of the facility extended beyond relationships established in the choir through increased recognition associated with performances; and (3) the choir represented a diversion from pressing concerns and may have served as a means of facilitating adju...
Tunable plasmonic nanostructures for light trapping and strong field enhancement at the metal surface

A subwavelength plasmonic grating with rectangular grooves on the metal surface is an efficient light trapper with designer resonance position and angular bandwidth. In this work, a new method is presented, where the grooves are filled with a dielectric resulting in a large shift of the resonance wavelength. A case study of a gold grating with grooves 18 nm wide and 47 nm deep is presented, where the resonance is shifted from original 720 nm to 960 nm by filling the grooves with an n = 1.4 immersion oil.
Evaluation of strain competitiveness in Rhizobium leguminosarum bv phaseoli using a nod+fix- natural mutant.

Competition from native soil rhizobia is likely to be an important factor limiting Phaseolus vulgaris L. inoculant response in Latin America. We used UMR 1116, a nod + fix− natural mutant of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv phaseoli strain CC511, as a reference strain to study competition for nodulation sites in this species. When P. vulgaris cv Carioca was planted in soils containing different proportions of UMR 1116 and the effective and competitive strain UMR 1899, UMR 1116 occupied more than 50% of the nodules at all inoculant ratios tested, though increasing the proportion of UMR 1899 in the inoculant did enhance the number and percentage of effective nodules and plant dry weight. Sixty two strains of bean rhizobia were tested in competition with UMR 1116. An inoculant ratio of 1:1 was used, with all strains applied to the soil rather than to seeds. Strains varied in the number and percentage of effective nodules produced in competition with UMR 1116, and in plant dry weight, and there was a strong correlation between variation in each of these traits and plant N accumulation. Seven of the strains (UMR 1073, 1084, 1102, 1125, 1165, 1378 and 1384) were identified as both superior in competitive ability and active in N2 fixation. Site of placement of the inoculant and ambient temperature influenced strain response.
Ethnocentric Tendencies, Marketing Strategy and Import PurchaseBehaviour

Reports on an analysis of the relative importance of various marketing mix strategies and consumer ethnocentric tendencies in the decision to purchase imports undertaken via a nationwide mail survey of personal computer owners in the USA. The results indicate that ethnocentric tendencies are able to explain a much greater amount of variation in purchase behaviour than marketing mix variables. Concludes that the inclusion of ethnocentric tendencies into future studies on origin bias appears to be warranted given their substantial impact on import purchase behaviour.
The follower load problem and bifurcation to periodic motions

Abstract The problem of a follower load applied to a thin cantilevered elastic rod is presented. The stability of the straight static solution is considered, and a post-critical analysis is performed to describe non-trivial periodic motions. As the magnitude of the follower load is increased past a critical value, the real valued frequencies of the linearized system coalesce and then split apart with complex-conjugate values, rendering the straight state unstable. A Liapunov–Schmidt reduction is used to analyze the non-linear governing equations and to investigate the possibility of non-trivial periodic solutions. The rod is assumed to be incompressible and unshearable while only general requirements are made on the constitutive rule for bending. It is found that in the post-critical regime the higher order terms in the constitutive rule play an important role in determining whether non-trivial periodic solutions are possible.
Gas/vapor flow microcalorimetry on porous carbons. II. Heat of adsorption of toluene on microporous/mesoporous carbons

The heat produced by incremental adsorption of toluene vapor on two activated carbons has been investigated by flow microcalorimetry (FMC). One carbon is primarily microporous with 85% of its pore volume associated with micropores, whereas, mesopores account for 75% of the pore volume in the second carbon. Both integral and molar heats have been determined for adsorption of toluene in a partially filled pore system in the pore fill fraction range from 0.5 to 0.95. The carbon samples were diluted with polytetrafluoroethylene powder in order to improve the flow/heat transfer characteristics of the system and decrease the thermal response time of the calorimeter. Thermal response profiles were de-convoluted in order to relate the time evolution of the response to dynamic adsorption processes.
Functional Thy‐1+ cells in cultures of spleen cells from nu/nu mice

Thy-1+ lymphocytes, detectable by quantitative serum absorption, arise in cultures of spleen cells from congenitally athymic (nu/nu) mice supplemented with supernatants from cultures of normal spleen cells stimulated with the T cell mitogen concanavalin A. Pretreatment of nu/nu spleen cells with appropriate anti-Thy-1 alloantibody and complement prior to culture reduces their capacity to generate Thy-1+ cells by about 90%. This shows that the majority of cells proliferating in these cultures are descendants of Thy-1+ cells which can be detected in the original nu/nu spleens. Experiments aimed at exploring the function of these Thy-1+ cells after culture in conditioned medium revealed that within one or two days after culture initiation, strong cooperative activity for a humoral response to xenogeneic erythrocytes can be detected. In mixtures of bone marrow-derived lymphocytes from various mouse strains with cultured nu/nu spleen cells, it was observed that T-B cooperation is not H-2-restricted. Attempts at inducing T cell-mediated cytotoxicity to alloantigens in such cultures of nu/nu spleen cells were unsuccessful. In contrast, nonspecific cytotoxicity which was attributed to natural killer cells was regularly observed and could be maintained in these cultures over extended periods.
Cosmic Humanism by Oliver L. Reiser

(1971). Cosmic Humanism by Oliver L. Reiser. The Philosophy Forum: Vol. 10, No. 3-4, pp. 337-345.
Theoretical models for drug delivery to solid tumors

The effectiveness of anti-cancer drug therapies is often limited by the difficulty of achieving drug delivery throughout solid tumors. Mathematical models permit an analysis of the factors leading to inadequate drug delivery to tumors and can suggest strategies for improving delivery. An overview is given of key factors that influence drug delivery and the extent to which they have been incorporated into existing theoretical models. These factors include spatial gradients of drug concentration and other variables within tumors and other parts of the body, and the relative magnitudes of the time scales involved in drug transport, tumor cell kinetics, and host toxicity. Models for both systemic and regional delivery methods are considered, including intravenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, intrathecal, and intratumoral delivery. Strategies for improving delivery are discussed, including use of two-step therapies, hyperthermia, liposome encapsulation, and magnetic targeting. Until now, modeling has mainly developed in separate subfields of tumor growth and cell kill kinetics, compartmental modeling of the body, spatially distributed models for single tissues, radiation dose calculations, tumor oxygenation, tumor blood flow, and cellular pharmacokinetics. In the future, models that integrate these subfields should be developed.
XPS and AES studies of the high temperature corrosion mechanism of Fe-30Cr alloy

Abstract Fe-30Cr alloy specimens were pre-oxidized at two different oxygen partial pressures (10 −16 and 10 −19 atm) at 900°C and subsequently exposed to environments containing both oxygen and sulfur. The sulfur and oxygen partial pressures were maintained such that Cr 2 O 3 was the stable phase. The Cr 2 O 3 scales formed during pre-oxidation became rapidly unstable when exposed to an environment whose composition approached the chromium sulfide-chromium oxide phase boundary; but when exposed to a higher oxygen partial pressure with the same sulfur partial pressure, the preformed scales remained intact. For elucidating the sulfidation mechanisms, the reaction products on the surface were analyzed at different stages of sulfidation by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. Correlation of the reaction mechanisms with thermodynamic and transport parameters are discussed.
On the performance advantage of multitaper spectral analysis

The performance advantage of multitaper spectral analysis is quantified relative to weighted overlapped segment averaging (WOSA). To make the comparison of these two nonparametric spectral estimators, theoretical performance measures are derived in terms of leakage, variance, and resolution. The methods are then compared by evaluating each measure in turn, while requiring the other two measures to be equal. The results show that multitaper analysis always performs better than WOSA. For example, given the same leakage and resolution, multitaper analysis can have three-quarters to one-half the variance of WOSA. Given the same resolution and variance, multitaper analysis can exhibit a 10-20-dB leakage advantage over WOSA. These and other results provide compelling evidence for greater use of multitaper analysis in situations for which a nonparametric spectral estimator is appropriate. >
Characteristics of male medical patients referred for alcoholism treatment

Abstract Purpose: Medically ill alcoholics are frequently encountered in medical practice, yet little is known about this subgroup of alcoholics. Anecdotal evidence suggests that current treatment methods may be ineffective in some of these patients, and that many of them resist referral to treatment programs. In this pilot study, we sought to characterize this group, in order to determine whether further research was indicated. Basic Procedures: In the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, we conducted a retrospective chart review of 61 alcoholics from 3 groups of alcohol-dependent patients: medical inpatients who accepted transfer to treatment, medical inpatients who refused transfer, and ambulatory patients requesting treatment. The groups were compared on demographic, physical, psychological, and laboratory characteristics, and on compliance with medical appointments. Most Important Findings: As might be expected, inpatients were older and sicker than ambulatory patients, but also demonstrated fewer nonmedical complications of alcoholism. On psychological testing, those who transferred were more likely to exhibit anxiety and depression, while the ambulatory patients were more antisocial. Inpatients who transferred differed from those who refused in having fewer previous treatments and less severe medical illness and in showing more compliance with medical recommendations in general. Principal Conclusions: These findings raise the possibility that these groups may significantly differ from one another, and suggest that further research on the characteristics of medically ill alcoholics is indicated. Improved characterization could potentially lead to more effective treatment approaches.
Aquatic toxicity testing using the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans

A promising aquatic toxicity test has been developed using a species of free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. The testing was performed with soluble forms of Ag, Hg, Cu, Be, Al, Pb, Cr, As, Tl, Zn, Cd, Ni, Sr and Sb. The LC50 values for 1 to 4 d of exposure were determined and compared to the published invertebrate data. With Caenorhabditis elegans Pb, Cr and Cd were found to have the lowest 96-h LC50 (0.06 mg/L) and Sr had the highest LC50 (465 mg/L). All the metals except As have a significantly lower 96-h LC50 (from 20 to 15,000 times lower) than 24-h LC50. Comparison with published data for other invertebrates indicated that Caenorhabditis elegans was more sensitive to Pb, Cr and Be and less sensitive to As than any of the other organisms that have been tested. Given the ease in culturing and the extensive knowledge of the basic biology of Caenorhabditis elegans, coupled with the ecological abundance of nematodes, the method is worthy of further study to determine its usefulness as an aquatic test species.
Antimicrobial activity of chicken and turkey heterophil peptides CHP1, CHP2, THP1, and THP3

Four avian heterophil antimicrobial cationic peptides (Chicken Heterophil Peptides 1 and 2, and Turkey Heterophil Peptides 1 and 3) were evaluated for in vitro microbicidal activity against selected avian pathogens and human pathogens which are harbored by birds. At concentrations of 16-2 micrograms/ml, all four avian peptides effected a greater than 90% reduction in the survival of Candida albicans, Salmonella enteriditis, and Campylobacter jejuni. None of the peptides, including the known antimicrobial peptide protamine (used as a positive control), were able to reduce the survival of Pasteurella multocida by 90% at the maximum peptide concentration (16 micrograms/ml) tested. At 16 micrograms/ml, the turkey peptide THP3 did not effect a 90% reduction in survival of Bordetella avium, Escherichia coli, or Salmonella typhimurium, while all of the other peptides tested were effective at this concentration or less. This peptide, THP3, does not share the same homologous amino acid sequence shared by the other three peptides. Under our experimental conditions, none of the peptides neutralized Infectious Bronchitis Virus, an enveloped coronavirus of chickens.
Mechanisms of Metal Ion Transfer into Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids: The Role of Anion Exchange

The structure and stoichiometry of the lanthanide(III) (Ln) complexes with the ligand 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (Htta) formed in a biphasic aqueous room-temperature ionic liquid system have been studied by complementary physicochemical methods. Equilibrium thermodynamics, optical absorption and luminescence spectroscopies, high-energy X-ray scattering, EXAFS, and molecular dynamics simulations all support the formation of anionic Nd(tta)4- or Eu(tta)4- complexes with no water coordinated to the metal center in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide (C4mim+Tf2N-), rather than the hydrated, neutral complexes, M(tta)3(H2O)n (n = 2 or 3), that form in nonpolar molecular solvents, such as xylene or chloroform. The presence of anionic lanthanide complexes in C4mim+Tf2N- is made possible by the exchange of the ionic liquid anions into the aqueous phase for the lanthanide complex. The resulting complexes in the ionic liquid phase should be thought of as weak C4mim+Ln(tta)4- ion pairs whic...
Research problems in the use of a shallow artificial intelligence model of personality and emotion

This paper presents an overview of some open research problems in the representation of emotion on computers. The issues discussed arise in the context of a broad, albeit shallow, emotion reasoning platform based originally on the ideas of Ortony, Clore, and Collins(Ortony, Clore, & Collins 1988). In addressing these problems we hope to (1) correct and expand our content theory of emotion, and pseudo personality, which underlies all aspects of the research; (2) answer feasibility questions regarding a usable representation of the emotion domain in the computer, and (3) build agents capable of emotional interaction with users. A brief description of a semantics-based AI program, the Affective Reasoner, and its recent multi-media extensions is given. Issues pertaining to affective user modeling, an expert system on emotion eliciting situations, the building of a sympathetic computer, models of relationship, personality in games, and the motivation behind the study of emotion on computers are discussed. References to the current literature and recent workshops are made.
Resolved Turbulence Characteristics in Large-Eddy Simulations Nested within Mesoscale Simulations Using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model

AbstractOne-way concurrent nesting within the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) is examined for conducting large-eddy simulations (LES) nested within mesoscale simulations. Wind speed, spectra, and resolved turbulent stresses and turbulence kinetic energy from the nested LES are compared with data from nonnested simulations using periodic lateral boundary conditions. Six different subfilter-scale (SFS) stress models are evaluated using two different nesting strategies under geostrophically forced flow over both flat and hilly terrain. Neutral and weakly convective conditions are examined. For neutral flow over flat terrain, turbulence appears on the nested LES domains only when using the two dynamic SFS stress models. The addition of small hills and valleys (wavelengths of 2.4 km and maximum slopes of ± 10°) yields small improvements, with all six models producing some turbulence on nested domains. Weak convection (surface heat fluxes of 10 W m−2) further accelerates the development of turbulen...
The Relationship between Political Orientation and Race on Modern Racism

Political orientation and race have consistently found to be associated with attitudes leading to the foundational elements underpinning prejudice. This study investigates these relationships more fully in order to determine the magnitude of these relationships leading to modern racist attitudes. The research participants consisted of 225 undergraduate and graduate students at an ethnically diverse regional university in the southeastern United States. Consistent with existing literature, White participants reported greater levels of modern racist attitudes than did Non-White participants. As hypothesized, political orientation and race significantly related to modern racist attitudes. Implications for continuing future research on political orientation, race and other factors associated with modern racism.
Amino Acid Residues in Both the Protein Splicing and Endonuclease Domains of the PI-SceI Intein Mediate DNA Binding

A structure-based model describing the interaction of the two-domain PI-SceI endonuclease with its 31-base pair DNA substrate suggests that the endonuclease domain (domain II) contacts the cleavage site region of the substrate, while the protein splicing domain (domain I) interacts with a distal region that is sufficient for high affinity binding. To support this model, alanine-scanning mutagenesis was used to assemble a set of 49 PI-SceI mutant proteins that were purified and assayed for their DNA binding and cleavage properties. Fourteen mutant proteins were 4- to >500-fold less active than wild-type PI-SceI in cleavage assays, and one mutant (T225A) was 3-fold more active. Alanine substitution at two positions in domain I reduces overall binding >60-fold by perturbing the interaction of PI-SceI with the minimal binding region. Conversely, mutations in domain II have little effect on binding, reduce binding to the cleavage site region only, or affect binding to both regions. Interestingly, substitutions at Lys301, which is part of the endonucleolytic active site, eliminate binding to the cleavage site region but permit contact with the minimal binding region. This experimental evidence demonstrates that the protein splicing domain as well as the endonuclease domain is involved in binding of a DNA substrate with the requisite length.
Ring-enhancement in multiple sclerosis: marker of disease severity:

Correlations between conventional MRI measures of disease activity and clinical disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) have been disappointing. Because ring-enhancing lesions may reflect a more destructive pathology, we tested their potential association with disease severity. We evaluated active lesions with regard to their enhancement pattern on serial magnetic resonance images in a cohort of 28 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. The percentage of ring-enhancing lesions correlated with EDSS, T2 lesion load and duration of disease and predicted the occurrence of relapses during the baseline period of observation as well as after 3 years of follow-up in multiple logistic regression analysis. The findings suggest that the pathological process reflected by ring-enhancing lesions may contribute to more severe clinical disease.
Prevalence of presumed ocular tuberculosis among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of presumed ocular tuberculosis among diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients in a tertiary government hospital in the Philippines and determine its common presentation in the population. This was a cross-sectional study in which 103 patients who were labeled to have active pulmonary tuberculosis underwent history and ocular examination prior to anti-tubercular therapy. The diagnosis of presumed ocular tuberculosis was made when clinical signs of tuberculosis (TB) uveitis were found in the participants. Lesions were documented and tallied, after which statistical analysis was performed. Seven out of the 103 pulmonary TB patients (6.8% prevalence: 95% CI 2.78% to 13.5%) included in the study showed signs of ocular inflammation. There was no sex and age predilection between those with presumed ocular TB and those without. Posterior uveitis alone was observed in three of the patients (two cases of retinal vasculitis and one case of choroidal tubercle). Non-granulomatous anterior uveitis with posterior synechiae alone was observed in two patients. One patient had combined non-granulomatous anterior uveitis with posterior synechiae and choroidal tubercle. One had combined granulomatous anterior uveitis with posterior synechiae and choroidal tubercle. Intermediate uveitis was not noted among the patients. Presumed ocular tuberculosis should be considered among patients with diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis. Common ocular lesions found in the study include choroidal tubercle and non-granulomatous anterior uveitis with posterior synechiae.
Diffusion and ionic conductivity in sodium beta alumina

Abstract Measurements of sodium tracer diffusion (Dt) and ionic conductivity (σ) have been made on the same single crystals of sodium beta-alumina of composition 1.23 Na20.11 Al2O3. The σ- measurements were made over the temperature 390–660 K using reversible (liquid sodium) electrodes. A fit to the conductivity data gives σT = 2470 exp (−0.142 eV kT )Ω −1 cm −1 K . The Dt, measurements employed two techniques, i.e. nondestructive profiling over the temperature range 210–750 K and cation exchange over the temperature range 505–970 K. The results of the two techniques were in close agreement and can be expressed as D = 2.12 ×10 −4 exp (−0.169 eV kT ) cm 2 sec −1 for T>520K and D = 2.45 × 10 −4 exp (−0.164 eV kT ) cm 2 sec 470 K . The “transition” region between 470 and 520 K is not observed in the conductivity measurements. Silver cation exchange was used to determine the number of mobile sodium ions. A comparison of Dt and σ data yielded a Haven ratio that is temperature dependent, ranging in value from 0.45 at 870 K to 0.35 at 370 K.
The measurement of Twiss parameters using segmented Faraday cups

The theory behind the use of segmented Faraday cups (SFCs) to measure beam emittance using a scanning slit is presented. A description of the electronics is given, and a sample of a beam profile and the results of an emittance measurement are presented. It is shown that the ability to combine the data using computers allows much more flexibility than only being able to center the beam in the pipe. Emittance measurements in two dimensions are straightforward and automatic. Beam center and width can be matched to expected values from beam optics codes, and magnets can be adjusted for corrections to very fine resolution. >
Genview and Gencode : a pair of programs to test theories of genetic code evolution.

GENVIEW: and GENCODE: are tools for testing the adaptive nature of a genetic code under different assumptions about patterns of genetic error and the nature of amino acid similarity. GENVIEW: provides a user friendly, point-and-click interface by which a user may reproduce and extend analysis of the adaptive properties of the standard genetic code or any of its secondary derivatives. GENVIEW: is a graphical user interface (GUI) program which runs on Linux, Unix and Microsoft Windows platforms and is based on the GTKf + toolkit. GENVIEW: outputs ASCII configuration files which are interpreted by GENCODE: to perform an analysis. GENCODE: is available for the same platforms as GENVIEW.
Vaccinia Virus A21 Virion Membrane Protein Is Required for Cell Entry and Fusion

We provide the initial characterization of the product of the vaccinia virus A21L (VACWR140) gene and demonstrate that it is required for cell entry and low pH-triggered membrane fusion. The A21L open reading frame, which is conserved in all sequenced members of the poxvirus family, encodes a protein of 117 amino acids with an N-terminal hydrophobic domain and four invariant cysteines. Expression of the A21 protein occurred at late times of infection and was dependent on viral DNA replication. The A21 protein contained two intramolecular disulfide bonds, the formation of which required the vaccinia virus-encoded cytoplasmic redox pathway, and was localized on the surface of the lipoprotein membrane of intracellular mature virions. A conditional lethal mutant, in which A21L gene expression was regulated by isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside, was constructed. In the absence of inducer, cell-to-cell spread of virus did not occur, despite the formation of morphologically normal intracellular virions and extracellular virions with actin tails. Purified virions lacking A21 were able to bind to cells, but cores did not penetrate into the cytoplasm and synthesize viral RNA. In addition, virions lacking A21 were unable to mediate low pH-triggered cell-cell fusion. The A21 protein, like the A28 and H2 proteins, is an essential component of the poxvirus entry/fusion apparatus for both intracellular and extracellular virus particles.
Murine Model for Assessment of Plasmodium falciparum Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Using Transgenic Plasmodium berghei Parasites Expressing the Target Antigen Pfs25

Currently, there is no animal model for Plasmodium falciparum challenge to evaluate malaria transmission-blocking vaccines based on the well-established Pfs25 target antigen. The biological activity of transmission-blocking antibodies is typically assessed using an assay known as the membrane feeding assay (MFA). It is an in vitro method that involves mixing antibodies with cultured P. falciparum gametocytes and feeding them to mosquitoes through an artificial membrane followed by assessment of infection in the mosquitoes. We genetically modified Plasmodium berghei to express Pfs25 and demonstrated that the transgenic parasites (TrPfs25Pb) are susceptible to anti-Pfs25 antibodies during mosquito-stage development. The asexual growth kinetics and mosquito infectivity of TrPfs25Pb were comparable to those of wild-type parasites, and TrPfs25Pb displayed Pfs25 on the surface of ookinetes. Immune sera from nonhuman primates immunized with a Pfs25-based vaccine when passively transferred to mice blocked transmission of TrPfs25Pb to Anopheles stephensi. Furthermore, mice immunized with Pfs25 DNA vaccine and challenged with TrPfs25Pb displayed reduced malaria transmission compared to mice immunized with wild-type plasmid. These studies describe development of an animal malaria model alternative to the in vitro MFA and show that the model can facilitate P. falciparum transmission-blocking vaccine evaluation based on the target antigen Pfs25. We believe that an animal model to test transmission-blocking vaccines would be superior to the MFA, since there may be additional immune factors that synergize the transmission-blocking activity of antibodies in vivo.
A Continuous-Review Inventory Model with Disruptions at Both Supplier and Retailer

We consider a continuous-review inventory problem for a retailer who faces random disruptions both internally and externally (from its supplier). We formulate the expected inventory cost at this retailer and analyze the properties of the cost function. In particular, we show that the cost function is quasi-convex and therefore can be efficiently optimized to numerically find the optimal order size from the retailer to the supplier. Computational experiments provide additional insight into the problem. In addition, we introduce an effective approximation of the cost function. Our approximation can be solved in closed form, which is useful when the model is embedded into more complicated supply chain design or management models.
Double particle resolution in STAR silicon drift detectors

The inner tracking detector of the STAR experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider will consist of a three layer barrel structure of 216 silicon drift detectors. Calculations of the two-hit resolution achievable for these detectors are presented in this article. The effects on two-hit resolution of the electronic's response function, frequency of signal digitization and noise level are discussed.
Prediction of contact mechanics in metal-on-metal Total Hip Replacement for parametrically comprehensive designs and loads

Abstract Manufacturers and investigators of Total Hip Replacement (THR) bearings require tools to predict the contact mechanics resulting from diverse design and loading parameters. This study provides contact mechanics solutions for metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings that encompass the current design space and could aid pre-clinical design optimization and evaluation. Stochastic finite element (FE) simulation was used to calculate the head-on-cup contact mechanics for five thousand combinations of design and loading parameters. FE results were used to train a Random Forest (RF) surrogate model to rapidly predict the contact patch dimensions, contact area, pressures and plastic deformations for arbitrary designs and loading. In addition to widely observed polar and edge contact, FE results included ring-polar, asymmetric-polar, and transitional categories which have previously received limited attention. Combinations of design and load parameters associated with each contact category were identified. Polar contact pressures were predicted in the range of 0–200 MPa with no permanent deformation. Edge loading (with subluxation) was associated with pressures greater than 500 MPa and induced permanent deformation in 83% of cases. Transitional-edge contact (with little subluxation) was associated with intermediate pressures and permanent deformation in most cases, indicating that, even with ideal anatomical alignment, bearings may face extreme wear challenges. Surrogate models were able to accurately predict contact mechanics 18,000 times faster than FE analyses. The developed surrogate models enable rapid prediction of MoM bearing contact mechanics across the most comprehensive range of loading and designs to date, and may be useful to those performing bearing design optimization or evaluation.
Highly available systems for database applications

As users entrust more and more of their applications to computer systems, the need for systems that are continuously operational (24 hours per day) has become even greater. This paper presents a survey and analysis of representative architectures and techniques that have been developed for constructing highly available systems for database applications. It then proposes a design of a distributed software subsystem that can serve as a unified framework for constructing database application systems that meet various requirements for high availability.
Harmonic reduction in single-phase inverter using a parallel operation technique

A technique is presented for harmonic reduction in inverters using sinusoidal pulse-width modulation (PWM). A modified circuit based on parallel operation of MOS-based inverter sets using interphase reactors as harmonic reducing elements and making use of a specific phase shift between the modulating and carrier waveforms is investigated as a means to economically and efficiently reduce the harmonic contents in the output waveform. The output waveform of a single-phase PWM inverter is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Detailed analysis shows that the harmonics lower than the 15th are all less than 1% of the fundamental component when the frequency ratio is relatively low, i.e. about nine and similarly for the 29th harmonic when the ratio is about 15. This is done without noticeable reduction in the fundamental component. The results show the feasibility of obtaining practically sinusoidal output waveforms. >
Computerized newborn screening in Texas-a multiple microcomputer approach

The Texas department of health expanded its newborn screening program to include four disorders in February of 1980. Because of the large volume of specimens being processed (approximately 2500 daily), the laboratory aspects of this program were computerized, and currently both laboratory and follow-up activities are linked by computer. A description is given of the modular, microcomputer approach used, which has provided the necessary capabilities to ensure accurate and efficient tracking of newborns from specimen submission through diagnosis and treatment. Continual program evaluations are also possible through statistical tabulations of various types of data collected and maintained in the system. >
Electrical stimulation as a treatment intervention to improve function, edema or pain following acute lateral ankle sprains: A systematic review

The purpose of this systematic review was to assess whether electrical stimulation (ES), when used in conjunction with a standard treatment, can reduce levels of functional impairment, edema, and pain compared to a standard treatment alone, in patients following a lateral ankle sprain. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, SportDiscus, and Medline (OVID) databases through June 2014 using the terms “ankle sprain or ankle sprains or ligament injury or ligamentous injury,” and “electric stimulation or electric stimulation or electrotherapy.” Our search identified four randomized control trials, of which, neuromuscular ES and high-voltage pulsed stimulation were the only two ES modalities utilized. Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cohen's d for comparison between treatment groups. Three of four effect sizes for function had 95% CI that crossed zero. Twenty-four of the thirty-two effect sizes for edema had 95% CI that crossed zero. All effect sizes for pain had 95% CI that crossed zero. Therefore, the use of ES is not recommended as a means to improve function, reduce edema, or decrease pain in the treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains.
C. pneumoniae disrupts eNOS trafficking and impairs NO production in human aortic endothelial cells.

Summary Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) generated NO plays a crucial physiological role in the regulation of vascular tone. eNOS is a constitutively expressed synthase whose enzymatic function is regulated by dual acylation, phosphorylation, protein-protein interaction and subcellular localization. In endothelial cells, the enzyme is primarily localized to the Golgi apparatus (GA) and the plasma membrane where it binds to caveolin-1. Upon stimulation, the enzyme is translocated from the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm where it generates NO. When activation of eNOS ceases, the majority of the enzyme is recycled back to the membrane fraction. An inability of eNOS to cycle between the cytosol and the membrane leads to impaired NO production and vascular dysfunction. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that primarily infects epithelial cells of the human respiratory tract, but unlike any other chlamydial species, C. pneumoniae displays tropism toward atherosclerotic tissues. In this study, we demonstrate that C. pneumoniae inclusions colocalize with eNOS, and the microorganism interferes with trafficking of the enzyme from the GA to the plasma membrane in primary human aortic endothelial cells. This mislocation of eNOS results in significant inhibition of NO release by C. pneumoniae-infected cells. Furthermore, we show that the distribution of eNOS in C. pneumoniae-infected cells is altered due to an intimate association of the Golgi complex with chlamydial inclusions rather than by direct interaction of the enzyme with the chlamydial inclusion membrane.
EXAMINATION OF THE ENDOSOMAL AND LYSOSOMAL PATHWAYS IN DICTYOSTELIUM DISCOIDEUM MYOSIN I MUTANTS

The role of myosin Is in endosomal trafficking and the lysosomal system was investigated in a Dictyostelium discoideum myosin I double mutant myoB-/C-, that has been previously shown to exhibit defects in fluid-phase endocytosis during growth in suspension culture (Novak et al., 1995). Various properties of the endosomal pathway in the myoB-/C- double mutant as well as in the myoB- and myoC- single mutants, including intravesicular pH, and intracellular retention time and exocytosis of a fluid phase marker, were found to be indistinguishable from wild-type parental cells. The intimate connection between the contractile vacuole complex and the endocytic pathway in Dictyostelium, and the localization of a myosin I to the contractile vacuole in Acanthamoeba, led us to also examine the structure and function of this organelle in the three myosin I mutants. No alteration in contractile vacuole structure or function was observed in the myoB-, myoC- or myoB-/C- cell lines. The transport, processing, and localization of a lysosomal enzyme, alpha-mannosidase, were also unaltered in all three mutants. However, the myoB- and myoB-/C- cell lines, but not the myoC- cell line, were found to oversecrete the lysosomal enzymes alpha-mannosidase and acid phosphatase, during growth and starvation. None of the mutants oversecreted proteins following the constitutive secretory pathway. Two additional myosin I mutants, myoA- and myoA-/B-, were also found to oversecrete the lysosomally localized enzymes alpha-mannosidase and acid phosphatase. Taken together, these results suggest that these myosins do not play a role in the intracellular movement of vesicles, but that they may participate in controlling events that occur at the actin-rich cortical region of the cell. While no direct evidence has been found for the association of myosin Is with lysosomes, we predict that the integrity of the lysosomal system is tied to the fidelity of the actin cortex, and changes in cortical organization could influence lysosomal-related membrane events such as internalization or transit of vesicles to the cell surface.