cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Steady-State Simulation of the Chemo-Electro-Mechanical Behaviour of Hydrogels

The simulation results of the swelling of hydrogels in steady state conditions are presented with an emphasis on its response to environmental stimuli such as solvent pH and external electrical potential. The simulation uses numerical model consisting of three partial differential equations namely the Nernst-Planck equation, Poisson's equation for electric potential, and the mechanical field equation. Finite element analysis is carried out using multiphysics software, COMSOL, employing a moving mesh method in two dimensions. The effect of buffer solution concentration, fixed charge density, solution pH (2-12), and electric potential (0-2 V) on the swelling or deflection characteristics are studied in separate simulations. These results are in agreement with other published experimental results.
Purification and partial characterization of a lutein-binding protein from human retina.

Dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin appears to be advantageous for protecting human retinal and macular tissues from degenerative disorders such as age-related macular degeneration. Selective c...
Derivation of the color-gamut plots of prepress proofing systems

About 10 years ago the author developed a computer program for plotting the color gamuts of sets of pigments. The application of this program was discussed in an internal DuPont publication, but, the details of its operation were never published.
A Context Algorithm for Pattern Recognition and Image Interpretation

One method of interpreting aerial photographs is to divide a frame of imagery into square cells, to extract recognition data from each cell, and to classify one cell at a time according to statistical decision theory. An algorithm for extracting contextual information from neighboring cells to improve cell recognition performance in such a system is presented. The algorithm was tested with a Monte Carlo technique which drew contextual information from real imagery but which simulated the as much as one half by the addition of context, and the amount of improvement was found to be largely independent of the parameters of the simulation.
Mutations in the feline immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein confer resistance to a dominant-negative fragment of Tsg101 by enhancing infectivity and cell-to-cell virus transmission.

Abstract The Pro-Ser-Ala-Pro (PSAP) motif in the p2 domain of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) Gag is required for efficient virus release, virus replication, and Gag binding to the ubiquitin-E2-variant (UEV) domain of Tsg101. As a result of this direct interaction, expression of an N-terminal fragment of Tsg101 containing the UEV domain (referred to as TSG-5′) inhibits FIV release. In these respects, the FIV p2 Gag PSAP motif is analogous to the PTAP motif of HIV-1 p6 Gag . To evaluate the feasibility of a late domain-targeted inhibition of virus replication, we created an enriched Crandell-Rees feline kidney (CRFK) cell line (T5′ hi ) that stably expresses high levels of TSG-5′. Here we show that mutations in either the V3 loop or the second heptad repeat (HR2) domain of the FIV envelope glycoprotein (Env) rescue FIV replication in T5′ hi cells without increasing FIV release efficiency. TSG-5′-resistance mutations in Env enhance virion infectivity and the cell–cell spread of FIV when diffusion is limited using a semi-solid growth medium. These findings show that mutations in functional domains of Env confer TSG-5′-resistance, which we propose enhances specific infectivity and the cell–cell transmission of virus to counteract inefficient virus release. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Viral Membrane Proteins—Channels for Cellular Networking.
AGA technical review on the diagnosis and care of patients with anal fissure.

Abstract Anal fissure is a disruption of the skin at the distal anal canal. Most anal fissures are located in the posterior midline, with 10% to 15% occurring anteriorly. "Off the midline" fissures must be viewed with suspicion for underlying pathology such as Crohn's disease, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, syphilis, or anal carcinoma. Early fissures have the appearance of a simple tear in the anoderm. With the passage of time, chronic fissures develop thickened skin margins, and fibers of the internal anal sphincter (IAS) become visible at the fissure's base. Many patients with chronic fissures develop a sentinel skin tag at the distal fissure margin and a hypertrophied anal papilla just proximal to the fissure within the anal canal. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2003;124:235-245
High-sweat Na+ in cystic fibrosis and healthy individuals does not diminish thirst during exercise in the heat

Sweat Na(+) concentration ([Na(+)]) varies greatly among individuals and is particularly high in cystic fibrosis (CF). The purpose of this study was to determine whether excess sweat [Na(+)] differentially impacts thirst drive and other physiological responses during progressive dehydration via exercise in the heat. Healthy subjects with high-sweat [Na(+)] (SS) (91.0 ± 17.3 mmol/l), Controls with average sweat [Na(+)] (43.7 ± 9.9 mmol/l), and physically active CF patients with very high sweat [Na(+)] (132.6 ± 6.4 mmol/l) cycled in the heat without drinking until 3% dehydration. Serum osmolality increased less (P < 0.05) in CF (6.1 ± 4.3 mosmol/kgH(2)O) and SS (8.4 ± 3.0 mosmol/kgH(2)O) compared with Control (14.8 ± 3.5 mosmol/kgH(2)O). Relative change in plasma volume was greater (P < 0.05) in CF (-19.3 ± 4.5%) and SS (-18.8 ± 3.1%) compared with Control (-14.3 ± 2.3%). Thirst during exercise and changes in plasma levels of vasopressin, angiotensin II, and aldosterone relative to percent dehydration were not different among groups. However, ad libitum fluid replacement was 40% less, and serum NaCl concentration was lower for CF compared with SS and Control during recovery. Despite large variability in sweat electrolyte loss, thirst appears to be appropriately maintained during exercise in the heat as a linear function of dehydration, with relative contributions from hyperosmotic and hypovolemic stimuli dependent upon the magnitude of salt lost in sweat. CF exhibit lower ad libitum fluid restoration following dehydration, which may reflect physiological cues directed at preservation of salt balance over volume restoration.
Functional properties of myosin isoforms in avian muscle

Abstract Sarcomeric myosin is the major skeletal muscle protein and is encoded by a large and complex multigene family whose members are differentially expressed in developing and adult muscle cells. The structure and function of sarcomeric myosins have been extensively analyzed and many myosin genes have now been cloned and sequenced. This manuscript reviews the broad spectrum of myosin research with emphasis on studies in avian systems and discusses how advances in myosin isoform analysis have contributed to muscle and meat science.
Receptor mediated glycotargeting

Glycotargeting relies on carrier molecules possessing carbohydrates that are recognized and internalized by cell surface mammalian lectins. Numerous types of glycotargeting vehicles have been designed based on the covalent attachment of saccharides to proteins, polymers and other aglycones. These carriers have found their major applications in antiviral therapy, immunoactivation, enzyme replacement therapy and gene therapy. This review compares different types of glycotargeting agents and the lectins which have been successfully targeted to treat both model and human diseases. It may be concluded that the discovery of new mammalian lectins which endocytose their ligands will lead to the rapid development of new glycotargeting agents founded on the principles of carbohydrate-protein interactions.
Group 3 Late Embryogenesis Abundant Proteins in Desiccation-Tolerant Seedlings of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Dormant seeds and young seedlings of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) tolerate desiccation. A transcript expressed in this desiccation-tolerant tissue has been cloned and sequenced (J. Curry, C.F. Morris, M.K. Walker-Simmons [1991] Plant Mol Biol 16: 1073–1076). This wheat cDNA clone encodes a protein that is homologous to other group 3 late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins. In this report, we describe the production of polyclonal antibodies to the protein product of the cDNA clone and assess group 3 LEA protein levels in desiccation-tolerant tissue. The group 3 LEA antibodies detected four major proteins in wheat with molecular masses from 27 to 30.5 kD. The genes for these proteins mapped to wheat chromosomes 1A, 1B, and 1D. The group 3 LEA proteins were present in mature seed embryos and were maintained when growth-arrested, dormant seeds were hydrated for 111 h. However, in germinating seeds the group 3 LEA proteins declined and were no longer detectable by 111 h. We severely dehydrated seedlings (more than 90% water loss) to assess group 3 LEA transcript and protein accumulation in tissues of these desiccation-tolerant plants. In response to dehydration, abscisic acid (ABA) levels increased dramatically and group 3 LEA mRNAs were induced in root, shoot, and scutellar tissue. However, group 3 LEA proteins were detected only in shoot and scutellar tissue and not in root tissue. Treatment of nonstressed seedlings with 20 [mu]M ABA resulted in low levels of group 3 LEA proteins in the roots, whereas higher levels were found in the shoot and scutellar tissue. When dehydrated seedlings were rehydrated, shoot and scutellar tissue resumed growth. The roots did not resume growth and subsequently died. New roots developed later from the scutellar tissue. Thus, in severely dehydrated wheat seedlings, the accumulation of high levels of group 3 LEA proteins is correlated with tissue dehydration tolerance.
Monoclonal antibodies reveal receptor specificity among G-protein-coupled receptor kinases.

Abstract Guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (G protein)-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) constitute a family of serine/threonine kinases that play a major role in the agonist-induced phosphorylation and desensitization of G-protein-coupled receptors. Herein we describe the generation of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that specifically react with GRK2 and GRK3 or with GRK4, GRK5, and GRK6. They are used in several different receptor systems to identify the kinases that are responsible for receptor phosphorylation and desensitization. The ability of these reagents to inhibit GRK- mediated receptor phosphorylation is demonstrated in permeabilized 293 cells that overexpress individual GRKs and the type 1A angiotensin II receptor. We also use this approach to identify the endogenous GRKs that are responsible for the agonist-induced phosphorylation of epitope-tagged beta2- adrenergic receptors (beta2ARs) overexpressed in rabbit ventricular myocytes that are infected with a recombinant adenovirus. In these myocytes, anti-GRK2/3 mAbs inhibit isoproterenol-induced receptor phosphorylation by 77%, while GRK4-6-specific mAbs have no effect. Consistent with the operation of a betaAR kinase-mediated mechanism, GRK2 is identified by immunoblot analysis as well as in a functional assay as the predominant GRK expressed in these cells. Microinjection of GRK2/3-specific mAbs into chicken sensory neurons, which have been shown to express a GRK3-like protein, abolishes desensitization of the alpha2AR-mediated calcium current inhibition. The intracellular inhibition of endogenous GRKs by mAbs represents a novel approach to the study of receptor specificities among GRKs that should be widely applicable to many G-protein-coupled receptors.
A Fixed Prosodic Theory of Nonconcatenative Templaticmorphology

This paper presents an alternative to earlier views of Semitic morphology. Data from Modern Hebrew exemplify that output-based prosodic restrictions form the basis of the unusual root-and-pattern behavior generally attributed to Semitic morphology. Rather than relying on idiosyncratic elements such as the consonantal root, this paper argues that universal constraints demanding that prosodic structures meet both minimality and maximality requirements explain the range of prosodic markedness effects observed in Semitic languages. As a further consequence of this approach, constraints on the realization of affixal material are motivated, explaning root-and-pattern morphology as melodic overwriting without recourse to the consonantal root. As a result, Semitic morphology can be viewed as arising from a language-particular combination of cross-linguistic and universal constraints.
Self determinant selection and acquisition of the autoimmune T cell repertoire

Autologous proteins are continuously processed and presented in the form of peptides associated with self major histocompatibility (MHC) molecules at the surface of antigen-presenting cells for interaction with autoreactive T cells. During thymic selection, the presentation of self peptides is an essential element in the establishment of the T cell repertoire. Developing T cells which recognize self peptide/self MHC complexes with sufficient affinity are clonally deleted. However, we and others have recently demonstrated that a variety of self peptides, despite their high binding affinity to MHC molecules, never reach the threshold of presentation to ensure negative selection (cryptic self peptides). This mechanism may have been selected to avoid excessive purging of T cell repertoire during ontogeny. However, T cells directed to cryptic self determinants represent a continuous threat for the initiation of autoimmunity in adults. Supporting this view, recent studies have documented the involvement of cryptic self peptide presentation in different autoimmune diseases. In this article, we examine the factors that govern the selection of self peptides for presentation to autoreactive T cells in vivo and discuss their contribution to both the induction and the maintenance of self tolerance. In addition, we analyze the mechanisms by which the hierarchy of determinants on a self protein can be disrupted, thereby leading to the presentation of previously cryptic self peptides and the induction of an autoimmune T-cell-mediated process.
Zeros of equivariant vector fields

We present a symbolic algorithm to solve for the zeros of a polynomial vector field equivariant with respect to a finite subgroup of O (n). We prove that the module of equivariant. polynomial maps for a finite matrix group is Cohen-Macaulay and give an algorithm to compute a fundamental basis. Equivariant normal forms are easily computed from this basis. We use this basis to transform the problem of finding the zeros of an equivariant map to the problem of finding zeros of a set of invariant polynomials. Solving for the values of fundamental polynomial invariants at the zeros effectively reduces each group orbit of solutions to a single point. Our emphasis is on a computationally effective algorithm and we present our techniques applied to two examples.
Airway Pressure Release Ventilation in a Patient with Acute Pulmonary Injury

Airway pressure release ventilation is a recently described method of ventilatory support. It allows spontaneous ventilation with CPAP but differs from conventional ventilatory modes because, with APRV, peak inflation pressure never exceeds the level of CPAP, and airway pressure decreases, rather than increases, when tidal volume is delivered. The risk of pulmonary barotrauma and adverse hemodynamic effects associated with conventional modes of positive-pressure mechanical ventilation may be decreased because of lower peak inflation and mean airway pressures. We describe a patient in whom several risk factors for these complications were present who was treated successfully with APRV.
The thermodynamics of the non-linear sigma model: A toy for high-temperature QCD

Abstract We study the O( N ) non-linear sigma models at high temperatures, with a view to understanding the infrared behavior of finite-temperature field theory. We show that infrared divergences cancel for O( N ) invariant quantities, and that while correlation functions at large distances may be evaluated using classical arguments, the free energy may not be evaluated classically.
Scattering characteristics of a centred-inclined slot in a broad wall of a rectangular waveguide

The problem of a centred-inclined radiating slot cut in a broad wall of a rectangular waveguide and excited by a TE/sub 10/ mode wave is considered. Pertinent integral equations for the slot aperture electric field are solved using the method of moments. Scattering characteristics of the slot are then analysed including resonant length and the equivalent series impedance. Numerical results on resonant length and the normalised series impedance in a universal form are obtained over a range of values of tilt, slot width, waveguide height, wall thickness and frequency. These results should find applications in the design of arrays of centred-inclined slots. >
Pericyclic photochemical ring-opening reactions are complete in picoseconds: a time-resolved UV resonance Raman study

The kinetics of the photochemical ring openings of 1,3-cyclohexadiene (CHD), 1,3,5- cyclooctatriene (COT) and ((alpha) -PHE) were determined by picosecond, time-resolved UV resonance Raman spectroscopy. The time evolution of the photoproduct ethylenic intensity demonstrates that the photolysis of CHD produces ground state cis-hexatriene in 8 +/- 1 ps. Similarly, the photoproducts of COT and (alpha) -PHE appear in 12 +/- 2 ps and 11 +/- 2 ps, respectively. The similar ground state photoproduct formation times of these reactions indicates that the $OM10 ps timescale is a general feature of photochemical electrocyclic ring-opening reactions.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Leukocyte C5a receptor modulation during hemodialysis

Leukocyte C5a receptor modulation during hemodialysis. Exposure of blood to hemodialysis (HD) membranes results in the activation of the complement system. In this study, flow cytometry was used to analyze the binding of fluoresceinated chemotactic factors (C5a, f-Met-Leu-Phe-Lys [fMLPL], and casein) and aggregated IgG to PMN and monocytes isolated from normal whole blood following passage through a hemodialyzer. Analysis of ligand binding by these PMN and monocytes showed no difference in the binding of casein, fMLPL, or aggregated IgG throughout the 45 minute procedure. In contrast, a progressive decrease in the binding of C5a by PMN and monocytes occurred. By 45 minutes, the average percentage of PMN binding C5a had dropped from 95 to 61% and monocytes from 73 to 40%. In additional studies, blood samples were obtained from chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis at four different time intervals during dialysis. Total white blood cell (WBC) counts showed that the mean WBC count at 30 minutes dropped to 60.9% of the predialysis WBC count, and rebounded to 133.8% by two hours and 128.2% by four hours. Analysis of the binding of C5a, casein, fMLPL, or aggregated IgG by PMN or monocytes from HD patients indicated there were no significant differences at the four time intervals studied. When blood samples from normal subjects or chronic hemodialysis patients were incubated in vitro with dialysis membrane fibers, a loss of identifiable C5a receptors was observed on PMN from normal blood, while PMN from HD patients showed no significant change in the percentage of C5a-receptor-positive cells. When normal PMN were isolated and resuspended in either normal or patient plasma and then exposed to HD membrane fibers, only cells in normal plasma showed a significant drop in C5a binding. These studies indicate that C5a receptors on PMN and monocytes obtained from normal donor blood exposed to dialysis membranes are specifically blocked or internalized. In contrast, even though PMN and monocytes from HD patients are continuously exposed to C5a generated during the dialysis procedure, they do not show a decrease in the binding of C5a. These findings suggest that adaptive mechanisms function in chronically hemodialyzed patients to modulate the effects of excessive C5a generation during HD.
Streaked Diagnostics Triggering And Monitoring At The Nova Laser Facility

The need to do high precision, time-resolved, optical and x-ray measurements at the Nova Laser System at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has led to increased demands on the triggering requirements of the Target Diagnostics instruments. These diagnostics require a fast trigger that is synchronous with the target irradiation. Previously, oscilloscopes and streak cameras shared the same triggering system. The relatively short temporal window of the streak cameras and the need for pre-shot system monitoring and post-shot data analysis justified the development of an improved triggering system. This paper discusses a system dedicated to triggering streak cameras on the Nova system which provides 16 individually adjustable triggers that are synchronous with the incident laser beam to within 100 ps. This system includes the capability to monitor the sweep circuit of each camera to detect a difference in trigger timing with a resolution of 50 ps on both target shots and dry runs. Various other parts of the diagnostic/triggering system are also routinely monitored.
Temperature dependence of Ricinus communis agglutinin activity.

Abstract Ricinus communis agglutinin, a galactose-binding lectin, agglutinates phospholipid/qlycolipid vesicles, phospholipid/glycolipid/cholesterol vesicles, low density lipoprotein, and the branched polysaccharide gum arabic. The temperature dependence of the initial velocity of agglutination is similar in all cases, with a maximum at ∼25°C, and a decreased rate at lower and higher temperatures. The extent of agglutination is temperature-independent for T ≤ 25°C, and decreases with increasing temperature for T > 25°C. After agglutination at 25°C, an increase in temperature results in deagglutination. This effect is reversible upon return to 25°C. Thus RCA undergoes a reversible temperature-dependent transition between an agglutinating form (≤25°C) and a less active form (> 25°C). These observations have important consequences in the interpretation of experiments which attempt to correlate lectin-binding with temperature-dependent properties such as membrane fluidity or receptor lateral organization in natural and model membranes.
A multilevel, level-set method for optimizing eigenvalues in shape design problems

In this paper, we consider optimal design problems that involve shape optimization. The goal is to determine the shape of a certain structure such that it is either as rigid or as soft as possible. To achieve this goal we combine two new ideas for an efficient solution of the problem. First, we replace the eigenvalue problem with an approximation by using inverse iteration. Second, we use a level set method but rather than propagating the front we use constrained optimization methods combined with multilevel continuation techniques. Combining these two ideas we obtain a robust and rapid method for the solution of the optimal design problem.
Prospective follow-up suggests similar risk of subsequent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3 among women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 or negative colposcopy and directed biopsy.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of cumulative cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or 3 according to initial colposcopy and directed biopsy results among women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) or human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA positive atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). Study Design: A 2-year follow-up of 897 cases of LSIL and 1193 cases of HPV DNA positive ASCUS from the ASCUS/LSIL Triage Study was used to simulate American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Consensus Conference recommendations. Women with CIN grade 1 or less were followed up for 2 years by semiannual cytologic examination, with universal exit colposcopy. The clinical end point was a cumulative clinical center histologic diagnosis of CIN grade 2 or 3. Results: The cumulative risk of CIN grade 2 or 3 was equivalent for LSIL (27.6%) and HPV positive ASCUS (26.7%). After excluding the women with a diagnosis of CIN grade 2 or 3 at initial colposcopy and directed biopsy (17.9%), the remaining women were at nearly identical risk for subsequent CIN grade 2 or 3 regardless of initial colposcopy result (completely negative colposcopy—11.3%; negative colposcopically directed biopsy—11.7%; and CIN grade 1 biopsy—13.0%). Conclusion: LSIL and HPV positive ASCUS are clinically equivalent. Initial colposcopic detection of obviously prevalent CIN grade 2 or 3 reduces risk. However, for the remaining women who have CIN grade 1 or less on colposcopy and directed biopsy, the risk for subsequent CIN grade 2 or 3 (whether missed, prevalent, or truly incident) is approximately 12% over 2 years. This risk does not vary meaningfully by initial distinction of histologic CIN grade 1 from negative colposcopy and biopsy. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:1406-12.)
Multiscale complexity in the mammalian circadian clock

The field of systems biology studies how the interactions among individual components (e.g. genes and proteins) yield interesting and complex behavior. The circadian (daily) timekeeping system in mammals is an ideal system to study complexity because of its many biological scales (from genes to animal behavior). A wealth of data at each of these scales has recently been discovered. Within each scale, modeling can advance our understanding of challenging problems that arise in studying mammalian timekeeping. However, future work must focus on bridging the multiple spatial and temporal scales in the modeling of SCN network. Here we review recent advances, and then delve into a few areas that are promising research directions. We also discuss the flavor of modeling needed (simple or detailed) as well as new techniques that are needed to meet the challenges in modeling data across scales.
Protection against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity by pretreatment with indole-3-carbinol

Abstract The effects of administering indole-3-carbinol (I-3-C) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity were examined. Mice received by gavage 0–150 mg I-3-C/kg body wt in methanol-extracted corn oil, followed 1 h later by 15 μl CCl4/kg body wt in corn oil. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after receiving CCl4. Pretreatment with I-3-C reduced the degree of centrolobular necrosis, as observed histologically. Additionally, CCl4-mediated elevated serum enzymes were reduced by I-3-C. Although I-3-C induced elevated levels of cytochrome P-450 and associated mixed-function oxidase activity, the CCl4 depression of these parameters was not clearly reversed by I-3-C. However, CCl4 produced decreases in hepatic levels of glutathione (GSH), total reducing equivalents, and protein sulfhydryls, all of which were restored to control levels by I-3-C. Using mouse liver microsomes in an NADPH-fortified reaction mixture, I-3-C inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, CCl4-initiated lipid peroxidation, with 50% inhibition at 35–40 μM I-3-C. When mice were treated by gavage with 50 mg [14C]I-3-C/kg body wt, concentrations of radiolabel in the liver were greater than 100 μM after 1 hr. This was five times the level of radioactivity measured in blood and three times the concentration of I-3-C necessary for 50% inhibition of CCl4-mediated lipid peroxidation in vitro. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that I-3-C intervenes in CCl4-mediated hepatic necrosis by combining with reactive free radical metabolites of CCl4, thereby protecting critical cellular target sites.
Fast magnetic reconnection in laser-produced plasma bubbles

Recent experiments have observed magnetic reconnection in high-energy-density, laser-produced plasma bubbles, with reconnection rates observed to be much higher than can be explained by classical theory. Based on fully kinetic particle simulations we find that fast reconnection in these strongly driven systems can be explained by magnetic flux pileup at the shoulder of the current sheet and subsequent fast reconnection via two-fluid, collisionless mechanisms. In the strong drive regime with two-fluid effects, we find that the ultimate reconnection time is insensitive to the nominal system Alfven time.
Histochemical evidence that cochlear efferents are carried with the inferior vestibular nerve in guinea pigs.

Abstract Histochemical methods were employed to determine the course of the olivocochlear bundle (OCB) within the vestibular nerve of guinea pigs. Following transection of the inferior vestibular nerve, cholinesterase staining in the cochlea was greatly reduced. Transaction of the superior vestibular nerve, however, yielded no detectable change in staining. It is concluded that the cochlear efferent innervation in guinea pigs is carried in the inferior vestibular nerve, at the point of entry into the medial bulla.
Spt6 Is Essential for rRNA Synthesis by RNA Polymerase I

Spt6 (suppressor of Ty6) has many roles in transcription initiation and elongation by RNA polymerase (Pol) II. These effects are mediated through interactions with histones, transcription factors, and the RNA polymerase. Two lines of evidence suggest that Spt6 also plays a role in rRNA synthesis. First, Spt6 physically associates with a Pol I subunit (Rpa43). Second, Spt6 interacts physically and genetically with Spt4/5, which directly affects Pol I transcription. Utilizing a temperature-sensitive allele, spt6-1004, we show that Spt6 is essential for Pol I occupancy of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and rRNA synthesis. Our data demonstrate that protein levels of an essential Pol I initiation factor, Rrn3, are reduced when Spt6 is inactivated, leading to low levels of Pol I-Rrn3 complex. Overexpression of RRN3 rescues Pol I-Rrn3 complex formation; however, rRNA synthesis is not restored. These data suggest that Spt6 is involved in either recruiting the Pol I-Rrn3 complex to the rDNA or stabilizing the preinitiation complex. The findings presented here identify an unexpected, essential role for Spt6 in synthesis of rRNA.
The first asynchronous microprocessor: the test results

We have designed the first entirely asynchronous (also called self-timed or delay-insensitive) microprocessor. The design was reported at the Decennial Caltech Conference on VLSI, last March. The conference paper is included here as an appendix. Since the chips had not yet been fabricated at the moment of writing the conference paper, the paper does not include the results of the experiment. The purpose of this note is to publish these results, which are quite remarkable because of the speed reached on this first design, and, as importantly, because of the surprising robustness of the chips to variations in temperature and VDD voltage values.
Does glucocorticoid dysregulation contribute to the link between cigarette smoking and insulin resistance

In a recent issue of the Journal , Drs. Reaven and Tsao [(1)][1]discussed the association between cigarette smoking and insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, and dyslipidemia. They assert that insulin resistance may be a key mechanism by which smoking increases the risk of atherosclerotic
Measuring attachment to companion animals: a dog is not a cat is not a bird

Although the literature on human-animal interactions has documented the physical, psychological, and social benefits resulting from positive relationships with dogs, cats, and other kinds of companion animals, many attachment instruments include items that pertain to specific kinds of interactions with dogs. For this reason, dog owners attain higher scores on these measures than owners of cats and other types of pets. This study introduces a scale for measuring attachment in terms of the perceived comfort received from a pet. A sample of 87 cat owners and 58 dog owners completed the Comfort from Companion Animals Scale. The results showed that, when two items pertaining to dogs were included, dog owners showed a significantly higher degree of attachment. When only the 11 items pertaining to the emotional nature of the relationship were included, however, there were no differences in the scores of the two groups. The results indicate the importance of clarifying both the commonalities and differences of human interactions with various companion animal species.
Evidence that Luteinizing Hormone-Stimulated Differentiation of Purified Ovarian Thecal-Interstitial Cells Is Mediated by Both Type I and Type II Adenosine 3',5'-Monophosphate-Dependent Protein Kinases*

LH has been shown to be the principal hormone regulating ovarian thecal-interstitial cell (TIC) differentiation. It has been well documented that LH stimulates cAMP production and that cAMP analogs mimick the stimulatory actions of LH, but the mechanisms by which LH and cAMP stimulate TIC differentiation are unknown. The purpose of these studies was to characterize LH-stimulated differentiation of isolated TIC in serum-free medium and examine the role of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) isoenzymes in TIC differentiation. Highly purified (greater than 90%) TIC which were free from granulosa cell contamination were isolated from collagenase-dispersed ovaries of hypophysectomized immature rats by Percoll gradient centrifugation. When the purified TIC (20,000 viable cells/well) were cultured (2 days) in serum-free medium (0.2 ml in 96-well plates), low levels of steroids were produced. LH stimulated a dose-related (ED50 = 2.6 +/- 0.4 ng/ml) increase (50-fold) in androsterone, the principal androgen produced. LH stimulated an immediate dose-related increase in cAMP production, but there was a 20-h lag before LH stimulated an increase in androsterone production, which reached maximum levels at 30 h. LH-stimulated progesterone production increased immediately to a maximum at 10 h, then progesterone levels decreased as androsterone production increased. To determine the role of PKA in stimulating androsterone and progesterone production, TIC were cultured (2 days) with 8-aminohexylamino-cAMP (100 microM) plus N6-benzoyl-cAMP (30 microM) or 8-thiomethyl-cAMP (30 microM) plus N6-benzoyl-cAMP (30 microM) to directly and selectively activate type I or type II PKA, respectively. Selective activation of either isoenzyme increased androsterone and progesterone production by TIC. Immunoblots revealed that either type I or type II PKA increased the contents of P450scc and P45017 alpha in TIC. This is the first demonstration that direct activation of either type I or type II PKA stimulates TIC differentiation. These results indicate that LH stimulates TIC differentiation by a mechanism mediated by activation of one or both PKA isoenzymes.
Streptococcus mitis sepsis in bone marrow transplant patients receiving oral antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Abstract purpose: Streptococcal infection has increasingly become a problem in neutropenic patients. We report on an outbreak of Streptococcus mitis sepsis in six bone marrow transplant patients receiving oral antimicrobial prophylaxis. patients and methods: We performed an epidemiologic study of all patients in our bone marrow transplant program from 1986 to 1988. The hospital and microbiology records for all patients were reviewed. All bone marrow patients were treated according to specified protocols, including an oral prophylactic antimicrobial regimen that was changed in late 1987 from vancomycin/polymyxin/tobramycin to norfloxacin. Identification, susceptibility testing, and whole cell protein analysis of streptococcal isolates were performed at the Reference and Antimicrobial Investigations Laboratories at the Centers for Disease Control. results: We detected six cases of S. mitis sepsis among 21 patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. No other concurrent pathogen was isolated from any patient at the time of the S. mitis bacteremia. Bacteremia developed within 72 hours of transplant in five of six patients and was associated with severe mucositis in four patients. An environmental study failed to reveal any common source for the outbreak, and whole cell protein analysis of all six S. mitis isolates revealed each to be distinct. Of 12 patients receiving oral vancomycin/polymyxin/tobramycin, one developed S. mitis bacteremia, versus five of nine patients receiving norfloxacin (p conclusion: We believe S. mitis bacteremia is a potential complication of bone marrow transplantation and is associated with antimicrobial prophylaxis with norfloxacin, especially in the setting of mucositis.
Cultural adaptations of behavioral health interventions: A progress report.

Health disparities among racial and ethnic groups present a complex national issue (Satcher & Higginbotham, 2008). The Healthy People 2000, 2010, and 2020 reports proposed progressively higher aspirations for eliminating health disparities in a nation of growing diversity, challenging researchers and practitioners to integrate evidence-based interventions (EBIs) into community systems of care. To help guide this research, a three-stage framework was proposed: (a) detecting disparities in health and health care, (b) understanding the conditions that account for disparities, and (c) developing interventions to reduce these disparities (Kilbourne, Switzer, Hyman, Crowley-Matoka, & Fine, 2006). In addition to ongoing mandates to monitor the status of health disparities and to identify factors accounting for these inequities (Vega, Rodriguez, & Gruskin, 2009), there is a pressing need to develop effective behavioral health intervention and prevention programs for subcultural groups, especially those groups and diseases (e.g., type 2 diabetes) for which health disparities are known to exist. Public health researchers have long believed that, to be effective, health-behavior interventions must be responsive to the cultural practices and worldviews of the subcultural groups for whom these interventions are intended (Resnicow, Baranowski, Ahluwalia, & Braithwaite, 1999). Nonetheless, certain questions persist. Under what conditions are cultural adaptations justified? How might such adaptations be achieved? What intervention activities should be added or modified in the development of cultural adaptations? Are culturally adapted interventions effective? Particularly in the past decade, health researchers have proffered thoughtful discussions of these issues (Domenech Rodriguez, Baumann & Schwartz, 2011). The goals of the paper are to: (a) describe consensus on the stages that can be followed in developing cultural adaptations, (b) identify common elements of cultural adaptations, (c) examine evidence on the effectiveness of culturally enhanced interventions for a variety of health conditions, and (d) identify questions that could be examined in future research.
Sinus Rhythm Electrogram Shape Measurements are Predictive of the Origins and Characteristics of Multiple Reentrant Ventricular Tachycardia Morphologies

Multiple Tachycardia Morphologies. Introduction: During clinical electrophysiologic study, multiple clinical tachycardia morphologies often can be induced in the infarct border zone, and all morphologies must be targeted for ablation therapy to be successful. Analysis of sinus rhythm electrogram shape for localizing figure-of-eight reentrant circuits in cases of multiple morphologies is proposed. Methods and Results: Sinus rhythm activation maps were constructed from bipolar electrograms acquired at 196 to 312 sites in the epicardial border zone in 10 postinfarction canine hearts. In each heart, at least two distinct figure-of-eight reentrant ventricular tachycardia morphologies were inducible by premature electrical stimulation, as determined by activation maps of sustained tachycardias. Sinus rhythm maps were used to predict the location of the isthmus (central common pathway [CCP]), which is the protected region of the circuit bounded by arcs of block (mean accuracy 76.7 ′ 4%). Although reentrant circuits differed, the positions of the entrance point of each CCP were common. The location of the line that would span the CCP at its narrowest width also was estimated (mean accuracy 91.3 ′ 5%). Ablation at this line is expected to prevent reentry recurrence. In one test experiment, ablation prevented recurrence of both sustained reentrant tachycardia morphologies. Conclusion: Sinus rhythm electrogram analyses are useful for (1) localizing multiple reentrant circuits with differences in morphology that are inducible by premature stimulation in the infarct border zone, and (2) locating and orienting the position of a linear lesion for preventing recurrence of all morphologies with minimal damage to the heart.
Cost-Effectiveness of Multiplexed Predictive Biomarker Screening in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction Population-wide screening for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements to inform cancer therapy in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is recommended by guidelines. We estimated cost-effectiveness of multiplexed predictive biomarker screening in metastatic NSCLC from a societal perspective in the United States. Methods We constructed a microsimulation model to compare the life expectancy and costs of multiplexed testing and molecularly guided therapy versus treatment with cisplatin-pemetrexed (CisPem). All testing interventions included a two-step algorithm of concurrent EGFR mutation and ALK overexpression testing with immunohistochemistry followed by ALK rearrangement confirmation with a fluorescence in situ hybridization assay for immunohistochemistry-positive results. Three strategies were included: "Test-treat" approach, where molecularly guided therapy was initiated after obtainment of test results; "Empiric switch therapy," with concurrent initiation of CisPem and testing and immediate switch to test-result conditional treatment after one cycle of CisPem; and "Empiric therapy" approach in which CisPem was continued for four cycles before start of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Results The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for "Test-treat" compared with treatment with CisPem was $136,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained. Both empiric treatment approaches had less favorable incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. "Test-treat" and "Empiric switch therapy" yielded higher expected outcomes in terms of quality-adjusted life years and life-years than "Empiric therapy." These results were robust across plausible ranges of model inputs. Conclusion From a societal perspective, our cost-effectiveness results support the value of multiplexed genetic screening and molecularly guided therapy in metastatic NSCLC.
GEONGrid portal: design and implementations

We have developed the GEONGrid system for coordinating and managing naturally distributed computing, data, and cluster resources on the cyberinfrastructure. Recently, since the use of Grid technology is still very complex for researchers and scientists, the area of Grid Portals has made excellent progress. The Grid portal system is an emerging open Grid computing environment that promises to provide users with uniform seamless access to remote computing and data resources by providing an easy to use interface to cover over the complexity of more sophisticated Grid technologies. In this paper, we present our initial efforts in the design and implementation of service components in the GEONGrid portal. These service components may be implemented as Web services that follow the conventions of service-oriented architecture design. In this approach, service components are self-contained, have a well-defined programming interface defined in WSDL, and communicate using SOAP messaging. In building a GEONGrid portal, we also use a component-based user interface design. Portlets provide the desired component model for user interfaces in the same way as Web services. Using this approach, which allows Grid portals to be built out of reusable components, has the obvious advantages of reusability and modularity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical and numerical studies of the positions of cold trapped ions

Abstract We examine the properties of cold ions confined by a Paul trap in a linear crystal configuration, a system of considerable current interest due to its application to practical quantum computation. Using a combination of theoretical and numerical calculations, a semi-empirical formula for the positions of the ions is derived.
Same Beam Tracking with the Proposed DSN Array Using Calibration Signal from Multiple Sources

The accuracy of tracking measurements using very long baseline interferometer (VLBI) is seriously limited due to angular and temporal separation between the calibration and spacecraft measurements. Same beam interferometry, where the calibration source is in the same primary beam as the spacecraft being observed eliminates temporal affects and considerably reduces calibration errors due to reduced angular separation between the calibrator and the spacecraft which minimizes errors due to propagation variations and uncertainty in geometry between source and baseline. With the current measurement methods this requires having a suitable calibration source of enough signal strength within the primary beam of the antennas used for the inteferometry measurements. Normally such sources are not available because of a low number density of suitable strong calibration sources. However there are many more weaker calibration sources and it may be possible to use combined signal from a number of weaker sources within the primary beam of the antennas if a single strong source is not available within the primary beam at any time. The probability of having enough combined total signal increases considerably if we accept using multiple calibration sources. Expected accuracy of a tracking measurement using signal from multiple calibration sources should be similar to the accuracy expected with a single calibration source within the beam, if the total combined signal from the individual weaker sources is similar to the desired single source. An important point that is worth noting here is that if we want to take advantage of utilizing the same beam interferometry for accurate spacecraft tracking most of the times, then the diameter of the antennas of the proposed array-based deep space network (DSN Array) should be limited to as small a value as practical to give a large field of view. This would enable having suitable calibration source(s) within the primary beam of the antennas. Considering practical aspects it appears that the diameter for the proposed DSN array antenna should be limited to a maximum of about 12 m.
Epigenetic regulation of Sox4 during palate development.

Aim: Identification of genes that contribute to secondary palate development provide a better understanding of the etiology of palatal clefts. Gene-expression profiling of the murine palate from gestational days 12–14 (GD12–14), a critical period in palate development, identified Sox4 as a differentially expressed gene. In this study, we have examined if the differential expression of Sox4 in the palate is due to changes in DNA methylation. Materials & methods: In situ hybridization analysis was used to localize the expression of Sox4 in the developing murine secondary palate. CpG methylation profiling of a 1.8-kb upstream region of Sox4 in the secondary palate from GD12–14 and transfection analysis in murine embryonic maxillary mesenchymal cells using Sox4 deletion, mutant and in vitro methylated plasmid constructs were used to identify critical CpG residues regulating Sox4 expression in the palate. Results: Spatiotemporal analysis revealed that Sox4 is expressed in the medial edge epithelium and presump...