cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vitro antagonism by Ulocladium botrytis of Phellinus weirii, Heterobasidion annosum, and Armillaria ostoyae

In Vitro antagonism of three root-disease pathogens, Phellinus weirii, Heterobasidion annosum, and Armillaria ostoyae by Ulocladium botrytis (Preuss) is discussed. On solid medium, areas of inhibition were characteristic of antagonism, whereas, in liquid medium, antagonism resulted in the reduction of the colony dry weights of the pathogens. The antagonistic effect of U. botrytis was fungistatic.
Oxidation characteristics of A588 steel and its applicability to high-heat-load nuclear waste package designs

The ASTM A588 steel is proposed as the outer wall material for second-generation nuclear waste package designs (Armijo et al., 2006; Kar, 2006). Oxidation weight-gain kinetics was evaluated for the A588 steel by thermal-gravimetric method at a range of temperatures (475°C to 600°C). Isothermal oxidation tests were conducted in dry air. Oxidation at lower temperatures followed parabolic kinetics and that at temperatures above 575°C was faster. The morphology and composition of the scales, formed at 475°C, favour the applicability of the A588 steel. Assuming a realistic activation energy and oxide scale growth rate, the calculated metal penetration depth was determined to be very small. The protective nature of the oxide scale on the steel is investigated in this work and discussed in relevance to the second-generation waste package and the other high-heat-load waste package designs (Kar et al., 2006; 2008).
Strategic planning by institutional pharmacy administrators

Strategic planning is an extremely valuable long-term planning tool. It is essential for an organization's survival in a rapidly changing, turbulent environment. For institutional pharmacies to survive and possibly grow, strategic planning must become the pharmacy director's principal long-range planning tool. In spite of the importance of strategic planning to institutional pharmacies, there have been few documented case studies of institutional pharmacy strategic planning. Further, there has been little research on institutional pharmacy strategic planning. Additional research is needed to determine the extent and quality of institutional strategic planning and to determine why this essential tool is or is not bemg used.
Conjectures on Some Literary Sources of Jorge Luis Borges' ‘Poema conjetural’

This article studies ‘Poema conjetural’, a dramatic monologue by Jorge Luis Borges and his best known poem. In particular, it questions the extent and the form of the influence of the poetry of Robert Browning on this piece. This work proposes that perhaps the dramatic monologues of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, an author who has not been studied in relation to Borges' literature, played a greater role in shaping this poem. The article also proposes that the ‘destino sudamericano’ famously stated in this piece reflects Borges' reading of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Finally, this study suggests the possibility of the presence of the poetry of Edgar Lee Masters, another author who has not received the attention of Borges scholars.
Intracellular transport of SV40 large tumor antigen: a mutation which abolishes migration to the nucleus does not prevent association with the cell surface.

Abstract The cT mutation of PARA, an SV40-adenovirus 7 hybrid virus, abolishes the transport of SV40 T-antigen (T-ag) to the nucleus and results in the accumulation of T-ag in the cytoplasm of infected and transformed cells. The effect of the cT mutation on the association of T-ag with the cell surface was examined in PARA(cT)-infected monkey cells. Surface-associated T-ag was detected by immunofluorescence,lactoperoxidase-catalyzed cell-surface iodination, and cellular fractionation. Surface-associated T-ag was more readily labeled by cell-surface iodination with PARA(cT)-infected cells than with SV40 and wild-type PARA [PARA(nT)]-infected cells. Control experiments eliminated the possibility that the enhanced detection of T-ag in PARA(cT)-infected cells was due to the labeling of intracellular T-ag by lactoperoxidase or to T-ag leaking from dead cells and adhering to the cell surface. The elevated level of surface-associated T-ag in PARA(cT)-infected cells was confirmed by metabolic labeling and cellular fractionation, indicating that the increased iodination of surface-associated T-ag was due to a greater number of T-ag polypeptides on the surface rather than a greater exposure of tyrosine residues. Pulse-chase experiments demonstrated that the elevated level of surface-associated T-ag in PARA(cT)-infected cells was not due to a prolonged stability of surface-associated T-ag. The cT mutation provides a useful tool for studies of mechanisms governing intracellular protein transport.
Conversations with Tiger: Forty Years of Dialogue . . . and One Uncompleted Project

Here I describe four decades of my collaboration with Ernest S. "Tiger" Burch, Jr., principally concerning the editing of three late 19th-century reports on the Inupiat of northwest- ern Alaska, reports which were compiled at a time when Inupiaq societies were undergoing se- vere stresses from foreign intrusions and infl uences. The correspondence sheds light on Burch's research methodology, precision of thought, honesty, and ethical standards.
Psychiatric illness in medical patients: Why it goes undiagnosed

In the face of technologic advances in medicine and in psychiatric treatment in particular, failure to regard patients as more than the mechanical sum of their parts has led to a persistent problem of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of psychiatric illness in medical patients. The author proposes seven factors that contribute to this problem and makes a plea for humanistic interpretation of medical advances and increased collaboration between psychiatry and the rest of medicine.
Major depressive disorder with anger: a bipolar spectrum disorder?

Background: Depression with anger may be more common in bipolar disorders. The aim of the study was to assess whether major depressive disorder (MDD) with anger could be included in
Compensation of Faraday Rotation in Multipolarization Scatterometry

Spaceborne remote sensors operating at L-band and lower frequencies can significantly be affected by Faraday rotation (FR) as their signals pass through the Earth's ionosphere. A method of compensating for FR in multipolarization scatterometry is introduced, which utilizes an ancillary estimate of the FR angle to retrieve corrected polarized scattered powers. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the behavior of the FR correction process when radar speckle, instrument errors, and errors in the ancillary FR angle estimate are introduced.
Dental and cranial variation in living Indriidae

Four species of Indriidae are extant in Madagascar. We have studied large samples of each of these to characterize dental and cranial variation, and to estimate the degree of sexual dimorphism in the dentition and cranium. Two dental fields are apparent, characterized by reduced variability: (1) a canine field centered on the upper canine and occluding caniniform lower premolar, and (2) a cheek tooth field centered on the second molars. No consistent pattern of sexual dimorphism was found in dental or cranial dimensions, and we conclude that none of the four species is sexually dimorphic. This lack of dental and cranial dimorphism is unusual in primates, and probably reflects the relatively limited aggressive behavior and the lack of male dominance in Indriidae.
Zero-length crosslinking procedure with the use of active esters

A two-step zero-length crosslinking procedure for studying protein-protein complexes has been developed. One component of a complex is briefly incubated with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) in the presence of N-hydroxysuccinimide resulting in the conversion of some of the protein carboxyls into succinimidyl esters. The reaction is stopped by addition of beta-mercaptoethanol and other interacting proteins are then added. Crosslinking arises from substitution of lysine epsilon-amino groups of these proteins for the succinimidyl moieties during a 1- to 2-h incubation period. The advantage of this method versus one-step zero-length crosslinking is that only one component of the complex is exposed to the crosslinker, which eliminates complications arising from the formation of crosslinks among several proteins of a multicomponent complex. Furthermore, crosslinks can be formed even in the presence of reagents, such as dithiothreitol and EDTA, that would interfere with direct crosslinking with EDC.
The Effects of Lowering Dietary Protein Level of Laying Hens During the Production Period

Abstract ECONOMICS has increased the interest in feeding laying hens lower protein rations. Harms and Waldroup (1962) reported that 13 percent protein rations needed supplementation with the amino acids, methionine and lysine. Although low protein rations were supplemented with amino acids the results were not always as good as those from higher protein rations. There is a belief among investigators that young pullets require higher protein rations for continued growth, egg production and maintenance. Quisenberry (1961) demonstrated that pullets started on 18 percent protein ration, and lowered to 17 percent after two months, 16 percent after 2 more months and 14 percent after two months then continued on 14 percent for 6 months, produced as well as birds receiving an 18 percent ration throughout the experiment. This experiment was designed to observe the effect of decreasing the dietary protein level immediately after 16 weeks production. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Single Comb White Leghorn…
Thermally on-off switching polymers for drug permeation and release

The swelling of crosslinked poly(N,N'-alkyl substituted acrylamides) in water was studied in relation to changes in external temperature. The significant swelling changes of the polymer in water in response to temperature can be attributed to the delicate hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the polymer chain, and was affected by the size, configuration and mobility of the alkyl side chains on the substituted acrylamides. Sharp swelling transitions may occur at an optimum hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance and was found only in N-isopropylacrylamide network, among the tested networks. Copolymers including crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide (IPAAm)-co-butylmethacrylate (BMA)) and interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of poly(IPAAm) and poly tetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) were also synthesized and investigated as modified IPAAm networks. The gel shrinking behavior for a disk-shaped geometry (10 mm diameter, 0.7 mm thickness) with increasing temperature was affected by the gel composition and fabrication techniques. An important observation in these studies was that the initial shrinkage of the gel occurred on the surface of the membrane. The consequence of this phenomenon was that the outer surface (skin) formed a denser structure, as compared to the bulk of the membrane, which regulated water and subsequently solute transport. To evaluate the controlled release aspects of these “thermosensitive” networks, indomethacin (a model drug) was solution loaded into the devices. The release of indomethacin from the gels correlated with the observed swelling properties. At low temperature, indomethacin followed pseudo-zero-order or first-order release kinetics, depending on the matrices, while at elevated temperatures indomethacin failed to diffuse out of the gels. This “on-off ” release in response to temperature was restricted to a narrow temperature range. The lag time and release profile in the low temperature region of each temperature cycle was influenced by the composition of the copolymer or IPNs. In addition, the permeation of insulin and glucose through the same membrane demonstrated a similar on-off mechanism in response to temperature.
Normal-incidence grating couplers in Ge-Si.

We report a normal-incidence grating coupler that is monolithically integrated with a GexSi1−x rib waveguide. The design, fabrication, and testing procedures are described for a 0.33-μm-period grating coupler integrated with a Ge0.04Si0.96 waveguide. Also, a theoretical analysis based on coupler-mode theory has been carried out to predict the coupling efficiency and its dependence on the angle of incidence of light. For normal incidence the measured efficiency of 6.5% was found to be in good agreement with the theoretical prediction of 6.9%. The measured FWHM of the acceptance angle about the normal was 5°, compared with the theoretical prediction of 3°.
Rubidium Transition Probabilities for Optical Pumping

Optical transition probabilities between the several magnetic sublevels of the ${\mathrm{Rb}}^{85}$ ground state via the first excited state are given separately for the two fine-structure components. Graphs of the populations of the states are presented as a function of the time the atoms are illuminated by circularly polarized resonance radiation.
Jessie Bernard: The Making of a Feminist

Jessie Bernard, now eighty-seven, is a prominent and unusually visible American sociologist. In this biography, Robert C. Bannister explores the personal and professional life of this representative of the generation of American women who came of age in the years between the world wars.In revealing detail, Bannister describes Bernard's troubled odyssey from a rigorously positivist sociology to a feminism that appeared to repudiate much of her earlier faith in reason and science. While gaining success and recognition as a sociologist, Bernard struggled privately with her Jewish heritage, the demands of a philandering, cantankerous husband twice her age, the conflicting pressures of family and career, and the tribulations of single parenthood. During most of her life these battles provided the backdrop against which she played out her quest for individual and professional identity. Her sociological style was intimately related to personal trauma; only as Bernard moved beyond negative self-perceptions and a coldly quantitative sociology in the 1940s and 1950s did feminism become an emotional and intellectual possibility for her.After embracing the new wave of feminism in the late 1960s, Bernard contributed numerous writings to the cause, including The Female World (1981) and The Female World from a Global Perspective (1987). The quintessential liberal, she was nonetheless attracted by the radical feminist analysis of the early 1970s. In her writings, she thus played out the final act in a lifelong struggle between reason and emotion, objectivity and value, profession and private life. While presenting the story of Bernard's life, Bannister also touches on larger themes, including the fate of feminism, the impact of professionalization on women, the place of gender in shaping the style and agenda of social scientists, and the ways in which the feminine mystique of the 1940s and 1950s was critiqued in the 1960s.
A generalized likelihood ratio test for detecting targets in multiple-band spectral images with improper complex Gaussian noise

A generalized likelihood ratio test is derived for detecting target patterns in multi-band spectral images with improper complex Gaussian noise. The GLR test generalizes previously derived tests, which were restricted to proper complex Gaussian noise. However, this generalization comes for the price of increased computational time. The GLR test is derived based on the joint multivariate pdf of the magnitude and phase of correlated complex Gaussian variables. An expression for the probability of false alarm is obtained which shows that the test achieves a constant false alarm rate. The GLR test was applied to simulation and experimental data and showed satisfying results.
A Safe Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Platform with Two Negative Markers for Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals

Vaccination of domestic animals with chemically inactivated foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is widely practiced to control FMD. Currently, FMD vaccine manufacturing requires the growth of large volumes of virulent FMDV in biocontainment-level facilities. Here, two marker FMDV vaccine candidates (A24LL3DYR and A24LL3BPVKV3DYR) featuring the deletion of the leader coding region (Lpro) and one of the 3B proteins were constructed and evaluated. These vaccine candidates also contain either one or two sets of mutations to create negative antigenic markers in the 3D polymerase (3Dpol) and 3B nonstructural proteins. Two mutations in 3Dpol, H27Y and N31R, as well as RQKP9-12→PVKV substitutions, in 3B2 abolish reactivity with monoclonal antibodies targeting the respective sequences in 3Dpol and 3B. Infectious cDNA clones encoding the marker viruses also contain unique restriction endonuclease sites flanking the capsid-coding region that allow for easy derivation of custom designed vaccine candidates. In contrast to the parental A24WT virus, single A24LL3DYR and double A24LL3BPVKV3DYR mutant viruses were markedly attenuated upon inoculation of cattle using the natural aerosol or direct tongue inoculation. Likewise, pigs inoculated with live A24LL3DYR virus in the heel bulbs showed no clinical signs of disease, no fever, and no FMD transmission to in-contact animals. Immunization of cattle with chemically inactivated A24LL3DYR and A24LL3BPVKV3DYR vaccines provided 100% protection from challenge with parental wild-type virus. These attenuated, antigenically marked viruses provide a safe alternative to virulent strains for FMD vaccine manufacturing. In addition, a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay targeted to the negative markers provides a suitable companion test for differentiating infected from vaccinated animals.
Adaptation of the carbon metabolism of Trichomonas vaginalis to the nature and availability of the carbon source

The anaerobic parasitic protist Trichomonas vaginalis was adapted in chemostats to eight different conditions defined by different growth rates and carbon regimes. Glucose or maltose was used as carbon and energy source. Cells cultured under well-defined steady states were tested in short-term experiments. The kinetics of glucose and maltose uptake were determined and their glucokinase and α-glucosidase activities were measured. Uptake in 20 min was measured with radiolabeled glucose and maltose, rather than analogues, using the silicone oil centrifugation technique. Hence, the accumulated label represents both transport and metabolic activity. The total uptake of glucose was highest in organisms that had been starved for glucose during growth. The kinetics of glucose uptake can be understood by assuming rate-limitation by transport across the plasma membrane at low external concentrations and by the subsequent metabolism at concentrations exceeding a cross-over value. The specific glucokinase activity correlated in only four out of eight cases with the saturation uptake. The kinetics of maltose uptake indicated rate-limitation at low maltose concentrations by a diffusion-limited step and at higher levels by metabolic steps. The uptake of maltose was primarily affected by the growth rate during culture, the highest growth rates resulting in most uptake. Maltose uptake was determined only partially by the cellular α-glucosidase activity. The activities of both transport and metabolic enzymes changed due to the culture conditions suggesting that the control over glucose and maltose metabolism is shared by several steps in the pathway.
Cartier divisors versus invertible sheaves

We consider the original version of the author's example of an algebraic scheme carrying an invertible sheaf arising from no Cartier divisor.
The ZnHg excimer: Optical and kinetic properties

Abstract The optical and collisional properties of the ZnHg excimer have been examined by optically pumping the Zn (41S0→ 43P1) resonance line in Zn-Hg vapor mixtures. The stimulated emission cross-section determined for ZnHg∗ (2.3 × 10−19 cm2) and the excimer's low rate of quenching by Hg (5.5 × 10−15 cm3 s−1) make it attractive for future energy-storage laser research.
Bang-bang series capacitor transient stability control

The design of a series capacitor bang-bang control for the transient stabilization of interconnected power systems is presented. First, a time-optimal switching policy is fully characterized for the second order swing equation. Next, the switching policy is modified to provide a robust transient stability control for the interconnected power systems. A relay-based controller is proposed, and its implementation is discussed. A simulation example illustrates the design concepts of the proposed transient stability control. >
Amyloid-β Induces Smac Release via AP-1/Bim Activation in Cerebral Endothelial Cells

Insoluble fibrils of amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) are the major component of senile and vascular plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Abeta has been implicated in neuronal and vascular degeneration because of its toxicity to neurons and endothelial cells in vitro; some of these cells die with characteristic features of apoptosis. We used primary cultures of murine cerebral endothelial cells (CECs) to explore the mechanisms involved in Abeta-induced cell death. We report here that Abeta(25-35), a cytotoxic fragment of Abeta, induced translocation of the apoptosis regulator termed second-mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (Smac) from the intramembranous compartment of the mitochondria to the cytosol 24 hr after exposure. In addition, we demonstrated that X chromosome-linked inhibitor-of-apoptosis protein (XIAP) coimmunoprecipitated with Smac, suggesting that the two proteins bound to one another subsequent to the release of Smac from the mitochondria. Abeta(25-35) treatment also led to rapid AP-1 activation and subsequent expression of Bim, a member of the BH3-only family of proapoptotic proteins. Bim knockdown using an antisense oligonucleotide strategy suppressed Abeta(25-35)-induced Smac release and resulted in attenuation of CEC death. Furthermore, AP-1 inhibition, with curcumin or c-fos antisense oligonucleotide, reduced bim expression. These results suggest that Abeta activates an apoptotic cascade involving AP-1 DNA binding, subsequent bim induction, followed by Smac release and binding to XIAP, resulting in CEC death.
CMS: An integrated simulation environment

A simulation environment is described which allows the execution of programs written for a Connection Machine (CM). The Connection Machine simulator (CMS) simulation environment provides several tools for empirical analysis of these parallel algorithms. It provides performance statistics on the simulated Connection Machine as it runs different user programs. The behavior of the simulated environment is governed by configuration parameters which can be altered to find the optimal Connection Machine configuration in which to run an algorithm. The CMS simulation environment runs on the Sun workstation and uses the windowing and mouse interfaces provided. Different windows allow the user to view different parts of the simulated Connection Machine at the same time. Also included is a discussion of the internals of the simulator and the reasoning behind the methods used. >
Speaking with your sidekick: understanding situated speech in computer role playing games

Speech and natural language are natural and convenient ways to interact with artificial characters. Current use of language in games, however, is limited to menu systems and inter-player communication. To achieve smooth linguistic communication with synthetic agents, research should focus on how language connects to the situation in which it occurs. Taking account of the physical scene (where is the speaker located, what is around her, when does she speak?) as well as the functional aspects of the situation (why did he choose to speak? What are his likely plans?) can disambiguate the linguistic signal in form and content. We present a game environment to collect time synchronized speech and action streams, to visualize these data and to annotate them at different stages of processing. We further sketch a framework for situated speech understanding on such data, taking into account aspects of the physical situation as well as the plans players follow. Our results show that this combination of influences achieves remarkable improvements over the individual situation models despite the very noisy and spontaneous nature of the speech involved. This work provides a basis for developing characters that use situated natural spoken language to communicate meaningfully with human players.
Specific Increase in MDR1 Mediated Drug-Efflux in Human Brain Endothelial Cells following Co-Exposure to HIV-1 and Saquinavir

Persistence of HIV-1 reservoirs within the Central Nervous System (CNS) remains a significant challenge to the efficacy of potent anti-HIV-1 drugs. The primary human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HBMVEC) constitutes the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) which interferes with anti-HIV drug delivery into the CNS. The ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters expressed on HBMVEC can efflux HIV-1 protease inhibitors (HPI), enabling the persistence of HIV-1 in CNS. Constitutive low level expression of several ABC-transporters, such as MDR1 (a.k.a. P-gp) and MRPs are documented in HBMVEC. Although it is recognized that inflammatory cytokines and exposure to xenobiotic drug substrates (e.g HPI) can augment the expression of these transporters, it is not known whether concomitant exposure to virus and anti-retroviral drugs can increase drug-efflux functions in HBMVEC. Our in vitro studies showed that exposure of HBMVEC to HIV-1 significantly up-regulates both MDR1 gene expression and protein levels; however, no significant increases in either MRP-1 or MRP-2 were observed. Furthermore, calcein-AM dye-efflux assays using HBMVEC showed that, compared to virus exposure alone, the MDR1 mediated drug-efflux function was significantly induced following concomitant exposure to both HIV-1 and saquinavir (SQV). This increase in MDR1 mediated drug-efflux was further substantiated via increased intracellular retention of radiolabeled [3H-] SQV. The crucial role of MDR1 in 3H-SQV efflux from HBMVEC was further confirmed by using both a MDR1 specific blocker (PSC-833) and MDR1 specific siRNAs. Therefore, MDR1 specific drug-efflux function increases in HBMVEC following co-exposure to HIV-1 and SQV which can reduce the penetration of HPIs into the infected brain reservoirs of HIV-1. A targeted suppression of MDR1 in the BBB may thus provide a novel strategy to suppress residual viral replication in the CNS, by augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of HAART drugs.
Occult thyroid eye disease in patients with unexplained ocular misalignment identified by standardized orbital echography.

Purpose To describe the clinical presentation, orbital echography (OE) findings, and neuroimaging results of patients with chronic unexplained ocular misalignment, which includes patients with clinically occult thyroid eye disease (TED) that is identifiable through a characteristic OE appearance. Design Retrospective observational case series. Methods Seventy-eight patients with chronic ocular misalignment suspected of TED because of a history of systemic thyroid disease, proptosis, dysmotility, positive forced ductions, or eyelid retraction or lag were categorized as TED positive, negative, and indeterminate with the use of standardized OE. Demographic, clinical, OE, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging information was collected. Analyses determined the prevalence of TED and differences between TED positive, negative, and indeterminate groups. Results Fifty-five percent of the findings were suspicious for and most consistent with TED (TED positive); 26% of the findings were TED negative, and 19% of the findings were TED indeterminate. Of 30 patients with newly diagnosed TED by OE, 70% had no lid retraction, and 20% had no other findings of TED. The inferior rectus followed by the superior rectus/levator complex, medial rectus, and lateral rectus muscles were the most frequently involved muscles. Neuroimaging that was performed in only 26 of 78 patients (33%) did not appear to yield additional diagnostic information. Conclusion TED is a potential cause of chronic unexplained ocular misalignment in a substantial proportion of patients. These patients frequently present in an occult fashion without other clinical findings that are typical of TED. In these patients, a diagnosis of TED by OE can reduce further costly evaluation. OE appears to have significant clinical usefulness in the diagnosis of TED in patients with unexplained ocular misalignment.
Thread Migration Prediction for Distributed Shared Caches

Chip-multiprocessors (CMPs) have become the mainstream parallel architecture in recent years; for scalability reasons, designs with high core counts tend towards tiled CMPs with physically distributed shared caches. This naturally leads to a Non-Uniform Cache Access (NUCA) design, where on-chip access latencies depend on the physical distances between requesting cores and home cores where the data is cached. Improving data locality is thus key to performance, and several studies have addressed this problem using data replication and data migration. In this paper, we consider another mechanism, hardware-level thread migration. This approach, we argue, can better exploit shared data locality for NUCA designs by effectively replacing multiple round-trip remote cache accesses with a smaller number of migrations. High migration costs, however, make it crucial to use thread migrations judiciously; we therefore propose a novel, on-line prediction scheme which decides whether to perform a remote access (as in traditional NUCA designs) or to perform a thread migration at the instruction level. For a set of parallel benchmarks, our thread migration predictor improves the performance by 24% on average over the shared-NUCA design that only uses remote accesses.
Mitochondrial trafficking and morphology in healthy and injured neurons

Mitochondria are the primary generators of ATP and are important regulators of intracellular calcium homeostasis. These organelles are dynamically transported along lengthy neuronal processes, presumably for appropriate distribution to cellular regions of high metabolic demand and elevated intracellular calcium, such as synapses. The removal of damaged mitochondria that produce harmful reactive oxygen species and promote apoptosis is also thought to be mediated by transport of mitochondria to autophagosomes. Mitochondrial trafficking is therefore important for maintaining neuronal and mitochondrial health while cessation of movement may lead to neuronal and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial morphology is also dynamic and is remodeled during neuronal injury and disease. Recent studies reveal different manifestations and mechanisms of impaired mitochondrial movement and altered morphology in injured neurons. These are likely to cause varied courses toward neuronal degeneration and death. The goal of this review is to provide an appreciation of the full range of mitochondrial function, morphology and trafficking, and the critical role these parameters play in neuronal physiology and pathophysiology.
Searching for interference effects in learning new face-name associations

In three experiments we attempted to increase interference using experimental manipulations in a face-name learning paradigm. All experiments included young and older adult participants because ageing is associated with increases in both susceptibility to interference and difficulty in learning face-name associations. None of the experiments produced interference for either age group: The inclusion of confusable (i.e., ambiguous) names and occupations, having to learn an additional piece of information in association with each face, and requiring participants to guess when uncertain all failed to negatively impact name learning. Interference does not appear to be the critical mechanism underlying the difficulty of learning proper names, and it cannot account for older adults' disproportionate decline in name-learning ability.
Design of a registry to characterize “real-world” outcomes of percutaneous coronary revascularization in the drug-eluting stent era

Abstract Background Clinical trials have shown drug-eluting stents (DES) to be superior to bare metal stents (BMS) in preventing in-stent restenosis and target vessel revascularization. Although these results have ushered in a sea change in the practice of myocardial revascularization, important questions remain unanswered concerning rates of ischemic complications when DES are used in a broader population not represented in the clinical trials. Study Design The EVENT registry will include 7500 to 10 000 patients enrolled at approximately 60 sites across the United States. The intent of the registry is to characterize a population of consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stent deployment using BMS and DES in terms of processes and outcomes of care. A unique aspect of EVENT is the prospective assessment of rates of periprocedural myocardial infarction among all patients. These data will allow us to compare rates of periprocedural myocardial infarction and other ischemic complications between patients receiving DES and BMS. In addition, the EVENT registry will characterize temporal changes in the patterns of DES use and the relationship between any such changes and both short- and long-term outcomes.
Piecewise pseudolikelihood for efficient training of conditional random fields

Discriminative training of graphical models can be expensive if the variables have large cardinality, even if the graphical structure is tractable. In such cases, pseudolikelihood is an attractive alternative, because its running time is linear in the variable cardinality, but on some data its accuracy can be poor. Piecewise training (Sutton & McCallum, 2005) can have better accuracy but does not scale as well in the variable cardinality. In this paper, we introduce piecewise pseudolikelihood, which retains the computational efficiency of pseudolikelihood but can have much better accuracy. On several benchmark NLP data sets, piecewise pseudolikelihood has better accuracy than standard pseudolikelihood, and in many cases nearly equivalent to maximum likelihood, with five to ten times less training time than batch CRF training.
Indirect Induction of Vascular Damage by X-Irradiation

The changes in petechial susceptibility of the vessels of hamster cheek to the moccasin venom test have been compared in shielded and irradiated pouches of the same animal which had received median lethal doses of x-irradiation. There was no statistically significant difference demonstrable between the irradiated and controlled cheek pouches, but both showed a greater hemorrhagic response than was found in the cheek pouches of unirradiated control animals. Similar results were found when the diffusion of intradermally injected Evans blue was used as an indication of x-irradiation damage. The shielded and the exposed areas both showed enhanced permeability to the dye when compared with the unirradiated control animals. These results suggest that some indirect factor or factors are involved in the vascular and permeability changes following exposure to ionizing radiation.
Evaluation of candidate vaccine approaches for MERS-CoV

The emergence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) as a cause of severe respiratory disease highlights the need for effective approaches to CoV vaccine development. Efforts focused solely on the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral Spike (S) glycoprotein may not optimize neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses. Here we show that immunogens based on full-length S DNA and S1 subunit protein elicit robust serum-neutralizing activity against several MERS-CoV strains in mice and non-human primates. Serological analysis and isolation of murine monoclonal antibodies revealed that immunization elicits NAbs to RBD and, non-RBD portions of S1 and S2 subunit. Multiple neutralization mechanisms were demonstrated by solving the atomic structure of a NAb-RBD complex, through sequencing of neutralization escape viruses and by constructing MERS-CoV S variants for serological assays. Immunization of rhesus macaques confers protection against MERS-CoV-induced radiographic pneumonia, as assessed using computerized tomography, supporting this strategy as a promising approach for MERS-CoV vaccine development.
Hypertension is not exacerbated by Chronic Carbon Monoxide Exposure, with or without Added Salt, in the Borderline Hypertensive Rat

Hypertension is a major health problem in the western world, with approximately 25% of the adult population showing borderline to frank high blood pressure (BP). Regardless of the enormous human exposure to carbon monoxide, only a few studies have examined its possible role in the development of hypertension from sources such as environmental pollution (Hernberg et al 1976) and cigarette smoke (Reid et al 1966). Borderline hypertensives, for example, are usually younger and tend to have elevated cardiac output as compared with frank hypertensives (Eich et al 1966). Possibly such individuals are more sensitive to CO. Malignant hypertension, for example, has been found to be far more common among hypertensive smokers (Isles et al 1979).
The comparative effects of a computer-based interactive simulation during structured, guided, and student-directed inquiry on students' mental models of the day/night cycle

"This study compared middle school (i.e., fifth, sixth and seventh grade) students’ mental models of the day/night cycle before and after implementation of three inquiry- based treatments. The three treatments were classified as 1) structured inquiry, 2) guided inquiry, and 3) student-directed inquiry. All three treatments used Starry Night Middle School interactive simulation software to investigate the phenomenon of the day/night cycle. Additionally, all three treatments were based on two researcher-developed lessons using Starry Night Middle School. The participants were 145 fifth, sixth, and seventh grade students who were purposively selected from a public school in a U.S. state. For the purpose of this study, the students remained in their classrooms. There were three classrooms per grade level. Those classrooms were randomly assigned to one of the three treatments. Students’ scores on a pretest, immediate posttest, and delayed posttest were analyzed. Students from a purposive sample were interviewed after the pretest, immediate posttest, and delayed posttest to clarify student mental models of the day/night cycle. The students were chosen based upon their score on the multiple-choice test. Seven of the selected students were in the Structured Inquiry group. Eleven of the selected students were in the Guided Inquiry group. Five of the selected students were in the Student-directed Inquiry group. First, the comparative effects of Structured Inquiry, Guided Inquiry, and Student- directed Inquiry on middle school students’ mental models of the day/night cycle immediately and three months following the intervention revealed no statistical difference among the three treatments. Time, however, appeared to have a significant negative effect on students’ mental models of the day/night cycle. Second, inquiry groups did not differ significantly in their mental models. Third, there was no interaction between starting mental model and the type of inquiry. The major findings demonstrate that all three treatments promote learning, but that no one treatment is more effective than another."
Origin of contaminants in metal films photochemically deposited from the metal hexacarbonyls

Understanding the nature of contaminants in photochemically deposited metallic films is of great importance to the implementation of this technology to microelectronic devices, since the properties of the films can be altered significantly by the presence of trace amounts of impurities. In the case of refractory metal films, detailed studies toward this end have been carried out by Gluck and co-workers with the metal hexacarbonyls.1
Interest Rate Derivatives

This technical note covers the basics of interest rate derivatives. Specifically, it covers options on bonds, delayed payments, caps, floors, and swaptions. The appropriate option pricing model is presented for each derivative. In addition, the note covers how to estimate the input parameters in each case.
On the use of Hidden Surface Routines in the Analysis of Marketing Data

“We first survey the plot, then draw the model,” Shakespeare, King Henry IV, Part II, Act I, Sc.3The visual presentation of a set of data facilitates its understanding and explanation. This paper d...
Proinflammatory and lipid biomarkers mediate metabolically healthy obesity: A proteomics study

Objective The metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) phenotype is an important obesity subtype in which obesity is not accompanied by any metabolic comorbidity. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, a shotgun proteomics approach to identify circulating biomolecules and pathways associated with MHO was used. Methods The subjects were 20 African-American women: 10 MHO cases and 10 metabolically abnormal individuals with obesity (MAO) controls. Serum proteins were detected and quantified using label-free proteomics. Differential expression of proteins between the two groups was analyzed, and the list of differentially expressed proteins was analyzed to determine enriched biological pathways. Results Twenty proteins were differentially expressed between MHO and controls. These proteins included: hemoglobin subunits (HBA1, P = 6.00 × 10−18), haptoglobin-related protein (HPR, P = 1.2 × 10−15), apolipoproteins (APOB-100, P = 1.50 × 10−40; APOA4, P = 1.1 × 10−14), retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4, P = 7.1 × 10−08), and CRP (P = 2.0 × 10−04). MHO was associated with lower levels of proinflammatory and higher levels of anti-inflammatory biomarkers when compared with MAO. Pathway analysis showed enrichment of lipids and inflammatory pathways, including LXR/RXR and FXR/RXR activation, and acute phase response signaling. Conclusions These findings suggested that protection from dysregulated inflammatory and lipid processes were primary molecular hallmarks of MHO. The candidate biomarkers (AHSG, RBP4, and APOA4) identified in this study are potential prognostic markers for MHO.
Organization and management of critical care systems in unconventional situations.

This abide reviews the organizational, logistic, administrative, and legislative issues pertinent to the delivery of critical care in unconventional situations. The relevam terminology, historical background, and conventional and unconventional situations are discussed along with state, federal, and international aspects of overall emergency management.
Contribution of humidity to the lethality of surface-attached heat-resistant Salmonella during the thermal processing of cooked ready-to-eat roast beef.

To provide meat processors with data to assess the safety of cooked ready-to-eat roast beef production parameters, a study was conducted to determine the contribution of humidity to the lethality of salmonellae during thermal processing. Destruction of Salmonella during thermal processing at different levels of humidity and a constant cooking temperature of 82.2 degrees C was examined. Raw beef top round roasts purchased from a commercial supplier were inoculated with a seven-strain cocktail of heat-shocked Salmonella. Inoculated roasts were thermally processed to an internal temperature of 62.8 degrees C at 0 to 90% humidity. Salmonella counts were determined utilizing the thin agar layer method on xylose-lysine-desoxychlolate agar to facilitate the enumeration of injured cells. Significant differences (P or = 62.8 degrees C product internal temperature with humidity introduced for > or = 50% of the cooking cycle) could result in a finished product that does not meet USDA performance standards. This specific guideline should be clarified with a minimum relative humidity requirement to ensure the production of a safe product.
The effect of acute pre-workout supplementation on power and strength performance

Consumption of pre-workout dietary supplements by both recreational and competitive athletes has increased dramatically in recent years. The purpose of this study was to determine the acute effects of a caffeine-containing pre-workout dietary supplement on various measures of performance including anaerobic power, upper and lower body power, and upper body strength in recreationally trained males. Thirteen males (mean ± SD age = 24 ± 6 yrs; height = 180.3 ± 5 cm; body mass = 83.4 ± 9 kg) participated in this investigation in which they reported to the laboratory on four separate occasions, each separated by one week. Each subject underwent an initial familiarization session on week one followed by baseline (BA) performance testing on week two. Performance testing included a medicine ball put (MBP) to determine upper body explosive power, vertical jump test (VJ) to determine lower body explosive power, one-rep maximum bench press (1-RM) for determining upper body strength, and a Wingate Anaerobic Power Test (WAnT) to determine measures of anaerobic power. On week three, subjects were randomly assigned to ingest either a pre-workout supplement (SUP) or a placebo (PL) and again complete the performance testing protocol. Subjects were provided with the crossover treatment on the fourth and final week. Performance testing commenced 20-minute following ingestion of both treatments, which was similar to previous investigations. Significant differences in anaerobic peak power relative to the WAnT were observed following ingestion of the SUP (782 ± 191 W) in comparison to the PL (722 ± 208 W; p = 0.003; effect size = 0.30) and BA (723 ± 205 W; p = 0.011; effect size = 0.28). Significant differences were also observed for anaerobic mean power following ingestion of the SUP (569 ± 133 W) in comparison to the PL (535 ± 149 W; p = 0.006; effect size = 0.24) and BA (538 ± 148 W; p = 0.020; effect size = 0.22). No significant differences between trials were observed for upper body power, lower body power, or upper body strength. Ingestion of the pre-workout dietary supplement led to significant improvements in anaerobic peak and mean power values in comparison to the placebo and baseline treatments. No improvements were observed in upper and lower body power or upper body strength. Taken prior to exercise, a caffeine-containing pre-workout dietary supplement may improve anaerobic power performance.
J. OCKMAN (ed) - Architecture School. Three Centuries of Educating Architects in North America

JOAN OCKMAN (ed) with REBECCA WILLIAMSON (research editor) Architecture School. Three Centuries of Educating Architects in North America MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts -London, England, 2012 / Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, Washington D.C., 400 pags. 54,95 $. Idioma: ingles (tapa dura)
Risk management consideration in the bioeconomy

In investing in a new venture, companies aim to increase their competitiveness and generate value in scenarios where volatile markets, geopolitical instabilities, and disruptive technologies create uncertainty and risk. The biobased industry poses additional challenges as it competes in a mature, highly efficient market, dominated by petroleum-based companies, and faces significant feedstock availability and variability constraints, limited technological data, and uncertain market conditions for newly developed products. Thus, decision-making strategies and processes for these investment projects must consider solid risk estimation and mitigation measures. Focusing on the biobased industrial sector, this paper critically reviews state-of-the-art probabilistic and deterministic methodologies for assessing financial risk; discusses how a complete risk analysis should be performed; and addresses risk management, listing major risks and possible mitigation strategies. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd