cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the protective T-cell response generated in CD4-deficient mice by a live attenuated Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine

The global epidemic of tuberculosis, fuelled by acquired immune-deficiency syndrome, necessitates the development of a safe and effective vaccine. We have constructed a DeltaRD1DeltapanCD mutant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (mc(2)6030) that undergoes limited replication and is severely attenuated in immunocompromised mice, yet induces significant protection against tuberculosis in wild-type mice and even in mice that completely lack CD4(+) T cells as a result of targeted disruption of their CD4 genes (CD4(-/-) mice). Ex vivo studies of T cells from mc(2)6030-immunized mice showed that these immune cells responded to protein antigens of M. tuberculosis in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted manner. Antibody depletion experiments showed that antituberculosis protective responses in the lung were not diminished by removal of CD8(+), T-cell receptor gammadelta (TCR-gammadelta(+)) and NK1.1(+) T cells from vaccinated CD4(-/-) mice before challenge, implying that the observed recall and immune effector functions resulting from vaccination of CD4(-/-) mice with mc(2)6030 were attributable to a population of CD4(-) CD8(-) (double-negative) TCR-alphabeta(+), TCR-gammadelta(-), NK1.1(-) T cells. Transfer of highly enriched double-negative TCR-alphabeta(+) T cells from mc(2)6030-immunized CD4(-/-) mice into naive CD4(-/-) mice resulted in significant protection against an aerosol tuberculosis challenge. Enriched pulmonary double-negative T cells transcribed significantly more interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 mRNA than double-negative T cells from naive mice after a tuberculous challenge. These results confirmed previous findings on the potential for a subset of MHC class II-restricted T cells to develop and function without expression of CD4 and suggest novel vaccination strategies to assist in the control of tuberculosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected humans who have chronic depletion of their CD4(+) T cells.
Heat hardening as a function of developmental stage in larval and juvenile Bufo americanus and Xenopus laevis

Abstract 1. We studied heat hardening in tadpoles and juveniles of the temperate Bufo americanus and the subtropical Xenopus laevis by comparing the critical thermal maxima (CTMax) of heat-pretreated animals with the CTMax of control (non-pretreated) animals of the same developmental stages. 2. While premetamorphic tadpoles (Gosner stages 26–43) of both species exhibited heat hardening, metamorphosing B. americanus tadpoles (stages 44–45) were unable to heat harden and, in fact, exhibited a decrease in CTMax following pretreatment while metamorphosing X. laevis tadpoles still exhibited heat hardening. 3. This difference may reflect the more stressful nature of the more extensive metamorphosis of Bufo compared to that of Xenopus.
The Inheritance of Shank Color in Chickens

Abstract SEVERAL hypotheses have been advanced for the inheritance of shank color in chickens. According to a number of investigators, the following genes are concerned in shank color inheritance: (1) E, e, for extension and non-extension of melanic pigment to plumage; (2) I, i, for inhibition and non-inhibition of melanic pigment of plumage; (3) C, c, for color and lack of color; (4) B, b, sex-linked for barring and non-barring; (5) D, d, sex-linked for inhibition and non-inhibition of melanic pigment in the shanks. Dunn (1925) and Dunn and Jull (1927) concluded that light shank color was dominant to dark and was due to the action of the sex-linked D gene. Jull stated that it remained to be determined whether the D and d genes controlled dark and light shank colors in all cases. Warren (1928) reported that yellow shank (Y) was dominant to blue (y) and was sex-linked. Knox (1935) . . .
Personalized medicine - seeing is believing.

In biology, biochemical analysis and microscopy are becoming intertwined as never before. Likewise, developments in medicine have created a greater demand for an integrative approach across disciplines in order to benefit patients. Molecular imaging, both in drug discovery and preclinical sciences, and also in the clinical setting is, by definition, the amalgamation of two areas. Although biology should be an integrated discipline, it has traditionally been divided over a long period of time. One can use the biochemistry discipline, which involves the ‘grind and find’ approach: this involves breaking up the biological specimen in question, and subsequently performing chemical, biochemical or enzymatic analyses of the extract. While this approach does yield information on the molecular level, the spatial and anatomical information is mainly lost in the process. The classic biological technique, observation, was refined over centuries to become microscopy. In contrast to the grind and find approach, microscopy analysis requires that great care is taken with the sample in order to preserve its integrity. This enables the observation of effects within a more or less intact spatial environment, and consequently provides insight into the connected processes: ‘seeing is believing’. Although in recent years the individual techniques have been refined, they remained largely separate, particularly in clinical applications, as seen with in vitro diagnostics (IVDs), including microarray analysis on the one hand, and the large imaging modalities on the other, which mostly remain anatomical despite the many advances described later. Hence, the promise of molecular imaging is achieved by bringing together these two different disciplines, for spatial resolution at the molecular level.
American Society of Hypertension regional chapters: leveraging the impact of the clinical hypertension specialist in the local community

Hypertension control has remained at 24% to 27% for the past decade, despite revision of national treatment guidelines, expansion of therapeutic options, and evidence from clinical trials that higher control rates are attainable. Uncontrolled hypertension contributes to the enormous health and economic burden from cardiovascular and renal disease. The risk for hypertension-related complications is increasing in the United States as comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and congestive heart failure rise in a population that is becoming progressively older, more obese, and more ethnically diverse. Given regional variations in demographic characteristics and disease burdens, implementing evidence-based guidelines will be more effective if tailored appropriately to the local community. The Clinical Hypertension Specialist program is a positive response to an impending health care crisis. The impact of the Hypertension Specialist on blood pressure control can be leveraged by extending the academic mission of education, patient care, and health services research to the local community. The American Society of Hypertension regional chapter can serve as a forum for Clinical Hypertension Specialists from academic medicine and the community to define mutual goals, develop an action plan which is responsive to community needs, and monitor progress. With support from the chapter, Clinical Hypertension Specialists in the community can have an impact on the practice of medicine locally by contributing to the education of primary care providers, receiving referrals of patients with complicated hypertension, monitoring progress in meeting evidence-based goals, providing feedback to peers, and participating in multicenter trials.
Voltage-Tuning of the Structure of a Lipid Monolayer

The membrane potential can alter the local membrane structure as a result of the response of a charged or zwitterionic lipid to the local electric field. We have investigated the variation of lipid packing in response to interfacial electric potential differences across the monolayer that vary from −0.12 V to +0.28 V. Controlled variation of the potential difference was imposed on an SOPC (1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) monolayer at 1,2-dichloroethane/water interfaces by the use of a 4-electrode liquid/liquid electrochemical cell. X-ray reflectivity and interfacial tension measurements reveal that the lipid layer is essentially unchanged until the potential reaches 0.18 V, at which point the lipid layer thickens decreases and the area per lipid increases. These data are qualitatively consistent with the expected variation of the lipid layer due to the torque on the headgroup dipole moment. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm the angular variation of the headgroup with electric potential difference. Electron density profiles determined by the simulations show the same trends as the x-ray reflectivity data.
Recent growth in China's roundwood import and its global implications

Abstract In recent years, China's booming economy has resulted in a rapid growth of its roundwood consumption. China has become the largest roundwood importer worldwide, with annual spending on imports over $10 billion and the share in total world exports up to 38%. In this study, a Rotterdam demand system is employed to assess China's roundwood import demand by supplying source and product type between 1995 and 2012. Major findings are that the average expenditure share of China between 1995 and 2012 is 36% for coniferous roundwood, 17% for tropical roundwood, and 38% for other nonconiferous roundwood. China's imports have become diversified with more roundwood suppliers, including Russia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Gabon, and the United States. The estimates of expenditure and own-price elasticities for coniferous roundwood are small for most supplying sources. There is little competition within the coniferous roundwood group, but substitute or complementary relations exist across the four product groups by source. These findings are helpful for policymakers, industrial firms, and environmental groups to evaluate the impact of China's strong roundwood demand on economic development and environmental protection on a global scale.
Exploiting the GOOSE protocol: A practical attack on cyber-infrastructure

Security issues for the power industry have become increasingly relevant during the past decade as the industry has relied more and more on communication protocols. The Generic Object Oriented Substation Events (GOOSE) protocol is defined in IEC 61850 for the purpose of distributing event data across entire substation networks. In this paper we demonstrate a practical attack by exploiting weaknesses in GOOSE. We also show that this attack can have devastating consequences on the reliability of the grid and is capable of creating a widespread interruption in power generation and distribution.
Suppression of cholesterol biosynthesis by constituents of Barley Kernel

Hepatic beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (7 alpha-hyd), and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) activities and cholesterol levels were determined in chicks fed isonitrogenous corn- and high-protein barley flour (HPBF) based diets. HMG-CoA reductase (-27%), 7 alpha-hyd (-30%), and serum cholesterol (-13%) were reduced, whereas FAS increased (28%) in comparison to a corn-based (control) diet. fractions obtained by serial extractions of HPBF with solvents of increasing polarity were fed at levels equivalent to 20% HPBF in a corn-based diet to female White Leghorn (WHL) chickens for 3 weeks. A petroleum ether-soluble fraction of HPBF produced 3 effects: an increase in body weight (18%), a strong suppression of HMG-CoA reductase (-36%) and FAS (-40%) accompanied by decreases in serum triglyceride (-9%) and cholesterol levels (-23%). The methanol-soluble fraction produced a significant suppression of HMG-CoA reductase (-49%) and serum cholesterol level (-29%), and an increase in FAS activity (95%). These effects were duplicated in 7-week-old broiler chickens which also showed a significant decrease in chol-LDL (low density lipoprotein) levels by these fractions. The factor(s) lowering serum cholesterol concentration was about equally divided between the polar and nonpolar fractions, and each was significantly more effective than the 20% HPBF in the corn-based diet. The observed effects on lipogenesis and cholesterogenesis might be attributed to a number of chemical constituents of HPBF, but cannot be attributed to the water-insoluble plant fibers.
The evolution of power device technology

Power semiconductor devices and their associated technology have come a long way from their beginnings with the invention of the bipolar transistor in the late 1940's. Presently, the spectrum of what are referred to as "power devices" span a very wide range of devices and technology from the massive 4 in, 3000-A thyristor to the high-voltage integrated circuit and the power MOSFET, a device of VLSI complexity containing up to 150 000 separate transistors. In this paper, the past, present, and future of power devices will be reviewed. The first section will be a historical perspective indicating the key events and developments of the past that brought the power devices of today to their present state. The second section of the paper will review the technology and characteristics of bipolar power devices with separate subsections on thyristors, the gate turnoff thyristor (GTO), and the bipolar transistor. Within the thyristor subsection there will be discussions of the phase control thyristor, the inverter thyristor, the asymmetric thyristor (ASCR) the reverse conducting thyristor (RCT), the gate-assisted turn-off thyristor (GATT), and finally the light-triggered thyristor (LTT). The third section of the paper is devoted to the new field of integrated power devices and will review the evolution to the present power MOS devices including the power MOSFET, the insulated gate transistor (IGT), and the high voltage IC (HVIC). The last section of the paper reviews the future of power devices with projections as to future ratings of power devices for both the traditional bipolar devices, such as the thyristor, GTO, and bipolar transistor, as well as the integrated devices such as the MOSFET and the IGT. In case of the former, in particular the thyristor, the maximum device ratings will be tied to the availability of large area float zone material, currently difficult to obtain in the high resistivities needed for power devices. In the case of integrated devices, the maximum ratings will be limited by the maximum die area for which acceptable device yields can be obtained. This is identical to the situation for conventional IC's since much of the unit processing is the same.
QCD based space-time description of high-energy nuclear collisions

Abstract The current understanding of the early stage of heavy ion collisions at collider energies on the basis of the improved parton model and kinetic theory is presented. The space-time evolution of these reactions is investigated in terms of t the dissipative dynamics of (semi)hard quark and gluon interactions within perturbative QCD. The partons' phase-space distributions are evolved in real time according to a transport equation through multiple collisions, emission and absorption processes. The resulting parton cascade picture is applied to study the issues of thermalization, chemical equilibration, and particle production in AA collisions at RHIC and LHC.
Agent-based testbed simulator for power grid modeling and control

As control systems become more complex, increased levels of testing and validation can lead to improvements in their robustness and reliability. In this paper, the authors describe a testing and validation system in which control and plant algorithms are executed on real-time targets in a multi-agent platform, then mapped to a distributed simulation platform. This simulation platform combines state-of-the-art control automation, simulation and artificial intelligence technology into an integrated testbed simulation platform, allowing different aspects of new generation power grid management and control to be tested and measured. Preliminary results from this testing have provided important advances toward an understanding of information management in highly dynamic distributed power systems.
Regulation of Munc-18/Syntaxin 1A Interaction by Cyclin-dependent Kinase 5 in Nerve Endings

The Munc-18-syntaxin 1A complex has been postulated to act as a negative control on the regulated exocytotic process because its formation blocks the interaction of syntaxin with vesicle SNARE proteins. However, the formation of this complex is simultaneously essential for the final stages of secretion as evidenced by the necessity of Munc-18's homologues in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sec1p), Drosophila (ROP), and Caenorhabditis elegans (Unc-18) for proper secretion in these organisms. As such, any event that regulates the interaction of these two proteins is important for the control of secretion. One candidate for such regulation is cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), a member of the Cdc2 family of cell division cycle kinases that has recently been copurified with Munc-18 from rat brain. The present study shows that Cdk5 bound to its neural specific activator p35 not only binds to Munc-18 but utilizes it as a substrate for phosphorylation. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that Munc-18 that has been phosphorylated by Cdk5 has a significantly reduced affinity for syntaxin 1A. Finally, it is shown that Cdk5 can also bind to syntaxin 1A and that a complex of Cdk5, p35, Munc-18, and syntaxin 1A can be fashioned in the absence of ATP and promptly disassembled upon the addition of ATP. These results suggest a model in which p35-activated Cdk5 becomes localized to the Munc-18-syntaxin 1A complex by its affinity for both proteins so that it may phosphorylate Munc-18 and thus permit the positive interaction of syntaxin 1A with upstream protein effectors of the secretory mechanism.
Racial Preferences in Dating: Evidence from a Speed Dating Experiment

We examine racial preferences in dating using data that allow for the direct observation of decisions of randomly paired individuals in a Speed Dating experiment. Females exhibit stronger racial preferences than males. Furthermore, we observe stronger same race preferences for blacks and Asians than for Hispanics and whites. Accounting for self-reported shared interests considerably reduces the observed effect of racial preferences.
Euripides' Protesilaos Bei Aristeides Und in Den Aristeidesscholien

Es ist eine bekannte Tatsache, dass aus den wenigen direkten Zitaten aus dem verlorenen Protesilaos des Euripides (bei Nauck FTG2, 563 ff.) f?r die Handlung und Problematik der Trag?die fast nichts geschlossen werden kann. Daher st?tzt sich der gross angelegte Rekonstruktionsversuch, den Maximilian Mayer im Herrn. 20 (1885), 101-143 vorgenommen hat, mit Recht auf Quellen und Zeugnisse ganz anderer Art. Von diesen soll hier nur eines behandelt werden, weil Mayer, S. 104 den Zustand, in dem die Quelle f?r dieses Zeugnis, das Aristeidesscholion III 671, 30-672, 3 Dindorf auf uns gekommen ist, nicht genauer gepr?ft hat, obwohl bereits die wenigen Angaben Dindorfs ?ber Abweichungen in den von ihm oder vielmehr Reiske benutzten Handschriften zu der Frage zwingen, wie das Scholion zu beurteilen und ob nur eine einzige Textgestaltung m?glich ist. Auch aus G. Liebergs Buch Puella Divina (Amsterdam 1962), 212 f. muss man den Eindruck gewinnen, dass nichts problematisch ist. Leider liegen in Wirklichkeit die Dinge komplizierter und stellen den Herausgeber der Aristeidesscholien vor schwierige Entscheidungen. Lieberg gibt das Scholion in ?bersetzung folgendermassen wieder: ,,Euripides hat ein Drama mit dem Titel ,,Protesilaos" geschrieben. Nach Euripides (von mir gesperrt) wurde Protesilaos nach seiner Heirat und nachdem er nur einen Tag mit seiner Frau zusammengewesen war, gezwungen, mit den Griechen nach Troja zu fahren, wo er, als erster trojanischen Boden ber?hrend, sein Ende fand. Ferner sagt der Dichter (von mir gesperrt), Protesilaos sei auf seine Bitte hin von den Unterweltsg?ttern f?r einen Tag entlassen worden und so mit seiner Frau zusammengekommen". Das klingt alles sehr einfach, konsequent und plausibel, aber
Theory of the Thermal Conductivity of Superconducting Alloys with Paramagnetic Impurities

The electronic thermal conductivity (${K}_{s}$) of a weakly coupled, isotropic superconductor doped with a small concentration of paramagnetic impurities is computed. The theory of such superconducting alloys has been given by Abrikosov and Gor'kov, and is based on the assumption that the static magnetic impurities are randomly distributed and that their spins are uncorrelated. Starting from a Kubo formula, ${K}_{s}$ is calculated by considering the electron-impurity interaction in the ladder approximation. A considerable simplification of the final expression for ${K}_{s}$ obtains if the exchange scattering time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{S}$ is much larger than the total scattering time. Numerical calculations have been made of the ratio of the thermal conductivity in the superconducting and normal states as a function of the reduced temperature ($\frac{T}{{T}_{c}}\ensuremath{\equiv}t$) for different impurity concentrations. Abrikosov and Gor'kov have shown that the energy gap function ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}(T)$ is quite different from the Gor'kov order parameter $\ensuremath{\Delta}(T)$ in such alloys. It is found, however, that $\frac{{K}_{s}}{{K}_{n}}$ is less than unity even in the "gapless" region ($\ensuremath{\Delta}{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{S}l1$). Moreover $\frac{{K}_{s}}{{K}_{n}}$ as a function of $t$ decreases with the paramagnetic-impurity concentration for $t\ensuremath{\gtrsim}0.8$ and low concentrations. Some aspects of the Abrikosov-Gor'kov model are reviewed in an Appendix. The numerical values of $\ensuremath{\Delta}$, ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$, and the density of states that were used in the evaluation of $\frac{{K}_{s}}{{K}_{n}}$ are given separately.
Otitis media associated polymorphisms in the hemin receptor HemR of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) colonize the human pharynx asymptomatically, and are also an important cause of otitis media (OM). Previous studies have demonstrated that some genes are more prevalent in OM-causing NTHi strains than in commensal strains, suggesting a role in virulence. These studies, however, are unable to investigate the possible associations between gene polymorphisms and disease. This study examined amino acid polymorphisms and sequence diversity in a potential virulence gene, the hemin receptor hemR, from a previously characterized NTHi strain collection containing both commensal and OM organisms to identify possible associations between the polymorphisms and otitis media. The full open reading frame of hemR was sequenced from a total of 146 NTHi isolates, yielding a total of 47 unique HemR amino acid sequences. The predicted structure of HemR showed substantial similarity to a class of monomeric TonB dependent, ligand-gated channels involved in iron acquisition in other gram negative bacteria. Fifteen amino acid polymorphisms were significantly more prevalent at the 90% confidence level among commensal compared to OM isolates. Upon controlling for the confounding effect of population structure, over half of the polymorphism-otitis media relationships lost statistical significance, emphasizing the importance of assessing the effect of population structure in association studies. The seven polymorphisms that retained significance were dispersed throughout the protein in various functional and structural domains, including the signal peptide, N-terminal plug domain, and intra- and extracellular loops. The alternate amino acid of only one of these seven polymorphisms was more common among OM isolates, demonstrating a strong trend toward the consensus sequence among disease causing NTHi. We hypothesize that variability at these positions in HemR may result in a reduced ability to acquire iron, rendering NTHi with such versions of the gene less fit for survival in the middle ear environment.
NUA Activities at the Plant Nuclear Pore

NUA (Nuclear Pore Anchor), the Arabidopsis homolog of Tpr (Translocated Promoter Region), is one of the few nuclear pore proteins conserved between animals, yeast and plants. In the May issue of The Plant Cell, we report that null mutants of NUA show a pleiotropic, early flowering phenotype accompanied by changes in SUMO and RNA homeostasis. We have shown that the early flowering phenotype is caused by changed abundances of flowering time regulators involved in several pathways. Arabidopsis nua mutants phenocopy mutants lacking the ESD4 (Early in Short Days 4) SUMO protease, similar to mutants of their respective yeast homologs. However, in contrast to the comparable yeast mutants, ESD4 does not appear to be delocalized from the nuclear pore in nua mutants. Taken together, our experimental data suggests a role for NUA in controlling mRNA export from the nucleus as well as SUMO protease activity at the nuclear pore, comparable but not identical to its homologs in other eukaryotes. Furthermore, characteriza...
Reconstructions from Scattering Data: Analysis and Improvements of the Inverse Born Approximation

The inverse Born approximation is used to reconstruct refractive index profiles from simulated scattering data. Conditions for the validity of the procedure are examined and graphical results for a range of scattering parameters are presented. An iterative procedure which extends the range of applicability of the inverse Born approximation is developed. Improved reconstructions are presented.
Master techniques in orthopaedic surgery: The wrist

Abstract Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related surgery, Vol 19, No 4 (April), 2003: pp 446–450
Psychotherapy Integration: Using a Diversity-Sensitive Developmental Model in the Initial Interview

The diversity-sensitive developmental model of psychotherapy integrates developmental theory, the empathic relationship-story and strengths-goals-restory-action model of the interview session, and the microskills hierarchy to better serve diverse clients. The model’s procedures for interviewing diverse clients, assessing clients’ communication style, and initiating psychotherapy in a culturally sensitive setting are introduced. The specific stages of the interview model and tips are provided to aid in its application in the initial interview. Sample questions and applicable microskills to help clients rooted in specific cognitive emotional styles and improve the interviewing process at each stage are presented. These are complemented with a review of methods to eliminate developmental blocks and suggestions to integrate sensitivity to cultural differences into the clinical setting, the initial interview, and the psychotherapeutic process. The application of this model is illustrated with a case study of an initial session with a Trinidadian–American female client.
Intensive voice treatment in parkinson disease: Laryngostroboscopic findings

As part of ongoing research to investigate and document the efficacy of intensive voice therapy to improve functional communication in patients with idiopathic Parkinson disease, 45 patients were enrolled in a controlled, randomized, prospective study. Pre- to posttreatment comparisons are presented here on 22 of those patients who underwent laryngeal imaging examination. Of the 22 patients, 13 patients received intensive therapy aimed at increasing vocal and respiratory effort (VR), whereas nine received intensive therapy aimed at increasing respiratory effort (R) only. All patients had a pretreatment evaluation that included two (but sometimes only one) voice recordings and an otolaryngologic examination with laryngostroboscopy. At the completion of 4 weeks of therapy (16 sessions), two voice recordings were made, and laryngostroboscopy was again performed. The pre- and posttherapy videolaryngostroboscopy tapes were then randomized and rated by four judges. Raters' findings were then compared with vocal intensity measured before and after therapy. The VR therapy group showed improvements on laryngostroboscopic variables: less glottal incompetence and no significant change in supraglottal hyperfunction after therapy. No differences were observed in the R-only group. The mean intensity increase in the VR therapy group was 12.5 dB, compared with a decrease of 1.9 dB in the R-only group. These findings suggest that in patients with Parkinson disease, intensive therapy focusing on phonatory effort improves adduction of the vocal folds as assessed by laryngostroboscopy. Differences in laryngeal function in these patients observed with fiberoptic laryngoscopy and rigid telescopic laryngoscopy are discussed.
Exploration of the Role of the IκB Pest Sequence in Stripping NFκB from DNA

Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) transcription factors are responsible for the regulation of more than 150 target genes, their expression is induced by many classes of stimuli, and NFκBs play essential roles in the healthy regulation of cellular development and proliferation in inflammatory and immune responses. Diseases such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and AIDS can be attributed to the wayward regulation of NFκB. The transcriptional activity of NFκB is commanded by its inhibitor—IκB. Two major isoforms of the inhibitor—IκBα and IκBβ—are structurally similar (i.e., crystal structures of the two exhibit a six ankyrin repeat domain followed by a largely unstructured, C-terminal PEST sequence), yet their inhibitory activities markedly differ. It has been shown that IκBα can actively “strip” NFκB from DNA in vitro, but IκBβ cannot. We are investivating a panel of “PEST swap” mutants to probe the role of the PEST sequence in the regulation of NFκB. In addition, the role of individual residues within the IκBα PEST sequence in the “stripping” phenomenon is being analyzed.
Direct analysis of the products of sequential cleavages of peptides and proteins affinity-bound to immobilized metal ion beads by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

Consecutive enzymatic reactions on analytes affinity-bound to immobilized metal ion beads with subsequent direct analysis of the products by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry have been used for detecting protein synthesis errors occuring at the N-terminus. The usefulness of this method was demonstrated by analyzing two commercially available recombinant HIV proteins with affinity tags at the N-terminus, and histatin-5, a peptide with multiple histidine residues. The high specificity, sensitivity, and speed of analysis make this method especially useful in obtaining N-terminal sequencing information of histidine-tagged recombinant proteins.
Design and Simulation of an Energy-Saving Hydraulic Oil Production System

The study on an advanced equipment of a new pumping unit is presented to satisfy the mining technology demands of large load, long stroke and low pumping speed during petroleum exploitation process. The method of using a full hydraulic system drive rather than the traditional way is adopted to overcome the disadvantages in a traditional oil production equipment such as complex mechanical structure, large volume,many transmissions, low efficiency and high manufacturing cost. In addition, the hydraulic circuit which is made up of an accumulator, a hydraulic motor and two hydraulic pumps is used to realize power recovery for energy saving. The mechanical mathematical model and the hydraulic one of a novel hydraulic oil production mechanism were established and analyzed. Good results are eventually obtained. This equipment has been the national patent.
Sexual dimorphism and direct and maternal genetic effects on body weight in mice.

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for three-, six- and eight-week body weight and for weight gain between three and six weeks of age were estimated from data collected over 14 generations in a randombred control population. Genetic parameters were also estimated for sexual dimorphism in body weight and gain. Heritability estimates were substantial for body weight at all ages and for body weight gain. Additive maternal variances were also large. Estimates of the covariance between direct and maternal genetic effects were negative and substantial for three- and six-week weights and gain. Also the covariance between maternal effects on weaning weight and direct genetic effects on six- and eight-week weights were negative. These results indicate a consistent antagonism between maternal and direct genetic effects in this population.
The card game set

This column is a place for those bits of contagious mathematics that travel from person to person in the community, because they are so elegant, suprising, or appealing that one has an urge to pass them on. Contributions are most welcome.
Brdička currents observed with bovine serum albumin in tris and borate buffers

Summary Experimental evidence has been presented which showed that the magnitude and the shape of i-E curves of Brdicka currents vary with the kind of buffer used. With Co(III)(NH3)63+ as catalyst in tris or borate buffers the Brdicka currents resemble, but are smaller than those in ammonia buffers. Co(II) forms weak complexes with tris as well as borate, the Brdicka current being small, attaining a peak value and then decreasing, under certain conditions, to zero when the current becomes equal to the diffusion current of Co(II). Calcium and alkali salts in tris and borate buffers with Co(III)(NH3)63+ have a similar effect on Brdicka currents as in ammonia buffers. Also the kinetics at different albumin concentrations and Co(III)(NH3)63+ as catalyst are of the same nature as in ammonia buffers. Cobalt(III) added as a complex with tris instead of as Co(NH3)63+ has the same catalytic effect as Co(II).
Interferon-based adjuvant chemoradiation therapy improves survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Background: Based on a 2-year survival of 43%, the Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group (GITSG) recommended adjuvant 5-FU-based chemoradiation for resected patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. Here we report improved survival over the GITSG protocol with a novel adjuvant chemoradiotherapy based on interferon-α (IFNα). Methods: From July 1993 to September 1998, 33 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and subsequently went on to adjuvant therapy (GITSG-type, n=16) or IFNα-based (n = 17) typically given between 6 and 8 weeks after surgery. The latter protocol consisted of external-beam irradiation at a dose of 4,500 to 5,400 cGy (25 fractions per 5 weeks) and simultaneous three-drug chemotherapy consisting of (1) continuous infusion 5-FU (200 mg/m2 per day); (2) weekly intravenous bolus cisplatin (30 mg/m2 per day); and (3) IFNα (3 million units subcutaneously every other day) during the 5 weeks of radiation. This was then followed by two 6-week courses of continuous infusion 5-FU (200 mg/m2 per day, given weeks 9 to 14 and 17 to 22). Risk factors for recurrence and survival were compared for the two groups. Results: A more advanced tumor stage was observed in the IFNα-treated patients (positive nodes and American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] stage III=76%) than the GITSG group (positive nodes and stage III=44%, P = 0.052). The 2-year overall survival was superior in the IFNα cohort (84%) versus the GITSG group (54%). With a mean follow-up of 26 months in both cohorts, actuarial survival curves significantly favored the IFNα group ( P = 0.04). Conclusions: With a limited number of patients, this phase II type trial suggests better survival in the interferon group as compared with the GITSG group even though the interferon group was associated with a more extensive tumor stage. The 2-year survival rate in the interferon group is the best published to date for resected pancreatic cancer. The interferon/cisplatin/5-FU-based adjuvant chemoradiation protocol appears to be a promising treatment for patients who have undergone PD for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head.
Partial discharge measurements for a twisted pair of insulated conductors at low pressures in air, argon and helium

Partial discharge (PD) measurements in air, argon and helium, under pressures from 101.3 kPa (760 Torr) down to 0.27 kPa (2 Torr), have been performed for both 60 Hz AC and DC energization. The electrode arrangement is a twisted pair of insulated conductors taken from a standard aircraft wiring harness. The paper describes the physical PD test setup, the electrical connections for AC energization, and specifies the twisted pair arrangement of the insulated conductors. The results are presented in terms of PD current pulse waveforms and their analysis reflecting the effects of pressure and voltage.
Labor’s New Empire

Within communication studies today, the term labor is being employed more often and with more variety than at any time in the discipline’s history. What role did the Empire phenomenon play in this recent promotion of labor into such a fungible and expansive category? Contemporary theories and analyses of communication are largely dispensing with traditional oppositions like production and consumption, labor and leisure, or everyday life and any of the above. The influence of Hardt and Negri has left us less inclined to describe new forms of leisure and consumption in contrast to labor and more likely to find in them new modalities of labor.
Terahertz free space communications demonstration with quantum cascade laser and quantum well photodetector

An all photonic terahertz communication link operating at 3.8 THz using a quantum cascade laser and quantum well photodetector has been demonstrated. The link consists of a quantum cascade laser transmitter and a quantum well photodetector receiver. The link was used to transmit audio through 2 m of room air. Carrier strength at the photodetector was 100 times greater than the noise level measured.
Generation of long wavelength heterogeneity in the mantle by the dynamic interaction between plates and convection

Lateral variations in seismic velocity (through its dependence on temperature) can easily be generated at the gravest harmonics, including degrees one and two, by the dynamic interaction between plates and convection. Models of thermal convection with a single non-subducting plate have been formulated in a cylindrical geometry. Plates of width one to four times times the thickness of the convecting region strongly modulate the flow by being pushed over cold downwellings and inhibiting cooling of the fluid beneath. During rapid motion off of hot regions, a large-scale pattern of shear is developed causing small uprising limbs to be swept into the largest upwellings. Both insulation and plume-plume collisions pump energy into the lower wavenumber harmonics.
Systematic design of multiple-symbol detection scheme for systems with

In this paper, we present a systematic method for multiple symbol detection of differentially encoded MPSK signals of a wireless system with two transmit antennas and multiple receivers. Compared to the existing pair-symbol detection method [7] and four-symbol detection symbol detection method [9], respectively, the proposed method keeps such advantagesas providing full spatial diversity, no requirement on channel state information at the receiver, and achieving coding gain due to multiple symbol detection. Moreover this systematic method can be naturally extended to systems with multiple-transmitter (beyond two) and multiple-receiver.
Aperture coupling to increase the bandwidth of thin cavity antennas

The authors present a theoretical analysis of a stacked antenna system consisting of a driven resonator coupled to a second resonator via an aperture in a common wall. The antennas are thin, rectangular, cavity-backed slot resonators. These resonators consist of five conducting walls, leaving the sixth open to allow radiation. The final structure consists of two identical cavities, one stacked above the other, with the radiating edges on opposing sides. The lower resonator is driven by a probe and coupled to the second resonator through an aperture in a common wall. The cavity model theory developed by W.F. Richards, Y.T. Lo, and D.D. Harrison (IEEE Trans. Antennas Propagat., AP-21, no.1, p.38-46, Jan. 1981) was used to predict the input impedance of this stacked antenna. Preliminary results show good qualitative agreement between theoretical and measured data. The theoretical input impedance clearly shows the effect of coupling between the resonators. In addition, the impedance correctly predicts the effect of changing the dimensions of the coupling aperture. >
The Half-Life of Empire in Outer Space

This paper addresses an intersection between postcolonial studies and science studies, examining the greater colonial context of space exploration. In response to Chakrabarty’s call to ‘provincialize Europe’, I ask what it might mean to ‘provincialize’ outer space, considering locality relative to extra-planetary distance, and the asymmetries of history next to the symmetrical methodology advocated by Latour. By way of a brief reading of fictional texts that played an important role in the technical imagination leading up to spaceflight, I sketch the colonizing impulse that underwrote space exploration through and beyond the age of empire. I then turn to the French/European launch site at Kourou, French Guiana, where a sparsely populated former colony became a preferred launching ground for communication satellites into equatorial orbits. Here the representation of outer space as a final frontier crosses the remains of older colonial projects, uneasily confronting the landscape of their human legacy. In o...
Comparison of outcome of asymptomatic to symptomatic patients older than 20 years of age with valvular aortic stenosis

A 2-part prospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with hemodynamically confirmed asymptomatic valvular aortic stenosis (AS). During phase 1, linear regression analysis showed continuous wave Doppler to be highly accurate in predicting catheterization measured peak systolic aortic valve pressure gradients in 101 consecutive patients aged 36 to 83 years (mean 65 +/- 8) with symptomatic AS. During phase 2, 90 additional patients (51 asymptomatic and 39 symptomatic) with Doppler-derived peak systolic aortic valve gradients greater than or equal to 50 mm Hg (range 50 to 132 [mean 68 +/- 19]) were followed for 1 to 45 months. Both groups of patients in phase 2 had similar Doppler gradients and clinical and auscultatory evidence of moderate to severe AS at baseline. Asymptomatic patients were younger (p = 0.01), had higher ejection fractions (p = 0.001) and were less likely to have an electrocardiographic strain pattern (p = 0.01) and left atrial enlargement (p = 0.02). End-diastolic wall thickness, left ventricular cross-sectional myocardial area and estimated left ventricular mass were 18% (p = 0.0001), 20% (p = 0.0008), and 29% (p = 0.002) greater in symptomatic patients. During 17 +/- 9 months of follow-up, 21 asymptomatic patients (41%) became symptomatic. Dyspnea was the most common initial complaint, occurring 2.5 and 4.8 times more often than angina and syncope, respectively. Compared with the 39 symptomatic patients, the 51 asymptomatic patients had a lower cumulative life table incidence of death from any cause (p = 0.002), and from cardiac causes (p = 0.0001) including sudden death (p = 0.013).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A combinatorial decomposition of acyclic simplicial complexes

Stanley, R.P., A combinatorial decomposition of acyclic simplicial complexes, Discrete Mathematics 120 (1993) 175-182.
Planning the breast boost: comparison of three techniques and evolution of tumor bed during treatment.

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of two clinical techniques for electron boost planning compared with computed tomography (CT)-based planning. Additionally, we evaluated the tumor bed characteristics at whole breast planning and boost planning. Methods and Materials: A total of 30 women underwent tumor bed boost planning within 2 weeks of completing whole breast radiotherapy using three planning techniques: scar-based planning, palpation/clinical-based planning, and CT-based planning. The plans were analyzed for dosimetric coverage of the CT-delineated tumor bed. The cavity visualization score was used to define the CT-delineated tumor bed as well or poorly defined. Results: Scar-based planning resulted in inferior tumor bed coverage compared with CT-based planning, with the minimal dose received by 90% of the target volume >90% in 53% and a geographic miss in 53%. The results of palpation/clinical-based planning were significantly better: 87% and 10% for the minimal dose received by 90% of the target volume >90% and geographic miss, respectively. Of the 30 tumor beds, 16 were poorly defined by the cavity visualization score. Of these 16, 8 were well demarcated by the surgical clips. The evaluation of the 22 well-defined tumor beds revealed similar results. A comparison of the tumor bed volume from the initial planning CT scan to the boost planning CT scan revealed a decrease in size in 77% of cases. The mean decrease in volume was 52%. Conclusion: The results of our study have shown that CT-based planning allows for optimal tumor bed coverage comparedwithclinicalandscar-basedapproaches.However,inthesettingofapoorlyvisualizedcavityonCTwithout surgical clips, palpation/clinical-based planning can help delineate the appropriate target volumes and is superior to scar-based planning. CT simulation at boost planning could allow for a reduction in the boost volumes. 2009 Elsevier Inc. Breast cancer, Radiotherapy, Electron boost.
Calibration of a probabilistic cohesive zone model for generating a fracture nomograph

In the recent years, Cohesive Zone Models (CZMs) have gained increasing popularity for modelling the fracture process [1] and also in other applications like composite de-lamination [2] solder failures [3] in circuits, etc. This can be attributed to the ability of the CZM to adapt to the nonlinearities in the process it represents by adjusting the model parameters. These parameters that are selected to represent the material behaviour in the vicinity of the crack or a damage zone are non-deterministic in nature resulting in random fracture strength estimates. Currently, there are no standardized tests for measuring the CZM parameters and their random scatter. Numerous researchers in the literature suggest values for the CZM parameters based on their experience from limited test data. Traditionally, fracture toughness is determined through coupon tests for any material system that is being analysed using Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics to determine the fracture strength of a specimen. Since data for fracture toughness are available, this research is aimed at determining the probability density functions (PDFs) for the cohesive zone parameters that would give the same scatter in fracture strength as that obtained from the test statistics. Correlations between the model parameters were introduced to improve the accuracy of the fracture strength PDF. A finite width cracked plate was selected as a test case to demonstrate the process. This paper also presents evidence that material scatter can be isolated from the geometric effects to determine a normalized PDF of fracture strength for a given material. This normalized PDF can then be scaled, using mean fracture strength, to any crack configuration to develop a nomograph that can be used to rapidly assess risk without the need for a probabilistic fracture analysis.
Detection of optical and infrared radiation with DC-biased electron-tunneling metal-barrier-metal diodes

The voltage obtained from metal-barrier-metal (MBM) diodes by phase-sensitive detection when illuminated with optical and near-infrared radiation, modulated at 880 Hz, has been studied as a function of an applied dc bias. The detected voltage is a nonlinear function of the bias voltage for high junction impedances, and linear for low junction impedances. The nonlinearity in the junction has been shown to be consistent with electron tunneling theory.