cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epstein–Barr Virus

There are more than one hundred viruses in the herpesvirus family, which is divided into three subfamilies, alpha, beta, and gamma, based on the genome structure and biological behavior of the viruses. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is one of the eight herpesviruses currently known to infect humans and is a member of the gammaherpesvirus subfamily, genus lymphocrytovirus. Like all herpesviruses it can establish latent infections and persist for the lifetime of the host. In some individuals it behaves more as a commensal than a pathogen, while in others it can cause significant and even life-threatening disease. EBV is the cause of or contributing factor to the development of a number of HIV-associated cancers, including nearly all cases of central nervous system lymphoma and plasmablastic lymphoma, as well as a high percentage of other non-Hodgkin lymphomas and Hodgkin lymphomas.
Acetylcholine-Somatostatin Interactions: Potential Implications for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

The ongoing surge in the elderly population, with associated financial, social and emotional costs, has increased the urgency to find treatment for diseases that afflict this segment of the population. Of major concern is the devastating condition of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), which will affect nearly half of the population over 85 years old (Evans et al., 1989), and accounts for a tremendous proportion of caretaking and nursing home costs. The affective aspects of AD, involving loss of mental capacity with the fear and stress it engenders in victims and their families, adds an intense emotional component to the need to understand and treat this disease.
Good Catholics Should Be Rawlsian Liberals

This article defends John Rawls' Political Liberalism against charges that it is too secular and not sufficiently inclusive of religious opinions and commitments. Rawls's position, and the criticisms of it, is reminiscent of the complaints made about John Courtney Murray's writings in the 1940s and 1950s. Murray was the American Jesuit whose arguments justified American Catholic support of the First Amendment. I first examine Rawls's account of religion and identify the features of Rawlsian religion that appear objectionable to adherents of religion. I then examine Murray's thought and note the similarities between Rawls's and Murray's attempts to resolve the problem of pluralism. There are continuities, e.g., between Murray's "natural law" theory and Rawls's account of "public reason." In addition, both Murray and Rawls recognize the independence of law and politics from certain religious arguments. After examining the dissatisfaction among some Catholic writers with Murray's public philosophy framework, I conclude that politics and law are better served by the autonomy of law and politics from religion that Rawls and Murray propose.
Hospitality Ethics: Responses from Human Resource Directors and Students to Seven Ethical Scenarios

This study examines the responses of human resource directors and hospitality students to seven different ethical scenarios. Both groups were asked to rate these situations on their ethicality using a Likert-type scale. The directors and students decided that an act of theft was the most unethical, followed by sexual harassment, and an attempt to obtain proprietary information from another company. Expressing racial preferences in terms of servers was fourth. Directors rated all the scenarios ethically lower than did students, indicating that experience and heightened sensitivity to possible litigious situations may have played a role in perceptual differences.
MIKI: A Case Study of an Intelligent Kiosk and Its Usability

MIKI is a three-dimensional directory assistance-type digital persona displayed on a prominently-positioned 50 inch plasma unit housed at the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis. MIKI, which stands for Memphis Intelligent Kiosk Initiative, guides students, faculty and visitors through the Institute’s maze of classrooms, labs, lecture halls and offices through graphically-rich, multidimensional, interactive, touch and voice sensitive digital content. MIKI differs from other intelligent kiosk systems by its advanced natural language understanding capabilities that provide it with the ability to answer informal verbal queries without the need for rigorous phraseology. This chapter first describes, in general, the design and implementation of the Intelligent Kiosk. We then describe a usability study conducted to evaluate the functionality of the system. While the usability testing exemplified good interface design in a number of areas, the complexity of multiple modalities—including animated graphics, speech technology and an avatar greeter—complicated usability testing, leaving developers seeking improved instruments. In particular, factors such as gender and technical background of the user seemed to change the way that various kiosk tasks were perceived, deficiencies were observed in speech interaction as well as the location information in a 3D animated map.
Motor cortex and the distributed anatomy of finger movements.

Voluntary movements are thought to be controlled via a well-ordered, spatially discrete, somatotopic map in the primary motor cortex (MI). We examined this hypothesis in monkeys trained to perform visually-cued, individuated flexion and extension movements of each digit and of the wrist. Single neurone recordings in M1 during such finger movements revealed two unexpected features. First, single MI neurones often discharge during instructed movements of multiple digits. Second, neurones active during any particular instructed movement are distributed widely throughout the same M1 territory as neurones active during any other movement. Reversible, partial inactivation of the Ml hand representation produced by injection of 5-10.tg muscimol at one site impaired the monkeys’ ability to perform finger movements, but no relationship was evident between the particular finger movements that were affected and the mediolateral location of the injection site along the central sulcus. Thus each finger movement is represented by activity distributed widely in the Ml upper extremity representation. If not controlled from spatially segregated M1 regions, movements of different fingers might be controlled by groups of spatially scattered but physiologically similar neurones. Cluster analysis of M1 neurones demonstrated a large group that discharged during most finger movements, and a small group that paused during most movements. Distinct functional groups of M1 neurones that might control particular finger movements were identified inconsistently. We therefore hypothesize that M1 neurones are a very diverse network controlling finger movements.
Serial Haemodynamic Change In Children With Acute Empyema

Empyema thoracis continues to remain a serious complication of Pneumonia in children. A number ofstudies are available on demographics, etiology and treatment of empyema but no useful information isavailable on hemodynamic changes occurring in response to acute empyema. Therefore we aimed to evaluatethe serial haemodynamic changes in children with acute empyema and their correlation with severity andout come of the disease.Serial haemodynamic changes were studied prospectively in 25 children with acute empyema before andafter the placement of chest tube and subsequently on day 1, 2, 3 and 10 of hospitalization. Twenty-five ageand sex matched children served as their controls.Their age ranged from 8 months to 12 years (mean 4.2 years). Severity of empyema was graded as mild,moderate and severe in 11, 6 and 8 children respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonestorganism isolated in 11 children. At admission all the children were febrile (mean temp 39.4C) hadtachycardia (mean HR136/mt) and tachypnea (mean RR 62/mt).While CVP was high (10.2? 4cm H2O), thesystolic (102 ? 4mmHg) and mean arterial pressure(77? 3mmHg) was at lower side as compared to theircontrols.The mean changes observed after the chest tube placement were HR- 6/mt; RR - 4.44/ mt; SBP+5mmHg; DBP +2.04mmHg; MAP +3mmHg and CVP-3.1cm H2o (p <.001). Children with severe diseasehad significantly higher CVP (15 ? 3.3cmH2o), low SBP (99 ? 3mmHg) and low serum Sodium (128? 5mEq/L) and Osmolality (278 ? 9 mOsm/L) compared to those with mild or moderate disease. (p<.05 foreach factor).Seven children had features suggestive of syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion. All thischildren belonged to severe category.It was concluded that hemodynamic compromise is a common occurrence in children with empyema. HighCVP, low SBP, low serum Na+ and Osmolality correlate best with the severity of the disease.Key Words: Empyema, Hemodynamics, Children.
Screening mammography use in older women according to health status: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Author(s): Demb, Joshua; Akinyemiju, Tomi; Allen, Isabel; Onega, Tracy; Hiatt, Robert A; Braithwaite, Dejana | Abstract: BackgroundThe extent to which screening mammography (SM) recommendations in older women incorporate life expectancy factors is not well established.ObjectiveThe objective of this review was to evaluate evidence on SM utilization in older women by life expectancy factors.Data sourcesWe searched Medline, Embase and Web of Science from January 1991 to March 2016.Study selectionWe included studies examining SM utilization in women ages ≥65 years that measured life expectancy using comorbidity, functional limitations or health or prognostic status.Data extraction and synthesisORs and 95% CIs were extracted and grouped by life expectancy category. Findings were aggregated into pooled ORs and 95% CIs and meta-analyzed by life expectancy category.Main outcomes and measuresThe primary outcome was SM utilization within the last 5 years. Life expectancy factors included number of comorbidities, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, self-reported health status and 5-year prognostic indices.ResultsOf 2,606 potential titles, we identified 25 meeting the inclusion criteria (comorbidity: eight studies, functional status: 11 studies and health/prognostic status: 13 studies). Women with higher CCI scores had decreased SM utilization (pooled OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67-0.85), but increased absolute number of comorbidities were weakly associated with increased SM utilization (pooled OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.00-1.36). Women with more functional limitations had lower SM use odds than women with no limitations (pooled OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.62-0.83). Screening utilization odds were lower among women with poor vs excellent health (pooled OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.96).ConclusionGreater CCI score, functional limitations and lower perceived health were associated with decreased SM use, whereas higher absolute number of comorbidities was associated with increased SM use. SM guidelines should consider these factors to improve assessments of potential benefits and harms in older women.
Fish as an Experimental Model for Studying Muscle Function

Publisher Summary Fish is considered as a significant model in elucidating how muscular systems are designed. The reason is threefold. First, fish undergoes a wide range of motor movements from swimming to producing sound at 200 Hz, and these can be easily elicited and quantitatively analyzed. Second, these motor movements are powered by different muscle fiber types permitting exploration of the function of different fiber types. And most importantly, one can experimentally determine: (1) which fiber types are powering a particular activity; (2) what length change and stimulation pattern they undergo; and (3) the mechanical properties of the different fiber types. Comparison of the muscle properties and their usage shows that each component of the muscular system appears to be well adjusted to its in vivo function. Because increased muscle speed results in increased energetic cost, a basic tenet in the design of muscular systems is that muscle speed is set to be sufficiently fast to perform a given activity, but not faster than necessary, as this would entail a large waste of energy. The chapter concludes that fish, because of the anatomical separation of their muscles and the extraordinary range of movements their muscle power, have provided the experimental model by which scientific community can obtain much information about the muscle design. Also, their preeminence in elucidating principles of muscle design will continue in the future.
Treatment of Recurrent Dislocation after Total Hip Arthroplasty Using Advanced Imaging and Three-Dimensional Modeling Techniques: A Case Series:

BackgroundSurgical treatment options for addressing recurrent dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) vary. Identifying impingement mechanisms in an unstable THA may be beneficial in determi...
Discontinuities in the Value of Relational Capital: The Effects on Employee Entrepreneurship and Mobility

We examine how a discontinuous increase in the value of an employee’s relational capital influences the employee’s mobility and entrepreneurship decisions in professional and business service conte...
Dust Abrasion Damage on Martian Solar Arrays: Experimental Investigation and Opportunity Rover Performance Analysis

Here we investigate the effects of erosion and weathering that occur on epitaxial lift off triple-junction cover-glass interconnected cells (CICs) after exposure to Mars dust storm conditions. To replicate the dust impingement, test coupons were sandblasted with Mars dust simulant. We show the J-V response dependency on both incident angle and exposure times. We employ data-driven modeling to determine a performance degradation rate that is consistent with zero within uncertainty. We quantify the soiling contribution and power degradation of the cells on Mars through analysis of 4.95 Martian years of report-out power conditions from the Opportunity rover. We calculate via autocorrelation function that the settling rate of atmospheric dust suspended due to a weather event is approximately 21 Sols from dust suspension. The findings presented here deliver a realistic approximation for the insolation values and subsequent PV power expected over time on the Martian surface thus informing future dust abatement systems.
Advances in Sonothrombolysis Techniques Using Piezoelectric Transducers

One of the great advancements in the applications of piezoelectric materials is the application for therapeutic medical ultrasound for sonothrombolysis. Sonothrombolysis is a promising ultrasound based technique to treat blood clots compared to conventional thrombolytic treatments or mechanical thrombectomy. Recent clinical trials using transcranial Doppler ultrasound, microbubble mediated sonothrombolysis, and catheter directed sonothrombolysis have shown promise. However, these conventional sonothrombolysis techniques still pose clinical safety limitations, preventing their application for standard of care. Recent advances in sonothrombolysis techniques including targeted and drug loaded microbubbles, phase change nanodroplets, high intensity focused ultrasound, histotripsy, and improved intravascular transducers, address some of the limitations of conventional sonothrombolysis treatments. Here, we review the strengths and limitations of these latest pre-clincial advancements for sonothrombolysis and their potential to improve clinical blood clot treatments.
Cutting Back Stock Plants Promotes Adventitious Rooting of Stems of Quercus bicolor and Quercus macrocarpa

Abstract Studies were conducted to investigate the severity of cutting back stock plants on adventitious rooting of layered stems and stem cuttings of Quercus bicolor Willd. (swamp white oak) and Q...
Dacron swab and PBS are acceptable alternatives to flocked swab and viral transport media for SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract Nasopharyngeal flocked swabs placed in viral transport media (VTM) are the preferred collection methodology for respiratory virus testing. Due to the rapid depletion of available reagents and swabs, we have validated an alternative swab placed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for use in respiratory virus testing in a SARS-CoV-2 real-time polymerase chain reaction assay and a multiplexed respiratory virus panel. We collected nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs and oropharyngeal (OP) swabs from 10 healthy volunteers. Flocked swabs were placed in VTM and alternative swabs in PBS. In this feasibility study, we show that NP collection is better for detection of human material than OP collection, as measured by significantly lower RNase P gene cycle threshold values, and that a Dacron polyester swab in PBS shows equivalent detection of SARS-CoV-2 and RSV to a flocked swab in VTM in contrived specimens. Diluted SARS-CoV-2–positive patient specimens are detectable for up to 72 h at 4 °C.
Numerical simulation of pillars and electromagnetic mode coupling for nanoparticle sensors

Sensors based on the response of the photonic crystal in imprint polymers (hydrogels) have recently attracted considerable attention for visual medical diagnostics, pharmaceutical bioassays, environmental monitoring, and nanoparticle detection. These applications often use the variation of the wavelength as a function of the diameter of the air sphere (inverse opal hydrogels) according to the Bragg equation at a fixed incident angle. However, these promising materials mixed with fluorescent nanocrystals for the detection of targeted nanoparticles have never been explored so far with the finite differential time-domain (FDTD) method, electric field intensity map, and radiated power profile at far-field. In this paper, we have combined silicon nanopillars, nanoparticles, imprint polymers, and nanocrystal fluorescence. The sensitivity of the sensor we simulate depends on the nanocrystal fluorescence variation when the imprint polymer swells (polymer thickness variation). We have shown numerically that the electric field intensity at far-field is at a maximum in the pillar’s symmetrical axis when the dipole (representing the nanocrystal) polarization is perpendicular to the pillar. Also, we have shown that radiated power is increasing and monotone when the thickness of the imprint polymer evolves between 498 and 912 nm. The purpose of this numerical simulation is to develop a nanoparticle sensor with high sensitivity, high selectivity, and an efficient detection device.
Non-Euclidean Geometries

One of the new frontiers in geometry opened up by calculus was the study of curvature. The concept of curvature is particularly interesting for surfaces, because it can be defined intrinsically. The intrinsic curvature, or Gaussian curvature as it is known, is unaltered by bending the surface, so it can be defined without reference to the surrounding space.
Firearms can be safely used following shoulder arthroplasty

Abstract Introduction Many patients with shoulder arthroplasty enjoy hobbies that require the use of firearms; however, there is a paucity of literature regarding firearm use after arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients can safely engage in shooting sports and/or hunting after shoulder replacement. Methods Retrospective review identified 473 patients with anatomic or reverse shoulder arthroplasty with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Patients were contacted to complete a survey to assess their participation in hunting and/or shooting sports: Type of firearm (shoulder-mounted or handgun), frequency of firearm use, purposes for which firearms were used (recreation, competition, hunting), pain level, limitations during firearm use, and shooting-related complications with the shoulder replacement. Medical records were reviewed to correlate any reported complications due to firearm use. Results Of the 473 patients identified, 245 (52%) completed the firearm survey; 61 (25%) resumed firearm use after surgery, 42 using shoulder-mounted firearms (27 on the operative extremity) and 53 using handguns. Recreational shooting (69%) and hunting (54%) were the primary reasons for firearm use. Eleven patients reported shooting over 500 rounds per year after surgery, with no increased limitations or pain with greater frequency of firearm use. Fifty-two patients reported no or mild pain when shooting, and 49 patients reported no limitations in their ability to shoot. There were no complications related to firearm use reported by patients or in the medical record. Conclusion Patients can safely engage in the use of a variety of firearms after shoulder arthroplasty without pain or limitations or shooting-related arthroplasty complications. Level of evidence Level IV; Case Series
Dynamic Analysis by Matrix Decomposition

A method is presented for extracting eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a system using a combination of matrix iteration and matrix decomposition. In addition to the classical procedure for extracting eigenvalues in ascending or descending order of their magnitude, it is shown that eigenvalues can be extracted in a specified region of interest. A new technique for the simultaneous extracting of two or three close eigenvalues which may frequently occur in the neighborhood of a new origin of eigenvalues to which the computations shifted is presented.
Phenotypic Mixing of Envelope Proteins of the Parainfluenza Virus SV5 and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus

Cells mixedly infected with parainfluenza virus SV5 and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) yield phenotypically mixed virions, in addition to both parental types. Two types of phenotypically mixed virions have been identified: 0.6 to 1.2% of the VSV plaque formers were neutralized by SV5 antiserum, but not by VSV antiserum, suggesting the presence of a VSV genome in an SV5 envelope; 9 to 45% of the VSV plaque formers were neutralized by both antisera, indicating the presence of both SV5 and VSV antigens in their envelopes. The presence of SV5 antigen in virions with the typical bullet-shaped appearance of VSV was confirmed with ferritin-labeled anti-SV5 antibody. In contrast to standard VSV, phenotypically mixed virions adsorbed to and eluted from chicken erythrocytes, indicating that these virions contained in their envelopes SV5 hemagglutinin, and possibly neuraminidase. Thus, the VSV nucleocapsid can interact with membranes which contain SV5 proteins in the manner which leads to virus maturation, and the production of a high yield of phenotypically mixed virions with the morphology of VSV indicates that this process can function efficiently. No evidence of genetic recombination between the two viruses was found. These results raise the possibility of an evolutionary relatedness between the paramyxoviruses and the rhabdoviruses.
New Federalism Jurisprudence and National Tort Reform

Tort law in America has long been in the middle of a philosophical tug of war between exponents of federalization and protectors of unique state interests. On one hand, ever since the days of Swift v. Tyson, proponents of uniformity and protection of commercial interests have advocated the federalization of tort law. Numerous bills that recently have been passed to federalize important aspects of tort law reflect the arguments of these proponents. On the other hand, there is a rich history in this country, with its roots in the Tenth Amendment and epitomized in the last century by Erie Railroad v. Tompkins, that seeks to protect the rights of states to govern in matters of local concern. This Article examines the competing considerations that will govern the constitutionality of modern day tort reform proposals. Part II discusses the Swift-Erie debate that raised many of the same issues as today's debate over national tort reform. Part III provides a general overview of our system of federalism and the Supreme Court's renewed solicitude for state sovereignty. Part IV explores the values of maintaining a federal and state system. Part V examines these values in the context of tort law. Part VI discusses the foundations of tort law as an area traditionally regulated by the states, along with the paradigms underlying the philosophic understandings of tort law. Finally, Part VII applies the paradigms to federal tort law, developing a sliding scale model for use in analyzing the constitutionally of federal tort reform legislation.
Repetitive Nonsuicidal Self-Injury as Experiential Avoidance Among a Community Sample of Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between experiential avoidance, functionally equivalent behaviors, and repetitive nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI/RNSSI) among adolescents. METHOD: Self-report questionnaires from adolescents (N = 211) from 3 school-based samples were employed to assess three forms of experiential avoidance (thought suppression, alexithymia, and avoidance/cognitive fusion), various aspects of self-mutilating behaviors, and the existence of functionally equivalent behaviors (disordered eating, substance abuse, suicidal ideation/behaviors). RESULTS: Results indicated one third of participants reported a history of NSSI and 16% reported engaging in RNSSI in the past 6 months. Female adolescents were twice as likely as males to report a history of RNSSI. Unwanted inner experiences, thought suppression, and alexithymia differentiated adolescents with a history of NSSI from their counterparts. Functionally equivalent behaviors occurred more frequently among those with a history of NSSI and increased in severity as NSSI increased, particularly suicidal ideation and behaviors. However, results for patterns of avoidance were not as consistent for males as females, which questions the broad application of this model. CONCLUSIONS: NSSI continues to be surprisingly common among adolescents in the community. NSSI, particularly repetitive forms, appears to be strongly related to common forms of experiential avoidance, moreso for female adolescents. Results also illustrate the importance of conceptualizing and treating self-injury as a form of experiential avoidance. Language: en
Goddesses and Gods in Rancière and Heidegger

ABSTRACTThis article investigates Ranciere’s understanding of the Heideggerean conception of art. It argues that Ranciere is mistaken in categorizing Heidegger’s philosophy of art within the ethical regime of images, and further that his work corresponds with the central tenets of, and thus should be categorized within, the aesthetic regime of art. This is because art is understood as art, for Heidegger, when it instigates strife between world—the network of associations which constitute the horizons of a given population’s perceptual, conceptual and motor possibilities—and earth—the necessarily resistant to explicit conscious acts and signification. Insofar as it is constituted by this dual relation, art puts forth a dialogically open space in which it paradoxically reinforces the boundaries of seeing, thinking and doing, yet remains heterogeneous to these modes, thereby preventing art from being reducible to the everyday. This paradoxical role, this articulation and reconfiguration that establishes a un...
Induced chromosome deletions cause hypersociability and other features of Williams–Beuren syndrome in mice

The neurodevelopmental disorder Williams-Beuren syndrome is caused by spontaneous approximately 1.5 Mb deletions comprising 25 genes on human chromosome 7q11.23. To functionally dissect the deletion and identify dosage-sensitive genes, we created two half-deletions of the conserved syntenic region on mouse chromosome 5G2. Proximal deletion (PD) mice lack Gtf2i to Limk1, distal deletion (DD) mice lack Limk1 to Fkbp6, and the double heterozygotes (D/P) model the complete human deletion. Gene transcript levels in brain are generally consistent with gene dosage. Increased sociability and acoustic startle response are associated with PD, and cognitive defects with DD. Both PD and D/P males are growth-retarded, while skulls are shortened and brains are smaller in DD and D/P. Lateral ventricle (LV) volumes are reduced, and neuronal cell density in the somatosensory cortex is increased, in PD and D/P. Motor skills are most impaired in D/P. Together, these partial deletion mice replicate crucial aspects of the human disorder and serve to identify genes and gene networks contributing to the neural substrates of complex behaviours and behavioural disorders.
Precautions in using a perforator free flap to treat mandibuloacral dysplasia—a case report

Mandibuloacral dysplasia (MAD) is a rare form of inherited lipodystrophy. The type B pattern is characterized by a generalized absence of subcutaneous tissues. There is also a deficiency of perivascular adiposity that makes the dissection not only of perforators and their source vessels difficult, but the recipient site vasculature as well. Perforator flaps in the MAD patient by definition will never be bulky, and instead a challenge in every respect as the perforators are extremely diminutive and therefore fragile. However, if a large, thin flap with a long pedicle of reasonable caliber is indicated, the attributes of a perforator flap may still be indicated as demonstrated in this case report for a recalcitrant heel pressure sore that had failed the usual conservative medical treatment. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:311–313, 2014.
Secretion, Localization, and Antibacterial Activity of TasA, a Bacillus subtilis Spore-Associated Protein

The synthesis and subcellular localization of the proteins that comprise the Bacillus subtilis spore are under a variety of complex controls. To better understand these controls, we have identified and characterized a 31-kDa sporulation protein, called TasA, which is secreted into the culture medium early in sporulation and is also incorporated into the spore. TasA synthesis begins approximately 30 min after the onset of sporulation and requires the sporulation transcription factor genes spo0H and spo0A. The first 81 nucleotides of tasA encode a 27-amino-acid sequence that resembles a signal peptide and which is missing from TasA isolated from a sporulating cell lysate. In B. subtilis cells unable to synthesize the signal peptidase SipW, TasA is not secreted, nor is it incorporated into spores. Cells unable to produce SipW produce a 34-kDa form of TasA, consistent with a failure to remove the N-terminal 27 amino acids. In cells engineered to express sipW and tasA during exponential growth, TasA migrates as a 31-kDa species and is secreted into the culture medium. These results indicate that SipW plays a crucial role in the export of TasA out of the cell and its incorporation into spores. Although TasA is dispensable for sporulation under laboratory conditions, we find that TasA has a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. We discuss the possibility that during the beginning of sporulation as well as later, during germination, TasA inhibits other organisms in the environment, thus conferring a competitive advantage to the spore.
Physico-chemical characteristics at three development stages in pomegranate cv. 'Hicaznar'.

During the last decade consumption of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has been highly recommended, based on the presence of phytochemicals with health protective effects for humans. Apart from these compounds, pomegranate might apport high levels of minerals, however, they are likely to be affected by cultivar, environment and development stage of fruits. In this study, some physico-chemical characteristics along with minerals (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) were determined in fruits in three development stage (immature, unripe and full ripe) of pomegranate cv. 'Hicazna' grown in Antalya, Turkey. The most of physico-chemical characteristics and concentrations of minerals of pomegranate strongly influenced by development stage. Fruit weight was 7.25 g, 140.57 g and 423.16 g in immature, unripe and full ripe stages. 100 aril weight changed from 0.34 g to 33.21 g during development stage. Soluble solid content were 6.16%, 10.38% and 15.84% in immature, unripe and full ripe stages. The contribution to the intake of minerals was in general high, with special emphasis on the contributions of K, Ca and Mn.
Self-developing polysilane deep-uv resists - photochemistry, photophysics, and submicron lithography

A new class of alkyl silane copolymers with relatively facile self-developing behavior under deep UV exposure has been examined. These materials can reproduce 0.8 μ features by projection lithography with a KrF excimer light source. The mechanism of material removal is primarily photochemical in nature and yields chemically inert volatile siloxanes as the major photoproducts, via a high quantum yield silylene expulsion/oxidation process.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning at Motels, Hotels, and Resorts

Background Each year, more than 200 people in the United States die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Poisoning has occurred at motels, hotels, and resorts. Congressional mandate requires smoke alarms in all guest rooms; however, smoke alarms do not detect CO. Methods Data on patients poisoned at hotels, motels, and resorts were evaluated at a hyperbaric medicine service. In 2005, legal databases and online news databanks were searched to discover additional incidents. Only victims evaluated in hospitals or declared dead at the scene were included. Cases of intentional poisoning and poisoning from fires were excluded. Results Between 1989 and 2004, 68 incidents of CO poisoning occurring at hotels, motels, and resorts were identified, resulting in 772 accidentally poisoned: 711 guests, 41 employees or owners, and 20 rescue personnel. Of those poisoned, 27 died, 66 had confirmed sequelae, and 6 had sequelae resulting in a jury verdict. Lodging-operated, faulty room heating caused 45 incidents, pool/spa boilers 16, CO entrained from outdoors 5, and unreported sources caused 2 incidents. Public verdicts have averaged $4.8 million per incident (range, $1 million to $17.5 million). Poisoning occurred at hotels of all classes. Despite these incidents, most properties did not install CO alarms, and requirements for CO alarms at hotels, motels, and resorts are rare. Conclusions Guests of motels, hotels, and resorts remain at risk for injury or death from CO poisoning. Measures to prevent CO poisoning of guests and employees of the lodging industry should be evaluated.
Interactive effects of episodic hypoxia and cannibalism on juvenile blue crab mortality

We hypothesized that as the spatial extent of hypoxic bottom water increased, (1) adult blue crab predator densities would increase in shallow habitats as they avoided hypoxia, and that (2) juvenile blue crabs, which use shallow unvegetated habitat as a predation refuge from adult conspecifics, would experience increased mortality rates during crowding by cannibalistic adult blue crabs. These hypotheses were tested along a depth gradient of sandy-mud shoreline in the Neuse River Estuary (NRE), North Carolina, USA using a combination of (1) hydrographic measurements to characterize the spatial extent of hypoxia, (2) beach seines to quantify the density of adult blue crab predators in relatively shallow water as a function of 1, and (3) tethering experiments to quantify relative rates of predation on juvenile blue crabs as a function of 1 and 2. During our seven tethering experiments, the NRE study site experienced a range of DO scenarios including normoxia, chronic hypoxia, and hypoxic upwelling. No known predators of juvenile blue crabs, other than adult conspecifics, were collected in any of our shallow-water seines. During the transition from normoxia to chronic hypoxia, blue crab predator densities in shallow refuge habitats increased 4-fold, and relative mortality rates of juvenile blue crabs in shallow habitats increased exponentially with the density of adult conspecifics. Conversely, during hypoxic upwelling events, the density of adult blue crabs in shallow water declined, which may explain why the relative mortality of juvenile crabs did not increase significantly with the increasing spatial extent of hypoxia. Thus, juvenile blue crabs may be relatively safe from adult conspecifics during hypoxic upwelling events, but not during chronic hypoxia. These experimental results highlight the need to consider the effects of dynamic water quality on mobile consumers emigrating from degraded habitats when considering indirect trophic impacts beyond the immediate area of impact.
Phospholipid monolayers at the hydrocarbon-electrolyte interface. The interrelation of film potential and film pressure.

Abstract Measurements of surface pressure and of surface potential are reported for films of distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (density range: 0.15–2.65 · 1018 molecules/m2) spread at the interface between 2,2,4-trimethylpentane and 100 mM NaCl. Low density behavior of the surface pressure is explained using classical virial theory. The behavior of the surface potential is qualitatively explained for all densities in terms of the dipole moments associated with the carboxyl groups and headgroups of the phosphatidylcholine.
Longitudinal goal patterns and their effects on students' motivation in running programs

In this study the authors examined longitudinal achievement goal patterns and their effects on students’ motivation and performance from the 5th to 6th grade in physical education running programs. In their 5th and 6th grade, 412 participants completed questionnaires assessing their task and ego orientations, expectancy beliefs, task values, and intentions for future participation in running. They also completed a timed 1-mile run. Results revealed low task/low ego, low task/high ego, high task/low ego, and high task/high ego remained stable as goal patterns across the 5th and 6th grade. The majority of students moved to more motivationally adaptive goal patterns over time.
Indications of rituximab in autoimmune diseases.

B cell targeted therapies are becoming widespread for the treatment of multiple autoimmune diseases including conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis and Type ! diabetes typically considered as T cell mediated. This interest stems from the convergence of tremendous progress in understanding the multiple effector and regulatory roles played by B cells in regulating autoimmunity as well as in the promising results reported for B cell depletion in an ever expanding number of autoimmune diseases. This review will review current knowledge of Rituximab-induced B cell depletion in diseases where this therapy is either well established or represents a promising therapeutic avenue with potential to uncover important disease mechanisms.
Criticality of Engine Exhaust Simulations on VSTOL Model-Measured Ground Effects

Abstract : This experimental investigation demonstrated the criticality of performing accurate full-scale engine exhaust simulations during model-measured VSTOL ground effects testing. The effects of varying the nozzle exit turbulence, total pressure distributions, and nozzle pressure ratio on the net and component ground-induced forces for two-, three-, and four-nozzle configurations with large blocking surfaces (as well as a smaller, cruciform two-nozzle blocking surface more characteristic of a real aircraft planform) were studied.
Phase Separation Dynamics for a Polymer Blend Compatibilized by Protein-like Copolymers: A Monte Carlo Simulation

We use Monte Carlo simulation based on the bond fluctuation model to investigate how adding ≈4.92% protein-like copolymer (PLC) to an immiscible binary polymer blend affects the dynamics of phase separation. PLCs slow down effectively the process of phase separation in binary blends by migrating to the biphasic interface between the immiscible homopolymers, thereby reducing the interfacial tension. The ability of PLCs to retard effectively the process of phase separation depends sensitively on the interaction energy between the PLCs and homopolymers and the PLC chain length. PLCs compatibilize the binary blend more effectively with increasing attractive interaction between the PLC blocks and homopolymers. Nominal improvement in compatibilization of the binary blend is achieved with increasing PLC chain length. The growth of phase-separated domains follows a dynamical scaling law for both the binary blend and PLC compatibilized ternary blend in the late stages of phase separation. The universal scaling fun...
Proton conducting polymers containing 1H-1,2,3-triazole moieties

Polyacrylates containing a different number of 1H-1,2,3-triazole groups per repeat unit have been synthesized via conventional free radical polymerization. These polymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Proton conductivity measurements were made using impedance spectroscopy. Introduction of more than one triazole per repeat unit did not result in an increase in conductivity as there was an accompanying increase in glass transition temperature (Tg). A maximum conductivity of 17.5 μS/cm was obtained at 200 °C under anhydrous condition. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 188–196, 2009
Treatment of Clotted Hemothorax with Fibrinolysin

The lysis and aspiration of a clotted hemothorax by means of an effective enzymatic agent is highly desirable. Various enzymes have been used for this purpose but alt have certain disadvantages. Trypsin has an irritative effect of pleural pain on injection and often shows a toxic reaction due to the enzyme or breakdown of protein products.’ The inhibitor (antitrypsin) normally present in the serum or exudates rapidly increases in concentration after the use of trypsin.� This may require an increasing dosage of trypsin with successive treatments. Streptokinase-streptodornase acts primarily as an activator and depends on plasminogen in the wound exudates.� Occasional pyrogenic reactions are encountered with this enzyme.4 Inhibitors to streptokinase are also present in many patients who have had streptococcal infections.5 The proenzyme, profibrinolysin, circulates in human and animal plasma. Proenzyme becomes activated during life or after death of the organism. Some of the known activators are streptokinase, staphylokinase, cytofibrinolysokinase, epinehprine, chloroform and potassium cyanide. Dastre#{176} noted the proteolytic substance of blood serum and named this fibrinolysin. Loomis isolated the active proteinase in 1946.� Fibrinolysin is an euglobin, soluble in saline and when mixed with antibiotics loses little activity. Fibrinolysin attacks only fibrin, fibrinogen or
Inhibitory effect of normal mammalian sera on the rosette formation of human lymphocytes with sheep red blood cells.

Abstract Sensitization of human peripheral lymphocytes with sera from some animal species could prevent the rosette formation with normal sheep red blood cells. Further, sera which did not block rosette formation by themselves did so after the first complement components were added. The inhibitor present in one normal rabbit serum was characterized as IgG by immunochemical means. In contrast, the inhibitor which required the first complement components had IgM characteristics. The rabbit IgG reacted specifically with human T cell structures, since it was absorbed by T cell but not by B cells or human γ-globulins. The titer of these blocking antibodies was increased by immunizing the rabbit with autologous blood in CFA.
The Painting of Sadness? The Ends of Nihonga, Then and Now

Nihonga (literally “Japanese painting”) is a term that arose in 1880s Japan in order to distinguish existing forms of painting from newly popularized oil painting, and even today it is a category of artistic production apart from contemporary art at large. In this sense, nihonga is the oldest form of a broader worldwide category of “tradition-based contemporary art.” While nihonga was supposed to encompass any form of “traditional” painting, however, in practice it was held together by a recognizable style. When nihonga stopped fulfilling certain material or stylistic criteria, it ceased to be distinguishable from the rest of artistic production. This led to a conundrum in which nihonga, constituted in an age of Orientalism by Western and Japanese fears about the loss of a truly “Japanese” form of painting, has been obliged to reaffirm and reiterate what Kitazawa Noriaki has called its “sad history” of segregation in order to avoid extinction. By examining a series of paintings and written statements that...
Gas6-Axl pathway: The role of redox-dependent association of axl with nonmuscle myosin IIB

In vascular smooth muscle cells, Axl is a key receptor tyrosine kinase, because it is upregulated in injury, increases migration and neointima formation, and is activated by reactive oxygen species. Reaction of glutathione with cysteine residues (termed "glutathiolation") is an important posttranslational redox modification that may alter protein activity and protein-protein interactions. To investigate the mechanisms by which reactive oxygen species increase Axl-dependent vascular smooth muscle cell function we assayed for glutathiolated proteins that associated with Axl in a redox-dependent manner. We identified glutathiolated nonmuscle myosin heavy chain (MHC)-IIB as a novel Axl interacting protein. This interaction was specific in that other myosins did not interact with Axl. The endogenous ligand for Axl, Gas6, increased production of reactive oxygen species in vascular smooth muscle cells and also increased the association of Axl with MHC-IIB. Antioxidants ebselen and N-acetylcysteine decreased the association of Axl with MHC-IIB in response to both Gas6 and reactive oxygen species. Blocking the Axl-MHC-IIB interaction with the specific myosin II inhibitor blebbistatin decreased phosphorylation of Axl and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and Akt. Association of MHC-IIB with Axl was increased in balloon-injured rat carotid vessels. Finally, expression of MHC-IIB was upregulated in the neointima of the carotid artery after balloon injury similar to upregulation of Axl protein expression, as shown in our previous studies. These results demonstrate a novel interaction between Axl and MHC-IIB in response to reactive oxygen species. This interaction provides a direct link between Axl and molecular motors crucial for directed cell migration, which may mediate increased migration in vascular dysfunction.
Real options in equity partnerships

We examine factors influencing the decision to acquire additional equity in partner firms in research-intensive industries. This decision involves choosing between flexibility and commitment. Option theory motivates hypotheses regarding the effects of uncertainty, valuation of developing technologies, and the threat of preemptive rivalry. Our main hypothesis is that the resolution of uncertainty for high-value technologies motivates commitment decisions. We also argue that when the underlying growth option is at risk of preemption by rivals, greater uncertainty encourages commitment. An event history model tests these hypotheses using data from minority investments in the biotechnology industry. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.