cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interferon-induced Transmembrane Protein 3 Is a Type II Transmembrane Protein

The interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) proteins are a family of small membrane proteins that inhibit the cellular entry of several genera of viruses. These proteins had been predicted to adopt a two-pass, type III transmembrane topology with an intracellular loop, two transmembrane helices (TM1 and TM2), and extracellular N and C termini. Recent work, however, supports an intramembrane topology for the helices with cytosolic orientation of both termini. Here we determined the topology of murine Ifitm3. We found that the N terminus of Ifitm3 could be stained by antibodies at the cell surface but that this conformation was cell type-dependent and represented a minority of the total plasma membrane pool. In contrast, the C terminus was readily accessible to antibodies at the cell surface and extracellular C termini comprised most or all of those present at the plasma membrane. The addition of a C-terminal KDEL endoplasmic reticulum retention motif to Ifitm3 resulted in sequestration of Ifitm3 in the ER, demonstrating an ER-luminal orientation of the C terminus. C-terminal, but not N-terminal, epitope tags were also degraded within lysosomes, consistent with their luminal orientation. Furthermore, epitope-tagged Ifitm3 TM2 functioned as a signal anchor sequence when expressed in isolation. Collectively, our results demonstrate a type II transmembrane topology for Ifitm3 and will provide insight into its interaction with potential targets and cofactors.
The quickest transshipment problem

A dynamic network consists of a graph with capacities and transit times on its edges. The quickest transshipment problem is defined by a dynamic network with several sources and sinks; each source has a specified supply and each sink has a specified demand. The problem is to send exactly the right amount of flow out of each source and into each sink in the minimum overall time. Variations of the quickest transshipment problem have been studied extensively; the special case of the problem with a single sink is commonly used to model building evacuation. Similar dynamic network flow problems have numerous other applications; in some of these, the capacities are small integers and it is important to find integral flows. There are no polynomial-time algorithms known for most of these problems. In this paper we give the first polynomial-time algorithm for the quickest transshipment problem. Our algorithm provides an integral optimum flow. Previously, the quickest transshipment problem could only be solved efficiently in the special case of a single source and single sink.
Apoptosis by aloe-emodin is mediated through down-regulation of calpain-2 and ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A in human hepatoma Huh-7 cells

Natural flavonoids are associated with anti-proliferation of cancer growth. However, the antioxidant and anti-proliferation effects of AE (aloe-emodin) have not been well studied. We have investigated how AE affects the proliferation of hepatic hepatocellular carcinoma cells and exerts an anti-cancer effect. The cytotoxic effect of AE was demonstrated using an MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] assay and Huh-7 cells were inhibited by AE treatment in both dose- and time-dependent manners. The IC(50) level of AE was ∼75 μM. AE also has anti-proliferative effects via induction of DNA damage and apoptosis. 2-DE (two-dimensional electrophoresis) revealed that several proteins were related to the anti-cancer effects of AE. CAPN2 (calpain-2) and UBE3A (ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A), which are associated with the apoptosis signalling pathway, were verified by Western blotting. AE exhibited potent anti-proliferative effects on Huh-7 cells via down-regulation of CAPN2 and UBE3A. The findings support the possibility of AE being a chemopreventative agent.
The Effect of Satellite Rainfall Error Modeling on Soil Moisture Prediction Uncertainty

AbstractThis study assesses the impact of satellite rainfall error structure on soil moisture simulations with the NASA Catchment land surface model. Specifically, the study contrasts a complex satellite rainfall error model (SREM2D) with the standard rainfall error model used to generate ensembles of rainfall fields as part of the Land Data Assimilation System (LDAS) developed at the NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office. The study is conducted in the Oklahoma region, which offers good coverage by weather radars and in situ meteorological and soil moisture measurement stations. The authors used high-resolution (25 km, 3-hourly) satellite rainfall fields derived from the NOAA/Climate Prediction Center morphing (CMORPH) global satellite product and rain gauge–calibrated radar rainfall fields (considered as the reference rainfall). The LDAS simulations are evaluated in terms of rainfall and soil moisture error. Comparisons of rainfall ensembles generated by SREM2D and LDAS against reference rainfall ...
Immunological properties of membrane fractions from wild type and dnaA mutants of Escherichia coli.

Membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli wild type and an otherwise isogenic dnaA mutant were used to immunize rabbits. In addition, a membrane protein fraction, containing the material found deficient in dnaA mutants, was purified by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulfate, and used for immunization. The antisera produced were analyzed by immunoelectrophoresis and immunofluorescence microscopy. The antisera obtained by immunization with membrane vesicles from either wild type or dnaA mutant membrane preparations were qualitatively similar in the precipitin bands seen after immunoelectrophoresis. The antisera obtained by immunization with the purified protein fraction contained a subset of the antibodies seen when whole vesicles were used for immunization. In a semiquantitative precipitin assay, the antisera prepared against whole membrane vesicles or the isolated protein fraction both caused the precipitation of more protein from sodium dodecylsulfate-solubilized membranes of wild type than of dnaA mutants. No difference was seen by immunoelectrophoresis between the protein composition of wild type or dnaA membrane preparations. Thus, the dnaA mutant appears to differ from the wild type in the quantitative composition of its membrane proteins, whereas no qualitative differences were detected. Fluorescein-conjugated antiserum preparations were employed to assess the reactivity of intact cells, spheroplasts and membrane vesicles with the antisera studied above. Wild type cells of E. coli have a barrier to reaction with the antisera; this barrier is removed when the cells are converted to spheroplasts or to membrane vesicle. Similarly, a highly permeable mutant of E. coli permits reaction of the antisera with unaltered cells. Antisera to both whole membrane vesicles and to the isolated protein fraction react identically with the cellular and subcellular preparations. Thus, antisera prepared from membrane proteins isolated after sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis can still recognize some antigens present in membrane vesicle preparations.
Fortran implementation of object-oriented design in parallel beam dynamics simulations

In this paper, an object-oriented design for parallel beam transport simulations in accelerators is implemented using Fortran 90 (F90) with Message Passing Interface (MPI) and High Performance Fortran (HPF). This improves the maintainability, reusability, and extensibility of software, combined with the high performance of using MPI and the ease of parallel programming provided by HPF. The overhead associated with the object-oriented implementation has only a minor effect on performance.
Time of day of ovulation by three duck species in Subarctic Alaska

I examined variation in ovulation times of Northern Pintails (Anas acuta), American Wigeon (A. americana), and Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) breeding in subarctic Alaskan wetlands. Ovulation times and, by extension, egg-laying times were highly variable in all three species, with ovulations occurring during all hours of the day. Only Lesser Scaup demonstrated a morning peak in ovulations, within a broad range of ovulation times. Lack of a distinct time of day of ovulation suggests that fitness is not related to egg-laying time for these species, particularly at subarctic latitudes with nearly perpetual daylight. Egg-laying interval may have more adaptive significance than egg-laying time for these species. Ovulation intervals were estimated to be approximately 24 hr, which is short relative to the range of intervals documented in birds, despite high energetic and nutritional costs of egg formation in these species. Evidence of approximately 24-hr ovulation intervals, particularly in the absence of a distinct time of day for egg laying, supports hypotheses that a shortened period of egg production in waterfowl may have selective advantage due to reduction in the period of nest exposure to predation, earlier hatch dates, reduced hatch asynchrony, or improved viability of early-laid eggs.
CONSEQUENCES OF PLANT RESISTANCE FOR HERBIVORE SURVIVORSHIP, GROWTH, AND SELECTION ON EGG SIZE

Plants can vary substantially among species in morphological and physiological traits that influence their resistance to herbivores and their quality for herbivore growth and development. Seeds of the desert trees Cercidium floridum and C. microphyllum vary within and among populations in their resistance to, and suitability for, growth and development of larvae of the seed beetle, Stator limbatus. We examined how this variation influences the magnitude of natural selection on the size of eggs laid by beetles and tested whether female beetles can distinguish between seeds of more vs. less suitable trees (within species). We found that selection favoring large eggs differed substantially between the two tree species (greater on C. floridum) and varied substantially among populations of C. floridum and among trees (within populations) of both C. floridum and C. microphyllum. In general, the magnitude of selection favoring large eggs correlated positively with seed coat resistance between tree species, among populations within species, and among trees within populations. Female S. limbatus are capable of distinguishing seeds of the two host species and respond to species differences in selection by laying larger eggs on seeds of C. floridum than on seeds of C. microphyllum. However, despite large variation in seed suitability within populations of trees, females did not preferentially lay eggs on seeds of less resistant trees, nor did they adjust egg size in response to variation in resistance among trees.
A Family of Sixth-Order Compact Finite-Difference Schemes for the Three-Dimensional Poisson Equation

We derive a family of sixth-order compact finite-difference schemes for the three-dimensional Poisson's equation. As opposed to other research regarding higher-order compact difference schemes, our approach includes consideration of the discretization of the source function on a compact finite-difference stencil. The schemes derived approximate the solution to Poisson's equation on a compact stencil, and thus the schemes can be easily implemented and resulting linear systems are solved in a high-performance computing environment. The resulting discretization is a one-parameter family of finite-difference schemes which may be further optimized for accuracy and stability. Computational experiments are implemented which illustrate the theoretically demonstrated truncation errors.
Cyclic GMP-sensitive conductance of retinal rods consists of aqueous pores

The surface membrane of retinal rod and cone outer segments contains a cation-selective conductance which is activated by 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Reduction of this conductance by a light-induced decrease in the cytoplasmic concentration of cGMP appears to generate the electrical response to light, but little is known about the molecular nature of the conductance. The estimated unitary conductance is so small that ion transport might occur via either a carrier or a pore mechanism. Here we report recordings of cGMP-activated single-channel currents from excised rod outer segment patches bathed in solutions low in divalent cations. Two elementary conductances, of approximately 24 and 8 pS, were observed. These conductances are too large to be accounted for by carrier transport, indicating that the cGMP-activated conductance consists of aqueous pores. The dependence of the channel activation on the concentration of cGMP suggests that opening of the pore is triggered by cooperative binding of at least three cGMP molecules.
Where have all the traditional classroom settings gone?—The use of large scale, public sector projects to illustrate a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving

Abstract This work describes the evolution and potential of an elective course for students who have already been exposed to the standard techniques of problem solving as presented in traditional courses. Students apply these techniques to large scale problems in directed mullidisciplinary project teams. In doing so, they are provided with a unique learning experience allowing them to serve as a resource to the community. Course projects described here include the promotion of a railing retail district; the formulation, implementation and monitoring of litter reduction strategies; the economic evaluation of using inmate labor to clean public areas; and economic comparisons of recycling strategies for used tires.
P-616 - Income inequality, death, and depression: an ecological analysis of US states

Introduction Income inequality has been shown to be associated with mortality across US states, i.e. more unequal states have higher mortality. Recent survey results have also shown a significant variation on depression prevalence across the US state, and depression has been shown to increase morbidity and mortality. Objectives To measure the effects of income inequality on mortality taking in account depression prevalence. Aims To test whether the relation between income inequality and mortality found among US states is due to different rates of depression. Methods Data comes from the US Census Bureau (income inequality) and from the Center for Disease Control (mortality and depression prevalence). Simple and multiple linear regression models were estimated. Results Income inequality is positively associated with mortality across US states (p = .039). Depression prevalence was strongly associated with mortality across US states (p Conclusions Depression prevalence accounts for the inequality effect and is a powerful predictor of mortality variation across US states.
Investigating brachistochrone trajectories with a multistage real‐parameter genetic algorithm

Genetic algorithms and their hybrids are increasingly being applied to produce near‐optimal solutions to difficult optimization problems. Simple genetic algorithms encode a problem's parameters using concatentated, fixed‐length, unsigned‐integer bit‐strings, but the precision obtainable using this coding scheme is inherently limited. For this reason, genetic algorithms which employ real‐valued parameters are of interest. A new hybrid algorithm is described which improves obtainable precision by combining a simple genetic algorithm with a systematic reduction of the search region, real‐valued parameter encodings, and redefined genetic operators. The resulting multistage genetic algorithm is used to obtain approximate solutions to a pair of 20‐segment brachistochrone problems. The results obtained using this new algorithm are compared to those obtained using a multistage Monte Carlo method.
Controlled Evaluation of Copper-Silver Ionization in Eradicating Legionella pneumophila from a Hospital Water Distribution System

A controlled evaluation was made of the efficacy of copper-silver ionization in eradicating Legionella pneumophila from a hospital water supply. Copper-silver ionization units were installed on the hot water recirculation line of one building with water fixtures positive for Legionella species. Another building with the same water supply served as a control. Legionella species persisted within the system when copper and silver concentrations were 0.4 and > 0.04 ppm, respectively, there was a significant decrease in Legionella species colonization, but the percentage of water fixtures positive for organisms was unchanged in the control building. When the ionization unit was inactivated, water fixtures continued to be free of Legionella species for 2 additional months. Copper-silver ionization can eradicate L. pneumophila in a water distribution system. The advantages of copper-silver ionization include relatively low cost, straightforward installation, easy maintenance, nontoxic by-products and the presence of a disinfecting residual.
Handedness and the perception of part-whole relationship.

Summary The ability of right handed and left handed individuals to perceive part-whole relations was tested by having the subjects haptically examine an arc, and then visually select the size of complete circle from which that arc had come. Left handers were found to be significantly worse than right handers on this task. This disparity was found only on the part-whole matching, and did not extend to the matching, under identical conditions, of wholes to wholes, or parts to parts. Previous work in commissurotomy patients has shown arc-circle matching to be most efficiently carried out by the minor hemisphere, thus suggesting that in normal left handers, minor hemispheric functions are not as efficiently organized as they are in right handers.
The significance of fetal heart rate decelerations during nonstress testing

Over a 9-month time span, eight gravid women at high risk had fetal heart rate decelerations on nonstress tests (NSTs). This form of antepartum evaluation, the standard at our institution, was performed 918 times on 476 women during this period. Decelerations were required to be between 1 and 10 minutes in duration and 40 bpm below baseline, for inclusion. Of the eight women (1.7% of the total tested), four had reactive and four nonreactive NSTs. All eight had contraction stress tests (CSTs) that were negative by definition. Of four women allowed to labor, two (50%) required cesarean section for fetal distress. Two instances of fetal death (25%) occurred during observation periods of 36 and 48 hours. Two infants were growth retarded, and two had abnormal cord positions. NSTs showing decelerations of this type, regardless of reactivity or of follow-up CST, are abnormal and should be viewed with alarm. In term pregnancy, such fetuses should be delivered. In preterm pregnancy with nonreactive NSTs, decelerations may also be valid grounds for delivery. Some discrimination is possible in preterm pregnancies when the NST is reactive.
Calorimetric, spectroscopic, and model studies provide insight into the transport of Ti(IV) by human serum transferrin.

Evidence suggests that transferrin can bind Ti(IV) in an unhydrolyzed form (without bound hydroxide or oxide) or in a hydrolyzed form. Ti(IV) coordination by N,N‘-di(o-hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N‘-diacetic acid (HBED) at different pH values models the two forms of Ti(IV)-loaded transferrin spectrally and structurally. 13C NMR and stopped-flow kinetic experiments reveal that when the metal is delivered to the protein using an unhydrolyzed source, Ti(IV) can coordinate in the typical distorted octahedral environment with a bound synergistic anion. The crystal structure of TiHBED obtained at low pH models this type of coordination. The solution structure of the complex compares favorably with the solid state from pH 3.0 to 4.0, and the complex can be reduced with E1/2 = −641 mV vs NHE. Kinetic and thermodynamic competition studies at pH 3.0 reveal that Ti(citrate)3 reacts with HBED via a dissociative mechanism and that the stability of TiHBED (log β = 34.024) is weaker than that of the Fe(III) complex....
Interpretation of thermal dependence of magnetic aftereffect for magnetic nanocomposite with slow decay rates

A new experimental characterization is presented of time-, field-, and temperature-dependent dynamic effects in magnetization of a nanocomposite which displays slow decay. Field and temperature variations of irreversible susceptibility, χ irr , decay coefficient, S, fluctuation field, hf , and activation volume, V, have been calculated for the nanocomposite sample (Co80Ni20) using a recently developed modified Preisach–Arrhenius (MPA) model. The sample is composed of non-interacting nanoparticles having negligible reversible magnetization. Non-Arrhenius behavior is observed in both the maximum decay coefficient, S max, and the fluctuation field, hf , as a function of temperature T. The peak of both temperature curves are identical and occur at a critical temperature Tk of ∼50 K, which agrees with our experimental results. Based on the effect of a temperature-dependent chemical potential on energy barrier, hf is studied for T < Tk and T ≥ Tk , respectively. A more complete MPA model that can predict the ma...
Altered corneal stromal matrix organization is associated with mucopolysaccharidosis I, III and VI.

The presence of cloudy corneas is a prominent feature of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) types I and VI, but not MPS IIIA or IIIB. The cause of corneal cloudiness in MPS I and VI is speculative. Transparency of the cornea is dependent on the uniform diameter and the regular spacing and arrangement of the collagen fibrils within the stroma. Alterations in the spacing of collagen fibrils in a variety of conditions including corneal edema, scars, and macular corneal dystrophy is clinically manifested as corneal opacity. The purpose of this study was to compare the structural organization of the stromal extracellular matrix of normal corneas with that of MPS corneas. The size and arrangement of collagen fibrils in cloudy corneas from patients with MPS I were examined. The alterations observed were an increased mean fibril diameter with a broader distribution in the MPS corneas. The MPS I corneas also had altered fibril spacing and more irregular packing compared with normal control corneas. The clear corneas of patients with MPS IIIA and IIIB also showed increases in mean fibril diameter and fibril spacing. However, there was less variation indicating more regularity than seen in MPS I. In addition, corneas from cat models of certain MPS were compared to the human corneas. Cats with MPS I and VI, as well as normal control cats, were examined. Structural alterations comparable to those seen in human MPS corneas were seen in MPS I and VI cats relative to normal clear corneas. The findings suggest that cloudy corneas in MPS I and VI are in part a consequence of structural alterations in the corneal stroma, including abnormal spacing, size, and arrangement of collagen fibrils.
Immortal rat hippocampal cell lines exhibit neuronal and glial lineages and neurotrophin gene expression.

Abstract Clonal cell lines of rat embryonic hippocampal origin have been developed by using retroviral transduction of temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large tumor antigens. The cell lines undergo morphological differentiation at the nonpermissive temperature and in response to differentiating agents. Immunocytochemical analysis indicates that various lines are derived from progenitors of neuronal, glial, and bipotential lineages. Selected neuronal lines differentiate in response to diffusible factors released by primary glia, and one line of glial lineage supports the maturation of primary neurons in culture. Selected cell lines exhibit different patterns of neurotrophin gene expression that change after differentiation. In some lines, the relative levels of neurotrophin 3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor message expression may reflect the developmental or regional differential expression seen for these genes in the hippocampus in situ. These hippocampal cell lines, which express markers indicative of commitment to neuronal or glial lineages, are valuable for studies of development and plasticity in these lineages, as well as for studies of the regulation of neural trophic interactions.
The magnetic detection of material properties

Because of the nature of ferromagnetism, the magnetic properties of a material can provide useful information about other material properties. Forexample, magnetic-hysteresis parameters and Barkhausen-effect measurements are affected by the microstructure of materials and by applied or residual stresses. Considerable work has shown that magnetic hysteresis and the Barkhausen effect can be used to investigate the condition of materials or components by nondestructive means. Such investigations can be carried out fairly easily under laboratory conditions; adapting the methods to in-service components is more problematic.
BioNoculars: Extracting Protein-Protein Interactions from Biomedical Text

The vast number of published medical documents is considered a vital source for relationship discovery. This paper presents a statistical unsupervised system, called BioNoculars, for extracting protein-protein interactions from biomedical text. BioNoculars uses graph-based mutual reinforcement to make use of redundancy in data to construct extraction patterns in a domain independent fashion. The system was tested using MEDLINE abstract for which the protein-protein interactions that they contain are listed in the database of interacting proteins and protein-protein interactions (DIPPPI). The system reports an F-Measure of 0.55 on test MEDLINE abstracts.
Formation of dark states of atoms near metallic nanoparticles

The coherent effects such as forming “dark states,” optical pumping, and the stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) are studied in the presence of dielectric and/or metalic nanoparticles. It is shown that the “dark states” are still formed but they have more complicated atomic structure, the optical pumping and the STIRAP cannot be employed in the vicinity of plasmonic nanostructures. Also we show difference of the local atomic polarization and the atomic polarization averaged over ensemble of atoms homogeneously spread near nanoparticles.
Pregnancy after breast cancer: a case study resolving the reproductive challenge with a gestational surrogate.

: Pregnancy and fertility issues are substantial concerns for the young breast cancer survivor, yet the available literature is hampered by a lack of prospective clinical studies and meaningful long-term outcome data. A lack of reliable information often leads to physician discomfort and patients may be left to navigate the world of fertility preservation and reproductive technology on their own. This case exemplifies some of the many issues that breast cancer survivors may face and adds another dimension to the survivor's dilemma; once fertility options have been preserved, what is the best method to sustain the pregnancy—self or surrogate? For many, the goal of balancing optimal treatment and long-term survival with restoration of a complete quality of life, including childbearing, may be attainable. This discussion highlights the importance of offering young breast cancer patients an opportunity to discuss these issues with their health care providers prior to initiating therapy.
Targeted Nonviral Gene-Based Inhibition of Gαi/o-Mediated Vagal Signaling in the Posterior Left Atrium Decreases Vagal-Induced Atrial Fibrillation

Background Pharmacologic and ablative therapies for atrial fibrillation (AF) have suboptimal efficacy. Newer gene-based approaches that target specific mechanisms underlying AF are likely to be more efficacious in treating AF. Parasympathetic signaling appears to be an important contributor to AF substrate. Objective The purpose of this study was to develop a nonviral gene-based strategy to selectively inhibit vagal signaling in the left atrium and thereby suppress vagal-induced AF. Methods In eight dogs, plasmid DNA vectors (minigenes) expressing Gα i C-terminal peptide (Gα i ctp) was injected in the posterior left atrium either alone or in combination with minigene expressing Gα o ctp, followed by electroporation. In five control dogs, minigene expressing scrambled peptide (Gα R ctp) was injected. Vagal- and carbachol-induced left atrial effective refractory periods (ERPs), AF inducibility, and Gα i/o ctp expression were assessed 3 days following minigene delivery. Results Vagal stimulation- and carbachol-induced effective refractory period shortening and AF inducibility were significantly attenuated in atria receiving a Gα i2 ctp-expressing minigene and were nearly eliminated in atria receiving both Gα i2 ctp- and Gα o1 ctp-expressing minigenes. Conclusion Inhibition of both G i and G o proteins is necessary to abrogate vagal-induced AF in the left atrium and can be achieved via constitutive expression of Gα i/o ctps expressed by nonviral plasmid vectors delivered to the posterior left atrium.
Normal pulse polarographic quantification of cyanide and sulfide by the anodization of mercury

Abstract Normal pulse polarography is used to quantify cyanide and sulfide simultaneously by the anodic oxidation of mercury. The detection limit for cyanide is 18 μg l -1 by the normal pulse polarographic technique. A supporting electrolyte system of 1 M Na 2 CO 3 is optimal with regard to background interferences and sample loss. The electrode reaction for the oxidation of mercury in the presence of cyanide can be described by Hg + pCN - α Hg(CN) p 2-p + 2e - , with p having values of 2, 3 and 4 depending on the surface concentration of cyanide. The feasibility of simultaneous cyanide and sulfide quantification is demonstrated with waste-water samples.
First Report of Spring Viremia of Carp Virus (SVCV) in North America

Abstract Spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) is an important viral pathogen of common carp Cyprinus carpio and one of only five fish pathogens listed as notifiable in the 2002 International Aquatic Animal Health Code of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE). Spring viremia is most problematic in Europe. The disease has been reported in many regions in the world but never in North America. In April 2002, an epizootic with clinical signs consistent with SVCV occurred on a fish farm on the East Coast of the United States that raises koi, a strain of common carp. A virus was isolated on epithelioma papillosum cyprini cells and subsequently demonstrated by immunocytochemistry to be SVCV. The OIE reference laboratory for SVCV (Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, England) has confirmed the identity of the virus.
Gap Balancing in Total Knee Arthroplasty

It is well known that the success of total knee arthroplasty is collectively dependent on the proper recreation of the joint line, appropriate soft tissue balancing, and respectful management of the extensor mechanism. One of the most decisive factors within the surgeon's control is the reestablishment of proper knee kinematics through both medial-lateral and flexion-extension ligamentous balancing. This can be accomplished only by a comprehensive intraoperative evaluation in full flexion, mid flexion, and full extension to minimize potential gap mismatches. Most of the discussion will focus on this aspect of soft tissue balancing, but this does not undermine the importance of the other aforementioned principles of successful knee arthroplasty.
Determination of the elastic and plastic properties of materials through instrumented indentation with reduced sensitivity

By considering the complete loading and unloading response characteristics of multiple sharp indentations with differing indenter apex angles, a new approach has been developed to extract the elastic and plastic properties of materials. Considerable reduction in the sensitivity characteristics of all the indentation parameters invoked in the reverse analysis for the identification of the elastic and plastic properties of the indented material is realized. The reduction in sensitivity obtained using the present approach is attributed to an optimization process that identifies the material properties that best describe all the available information from multiple indentations. A comprehensive comparison of several multiple indentation methods for a large number of material combinations illustrates that the triple indentation method that does not utilize representative stresses and the quadruple indentation method that invokes representative stresses provide the least sensitivity in the determination of elastic and plastic properties.
Interpersonal communication instruction: A behavioral competency approach

A behavioral approach to interpersonal communication instruction assists students to develop target competencies relevant to social interaction. Students are taught to approach their communicative experiences systematically through analysis, practice, implementation, and evaluation. By approaching interpersonal communication instruction behavior‐ally, the teacher enhances the likelihood of student change.
On the preferential emission of heavy isotopes in sputtering

The isotopic composition of secondary ions of boron were measured at a small emission angle by bombarding boron nitride with xenon ions at energies ranging from 100 eV to 1.5 keV. An ion gun was used to generate the ion beam. The secondary ions were detected by a quadrupole mass spectrometer. A flood electron gun was used to neutralize the positive charge build-up on the target surface. The secondary-ion flux was found to be enriched in heavy isotopes at lower incident ion energies. The heavy isotope enrichment was observed to decrease with increasing primary-ion energy. Beyond 350 eV, light isotopes were sputtered preferentially with the enrichment increasing to an asymptotic value of 1.27 at 1.5 keV. This trend is similar to that of the isotopic enrichment observed earlier when copper was sputtered with xenon ions in the same energy range.
INTRAMOLECULAR CROSS‐LINKING OF PROTEINS BY FORMATION OF LYSINOALANINE OR LANTHIONINE Modification of Disulfides in Ovomucoids

The disulfide bonds of ovomucoids were cleaved and new sulfur-containing cross-links were introduced by two separate chemical modification methods: (1) alkali treatment, and (2) cyanolysis. Alkali and cyanolytic treatments were used to cleave disulfide bonds and to introduce new synthetic nonreducible cross-links consisting of residues of lysinoalanine (N-(dl-2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-l-lysine) and lanthionine (bis(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)sulfide). The two ovomucoids studied were turkey and penguin ovomucoids, which are “double-headed” inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes with one inhibitory site for bovine trypsin and another for bovine α-chymotrypsin or subtilisin. Trypsin does not compete with either α-chymotrypsin or subtilisin, but the latter compete with one another, apparently for the same inhibitory site. The stability of inhibitory activities as a function of disulfide bond scission and the formation of new nondisulfide cross-links was studied. In both methods of disulfide modification of turkey ovomucoid, inhibitory activity against trypsin was more stable with respect to the extent of modification than was inhibitory activity against chymotrypsin or subtilisin. With penguin ovomucoid, inhibitory activity against subtilisin was always more stable than activity against trypsin or chymotrypsin with both methods. With both ovomucoids it was thus possible to produce single-headed inhibitors from the double-headed inhibitors. The formation of the nonreducible cross-links of lanthionine from cystines, and of lysinoalanines from cystines and lysines, with retention of a biochemical activity, suggests that such a procedure may have at least limited use as a cross-linking method.
Structural abnormalities in freeze-fractured sciatic nerve fibres of diabetic mice.

Nodal and paranodal regions of myelinated sciatic nerve fibres from diabetic (db/db) mice were examined in freeze fracture replicas. In some fibres, the axolemma was found to display abnormalities in the paranodal region. These include shallow, undifferentiated junctional indentations, thinning of the indentations with widening of the non-junctional grooves between them, particle clusters within the non-junctional grooves, and patches in which axolemmal E-face particles are distributed randomly rather than in the form of linear strings within grooves. Nodal structure, in contrast, is hardly affected. Nodal E-face and P-face particle densities indb/db axons are not significantly different from those in age-matched controls, although we found a few examples in which the E-face density fell slightly below the normal range. Occasional fibres showing evidence of paranodal or segmental demyelination were also seen. The results support paranodal pathology as a potential basis for reduced nerve conduction velocity in diabetic nerves but provide no evidence for significant changes in nodal structure or in nodal Na channel density in sciatic nerve fibres of thedb/db mouse.
The thiazide-sensitive Na–Cl cotransporter is an aldosterone-induced protein

Although the collecting duct is regarded as the primary site at which mineralocorticoids regulate renal sodium transport in the kidney, recent evidence points to the distal convoluted tubule as a possible site of mineralocorticoid action. To investigate whether mineralocorticoids regulate the expression of the thiazide-sensitive Na–Cl cotransporter (TSC), the chief apical sodium entry pathway of distal convoluted tubule cells, we prepared an affinity-purified, peptide-directed antibody to TSC. On immunoblots, the antibody recognized a prominent 165-kDa band in membrane fractions from the renal cortex but not from the renal medulla. Immunofluorescence immunocytochemistry showed TSC labeling only in distal convoluted tubule cells. Semiquantitative immunoblotting studies demonstrated a large increase in TSC expression in the renal cortex of rats on a low-NaCl diet (207 ± 21% of control diet). Immunofluorescence localization in tissue sections confirmed the strong increase in TSC expression. Treatment of rats for 10 days with a continuous subcutaneous infusion of aldosterone also increased TSC expression (380 ± 58% of controls). Furthermore, 7-day treatment of rats with an orally administered mineralocorticoid, fludrocortisone, increased TSC expression (656 ± 114% of controls). We conclude that the distal convoluted tubule is an important site of action of the mineralocorticoid aldosterone, which strongly up-regulates the expression of TSC.
Peri-tumor interleukin-2 causes systemic therapeutic effect via interferon-γ induction

This study compares the direct local therapeutic effects of multiple peri-tumor injections of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ), also the associated systemic therapeutic effects on distant untreated tumors resulting from the peritumor injections. The therapeutic effects were tested against intramammary implants of an immunogenic, syngeneic C3H mammary carcinoma. Peritumor IL-2 and IFN-γ had nearly equal local and systemic therapeutic effects. In a comparison of the therapeutic effects of IL-2 and IFN-γ injected systemically, only the IFN-γ injections resulted in a significant number of cures. IL-2 and IFN-γ did not have an additive effect when used in combination, suggesting that they have connected, rather than separate, paths of action in the anti-tumor immune response. The injection of anti-IFN-γ-MAb abrogated the systemic therapeutic effect of peri-tumor IL-2, indicating that the systemic therapeutic effect was the result of IFN-γ induction at the IL-2 injection site.
Discordant Effects of Glucosamine on Insulin-stimulated Glucose Metabolism and Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Activity

The impact of increased GlcN availability on insulin-stimulated p85/p110 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity in skeletal muscle was examined in relation to GlcN-induced defects in peripheral insulin action. Primed continuous GlcN infusion (750 micromol/kg bolus; 30 micromol/kg.min) in conscious rats limited both maximal stimulation of muscle PI3K by acute insulin (I) (1 unit/kg) bolus (I + GlcN = 1.9-fold versus saline = 3.3-fold above fasting levels; p < 0.01) and chronic activation of PI3K following 3-h euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic (18 milliunits/kg.min) clamp studies (I + GlcN = 1.2-fold versus saline = 2.6-fold stimulation; p < 0.01). To determine the time course of GlcN-induced defects in insulin-stimulated PI3K activity and peripheral insulin action, GlcN was administered for 30, 60, 90, or 120 min during 2-h euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp studies. Activation of muscle PI3K by insulin was attenuated following only 30 min of GlcN infusion (GlcN 30 min = 1.5-fold versus saline = 2.5-fold stimulation; p < 0.05). In contrast, the first impairment in insulin-mediated glucose uptake (Rd) developed following 110 min of GlcN infusion (110 min = 39.9 +/- 1.8 versus 30 min = 42.8 +/- 1.4 mg/kg.min, p < 0.05). However, the ability of insulin to stimulate phosphatidylinositol 3,4, 5-trisphosphate production and to activate glycogen synthase in skeletal muscle was preserved following up to 180 min of GlcN infusion. Thus, increased GlcN availability induced (a) profound and early inhibition of proximal insulin signaling at the level of PI3K and (b) delayed effects on insulin-mediated glucose uptake, yet (c) complete sparing of insulin-mediated glycogen synthase activation. The pattern and time sequence of GlcN-induced defects suggest that the etiology of peripheral insulin resistance may be distinct from the rapid and marked impairment in insulin signaling.
A Thermal Conductivity Cell for Small Powdered Samples

A thermal conductivity cell is described for making measurements of the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of small samples of powdered dielectric materials. The principle used is that of the line heat source. A novel way is described for applying this method so that much smaller samples than normal may be tested. This size requirement is necessary for investigations involving limited samples as does the Lunar Science Program. The method is checked by measuring the conductivity of standard samples and comparing the results with those found in the literature.
Allosteric binding sites on muscarinic receptors

The classical (acetylcholine) binding sites of all five subtypes of muscarinic receptors are known to be subject to allosteric regulation by a variety of small molecules. The hallmarks of such modula- tion in binding assays are that the allosteric ligands can alter both the affinities and the rates of association and dissociation of classical ligands. By the use of suitable combinations of allosteric ligands and appropri- ate models, it has been demonstrated that at least some of these ligands act via a single well-defined site. On the basis of protein-modification and mutational studies, it appears that these allosteric ligands bind to a part of the receptor that is extracellular to the classical binding site. The location of the allosteric site is likely the reason that the few ligands that have been found to increase the affinity of classical antagonists also cause a dramatic slowing of the kinetics of these classical ligands; the slowing can be so profound as to appear to reverse the increases in affinity. Fortunately, the effects of allosteric ligands on the kinetics of acetylcholine itself are not so problematic. Recent studies have described allosteric ligands that are ca- pable of enhancing the affinity of acetylcholine in binding and response assays. Ligands of this class may prove to have quite useful applications, for example in restoring function lost due to depletion of acetyl- choline. Drug Dev. Res. 40:193-204, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Adolescents' motivation for reading: group differences and relation to standardized achievement

The purpose of this study was to extend the research on adolescents’ motivation for reading by examining important group differences and the relation of motivation to standardized achievement. Adolescents (N = 406) ranging from grade 7 to grade 12 completed a self-report survey that assessed 13 different aspects of their reading motivation including multiple forms of expectancy beliefs, value, achievement goals, and social goals. Group comparisons indicated important differences between readers who had struggled and those who were more adequate readers, but relatively few differences based on gender or grade in school. Regression analysis showed that the motivational beliefs as a group, and perceived control individually, were able to predict students’ performance on a standardized measure of reading comprehension.
A computational model of the intelligibility of american sign language video and video coding applications

Real-time, two-way transmission of American Sign Language (ASL) video over cellular networks provides natural communication among members of the Deaf community. Bandwidth restrictions on cellular networks and limited computational power on cellular devices necessitate the use of advanced video coding techniques designed explicitly for ASL video. As a communication tool, compressed ASL video must be evaluated according to the intelligibility of the conversation, not according to conventional definitions of video quality. The intelligibility evaluation can either be performed using human subjects participating in perceptual experiments or using computational models suitable for ASL video. This dissertation addresses each of these issues in turn, presenting a computational model of the intelligibility of ASL video, which is demonstrated to be accurate with respect to true intelligibility ratings as provided by human subjects. The computational model affords the development of video compression techniques that are optimized for ASL video. Guided by linguistic principles and human perception of ASL, this dissertation presents a full-reference computational model of intelligibility for ASL (CIM-ASL) that is suitable for evaluating compressed ASL video. The CIM-ASL measures distortions only in regions relevant for ASL communication, using spatial and temporal pooling mechanisms that vary the contribution of distortions according to their relative impact on the intelligibility of the compressed video. The model is trained and evaluated using ground truth experimental data, collected in three separate perceptual studies. The CIM-ASL provides accurate estimates of subjective intelligibility and demonstrates statistically significant improvements over computational models traditionally used to estimate video quality. The CIM-ASL is incorporated into an H.264/AVC compliant video coding framework, creating a closed-loop encoding system optimized explicitly for ASL intelligibility. This intelligibility optimized coder achieves bitrate reductions between 10% and 42% without reducing intelligibility, when compared to a general purpose H.264/AVC encoder. The intelligibility optimized encoder is refined by introducing reduced complexity encoding modes, which yield a 16% improvement in encoding speed. The purpose of the intelligibility optimized encoder is to generate video that is suitable for real-time ASL communication. Ultimately, the preferences of ASL users determine the success of the intelligibility optimized coder. User preferences are explicitly evaluated in a perceptual experiment in which ASL users select between the intelligibility optimized coder and a general purpose video coder. The results of this experiment demonstrate that the preferences vary depending on the demographics of the participants and that a significant proportion of users prefer the intelligibility optimized coder.
Half disc element dipole antenna

In this paper we study the properties of a half disc dipole ultra wideband (UWB) antenna. The antenna is numerically analyzed using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) technique. The results obtained for the half disc UWB dipole antenna are similar to that obtained for the circular dipole antennas, the only difference in the case of the half disc dipole antenna is the reduction in size of the antenna.