cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feasibility study of a magnetic fusion production reactor

A magnetic fusion reactor can produce 10.8 kg of tritium at a fusion power of only 400 MW —an order of magnitude lower power than that of a fission production reactor. Alternatively, the same fusion reactor can produce 995 kg of plutonium. Either a tokamak or a tandem mirror production plant can be used for this purpose; the cost is estimated at about $1.4 billion (1982 dollars) in either case. (The direct costs are estimated at $1.1 billion.) The production cost is calculated to be $22,000/g for tritium and $260/g for plutonium of quite high purity (1%240Pu). Because of the lack of demonstrated technology, such a plant could not be constructed today without significant risk. However, good progress is being made in fusion technology and, although success in magnetic fusion science and engineering is hard to predict with assurance, it seems possible that the physics basis and much of the needed technology could be demonstrated in facilities now under construction. Most of the remaining technology could be demonstrated in the early 1990s in a fusion test reactor of a few tens of megawatts. If the Magnetic Fusion Energy Program constructs a fusion test reactor of approximately 400 MW of fusion power as a next step in fusion power development, such a facility could be used later as a production reactor in a spinoff application. A construction decision in the late 1980s could result in an operating production reactor in the late 1990s. A magnetic fusion production reactor (MFPR) has four potential advantages over a fission production reactor: (1) no fissile material input is needed; (2) no fissioning exists in the tritium mode and very low fissioning exists in the plutonium mode thus avoiding the meltdown hazard; (3) the cost will probably be lower because of the smaller thermal power required; (4) and no reprocessing plant is needed in the tritium mode. The MFPR also has two disadvantages: (1) it will be more costly to operate because it consumes rather than sells electricity, and (2) there is a risk of not meeting the design goals.
Radical retropubic prostatectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for high-stage cancer of the prostate

A series of 340 patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate treated by bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy was reviewed to determine the factors that influence survival and time to progression of disease. Follow-up ranged from 1-12 1/2 years. Factors evaluated were grade, stage, and bulk of tumor; influence of seminal vesical involvement and number of pelvic nodes involved; age of patient; and year of surgery. Tumor grade was the only factor related significantly to patient survival. However, grade, stage, and bulk of tumor were all significantly associated with interval between surgery and disease progression. Furthermore, in Stage C disease, seminal vesical involvement (C+) was an adverse factor for disease progression, particularly among patients with low-grade tumor. This is in contrast to the finding that, among patients with Stage D1 disease, those with seminal vesical involvement experienced more favorable survival times and times to progression of disease when compared with patients without seminal vesical involvement. Overall, patient survival compared favorably with an age-matched control group for all stages, A through D1. Patients with few pelvic nodes involved had a survival experience nearly comparable with that of an age-matched control group. This suggests that pelvic lymphadenectomy might have a therapeutic value and that patients with pelvic nodal disease only, without evidence for metastatic disease, should not be denied radical surgery. The influence of concomitant hormonal manipulation or radiotherapy (or both) on patient survival and disease progression is not conclusively answered in this report.
Outer Pore Domain of TRPV1 Ion Channel is Required for Temperature-Independent Step During Temperature-Activation

TRPV1 is the founding and best-studied member of the family of temperature-activated transient receptor potential ion channels (thermoTRPs). Voltage, chemicals, and heat allosterically gate TRPV1. Molecular determinants for TRPV1 activation by capsaicin, allicin, acid, ammonia, and voltage have been identified. However, many years after the discovery of TRPV1, the structures and mechanisms mediating temperature-sensitivity remain unclear. Recent studies of the related channel TRPV3 identified residues within the pore region required for heat activation. Here we describe both random and targeted mutagenesis screens of TRPV1 to identify single point-mutations that specifically affect temperature-activation. The mutations found are all located in the outer pore region, in close proximity to but distinct from residues previously implicated in acid-activation. Electrophysiological analysis shows that mutations affect a temperature-independent step that is part of the temperature-gating pathway. These results suggest that the outer pore plays a general role in heat-sensitivity of thermoTRPs.
Richard Rufus's Theory of Mixture

: Richard Rufus of Cornwall offered a novel solution to the problem of mixture raised by Aristotle. The puzzle is that mixts or mixed bodies (blood, flesh, wood, etc.) seem to be unexplainable through logic, even though the world is full of them. Rufus's contribution to this long-standing theoretical debate is the development of a modal interpretation of certain Averroistic doctrines. Rufus's account, which posits that the elemental forms in a mixt are in accidental potential, avoids many of the problems that plagued non-atomistic medieval theories of mixture. This paper is an initial examination of Rufus' account.
A genetic assay for transversion mutations in bacteriophage T4.

A method is described for recognizing many transversion mutations arising within an ochre (UAA) codon in therII gene of bacteriophage T4. Most of therII ochre mutants used revert only by base pair substitution mutations in their DNA. Transition mutations within the UAA codon produce either an amber (UAG) mutant, an opal (UGA) mutant, or a glutamine (CAA) revertant. All three can be isolated and identified when the ochre mutant is treated with a mutagen which produces transitions. On the other hand, many nonsuppressed revertants with phenotypes different from the CAA revertant arose as transversions. The method has been used to score the spontaneous production of transversions at A:T base pair sites.
Medical physics--meeting the needs of radiologists: the role of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

AJR:192, April 2009 can Journal of Roentgenology (AJR) that address this need, including an article by Gunderman and Stephens [6] that discusses the need to teach medical students about imaging techniques. The American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) and the AJR are committed to providing medical physics articles, self-assessment modules, and other educational materials that can be used by radiologists to keep their knowledge of medical physics current. The AJR is striving to become the primary source of medical physics and informatics for practicing radiologists. Medical physics is one of the many components of radiology that allows the radiologist to provide optimal patient care and bring added value to the medical imaging process. Medical physics education is going through revitalization and societies like ARRS are and will be providing useful materials for radiologists. G. Donald Frey Section Editor, Medical Physics and Informatics Freyd@musc.edu
Leishmaniasis in infants and children.

Abstract Leishmaniasis is a group of diverse diseases caused by hemoflagellate protozoa of the genus Leishmania. These infections are found in the tropical and subtropical world and are transmitted by sandflies. These organisms parasitize macrophages in visceral organs, mucosa, and skin. Three major clinical syndromes are recognized: visceral, cutaneous, and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. In each of these disease entities, especially visceral leishmaniasis, children often are affected. Leishmaniasis has emerged as an AIDS-associated opportunistic infection in endemic areas, especially in the Mediterranean basin. The diagnosis is based on identification of organisms on biopsy or culture, but molecular and immunologic methods are becoming more accepted. Pentavalent antimony compounds have been the most reliable therapy for leishmaniasis for more than 50 years. However, in recent years other drugs have been found to be efficacious. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company
Transformer Load Tap Changer control using IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850 has many benefits including great flexibility and improved interoperability, and promises to be more widely implemented in the United States with time as is already the case in many other parts of the world. This study implements Load Tap Changer (LTC) control using the IEC 61850 standard in a laboratory environment. A load tap changing power transformer with 500 kV on the high voltage side and 169 kV on the low voltage side is assumed. The LTC is located on the high voltage side and allows for 17 tap positions. A programmable controller and a control unit are used to measure and process the voltage signal, and to initiate the LTC motor operation. Generic Object Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) messages are used to facilitate all required communication. This study shows that LTC operation using IEC 61850 is reliable and brings with it all the benefits that the implementation of IEC 61850 has to offer. Above all, due to elimination of the majority of copper wiring, the proposed method is very flexible and can be implemented using a variety of different devices.
Top-gated Ge-Si x Ge 1−x core-shell nanowire field-effect transistors with highly doped source and drain

Semiconductor (e.g. silicon, germanium) nanowires have gained interest as an attractive platform to fabricate field effect transistors devices because of their reduced short channel effects by comparison to planar devices [1]. The realization of high performance nanowire devices however has been stymied primarily by large source (S) and drain (D) contact resistances. Here we report the fabrication and electrical characterization of the top-gated Ge-Si x Ge 1−x core-shell nanowire field-effect transistors (NWFETs) with highly doped S/D. The highly doped S/D, realized using low energy ion implantation, allows an efficient carrier injection into the NWFET channel.
The computational prediction of genotoxicity.

Importance of the field: The computational prediction of genotoxicity is important to the early identification of those chemical entities that have the potential to cause carcinogenicity in humans.Areas covered in this review: The review discusses key scientific developments in the prediction of Ames mutagenicity and in vitro chromosome damage over the past 4 – 5 years. The performance and limitations of computational approaches are discussed in relation to published and internal validation exercises. Their application to the modern drug discovery paradigm is also discussed.What the reader will gain: Key highlights of a review of the recent scientific literature for the prediction of Ames mutagenicity and chromosome damage and an appreciation of the factors that limit the predictive performance of in silico systems.Take home message: Current in silico systems perform well in the mutagenicity prediction of the publicly-derived data on which they are based, but their performance outside the applicability do...
The Cyanogenic Glycoside Amygdalin Does Not Deter Consumption of Ripe Fruit by Cedar Waxwings

Cyanogenic glycosides are common secondary compounds in ripe fruits that are dispersed by birds. These substances are toxic to some mammals. We examined the repellent effect of amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside, on Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum). Amygdalin did not reduce food ingestion in Cedar Waxwings, even at relatively high concentrations. In addition, these birds did not exhibit preference for amygdalin-free over amygdalin-containing fruit. Cedar Waxwings given artificial food that contained four times the amount of amygdalin found in some wild fruits ingested the equivalent of 5.5 times the oral lethal dose for rats in 4 h without exhibiting any external signs of toxicity. Amygdalin ingestion appeared to have a negative effect on nitrogen retention and food assimilation. However, when nitrogen retention and food assimilation were recalculated assuming that all amygdalin ingested was excreted intact, these negative effects disappeared. The presence of large amounts of unhydrolyzed amygdalin in the excreta of waxwings fed on amygdalin-laced food confirmed our conjecture that amygdalin was excreted intact. We hypothesize that in Cedar Waxwings, amygdalin is absorbed in the intestine but is not hydrolyzed by endogenous enzymes and thus is excreted intact in urine. The apparent lack of repellent effects of amygdalin in Cedar Waxwings suggest that toxicity data for rats and humans may be a poor predictor for the deterrent effect of fruit secondary compounds on frugivorous birds. Many hypotheses that have been posed to explain the presence of secondary compounds in ripe fruit assume that these substances have repellent/ toxic effects on avian seed dispersers. For some compounds, such as amygdalin and other cyanogenic glycosides, this assumption may not be valid.
Industry's Expectations from Hospitality Schools: What has changed?

The purpose of this study was to measure the perceptions of industry professionals regarding the importance of course subject areas in hospitality management curriculum for a program housed in an accredited college of business and economics, as compared to a similar study conducted five years earlier. A questionnaire, using a 5-point Likert scale, was sent out to 2339 hospitality industry professionals, with 369 (15.78%) respondents. The study identified the current top subject-matter variables and noted any significant changes from the study conducted five years prior. Of the 29 common subject-matter variables to both studies, leadership was ranked the most important (replacing ethics in the previous study)—followed by internships/industry experience, preparation for industry employment, ethics, and overview of the hospitality industry. Suggestions to incorporate the subjects into the curriculum for hospitality programs housed in accredited colleges of business are presented.
Effects of test expectancy (recall vs. recognition) on children’s recall and recognition

Following practice lists for recall and recognition, a third list was given for which half the third- and sixth-grade children expected a recall test and half a recognition test. All children then were given a recall test followed by a recognition test. Recall by sixth graders was better when a recall rather than a recognition test was expected. Test expectancy did not affect the recall of third graders, nor did it apparently affect recognition at either grade level. Self-reports indicate greater preexperimental understanding of task difficulty differences at Grade 6. At Grade 6, but not at Grade 3, reports of rehearsal of items in blocks (rather than single-item repetition) were more frequent when a recall test was expected and reports of image production were more frequent when a recognition test was expected.
Incidence and prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma in a suburban population of young adults.

Background Asthma is a common chronic disease of both children and adults, but there have been few reports of the incidence of asthma in well defined adult populations. Objective To determine the incidence and prevalence of asthma in a population of young adults living in suburban Detroit. Methods As part of a study of the development of allergic disease in children, the parents of 841 study children, from a defined, well characterized population, were questioned about their personal histories of allergic disease, including asthma, during the mother's pregnancy. The children have been followed from birth until 4 years of age. When the child became 4, the parents were again questioned about allergic disease. Those reporting asthma when the child was 4 but not prior to the child's birth, were recontacted to confirm that they had been diagnosed by a physician as having asthma in the 4-year interval. Because of prior reports concerning racial differences in the prevalence of asthma and the small number of non-white mothers in the study population, calculations of asthma prevalence and incidence were limited to the 760 mothers, who described themselves and their baby's father as white. Results The parents studied were young adults mean age 28.7 [(standard deviation (SD) 4.5 years] and 31.0 (SD 5.0) years, of mothers and fathers, respectively. These parents were relatively well educated with 30.7% of mothers and 43.5% of fathers having college degrees. The initial prevalence of a previous physician diagnosis of asthma was 7.5% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 5.7-9.6] in the mothers and 6.9% (95% = 5.2-9.0) in the fathers, yielding a total prevalence of 7.2% (95% CI=5.9-8.7) in these 1,484 adults. Five hundred thirty-three mothers and 498 fathers (total = 1,031), who did not report asthma during the mothers' pregnancies, were available for questioning when the children were 4 years old. The average yearly incidence of asthma was 5.2 (95% CI=2.6-9.2) per 1,000 in the mothers and 1.5 (95% CI=0.3-4.4) per 1,000 in the fathers (P = .058), with an overall incidence of 3.4 (95% CI=1.8-5.7) per 1,000. The average yearly incidence was 5.3/1,000 in those (P = .056). Conclusions We conclude that the incidence of asthma in this population of relatively young, well educated, white adults is approximately 3.4 per 1,000 per year and that newly diagnosed asthma was more common in women and in those
ON SEXUAL AGGLUTINATION AND MATING-TYPE SUBSTANCES (GAMONES) IN ISOGAMOUS HETEROTHALLIC CHLAMYDOMONADS. I. EVIDENCE OF THE IDENTITY OF THE GAMONES WITH THE SURFACE COMPONENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR SEXUAL FLAGELLAR CONTACT1

SUMMARY Sexual contact between the isogametes of hetero-thallic Chlamydomonas species is based on a highly efficient agglutination mechanism, whose complementary components–the mating-type substances–are localized on the flagellar tips. Evidence is presented that the sex- and species-specific isoagglutinins (gam-ones) detected in the supernatant of each gamete type are those contact components, secondarily detached in active form. Added to the opposite sex these components can cause agglutination within one gamete type, apparently by the reaction of their combining sites with the complementary receptor groups. The evidence for the identity of the isoagglutinins with the surface substances effecting the normal gamete contact consists of their parallel behavior with regard to the species-, sex-, phase-, and site-specificity of both reactions.
Thermodynamic properties of helium bubbles in aged plutonium

Abstract A qualitative model of the thermal properties of helium gas bubbles in aged plutonium metal is developed. Elasticity theory and plasticity are used to calculate the gas pressure inside the bubble. The chemical potential of a gas atom inside a bubble or a vacancy is estimated relative to an interstitial position. It is shown that the bubble expansion is controlled by plastic yield, with the gas pressure of the order of the yield stress σ y , in particular p =2/3 σ y . When the metal is at low temperatures (at or below 300 K), surface tension is not operative, since there is no diffusion to move material. When the metal is heated, surface tension becomes operative, but the bubble does not shrink, because elastic forces are reversed. Helium atoms are readily incorporated into existing bubbles. They also have a strong tendency to enter vacancies. This increases the equilibrium vacancy concentration as vacancy–helium complexes. While insignificant at room temperature (300 K), this tendency is important when the metal is heated: when the helium atom concentration increases, helium can migrate into bubbles. The effective pressure of 10 000 atm is then large enough to enable bubbles to grow, overcoming surface tension for bubbles of 5 nm diameter. When the metal is at room temperature, heterogeneous nucleation is required, most likely at grain boundaries.
Ethanol preference in the rat: interactions between brain serotonin and ethanol, acetaldehyde, paraldehyde, 5-HTPand 5-HTOL

Abstract Rats were offered a choice between water or an ethanol solution which was increased by one concentration, on each day, from 3 to 30 %, during repeated 11-day preference-aversion sequences. In one group, 5-hydroxytryptophan was injected i.p. every 8 hr in a dose of 50 mg kg throughout the second 11-day preference sequence. Ethanol intake was suppressed below the baseline level for 9 successive sequences over a 3-month interval, whereas the saline controls increased their intake during the same period. In a second group of animals, 5% ethanol, 0.5% acetaldehyde, 0.5 % paraldehyde, 5.0 μg 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 2.0 μg 5-hydroxytryptophol was injected in a volume of 2.0 μl into the cerebral ventricles every 15 min around the clock during the second and third water-ethanol preference sequences. The ethanol intake increased in each group except for a reduction in animals which received 5-HTP. The inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase, p-chlorophenylalanine, given 300 mg kg every other day produced a significant reduction in ethanol intake in the post-drug preference sequence in the ethanol-, acetaldehyde- and 5-hydroxytryptophol-infused rats. However, p-chlorophenyl-alanine did not alter the elevated intake of paraldehyde-infused animals and enhanced the ethanol preference in 5-hydroxytryptophan-infused rats.
Practicing what we teach? An autobiographical reflection on navigating academia as a single mother

Despite the contributions of feminist theory and practice to improve workplace conditions in various sectors of business and industry, academic workplaces largely remain structured around a traditionally hierarchical, male workplace model and culture, which can inhibit women's career advancement. Using autobiographical narrative, I draw upon my own experiences as a single mother working in the academy to highlight women's acceptance and advancement in the academy. These experiences illustrate many themes pertaining to how women are evaluated at work, differential treatment of female versus male faculty and mothers versus childless women, and women's abilities to balance work and family. I conclude with recommendations for how we as feminist community psychologists can improve our own academic work environments © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Kuiper Belt and Olbers's Paradox

We investigate the constraints that Olbers's paradox, applied to the zodiacal background as measured from space, sets on outer solar system objects. If extended to very faint limits, R ~ 40-50 mag, the steep optical number counts of Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) at R 26 imply an infinitely bright night sky. Small KBOs with radii of r ~ 1 μm to r ~ 1 km must have a size distribution n(r) ∝ r-a, with a ~ 3.4 or smaller to satisfy the known limits on the sky-surface brightness at optical and far-infrared wavelengths. Improved limits on the measured KBO surface brightness can yield direct estimates of the albedo, temperature, and size distribution for small KBOs in the outer solar system.
Effects of computer-mediated vocational guidance procedures: Accuracy of self-knowledge

Abstract To assess the effectiveness of vocational guidance procedures proposed for inclusion in a computer-based vocational exploration system, 128 11th-grade male subjects were randomly assigned to three experimental groups and a control group. One group was given a computer-generated accuracy of self-knowledge feedback, another group was taught on occupational classification scheme, a third group experienced both. Measures of self-knowledge showed increased accuracy about intelligence, but not about interests, after treatments that included the feedback. Increases were largely due to changes in subjects who originally underestimated their intelligence. A delayed posttest indicated that the increases did not persist.
Defects in caveolin-1 cause dilated cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension in knockout mice.

Caveolins are important components of caveolae, which have been implicated in vesicular trafficking and signal transduction. To investigate the in vivo significance of Caveolins in mammals, we generated mice deficient in the caveolin-1 (cav-1) gene and have shown that, in the absence of Cav-1, no caveolae structures were observed in several nonmuscle cell types. Although cav-1−/− mice are viable, histological examination and echocardiography identified a spectrum of characteristics of dilated cardiomyopathy in the left ventricular chamber of the cav-1-deficient hearts, including an enlarged ventricular chamber diameter, thin posterior wall, and decreased contractility. These animals also have marked right ventricular hypertrophy, suggesting a chronic increase in pulmonary artery pressure. Direct measurement of pulmonary artery pressure and histological analysis revealed that the cav-1−/− mice exhibit pulmonary hypertension, which may contribute to the right ventricle hypertrophy. In addition, the loss of Cav-1 leads to a dramatic increase in systemic NO levels. Our studies provided in vivo evidence that cav-1 is essential for the control of systemic NO levels and normal cardiopulmonary function.
A Demographic Study of Event Planners

Events have been part of every society and culture throughout history. Although general demographic information about event planners, such as age, gender, and education, has been collected, either as part of a larger study or as the focus of the research, this is still an area that is lacking. This exploratory study focuses on collecting standard demographic information, such as age and gender, and then delves deeper to examine event managers’ education and years of experience. The data collected in this study can assist in developing and marketing educational offerings to event professionals.
Nerve stump length and cholinesterase activity in muscle and nerve

Abstract Neural regulation of muscle cholinesterase (ChE) is well documented, although the mechanisms remain unresolved. We examined the enzyme activity changes in nerve and muscle after nerve transection, as they relate to nerve stump length and synthesis of ChE in denervated muscle. Changes in ChE activity were determined in rat skeletal muscles and sciatic nerve after nerve transection and after irreversible inhibition with paraoxon. The results showed that the decrease in enzyme activity in muscle was unrelated to the length of nerve stump. It was also shown that denervated muscle was capable of enzyme synthesis. Enzyme activity in nerve segments distal to transections decreased earlier than in denervated muscle and ChE in these samples of nerve was less sensitive to paraoxon. Although the nerve stump length and decrease in muscle enzyme activity were unrelated, the results suggest that the earlier decrease in enzyme activity in transected nerve may be related to the loss of biochemically determined muscle ChE.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with latent obstruction.

Background The purpose of this article is to describe the demographic and clinical features of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and latent obstruction, with an emphasis on identifying factors associated with disease progression and survival. The presence of a resting left ventricular outflow obstruction in patients with HCM has been well described and is associated with increased symptoms and adverse long-term outcomes. However, less is known about patients with latent obstruction. Methods Four hundred fifteen patients with echocardiographic or catheterization findings of latent obstruction , defined as a left ventricular outflow pressure gradient Results The mean age was 55.0 ± 17.9, and 226 (54.6%) patients were male. There were 330 (79.5%) patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I and II at baseline. Fifty-nine (17.9%) of these patients had symptom progression requiring septal reduction therapy. Eighty-five patients had severe symptoms (NYHA functional class III and IV) at baseline, and 23 (27.1%) underwent septal reduction. Overall survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 98%, 91%, and 81%, respectively. Survival among patients after undergoing invasive relief of outflow obstruction was equivalent to the general US population. Conclusions Latent obstruction in HCM is an important pathophysiologic entity and may cause heart failure symptoms. One-third of patients in this referral series required invasive therapy for relief of symptoms. The evaluation of HCM patients with resting outflow tract gradients
Acid Stability of the Hemagglutinin Protein Regulates H5N1 Influenza Virus Pathogenicity

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of the H5N1 subtype continue to threaten agriculture and human health. Here, we use biochemistry and x-ray crystallography to reveal how amino-acid variations in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein contribute to the pathogenicity of H5N1 influenza virus in chickens. HA proteins from highly pathogenic (HP) A/chicken/Hong Kong/YU562/2001 and moderately pathogenic (MP) A/goose/Hong Kong/437-10/1999 isolates of H5N1 were found to be expressed and cleaved in similar amounts, and both proteins had similar receptor-binding properties. However, amino-acid variations at positions 104 and 115 in the vestigial esterase sub-domain of the HA1 receptor-binding domain (RBD) were found to modulate the pH of HA activation such that the HP and MP HA proteins are activated for membrane fusion at pH 5.7 and 5.3, respectively. In general, an increase in H5N1 pathogenicity in chickens was found to correlate with an increase in the pH of HA activation for mutant and chimeric HA proteins in the observed range of pH 5.2 to 6.0. We determined a crystal structure of the MP HA protein at 2.50 A resolution and two structures of HP HA at 2.95 and 3.10 A resolution. Residues 104 and 115 that modulate the acid stability of the HA protein are situated at the N- and C-termini of the 110-helix in the vestigial esterase sub-domain, which interacts with the B loop of the HA2 stalk domain. Interactions between the 110-helix and the stalk domain appear to be important in regulating HA protein acid stability, which in turn modulates influenza virus replication and pathogenesis. Overall, an optimal activation pH of the HA protein is found to be necessary for high pathogenicity by H5N1 influenza virus in avian species.
Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells Upregulate Extracellular Catabolism of Aggregated Low-Density Lipoprotein on Maturation, Leading to Foam Cell Formation

Objective—Although dendritic cells are known to play a role in atherosclerosis, few studies have examined the contribution of the wide variety of dendritic cell subsets. Accordingly, their roles in atherogenesis remain largely unknown. We investigated the ability of different dendritic cell subsets to become foam cells after contact with aggregated low-density lipoprotein (LDL; the predominant form of LDL found in atherosclerotic plaques). Approach and Results—We demonstrate that both murine and human monocyte-derived dendritic cells use exophagy to degrade aggregated LDL, leading to foam cell formation, whereas monocyte-independent dendritic cells are unable to clear LDL aggregates by this mechanism. Exophagy is a catabolic process in which objects that cannot be internalized by phagocytosis (because of their size or association with extracellular structures) are initially digested in an extracellular acidic lytic compartment. Surprisingly, we found that monocyte-derived dendritic cells upregulate exopha...
Photovoltaic effect in single carbon nanotube-based Schottky diodes

Photovoltaic effects in individual single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) based Schottky diodes were investigated for infrared detection in this paper. Different contact conditions (symmetric and asymmetric CNT-metal contacts) have been studied for optimising the performance of SWCNT-based infrared detector. Experiments demonstrated that the asymmetric structure could improve the photodiode performance by increasing the signal-to-dark current ratio up to two orders of magnitude higher than a symmetric device. With the perfect photodiode I-V characteristic curves, SWCNTs show a strong potential of applications in solar collection, infrared sensing and nanogenerators.
Field evaporation rates of tungsten

Abstract : Essential parameters of the theory of field evaporation are the higher ionization potentials of the metal, the surface atom's distance from the effective electronic surface plane of the metal, the polarizability of the surface atom in its site, the energy difference between the atomic and the ionic states of the surface atom, the rate and temperature dependent activation energy, and the pre-exponential factor of the Arrhenius equation. It is shown how these data can be obtained from field evaporation rate measurements. Experiments with the (110) plane of tungsten were carried out in a range from 0.01 layer/sec to 10,000,000 layers/sec using both DC and pulsed field evaporation techniques. Results are discussed. It is also shown that the well known reduction of the evaporation field by the imaging gas is to a considerable extent due to the field induced adsorption of the gas. (Author)
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs and Toxins

Renal replacement therapies (RRT) are increasingly used for the treatment of acute and chronic kidney diseases as well as intoxications and accidental drug overdoses. These therapies offer a mechanism for the removal of toxic substances from the patient's blood and supplement the standard detoxification protocols. If instituted early, RRT can have a significant effect on the course of the toxicity; however, this process is not selective for the removal of only harmful products and can also result in the clearance of medications intended for therapeutic use.
Large-conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ channel regulation by protein kinase C in guinea pig urinary bladder smooth muscle.

Large-conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels are critical regulators of detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) excitability and contractility. PKC modulates the contraction of DSM and BK ch...
THE GOOD LANGUAGE LEARNER. Neil Naiman, Maria Frölich, H. H. Stern, and Angie Todesco. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters, 1996. Pp. xiii + 240.

It was only about a year ago, in a reckless moment of shelf-purging, that I reluctantly placed my original offset copy (circa 1975) of The Good Language Learner into the paper-recycling bin. Many of us fondly remember that big orange-covered prepublication volume, dog-eared, battered, and stuck together with tape. Now, almost two decades after the first publication of The Good Language Learner (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, 1978) this reissue appears as part of Multilingual Matters' “Modern Languages in Practice” series. It is the first time this series has featured a reprint of “classic” (p. vii) volumes of interest to foreign language researchers and teachers.
The DotL protein, a member of the TraG-coupling protein family, is essential for Viability of Legionella pneumophila strain Lp02.

Legionella pneumophila is able to survive inside phagocytic cells by an internalization route that bypasses fusion of the nascent phagosome with the endocytic pathway to allow formation of a replicative phagosome. The dot/icm genes, a major virulence system of L. pneumophila, encode a type IVB secretion system that is required for intracellular growth. One Dot protein, DotL, has sequence similarity to type IV secretion system coupling proteins (T4CPs). In other systems, coupling proteins are not required for viability of the organism. Here we report the first example of a strain, L. pneumophila Lp02, in which a putative T4CP is essential for viability of the organism on bacteriological media. This result is particularly surprising since the majority of the dot/icm genes in Lp02 are dispensable for growth outside of a host cell, a condition that does not require a functional Dot/Icm secretion complex. We were able to isolate suppressors of the dotL lethality and found that many contained mutations in other components of the Dot/Icm secretion system. A systematic analysis of dot/icm deletion mutants revealed that the majority of them (20 of 26) suppressed the lethality phenotype, indicating a partially assembled secretion system may be the source of dotL toxicity in the wild-type strain. These results are consistent with a model in which the DotL protein plays a role in regulating the activity of the L. pneumophila type IV secretion apparatus. The gram-negative bacterium Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of a potentially fatal form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease. L. pneumophila is found in freshwater environments, where it parasitizes many different species of protozoa (17). Humans become infected with L. pneumophila by inhaling aerosols generated from contaminated water sources. Upon entry into the human lung, L. pneumophila is internalized into bactericidal, alveolar macrophages. In contrast to phagosomes bearing most bacterial species, the compartment harboring L. pneumophila does not traffic into the lysosomal network and is not significantly acidified in the first few hours after uptake (26, 27). Instead, the phagosome interacts with early secretory vesicles at endoplasmic reticulum exit sites (29) and then undergoes a series of maturation events in which it sequentially associates with small vesicles, mitochondria, and eventually becomes surrounded by the rough endoplasmic reticulum (25, 60). Formation of this specialized compartment, called a “replicative phagosome,” allows the microorganism to grow intracellularly (25, 28). Later in the infective cycle, a majority of the replicative phagosomes fuse with acidified compartments containing late endocytic markers, and this is believed to play an important role in the replicative cycle of this pathogen prior to exit from its host cell (59). The key to L. pneumophila’s virulence is its ability to form a replicative phagosome, since mutants defective in this trait
Predicting and Evaluating Distributed Communication Performance

Application of hardware-parameterized models to distributed systems can result in omission of key bottlenecks such as the full cost of inter- and intra-node communication in a cluster of SMPs. However, inclusion of message and middleware characteristics may result in impractical models. Nonetheless, the growing gap between memory and CPU performance combined with the trend toward large scale clustered shared memory platforms implies an increased need to consider the impact of middleware on distributed communication. We present a software-parameterized model of point-to-point communication for use in performance prediction and evaluation. We illustrate the utility of the model in two ways: 1) to derive a simple, useful, more accurate model of point-to-point communication in clusters of SMPs, 2) to predict and analyze point-to-point and broadcast communication costs in clusters of SMPs. We present our results on an IA-64-based cluster.
The Reasons for CSWEP

Both overt and covert instances of less than equal treatment for women and men were taken for granted until the so-called 'women's movement' of the l960s, of which CSWEP was a part. 'Economics is a man's field' summarizes the environment in the profession; this and other circumstances have been quickly forgotten. Focusing on ways to increase the supply of women in the profession, CSWEP created a roster of existing well-qualified economists and enabled their work to show up on programs and in journals. CSWEP economists demonstrated the power of changes at the margin; the experience could be useful today to replace the disputatious terms of quota or reverse discrimination. It should also stimulate further small changes that could yield much greater returns.
Diagnosing Lysosomal Storage Disorders: Pompe Disease

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder due to deficiency of alpha galactosidase A (GLA). Progressive, intralysosomal accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids in endothelial cells and podocytes leads to multi-organ involvement in affected males and to a lesser extent in affected females. Diagnosis of FD is based on GLA analysis in leukocytes or dried blood spots (DBS) in FD males while GLA activities may be within the normal range in FD females. The advent of fluorometric and mass spectrometry methods for enzyme analysis in DBS has simplified the diagnostic approach for FD males, facilitating high-throughput screening of at risk populations and newborn infants. However, the diagnostic mainstay for FD females remains molecular analysis of the GLA gene. The following unit will provide the detailed analytical protocol for measurement of GLA activity in DBS using tandem mass spectrometry.
Ligand-Induced Structural Changes in Adenosine 5'-Phosphosulfate Kinase from Penicillium chrysogenum.

Adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (APS) kinase catalyzes the second reaction in the two-step, ATP-dependent conversion of inorganic sulfate to 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS). PAPS serves as the sulfuryl donor for the biosynthesis of all sulfate esters and also as a precursor of reduced sulfur biomolecules in many organisms. Previously, we determined the crystal structure of ligand-free APS kinase from the filamentous fungus, Penicillium chrysogenum [MacRae et al. (2000) Biochemistry 39, 1613-1621]. That structure contained a protease-susceptible disordered region ("mobile lid"; residues 145-170). Addition of MgADP and APS, which together promote the formation of a nonproductive "dead-end" ternary complex, protected the lid from trypsin. This report presents the 1.43 A resolution crystal structure of APS kinase with both ADP and APS bound at the active site and the 2.0 A resolution structure of the enzyme with ADP alone bound. The mobile lid is ordered in both complexes and is shown to provide part of the binding site for APS. That site is formed primarily by the highly conserved Arg 66, Arg 80, and Phe 75 from the protein core and Phe 165 from the mobile lid. The two Phe residues straddle the adenine ring of bound APS. Arg 148, a completely conserved residue, is the only residue in the mobile lid that interacts directly with bound ADP. Ser 34, located in the apex of the P-loop, hydrogen-bonds to the 3'-OH of APS, the phosphoryl transfer target. The structure of the binary E.ADP complex revealed further changes in the active site and N-terminal helix that occur upon the binding/release of (P)APS.
Tonic B cell antigen receptor signals supply an NF-κB substrate for prosurvival BLyS signaling

The survival of transitional and mature B cells requires both the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) and BLyS receptor 3 (BR3), which suggests that these receptors send signals that are nonredundant or that engage in crosstalk with each other. Here we show that BCR signaling induced production of the nonclassical transcription factor NF-kappaB pathway substrate p100, which is required for transmission of BR3 signals and thus B cell survival. The capacity for sustained p100 production emerged during transitional B cell differentiation, the stage at which BCR signals begin to mediate survival rather than negative selection. Our findings identify a molecular mechanism for the reliance of primary B cells on continuous BR3 and BCR signaling, as well as for the gradual resistance to negative selection that is acquired during B cell maturation.
Identification of scanning slit-beam topographic parameters important in distinguishing normal from keratoconic corneal morphologic features.

Purpose To identify morphologic parameters obtained using scanning slit-beam topography that help distinguish normal from keratoconic corneal morphologic features. Design Observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study. Methods This retrospective review examined 207 normal eyes of patients undergoing an initial consultation for primary refractive surgery and 42 eyes with clinical keratoconus (KCN). The following parameters were examined and compared between the two groups: astigmatism, central corneal power, irregularity indices at 3 mm (II3) and 5 mm (II5), maximal posterior elevation (MPE) magnitude and location, thinnest optical pachymetry (TOP) magnitude and location, anterior elevation best-fit sphere (ABFS), posterior elevation best-fit sphere (PBFS), the ratio of ABFS to PBFS, the difference between average inferior and average superior K values at 3 mm and 5 mm in both keratometric (I−S K3 and I−S K5) and tangential (I−S T3 and I−S T5) topographic maps, and skewed radial axis at 3 mm (SRAX3) and 5 mm (SRAX5) of the keratometric topography map. Results The II3, II5, MPE magnitude, TOP magnitude, ABFS, PBFS, ABFS-to-PBFS ratio, I−S K at both 3 mm and 5 mm, I−S T at both 3 and 5 mm, and SRAX at 3 mm and 5 mm values were significantly different among the two groups (P Conclusions Parameters obtained using scanning slit-beam topography may allow improved differentiation of keratoconic from normal corneal shapes, especially when the poorly correlated intragroup parameters are used.
Social Values, the Social Studies, and the Foreign Languages

Author's summary.— Two frank questions raised by a schoolman. Educational and practical reasons for the desire of foreign language teachers to have their subject recognized as a social study. An expression of doubt as to the application of rigid criteria in selecting the social studies. Foreign language as a “skill” and as a subject largely interested in social relationships. Striking testimony from a great newspaper.
Effects of Zoning on Residential Option Value

Knowing more precisely how zoning affects housing value would allow policy-makers to improve long-term policy decisions. Previous studies have concluded that local zoning regulations affect residential option value. These studies, however, do not specify the magnitude of the effect for varying zoning types. This study quantifies zoning's effect on residential option value for specific types of zoning using a hedonic regression model of housing prices. The study utilizes information on housing characteristics and sales prices for a cross-section of houses in Monongalia County, West Virginia. The research develops two models to differentiate between zoning effects on developed versus undeveloped properties. The research finds that R1 and R1a zoning regulations - the most common types of residential zoning in Monongalia County - significantly impact housing value.
Combustion synthesis of CoCrMo orthopedic implant alloys: microstructure and properties

Because of their excellent properties, such as corrosion resistance, fatigue strength and biocompatibility, cobalt-based alloys are widely used in total hip and knee replacements, dental devices and support structures for heart valves. In this work, CoCrMo alloys were synthesized using a novel method based on combustion synthesis (CS), an advanced technique to produce a wide variety of materials including alloys and near-net shape articles. This method possesses several advantages over conventional processes, such as low energy requirements, short processing times and simple equipment. The evaluated material properties included density and yield measurements, composition and microstructure analysis, hardness, friction and tensile tests. It was shown that microstructure of CS-material is finer and more uniform as compared to the conventional standard. It was also found that among various additives, Cr3C2 is the most effective one for increasing material hardness. In addition, synthesized CoCrMo alloys exhibited good friction and mechanical properties.