cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Educational attainment and response to HAART during initial therapy for HIV-1 infection.

Abstract Objective Previous research has demonstrated an association between educational attainment (EA) and negative physical and psychological outcomes. This study investigated whether EA is associated with regimen failure during initial therapy with highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) and whether adherence self-efficacy (ASE), a coping resource, moderates the relationship between EA and regimen failure. Methods A secondary analysis of AIDS Clinical Trial Group Protocol 384, an international, multicenter, randomized, partially double-blinded trial, included 799 male and 181 female antiretroviral-naive subjects (age, 37.0±9.5 years). Participants were recruited from 1998 to 1999 and followed for a median of 2.3 years across 81 centers. The dependent variable was “time to first regimen failure.” Covariates include baseline HIV-1 log10RNA and CD4+ counts, self-reported adherence, study site, ASE, age, sex, race, treatment assignment, and baseline use of nonantiretroviral medications. Results ASE significantly moderated the relationship between EA and regimen failure. Results showed that for every 10-unit increase in ASE, individuals with “less than high school” education had a 17% reduction in regimen failure (hazard ratio=0.83; 95% confidence interval=0.70–0.98) when compared to the reference group “college/graduate,” even after adjusting for baseline factors known to contribute to regimen failure. The time to first regimen failure was shorter with decreasing EA, trending toward significance (P=.08). Conclusions There is a social gradient in HAART effectiveness, and ASE reduces the deleterious effects of lower EA on regimen failure. We recommend designing controlled interventions to evaluate the effectiveness of programs that increase ASE prior to initiation with HAART, particularly for those with lower EA.
Attachment Behaviors and Proximity-Seeking in Cancer Patients and Their Partners

Abstract Systemic interventions for cancer patients and their family members are relatively underexplored in the medical family therapy literature. For many couples, a cancer diagnosis represents loss, isolation, and dependency that activate attachment behaviors. In this paper, we use attachment theory as a framework to describe couple interaction patterns and behaviors, especially proximity seeking, following a cancer diagnosis. Two case examples are provided to illustrate proximity seeking from secure and anxious-avoidant attachment styles in couples facing a recent diagnosis of cancer. We then apply Emotionally Focused Therapy, a systemic, attachment-based intervention, to a distressed couple and insecurely attached couple. Finally, clinical implications for medical family therapy practice are discussed along with suggestions for future research.
Identification of amino acids responsible for processivity in a Family 1 carbohydrate-binding module from a fungal cellulase.

We probe the molecular-level behavior of the Family 1 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) from a commonly studied fungal cellulase, the Family 7 cellobiohydrolase (Cel7A) from Trichoderma reesei, on the hydrophobic face of crystalline cellulose. With a fully atomistic model, we predict that the CBM alone exhibits regions of thermodynamic stability along a cellulose chain corresponding to a cellobiose unit, which is the catalytic product of the entire Cel7A enzyme. In addition, we determine which residues and the types of interactions that are responsible for the observed processivity length scale of the CBM: Y5, Q7, N29, and Y32. These results imply that the CBM can anchor the Cel7A enzyme at discrete points along a cellulose chain and thus aid in both recognizing cellulose chain ends for initial attachment to cellulose as well as aid in enzymatic catalysis by diffusing between stable wells on a length scale commensurate with the catalytic, processive cycle of Cel7A during cellulose hydrolysis. Comparison o...
Detection of Intensity Changes with Subpixel Accuracy Using Laplacian-Gaussian Masks

We present a system that takes a gray level image as input, locates edges with subpixel accuracy, and links them into lines. Edges are detected by finding zero-crossings in the convolution of the image with Laplacian-of-Gaussian (LoG) masks. The implementation differs markedly from M.I.T.'s as we decompose our masks exactly into a sum of two separable filters instead of the usual approximation by a difference of two Gaussians (DOG). Subpixel accuracy is obtained through the use of the facet model [1]. We also note that the zero-crossings obtained from the full resolution image using a space constant ? for the Gaussian, and those obtained from the 1/n resolution image with 1/n pixel accuracy and a space constant of ?/n for the Gaussian, are very similar, but the processing times are very different. Finally, these edges are grouped into lines using the technique described in [2].
Stereospecificity and other properties of a novel secondary-alcohol specific alcohol dehydrogenase

NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase from the methanol-grown Methylcoccus sp. CRL M1 (type I membrane), Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b (type II membrane), Methylobacterium organophillum CRL 26 (type II membrane, facultative methylotroph). Pseudomonas sp. ATCC 21439, and Pichia pastoris Y-55 are secondary-alcohol-specific and that from P. pastoris Y-7556 is not. This novel secondary-alcohol-specific alcohol dehydrogenase (secondary-alcohol dehydrogenase) has been purified from methanol-grown Pseudomonas sp. ATCC 21439. Secondary-alcohol dehydrogenase shows a single protein band on acrylamide gel electrophoresis and has a molecular weight of 95000. It consists of two subunits of Mr 48000 daltons and two atoms of zinc per molecule of enzyme protein. It oxidizes secondary alcohols, notably 2-propanol and 2-butanol. Primary alcohols are not oxidized. The pH and temperature optima for secondary-alcohol dehydrogenase are 8--9, and 30--35 degrees C, respectively. The activation energy calculated is 82.8 kJ. Secondary-alcohol dehydrogenase also catalyzes the reduction of methyl ketones to their corresponding 2-alcohols in the presence of NADH (a reverse reaction). The Km values at 25 degrees C in the forward reaction for 2-butanol, (2R)-(-)-butan-2-ol, and NAD, and in the reverse reaction for 2-butanone and NADH are 2.5 x 10(-4) M, 1.6 x 10(-4) M, 11 x 10(-5) M, 1.98 x 10(-4) M, and 2.1 x 10(-6) M, respectively. The secondary-alcohol dehydrogenase activity was inhibited by metal-chelating agents and by strong thio reagents such as p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid). The substrate specificity, and mobility on gel electrophoresis of secondary-alcohol dehydrogenase and primary-alcohol dehydrogenases are compared. Secondary-alcohol dehydrogenase oxidizes preferentially the (-)-2-butanol. This is different from primary-alcohol dehydrogenase from bakers' yeast which oxidizes only the (+)-2-butanol. This may be explained in terms of the structure of the enzymes.
Potentiating effects of forskolin on the cardiovascular teratogenicity of ephedrine in chick embryos.

Ephedrine was administered to 3-day chick embryos (Hamburger-Hamilton developmental stage 19) together with caffeine at doses where each agent alone caused minimal embryotoxicity. Embryos were examined for malformations on day 14 of incubation. The teratogenicity of ephedrine in the chick cardiovascular system was significantly potentiated by caffeine at a dose as low as 0.5 mumol (0.1 mg/egg; 2 mg/kg egg).
Energy efficiency aspects of multi-dimensional elastic optical networking

There is a significant effort to make transition from the traditional DWDM based network infrastructure to the next generation one based on dynamic and elastic optical networking. Such a networking will have multidimensional nature with respect to arrangement of the spectral and spatial signal components, where each component is based on a multidimensional coded modulation. The employment of multiple degrees of freedom offers significant opportunities for the energy efficient transmission of information bits. In this paper, we consider the energy aspects of the elastic networking based on the optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), optical spatial mode multiplexing, and multidimensional coded modulation. The adaptive optimization approach can lead to a substantial increase in the energy efficiency for high spectral density cases.
Zeugmatography by Reconstruction from Projections

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) zeugmatographic imaging may be accomplished in a number of ways. Reconstruction from projections offers several advantages when compared with those techniques that depend upon transient perturbations of the NMR response. The generation of either two- or three-dimensional images is possible, and the effects of differences in relaxation times and spectroscopic properties may be incorporated into the experiment. Complete three-dimensional reconstruction is an especially efficient imaging method, and some examples of such images are shown.
Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return: more common from the left or right lung?

Dear editor, I read with great interest ‘‘Anatomical study of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return with special references to the bronchial vein: supplementary report’’ (Okamoto et al. 2008). They describe an anomalous right upper lobe vein draining into the superior vena cava. They note that this is the most frequent type of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return. While previous studies corroborate this statement (Brody 1942; Snellen et al. 1968), a more recent study examining the prevalence of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return using computed tomography provides conflicting data. In this study, 79% had an anomalous left upper lobe vein draining into a persistent left vertical vein, 17% had a right upper lobe vein draining into the superior vena cava, and 3% had a right lower lobe vein draining into the suprahepatic inferior vena cava (Haramati et al. 2003). This difference in prevalence may partially be due to easier detection of left upper lobe anomalous veins than right upper lobe anomalous veins with computed tomography (Haramati et al. 2003). However, the patient population studied may also be a factor. Prior studies reporting partial anomalous pulmonary venous return were mostly autopsy series or surgical reports of a young population with cardiac defects. These data may not apply to the adult population. The recent study utilizing computed tomography was performed in an adult population, and suggests that the characteristics of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return may differ in pediatric and adult populations.
Approximate general solutions to nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations

Abstract Upper and lower bounds c + = c + ( x ,t) and c − = c − ( x ,t are obtained on the solution to the generic initial-value problem for nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations of the form ∂c ∂t = D∇ 2 c − gf(c) + f , where c = c( x ,t) is the concentration of a reactant molecular species, φ(c) is a prescribed monotone increasing positive-definite function of c, and f = f( x ,t) is a prescribed nonnegative source distribution. It follows from the bounding relation c − ⩽ c ⩽ c + that a suitably accurate approximate general solution may often be given immediately by c ≡ 1 2 ( c + + c − ) . This is illustrated here for a second-order process [ i . e ., φ ( c ) ∝ c 2 ] in the infinite (unbounded) x domain.
Tissue stimulation: theoretical considerations and practical applications.

The three electrical characteristics of a stimulus (current, charge and energy) are related and can be predicted from the nature of the tissue stimulated. The older empirically derived Weiss-Lapicque concepts of stimulation are compared with those predicted by membrane theory. It is shown that, from the strength/duration curve for charge, it is possible to determine the membrane time constant of the tissue being stimulated. Two practical cases of cardiac muscle stimulation (pacing and defibrillation) were chosen to illustrate that although the goals are different in these two cases, the common denominator is excitation of cardiac muscle and that the membrane time constants so determined are similar to direct-heart and transchest electrode locations.
4JCOCCH and 4JCCCCH as Probes of Exocyclic Hydroxymethyl Group Conformation in Saccharides

[structure: see text] 1H NMR spectra of aldohexopyranosyl rings containing 13C-enrichment at either C1 or C3 reveal the presence of long-range 4J(C1,H6R/S) and 4J(C3,H6R/S) whose magnitudes depend mainly on the O5-C5-C6-O6 torsion angle. Using theoretical calculations (density functional theory, DFT; B3LYP/6-31G*) and conformationally constrained experimental model compounds, the magnitudes and signs of 4J(C1,H6R/S) and 4J(C3,H6R/S) have been established, and their dependencies on the geometry of the C1-O5-C5-C6-H6R/S and C3-C4-C5-C6-H6R/S coupling pathways, respectively, were determined. The latter dependencies mimic that observed previously for 4J(HH) in aliphatic compounds such as propane. DFT calculations also showed that inclusion of non-Fermi contact terms is important for accurate predictions of 4J(CH) values. Application to methyl alpha- and beta-D-glucopyranosides reveals different rotameric distributions about their hydroxymethyl groups, with the beta-anomer enriched in the gt rotamer, in agreement with recent multi-J redundant coupling analyses. 4J(C1,H6R/S) and 4J(C3,H6R/S) are expected to complement other recently developed J-couplings for the assignment of hydroxymethyl group conformation in oligosaccharides containing 1,6-glycosidic linkages.
Cortical and thalamic activity in the late phases of somatosensory evoked potentials

Abstract Evoked potentials and associated neuronal activity, induced by repetitive stimulation of the sciatic nerve with brief electrical pulses, were recorded simultaneously from the somatosensory cortex, the ventroposterolateral nucleus and the centre median nucleus in cats, under gallamine. Because the early components of the response, extending from the stimulus to 500 msec, are of much higher amplitude than the late components, extending beyond the first 500 msec, up to 2500 msec after the stimulus, the latter may be ‘masked’ when both sections, early and late, are recorded at the same magnification. For this reason the late sections of the evoked potentials and associated neuronal activity were studied separately, at higher gain. Averaging and autocorrelation studies of the late part of the evoked potential and of the associated neuronal discharge, show that their highest amplitude of oscillation and their highest degree of periodicity are reached at specific frequencies of stimulation, in the cortex as well as in the thalamus. Cross-correlation studies of the relations between gross and neuronal activities within the cortex or within the thalamus, as well as studies of the relations between cortical and thalamic activities, show that the highest degree of correlation occurs when the frequencies of stimulation are within the same range. This suggests that the development of the late oscillations of the evoked potential and of the associated neuronal discharge is based on the activity of cortical, thalamic and corticothalamic loops which respond most effectively at frequencies of stimulations related to their resonance characteristics.
Modeling and Prediction of Fan Noise

Fan noise is a significant contributor to the total noise signature of a modern high bypass ratio aircraft engine and with the advent of ultra high bypass ratio engines like the geared turbofan, it is likely to remain so in the future. As such, accurate modeling and prediction of the basic characteristics of fan noise are necessary ingredients in designing quieter aircraft engines in order to ensure compliance with ever more stringent aviation noise regulations. In this paper, results from a comprehensive study aimed at establishing the utility of current tools for modeling and predicting fan noise will be summarized. It should be emphasized that these tools exemplify present state of the practice and embody what is currently used at NASA and Industry for predicting fan noise. The ability of these tools to model and predict fan noise is assessed against a set of benchmark fan noise databases obtained for a range of representative fan cycles and operating conditions. Detailed comparisons between the predicted and measured narrowband spectral and directivity characteristics of fan nose will be presented in the full paper. General conclusions regarding the utility of current tools and recommendations for future improvements will also be given.
Animal models of the MPD: lack of the clones

Comment on Lacout et al, page [1652][1] A low incidence and phenotypic mimicry have been impediments to investigating the chronic MPDs: PV, IMF, and ET. The discovery of JAK2V617F, however, provided an anodyne, since it offered the possibility of developing animal models for the MPDs and 2 groups
Re-Evaluation of Some Thermodynamic Properties of Gadolinium Metal

The heat capacity of Gd metal has previously been measured over the temperature range 15 to 355\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K by M. Griffel et al. In this note, the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coefficient (16\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ cal/g atom ${\mathrm{deg}}^{2}$ in the original work) used in calculating the electronic specific heat of Gd has been replaced by the more recent value of 22\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$, cal/g atom ${\mathrm{deg}}^{2}$. This leads to a slightly higher calculated Debye temperature and a subsequent readjustment of the lattice-specific-heat term. In addition, an error was discovered in the evaluation of the thermodynamic functions, particularly the (${{S}_{T}}^{0}$) term. A Simpson's-rule integration procedure was applied to the original heat-capacity data and the thermodynamic functions were re-evaluated. These changes lead to a magneticentropy calculation considerably closer to the complete spin-order entropy, RIn8, than was reported in the original work.
Electrostrictive and ferroelectric properties of P(VDF/TrFE)/P(VDF/HFP) copolymer blends

Previous studies have shown that copolymers of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and hexafluoropropylene (HFP) can exhibit large electrostrictive strains depending on sample history and copolymer composition. In an earlier study, random copolymers containing 5%HFP/ 95% VDF and 15%HFP/85%VDF were investigated. In this study, we used random copolymers of poly(VDF/TrFE) (68/32) mol% and poly(VDF/HFP) (95/5) mol% to prepare films by solution blending the two copolymers in different weight percents. Films were prepared using a two step process. First, we prepared solvent cast films of the blends using dimethylformamide (DMF) as the solvent at room temperature and then melt-pressed and quenched the films into ice water. Gold electrodes were deposited on opposing sides of the films by sputtering. We measured the electrostrictive properties as a function of electric field.
A re‐examination of adult mouse nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channel activation kinetics

1 During routine sequencing of our mouse muscle α subunit acetylcholine receptor channel (AChR) cDNA clones, we detected a discrepancy with the GenBank database entry (accession X03986). At nucleotides 1305-7 (residue 433, in the M4 domain) the database lists GTC which encodes a valine, while our putative ‘wild-type’ cDNA had the nucleotides GCC, which encodes an alanine. No other sequence differences were found. 2 PCR amplification of genomic DNA confirmed that the BALB/C mouse α subunit gene has a T nucleotide at position 1306, and, therefore, that the protein has a V at position 433 in the M4 segment. 3 In order to determine the functional consequences of this difference, either wild-type (V433) or mutant (A433) α subunits were co-expressed in HEK cells with mouse β, e and δ subunits. Single-channel currents were recorded in cell-attached patches, and rate and equilibrium constants were estimated from open and closed durations obtained from a range of ACh concentrations. No significant differences were found between the activation rate constants or equilibrium constants of the V433 and A433 variants. 4 Kinetic modelling of αV433 AChR suggests that the two transmitter binding sites have similar dissociation equilibrium constants for acetylcholine (∼160 μM, in 142 mM extracellular KCl). 5 Diliganded AChRs occupy a closed state that has a lifetime of ∼1 ms. The rate constants for entering and leaving this state do not vary with the ACh concentration. 6 The kinetics of a mutant AChR that causes a slow channel congenital myaesthenic syndrome, αG153S, was re-examined. The properties of this mutant were similar with a V or an A at position α433.
RADPEER quality assurance program: a multifacility study of interpretive disagreement rates.

Abstract Purpose To develop and test a radiology peer review system that adds minimally to workload, is confidential, uniform across practices, and provides useful information to meet the mandate for "evaluation of performance in practice" that is forthcoming from the American Board of Medical Specialties as one of the four elements of maintenance of certification. Method RADPEER has radiologists who review previous images as part of a new interpretation record their ratings of the previous interpretations on a 4-point scale. Reviewing radiologists' ratings of 3 and 4 (disagreements in nondifficult cases) are reviewed by a peer review committee in each practice to judge whether they are misinterpretations by the original radiologists. Final ratings are sent for central data entry and analysis. A pilot test of RADPEER was conducted in 2002. Results Fourteen facilities participated in the pilot test, submitting a total of 20,286 cases. Disagreements in difficult cases (ratings of 2) averaged 2.9% of all cases. Committee-validated misinterpretations in nondifficult cases averaged 0.8% of all cases. There were considerable differences by modality. There were substantial differences across facilities; few of these differences were explicable by mix of modalities, facility size or type, or being early or late in the pilot test. Of 31 radiologists who interpreted over 200 cases, 2 had misinterpretation rates significantly ( P Conclusions A substantial number of facilities participated in the pilot test, and all maintained their participation throughout the year. Data generated are useful for the peer review of individual radiologists and for showing differences by modality. RADPEER is now operational and is a good solution to the need for a peer review system with the desirable characteristics listed above.
Giant cell arteritis mimicking infiltrative leptomeningeal disease of the optic nerves

A 67-year-old man presented with several days of progressive, painless left eye vision loss. He reported mild jaw claudication but denied headache, scalp tenderness or constitutional symptoms. Examination revealed palpable temporal arteries, blurring of the left optic disc, and 20/100 vision in the left eye with mild relative afferent pupillary defect. Inflammatory markers were sent, and methylprednisolone was initiated for presumptive giant cell arteritis (GCA). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was normal, however, and C reactive protein was only mildly elevated, prompting further investigation. Orbital MRI revealed nodular enhancement of the optic nerve sheaths bilaterally from optic nerve head to chiasm, raising concern for an infiltrative leptomeningeal process such as sarcoidosis or lymphoma. Methylprednisolone was temporarily stopped while a broad work up for inflammatory and neoplastic causes was pursued. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography ultimately revealed hypermetabolism in the temporal, ophthalmic and occipital arteries suggesting GCA, which was confirmed by temporal artery biopsy. Steroids were restarted, and the patient's vision stabilised.
Escaping the niche.

In this issue of Blood , Zou and colleagues unravel a long-standing mystery—how megakaryocyte precursors make the transition from the collagen-rich osteoblastic bone marrow niche to the collagen-poor vascular niche while expressing 2 receptors that interact with collagen—GpVI and the α2β1 integrin.
Quantitation of striatal and extrastriatal D-2 dopamine receptors using PET imaging of [18F]fallypride in nonhuman primates

[18F]Fallypride is a highly selective, high-affinity dopamine D-2 receptor ligand. The high affinity, KD = 30 pM, makes it a suitable candidate for visualizing both striatal and extrastriatal binding in the brain. In this work, dynamic PET studies of two macaque monkeys were acquired along with arterial plasma samples. Compartmental analysis and Logan plots were used to analyze the striatum, thalamus, frontal, and temporal cortices and to validate a reference region of analysis which yields a distribution volume ratio (DVR). The cerebellum was used as the reference region. The results indicate that all methods of analysis are in close agreement over all the analyzed regions in the brain. The average DVRs for the two monkeys was found to be: caudate = 26, putamen = 29, thalamus = 3.8, frontal ctx = 1.7, and temporal ctx = 1.7 on a high-resolution PET scanner. It was found that a scan time of 2 h is needed to accurately estimate the DVR for all regions of the brain. The striatal regions require the longest to linearize and are the most sensitive to variations in the average tissue-to-plasma efflux constant, k2. For the extrastriatal regions, the effect of the k2 term on DVR calculation is negligible. Repeatability measurements for all regions were found to be within 10% using the DVR parameter. Synapse 38:71–79, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An unpredictable-dynamics approach to neural intelligence

The theoretical basis for a dynamic neural network architecture that takes advantage of the notion of terminal chaos to process information in a way that is phenomenologically similar to brain activity is presented. The architecture exploits the phenomenology of nonlinear dynamic systems as an alternative to the traditional paradigm of finite-state machines. It is based on some effects of nonLipschitzian dynamics. The nonlinear phenomenon of terminal chaos and its relevance to brain activity are examined. >
The Enterovirus 71 Procapsid Binds Neutralizing Antibodies and Rescues Virus Infection In Vitro

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is responsible for seasonal outbreaks of hand, foot, and mouth disease in the Asia-Pacific region. The virus has the capability to cause severe disease and death, especially in young children. Although several vaccines are currently in clinical trials, no vaccines or therapeutics have been approved for use. Previous structural studies have revealed that two antigenically distinct capsid forms are produced in EV71-infected cells: an expanded empty capsid, sometimes called a procapsid, and the infectious virus. Specifically, an immunodominant epitope of EV71 that maps to the virus canyon is structurally different in the procapsid and virus. This structure-function study shows that the procapsid can sequester antibodies, thus enhancing EV71 infection in vitro. The results presented here suggest that, due to conformational differences between the EV71 procapsid and virus, the presence of the procapsid in natural virus infections should be considered in the future design of vaccines or therapeutics. IMPORTANCE In a picornavirus infection, both an infectious and a noninfectious empty capsid, sometimes referred to as a procapsid, are produced. It was novel to discover that the procapsid form of EV71 was expanded and antigenically distinct from the infectious virus. Previously, it had been supposed that this empty capsid was an off-pathway dead end or at best served for storage of pentameric subunits, which was later shown to be unlikely. It remains unexplained why picornaviruses evolutionarily conserve the wasteful production of so much noninfectious capsid. Here, we demonstrate that the EV71 procapsid has different antigenic properties than the infectious virus. Thus, the procapsid has the capacity to sequester neutralizing antibody and protect the virus, promoting or restoring a successful infection in vitro. This important observation should be considered in the future design and development of vaccines and therapeutics.
Dendritic Cells and Hepatocytes Use Distinct Pathways to Process Protective Antigen from Plasmodium in vivo

Malaria-protective CD8+ T cells specific for the circumsporozoite (CS) protein are primed by dendritic cells (DCs) after sporozoite injection by infected mosquitoes. The primed cells then eliminate parasite liver stages after recognizing the CS epitopes presented by hepatocytes. To define the in vivo processing of CS by DCs and hepatocytes, we generated parasites carrying a mutant CS protein containing the H-2Kb epitope SIINFEKL, and evaluated the T cell response using transgenic and mutant mice. We determined that in both DCs and hepatocytes CS epitopes must reach the cytosol and use the TAP transporters to access the ER. Furthermore, we used endosomal mutant (3d) and cytochrome c treated mice to address the role of cross-presentation in the priming and effector phases of the T cell response. We determined that in DCs, CS is cross-presented via endosomes while, conversely, in hepatocytes protein must be secreted directly into the cytosol. This suggests that the main targets of protective CD8+ T cells are parasite proteins exported to the hepatocyte cytosol. Surprisingly, however, secretion of the CS protein into hepatocytes was not dependent upon parasite-export (Pexel/VTS) motifs in this protein. Together, these results indicate that the presentation of epitopes to CD8+ T cells follows distinct pathways in DCs when the immune response is induced and in hepatocytes during the effector phase.
Comparisons of judgments using rank ordering and regression models

A comparison was made between judgments concerning values using rank ordering and a profile of value levels. Results suggest that the profile rating task and rank ordering measure different judgment processes. When a regression equation is computed for each subject, R2 ranges from very low to very high, indicating that some subjects do not make consistent value judgments. Further, values do not enter individual equations in a manner that would be predicted from ranked data. The value with the lowest average rank was second in terms of number of equations entered. Values with low rankings tend to enter equations with negative weights, indicating a strong influence of values with negative valences. Profile rating and regression analysis appear to provide more valid measures of value systems than rank ordering.
Age-stratified outcomes in elderly patients undergoing open and endovascular procedures for aortoiliac occlusive disease

Background The elderly comprise a sizeable segment of patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD). We analyzed outcomes in elderly patients who underwent open and endovascular procedures for AIOD. Methods Elderly patients with AIOD who underwent open and endovascular procedures in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) database from 2004 to 2007 were identified. Patients were stratified into age groups: 65–69 years, 70–79 years, and 80 years or older. The clinical outcomes were complications and mortality; the economic outcomes were duration of stay and hospital cost. Both open and endovascular procedures were compared using χ2 analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multivariate linear and logistic regression. Results Patients aged 80 years or older were more likely be nonelective admissions (43%), have a high Charlson Comorbidity Index (12%), and have iliac artery disease (63%, all P Conclusion For both procedures, clinical outcomes worsen as patient age increases. In patients aged 70 years or older, endovascular treatment conferred a lower complication rate than open repair.
Concurrent nulling and locations of multiple interferences in adaptive antenna arrays

An approach for concurrent nulling and location (CANAL) of multiple interferences impinging on an array antenna is presented. It is based on the principle of constructing the signal and the noise subspaces from the nulling weights which correspond to different steering directions. In this respect, the data snapshots and their estimated covariance matrix are not required. As in the MUSIC algorithm, the basis of the noise subspace is then used to form a spectrum in which the peak locations define the estimated angles of arrivals. Applebaum optimum weights are employed to delineate the properties of the proposed approach under the assumption of narrowband uncorrelated jamming sources, and providing that the number of steering directions exceeds the number of interferences. CANAL is presented for the general case of unknown noise power. The effect of the desired signal presence on the performance Is discussed. >
The material features of multiple representations and their cognitive and social affordances for science understanding

Abstract This article reviews experimental and naturalistic studies conducted by our research group to examine the role of multiple representations in understanding science. It examines the differences between expert chemists and chemistry students in their representational skills and in their use of representations in science laboratories. It describes the way scientists use the material features of multiple representations to support their shared understanding and laboratory practices and contrasts this with the way students use representations. Scientists coordinate features within and across multiple representations to reason about their research and negotiate shared understanding based on underlying entities and processes. Students, on the other hand, have difficulty moving across or connecting multiple representations, so their understanding and discourse are constrained by the features of surface individual representations. Implications are drawn for the design and use of technology-based systems that provide students with coordinated, multiple representations and collaborative activities that afford the development of shared understanding in science. These implications are explored in a pilot study.
Design of Linear Double Tapers in Rectangular Waveguides

This paper considers the problem of a taper connecting two uniform waveguides of arbitrary dimensions and propagating a single mode; an approximate expression for the reflection coefficient is derived. The special case of a linear double taper in rectangular waveguide is examined in detail for propagation in the TE/sub 10/ mode. Approximate expressions for the reflection coefficient and voltage standing wave ratio as functions of the taper dimensions and free space wavelength are derived and experimentally verified.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies for the Management of Dyslipidemia

Objective:To review the literature on select alternative therapies for the management of dyslipidemia.Data Sources:Searches of MEDLINE and PubMed (1965–March 2006) were conducted using the key terms omega-3-fatty acids, policosanol, plant stands and sterols, flaxseed, red yeast rice, guggulipid, garlic, fiber, almonds, and cholesterol and/or lipids.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Meta-analyses, published in English and involving adults, that incorporated randomized, controlled trials on alternative therapies for dyslipidemia were reviewed. Additionally, trials published subsequent to the meta-analyses were reviewed. Articles deemed relevant were included in this review.Data Synthesis:Of the aforementioned alternative therapies, randomized controlled trials were found for omega-3-fatty acids, policosanol, plant stanols and sterols, flaxseed, red yeast rice, guggulipid, garlic, fiber, almonds, and soy. Studies for each of these agents report varying degrees of lipid reduction. Based on published data, e...
Universal steganalysis scheme using support vector machines

The purpose of a steganalysis scheme is to distinguish the stego-image from suspicious images. A well-designed steganalysis scheme must distinguish stego-media from cover-media with a better probability rather than random guessing. Most steganalysis schemes belong to the embedding specific approach. However, Farid initially proposed universal steganalysis schemes to detect messages hidden by various embedding algorithms. Because detection accuracy is related to the trained characteristic database, the selection of statistical features will be more important. In 2006, Lyu and Farid indicated that some statistical features are less important than others and that they do not affect the classified results. The proposed universal steganalysis scheme focuses on the differences of statistical features formed by embedding algorithms and applies a support vector machine to distinguish the stego-image from suspicious images. The proposed scheme is more practical than Lyu and Farid's schemes and experimental results show the performance of the proposed universal steganalysis scheme is also superior to those of the above-mentioned schemes.
Microstructure and properties of Cu-rich 123. Part I: Copper at the grain boundaries

A range of copper-rich bulk YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3+}{sub {ital x}}O{sub 7+{ital y}} superconductors have been prepared by mixing excess copper oxide in the initial material and characterized for their magnetic properties and microstructure. The microstructure of the materials exhibits a high density of planar defects at the grain boundaries and a grain boundary amorphous phase. There is a small increase in the magnetic {ital J}{sub {ital c}} at 4.5 K but a decrease compared to a conventional material at 77 K, and there is no correlation of the magnetic {ital J}{sub {ital c}} with the twin boundary density. The change in {ital J}{sub {ital c}} can be understood if the grain boundary pinning is strong at 4.5 K but weak at 77 K. Data obtained using a very wide range of different microstructure characterization techniques clearly indicates the dangers of relying on only one technique to obtain a full picture of the material.
Possible phase transformation toughening of thermoset polymers by poly(butylene terephthalate)

Mechanisms were explored by which particles of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) are able to toughen a brittle epoxy. The epoxy studied was an aromatic amine-cured diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A, which was toughened at about twice the rate with particles of poly(butylene terephthalate) as with particles of nylon 6, poly(vinylidene fluoride), or CTBN rubber. Many of the mechanisms of toughening are visible on the fracture surface of the PBT-epoxy blend, but a mechanism suggested to account for perhaps half of the increased toughness with PBT, phase transformation toughening, is not. The two types of experiment performed to detect phase transformation toughening were: (1) measurements of the rubber cavitation zone in PBT-CTBN rubber-epoxy ternary blends, which would detect an expansion of the PBT particles during fracture if it occurred, and (2) measurements of the fracture energy in PBT-epoxy blends in which the various mechanisms of toughening were selectively suppressed. Both types of experiment indicated the occurrence of phase transformation toughening in these PBT-epoxy blends.
Notes on the Net

In conference meeting rooms and hallways, professional journals, and countless faculty meetings, educators repeatedly question academic theatre's design and function. Listservs provide them with yet another venue. In meandering, chatty, and sometimes passionate style, electronic communiques touch on the concerns many faculty share. Early in 1992, C. David Frankel joined a discussion already underway about theatre education's future directions.
T-cell contributions to alveolar bone loss in response to oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis

We have previously shown that mice lacking CD4+, but not CD8+, T cells lose less alveolar bone loss in response to oral infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis than do immunocompetent mice of the same genetic background, indicating that CD4+ T cells contribute to bone resorption. The CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell knockouts were produced by targeted deletions of, respectively, major histocompatibility complex II (MHCII) or beta2-microglobulin (producing non-expression of MHCI). Because MHC deletions can have other effects in addition to those on T-cell selection, we wanted to confirm that the lessened bone loss was truly an effect of the lack of T cells. Consequently, we repeated our experiments with C57B1 /6J-Tcra mice that have a targeted deletion of the alpha chain of the T-cell receptor (Tcra). Six weeks after oral infection with P. gingivalis ATCC 53977 the total bone loss at buccal maxillary sites was 0.28 mm in infected immunocompetent mice (P=0.002 compared with sham-infected mice), whereas in Tcra knockouts the bone loss was only 0.08 mm (P=0.04 compared with shams). The T-cell-deficient mice thus lost 70% less bone after infection than did genetically matched immunocompetent mice (P =0.003). These experiments confirm that T cells, and their responses to oral infection with P. gingivalis, help to push bone remodeling in the direction of net loss of bone.
DNA and RNA contents in relation to cell and seed weight in Pisum sativum

Abstract The rates of increase in DNA, RNA and fresh weight were determined for a series of stages of cotyledon development in three varieties of Pisum sativum. The average amounts of DNA in the cells of the cotyledon (up to 64C) were directly proportional to the average weights of the cells for the whole of the period of development in the case of two-seeded varieties, and for the first part of the developmental period for the large-seeded variety. Increases in RNA values for all three varieties were proportional to cell weight in the early stages but at later stages RNA values decreased. A hypothesis for the regulation of DNA and RNA synthesis by the cell volume is proposed.
Internal Forecasts: An Experimental Exploration of how News Travels Up Organizational Charts

We investigate internal disclosures in an experimental setting, in which subordinates use forecasts to transfer news up the organizational chart. We conduct a (2 x 2) x 2 mixed factorial design experiment with 64 participants in which mid-period news direction (good vs. bad), news attribution (internal vs. external), and incentive scheme (fixed-target vs. relative-target) are the independent variables. Our findings indicate that subordinates withhold their private information even when there is an economic cost to doing so, and only share their private information in the presence of strategic or reputational benefits. We find that subordinates share more good news than bad news. Considering incentive scheme, subordinates with relative-target schemes match this pattern of sharing more good news than bad. Those with fixed-target schemes share similar amounts of good and bad news, but their tendencies are more closely aligned with withholding both types of news. These findings suggest that changing from fixed-target to relative-target incentive schemes does not ensure more accurate forecasts, particularly if organizations are concerned with subordinates withholding bad news.
Redox control of prion and disease pathogenesis.

Imbalance of brain metal homeostasis and associated oxidative stress by redox-active metals like iron and copper is an important trigger of neurotoxicity in several neurodegenerative conditions, including prion disorders. Whereas some reports attribute this to end-stage disease, others provide evidence for specific mechanisms leading to brain metal dyshomeostasis during disease progression. In prion disorders, imbalance of brain-iron homeostasis is observed before end-stage disease and worsens with disease progression, implicating iron-induced oxidative stress in disease pathogenesis. This is an unexpected observation, because the underlying cause of brain pathology in all prion disorders is PrP-scrapie (PrPSc), a β-sheet–rich conformation of a normal glycoprotein, the prion protein (PrPC). Whether brain-iron dyshomeostasis occurs because of gain of toxic function by PrPSc or loss of normal function of PrPC remains unclear. In this review, we summarize available evidence suggesting the involvement of oxidative stress in prion-disease pathogenesis. Subsequently, we review the biology of PrPC to highlight its possible role in maintaining brain metal homeostasis during health and the contribution of PrPSc in inducing brain metal imbalance with disease progression. Finally, we discuss possible therapeutic avenues directed at restoring brain metal homeostasis and alleviating metal-induced oxidative stress in prion disorders. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 12, 1271–1294.
Contextual fuzzy type-2 hierarchies for decision trees (CoFuH-DT) — An accelerated data mining technique

Advanced data mining techniques (ADMT) are very powerful tools for classification, understanding and prediction of object behaviors, providing descriptive relationships between objects such as a customer and a product they intend to buy. ADMT typically consists of classifiers and association techniques, among them, decision trees (DT). However, some important relationships are not readily apparent in a traditional decision tree. In addition, decision trees can grow quite large as the number of dimensions and their corresponding elements increase, requiring significant resources for processing. In either case, rules governing these relationships can be difficult to construct. This paper presents CoFuH-DT, a new algorithm for capturing intrinsic relationships among the nodes of DT, based upon a proposed concept of type-2 fuzzy ldquocontextsrdquo. This algorithm modifies a decision tree, first by generating type-1 fuzzy extensions of the underlying DT criteria or ldquoconditionsrdquo; combining further those extensions into new abstractions overlaid with type-2 contexts. The resulting fuzzy type-2 classification is then able to capture intrinsic relationships that are otherwise non-intuitive. In addition, performing fuzzy setbased operations simplifies the decision tree much faster than traditional search techniques in order to aid in rule construction. Testing presented on a virtual store example demonstrates savings of multiple orders of magnitude in terms of nodes and applicable conditions resulting in 1) reduced complexity of decision tree, 2) ability to data mine difficult to detect interrelationships, 3) substantial acceleration of decision tree search, making it applicable for 4) real-time data mining of new knowledge.
Field verification of predator attraction to minnow alarm substance.

Fishes such as minnows in the superorder Ostariophysi possess specialized alarm substance cells (ASC) that contain an alarm cue. Alarm substance can only be released by damage to the epidermis; thus, the release of alarm substance is a reliable indicator of predation risk. When nearby minnows detect the cue, they adopt a range of antipredator behaviors that reduce their probability of predation. Predator–predator interactions afford prey an opportunity to escape and, thus, a fitness benefit that maintains alarm substance calls over evolutionary time. Here, we present data from a simple field experiment verifying that nearby predators are attracted to minnow alarm substance because it signals an opportunity to pirate a meal. Fishing lures were baited with sponge blocks scented with either (1) water (control for sponge odor and appearance), (2) skin extract from non-ostariophysan convict cichlids (superorder Acanthopterygii, Archocentrus “Cichlasoma” nigrofasciatus) to control for general injury-released cues from fish, or (3) skin extract from fathead minnows (superorder Ostariophysi, Pimephales promelas). Predator strike frequency on each sponge type was 1,1, and 7 for water, cichlid, and minnow cues, respectively. These data provide the first field test using fish predators of the predator-attraction hypothesis for the evolution of Ostariophysan alarm substance cells.