cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can psychotherapy prolong cancer survival

DUring its intellectual odyssey. psychiatry has been caught between the Scylla of mindless materialism and the Charybdis of disembodied spiritualism. By the end of the 19th century. we had conceptualized the psyche as little more than the product of our genetic heritage and then followed Freud in the opposite direction. attributing personality and psychopathology to early life experience. despite Freud's avowed goal of a biology of the psyche.' At the end of the 20th century. we have again returned to biology as the key to understanding all mental function and psychiatric illness. Thus. it is of more than passing interest to examine the literature on the opposite problem: the effects of mental events on physical processes. What evidence indicates that the mind can influence the course of disease in the body? The brain is such a complex and elegant organ system that it would be strange indeed if it did not control behavior and physical processes in a way that has survival value. Why did we evolve all this cortex if not to help us prolong life and master our environment? Evidence that Type A personality style predicts vulnerability to heart disease~ and that relaxation training is an extremely effective treatment for mild hypertension \ provides support for the idea of a mind-body relationship that goes in two directions. There have been tantalizing suggestions in the literature that mental events. such as the expression of anger. are nonrandomly related to cancer diagnosis and progression. In 1975. Greer and Morris~ found that women with malignancies at breast biopsy had more difficulty expressing anger than those with benign lesions. The mood assessment was performed before the patients had the results of the biopsy. so the difference in prognosis could not account for the psychological differences. In 1979. Derogatis et aI.' reported that cancer patients who were rated by the medical staff as less cooperative lived significantly longer. This finding was complicated by the fact that the long-surviving group had had significantly less radiotherapy prior to the study. Greer et al.° found that cancer patients with a "fighting spirit" survived longer. These earlier studies received support from Goldstein and Antoni. who found more repressive coping styles among breast cancer patients as compared with controls, and from Hislop et al.. who found that extroversion and social activity were predictive of longer survival among breast cancer patients. However. unlike earlier work. they found that low. rather than high. levels of anger predicted better outcome. Temoshok et al. found that relatively cooperative. unassertive malignant melanoma patients had more unfavorable prognosis: Temoshok also found that patients with malignant melanoma who self-reported more psychosocial distress had faster
Decay of Σ−n dibaryons in exotic atoms

Abstract We have calculated the momenta of the decay products from a hypothetical Σ − n hyperfragment, including final-state interaction between the two neutrons. We have also examined the cascade of exotic atoms that incorporate Σ − n as a satellite. We find that a large fraction of dibaryons that stop in insulators of low atomic number will decay before being absorbed.
Strong coupling phase transitions in supersymmetric grand unified models

Abstract The determination of the temperature at which a grand unified model becomes strongly coupled should be based upon a physical quantity such as the screening lenght rather than the ad hoc condition that the opening becomes O(1). I use a recent calculation of this screening length (the inverse electric mass) to discuss some aspects of strong coupling behavior in the cosmology of supersymmetric grand unified models. Significant effects may occur in a variety of cases. An interesting possibilit is that there may be a pair of confining and deconfining phase transitions at a temperature as low as the supersymmetry breaking scale (O(TeV)). I present illustrative examples for these effects.
An integrated frequency synthesizer for 81–86GHz satellite communications in 65nm CMOS

We present an integrated frequency synthesizer in 65nm CMOS to enable the 81–86GHz satellite communication transceiver. The frequency synthesizer is inserted in a two-step zero-IF millimeter-wave transceiver with LO RF at 70–78GHz and LO IF at 1/8 of LO RF to cover the desired entire frequency bands. It also features coarse phase rotation to endow beam forming capabilities for the intended communication system. The phase noise is ≪ −83dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset as extrapolated from measured value at 1/8 of the VCO frequency (∼9.4GHz). The measured reference spur is ≪−49dBc. Total synthesizer power consumption including LO buffers and phase rotators is 65mW at 1V power supply and the compact layout has rendered small synthesizer core area of 0.16mm2.
Analysis of N‐cadherin function in limb mesenchymal chondrogenesis in vitro

During embryonic limb development, cartilage formation is presaged by a crucial mesenchymal cell condensation phase. N-Cadherin, a Ca2+ -dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule, is expressed in embryonic chick limb buds in a spatiotemporal pattern suggestive of its involvement during cellular condensation; functional blocking of N-cadherin homotypic binding, by using a neutralizing monoclonal antibody, results in perturbed chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In high-density micromass cultures of embryonic limb mesenchymal cells, N-cadherin expression level is high during days 1 and 2, coincident with active cellular condensation, and decreases upon overt chondrogenic differentiation from day 3 on. In this study, we have used a transfection approach to evaluate the effects of gain- and loss-of-function expression of N-cadherin constructs on mesenchymal condensation and chondrogenesis in vitro. Chick limb mesenchymal cells were transfected by electroporation with recombinant expression plasmids encoding wild-type or two mutant extracellular/cytoplasmic deletion forms of N-cadherin. Expression of the transfected N-cadherin forms showed a transient profile, being high on days 1-2 of culture, and decreasing by day 3, fortuitously coincident with the temporal profile of endogenous N-cadherin gene expression. Examined by means of peanut agglutinin (PNA) staining for condensing precartilage mesenchymal cells, cultures overexpressing wild-type N-cadherin showed enhanced cellular condensation on culture days 2 and 3, whereas expression of the deletion mutant forms (extracellular/cytoplasmic) of N-cadherin resulted in a decrease in PNA staining, suggesting that a complete N-cadherin protein is required for normal cellular condensation to occur. Subsequent chondrogenesis was also affected. Cultures overexpressing the wild-type N-cadherin protein showed enhanced chondrogenesis, indicated by increased production of cartilage matrix (sulfated proteoglycans, collagen type II, and cartilage proteoglycan link protein), as well as increased cartilage nodule number and size of individual nodules, compared with control cultures and cultures transfected with either of the two mutant N-cadherin constructs. These results demonstrate that complete N-cadherin function, at the levels of both extracellular homotypic binding and cytoplasmic linkage to the cytoskeleton by means of the catenin complex, is required for chondrogenesis by mediating functional mesenchymal cell condensation.
Distribution of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CCT) isoforms. Identification of a new CCTbeta splice variant.

CTP phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase is a major regulator of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. A single isoform, CCTα, has been studied extensively and a second isoform, CCTβ, was recently identified. We identify and characterize a third cDNA, CCTβ2, that differs from CCTβ1 at the carboxyl-terminal end and is predicted to arise as a splice variant of the CCTβ gene. Like CCTα, CCTβ2 is heavily phosphorylated in vivo, in contrast to CCTβ1. CCTβ1 and CCTβ2 mRNAs were differentially expressed by the human tissues examined, whereas CCTα was more uniformly represented. Using isoform-specific antibodies, both CCTβ1 and CCTβ2 localized to the endoplasmic reticulum of cells, in contrast to CCTα which resided in the nucleus in addition to associating with the endoplasmic reticulum. CCTβ2 protein has enzymatic activity in vitro and was able to complement the temperature-sensitive cytidylyltransferase defect in CHO58 cells, just as CCTα and CCTβ1 supporting proliferation at the nonpermissive conditions. Overexpression experiments did not reveal discrete physiological functions for the three isoforms that catalyze the same biochemical reaction; however, the differential cellular localization and tissue-specific distribution suggest that CCTβ1 and CCTβ2 may play a role that is distinct from ubiquitously expressed CCTα.
Insulin enhances proliferation and viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

This investigation is a follow-up to our previous in vivo studies revealing that rapid stretch increases tissue insulin in murine skin flaps, coincident with the up-regulation of key angiogenic effectors and enhanced vascularization. In the present study, we used human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as an in vitro model system to determine the role of insulin in the chemical signals regulating the processes of proliferation and viability (survival). MTT-based colorimetric methods demonstrated that insulin enhances proliferation and survival of HUVECs. Western blot analysis revealed that protein kinase B (pAkt [Thr308]) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were the insulin-responsive intermediates in proliferating endothelial cells (ECs). In insulin-enhanced survival, both pAkt (Thr308) and pAkt (Ser473) were activated in HUVECs. However, no change in VEGF expression accompanied pAkt activation. The beneficial effects of insulin were abrogated by insulin receptor (IR)/insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR) or phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3-K) blockade, suggesting that insulin-induced EC proliferation and viability are mediated through pIR/pIGFR and PI3-K effectors. These data provide new insights into the beneficial effects of insulin on vascularization and tissue viability, providing a mechanistic link to the enhancement of healing in acutely stretched skin.
Interleukins 2 and 12 produce significant recovery of cytotoxic function in dibutyltin-exposed human natural killer cells.

Abstract Cytotoxic function of human natural killer (NK) cells is modulated by a variety of cytokines. Interleukins (IL) 2, 12, 15, and 18 and Interferon γ (IFNγ) are potent stimulators of NK cell cytotoxicity. Butyltins (BTs) are used in a variety of consumer products and industrial applications. Dibutyltin (DBT) is found in plastic products, beverages stored in PVC pipes during manufacturing, and poultry products. BTs appear to increase the risk of cancer and viral infections in exposed individuals. Recently, we have demonstrated that the ability of NK cells to kill tumor cells is greatly diminished after a 1-h exposure to dibutyltin. This inhibition of tumor killing function continues even after removal of the compound. There is no significant recovery of NK cytotoxic function even when the cells are allowed to recover for 6 days. In the current study we examine the effects of NK-stimulatory cytokines on the ability of NK cells to recover from the inhibitory effects of a 1-h DBT treatment. Highly purified NK cells (>95% CD16+) or a lymphocyte preparation containing both T lymphocytes and NK cells were treated with 5 μM DBT and then allowed to recover for 24 h, 48 h, 4 days, and 6 days in DBT-free medium containing either no cytokine or a maximally stimulatory dose of several NK-stimulatory cytokines. Tumor killing function was tested using a radioactive chromium release assay. As seen in our previous studies there is no recovery of NK cell cytotoxic function even after a 6-day recovery period when no cytokine is present in the medium. However, there is significant recovery of NK cytotoxic function when IL2, IL12, or the combination of IL2 plus IL12 is present in the medium during the recovery period. The other cytokines tested (IL15, IL18, and IFNγ) were unable to increase the cytotoxicity of DBT-exposed NK cells.
A new method for fabrication of diamond-dust blocking filters.

Thermal embedding of diamond dust onto a polyethylene-coated Al plate has been used to make a blocking filter for FIR applications. The Al plate is sandwiched between two Mylar 'blankets' and the air between the layers is removed by means of a small vacuum pump. After the polyethylene is heated and softened, the diamond dust is applied to the polyethylene coating using a brush. The optimum diamond dust grain sizes corresponding to polyethylene layer thicknesses of 9-12 microns are given in a table, and the application of the blocking filter to spectrometric measurements in the FIR is described. An exploded view diagram of the layered structure of the blocking filter is provided.
Nonstandard finite difference schemes for differential equations with n+1 distinct fixed-points

We construct nonstandard finite-difference schemes that provide explicit numerical methods for a first-order differential equation with n+1 distinct fixed-points that include 0, where 0 = a 0 < a 1 < a 2 < … < a n and λ is either 1 or − 1. The numerical method is explicit and preserves the critical properties of the differential equation such as the positivity of the solutions, the stability behaviour of all fixed-points, and the monotonicity of solutions within each interval (a i , a i+1) for i = 0, 1,…, n − 1.
Reversible inhibition of cytochrome oxidase accumulation in human cells by ethidium bromide

Abstract We investigated the ability of ethidium bromide (EB) to induce respiratory mutation in human cells in culture. Human cells grown in EB at non-toxic concentrations underwent a 75–85% reduction in cytochrome oxidase activity. This reduction was paralleled by disappearance of cytochrome a + a 3 as determined by difference absorption spectra; the cellular content of cytochromes b , c , and c 1 was unaffected by EB. When cells grown in EB were subcultured in EB-free medium, they regained cytochrome oxidase activity characteristic of cells not exposed to EB. The reversal of the EB effect was found in both mass cultures and in clones isolated following EB exposure. The reversibility of the effect of EB on cytochrome oxidase makes it unlikely that EB, in non-lethal concentrations, has the same mutagenic effect on the mitochondrial DNA of higher eukaryotes as on lower eukaryotes. Possible mechanisms by which EB causes reversible inhibition of cytochrome oxidase synthesis are considered.
Maternal and paternal care in the rock cavy, Kerodon rupestris, a South American hystricomorph rodent

The maternal and paternal behavior of Kerodon rupestris was examined. Quantitative differences between fathers and mothers and between mothers raising young with fathers present and with fathers absent were assessed. Growth rates of young raised by paired females and by lone females were compared. The male provides direct paternal care to the young by engaging in allogrooming, sniffing, and huddling. There is no significant difference between the sexes in the amount of contact promoting behavior given to the offspring, nor are the sexes significantly different in the amount of exploratory sniffing of the offspring. When the male is absent, the female spends a greater amount of time in contact with the young. Young raised by lone females gained significantly more weight than young raised by paired females. The suggestion that indirect paternal care acts to reduce female aggression to the young and relieve the energy expenditure burden of the female is discussed. The results indicate that social experience is gained at the expense of physical nurturing when the male is present.
Registration of 'Puma' Soft White Winter Wheat

ABSTRACT Resistance to strawbreaker foot rot (caused by Oculimacula yallundae Crous & W. Gams and O. acuformis Crous & W. Gams), stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici iformisEriks.), and Cephalosporium stripe (caused by Cephalosporium gramineum Nisikado and Ikata) are important traits for winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars produced in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The objective of this research was to develop an adapted winter wheat cultivar with effective resistance to these diseases. ‘Puma’ (Reg. No. CV-1097, PI 670038) soft white winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) was developed and released in August 2013 by the Agricultural Research Center of Washington State University. Puma was tested under the experimental designations 5J030731, 5J030731–2, and WA008134, which were assigned through progressive generations of advancement. Puma is a semidwarf cultivar adapted to intermediate to high rainfall (>400 mm of average annual precipitation), unirrigated wheat production regions of Washington. Puma is resistant to strawbreaker foot rot, has high-temperature, adult-plant resistance to the stripe rust pathogen, is tolerant to Cephalosporium stripe, is intermediate in height, has midseason maturity, and has a high test weight and grain yield potential. Puma has end-use quality properties similar or superior to those of ‘Stephens’, ‘Brundage 96’, and ‘Xerpha’.
Comparative Analysis of Quercetin Oxidation by Electrochemical, Enzymatic, Autoxidation, and Free Radical Generation Techniques: A Mechanistic Study

Quercetin, the most abundant flavonoid in dietary fruits and vegetables, acts as antioxidant or prooxidant depending on the environmental conditions. The antioxidant behavior is believed to involve initial oxidative steps with subsequent changes in the flavonoid skeleton, which ultimately alters the chemical and biological properties of these molecules. Although the mechanism is still unclear, it has been suggested to be strongly influenced by the surrounding media. This paper reports the oxidation of quercetin by air oxygen or autoxidation, bulk electrolysis, mushroom tyrosinase, and azodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN). The central aim of this study is to systematically examine how the similarities and differences of quercetin transformation can be affected by the nature of the oxidation systems. Using a range of molecular and structural characterization techniques (UV−vis, LC-MS, GC-MS, and NMR), the oxidation of quercetin was found to result in the generation of somewhat similar metabolites including depside,...
The adsorption of oxygen on the Fe(100) surface

Abstract The adsorption and dissociation of oxygen on the Fe(100) surface has been studied using a combination of methods. High resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction and temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy have been used to monitor the O 2 /Fe(100) adsorption system for various oxygen coverages and annealing conditions. These studies indicate that adsorption of O 2 on the Fe(100) surface at 103 K occurs through a mobile precursor followed by disordered dissociative adsorption. Initially, four-fold hollow sites are occupied by O atoms, followed by bridging sites at higher coverages. A vibrational band near 650 cm −1 is observed at still higher coverages, which may be related to O-O bonding in a highly-perturbed non-dissociated adsorbed oxygen species. The disordered overlayer can be ordered by heating to 923 K. Diffusion-segregation processes are observed on annealing.
Buckling of reticulated shell structures

Reticulated shell structure buckling using approximate equivalent shell and discrete analysis of individual beams
Comparison of the accuracy of denture bases by a non-parametric method.

Summary A comparison of the accuracy of denture bases made from a conventional acrylic and four modified acrylic resins was made with the use of a non-parametric method. Twenty-five identical maxillary stone casts were made and five dentures for each resin were processed by conventional compression moulding techniques. The fit of each denture at the molar-to-molar region on its cast was evaluated by five evaluators who independently ranked the twenty-five dentures from best to worst fit after processing, after polishing, and after storage in water at 37°C for 42 days. The ranking data were analysed by Kendall's coefficient of concordance, the Kruskal-Wallis statistic, and the Mann-Whitney test. Excellent agreement among observers was obtained. After storage in water, two modified acrylic resins, Hydrocryl and Vitalon II, had a better fit on their casts than the conventional acrylic, Lucitone Hypro. Lucitone 199 had the same and Hircoe had a poorer fit than Lucitone Hypro.
Management of Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism in the Intensive Care Unit

Alterations in thyroid function occur commonly in critically ill patients; however, they are rarely the primary cause of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). In this article, the management of patients in whom abnormal thyroid function is the principal cause for ICU management is discussed. These individuals have either severe hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, syndromes that require ICU monitoring that are associated with high rates of in-hospital mortality. Early recognition and treatment are critical to successful management. Thyroid function tests, with a focus on the tests that are most relevant for patients with suspected severe thyroid function abnormalities, are discussed, followed by the clinical presentation and management of each disorder.
Social Group Work With the Family Members of Elderly Nursing Home Residents With Dementia: A Controlled Evaluation

The effects of three current social work treatments to improve the relationship between family members and their relatives who suffer from dementia were examined in a pretest-posttest control group...
The non-mass-dependent oxygen isotope effect in the electrodissociation of carbon dioxide: A step toward understanding NoMaD chemistry

A non-mass dependent (NoMaD) oxygen isotope effect is demonstrated in the dissociation of CO2 similar to that observed in the electrosynthesis of ozone. The molecular oxygen produced carries the signature of two separate isotopic fractionation processes; a mass-dependent fractionation probably due to CO2 + O isotopic exchange, and a secondary NoMaD fractionation (delta O-17 = 0.97 + or - 0.09 delta O-18, with the O2 depleted in O-17 and O-18). It is suggested that the effect is due to either the formation or relaxation of ozone in an excited electronic state. This represents the latest advance in the understanding of chemical NoMaD effects which may be essential to the explanation of non-mass-dependent fractionations observed in meteorites.
BILIARY EXCRETION OF INTACT PROSTAGLANDIN F2|[alpha]| AFTER GASTRIC ADMINISTRATION IN RATS: DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCES

Prostaglandins present in milk are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and transported to the liver in an intact form in immature rats (Biol Neonate 48:351, 1985). To determine possible biliary excretion of PGF2α and metabolites, we administered 2μCi of 3H-PGF2α (PGF) via orogastric tube to suckling (SU- 12 days old) and weanling (WE- 33 days old) rats with bile cannulae. Animals were sacrificed 2 hours after PGF administration. Radioactivity present in bile (BL) was analyzed quantitatively by determining the percent of administered radioactivity recovered (ARR) and qualitatively by column and thin layer chromatography. Per 100 g body wt., BL from WE contained nearly 4 times as much ARR compared to SU (16.8 ± 4.1%, 6 (Mean ± SEM, N) vs 4.4 ± 0.5%, 5;p < 0.01). However, per unit volume of BL, SU contained more counts present as unmetabolized PGF (33.1 ± 2%) than WE (21.4 ± 1.5%, p < 0.01). The amount of intact PGF present in BL as a percent of the administered dose was 3.5 ± 0.9 in WE vs 1.4 ± 0.2, in SU (p < 0.05). SU had more radioactivity as polar metabolites, while WE had greater amounts as less polar compounds. WE BL contained more radioactivity as stable PGF metabolites than SU BL. Conclusions: This study establishes the enterohepatic circulation of intact, milk-derived prostaglandins. Additionally, developmental differences are present in the hepato-biliary excretion of PGF. The enterohepatic circulation of prostaglandins in bile may contribute to the overall content of cytoprotective prostaglandins in the small intestine.
Usefulness of chest radiographs in children with acute lower respiratory tract disease.

To determine how frequently and under what circumstances the chest radiograph changes pre-x-ray diagnoses and plans for management of suspected acute lower respiratory tract disease, experienced pediatricians performed a three-phased sequential evaluation (observation, history, physical examination), determined an initial diagnosis and the need for a chest radiograph after each phase, and recorded pre- and post-x-ray diagnoses and plans of management. Of the 102 children evaluated, the chest radiograph resulted in a change of the pre-x-ray diagnosis in 21% and pre-x-ray management plans in 16%. In the majority of these cases, a diagnosis previously considered less likely was “ruled in” or therapy was instituted rather than withheld. More important, when the pattern of decision making was consistent, with the initial diagnosis and the need for a chest radiograph remaining the same throughout all phases, the chest radiograph resulted in a change of pre-x-ray diagnosis in five (10%) of 48 patients, compared with a change in 16 (30%) of 54 when the pattern was inconsistent (P
Kinetic Analysis of Four HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Enzymes Mutated in the Primer Grip Region of p66 IMPLICATIONS FOR DNA SYNTHESIS AND DIMERIZATION

The highly conserved primer grip region in the p66 subunit of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) is formed by the β12-β13 hairpin (residues 227–235). It has been proposed to play a role in aligning the 3′-OH end of the primer in a position for nucleophilic attack on an incoming dNTP. To analyze the importance of the primer grip for RT function, mutant RTs were used that contain single alanine substitutions of residues Trp229, Met230, Gly231, and Tyr232 in the p66 subunit of the heterodimeric p66/51 enzyme. Steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetic analyses of the enzymes were performed. All mutant enzymes revealed reduced polymerase activity. Mutation of Y232A showed the smallest effect on polymerase function. Equilibrium fluorescence titrations demonstrated that the affinity of the mutants for tRNA was only slightly affected. However, the affinity for primer-template DNA was reduced 27-fold for mutant p66W229A/51 and 23-fold for mutant p66G231A/51, and the maximal pre-steady-state rate of nucleotide incorporation,k pol, was reduced 27-fold for p66W229A/51 and 70-fold for p66G231A/51, respectively. Mutant p66M230A/51 revealed no reduced affinity for primer-template but showed a 71-fold reduced affinity for dTTP. Additionally, the mutations Trp229 and Gly231 affected the stability of the RT heterodimer.
Genome evolution: It's all relative.

By constructing evolutionary trees of genes, researchers have detected three big genome duplications in the history of the plant Arabidopsis, and one in the recent history of yeast.
Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis with an Intramedullary Device

An intramedullary fixation device was devised by the senior author (K.A.J.) to use in conjunction with a previously described method for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. Satisfactory results were obtained in approximately 87% of the initial 30 patients; union was radiographically or clinically evident in all but two patients. Many of these patients had been offered or were considering below the knee amputation; only two ultimately chose this reconstructive option at a follow-up that ranged from 4 to 27 months.
Non-Traditional Muscular Strength and Endurance Activities for Elementary and Middle School Children

Over the past decade many muscular strength and endurance routines have been introduced to children and adults toward improving overall health and fitness. When performed correctly, there are countless benefits to performing weight bearing resistance-type exercises to develop the upper, lower, and core areas of the body. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE, 2004) has indicated that quality physical education programs must address and require students to participate in muscular strength and endurance activities on a regular basis. In a time when many schools are currently experiencing significant budgetary cuts and/or restrictions, physical educators have come upon a challenging era to provide or replace various types of exercise equipment targeting muscular strength and endurance. The purpose of this article is to provide low-cost or no-cost exercises using milk jugs, surgical tubing, and playground apparatus that will improve muscular strength and endurance for elementary-age...
The Remarkable Frequency of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Genetic Recombination

Summary: The genetic diversity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) results from a combination of point mutations and genetic recombination, and rates of both processes are unusually high. This review focuses on the mechanisms and outcomes of HIV-1 genetic recombination and on the parameters that make recombination so remarkably frequent. Experimental work has demonstrated that the process that leads to recombination—a copy choice mechanism involving the migration of reverse transcriptase between viral RNA templates—occurs several times on average during every round of HIV-1 DNA synthesis. Key biological factors that lead to high recombination rates for all retroviruses are the recombination-prone nature of their reverse transcription machinery and their pseudodiploid RNA genomes. However, HIV-1 genes recombine even more frequently than do those of many other retroviruses. This reflects the way in which HIV-1 selects genomic RNAs for coencapsidation as well as cell-to-cell transmission properties that lead to unusually frequent associations between distinct viral genotypes. HIV-1 faces strong and changeable selective conditions during replication within patients. The mode of HIV-1 persistence as integrated proviruses and strong selection for defective proviruses in vivo provide conditions for archiving alleles, which can be resuscitated years after initial provirus establishment. Recombination can facilitate drug resistance and may allow superinfecting HIV-1 strains to evade preexisting immune responses, thus adding to challenges in vaccine development. These properties converge to provide HIV-1 with the means, motive, and opportunity to recombine its genetic material at an unprecedented high rate and to allow genetic recombination to serve as one of the highest barriers to HIV-1 eradication.
Reach‐scale isotope tracer experiment to quantify denitrification and related processes in a nitrate‐rich stream, midcontinent United States

We conducted an in-stream tracer experiment with Br and 15 N-enriched NO to determine the rates of denitrifi2 3 cation and related processes in a gaining NO -rich stream in an agricultural watershed in the upper Mississippi 2 3 basin in September 2001. We determined reach-averaged rates of N fluxes and reactions from isotopic analyses of NO , NO , N2, and suspended particulate N in conjunction with other data in a 1.2-km reach by using a forward 22 32 time-stepping numerical simulation that included groundwater discharge, denitrification, nitrification, assimilation, and air‐water gas exchange with changing temperature. Denitrification was indicated by a systematic downstream increase in the d 15 N values of dissolved N2. The reach-averaged rate of denitrification of surface-water NO indicated 2 3 by the isotope tracer was approximately 120 6 20 mmol m 22 h 21 (corresponding to zero- and first-order rate constants of 0.63 mmol L 21 h 21 and 0.009 h 21 , respectively). The overall rate of NO loss by processes other than 2 3 denitrification (between 0 and about 200 mmol m 22 h 21 ) probably was less than the denitrification rate but had a large relative uncertainty because the NO load was large and was increasing through the reach. The rates of 2 3 denitrification and other losses would have been sufficient to reduce the stream NO load substantially in the absence 2 3 of NO sources, but the losses were more than offset by nitrification and groundwater NO inputs at a combined 2 2 3 3 rate of about 500‐700 mmol m 22 h 21 . Despite the importance of denitrification, the overall mass fluxes of N 2 were dominated by discharge of denitrified groundwater and air‐water gas exchange in response to changing temperature, whereas the flux of N 2 attributed to denitrification was relatively small. The in-stream isotope tracer experiment provided a sensitive direct reach-scale measurement of denitrification and related processes in a NO -rich stream 2 3 where other mass-balance methods were not suitable because of insufficient sensitivity or offsetting sources and sinks. Despite the increasing NO load in the experimental reach, the isotope tracer data indicate that denitrification 2 3 was a substantial permanent sink for N leaving this agricultural watershed during low-flow conditions.
Overabundance of rare-cutting restriction endonuclease sites in the human genome

A human chromosome 3-specific cosmid library was constructed from a somatic cell hybrid containing human chromosome 3 as its only human component. This library was screened to identify 230 human recombinants which contained an average insert size of 37 kilobases. DNA prepared from 54 of these cosmids, representing 2000 kilobases of human DNA, was then tested for restriction endonuclease sites for EcoRI, HindIII, KpnI, XhoI, and DraI, as well as those of the rare-cutting restriction endonucleases NotI, SfiI, NruI, MluI, SacII, and BssHII. Sites for the latter enzymes were much more abundant than would be expected from theoretical calculations, reflecting non-random clustering of these sites. This has important implications for the use of these enzymes in the construction of physical maps of chromosomes. Some individual cosmids contained large numbers of rare sites, offering an alternative means of physically mapping chromosomes based upon identifying clusters of rare restriction sites. These clusters appear to be spaced an average of 1000 kb apart.
Applying Factor Analysis to the Hand of Terry Fabrics

When the hand of terry fabrics is designed, it is important that interrelations between the sensory value of the hand and various objective tests on terry fabrics, whose pile design factors are changed diversely, are investigated. When two factors of the pile design (a pile ratio and an effective fiber length of a pile warp yarn) are changed, the sense of touch becomes better as energy loss ratio increases and gets worse as compressive resilience, modulus, and recovery ratio increase. When changing two factors of the pile design (a twist number of a pile warp yam and a yarn count of pile warp), the sense of touch becomes better as compressive energy, frictional coefficient, and thickness increase, and gets worse as compressive resilience increases.
Food restriction differentially affects pituitary hormone mRNAs throughout the adult life span of male F344 rats.

Because neuroendocrine mechanisms may contribute to the antiaging effects of food restriction (FR), we measured the effect of FR on mRNAs encoding anterior pituitary (AP) tropic hormones. Slot blots or RNase protection assays were done on AP RNA from 3-, 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-mo-old male F344 rats consuming food ad libitum (AL) or food restricted (FR; to 60% of AL food intake) from 6 wk. Both AL and FR rats gained body weight during the study (P < 0.05), but FR rats weighed approximately 40% less (P < 0.0001). Messenger RNA levels were expressed in two ways, i.e., per total AP and per microgram total AP RNA. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA/microg RNA was higher (P < 0.0005) in FR than in AL rats at all ages. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) beta mRNA declined with age (P < 0.05) in AL but not FR rats and was reduced by FR up to 12 mo (P < 0.01). Growth hormone (GH) mRNA/microg RNA declined with age (P < 0.05) in AL but not FR rats, and total GH mRNA in the AP was reduced by FR at early ages (P < 0.05). FR reduced prolactin (PRL) mRNA and its age-related increase (P < 0.0005). Levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) beta and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) beta mRNAs did not differ between AL and FR rats until 12 mo, but thereafter rose in FR (LH beta mRNA; P < 0.01, FSH beta mRNA; P < 0.05). Many of these changes in gene expression corroborate previously reported hormonal changes in FR rodents and mutant mice with extended life spans, and thus provide further support for the hypothesis that an altered hormonal milieu contributes to the antiaging effects of food restriction.
Learning EEG components for discriminating multi-class perceptual decisions

Logistic regression has been used as a supervised method for extracting EEG components predictive of binary perceptual decisions. However, often perceptual decisions require a choice between more than just two alternatives. In this paper we present results using multinomial logistic regression (MLR) for learning EEG components in a 3-way visual discrimination task. Subjects were required to decide between three object classes (faces, houses, and cars) for images which were embedded with varying amounts of noise. We recorded the subjects' EEG while they were performing the task and then used MLR to predict the stimulus category, on a single-trial basis, for correct behavioral responses. We found an early component (at 170ms) that was consistent across all subjects and with previous binary discrimination paradigms. However a later component (at 300-400ms), previously reported in the binary discrimination paradigms, was more variable across subjects in this three-way discrimination task. We also computed forward models for the EEG components, with these showing a difference in the spatial distribution of component activity for the different categorical decisions. In summary, we find that logistic regression, generalized to the arbitrary N-class case, can be a useful approach for learning and analyzing EEG components underlying multi-class perceptual decisions.
It Takes at Least Two to Tangle

Despite past lessons, book-banning continues to exist at all levels within our democratic society. This case presents a realistic scenario when the school district, facing a book challenge by a concerned parent, responds by removing the book from the library. On the basis of a true story, the study features a parent of an elementary child challenging a school library book for inappropriate content. The case undergirds issues surrounding First Amendment rights and may also be used to discuss same-sex relationships and topics dealing with social justice such as homosexuality. The case study may be used with courses within Educational Leadership curriculum specifically educational leadership, curriculum design and development, educational law, community relationship, and supervision.
An Exploration of the Salience of Christianity for National Identity in Europe

Most scholars of identity focus on processes of boundary maintenance rather than on the cultural content of identity categories (e.g., language, religion). In this article, the author explores the ...
Replication of an E1B 55-Kilodalton Protein-Deficient Adenovirus (ONYX-015) Is Restored by Gain-of-Function Rather than Loss-of-Function p53 Mutants

ONYX-015 (dl1520) is an E1B 55-kilodalton protein-deficient replicating adenovirus that is currently in clinical trials as an antitumor agent. On the basis of the observation that the E1B 55kD gene product is able to bind to and inactivate p53, ONYX-015's mechanism of action is proposed to involve selective replication in and killing of p53-deficient cells. While its efficacy as a therapeutic agent appears evident, the virus's mechanism of cellular selectivity, including a possible role of p53 in this regard, is less clear. Indeed, there have been a number of recent reports suggesting that the p53 status of target cells does not reliably predict ONYX-015 replication or cell killing. To address the role of p53 in ONYX-015 selectivity, we have undertaken a rigorous analysis of the behavior of this virus in small airway-derived primary human epithelial cells expressing either dominant-negative or gain-of-function mutant p53 genes. Examination of small airway epithelial cells expressing a variety of p53 mutant alleles revealed that while all were able to inhibit endogenous p53 activity, only one allele examined, 248W, demonstrated a markedly increased ability to facilitate ONYX-015 replication. This allele is a member of a group of p53 mutants (know as class I mutants) characterized by retention of global structural conformation but loss of DNA-binding activity. These observations indicate that the nature of the p53 mutation affects ONYX-015 replication, help reconcile disparate published findings, and may provide criteria by which to direct clinical application of ONYX-015.
A computational model of the signals in optical imaging with voltage-sensitive dyes

Optical imaging with voltage-sensitive dyes (VSD imaging) can record neural activity over an area of several square centimeters with high spatiotemporal resolution. The relative contributions of subthreshold and suprathreshold activity to the VSD signal are, however, poorly understood, making it difficult to interpret the imaging result. This paper shows how the activity in a computational model of V1 can be related to the VSD signal. The orientation tuning curve and the response time course in the model match those observed in VSD imaging, suggesting that the model represents VSD signal accurately and can be used to link neural activity to it.
Phylogenetic distance can predict susceptibility to attack by natural enemies

If related species share enemies, variation in the damage experienced by species within a community may be predictable based on phylogeny. We examined the hypothesis that plant species more closely related to other community members experience greater herbivory by assessing leaf damage to native and exotic plants in two North American communities: an Eastern hardwood forest and a Rocky Mountain montane community. Pairwise phylogenetic distances between focal species and the hundreds of other native species in each community were calculated. We examined the influence of four measures of relatedness within each community: NND (phylogenetic distance to the nearest native neighbor), MPD (mean phylogenetic distance to the native species in the community), and two new metrics, MIPD (mean inverse phylogenetic distance) and INND (inverse nearest neighbor distance). These new metrics assume a nonlinear increase in interaction strength with relatedness; in the context of natural enemies, they posit that the sharing of enemies between any two species increases nonlinearly with their relatedness. Using regression models, we found that herbivore damage decreased with decreasing phylogenetic similarity of focal species to native species (as measured by MIPD) in both sites, although the pattern was significant only for native focal species in the montane community and exotic focal species in the hardwood forest. Similar decreases in herbivory with decreasing relatedness were detected using INND (montane natives) and MPD (hardwood forest exotics). There was no significant relationship between NND and herbivory for any of the four site by focal plant origin combinations. Our results are the first to support the hypothesis that native species can escape attack as a function of their phylogenetic dissimilarity to the larger community of native species, and to demonstrate that exotic species show these patterns in the wild (as opposed to in common gardens). We suggest that phylogenetic distance metrics assuming a nonlinear increase in interaction strength with relatedness show promise for broader application.
Quality of care is associated with survival in vulnerable older patients.

The authors studied the effect of the quality of care received by 372 community-dwelling vulnerable older patients on their survival over the next 3 years. Three-year survival improved steadily as ...
Inversion Based on Computational Simulations

A standard approach to solving inversion problems that involve many parameters uses gradient-based optimization to find the parameters that best match the data. We will discuss enabling techniques that facilitate application of this approach to large-scale computational simulations, which are the only way to investigate many complex physical phenomena. Such simulations may not seem to lend themselves to calculation of the gradient with respect to numerous parameters. However, adjoint differentiation allows one to efficiently compute the gradient of an objective function with respect to all the variables of a simulation. When combined with advanced gradient-based optimization algorithms, adjoint differentiation permits one to solve very large problems of optimization or parameter estimation. These techniques will be illustrated through the simulation of the time-dependent diffusion of infrared light through tissue, which has been used to perform optical tomography. The techniques discussed have a wide range of applicability to modeling including the optimization of models to achieve a desired design goal.
Audiogravic and oculogravic illusions represent a unified spatial remapping

Individuals exposed to both an increase in magnitude and a rotation of the gravitoinerital acceleration vector experience changes in visual and auditory localization and apparent body orientation. These effects are known as the oculogravic, audiogravic and somatogravic illusions, respectively. In our main experiment, we measured the magnitude, direction, and time course of the audiogravic and oculogravic illusions in recumbent subjects (n = 6) exposed to an increase to 2 g and a simultaneous 60° rotation of the gravitoinertial acceleration (GIA) vector in their azimuthal plane (around their z-axis) in the Brandeis slow rotation room. In separate runs, subjects used a pointer to indicate the apparent azimuthal location of auditory and visual targets and of their head midline. Parallel, time linked changes in auditory, visual, and haptic localization of comparable magnitude and direction occurred. Two additional subjects adjusted the onset asynchrony of a pair of pulsing tactors on the forehead until they experienced a fused, midline sensation. A vibrotactile shift occurred during exposure to altered GIA in the same direction as the auditory, visual, and haptic shifts. These parallel multimodal results point to a GIA-induced remapping of a peripersonal spatial referent as underlying the changes in localization of auditory, visual, and somatosensory stimuli. Vestibular, somatosensory, and oculomotor signals could contribute to the proposed shift in the reference system.