cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Group Translocation – PEP:PTS

The phosphoenolpyruvate:carbohydrate phospho-transferase system (PEP:PTS) is a prokaryotic enzyme/transport system that phosphorylates its extracellular carbohydrate substrates during transport, leading to intracellular accumulation of the sugar phosphate esters. Several phosphoryl transfer proteins play essential roles in sugar uptake, and they comprise a phosphoryl transfer chain using PEP as the phosphoryl donor, and the incoming sugar as the ultimate phosphoryl acceptor. This phosphoryl transfer chain is: PEPEIHPrIIAIIB+ IICsugar, where E=Enzyme and HPr=a small heat stable, histidine-containing protein, and only the IIC constituent, the transport protein, is not phosphorylated. In mixtures of carbon sources, preferential growth on PTS substrates often occurs, as the phosphorylation state of PTS proteins coordinates the activities and synthesis of enzymes that initiate sugar metabolism. The mechanisms of regulation are different in representative Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, but in both cases the PTS plays a central role. The PTS in Escherichia coli accomplishes this goal by regulating both cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) synthesis and the uptake of sugar inducers of enzyme synthesis. It also plays a role in the coordination of nitrogen metabolism with carbon metabolism. In many bacteria, the PTS serves as a chemosensory system, directing movement of bacteria up concentration gradients of PTS sugars. In a few bacteria, the PTS functions in regulation but not in sugar uptake. Although this enzyme system has not been found in eukaryotes, it has been identified in archaea. The PTS is thus a multifunctional enzyme/transport/sensor/regulatory system that coordinates many activities in prokaryotic cells. Key Concepts: Biological membranes provide the fundamental barrier that separates the inside of a cell (the cytoplasm) from the extracellular space. Embedded in these structures are proteins, many of which transport substances across the membrane. The phosphotransferase system (PTS) serves as a complex transport system. It consists of energy-coupling enzymes (Enzymes I, HPr, IIA and IIB) as well as the PTS permeases (Enzymes IIC or IICs). The IIC components couple phosphoryl transfer from IIB∼P to sugar substrate phosphorylation. The process of coupled sugar uptake with sugar phosphorylation, involving substrate modification, is called ‘group translocation’. The PTS serves as a chemoreception system, directing the activity of the bacterial flagellum so that bacteria swim up concentration gradients of nutrient sugars. The PTS is a complex multifaceted system, regulating the activities of many non-PTS enzymes and transporters, thereby creating a hierarchical system of carbon sources. PTS protein domains are incorporated into many transcription factors, enzymes and transporters, allowing it to regulate these determinants of prokaryotic cell physiology and pathology. A comprehensive understanding of prokaryotic cell biology requires a detailed understanding of the PTS. Keywords: carbohydrate transport; catabolite repression; crr; diauxie; metabolic regulation; protein phosphorylation; PTS; evolution
Role of AP-2 in tumor growth and metastasis of human melanoma.

We previously demonstrated that expression of the cell surface adhesion molecule MCAM/MUC18 correlates directly with the metastatic potential of human melanoma cells. In addition, the progression of human melanoma towards the metastatic phenotype is associated with loss of expression of the tyrosine-kinase receptor c-KIT. This review summarizes our recent data demonstrating that the expression of both genes is regulated by the AP-2 transcription factor. Moreover, we have observed a loss of AP-2 expression in metastatic melanoma cells. Re-expression of AP-2 in the highly metastatic A375SM cells decreased their tumorigenicity and inhibited their metastatic potential in nude mice. MCAM/MUC18 mRNA and protein expression was significantly downregulated while c-kit expression was upregulated in the AP-2 transfected cells. Since AP-2 also regulates other genes that are involved in the progression of human melanoma such as E-cadherin, MMP-2, p21WAF-1, HER-2, BCL-2, and insulin like growth factor receptor-1, we propose that loss of AP-2 is a crucial event in the development of malignant melanoma.
Giant Resonances in the Transition Regions of the Periodic Table

In the transition regions of the periodic table of the elements, atomic d or f orbitals undergo a fairly sudden change from hydrogenic to fully collapsed form. This transition involves a large reduction in the mean orbital radius - by about 95% for the 4f orbital - and results in corresponding qualitatitive changes in physical processes sensitive to orbital size (e. g. excitation cross sections, bonding character). It is caused by a shift, as the nuclear charge Z increases, in the close balance between repulsive centrifugal and attractive atomic forces on the electron. The balance can also be tilted within a given element in the transition region, for instance by a change in the occupancy of its core or valence orbitals, or by the formation of a molecular bond. Transition region elements are thus characterized by an unusual sensitivity of gross orbital properties to external perturbations; and, from the standpoint of theoretical representation, to the effects of electron correlation, LS term dependence, and special relativity.
Personality Assessment and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory in Chronic Pain

S ince its publication over 50 years ago, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)6 has attained almost a mythic status in psychology. It has become the prototypic instrument to use in evaluating personality characteristics and specific traits of individuals, even though it originally was developed specifically for the assessment of psychopathology. The MMPI has been widely adopted for use in assessing pain patients prior to treatment and to predict outcomes of treatments as diverse as surgery, chemonucleolysis, and multidisciplinary pain management. In their provocative Focus article, Main and Spanswick suggest that the MMPI, as well as the construct of personality, needs to be reevaluated in light of available research. It is Main and Spanswick's central thesis that the MMPI is conceptually outdated and seriously flawed. They imply that the continued reliance on the MMPI is an example of superstitious behavior, where the continued use of this instrument is more a result of habit than careful consideration of its appropriateness, structural and functional adequacy, or clinical utility. Moreover, they challenge the importance of personality itself, in the experience of pain, implying that personality reinforces a mind-body dualism and suggesting that personality is largely unrelated to the experience of pain and subsequent disability. After over a half century of use and the publication of the revised version of the MMPI (MMPI-2),2 Main and Spanswick's article serves as a useful stimulus for
Location of pathogenicity genes on dispensable chromosomes in Nectria haematococca MPVI.

Nectria haematococca MPVI can be found in many different biological habitats but has been most studied as a pathogen of pea (Pisum sativum). Genetic analyses of isolates obtained from a variety of biological sources has indicated that a number of genes control pathogenicity on pea but that one important PEa Pathogenicity (PEP) gene isPDA, which confers the ability to detoxify the pea phytoalexin pisatin. In these studies, all naturally occurring isolates that lackedPDA (i.e. Pda− isolates) and all Pda− progeny were essentially non-pathogenic on pea. However, we have demonstrated recently that Pda− mutants created by transformation-mediated gene disruptions, while having a modest reduction in virulence, and more virulent than any naturally occurring Pda− isolates. In addition we know thatPDA genes are on dispensable (DS) chromosomes in this fungus. We believed that the gene disruption mutants have allowed the detection of otherPEP genes that are present on the DS chomosomes along withPDA and that naturally occuring Pda− isolates usually lack this DS chromosome. This would explain why naturally occurring Pda− isolates are always low in virulence. We propose that the DS chromosomes in fungi are analogous to bacterial plasmids which allow those microorganisms to colonise different habitats, i.e. the DS chromosomes ofNectria haematococca contain genes that allow individual isolates of this broad host range pathogen to occupy different biological niches.
In-hospital levels of C-reactive protein and IL-6 predict post-operative depressive symptoms among patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery

Behavioral changes observed following immune system activation are similar to many of the hallmark symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD), including appetite change, lethargy, fatigue, negative mood and anhedonia. Acute phase proteins, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been implicated in the production of sickness behavior, and research has revealed significant differences in the levels of these acute phase proteins between depressed and non-depressed individuals. The current study examined whether early post-operative IL-6 and CRP levels predicted subsequent depressive symptoms in 110 patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery (TKR). In-hospital levels of IL-6 and CRP predicted depressive symptoms at three-months following surgery, as indicated by significant main effects and a significant interaction term. Specifically, lower levels of in-hospital CRP and higher levels of IL-6 in-hospital predicted more depressive symptoms three-months following surgery. The finding that levels of acute phase proteins soon after surgery predict subsequent depressive symptoms, if replicated, extends prior research on the relationships between IL-6, CRP, and depression. Further, this predictive relationship suggests the possibility of early identification of individuals at risk for the subsequent development of post-operative depression.
‘Unproductive’ sectors and economic growth: a theoretical analysis

This paper examines the role of service, nonmarket and unproductive activity sectors in causing stagnation. The literature on this subject is critically discussed and it is argued that although these three sectors are not the same, the discussion of their roles raises similar theoretical issues regarding the nature of sectoral distinctions and macroeconomic structure. Three simple models are developed to illustrate how these ‘unproductive’ sectors may or may not cause stagnation. It is concluded that more attention should be given to sectoral distinctions and macroeconomic structures before these sectors are dismissed as being ‘unproductive’.
The Natural History of Uterine Leiomyomas: Light and Electron Microscopic Studies of Fibroid Phases, Interstitial Ischemia, Inanosis, and Reclamation

We propose, and offer evidence to support, the concept that many uterine leiomyomas pursue a self-limited life cycle. This cycle can be arbitrarily divided on the basis of morphologic assessment of the collagen content into 4 phases: (1) proliferation, (2) proliferation and synthesis of collagen, (3) proliferation, synthesis of collagen, and early senescence, and (4) involution. Involution occurs as a result of both vascular and interstitial ischemia. Interstitial ischemia is the consequence of the excessive elaboration of collagen, resulting in reduced microvascular density, increased distance between myocytes and capillaries, nutritional deprivation, and myocyte atrophy. The end stage of this process is an involuted tumor with a predominance of collagen, little to no proliferative activity, myocyte atrophy, and myocyte cell death. Since many of the dying cells exhibit light microscopic and ultrastructural features that appear distinct from either necrosis or apoptosis, we refer to this process as inanosis, because it appears that nutritional deprivation, or inanition, is the underlying cause of cell death. The disposal of myocytes dying by inanosis also differs in that there is no phagocytic reaction, but rather an apparent dissolution of the cell, which might be viewed as a process of reclamation as the molecular contents are reclaimed and recycled.
Abstract A20: Small-molecule (LWKS22) drug discovery for pancreatic cancer therapy.

Pancreatic cancers respond poorly to chemotherapy, more effective and less toxic treatment is a crucial need. We have employed a biological assay (MTS assay) to identify small molecule compounds that induce cytotoxicity specifically in pancreatic cancer cells and not in normal cells by screening large number of compounds from combinatorial chemistry library. One of the compounds, LWKS22 (MW: 547.94) kills pancreatic cancer cells and not the normal pancreatic cells (h-tert HPNE). LWKS22 kills pancreatic cancer cells isolated from all the four stages and the EC50 is in the range of 2-10 μM, whereas for normal cells is 70 μM. Maximum tolerated dose is 80 mg/kg of body weight. At 20 mg/Kg body weight, it showed significant tumor shrinkage in human PDAC xenografts mice model when compared to PBS controls. Hypothesis and Specific Aims: The structure activity relationship studies of LWKS22 revealed that the parent compound structure is very important for its killing activity. LWKS22 was submitted to National drug therapeutics center, NIH, to screen for 60 different cancer cells derived from various human cancers. LWKS22 showed significant killing in human colon cancer cells and lymphoma cells, suggesting that this compound specifically targets some oncoproteins that are expressed in these cancer types. Now, the therapeutic potential of LWKS22 is confirmed. Identification of LWKS22 binding partner and its signaling mechanism to kill PDAC cancer cells will certainly add more benefits for the pancreatic cancer therapy. We hypothesize that LWKS22 can be developed as a therapeutic agent against pancreatic cancer along with other chemotherapy. To make it is a therapeutic agent, its mechanism of action, targeting receptors, signaling pathway, biodistribution and pharmacokinetics studies need to be conducted. Experimental Design: Therapeutic efficacy of LWKS22 was evaluated with mice bearing PDAC primary tumors. Photoaffinity labeling, chemoaffinity labeling methods and molecular biology techniques will be used to identify LWKS22’s binding partners. Impact: We have identified a compound that will kill cancer cells and not the normal cell. Targeting more than one pathway is one of the best ways to control this lethal disease. Functional characterization of this LWKS22 will certainly add more benefits for pancreatic cancer therapy. Citation Format: Yan Wang, Angela Echaverri, Anastasia Warde, Thiru Arumugham, Kit Lam, Pappanaicken Kumaresan. Small-molecule (LWKS22) drug discovery for pancreatic cancer therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges; Jun 18-21, 2012; Lake Tahoe, NV. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A20.
It is likely misbelief never has a function

I highlight and amplify three central points that McKay & Dennett (M&D) make about the origin of failures to perform biologically proper functions. I question whether even positive illusions meet criteria for evolved misbelief.
HIFS: history independence for file systems

Ensuring complete irrecoverability of deleted data is difficult to achieve in modern systems. Simply overwriting data or deploying encryption with ephemeral keys is not sufficient. The mere (previous) existence of deleted records impacts the current system state implicitly at all layers. This can be used as an oracle to derive information about the past existence of deleted records.Yet there is hope. If all system layers would exhibit history independence, such implicit history-related oracles would disappear. However, achieving history independence efficiently is hard due to the fact that current systems are designed to heavily benefit from (data and time) locality at all layers through heavy caching, and existing history independent data structures completely destroy locality.In this work we devise a way to achieve history independence while preserving locality (and thus be practical). We then design, implement and experimentally evaluate the first history independent file system (HIFS). HIFS guarantees secure deletion by providing full history independence across both file system and disk layers of the storage stack. It preserves data locality, and provides tunable efficiency knobs to suit different application history-sensitive scenarios.
Evaluation of the microstructure of semicrystalline solid dispersions

As a result of an increase in the number of emerging therapies with dissolution limited bioavailability, formulation strategies such as solid dispersions that enhance the rate of solubilization are...
Effects of milrinone versus epinephrine on grafted internal mammary artery flow after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objective: To compare changes on grafted internal mammary artery (IMA) flow after cardiopulmonary bypass in response to the administration of milrinone or epinephrine. Design: Prospective and randomized. Setting: University-affiliated hospital. Participants: Twenty consenting, adult patients undergoing CABG. Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive either milrinone, 50 μg/kg, or epinephrine, 0.03 μg/kg/min, immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass. IMA flow was measured with a laser Doppler flow probe before and after the administration of either drug. Measurements and Main Results: Baseline grafted IMA flow was similar for both groups (milrinone, 38 ± 14 mL/min; epinephrine, 33 ± 10 mL/min). In patients who received milrinone, flow increased by 24% to 50 ± 17 mL/min, p < 0.05; whereas with epinephrine, it remained essentially unchanged (33 ± 10 v31 ± 11 mL/min). Conclusions: This study confirms that the vasodilatory effect of milrinone on the IMA is also present after its anastomosis, whereas low-dose epinephrine exhibits neither beneficial nor adverse effects. It is suggested that in the absence of excessive vasodilation, milrinone should be considered as a first-line inotrope after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, to achieve an increase in contractility and IMA artery flow.
The history and character of acid precipitation in eastern North America

The history and present distribution of precipitation acidity in eastern North America are reviewed. Precipitation chemistry from the 1920's indicates heavy ionic deposition, but low acidity (calculated) in Tennessee (pH 7.4) and New York (pH 6.15). However, high acidity was apparently widespread over northeast North America by 1955–56 and measured pH's below 4.5 were observed earlier. The geographic distribution of acid precipitation has spread through the present. Yearly average pH values for 1972–73 are not significantly different in New York and New Hampshire, indicating a regional consistency in acid (pH 4.10) deposition. Summer acidity is currently lower in Tennessee than in the Northeast. Precipitation chemistry of individual storms reveals some local variation even within a 3 km range, but a storm in central New York is generally homogenous over 70 km.
Mechanism for spontaneous growth of GaN nanowires with molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract Although most semiconductor nanowires are grown via the vapor–liquid–solid mechanism, we present evidence that GaN nanowires form because of thermodynamically driven variations in surface sticking coefficients on different crystallographic planes under certain conditions in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Specifically, the wires nucleate spontaneously and then propagate because the sticking coefficient on the (0 0 0 1) c -plane is higher than that on the {1 1 0 0} m -plane under conditions of high temperature (810–830 °C) and high N 2 overpressure. Elemental Ga droplets are unstable under these growth conditions and therefore cannot act as catalytic sites for nanowire growth. This conclusion is based on differences in morphology and growth conditions for GaN nanowires grown with and without catalysts, whether the catalysts are extrinsic metals or Ga droplets. The spontaneous MBE growth of GaN nanowires is therefore shown to be distinct in mechanism from that of the growth of most semiconductor nanowires.
Primary HIV infection of infants: the effects of somatic growth on lymphocyte and virus dynamics.

Acute HIV infection is characterized by the appearance of high concentrations of virus in the peripheral blood. In adults, this high-level viremia spontaneously abates after several weeks. In contrast, after perinatal infection of infants, blood virus levels remain high for many months, during which the concentration of circulating CD4+ lymphocytes remains well above normal values for adults. Here we suggest an explanation for these differences, based on developmental factors including somatic growth and immunological ontogeny. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that at birth the thymus contains elevated levels of mature T lymphocytes, compared to the thymus after 3 months of age. A mathematical model is proposed incorporating immunological and virological data from longitudinally evaluated infants who acquired infection at the time of birth. This model explains the pattern of high-level viremia in infants as resulting from the replication of HIV within the progressively expanding lymphoid cell mass.
Obesity, sleep apnea, the airway and anesthesia.

Purpose of review Recent articles indicate that at the present time disastrous respiratory outcomes during the perioperative management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea are a major problem for the anesthesia community. Recent findings A recent review of the literature indicates that disastrous respiratory outcomes are due to intubation failure, respiratory obstruction soon after extubation, and respiratory arrest after narcotic and sedative medication. In obese patients, the basic problem is deposition of adipose tissue in the pharynx. The excessive adipose tissue in the pharynx causes both the intubation and respiratory obstruction soon after extubation problems. Finally, opioid administration in the postoperative period adds the insults of depression of ventilation in general and depression of arousal to obstructed breathing during the sleep in specific, which creates in turn, the potential for the arrest of spontaneous ventilation, especially in unmonitored patients. Summary Adult obese patients with suspected or sleep test confirmed obstructive sleep apnea present a formidable challenge throughout the perioperative period. Tracheal intubation and extubation decisions in obese patients with either a presumptive or sleep study diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea must be made within the context that there may be excess tissue in the pharynx. If opioids are used in the extubated postoperative obese patient with sleep apnea, then one must seriously consider the need for continuous visual and electronic monitoring. Institutional and national society guidelines on these matters are badly needed.
The key host for an invasive forest pathogen also facilitates the pathogen's survival of wildfire in California forests

Summary The first wildfires in sudden oak death-impacted forests occurred in 2008 in the Big Sur region of California, creating the rare opportunity to study the interaction between an invasive forest pathogen and a historically recurring disturbance. To determine whether and how the sudden oak death pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, survived the wildfires, we completed intensive vegetation-based surveys in forest plots that were known to be infested before the wildfires. We then used 24 plot-based variables as predictors of P. ramorum recovery following the wildfires. The likelihood of recovering P. ramorum from burned plots was lower than in unburned plots both 1 and 2 yr following the fires. Post-fire recovery of P. ramorum in burned plots was positively correlated with the number of pre-fire symptomatic California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica), the key sporulating host for this pathogen, and negatively correlated with post-fire bay laurel mortality levels. Patchy burn patterns that left green, P. ramorum-infected bay laurel amidst the charred landscape may have allowed these trees to serve as inoculum reservoirs that could lead to the infection of newly sprouting vegetation, further highlighting the importance of bay laurel in the sudden oak death disease cycle.
Decommissioning of a selected heap leach dump

ABSTRACT Cyanidation heap leaching is a prevalent low-cost method to extract gold from low-grade ores in the western United States. Relatively little is known about the geochemical processes which occur when a spent heap leach dump is rinsed to reduce the levels of potentially toxic constituents, however. Given that many heap leach dumps will be rinsed and reclaimed within the next decade, information about the changes that occur during rinsing will be useful since several cyanide-complexed metals could pose a threat to the environment. Chemical data from a gold mine in the western U.S. were collected from a state agency and statistically analyzed to evaluate changes in levels of metal cyanide-complexed species in a heap leach dump. The data were collected during the period of active operation of the dump as well as during subsequent rinsing. The following items are addressed during the analysis of the operation and rinsing of a selected heap leach dump: (I) flows through the dump, (2) fluctuations of cya...
Metabolism of C14-labeled hemel in male house flies.

The chemosterilant hemel is metabolized by male Musca domestica L. to lower methylmelamines and to other, possibly acyclic, products. The methylmelamines isolated from treated flies and from their excreta were identified as: pentamethylmelamine, N2, N2, N4, N6 -tetramethylmelamine, N2, N4, N6 -trimethylmelamine, and N2, N2, N4 -trimethylmela. mine. Mono- and dimethylmelamines were not detected and unchanged hemel was found only in the flies. In 24 hours, the treated flies converted about 11% of the methyl carbons of hemel to respiratory CO2. Hemel uniformly labeled with C14 in the methyl groups was synthesized and used in the initial experiments, but the identity of the methylmelamine metabolites was confirmed by isolating them and comparing them with synthetic reference compounds. Also, the sterilizing activity of all trio, tetra, and pentamethylmelamines was determined. The most active methyl melamine, N2, N2, N4, N4 -tetramethylmelamine, was not found in the treated flies or in their excreta.
A comparison of psychophysical tuning curves obtained using bandpass and modulated noise

No significant difference was found between psychophysical tuning curves obtained using narrowband noise maskers generated by two techniques: digital bandpass filtering and amplitude modulation.
On an associative trace for sentence memory

An associationist model for sentence memory is described that assumes a configuration of independent associations underlies the memory trace for a simple sentence. This is contrasted with a gestalt hypothesis that postulates a unitary trace for the simple sentence. The associationist model, but not the gestalt model, leads to two predictions that were confirmed: (a) incomplete recall of simple sentences should be a frequent occurrence, and (b) repetition of the same verb in a number of sentences should decrease recall of the object to the cue of subject plus verb.
Characterization of immunophilins in the silkmoth Bombyx mori

The FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) perform an extensive variety of functions in numerous organisms from archaea to humans. The FKBPs are distinguished by their peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity and ability to bind the immunosuppressive drugs FK506 and rapamycin. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of FKBP45, a novel member of the FKBP family obtained from U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) binding assays using Bombyx mori nuclear extracts. The protein, an apparent orthologue of FKBP46 from the armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, was found to associate with U1 stem-loop I RNA in vitro. The FKBP45 cDNA was isolated and the genomic sequence was characterized, including the positions of exon/intron junctions and consensus splice sites. Using bioinformatics, transcription factor consensus binding sites were identified and subsequent Western blotting from developing eggs indicate that FKBP45 is differentially expressed during embryogenesis. A database was assembled using more than 1,800 available FKBP amino acid sequences and pairwise sequence alignments revealed several putative FKBP45 orthologues in various species. Analysis of these sequences revealed the position of an RNA binding domain within this new protein. In addition, FKBP45 possesses similar characteristics to several potential orthologues, including the presence of bipartite nuclear localization signals (NLSs) and phosphorylation sites.
Short-term corticosterone treatment decreases the early CD8+ T cell response to simian virus 40 tumor antigen but has no impact on the late CD8+ T cell response

Abstract CD8+ T cells (TCD8) help control tumor growth in vivo through recognition of distinct tumor antigens and cytolysis of tumor cells. The TCD8 immune response in C57BL/6 mice to the Simian Virus 40 oncoprotein, large tumor antigen (Tag), targets multiple epitopes and is well-characterized. Epitope IV, an H-2Kb-restricted epitope, is immunodominant while epitope I, an H-2Db-restricted epitope is subdominant. GCs alter many aspects of T cell function. Indeed, the current studies demonstrate that exposure of mice to the immunosuppressive GC, corticosterone (CORT), over the entire course of the primary immune response limits activation of endogenous Tag-specific TCD8. Even short-term CORT treatment from day −1 to day +2 post-immunization significantly reduced splenic size and the absolute number of Tag-specific TCD8 on day 6 post-immunization. In vivo killing activity was also reduced. However, by day 10 post-immunization, the peak of the immune response, the absolute number of Tag-specific TCD8 and their in vivo killing of epitope I or epitope IV-expressing target cells had recovered in CORT treated mice. Adoptive transfer of transgenic T cells post-CORT removal demonstrated that CORT decreased the ability of the endogenous antigen-presenting cells to induce proliferation of the exogenous transgenic T cells. Combined, these studies have implications about the timing of clinical steroid treatment relative to immunization or adoptive transfer for cancer immunotherapy.
Isolation of Viruses from Cultures of Bovine Endometrial Cells

Endometrial cells from the uteri of pregnant and nonpregnant cattle were cultured. The presence of one or both of two viruses, noncytopathic mucosal disease virus and bovine syncytial virus, was demonstrated in seven of 19 endometria investigated. It was necessary to subculture the cells an average of four times to detect the viral infections. Difficulties were encountered in producing endometrial cell cultures from cows at term or near the end of term and also from older animals. The infections detected may be significant because both of the viruses isolated are capable of infecting the bovine fetus in utero and mucosal disease virus has been associated with bovine fetal diseases.
Blunt aortic trauma: signs of high risk.

In the last 10 years, our center has managed 60 cases of aortic rupture from blunt chest trauma. Nineteen patients died (32%), 11 of whom were moribund on admission. Two patients out of ten who had undergone aortography at other institutions arrived at our hospital with massive bleeding in the left chest and died despite immediate operation. Six patients exsanguinated 1 to 2 1/2 hours after admission while aortography was being arranged or performed, and review of these cases to identify clinical signs of high risk revealed that left hemothorax, pseudocoarctation, and/or supraclavicular hematoma were present in five of the six
Formal and informal help-seeking associated with women's and men's experiences of intimate partner violence in Canada

While numerous studies have documented the prevalence, correlates, and consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV); most of this research has used a criminal justice framework that has focused on acts of physical violence. However, critics argue that this narrow conceptualization of IPV belies the heterogeneity in this experience with respect to the nature of coercive control in the relationship. Moreover, they contend that the different types of abusive and controlling relationships not only have a different etiology, health consequences, and help-seeking characteristics, they also have a different relationship by gender. This study examined the extent to which different patterns of violence, abuse, and control were differentially associated with formal and informal help-seeking in a national Canadian sample. Data from the 2004 General Social Survey were analyzed, which included 696 women and 471 men who reported physical or sexual violence by a current or ex-spouse or common-law partner. The most commonly reported formal sources for women and men were health professionals (i.e., doctors, nurses, counselors, psychologists) and the police. For women, informal sources (i.e., family, friends, neighbors) were commonly reported across all IPV subgroups. However, the importance of almost all of the formal sources (e.g., health professionals, police, lawyers, shelters, crisis centers) increased as the severity of the violence and control increased. Shelters and crisis centers were also reported by a notable proportion of women who experienced the most severe pattern of violence and control. For men, both formal and informal sources were more commonly reported by those who experienced moderate violence and control compared with those who experienced relatively less severe acts of physical aggression. The results suggest that research that more sensitively examines people's experiences of violence and control can help identify their health, social, and safety needs; and ultimately better inform the development of programs and services aimed at addressing these needs.
Effect of vitamins in single dose on liver of mice on prolonged ethanol intake.

Abstract A single dose of vitamin B12 administered subcutaneously to ethanol-pretreated mice, 18 or 24 hours prior to decapitation, caused a significant decrease in liver weight and liver ADH content. The liver ADH content of ethanol-pretreated mice was increased after administration of vitamin A acetate and of a mixture of biotin, folic acid, inositol, and choline chloride. Subcutaneous administration of a mixture of p-aminobenzoic acid and ascorbic acid elicited an increase in liver NAD and glycogen content.
Structural and spectroscopic characterization of an electrophilic iron nitrido complex.

We have isolated and structurally characterized a terminal iron nitrido complex supported by a bulky tris(carbene)borate ligand. The electronic structure of this complex reveals that the a1 LUMO (formerly Fe(dz2)) is strongly stabilized by reduced antibonding interactions with the carbene σ-donor ligands and configurational mixing (hybridization) with higher lying Fe 4s and 4p atomic orbitals. This unusual bonding interaction results in a low-lying Fe nitrido acceptor orbital (LUMO) that possesses electrophilic character. Reaction with PPh3 results in nitrogen atom transfer to the phosphine, supporting a reaction mechanism involving nucleophilic attack of the triphenylphosphine HOMO at the electrophilic LUMO of the iron nitrido complex.
Amphetamine-induced freezing in a food-motivated operant task

Amphetamine, 2 mg/kg administered on four trials one week apart, produced significantly higher freezing scores in an intermittently-reinforced operant task than did control injections of distilled water. However, no significant correlation was found between the freezing scores of the drug Ss and their depressed operant rate. These results were discussed in relationship to the amphetamine-induced reduction of freezing which has been observed in the CAR task.
On the instability of sheared disturbances

L'equation de perturbations de faible amplitude pour un ecoulement non borne, de cisaillement constant sur un plan beta a des solutions de forme particulierement simple. On montre qu'au moins dans les cas ou la perturbation initiale a une grande longueur d'onde, la distribution de vorticite prevue par de telles solutions peut devenir barotropiquement instable
WE-G-BRCD-09: Assessment of Quantitative Differences Between Different Deformable Image Registration Algorithms for Image Guided Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Purpose: DIR algorithms differ by physical principles employed in their design which in turn determines complexity of the transformation that the algorithm allows. Indiscriminate application of different algorithms without regard for their limitations may lead to significant discrepancies in research results and in clinical procedures. We compare two different algorithms in Head and Neck (H&N) patients to assess what aspects of DIR use are most sensitive to differences between algorithms. Methods: H&N patients are enrolled in a protocol which acquires weekly FBCT and daily double CBCT. Each FBCT study is contoured by the same physician. Two DIR algorithms are compared: Small Deformation Inverse‐Consistent Linear Elastic (SICLE), and the ITK Diffeomorphic Demons (ITKDD) as implemented in the ITK package. Both algorithms employ significantly different physical principles in their design and consequently impose different restrictions on the complexity of transformation they allow. We compare Jacobian Volume Histograms (JVH), Spatial Discrepancy Volume Histograms (SDVH), BED and physical dose accumulation results and resulting plan evaluation indices. Results: Analysis of mean Jacobian shows that both algorithms are able to detect changes in structure volumes, though they differ quantitatively from one another and from the ground truth as established by the analysis of changes in contours. Width of Jacobian distributions is very different indicating that Jacobian should not be used as a measure of volume change at a voxel level without independent validation. Analysis of SDVHs shows that dose lookup points implied by both algorithms are separated by 5mm – 10mm over approximately 30% of most volumes. These differences translate into clearly visible though not very significant differences in BED and dose accumulation. We further observe that physical dose accumulation in external beam H&N patients is a good proxy for direct BED accumulation. Conclusions: Different DIR algorithms may have to be applied selectively in different areas of treatment planning. Acknowledgments: Supported by NIH Grant P01 CA11602
High molecular mass complexes of aquatic silk proteins.

Abstract Little is known about specific protein–protein associations that take place during formation of Chironomus tentans silk. The aim of this study was to learn if C. tentans salivary glands contain biochemically discrete silk protein complexes. Examination of native extracts by non-denaturing agarose gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting revealed two SDS-resistant complexes: C1a, nominally containing silk proteins spIa, sp185 and sp140, and C1b, containing spIb, sp185 and sp140. The data also implied that C1a and C1b can further associate into SDS-sensitive homo- or hetero-oligomers. Sedimentation of extracts in preparative glycerol gradients resulted in a heterogeneous distribution of C1a and C1b centered near 30S. Examination of gradient fractions by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting indicated that C1a and C1b co-sediment with spIs, sp185, and sp140; however, these fractions also contained sp40, sp17 and sp12. In contrast, two other silk proteins sedimented throughout the gradient. Electron micrographs of a complex-containing fraction showed discrete, sometimes oligomeric lattice-like structures that, over time, assembled in vitro into multistranded beaded fibers. It is proposed that C1a and C1b are quaternary structures that are intermediates in the assembly pathway of C. tentans silk.
Ontogeny of Calcium Transport By Intestinal Golgi in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Genetically Matched WKY Rats

Ontogeny of Calcium Transport By Intestinal Golgi in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Genetically Matched WKY Rats
From the Teachings of Confucius to Western Influences: How Adult Education Is Shaped in Taiwan.

This article reports the results of a study designed to determine whether the teachings of Confucius (liberal and behavioral teaching approaches) or Western teaching approaches (humanistic, progressive, radical and analytic teaching approaches) shaped adult education in Taiwan. Thirty-nine randomly selected adult educators from three premium universities in Taipei responded to a survey about their teaching practices. The same adult educators were also interviewed to cross-validate the quantitative findings. Study results indicated that, while the Taiwanese adult educators employed Western teaching approaches to some extent, they clung dearly to Confucian methods of instruction, a finding that was consistent with reports in the literature of adult education in Taiwan.
Cluster Synthesis. 5. Synthesis and Crystal and Molecular Structures of Os6(CO)19(μ3-S) and Os6(CO)17(μ4-S)

Les complexes cristallisent respectivement dans les systemes triclinique (groupe P1) et orthorhombique (Pna2 1 ). La structure du premier est constituee d'un tetraedre d'atome Os en forme de papillon avec deux groupes osmium tetracarbonyle additionnels, tandis que la structure du second est constitue d'une pyramide a base carree chapeautee de six atomes Os
Valuing Tradable Private Rights to Pollute the Public's Air

This study develops the economic rationale for the inclusion of new environmental financial assets, tradable pollution rights, in a well‐diversified portfolio. These new assets are generated and their valuation determined in the market‐incentive environmental regulatory approach called emissions trading, especially the cap‐and‐trade variant. This approach has been gaining wide acceptance and approval. A leading example is the sulfur dioxide market where tradable allowances are assets that may be held by private investors. Transactions in this market have reached volumes indicative of a high degree of liquidity. Comparable tradable rights in other pollutants are under active development. We explain the design and workings of these markets and demonstrate empirically, on the basis of time series data, that sulfur dioxide allowances have rates of return and yield distributions that make them candidates for inclusion in asset portfolios. We conjecture that other tradable pollution rights will exhibit similar properties when sufficient data are available. Financial analysts and accountants are likely to play an increasing role in advising investors about the role of these assets in a well‐diversified portfolio.
The effects of intracerebroventricular injection of clonidine on conditioned pressor and adrenergic responses in rats

Abstract Studies from this laboratory have shown that the first filial offspring of female spontaneouslyhypertensive rats and male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) normotensive rats develop stress-induced hypertension. The present study sought to examine the effects of intracerebroventricular administration of clonidine (8 μg) on cardiovascular and sympathoadrenal responses to aversive classical conditioning in these borderline hypertensive rats (BHR) and in normotensive WKY control rats. Clonidine caused significant reductions in resting arterial pressure, vascular resistance, heart rate and concentrations of epinephrine (E) in plasma for both hypertensive and normotensive rats. Central administration of normal saline to control rats of each strain did not alter basal cardiovascular or sympathoadrenal function. The presentation of a conditioned stimulus (CS) elicited a significant increase in arterial pressure and total peripheral resistance in hypertensive rats treated with saline and clonidine and in normotensive rats treated with saline. In contrast, normotensive rats treated with clonidine showed no increases in arterial pressure or vascular resistance following the onset of the conditioned stimulus. The aversive conditioning session instigated significant increases in the concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) and E in plasma in saline-treated rats. Hypertensive and normotensive rats treated with clonidine-showed a blunted increase in plasma concentrations of NE and E during this period; however, concentrations of E in hypertensive rats increased significantly from the baseline period after injection. These data suggest that an abnormality in central alpha 2 -adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of sympathoadrenal discharge and sympathetic vasomotor tone may predispose the hypertensive rat to develop stress-induced hypertension.
Under the genomic radar: The Stealth model of Alu amplification

Alu elements are the most successful SINEs (Short INterspersed Elements) in primate genomes and have reached more than 1,000,000 copies in the human genome. The amplification of most Alu elements is thought to occur through a limited number of hyperactive "master" genes that produce a high number of copies during long evolutionary periods of time. However, the existence of long-lived, low-activity Alu lineages in the human genome suggests a more complex propagation mechanism. Using both computational and wet-bench approaches, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of the AluYb lineage, one of the most active Alu lineages in the human genome. We show that the major AluYb lineage expansion in humans is a species-specific event, as nonhuman primates possess only a handful of AluYb elements. However, the oldest existing AluYb element resided in an orthologous position in all hominoid primate genomes examined, demonstrating that the AluYb lineage originated 18-25 million years ago. Thus, the history of the AluYb lineage is characterized by approximately 20 million years of retrotranspositional quiescence preceding a major expansion in the human genome within the past few million years. We suggest that the evolutionary success of the Alu family may be driven at least in part by "stealth-driver" elements that maintain low retrotranspositional activity over extended periods of time and occasionally produce short-lived hyperactive copies responsible for the formation and remarkable expansion of Alu elements within the genome.
Secure and Resilient Control Design for Cloud Enabled Networked Control Systems

Cloud computing enables resource-constrained Networked Control Systems (NCSs) to outsource heavy computations to a cloud server with massive computational resources. However, Cloud-enabled NCSs (CE-NCSs) introduce new challenges arising from the trustworthiness of the cloud and the cyber-physical connections between the control system and the cloud. To address these concerns, this paper presents a secure and resilient mechanism, which employs customized cryptographic tools to encrypt the data of a control problem and develops verification methods to guarantee the integrity of the computational results from the cloud. In addition, our design enables a Switching Mode Mechanism (SMM) to provide resiliency to the NCSs when the system successively fails to receive correct control inputs from the cloud. We demonstrate that the mechanism can achieve the data confidentiality and integrity, guarantee the stability, and enhance the resiliency. Finally, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) example is used to corroborate these properties.