cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thyroglobulin Peptides of Specific Primary Hormonogenic Sites Can Generate Cytotoxic T Cells and Serve as Target Autoantigens in Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Previously we demonstrated that thyroxine (T4)-containing, 12-mer peptides from positions 5 (1-12) and 2553 (2549-2560), as well as thyronine (T0)-substituted 2553 peptide, derived from human (H) thyroglobulin (Tg) are capable of activating T cells that infiltrate the thyroid (thyroiditogenic). In contrast, peptides T4(2567) and T0(2567) (2559-2570) are not. To determine if these thyroiditogenic peptides, T4(5), T4(2553), and T0(2553), activated cytotoxic T cells (Tc) and served as target autoantigens when loaded onto indicator cells (BW5147 lymphoma, H2k), lymph node cells from CBA mice immunized with mouse (M) Tg were cultured in vitro with MTg, HTg, or Tg peptide. After MTg or HTg activation, Tc were detected for both MTg- and HTg-loaded target cells in an 18-h, 51Cr-release assay at an effector:target cell ratio of 50:1. These Tc also killed target cells labeled with T4(5), T4(2553), or T0(2553), but not the control peptide T4(2567). When MTg-primed lymphocytes were cultured with T4(5), T4(2553), or T0(2553), specific Tc were also generated against target cells labeled with the respective peptide. The data suggest that one of the thyroiditogenic properties of these peptides previously shown by adoptive transfer of thyroiditis is related to the generation of Tc. In addition, these conserved autoepitopes of Tg also serve as target antigens for Tc.
Soybean somatic embryogenesis: Effects of nutritional, physical and chemical factors

Immature soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) embryos, or cotyledons isolated from them, were cultured on modified MS medium containing B5 vitamins and NAA (50 μM) to induce somatic embryogenesis. The effects of media variables, dissection treatments and light conditions were investigated in this system. The efficiency of embryogenesis increased as sugar concentration decreased from 12 to 1.5%; sucrose and glucose were similarly effective as carbon sources. In an examination of the effects of medium pH, values between pH 5.0 and 7.0 gave similar embryogenesis efficiencies, but the frequency of normal embryos was greater in media with low pH values. In buffered medium (10 mM MES), a pH of 5.0 was inhibitory to embryogenesis, and most normal embryos were produced at pH 5.5. Under various dissection treatments, embryogenesis efficiency and root and callus production were increased by tissue damage. Somatic embryogenesis was observed both in darkness and in light, although embryo development was impaired under high light (80 μE m-2 s-1) conditions. The ability of somatic embryos to germinate was closely correlated with embryo normality, and was influenced little by the hormone content of germination media. Of various media tested for their ability to support the growth of germinated embryos, a medium based on hydroponic nutrient salts, supplemented with yeast extract, and gelled with Difco-Bacto agar gave the best plantlet growth.
Nanotechnologies, food, and agriculture: next big thing or flash in the pan?

The advent of the new nanotechnologies has been heralded by government, media, and many in the scientific community as the next big thing. Within the agricultural sector research is underway on a wide variety of products ranging from distributed intelligence in orchards, to radio frequency identification devices, to animal diagnostics, to nanofiltered food products. But the nano-revolution (if indeed there is a revolution at all) appears to be taking a turn quite different from the biotechnology revolution of two decades ago. Grappling with these issues will require abandoning both the exuberance of diffusion theory and ex post facto criticism of new technologies as well in favor of a more nuanced and proactive view that cross the fault line between the social and natural sciences.
Usefulness of a prototype directional catheter for excimer laser coronary angioplasty in narrowings unfavorable for conventional excimer or balloon angioplasty.

Abstract We report clinical and angiographic results in 53 patients with 57 significant coronary or saphenous vein graft narrowings treated with directional excimer laser angioplasty. The target vessels were the left main (1%), anterior descending (32%), circumflex (19%), right coronary artery (39%), and vein grafts (9%). Lesions were morphologic class B1 (18%), B2 (79%), or C (3%), with 40 de novo and 17 restenotic lesions. Adjunctive balloon angioplasty was used in 53 lesions (93%). Mean pre- and postprocedural minimal lumen diameters were 0.6 ± 0.3 and 1.9 ± 0.7 mm (p 50% diameter restenosis or acute gain loss) were 37% and 23%, respectively. Four patients underwent bypass, 3 angioplasty, and 1 patient died from cancer. This study demonstrates the feasibility of directional application of laser energy to selected unfavorable narrowings for conventional excimer laser or balloon angioplasty. Further evaluation of this device using the now standard saline infusion technique is necessary to establish its ultimate role as a primary interventional device.
Gastrointestinal fluoroscopy: what are we still doing?

OBJECTIVE. We used Medicare data to quantify trends in gastrointestinal fluoroscopy volume.CONCLUSION. Although overall gastrointestinal fluoroscopy procedures continue to decline, the fall is not uniform. Nationwide Medicare data from 2001 to 2006 reveal that the volumes of barium enema and upper gastrointestinal studies suffered a steep drop, but the numbers of esophagograms and swallowing studies actually increased. These numbers highlight the challenge facing gastrointestinal fluoroscopy training and offer guidance for modifying curricula.
Chemiluminescent oxidative products generated by in vitro leukocyte-material interactions

The effect of different polymeric materials on leukocyte adhesion and their oxidative responses was investigated. Two commercial polymers: polyethylene (PE) and silicone rubber (SR) and two laboratory-synthesized polyurethanes were examined. The polyurethanes studied consisted of a polytetramethylene oxide (PTMO)-based polyurethane (PEU-base) and a sulfonated polyurethane (PEU-SO3). In vitro polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adhesion and respiratory burst activity measurements were studied using a radiolabelling technique and a chemiluminescence (CL) assay, respectively. An increased number of adherent PMNs and increased cell spreading were found on PEU-SO3 compared to the PEU-base, SR and PE. The largest CL response was also found on PEU-SO3, whereas on the other hydrophobic polymers the response was smaller. Additionally, on the PEU-SO3 surface the CL response was sustained indicating more prolonged production of oxygen radicals by PMNs on this material. Upon stimulation with opsonized zymosan (OZ), the PMNs on PEU-SO3 showed the lowest CL response, indicating a decreased respiratory burst differences among them in their CL response. The residual CL response was reduced by 30% for PEU-SO3 and by 10–15% for PE, SR and PEU-base compared to the control (luminometer polystyrene cuvette only, no disc). Upon addition of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), all surfaces except SR showed a slightly reduced CL response. Along with PE, PEU-SO3 showed the lowest CL response. These results suggest that oxygen radicals are produced during early incubation of PMNs with biomaterials, and upon subsequent stimulation of these cells, fewer oxygen radicals are produced due to cellular exhaustion.
The American search for economic justice

The problem economic justice in historical perspective economic jstice and marginal productivity theory marginal productivity justice defended confusions left and right on freedom on equality equality and freedom in the ecnomic race on rights four questions of fact dilemmas few confront summming up - a personal perspective the American Dream and present-day America.
Quantum dot probes for bacteria distinguish Escherichia coli mutants and permit in vivo imaging.

Fluorescent quantum dots coated with zinc(II)-dipicolylamine coordination complexes can selectively stain a rough Escherichia coli mutant that lacks an O-antigen element and permit optical detection in a living mouse leg infection model.
A rapid method for amino acid analysis employing electrophoresis and chromatography on ion-exchange paper

Abstract A previously described technique employing electrochromatography to separate amino acids rapidly has been modified. The use of DEAE ion-exchange paper to replace Whatman 3MM chromatography paper in the system permitted rapid separation of 20 amino acids instead of only 5 by the original method. The procedure has been applied for semiquantitative chromatography of amino acids from urine, plasma, and tissue extracts. After alkaline elution the individual amino acids can be quantitated spectrophotometrically.
Manipulation of ovarian function for the reproductive management of dairy cows.

W.W. Thatcher1*, J.A. Bartolome1, A. Sozzi1, F. Silvestre1 and J.E.P. Santos2 1Department of Animal Sciences, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL , 326110920 and Veterinary Medicine T eaching and Research Center; 2University of California-Davis, T ulare, CA 93274, USA *Correspondence: Department of Animal Sciences, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL , 32611–0920 E-mail: thatcher@animal.ufl.edu
Effect of intraventricular injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine on regional tryptophan hydroxylase of rat brain.

5,6-DIHYDROXYTRYPTAMINE has been shown to cause selective degeneration of serotonergic neurons in the central nervous sytem (BAUMGARTEN, LACHENMAYER and SCHLOSSBERGER, 1972b). This degeneration is accompanied by depletion of serotonin (BAUMGARTEN et al., 1971; 1972a) and loss of tryptophan hydroxylase activity (VICTOR, BAUMGARTEN and LOVENBERG, 1973) in certain regions of the brain. In the current experiments, the effect of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (another dihydroxylated tryptamine derivative) on tryptophan hydroxylase activity has been examined. Since tryptophan hydroxylase is the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin biosynthesis and has a similar distribution to that of serotonin in the brain, it is used as a biochemical marker of serotonergic neurons, Recent experiments also indicate that 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine causes morphological damage to serotonergic neurons of the central nervous system (BAUMGARTEN and LACHENMAYER, 1972).
Computational study of the geometry and properties of the metcars Ti8C12 and Mo8C12

We report the results of extensive ab initio HF and post-HF (as well as DFT) studies of the “magic number” metallocarbohedrene (“metcar”) clusters Ti8C12 and Mo8C12 in various electronic states of Td symmetry and the Jahn−Teller-distorted D2d, C3v, and C1 symmetries. An essential feature of the present work is that it is a systematic study employing a hierarchy of theoretical methods to explore the effect of refining the treatment of electron correlation in determining the geometry and electronic ground state of these species. For Ti8C12, we show using relatively high-level theories such as MP2, MP4, and QCISD that the Aufbau principle for the occupation of the molecular orbitals is obeyed, resulting in a Jahn−Teller distortion of the proposed Td symmetry. These higher-level calculations identify a D2d structure close to Td symmetry for the electronic ground state and allow some of its chemical properties to be explored with confidence using a lower level of theory. The reactivity of Ti8C12 toward H2O, CO...
Electron microscopy of native DNA in sea urchin cells.

A method is described for the extraction of native DNA from cells and its spreading with chymotrypsin. No evidence of discontinuities in the fibrils was recorded either after staining or shadowing. Evidence is presented for the DNA nature of the strands. The DNA from sea urchin sperm and sea urchin embryo nuclei appears as strands longer than 100 μ. The height of the strands is about 21–25 . Proteases do not affect the dimensions of the strands, but DNase and shearing rapidly degrade them.
Effect of an evidence-based hand washing policy on hand washing rates and false-positive coagulase negative staphylococcus blood and cerebrospinal fluid culture rates in a level III NICU.

Effect of an Evidence-Based Hand Washing Policy on Hand Washing Rates and False-Positive Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid Culture Rates in a Level III NICU
The communicative management of constrained autonomy during the transition to parenthood

The communicative management of changes in autonomy during the transition to parenthood was examined. Ten married couples were interviewed separately and together before and after the birth of a first child. The interviews were analyzed through two different interpretive methodologies: constant comparison of individual interview incidents and analysis of selected couple conversational excerpts. Constrained autonomy is influenced by increases in interdependence, unfulfilled pre‐birth expectations, and perceptual shifts regarding past autonomy. In addition, various interactional patterns manifested by spouses to mediate the autonomy for self and other during the transition to parenthood was examined. Finally, an analysis of how issues of autonomy reflect the problematics of expression and protection within close relationships was offered.
Job burnout in law enforcement dispatchers: A comparative analysis

Abstract This study examined the relationship between civilian law enforcement dispatchers and job burnout, utilizing a sample of dispatchers drawn from a large metropolitan police department in the San Francisco Bay area. Responses of sixty-two civilian dispatchers on the Maslach Burnout Inventory were compared with those of 115 sworn law enforcement officers from five other departments in the San Francisco Bay area, as has been previously reported. The latter included narcotics officers, former narcotics officers, and patrol officers. Results indicated that, in most cases, narcotics officers experienced significantly more burnout than did dispatch personnel, but dispatchers exhibited significantly higher levels of burnout than did ex-narcotics and patrol officers. Policy implications for dealing with burnout among dispatchers are discussed. Some sugestions for minimizing burnout and for additional research are offered.
Slo2.x Potassium Channels are Involved in the Regulation of Heart Mitochondrial Function

Mitochondrial potassium channels (MKCs) are believed to be important in stress response in the heart. Volatile anesthetic preconditioning (APC) is a method of protecting the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury which elicits evolutionarily-conserved protective signaling pathways that converge at the mitochondrial level. Work in C. elegans has focused attention on the Slo2 gene product as a transducer of APC effects on hypoxic survival and recent data from our lab demonstrate that this protective role is conserved in mammals. Slo2 in mammals has diverged into two paralogs, Slo2.1 (KCNT2; Slick) and Slo2.2 (KCNT1; Slack). These genes code for Na+-activated K+ channels and are highly expressed in brain, but their function in cardiomyocytes and/or mitochondria is unknown. Examination of these channels has been limited to pharmacologic profiling which is hampered by overlapping sensitivities and off-target effects of small molecules. Herein we employed novel genetic deletions of Slo2.1 and Slo2.2 double knockout, Slo2.x dKO, in mice to confirm the role of these potassium channels in APC and identify their role in endogenous cardiac mitochondrial function. Preliminary data obtained using Slo2.x dKO reveal novel metabolic and morphologic phenotypes, indicating a functional relationship between mitochondrial potassium channels and regulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. These data demonstrate a role of the Slo2.x gene product in the regulation of cardiac mitochondrial function.
Solution structure and dynamics of a designed monomeric variant of the lambda Cro repressor

The solution structure of a monomeric variant of the lambda Cro repressor has been determined by multidimensional NMR. Cro K56[DGEVK] differs from wild-type Cro by the insertion of five amino acids at the center of the dimer interface. 1H and 15N resonances for 70 of the 71 residues have been assigned. Thirty-two structures were calculated by hybrid distance geometry/simulated annealing methods using 463 NOE-distance restraints, 26 hydrogen-bond, and 39 dihedral-angle restraints. The root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) from the average structure for atoms in residues 3-60 is 1.03 +/- 0.44 A for the peptide backbone and 1.6 +/- 0.73 A for all nonhydrogen atoms. The overall structure conforms very well to the original design. Although the five inserted residues form a beta hairpin as expected, this engineered turn as well as other turns in the structure are not well defined by the NMR data. Dynamics studies of backbone amides reveal T1/T2 ratios of residues in the alpha2-alpha3, beta2-beta3, and engineered turn that are reflective of chemical exchange or internal motion. The solution structure and dynamics are discussed in light of the conformational variation that has been observed in other Cro structures, and the importance of flexibility in DNA recognition.
A lack of evidence in 4-month-old human infants for paternal voice preference.

Several studies have found that human infants recognize the sight, sound, smell, and touch of their mothers. Maternal recognition occurs early in development, often being influenced by prenatal experiences. In contrast, the development of infants' recognition of their fathers is not understood. We investigated whether 4-month-old human infants preferred their fathers' voices, in two different speaking contexts. In both Experiments 1 and 2, infants were tested with fathers' adult-directed (AD) or infant-directed (ID) speech. In all experiments, infants were allowed to listen to recordings of either father's or other's voice contingent on their visual attention. Results from the first two experiments showed that infants did not prefer their fathers' voices over unfamiliar male voices. However, in Experiment 3, 4-month-olds showed that they could discriminate the male voices heard in the previous studies. These data were interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that the experiences necessary for the development of maternal preferences are different from those supporting paternal preferences, and that perhaps multimodal cues are necessary for father recognition in infancy.
Crack-Induced Effects on Aeroelasticity of an Unswept Composite Wing

Crack-induced changes in the aeroelastic boundaries of an unswept composite wing are investigated. The bending-torsion couplings due to the unbalanced laminates and offset of the center of gravity are incorporated into the equation of motion. The edge crack, modeled with the local flexibility concept, introduces additional boundary conditions at the crack location. The fundamental modes of the intact and cracked beam are used in Galerkin's method, and the approximate solution for flutter and divergence speeds is obtained with steady and quasi-steady aerodynamic forces applied. Changes in flutter and divergence speeds (with respect to the crack ratio and its location, along with the fiber orientation) are compared. In many cases, the existence of an edge crack imposes detrimental effects on the aeroelastic boundaries, although it may increase the flutter and/or divergence speed when fibers are orientated at certain angles. The results may help composite wing designers in their aeroelastic tailoring and structural engineers in designing damage prognosis tools to predict the health status of, composite wing structures.
Sex-Phenomena in the Common Limpet: (Patella vulgata)

IN the course of investigations on the rate of growth and the age at which breeding begins the common limpet was examined, and the following interesting phenomena were observed:—A preliminary examination of batches of limpets of about 2 cm. long, and later still of smaller specimens, revealed the occurrence of a large proportion of males. The proportion of males was so high indeed as to give strong suspicions of a change of sex from male to female (i.e. protandric hermaphroditism), and a sample of about 1000 small ones less than 1 in. was therefore collected from cement piles between 3 ft. and 9 ft. above low-water springs at the Great Western Docks, Plymouth, and the sex examined and recorded. As the common limpet has no penis or uterus, it is necessary to examine the internal sex-organ (the gonad) to determine the sex. Of the 1102 limpets collected, 167 were rejected as being found by experience to be too small to show development of the internal sex-organ; these were mainly about 13 mm. long. Of the remainder, 169 (mostly about 14 mm.) showed no development of gonad on examination, 64 were females mostly about 2 cm. long, and the remaining 702 were males mostly about 15 mm. to 20 mm. long. These males probably comprise the bulk of the limpets in this sample in their first spawning year.
Optimistic fair contract signing for Web services

Reliable and atomic transactions are a key to successful e-Business interactions. Reliable messaging subsystems, such as IBM's MQ Series, or broker-based techniques have been traditionally used for this purpose. In this paper, we take a radically different approach to address this problem, which is to apply the idea of Optimistic Fair Contract Signing recently proposed by Asokan, Shoup, and Waidner. We show a design of the protocol based on the latest XML and Web Services Security standards and discuss the benefits and limitations of this approach.
A layout-aware optimization strategy for collective I/O

In this study, we propose an optimization strategy to promote a better integration of the parallel I/O middleware and parallel file systems. We illustrate that a layout-aware optimization strategy can improve the performance of current collective I/O in parallel I/O system. We present the motivation, prototype design and initial verification of the proposed layout-aware optimization strategy. The analytical and initial experimental testing results demonstrate that the proposed strategy has a potential in improving the parallel I/O system performance.
NUMERICAL SOLUTION TECHNIQUE FOR THE TRANSIENT EQUATION OF TRANSFER

Abstract A finite-difference method for the solution of the transient equation of transfer in a plane parallel medium is developed. In this method the adding/doubling method is used by solving a form of the equation of transfer at discrete values of the transient variable. A number of initializations for the adding/doubling method are available. The accuracy of each is dependent on the size of the initial layer used. Once an initialization is chosen, reflection and transmission matrices are built, and both upward and downward radiance are calculated at interior points for all discrete values of the transient variable. The advantages of the method are that (1) calculations of all the transient intensity distributions may be found throughout the layer for specified layer thicknesses, (2) solutions may be obtained for a variety of boundary conditions, and (3) exact solutions are approached as the initial layer size and step size approach zero. Numerous distributions are plotted and compared for two different...
Developmental Differences in Production of Lipoxygenase Metabolites by Ovine Lungs

This study determined age-related differences in production of lipoxygenase metabolites by ovine lungs. Lungs of near-term fetal (146 ± 2 days gestation), neonatal (8 ± 2 days), and adult sheep were homogenized and 9000g fraction (9000g) cytosol, and microsomes were prepared by differential centrifugation. These subcellular fractions were incubated for 10 min at 37°C, either alone, with [14C]arachidonic acid ([14C]AA), or with A23187. Hydroxyeico-satetraenok acids (HETEs) and leukotrienes (LTs) were extracted from incubation media and quantitated by HPLC. All three lung subcellular fractions metabolized [14C]AA into 5-, 12-, and 15-HETEs. Production of each HETE was greater in neonatal and adult 9000g and microsomes than in fetal microsomes. Leukotriene production from [14C]AA by 9000g, cytosol, and microsomes was greater, the older the animal. Production of LTs by microsomes was greater than that by cytosol at all ages. LT production from endogenous AA increased significantly on stimulation with 5 μM A23...
THE RELATION OF THE THYROID GLAND TO THE SURFACE TENSION OF THE BLOOD PLASMA I. THE EFFECT OF THYROIDECTOMY.

1. Following thyroidectomy in guinea pigs, there is a gradual elevation of the surface tension of the blood plasma which reaches its height in from 19 to 22 days after operation. This elevation is probably permanent, since we have found it to persist for as long as 120 days. 2. In our experiments, we found a few thyroidectomized animals in which the surface tension of the plasma was still within normal limits 24 and 120 days after operation. We suggest that these exceptions are due to three possible factors: (1) incomplete thyroidectomy; (2) presence of accessory thyroid tissue; (3) compensatory activity on the part of other organs. 3. The surface tension of the plasma from operated animals is higher than that from controls in both the initial and 20 minute determinations, but the difference is greater at the 20 minute period. 4. The time-drop (difference between the initial and 20 minute determinations) is somewhat greater in the plasma from normal than in that from operated animals. 5. It is suggested that these changes are due to a decrease in the amount of certain normally occurring surface-active substances, the production of which is directly or indirectly dependent upon the thyroid gland.
A plasma doping process for 3D finFET source/drain extensions

A conformal doping technique is demonstrated for 3D finFET source/drain extensions using a plasma doping (PLAD) system. The arsenic dopant distribution at the top and the sidewalls of the fin was characterized by Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping, EDS line scan, and through-fin secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). The residual post-anneal damage was also evaluated by cross-section transmission electron spectroscopy (X-TEM). The effects of energy, dose and other plasma doping parameters on the sidewall dopant distribution are also studied.
Registering histologic and MR images of prostate for image-based cancer detection.

Rationale and Objectives Needle biopsy is currently the only way to confirm prostate cancer. To increase prostate cancer diagnostic rate, needles are expected to be deployed at suspicious cancer locations. High-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides a powerful tool for detecting suspicious cancerous tissues. To do this, MR appearances of cancerous tissue should be characterized and learned from a sufficient number of prostate MR images with known cancer information. However, ground-truth cancer information is only available in histologic images. Therefore it is necessary to warp ground-truth cancerous regions in histological images to MR images by a registration procedure. The objective of this article is to develop a registration technique for aligning histological and MR images of the same prostate. Material and Methods Five pairs of histological and T2-weighted MR images of radical prostatectomy specimens are collected. For each pair, registration is guided by two sets of correspondences that can be reliably established on prostate boundaries and internal salient bloblike structures of histologic and MR images. Results Our developed registration method can accurately register histologic and MR images. It yields results comparable to manual registration, in terms of landmark distance and volume overlap. It also outperforms both affine registration and boundary-guided registration methods. Conclusions We have developed a novel method for deformable registration of histologic and MR images of the same prostate. Besides the collection of ground-truth cancer information in MR images, the method has other potential applications. An automatic, accurate registration of histologic and MR images actually builds a bridge between in vivo anatomical information and ex vivo pathologic information, which is valuable for various clinical studies.
An experimental investigation of free convection heat transfer in supercritical helium

Abstract An experimental study of free convection heat transfer from a copper sphere to supercritical helium is presented. The heat-transfer coefficient is measured in the transposed critical line region covering pressures from 2.3–35 atm (0.23–3.55 MPa) and temperatures from 5.3 to 25 K. Empirical correlations accurate to ±20% between Nu , Pr , Gr , p b , Δp , T b and ΔT are obtained. A boiling-like phenomenon is observed experimentally near the critical point in that the heat-transfer coefficient h increases with temperature difference ΔT until h reaches a maximum after which h decreases for larger ΔT .
The effect of oxygen radicals metabolites and vitamin E on glycosylation of proteins.

Abstract Glycosylation (glycation) of proteins is a major complication of hyperglycemia in diabetes. This study has examined the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and tertiary-butylhydroperoxide (TBH) and vitamin E (E) on glycation of hemoglobin (GHb). The RBC (15%) in phosphate-buffered saline were treated with 5–50 mM glucose (G) with and without H2O2 or TBH at 37°C for 1–3 d. Glycation of hemoglobin was assessed by GHb formation using Glyc-affinity columns. There was an increase in the GHb formation with increasing G concentrations. GHb formation increased significantly in the presence of H2O2 at all G concentrations. The increase in GHb was blocked when RBC were pretreated with E. E also inhibited formation of malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation, as assessed by the thiobarbituric acid reactivity. Similar increase in the GHb formation was observed when TBH was used instead of H2O2 to induce oxidant stress to the RBC. To examine any role of MDA per se in increased glycation, RBC were treated ex vivo with and without exogenous standard MDA. GHb formation was significantly higher with G-MDA in contrast to G alone. Thus, increased oxygen radicals activity can initiate peroxidation of lipids and MDA accumulation, which in turn, can stimulate glycation of proteins in diabetes. E can block the glycation of proteins by inhibiting MDA formation. Copyright © 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.
Spin dependent trapping at a silicon grain boundary

Abstract We have observed, for the first time, spin dependent trapping in a silicon grain boundary. The results are quantitatively explained in terms of paramagnetic “dangling bond” interface traps and a majority carrier thermionic emission model. This is a sensitive and informative probe of defects in grain boundaries.
Successful cardiac transplant after Berlin Heart bridge in a single ventricle heart: use of aortopulmonary shunt as a supplementary source of pulmonary blood flow.

exchanged her paracorporeal Levitronix RVAD for a Thoratec intracorporeal VAD (Pleasanton, Calif). Postoperatively, she recovered from MSOF and was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 53. Repeat RVAD turndown 4 months later showed functional RV recovery, and the patient’s Thoratec RVAD was successfully explanted. One month later, she was at home, doing well, and enjoying normal daily activities.
Impact of climate variation on mosquito abundance in California.

ABSTRACT Temporal variation in the abundance of the encephalitis virus vector mosquito, Culex tarsalis Coquillet, was linked significantly with coincident and antecedent measures of regional climate, including temperature, precipitation, snow pack, and the El Nino/Southern Oscillation anomaly. Although variable among traps, historical records that spanned two to five decades revealed climate influences on spring and summer mosquito abundance as early as the previous fall through early summer. Correlations between winter and spring precipitation and snow pack and spring Cx. tarsalis abundance were stronger than correlations with summer abundance. Spring abundance was also correlated positively with winter and spring temperature, whereas summer abundance correlated negatively with spring temperature and not significantly with summer temperature. Correlations with antecedent climate provide the opportunity to forecast vector abundance and herefore encephalitis virus risk, a capability useful in intervention ...
Penetration of ultraviolet radiation in streams of eastern Pennsylvania: Topographic controls and the role of suspended particulates

Penetration of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in stream ecosystems is determined by the concen- tration and optical properties of suspended sediment and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). This study documents the base-flow optical environment of 37 first- and second-order tributaries distributed throughout the Lehigh River watershed, eastern Pennsylvania, over a four year period. We measured a large range of attenuation coefficients (Kd380: 0.68 - 151.1 m -1 ,K d320: 0.95 - 316.2 m -1 ) and 1 % transmission depths (2 cm - 147 cm). In addition, we quantified the significance of particulate material in UVR attenu- ation in streams, which generally accounted for 10 - 30 % of attenuation for the UV-B waveband. Our results indicated that basin morphology, particularly mean watershed slope (MWS), was highly correlated with UVR penetration (MWS:Kd320 ,r 2 = 0.68, P < 0.0001), DOC concentration (MWS:DOC, r 2 = 0.65, P < 0.0001), and DOC optical quality (MWS:Fluores- cence Index, r 2 = 0.71, P < 0.0001). The fact that these relationships are robust across a variety of watersheds that differ in land use, forest coverage, and wetland coverage, indicates that the geomorphic coevolution of hillslope form and process exert a strong control on stream optical environments via the establishment of hydrologic and edaphic conditions. Agricultural land use exerts secondary, but discernable effects on DOC concentration (% Agriculture:DOC, r 2 = 0.39, P = 0.012) and optical quality (% Agriculture:Fluores- cence Index, r 2 = 0.32, P = 0.036) in watersheds devoid of wetlands.
Knowledge-based spreadsheets

Spreadsheet systems have changed the way the world perceives and deals with computers. In an attempt at maintaining the positive elements of spreadsheets while overcoming some of their limitations, we have developed FINANZ, a computational environment for developing financial planning systems. FINANZ contains a form-based user interface construction system, which allows the creation of advanced user interfaces without the need for conventional programming. It uses constraint based programming for the representation of knowledge about the application domain. Its layered architecture (based on object-oriented knowledge representation) supports the modification and extension of the system and the dynamic generation of explanations.
The behavior of a crack near a low-angle grain boundary

This paper presents the results of a simplified analysis of the behavior of a microcrack in the vicinity of a low-angle grain boundary. Combining the well-known dislocation model of low angle grain boundaries developed by Burgers, Read and Shockley, and Cottrell (see e.g. [1]) with the crack/dislocation interaction solution developed by Atkinson [2] and Lo [3], a series expression is obtained for the stress intensity factors at the tip of a crack near such a boundary. The main purpose of the analysis is to introduce a grain boundary model which includes aspects of the physical microstructure at the boundary. Results are computed and discussed for a variety of geometrical configurations, with the intent of developing understanding of the role of such boundaries in fracture processes at the micro-level.
Compact electro-thermal models of semiconductor devices with multiple heat sources

The thermal management of semiconductor devices and systems becomes crucial as the power consumed by chips is increasing. For manufacturers it is important to enable the customer to simulate the thermal performance of semiconductor packages at different ambient conditions and arbitrary transient loading conditions. As simulation speed in this case is crucial, compact thermal models are of great importance. In the present work, a new approach to generate compact thermal models of semiconductor packages on PCBs is presented. The main difference from conventional RC-like thermal networks is that the compact model is obtained through a formal model reduction procedure. Model reduction starts with an accurate high-dimensional thermal model created with a finite element program like ANSYS. A low-dimensional model is obtained in such a way that the first moments of the transfer function are the same as in the original model. A model of a semiconductor device with multiple heat sources is used in order to compare this method with a thermal RC network approach. Temperature response results to user defined loading conditions are also compared.
Molecular Detection of Leptospira in Two Returned Travelers: Higher Bacterial Load in Cerebrospinal Fluid Versus Serum or Plasma

Leptospirosis is a potentially severe illness in returned travelers. Patients often present with fever, headache, and neck pain, which may lead to a workup for meningitis including the acquisition of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Although Leptospira DNA has been detected in CSF by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), little data exist regarding the utility of testing CSF in addition to serum or plasma obtained on presentation. In this report, we present two cases of leptospirosis in returned travelers presenting with fever and headache. Our first patient had neutrophilic meningitis, and Leptospira was detectable only in CSF obtained on admission. The second patient had a normal CSF profile, but Leptospira was detected in CSF at a bacterial load 5- to 10-fold higher than that in plasma. CSF is an important specimen for the diagnosis of Leptospira by molecular methods and may yield an actionable diagnosis in the absence of leptospiremia.
Workshop on advanced separation of concerns in software engineering

Separation of concerns can provide a host of well-known and crucial benefits, but only if the concerns that are separated and modularized match the concerns one needs to deal with—which can be of dramatically different kinds in different development contexts. Traditional modularization approaches have proven inadequate. Work in the growing area of advanced separation of concerns seeks to provide more powerful and flexible modularization, capable of encapsulating multiple kinds of overlapping, interacting and crosscutting concerns. This workshop is intended to bring together researchers and practitioners in this and related areas, to explore some of the many open issues..
The A20 Deubiquitinase Activity Negatively Regulates LMP1 Activation of IRF7

A20 possesses both deubiquitinase (DUB) and ubiquitin E3 ligase activities that are required for termination of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling leading to NF-κB activation and for blockage of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. A20 is induced by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) oncoprotein LMP1. However, its dual ubiquitin-editing activities have not been investigated in the context of either EBV infection or IRF7 responses. Both A20 and IRF7 have oncogenic properties. We have recently shown that LMP1 activates IRF7 through K63-linked ubiquitination which requires RIP1 and TRAF6, but how this ubiquitination event is regulated has not been studied. Here, we show that A20 negatively regulates IRF7 transcriptional activity induced by LMP1. Deletion or mutation of A20 C-terminal zinc finger motifs had no effect on the inhibition of IRF7 activity, whereas DUB-deficient truncation or point mutation ablated the ability of A20 to inhibit IRF7. Correspondingly, the A20 N-terminal DUB domain, but not the C-terminal E3 ligase domain, interacts physically with IRF7. Transient expression of A20 reduced K63-linked ubiquitination of IRF7 in vivo, but an in vitro deubiquitination assay with purified constituents shows that IRF7 did not act as a substrate for A20 DUB activity. Moreover, A20 interacts with IRF7 endogenously in latently EBV-infected type 3 Raji cells, in which expression of both A20 and IRF7 is constitutively induced by the considerable level of endogenous LMP1. Knockdown of endogenous A20 in Raji cells by expression of A20 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) vectors increases endogenous IRF7 activity and ubiquitination, as well as the protein level of LMP1, a target of IRF7. Thus, A20 negatively regulates LMP1-stimulated IRF7 ubiquitination and activity in EBV latency, and its DUB activity is indispensable for this function. Finally, we discussed the regulation and function of IRFs in EBV latency.
Exposure to Local Homicides and Early Educational Achievement in Mexico

We investigate the effect of children's exposure to local violence on grade failure in Mexico. We construct an annual panel of all elementary schools from 1990 to 2010 and merge municipality-level homicide rates to analyze the effect of exposure to local homicide. Using a variety of causal inference techniques, we consistently find that exposure to local violence increases the probability of failing a grade in elementary school. This effect is net of demographic, economic, and migratory trends usually associated with violence and is likely driven by heightened fear and anxiety and change in parenting practices. Our findings suggest that violent crime in children's environments compromises early educational achievement and may have long-lasting consequences on human capital formation and economic well-being. Language: en
Differential associations among alcohol use, depression and perceived life meaning in male and female college students

Excessive alcohol consumption is a chronic issue on college campuses nationwide and presents a significant public health concern. Compared with non-college peers, college students consume alcohol at substantially higher rates and encounter more negative consequences resulting from drinking. This study aimed to examine the role of depression and perceived life meaning in college student drinking, with a focus on potential sex differences. Participants recruited from a large southern university in the United States (mean age = 19.14, SD age = 2.05; 75.7% female; 75.7% Caucasian, 17.2% African American) completed surveys assessing perceived meaning, depression and alcohol use. Results indicated a significant inverse relationship between perceived meaning and alcohol use, while no significant association was found between depression and alcohol use. Although the regression model including perceived meaning and depression was significant in the prediction of alcohol use, it was meaning that accounted for significant variance in alcohol use. When the sample was split by sex, there was an interaction between meaning and depression in predicting male alcohol use. This study expands upon previous research pertaining to college student alcohol use and reveals potentially clinically relevant differences in patterns of association between men and women. Limitations, clinical implications and directions for research are discussed.
Hierarchical Network Games with Various Types of Public and Private Information

We consider, in this paper, a class of hierarchical network games where there is a single service provider (leader, in a Stackelberg game framework) and multiple users (followers) which could be of different types. Depending on whether the type of a particular user is private information (only to that user), or public information (shared with all users as well as the service provider), or whether we have the intermediate case where this is common (shared) information among the users but not shared with the service provider, one can introduce and study the equilibria of different types of games, covering the entire gamut from complete information to incomplete information games. We undertake such a study in this paper, with general utility functions for the players and general distributions for user characteristics. We compare the performances of the leader and the followers under the different scenarios, and also study the asymptotic case as the user population grows. The study for the many-followers regime provides useful insight for communication network applications.
The binding of cationized ferritin at the surfaces of ehrlich ascites tumor cells: the effect of pH and glutaraldehyde fixation.

The densities of cationized ferritin (CF) particles binding to the surfaces of cultured Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were determined at pH 7.4, where the ferritin stain was applied either prior to or following glutaraldehyde fixation. The densities were also determined with CF adjusted to pH 1.9 and applied after fixation. For all fixed samples there was a higher density of particles bound to microvilli than to the spaces between them. Treatment with neuraminidase removed more particles from microvilli than from the intermicrovillus spaces, but did not reduce the levels of binding to the same value. When cationized ferritin is applied prior to fixation, an aggregation of the CF particles at the cell surface was observed, with the internalization of some clusters. This effect was independent of neuraminidase treatment.
Regulation of the Galactolipid Synthesis in Spinach Chloroplasts

In view of the uncertainty regarding the physiological importance of the enzyme, catalyzing the transfer of galactosyl groups between galactolipids (van Besouw, Wintermans, 1978) localized in the outer chloroplast envelope (Dorne et al., 1982 and Cline, Keegstra, 1983), a comparison of galactolipid synthesis by intact chloroplasts with that by isolated envelopes seems useful. There is good evidence that isolated envelopes have an artefactually changed lipid composition (Dorne et al., 1982 and Wintermans et al., 1981), which has been tentatively ascribed to fusion of outer and inner envelope during the isolation procedure (Dorne et al., 1982). Intact chloroplasts, however, are expected to have their envelopes in the natural orientation, and to have their envelope lipids less changed during the short isolation procedure. Regarding the galactolipid synthesis, earlier experiments by Siebertz (1979), van Besouw et al. (1981) and Heemskerk et al. (1982) showed somewhat different results.