cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HIV-1 Envelope gp41 Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies: Hurdles for Vaccine Development

A primary correlate of protection for most effective viral vaccines is induction of antibodies with potent virus neutralization [1]. HIV-1 differs from other viruses for which successful vaccines have been made, because as a highly mutable, integrating retrovirus, it is resistant to both immune responses and antiretroviral therapy upon establishment of a latently infected CD4+ T-cell pool [2]. Thus, to prevent infection, an HIV-1 vaccine must induce protective immunity that is active during transmission [3]. Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are targeted to conserved regions of the HIV-1 envelope (Env) and neutralize a broad spectrum of HIV-1 quasi-species [4]. When passively infused in rhesus macaques [5]–[8] or transduced in humanized mice [9] preceding challenge, bnAbs robustly prevent infection, suggesting they can protect if present during transmission. However, bnAbs are made in a minority of HIV-1–infected individuals years after infection and cannot be elicited by current immunization regimens [3]. Thus, identifying impediments to bnAb induction to devise better immunization strategies is a central goal for HIV-1 vaccine development.
Estimation of right ventricular mass in normal subjects and in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

Objectives. This study was designed to test the accuracy of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging as a noninvasive technique for estimating right ventricular mass in normal subjects and in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. Background. An accurate means of noninvasively estimating right ventricular mass may allow better characterization of the degree of right-sided pressure or volume overload caused by underlying cardiac or pulmonary diseases. Methods. End-diastolic short-axis electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated spin echo NMR images of the heart were obtained in vivo in 13 patients with primary pulmonary hypertension and 10 normal adult volunteers. Both right and left ventricular mass were computed by summing the myocardial slice volumes over all slices spanning the myocardium and multiplying by myocardial density. This technique of myocardial mass determination was verified by imaging 10 calf hearts and comparing the NMR-determined right and left myocardial mass with the actual mass determined by weighing the right and left ventricles. Results. In the calf heart study, an excellent correlation was obtained between the directly measured ventricular mass and the NMR-calculated mass, for both the right and the left ventricle. Patients with primary pulmonary hypertension had an elevated right ventricular mass index compared with that of normal subjects (62.69 ± 8.72 g/m2vs. 23.32 ± 1.36 g/m2, p < O.0005). There was no significant difference in left ventricular mass index between the two groups. Both mean intraobserver and interobserver variability in myocardial mass determination were low. Linear regression analysis between right ventricular mass index and mean pulmonary artery pressure was significant (r = 0.75, p < 0.003). Conclusions. Electrocardiogram-gated spin echo NMR imaging of the heart may be used for quantitating right ventricular mass in normal subjects and in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, in whom it may also provide an alternative noninvasive technique for estimating mean pulmonary artery pressure.
Grain size variability on a rip-channeled beach

Abstract Grain size is an important variable when predicting beach morphodynamics. Beaches, to the eye, seem relatively uniform in grain size and morphodynamic modeling efforts usually assume a single mean grain size for an entire beach environment. Therefore, estimating grain size is traditionally done by collecting only a few samples and averaging to characterize the mean grain size of the whole beach. However, some studies have shown that even small variations in grain size can have a significant effect on model results when predicting beach morphology changes. Here, a mobile digital imaging system (DIS) has been developed for surveying spatial and temporal variation in grain size across a beach following the ideas of Rubin (2004). Using an off-the-shelf camera and underwater housing, macro photographs are taken of sand across a beach, which produce estimates of mean grain size that are highly correlated with estimates from sieves (R2 = 0.92). High resolution maps of mean surface grain size are produced using the DIS (with ~ 1000 images over a 300 × 500 m area), which suggest that large variations in grain size exist (0.2–0.7 mm over tens of meters with accuracies of ~±0.03 mm) and that there is a correlation between spatial grain size variations and morphological variability.
Targeted proteomics approach to species-level identification of Bacillus thuringiensis spores by AP-MALDI-MS

Anthrax infections progress at a rapid pace, making rapid detection methods of utmost importance. MALDI-MS proteomics methods focused on Bacillus anthracis detection have targeted chromosomally encoded proteins, which are highly conserved between closely related species, hindering species identification. Presented here is an AP-MALDI-MS method targeting plasmid-borne proteins from Bacillus spores for species-level identification. A bioinformatics analysis revealed that 60.3% and 75.4% of tryptic peptides from plasmid-borne proteins of B. anthracis and B. thuringiensis were species-specific, respectively. Reported here is a method in which plasmid-borne Δ-endotoxins were extracted directly from B. thuringiensis spores in 100 mM KOH. The pH was then adjusted to 8 and a 5-min trypsin digestion was performed on the extracted proteins. The resulting tryptic peptides were analyzed by AP-MALDI-MS/MS, which produced a definitive identification the B. thuringiensis speciesspecific Cry1Ab protein with a MASCOT score of 278 and expect value of 7.5 × 10−23. This method has demonstrated the detection and identification of B. thuringiensis spores at the species level following a 5-min trypsin digestion. The challenges in applying a similar approach to the detection of plasmid-borne protein toxins from B. anthracis are also discussed.
Internal response correction for fluorescent whole-cell biosensors.

Whole-cell biosensors based on reporter genes are finding a variety of applications in analytical chemistry. Despite their ability to selectively recognize the analyte in a complex mixture, few applications of such sensing devices to real sample analysis are reported. This is mainly due to nonspecific effects on the biosensor response caused by components of the sample matrix and by environmental changes. To overcome this problem, a bacterial biosensor with an internal correction mechanism of the analytical response was developed by introducing an additional reporter gene that provides a reference signal of the analytical performance of the biosensor. The first reporter (GFPuv), expressed in response to the concentration of l-arabinose, provides the analytical signal; the second reporter (EYFP), constitutively expressed if a constant amount of IPTG is added to each sample, was used as an internal reference. By inducing the biosensor with varying amounts of l-arabinose and a constant amount of IPTG, it was...
Adjustment Strategies for a Fixed Delivery Contract

We consider a long term contractual agreement between buyer and seller in whichQ units are delivered to the buyer at regular time intervals. It must be true that the delivery quantity,Q, is less than the mean demand per period. In order to manage the inventory, the buyer has the option of adjusting the delivery quantity upwards just prior to a delivery, but must pay a premium to do so. Demand is assumed random, and we model the system in a continuous review setting. We show that the equations one must solve to find optimal adjustment strategies are intractable. A diffusion approximation is developed which when coupled with the solution to an even simpler deterministic version of the problem yields very simple but effective approximations. Extensive computations are included to compare the performance of the optimal and approximate policies. We also empirically derive a formula for computingQ whose accuracy is established computationally. We prove that the fixed delivery contract results in lower variance of orders to the seller. We also include a computational study to find the unit cost discount that equalizes the expected costs for the fixed delivery contract and the base stock contract for a large parameter set.
Room-Temperature Self-Healing Polymers Based on Dynamic-Covalent Boronic Esters

Cross-linked polymers constructed with dynamic-covalent boronic esters were synthesized via photoinitiated radical thiol–ene click chemistry. Because the reversibility of the boronic ester cross-links was readily accessible, the resulting materials were capable of undergoing bond exchange to covalently mend after failure. The reversible bonds of the boronic esters were shown to shift their exchange equilibrium at room temperature when exposed to water. Nevertheless, the materials were observed to be stable and hydrophobic and absorbed only minor amounts of water over extended periods of time when submerged in water or exposed to humid environments. The facile reversibility of the networks allowed intrinsic self-healing under ambient conditions. Highly efficient self-healing of these bulk materials was confirmed by mechanical testing, even after subjecting a single site to multiple cut–repair cycles. Several variables were considered for their effect on materials properties and healing, including cross-lin...
Hyphal fusions in Schizophyllum commune. 2. Effects of environmental and chemical factors.

In this study of hyphal fusions various types were observed, but the tip-to-side type were the most prevalent. Temperature, pH, type of medium and osmotic pressure did not affect fusion frequency i...
Galactic Archeology and the High-redshift Detectability of Milky Way Halo Progenitor Galaxies

Using a simple model of Milky Way halo formation and chemical evolution, we examine the criteria for observing Milky Way-like progenitor galaxies and the stellar populations within them with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). We determine that Milky Way progenitors are visible in deep fields (AB = 30-31) up to z = 7 with low dust content and up to z = 9 with no dust content. These models allow us to determine the fraction of Milky Way halo stars formed in galaxies that should be visible with Near-Infrared Camera on JWST, as a function of metallicity. We show that galaxies in which Galactic halo stars of metallicity above [Fe/H] = ?2.5 formed can be detected. Galaxies that form stars with higher metallicities should be visible in deep fields and can be studied by combining observations within the Galaxy as well as external galaxies. We find that halo stars with [Fe/H]? 3 residing preferentially within the central 10 kpc region of the Galaxy.
Effects of concurrent exposure to 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields on the social behavior of baboons

Our previous research has demonstrated that 30 or 60 kV/m electric fields (EF) reliably produce temporary increases in the performance of three categories of baboon social behavior: Passive Affinity, Tension, and Stereotypy. The experimental design included 6 week preexposure, exposure, and postexposure periods with experimental and control groups, each with eight subjects. Here, we report two experiments that evaluated the effects of combined EF and magnetic fields (MF) on baboon social behavior. One experiment demonstrated that exposure to 6 kV/m EF and 50 microT (0.5 G) MF produced Period x Group interactions for Stereotypy and Attack, but the previously observed increases in Passive Affinity, Tension, and Stereotypy did not occur. A second experiment demonstrated that exposure to 30 kV/m EF and 100 microT 1.0 G MF did not produce the same magnitude of increases in Passive Affinity, Tension, and Stereotypy observed previously with 30 kV/m EF alone. The exposed group exhibited decreased performance rates for several behavior categories during exposure with further declines during postexposure. The control group showed fewer downward trends across periods.
Interpreting the texts of nature and culture: A reply to Jahoda

In his Tajfel Memorial lecture Gustav Jahoda (1986) proposes that experimental findings infrequently reflect natural laws of human action, but are reflections of cultural conventions. In developing his arguments he finds it useful to criticize a number of my earlier ideas (Gergen, 1982). The present paper demonstrates that this critique is not only misguided, but that if the implications of my earlier work had been properly elaborated neither the argument for cultural convention nor general laws could be adequately sustained. Because of the non-objective character of behavioural interpretation, neither of these positions can be empirically warranted. Their justification is more properly considered in ethical, or ideological terms.
On the influence of substrate doping on the input conductance and the induced gate noise in MOSFETs

Abstract The input conductance ggs and its associate noise spectrum S g (ƒ) in MOSFETs is evaluated numerically and expressed in terms of a doping parameter φ. The results augment earlier calculations by Klaassen. For ggs a function F2(φ) is introduced that depends only slowly on φ and on the bias voltages Vg′ and Vb′. Expressing the noise in terms of the parameter β = S g (ƒ) (4kTg gs ) , it is found that β is practically independent of φ, Vg′ and Vb′.
EFFECT OF ANTI-IL-6 AND ANTI-10 MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES ON THE SUPPRESSION OF THE NORMAL T LYMPHOCYTE MITOGENIC RESPONSE BY STEADY STATE SICKLE CELL DISEASE SERA

Previously published work has shown that sera from healthy sickle cell disease (SCD) patients inhibits normal lymphocyte mitogenic response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in vitro. The current study is to attempt to ascertain what effect antibody to type 2 cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6 and 10, have on the suppression of lymphocyte PHA response by SCD sera. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), separated by density gradient were obtained from 2 healthy normal donors. Sera from 50 healthy SCD patients, 50 normal healthy controls and pooled normal O, Rh+ (O+) sera were utilized in standard in vitro PHA stimulation of PBMC cultures. Mitogenic responses were expressed as mean counts per minute (cpm) of triplicate cultures. Fifty triplicate cultures of PHA stimulated normal PBMC were done with 10% normal pooled O+, normal control and SCD steady state sera only. In addition 50 cultures were done with SCD sera containing 1 microg/ml of anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody, as well as 28 SCD serum cultures containing 1 microg/ml of anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibody. The final 11 SCD serum culture experiments contained a combination of both anti-IL-6 and anti-IL-10 antibody, each at the concentration of 1 microg/ml. Results revealed > 15% suppression of mitogenic response in the SCD sera supplemented cultures as compared to control sera in 47/50 (94%) and in 40/50 (80%) of normal pooled O+, as calculated by mean cpm. The degree of suppression ranged from 17% to 98% in individual experiments. The addition of anti IL-6 antibody alone significantly improved mean cpm (> 20%) in 19/50 (38%) of SCD serum responses compared to O+ sera and 23/50 (46%) of control sera. Complete correction occurred in 9/50 (18%) of all SCD serum suppressions as compared to O+ sera and 6/50 (12%) when compared to control sera. Similarly, anti-IL-10 antibody decreased suppression of the mean cpm of SCD serum cultures in 18/28 (64%) and completely corrected 3/18 (11%). The combined antibody data revealed >20% increase in mean cpm in 10/11(91%) experiments. Inhibitors of mitogenic response were present in a significant percentage of the SCD sera utilized in the present study. The significant corrective effects of both monoclonal antibodies would seem to support the original hypothesis that high circulating levels of type 2 cytokines may represent the cell-mediated dependent inhibitory factors expressed in the sera of many healthy SCD patients.
Attenuation models (QP and QS) in three dimensions of the southern California crust: Inferred fluid saturation at seismogenic depths

We analyze high dynamic range waveform spectra to determine t* values for both P and S waves from earthquakes in southern California. We invert the t* values for three-dimensional (3-D) frequency-independent Q_P and Q_S regional models of the crust. The models have 15 km horizontal grid spacing and an average vertical grid spacing of 4 km, down to 22 km depth, and extend from the U.S.-Mexico border to the Coast Ranges in the south and Sierra Nevada in the north. In general, QP and QS increase rapidly with depth, consistent with crustal densities and velocities. The 3-D Q_P and Q_S models image the major tectonic structures and to a much lesser extent the thermal structure of the southern California crust. The near-surface low Q_P and Q_S zones coincide with major sedimentary basins such as the San Bernardino, Chino, San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Maria basins and the Salton Trough. In contrast, at shallow depths beneath the Peninsular Ranges, southern Mojave Desert, and southern Sierras, we image high Q_P and Q_S zones, which correspond to the dense and high-velocity rocks of the mountain ranges. Several clear transition zones of rapidly varying Q_P and Q_S coincide with major late Quaternary faults and connect regions of high and low Q_P and Q_S. At midcrustal depths, the Q_P and Q_S exhibit modest variation in slightly higher and lower QP or QS zones, which is consistent with reported crustal reflectivity. In general, for the southern California crust, Q_S/Q_P is greater than 1.0, suggesting partially fluid-saturated crust. A few limited regions of Q_S/Q_P less than 1.0 correspond to areas mostly outside the major sedimentary basins, including areas around the San Jacinto fault, suggesting a larger reduction in the shear modulus compared to the bulk modulus or almost complete fluid saturation.
A STOCHASTIC PROCESS THAT IS AUTOREGRESSIVE IN TWO DIRECTIONS OF TIME.

A continuous time stationary process is discussed that is maxautoregressive in one direction of time and sum–autoregressive in the other direction. A discrete time version of the process was discussed in Chemick (1981). A related continuous time process is discussed in Weiss (1980).
Simplifying the recovery model of user-level failure mitigation

As resilience research in high-performance computing has matured, so too have the tools, libraries, and languages that result from it. The Message Passing Interface (MPI) Forum is considering the addition of fault tolerance to a future version of the MPI standard, and a new chapter called User-Level Failure Mitigation (ULFM) has been proposed to fill this need. However, as ULFM usage has become more widespread, many potential users are concerned about its complexity and the need to rewrite existing codes. In this paper, we present a usage model that is similar to the usage already common in existing codes but that does not require the user to restart the application (thereby incurring the costs of re-entering the batch queue, startup costs, etc.). We use a new implementation of ULFM in MPICH, a popular open source MPI implementation, and demonstrate the ULFM usage using the Monte Carlo Communication Kernel, a proxy-app developed by the Center for Exascale Simulation of Advanced Reactors. Results show that the approach used incurs a level of intrusiveness into the code similar to that of existing checkpoint/restart models, but with less overhead.
Virtual Transformation: Web-Based Technology and Pedagogical Change.

are transforming post-secondary teaching and learning. According to the 2001 Campus Computing Survey (Green 2001), 20.6 percent of all college courses are using Web-based course management systems (a 40% increase from 2000). The International Data Corporation (2000) predicts that the number of colleges and universities offering online distance learning courses will increase from 1,500 in 1999 to over 3,300 in 2004. Sociological theories and concepts have an important role to play in analyzing and interpreting these developments. A central sociological proposition is that structural environments influence the social perceptions, roles, and relations of human actors. As increasing numbers of students and faculty find themselves operating in virtual learning environments, one might also expect to find some changing instructional dynamics. More specifically, there are a number of questions worth exploring: What are the relationships between the technical, the social, and the pedagogical infrastructures? How has the introduction of new
Pregnancy blockage following multiple-male copulation or exposure at the time of mating in deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus

Pregnancy blockage resulting from multiple-male copulation or exposure around the time of mating was studied in three experiments on deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus. First, significantly more females were pregnant after copulating, either with or without disturbance and a delay, with one male than after receiving the same total number of ejaculations from two males. Second, when females received three ejaculations from one male and then were immediately exposed to either a blonde male or a wild-type male for 2 h, the pregnancy rate was lower than when they were exposed to an empty cage. Third, when immediately after mating females were placed for 2 h in the cage of a strange male they were less likely to deliver a litter than when placed in the familiar male's cage. This phenomenon bears at least a superficial resemblence to the Bruce effect but either communality or difference in underlying mechanism remains to be determined. The present multi-male pregnancy block may provide a means for females in unstable social situations to defer reproduction for 4 days or longer when more stable conditions may exist and a single male prevails.
Migration as an explanatory concept in paleolithic archaeology

Migration is frequently invoked as an explanation for pattern in paleolithic archaeology but the credibility of doing so depends almost exclusively upon acceptance of an analogy between historical process and the processes that have combined to create an ancient archaeological record. It is argued here that paleolithic archaeology cannot be treated as an extension of history and that historical processes are therefore inappropriate analogies for the site formation processes manifest in Upper Pleistocene archaeological contexts. The credibility accorded migration as an explanatory concept varies from one national or regional research tradition to the next. Why this should be so is examined in a discussion of the paradigm concept and how it affects construals of the nature and meaning of pattern.
The Association Between Poor Antiretroviral Adherence and Unsafe Sex: Differences by Gender and Sexual Orientation and Implications for Scale-up of Treatment as Prevention

Non-adherence to safer sex and non-adherence to ART can each have adverse health consequences for HIV-infected individuals and their sex partners, but little is known about the association of these behaviors with each other. This “dual risk” has potential negative public health consequences since non-adherence can lead to the development of resistant virus that can then be transmitted to sex partners. Among participants in the Multi-site Adherence Collaboration in HIV we examined, at study baseline, the association between the frequency of unprotected sex (assessed by self-report) and ART adherence (assessed by Medication Event Monitoring System, Aardex) among the sexually active participants in the five studies (N = 459) that collected sexual risk behavior. The bivariate association between sexual risk behaviors and ART adherence was assessed by Pearson correlations; subsequently regression analyses were used to evaluate the role of demographic characteristics, depression and substance use in explaining the “dual risk” outcome (sexual risk and non-adherence). Among participants who had been sexually active, more unprotected anal/vaginal sex was weakly associated with poorer ART adherence (r = −0.12, p = 0.01 for the overall sample). Further analysis showed this association was driven by the heterosexual men in the sample (r = −0.29, p < 0.001), and was significant only for this group, and not for gay/bisexual men or for women (heterosexual and homosexual). Neither substance use nor depression accounted for the association between sexual risk and ART adherence. HIV-infected heterosexual men who are having difficulty adhering to ART are also more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors and therefore may benefit from counseling about these risk behaviors. We must identify procedures to screen for these risk behaviors and develop interventions, appropriately tailored to specific populations and identified risk factors, that can be integrated into routine clinical care for people living with HIV. This will become increasingly important in the context of wider access to treatment globally, including new recommendations for ART initiation earlier in a patients’ disease course (e.g., “Test and Treat” paradigms).
The American Dream and the limits of transparency

Purpose – The question of whether the words “American Dream” point to something of substance is at the heart of the authors' inquiry. James Truslow Adams coined the term in his 1933 book The Epic of America as a way to re‐establish a sense of optimism decimated by the Great Depression. Adams' contribution was to move the public discourse from that of individual effort to a sense of a collective identity. The American Dream is an element of the “cultural stuff” whose singularity (“dream”) rapidly breaks down into a variety of interpretations about the American nation (“dreams”). The popular press suggests that the Dream proposes to balance collective membership in a national identity with the individual freedom to achieve prosperity and success. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the Dream and the construction of an American identity by examining the accounts of men who surely represent the American Dream: US Presidential candidates.Design/methodology/approach – In order to analyze the candidates' acc...
Convective heat transfer in porous and overlying fluid layers heated from below

Abstract The onset of convection when a porous layer underlying a fluid layer is heated from below has been numerically investigated. In order to validate the interface boundary conditions along with the numerical scheme, the present study has focused on the critical Rayleigh number and the corresponding number of cells. In addition, the effects of the Rayleigh number, aspect ratio and thickness ratio on supercritical convection in the composite layer have been investigated. The results show that the number of cells at the critical Rayleigh number ( Ra pc ) is in good agreement with the previous report based on the linear stability theory. The abrupt change in convective flow patterns accurately verifies the precipitous drop of Ra pc with the increasing the depth ratio ( d ) and the rapid change of the wave number ( a p ) near d = 0.12. As Ra p increases, the cell size changes for all depth ratios ( d = 1.0, 0.5, 0.2, 0.1 and 0). In particular, heat transfer rate changes dramatically due to the effects of the aspect ratio and the corresponding number of cells when d = 0.1.
Element gain pattern prediction for finite arrays of V-dipole antennas over ground plane

The element gain pattern for finite phased arrays of dual-polarized crossed V-dipole antennas over ground plane is addressed. The method of moments is used to predict the center-element gain pattern. An experimental, 19-element, passively terminated planar array is described, and center-element gain pattern measurements are presented. The theoretical results are in good agreement with measurements. >
The New Racial and Gender Politics of Brazil: A Thematic Overview

Brazil is a vast multicultural state and comprises one of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China). It is the world's fifth most populous country and is largely recognized as a thriving de...
An analytic solution for three-dimensional axisymmetric equilibrium crystal shapes

A surface free energy polar plot contains two possible sources of singularity: the cusps that give facets on an equilibrium crystal, and the circular arcs connecting the cusps that can lead to missing orientations. Instead of specifying surface free energy, we model the surface stiffness so that both singularities can be treated precisely. Here, we apply our model to three-dimensional axisymmetric crystals and obtain for the first time an analytic solution to the nonlinear differential equation governing the crystal shape.
General form and a new interpretation of the Ewald-Oseen extinction theorem

Abstract The classic extinction theorem of molecular optics, due to Ewald and Oseen is generalized to scattering of an electromagnetic wave on a material medium of completely arbitrary response (constitutive relations). The generalization is carried out entirely within the framework of Maxwell's electromagnetic theory. A new interpretation of the theorem is proposed and it is shown that it provides a new approach to the solution of electromagnetic scattering problems.
Phenylalanine hydroxylase activity and expression in chicks subjected to phenylalanine imbalance or phenylalanine toxicity

Experiments were performed to investigate the activity of hepatic Phe hydroxylase (PAH) and plasma amino acid concentrations under conditions of Phe imbalance or toxicity in chicks fed on experimental diets from 7 to 14 or 16 d of age. In experiment 1, Phe imbalance was created by adding 10% of a mixture of indispensable amino acids lacking Phe (IAA - Phe) to a basal diet containing 0.46% Phe. The activity of PAH was not significantly affected by the imbalance. Correcting the imbalance by adding 1.12% Phe to the diet prevented the growth impairment and increased the activity of PAH. In experiment 2, growth was reduced by the addition of excess (2%) Phe to the basal diet. Correcting the excess by adding the IAA - Phe to the diet prevented the growth reduction. The activity of PAH was not significantly affected by 2% Phe, but it increased in chicks fed the corrected diet. The levels of PAH mRNA were not affected by the dietary treatments. A factorial arrangement of treatments with 3 dietary levels of Phe (0.46, 1.58, and 2.46%) with or without the IAA - Phe was used in experiment 3. The effects on growth were similar to those of the same treatments in experiments 1 and 2. The addition of Phe significantly increased hepatic PAH activity, but there was no detectable main effect of the IAA - Phe and no interaction. Plasma Phe concentration was increased by dietary Phe and decreased by the IAA - Phe mixture. We conclude that hepatic PAH activity in chicks variably increases in response to Phe or a 10% dietary supplement of indispensable amino acids including Phe but does not increase in response to IAA - Phe when the amino acids are added to a diet that is marginally adequate in Phe. The increased activity does not involve changes in PAH mRNA. The effects of IAA - Phe on plasma Phe concentrations appear to be independent of hepatic PAH activity as measured in vitro.
Liquid, liquid, solid systems: Role of water in particle removal from hydrocarbon suspensions☆

Abstract An immiscible liquid phase can be added to a solid/liquid suspension to promote separation of the dispersed particulate phase. Water can be added, e.g. to particle/hydrocarbon suspensions in order to promote separation of the particles. This separation can be accomplished by several mechanisms including distribution to the water phase, collection at the oil/water interface, or water bridging. A free energy analysis is presented which identifies the particle size/drop size ratio as a primary system parameter in addition to the three-phase contact angle. Data are presented for the collection case in order to demonstrate the recovery of mineral matter from coal-derived liquids. Data from both dispersed-phased experiments and three-phase contact angle measurements are correlated. Wetting kinetics for the transfer of asphaltic-coated mineral particles from xylene to water are consistent with a partial detergency model.
Computer experiment and global optimization of layered monocentric lens systems

Abstract In this paper we derive a general analytical solution for a monocentric lens system and present a global optimization method combining sequential design for global optimization and an expected improvement algorithm for global optimization for the design and analysis of a layered monocentric lens system, which provides an “intelligent” way to search the optimization space based on accumulated experience. We then apply these methods to an example of monocentric lens design, and explore the improvement in system performance obtained through increasing the system volume.
Mandibular Basal Structure Response to Lip Bumper Treatment in the Transverse Dimension

Abstract The effect of orthopedic or orthodontic treatment on the transverse dimension has been the subject of endless debate among orthodontists. The purpose of this investigation was to examine t...
Coastal upwelling fluxes of O 2 , N 2 O, and CO 2 assessed from continuous atmospheric observations at Trinidad, California

Abstract. Continuous atmospheric records of O2/N2, CO2 and N2O obtained at Trinidad, California document the effects of air-sea exchange during coastal upwelling and plankton bloom events. The atmospheric records provide continuous observations of air-sea fluxes related to synoptic scale upwelling events over several upwelling seasons. Combined with satellite, buoy and local meteorology data, calculated anomalies in O2/N2 and N2O were utilized in a simple atmospheric transport model to compute air-sea fluxes during coastal upwelling. CO2 fluxes were linked to the oceanic component of the O2 fluxes through local hydrographic data and estimated as a function of upwelling intensity (surface ocean temperature and wind speed). Regional air-sea fluxes of O2/N2, N2O, and CO2 during coastal upwelling were estimated with the aid of satellite wind and SST data. Upwelling CO2 fluxes were found to represent ~10% of export production along the northwest coast of North America. Synoptic scale upwelling events impact the net exchange of atmospheric CO2 along the coastal margin, and will vary in response to the frequency and duration of alongshore winds that are subject to climate change.
Highly enhanced fluorescence of fluorophores inside a metallic nanocavity

Here we report the observation of significantly enhanced fluorescence from molecules placed inside a silver nanocavity, as compared to those without the silver coating.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Inhibits Proliferation of a Highly Tumorigenic Insulin-Independent Teratoma- Derived Cell Line

AbstractThe present paper examines the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the proliferation of teratoma-derived cell lines having increased tumorigenic properties isolated from the non-tumorigenic adipogenic cell line 1246. Although FGF is a mitogen for the non tumorigenic 1246 cells and for the moderately tumorigenic 1246-3A cells derived from the 1246 cells, bFGF inhibits the proliferation and DNA synthesis of the highly tumorigenic PC cells starting at concentration as low as 30 pg/ml. The inhibitory effect of FGF on PC cell growth is irreversible as demonstrated by the inability of the cells to resume proliferation once FGF is removed from the culture medium. Comparison of l25I-bFGF binding to the three cell lines was performed. Based on the Scatchard analysis of the binding data, PC cells display only low affinity class of FGF binding sites whereas 1246 and 1246-3A cells presented also high affinity binding sites. The inhibitory effect of FGF on PC cells did not go through activation ...
Three-dimensional kinematics of the upper limb during a Reach and Grasp Cycle for children.

The ability to reach, grasp, transport, and release objects is essential for activities of daily living. The objective of this study was to develop a quantitative method to assess upper limb motor deficits in children with cerebral palsy (CP) using three-dimensional motion analysis. We report kinematic data from 25 typically developing (TD) children (11 males, 14 females; ages 5-18 years) and 2 children with spastic hemiplegic CP (2 females, ages 14 and 15 years) during the Reach and Grasp Cycle. The Cycle includes six sequential tasks: reach, grasp cylinder, transport to mouth (T1), transport back to table (T2), release cylinder, and return to initial position. It was designed to represent a functional activity that was
Current Issues and Considerations Regarding Trichomoniasis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus in African-Americans

Trichomonas vaginalis has long been recognized as one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections. However, it is only in recent years that it has been appreciated that Trichomonas may play a critical role in amplifying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Given the evidence that T. vaginalis likely promotes HIV infection, the apparent high level of Trichomonas infection in the African-American community is cause for concern. Even if T. vaginalis increases the risk of HIV transmission by a small or modest amount, it translates into a sizable population effect since Trichomonas is so common in this community. Therefore, control of trichomoniasis may represent an important avenue of control for the prevention of HIV transmission, particularly among African-Americans.
Idiopathic or Traumatic Olecranon Bursitis

Thirty cases of idiopathic olecranon bursitis were studied. Most had previous local trauma. The process was unilateral and often associated with nontender pitting edema in cases of short duration. Ten patients exhibited a bony spur at the olecranon process, and amorphous calcific deposits were seen in 6. The bursal fluid was hemorrhagic with a xanthochromic supernatant, and the mucin clot test was poor or fair. Leukocyte count averaged 878/mm3, predominantly mononuclears. Many cells contained inclusion bodies. Glucose, total protein, and complement (C3) concentration averaged 80, 60, and 60% of the respective serum values.
The impact of cattle farming best management practices on surface water nutrient concentrations, faecal bacteria and algal dominance in the Lake Oconee watershed

The objective of this study was to assess water quality in the Lake Oconee watershed and evaluate the best management practices used by cattle farms to reduce water contamination. Inorganic nutrient concentrations, algal abundance and faecal bacteria were highest in the cattle farming areas. The diatom community where cattle had no access was dominated by Achnanthidium minutissimum (Kutzing) Czarnecki and Fragilaria crotonensis Kitton, and in sites where cattle were allowed direct access to the lake, Asterionella formosa Hassal, Nitzschia palea (Kutzing) Smith and Navicula rostellata Kutzing dominated. The latter three taxa are well-known high-nutrient diatoms. High populations of green algae (coccoid Desmidiaceae) were found where cattle had access. Sources of faecal pollution were identified using polymerase chain reaction detection, with Bifidobacterium adolescentis as a marker of human faecal pollution and Bacteroides (BoBac) indicating cattle faecal pollution. Overall, riparian buffers were most effective at reducing pollution from cattle operations.
Expression and Regulation of Fas Antigen and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Type I in Hen Granulosa Cells

It is now well established that vertebrate ovarian follicles undergo atresia via apoptosis, a process that is initiated within the granulosa cell layer of undifferentiated follicles. Although the exact signals, membrane-bound receptors, and associated intracellular signaling pathways leading to apoptosis within granulosa cells have yet to be established, it is evident that multiple and redundant pathways exist. Fas, together with its ligand, has been the most commonly studied death-inducer in the mammalian ovary; however, nothing is currently known regarding expression of either Fas or the related tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 (TNFR1), in avian species. Based on characterization of a chicken fas partial cDNA, which includes the entire death domain, the deduced amino acid sequence shows 37% identity (53% positive) to human Fas. Northern blot analysis demonstrates low expression of the 2.0-kilobase fas transcript in most tissues, including the granulosa layer, and highest levels are found in the spleen, theca tissue, and the postovulatory follicle. Significantly, fas and tnfr1 mRNA levels are higher in atretic follicles than in nonatretic, prehierarchal (3- to 8-mm diameter) follicles. Moreover, both fas and tnfr1 mRNA levels are upregulated by twofold to eightfold in granulosa cells following plating in the presence of fetal bovine serum, with the most dramatic increase found in fas expression within prehierarchal follicle granulosa. Coculture with transforming growth factor (TGF) b attenuates this increase for both receptors, whereas cAMP attenuates only the up-regulation of fas. By comparison, treatment with TGFa enhances expression of tnfr1, but not fas, mRNA. Taken together, these data are the first to implicate fas as a mediator of granulosa cell apoptosis in a nonmammalian vertebrate, and to implicate the protein kinase A signaling pathway in down-regulating fas expression. In addition, data provided demonstrate the presence of multiple death domain-containing TNFR family members simultaneously expressed within hen granulosa cells, each of which may be regulated by separate signaling pathways. apoptosis, follicle, granulosa cells, ovary, theca cells
Evidence for an Expansion-Based Temporal Shh Gradient in Specifying Vertebrate Digit Identities

The zone of polarizing activity (ZPA) in the posterior limb bud produces Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) protein, which plays a critical role in establishing distinct fates along the anterior-posterior axis. This activity has been modeled as a concentration-dependent response to a diffusible morphogen. Using recombinase base mapping in the mouse, we determine the ultimate fate of the Shh-producing cells. Strikingly, the descendants of the Shh-producing cells encompass all cells in the two most posterior digits and also contribute to the middle digit. Our analysis suggests that, while specification of the anterior digits depends upon differential concentrations of Shh, the length of time of exposure to Shh is critical in the specification of the differences between the most posterior digits. Genetic studies of the effects of limiting accessibility of Shh within the limb support this model, in which the effect of the Shh morphogen is dictated by a temporal as well as a spatial gradient.
Participation in Aesthetic Sports and Girls' Weight Concerns at Ages 5 and 7 Years

Objective The relationship between participation in aesthetic, or appearance-oriented, sports and weight concerns was assessed among young girls.
A new position was created

Resume En appelant une infirmiere a des fonctions nouvelles au sein de son equipe administrative, le plus ancien hopital des Etats-Unis a fait oeuvre de pionnier et elargi l'horizon de cette profession. La structure complete du role de l'infirmiere a ete remaniee pour faire place a quatre programmes: deux portent sur l'enseignement prodigue au personnel infirmier, les deux autres ayant trait au travail pratique. L'auteur expose ce qui a motive la decision de renforcer les criteres en fonction des conceptions actuelles; quelles sources d'information ont permis de decider des changements a effectuer et comment est intervenue leur execution pratique; comment ont ete definies les responsabilites; enfin, ce qu'il fallait prevoir pour diriger et mener a bien cette entreprise ambitieuse. A mesure que les personnes chargees des divers programmes assumaient de nouvelles responsabilites dans la gestion de leurs services respectifs, l'infirmiere associee au Service administratif commenca a son tour a prendre une plus large part de responsabilites dans le cadre de l'administration hospitaliere. Ceci etait d'ailleurs prevu a l'origine. En effet, il n'avait jamais ete prevu que le role d'administrateur-adjoint de cette infirmiere se limitât aux seuls problemes de gardes et de soins. S'il en fut ainsi durant les premiers mois, le champ d'application des travaux qui lui etaient confies devait bientot s'etendre progressivement. Ceux-ci sont axes sur le malade et sur sa sante physique et morale, sur la preparation et le bien-etre de tout le personnel infirmier, ainsi que sur les programmes d'activites touchant la communaute, tels que les services de dispensaire et les soins a domicile. L'auteur mentionne encore les enseignements a tirer de ce travail et qui peuvent influencer les methodes hospitalieres a l'avenir; le besoin constant d'etre a jour sur les questions de sante publique; et enfin la bonne volonte que doit temoigner l'interessee en acceptant le changement comme un element normal de la vie.
Significant Increase in Phenacetin Oxidation on L382V Substitution in Human Cytochrome P450 1A2

Human CYP1A2 is an important drug-metabolizing enzyme, similar in sequence to CYP1A1 but with distinct substrate specificity. We have previously shown that residue 382 affected CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 specificities with alkoxyresorufins. To determine whether this residue is also important for the metabolism of other substrates, we have investigated phenacetin oxidation by single (T124S, T223N, V227G, N312L, and L382V) and multiple (L382V/T223N, L382V/N312L, L382V/T223N/N312L, and L382V/T124S/N312L) mutants of CYP1A2. The enzymes were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. All the CYP1A2 mutants that contained the L382V substitution displayed much higher activities than the wild-type enzyme, with kcat values 3-fold higher, in contrast to other mutants, for which kcat decreased. Likewise, a significant increase in specificity, expressed as the kcat/Km ratio, was observed for the mutants containing the L382V substitution. The efficiency of coupling of reducing equivalents to acetaminophen formation was decreased for all the single mutants except L382V, for which the coupling increased. This effect was also observed with multiple CYP1A2 mutants containing the L382V substitution. Low activities of the four other single mutants were likely caused by dramatically increased uncoupling to water. In contrast, the increase in activity of the L382V-containing mutants resulted from decreased water formation. This finding is consistent with molecular dynamics results, which showed decreased phenacetin mobility leading to increased product formation. The results of these studies confirm the importance of residue 382 in CYP1A2-catalyzed oxidations and show that a single residue substitution can dramatically affect enzymatic activity.
Pulmonary macrophages: key players in the innate defence of the airways

Macrophages are the most numerous immune-cells present in the lung environment under homoeostatic conditions and are ideally positioned to dictate the innate defence of the airways. Pulmonary macrophage populations are heterogeneous and demonstrate remarkable plasticity, owing to variations in origin, tissue residency and environmental influences. Lung macrophage diversity facilitates considerable specialisation, aids efficient responses to environmental signals and allows rapid alterations in phenotype and physiology in response to a plethora of cytokines and microbial signals. This review describes pulmonary macrophage origins, phenotypes, roles in diseases of the airways and implications for the treatment of respiratory disease.