cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sulfur evolution of oxidized arc magmas as recorded in apatite from a porphyry copper batholith

Uniformly sulfur-rich cores abruptly zoned to sulfur-poor rims (∼1 to <0.2 wt% SO3) in apatite from the Yerington batholith, Nevada, indicate that early magma that is crystal poor, oxidizing, and sulfate rich evolved to sulfate-poor magma via crystallization of anhydrite, a mineral observed in magmas from Pinatubo and El Chichon. We predict that the characteristic zonation to sulfur-poor rims of apatite in the Yerington batholith is common in other oxidized, hydrous, calc-alkaline magmas, and can be used to track cryptic anhydrite saturation as well as to monitor sulfur evolution. Sulfate-rich arc magmas such as Yerington magmas may crystallize to produce hydrothermal fluids rich in chlorine, copper, and sulfur and porphyry copper ores.
Similar frequencies of antigenic variants in Sendai, vesicular stomatitis, and influenza A viruses

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies to the hemagglutinin (HN) of Sendai virus, the surface glycoprotein molecule (G) of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), and the hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A virus were prepared and used to analyze the frequencies of antigenic variants in cloned virus populations. The frequencies of antigenic variants detected with monoclonal antibodies directed toward different antigenic sites were approximately the same namely: 10 −4.5 to 10 −4.7 for the three different viruses. Thus the marked degree of antigenic variation of influenza A viruses cannot be explained by an enhanced capacity to produce mutant virions.
Manual scapular stabilization: its effect on shoulder rotational range of motion.

Abstract Boon AJ, Smith J. Manual scapular stabilization: its effect on shoulder rotational range of motion. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:978-83. Objectives: To study the effect of a recently described method of measuring shoulder rotational range of motion in which the scapula is manually stabilized, and to determine the reliability of that technique compared with measurements taken with the scapula unstabilized. Design: Fifty high school athletes underwent measurement of shoulder rotational range of motion with and without the scapula manually stabilized. Measurements were performed by two groups of physical therapists blinded to the movement results, with repeat measurements performed 5 days later. Results: Rotational motion measured with the scapula stabilized was significantly less than when it was measured with the scapula unstabilized. Reliability was comparable for the two techniques when measuring external rotation, but the new technique was more reliable for measuring internal rotation. Conclusion: Scapular stabilization should be used when measuring internal rotation of the shoulder to obtain more accurate measurement of pure glenohumeral rotation. The technique described is promising, but warrants further refinement before it can be recommended for widespread clinical use. With practice, in experienced clinicians' hands, this technique may be the most reliable method for measuring outcome in clinical trials and for following clinically significant rotational motion deficits. © 2000 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Comparing the sustainability of U.S. electricity options through multi-criteria decision analysis

Abstract Sustainable energy decision-making requires comparing energy options across a wide range of economic, environmental, social and technical implications. However, such comparisons based on quantitative data are currently limited at the national level. This is the first comparison of 13 currently operational renewable and non-renewable options for new US electricity generation using multi-criteria decision analysis with quantitative input values (minimum, nominal, and maximum) for 8 sustainability criteria (levelized cost of energy, life cycle greenhouse gas and criteria air pollutant emissions, land and water use, accident-related fatalities, jobs, and annual capacity factor) and 10 representative decision-maker preference scenarios. Results across several preference scenarios indicate that biopower and geothermal (flash and binary) currently score highest in sustainability for the US. Other renewable energy technologies generally offer substantial sustainability improvements over fossil fuel or nuclear technologies, and nuclear is preferable to fossil fuels in most scenarios. The relatively low ranking of natural gas combined cycle in most preference scenarios should encourage caution in adopting NGCC as a “bridge” to renewables. Although NGCC ranks high under economic and technical preference scenarios, renewables actually rank higher in both scenarios (hydro – economic; geothermal and biopower – technical).
Intercalated Two-Dimensional Ceramic Nanocomposites

New generations of polymer-ceramic nanocomposites are being developed by intercalation of layered solids. Synthetic approaches include intercalative polymerization, direct polymer intercalation and molecular dispersion of the host layers in the polymer matrix. The unique physical and mechanical properties of the hybrids are attributed to the molecular dispersion and the synergism between the individual components.
Interaction measures for nonsquare decentralized control structures

A block relative gain measure for nonsquare systems has been derived. Evaluated at steady state, this measure serves as a performance-related tool for evaluating control structures prior to controller design. Both the nonsquare dynamic block relative gain and the relative sensitivities have been presented as dynamic interaction measures that depend on the controller tuning and are consequently applicable to design of nonsquare decentralized controllers. Rigorous relationships between the dynamic block relative gain and the performance and stability of a closed-loop system have been established.
The development of attentional orienting during the school‐age years

This study was designed to assess the development of spatial attentional orienting during the school-age years. To that end, we used a cost-benefit attentional cueing task with short (100 ms) and long (800 ms) cue-to-target intervals to examine attentional processing independent of motor skills and perceptual processing in 200 7‐17-year-olds and 40 adults. We found that orienting attention, disengaging attention and visual processing in an unattended location, were all progressively more accurate and faster with increasing age. Our data thus suggest that the efficiency of attentional orienting improves in an age-related manner throughout the school-age years.
Universal Access to Antiretroviral Therapy: When, Not If

The global HIV/AIDS pandemic poses the greatest global health challenge in recent history. Effective large-scale treatment of the several million infected individuals has appeared to present an almost insurmountable task. An ambitious global approach to this challenge was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) "3 by 5" program in 2003 with the goal of providing treatment to 3 million affected individuals in low- and middle-income countries by the end of 2005. Although the immediate goal of the "3 by 5" program has not been achieved 1500000 Africans are now receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). This initial WHO initiative has been of tremendous value in shifting the international emphasis from "if" to "when" universal access to antiretroviral treatment can be achieved. An additional thoughtful analysis of the essential elements of an effective approach to worldwide scale-up of ART was presented by the Institute of Medicine in early 2005. (excerpt)
Hybrid nanostructures for mid-infrared to near-infrared detection

We will present our advance in the utilization of a non-lithographic approach for formation of periodic nanosized arrays and formation of hybrid structures suitable for light detection. We explore a self-organization process for formation of periodical nanopores in anodized aluminum oxide, the transfer of this pattern, and the subsequent growth within the pores. This approach was successfully demonstrated for a system having carbon nanotubes as kernel. The carbon nanotubes by themselves are very attractive for detector applications. It is theoretically predicted and experimentally proven that their band gap is adjustable in broad spectral range, their charge carrier mobility is high, and their thermal and mechanical properties are unmatched by other materials. The nanotemplate we use for growth of the nanotubes allows their controlled placement in a regular array, without restriction of the curvature of the surface to be covered. There are no principal limitations for scaling of the process. The third element of our approach is the integration with silicon which provides the compatibility with the well elaborated silicon technology. We will demonstrate the suitability of these structures for light detection.
Identification and characterization of a tumor infiltrating CD56 + /CD16 − NK cell subset with specificity for pancreatic and prostate cancer cell lines

In a recent clinical trial, a patient exhibited regression of several pancreatic cancer metastases following the administration of the immune modulator Ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4 antibody). We sought to characterize the immune cells responsible for this regression. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL-2742) and an autologous tumor line (TC-2742) were expanded from a regressing metastatic lesion excised from this patient. Natural killer (NK) cells predominated in the TIL (92% CD56+) with few T cells (12% CD3+). A majority (88%) of the NK cells were CD56brightCD16−. TIL-2742 secreted IFN-γ and GM-CSF following co-culture with TC-2742 and major histocompatibility complex mismatched pancreatic tumor lines. After sorting TIL-2742, the purified CD56+CD16−CD3− subset showed reactivity similar to TIL-2742 while the CD56−CD16−CD3+ cells exhibited no tumor recognition. In co-culture assays, TIL-2742 and the NK subset expressed high reactivity to several pancreatic and prostate cancer cell lines and could lyse the autologous tumor as well as pancreas and prostate cancer lines. Reactivity was partially abrogated by blockade of TRAIL. We thus identified a unique subset of NK cells (CD56brightCD16dim) isolated from a regressing metastatic pancreatic cancer in a patient responding to Ipilimumab. This represents the first report of CD56+CD16− NK cells with apparent specificity for pancreatic and prostate cancer cell lines and associated with tumor regression following the treatment with an immune modulating agent.
Using difficulty resuming sleep to define nocturnal awakenings

Abstract Objective Nocturnal awakenings are one of the most prevalent sleep disturbances in the general population. Little is known, however, about the frequency of these episodes and how difficulty resuming sleep once awakened affects subjective sleep quality and quantity. Method This is a cross-sectional telephone study with a representative sample consisting of 8937 non-institutionalized individuals aged 18 or over living in Texas, New York and California. The interviews included questions on sleeping habits, health, sleep and mental disorders. Nocturnal awakenings were evaluated according to their frequency per week and per night, as well as their duration. Results A total of 35.5% of the sample reported awakening at least three nights per week. Of this 35.5%, 43% (15.2% of the total sample) reported difficulty resuming sleep once awakened. More than 80% of subjects with insomnia symptoms (difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or non-restorative sleep) also had nocturnal awakenings. Difficulty resuming sleep was associated with subjective shorter sleep duration, poorer sleep quality, greater daytime impairment, greater consultations for sleep disturbances and greater likelihood of receiving a sleep medication. Conclusions Nocturnal awakenings disrupt the sleep of about one-third of the general population. Using difficulty resuming sleep identifies individuals with significant daytime impairment who are most likely to seek medical help for their sleep disturbances. In the absence of other insomnia symptoms, nocturnal awakenings alone are unlikely to be associated with daytime impairments.
Incorporating agent based neural network model for adaptive meta-search

In the current information age, the web is increasing at a very rapid pace, while the indexes of the current Search Engines are not scaling up at the same pace resulting in the loss of access to a good fraction of documents on the web. An intriguing alternative is a Meta-Search Engine, which provides a unified access to several Search Engines thereby increasing the coverage of the web. Though using Meta-Search Engines, the coverage of the web is increased, maintaining a good precision can be a problem especially if one or more of the Search Engine's returns irrelevant documents for certain user queries. This paper proposes a novel, intelligent, and adaptive approach to improve the precision of the meta-search results. This approach uses an adaptive agent based neural network model to improve the quality of the search results by incorporating user relevance feedback in to the system.
Inhibitory effects of hypoxia and adenosine on N-methyl-d-aspartate-induced pial arteriolar dilation in piglets

Our previous studies have indicated that oxygen radicals, produced during reoxygenation following short-term arterial hypoxia, lead to sustained suppression of cerebral arteriolar responses to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA). However, whether arteriolar dilator responses to NMDA are reduced during arterial hypoxia has never been examined. In this study, we determined whether hypoxia or hypoxia-related metabolites such as adenosine or nitric oxide (NO) will reduce NMDA-induced arteriolar dilation. We have also determined the location of NMDA receptor- and brain nitric oxide synthase (bNOS)-positive neurons in the cerebral cortex. In anesthetized piglets, pial arteriolar diameters were determined using intravital microscopy. Baseline arteriolar diameters were ∼100 μm. Topical application of NMDA at concentrations of 10−5, 5×10−5 and 10−4 M resulted in dose-dependent vasodilation (9±2, 18±2 and 29±2% above baseline, respectively, n=21). Administration of theophylline (20 mg/kg, i.v.) had no effect on NMDA-dependent vasodilation, but it did block dilation to hypoxia (inhalation of 8.5% O2). In theophylline-treated animals, NMDA responses were completely abolished during hypoxia (28±2 vs. 2±1%, respectively to 10−4 M, n=7) while sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10−4 M) still dilated pial arterioles normally. NMDA-induced vasodilation was not modified after application and removal of adenosine (10−4 M; n=5) or SNP (10−5 M; n=4), or when SNP (10−7 M) was coapplied with NMDA (n=6). Conversely, coapplication of adenosine (10−6 M) attenuated NMDA responses (31±5 vs. 20±3%, n=7). We also found that NMDA receptor- and bNOS-containing neurons were located predominantly in layers II/III of the cortex. Proximity of these neurons to the cortical surface is consistent with diffusion of NO to pial arterioles as the mechanism of dilation to NMDA. We conclude that NMDA-induced cerebral arteriolar dilation is inhibited by hypoxia alone and by exogenous adenosine, but not by NO.
Reworking democracy: contemporary immigration and community politics in vancouver's chinatown

Abstract This paper examines the political repercussions of large-scale immigration from Hong Kong on a pre-existing Chinese community in Vancouver, British Columbia. Through an examination of the context of these migration flows, and through a discussion of two case studies of political challenge and institutional transformation in Chinatown, the fieldwork reveals how internal political change and the reworking of the normative democratic values of Canadian society reflects not a linear movement of assimilation to the dominant values of the ‘modern’ nation state, but rather the historical context of a nonlinear transmigration network.
Enhanced identification of zero-length chemical cross-links using label-free quantitation and high-resolution fragment ion spectra.

Chemical cross-linking coupled to mass spectrometry provides structural information that is useful for probing protein conformations and providing experimental support for molecular models. “Zero-l...
Combined VSV oncolytic virus and chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a negative-strand ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus that replicates specifically in tumor cells and has oncolytic effects in a variety of malignant tumors. We previously demonstrated recombinant VSV vectors incorporating viral fusion protein (rVSV-F) and interleukin 12 (rVSV-IL12) to have significant antitumor effects against squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a murine model. Here we evaluate the potential to combine a potent chemotherapeutic agent for SCC (cisplatin) with rVSV-F and rVSV-IL12 to improve efficacy. Study Design: In vitro, three SCC cell lines were tested using rVSV-F and rVSV-IL12 with cisplatin, monitoring viral replication and cell survival. In an orthotopic floor of mouth murine SCC model, intratumoral injections of virus combined with systemic cisplatin were tested for tumor control and animal survival. Results: In vitro, virus and cisplatin combination demonstrated rapid replication and enhanced tumor cell kill. Human keratinocytes were unaffected by virus and cisplatin. In vivo, combined rVSV-F with cisplatin reduced tumor burden and improved survival (P = .2 for both), while rVSV-IL12 monotherapy had better tumor control (P = .06) and survival (P = .024) than combination therapy. Conclusions: Addition of cisplatin did not affect the ability of either virus to replicate in or kill murine SCC cells in vitro. In vivo, combination therapy enhancedrVSV-F antitumor activity, but diminished rVSV-IL12 antitumor activity. Combination therapy may provide useful treatment for SCC with the development of more efficient viral vectors in combination with different chemotherapy agents or immunostimulatory agents.
Electron Transfer within the Cytochrome c-Cytochrome c Peroxidase Complex: Dependence of the Transient-State and Steady-State Kinetics on Ionic Strength

Abstract Steady-State and transient-state kinetic studies of the cytochrome c peroxidase (CcP) catalyzed oxidation of ferrocytochrome c by hydrogen peroxide at pH 7.5 as a function on ionic strength have been carried out using both horse heart and yeast iso-1 cytochrome c. The ionic strength affects the apparent interaction between cytochrome c and the oxidized intermediates of CcP while the intracomplex electron transfer rates are essentially independent of ionic strength. The maximum enzyme turnover rates for the oxidation of yeast iso-1 and horse heart ferrocytochrome c are 780 ± 130 s−1 and 280 ± 40 s−1, respectively, independent of ionic strength at pH 7.5. The intramolecular electron transfer rates from bound ferrocytochrome c to the heme site in CcP compound I is about 1900 s−1 and 450 s−1 for yeast iso-1 and horse heart cytochrome c, respectively.
The effect of parental modeling of anxious behaviors and cognitions in school-aged children: An experimental pilot study

The current study tested: (1) the impact of parental modeling of anxious behaviors and cognitions on child anxiety level, anxious cognitions, desired avoidance, and objective performance using an experimental paradigm; and (2) whether the impact of parental modeling of anxious behaviors and cognitions differed by parent gender. Twenty-five parents (a random selection of 12 male and 13 female parents) participated with one of their children (ages 8-12 years; 56.0% male; 76.0% Caucasian). All children experienced two test conditions: an anxious condition in which their parent was trained to act anxiously before a planned spelling test and a non-anxious condition in which their parent was trained to act in a relaxed and confident manner before a planned spelling test. Results showed that, regardless of parent gender, children endorsed higher anxiety levels, anxious cognitions, and desired avoidance of the spelling test in the anxious relative to the non-anxious condition. Parental modeling of anxiety did not affect child spelling performance. Significant interaction effects indicated that fathers had a stronger impact on child anxiety level and cognitions than did mothers. Results highlight the importance of parental modeling and the potential role of both mothers and fathers in prevention and treatment for child anxiety.
Adjoint-based error estimation and mesh adaptation for the correction procedure via reconstruction method

Adjoint-based mesh adaptive methods are capable of distributing computational resources to areas which are important for predicting an engineering output. In this paper, we develop an adjoint-based h-adaptation approach based on the high-order correction procedure via reconstruction formulation (CPR) to minimize the output or functional error. A dual-consistent CPR formulation of hyperbolic conservation laws is developed and its dual consistency is analyzed. Super-convergent functional and error estimate for the output with the CPR method are obtained. Factors affecting the dual consistency, such as the solution point distribution, correction functions, boundary conditions and the discretization approach for the non-linear flux divergence term, are studied. The presented method is then used to perform simulations for the 2D Euler and Navier-Stokes equations with mesh adaptation driven by the adjoint-based error estimate. Several numerical examples demonstrate the ability of the presented method to dramatically reduce the computational cost comparing with uniform grid refinement.
Pharmacology and metabolism of norepinephrine in patients with essential hypertension.

Abstract 1. 1. The relationship of norepinephrine to essential hypertension was reviewed. 2. 2. The metabolism of H 3 -labelled norepinephrine was studied in normal subjects and in patients with essential hypertension. 3. 3. No difference in plasma concentration and urinary excretion of H 3 -labelled metabolites was demonstrated between the two groups in this study, but further investigations are in progress.
Sexual healing with Amazonian plant teachers: a heuristic inquiry of women's spiritual–erotic awakenings

This article explores how women's sexual/spiritual lives were transformed with sacred Amazonian plant teachers (i.e. plants believed to have spirits that communicate with humans). The research was guided by the belief that the practice of vegetalismo (a South American healing tradition that uses plant teachers for healing) holds important lessons for guiding women's sexual/spiritual lives and possibly for future plant-facilitated psychotherapy for women who have experienced sexual trauma. A heuristic research methodology was utilized involving interviews with seven North American women who participated in ayahuasca ceremonies and plant diets within the Shipibo vegetalista tradition of Peru. The findings highlighted that sexual trauma was healed through energetic purification and openings on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. The core themes identified from the data analysis were: purification and support for reproductive health, increased sensory awareness, transforming relationship wi...
Novel business uses of independently created hyperlinks in the World Wide Web: basic mechanism and examples

Advisory architecture permits on-the-fly delivery of hyperlinks (and rating codes and annotations) to World Wide Web content, where the links and the target content are created by one or more organizations independent of the organization that created the Web content the user is accessing. The user's Web browser or proxy server accesses these advisories through a protocol with a special advisory server. They are available when viewing Web content and when viewing a hyperlink in one Web document that points to another. The hyperlinks are typed, described with a well-defined numeric code as well as textual strings. This paper describes some of the business-to-business and business-to-consumer applications enabled by Advisory architecture. It explains the features of Advisory architecture that support the distribution of hyperlinks for revenue, as well as scenarios in which following the hyperlinks results in crediting the user account. It explains the features that permit advisories and advisory hyperlinks to be recommended by subscribers and then accepted or rejected by the advisory service staff. It speculates as to how this could change advertising and political discourse.
Lysosomal accumulation of SCMAS (subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase) in neurons of the mouse model of mucopolysaccharidosis III B.

Abstract The neurodegenerative disease MPS III B (Sanfilippo syndrome type B) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the lysosomal enzyme α- N -acetylglucosaminidase, with a resulting block in heparan sulfate degradation. A mouse model with disruption of the Naglu gene allows detailed study of brain pathology. In contrast to somatic cells, which accumulate primarily heparan sulfate, neurons accumulate a number of apparently unrelated metabolites, including subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase (SCMAS). SCMAS accumulated from 1 month of age, primarily in the medial entorhinal cortex and layer V of the somatosensory cortex. Its accumulation was not due to the absence of specific proteases. Light microscopy of brain sections of 6-months-old mice showed SCMAS to accumulate in the same areas as glycosaminoglycan and unesterified cholesterol, in the same cells as ubiquitin and GM3 ganglioside, and in the same organelles as Lamp 1 and Lamp 2. Cryo-immuno electron microscopy showed SCMAS to be present in Lamp positive vesicles bounded by a single membrane (lysosomes), in fingerprint-like layered arrays. GM3 ganglioside was found in the same lysosomes, but was not associated with the SCMAS arrays. GM3 ganglioside was also seen in lysosomes of microglia, suggesting phagocytosis of neuronal membranes. Samples used for cryo-EM and further processed by standard EM procedures (osmium tetroxide fixation and plastic embedding) showed the disappearance of the SCMAS fingerprint arrays and appearance in the same location of "zebra bodies", well known but little understood inclusions in the brain of patients with mucopolysaccharidoses.
Reforma socijalnog sektora u postsocijalističkim zemljama: normativni pristup

Autor iznosi jednu nacelnu platformu na kojoj bi, po njegovom misljenju, trebala pocivati reforma socijalnog sektora u postsocijalistickim zemljama. Stoga je i njegov pristup problemu normativni, a ne pozitivni. Rad se bavi tranzicijom samo u bivsem Sovjetskom Savezu i u zemljama Istocne Europe. Srž rada cini skupina od devet principa koji se međusobno nadopunjavaju i koji tvore neku vrstu cjeline. Iako su ti principi rezultat subjektivnog stajalista autora, on smatra da oni nisu vezani ni za kakve politicke ideologije ili stranke. Normativno razmatranje socijalne reforme utoliko je bitno sto postsocijalisticke zemlje same moraju otkriti kakav tip socijalne države trebaju, buduci da nijedna zemlja u svijetu ne može poslužiti kao primjer.
Using in-flight images to model the centroid distortion in the LOng-Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI)

The purpose of this investigation is to understand the causes and implications of centroid distortion in the LORRI instrument on the New Horizons spacecraft. First, an introduction to the New Horizons space program is provided, and the design specifications of the LORRI telescope are discussed. Next, a general theory of perfect imaging is presented, with emphasis on the paraxial equations for the transfer of the chief ray, and the shape of the diffraction-limited point spread function (PSF). Centroid distortion is then defined with respect to these quantities, and methods for quantifying centroid distortion are explained. The nominal LORRI design is analyzed, and the centroid distortion predicted by the nominal design is shown. Astrometric reduction is then performed on a set of twenty in-flight LORRI images, and the actual centroid distortion of the telescope is modeled. Finally, Monte Carlo tolerancing techniques are used to attribute the differences between the predicted centroid distortion and the in-flight centroid distortion to a set of specific manufacturing tolerances.
Recombinant adenovirus is an efficient and non-perturbing genetic vector for human dendritic cells.

Recombinant adenoviral vectors have promise for human gene therapy because of efficient transgene expression in nondividing primary cell types. Dendritic cells (DC) have potential as adjuvants for immune therapy, since they are specialized to capture antigens to form MHC-peptide complexes, migrate to T cell areas in the lymph node, and activate T cells including CD4+ helpers and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). We show that several current chemical and physical transfection methods allow < 2 % of DC to express reporter genes but that recombinant adenoviruses, encoding the reporter genes green fluorescent protein and LacZ, efficiently transfect monocyte-derived human DC. Immature DC, generated with IL-4 and GM-CSF, are transfected to 95 % efficiency, while mature DC show reduced transfection (50 %) and gene expression. Adenovirus-transfected, immature DC exhibit several critical functions. The DC can differentiate in the presence of lipopolysaccharide or a monocyte-conditioned medium to express the surface markers of mature, T cell stimulatory DC including CD25, CD83, and high levels of CD86 and HLA-DR. Transfected DC can also secrete high levels of IL-12 and are potent inducers of T cell growth. Transgene expression in DC is stable for at least 6 days in the presence of the DC survival factor, TRANCE. Therefore adenoviral infection does not perturb the maturation and function of DC. The efficiency of adenoviral-mediated gene transfer prompts the evaluation of this vector in studies of DC biology, including the expression of antigens for active immune therapy.
Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Revisited

Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of heart failure independently of underlying coronary artery disease, and many believe that diabetes leads to cardiomyopathy. The underlying pathogenesis is partially understood. Several factors may contribute to the development of cardiac dysfunction in the absence of coronary artery disease in diabetes mellitus. This review discusses the latest findings in diabetic humans and in animal models and reviews emerging new mechanisms that may be involved in the development and progression of cardiac dysfunction in diabetes.
Linear Elastic Waves

Elastic waves propagating in simple media manifest a surprisingly rich collection of phenomena. Although some can't withstand the complexities of Earth's structure, the majority only grow more interesting and more important as remote sensing probes for seismologists studying the planet's interior. To fully mine the information carried to the surface by seismic waves, seismologists must produce accurate models of the waves. Great strides have been made in this regard. Problems that were entirely intractable a decade ago are now routinely solved on inexpensive workstations. The mathematical representations of waves coded into algorithms have grown vastly more sophisticated and are troubled by many fewer approximations, enforced symmetries, and limitations. They are far from straightforward, and seismologists using them need a firm grasp on wave propagation in simple media. Linear Elastic Waves, by applied mathematician John G. Harris, responds to this need.
Photochemistry of complex ions. XI. Trans-Pt(NH3)4Br22+

Abstract The net photochemistry of trans -[Pt(NH 3 4 Br 2 2+ is that of bromide aquation with quantum yields of 0.11 and 0.06 at 305 and 350 nm, respectively Flash photolysis shows the transient presence of Br 2 − , provided that Br − is present. Formaldehyde is also a photoproduct if the solution contains methanol as well. The results are interpreted to imply that the complex ion undergoes simple photoaquation but also the ions pairs with Br − , the ion pair then photolyzing to give aquated complex, Br 2 - ions and H atoms. The photochemistry of the complex is compared with that of PtBr 6 2− .
Gender differences among patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in the American College of Cardiology-National Cardiovascular Data Registry (ACC-NCDR).

Background Although prior studies have demonstrated disparities in the management and outcomes of women with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), there are limited large-scale contemporary data on gender differences in post-intervention outcomes in this population. Methods We analyzed patients according to 2 ACS categories, unstable angina/non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI) and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who had a percutaneous coronary intervention in the ACC-NCDR from January 1, 2004, to March 30, 2006. Of 199,690 patients, 55,691 women presented with UA/NSTEMI, and 12,335 women presented with STEMI. Clinical and angiographic characteristics, procedural and treatment patterns, and in-hospital outcomes were examined. Results Women presented more often with UA/NSTEMI than men (82% of women vs 77% of men, P < .0001). Despite having greater comorbidities, women in both ACS categories had fewer high risk angiographic features than men. Women were less likely to receive aspirin or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and were less often discharged on aspirin or statin. For in-hospital mortality, the adjusted odds ratio for men compared to women was similar (odds ratio 0.97, P = .5). Women had higher rates of cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure, any bleeding, and any vascular complications. Importantly, rates of subacute stent thrombosis were less in women compared to men (0.43% vs 0.57%, P = .0003). Conclusions Although women had fewer high-risk angiographic features than men, they continue to have higher rates of in-hospital complications. This suggests the need for gender-tailored techniques to minimize post-intervention complications and maximize application of evidence-based antiplatelet therapies.
Vanadate Regulates Glucose Transporter (Glut-1) Expression in NIH3T3 Mouse Fibroblasts*

Vanadate, the major oxidized form of the essential trace element vanadium, has rapid effects on glucose transport in vitro and more delayed effects on glucose transport in vivo. We addressed the question that one potential mechanism for the delayed effects of vanadate on glucose homeostasis could be altered expression of one or more of the genes encoding glucose transporters. To do this we studied vanadate regulation of Glut-1 and Glut-4 in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Vanadate (5-40 microM) induced cells to proliferate to higher cell densities, and in addition, 40 microM vanadate caused the cells to exhibit a transformed morphology. Glut-1 mRNA was maximally induced 4- to 5-fold over the control value after 6-h exposure to 30 microM vanadate. Unlike the response to serum and growth factors, the vanadate-induced increase in Glut-1 mRNA remained elevated over the control value in the presence of vanadate for 5 days. The vanadate effect was serum dependent and was fully reversible when vanadate was removed from the medium. In the absence of vanadate, the half-life of Glut-1 mRNA was 0.5-1 h, whereas after treatment for 5 h with 30 microM vanadate the half-life was increased to 1.5-2 h. Thus, mRNA stabilization accounts for at least a part of the increase in glucose transporter mRNA levels after vanadate treatment. Glut-4 mRNA was not detected in these cells in either the absence or presence of vanadate. While the importance of this increased Glut-1 gene expression for the vanadate effect on normalization of blood glucose in vivo remains to be determined, an association between vanadate-induced cell proliferation and transformed phenotype, and vanadate-induced Glut-1 mRNA in vitro has been made. Possible potential therapeutic use of vanadate for treatment of diabetes must, therefore, be viewed with caution.
Induction of a cytochrome P-450-dependent fatty acid monooxygenase in Bacillus megaterium by a barbiturate analog, 1-[2-phenylbutyryl]-3-methylurea.

In previous publications from our laboratory, we reported that a soluble, cytochrome P-450-dependent fatty acid monooxygenase from Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14581 can be induced by phenobarbital and a variety of other barbiturates. The tested barbiturates showed an excellent correlation between increasing lipophilicity and increasing inducer potency (Kim BH, Fulco AJ; Biochem Biophys Res Commun 116: 843–850, 1983). The only exception proved to be mephobarbital (N-methylphenobarbital) which, although more lipophilic than phenobarbital, is not an inducer of fatty acid monooxygenase activity. We have now found that 1-[2-phenylbutyryl]-3-methylurea (PBMU), an acylurea that can be derived from mephobarbital by hydrolytic cleavage of the barbiturate ring, is an excellent inducer of this activity. Paradoxically, the addition of mephobarbital to the bacterial growth medium containing PBMU significantly enhances the apparent potency of the acylurea to induce fatty acid monooxygenase activity as measured in cell-free extracts. When cell-free extracts of cells grown separately in PBMU or mephobarbital are mixed no enhancement of activity is seen. This finding suggests that the effect of mephobarbital is to somehow increase the efficiency of PBMU as an inducer of the P-450-dependent fatty acid monooxygenase rather than to induce an activator of this enzyme or a rate-limiting component of the monooxygenase system. Finally, both mephobarbital and PBMU induce the synthesis of total cytochrome P-450 in B. megaterium although PBMU is a much more potent P-450 inducer. For cytochrome P-450 induction, however, there is no synergistic or even additive effect when mephobarbital and PBMU are used together in the bacterial growth medium.
Observation of a shell gap at N = 152 in the 246 Cm(t, p) 248 Cm reaction

Abstract Previous reports of two-neutron stripping reactions in the actinide nuclei have not indicated any excited 0 + strength below an excitation energy of 1.5 MeV. In contrast, the 246 Cm(t,p) 248 Cm reaction shows a relatively strong 0 + state at 1.084 MeV. We believe that this result, coupled with a marked change in ground-state transition strenghts between 246 Cm and 248 Cm targets, indicates a gap in the single-particle orbitals that is larger than the pairing gap.
Insights for internists: "I want the computer to know who I am".

BACKGROUND In designing electronic personal health records (PHRs) and related health technologies, lay perspectives are rarely solicited, and we know little about what individuals want and need.
An Application of Interactive Computer Graphics in Experimental Physics: The Analysis of Thermal Desorption Spectra.

A modest computer graphics facility has been applied to the analysis of thermal desorption spectra. An outline is given of the procedure which permits the generation of a synthesized spectrum and its visual comparison with an experimental spectrum. Those aspects of the thermal desorption investigation which required a highly interactive analysis procedure and the essential characteristics of the interactive graphics system for this type of application are discussed. Incomplete mathematical models and the judgment and accumulated experience of the experimenter have been combined to extend the understanding of a complex phenomenon.
An antigenic comparison of three strains of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus of salmonid fishes.

Abstract Three strains of infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) virus of salmonid fishes were found to be closely related antigenically when compared by cross plaque neutralization. They differed significantly, however, in stability during freezing and storage at −60°C. The American reference strain VR-299, which was the most stable, required consistently less antibody for a given degree of neutralization than the other two, regardless of whether the antiserum was specific for that strain or for either of the others. The CTT strain was the most unstable of the three, and required the greatest amount of antibody for a comparable degree of neutralization. The COHO strain was intermediate both in stability and in antibody requirement. The results seem to indicate that the CTT virus required the most antibody because it contained the largest amount of non-infectious virus (to chinook salmon embryo cells), which would still bind antibody and render it unavailable for neutralizing activity. The VR-299 virus contained the least amount of non-infectious virus, and consequently required the smallest amount of antibody. It is suggested that the relative stability of viral strains and possible variation in the content of non-infectious virus should be taken into account or controlled when quantitative neutralization data are used to differentiate or identify viral serotypes.
NMR Structure of Calmodulin Complexed to an N-Terminally Acetylated α-Synuclein Peptide

Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium binding protein that plays numerous roles in Ca-dependent cellular processes, including uptake and release of neurotransmitters in neurons. α-Synuclein (α-syn), one of the most abundant proteins in central nervous system neurons, helps maintain presynaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitters and moderates their Ca-dependent release into the synapse. Ca-Bound CaM interacts with α-syn most strongly at its N-terminus. The N-terminal region of α-syn is important for membrane binding; thus, CaM could modulate membrane association of α-syn in a Ca-dependent manner. In contrast, Ca-free CaM has negligible interaction. The interaction with CaM leads to significant signal broadening in both CaM and α-syn NMR spectra, most likely due to conformational exchange. The broadening is much reduced when binding a peptide consisting of the first 19 residues of α-syn. In neurons, most α-syn is acetylated at the N-terminus, and acetylation leads to a 10-fold increase in binding strength for the α-syn peptide (KD = 35 ± 10 μM). The N-terminally acetylated peptide adopts a helical structure at the N-terminus with the acetyl group contacting the N-terminal domain of CaM and with less ordered helical structure toward the C-terminus of the peptide contacting the CaM C-terminal domain. Comparison with known structures shows that the CaM/α-syn complex most closely resembles Ca-bound CaM in a complex with an IQ motif peptide. However, a search comparing the α-syn peptide sequence with known CaM targets, including IQ motifs, found no homologies; thus, the N-terminal α-syn CaM binding site appears to be a novel CaM target sequence.
Effect of Stress Singularity Magnitude on Scaling of Strength of Quasi-Brittle Structures

AbstractEngineering structures are often designed to have complex geometries, which could introduce stress singularities that are weaker than the conventional −1/2 crack-tip singularity. Extrapolating the results of small-scale laboratory tests to predict the response of a full-scale structure comprised of quasi-brittle materials requires an understanding of how the weak stress singularities modify the classical energetic and statistical scaling theories of quasi-brittle fracture. Through a theoretical and numerical study, a new scaling law for quasi-brittle fracture is derived, which explicitly relates the nominal structural strength to the structure size and the magnitude of the stress singularity. The theoretical analysis is based on a generalized weakest-link model that combines the energetic scaling of fracture with the finite weakest-link model. The model captures the transition from the energetic scaling to statistical scaling as the strength of the stress singularity diminishes. The new scaling la...
Image identification and segmentation according to random-field models

Abstract Some images have texture variations which are most easily characterized by random-field models. The identification of the model which evoked a given such image is described. The method involves a readily computable criterion which is a refinement of those previously used for image identification. The general method is also shown to be suitable for the more specialized problem of image segmentation, a preprocessing operation fundamental to many techniques in artificial intelligence.
β-Cell Differentiation Factor Nkx6.1 Contains Distinct DNA Binding Interference and Transcriptional Repression Domains

β-Cell differentiation factor Nkx6.1 is a homeodomain protein expressed in developing and mature β-cells in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. To understand how it contributes to β-cell development and function, we characterized its DNA binding and transactivation properties. A single copy of the homeodomain of Nkx6.1 binds to a strictly conserved 8-base pair DNA consensus sequence, TTAATTAC; even minor variations to this consensus reduce DNA binding affinity significantly. Full-length Nkx6.1, however, has markedly reduced DNA binding affinity due to an acidic domain at the carboxyl end of the molecule that functions as a mobile binding interference domain capable of interrupting the interaction between DNA and DNA binding domains of the helix-turn-helix type. When expressed in fibroblast cell lines, Nkx6.1 represses transcription through isolated Nkx6.1 binding sites; in β-cell lines, Nkx6.1 specifically represses the intact insulin promoter through TAAT-containing sequences. In Gal4 one-hybrid fusion studies, transcriptional repression maps to a discreet region within the amino terminus. Our findings suggest a model in which Nkx6.1, regulated by interactions through its carboxyl terminus, directs the repression of specific genes in developing and mature β-cells.
The interaction between He and H+ 2: anisotropy, bond length dependence and hydrogen bonding

An extensive high level ab initio study of the ground electronic state of HeH+ 2 has been used to generate an improved intermolecular potential for He + H+ 2 that includes a more complete account of the long range forces, the short range anisotropy, and the dependence of the potential on H+ 2 bond length r. In good agreement with earlier work, the potential is found to have a minimum for collinear geometry, with a well 7.799 kcal mol−1 (2728 cm−1) deep with respect to separated He + H+ 2(r = r e = 1.9982 a 0) at an intermolecular distance R = 2.963 a 0(1.5684 A) and a bond length r = 2.0742 a 0 (1.098 A).
Test-set preserving logic transformations

Logic transformations that preserve minimal or complete test sets of a combinational circuit are examined. Some basic transformation types are rigorously defined and characterized with respect to test-set preservation. The authors apply the transformations to adder design and show that any complete test set for a two-level adder is preserved on transformation to ripple-carry and carry-lookahead designs, thus verifying some recent simulation results. >
Supporting program comprehension using semantic and structural information

Focuses on investigating the combined use of semantic and structural information of programs to support the comprehension tasks involved in the maintenance and reengineering of software systems. "Semantic information" refers to the domain-specific issues (both the problem and the development domains) of a software system. The other dimension, structural information, refers to issues such as the actual syntactic structure of the program, along with the control and data flow that it represents. An advanced information retrieval method, latent semantic indexing, is used to define a semantic similarity measure between software components. Components within a software system are then clustered together using this similarity measure. Simple structural information (i.e. the file organization) of the software system is then used to assess the semantic cohesion of the clusters and files with respect to each other. The measures are formally defined for general application. A set of experiments is presented which demonstrates how these measures can assist in the understanding of a nontrivial software system, namely a version of NCSA Mosaic.