cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunoreactive thyrotropin-releasing factor in a gastropod: Distribution in the central nervous system and hemolymph of Lymnaea stagnalis

Abstract The distribution of immunoreactive thyrotropin-releasing factor (IRTRF) was studied in specimens of the gastropod species Lymnaea stagnalis . IRTRF could consistently be detected in circumesophageal ganglia of animals kept in water containing at least 0.05% NaCl but was present below detectable levels when the salt concentration of the external environment was less than 0.05%. The storage of IRTRF was limited to the pleural, cerebral, and visceral ganglia. IRTRF was present in the hemolymph of all animals studied. The concentration of IRTRF in the hemolymph was highest when the animals were kept in deionized water and decreased when the animals were adapted to water containing NaCl.
Ultrastructural and biochemical studies on ribonucleoprotein particles from isolated nucleoli of thioacetamide-treated rat liver.

Abstract The morphology of isolated nucleolar ribonucleoprotein particles from thioacetamide-treated rat livers was found to be very similar to those in situ. The sedimentation profiles of these nucleolar ribonucleoprotein particles in sucrose density gradients showed the presence of three components. The particles in these peaks were electron opaque spherical particles that were quite homogeneous in size (200–250 A). The ultrastructure of these RNP particles from thioacetamide-treated livers is similar to that of both ribosomes and intranucleolar RNP particles inasmuch as at high magnifications a convoluted, linear strand of RNA was observed to be present in each of the particles. In each peak of the sedimentation profile, the average diameter of the RNP particles was also 210 A. The diameters of the nucleolar granules in situ were essentially the same as those of the isolated ribonucleoprotein particles averaging 210 A and ranging from 190–250 A. The RNA in the isolated ribonucleoprotein particles was mainly 28S RNA. Quantitative analysis indicates that the RNP particles in the most rapidly sedimenting RNP peak had a higher RNA to protein ratio than those in the less rapidly sedimenting peaks.
Surface immobilization antigens of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis: their role in protective immunity.

In response to infection with the pathogenic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, fish produce serum and mucus antibodies that immobilize the parasite in vitro. The antigens responsible for this phenomenon (referred to as immobilization antigens, or i-antigens) are thought to be involved in protective immunity and are being studied in connection with efforts to develop subunit vaccines. Using mammalian antibodies, the i-antigens of Ichthyophthirius have been identified as a family of related surface proteins with Mr's in the 40–60 kDA range. The amino acid sequence deduced from a 1.2 kb cDNA encoding a member of this family predicts a protein with a highly periodic structure characteristic of the i-antigens of the free-living ciliates, Paramecium and Tetrahymena. To date, four distinct immobilization serotypes of I. multifiliis have been identified. Northern hybridization studies indicate that i-antigen genes of Ichthyophthirius are developmentally regulated during the parasite life cycle and are expressed at extraordinarily high levels in the infective stage. Synthesis of i-antigen mRNA transcripts may also be accompanied by novel RNA processing events. A role for the i-antigens in protective immunity is strongly suggested by the results of passive immunization studies with immobilizing monoclonal antibodies (i-mAbs). Following intraperitoneal injection of naive channel catfish, i-mAbs confer complete protection against an otherwise lethal parasite challenge. In conjunction with ELISA and in vitro immobilization assays, passive immunization experiments indicate that protection requires the presence of antibody at the site of infection (that is, at the surface of fish). The results of these studies are discussed in the light of current knowledge about mechanisms of protection against I. multifiliis, and a model of surface immunity is presented.
“Rebuilding our community”: Hearing silenced voices on Aboriginal youth suicide

This paper brings forth the voices of adult Aboriginal First Nations community members who gathered in focus groups to discuss the problem of youth suicide on their reserves. Our approach emphasizes multilevel (e.g., individual, family, and broader ecological systems) factors viewed by participants as relevant to youth suicide. Wheaton’s conceptualization of stressors and Evans-Campbell’s multilevel classification of the impacts of historical trauma are used as theoretical and analytic guides. Thematic analysis of qualitative data transcripts revealed a highly complex intersection of stressors, traumas, and social problems seen by community members as underlying mechanisms influencing heightened levels of Aboriginal youth suicidality. Our multilevel coding approach revealed that suicidal behaviors were described by community members largely as a problem with deep historical and contemporary structural roots, as opposed to being viewed as individualized pathology.
Adenylate Cyclase Activity in the Superior Cervical Ganglion of the Rat

Adenylate cyclase activity in cell-free homogenates of the rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) was assayed under a variety of experimental conditions. Adenylate cyclase activity was decreased by approximately one-half when 1 mM EGTA was included in the homogenization buffer and assay mixture, indicating the presence of a Ca2+-sensitive adenylate cyclase in the ganglion. In the presence of EGTA, basal adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of the SCG was 12.9 +/- 0.6 pmol cyclic AMP/ganglion/10 min. Enzyme activity was stimulated three- to fourfold by 10 mM NaF or 10 mM MnCl2. Both GTP and its nonhydrolyzable analog guanylylimidodiphosphate (GppNHp) stimulated adenylate cyclase in a concentration-dependent manner over the range of 0.1-10.0 microM. Stimulation by GppNHp was five to six times greater than that produced by GTP at all concentrations tested. Decentralization of the ganglion had no effect on basal or stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Receptor-linked stimulation of adenylate cyclase was not obtained with any of the following: isoproterenol, epinephrine, histamine, dopamine, prostaglandin E2, or vasoactive intestinal peptide. Thus the receptor-linked regulation of adenylate cyclase activity appears to be lost in homogenates of the ganglion.
Circadian clock mutants in Arabidopsis identified by luciferase imaging

The cycling bioluminescence of Arabidopsis plants carrying a firefly luciferase fusion construct was used to identify mutant individuals with aberrant cycling patterns. Both long- and short-period mutants were recovered. A semidominant short-period mutation, timing of CAB expression (toc1), was mapped to chromosome 5. The toc1 mutation shortens the period of two distinct circadian rhythms, the expression of chlorophyll a/b-binding protein (CAB) genes and the movements of primary leaves, although toc1 mutants do not show extensive pleiotropy for other phenotypes.
Pasteurella multocida-Infected Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Hemodialysis Access Graft

Infections are among the risks related to prosthetic hemodialysis access grafts. However, dialysis access graft infections caused by Pasteurella multocida have not been reported previously. We report a case of a P. multocida -infected nonfunctioning expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft in the forearm after a cat bite. At surgery, the graft was completely unincorporated and was completely excised. Operative culture results were positive for P. multocida , a common oral flora found in cats and dogs. The patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone, and the wounds healed with local care.
Selection Interviews of Overweight Job Applicants: Can Structure Reduce the Bias?

The purpose of these studies was to extend the benefits of the structured selection interview beyond its psychometric advantages, and to include its potential to mitigate biases against overweight applicants. In the first study, 133 participants witnessed a videotaped interview and were asked to rate the performance of the candidate. Videotapes varied by structured/unstructured interview scripts and average weight/overweight job applicant. Results confirmed the discrimination bias against overweight interviewees, and supported the possibility that a structured interview moderates this bias. In the second study, 137 participants completed the same task with an additional level of interview structure. Results provided additional support for the predictive power of the highly structured interview, and mixed results for a mildly structured interview.
Morphologic and molecular characterization of Salmonella typhimurium infection in neonatal calves.

The host response to Salmonella plays a major role in the outcome of infection. The present study was undertaken to further characterize Salmonella typhimurium infection in neonatal calves at both the morphologic and the molecular level using the ligated ileal loop model. Eight 4-5-week-old male Holstein calves underwent laparotomy, and loops were prepared in the ileum. The loops were either inoculated with an S. typhimurium strain pathogenic for cattle or injected with sterile LB broth as control. Samples for histology, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and RNA extraction were collected at various time points between 5 minutes and 12 hours postinfection. Invasion of both M cells and enterocytes began at 15 minutes postinfection. No specific cell type was the main target for invasion. Intracellular bacteria were observed in the lamina propria after 1 hour postinfection. A severe acute neutrophilic response was associated with invasion of the Peyer's patches. Upregulated expression of CXC chemokines (interleukin (IL)-8, growth-related oncogenes, (GRO) and , and granulocyte chemotactic protein (GCP)2) was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction beginning at 1 hour postinfection. Expression of proinflammatory (IL-1, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10, IL-1Ra, and IL-4) cytokines was also assessed. A marked increase in expression of IL-1 was observed, whereas the profile of expression of IL-18 and TNF did not change after infection. Upregulation of IL-1Ra and IL-4 but not of IL-10 was observed. These findings indicate that infection of bovine ligated ileal loops with S. typhimurium results in an acute neutrophilic inflammatory response that is associated with the upregulation of CXC chemokines (IL-8, GRO and , and GCP2), IL-1, IL-1Ra, and IL-4.
TOPAOKO: interactive construction kit

If you have a laser cutter, you can build your own TOPAOKO. We describe work in progress on TOPAOKO, an interactive construction kit that encourages experimentation and play with pieces of a hardboard based, embedded circuit, kit. We describe each component of the kit and examples of constructions built with it.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.

This article addresses increasing concerns about the decline of democracy at all levels of government. It is shown that overpopulation and technology are major causes of this decline. It would be unwise to try to stop the development of technology; therefore it is urgent that we move quickly to address the problems of overpopulation.
Polysilicon TFT circuit design and performance

Both n- and p-channel polysilicon TFTs can be fabricated, allowing CMOS circuit techniques to be used. However, TFT characteristics are poor in comparison to conventional single-crystal MOSFETs, and relatively coarse design rules must be used to be compatible with processing on large-area glass plates. The authors examine these issues and describe the performance of a range of digital and analog circuit elements built using polysilicon TFTs. Digital circuit speeds in excess of 20 MHz are reported, along with operational amplifiers with over 80 dB of gain and more than 1-MHz unity-gain frequency. Several polysilicon TFT switched-capacitor circuits are also reported and shown to have adequate linearity, output swing, and settling time to form integrated data line drivers on an active-matrix liquid crystal display. >
Staphylococcus aureus Colonization and Infection in New York State Prisons

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is increasingly responsible for staphylococcal outbreaks in prison. There is limited information on the source of the outbreak strains, risk factors for infection, and transmission of these strains within a prison. We conducted a survey to determine the prevalence of nasal colonization with S. aureus in 2 New York State prisons. S. aureus isolates from clinical cultures collected from all New York State prisons during a 6-month period were compared with the colonizing strains. Analyses were conducted to determine whether prison-level characteristics were associated with colonization or infection with S. aureus. The colonization rate was 25.5% (124/487); 10.5% of the isolates were methicillin resistant, all were staphylococcal chromosomal cassette (SCC)mec type IV, and 61.5% were Panton Valentine leukocidin (PVL) positive. Surprisingly, 21.6% of the methicillin-susceptible isolates were also PVL positive. Of the clinical isolates, 48.3% were methicillin resistant, with 93.1% of the latter being SCCmec type IV and 48.3% being PVL positive. The predominant clone was USA 300. Prison-level risk factors for infection included the proportion of inmates with drug offenses, the length of inmate stay, and the jail from which inmates originated. This study suggests that both new and long-term inmates act as sources of S. aureus strains, with the more virulent of the latter preferentially being selected as pathogens.
Control of cascaded multi-level inverters

A new type of multilevel inverter is introduced which is created by cascading two three-phase three-level inverters using the load connection, but requires only one dc voltage source. This new inverter can operate as a seven-level inverter and naturally splits the power conversion into a higher-voltage lower-frequency inverter and a lower-voltage higher-frequency inverter. This type of system presents particular advantages to Naval ship propulsion systems which rely on high power quality, survivable drives. New control methods are described involving both joint and separate control of the individual three-level inverters. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of both controls. A laboratory set-up at the Naval Surface Warfare Center power electronics laboratory was used to validate the proposed joint-inverter control. Due to the effect of compounding levels in the cascaded inverter, a high number of levels are available resulting in a voltage THD of 9% (without filtering).
Future Prospects of Biotechnology for Odor Control

The world’s populations are simultaneously growing and migrating to the cities. This produces rapid expansion of urban areas into the surrounding countryside where they encroach on land dedicated to waste treatment, industry, andagriculture.Farmersare seeking increasedefficiency throughmeasures that grow animals in dense concentrations nearer the point of consumption. Rapid development of newmaterials and new industries creates a host of exotic chemical discharges. Odors form the burgeoning fast food industry are a special problem – coffee and fried chicken may smell great when you are ready to eat, but the continuous smell of roasting beans or stale grease becomes offensive. All of these trendsmean that populations are more often living close to odorous facilities, and it means that odor control is an ever more pressing air quality problem. Cries from the farmers and treatment plant operators of “We were here first!” will have little effect. With respect toodors, ugliness is entirely in thenoseof thebeholder.Wehave evolved to recognize some compounds as associated with danger: the smell of human waste is offensive because those individuals who avoided contact with it were less likely to die of disease, and the smell of spoiled food prompts us to avoid eating meals that could threaten food poisoning. The perception that an odor is foul is the body’s way of telling the brain that it is best to go elsewhere. In modern society, we frequently encounter odors that no longer represent a health risk – it is not dangerous to be downwind of a dairy. But while the nose may not provide accurate warning of the presence or absence of a health risk in modern society, the evidence suggests that unpleasant odors can cause adverse physiological and neurogenic responses. The study by Schiffman et al. (2000) found that the most frequently reported health complaints related to odors include eye, nose, and throat irritation, headache, nausea, diarrhea, hoarseness, sore throat, cough, chest tightness, nasal congestion, palpitations, shortness of breath, stress, drowsiness, and alterations in mood. Certainly, unpleasant odors can cause human nuisance and physical discomfort. Noxious and foul odors also have economic consequences. Foul odors can reduce property values in affected neighborhoods from 15 to as much as 90% (Kleemeier et al. 2002;Weida andHatz 2002;Anstine 2003). Theoffensive odors
Intravesical Liposomal Tacrolimus Protects against Radiation Cystitis Induced by 3-Beam Targeted Bladder Radiation

Purpose: We primarily determined whether the small animal radiation research platform could create a rat radiation cystitis model via targeted bladder irradiation (phase I). The response to treating early phase radiation cystitis in rats with transurethral catheter instillation of liposomal tacrolimus was also examined (phase II).Materials and Methods: In phase I 16 adult female Sprague Dawley® rats were used. Metabolic urination patterns were analyzed before and after exposure to 20, 30 or 40 Gy radiation. In phase II irradiated rats were randomly assigned to receive a single instillation of saline or liposomal tacrolimus.Results: The 40 Gy radiation dose induced statistically significant reductions in the intermicturition interval compared to the lower radiation doses. By approximately 20 minutes 40 Gy radiation caused a significant decrease in the mean intermicturition interval (p <0.0001). Histological analysis revealed degenerative epithelial changes and urothelial swelling with evidence of pseudocar...
Antimicrobial peptide interactions with silica bead supported bilayers and E. coli: buforin II, magainin II, and arenicin†

Using the unique quantitative capabilities of hyperspectral confocal microscopy combined with multivariate curve resolution, a comparative approach was employed to gain a deeper understanding of the different types of interactions of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with biological membranes and cellular compartments. This approach allowed direct comparison of the dynamics and local effects of buforin II, magainin II, and arenicin with nanoporous silica bead supported bilayers and living E. coli. Correlating between experiments and comparing these responses have yielded several important discoveries for pursuing the underlying biophysics of bacteriocidal specificity and the connection between structure and function in various cellular environments. First, a novel fluorescence method for direct comparison of a model and living system is demonstrated by utilizing the membrane partitioning and environmental sensitivity of propidium iodide. Second, measurements are presented comparing the temporal dynamics and local equilibrium concentrations of the different antimicrobial agents in the membrane and internal matrix of the described systems. Finally, we discuss how the data lead to a deeper understanding of the roles of membrane penetration and permeabilization in the action of these AMPs.
Acute liver function decompensation in a patient with sickle cell disease managed with exchange transfusion and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography

Sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis is a relatively uncommon complication of homozygous sickle cell anemia, which may lead to acute hepatic failure and death. Treatment is mainly supportive, but exchange transfusion is used as salvage therapy in life threatening situations. We describe a case of a 16-year-old female with homozygous sickle cell anemia who presented to the emergency room with fatigue, malaise, dark urine, lower back pain, scleral icterus and jaundice. She was found to have marked hyperbilirubinemia, which persisted after exchange transfusion. Because of the concomitant presence of gallstones and choledocholithiasis, the patient underwent endoscopic ultrasound and laparoscopic cholecystectomy followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and sphincterotomy.
Localization of Trehalase in the Ascospores of Neurospora: Relation to Ascospore Dormancy and Germination

An association of trehalase with the innermost wall (endosporium) of ascospores of Neurospora is suggested, because this enzyme could be lyophilized in the presence of various wall components and heated in this dried state at 65 C without loss of activity. Ground ascospore walls, purified mycelial walls, a wall fraction consisting of protein, glucan and polygalactosamine, or bovine serum albumin stabilize trehalase under these conditions. No other substances tested protected as well as the above materials. Immunofluorescent labeling of trehalase shows that it is localized in the endosporium. Therefore, it is most probable that in dormant ascospores of Neurospora , trehalase, and its substrate, trehalose, are physically separated. Trehalose is located in the cytoplasm, whereas trehalase resides within the protein and carbohydrate matrix of the innermost major cell wall layer of the ascospore. The association with the cell wall protects the enzyme against the heating which is necessary to activate germination. Activation, whether by heat or chemical treatment (furfural), probably involves an increase in the permeability of the ascospore plasma membrane allowing trehalose to diffuse to the vicinity of its hydrolase, thereby providing the energy and intermediates for germination. Images
Toward Trustworthy Coordination of Web Services Business Activities

We present a lightweight Byzantine fault tolerance (BFT) algorithm, which can be used to render the coordination of web services business activities (WS-BA) more trustworthy. The lightweight design of the BFT algorithm is the result of a comprehensive study of the threats to the WS-BA coordination services and a careful analysis of the state model of WS-BA. The lightweight BFT algorithm uses source ordering, rather than total ordering, of incoming requests to achieve Byzantine fault tolerant, state-machine replication of the WS-BA coordination services. We have implemented the lightweight BFT algorithm, and incorporated it into the open-source Kandula framework, which implements the WS-BA specification with the WS-BA-I extension. Performance evaluation results obtained from the prototype implementation confirm the efficiency and effectiveness of our lightweight BFT algorithm, compared to traditional BFT techniques.
United States Vaccine Research: A Delicate Fabric of Public and Private Collaboration

In the last 20 years, two thirds of all new vaccines provided worldwide have been produced by a US network of independent industrial, governmental, and academic partners engaged in vaccine research and development. Vaccines are complex products and the science of vaccinology is difficult. To achieve the full promise of modern science and technology to prevent and treat disease by immunization, the delicate fabric of America's cooperative and collaborative vaccine research relationships must be sustained and strengthened. The major partners are the federal government; four large companies--two US-headquartered (Wyeth-Lederle Biologics and Vaccines and Merck & Co), two foreign firms (SmithKline Beecham and Pasteur Merieux Connaught); and academia. Of the $1.4 billion that fund US vaccine research and development annually, 46% comes from vaccine sales, 36% from taxpayers, and 18% from risk capital. Vaccine innovation could be strengthened by improved public and policy maker understanding of the vaccine development network; declarations of partnership; interactive dialog with federal advisory bodies; public forums for government and industry to listen to patients, providers, and researchers; sabbatical assignments between partners; mechanisms to share industries' market research with public immunization programs; continued active industry participation in the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the National Vaccine Advisory Committee; increased collaboration be tween industry and the National Institutes of Health for clinical research; harmonization of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices vaccine recommendations and the Food and Drug Administration package inserts; and public policies to foster the partnership's collaboration and robustness. The optimal size and configuration of the US vaccine enterprise should be debated only in the context of a full understanding of how the current system works and its record of effectiveness. These National Vaccine Advisory Committee recommendations are directed at developing public policies to foster and sustain vaccine innovation and ensure the timely introduction and supply of new vaccines needed by this nation and the world. Pediatrics 1997;100:1015-1020; vaccine, vaccine research and development, immunization.
Molecular Characterization of the Fragilysin Pathogenicity Islet of Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis

Enterotoxigenic strains of Bacteroides fragilis produce an extracellular metalloprotease toxin (termed fragilysin) which is cytopathic to intestinal epithelial cells and induces fluid secretion and tissue damage in ligated intestinal loops. We report here that the fragilysin gene is contained within a small genetic element termed the fragilysin pathogenicity islet. The pathogenicity islet of B. fragilis VPI 13784 was defined as 6,033 bp in length and contained nearly perfect 12-bp direct repeats near its ends. Sequencing across the ends of the pathogenicity islet from two additional enterotoxigenic strains, along with PCR analysis of 20 additional enterotoxigenic strains, revealed that the islet is inserted at a specific site on the B. fragilis chromosome. The site of integration in three nontoxigenic strains contained a 17-bp GC-rich sequence which was not present in toxigenic strains and may represent a target sequence for chromosomal integration. In addition to the fragilysin gene, we identified an open reading frame encoding a predicted protein with a size and structural features similar to those of fragilysin. The deduced amino acid sequence was 28.5% identical and 56.3% similar to fragilysin and contained a nearly identical zinc-binding motif and methionine-turn region.
Local tetrodotoxin blocks chronic stress effects on corticotropin-releasing factor and vasopressin messenger ribonucleic acids in hypophysiotropic neurons.

To test the hypothesis that synaptic inputs to the paraventricular nucleus mediate stress-induced increases in corticotropin-releasing peptide expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH), relative levels of the mRNAs encodingv corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) were followed, in situ, in animals subjected to chronic footshock stress and concurrent local administration of tetrodotoxin or vehicle. Consistent with previous findings, a 7-day exposure to chronic footshock resulted in a 2.1-fold increase in CRF mRNA levels in the parvocellular division of the PVH. The footshock paradigm also resulted in at least a 41% increase in AVP transcripts in this same region; this effect was localized predominantly to CRF-immunoreactive neurons. The Stressor did not significantly alter AVP mRNA levels in the magnocellular division of the PVH. Tetrodotoxin, administered to the PVH via osmotic minipump, blocked the stress-induced rise in CRF and AVP mRNAs, but had no significant effect on basal levels of these transcripts. The results support the view that maintenance of the enhanced central drive on pituitary-adrenal activity seen in response to chronic stress is mediated via neural inputs to the PVH.
CHARACTERISTICS OF γ-GLUTAMYL TRANSPEPTIDASE AND ALLIINASE OF ONION AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE ENHANCEMENT OF PYRUVATE FORMATION IN ONION MACERATES

The activity of alliinase monitored in onions stored for 32 weeks at ambient temperature (mean value of 20C) only slightly increased whereas the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase increased gradually. Purified alliinase and transpeptidase showed single protein bands on SDS-PAGE, with molecular weights between protein markers of 40-69 kDa and 116-205 kDa, respectively. Molecular weights of native transpeptidase and alliinase determined by Sephadex G-200 column chromatography were estimated to be 120 and 200 kDa, respectively. Transpeptidase and alliinase had isoelectric points of 5.2 and 4.8, pH optima of 9.0 and 7.5, temperature optimum of 40C and activation energies (Ea) of 15.8 and 16.6 kJ/mol, respectively. Inhibitor studies suggested that the conditions for optimal alliinase activity did not depress the activity of transpeptidase. Transpeptidase in conjunction with alliinase enhanced pyruvate production in onion macerates over and above that catalyzed by either enzyme alone.
Formation of HIV-1 Envelope-Hepatitis B Core Antigen Hybrids with High Affinity for CD4

We have identified an acceptor site on HIV gp120, where foreign protein sequences can be inserted while retaining the native conformation of gp120. The resulting hybrids showed dual antigenicity, normal glycosylation, and high affinity binding of the CD4 receptor. This site allows insertion of highly immunogenic proteins such as core antigen of hepatitis B virus. By combining the immunogenicity of the carrier protein with the antigenicity of gp120, these hybrids may lead to modified HIV-1 antigens with enhanced immunogenicity.
The glial-neuronal interactions and signaling: an introduction

It is a plausible hypothesis that glial cells participate in every brain transaction, normal and pathological. Even if we restrict ourselves, as we do for this discussion, to a single type of glial cell, astrocytes, the hypothesis remains reasonable based on current information. In fact, the real question is why this proposition would strike anyone working on the nervous system in 2004 as ‘extreme’. The reasons have been discussed recently and include pervasive neuron-centric attitudes and the slower pace of glial research compared to neuronal research (Ransom et al., 2003). While gliaphiles may be indignant that the truths which we hold self-evident are not universally appreciated, there is a greater concern. Continued skepticism, or ignorance, about the importance of astrocytes in brain functions among our ‘unconverted’ colleagues will slow scientific progress. This timely volume stakes out the new boundaries of our knowledge regarding astrocyte-neuron interactions. It highlights the emerging reality that neuroscientists, whatever their areas of interest might be, must consider how glial cells fit into the picture. Ignoring this principle puts one at risk of getting the ‘story’ wrong or, at least, at risk for telling it incompletely.
Learning to control a dynamic physical system

This paper presents an approach to learning to control a dynamic physical system. The approach has been implemented in a program named CART, and applied to a simple physical system studied previously by several researchers. Experiments illustrate that a control method is learned in about 16 trials, an improvement over previous learning programs.
Pregnancy and childbirth after total hip arthroplasty

We surveyed 343 young women with 420 total hip arthroplasties (THAs) regarding pregnancy and childbirth after THA. The mean age at surgery was 35 years (18 to 45). The mean length of follow-up after the initial arthroplasty was 16 years (6 to 27).Of these 343 women, 47 (13.7%) had a successful pregnancy after their primary THA. The first baby after a THA was delivered vaginally in 30 patients and by Caesarean section in 17. Of the 343 patients, 138 underwent a revision. For the entire series, the risk of revision at five years was 5%, at ten years 24%, and at 20 years 50%. After adjusting for age at surgical intervention, the risk of revision was not significantly associated with childbirth. Of the 47 patients who had a successful pregnancy, 28 (60%) noted an increase in pain in the hip during pregnancy and ten of these patients had persistent pain after their pregnancy. Seven patients complained of pain in the groin in the replaced hip after childbirth. At the time of this survey, five of these patients ...
The Lifeline of Chromos : Translation and Felipe Alfau

When Felipe Alfau’s novel Chromos was published in 1990, approximately fifty years after its creation, it was nominated for the National Book Award in the US and critics repeatedly commented on the novel’s unique language. For most critics, Alfau’s language was special because of the New York-based, Spanish-born author’s decision to write in English. Alfau’s profession as a bank translator has often been dismissed as having any relation with his literature save its disconnection from his creative writing. In this article, I argue that translation techniques are responsible for the extraordinary language of Chromos, and further, that the novel’s existence relies on the narrator’s role as a translator. Translation in Chromos is an integral and essential part of literary creation-- especially for an author working in a multilingual and multinational setting--to the extent that the novel, in its original version, impersonates a translation.
Gender Differences in Muscular Protection of the Knee

This chapter summarizes the differences between male and female athletes in the knee’s anatomical structure and neuromuscular system. There are multiple protective systems for the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during physical activity, including the knee’s anatomical structure and neuromuscular system. This system generates and limits the inherent qualities of the knee including laxity, stiffness, and strength. Parameters of this system that may be tested include proprioception, muscle reaction time, and muscle time to peak torque. Gender differences exist in neuromuscular indices, as well as in balance and hamstring-quadriceps recruitment patterns. However, the influence of these differences on ACL injury susceptibility remains uncertain. This is due to a lack of a clear understanding of the multifactorial mechanism of ACL injuries, especially in the female population, with newer evidence pointing toward structural, mechanical, and neuromuscular factors. Continued research in neuromuscular control is justified because unlike many anatomical and physiological factors, it is modifiable.
Story of Tufts : the "Logic" of Taxing Nonrecourse Transactions

This chapter presents the story behind the Supreme Court's famous 1983 decision in Tufts v. Commissioner. Although typically taught as a part of the introductory Federal Income Tax course, Tufts plays a substantial role in the partnership tax curriculum. Tufts resolved a long-standing issue (left open by the Court's famous footnote 37 in Crane), regarding the proper tax treatment of a disposition of property subject to non-recourse liabilities in excess of basis. The decision also provided the foundation for the Treasury's regulations dictating the treatment of nonrecourse deductions by partnerships. While the Supreme Court's handling of the issue in Tufts seems appealingly logical and symmetrical, in fact the Court left a number of important questions unanswered, and actually created a major dichotomy in the treatment of property secured by recourse vs. nonrecourse indebtedness. This essay explores the background of the case, examines the court's decision in detail, and considers the issues and questions left unanswered by the Tufts court. This paper will be published as a chapter in a book entitled Business Tax Stories, to be published by Foundation Press later this year (2005).
Designing a Self-Replicating Robotic Manufacturing Factory

This paper presents a Multiagent Systems based design approach for designing a self-replicating robotic manufacturing factory in space. Self-replicating systems are complex and require the coordination of many tasks which are difficult to control. This paper presents an innovative concept using Multiagent Systems to design a robotic factory for space exploration. Specifically presented is an approach for coordinating a conceptual model of a self-replicating system. The arrival of a set of agents on an unknown planet is simulated, whereby these simple agents will expand into a self-replicating factory using the regolith gathered from the surface of the planet. NASA is currently investing in space exploration missions that consider using the resources on the surface of other planets, asteroids or satellites. The challenge of the project is in the implementation of a learning algorithm that allows a large number of different agents to complete simultaneous tasks in order to maximize productivity. The simulation in this work is able to present the coordination of the agents during the construction of the factory as the parameters of the learning algorithm are changed. System performance is measured with a pre-programmed method, using local and difference rewards. The results show the advantage of using a learning algorithm to better build the robotic factory.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
The functional response of alginate-gelatin-nanocrystalline cellulose injectable hydrogels toward delivery of cells and bioactive molecules.

Abstract Hybrid injectable hydrogels comprising of alginate, gelatin, and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) were conceived and processed through adaptation of interpenetrated network of alginate-gelatin, ionic crosslinking of alginate, and supramolecular interaction approach. The design of hybrid hydrogels was based on the hypothesis that it provides an environment that is favorable for cell proliferation, exchange of nutrients via porous structure, and are characterized by mechanical properties that closely resemble the native tissue. This aspect is important for the delivery of cells or biomolecules in bone tissue engineering. The hybrid hydrogels exhibited moderate swelling behavior on formation, and the porous structure of hydrogels as imaged via SEM was envisaged to facilitate easy migration of cells and rapid transportation of biomolecules. The hybrid hydrogels exhibited desired mechanical properties and were biocompatible as confirmed though MTT assay of fibroblasts. Interestingly, osteoblasts cultured within hydrogel using bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 demonstrated the capability for encapsulation of cells and induced cell differentiation. The nanocrystalline cellulose significant impacted degradation and interaction between hydrogels and cells. Statement of Significance The study fundamentally explores a hypothesis driven novel hybrid hydrogel that provides an environment for favorable growth and proliferation of cells, exchange of nutrients and mechanical properties that closely match the native tissue.
Maruyama, Masao (1914–96)

Maruyama Masao described himself as a “man with no talent other than scholarship” whose ‘main business’ was the study of East Asian, especially Japanese, political thought. As such he belongs among the most influential Japanese historians of the twentieth century. But the history he lived had also compelled him to open what he called a ‘night stall’ as a political scientist, activist intellectual, and perhaps the preeminent imaginer of democracy in Japan since 1945. Characterized variously as a modernist, national democrat, or simply as a liberal, Maruyama elicited both inspiration and criticism from across the ideological spectrum.
Xanthine oxidase decreases production of gut wall nitric oxide

Multiorgan failure is often the lethal outcome of intratracheal aspiration of acidic gastric juice. The pathogenesis of multiorgan failure may involve a systemic imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors. In an anesthe- tized rat model, intratracheal instillation of HCI elicited intestinal inflammation which was exaggerated by xanthine oxidase (XO) and attenuated by nitric oxide (NO). We hypothesized that XO may mediate injury in part by suppression of NO formation. Therefore, we measured intestinal tissue concentrations of the stable NO oxidative metabolites (NO2- and NO,-) following intratracheal (IT) instillation of NaCl or HCI alone or in combination with interventions aimed at increasing or decreasing XO activity. Compared with IT NaCl (control treatment) jejunal tissue NO2- and NO2- + NO,- concentrations were increased by allopurinol pretreatment, which inhibits XO, and were decreased by systemically administered XO, as well as by IT HCI. The de- creased NO2- and NO2- + NO,- concentrations found following IT HCI were completely reversed by either allopurinol or by systemically administered L-arginine (the precur- sor of NO). We conclude that manipulation of the pro-inflammatory XO system has a reciprocal effect on the intestinal anti-inflammatory NO system in either the undam- aged or the endobronchially acidified lung model. (P.S.E.B.M. 1997, Vol 2161
Nanostructured Si / TiB2 Composite Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries

Silicon and titanium boride nanocomposites were synthesized using high-energy mechanical milling. The nanocomposites obtained after mechanical milling consist of amorphous silicon and nanocrystalline titanium boride. The nanocomposite containing 40 mol % silicon obtained after milling for 20 h exhibits a stable capacity of ∼400 mAh/g. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses indicated that the nanocomposite retains its initial phase and microstructure during electrochemical cycling. Premilling of the inactive TiB 2 component appears to increase the stability of the capacity of the nanocomposite electrodes due to a probable homogeneous distribution of the induced stress during cycling.
Mismatch and temperature compensation for subthreshold seismic sensor system

Unattended ground sensors (UGS) are widely used for persistent, surveillance that detects potential threats from intruders without generating false alarms. Battery life is the limiting factor for solutions using digital processing. A 40nW subthreshold analog CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) chip is fabricated and tested, that wakes up a threat classifying stage. Subthreshold circuits are prone to mismatches and temperature variations, and methods to reduce them are also proposed promising a sturdy UGS. The chip is compared with a previous generation all digital system, consuming 160,000 times less power.
The child with spells.

This article discusses some of the nonepileptic paroxysms that mimic seizures, including nonepileptic neurologic paroxysms, nonepileptic–non-neurologic syndromes, behavioral and psychiatric conditions, syncope, and gastroesophageal reflux.
Women-owned family businesses in Africa: Entrepreneurs changing the face of progress

Women entrepreneurs are a major economic driver in Africa. The rate of women’s entrepreneurship in Africa is higher than any other region of the world. This chapter focuses on women-owned family businesses and their opportunities, challenges, and future. Studies on women-owned family businesses in Africa are divided into South Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, West Africa, and North Africa, and then by country. By examining specific conditions and support systems in each area of Africa, a better understanding of the African situation for women-owned family businesses emerges. Implications for the further development of policies to promote women-owned family businesses are put forth to better understand the barriers women entrepreneurs face with their own families as well as with the environment they operate in and the solutions that work best. In conclusion, women-owned family businesses in Africa have the highest potential in the world, and with further assistance, that potential will become a reality.
Improving Pathologists’ Communication Skills

The 2015 Institute of Medicine report on diagnostic error has placed a national spotlight on the importance of improving communication among clinicians and between clinicians and patients [1]. The report emphasizes the critical role that communication plays in patient safety and outlines ways that pathologists can support this process. Despite recognition of communication as an essential element in patient care, pathologists currently undergo limited (if any) formal training in communication skills. To address this gap, we at the University of Washington Medical Center developed communication training with the goal of establishing best practice procedures for effective pathology communication. The course includes lectures, role playing, and simulated clinician-pathologist interactions for training and evaluation of pathology communication performance. Providing communication training can help create reliable communication pathways that anticipate and address potential barriers and errors before they happen.
Who is afraid of the Ebola outbreak? The influence of discrete emotions on risk perception

The appraisal tendency framework (ATF) suggests that discrete emotions mediate the relationship between cognitive appraisals and behaviors. Based on the ATF, this study analyzed and found that fear...
Configuration Management Security in Data Center Environments

Modern data centers need to manage complex, multi-level hardware and software infrastructures in order to provide a wide array of services flexibly and reliably. The emerging trends of virtualization and outsourcing further increase the scale and complexity of this management. In this chapter, we focus on the configuration management issues and expose a variety of attack and misconfiguration scenarios, and discuss some approaches to making configuration management more robust. We also discuss a number of challenges in identifying the vulnerabilities in configurations, handling configuration management in the emerging cloud computing environments, and in hardening the configurations against hacker attacks.
Organizational hybridity: A conceptualization of how sport for development and peace organizations respond to divergent institutional demands

An abundance of institutional logics is associated with the area of Sport for Development and Peace (SDP). Unfortunately, the ways in which SDP entities respond to conflicting institutional demands has received little scholarly attention. Therefore, the author examines the concept of organizational hybridity and its applicability in SDP. The divergent nature between institutional logics allow for organizational actors to reconfigure elements into new creative hybrid arrangements. Drawing on relevant literature from related disciplines, the author identifies and examines four theoretical types of hybrids in the SDP context: differentiated, symbolic, integrated, and dysfunctional. The internal dynamics and managerial implications associated with each hybrid type are further examined. In addition, a research agenda for how future scholarship can draw on this concept to generate new knowledge of these types of sport organizations is also outlined.