cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MHC class II A genes in the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).

In order to characterize the Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II A genes of the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) a cDNA library was screened and PCR was performed. Four different full-length cDNA sequences for MHC class II A genes were obtained from a clonal B cell line derived from an outbred fish. Two different genomic sequences and corresponding cDNAs were obtained from a presumably homozygous gynogenetic catfish. The A genes have five exons and four phase one introns. The first exon encodes the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) and leader peptide; the second and third exons encode the α1 and α2 domains, respectively. The connecting peptide, transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, as well as part of the 3′ UTR, are encoded by the fourth exon and the rest of the 3′ UTR is encoded by the fifth exon. Southern blot analyses using an exon three probe revealed two to four hybridizing fragments with considerable restriction fragment length polymorphisms evident among randomly selected outbred channel catfish. These findings are consistent with the presence of at least two functional polymorphic MHC class II A gene loci. An unusual aspect of the channel catfish MHC class II α chain is its lack of N-linked glycosylation sites.
EFFECTS OF A MEMBRANE DESOLVATOR ON THE ANALYTICAL PERFORMANCE OF A 120 W HELIUM MICROWAVE-INDUCED PLASMA : AQUEOUS DESOLVATION

The effect of a flat-sheet membrane desolvator (FSMD) on the analytical performance of a low-power (120 W) He-MIP (helium microwave-induced plasma) is examined. Ultrasonic nebulization with conventional desolvation of an aqueous solution resulted in a dull, red, unstable plasma that was extinguished if the carrier gas flow rate was greater than 1.2 L/min. Using the FSMD with this system resulted in an enhancement of the plasma stability and a significant reduction of the reddish emission from hydrogen atoms. Also, without the FSMD, only weak chlorine emission signals were observed when 1000 ppm aqueous Cl solution was nebulized, but with the FSMD intense chlorine signals were observed with a detection limit of 1.0 mu g/mL. Sensitivity improvement factors for Cu, B, P, Cd, and Pb ranged from 1.5 to 20. Greater improvements were seen for "harder to excite" elements.
Paramagnetic Relaxation of Some Non-Kramers Rare-Earth Ethyl Sulfates

The Van Vleck orbit-lattice interaction appropriate for the ethyl sulfate crystal has been applied to estimate the relaxation rates of Pr 3+ in YES and LaES, Tb 3+ in YES, and Ho 3+ in YES and HoES. The estimates based on our theory along with the phonon bottleneck effect are in good agreement with the experimental data.
Cross-linking of salmonella isopropylmalate synthase with dimethyl suberimidate: Evidence for antagonistic effects of leucine and acetyl-CoA on the quaternary structure☆

Abstract Reaction of α-isopropylmalate synthase from Salmonella typhimurium with the bifunctional cross-linking reagent dimethyl suberimidate and subsequent sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis results in the appearance of four protein species with molecular weights of about 50,000, 100,000, 150,000, and 200,000. In the absence of ligands, the pattern consists predominantly of tetramers and dimers (“native” pattern). This pattern is changed to one of dimers and monomers in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of leucine. Acetyl-CoA, known to kinetically compete with leucine, restores the “native” pattern. On the basis of previous findings, the results are discussed in terms of “frozen” equilibria.
A Next-Generation High-Speed Data Acquisition System for Multichannel Infrared and Optical Photometry

We report the design, operation, and performance of a next‐generation high‐speed data acquisition system for multichannel infrared and optical photometry based on the modern technologies of field programmable gate arrays, the Peripheral Component Interconnect bus, and the Global Positioning System. This system allows either direct recording of photon arrival times or binned photon counting with time resolution up to 1 μs precision in Universal Time, as well as real‐time data monitoring and analysis. The system also allows simultaneous recording of multichannel observations with very flexible, reconfigurable observational modes. We present successful 20 μs resolution simultaneous observations of the Crab Nebula pulsar in the infrared (H band) and optical (V band) wave bands obtained with this system and 100 μs resolution V‐band observations of the dwarf nova IY UMa with the 5 m Hale telescope at the Palomar Observatory.
REMARKS ON CHARLES WEI‐HSUN FU, ‘CONFUCIANISM, MARXISM‐LENINISM AND MAO: A CRITICAL STUDY’

Many of Professor Fu's criticisms of Marxism-Leninism are based on a misunderstanding of the world view and method of dialectics. Most of the remarks that follow are efforts to clear up the position of dialectics on the issues raised.
Effects of inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake on contraction in myocytes isolated from failing human ventricle

Objectives: There has been debate regarding the level of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ ATPase protein in heart failure. We have used the SR Ca2+ ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin to investigate the functional contribution of this uptake system to contraction and relaxation in myocytes from failing and non-failing human ventricle. Methods: Myocytes were isolated from 28 failing and 18 non-failing ventricles and stimulated at 0.2 Hz, 32°C in Krebs-Henseleit solution. Contraction amplitude and speed were compared before and after treatment with 1 μmol/l thapsigargin for 20 min to deplete SR Ca2+ stores. Results: Initial beat duration was longer in myocytes from failing hearts. Addition of thapsigargin significantly prolonged the beat in myocytes from both groups, but the increase was greater in non-failing hearts (beat duration increased by 0.79 ± 0.12 s in myocytes from non-failing hearts compared with 0.37 ± 0.12 s in those from failing, P < 0.02). The contraction amplitude increased at high stimulation frequencies in myocytes from non-failing hearts (from 2.6% shortening at 0.1 Hz to 4.6% at 1 Hz, P < 0.001, n = 9), but not in those from failing hearts (1.8% at 0.1 Hz compared with 1.7% at 1 Hz, n = 5). Thapsigargin abolished the positive staircase in the non-failing, but had no effect in the failing group. Contraction amplitude following a rest interval was significantly depressed relative to steady-state levels in myocytes from the non-failing hearts (44.8 ± 10.3% at 3 min), but not in failing (102 ± 18%, P < 0.01 compared to non-failing at 3 min). Following thapsigargin treatment, there were no longer significant differences between failing and non-failing myocytes in the time course of the beat, frequency response or post-rest behaviour. Conclusion: The differences between myocytes from failing and non-failing hearts were reduced by inhibition of SR function. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the initial differences had been due to decreased SR Ca2+ uptake.
Comparison of high-resolution wax-embedded and pneumatically coupled borehole seismic detectors

High-quality seismic measurements at frequencies up to about 2000Hz are needed if projected resolution limits on the order of I m in spatial dimension are to be realized in reservoir structure delineation, cross-well sonic logging, and shallow reverse VSP applications. While sources and detectors are critical to this goal, we have investigated detector requirements in an objective way to demonstrate a successful design philosophy capable of achieving unprecedented wide­ band frequency response and data quality in three­ component shallow-borehole sensors. Two prototype detectors were developed: a nearly ideal responding wax-embedded "reference" detector and a pneumati­ cally coupled detector exhibiting closely comparable performance. Our approach uses a three-axis acceler­ ometer sensor assembly installed in a borehole drilled through the weathered surface to a depth at which the
Duplicating Moody's Municipal Credit Ratings:

In this article we have shown that it is possible to duplicate with fairly high accuracy the credit ratings recently published in Moody's Analytical Overview of 25 Leading U.S. Cities. Using multiple discriminant analysis and a set of nine discriminating variables, we can predict the distribution of cities among five credit rating categories with 83% accuracy and among two aggregated cate gorres with 95% accuracy. Our accuracy rate is much higher than that of pre vious studies in this field. However, we wish to offer a note of caution in re porting our results. The sample we worked with was relatively small. We used it because it seemed to us that the publication of Moody's Analytical Overview provided a unique set of comparable intercity financial data and therefore a new opportunity to attempt a duplication of their ratings. We are pleased with the predictive accuracy we achieve but feel that before we can be sure that our techniques are reliable, future research using a larger sample and perhaps a grea...
Use of the amphibious warfare model to evaluate the cost effectiveness of alternative Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicles

The Marine Corps' current amphibious vehicle will reach the end of its service life around the turn of the century. Therefore, the Marines are planning the design and development of a replacement, designated the Advanced Amphibious Assault (AAA) system. This article describes the methodology and results of a cost and effectiveness analysis performed to support a milestone decision in this program. The analysis first examined the performance of the alternative systems, and then evaluated the overall effectiveness of forces equipped with the alternative systems. The force effectiveness was accomplished using a dynamic, two-sided, air-land-naval warfare model known as the amphibious warfare model. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.1
Process defect trends and strategic test gaps

Lithography challenges are beginning to replace ‘FAB dirt’ as the more challenging source of defects to detect and screen at test. These new defects often cause marginal behaviors, not gross failures, with subtle signatures that differ significantly from both traditional defects and from parametric process variation. Testing for subtle marginalities in effectively random locations exposes important gaps in prevalent test strategies: the strongest marginality screens focus on fixed locations, and the strongest random defect screens look for grosser signatures. These trends and gaps will drive critical new requirements for fault modeling, test generation and test application, and implementing them effectively will require a new level of collaboration between process and product developers.
The moment of inertia and isostasy of Mars

The systematic and large deviation of the gravitational equipotential surface (EPS) of Mars from a spheroid of revolution suggests a description of Mars in terms of a spheroid nearly in isostatic equilibrium with an extra mass in the Tharsis region. The displacement from Mars and the shape of the spheroid are calculated by using this description and a Mars gravity model. The EPS is represented as a contour map of its height above the spheroid. This representation provides the first clear demonstration that the Hellas depression coincides with a depression in the EPS. The disequilibrium contribution of Tharsis to the coefficient J2 of the second-degree harmonics of gravitational potential of Mars is estimated to be (126 + or - 5) times 10 to the minus 6th. The optical flattening and dynamic flattening calculated on this basis are in substantially better agreement than are those calculated in the usual way.
Reissert compound studies. XL. The first monocyclic reissert compounds

Pyridazine and pyrimidine have been reacted with trimethylsilyl cyanide and benzoyl chloride to give the first examples of Reissert compounds derived from monocyclic systems.
The rise and globalisation of the Indian IT industry: dual case study of Wipro Technologies and Infosys

This paper discusses the rise and globalisation of the Indian IT industry with emphasis on software and services. First we review the driving forces that led to success and present an in-depth dual case study of Wipro Technologies and Infosys. We then discuss the position of the six major Indian IT companies compared to their four major competitors in the USA, and their competition from developing countries, specifically Pakistan. We develop two possible complementary strategies, organic and inorganic, for future progress: We conclude with a probable scenario of development of the Indian IT industry during the next decade.
Mechanisms of pulsating combustion during synthesis of advanced materials

Gasless combustion is a specific type of combustion, where all initial reactants, as well as intermediate and final products, remain in condensed (solid or liquid) state. This process is of great interest because of its prospective applications in combustion synthesis of advanced materials. The stability of combustion wave propagation is an important factor in determining the quality of materials produced by combustion synthesis. In this work, a digital high-speed microscopic video recording method is used for direct observation and quantitative characterization of pulsating combustion in several gasless systems. The experimental data quantitatively describe, for the first time, oscillations of local instantaneous velocity at length scale about 10 μm and time scale ∼10;minus;3 s. Three systems investigated were: Ta-C, Nb-B, and Ti-C. Two new mechanisms of pulsating combustion were identified: crack-induced oscillations occur in Nb + B and Ta + C systems, while ignition-extinction oscillations take place during reaction in Ti + xC system.
Noncanonical Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) Signaling in Cranial Neural Crest Cells Causes Tongue Muscle Developmental Defects

Microglossia is a congenital birth defect in humans and adversely impacts quality of life. In vertebrates, tongue muscle derives from the cranial mesoderm, whereas tendons and connective tissues in the craniofacial region originate from cranial neural crest (CNC) cells. Loss of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) type II receptor in CNC cells in mice (Tgfbr2fl/fl;Wnt1-Cre) causes microglossia due to a failure of cell-cell communication between cranial mesoderm and CNC cells during tongue development. However, it is still unclear how TGFβ signaling in CNC cells regulates the fate of mesoderm-derived myoblasts during tongue development. Here we show that activation of the cytoplasmic and nuclear tyrosine kinase 1 (ABL1) cascade in Tgfbr2fl/fl;Wnt1-Cre mice results in a failure of CNC-derived cell differentiation followed by a disruption of TGFβ-mediated induction of growth factors and reduction of myogenic cell proliferation and differentiation activities. Among the affected growth factors, the addition of fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) and neutralizing antibody for follistatin (FST; an antagonist of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)) could most efficiently restore cell proliferation, differentiation, and organization of muscle cells in the tongue of Tgfbr2fl/fl;Wnt1-Cre mice. Thus, our data indicate that CNC-derived fibroblasts regulate the fate of mesoderm-derived myoblasts through TGFβ-mediated regulation of FGF and BMP signaling during tongue development. Background: TGFβ signaling is required in cranial neural crest (CNC) cells during tongue development. Results: TGFβ-mediated ABL1 activation in CNC cells results in altered Fgf4 and Fst gene expression and a failure of muscle development. Conclusion: TGFβ activates the ABL1 pathway in the absence of TGFβ receptor type II (TβRII) during tongue development. Significance: Activation of noncanonical TGFβ signaling causes microglossia.
Thrombostasin isoform frequency in a Central Texas field population of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans ☆ ☆☆

Thrombostasin is an anti-thrombin factor that plays a role in successful feeding of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans. It has been isolated and characterized from saliva, and polymorphisms in the gene coding sequence have been previously reported. In the present study, the thrombostasin gene was analyzed from 60, field-collected flies from Camp Stanley, Texas and the allele and genotype frequencies were compared with previously published data for an Alabama field collection and a Texas in vitro colony-reared collection. Significant differences in genotype frequency and extent of genotypic diversity observed between the Alabama and Camp Stanley field collections may be attributable to host genetic differences. In addition, bull calves that were phenotyped as either high- or low-carriers were parasitized by horn flies that displayed a significantly different genotype distribution, supporting a possible explanation for horn fly host selection behavior, as evidenced by thrombostasin sequence analysis of 95 additional horn flies collected from respective hosts.
Screening and Evaluation of Alum and Polymer Combinations as Coagulation/Flocculation Aids to Treat Effluents from Intensive Aquaculture Systems

As the application of intensive aquaculture systems continues to grow worldwide, so does the need for environmentally sound waste management and waste disposal techniques. The use of coagulants and flocculants to assist in removing suspended solids has long been a standard in the waste treatment field. Recently, The Conservation Funds Freshwater Institute has continued its research into coagulation/flocculation aids by examining the performance of alum coupled with various commercially available polymers. Alum is efficient in sequestering phosphorus through chemical precipitation and coagulation of fine solids through charge neutralization. Synthetic polymers are efficient in flocculating small particles together but do not efficiently remove dissolved phosphorus. The specific intention of this work was to use the qualities that distinguish both the alum and the polymer individually and combine the two to optimize wastewater treatment for the removal of both suspended solids and phosphorus. The alum/polymer combinations were first screened to determine which polymers worked best with our waste and with the alum. Once the screening was completed, the six best performing combinations were further evaluated with triplicate tests in a jar test apparatus to determine a standard optimal dosage based on phosphorus and suspended solids removal. Using a combination of alum/polymer, the effluent total suspended solids (TSS) removal rate was close to 99%, with final TSS values ranging from 4 to 20 mg/L. Reactive phosphorus was reduced by 92 to 99% to as low as 0.16 mg/L-P. Finally, total phosphorus was also significantly reduced (98%), with treated effluent concentrations from 0.9 to 3.0 mg/L-P. Although not intended for nitrogen removal, total ammonia-nitrogen (TAN), nitrite-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, and total nitrogen in the effluent were reduced on average by 64, 50, 68, and 87%, respectively. Removal rates for both 5 d carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were also significant, with an average value of 97.3 and 96.4%.
Stimuli responsive surfaces through recognition-mediated polymer modification

Specific three-point hydrogen bonding between diamidopyridine (DAP) and thymine (Thy) was employed to reversibly anchor "brush-like" Tri-DAP end-functionalized polystyrene onto Thy-modified silica surfaces.
Temporal course of motor recovery after Brown-Sequard spinal cord injuries

Recovery of voluntary motor function after incomplete spinal cord injuries is attributed to a variety of physiological mechanisms, such as resolution of conduction block in injured axons, and neuroplasticity mechanisms in spared axons. To better understand these recovery mechanisms, we have examined motor recovery in one type of incomplete cord injury, the Brown-Sequard Syndrome. This syndrome is observed in patients with unilateral injury of the spinal cord and is manifested as asymmetric weakness and painjtemperature sensory loss contralateral to the weakest extremity. We have followed the course of motor recovery in two patients and reviewed the literature in an additional 59. Common features of this motor recovery include: 1) recovery of ipsilateralproximal extensor muscles before ipsilateral distal flexors, 2) recovery of any weakness in the extremity with pain / temperature sensory loss before the opposite extremity, and 3) recovery of voluntary motor strength and a functional gait by 1 to 6 months. We discuss these observations with respect to three hypotheses to explain motor recovery and suggest that neuroplasticity mechanisms functioning in spared descending axons may mediate much of the observed recovery after Brown-Sequard cord lesions.
A zwitterionic nickel–olefin initiator for the preparation of high molecular weight polyethylene

The reaction of the sodium 3-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)-but-1-en-2-olato with Ni(PMe 3 ) 2 (η 1 -CH 2 C 6 H 5 )Cl provides 3-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)-but-1-en-2-olato(η 1 -benzyl)(trimethylphosphine) nickel ( 1 ), which was structurally characterized. The addition of 2 equiv. of B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 to 1 results in the formation of 2-tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate-3-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)-but-1-ene(η 3 -benzyl)nickel ( 2 ), in which the borane coordinates to the O site of the ligand and forces binding of the olefin unit to the nickel center. The solid-state structure of 2 shows a zwitterionic structure with substantial positive charge at the nickel center. Compound 2 can be used to initiate the homopolymerization of ethylene to yield high molecular weight polyethylene.
H I observations of SA 68-6597 : The faintest blue compact dwarf galaxy

Blue compact dwarf galaxies (BCDs) are faint (MB ≤ -17 mag), compact (R < 1 kpc), and at least qualitatively very blue galaxies, due to active star formation, and have low metallicities. Found serendipitously as part of a redshift survey of faint galaxies with the Keck Telescope (DEEP), SA 68-6597 is at a distance of 80 Mpc, and is one of the faintest (-12.4 mag), lowest metallicity (~0.05 Z☉) BCDs known. Its Hβ line width of σ = 27 km s-1 and small size, Reff ~ 190 pc, suggest that it is an extremely low mass galaxy. We have used the Arecibo telescope to measure the H I properties of SA 68-6597 in order to better constrain its total mass and its potential for future star formation. SA 68-6597 has a M = (1.4 ± 0.4) × 107 M☉ and an H I FWHM line width of 33. Combining the H I line width with an estimate of the size of the H I disk, we derive a Mdyn 3 × 107 M☉. The values M/LB = 1.0 ± 0.3 M☉/L☉, Mdyn/LB ≥ 2 M☉/L☉, and M/Mdyn 0.47 are typical for BCDs. Combining the measured star formation rate of 0.003 M☉ yr-1 with the H I mass, we derive a gas depletion timescale of 5 ± 2 Gyr. While SA 68-6597 is a fainter, lower mass, higher metallicity counterpart to other BCDs like I Zw 18 and SBS 0335-052, its H I properties suggest that it will not evolve dramatically in the near future. Given the limits on its gaseous and dynamical masses, SA 68-6597 may be able to evolve into a moderately massive dwarf spheroidal galaxy.
Visualizing short-range charge transfer at the interfaces between ferromagnetic and superconducting oxides

The interplay between antagonistic superconductivity and ferromagnetism has been a interesting playground to explore the interaction between competing ground states. Although this effect in systems of conventional superconductors is better understood, the framework of the proximity effect at complex-oxide-based superconductor/ferromagnet interfaces is not so clear. The main difficulty originates from the lack of experimental tools capable of probing the interfaces directly with high spatial resolution. Here we harness cross-sectional scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy together with atomic-resolution electron microscopy to understand the buried interfaces between cuprate and manganite layers. The results show that the fundamental length scale of the electronic evolution between YBa2Cu3O7 � d (YBCO) and La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 (LCMO) is confined to the subnanometre range. Our findings provide a complete and direct microscopic picture of the electronic transition across the YBCO/LCMO interfaces, which is an important step towards understanding the competition between ferromagnetism and superconductivity in complex-oxide heterostructures.
Characterization of rat ventral prostatic epithelial cells in collagen gel culture

The characterization of rat ventral prostatic epithelial cells grown in collagen gel culture was undertaken to determine the usefulness of this culture technique for the study of prostatic growth and differentiation in vitro. The results of these studies demonstrate that embedding prostatic epithelial cells in a matrix of collagen gel permitted rapid proliferation and maintenance of the cells for a prolonged period of time in a state that showed remarkable structural resemblance and physiological responsiveness to that found in vivo. Three-dimensional outgrowths from dissociated single epithelial cells and/or small aggregates of epithelial cells were obtained which resembled structures actually found within the prostate gland, as determined by histological and visual examination of the cellular growths present within the gels. In addition, the responsiveness of the cells in the collagen gel cultures to various hormonal additives, including insulin, testosterone, prolactin, and estradiol correlated closely to the manner in which these cells have been shown to respond in vivo. The general characteristics of growth of the cells in the collagen gel cultures, the effect of various sera and different pH levels upon growth, and the ability of the cells to produce acid phosphatase were also investigated.
Protein N-glycosylation in oral cancer: Dysregulated cellular networks among DPAGT1, E-cadherin adhesion and canonical Wnt signaling

N-Linked glycosylation (N-glycosylation) of proteins has long been associated with oncogenesis, but not until recently have the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship begun to be unraveled. Here, we review studies describing how dysregulation of the N-glycosylation-regulating gene, DPAGT1, drives oral cancer. DPAGT1 encodes the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the assembly of the lipid-linked oligosaccharide precursor in the endoplasmic reticulum and thus mediates N-glycosylation of many cancer-related proteins. DPAGT1 controls N-glycosylation of E-cadherin, the major epithelial cell-cell adhesion receptor and a tumor suppressor, thereby affecting intercellular adhesion and cytoskeletal dynamics. DPAGT1 also regulates and is regulated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling, impacting the balance between proliferation and adhesion in homeostatic tissues. Thus, aberrant induction of DPAGT1 promotes a positive feedback network with Wnt/β-catenin that represses E-cadherin-based adhesion and drives tumorigenic phenotypes. Further, modification of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) with N-glycans is known to control their surface presentation via the galectin lattice, and thus increased DPAGT1 expression likely contributes to abnormal activation of RTKs in oral cancer. Collectively, these studies suggest that dysregulation of the DPAGT1/Wnt/E-cadherin network underlies the etiology and pathogenesis of oral cancer.
Schistosome Infection Stimulates Host CD4+ T Helper Cell and B-Cell Responses against a Novel Egg Antigen, Thioredoxin Peroxidase

Egg granuloma formation during schistosome infections is mediated by CD4+ T helper (Th) cells sensitized to egg antigens; however, most of the relevant sensitizing egg antigens are still unknown. Here we show that schistosome thioredoxin peroxidase (TPx)-1 is a novel T- and B-cell egg antigen in schistosome-infected mice. CD4+ Th cell responses to fractionated egg components identified a significant response against a 26-kDa antigen; a partial amino acid sequence of this antigen was found to be identical to that of Schistosoma mansoni TPx-1. The native TPx-1 elicited significant proliferative responses as well as gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and IL-5 secretion in CD4+ cells from 8.5-week-infected CBA and C57BL/6 mice. By comparison, recombinant TPx-1 elicited a smaller, more type 1-polarized response, with significant production of IFN-γ and IL-2, less IL-5, and essentially no IL-4. In C57BL/6 mice the responses to TPx-1 were relatively more prominent than that directed against the major egg antigen, Sm-p40, whereas in CBA mice the reverse was true. B-cell responses were also monitored in infected C57BL/6, C3H, CBA, and BALB/c mice. All strains had significant antibody levels against the TPx-1 protein, but the most significant antibody production ensued following parasite oviposition. TPx-1 was localized in eggs and shown to be secreted by eggs. The identification of egg antigens is important to understand the specific basis of granuloma formation in schistosome infections and may prove to be useful in strategies to ameliorate pathological responses.
Extraretinal photoreception in chickens: entrainment of the circadian locomotor activity rhythm.

— The Circadian locomotor activity rhythm of blinded chickens entrained to, or was synchron ized by, light in light dark cycles.
Evolution of the SCORE framework to enhance field-based performance evaluations of emerging technologies

NIST has developed the System, Component, and Operationally-Relevant Evaluations (SCORE) framework as a formal guide for designing evaluations of emerging technologies. SCORE captures both technical performance and end-user utility assessments of systems and their components within controlled and realistic environments. Its purpose is to present an extensive (but not necessarily exhaustive) picture of how a system would behave in a realistic operating environment. The framework has been applied to numerous evaluation efforts over the past three years producing valuable quantitative and qualitative metrics. This paper will present the building blocks of the SCORE methodology including the system goals and design criteria that drive the evaluation design process. An evolution of the SCORE framework in capturing utility assessments at the capability level of a system will also be presented. Examples will be shown of SCORE's successful application to the evaluation of the soldier-worn sensor systems and two-way, free-form spoken language translation technologies.
Cloning and characterization of fxp, the flexible pilin gene of Aeromonas hydrophila

Summary The flexible pilus of Aeromonas hydrophila is a morphologically and biochemically unique organelle which binds eukaryotic cell surfaces and whose expression is induced by specific physiochemical conditions, fxp, the structural gene coding for the flexible pilus subunit, was localized on a 7.6 kb plasmid of A. hydrophila strain AH26. A putative Shine-Dalgarno sequence and -10 and -35 regions were identified, a signal peptide sequence delineated, and the coding sequence compared with other bacterial sequences and found to be unique. Plasmid and chromosomal DNA was prepared from 66 other Aeromonas strains and 12 strains from other bacterial genera and examined by Southern blot hybridization using a labelled fxp oligonucleotide and the 7.6 kb plasmid as probes. No hybridizing sequences were identified except in the original strain, AH26. It is proposed that fxp codes for a highly evolved organelle, possibly widely distributed in nature, but that it is carried on a genetic element that is rapidly lost from most strains upon in vitro cultivation and storage.
New Concepts in Phospholipase D Signaling in Inflammation and Cancer

Phospholipase D (PLD) catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine to generate the lipid second messenger phosphatidic acid (PA) and choline. PLD regulation in cells falls into two major signaling categories. One is via growth factors/mitogens, such as EGF, PDGF, insulin, and serum, and implicates tyrosine kinases; the other is via the small GTPase proteins Arf and Rho. We summarize here our lab's and other groups' contributions to those pathways and introduce several novel concepts. For the mitogen-induced signaling, new data indicate that an increase in cell transformation in PLD2-overexpressing cells is due to an increase of de novo DNA synthesis induced by PLD2, with the specific tyrosine residues involved in those functions being Y179 and Y511. Recent research has also implicated Grb2 in tyrosine phosphorylation of PLD2 that also involves Sos and the ERK pathway. The targets of phosphorylation within the PLD2 molecule that are key to its regulation have recently been precisely mapped. They are Y296, Y415, and Y511 and the responsible kinases are, respectively, EGFR, JAK3, and Src. Y296 is an inhibitory site and its phosphorylation explains the low PLD2 activity that exists in low-invasive MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Advances along the small GTPase front have implicated cell migration, as PLD1 and PLD2 cause an increase in chemotaxis of leukocytes and inflammation. PA is necessary for full chemotaxis. PA enriches the localization of the atypical guanine exchange factor (GEF), DOCK2, at the leading edge of polarized neutrophils. Further, extracellular PA serves as a neutrophil chemoattractant; PA enters the cell and activates the mTOR/S6K pathway (specifically, S6K). A clear connection between PLD with the mTOR/S6K pathway has been established, in that PA binds to mTOR and also binds to S6K independently of mTOR. Lastly, there is evidence in the upstream direction of cell signaling that mTOR and S6K keep PLD2 gene expression function down-regulated in basal conditions. In summary, the involvement of PLD2 in cell signaling continues to expand geometrically. It involves gene transcription, mitogenic and cell migration effects as seen in normal growth, tumor development, and inflammation.
Rat striatal synaptosomes as a model system for studying the inhibition of dihydropteridine reductase activity.

AbstractThe distribution of dihydropteridine reductase between soluble and particulate fractions in synaptosomes parallels that of lactate dehydrogenase, but not monoamine oxidase. Ki and I50 values for inhibitors obtained with the enzyme-rich P2 fraction and its twice-washed fraction (P2 W2) were essentially the same, and were similar to those obtained with highly purified human liver enzyme. Dihydropteridine reductase inhibitory potency of multi-ring compounds containing a catechol-moiety was greater than that of single ring catecholic compounds, which in turn was greater than that of phydroxyphenolic compounds. The P2 fraction of rat striatal synaptosomal preparations may serve as a convenient source of dihydropteridine reductase for studying the inhibition of this enzyme.
Computer vision issues in the design of a scrub nurse robot

A robot scrub nurse (RSN) is an example of a robotic assistant for surgical environments. Ideally, by taking over management of instruments, it would lower costs of an operation and cut down on mistakes. Of vital importance for such robots is how they interface with the environment. A scrub nurse robot requires the ability to sense the human operators before it can assist. Computer vision offers here a number of advantages over other sensing modalities. In this paper we examine a visual tracking system for a robot scrub nurse. The system works by estimating the hand position and orientation of the main surgeon. This information is needed to guide the robot in delivering instruments directly to the surgeon. Our work outlines the entire visual tracking process and evaluates robustness and accuracy. The end result is a re-implementable and working application, suitable for surgical environments, that also offers a degree of operation robustness.
Retaining flexibility to maximize quality: when the scheduler has the right to decide activity durations

In many resource constrained scheduling applications, the ability to vary task durations provides another degree of freedom for resolving resource conflicts. Furthermore, when each task is associated with a duration-dependent quality profile, activity durations must be determined to maximize overall quality while respecting process deadlines and resource capacity constraints. In this paper, we formulate this type of scheduling problem, which we refer to generally as quality maximization. We develop and empirically evaluate a new precedence constraint posting (PCP) algorithm, along with a number of search control heuristics for solving this class of problems. Our PCP algorithm incorporates linear optimization to set activity durations at each step, and search control heuristics direct the search toward resource feasibility. A central concept in the heuristics we define is use of a measure that combines an activity's reducible duration with its quality profile as a basis for determining how to resolve resource conflicts. This concept is found to yield heuristics that exhibit superior performance. Surprisingly, we also find that use of a simple local estimation of quality degradation at each posting step leads to better performance than use of an exact computation at dramatically reduced computation expense. Overall, the experimental analysis indicates that a good heuristic must strike the right balance between minimizing quality loss at each step and retaining flexibility for future duration reduction.
Improving the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Boolean Searches for Relevant Tax Authority

This article provides evidence that a unique instructional website develops students' skills in finding relevant tax law more effectively and efficiently. The site provides heuristics for conducting effective and efficient searches and illustrates strategies through specific examples. It also contains 20 self‐tests that provide students with repeated practice in contextually relevant exercises and interactive feedback in the form of scores, solutions, and explanations. Using students in treatment and control groups, we find that using this educational resource increases the Boolean search success of graduate students for relevant judicial decisions and IRS rulings, which we trace to their formulation of more effective and efficient search requests.
The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide in college student suicide screening

Suicide screening on campus is limited by effectiveness of existing questionnaires. This study tests whether Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS) constructs may be more effective in screening than traditional risk factors measures like the Interactive Screening Protocol (ISP). Participants were 188 traditional-age students from three different campuses recruited through a subject pool and peer recruiters. IPTS risk variables as a set explained all likelihood of higher risk responses to suicidality questions that was otherwise explained by risk factors, plus additional likelihood besides. Current IPTS measures are no screening "magic bullet," but further inquiry into use of these constructs is warranted.
A 10-Gb/s CMOS Merged Adaptive Equalizer/CDR Circuit for Serial-Link Receivers

A merged equalizer/CDR circuit employs a parallel-path equalizer and triple-loop adaptation to achieve a binary data rate of 10 Gb/s. Realized in 0.13mum CMOS technology, the circuit adapts to FR4 trace lengths up to 24 inches with BER<10-13 while consuming 133 mW from a 1.6-V supply
UE centric coordinated beamforming in multi-cell MU-MIMO systems

User Equipment (UE) centric coordinated beamforming (CBF) is an enabling technology in multi-cell MU-MIMO systems. It is of great importance to know the suggested cooperating set size for CBF and the corresponding performance. In this paper, a novel joint space-time-frequency proportionally fair scheduler for CBF is proposed to provide a tradeoff between the average system performance and UE fairness. The impact of the cooperating set size on system performance is predicted through the analysis of a simplified system, and then confirmed through numerical results of the whole system using the proposed scheduler.
Issues in management of acute coronary syndromes: effects of bleeding.

This supplement reviews the findings of a roundtable discussion of experts focusing on the prevention, effects, and management of bleeding events among patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Copyright © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring the Predictability of 30-Day Extreme Precipitation Occurrence Using a Global SST–SLP Correlation Network

AbstractCorrelation networks identified from financial, genomic, ecological, epidemiological, social, and climatic data are being used to provide useful topological insights into the structure of high-dimensional data. Strong convection over the oceans and the atmospheric moisture transport and flow convergence indicated by atmospheric pressure fields may determine where and when extreme precipitation occurs. Here, the spatiotemporal relationship among sea surface temperature (SST), sea level pressure (SLP), and extreme global precipitation is explored using a graph-based approach that uses the concept of reciprocity to generate cluster pairs of locations with similar spatiotemporal patterns at any time lag. A global time-lagged relationship between pentad SST anomalies and pentad SLP anomalies is investigated to understand the linkages and influence of the slowly changing oceanic boundary conditions on the development of the global atmospheric circulation. This study explores the use of this correlation ...
An ILP Based Algorithm for Optimal Customer Selection for Demand Response in SmartGrids

Demand Response (DR) events are initiated by utilities during peak demand periods to curtail consumption. They ensure system reliability and minimize the utility's expenditure. Selection of the right customers and strategies is critical for a DR event. An effective DR scheduling algorithm minimizes the curtailment error which is the absolute difference between the achieved curtailment value and the target. State-of-the-art heuristics exist for customer selection, however their curtailment errors are unbounded and can be as high as 70%. In this work, we develop an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) formulation for optimally selecting customers and curtailment strategies that minimize the curtailment error during DR events in SmartGrids. We perform experiments on real world data obtained from the University of Southern California's SmartGrid and show that our algorithm achieves near exact curtailment values with errors in the range of 10^-17 to 10^-5, which are within the range of numerical errors. We compare our results against the state-of-the-art heuristic being deployed in practice in the USC SmartGrid. We show that for the same set of available customerstrategy pairs our algorithm performs 10^3 to 10^7 times better in terms of the curtailment errors incurred.
INTERSPECIFIC AGGRESSION BETWEEN BLACK-CAPPED AND MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES AT WINTER FEEDING STATIONS

Dominance-subordination relationships in animals have long been of interest and birds are one of the better studied groups in this respect. Many studies of marked individuals, both captive and free-living, have established factors that are important in determining the outcome of aggressive interactions between conspecifics. At the interspecific level it often is simply stated that members of one species are dominant over those of another, although instances have been noted in which dominance
Finding pain between minds and bodies.

Physicians and patients alike find it easy to divide pain into mental pain and physical pain. But close examination of this distinction shows that it fails on clinical and philosophical grounds. The body is not a passive conduit for information about tissue damage. Nociception is modified and analyzed throughout the nervous system. The mind is not a central theater where pain is finally apprehended. Pain perception cannot be understood as the private observation of a pain sensation. Pain must have mental (e.g., aversion) and physical (e.g., location) elements if it is to qualify as pain. We understand our pain as well as the pain of others in terms of socially categorized pain behavior. Pain thus originates, not in mind or body, but between minds and bodies. The dualism of mental and physical pain cannot be overcome if the biological individual is considered in isolation. Mental and physical pain can only be reconciled if their common interpersonal roots are understood. This interpersonal view of pain can help clarify some clinical and moral dilemmas in the care of patients with pain.
Changes Operated in Institutionalized Children as a Result of Controlled Interaction with a “Significant Adult”

AbstractWith the cooperation of a children’s center, twenty-one institutionalized children, ranging in age from 6 to 9 years, were involved in a project that also involved twenty-one college students enrolled in a course in Educational Psychology, Funds provided by the project sponsor made possible the planning of weekend activities involving teams consisting each of one child from the Center and one university student. These weekend activities included visits to museums, sports events, amusement parks, the circus, student homes, etc., but specifically excluded coaching, tutoring, and the like. It was expected that as a result of the extended one-to-one interaction between the students and the children, measurable changes would occur that would lend support to theoretical positions that predict personality and self-concept changes will occur as a result of essentially positive experiences. Results obtained provided partial support for the expectations; significant changes were recorded in children’s score...
Isospin breaking in the reactions H 3 + Be 9 → Li 6 + He 6 , Li * 6 + He 6

In the reactions $^{9}\mathrm{Be}(t,^{6}\mathrm{Li})^{6}\mathrm{He}$ and $^{9}\mathrm{Be}(t,^{6}\mathrm{Li}^{*}(3.56))^{6}\mathrm{He}$ significant deviations of the cross sections from symmetry around 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} are seen in the isospin multiplet channel. One may interpret this deviation as arising from the difference between $^{6}\mathrm{He}$ and $^{6}\mathrm{Li}^{*}$ radial wave functions and not from a higher mixture of isospin states. This interpretation is supported by a recent muon-capture analysis.[NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{9}\mathrm{Be}$($^{3}\mathrm{H}$, $^{6}\mathrm{He}$)$^{6}\mathrm{Li}$, $^{9}\mathrm{Be}$($^{3}\mathrm{H}$, $^{6}\mathrm{He}$)$^{6}\mathrm{Li}$, failure of experimental symmetry around 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} explained by radial functions difference. Implications for muon capture $^{6}\mathrm{He}$ calculated.]
Ocean science: The rise of Rhizaria.

Large amoeba-like organisms known as Rhizaria have often been overlooked in studies of ocean biology and biogeochemistry. Underwater imaging and ecological network analyses are revealing their roles. See Article p.465 & Letter p.504 Ocean ecosystems are inhabited by planktonic organisms spanning a wide size range, with large zooplankton feeding on smaller species and thereby contributing to the marine food web and carbon cycling. However, our understanding of the role and contribution of fragile and large zooplankton to the marine ecosystem is limited. Using data collected by an in situ imaging system during the Tara Oceans global survey, Tristan Biard et al. quantified the respective contributions of Rhizaria (a broad phylogenetic group of marine protists) and other zooplankton larger than 600 μm, finding that they represent a much larger biomass than previously appreciated, contributing up to 5.2% of the total oceanic biota carbon reservoir. These findings highlight the important contribution of Rhizaria to plankton biomass, primary productivity and other biogeochemical processes in the oceans.