cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Thin Filament Activation Modulation by Sarcomere Length

Myofilament Length Dependent Activation (LDA) forms the cellular basis of the Frank-Starling law observed on the heart. It has been previously shown in isolated myocardium that the responsiveness of cardiac myofilaments to activating calcium ions is increased with stretch. However, the molecular mechanism underlying LDA is still unknown. The aim of our study was to investigate whether LDA is modulated by increased calcium binding to the thin filaments, and whether or not thick filaments modulate this mechanism. Accordingly, experiments were performed under strict sarcomere length control on skinned guinea pig multicellular preparations isolated from the left ventricle. Myofilament calcium sensitivity was measured at both short (1.9 μm) and long (2.3 μm) sarcomere length. Simultaneously, calcium binding to cTnC was monitored using fluorescently labeled cTnC (cTnCT53C∗) with an environmentally sensitive probe (2-(4′-iodoadcetamidoanilo)-napthalene-6-sulfonic acid (IAANS)). The involvement of thick filaments in the regulation of calcium binding to cTnC was evaluated either in the presence of Blebbistatin to inhibit cross bridges formation or in rigor solution to inhibit cross-bridges detachment. Calcium dependent modulation of IAANS fluorescence showed calcium dependent decrease in IAANS fluorescence, indicating that the label was correctly incorporated into a functional TnC. The labeled TnC was then incorporated into recombinant Tn complex (Tn∗) and endogenous Tn was exchanged for Tn∗. Preliminary data show that Tn exchange did not alter the myofilament properties as demonstrated by preserved Tension-pCa curves at both short and long SL. Our data also show alteration of IAANS emitted fluorescence upon calcium activation in exchanged skinned muscles. Moreover, fluorescence was also altered by stretch in relaxed muscles. These data suggest that LDA may be due to altered thin filament activation in response to stretch secondary to a direct influence of sarcomere length on troponin structure.
The Megachurch in the Landscape: Adapting to Changing Sale and Managing Integrated Green Space in Texas and Oklahoma, USA

Christian megachurches in Texas and Oklahoma, of 4000 weekly attendance or greater, vary in green space design from impenetrable to highly accessible, and from predominantly mowed lawn to sophisticated plans incorporating a variety of outdoor recreational and ritual spaces. The most complex layouts include sites for baptism and prayer, as well as small natural areas. Conscious expression of practical theology or Christian symbolism in the green space is correlated to higher landscape connectivity and diversity. The recent appearance of large church campuses, exceeding 50 ha, has resulted in sporadic innovation, while for many large congregations green space remains an underutilized resource. Five theological questions for religious campus planners include how does green space: 1) express God's beauty; 2) honor providential environmental services; 3) teach about the relationship between God, humanity, and the environment; 4) provide connections among God, nature, the congregation and the neighbors; and 5) provide for the needs of others?
Stability and second-order non-linear analysis of 2D multi-column systems with semirigid connections: Effects of initial imperfections

Abstract An analytical method and closed-form equations that evaluate the elastic stability and second-order response of 2D multi-column systems with initial geometric imperfections (i.e., columns with initial curvature or out-of-straightness and out-of-plumbness in the plane of bending) and semirigid connections subjected to eccentric axial loads and to a lateral load at the top floor level are derived in a classical manner. The proposed method is based on the Euler–Bernoulli theory and limited to 2D multi-column systems with sidesway uninhibited or partially inhibited subjected to gravity loads. The combined effects of initial imperfections and semirigid connections in the plane of bending are condensed into the proposed equations, which can also be used to evaluate the induced elastic bending moments and second-order deflections along each column member of a multi-column system as the lateral and axial loads are applied. The effects of torsion, shear and axial deformations along each column and out-of-plane deformations are not included. Three examples are presented in detail that demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and the corresponding closed form equations showing the importance of initial imperfections, semirigid connections and lateral bracing on the stability and second-order behavior of multi-column systems.
The Daughters of Charlotte Ray: The Career Development Process during the Exploratory and Establishment Stages of Black Women Attorneys.

This exploratory study examines the career development process of Black women in the legal field. The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding of the factors that enable minority women to enter atypical professions and overcome the dual discriminatory obstacles of race and sex. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the impact of sociocultural variables on the career choice process of minority women during the career entry and establishment stages (Super, 1957). The study was focused on the influence of educational values in the home; economic resources of the family, significant role models, legislated educational parity policies such as Brown vs. Board of Education, university affirmative action, and minority recruitment programs.
A Neural Network Based Adaptive Observer for Turbine Engine Parameter Estimation

Estimation of immeasurable parameters such as thrust and turbine inlet temperatures in turbine engines constitutes a significant challenge for the aircraft community. A solution to this problem is to estimate these parameters from the measured outputs using an observer. Currently existing technologies rely on Kalman and extended Kalman filters to achieve this estimation. This paper presents an adaptive observer that augments the linear Kalman filter with a neural network to compensate for any nonlinearity that is not handled by the linear filter. The neural network implemented is a Radial Basis Function Network that is trained offline using a growing and pruning algorithm. The adaptive observer is used to estimate HPT inlet temperature, thrust and stall margins.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Mechanisms for Mars dust storms.

Characteristics of the Mars global dust storm are reviewed. At the Mariner 9 encounter, the dust consisted of highly absorbing particles distributed rather uniformly up to great height (about 50 km). These observations together with temperature distributions inferred from the Mariner 9 IRIS by Hanel et al. (1972) are used to estimate global wind systems during the dust storm. The global distribution and direction of light surface streaks indicate that the axisymmetric circulation was a dominant part of flow during the dust storm. The axisymmetric winds may become strong enough to raise dust over wide areas of Mars' tropics under unusual conditions: the incoming solar radiation must be near its seasonal maximum, the static stability must be low, and the atmosphere must be able to absorb and re-emit a sizeable fraction of the incoming radiation. Strong winds around the periphery of the retreating south polar cap would be driven by the temperature gradient at the cap edge and by the mass outflow due to subliming CO2. These polar winds could generate local dust storms, raising the general level of dustiness, and providing the conditions necessary for onset of a global dust storm.
Gull contributions of phosphorus and nitrogen to a Cape Cod kettle pond

Nutrient excretion rates and the annual contribution of P from the feces of the gulls Larus argentatus and L. marinus (and of N from L. argentatus) to the nutrient budget of Gull Pond (Wellfleet), a soft water seepage lake, have been estimated. Intensive year-round gull counts by species were combined with determinations of defecation rate and the nutrient content of feces to quantitatively assess the P loading rates associated with regular gull use of this coastal pond on a seasonal and annual basis. Total P loading from gulls was estimated to be 52 kg yr−1, with 17 kg from L. argentatus and 35 kg from L. marinus, resulting from about 5.0 × 106 h yr−1 and 1.7 × 106 h yr−1 of pond use. This compares with P loading estimates of 67 kg yr−1 from upgradient septic systems, 2 kg yr−1 from precipitation and 3 kg yr−1 from unpolluted ground water. Fifty-six percent of annual gull P loading was associated with migratory activity in late fall. Estimated annual N loading by L. argentatus was 14 kg TKN, 206 g NO3-N, and 1.85 g g NH3-N.
High Performance Alltoall and Allgather Designs for InfiniBand MIC Clusters

Intel's Many-Integrated-Core (MIC) architecture aims to provide Teraflop throughput (through high degrees of parallelism) with a high FLOP/Watt ratio and x86 compatibility. However, this two-fold approach to solving power and programmability challenges for Exascale computing is constrained by certain architectural idiosyncrasies. MIC coprocessors have a memory constrained environment and its processors operate at slower clock rates. Also, being PCI devices, the communication characteristics of MIC co-processors are different compared to communication behavior seen in homogeneous environments. For instance, the performance of sending data from the MIC memory to a remote node's memory through message passing routines has 3x-6x higher latency than sending from the host processor memory. Hence communication libraries that do not consider these architectural subtleties are likely to nullify performance benefits or even cause degradation in applications that intend to use MICs and rely heavily on communication routines. The performance of Message Passing Interface (MPI) operations, especially dense collective operations like All-to-all and All gather, strongly affect the performance of many distributed parallel applications. In this paper, we revisit state-of-the-art algorithms commonly used to implement All-to-all collectives and propose adaptations and optimizations to alleviate architectural bottlenecks on MIC clusters. We also propose a few novel designs to improve the communication latency of these operations. Through micro-benchmarks and applications, we substantiate the benefits of incorporating the proposed adaptations to the All-to-All collective operations. At the micro-benchmark level, the proposed designs show as much as 79% improvement for All gather operation and up to 70% improvement for All-to-all and with the P3DFFT application, an improvement of 38% is seen in overall execution time.
A high-resolution morphological and ultrastructural map of anterior sensory cilia and glia in Caenorhabditis elegans

Many primary sensory cilia exhibit unique architectures that are critical for transduction of specific sensory stimuli. Although basic ciliogenic mechanisms are well described, how complex ciliary structures are generated remains unclear. Seminal work performed several decades ago provided an initial but incomplete description of diverse sensory cilia morphologies in C. elegans. To begin to explore the mechanisms that generate these remarkably complex structures, we have taken advantage of advances in electron microscopy and tomography, and reconstructed three-dimensional structures of fifty of sixty sensory cilia in the C. elegans adult hermaphrodite at high resolution. We characterize novel axonemal microtubule organization patterns, clarify structural features at the ciliary base, describe new aspects of cilia-glia interactions, and identify structures suggesting novel mechanisms of ciliary protein trafficking. This complete ultrastructural description of diverse cilia in C. elegans provides the foundation for investigations into underlying ciliogenic pathways, as well as contributions of defined ciliary structures to specific neuronal functions. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01948.001.
Differential effects of nicotine but not cathinone on motor activity of P and NP rats

The locomotor stimulatory effects of nicotine (0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg) and cathinone (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) were assessed in alcohol-preferring (P) and -nonpreferring (NP) rats. Whereas P rats demonstrated enhanced (0.8 mg/kg) or no change (0.4 mg/kg) in spontaneous locomotor activity (SMA) to nicotine, NP animals showed no change (0.4 mg/kg) or depression of activity (0.8 mg/kg). However, following cathinone administration both P and NP rats exhibited an increase in SMA. The above results are discussed in light of the genotypic variations between P/NP rats and the potential mediation of differential neurotransmitter effects in the two lines.
Broadening the Boundary of “Textbooks” for Intercultural Communication in Religious Education

When I was a doctoral student, Kwok Pui Lan, my mentor and a prominent postcolonial feminist theologian, recommended that I cultivate a Ph.D.-level of knowledge about my own culture by the time I w...
New results on the lower central series quotients of a free associative algebra

Abstract We continue the study of the lower central series and its associated graded components for a free associative algebra with n generators, as initiated in Feigin and Shoikhet (2007) [FS] . We establish a linear bound on the degree of tensor field modules appearing in the Jordan–Holder series of each graded component. We also bound the leading coefficient of the Hilbert polynomial of each graded component. As applications, we confirm conjectures of P. Etingof and B. Shoikhet concerning the structure of the third graded component.
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy versus abdominal myomectomy: a comparative analysis of surgical outcomes and costs

To compare clinical and effectiveness outcomes between robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy (RALM) and abdominal myomectomy (AM). Records were reviewed for the first 27 RALM procedures at our institution. Age, BMI, insurance status, race, uterine size, and operative indication were used to select comparable patients who had undergone AM. Clinical and efficiency outcomes were compared stratifying for uterine size, specimen weight, and matched propensity scores. IV hydromorphone use was significantly lower for RALM (P < 0.01), with no significant differences in blood loss or complications. RALM patients had significantly shorter hospital stays; however, total hospital charges were higher (P < 0.0001). This likely reflects longer operating room time (P < 0.0001), which was magnified as specimen size increased (P < 0.0001). RALM patients require less IV hydromorphone, have shorter hospital stays, and have generally equivalent clinical outcomes compared with AM patients. Additionally, as specimen size increased, the operative efficiency of RALM decreased compared with AM.
Spatially-Resolving Nanoscopic Structure and Excitonic-Charge-Transfer Quenching in Molecular Semiconductor Heterojunctions

Near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) and scanning force microscopy have been employed to spatially resolve the complex morphologies, spectroscopy, and charge transfer induced fluorescence quenching efficiencies of a (perylene phenethylimide)/(titanyl phthalocyanine) bilayer (PPEI/TiOPc). The PPEI/TiOPc bilayer is a typical example of a n-like/p-like molecular semiconductor heterojunction, which is a common component in photocells, LEDs, and other devices. NSOM-polarized fluorescence and transmission dataand separate bulk X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic measurementson PPEI/TiOPc bilayers and PPEI and TiOPc single layers has lead to a nanoscopic and mesoscopic picture of how vacuum deposition and subsequent solvent-vapor-annealing controls the local structure of these films. The layers and bilayers are highly organized, containing localized crystalline regions which are preferentially oriented relative to the substrate and PPEI/TiOPc interface. In highly annealed bilayers, only a small fraction...
Airborne micro-organisms: survival tests with four viruses.

Airborne virus particles of vaccinia, influenza, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis, and poliomyelitis have been tested for viable survival in the dark at controlled temperatures and relative humidity (R.H.) for up to 23 hr. after spraying. Viable survival at each R.H. level was better at lower temperature than at higher temperature. Poliomyelitis virus showed best survival at high R.H.; the other three viruses survived best at low R.H.
The hereditary hyperbilirubinaemias

The presence of jaundice in the neonate, infant or young child presents a broad differential diagnosis. The 'disease' may be benign, as in breast-milk jaundice, or potentially fatal, as in hereditary fructose intolerance. The cause of the jaundice may be a primary hepatic disorder, such as extrahepatic biliary atresia, or secondary to a non-hepatic cause, such as haemolysis or sepsis. There may be significant hepatic injury and dysfunction, as in fulminant viral hepatitis, or simply elevation of plasma bilirubin, as in Gilbert's syndrome. In this chapter we will discuss the familial hyperbilirubinaemia syndromes. This diverse group of disorders is characterized by hepatic dysfunction in the absence of hepatocellular injury. The first section of the chapter will discuss the unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemias: Crigler-Najjar syndrome I, Crigler-Najjar syndrome II and Gilbert's syndrome. The discovery of the gene for bilirubin uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase has increased our understanding of the genetic heterogeneity and clinical presentation of the Crigler-Najjar syndromes. The remainder of the chapter will discuss the conjugated hyper-bilirubinemias: Rotor syndrome and Dubin-Johnson syndrome. These rare diseases share many clinical features; however, they can be readily distinguished by biochemical markers in the urine and bile.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A Commentary

Abstract In 1938, Dr. Robert E. Gross first successfully ligated a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in a 7-year-old child. This operation played a major role in the development of cardiac surgery, and has benefited an inestimable number of children. Recently, there has been renewed interest in PDA ligation in the treatment of premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Whether early operative intervention, prior to the onset of congestive heart failure, decreases the early mortality and morbidity of RDS, whether it aids in preventing the late crippling sequelae of this syndrome, i.e., bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or whether both results are true remains to be demonstrated. The risk of surgical closure of the PDA in premature neonates with RDS is small, and surgical closure of the PDA reduces the need for prolonged tracheal intubation considerably and the time of hospital stay.
Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma.

The management of primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) requires a balance between optimizing chances of cure and reducing risk of long-term toxicities. The combination of rituximab to cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (RCHOP) followed by mediastinal radiation results in a plateau in progression-free survival after first few years of follow-up. In rituximab era, a negative positron emission tomography (PET) scan performed after the completion of immunochemotherapy has a high predictive value for durable remission. Consequently, end-of-therapy PET may be utilizable to avoid radiation without compromising survival. Additionally, intensified chemotherapy alone has shown excellent survival. PMBCL is frequently associated with amplification of programmed death ligand (PDL) 1/2 and constitutive activation of JAK–STAT and NFKB pathways; these may serve as promising therapeutic targets. Clinical trials that integrate novel therapies into upfront immunochemotherapy and utilize end-of-therapy PET scan to guide mediastinal radiation have potential to further enhance survival and prevent long-term toxicities.
Ascorbic acid and drug metabolism.

Abstract Studies in vitro with liver microsomes isolated from vitamin C deficient guinea pigs have indicated a significant decrease in over-all drug oxidation, as typified by aniline hydroxylation, aminopyrine N-demethylation and p-nitroanisole O-demethylation. Concommitant with decreased over-all drug oxidation, the quantity of cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b5, and the activity of NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase and NADPH cytochrome c reductase also decreased significantly. It was not until the quantity of liver microsomal ascorbic acid had reached 30 per cent of normal values (11 μg/g wet weight compared to 3.5 μg/g wet weight) that a marked decrease in over-all drug oxidation activity, as well as the level and activity of individual electron transport components, occurred. In addition, the decrease in drug enzyme activities was not due to a calorie deficiency in the vitamin C deficient guinea pigs, since studies with fasted animals indicated normal or greater than normal drug enzyme activities. Km studies with microsomes isolated from normal and vitamin C deficient guinea pigs did not indicate a correlation in the apparent affinity of drug substrates such as aniline, aminopyrine, and p-nitroanisole with decreased microsomal enzyme activities in the vitamin C deficient guinea pigs. The Km value of aniline hydroxylase for aniline was approximately four times higher in normal guinea pig microsomes while the Km value of N-demethylase for aminopyrine and O-demethylase for p-nitroanisole was in the order of four times higher in the vitamin C deficient guinea pig microsomes. Studies concerned with aniline-cytochrome P-450 binding spectra indicated an atypical altered spectrum with microsomes isolated from vitamin C deficient animals. The usual trough of the spectrum shifted from 390 to 405 nm and the usual peak of the spectrum shifted from 430 to 440 nm. Also, the intensity of the trough and peak was at least 50 per cent lower than normal. Administration in vivo of ascorbic acid to vitamin C deficient animals was followed by reversal of over-all drug oxidation activities, quantity of cytochrome P-450, NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase activity and altered aniline-cytochrome P-450 binding, but these changes required at least 6 days of treatment to return to normal even though normal levels of liver ascorbic acid were established within 3 days. Phenobarbital induction studies indicated that the microsomal protein-synthesizing system responds to such treatment in vitamin C deficient guinea pigs, and the increase in drug enzyme activities and the level and activity of electron transport components are equal to, if not greater than, those observed in normal animals. Alternative pathways involving an ascorbic acid dependent NADH oxidase system, which has been shown to be capable of metabolizing drugs in the absence of a microsomal NADPH P-450 reductase system, have been considered. The significance of vitamin C deficiency in human drug therapy has been discussed.
Hepatitis E virus and coliphages in waters proximal to swine concentrated animal feeding operations.

Abstract North Carolina is the second leading state in pork production in the United States, with over 10 million swine. Swine manure in NC is typically collected and stored in open-pit lagoons before the liquid waste is sprayed onto agricultural fields for disposal. Components of this waste may be able to impact surface water quality with the potential for human exposure. This study examined viruses of public health concern in creeks adjacent to swine concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) spray fields. Surface water samples (n = 154) were collected from public access waters in proximity to swine CAFO spray fields for six months and were tested for hepatitis E virus (HEV) and coliphages. HEV was detected in one sample. Somatic coliphages were detected in 98% of samples (geometric mean 24 ± 4.1 PFU per 100 ml), and F + coliphages were detected in 85% of samples (geometric mean 6.8 ± 5.0 PFU per 100 ml). Only 3% (21) of the F + coliphage isolates were RNA phage, and all of the F + RNA coliphages belonged to genogroup I. Although the pervasiveness of swine CAFOs in this area prevented a comparison with samples from un-impacted sites, the near ubiquity of coliphages, as well as the presence of HEV, suggests that current waste management practices may be associated with the dissemination of viruses of public health concern in waters proximal to CAFO spray fields.
Electric and magnetic responses in nonlinear terahertz metamaterials

We report THz electric and magnetic field-induced nonlinear responses in metamaterial structures. We demonstrate air breakdown in SiNx metamaterials with THz electric fields, and highly nonlinear responses in 3D silicon metamaterials with THz magnetic fields.
Antibiotic Susceptibility of Pseudomonas pseudomallei

The in vitro activity of various antibiotics against Pseudomonas pseudomallei was studied. The tetracyclines were the most active, followed by gentamicin, kanamycin, novobiocin, chloramphenicol, rifampin, cycloserine, erythromycin, and ampicillin.
Sovereignty, Democracy, Autoimmunity

Autoimmunity: Real and Symbolic Suicides. A Dialogue with Jacques Derrida. By Jacques Derrida with Giovanna Borradori. In Giovanni Borradori, Philosophy in a Time of Terror: Dialogues with Jurgen H...
The teaching of equation solving: approaches in Standards-based and traditional curricula in the United States

This paper discusses the approaches to teaching linear equation solving that are embedded in a Standards-based mathematics curriculum (Connected Mathematics Program or CMP) and in a traditional mathematics curriculum (Glencoe Mathematics) in the United States. Overall, the CMP curriculum takes a functional approach to teaching equation solving, while Glencoe Mathematics takes a structural approach. The functional approach emphasizes the important ideas of change and variation in situations and contexts. It also emphasizes the representation of relationships between variables. The structural approach, on the other hand, requires students to work abstractly with symbols and follow procedures in a systematic way. The CMP curriculum may be regarded as a curriculum with a pedagogy that emphasizes predominantly the conceptual aspects of equation solving, while Glencoe Mathematics may be regarded as a curriculum with a pedagogy that emphasizes predominantly the procedural aspects of equation solving. The two cur...
Are color experiences representational

The dominant view among philosophers of perception is that color experiences, like color judgments, are essentially representational: as part of their very nature color experiences possess representational contents which are either accurate or inaccurate. My starting point in assessing this view is Sydney Shoemaker’s familiar account of color perception. After providing a sympathetic reconstruction of his account, I show how plausible assumptions at the heart of Shoemaker’s theory make trouble for his claim that color experiences represent the colors of things. I consider various ways of trying to avoid the objection, and find all of the responses wanting. My conclusion is that we have reason to be skeptical of the orthodox view that color experiences are constitutively representational.
Removing the Root of Trust: Secure Oblivious Key Establishment for FPGAs

FPGAs are widely deployed nowadays. Besides offering powerful computation capacity, contemporary FPGAs also provide many security features such as bitstream protection. The security of these features is dependent on the security of the keys embedded in the FPGA, which is usually generated by the vendor. This type of architecture has a shortcoming that the FPGA vendor knows everything and becomes the root of trust. In this work, we propose a key generation method utilizing bilinear pairing that enables the user of the FPGA to interact with the device to generate keys. The generated keys depend on both the input from the user and the device so vendor cannot learn the keys. Furthermore, we offer a method to allow the user to verify the generated keys to make sure that the keys are related to his input. Finally we conduct some experiments and indicate the effectiveness of our scheme.
Biology of IL-5 in health and disease

Learning objectives Reading this article will increase the readers' knowledge of the biology of interleukin-5 (IL-5), an important cytokine. The immune and inflammatory responses of any organism are the basis of the defense mechanism ensuring its survival. The role of IL-5 in these processes, as well as in the pathogenesis of various diseases has been discussed along with the effects of various pharmacologic agents on the production and function of IL-5. Data Sources A detailed literature search was performed. Studies considered relevant and important, in all languages, which involved humans and animals were used. Study selection Information was obtained only from peer reviewed journals. Results Interleukin-5 is normally produced by T-cells, mast cells, and eosinophils while Reed Sternberg and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) transformed cells also produce IL-5. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to IL-5 are potent inhibitors of IL-5 mediated tissue damage, secondary to eosinophil infiltration. The majority of the studies on IL-5 are preliminary, often the information is obtained from animal studies or in vitro systems and occasionally from pathologic tissue analysis. This along with the absence of confirmatory studies is a limiting factor. Nonetheless, the role of IL-5 in allergic and immunologic disease and asthma may be central to their pathogenesis. Conclusions Interleukin-5 is an important molecule that is participant to many processes that maintain health and are involved directly or indirectly in the pathogenesis of disease. Some pharmacologic agents can modify IL-5 production in vivo. Development of selective inhibitors of IL-5 may have a potential use for specific therapy of certain autoimmune, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases.
Biochemical analysis of the modular enzyme inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase.

Two prominent domains have been identified in the X-ray crystal structure of inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), a core domain consisting of an alpha/beta barrel which contains the active site and an inserted subdomain whose structure is less well defined. The core domain encompassing amino acids 1-108 and 244-514 of wild-type human IMPDH (II) connected by the tetrapeptide linker Ile-Arg-Thr-Gly was expressed. The subdomain including amino acids 99-244 of human wild-type IMPDH (II) was expressed as a His-tagged fusion protein, where the His-tag was removable by enterokinase cleavage. These two proteins as well as wild-type human IMPDH (II), all proteins expressed in Escherichia coli, have been purified to apparent homogeneity. Both the wild-type and core domain proteins are tetrameric and have very similar enzymatic activities. In contrast, the subdomain migrates as a monomer or dimer on a gel filtration column and lacks enzymatic activity. Circular dichroism spectropolarimetry indicates that the core domain retains secondary structure very similar to full-length IMPDH, with 30% alpha-helix and 30% beta-sheet vs 33% alpha-helix and 29% beta-sheet for wild-type protein. Again, the subdomain protein is distinguished from both wild-type and core domain proteins by its content of secondary structure, with only 15% each of alpha-helix and beta-sheet. These studies demonstrate that the core domain of IMPDH expressed separately is both structurally intact and enzymatically active. The availability of the modules of IMPDH will aid in dissecting the architecture of this enzyme of the de novo purine nucleotide biosynthetic pathway, which is an important target for immunosuppressive and antiviral drugs.
Raman Light Scattering from Excitons and Magnons in Cobalt Fluoride

We have observed one-particle, inelastic, polarized light scattering from low-lying excitons and magnons in single-crystal cobalt fluoride (Co${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$) at 2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Because of the orbital nature of these excitations, the cross sections (${10}^{\ensuremath{-}33}$-${10}^{\ensuremath{-}32}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/sr) are much larger than for one-magnon scattering in the other case, which has been measured (Fe${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$, \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}35}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/sr). Our measured cross sections are in good agreement with a recent calculation by Ishikawa and Moriya.
RecA protein promotes rapid RNA-DNA hybridization in heterogeneous RNA mixtures

The nucleoprotein filament formed by the RecA protein of Escherichia coli on single-stranded DNA catalyzes the hybridization of RNA transcripts with single-stranded DNA sequences at 37 degrees C, in vitro. RecA protein rapidly promotes hybridization, even when noncomplementary RNA is in a millionfold nucleotide excess over hybridizing RNA, and in a thousandfold nucleotide excess over hybridizing single-stranded DNA. Heterologous double-stranded DNA and RecA-coated noncomplementary single-stranded DNA are also poor competitors of RNA transcripts produced in vitro. Since large excesses of noncomplementary RNA fail to inhibit sharply the hybridization reaction by RecA protein under mild, non-degradative conditions, the reaction may be useful in the identification and isolation of transcripts produced in vivo.
On confidence in characterization and application of variation models

In this paper we study statistics of statistics. Statistical modeling and analysis have become the mainstay of modern design-manufacturing flows. Most analysis techniques assume that the statistical variation models are reliable. However, due to limited number of samples (especially in the case of lot-to-lot variation), calibrated models have low degree of confidence. The problem is further exacerbated when production volumes are low (≤ 65 lots) causing additional loss of confidence in the statistical analysis (since production only sees a small snapshot of the entire distribution). The problem of confidence in statistical analysis is going to be further worsened with advent of 450mm wafers. We mathematically derive the confidence intervals for commonly used statistical measures (mean, variance, percentile corner) and analysis (SPICE corner extraction, statistical timing). Our estimates are within 2% of simulated confidence values. Our experiments (with variability assumptions derived from test silicon data from a 45nm industrial process) indicate that for moderate characterization volumes (10 lots) and low-to-medium production volumes (15 lots), a significant guardband (e.g., 34.7% of standard deviation for single parameter corner, 38.7% of standard deviation for SPICE corner, and 52% of standard deviation for 95%-tile point of circuit delay) is needed to ensure 95% confidence in the results. The guardbands are non-negligible for all cases when either production or characterization volume is not large. We also study the interesting one production lot case which may be common for prototyping as well as for academic designs. The proposed methods require are not runtime-intensive (always within 10s) as they require Monte-Carlo simulations on closed form expressions.
Blockade of voltage-sensitive Ca2+-channels markedly diminishes nitric oxide- but not l-S-nitrosocysteine- or endothelium-dependent vasodilation in vivo

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the hemodynamic responses elicited by systemic injections of (i) the nitric oxide (NO)-donors, sodium nitroprusside (10 nmol/kg, i.v.) and (Z)-1-|N-methyl-N-[6(N-methylammoniohexyl)amino]|diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (MAHMA NONOate, 25 nmol/kg, i.v.), (ii) the endothelium-derived S-nitrosothiol, l -S-nitrosocysteine (100 nmol/kg, i.v.), and (iii) the endothelium-dependent agonist, acetylcholine (1.0 μg/kg, i.v.), in anesthetized rats, before and after injection of the voltage-sensitive Ca2+-channel (CaVS2+-channel) blocker, nifedipine (500 nmol/kg, i.v.). Before injection of nifedipine, the agents produced similar falls in mean arterial blood pressure, and in hindquarter and mesenteric vascular resistances. The depressor and vasodilator responses elicited by sodium nitroprusside and MAHMA NONOate were markedly attenuated by nifedipine. The falls in mean arterial blood pressure and mesenteric resistance elicited by l -S-nitrosocysteine and acetylcholine were not attenuated but the falls in hindquarter resistance were slightly attenuated by nifedipine. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (10 mg/kg, i.v.), did not affect the actions of sodium nitroprusside, MAHMA NONOate, l -S-nitrosocysteine or acetylcholine or the effects of nifedipine on the hemodynamic actions of these compounds. The decomposition of sodium nitroprusside (0.2 nmol/ml), MAHMA NONOate (0.5 nmol/ml) and l -S-nitrosocysteine (2 nmol/ml) to NO upon addition to rat blood was not affected by nifedipine (10 μM). These findings suggest that (i) exogenously applied NO relaxes resistance arteries in vivo by inhibition of CaVS2+-channels whereas l -S-nitrosocysteine and the non-prostanoid endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) released by acetylcholine acts by additional mechanisms, and (ii) this EDRF may be an S-nitrosothiol which acts independently of its decomposition to NO.
Effect of late Cenozoic aridification on sedimentation in the Eastern Cordillera of northwest Argentina (Angastaco basin)

This study evaluates the effect of climate on facies, grain size, and sedimentation rates using sedimentology, geochronology, and stable isotope geochemistry for Miocene–Pliocene deposits in the Angastaco basin (Eastern Cordillera, northwest Argentina). U-Pb zircon data from ash layers constrain the transition between the finer grained fluvial-lacustrine Palo Pintado Formation and the coarser grained fluvial-alluvial San Felipe Formation to ca. 5.2 Ma and the first deposition of sediment derived from the present-day orographic barrier to ca. 4 Ma. δ 13 C values from pedogenic carbonate nodules range from −15.4‰ to −10.2‰ for the Palo Pintado Formation and from −9.5‰ to −8.2‰ for the San Felipe Formation; this can be best explained by increased, sustained aridity since ca. 5 Ma. The δ 18 O values range from −9.6‰ to −5.9‰ for the Palo Pintado Formation and from −6.1‰ to −5.2‰ for the San Felipe Formation, corroborating this interpretation. The shift toward more arid conditions correlates with a significant increase in grain size but no significant change in sedimentation rate. Because aridity precedes the development of an orographic effect, we interpret the grain size increase in the Angastaco basin since ca. 5 Ma to be a response of the sedimentary system to aridification resulting from regional climate change.
Influences on HIV testing among young African‐American men who have sex with men and the moderating effect of the geographic setting

This study examined the influence of demographic characteristics, risk behaviors, knowledge, and psychosocial variables on HIV testing among a sample (n = 551) of young African-American men who have sex with men (MSM) from three cities—Atlanta (n = 241), Birmingham (n = 174), and Chicago (n = 136). Among the entire sample of young men, age, knowledge of HIV treatments, knowledge of a comfortable place for an HIV test, and social support were related positively to rates of HIV testing. Furthermore, men who had sex with both main male partner(s) and non-main male partner(s) during the past year had significantly higher rates of HIV testing than men who had non-main male partner(s) only. Geographic setting moderated the effect on HIV testing behavior. In particular, social support, peer norms about condom use, and knowledge of HIV treatments were not associated with HIV testing in Atlanta, but were associated positively with HIV testing in either Birmingham, Chicago, or both. The strongest influence on HIV testing across all three settings was knowledge of a comfortable place for an HIV test. Implications of these findings for designing interventions to increase HIV testing are discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 32: 45–60, 2004.
Quantitative detection of hepatitis E virus RNA and dynamics of viral replication in experimental infection.

Summary. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA has been detected in the stool and serum of patients with HEV infection and experimentally infected nonhuman primates. However, dynamics of HEV levels in the stool and serum during clinical and subclinical infections have not been determined. A real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay, using SYBR Green I in a LightCycler, was developed and optimized to allow quantification of HEV RNA in the stool and serum of both genotype 1 and 2 isolates. The specificity of the assay was confirmed by testing known HEV-RNA-positive and -negative stool and serum specimens and the sensitivity was evaluated using a synthetic HEV RNA standard. Profiles of viraemia and faecal shedding in two chimpanzees inoculated with an isolate of HEV genotype 1 showed the appearance of virus in the stools on day 4 postinoculation (5.65–6.85 log copies/mg) and in the serum on day 7 postinoculation (6.0–6.93 log copies/mL). Peak HEV RNA levels in the stool and serum coincided with peak alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels observed on day 22 postinoculation in the two chimpanzees. At the time of detection of IgG anti-HEV in serum, viral RNA was no longer detectable in the stool or serum and ALT values had returned to normal levels in both chimpanzees, suggesting the efficacy of the immune response in terminating viral replication. Quantitative evaluation of HEV RNA in humans may allow determining the role of virus levels in the pathogenesis and transmission of HEV.
Inhibition of an opioid-evoked vagal reflex in rats by naloxone, SMS 201-995 and ICI 154,129

Abstract Intravenous injection of opioid agonists in rats evokes a vagal reflex resulting in a fall in heart rate and blood pressure. Three opioid antagonists, naloxone, SMS 201-995, and ICI 154,129 were used to assess the nature of the opioid receptors that mediate the vagal reflex. The agonists used were morphine, Tyr-Pro-NMePhe- d -Pro-NH 2 (PLO17), and d -Ala 2 -Leu 5 -enkephalin (DADL). At challenge doses of morphine, PLO17, and DADL at five times the ED50 for bradycardia, the naloxone ED50 for DADL was nine times greater than that for morphine and PLO17. The pA 2 value of naloxone against DADL was significantly less than that for morphine and PLO17. The antagonist properties of SMS 201-995 were similar to those of naloxone. ICI 154,129, a putative delta receptor antagonist, was not, however, selective in its antagonism of opioid bradycardia. Both SMS 201-995 and ICI 154,129, when injected alone, produced changes in heart rate and blood pressure. The cardiovascular actions of the peptide antagonists were not affected by naloxone hydrochloride at doses up to 4 mg/kg i.v.
Sensitivity analysis of a nonlinear structural design problem

Abstract This paper presents a user-oriented demonstration of practical applicability of a recently developed sensitivity analysis methodology. The required underlying theory for sensitivity analysis of nonlinear programming problems and an algorithm for implementing the subsequent results of this theory using the Sequential Unconstrained Minimization Technique are briefly reviewed. A recently developed computer program based on this approach is used to conduct a sensitivity analysis of a nonlinear programming problem associated with the optimization of the design of a vertically corrugated transverse bulkhead of an oil tanker. Major assumptions and results associated with the basic sensitivity analysis approach are verified for the subject problem. First order sensitivity information is used to estimate measures associated with various perturbations of the given problem data. Details of stability and convergence characteristics of the solution points and their partial derivatives with respect to the problem parameters are amply tabulated and graphically illustrated. It is felt that such studies are indispensable in assessing the status of a solution and hence will be of great interest to design engineers and managers as well as to mathematical programmers.
A NEW SPECIES OF EARLY PLEISTOCENE SYNAPTOMYS (MAMMALIA, RODENTIA) FROM FLORIDA AND ITS RELEVANCE TO SOUTHERN BOG LEMMING ORIGINS

Abstract Synaptomys morgani, sp. nov. is described from the early Pleistocene (ca. 1.0–1.6 Ma) of Florida. It is more primitive in certain features than Synaptomys cooperi and Synaptomys australis, and in one evolutionary scenario may be ancestral to both, assuming S. australis is distinct from S. cooperi. The schmelzmuster, or microscopic enamel prism banding pattern, is described for samples of extinct and extant bog lemmings from North America. Two hypotheses for the origin of Synaptomys are considered. The first, a revision of the Repenning and Grady concept of a rapid origin of Synaptomys from Mictomys, holds that the Cheetah Room population of Synaptomys from Hamilton Cave, West Virginia, evolved from Mictomys landesi or a related species, probably between 1.3 and 1.6 Ma. The second proposes that Synaptomys originated from a North American species similar to Plioctomys rinkeri. Based on current information, neither hypothesis can be rejected. Mictomys kansasensis from the Java l.f. of South Dakota a...
Hypobaric hypoxia in ascites resistant and susceptible broiler genetic lines influences gut morphology

Genetic selection based on rapid growth rates, improved feed conversion, and increased body weights has led to a predisposition to ascites in broiler populations. Sire-family selection was applied to a commercial elite line to produce divergent lines of ascites-resistant (RES) and ascites-susceptible (SUS) broilers by the 8th generation. One objective of this research was to determine the effects of hypobaric hypoxia on gut morphology in these genetic lines. In two separate trials, pedigree broiler chickens were randomly assigned to cages in a hypobaric chamber (simulated 2,900 m above sea level) or a matching local altitude chamber (390 m above sea level). Ascites incidence was characterized by heart enlargement and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. At the end of the study on d 42, all surviving birds were killed and evaluated for the presence of ascites and 2-cm sections from the duodenum and lower ileum were collected from 5 chickens per line, per altitude for each trial for morphometric analysis. At a high altitude, ascites incidence was lower in the RES line (20.9 and 3.7%) than in the SUS line (86.4 and 66.9%, Trials 1 and 2, respectively). No ascites was observed at a local altitude. Under hypoxic conditions, duodenum villus surface area was higher (P < 0.05) in the RES line (181.3 +/- 16.8 and 219 +/- 10.9 microm) compared with the SUS line (130.1 +/- 10.5 and 134.3 +/- 9.3 microm; Trials 1 and 2, respectively). No differences in ileum villus morphology were observed for any of the parameters measured. The reduced surface area in the duodenum of birds selected for ascites susceptibility suggests reduced enteric function and may provide clues as to why these birds have increased incidence of ascites.
Sensitivity to casein in infantile eczema confirmed by biologic titration of the testing extract

T HE antigenic power of casein is not diminished by heat.‘> 2 Cow b and goat casein are immunologically identical or almost identical 3, 4, 5 I . The presence or absence of hypersensitivity to casein in milksensitive persons is, therefore, of considerable practical importance, for if it is present, heated cow’s milk or goat’s milk would not be indicated in dietetic treatment, as Anderson, Schloss, and Stuart3 suggested in 1932. It is certain that lactalbumin is immunologically far more important th,an casein. Little attention has been paid to the latter by allergists. Some have even doubted that hypersensitivity to casein exists. Inasmuch as it is originally in colloida,l solution and is then coagulated in the stomach, while most of the laa when the casein
Food applications of corn germ protein products

Many convenience foods such as meat analogs, breakfast foods, and baked goods use ingredients prepared from cereal grains and their processed products. Among the most important new cereal protein products, corn germ protein products appear to have the greatest potential food markets.