cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distinct single-cell signaling characteristics are conferred by the MyD88 and TRIF pathways during TLR4 activation

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize specific pathogen–associated molecular patterns and initiate innate immune responses through signaling pathways that depend on the adaptor proteins MyD88 (myeloid differentiation marker 88) or TRIF (TIR domain–containing adaptor protein–inducing interferon-b). TLR4, in particular, uses both adaptor proteins to activate the transcription factor nuclear factor k B( NF-kB); however, the specificity and redundancy of these two pathways remain to be elucidated. We developed a mathematical model to show how each pathway encodes distinct dynamical features of NF-kB activity and makes distinct contributions to the high variability observed in single-cell measurements. The assembly of a macromolecular signaling platform around MyD88 associated with receptors at the cell surface determined the timing of initial responses to generate a reliable, digital NF-kB signal. In contrast, ligandinduced receptor internalization into endosomes produced noisy, delayed, yet sustained NF-kB signals through TRIF. With iterative mathematical model development, we predicted the molecular mechanisms by which the MyD88- and TRIF-mediated pathways provide ligand concentration–dependent signaling dynamics that transmit information about the pathogen threat.
Velocity map ion imaging applied to studies of molecular fragmentation with synchrotron radiation

Abstract A novel apparatus has been employed to investigate molecular fragmentation following inner-shell photoionization by synchrotron radiation. A modified design of the velocity map imaging spectrometer, first introduced by Eppink and Parker [A.T.J.B. Eppink, D.H. Parker, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 68 (1997) 3477], provides high detection efficiency and good focusing properties for an extended interaction region, while the use of a time and position resolving anode allows electron–ion and ion–ion coincidence measurements. We discuss overall capabilities of the spectrometer and present first results for the C(1s) photoionization of CO 2 . Special emphasis is placed on the analysis of time and vector correlations between ions detected in coincidence.
Exploring the Influence of Select Demographic, Academic, and Athletic Variables on the Retention of Student-Athletes.

The population of 674 first-year student-athletes culled from 5 successive freshman classes (2004–2008) at a mid-size midwestern university was examined to determine what combination of demographic, academic, and athletic variables best predicted retention into the 2nd academic year. The dependent variable of retention was chosen because it is a primary component of the Academic Progress Rate, a semester by semester evaluation of team academic performance used by the NCAA. Pearson correlations revealed student-athletes were less likely to drop out if they were Caucasian, attended college close to their hometown, scored well on standardized tests, had a respectable high school GPA, were ranked high in their graduating high school class, were not a member of a revenue sport, and earned a considerable amount of playing time. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that predicting retention is possible with information about race, distance from hometown, type of sport, and amount of playing time.
SOME RESULTS ON TRUNCATION DEPENDENCE INVARIANT CLASS OF COPULAS

ABSTRACT In this paper, m-dimensional distribution functions with truncation invariant dependence structure are studied. Some of the properties of generalized Archimedean class of copulas under this dependence structure are presented including some results on the conditions of compatibility. It has been shown that Archimedean copula generalized as it is described by Jouini and Clemen[1] which has the truncation invariant dependence structure has to have the form of independence or Cook-Johnson copula. We also consider a multi-parameter class of copulas derived from one-parameter Archimedean copulas. It has been shown that this class has a probabilistic meaning as a connecting copula of the truncated random pair with a right truncation region on the third variable. Multi-parameter copulas generated in this paper stays in the Archimedean class. We provide formulas to compute Kendall's tau and explore the dependence behavior of this multi-parameter class through examples.
Suppression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-mediated Apoptosis by Nuclear Factor κB-independent Bone Morphogenetic Protein/Smad Signaling

The activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κ B) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-mediated apoptosis. However, little is known about the regulation of TNF-mediated apoptosis by other signaling pathways or growth factors. Here, unexpectedly, we found that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 and BMP-4 inhibited TNF-mediated apoptosis by inhibition of caspase-8 activation in C2C12 cells, a pluripotent mesenchymal cell line that has the potential to differentiate into osteoblasts depending on BMP stimulation. Utilizing both a trans-dominant IκBα inhibitor of NF-κB expressed in C2C12 cells and IκB kinase β-deficient embryonic mouse fibroblast, we show that BMP-mediated survival was independent of NF-κB activation. Rather, the antiapoptotic activity of BMPs functioned through the Smad signaling pathway. Thus, these findings provide the first report of a BMP/Smad signaling pathway that can inhibit TNF-mediated apoptosis, independent of the prosurvival activity of NF-κB. Our results suggest that BMPs not only stimulate osteoblast differentiation but can also promote cell survival during the induction of bone formation, offering new insight into the biological functions of BMPs.
Childbirth Education Programs: A Study of Women Participants and Non-participants

: Of a random sample of 201 married postpartum women, 109 had chosen to attend childbirth education classes and 92 had not. Women who attended classes were younger, had fewer children, were married fewer years, and had had slightly more years of education than non-participants. Most frequently cited reasons for not attending childbirth classes were having already attended in a previous pregnancy, having no interest, knowing as much as is needed, having scheduling problems, and not having doctor's recommendation to attend. Results point to the need to devise a childbirth education curriculum for parents who have older children.
Mission-based policing: rethinking the relationship of police to crime

This paper presents a model of urban policing based on deployment by serious crime. The deployment of line officers transitions from a district-based focus on ‘keeping a lid on crime’ to permanent staging of personnel within hot zones, based on POP intelligence assessment of serious crime characteristics, and carried out inside a model based on command integrity instead of current, highly decentralized (line-level) decision-making. A strategic model for deployment, based on counter-insurgency practices, enables security to be logically tied to long-term areal development and economic reinvestment.
NEONATAL HYPERTENSION APPEARS UNRELATED TO AORTIC CATHETER POSITION

In 1981 we reported severe symptomatic hypertension(HTN) in 2% of all neonatal admissions, 85% with umbilical arterial catheters(UAC) above the renal arteries. To prospectively evaluate the occurrence of HTN with respect to catheter tip position, we randomly placed high (T6-10) vs low (L3-5) UACs. This preliminary report reviews the first 182 infants analyzed. Birth weight (BW) ranged from 0.72-4.4 Kg, mean 2.0 Kg, with gestational age (GA) 24-44 wks, mean 32 wks. BP was recorded every 8 hours via the UAC (68% Orange Medical Instruments [OMI] Continuous O2 Recording Catheters, 32% Argyle Catheters) or Dinamap for a maximum of 30 days. Problems with catheter insertion occurred in 39/182(21%) without regard to catheter type: 28/124(22.6%) OMI, 11/85(18.9%) Argyle, p>.10. BP showed no diurnal variation but was related to BW, GA and postnatal age. HTN(mean arterial pressure 70 × 3 days) occurred in 19/182 (10%).
Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Prior research has indicated a seemingly unique relation between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that appears to relate to negative treatment outcome for OCD. However, to date, the prevalence of trauma and PTSD in individuals seeking treatment for OCD is unclear. To begin to address this gap, this study assessed history of traumatic experiences and current PTSD in individuals seeking treatment for treatment-resistant OCD. Trauma predictors of PTSD severity also were examined in this sample. Participants included 104 individuals diagnosed with treatment-resistant OCD who sought treatment over the course of 1 year from OCD specialty treatment facilities. Data were collected via naturalistic retrospective chart reviews of pre-treatment clinical intake files. Findings revealed that 82% of participants reported a history of trauma. Over 39% of the overall sample met criteria for PTSD, whereas almost 50% of individuals with a trauma history met criteria for PTSD. Interpersonal traumas and greater frequency of traumas were most predictive of PTSD severity, and individuals diagnosed with OCD and additional major depressive disorder (MDD) or borderline personality disorder (BPD) appeared at particular risk for a comorbid PTSD diagnosis. PTSD may be relatively common in individuals diagnosed with treatment-resistant OCD; and interpersonal traumas, MDD, and BPD may play a relatively strong predictive role in PTSD diagnosis and severity in such OCD patients. 0:1–3, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Plant origin asymmetrically impacts feeding guilds and life stages driving community structure of herbivorous arthropods

Aim Efforts to evaluate the impact of non-native plants on ecosystems rarely consider the role of such plants in sustaining local food webs of arthropods, or whether the effect is similar across arthropod feeding guilds and life stages. We assess this response by comparing arthropod herbivores on native plants (species with evolutionary histories within local food webs) and non-native plants (species without such histories). We further compare the impact of non-native plants that are congeners of local native species with those of non-natives with no close local relatives. Location Suburban landscapes, Mid-Atlantic United States (Delaware, Pennsylvania). Methods We manipulated the composition of the first trophic level by planting four large common gardens of 50 woody plant species replicated in time and space. After an establishment year, we sampled herbivorous arthropods supported by each plant species and classified them by herbivore species, feeding guild and life stage. Results We found that (1) native plants support larger and more diverse herbivore communities, (2) arthropods with chewing mouthparts and immature herbivores were more sensitive to plant origin than arthropods with piercing-sucking mouthparts and adult herbivores, (3) arthropods laid more eggs on native plants, (4) internal feeders were rare on all non-native plants and (5) the reduction in herbivore populations on non-native plants was smaller, but still significant, if species had a close native relative. Main conclusions Novel ecosystems comprised of plant species with no evolutionary history with local members of higher trophic levels may reduce the diversity and complexity of local food webs. Given the rate at which novel ecosystems are replacing coevolved plant communities worldwide, this result has global implications for the conservation of biodiversity. Using more native plants within human-dominated landscapes may help maintain the integrity of arthropod communities, as well as the populations of animals that consume arthropods.
Epistemology and ontology in Kenneth Burke's dramatism

Kenneth Burke initially established dramatism as a method for understanding the social uses of language. An examination of Burke's major rhetorical concepts—identification, the definition of the human being, the concept of reality, and terms for order—reveals the epistemology of his dramatism as a marriage of paradox and metaphor. However, recently Burke has shifted dramatism towards a philosophy. Three shifts establish a dramatism based upon “act,”; not the tension between “action”; and “motion,”; dramatism that employs language “literally,”; rather than exploiting its ambiguity, and dramatism that is more “reality”; oriented rather than the link that orders and relates “reality”; to our abstract values.
Aging facilitates long-trace taste-aversion conditioning in rats.

Abstract In order to examine age-related changes in long-trace conditioning, five age groups (0.25, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 years) of Wistar-derived female albino rats were subjected to taste-aversion conditioning at one of five conditioned stimulus–unconditioned stimulus (CS–US) intervals (0, 45, 90, 180, and 360 min). Age differences in the strength of the aversion were evident at CS–US intervals greater than 0 min and the strength of the aversion was directly related to age. An aversion was conditioned in only the two oldest age groups when the CS–US interval was 360 min. The age differences in taste-aversion and the superior long-trace conditioning in old-age rats were attributed to factors that accompany aging, for example, the gradual slowing down of a metabolic pacemaker.
The Computer Use Scale: Four Dimensions of How People Use Computers.

An instrument to measure the various ways people use computers was developed and evaluated. Computers can be used as word processors, game machines, communication tools, accounting tools, and for a myriad of other applications. The Computer Use Scale (CUS) measures how people use computers across four dimensions: Enthusiasm, Entertainment, Efficiency, and Communication. These scales measure the extent to which individuals use computers as “cutting-edge” technology, as playthings, as tools to create better work in less time, or to communicate with others. The scale was found to be reliable and was able to detect differences among various classes of users. Applications of the scale to computer training, software design, and job placement are discussed.
Structured programming for computer science majors

Computer Science majors come from various interdisciplinary backgrounds. Some have had programming jobs in industry; others are just normal students following a normal course schedule. Teaching students, with various educational and job backgrounds, presents problems of a technical and a personal nature. Structured programming with its incumbent radicalism is not normal for either group, and is not readily accepted by either group. Both groups view it with suspicion.An instructor's job is to alleviate confusion by showing students how to accomplish this technique. He also has a responsibility to set programming standards and enforce them strictly. In addition, he has the obligation of verifying the readability and maintainability of student programs. The programming classroom shouldn't solely be a problem solving class; it should stress and demand these other aforementioned features.This tutorial will stress technical aspects of structured programming, enforcing standards, verifying readability, and making students realize the importance of deadlines.
Using exercises to improve public health preparedness in Asia, the Middle East and Africa

Exercises are increasingly common tools used by the health sector and other sectors to evaluate their preparedness to respond to public health threats. Exercises provide an opportunity for multiple sectors to practice, test and evaluate their response to all types of public health emergencies. The information from these exercises can be used to refine and improve preparedness plans. There is a growing body of literature about the use of exercises among local, state and federal public health agencies in the United States. There is much less information about the use of exercises among public health agencies in other countries and the use of exercises that involve multiple countries. We developed and conducted 12 exercises (four sub-national, five national, three sub-regional) from August 2006 through December 2008. These 12 exercises included 558 participants (average 47) and 137 observers (average 11) from 14 countries. Participants consistently rated the overall quality of the exercises as very good or excellent. They rated the exercises lowest on their ability to identifying key gaps in performance. The vast majority of participants noted that they would use the information they gained at the exercise to improve their organization’s preparedness to respond to an influenza pandemic. Participants felt the exercises were particularly good at raising awareness and understanding about public health threats, assisting in evaluating plans and identifying priorities for improvement, and building relationships that strengthen preparedness and response across sectors and across countries. Participants left the exercises with specific ideas about the most important actions that they should engage in after the exercise such as improved planning coordination across sectors and countries and better training of health workers and response personnel. These experiences suggest that exercises can be a valuable, low-burden tool to improve emergency preparedness and response in countries around the world. They also demonstrate that countries can work together to develop and conduct successful exercises designed to improve regional preparedness to public health threats. The development of standardized evaluation methods for exercises may be an additional tool to help focus the actions to be taken as a result of the exercise and to improve future exercises. Exercises show great promise as tools to improve public health preparedness across sectors and countries.
Design, Construction, and Testing of RC Aircraft for a Hybrid Propulsion System

Due to the increasing demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), an efficient, high endurance aircraft is a particular item of interest. Currently, aircraft in industry are constrained by the amount of fuel carried; hybrid systems could significantly increase the endurance, thereby expand sortie options. For the purpose of this project, a remote controlled (RC) electric aircraft will be designed to interchange with a hybrid power plant system. The hybrid system will incorporate photovoltaic (PV) cells, motor, batteries, and an internal combustion engine (ICE) into the fuselage structure of the aircraft. The comparison between the all-electric and hybrid systems will be conducted by three undergraduate teams, Daniel Webster College (DWC), University of Colorado Boulder (UCB), and University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML). The desired outcome is to double the endurance of the aircraft, optimizing a traditional RC aircraft’s endurance from an original flight time of 15 minutes to a minimum of one half hour. In a more general scope, the objective of this project is to accurately determine the difference in power plant configurations and assess the viability of such a hybrid system. The DWC and UML teams will be required to deliver an aircraft capable of interchanging their all-electric system with the hybrid power plant system produced from UCB. Conclusions will be drawn about the practicality of a hybrid system in today’s UAV industry by determining the disparity between an all-electric versus a hybrid configuration when each team integrates their respective systems and flight test midApril. This paper describes the design, construction, and testing of such an RC airplane that is optimized with maximum endurance and meets the requirements of both systems.
Francesc Eiximenis's dissension with the Royal House of Aragon

In his major work, ti, Francesc Eiximenis expressed beliefs about kings, government, and the common good. At times these opinions contradicted the policies and actions of the kings whom he served. Favouritism in the court was evident after Peter III married Sibil.lia de Fortia and continued on a larger scale when his son John I took power. John created an oligarchy that stifled Peter's political reforms, especially in municipal governments. Not until Maria de Luna's regency and Martin I's reign did Eiximenis begin to feel confidence in the royal family. The shift of power from the Catalan-Aragonese monarchy to the Corts and Consell de Cent of Barcelona brought about a change of interest in government. Peter and his sons turned their attention to the arts, humanities, and sciences, and saw themselves as educated rulers who collected and read legal, historical, and literary works and wrote poetry. However, Eiximenis preferred the military kings of the past who respected the medieval way of life, the parliam...
Gastrointestinal effects of antipyretic analgesics.

Abstract Aspirin and paracetamol (acetaminophen) are the most commonly used minor analgesics, but their effects on the gastrointestinal tract differ widely. Aspirin is significantly associated with major upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, whereas acetaminophen is not. Short-term use of aspirin produces erythema, erosions, and occasionally ulcers; acetaminophen use does not. Chronic gastric ulcer is linked to aspirin intake in patients with rheumatic disease, and epidemiologically in all heavy aspirin users; paradoxically, in only one epidemiologic study was a significant association found between acetaminophen intake and chronic gastric ulcer. Fecal occult blood loss is increased in most regular aspirin users but not in those taking acetaminophen. Although studies in children have not apparently been made, in isolated small clinical series it has been shown that gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia do occur in the pediatric age group following the use of aspirin. Pathophysiologically, aspirin alters the gastric mucosal barrier to hydrogen ions and lowers gastric potential difference; acetaminophen has no effect on these parameters. Such changes correlate ultrastructurally with damage in surface epithelial cells and microerosions after the use of aspirin, but not after the use of acetaminophen. Aspirin causes a dramatic reduction in the ability of gastric mucosa to generate protective prostaglandins; however, acetaminophen also reduces prostaglandins. Other postulated mechanisms of aspirin damage include reduction in gastric mucosal secretion, bicarbonate output, and alteration of cell turnover. Because aspirin damage to gastric mucosa is often "silent," the clinician needs a high level of suspicion and awareness. In patients prone to gastric damage, or in those with a past history of aspirin-induced gastric damage, acetaminophen is the drug of choice when a minor, noninflammatory problem requires an analgesic.
Differential susceptibility to obesity between male, female and ovariectomized female mice

Background The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically. A direct comparison in the predisposition to obesity between males, premenopausal females, and postmenopausal females with various caloric intakes has not been made. To determine the effects of sex and ovarian hormones on the susceptibility to obesity, we conducted laboratory studies with mice. To eliminate confounders that can alter body weight gain, such as age and food consumption; we used mice with the same age and controlled the amount of calories they consumed.
Interface-limited grain-boundary motion during ion bombardment.

Ion bombardment of polycrystalline Ge, Si, and Au films results in grain-boundary migration rates which are weakly temperature dependent, and which greatly exceed thermal migration rates. The enhanced migration rate is proportional to the rate of nuclear collisions at or very near the grain boundary. We present a transition-state model which accounts for the observed kinetics of grain-boundary migration during bombardment. The ratio of atomic jumps at grain boundaries to the local collision-induced Frenkel-defect generation rate is characteristic of each material.
Density functional study of the effect of pressure on the ferroelectric GeTe

We compare local density approximation (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) calculations of $\mathrm{GeTe}$ as a function of applied pressure. The LDA yields a fair result for the zero pressure trigonal angle but good to excellent results for the zero pressure lattice constant, energy gap, and relative positions of the two sublattices. More importantly, it yields results within the wide range of experimental values for the critical pressure at which the ferroelectric trigonal to rock salt transition takes place. We also obtain very reasonable results for the zero pressure cohesive energy, electric polarization, and Born effective charge, for which there are no experimental data. Except for the energy gap which is more than a factor of 2 too large, the GGA results are slightly better than the LDA.
Responses to Median Nerve Stimulation as Recorded by Simultaneous Diffuse Optical Imaging and Magnetoencephalography

We measured hemodynamic responses using diffuse optical imaging simultaneouously with evoked magnetoencephalography signals using parametrically varied median nerve stimulation. The spatial locations of the DOI responses and MEG source estimates agreed with each other.
Liquid crystals of polyelectrolyte networks.

The Onsager theory of nematic liquid crystals is extended to rigid polyelectrolytes cross-linked by polyvalent ions. Recent synchrotron x-ray diffraction experiments showed that dilute, birefringent networks are formed under these conditions. The application of Onsager theory to this system leads to the prediction of the existence of a range of exotic mesophases such as the ``cubatic,'' the ``tetratic,'' and the ``trigatic.'' The exotic network phases appear on the border of regions of phase coexistence of network phase with isotropic material (at low polyvalent ion concentration) and with dense bundles (at high polyvalent ion concentration).
Anticancer Activity of Ag(I) N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes Derived from 4,5-Dichloro-1H-Imidazole

A class of Ag(I) N-heterocyclic carbene silver complexes, 1–3, derived from 4,5-dichloro-1H-imidazole has been evaluated for their anticancer activity against the human cancer cell lines OVCAR-3 (ovarian), MB157 (breast), and Hela (cervical). Silver complexes 1–3 are active against the ovarian and breast cancer cell lines. A preliminary in vivo study shows 1 to be active against ovarian cancer in mice. The results obtained in these studies warrant further investigation of these compounds in vivo.
A Biometrical Study of the Oocyst of Eimeria brunetti, a Parasite of the Common Fowl*

SUMMARY. An unsporulated oocyst of Eimeria brunetti encountered at random in a mild infection would probably be 13.8 to 33.7 μ long and 12.4 to 26.2 μ wide. Its shape-index (length/width) would probably lie between the extremes of 1.0 and 1.6. Its dimensions would probably not change significantly during the sporulation process. If a sample of the oocysts randomly encountered happened to be the progeny of a single inoculation, their mean size would depend, among other things, on the day of the patent period the sample was taken, as well as on certain undetermined factors in the individual host; but their mean length would probably lie between 21.1 μ and 27.1 μ and their mean width between 17.5 μ and 21.7 μ. The mean dimensions would probably be smaller early in the patent period of the infection than later. By a certain process of reasoning it was deduced that the individual components of an “ideal” sample of oocysts of E. brunetti would range from 18.4 μ to 28.4 μ in length and from 15.2 μ to 23.9 μ in width; their mean dimensions with standard deviations would be about 23.4 ± 2.0 μ by 19.7 ± 1.7 μ, and their shape-indexes would range from 1.0 to 1.4 and average about 1.19. The lengths, widths, and shape-indexes of the oocysts would usually describe unimodal frequency distribution curves, most of them near-symmetrical. The mean size of the matured spores produced inside such oocysts would probably be close to 13.2 by 7.5 μ, and their shape-index near 1.76. As a matter of fact, such a sample would be encountered only by pure chance, because the size of the oocyst of E. brunetti remains an undetermined quantity until it is translated into a veritable definition that takes account not only of its variability under one set of conditions, but also of its capacity to respond to other conditions, among them the size of the inoculation, the influence of the individual host, and the day of the infection. It would be hazardous to discriminate between or among species of coccidia on the basis of oocyst measurements, particularly when they lack conspicuous diagnostic morphological or physiological features of another nature. As Cheissin reflected, observations on a single finding of oocysts, particularly when they are sparse in numbers, are not a substitute for repeated observations on oocysts issuing from the host at different times and over a considerable period.
Immunotoxicological evaluation of toluene exposure via drinking water in mice.

Toluene is a known contaminant found in trace amounts in groundwater. Male CD-1 mice were exposed to 0, 17, 80, and 405 mg/liter toluene in drinking water for 4 weeks. Immune function assays were selected to evaluate specific humoral and cell-mediated immunity, interleukin-2 (IL-2) activity, hematology, along with general toxicity. Toluene produced an increase in liver weight and decrease in thymus mass at the highest dose. No effects on body weights and hematological parameters, including erythrocytes, leukocytes, and their differentials were noticed. Mitogenesis by lipopolysaccharide, pokeweed mitogen, concanavalin A, and phytohemagglutinin were suppressed in splenocytes from treated mice. Splenocyte lymphoproliferation to alloantigens decreased at the 405 mg/liter concentration only. Numbers of sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-specific plaque-forming cells decreased in the highest dosed animals; however, no significant change was observed in the serum α-SRBC antibody level. Toluene also adversely affected IL-2 synthesis at the 405 mg/liter concentration. Findings suggest that alteration of immune functions of mice ingesting toluene was generally evident at relatively high doses, except for splenic lymphocyte responses to selected mitogens.
Sensitivity of the geometric phase effect to resonances, the potential energy surface, the partial wave sum, and the energy

Abstract It has recently been argued that the geometric phase (GP) effect is not important for the differential cross-sections (DCSs) of the H+D 2 reaction at E tot =1.481 eV , in sharp contrast with previous calculations. It is shown here that this argument is based on an invalid extrapolation from partial wave sums truncated at J max =5 to converged results. It is also shown that the GP effect is strongly affected by resonances, whose characteristics are very sensitive to the potential energy surface (PES). Finally, it is argued that reliable theoretical predictions and identifications of experimental resonances require that converged GP calculations be performed with sufficiently accurate PESs.
Differential poisoning of topoisomerases by menogaril and nogalamycin dictated by the minor groove-binding nogalose sugar.

The effect of DNA binding on poisoning of human DNA TOP1 has been studied using a pair of related anthracyclines which differ only by a nogalose sugar ring. We show that the nogalose sugar ring of ...
Serum proteins of the domestic goose Anser anser.

Abstract 1. 1. Fractionation of goose serum indicated a low concentration in globulins but a high concentrations in albumin. 2. 2. Immunization of a young gander with bovine serum albumin in incomplete Freund's adjuvant failed to give detectable precipitating antibodies. 3. 3. Globulins and albumin of goose serum appear to have a lower content of aromatic amino acids than procine gamma globulin.
State-of-the-science—2004: Time for a “No Excuses/No Tolerance” (NET) strategy

The year 2004 weathered several infectious disease crises—inadequate supply of influenza vaccine with concomitant concerns about a pandemic of avian flu, ongoing encounters with severe acquired respiratory syndrome (SARS), and, most importantly, fears of the infectious disease sequelae of one of the worst global disasters of the century, the tsunami, which hit just as the year was ending. However, while the world and the health care community were dealing with these issues, the steady progress of science was continuing to build the body of evidence for the practice of health care epidemiology and infection prevention and control. Each year, the APIC Research Foundation with funding from Kimberly-Clark sponsors a state-of-the-science lecture at the APIC Annual Educational Conference for the purpose of summarizing scientific advances in the field. This paper provides a summary of a systematic review of original research studies and reviews relevant to the prevention and control of health care-associated infections (HAI) published during calendar year 2004.
Human follicular fluid contains pro- and C-terminal immunoreactive alpha-inhibin precursor proteins

The majority of immunoactive inhibin in human follicular fluid (hFF) is devoid of pituitary cell bioactivity and is hypothesized to contain alpha-inhibin monomeric proteins known to cross-react with an inhibin antiserum (Monash 1989). The aim of this study was to define more precisely the nature of these inhibin-immunoreactive proteins using alpha-inhibin sequence-specific antisera. First, a polyclonal antiserum was raised to precursor amino acids 21-35 (PIN-1) and was used in a RIA to measure pro-alpha-inhibin-immunoreactive proteins. Western blotting was used to confirm these findings. Secondly, the binding epitope of the Monash antiserum was defined by peptide analysis to be located within the C-terminus (precursor amino acids 326-341) of alpha-inhibin, and this assay was then used to monitor the presence of C-terminal sequences. Similar levels of pro-alpha-inhibin immunoreactivity (PIN-1 RIA; N-terminus alpha-inhibin precursor) were detected in hFF collected from women with normal menstrual cycles dur...
Escherichia coli dimethylallyl diphosphate:tRNA dimethylallyltransferase: pre-steady-state kinetic studies.

Abstract Escherichia coli dimethylallyl diphosphate:tRNA dimethylallyltransferase (DMAPP-tRNA transferase) catalyzes the first step in the biosynthesis of the hypermodified A37 residue in tRNAs that read codons beginning with uridine. The mechanism of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction was studied by isotope trapping, pre-steady-state rapid quench, and single turnover experiments. Isotope trapping indicated that the enzyme·tRNA complex is catalytically competent, whereas the enzyme·DMAPP complex is not. The results are consistent with an ordered sequential mechanism for substrate binding where tRNA binds first. The association and dissociation rate constants for the enzyme·tRNA binary complex are 1.15±0.33×10 7 M −1 s −1 and 0.06±0.01 s −1 , respectively. Addition of DMAPP gives an enzyme·tRNA·DMAPP ternary complex in rapid equilibrium with the binary complex and DMAPP. Rapid quench studies yielded a linear profile ( k cat =0.36±0.01 s −1 ) with no evidence for buildup of enzyme-bound product. Product release from DMAPP-tRNA transferase is therefore not rate-limiting. The Michaelis constant for tRNA and the equilibrium dissociation constant for DMAPP calculated from the individual rate constants determined here are consistent with values obtained from a steady-state kinetic analysis.
Lateralized warning tones produce typical irrelevant-location effects on choice reactions

Simon, Acosta, and Mewaldt (1975) reported an experiment in which a 200-Hz warning-tone, presented in the left or right ear, was followed by an imperative stimulus of 500 Hz in either ear, to which a left- or right-key press was to be made. Simon et al. found a correspondence effect for warning location and response location (i.e., faster reactions when warning and response locations corresponded than when they did not) when the stimulus-response mapping was incompatible but not when it was compatible. These findings stand in contrast to typical results of (1) a correspondence effect for irrelevant location information when the mapping is compatible and (2) a reversed correspondence effect (i.e., faster responses when stimulus and response location do not correspond) when the mapping is incompatible. We conducted a direct replication of Simon et al.’s experiment and another experiment that differed only in the imperative stimulus being visual, in order to determine whether there are unique aspects of their method that yield atypical results. Our results failed to replicate those reported by Simon et al. but instead showed the patterns of correspondence effects typically found with other procedures, suggesting that the warning-signal method produces irrelevant-location effects consistent with those produced by other methods.
Differential Activation of Pituitary Hormone Genes by Human Lhx3 Isoforms with Distinct DNA Binding Properties

Lhx3 is a LIM homeodomain transcription factor essential for pituitary development and motor neuron specification in mice. We identified two isoforms of human Lhx3, hLhx3a and hLhx3b, which differ in their ability to trans-activate pituitary gene targets. These factors are identical within the LIM domains and the homeodomain, but differ in their amino-terminal sequences preceding the LIM motifs. Both isoforms are localized to the nucleus and are expressed in the adult human pituitary, but gene activation studies demonstrate characteristic functional differences. Human Lhx3a trans-activated the α-glycoprotein subunit promoter and a reporter construct containing a high-affinity Lhx3 binding site more effectively than the hLhx3b isoform. In addition, hLhx3a synergized with the pituitary POU domain factor, Pit-1, to strongly induce transcription of the TSHβ-subunit gene, while hLhx3b did not. We demonstrate that the differences in gene activation properties between hLhx3a and hLhx3b correlate with their DNA b...
Improved synthesis of (5Z)-7-(3-endo-{(benzenesulfonamido)-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl}hept-5-enoic acid (S-145) derivatives and their iodine-125-labeled radioligands for the study of thromboxane A2 receptor

Abstract An improved synthetic scheme for (5Z)-7-{3-endo-[(benzenesulfonamido)-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl}-hept-5-enoic acid (S145) and its analogs has been designed. The procedure involves direct sulfonylation of 2-allyl-3-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane intermediate followed by ozonolysis and addition of a C5 carboxyl unit. The yield of the final product was significantly improved. (5Z)-7-{3-endo-[(4-iodobenzensulfonamido)-bicyclo [2.2.1]heptyl}hept-5-enoic acid (HS-145) and (5Z)-7-{3-endo-[(4-hydroxy-benzensulfonamido)-bicyclo [2.2.1]heptyl}hept-5-enoic acid (HS-145) were synthesized directly without any protection and deprotection steps. [ 125 I ](5Z)-7-{3- endo -[(4- iodobenzensulfonamido )- bicyclo [2.2.1] heptyl } hept -5- enoic acid ([125I]HS-145) was prepared from IS-145 through an organotin intermediate and [125I]sodium iodide with high specific radioactivity and good recovery of radioactivity. [ 125 I ](5Z)-7-{3- endo -[(4- hydroxy 3- iodo - benzensulfonamido )- bicyclo [2.2.1]- heptyl } hept -5- enoic acid ([125I]HS-145) was prepared by direct iodination with sodium iodide using a modified chloramine-T method. Both [125]HS-145 and [125I]HS-145 were found to be valuable radioligands for studying thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor.
Near real-time measurement of forces applied by an optical trap to a rigid cylindrical object

An automated data acquisition and processing system is established to measure the force applied by an optical trap to an object of unknown composition in real time. Optical traps have been in use for the past 40 years to manipulate microscopic particles, but the magnitude of applied force is often unknown and requires extensive instrument characterization. Measuring or calculating the force applied by an optical trap to nonspherical particles presents additional difficulties which are also overcome with our system. Extensive experiments and measurements using well-characterized objects were performed to verify the system performance.
Effect of glucose on Treponema denticola cell behavior.

Introduction: Treponema denticola inhabits the oral subgingival environment and is part of a proteolytic benzoyl-dl-arginine-naphthylamide-positive ‘red complex’ associated with active periodontal disease. Spirochetes have a unique form of chemotactic motility that may contribute to their virulence. Chemotaxis is essential for efficient nutrient-directed translocation. Methods: We examined the effect of glucose on T. denticola cell velocity, expression of periplasmic flagella proteins, and chemotaxis, e.g. translocation into capillary tubes. Results: The presence of glucose did not significantly effect T. denticola cell velocity in high viscosity conditions nor did it alter periplasmic flagella protein expression. The addition of glucose to capillary tubes resulted in greater numbers of T. denticola cells in tubes containing glucose. A non-motile mutant did not migrate into capillary tubes containing glucose. Conclusion: These results are consistent with a chemotactic response to glucose that is motility dependent.
Latest Pleistocene history of pluvial Lake Franklin, northeastern Nevada, USA

At its maximum extent during the last glacial cycle, Lake Franklin covered 1100 km 2 of the Ruby Valley of northeastern Nevada, making it one of the largest pluvial lakes between Lakes Bonneville and Lahontan. Mapping of shorelines, surveying of topographic profiles, and radiocarbon dating of gastropod shells were employed to reconstruct the latest Pleistocene history of the lake. During the first half of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), Lake Franklin covered ∼42% of its maximum area. This extent increased to ∼60% during the second half of the LGM. Some radiocarbon ages suggest that the lake briefly rose to near its highstand between 20 and 18 ka, but the best constrained rise occurred ca. 17 ka, when the lake rapidly transgressed to its highstand elevation of 1850 m. This rise was synchronous with highstands of nearby pluvial lakes, implicating a regional shift in the balance between precipitation and potential evaporation. The lake dropped to 1843 m, before rising once more to 1850 m ca. 16.0 ka. After falling and stabilizing at 1843 m again ca. 15.4 ka, the lake rapidly regressed to 70%) by 14.8 ka. This regression was synchronous with the fall of Lake Bonneville from the Provo shoreline and the regression of Lake Lahontan from the Sehoo shoreline. Radiocarbon ages and stratigraphic evidence document a final transgression in the latest Pleistocene that reached 1820 m (34% of maximum area) ca. 13.0 ka, synchronous with the Recess Peak Glaciation in the Sierra Nevada, and overlapping with the start of the Younger Dryas and minor transgressions of Lakes Bonneville, Lahontan, and Owens. The correspondence of this Lake Franklin history with other climate archives from this region underscores the value of pluvial lake deposits as sources of paleoclimate information and indicates synchronous forcing of climate changes during the last glacial-interglacial transition.
Random utility systems—The infinite case☆

Abstract Falmagne's (1978) necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a random utility representation have been extended to the case of an infinite choice set. When the choice set is countable Falmagne's conditions suffice, but if the choice set is of higher cardinality, then further regularity conditions are necessary to assure a countably additive random utility representation. Some of these are discussed, including one sufficient condition which is defined directly in terms of the data.
Improving JavaScript performance by deconstructing the type system

Increased focus on JavaScript performance has resulted in vast performance improvements for many benchmarks. However, for actual code used in websites, the attained improvements often lag far behind those for popular benchmarks. This paper shows that the main reason behind this short-fall is how the compiler understands types. JavaScript has no concept of types, but the compiler assigns types to objects anyway for ease of code generation. We examine the way that the Chrome V8 compiler defines types, and identify two design decisions that are the main reasons for the lack of improvement: (1) the inherited prototype object is part of the current object's type definition, and (2) method bindings are also part of the type definition. These requirements make types very unpredictable, which hinders type specialization by the compiler. Hence, we modify V8 to remove these requirements, and use it to compile the JavaScript code assembled by JSBench from real websites. On average, we reduce the execution time of JSBench by 36%, and the dynamic instruction count by 49%.
Synaptic organization of the substantia gelatinosa glomeruli in the spinal trigeminal nucleus of the adult cat

In the spinal trigeminal nucleus of the adult cat, the neuropil of the substantia gelatinosa (SG) layer is made up of axonal endings of V nerve axons, dendrites and axons of SG neurons and dendrites of marginal and magnocellular neurons. A typical SG glomerulus consists of a centrally located V nerve ending which contains large synaptic vesicles and forms asymmetrical axodendritic synapses on two kinds of dendritic spines and on dendritic shafts. The dendritic processes of the SG glomerulus are linked by two kinds of dendrodendritic synapses: type 2 dendritic spines, containing large synaptic vesicles, form slightly asymmetrical (intermediate) synapses on type I dendritic spines. Dendritic shafts, containing clusters of small synaptic vesicles, form symmetrical dendrodendritic synapses amongst themselves and on type I dendritic spines. Small axonal endings, containing small synaptic vesicles form intermediate axodendritic synapses on type I dendritic spines and on dendritic shafts. These small axons also form symmetrical axoaxonic synapses on the V nerve ending. The V nerve endings in the SG layer are dark and differ morphologically from the pale V nerve endings in other parts of the trigeminal nuclei.
Social isolation modulates corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 receptor, urocortin 1 and urocortin 2 mRNAs expression in the cardiovascular system of prairie voles

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of social isolation stress on the expression of messengers ribonucleic acid (mRNAs) for corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 2 (CRF2 receptor), urocortin 1 (Ucn 1) and urocortin 2 (Ucn 2) in the cardiovascular system of female and male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Isolation for 1 h (single isolation) or 1 h of isolation every day for 4 weeks (repeated isolation) was followed by a marked increase in plasma corticosterone level. However, continuous isolation for 4 weeks (chronic isolation) did not significantly affect plasma corticosterone level in female or male animals. A single period of isolation did not influence the expression of the CRF2 receptor, however, both repeated and chronic isolation significantly decreased CRF2 receptor mRNA in the ventricle and aorta of both sexes. Neither single nor chronic isolation significantly affected Ucn 1 mRNAs expression; however, repeated isolation increased Ucn 1 mRNA expression in the ventricles of female and male animals. Although, a single isolation produced no effect on cardiac Ucn 2 mRNA expression, both repeated and chronic isolation were followed by increased heart Ucn 2 mRNA expression in both sexes. We speculate that during repeated isolation Ucn 1 along with Ucn 2 are increased, which in turn down-regulates CRF2 receptor mRNA expression, and that Ucn 2 also may be one of factors responsible for the down-regulation of CRF2 receptor mRNA expression in cardiovascular system that is associated with chronic isolation.