cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immune dysfunction following infection with chicken anemia agent and infectious bursal disease virus. II: Alterations of in vitro lymphoproliferation and in vivo immune responses

To determine the functional impact of alterations in lymphocyte concentrations and ratios following infection with chicken anemia agent (CAA) alone or in combination with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) on the immune system of young chickens, in vitro lymphoproliferation assays and in vivo responses to vaccination with several common viral agents were assessed at various time intervals post-inoculation (PI). Concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation of splenic lymphocytes (SPL) collected from control birds could not be detected until 10-14 days PI. Infection with CAA was characterized by significantly higher PWM stimulation of SPL at 17 days PI and significantly lower PWM stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) at 14 days PI, compared with uninfected controls. Concanavalin A and PWM stimulation of SPL was significantly increased in birds inoculated with IBDV alone. Lymphocytes harvested from birds inoculated simultaneously with CAA and IBDV had significantly lower responses. Effects on humoral and cell-mediated immunity following CAA and/or IBDV were determined by evaluating vaccination responses to Newcastle disease virus (NDV), fowl pox virus (FPV) and infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) during the acute phase of CAA infection (2 weeks PI). Vaccination of birds 2 weeks following CAA infection at 1 day of age resulted in decreased protection against NDV (85.7%) and ILTV (7.1%) challenge compared with protection rates in control birds (100% and 53.3% respectively). Infectious bursal disease virus infection was associated with decreased protection against NDV (60%) only. Concomitant infection at 1 day of age resulted in a greater reduction in NDV challenge protection (33.3%), slightly decreased FPV protection (87.5%), increased numbers of persistent FPV vaccination lesions and increased protection against ILTV challenge (71.4%). Vaccination of birds 2 weeks following CAA infection at 2 weeks of age resulted in slightly decreased NDV humoral antibody, development of persistent FPV vaccination lesions (17%) and increased immunity to ILTV challenge compared with control birds (83.3% vs. 66.7%). Chickens inoculated with IBDV alone displayed a more severe depression in NDV antibody titers and only a slight decrease in ILTV protection. Vaccination following concomitant infection at 2 weeks of age resulted in a higher percentage of FPV persistent vaccination lesions (39%) and greatly enhanced immunity to ILTV challenge (100%).
The Social Stratification-Government Inequality Thesis Explored

For several decades scholars have accepted a social stratification-government inequality thesis that municipal fragmentation in metropolitan areas is an institutional arrangement for enhancing inequality in the distribution of scarce resources. Policy recommendations to eliminate suburbs through consolidation are based on this thesis. Key propositions underlying this presumption are presented, and the lack of evidence in support of many of these propositions is examined. Scholars are urged to view public policies aimed at eliminating large numbers of municipalities in metropolitan areas with considerable skepticism.
On inconsistency of estimators of parameters of non-homogeneous Poisson process models for software reliability

Non-homogeneous Poisson Process (NHPP) models form a significant subclass of the many software reliability models proposed in the literature. We prove an important limitation of NHPP models for which the expected number of failures in infinite testing is finite. Specifically, the parameters of those models cannot be estimated consistently as the testing time approaches infinity. We also discuss certain parameter-based asymptotic properties of the maximum likelihood estimators of the model parameters and some logical implications of NHPP model assumptions.
Sofic systems and encoding data

Techniques of symbolic dynamics are applied to prove the existence of codes suitable for certain input-restricted channels. This generalizes the earlier work of Adler, Coppersmith, and Hassner on the same problem.
FPGA implementation of channel estimation for MIMO-OFDM

In this paper, we propose a new hardware implementation of channel estimation for MIMO-OFDM. Our target is to minimize hardware resource utilization. At first, proper algorithm is chosen in consideration of hardware feature as well as communication theory for fast prototyping. Based on the algorithm, our pipelined architecture performs channel estimation by simple calculation logic without redundancy. Our experimental results show that the proposed implementation saves at least 43 percent of the hardware resources, while achieving the same performance as known baseline implementations. We also show that more channels can be supported by using our proposed architecture.
Generation of an intense picosecond continuum in D2O by a single picosecond 1.06 μ pulse

Abstract An intense continuum has been generated in D 2 O by a 12 mJ, 1.06 μ single picosecond pulse obtained from a mode-locked Nd:glass laser. This continuum, which shows practically no structure, extends from 3800 A to at least 8000 A and is highly directional and polarized. Intensity comparison with other generating liquids are made. The pulse width of the continuum was measured by the gating, focal plane, optical Kerr effect method and was found to be 8–10 ps - slightly shorter than that of the 1.06 μ pump pulse.
Analysis for Capon and MUSIC DOA estimation algorithms

This paper derived the large-sample MSE of the DOA estimates obtained by Capon and MUSIC methods in the narrowband array processing case. The Monte Carlo simulations have been carried out for two independent non-coherent sources. MSE variation is studied with respect to the mismatch in array calibration and the number of array elements. The simulation results show that bother methods are sensitive to the phase mismatch. Capon is bias estimator for small number of array element. However when the array element number is large, those two methods come to similar result.
The Importance of Demographic, Social, and Political Context for Estimating Policy Impacts: Comment on “Implementing New York's Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program”

Morrissey, Leikes, and Cochran (this issue) raise concerns about potential negative effects of state pre-kindergarten (pre-K) on the early care and education system. To put their study in context, I reviewed national demographic and enrollment trends. I found little evidence of negative effects from state pre-K policy. One reason may be that population growth and child care policies mitigated potential negative impacts of pre-K expansion. However, national averages could conceal important local variations or even nationwide variations when there are offsetting gains and losses. Children under age 5, their families, and their teachers all likely gained from increases in public pre-K. Infant/toddler care in private programs expanded as quickly as public pre-K. Morrissey and colleagues' small data set from New York has serious limitations, but some of the most salient findings are consistent with the national picture. The study offers lessons and suggests topics for future research on the influence of pre-K ...
Heterogeneous Subsurface Scattering Using the Finite Element Method

Materials with visually important heterogeneous subsurface scattering, including marble, skin, leaves, and minerals are common in the real world. However, general, accurate, and efficient rendering of these materials is an open problem. In this paper, we describe a finite element (FE) solution of the heterogeneous diffusion equation (DE) that solves this problem. Our algorithm is the first to use the FE method to solve the difficult problem of heterogeneous subsurface rendering. To create our algorithm, we make two contributions. First, we correct previous work and derive an accurate and complete heterogeneous diffusion formulation with two key elements: the diffusive source boundary condition (DSBC)-an accurate model of the reduced intensity (RI) source-and its associated render query function. Second, we solve this formulation accurately and efficiently using the FE method. With these contributions, we can render subsurface scattering with a simple four step algorithm. To demonstrate that our algorithm is simultaneously general, accurate, and efficient, we test its performance on a series of difficult scenes. For a wide range of materials and geometry, it produces, in minutes, images that match path traced references, that required hours.
Micro/Nanoscale Mechanical and Tribological Characterization of SiC for Orthopedic Applications

Micro/nanomechanical and tribological characterization of SiC has been carried out. For comparison, measurements on SiC, CoCrMo, Ti-6Al-4V, and stainless steel have also been made. Hardness and elastic modulus of these materials were measured by nanoindentation using a nanoindenter. The nanoindentation impressions were imaged using an atomic force microscope (AFM). Scratch, friction, and wear properties were measured using an accelerated microtribometer. Scratch and wear damages were studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It is found that SiC exhibits higher hardness, elastic modulus, scratch resistance as well as lower friction with fewer and smaller debris particles compared to other materials. These results show that SiC possesses superior mechanical and tribological properties that make it an ideal material for use in orthopedic and other biomedical applications.
Nitrogen-fertilization impacts on carbon sequestration and flux in managed coastal Douglas-fir stands of the Pacific Northwest

Abstract We examined whether N-fertilization and soil origin of Douglas-fir [Psuedotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] stands in western Washington state could affect C sequestration in both the tree biomass and in soils, as well as the flux of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) through the soil profile. This study utilized four forest sites that were initially established between 1972 and 1980 as part of Regional Forest Nutrition Research Project (RFNRP). Two of the soils were derived from coarse-textured glacial outwash and two from finer-textured volcanic-source material, primarily tephra, both common soil types for forestry in the region. Between 1972 and 1996 fertilized sites received either three or four additions of 224 kg N ha−1 as urea (672–896 kg N ha−1 total). Due to enhanced tree growth, the N-fertilized sites (161 Mg C ha−1) had an average of 20% more C in the tree biomass compared to unfertilized sites (135 Mg C ha−1). Overall, N-fertilized soils (260 Mg C ha−1) had 48% more soil C compared to unfertilized soils (175 Mg C ha−1). The finer-textured volcanic-origin soils (348 Mg C ha−1) had 299% more C than glacial outwash soils (87.2 Mg C ha−1), independent of N-fertilization. Soil-solution DOC collected by lysimeters also appeared to be higher in N-fertilized, upper soil horizons compared to unfertilized controls but it was unclear what fraction of the difference was lost from decomposition or contributed to deep-profile soil C by leaching and adsorption. When soil, understory vegetation and live-tree C compartments are pooled and compared by treatment, N-fertilized plots had an average of 110 Mg C ha−1 more than unfertilized controls. These results indicate these sites generally responded to N-fertilization with increased C sequestration, but differences in stand and soil response to N-fertilization might be partially explained by soil origin and texture.
REGIONAL SPECIFICITY OF ILLEGITIMATE RECOMBINATION BY THE TRANSLOCATABLE AMPLICILLIN-RESISTANCE ELEMENT Tn1 IN THE GENOME OF PHAGE P22

Insertions of the translocatable ampicillin-resistance element Tn1 were selected in the genome of the temperate Salmonella phage P22 by growing the phage on hosts carrying the resistance plasmid RP4. Insertions of Tn1 into phage P22 are rare (10-10 per phage) and nonrandomly distributed in the P22 genome. They are found mainly in the vicinity of the P22 ant gene. Insertions within the ant gene are found at many (at least 15) genetically separable sites, are found equally frequently in both orientations and cause irreversible loss of gene function. Some insertions in ant appear to be associated with an adjecent deletion.—Prophage deletions were derived from P22::Tn1 phages by two methods. Low multiplicity transductants have nonrandomly distributed endpoints. One end is at or very near the site of the Tn1 insertion, and the other is in the vicinity of gene 12; however, there are many genetically distinguishable endpoints within gene 12. Prophage deletions selected as survivors of induction of a P22Ap mnt-ts lysogen have similarly nonrandom endpoints, with the Tn1-distal end frequently near the ant gene, as well as gene 12. Physical analysis of several prophage deletions suggests that the Tn1 is intact to the resolution of DNA electron microscopy and that the deletions begin at the end of the Tn1 insertion.—These results suggest that illegitimate recombination associated with Tn1 shows regional specificity (i.e., preference for some large areas of the P22 genome over other areas), but that within these regions is quite nonspecific.
Urine cortisol concentration as a biomarker of stress is unrelated to IVF outcomes in women and men.

Purpose Our primary objective was to assess associations between urine cortisol as a biomarker of psychological stress and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. A secondary objective was to assess associations between toxic metals and cortisol.
Reverse transcription of the pFOXC mitochondrial retroplasmids of Fusarium oxysporum is protein primed.

Background The pFOXC retroplasmids are small, autonomously replicating DNA molecules found in mitochondria of certain strains of the filamentous fungus Fusarium oxysporum and are among the first linear genetic elements shown to replicate via reverse transcription. The plasmids have a unique clothespin structure that includes a 5'-linked protein and telomere-like terminal repeats, with pFOXC2 and pFOXC3 having iterative copies of a 5 bp sequence. The plasmids contain a single large open reading frame (ORF) encoding an active reverse transcriptase (RT). The pFOXC-RT is associated with the plasmid transcript in a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex and can synthesize full-length (-) strand cDNA products. In reactions containing partially purified RT preparations with exogenous RNAs, the pFOXC3-RT has been shown to initiate cDNA synthesis by use of snapped-back RNAs, as well as loosely associated DNA primers.
Transient Ischemic Attack

This issue provides a clinical overview of transient ischemic attack focusing on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, practice improvement, and patient information. Readers can complete the accompanying CME quiz for 1.5 credits. Only ACP members and individual subscribers can access the electronic features of In the Clinic. Non-subscribers who wish to access this issue of In the Clinic can elect "Pay for View." Subscribers can receive 1.5 category 1 CME credits by completing the CME quiz that accompanies this issue of In the Clinic. The content of In the Clinic is drawn from the clinical information and education resources of the American College of Physicians (ACP), including PIER (Physicians' Information and Education Resource) and MKSAP (Medical Knowledge and Self Assessment Program). Annals of Internal Medicine editors develop In the Clinic from these primary sources in collaboration with the ACP's Medical Education and Publishing division and with assistance of science writers and physician writers. Editorial consultants from PIER and MKSAP provide expert review of the content. Readers who are interested in these primary resources for more detail can consult www.acponline.org, http://pier.acponline.org, and other resources referenced within each issue of In the Clinic.
High-pressure solid/liquid partitioning of Os, Re and Pt in the Fe–S system

article Coupled enrichments in 186 Os/ 188 Os and 187 Os/ 188 Os in some ocean island basalts have been interpreted to reflect material transfer from Earth's outer core to the base of the mantle. The outer core is a viable source for these coupled enrichments if it is able to maintain sufficiently high Pt/Os and Re/Os ratios for sufficient time. Iron meteorite studies and some experimental data indicate that progressive crystallization of the inner core is a plausible mechanism for generating the required high Pt/Os and Re/Os ratios in the outer core. However, the conditions of the experiments and meteorite parent bodies are far different from those in Earth's core, particularly in terms of pressure. Here we present experimental results on the partitioning of Os, Re and Pt betweensolidironandliquidironsulfidesolutionsoverawiderangeofpressures,from3.3to22GPa.Thesolid/ liquid partition coefficients for these elements decrease, and become more similar to each other, as pressure increases. This behavior is consistent with an increasing misfit of each element in the iron lattice with increasing pressure, due to the small compressibility of Os, Re and Pt relative to iron. The partition coefficients, anddifferencesamongthem,aretoosmallattheconditionsof theseexperimentstogeneratetheradiogenicOs isotope anomalies observed in some plume-derived lavas. At 22 GPa the partition coefficients are such that inner core crystallization elevates the Pt/Os ratio of the outer core by only 11%, and the Re/Os ratio by only 6%; after 4.5 Gyr, the calculated 186 Os/ 188 Os ratio of the outer core is only 0.0012% higher than it would be in the
Chronic elevation of secreted amyloid precursor protein in subcortically lesioned rats, and its exacerbation in aged rats

Subcortically lesioned rats were used as an animal model of some of the neurochemical and behavioral deficits of Alzheimer's disease (AD) to investigate the in vivo expression and metabolism of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Previously, the rapid and persistent induction of APP was described in cerebral cortices after disruption of its cholinergic, serotonergic, or noradrenergic afferents. In the present study, this induction was found to lead to the elevated secretion of APP into the cerebrospinal fluid of lesioned animals. Lesions of the forebrain cholinergic system in aged rats caused an even greater increase in the CSF levels of secreted APP. Antibodies to the extracellular domain of APP detected the protein whereas antibodies to the cytoplasmic region did not, indicating that the APP present in CSF was of the soluble form. Immunoprecipitation with an A beta sequence-specific antibody followed by immunoblot analysis indicated that a significant portion of secreted APP was of the species that contains at least the first 28 amino acids of the A beta sequence (APP gamma or APPA beta). By contrast, very low levels of A beta peptide were detected in CSF. The secretion was accompanied by an elevation of cellular C-terminal fragments of the APP in the lesioned cortex. Consistent with our previous results, this increased APP secretion was caused by lesions of subcortical cholinergic and serotonergic systems. The postlesion time course of APP secretion showed an initial reduction of APP (1 hr postlesion) in CSF followed by an eventual twofold elevation 1–6 weeks later. These results indicate that the induction of APP in response to loss of subcortical innervation leads to elevated secretion of a soluble form of cortically derived APP that contains significant portions of the A beta sequence.
Neural basis of eye gaze processing deficits in autism

Impairments in using eye gaze to establish joint attention and to comprehend the mental states and intentions of other people are striking features of autism. Here, using event-related functional MRI (fMRI), we show that in autism, brain regions involved in gaze processing, including the superior temporal sulcus (STS) region, are not sensitive to intentions conveyed by observed gaze shifts. On congruent trials, subjects watched as a virtual actor looked towards a checkerboard that appeared in her visual field, confirming the subject's expectation regarding what the actor 'ought to do' in this context. On incongruent trials, she looked towards empty space, violating the subject's expectation. Consistent with a prior report from our laboratory that used this task in neurologically normal subjects, 'errors' (incongruent trials) evoked more activity in the STS and other brain regions linked to social cognition, indicating a strong effect of intention in typically developing subjects (n = 9). The same brain regions were activated during observation of gaze shifts in subjects with autism (n = 10), but did not differentiate congruent and incongruent trials, indicating that activity in these regions was not modulated by the context of the perceived gaze shift. These results demonstrate a difference in the response of brain regions underlying eye gaze processing in autism. We conclude that lack of modulation of the STS region by gaze shifts that convey different intentions contributes to the eye gaze processing deficits associated with autism.
Routes are trees: The parsing perspective on protein folding

An important puzzle in structural biology is the question of how proteins are able to fold so quickly into their unique native structures. There is much evidence that protein folding is hierarchic. In that case, folding routes are not linear, but have a tree structure. Trees are commonly used to represent the grammatical structure of natural language sentences, and chart parsing algorithms efficiently search the space of all possible trees for a given input string. Here we show that one such method, the CKY algorithm, can be useful both for providing novel insight into the physical protein folding process, and for computational protein structure prediction. As proof of concept, we apply this algorithm to the HP lattice model of proteins. Our algorithm identifies all direct folding route trees to the native state and allows us to construct a simple model of the folding process. Despite its simplicity, our model provides an account for the fact that folding rates depend only on the topology of the native state but not on sequence composition. Proteins 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Figuring of an Aspherical X-Ray Lens*

A detailed account of the manufacture of an X-ray mirror whose cylindrical surface is approximately described by a third order polynomial is presented. Theoretical analysis shows that such a surface removes most of the spherical aberration at grazing angles of incidence. Because the coefficient of the required third order term is small, the cubic surface is treated as a perturbation of a second order cylinder. A grinding method has been found which produces this type of figure over a large portion of the glass work. Essentially, the method consists in the asymmetrical perturbation of the process used in producing a high quality right circular cylinder. Testing procedures and computational methods for determining the coefficients of the polynomial are discussed.
Trauma center versus non-trauma center admissions in adult trauma victims by age and gender.

Abstract Objective The admission types and appropriateness of admission of adults with differing levels of injury severity were compared, based on patient age and gender. Methods This retrospective study used a statewide hospital discharge dataset. The patients included adults who had sustained trauma related to motor vehicles and were admitted to trauma center (TCs) and non–trauma center (NTCs) hospitals. Using injury severity scores (ISSs) ≥ 16 to denote major trauma, the proportion of patients with major traumatic injuries who were admitted to TCs and NTCs was determined. Types of admission (TC versus NTC) were compared by age and gender for four subgroups of men and women, aged 25 to 64 years, and aged 65 years and older. Results The sample included 5,712 patients. Of those patients with ISS ≥ 16, younger men were most likely to be admitted to a TC (82%), and older women were least likely to be admitted to a TC (60%). The proportions of older men and women with ISS ≥ 16 who were admitted to a TC were comparable. Among patients with ISS Conclusion Findings suggest that older trauma victims whose injuries appear to be serious are admitted to NTCs more often than are younger trauma victims with similarly serious injuries. Additional studies to examine this phenomenon are warranted.
What Is the “Therapeutic Range” for Voriconazole?

bioavailability of the parent drug but undergoes extensive, saturable hepatic metabolism, resulting in a nonlinear pharmacokinetic profile in adults [1], Consequently, voriconazole concentrations in serum may vary up to 100-fold from one patient to the next or within an individual patient depending on age, drug dose, concurrent illness, underlying liver function, drug-drug interactions, or genetic polymorphisms affecting cytochrome CYP2C19-mediated metabolism [3, 4]. This pharmacokinetic variability can be unsettling for the prescriber, who is often relying on voriconazole to treat a lifethreatening infection. In fact, it has become increasingly evident that intrapatient and interpatient pharmacokinetic variability of mold-active triazoles (i.e., voriconazole, itracona-
Overcoming interferences in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry via gas-flow modulation

The first of two new methods for reducing oxide interferences in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is described. This method utilizes careful manipulation of the central-channel gas flow to impart distinguishable frequency-specific behavior to analyte and oxide species. Subsequently, application of a Fourier transform (FT) permits contributions from the analyte and oxide superimposed at a given mass to be unraveled. Through application of this correction method, a greater than ten-fold error at m/z 156 caused by the interference of 140Ce16O+ on 156Gd+ has been effectively eliminated. This correction method is well suited for overcoming multiple analyte–oxide interferences (most notably where monoisotopic elements have been compromised) in a simultaneous manner. Although a time-of-flight mass analyzer was utilized here, this correction method is well suited also for implementation with scan-based systems (e.g. quadrupoles and sector-field mass spectrometers).
Type I collagen D-spacing in fibril bundles of dermis, tendon, and bone: bridging between nano- and micro-level tissue hierarchy.

Fibrillar collagens in connective tissues are organized into complex and diverse hierarchical networks. In dermis, bone and tendon, one common phenomenon at the micrometer scale is the organization of fibrils into bundles. Previously we have reported that collagen fibrils in these tissues exhibit a 10 nm width distribution of D-spacing values. This study expands the observation to a higher hierarchical level by examining fibril D-spacing distribution in relation to the bundle organization. We used Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) imaging and two dimensional Fast Fourier Transform (2D FFT) analysis to investigate dermis, tendon and bone tissues. We found that in each tissue type, collagen fibril D-spacings within a single bundle were nearly identical, and frequently differing by less than 1 nm. The full 10 nm range in D-spacing values arises from different values found in different bundles. The similarity in D-spacing was observed to persist for up to 40 µm in bundle length and width. A nested mixed model analysis of variance examining 107 bundles and 1710 fibrils from dermis, tendon and bone indicated that fibril D-spacing differences arise primarily at the bundle level (~76%), independent of species or tissue types.
Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Glycoprotein gB Promotes Virus Entry In Trans Acting as the Viral Fusion Protein Rather than as a Receptor-Binding Protein

ABSTRACT Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoproteins gB and gH/gL are both necessary and sufficient for cell-cell fusion. However, it is not clear what roles these glycoproteins play in virus entry, whether acting directly in membrane fusion or in binding receptors. With other herpesviruses, it appears that gB is the fusion protein and is triggered by gH/gL, which, in some cases, binds receptors. However, for HCMV, there is published evidence that gB binds cellular ligands necessary to promote virus entry into or signaling of cells. Most mechanistic information on herpesvirus fusion proteins involves cell-cell fusion assays, which do not allow a determination of whether gB or gH/gL in the virion envelope must be oriented toward cellular membranes that contain receptors. Here, we showed that HCMV virions lacking gB were unable to enter normal cells but entered cells that expressed gB. Analyses of gB mutants lacking the cytoplasmic domain or with substitutions in putative "fusion loops" provided evidence that gB fusion activity was required for this "entry in trans." In gB-mediated entry in trans, gB is oriented toward the virion envelope that apparently lacks receptors, arguing against an essential role for gB in binding receptors or signaling molecules. In contrast, particles lacking gH/gL did not enter cells expressing gH/gL, apparently because gH/gL must be oriented toward cellular membranes (which have receptors). Coupled with our previous interference studies, in which gH/gL expressed in cells blocked HCMV entry, our findings here support the hypothesis that HCMV gH/gL binds cellular receptors before triggering gB, which acts as the fusion protein. IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) produces major disease in neonates and immunosuppressed transplant patients. As with other herpesviruses, HCMV requires two membrane glycoproteins, gB and gH/gL, to enter host cells. However, it has not been clear how gB and gH/gL function in two steps of the HCMV entry pathway, i.e., (i) binding of cellular receptors and (ii) fusion of the virion envelope with cellular membranes. There are studies that suggest that HCMV gB is required for receptor binding and other studies suggesting that gH/gL is the receptor binding protein and gB is the fusion protein. Here, we show that HCMV virions lacking gB can enter cells that express gB in cellular membranes. In contrast, virus particles lacking gH/gL could not enter cells expressing gH/gL. Our study supports the hypothesis that gB is the fusion protein and gH/gL acts upstream of gB to bind receptors and then activate gB for fusion.
Surface analysis of polymers and catalysts

The use of solid-state mass spectrometry for studying polymers is evaluated. Structural differences between polymers can be obtained by laser mass spectrometry by observing fingerprint-like spectra in the range m/z<250. Secondary-ion mass spectra (SIMS) revealed fragments that show the spacing of the repeat unit of the polymer up to m/ z 3,500. Oligomer distributions of low molecular weight polymers can be estimated by laser mass spectrometry. The order of monomer addition can be estimated by measuring three-carbon fragment ions in polyvinylidene fluoride. The value of SIMS for studying surface reactions is reviewed. Detection of surface impurities on polymer surfaces is possible using the laser microprobe LAMMA-1000. The specific example discussed involves detecting dye molecules on polystyrenes.
Abstract 89: Mitochondrial Protein Acetylation in Aged Hearts in the Context of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Introduction: SIRT3 deficiency leads to increased mitochondrial acetylation, and enhances sensitivity of the heart to stress. Recently we demonstrated that a worse outcome of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in aged hearts was associated with increased protein acetylation. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of acetylation and the identity of acetylated targets in aged hearts in the context of IR injury. Methods: Mitochondria were isolated from WT adult (7 mo.), SIRT3+/- adult (7 mo.) and WT aged (18 mo.) hearts. SIRT3 protein expression and identification of acetylated proteins from SIRT3+/- adult and WT aged samples were investigated using proteomics (2D gel, western blot, peptide mass fingerprinting). Results: Mitochondrial acetylome analysis revealed that many hyperacetylated patterns were identical between adult SIRT3+/- and aged WT hearts, suggesting that increased protein acetylation in the aged WT heart might be due to SIRT3 inhibition. Several targets were indentified, including complex I NADH dehydrogenase flavoprotein 1, which is known to interact with SIRT3. In this regard, we demonstrated that respiratory complex I (CxI) activity was significantly inhibited in both SIRT3+/- adult and WT aged hearts. Analysis of SIRT3 protein revealed that negatively charged species of SIRT3 (relative to the bulk SIRT3 population), were lost in aged hearts. These alterations suggest post-translational modification of SIRT3 which may lead to loss of its deacetylase activity. Alternatively, we found that upregulation of the mitochondrial acetyltransferase GCN5L1 in aged hearts (examined by western blot) may also contribute to enhanced protein acetylation. Conclusions: These data support a connection between SIRT3 downregulation, mitochondrial protein acetylation, and exacerbation of IR injury in aging hearts. Furthermore, it is known that functional CxI is required for several modes of cardioprotection suggesting that downregulation of CxI in SIRT3+/- or WT aged hearts may underlie their poor recovery from IR injury.
Zinc in taste function : A critical review.

Zinc has been associated with taste function in humans at several levels of organization-the taste bud, the nerves transmitting taste information, and the brain. Zinc plays specific yet varied roles at each organizational level, although many of these roles have not been clearly identified. They include participation in the structural architecture of the cell, maintenance of cell membrane integrity, and control of activity of several cytoplasmic and membrane enzymes. Early investigators noted that some patients given drugs that altered zinc metabolism or who experienced disease processes associated with abnormalities of zinc metabolism exhibited taste dysfunction. Because of these findings zinc was given to a variety of patients as treatment for taste dysfunction. Initial treatment success was observed, but was quickly tempered by more extensive studies that yielded widely variable results leading to confusion about the role of zinc in both taste function and taste treatment. Further studies revealed that taste disorders were diverse and complex with multiple underlying pathophysiologies that were little understood. Subsequent work by several investigators revealed that patients with zinc deficiency, of any etiology, exhibited taste dysfunction and that treatment of these patients with zinc usually produced improvement of clinical symptoms. These results raised the question of how to define zinc deficiency, for zinc treatment in patients without zinc deficiency was unsuccessful and these patients represent more than three-quarters of all patients with taste dysfunction. New clinical techniques for the definition of human zinc deficiency have been achieved through the use of binding and displacement of(65)Zn on specific sites on erythrocyte membranes; these results offer a guide to the identification of patients (i.e., those with zinc deficiency) who may benefit from zinc treatment.
Spread of the Boll Weevil by Drainage Water and Air Currents

When conditions are ideal, the thurberia weevil, Anthonomus grandis thurberiae Pierce, may be moved in thurberia bolls in flood drainage water from the mountainous areas where thurberia grows into the valleys where cotton is cultivated. However, the necessary conditions seldom occur. Tests in the laboratory indicated that vertical air velocities of 2.5–5.5 meters per second are necessary to suspend passive boll weevils, A. grandis Boheman, and that velocites in excess of 31.3 meters per second may be needed to free a weevil from its foothold on cotton leaves. In the late summer in Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico, the necessary air turbulences (thermal convection and dust devils) are present to elevate boll weevils into the upper wind currents. Then these upper wind currents and their associated turbulences could move the weevils in the direction of the airflow.
Testing Direct-Axis Transient Open-Circuit Time Constant of Generator Based on Stator Voltage Restoring Method

The direct-axis transient open-circuit time constant of synchronous generator is tested based on the principle of stator voltage restoring method.Test methods are formulated for different types of excitation regulators,including constant-angle step method,inverse method,shunt diode continuous current method,and exciting method with fixed excitation voltage.Upon test result analysis of the four methods,the accuracy,advantages and disadvantages of the methods are compared,which proves that all the four methods can accurately test the direct-axis transient open-circuit time constant of generator.
Thoughts on Price Fluctuations of China's Major Agricultural Products and Countermeasures

Trends of prices of agricultural products are closely related to characteristics of agricultural products, degree of international trade and national regulation and control policies. The administrations should strengthen regulation and control efforts as well as price controls, identify theme of agricultural price regulation, and implement agricultural market regulation guidance and flexibility; develop agricultural production services, in order to prevent prices volatility; eliminate uncertainty and risks in supply and demand brought by financialization and energy conversion of agricultural products.
Women Can't Win: Gender Irony and the E-Politics of The Biggest Loser

This essay employs irony as a tool to make clearer the workings of one form of the e-politics of food, namely, the structural food oppression linked to the weight and shape of the female body. Arguing that the e-politics of the weight and shape of the female body is one of the most important incarnations of the e-politics of food and one of the most vigorously contested, this study examines the construction of the assumptions, the ideals, and the rules with which women must contend. The case of Rachel Frederickson, the oft-attacked winner of The Biggest Loser 2014, serves as the focus of the study. The critical rhetorical analysis finds some support for the Women Can't Win thesis. Finally, the authors offers some constructive suggestions for helping to escape the Catch-22 of fat-shaming/skinny shaming.
Self-assembling peptide-based delivery of therapeutics for myocardial infarction

Drug and cell delivery systems could be modulated to serve as instructive microenvironments in regenerative medicine. Towards this end, several synthetic biomaterials have been developed to mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) for therapeutic use. These include synthetic polymers, decellularized ECM, self-assembling polymers, and cell-responsive hydrogels with varied applications. Here, we describe the development of a self-assembling peptide hydrogel and its potential use as a cell and growth factor delivery vehicle to the infarcted heart in a rodent model of myocardial infarction.
Surgical procedures for uncomplicated ("routine") female stress incontinence.

SUMMARY Routine incontinence in the woman is defined as stress urinary incontinence associated with a hypermobile urethra and bladder neck that has not been subjected to an operative procedure. Although urgency and occasional urgency incontinence may accompany the symptoms of stress incontinence, they are not a significant component of the patient’s complaints. Regardless of technique, the goal common to all procedures designed to cure stress urinary incontinence is to immobilize and support the hypermobile urethra. The support provided by the operation creates a foundation on which the urethra can be compressed shut during abdominal straining. The operation of choice is determined by its ability to provide this strong foundation over a long period of time. Although numerous reports have been published outlining the results of bladder neck suspension, most authors have not utilized objective long-term follow-up when assessing cure rates. We prefer either the Burch colpourethropexy or the modified Pereyra needle bladder neck suspension because the vaginal wall is firmly supportive without interfering with the delicate mechanisms of the urethra.
Discovery of Treatments from Text Corpora

An extensive literature in computational social science examines how features of messages, advertisements, and other corpora affect individuals’ decisions, but these analyses must specify the relevant features of the text before the experiment. Automated text analysis methods are able to discover features of text, but these methods cannot be used to obtain the estimates of causal effects—the quantity of interest for applied researchers. We introduce a new experimental design and statistical model to simultaneously discover treatments in a corpora and estimate causal effects for these discovered treatments. We prove the conditions to identify the treatment effects of texts and introduce the supervised Indian Buffet process to discover those treatments. Our method enables us to discover treatments in a training set using a collection of texts and individuals’ responses to those texts, and then estimate the effects of these interventions in a test set of new texts and survey respondents. We apply the model to an experiment about candidate biographies, recovering intuitive features of voters’ decisions and revealing a penalty for lawyers and a bonus for military service.
Nitrous oxide for pain management during in-office hysteroscopic sterilization: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate whether inhaled nitrous oxide with oxygen (N 2 O/O 2 ) is associated with less pain compared to oral sedation for pain management during in-office hysteroscopic sterilization. Study design This double blinded randomized controlled trial enrolled women undergoing in-office hysteroscopic sterilization. All participants received pre-procedure intramuscular ketorolac and a standardized paracervical block. The intervention group also received N 2 O/O 2 via a nasal mask titrated to a maximum 70%:30% mixture by a nurse during the procedure and placebo pills pre-procedure and the active control group received inhaled O 2 during the procedure and 5/325 mg hydrocodone/acetaminophen and 1 mg lorazepam pre-procedure. The primary outcome was maximum procedure pain on a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS with anchors at 0=no pain and 100=worst imaginable pain) assessed 3–5 min post procedure. Thirty women per treatment arm were required to detect a clinically significant pain difference of 20 mm. Results Seventy-two women, 36 per study arm, were randomized. Mean age of participants was 34.1±5.7 years and mean BMI was 30.1±6.6kg/m 2 . Mean maximum procedure pain scores were 22.8±27.6 mm and 54.5±32.7 mm for intervention and control groups, respectively (p 2 O/O 2 should be offered for gynecologic office procedures and 86% would pay for it if not a covered benefit. Conclusions N 2 O/O 2 decreased pain with in-office hysteroscopic sterilization compared to oral sedation and is an effective pain management option for this procedure. Implications Given its safety and favorable side effect profile, N 2 O/O 2 can be used for pain management for in-office hysteroscopic sterilization and adds a safe, easily administered option to currently available strategies.
Evaluation of Ureteral Patency in Patient after Prolapse Surgery with End Stage Renal Disease: A Case Report

Background: Pelvic floor reconstruction can result in obstruction of the ureters. In order to confirm ureteral patency, an intraop- erative diagnostic cystoscopy is indicated. CasePresentation: This case describes a 48-year-old multiparous patient with history of end stage renal failure requiring hemodial- ysis. She was presented with recurrent cystocele and mix urinary incontinence to City of Hope medical center in Duarte, California, United States in February 2016. The patient underwent transverse cystocele repair for pelvic organ prolapse. When intraoperative cystoscopy was non-diagnostic, retrograde intubation of the ureteral orifices confirmed patency. Conclusions: This case raises awareness on the lack of visualization of ureteral flux during conventional cystoscopic evaluation in patients with renal failure undergoing pelvic organ prolapse repair, while also emphasizing the importance of confirming ureteral patency via retrograde ureteral intubation when cystoscopy is non-diagnostic.
Multiply scattered broadband terahertz pulses

We describe measurements of single-cycle terahertz pulse propagation in a random medium. The unique capabilities of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy permit the characterization of a multiply scattered field with unprecedented temporal resolution. With these results, we can develop a framework for understanding the statistics of broadband laser speckle. We also describe recent measurements of the polarization dynamics of these diffusively propagating waves. In the diffusive regime, we observe a spectral shift between orthogonal polarization components. This is a result of the strong frequency-dependence of the mean free path within the bandwidth of the THz pulses.
The application of feedback to an electromechanical transducer for seismograph testing

Summary The application of feedback to an electromechanical transducer, or oscillating platform, designed for the testing of seismographs is described. Accruing advantages are the complete masking of the resonance peak in the transducer velocity response, and immunity of the platform motion to variations in mechanical loading by the seismographs undergoing test. The superiority of the feedback technique is shown by direct comparison with the operation of the transducer electrically damped by a short-circuited ring. The transducer constant-velocity output is easily converted to constant amplitude or constant acceleration by means of simple coupling networks.
Primary lung carcinoid metastatic to the breast

Lung carcinoid tumors account for approximately 2% of lung cancers, with 10% of the tumors represented by the atypical type. While atypical carcinoids are metastatic to intrathoracic lymph nodes in approximately half of the cases on the initial presentation, distant metastases are seen in only 20% of the patients and are found most frequently in bones, liver, adrenal glands, and brain. We present a case of an unusual metastatic disease to the breast in 51-year-old female who developed a new breast mass 2 years after left lower lobectomy due to atypical carcinoid tumor. Atypical pulmonary carcinoid metastases to the breast are exceptionally uncommon, yet they are important considerations for appropriate management, especially with an anamnesis of this neoplasm.
BTBD18 Regulates a Subset of piRNA-Generating Loci through Transcription Elongation in Mice

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs essential for animal germ cell development. Despite intense investigation of post-transcriptional processing, chromatin regulators for piRNA biogenesis in mammals remain largely unexplored. Here we document that BTBD18 is a pachytene nuclear protein in mouse testes that occupies a subset of pachytene piRNA-producing loci. Ablation of Btbd18 in mice disrupts piRNA biogenesis, prevents spermiogenesis, and results in male sterility. Transcriptome profiling, chromatin accessibility, and RNA polymerase II occupancy demonstrate that BTBD18 facilitates expression of pachytene piRNA precursors by promoting transcription elongation. Thus, our study identifies BTBD18 as a specific controller for transcription activation through RNA polymerase II elongation at a subset of genomic piRNA loci.