cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Steps in the processing of Ad2 mRNA: Poly(A)+ Nuclear sequences are conserved and poly(A) addition precedes splicing

Abstract The conservation of nuclear Ad2 sequences during nucleocytoplasmic transport has been estimated from the accumulation of 3 H-uridine in nuclear and cytoplasmic Ad2-specific RNA from the major late transcription unit. From 10–28% is conserved of the total Ad2 nuclear RNA synthesized from each of five regions of the genome that specify groups of 3′ co-terminal mRNAs. The sum of the conservation of all the regions was equivalent to 100%, signifying the conservation of at least a part of each transcript or all of about one fifth to one sixth of the transcripts. The conservation of poly(A) + Ad2 nuclear RNA is about 4 times greater than of total Ad2 nuclear RNA, approaching 100% conservation of poly(A) + nuclear sequences. Since each mRNA contains three "spliced" sequences that are probably encoded only once per transcript, these data on conservation of the Ad2 sequences suggest that each transcriptional event from the 16–99 transcription unit gives rise to one of a possible 13–14 mRNA molecules with destruction of the remainder of the transcribed RNA. The portion which is conserved resides next to the region to which poly(A) is added. Three models for the choice of poly(A) sites were considered: termination at the poly(A) site, cleavage shortly after synthesis of one of the sites before transcription was complete, and cleavage after completion of transcription. The first model was ruled out by the demonstration of equimolar synthesis over the 16–99 region. The second model Is strongly supported because 3 H-urldine label appears equally rapidly in the time range 2–10 min in each of the five 3′ poly(A) addition sites, whereas chain completion before cleavage would lead to a faster appearance of label in the most promoter-distal site. Furthermore, briefly labeled RNA molecules extending from 16 to each of several poly(A) addition sites were the first poly(A)- terminated 3 H-uridine-labeled molecules detected, demonstrating that poly(A) addition precedes splicing. The choice of which mRNA emerges from each transcriptional event would appear to depend upon first choosing one of five 3′ mRNA ends followed by a 5′ splicing event.
Nanoindentation of rare earth-Sn intermetallics in Pb-free solders

Incorporating rare earth (RE) elements into Sn-rich solder often results in the formation of RE–Sn intermetallics, which affect the deformation behavior of the solder. Little information is available on these constituent phases, and even less on their mechanical properties. In this paper, we report on Young’s modulus and hardness of LaSn3, CeSn3 and YSn3 intermetallic compounds formed in a Sn–Ag– Cu–2RE alloy, determined using nanoindentation. Nanoindentation on pure Sn was also performed for comparison. The Continuous Stiffness Method (CSM) was used during indentation to obtain the instantaneous Young’s modulus as a function of depth. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the indentations after testing. The measured values of Young’s modulus for LaSn3, CeSn3 and YSn3 were 64 � 3, 69 � 3 and 98 � 4 GPa, respectively. Values of hardness for LaSn3, CeSn3 and YSn3 were 1.04 � 0.16, 1.03 � 0.03 and 3.47 � 0.27, respectively. Comparison of these values with limited data in the literature was conducted and is discussed.
Heats of formation of transition-metal alloys: Full-potential approach and the Pt-Ti system.

The heats of formation, {Delta}{ital H}, of the ordered phases of Pt-Ti are calculated using various approximations. This alloy system was chosen because of the availability of experimental data for {Delta}{ital H} for both high- and low-symmetry phases. The difference in the calculated heats of formation between a muffin-tin and a full-potential treatment can be substantial, as much as 0.25 eV/atom. While the total energies of the compounds and the reference elemental metals are all lowered (i.e., increased in binding), the change in {Delta}{ital H} depends on which energy is lowered more. For PtTi in the high-symmetry CsCl structure, {Delta}{ital H} is reduced, implying that the decrease of the total energy due to the full potential is larger for the elemental reference solids than for the compound. The calculated heats of formation are in accord with the experimental values and the known phase-diagram behavior, i.e., all the low-temperature phases predicted to occur as a function of composition are in fact observed.
Competition between direct and concerted movements in surface diffusion with application to the Au(110) surface

Abstract Recent calculations of the energetic barriers for diffusion of Au atoms on the Au(110) surface have shown that for moves perpendicular to the close-packed atomic rows, concerted, or multi-atom movements are energetically favorable over single-atom movements for the same displacement. Entropic hindrances, however are expected to limit concerted moves. In the present paper this competition is investigated via simulation techniques based on model potentials that reproduce the relevant energtic and entropic features of the Au(110) situation. Apparently non-Arrhenius behavior is found for the concerted motions. A new scheme, which avoids the necessity of long simulation runs to determine the “hop” rate at several temperatures, for determining entropic barriers directly is proposed and tested. Though this method is applied in the present context to a simplified model for the interatomic potentials, it can be straightforwardly extended to realistic treatments of those interactions.
3D finite element analysis of evaporative laser cutting

A three-dimensional computational model of evaporative laser-cutting process has been developed using a finite element method. Steady heat transfer equation is used to model the laser-cutting process with a moving laser. The laser is assumed continuous wave Gaussian beam. The finite element surfaces on evaporation side are nonplanar and approximated by bilinear polynomial surfaces. Semi-infinite elements are introduced to approximate the semi-infinite domain. An iterative scheme is used to handle the geometric nonlinearity due to the unknown groove shape. The convergence studies are performed for various meshes. Numerical results about groove shapes and temperature distributions are presented and also compared with those by semi-analytical methods.
PREPARATION OF A 6LI0.74MG0.26 ALLOY TARGET

For a neutron-lifetime experiment at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an alloy of 6Li and Mg was prepared as a disk 2.8 mm thick and 37.9 mm in diameter. Three-plus grams of a homogeneous alloy with a 6Li content approaching 74 at%, a very low hydrogen content and a low oxygen content were required. A sealed stainless-steel crucible was used for the alloying, in consideration of the chemical activities and vapor pressures of Li and Mg at the alloy-formation temperature (≥925 K). This report includes design details of the weld-sealed crucible, adaptations made to a radio-frequency (RF) induction furnance and the process used to prepare 4.5 g of the alloy, recover the alloy from the crucible and shape it into a disk. For ten months, the disk was stored successfully by continous vacuum pumping at 1.3 kPa. Back-scattered gamma rays revealed the alloy had acceptably low levels of hydrogen and oxygen. No other contaminants were detected.
MyoD converts primary dermal fibroblasts, chondroblasts, smooth muscle, and retinal pigmented epithelial cells into striated mononucleated myoblasts and multinucleated myotubes.

Abstract Shortly after their birth, postmitotic mononucleated myoblasts in myotomes, limb buds, and conventional muscle cultures elongate and assemble a cohort of myofibrillar proteins into definitively striated myofibrils. MyoD induces a number of immortalized and/or transformed nonmuscle cells to express desmin and several myofibrillar proteins and to fuse into myosacs. We now report that MyoD converts normal dermal fibroblasts, chondroblasts, gizzard smooth muscle, and pigmented retinal epithelial cells into elongated postmitotic mononucleated striated myoblasts. The sarcomeric localization of antibodies to desmin, alpha-actinin, titin, troponin-I, alpha-actin, myosin heavy chain, and myomesin in these converted myoblasts are indistinguishable from in vivo and in vitro normal myoblasts. Converted myoblasts fuse into typical anisodiametric multinucleated myotubes that often contract spontaneously. Conversion and subsequent expression of the skeletal myogenic program are autonomous events, occurring in four nonmuscle microenvironments consisting of different combinations of foreign extracellular matrix molecules. Early events associated with conversion by MyoD involve (i) withdrawal from the cell cycle, (ii) down-regulation of the subverted cell's ongoing differentiation program, and (iii) initiation of desmin synthesis in presumptive myoblasts and dramatic redistribution of microtubules and desmin intermediate filaments in postmitotic myoblasts.
Auxin activity of 3-methyleneoxindole in wheat.

A product of the enzymatic oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid, 3-methyleneoxindole, is at least 50-fold more effective than indole-3-acetic acid in stimulating the growth of wheat (Triticum vulgare, red variety) coleoptiles. Ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid can antagonize the growth-stimulating properties of the parent compound, indole-3-acetic acid, presumably by chelating Mn2+, which is required for the enzymatic oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid. The growth stimulating effect of 3-methyleneoxindole, a product of the blocked reaction, on the other hand, is still evident in the presence of ethylenedia-minetetraacetic acid. In the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol, indole-3-acetic acid fails to stimulate the elongation of wheat coleoptiles. The property of binding to sulfhydryl compounds including 2-mercaptoethanol is unique to 3-methyleneoxindole among indole-3-acetic acid and its oxidation products. These findings suggest that 3-methyleneoxindole is an obligatory intermediate in indole-3-acetic acid induced elongation of wheat coleoptiles.
Influence of plant spatial patterns on disease dynamics, plant competition and grain yield in genetically diverse wheat populations

Abstract Field experiments conducted at two sites across two winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) seasons tested the effects of cultivar mixtures and spatial planting patterns on foliar disease development and wheat yield. Two or three wheat cultivars were planted in pure stands, random mixtures, alternating rows, and alternating four-row swaths. Plots were inoculated with leaf rust (induced by Puccinia recondita Rob. ex Desm.) or stripe rust (induced by Puccinia striiformis West.). Fungicide-treated control plots consisted of a random mixture pattern (first season) or all patterns used in inoculated plots (second season). Random mixtures and alternating rows of cultivars reduced rust severity 15–82% compared with the mean severity in pure stands. Alternating swaths plots showed higher disease than the random mixture, but also yielded as high or higher than the random mixture. Disease control results are explained by the size of the contiguous are occupied by a given cultivar, which is small for a random mixture, larger for alternating rows, and largest for alternating swaths. Mixtures reduced disease more effectively when this contiguous area was small than when it was large. In the absence of disease, the random mixture yielded similarly to or higher than alternating swaths. During the second season, yield in mixtures was dominated by one cultivar under conditions of disease pressure or close proximity (the random mixture), but yield was more evenly divided between the two cultivars in disease-free plots or in alternating swaths. Thus, planting pattern and disease interacted to influence yield by changing the competitive interactions among cultivars in the mixtures. The planting pattern used in cultivar mixtures may be important in determining disease control and yield results.
Application of megabore capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the analysis of samples generated by the volatile organic sampling train

A method of analyzing volatile organic sampling train (VOST) samples by megabore capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry has been developed to enhance compound resolution and to improve the characterization of products of incomplete combustion in stack emissions. Several analytical systems were evaluated. The combination of components which gave the best overall performance consisted of a clamshell oven used to desorb the Tenax® and/or Tenax®/charcoal VOST cartridges onto an analytical trap in a commercial purge and trap unit. The purge and trap unit thermally desorbed the contents of the analytical trap onto a megabore capillary column installed in a gas chromatograph where the VOST target compounds were characterized and quantified by a computerized mass spectrometer. All VOST target compounds showed response factors with coefficients of variation of less than 25% for triplicate analyses at four concentrations. The time of analysis using the capillary column was 30% faster than the present VOST protocol that requires packed-column gas chromatography.
Characterization-based molecular design of bio-fuel additives using chemometric and property clustering techniques

In this work, multivariate characterization data such as infrared (IR) spectroscopy was used as a source of descriptor data involving information on molecular architecture for designing structured molecules with tailored properties. Application of multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) allowed capturing important features of the molecular architecture from complex data to build appropriate latent variable models. Combining the property clustering techniques and group contribution methods (GCM) based on characterization data in a reverse problem formulation enabled identifying candidate components by combining or mixing molecular fragments until the resulting properties match the targets. The developed methodology is demonstrated using molecular design of biodiesel additive which when mixed with off-spec biodiesel produces biodiesel that meets the desired fuel specifications. The contribution of this work is that the complex structures and orientations of the molecule can be included in the design, thereby allowing enumeration of all feasible candidate molecules that matched the identified target but were not part of original training set of molecules.
A fuzzy multiobjective programming algorithm in decision support systems

Multicriteria analysis is one of the analytical functions in the problem processing system of decision support systems (DSS). In this paper, an interactive and iterative fuzzy programming method for solving a quasi-optimization problem in complex decisions under constraints involving a multiple objective function is proposed. Comparing with an adapted gradient search method, a surrogate worth tradeoff method, and a Zionts—Wallenius method, an approximate preference structure is emphasized in the proposed method.
The Benefits of Using Web-Based Enhancements in an Environmental Chemistry Class

Four semesters of student evaluations of an environmental chemistry class have been analyzed for differences that can be attributed to Web-based enhancements. The enhancements included Web-based lecture notes, reading and problem assignments, bookmark files, and videotaped lectures. We developed these materials as part of a larger project to provide university-level technical courses over the Internet. Student perceptions of the course improved significantly (α = 0.10) after adding Web-based enhancements. Student’s opinion of the instructor improved, but the change is not significant at the 90% confidence level. The student responses to “Was the course challenging?” “Was my interest stimulated?” and “Was the instructor concerned?” were unchanged in the two groups of students. Drop rates were unchanged between the two student groups. The grade-average was nearly identical for the two student groups (82.9% vs. 83.5%), but the grade-distribution changed significantly. The percentage of A’s decreased slightly when Web-based enhancements were added, but the number of B’s increased from 22% to 40%. The percentage of C’s, D’s and F’s decreased for the students with access to Web-based enhancements. These results indicate that Web-based materials helped weaker students improve their performance and, therefore, their opinion of the class and of the instructor was more favorable.
Osteolytic vertebral lesions as a manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis and related disorders.

Three patients, whose presenting clinical complaints were back pain, had rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. Destructive vertebral lesions were present in each case and biopsy specimens from the spine in two patients revealed rheumatoid nodules in one and chronic inflammation and invasive fibrosis in the second. Vertebral and disc lesions are rare in rheumatoid arthritis and relatively common in spondylitis. In the latter disease the lesion may be mistaken for a tuberculous abscess.
Lossless circuit layout image compression algorithm for maskless direct write lithography systems

The recent algorithm Corner is a transform-based technique to represent a circuit layout image for maskless direct write lithography systems. We improve the lossless circuit layout compression algorithm Corner so that 1. it requires fewer symbols during the corner transform, 2. it has a simpler and faster decoding process, while 3. it requires a similar amount of memory for the decoding process.
Statistical issues in epidemiologic studies of the health effects of ambient acid aerosols

Although the ecologic effects of acid rain have been widely reported, relatively little is known about the effects of acidic air pollution on human health. Some epidemiologic and animal studies suggest, however, that acidity is an important determinant of the respiratory health effects of aerosols. The paper reviews some of that evidence and discusses its implications for the design and analysis of epidemiologic studies. Two types of exposure patterns are contrasted: peak exposures associated with air pollution episodes, and chronic exposures resulting from persistently high levels of air pollutants. Recent work on the analysis of repeated categorical outcome variables provides new methods for the analysis of episode studies. Studies of long-term exposure require comparisons among population groups, and these comparisons can be subject to the design effects characteristic of multistage sample surveys. The paper examines the implications of these design effects for epidemiologic studies. The paper also discusses the measurement errors induced by the use of outdoor measurements to quantify personal exposure, and ways to assess effects of such errors on conventional analyses of air pollution studies.
Distance Education and Virtual Reference: Implementing a Marketing Plan at Texas A&M University

Abstract Texas A&M University Libraries has been testing virtual reference services since February 2004, but during the fall semester 2005, the Libraries began implementing and actively promoting the services to various target groups. Distance education students were identified as a primary target group for virtual reference services, and as of the fall semester 2005, approximately 1,600 students were enrolled in 190 distance education classes. This paper presents the Libraries plan for promoting virtual reference services to distance education students and faculty and for evaluating the plan.
Reduction of False Positives on the Rectal Tube in Computer-Aided Detection for CT Colonography

Purpose: To eliminate false-positive (FP) polyp detections on the rectal tube (RT) in CT colonography (CTC) computer-aided detection (CAD). Methods: We use a three-stage approach to detect the RT: detect the RT shaft, track the tube to the tip and label all the voxels that belong to the RT. We applied our RT detection algorithm on a CTC dataset consisting of 80 datasets (40 patients scanned in both prone and supine positions). Two different types of RTs were present, characterized by differences in shaft/bulb diameters, wall intensities, and shape of tip. Results: The algorithm detected 90% of RT shafts and completely tracked 72% of them. We labeled all the voxels belonging to the completely tracked RTs (72%) and in 11 out of 80 (14%) cases the RT voxels were partially labeled. We obtained a 9.2% reduction of the FPs in the initial polyp candidates' population, and a 7.9% reduction of the FPs generated by our CAD system. None of the true-positive detections were mislabeled. Conclusions: The algorithm detects the RTs with good accuracy, is robust with respect to the two different types of RT used in our study, and is effective at reducing the number of RT FPs reported bymore » our CAD system.« less
Understanding old words with new meanings

Most theories of comprehension assume that every word in an utterance is comprehended by selecting its intended sense from a short exhaustive list of potential senses in the mental lexicon. This assumption is challenged by novel words based on proper nouns, as in After Joe listened to the tape of the interview, he did a Richard Nixon to a portion of it i.e., erased. Experiment 1 demonstrated that people interpret verb phrases like do a Nixon against a hierarchy of information assumed to be shared by the speaker and his addressees: Nixon's identity; acts associated with Nixon; types of acts appropriate to the utterance; and the type of act specifically intended. Experiment 2 demonstrated that people expect the intended type of act to be coherent, and to be salient among the acts associated with Nixon. It is argued that creating senses, as with do a Nixon , works differently from selecting senses, and that many words require a mixture of both.
An “Obama effect” on the GRE General Test?

Previous research assessing Obama's effectiveness as a role model in alleviating the effects of stereotype threat on Black Americans' test performance yielded provocative though conflicting results. A field study with research participants observed that Black–White mean differences were not detectable at points in his 2008 presidential campaign when he clearly succeeded—his nomination and election, although they persisted at other points. But a laboratory experiment found that prompts to think positively about Obama had no effect. The present study extended this research to actual test-takers and an operational test (GRE General Test). Black–White mean differences just after the election in November 2008 were substantial and comparable to earlier differences, in November 2006; the level of Black test-takers' performance was also unchanged.
An Examination on the Effect of National Culture on Strategic Behavior and Financial Performance: Evidence from the Cement Industry in Morocco and the United States of America

This study investigates the effect of national culture on strategic behavior and financial performance in the cement industry of both Morocco and the United States of America. Based on the data gathered from cement manufacturers of these two countries, the study found a significant relationship between certain characteristics of national culture of Hofstede (uncertainty avoidance, long- and short-term orientation, and collectivism and individualism) and strategic behavior and financial performance. The research study first investigated the strategic posture of the research domain. The strategic posture aimed to study the readiness for strategic response from managers. Readiness was then correlated with Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and financial performance of the cement manufacturers.
Isolation, Culture and Regeneration of Lettuce Leaf Mesophyll Protoplasts

Summary An efficient and rapid method for the isolation, culture and regeneration Of lettuce mesophyll protoplasts into whole plants is described. Two weeks after protoplast isolation, protoplast-derived calli were transferred to a medium for shoot induction. Shoot buds were visible 4 days after transfer at a frequency of about 20%. A third medium was employed for shoot growth and root formation. One hundred and fifty protoclones of six head lettuce cultivars have been produced. Fifteen protoclones have produced seeds by self pollination.
Lifting facets of the cut polytope

The cut polytope P"c(G) of a graph G is the convex hull of the incidence vectors of the edge sets of all cuts of G. We give a sufficient condition for an inequality defining a facet of P"c(G) to define a facet of the cut polytope of a graph containing G as an induced subgraph. Our result generalizes a result of Deza stating that if G is a complete graph with more than two vertices, then an inequality defines a facet of P"c(G) if and only if it defines a facet of the cut polytope of every complete graph containing G.
A covariant constitutive description of anisotropic non-linear elasticity

This article addresses the role of covariance in the constitutive description of anisotropic non-linear elastic solids embedded in smooth manifolds. The covariant nature of material symmetry groups and associated structural tensors is discussed and an equivalence is established between covariance of strain energy functions inclusive of structural tensors and the respective anisotropic response. Also, necessary conditions for covariance of anisotropic strain energy functions and alternative representations of the stress response are derived.
Microsurgical Complications in the Upper Extremity

Although many advances have been made in microsurgery, it is not without complications. As microsurgeons continue to make advances in technology, technique, and applications that expand the utility of this field to more and more patients, they must be prepared to deal with the complications related to donor and recipient sites and the medical comorbidity that accompanies these large endeavors in the pre-, post-, and intraoperative periods.
Proximity of periplasmic loops in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli determined by site-directed cross-linking

Out of over 60 single-Cys mutants in putative periplasmic loops in lactose permease, three mutants [Tyr101 --> Cys (loop III/IV), Leu313 --> Cys (loop IX/X), and Ser375 --> Cys (loop XI/XII)] spontaneously form disulfide-linked dimers, indicating that these loops are located on the periphery of the 12-helix bundle that comprises the permease. By using a permease construct with a factor Xa protease site in the middle cytoplasmic loop, cross-linking between paired-Cys residues in the N- and C-terminal halves of the permease was studied by spontaneous or copper-(1, 10-phenanthroline)3-catalyzed disulfide formation or by cross-linking with homo- or heterobifunctional reagents in which the distance between the reactive groups and the flexibility of the linker vary. The findings suggest that the longer loops are relatively flexible; however, cross-linking of residues between loops is specific, indicating that these domains are not simply flexible, hydrophilic connections between helices that interact randomly. More specifically, the findings indicate that the first periplasmic loop (loop I/II) is close to loops VII/VIII and XI/XII, placing helix XII in close proximity to helices II and XI. In addition, the observations are consistent with previous results [Wu, J., & Kaback, H. R. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93, 14498-502] demonstrating that helices I and II are close to helices VII and XI. Finally, evidence is presented indicating that conformational flexibility between loops I/II and XI/XII may be important for permease turnover.
TERRESTRIAL LIMING BENEFITS BIRDS IN AN ACIDIFIED FOREST IN THE NORTHEAST

Studies in Europe have reported negative effects of acid deposition on forest birds, and research in North America has identified links between forest bird abundance and rates of acid deposition. We examined the bird community in an acidified forest in central Pennsylvania (USA) and evaluated the effects of terrestrial lime application on birds. We used a before-after control-impact (BACI) study design, with one year of observation before (2003) and three years after lime application (2004, 2005, and 2006). Between the 2003 and 2004 field seasons, 4500 kg/ha of dolomitic lime were applied to two of four 100-ha watersheds. Each year, we monitored bird abundance and Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) eggshell thickness and territory size. Soil and snail abundance data were also collected. The bird community and territory size results indicated that the study area may be providing low-quality habitat for forest birds, perhaps as a result of acid deposition. We found lower forest bird abundances than have been found in less acidified areas of Pennsylvania, and larger Ovenbird territory sizes than have been found in other studies. We found a significant positive relationship between soil calcium and bird abundance, indicating that soil calcium may affect bird abundance. Liming increased soil calcium and pH and led to increased snail and bird abundances. After liming, bird abundance was positively related to snail abundance. No significant changes occurred in Ovenbird territory size or eggshell thickness. Our results suggest that acid deposition could be responsible for reduced bird abundance, and that liming is a potential mitigation technique.
Steroid-Free Induction and Preemptive Antiviral Therapy for Liver Transplant Recipients With Hepatitis C: A Preliminary Report from a Prospective Randomized Study

Recurrence of hepatitis C (HepC) has been a most difficult dilemma in liver transplantation (OLT) because the effects of immunosuppression with steroid, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) calcineurin antagonists, and anti-interleukin-2 antibody as well as the role of preemptive antiviral therapy are uncertain. In this study, we randomized OLT recipients with HepC into two treatment arms: tacrolimus+daclizumab+MMF (study arm) versus tacrolimus+steroids+MMF (control arm). The study arm only received steroids for the treatment of biopsy-proven rejection episodes. Both arms received preemptive anti-viral therapy with Pegasys and ribavirin. The 39 enrolled patients (among 50 to be enrolled) have median follow-up of 458 days with 23 patients (8 in study arm, 15 in control arm) having reached 1 year. The incidences of rejection episodes within 0 to 3 months, 3 to 6 months, and 6 to 12 months were (study vs control): 0% vs 28%; 0% vs 6%; and 13% vs 20%; respectively (P = NS). The 1-year protocol biopsies showed advanced fibrosis (stage 3 or greater) in 20% (3 of 15) of the control arm, but none (0 of 7) of the study arm (P = NS). We compared anticipated side effects of steroids in the first 3 months (study vs control): hypertension (36% vs 58%, P = NS), PTDM (7% vs 43%, P = .02), and wound infections (14% vs 37%, P = NS). In conclusion, liver transplant recipients with HepC tolerate a steroid-free protocol. There was a trend toward reduced steroid side effects and a lower incidence of advanced fibrosis in 1-year biopsy samples among patients receiving the steroid-free protocol.
High-force towing

Abstract Required force levels for iceberg towing at 1 knot (0.5 m/s) could be at least 50 tons (45 tonnes) for protection of structures and drillships in northern waters, and around 1000 tons (900 tonnes) for iceberg exports from the Antarctic. Corresponding values of effective (“towrope”) power are only 307 hp (229 kW) and 6140 hp (4580 kW) respectively. Moderately large conventional tugs typically have thrust/power ( T P ) ratios of 20–25 lbf/hp (0.12–0.15 N/W) with unshrouded propellers, and perhaps 30%–40% more with Kort nozzles. As tug size increases the propeller loading usually has to increase, and T P decreases. A conventional-hull supertug capable of 1000 tons (900 tonnes) thrust would probably have T P ≈ 10 lbf/hp (0.06 N/W), P ≈ 200,000 hp (≈ 150 MW), and a propulsive efficiency of about 3%. Unconventional propellers, paddles, and water jets have little to offer, but efficiency could be improved with an unconventional hull that provides space for large propeller area. If an iceberg is propelled by pulling a drogue towards it, the propulsive efficiency increases as speed of the drogue decreases, but the required drogue area increases. For Antarctic towing the demands exceed current capabilities for winch force, winch power and line speed. If an iceberg is towed against a bottom anchor the propulsive efficiency is 100%, and power demands are modest. While such a system is feasible for relatively shallow waters, it would be very difficult to use in the deep oceans. For any system that has to develop very high towing forces, the tow cable itself is a problem. The safe working load of 6-in. (154-mm) wire rope is less than 300 tons, or 3 1 2 times less than the 1000-ton force that might be needed to move useful Antarctic icebergs. The most practical expedient for Antarctic towing seems to be use of multiple conventional tugs, with fewer tugs or higher speeds as the iceberg reduces its size and streamlines itself. The practical difficulty of towing Antarctic icebergs may have been underestimated, and it might be worth reconsidering preliminary shaping of the iceberg to reduce the drag.
Transmembrane Mutations in Toll-like Receptor 9 Bypass the Requirement for Ectodomain Proteolysis and Induce Fatal Inflammation

Recognition of nucleic acids as a signature of infection by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 7 and 9 exposes the host to potential self-recognition and autoimmunity. It has been proposed that intracellular compartmentalization is largely responsible for reliable self versus nonself discrimination by these receptors. We have previously shown that TLR9 and TLR7 require processing prior to activation, which may further reinforce receptor compartmentalization and tolerance to self, yet this possibility remains untested. Here we report that residues within the TLR9 transmembrane (TM) region conferred the requirement for ectodomain proteolysis. TLR9 TM mutants responded to extracellular DNA, and mice expressing such receptors died from systemic inflammation and anemia. This inflammatory disease did not require lymphocytes and appeared to require recognition of self-DNA by dendritic cells. To our knowledge, these results provide the first demonstration that TLR-intrinsic mutations can lead to a break in tolerance.
Root Length Growth of Eight Crop Species in Haplustoll Soils

Quantifying the dynamics of root growth is necessary for knowledge about development of rhizoplane and rhizosphere structure, and will indicate potentials for soil C sequestration and for water and nutrient usage. Root growth was measured during 3 yr in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on fallow and in seven crops in spring wheat-winter wheat-alternative crop rotation under minimum tillage on Wilton silt loam (fine silty, mixed, superactive, frigid Pachic Haplustolls). Two types of minirhizotrons (standard [Stand MR] and pressurized-wall [P-wall MR]) were read with a microvideo camera. Average maximum rooting depths fell into agronomic groups: oilseeds safflower (Carthamus tinctoris L.), 1.64 m, and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), 1.45 m; spring wheat, 1.31 m; mustard family crops crambe (Crambe abysinnica Hochst. ex R. E. Fr.), 1.17 m, and canola (Brassica rapa ), 1.13 m; and legumes dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), L00 m, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], 0.99 m, and dry pea (Pisum sativum L.), 0.99 m. Median depths of root length growth ranged from 0.92 m for safflower to 0.46 m for dry bean, and ratios of median to maximum depths averaged 0.51. Six out of eight crops showed greatest rooting depths in relatively wet 1995, likely because of wetter subsoil. Greatest total root length in safflower, crambe, canola, soybean and dry bean occurred in drier-than-average 1997, which is interpreted as a response to soil water deficit. Results indicate that diverse crop rotations have the potential to utilize water and nutrients and input C over different soil profile positions than spring wheat-based monocropping.
Organization or conversation in Twitter: A case study of chatterboxing

This paper reports on a case study of Twitter posts (tweets) by chatterboxers to study whether theories of organization of information are applicable to the study of user-supplied labels in Twitter. Chatterboxing is the act of watching a televised event such as the Super Bowl and using a second screen to engage with others, primarily in real time. Researchers have used communication theory as a framework for study of Twitter, considering both #hashtags and @mentions to be primarily communicative. To ascertain whether #hashtags may be fundamentally different and amenable to study as organizational conventions as well, we first compared differences between usage of #hashtags and @mentions during the Super Bowl by taking tweets from three locations identified as heavily invested in the event (hometowns of the teams and the location of the game: Boston, NYC, Indianapolis) and tweets from locations that were not invested (Dallas, Miami, Seattle). Non-parametric statistical comparisons were made between tweets from the three invested and non-invested groups to ascertain whether the uses of labeling conventions were identical. Next a qualitative analysis of a subset of non-location specific tweets supplied information about the content of tweets, the aboutness of #hashtags, and the placement of #hashtags in the tweets. Our findings indicate that #hashtags and @mentions do have two separate functions but that location has a positive influence on their statistical dependency. We also find that #hashtags are used as organizational mechanisms and can reflect aboutness. Specifically, #hashtags are used to describe in order to categorize and to retrieve in order to follow or join a conversation, and future studies should be able to use theories of organization of information to analyze these labels as a way of complementing their otherwise communicative nature.
Initial presentation of hepatocellular carcinoma as a mandibular mass: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma metastatic to the oral cavity is a rare phenomeon. From 1957 to date, 51 cases have been documented in the English literature. In this report we describe a case of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma manifesting itself as unilateral mandibular paresthesia before the discovery of the primary tumor. In addition, we review the literature related to metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma and the pathways of metastasis.
Anomalous Collision-Free Multiple Ionization of Atoms with Intense Picosecond Ultraviolet Radiation

Collisionless multiphoton absorption, resulting in multiple atomic ionization and exhibiting anomalously strong coupling, has been studied in the region spanning atomic number $Z=2$ (He) to $Z=92$ (U). The highest ion state identified is ${\mathrm{U}}^{10+}$, corresponding to absorption of 99 quanta (\ensuremath{\sim}633 eV). Models of stepwise ionization using standard theoretical techniques are incapable of describing these results. A mode of interaction involving radiative coupling to a collective motion of an atomic shell is proposed.
Hyaluronan signaling during ozone-induced lung injury requires TLR4, MyD88, and TIRAP.

Ozone exposure is associated with exacerbation of reactive airways disease. We have previously reported that the damage-associated molecular pattern, hyaluronan, is required for the complete biological response to ambient ozone and that hyaluronan fragments signal through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). In this study, we further investigated the role of TLR4 adaptors in ozone–induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and the direct response to hyaluronan fragments (HA). Using a murine model of AHR, C57BL/6J, TLR4−/−, MyD88−/−, and TIRAP−/− mice were characterized for AHR after exposure to either ozone (1 ppm×3 h) or HA fragments. Animals were characterized for AHR with methacholine challenge, cellular inflammation, lung injury, and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Ozone-exposed C57BL/6J mice developed cellular inflammation, lung injury, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and AHR, while mice deficient in TLR4, MyD88 or TIRAP demonstrated both reduced AHR and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNFα, IL-1β, MCP-1, IL-6 and KC. The level of hyaluronan was increased after inhalation of ozone in each strain of mice. Direct challenge of mice to hyaluronan resulted in AHR in C57BL/6J mice, but not in TLR4−/−, MyD88−/−, or TIRAP−/− mice. HA-induced cytokine production in wild-type mice was significantly reduced in TLR4−/−, MyD88−/−, or TIRAP−/− mice. In conclusion, our findings support that ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness is dependent on the HA-TLR4-MyD88-TIRAP signaling pathway.
FACTORS INFLUENCING CHROMOSOME ABERRATION YIELDS IN THE HUMAN PERIPHERAL LEUKOCYTE SYSTEM.

Abstract The culture procedure for peripheral leukocyte tissue has been considered a simple, unique method for studying radiation-induced chromosome aberrations. Cells that can be stimulated to undergo transformation and cell division in culture were thought to constitute a population of uniform radiosensitivity. It was thus believed that as long as the investigator took the precaution to fix leukocyte cultures at a time that precluded the possibility of obtaining any cells in their second division in culture, the system would provide uniform quantitative estimates of radiation-induced chromosome aberration yields. Experiments described in this paper suggest that these assumptions are erroneous. Successive samples of colchicine-metaphase chromosome preparations from the same culture indicate that with increasing time in culture, the aberration yield gradually rises to a peak, drops off, and then a second peak occurs later. The data also show the peak yield of aberrations occurring at a time when there is a significant frequency of cells in their second division in culture, as measured by either loss of acentric fragments or segregation of tritiated-thymidine label. This suggests the existence of two subpopulations of cells with differing radiosensitivities and rates of progression through the process of transformation to cell division. Regression analysis of the dose-response curves of the two-break aberrations shows that most of them result from two independent ionizing events. This is in accord with earlier work on the human leukocyte system and other cytological system but differs from that of Evans 16–20.
Classes of groups defined by series or normal factor coverings

Of primary interest in this work is the establishing of new closure properties for certain classes of groups defined by means of series or normal factor coverings. (Here, series is as defined by Robinson [IO, p. 91, and norma factor covering is as defined by Durbin [3].) We begin by identifying cxactl!; those classes of groups with which we shall deal. After the identification of these classes, we discuss the new closure properties. Let r’. be a variety of groups defined by a set of words CIT. Also, let pW be the subgroup theoretical property IV-margina [IO, p. 91. Then the series classes with which we deal are @V, P,V and (PI&‘)‘), , the latter being defined by G E ( pW)s if and only if G has ap W-series. (The operations P, fi, and the notion of a pI&‘-series are defined by Robinson [ 10, pp. 12-131.) These classes receive attention in [I I] and are characterized in an elegant fashion by Hickin and Phillips in a recent work [5]. 1% :e note that some familiar classes result whenever W consists of the commutator word. For then ‘Y is the v-ariet!of all abelian groups, and the classes of SN-groups, S-groups, Z-groups (in the sense of Kurosh [6]) are given by i%-, @,,-l ‘, ( pW)s , respectively. Now let us define some classes of groups by means of normal factor coverings. Define an operation F, by G t F,X if and only if G has a normal factor covering with X-factors, where 3 is any class of groups. If I. is a variety of groups defined bv a set of words IX, then in the sequel we shall be concerned with the normai factor covering classes F%Y“ and (pW), , which is defined by G E ( pW), provided G has a normal factor covering {rC, , H, : a: E A] such that H%/K,, is W-marginal in G/K, , for each a E A. Whenever W consists of the commutator word, we mention that the classes F,‘Y . and (pW), have appeared in the literature [I, 2, 31.
A per-object-granularity tracking mechanism and systemfor interactive TV viewership estimation and program rating in real time

TV program ratings directly affect the decisions of advertisers and TV stations' program offerings. TV program providers use television ratings reports to offer appropriate programs as well as attract advertisers. In this paper we propose a framework for TV audience estimates and program ratings using a per-object-granularity tracking mechanism for interactive TV content tracking in real time. It can be applied to live TV broadcasting environments as well as recorded broadcasting environments. The major components of the proposed tracking architecture are an interactive TV content creation tool powered by hotlinked video technology, a tracking information delivery framework with live interactive content insertion capability, an interactive TV content receiver, and tracking servers. The proposed mechanism and system in this paper enables a broadcast station or a rating agency to automatically perform tracking functions in real time based on viewer actions as well as on the content of audiovisual programming.
The genetics and immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease

Genome-wide association studies efficiently and powerfully assay common genetic variation. The application of these studies to Crohn's disease has provided insight into the immunopathogenesis of this disease, implicating a role for genes of the innate and adaptive immune systems. In this Review, I discuss our current understanding of the genetics and immunopathogenesis of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease, but not ulcerative colitis, is associated with genetic variation in NOD2 and an autophagy gene, ATG16L1, both of which affect the intracellular processing of bacterial components. By contrast, variation in the gene encoding the interleukin-23 (IL-23) receptor subunit, as well as in the IL12B, STAT3 and NKX2-3 gene regions, is associated with both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Comparative analyses of gene associations between these two inflammatory bowel diseases reveal common and unique mechanisms of their immunopathogenesis.
Spontaneous neoplasms of pigs--a study of 31 cases.

Abstract Thirty-one porcine neoplasms were examined at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory of Purdue University, from January 1st 1966 to december 31st 1976. The series comprised 8 lymphosarcomas, a granulocytic sarcoma, 7 melanomas, 2 haemangiosarcomas, 3 haemangiomas, 3 papillomas, 2 embryonal nephromas, a glioblastoma, an ameloblastoma, a lipoma, a chondroma, and a leiomyoma.
The relation of social behaviours and challenging behaviours in infants and toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Purpose: Challenging behaviours are a commonly co-occuring problem in children with ASD and are often present during the toddler years. The relationship that these challenging behaviours have with core features of ASD, specifically social behaviours, was examined in this study.Method: This study analysed the relationship between socialization and challenging behaviours among 153 toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. Social behaviour was evaluated using the Battelle Developmental Inventory, 2nd Edition and challenging behaviours were assessed using Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits, Part 3.Result: Lower levels of adult interaction and peer interaction were associated with higher levels of stereotypic behaviour, aggressive/destructive behaviour and to a lesser extent self-injury.Conclusions: The nature of the relationships between socialization and challenging behaviours likely interact in several ways. A better understanding of these relationships is essential to early identification...