cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of the human T cell response to culture filtrate fractions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by microspheres

Abstract An improved method of assessment of the human immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens will assist the development of new vaccines or diagnostic reagents. In this study, we have analyzed human T cell responses to culture filtrate fractions (CFF) of actively replicating M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy PPD skin test positive and negative individuals. Adsorption of CFF onto polystyrene microspheres, that were approximately the size of the M. tuberculosis (bead-adsorbed antigens, BAA) significantly enhanced IFN-γ production compared to soluble antigens (SA) in PPD skin test positive individuals in an antigen-specific manner. Further, BAA induced activation of both CD4 + and CD8 + T cell subsets. However, CD4 + responses in general were higher and their antigenic repertoire was wider than the CD8 + responses. By contrast, CD8 + responses were strongest to the lower molecular weight BAA. When CFF were chemically coupled to carboxyl modified microspheres (bead-coupled antigens, BCA), induction of IFN-γ was similar to BAA. Enhancement of T cell responses to particulate M. tuberculosis antigens may prove useful in vaccine design strategies.
Laboratory aids in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.

The laboratory diagnosis of candidiasis continues to be problematic; however, there have been several advances in the past decade which promise to enhance our ability to identify patients at high risk for infection and/or to document invasive candidiasis in critically ill and immunocompromised patients. The introduction of commercially available biphasic blood culture medium and subsequently the lysiscentrifugation procedure has markedly improved the ability of laboratories to detect fungemia. Although serologic methods have not been very successful in diagnosing candidiasis in immunocompromised patients, several antigen detection methods are now under investigation. In addition, detection of fungal metabolites such as D-arabinitol remains promising. Finally, application of the techniques of molecular biology for typing and detection of fungal pathogens has expanded our understanding of candidal infections and may offer the most sensitive and specific means of diagnosing invasive candidiasis.
Allium Chemistry: Structure, Synthesis, Natural Occurrence in Onion (Allium cepa), and Reactions of 2,3-Dimethyl-5,6-dithiabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane S-Oxides

Peracetic acid oxidation of di-1-propenyl disulfide (8) gives (±)-(1α,2α,3β,4α,5β)-2,3-dimethyl-5,6-dithiabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane 5-oxide (10a; 10%) and (1α,2α,3α,4α,5β)-2,3-dimethyl-5,6-dithiabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane 5-oxide (11a; 11%), both also isolated from extracts of homogenized onion. Compound 10a could be converted into bissulfoxides (±)-(1α,2α,3β,4α,5α,6α)-2,3-dimethyl-5,6-dithiabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane 5,6-dioxide (16) and (±)-(1α,2α,3β,4α,5β,6α)-2,3-dimethyl-5,6-dithiabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane 5,6-dioxide (17a); these could be oxidized further to (±)-(1α,2α,3β,4α,5α,5β,6α)-2,3-dimethyl-5,6-dithiabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane 5,5,6-trioxide (18a) and (±)-(1α,2α,3β,4α,5α,5β,6β)-2,3-dimethyl-5,6-dithiabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane 5,5,6-trioxide (18b) from 16 and 18a from 17a. Extended oxidation of 10a gave (±)-trans-2,3-dimethyl-5,6-dithiabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane 5,5,6,6-tetraoxide (19). Oxidation of 11a gave (1α,2α,3α,4α,5β,6β)-2,3-dimethyl-5,6-dithiabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane 5,6-dioxide (21a) which was further oxidized to trioxides (1α,...
Superfield realizations of Lorentz and CPT violation

Superfield realizations of Lorentz-violating extensions of the Wess-Zumino model are presented. These models retain supersymmetry but include terms that explicitly break the Lorentz symmetry. The models can be understood as arising from superspace transformations that are modifications of the familiar one in the Lorentz-symmetric case.
Detection/tracking of moving targets with synthetic aperture radars

In this work, the problem of detecting and tracking targets with synthetic aperture radars is considered. A novel approach in which prior knowledge on target motion is assumed to be known for small patches within the field of view. Probability densities are derived as priors on the moving target signature within backprojected SAR images, based on the work of Jao. 1 Furthermore, detection and tracking algorithms are presented to take advantage of the derived prior densities. It was found that pure detection suffered from a high false alarm rate as the number of targets in the scene increased. Thus, tracking algorithms were implemented through a particle filter based on the Joint Multi-Target Probability Density (JMPD) particle filter 2 and the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) 3 that could be used in a track-before-detect scenario. It was found that the PF was superior than the UKF, and was able to track 5 targets at 0.1 second intervals with a tracking error of 0.20 ± 1.61 m (95% confidence interval).
Vampires and Resurrection Men: The Perils and Pleasures of the Embodied Past in 1840s Sensational Fiction

This essay examines embodied representations of the past in two of the most popular penny serials of the 1840s, G.W.M. Reynolds's "The Mysteries of London" and James Malcolm Rymer's "Varney the Vampyre; or, The Feast of Blood." The cadaverous "Resurrection man" of "The Mysteries" and Sir Francis Varney the Vampire -- both villains figured as irrepressible, resurrected corpses -- corporealize the inescapable return of personal and political history. Functioning as shadowy doubles of their serials' virtuous heroes, these corpse-villains trouble melodramatic distinctions between virtue and vice, and their own deeply contradictory histories disrupt their novels' engagements with historical presence and historical agency.
Multiple acquisition of magic angle spinning solid-state NMR experiments using one receiver: Application to microcrystalline and membrane protein preparations

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy of proteins is a notoriously low-throughput technique. Relatively low-sensitivity and poor resolution of protein samples require long acquisition times for multidimensional NMR experiments. To speed up data acquisition, we developed a family of experiments called Polarization Optimized Experiments (POE), in which we utilized the orphan spin operators that are discarded in classical multidimensional NMR experiments, recovering them to allow simultaneous acquisition of multiple 2D and 3D experiments, all while using conventional probes with spectrometers equipped with one receiver. POE allow the concatenation of multiple 2D or 3D pulse sequences into a single experiment, thus potentially combining all of the aforementioned advances, boosting the capability of ssNMR spectrometers at least two-fold without the addition of any hardware. In this perspective, we describe the first generation of POE, such as dual acquisition MAS (or DUMAS) methods, and then illustrate the evolution of these experiments into MEIOSIS, a method that enables the simultaneous acquisition of multiple 2D and 3D spectra. Using these new pulse schemes for the solid-state NMR investigation of biopolymers makes it possible to obtain sequential resonance assignments, as well as distance restraints, in about half the experimental time. While designed for acquisition of heteronuclei, these new experiments can be easily implemented for proton detection and coupled with other recent advancements, such as dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), to improve signal to noise. Finally, we illustrate the application of these methods to microcrystalline protein preparations as well as single and multi-span membrane proteins reconstituted in lipid membranes.
LOCATION OF COLLAPSING SOILS IN THE TUCSON BASIN

Abstract Data obtained from site investigations in the Tucson area between 1982 and 1987 has been used to locate areas with collapse potential. These areas are associated with easily identified geomorphic features in Holocene deposits, particularly skirt and apron fans; inset fans and river terraces and flood plains.
Temporal, spatial and meteorological variations in hourly PM2.5 concentration extremes in New York City

Abstract Variations in the extreme percentiles of empirical hourly PM 2.5 concentration distributions from a unique high-density network of 20 stations within New York City are statistically analyzed. Significant diurnal, seasonal and day-of-week variations are noted, with the highest concentrations typically found between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m., during summer, and on weekdays. The lowest concentrations are generally found during early morning hours (4:00–6:00 a.m.), in winter and on weekends. The amplitudes of these seasonal and diurnal cycles vary with percentile, with less pronounced cycles for the lowest and in some cases highest percentiles. The diurnal and day-of-week patterns suggest that although anthropogenic factors may be primarily responsible for the observed diurnal cycle, meteorological conditions also have some influence. There is little spatial variation in concentration across the city. Highly significant between-station correlations are obtained for all seasons. However, lower correlation is found in winter. Meteorologically, the highest PM 2.5 concentrations occur with moderate southwesterly winds and high temperatures and humidity during summer. These conditions are related to the westward expansion of the Bermuda high-pressure system. Calm winds are conducive to the highest winter particulate concentrations. Relatively strong northerly winds are typically associated with the lowest PM 2.5 concentrations. It appears that regional-scale processes dominate day-to-day changes in particulate concentrations across the city.
Conductance suppression due to correlated electron transport in coupled double quantum dots

The electrostatic interaction between two capacitively coupled metal double-dots is studied at low temperatures. Experiments show that when the Coulomb blockade is lifted by applying appropriate gate biases to both double-dots, the conductance through each double-dot becomes significantly lower than when only one doubledot is conducting. A master equation is derived for the system and the results obtained agree well with the experimental data. The model suggests that the conductance lowering in each double-dot is caused by a single-electron tunneling in the other double-dot. Here, each double-dot responds to the instantaneous, rather than average, potentials on the other double-dot. This leads to correlated electron motion within the system, where the position of a single electron in one double-dot controls the tunneling rate through the other doubledot. @S0163-1829~99!16347-1#
Tax Timing Options on Futures Contracts and the 1981 Economic Recovery Act

This study utilizes foreign currency futures contracts to evaluate the tax timing options created by the 1981 Economic Recovery Act. Our findings suggest that the act had an impact on contracts with less than six months to maturity and that the marginal trader in those contracts is a long-position holder. Similarly, the results suggest that the option of tax year selection for foreign currency futures in valuable.
Disparate effects of antidiabetic drugs on arterial contraction

Abstract Type II diabetic patients and others with insulin resistance are at risk for development of hypertension characterized by elevated peripheral vascular resistance and loss of insulin's normal vasodilating activity. Oral antidiabetic drugs have recently been recognized to have disparate effects on arterial pressure in such patients and in related rodent models. Sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), which stimulate insulin secretion, have been reported either to increase or not to affect arterial pressure, whereas nonsulfonylurea agents with insulin-sensitizing properties, the biguanide metformin and various thiazolidinediones (eg, pioglitazone), have been reported to decrease arterial pressure in humans and rodents. To help elucidate these disparate effects, we investigated these agents for direct actions on arterial vascular contractility and its sensitivity to insulin. Preincubation of intact rat tail arterial tissue rings for 2 hours with known therapeutically effective antidiabetic concentrations of mefformin and pioglitazone significantly attenuated the force of contractions produced by either potassium (membrane depolarization) or norepinephrine ([ne]adrenergic receptor activation). Glyburide did not influence these contractions. Preincubation with metformin also induced an attenuating (vasodilating-like) action of insulin on arterial tissue rings contracted by potassium. Conversely, glyburide induced an accentuating action of insulin on potassium-mediated contractions. These results are consistent with measures of vascular function obtained in the past after oral administration of the drugs, which suggested but did not prove that they may exert direct effects on arterial vascular contractility. Thus, metformin and thiazolidinediones may decrease arterial pressure partly by direct vasorelaxant mechanisms, with metformin having an additional effect of inducing vasorelaxation by insulin. In contrast, sulfonylureas may directly induce a paradoxical vasoconstrictor response to insulin.
Single Scattering of 2-Bev/c Muons in Nuclear Emulsions

The single scattering of high-energy muons from emulsion nuclei was measured using a monoenergetic beam of muons produced at the Berkeley bevatron. The median momentum of muons was 2.00\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 Bev/c with a spread of no more than \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.5%. Nuclear emulsion stacks were exposed to this muon beam behind the targets used for a counter experiment. The results of the counter experiment were reported earlier. The muon tracks recorded in nuclear emulsions were followed by a special fast-scanning technique, and a total of 682 single scattering events were found from 743 meters of track following. For the muon beam accepted in the emulsion scanning, the pion contamination was measured to be 1.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2%. These pions contribute to the integral muon scattering data by about 3% for scattering angles greater than 1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. The observed scattering distribution which extends up to 3\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} scattering angle, or momentum transfer of about 100 Mev/c, is in good agreement with the electromagnetic theory predictions and complements the counter experiment which covered momentum transfers of 70-400 Mev/c.
Magnetically self-focussing streams

Streams of fast electrons which can accumulate positive ions in sufficient quantity to have a linear density of positives about equal to the linear density of electrons, along the stream, become magnetically self-focussing when the current exceeds a value which can be calculated from the initial stream conditions. Focussing conditions obtain when breakdown occurs in cold emission. The characteristic features of breakdown are explained by the theory. Failure of high voltage tubes is also discussed.
Murine Glut-1 transporter haploinsufficiency: postnatal deceleration of brain weight and reactive astrocytosis

Glucose transporter type 1 (Glut-1) facilitates glucose flux across the blood-brain-barrier. In humans, Glut-1 deficiency causes acquired microcephaly, seizures and ataxia, which are recapitulated in our Glut-1 haploinsufficient mouse model. Postnatal brain weight deceleration and development of reactive astrogliosis were significant by P21 in Glut-1(+/-) mice. The brain weight differences remained constant after P21 whereas the reactive astrocytosis continued to increase and peaked at P90. Brain immunoblots showed increased phospho-mTOR and decreased phospho-GSK3-beta by P14. After fasting, the mature Glut-1(+/-) females showed a trend towards elevated phospho-GSK3-beta, a possible neuroprotective response. Lithium chloride treatment of human skin fibroblasts from control and Glut-1 DS patients produced a 45% increase in glucose uptake. Brain imaging of mature Glut-1(+/-) mice revealed a significantly decreased hippocampal volume. These subtle immunochemical changes reflect chronic nutrient deficiency during brain development and represent the experimental correlates to the human neurological phenotype associated with Glut-1 DS.
Heat loss and Lewis number effects on the onset of oscillations in diffusion flames

A diffusion flame may be characterized by the response of the burning rate to a properly defined Damkohler number, representing the ratio of diffusion time to chemical reaction time. Depending on the oxidant concentration in the ambient and on the Lewis numbers, the response may be an S-shaped or monotonic curve. While the S curve exhibits ignition and extinction phenomena, the monotonic curve indicates that there is a gradual transition from intense burning to a nearly frozen state and vice versa. Stability considerations indicate that spontaneous oscillations develop when the Lewis number is sufficiently large and/or heat losses are excessive. This suggests that the ignition/extinction conditions, normally associated with the turning points of the S curve, must be modified and related to the points of exchange of stability. For a monotonic response curve, the oscillations lead to extinction that is not predicted otherwise. The near-limit oscillations predicted here are qualitatively similar to those observed in the microgravity candle flame experiment, and the frequencies of oscillations predicted are of the same order of magnitude.
Kerion of the glabrous skin

Five patients had kerion celsi on the glabrous skin. Four of these were farmers, and one was a veterinarian. The lesions occurred on the distal part of the forearm of four patients and in the breast area of one patient, most occurring during the spring months. Several of the lesions were misdiagnosed as bacterial infections or nondermatophytic fungal infections and were treated as such. Our report calls attention to this atypical form of localized inflammatory infection caused by tinea. (J AM ACAD DERMATOL 7:490-494, 1982.)
Electrostatic self-assembly of structured gold nanoparticle/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanocomposites

Hybrid inorganic/organic composite materials composed of gold nanoparticles of varying size (1.5 and 6.8 nm) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) units were created using electrostatic self-assembly. Carboxylic acid-functionalized mixed monolayer protected gold clusters (MMPCs) were mixed with trimethyl quaternary ammonium-functionalized POSS units, providing well-ordered aggregates. The aggregates were characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), revealing an increase in average interparticle spacing upon assembly with POSS. This increase in spacing was shown to influence the surface plasmon resonance band of the larger 6.8 nm Au nanoparticles as characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy.
Influence of number of gilts per pen on estrous traits in confinement-reared gilts

One hundred forty-four Yorkshire (Y) x Landrace (L) and Chester White (CW) x Large White (LW) reciprocal cross gilts (Trial I) and 147 CW:LW x Y:L reciprocal cross gilts (Trial II), 4.5 to 5 months old, were penned in groups of 3, 9, 17 or 27 (1.1 m(2)/gilt). Estrus was checked daily from seven to nine months of age. Reproductive tracts of all noncyclic gilts were examined at nine months of age. Between seven and nine months of age, 12% to 16% fewer (P<0.05) gilts in pens of three had regular estrous cycles, and the percentage of gilts with regular estrous cycles did not differ with more (9, 17 or 27) gilts/pen. At nine months of age, 56.9% of the gilts penned in groups of three were cyclic as compared to 78%, 80.4% and 80.7% of the gilts penned in groups of 9, 17 and 27, respectively. In Trial I, more (P<0.05) CW x LW reciprocal cross gilts were cyclic compared to Y x L reciprocal cross gilts at nine months of age. The CW x LW group had fewer behaviorally anestrous gilts and more cyclic gilts, regardless of the number of gilts/pen. The social cues involved in the process of sexual development of gilts remain undefined, but extremes in the number of gilts/pen should be avoided.
Proinflammatory cytokines differentially regulate hyaluronan synthase isoforms in fetal and adult fibroblasts.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Fetal wound healing is a relatively scarless process that occurs in an hyaluronan-rich environment. Understanding the regulation of hyaluronan expression may provide insight into the process of fetal repair. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the regulation of hyaluronan and hyaluronan synthase transcripts by the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in human adult and fetal fibroblasts. Methods: Hyaluronan deposited in the medium of untreated fibroblasts or fibroblasts treated with either IL-1β or TNF-α was determined by an assay utilizing iodine I 125-hyaluronan binding protein. HAS transcript levels were compared in using a ribonuclease protection assay. Results: IL-1β induced an increase in hyaluronan accumulation by both fetal and adult fibroblasts. In contrast, TNF-α induced higher levels of hyaluronan only in fetal fibroblasts. HAS-2 and HAS-3 transcript levels were constitutively expressed by both fetal and adult fibroblasts. Proinflammatory cytokines induced a differential increase in HAS-1 and HAS-3 transcript levels. Conclusions: Differential regulation was observed in hyaluronan accumulation and for HAS transcript levels in fetal and adult dermal fibroblasts. The muted response of fetal fibroblasts to cytokines may be relevant to the minimal inflammation associated with fetal repair. J Pediatr Surg 35:874-879. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Mice Infected with Low-Virulence Strains of Toxoplasma gondii Lose Their Innate Aversion to Cat Urine, Even after Extensive Parasite Clearance

Toxoplasma gondii chronic infection in rodent secondary hosts has been reported to lead to a loss of innate, hard-wired fear toward cats, its primary host. However the generality of this response across T. gondii strains and the underlying mechanism for this pathogen-mediated behavioral change remain unknown. To begin exploring these questions, we evaluated the effects of infection with two previously uninvestigated isolates from the three major North American clonal lineages of T. gondii, Type III and an attenuated strain of Type I. Using an hour-long open field activity assay optimized for this purpose, we measured mouse aversion toward predator and non-predator urines. We show that loss of innate aversion of cat urine is a general trait caused by infection with any of the three major clonal lineages of parasite. Surprisingly, we found that infection with the attenuated Type I parasite results in sustained loss of aversion at times post infection when neither parasite nor ongoing brain inflammation were detectable. This suggests that T. gondii-mediated interruption of mouse innate aversion toward cat urine may occur during early acute infection in a permanent manner, not requiring persistence of parasite cysts or continuing brain inflammation.
Visual attention mechanisms show a center—surround organization

The sudden onset of a cue triggers visual attention, which then enhances visual processing in the zone near the cue. This enhancement causes a motion illusion in subsequent stimuli presented near the cue. At greater separations from the cue, the illusory motion reverses direction, indicating prolonged processing speed. Measurements of the strength and direction of illusory motion at increasing separations from the cue reveal an attentional 'perceptive field' with an excitatory center at the locus cued and an inhibitory surround subtending the remaining visual field. These findings help explain the traditional attentional 'benefits' and 'costs' of attention.
Federal investment in health information technology: how to motivate it?

Health care market failures include inefficient standard making, problems with coordination among local providers to optimize care, and inability to measure quality accurately, inexpensively, or reliably. Study of other industries suggests policy directions for health information technology and the magnitude of gains from improving market functioning, which are very large. A perspective drawn from U.S. industrial history—in particular railroads and the interstate highway system—suggests an investment level roughly consistent with recent estimates drawn from the medical literature. The benefits of quick action probably outweigh the benefits of delaying and choosing the perfect funding mechanism.
Structures of sortase B from Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus anthracis reveal catalytic amino acid triad in the active site.

Surface proteins attached by sortases to the cell wall envelope of bacterial pathogens play important roles during infection. Sorting and attachment of these proteins is directed by C-terminal signals. Sortase B of S. aureus recognizes a motif NPQTN, cleaves the polypeptide after the Thr residue, and attaches the protein to pentaglycine cross-bridges. Sortase B of B. anthracis is thought to recognize the NPKTG motif, and attaches surface proteins to m-diaminopimelic acid cross-bridges. We have determined crystal structure of sortase B from B. anthracis and S. aureus at 1.6 and 2.0 A resolutions, respectively. These structures show a β-barrel fold with α-helical elements on its outside, a structure thus far exclusive to the sortase family. A putative active site located on the edge of the β-barrel is comprised of a Cys-His-Asp catalytic triad and presumably faces the bacterial cell surface. A putative binding site for the sorting signal is located nearby.
Elastic and structural properties of Mo/Ta superlattices

Abstract Previously1 we reported the fabrication, structure, and electrical transport properties of Mo/Ta superlattices. This present paper reports a more quantitative analysis used to explain an observed wavelength-dependent strain perpendicular to the layers in terms of the van der Merwe2,3 model for epitaxial superlattices. These results are correlated with an anomalous decrease in the c44 elastic stiffness constant of Mo/Ta for 20 A
BINDING ENERGIES FOR CLUSTERS OF ATOMIC-TRIPLET HYDROGEN.

Abstract An absolute lower bound energy for small clusters of 3 Σ + u hydrogen and deuterium atoms is determined. No bound states are possible for clusters containing less than 9 atoms of hydrogen or less than 5 atoms of deuterium. A discussion concerning the possibility of a bound state for the bulk system is also given.
High-level radioactive waste from light-water reactors

The production of radioactive nuclei during the operation of a light-water reactor is traced, and their decay history is followed. The potential environmental impacts of this waste are calculated and shown to be comparable to those of other materials we produce. Assuming deep burial, it is shown that there are important time delays which prevent the waste from reaching the biosphere in the first few hundred years while its toxicity is decreasing by several orders of magnitude. In the long term, the most important pathway to man was found to be through groundwater into food and water supplies, with consequences calculated to be 0.4 fatalities in ${10}^{6}$ years from each year of all-nuclear power in U.S. Other pathways considered and found to be less important include meteorites, volcanism, release through ground water to airborne particulate, and human intrusion by drilling and mining for unspecified materials and for salt. For time scales longer than ${10}^{6}$ years, nuclear power is shown to reduce man's exposure to radiation by consuming uranium. A cost-benefit analysis is developed for surveillance of buried waste. It is shown that buried high-level waste is environmentally much less dangerous than uranium mill tailings.
Affine and general linear equivalences of boolean functions

An algorithm is presented which determines, given two Boolean functions, the set of affine transformations and the set of general linear transformations under which the functions are equivalent. A method for detecting linear functions is developed for use in the algorithm.
SWIM, a novel Zn-chelating domain present in bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes

A previously undetected domain with a CxCx(n)CxH pattern of predicted zinc-chelating residues was identified in a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic proteins. These include bacterial ATPases of the SWI2/SNF2 family, plant MuDR transposases and transposase-derived Far1 nuclear proteins, and vertebrate MEK kinase-1. This domain was designated SWIM after SWI2/SNF2 and MuDR, and is predicted to have DNA-binding and protein-protein interaction functions in different contexts.
A Component Assembly Approach Based On Aspect-Oriented Generative Domain Modeling

We present an approach towards automatic component assembly based on aspect-oriented generative domain modeling. It involves the lifecycle covering the component specification generation, and subsequent assembly of implementation components to produce the final software system. Aspect-oriented techniques are applied to capture the crosscutting concerns that emerge during the assembly process. Subsequently, those concerns are woven to generate glue/wrapper code for assembling heterogeneous components to construct a single integrated system.
On the interpretation of the Exosat photometry of two hot DA white dwarfs

Exosat photometric observations of the hot DA white dwarfs GD 2 and EG 70 are presented and analyzed using model atmosphere and synthetic spectrum calculations. The numerical accuracy of the calculations and their impact on the reliability of the results are addressed. The optimum atmospheric parameters that explain the complete spectral coverage are derived. The consequences of these conjectures for the spectral evolution theory of white dwarf stars are considered.
Phentolamine stimulates insulin release and glucose clearance and suppresses food ingestion.

Abstract In Experiment One, phentolamine (PTA), an alpha-adrenergic blocker, was injected in rats at doses of 0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 μg/kg following a 4-hr fast. Measurement of food intake 1-hr postinjection revealed that 300 μg/kg PTA reduced food intake. Experiment Two evaluated the potential aversiveness of 300 μg/kg PTA. Four-hour fasted rats were adapted to a milk diet as the only food source during a 1-hr intake measurement period. After the 15-day adaptation period, three separate groups of animals (n=8 per group) received the milk with cherry flavoring added and infections of either 1% body weight 0.9 NaCl, isosmotic LiCl or 300 μg/kg PTA. Only those subjects that had received LiCl injections developed a reliable aversion to the cherry-flavored milk. The final experiments subdivided the 1-hr feeding period into three 20-min segments and, in separate animals, food intake or plasma insulin and glucose changes were assessed. The animals were assigned to one of two groups receiving either 300 μkg PTA or equivolume 0.9% NaCl. PTA-injected subjects showed an immediate modest enhancement of insulin release during the first 20-min feeding segment following injection, compared to controls, while blood glucose levels decreased but never differed reliably between groups. Food intake was reliably suppressed in the second and third 20-min segments for the PTA-injected rats. We advance that PTA by enhancing glucose clearance may be reducing ingestion.
Mechanism of action of 2-methoxyestradiol: new developments.

Abstract 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2) is an endogenous metabolite of estrogen that has both antiangiogenic and antitumor effects. In preclinical models, 2ME2 showed promising activity that led to its clinical development as an orally active, small-molecule inhibitor of angiogenesis. Initial results suggest that 2ME2 is well tolerated and several Phase I and II clinical trials are evaluating 2ME2 in multiple tumor types. While many studies over the past 10 years have increased our understanding of how 2ME2 exerts its pleiotropic effects, its molecular mechanisms of action are not yet clear. Recent data have shown that 2ME2 inhibits HIF-1α, a key angiogenic transcription factor. The ability of 2ME2 to inhibit HIF-1α correlates with its microtubule-depolymerizing effects. The extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species are involved in apoptosis initiated by 2ME2; the relative contribution of each pathway appears to vary depending on the cell type. This review focuses on papers published within the past 2 years up to September 2003 that provide significant new insights into how 2ME2 exerts its diverse effects.
Improved rechargeability of the Na-S battery

Abstract The rechargeability of the Na-S battery is limited by the formation of sulfur domains which block the passage of electrical current. Mathematical models were used to examine this process. They indicate that improvements can be achieved by either (a) matching the electrical resistance of the Na 2 S 5 -S melt to that of an extended carbon electrode or (b) use of capillary-active material that promotes high concentrations of ionic sulfides close to the β″-alumina electrode. Experiments with Na-S minicells demonstrated that improved rechargeability is obtained with a layer of capillary-active fiberglass immediately adjacent to the β″-alumina electrode surface.
Intracellular calcium transients in potentiated contractions induced by multiple extrasystolic beats in isolated perfused rat hearts.

Mechanisms underlying contractile potentiation induced by multiple extrasystolic contractions (ESC) were evaluated with surface fluorometry in isolated perfused rat hearts loaded with Indo-1/AM. After baseline pacing with a 400 ms interval, 1–25 ESC were interposed with a regular 160 ms interval followed by the postextrasystolic beat with a 400 ms interval. With an increase in the ESC number, left ventricular developed pressure and peak positive dP/dt increased in an exponential manner, reaching a plateau, that was the same for 3 extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o; 0.55 (n = 9), 1.25 (n = 11) and 2.75 mM (n = 7). Increased [Ca2+]o shifted this relationship left and upward, and with 2.75 mM [Ca2+]o developed pressure and dP/dt decreased after the maximum potentiation was obtained. The relationship between the ESC number and the amplitude of the Indo-1 fluorescence (F400F510; an index of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i)) was also exponential and was shifted left and upward by high [Ca2+]o; however, it lacked the declining phase. Thus, the relationship between the amplitude of F400F510 and developed pressure of dP/dt consisted of a positively linear part until the maximum potentiation was obtained and a negatively linear part with a further increase in the amplitude of F400F510. This observation suggests that although contractile potentiation is mediated by increased [Ca2+]i transients, the maximum response might be determined by the responsiveness of the sarcomere.
Legal implications of an ethical duty to search for genetic incidental findings.

Gliwa and Berkman (2013) provide a useful analysis of whether and when an ethical duty to search for incidental genetic findings might arise within an ancillary care framework. They conclude that w...
A Framework for Solving Behavior Problems: Functional Assessment and Intervention Planning

Abstract Behavior problems exhibited by exotic pets are frequently the impetus for caregivers to seek help from veterinary professionals. One barrier to helping caregivers resolve these problems is the commonly held view that behavior is something an animal has rather than something it does, given certain conditions. By identifying and changing the conditions in which problem behaviors occur, these inappropriate behaviors can be replaced with appropriate behaviors, and caregivers and pets will experience more success living together. Functional assessment is a set of procedures used to identify the functionally related environmental conditions that maintain problem behaviors. These procedures have been well validated within the field of applied behavior analysis, particularly with children exhibiting severe behavior problems. Functional assessment appears to have wide applicability to pets and other animals in captivity as well. The outcome of a good functional assessment is a summary statement that includes: 1) a clear, observable description of the problem behavior; 2) the general and immediate environmental conditions that predict the behavior; and 3) the purpose the behavior serves for the animal (e.g., the consequences the behavior produces). With this information, environmental changes can be made to make the problem behavior irrelevant, inefficient, and ineffective. Without this information, the wrong behavior may inadvertently be reinforced. At the same time, alternate behaviors that are acceptable to the caregivers can be reinforced to meet the same, or different, functions for the animal. A framework for accomplishing a functional assessment and systematic intervention planning is presented.
A STUDY OF THE GROWTH OF SMALL FATIGUE CRACKS IN A HIGH STRENGTH STEEL USING A SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVE TECHNIQUE

— An ultrasonic surface acoustic wave technique for studying the growth behaviour of small fatigue cracks is described. The technique allows crack depth and opening stress to be monitored continuously during the course of a fatigue test. Results are given for a 1740 MPa yield strength, silicon-modified, AISI 4340 steel tested under zero-to-tension cyclic loading. Good agreement is shown between acoustically determined crack depth and that measured by post-fracture optical microscopy. The monitoring of changing crack depth-to-surface length ratios during tests is also demonstrated. Acoustically determined crack opening stresses were found to be about 10% higher than values determined by measurements of crack tip opening displacements by scanning electron microscopy. Effects on crack growth of two different specimen surface preparations, electropolishing and diamond paste polishing, are also reported. Growth rates in electropolished specimens were as much as an order of magnitude higher than in diamond paste polished specimens which had a shallow but significant layer of compressive residual stress.
The role of systems modeling in drug discovery and predictive health

Systems biology is the result of a confluence of recent advances in molecular biology, engineering, and the computational sciences. It can loosely be categorized into experimental and computational systems biology. Experimental high-throughput methods, assisted by robotics, image analysis, and bioinformatics, have been used in the drug industry for quite a while, and current screening tests for drug efficacy and toxicity regularly involve genomic, proteomic, and molecular modeling approaches. By contrast, the role of computational methods of biological systems analysis is still emerging. This presentation focuses on computational systems modeling and its increasingly important role at several junctures of the drug development pipeline. Examples to be discussed include mathematical models for receptor dynamics, pharmacokinetics, and metabolic and signaling pathway analysis. In the context of the latter, Biochemical Systems Theory is proposed as a highly advantageous default framework for model design, diagnostics, manipulation, and system optimization. The development of dynamic models for complex disease processes permits the straightforward inclusion of methods for custom-tailoring models, which is a key step toward personalized medicine and predictive health [1-5].
Total synthesis of (+)-lentiginosine via a key Au catalysis

Total syntheses of (+)-lentiginosine and its 8a-epimer using a gold-catalyzed oxidative cyclization as the key step were realized. The gold chemistry, reported previously in a [4+2] synthesis of piperidin-4-ones, tolerates functionalized structures and is compatible with several protecting strategies albeit with low diastereoselectivities.
Indomethacin pretreatment blocks the effects of high concentrations of ethanol.

Previous reports from our laboratory have indicated that the responses to ethanol following intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection increase as the concentration of the ethanol solution increases. We have also presented evidence which indicates that pretreatment with drugs such as indomethacin (a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor) decreases the response of mice to ethanol injected i.p. The results reported here corroborate our earlier findings in that the sleep time response of C57BL and DBA mice was greater following injection with a 40% (w/v) ethanol solution than that seen following i.p. injection with a 20% (w/v) ethanol solution. The increase in sleep time does not appear to be due to alterations in the rates of absorption or elimination of ethanol. Pretreatment with indomethacin reduced sleep time in those animals injected with the 40% solution but was without effect in the animals injected with the 20% solution. Both C57BL and DBA mice pretreated with indomethacin exhibited an increase in waking blood and brain ethanol, an indicant of altered central nervous system sensitivity. In addition, both DBA and C57BL mice exhibited an increase in the linear rate of ethanol elimination if pretreated with indomethacin before injection with the 40% ethanol solution. Indomethacin did not affect ethanol elimination rates of animals injected with the 20% ethanol solution. These data indicate that high concentrations of ethanol when injected into the peritoneal cavity promote the production of prostaglandins which serve to enhance the behavioral response to ethanol. This enhancement may be due to altered pharmacokinetics as well as central nervous system effects.
Oxytocin is associated with human trustworthiness.

Human beings exhibit substantial interpersonal trust—even with strangers. The neuroactive hormone oxytocin facilitates social recognition in animals, and we examine if oxytocin is related to trustworthiness between humans. This paper reports the results of an experiment to test this hypothesis, where trust and trustworthiness are measured using the sequential anonymous ‘‘trust game’’ with monetary payoffs. We find that oxytocin levels are higher in subjects who receive a monetary transfer that reflects an intention of trust relative to an unintentional monetary transfer of the same amount. In addition, higher oxytocin levels are associated with trustworthy behavior (the reciprocation of trust). Absent intentionality, both the oxytocin and behavioral responses are extinguished. We conclude that perceptions of intentions of trust affect levels of circulating oxytocin.
Single-Cell Analysis Reveals Functionally Distinct Classes within the Planarian Stem Cell Compartment

Planarians are flatworms capable of regenerating any missing body region. This capacity is mediated by neoblasts, a proliferative cell population that contains pluripotent stem cells. Although population-based studies have revealed many neoblast characteristics, whether functionally distinct classes exist within this population is unclear. Here, we used high-dimensional single-cell transcriptional profiling from over a thousand individual neoblasts to directly compare gene expression fingerprints during homeostasis and regeneration. We identified two prominent neoblast classes that we named ζ (zeta) and σ (sigma). Zeta-neoblasts encompass specified cells that give rise to an abundant postmitotic lineage, including epidermal cells, and are not required for regeneration. By contrast, sigma-neoblasts proliferate in response to injury, possess broad lineage capacity, and can give rise to zeta-neoblasts. These findings indicate that planarian neoblasts comprise two major and functionally distinct cellular compartments.
Critical role of the energy spectrum in determining the nonlinear-optical response of a quantum system

Studies aimed at understanding the global properties of the hyperpolarizabilities have focused on identifying universal properties when the hyperpolarizabilities are at the fundamental limit. These studies have taken two complimentary approaches: (1) Monte Carlo techniques that statistically probe the full parameter space of the Schrodinger equation using the sum rules as a constraint, and (2) numerical optimization studies of the first and second hyperpolarizability where models of the scalar and vector potentials are parameterized and the optimized parameters determined, from which universal properties are investigated. Here, we employ an energy spectrum constraint on the Monte Carlo method to bridge the divide between these two approaches. The results suggest an explanation for the origin of the factor of the 20–30 gap between the best molecules and the fundamental limits and establish the basis for the three-level ansatz.
Perceptual Relearning of Complex Visual Motion after V1 Damage in Humans

Damage to the adult, primary visual cortex (V1) causes severe visual impairment that was previously thought to be permanent, yet several visual pathways survive V1 damage, mediating residual, often unconscious functions known as “blindsight.” Because some of these pathways normally mediate complex visual motion perception, we asked whether specific training in the blind field could improve not just simple but also complex visual motion discriminations in humans with long-standing V1 damage. Global direction discrimination training was administered to the blind field of five adults with unilateral cortical blindness. Training returned direction integration thresholds to normal at the trained locations. Although retinotopically localized to trained locations, training effects transferred to multiple stimulus and task conditions, improving the detection of luminance increments, contrast sensitivity for drifting gratings, and the extraction of motion signal from noise. Thus, perceptual relearning of complex visual motion processing is possible without an intact V1 but only when specific training is administered in the blind field. These findings indicate a much greater capacity for adult visual plasticity after V1 damage than previously thought. Most likely, basic mechanisms of visual learning must operate quite effectively in extrastriate visual cortex, providing new hope and direction for the development of principled rehabilitation strategies to treat visual deficits resulting from permanent visual cortical damage.
Social Justice Begins at Home: The Challenges and Successes of a Social Justice Living-Learning Community

AbstractThis article describes the development of the Dorothy Day Social Justice Community, a sophomore, social justice-focused living-learning community at Marquette University. The authors describe the administration of the community, discuss various elements of the community, and share assessment results. They also detail lessons learned from three years of administering the community, namely that support should be built throughout the university, barriers removed to student participation, a voice given to students in the administration of the community, and assessment done to guide practice.
Spontaneous Emulsification: Mechanisms, Physicochemical Aspects, Modeling, and Applications

(2002). Spontaneous Emulsification: Mechanisms, Physicochemical Aspects, Modeling, and Applications. Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology: Vol. 23, No. 1-3, pp. 219-268.