cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electroencephalographic characterization of an adult rat model of radiation-induced cortical dysplasia.

Summary: Purpose: Cortical dysplasia (CD) is a frequent cause of medically intractable focal epilepsy. The mechanisms of CD-induced epileptogenicity remain unknown. The difficulty in obtaining and testing human tissue warrants the identification and characterization of animal model(s) of CD that share most of the clinical, electroencephalographic (EEG), and histopathologic characteristics of human CD. In this study, we report on the in vivo EEG characterization of the radiation-induced model of CD. Methods: Timed-pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were irradiated on E17 using a single dose of 145 cGy or left untreated. Their litters were identified and implanted with bifrontal epidural and hippocampal depth electrodes for prolonged continuous EEG recordings. After prolonged EEG monitoring, animals were killed and their brains sectioned and stained for histologic studies. Results: In utero–irradiated rats showed frequent spontaneous interictal epileptiform spikes and spontaneous seizures arising independently from the hippocampal or the frontal neocortical structures. No epileptiform or seizure activities were recorded from age-matched control rats. Histologic studies showed the presence of multiple cortical areas of neuronal clustering and disorganization. Moreover, pyramidal cell dispersion was seen in the CA1>CA3 areas of the hippocampal formations. Conclusions: Our results further characterize the in vivo EEG characteristics of the in utero radiation model of CD using long-term EEG monitoring. This model may be used to study the molecular and cellular changes in epileptogenic CD and to test the efficacy of newer antiepileptic medications.
A Comparison Of Ultrasound Dynamic Focus Phased Arrays With Fixed Focus Mechanical Scanners

Six real time units were compared in this study. Three units were mechanical sector scanners operating at 5. MHz or 7.5 MHz. Two phased arrays (one 3.5 MHz unit with dynamic focussing, and the other a fixed focus 5. MHz array) and a 5. MHz annular array were also tested. Two test objects were imaged: an anthropomorphic breast phantom and a gray scale test object with renal calculi, Thirty-seven images were evaluated by three radiologists specializing in ultrasound. They concluded that; 1) Even the most expensive 3.5 MHz dynamically focussed phased array could not compete with a 7.5 MHz or 5 MHz mechanical sector for imaging small structures in the 1. to 5. cm near the transducer; 2) Mechanical sector real time units whose focal zone is adjusted with a water bag do not produce images equivalent to the images produced by a phased array with dynamic focussing; 3) The cost of the unit is no guide to the quality of the image; 4) Sector images have more digital scan convertor mapping errors than rectangular images. This applies to both phased arrays and mechanical sectors.
Driver safety programs: the influence on the road performance of older drivers.

The goal of this study is to examine whether driver safety programs (DSPs) targeted toward older drivers can positively influence their behavior at intersections of rural expressways. Thirty-five older drivers participated in this study; 18 had attended a DSP, and 17 had not attended one. All participants were asked to perform three driving maneuvers (going straight across, making a left turn, and making a right turn) from two-lane minor roads. Drivers' head movements and brake behavior immediately before entering these intersections were examined. The results showed that those drivers who had attended a DSP performed better to head movements and braking. DSP drivers stopped significantly earlier in response to upcoming intersections and were more likely to come to a complete stop, and they had significantly more head movements checking for traffic conflicts. These findings suggest that DSPs may encourage drivers to be more aware and less risky than drivers who do not attend a DSP. However, the results need to be considered because Iowa (the study location) does not give insurance reduction incentives for taking a DSP class, and therefore those who chose to attend may actually be safer drivers.
Spatial-domain laser-light scanning deconvolution of blurred photographs using the general holographic deblurring filter

Spatial domain deconvolution by laser scanning of blurred photographs, using holographic Fourier transform division filter and photoelectric integration
Glycine prevents alcohol-induced liver injury by decreasing alcohol in the rat stomach

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inactivation of Kupffer cells prevents alcohol- induced liver injury, and hypoxia subsequent to a hypermetabolic state caused by activated Kupffer cells probably is involved in the mechanism. Glycine is known to prevent hepatic reperfusion injury. The purpose of this study was to determine whether glycine prevents alcohol- induced liver injury in vivo. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were exposed to ethanol (10-12 g.kg-1.day-1) continuously for up to 4 weeks via an intragastric feeding protocol. The effect of glycine on the first-pass metabolism of ethanol was also examined in vivo, and the effect on alcohol metabolism was estimated specifically in perfused liver. RESULTS: Glycine decreased ethanol concentrations precipitously in urine, breath, peripheral blood, portal blood, feces, and stomach contents. Serum aspartate amino-transferase levels were elevated to 183 U/L after 4 weeks of ethanol-treatment. In contrast, values were significantly lower in rats given glycine along with ethanol. Hepatic steatosis and necrosis also were reduced significantly by glycine. Glycine dramatically increased the first-pass elimination of ethanol in vivo but had no effect on alcohol metabolism in the perfused liver. CONCLUSIONS: Glycine minimizes alcohol-induced liver injury in vivo by preventing ethanol from reaching the liver by activating first-pass metabolism in the stomach. (Gastroenterology 1996 May;110(5):1536-42)
Liquid-vapor equilibria in the hydrogen-nitrogen and deuterium-nitrogen systems

A recirculation type of apparatus with a novel liquid-sampling system was used to obtain liquid-vapor equilibrium data for the hydrogen-nitrogen and deuterium-nitrogen systems at 90° and 95°K. and pressures up to 1,000 lb./sq. in. abs. The data obtained show an average scatter in liquid compositions of the order of 0.01%, thus proving the feasibility of the new liquid-sampling system. The vapor samples are shown by thermodynamic analysis to scatter less than 0.1%. Deuterium is slightly more soluble in liquid nitrogen than hydrogen; the relative volatility is 1.198 at 90°K. and about 1.177 at 95°K. The relative volatility is practically independent of pressure; thus at 90°K. the relative volatility decreases from 1.198 at 100 lb./sq. in. abs. to 1.196 at 1,000 lb./sq. in. abs., but this range of values is well within the experimental error.
Handbook of natural resource and energy economics. Volume 1

This book presents papers on the economics of energy sources. Topics considered include basic concepts, selected methods and applications of economics to environmental problems, the economics of environmental policy, the economics of renewable resource use, the economics of providing renewable resource goods and services, environmental and renewable resources in socialist systems, analytical tools, and applications to policy and forecasting issues.
Presence of D-Alanine in an Endopeptidase from Streptococcus pyogenes

D-amino acids are commonly found in peptide antibiotics and the cell wall peptidoglycan of bacterial cell walls but have not been identified in proteins or enzymes. Here we report the presence of 6-7 A-alanine residues in an endopeptidase of Streptococcus pyogenes, a unique enzyme involved in surface protein attachment that we term LPXTGase. Using D-amino acid oxidase coupled with catalase for the deamination of D-alanine to pyruvic acid (a conversion unique to D-alanine), we were able to identify [14C]pyruvic acid in a [14C]alanine-labeled preparation of purified LPXTGase, which represents 27% of the amino acid composition. Because D-amino acids are not accommodated in ribosomal peptide synthesis, these results suggest that the same process used in assembling peptide antibiotics or a yet unidentified mechanism may synthesize the core protein of this endopeptidase.
On Lipschitz continuity of nonlinear differential operators

In connection with approximations for nonlinear evolution equations, it is standard to assume that nonlinear terms are at least locally Lipschitz continuous. However, it is shown here that $f = f({\bf x},\nabla u({\bf x}))$ is Lipschitz continuous from the subspace $W^{1,\infty } \subset L_2 $ into $W^{ - 1,2} $, and maps $W^{2,\infty } $ into $W^{1,\infty } $, if and only if f is affine with $W^{1,\infty } $ coefficients. In fact, a local version of this claim is proved.
Semi-automated extraction of brain contours from MRI.

We compared brain volumes computed by trained operators using the BRAIN-MAP algorithm, which automatically extracts the contours of the brain from gradient-echo magnetic resonance images. The images of 19 subjects randomly selected from a group of normals and a group of patients with dementia were included. BRAIN-MAP found brain perimeters that were on the average ca. 3 % tighter than those obtained by two experienced operators. Between-operator and within-operator reproducibility of the analyses were also estimated and found to be (−0.13 ± 0.51) % and (−0.63 ± 0.08) %, respectively. Replicate volume measurement by the computer alone provided a reproducibility of (0.44 ± 0.46) %.
An Experimental Comparison of Two Steadily Loaded Plain Journal Bearings

A potentially powerful effect on the characteristics of plain journal bearings is local thermal deformation of the bearing surface. Although there are a few analyses that consider the effect, it is ignored by most journal bearing codes used by industry. There is also almost no experimental data in the literature that focuses on this effect. To generate such data, two identical, 101 mm dia., 57 mm long bearings—one fabricated from steel and one from bronze—have been tested in a precision journal bearing test rig. Comparisons between shaft displacement data for steady loading of the two bearings show that the deformations are important to consider. Presented at the 48th Annual Meeting in Calgary, Alberta, Canada May 17-20, 1993
Successful Aging in Older Adults With Schizophrenia: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Objective This study contrasts the prevalence of successful aging in older adults with schizophrenia with their age peers in the community and examines variables associated with successful aging in the schizophrenia group. Methods The schizophrenia group consisted of 198 community-dwelling persons aged 55 years and older who developed schizophrenia before the age of 45 years. A community comparison group (N = 113) was recruited using randomly selected block groups. The three objective criteria proposed by Rowe and Kahn were operationalized using a six-item summed score. The association of 16 predictor variables with the successful aging score in the schizophrenia group was examined. Results The community group had significantly higher successful aging scores than the schizophrenia group (4.3 versus 3.0; t = 8.36, df = 309, p Conclusion Older adults with schizophrenia rarely achieve successful aging and do so much less commonly than their age peers. Only two significant variables were associated with successful aging neither of which are easily remediable. The elements that comprise the components of successful aging, especially physical health, may be better targets for intervention.
The distribution of enkephalin immunoreactive fibers and terminals in the monkey central nervous system: An immunohistochemical study

Abstract Using immunohistochemical techniques, the distribution of met-enkephalin fibers and terminals was studied in the central nervous system of adult old-world monkeys. Areas which showed the greatest density of immunoreactivity included substantia gelatinosa, nucleus tractus solitarius, nucleus parabrachialis, substantia nigra, median eminence, globus pallidus (external segment), patches within the striatum and the region of nucleus accumbens and the olfactory area. Striking and discrete zones of enkephalin immunoreactive fibers and terminals which did not conform to known nuclear boundaries were observed in the latter areas. The distribution of enkephalin in the monkey is compared to what has been described in the rat central nervous system. In general, the two species are similar, however, differences were observed in some areas including the hypoglossal nucleus, substantia nigra and in the region of the nucleus accumbens and olfactory area. The results are discussed with regard to the possible functional significance of enkephalin localization in regions related to regulation of pain, mood, and autonomie function.
EVALUATION OF HEMATOLOGIC VALUES IN FREE-RANGING AFRICAN BUFFALO (SYNCERUS CAFFER)

As part of a large-scale disease screening program, blood samples were collected from 534 African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in South Africa's Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in October 2005 and May 2006 to establish age- and sex-specific reference intervals for erythrogram and leukogram values. Sixty-seven of the animals were positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB), allowing for comparisons between TB-positive and TB-negative groups. Positive animals had basopenia and slight lymphopenia compared to TB-negative animals. Blood values were compared to those reported for captive African buffalo, American bison (Bos bison), and cattle (Bos taurus). The free-ranging buffalo sampled in this study had higher white blood cell counts than captive buffalo, and this difference was driven by lymphocytes. Free-ranging buffalo also had higher red blood cell counts, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cell counts, neutrophils and lymphocytes, and lower mean corpuscular volume (MCV) than cattle. Demographic and environmental factors strongly affected hematologic values in the study population. Older animals had significantly higher hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), while younger animals had a higher red blood cell count, red cell distribution width (RDW), and white blood cell count, which was due to lymphocytes and basophils. Females had a higher hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, and basophils than males. At the end of the wet season, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, hematocrit, MCHC, RDW, white blood cell count, and neutrophils were all significantly higher, while basophils and MCV were lower, than at the end of the dry season. Our results emphasize the need to use species-specific data when interpreting hematologic values and point to important differences in hematology between captive and free-ranging animals of the same species. Strong variability in hematologic values with animal age and sex, season, and herd affiliation indicates that ''normal'' hematologic values in wild animals vary throughout their lives and subject to fluctuating environmental conditions.
Synthesis and Structure of Polymeric Networks of Silver Hexafluoroacetylacetonate Complexes of THF, Toluene, and Vinyltrimethylsilane

The reaction of 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone (Hhfac) with Ag 2 O in the presence of L = THF, toluene, and Me 3 SiCH=CH 2 was studied to obtain [Ag(hfac)L] x complexes for use as chemical vapor deposition precursors. The structures and volatilities of these three complexes were compared to those of the previously synthesized Ag(hfac)(Me3SiC≡CSiMe 3 ), 1, which was also crystallographically characterized for comparison. The reaction of Ag 2 O with Hhfac in THF forms the polymeric complex [Ag 4 (hfac) 4 (THF) 2 ] ∞ , 2, which has tetrametallic subunits with hfac ligands that bridge via oxygen and carbon. Both 4- and 5-coordinate silver metal centers are found in 2. Ag 2 O reacts with Hhfac in toluene to form a complex with a similar tetrametallic unit [Ag 4 (hfac) 4 (toluene) 2 ] ∞ , 3. In this case, the tetrametallic subunits are assembled via bridging toluene molecules, and each silver is 6-coordinate. In the presence of excess vinyltrimethylsilane (vtms), Ag 2 O and Hhfac form [Ag 3 (hfac) 3 (vtms)] ∞ , 4, which contains trimetallic subunits assembled via oxygen atoms of bridging hfac ligands and 5- and 6-coordinate silver.
Nanogram-scale preparation and NMR analysis for mass-limited small volatile compounds.

Semiochemicals are often produced in infinitesimally small quantities, so their isolation requires large amounts of starting material, not only requiring significant effort in sample preparation, but also resulting in a complex mixture of compounds from which the bioactive compound needs to be purified and identified. Often, compounds cannot be unambiguously identified by their mass spectra alone, and NMR analysis is required for absolute chemical identification, further exacerbating the situation because NMR is relatively insensitive and requires large amounts of pure analyte, generally more than several micrograms. We developed an integrated approach for purification and NMR analysis of <1 µg of material. Collections from high performance preparative gas-chromatography are directly eluted with minimal NMR solvent into capillary NMR tubes. With this technique, 1H-NMR spectra were obtained on 50 ng of geranyl acetate, which served as a model compound, and reasonable H-H COSY NMR spectra were obtained from 250 ng of geranyl acetate. This simple off-line integration of preparative GC and NMR will facilitate the purification and chemical identification of novel volatile compounds, such as insect pheromones and other semiochemicals, which occur in minute (sub-nanogram), and often limited, quantities.
Synthesis of the fields of a transverse feed for a spherical reflector

The problem of designing a transverse feed for a spherical reflector is considered and a method is presented for synthesizing the fields on a surface of a sphere enclosing a feed that will produce a specified reflected field at the surface of a spherical reflector. The method identifies the reflector and a spherical surface enclosing the feed as a boundary value problem and uses a finite set of spherical waves to approximate the boundary conditions. A feed designed to excite this field will in turn produce the desired reflected field at the surface of the reflector, under the condition that that portion of the reflected field which is scattered by the feed may be neglected. It is shown that the feed need produce only a small part of the synthesized field to obtain an antenna efficiency of more than 70 percent. Some typical field distributions will be shown so as to indicate a method for designing a feed and to point out the correlation between the polarization of the synthesized field and the polarization of the reflected field at the surface of the reflector.
Growth due to buoyancy of weak homogeneous turbulence with shear

Une analyse est faite dans le but de determiner la facon dont l'energie change apres un laps de temps dans une turbulence faible et homogene soumise a la flottabilite et au cisaillement. Bien que la turbulence deperisse en fin de compte en l'absence de flottabilite, on remarque que la presence de flottabilite empeche ce deperissement et fait que l'energie turbulente augmente sans limite a mesure de l'augmentation de temps.
Reading The Operation: television, realism, and the possession of medical knowledge.

Belling queries the accessibility of medical knowledge to non- medical audiences by examining the construction of medical realism represented in the documentary show called The Operation. Considering an episode in which the patient is being treated for endometriosis with laparoscopic surgery, Belling creates a scenario in which an imaginary viewer watches the episode. By imagining how the viewer might use the documentary to inform her own medical decisions, Belling explores some of the implications of this viewing for clinical practice.
Dietary boron: An overview of the evidence for its role in immune function

This review summarizes the evidence for boron essentiality across the biological spectrum with special focus on biochemical pathways and biomolecules relevant to immune function. Boron is an essential trace element for at least some organisms in each of the phylogenetic kingdoms Eubacteria, Stramenopila (brown algae and diatoms), Viridiplantae (green algae and familiar green plants), Fungi, and Animalia. Discovery of several of the currently recognized boron-containing biomolecules was achieved because the bound boron formed four coordinate covalent bonds with the ligand, creating a thermodynamically stable complex that is almost undissociable in water. Boron is a constitutive element in three antibiotics and a quorum-sensing signal in bacteria. It enhances Fc receptor expression and interleukin-6 production in cultured mammalian macrophages. Boron binds tightly to the diadenosine polyphosphates and inhibits the in vitro activities of various serine protease and oxidoreductase enzymes. Physiological amounts of dietary boron decrease skinfold thickness after antigen injection in gilts and elevated circulating natural killer cells after adjuvant injection in rats. It is predicted that several boron biomolecules waiting discovery are signaling molecules that interact with the cell surface and are probably composed of two mirror or near-mirror halves stabilized by a single boron atom to form a large circular bio
Investigation of the Summer Climate of the Contiguous United States and Mexico Using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS). Part II: Model Climate Variability

Abstract Fifty-three years of the NCEP–NCAR Reanalysis I are dynamically downscaled using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) to generate a regional climate model (RCM) climatology of the contiguous United States and Mexico. Data from the RAMS simulations are compared to the recently released North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR), as well as observed precipitation and temperature data. The RAMS simulations show the value added by using a RCM in a process study framework to represent North American summer climate beyond the driving global atmospheric reanalysis. Because of its enhanced representation of the land surface topography, the diurnal cycle of convective rainfall is present. This diurnal cycle largely governs the transitions associated with the evolution of the North American monsoon with regards to rainfall, the surface energy budget, and surface temperature. The lower frequency modes of convective rainfall, though weaker, account for rainfall variability at a remote distance from...
X-ray interferometry: ultra-high-resolution astronomy

X-rays have tremendous potential for imaging at the highest angular resolution. The high surface brightness of many x-ray sources will reveal angular scales heretofore thought unreachable. The short wavelengths make instrumentation compact and baselines short. We discuss how practical x-ray interferometers can be built for astronomy using existing technology. We describe the Maxim Pathfinder and Maxim missions which will achieve 100 and 0.1 micro-arcsecond imaging respectively. The science to be tackled with resolution of up to one million times that of HST will be outlined, with emphasis on eventually imaging the event horizon of a black hole.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An experience modeling critical requirements

Previous work at NRL demonstrated the benefits of a security modeling approach for building high assurance systems for particular application domains. This paper introduces an application domain called selective bypass that is prominent in certain network security solutions. We present a parameterized modeling framework for the domain and then instantiate a confidentiality model for a particular application, called the External COMSEC Adaptor (ECA), within the framework. We conclude with lessons we learned from modeling, implementing and verifying the ECA. Our experience supports the use of the application-based security modeling approach for high assurance systems. >
BEHAVIORAL PREDICTION AND THE PROBLEM OF INCAPACITATION

Traditional views of incapacitation as a crime control strategy rely fundamentally on behavioral prediction. Most attempts at predicting offenders' behaviors have relied on simple dichotomous dependent variables. Recent attention to components of the “criminal career,” such as the rate of offending and the nature and potential patterning of offending behavior, could provide significant advantage to the prediction problem while informing debates about incapacitation strategies. We examine this possibility in the context of a study of some 6,000 offenders followed for more than 25 years. Little predictive advantage is realized by attention to more sophisticated behavioral outcome criteria. In agreement with other studies, we observe little support for hypotheses concerning the pattern of careers with respect to offense behaviors. The utility of incapacitation as a crime control strategy seems to be constrained by the limits imposed by predictive validity and perhaps by the nature of the criminal career.
A high-frequency GaAs transductance circuit and its applications

The design of a high-speed, linear, tunable operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) with 1 mu m GaAs depletion-mode MESFETs is described. Gain-enhancement techniques are used for obtaining high output impedance. In order to achieve a large tuning range with stable DC bias, a combination of digital and analog tuning is used. Diode-only level-shifting stages and bypass capacitors across the diodes are used to optimize the AC response. Emitter degeneration along with small compensation capacitors are used to achieve less than one percent nonlinearity error within a +or-0.4 V input range, and to reduce the total excess phase shift. Applications of the OTA in the GHz range are presented as examples. >
Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication in Primary CD4+ T Lymphocytes, Monocytes, and Dendritic Cells by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

We demonstrate that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) suppress HIV-1 replication in primary lymphocytes, monocytes, and dendritic cells individually. Viral inhibition is significantly diminished in lymphocyte-dendritic cell clusters, suggesting that these clusters in vivo could be sites where viral replication is more difficult to control by CTL.
Application-transparent process-level error recovery for multicomputers

An application-transparent, process-level, distributed error recovery scheme for multicomputers is proposed. Checkpointing is initiated by timers at intervals determined by the needs of the application. Checkpointing and recovery involve only as much of the system as is necessary: a set of interacting processes. Processes that are not part of the interacting set do not participate in checkpointing or recovery and continue to do useful work. Several checkpoint and/or recovery session may be active simultaneously. The scheme does not require significant overhead during normal operation, since it is not necessary to make message transmission atomic, acknowledge each message, or transmit checkbits with each packet. Variations of the technique using packet-switching or virtual circuits are discussed, and the scheme is compared to previously published techniques. >
Seismic response control of a large civil structure equipped with magnetorheological dampers

This paper proposes a systematic design framework for vibration control of seismically excited civil structures employing magnetorheological (MR) dampers. The framework consists of nonlinear system identification and semiactive nonlinear control system: (1) a multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) autoregressive exogenous (ARX) input model-based Takagi-Sugeno (TS) fuzzy identifier is applied to a large building structure equipped with highly nonlinear hysteretic MR dampers subjected to earthquake disturbances (2) Based on the identified building-MR damper system model, a set of Lyapunov-based controllers are designed such that the building-MR damper system is globally asymptotically stable and its performance on transient responses is also satisfied. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed design framework, a twenty-story building structure employing multiple MR dampers is studied. It is shown from the simulation that the proposed control system design framework is effective to mitigate seismically excited responses of a large building-MR damper system.
Urinary Excretion of Ingested α-Aminoisobutyric Acid-N15 in Dogs Treated with Growth Hormone or Corticotropin.

SummaryThe rate of urinary excretion of ingested α-aminoisobutyric acid-N15 (AIB) was determined in dogs, in control experiments and during treatment with growth hormone or corticotropin. Growth hormone had only a slight effect, while corticotropin increased the rate of excretion somewhat, particularly during the second 6-hour period after ingestion. Apparently changes in absorption, distribution, and excretion play only a minor role in growth hormone action, while corticotropin directly affects one or more of these processes in addition to its effects on protein metabolism and gluconeogenesis. None of the N15 ingested as AIB appeared in urinary urea or ammonia.
Nanopillar lasers on silicon

Subwavelegnth-sized nanolasers are achieved with InGaAs nanopillars monolithically grown on silicon using low-temperature MOCVD. The resonators support helically-propagating cavity modes providing strong feedback despite a very low index contrast with the silicon substrate.
COSTS OF GLANDULAR TRICHOMES IN DATURA WRIGHTII: A THREE-YEAR STUDY

Abstract Models accounting for genetic variation for resistance to herbivores within plant populations often postulate a balance between the costs of that resistance and its benefits. The production of glandular trichomes by Datura wrightii was shown to be costly in a previous one-year study because plants producing glandular trichomes (sticky plants), a factor conferring resistance to some insect herbivores, also produced 45% fewer seeds than plants producing nonglandular trichomes (velvety plants) when grown in a common garden. Because sticky plants tended to be larger than velvety plants but produced fewer seed capsules, we postulated an allocation trade-off in which velvety plants are more reproduction-dominated whereas sticky plants are more growth-dominated. If a greater commitment to vegetative growth eventually allows sticky plants to compensate for reduced seed production, we would expect a reduction or elimination of the cost of resistance over time in this perennial plant. We monitored growth, ...
Complete Prevention of Atherosclerosis in ApoE-Deficient Mice by Hepatic Human ApoE Gene Transfer With Adeno-Associated Virus Serotypes 7 and 8

Objective— Using intravenous injection of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors based on novel serotypes 7 and 8, we examined whether liver-specific expression of human apolipoprotein E (apoE) in apoE-deficient mice would completely prevent atherosclerosis after 1 year of sustained expression. Methods and Results— Chow-fed apoE −/− mice were injected via the tail vein with vectors based on AAV2 or novel serotypes AAV7 and AAV8 encoding human apoE3 driven by a liver-specific promoter. In contrast to the first-generation AAV2 vector, apoE levels of mice injected with chimeric AAV2/7 and AAV2/8 vectors reached ≈2-fold greater than normal human plasma levels by week 4 and maintained therapeutic levels up to 1 year. Cholesterol levels of AAV2/7-apoE and AAV2/8-apoE–treated mice were reduced to normal murine wild-type levels and were maintained for 1 year. At termination after 1 year, extensive atherosclerosis was present in the thoracic aortas and aortic roots of control AAV2/8-lacZ and AAV2-apoE–injected mice, but was completely prevented in both the AAV2/7 and AAV2/8-apoE–treated mice. Conclusion— We demonstrate that intravenous administration of AAV2/7- and AAV2/8-apoE vectors effectively mediated robust and sustained hepatic-specific expression of apoE and completely prevented atherosclerosis at 1 year.
Regulation of the Nucleocytoplasmic Distribution of Snf1-Gal83 Protein Kinase

Snf1 protein kinase containing the β subunit Gal83 is localized in the cytoplasm during growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells in abundant glucose and accumulates in the nucleus in response to glucose limitation. Nuclear localization of Snf1-Gal83 requires activation of the Snf1 catalytic subunit and depends on Gal83, but in the snf1Δ mutant, Gal83 exhibits glucose-regulated nuclear accumulation. We show here that the N terminus of Gal83, which is divergent from those of the other β subunits, is necessary and sufficient for Snf1-independent, glucose-regulated localization. We identify a leucine-rich nuclear export signal in the N terminus and show that export depends on the Crm1 export receptor. We present evidence that catalytically inactive Snf1 promotes the cytoplasmic retention of Gal83 in glucose-grown cells through its interaction with the C terminus of Gal83; cytoplasmic localization of inactive Snf1-Gal83 maintains accessibility to the Snf1-activating kinases. Finally, we characterize the effects of glucose phosphorylation on localization. These studies define roles for Snf1 and Gal83 in determining the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of Snf1-Gal83 protein kinase.
The U.S.‐Russian HEU agreement: Internal safeguards to prevent diversion of HEU

Under the U.S.‐Russian HEU agreement,∗ approximately 500 tons of highly enriched uranium (HEU) from large‐scale dismantlement of former Soviet nuclear warheads will be transformed into products not usable in nuclear weapons. According to the agreement, Russian facilities will convert and blend down HEU to low‐enriched uranium hexafluoride, which will subsequently be fabricated by U.S. companies into low‐enriched uranium (LEU) fuel for nuclear reactors. However, HEU is vulnerable to insider diversion during processing operations. The paper describes the principal HEU diversion vulnerabilities at the plant, and recommends a strong internal preventive safeguards system.
CCK antagonists reveal that CCK-8 and JMV-180 interact with different sites on the rat pancreatic acinar cell CCKA receptor

The ability of CCKA antagonists to inhibit full and partial CCK agonists of the rat pancreatic acinar cell CCKA receptor has been studied. When isolated rat pancreatic acini were superfused with CCK-8 (10 pM-1 nM) or CCK-4 (1 microM), an increase in [Ca2+]i signal was initiated. Concurrent superfusion of either L-364,718 (0.1 microM) or lorglumide (10 microM), chemically distinct, specific, potent antagonists of the CCKA receptor, resulted in a rapid inhibition of the [Ca2+]i signal initiated by all concentrations of CCK-8. In contrast, Ca2+ oscillations, initiated by JMV-180 (25 nM-1 microM), a partial agonist analogue of CCK-8, were essentially unaffected by concurrent superfusion of either L-364,718 or lorglumide. When JMV-179, an analogue of JMV-180 that exhibits characteristics of a pure antagonist, was superfused concurrently with either CCK-8 or JMV-180, Ca2+ oscillations were inhibited, even in the presence of 0.1 microM L-364,718. In a similar fashion, amylase secretion stimulated by CCK-8 was markedly attenuated by L-364,718, lorglumide, and JMV-179, whereas secretion stimulated by JMV-180 was only inhibited by JMV-179. A model is proposed to reconcile this data, based on the assumption that JMV-180 and CCK-8 interact with discrete sites on the CCKA receptor, which are differentially affected by the binding of antagonists. This model may also explain how a single receptor may transduce multiple signals in response to different agonists.
Conservation of intron and intein insertion sites: implications for life histories of parasitic genetic elements

Inteins and introns are genetic elements that are removed from proteins and RNA after translation or transcription, respectively. Previous studies have suggested that these genetic elements are found in conserved parts of the host protein. To our knowledge this type of analysis has not been done for group II introns residing within a gene. Here we provide quantitative statistical support from an analyses of proteins that host inteins, group I introns, group II introns and spliceosomal introns across all three domains of life. To determine whether or not inteins, group I, group II, and spliceosomal introns are found preferentially in conserved regions of their respective host protein, conservation profiles were generated and intein and intron positions were mapped to the profiles. Fisher's combined probability test was used to determine the significance of the distribution of insertion sites across the conservation profile for each protein. For a subset of studied proteins, the conservation profile and insertion positions were mapped to protein structures to determine if the insertion sites correlate to regions of functional activity. All inteins and most group I introns were found to be preferentially located within conserved regions; in contrast, a bacterial intein-like protein, group II and spliceosomal introns did not show a preference for conserved sites. These findings demonstrate that inteins and group I introns are found preferentially in conserved regions of their respective host proteins. Homing endonucleases are often located within inteins and group I introns and these may facilitate mobility to conserved regions. Insertion at these conserved positions decreases the chance of elimination, and slows deletion of the elements, since removal of the elements has to be precise as not to disrupt the function of the protein. Furthermore, functional constrains on the targeted site make it more difficult for hosts to evolve immunity to the homing endonuclease. Therefore, these elements will better survive and propagate as molecular parasites in conserved sites. In contrast, spliceosomal introns and group II introns do not show significant preference for conserved sites and appear to have adopted a different strategy to evade loss.
Exploring assessment of students from different language backgrounds

Within the United States, a priority has been placed on the area of reading assessment as mandated by the US Department of Education (2004). Confusion still exists as to how to assess students who are not being taught in their native languages (Wright and Choi 2006). Solorzano (2008) concludes that standardised tests are not appropriate for non-native language speakers. This debate continues to occur on a global level (Wyse and Styles 2007, Edwards and Potts 2008) and speaks to a need for research that investigates reading assessments used with non-native speakers. The research within this article contributes to a larger discussion of the use of assessments with non-native and native language speakers. The article presents the results of a study that took place at a kindergarten through eighth grade elementary school in central Arizona. The study investigated how six students from various language backgrounds made meaning of informational texts over the course of a year. It proposes that teachers need to be allowed to teach and assess each student based on his or her strengths and needs.
Mitochondrial activation at the onset of contractions in isolated myofibres during successive contractile periods

Key points • During the transition in skeletal muscle from rest to steady state contractions, O2 consumption is limited and the exact mechanisms controlling respiration in intact cells are not completely understood. • Previous contractile activity can ‘prime’ skeletal muscle resulting in a faster enhancement of the O2 consumption during a subsequent bout of contractions. • Here, we showed in intact single muscle fibres that the mitochondrial electron transport chain was activated faster at the onset of contractions when the muscle cells were previously ‘primed’ by contractile activity. • Therefore, factors intrinsic to the muscle cells have a role in the delayed increase of mitochondrial respiration during the onset of contractions. Also, the control of mitochondrial respiration in intact cells is not simply dependent on substrate availability or a simple feedback mechanism but rather on a more complex system. Abstract At the onset of skeletal muscle repetitive contractions, there is a significant delay in the time to achieve oxidative phosphorylation steady state. The purpose of the present study was to examine the factors that limit oxidative phosphorylation at the onset of contractions. NAD(P)H was measured in real time during two contractile periods (2 min each) separated by 5 min of rest in intact single muscle fibres (n= 7) isolated from Xenopus laevis. The fibres were then loaded with the dye tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester perchlorate (TMRM) to evaluate the kinetics of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) during two further successive contractile periods. At the onset of contractions in the first period, NAD(P)H exhibited a time delay (14.1 ± 1.3 s) before decreasing toward a steady state. In contrast, Δψm decreased immediately after the first contraction and started to be reestablished after 10.7 ± 0.9 s, with restoration to the pre-stimulation values after approximately 32 s. In the second contractile period (5 min after the first), NAD(P)H decreased immediately (i.e. no time delay) after the first contraction and had a significantly shorter time constant compared to the first contractile bout (3.3 ± 0.3 vs. 5.0 ± 0.2 s, P < 0.05). During the second bout, Δψm remained unchanged from pre-stimulation values. These results suggest: (1) that at the onset of contractions, oxidative phosphorylation is primarily limited by the activity of the electron transport chain complexes rather than by a limited level of substrates; and (2) when the muscle is ‘primed’ by previous contractile activity, the faster enhancement of the cellular respiratory rate is due to intrinsic factors within the myofibre.
Electrothermal flow effects in insulating (electrodeless) dielectrophoresis systems

We simulate electrothermally induced flow in polymeric, insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) systems with DC-offset, AC electric fields at finite thermal Peclet number, and we identify key regimes where electrothermal (ET) effects enhance particle deflection and trapping. We study a single, two-dimensional constriction in channel depth with parametric variations in electric field, channel geometry, fluid conductivity, particle electrophoretic (EP) mobility, and channel electroosmotic (EO) mobility. We report the effects of increasing particle EP mobility, channel EO mobility, and AC and DC field magnitudes on the mean constriction temperature and particle behavior. Specifically, we quantify particle deflection and trapping, referring to the deviation of particles from their pathlines due to dielectrophoresis as they pass a constriction and the stagnation of particles due to negative dielectrophoresis near a constriction, respectively. This work includes the coupling between fluid, heat, and electromagnetic phenomena via temperature-dependent physical parameters. Results indicate that the temperature distribution depends strongly on the fluid conductivity and electric field magnitude, and particle deflection and trapping depend strongly on the channel geometry. Electrothermal (ET) effects perturb the EO flow field, creating vorticity near the channel constriction and enhancing the deflection and trapping effects. ET effects alter particle deflection and trapping responses in insulator-based dielectrophoresis devices, especially at intermediate device aspect ratios (2 ≤ r ≤ 7) in solutions of higher conductivity (σ m ≥ 1 × 10(-3)S/m). The impact of ET effects on particle deflection and trapping are diminished when particle EP mobility or channel EO mobility is high. In almost all cases, ET effects enhance negative dielectrophoretic particle deflection and trapping phenomena.
High message rate, NIC-based atomics: Design and performance considerations

Remote atomic memory operations are critical for achieving high-performance synchronization in tightly-coupled systems. Previous approaches to implementing atomic memory operations on high-performance networks have explored providing the primitives necessary to achieve low latency and low host processor overhead. In this paper, we explore the implementation of atomic memory operations with a focus on achieving high message rate. We believe that high message rate is a key performance characteristic that will determine the viability of a high-performance network to support future multi-petascale systems, especially those that expect to employ a partitioned global address space (PGAS) programming model. As an example, many have proposed using network interface level atomic operations to enhance the performance of the HPCC RandomAccess benchmark. This paper explores several issues relevant to the design of an atomic unit on the network interface. We explore the implications of the size of the cache as well as the associativity. Given the growing ratio of bandwidth to latency of modern host interfaces, we explore some of the interactions that impact the concurrency needed to saturate the interface.
Modeling of 3-D Surface Roughness Effects With Application to $\mu$ -Coaxial Lines

Effects of 3-D surface roughness on the propagation constant of transverse electromagnetic transmission lines are calculated using finite-element method software by solving for the fields inside conductors. The modeling is validated by comparison with available literature results for the special case of 2-D surface roughness and by simulations using the finite-integration technique. Results for cubical, semiellipsoidal, and pyramidal indentations, as well as rectangular, semicircular, and triangular grooves in conductor surfaces are presented. A developed surface roughness model is applied to rectangular mu-coaxial lines. It is shown that roughness contributes up to 9.2% to their overall loss for frequencies below 40 GHz
Simulation studies of a virtual memory, time-shared, demand paging operating system

SIM/61 is a large (3500 lines of Simscript code), highly detailed simulation model of a virtual memory, time-shared, demand paging operating system. SIM/61 provides the capability for parameterized modeling of both hardware and software. The current model contains algorithms for interrupt analysis, task scheduling, I/O scheduling and demand paging.This paper reports the results of studies made using SIM/61. The studies fall into two main categories: (1) load and configuration studies and (2) alternate algorithm studies. The approach taken for the former was to establish a fixed load, and measure its performance on various hardware configurations. The results are particularly interesting with respect to the paging capability of various paging device configurations, and various sizes of main memory.