cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Accessory Factors and Steroid Receptor Coactivator 1 in the Regulation of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Gene Transcription by Glucocorticoids

In the liver, glucocorticoids induce a 10-15-fold increase in the rate of transcription of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene, which encodes a key gluconeogenic enzyme. This induction requires a multicomponent glucocorticoid response unit (GRU) comprised of four glucocorticoid accessory factor (AF) elements and two glucocorticoid receptor binding sites. We show that the AFs that bind the gAF1, gAF2, and gAF3 elements (hepatocyte nuclear factor [HNF]4/chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor 1 and HNF3beta) all interact with steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC1). This suggests that the AFs function in part by recruiting coactivators to the GRU. The binding of a GAL4-SRC1 chimeric protein completely restores the glucocorticoid induction that is lost when any one of these elements is replaced with a GAL4 binding site. Thus, when SRC1 is recruited directly to gAF1, gAF2, or gAF3, the requirement for the corresponding AF is bypassed. Surprisingly, glucocorticoid receptor is still required when SRC1 is recruited directly to the GAL4 site, suggesting a role for the receptor in activating SRC1 in the context of the GRU. Structural variants of GAL4-SRC1 were used to identify requirements for the basic-helix-loop-helix and histone acetyltransferase domains of SRC1, and these are specific to the region of the promoter to which the coactivator is recruited.
Merging strategic safety, health and environment into total quality management

Abstract The philosophy of Total Quality Management (TQM) appears to be a major force in the reshaping of the U.S. industry. Increasingly, internal customers (e.g. workers) require work environments that are safe, healthy and environmentally benign. On the other hand, external customers require products and services that are safe and present no negative environmental consequences. Thus, it is suggested to integrate long-range safety planning into the current TQM efforts. First, the concept of Strategic Safety Management (SSM) is proposed to merge these two approaches. Then, the main features of SSM are presented. Self-managed team work is described as an essential linking component of this integration to promote long-term safety and quality improvements. Certain aspects of an organization's performance measurement and reward (merit) system are also highlighted within the SSM framework. Due to its “total” systems approach and its long-range planning and implementation requirements, there are many obstacles to its full effective operation. Many of these problems are briefly mentioned. Finally, potential for its success in smaller organizations is presented.
Nonnegative (s, t)-potent matrices

Abstract This paper contains a study of matrices satisfying A s = A t for different positive integers s and t . Representations, similar to Flor's well-known characterization of a nonnegative idempotent matrix, are obtained for nonnegative matrices of this type.
Platelet Retraction Forces Induced Under High Shear Gradient Activation

Hemodynamics play an important role in the activity of platelets. High shear rate gradients can occur at locations where blood vessels bend, branch, or narrow and can arise at a vascular stent or artificial valve. These shear gradients have been observed to cause platelets to adhere to the vessel wall, leading to their activation and aggregation [1, 2]. High shear gradients can cause a self-sustaining process where platelet aggregation increases the local shear gradient, further causing platelets to adhere and aggregate. This process can become dangerous if the aggregate grows large enough to obstruct the vessel or if it detaches and clogs a vessel downstream.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Convective heat transfer in a conducting fluid over a permeable stretching surface with suction and internal heat generation/absorption

Abstract We consider a convective flow in a porous medium of an incompressible viscous conducting fluid impinging on a permeable stretching surface with suction, and internal heat generation/absorption. Using a similarity transformation the governing equations of the problem are reduced to a coupled third-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations. We first examine a number of special cases for which we may obtain exact solutions. We then obtain analytical solutions (by the Homotopy Analysis Method) and numerical solutions (by a boundary value problem solver), in order to further study the behavior of the nonlinear differential equations, for various values of the physical parameters. Our numerical solutions are shown to agree with the available results in the literature. We then employ the numerical results to bring out the effects of the suction parameter, heat source/sink parameter, stretching parameter, porosity parameter, the Prandtl number and the free convection parameter on the flow and heat transfer characteristics. In the absence of suction and free convection, our findings are in agreement with the corresponding numerical results of Attia [H.A. Attia, On the effectiveness of porosity on stagnation point flow towards a stretching surface with heat generation, Comput. Mater. Sci. 38 (2007) 741–745].
NUMERICAL METHODS FOR WATER-WAVE RADIATION PROBLEMS

SUMMARY A boundary integral equation method is used to compute the forces acting on bodies oscillating at or near the free surface of a fluid. This method relies on the use of a Green function representing the potential of a unit pulsating source beneath the free surface. A peculiarity of the boundary integral equation method in the presence of a free surface is that it breaks down at certain characteristic frequencies also known as ‘irregular frequencies’. The objectives of the present study are to develop simple and efficient algorithms for the numerical evaluation of the Green function as well as a method for removing the irregular frequencies. In particular, systematic expansions for the Green function have been developed. These algorithms are very efficient and remarkably simple to implement numerically. In order to remove the irregular frequencies, the boundary integral equation is supplemented by the first N null-field equations. As a result the first N irregular frequencies are eliminated. This method introduces a very small additional computational cost and is general enough so that it can be applied to any free surface problem.
Assessment of specific gravity determined by Ames N-Multistix-SG

Specific gravity (SG) was determined in 204 urines by N-Multistix-SG solid phase test strip. Seventy-seven of the urines were from patients with known renal disease or were positive for protein or glucose, or had pH greater than 6.4 (Group I) and were assayed for osmolality, SG by urinometer and refractometer, and several other parameters, intercorrelations were calculated. Osmolality was used as the gold standard. In Group I, correlation of osmolality with N-Multistix SG (r = 0.66) was not significantly different (p greater than 0.1) from that found with SG determined by refractometer (r = 0.72), or urinometer (r = 0.60). The correlation coefficient for 45 N-Multistix-SG values determined by two staff members was 0.91. For the 127 Group II normal urines, the correlation coefficient between Multistix-SG and SG by refractometer was 0.85. Multistix-SG avoids the errors related to large molecules such as glucose and radiographic contrast media seen with SG determined by urinometer and refractometer (uncorrected for glucose) and was found to have comparable accuracy to these two methods when compared with osmolality, in patients with known renal disease or abnormal urinalysis.
Goal-directed critiquing by computer: ventilator management.

Abstract VQ-ATTENDING is an expert system which critiques aspects of the ventilator management of a patient receiving mechanical respiratory support. To use VQ-ATTENDING, the physician first inputs medical information describing a patient, a current set of arterial blood gas results, the current ventilator settings, and a proposed set of new ventilator settings. VQ-ATTENDING then critiques the appropriateness of the proposed settings. In its current developmental implementation, VQ-ATTENDING explores a particular expert system design feature: the ability to assess appropriate treatment goals, and to use those goals to guide the system's critiquing analysis.
Intranasal vaccination with Chlamydia pneumoniae induces cross-species immunity against genital Chlamydia muridarum challenge in mice.

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the world and specifically in the United States, with the highest incidence in age-groups 14–19 years. In a subset of females, the C. trachomatis genital infection leads to serious pathological sequelae including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Chlamydia pneumoniae, another member of the same genus, is a common cause of community acquired respiratory infection with significant number of children aged 5–14 yr displaying sero-conversion. Since these bacteriae share several antigenic determinants, we evaluated whether intranasal immunization with live C. pneumoniae (1×106 inclusion forming units; IFU) in 5 week old female C57BL/6 mice would induce cross-species protection against subsequent intravaginal challenge with Chlamydia muridarum (5×104 IFU), which causes a similar genital infection and pathology in mice as C. trachomatis in humans. Mice vaccinated intranasally with live C. pneumoniae, but not mock (PBS) immunized animals, displayed high levels of splenic cellular antigen-specific IFN-γ production and serum antibody response against C. muridarum and C. trachomatis. Mice vaccinated with C. pneumoniae displayed a significant reduction in the vaginal C. muridarum shedding as early as day 12 after secondary i.vag. challenge compared to PBS (mock) immunized mice. At day 19 after C. muridarum challenge, 100% of C. pneumoniae vaccinated mice had cleared the infection compared to none (0%) of the mock immunized mice, which cleared the infection by day 27. At day 80 after C. muridarum challenge, C. pneumoniae vaccinated mice displayed a significant reduction in the incidence (50%) and degree of hydrosalpinx compared to mock immunized animals (100%). These results suggest that respiratory C. pneumoniae infection induces accelerated chlamydial clearance and reduction of oviduct pathology following genital C. muridarum challenge, and may have important implications to the C. trachomatis-induced reproductive disease in humans.
Temporal Variation in Prevalence of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus Type IVb among Upper St. Lawrence River Smallmouth Bass

Abstract We investigated a newly introduced pathogen in a wild population of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu in the St. Lawrence River to illuminate unknown temporal and demographic prevalence patterns. We used real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction to assess viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) genotype IVb (VHSV-IVb) viral N-gene levels. Our objectives were to characterize the distribution and abundance of this newly introduced pathogen within a naive population of economically valuable sport fish through an annual cycle. We also sought to describe VHSV-IVb levels across demographic groups (males and females; adults and subadults). Strong temporal variation in prevalence of VHSV-IVb was evident through the annual cycle; peaks in prevalence corresponded to the smallmouth bass spawning period and a temperature range of 10–14°C. No difference in VHSV-IVb prevalence between male and female smallmouth bass was detected. However, a markedly higher prevalence was obser...
Comments on “A cumulative fatigue damage formulation for persistent slip band type materials”

Commentaires sur quelques problemes rencontres avec les hypotheses du modele de formation et de comportement de bandes de glissement persistantes et avec quelques-unes des applications qui en decoulent
Amphibole asbestos soil contamination in the U.S.A.: A matter of definition

Recent concerns surrounding asbestos exposure have extended from occupational settings into natural settings. These developments have caused us to examine the distribution of amphiboles, which are potential asbestiform minerals, within the soils of the U.S.A. Evaluation of mineralogical data from selected sand and/or silt fraction of soils from the USDA-NRCS National Cooperative Soil Survey database shows that soils in all states (except for Rhode Island) contain amphiboles. In 41 of the 50 states, 10% or more sampled pedons contain amphiboles. Overall, 4396 pedons out of the 34 326 pedons (about 13%) sampled in the U.S.A. contained amphiboles. Pedons containing amphiboles ranged from less than 1 to 49% of the pedons among all states. While amphibole asbestos deposits occur in mafic and ultramafic provinces, soil amphiboles occur evenly distributed across the U.S.A. The majority of the amphiboles found in the soils would likely not meet the mineralogical definition of asbestos (i.e., they would not have been derived from asbestiform amphiboles); however, the majority would likely meet a commonly used regulatory definition of a fiber (i.e., are over 5 μm in length with a greater than 3 to 1 aspect ratio). Based on the regulatory definition, 13% of soil pedons and 5% of soil horizons in the U.S.A. are “naturally contaminated.”
E-quality: Using dimensional index values for improving classification accuracy

E-quality is a holistic approach to gauge and ascertain product quality in real time with the use of advanced technologies. E-quality manifests a sensor-based, networked, fully automated quality control, through which a reduction of inspection time is attained. Even with the e-quality, a part classification still remains as one of the most challenging tasks because the classification is based on the minute differences among a multitude of dimensional attributes. Part classification entails many steps that complicate the accuracy of final outcome. Achieving 100% classification accuracy is not a trivial matter. In this context, this study focuses on a novel approach for improving part classification accuracy in tune with the notion of e-quality and concurrent engineering. Two approaches are proposed and compared with the traditional multiclass support vector machine classification method. One of the approaches is to modify the data before applying the support vector machine. The other is a completely new Si...
Host Stage Suitability of the Leafminer Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae) to the Entomopathogenic Nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae)

Abstract Infective-stage juveniles of Steinernema carpocapsae entered the Liriomyza trifolii leafmine via the oviposition puncture created by the female fly during egg laying, or through any unnatural tear in the mine surface. Nematodes could not enter mines by penetrating the intact leaf cuticle. Upon contact with the host larva, nematodes were 12 times more likely to infect the insect via the anus than the mouth. Spiracles, both larval and puparial, were not entry routes because of their small size and morphology. Susceptible stages of L. trifolii to S. carpocopsae included all larval stages, the prepuparium, and the "early puparium" (
Calculation of energy consumption for crossflow RO desalination processes

Abstract Reverse osmosis (RO) is an energy-intensive technology and consistent efforts have been made to reduce energy requirement of the technology in order to make it a more affordable means of water supply. There is an urgent need for a more accurate quantification of energy consumption in the crossflow RO process because it is the predominant configuration used in water desalination and purification. The energy required in the crossflow RO desalination processes is affected by a complex set of parameters or variables, including raw water quality, membrane property, operating requirements such as permeate flux and water recovery, as well as option of energy recovery device in the concentrate stream. The crossflow RO process is fundamentally a heterogeneous system that can only be well defined with the localized variables for the salt concentration, cross flow velocity, and permeate flux along the membrane channel. A theoretical framework was developed in this study for a more accurate quantification of...
Optimization of the Ni-Cr-Al-Y/ZrO2-Y2O3 thermal barrier system

The effects of bond and thermal barrier coating compositions, thicknesses, and densities on air plasma spray deposited Ni-Cr-Al-Y/ZrO2-Y2O3 life were evaluated in cyclic furnace oxidation tests at temperatures from 1110 to 1220 C. An empirical relation was developed to give life as a function of the above parameters. The thermal barrier system tested which had the longest life consisted of Ni-35.0 wt pct Cr-5.9 wt pct Al-0.95 wt pct Y bond coating and ZrO2-6.1 wt pct Y2O3 thermal barrier coating.
Direct fermentation of starch to L-(+)-lactic acid using Lactobacillus amylophilus

Fermentation of L-(+)-lactic acid from soluble starch by Lactobacillus amylophilus was studied. The bacterium produced about 30 g of L-(+)-lactic acid from 50 g of soluble starch when the pH of the culture was ranging from pH 5 to pH 6.8 at 28°C. 53.4 g of L-(+)-lactic acid was produced when 100 g of starch was added in the medium. The fermentation procedures will reduce the cost of complete hydrolysis of starch to glucose prior to fermentation.
Long-term three-dimensional neural tissue cultures in functionalized self-assembling peptide hydrogels, Matrigel and Collagen I

Designer peptides with self-assembling properties form nanofibers which are further organized to form a hydrogel consisting of up to 99.5% water. We present here the encapsulation of neural stem cells into peptide nanofiber hydrogel scaffolds. This results in three-dimensional (3-D) neural tissue cultures in which neural stem cells differentiate into progenitor neural cells, neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes when cultured in serum-free medium. Cell survival studies showed that neural cells in peptide hydrogels thrive for at least 5 months. In contrast, neural stem cells encapsulated in Collagen I were poorly differentiated and did not migrate significantly, thus forming clusters. We show that for culture periods of 1-2 weeks, neural stem cells proliferate and differentiate better in Matrigel. However, in long-term studies, the population of cells in Matrigel decreases whereas better cell survival rates are observed in neural tissue cultures in peptide hydrogels. Peptide functionalization with cell adhesion and cell differentiation motifs show superior cell survival and differentiation properties compared to those observed upon culturing neural cells in non-modified peptide hydrogels. These designed 3-D engineered tissue culturing systems have a potential use as tissue surrogates for tissue regeneration. The well-defined chemical and physical properties of the peptide nanofiber hydrogels and the use of serum-free medium allow for more realistic biological studies of neural cells in a biomimetic 3-D environment.
Lag Order and Critical Values of the Augmented Dickey–Fuller Test

Response surface analysis is used to obtain approximate finite-sample critical values for the augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) test. Previous studies estimating the critical values for the test have generally ignored their possible dependence on the lag order. This study shows that the lag order, in addition to the sample size, can affect the finite-sample behavior of the test. The result points to the importance of correcting for the effect of lag order in applying the ADF test.
Modeling and control of physical processes using proper orthogonal decomposition

The proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) technique (or the Karhunan Loeve procedure) has been used to obtain low-dimensional dynamical models of many applications in engineering and science. In principle, the idea is to start with an ensemble of data, called snapshots, collected from an experiment or a numerical procedure of a physical system. The POD technique is then used to produce a set of basis functions which spans the snapshot collection. When these basis functions are used in a Galerkin procedure, they yield a finite-dimensional dynamical system with the smallest possible degrees of freedom. In this context, it is assumed that the physical system has a mathematical model, which may not be available for many physical and/or industrial applications. In this paper, we consider the steady-state Rayleigh-Benard convection whose mathematical model is assumed to be unknown, but numerical data are available. The aim of the paper is to show that, using the obtained ensemble of data, POD can be used to model accurately the natural convection. Furthermore, this approach is very efficient in the sense that it uses the smallest possible number of parameters, and thus, is suited for process control. Particularly, we consider two boundary control problems 1.(a) tracking problem, and 2.(b) avoiding hot spot in a certain region of the domain.
Structural characterization of a hypothetical protein: a potential agent involved in trimethylamine metabolism in Catenulispora acidiphila

Catenulispora acidiphila is a newly identified lineage of actinomycetes that produces antimicrobial activities and represents a promising source of novel antibiotics and secondary metabolites. Among the discovered protein coding genes, 68 % were assigned a putative function, while the remaining 32 % are genes encoding “hypothetical” proteins. Caci_0382 is one of the “hypothetical” proteins that has very few homologs. Sequence analysis shows that the protein belongs to the NTF2-like protein family. The structure of Caci_0382 demonstrates that it shares the same fold and has a similar active site as limonene-1,2-epoxide hydrolase, which suggests that it may have a related function. Using a fluorescence thermal shift assay, we identified stabilizing compounds that suggest potential natural ligands of Caci_0382. Using this information, we determined the crystal structure in complex with trimethylamine to provide a better understanding of the function of this uncharacterized protein.
Interleukin-1 stimulates Jun N-terminal/stress-activated protein kinase by an arachidonate-dependent mechanism in mesangial cells.

Interleukin-1 stimulates Jun N-terminal/stress-activated protein kinase by an arachidonate-dependent mechanism in mesangial cells. Background We have studied interleukin-1 (IL-1)–stimulated signals and gene expression in mesangial cells (MCs) to identify molecular mechanisms of MC activation, a process characteristic of glomerular inflammation. The JNK1 pathway has been implicated in cell fate decisions, and IL-1 stimulates the Jun N-terminal/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK1/SAPK). However, early postreceptor mechanisms by which IL-1 activates these enzymes remain unclear. Free arachidonic acid (AA) activates several protein kinases, and because IL-1 rapidly stimulates phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) activity to release AA, IL-1–induced activation of JNK1/SAPK may be mediated by AA release. Methods MCs were grown from collagenase-treated glomeruli, and JNK/SAPK activity in MC lysates was determined using an immunocomplex kinase assay. Results Treatment of MCs with IL-1α induced a time-dependent increase in JNK1/SAPK kinase activity, assessed by phosphorylation of the activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2). Using similar incubation conditions, IL-1 also increased [ 3 H]AA release from MCs. Pretreatment of MCs with aristolochic acid, a PLA 2 inhibitor, concordantly reduced IL-1–regulated [ 3 H]AA release and JNK1/SAPK activity, suggesting that cytosolic AA in part mediates IL-1–induced JNK1/SAPK activation. Addition of AA stimulated JNK1/SAPK activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. This effect was AA specific, as only AA and its precursor linoleic acid stimulated JNK1/SAPK activity. Other fatty acids failed to activate JNK1/SAPK. Pretreatment of MCs with specific inhibitors of AA oxidation by cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and cytochrome P-450 epoxygenase had no effect on either IL-1– or AA-induced JNK1/SAPK activation. Furthermore, stimulation of MCs with the exogenous cyclooxygenase-, lipoxygenase-, phosphodiesterase-, and epoxygenase-derived arachidonate metabolites, in contrast to AA itself, did not activate JNK1/SAPK. Conclusion We conclude that IL-1–stimulated AA release, in part, mediates stimulation of JNK1/SAPK activity and that AA activates JNK1/SAPK by a mechanism that does not require enzymatic oxygenation. JNK1 signaling pathway components may provide molecular switches that mediate structural rearrangements and biochemical processes characteristic of MC activation and could provide a novel target(s) for therapeutic intervention.
Investment Decisions and Long-Term Planning Under Electricity Spot Pricing

This paper is a follow-up of previous work on optimal spot pricing of electricity [3]. The issue of long-term planning in the electric utility industry as it relates to the adoption of socially optimal spot pricing is considered. Optimal investment conditions are derived and an algorithm is developed which allows integration of these conditions into long-term planning. The proposed algorithm is an extensionl of Bootht-aleriaux probabilistic production costingand thus exhibits high computational efficiency. It provides the building block forincorporating spot pricing into a number of mathematical programminaf methodologies currently used in generation expansion planning studies. The algorithm's usefulness to produce optimal spot price forecasts that may induce socially efficient investments in non-utility-owned generation and to facilitate empirical studies on the income distributional impact of spot price implementation is also discussed.
Sequence-state methods for run-length-limited coding

Methods are presented for the encoding of information into binary sequences in which the number of ZEROS occurring between each pair of successive ONES has both an upper and a lower bound. The techniques, based on the state structure of the constraints, permit the construction of short, efficient codes with favorable error-propagation-limiting properties.
De novo deletion of chromosome 20q13.33 in a patient with tracheo-esophageal fistula, cardiac defects and genitourinary anomalies implicates GTPBP5 as a candidate gene.

BACKGROUND Tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF) with/or without esophageal atresia (EA) is a common congenital malformation that is often accompanied by other anomalies. The causes of this condition are thought to be heterogeneous but are overall not well understood. CASE REPORT We identified a patient with a TEF/EA, as well as cardiac and genitourinary anomalies, who was found to have a 0.7 Mb de novo deletion of chromosome 20q13.33. One gene within the deleted interval, GTPBP5, is of particular interest as a candidate gene. CONCLUSIONS GTPBP5 bears further study as a cause of TEF/EA accompanied by other malformations. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Energy yields in the prebiotic synthesis of hydrogen cyanide and formaldehyde

Prebiotic experiments are usually reported in terms of carbon yields, i.e., the yield of product based on the total carbon in the system. These experiments usually involve a large input of energy and are designed to maximize the yields of product. However, large inputs of energy result in multiple activation of the reactants and products. A more realistic prebiotic experiment is to remove the products of the activation step so they are not exposed a second time to the energy source. This is equivalent to transporting the products synthesized in the primitive atmosphere to the ocean, and thereby protecting them from destruction by atmospheric energy sources. Experiments of this type, using lower inputs of energy, give energy yields (moles of products/joule) which can be used to estimate the relative importance of the different energy sources on the primitive earth. Simulated prebiotic atmospheres containing either CH4, CO or CO2 with N2, H2O and variable amounts of H2 were subjected to a high frequency Tesla coil. Samples of the aqueous phase were taken at various time intervals from 1 hr to 7 days, and the energy yields were obtained by extrapolation to zero time. The samples were analyzed for HCN with the cyanide electrode and for H2CO by chromotropic acid. The spark energy was estimated by calorimetry. The temperature rise in an insulated discharge flask was compared with the temperature rise from a resistance heater in the same flask. These results will be compared with calculated production rates of HCN and H2CO from lightning and a number of photochemical processes on the primitive Earth.
Toward automatic policy refinement in repair services for large distributed systems

In order to be economically feasible and to offer high levels of availability and performance, large scale distributed systems depend on the automation of repair services. While there has been considerable work on mechanisms for such automated services, a framework for evaluating and optimizing the policies governing such mechanisms has been lacking. In this paper we propose one such framework and report on our initial experience in applying the framework to analyze and optimize the operation a geo-distributed cloud storage system at Microsoft.
Tumor-derived microvesicles induce, expand and up-regulate biological activities of human regulatory T cells (Treg).

Background Tumor-derived microvesicles (TMV) or exosomes are present in body fluids of patients with cancer and might be involved in tumor progression. The frequency and suppressor functions of peripheral blood CD4+CD25highFOXP3+ Treg are higher in patients with cancer than normal controls. The hypothesis is tested that TMV contribute to induction/expansion/and activation of human Treg.
Regulation of the Serratia marcescens Extracellular Nuclease: Positive Control by a Homolog of P2 Ogr Encoded by a Cryptic Prophage

Abstract The Serratia marcescens extracelluar nuclease is a secreted protein that is subject to growth phase and SOS control. Regulatory mutants affecting nuclease expression have been isolated that define a new locus, nucC , essential for transcription of the nuclease gene nucA . The cloned nucC gene is able to activate efficient expression from the nucA promoter in Escherichia coli , where it normally is poorly expressed. NucC is very similar to the bacteriophage P2 Ogr protein, a transcriptional activator essential for P2 late gene expression. NucC is able to replace P2 Ogr to support the growth of P2 ogr − mutants in E. coli. Ogr is a poor activator of the nuclease promoter in E. coli , but the related δ gene product from satellite phage P4 is highly effective. The presence of genes encoding a lysozyme and a putative porin or holin in the nucC operon suggests that nucC may be part of a cryptic prophage genome. The putative holin-like membrane protein is required in E. coli for extracellular secretion of the S. marcescens nuclease.
Nonaqueous potentiometry of coal-derived asphaltenes and model nitrogen-containing compounds in acetophenone and nitrobenzene

Abstract A series of 34 nitrogen-containing compounds with a wide range of basicities was examined under differential nonaqueous potentiometric conditions in acetophenone and nitrobenzene. These compounds could be resolved into five classes based on pK a and half-neutralization-potential (HNP) values. Asphaltenes isolated from the vacuum still overhead (VSO) and vacuum still bottoms (VSB) fractions of the H-coal process were titrated under similar conditions. The titration results of both asphaltenes indicated the presence of two classes of nitrogen-containing compounds, a titratable class of the pyridine-ring or aniline type and a nontitratable class.
Terminal Interface Conformations Modulate Dimer Stability Prior to Amino Terminal Autoprocessing of HIV-1 Protease

The HIV-1 protease (PR) mediates its own release (autoprocessing) from the polyprotein precursor, Gag-Pol, flanked by the transframe region (TFR) and reverse transcriptase at its N- and C-termini, respectively. Autoprocessing at the N-terminus of PR mediates stable dimer formation essential for catalytic activity, leading to the formation of infectious virus. An antiparallel β-sheet interface formed by the four N- and C-terminal residues of each subunit is important for dimer stability. Here, we present the first high-resolution crystal structures of model protease precursor-clinical inhibitor (PI darunavir or saquinavir) complexes, revealing varying conformations of the N-terminal flanking (S(-4)FNF(-1)) and interface residues (P(1)QIT(4)). A 180° rotation of the T(4)-L(5) peptide bond is accompanied by a new Q(2)-L(5) hydrogen bond and complete disengagement of PQIT from the β-sheet dimer interface, which may be a feature for intramolecular autoprocessing. This result is consistent with drastically lower thermal stability by 14-20 °C of PI complexes of precursors and the mature PR lacking its PQIT residues (by 18.3 °C). Similar to the TFR-PR precursor, this deletion also results in a darunavir dissociation constant (2 × 10(4))-fold higher and a markedly increased dimer dissociation constant relative to the mature PR. The terminal β-sheet perturbations of the dimeric structure likely account for the drastically poorer inhibition of autoprocessing of TFR-PR relative to the mature PR, even though significant differences in active site-PI interactions in these structures were not observed. The novel conformations of the dimer interface may be exploited to target selectively the protease precursor prior to its N-terminal cleavage.
Early child development in China

A psychiatrist compares his direct observations of child rearing in China with reports from other Western professionals. He differs from them in interpreting what all of them saw. He stresses the discripancy between psychiatric knowledge in the cities and absence of it among the teachers in the provinces. He distinguishes between contented children, and conforming children. Chinese emphasis on conforming, on discipline, the failure to acknowledge emotional factors, result in psychopathology going undetected or misdiagnosed and in emotional impovershment of the children.
Directed inflammation: The phylogeny of lymphokines

Abstract Implants of slow-release polymer Elvax-40 containing purified sea star factor (SSF) and rabbit T cell lymphokines were sutured to the coelomic wall of the distal arms of the sea star Asterias forbesi . Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of the pellet surface demonstrated adherence and spreading of coelomocytes over SSF- or lymphokine-containing pellets examined from 6 to 48 hours after implantation. These observations indicate that purified SSF and rabbit lymphokines demonstrate cross-phylum biological mimicry, implying a phylogenetic link between vertebrate and invertebrate cell communication mechanisms in immunoprotective functions.
Inexpensive high-speed dentist drill light chopper and its use in rejecting luminescence background from Raman spectra

An inexpensive dentist drill laser beam chopper is described. The chopper, which can be tuned for a chopping frequency from 100 Hz to 400 kHz, is compact, stable, and easily constructed. The usefulness of the dentist drill laser beam chopper is demonstrated in a technique for the suppression of luminescence background in Raman spectra. The technique is shown to be capable of almost complete suppression of luminescence with decay lifetimes greater than 10−6 sec.
Regulation of the functional activity of the human dopamine transporter by protein kinase C

The role of protein kinase C (PKC) was examined in the regulation of dopamine transport in C6 glioma cells stably expressing the human dopamine transporter. The PKC activating phorbol esters phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and 4β-12,13-dibutyrate phorbol-ester (PDBu) inhibited [3H]dopamine uptake concentration dependently. These effects were attenuated by the PKC inhibitor staurosporine but were unaltered by another inhibitor, chelerythrine, or the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid. The potency of PMA in inhibiting [3H]dopamine uptake was similar to that in inhibiting the binding of 2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane ([3H]WIN 35,428), and again staurosporine, but not chelerythrine, weakened the effect of PMA. The reduction in dopamine transporter activity by PMA was caused by a decrease in the Vmax value of [3H]dopamine uptake, opposed by a smaller reduction in the Km value, whereas the effect of PMA on [3H]WIN 35,428 binding was caused by a reduction in the Bmax value without a change in the Kd value. The lower Km value in the presence of PMA was accompanied by a higher IC50 of dopamine in inhibiting [3H]WIN 35,428 binding; the latter effect was attenuated by the co-presence of staurosporine. The results are discussed in the context of transporter loss from the cell surface, or a model with phosphorylation affecting the shared dopamine and WIN 35,428 binding domain on the transporter as well as affecting a part of the dopamine binding domain lying outside that for WIN 35,428.
Thermoelastic Martensitic Transformations and the Nature of the Shape Memory Effect

Investigations of the shape memory effect in alloys forming thermoelastic martensites with various crystal structures (2H, 3R, 9R and 18R) reveal that universal behavior exists. A unified explanation of the martensite deformation processes and subsequent shape recovery is now in hand, even though the various martensites are both internally twinned and internally faulted and, in addition, have different crystal structures. In cases studied to date, an initial parent phase single crystal transforms into self-accommodating arrangements of martensite variants (plates) which are characterized by “plate groups.” Each group consists of four variants. The average shape deformation in a plate group is essentially zero. Upon stressing below the Mf temperature the martensite undergoes deformation by detwinning (2H and 3R only), variant-variant coalescence and twinning processes, and further group-to-group coalescence. The deformed specimen eventually becomes a single crystal of martensite consisting of that particular habit plane variant whose shape deformation permits maximum extension in the direction of the applied stress. The deformed martensite persists after unloading has occurred; reverse rearrangements of twins and variants do not occur. Specimens deformed below Mf regain their initial shape characteristic of the initial parent phase upon heating from As to Af, during which the single crystal of martensite obtained by stressing the 24-variant configuration transforms back to the original parent phase single crystal in a unique manner, which is basically a simple “unshearing” process. The unshearing is the essence of the memory. The two-way shape memory effect results after the initial martensitic transformation upon cooling is preprogrammed by the introduction of stresses which preferentially bias the transformation so that only a single variant of martensite forms upon cooling. The shape change of this single variant causes the characteristic spontaneous “bending” upon cooling. The characteristic “unbending upon heating is as with the conventional “one-way” shape memory effect.
FDGE: A forward-difference grid engine and its application in rendering algebraic surfaces in parallel

The display of an implicitly defined surface is obtained by its projection onto the viewing plane. Ray casting is a technique that accomplishes this projection byfiring a mapping ray through each pixel of the screen into the world space. The intersection points of this ray with the surface are found; these points are further tested to determine which one is visible and is within the viewing volume. Finally, if a point that satisfies the above conditions is found, then the point is further processed for the determination of its shading value.
Delay in retinal photoreceptor development in very preterm compared to term infants.

PURPOSE We compared photoreceptor development from spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging in very preterm infants (VPT, <32 weeks gestational age) with those of term infants. METHODS The microanatomy of foveal SD-OCT images obtained at the bedside at 37 to 42 weeks term equivalent postmenstrual age (TEA) was reviewed with qualitative and quantitative analysis of retinal and especially photoreceptor layers in the macula. Measures of maturity included presence of the cone outer segment tips (COST) or the ellipsoid zone (EZ) at foveal center, distance from Bruch's membrane (BM) to the EZ at the foveal center, and radial distance from foveal center to first appearance of the EZ. RESULTS The incidence of the EZ developed at the foveal center was lower in VPT infants (9/64, 14%) versus term infants (22/47, 47%, P < 0.001) and lower in VPT infants with macular edema (3/46) versus VPT without edema (6/18, P = 0.01). Mean ± SD distance from the foveal center to the visible EZ was 783 ± 440 μm in VPT, and 492 ± 501 μm in term infants, P = 0.002. The height of the BM-to-EZ at the foveal center did not differ in VPT versus term infants. The COST band was not visible in any infant. CONCLUSIONS Photoreceptor inner and outer segment development in VPT infants appears delayed when compared to term infants, and the photoreceptor RPE junction remains immature in all infants at TEA. Delayed maturation of photoreceptors could contribute to differences in visual function in some VPT infants.
Genetic and Adverse Health Outcome Associations with Treatment Resistant Hypertension in GenHAT.

Treatment resistant hypertension (TRH) is defined as uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) despite the use of &#x2265;3 antihypertensive medication classes or controlled HTN while treated with &#x2265;4 antihypertensive medication classes. Risk factors for TRH include increasing age, diminished kidney function, higher body mass index, diabetes, and African American (AA) race. Importantly, previous studies suggest a genetic role in TRH, although the genetics of TRH are largely understudied. With 2203 treatment resistant cases and 2354 treatment responsive controls (36&#x25; AA) from the Genetics of Hypertension Associated Treatment Study (GenHAT), we assessed the association of 78 candidate gene polymorphisms with TRH status using logistic regression. After stratifying by race and adjusting for potential confounders, there were 2 genetic variants in the AGT gene (rs699, rs5051) statistically significantly associated with TRH among white participants. The Met allele of rs699 and the G allele of rs5051 were positively associated with TRH: &#x2009;(1.12&#x2013;1.44), , and &#x2009;(1.20&#x2013;1.53), , respectively. There was no similar association among AA participants (race interaction for rs699 and for rs5051). This research contributes to our understanding of the genetic basis of TRH, and further genetic studies of TRH may help reach the goal of better clinical outcomes for hypertensive patients.
Theory of twisting and bending of chain macromolecules; analysis of the fluorescence depolarization of DNA

An elastic model of semiflexible chain macromolecules is developed in order to treat internal rotatory Brownian motion in the DNA helix. Dynamical equations for torsion and bending of the chain are generated, using results from classical elasticity and hydrodynamic theories. The rotational diffusion equation in normal coordinates is derived, and the initial‐boundary value problem solved for the conditions of a nanosecond fluorescence depolarization experiment. The resulting time distribution function of the angular orientation of a fluorescent probe, embedded in a chain at thermal equilibrium, is used to compute the emission anisotropy. The predicted decay law is unusual, with exponentials in ∼t due to twisting and in ∼t1/4 due to bending. Comparison with published data for ethidium–DNA complex reveals that the decay of the anisotropy arises primarily from twisting of the DNA helix, with a small contribution from bending. By fitting theory and experiment, the torsional rigidity C of DNA may be obtained.
Environmentally Benign Synthesis of Ultrathin Metal Telluride Nanowires

Metal telluride nanowires are attractive materials for many applications, yet most synthesis recipes require hazardous reducing agents such as hydrazine or sodium borohydride. We describe a two-step synthesis of various metal tellurides with nanowire morphology using a nonhazardous reducing agent, ascorbic acid. In the first step, Te grows one-dimensionally to form ultrathin nanowires; in the second step, these nanowires are converted to metal telluride nanowires by adding metal precursors. Analysis of the reaction products versus time provides insights into the growth and conversion mechanisms as well as the reaction rates.
Corporate Environmentalism, Regulatory Reform, and Industry Self-Regulation: Toward Genuine Regulatory Reinvention in the United States

Increasingly, corporations are proactively managing environmental impacts in response to pressures from the consumer, business-to-business, financial, and government procurement markets. In many cases, these efforts have produced results well beyond what could be required under public regulations. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began a process of regulatory reinvention in the 1990s as a means of promoting such innovations, the results have been somewhat disappointing. This article examines the recent trends in corporate environmental management and regulatory reform. It concludes with a discussion of changes in regulatory design that could promote ongoing gains in corporate environmental performance through the creation of a hybrid system combining elements of public regulation, government-supervised corporate self-regulation, mandatory information disclosure, and green procurement.
Prediction of a multicenter-bonded solid boron hydride for hydrogen storage

An ideal material for on-board hydrogen storage must release hydrogen at practical temperature and pressure and also regenerate efficiently under similarly gentle conditions. Therefore, thermodynamically, the hydride material must lie within a narrow range near the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation phase boundary. Materials involving only conventional bonding mechanisms are unlikely to meet these requirements. In contrast, materials containing certain frustrated bonding are designed to be on the verge of frustration-induced phase transition, and they may be better suited for hydrogen storage. Here we propose a novel layered solid boron hydride and show its potential for hydrogen storage. The absence of soft phonon modes confirms the dynamical stability of the structure. Charging the structure significantly softens hydrogen-related phonon modes. Boron-related phonons, in contrast, are either hardened or not significantly affected by electron doping. These results suggest that electrochemical charging may facilitate hydrogen release while the underlying boron network remains intact for subsequent rehydrogenation.
Age-structured red blood cell susceptibility and the dynamics of malaria infections.

Malaria parasites and immune responses in an infected human interact on a dynamic landscape, in which a population of replicating parasites depletes a population of replenishing red blood cells (RBCs). These underlying dynamics receive relatively little attention, but they offer unique insights into the processes that control most malaria infections. Here, we focus on the observation that three of the four malaria-parasite species that infect humans are restricted to particular age classes of RBC. We explicitly incorporate this observation in models of infection dynamics to distinguish common from species-specific pressures on host immune responses, and we find that age structuring has profound effects on the course of infection. For all four species conditions exist under which the parasites may persist at low densities, or may clear, even in the absence of an immune response. Catastrophic anemia can occur even with the two species that attack only the youngest RBCs, although only a small fraction of cells are parasitized at any point. Furthermore, with these two, compensatory erythropoetic responses in the host accelerate parasite population growth. A “basic reproduction rate” characterizes these differences in outcomes.