cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lack of evidence for nepotism by workers tending queens of the polygynous termite Nasutitermes corniger

Kin selection theory predicts that workers in social insect colonies should preferentially aid close relatives over less related or unrelated individuals if such behaviors increase inclusive fitness. For example, a worker in a polygynous (multiple-queen) colony is predicted to tend its own mother rather than an unrelated queen if this nepotistic behavior increases its mother’s reproductive success in excess of costs. Despite predictions, experimental tests conducted in the social Hymenoptera have found no clear evidence of nepotism. No tests for nepotism have been carried out in the Isoptera (termites), another major insect taxon showing highly developed sociality. We tested for nepotistic behavior in the termite Nasutitermes corniger by determining if workers preferentially fed and groomed their mothers in a laboratory assay. We collected workers from nine naturally occurring multiple-queen colonies as they tended queens and determined their parentage using highly variable microsatellite markers. Our results provide no evidence that workers tend their mothers in preference to co-occurring queens. The absence of evidence for nepotism is consistent with previous results reported from numerous studies of eusocial hymenopterans.
152 Blocking IL-6 Receptors Increases Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 Production in Hypertrophic Scar Fibroblasts

Introduction: We hypothesize that interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6r) blockade with IL-6r antibody will increase matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) production in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts. To test this hypothesis, MMP-3 protein levels were measured in fibroblasts cultured from normal skin and hypertrophic scar with and without IL-6 receptor blockade. Methods: Primary cell cultures of normal skin (NSF) and hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HTS) were obtained from the same patient (n = 5) and seeded into 6 well plates (40,000 cells/cm2) in complete media. Cells were treated with and without IL-6 receptor antibody and IgG (10 ng/ml) for 6 hours. Protein concentrations of MMP-3 are determined in equal volume of supernatants by ELISA. Statistical analysis was by unpaired t-test(*P < 0.05). Results: Blocking IL-6 receptors with its antibody showed significant increase in MMP-3 protein concentration in HTS compared to NSF. MMP-3(ng/ml) MMP-3(ng/ml) NSF 1.6 ± 0.13 HTS 0.7 ± 0.37 NSF + IL-6r 0.3 ± 0.15 HTS + IL-6r 2.3 ± 0.5* NSF + IgG 0.26 ± 0.16 HTS + IgG 0.75 ± 0.14 Conclusion: IL-6 receptor mediated signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertrophic scar formation and its blockade may reduce hypertrophic scar formation.
Potassium metabolism of domestic ruminants--A review.

Abstract Ruminants and other herbivores normally consume amounts of potassium (K) greatly in excess of their dietary requirement, which is probably no more than about 0.5% of the ration, even for rapidly growing sheep or cattle. Ruminants appear to be well adapted to metabolize large amounts of K. The cation concentration in the rumen fluid has an important effect upon ruminal digestion. Under conditions of Na deficiency, K may replace Na as the major cation in saliva. Large oral doses of K administered rapidly have been fatal to cows. Potassium may be partially responsible for death of calves suffering from diarrhea, Hypomagnesemia grass tetany is the only pathological situation related to high K intakes, and this relationship is not clear. The K 40 content of the whole body is being investigated as a means of estimating lean-body mass. This method shows promise of being a rapid and precise method of nondestructive measurement of body composition.
Rescue of Enzymatic Function for Disease-associated RPE65 Proteins Containing Various Missense Mutations in Non-active Sites

Over 70 different missense mutations, including a dominant mutation, in RPE65 retinoid isomerase are associated with distinct forms of retinal degeneration; however, the disease mechanisms for most of these mutations have not been studied. Although some mutations have been shown to abolish enzyme activity, the molecular mechanisms leading to the loss of enzymatic function and retinal degeneration remain poorly understood. Here we show that the 26 S proteasome non-ATPase regulatory subunit 13 (PSMD13), a newly identified negative regulator of RPE65, plays a critical role in regulating pathogenicity of three mutations (L22P, T101I, and L408P) by mediating rapid degradation of mutated RPE65s via a ubiquitination- and proteasome-dependent non-lysosomal pathway. These mutant RPE65s were misfolded and formed aggregates or high molecular complexes via disulfide bonds. Interaction of PSMD13 with mutant RPE65s promoted degradation of misfolded but not properly folded mutant RPE65s. Many mutations, including L22P, T101I, and L408P, were mapped on non-active sites. Although their activities were very low, these mutant RPE65s were catalytically active and could be significantly rescued at low temperature, whereas mutant RPE65s with a distinct active site mutation could not be rescued under the same conditions. Sodium 4-phenylbutyrate and glycerol displayed a significant synergistic effect on the low temperature rescue of the mutant RPE65s by promoting proper folding, reducing aggregation, and increasing membrane association. Our results suggest that a low temperature eye mask and sodium 4-phenylbutyrate, a United States Food and Drug Administration-approved oral medicine, may provide a promising “protein repair therapy” that can enhance the efficacy of gene therapy by reducing the cytotoxic effect of misfolded mutant RPE65s.
Compensation With Induced Factor Movements in a Simple General Equilibrium Model

Interjurisdictional compensation can provide an effective method of achieving an optimal provision of public goods in an independent system of local governments, only if all the major side effects of public goods are included in its computation. Previous studies have suggested compensation levels calculated solely on spillins and spillouts of public goods, but in this framework the provision of public goods may induce migration of productive inputs. To incorporate potential movement of factors of production, we recast the local government expenditures problem in a simple general equilibrium framework and estimate the impact of migration on the suggested compensation level. We show that, within reasonable ranges of parameter values of our model, compensation based entirely on output externalities substantially understates the level necessary to achieve an allocatively efficient provision of public goods.
Functional prostate-specific membrane antigen is enriched in exosomes from prostate cancer cells.

Developing simple and effective approaches to detect tumor markers will be critical for early diagnosis or prognostic evaluation of prostate cancer treatment. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been validated as an important tumor marker for prostate cancer progression including angiogenesis and metastasis. As a type II membrane protein, PSMA can be constitutively internalized from the cell surface into endosomes. Early endosomes can fuse with multivesicular bodies (MVB) to form and secrete exosomes (40–100 nm) into the extracellular environment. Herein, we tested whether some of the endosomal PSMA could be transferred to exosomes as an extracellular resource for PSMA. Using PSMA-positive LNCaP cells, the secreted exosomes were collected and isolated from the cultured media. The vesicular structures of exosomes were identified by electron microscopy, and exosomal marker protein CD9 and tumor susceptibility gene (TSG 101) were confirmed by western blot analysis. Our present data demonstrate that PSMA can be enriched in exosomes, exhibiting a higher content of glycosylation and partial proteolysis in comparison to cellular PSMA. An in vitro enzyme assay further confirmed that exosomal PSMA retains functional enzymatic activity. Therefore, our data may suggest a new role for PSMA in prostate cancer progression, and provide opportunities for developing non-invasive approaches for diagnosis or prognosis of prostate cancer.
Bathymetry of the littoral zone using hyperspectral images

Hyperspectral imagery (HSI) of the ocean-land interface, known as the littoral zone (LZ) can provide a valuable source of information for identification of underwater objects and materials, determination of water depth, and retrieval of water composition. The first step in the analysis is removal of atmospheric effects, resulting in surface reflectance spectra. The atmospheric removal is accomplished with a new version of the MODTRAN-based FLAASH correction code. When available, infrared wavelengths are used to retrieve water vapor and aerosol parameters for the correction and to remove foam and glitter components to yield water-leaving reflectance. A visible-only spectral unmixing technique for foam and glitter removal has also been developed. Bathymetry algorithms that use the 500-700 nm region were developed based on Monte Carlo-simulated "ground truth" spectra. The end-to-end data analysis process has been demonstrated with publicly available AVIRIS imagery.
The Transition from Sail to Steam in Immigration to the United States

The transition from sailing ship to steamship is analyzed for European immigrants arriving at New York City. Based on information taken from the U.S. Passenger Lists, new estimates of the timing and length of the transition are provided. Though the accepted model suggests the changeover from sail to steam could occur in only a few years, it actually took about 15 years in the Europe to New York immigrant trade. The slow transition is found to be due to slow construction of new steamships given uncertainty concerning immigrant volume and new steamship technology. The most important change in nineteenth century emigrant transportation was that from sail to steam. Gunter Moltmann Moltmann, “Steamship Transport,” p. 311. … the transition from sail to steam in the transatlantic immigrant trade was an event of enormous significance for the history of immigration . Maldwyn Allen Jones Jones, American Immigration , p. 157.
SOME EFFECTS OF RESPONSE‐INDEPENDENT REINFORCEMENT ON AUDITORY GENERALIZATION GRADIENTS

Two groups of six rats received discrimination training with two auditory stimuli differing in intensity. During one stimulus, the schedule was variable interval; during the other, it was either variable time or extinction. Both the variable time and extinction schedules resulted in differential rates of responding in the presence of the two stimuli. Extinction resulted in an earlier and more stable difference. Stimulus generalization gradients obtained along the noise-intensity dimension revealed peak shift with both procedures. In addition, a secondary peak to stimuli in between the two training stimuli occurred with the variable-time schedule.
Restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: Have we been aiming at the wrong target?

Abstract Restenosis after percutaneous coronary balloom angioplasty remains a significant problem. Despite success with a variety of agents in animal models, no agent has proved clearly successful in reducing restenosis in humans. There are many potential reasons for this, but one possibility is that because of our incomplete understanding of the restenotic process, therapy has been directed at the wrong target. Arterial remodeling (changes in total vessel area or changes in area circumscribed by the internal elastic lamina) is well described in de novo atherosclerosis, and there is increasing evidence that this process occurs after angioplasty. Thus, restnosis can be thought of not merely as neointimal formation in response to balloon injury, but as arterial remodelling in response to balloon injury and neointimal formation. Arterial remodeling may consist of actual constriction of the artery, as has been described in some animal models and in preliminary fashion in humans, or of compensatory enlargement as has been described in de novo atherosclerosis and in the hypercholesterolemic rabbit iliac artery model. Arterial constriction can result in restenosis with minimal neointimal formation. Compensatory enlargement accommodates significant amounts of neointimal formation, with preservation of lumen area despite an increase in neointimal area adequate to cause restenosis in a noncompensated artery. This expanded paradigm of arterial remodeling and intimal formation may in part account for the lack of success in clinical trials to date, and therapy directed at arterial remodeling as well as intimal formation may be required to reduce restenosis after coronary interventions.
Clinicopathologic findings and outcomes of liver transplantation using grafts from donors with unrecognized and unusual diseases

Despite certain strict criteria for suitable organ donors, some unrecognized and unusual diseases have been transmitted through liver transplantation to recipients. In the current series, we review our experience with 14 patients who underwent liver transplantation using donor grafts with unusual pathology, including amyloidosis (6), schistosomiasis (3), iron overload (2), and α-1 antitrypsin deficiency (3). One of 6 patients who received grafts with amyloidosis developed vasculitis associated with the presence of arterial amyloid. With proper management, patients with donor schistosomiasis, iron overload and α-1 antitrypsin deficiency appear to have outcomes comparable to liver transplantation using grafts without these findings. In conclusion, long-term follow-up is necessary to confirm these findings and understand the impact of using these grafts. Liver Transpl 12:310–315, 2006. © 2006 AASLD.
Vibrio cholerae T3SS Effector VopE Modulates Mitochondrial Dynamics and Innate Immune Signaling by Targeting Miro GTPases

The cellular surveillance-activated detoxification and defenses (cSADD) theory postulates the presence of host surveillance mechanisms that monitor the integrity of common cellular processes and components targeted by pathogen effectors. Being organelles essential for multiple cellular processes, including innate immune responses, mitochondria represent an attractive target for pathogens. We describe a Vibrio cholerae Type 3 secretion system effector VopE that localizes to mitochondria during infection and acts as a specific GTPase-activating protein to interfere with the function of mitochondrial Rho GTPases Miro1 and Miro2. Miro GTPases modulate mitochondrial dynamics and interfering with this functionality effectively blocks innate immune responses that presumably require mitochondria as signaling platforms. Our data indicate that interference with mitochondrial dynamics may be an unappreciated strategy that pathogens use to block host innate immune responses that would otherwise control these bacterial infections. VopE might represent a bacterial effector that targets the cSADD surveillance response.
Human Cytomegalovirus 5-Kilobase Immediate-Early RNA Is a Stable Intron

Immediate-early viral gene products of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) are derived from several genomic loci and largely serve to establish a cellular environment conducive to viral replication. We have further examined an unusual immediate-early transcript known as the 5-kb RNA, concluding that it is a stable intron encoded by HCMV. The 5-kb RNA is highly AT rich in sequence and lacks open reading frames likely to be translated into protein. We confirmed the absence of polyadenylation of the transcript and showed that it is primarily nuclear localized during viral infection. We mapped the 5′ end of the 5-kb RNA to a consensus splice donor site and localized the 3′ end in the vicinity of a splice acceptor site. In transfection studies, we showed that the 5-kb RNA can be spliced from a heterologous primary transcript. Using bacterial artificial chromosome technology, we constructed a viral recombinant containing a mutation in the 5′ splice donor site that defines the 5′ end of the RNA and found that this mutation eliminates expression of the 5-kb RNA during viral infection. This mutant grows in human fibroblasts without complementation. Taken together, these data support the conclusion that the 5-kb RNA is a stable intron expressed by HCMV.
TAXONOMY OF THE PECAN SCAB FUNGUS CLADOSPORIUM CARYIGENUM

Conidiophore morphology, conidium ontogeny and cultural characteristics of the pecan scab fungus were studied to establish its generic position. Extensive catenulate, dendritic conidial chains and multidenticulate conidiogenous ramoconidia are characteristic of the pecan scab fungus. The transfer of Fusicladium effusum to the genus Cladosporium as well as Cladosporium caryigenum comb. nov. is proposed.
The co-opticon: shared access to a robotic streaming video camera

The "co-opticon" is a robotic pan, tilt, and zoom streaming video camera controlled by simultaneous frame requests from remote users. Robotic webcameras are commercially available but currently restrict control to only one user at a time. The co-opticon introduces a new interface that allows simultaneous control by many users. We will demonstrate the implemented system using a Java-based interface at the conference linked via the Internet to a camera on the UC Berkeley campus. We will also discuss system architecture and several new algorithms we've developed to compute optimal camera paramters based on user frame requests. The co-opticon can be tested online at: www.tele-actor.net/co-opticon.
Association of physical activity intensity levels with overweight and obesity in a population-based sample of adults.

Background. Clarify the association between physical activity intensity and overweight/obesity. Methods. Population-based 1997–2001 survey in Geneva, Switzerland (n = 5,757, ages 35 to 74). Intensity of physical activity energy expenditure (EE) defined as percentage of total EE in moderate activities [3–3.9 × basal metabolism rate (BMR), e.g., normal walking, household chores] and high-intensity activities (≥4 × BMR, e.g., brisk walking, sports). Overweight or obesity based on measured body mass index (BMI). Results. Comparing participants in the lowest vs. the highest tertile of the percentage of high-intensity EE, the odds ratios (ORs) were, for obesity vs. normal weight, 2.8 (95% confidence interval: 2.0–3.8, P < 0.0001) in men and 2.4 (1.7–3.4, P < 0.0001) in women. For obese vs. overweight, the men/women ORs were 1.9 (1.4–2.6, P < 0.0001)/1.5 (1.0–2.2, P < 0.05). For overweight vs. normal weight, the men/women ORs were 1.4 (1.1–1.7, P < 0.002)/1.7 (1.3–2.1, P < 0.0001). Less or no relationship was found for the percentage of moderate-intensity EE. Conclusions. This cross-sectional study cannot determine whether exercise is an effective strategy for weight control or whether overweight or obese people exercise less. However, clear dose–response associations in both genders between obesity or overweight and energy expenditure in high (but not in moderate)-intensity activities are findings with potentially major public health implications meriting validation in an experimental intervention study.
Inhibition and sex specific induction of spawning by serotonergic ligands in the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas).

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) stimulates spawning in the zebra mussel (Dressena polymorpha), a macrofouling European bivalve that has recently invaded North America. To develop methods of controlling zebra mussel spawning, two vertebrate serotonin antagonists, methiothepin and metergoline, known to bind with high affinity to snail 5-HT receptors, were tested for their ability to block 5-HT-induced spawning in zebra mussels. Methiothepin inhibited 5-HT-induced spawning at concentrations as low as 10−6 M. Metergoline (10−4 M) inhibited 5-HT-induced spawning; however, at lower concentrations (10−8 to 10−5 M), metergoline by itself significantly induced spawning in male, but not female zebra mussels. Metergoline (10−5 M)-induced male spawning was inhibited by 10−5 M methiothepin. Thus, methiothepin is the most effective inhibitor and metergoline the most powerful inducer of spawning yet tested in zebra mussels.
Arginine kinase from the housefly, Musca domestica: Purification and properties☆

Arginine kinase (ATP: arginine phosphotransferase, E.C. 2. 7. 3. 3) has been partially purified from housefly males 5 days after emergence by ammonium sulphate fractionation and DEAE cellulose column chromatography. Optimum conditions for its activity are reported. The enzyme is labile and lost 68 per cent of its activity after 3 months of storage at 4°C. The optimum pH is about 8.4. Magnesium is the most effective divalent cation for activity as compared to manganese and calcium. ATP is the only nucleoside triphosphate effective in phosphorylation when compared with GTP and ITP. The enzyme is specific for l-arginine. The apparent Km for ATP is 2.22 mM and for arginine 1.35 mM.
Effects of ethanol on chicks in vivo and on chick embryo tibiae in organ culture.

Hypocalcemia previously reported in rats and dogs following oral administration of ethanol may have been caused by a movement of calcium from blood to bone. This present study was undertaken to determine whether ethanol also causes hypocalcemia in chicks and to investigate the direct effects of ethanol on mineral accretion, glucose metabolism and growth of embryonic chick tibiae in an organ culture system. A high dose of ethanol (6 g/kg body wt) produced hypocalcemia, hypermagnesemia and an elevated hematocrit in chicks. Resultsin vitro were as follows: 1) 5 to 30 μl ethanol/ml medium produced dose-related increases in bone mineral from 58–440%; 2) lactate production was inhibited at all ethanol levels; 3) increased mineral accretion did not occur in ethanol-treated tibiae when iodoacetate was in the medium, but did occur in mechanically disrupted bones exposed to ethanol; and 4) the ethanol response in bone was directly related to the medium phosphate concentration. The results lead to the following conclusions: 1) ethanol has a direct stimulatory effect on bone mineral accretion and an inhibitory effect on bone glucose metabolismin vitro; 2) viable bone cells and an adequate phosphate supply are necessary for the ethanol response, but tissue integrity is not; and 3) the hypocalcemic effect of ethanolin vivo may at least partially result from ethanol-stimulated bone mineral deposition.
Dosimetry of the I-Plant Model 3500 iodine-125 brachytherapy source

125 I brachytherapy sources have been widely used for interstitial implants for a number of years in several tumor sites, especially the prostate. The design of the new I-Plant Model 3500 iodine source is novel, yet its characteristics are similar to those of two existing designs, Model 6711 and the Symmetra. Dosimetry parameters (including dose rate constant, radial dose function, and anisotropy function, as defined by AAPM Task Group 43) were measured with LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters in water-equivalent plastic phantoms. The dose rate constant was found by direct comparison of calibrated I-Plant Model 3500 and Model 6711 seeds in a solid water phantom, to be 1.01 (cGy/h)/U. The radial dose function and anisotropy function are similar to those of the Model 6711 and Symmetra seeds.
Numerical analysis of scattered waves from rough surfaces with and without an object

The effects of rough surface scattering on the detection and imaging of objects are important in many applications including the imaging of objects on or near ocean surfaces and the detection of objects buried under ground rough surfaces. This paper focuses on the following problems: (1) Scattering from wedge-like rough surfaces representing ocean surfaces with sharp crested waves. (2) Scattering by objects above or below the rough surfaces. (3) UWB confocal imaging of objects near rough surfaces. Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method is used to obtain frequency domain as well as time domain responses. Numerical simulations of various representative cases are conducted to understand and gain insight into the scattering effects on object detection and imaging.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Development of practical wideband high-fidelity acoustic emission sensors

The development of a series of wideband acoustic emission sensor/preamplifier systems is described. Key design factors are discussed along with the actual design and characterization of the sensors. These new sensors with integral amplification are out-of-plane, displacement response sensors nearly independent of frequency over a range from a slow as 30 to 50 kHz up to 1.2 MHz. The sensor design includes electromagnetic shielding and mechanical protection of the sensitive elements. More importantly, these practical sensors have signal-to-noise sensitivity that is equivalent to typical commercial resonant sensor/preamplifier systems operating from 100 kHz to 300 kHz. A mounting fixture for the sensors has also been developed.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Increasing spin-flips and decreasing cost: Perturbative corrections for external singles to the complete active space spin flip model for low-lying excited states and strong correlation

An approximation to the spin-flip extended configuration interaction singles method is developed using a second-order perturbation theory approach. In addition to providing significant efficiency advantages, the new framework is general for an arbitrary number of spin-flips, with the current implementation being applicable for up to around 4 spin-flips. Two new methods are introduced: one which is developed using non-degenerate perturbation theory, spin-flip complete active-space (SF-CAS(S)), and a second quasidegenerate perturbation theory method, SF-CAS(S)1. These two approaches take the SF-CAS wavefunction as the reference, and then perturbatively includes the effect of single excitations. For the quasidegenerate perturbation theory method, SF-CAS(S)1, the subscripted "1" in the acronym indicates that a truncated denominator expansion is used to obtain an energy-independent down-folded Hamiltonian. We also show how this can alternatively be formulated in terms of an extended Lagrangian, by introducing an orthonormality constraint on the first-order wavefunction. Several numerical examples are provided, which demonstrate the ability of SF-CAS(S) and SF-CAS(S)1 to describe bond dissociations, singlet-triplet gaps of organic molecules, and exchange coupling parameters for binuclear transition metal complexes.
SU-D-141-06: Patient-Specific Imaging and Dosimetric Errors in PET/CT-Guided Radiotherapy of Lung Cancer

Purpose: PET/CT guided‐radiotherapy of lung cancer requires estimation and mitigation of errors due to respiratory motion. A patient‐specific workflow was developed to measure uncertainties in imaging, treatment planning, and radiation delivery with respiratory motion phantoms and dosimeters. Methods: A torso phantom with inserts mimicking normal lung tissue and lung lesion was filled with [18F]FDG. The lung lesion insert was driven by patient‐specific respiratory patterns or kept stationary. PET/CT images were acquired under static, motion (3D), and respiratory phase‐gated (4D) conditions and reconstructed with OSEM (2 iterations, 28 subsets, 5mm post‐filter) on 2.0×2.0×3.3mm3 voxel grids. Target volumes were estimated by SUV thresholds that accurately defined the ground‐truth lesion volume. Uniform and dose‐painting VMAT plans were optimized for fixed normal lung and cord objectives. Resulting plans were delivered to a cylindrical diode array at rest or driven by the same respiratory patterns on a motion platform. Errors in mean target:background ratios σ(T/B), target volumes σ(V), planned equivalent uniform target doses σ(EUD), and 3%/3mm distance‐to‐agreement gamma delivery passing rates σ(γ) were estimated. Results: Relative to ground truth, 3DPET errors due to motion were σ(T/B)=−11% and σ(V)=15%. Static target doses of 60 Gy uniform or 72 Gy EUD were achieved, while motion σ(EUD)=5%. Delivery passing rates dropped from γ(static)=100% to γ(3D)=63–82%. Dose painting γ(3D) were 12% higher than uniform dose delivery for moving targets. Preliminary errors in 4DPET‐defined target volumes were lower than 3DPET and not significantly different from ground truth (σ(V‐4D)=−3%, p>0.18). Conclusion: Uncertainty estimation from PET/CT imaging, RT planning, and RT delivery is feasible within an integrated respiratory motion phantom workflow. Dose‐painting plans appear more robust to motion‐induced delivery errors than uniform target dose plans. This motivates future investigation on patient‐specific quality assurance for 4D PET/CT‐guided radiotherapy, including evaluation of 4D dose‐painting RT delivery.
ECOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOME RODENTS AT THE NEVADA ATOMIC TEST SITE

Trapping records of rodents of eight species for 16 months in five desert shrub communities at the Nevada Atomic Test Site disclosed: the greatest number of species occurred in the Grayia-Lycium and Coleogyne communities; the fewest were found in the Larrea and Lycium communities; and the total plant cover or average height of plants alone apparently was not directly correlative with species occurrence and animal abundance. Observations were made for correlating total cover and average height to species occurrence and animal abundance, plant composition to animal occurrence, and soil texture to animal species occurrence. (B.O.G.)
The State and Human Rights: Governance and Sustainable Human Development in Yemen

International Relations theory has had difficulty explaining the global spread of human rights norms, and in particular the spread of human rights norms in the non-Western world. An exploration of Yemen's integration of human rights-based approaches to economic development into its policymaking gives the empirical foundation to examine the interplay of both norms and self-interest and external and internal pressures in framing such policies. In the case of Yemen, at least, each of these contrasting pairs is to a large degree mutually constituted. Conceptualizing norms and self-interest and external and internal pressures as mutually constitutive differs from the usual contrasts painted between these pairs in international relations theory, but is an important step in moving beyond an impasse among realist, liberal, and constructivist theories and toward a usefully integrative approach.
Morphological variations on surface topography of YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films on SrTiO3, with respect to the substrate misorientation direction

Abstract The surface topography of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− δ thin films deposited on SrTiO 3 substrates has been evaluated by atomic force and scanning tunneling microscopy. The observed correlation between the direction of the substrate misorientation and the surface morphology of the films produced is reported: when using substrates with offcut lying only along the [1 0 0] plane, smoother and highly ordered film surfaces are produced, while for substrates misoriented along both the [1 0 0] and [0 1 0] planes, island growth reappears in the resulting films. The findings demonstrate that the direction of substrate offcut influences the morphology of the films deposited, enabling better thin film engineering at nano-scale.
Blood Pressure Elevation with Rofecoxib in Older Adults

Objective:To report blood pressure elevation associated with rofecoxib use in 2 older adults.Case Summaries:Two patients, aged 75 and 94 years, were prescribed rofecoxib for osteoarthritis pain. Af...
Effects of nucleic acid local structure and magnesium ions on minus-strand transfer mediated by the nucleic acid chaperone activity of HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein

HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein (NC) is a nucleic acid chaperone, which is required for highly specific and efficient reverse transcription. Here, we demonstrate that local structure of acceptor RNA at a potential nucleation site, rather than overall thermodynamic stability, is a critical determinant for the minus-strand transfer step (annealing of acceptor RNA to (-) strong-stop DNA followed by reverse transcriptase (RT)-catalyzed DNA extension). In our system, destabilization of a stem-loop structure at the 5' end of the transactivation response element (TAR) in a 70-nt RNA acceptor (RNA 70) appears to be the major nucleation pathway. Using a mutational approach, we show that when the acceptor has a weak local structure, NC has little or no effect. In this case, the efficiencies of both annealing and strand transfer reactions are similar. However, when NC is required to destabilize local structure in acceptor RNA, the efficiency of annealing is significantly higher than that of strand transfer. Consistent with this result, we find that Mg2+ (required for RT activity) inhibits NC-catalyzed annealing. This suggests that Mg2+ competes with NC for binding to the nucleic acid substrates. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into the mechanism of NC-dependent and -independent minus-strand transfer.
Verbal behaviors of preschool stutterers and conversational partners: observing reciprocal relationships.

Standard counseling practices with the families of young stutterers include recommendations that listeners' negative verbal behaviors be modified in order to reduce the likelihood of stuttering. Th...
Neural systems controlling food intake and energy balance in the modern world.

Purpose of reviewObesity continues to increase around the globe, and creates a major health problem because of its comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Considering that the major cause of most human obesities is the modern lifestyle in a rapidly changing environment, this sugge
Environmental Decline and Ecological Response in the Upper Senegal Valley, West Africa, From the Late Nineteenth Century to World War I

The upper Senegal valley of West Africa, like other areas of Africa, experienced a period of acute environmental decline and intense ecological response by residents from the late nineteenth century until World War I. French colonial strategies caused considerable disruption and dislocation, benefitting in many ways the colonial agenda which sought to regulate labor flows. African responses to the widening crisis, including movement within the region, migration to the peanut basin and the coast, and enlistment in the war effort, often served colonial interests while sometimes directly exacerbating the environmental degradation, necessitating constant ecological adaptation. This study of an early period of intense and well-documented physical decline, and the various strategies developed by West Africans to survive and overcome obstacles, can shed light on current environmental policy debates and issues.
NonGaussian Water Waves And Spectra

A partitioning of the deep water wave field into long and short waves is used to examine the asymptotic statistical properties of deep water gravity waves. In particular, the first calculation of a k_{-4} steady state spectrum for the long gravity waves based on a dynamic model is presented.
Effects of N-allylnormorphine on Cholinesterases

SummaryThe inhibitions of the cholinesterases of mouse brain, bovine erythrocytes and horse serum produced by N-allylnormorphine were, measured and compared to the inhibitions produced by morphine. N-allylnormorphine is at least as potent an inhibitor as morphine. The implications of this finding for the theory of morphine action are discussed.
Combining probability values from independent permutation tests: A discrete analog of fisher's classical method

Permutation tests are based on all possible arrangements of observed data sets. Consequently, such tests yield exact probability values obtained from discrete probability distributions. An exact nondirectional method to combine independent probability values that obey discrete probability distributions is introduced. The exact method is the discrete analog to Fisher's classical method for combining probability values from independent continuous probability distributions. If the combination of probability values includes even one probability value that obeys a sparse discrete probability distribution, then Fisher's classical method may be grossly inadequate.
Histidines 13 and 14 in the Aβ sequence are targets for inhibition of Alzheimer's disease Aβ ion channel and cytotoxicity

The fact that Alzheimer’s beta amyloid (Aβ) peptides forms cation channels in lipid bilayers was discovered during the course of our experiments in the laboratory of “Guayo” Rojas at NIH in Bethesda, Maryland (USA). Recently, we found that the Aβ ion channel could be blocked selectively with small peptides that copy the amino acid sequence of the predicted mouth region of the Aβ channel pore. We now have searched for the essential amino acid residues required for this blocking effect by mutations. We found that the ability of peptides to block Aβ channel activity could be lost by replacement of histidines 13 and 14 by alanine or lysine. The amino acid substitution also resulted in the loss of the capacity of the peptides to protect cells from Aβ cytotoxicity. These data thus contribute to the definition of the region of the Aβ sequence that participates in the formation of the channel pore. Additionally, these data support the hypothesis that the ion channel activity of Aβ contributes significantly to the cytotoxic properties of Aβ. These data also emphasize the potential value in using inhibition of Aβ ion channel activity as an end point for Alzheimer’s disease drug discovery.
3‐Bromo‐4,5‐dihydro‐5‐hydroperoxy‐4,4‐dimethyl‐3,5‐diphenyl‐3H‐pyrazole

[76847-41-2] C17H17BrN2O2 (MW 361.24) InChI = 1S/C17H17BrN2O2/c1-15(2)16(18,13-9-5-3-6-10-13)19-20-17(15,22-21)14-11-7-4-8-12-14/h3-12,21H,1-2H3/t16-,17-/m1/s1 InChIKey = ILEBBQQJCCKNNC-IAGOWNOFSA-N (oxygen-atom transfer reagent; heteroatom and alkene oxidation2) Physical Data: mp 77–80 °C (dec). Solubility: sol CHCl3, CH2Cl2, ether, acetone. Analysis of Reagent Purity:3 gravimetric analysis gives 96% of bromine theoretical yield. Analysis of gaseous products (thermolysis) shows an N2 to O2 ratio of 1∶1. IR (KBr): stretching absorptions for OOH and NN at 3250 and 1540 cm−1, respectively. 1H NMR (CDCl3): −0.05 (s, 3H), 1.68 (s, 3H), 7.2–7.8 (m, 11H). 13C NMR (CDCl3): 19.9, 23.0, 25.8, 48.6, 102.4, 119.7, 125.7, 128.2, 128.3, 129.1, 132.1, 135.4, 138.9. Preparative Method: 3 to a slurry of 2.0 g (8.0 mmol) of 4,4-dimethyl-3,5-diphenyl-4H-pyrazole in anhydrous ether at 0 °C is carefully added in small portions 6 g (159 mmol) of 90% Hydrogen Peroxide (caution: danger of explosion!). The solution is allowed to warm to rt and 1.17 g (4.1 mmol) of 1,3-Dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin is added as a powder, portionwise, over a 20–30 min period in the dark. The resulting solution is kept at −20 °C for 48 h, after which it is washed with cold 10% sodium bicarbonate and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Filtration and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure at 0 °C affords the crude product as a yellow oil; recrystallization from CH2Cl2/petroleum ether (below −20 °C) yields white crystals of the desired reagent in 75% yield. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: should be stored at low temperature. Crystals have been kept at −30 °C for years with little or no detectable decomposition. Solutions of the hydroperoxide must contain small amounts of cis- or trans-3-hexene to prevent self-induced decomposition. Addition of 2 μL of the unreactive alkene per 1 mL of solvent stabilizes the reagent. All normal precautions used in the handling of peroxidic materials should be followed.
EXPERIMENTAL DEMONSTRATION OF GPS AS A RELATIVE SENSOR FOR FORMATION FLYING SPACECRAFT

The development of a GPS-based relative position and attitude sensing system in a laboratory environment is presented, with application to spacecraft formation flying. Previous papers have discussed the demonstration of spacecraft rendezvous and capture in two dimensions, in a fully functional indoor GPS environment using simulated spacecraft on an air-bearing table [1]. The work presented in this paper extends the previous GPS-based sensing to a formation of three prototype spacecraft, and experimentally demonstrates very accurate real-time solutions (< 2 cm and ≤ 0.5 deg errors) for the three relative vehicle positions and attitudes. In addition, candidate estimation architectures for the three vehicle formations are studied in simulation. Search-based techniques for carrier-phase integer ambiguity resolution are also demonstrated on simulation data.
Nest Movement by Piping Plovers in Response to Changing Habitat Conditions

Abstract. Birds that nest along reservoir or river shorelines may face fluctuating water levels that threaten nest survival. On Lake Sakakawea of the upper Missouri River, 37 and 70% of Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) nests found in 2007 and 2008, respectively, were initiated at elevations inundated prior to projected hatch date. We describe eight events at seven nests in which adult Piping Plovers appeared to have moved active nests threatened by rising water or gathered eggs apparently displaced by rising water on Lake Sakakawea and the Garrison reach of the upper Missouri River. Additionally, we describe one nest that was moved after the habitat at the nest site had been disturbed by domestic cattle. Our observations and evidence indicate that adult Piping Plovers are capable of moving eggs and establishing nests at new sites during incubation. Furthermore, our results suggest that Piping Plovers evaluate their reproductive investment under potential threat of nest loss and may be capable of acting ...
Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among US Adolescents, 1999−2008

OBJECTIVE: Overweight and obesity during adolescence are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The objective of this study was to examine the recent trends in the prevalence of selected biological CVD risk factors and the prevalence of these risk factors by overweight/obesity status among US adolescents. METHODS: The NHANES is a cross-sectional, stratified, multistage probability sample survey of the US civilian, noninstitutionalized population. The study sample included 3383 participants aged 12 to 19 years from the 1999 through 2008 NHANES. RESULTS: Among the US adolescents aged 12 to 19 years, the overall prevalence was 14% for prehypertension/hypertension, 22% for borderline-high/high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 6% for low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( CONCLUSIONS: The results of this national study indicate that US adolescents carry a substantial burden of CVD risk factors, especially those youth who are overweight or obese.
A unique Hawaiian Schiedea (Caryophyllaceae: Alsinoideae) with only five fertile stamens

The floral organogenesis and subsequent ontogenies of the Hawaiian endemic species Schiedea pubescens from Maui, Moloka'i, and Lana'i, and the Wai'anae Mountains, O'ahu, populations previously considered to be varietally distinct, were examined using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The O'ahu population consistently produced only five fertile stamens, those of the inner whorl. The five stamens of the alternisepalous or outer whorl abort prior to microsporogenesis and fail to elongate. Additional vegetative differences between the two taxa, combined with the floral morphology characters, merit the description of the O'ahu population as a new species, S. pentandra, described herein.
C-Reactive Protein Decreases Prostacyclin Release From Human Aortic Endothelial Cells

Background— In addition to being a risk marker for cardiovascular disease, much recent data suggest that C-reactive protein (CRP) promotes atherogenesis. Decreased endothelial NO and prostacyclin (PGI2) contribute to a proatherogenic and prothrombotic state. We have shown that CRP decreases endothelial NO synthase expression and bioactivity in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). PGI2 is a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of CRP on PGI2 release from HAECs and human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). Methods and Results— HAECs and HCAECs were incubated with human CRP (0 to 50 μg/mL for 24 hours). The release of PGF-1α, a stable product of PGI2, was also assayed in the absence and presence of a potent agonist, A23187. CRP significantly decreased PGF-1α release from HAECs under basal (48% decrease, P<0.001; n=5) and stimulated (26% decrease, P<0.01; n=5) conditions. CRP had no effect on PGI2 synthase (PGIS) mass. By i...
The Rate-Limiting Step in O2 Reduction by Cytochrome ba3 from Thermus thermophilus

Abstract Cytochrome ba3 (ba3) of Thermus thermophilus (T. thermophilus) is a member of the heme–copper oxidase family, which has a binuclear catalytic center comprised of a heme (heme a3) and a copper (CuB). The heme–copper oxidases generally catalyze the four electron reduction of molecular oxygen in a sequence involving several intermediates. We have investigated the reaction of the fully reduced ba3 with O2 using stopped-flow techniques. Transient visible absorption spectra indicated that a fraction of the enzyme decayed to the oxidized state within the dead time (~ 1 ms) of the stopped-flow instrument, while the remaining amount was in a reduced state that decayed slowly (k = 400 s− 1) to the oxidized state without accumulation of detectable intermediates. Furthermore, no accumulation of intermediate species at 1 ms was detected in time resolved resonance Raman measurements of the reaction. These findings suggest that O2 binds rapidly to heme a3 in one fraction of the enzyme and progresses to the oxidized state. In the other fraction of the enzyme, O2 binds transiently to a trap, likely CuB, prior to its migration to heme a3 for the oxidative reaction, highlighting the critical role of CuB in regulating the oxygen reaction kinetics in the oxidase superfamily. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Respiratory Oxidases.
ESD protection design considerations for InGaP/GaAs HBT RF power amplifiers

In order to design a robust electrostatic discharge (ESD) protected RF amplifier in InGaP/GaAs HBTs, a comprehensive assessment of device vulnerability to ESD events in both active transistors and passive components of the HBT technology is presented in this paper. The results include not only the intrinsic HBT's ESD robustness performance, but also its dependence on device layout, ballast resistor, and process. Acknowledging the ESD constraints imposed on InGaP/GaAs HBT technology, a 5.4-6.0-GHz power amplifier (PA) with a compact 2000 V/sub ESD/ (human body model) on-chip ESD protection circuit that has a low loading capacitance of less than 0.1 pF and that does not degrade RF and output power performance is developed for wireless local area network application. A diode triggered Darlington pair is implemented as the ESD protection circuit instead of the traditional diode string. Its operation principle, ESD protection performance, and PA performance are also illustrated in this paper.
Trends in Extreme U.S. Temperatures

This paper develops trend estimation techniques for monthly maximum and minimum temperature time series observed in the 48 conterminous United States over the last century. While most scientists concur that this region has warmed on aggregate, there is no a priori reason to believe that temporal trends in extremes andaverageswillexhibitthesamepatterns.Indeed,underminorregularityconditions, thesamplepartialsum and maximum of stationary time series are asymptotically independent (statistically). Previous authors have suggested that minimum temperatures are warming faster than maximum temperatures in the United States; such an aspect can be investigated via the methods discussed in this study. Here, statistical models with extreme value and changepoint features are used to estimate trends and their standard errors. A spatial smoothing is then done to extract general structure. The results show that monthly maximum temperatures are not often greatly changing—perhaps surprisingly, there are many stations that show some cooling. In contrast,theminimumtemperaturesshowsignificantwarming. Overall,thesoutheasternUnitedStatesshows the least warming (even some cooling), and the western United States, northern Midwest, and New England have experienced the most warming.