cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Age-Related Heterologous Antibody Responses to Influenza Virus Vaccination

Heterologous hemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) antibody responses to influenza A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1) virus vaccine were examined in individuals receiving doses of 200, 400, or 800 chick cell-agglutinating units of whole-virus or split-virus products during the 1976 National Influenza Vaccine Test Program. Vaccination with influenza A/New Jersey/76 virus produced a high rate of heterologous antibody response to influenza A/PR/8/34 (H0N1) and A/FM/1/47 (H1N1) viruses in persons whose original antigenic experience according to their age was with H0N1 or H1N1 strains, respectively. Vaccination with A/New Jersey/76 virus produced only low levels of HAI antibody to influenza A/Japan/305/57 (H2N2) and A/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2) viruses, and these responses were less clearly related to primary infections. Thus the greatest heterologous HAI antibody responses occurred when there were shared antigenic determinants between the hemagglutinins of the vaccine virus and the viruses that had caused the initial priming infection. However, when vaccinations or infections with H3N2 and Hsw1N1 strains may both be occurring in the population, even infrequent formation of heterologous antibody may make it difficult to interpret serologic data precisely.
Why not Nichols chemosurgery

Mohs fresh-tissue technique for difficult cutaneous malignancies is well known and widely accepted. Less widely known by general dermatologists is Mohs chemosurgery, the technique that launched the career of Frederick Mohs, MD, surgeon. His technique used a dark escharotic paste containing zinc chloride, bloodroot, and stibnite for in situ tissue fixation followed by microscopically controlled mapped excision. Virtually unknown today is Perry Lewis Nichols, MD (the Nichols Sanatorium and the Nichols escharotic method). Dr Nichols developed a bsecretQ escharotic formula that was used to treat more than 70,000 patients with mainly skin, mucosal, and breast cancer. Starting in Iowa (1896), the sanatorium achieved remarkable growth in Hot Springs, SD (1905-1915), expanded to Excelsior Springs, Mo (1911), and had its greatest success in Savannah, Mo (1912-1956). My interest in Perry Nichols began, unknowingly, at 5 years of age when I first laid eyes on the frightening appearance of great uncle Joe at a family reunion with a stork-like white scarf around his head covering a hole in his sagging cheek. That interest increased when my practice was established in St Joseph, Mo, 13 miles south of the former sanatorium. In the last 4 years the interest has become intense with success in acquiring Nichols Sanatorium yearbooks (Cancer and its Proper Treatment—The Value of Escharotics: Medicines which will Destroy any Living or Fungous Growth in the Treatment of CancerLupus-Sarcoma or Any other Form of Malignancy) and interviewing nurses and employees who worked at the
Conformational analysis, barriers to internal rotation, vibrational assignment and ab initio calculations of chloroacetone

Abstract The infrared (3500-20 cm−1) and Raman (3200-10 cm−1) spectra have been recorded for gaseous and solid chloroacetone (1-chloro-2-propanone), CH2ClC(O)CH3. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been recorded and qualitative depolarization values have been obtained. These data have been interpreted on the basis that the molecule exists predominantly in a gauche conformation having a “near cis” structure of C1 symmetry (dih ClCCO=142°C) in the vapor but for the liquid a second conformer having a trans structure (chlorine atom oriented trans to the methyl group) with Cs point group symmetry is present. From a study of the Raman spectrum of the liquid at variable temperatures, the trans conformation has been determined to be more stable than the gauche form by 1042±203 cm−1 (2.98±0.6 kcal mol−1 and is the only conformer present in the spectrum of the annealed solid. From ab initio calculations at the 3-21G* and 6-31G* basis set levels optimized geometries for both the gauche and trans conformers have been obtained and the potential surfaces governing internal rotation of the symmetric and asymmetric rotors have been obtained. The observed vibrational frequencies and assignments to the fundamental vibrations for both the gauche and trans conformers are compared to those calculated with the 3-21G* basis set. The results are discussed and compared with the corresponding quantities obtained for some similar molecules.
Role of vasopressin in impaired water excretion in conscious rats with experimental cirrhosis

Role of vasopressin in impaired water excretion in conscious rats with experimental cirrhosis. The present study was undertaken to study the mechanism of impaired water excretion in experimental cirrhosis in the rat. Conscious rats in whom histologically proven cirrhosis was induced with carbon tetrachloride and phenobarbital were compared with control rats given phenobarbital alone. Impaired water excretion in experimental cirrhosis was verified by a basal hyponatremia (138 vs. 147 mEq/liter, P Role de la vasopressine dans l'alteration de l'excretion de l'eau par le rat conscient atteint de cirrhose experimentale. Cette etude a ete entreprise pour elucider le mecanisme de l'alteration de l'excretion de l'eau au cours de la cirrhose du rat. Des rats conscients chez lesquels une cirrhose prouvee histologiquement a ete induite par le tetrachlorure et le phenobarbital ont ete compares a des rats controles recevant seulement le phenobarbital. L'alteration de l'excretion de l'eau dans la cirrhose experimentale a ete verifiee par l'hyponatremie basale (138 vs. 147 mEq/litre, P
Shifted multiplicative models for nonadditive two-way tables

This paper presents analysis of a two-way table of data using a "shifted multiplicative model (SHMM) of the form The least squares estimates of the multiplicative terms are obtained from singular value decomposition of the matrix where but the least squares estimate of the shift parameter depends on estimates of parameters contained in the multiplicative terms. The sum of squares can be minimized as a function only of for which iterative Newton-Raphson and generalized En algorithms are developed. Expectations of sums of squares owing to sequentially increasing the number, t, of multiplicative terms (presented in an AMOVA format) were obtained by Monte Carlo simulation for the case where errors are i.i.d.N(0,σ2) and all The analysis is illustrated with several examples from the literature.
Water-Absorptive Properties of Selected Solids in a Lipophilic Base I

Water-absorptive properties of various combinations of starch, pregelatinized maize starch, talc, and zinc oxide dispersed in light liquid petrolatum were investigated. The suction orce and mercury rise were measured in terms of millibars with a tensiometer. The performance of these dispersions was evaluated in terms of two estimated parameters, α^ and β^, which were related to absorption rate and absorptive capacity, respectively. Water-absorptive capacity varied in a predictable way while absorption rate did not. Zinc oxide had the highest absorptive capacity. Some interaction among the powders was noted by a decrease in suction force when various ones were mixed together.
Spatial and temporal variations of atmospheric deposition in interior and Coastal Connecticut

Abstract Both wet and dry deposition fluxes of sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorus were estimated at three monitoring stations in Connecticut, one inland near the Connecticut-Massachusetts border and two along the Connecticut coastline of Long Island Sound. Three years of data, from 1991 through 1993, were analyzed and are reported in this paper. The total annual deposition ranged from 1.27 to 1.58 gm −2 for sulfur, 0.8 to 0.85 gm −2 for nitrogen, and 3.81 to 4.69 mgm −2 for phosphorus. More than 90% of the phosphorus and about two-thirds of the sulfur and nitrogen were deposited in wet form. The estimated wet deposition quantities were all higher in summer, indicating a higher scavenging efficiency of rainfalls. The dry deposition quantities were higher for particles but lower for gases during the summer seasons. While there were no significant differences in wet deposition among the three monitoring stations, spatial gradients in atmospheric concentration and dry deposition, especially for sulphur, were detected with higher values to the southwest industrial area. Although more sites might be needed to pinpoint the sources of the pollutants, one station is sufficient for a reliable estimation of the overall deposition. The strong episodic nature of the deposition quantities, however, demands more frequent than denser sampling in the area for long-term monitoring. Also, since the weekly deposition quantities were all strongly positively skewed, more descriptive statistics in addition to the mean values are recommended in data reports.
Non-Gaussianity after BICEP2.

We analyze primordial non-Gaussianity in single-field inflationary models when the tensor-to-scalar ratio is large. Our results show that detectable levels of non-Gaussianity ${f}_{NL}\ensuremath{\sim}50$ are still possible in the simplest class of models described by the effective theory of inflation. However, the shape is very tightly constrained, making a sharp prediction that could be confirmed or falsified by a future detection of non-Gaussianity.
Influences of environmental demand on maternal behavior and infant development

Research has shown that in conjunction with genetic factors, significant aspects of non-human primate development are influenced by the infant's physical and social environment. In addition to the direct impact of the environment on the infant, the infant's attachment relationship with the mother is seen as the primary mediating factor in shaping these influences. When the mother is able to cope with environmental demands, as a reflection of her responsivity to her infant's needs, she may prepare infants for periodic interruptions in her attention, ameliorate distress during disruptive periods and, most importantly, compensate for these disruptions with enhanced attention to her infant once they are ended. Our recent work shows that when the mother's survival requirements increase, and her coping capacities are exceeded, both short- and long-term deleterious effects on her developing offspring may emerge. Particularly when confronted with an unpredictable environment, mothers are less able to maintain effective, stress-buffering, maternal-coping mechanisms which can preserve a stable attachment relationship and permit normal infant development. When these coping mechanisms are insufficient, infants may show manifest disturbances, such as depression, during development or reveal more latent disturbances, such as reduced sociability and timidity, when psychologically challenged, even as young adults. Evidence now suggests that these long-term effects may, at least in part, be the product of altered neurodevelopment of the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems.
Salivary Gland Atrophy in Rat Induced by Liquid Diet.

SummaryA diet of liquid ration (either Metrecal or liquid homogenized chow) caused atrophy of all major salivary glands in rats. No nutritional inadequacy accounted for the effects. The glands, as well as the acinar cells of these tissues, were markedly reduced in size; ducts were not appreciably altered. The parotid gland, the most affected of the 3, exhibited a decrease in amylase in the gland as well as in the secretion, but no appreciable change in concentration of Na and K in the secretion was noted. The functional and structural changes observed occur despite an intact innervation and suggest that activity of the glands, dissociated from neurotrophic influences, plays a major role in maintenance of gland integrity.
Allometric changes during growth and reproduction in Eleutheria dichotoma (hydrozoa, athecata) and the problem of estimating body size in a microscopic animal.

Changes in body morphology during growth and reproduction in the hydromedusa Eleutheria dichotoma are described in terms of variations in eight different characters: umbrella diameter, total surface area, tentacle area, umbrella area, tentacle knob diameter, number of embryos, and diameter and area of buds. Sexually (sex) and vegetatively (veg) reproducing medusae differ significantly in their body morphometrics. Statistically significant allometric relations exist between umbrella diameter and (1) central area (sex and veg); (2) tentacle area (veg); (3) total area (veg); (4) tentacle knob diameter (veg); (5) bud diameter; and (6) number of embryos. A significant correlation between umbrella diameter and area is also found in undetached buds. During sexual reproduction, umbrella area shows positive allometry and loses its correlations to total area, tentacle area, and tentacle knob diameter. Linear and nonlinear bivariate allometric coefficients allow estimation of total body size from only one or two easily measurable attributes, e.g., umbrella and tentacle knob diameter. Curve fitting by the classic allometric equation (y = bxc ) is only negligibly worse than that obtained with a "full" equation (y = a + c ), and statistical confidence is better. Chemical analyses for carbon and nitrogen content allow estimation of biomass from the projection area of the body surface. The relation factors are 1.06 μgC mm-2 (sex) and 1.14 μgC mm-2 (veg) for carbon and 0.293 μgN mm-2 (sex) and 0.287 μgN mm-2 (veg) for nitrogen. The C:N ratios are 3.6 and 4.0 for sexual and vegetative medusae, respectively. The use of allometric regression formulas to calculate surface areas and to relate these to carbon content provides quick estimations of body size in a microscopic animal.
The Impact of Left Temporal Lobe Seizure Disorder On Learning Disorders: A Case Study

This case study describes the relationship between left temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and learning disabilities in a 26-year-old male college student. The client developed seizures following an episode of mycoplasma encephalitis at the age of 7. The client underwent a left temporal lobectomy involving resection of the left mesial temporal lobe, amygdala, hippocampus, and part of the brain stem 6 years prior to the current evaluation, in an attempt to address the frequency of the seizures. The surgery was extensive, including neocortical resection extending posterior to the vein of Labbe along the inferior temporal gyrus. The lobectomy reportedly successfully eliminated the seizures and the need for anti-seizure medications, but no neurological or neuropsychological follow-up occurred until 2009 when he was referred by his academic program for an evaluation of learning disabilities. Results of the neuropsychological evaluation indicated significant expressive language functioning deficits, with generally be...
Nowosocomial infections in the human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient: A two-year survey

Abstract Background : Because HIV-infected patients are often hospitalized and have major defects in host defenses, we surveyed all HIV-infected patients admitted to our institution to determine incidence of infections and to risk factors for nosocomial infections. Methods : All patients admitted during a 2-year period were monitored for nosocomial infections until their discharge, death, or transfer. Categoric data were evaluated with the Fisher Exact Test or χ 2 test. Continuous variables were compared with the t test or Mann-Whitney test. Results : Ten percent of patient admissions (22/210) resulted in 32 nosocomial infections. Risk factors included longer hospitalization (29.8 vs 10.8 days), urinary catheters (35% vs 11 %), gastrointestinal procedures (23% vs 3%), and vascular access (41% vs 19%). The most frequent etiologic agents were gram-positive organisms, primarily Staphylococcus species (44% [14/321). Conclusion : Nosocomial infection rates for the HIV-infected patient were higher than the overall infection rate. Agents with broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive organisms, such as vancomycin, should be considered during the wait for culture results.
Progress and challenges in polyoxometalate-based catalysis and catalytic materials chemistry

Abstract The impact of early transition-metal oxygen-anion cluster (polyoxometalate or “POM”) geometric and electronic structural properties on POM-based catalysis is addressed. Three specific areas of general challenge in POM-based catalysis and catalytic materials are elaborated: (1) the role of ion pairing in catalyst stability, selectivity, and reactivity; (2) the presence of multiple reactive forms of the POMs and the interconvertability of these forms under turnover conditions; and (3) the impact of POM ground state and excited state electronic structure on turnover and selectivity.
Variability in ornamentation of adult Dermacentor parumapertus Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae): implications for tick identification

The hard tick Dermacentor parumapertus is an ectoparasite commonly found on hares and rabbits and occurs over much of the western United States. These ticks are rarely encountered except by hunters or scientists collecting rabbits for study. Herein we describe 74 adult D. parumapertus ticks (21F, 53M) removed from 8 black-tailed jackrabbits, Lepus californicus , in central Utah, and 13 adult D. parumapertus (7F, 6M) found on 4 L. californicus in western Texas. The Utah ticks were barely ornamented. Females displayed only slight gray ornamentation near the posterior edge of the scutum and whitish-gray spots distally on the femur of legs II, III, and IV; males were completely devoid of any ornamentation. In contrast, Texas specimens were richly ornamented in white, closely resembling D. variabilis . Females were brightly marked with white (not gray) on the scutum and had white spots distally on all femurs. Males from Texas were variously ornamented along the posterolateral margins of the scutum and displayed white spots distally on all femurs. Documentation of this variability in ornamentation in D. parumapertus is important, particularly as white-marked specimens can easily be confused with D. variabilis and since both species have been reported from rabbit hosts.
III. Listenability and rate of presentation

(1955). III. Listenability and rate of presentation. Speech Monographs: Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 57-59.
Nonclassic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) due to P450c21 (21-hydroxylase deficiency) is a common autosomal recessive disorder. This disorder is due to mutations in the CYP21A2 gene which is located at chromosome 6p21. The clinical features predominantly reflect androgen excess rather than adrenal insufficiency leading to an ascertainment bias favoring diagnosis in females. Treatment goals include normal linear growth velocity and "on-time" puberty in affected children. For adolescent and adult women, treatment goals include regularization of menses, prevention of progression of hirsutism, and fertility. This paper will review key aspects regarding pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of NCAH.
Linearized transfer between inclined circular orbits using low-thrust blow down propulsion system

Noncoplanar transfers between neighboring circular orbits are presented for spacecraft using their own low-thrust blow down propulsion system. It is assumed that the out-of-plane angle between the decaying thrust vector and the current orbit plane remains constant for each extended burn. Switching conditions are derived for the cutoff and relight of the propulsion system in order to carry out a given transfer with inclination change. Furthermore the location where the thrust acceleration is initially applied with respect to the line of nodes of the two orbits is uniquely determined. Finally an analytic derivation of the linearized coplanar motion for stationkeeping and terminal rendezvous studies is also presented and a scheme for deriving the second order correction shown.
Evidence for an association of most nuclear RNA with chromatin

Chromatin prepared from mouse myeloma cell nuclei under conditions of low ionic strength and with minimal shearing contains at least 80% of the nuclear RNA which is labeled during a 5 or 30-minute pulse with uridine, or during a 5-minute pulse followed by a 25-minute chase. The RNA remains associated with chromatin after shearing by sonication, as determined by sedimentation and equilibrium density-gradient analyses. It is released from chromatin by procedures developed elsewhere to extract ribonucleoprotein particles from intact nuclei. These results, and the results of reconstruction experiments, suggest that this association reflects the in vivo location of nuclear RNA and is not the result of non-specific binding during preparation. The chromatin-associated RNA includes RNA species which are known to be post-transcriptional; 32 S precursor ribosomal RNA and poly(A)-containing heterogeneous nuclear RNA. Fractions of chromatin enriched in associated RNA were obtained by two methods developed elsewhere, and in both of these the enrichment obtained (3 to 10-fold) appears to be independent of the age of the RNA. The implications of these results for models of RNA processing are discussed.
Tropospheric ozone derived from satellite data

Determination of the distribution and amount of ozone throughout our atmosphere is of paramount importance in understanding the crucial role and evolution of ozone. Due to the fact that both ground-based and space-based sensors have difficulty measuring ozone abundances in the lower atmosphere, the distribution of ozone in the troposphere is not well characterized. One method to derive tropospheric ozone fields is to subtract measured stratospheric fields from the measured total ozone column amount. Tropospheric ozone has climatic impact, since ozone is a greenhouse gas, as well as chemical impact, since ozone photolysis in the presence of water vapor is the leading source of atmospheric hydroxyl radicals (OH). The need for more ground truth data is also recognized.
The role of mathematics in heuristic performance

A mathematical approach to heuristics is proposed, in contrast to Gigerenzer et al.'s assertion that laws of logic and probability are of little importance. Examples are given of effective heuristics in abstract settings. Other short-comings of the text are discussed, including omissions in psychophysics and cognitive science. However, the authors' ecological view is endorsed.
Sensitivity analysis for control parameter determination for a nonlinear cable-mass system

The MinMax controller results from a differential game approach to solving the H ∞ control problem. As such, the MinMax controller involves a design parameter, which gives a measure of robustness for the controller. There exists no explicit formula for determining the design parameter, and the optimal value must be determined experimentally. Instead of choosing the parameter value experimentally and suffering the computational expense, it would be more efficient if the design parameter could be determined by a prescribed formula based on a mathematically rigorous criterion. In this paper, the author employs continuous sensitivity equation methods to examine the sensitivity of the controlled state with respect to variation of the MinMax control parameter, with the goal being to explore the possibility of determining an efficient assignment of the parameter that is mathematically justified. Numerical simulations are performed on a one-dimensional nonlinear cable-mass system, and the results are presented.
Beat-ID: identifying music via beat analysis

Music identification is an effective tool that enables multimedia players to extract a distinct statistical digest of the played content, look up into a music database using the extracted unique identifier, and then take advantage of the services available for that particular content. In this paper, we introduce beat-IDs, the first music identification system that creates the digest of the music clip by understanding the basic structure of every musical piece: its beat. A beat-ID is created in two steps: first, the system detects the average beat period of a given music clip using a modified EM algorithm and then, it analyzes the statistical properties of the clip with respect to the detected beats. The extracted 32-byte beat-ID contains two components: the length of the average beat period and a compressed statistical digest of signal's energy distribution in an average beat period. Finally, we introduce an algorithm for matching beat-IDs that quantifies the matching accuracy between two music identifiers using an error analysis. In this paper, the properties of beat-IDs are demonstrated using a relatively small database of audio clips.
Genetically breeding populations of computer programs to solve problems in artificial intelligence

The authors describe the genetic programming paradigm, which genetically breeds populations of computer programs to solve problems. In genetic programming, the individuals in the population are hierarchical computer programs of various sizes and shapes. Applications to three problems in artificial intelligence are presented. The first problem involves genetically breeding a population of computer programs to allow an 'artificial ant' to traverse an irregular trail. The second problem involves genetically breeding a minimax control strategy in a different game with an independently acting pursuer and evader. The third problem involves genetically breeding a minimax strategy for a player of a simple discrete two-person game represented by a game tree in extensive form. >
Transcriptional Downregulation of p27KIP1 through Regulation of E2F Function during LMP1-Mediated Transformation

LMP1 induces the phenotypic transformation of fibroblasts and affects regulators of the cell cycle during this process. LMP1 decreases expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 and increases the levels and phosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and the retinoblastoma protein. In the present study, the effects of LMP1 on cell cycle progression and the mechanism of p27 downregulation by LMP1 were determined. Although p27 is frequently regulated at the posttranscriptional level during cell cycle progression and in cancer, LMP1 did not decrease ectopically expressed p27. However, LMP1 did decrease p27 RNA levels and inhibited the activity of p27 promoter reporters. The LMP1-regulated promoter element was mapped to a region containing two E2F sites. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays determined that the regulated cis element bound an inhibitory E2F complex containing E2F4 and p130. These findings indicate that LMP1 decreases p27 transcription through effects on E2F family transcription factors. This property likely contributes to the ability of LMP1 to stimulate cell cycle progression.
Experimental analysis of plastic sheet extrusion

Analysis of a plastic sheet extrusion line was carried out using a 2.5-in. extruder in conjunction with a three-roll stack system for processing of both poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). Tests conducted include dynamic responses, sheet cooling behavior, velocity and thickness profiles, and frozen-in strain measurements. Experiments with PMMA were also performed on an extrusion-air cooling line to provide a basis for comparison with the extrusion-roll stack system. The results showed that the size and stability of the bank in the extrusion-roll stack system affected the thickness variations and the frozen-in strains. Operating the roll stack system was found to allow for fairly rapid rearrangements from parabolic to plug velocity profiles. Line comparisons between the roll stack and air cooling showed that the roll stack minimized thickness variations, frozen-in strains, and surface flaws.
The Relation Between Spousal Affective Self-Disclosure And Marital Adjustment

This paper examines the relations between married partners' levels of affective self-disclosure and marital adjustment. Based upon responses to questionnaires by 324 married students, marital adjustment was found to be positively related to both spouse's reported self-disclo sure of feelings and to self's reported reception of affective disclosure. In addition, the relationship between the differences in partners' levels of disclosure and marital adjustment was also examined. Findings indicated that one's perception of differences between self and other in the disclosure of love was inversely related to one's marital adjustment. Situations in which these general findings vary by the type of feeling disclosed–love, happiness, anger, and sadness–are also noted.
Competing on the Cloud: A Review and Synthesis of Potential Benefits and Possible Pitfalls

Cloud computing is currently receiving unprecedented levels of attention despite the fact that opinion on the prospects for successful cloud adoption is both conflicting and divided. In this article, we examine the potential benefits and limitations of cloud adoption from the perspective of a client firm’s competitive priorities, identifying business motivators for each priority, mechanisms deployed in pursuing each priority, and the possible costs impacts and potential returns impacts of mechanism deployment in the context of each priority. This research is intended to add to the growing body of available business value-focused cloud computing studies and provides an additional vantage point for further conceptual and empirical work.
DNA double-strand breaks promote methylation of histone H3 on lysine 9 and transient formation of repressive chromatin.

Dynamic changes in histone modification are critical for regulating DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. Activation of the Tip60 acetyltransferase by DSBs requires interaction of Tip60 with histone H3 methylated on lysine 9 (H3K9me3). However, how H3K9 methylation is regulated during DSB repair is not known. Here, we demonstrate that a complex containing kap-1, HP1, and the H3K9 methyltransferase suv39h1 is rapidly loaded onto the chromatin at DSBs. Suv39h1 methylates H3K9, facilitating loading of additional kap-1/HP1/suv39h1 through binding of HP1’s chromodomain to the nascent H3K9me3. This process initiates cycles of kap-1/HP1/suv39h1 loading and H3K9 methylation that facilitate spreading of H3K9me3 and kap-1/HP1/suv39h1 complexes for tens of kilobases away from the DSB. These domains of H3K9me3 function to activate the Tip60 acetyltransferase, allowing Tip60 to acetylate both ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) kinase and histone H4. Consequently, cells lacking suv39h1 display defective activation of Tip60 and ATM, decreased DSB repair, and increased radiosensitivity. Importantly, activated ATM rapidly phosphorylates kap-1, leading to release of the repressive kap-1/HP1/suv39h1 complex from the chromatin. ATM activation therefore functions as a negative feedback loop to remove repressive suv39h1 complexes at DSBs, which may limit DSB repair. Recruitment of kap-1/HP1/suv39h1 to DSBs therefore provides a mechanism for transiently increasing the levels of H3K9me3 in open chromatin domains that lack H3K9me3 and thereby promoting efficient activation of Tip60 and ATM in these regions. Further, transient formation of repressive chromatin may be critical for stabilizing the damaged chromatin and for remodeling the chromatin to create an efficient template for the DNA repair machinery.
Association between latent proviral characteristics and immune activation in antiretrovirus-treated human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected adults.

Generalized immune activation during HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive disease, osteoporosis, metabolic disorders, and physical frailty. The mechanisms driving this immune activation are poorly understood, particularly for individuals effectively treated with antiretroviral medications. We hypothesized that viral characteristics such as sequence diversity may play a role in driving HIV-associated immune activation. We therefore sequenced proviral DNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-infected individuals on fully suppressive antiretroviral therapy. We performed phylogenetic analyses, calculated viral diversity and divergence in the env and pol genes, and determined coreceptor tropism and the frequency of drug resistance mutations. Comprehensive immune profiling included quantification of immune cell subsets, plasma cytokine levels, and intracellular signaling responses in T cells, B cells, and monocytes. These antiretroviral therapy-treated HIV-infected individuals exhibited a wide range of diversity and divergence in both env and pol genes. However, proviral diversity and divergence in env and pol, coreceptor tropism, and the level of drug resistance did not significantly correlate with markers of immune activation. A clinical history of virologic failure was also not significantly associated with levels of immune activation, indicating that a history of virologic failure does not inexorably lead to increased immune activation as long as suppressive antiretroviral medications are provided. Overall, this study demonstrates that latent viral diversity is unlikely to be a major driver of persistent HIV-associated immune activation. IMPORTANCE Chronic immune activation, which is associated with cardiovascular disease, neurologic disease, and early aging, is likely to be a major driver of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals. Although treatment of HIV with antiretroviral medications decreases the level of immune activation, levels do not return to normal. The factors driving this persistent immune activation, particularly during effective treatment, are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated whether characteristics of the latent, integrated HIV provirus that persists during treatment are associated with immune activation. We found no relationship between latent viral characteristics and immune activation in treated individuals, indicating that qualities of the provirus are unlikely to be a major driver of persistent inflammation. We also found that individuals who had previously failed treatment but were currently effectively treated did not have significantly increased levels of immune activation, providing hope that past treatment failures do not have a lifelong “legacy” impact.
Gfi1 integrates progenitor versus granulocytic transcriptional programming

In patients with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) and mice with growth factor independent-1 (Gfi1) loss of function, arrested myeloid progenitors accumulate, whereas terminal granulopoiesis is blocked. One might assume that Gfi-null progenitors accumulate because they lack the ability to differentiate. Instead, our data indicate that Gfi1 loss of function deregulates 2 separable transcriptional programs, one of which controls the accumulation and lineage specification of myeloid progenitors, but not terminal granulopoiesis. We demonstrate that Gfi1 directly represses HoxA9, Pbx1, and Meis1 during normal myelopoiesis. Gfi1-/- progenitors exhibit elevated levels of HoxA9, Pbx1 and Meis1, exaggerated HoxA9-Pbx1-Meis1 activity, and progenitor transformation in collaboration with oncogenic K-Ras. Limiting HoxA9 alleles corrects, in a dose-dependent manner, in vivo and in vitro phenotypes observed with loss of Gfi1 in myeloid progenitor cells but did not rescue Gfi1-/- blocked granulopoiesis. Thus, Gfi1 integrates 2 events during normal myeloid differentiation; the suppression of a HoxA9-Pbx1-Meis1 progenitor program and the induction of a granulopoietic transcription program.
Riparian Restoration in the Western United States: Overview and Perspective

This historical and conceptual overview of riparian ecosystem restoration discusses how riparian ecosystems have been defined, describes the hydrologic, geomorphic, and biotic processes that create and maintain riparian ecosystems of the western USA, identifies the main types of anthropogenic disturbances occurring in these ecosystems, and provides an overview of restoration methods for each disturbance type. We suggest that riparian ecosystems consist of two zones: Zone I occupies the active floodplain and is frequently inundated and Zone I1 extends from the active floodplain to the valley wall. Successful restoration depends on understanding the physical and biological processes that influence natural riparian ecosystems and the types of disturbance that have degraded riparian areas. Thus we recommend adopting a process-based approach for riparian restoration. Disturbances to riparian ecosystems in the western USA result from streamflow modifications by dams, reservoirs, and diversions; stream channelization; direct modification of the riparian ecosystem; and watershed disturbances. Four topics should be addressed to advance
Horse Picker or Right Jockey? An Examination of Private Equity Value Creation Through the Lens of Withdrawn Leveraged Buyouts

This paper examines the consequences of leveraged buyout (LBO) transactions through the lens of subsequently withdrawn transactions. Using the reason for LBO withdrawal and the unfavorable credit market movements during the period when the deal is in play to address the endogenous withdrawal decision, I create a sample of LBOs withdrawn for reasons not related to target firm fundamentals. This paper documents the following facts. First, target firms of failed LBO transactions experience upward revaluation by the stock market. Such results are stronger for target firms with more information asymmetry problems. The evidence in my paper indicates that private equity investors are able to identify undervalued firms in the stock market. Second, I document improvements in operating performance of firms after LBO transactions compared to target firms that fail to go through the LBO process. Third, private equity investors adjust the capital structure of target firms to exploit the tax benefit of interest deductions. Fourth, private equity investors also tend to reshuffle the management of target firms shortly after the LBO transactions. Overall, the evidence suggests that private equity creates value by exploiting the undervaluation of target firms, and also by improving their operational performance and financial structure.
Two soluble models of an antiferromagnetic chain

Two genuinely quantum mechanical models for an antiferromagnetic linear chain with nearest neighbor interactions are constructed and solved exactly, in the sense that the ground state, all the elementary excitations and the free energy are found. A general formalism for calculating the instantaneous correlation between any two spins is developed and applied to the investigation of short- and long-range order. Both models show nonvanishing long-range order in the ground state for a range of values of a certain parameter X which is analogous to an anisotropy parameter in the Heisenberg model. A detailed comparison with the Heisenberg model suggests that the latter has no long-range order in the isotropic case but finite long-range order for any finite amount of anisotropy. The unreliability of variational methods for determining long-range order is emphasized. It is also shown that for spin ½ systems having rather general isotropic Heisenberg interactions favoring an antiferromagnetic ordering, the ground state is nondegenerate and there is no energy gap above the ground state in the energy spectrum of the total system.
Towards an integrated modeling and simulation framework for freight transportation in metropolitan areas

Freight transportation at distribution nodes such as marine ports, airports and rail yards has been putting tremendous environmental pressure in metropolitan areas. A prerequisite for proposing any solution that would make the existing systems more efficient is an accurate analysis and understanding of freight movements. A single model cannot fully capture aspects of freight transportation which interact and affect each other in a complex manner. Rather, integration of a variety of legacy simulation and analysis tools along with holistic optimization is a necessity for freight transportation system design. This paper proposes an integrated modeling and simulation framework for freight transportation using semantic web technology which offers benefits of modularity, extensibility and reusability of both code and design to the applications. We discuss the implementation strategies and methods to achieve these goals and identify some of the key research challenges in realizing our framework vision.
Maintenance of the LDL Cholesterol:HDL Cholesterol Ratio in an Elderly Population Given a Dietary Cholesterol Challenge

We previously evaluated the responses to dietary cholesterol in children and young adults. In this study, the effects of dietary cholesterol on plasma lipids and LDL atherogenicity were evaluated in 42 elderly subjects (29 postmenopausal women and 13 men > 60 y old). Our exclusion criteria were diabetes, heart disease, and the use of reductase inhibitors. The study followed a randomized crossover design in which subjects were assigned to consume the equivalent of 3 large eggs (EGG) daily or the same amount of a cholesterol-free, fat-free egg substitute (SUB) for a 1-mo period. After a 3-wk washout period, subjects were assigned to the alternate treatment. The concentration of plasma cholesterol after the EGG period varied among subjects. When all subjects were evaluated, there were significant increases in LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (P < 0.05) and HDL-C (P < 0.001) for both men and women during the EGG period, resulting in no alterations in the LDL-C:HDL-C or the total cholesterol:HDL-C ratios. In addition, the LDL peak diameter was increased during the EGG period for all subjects. In contrast, the measured parameters of LDL oxidation, conjugated diene formation, and LDL lag time did not differ between the EGG and the SUB periods. We conclude from this study that dietary cholesterol provided by eggs does not increase the risk for heart disease in a healthy elderly population.
Prolonged abnormalities of left ventricular diastolic wall thinning in the Stunned myocardium in conscious dogs: time course and relation to systolic function

Abstract Myocardial reperfusion after reversible ischemia is known to to be associated with prolonged abnormalities of systolic contractile function (myocardial “stunning”). However, no information is available regarding the recovery of diastolic function in the stunned myocardium in the conscious state. Accordingly, 10 conscious dogs instrumented with pulsed Doppler thickening probes underwent a 15 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 7 days of reperfusion. Regional systolic function was assessed as net systolic thickening fraction. Left ventricular regional diastolic properties were estimated from two variables: the mean rate to half end-diastolic thinning and the late diastolic thinning fraction. Both indexes of diastolic function remained severely impaired after restoration of flow. In general, the recovery of the mean rate to half end-diastolic thinning and of the late diastolic thinning fraction paralleled the recovery of systolic thickening, but the impairment of the mean rate to half end-diastolic thinning was more marked than that of the late diastolic thinning fraction. At 4 h of reperfusion, the values for the mean rate to half end-diastolic thinning and the late diastolic thinning fraction (expressed as percent of baseline) were 57 ± 5% (p This study demonstrates the presence of profound, prolonged abnormalities of regional diastolic wall thinning after a brief episode of ischemia in the conscious state and expands the concept of myocardial stunning from the traditional notion of impaired systolic performance to that of a global derangement in mechanical function that involves both systolic and diastolic properties.
Structure and competition in the U.S. home video game industry

This article is patterned after ChanOlmstead’s (1991) analysis of the syndicated television market: it examines the rise of the industry and lays out its current structure in depth, while also analyzing the resulting competition and the character of the industry as it moves to the mainstream. Drawing on Litman’s (1979) work on the level of diversity in television programming, variations in content are predicted based on different market structures. The first underlying hypothesis is that a decentralized, competitive market structure will feature less mainstream content and less anticompetitive behavior than a maturing concentrated industry; as games have become a larger, more rationalized business, more mainstream content has begun to predominate. However, the network effects present in video game systems create competitive forces that lessen the anticompetitive problems traditionally associated with concentrated industries. The trends reported here support these hypotheses. Video games are seen as a maturing, competitive industry with practices and structure similar to other media.
Optical nonlinearity in fused silica by proton implantation

Optical nonlinearity was induced in fused silica through proton implantation. Average χ(2) of the order of 1.0 pm/V were induced in low-water fused silica, with isolated regions exhibiting χ(2) as high as 1.6 pm/V. A minimum dosage of 0.25–0.5 mC was found to be effective in generating the second harmonic in fused silica. A minimum irradiation time of 10–15 s was found to be necessary to set up the space-charge region adequately. Finally, the predominant type of microscopic lattice damage associated with proton-bombarded fused silicas was found to be the silicon E′ defect site.
The HIV-1 REV Trans-Activator is a Sequence Specific RNA Binding Protein

The pathogenic human retrovirus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), is the major etiologic agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (Fauci, 1988). HIV-1, along with the related primate immunodeficiency viruses, HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), is a member of a subfamily of retroviruses known as lentiviruses. Other members of this subfamily include visna virus, caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV), equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Lentivirus infection of the susceptible host typically results in a prolonged and chronic disease state affecting the immune and nervous systems as well as cells in a variety of other tissues (reviewed by Haase, 1986). Interestingly, these viruses display complex patterns of gene expression that are very different from those of the extensively studied Type C family of retroviruses. Specifically, proviral activation from a frequently extended period of latency is followed by a pattern of viral gene expression that is markedly temporal. During this time a number of differentially spliced viral transcripts may be observed.
Defeating Dictators: Electoral Change and Stability in Competitive Authoritarian Regimes

What explains electoral stability and change in competitive authoritarian regimes? This article addresses the question by comparing eleven elections—six of which led to continuity in authoritarian rule and five of which led to the victory of the opposition—that took place between 1998 and 2008 in competitive authoritarian regimes countries located in the postcommunist region. Using interviews conducted with participants in all of these elections and other types of data and constructing a research design that allowed the authors to match these two sets of elections on a number of important dimensions, they assess two groups of hypotheses—those that highlight institutional, structural, and historical aspects of regime and opposition strength on the eve of these elections and others that highlight characteristics of the elections themselves. The authors conclude that the key difference was whether the opposition adopted a tool kit of novel and sophisticated electoral strategies that made them more popular and effective challengers to the regime.