cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
B7/CD28 Costimulation Is Critical in Susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Corneal Infection: A Comparative Study Using Monoclonal Antibody Blockade and CD28-Deficient Mice

Evidence suggests that Pseudomonas aeruginosa stromal keratitis and corneal perforation (susceptibility) is a CD4+ T cell-regulated inflammatory response following experimental P. aeruginosa infection. This study examined the role of Langerhans cells (LC) and the B7/CD28 costimulatory pathway in P. aeruginosa-infected cornea and the contribution of costimulatory signaling by this pathway to disease pathology. After bacterial challenge, the number of LC infiltrating the central cornea was compared in susceptible C57BL/6 (B6) vs resistant (cornea heals) BALB/c mice. LC were more numerous at 1 and 6 days postinfection (p.i.), but were similar at 4 days p.i., in susceptible vs resistant mice. Mature, B7 positive-stained LC in the cornea and pseudomonas Ag-associated LC in draining cervical lymph nodes also were increased significantly p.i. in susceptible mice. To test the relevance of these data, B6 mice were treated systemically and subconjunctivally with neutralizing B7 (B7-1/B7-2) mAbs. Treatment decreased corneal disease severity and reduced significantly the number of B7-positive cells as well as the recruitment and activation of CD4+ T cells in the cornea. IFN-γ mRNA levels also were decreased significantly in the cornea and in draining cervical lymph nodes of mAb-treated mice. When CD28−/− animals were tested, they exhibited a less severe disease response (no corneal perforation) than wild-type B6 mice and had a significantly lower delayed-type hypersensitivity response to heat-killed pseudomonas Ag. These results support a critical role for B7/CD28 costimulation in susceptibility to P. aeruginosa ocular infection.
Tissue-specific Expression of the 230-kDa Bullous Pemphigoid Antigen Gene (BPAG1) IDENTIFICATION OF A NOVEL KERATINOCYTE REGULATORY cis-ELEMENT KRE3

The 230-kDa bullous pemphigoid antigen gene (BPAG1) is expressed exclusively in basal keratinocytes of epidermis. In this study, we have identified a novel cis-element, keratinocyte responsive element 3 (KRE3), at position −216 to −197 of the human BPAG1 gene. A promoter-CAT construct containing this element had ∼50-fold higher expression than a similar construct devoid of this sequence when tested in transient transfections of cultured human keratinocytes. However, there was no effect on the low base-line level of expression in cultured skin fibroblasts. KRE3 contains a palindromic sequence 5′-CAAATATTTG-3′, and mutations in this sequence significantly reduced the promoter activity. Gel mobility shift assays with an oligomer containing KRE3 sequence demonstrated binding activity with nuclear proteins isolated from keratinocytes. One of the DNA/protein complexes was clearly specific, since competition with >12.5-fold excess of the unlabeled oligomer resulted in disappearance of this band. No specific binding activity was noted with nuclear proteins extracted from fibroblasts. Thus, KRE3 appears to serve as the binding site for keratinocyte-specific trans-activating factor(s), and KRE3 may thus confer the tissue-specific expression to the BPAG1 gene.
Preparation of substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman microprobe spectroscopy

The results obtained using a variety of new solid supports for the preparation of surface-enhanced Raman-active substrates via direct chemical reduction of silver salts and by vacuum vapor deposition of metallic silver are presented. These supports include two small pore size cellulose filter papers and frosted glass slides. These supports yield silver substrates with a much more uniform silver particle size and distribution than observed on previously used supports such as Whatman No. 1 and No. 5 filter papers. Results obtained using a solid silver membrane filter are also presented. These substrates provide metal particle morphology which is uniform on a submicrometer scale. This degree of uniformity is necessary for enhancing the reproducibility of SERS using a Raman microprobe since the area probed by this microprobe is 5–10 μm2. By using filter papers and glass slides, coupled with the vapor deposition and chemical reduction techniques, the resulting substrates are also fast, simple, and inexpensive, making them ideal candidates for routine analysis.
The Structure of the Oocyst and the Excystation Process of Isospora marquardti sp. n. from the Colorado pika, Ochotona princeps

SYNOPSIS. Oocysts of Isospora marquardti sp. n. from the Colorado pika, Ochotona princeps, have spheroid oocysts, 30.5 (23–36) μm in diameter, and ovoid sporocysts, measuring 19.3 × 12.0 (17–22 × 10–14) μm. A polar body, 2 × 4 μm, a spheroid sporocyst residuum (8.3 μm in diameter), a Stieda body, and a distinct substiedal body (3 × 3 μm) are present. A micropyle and an oocyst residuum are absent. Excysted sporozoites, averaging 3.0 × 18.5 (2–4 × 15–20) μm, contain 2 refractile globules, 1 on each side of the nucleus with a prominent nucleolus. The sporozoite excystation process using a trypsin-sodium taurocholate fluid is described.
THELMA: a mobile app for crowdsourcing environmental data

The collection of environmental light pollution data related to sea turtle nesting sites is a laborious and time consuming effort entailing the use of several pieces of measurement equipment, their transportation and calibration, the manual logging of results in the field, and subsequent transfer of the data to a computer for post-collection analysis. Serendipitously, the current generation of mobile smart phones (e.g., iPhone® 5) contains the requisite measurement capability, namely location data in aided GPS coordinates, magnetic compass heading, and elevation at the time an image is taken, image parameter data, and the image itself. The Turtle Habitat Environmental Light Measurement App (THELMA) is a mobile phone app whose graphical user interface (GUI) guides an untrained user through the image acquisition process in order to capture 360° of images with pointing guidance. It subsequently uploads the user-tagged images, all of the associated image parameters, and position, azimuth, elevation metadata to a central internet repository. Provision is also made for the capture of calibration images and the review of images before upload. THELMA allows for inexpensive, highly-efficient, worldwide crowdsourcing of calibratable beachfront lighting/light pollution data collected by untrained volunteers. This data can be later processed, analyzed, and used by scientists conducting sea turtle conservation in order to identify beach locations with hazardous levels of light pollution that may alter sea turtle behavior and necessitate human intervention after hatchling emergence.
Gallium arsenide exposure impairs processing of particulate antigen by macrophages: modification of the antigen reverses the functional defect.

Gallium arsenide (GaAs), a semiconductor used in the electronics industry, causes systemic immunosuppression in animals. The chemical's impact on macrophages to process the particulate antigen, sheep red blood cells (SRBC), for a T cell response in culture was examined after in vivo exposure of mice. GaAs-exposed splenic macrophages were defective in activating SRBC-primed lymph node T cells that could not be attributed to impaired phagocytosis. Modified forms of SRBC were generated to examine the compromised function of GaAs-exposed macrophages. SRBC were fixed to maintain their particulate nature and subsequently delipidated with detergent. Delipidation of intact SRBC was insufficient to restore normal antigen processing in GaAs-exposed macrophages. However, chemically exposed cells efficiently processed soluble sheep proteins. These findings suggest that the problem may lie in the release of sequestered sheep protein antigens, which then could be effectively cleaved to peptides. Furthermore, opsonization of SRBC with IgG compensated for the macrophage processing defect. The influence of signal transduction and phagocytosis via Fcγ receptors on improved antigen processing could be dissociated. Immobilized anti-Fcγ receptor antibody activated macrophages to secrete a chemokine, but did not enhance processing of unmodified SRBC by GaAs-exposed macrophages. Restoration of normal processing of particulate SRBC by chemically exposed macrophages involved phagocytosis through Fcγ receptors. Hence, initial immune responses may be very sensitive to GaAs exposure, and the chemical's immunosuppression may be averted by opsonized particulate antigens.
Rotational Spectra, Structure, and Electric Dipole Moments of Methyl and Ethyltert-Butyl Ether (MTBE and ETBE)

Abstract The rotational spectra of methyl and ethyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE and ETBE) have been observed and analyzed using a pulsed-molecular-beam Fabry–Perot cavity microwave spectrometer. Both a - and b -type transitions are observed for each compound. Small CH 3 internal rotation splittings from the OCH 3 group of ∼1 MHz are observed for MTBE. The high sensitivity of the Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) technique allows observation and analysis of the rotational spectra of all 13 C isotopes and the 18 O isotopic species in natural abundance. For ETBE, the structural analysis indicates that the lowest energy form of the molecule is the completely extended conformer with C s symmetry. For both compounds, the bulkiness of the t -butyl group causes the COC angle to be 6° to 7° larger than that found in most other ethers.
Mutation of Arg55/56 to Leu55/Ala56 in insulin-like growth factor-I results in two forms different in disulfide structure and native conformation but similar under reverse-phase conditions.

Folding of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) results in two distinct species as resolved by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The earlier eluting peak (PI) has a nonnative disulfide structure, while the later eluting peak (PII) assumes the native disulfide structure. This folding problem causes a lower yield and requires expensive RP-HPLC separation. In contrast, IGF-II folds mainly into a single form with all three disulfide bonds correctly formed. Sequence comparison of the two molecules revealed that IGF-I has arginine at residues 55 and 56, while IGF-II has alanine and leucine, respectively, at these positions. Two analogs of IGF-I, IGF-I (Ala55/Leu56) and IGF-I (Leu56), behave similarly to IGF-II upon refolding and RP-HPLC; that is, a single peak eluted from the RP-HPLC column. However, when the peaks isolated by RP-HPLC were subjected to hydrophobic interaction chromatography, circular dichroism, and peptide mapping, they were found to be a mixture of PI and PII. It was then concluded that factors other than just these two residues contribute to correct folding of IGF-II and that the PI and PII of the above two IGF-I mutants assume different conformation at neutralpH but similar conformation under the RP-HPLC condition.
The use of hydrological simulation and remote sensing in an integrated program for water-resource systems:

A statewide water resources data bank and an associated integrated program for water-resource systems (IPWRS) is being developed for the State of Colorado. IPWRS is to be an open-ended system of digital computer modules unified under the control of an executive pro gram. This executive program will permit an analyst to prescribe which modules should be exercised, the order in which they are to be used, and the form in which output is to be presented. This computing sys tem provides a valuable tool for the management of the limited-water resources of the state. This paper presents a summary of the philosophy behind IPWRS and the results of a phase of the program concerned with the prediction of streamflow runoff in mountainous regions. The prediction involves the use of a self- calibrating snowmelt simulation model, which is one of the digital computer modules in the IPWRS system.
Thin Disk On A Convectively Cooled Plate—Application To Heat Flux Measurement Errors

An analysis is made of the steady-state thermal processes associated with a thin disk affixed to a convectively cooled solid plate. The disk represents a thermopile heat flux gauge. In the first part of the paper, the heat conduction problem of the plate is solved for the simplified condition where the heat flow through the disk is axially one-dimensional. It was found that the local divergence of the heat flux field within the plate owing to the presence of the disk may result in a gauge reading that underestimates the heat transfer rate. Also, a sizeable local plate temperature augmentation can occur. Furthermore, the analysis yields dimensional estimates of the region where the temperature and heat flux fields within the plate are significantly altered by the presence of the disk. An adjunct to the foregoing analysis develops a one -dimensional conduction factor which is useful in determining when the heat flow through the disk can be considered to be axially one-dimensional.
The effect of sex-specific terrestrial movements and roads on the sex ratio of freshwater turtles

Differential road mortality may affect the demography of vertebrate populations when movements associated with foraging, reproduction, or dispersal cause a greater proportion of one sex or stage to frequently contact roads. In the case of turtles, roadsides create artificial disturbed and open habitats that may be attractive to nesting females but may cause significant road mortality. I tested this possibility by comparing the sex ratios of turtle populations in a lake that is bisected by a high-traffic, four-lane highway to those in nearby ponds located away from major roads in northwestern Florida (USA). I evaluated the potential role of road mortality as the cause of skewed sex ratios by determining whether adult female freshwater turtles move overland more frequently than that expected from actual sex ratios and the proportions of turtles of four species that attempt to nest annually along the roadside. Population sex ratios were dramatically biased toward males in the Florida cooter (Pseudemys floridana) (80% males), yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta) (73% males), and common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) (65% males) in the lake adjacent to the highway compared to those in ponds not affected by road mortality, where the proportion of males ranged from 39% to 60%. Despite male-biased population sex ratios, under normal (non-drought) conditions a significantly greater proportion of adult females (57–72%) than males were found on land along the highway and, thus, have a greater annual probability of being killed by vehicles. An estimated 6–29% of all adult females in four turtle species nested annually along the highway shoulder. If this phenomenon is general for freshwater turtle populations located near roadways, male-biased sex ratios and low numbers of adult female turtles elsewhere may be the result of cumulative differential mortality of nesting females struck by vehicles as they enter the highway during annual nesting forays.
Once-a-day control of panic disorder: evidence from a placebo-controlled trial of alprazolam extended release

An extended-release preparation of alprazolam (alprazolam XR) has been formulated to allow the use of once-daily doses for the treatment of panic disorder. We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial to determine whether once-daily administration of alprazolam XR could provide a sustained antipanic effect throughout the dosing interval. An additional objective was to assess the tolerability of this agent in doses ranging from 1 to 10 mg once daily. The results of this trial were reported previously’ and are summarized below. The trial enrolled 194 patients 18 to 65 years of age who fulfilled criteria for agoraphobia with panic attacks or panic disorder with limited phobic avoidance, according to a modified version of the structured clinical interview based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition-Revised.2 All patients were required to have had a minimum of one four-symptom panic attack per week during each of the 3 weeks preceding the eligibility assessment. After a 7to lo-day drug-free washout period, the patients were randomized to receive alprazolam XR or placebo for 6 weeks. Alprazolam XR therapy was initiated at a dose of 1 mg once daily (administered in the morning), and the dose was increased every 3 to 4 days (as tolerated) to a maximum of 10 mg once daily, depending on clinical response. At the end of 6 weeks, the dosage was tapered at the rate of one tablet (1 mg for active drug) every 3 to 4 days. Dosage tapering was required to be completed within 5 weeks. To assess the impact of study attrition, outcomes were analyzed in two ways: an available-patient analysis (which examined mean scores on outcome measures among patients with available data at each study visit) and a last-observation-carried-forward (LOCF) or end-point analysis (in which data for patients who dropped out of the study were carried forward to subsequent time points). The demographic and clinical features of the patients did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Over the course of the trial, the mean maximum daily alprazolam XR dose was 4.7 mg. The attrition rate was lower in the alprazolam XR group than in the placebo group. The reasons for attrition in the two groups were lack of efficacy (1 in the alprazolam XR group versus 19 in the placebo group; P < 0.011, adverse effects (4 patients versus 1 patient, respectively; not significant [NSI), and
The effect of handle friction and inward or outward torque on maximum axial push force.

Objective: To investigate the relationship among friction, applied torque, and axial push force on cylindrical handles. Background: We have earlier demonstrated that participants can exert greater contact force and torque in an “inward” movement of the hand about the long axis of a gripped cylinder (wrist flexion/forearm supination) than they can in an “outward” hand movement. Method: Twelve healthy participants exerted anteriorly directed maximum push forces along the long axis of aluminum and rubber handles while applying deliberate inward or outward torques, no torque (straight), and an unspecified (preferred) torque. Results: Axial push force was 12% greater for the rubber handle than for the aluminum handle. Participants exerted mean torques of 1.1, 0.3, 2.5, and ‐2.0 Nm and axial push forces of 94, 85, 75, and 65 N for the preferred, straight, inward, and outward trials, respectively. Left to decide for themselves, participants tended to apply inward torques, which were associated with increased axial push forces. Conclusion: Axial push force was limited by hand-handle coupling ‐ not the whole body’s push strength. Participants appeared to intuitively know that the application of an inward torque would improve their maximum axial push force. Axial push forces were least when a deliberate torque was requested, probably because high levels of torque exertions interfered with the push. Application: A low-friction handle decreases maximum axial push force. It should be anticipated that people will apply inward torque during maximum axial push.
Biochemical analyses of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in a chromatin context

We have optimized a recombinant chromatin assembly system that properly incorporates core histones and histone H1 into a chromatin template containing a natural promoter sequence. This article provides a step-by-step procedure for expression and purification of the proteins required for assembling well-defined chromatin templates. We describe how to measure the degree of chromatin assembly in the absence and presence of histone H1 using topological analysis and how to perform micrococcal nuclease digestion to confirm H1 incorporation and determine the quality of in vitro chromatin templates. Further, we describe the use of sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation to verify that no unincorporated H1 remains as a second means for deciding on the proper H1 to core histone ratio during assembly. Additionally, we discuss the use of both yeast and Drosophila NAP-1 (yNAP-1 and dNAP-1, respectively) in the assembly of H1-containing chromatin. Finally, we provide detailed description of functional assays for investigating the mechanism of transcriptional regulation in a chromatin context (transcription, histone acetyltransferase activity, and protein association with promoter-bound complexes using immobilized chromatin templates).
Effect of Ro 61-1790, a selective endothelin-A receptor antagonist, on systemic and uterine hemodynamics and fetal oxygenation in sheep ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Objective: Endothelin-1 is reportedly elevated in preeclampsia, and studies in our laboratory have shown that infusion of endothelin-1 produces increased mean arterial pressure, hemoconcentration, and proteinuria, while decreasing uterine blood flow. If a role in preeclampsia is confirmed for endothelin-1, therapeutic intervention may involve selective endothelin-A receptor blockers. Thus, this study was designed to determine the effects of Ro 61-1790, a selective endothelin-A receptor inhibitor, on mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and uteroplacental blood flow in pregnant and nonpregnant sheep. Study Design: Seven pregnant and seven nonpregnant sheep were instrumented with indwelling femoral artery and vein catheters and bilateral uterine artery flow probes, allowing determination of mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and uteroplacental blood flow. After baseline administration, animals received intravenous Ro 61-1790 either 1 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg, and hemodynamic responses were monitored for 120 minutes. Results: Intravenous administration of Ro 61-1790 at 1 mg/kg had no effect on the parameters measured in either group studied. However, at 3 mg/kg, Ro 61-1790 caused an increase in total uterine blood flow in nonpregnant sheep from 22 ± 6 mL/min to 51 ± 15 mL/min. This occurred in the absence of significant changes in mean arterial pressure. In pregnant animals, administration of 3 mg/kg Ro 61-1790 decreased mean (± SEM) uteroplacental blood flow by 20% (from 771 ± 130 mL/min to 621 ± 110 mL/min) and increased uterine vascular resistance transiently. Administration of Ro 61-1790 had no significant effect on fetal mean arterial pressure, heart rate, or oxygenation. Conclusions: These data suggest that endogenous endothelin-1 may play an important role in regulating uterine vascular tone in pregnant and nonpregnant sheep and that inhibition of endogenous endothelin-1 may lead to reductions in uteroplacental perfusion in pregnant animals. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:55-60.)
Utilization of the isthmian land bridge during the Cenozoic—paleobotanical evidence for timing, and the selective influence of altitudes and climate

Abstract A comparison of plant microfossil assemblages from southern Central America (Costa Rica, Panama) and northern South America reveals distinct differences that extend into late Cenozoic time. Eight kinds of fossil palynomorphs (2.6%) are common in middle(?) to Late Eocene microfossil floras from central Panama and northern South America, increasing to only 21 taxa (8.9%) by Gatum time (present assignment-Middle Pliocene, ca. 4 Ma). This argues for continuous emergent land connection suitable for interchange of plants with limited seed dispersal capacity in the later part of the current 5-1.8 Ma range estimates. Glacio-eustatic changes in sea level of 150 m during the Quaternary, compared to maximum current land mass elevations of 34 m across Costa Rica/Nicaragua and 84 m across eastern Panama, further suggest that direct overland crossings were intermittent even during the Pleistocene. Paleophysiographic reconstructions based on paleobotanical data show that all taxa in the early Miocene floras could be accommodated within an altitudinal range from sea level to about 1200–1400 m, increasing to about 1700 m by Gatun time. Paleoclimatic data based on fossil palynofloras from the relatively low-lying islands and peninsulas constituting Central America for most of the Cenozoic indicate tropical conditions and vegetation generally similar to that of the modern lowlands until about the Middle Pliocene. At that time an increase in grass pollen (from virtually absent to a maximum of 7.5%), initial appearance of elements of a tropical dry forest, first evidence of a possible differentiation into a wetter Atlantic and drier Pacific side, and continued tectonic activity leading to greater topographic diversity mark the beginning of the modernization of southern Central American vegetation. Utilization of the isthmian land bridge by plants from North or South America, until post-middle Pliocene times, was limited primarily to those of tropical climates, living in lowland to premontane habitats, and with effective means of dispersal across at least moderate marine barriers. Other means of exchange, rather than direct migration across continuous or near-continuous land surfaces, could have included flotsam or abrupt long-distance dispersal throughout Cenozoic time.
Mono Craters, California: A New Interpretation of the Eruptive Sequence

Recent geologic studies of the Mono Craters in eastern California revealed two types of domal land forms not described in previous investigations: cratered domes and double craters. A pumiceous rhyolite dome in the northern part of the Mono Craters is an example of a cratered dome. This dome has a truncated cone shape and is composed of a funnel-structured rhyolite plug surrounded by a steep talus slope. The summit crater was formed by collapse and explosions. An example of a double crater is West Control Crater (910 m in diameter), which is composed of two funnel-structured pumiceous rhyolite domes, one within the summit crater of the other. Both domes are surrounded by debris and have truncated cone shapes. A four-stage eruptive sequence which includes these two morphologies is: (1) formation of a bowl-shaped rhyolite crater by explosive eruptions, (2) extrusion of a dome of viscous flow-banded rhyolite on the crater floor, (3) formation of a cratered dome by explosion and (or) collapse, and (4) extrusion of a dome in the summit crater of the cratered dome; this dome is cratered, forming a double crater. Flows form during stages 2 and 4 of the sequence. The sequence can be terminated at any stage.
Concurrent programming in Modula-2

This paper describes a concurrent process manager that has been developed for the Modula-2 programming language. Using this software, students can gain practical experience in designing and implementing concurrent programs using processes, semaphores, and message links. The use of abstraction in describing the process manager is advocated, and a variety of concurrent programming exercises are presented.This paper describes a concurrent process manager that has been developed for the Modula-2 programming language. Using this software, students can gain practical experience in designing and implementing concurrent programs using processes, semaphores, and message links. The use of abstraction in describing the process manager is advocated, and a variety of concurrent programming exercises are presented.
A test of the self-perception explanation of the effects of rewards on intrinsic interest

Abstract An experiment was conducted to test the proposition that rewards undermine or enhance intrinsic interest in a task to the extent that individuals interpret their behavior as being motivated by the reward. It was predicted that when subjects were denied the opportunity to develop and confirm this attribution, rewards would not produce an undermining effect, but rather would enhance dispositions and behavior. Subjects were recruited to evaluate a new sugar-free soft drink. Two levels of incentives (reward-no reward), two levels of examination (opportunity-no opportunity), and three levels of outcome (good-neutral-poor) were employed. The results support the prediction that an incentive's effect depends on the examination opportunity. In the examination condition, rewarded subjects attributed their behavior more to external factors than did unrewarded subjects, but gave more negative product evaluations only after tasting it. In the no examination condition, there were no differences in the attributions made by rewarded and unrewarded subjects, and rewarded subjects were more positively disposed toward the product both before and after tasting it. These results are explained as a consequence of two properties of rewards, enhancement through reinforcement and undermining through discounting, and of hypothesis-testing processes.
Parasitic MOSFETs in an oxide-isolated bipolar technology: Process-control measurements

The use of measurements on a special MOSFET test structure for process control is reported. Test structure design, test methods and data analysis methods are described. Results derived from the test structure are presented and discussed.
Synthesis of a New Diaminodithiol Bifunctional Chelator for Radiolabeling Biomolecules with Indium(III)

The synthesis of a new bifunctional ligand 1-(p-carboxybenzyl)-N,N′-bis-[1,1-dimethyl-1-(p-methoxybenzylthio)ethyl]-ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid, di-t-butyl ester (1, nbi6ss) is described. It consists of a carboxybenzyl group substituted on a carbon atom of the ethylenediamine moiety of a hexadentate ligand, which has been found to have a very high affinity for In(III). The gem-dimethylthiol groups and the carboxylic acid groups of the ligand were protected by groups that can be removed under mild conditions after conjugation to a peptide or protein.
Pulmonary marginal zone lymphoma: A single centre experience and review of the SEER database

Pulmonary marginal zone lymphoma is a rare disease arising from bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT). There is limited information on clinical presentation, natural history and treatment of this type of lymphoma. We conducted a retrospective review of patients with biopsy-proven BALT lymphoma treated at our institution and patients from the surveillance epidemiology and end results (SEER) database. Twenty-one patients (median age 57) with disease stage IE (n = 10) and IV (n = 11), were treated at our institution. Initial management included observation (n = 4), surgery (n = 5), combination chemotherapy (n = 7), single-agent rituximab (n = 3) and radioimmunotherapy (n = 2). Complete remission was observed in 10, partial remission in 3, stable disease in 7, and disease progression in 1 patient. With a median follow-up of 20 months, Kaplan-Meier estimates for progression-free and overall survival (OS) at 80 months were 90% and 95%, respectively. We identified 326 patients (59% females and 41% males; median age 68 [30 to 85) with BALT lymphoma in the SEER database. Fifty-five per cent had stage IE, 10% stage IIE, 3% stage IIIE, and 22% stage IV disease. After a median follow-up of 35 months, median OS was 112 months, and disease-specific median survival was not reached. At 90 months, disease-specific survival was 85% (CI 77-92) with no significant differences in outcome between patients presenting with different stages. Our single institution experience and review of the SEER database, confirm the indolent features and favourable outcome of this rare disease.
Middle and Late Latency ERP Components Discriminate between Adults, Typical Children, and Children with Sensory Processing Disorders.

This study examined whether combinations of middle latency sensory evoked potential components and late components, possibly indicative of cognitive processing, can discriminate between three sample groups; 18 adults (20 to 55 years), 25 typical children (5 to 10 years) and 28 children with sensory processing disorders (5 to 12 years). Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were made while participants heard random presentations of two auditory stimuli (1k Hz and 3k Hz) each at two intensities (50 and 70 dB). Amplitude and latency measurements were obtained for the N1, P2, N2, and P3 components from the averaged event-related potential (ERP) for each of the 4 auditory stimuli. Discriminant analyses revealed two functions, one which described the relationship of the components on sensory processing deficit continuum and one which described the relationship of these components on a developmental continuum. Together, these two functions correctly classified 90.5% of the participants as to their group membership. These results are discussed in relation to neurodevelopmental theories.
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of induction and regression of cardiac fibrosis in various models of myocardial hypertrophy

This review is the summary of our findings on collagen gene expression and regulation in ventricular myocardium in experimental animal models of cardiac hypertrophy and in cardiac fibroblasts in response to hormonal stimuli. Cardiac fibrosis, or accumulation of collagen in the myocardium, is seen in several models of cardiac hypertrophy, such as those induced by aging, pressure overload, and norepinephrine-induced hypertension. Results on collagen gene expression have indicated that initial up-regulation of collagen gene expression usually precedes collagen accumulation in hypertrophied heart in those models. Thyroid hormone-induced cardiac hypertrophy, however, is distinguished from those types of hypertrophy by the absence of fibrosis and by down-regulation of collagen gene expression in ventricular tissue. Our in vitro studies on cardiac fibroblasts indicate that absence of fibrosis in thyroid hormone-induced hypertrophy could be the result of an inhibitory effect of thyroid hormone on collagen gene expression at transcriptional levels. Thyroid hormone was also shown to cause regression of cardiac fibrosis in the heart of a genetic model of collagen overproduction, the tight skin (TSK) mouse. These findings indicate that cardiac fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy are induced via different mechanisms and that presence of cardiac hypertrophy does not imply cardiac fibrosis. The findings on inhibitory effects of thyroid hormone on collagen gene expression further suggest that biological inhibitory pathways, such as hormonal regulation, could be activated to compensate for excessive collagen production or for diminished collagen degradation by cardiac fibroblasts in cases of predisposition to cardiac fibrosis.
Deglacial and Lake Level Fluctuation History Recorded in Cores, Beaver Lake, Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Abstract Sediment cores collected from the littoral and pelagic zones of Beaver Lake, Michigan record fluctuations in the water level of Lake Superior. Beaver Lake is a small 300 ha lake in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (PRNL) now separated from Lake Superior by a dune-capped barrier bar. Cores were collected using a vibracorer from a lake-ice platform in February 1997. A 2.85 m long core in 10 m of water contains well-sorted sand, rhythmites, peat, interbedded sand and gyttja, and is capped with 1 m of massive gyttja. A 9480 BP AMS age from the basal sand provides a minimum deglacial date for the area. Further analysis indicates a sand-dominated depositional environment from a low lake stand at approximately 8500 BP to present. An approximate 8800 BP red to gray sediment color transition records either the cessation of meltwater input from Lake Agassiz or receding ice, while a younger similarly colored transition, 6600 BP in age, likely records sediment reworking in the coastal zone. Four AMS ages on peat range from 8520 to 7340 BP and are indicative of the Houghton low phase. Burial of the peat by stratified sand and gyttja after 7340 BP indicates a rising lake level. Peat at a higher level in the lake basin, encountered in shallow littoral cores, ranges in age from 6800 to 6420 BP, which estimates a 0.91 m rise/century in lake level to the Nipissing level by 5000 BP.
Pathological evidence of Wolman's disease following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation despite correction of lysosomal acid lipase activity.

Pathological evidence of Wolman's disease following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation despite correction of lysosomal acid lipase activity
Gesture and language: Cross-linguistic and historical data from signed languages

In this paper I explore the role of gesture in the development of signed languages. Using data from American Sign Language, Catalan Sign Language, French Sign Language, and Italian Sign Language, as well as historical sources describing gesture in the Mediterranean region, I demonstrate that gesture enters the linguistic system via two distinct routes. In one, gesture serves as a source of lexical and grammatical morphemes in signed languages. In the second, elements become directly incorporated into signed language morphology, bypassing the lexical stage. Finally, I propose a unifying framework for understanding the gesture-language interface in signed and spoken languages.
PAPR-Constrained Pareto-Optimal Waveform Design for OFDM-STAP Radar

We propose a peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR)-constrained Pareto-optimal waveform-design approach for an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) radar signal to detect a target using the space-time adaptive processing (STAP) technique. The use of an OFDM signal does not only increase the frequency diversity of our system but also enable us to adaptively design the OFDM coefficients in order to further improve the system performance. First, we develop a parametric OFDM-STAP measurement model by considering the effects of signal-dependent clutter and colored noise. Then, we observe that the resulting STAP performance can be improved by maximizing the output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) with respect to the signal parameters. However, in practical scenarios, the computation of output SINR depends on the estimated values of the spatial and temporal frequencies and target-scattering responses. Therefore, we formulate a PAPR-constrained multiobjective-optimization problem to design the OFDM spectral parameters by simultaneously optimizing four objective functions: maximizing the output SINR, minimizing two separate Cramer-Rao bounds (CRBs) on the normalized spatial and temporal frequencies, and minimizing the trace of the CRB matrix on the target-scattering coefficient estimations. We present several numerical examples to demonstrate the achieved performance improvement due to the adaptive waveform design.
A fifth-order exponentially fitted formula

A fifth-order second derivative formula is developed for stiff systems of ordinary differential equations. The exponentially fitted formulas possess a large region of absolute stability, and numerical results demonstrate increased accuracy with the same computational effort when compared with similar fourth-order formulas.
Synthesis of New Indolocarbazole-Acceptor Alternating Conjugated Copolymers and Their Applications to Thin Film Transistors and Photovoltaic Cells

We report synthesis, properties, and optoelectronic device characteristics of six new indolocarbazole−acceptor conjugated copolymers prepared by Suzuki coupling reaction. Two different linkages of indolocarbazole (28IC and 39IC) and four acceptors of 2,3-didodecylthieno[3,4-b]pyrazine (TP12), 2,3-bis(4-(2-ethylhexyloxy) phenyl)thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine (TPO), 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BT), and 2,3-bis(4-(2-ethylhexyloxy)phenyl)quinoxaline (QO) were used to explore the effects of acceptor structure, linkage, and side group on the electronic and optoelectronic properties. The optical band gap (eV) of the studied copolymers were in the following order: P28IC-TPO (1.58) < P39IC-TP12 (1.79) < P28IC-TP12 (1.84) < P28IC-BT (2.09) < P28IC-QO (2.31) < P39IC-QO (2.34). The hole mobility and on−off ratios of the studied copolymers were in the ranges 1.66 × 10−5 to 4 × 10−4 cm2/V·s and 40−46900, respectively. It basically depended on the degree of intromolecular charge transfer between indolocarbazole and acceptor as well ...
Polysomnographic results of prone versus supine positioning in micrognathia.

Abstract Background Children with micrognathia commonly present with upper airway symptoms and are at risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Prone positioning is widely used as first-line management for micrognathic children with obstructive symptoms. The aim of the present study was to document the effect of positioning on oxygenation and upper airway obstruction as measured by polysomnography (PSG). Methods Three children with micrognathia from two institutions underwent PSG in both the prone and supine position. Results Patient ages were 1 week, 3 months, and 7 months. Supine obstructive apnea–hypopnea indices (oAHI) were severe for all 3 children, with a mean of 21.9 events/hour (range 16.8 to 26.3). In the prone position, the oAHI significantly improved in 2 of 3 children, with a mean of 5.1 events/hour (range 0.3 to 10.3). The frequency of central apnea events increased in 1 child following supine positioning. Nadir oxygen saturation improved in 2 of 3 children and remained within normal limits in the third. Conclusions This is the first report of the effect of positioning on changes in PSG indices of micrognathic children. Improvement in obstructive PSG indices occurred with prone positioning, though OSA persisted in 2 of 3 children. The effect of positioning on central apnea was unclear. In light of these findings, we recommend that routine PSG be considered in micrognathic children undergoing prone positioning for definitive therapy of upper airway obstruction.
Strain modulation electron tunneling: Observation of energy states in metals

Electron tunneling experiments have been carried out on metal-metal oxide-metal diodes. Observed structure in the current versus voltage curves is attributed to band states of the metal electrodes. A strain modulation technique is employed that provides a further means of identification of band effects and provides a way to eliminate other strain independent tunneling phenomena. In particular, the L2 and L1 band edges of Au have been studied as well as standing wave structure in Pb and Mg. Band edge effects in Sn, Ag, and Mg have also been studied. This technique provides a new way to study energy levels in metals.
Estimation of fish and wildlife disease prevalence from imperfect diagnostic tests on pooled samples with varying pool sizes

Abstract Methods of estimating disease or parasite prevalence in free-ranging and some captive fish and wildlife populations are frequently lacking in precision due to limited numbers of observations and different assay procedures. Recently statistical methods and software programs have been developed to use Bayesian and other methods to obtain estimates of disease prevalence from diagnostic tests in which sensitivity and/or specificity is not perfect (imperfect) and with sampling schemes using pooled samples. However, these published methods and software programs that consider pooled data sampling have generally considered the case of one uniform pool size for all samples. We present a method for estimating disease prevalence from imperfect diagnostic tests with pooled data collected from a variety of pool sizes. We use a Bayesian approach and obtain a sample from the posterior distribution of prevalence, sensitivity, and specificity, using an MCMC sampling algorithm implemented in the WINBUGS statistical package. We illustrate the use of these methods with three examples and perform efficiency calculations to investigate the performance of these estimators relative to maximum likelihood estimators that assume perfect diagnostic tests. Our results illustrate that the estimates produced from these methods adjust for imperfect tests, and are often more efficient than estimates assuming perfect tests, except in some situations when there is not much prior information on diagnostic test sensitivity and specificity.
Effects of Lighting Program During the Growing Period and Dietary Fat During the Laying Period on Broiler Breeder Performance

In two experiments, broiler breeders were grown in either of two lighting regimens, fed diets without added fat, and then fed diets with or without 5% added poultry fat during the subsequent laying period. In Experiment 1 half the birds were subjected to decreasing daylength using daylight (800 lx) and half were subjected to 9 h of incandescent light (20 lx) to 20 wk of age. In Experiment 2 the lighting regimen was either an 8-h photoperiod supplied by daylight (800 lx) or an 8-h photoperiod supplied by incandescent light (20 lx) to 20 wk of age. Added dietary fat produced significantly higher egg weight (Experiments 1 and 2), egg production (Experiment 2), and significantly lower fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs (Experiments 1 and 2). Short photoperiods (8 or 9 h) provided by incandescent light produced significantly higher fertility (Experiments 1 and 2) and hatchability of fertile eggs (Experiment 2), and significantly lower egg specific gravity, shell percentage (Experiment 1), egg weight, and eggshell weight (Experiment 2). Effects on fertility may be related to higher female body weight during lay due to daylight rearing or added fat, or relative changes in light intensity at photostimulation.
CTH08-4: Protograph LDPC Codes with Node Degrees at Least 3

In this paper we present protograph codes with degree-3 nodes and one high degree node. The iterative decoding threshold for proposed rate 1/2 codes are lower, by about 0.2 dB, than the best known irregular LDPC codes with degree at least 3. The main motivation is to construct rate-compatible protograph-based LDPC codes for fixed code block length (n) that simultaneously achieve low iterative decoding thresholds and guarantee minimum distance that is linearly increasing with n. We start with a rate 1/2 protograph LDPC code with degree-3 nodes and one high degree node. Higher rate codes are obtained by connecting check nodes with degree-2 non-transmitted nodes. This is equivalent to constraint combining in the protograph. The condition where all constraints are combined corresponds to the highest rate code. Through examples we show that iterative decoding thresholds as low as 0.544 dB can be achieved for small protographs with node degrees at least three. FPGA simulation results show that the proposed family of codes perform as predicted.
The effect of naltrindole on δ opioid receptor binding and functional effects in the mouse

Abstract Accumulated evidence strongly suggests that there are subtypes of δ opioid receptors. Naltrindole (NTI) is a nonpeptide δ opioid receptor antagonist (e.g., 1) that has been shown to have high selectivity in binding studies for δ receptors compared to κ and μ (1,2). In functional studies, NTI selectively blocks δ opioid agonists (e.g., 3,4). However, NTI appears to favor the δ 2 site over the δ 1 site (5). In the present study we examined the relationship between the functional effects of NTI and its effects on δ 1 and δ 2 receptors. In this report we demonstrate that changes in binding of [ 3 H]DSLET and [ 3 H]DPDPE in mouse brain and spinal cord following NTI are not closely tied to observed changes in the analgesic potency of spinal and supraspinal administration of the same agonists in the mouse.
Deconditioning and Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Study

This pilot, multiple case study primarily examined deconditioning effects on four physical fitness components in eight participants with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Fitness results after training were contrasted with fitness results immediately following two periods of inactivity. These preliminary data suggest that aspects of physical deconditioning among people with FMS may be highly individualized; therefore, making any generalizations about physical detraining in this population requires more study. Also, results regarding FMS symptoms and psychosocial factors following training versus no training on these eight participants suggest that deconditioning on these factors is very individualized. Knowledge of data-based, deconditioning information relative to FMS is important for professionals who work with older adult patients, especially activity directors who coordinate/direct recreational exercise programs or physical rehabilitation programs that involve exercise in nursing homes. Deconditioning effe...