cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endothelial Responses to Oxidized Lipoproteins Determine Genetic Susceptibility to Atherosclerosis in Mice

Background —Oxidized LDL has been found within the subendothelial space, and it exhibits numerous atherogenic properties, including induction of inflammatory genes. We examined the possibility that variations in endothelial response to minimally modified LDL (MM-LDL) constitute one of the genetic components in atherosclerosis. Methods and Results —By a novel explant technique, endothelial cells (ECs) were isolated from the aorta of inbred mouse strains with different susceptibilities to diet-induced atherosclerosis. Responses to MM-LDL were evaluated by examining the expression of inflammatory genes involved in atherosclerosis, including monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage-colony–stimulating factor (M-CSF), an oxidative stress gene, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and other, noninflammatory, genes. ECs from the susceptible mouse strain C57BL/6J exhibited dramatic induction of MCP-1, M-CSF, and HO-1, whereas ECs from the resistant strain C3H/HeJ showed little or no induction. In contrast, ECs from the 2 strains responded similarly to lipopolysaccharide. Conclusions —These data provide strong evidence that genetic factors in atherosclerosis act at the level of the vessel wall.
Methods to determine effects of cranberry proanthocyanidins on extraintestinal infections: Relevance for urinary tract health

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most frequent extraintestinal infections caused by Escherichia coli (ExPEC). Cranberry juice has been used for decades to alleviate symptoms and prevent recurrent UTI. The putative compounds in cranberries are proanthocyanidins (PAC), specifically PAC with "A-type" bonds. Since PAC are not absorbed, their health benefits in UTI may occur through interactions at the mucosal surface in the gastrointestinal tract. Recent research showed that higher agglutination of ExPEC and reduced bacterial invasion are correlated with higher number of "A-type" bonds and higher degree of polymerization of PAC. An understanding of PAC structure-activity relationship is becoming feasible due to advancements, not only in obtaining purified PAC fractions that allow accurate estimation, but also in high-resolution MS methodologies, specifically, MALDI-TOF MS. A recent MALDI-TOF MS deconvolution method allows quantification of the ratios of "A-type" to "B-type" bonds enabling characteristic fingerprints. Moreover, the generation of fluorescently labeled PAC allows visualization of the interaction between ExPEC and PAC with microscopy. These tools can be used to establish structure-activity relationships between PAC and UTI and give insight on the mechanism of action of these compounds in the gut without being absorbed.
The diastolic stress test: a new approach to an old problem

The evaluation of ischemic heart disease is the cornerstone of clinical Cardiology. Although there are many means of ischemic evaluation, all are with their own limitations. While perfusion-based studies are highly sensitive, they lack specificity. Conversely, systolic wall motion analysis with echocardiography tends to have high specificity; however, the sensitivity may be limited by short duration of systolic abnormalities when present. With the advent of Doppler echocardiography, and more specifically tissue Doppler imaging, and strain and strain rate imaging, a more comprehensive evaluation of the left ventricular function is available, including diastole. Diastolic abnormalities in the setting of ischemia are now being studied using these new parameters and have been suggested as a reliable marker of ischemia. Exercise-induced abnormalities in diastolic parameters have improved sensitivities and specificities over traditional stress testing and persist longer than systolic abnormalities. A review of the medical literature regarding the subject will be discussed here.
Stable ergodicity of skew products

Abstract Stable ergodicity is dense among compact Lie group extensions of Anosov diffeomorphisms of compact manifolds. Under the additional assumption that the base map acts on an infranilmanifold, an extension that is not stably ergodic must have a factor that has one of three special forms. A consequence is that stable ergodicity and stable ergodicity within skew products are equivalent in this case.
SHIFTING ALLIANCES: EPICLASSIC AND EARLY POSTCLASSIC INTERACTIONS AT CERRO PORTEZUELO

This analysis takes a diachronic view of Epiclassic and Early Postclassic period production and consumption patterns of diagnostic pottery complexes at Cerro Portezuelo. Stylistic and chemical characterization studies indicate a dramatic shift in the directionality and participation in pottery complexes through time throughout the Basin of Mexico. In the Epiclassic period, Cerro Portezuelo was a participant in a southern basin cultural complex. Early Postclassic pottery at Cerro Portezuelo indicates full participation in the Mazapan/Tollan pottery complex extending from Tula, through Teotihuacan, and into the southern Texcoco region. This study expands upon a previous compositional study of Cerro Portezuelo materials that indicate that Epiclassic and Early Postclassic pottery consumption was predominantly from local sources in the southeastern basin. The current study further identifies stylistic affiliations in decorated pottery types with neighboring areas within the basin and significantly increases the sample size for Epiclassic and Early Postclassic compositional data at Cerro Portezuelo.
Vygotskian Scholars: Visions and Implementation of Cultural-Historical Theory

Although the ideas of Lev Semenovich Vygotsky are commonly known, little research has been done on how his followers are actually applying in practice his cultural-historical theory to an understanding of the essence of learning. This study investigates the ideas that significantly contributed to the development of the Vygotskian educational paradigm. In this article, I define the activity approach as the main theoretical basis of further research on education conducted after Vygotsky's death. I then explain how his ideas were implemented in developmental and deductive education (Davydov and others), in the theory of mental skills (Galperin), and in the student concept formation approach (Menchinskaia and others). Finally, I draw conclusions and discuss aspects of the development of Vygotskian ideas in the educational practices of the Newly Independent States, particularly in Ukraine.
Pressure-Induced Cationic Disordering in Pyrochlore Oxides (La1-xCex)2Zr2O7 and Enhancement of Compressibility

Pyrochlore oxides La2Zr2O7, Ce2Zr2O7 and their solid solutions were studied by in situ x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement at high pressures. Pressure dependence of cationic disordering was derived from Rietveld refinement of the XRD patterns. The results indicated that the mixed occupancy in the cation site enhanced the compressibility obviously. All the pyrochlore structure became unstable at ~20 GPa and an orthorhombic high-pressure phase formed. The cations changed from the ordered state in pyrochlore to a disordered state in the high-pressure phase. The high-pressure phase is about 8% denser than the pyrochlore phase and not stable at ambient conditions and a disordered defect-fluorite structure was quenched for all the samples.
Jump-starting the immune system: prime–boosting comes of age

A major challenge for immunologists has been the development of vaccines designed to emphasize cellular immune responses. One particularly promising approach is the prime-boost strategy, which has been shown to generate high levels of T-cell memory in animal models. Recently, several papers have highlighted the power of prime-boost strategies in eliciting protective cellular immunity to a variety of pathogens and have demonstrated efficacy in humans. Coupled with recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the generation, maintenance and recall of T-cell memory, the field is poised to make tremendous progress. This Review discusses the impact of these recent developments on the future of prime-boost vaccine strategies.
Grant Allocation Decision Rules Expectations Versus Realities

Decision rules are at the heart of federal grant allocations that presume funds will go where the need is. Federal grant administrators are under mandates to do effective, efficient, and responsive "relative need" program benefit targeting, explicitly defined in justifiable decision rules. Using a case study of the Special Supplemental Feeding Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), we follow the definition of relative need to a final national funding strategy for state agency WICgrant allocations. Comparing the funding effects and the subsequent perceptions of stakeholders, we found that formulating decision rules to operationalize equity, responsiveness, and efficiency in a national funding formula is fraught with problems. These included data limitations, differing stakeholder views of the proper selection and weighting of need indicators, barriers to a smooth transition to a newfunding method, and raised expectations that "hard" data will result in truly rational allocations.
Methemoglobinemia associated with dapsone treatment in solid organ transplant recipients: A two‐case report and review

Dapsone, a sulfone antibiotic, has been increasingly used in solid-organ transplant recipients for the primary prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, especially in patients with documented sulfa allergy. A known side effect of dapsone therapy, however, is methemoglobinemia, a condition leading to impaired tissue oxygen delivery. This report documents two cases of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia in patients after solid organ transplantation with emphasis on the importance of clinical recognition and benefits of treatment. Further, the pathophysiology and causes of this condition are extensively reviewed.
Role of skin biopsy in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathic pain

Evaluation of epidermal nerve fiber density (ENFD) allows objective, pathologic, and minimally invasive assessment of small myelinated and unmyelinated cutaneous axons. In addition to providing diagnostic confirmation of neuropathies affecting these “small fibers,” this procedure has advanced clinical care by dramatically increasing awareness of the role of small myelinated and unmyelinated axons in disorders of peripheral nerve and in neuropathic pain. This review highlights the technical aspects of skin biopsy for ENFD determination, the role of skin biopsy in the diagnosis of small-fiber neuropathy and ganglionopathy, and the diagnostic approach to the patient with peripheral neuropathic pain.
Rapid desensitization converts prolonged glutamate release into a transient EPSC at ribbon synapses between retinal bipolar and amacrine cells

The mechanisms underlying the conversion of prolonged glutamate release from ribbon synapses in bipolar cells to sustained and transient excitatory postsynaptic responses in identified retinal amacrine cells were studied in tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) retina. A retina slice preparation with whole cell patch recording techniques under voltage- and current-clamp conditions was used to assay the electrical properties of bipolar and amacrine cells. Amacrine cells were categorized into two basic forms: (i) transient amacrine cells that respond to a step of light with a burst of spikes only at the transitions of the step; and (ii) sustained amacrine cells that respond with continuous spiking during the entire light step. The two cell types each had a characteristic morphology: transient amacrine cells possessed wide dendritic fields (chi = 375 microns), while sustained cells had much more narrowly confined dendritic fields (chi = 85 microns). Whole cell voltage-gated currents of the transient and sustained cell types were not significantly different. Both cell types had spikes that were sensitive to tetradotoxin (TTX, 0.3 microM) with voltage deflections of up to 100 mV. Light-evoked excitatory synaptic currents relaxed rapidly in transient neurons (tau 1/2 = 100 ms) and more slowly in sustained neurons (tau 1/2 = 1.2 s). EPSCs in both cells reversed near 0 mV. Rapid application of glutamate or kainate elicited rapidly desensitizing ionic currents (tau 1/2 = 85 ms) followed by a slowly desensitizing component. Cyclothiazide, a drug that eliminates rapid desensitization, lengthened the time course of the glutamate gated current from tau 1/2 = 85 ms to about 3 s, and the relaxation kinetics of the glutamatergic EPSC from tau 1/2 = 85 ms to about 1.0 s. These data suggest that a key determinant in forming transient versus sustained responses in amacrine cells of vertebrate retina is the differences in their excitatory, glutamatergic synaptic inputs, and that rapid desensitization of glutamate receptors plays a role in converting the presynaptic signal associated with sustained glutamate release into a postsynaptic, transient signal at the ribbon synapse.
Infectious Diseases and Day Care

Infectious diseases often occurring in epidemics, are to be expected in group day care because of the susceptibility of infants and toddlers to infection and the ready transmission of infection in the day care setting. Children in day care have more respiratory and gastrointestinal infections and are at higher risk for meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae than are children in home care. Infections acquired by the child in the day care center may spread to members of the household and to the community. Illness in the child in day care may necessitate care at home and a change in plans of the parents; family stress may result. Infections in the day care center can be limited by appropriate use of the physical facilities, education of personnel in standards of hygiene, and maintenance of recommended immunizations of children and adult care givers. Simple techniques of infection control, such as hand washing, are the most effective.
Electric Field Induction on Sailboats AND Vertical Poles

Measurements are reported concerning electrostatic induction from transmission lines on a sailboat and on small-scale laboratory models of vertically oriented cylinders. Electrostatic induction on sailboats is modeled in terms of a thin cylinder (the mast) and a flat plate (the hull). A simple analytic expression is suggested for the induced short-circuit current on the mast. The hull current is expressed in terms of an equivalent area that must be experimentally determined. Superposition of mast and hull current is considered with small-scale experiments. Enhancement factors are introduced for the stays and sails. Simplified circuit parameters are determined to describe the observed open-circuit voltage.
Glial fibrillary acidic protein in chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in SJL/J mice

The gliotic scar in the demyelinated plaque is a prominent feature of the pathology of multiple sclerosis. Chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the SJL/J mouse has many characteristics in common with multiple sclerosis in the human, including the development of intense gliosis during the course of the demyelinating disease. With the use of antibody to the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) we have measured the increase of GFAP over an 11-month course of chronic EAE. Intense staining of astrocyte fibers was seen around EAE lesions, which were most frequently observed in the cerebellum, periventricular areas, and in the spinal cord. The relative amount of GFAP was estimated by preparation of cytoskeletal proteins from the affected CNS areas, separation of proteins by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and quantitation of GFAP in relation to the 70-kD neurofilament protein (NF) in gel scans. The ratio GFAP/70-kD NF protein in control animals did not change significantly over 11 months, whereas this ratio gradually increased to 2.54 in animals with chronic relapsing EAE 6 months after immunization. Although some decrease of neural fibers may have contributed partially to this change in ratio, the amounts of GFAP were greatly increased. These results indicate that the SJL/J mouse with chronic relapsing EAE provides an excellent model with which to investigate the formation and development of the gliotic plaque analogous to that seen in demyelinated areas in multiple sclerosis tissue.
Does exogeneous progestogen alter the relationships among PGF2α, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2α, progesterone, and estrogens in ovarian-intact ewes around the time of luteolysis?

The exact mechanisms controlling uterine secretion of PGF2α are not known. An animal model in which progestogen concentrations are kept high and corpora lutea are allowed to regress should be useful for studying the effects of progestogen and estrogens on uterine secretion of PGF2α. Thus, the primary objectives of this study with ovarian-intact ewes were to determine 1) the effect of 6α-methyl-17α-hydroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on luteal life span and changes in jugular and vena caval concentrations of PGF2α, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2α (PGFM), progesterone, and estrogens around the time of luteolysis, and 2) the relationships among changes in those compounds. The results indicate that MPA 1) reduced (P < .05) vena caval and jugular PGF2α and PGFM concentrations, 2) did not affect luteal life span or progesterone concentrations, 3) increased (P < .05) jugular concentrations of estrogens, and 4) prolonged (P < .05) the interestrous interval by 7 d. Stepwise regression procedures indicated that MPA disrupted a number of the relationships among PGF2α, PGFM, progesterone, and estrogens in vena caval and jugular plasma. Ovarian-intact, MPA-treated ewes may be useful for determining the mechanisms involved in controlling uterine secretion of PGF2α.
A mark-recapture population estimate for invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in the La Grange Reach, Illinois River.

Invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) populations have expanded greatly in the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) since their introduction in the early 1970s. We conducted a Chapman-modified, continuous Schnabel mark-recapture population and biomass estimate for silver carp (106–901 mm) in the La Grange reach, Illinois River during 2007–2008. We estimated a total of 328,192 (95% CI 231,226–484,474) silver carp (2,544 per river km 1,792–3,756) comprising 705 (95% CI; 496–1,040) metric tons of biomass (5.5 metric tons per river km 3.8–8.1). Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) data from the La Grange reach showed an exponential increase in silver carp catches since 1998, with an intrinsic rate of increase approaching 84%. In 2008, silver carp comprised about 51% of the total LTRMP annual fish collection. To our knowledge, this large river reach may contain the greatest ambient densities of wild silver carp in the world. Our findings provide a target for reduction efforts and also emphasize the importance of the La Grange reach as a source population for potential expansion of the species to the Laurentian Great Lakes.
Theoretical Calculations on Excited Electronic States of Benzaldehyde and Observation of the S2←S0 Jet-Cooled Spectrum

The S2(ππ*)←S0 spectrum of jet-cooled benzaldehyde has been recorded by laser ionization. The band has been located at 35 191 cm-1. Ten fundamental vibrations have been assigned following a vibrational analysis assisted by theoretical calculations. Ab initio molecular orbital methods have been used to examine the electronically excited states of benzaldehyde. On π*←n excitation the primary geometric distortions are in the formyl group, while on π*←π excitation these are mainly in the aromatic ring. Vibrational frequencies were found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental data for the states studied (S0, S1(nπ*), S2(ππ*), and T(nπ*)), and the calculations provided a useful guide in assigning the observed excited state fundamentals.
Rheological Properties of Gum and Milk Protein Interactions

Abstract Three different gums (κ-carrageenan, guar, and xanthan at concentrations of .05, .10, or .20%) were dispersed in 11% NDM, 11% whey protein concentrate, or double-distilled, deionized water. All solutions were either batch (69°C for 30min) or HTST (81°C for 25s) pasteurized. Rheological properties were measured the following day using a viscometer. Measurements were made at 4°C over a shear rate range of 1 to 875s –1 . Apparent viscosities were calculated and compared at a shear rate of 250s –1 . A four-factor interaction involving gum type, gum concentration, protein type, and heat treatment was significant. Differences among the means showed that carrageenan-NDM solutions were more viscous than carragman-water solutions when compared at equivalent gum concentrations. The flow behavior index values indicated that, at low gum concentrations, the solutions possessed Newtonian flow behavior, however, at higher concentrations, the flow behavior was pseudoplastic.
Cloning and characterization of the human ADP-ribosylation factor 4 gene

Abstract ADP-ribosylation factor 4 (ARF4) is a member of a family of ∼20 kDa guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that were initially identified by their ability to stimulate the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of cholera toxin in vitro. They have recently been shown to play a role in vesicular trafficking and as activators of phospholipase D. The organization of the human ARF4 gene was determined from a genomic clone isolated from an arrayed PAC genomic library. The gene spans approximately 12 kb and contains six exons and five introns. Translation initiates in exon 1 and terminates in exon 6. Nuclease protection experiments indicated that the major transcription initiation site is located 211 bp 5′ to the start of translation. In some cell lines derived from human tissues, however, multiple initiation sites were observed. The proximal 5′-flanking region of the human ARF4 gene lacks a TATA box, is highly GC rich, and contains multiple potential Sp1-binding sites. An alignment of the exons for the class I ARF genes ( ARF1 , ARF2 , and ARF3 ) and class II ARF genes ( ARF4 and ARF5 ) reveals that the members of each class share a common gene organization. The structures of the class I and II ARF genes, however, are quite distinct and support the division of the ARFs into these groups based on deduced amino acid sequence, protein size, phylogenetic analysis, and gene structure
The effects of three temporal variables on short-term memory for paired associates

A total of 189 Ss was given, in alternation, three study and three recall trials on each of six lists of six paired associates each. Ss were assigned in equal numbers to 21 experimental conditions, which represented all possible combinations of seven conditions of stimulus and pair durations on study trials and three conditions of stimulus duration on recall trials. Performance increased with increases in each of the three temporal variables on Trial 1 and on Trials 2–3 and 1–3 combined. These results were related to those of rote verbal learning and were taken to support the notion of a continuity between the phenomena of short-term memory and those of a longer-term memory deriving from multiple presentations of materials.
Visiting consultant: boon or boondoggle?

Those who have worked in the university environment for many years possibly have come up through the route of a faculty position. For such individuals, the concept of a sabbatical leave is familiar. Since I spent seven of the last ten years of my career primarily as a department chairman, I am very familiar with this concept and am aware that the individual, as well as the institution hosting the individual on a sabbatical leave, can benefit from this program. Conversely, the whole process may become a vacation where a professor "goes home" and visits with former major professors and colleagues at one of his prior institutions. All of this is background for the concept which I feel can be beneficial in a computing center environment, i.e., having a Visiting Research Consultant for a period of time, whether it be one month, one semester, or one year.
Structure of mammalian cytochrome P450 2C5 complexed with diclofenac at 2.1 A resolution: evidence for an induced fit model of substrate binding.

The structure of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac bound in the active site of rabbit microsomal cytochrome P450 2C5/3LVdH was determined by X-ray crystallography to 2.1 A resolution. P450 2C5/3LVdH and the related enzyme 2C5dH catalyze the 4‘-hydroxylation of diclofenac with apparent Km values of 80 and 57 μM and kcat values of 13 and 16 min-1, respectively. Spectrally determined binding constants are similar to the Km values. The structure indicates that the π-electron system of the dichlorophenyl moiety faces the heme Fe with the 3‘- and 4‘-carbons located 4.4 and 4.7 A, respectively, from the Fe. The carboxyl moiety of the substrate is hydrogen bonded to a cluster of waters that are also hydrogen bonded to the side chains of N204, K241, S289, and D290 as well as the backbone of the protein. The proximity of the diclofenac carboxylate to the side chain of D290 together with an increased binding affinity at lower pH suggests that diclofenac is protonated when bound to the enzyme. The structure exhib...
Structural diversity in the Cu(pyrazinecarboxylate)2/CdCl2 system: new one-, two- and three-dimensional mixed metal coordination polymers

Four new inorganic–organic polymeric materials have been synthesized by reacting the metal containing building block, Cu(pyzca)2, with cadmium chloride. All resulting polymers have both metals incorporated in the structure and display a variety of structural motifs, ranging from one-dimensional chains to complicated three-dimensional networks. The first compound, [Cu(Pyzca)2(H2O)CdCl2(H2O)·H2O]n (1) is a one-dimensional double chain. The next two compounds, [Cu(Pyzca)2(H2O)2Cd2Cl4(H2O)2]n (2) and [Cu(Pyzca)2(H2O)Cd2Cl4(H2O)2·3H2O]n (3), assemble in a two-dimensional brick-wall network, while the fourth, [Cu(Pyzca)2Cd2Cl4]n (4), features an intricate three-dimensional network. Synthesis, X-ray structure determinations, and the influence of water molecules coordinated to the copper centers on the coordination geometry and overall extended structure are discussed.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum PSGL-1-independent infection does not require Syk and leads to less efficient AnkA delivery

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects neutrophils to cause granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans and mammals. P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) and the tetrasaccharide sialyl Lewis x (sLe(x)), which caps the PSGL-1 N-terminus, are confirmed A. phagocytophilum receptors. A. phagocytophilum is capable of sLe(x)-modified PSGL-1-dependent and -independent infection. PSGL-1 N-terminus-mediated entry is dependent on spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). Here, we determined that PSGL-1-independent entry does not alter bacterial replication and investigated whether it involves Syk using NCH-1A2, an enriched subpopulation of A. phagocytophilum NCH-1 obtained through cultivation in a sLe(x)-deficient HL-60 cell line, HL-60 A2. Pharmacological inhibition of Syk nearly abolishes NCH-1 infection, but does not alter NCH-1A2 invasion and only marginally reduces NCH-1A2 propagation. This phenomenon was confirmed by a competitive infection assay using PSGL-1-dependent and -independent A. phagocytophilum organisms transformed to express mCherry or green fluorescent protein respectively. We also assayed for delivery and tyrosine phosphorylation of the A. phagocytophilum effector, AnkA, following NCH-1or NCH-1A2 incubation with HL-60 or HL-60 A2 cells in the presence of PSGL-1 blocking antibody. PSGL-1 N-terminus recognition promotes optimal AnkA delivery while binding to sLe(x) or the unknown receptor is comparably less important for this process.
Pneumocystis pneumonia in brain tumor patients: risk factors and clinical features

We reviewed the clinical features and risk factors for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients with brain tumors (BTs) seen at our institution between 1980 and 1992. Previously rare, this opportunistic infection appears to be increasing among HIV-negative cancer patients receiving immunosuppressive medications. Recent reports have noted PCP among BT patients receiving corticosteroids, and suggested that these patients are particularly likely to develop PCP when corticosteroids are tapered. Nine BT patients, eight with high-grade gliomas, experienced ten episodes of PCP None were known HIV-positive. All were on dexamethasone (DXM) at PCP onset, and had continuously been receiving it for 47–398 days (median 69). Daily DXM dose at PCP onset ranged from 1–16 mg (median 9). Five episodes occurred in patients receiving a stable DXM dose and five during DXM taper. Nine episodes occurred in patients receiving chemotherapy. All patients had absolute lymphopenia at PCP onset, ranging from 80–900 × 106 lymphocytes/l (median 222 × 106/l, normal > 1000 × 106). Three episodes were fatal despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. Unlike others, we did not find that corticosteroid taper predisposed to developing PCP As in HIV, PCP in BT patients appears related to lymphopenia, in these patients attributable to use and duration of corticosteroids and in some cases cytotoxic chemotherapy. Effective prophylaxis exists and should be considered for lymphopenic patients and those requiring DXM for > five weeks.
Atomic-level imaging of intercalation reactions by DHRTEM

Abstract The deintercalation and intercalation reactions of two model intercalation systems, Hg x TiS 2 and (NH + 4 ) y' (NH 3 ) y″ TaS y'- 2 , respectively, have been investigated by dynamic high resolution transmission electron microscopy at a time resolution of 0.03 s. Both reaction types were directly observed at the atomic-level, including the first dynamic atomic-level observation of intercalation reaction processes. Three types of mechanisms were observed for the deintercalation of mercury from the TiS 2 layers in Hg x TiS 2 : (1) deintercalation of complete mercury-filled layers, (2) deintercalation of mercury via edge dislocations and (3) deintercalation of mercury islands. The intercalation of ammonia into 2HtaS 2 was observed in situ using an environmental cell. The intercalation reaction proceeded inward from the outer basal planes of TaS 2 . Partial intercalation of inner TaS 2 layers occurred, and these layers could be deintercalated by sufficient electron-beam heating. Both intercalation and deintercalation processes proceeded by the advance and retreat, respectively, of guest-edge dislocation fronts.
Characterization of AMPylation on Threonine, Serine, and Tyrosine Using Mass Spectrometry

Recent studies have suggested that adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) post-translational modification of proteins could represent a novel molecular signaling pathway. Mass spectrometric fragmentation characteristics of this modification have not previously been described and studied systematically. In this work, we therefore examined the fragmentation pattern of chemically synthesized peptides containing AMPylated Thr, Ser, and Tyr. The formation of characteristic ions and the influence of collision energy (CE) on the detection of characteristic ions and their relative peak intensity are reported. When peptide with AMPylated Ser/Thr underwent collision induced dissociation (CID), peaks at m/z 348.1, 136.1, and 250.1, fragments with AMP group attached, and fragments consistent with neutral loss of 347 Da were major characteristic ions; fragments consistent with neutral loss of 135 Da or 249 Da were weaker and not always detectable. The observations for Tyr AMPylation followed the same general patterns as those for Ser/Thr modification, with the exception that the ions detected for Tyr AMPylation did not include either the peak at m/z 348.1, or fragments with a mass shift of –347 Da. The results described in this paper highlight a series of diagnostic ions, which can be used not only to confidently identify the AMPylation site based on MS and MS/MS data, but also to selectively scan AMPylated peptides in complex protein mixtures.
Classical electrodynamic systems interacting with classical electromagnetic random radiation

In the past, a few researchers have presented arguments indicating that a statistical equilibrium state of classical charged particles necessarily demands the existence of a temperature-independent, incident classical electromagnetic random radiation. Indeed, when classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation is included in the analysis of problems with macroscopic boundaries, or in the analysis of charged particles in linear force fields, then good agreement with nature is obtained. In general, however, this agreement has not been found to hold for charged particles bound in nonlinear force fields. The point is raised here that this disagreement arising for nonlinear force fields may be a premature conclusion on this classical theory for describing atomic systems, because past calculations have not directed strict attention to electromagnetic interactions between charges. This point is illustrated here by examining the classical hydrogen atom and showing that this problem has still not been adequately solved.
Focused-ion-beam micromachined AlGaAs semiconductor laser mirrors

A V-channel substrate inner stripe diode laser with conventional cleaved facet mirrors has been modified by micro-machining with a focused ion beam to produce a smooth machined output mirror with no change in its lasing threshold and only a small decrease in its external differential quantum efficiency.
Low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy as harbingers of acute myeloid leukemia recurrence in a patient with myeloid sarcoma

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is an extra-osseous, solid collection of myeloblasts. It is associated with myeloid leukemias, and rarely affects the spine. The most common clinical presentation of MS in spine patients is some form of pain related to compression of neural elements. Given that MS is rare, and its imaging characteristics are similar to other more common diagnoses, it is frequently missed on initial presentation. We present a 28-year-old female, in her fifth year of remission from AML, with low back pain and right lumbar radiculopathy. Initially, the leading diagnosis was schwannoma in preference to neurofibroma; however, intra-operative pathology and subsequent bone marrow biopsy revealed the tumor to be MS. This report highlights the difficulties of diagnosis of MS in patients in remission from acute myeloid leukemia. Thus, in patients with a history of leukemia, MS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any epidural or nerve root tumor. Timely diagnosis and treatment are key to optimal outcomes.
Radical Behaviorism and the Clarification of Causality, Constructs, and Confusions: A Reply to Hayes, Adams, and Dixon

In a recent paper by Hayes, Adams, and Dixon (1997), Skinner’s radical behaviorism was criticized on conceptual and philosophical grounds. The criticisms centered around certain types of alleged confusions between observed events and the verbal constructions used in the description of those events. In examining the arguments presented by Hayes et al. (1997), however, certain inconsistencies may be seen regarding the central issues, and problems are found in the application of the arguments to Skinner’s work, given a thoroughgoing behavioral view of language. For example, the word “cause” might be viewed in Skinner’s writings as implying hidden metaphysical forces, but such an interpretation would ignore the historical influence of Mach in Skinner’s usage of the term as well as Skinner’s repeated refutation of such metaphysical implications.
Sub-μW signal power doppler radar heart rate detection

Periodic motion, such as that resulting from cardiopulmonary activity, can be measured by direct-conversion microwave Doppler radar. In such systems, motion is measured as phase modulation and measurement sensitivity is significantly affected by phase noise and amplitude modulation sidebands in the local oscillator. Presented here are experimental results of heart rate measurements under various signal output power conditions, with consideration for the impact of respiration. Measurements were made using a custom compact quadrature direct conversion Doppler radar circuit, and results indicate that heart rate can be accurately assessed with transmit power for levels as low as 20nW for a subject distance of one meter. This is the lowest power ever reported for ISM band CW doppler radar heart beat detection.
High-Temperature Stability of Amorphous Al2O3 Deposited on Si and CeO2-stabilized ZrO2 by Metalorganic Chemical Vapor deposition

Aluminum acetylacetonate and water vapor were used to deposit an amorphous A12O3 seal coating on Si and CeO2-stabilized ZrO2 (CSZ) produced by air plasma spray. The A12O3 coating prepared at ∼500°C was ∼2.5μm thick, uniform, and non-porous. The crystallization and adhesion characteristics of the A1203 coating were examined by thermally annealing the A12O3- coated Si and CSZ substrates in air. The amorphous coating crystallized to metastable A12O3 phases within 20 hours at temperatures as low as 700°C. The coating on Si spalled upon annealing whereas the coating on CSZ did not spall, but microcracked extensively due to the significant volume shrinkage associated with crystallization.
Proposed few-cycle laser-particle accelator structure

We describe a transparent dielectric accelerator structure that is designed for ultra-short laser pulse operation. The structure is based on the principle of periodic field reversal to achieve phase synchronicity for relativistic particles. To preserve the possibility of ultra-short pulse operation it does not resonate the laser field in the vacuum channel, which enables the structure to support higher peak electric fields. Gradients on the order of a few GeV/m are expected to be possible with 10 fsec laser pulses. The proposed structure has a two-dimensional geometry which is ideally suited for micro-fabrication techniques and for integration with other optical MEMs components.
On hierarchical traffic grooming in WDM networks

The traffic grooming problem is of high practical importance in emerging wide-area wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical networks, yet it is intractable for any but trivial network topologies. In this work, we present an effective and efficient hierarchical traffic grooming framework for WDM networks of general topology, with the objective of minimizing the total number of electronic ports. At the first level of hierarchy, we decompose the network into clusters and designate one node in each cluster as the hub for grooming traffic. At the second level, the hubs form another cluster for grooming intercluster traffic. We view each (first- or second-level) cluster as a virtual star, and we present an efficient near-optimal algorithm for determining the logical topology of lightpaths to carry the traffic within each cluster. Routing and wavelength assignment is then performed directly on the underlying physical topology. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach by applying it to two networks of realistic size, a 32-node, 53-link topology and a 47-node, 96-link network. Comparisons to lower bounds indicate that hierarchical grooming is efficient in its use of the network resources of interest, namely, electronic ports and wavelengths. In addition to scaling to large network sizes, our hierarchical approach also facilitates the control and management of multigranular networks.
ABUNDANCE OF INVASIVE AND NATIVE CRAB LARVAE IN THE MOUTH OF DELAWARE BAY: HEMIGRAPSUS SANGUINEUS AND UCA PUGNAX

ABSTRACT We compare larval distributions of the invasive Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus and the native fiddler crab Ucapugnax. Our study was conducted in the coastal ocean adjacent to Delaware Bay on the east coast of the United States. Subtidal circulation in the study area is dominated by the Delaware Coastal Current, which is formed by the estuarine plume that extends southward out of the bay and along the inner continental shelf. The offshore edge of the current is marked by a strong density front and by convergent circulation along the frontal boundary. Surface plankton tows were taken at fine-scale intervals along saw-tooth transects traversing the front on 3 consecutive days in early August. Coincident physical measurements delivered hydrographic data throughout the investigation. Results provided a synoptic view of larval distribution near the bay mouth and showed patchy occurrence of the 2 species within the sampling area. Approximately 8.7 × 105 U. pugnax larvae were collected during th...
Molecular Cloning, Expression and Properties of an α/β-Galactoside α2,3-Sialyltransferase from Vibrio sp. JT-FAJ-16

We cloned, expressed and characterized a novel alpha/beta-galactoside alpha2,3-sialyltransferase from Vibrio sp. bacterium JT-FAJ-16. Using a alpha2,3-sialyltransferase gene from a marine bacterium as a probe, a DNA sequence encoding a 402-amino-acid protein was identified from the JT-FAJ-16 genomic library. The protein showed 27.3-64.7% identity to the bacterial sialyltransferases classified into glycosyltransferase family 80. The protein showed sialyltransferase activity when expressed in Escherichia coli. The N-terminal truncated form of the enzyme was amplified in E. coli and its recovered activity was 215.7 unit/l culture medium. It was purified as a single band on SDS-PAGE through the three chromatographic steps. The specific activity of the purified recombinant enzyme reached 57.5 unit/mg protein. The alpha2,3sialylation was confirmed by (1)H- and (13)C-NMR analyses of the reaction products. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 5.5 and at 20 degrees C. Interestingly, the enzyme used both the alpha- and beta-anomers of galactosides as acceptors, suggesting that it can be described as an alpha/beta-galactoside alpha2,3-sialyltransferase. The enzyme had a wide range of acceptor substrate specificities. It transferred N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc) to various monosaccharides and various oligosaccharides, and both N-linked and O-linked asialo-glycoprotein. These results suggest that the enzyme can be used as a powerful tool for the study for glycotechnology.
Panel of genes transcriptionally up-regulated in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix identified by representational difference analysis, confirmed by macroarray, and validated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR.

Background: The Pap smear is currently the most widely used method of screening for squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (SCCC). Because it is based on cell morphology, it is subject to variability in interpretation. Sensitive molecular markers capable of differentiating cancerous samples from noncancerous ones would be beneficial in this regard. Methods: We performed representational difference analysis (RDA) using paired, noncancerous (normal) and cancerous (disease) tissues taken from the same specimen obtained from a single patient with a confirmed diagnosis of SCCC. Linearly amplified cDNA from normal and diseased tissues of the original patient and seven others were hybridized to DNA macroarrays containing the candidate gene transcript fragments. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR was used to validate the macroarray results. Results: RDA identified a candidate pool of 65 transcript fragments up-regulated in diseased tissue compared with normal tissue. Forty-one transcripts were found to be up-regulated in diseased compared with normal tissue in at least one half the patients by macroarray hybridization. Eleven of those genes were selected for real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis, and all were confirmed as transcriptionally up-regulated in cancer compared with normal tissue in at least one half the patients. Conclusions: RDA using tissues from a single patient identified gene fragments confirmed to be transcriptionally up-regulated in SCCC both in the original patient and in seven others. The confirmed genes have a variety of functions and also have the potential to serve as diagnostic or prognostic markers.
Lowermost mantle flow at the eastern edge of the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province

Abstract Observations of seismic anisotropy in the lowermost mantle are plentiful, but their interpretation in terms of mantle flow remains challenging. Here we interrogate the anisotropic structure of the lowermost mantle beneath the Afar region, just outside the edge of the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province, using a combination of shear wave splitting techniques applied to phases propagating at five distinct raypath orientations. We then model the resulting data set by testing various candidate mechanisms for anisotropy. The observations are best fit by a model that invokes the lattice preferred orientation (LPO) of post-perovskite, with the [100] crystallographic axis oriented either nearly vertically or highly obliquely to the horizontal plane. Plausible corresponding mantle flow scenarios involve a significant vertical flow component, which suggests that the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province edge may deflect ambient mantle flow upwards or may be associated with a sheet-like upwelling.
Self-Similar Structure and Experimental Signatures of Suprathermal Ion Distribution in Inertial Confinement Fusion Implosions

The distribution function of suprathermal ions is found to be self-similar under conditions relevant to inertial confinement fusion hot spots. By utilizing this feature, interference between the hydrodynamic instabilities and kinetic effects is for the first time assessed quantitatively to find that the instabilities substantially aggravate the fusion reactivity reduction. The ion tail depletion is also shown to lower the experimentally inferred ion temperature, a novel kinetic effect that may explain the discrepancy between the exploding pusher experiments and rad-hydro simulations and contribute to the observation that temperature inferred from DD reaction products is lower than from DT at the National Ignition Facility.
Novel, Attached, Sulfur- Oxidizing Bacteria at Shallow Hydrothermal Vents Possess Vacuoles Not Involved in Respiratory Nitrate Accumulation

Novel, vacuolate sulfur bacteria occur at shallow hydrothermal vents near White Point, Calif. There, these filaments are attached densely to diverse biotic and abiotic substrates and extend one to several centimeters into the surrounding environment, where they are alternately exposed to sulfidic and oxygenated seawater. Characterizations of native filaments collected from this location indicate that these filaments possess novel morphological and physiological properties compared to all other vacuolate bacteria characterized to date. Attached filaments, ranging in diameter from 4 to 100 μm or more, were composed of cylindrical cells, each containing a thin annulus of sulfur globule-filled cytoplasm surrounding a large central vacuole. A near-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence was obtained and confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization to be associated only with filaments having a diameter of 10 μm or more. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that these wider, attached filaments form within the gamma proteobacteria a monophyletic group that includes all previously described vacuolate sulfur bacteria (the genera Beggiatoa, Thioploca, and Thiomargarita) and no nonvacuolate genera. However, unlike for all previously described vacuolate bacteria, repeated measurements of cell lysates from samples collected over 2 years indicate that the attached White Point filaments do not store internal nitrate. It is possible that these vacuoles are involved in transient storage of oxygen or contribute to the relative buoyancy of these filaments.