cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genital tract methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: risk of vertical transmission in pregnant women.

Community-associated strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus (MSRA) have occurred in outbreaks of infection in newborn nurseries, and they also are an emerging problem for pregnant women. Among the common sites of infection are the breast, buttocks, vulva, and groin. This study sought to determine whether genital tract colonization by MRSA in third-trimester women is associated with early-onset invasive infection by MRSA in newborn infants. Anovaginal screening cultures for group B Streptococcus (GBS) were obtained prospectively in the third trimester of pregnancy over a 3-year period in 2003-2006. The samples also were processed for S. aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains. Of 5732 mothers sampled, who delivered 5804 infants, 22.9% were GBS-positive and 14.5% were positive for S. aureus. Nearly one fourth of S. aureus isolates (24.3%) were MRSA. The overall rate of genital tract colonization by MRSA in the study cohort was 3.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.0%-4.0%). Genital tract colonization by S. aureus was significantly more frequent in GBS-positive women than in those who were GBS-negative (20.7% versus 12.7%). The relative risk (RR) was 1.6, with a 95% CI of 1.4-1.9. Genital tract colonization by MRSA also was significantly more frequent in GBS-positive than in GBS-negative women (6.0% versus 2.8%). The RR was 2.2 with a 95% CI of 1.6-2.8. None of the infants had early-onset invasive infection by MRSA. These findings do not warrant the widespread use of screening for genital tract colonization by MRSA, nor do they encourage antibiotic prophylaxis of the mother or infant, work-up for invasive infection, or lengthy hospitalization for extended-spectrum antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic infants born to MRSA-positive mothers. Basic means of controlling infection such as hand washing will suffice for now. In addition, antibiotics may be used carefully to lower selection pressure for the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.
Constructing subsurface profiles using GIS

Abstract A geographic information system (GIS) macro procedure for creating subsurface profiles from well log data is developed. The well log data base is constructed from interpretation of a series of borehole geophysical logs. The GIS procedure targets a modelling area and interpolates the well data base to create a three-dimentional representation of the subsurface environment. Any number of cross-sectional profiles or three-dimensional images of well log data may be created and viewed interactively. The resulting profiles provide basic geometric data for ground water flow and contaminant transport models. A brief introduction to the ARC/INFO system, emphasizing the attributes of the data structure and the macro language, is given. Several subsurface profiles of Shelby County, Tennessee are developed using the GIS profile procedure.
Wireless pH testing as an adjunct to unsedated transnasal esophagoscopy: the safety and efficacy of transnasal telemetry capsule placement.

Abstract Objectives The introduction of 48-hour wireless pH testing offers clinicians a new alternative for the objective documentation of reflux. The success of transnasal wireless pH capsule placement has not been previously described. The purpose of this investigation was to describe our experience with transnasal wireless pH capsule placement. Methodology All patients undergoing unsedated transnasal esophagoscopy and wireless pH capsule placement between January 1, 2003 and July 31, 2003 were prospectively evaluated. Data concerning patient tolerance, success of capsule placement and function, complications, and pH recordings were collected. Results During this time, 46 persons were evaluated. The mean age of the cohort was 52 years. Of the patients, 50% were male. The indications for the procedure were chronic cough (18/46), gastroesophageal reflux disease (18/46), and larygopharyngeal reflux (10). Of the procedures performed, 85% (39/46) were successful. Complications included epistaxis (2/46), laryngospasm (2/46), and vasovagal reaction (1/46). Conclusions The transnasal placement of a wireless pH capsule is a safe and effective diagnostic adjunct to unsedated transnasal esophagoscopy.
Mechanism of axonal transport: a proposed role for calcium ions

In vitro axonal transport of tritiated protein decreased 40 to 60 percent when neuronal cell bodies were incubated in calcium-free medium, but was not affected when only nerve trunks were exposed to calcium-free conditions. In addition, calcium-45 was transported along axons at a rate similar to that of rapidly transported tritiated protein. These data are interpreted to suggest that calcium ions are involved in the initiation of axonal transport and in the coupling of transported proteins to the transport system.
Role of Rho in Chemoattractant-Activated Leukocyte Adhesion Through Integrins

Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein)-linked receptors of the chemoattractant subfamily can trigger adhesion through leukocyte integrins, and in this role they are thought to regulate immune cell-cell interactions and trafficking. In lymphoid cells transfected with formyl peptide or interleukin-8 receptors, agonist stimulation activated nucleotide exchange on the small guanosine triphosphate-binding protein RhoA in seconds. Inactivation of Rho by C3 transferase exoenzyme blocked agonist-induced lymphocyte α4β1 adhesion to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and neutrophil β2 integrin adhesion to fibrinogen. These findings suggest that Rho participates in signaling from chemoattractant receptors to trigger rapid adhesion in leukocytes.
An action sequence held in memory can interfere with response selection of a target stimulus, but does not interfere with response activation of noise stimuli

Withholding an action plan in memory for later execution can delay execution of another action if the actions share a similar (compatible) action feature (e.g., response hand). We investigated whether this phenomenon, termed compatibility interference (CI), occurs for responses associated with a target as well as responses associated with distractors in a visual selection task. Participants planned and withheld a sequence of keypress responses (with their right or left hand), according to the identity of a stimulus (A), and then immediately executed a keypress response (with their right or left hand) to a second stimulus (B), according to the identity of a target letter appearing alone or among distractor letters. Distractor letters were either response compatible or incompatible with the target and appeared either simultaneously with the target (Experiments 1A and 2) or 100 msec before the target (Experiment 1B). Also, stimulus-response mapping was either 1:1 (Experiment 1) or 2:1 (Experiment 2). Results showed that the response to the Stimulus B target was delayed when it required the same response hand as Stimulus A, as opposed to a different hand. Also, the target reaction time for Stimulus B was greater when the target was flanked by incompatible distractors than when it was flanked by compatible distractors. Moreover, the degree of CI was consistent across the compatible-, incompatible-, and no-distractor conditions, indicating that CI generalizes to responses associated with a target, but not to those associated with distractors. Thus, CI occurs at a response selection, not at a response activation stage. Implications for the code occupation account for CI (e.g., Stoet & Hommel, 1999, 2002) and an alternative account for CI are discussed.
Rate constants for some hydrogen abstraction reactions of the carbonate radical

Rate constants have been measured in aqueous solutions for the reactions of the carbonate radical, CO3˙−, with several saturated alcohols and one cyclic ether as a function of temperature. Arrhenius pre-exponential factors ranged from 2×108 to 1×109 mol−1 s−1 and activation energies ranged from 16 to 29 kJ mol−1. The results suggest that the reactions are not pure hydrogen abstraction, but involve an additional interaction of the radical with the OH or O linkage. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Plasma sympathin concentrations of dogs.

SummaryPlasma sympathin concentrations of dogs were reduced approximately 30% of unanesthetized values during pentobarbital anesthesia, and intravenous epinephrine rapidly disappears from the plasma, paralleling its pressor action.
Polycystin channels and kidney disease

Abstract Polycystins are a distinct family of integral membrane proteins, related by sequence and structural homology. These proteins play important roles in organ morphogenesis and function, and mutations in two of the five known members cause a common renal cystic disease. Recent data on the function of polycystins have revealed them to be Ca 2+ -permeable cation channels and putative ion-channel regulators. Their roles in the regulation of intracellular Ca 2+ concentration and in polycystic kidney disease are discussed.
Twenty-first century calibration

The global market for sales of electronic test and measurement equipment has increased in size considerably over the past 30 years and is estimated at 9000 million (US) dollars. Meanwhile, the maintenance costs industry about $2000M of which $1200M is for provision of calibration services; a market that has developed almost entirely during this period. In many world-wide markets, certification against ISO9000 has become an initial requirement of prospective suppliers. In the UK alone, 45 thousand entities have such registration in 1996 and, for some, regular calibration of their measuring equipment is a new practice driven by the standard. Yet many instrument users are unfamiliar with the intricacies of calibration and concentrate upon their core competency. Consequently, they look to other companies offering the specialist skills and resources necessary; vendors that are independently assessed against ISO9000 or, less likely, against technical competency criteria based on ISO/IEC Guide 25 (or European Norm EN45001) such as UKAS accreditation. The author discusses these developments and looks into the likely future trends in this field.
Evaluation of transgenic fish for detecting in vivo mutations

Abstract Transgenic medaka and mummichog were developed that carry multiple copies of either lambda bacteriophage, or plasmid vectors that harbor target genes (lacZ, lacI, or cII) for mutation detection. The common approach used in the three mutation assays entails exposing fish to a potential mutagen, followed by recovering the vector from the genomic DNA, and quantifying mutations in the target genes via indicator bacteria. A number of features of the fish mutation assays were evaluated related to their potential utility in genotoxicology. The vectors were recovered from transgenic fish genomic DNA with efficiencies that surpassed those of transgenic mice that carry identical vectors. The spontaneous mutation frequencies of the three target genes obtained from the fish were comparable to one another, as well as, to transgenic mice. The induction of mutations following chemical mutagen exposure indicated predictable and sensitive responses. Individual mutations were examined to provide spontaneous and induced mutational spectra. These analyses demonstrate that the fundamental requirements for mutation detection using transgenic fish have been met.
Sociolinguistics and Aphasia

Neurolinguistic studies of language processing in aphasic patients have traditionally analyzed phonology, syntax, and lexico-semantics. We report, using home interviews as a major source of speech data, preliminary sociolinguistic observations of conversations between aphasic patients, their spouses, and an investigator. Examination of illocutionary force, the conversational strategies used to maintain discourse, and the cultural integration of speech deficits shows that sociolinguistic fluency may be obtained in spite of phonological, lexico-semantic, and/or syntactic dysfunction.
Flexible Accumulation, Youth Labor and Schooling in a Rural Community in Mexico:

L'A. porte son attention sur la situation sociale de la jeunesse au Mexique. Il s'interesse plus particulierement a l'evolution du travail et de la scolarisation des jeunes dans ce pays. Il presente un certain nombre de donnees collectees entre 1971 et 1994 a San Cosme, en milieu rural. Il compare le nombre de jeunes scolarises a celui des jeunes qui exercent une activite professionnelle. Il etudie l'influence du sexe en ce domaine. Il affirme que les jeunes constituent les «nouveaux proletaires»
Dental resin composites containing ceramic whiskers and precured glass ionomer particles.

Abstract Objectives: Glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, and compomer materials are susceptible to brittle fracture and are inadequate for use in large stress-bearing posterior restorations. The aim of this study was to use ceramic single crystal whiskers to reinforce composites formulated with precured glass ionomer, and to examine the effects of whisker-to-precured glass ionomer mass ratio on mechanical properties, fluoride release, and polishability of the composites. Methods: Silica particles were fused onto silicon nitride whiskers to facilitate silanization and to improve whisker retention in the matrix. Hardened glass ionomer was ground into a fine powder, mixed with whiskers, and used as fillers for a dental resin. Four control materials were also tested: a glass ionomer, a resin-modified glass ionomer, a compomer, and a hybrid composite. A three-point flexural test was used to measure flexural strength, modulus, and work-of-fracture. A fluoride ion-selective electrode was used to measure fluoride release. Composite surfaces polished simulating clinical procedures were examined by SEM and profilometry. Results: At whisker/(whisker+precured glass ionomer) mass fractions of 1.0 and 0.91, the whisker composite had a flexural strength in MPa ( mean ( SD ); n=6) of (196 (10)) and (150 (16)), respectively, compared to (15 (7)) for glass ionomer, (39 (8)) for resin-modified glass ionomer, (89 (18)) for compomer, and (120 (16)) for hybrid composite. The whisker composite had a cumulative fluoride release of nearly 20% of that of the glass ionomer after 90 days. The whisker composites had surface roughness comparable to the hybrid resin composite. Significance: Composites filled with precured glass ionomer particles and whiskers exhibit moderate fluoride release with improved mechanical properties; the whisker-to-glass ionomer ratio is a key microstructural parameter that controls fluoride release and mechanical properties.
The Evolution of Smokey Bear: Environmental Education About Wildfire for Youth

Many environmental education programs in the United States educate youth about the prevention of wildfire and its role in ecosystems. We reviewed 50 wildfire education programs for youth (WEY) in the U.S. through an Internet search and interviews with program providers. We investigated whether they reflect current wildfire science, environmental education (EE) instructional strategies, and place-based education (PBE) approaches. We found that while one-third of the programs focus exclusively on wildfire prevention, suppression, and safety topics, one-third focuses on fire ecology, management, and science, and one-third includes all these topics, mirroring evolving scientific approaches to wildfire. Also, while state and federal agencies design and disseminate much of the curricula used, 60% of WEY programs incorporate local social and ecological contexts, revealing the close relationship between WEY and PBE.
THE OCCURRENCE OF 3-ALPHA, 21-DIHYDROXYPREGNANE, 11-20-DIONE (TETRAHYDRO COMPOUND A) IN THE SERUM OF CHILDREN

3-Alpha,17-alpha,21-trihydroxypregnane, 11-20-dione (tetrahydro compound E) has been recovered from the conjugated corticoid fraction of plasma after the oral administration of this steroid to a human subject by Bongiovanni and Eberlein (1). In addition, these same authors have presumptively identified 3-alpha, 17-alpha-21-trihydroxypregnane-20-one (tetrahydro S) in the conjugated corticoid fraction of the plasma of a patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (2). This identification was made by means of staining characteristics and the mobility during paper chromatography. The present report is the result of an attempt to identify the conjugated corticoids in human serum after the administration of corticotropin. MATERIALS AND METHODS Serum samples were obtained from children 5 to 14 years of age, two hours after the intravenous administration of 10 mg. of corticotropin (ACTH) per square meter of surface area. The injection was given within two minutes in a volume of 2–4 ml. of physiologic sodium chlor...
Generating Travelling-Salesman Problems with Known Optimal Tours

An algorithm is presented for randomly generating travelling-salesman problems (TSPs) for which the optimal tour is known. Both asymmetric and symmetric problems can be generated, with the option of having the distance matrix satisfying the triangle inequality. No limit exists to the number of nodes that can be considered, making the use of the generator attractive to those involved in the design and comparison of TSP solution approaches. Empirical testing of the generator indicates that the resultant problems are as difficult as problems generated in a completely random manner.
Cryptococcus neoformans Enters the Endolysosomal Pathway of Dendritic Cells and Is Killed by Lysosomal Components

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that primarily causes disease in immunocompromised individuals. Dendritic cells (DCs) can phagocytose C. neoformans, present cryptococcal antigen, and kill C. neoformans. However, early events following C. neoformans phagocytosis by DCs are not well defined. We hypothesized that C. neoformans traffics to the endosome and the lysosome following phagocytosis by DCs and is eventually killed in the lysosome. Murine bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) or human monocyte-derived DCs (HDCs) were incubated with live, encapsulated C. neoformans yeast cells and opsonizing antibody. Following incubation, DCs were intracellularly stained with antibodies against EEA1 (endosome) and LAMP-1 (late endosome/lysosome). As assessed by confocal microscopy, C. neoformans trafficked to endosomal compartments of DCs within 10 min and to lysosomal compartments within 30 min postincubation. For HDCs, the studies were repeated using complement-sufficient autologous plasma for the opsonization of C. neoformans. These data showed results similar to those for antibody opsonization, with C. neoformans localized to endosomes within 20 min and to lysosomes within 60 min postincubation. Additionally, the results of live real-time imaging studies demonstrated that C. neoformans entered lysosomal compartments within 20 min following the initiation of phagocytosis. The results of scanning and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated conventional zipper phagocytosis of C. neoformans by DCs. Finally, lysosomal extracts were purified from BMDCs and incubated with C. neoformans to determine their potential to kill C. neoformans. The extracts killed C. neoformans in a dose-dependent manner. This study shows that C. neoformans enters into endosomal and lysosomal pathways following DC phagocytosis and can be killed by lysosomal components.
Design and optimization of free‐fall electrostatic separators for plastics recycling

Electrostatic separation is a promising technique for separating a mix of plastics, which can acquire different sign charges through triboelectrification. A particular application of growing importance is the separation of plastics with overlapping densities from a waste stream of electronic products. Particle charging, which plays an important role in separation efficiency, has been the topic of much research. However, no systematic method has been proposed for design and optimization of the separation process itself, a gap that this research seeks to fill. The aim is to compare several design options for free-fall electrostatic separators, taking into account the distribution of the particle charge and initial position. Particle trajectory and recovery models are derived under a set of simplifying assumptions that are carefully analyzed. Optimization models are developed that trade off the strength of the electric field with the size and number of stages of the free-fall separator. Several different configurations are optimized and compared under various conditions (mean value and standard deviation of particle charges, feed rate, and product prices). Finally, a general guide is proposed for selecting an appropriate design.
The role of asymmetry in the formation of structures

Abstract Asymmetric fabrics elements abound in deformed rocks. They are best understood by revising our assumptions regarding the symmetry, homogeneity and steadiness of the stress, strain and kinematic regimes operative during tectonism. With the aid of new off-axis Mohr circle constructions, the ramifications of asymmetric tensor phenomena may be evaluated and the link between theory and observation may be strengthened. Stress in rocks is always a symmetric tensor phenomenon under conditions of equilibrium and homogeneity but it may be asymmetric in certain circumstances, resulting in the development of only one of a possible pair of symmetric conjugate structures. Deformation is generally asymmetric and is often modeled as the outcome of steady flow, whereas it may be the cumulative result of unsteady, or accelerating, flow. Polar loci of normal and shear stresses, longitudinal and shear strains, and rotations illustrate effects which may help explain natural patterns of fabric asymmetry. This theoretical treatment provides the basis for evaluating field and laboratory observations that might otherwise to considered contradictory or polydeformational.
PEROXIDASE TECHNIQUE FOR THE DETECTION OF PHOTO-CHEMICAL LESIONS IN INTRACELLULAR DNA

Recent work in our laboratory demonstrating the intracellular DNA-modifying potential of phototherapy with and without physiologic photosensitizing agents (riboflavin) has generated some concern since many carcinogens, mutagens and/or teratogens derive their activity from a similar ability to modify DNA. The purpose of the present report is to characterize this intracellular DNA-modification utilizing a technique which may prove useful in identifying photochemical changes in the genetic material of irradiated infants. Human (KB) cells, treated with phototherapy in the presence of riboflavin were exposed to rabbit anti-nucleoside antibodies. These antibodies, which react with free base residues, are capable of reacting with single stranded, denatured or partially denatured regions of the DNA. The cells were then exposed to peroxidase labelled sheep anti-rabbit antibody. Examination of the cells revealed light activated riboflavin photo-oxidation of the guanine residues. These changes were observed at wavelengths of light (450 nm) identical to those utilized in phototherapy and with a total light dosage (141 μwatts Cm2) significantly less than that received by a newborn in our nursery during a 24-hour period. Further development of this technique might prove useful in demonstrating similar changes in cells of illuminated infants and thereby permit us to intelligently define the risk-benefit ratio of phototherapy in our newborn populations.
Some cautions regarding statistical power in split-plot designs

We show that if overall sample size and effect size are held constant, the power of theF test for a one-way analysis of variance decreases dramatically as the number of groups increases. This reduction in power is even greater when the groups added to the design do not produce treatment effects. If a second independent variable is added to the design, either a split-plot or a completely randomized design may be employed. For the split-plot design, we show that the power of theF test on the betweengroups factor decreases as the correlation across the levels of the within-groups factor increases. The attenuation in between-groups power becomes more pronounced as the number of levels of the withingroups factor increases. Sample size and total cost calculations are required to determine whether the split-plot or completely randomized design is more efficient in a particular application. The outcome hinges on the cost of obtaining (or recruiting) a single subject relative to the cost of obtaining a single observation: We call this thesubject-to-observation cost (SOC) ratio. Split-plot designs are less costly than completely randomized designs only when the SOC ratio is high, the correlation across the levels of the within-groups factor is low, and the number of such levels is small.
Aortic subannular ventricular aneurysms

Subannular aneurysms of the left ventricle are rare aneurysms originating adjacent to the aortic or mitral valve. Mitral subannular aneurysms are more common and have been well described. Two cases of aortic subannular aneurysm are reported, and an additional 20 cases were found in the literature. These aneurysms are usually found in young adults who may be seen with congestive heart failure, cardiac murmurs, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, or even rupture. The aneurysms are often associated with aortic valve anomalies or subaortic stenosis. Diagnosis can be made by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization, and surgical repair is indicated.
IMPROVED IMMUNOBLOTTING METHODS PROVIDE CRITICAL INSIGHTS INTO PHENOTYPIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TWO MURINE DYSFERLINOPATHY MODELS

Introduction: We adopted a proteomics-based approach to gain insights into phenotypic differences between A/J and B10.SJL murine dysferlinopathy models. Methods :W e optimized immunoblotting of dysferlin by preparing homoge- nates of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle under several different conditions. We compared TA muscles of control, A/J, and B10.SJL mice for levels of dysferlin; dysferlin's partners MG53, annexin-A2, and caveolin-3; and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress marker CHOP. We performed immunoelectron microscopy on control rat TA muscle to determine the precise location of dysferlin. Results: RIPA (radioimmunoprecipitation assay) buffer and sonication improves immunoblotting of dysfer- lin. The ER stress marker CHOP is elevated in A/J muscle. Dysferlin is localized mostly to membranes close to the Z-disk that have been reported to be part of the Golgi, ER, and sarco- plasmic reticulum (SR) networks. Conclusions: ER stress might underlie phenotypic differences between A/J and B10.SJL mice and play a role in human dysferlinopathies. Muscle Nerve 50: 286-289, 2014 Dysferlinopathies are muscle wasting syndromes that result from mutations in the DYSF gene that
O-GlcNAcylation of kinases

Recent evidence indicates that site-specific crosstalk between O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation and the O-GlcNAcylation of kinases play an important role in regulating cell signaling. However, relatively few kinases have been analyzed for O-GlcNAcylation. Here, we identify additional kinases that are substrates for O-GlcNAcylation using an in vitro OGT assay on a functional kinase array. Forty-two kinases were O-GlcNAcylated in vitro, representing 39% of the kinases on the array. In addition, we confirmed the in vivo O-GlcNAcylation of three identified kinases. Our results suggest that O-GlcNAcylation may directly regulate a substantial number of kinases and illustrates the increasingly complex relationship between O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation in cellular signaling.
The effect of copolymer composition on the spatial structural hierarchy developed in injection molded bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) parts

Abstract The effects of copolymer composition on structure development in injection molded bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate- co -3-hydroxyvalerate)(PHBHV) parts were investigated. The increase of hydroxyvalerate co-monomer content lowers the melting temperature as it disrupts the crystalline order as a result, depth variation of melting behavior in the injection molded samples were found to depend primarily on the co monomer composition. At lower HV concentrations, the skin regions were found to exhibit a single melting peak that is also higher than those in the interior of the parts where generally bimodal melting behavior is observed. At higher HV content bimodal melting prevails throughout the injection molded parts including the skin and shear regions. This unusual behavior was attributed to the flow induced crystallization in extended chain formation at the skin and ease of inclusion of HV defects in the HB crystals that formed at slower cooling conditions in the interior creating thinner HV rich crystals with lower melting and thicker HV poor crystals with higher melting peaks. Depth profiling micro beam wide angle X-ray diffraction studies revealed that these polymers exhibit two distinct orientation behaviors depending on the distance from the surface. At the skin, invariably the chain axes are oriented along the flow direction. Beyond the transition layer located between the shear layer and core, the orientation does not disappear as expected from fast crystallizing polymers but rather preferential orientation of crystals with their a -axes along the flow direction was observed. At low HV content, the materials exhibit unusually high preferred orientation behavior throughout the thickness even for thick moldings, resembling the orientation behavior of polymers with low orientation relaxation behavior such as thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers. This is partly attributed to the unusually low injection melt temperature employed in these materials to avoid thermal degradation. The increase of HV content in the copolymers was found to change this c + a type orientation gradient across the thickness to gradual decrease of c -axis oriented crystals. This change was attributed to the decrease of crystallizability with the addition of HV and increasing melt fraction in the melt stream as the overall melting temperature decreases with the increase of HV content.
Esterase B1 Activity Variation Within and Among Insecticide Resistant, Susceptible, and Heterozygous Strains of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Amplification of the esterase B1 gene of Culex quinquefasciatus Say results in high titers of an esterase enzyme that confers resistance to organophosphate insecticides. Esterase activity of individuals was measured in samples from an organophosphate resistant strain (Tem-R), a susceptible strain (S-Lb), and their reciprocal F1 progeny. Within-strain variation, as measured by coefficients of variation, was fairly consistent between sexes within strains and among strains (average, 12%). On average, individuals from the Tem-R strain had about 120 times the esterase activity of individuals from the S-Lab strain. The mean esterase activities of the F1 strains were significantly higher than the average of the Tem-R and S-Lab strain mean esterase activities, suggesting enhanced expression of the amplified esterase B1 genes in F1 individuals. Reciprocal F1 strains did not differ significantly in esterase activity or resistance, indicating that maternal effects do not influence either of these measures in these strains. The levels of esterase activity of the strains are discussed in relation to their resistance.
GTP activator and dNTP substrates of HIV-1 restriction factor SAMHD1 generate a long-lived activated state.

The HIV-1 restriction factor sterile α-motif/histidine-aspartate domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) is a tetrameric protein that catalyzes the hydrolysis of all dNTPs to the deoxynucleoside and tripolyphosphate, which effectively depletes the dNTP substrates of HIV reverse transcriptase. Here, we establish that SAMHD1 is activated by GTP binding to guanine-specific activator sites (A1) as well as coactivation by substrate dNTP binding to a distinct set of nonspecific activator sites (A2). Combined activation by GTP and dNTPs results in a long-lived tetrameric form of SAMHD1 that persists for hours, even after activating nucleotides are withdrawn from the solution. These results reveal an ordered model for assembly of SAMHD1 tetramer from its inactive monomer and dimer forms, where GTP binding to the A1 sites generates dimer and dNTP binding to the A2 and catalytic sites generates active tetramer. Thus, cellular regulation of active SAMHD1 is not determined by GTP alone but instead, the levels of all dNTPs and the generation of a persistent tetramer that is not in equilibrium with free activators. The significance of the long-lived activated state is that SAMHD1 can remain active long after dNTP pools have been reduced to a level that would lead to inactivation. This property would be important in resting CD4+ T cells, where dNTP pools are reduced to nanomolar levels to restrict infection by HIV-1.
A STUDY OF SLENDER SHAPES OF MINIMUM DRAG USING THE NEWTON-BUSEMANN PRESSURE COEFFICIENT LAW

The problem of minimizing the drag of a slender, two-dimensional or axisymmetric body in hypersonic flow at zero angle of attack is considered under the assumption that the pressure coefficient law is Newton's impact law as modified by Busemann in order to include centripetal acceleration effects. After the condition that the pressure coefficient be nonnegative is accounted for and after arbitrary conditions are imposed on, in addition to the thickness and the length, the enclosed area and the moment of inertia of the contour in the two-dimensional case and the wetted area and the volume in the axisymmetric case, the minimal problem is formulated as a problem of the Mayer type and solved by the combined use of the Euler-Lagrange equations, the transversality condition, the Erdmann-Weierstrass corner condition, and the properties of the switching function. Particular attention is devoted to the class of problems such that, among the four quantities being considered, two are prescribed while the remaining are free. For these problems, the extremal arc is composed of two subarcs: one is characterized by a positive pressure coefficient and is called the regular shape; the other is characterized by a zero pressure coefficient and is called the free layer. In this connection, the analysis shows the existence of two different types of solutions depending on whether the thickness is given or free. If the thickness is given, the expression for the regular shape is a power law, and the transition from the regular shape to the free layer occurs in the second half of the body. In the two-dimensional case, the exponent of the power law is 1 if the length is given 3/2 if the enclosed area is given, and 3 if the moment of inertia of the contour is given; the transition point from the power body to the free layer is located at 50 percent of the length if the length is given, at 66 percent if the enclosed area is given, and at 83 percent if the moment of inertia of the contour is given. In the axisymmetric case, tne exponent of the power law is 3/4 if the length is given, 1 if the wetted area is given, and 3/2 if the volume is given; the transition point from the power body to the free layer is located at 60 percent of the length if the length is given, at 70 percent if the wetted area is given, and at 80 percent if the volume is given. On the otner hand, for problems where the thickness is free, the equation governing the regular shape is not that of a power body, and the point of transition to the free layer is located in the first half of the body. In the two-dimensional case, the transition point is at 28 percent of the length if the length and the en-
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF ARTHRITIS IN CHILDREN

Systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)1 often follows a respiratory infection and has intermittent and persistent fever greater than 103 F (39 C) accompanied by classic rheumatoid rash. These children usually have multiple joint involvement (lasting more than six continuous weeks with the cervical spine often affected). Joint findings include swelling with thickening of the synovium with or without effusion, tenderness, pain on motion, and later limitation of motion (LOM) due to contracture. Early LOM can be a prominent and helpful finding. Girls are more commonly affected than boys (2/1) and onset can be at any age of childhood. Pericarditis, when present, almost always occurs in this group with hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy.
Entwicklung von bodenkennwerten im internationalen organischen stickstoff‐dauerdüngungsversuch berlin‐dahlem nach drei fruchtfolgerotationen

Nach neun Versuchsjahren wurde im IOSDV eine Statusuntersuchung zu ausgewahlten chemischen Kennwerten des Bodens vorgenommen. Der Ct‐Gehalt der ungedungten Variante hat sich bisher auf 630 mg Ct/100 g Boden eingestellt. Bei Prufgliedern mit organischer Dungung steigt der C‐Gehalt bis auf 906 mg/100 g Boden an. Es gibt eine enge Korrelation zum heiswasserloslichen Kohlenstoffgehalt. Weitere Norg‐Werte wurden ermittelt. Die Fulvosaure‐ und Huminsaure‐C‐Gehalte der organischen Substanz folgen den Ct‐Werten. Die Unterschiede im P‐, K‐ und Mg‐Gehalt sind durch die inzwischen starkere Differenzierung im Ernteentzug gepragt. Es werden bodenbiologische Kenndaten angegeben.
Photophysics and redox properties of rylene imide and diimide dyes alkylated ortho to the imide groups.

Ruthenium-catalyzed C−H bond activation was used to directly attach phenethyl groups derived from styrene to positions ortho to the imide groups in a variety of rylene imides and diimides including naphthalene-1,8-dicarboximide (NMI), naphthalene-1,4:5,8-bis(dicarboximide) (NI), perylene-3,4-dicarboximide (PMI), perylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (PDI), and terrylene-3,4:11,12-bis(dicarboximide) (TDI). The monoimides were dialkylated, while the diimides were tetraalkylated, with the exception of NI, which could only be dialkylated due to steric hindrance. The absorption, fluorescence, transient absorption spectra, and lowest excited singlet state lifetimes of these chromophores, with the exception of NI, are nearly identical to those of their unsubstituted parent chromophores. The reduction potentials of the dialkylated chromophores are ∼100 mV more negative and oxidation potentials are ∼40 mV less positive than those of the parent compounds, while the corresponding potentials of the tetraalkylated comp...
Biomotion community-wearable human activity monitor: total knee replacement and healthy control subjects

The arrival of copious and cheap flash memory, as well as micromanufacturing techniques, permitted us to generate a pager-sized whole-body activity and knee range of motion monitor - and record these kinematics continuously at 32 Hz for two days on a single AA battery. Thus, we report here data from a healthy convenience sample of 5 males and 5 females, and 3 women and 7 men who had total knee replacements (TKR) 25/spl plusmn/4 mo previously. Prior to our project, TKRs, artificial (transfemoral) limbs, airline seats, and other ergonomic knee-motion based designs were based on simulated motion lab studies. These latter indicated that /spl les/105/spl deg/ knee flexion was sufficient to accommodate most activities; recently, however, TKR manufacturers began supplying "high flexion" knees that permit >150/spl deg/ knee flexion. Our data show that healthy Caucasian health care workers rarely employ >120/spl deg/ knee flexion, nor do Caucasians even with high flexion TKRs-even outside the lab environment.
CONCURRENT REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULES: BEHAVIOR CHANGE AND MAINTENANCE WITHOUT EXTINCTION

We evaluated the effects of concurrent schedules of reinforcement on negatively reinforced problem behavior and task completion with 3 children with autism. Results indicated that problem behavior occurred at high levels and relatively few tasks were completed when problem behavior produced a break (from tasks) and task completion produced either no consequence or a break. By contrast, problem behavior was eliminated and tasks were completed when problem behavior produced a break and task completion produced a break with access to preferred activities. Treatment gains were maintained without the use of extinction when the response requirement was increased and the schedule of reinforcement was thinned.
Role of Epigenomics in Drug Discovery and Therapies

Preclinical Research Recent studies suggest that the mammalian genome alone cannot completely explain many physiological and pathophysiological phenomena including variability in phenotypes, drug responses, discordance between monozygotic twins for the same trait or disorder, and disease susceptibility of an individual. The missing link could be epigenetic modifications of genome such as DNA methylation, numerous posttranslational modifications of histone proteins and regulation of expression of microRNAs. Epigenetic modifications are well known and are involved in normal mammalian development. They are modulated globally and in a gene-specific manner by environmental factors including nutrition, hormones, toxins, and drugs. Age also plays an important role in gene–environmental interactions. Epigenomic pathways are essential for normal cellular functions with abnormalities in their programming leading to complex disorders including psychiatric diseases. Epigenetic factors can thus serve as molecular markers to predict the responsiveness of diseases to therapy. Further knowledge of epigenomic changes and identification of factors that mediate alterations in the epigenome may lead to new drug targets and therapies. In this overview the importance of epigenomics in drug development and therapies has been highlighted.
Effect of Neutrophil Adhesion on the Mechanical Properties of Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Neutrophil adhesion to pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) initiates intracellular signaling, resulting in remodeling of F-actin cytoskeletal structure of ECs. The present study determined the mechanical properties of ECs and the changes induced by neutrophil adhesion by atomic force microscopy. The elastic moduli of ECs were compared before neutrophils were present, as soon as neutrophil adhesion was detected, and 1 minute later. ECs that were adjacent to those with adherent neutrophils were also evaluated. Neutrophil adhesion induced a decrease in the elastic moduli in the 6.25-μm rim of ECs surrounding adherent neutrophils as soon as firmly adherent neutrophils were detected, which was transient and lasted less than 1 minute. Adjacent ECs developed an increase in stiffness that was significant in the central regions of these cells. Intercellular adhesion molecule–1 crosslinking did not induce significant changes in the elastic modulus of ECs in either region, suggesting that crosslinking in...
Cystatin C and cathepsin B production by alveolar macrophages from smokers and nonsmokers.

The capacity of alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained from smokers and nonsmokers to secrete cathepsin B and its inhibitor cystatin C was examined because of the concept that an imbalance in the production of proteolytic enzymes and/or their inhibitors could be responsible for the lung damage seen in smokers. Quantitation of immunoprecipitates on Western blots showed that the amount of total cystatin C secreted into the culture medium by AM of smokers was significantly greater than the amount secreted by cells obtained from nonsmokers, whereas the difference between the amount of cathepsin B secreted by the AM of smokers and that from nonsmokers did not appear significant. The cystatin C found in the medium conditioned by AM of nonsmokers appeared to be more heterogeneous in molecular size, presenting either as a single band of about 14 Kd or as a high-molecular-weight triplet of about 69 Kd, 63 Kd, and 57.3 Kd. Furthermore, in some cases there were single or doublet bands at 14 Kd as well as the high-molecular-weight triplets. In contrast, smokers AM-conditioned medium uniformly possessed both the low-and the high-molecular-weight cystatin C. Cathepsin B was not detected in Western blots at its reported molecular weights but was identified at the exact area occupied by the higher molecular weight cystatin C, i.e., at bands corresponding to 69 Kd, 63 Kd, and 57.3 Kd. Therefore, it is clear that in culture media of AM, cystatin C and cathepsin B are present as proteinase-antiproteinase complexes. The observation also suggests that in smokers an excess of cystatin C may be elaborated, which, if further substantiated, would show for the first time a likely role for this proteinase inhibitor in vivo.
Seeing beyond the Nyquist limit

In many biological systems the primary transduction of sensory stimuli occurs in a regular array of receptors. Because of this discrete sampling it is usually assumed that the organism has no knowledge of signals beyond the Nyquist frequency. In fact, higher frequency signals are expected to mask the available lower frequency information as a result of aliasing. It has been suggested that these considerations are important in understanding, for example, the design of the receptor lattice in the mammalian fovea. We show that if the organism has knowledge of the probability distribution from which the signals are drawn, outputs from a discrete receptor array can be used to estimate signals beyond the Nyquist limit. In effect, a priori knowledge can be used to de-alias the image, and the estimated signal above the Nyquist cutoff is in fact coherent with the real signal at these high frequencies. We address initially the problem of stimulus reconstruction from a noisy receptor array responding to a Gaussian stimulus ensemble. In this case, the best reconstruction strategy is a simple linear transformation. In the more interesting (and natural) case of nongaussian stimuli, optimal reconstruction requires nonlinear operations, but the higher order correlations in the stimulus ensemble can be used to improve the estimate of super-Nyquist signals.
Photometric observations of supersoft sources in the LMC

The Magellanic Clouds are an ideal laboratory to study supersoft X-ray sources (SSS). The low-energy response of R O S A T detectors has offered an unprecedented opportunity to study the soft X-ray flux from objects with blackbody temperatures in the range k T ~ 10 100 eV. This radiation is only partially attenuated because interstellar absorption in the direction of the Clouds is low. Since the distance is known, properties of individual sources can readily be compared not only to models but also to each other. Furthermore, the LMC and SMC are sufficiently close that ground-based photometry and spectroscopy can be used to study the optical counterparts. As part of a program to identify SSS in the Clouds by their color and/or variability, U B V images of the fields of yet unidentified sources have been obtained with the 0.9-m telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. Here we report the observations for two sources in the LMC: RX J0439.8-6809 and RX J0550.0-7151.