cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Enhancement of Macrophage P-Glycoprotein Expression and Activity on Intracellular Survival During Antituberculosis Drug Treatment

Background Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Recent emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis strains seriously threatens tuberculosis control and prevention. However, the role of macrophage multidrug resistance gene MDR1 on intracellular M. tuberculosis survival during antituberculosis drug treatment is not known. Methods We used the human monocyte-derived macrophages to study the role of M. tuberculosis in regulation of MDR1 and drug resistance. Results We discovered that M. tuberculosis infection increases the expression of macrophage MDR1 to extrude various chemical substances, including tuberculosis drugs, resulting in enhanced survival of intracellular M. tuberculosis. The pathway of regulation involves M. tuberculosis infection of macrophages and suppression of heat shock factor 1, a transcriptional regulator of MDR1 through the up-regulation of miR-431. Notably, nonpathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis did not increase MDR1 expression, indicating active secretion of virulence factors in pathogenic M. tuberculosis contributing to this phenotype. Finally, inhibition of MDR1 improves antibiotic-mediated killing of M. tuberculosis. Conclusion We report a novel finding that M. tuberculosis up-regulates MDR1 during infection, which limits the exposure of M. tuberculosis to sublethal concentrations of antimicrobials. This condition promotes M. tuberculosis survival and potentially enhances the emergence of resistant variants.
Activity of the yeast cytoplasmic Hsp70 nucleotide-exchange factor Fes1 is regulated by reversible methionine oxidation

Cells employ a vast network of regulatory pathways to manage intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). An effectual means used by cells to control these regulatory systems are sulfur-based redox switches, which consist of protein cysteine or methionine residues that become transiently oxidized when intracellular ROS levels increase. Here, we describe a methionine-based oxidation event involving the yeast cytoplasmic Hsp70 co-chaperone Fes1. We show that Fes1 undergoes reversible methionine oxidation during excessively-oxidizing cellular conditions, and we map the site of this oxidation to a cluster of three methionine residues in the Fes1 core domain. Making use of recombinant proteins and a variety of in vitro assays, we establish that oxidation inhibits Fes1 activity and, correspondingly, alters Hsp70 activity. Moreover, we demonstrate in vitro and in cells that Fes1 oxidation is reversible and is regulated by the cytoplasmic methionine sulfoxide reductase Mxr1 (MsrA) and a previously unidentified cytoplasmic pool of the reductase Mxr2 (MsrB). We speculate that inactivation of Fes1 activity during excessively-oxidizing conditions may help maintain protein-folding homeostasis in a suboptimal cellular folding environment. The characterization of Fes1 oxidation during cellular stress provides a new perspective as to how the activities of the cytoplasmic Hsp70 chaperones may be attuned by fluctuations in cellular ROS levels and provides further insight into how cells use methionine-based redox switches to sense and respond to oxidative stress.
EmoD: An End-to-End Approach for Investigating Emotion Dynamics in Software Development

Emotions are an integral part of human nature. Emotion awareness is critical to any form of interpersonal communication and collaboration, including these in the software development process. Recently, the SE community starts having growing interests in emotion awareness in software development. While researchers have accomplished many valuable results, most extant research ignores the dynamic nature of emotion. To investigate the emotion dynamics, SE community needs an effective approach to capture and model emotion dynamics rather than focuses on extracting isolated emotion states. In this paper, we proposed such an approach–EmoD. EmoD is able to automatically collect project teams' communication records, identify the emotions and their intensities in them, model the emotion dynamics into time series, and provide efficient data management. We developed a prototype tool that instantiates the EmoD approach by assembling state-of-the-art NLP, SE, and time series techniques. We demonstrate the utility of the tool using the IPython's project data on GitHub and a visualization solution built on EmoD. Thus, we demonstrate that EmoD can provide end-to-end support for various emotion awareness research and practices through automated data collection, modeling, storage, analysis, and presentation.
Considering Moral Foundations Theory and the Model of Intuitive Morality and Exemplars in the context of child and adolescent development

Theorizing posits that moral judgment and reasoning stem from intuitions from at least one of six cognitive moral modules. Research has examined how media exposure influences aspects of moral devel...
p31comet and TRIP13 recycle Rev7 to regulate DNA repair.

Proteins of the HORMA domain family, named for its three founding members Hop1, Rev7, and Mad2, play key roles in a broad range of eukaryotic signaling pathways, from chromosome segregation and meiotic recombination, to DNA repair, to the initiation of autophagy (1). The HORMA domain nucleates assembly of multiprotein signaling complexes by wrapping its C-terminal “safety belt” region entirely around a short, 6- to 10-amino acid “closure motif” in a binding partner, resulting in a highly stable complex (Fig. 1 A ). While the mechanisms governing assembly of HORMA protein signaling complexes vary, many HORMA proteins share a common disassembly pathway involving two proteins, p31comet and the AAA+ ATPase TRIP13. p31comet, itself a diverged HORMA protein, specifically binds HORMA proteins in their “closed” partner-bound conformation, and recruits them to TRIP13 (2⇓–4). TRIP13 partially unfolds the HORMA domain, releasing the bound closure motif and converting the substrate HORMA protein to an inactive “open” conformation poised for rebinding (5⇓⇓⇓⇓–10). This HORMA recycling pathway was first described for the spindle assembly checkpoint protein Mad2 (11⇓–13), and has since been extended to include the meiotic recombination factor Hop1 and its relatives, collectively termed meiotic HORMADs (14⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓–20). A key question has been whether TRIP13 and p31comet regulate other HORMA protein families, including the DNA repair factor Rev7 and the autophagy regulators Atg13 and Atg101. In two recent manuscripts, Clairmont et al. (21) and Sarangi et al. (22) provide convincing evidence that TRIP13 and p31comet regulate Rev7 function in two DNA repair pathways, and that … [↵][1]1Email: kcorbett{at}ucsd.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Do Financial Markets Anticipate Corporate-Related Decisions of the United States Supreme Court?

This paper investigates stock and option market reactions to judicial events in the United States Supreme Court (SC) relating to cases where at least one party involved is a public firm. Using a comprehensive dataset of more than 500 SC cases from 1948 to 2018, we find that the stock market reacts to both the grant of certiorari and to the announcement of the final decision, suggesting that the stock market could not anticipate the SC actions. We also find that case-specific characteristics, such as parties involved, the type of legal issue, and press coverage explain some of the cross-sectional variations in the stock returns across cases. Our tests indicate that there is no information leakage prior to the events and no stock price drift after the events. Finally, we find some evidence that the option market anticipates the final decision as early as the date certiorari is granted, reinforcing the theory that smart money comes early to the option market.
Measurement of Women’s Agency in Egypt: A National Validation Study

Despite widespread assumptions about women’s empowerment and agency in the Arab Middle East, psychometric research of these constructs is limited. Using national data from 6214 married women ages 16–49 who took part in the 2006 Egypt Labor Market Panel Survey, we applied factor analysis to explore and then to test the factor structure of women’s agency. We then used multiple indicator multiple cause structural equations models to test for differential item functioning (DIF) by women’s age at first marriage, a potential resource for women’s agency. Our results confirm that women’s agency in Egypt is multi-dimensional and comprised of their (1) influence in family decisions, including those reserved for men, (2) freedom of movement in public spaces, and (3) attitudes about gender, specifically violence against wives. These dimensions confirm those explored previously in selected rural areas of Egypt and South Asia. Yet, three items showed significant uniform DIF by women’s categorical age at first marriage, with and without a control for women’s age in years. Models adjusting for DIF and women’s age in years showed that women’s older age at first marriage was positively associated with the factor means for family decision-making and gender-violence attitudes, but not freedom of movement. Our findings reveal the value of our analytical strategy for research on the dimensions and determinants of women’s agency. Our approach offers a promising model to discern “hierarchies of evidence” for social policies and programs to enhance women’s empowerment.
Why is Solidago shortii narrowly endemic and S. altissima geographically widespread? A comprehensive comparative study of biological traits

Aim and location Solidago shortii T. and G. occurs in a small area of north-central Kentucky (USA), whereas S. altissima L. is geographically widespread in North America and is naturalized in Europe, Asia and Australia. Solidago shortii grows in a variety of habitats, but primarily in rocky/shallow soil areas, and S. altissima occurs in adjacent old fields/pastures. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in the biology of these two species that might contribute to an explanation for differences in their geographical distribution and habitat. Methods Results of an extensive literature review and of original research by the authors were used in a detailed comparison of the two species. The most ecologically relevant aspects of the biology investigated were morphology, genetics, geography, life cycle, life history, reproductive biology, physiology, biotic interactions and response to disturbance. Results Although S. shortii and S. altissima are quite similar in many aspects of their biology, there are some important differences. Solidago altissima is a better competitor than S. shortii via its greater height, larger leaf area and more extensive clonal growth. On the other hand, S. shortii is a better drought-stress tolerator than S. altissima via allocation of a higher percentage of biomass to roots, higher root/shoot ratio and (seemingly) greater capacity to maintain leaf turgor (i.e. not wilt as readily) under xeric conditions. Moreover, higher seed production in S. altissima and its capacity to form a larger- and longer-lived soil seed bank than S. shortii probably contribute to differences in colonization abilities. Landscape disturbances and metapopulation dynamics are important factors in maintenance of the species population of S. shortii, and in prevention of its extinction. Main conclusions Solidago shortii probably is a relatively young species that as had insufficient time to expand its range. Furthermore, it is not well suited for migration to, or colonization of, habitats outside its range due to poor competitive and colonization abilities.
Effects of Practice with Foot- and Hand-Operated Secondary Input Devices on Performance of a Word-Processing Task

This study compared the performance of users operating a foot controlled input device (foot mouse) with that of users operating a hand controlled input device (hand trackball). Four different tasks that required (1) direct manipulation of on-screen objects and menu command activation, (2) keyboard entry and direct manipulation, (3) keyboard entry and command activation, and (4) keyboard entry, direct manipulation, and command activation were assessed. Performance on each task was measured both before and after participants practiced computing tasks with one of the devices for 750 trials. For all 4 tasks, practice improved performance with the foot mouse but not the hand trackball. However, overall performance was better with the hand trackball.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) amplicon-mediated codelivery of secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine and CD40L results in augmented antitumor activity.

Development of effective antitumor immune responses depends on timely interactions of effector cells. A bimodal approach that involves coexpression of chemokines and costimulatory molecules within the tumor bed may elaborate a more optimal antitumor response. One candidate includes secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC), which promotes the colocalization of naive, nonpolarized memory T cells and dendritic cells (DCs) within lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. CD40L-mediated DC activation could induce maturation, enhance antigen presentation, and facilitate priming of the recruited naive T cells. To this end, the antitumor activity of SLC and CD40L expressed singly or in combination using the herpes simplex virus (HSV)-derived amplicon was examined in two murine models: A20, a B-cell lymphoma, and CT-26, an adenocarcinoma. Administration of amplicons encoding SLC (HSV-SLC) into s.c. tumors established previously resulted in heavy infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and DCs, and the generation of cytolytic T-cell activity. Combined transduction of either tumor with HSV-SLC and HSV-CD40L resulted in a more enhanced antitumor activity that was CD8+ T cell-dependent than observed with either vector alone. mRNA expression of the Th1 markers IFN-gamma, perforin, and interleukin 12 was detectable only in transduced regressing tumors. In addition to identifying a potent antitumor immune strategy, we show that amplicon-mediated SLC and CD40L delivery may mimic lymph node conditions necessary for priming naive T cells within the tumor bed, and demonstrate the importance of DC activation status on antigen presentation and cytokine expression for priming of newly recruited T cells.
Monte Carlo Track-Structure Calculations for Aqueous Solutions Containing Biomolecules

Detailed Monte Carlo calculations provide a powerful tool for understanding mechanisms of radiation damage to biological molecules irradiated in aqueous solution. This paper describes the computer codes, OREC and RADLYS, which have been developed for this purpose over a number of years. Some results are given for calculations of the irradiation of pure water. Comparisons are presented between computations for liquid water and water vapor. Detailed calculations of the chemical yields of several products from X-irradiated, oxygen-free glycylglycine solutions have been performed as a function of solute concentration. Excellent agreement is obtained between calculated and measured yields. The Monte Carlo analysis provides a complete mechanistic picture of pathways to observed radiolytic products. This approach, successful with glycylglycine, will be extended to study the irradiation of oligonucleotides in aqueous solution.
Characterization and modeling of surface defects in EP3D printing

Purpose – This paper aims to report an experimental study of how surface defects evolve in EP3D printing as more layers are accumulated and proposes a simulation model for the process. Design/methodology/approach – A series of measurements on the surface roughness were taken layer-by-layer for two 30-layer samples. A model of the process was constructed based on dynamic system modeling, system identification techniques and the analysis of the measurements from the samples. Findings – The transient response of the fuser has a significant impact on the surface of the print. The surface of the EP3D printed part depends heavily on the compliance of the interface. The model developed is able to approximate the behavior of the surface as more layers are deposited. Research limitations/implications – The model requires tuning multiple parameters, especially the compliance threshold for the interface; similar experiments/measurements are needed for any change in the system. Practical implications – The simulation...
Thermal stabilization of AlGaAsGaAs power HBTs using n-AlxGa1−xAs emitter ballast resistors with high thermal coefficient of resistance

Abstract The use of n -Al x Ga 1− x As an emitter ballast layer material for AlGaAs GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) is proposed and demonstrated. A high thermal coefficient of resistance can be obtained owing to the temperature dependence of the relative populations of the conduction band Γ, L and X valleys if the Al mole fraction x of the n -Al x Ga 1 − x As ballast layer is adjusted to give the appropriate intervalley energy separation. Al 0.3 Ga 0.7 As and Al 0.35 Ga 0.65 As emitter ballast layers incorporated in HBT structures have an average thermal coefficient of resistance of about 8 × 10 −3 °C −1 , which is significantly higher than that of GaAs ballast resistances. The temperature stabilizing effect of n -Al x Ga 1− x As ballast layer is assessed by measuring the d.c. current-voltage characteristics of single-emitter finger and multi-emitter finger HBTs. Large power HBTs with integrated n -Al x Ga 1− x As ballast resistors have been fabricated and an output power of up to 10 W at 0.9 GHz has been obtained.
Paper: Parallel loops - A test suite for parallelizing compilers: Description and example results

Several multiprocessor systems are now commercially available, and advances in compiler technology provide automatic conversion of programs to run on such systems. However, no accepted measure of this parallel compiler ability exists. This paper presents a test suite of subroutines and loops, called Parallel Loops, designed to (1) measure the ability of parallelizing compilers to convert code to run in parallel and (2) determine how effectiveley parallel hardware and software work together to achieve high performance across a range of problem sizes. In addition, we present the results of compiling this suite using two commercially available parallelizing Fortran compilers, Cray and Convex.
RELATIONSHIP OF HYDROXYPROLINE SOLUBILIZED TO TENDERNESS OF BOVINE MUSCLE

Hydroxyproline assay and sensory evaluation were used to study tenderizing effects of two oven temperatures (94°, 149° C) and two end-point temperatures (70°, 80°C) on top round steaks cooked in oven film bags. Hydroxyproline solubilized during cooking ranged from 1.47-1.80%, and did not differ significantly between oven temperatures or between end-point temperatures. Sensory tenderness scores were higher (P 0.01) for steaks cooked to 70° than for steaks cooked to 80° C. With cooking at 94-80°C hydroxyproline solubilized was related to tenderness score (r = 0.77*) and shear value (r = 0.61). Time the internal temperature of steaks remained between 55° and 60°C was related to hydroxyproline solubilized (r = 0.70), tenderness score (0.86**), and softness score (0.73*).
Regulation of nitrogen fixation by Rhizobia export of fixed N2 as NH4

The metabolic fate of gaseous nitrogen (15N2) fixed by free-living cultures of Rhizobia (root nodule bacteria) induced for their N2-fixation system was followed. A majority of the fixed 15N2 was found to be exported into the cell supernatant. For example, as much as 94% of the 15N2 fixed by Rhizobium japonicum (soybean symbiont) was recovered as 15NH+4 from the cell supernatant following alkaline diffusion. Several species of root nodule bacteria also exported large quantities of NH+4 from L-histidine. Evidence is presented that overproduction and export of NH+4 by free-living Rhizobia may be closely linked to the control of several key enzymes of NH+4 assimilation. For instance, NH+4 was found to repress glutamine synthetase whereas L-glutamate repressed glutamate synthase. Assimilation of NH+4 as nitrogen source for growth of Rhizobia was inhibited by glutamate. The mechanism of regulation of NH+4 production by root nodule bacteria is discussed.
Blockade of lipopolysaccharide-induced fever by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy in guinea pigs

Abstract It is generally believed that fever is mediated by certain cytokines produced by immune cells activated by exogenous pyrogens, e.g., lipopolysaccharides (LPS), released into the circulation and transported to the brain. There, the cytokines are thought to stimulate prostaglandin (PG) E 2 production within the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis region. PGE, then may act as a febrigenic mediator locally or in the surrounding preoptic area (POA). However, whereas the increases in preoptic PGE 2 and body (core) temperature (T c ) following the intravenous (i.0 administration of LPS correlate temporally, cytokine levels in blood lag both these increases. From recent data in the literature, we have conjectured that a possible, alternative communication pathway between the i.v. LPS-activated immune system and brain PGE 2 may be provided by the vagi. To test this possibility, we measured the levels of PGE 2 in the extracellular fluid of the POA (collected by microdialysis) of conscious, subdiaphragmatically vagotomized or sham-operated guinea pigs following LPS administration (2 μg/kg; i.v.); controls received pyrogen-free saline (PFS). The effluents from the microdialysis probes were collected over 30-min periods throughout the experiments and the samples analyzed by radioimmunoassay; (T c ) was monitored continuously using thermocouples inserted 5 cm into the colon. LPS induced a biphasic fall in T c and failed to increase preoptic PGE 2 levels in the vagotomized guinea pigs ( n = 10 ), whereas in their sham-operated controls ( n = 10 ) it induced increases in both preoptic PGE 2 and (T c ) within 15 min after its injection; PFS ( n = 13 ) had no effect on either variable. We postulate that peripheral immune cell-derived signals may be transmitted via the vagi to the medulla. From other data, we suggest further that they may be conveyed from here via the ventral noradrenergic bundle to the POA region, where the released norepinephrine induces the local synthesis of PGE 2 and, hence, fever onset.
First principle calculations of two-photon absorption spectra: trans-octatetraene and trans-stilbene

An accurate prediction of two-photon absorption (TPA) spectra, especially the position and magnitude of the peak cross-section, as well as the line width, would be of value in the design of TPA molecules for specific applications. The spectrum can be calculated using the sum-over-states (SOS) formalism, which requires accurate values for the energies of the relevant electronic states and for the transition dipole moments between these states. In addition, the form of the line-width function, such as Gaussian or Lorentzian, as well as its value, must be determined. Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) has been shown to give accurate excitation energies and ground-state transition dipole moments for a wide variety of molecules. It is now possible to use this method to calculate excited-state transition dipole moments and to subsequently calculate TPA cross-sections using the SOS formalism. We report TDDFT calculations of the TPA spectra for trans-octatetraene and trans-stilbene. Gaussian functions have been used to describe the TPA line-broadening, with the width determined from experiment or previous convention. The energy levels, transition dipole moments, and TPA cross-sections calculated by this and other methods are compared to experiment and to other theoretical methods.
Derivation of extracellular polysaccharide-deficient variants from a serotype A strain of Pasteurella multocida.

The production of serotype A extracellular polysaccharide is thought to be associated with expression of an approximately 40-kDa lipoprotein (Plp-40) present on the outer surface of Pasteurella multocida strains of avian origin. The tendency of certain strains to undergo colonial dissociation concomitantly with serial passaging on laboratory growth media was exploited to derive two variant strains exhibiting the capsule-deficient phenotype from a heavily capsulated parental strain. Assessments of colonial consistency, iridescence, gentian violet binding, and hyaluronidase sensitivity were consistent with cellular observations indicating little or no capsulation of derivative strains. Fluorographic analysis of electrophoretically resolved cellular lipoproteins labeled with [3H]-palmitate revealed capsular loss occurred with a concomitant diminution of Plp-40 production in the variant strains. In contrast, a phenotypically stable strain that did not undergo colonial dissociation under identical conditions exhibited no decrease in Plp-40 content. This work provides a model system for investigating the role of extracellular polysaccharide in the cell surface physiology and pathogenicity of P. multocida. The present results strongly support the notion that Plp-40 is associated with serotype A capsular material and suggest coordinate regulation of their biosynthesis.
Characteristics of Extreme Meteorological Forcing and Water Levels in Mobile Bay, Alabama

The paper presents comprehensive statistical analyses of winds and water levels in Mobile Bay, Alabama, based on long-term meteorological and tidal observations at several locations. A procedure has been developed to select the most probable parent distribution function from a list of candidate distributions. The theoretical functions that fit the data best enable us to predict the extreme values of winds and water levels at different return periods. We have demonstrated the importance of dividing the winds into hurricane and nonhurricane seasons and separating astronomical tides from weather-driven water level changes. The statistical analysis suggests that the wind speed averaged over 8 min at Dauphin Island, Alabama, at the 100-year return period would be 48.9 m/s, which is equivalent to a sustained 1-min wind of 205 km/h, a very strong category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The probability distribution models predict that the 100-year maximum water level would be 3.23 m above the mean lower low water (MLLW) level at the bay entrance and 3.41 m above the MLLW level near the head of the bay, respectively. Extremely low water levels important to navigation are also found. Application of the predicted extreme winds and surges is illustrated through the development of a storm wave atlas in the estuary. It is expected that the methodology and results presented in this paper will benefit the management and preservation of the ecosystems and habitats in Mobile Bay.
Discretion and fairness in airport security screening

This study reports the findings of a field survey asking more than 500 passengers at a large East Coast international airport about their experiences while going through airport security. Although existing research shows that metal detectors and baggage screening can be effective in reducing the likelihood of violence at airports and on planes, the fairness of such procedures has yet to be fully examined. While all passengers must be screened, there can also be discretion in airport security regarding whether passengers receive additional screening and how they perceive they are being treated. Findings indicate differences between racial groups and treatment, with nonwhites more likely to receive additional screening, have more items confiscated, feel embarrassed, and less likely to be provided an explanation for searches. Policy recommendations are suggested.
Resource quality affects the agonistic behaviour of territorial salamanders

Abstract Previous studies suggest that territories of red-backed salamanders, Plethodon cinereus, function as exclusive feeding areas, because prey are limited in availability during rainless periods. To test this idea, males were paired in laboratory chambers under three feeding conditions: (1) termites, a high-quality food resource, (2) ants, a low-quality resource and (3) ants plus termites. Termites are a superior food because they pass through the digestive tract significantly faster and yield significantly higher digestion efficiencies than do ants. Both territorial residents and intruders showed significantly more aggressive behaviour when higher-quality food had previously been fed to the resident than when lower-quality food had been fed to the resident. These data provide evidence that P. cinereus defends feeding territories and that the quality of a territory may be a function of the value of available food resources.
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION: THE NURSING ADMINISTRATOR'S ROLE IN IMPLEMENTING A CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM

The increasing incidence of child abuse is a national disaster. One proposed intervention is prevention through a public health nurse home visitation program developed and extensively researched by David Olds. Selected components of the conceptual model of community collaboration developed by Polivka are applied to the implementation process. The role of the public health nursing administrator in collaboration, human resource management, and delegation is discussed. Language: en
CD1d-expressing breast cancer cells modulate NKT cell-mediated antitumor immunity in a murine model of breast cancer metastasis.

Background Tumor tolerance and immune suppression remain formidable obstacles to the efficacy of immunotherapies that harness the immune system to eradicate breast cancer. A novel syngeneic mouse model of breast cancer metastasis was developed in our lab to investigate mechanisms of immune regulation of breast cancer. Comparative analysis of low-metastatic vs. highly metastatic tumor cells isolated from these mice revealed several important genetic alterations related to immune control of cancer, including a significant downregulation of cd1d1 in the highly metastatic tumor cells. The cd1d1 gene in mice encodes the MHC class I-like molecule CD1d, which presents glycolipid antigens to a specialized subset of T cells known as natural killer T (NKT) cells. We hypothesize that breast cancer cells, through downregulation of CD1d and subsequent evasion of NKT-mediated antitumor immunity, gain increased potential for metastatic tumor progression.
An Investigation of Different String Coding Methods.

This study Investigates various techniques for the automatic coding of English Language strings. The strings are titles drawn from bibliographic files, but the techniques do not require any prior knowledge of the source. Variations of the techniques have also been tested and it has been shown that string abbreviation or coding based on the maximum entropy principle gives the best results. Some of the reasons for the nonuniqueness of the generated codes are presented.
Ventricular fibrillation threshold during acute ischemia in hypertrophied rat hearts.

Ventricular fibrillation threshold was significantly lower in hypertrophied hearts than in normal hearts. Ischemia produced by coronary occlusion reduced fibrillation threshold in both normal and hypertrophied hearts, but the maximum reduction in fibrillation theshold was observed earlier in hypertrophied hearts.
Event-related brain potentials to grammatical errors and semantic anomalies

Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded while subjects silently read several prose passages, presented one word at a time. Semantic anomalies and various grammatical errors had been inserted unpredictably at different serial positions within some of the sentences. The semantically inappropriate words elicited a large N400 component in the ERP, whereas the grammatical errors were associated with smaller and less consistent components that had scalp distributions different from that of the N400. This result adds to the evidence that the N400 wave is more closely related to semantic than to grammatical processing. Additional analyses revealed that different ERP configurations were elicited by open-class (“content”) and closed-class (“function”) words in these prose passages.
A detergent-citric acid technique for isolating nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions containing undegraded RNA from cells of Xenopus laevis.

Abstract A simple technique is described for fractionating cells of Xenopus laevis using Triton X-100 and citric acid. Cells are treated for 1 min with a hypotonic buffer containing 0.5% Triton X-100 and RNAase inhibitors. The cells are then disrupted by adding citric acid to a final concentration of 1% for 2 min and the nuclei are pelleted by centrifugation. The detergent-citric acid fractionation technique has been used to obtain pure nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions containing undegraded RNA from an epithelial cell line of Xenopus laevis . The procedure is very gentle, eliminates RNAase activity, and can be performed in about 5 min. The detergent-citric acid technique can be easily scaled up or down and has also been used successfully with mammalian and insect cell lines.
Immunohistochemical localization of choline acetyltransferase using a monoclonal antibody: A radioautographic method

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies to rat striatal choline acetyltransferase were produced by fusion of sensitized mouse lymphocytes with murine plasmacytoma (NS1) cells. Two stable anti-choline acetyltransferase lines were established by limiting dilution cloning. Specificity of antibody was established by the following criteria: (1) on an enzyme linked immunosorbant assay, antibodies reacted against choline acetyltransferase which was highly purified (2) by immunoprecipitation, monoclonal antibody bound to its antigen and precipitated choline acetyltransferase activity from solution, when used in conjunction with rabbit antimouse IgG (3) monoclonal antibody was shown to specifically localize cholinergic neurons. The monoclonal antibody to choline acetyltransferase was radiolabeled in culture by incubating hybridomas in medium containing3H-labeled amino acids. This3H-labeled antibody was used for radioautography on cryostat sections of rat peripheral and central nervous systems. In a sampling of areas, highly specific labeling of cholinergic structures was afforded at both light and electron microscopic levels. Double labeling of tyrosine hydroxylase, a catecholaminergic marker, and choline acetyltransferase was carried out by reacting sections first with the3H-labeled antibody to choline acetyltransferase and then with rabbit antibody to tyrosine hydroxylase. The choline acetyltransferase label was radioautographically processed and tyrosine hydroxylase was visualized by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The combined techniques of peroxidase and radioautographic histochemistry provide permanent electron dense labels which can be examined simultaneously within a single histologic section.
Measuring the Promise: A Learning-Focused Syllabus Rubric

To enrich the resources for measuring the impact of educational development work, we have created a rubric to assess the degree to which a syllabus achieves a learning orientation. The rubric provides qualitative descriptions of components that distinguish learning-focused syllabi and uses a quantitative scoring system that places syllabi on a spectrum from content-focused to learning-focused. It is flexible enough to accommodate a diverse range of levels, disciplines, institutions, and learning environments, yet nuanced enough to provide summative information to developers using the tool for assessment purposes and formative feedback to instructors interested in gauging the focus of their syllabi.
Demonstrating a correlation between the maturity of road safety practices and road safety incidents

Objective: The objective of this study is to demonstrate a correlation between the maturity of a country's road safety practices and road safety incidents.Methods: Firstly, data on a number of road injuries and fatalities for 129 countries were extracted from the United Nations Global Status on Road Safety database. These data were subdivided according to road safety incident and accident causation factors and normalized based on vehicular fleet (per 1000 vehicles) and road network (per meter of paved road). Secondly, a road safety maturity model was developed based on an adaptation of the concept of process maturity modeling. The maturity of countries with respect to 10 road safety practices was determined through the identification of indicators recorded in the United Nations Global Status of Road Safety Database. Plots of normalized road safety performance of the 129 countries against their maturity scores for each road safety practice as well as an aggregation of the road safety practices were develop...
Reduction of variation in the gasoline blending process —A case study

Abstract In an attempt to reduce the release of gasoline vapors into the atmosphere, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed restrictions on the volatility of commercial gasoline. In particular, they have set an upper specification limit on the gasoline's volatility as measured by the Reid vapor pressure (RVP). Exceeding the EPA's upper specification limit may result in a fine to the refiner. While there is no lower specification limit imposed by the EPA, lower RVP values require greater production costs. This article describes the efforts of one refiner to meet the EPA requirements with minimum economic disbenefit. Various statistical tools were used during this effort. The paper demonstrates a variety of successful SPC applications in the continuous process industry.
A series of choices variability in the development process

Software variability is "the ability of a software artifact to vary its behavior at some point in its life cycle" [12]. Almost every software artifact requires some type of variability. While variability is endemic to the creation of software it is rarely the direct focus of study. In addition, software systems have shown an increasing amount of variability in recent years. This work provides an analysis of the decisions involved in providing variability at a specific point in a product. A classification scheme and related choice model is provided that describes the decisions related to variability, making them more explicit and quantifiable.
Germany in Central America: Competitive Imperialism, 1821???1929. By Thomas Schoonover. Tuscaloosa and London: University of Alabama Press, 1998. Pp. xiii, 317. $39.95

Readers may obtain from this book an overview of Germanâ€“Central American relations, the main points of which can be summarized briefly. Germany had a significant presence in the Central American republics since the second quarter of the nineteenth century. Well before Germany's unification, they figured in German public discourse as potential areas for colonization, trade, investment, and performance of the rituals of great-power politics. First the Prussian state and then the Reich displayed a restrained concern for Central America, and engaged in competition with Britain, France, and the United States to advance the interests of German businesses and settlers. German commerce with the region rose at times to not-insignificant levels, especially when measured in terms of the total trade of individual Central American countries. Landowners, businesspeople, and professionals of German extraction have had a significant effect on the cultural and social histories of Guatemala and Costa Rica. However, at no time has Central America been of vital economic importance to Germany or at the forefront of German policy. In general, at least between the 1870s and 1929, German governments were unwilling to challenge U.S. hegemony in the area.
Thiamine derivatives bind messenger RNAs directly to regulate bacterial gene expression

Although proteins fulfil most of the requirements that biology has for structural and functional components such as enzymes and receptors, RNA can also serve in these capacities. For example, RNA has sufficient structural plasticity to form ribozyme and receptor elements that exhibit considerable enzymatic power and binding specificity. Moreover, these activities can be combined to create allosteric ribozymes that are modulated by effector molecules. It has also been proposed that certain messenger RNAs might use allosteric mechanisms to mediate regulatory responses depending on specific metabolites. We report here that mRNAs encoding enzymes involved in thiamine (vitamin B(1)) biosynthesis in Escherichia coli can bind thiamine or its pyrophosphate derivative without the need for protein cofactors. The mRNA-effector complex adopts a distinct structure that sequesters the ribosome-binding site and leads to a reduction in gene expression. This metabolite-sensing regulatory system provides an example of a 'riboswitch' whose evolutionary origin might pre-date the emergence of proteins.
Minimum Time, Maximum Effect: Introducing Parallel Computing in CS0 and STEM Outreach Activities Using Scratch

This paper presents our experiences and outcomes using Scratch to teach parallel computing concepts to students just learning about computer science. We presented versions of this material to middle school and high school girls during a STEM workshop and then to undergraduate university students enrolled in an introductory computer science course. Using the Scratch development environment, students are able to build, modify and observe the changes in the performance of applications which utilize multi-threaded, concurrent, operations. This includes scenarios which involve more advanced topics such as race conditions and mutex locks.Developing these materials has allowed us to introduce these concepts in a programming environment much earlier than we have previously, giving instructors in down-stream courses the ability to build upon this early exposure. Survey results show that this approach resulted in a significant increase in both of these areas. For example, the number of students in our CS0 course who felt they could apply parallel programming to other problems using Scratch more than doubled, rising from 25 to 55 (out of 61 students that responded to both surveys). Likewise, the number of students who felt they understood what parallel programming means rose from 27 to 56. These results were achieved after just one class period. Similarly, 27 of the 37 girls responding to the workshop survey felt that they were capable of learning to write computer programs and 22 of 41 indicated they had an interest in a job using HPC to solve problems.
Age Differences in Adults' Emotional Motivations for Exposure to Films

Participants in three age ranges (younger adults, 18–25, N = 188; middle adults, 26–49, N = 92; and older adults, 50 and over, N = 93) completed a questionnaire assessing motivations for everyday affective experiences as well as affective motivations for film viewing. In line with Arnett's (2000) view of emerging adulthood and Carstensen, Isaacowitz, and Charles's (1999) theory of socioemotional selectivity, younger adults expressed the greatest interest in experiencing negative emotions in their everyday lives, in viewing dark, creepy, or violent content, and in viewing media to escape boredom and for amusement; older adults were most interested in experiencing emotional stability and in viewing films with uplifting, heartwarming content. Results suggest that lifespan differences may help explain the allure of hedonically negative programming among some groups.
APPLICATIONS OF CASCADED QUADRATIC NONLINEARITIES TO FEMTOSECOND PULSE GENERATION

Useful nonlinear phase shifts can be produced in cascaded quadratic processes. The issues that arise in the extension of cascade nonlinearities to the femtosecond regime are outlined in this paper, and initial applications of the cascade phase shifts to femtosecond pulse generation and propagation are reviewed. The results demonstrate that the cascade phase shifts offer unique properties, and in some cases pulse-shaping techniques based on cascade nonlinearities have potential to offer substantial performance improvements over existing approaches.
Prompt non-resonant neutral beam-ion loss induced by Alfvén eigenmodes in the DIII-D tokamak

Prompt neutral beam-ion loss due to non-resonant scattering caused by toroidicity-induced and reversed shear Alfv?n eigenmodes (TAE/RSAEs) have been observed in DIII-D. The coherent losses are of full-energy beam ions born on unperturbed trapped orbits that would carry them close to a fast-ion loss detector (FILD) within one poloidal transit. However, in the presence of AEs, the particles are expelled from the plasma before completing their first poloidal orbits. The loss signals on FILD emerge within 100??s after the beam switch-on (which is the time scale of a single poloidal transit) and oscillate at mode frequencies. Time-resolved loss measurements show a linear dependence on the AE fluctuation amplitude and a radial ?kick? of ?10?cm by an n?=?2 RSAE at ?B/B???1???10?3 can be directly inferred from the measurements. Full-orbit modelling of the fast-ion displacement caused by the AEs is in good quantitative agreement with the measurements. Direct interactions of the mode and the beam-ion orbit can account for a large fraction of fast-ion losses observed in such DIII-D discharges. The first orbit non-resonant loss mechanism may also contribute to enhanced localized losses in ITER and future reactors. A new diagnostic method of the radial displacement is inspired by these findings and can be used to study the interaction between fast ions and various MHD modes as well as three-dimensional fields.
One-trial simultaneous and backward excitatory fear conditioning in rats: Lick suppression, freezing, and rearing to CS compounds and their elements

Three experiments with rat subjects sought to enhance one-trial excitatory simultaneous and backward fear conditioning by using a two-element compound conditioned stimulus (CS) instead of only a single element. During conditioning, experimental groups received a 4-sec CS either coextensively with a 1-mA grid-shock unconditioned stimulus (US) or immediately after US termination. In subsequent tests, CSs evoked more lick suppression and freezing in these groups than in various controls. Compound CSs evoked more lick suppression and freezing than did CS elements, but did so equally for experimental and control groups. Therefore, the use of compounds did not enhance conditioning. Unexpectedly, an explicitly unpaired control in which CS followed US termination by 3 min tended to show more CS-evoked suppression and freezing than did a control in which CS preceded US onset by 3 min. This result raises the possibility that associations between the CS and the training context might engender responding to backward-paired CSs.
In patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolically abnormal individuals are at a higher risk for mortality while metabolically normal individuals are not.

Abstract Background and Aim Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of chronic liver disease and is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical profile and long-term outcome in NAFLD patients with or without metabolic syndrome. Methods The initial cohort (N = 6709) was identified from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-III (NHANES III, 1988–94) data. Laboratory profiles, body measurement examinations, and mortality data were linked to self-reported questionnaires of demographic and health risk information. NAFLD was defined as significant steatosis on hepatic ultrasound after exclusion of other chronic liver diseases (N = 1448). NAFLD patients were classified according to presence or absence of metabolic syndrome. Mortality was determined through December 31, 2006. Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for all-cause, cardiovascular and liver-specific mortality differences between two sub-cohorts of NAFLD with and without metabolic syndrome. Results NAFLD participants with metabolic syndrome were more likely to be Non-Hispanic white, older, and have higher aminotransferase levels. All-cause mortality (P Conclusions Diagnosis of NAFLD with metabolic syndrome is an independent predictor of all-cause, liver-specific, and cardiovascular mortality. In contrast, mortality of metabolically-normal NAFLD patients is similar to the cohort without liver disease.