cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review of alkenone calibrations (culture, water column, and sediments)

[1] I review the status of alkenone unsaturation parameters as proxies for growth temperature and the potential for pCO2 estimates using the carbon isotopic composition of alkenones. Culture studies allow investigators to manipulate parameters that could influence the relative proportions of C37 and C38 ketones in producing organisms and to assess the possible influence of genetic variability on the calibration of unsaturation to growth temperature. Culture studies suggest large variability in the relation of unsaturation indices to growth temperature and hint that growth rate may play a role along with temperature in controlling unsaturation. Water column studies match the unsaturation index measured in particulate matter to ambient temperature, providing a snapshot of unsaturation-temperature relationship. In comparison to culture work, assemblages of regional water column data sets give more consistent relations of the unsaturation index to temperature, although the argument can be made for regional rather than basin-wide or global calibrations. A much simpler picture emerges from analyzing a global array of core top sediments. Regressions show that the sedimentary unsaturation indices follow a linear trend that is best correlated to mean annual temperature in the upper 10 m of the overlying water column. The regression is indistinguishable from the original Prahl et al. [1988] culture calibration of the U37k′ index to growth temperature. Exceptions occur at high latitudes, where the effects of highly seasonal production and the possible influence of salinity may affect the unsaturation index in sediments. Core top analyses also fail to reveal the variability of other alkenone parameters (for example, the ratio of C37 to C38 ketones) which have been found in culture studies. Much of the variance that appears in culture and water column calibrations is thus apparently removed in sediments, perhaps by temporal averaging. The promising paleo-pCO2 approach based on the isotopic composition of alkenones awaits the arrival of a significant number of core top and stratigraphic studies that will determine the extent to which physiological factors compromise the alkenone paleobarometer.
Blue and Yellow Luminescence in ZnO Films Grown by Peroxide MBE

We observed strong shifts of the blue and yellow luminescence bands with variation of excitation intensity in ZnO films grown on sapphire by MBE using hydrogen peroxide as a source of reactive oxygen. The blue band, having a maximum in the range from 2.85 to 3.15 eV in different samples and different excitation intensities at 10 K, is attributed to diagonal transitions from the conduction band (or shallow donors) to the valence band in realm of potential fluctuations caused by random distribution of charged point defects in a compensated semiconductor. The yellow band is related to an unidentified deep acceptor.
The crystal structure of cruzain: a therapeutic target for Chagas' disease.

Abstract Trypanosoma cruzi a protozoan parasite, is the etiologic agent of American trypanosomiasis or Chagas' disease. Chagas' disease afflicts more than 24 million individuals in South and Central America producing a debilitating life-long disease. It is the leading cause of heart failure in many Latin American countries. Currently, there is no satisfactory treatment for this parasitic infection. Cruzain (also known as cruzipain, gp 57/51), the major cystine protease present in T. cruzi , is critical for the devlopment and survival of the parasite within the host cells, making this enzyme a target for potential trypanocidal drugs. Here we report the X-ray crystal structure of cruzain complexed with the potent inhibitor Z-Phe-Ala-fluoromethyl ketone. The structure was determined at 2.35 A (R cryst =0.15) by molecular replacement using a modified papain as the search model. The refined structure is compared to papain. Features which distinguish cruzain from papain are discussed since they may aid in the design of specificity inhibitors. Fluorescence microscopy shows that a biotinylated form of the bound inhibitor does not effectively reach host proteases in their lysosomal compartment, but is selectivly taken up by the parasite. The inhibitor greatly reduces parasitemia in a cell culture system, without adverse effects to mammalilan cells. This biological selectivity can be exploited, in conjuction with unique active site features revealed by the crystal structure, to develop chemotherapy for Chagas' disease.
Respiratory self-gated coronary MRI: A comparison between 2D spiral pencil beam and projection navigators

Background Respiratory self-gated navigator techniques have been introduced to directly measure the respiratory induced heart motion from a single projection data. The estimated motion is used to retrospectively eliminate the respiratory motion artifact of the acquired images[1,2]. In this study, we have implemented and evaluated a prospectively gate self-gating coronary MRI, and compared the acquired images with the ones reconstructed by the diaphragmatic navigator.
Placental changes due to administration of diethylstilbestrol (DES)

Pregnant mice were injected with 12.5 μg DES/kg body weight or 25 μg DES/kg body weight daily from gestation day 9 through day 12 or 16 and sacrificed on day 13 or 17. Placentas of DES treated animals were smaller than controls, the effect being dose dependent. Histologic changes in 13 gestation day placentas include regional thinning of the labyrinth associated with an apparent inhibition of trophoblast maturation and development of fetal blood vessels. Knots of mononuclear cells form in the labyrinthine region of 13 day placentas exposed to the higher dose of DES. By 17 days gestation, coagulative necrosis is common in the decidua basalis, being most severe in those animals receiving 25 μg DES/kg. In many placentas the labyrinthine region is absent. The only remaining elements are trophoblast cells, giant cells and glycogen-containing cells. Fetal deaths associated with the lower dose of DES increased with time whereas 100% fetal mortality was associated with the higher dose.
What Makes Civil Society Civil? The State and Social Groups

Many scholars use “civil society” to denote a realm of peaceful social organization independent from and often antagonistic to the state. The mass demonstrations that peacefully brought down Eastern European governments in the late 1980s legitimized this understanding. At the same time, however, governments were falling in less developed countries, and the social groups that emerged were decidedly uncivil. In these places competing groups preyed upon each other, which sometimes led to protracted civil wars. The view of civil society as spontaneously self-organized harmony cannot deal with these Third World cases. To better understand such developments this article proposes an alternative view of civil society, inspired in part by the writings of Kant, in which social harmony emerges after the state reduces violence and constrains predation by organized groups. The case of Somalia illustrates the usefulness of this alternative vision.
Multivariate visualization with data fusion

We discuss a fusion-based visualization method to analyze a multivariate climate dataset and its metadata. The primary difference between a conventional visualization and a fusion-based visualization is that the former draws on a single image whereas the latter draws on multiple see-through layers, which are then overlaid on each other to form the final visualization. We propose optimized colormaps to highlight subtle features that would not be shown with conventional colormaps. We present fusion techniques that integrate multiple single-purpose visualization techniques into the same viewing space. Our highly flexible fusion approach allows scientists to explore multiple parameters concurrently by mixing and matching images without frequently reconstructing new visualizations from the data for every possible combination. Although our primary visualization application is climate modeling, we show with examples that our fundamental design - fusing layers of data images for multivariate visualization - can be generalized for other information visualization applications.
Spatial analysis of the MODIS PFM channel alignment and far-field response using preresistor fix data

We present a spatial analysis for the Visible (VIS), Near Infrared (NIR), Shortwave Midwave Infrared (S/MWIR), and Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) focal planes of Moderate Resolution Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MODIS) PreFlight Model (PFM) on the Terra platform. The analysis includes focal plane detector (channel) alignment, op- tical/electronic cross-talk, and Far Field Response (FFR). The study is performed on pre-launch laboratory Point Spread Response (PSR) data, and three sets of alignment data both taken prior to August 1998. The PSR and alignment data are displayed using the Focal Plane Viewer (FPV), a software utility developed to aid in the study. Channel measurement and band summaries are presented for each focal plane. The findings for optical/electronic cross-talk are based on the PSR and the alignment data. The calculation of Ensquared Energy (EE) from the PSR data characterizes the far-held response for channel 5.
Validation of mathematical models for the prediction of organs-at-risk dosimetric metrics in high-dose-rate gynecologic interstitial brachytherapy

Purpose: Given the complicated nature of an interstitial gynecologic brachytherapy treatment plan, the use of a quantitative tool to evaluate the quality of the achieved metrics compared to clinical practice would be advantageous. For this purpose, predictive mathematical models to predict the D2cc of rectum and bladder in interstitial gynecologic brachytherapy are discussed and validated. Methods: Previous plans were used to establish the relationship between D2cc and the overlapping volume of the organ at risk with the targeted area (C0) or a 1-cm expansion of the target area (C1). Three mathematical models were evaluated: D2cc = α*C1 + β (LIN); D2cc = α – exp(–β*C0) (EXP); and a mixed approach (MIX), where both C0 and C1 were inputs of the model. The parameters of the models were optimized on a training set of patient data, and the predictive error of each model (predicted D2cc − real D2cc) was calculated on a validation set of patient data. The data of 20 patients were used to perform a K-fold cross validation analysis, with K = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 20. Results: MIX was associated with the smallest mean prediction error <6.4% for an 18-patient training set; LIN had an error <8.5%; EXP had an error <8.3%. Best case scenario analysis shows that an error ≤5% can be achieved for a ten-patient training set with MIX, an error ≤7.4% for LIN, and an error ≤6.9% for EXP. The error decreases with the increase in training set size, with the most marked decrease observed for MIX. Conclusions: The MIX model can predict the D2cc of the organs at risk with an error lower than 5% with a training set of ten patients or greater. The model can be used in the development of quality assurance tools to identify treatment plans with suboptimal sparing of the organs at risk. It can also be used to improve preplanning and in the development of real-time intraoperative planning tools.
Development of the Monoclonal Antibody Figitumumab, Targeting the Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor, for the Treatment of Patients with Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract Figitumumab (CP-751,871) is a fully human immunoglobulin G2 monoclonal antibody highly potent and specific against the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor. Figitumumab has an effective half-life of approximately 20 days, and it has been well tolerated in clinical studies when given alone or in combination with chemotherapy and targeted agents. Mild to moderate asymptomatic hyperglycemia is observed with figitumumab therapy, but it is generally manageable and well tolerated. Because of its extended half-life and absence of dose-limiting toxicity and hypersensitivity, figitumumab compares well to other compounds in its class. Furthermore, recent data suggest that figitumumab might be active in combination with platinum doublets for the treatment of chemotherapy-naive Non–Small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This article discusses the results to date of the figitumumab development program and the rationale for further testing of this agent as a therapeutic option for the treatment of patients with NSCLC.
Historical trends in tree-ring growth and chemistry across an air-quality gradient in Wisconsin

Basal-area increment and chemical composition of xylem wood were measured in three old-growth (ca. 75–100 years) white pine (Pinusstrobus L.) and three sugar maple (Acersaccharum) Marsh.) stands across a pH and SO4 gradient in precipitation in Wisconsin. In 1986 the volume-weighted mean pH and SO4 content of precipitation ranged from 4.5 to 5.0 and from 21 to 11 kg • ha−1, respectively, from southeastern to northwestern Wisconsin. With one exception (a white pine site at Point Beach in eastern Wisconsin), basal-area increment increased from the 1890s until the 1950s (sugar maple) or 1970s (white pine), then levelled off. Growth efficiency, estimated as the ratio of basal area to exposed crown area or crown volume for the 1980–1985 period, was similar for sugar maple across the gradient; however, growth efficiency of white pine was lower at Point Beach than at the two northern Wisconsin sites. Lead concentrations in xylem wood of both species have increased with time, except at Crotte Creek in northwestern...
AN INTERACTING BOSON-FERMION MODEL CALCULATION FOR THE ODD-MASS PROMETHIUM ISOTOPES

Abstract A calculation in the framework of the interacting boson-fermion model for the excitation energy and spectroscopic factors for the negative parity levels in the odd-mass promethium isotopes is presented. The parameters are compared with those obtained from an earlier calculation of the europium isotopes.
Abstract 1585: Loss of CDK5 sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to paclitaxel by enhancing intracellular retention

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC In order to improve the efficacy of paclitaxel in treatment of ovarian cancer, we have performed a kinome siRNA library screen to identify kinases that regulate paclitaxel sensitivity. CDK5 was one of kinase targets that could modulate paclitaxel sensitivity in SKOv3 cells. Unlike typical cyclin dependent kinases, CDK5 does not have a clearly defined role in the regulation of the cell cycle. CDK5 is required for the regulation of neuronal synaptic vesicular transport in the brain through phosphorylation of Munc 18, a key regulator of vesicular exocytosis. In this report, we aimed to explore the mechanisms by which CDK5 potentiate paclitaxel activity. We found that eighteen ovarian cancer cell lines expressed variable CDK5 levels measured by quantitative real time PCR and Western blotting. Basal levels of CDK5 in ovarian cancer cell lines appeared not to correlate with paclitaxel sensitivity. We used immunoprecipitation of CDK5 and in vitro kinase assays using 32P-ATP and observed that paclitaxel treatment of SKOv3 cells resulted in a profound (>20 fold) increase in CDK5 activity. Selective depletion of CDK5 using 4 individual siRNAs in SKOv3, TOV112 and DOV13 ovarian cancer cells lines resulted in a significant increase in paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity as measured by cell viability assays. In addition, loss of CDK5 resulted in a significant increase in paclitaxel-mediated induction of caspase 3/7 activation in the ovarian cancer cell lines SKOv3, ES2, OVAR429 and DOV13. Remarkably, the magnitude of sensitization was directly proportional (p<0.001) to the dose of paclitaxel used. Knockdown of CDK5 did not enhance microtubule stabilization or increase paclitaxel-induced mitotic arrest. Instead, CDK5 depletion in SKOv3 cells resulted in a significant (p<0.001) increase in retention of fluorescent-tagged paclitaxel. This effect was similar to but independent from the effect of inhibition of trans-membrane pumps using verapamil, suggesting that the two mechanisms act in parallel. Indeed, knockdown of CDK5 in combination with verapamil resulted in greater intracellular retention of paclitaxel in SKOv3 cells. Consequently, we conclude that depletion of CDK5 results in decreased paclitaxel exocytosis leading to increased cytotoxicity to ovarian cancer cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1585.
Dielectronic-recombination rates for some ions of the lithium isoelectronic sequence.

The total dielectronic-recombination rates for Ne/sup 7+/, Ar/sup 15+/, Fe/sup 23+/, and Kr/sup 33+/, all members of the lithium isoelectronic sequence, are computed in the nonrelativistic, single-configuration, LS-coupling, frozen-core, corona model approximation. Comparison is made with other calculations, and differences are noted and analyzed. Analytic formulas for interpolating the total dielectronic-recombination rates for other members of the lithium isoelectronic sequence are given.
Opinion/Education: The ABPN is the neurology resident’s best friend

The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) is in the midst of major changes in the way in which candidates are credentialed and evaluated for board certification. These changes will have a major impact on current residents-in-training. Such changes are largely driven by the desire of the ABPN to provide a certification process that is framed in fairness, validity, and reliability, and at the same time respects the problems inherent in psychologically and financially stressful oral examinations. It is essential that communication and dialogue among the ABPN, the program directors, and the residents remain a priority. The following discussion summarizes ongoing changes with regard to ABPN certification and attempts to articulate why these changes are good for the field and may be viewed with particular enthusiasm by residents-in-training. Dr. Larry Faulkner has assumed the role of Executive Vice-President of the ABPN. The ABPN is comprised of eight psychiatrists (the Psychiatry Council) and eight neurologists (the Neurology Council). Dr. Faulkner served for 8 years as a Director in Psychiatry for the ABPN, and during that time he developed close ties with the Neurology Counsel. Prior to assuming the leadership position with the ABPN, he was Dean of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, and he is familiar with most aspects of academic medicine, including those related to residency training. Dr. Faulkner brings to the APBN energy, insight, and an understanding of a great deal of practical organization. Dr. Michael Johnston is the 2007 Chair of the Neurology Council of the ABPN. He is in the final year of an 8-year term serving as a Neurology Director of the ABPN. Filling out the ranks of neurologists in order of seniority as Directors on the Board are Patricia Coyle (who becomes Chair in 2008), Bob Pascuzzi, Steven DeKosky, Michael Aminoff, …
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the management of ovarian cancer

The delivery of antineoplastic agents directly into the peritoneal cavity as a management strategy for patients with malignancies principally (or exclusively) confined to this body compartment was initially examined in the earliest days of the modern chemotherapeutic era (Weisberger et al. 1955; Green 1959; Suhrland and Weisberger 1965). The major focus of these efforts was on the control of malignant ascites formation.
Coupling of wall boiling with discrete population balance model

A coupling between a polydisperse population balance method (Multiple Size Group Model - MUSIG) and the RPI wall boiling model for nucleate subcooled boiling has been implemented in ANSYS CFX. It allows more accurate prediction of the interfacial area density for mass, momentum and energy transfer between phases in comparison to the usual local-monodisperse bubble size assumption and underlying bulk bubble diameter correlations as they are commonly used in boiling flow applications like e.g. the prediction of subcooled nucleate boiling in rod bundles and fuel assemblies of PWR. The paper outlines the methodology of the coupled CFD model, which automatically avoids possible inconsistencies in the model formulation for the heated wall, when the generated steam bubbles on the heater surface are injected exactly in the bubble size class corresponding to the predicted bubble departure diameter. The coupling of the RPI wall boiling model and the MUSIG model has been implemented for both homogenous/inhomogeneous...
Smoothened-mediated Hedgehog signalling is required for the maintenance of the anterior-posterior lineage restriction in the developing wing of Drosophila

It is thought that the posterior expression of the ‘selector’ genes engrailed and invected control the subdivision of the growing wing imaginal disc of Drosophila into anterior and posterior lineage compartments. At present, the cellular mechanisms by which separate lineage compartments are maintained are not known. Most models have assumed that the presence or absence of selector gene expression autonomously drives the expression of compartment-specific adhesion or recognition molecules that inhibit intermixing between compartments. However, our present understanding of Hedgehog signalling from posterior to anterior cells raises some interesting alternative models based on a cell9s response to signalling. We show here that anterior cells that lack smoothened, and thus the ability to receive the Hedgehog signal, no longer obey a lineage restriction in the normal position of the anterior-posterior boundary. Rather these clones extend into anatomically posterior territory, without any changes in engrailed/invected gene expression. We have also examined clones lacking both en and inv; these too show complex behaviors near the normal site of the compartment boundary, and do not always cross entirely into anatomically anterior territory. Our results suggest that compartmentalization is a complex process involving intercompartmental signalling; models based on changes in affinity or growth will be discussed.
Electric field distribution in a grating of a folded arrayed-waveguide multiplexer

We present direct measurements of the electric field distribution at the reflecting surface folding a grating of an arrayed-waveguide multiplexer. The field distribution obtained using different input channels of a device can be described by a single-Gaussian function. Grating and coupler-slab waveguide mode-field radii were determined directly. The field profile was used to model the transmission spectrum of the device. Excellent agreement was found between the measured and calculated spectra.
EFFECT OF TOTAL SOYMILK SOLIDS ON ACID PRODUCTION BY SELECTED LACTOBACILLI

Soymilk was prepared from soybeans using extraction ratios of 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, and 1:10 (dry beans:water). Total solids, protein, and carbohydrate increased when extraction ratios of soybeans to water were increased. Soymilk was fermented by Lactobacillus fermentum NRRL B-585 or Lactobacillus acidophilus NRRL B-1910 or B-2092 and evaluated as a substrate for acid production. Mean values of acid production were: NRRL B-585 7.00 to 16.15, B-1910 32.30 to 39.10, and B-2092 27.20 to 34.85 (μmole lactic acid/gram soymilk). B-1910 and B-2092 grew better than B-585, in soymilk without fortification. Effects of protein and carbohydrate contents of soymilk on acid production were different among strains of lactobacilli.
Sources of error in accuracy assessment of thematic land-cover maps in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract Valid measures of map accuracy are critical, yet can be inaccurate even when following well-established procedures. Accuracy assessment is particularly problematic when thematic classes lie along a land-cover continuum, and boundaries between classes are ambiguous. In this study, we examined error sources introduced during accuracy assessment of a regional land-cover map generated from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data in Rondonia, southwestern Brazil. In this dynamic, highly fragmented landscape, the dominant land-cover classes represent a continuum from pasture to second growth to primary forest. We used high spatial resolution, geocoded videography as a reference, and focused on second-growth forest because of its potential contribution to the regional carbon balance. To quantify subjectivity in reference data labeling, we compared reference data produced by five trained interpreters. We also quantified the impact of other error sources, including geolocation errors between the map and reference data, land-cover changes between dates of data collection, heterogeneous reference samples, and edge pixels. Interpreters disagreed on classification of almost 30% of the samples; mixed reference samples and samples located in transitional classes accounted for a majority of disagreements. Agreement on second-growth forest labels between any two interpreters averaged below 50%, while agreement on primary forest was over 90%. Greater than 30% of disagreement between map and reference data was attributed to geolocation error, and 2.4% of disagreement was attributed to change in land cover between dates. After geocorrection, 24% of remaining disagreements corresponded to reference samples with mixed land cover, and 47% corresponded to edge pixels on the classified map. These findings suggest that: (1) labels of continuous land-cover types are more subjective and variable than commonly assumed, especially for transitional classes; however, using multiple interpreters to produce the reference data classification increases reference data accuracy; and (2) validation data sets that include only non-mixed, non-edge samples are likely to result in overly optimistic accuracy estimates, not representative of the map as a whole. These results suggest that different regional estimates of second-growth extent may be inaccurate and difficult to compare.
The essential role of calcium in induction of the DSCR1 (ADAPT78) gene

Stress responses have been of great interest to biologists for many years, both as interesting phenomena in their own right, and as tools to study gene expression. Stresses such as heat shock, cold shock, oxidative stress, glucose deprivation, heavy metals, and anoxia have all been studied. We have been studying transient adaptive responses to oxidative stress, in both prokaryotes and dividing eukaryotic cells, for over 10 years [1–5]. Oxidative stress involves responses to oxidants, or to agents that cause oxidation via intracellular redox reactions. Severe oxidative stress can result in compromise of vital cell or organismal functions, or even loss of viability. The transient adaptive response model to stress involves first finding a “challenge” level of stress that will either kill a large proportion of cells, or significantly inhibit cell growth or division. Having established the degree of stress required for this cytotoxicity, new cell cultures are “pre-treated” with various low stress exposures, for various time periods, in an attempt to induce an adaptive response. The pre-treated cells are then exposed to the challenge stress level and their resistance is measured. Through much trial and error (and not a little luck) an effective pre-treatment stress level can usually be found that will induce significant short-term protection against a subsequent stress challenge: this is a transient adaptive response. Importantly, such transient adaptation must be further tested to ensure that the cells become sensitive to stress again over time (de-adaptation), to insure that mutation has not caused a permanent change in stress phenotype. In the last few years we have discovered several new oxidant stress-inducible genes, all of which provide partial protection against acute oxidative stress. These include: Adapt15, Adapt33, Adapt66, Adapt73, Adapt78, and Adapt116. All of these genes contain a calcium response element, all can be induced by calcium ionophores such as A23187 in the presence of calcium; and by other agents, such as thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid, that increase intracellular calcium concentrations. In contrast, cell-permeant calcium chelators, such as BAPTA-AM, can completely block the induction of all the ‘adapt’ genes. Of all the adapt genes, Adapt78 is the most responsive to calcium signaling. Adapt78 was simultaneously discovered by Fuentes et al. and called Down Syndrome Critical Region 1 gene, or DSCR1 (subsequently called Down Syndrome Candidate Region 1) [6,7]. Recently we have discovered
Dendritic Cell Activation and Memory Cell Development Are Impaired among Mice Administered Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Prior to Mucosal Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection

Epidemiological studies indicate that the exogenous sex steroid medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) can impair cell-mediated immunity, but mechanisms responsible for this observation are not well defined. In this study, MPA administered to mice 1 wk prior to HSV type 1 (HSV-1) infection of their corneal mucosa impaired initial expansion of viral-specific effector and memory precursor T cells and reduced the number of viral-specific memory T cells found in latently infected mice. MPA treatment also dampened expression of the costimulatory molecules CD40, CD70, and CD80 by dendritic cells (DC) in lymph nodes draining acute infection, whereas coculture of such DC with T cells from uninfected mice dramatically impaired ex vivo T cell proliferation compared with the use of DC from mice that did not receive MPA prior to HSV-1 infection. In addition, T cell expansion was comparable to that seen in untreated controls if MPA-treated mice were administered recombinant soluble CD154 (CD40L) concomitant with their mucosal infection. In contrast, the immunomodulatory effects of MPA were infection site dependent, because MPA-treated mice exhibited normal expansion of virus-specific T cells when infection was systemic rather than mucosal. Taken together, our results reveal that the administration of MPA prior to viral infection of mucosal tissue impairs DC activation, virus-specific T cell expansion, and development of virus-specific immunological memory.
Dimers of π Protein Bind the A+T-Rich Region of the R6K γ Origin near the Leading-Strand Synthesis Start Sites: Regulatory Implications

The replication of γ origin, a minimal replicon derived from plasmid R6K, is controlled by the Rep protein π. At low intracellular concentrations, π activates the γ origin, while it inhibits replication at elevated concentrations. Additionally, π acts as a transcription factor (auto)repressing its own synthesis. These varied regulatory functions depend on π binding to reiterated DNA sequences bearing a TGAGNG motif. However, π also binds to a “non-iteron” site (i.e., not TGAGNG) that resides in the A+T-rich region adjacent to the iterons. This positioning places the non-iteron site near the start sites for leading-strand synthesis that also occur in the A+T-rich region of γ origin. We have hypothesized that origin activation (at low π levels) would require the binding of π monomers to iterons, while the binding of π dimers to the non-iteron site (at high π levels) would be required to inhibit priming. Although monomers as well as dimers can bind to an iteron, we demonstrate that only dimers bind to the non-iteron site. Two additional pieces of data support the hypothesis of negative replication control by π binding to the non-iteron site. First, π binds to the non-iteron site about eight times less well than it binds to a single iteron. Second, hyperactive variants of π protein (called copy-up) either do not bind to the non-iteron site or bind to it less well than wild-type π. We propose a replication control mechanism whereby π would directly inhibit primer formation.
Monte carlo equalization for nonlinear dispersive satellite channels

Satellite channels are generally nonlinear and dispersive in nature, due to amplifiers being driven close to saturation. These effects can cause significant degradations when they are not taken into account at either the receiver (equalization) or at the transmitter (pre-distortion). State-of-the-art equalizers rely on the forward-backward algorithm and yield excellent performance. However, they have unreasonable complexity and storage requirements, especially for highly dispersive channels and/or large constellations. In this paper, we derive an equalization strategy for nonlinear channels based on Monte Carlo methods. We present a detailed performance, complexity and storage analysis. A significant performance gain compared to the linear equalizer is reported, and the proposed technique results in a significant reduction in both complexity and storage, compared to the forward-backward equalizer.
Selective attention in emotionally disturbed/behavior-disordered children.

Hagen's Central-Incidental Task was administered to 27 emotionally disturbed/behavior disordered students, ages 9 to 13 yr., and 27 normal peers. Subjects were matched on chronological age, sex, and race. There were no significant differences in performance between the handicapped group and their normal peers on three measures—central task, incidental task, and efficiency of selective attention. In addition, no significant developmental trends were observed in either group. The results questioned the assumption that students labeled as emotionally disturbed/behavior disordered have deficits in selective attention.
Sintering of Spherical Glass Powder under a Uniaxial Stress

This paper reports the sintering of spherical borosilicate glass powder (particle size 5 to 10 {mu}m) under a uniaxial stress studied at 800{degrees}C. The experiments allowed the measurement of the kinetics of densification and creep, the viscosities for creep and bulk deformation, and the sintering stress which was found to increase with density. The data show excellent qualitative agreement with Scherer's theory of viscous sintering. In addition, the quantitative comparison between theory and experiment shows good agreement; the measured viscosity of the bulk glass was {approximately} 1 {times} 10{sup 9} P ({approximately} 1 {times} 10{sup 8} Pa {center dot} s) compared to {approximately} 3 {times} 10{sup 9} P ({approximately} 3 {times} 10{sup 8} Pa {center dot} s) obtained by fitting the data with Scherer's theory.
A novel quad source/drain metal nanocrystal memory device for multibit-per-cell storage

Based on the 2-bit-per-cell metal nanocrystal memories, a novel quad source/drain device capable of 4 bits per cell data storage is demonstrated. Along with the new device structure, a reliable parallel read scheme with low V/sub DS/ is also proposed and verified for 4-bit-per-cell operations. The proposed read scheme requires 1.125 read operations on average to read out the 4 bits stored in a cell, while minimizing the read disturb and interference between the different storage bits.
Evolutionary and Functional Anatomy of the Pelvic Limb in Fossil and Recent Equidae (Perissodactyla, Mammalia)

Summary In Equidae, the limb structure adapted for fore and aft running motion first developed during late Paleocene (Hyracotherium). Since then, almost all the modifications contributed in developing a limb structure in which flexion and extension were primary movements. In Hyracotheriinae and Anchitheriinae, the hip and stifle joints were more flexed and had stronger semitendinosus muscles for fore and aft motion of the limb than in Equinae. Hyracotheriinae and Anchitheriinae had unstable hock joint and had significant intertarsal movement. In Hemphillian and earlier Equinae, the intertarsal movement was considerably reduced and in post Hemphillian Equinae it was negligible because of the presence of strong intertarsal ligaments. In the evolution of the horse the development of intertarsal ligaments, reduction of lateral digits and shortening of the astragalar neck contributed in providing the stability at the hock joint. Four types of limb structures are recognized in Equidae: (1) Hyracotheriinae, (2) Anchitheriinae, (3) Tridactyl Equinae, and (4) Monodactyl Equinae. Monodactyl tendencies appeared for the first time in Hemingfordian Parahippus (reduced metatarsals II and IV and their phalanges). The foot structure of this group is more like Equinae rather than Anchitheriinae, and is considered one of the Equinae in this paper. Early Clarendonian Pliohippus was the first equid to achieve monodactylism, but is not in the directancestry of Equus. Dinohippus became monodactyl at about the same time and has more in common with Equus (skull and dental characters) than Pliohippus.
Optimizing the performance of multi-homed networks

We present a simple and efficient method to optimize the outgoing bandwidth in a multi-homed autonomous systems (AS). This method rely on the properties of the border gateway protocol (BGP) and a simple heuristic to balance the load on all egress links. Taking advantage of the fact that only a small number of ASes are responsible for most traffic we show how the proposed technique is deployed. The results of a simulation on data collected from a real networks shows that the proposed method is promising.
A comprehensive high-level synthesis system for control-flow intensive behaviors

In this paper, we describe a comprehensive high-level synthesis system for control-flow intensive as well as data-dominated behaviors. We propose a new control-data flow graph model to preserve the parallelism inherent in the application, as well as to facilitate high-level synthesis. Our algorithm, which is based on an iterative improvement strategy, performs clock selection, scheduling, module selection, resource allocation and assignment simultaneously to fully derive the benefits of design space exploration at the behavior level. The system can be used to optimize area, power or energy, by selecting the cost function accordingly. Experimental results show that for energy-optimized designs, energy is reduced by up to 79.4% (an average of 42.2%), with an average of 24.8% area overhead, compared to area-optimized designs. For power-optimized designs, power is reduced by up to 70.8% (an average of 56.7%), with an average of 25.2% area overhead, compared to area-optimized designs. No Vdd scaling is performed to obtain the above results.
Central-place analysis and modeling of landscape-scale resource use in an East African agropastoral system

Most spatial models of grazing assume a global search; that is, the entire paddock or landscape is available to grazers. These `unconstrained' models characterize landscape patches based on absolute properties (i.e., without regard for how individual grazers are situated within them). In most of East Africa cattle are herded and must start and end each day's grazing at their enclosure. Thus, global search is not a realistic assumption. This implies that the relative location of a patch may be more important than its absolute properties because its quality depends not only on the properties of the patch itself, but also on its location relative to home and to water. Using data from 73 full-day herd follows among a group of agropastoralists in western Tanzania, I build and test an unconstrained model and compare its analytical utility and predictive power to a `central-place' model that defines the landscape relative to herders' homes (the central place) and dry season water. The central-place model provides analytical insights into the grazing system that are not apparent when using an unconstrained model, and it explains more of the variance in grazing intensity. Because many types of resources are collected around a focal point, central-place models should have wide applicability for analyzing and modeling many kinds of resource use, particularly in the developing world.
Linking pollinator visitation rate and pollen receipt.

The majority of flowering plants require animals for pollination, a critical ecosystem service in natural and agricultural systems. However, quantifying useful estimates of pollinator visitation rates can be nearly impossible when pollinator visitation is infrequent. We examined the utility of an indirect measure of pollinator visitation, namely pollen receipt by flowers, using the hummingbirdpollinated plant, Ipomopsis aggregata (Polemoniaceae). Our a priori hypothesis was that increased pollinator visitation should result in increased pollen receipt by stigmas. However, the relationship between pollinator visitation rate and pollen receipt may be misleading if pollen receipt is a function of both the number of pollinator visits and variation in pollinator efficiency at depositing pollen, especially in the context of variable floral morphology. Therefore, we measured floral and plant characters known to be important to pollinator visitation and/or pollen receipt in I. aggregata (corolla length and width and plant height) and used path analysis to dissect and compare the effect of pollinator visitation rate vs. pollinator efficiency on pollen receipt. Of the characters we measured, pollinator visitation rate (number of times plants were visited multiplied by the mean percentage of flowers probed per visit) had the strongest direct positive effect on pollen receipt, explaining 36% of the variation in pollen receipt. Plant height had a direct positive effect on pollinator visitation rate and an indirect positive effect on pollen receipt. Despite the supposition that floral characters would directly affect pollen receipt as a result of changes in pollinator efficiency, corolla length and width only weakly affected pollen receipt. These results suggest a direct positive link between pollinator visitation rate and pollen receipt across naturally varying floral morphology in I. aggregata. Understanding the relationship between pollinator visitation rate and pollen receipt may be of critical importance in systems where pollinator visitation is difficult to quantify.
Seasonal variation of picloram metabolism in broom (Gutierrezia sarothrae) and threadleaf (Gutierrezia microcephala) snakeweed populations in a common garden

Broom and threadleaf snakeweed are major rangeland weeds in the western United States, and picloram is the major herbicide used for their management. Previous work has shown that these species are most susceptible to picloram applied in autumn or when precipitation is high and that differences in herbicide absorption and tissue sensitivity as measured by picloram-induced ethylene production do not fully explain variation in seasonal response. Therefore, the role of picloram metabolism in seasonal susceptibility to picloram was examined. Because snakeweed is characterized as highly genetically variable, picloram metabolism was evaluated monthly for 3 yr among populations from two species as well. Picloram metabolism was examined monthly for 3 yr among two populations of threadleaf and nine populations of broom snakeweed grown in a common garden. Metabolism ranged from 30 to 70% of picloram applied, and picloram was converted to two metabolites more polar than picloram regardless of species or population. Although metabolism was greatest in the year with the most precipitation, rate of metabolism was unrelated to precipitation received in the 7-d period before treatment. Application timing as defined by a given month or specific phenological stage was not related to the level of metabolism. We conclude that variation in picloram metabolism is not involved in differential susceptibility across season or population.
Dipstick proteinuria as a predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in Bangladesh: A prospective cohort study.

Abstract Objective Baseline, persistent, incident, and remittent dipstick proteinuria have never been tested as predictors of mortality in an undeveloped country. The goal of this study was to determine which of these four types of proteinuria (if any) predict mortality. Methods Baseline data was collected from 2000 to 2002 in Bangladesh from 11,121 adults. Vital status was ascertained over 11–12 years. Cox models were used to evaluate proteinuria in relation to all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. CVD mortality was evaluated only in those with baseline proteinuria. Persistent, remittent, and incident proteinuria were determined at the 2-year exam. Results Baseline proteinuria of 1 + or greater was significantly associated with all-cause (hazard ratio (HR) 2.87; 95% C.I., 1.71–4.80) and CVD mortality (HR: 3.55; 95% C.I., 1.81–6.95) compared to no proteinuria, adjusted for age, gender, arsenic well water concentration, education, hypertension, BMI, smoking, and diabetes mellitus. Persistent 1 + proteinuria had a stronger risk of death, 3.49 (1.64–7.41)-fold greater, than no proteinuria. Incident 1 + proteinuria had a 1.87 (0.92–3.78)-fold greater mortality over 9–10 years. Remittent proteinuria revealed no increased mortality. Conclusions Baseline, persistent, and incident dipstick proteinuria were predictors of all-cause mortality with persistent proteinuria having the greatest risk. In developing countries, those with 1 + dipstick proteinuria, particularly if persistent, should be targeted for definitive diagnosis and treatment. The two most common causes of proteinuria to search for are diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
The exploration of subclinical psychopathic subtypes and their relationship with types of aggression in female college students

Abstract The current study used model-based cluster analysis of psychopathy factors, behavioral inhibition, behavioral activation, and anxiety to identify theory-driven subtypes in female college students. Two psychopathic-like subtypes emerged. The Primary-Traits group demonstrated, elevated Factor 1 scores, and depressed behavioral inhibition and anxiety. The Secondary-Traits group demonstrated high Factor 2 scores, anxiety, and hostile aggression but unexpected behavioral activation levels. No between-groups differences were observed on reported instrumental and reactive aggression. Subtype results are comparable to male samples, but indicate a need to reconsider theories of behavioral activation and the instrumental/hostile aggression dichotomy in women. Furthermore, hostile aggression attitudes were high in the Secondary-Traits and Anxious/Aggressive groups, highlighting the potential importance of anxiety and psychopathy in the prediction of risk in women.
Student-led courses to teach cone beam CT in the predoctoral dental curriculum.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides a new method to evaluate the craniofacial region. The goal of our project was to introduce into the predoctoral dental curriculum a student-initiated, student-led introduction to CBCT and how to use it, with minimal expenditure of financial resources. A third-year student worked with two faculty members to design a course in which a small number of third-year students would lead a small group of second-year students. The first approach involved each small group of second-year dental students discussing one clinical case in which the patient’s CBCT record was included. Representatives of each of the ten small groups presented the patient and that patient’s clinical problem (e.g., an impacted tooth) to the entire class as well as demonstrating the superiority and limitations of using CBCT in clinical dentistry. The second approach also used small-group meetings led by third-year dental students, but paired two second-year dental students as a team to present the patient’s CBCT data in the small-group setting. There were five teams each presenting a different type of patient as assessed only from the CBCT data. The first model focused on the problem (e.g., an impacted tooth), while the second model focused on how to evaluate and use CBCT scans to determine the patient’s primary problem. Based on surveys conducted at the end of each course, the majority of students felt they had gained a better understanding of CBCT.