cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Double infections of cultured cells.

TOXOPLASMOSIS is a widely occurring protozoan infection of most species of animals. The causative agent, Toxoplasma gondii, is an obligate intracellular parasite. In general, the natural infection is clinically inapparent, but occasionally it is severe, and sometimes fatal. Toxoplasma infections have been observed in animals, and in human beings with concurrent viral disease. Canine distemper and toxoplasmosis quite frequently complicate each other, and it has been suggested that the virus disease activates the latent protozoan infection1. Patients have been reported to have toxoplasmosis concomitant with herpetic pneumonia2 and with cytomegalic inclusion disease3.
Topical chemotherapy of actinic keratoses of the upper extremity with tretinoin and 5-fluorouracil: a double-blind controlled study

In a randomized double-blind controlled study, 19 patients applied 5% 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) cream to actinic keratoses (AK) on each arm twice daily, followed by nightly application of 0.05% tretinoin cream to one arm, and a control cream to the other arm until discomfort precluded further applications. After 3 months, the number of residual AK was compared to pre-treatment values. The tretinoin-treated arms had 15.7 +/- 6.1 AK before treatment and 3.4 +/- 2.6 AK following therapy. The control arms had 15.3 +/- 6.9 AK before therapy and 4.2 +/- 2.5 lesions afterwards. Using a one-tailed paired t-test, the difference in response was statistically significant (0.03 less than P less than 0.04). It was concluded that daily application of 0.05% tretinoin cream appeared to enhance the efficacy of topical 5-FU in destruction of AK of the arms and may represent a useful treatment modality.
TRMM precipitation radar helps address problems of ground‐based weather radar systems

The launch of the first spaceborne precipitation radar (PR) aboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite provides a unique opportunity to address the ground-based weather radar system's calibration problem. The PR measures the same variable as ground-based systems—radar reflectivity— and is proven to be consistent with respect to calibration accuracy. PR calibration tests, conducted by the Space Agency of Japan (NASDA) using an active radar calibration system [Kumagai et al, 1995] located in Japan, have shown calibration stability within ±0.8 dBZ [Kozu et al, in press, 2000]. A fundamental error source in the measurement of precipitation by radar is the inaccurate definition of the radar calibration constant, which obviously affects the interpretation of radar measurements. This has become an emerging issue, as weather radar is used worldwide for applications ranging from hydrological to climatic. Typically radar systems use internally generated test signals to monitor variations of the radar system's parameters associated with temperature changes in the radar electronics. However, calibration drifts may occur due to gradual degradation of the system's performance. During these times, external calibration using either metal spheres or active sources of radiation required.
Mapping hypoxia-induced bioenergetic rearrangements and metabolic signaling by 18O-assisted 31P NMR and 1H NMR spectroscopy.

Brief hypoxia or ischemia perturbs energy metabolism inducing paradoxically a stress-tolerant state, yet metabolic signals that trigger cytoprotection remain poorly understood. To evaluate bioenergetic rearrangements, control and hypoxic hearts were analyzed with 18O-assisted 31P NMR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The 18O-induced isotope shift in the 31P NMR spectrum of CrP, βADP and βATP was used to quantify phosphotransfer fluxes through creatine kinase and adenylate kinase. This analysis was supplemented with determination of energetically relevant metabolites in the phosphomonoester (PME) region of 31P NMR spectra, and in both aromatic and aliphatic regions of 1H NMR spectra. In control conditions, creatine kinase was the major phosphotransfer pathway processing high-energy phosphoryls between sites of ATP consumption and ATP production. In hypoxia, creatine kinase flux was dramatically reduced with a compensatory increase in adenylate kinase flux, which supported heart energetics by regenerating and transferring β- and γ-phosphoryls of ATP. Activation of adenylate kinase led to a build-up of AMP, IMP and adenosine, molecules involved in cardioprotective signaling. 31P and 1H NMR spectral analysis further revealed NADH and H+ scavenging by α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (αGPDH) and lactate dehydrogenase contributing to maintained glycolysis under hypoxia. Hypoxia-induced accumulation of α-glycerophosphate and nucleoside 5′-monophosphates, through αGPDH and adenylate kinase reactions, respectively, was mapped within the increased PME signal in the 31P NMR spectrum. Thus, 18O-assisted 31P NMR combined with 1H NMR provide a powerful approach in capturing rearrangements in cardiac bioenergetics, and associated metabolic signaling that underlie the cardiac adaptive response to stress.
Tilted Epitaxial ZnO Nanospears on Si(001) by Chemical Bath Deposition

We show that epitaxial ZnO nanospears can be deposited onto degenerate p-type Si(001) from an alkaline supersaturated solution of Zn(II) at 70 °C using chemical bath deposition. The lattice mismatch between the hexagonal ZnO and diamond cubic Si is reduced from −40.16% for an un-tilted structure to −0.25% in the ZnO[1210] direction and −0.99% in ZnO[2576] direction by tilting the nanospears 51° relative to the surface normal. The tilted nanostructure brings the (2023) planes of ZnO into coincidence with the (001) planes of Si.
Dynamics of nitrogen and phosphorus retention during wetland ecosystem succession

We compared the mechanisms of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal in four young (<15 years old) constructed estuarine marshes with paired mature natural marshes to determine how nutrient retention changes during wetland ecosystem succession. In constructed wetlands, N retention begins as soon as emergent vegetation becomes established and soil organic matter starts to accumulate, which is usually within the first 1–3 years. Accumulation of organic carbon in the soil sets the stage for denitrification which, after 5–10 years, removes approximately the same amount of N as accumulating organic matter, 5–10 g/m2/yr each, under conditions of low N loadings. Under high N loadings, the amount of N stored in accumulating organic matter doubles while N removal from denitrification may increase by an order of magnitude or more. Both organic N accumulation and denitrification provide for long-term reliable N removal regardless of N loading rates. Phosphorus removal, on the other hand, is greatest during the first 1–3 years of succession when sediment deposition and sorption/precipitation of P are greatest. During this time, constructed marshes may retain from 3 g P/m2/yr under low P loadings to as much as 30 g P/m2/yr under high loadings. However, as sedimentation decreases and sorption sites become saturated, P retention decreases to levels supported by organic P accumulation (1–2 g P/m2/yr) and sorption/precipitation with incoming aqueous and particulate Fe, Al and Ca. Phosphorus cycling in wetlands differs from forest and other terrestrial ecosystems in that conservation of P is greatest during the early years of succession, not during the middle or late stages. Conservation of P by wetlands is largely regulated by geochemical processes (sorption, precipitation) which operate independently of succession. In contrast, the conservation of N is controlled by biological processes (organic matter accumulation, denitrification) that change as succession proceeds.
How to measure identity: Austrian national consciousness in the mirror of public opinion

In the post‐war decades, Austrian national identity underwent a marked transformation. Increasingly, the wider German sense of self that traditionally predominated among German‐speaking Austrians lost ground to an exclusively Austrian one. This article analyzes quantifiable expressions of public identity to explore the extent of the changes in the Austrian sense of self. It does not develop a comprehensive picture of Austrian nation‐formation, but focuses distinctly on public perceptions of Austrian nationhood and on the internal tensions and contradictions they contain. The article examines the reflection of elite discourse in popular notions of identity and illuminates the difficulties that surround the measuring of contested identities.
OWL-S based autonomic services for grid computing

Recent advances in the distributed computing infrastructure like Web, grid, and pervasive computing environment accompany demands for a more powerful and autonomous service framework. We believe it is feasible to achieve service discovery and matching in an automated manner and perform the service execution not in restricted environments. For the purpose, we developed an autonomous service framework, called ASF, which allows autonomous service to be published, discovered and executed in distributed environments based on the autonomous service specification, extension of the Web service ontology (OWL-S) to incorporate physical/logical resources and resource policy.
How Was Early Earth Kept Warm

Why do some gases cause greenhouse warming, whereas others do not? H2O is a greenhouse gas because it has a permanent electric dipole moment (a charge separation within the molecule) that allows it to interact strongly with electromagnetic radiation. CO2 also has an electric dipole moment, but it has to bend or stretch asymmetrically to create it, because, unlike H2O, it is a linear molecule. N2 and O2 are not normally considered to be greenhouse gases, because these symmetric, diatomic molecules have no electric dipole moment and cannot bend or stretch to create one. But as Wordsworth and Pierrehumbert show on page 64 of this issue ( 1 ), N2 and molecular hydrogen (H2) can be greenhouse gases under the right conditions; H2 may have been important for Earth's Archean climate (before 2.5 billion years ago).
Quasi-periodic X-Ray Brightness Oscillations of GRO J1744-28

The newly discovered source GRO J1744-28 is remarkable in many respects. It is a low-mass X-ray binary system that shows 2.1 Hz coherent pulsations. It also produces type II X-ray bursts similar to those seen in the Rapid Burster. In this Letter we report results from a series of observations with the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) during which GRO J1744-28 showed quasi-periodic X-ray brightness oscillations (QPOs) at 20, 40, and 60 Hz. Their fractional rms amplitudes are 0.19%, 5.9%, and 0.42%, respectively. The QPO centroid frequency and its rms amplitude as a function of source brightness in the band of 2-60 keV indicate that these QPOs are of a different kind from the beat-frequency QPOs that have been observed among Z sources as well as X-ray pulsars. We discuss possible interpretations of these QPOs in the context of neutron star g-mode oscillations and photon bubble oscillations.
Complex Predicates and Logics for Properties and Relations

In this paper I present a formal language in which complex predicates stand for properties and relations, and assignments of denotations to complex predicates and assignments of extensions to the properties and relations they denote are both homomorphisms. This system affords a fresh perspective on several important philosophical topics, highlighting the algebraic features of properties and clarifying the sense in which properties can be represented by their extensions. It also suggests a natural modification of current logics of properties, one in which some complex predicates stand for properties while others do not.
The molecular evolutionary dynamics of the vomeronasal receptor (class 1) genes in primates: a gene family on the verge of a functional breakdown.

Olfaction plays a critical role in both survival of the individual and in the propagation of species. Studies from across the mammalian clade have found a remarkable correlation between organismal lifestyle and molecular evolutionary properties of receptor genes in both the main olfactory system (MOS) and the vomeronasal system (VNS). When a large proportion of intact (and putatively functional) copies is observed, the inference is made that a particular mode of chemoreception is critical for an organism’s fit to its environment and is thus under strong positive selection. Conversely, when the receptors in question show a disproportionately large number of pseudogene copies, this contraction is interpreted as evidence of relaxed selection potentially leading to gene family extinction. Notably, it appears that a risk factor for gene family extinction is a high rate of nonsynonymous substitution. A survey of intact vs. pseudogene copies among primate vomeronasal receptor Class one genes (V1Rs) appears to substantiate this hypothesis. Molecular evolutionary complexities in the V1R gene family combine rapid rates of gene duplication, gene conversion, lineage-specific expansions, deletions, and/or pseudogenization. An intricate mix of phylogenetic footprints and current adaptive landscapes have left their mark on primate V1Rs suggesting that the primate clade offers an ideal model system for exploring the molecular evolutionary and functional properties of the VNS of mammals. Primate V1Rs tell a story of ancestral function and divergent selection as species have moved into ever diversifying adaptive regimes. The sensitivity to functional collapse in these genes, consequent to their precariously high rates of nonsynonymous substitution, confer a remarkable capacity to reveal the lifestyles of the genomes that they presently occupy as well as those of their ancestors.
Biliary sludge and acute pancreatitis during pregnancy

Background A 34-year-old Hispanic woman at 34 weeks' gestation presented with upper-abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting of 1 day's duration. She had no active medical problems and had undergone two prior Caesarean sections. Laboratory tests revealed elevated serum amylase and lipase levels. Ultrasonography demonstrated gallbladder sludge without gallstones, gallbladder wall thickening, or bile-duct dilatation. Investigations Physical examination and laboratory tests of serum amylase, lipase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and transaminase levels. Abdominal ultrasonography. Diagnosis Biliary sludge and acute pancreatitis. Management The patient was managed conservatively with narcotic pain control, intravenous hydration, nutritional support, and fetal monitoring. She subsequently underwent an uncomplicated Caesarean section. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed 8 weeks postpartum.
Loss of Sodium from Crystallized Comendite Welded Tuffs of the Miocene Grouse Canyon Member of the Belted Range Tuff, Nevada

The Grouse Canyon Member of the upper Miocene Belted Range Tuff, southern Nevada, is an areally extensive ash-flow sheet of comenditic composition. Most rocks of the unit are densely welded and exhibit primary groundmass crystallization. Aphyric nonhydrated glassy tuff from the basal glassy zone of the sheet contains 5.35 to 5.40 weight percent Na2O. Aphyric to phenocryst-poor granophyrically crystalized and devitrified tuff from the lower part of the ash-flow sheet, which otherwise is chemically very similar to the glassy tuff, contains 4.1 to 5.1, median 4.75, weight percent Na2O. The crystallized tuff undoubtedly lost sodium during or shortly after crystallization and cooling. The loss is a direct result of the peralkaline character of the parent melt: not enough Al and Fe was available to combine with all the Na, K, and Ca present in the glass to form feldspar, pyroxene, and amphibole. Crystallized comendites, pantellerites, and “alkali granites” almost invariably have significantly lower Na2O contents than do comendite and pantellerite glasses that are otherwise chemically comparable. Loss of sodium appears to be a general feature of the final stages of crystallization of moderately and highly peralkalinc silicic melts.
Methacholine-induced airway hyper-reactivity phenotypes.

Objective. The incorporation of airways conductance/resistance is a rare feature in clinical methacholine challenge test (MCT) protocols, and the majority of pulmonary laboratories rely solely on the spirometric parameters. The importance and interpretation of an MCT demonstrating a significant decline in specific airway conductance specific airway conductance (sGaw), but not forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), remains undefined. This study sought to elucidate the clinical and physiologic phenotypes of individuals with a ≥40% sGaw decline but <20% FEV1 change. Methods. All subjects completed the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), followed by standard MCT, with measurements of sGaw and an additional independent measurement of resistance and reactance by impulse oscillation system (IOS) before and after MCT. Results. Of 201 subjects, 47(23.4%) were in Group 1 (FEV1 declined by ≥20%), 45(22.4%) were in Group 2 (non-significant FEV1 drop, sGaw declined ≥40%), and 109(54.2%) were in Group ...
TrustQ: a category reputation based question and answer system

Question and Answering (Q/A) systems aggregate the collected intelligence of all users to provide satisfying answers for questions. A well-developed Q/A system should provide high question response rate, low response delay and good answer quality. Previous works use reputation systems to achieve the goals. However, these reputation systems evaluate a user with an overall rating for all questions the user has answered regardless of the question categories, thus the reputation score cannot accurately reflect the user's ability to answer a question in a specific category. In this paper, we propose TtustQ, a category reputation based Q/A System. TtustQ evaluates users' willingness and capability to answer questions in different categories. Considering a user has different willingness to answer questions from different users, TtustQ lets each node evaluate the reputation of other nodes answering its own questions. User a calculates user b 's final reputation by considering both user a 's direct rating and the indirect ratings on user b from other nodes. The reputation values facilitate forwarding a question to potential answerers, which improves the question response rate, response delay and answer quality. Our trace-driven simulation on PeerSim demonstrates the effectiveness of TtustQ in providing good user experience in terms of response rate and latency, and the answer quality.
Inhibition of neointimal cell bcl-x expression induces apoptosis and regression of vascular disease

We postulated that activation of a genetic program that tonically inhibits intimal cell death is a necessary condition for the pathogenesis of vascular disease. Studies of vascular lesions in humans and animal models documented increased expression of the anti-apoptotic gene product Bcl-xL within intimal cells. Downregulation of intimal cell bcl-xL expression with the use of antisense oligonucleotides induced apoptosis and acute regression of vascular lesions. These findings indicate that apoptosis regulatory genes such as bcl-xL are critical determinants of intimal lesion formation and that targeted apoptosis may be a novel therapy for intimal vascular disease.
Generation of cDNA clones of the bacteriophage φ6 segmented dsRNA genome: Characterization and expression of L segment clones

Abstract Bacteriophage φ6 has three dsRNA genome segments of about 3.0, 4.0, and 6.4 kbp. More than 90% of the segmented φ6 dsRNA genome has been cloned as subchromosomal eDNA fragments, generated by reverse transcription of denatured polyadenylated dsRNA, RNA removal, annealing, filling, size fractionation, tailing, and insertion at the PstI site of pBR322. All of the large (L) segment is represented by five overlapping fragments, 98% of the small (S) segment is present in three fragments, and 67% of the medium (M) segment is contained in two fragments. Fragments have been aligned in linear arrays by Southern blot hybridization and restriction enzyme analysis. The orientation of the ordered fragments with respect to genomic RNA and φ6 transcriptional direction was determined by comparison of terminal DNA sequences with RNA sequences at the genomic ends of φ6 RNA. Expression of L segment clones using both Escherichia coli minicells and T7 polymerase/promoter vectors indicate that the order of known φ6 genes on the large chromosome is: 5′ … gene 7, gene 2, gene 4, gene 1 … 3′. cDNA complementation of a ts mutant, ts411, has located this mutation in gene 4.
Macroporous materials-electrochemically grown photonic crystals

Colloidal crystallization has been explored for several years as a fabrication method for photonic crystals. While macroporous materials grown with silica or polymer colloids might exhibit pleasing opalescence, truly novel photonic behavior such as photonic band-gaps, is expected only for very high index of refraction contrast systems. This can possibly be achieved through electrodeposition of semiconductors, polymers, or metals in the interstitial space of self-assembled colloids.
Enterprise zones and local employment: evidence from the states’ programs

Abstract Many states respond to deteriorating economic conditions in their inner cities and rural communities by establishing geographically targeted tax incentives. In this paper, we examine the impact of several of these Enterprise Zone (EZ) programs on local employment. The results show that the EZ programs do not have a significant impact on local employment. Program impact does not depend on the monetary amount of the incentives and or on specific features of program design. These conclusions are constant across two econometric approaches to controlling for the non-random placement of zones and stand up to a wide variety of sensitivity analyses.
The evolution mechanism of the dislocation loops in irradiated lanthanum doped cerium oxide

Abstract Cerium dioxide, a non-radioactive surrogate of uranium dioxide, is useful for simulating the radiation responses of uranium dioxide and mixed oxide fuel (MOX). Controlled additions of lanthanum can also be used to form various levels of lattice oxide or anion vacancies. In previous transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experimental studies, the growth rate of dislocation loops in irradiated lanthanum doped ceria was reported to vary with lanthanum concentration. This work reports findings of the evolution mechanisms of the dislocation loops in cerium oxide with and without lanthanum dopants based on a combination of molecular statics and molecular dynamics simulations. These dislocation loops are found to be b = 1 / 3 〈 1 1 1 〉 interstitial type Frank loops. Calculations of the defect energy profiles of the dislocation loops with different structural configurations and radii reveal the basis for preference of nucleation as well as the driving force of growth. Frenkel pair evolution simulations and displacement cascade overlaps simulations were conducted for a variety of lanthanum doping conditions. The nucleation and growth processes of the Frank loop were found to be controlled by the mobility of cation interstitials, which is significantly influenced by the lanthanum doping concentration. Competition mechanisms coupled with the mobility of cation point defects were discovered, and can be used to explain the lanthanum effects observed in experiments.
Studies on the preparation and analysis of glyceryl ether derivatives and the isolation and reductive ozonolysis of unsaturated glyceryl ethers

Glyceryl ethers were identified and quantified by the GLC analysis of their alkyl iodide (special conditions described), acetonide and allyl alkyl ether derivatives. The acetoxy-mercuri-methoxy derivatives of unsaturated glyceryl ether swere separated from saturated glyceryl ethers by TLC and the fractions were analyzed as alkyl iodides. Monoiodides from saturated glyceryl ethers and diiodides from unsaturated glyceryl ethers were also separated by TLC and then analyzed. Allyl alkyl ethers had small retention volumes and these derivatives were separated into pure fractions by preparative GLC. Ozonides were reduced either to alcohols with lithium aluminum hydrodie or to aldehydes with dimethyl sulfide. The alcohols were converted to mono- and diiodides which were separated by TLC and analyzed by GLC. The recovery of n-C6 and n-C7 monoiodides was not quantitative. Diiodides and aldehydes were both identified and quantified by GLC. Ozonolysis data suggest that the 16∶1 glyceryl ethers from dogfish liver oil contain 7,8 and 9,10 isomers and the 18∶1 glyceryl ethers contain 9,10 and 11,12 isomers.
Distinct Populations of Primary and Secondary Effectors During RNAi in C. elegans

RNA interference (RNAi) is a phylogenetically widespread gene-silencing process triggered by double-stranded RNA. In plants and Caenorhabditis elegans, two distinct populations of small RNAs have been proposed to participate in RNAi: "Primary siRNAs" (derived from DICER nuclease-mediated cleavage of the original trigger) and "secondary siRNAs" [additional small RNAs whose synthesis requires an RNA-directed RNA polymerase (RdRP)]. Analyzing small RNAs associated with ongoing RNAi in C. elegans, we found that secondary siRNAs constitute the vast majority. The bulk of secondary siRNAs exhibited structure and sequence indicative of a biosynthetic mode whereby each molecule derives from an independent de novo initiation by RdRP. Analysis of endogenous small RNAs indicated that a fraction derive from a biosynthetic mechanism that is similar to that of secondary siRNAs formed during RNAi, suggesting that small antisense transcripts derived from cellular messenger RNAs by RdRP activity may have key roles in cellular regulation.
Enhancement of peptide coupling to hydroxyapatite and implant osseointegration through collagen mimetic peptide modified with a polyglutamate domain

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a widely-used biomaterial for bone repair due to its high degree of osteoconductivity. However, strategies for improving HA performance by functionalizing surfaces with bioactive factors are limited. In this study, we explored the use of a HA-binding domain (heptaglutamate, "E7") to facilitate coupling of the collagen mimetic peptide, DGEA, to two types of HA-containing materials, solid HA disks and electrospun polycaprolactone matrices incorporating nanoparticulate HA. We found that the E7 domain directed significantly more peptide to the surface of HA and enhanced peptide retention on both materials in vitro. Moreover, E7-modified peptides were retained in vivo for at least two months, highlighting the potential of this mechanism as a sustained delivery system for bioactive peptides. Most importantly, E7-DGEA-coupled HA, as compared with DGEA-HA, enhanced the adhesion and osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, and also increased new bone formation and direct bone-implant contact on HA disks implanted into rat tibiae. Collectively, these results support the use of E7-DGEA peptides to promote osteogenesis on HA substrates, and further suggest that the E7 domain can serve as a universal tool for anchoring a wide variety of bone regenerative molecules to any type of HA-containing material.
Organizational Learning: A Review of the Literature with Implications for HRD Professionals.

Organizational learning refers to learning at the system rather than individual level. The changing nature of work, global competitive challenges, and everpresent change require that human resource professionals focus on this higher level of learning. The literature on organizational learning can be classified into five areas: information acquisition, information distribution and interpretation, making meaning, organizational memory, and information retrieval. Each has special implications for the role of HRD professionals as learning facilitators.
Increasing the Ratio of PP2A Core Enzyme to Holoenzyme Inhibits Tat-Stimulated HIV-1 Transcription and Virus Production☆

Abstract We demonstrated previously that PP2A exists in many cell types as two abundant forms: (1) holoenzyme composed of two regulatory subunits, A and B, and a catalytic subunit C; and (2) core enzyme consisting of the A and C subunits. These two forms have different substrate specificities. Since published data suggested that HIV-1 transcription may be regulated by a cellular protein phosphatase, it was of interest to determine whether changing the ratio between PP2A core and holoenzyme affects HIV-1 gene expression. This question was addressed by expression in COS cells of an N-terminal mutant of the A subunit, AΔ5, which binds the C but not the B subunit. This resulted in an increase in the amount of core enzyme and a decrease in the amount of holoenzyme concomitant with the expected change in phosphatase activity. Tat-stimulated transcription from the HIV-1 LTR was inhibited 5-fold by mutant AΔ5, whereas mRNA synthesis directed by the actin promoter was not affected. Furthermore, virus production in COS, HeLa, and Jurkat T cells was inhibited 45-, 5-, and 3-fold, respectively, by mutant AΔ5. These results demonstrate that the balance between PP2A holoenzyme and core enzyme is important for HIV-1 gene expression and virus production.
Biomechanical analysis of a volar variable-angle locking plate: the effect of capturing a distal radial styloid fragment.

Purpose Variable-angle volar locked constructs for distal radius fractures are a recent treatment addition. This study sought to biomechanically evaluate a variable-angle volar locking plate as compared with a fixed-angle construct. Methods We created 2 different AO-C3 osteotomies in fourth-generation synthetic composite distal radiuses and labeled them proximal and distal. The distal osteotomy consisted of a smaller radial styloid fragment. We then fixed both sets of specimens with either a fixed-angle or variable-angle volar locking construct. We tested samples in axial compression with regard to cyclical loading and load to failure. Articular stepoff, stiffness, and load to failure data were then analyzed. Results Neither the proximal nor the distal osteotomy groups showed articular failure after cyclic loading, significant loss of stiffness over cycling, or superior stiffness compared with the other. After load to failure in the proximal osteotomy, 1 of 8 fixed-angle and none of 8 variable-angle constructs had articular failure, whereas in the distal osteotomy, all 8 fixed-angle and none of 8 variable-angle constructs had articular failure. Conclusions Variable-angle and fixed-angle volar locked fixation of unstable intra-articular distal radius fractures in fourth-generation composite radii provide mechanically sound constructs with high load to failure values and no loss of stiffness over testing. The variable-angle construct exhibited excellent resistance to articular stepoff at load to failure and no loss of stiffness throughout cyclic loading, and did not exhibit significantly less overall stiffness compared with fixed-angle constructs. The variable-angle fixation exhibited a distinct mechanical advantage over fixed-angle fixation in the setting of a smaller radial styloid fragment. Clinical relevance Variable-angle constructs could be expected to hold up to standard loads in the postoperative period as well as traditional fixed-angle devices. The additional cost associated with variable-angle constructs may be warranted when treating distal radius fractures with radial styloid fragments, owing to the fragment-specific fixation allowed by customized screw placement.
The hsd loci of Mycoplasma pulmonis: organization, rearrangements and expression of genes

Two paralogous, site-specific invertible loci, designated hsd1 and hsd2 (host specificity determinant), have been identified in the Mycoplasma pulmonis genome. They encode putative type I restriction and modification (R-M) systems with maximum sequence homology to the type IC family, which includes EcoR124II and EcoDXXI. Each locus encodes an endonuclease subunit (HsdR), a methylase subunit (HsdM) and two DNA specificity subunits (HsdS). The gene organization at each locus is such that hsdR and hsdM are flanked by two hsdS genes. Within each locus, one of the hsdS genes, hsdR and hsdM, is encoded in tandem by the same DNA strand, while the second hsdS gene is encoded by the complementary strand but without overlap with the other three hsd genes. The hsdR and hsdM sequences of one locus are almost identical to their counterparts in the other. The four hsdS genes (two per locus) are highly homologous at their 5' ends and also share sequence similarities in the 3' ends of their corresponding coding regions. Owing to the disposition of and sequence similarities among the hsdS genes, they form inverted repeats at each locus. Analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has shown that both loci behave as site-specific DNA invertible elements with multiple inversion sites, termed 'vipareetus', occurring within the hsdS genes. The inversions lead to a reassortment of hsdS sequences, generating an array of recombinant genes that probably encode S subunits possessing alternative DNA-binding specificities. Sequence information obtained from the analysis of hsd2 transcripts by 5' RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) indicates that inversion induces the transcription of alternative hsdS genes by the relocation of coding sequences downstream of a promoter and ribosome-binding site (RBS) situated at one end of each locus.
A double charge density wave in the single tellurium square net in Cu0.63EuTe2

A double-superimposed charge density wave (CDW) distortion with modulation vectors oriented in the same direction observed in the square net of Cu(0.63)EuTe(2) represents the first example of its kind among CDW materials with electronic Fermi surface instabilities.
Structural determinants of selective thyromimetics

The thyromimetic GC-1 shows a preference for binding the beta form of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR). GC-1 was designed as an analogue of the thyromimetic DIMIT, which has a lower affinity for TR and is not selective. GC-1 has a methylene group linking its two aromatic rings and an oxyacetic acid polar side chain, while DIMIT has an ether oxygen linking its aromatic rings and an l-alanine polar side chain. The structural features of GC-1 that confer its greater affinity and selectivity compared to DIMIT were analyzed with the preparation of analogues that bear only one of their two different structural features. The analogue of GC-1 with a biaryl ether has selectivity comparable to that of GC-1, while the analogue of DIMIT with a methylene group linking its aromatic rings is only slightly selective. These results demonstrate that the oxyacetic acid side chain of GC-1 is critical in conferring TR-beta selectivity.
Observed patches of walleye pollock eggs and larvae in Shelikof Strait, Alaska: their characteristics, formation and persistence

Using observations from 38 ichthyoplankton surveys conducted near Shelikof Strait, Alaska between 1979 and 1992, we characterized the horizontal distribution and spatial patchiness of the early life stages of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogtamma). Lloyd's index of patchiness ranged from 3.9-6.1 for eggs and 3.9–16.2 for larvae. This index was size (age) dependent: low for eggs, high for newly hatched larvae, then decreasing through late larval stage. By the early juvenile stage, patchiness increased as pollock began to school. The percentage of larvae in a patch (defined as the percentage of larvae present at stations where larval counts exceeded the mean by one standard deviation during the given survey) varied greatly (26–92%). Larval distributions were used to deduce physical mechanisms responsible for patches. Three categories of patches were identified: those created by interaction of larvae with time-dependent currents, those in the vicinity of Sutwik Island, and those associated with eddies. Simulation experiments were utilized to examine processes influencing patch formation and the role of larval swimming. Between 5 and 6 weeks after hatching, larvae have swimming abilities that enable them to maintain a patch already created by physical mechanisms.
The Significance of OX40 and OX40L to T cell Biology and Immune Disease

OX40 (CD134) and its binding partner, OX40L (CD252), are members of the TNFR/TNF superfamily and are expressed on activated CD4 and CD8 T cells as well as a number of other lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells. Costimulatory signals from OX40 to a conventional T cell promote division and survival, augmenting the clonal expansion of effector and memory populations as they are being generated to antigen. OX40 additionally suppresses the differentiation and activity of Treg, further amplifying this process. OX40 and OX40L also regulate cytokine production from T cells, antigen-presenting cells, NK cells, and NKT cells, and modulate cytokine receptor signaling. In line with these important modulatory functions, OX40/OX40L interactions have been found to play a central role in the development of multiple inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, making them attractive candidates for intervention in the clinic. Conversely, stimulating OX40 has shown it to be a candidate for therapeutic immunization strategies for cancer and infectious disease. This review provides a broad overview of the biology of OX40, and the intracellular signals from OX40, that impact many aspects of immune function, and have promoted OX40 as one of the most prominent costimulatory molecules known to control T cells.
A Versatile Method To Prepare RAFT Agent Anchored Substrates and the Preparation of PMMA Grafted Nanoparticles

Well-defined polymer brushes grafted onto silica nanoparticles were prepared by reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT). A versatile RAFT agent, 4-cyanopentanoic acid...
Partial update EDS algorithms for adaptive filtering

In practice, computational complexity is an important consideration of an adaptive signal processing system. A well-known approach to controlling computational complexity is applying partial update (PU) adaptive filters. In this paper, a partial update Euclidean Direction Search (EDS) algorithm is employed. The theoretical analyses of mean and mean-square performance are presented. The simulation results of different PU EDS are shown.
Effects of steroid hormones on calcitonin gene-related peptide receptors in cultured human myometrium.

Abstract Objective: This study was designed to examine whether, with the use of human myometrial explants in culture, calcitonin gene-related peptide B receptors are regulated by steroid hormones. Study design: Myometrial tissues were obtained from the lower uterine segments from women in a nonpregnant state and pregnant women who were not in labor undergoing cesarean delivery (39.1 ± 0.2 weeks of gestation). Tissues were incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium without phenol red, with either 17β-estradiol (10−9, 10−8, 10−7 mol/L), progesterone (10−8, 10−7, 10−6 mol/L), or in a combination of 17β-estradiol (10−8 mol/L) and progesterone (10−7 mol/L). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to examine the expression of estrogen receptor-α, progesterone receptor, and Western blotting was used for calcitonin gene-related peptide B receptor protein measurement in the myometrium. Results: We found that (1) messenger RNA expression for both estrogen receptor-α and progesterone receptor in nonpregnant myometrium significantly declined within 48 hours explant culture; (2) estrogen receptor-α messenger RNA levels in the pregnant myometrium were 98.6%, 95.3%, and 89.8% at 12, 24, and 48 hours of incubation, respectively; (3) the levels of messenger RNA for progesterone receptor in the pregnant myometrium were 96.2%, 93.3%, 90.1%, at 12, 24, and 48 hours of incubation, respectively; (4) the 17β-estradiol dose dependently inhibited calcitonin gene-related peptide B receptor protein in pregnant myometrium explant culture; (5) the progesterone dose dependently increased calcitonin gene-related peptide B receptor expression in pregnant myometrium explant culture; (6) the combined treatment with 17β-estradiol (10−8 mol/L) and progesterone (10−7 mol/L) further enhanced myometrial calcitonin gene-related peptide B receptor protein expression. Conclusion: We conclude from this study that (1) the messenger RNA expression of estrogen receptor-α and progesterone receptor in pregnant myometrium were maintained at relatively high levels (>89%) within 48 hours incubation and that this may be useful for in vitro studies that are designed to evaluate the effects of sex steroids on the human myometrium during pregnancy and that (2) estrogen inhibits and progesterone stimulates the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide B receptors in cultured pregnant myometrial explants. We suggest that steroid hormone-regulated calcitonin gene-related peptide B receptor expression could underlie differential myometrial sensitivity to calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced relaxation. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:466-72.)
The Characterization of Tubulin in CNS Membrane Fractions

Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), and a plasma membrane (PM) fraction enriched in synaptic membranes were isolated from rat forebrain. The proteins in these membrane fractions were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DGE) in the isoelectric range of 5.1 to 6.0 by a modification of the O'Farrell procedure. Proteins were detected by Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining of the electrophoretograms. The results of these analyses were compared with 2DGE analysis of cytosol proteins, with particular attention given to tubulin subunits and actin. The RER contained one major protein (53K 5.4) in the beta-tubulin region with a molecular weight of 53,000 and an isoelectric point of 5.4. The SER contained at least two major proteins in the alpha-tubulin region; one with a migration identical to 53K 5.4 and other proteins with slightly higher apparent molecular weights and more acidic isoelectric points (54K, 5.4 to 5.3), identical to cytoplasmic beta-tubulin. The PM fraction also contained multiple overlapping proteins (54K, 5.4 to 5.3) in the beta-tubulin area and a trace amount of the 53K 5.4 protein. The proteins in the beta-tubulin region were removed from the 2DGE electrophoretogram and digested by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and the peptides separated on one-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. The peptide patterns of 53K 5.4 protein from RER and SER were almost identical and differed significantly from the cytoplasmic beta-tubulin pattern; however, the peptide maps of the PM and SER beta-tubulin region were identical to the cytoplasmic beta-tubulin. The 2DGE analysis of RER did not contain proteins in the region of cytoplasmic alpha-tubulin. SER and PM contained proteins in the alpha-tubulin region with a similar, but not identical, peptide analysis to cytoplasmic alpha-tubulin. Significant amounts of actin were detected in 2DGE analysis of SER and PM, and the peptide analysis of the actin was identical to the cytoplasmic actin analysis. The RER fraction contained only trace amounts of actin. The cytosol and all membrane fractions contained a protein (68K 5.6) found among microtubule-associated proteins, as judged by molecular weight and isoelectric point. Several proteins present in all membrane fractions (61K 5.1 and 58K 5.1) bound to concanavalin A agarose.
GC-MS analysis of headspace and liquid extracts for metabolomic differentiation of citrus Huanglongbing and zinc deficiency in leaves of 'Valencia' sweet orange from commercial groves.

Introduction – Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) is considered the most destructive citrus disease worldwide. Symptoms-based detection of HLB is difficult due to similarities with zinc deficiency. Objective – To find metabolic differences between leaves from HLB-infected, zinc-deficient, and healthy ‘Valencia’ orange trees by using GC-MS based metabolomics. Methodology – Analysis based on GC-MS methods for untargeted metabolite analysis of citrus leaves was developed and optimized. Sample extracts from healthy, zinc deficient, or HLB-infected sweet orange leaves were submitted to headspace solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) and derivatization treatments prior to GC-MS analysis. Results – Principal components analysis achieved correct classification of all the derivatized liquid extracts. Analysis of variance revealed 6 possible biomarkers for HLB, of which 5 were identified as proline, β-elemene, (-)trans- caryophyllene, and α-humulene. Significant (P < 0.05) differences in oxo-butanedioic acid, arabitol, and neo-inositol were exclusively detected in samples from plants with zinc deficiency. Levels of isocaryophyllen, α-selinene, β-selinene, and fructose were significantly (P < 0.05) different in healthy leaves only. Conclusion – Results suggest the potential of using identified HLB biomarkers for rapid differentiation of HLB from zinc deficiency. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Redundancy in task assignments and group performance

The problem of combining abilities of group members to maximize the performance of the group as a whole is examined in terms of redundancy in task assignments. In particular, ways of distributing a given number of items of information among a given number of individuals to obtain the maximum probability of each item being recalled by at least one individual are studied. It is shown that there exists an optimal distribution scheme which is independent of the amount of material originally given, the size of the group, and individual differences in ability.
Inhibitory Effect of Progesterone on Activity of Human Myometrial Adenosine Triphosphatase

DURING the previous investigations1 in this laboratory human myometrial strips were exposed to progesterone until all spontaneous activity ceased and the changes in the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and phosphocreatine (PC) measured. Until such paralysis had existed for at least 40 min, no significant change in high-energy phosphate bonds (ATP and PC) could be documented. It was, therefore, concluded that in the earlier stages of the myometrial inhibition progesterone might be exerting its effect in the utilization of ATP rather than in its synthesis. As a continuation of the investigations on this problem, the effect of progesterone was then determined on the ATPase activity of the human myometrial strips. This communication deals with the results obtained.
Thermodynamic properties of gold–water nanofluids using molecular dynamics

The physical behavior of a nanofluids is still not fully understood. This work focuses on the study and understanding of equilibrium thermodynamic properties of several gold–water nanofluids using molecular dynamics simulations. Three different systems are considered, where gold nanoparticles with diameters of 2.6, 5.8, and 6.6 nm are suspended in water for effective nanoparticle volume fractions of 1, 10, and 15 %, respectively. Novelties of this study are in the use of accurate force fields for modeling the inter- and intramolecular interactions of the components, and providing comprehensive thermodynamic properties of the nanofluids. The results are validated with the pure fluid and solid properties. Results indicate that the thermodynamics of the system does not behave as an ideal mixture, due to a combination of several factors such as liquid layering, anisotropicity, and other solid–liquid interfacial effects.
On representations of the Lie superalgebra p(n)

Abstract We introduce a new way to study representations of the Lie superalgebra p(n). Since the center of the universal enveloping algebra U acts trivially on all irreducible representations, we suggest to study the quotient algebra U by the radical of U. We show that U has a large center which separates typical finite-dimensional irreducible representations. We give a description of U factored by a generic central character. Using this description we obtain character formulae of generic (infinite-dimensional) irreducible representations. We also describe some geometric properties of the supervariety Spec Gr U in the coadjoint representation.