cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Different Antigen-Processing Activities in Dendritic Cells, Macrophages, and Monocytes Lead to Uneven Production of HIV Epitopes and Affect CTL Recognition

Dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages (MPs), and monocytes are permissive to HIV. Whether they similarly process and present HIV epitopes to HIV-specific CD8 T cells is unknown despite the critical role of peptide processing and presentation for recognition and clearance of infected cells. Cytosolic peptidases degrade endogenous proteins originating from self or pathogens, exogenous Ags preprocessed in endolysosomes, thus shaping the peptidome available for endoplasmic reticulum translocation, trimming, and MHC-I presentation. In this study, we compared the capacity of DCs, MPs, and monocyte cytosolic extracts to produce epitope precursors and epitopes. We showed differences in the proteolytic activities and expression levels of cytosolic proteases between monocyte-derived DCs and MPs and upon maturation with LPS, R848, and CL097, with mature MPs having the highest activities. Using cytosol as a source of proteases to degrade epitope-containing HIV peptides, we showed by mass spectrometry that the degradation patterns of long peptides and the kinetics and amount of antigenic peptides produced differed among DCs, MPs, and monocytes. Additionally, variable intracellular stability of HIV peptides prior to loading onto MHC may accentuate the differences in epitope availability for presentation by MHC-I between these subsets. Differences in peptide degradation led to 2- to 25-fold differences in the CTL responses elicited by the degradation peptides generated in DCs, MPs, and monocytes. Differences in Ag-processing activities between these subsets might lead to variations in the timing and efficiency of recognition of HIV-infected cells by CTLs and contribute to the unequal capacity of HIV-specific CTLs to control viral load.
Molecular chaperone properties of the high molecular weight aggregate from aged lens

The high molecular weight aggregate (HMWA) fraction was isolated from the water soluble proteins of aged bovine lenses. Its composition and ability to inhibit heat-induced denaturation and aggregation were compared with the lower molecular weight, oligomeric fraction of alpha isolated from the same lens. Although the major components of both fractions were the alpha-A and alpha-B chains, the HMWA fraction possessed a decreased ability to protect other proteins against heat-induced denaturation and aggregation. Immunoelectron microscopy of both fractions demonstrated that alpha particles from the HMWA fraction contained increased amounts of beta and gamma crystallins, bound to a central region of the supramolecular complex. Together, these results demonstrate that alpha crystallins found in the HMWA fraction possess a decreased ability to protect against heat-induced denaturation and aggregation, and suggest that at least part of this decrease could be due to the increased presence of beta and gamma crystallins complexed to the putative chaperone receptor site of the alpha particles.
Low-complexity serially-concatenated coding for the deep space optical channel

This paper discusses the iterative decoding of a serial concatenation of a short constraint length convolutional code and coded PPM through a bit interleaver. To reduce the complexity of iterative decoding, we propose to compute and store only a subset of the channel likelihoods. We show that this can be done while suffering a negligible loss in performance. The complexity of implementing the forward-backward algorithm is also reduced when partial likelihoods are retained and when optical links are used to support deep space communication at high data rates.
Costs and benefits of late nesting in cliff swallows

Many organisms of temperate latitudes exhibit declines in reproductive success as the breeding season advances. Experiments can delay the onset of reproduction for early breeders to investigate the consequences of late nesting, but it is rarely possible to observe a distinct second round of nesting in species that normally nest only once. The colonial cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) is a migratory songbird that has a relatively short breeding season in the western Great Plains, USA, with birds rarely nesting late in the summer. Previous work suggested that ectoparasitism is a primary reason why reproductive success in this species declines over the summer. At colony sites where nests were fumigated to remove ectoparasitic swallow bugs (Oeciacus vicarius), cliff swallows frequently undertook a distinct round of late nesting after previously fledging young that year. Mark-recapture revealed that late-nesting pairs at these colonies produced fewer offspring that survived to the next breeding season, and that survival of late-nesting adults was lower during the next year, relative to pairs nesting earlier in the season. These reproductive costs applied in the absence of ectoparasites and likely reflect other environmental costs of late nesting such as seasonal declines in food availability or a delayed start of fall migration. Despite the costs, the estimated fitness for perennial early-and-late nesters in the absence of ectoparasites was equivalent to that of birds that nested only early in the season. The collective disadvantages of late nesting likely constrain most cliff swallows to raising a single brood in the middle latitudes of North America.
Thin film diamond microstructures

Abstract Patterned synthetic polycrystalline diamond films have been prepared by selective deposition, by selective abrasion, and by etching in atomic oxygen or air at reduced pressure. Patterned films are further processed to yield microstructures by anisotropic silicon etching. In this paper, techniques for selective deposition and microstructure fabrication are briefly reviewed, and a flow sensor and an accelerometer are described as potential applications.
Contributions of Surgical Residents to Patient Satisfaction: Impact of Residents Beyond Clinical Care

Purpose Little is known about the relationship between resident performance and patient satisfaction. To this end, our institution added housestaff-specific questions to Press-Ganey surveys (Press-Ganey, South Bend, Indiana) administered to patients. This study sought to investigate the impact residents have on patients' overall rating of care compared with faculty and nursing staff. Our hypothesis was that residents play an important but historically underappreciated role in patient satisfaction. Methods Between April 2005 and June 2006, half of all discharged patients randomly received Press-Ganey surveys, including questions on the following categories: admissions, patient room, food, diagnostic testing, guest services, faculty/attending physician, discharge, emotional needs, housestaff, nurse practitioners, and primary nurse. responses were grouped into overall category scores and used as predictor variables for regression analysis. a separate question asked patients to rate overall care provided. Chief resident schedules and evaluation scores by faculty were provided by the Division of Surgery Education. Regression, and ANOVA models were run using JMP 6 software (JMP 6, SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina). Results During this period, 49,081 patients were discharged, 24,540 surveys were mailed, and 5828 surveys were returned (24% response rate). In a simple regression analysis, the predictor variables for nursing, housestaff, and faculty accounted for 57%, 33%, and 28%, respectively, of the variation of overall rating of care delivered (p Conclusions Compared with faculty and residents, nurses have a greater impact on the variation of patient satisfaction. However, the actual scores given to residents, faculty, and nurses are all high. A slight difference exists in scores of surgical and nonsurgical residents. For all residents, the time of the academic year impacts resident scores positively in the middle and negatively in the beginning and end. For surgical residents clear differences exist between specialty services, but it is not apparent whether these differences are caused by individual residents or by the clinical service milieu. Residents contribute significantly to overall satisfaction, and additional investigation of the variation in resident scores is needed.
Mechanobiology of bone marrow stem cells: From myosin-II forces to compliance of matrix and nucleus in cell forms and fates

Adult stem cells and progenitors are of great interest for their clinical application as well as their potential to reveal deep sensitivities to microenvironmental factors. The bone marrow is a niche for at least two types of stem cells, and the prototype is the hematopoietic stem cell/progenitors (HSC/Ps), which have saved many thousands of patients for several decades now. In bone marrow, HSC/Ps interact functionally with marrow stromal cells that are often referred to as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or derivatives thereof. Myosin and matrix elasticity greatly affect MSC function, and these mechanobiological factors are now being explored with HSC/Ps both in vitro and in vivo. Also emerging is a role for the nucleus as a mechanically sensitive organelle that is semi-permeable to transcription factors which are modified for nuclear entry by cytoplasmic mechanobiological pathways. Since therapies envisioned with induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells generally involve in vitro commitment to an adult stem cell or progenitor, a very deep understanding of stem cell mechanobiology is essential to progress with these multi-potent cells.
Benchmarks achieved in the delivery of radiation therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Radiation therapy has a multifaceted role in the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer, from being a component of bladder sparing regimens to adjuvant therapy for patients after partial cystectomy, to palliative treatment in patients with metastatic disease. Here, we review the techniques currently used and the settings in which these techniques are applied. Advances in imaging and radiation delivery have allowed for definition of more precise treatment volumes, permitting the delivery of higher tumor doses and lesser doses to critical targets. Better tumor control, fewer therapeutic complications, and better quality of life outcomes are anticipated. In the United States, the most rapidly growing use of radiation in the treatment of bladder cancer is as a component of selective bladder conservation. It uses trimodality therapy, consisting of a maximal transurethral resection followed by concurrent chemotherapy and radiation. Careful cystoscopic surveillance by an experienced urologist ensures a prompt cystectomy at the fist sign of treatment failure. The majority of patients retain a well-functioning bladder with no survival decrement. Radiation therapy is also used as adjuvant therapy after partial cystectomy in select patients. In this setting, it decreases the risk of local or incisional recurrence. It is also used in patients with pelvic recurrences after cystectomy, often combined with concurrent chemotherapy. Radiation is a very effective palliative agent for patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease. It can palliate bleeding and pain for patients with local progression or alleviate pain from bony metastases.
A solvent extraction method for the separation of iodide

Abstract Solvent extraction is proposed for the isolation of anions. Data obtained in the extraction of iodide using cadmium as complexing agent under the influence of such factors as pu, addition nf excess cadmium inns, initial concentration of the cadmium iodide solution and temperature are presented.
The race to new mathematics of brains and consciousness — A tribute to John G. Taylor

This contribution presents a review of mathematical approaches to modeling brains and higher cognitive activity, including consciousness. We dedicate this paper to John Gerard Taylor on the somber occasion of remembering his lifelong contribution to science, with a focus on his pioneering work on neural networks and brain studies.
Exploration of efficient testing methodology for effective spectrum sharing

This presentation describes an ongoing investigation of efficient methodologies for testing cognitive radios (CRs) and other dynamic spectrum access (DSA) radios based on approaches that have transformed testing of human cognition and behavioral performance over several decades.
All-fibre Bragg grating strain-sensor demodulation technique using a wavelength division coupler

A simple all optical fibre wavelength shift detection scheme, for use with fibre Bragg grating sensing systems, is described. The system is based on the use of a wavelength division coupler designed to exhibit a monotonic dependence of the splitting ratio on wavelength over a 50 nm range.
Determination of natural 32P and 33P in rainwater, marine particles and plankton by low-level beta counting

Abstract Methods were developed for determining the natural levels of 32P and 33P in samples of rainwater, marine particulate matter and plankton. Preconcentration from rainwater consists of the extraction of radiophosphorus on alumina. Filtration of large volumes of seawater is required to obtain sufficient quantities of suspended particulate matter. The radiochemical scheme, which consists of a series of precipitations and a column separation, results in a pure source containing the two beta emitters. The activities of 32P and 33P in the source are determined separately by an external absorber method on low-level beta counters. The yields are monitored by the addition of stable phosphate in rainwater samples and by the natural levels of stable phosphate in marine particulate matter and plankton. The methods allow the specific activities and the activity ratio to be determined with a 10% precision.
Guest column: parallel repetition theorems for interactive arguments

We survey recent results on parallel repetition theorems for computationally-sound interactive proofs (a.k.a. interactive arguments).
Analysis of a coded panel of licensed vaccines by polymerase chain reaction-based reverse transcriptase assays : A collaborative study

Abstract Background: A recent publication reporting the presence of low levels of reverse transcriptase (RT) activity in certain vaccines for human use necessitated that regulatory agencies address the issue of whether this RT activity presented a risk to humans. Detection of low levels of RT activity corresponding to fewer than ten virions became possible with the development of highly-sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based RT (PBRT) assays. Variations of the PBRT assay were developed in three laboratories. These assays were reported as being at least one million-fold more sensitive than conventional RT assays. Objective: To ascertain the sensitivity and reliability of PBRT assays in different laboratories and to determine which vaccine samples possessed RT activity. Study design: Coded panels of licensed vaccines together with positive and negative controls was assembled at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and distributed to five cooperating laboratories as well as to our laboratory at CBER. Each laboratory carried out their version of the PBRT assay and submitted the results to the coordinator at CBER. Results: Results of the PBRT analyses carried out in the six laboratories are presented. Five of the six laboratories reported results that were highly consistent. RT activity was detected in live attenuated vaccines that were prepared in chick embryo cells (mumps, measles and yellow fever), but very low or undetectable RT activity was found in vaccines produced in mammalian cells (rabies and rubella). Influenza vaccines from several manufacturers included in the panel displayed the most variability, with different products of this inactivated vaccine having differing amounts of RT activity. Conclusion: Only vaccines produced in chick embryo cells had significant RT activity. Because RT activity was present in the allantoic fluid of uninfected chick embryos and culture medium from chick embryo fibroblasts, the RT activity arises from the cell substrate used for vaccine production. The PBRT assays were reliably able to detect the low levels of RT activity in chicken-derived vaccines.
Adenovirus Structural Protein IIIa Is Involved in the Serotype Specificity of Viral DNA Packaging

The packaging of the adenovirus (Ad) genome into a capsid displays serotype specificity. This specificity has been attributed to viral packaging proteins, the IVa2 protein and the L1-52/55K protein. We previously found that the Ad17 L1-52/55K protein was not able to complement the growth of an Ad5 L1-52/55K mutant virus, whereas two other Ad17 packaging proteins, IVa2 and L4-22K, could complement the growth of Ad5 viruses with mutations in the respective genes. In this report, we investigated why the Ad17 L1-52/55K protein was not able to complement the Ad5 L1-52/55K mutant virus. We demonstrate that the Ad17 L1-52/55K protein binds to the Ad5 IVa2 protein in vitro and the Ad5 packaging domain in vivo, activities previously associated with packaging function. The Ad17 L1-52/55K protein also associates with empty Ad5 capsids. Interestingly, we find that the Ad17 L1-52/55K protein is able to complement the growth of an Ad5 L1-52/55K mutant virus in conjunction with the Ad17 structural protein IIIa. The same result was found with the L1-52/55K and IIIa proteins of several other Ad serotypes, including Ad3 and Ad4. The Ad17 IIIa protein associates with empty Ad5 capsids. Consistent with the complementation results, we find that the IIIa protein interacts with the L1-52/55K protein in vitro and associates with the viral packaging domain in vivo. These results underscore the complex nature of virus assembly and genome encapsidation and provide a new model for how the viral genome may tether to the empty capsid during the encapsidation process.
Injustice and conflict in nursing homes: toward advocacy and exchange

Abstract This article examines the relational dynamics and patterns of conflict exhibited in the two interdependent parties in America's nursing homes. In the framework of the social exchange theory of structural power, it explains how the asymmetrical structure of dependence and control in nursing homes eliminates the possibility of fair bargaining—normal conflict—between staff and patients. In the absence of any opportunity for reciprocal rewards and punishment, patients tend to adopt submissive influence strategies, whereas staff members tend to neglect, exploit, or abuse difficult or resistant patients. The author examines the exchange dynamics of adversarial tactics and the prevalence of third-party conflict in the nursing home, and shows that a partisan, patient-directed ally could rebalance power and eliminate inequities in the nursing home environment.
Cholinergic, M1 Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens Mediate Behavioral Depression: A Possible Downstream Target for Fluoxetine

Antidepressants alleviate behavioral depression via monoamines, notably serotonin,1,2 but the next step in the mechanism is not established. A possible role of acetylcholine in mood disorders has been widely discussed,3,4 although it is not clear which cholinergic system is involved nor where in the brain it might act. Brainstem serotonergic neurons innervate much of the brain, including the nucleus accumbens, a mesolimbic region important for reward, aversion and incentive motivation.5 Local infusion into the posterior-medial nucleus accumbens (NAc) of serotonin, a serotonin 1-A receptor agonist (5-OH-DPAT) or a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (fluoxetine, Prozac) decreased extracellular acetylcholine (ACh).6 This suggests that serotonin inhibits ACh interneurons in the NAc via 5-HT1A receptors. Given that depression is associated with low serotonergic transmission in the brain,2 it is possible that during depression ACh interneurons in the NAc are disinhibited. According to this theory, high synaptic ACh in NAc may be involved in depression. If so, extracellular ACh should rise as a correlate of behavioral depression. This was tested using microdialysis in the Porsolt swim test. The swim test is an animal model of depression that can effectively screen wide classes of antidepressants.7 In this model, rodents placed in a swim tank vigorously try to escape for several minutes, then give up and just tread water displaying reduced motivation to escape. Antidepressants prolong the animal’s escape behaviors. If antidepressants act in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), then serotonergic drugs such as 8-OH-DPAT might reduce depression (i.e., increase swimming time) when injected locally in the NAc. Further, if ACh plays a causal role in depression, then appropriate cholinergic receptor agonists injected in the NAc should increase immobility, and cholinergic antagonists should increase swimming. If successful, this series of results would suggest that fluoxetine alleviates some behavioral manifestations of depression via inhibition of ACh release in the NAc.
Aberrant Cytokine Signaling in Leukemia

Abnormalities of cytokine and growth factor signaling pathways are characteristic of all forms of leukemia: lymphoid and myeloid, acute and chronic. In normal hematopoietic cells, cytokines provide the stimulus for proliferation, survival, self-renewal, differentiation and functional activation. In leukemic cells, these pathways are usurped to subserve critical parts of the malignant program. In this review, our current knowledge of leukemic cell cytokine signaling will be summarized, and some speculations on the significance and implications of these insights will be advanced. A better understanding of aberrant cytokine signaling in leukemia should provide additional targets for the rational therapy of these diseases.
A Suite of Modular Fluorescence Assays Interrogate the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Glycoprotein-41 Coiled Coil and Assist in Determining Binding Mechanism of Low Molecular Weight Fusion Inhibitors

Abstract Several different segments of the gp41 N-heptad repeat coiled coil have been constructed using N-terminal bipyridyl modification of composite peptides and inducing trimerization by adding ferrous ions. These metallopeptides act as receptors in fluorescence-binding assays with corresponding fluorescently labeled C-peptide probes. The FeII coordination complex quenches C-peptide fluorescence upon binding, and reversal of quenching by a small molecule inhibitor can be used to obtain the inhibitor-binding constant. A total of 10 peptide pairs targeting 25–46 residue segments of the coiled coil were constructed, with C-peptide probes of different lengths and binding affinities. The result is a suite of assays for exploring binding in the mM to nM range to any desired region of the coiled coil, including the hydrophobic pocket (HP), extended regions on either side of the pocket, or a region associated with T20 resistance mutations. These assays are high-throughput ready, and could be used to discover n...
Frequencies of N 2 O in the 1100- to 1440-cm −1 region

The vibration-rotation frequency parameters of vibrational states of several isotopic species of N2O were determined from IR spectra obtained with a high-resolution Fourier-transform spectrometer. The bands in the 1100 to 1440/cm region were considered. The line frequencies, observed for the lines of the species (N-14)2(O-16), (N-14)(N-15)(O-16), (N-15)(N-14)(O-16), (N-14)2(O-18), (N-14)2(O-17), and (N-15)2(O-16) were analyzed to obtain values of the absolute band centers and upper-state and lower-state rotational constants.
Asymptotic description of radiating flow near stagnation point

The correct asymptotic behavior of an inviscid radiating gas flow near the stagnation point of a blunt body in the weakly radiating and weakly absorbing limits is given. While reflecting different physical situations, the two limits are shown to imply similar singular perturbation behavior which has been overcome through use of the method of matched asymptotic expansions. Comparison of these results with those obtained using the PLK asymptotic technique indicate the failure of the latter to correctly overcome the singular behavior.
Isolation and application of SOX and NOX resistant microalgae in biofixation of CO2 from thermoelectricity plants

Abstract Microalgae have been studied for their potential use in foodstuffs, agriculture, in the treatment of wastewater and, in particular, in the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the main cause of global warming. Thermoelectricity plants account for 22% of CO 2 emitted into the atmosphere and native microalgae may be more tolerant to the gases emitted from burning fossil fuels. In the study presented here, microalgae were isolated from ponds next to a Thermoelectricity Plant, located in southern Brazil, and identified as Synechococcus nidulans and Chlorella vulgaris . The isolated microalgae were grown and compared with two different strains of microalgae, Spirulina sp. and Scenedesmus obliquus , for CO 2 biofixation. The microalgae were exposed to 12% CO 2 , 60 ppm of SO 2 and 100 ppm of NO, simulating a gas from coal combustion. The C. vulgaris had similar behavior to Spirulina sp., with 13.43% of maximum daily fixation. The microalgae with the greater fixing capacity were C. vulgaris and Spirulina sp. and these can be grown in electric power plants for CO 2 biofixation of the coal combustion gas, which would help reduce global warming.
PCN12: COST-UTILITY ANALYSIS COMPARING PACLITAXEL TO DOCETAXEL IN THE TREATMENT OF METASTATIC BREAST CANCER

Cost-utility analysis is rapidly becoming the standard pharmacoeconomic measure in oncology. OBJECTIVE: To compare paclitaxel (pac) and docetaxel (doc) in the treatment of second line or greater metastatic breast cancer using a cost-utility analysis. METHODS: Utilities we collected from 45 patients using eight modified Markov modeled health states (Pharmacoeconomics, 1996; 60:504) describing metastatic breast cancer; the standard gamble procedure was utilized to obtain utility. Costs were collected prospectively from 31 patients in a single outpatient center. Direct medical costs were collected (e.g., all medications, physician/clinic/laboratory visits, ER, hospitalizations, home health care, consultations, special procedures, transfusions, phone calls, and miscellaneous) and costs were defined using Medicare reimbursement rates and AWP for drugs. Sensitivity analyses are currently underway. RESULTS: The average cost per cycle of chemotherapy was $4,298 and $2,869 for doc and pac respectively. The mean utility score obtained from patients was .78 and .76 for doc and pac respectively. The utility scores suggest that doc offers 7.3 days of perfect health when compared to pac. However, the incremental cost-utility analysis (cost of doc − cost of pac/QALY of doc − QALY of pac) indicates that the use of doc costs $71,450 per Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) when compared to pac. Another way to view these results is that it costs $195.75 more per Quality Adjusted Day (QAD) to treat a patient with docetaxel. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that docetaxel is more expensive ($4,298/cycle vs. $2,869/cycle) than paclitaxel, and that metastatic breast cancer patients do not perceive the drugs as being different (utility scores .76 for pac and .78 for doc). This cost-utility analysis suggests that the use of docetaxel over paclitaxel may not be justified in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Electromagnetic Controlled Cortical Impact Device for Precise, Graded Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Genetically modified mice represent useful tools for traumatic brain injury (TBI) research and attractive preclinical models for the development of novel therapeutics. Experimental methods that minimize the number of mice needed may increase the pace of discovery. With this in mind, we developed and characterized a prototype electromagnetic (EM) controlled cortical impact device along with refined surgical and behavioral testing techniques. By varying the depth of impact between 1.0 and 3.0 mm, we found that the EM device was capable of producing a broad range of injury severities. Histologically, 2.0-mm impact depth injuries produced by the EM device were similar to 1.0-mm impact depth injuries produced by a commercially available pneumatic device. Behaviorally, 2.0-, 2.5-, and 3.0-mm impacts impaired hidden platform and probe trial water maze performance, whereas 1.5-mm impacts did not. Rotorod and visible platform water maze deficits were also found following 2.5- and 3.0-mm impacts. No impairment of conditioned fear performance was detected. No differences were found between sexes of mice. Inter-operator reliability was very good. Behaviorally, we found that we could statistically distinguish between injury depths differing by 0.5 mm using 12 mice per group and between injury depths differing by 1.0 mm with 7-8 mice per group. Thus, the EM impactor and refined surgical and behavioral testing techniques may offer a reliable and convenient framework for preclinical TBI research involving mice.
On the construction of band matrices from spectral data

Abstract We consider 2m+1 banded Hermitian, skew-Hermitian, or complex-symmetric matrices A. We derive a set of eigenvalues of A and certain of its submatrices whose knowledge enables us to reconstruct A uniquely. The dependence of A on the spectral data is shown to be continous.
Minimal in-person support as an adjunct to internet obesity treatment

Background: Internet-based weight-loss programs appear promising in the short-term but, to data, have not been able to produce the level of weight loss seen in traditional in-person treatment; thus, novel approaches are necessary. Using a combination of interactive technology and in-person support has been beneficial in other areas of medicine.Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare 12-month weight-loss outcomes of an Internet-only behavioral weight-loss treatment with the same program supplemented with monthly in-person meetings.Methods: One hundred and twenty-three participants were randomized to an Internet-only (n=62) or an Internet + in-person treatment (I+IPS; n=61). All participants then participated in a 12-month behavioral weight-loss program conducted over the Internet. The groups met online weekly for the first 6 months and biweekly for the second half of the intervention. The I+IPS group had access to the same Web site as the Internet-only group but, once a month, attended an in-person meeting in place of an online chat. Assessments included body weight, program adherence, and social support measures.Results: An intent-to-treat analysis (n=123) revealed there were no significant Group x Time differences (p=.15) in weight loss at either 6 (−6.8±7.8 vs. −5.1±4.8, p=.15) or 12 months (−5.1±7.1 kg vs. −3.5±5.1 kg, p=.17, for Internet-only and I+IPS, respectively). Differences between groups for those completing all measures (n=77) also revealed no significant differences at 6 months (−9.2±7.0 kg vs. −6.9±4.2 kg, p=.08) or 12 months (−8.0±7.5 kg vs. −5.6±5.5 kg, p=.10 for the Internet-only and I+IPS conditions, respectively).Conclusions: Supplementation of an Internet weight-loss treatment with monthly in-person meetings did not result in greater weight losses over 12 months. Dynamic, socially supportive, and interactive elements of the Web site may have obviated the need for further interpersonal behavioral counseling.
Purification and physical-chemical properties of methanobactin: a chalkophore from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b.

Methanobactin is an extracellular, copper-binding chromopeptide from the methane-oxidizing bacterium, Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, believed to be involved in copper detoxification, sequestration, and uptake. Although small (1217.2 Da), methanobactin possesses a complex three-dimensional macrocyclic structure with several unusual moieties. The molecule binds one copper and has the N-2-isopropylester-(4-thionyl-5-hydroxyimidazolate)-Gly1-Ser2-Cys3-Tyr4-pyrrolidine-(4-hydroxy-5-thionylimidazolate)-Ser5-Cys6-Met7 sequence [Kim, H. J., et al. (2004) Science 305, 1612−1615]. We report methods for purifying methanobactin from M. trichosporium OB3b and present initial evidence of its physiological function. MALDI-TOF MS was used to systematically monitor samples for optimizing purification conditions, and for detecting and analyzing specific metal−methanobactin complexes. Purification was performed by first stabilizing the extracted compound with copper followed by separation using reversed-phase HPLC in neut...
KINETIC PARAMETERS FOR THERMAL INACTIVATION OF PLASMIN

Plasmin (EC 3.4.21.7) is the principal indigenous protease in bovine milk. Kinetic parameters for thermal degradation of plasmin were determined using a miniature continuous flow pasteurizer designed for heat treatment of small quantities of liquid. Plasmin activity was measured using a pH-stat titration, which measures the release of H+ from a caseinate substrate. Heating milk at various temperatures resulted in significant difference (P > 0.01) in residual plasmin activity and linear decrease in activity at each temperature. The calculated D-values were: 105, 90, 76.5, 62, and 47 s at 72, 78, 85, 92, and 100°C, respectively. The Z-value for plasmin inactivation was estimated to be 77.5°C, and the Arrhenius activation energy was 7.04 kcal/mole. UHT milk containing plasmin was heated for an equivalent of 5 D inactivation of the enzyme at 100°C. After storage for 30 days at 4°C, no enzyme regeneration was observed.
Category-specific recognition and naming deficits following resection of a right anterior temporal lobe tumor in a patient with atypical language lateralization

We present a patient with right-hemispheric speech lateralization who exhibited severe recognition and naming deficits for unique objects (famous faces and landmarks) and grossly normal recognition and naming performances for nonunique objects (animals and man-made objects) following an anterior right temporal lobe (TL) resection of a ganglioglioma. While recognition deficits have been reported for famous faces following right temporal pole lesions, and for landmarks and geographic regions following right TL damage in general, this is the first reported case of both recognition and naming deficits for these objects resulting from a single lesion. These results are consistent with research suggesting that the neuroanatomic substrates for the recognition and naming of unique objects lie in the anterior TL regions. Left temporal pole lesions have been associated with naming deficits for unique objects while right temporal pole lesions have been associated with recognition deficits for unique objects. However, these findings suggest that the substrates of naming can be located in homotopic regions of the right hemisphere when language lateralization is atypical. As various object categories appear to have different neuroanatomical representations in the TLs, we discuss the possible benefits of sampling a wider array of objects during cortical stimulation mapping of language.
Different Chinese hamster cell lines express a G1 period for different reasons.

Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that the absence of G1 (G1− condition) in two lines of Chinese hamster cells is dominant over the presence of G1 (G1+ condition) in a variety of intraspecific cell hybrids. G1+ mutants or variants can be isolated from G1− cells following mutagenesis and selection. These G1+ mutants fall into multiple complementation groups based on their abilities to form G1− cell hybrids with one another. This is evidence that different mutants have G1 intervals for different reasons, possibly as the result of deficiencies in functions necessary for G1− cell cycles. In this report we have used cell hybrid analysis to ask whether cells of different, naturally occurring G1+ lines of Chinese hamster are able to complement to produce G1− hybrids. We have found three complementation groups among the four G1+ cell lines examined. Therefore, these lines define three different reasons or bases for the existence of a G1 interval. These results lead us to suggest that multiple requirements must be met for these cells to start the S period, but that failure to fulfill only a single and different requirement is responsible for the presence of a G1 interval in any given cell line.
Density estimation trees

In this paper we develop density estimation trees (DETs), the natural analog of classification trees and regression trees, for the task of density estimation. We consider the estimation of a joint probability density function of a d-dimensional random vector X and define a piecewise constant estimator structured as a decision tree. The integrated squared error is minimized to learn the tree. We show that the method is nonparametric: under standard conditions of nonparametric density estimation, DETs are shown to be asymptotically consistent. In addition, being decision trees, DETs perform automatic feature selection. They empirically exhibit the interpretability, adaptability and feature selection properties of supervised decision trees while incurring slight loss in accuracy over other nonparametric density estimators. Hence they might be able to avoid the curse of dimensionality if the true density is sparse in dimensions. We believe that density estimation trees provide a new tool for exploratory data analysis with unique capabilities.
The Future of Aging Therapies

Advances in understanding aging processes and their consequences are leading to the development of therapies to slow or reverse adverse changes formerly considered to be "normal" aging and processes that underlie multiple age-related conditions. Estimating the effectiveness of candidate aging therapies, whose effects on human aging may require many years to determine, is a particular challenge. Strategies for identifying candidate interventions can be developed through multiple approaches, including the screening of molecular targets and pathways in vitro and in animal models, informed as well by evidence from human genetic and epidemiologic data. A number of recently established programs and networks can serve as resources for such research. For all these research approaches, from in vitro molecular studies to clinical trials, contributions of cell and molecular biology are crucial and offer the prospect of therapeutic advances that address fundamental biological processes as well as the clinically important challenges of aging.
Destruction and denaturation of influenza A virus.

Abstract 1. 1. Additional data covering a wider temperature range confirmed previous studies from this laboratory on the effect of 1 molal urea on the rate of destruction of the ability of PR8 influenza A virus to infect chicken embryos, but they showed that the results previously obtained for the effect of 2 molal urea could not be extrapolated to lower temperatures. 2. 2. Denaturation, defined as the change into an insoluble state, of influenza virus material was interpreted as a reaction of the first order. 3. 3. The energy of activation for denaturation was found to be ca. 100,000 cal./mole. 4. 4. In the pH range 5.9–9.0, denaturation was found to proceed faster the lower the pH of the medium. 5. 5. The destruction of the ability of PR8 influenza A virus to agglutinate chicken red blood cells was shown to be a complex reaction, the early stages of which proceeded very rapidly and the later stages of which progressed at the same rate as the denaturation of the virus characteristic particles.
Calculation of conformation-dependent biomolecular forces

We develop a numerical scheme that calculates forces under given conformational states of a biomolecule by using a harmonic sampling potential. It can also be used for calculating the potential of mean force, as tested by random walks on Gaussian enthalpy barriers. Further, Brownian dynamics simulations of a finite-length freely jointed chain confirm the analytic expressions for its entropic elasticity that we derive. Our method, while generally applicable to many systems, will be particularly useful for studying the elasticity of biopolymers where various types of ensembles differ due to the finite size effect.
Dispersive Estimates for Higher Dimensional Schrödinger Operators with Threshold Eigenvalues I: The Odd Dimensional Case

We investigate L1(Rn)→L∞(Rn) dispersive estimates for the Schrodinger operator H=−Δ+V when there is an eigenvalue at zero energy and n≥5 is odd. In particular, we show that if there is an eigenvalue at zero energy then there is a time dependent, rank one operator Ft satisfying ‖Ft‖L1→L∞≲|t|2−n2 for |t|>1 such that ‖eitHPac−Ft‖L1→L∞≲|t|1−n2,for |t|>1. With stronger decay conditions on the potential it is possible to generate an operator-valued expansion for the evolution, taking the form eitHPac(H)=|t|2−n2A−2+|t|1−n2A−1+|t|−n2A0, with A−2 and A−1 finite rank operators mapping L1(Rn) to L∞(Rn) while A0 maps weighted L1 spaces to weighted L∞ spaces. The leading order terms A−2 and A−1 vanish when certain orthogonality conditions between the potential V and the zero energy eigenfunctions are satisfied. We show that under the same orthogonality conditions, the remaining |t|−n2A0 term also exists as a map from L1(Rn) to L∞(Rn), hence eitHPac(H) satisfies the same dispersive bounds as the free evolution despite the eigenvalue at zero.
The association of childhood sexual abuse with depressive symptoms during pregnancy, and selected pregnancy outcomes

Abstract Objectives: The objectives were: (1) to investigate the association during pregnancy of sexual abuse before the age of 18 on depressive symptomatology in pregnancy, controlling for the presence of negative life events and challenges; and (2) to investigate the association of selected pregnancy outcomes (maternal labor and delivery factors, infant birth weight and gestational age) with sexual abuse before age 18. Methods: Three hundred fifty-seven primiparous women aged 18 years and older were interviewed between 28–32 weeks gestation with reference to current functioning and past history (Objective 1). Medical record information was abstracted after delivery for pregnancy, labor and delivery factors, and pregnancy outcomes (Objective 2). Results: Thirty-seven percent of the women reported past sexual abuse. Prevalence was not associated with ethnic background, educational level, or hospital payment source. Previously sexually-abused pregnant women reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptomatology, negative life events, and physical and verbal abuse before and during pregnancy. There were no significant associations found between past sexual abuse and labor or delivery variables or newborn outcomes. Conclusions: Previously sexually-abused pregnant women reported a wider constellation of past and current functioning problems than nonabused women although past sexual abuse was not associated with pregnancy outcome. Prenatal care provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact of life history and current life events during pregnancy, and to develop a coordinated intervention plan.
U.S. energy savings potential from dynamic daylighting control glazings

Abstract Daylighting controls have the potential to reduce the substantial amount of electricity consumed for lighting in commercial buildings. Material science research is now pursuing the development of a dynamic prismatic optical element (dPOE) window coating that can continuously readjust incoming light to maximize the performance and energy savings available from daylighting controls. This study estimates the technical potential for energy savings available from vertical daylighting strategies and explores additional savings that may be available if current dPOE research culminates in a successful market-ready product. Radiance daylight simulations are conducted with a multi-shape prismatic window coating. Simulated lighting energy savings are then applied to perimeter floorspace estimates generated from U.S. commercial building stock data. Results indicate that fully functional dPOE coatings, when paired with conventional vertical daylight strategies, have the potential to reduce energy use associated with U.S. commercial electric lighting demand by as much as 930 TBtu. This reduction in electric lighting demand represents an approximately 85% increase in the energy savings estimated from implementing conventional vertical daylight strategies alone. Results presented in this study provide insight into energy and cost performance targets for dPOE coatings, which can help accelerate the development process and establish a successful new daylighting technology.
Differences in gene expression between sleep and waking as revealed by mRNA differential display.

In order to systematically investigate differences in gene expression between sleep and waking, mRNA differential display was used to examine mRNAs from the cerebral cortex of rats who had been spontaneously asleep, spontaneously awake, or sleep deprived for a period of 3 h. It was found that, while the vast majority of transcripts were expressed at the same level among these three conditions, the expression of a subset of mRNAs was modulated by sleep and waking. Half of these transcripts had known sequences in databases. RNAs expressed at higher levels during waking included those for the transcription factors c-fos, NGFI-A, and rlf, as well as three transcripts encoded by the mitochondrial genome, those for subunit I of cytochrome c oxidase, subunit 2 of NADH dehydrogenase, and 12S rRNA. As shown by in situ hybridization, the level of RNAs encoded by the mitochondrial genome was uniformly higher during waking in many cortical regions and in several extracortical structures. By contrast, mRNA levels corresponding to two mitochondrial protein subunits encoded by the nuclear genome were unchanged. This finding suggests the hypothesis that an increase in the level of mitochondrial RNAs may represent a rapid regulatory response of neural tissue to adapt to the increased metabolic demand of waking with respect to sleep.
Identification of potato interspecific hybrids resistant to Verticillium wilt and determination of criteria for resistance assessment

Verticillium dahliae causes potato (Solanum tuberosum) early dying disease. Interspecific hybrids containingS. tuberosum, S. berthaultii, S. bukasovii, S. chacoense, S. gourlayi, S. sparsipilum andS. tarijense were identified with resistance toV. dahliae. Clones were grown in replicated trials for three years in a plot containing approximately 50 colony forming units (cfu)V. dahliae per g soil. Clones were evaluated for vine maturity, early dying symptoms and stem colonization. Five resistant 2x clones were identified with early maturity and low levels of stem colonization. A single maturity score and one disease score, each obtained in mid-August, were sufficient to distinguish among clones. An effective threshold level for considering a stem to be infected was determined to be 25 cfu/100 μl sap. Early dying symptoms did not correlate strongly with stem colonization. Numerous stems must be sampled when making resistance assessments. The average cfu/100 μl sap correlated strongly with the number of infected stems.
Intent and Ordinary Bias: Unintended Thought and Social Motivation Create Casual Prejudice

Social psychologists have addressed stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination for nearly a century. Everyday prejudices first seemed to lodge in abnormal personalities, pathological bigots who were exceptional (“bad apples”), but Freudian explanations proved inadequate. Purely cognitive explanations took their place, arguing that bias inevitably results from normal processes of categorization and association, often automatic. But this so-called cognitive miser account denies the role of intent, which does influence the activation and use of stereotypes and prejudices. People are more realistically “motivated tacticians” who display more cognitive bias under particular social motivations. The author's continuum of impression formation, proceeding from initial categorization to possible moderation by motives, illustrates this view. Plausible social motives include belonging, understanding, controlling, self-enhancing, and trusting, all known to influence ordinary bias. Social neuroscience is beginning to show that motivation and cognition mix at the earliest stages of ordinary bias.