cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-21-Producing HIV-1-Specific CD8 T Cells Are Preferentially Seen in Elite Controllers

A hallmark of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis is the rapid loss of CD4 T cells leading to generalized immune dysfunction, including an exhausted CD8 T cell phenotype. Understanding the necessary factors that govern the functional quality and protective potential of antiviral T cell responses would facilitate rational vaccine design and improve therapeutic strategies to combat persistent infections. Mouse models of chronic viral infection demonstrate that interleukin-21 (IL-21), produced primarily by CD4 T cells, is required for the generation and maintenance of functionally competent CD8 T cells and viral containment. We reasoned that preserved IL-21 production during HIV-1 infection would be associated with enhanced CD8 T cell function, allowing improved viral control. Here we analyzed the ability of CD4 and CD8 T cells to produce several cytokines in addition to IL-21 ex vivo following stimulation with overlapping HIV-1 peptides. Both CD4 and CD8 T cells were able to produce IL-21 in response to HIV-1 infection, with the latter cell type more closely associated with viral control. Furthermore, IL-21-producing HIV-1-specific CD4 T cells (compared to those producing other cytokines) were the best indicator of functional CD8 T cells. Our results demonstrate that HIV-1-specific IL-21-producing CD8 T cells are induced following primary infection and enriched in elite controllers, suggesting a critical role for these cells in the maintenance of viremia control.
Extension of multilayer precursor synthesis to the ternary InxNb3Se4 system

A series of elemental multilayer films was prepared with an overall composition of In{sub x}Nb{sub 3}Se{sub 4} with x = 0-5. The indium-containing samples were found to undergo a solid-state amorphization reaction before crystallization while the Nb{sub 3}Se{sub 4} crystallization heterogenerously at the reacting niobium-selenium interfaces. The crystallization of Nb{sub 3}Se{sub 4} from the amorphous samples is studied as a function of indium composition.
Growth factors in the tumorigenicity of a brain tumor cell line

Abstract We studied a virally induced canine gliosarcoma brain tumor cell line capable of producing brain tumors in vivo following intracerebral inoculation of the cells into the brains of adult mongrel dogs. Cloned populations from this cell line differed in their ability to produce brain tumors in vivo. In vitro transforming growth factor-β secretion by each clone correlated with in vivo tumorigenicity. Mitogenic activity like that produced with platelet-derived growth factor was also secreted by each clone and correlated with in vivo tumorigenicity. Epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-α production was not detected in any of the clones of canine gliosarcoma cells. Although only some of the brain tumor cell clones were able to produce tumors in immunologically normal dogs, brain tumors were produced in all dogs pretreated with cyclosporin and in all "nude" mice, suggesting that tumor immunology plays an important role in this brain tumor model. In vitro cloning efficiency of each brain tumor cell clone also correlated with in vivo tumorigenicity. We postulate that transforming growth factor-β may both stimulate brain tumor cell growth and inhibit host antitumor immune surveillance.
White light emissions through down-conversion of rare-earth doped LaF 3 nanoparticles

Through the use of complex core-shell structures, white light emissions are observed from a single nanoparticle doped with multiple trivalent rare-earth ions. The internal structuring of the nanoparticle to allow for a controlled degree of energy transfer a common excitation wavelength yielding the white light emission is obtained. Emissions with correlated color temperatures ranging from 2700K to 5000K were produced. The stability of the phosphors to excitation wavelength variations was examined.
Specificity of diagnostic nerve blocks: a prospective, randomized study of sciatica due to lumbosacral spine disease

Temporary nerve blocks using local anesthetic are employed extensively in the evaluation of pain problems, particularly lumbosacral spine disease. Their specificity and sensitivity in localizing anatomic sources of pain have never been studied formally, however, and so their diagnostic and prognostic value is questionable. There have been anecdotal reports of relief of pain by temporary blocks directed to areas of pain referral, as opposed to areas of documented underlying pathology; but there has been no study to define the frequency or magnitude of this effect. We have examined the specificity and sensitivity of a battery of local anesthetic blocks in a series of 33 patients with a chief complaint of sciatica, attributable in all cases to spinal disease (radiculopathy, with some clinical features of arthropathy). As determined by blinded patient analog ratings in randomized sequence, three different nerve blocks were significantly more effective than control lumbar subcutaneous injection of an identical volume of 3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine (P < 0.05). Not only paraspinal lumbosacral root blocks and medial branch posterior primary ramus blocks (at or proximal to the pathology), but also sciatic nerve blocks (distal or collateral to the pathology) produced temporary relief in a majority of patients. This confirmed the study hypothesis that false positive results are common, and specificity is low. For sciatic nerve blocks, specificity was between 24% and 36%. Patterns of responses specific to the established diagnosis of radiculopathy (i.e., root block most effective) had sensitivities between 9% and 42%. Statistical analysis of clinical and technical prognostic factors revealed that the only association with pain relief by any block were the effects of other blocks. The strongest association was between relief by sciatic nerve block and relief by medial branch posterior primary ramus (facet) block (P = 0.001, odds ratio 16.0). There were no associations between the results of blocks and clinical findings (history, physical examination, diagnostic imaging) in these patients, chosen for their homogeneous clinical presentation and absence of functional signs. Our findings indicate a limited role for uncontrolled local anesthetic blocks in the diagnostic evaluation of sciatica and referred pain syndromes in general. Negative blocks or a pattern of responses may have some predictive value, but isolated, positive blocks are non-specific. This lack of specificity may, however, be advantageous in therapeutic applications.
Predictors of Life Satisfaction in Frail Elderly

Abstract This study examined the relationship between life satisfaction and physical status, emotional health, social support and locus of control in the frail elderly. A random sample of 99 low-income, frail elderly living in the community was interviewed. Almost 40% of participants reported high levels of life satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis identified four significant predictors of life satisfaction: Perceived physical health, social support, emotional balance, and locus of control. Physical health emerged as the most significant predictor of life satisfaction accounting for 14% of the variance. Social support, emotional balance and locus of control each accounted for an additional 6% of the variance in life satisfaction. All four predictors explained 32% (R= .57) of the total variance in life satisfaction. Implications for practice and recommendations are discussed.
β‐Adrenoceptor stimulating properties of para‐dimethylaminobenzaldehyde

Summary 1 Studies on the various isolated tissues indicate that para-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DMAB) is a β-adrenoceptor stimulant. DMAB is antagonized by the β-adrenoceptor blocking agent, MJ 1999, but not by the α-adrenoceptor blocking agent, phentolamine. 2 A study of dose-response relationships suggests a competitive interaction between MJ 1999 and DMAB. 3 DMAB was about 122 times less potent than isoprenaline on the isolated guinea-pig tracheal preparation. The effects of DMAB on isolated rabbit atria were not only very weak, but were also very brief. On this tissue, DMAB was respectively 72,000 and 55,400 times less active than isoprenaline in producing positive chronotropic and inotropic effects. DMAB caused the relaxation of the guinea-pig taenia coli and the rabbit ileum. These actions were very weak in comparison with those of isoprenaline. 4 These results suggest that a compound (DMAB) structurally different from isoprenaline may mimic isoprenaline responses by stimulating β-adrenoceptors through different mechanisms.
Incorporation of Be isotopes and other trace metals into marine ferromanganese deposits

Abstract Two-to threefold inward increase of 10Be, 9Be, Cu and Ni have been found in surface layers of marine ferromanganese deposits. We interpret this phenomenon as reflecting the manner in which the Be isotopes and probably other trace metals (e.g. Cu and Ni) are incorporated. On reaching the sea floor exchangeable Be is released from its carrier phase to the pore water of the ferromanganese deposits, diffuses inward and gets fixed into the deposits. The fixation process may be related to the mineralogical reorganizations suggested by previous studies. We have modeled this concept and applied it to a Mn crust on which detailed analyses of Cu, Ni and natural decay-series nuclides, as well as Be isotopes are made. Post-depositional fixation of Th isotopes may also occur. The redistributions of Be and Th isotopes are confined to regions very close to the surface of the deposits. For all practical purposes, they will not affect growth rate determinations conventionally done using these isotopes. The “linearly” extrapolated 10 Be 9 Be ratio to the surface from deep layers of a Mn deposit does not necessarily represent that ratio in sea water.
Area selective atomic layer deposition: use of lithographically defined polymer masking layers for the deposition of titanium dioxide

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a promising method for depositing high quality, conformal, ultra-thin films. The ability to perform area selective ALD would provide a number of benefits including a reduction in the cost and number of process steps required for patternwise deposition of materials, elimination of possible substrate and device damage induced by plasma etching of thin films, and ability to direct pattern materials that are difficult to etch. Previous attempts have been made to develop area selective ALD processes based on the use of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). In these schemes, the SAM layers were used to selectively passivate specific regions of a substrate surface and thus prevent ALD. However, the process times required for SAM deposition and problems with SAM defectivity have limited the practical application of such methods. This paper presents a new approach to area selective atomic layer deposition techniques (ASALDT) based on the use of lithographically definable polymeric masking layers that allow deposition only in selected areas of a substrate. It is shown that there are a number of factors that must be considered in designing such patternable polymeric masking materials and processes including: reactivity of the polymer with the ALD precursor species, diffusion of ALD precursors through the polymer mask, and remnant precursor content in the masking film during ALD cycling. Finally, successful direct patterned deposition of TiO 2 is demonstrated using a poly(methyl methacrylate) masking layer that has been patterned using deep-UV lithography.
A swamp and its subjects: conservation politics, surveillance and resistance in Trinidad, the West Indies

Abstract Once overlooked or scorned for its purportedly “unscientific” and culturally contextual nature, local knowledge has recently become a key ingredient in conservation and development planning in developing countries. However, this abrupt shift in the conceptualization and assumed utility of local knowledge has not received widespread theoretical attention. In addition, the literature on local knowledge is dominated by discussions of the scientific and applied merits of local epistemologies, and little theorization has been devoted to the explicitly spatial and social contexts that inform the encounters between local and scientific knowledge. This article draws on Michel Foucault's notions of subjectification, surveillance, and subjugated knowledge to analyze the liberatory potential of local knowledge through its embodiment in spatially situated subjects. The article builds on a case study in Trinidad, focusing on the subjectification of local fishermen through constructions of local knowledge, and the ways in which this subjectification was reversed and employed in the performance of resistance and intracommunal conflicts.
Intrinsic factors causing qualitative changes in populations of Porthetria dispar (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae).

Evidence is presented to suggest that the gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar (L.), is numerically self-regulating through a shift in the quality of individuals induced by changes in nutrition. This qualitative change affects dispersal, behavior, developmental rate, and fecundity, and this provides P. dispar with the ability to respond to intrinsic and extrinsic factors faster and more efficiently than if dependent on selection. Adaptability is further facilitated because the change in quality can be induced either in the previous generation by the amount of nutrient reserves provided the eggs, or during the current generation by hunger, crowding, or cool temperature. This change is best characterized by an increase in the number of larvae with additional instars. In these larvae, a prolongation of instar I and a shift in behavior increases their potential for dispersal. The similarities and differences between P. dispar and Malacosoma pluviale (Dyar) are discussed.
Pattern Recognition of Steroids Using Fragment Molecular Connectivity

The use of pattern recognition methods to classify a set of steroids into five therapeutic categories was investigated. First-order fragment molecular connectivity values were determined for 10 positions on each molecule using a template-based method of position assignment. Learning set and test set classifications were performed. Although the numbers of compounds misclassified were comparable for all of the methods, the identities of the misclassified compounds varied depending on whether the classification method assumed a local or a global view of the data. The best classification results were comparable to those obtained by linear and quadratic discriminant analyses. For this set of compounds, it was concluded that pattern recognition methods offer no advantages over traditional discriminant analysis methods if classification alone is considered, especially since most discriminant analysis procedures utilize stepwise variable selection, which is not as common in pattern recognition analyses.
Buprenorphine alters ethanol self-administration in rats: dose-response and time-dependent effects

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist derived from thebaine and has high affinity for μ and κ opioid receptors. The present study investigated dose-response (0.03, 0.15, 0.3, 3 mg/kg) and time-dependent effects of buprenorphine (1.5 or 4 h post-treatment) on EtOH self-administration in outbred Sprague-Dawley rats. Freely feeding and drinking rats were trained to initiate EtOH self-administration for 1 h daily using the ascending concentration procedure, wherein they were provided with increasing concentrations of EtOH at 2, 5, 7, 9 and 11% (v/v), respectively. Water was concurrently available with each concentration. Animals were maintained on a given concentration of EtOH for 5 days. By day 21, animals began their stabilization on the 11% regimen and remained on this concentration throughout the remainder of the study. EtOH and water consumption were recorded daily at both 10- and 60-min intervals. At 1.5 h post-buprenorphine, all test doses greatly suppressed both EtOH and water intake at the 10-min interval. At the 60-min interval, all but the lowest dose (0.03 mg/kg) significantly suppressed EtOH intake, while only the highest dose (3 mg/kg) suppressed water intake. In contrast to the suppressant profile observed at 1.5 h post-buprenorphine, at 4 h post-buprenorphine the lower doses (0.03 and 0.15 mg/kg) significantly increased EtOH intake while the higher doses (0.3 and 3 mg/kg) continued to suppress intake. None of the doses of buprenorphine altered water intake 4 h post-buprenorphine. The results support previous research demonstrating the utility of low doses of buprenorphine in suppressing behavior rewarded by a non-opioid drug.
Nonconvective Forces: A Critical and Often Ignored Component in the Echocardiographic Assessment of Transvalvular Pressure Gradients

Echocardiography is routinely used to assess ventricular and valvular function, particularly in patients with known or suspected cardiac disease and who have evidence of hemodynamic compromise. A cornerstone to the use of echocardiographic imaging is not only the qualitative assessment, but also the quantitative Doppler-derived velocity characteristics of intracardiac blood flow. While simplified equations, such as the modified Bernoulli equation, are used to estimate intracardiac pressure gradients based upon Doppler velocity data, these modified equations are based upon assumptions of the varying contributions of the different forces that contribute to blood flow. Unfortunately, the assumptions can result in significant miscalculations in determining a gradient if not completely understood or they are misapplied. We briefly summarize the principles of fluid dynamics that are used clinically with some of the inherent limitations of routine broad application of the simplified Bernoulli equation.
Wall street and main street

Economic science is prone to cycles of theoretical fads. Before 1929, pundits believed that prosperity in agriculture was necessary if the economy was to be prosperous. ‘Food will win the war and write the peace’. That was First World War boilerplate, still being muttered by Jeremiahs of the midtwenties who warned that hard times on the farms would bring on a world debacle. After 1929, the dogma that Wall Street crashes cause Main Street slumps became dogma. As recently as 1962, when President Kennedy lost his patience with Roger Blough of U.S. Steel, the resulting crack in the Dow-Jones indexes was feared to entail a National Bureau recession for the American economy. At least that is what you would have learned if, trapped in any Sheraton Hotel and having exhausted the Moody Bible, you read the autobiography planted there by Ernest Henderson, the founder of the Sheraton hostelry chain and self-taught expert in macroeconomics. Henderson, exaggerating my Rasputin powers over J.F. Kennedy, called me in to say: ‘Tell your man that in six months time we’ll be in a real bad recession unless he backs down from his business bashing’. I solemnly recorded in my little black notebook that a recession would arrive by November 1962. But such are my powers over the Head of State that by that Doomsday date, the GNP was in a nice recovery from its mini-growth-recession of earlier 1962. The post-Blough hiccough in the production index, by the way, was about what Franc0 Modigliani’s MIT-Penn-Fed model predicted ought to result from the realized loss in
Effects of personal meaning among patients in primary and specialized care: Associations with psychosocial and physical outcomes

Personal meaning is thought to serve as an important resource among individuals adapting to the demands of illness. However, some work in this area has been marked by vague conceptualization, or use of assessment instruments that are confounded by well-being. This investigation evaluated relationships between psychosocial and physical outcomes and one theoretically important dimension of attained global meaning - perceptions of life purpose and commitment. Study 1 evaluated 175 patients followed in a primary care gynaecological practice. Study 2 assessed 104 cancer patients in a specialized stem cell transplantation centre. In both samples, personal meaning was concurrently associated with reduced emotional distress, enhanced coping efficacy, and closer intimate relationships, after controlling for social desirability bias and relevant demographic and medical covariates. Associations with lower distress and improved coping efficacy remained significant after additionally controlling for other psychosocial resource variables (i.e. social support, religiousness, emotional control). Personal meaning appears to be independently related to concurrent psychosocial adjustment in a range of medical settings.
Familism, Interparental Conflict, and Parenting in Mexican-Origin Families: A Cultural-Contextual Framework

The present investigation examined the relations between the cultural belief of familism and various aspects of family functioning and child adjustment, including interparental conflict, parenting, and children's attachment to school, in a sample of 549 two-parent Mexican-origin families. The results indicated that parents' familistic values were negatively associated with interparental conflict for both mothers and fathers. Parents' familistic values were also indirectly associated with parenting through the marital relationship. Interparental conflict was negatively associated with nurturant-involved parenting for both parents, but particularly for fathers. Interparental conflict had an indirect negative effect on children's attachment to school via mothers' and fathers' nurturant-involved parenting. Both paternal and maternal nurturant-involved parenting behaviors were positively associated with children's attachment to school across two time points. Child gender differences are also discussed.
A highly reiterated family of transcribed oligo(A)-terminated, interspersed DNA elements in the genome of Bombyx mori.

Abstract A library of low C 0 t DNA ( C 0 t is the molar concentration of DNA times the incubation time in seconds) from Bombyx mori was used to isolate five independent clones of highly reiterated sequences from the genome of this organism. Sequence analysis revealed that all five clones belong to a single family of repetitive DNA elements, which we have named Bm1, and whose reiteration frequency is approximately 2.3 × 10 4 copies per haploid genome. Probing of a Bombyx genomic library (in lambda phage) with a Bm1 clone reveals that this repetitive sequence is dispersed throughout the genome. The pattern of interspersion was confirmed by Southern blot mapping of a large (270 × 10 3 basepairs) domain of the chorion locus of Bombyx , where at least 13 independent regions were found to hybridize to Bm1. Four additional Bm1 elements have been sequenced from a 4.8 × 10 3 base-pair genomic fragment containing an early chorion gene. Two of these four elements are bounded by short (4 to 12 base-pairs) direct repeats. The nine Bm1 elements which have been sequenced are greater than 88% homologous to each other, and tend to fall in at least two size classes (253 base-pairs and 450 base-pairs). Seven of the nine Bm1 elements have a short 6 to 10 base-pair oligo(A) sequence at the 3′ end. A sequence of about 29 base-pairs at the 3′ end, including the oligo(A), shows 86% homology to the equivalent 3′-terminal domain of human Alu family repetitive elements. A 129 base-pair domain at the 5′ end of Bm1 shows 66% homology to a Drosophila valine transfer RNA gene; thus the 5′ end of Bm1 may contain the split internal RNA polymerase III promoter that is characteristic of most transcribed tRNA-like retroposons. Dot-blot analysis of Bombyx RNA shows that Bm1 DNA is indeed transcribed, and that the transcripts are well-represented in the total RNA of an ovarian-derived permanent cell line and posterior silk glands early in the fifth instar, but are less abundant in the RNA of pupae or silk glands late in the fifth instar.
Dysregulation of interleukin‐7 receptor may generate loss of cytotoxic T cell response in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection

Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) play a crucial role in modulating an immune response against human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1) infection. The generation of effector cytotoxic cells from CTL precursors involves intricate interactions with antigen via T cell receptors (TcR) and soluble cytokines. Interleukin (IL)-7 can affect T cell maturation and differentiation. Here we report on a group of five HIV-1-positive individuals who tested negative for env- and gag-specific CTL activity. When exogenous recombinant human IL-7 was added as a stimulus to the cultures, none (0/5) of the CTL-negative individuals exhibited a CTL response. Individuals that were negative for HIV-1-specific CTL activity were found to lack IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) on CD8+ cells with a comparable reduction on CD4+ cells. Increased shedding of IL-7R in the culture supernatant was observed. A significant reduction in receptor number was detected by binding of 125I-labeled IL-7 and Scatchard analysis. The lack of IL-7R is probably not due to endogenous IL-7, since it was not detectable in the culture supernatants of the patients studied. HIV-1 proteins may cause down-modulation of IL-7R expression, either by producing an insufficient number of molecules or by rapid decay of IL-7R on T cells. These changes may alter the cells' capability to respond to the IL-7 growth signal, resulting in CTL failure and subsequent mishandling of the virus.
Aggregate Stochastic Implications of the Life Cycle Hypothesis

This paper sets forth some key aggregate stochastic implications of the Modigliani-Brumberg [1980] life cycle hypothesis and explores the extent to which a properly aggregated life cycle model can help to explain the first and second moment properties of changes in per capita consumption. The principal finding of the paper, which to my knowledge is new, is that smooth per capita consumption in the presence of permanent shocks to per capital labor income is exactly the outcome one should expect from a properly aggregated life cycle model in which saving for retirement, as well as for consumption smoothing, is a motive for asset accumulation.
ASIA: Accelerated secure in-network aggregation in vehicular sensing networks

Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) can potentially become a sensing platform. In-network aggregation, a fundamental primitive for querying sensory data, has been shown to reduce overall communication overhead at large. To secure data aggregation in VANETs, existing schemes mainly rely on digital signatures. However, generating and verifying such signatures can cause high computational overhead. More importantly, time-consuming verifications lead to the vulnerability to signature flooding attacks in which a receiver cannot timely verify all messages before their respective deadlines. In this paper, we propose ASIA as an Accelerated Secure In-network Aggregation strategy that can accelerate message verifications and significantly reduce computational overhead while retaining satisfactory security. We replace the most common tree graph with a directed acyclic graph as the aggregation structure. Resulting redundancy in information flow offers the opportunity for misbehavior detection. Meanwhile, by leveraging time asymmetry, upstream nodes in the structure can verify downstream messages through the modified light-weight TESLA scheme. We analyze the security properties of ASIA and provide evaluation results. We show that ASIA can largely accelerate message verifications and drastically reduce computational and communication overhead compared to existing schemes using the resource-consuming Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm.
Principles and practice of therapeutic exercise for horses.

Abstract Physical therapists are an integral component of the medical team in human health care. They are backed by a solid foundation of basic science and clinical research. Veterinarians have only recently begun to incorporate physical therapy into clinical practice, but without formal research that validates therapeutic interventions specific to equine patients. The purpose of this article is to present a series of therapeutic exercises adapted for horses based on knowledge and experience of human physical therapy, equine biomechanics, and the types of movement dysfunction commonly seen in the performance horse. Injuries, lameness and musculoskeletal pain syndromes, frequently encountered in equine practice, are disorders that may be successfully addressed with physical therapy. Incorporating standard therapeutic interventions based on clinical success in humans, basic science research, or expert opinion is possible with the understanding that these techniques will ultimately be accepted or refuted when their success or failure is formally documented. This review is designed to stimulate discussion and encourage research that will add to the knowledge base and lead to effective therapeutic protocols in the equine patient.
Length variation in the non-transcribed spacer of Calliphora erythrocephala ribosomal DNA is due to a 350 base-pair repeat

Abstract The non-transcribed spacer regions in the ribosomal DNA cistrons of Calliphora erythrocephala vary in length. This length variation is shown to be due to variable numbers of small repeated units found in certain areas of the NTS † regions, as has been found in several other systems. In contrast to the other organisms, however, the length variation in C. erythrocephala leads to the formation of only two major size classes with a length difference of about 1 kb. We have investigated the nature of this length difference by means of electron microscope heteroduplex and restriction enzyme digestion analyses. We demonstrate that the length variation in C. erythrocephala is due to a variation in the number of 350 bp repeating units defined by the presence of sites for three restriction enzymes, Hha I, Sau 3A and Alu I. Furthermore, the existence of an Xba I site within one 350 bp unit and the lack of a Hha I restriction site within another 350 bp unit reveals that at least some sequence differences exist among the repeating units. These restriction site differences can be viewed as genetic markers and lead to the hypothesis that the longer NTS class originated from the shorter NTS class by an unequal crossover event that served to duplicate the region containing repetitive units. An interesting feature of our observation is that not all NTS length classes are equally represented, suggesting special rules for the unequal recombination events often hypothesized as the basis for such variation.
Prostaglandin F2alpha induces expression of prostaglandin G/H synthase-2 in the ovine corpus luteum: a potential positive feedback loop during luteolysis.

The primary role of prostaglandin (PG) F 2in regression of the corpus luteum has been clearly demonstrated in many mammalian species. We have used in vivo and in vitro approaches to investigate the possibility that exogenous PGF2induces expression of prostaglandin G/H synthase-2 (PGHS-2; cyclooxygenase-2) and causes production of PGF2, in ovine luteal cells. Ewes received infusions into the ovarian artery of 1 ml PGF2 (1 jimol) or saline, and corpora lutea were collected at various times and analyzed for PGHS-2 mRNA using quantitative, competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. PGF2. dramatically increased the steady-state concentration of mRNA for PGHS-2 within 1 h, but basal concentration returned at 12 h posttreatment. In vitro studies using isolated ovine large luteal cells indicated that mRNA for PGHS-2 was induced by PGF 2,, phorbol didecanoate, and ionomycin in a pattern similar to that observed in vivo. PGHS-2 protein was induced by all three treatments 4-12 h later, and accumulation of PGF 2. in the culture media increased at 12 and 24 h posttreatment. In conclusion, we have provided evidence that PGF2., probably acting through the protein kinase C/free intracellular calcium pathway, can stimulate large luteal cells to express PGHS-2 and produce PGF2,. This luteal PGF 2. is likely to have an autocrine/paracrine function to augment the luteolytic effect of PGF2,, of uterine origin.
Manned Space Exploration Can Provide Great Scientific Benefits

An AGU Council statement (NASA: Earth and space sciences at risk, available at http://www.agu.org/sci_soc/policy/positions/earthspace_risk.shtml) and an Eos editorial [Barron, 2005], addressing NASA's envisioned manned Moon-Mars initiative, implicitly assume a zero-sum situation between manned and unmanned space programs. They also imply that the NASA initiative will not contribute significantly to science but will “impact on the current and future health of Earth and space science research.” I wish to respond to these concerns. It is generally agreed that the International Space Station and shuttle program have limited value and need to be terminated. But one should not assume that funds freed up by elimination of manned programs will accrue to unmanned programs. On the contrary, without a manned component, NASA will probably cease to exist. Congress likely will not continue to fund unmanned planetary exploration over the long term, and Earth and space researchers will then have to compete for support with scientists using non-space techniques.
DETECTION OF WEST NILE VIRUS IN LARGE POOLS OF MOSQUITOES

ABSTRACT We conducted a laboratory evaluation of the ability of commercial antigen-capture assays, the Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP®) and the VecTest® wicking assay, as well as Real Time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR, Taqman) and Vero cell plaque assay to detect West Nile virus (WNV) in large mosquito pools. Real-Time PCR (Taqman) was the most sensitive, detecting WNV ribonucleic acid (RNA) in 100% of samples containing a single infected mosquito in pool sizes of up to 500 mosquitoes. Mosquito body tissues minimally impacted the ability of Real Time RT-PCR to detect WNV in a pool size of 500, reducing sensitivity by 0.6 log10 plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml. Vero cell plaque assay detected live virus from a single infected mosquito in 100% of pools containing up to 200 mosquitoes, but was unreliable at larger pool sizes. VecTest detected 100% of positive pools containing 50 mosquitoes with 5.8 log10 PFU/ml virus, 100 mosquitoes with 5.9 log10 PFU/ml, and 200 mosquitoes ...
Complementary adaptive control of Zeta converters

Compensators and Proportional-Integral (PI) controllers have been designed and used for control of Zeta converters. However, frequent voltage variations in some applications such as maximum power point tracking of solar power require a high profile voltage tracking controller. In addition, load resistance and circuit parameter variations such as inductance, capacitance and their internal resistance influence the performance of conventional controllers. This paper illustrates the design and application of a complementary model reference adaptive controller for output voltage tracking control of zeta converters. The complementary controller structure will reduce the adaptive controller's control effort to 2%-9% variation. The results demonstrate a close tracking profile with minimal control effort and elimination of the load resistance dependencies. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the high performance of output voltage tracking profile.
On stabilizing solutions to the Riccati differential equation

Sufficient conditions are presented for the existence of a stabilizing solution to a Riccati differential equation using the notion of a pole set for a time-varying state equation previously defined by the author (1997). The results presented in this paper supplement the work of Ravi et al. (1992) and generalize the methods used in the investigation of stabilizing solutions to the algebraic Riccati equation.
Efficient dynamic synchronous machine simulation with harmonics

Within this paper, an efficient procedure for the dynamic simulation of faulted synchronous machines operating in the presence of harmonics is presented. The algorithm employs steady-state frequency domain techniques for simulation of the transmission system sequence networks and time domain methods for synchronous machines represented in the odq frame of reference. The procedure affords greater accuracy than conventional fault analysis techniques based strictly on steady-state methods, yet requires far less computational time than full system dynamic simulations such as those using the EMTP.
Deformation and Fracture Mechanisms of Advanced Polymer Composites under Impact Loading

Instrumented drop weight impact testing has been used to study the impact performance of fiber reinforced polymer composites. Deformation processes and fracture mechanisms of thin-plate composite laminates were examined as a function of material parameters, plate thickness, stacking sequence, and impact loading rate. For the lami nates containing tough fibers, such as high-strength polyethylene, plastic deformation was found to be an important energy absorbing mechanism. High flexibility of these fibers allows the incident energy to be dispersed in a wider area and the impact load to be shared by a greater volume of material. A clean penetration crack was observed in the samples that contain primarily brittle fibers, such as graphite. This failure mode absorbed very lit tle incident energy. In addition, both matrix-fiber interfacial debonding and interlaminar cracking were shown to be effective in dissipating impact energy. Mechanistic study in dicated that the impact response of the laminates can be desc...
Do handheld calorimeters have a role in assessment of nutrition needs in hospitalized patients? A systematic review of literature.

BACKGROUND Indirect calorimetry is a noninvasive and reliable means of determining resting metabolic rate in humans. Barriers to obtaining an accurate measure of resting metabolic rate (RMR) in hospitalized patients include the expense and the requirement of technical expertise for maintenance. METHODS A literature search on handheld calorimeters was conducted using PubMed and OVID. The search resulted in a total of 54 published articles; 23 of these specifically are about handheld calorimeter devices. RESULTS Results from a handheld calorimeter were similar to those obtained from metabolic cart studies. The Douglas bag method compared with the MedGem indicated a significant agreement (P = .286). The handheld device was compared with metabolic carts in 9 studies with mixed results. The predictive equations (Harris-Benedict, Mifflin-St Jeor, and FAO/WHO equations) over- and underestimated RMR compared with the MedGem. The Harris-Benedict equation overestimated the RMR by 3%-11%, the Mifflin-St Jeor equation overestimated the RMR by 1%, and the FAO/WHO equation overestimated RMR by 12%. CONCLUSION The present study examines the validity and reliability of handheld calorimeters for measuring resting energy expenditure based on published literature. Handheld calorimeters are more accurate than predictive equations based on gender, age, and ethnicity for determining resting metabolic rate and are therefore a viable alternative for clinical evaluation of the hospitalized patient.
From ‘a box in the theater of the world’ to ‘the world as your living room’: cellular phones, television and mobile privatization:

The ability to receive and view television programs (and other moving image material) on the cellular phone should be seen as part of a larger system of asserting private space in an environment that is crowded with both people and technology. I begin with Walter Benjamin’s notion that the rise of the private individual can be indexed to the set of practices that transform the dwelling place into an interiorization of the external world through the collection of images and objects while at the same time acting as a place of refuge from the external world. Linking those observations to Raymond Williams’ notion of mobile privatization, I argue that the contradictory impulses of moving through the world while retreating from it are the product of economic and social structures which act to isolate individuals from each other while connecting them to the products of corporate media, and do not arise from any inherent traits within cellular phone technology.
Neuropsychological care and rehabilitation of cancer patients with chemobrain: strategies for evaluation and intervention development

Malignant tumors and their various treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy can deleteriously affect a large number of cancer patients and survivors on multiple dimensions of psychosocial and neurocognitive functioning. Oncology researchers and clinicians are increasingly cognizant of the negative effects of cancer and its treatments on the brain and its mental processes and cognitive outcomes. Nevertheless, effective interventions to treat cancer and treatment-related neurocognitive dysfunction (CRND), also known as chemobrain, are still lacking. The paucity of data on effective treatments for CRND is due, at least partly, to difficulties understanding its etiology, and a lack of reliable methods for assessing its presence and severity. This paper provides an overview of the incidence, etiology, and magnitude of CRND, and discusses the plausible contributions of psychological, motor function, and linguistic and behavioral complications to CRND. Strategies for reliable neuropsychological screening and assessment, and development and testing of effective ways to mitigate CRND are also discussed.
Ultra-thin bifacial CdTe solar cell

Abstract Developing a high-quality transparent back contact, while maintaining efficient light transmission through the top absorber layer, are key components for achieving high-efficiency II–VI polycrystalline thin-film tandem solar cells. Combining these two elements, we fabricated ultra-thin bifacial CdTe solar cells (0.68 μm) with ZnTe:N/ITO transparent back contact and achieved efficiencies of 5.7% and 5.0% with illumination from the glass and the contact side, respectively. Device analysis, using ( J – V ) and QE measurements, show that the loss in efficiency is due to higher R S and J 0 as well as lower, side-dependent, photons absorption.
Patient education and regular surveillance results in earlier diagnosis of second primary melanoma

Background As the incidence of cutaneous melanoma continues to rise, more individuals will be at risk for developing second primary melanomas. We hypothesize that patient education and follow-up surveillance will lead to the early detection of subsequent primary melanomas as demonstrated by a decrease in Breslow thickness at diagnosis. Methods A computer-based investigation was performed to identify patients who had developed a second primary melanoma following treatment of in situ and American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) Stage I or II melanoma. Patients are routinely educated on the increased risk of developing a second primary lesion and characteristic clinical features of melanoma. Patient surveillance was performed on a regular basis. Differences in Breslow thickness between the initial and subsequent primary melanomas were analyzed by a paired t-test. Results Among 877 individuals identified in the Mount Sinai School of Medicine Department of Dermatopathology database with in situ or AJCC Stage I or II melanoma, 111 developed a second primary melanoma. The mean thickness was 0.239 ± 0.661 mm for the initial melanoma and 0.1135 ± 0.319 mm for the subsequent melanoma. By paired t-test, the difference in tumor thickness was statistically significant (P = 0.019). Conclusions Upon analysis of our data, subsequent primary cutaneous melanomas were found to be significantly thinner than initial primary melanomas at the time of diagnosis. This suggests that earlier diagnosis may be the result of patient education and careful follow up. Counselling on the risk of developing a second primary melanoma, education regarding clinical characteristics of melanoma, and routine lifelong follow up should be provided to all patients diagnosed with a cutaneous melanoma.
AMPHION: automatic programming for subroutine libraries

AMPHION is a generic architecture that is specialized to a particular domain and subroutine library through a domain theory and domain-specific theorem-proving tactics. This paper discusses AMPHION-NAIF, the application of AMPHION to the domain of solar system kinematics as implemented in the SPICELIB subroutine library. The Navigation Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF) at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is charged with developing software to support the planetary science community in planning and analyzing the observation geometries of solar system bodies in interplanetary scientific missions. The objective of SPICELIB is to enable end-users in the planetary science community to construct their own application programs. >
Alkyne Cycloaddition to a Titanocene Oxide as a Route to Cyclopentadienyl Modification

Addition of terminal or internal alkynes to a base-free titanocene oxide results in synthesis of the corresponding oxometallocyclobutene. With appropriate cyclopentadienyl substitution, these compounds undergo reversible C-C reductive elimination offering a unique approach to cyclopentadienyl modification.
Performance analysis of multiuser selection diversity with adaptive transmission

In this paper, we study the performance of multiuser selection diversity with adaptive transmission based on absolute signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)-based scheduling and normalized SNR-base scheduling. Our performance criteria include achievable system spectral efficiency as well as access probability, average access time, and average access rate of individual users. Closed-form expressions are obtained for these performance measures when the users are subject to independent but not necessarily identically distributed (non-iid) Rayleigh fading and when these users move at possibly different speeds. These results confirm that the system spectral efficiency for both scheduling schemes increases as the number of users in the system grows. These results also show that while the disparateness in the average channel conditions (i.e. short-term average SNR) among users is beneficial to the system spectral efficiency when the absolute SNR-based scheduling is used. On the other hand, the normalized SNR-based scheduling is not fair any more due to the absolute minimum SNR restriction for reliable communication. For the non-iid case, the normalized SNR-based scheduling has some advantage over the i.i.d. case because of the disparateness in the average SNR among users when the number of users and average SNR for i.i.d. users are small. This advantage disappears as the number of users and/or average SNR for i.i.d. users increase.