cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activity of multiple light chain genes in murine myeloma cells producing a single, functional light chain

Two cloned lambda 1-producing myelomas (HOPC-1, MOPC-104E) contain rearranged kappa genes and levels of mature-sized kappa RNA comparable to those found in kappa-producing myeloma cells. Another lambda 1-producing myeloma tumor line (HOPC-2020) and a lambda 1-containing B cell leukemia line (BCL1) also contain significant levels of kappa RNA. One lambda 11-producing line (MOPC-315) contains no detectable kappa RNA, but it also has no kappa genes in the embryonic configuration. kappa-related proteins are not detectable in the lambda 1-producing lines by standard procedures, but by sensitive methods at least two lines contain kappa protein fragments. The MOPC-104E line produces both a 14.5K kappa fragment that is not readily detectable because of its low rate of synthesis and short half-life (T 1/2 less than 5 min), and a major 16.5K protein that lacks kappa cross reactivity but is demonstrable by translation of purified MOPC-104E kappa RNA. The HOPC-1 kappa RNA also encodes a short-lived 14K kappa fragment. The MPC-11 line, which produces a mature kappa RNA and protein as well as an 800 base kappa fragment RNA and kappa protein fragment, has both kappa alleles rearranged, one apparently aberrantly between J and C kappa. Two different kappa RNA species, one the same size as the MPC-11 kappa fragment RNA, frequently are present in kappa RNA-containing Abelson murine leukemia virus-transformed lymphoid cells as well as in 18 and 19 day murine fetal liver. For light chains, neither allelic nor isotype exclusion is generally evident in myeloma and lymphoma cells; rather both produce only a single functional light chain. Models of light chain activation must explain restriction by considering the functional properties of the light chain rather than light chain gene expression.
Sex Ratio in Progeny of Mice Inseminated with Sperm treated with H-Y Antiserum

SPECULATION that immunological means could be used to control the sex ratio in mammals began when Eichwald and Silmser1 provided evidence for a Y-linked histocompatibility antigen. Feldman2 and Sachs and Heller3 initially suggested that serum from inbred females immunised by skin from males of the same strain (and assumed to contain antibody specifically directed against the Y antigen) might selectively impair the fertilising ability of sperm containing the Y chromosome. Testing of this hypothesis was hampered by lack of adequate systems for demonstrating and assaying H-Y antibody in the sera of immunised females. Consequently experiments designed to examine the possibility of immunoselection of gametes have until now all been carried out in vivo, and have involved determining the sex ratio of progeny from female mice that had rejected skin grafts from males of the same strain4–6.
Calcium binding to rabbit skeletal myosin under physiological conditions.

Abstract At a free Mg 2+ concentration of 1.0 mM, myosin binds one Ca 2+ per molecule when the Ca 2+ concentration is 20 μM, a value in the concentration range expected during contraction of skeletal muscle. Mg 2+ alters Ca 2+ binding in a complex manner, not by simple competition. In the range from 20 to 100 μM Mg 2+ it produces positive cooperativity between the high-affinity Ca 2+ binding sites, in addition to shifting binding to higher Ca 2+ concentrations. High-affinity Ca 2+ binding is not significantly affected by the addition of ATP, increase in ionic strength to 0.1 and changes in temperature. Ca 2+ binding did not increase actin-activated ATPase activity in the absence of regulatory proteins, but rather inhibited it.
Pathogenic mechanisms in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.

Purpose of review This review considers new information on the pathogenesis of a long recognized and poorly understood form of glomerular injury, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. This disease has received growing attention as it is the principal renal manifestation of hepatitis C virus infection, which has become pandemic worldwide. Recent findings This review briefly describes three murine models of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis suitable for pathogenesis studies. We consider recent evidence implicating innate immune mechanisms in immune and autoimmune-mediated glomerulonephritis, and recent data pointing to the alternative pathway of complement activation in the amplification of glomerulonephritic injury. Summary Understanding the contribution of complement activation and innate immunity to the evolution of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis promises to provide new therapeutic targets for this disease. Inhibitors of the complement cascade are already being tested in clinical trials as therapeutic interventions for some human glomerular diseases. Successful tests of this approach in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis are still awaited. Our understanding of how the innate immune system modulates glomerulonephritis is still in an early stage, and future studies should be directed at identifying targets and specific interventions that may also benefit patients with this disease.
Effect of copper oxide wire particles dosage and feed supplement level on Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs

The objective of the experiment was to determine the optimal dose of copper oxide wire particles (COWPs) to reduce infection of Haemonchus contortus in male lambs. Five to six-month-old hair breed lambs were housed on concrete and fed 450 (L; n = 25) or 675 g (H; n = 25) corn/soybean meal supplement and bermudagrass hay. In July, lambs were inoculated with 10,000 L(3) larvae (97% H. contortus; Day 0). Lambs were administered 0, 2, 4, or 6 g COWP on Day 28. Concentrations of copper in the liver were determined. There were no effects of supplement level on concentrations of copper in the liver and a linear relationship existed between COWP treatment and concentrations of copper in liver (P < 0.001). Least squares means of the 0, 2, 4, 6 g COWP treatments were 62.2, 135.7, 161.1, and 208.4 ppm (P < 0.001). Between Days 0 and 28, PCV declined and by Day 42, PCV of all COWP-treated lambs was markedly higher than control lambs and remained higher (COWP x day, P < 0.05). By Day 21, PCV was greater in the H compared with the L group of lambs (P < 0.001). Within 14 days of COWP treatment FEC declined from more than 8000 eggs/g (epg) to less than 250 epg in all COWP-treated lambs (COWP x day, P < 0.001). The numbers of H. contortus in the abomasum were greatly reduced in all COWP-treated groups of lambs and remaining nematodes were predominantly males. FEC were greater in L versus H supplemented lambs and values decreased to a greater extent in H lambs when treated with COWP (supplement x COWP; P < 0.02). The 2 g COWP was effective in alleviating H. contortus infection and reducing number of egg-laying nematodes in the abomasum with the lowest concentration of copper in the liver of the COWP treatment groups. PCV values were more favorable for lambs fed the higher level of supplement, especially when FEC were greater than 8000 epg.
Inversion and classification studies of live-site production-level MetalMapper data sets

This paper illustrates the discrimination performance of a set of advanced models at an actual UXO live site. The suite of methods, which combines the orthonormalized volume magnetic source (ONVMS) model, a data-preprocessing technique based on joint diagonalization (JD), and differential evolution (DE) minimization, among others, was tested at the former Camp Beale in California. The data for the study were collected independently by two UXO production teams from Parsons and CH2M HILL using the MetalMapper (MM) sensor in cued mode; each set of data was also processed independently. Initially all data were inverted using a multi-target version of the combined ONVMS-DE algorithm, which provided intrinsic parameters (the total ONVMS amplitudes) that were then used to perform classification after having been inspected by an expert. Classification of the Parsons data was conducted by a Sky Research production team using a fingerprinting approach; analysis of the CH2M HILL data was performed by a Sky/Dartmouth R&D team using unsupervised clustering. During the classification stage the analysts requested the ground truth for selected anomalies typical of the different clusters; this was then used to classify them using a probability function. This paper reviews the data inversion, processing, and discrimination schemes involving the advanced EMI methods and presents the classification results obtained for both the CH2M HILL and the Parsons data. Independent scoring by the Institute for Defense Analyses reveals superb all-around classification performance.
The Social Consequences of Chicano Home/School Bilingualism

A review of the literature on the scholastic consequences of being bilingual suggests that the negative effects of Chicano home/school bilingualism stem from extrinsic factors, particularly the reactions of others to ethnic stigma, rather than from anything intrinsic to bilingualism, and that the effects vary by class and social context. Four models relating home/school bilingualism to subsequent attainments are presented and, contrary to expectations, a model of balanced effects, in which negative effects on educational attainment are cancelled out by the subsequent positive sociometric advantage of knowing Spanish, is best supported by recent data from Los Angeles. However, in middle-class Chicano homes the pattern of effects is reversed.
Auto tuning of digital deadbeat controllers for high performance AC voltage sources using wide bandwidth impedance identification

By injecting a small signal pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) based injection sequence, chosen for its wideband spectral content, into the inverter's PWM control signal and utilizing digital network analyzer techniques, an accurate estimation of the output impedance can be obtained without external equipment. This knowledge can then be leveraged to tune the inverter's digital deadbeat controllers for optimal performance, i.e. reaching the desired reference in n switching cycles, where n is the order of the system.
On the evolution of cells

A theory for the evolution of cellular organization is presented. The model is based on the (data supported) conjecture that the dynamic of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is primarily determined by the organization of the recipient cell. Aboriginal cell designs are taken to be simple and loosely organized enough that all cellular componentry can be altered and/or displaced through HGT, making HGT the principal driving force in early cellular evolution. Primitive cells did not carry a stable organismal genealogical trace. Primitive cellular evolution is basically communal. The high level of novelty required to evolve cell designs is a product of communal invention, of the universal HGT field, not intralineage variation. It is the community as a whole, the ecosystem, which evolves. The individual cell designs that evolved in this way are nevertheless fundamentally distinct, because the initial conditions in each case are somewhat different. As a cell design becomes more complex and interconnected a critical point is reached where a more integrated cellular organization emerges, and vertically generated novelty can and does assume greater importance. This critical point is called the "Darwinian Threshold" for the reasons given.
Mercury commutator arrangement for simultaneously stimulating or recording from two small animals in a social situation.

Abstract A three commutator arrangement is described for stimulating or recording from two rodents simultaneously. This apparatus is inexpensive to construct and prevents the entanglement of connected leads to two animals engaged in vigorous social activity such as fighting.
“Tackling Test Anxiety”: A Group for College Students

Test anxiety is ubiquitous on college campuses and negatively impacts academic progress as well as overall mental and physical health. Some students develop test anxiety due to poor study skills, while others experience debilitating anxiety despite adequate preparation. In this article, a session-by-session description of a 4-week group intervention designed to address the heterogeneous nature of test anxiety is presented. Cognitive-behavioral anxiety management techniques, along with study and test-taking skills, are taught in the context of a supportive group environment such that students learn skills to manage their test anxiety while realizing that they are not alone in their struggles.
Catechol estrogen 4-hydroxyequilenin is a substrate and an inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase

Redox and/or electrophilic metabolites formed during estrogen metabolism may play a role in estrogen carcinogenesis. 4-Hydroxyequilenin (4-OHEN) is the major phase I catechol metabolite of the equine estrogens equilenin and equilin, which are components of the most widely prescribed estrogen replacement formulation, Premarin. Previously, we have found that 4-OHEN rapidly autoxidized to an o-quinone in vitro and caused toxic effects such as the inactivation of human detoxification enzymes. 4-OHEN has also been shown to be a substrate for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in human breast cancer cells. In the present study, we demonstrated that 4-OHEN was not only a substrate of recombinant human soluble COMT in vitro with a K(m) of 2.4 microM and k(cat) of 6.0 min(-)(1) but it also inhibited its own methylation by COMT at higher concentrations in the presence of the reducing agent dithiothreitol. In addition, 4-OHEN was found to be an irreversible inhibitor of COMT-catalyzed methylation of the endogenous catechol estrogen 4-hydroxyestradiol with a K(i) of 26.0 microM and a k(2) of 1.62 x 10(-)(2) s(-)(1). 4-OHEN in vitro not only caused the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds as demonstrated by gel electrophoresis, but electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry also showed that 4-OHEN alkylated multiple residues of COMT. Peptide mapping experiments further indicated that Cys33 in recombinant human soluble COMT was the residue most likely modified by 4-OHEN in vitro. These data suggest that inhibition of COMT methylation by 4-OHEN might reduce endogenous catechol estrogen clearance in vivo and further enhance toxicity.
Sequence, organization, and expression of the human FEM1B gene.

The FEM-1 protein of Caenorhabditis elegans functions within the nematode sex-determination pathway. Two mouse homologs, encoded by the Fem1a and Fem1b genes, have been reported. We report here the characterization of a novel human gene, designated FEM1B, that is highly homologous to the mouse Fem1b gene. FEM1B encodes a protein, designated FEM1beta, that shows >99% amino acid identity to the corresponding mouse Fem1b protein, including 100% amino acid identity in the N-terminal ANK repeat domain. FEM1beta represents the first characterized human member of the FEM-1 protein family. The human and mouse genes show conservation of coding sequence and its intron/exon organization, flanking untranslated and genomic sequences, and expression pattern in adult tissues. These findings suggest that there may be evolutionary conservation of regulation and function between the mouse and human FEM1B genes.
Neonatal Bladder Inflammation Produces Functional Changes and Alters Neuropeptide Content in Bladders of Adult Female Rats

Abstract Neonatal bladder inflammation has been demonstrated to produce hypersensitivity to bladder re-inflammation as an adult. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neonatal urinary bladder inflammation on adult bladder function and structure. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated on postnatal days 14 to 16 with intravesical zymosan or anesthesia alone. At 12 to 16 weeks of age, micturition frequency and cystometrograms were measured. Similarly treated rats had their bladders removed for measurement of plasma extravasation after intravesical mustard oil, for neuropeptide analysis (calcitonin gene-related peptide or Substance P) or for detailed histological examination. Rats treated with zymosan as neonates exhibited increased micturition frequency, reduced micturition volume thresholds, greater extravasation of Evans blue after intravesical mustard oil administration, and greater total bladder content of calcitonin gene-related peptide and Substance P. In contrast, there were no quantitative histological changes in the thickness, fibrosis, or mast cells of bladder tissue due to neonatal zymosan treatments. Functional changes in urologic systems observed in adulthood, coupled with the increased neuropeptide content and neurogenic plasma extravasation in adult bladders, suggest that the neonatal bladder inflammation treatment enhanced the number, function, and/or neurochemical content of primary afferent neurons. These data support the hypothesis that insults to the urologic system in infancy may contribute to the development of adult bladder hypersensitivity. Perspective Inflammation of the bladder early in life in the rat has multiple sequelae, including laboratory measures that suggest an alteration of the neurophysiological substrates related to the bladder. Some painful bladder syndromes in humans have similar characteristics and so may be due to similar mechanisms.
Approximate Ellipsoidal-Earth Equations for Mapping and Fix-Taking Calculations

Approximate equations are developed for converting geodetic coordinates to a local north-east-down (NED) Cartesian coordinate system, and it is shown that good accuracy can be obtained if the ellipsoidal shape of the Earth is taken into account.
New 3D profilometry based on modulation measurement

This article propose a new optical method for 3-D profilometry, it is not based on the conventional method of structured light triangulation, but on modulation measurement(we briefly call it MMP). Its main advantage is that it can measure the surface of a testing object in the same direction of projecting light, so it has no the difficulties due to shadow and spatial discontinuity that exist in PMP and FTP methods and needn't to know the phases. We have measured some objects to verify this method and got some meaningful results. The results proved that this method can be useful to 3-D profilometry .. 3-D sensing machine vision and so on.
Themed Review: Lifestyle Management of Obesity:

Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in this country. Numerous approaches have been used to manage the disease without much success. The lifestyle management of obesity has be...
From Corporate Crisis to Turnaround in East Asia: A Study of China Huajing Electronics Group Corporation

In this article, we investigated some of the pre-conditions of crisis faced by technology-focused firms, as a group, in the emerging markets facing globalization and looked at the modalities for turnaround. We applied the “entrepreneurial leadership” model recently proposed by Gupta, Macmillan and Surie (2004) for defining the processes needed for adapting to the globalization-induced crisis. Our context for the globalization-induced crisis was the 1997 East Asian crisis, and we studied how the crisis galvanized a leading Chinese electronics firm—Huajing—to develop and execute a turnaround strategy for recovering from a near bankruptcy state. We discussed how organizational and other factors conjoined to create crisis at Huajing in the midst of globalization and trace the process through which entrepreneurial leadership was implemented. We distil various insights into a prototypical, unified model that underscores the significance of entrepreneurial leadership in developing and applying the different strategic flexibility platforms embedded in the resources and capabilities of the firms and in generating a relationship-anchored market position. The findings suggest that in situations where the crisis occurs at the level of organizational field, firms need turnaround strategies that help strengthen not only their organizational field but also their own value generation capabilities.
Psychotropic drug effects on gene transcriptomics relevant to Alzheimer disease.

Abstract Psychotropics are widely prescribed in Alzheimer disease (AD) without regard to their pathobiological effects. Results summarize a comprehensive survey of psychotropic effects on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression for 52 genes linked to AD. Pending future investigations, current data indicate that atypical antipsychotics, lithium, and fluoxetine reduce AD risk, whereas other drug classes promote risk. Risk may be attenuated by antipsychotics and lithium (down-regulate TNF), atypical antipsychotics (down-regulate TF), risperidone (down-regulates IL1B), olanzapine (up-regulates TFAM, down-regulates PRNP), fluoxetine (up-regulates CLU, SORCS1, NEDD9, GRN, and ECE1), and lithium coadministered with antipsychotics (down-regulates IL1B). Risk may be enhanced by neuroleptics (up-regulate TF), haloperidol (up-regulates IL1B and PION), olanzapine (down-regulates THRA and PRNP, up-regulates IL1A), and chlorpromazine, imipramine, maprotiline, fluvoxamine, and diazepam (up-regulate IL1B). There were no results for dextromethorphan-plus-quinidine. Fluoxetine effects on CLU, NEDD9, and GRN were statistically robust. Drug effects on specific variants, polymorphisms, genotypes, and other genes (CCR2, TF, and PRNP) are detailed. Translational AD risk applications and their limitations related to specific genes, mutations, variants, polymorphisms, genotypes, brain site, sex, clinical population, AD stage, and other factors are discussed. This report provides an initial summary and framework to understand the potential impact of psychotropic drugs on AD-relevant genes.
Ischemia‐induced programmed cell death in astrocytes

Astrocytes are essential for neuronal survival and function, neurogenesis, and neural repair. Although astrocytes are more resistant than neurons to most stress conditions in vitro, certain astrocyte subtypes, such as the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-negative protoplasmic astrocytes that predominate in gray matter structures, may be equally or more sensitive than neurons to ischemia in vivo. Programmed cell death differs from passive, necrotic death in that cell constituents actively participate in cell demise. Like neurons, astrocytes undergo programmed cell death during normal development. Cell culture studies have shown that astrocytes can be induced to undergo apoptosis and other forms of programmed cell death by many factors relevant to ischemia, including acidosis, oxidative stress, substrate deprivation, and cytokines. Animal models of cerebral ischemia have confirmed nuclear condensation and upregulation of Bax and caspases in a subset of astrocytes exposed to ischemia, especially in immature brain. A causal role for these events in astrocyte death is supported by improved astrocyte survival after inhibition of caspase-dependent cell death pathways. Astrocyte survival is also improved by blocking the poly(ADP-ribose)-1 cell death pathway. Markers of programmed cell death are generally less evident and less widespread in astrocytes than in neighboring neurons. However, most studies to date have relied only on markers of classical apoptosis. In addition, these studies have relied almost exclusively on GFAP to identify astrocytes. Since most protoplasmic astrocytes are poorly immunoreactive for GFAP, the extent of ischemia-induced programmed cell death in this cell type remains uncertain.
Initiation of Glucocorticoid Therapy: Before or After Temporal Artery Biopsy?

Objective To identify clinical findings in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA) that may help clinicians decide when to initiate glucocorticoid therapy. Patients and Methods Medical diagnostic codes and surgical indexing were used to identify all patients who had temporal artery biopsy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 1997. Patient medical records were abstracted for pertinent clinical data, glucocorticoid use, and final diagnoses. Sensitivities, specificities, predictive values, and likelihood ratios were calculated for the association of the various clinical findings and the presence of a positive biopsy result. Graphic and arithmetic models were constructed to predict positive temporal artery biopsy results. Results During the 10-year interval, 1113 patients had temporal artery biopsy. The results were positive for GCA in 373 patients (33.5%) and negative in 740 (66.5%). Twenty percent of all patients were taking glucocorticoids at the time of biopsy. The presence of jaw claudication had a positive predictive value of 78. Combinations of jaw claudication with new headache, scalp tenderness, and decreased vision had still higher values. Positive likelihood ratios in patients with these combinations and in those with diplopia were greater than 3. A normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients not taking corticosteroids provided a high negative likelihood ratio of 40. An arithmetic equation provided the probability of a positive biopsy result on a continuous scale using 6 variables identified by logistic regression. Patients with a greater than 80% chance of a positive biopsy result and those with less than a 10% chance were identified. Conclusion Positive predictive values, likelihood ratios, and an arithmetic formula identify patients who have an increased or decreased chance of a positive temporal artery biopsy result. Use of these methods to determine early initiation of glucocorticoid therapy before temporal artery biopsy or deferral until after biopsy may help reduce both vascular complications of GCA and adverse effects of corticosteroids.
The role of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in osteogenesis

Abstract leriche and policard maximow and bloom ham 1. Matrix Development without influence by cells First development without influence of cells, later under influence of osteoblasts Derived as product of specific cells 2. Histogenesis of osteoblasts From C.T. cells, by differentiation, under influence of matrix From mesenchymal cells simultaneously with matrix formation Arising from specialization of less differentiated cells 3. Function of osteoblasts Restriction of growth of matrix Formation of interstitial substance Formation of matrix 4. Histogenesis of osteoclasts Fusion of osteoblasts; fibroblasts, reticulo-endothelial cells From mesenchymal cells Osteogenic cells 5. Function of osteoclasts Ca. and matrix resorption Dissolution of bone Form CO2 which dissolves bone matrix phagocytic
Nanodiamond molecular imaging with enhanced contrast and expanded field of view.

Nanodiamond imaging is a new molecular imaging modality that takes advantage of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds to image a distribution of nanodiamonds with high sensitivity and high spatial resolution. Since nanodiamonds are nontoxic and are easily conjugated to biomolecules, nanodiamond imaging can potentially elicit physiological information from within a living organism. The position of the nanodiamonds is measured using optically detected electron spin resonance of the NVs. In a previous paper, we described a proof-of-principle nanodiamond imaging system with the ability to image in two dimensions over a 1×1 cm field of view and demonstrated imaging within scattering tissue. Here, we describe a second-generation nanodiamond imaging system with a field of view of 30×200 mm , and with three-dimensional imaging potential. The new system has a comparable spatial resolution of 1.2 mm FWHM and a sensitivity (in terms of the concentration of carbon atoms in a mm 3 voxel) of 1.6 mM mm 3 Hz −1/2 , a 3-dB improvement relative to the old system. We show that imaging at 2.872 GHz versus imaging at 2.869 GHz offers a 1.73× improvement in sensitivity with only a 20% decrease in resolution and motivate this by describing the observed lineshape starting from the NV spin Hamiltonian.
THE RECRUITMENT SWEEPSTAKES HAS MANY WINNERS: GENETIC EVIDENCE FROM THE SEA URCHIN STRONGYLOCENTROTUS PURPURATUS

As a consequence of free spawning in the unpredictable nearshore environment, marine species with large fecundities and high pre-reproductive mortality may be subject to extreme variance in reproductive success. If the unpredictability of the ocean results in only a small subset of the adult population contributing to each larval cohort, then reproduction may be viewed as a sweepstakes, with chance events determining which adults are successful each spawning season. Such a reproductive sweepstakes scenario may partially account for large reductions in effective population sizes relative to census population sizes in marine species. We evaluated two predictions of the sweepstakes reproductive success hypothesis by testing: (1) whether sea urchin recruits contain reduced genetic variation relative to the adult population; and (2) whether cohorts of sea urchin recruits are genetically differentiated. Mitochondrial DNA sequences were collected from 283 recently settled Strongylocentrotus purpuratus recruits from four annual cohorts spanning seven years in locations throughout California. Observed haplotype numbers and haplotype diversities showed little evidence of reduced genetic variation in the recruits relative to the diversity estimated from a previously reported sample of 145 S. purpuratus adults. Different cohorts of recruits were in some cases mildly differentiated from each other. A computer simulation of sweepstakes recruitment indicates that our sampling strategy had sufficient statistical power to detect large variances in reproductive success.
Oseltamivir-Resistant Influenza A Viruses Are Transmitted Efficiently among Guinea Pigs by Direct Contact but Not by Aerosol

Influenza viruses resistant to the neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor oseltamivir arise under drug selection pressure both in vitro and in vivo. Several mutations in the active site of the viral NA are known to confer relative resistance to oseltamivir, and influenza viruses with certain oseltamivir resistance mutations have been shown to transmit efficiently among cocaged ferrets. However, it is not known whether NA mutations alter aerosol transmission of drug-resistant influenza virus. Here, we demonstrate that recombinant human influenza A/H3N2 viruses without and with oseltamivir resistance mutations (in which NA carries the mutation E119V or the double mutations E119V I222V) have similar in ovo growth kinetics and infectivity in guinea pigs. These viruses also transmit efficiently by the contact route among cocaged guinea pigs, as in the ferret model. However, in an aerosol transmission model, in which guinea pigs are caged separately, the oseltamivir-resistant viruses transmit poorly or not at all; in contrast, the oseltamivir-sensitive virus transmits efficiently even in the absence of direct contact. The present results suggest that oseltamivir resistance mutations reduce aerosol transmission of influenza virus, which could have implications for public health measures taken in the event of an influenza pandemic.
Tone based MAC protocol for use with adaptive array antennas

This work presents a tone-based 802.11b protocol for use in wireless networks where nodes are equipped with adaptive array antennas. The protocol relies on the ability of the antenna and angle of arrival (AoA) algorithms to identify the direction of transmitters and then beamform appropriately to maximize SINR (signal to interference and noise ratio) at the receiver. The performance of the protocol is evaluated using detailed simulation in OPNET and Matlab where we demonstrate the benefits of using adaptive antenna arrays. The impact of using different number of antenna elements is also studied for this environment.
Validation of a Wall-Layer Model for a Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interaction

A wall-layer modeling approach developed by the authors has previously been shown to match integrated-to-the-wall solutions for turbulent flow over a flat plate when the interface between the inner-layer and outer-layer solution domains is below the outer edge of the log layer. This approach, named the “diffusion model”, solves the diffusive terms of the boundary-layer equations near the wall and the full 3-D RANS equations farther from the wall. The current work examines the model on a weak shock-wave/turbulentboundary-layer interaction case, so that the validity of the model can be assessed on a more demanding case than has been evaluated to date. Experimental data is used to quantify the modeling error associated with Reynolds averaging and turbulent transport closure in the integrated-to-the-wall solutions. The integrated-to-the-wall solutions are then compared to the diffusion model solutions to quantify the additional modeling error resulting from the diffusion model assumptions. In contrast to the simpler flat-plate test case, results for the shock-wave/turbulent-boundary-layer interaction indicate that the assumptions of the diffusion model do not hold all the way to the outer edge of the log layer. This is because of significant normal momentum transfer in the vicinity of the shock. However, the diffusion model’s assumptions are shown to be valid through approximately one-third of the computational domain, so that this fraction can be solved with the diffusion model, leaving the remaining two-thirds of the computational domain in the exterior-flow region where the 3-D RANS equations are solved.
Emergency Department Utilization After the Implementation of Massachusetts Health Reform

Study objective Health care reform in Massachusetts improved access to health insurance, but the extent to which reform affected utilization of the emergency department (ED) for conditions potentially amenable to primary care is unclear. Our objective is to determine the relationship between health reform and ED use for low-severity conditions. Methods We studied ED visits, using a convenience sample of 11 Massachusetts hospitals for identical 9-month periods before and after health care reform legislation was implemented in 2006. Individuals most affected by the health reform law (the uninsured and low-income populations covered by the publicly subsidized insurance products) were compared with individuals unlikely to be affected by the legislation (those with Medicare or private insurance). Our main outcome measure was the rate of overall and low-severity ED visits for the study population and the comparison population during the period before and after health reform implementation. Results Total visits increased from 424,878 in 2006 to 442,102 in 2008. Low-severity visits among publicly subsidized or uninsured patients decreased from 43.8% to 41.2% of total visits for that group (difference=2.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.25% to 2.85%), whereas low-severity visits for privately insured and Medicare patients decreased from 35.7% to 34.9% of total visits for that group (difference=0.8%; 95% CI 0.62% to 0.98%), for a difference in differences of 1.8% (95% CI 1.7% to 1.9%). Conclusion Although overall ED volume continues to increase, Massachusetts health reform was associated with a small but statistically significant decrease in the rate of low-severity visits for those populations most affected by health reform compared with a comparison population of individuals less likely to be affected by the reform. Our findings suggest that access to health insurance is only one of a multitude of factors affecting utilization of the ED.
Probing biological nanotopology via diffusion of weakly constrained plasmonic nanorods with optical coherence tomography

Biological materials exhibit complex nanotopology, i.e., a composite liquid and solid phase structure that is heterogeneous on the nanoscale. The diffusion of nanoparticles in nanotopological environments can elucidate biophysical changes associated with pathogenesis and disease progression. However, there is a lack of methods that characterize nanoprobe diffusion and translate easily to in vivo studies. Here, we demonstrate a method based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) to depth-resolve diffusion of plasmon-resonant gold nanorods (GNRs) that are weakly constrained by the biological tissue. By using GNRs that are on the size scale of the polymeric mesh, their Brownian motion is minimally hindered by intermittent collisions with local macromolecules. OCT depth-resolves the particle-averaged translational diffusion coefficient (DT) of GNRs within each coherence volume, which is separable from the nonequilibrium motile activities of cells based on the unique polarized light-scattering properties of GNRs. We show how this enables minimally invasive imaging and monitoring of nanotopological changes in a variety of biological models, including extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling as relevant to carcinogenesis, and dehydration of pulmonary mucus as relevant to cystic fibrosis. In 3D ECM models, DT of GNRs decreases with both increasing collagen concentration and cell density. Similarly, DT of GNRs is sensitive to human bronchial-epithelial mucus concentration over a physiologically relevant range. This novel method comprises a broad-based platform for studying heterogeneous nanotopology, as distinct from bulk viscoelasticity, in biological milieu.
Unbalancing the Effects of Chronic Illness: Non-Traditional Family Therapy Assessment and Intervention Approach

Chronic illness is a major life-altering experience that impacts families around the world. In this article, a nontraditional, culturally appropriate family therapy assessment procedure is presented that can serve as a catalyst for creating change in families with a chronically ill member. As an ecological and holistic assessment tool, the Intervention Based Family Assessment Procedure (IBFA) helps to build a family's story by identifying needs, exploring sources of stress, assessing coping strategies, and determining how support systems are activated to help the family with the care of a chronically ill family member.
Early childhood OCD: preliminary findings from a family-based cognitive-behavioral approach.

Objective To examine the relative efficacy of family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) versus family-based relaxation treatment (RT) for young children ages 5 to 8 years with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Electrical and Sensing Properties of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Network: Effect of Alignment and Selective Breakdown

The electrical transport and NH3 sensing properties of randomly oriented and aligned SWNT networks were presented and discussed. The results indicate that aligned SWNT-FETs have better FET characteristics due to the reduced number of interconnected nodes. This was particularly true as the resistance of the devices increased. Gated electrical breakdown was implemented to selectively remove metallic (m-) SWNTs, thereby reducing scattering centers. This technique provided significant improvements in FET characteristics resulting in greater on/off ratio (e.g. 10 4 ). AC dielectrophoretic alignment followed by selective electrical breakdown of m-SWNTs can significantly enhance the semiconducting properties of SWNT networks which resulted in highly sensitive sensors.
Skeletal Muscle Insulin Resistance: Roles of Fatty Acid Metabolism and Exercise

The purpose of this review is to provide information about the role of exercise in the prevention of skeletal muscle insulin resistance, that is, the inability of insulin to properly cause glucose uptake into skeletal muscle. Insulin resistance is associated with high levels of stored lipids in skeletal muscle cells. Aerobic exercise training decreases the amounts of these lipid products and increases the lipid oxidative capacity of muscle cells. Thus, aerobic exercise training may prevent insulin resistance by correcting a mismatch between fatty acid uptake and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle. Additionally, a single session of aerobic exercise increases glucose uptake by muscle during exercise, increases the ability of insulin to promote glucose uptake, and increases glycogen accumulation after exercise, all of which are important to blood glucose control. There also is some indication that resistance exercise may be effective in preventing insulin resistance. The information provided is intended to help clinicians understand and explain the roles of exercise in reducing insulin resistance.
Temporal changes in fault strike (to 90°) and extension directions during multiple episodes of extension: An example from eastern Nevada

In areas with prolonged extensional histories or multiple episodes of extension, temporally distinct extensional fault systems, including dip-slip-normal, oblique-slip, and/or strike-slip faults, may form. These fault systems may be spatially distinct, overlapped, or completely superimposed, and different fault systems may have different fault strikes and extension directions. Although fault strike is not a very sensitive indicator of principal stress directions, changes through time in fault strike of as much as 90° exceed the uncertainty. Overprinted extensional fault systems of different ages with significantly different (to 90°) fault strikes and extension directions provide strong evidence of changes in the regional stress field with time. Tens of millions of years of extension occurred in the Basin and Range Province of the United States and many temporally distinct fault sets formed through that time. We document at least four extensional episodes and the fault kinematics of each, where possible, in the central Hiko Range, eastern Nevada. The four Cenozoic extensional events are prevolcanic, synvolcanic, postvolcanic Miocene–Pliocene (?), and postvolcanic Pliocene (?)–Quaternary. The prevolcanic faults strike north-south and are interpreted as footwall faults to the regional Eocene–Oligocene Snake-Stampede extensional system, which caused approximately east-west extension. The synvolcanic faults are late Oligocene–Miocene age and strike east-west. Although they are rare and have minor offset, they accommodated north-south–directed extension. Postvolcanic faults, part of the Timpahute lineament, are approximately east-west– striking normal and northeast-striking oblique-slip faults. They also accommodated approximately north-south extension during Miocene time. The northeast-striking left-normal oblique-slip fault set formed as new faults and records a change between north-south and east-west extension in Miocene time. Later east-west extension occurred along the Pliocene (?) to Quaternary Hiko fault zone. These four overprinted extensional systems show two separate changes in normal fault strike of ∼90°, from north-south to east- west and from east-west back to north-south. Consequently, the extension direction similarly changed through time. We suggest that causes for the changes in direction of upper crustal extension include a change from stresses created by (1) plate interactions, which generated approximately east-west extension, to (2) mantle motions, which generated approximately north-south extension, and (3) back again. The extension related to mantle motions is associated with a band of volcanism that passed across the northern Basin and Range Province, moving generally from north to south, during the protracted period of extension. Therefore, a change from plate boundary– or interaction-derived stresses to mantle- or volcanism-related stresses and back again is possible.
Isotopic and molecular distributions of biochemicals from fresh and buried Rhizophora mangle leaves

Rhizophora mangle L. (red mangrove) is the dominant species of mangrove in the Americas. At Twin Cays, Belize (BZ) red mangroves are present in a variety of stand structures (tall >5 m in height, transition ~2–4 m and dwarf ~1–1.5 m). These height differences are coupled with very different stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic values[1] (mean tall δ13C = -28.3‰, δ15N = 0‰; mean tall δ13C = -25.3‰, δ15N = -10‰). To determine the utility of using these distinct isotopic compositions as 'biomarkers' for paleoenvironmental reconstruction of mangrove ecosystems and nutrient availability, we investigated the distribution and isotopic (δ13C and δ15N) composition of different biochemical fractions (water soluble compounds, free lipids, acid hydrolysable compounds, individual amino acids, and the residual un-extractable compounds) in fresh and preserved red mangrove leaves from dwarf and tall trees. The distribution of biochemicals are similar in dwarf and tall red mangrove leaves, suggesting that, regardless of stand structure, red mangroves use nutrients for biosynthesis and metabolism in a similar manner. However, the δ13C and δ15N of the bulk leaf, the biochemical fractions, and seven amino acids can be used to distinguish dwarf and tall trees at Twin Cays, BZ. The data support the theory that the fractionation of carbon and nitrogen occurs prior to or during uptake in dwarf and tall red mangrove trees. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes could, therefore, be powerful tools for predicting levels of nutrient limitation at Twin Cays. The δ13C and δ15N of biochemical fractions within preserved leaves, reflect sedimentary cycling and nitrogen immobilization. The δ15N of the immobilized fraction reveals the overlying stand structure at the time of leaf deposition. The isotopic composition of preserved mangrove leaves could yield significant information about changes in ecosystem dynamics, nutrient limitation and past stand structure in mangrove paleoecosystems.
THE 2003 OUTBURST OF THE X-RAY TRANSIENT H1743–322: COMPARISONS WITH THE BLACK HOLE MICROQUASAR XTE J1550–564

The bright X-ray transient H1743–322 was observed daily by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer during most of its eight-month outburst in 2003. We present a detailed spectral analysis and a supporting timing analysis of all of these data, and we discuss the behavior and evolution of the source in terms of the three principal X-ray states defined by Remillard and McClintock. These X-ray results are complemented by Very Large Array data obtained at six frequencies that provide quite complete coverage of the entire outburst cycle at 4.860 GHz and 8.460 GHz. We also present photometric data and finding charts for the optical counterpart in both outburst and quiescence. We closely compare H1743–322 to the well-studied black hole X-ray transient XTE J1550–564 and find the behaviors of these systems to be very similar. As reported elsewhere, both H1743–322 and XTE J1550–564 are relativistic jet sources and exhibit a pair of high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations with a 3:2 frequency ratio. The many striking similarities between these two sources argue strongly that H1743–322 is a black hole binary, although presently no dynamical data exist to support this conclusion.
COMPLYING WITH THE 1977 CLEAN AIR ACT IN BOSTON

This paper examines the evolutionary development of transportation control strategies, beginning with some very controversial early proposals and including current efforts designed to bring the region into full compliance with the 1977 Clean Air Act Amendments. The implementation of the Clean Air Act program is considered to be an integral part of that transportation planning and development process. It includes the promotion of carpools and vanpools, improved and expanded public transportation services, incentives for carpools and buses, traffic engineering improvements, bikeway planning and implementation, and a state land use policy that encourages the revitalization of urban centers. The paper describes the roles and responsibilities of the federal, state, regional, and local agencies that participated in the development of the Transportation Element of the Statewide Implementation Plan during 1978.