cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human genetic diversity regulating the TLR10/TLR1/TLR6 locus confers increased cytokines in response to Chlamydia trachomatis

ABSTRACT Human genetic diversity can have profound effects on health outcomes upon exposure to infectious agents. For infections with Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis), the wide range of genital and ocular disease manifestations are likely influenced by human genetic differences that regulate interactions between C. trachomatis and host cells. We leveraged this diversity in cellular responses to demonstrate the importance of variation at the Toll-like Receptor 1 (TLR1), TLR6, and TLR10 locus to cytokine production in response to C. trachomatis. We determined that a SNP (rs1057807), located in a region that forms a loop with the TLR6 promoter, is associated with increased expression of TLR1, TLR6, and TLR10 and secreted levels of ten C. trachomatis-induced cytokines. Production of these C. trachomatis-induced cytokines is primarily dependent on MyD88 and TLR6 based on experiments using inhibitors, blocking antibodies, RNAi, and protein overexpression. Population genetic analyses further demonstrated that the mean IL-6 response of cells from two European populations were higher than the mean response of cells from three African populations and that this difference was partially attributable to variation in rs1057807 allele frequency. In contrast, a SNP associated with a different pro-inflammatory cytokine (rs2869462 associated with the chemokine CXCL10) exhibited an opposite response, underscoring the complexity of how different genetic variants contribute to an individual's immune response. This multidisciplinary study has identified a long-range chromatin interaction and genetic variation that regulates TLR6 to broaden our understanding of how human genetic variation affects the C. trachomatis-induced immune response.
Complexity of some forms of nonmonotonic reasoning

In this chapter we investigate the complexity of some forms of nonmonotonic reasoning. We assume familiarity with basic notions of the computational complexity theory and the recursion theory. Definitions of some of these concepts are provided in the first section of this chapter. For the undefined concepts the reader is referred to Garey and Johnson [GJ79] and Rogers [Rog87].
A History of Communications: Media Causes and Media Effects

The premises with which we begin are not arbitrary ones, not dogmas, but real premises from which abstraction can only be made in the imagination. They are the real individuals, their activity and the material circumstances in which they live, both those which they find and those produced by their activity. These premises can thus be verified in a purely empirical way. – Karl Marx, The German Ideology , 1845 In 1846, Karl Marx surveyed the philosophical scene in Germany. He was not happy with what he saw. The thinkers of his day, he complained, had mistaken speculative philosophy for hard science. They loved to play with ideas, but they never quite got around to testing them in the real world. The result was a thick bramble of vague concepts, imprecise notions, and fuzzy impressions that, while perhaps entertaining, never really added up to a concrete theory of anything. Marx thought these philosophers were doing their countrymen a disservice. Things were changing rapidly, and people needed to understand why. He therefore set about trying to explain these ongoing changes by means of a rigorous, empirically testable theory of history. A similar situation obtains today in communications studies. The most influential thinkers in the field are, like the philosophers of Marx's day, a bit too fond of high-flown ideas and not fond enough of the solid facts. They propose theories that are at once hard to understand, difficult to test, and sometimes just plain wrong. These deficiencies are unfortunate because, as in Marx's era, things are changing rapidly. In the last quarter century, we have witnessed a rare event in human history: the birth of a new medium, the Internet. Although pundits tend to exaggerate its impact, it is certain that that impact is significant. The Internet has changed the way we work, what we consume, how we play, whom we interact with, how we find things out, and myriad other details about the way we live. Yet we don't have a good way to understand where the Internet came from and what it is doing to us, so we are to some degree adrift.
A Parallel Molecular-Dynamics Simulation of Crystal Growth at a Cluster of Workstations

To enable a simulation of the growth of crystalline fibers at a cluster of workstations, I developed a parallel molecular-dynamics (MD) algorithm. The structure of the MD algorithm is described briefly, together with its parallelization. Some specific features of our application will be discussed and an illustration of the program performance will be given.
Wheat Lignans: Promising Cancer Preventive Agents

Adequate dietary fiber intakes, particularly fiber from cereal grains, have been associated with a low risk of colorectal cancer (1). Wheat bran appears to protect against tumor development more consistently than other sources of plant fiber in a number of experimental colon cancer studies (2–4). Several hypotheses have been established to explain the link between wheat bran and cancer prevention, including the increase of overall GI transit time, dilution of carcinogenic compounds, release of short-chain fatty acids, and promotion of tumor suppressor signaling, among others (5–8). However, the experimental evidence by using different fiber sources or different doses on colon cancer prevention is controversial (9,10). Especially, a study conducted in theTakemoto laboratory showed that antitumor activities ofwheat bran from various wheat cultivars were significantly different even when fiber content was equal (11). Lignans are a group of the phytochemicals that are composed of phenylpropane dimer linked with a 1,4-diarylbutane structure by b-b bonds. Figure 16.1 shows the chemical structure of a few prominent lignans. Lignans not only present abundantly in flaxseed but also present in various grains such as wheat (12). In wheat, lignans are located in thepericarpandaleurone layerswith thehighest concentration inwheat bran (13). The main lignan in wheat bran is SDG. Table 16.1 lists the contents of SDG in flaxseed, wheat bran, and some other selected plant foods. As one group of secondary metabolites, lignans are synthesized via phenylpropanoid pathway. However, the completed biosynthetic pathways to the lignans in wheat are not clear. The Lewis laboratory from the Washington State University
Alpha, Evidence, and the Entropic Prior

First, the correct entropic prior is computed by marginalization of alpha. This is followed by a discussion of improvements to the “evidence” approximation. Surprisingly, it appears that the approximations used to restore the famous “Susie” image may have questionable aspects.
Surveying commuters to obtain functional requirements for the design of a graphic-based traffic information system

The results of three studies, each designed to obtain functional requirements for the design of a graphics-based traveler information system, are reported. In the first study, the results of a survey are reviewed in which four commuter groups are identified with regard to the impact of traffic information on mode choice, departure time, and alternate route decisions. In the second study,the usability of five prototype traffic information screens are reported. In the last study, the results of a phone interview designed to provide an in-depth understanding of commuter traffic information needs is discussed.
Pericardial fat necrosis: a review and update.

A previously healthy middle-aged person presents with excruciating left-sided chest pain of 6 hours' duration. The pain has come on abruptly, without warning, and is located in the lower part of the chest anteriorly. It radiates to the neck and left shoulder and worsens on deep inspiration. The patient appears seriously ill, with tachypnea, tachycardia, and diaphoresis. Otherwise, the physical examination is unremarkable. The electrocardiogram shows sinus tachycardia. Results of conventional blood studies and the chest radiograph are within normal limits. Three days later, a follow-up chest radiograph shows a 3.5 × 4-cm mass adjacent to the left side of the heart near the diaphragm.
Effect of Dehydration on Several Physico-Chemical Properties and the Antioxidant Activity of Leeks (Allium porrum L.)

This study investigated the changes in some physico-chemical properties and variations in antioxidant compounds of leeks (cv. ‘Inegol-92’) caused by the drying process. The dry matter and ash contents of the fresh leek samples were 8.06 and 0.58 g 100 g-1, respectively. The pH of the fresh leek samples was 6.02, and the titritable acidity in terms of citric acid was 0.14%. As expected, application of hot-air drying significantly increased the dry matter and ash values due to removal of water from the leek slices. The rehydration ratio of dried leeks at 45°C was 5.41, and the coefficient of rehydration was 0.47. The contents of chlorophyll a and b were higher in the dried leeks than in the fresh leeks. The dehydrated leeks showed a high total color difference (?E=12.53) mainly due to the effect of temperature on heat-sensitive compounds. As expected, both fresh and dried leek samples exhibited antioxidant activity with fresh leeks showing a higher capacity of antioxidant activity. Drying the leeks resulted in some ascorbic acid loss. Fresh leeks had much higher phenolic values (26.33 mg rutin eq 100 g DM-1) than the dehydrated samples. The antioxidant capacity of leeks was decreased by more than 50% during the drying process. Although being the most applied method of thermal dehydration, hot air drying causes the degradation of sensitive components, which results in significant losses in sensorial and physico-chemical properties of the dried products.
Geochemistry of saline lakes

Saline lakes are important environmental features in continental basins worldwide. They are critical for water and mineral resources, economic activity, and paleoenvironmental studies. Water and solute sources for saline lake brines are direct precipitation, surface flow, local or regional meteoric groundwaters, interstitial water of sediments, or deep basinal fluids. Solute concentrations are controlled by the weathering of source rocks, evaporation, and solute losses to minerals and biota. Aquifer residence times, rock dissolution rates, leakage ratios, and dissolution–precipitation fractionation are also important factors. With evaporation, inflow waters generally reach supersaturation first with respect to alkaline-earth carbonates, the first of several major ‘chemical divides.’ Subsequent chemical divides occur for gypsum, magnesite, and sulfates of magnesium and sodium, as shown in the revised brine evolution flowchart. Brine evolution along different flow paths is therefore controlled by the molar ratio of solutes, eventually producing diagnostic mineral assemblages. Idealized brine evolution paths and the associated evaporite mineral assemblages are complicated by local variation in hydrology, biotic activity, mineral kinetics, and diagenesis.
Making connections in insect innate immunity

Immune response in the arthropod vector to virus infection is a critical determinant of transmission for arboviruses such as West Nile virus (WNV). The immune response modulates outcomes of infection such as viral load, incubation period required for transmission, and viral pathogenesis in the vector (1, 2). As insects appear to lack an adaptive immune response characteristic of vertebrates, this controlling response occurs through activation of apparently simple, linear innate immunity pathways. However, in PNAS, Paradkar et al. (3) describe a mechanism connecting two of these innate immunity pathways (the RNAi pathway and the Jak-STAT pathway) in mosquitoes through the action of a secreted signaling molecule, Vago, leading to an antiviral state in uninfected, responsive cells. This work provides evidence of an integrated, versatile insect immune system capable of communication between pathways and cells to give rise to an effective response.
The engaged geographer: Research in the wider community

Abstract After 55 years in geography, it might be useful to look back at the why, how, what and where of my public involvement, as a suggestive guide to younger geographers, in and out of academia who may be interested in putting their geographic knowledge and skills to use in the wider community. Although my motivations may usually have been altruistic, there have often been substantial benefits, for example, in the form of recognition, supplementary income, positions for students, and publications. Projects will be divided into three sets: (1) more ‘pure’ non-reimbursed service activities; often in the local community (2) contractual public sector projects, and (3) court case participation.
Smoke aerosol transport patterns over the Maritime Continent

Abstract Smoke transport patterns over the Maritime Continent (MC) are studied through a combination of approaches, including a) analyzing AODs obtained from satellite products; b) aerosol transport modeling with AOD assimilation along with the atmospheric flow patterns; c) analyzing smoke wet deposition distributions; and d) examining forward trajectories for smoke events defined in this study. It is shown that smoke transport pathways are closely related to the low-level atmospheric flow, i.e., during June–Sept, smoke originating from the MC islands with a dominant source over central and southern Sumatra, and southern and western Borneo, is generally transported northwestward south of the equator and northeastward north of the equator with the cross-equatorial flow, to the South China Sea (SCS), the Philippines and even further to the western Pacific. During the October–November transitional period, smoke transport paths are more zonally oriented compared to June–September. Smoke originating from Java, Bali, Timor etc, and southern New Guinea, which are in the domain of easterlies and southeasterlies during the boreal summer (June–November), is generally transported westward. It is also found that smoke transport over the MC exhibits multi-scale variability. Smoke typically lives longer and can be transported farther in El Nino years and later MJO phases compared with non El Nino years and earlier MJO phases. During El Nino periods there is much stronger westward transport to the east tropical Indian Ocean. Finally, orographic effect on smoke transport over the MC is also clearly discernable.
Profiling nonhuman intelligence: An exercise in developing unbiased tools for describing other "types" of intelligence on earth

Intelligence has historically been studied by comparing nonhuman cognitive and language abilities with human abilities. Primate-like species, which show human-like anatomy and share evolutionary lineage, have been the most studied. However, when comparing animals of non-primate origins our abilities to profile the potential for intelligence remains inadequate. Historically our measures for nonhuman intelligence have included a variety of tools: (1) physical measurements – brain to body ratio, brain structure/convolution/neural density, presence of artifacts and physical tools, (2) observational and sensory measurements – sensory signals, complexity of signals, cross-modal abilities, social complexity, (3) data mining – information theory, signal/noise, pattern recognition, (4) experimentation – memory, cognition, language comprehension/use, theory of mind, (5) direct interfaces – one way and two way interfaces with primates, dolphins, birds and (6) accidental interactions – human/animal symbiosis, cross-species enculturation. Because humans tend to focus on “human-like” attributes and measures and scientists are often unwilling to consider other “types” of intelligence that may not be human equated, our abilities to profile “types” of intelligence that differ on a variety of scales is weak. Just as biologists stretch their definitions of life to look at extremophiles in unusual conditions, so must we stretch our descriptions of types of minds and begin profiling, rather than equating, other life forms we may encounter. COMPLEX (COmplexity of Markers for Profiling Life in EXobiology) offers a new approach to profile a variety of organisms along multiple dimensions including EQ – Encephalization Quotient, CS – Communication Signal complexity, IC – Individual Complexity, SC – Social Complexity and II – Interspecies Interaction. Because Earth species are found along a variety of continuums, defining an intelligence profile along these different trajectories rather than comparing them only to human intelligence, may give us insight into a potential tool for quickly assessing unknown species. The application of profiling nonhuman species, out of world, will be both observational and potentially interactive in some way. Using profiles and indicators gleaned from Earth species to help us develop profiles and using pattern recognition, modeling and other data mining techniques could help jump start our understanding of other organisms and their potential for certain “types” of intelligence.
Effects of visual cortical ablation on pattern discrimination in the ground squirrel (Citellus tridecemlineatus)

Abstract Five ground squirrels ( Citellus tridecemlineatus ) were trained on various visual discrimination problems following large bilateral cortical ablations. With lesions resulting only in complete retrograde loss of lateral geniculate, discriminations other than those based upon total luminous flux were made easily. With lesions large enough to result in extensive retrograde degeneration of the pulvinar, a more profound deficit resulted, but not one in which complete loss of pattern vision occurred. The ground squirrel, like the tree shrew, is thus able to solve visual discrimination tasks in the absence of striate cortex.
Inequality and Sociology

Sociologists have contributed relatively little to our understanding of rising inequality of earnings and income in the United States. The author considers both why that has been the case and the degree to which it matters. Suggestions are offered about how a comparative perspective can help to shed some light on developments in the United States.
Dynamics of Privatization under a Subsistence Constraint

Abstract Former Soviet-type economies were characterized by extensive state subsidies to workers that kept wages above the marginal product of labor. Privatization limits the state's ability to redistribute income. If worker earnings are to be above the politically motivated subsistence constraint, immediate complete privatization may be infeasible. We present a dynamic model of the transition in which low labor productivity combined with a subsistence constraint necessitate continued state ownership in order to preserve some wage subsidies. The model generates two alternative scenarios of the speediest feasible privatization. In one, full employment is maintained during most of the transition. In the other scenario, unemployment develops. Gradual privatization is characterized by an increasing share of private ownership in the economy and by capital accumulation, both of which lead to increasing labor productivity. Complete privatization occurs when the economy has accumulated a sufficient stock of capital so that the marginal product of labor rises above the subsistence constraint. The model supports important stylized facts of the transition to markets such as the decline of output accompanied by increasing unemployment. J. Comp. Econ. , September 2001, 29 (3), pp. 417–447. Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405. Copyright 2001 Academic Press. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: P21, O41, O30, L33.
The Waxing and Waning of Relational Intimacy: Touch as a Function of Relational Stage, Gender and Touch Avoidance:

Scholars have paid increasing attention to the role of non-verbal communication within intimate relationships. Reportedly, immediate behaviors such as touch escalate opposite-sex relationships by promoting increased intimacy and psychological closeness. This study examined the effects of relational stage, gender and touch avoidance on unobtrusively coded public touch behavior. An ANOVA indicated that relational stage was curvilinearly related to public interpersonal touch such that the level of touch was higher in intermediate stage of relationships than in either initial or stable stages. Gender had no effect on touch. Instead, a high correlation was found between the amount of touch used by males and the amount of touch used by their female partners. Touch avoidance was found to be linearly related to the amount of touch displayed, with low touch avoiders touching the most and high touch avoiders touching the least. There was a strong additive effect for touch avoidance, with all three touch avoidance g...
Novel FSS filters in Ka band

Novel periodic elements are presented to design narrow band and broadband frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) filters for Ka band (26.5 – 40 GHz) operations. The employed FSS elements combine slot and a cross slot elements providing for much greater design flexibility. All results demonstrate high transmission and excellent out-of-band rejection in the Ka band.
Failure locus of the anterior cruciate ligament: 3D finite element analysis

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruption is a common injury that is detrimental to an athlete's quality of life. Determining the mechanisms that cause ACL injury is important in order to develop proper interventions. A failure locus defined as various combinations of loadings and movements, internal/external rotation of femur and valgus and varus moments at a 25(o) knee flexion angle leading to ACL failure was obtained. The results indicated that varus and valgus movements were more dominant to the ACL injury than femoral rotation. Also, Von Mises stress in the lateral tibial cartilage during the valgus ACL injury mechanism was 83% greater than that of the medial cartilage during the varus mechanism of ACL injury. The results of this study could be used to develop training programmes focused on the avoidance of the described combination of movements which may lead to ACL injury.
Nonlinear progressive edge waves: their instability and evolution

The fundamental properties of nonlinear progressive edge waves are investigated experimentally in a physical model with a uniformly and mildly sloping beach with a straight shoreline. An evolution equation for the envelope of progressive edge waves is the nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation. It is found that the timescale of viscous-dissipation effects in the experiments is comparable with the timescale of the theoretical evolution process for inviscid progressive edge waves. This lack of timescale separation indicates a major shortcoming of the NLS equation as a model of the laboratory experiments. Even with this limitation, a uniform train of edge waves is found to be unstable to a modulational perturbation as predicted by the NLS equation. However, behaviour of the evolution is both qualitatively and quantitatively different from the theoretical predictions. The evolution of the periodogram for the unstable wavetrain shows an asymmetric development of the sidebands about the fundamental frequency; instability growth is limited to the lower sideband. This behaviour leads to a sequential shift of wave energy to lower frequencies as the waves propagate. It is found that a locally soliton-shaped wave packet is unstable in the laboratory environment. It is estimated that a much-larger-scale experimental facility is required to achieve inviscid experiments for the NLS equation.
Differential staining of plant chromosomes with Giemsa

Simple Giemsa staining techniques for revealing banding patterns in somatic chromosomes of plants are described. The value of the methods in the recognition of heterochromatin was demonstrated using five monocotyledonous and two dicotyledonous species. In Trillium grandiflorum the stronger Giemsa stained chromosome segments were shown to be identical with the heterochromatic regions (H-segments) revealed by cold treatment. Preferential staining of H-segments was also observed in chromosomes from three species of Fritillaria and in Scilla sibirica. Under suitable conditions the chromosomes of Vicia faba displayed a characteristic banding pattern and the bands were identified as heterochromatin. The Giemsa techniques proved to be more sensitive than Quinacrine fluorescence in revealing a longitudinal differentiation of the chromosomes of Crepis capillaris, where plants with and without B-chromosomes were examined. Again all chromosome types had their characteristic bands but there was no difference in Giemsa staining properties between the B-chromosomes and those of the standard complement.
A COMPARISON OF HYDROLASE AND LYTIC ACTIVITIES OF THE DIGESTIVE JUICES OF THE GIANT AFRICAN SNAIL, ACHATINA FULICA, AND HELIX POMATIA

Assays of hydrolase activity toward the following substrates gave specific activities for Achatina fulica digestive juice which were within ± 50% of those for Helix pomatia digestive juice: carboxy...
Polycytidylate hydrolysing ribonuclease variants of human pancreas

Human pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase) comprises three variants with isoelectric points at pH 4.8, pH 9.3 and pH 9.7. These variants are not artifacts of the purification procedure, since they can be demonstrated in crude pancreatic extracts obtained with mild procedures (4). Although these RNase variants differ in their isoelectric points, they are similar in all the other properties so far studied. With polycytidylic acid as a substrate, their activities are optimal in 0.05 M sodium phosphate buffer at pH 6.5. Of the several buffers tested, sodium phosphate buffer yielded maximal enzyme activity, but the concentration of phosphate is highly critical. Borate concentrations of 0.05 M and 0.1 M respectively brought about 25% and 50% reductions in enzyme activity. Presence of phosphate in the reaction mixture obviates to a great extent the borate inhibition. These RNase variants are highly specific for the secondary phosphate esters of cytidine 3′-phosphate. They have no measurable activity on polyadenylic and polyguanylic acids and their activity on polyuridylic acid is less than 2% of that on polycytidylic acid. These RNase variants could serve as distinctive biochemical markers for the pancreas.
Neuroendovascular optical coherence tomography imaging and histological analysis.

Intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a recently developed optical imaging technique that provides high-resolution cross-sectional in situ images from intact tissue based on tissue reflectance of near-infrared or infrared light.1,2 The typical OCT image has an axial resolution of 8 μm in tissue, which is at least 10 times higher than that of any clinically available diagnostic imaging modality.3 Experiments correlating a limited number of excised coronary and aortic specimens with histology have demonstrated that OCT is capable of resolving microstructural features of atherosclerotic plaques (in human coronary vessels in situ and at autopsy).4–6 Animal studies performed in vivo have demonstrated the use of an intravascular OCT catheter for directly imaging normal rabbit aortas and swine coronary arteries.7,8 The unique capability of OCT to resolve micrometer-scale features of atherosclerosis makes this new imaging modality an attractive means for characterizing in vivo microstructural features of carotid plaques as well as those of intracranial vascular pathological processes such as aneurysms, dissections, stenosis, and fibromuscular dysplasia. The feasibility of intracoronary OCT imaging in patients has been previously described.6,9 To date, however, this technology has never been investigated to assess feasibility for intracranial endovascular imaging in patients. Before interpreting OCT images obtained from vascular pathology, it is important to accurately document in vivo and ex vivo OCT imaging findings in normal tissue. The purpose of this study was to establish baseline OCT findings in carotid and cerebrovascular arteries with respect to signal from various vessel wall components such as elastin, smooth muscle, and collagen as well as to assess the feasibility of in situ OCT imaging of the intracranial vasculature in patients, using standard angiographic techniques, and to study feasibility of intracranial delivery and imaging. The characterization of endovascular findings in this study was confirmed by correlating OCT images with histology images from animal tissue specimens and a human cadaveric tissue specimen. The first demonstration of intracranial endovascular OCT imaging in patients is reported.
Rationally designed polyimides for high-energy density capacitor applications.

Development of new dielectric materials is of great importance for a wide range of applications for modern electronics and electrical power systems. The state-of-the-art polymer dielectric is a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film having a maximal energy density of 5 J/cm 3 and a high breakdown field of 700 MV/m, but with a limited dielectric constant (∼2.2) and a reduced breakdown strength above 85 °C. Great effort has been put into exploring other materials to fulfill the demand of continuous miniaturization and improved functionality. In this work, a series of polyimides were investigated as potential polymer materials for this application. Polyimide with high dielectric constants of up to 7.8 that exhibits low dissipation factors (<1%) and high energy density around 15 J/cm 3 , which is 3 times that of BOPP, was prepared. Our syntheses were guided by high-throughput density functional theory calculations for rational design in terms of a high dielectric constant and band gap. Correlations of experimental and theoretical results through judicious variations of polyimide structures allowed for a clear demonstration of the relationship between chemical functionalities and dielectric properties.
Observations on Ethical Issues in the Neuro-ICU

In this issue of Neurocritical Care, Souter et al. from the Neurocritical Care Society report their recommendations for optimizing the management of patients with devastating brain injuries [1]. They analyzed evidence and expert opinion to formulate best practices for several aspects of neuro-ICU care. Their guidance likely will inform the standard of medical care of these patients for at least the remainder of this decade. As a practicing neurologist with a career-long interest in these topics, I offer brief commentaries on four of the ethical issues they discussed: (1) improving prognostic accuracy; (2) improving surrogate decision-making; (3) incorporating principles of palliative medicine into ICU care; and (4) avoiding conflicts in organ donation. I have considered the context of these issues elsewhere in greater detail [2].
Thiol-ene photopolymerizations provide a facile method to encapsulate proteins and maintain their bioactivity.

Photoinitiated polymerization remains a robust method for fabrication of hydrogels, as these reactions allow facile spatial and temporal control of gelation and high compatibility for encapsulation of cells and biologics. The chain-growth reaction of macromolecular monomers, such as acrylated PEG and hyaluronan, is commonly used to form hydrogels, but there is growing interest in step-growth photopolymerizations, such as the thiol–ene “click” reaction, as an alternative. Thiol–ene reactions are not susceptible to oxygen inhibition and rapidly form hydrogels using low initiator concentrations. In this work, we characterize the differences in recovery of bioactive proteins when exposed to similar photoinitiation conditions during thiol–ene versus acrylate polymerizations. Following exposure to chain polymerization of acrylates, lysozyme bioactivity was approximately 50%; after step-growth thiol–ene reaction, lysozyme retained nearly 100% of its prereaction activity. Bioactive protein recovery was enhanced 1...
Finite Element and Statistical Methods Applied to Actin Bundles and Networks under Load

Actin binding proteins (ABPs) organize F-actin into ensembles_generally bundles or networks_thereby affecting actin cytoskeletal function and dynamics. They also participate in binding F-actin to the cell membrane. Some ABPs, e.g. α-actinin, fascin, bind F-actin into parallel bundles whose inter-filament spacing, which depends upon the ABP length and distance between its actin-binding domains, may or may not allow F-actin to interact with other proteins, e.g. myosin. Other, generally longer, ABPs, e.g. filamins, bind F-actin into compliant, albeit tightly-entangled, orthogonal networks imbued with gel-like mechanical properties, as a result of the 2D-rotational flexibility of the V-shaped ABP hinges.As the actin structure in non-muscle cells is complex and dynamic, a couple of features have been made to build the 3D model: determination of the representative model space that contains enough number of actin filaments to model the typical actin-actin interactions over larger scales; identification of the average effect of actin crosslinking in the model space, including the possible links and number of actin filaments in the neighborhood with respect to actin length, length distribution, and number density; construction of the fundamental elements that repeat in the crosslinked structures and maintain the physical constraints of bundles and networks; application of Bell's model to back out the passive force and bond lifetime of actin structure under load.Myosin mini-filaments work together with actin filaments in non-muscle cells during cell migration and division. Instead of providing passive load bearing like ABPs, myosin filaments walk along F-actins to generate contraction forces. This model is being integrated with the presence of myosin mini-filaments and the relative interactions, into a larger model for the production and transmission of biochemically-mediated intracellular forces, and actin cytoskeleton dynamics in whole cells.
Objects and classes in Algol-like languages

Many object-oriented languages used in practice descend from Algol. With this motivation, we study the theoretical issues underlying such languages via the theory of Algol-like languages. It is shown that the basic framework of this theory extends cleanly and elegantly to the concepts of objects and classes. Moreover, a clear correspondence emerges between classes and abstract data types, whose theory corresponds to that of existential types. Equational and Hoare-like reasoning methods and relational parametricity provide powerful formal tools for reasoning about Algol-like object-oriented programs. 2002 Elsevier Science (USA)
GROWTH HORMONE RECEPTOR AND REGULATION OF GENE EXPRESSION IN FETAL LYMPHOID CELLS

The role of growth hormone (GH) in modulating the adult immune response is receiving increased attention; however, its role in the development of immune competence in the fetus has not been defined. In order to begin to address the role of GH in the ontogeny of the immune response. cells from bovine fetal spleen and thymus were examined for GH receptor and responsiveness to GH. Northern analysis and ligand binding studies showed that growth hormone receptor (GHR) was readily detected in early- and mid-gestational fetal thymocytes, but it was less readily detected in thymocytes from older fetuses. In contrast, GHR was easily detected in splenocytes at all fetal ages. Thymocytes and splenocytes from mid-gestational fetuses expressed low levels of cell surface GHR by flow cytofluorometric analysis, and CD4+ and CD8 (single positive) thymocyte subsets were positive. Northern analyses were employed to determine the effects of in vitro GH treatment on expression of several proto-oncogenes, cytokines, and GHR in thymocytes from fetuses at approximately mid-gestation. GH treatment for 30 min down-regulated c-jun and c-fos mRNA approximately 2- and 2.8-fold, respectively. After 6 h treatment, GH increased transcript levels for interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and GM-CSF about 2.5-, 2.2-, 3-, and 2-fold, respectively. GH also down-regulated the expression of its own receptor about 3.2-fold after 8 h of incubation. The presence of GHR in fetal lymphoid cells and its temporal and spatial regulation suggest a potential role for GH in the development and or function of the fetal bovine immune system. Although the mechanism(s) is unclear, our results suggest that GH is intimately involved in lymphocyte function and expression of certain cytokines during a critical period of fetal immune development.
A theory for the locomotion of spirochetes

Abstract A hydrodynamic theory for the locomotion of spirochetes is presented. The theory is based on a possible arrangement of internal fibrils such that self rotation about a local body axis is possible. This self rotation is responsible for cancelling the torque produced by the traveling helical waves of the body. The hydrodynamic theory follows the method used by Taylor, but with different boundary conditions. A relationship between the radius of body cross section, amplitude and wavelength of the helical wave is obtained for a spirochete traveling with no apparent slippage of water. The angular velocity of rotation about a local body axis is also determined. The theoretical results compare favorably with direct measurements of body geometry.
Lithium response and psychoses: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Lithium-associated remission of psychosis has been described in schizophreniform disorders and in psychotic patients with variants of the red blood cell (RBC)/lithium ratio. To determine whether such remissions are the consequence of lithium treatment rather than spontaneous in nature, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study was undertaken in 16 psychotic patients preselected for the variant of RBC/lithium ration and/or DSM-III schizophreniform diagnosis. Essentially full and sustained remission of psychosis began during periods of lithium treatment in 4 of 15 of the study patients. Improvement was significantly greater during lithium treatment periods than in counterbalanced placebo treatment conditions in these four subjects (p less than 0.02). Fifteen of the same 16 study patients failed to initiate sustained improvement either spontaneously or while on placebo during the initial 14-day treatment period. In this preselected psychotic population, sustained response to lithium occurred at a rate at least four times greater than that which could be attributed to spontaneous remission.
Chronic Lithium Treatment Decreases Neuronal Activity in the Nucleus Accumbens and Cingulate Cortex of the Rat

Although the efficacy of lithium as a mood stabilizer is well documented, the mechanism of its therapeutic effect associated with prolonged treatment remains unknown. Identifying discrete brain regions and neural pathways that are functionally altered following long-term lithium treatment is central to elucidating a psychotherapeutic mechanism. We have used a sensitive and quantitative histochemical assay for the determination of cytochrome oxidase (CO) activity, a mitochondrial marker of neuronal activity, to determine the effect of repeated lithium treatment on regional neuronal activity in the rat brain. Oral lithium treatment (21 days) selectively decreased cytochrome oxidase activity in the cingulate cortex and regions of the nucleus accumbens. These decreases were not seen after 5 days of lithium administration, although serum lithium concentrations were similar after both 5 and 21 days of treatment. The analysis of interregional correlations further suggests a role for amygdala pathways in the effects of lithium following 21 days of treatment. The implications of these data for understanding the mechanisms of action of lithium are discussed.
THE EFFECT OF THE ROUTE OF IMMUNIZATION ON THE IMMUNITY RESPONSE TO PNEUMOCOCCUS TYPE I

1. The sera of 80 per cent of the rabbits intravenously inoculated with fixed amounts of heat-killed pneumococci contained agglutinins and all showed protective antibodies. 2. The sera of 60 per cent of the intraperitoneally inoculated rabbits contained agglutinins and all showed protective antibodies. 3. The sera of 33 per cent of the intramuscularly inoculated rabbits contained agglutinins and 86 per cent also showed protective antibodies. 4. None of the sera of the subcutaneously inoculated rabbits contained agglutinins although protective antibodies were present in 71 per cent. 5. Although there is a close relationship between the presence of agglutinins and protective antibodies in a given immune serum, these do not run parallel.
An EcR homolog from the filarial parasite, Dirofilaria immitis requires a ligand-activated partner for transactivation

Filarial parasites are responsible for several serious human diseases with symptoms such as lymphoedema, elephantiasis, and blindness. An understanding of how these parasites pass through developmental checkpoints may suggest potential targets for intervention. A useful model system for the study of the human parasites is the closely related nematode, D. immitis, the causative agent of dog heartworm disease. Ecdysteroids have been identified in filarial nematodes and have been shown to have a biological affect both on molting and microfilarial production. The ecdysteroid, 20-hydroxyecdysone and its receptor, EcR, have a well-characterized developmental role in insects, where it is involved in the control of molting and metamorphosis. We have identified a D. immitis nuclear receptor, DiEcR that shows strong sequence similarity to the insect EcR and shares many of its biochemical properties, including ligand-dependent activation of transcription. However, unlike most insect EcRs, DiEcR requires a ligand-activated RXR partner to exhibit ligand-dependent transcriptional activation of a reporter gene in tissue culture.
A fourth empirically derived cluster of chronic Pain patients based on the Multidimensional Pain inventory: Evidence for repression within the dysfunctional group

The authors proposed that chronic pain patients with repressive defenses are not represented in current 3-cluster solutions of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI; R. D. Kerns, D. C. Turk, & T. E. Rudy, 1985) and that such a group can be distinguished by using a measure of defensiveness together with subscales of the MPI. They expected these patients to be described both by high defensiveness and by elevated pain and disability but minimal emotional distress. For 178 pain patients, hierarchical cluster analyses were performed on the MPI and Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (D. L. Paulhus, 1984). A 3-cluster solution replicated past findings in identifying dysfunctional, interpersonally distressed, and adaptive coper groups. A 4-cluster solution fit the data better, with a repressor group described by high pain, low activity and low distress emerging from the dysfunctional group. Profile analysis of validation measures showed that repressors scored comparably with dysfunctional patients on somatic symptoms of depression, pain severity, and perceived disability but significantly higher on these factors than the adaptive copers. Repressors scored comparably with adaptive copers on cognitive-affective symptoms of depression, anxiety, and anger but significantly lower on these variables than dysfunctional patients. Repressors also reported greater pain severity and perceived disability relative to their reports of negative affect, whereas dysfunctional and adaptive coper groups exhibited no such disparities. Without a measure of defensiveness, the MPI may misclassify a distinct group of patients as dysfunctional, but who readily endorse physical symptoms yet report low levels of emotional distress.
Moth olfactory trichoid sensilla exhibit nanoscale-level heterogeneity in surface lipid properties.

Chemical force microscopy (CFM) based on tapping mode Atomic force microscopy (AFM) utilized with topographic and phase-shift analyses was used to investigate the topography and surface chemical properties, respectively, of the long trichoid sensilla on the antennae of male Helicoverpa zea. AFM topographic imaging revealed regular series of step-ridges along nearly the entire length of each sensillum, except for the basal ca. 1/3 portions, which were devoid of such ridges. Inter-ridge regions were flat, with regularly spaced pores, ca. 30 nm in diameter populating these planar areas. Many pores exhibited a raised dome that often nearly completely spanned the depression, with only the edges of the depressed portion of the pore still visible. Some pores were observed also along the bases of the ridges. CFM probing of the surface for chemical interactions with the SiO2 hydrophilic tip revealed consistently diminished hydrogen bonding of the ridge edge areas with the tip than along the flat planar inter-ridge regions. Surfaces of domes over the pores also tended to have less hydrogen bonding with the tip than the planar surfaces. Functionalizing the CFM tip by bonding octadecyl-hydrocarbon to it eliminated these surface chemical-CFM tip interactions and no differences in tip interaction with the sensillar surfaces were observed. Trichoid sensilla from the male antennae of a second species, Utethesia ornatrix, did not exhibit similar heterogeneity between ridge edges versus planar areas with regard to hydrogen bonding with the SiO2 hydrophilic tip. Pores on U. ornatrix sensilla occurred only along the bases of ridges on their trichoid sensilla. We suggest that the surface lipids of the H. zea sensilla are distributed in a chemically heterogeneous fashion to aid adsorption and transport of aldehyde pheromone component molecules through the pores into the sensillum lumen, possibly through solubilization in an epicuticular lipid layer. The trichoid sensilla of U. ornatrix do not exhibit such surface chemical heterogeneity, and this species-difference may be due to the usage by U. ornatrix of hydrocarbon molecules rather than aldehydes for their sex pheromone components.
mitfa is required at multiple stages of melanocyte differentiation but not to establish the melanocyte stem cell

The mitfa gene encodes a zebrafish ortholog of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) which, like its counterparts in other species, is absolutely required for development of neural crest melanocytes. In order to evaluate mitfa's role in different stages of melanocyte development, we have identified hypomorphic alleles of mitfa, including two alleles that are temperature-sensitive for melanocyte development. Molecular analysis revealed that the mitf(fh53)ts results from a single base pair change producing an asparagine to tyrosine amino acid substitution in the DNA-binding domain, and the mitfa(vc7)ts allele is a mutation in a splice donor site that reduces the level of correctly-spliced transcripts. Splicing in the mitfa(vc7) allele does not itself appear to be temperature-dependent. A third, hypomorphic allele, mitfa(z25) results in an isoleucine to phenylalanine substitution in the first helix domain of the protein. Temperature upshift experiments with mitfa(fh53)ts show that mitfa is required at several stages of melanocyte differentiation, including for expression of the early melanoblast marker dct, again for progression from dct expression to differentiation, and again for maintenance of dendritic form following differentiation. mitfa(fh53)ts mutants recover melanocytes within 2-3days when downshifted at all stages of larval development. However, when melanocyte stem cells (MSCs) are ablated by early treatment with the erbB3 inhibitor AG1478, melanocyte recovery is lost by 48 h. This result indicates first that the MSC is established at the restrictive temperature, and that melanoblasts die or lose the ability to recover after being held at the restrictive temperature for approximately one day.