cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beta voxel S values for internal emitter dosimetry.

Monte Carlo volume integration of dose point kernels was used for calculating voxel S values of beta emissions of radionuclides of interest for internal radiotherapy. The method was verified by comparing our results with others derived from Monte Carloradiationtransport simulation. The algorithm has been implemented in a C++ program that can be used by any laboratory to calculate voxel S values of beta emissions from tabulated dose point kernels and for any combination of pixel edges and the thickness of SPECT and PET images without the complexity and expertise needed for direct Monte Carloradiationtransport simulations.
A case of fatal food-borne septicemia: can family physicians provide prevention?

Background Vibrio vulnificus, a common bacteria found in undercooked seafood and seawater, is the leading cause of food-borne death in Florida. Fatal cases of V vulnificus infection have also been reported in most states. Methods The literature was searched using the key words "Vibrio vulnificus," "septicemia," "wound infections," "seafood," "immunocompromise," and "patient education." A case of fatal V vulnificus septicemia is described. Results and conclusions V vulnificus, part of the natural flora of temperate coastal waters and one of the most abundant microorganisms found in seawater, has been isolated from waters off the Gulf, Pacific, and Atlantic coasts of the United States. Infections in noncoastal regions have been traced to consumption of seafood derived from Gulf Coast waters. Seawater exposure and consumption of inadequately cooked seafood are routes most commonly associated with V vulnificus infection. Exposure to V vulnificus is life-threatening for chronically ill or immunocompromised patients, who are most likely to develop fatal septicemia. Currently a combination of doxycycline and intravenous ceftazidime is recommended treatment. Mortality rates from V vulnificus continue to be high in immunocompromised patients. Family physicians can help prevent this outcome by counseling high-risk patients.
Evidence for the role of dendritic spines in the temporal filtering properties of neurons: the decoding problem and beyond.

Abstract The question of relations between structure and function acutely applies to the search for the functional role of dendritic spines. While dendritic spines are a prominent and widespread structural feature of neurons in the central nervous system, their function is poorly understood. Because the conducting core of a spine stem can be of extremely small dimensions, a large axial resistance to current flow and "low-pass" filtering of inputs have been hypothesized. Here we show that neurons in the dorsal torus semicircularis of the electric fish Eigenmannia show real-time fluctuations in their transmembrane potential that reflect modulations in the amplitude of a high-frequency sinusoidal carrier signal. In 18 neurons recorded intracellularly and labeled with Lucifer yellow, the decrease in the magnitude of these potentials with increasing rate of amplitude modulation (i.e., low-pass temporal filtering) was positively correlated (r = 0.79, P < 0.001, over a range of one to two octaves in modulation rate) with the mean dendritic spine density (range, 0-0.38 spine per micron of dendritic length) of the cell. The acquisition of synaptic input through dendritic spines may be a general mechanism for achieving the temporal filtering that underlies real-time signal processing in the central nervous system.
Genotypic diversity in the suitability of cowpea (Rosales: Leguminosae) pods and seeds for cowpea weevil (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) oviposition and development.

The suitability of cowpea pods for Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) oviposition varied significantly among 36 diverse genotypes, among 3 pod maturity stages, and between the first 6 h or remaining 18 h periods of the test. The differences in mean number of eggs laid per pod between the most and least suitable genotypes for dry, yellowing, and mature green pods were 14-, 7-, and 3-fold, respectively, and were clearly sufficient to demonstrate nonpreference resistance of cowpea pods to cowpea weevil oviposition. The oviposition on pods of one stage was not correlated with suitability of a genotype in the other two stages. Cowpea weevils oviposited on all stages of all genotypes and the differences in the suitability were in part a result of oviposition being delayed on some stages or genotypes more than others. The suitability of dry pods for oviposition was not correlated with suitability of that genotype for offspring development. The differences in oviposition between the most and least suitable seeds of these same 36 genotypes was only 2-fold. This may indicate that pods have a more diverse array of oviposition stimuli than seeds and may thus be a richer source of nonpreference resistance.
Optimization of scAAVIL-1ra In Vitro and In Vivo to Deliver High Levels of Therapeutic Protein for Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 40 million people annually. We evaluated interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) gene transfer in an equine model based on IL-1ra protein therapy which inhibits inflammation through blocking IL-1. Using the self-complementary adeno-associated virus (scAAV)IL-1ra equine gene as a starting construct, we optimized the transgene cassette by analyzing promoters (cytomegalovirus (CMV) versus chicken β-actin hybrid (CBh)), coding sequences (optimized versus unoptimized), vector capsid (serotype 2 versus chimeric capsid), and biological activity in vitro. AAV serotypes 2 and 2.5 CMV scAAVoptIL-1ra were tested in equine joints. We evaluated two doses of scAAVIL-1ra, scAAVGFP, and saline. We developed a novel endoscopy procedure and confirmed vector-derived transgene expression (GFP) in chondrocytes 6 months post-injection. AAVIL-1ra therapeutic protein levels were 200–800 ng/ml of synovial fluid over 23 and 186 days, respectively. No evidence of intra-articular toxicity was detected and no vector genomes were found in contralateral joints based on GFP fluorescence microscopy and quantitative PCR. Finally, we assayed vector-derived IL-1ra activity based on functional assays which supported anti-inflammatory activity of our protein. These studies represent the first large animal intra-articular gene transfer approach with a therapeutic gene using scAAV and demonstrate high levels of protein production over extended time supporting further clinical investigation using scAAV gene therapy for OA.
Negative differential mobility in pentacene

Despite narrow bands and large energy gaps, which result in a negligible number of intrinsic carriers, high-quality molecular crystals, such as pentacene and naphthalene, show high mobilities at low temperatures. As a result, injected carriers can have their “temperature” increased by easily attainable electric fields. Their mobility is then expected to decrease with an increasing field, both because of the increased scattering rate and the increase in the effective mass due to the nonparabolicity of the energy bands. Using Poisson's equation, we investigate the effect on the current voltage characteristic of the mobility decrease being so steep over some field range that the drift velocity (vd) decreases with an increasing field; that is, the sample displays negative differential mobility (NDM) over that range. NDM is expected for samples in which the effective mass increases. We find that, with increasing voltage, V, after the Ohm's law region, there is a region in which J ∝ V2, as expected for a space-charge-limited value of J. When V is large enough to cause heating of the carriers, J increases less rapidly than V2, tending toward a linear dependence on V in the hot carrier region. Thus, V/J tends to saturate at high fields. It is shown that the data of Schon et al. for pentacene, when properly interpreted, show saturation of V/J rather than that of vd, as they claimed. The direct measurement of vd versus the field by the time-of-flight method for naphthalene at low temperatures by Warta and Karl was interpreted by them as indicating saturation of vd. We point out that the determination of vd by the time-of-flight method in a situation with varying mass and trapping is not straightforward. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2595–2600, 2003
Measurement of von Willebrand factor‐FVIII binding activity in patients with suspected von Willebrand disease type 2N: application of an ELISA‐based assay in a reference laboratory

Laboratory diagnosis of von Willebrand disease type 2N (VWD2N) is based on costly mutation analysis or in vitro measurement of the ability of plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) to bind exogenous factor VIII (FVIII); however, the VWF-FVIII binding activity assay is complex and not widely used. Our aim was to assess the utility of the in-house VWF-FVIII binding assay in the investigation of patients with suspected VWD2N. A previously described ELISA-based FVIII binding method was simplified and adapted for the clinical laboratory use by optimizing incubation time, reagent concentrations and assay standardization. The assay was validated using samples from eight individuals with known homozygous or heterozygous VWD2N mutations, and 100 healthy adults. An additional 392 patient samples were tested, including 314 with FVIII activity <50% of normal and 78 received for routine VWF-FVIII binding activity testing. Intra- and inter-assay variations were less than 10% and 17%, respectively, and the limit of quantification was estimated as 0.12. The reference range for healthy adults was 0.73-1.42. VWF:FVIII binding activity was consistent with the genotype in subjects with available genetic data, being low in three individuals with homozygous mutation (<0.12) and intermediate in five heterozygous individuals (0.44-0.61). Screening of the 392 clinical samples identified reduced VWF:FVIII binding in 19 subjects. This assay provides accurate measurement of VWF:FVIII binding activity and successfully identifies homozygous VWD2N patients and heterozygous carriers. Use of this ELISA-based assay may help avoid the need for mutation analysis in patients with unexplained low FVIII activity.
Vegetative Response to Climate Change in the Big Pine Creek Watershed along a 2,500 Meter Elevation Gradient Using Landsat Data

This paper presents a time series study of an alpine ecosystem in the Big Pine Creek watershed in California’s Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain’s. Seventy five sample sites along a 2,500 meter elevation gradient are analyzed for trends in surface reflectance based on vegetative density using USGS data derived from Landsat imagery for the 1984 through 2013 time frame. Three vegetative indices, NDVI, SAVI, and MSAVI2 as well as the Tasseled Cap transformations for Brightness (TCB), greenness (TCG), and wetness (TCW) are explored. We found that over the time period of the study, significant increases in vegetation are occurring at densely vegetated sites at almost all elevations within the watershed while less change and even some significant declines in vegetation are seen in moderately and sparsely vegetated sites. Sparsely vegetated sites show distinct bifurcation in their response with the lower elevations seeing declines and the upper elevations seeing increases in vegetation. Several sites show significant declines in both the visible and near infrared regions suggesting there are compositional changes taking place consistent with climate induced range shifts. This study provides a useful insight into the ecological response of the Big Pine Creek watershed to recent climate change.
Glucose-6-phosphatase Catalytic Subunit Gene Family

Glucose-6-phosphatase catalyzes the hydrolysis of glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) to glucose and inorganic phosphate. It is a multicomponent system located in the endoplasmic reticulum that comprises several integral membrane proteins, namely a catalytic subunit (G6PC) and transporters for G6P, inorganic phosphate, and glucose. The G6PC gene family contains three members, designated G6PC, G6PC2, and G6PC3. The tissue-specific expression patterns of these genes differ, and mutations in all three genes have been linked to distinct diseases in humans. This minireview discusses the disease association and transcriptional regulation of the G6PC genes as well as the biological functions of the encoded proteins.
Methodological Review of Treatments for Nonparaphilic Hypersexual Behavior

Research on nonparaphilic hypersexual behavior has increased in recent years. In the present article, the authors conducted a methodological review of empirical studies that evaluated a treatment for nonparaphilic hypersexual behavior. The authors reviewed several characteristics of the extant studies, including the participants, research designs, treatments evaluated, assessment of nonparaphilic hypersexual behavior, and outcomes. Despite several attempts to explore treatments aimed at attenuating the symptoms of nonparaphilic hypersexual behavior, the findings from this review indicate that much of the outcome research in the field contains significant methodological limitations. The authors conclude by offering recommendations to enhance future outcome research among investigators working with hypersexual populations.
Comparison of a monte carlo pdf/finite-volume mean flow model with bluff-body raman data

A hybrid Monte Carlo pdf/finite-volume mean flow model is developed and its predictions are compared with Raman data for a non-premixed, axisymmetric, bluff-body stabilized, 27.5% CO/ 32.3% H 2 / 40.2% N 2 -air flame. The velocity-composition joint, pdf evolution equation is solved by an explicit Lagrangian Monte Carlo method. This joint pdf is iteratively adjusted in velocity sub-space to agree with the mean velocity fields given by the implicit finitevolume CFD procedure for the elliptic equations. Stochastic Lagrangian particle evolution occurs at a frequency obtained from the field solutions of turbulence kinetic energy and dissipation rate equations. The mean density field obtained from the pdf calculation is passed back to the finite-volume sub-model, and the hybrid algorithm is iterated to convergence. The composition is described by two scalars, which are the mixture fraction and a reaction progress variable for the partially equilibrated oxyhydrogen radical pool. Comparisons are made with Raman data on mean and rms mixture fraction fields, temperature, and major species, with good agreement. The hybrid method combines the accuracy of the pdf approach for turbulence-chemistry closure with the geometric flexibility of pressure-corrected finite-volume methods for mean flow in curvilinear coordinates. Standard limitations of pdf shape assumption and statistical independence of scalars, and of gradient diffusion, are removed.
Prison Volunteers: Profiles, Motivations, Satisfaction.

Large numbers of correctional institutions rely on volunteers to assist staff in various programs and tasks. At present there exists a paucity of literature describing these programs and/or subjecting them to systematic evaluation. The present study uses self-report data from a sample of active volunteers at a medium-security Southern prison to profile institutional volunteers, assess the degree of volunteer satisfaction and identify issues/areas of concern that could be used to enhance the volunteer experience. Data suggests that volunteers were predominantly white, middle-aged and older men with high levels of education. Most were motivated by a strong sense of religious values and concern to help others; as such, most chose to participate in religious programs. Volunteers were largely satisfied with their experience and held high appraisals of institutional staff and inmates. This study identifies a need for additional systematic research that seeks to describe and appraise volunteer programs ...
Laser interferometry and photon scattering in plasma diagnostics

Various methods for determining the characteristics of high-temperature plasmas using lasers are reviewed. Ordinary interferometric techniques are discussed with the extension of these ideas to active and passive laser cavity probing. It is seen that these methods well complement existing techniques for the determination of electron densities within the range 10^{10}\lsim n_{e}\lesssim10^{17} electrons/cm3. Plasma probing using photon scattering is examined and it is shown that the electron density, electron temperature, and ion temperature may be found. In addition a considerable amount of information can be obtained which pertains to the kinetic theory of plasmas. Experimental detail pertaining to these methods is given along with their practical limitations.
Bimodal inhibition of connexin 43 gap junctions decreases ACTH-induced steroidogenesis and increases bovine adrenal cell population growth.

In order to elucidate the role of gap junctions in adrenal cell responses, we measured the effect of inhibiting gap junctions with 18- glycerrhetinic acid (GA; a potent inhibitor of cell–cell communication) and connexin antisense transfection on cell proliferation and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-stimulated steroidogenesis. In these experiments we utilized a bovine adrenocortical cell (SBAC) population, which responds to ACTH treatment with a dose-dependent increase in steroid production, an increase in connexin 43 ( 1 -Cx43) gap junction protein concentrations, and a decrease in cell population growth. SBAC cell populations treated with GA had increased growth rates, decreased ACTH-stimulated steroidogenesis, but no reduction in 1-Cx43 gap junction protein contents. In contrast, when SBAC cells were transfected with 1-Cx43 antisense cDNA, gap junction protein concentration was dramatically reduced as expected, unlike the GA-treated cell populations. Cell populations transfected with 1 -Cx43-antisense also exhibited increased growth rates and a decreased steroidogenic response to ACTH treatment as compared with control or vector-only transfected cell populations. The decreased responsiveness and increased number of cells in the population after gap junction function was decreased by either GA treatment or antisense transfection, suggests that gap junctions may be necessary factors in ACTH-stimulated responsiveness and growth control in the adrenal gland.
IN VITRO TRANSFORMATION OF HAMSTER KIDNEY CELLS BY HUMAN ADENOVIRUS TYPE 12.

SummaryIn vitro transformation by human adenovirus type 12 of cells derived from newborn hamster kidneys is described. Such transformation was obtained in 3 different types of kidney cell cultures: trypsinized cells, tissue fragments in plasma clots, and tissue fragments separated from the culture medium by a continuous cellophane membrane. This transformation included morphological alteration of the cells, recovery of the ability to divide, and development of an adenovirus type 12 specific complement-fixing antigen without the presence of detectable infectious virus. The transformed cells did not react with SV-40 specific fluorescein tagged antibodies. The malignant potential of these cells in vivo is under test. It is anticipated that the procedures employed in these experiments will offer new prospects for the study of human viral oncogenesis.The authors gratefully acknowledge the encouragement and suggestions of Dr. Edwin H. Lennette throughout this work.
THE HISTORY, ORGANIZATION, AND POLICIES OF THE BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION†

s of Doctoral Dissertations 441 communities. At the same time, large amounts of low-interest credit have been brought to rural areas, along with the first serious competition to many unit banks in remote localities. In addition, it has pioneered the field of selling bank credit as a merchandisable product, taking the lead in advertising, in newspapers and on the radio (now on TV also). It has carried the division of labor far into its organizational structure and has consistently moved toward the frontiers of banking methods. For example, its Ten Plan, consumer credit service (Time Plan) and School Savings Plan were the first of their kind anywhere. Its size and state-wide structure naturally involve the question of monopolistic influence. Careful investigation leads to the conclusion that it is not a monopoly, in the commonly accepted economic sense. It does not control the source of supply as a monopolist is supposed to do, but acts as though it were in fierce competition, for the available business, with the more than two hundred other California banks, government financial agencies, and small loan and insurance companies. It does exert some influence, not always undesirable, on loan rates and general banking practice. On balance, however, as presently constituted and managed, it is a socially desirable financial institution and appears as a skilful competitor rather than a successful monopolist. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.176 on Mon, 20 Jun 2016 06:15:31 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms
RHESSI as a Hard X-ray Polarimeter

Although designed primarily as a hard X-ray imager and spectrometer, the Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) is also capable of measuring the polarization of hard X-rays (20–100 keV) from solar flares. This capability arises from the inclusion of a small unobstructed Be scattering element that is strategically located within the cryostat that houses the array of nine germanium detectors. The Ge detectors are segmented, with both a front and rear active volume. Low-energy photons (below about 100 keV) can reach a rear segment of a Ge detector only indirectly, by scattering. Low-energy photons from the Sun have a direct path to the Be and have a high probability of Compton scattering into a rear segment of a Ge detector. The azimuthal distribution of these scattered photons carries with it a signature of the linear polarization of the incident flux. Sensitivity estimates, based on Monte Carlo simulations and in-flight background measurements, indicate that a 20–100 keV polarization sensitivity of less than a few percent can be achieved for X-class flares.
A dengue model with a dynamic Aedes albopictus vector population

Abstract Dengue is the most commonly transmitted arthropod-borne virus in the world with 50–100 million cases annually. Within the United States, dengue is a reemerging infectious disease of concern and near the U.S.–Mexico border, up to 75% of the population of some Texas communities have had exposure to dengue. Understanding dengue disease dynamics is critical to predicting and understanding the disease. These dynamics depend upon diverse factors such as socioeconomic conditions, the local environment, and vector biology. Here, we study dengue by examining the role of temperature in driving vector dynamics. To do this, we created a Susceptible, Exposed, Infectious, Recovered host and Susceptible, Exposed, Infectious vector (SEIR/SEI) model. The SEIR/SEI model was then used in conjunction with an Aedes albopictus population model to create a vector-based disease model. The vector-based diseased model was then forced by temperature. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Floodplain Delineation: AN Economic Approach

: Errors inherent in the conputation of water surface profiles are magnified by the shallow lateral slopes typical of most flood-plains, producing significant floodplain mapping errors. An economic optimization procedure which weighs the cost of overstating the location of a floodplain boundary against the cost of understanding the location provides a means for establishing the boundary location. In most cases the cost of overstating the boundary location exceeds the cost of understating the location by several magnitudes so that the boundary location should coincide with the minimum water surface elevation which would be expected to result from a flood of specified recurrence interval.
Fragile Self‐Esteem in Children and Its Associations With Perceived Patterns of Parent‐Child Communication

We examined the extent to which 11- to 12-year-old children's (N = 174) self-esteem (SE) stability and level related to their perceptions of various aspects of parent-child communication. Compared to children with stable SE, children with unstable SE reported that their fathers were more critical and psychologically controlling, and less likely to acknowledge their positive behaviors or to show their approval in value-affirming ways. Likewise, children with low SE reported that their fathers exhibited these qualities to a greater extent than did children with high SE. In addition, fathers of children with stable high SE were viewed as especially good at problem solving. Children's SE level related to perceptions of mothers' communication styles very similarly to how it did with fathers'; with respect to SE stability, however, relationships were generally less consistent and frequently absent. Discussion centered on the role of parent-child communication in promoting unstable SE.
A lattice claims model for capital budgeting

Techniques of contingent claims analysis (CCA), extend current capital budgeting practices in two specific ways. First, by explicitly accounting for project uncertainty and second, by quantifying the flexibility value afforded due to the presence of real options. When applied appropriately, CCA techniques can provide a powerful and robust valuation approach and are particularly useful in providing insight to key strategic factors that affect project value. These advantages, however, come at some expense as most applications of CCA to project valuation result in complex partial differential equations which cannot be solved for simple analytic formulas. This, combined with the intricate mathematical structure of these methods often make it difficult for an intuitive grasping and may result in implementation problems. The purpose of this article is to provide a prefatory perspective on the use of CCA techniques as applied to engineering, production, mining, and manufacturing projects. To that end, by using efficient numerical techniques this article formulates a simple and unified CCA framework for valuing a large class of projects that contain real options. The approach is straightforward, readily implementable, and computationally efficient. The framework presented in this paper also provides an important introduction to the use of CCA methods and the quantification of flexibility value in the management of operations. >
Exposure to Methadone Programs and Heroin Use

The aims of this study were to: (a) assess the effects of various patterns of exposure to methadone programs on heroin use; (b) assess the effects of other patient, program, and treatment variables; and (c) identify variables that promote the type of exposure to methadone programs that is most effective for reducing heroin use. The sample was 526 patients who were admitted from 1979 to 1981 into 17 methadone programs that participated in the Treatment Outcome Prospective Study. The study differs from previous research in that it addresses the time that patients spent in methadone programs during the follow-up period in defining exposure patterns. Heroin use was lowest among patients who were continuously exposed to methadone programs. Retention was highest among patients who attended programs that informed them of their methadone dose levels, were easy to access, and provided them with high quality social services.
Celecoxib, a Selective Cyclo-Oxygenase-2 Inhibitor, Enhances the Response to Preoperative Paclitaxel and Carboplatin in Early-Stage Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: Preclinical studies suggest that treatment with a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor may augment the antitumor effects of chemotherapy. In this study, patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were preoperatively treated with celecoxib in combination with chemotherapy. End points were toxicity, response rates, and measurement of intratumoral levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Methods: In this phase II trial, 29 patients with stages IB to IIIA NSCLC were treated with two preoperative cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin, as well as daily celecoxib, followed by surgical resection. Levels of PGE2 in the primary tumors and adjacent normal lung tissue were compared in 17 study patients versus 13 controls, who received preoperative paclitaxel/carboplatin without celecoxib. Results: All patients completed preoperative chemotherapy, and 26 completed preoperative celecoxib. The overall clinical response rate was 65% (48% with partial response; 17% with complete response). Grade 3 or 4 ne...
Toxicology and Biodistribution Studies for MGH2.1, an Oncolytic Virus that Expresses Two Prodrug-activating Genes, in Combination with Prodrugs

MGH2.1 is a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) oncolytic virus that expresses two prodrug-activating transgenes: the cyclophosphamide (CPA)-activating cytochrome P4502B1 (CYP2B1) and the CPT11-activating secreted human intestinal carboxylesterase (shiCE). Toxicology and biodistribution of MGH2.1 in the presence/absence of prodrugs was evaluated in mice. MGH2.1 ± prodrugs was cytotoxic to human glioma cells, but not to normal cells. Pharmacokinetically, intracranial MGH2.1 did not significantly alter the metabolism of intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered prodrugs in mouse plasma, brain, or liver. MGH2.1 did not induce an acute inflammatory reaction. MGH2.1 DNA was detected in brains of mice inoculated with 108 pfus for up to 60 days. However, only one animal showed evidence of viral gene expression at this time. Expression of virally encoded genes was restricted to brain. Intracranial inoculation of MGH2.1 did not induce lethality at 108 pfus in the absence of prodrugs and at 106 pfus in the presence of prodrugs. This study provides safety and toxicology data justifying a possible clinical trial of intratumoral injection of MGH2.1 with peripheral administration of CPA and/or CPT11 prodrugs in humans with malignant gliomas.
The Vpu protein: New concepts in virus release and CD4 down-modulation

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and several simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIV) encode for a transmembrane protein known as Vpu (viral protein U). While one of the smallest of the HIV-1 proteins, it has two important functions within virus-infected cells. The first of these functions is the down-regulation of the CD4 receptor to prevent its interaction with the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein. Vpu interacts with the CD4 receptor in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), resulting in its re-translocation across the RER and subsequent degradation via the proteasomal pathway. The second major function of the Vpu protein is to facilitate release of virus from infected cells. Previous studies have shown that virus release is cell type specific, suggesting that certain cells may express a restriction factor that inhibits virus release in the absence of Vpu. Recently, bone marrow stromal antigen 2 (BST-2/HM1.24/CD317/tetherin) has been identified as this factor. This review will focus on new findings within the last four years on the role of Vpu in CD4 down-regulation and the restriction of virus release from cells. We will relate these findings to virus pathogenesis and propose questions regarding BST-2 as a restriction factor.
a Tau-Like Test for Trend in the Presence of Multiple Censoring Points

: A common problem arises in testing for trends in water quality when observations are reported as “less than detection limit.” If a single detection limit is used for the entire study, existing non-parametric statistical methods, modified for ties, are applicable. If, however, the detection limit varies during the course of the study, resulting in multiple detection limits, then the commonly used trend detection methods are not appropriate. A statistic similar to Kendall's tau, but based on expected ranks, is proposed. Monte Carlo simulations show that the normal approximation to the distribution of this statistic is quite good, even for small samples and a large proportion of censored observations. The statistic is also shown to have greater power than the ad-hoc method of treating all observations less than the target censored observation as tied.
Female choice and pre-existing bias: visual cues during courtship in twoSchizocosawolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae)

Male wolf spiders, Schizocosa ocreata, possess tufts of bristles on the forelegs, which are used in visual courtship displays, but males of a closely related species, S. rovneri, lack tufted forelegs. In studies with live males, female S. ocreata showed receptivity more often to males with larger tufts than to males with smaller or shaved tufts. Male body size and/or shaving of tufts may aVect male courtship behaviour, however, which could influence female receptivity. Manipulated video images of the same courting male were used to control for male behaviour and to test the hypothesis that these tufts influence female choice. Video images of S. ocreata, and images of S. rovneri males (control: without tufts; experimental: with tufts added) were shown to females of both species. Female S. ocreata showed lowered receptivity to a video of a male with tufts removed and equal receptivity to a video of a male with enhanced tufts compared to a control video of a conspecific male with typical tufts. Responses of female S. ocreata to heterospecific video male S. rovneri were significantly lower than to conspecifics. In contrast, female S. rovneri are more receptive to video images of conspecific males with tufts added and heterospecific male S. ocreata than to control images. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that tufts are apomorphic, and that S. rovneri is more basal within the clade than S. ocreata. Since female S. rovneri respond receptively to both conspecific and heterospecific males with tufts and/or active leg waving displays, these results may provide evidence of pre-existing bias and/or sexual selection for a novel trait. ? 1996 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Effects of a one-year rainfall manipulation on soil nematode abundances and community composition

Abstract Soil nematodes play a crucial role in the terrestrial nitrogen cycle by accelerating the release of ammonium from microorganisms (bacteria and fungi). As aquatic organisms, nematodes are likely to be affected by predicted changes in precipitation patterns and soil moisture during the 21st century. The objective of this study was to measure the response of soil nematodes to a one-year rainfall manipulation in the sandy, forest soils of the New Jersey Pinelands (USA). We excluded all rain from four replicate field plots and applied double the amount of natural rainfall to four additional plots. We then assessed the impact of these precipitation treatments on nematode abundance and community composition. We found that total nematode abundance increased with more precipitation, and were highly sensitive to annual precipitation amount. This is in contrast to microbial biomass which was previously found to be insensitive to precipitation change. We suggest that any increased microbial growth in high rainfall plots was consumed by microbivorous nematodes. We further suggest that nematodes in the freely draining, sandy soils we studied may be unsuccessful at surviving drought because few water-filled pore spaces remain, as compared to more aggregated soils. All nematode families were sensitive to drought, but the effect was greatest on the Plectidae, while no significant effects were found for the Cephalobidae and Qudsianematidae. While not directly measured, these results provide insight into the relative anhydrobiotic abilities of these families. We found that bacterial-feeding nematodes were most sensitive to drought, suggesting that grazer-induced alterations to the nitrogen cycle are possible if precipitation patterns change in the future.
Precise determination of h/ m e using a rotating, superconducting ring

A precise determination of h/${m}_{e}$ (Planck's constant divided by the free-electron mass) using a rotating, superconducting ring is in progress. The measurement is based on flux quantization and the London moment---two manifestations of the macroscopic quantum nature of superconductivity. Here we report the first results from a precision, thin-film niobium ring. These data have a statistical error of 10 parts per million (ppm). A systematic error exists at the level of 2500 ppm, due to the presence of electric charge on the rotor. A model for the charge distribution is suggested and used to adjust the results and obtain a value of h/${m}_{e}$. This work has determined h/${m}_{e}$ directly to an accuracy of 100 ppm, a higher level of precision than previously reported. Recent theoretical calculations have predicted a relativistic mass increase of 150 ppm for electrons in superconducting niobium, but the uncertainty in our final results prevented the clear identification of this effect.
Mechanical profiling of intervertebral discs

Abstract Despite recent advances in imaging diagnostic technology and additional treatment options our ability to prevent or inhibit discogenic back pain has not drastically improved. The challenge of linking early degenerative patterns to dysfunction and pain remains. Using a novel material testing device designated the tissue diagnostic instrument (TDI) we measured the local stiffness and strain energy absorption in the radial direction of 13 intact intervertebral discs; effectively generating a mechanical profile of each disc. Prior to measuring mechanical properties, an MR image was taken of each spine segment and the discs were radiologically scored according to the Pfirrmann scale. After testing, a sagittal portion of each L1–L2 disc was excised from each of four spines for histology. No significant correlations were found between Pfirrmann grade and mechanical data. However, polarized light microscopy images of disc sections indicated correlations between local tissue modulus measured with the TDI and the clarity and density of lamellar striations.
Breast Cancer Methylomes Establish an Epigenomic Foundation for Metastasis

Cancer-specific alterations in DNA methylation are hallmarks of human malignancies; however, the nature of the breast cancer epigenome and its effects on metastatic behavior remain obscure. To address this issue, we used genome-wide analysis to characterize the methylomes of breast cancers with diverse metastatic behavior. Groups of breast tumors were characterized by the presence or absence of coordinate hypermethylation at a large number of genes, demonstrating a breast CpG island methylator phenotype (B-CIMP). The B-CIMP provided a distinct epigenomic profile and was a strong determinant of metastatic potential. Specifically, the presence of the B-CIMP in tumors was associated with low metastatic risk and survival, and the absence of the B-CIMP was associated with high metastatic risk and death. B-CIMP loci were highly enriched for genes that make up the metastasis transcriptome. Methylation at B-CIMP genes accounted for much of the transcriptomal diversity between breast cancers of varying prognosis, indicating a fundamental epigenomic contribution to metastasis. Comparison of the loci affected by the B-CIMP with those affected by the hypermethylator phenotype in glioma and colon cancer revealed that the CIMP signature was shared by multiple human malignancies. Our data provide a unifying epigenomic framework linking breast cancers with varying outcome and transcriptomic changes underlying metastasis. These findings significantly enhance our understanding of breast cancer oncogenesis and aid the development of new prognostic biomarkers for this common malignancy.
Diagnostic Studies in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The standard for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is polysomnography (PSG). Although PSG helps identify individuals who have OSA and guides medical management, it does not identify the obstruction site or predict surgical results. Radiologic and diagnostic studies have been used to direct surgical intervention and predict outcomes of sleep apnea surgery. These studies include lateral cephalometric radiographs, CT, MRI, asleep fluoroscopy, asleep and awake endoscopy, upper airway manometry, and acoustic reflection techniques. The ideal diagnostic study would identify individuals who have OSA, be cost-effective and readily accessible, and guide therapeutic, site-specific intervention with predictable results. In this article, the various modalities are reviewed in terms of their capability to effectively diagnose and guide treatment of OSA.
Optimal retiming of level-clocked circuits using symmetric clock schedules

Using level-sensitive latches instead of edge-triggered registers for storage elements in a synchronous system can lead to faster and less expensive circuit implementations. These advantages derive from an increased flexibility in scheduling the computations to be performed. In edge-clocked circuits, the amount of time available for the computation between two registers is precisely the length of the clock cycle, while in level-clocked circuits computations can borrow time across latches, potentially reducing the amount of dead time not used for computation. In either type of circuit, maximizing performance requires locating the storage elements to spread the computation uniformly across a number of clock cycles. Retiming is the process of rearranging the storage elements in a circuit to reduce its cycle time or number of storage elements without changing its functionality. In this paper, we extend the retiming techniques developed by Leiserson, Rose, and Saxe (1983, 1991) for edge-clocked circuits to a general class of multi-phase, level-clocked circuits controlled using symmetric clock schedules. We first define correct timing for level-clocked circuits and describe the set of timing constraints that must be satisfied. We then present an efficient algorithm for generating and solving a set of retiming constraints at a particular clock period that results in a retimed circuit satisfying the timing constraints (if any such circuit exists). The minimum clock period for which there is a valid retiming can then be determined using a binary search. >
The long-rostrumed elasmobranch Bandringa Zangerl, 1969, and taphonomy within a Carboniferous shark nursery

ABSTRACT The shark Bandringa (Elasmobranchii, Chondrichthyes), from the Pennsylvanian (Moscovian) Lagerstatte of Mazon Creek, Illinois, is notable for an elongated snout constituting up to half of total body length. This genus formerly contained two distinct species (B. rayi and B. herdinae). However, reexamination of all cataloged material from Mazon Creek and similarly aged North American coal measure localities shows that characteristics previously considered diagnostic at the species level can be attributed to differential taphonomy in adjacent marine and non-marine deposits. We find no evidence of morphologically distinct populations. A monospecific Bandringa exhibiting complementary data sets from localities with different modes of preservation provides a more complete picture of hard- and soft-tissue anatomy than resident taxa from a single deposit. Our new reconstruction of Bandringa incorporates several previously unreported features, including ventrally directed jaws, stellate squamation, a bran...
Assessing Approaches to Learning in School Readiness: Comparing the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment to an Early Learning Standards-Based Measure

This study examines the psychometric properties of two assessments of children’s approaches to learning: the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) and a 13-item approaches to learning rating scale (AtL) derived from the Arizona Early Learning Standards (AELS). First, we administered questionnaires to 1,145 randomly selected parents/guardians of first-time kindergarteners. Second, we employed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with parceling for DECA to reduce errors due to item specificity and prevent convergence difficulties when simultaneously estimating DECA and AtL models. Results indicated an overlap of 55% to 72% variance between the domains of the two instruments and suggested that the new AtL instrument is an easily administered alternative to the DECA for measuring children’s approaches to learning. This is one of the first studies that investigated DECA’s approaches to learning dimension and explored the measurement properties of an instrument purposely derived from a state’s early learning guidelines.
Increased efficacy and toxicity with combination anti-VEGF therapy using sorafenib and bevacizumab

3004 Background: The multikinase inhibitor, sorafenib (sor), targets raf-kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Bevacizumab (bev) is a monoclonal antibody against VEGF. We theorized that combining the two agents would have synergistic therapeutic effects. Methods: Eligible pts had advanced solid tumors, good end organ function, and PS ≤ 1. A phase I dose-escalation study (cohort 1) used sor 200 mg po BID, and bev 5 mg/kg q2 wks IV (dose level, DL1) or 10 mg/kg (DL2). After DLT was reached, DL4 was added to cohort 1 which tested sor 200 mg po BID on days 1–5 q wk with bev IV 5 mg/kg q 2 wks in an attempt to minimize toxicity. Cohort 2 is an expansion phase at MTD (DL1: sor 200 mg po BID daily with bev IV 5 mg/kg), randomized to start with single drug for 4 wks. Cohort 2 has extensive translational endpoints, including imaging. Results: 34 pts have enrolled, 16 in cohort 1 and 18 in cohort 2. Tumor types include ovarian cancer (13), melanoma (4), and renal cell carcinoma (3). The...
Release of nanoclay and surfactant from polymer-clay nanocomposites into a food simulant.

Release assessment of organo-modified montmorillonite (O-MMT) nanoclay and the organo-modifiers (surfactants) was performed on two types of polymer–clay nanocomposites: polypropylene (PP) and polyamide 6 (PA6) with O-MMT. In accordance with ASTM D4754-11, nanocomposite films were exposed to ethanol as a fatty-food simulant at 70 °C. The release of O-MMT, with Si and Al used as the nanoclay markers, was evaluated by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The nanoclay particles released in ethanol were visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). More nanoclay particles were released from PP–clay films (0.15 mg L–1) than from PA6–clay films (0.10 mg L–1), possibly due to the lack of interaction between the nanoclay and PP as indicated by the structure and morphology in the TEM images. The surfactant release was quantified by a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. A substantial amount of surfactant was released into ethanol (3.5 mg L–1 from PP–clay films and 16...
A Comparison of Leghorn Fowl and Fryers for Precooked Battered Fried Chicken

Abstract INTRODUCTION THE demand by housewives for stewing hens, especially Leghorn fowl, is very poor. The main reason for this is the availability today of fryers which are more tender, thus more convenient to prepare. The price of Leghorn fowl at the farm is less than one-fifth of what is was 20 years ago. This severe drop in price has created a high depreciation of the hen, which is at present the second largest cost of producing eggs and amounts to approximately eight cents per dozen. Most housewives feel that stewing hens have more flavor than fryers. It seems logical that if stewing hens could be made convenient by precooking, their demand should increase. Therefore, the intent of this study was to compare Leghorn fowl and fryers in the form of precooked battered chicken. REVIEW OF LITERATURE No research could be found in the literature comparing Leghorn fowl and fryers for . . .
Shoulder Movement in combing hair and making knot in back

肩関節の動作分析には、写真撮影や電気角度計による測定など様々な方法が用いられているが、これらには簡単に行えないという欠点がある。また、ADLとの関係を調べる際には、各方向の最大可動域を測定する場合が多く、動作時の実測値を測定したものは少ない。そこで今回我々は、結帯・結髪動作における肩関節角度(実測値)・指椎間距離・各方向の最大可動域を測定した。その結果、結髪動作における挙上角度には屈曲よりも外転がより影響していることが分かった。また、指椎間距離の測定によリ結帯動作における内旋可動域の重要性が再確認できた。健常群と拘縮群との比較では、結髪動作ではA-T angleと肘屈曲に、結帯動作では水平の動き・見かけ上の外転・肘屈曲・指椎間距離に差を認めた。
Fetal Intracranial Hemorrhage and Periventricular Leukomalacia: Complications of Twin-Twin Transfusion

We report neurologic damage in twins that was associated with twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Intracranial hemorrhage, detected prenatally