cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A cryptic sensor for HIV-1 activates antiviral innate immunity in dendritic cells

Dendritic cells serve a key function in host defence, linking innate detection of microbes to activation of pathogen-specific adaptive immune responses. Whether there is cell-intrinsic recognition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by host innate pattern-recognition receptors and subsequent coupling to antiviral T-cell responses is not yet known. Dendritic cells are largely resistant to infection with HIV-1, but facilitate infection of co-cultured T-helper cells through a process of trans-enhancement. Here we show that, when dendritic cell resistance to infection is circumvented, HIV-1 induces dendritic cell maturation, an antiviral type I interferon response and activation of T cells. This innate response is dependent on the interaction of newly synthesized HIV-1 capsid with cellular cyclophilin A (CYPA) and the subsequent activation of the transcription factor IRF3. Because the peptidylprolyl isomerase CYPA also interacts with HIV-1 capsid to promote infectivity, our results indicate that capsid conformation has evolved under opposing selective pressures for infectivity versus furtiveness. Thus, a cell-intrinsic sensor for HIV-1 exists in dendritic cells and mediates an antiviral immune response, but it is not typically engaged owing to the absence of dendritic cell infection. The virulence of HIV-1 may be related to evasion of this response, the manipulation of which may be necessary to generate an effective HIV-1 vaccine.
Dissipativity, analyticity and viscous shocks in the (de)stabilized Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation

Abstract We investigate an extension of the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky (KS) model for complex spatiotemporal dynamics, containing an additional linear stabilizing or destabilizing term. Generalizing previous results, we prove dissipativity and analyticity. In the destabilized case, a stable, attracting shock-like transition layer solution is observed numerically, and we obtain its asymptotic scaling. This “viscous shock” solution does not exhibit extensive scaling, which sheds light on the difficulties in obtaining optimal bounds and proving extensivity for the KS equation.
Volume/surface octrees for the representation of three-dimensional objects

The octree structure for the representation of 3D objects is an extension of the quadtree representation of 2D (binary) images. It is generated from the 3D binary array of the object it represents. However, the acquisition of a 3D array is not a trivial problem. In this study, we propose a scheme to generate an octree of an object from its three orthogonal views (silhouettes) exploiting a volume intersection technique. A multi-level boundary search algorithm is developed to incorporate surface information into the octree representation. This makes the octree representation compact, informative, and especially useful for graphic displays and object recognition tasks. An algorithm is also designed for computing the moment of inertia matrix, which is useful for object recognition. All the algorithms developed in this study are essentially tree traversal procedures and therefore are suitable for implementation on parallel processors.
Seeking Performance Information: Role of Self-Uncertainty and Self-Similarity

Summary.-Social comparison processes were studied by allowing students to seek information about scores from classes which were similar or dissimilar to themselves. Self-evaluative uncertainty was manipulated prior to this by giving 138 students mote or less information about the grade value of their own performance. More scores from the similar class were viewed when the subject had no prior means by which to evaluate himself. This effect was masked when uncertainty about the classes' performance was aroused in addition to uncertainty about oneself. When people seek information about others to evaluate themselves, they choose similar or slightly better targets (4, 6, 7). Little research to date has investigated the prior conditions which enhance the need for self-evaluation. It is presumed in most studies that simply having taken a test and being given one's score arouses a need to self-evaluate. Attempts to enhance the need by placing a person in competition with another have not been successful (5). Another attempt to manipulate self-evaluative needs situationally was also ineffective. Brickman and Berman (2) found that students who received both test mark and letter grade viewed as many class scores as those who received only their mark. Social comparison theory would have predicted greater seeking in the latter group. A closer look at the methodology provides an explanation for the equally high seeking levels in the two groups. The experimenters inadvertently manipulated uncertainty about the class performance as well as uncertainty about self-evaluation. Subjects were told to estimate the class mean. Thus, need to reduce uncertainty about the class mean was equal for all the groups and consequently masked any differential effects due to self-evaluative needs. The two different kinds of curiosity, one reflecting a desire to understand oneself (3) and the other reflecting a desire to understand others ( I), were confounded. The present study tested this hypothesis by telling one group of subjects to estimate the class mean on the basis of the number of marks they looked at and by giving no such instructions co another group. It was expected that the former group who estimated would show no differential effects as a result of different amounts of prior self-evaluative information, whereas the latter group without instructions would show differential effects. To indicate that the latter group was seeking primarily to understand their own performance, a similarity factor was introduced. It was hypothesized that the group without instructions would 'Presently at McGill University, Montreal, Canada, H3C 3G1. I appreciate the assistance of Frank Mitchell in running this study and the Bureau of Faculty Research for providing necessary funds.
Atmospheric density from the low altitude satellite 1970-48A: Comparison of orbital decay measurements, accelerometer measurements and atmospheric models

Abstract Atmospheric densities have been deduced from high resolution radar-determined orbital decay data and from data obtained from a uniaxial accelerometer flown onboard the low altitude satellite 1970-48A. Data were obtained during late June and early July, 1970. The orbital decay-deduced densities, having an effective 6 hr temporal resolution, were determined at an altitude of 143 km, essentially one-half scale height above perigee. The accelerometer deduced densities at the same altitude were obtained on both the approaching-perigee and leaving-perigee portions of each of fifty-nine orbits. A detailed comparison of the densities derived from both types of data is presented. In general, agreement is very good. A comparison of both types of data has also been made with the Jacchia 1970 and 1971 atmospheric models as well as the new OGO-6 atmospheric model. The Jacchia models display reasonable agreement with the data, but the OGO-6 model is unsuitable as a representation of atmospheric density at this altitude.
Spatial And Temporal Infrared Radiance Distributions Of Solar Sea Glint

An investigation of both time-averaged and temporal solar sea glint is presented with an emphasis on the mid-infrared and low observation angles. A model combining previous works on the time-averaged radiance is assembled. Using two different wave-slope statistics obtained from disparate slope measurements, radiance values are calculated and compared to new radiometric field measurements. There is reasonable agreement between model and measurements, and this comparison suggests which of the two wave-slope statistics is superior. The temporal properties of sea glint, while lacking sufficient modeling, have been investigated through the measurement of power spectral densities and are found to fit the standard Markovian form. Correlation times derived from power spectra are reported and these values are compared to theoretical predictions and other measured correlation times derived from dissimilar experiments.
Doubly excited 3Pe resonant states in Ps

Doubly excited 3P(e) resonant states in Ps(-) are calculated using a method of complex-coordinate rotation. Resonance parameters (both resonance positions and widths) for doubly excited states associated with the n = 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 thresholds of positronium atoms are evaluated using elaborate Hylleraas-type functions. In addition to ten Feshbach-type resonances lying below various Ps thresholds, three shape resonances were identified, one each lying above the n = 2, 4, and 6 Ps thresholds. It is further noted that the energy levels for the present 3P(e) states are nearly degenerate with respect to the previously calculated 1P(0) states. Such a symmetric character suggests that the highly and doubly excited Ps(-), similar to its counterpart in H(-), would exhibit rovibrational behaviors analogous to those of XYX triatomic molecules.
Do the neural correlates of acupuncture and placebo effects differ

The neurophysiological basis of therapeutic acupuncture is not well understood but is likely to consist of both specific and non-specific (e.g. placebo) effects. Data from animal studies suggest that endogenous anti-nociceptive networks may play a large role in therapeutic acupuncture. These networks have also been demonstrated to support placebo analgesia making differentiation between acupuncture specific and non-specific networks challenging. However, modern neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) provide a means to safely monitor brain activity in humans and may be used to help map the neural correlates of acupuncture. Recent neuroimaging studies have explored brain activity during acupuncture stimulation and/or the analgesic effects of acupuncture on pain stimulus processing. Although controversy regarding appropriate control methodology (e.g. sham acupuncture) continues, data suggest that modulation of certain limbic brain networks may differentiate between specific and placebo components of acupuncture.
Quasi-neutral particle simulation of magnetized plasma discharges: general formalism and application to ECR discharges

We have developed an electrostatic particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo (PIC/MC) simulation method for magnetized discharges, in which both internal electric fields and sheath potentials are determined from the requirement of quasineutrality within the bulk plasma, rather than by solving Poisson's equation. Thus the electric field is not sensitive to statistical noise which may occur in the small quantity n/sub e/-n/sub i/. Sheaths are treated self consistently as thin potential barriers, and the Bohm criterion for ion flux into the sheath is imposed as a boundary condition. Electron plasma oscillations do not appear in the model, and the debye length is essentially set to zero. Thus time steps and spatial gridding can be chosen to represent the characteristic macroscopic time and space scales of interest, which may be orders of magnitude larger than the plasma frequency/debye length scales. The simulation technique correctly represents kinetic features such as non-Maxwellian distributions and Landau damping and can be used for either collisional or collisionless plasmas. We present results from an axisymmetric simulation of an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) discharge in low-pressure argon, which show that the discharge is strongly affected by cross-field ion flows, even when the vessel walls are insulators. We also present analytic calculations based on the model, which afford new insights into cross-field transport in a metallic vessel and show that the classic Simon diffusion can be strongly inhibited by the effect of sheath potentials.
Computed tomography—guided needle localization of nonpalpable breast lesions: Review of 24 cases

Rationale and Objectives. We examined the role of computed tomography (CT) in breast imaging, especially in guiding needle localization procedures. Methods. We reviewed our institution's breast imaging database, from 1978 to 1994, for procedures in which CT scanning was used. Twenty-four CT-guided needle localizations were identified. Medical records, mammograms, CT scans, and pathology reports were reviewed for all patients. Results. Twenty-four needle localizations were performed on 22 female patients. The average size of the lesions localized was 12 mm. The most common reason for CT scanning was the inability to image a suspicious density by conventional mammography on two orthogonal views. Nine malignant and 15 benign lesions were localized under CT guidance. One patient developed a postoperative hematoma. No other complications occurred. Conclusion. CT-guided breast localization is a reliable technique that may be used to define selected breast lesions that are difficult to triangulate or localize by conventional two-view mammography.
Groundwater-flow parameter estimation and quality modeling of the Equus Beds aquifer in Kansas, U.S.A.

Abstract The salinity problems created in the Burrton area as a result of poor oil-field brine disposal practices of the past continue to be a major concern to the area depending on the Equus Beds aquifer for water, including the City of Wichita, Kansas. In this paper, an attempt is made to predict where and how fast the brine plume will move in this area, and what the average chloride concentrations in different parts of the aquifer are. In order to make such predictions, it was necessary to get a calibrated model of the groundwater-flow velocity field. Multiple regression analysis is used for parameter estimation of the steady-state groundwater-flow equation applied in the most critical area of the Equus Beds aquifer. Results of such an analysis produced a correlation coefficient of 0.992 between calculated and observed values of hydraulic head. A chloride transport modeling effort is then carried out despite some serious data deficiencies, the significance of which are evaluated through sensitivity analysis. Thus, starting with the quasi steady-state conditions of the early 1940's, it was possible to match the present chloride distribution satisfactorily. Chloride concentration predictions made for the year 2000 indicate that the quality of the Wichita well-field waters will not generally deteriorate from their present condition by that time.
SUMOylation attenuates sensitivity toward hypoxia- or desferroxamine-induced injury by modulating adaptive responses in salivary epithelial cells.

Hypoxic stress activates various signal transduction pathways including posttranslational modification with the ubiquitin-like SUMO protein (SUMOylation). However, the molecular mechanisms by which SUMOylation regulates hypoxic responses remain unclear. Here, we investigated the ability of rat salivary Pa-4 epithelial cells to resist cell injury elicited by 1% O 2 - or hypoxia-mimetic desferroxamine (DFO)-stimulated SUMOylation processes. By using Pa-4 cells stably transduced with lenti-SUMO-1 and a cell-permeant peptide harboring SUMO-binding motif to interfere with SUMO-dependent protein-protein interactions, we demonstrate that SUMOylation augments cell survival against DFO treatment. This appeared to be partly mediated through attenuation of Protein Kinase C (PKC)-δ activation and caspase-3 cleavage, hallmarks of pro-apoptotic signaling. Intriguingly, DFO-induced phosphorylation of DNA damage marker ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated protein S1981 preceded activation of PKCδ and caspase-3. Constitutive SUMOylation facilitated 1% O 2 - or DFO-induced nuclear factor κB transactivation, possibly via activation of genotoxic signaling cascade. In addition, we observed transient preservation of transepithelial electrical resistance during the early stage of hypoxia (1% O 2 ) as well as enhanced transepithelial electrical resistance recovery after prolonged hypoxia in SUMO-1-expressing cell monolayers. In conclusion, our results unveil a previously unrecognized mechanism by which SUMOylation and activation of ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated protein, PKCδ, caspase-3, and nuclear factor κB signaling pathways modulate salivary adaptive responses to stress in cells exposed to either 1% O 2 or DFO.
Androgens activate mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling: role in neuroprotection.

Recent evidence indicates that testosterone is neuroprotective, however, the underlying mechanism(s) remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that androgens induce mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in neurons, which subsequently drives neuroprotection. We observed that testosterone and its non-aromatizable metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT) rapidly and transiently activate MAPK in cultured hippocampal neurons, as evidenced by phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1 and ERK-2. Importantly, pharmacological suppression of MAPK/ERK signaling blocked androgen-mediated neuroprotection against β-amyloid toxicity. Androgen activation of MAPK/ERK and neuroprotection also was observed in PC12 cells stably transfected with androgen receptor (AR), but in neither wild-type nor empty vector-transfected PC12 cells. Downstream of ERK phosphorylation, we observed that DHT sequentially increases p90 kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (Rsk) phosphorylation and phosphorylation-dependent inactivation of Bcl-2-associated death protein (Bad). Prevention of androgen-induced phosphorylation of Rsk and Bad blocked androgen neuroprotection. These findings demonstrate AR-dependent androgen activation of MAPK/ERK signaling in neurons, and specifically identify a neuroprotective pathway involving downstream activation of Rsk and inactivation of Bad. Elucidation of androgen-mediated neural signaling cascades will provide important insights into the mechanisms of androgen action in brain, and may present a framework for therapeutic intervention of age-related neurodegenerative disorders.
Stranded Environmental Impacts and Electrical Power System Redesign

Large engineered systems do not often live out their lifecycles as originally planned. Traditional design methods do not address redesign issues that arise during the operation of these systems. The problem of how to consider the environmental impacts of stranded assets is especially problematic. This paper presents a method for analysis of a dynamically changing system that includes consideration of both economic and environmental impacts. A case study of an electrical power system illustrates the approach. The results provide several insights that were gained through the ability to forecast the environmental impact caused by lifecycle changes of a system, such as early retirement or operational life extension of facilities.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Determination of Free Energy Barriers to Initial Fusion of Vesicles

The fusion of two vesicles is studied by means of molecular dynamics simulations using coarse-grained lipid models. We use the umbrella sampling method to determine the potential of mean force as a function of the distance between the center of mass of two vesicles. The free energy barrier to the initial fusion step between two vesicles is determined from the peak in the PMF curve calculated at a center of mass distance just prior to the initial fusion step. The two CG lipid models used were the original model by Marrink, de Vries, and Mark (J. Phys. Chem. B 2004, 108,750) and its recently improved and extended version, the MARTINI model. We find that the free energy barrier for the initial fusion event varies by more than an order of magnitude between the two models. The source of the difference is found in the greater repulsive character of the interaction between the hydrophobic tail particles and the charged head-group particles in the MARTINI model compared to the older model. This interaction results in the lipid tails being confined to the hydrophobic region of the vesicle to a greater extent and the splay of the lipid tails being limited. These factors reduce the probability of triggering an initial fusion event.
Potato spindle tuber viroid. XII. An investigation of viroid RNA as a messenger for protein synthesis.

Abstract The ability of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV) RNA to act as a messenger RNA for protein synthesis has been investigated in several cell-free protein synthesizing systems. Extracts from wheat embryo, commercial wheat germ, Escherichia coli and Bacillus stearothermophilus , which are known to translate RNAs from viruses that do not infect these organisms, are unable to synthesize any specific proteins directed by PSTV. Amino acid incorporation is not stimulated much above the control without PSTV. This stimulation is less than 1% of the activity due to Qβ and brome mosaic virus RNAs, which can be translated into specific products under the same conditions. We tentatively conclude that this form of PSTV RNA is not a messenger for protein synthesis.
Autism and Familial Major Mood Disorder: Are They Related?

Family history studies of autism consistently reveal a large subgroup with a high incidence of major mood disorder in family members, suggesting the two entities are related clinically and genetically. This review examines this concept, comparing current clinical and biological knowledge of autism and major mood disorder, and advances the hypothesis that this subgroup of autism represents an early-life phenotype of major mood disorder. If confirmed, this hypothesis would suggest that the basic biological defects determining major mood disorders may have prominent neurodevelopmental and cognitive dimensions. Testing of the hypothesis will depend on genetic studies.
Editorial: molecular endocrinology articles in the spotlight for March 2013.

Welcome to the March issue of Molecular Endocrinology. We think you will find these articles to be interesting and enlightening: In their article, “Impaired Fertility and FSH Synthesis in Gonadotrope-Specific Foxl2 Knockout Mice,” Tran et al describe the first gonadotrope-specific knockout model with a selective impairment in FSH synthesis and secretion. Their work establishes forkhead protein L2 (FOXL2) as the first cell-restricted transcription factor required for FSH -subunit (FSHb) expression in vivo. This important study advances our understanding of mechanisms of differential regulation of the gonadotropins. “The Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Tolylfluanid Alters Adipocyte Metabolism via Glucocorticoid Receptor Activation” by Neel et al finds that despite lacking structural similarity to known glucocorticoids, the fungicide tolylfluanid activates glucocorticoid signaling and alters insulin signal transduction through enhanced glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding to a specific response element in the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) gene. This effect mimics the action of low-dose corticosterone. Furthermore, tolylfluanid and corticosterone result in duration-dependent effects on insulin signaling. Therefore, tolylfluanid, an endocrine-disrupting chemical found on fruit crops in Europe that acts on GR may play a heretofore-unrecognized role in metabolic disorders. List et al’s “The Role of GH in Adipose Tissue: Lessons From Adipose-Specific GH Receptor Gene-Disrupted Mice” (freely available at http://mend.endojournals.org/) uses healthy obese mice in which the GH receptor (GHR) gene is disrupted to study the in vivo effects of GH directly on adipose tissue. Surprisingly, the adipose-specific GH receptor knockout shares few metabolic characteristics of a global GHR knockout. For example, the adipose-specific GHR knockout mice are obese with increased total body fat and increased adipocyte size, but resistin and adiponectin levels as well as glucose metabolism are not altered. Therefore, increased circulating adipokines in GHR global knockout mice are likely due to altered GH signaling in nonadipose tissue. Our thanks and congratulations go out to these and all of the authors of this issue’s excellent research. Donald B. DeFranco, PhD. Editor-in-Chief, Molecular Endocrinology
A Probability Model for Random Fiber Breakages Part II: Estimation and Application 1

Applications of the probability model for random fiber breakage which was derived in Part I are demonstrated. The parameters of the model for an arbitrary initial fiber- length distribution are estimated by the nonlinear least-squares iterative method. Some practical uses of the estimates of parameters are shown. Different modes of fiber break age for two different lots of cotton due to opening-carding process are assessed in terms of average number of break points and probability of fiber breakage, thus, providing complete clarification to the fundamental questions raised at the beginning of the study and a realistic interpretation to the random fiber breakage phenomena.Results of the application show that the probability of fiber breakage on fiber length is moderately nonlinear and sizable three segments fiber breakage was seen to be present, especially for long fiber groups, although in an over-all sense it was fairly small. Fiber breakages into more than four segments were negligible. These will, of c...
Recognition mechanisms and infection process in legumes

Bacteria of the genus Rhizobium form nitrogen-fixing nodules on several economically important legumes. The biological specificity that exists in some of these symbiotic associations provides the basis for the taxonomic subgroupings of the genus Rhizobium. It is generally believed that specificity is determined at the very early stages of the legumelRhizobium interactions (Li and Hubbell, 1969; Yao and Vincent, 1969; Dazzo, 1980a; Schmidt, 1979). A recognition event of some sort between the legume (host) and Rhizobium (symbiont) is often implied in explaining the molecular basis for the biological specificity. The available information on this subject has been critically discussed in several reviews (Broughton, 1978; Dazzo, 1979, 1980b; Beringer et al., 1979; Schmidt, 1979; Solheim and Paxton, 1980; Smittle, 1979; Graham, 1980; Vincent, 1967, 1980). This paper briefly summarizes current working hypotheses on the recognition mechanisms in the legumelRhizobium systems and discusses in some detail recent studies done in our laboratory on the early evenrts in the infection process in some common legume hosts.
Dynamic vortex phases and pinning in superconductors with twin boundaries

We investigate the pinning and driven dynamics of vortices interacting with twin boundaries using large scale molecular-dynamics simulations on samples with near one million pinning sites. For low applied driving forces, the vortex lattice orients itself parallel to the twin boundary and we observe the creation of a flux gradient and vortex-free region near the edges of the twin boundary. For increasing drive, we find evidence for several distinct dynamical flow phases which we characterize by the density of defects in the vortex lattice, the microscopic vortex flow patterns, and orientation of the vortex lattice. We show that these different dynamical phases can be directly related to microscopically measurable voltage-current $V(I)$ curves and voltage noise. By conducting a series of simulations for various twin boundary parameters we derive several vortex dynamic phase diagrams.
S24-03 The role of arts and humanities in undergraduate medical curricula

This paper will explore possible ways of integrating humanities disciplines in medical education. In today's world, medical students have to learn to understand the social and cultural environment in which medicine is practiced. The humanities have long since have been the principal site of diversity in the academy. Now they can help medical students come to terms with diversity that is the context ot today's medicine. Studies in arts and humanities help recognize the limitations of purely biotechnical approach to patient care, in complex and paradigm-changing ways. Such studies also pave the way for understanding how social assumptions and values play out in healthcare policies. In sum, the humanities provide an additional insight into the human condition, allowing students “to consider human beings in their totality,” in the words of Jean Delay, a pioneer of psychopharmacology who also maintained a literary career throughout his life. Furthermore, humanities contribute to the development of complex interpretive skills, embracing affective aspects of intelligence as much as they embrace conventional rationalist forms of inquiry such as logic, analysis, deconstruction and critique. There is some evidence that medical students who have an additional background in the humanities are less vulnerable to burnout while studying and go on to perform better in important areas of practice. Approaches to developing specific learning outcomes and curricular guidelines will be discussed.
Coupled kinetic traps in cytochrome c folding: His-heme misligation and proline isomerization.

Abstract The effect of His-heme misligation on folding has been investigated for a triple mutant of yeast iso-2 cytochrome c (N26H,H33N,H39K iso-2). The variant contains a single misligating His residue at position 26, a location at which His residues are found in several cytochrome c homologues, including horse, tuna, and yeast iso-1. The amplitude for fast phase folding exhibits a strong initial pH dependence. For GdnHCl unfolded protein at an initial pH
The role of resource, protective, and risk factors on academic achievement-related outcomes of economically disadvantaged Latino youth

We examined the effects of cumulative risk, resource, and protective factors on the language and math achievement scores and school problem behaviors of a sample of 549 10–14-year-old, economically disadvantaged Latino youths. Findings indicated that as the number of risk factors increased, youth's language and math achievement scores decreased and school problem behaviors increased. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that each of the hypothesized resource variables (i.e., maternal monitoring, maternal academic involvement, socioemotional competence, and extracurricular activity) made a unique contribution to at least one achievement-related outcome, over and above the effects of cumulative risk. Moreover, maternal monitoring buffered the effects of multiple risk factors on language achievement scores. Contrary to expectations, higher levels of participation in extracurricular activities had a detrimental effect on male school problem behavior scores and was unrelated to girl's problem behavior scores. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 31: 513–529, 2003.
A random arrangement of albumin-containing hepatocytes seen with histo-immunologic methods. I. Verification of the artifact.

The cellular and subcellular localization of albumin in hepatocytes of adult male rats was established with immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques. Livers were fixed while either filled or devoid of blood. In some rats, prior treatment with cycloheximide was used to deplete the albumin content of hepatocytes. Immunofluorescence of blood-free livers from untreated rats showed that all hepatocytes contained albumin. However, using the peroxidase method, the amount of immunoprecipitate in cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum was so slight that specific localization of albumin was impossible. Yet in all cases, a positive reaction for the presence of albumin was seen on ribosomes attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, immunofluorescence of blood-filled livers from untreated rats and those previously injected with cycloheximide showed that only a few scattered hepatocytes were positive for albumin. In these cases, subcellular localization of albumin was obvious because the immunoprecipitate was found in heavy concentration, but only in the cytosol compartment.
The Captains of Energy: Systems Dynamics from an Energy Perspective

In teaching an introduction to transport or systems dynamics modeling at the undergraduate level, it is possible to lose pedagogical traction in a sea of abstract mathematics. What the mathematical modeling of time-dependent system behavior offers is a venue in which students can be taught that physical analogies exist between what they likely perceive as distinct areas of study in the physical sciences. We introduce a storyline whose characters are superheroes that store and dissipate energy in dynamic systems. Introducing students to the overarching conservation laws helps develop the analogy that ties the different disciplines together under a common umbrella of system energy. In this book, we use the superhero cast to present the effort-flow analogy and its relationship to the conservation principles of mass, momentum, energy, and electrical charge. We use a superhero movie script common to mechanical, electrical, fluid, and thermal engineering systems to illustrate how to apply t e analogy to arrive at governing differential equations describing the systems' behavior in time. Ultimately, we show how only two types of differential equation, and therefore, two types of system response are possible. This novel approach of storytelling and a movie script is used to help make the mathematics of lumped system modeling more approachable for students.
Cumulus and granulosa cell markers of oocyte and embryo quality

Lack of an objective, accurate, and noninvasive embryo assessment strategy remains one of the major challenges encountered in in vitro fertilization. Cumulus and mural granulosa cells reflect the characteristics of the oocyte, providing a noninvasive means to assess oocyte quality. Specifically, transcriptomic profiling of follicular cells may help identify biomarkers of oocyte and embryo competence. Current transcriptomics technologies include quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for analysis of individual genes and microarrays and high-throughput deep sequencing for whole genome expression profiling. Recently, using qRT-PCR and microarray technologies, a multitude of studies correlated changes in cumulus or granulosa cell gene expression with clinically relevant outcome parameters, including in vitro embryo development and pregnancy. While the initial findings are promising, a clinical benefit from the use of identified biomarker genes remains to be demonstrated in randomized controlled trials.
Evolution, Organization, and Expression of α-Tubulin Genes in the Antarctic Fish Notothenia coriiceps ADAPTIVE EXPANSION OF A GENE FAMILY BY RECENT GENE DUPLICATION, INVERSION, AND DIVERGENCE

To assess the organization and expression of tubulin genes in ectothermic vertebrates, we have chosen the Antarctic yellowbelly rockcod, Notothenia coriiceps, as a model system. The genome of N. coriiceps contains ∼15 distinct DNA fragments complementary to α-tubulin cDNA probes, which suggests that the α-tubulins of this cold-adapted fish are encoded by a substantial multigene family. From an N. coriicepstesticular DNA library, we isolated a 13.8-kilobase pair genomic clone that contains a tightly linked cluster of three α-tubulin genes, designated NcGTbαa, NcGTbαb, andNcGTbαc. Two of these genes, NcGTbαa andNcGTbαb, are linked in head-to-head (5′ to 5′) orientation with ∼500 bp separating their start codons, whereasNcGTbαa and NcGTbαc are linked tail-to-tail (3′ to 3′) with ∼2.5 kilobase pairs between their stop codons. The exons, introns, and untranslated regions of the three α-tubulin genes are strikingly similar in sequence, and the intergenic region between the αa and αbgenes is significantly palindromic. Thus, this cluster probably evolved by duplication, inversion, and divergence of a common ancestral α-tubulin gene. Expression of the NcGTbαc gene is cosmopolitan, with its mRNA most abundant in hematopoietic, neural, and testicular tissues, whereas NcGTbαa andNcGTbαb transcripts accumulate primarily in brain. The differential expression of the three genes is consistent with distinct suites of putative promoter and enhancer elements. We propose that cold adaptation of the microtubule system of Antarctic fishes is based in part on expansion of the α- and β-tubulin gene families to ensure efficient synthesis of tubulin polypeptides.
Tat Mediates Apoptosis in Vivo in the Rat Central Nervous System

The HIV-1 transactivator of transcription, Tat, mediates apoptosis in neurons and may cause AIDS-associated neurologic disorders, which include dementia and loss of motor control. Here we investigate the ability of Tat to stimulate apoptosis in the rat central nervous system in vivo. Using the TUNEL assay, treatment of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells with 1.0 microgram/ml of Tat for 24 h was found to stimulate apoptosis. Further, electrophoresis of DNA from Tat-treated PC12 cells demonstrated fragmentation. To investigate Tat mediated apoptosis in vivo, 20 microgram of Tat was infused into the striatum of Sprague-Dawley rats. Histochemical analysis (TUNEL) of the Tat-infused area demonstrated apoptosis. Further, these rats demonstrated postural deviation ipsilateral to the infusion. These data demonstrate that Tat stimulates apoptosis in vivo and causes neurologic dysfunction in the intact animal.
Évaluation du diamètre de l'aorte thoracique descendante proximale avec l'âge : Conséquence pour la mise en place des endoprothèses dans l'aortique thoracique

Introduction Les modifications a long terme de la morphologie de l'aorte thoracique qui peuvent affecter les resultats a long terme des lesions aortiques traumatiques traites par endoprothese sont inconnues. Le but de cette etude etait d'examiner l'histoire naturelle du diametre aortique thoracique au cours du vieillissement. Methodes Mille angioscanners thoraciques consecutifs realises pour une pathologie aortique non thoracique chez des patients âges de 15 a 99 ans (moyenne 59.4) ont ete examines, et le diametre aortique thoracique immediatement en aval de l'artere sous-claviere gauche a ete mesure. Les facteurs susceptibles d'influencer le diametre comme l'âge, la race, le sexe, l'hypertension arterielle (HTA), le diabete, la broncho-pneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO), et le tabagisme, ont ete examines. Ces facteurs ont ete compares en utilisant le test t de student. Resultats Les differences de diametre moyen de l'aorte thoracique en fonction du sexe (homme = 27.1 vs femme = 26.0, p = 0.87), de la race (Caucasien = 26.6 vs non-Caucasiens = 26.3, p = 0.10), de la presence d'une HTA (oui = 25.8 vs non = 24.9, p = 0.36), d'une BPCO (oui = 26.3 vs non = 25.4, p = 0.21), d'un diabete (oui = 26.1 vs non = 25.3, p = 0.12), et d'un tabagisme (oui = 26.3 contre aucuns = 25.0, p = 0.18) n'etaient pas significatives. Cependant, les differences de diametre moyen ont augmente de maniere significative avec le temps avec l'âge. Les patients âges de moins de 40 ans avaient un diametre aortique moyen de 22.92 mm compare a 27.09 mm ( p Conclusion Le diametre de l'isthme aortique augmente sensiblement avec l'âge. Ces resultats suggerent qu'une surveillance a long terme est justifiee pour les patients chez qui une endoprothese a ete mise en place pour un traumatisme afin d'evaluer l'histoire naturelle et de depister d'eventuelles complications tardives.
Dehydration of large zeolite crystals for a study of4He in confined geometries

Abstract Large zeolite crystals are required in search of superfluid transition in adsorbed4He and in study of adsorbate diffusion. Dehydration of these crystals by conventional methods leads to breakage into small powders. We describe a novel method which successfully dehydrates zeolites as large as 5 mm without causing damages.
Joint Bandwidth-Aware Relay Placement and Routing in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

The relay placement problem has been studied extensively in wireless networks. Existing work typically focuses on connectivity to prolong the network time or to achieve fault-tolerance. In contrast, we tackle the problem with the goal of achieving bandwidth sufficiency when real-time multimedia streams need to be sent to the sink. We consider the critical condition of heterogeneous link capacity and transmission range. Besides, we consider the relay placement and routing jointly because routing decides the path on which a stream traverses; and the bandwidth sufficiency depends on both supply (the link capacity) and demand (which streams use the link given the routing paths). We formulate the problem as a new variant of the Steiner tree problem called the heterogeneous bandwidth Steiner routing problem. Extensive simulations show that our scheme reduces the number of relays by an average of 44% compared to the widely used minimum spanning tree based approximation algorithm for relay placement. We also found that considering heterogeneous range and rate is beneficial in relay placement. Compared to the uniform range and rate placement algorithm, our scheme reduces the number of relays by 25%-39%. Besides, our scheme notably improves the movement efficiency when applied to a real-time multi-robot exploration strategy.
An extended finite element method for dislocations in complex geometries: Thin films and nanotubes

Abstract Dislocation models based on the extended finite element method (XFEM) are developed for thin shells such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and thin films. In shells, methods for edge dislocations, which move by glide, and prismatic dislocations, which move by climb, are described. In thin films, methods for dislocations with edge, screw and/or prismatic character are developed in three dimensions. Singular enrichments are proposed which allow the Peach–Koehler force to be computed directly from the stress field along the dislocation line and give improved accuracy.
Predictors of toxicity in treating patients with neuroblastoma by radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine

We searched for methods that would enable prescriptions of the maximum tolerable doses of iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) and iodine-125 MIBG in the treatment of patients with neuroblastoma. We correlated doses, defined in different ways, with subsequent platelet levels in treated patients to determine accurate predictors of the most frequent toxicity, thrombocytopenia. Nine patients with neuroblastoma were given 131I-MIBG (4.9–8.1 GBq or 132–220 mCi) and ten were given 125I-MIBG (8.3-30.0 GBq or 224–809 mCi) as initial treatments. These therapies were sufficiently varied that correlations could be made between indices of the doses and the subsequent toxicity as reflected in circulating platelet levels. Predictors of toxicity were: whole-body absorbed dose of radiation (cGy) calculated from pretherapy tracer doses of 131I-MIBG; GBq/kg of body weight; and GBq/m2 of body surface area. Toxicity was recorded as the nadir of the platelet level and platelet/pretherapeutic level (platelet ratio). For treatments with 131I-MIBG, the highest correlation was obtained between cGy and the logo10-transformed platelet ratio (r=−0.86), but comparison of GBq/m2 and the platelet nadir (r=−0.76) or the platelet ratio (r=−0.74) or the log10 − transformed platelet ratio (r=−0.73) gave comparable and statistically significant results. For treatments with 125I-MIBG, significant correlations were obtained between GBq/m2 and the platelet ratio (r=−0.81) or GBq/kg and the log10 −-transformed platelet ratio; the correlation between cGy and any toxicity index was low. Per administered GBq, 131I-MIBG was 2.6 times more potent than 125I-MIBG in causing a platelet ratio of 0.1. Thus, in predicting toxicity, therapeutic doses of 131I-MIBG expressed as GBq/m2 performed satisfactorily and almost as well as whole-body cGy, and treatment doses of 125I-MIBG expressed as GBq/m2 or GBq/kg performed satisfactorily and much better than whole-body cGy.
Comparison of the phosphorylation events in membranes from proliferating vs. quiescent endothelial cells.

In an attempt to elucidate the intracellular events regulating the proliferation of endothelial cells (EC), we have compared the phosphorylation events in membranes prapared from proliferating (sparse) and quiescent (confluent) EC. Triton-solubilized membranes from sparse and confluent EC were incubated at pH 6.5 in the presence of divalent cations and [32P]ATP. Membrane proteins were then separated by SDS-PAGE and the radiolabeled phosphoproteins visulaized by autoradiography. The overall kinase activity per milligram protein was 1.7 ± 0.2-fold greater in membranes prepared from proliferating than from quiescent cells. The extent of phosphorylation was dramatically elevated in sparse over confluent samples for four phosphoproteins having the following approximate molecular masses: 180, 100, 97, and 55 kDa. The 180 and 100 kDa phosphoproteins exhibited 3.6- and 7.4-fold higher labeling, respectively, in sparse than in confluent membranes and both were phosphorylated on serine residues exclusively. The 97 kDa phosphoprotein was 11.6-fold higher in sparse membranes and contained both phosphoserine (p-ser) and phosphotheronine (p-thr), the latter comprising 61% of the radioactivity. The 55 kDA phosphoprotein contained 62% p-ser, 16% p-thr, and 22% phosphotyrosine (p-tyr) and was 2.3-fold higher in sparse membranes. Of these four phosphoproteins, only the 55 kDa protein was phosphorylated in confluent samples to an appreciable degree. Whereas the p-ser and p-thr content of the 55 kDa band increased moderately in sparse vs. confluent sample (1.8-fod increase), the tyrosine residues of this protein iin sparse membranes were radiolabeled to a much greater extent relative to confluent membranes (5.4-fold increase). Analysis of the cofactor requirements of the FC membrane kinase(s) revealed that Mn2+ is the optimum cofactor and that Mg2+ can replace Mn2+ only for the kinase acting on the 100 kDa band. This suggests the presence of multiple EC membrane kinases. In the presence of both cofactors, the phosphorylation pattern is similar to the pattern obtained with Mn2+ alone. The kinase activity acting on all four phosphoproteins was independent of Ca2+, cAMP, cGMP, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The mechanism responsible for the difference in kinase activity of proliferating vs. quiescent cells was not due to an inhibitor or enhanced phosphatase activity in confluent cells; the phosphorylation patterns obtained with sparse solubilized membranes and a mixture of sparse and confluent solubilized membranes were similar. The observed differences in phosphorylation events between sparse and confluent membranes occurred in multiple strains of two types of EC—pig aortic and bovine aortic—but were not apparent in membranes prepared from proliferating and quiescent human foreskin fibroblasts or 3T3 cells. Sparse endothelial cells made quiescent by serum deprivation exhibited reduced kinase activity with a phosphoprotein pattern similar to that of confluent cells; therefore, the enhanced kinase activity in sparse membranes may be growth-dependent.
“Dear israeli chief-censor. . . sincerely yours, the palestinian editor-in-chief”: censorship, negotiation and procedural justice

This study identifies censorship as a power relationship that takes place between two organizations: the offices of two Palestinian publications, and the Israeli Censorship office. To understand how power operates in practice, and to determine how Palestinian journalists challenge censorship decisions, 198 letters exchanged between two editors-in-chief and two chief censors are thematically analyzed. The analysis reveals that Palestinian editors-in-chief take a tactical approach to power and challenge censorship by raising six procedural justice rules that they claim the censors do not follow: consistency, bias suppression, accuracy of information, correctability, representativeness and ethicality. The challenges create gaps in censorship and enable Palestinian journalists to publish some nationalist news despite censorship. The study also discussed the disadvantages of challenging censorship categories, rather than addressing the fact of censorship itself.