cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interactions of Cell Surface Glycoproteins

Cell surfaces are coated with glycoproteins and glycolipids. It is shown that carbohydrates present on cell surfaces offer a potential low affinity binding sites that act as diverse carbohydrate-carbohydrate recognition systems. Weak interactions between carbohydrate molecules allow the cells to test surrounding surfaces prior to establishing more stable covalent bonds. Carbohydrate-Carbohydrate interactions on cell surfaces play important roles in various biological processes such as cell trafficking, host-pathogen interactions, embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, implantation, cancer progression and angiogenesis. To further analyze the interactions between carbohydrates in biological systems, we are investigating the force-spectroscopy of mannobiosylated BSA on coated AFM surfaces. We present the effect of the oligosaccharide conformation and salt dependence on the glycoprotein interactions.
IgA Specific T-Cell Factor Produced by a Human T-T Hybridoma

A human T-T hybridoma was produced, which was a fusion product between and HGPRT-deficient T-cell line, Jurkat 3, and an OKT4+ activated peripheral blood T-cell. The hybrid expressed a receptor for IgM Fc and was negative for IgA Fc. It was shown to produce a factor capable of specifically enhancing IgA production and secretion by isolated human B-cells. The factor exerts its effect directly on B-cells and appears to be different from T-cell-replacing factors previously described.
Synthesis of 1,4‐bis(4‐pyridyl)butadiyne

2-Methyl-4-(4-pyridyl)-3-butyn-2-ol (2) was prepared in 70% yield by the reaction of 4-bromopyridine with 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol in diethylamine in the presence of bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) chloride and copper(I) iodide. Removal of the protective group in 2 by refluxing with sodium hydroxide in toluene yields (90%) 4-ethynylpyridine (3). Oxidative coupling of 3 in pyridine by dioxygen in the presence of copper(I) chloride produces a 92% yield of 1,4-bis(4-pyridyl)butadiyne.
EXTRARETINAL PHOTORECEFTION IN INSECTS

— Extraretinal photoreceptors are widespread among insects and function in the photoperiodic control of development and in the entrainment of circadian rhythms. The effects of light on the daily and seasonal regulation of brain neuroendocrine activity are mediated solely through extraretinal photoreceptors. In primitive insects, the eyes participate in the entrainment of nonendocrine circadian rhythms such as the locomotor rhythm. In more advanced forms, however, extraretinal pathways appear to be the only pathway for the entrainment of all rhythms thus far examined. But even in this latter case, the eyes sometimes effect a masking of the expression of the overt rhythm. An exact localization of the extraretinal receptors has not been accomplished, but in all studies to date they appear to be associated with the cerebral lobe region of the brain. Action spectra for photoperiodic responses have been determined for a number of insects. In general the responses are maximally sensitive in the blue with a marked decline in the red although exceptions do exist. Complete action spectra for circadian responses have been determined only for two insects. In both cases a plateau of sensitivity extends through the blue with a steep drop at longer wavelengths. From the action spectra data, the extraretinal receptors appear to have a threshold sensitivity less than 3 times 10-2 J/m2. The pigment nature of the receptor is unknown although it appears not to be a carotenoid derivative.
Endangered species conservation on private land: assessing the effectiveness of habitat conservation plans.

Habitat conservation plans (HCPs) have become a key instrument for implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on private land. However, there is no systematic analysis of their effectiveness in promoting endangered species recovery. This paper is the first to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of HCPs on species recovery status. We find evidence that HCPs have a significant positive impact on species recovery. Our results also suggest that the recovery benefits are larger when species have relatively larger plans. However, we fail to find strong evidence that multi-species plans covering more species are more effective than plans which include fewer species.
Sequence of a lepidopteran toxin gene of bacillus thuringiensis subsp kurstaki NRD-12☆

Three classes of HindIII hybridizing fragments of 4.5, 5.3 and 6.6 kb in size have been identified in the Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) kurstaki NRD-12 strain, a situation similar to the one found in the well-studied B.t. kurstaki HD-1 strain. The probes used were short, synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides derived from the published HD-1 4.5 class delta-endotoxin gene sequence. We have cloned the NRD-12 5.3 class gene in the Escherichia coli plasmid, pUC8, and determined its nucleotide sequence. An open reading frame of 1155 amino acid residues was identified as the delta-endotoxin coding sequence based on its overall homology with the deduced amino acid sequences from the HD-1 4.5 gene and a 6.6 gene from the related kurstaki HD-73 strain. The NRD-12 5.3 gene appears to be a hybrid of the former two genes but displays a unique 78 by deletion and a 12 by insertion in the 3′-coding region. These characteristics have also been reported in two other recently reported genes isolated from B.t. berliner 1715 and kurstaki HD-1. Potential transmembrane segments have been predicted for the three classes of toxins.
Unified Theory of Lattice Boltzmann Models for Nonideal Gases

A nonideal gas lattice Boltzmann model is directly derived, in an a priori fashion, from the Enskog equation for dense gases. The model is rigorously obtained by a systematic procedure to discretize the Enskog equation (in the presence of an external force) in both phase space and time. The lattice Boltzmann model derived here is thermodynamically consistent and is free of the defects which exist in previous lattice Boltzmann models for nonideal gases. The existing lattice Boltzmann models for nonideal gases are analyzed and compared with the model derived here.
Increased sensitivity to ipsilateral cutaneous stimuli following transcranial magnetic stimulation of the parietal lobe

Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the sensorimotor cortex results in decreased sensitivity of threshold electrical stimuli to fingers of the contralateral hand. It has been suggested that one factor contributing to neglect contralateral to a unilateral parietal lesion is a release of the normal hemisphere from reciprocal interhemispheric inhibition by the damaged hemisphere. Consistent with this account, the current study demonstrated that transcranial magnetic stimulation over the parietal cortex results in increased sensitivity to cutaneous stimulation ipsilateral to the stimulation. The likely mechanism is a transcranial magnetic stimulation-induced transient dysfunction of the ipsilateral parietal cortex that then results in disinhibition of the contralateral parietal cortex.
Information asymmetry and investment–cash flow sensitivity

Abstract Models of capital market imperfections predict that information asymmetry decreases firm investment and increases the sensitivity of investment expenditures to fluctuations in internal funds. Previous empirical tests of the link between investment and financing decisions have relied on indirect measures of financial constraint due to market frictions. In contrast, we use more direct measures derived from the market microstructure literature. Consistent with the theoretical predictions, our analysis shows that scaled investment expenditures are on average lower and the investment–cash flow sensitivity is greater when the probability of informed trading is high. Our results are robust to alternative measures of informed trading and liquidity, but they are not pervasive in our sample.
Joint Model of Residential Relocation Choice and Underlying Causal Factors

Residential location choice is a key determinant of activity-travel behavior, yet little is known about the reasons why people choose to move or not move residences. Such understanding is critical to being able to model residential location choices over time and design built environments that people find appealing. This paper attempts to fill this gap by developing a joint model of the choice to move residence and the primary reason behind the move. The model is estimated on the Florida subsample of the 2009 U.S. National Household Travel Survey. Model results shed considerable light on the socioeconomic and demographic variables that affect a household's decision whether to move residence and the primary reason underlying that decision.
Pectic Enzymes of Rumen Fluid

Summary A glycosidic pectic enzyme was found in a number of rumen fluid samples and was characterized as γ -pectinglycosidase. It was exocellular and adaptive to the addition of pectic substances, with a high activity in the pH range of 7.0 to 9.5 (optimum 8.5). The rumen fluid was free of pectinesterase as determined at pH values of 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5. When a basal ration of four fistulated steers was supplemented with citrus pulp there was a tenfold increase in activity of γ -PG activity attributed to citrus pulp. There was no difference between the levels of citrus pulp used.
Teachers Can Become a Vital Component of the School Budget Process

Decentralizing the budget process from the principal's office not only empowers teachers to make decisions about instructional goals and fiscal planning but also involves members of the school improvement team—par— ents, students, faculty members, administrators, and business people.
Image-guided Nerve Cryoablation for Post-thoracotomy Pain Syndrome

Chronic post-thoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS) can cause significant patient distress and is frequently difficult to manage. Percutaneous intercostal nerve (ICN) cryoablation by palpation of surface landmarks can be risky, as inaccurate probe placement can lead to hemo- or pneumothorax. Experience with image-guided ICN cryoablation with treatment planning and device navigation is limited. A patient with intractable PTPS was treated with ICN cryoablation under cone-beam computed tomography guidance with software-assisted needle trajectory planning and ablation zone simulation. This procedure provided the patient ~8 weeks of relief. This case demonstrated that ICN cryoablation is feasible under image guidance with device navigation and ablation simulation and may result in a few months of pain relief in cases of intractable PTPS.
Impact of Racial Identity on African American Child-Rearing Beliefs

This study explores the impact of racial identity attitudes on African American parents’ child-rearing beliefs. Specifically, the study seeks to understand differences on family ties, discipline, independence, obedience, and religion according to racial identity attitudes. Participants were 104 parents who were administered the Black Parental Attitude Scale and the Racial Identity Attitude Scale. Results indicate that parents with immersion attitudes endorse discipline and religion but do not support independence in children. Parents with internalization attitudes support all of the Afrocentric parenting beliefs and child-rearing practices included in the study, such as cleanliness, family ties, obedience, religion, and independence in children.
A co-crystal of 2-(1′-pyrenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-3-oxide-1-oxyl with octafluoronaphthalene

2-(1′-Pyrenyl)nitronylnitroxide (PyrNN) forms a 2 : 1 : 2 co-crystal with octafluoronaphthalene (OFN) and entrained solvent dichloromethane (DCM), in which the radical is “shepherded” into forming chains of radical–radical contacts on the peripheries of (PyrNN–OFN–PyrNN)n π-stacks, giving weak, low dimensional inter-radical antiferromagnetic exchange interactions.
Visualizing the solvent-inaccessible core of a group II intron ribozyme

Group II introns are well recognized for their remarkable catalytic capabilities, but little is known about their three-dimensional structures. In order to obtain a global view of an active enzyme, hydroxyl radical cleavage was used to define the solvent accessibility along the backbone of a ribozyme derived from group II intron ai5γ. These studies show that a highly homogeneous ribozyme population folds into a catalytically compact structure with an extensively internalized catalytic core. In parallel, a model of the intron core was built based on known tertiary contacts. Although constructed independently of the footprinting data, the model implicates the same elements for involvement in the catalytic core of the intron.
SMALL-SCALE EXPERIMENTS SUPPORT CAUSAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN METAL CONTAMINATION AND MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY RESPONSES

Routine biomonitoring studies that compare abundance of benthic macro- invertebrates upstream and downstream from contaminant discharges generally cannot be used to demonstrate causal relationships between stressors and biological responses. In this study I describe stream microcosm and field experiments designed to support results of a 12-year monitoring project in the metal-polluted Arkansas River, Colorado. Microcosm experiments established concentration-response relationships between heavy metals and several structural (abundance, richness) and functional (macroinvertebrate drift, community respiration) endpoints. EC10 values, the metal concentration that reduced abundance or richness by 10%, were generally lowest for mayflies and stoneflies, indicating greater metal sensitivity for these groups. Macroinvertebrate drift and community respiration showed highly significant concentration-response relationships with heavy metals and were gen- erally more sensitive than structural measures. Potential interactions among metals were investigated by comparing community-level responses to Zn alone, Zn+Cd, and Zn+Cu+Cd. Results showed that macroinvertebrate responses to a mixture of three metals were generally greater than responses to either Zn alone or Zn+Cd. Long-term monitoring in the Arkansas River (Colorado) before and after remediation of metal inputs provided correlative evidence that elevated heavy metal concentrations altered community compo- sition and reduced abundance of metal-sensitive organisms. However, these field data were not especially useful for estimating safe concentrations of heavy metals that would be protective of benthic communities. Microcosm and field experiments provided further sup- port for the hypothesis that metals caused alterations in benthic community structure and provided more precise estimates of safe metal concentrations.
A performance prediction methodology for integral collection-storage solar domestic hot water systems

Developpement d'une methode de prevision des performances de systemes solaire de production d'eau chaude pour maison individuelle a circulation naturelle. Construction d'un modele d'ordinateur de ces systemes compatible avec le programme de simulation TRNSYS. Utilisation de ce modele pour developper et verifier la methode de prevision des performances mensuelles
Ultrahigh energy neutrino scattering

Estimates are made of ultrahigh energy neutrino cross sections based on an extrapolation to very small Bjorken x of the logarithmic Froissart dependence in x shown previously to provide an excellent fit to the measured proton structure function F{sub 2}{sup p}(x,Q{sup 2}) over a broad range of the virtuality Q{sup 2}. Expressions are obtained for both the neutral current and the charged current cross sections. Comparison with an extrapolation based on perturbative QCD shows good agreement for energies where both fit data, but our rates are as much as a factor of 10 smaller for neutrino energies above 10{sup 9} GeV, with important implications for experiments searching for extragalactic neutrinos.
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Antagonism and Presynaptic Inhibition in the Frog Spinal Cord

The convulsant alkaloid bicuculline blocked presynaptic inhibition, dorsal root potentials, primary afferent depolarization, and depolarizing effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid on dorsal root terminals of the amphibian spinal cord, but did not block effects of other putative amino acid transmitters. These actions of bicuculline suggest that gamma-aminobutyric acid may be the transmitter involved in spinal presynaptic inhibition.
The Relationship Between Emotion Dysregulation and Deliberate Self-Harm Among Inpatients with Substance Use Disorders

Despite the emphasis on the role of emotion dysregulation in deliberate self-harm (DSH), no studies have examined this association among patients with substance use disorders (SUD). This study examined if emotion dysregulation is heightened among SUD inpatients with (vs. without) DSH, and if the association between DSH and emotion dysregulation remains significant when controlling for their shared association with risk factors for both, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), childhood abuse, and substance use severity. Findings indicate heightened emotion dysregulation among SUD patients with (vs. without) DSH, and provide evidence of a unique association between emotion dysregulation and DSH when controlling for BPD, PTSD, childhood abuse, and substance use severity. Findings also highlight the particular relevance of three dimensions of emotion dysregulation to DSH among SUD patients: limited access to effective emotion regulation strategies, difficulties engaging in goal-directed behaviors when distressed, and emotional nonacceptance.
Vβ5 and Vβ8 memory T cells in adults and infancy: co-ordinated increase in response to early antigen stimulus

Blood mononuclear cells (MNC) expressing the T cell receptor V beta gene families were identified with the monoclonal antibodies 1C1 (V beta 5) or Mx6 (V beta 8). These cells were typed for expression of the T200 common leucocyte antigen with the CD45RA antibody defining the 220-kD variant (which characterizes naive cells) and the UCHL1 antibody which defines the 180-kD variant (characterizing memory cells). Of adult MNC, 3 +/- 0.44% stained for V beta 5 and 4.12 +/- 0.26% stained for V beta 8; similar results were obtained in a group of infants aged less than 3 months, who were exposed to antigen stimulus in the form of infection and/or blood transfusion. While the total percentages of V beta 5 and V beta 8 cells in the blood of adults were not correlated, the proportions of these cells expressing CD45RO was positively correlated. A similar trend which did not reach statistical significance was present in a group of infants. A minority of the infants studied showed transient deviations from the mean established for adults. The results suggest that naive and memory T cell populations have similar frequencies of V beta 5 and V beta 8 expressing cells, and that age does not affect the frequency of usage of either of these V beta families.
Monte Carlo inference in econometric models with symmetric stable disturbances

The paper develops Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods to perform exact posterior analysis in models with symmetric stable Paretian disturbances. It is shown how posterior moments and marginal densities of functions of parameters can be computed methodically by combining a Gibbs sampler with Metropolis independence chains. The new method is shown to perform satisfactorily in constructed examples. The method is also applied to a set of monthly real exchange rates and the question of difference versus trend stationarity is taken up jointly with the problem of inference about the parameter of the stable distribution.
Psychosocial mediators of sex differences in pain responsivity

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine gender role and primary pain appraisal as mediators of the relation between sex and pain responsivity in experimental pain. A sample of 145 introductory psychology students participated in a cold pressor task and completed inventories that assessed pain appraisal and gender role. Results showed that threat appraisals of pain and positive feminine gender role, in combination, mediate the relation between sex and experimental pain responsivity, suggesting that psychosocial variables play an important role in this relation. However, the influences of gender role and threat appraisal were relatively independent, suggesting that psychosocial mediators of the sex/pain relation are complex. © 2002 by the American Pain Society
Global analysis of nonlinear dynamical systems with fuzzy uncertainties by the cell mapping method

Abstract In this paper we introduce a fuzzy set cell mapping method for nonlinear dynamical systems with fuzzy uncertainties. This method comprises a generalization, based upon Zadeh's extension principle, of the previously developed cell mapping methods for crisp deterministic and stochastic dynamical systems. The systems studied here are assumed to have a parameter modeled as a fuzzy number with a specified membership function. Some simple examples of fuzzy nonlinear dynamical systems are studied. The results presented herein are, in general, difficult to obtain analytically. A comparison is carried out between the cell mapping results and those from direct simulation. The study shows that the fuzzy set cell mapping method is an appropriate and efficient method for the analysis of fuzzy dynamical systems because of its intrinsic capability of dealing with the global nature of the response of the system.
Tissue culture of cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao L.): Incorporation of acetate and laurate into lipids of cultured cells

Suspension cultures of cocoa bean tissue readily incorporated exogenous acetate into lipids. The distribution of radioactivity from acetate in individual lipid classes after 48 hr was 20, 5, 1, 15, 25, and 35% in triglycerides, diglycerides, free fatty acids, sterol esters, sterols and polar lipids, respectively. The labeled acetate was rapidly incorporated into various fatty acids within 2 hr. The [1-14C] saturated fatty acids declined slightly after 4 hr, whereas [1-14C] oleate declined significantly after 2 hr. There was a concomitant increase in [1-14C] linoleate. The radioactivity associated with linolenate was relatively high up to 4 hr, declined by 24 hr, and then increased again. The kinetics of fatty acid labeling suggested that biosynthesis of linolenic acid in cocoa bean suspension culture may occur via the desaturation of linoleic acid and the chain elongation of dodecatrienoic acid. The patterns of fatty acid radiolabeling following incubation of cells with [1-14C] laurate was consistent with this mechanism.
Race, Socioeconomic Status, and the Use of Bariatric Surgery in Michigan

Studies examining the characteristics of patients undergoing bariatric surgery in the USA have concluded that the procedure is not being used equitably. We used population-based data from Michigan to explore disparities in the use of bariatric surgery by gender, race, and socioeconomic status. We constructed a summary measure of socioeconomic status (SES) for Michigan postal ZIP codes using data from the 2000 census and divided the population into quintiles according to SES. We then used data from the state drivers' license list and 2004-2005 state inpatient and ambulatory surgery databases to examine population-based rates of morbid obesity and bariatric surgery in adults according to gender, race, and socioeconomic status. There is an inverse linear relationship between SES and morbid obesity. In the lowest SES quintile, 13% of females and 7% of males have a body mass index >40 compared to 4% of females and males in the highest SES quintile. Overall rates of bariatric surgery were highest for black females (29.4/10,000), followed by white (21.3/10,000), and other racial minority (8.6/10,000) females. Rates of bariatric surgery were low (<6/10,000) for males of all racial groups. An inverse linear relationship was observed between SES and rates of bariatric surgery among whites. However, for racial minorities, rates of surgery are lower in the lowest SES quintiles with the highest rates of bariatric surgery in the medium or highest SES quintiles. In contrast with prior studies, we do not find evidence of wide disparities in the use of bariatric surgery.
Structural MRI Biomarkers for Preclinical and Mild Alzheimer's Disease

Noninvasive MRI biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) may enable earlier clinical diagnosis and the monitoring of therapeutic effectiveness. To assess potential neuroimaging biomarkers, the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative is following normal controls (NC) and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD. We applied high-throughput image analyses procedures to these data to demonstrate the feasibility of detecting subtle structural changes in prodromal AD. Raw DICOM scans (139 NC, 175 MCI, and 84 AD) were downloaded for analysis. Volumetric segmentation and cortical surface reconstruction produced continuous cortical surface maps and region-of-interest (ROI) measures. The MCI cohort was subdivided into single- (SMCI) and multiple-domain MCI (MMCI) based on neuropsychological performance. Repeated measures analyses of covariance were used to examine group and hemispheric effects while controlling for age, sex, and, for volumetric measures, intracranial vault. ROI analyses showed group differences for ventricular, temporal, posterior and rostral anterior cingulate, posterior parietal, and frontal regions. SMCI and NC differed within temporal, rostral posterior cingulate, inferior parietal, precuneus, and caudal midfrontal regions. With MMCI and AD, greater differences were evident in these regions and additional frontal and retrosplenial cortices; evidence for non-AD pathology in MMCI also was suggested. Mesial temporal right-dominant asymmetries were evident and did not interact with diagnosis. Our findings demonstrate that high-throughput methods provide numerous measures to detect subtle effects of prodromal AD, suggesting early and later stages of the preclinical state in this cross-sectional sample. These methods will enable a more complete longitudinal characterization and allow us to identify changes that are predictive of conversion to AD.
Collier/OLF/EBF-dependent transcriptional dynamics control pharyngeal muscle specification from primed cardiopharyngeal progenitors

In vertebrates, pluripotent pharyngeal mesoderm progenitors produce the cardiac precursors of the second heart field as well as the branchiomeric head muscles and associated stem cells. However, the mechanisms underlying the transition from multipotent progenitors to distinct muscle precursors remain obscured by the complexity of vertebrate embryos. Using Ciona intestinalis as a simple chordate model, we show that bipotent cardiopharyngeal progenitors are primed to activate both heart and pharyngeal muscle transcriptional programs, which progressively become restricted to corresponding precursors. The transcription factor COE (Collier/OLF/EBF) orchestrates the transition to pharyngeal muscle fate both by promoting an MRF-associated myogenic program in myoblasts and by maintaining an undifferentiated state in their sister cells through Notch-mediated lateral inhibition. The latter are stem cell-like muscle precursors that form most of the juvenile pharyngeal muscles. We discuss the implications of our findings for the development and evolution of the chordate cardiopharyngeal mesoderm.
Inflation and dollar accounts in Peru's banking system, 1978–1984

Abstract Since 1978 Peru has permitted dollar-denominated deposits in its banking system. Over this period Peru's inflation rate increased, and the exchange rate was flexibly adjusted. Peru therefore had two units of account in its monetary system, a transaction unit and a purchasing power unit. Any economy that has a purchasing power unit, particularly within the banking system, may have a stronger “inflation feedback mechanism” — that is, a given inflationary shock may produce more inflationary pressure. The Peruvian experience appears to support this view.
The Information Content of Prices: A Preliminary Model for Estimating Buyer Response

An understanding of buyer response to price depends upon determining how buyers perceive price. One hypothesis is buyers have an acceptable range of prices and, therefore, the demand curve is backward bending. This article presents an a priori argument for a new research methodology for estimating buyers' responses to price. Two concepts are introduced to aid the development of the model. The potential applicability of the Weber-Fechner Law of psychophysics for exploring the price-quality relationship is analyzed and provides the basis of the argument that the demand function can be represented logarithmically. Given the desire to express demand as a logarithmic function of price, the lognormal distribution is used to explore the ramifications of the relationship. Finally, the method of profit analysis is developed for obtaining demand estimates.
PEM fuel cell open circuit voltage (OCV) in the temperature range of 23 °C to 120 °C

Abstract Open circuit voltages (OCVs) for a PEM fuel cell operating at 3.0 atm, 100% relative humidity and in the temperature range of 23–120 °C were measured. It was observed that the OCV decreased with increasing temperature. Analysis of the partial O2 and H2 pressures in the feed streams revealed that the decrease in partial pressures with temperature were largely responsible for the decrease in OCV. The difference between the theoretical and measured OCVs was analyzed based on the literature, calculations, and hydrogen crossover measurements at OCV. It was concluded that the difference in OCV is caused mainly by two factors, one is the mixed potential of the Pt/PtO catalyst surface, and the other is hydrogen crossover.
Insulator Selection for AC Overhead Lines With Respect to Contamination

Insulator contamination remains an important technical problem because contamination-caused insulator flashovers may jeopardize the security of high voltage power systems. This paper updates an insulator selection guide with respect to contamination first published 25 years ago. As in that guide, this update relates primarily to contamination conditions in North America. Results of research that have led to a better understanding of contamination-caused flashovers, particularly for some types of nonceramic insulators are summarized. Assessment techniques for site severity are discussed. Even though they have improved significantly, no leading method has emerged. Artificial contamination test methods have been standardized. Mitigation techniques are discussed for extreme contamination-caused dangers, including important new knowledge regarding ice and snow flashover voltage reduction. caused.
Growth of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in mice occurs independently of Toll-like receptor 2 expression and induction of interleukin-10.

Pathogenic Yersinia translocates effector proteins into target cells via a type III secretion system (TTSS), modulating the host immune response. A component of the TTSS translocon, LcrV, has been implicated in preventing inflammation through Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) by inducing expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). TLR2−/− mice were reported to be less susceptible to the enteropathogen Yersinia enterocolitica. To determine whether TLR2 also plays a role in recognition of the enteropathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and whether this results in an immune response that is detrimental to the host, we evaluated the macrophage cytokine response to live Y. pseudotuberculosis and analyzed the susceptibility of TLR2−/− mice to enteropathogenic Yersinia. We find that Yersinia induction of macrophage IL-10 occurs independently of TLR2 and LcrV and is blocked by the TTSS. In particular, the TTSS effector protein YopJ, which inhibits production of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), also inhibits IL-10 expression. Consistent with these results, IL-10 is undetectable in Y. pseudotuberculosis-infected mouse tissues until advanced stages of infection. In addition, we find that TLR2−/− mice (derived independently from those used in previous studies) do not display altered susceptibility to enteropathogenic Yersinia compared to wild-type mice. Tissue levels of IL-10, as well as the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and gamma interferon and the chemokine macrophage chemotactic protein 1, are similar in TLR2+/+ and TLR2−/− mice during enteropathogenic Yersinia infection. Therefore, the absence of TLR2 alone does not affect the cytokine response of macrophages to, or the in vivo growth and survival of, enteropathogenic Yersinia.
The impact of a scientific computing prerequisite on student performance in a linear systems course

Programming can be an important part of a linear systems (a.k.a., signal and systems) course, as programming projects help to solidify mathematical concepts and provide students with a means to visualize and interpret signal and coefficient behavior. However, students often struggle with programming, leading to frustration that minimizes learning and worsens student attitudes toward the material. To address that need, the Kansas State University (KSU) Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) Department recently added a required course, ECE 540 — Applied Scientific Computing, to the ECE curricula to ensure more overall C programming exposure and to serve as a prerequisite to ECE 512 — Linear Systems and other courses that require programming. This paper presents initial assessments of student preparedness for C programming projects in the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 offerings of ECE 512 following this course prerequisite change. The primary assessment mechanisms are pre- and post-project surveys that address students' proficiency in C, where the survey results are compared to similar surveys offered in prior semesters unaffected by the new course. These analyses indicate greater overall confidence in C programming, a better understanding of the supporting development environments, and an overall improved attitude toward Linear Systems programming projects.
Antibody and Complement in Transplant Vasculopathy

Advances in immunosuppression have decreased the incidence of acute rejection, but the development of vasculopathy in the coronary arteries of transplants continues to limit the survival of cardiac allografts. Transplant vasculopathy has also been referred to as accelerated graft arteriosclerosis because it has features of arteriosclerosis, but it is limited to the graft and develops over a period of months to years. Although the pathological features of transplant vasculopathy are well defined, the causative mechanisms are not completely understood. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which antibody and complement can cause or contribute to coronary vasculopathy in cardiac transplants. Antibodies and complement can have independent effects, but the combination of antibodies and complement with inflammatory cells has greater pathogenic potential for the endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the coronary arteries. For example, stimulation through receptors for IgG or complement split products can activate macrophages, but stimulation through combinations of these receptors generates synergistic results. Together, antibodies and complement efficiently integrate the activation of endothelial cells, platelets, and macrophages, which are 3 of the primary components in the pathogenesis of transplant vasculopathy. Recent findings indicate that antibodies and complement produced within the transplant may contribute to vascular pathology in some transplants. Acute rejection caused by antibodies and complement has been treated by combinations of plasmapheresis, intravenous γ -globulin and monoclonal antibodies to CD20 on B lymphocytes. The effect of these treatment modalities on the development of coronary vasculopathy is unknown.
Cerebellar γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptors: Pharmacological Subtypes Revealed by Mutant Mouse Lines

SUMMARY The vast molecular heterogeneity of brain g-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors forms the basis for receptor subtyping. Using autoradiographic techniques, we established the characteristics of cerebellar granule cell GABAA receptors by comparing wild-type mice with those with a targeted disruption of the a6 subunit gene. Cerebellar granule cells of a6 2/2 animals have severe deficits in high affinity [ 3 H]muscimol and [ 3 H]SR 95531 binding to GABA sites, in agonist-insensitive [ 3 H]Ro 15‐ 4513 binding to benzodiazepine sites, and in furosemide-induced increases in tert-[ 35 S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding to picrotoxin-sensitive convulsant sites. These observations agree with the known specific properties of these sites on recombinant a6b2/3g2 receptors. In the presence of GABA concentrations that fail to activate a1 subunit-containing receptors, methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-b-carboline (30 mM), allopregnanolone (100 nM), and Zn 21 (10 mM) are less efficacious in altering tert-[ 35 S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding in the granule cell layer of the a6 2/2 than a6 1/1 animals. These data concur with the deficiency of the cerebellar a6 and d subunit-containing receptors in the a6 2/2 animals and could also account for the decreased affinity of [ 3 H]muscimol binding to a6 2/2 cerebellar membranes. Predicted additional alterations in the cerebellar receptors of the mutant mice may explain a surplus of methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-b-carbolineinsensitive receptors in the a6 2/2 granule cell layer and an increased diazepam-sensitivity in the molecular layer. These
Pediatric Trichotillomania: Descriptive Psychopathology and an Open Trial of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

In study 1, 46 children and adolescents with trichotillomania who sought treatment at 2 specialty outpatient clinics were assessed. Most children reported pulling hair from multiple sites on the body, presented with readily visible alopecia, reported spending 30-60 minutes per day pulling or thinking about pulling, and reported experiencing significant distress about their symptoms. Most were described by their parents as having significant problems in school functioning. Few children met criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder or tic disorder. Child and family rates of other forms of psychopathology were high. In study 2, 22 of these children were enrolled in an open trial of individual cognitive behavioral therapy with particular attention to relapse prevention. Trichotillomania severity decreased significantly and 77% of children were classified as treatment responders at post-treatment and 64% at 6-month follow-up.
Efficient single-photon counting at 1.55 /spl mu/m via frequency upconversion

We have achieved efficient single-photon detection at 1.55 /spl mu/m by sum-frequency mixing with a strong cw pump at 1064 nm in periodically-poled lithium niobate and subsequent single-photon counting in the visible.
A massively parallel processing system based on a hyper-crossbar network

On the basis of VLSI and high-density interconnection technologies, a parallel-processing system consisting of 1024 processors is proposed. A special feature of this system is the reconfigurability of data communication channels between processors, achieved by using a hyper-crossbar interconnection network to facilitate the operation of multiple data systems. Each processor possesses two communication channels, separately connected to a local crossbar network and to a global crossbar network (which are subnetworks of the hyper-crossbar network) for local communication and global communication, respectively. Processors connected to the same local network form a processor cluster for the execution of systolic-array-type algorithms. Primarily implemented by Livermore interactive network communication (LINC) chips, the global networks are able to programmably hold or delay operation data to synchronize the data flow for generic applications. With the operation speed of 20 MHz, the system can reach a peak performance of 40 billion operations per second. >
Maternal and abiotic effects on egg mortality and hatchling size of turtles: temporal variation in selection over seven years

Summary 1. Maternal and environmental factors influence embryo development and offspring phenotypes in ways that are likely to impact fitness. Most studies that address this issue, however, fail to mimic the complexities of natural environmental parameters and only quantify selection during a single season. 2. In this study, we examined year-to-year variation in how maternal factors (egg mass, nesting phenology and nest-site choice) and external abiotic factors (temperature and precipitation) impact egg survival and hatchling morphology in the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) over seven nesting seasons in the field. In addition, we quantify annual variation in the strength and form of selection operating on maternal factors. 3. Overall, our results demonstrated very low, if any, consistency in how maternal and environmental factors impact egg survival and hatchling size in the field. That is, different variables had different effects in different years. Accordingly, the strength and form of natural selection operating on egg size, nesting phenology and nest-site choice were inconsistent across years, suggesting low potential for substantive or directional evolutionary shifts in these maternal effects. 4. These results may partially explain why traits like egg size and nest-site choice exhibit variation (i.e. are not perfectly optimized), and highlight the importance of multiyear field studies in gaining a more complete picture of the factors driving variation in critical early life-history events and demographic parameters.
Evidence for the existence of two thyroxine-binding globulin moieties: correlation between paper and starch-gel electrophoretic patterns utilizing thyroxine-binding globulin-deficient sera.

By comparing the starch-gel and paper electrophoretic patterns of normal serum, serum from pregnant women (TBGenriched), and TBG-deficient serum after equilibration with 131I-labeled thyroxine (T4*) and triiodothyronine (T3*), evidence has been derived for the existence of 4 major bands of radioactivity in starch gel; this confirms the work of Blumberg and Robbins. Evidence has also been obtained which indicates that TBPA has as its gel counterpart band 1, TBA has as its gel counterpart band 3, and TBG has 2 gel counterparts, bands 2 and 4 (herein designated TBG 1 and TBG 2). In addition to differences in their electrophoretic mobilities, possibly related to their molecular size or configuration, TBG 1 and TBG 2 appear to differ also in their binding affinities for T4* and T3*, a finding that further suggests that TBG 1 and TBG 2 are discrete entities.
Laser tissue welding: laser spot size and beam profile studies

Evaluates the effect of laser spot diameter and beam profile on the shape of the thermal denaturation zone produced during laser tissue welding, 2-cm-long full thickness incisions were made on the epilated backs of guinea pigs in vivo. India ink was used as an absorber and clamps were used to appose the incision edges. Welding was performed using continuous-wave 1.06-/spl mu/m, Nd:YAG laser radiation scanned over the incisions to produce /spl sim/100-ms pulses. Laser spot diameters of 1, 2, 4, and 6 mm were studied, with powers of 1, 4, 16, and 36 W, respectively. The irradiance remained constant at 127 W/cm/sup 2/. Monte Carlo simulations were also conducted to examine the effect of laser spot size and beam profile on the distribution of photons absorbed in the tissue. The laser spot diameter was varied from 1 to 6 mm, Gaussian, flat-top, dual Gaussian, and dual flat-top beam profiles were studied. The experimental results showed that 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6 mm-diameter spots produced thermal denaturation to an average depth of 570, 970, 1470, and 1900 /spl mu/m, respectively. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated that the most uniform distribution of photon absorption is achieved using large diameter dual flat-top beams.
Signaling pathways involved in adenosine triphosphate-induced endothelial cell barrier enhancement

Endothelial barrier dysfunction caused by inflammatory agonists is a frequent underlying cause of vascular leak and edema. Novel strategies to preserve barrier integrity could have profound clinical impact. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) released from endothelial cells by shear stress and injury has been shown to protect the endothelial barrier in some settings. We have demonstrated that ATP and its nonhydrolyzed analogues enhanced barrier properties of cultured endothelial cell monolayers and caused remodeling of cell–cell junctions. Increases in cytosolic Ca2+ and Erk activation caused by ATP were irrelevant to barrier enhancement. Experiments using biochemical inhibitors or siRNA indicated that G proteins (specifically Gαq and Gαi2), protein kinase A (PKA), and the PKA substrate vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein were involved in ATP-induced barrier enhancement. ATP treatment decreased phosphorylation of myosin light chain and specifically activated myosin-associated phosphatase. Depletion of Gαq with...
cdc2/Cyclin B1-Dependent Phosphorylation of EBNA2 at Ser243 Regulates Its Function in Mitosis

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2) transactivates EBV genes in latently infected B cells. We have shown that mitotic hyperphosphorylation of EBNA2 suppresses its ability to transactivate the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) promoter. In this follow-up study, we identify EBNA2 Ser243 as a phosphorylation site for mitotic cdc2/cyclin B1 kinase. Mutation at Ser243, which mimics constitutive phosphorylation of the protein, decreases endogenous levels of both LMP1 and EBNA2. Moreover, mutation at Ser243 reduces the ability of EBNA2 to transactivate Cp, the promoter for all six EBV EBNA genes. Our data implicate EBNA2 Ser243 as a cdc2/cyclin B1 site of phosphorylation important for EBNA2's cotranscriptional function in mitosis.
Trends in the Educational Gradient of U.S. Adult Mortality From 1986 Through 2006 by Race, Gender, and Age Group

The educational gradient of U.S. adult mortality became steeper between 1960 and the mid 1980s, but whether it continued to steepen is less clear given a dearth of attention to these trends since that time. This study provides new evidence on trends in the education-mortality gradient from 1986 to 2006 by race, gender, and age among non-Hispanic whites and blacks using data from the 2010 release of the National Health Interview Survey Linked Mortality File. Results show that, for white and black men, the gradient steepened among older ages because declines in mortality risk across education levels were greater among the higher educated. The gradient steepened among white women, and to a much lesser and only marginally significant extent among black women, largely because mortality risk decreased among the college-educated but increased among women with less than a high school degree. Greater returns to higher education and compositional changes within educational strata likely contributed to the trends.