cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IRE1: ER stress sensor and cell fate executor

Cells operate a signaling network termed the unfolded protein response (UPR) to monitor protein-folding capacity in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) is an ER transmembrane sensor that activates the UPR to maintain the ER and cellular function. Although mammalian IRE1 promotes cell survival, it can initiate apoptosis via decay of antiapoptotic miRNAs. Convergent and divergent IRE1 characteristics between plants and animals underscore its significance in cellular homeostasis. This review provides an updated scenario of the IRE1 signaling model, discusses emerging IRE1 sensing mechanisms, compares IRE1 features among species, and outlines exciting future directions in UPR research.
Neuropeptide Y antagonism reduces reflex cutaneous vasoconstriction in humans.

Previous studies have provided evidence of a non-noradrenergic contributor to reflex cutaneous vasoconstriction in humans but did not identify the transmitter responsible. To test whether neuropept...
Diagnosis and management of HIV-associated periodontal lesions

Since 1983, a large number of persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have sought routine dental treatment at the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, many of them with gingivitis that did not respond to conventional scaling, root planing, and improved oral hygiene. In some instances, the gingivitis progressed to severe and painful periodontitis in a few weeks. Clinically, the periodontitis lesions resembled acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) superimposed on rapidly progressive and severe periodontitis. However, many distinct features such as clinical appearance, severity, amount of spontaneous bleeding, type of pain, and rapid rate of periodontal destruction suggested that we were dealing with a difficult to manage form of periodontal lesion associated with HIV infection. This article provides a clinical description of these HIVassociated gingivitis (HIV-G) and HIV-associated peri­ odontitis (HIV-P) lesions that facilitate appropriate diagnosis. An effective treatment regimen for managing these lesions is recommended, based on our experience with more than 400 HIV-positive patients in the past 6 years. Clinical description
Evaluation of combined traffic impacts of time-of-day pricing program and E-ZPass usage on New Jersey Turnpike

The traffic impacts of two stages of the New Jersey Turnpike (NJTPK) time-of-day pricing program are studied. The annual and daily traffic trends indicate that demand has continued to increase, exhibiting a similar behavior before and after the time-of-day pricing initiative. Combined with NJTPK traveler survey analysis, the findings demonstrate a statistically insignificant shift to other modes and routes after the time-of-day pricing initiative. Traffic impact analysis on the basis of aggregate data shows a slight shift to off-peak periods after the first stage and to peak periods after the second stage. However, because of a lack of detailed traffic and travel time data, reliable conclusions cannot be drawn from this aggregate analysis. Disaggregate analysis is then conducted, using traffic and travel time information for each origin-destination (O-D) pair of NJTPK between October 2002 and March 2003, 3 months before and 3 months after the initiation of the second stage. Findings show 53% of E-ZPass us...
Heterogeneity in nested logit models: An estimation approach and empirical results

Abstract A methodology is provided to account for heterogeneity in intrinsic brand preferences and intrinsic purchase propensities across households in nested logit models of purchase incidence and brand choice. The semiparametric approach used in the estimation is based on the random effects specification to accounting for heterogeneity in conditional logit brand choice models. The procedure involved approximates the unobserved, underlying joint multivariate distribution of preferences and propensities by a discrete distribution, and estimates the support points and probability masses associated with this distribution. The empirical application to scanner panel data on the yogurt category reveals that not accounting for heterogeneity in intrinsic preferences and purchase propensities results in (1) poor model fit to the data and (2) biased estimates for the effects of marketing variables on the category purchase and brand choice decisions. The semiparametric approach also provides insights into segmentation issues for the brands competing in the marketplace.
Climatological variations in the Northern Hemisphere circumpolar vortex in January

Recent secular variations in the January circumpolar vortex over the Northern Hemisphere are examined by digitizing the latitude at which the 546 dam isoheight at 50 kPa crosses every 10° meridian from 1947–90. A statistically significant expansion of the vortex is detected from 1966–90. Most of the expansion occurred over the North Pacific Ocean in the vicinity of the Aleutian Low and a less dramatic but significant expansion also occurred over eastern Canada and northern New England. The only region where the vortex contracted significantly is over the western United States. The trough in the western Pacific expanded eastward across the International Date Line in the past quarter century and, in conjunction with the observed contraction over the western United States, indicates amplification of 50 kPa standing waves in the Western Hemisphere. This change in circulation regimes could account for the increased frequency of warm air masses and the decreased occurrence of the coldest wintertime air masses in Alaska.
Stochastic differential ground motion

Abstract An important consideration in the seismic analysis and design of lifeline systems is the differential motion between their supports, which may induce significant stresses and strains in the structure. Presented herein is an analytical model for describing spatial variations of ground motion and differential motions between stations. The results of the application of the model to the earthquake of January 29, 1981 at Lotung, Taiwan, compare well with the recorded data. The effect of random variability in the source parameters on the differential ground motion is also examined; the analysis suggests that randomness in the rise time and the rupture velocity increases the frequency content of the differential strong ground motion.
Nonpharmacologic Pediatric Pain Management in Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Introduction Children account for numerous ED visits each year, with the majority of children reporting pain or requiring painful procedures. The fast-paced, noisy environment, varying resources, and staff trained in taking care of pediatric patients make the ED a unique place to care for children in pain. Nonpharmacological interventions are an essential part of pain management. The purpose of this review was to examine what nonpharmacological interventions EDs are using for pain management in children ages birth to 18 years. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted to examine nonpharmacological interventions used for pain management of children in EDs. Results Fourteen articles met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Ten studies used distraction, 2 examined the use of sucrose, 1 explored cold application, and 1 looked at parental holding and positioning. Benefits of using nonpharmacological methods included decreased pain, distress, and anxiety reported by the parent, child, and/or observer. Discussion Findings suggest nonpharmacological interventions such as distraction, positioning, sucrose, and cold application may be helpful in pediatric pain management in the ED. Nurses can implement these methods independently when caring for children and their families. In addition, nonpharmacological methods are relatively inexpensive to organizations.
The prevalence of informal caregiving to persons with AIDS in the United States: caregiver characteristics and their implications.

Based on U.S. national (N = 2673) and central cities (N = 8263) probability samples, this paper: (1) presents estimates of the proportion of the United States population that has provided informal care to persons with AIDS; (2) identifies socio-demographic characteristics of ‘typical’ AIDS caregivers in the U.S.; and (3) discusses social, economic and health-related implications of informal caregiving to persons with AIDS. Results indicate that 5.0% of all adults age 18–75 living within central cities and 3.2% of the entire adult U.S. population have provided care to a friend, relative or lover with AIDS. Although caregivers are distributed throughout different age and ethnic groups, the majority of caregivers are younger (< 40 years) and white. Males, gay and bisexual men in particular are over-represented among central cities caregivers. Data on the types of caregiving tasks performed show that 64.4% of all caregivers within central cities perform domestic types of caregiving tasks, while 27.7% are involved in personal care of AIDS patients. Caregivers are more likely than non-caregivers to have been tested for HIV, and among the tested, caregivers are more likely to have tested positive. While informal caregiving reduces costs to the formal medical sector, costs to the caregivers themselves should be considered. Physical and emotional stress, as well as reduced opportunity for social and economic development, represent potential outcomes of caregiving. Socio-demographic characteristics of AIDS cargivers, such as their typically young age, suggest that these caregivers may be at particular risk for detrimental consequences.
Response to "A case of 5-FU-related severe toxicity associated with the P.Y186C DPYD variant".

We thank Zaanan et al. for their letter, “A case of 5-FU related severe toxicity associated to the p.Y186C DPYD variant.”1 Our lab recently reported similar findings in a 60 year old African American female who carried p.Y186C; however, severe pancytopenia in the patient prevented us from assessing DPD enzyme function.2 In their study Zaanan et al. addressed this limitation and showed reduced uracil catabolism in a p.Y186C carrier who had experienced 5-FU related toxicity.1 The partial enzyme deficiency they reported was similar to what we previously demonstrated in healthy individuals heterozygous for p.Y186C.3 Using an in vitro system of recombinant expression in HEK293T/c17 cells previously developed in our lab,4 we report the impact of the p.Y186C amino acid substitution on the catabolic activity of DPD (Figure 1). DPD protein harboring p.Y186C was reduced in activity by 29% relative to the “wildtype” protein (P=0.0064). The amelioration of toxic symptoms following a 20% reduction in 5-FU dose, as reported by Zaanan et al.,1 is consistent with this observed moderate decrease in enzyme function. Collectively, these findings suggest that moderately hypomorphic DPYD variants – and potentially mildly hypomorphic variants – may be significant contributors to severe 5-FU toxicity, even when present in the heterozygous state. Figure 1 Enzyme activity was quantitated for wildtype DPD (WT), DPD harboring Y186C (Y186C), DPD containing both C29R and Y186C (C29R/Y186C), and a negative control mimic of DPYD*2A (*2A). Experiments were performed as three independent replicates, each presented ... Zaanan et al. report that their patient was also heterozygous for p.C29R and p.I543V, two common variants which have been regarded as being without functional consequence. Based on our previous reports, we agree with the authors’ assertion regarding I543V; however our data have suggested that p.C29R may, by itself, actually increase DPD enzyme function.3, 4 Consistent with previous evidence for linkage between the potentially hyperactive p.C29R variant and p.Y186C,3 both variants were detected in the patients described by Zaanan et al.1 and by us.2 The enzyme activity of DPD harboring both variants was indistinguishable from the single p.Y186C substitution (Figure 1) when tested in vitro, suggesting that deleterious variants may mask the increase in activity noted for p.C29R.4 In summary, the clinical data presented by Zaanan et al. agrees with our previous report that established p.Y186C as a deleterious DPYD variant,3 and data presented in Figure 1 provides further functional support of this conclusion. These findings suggest the potential value of testing for p.Y186C, in addition to DPYD*2A, p.I560S, and p.D949V, for making genetics-based fluoropyrimidine dosing recommendations.5
Improving homework compliance in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a chronic condition characterized by beliefs that worry prepares and protects, but that excessive worry is out of control. In this article, I review the cognitive-behavioral model of generalized anxiety, focusing specifically on problems related to excessive worrying. Noncompliance in self-help homework is reflected in the patient's excessive focus on negative feelings, difficulty identifying automatic thoughts, demand for immediate results, and the belief that worries are realistic. Interventions for these problems are illustrated in the case of the treatment of a patient characterized by persistent worries, low self-confidence, procrastination, and avoidance.
Variational Estimation of the Wind Stress Drag Coefficient and the Oceanic Eddy Viscosity Profile

Abstract A variational optimal control technique is used to assimilate both meteorological and oceanographic observations into an oceanic Ekman layer model. An identical twin experiment is discussed first in which the “observations” are created by the dynamic model. The field measurements from the LOTUS-3 (Long-Term Upper Ocean Study-3) buoy are then analysed. By fitting the model results to the data, the unknown boundary condition (the wind stress drag coefficient) and the unknown vertical eddy viscosity distribution are deduced simultaneously from the data, and an optimal estimate of the current field is obtained. Though the model is simple, the results show that the variational assimilation technique is capable of extracting from the available observations a reasonable wind stress drag coefficient and vertical eddy viscosity distribution.
Emerging neurotechnologies for lie-detection: where are we now? An appraisal of Wolpe, Foster and Langleben's "Emerging neurotechnologies for lie-detection: promise and perils" five years later.

In 2005 Wolpe, Foster, and Langleben published an article in the American Journal of Bioethics on emerging technologies for lie detection. Although the authors touched on such fundamental ethical c...
A Sperner theorem for the interval order of a projective geometry

In a recent article [4] Peck showed how the maximum number of sub- rectangles in an n-dimensional rectangle such that no subrectangle contains any other may easily be found. In this paper Peck’s result is extended to find the maximum number of subintervals of any modular geometric lattice (see Birkhoff [l]) such that no interval contains any other.
An examination and a prospectus of strategic management research in urban and environmental organizations

Abstract Administrative policy science provides a systematic theoretical framework within which to consider strategic management in all types of organization, including urban and environmental. Analysis of strategic management studies in urban organization shows a heavy emphasis on description and on mathematical models of highly finite issues. Analysis of strategic management studies shows that most of them are documentary in nature. Future topics, methods and techniques on strategic management in urban and environmental organizations are suggested. In conclusion, the study of strategic management in urban and environmental organizations is at a very early stage and more sophisticated research designs on a macro basis are urgently needed.
Strong-coupling expansion for the effective potential on a lattice

This is the first of three papers on the strong-coupling expansion of the renormalized effective potential in $g{\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{4}$ quantum field theory in $d$-dimensional Euclidean space-time. In this paper we show how to express the effective potential in terms of one-particle-irreducible strong-coupling graphs. We describe two methods for obtaining analytic expressions for the vertices of these graphs. We also present an algebraic technique for evaluating the graphs on a Euclidean space-time lattice in arbitrary dimension $d$.
Down-regulation of p27 Is Associated with Malignant Transformation and Aggressive Phenotype of Cervical Neoplasms

Abstract Objectives. p27 Kip1 (p27) is a member of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor family. The level of p27 protein expression decreases during tumor development and progression in some epithelial tumors. To identify the potential implications of the p27 gene in the development of cervical carcinoma and explore the clinical importance of change in gene expression, we assessed the level of p27 protein in precancerous lesions and carcinomas of the cervix. Methods. In our study, 20 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), 35 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), 12 microinvasive carcinomas, and 103 invasive carcinomas were evaluated. The expression of p27 was studied by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody specific for the protein. Results. p27 was expressed in all samples of normal epithelium, LSIL, and HSIL, and the mean values of expression were 55.1, 52.8, and 45.4%, respectively. Conversely, the expression of p27 was significantly reduced in microinvasive (15.9%) and invasive carcinomas (11.2%). Furthermore, loss of p27 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis ( P = 0.009). However, p27 down-regulation had no influence on overall survival using univariate analysis. Conclusions. The trend of reduced p27 expression in microinvasive and invasive carcinomas suggests that down-regulation of p27 expression is strongly linked to neoplastic transformation of cervical epithelium, and inactivation of p27 may be an early event in cervical carcinogenesis. Moreover, loss of p27 expression was related to lymph node metastasis in cervical carcinoma. These results imply that inactivation of p27 is associated with highly aggressive phenotype of cervical carcinoma.
Exploring automatic, online failure recovery for scientific applications at extreme scales

Application resilience is a key challenge that must be addressed in order to realize the exascale vision. Process/node failures, an important class of failures, are typically handled today by terminating the job and restarting it from the last stored checkpoint. This approach is not expected to scale to exascale. In this paper we present Fenix, a framework for enabling recovery from process/node/blade/cabinet failures for MPI-based parallel applications in an online (i.e., Without disrupting the job) and transparent manner. Fenix provides mechanisms for transparently capturing failures, re-spawning new processes, fixing failed communicators, restoring application state, and returning execution control back to the application. To enable automatic data recovery, Fenix relies on application-driven, diskless, implicitly coordinated check pointing. Using the S3D combustion simulation running on the Titan Cray-XK7 production system at ORNL, we experimentally demonstrate Felix's ability to tolerate high failure rates (e.g., More than one per minute) with low overhead while sustaining performance.
Optimal Grain Carryovers in Open Economies: A Graphical Analysis

Optimal storage, trade, and borrowing policies for grain are analyzed graphically using dynamic programming. World prices and domestic harvests are assumed to be stochastic. Optimal carryovers are generally increasing in supply and decreasing in world prices, while net imports are decreasing in both supply and world prices. Optimal levels of carryovers and net imports are influenced by the opportunity to borrow and save foreign exchange. It is shown that grain reserves and foreign exchange borrowing/saving are alternative inventory systems which both complement and substitute for one another.
External beam radiotherapy: Hard facts and painful realities

In comparison to whole brain radiotherapy, local field radiotherapy in a consecutive series of 100 patients with malignant astrocytoma resulted in remarkably less toxicity. Survivorship is not different; the advantage is limited to the 7% long term survivors (defined as living 100% or more beyond median) since toxicity from brain radiation does not occur until a year or more after treatment.
SYNTHESES OF ADDUCTS OF ACTIVE METABOLITES OF CARCINOGENIC POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS WITH 2′-DEOXYRIBONUCLEOSIDES

Syntheses are reported for: (1) adducts of the quinone metabolites of benzo[a]pyrene (BPQ) and benz[a]anthracene (BAQ) with 2′-deoxyadenosine and 2′-deoxyguanosine; (2) 15 N-labelled analogs of these adducts (four or five nitrogen atoms 15 N-labelled); (3) depurinated adducts of BPQ and BAQ with adenine or guanine covalently linked to the N7 or N9 positions of the purine bases; (4) 13 C-labelled derivatives of benzo[a]pyrene, BPQ, benzo[a]pyrene trans-7,8-dihydrodiol, and the benzo[a]pyrene anti-diol epoxide (with 13 C-atoms at the 5- and 11-positions); and (5) depurinated adducts formed by reactions of the benzo[a]pyrene radical-cation at the C 8 -, N 7 -, and N 9 -positions of adenine and guanine.
DIAGNOSIS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA BY RORSCHACH PATTERNS.

Summary In the belief that the diagnostic validity of Rorschach methods would gain from formalizing the judgmental processes of clinicians, 14 score patterns were constructed from eight Rorschach variables, each pattern designed to characterize patients in one of three broad diagnostic categories, Schizophrenic, Borderline Psychotic, or “Other.” A random sample of 196 patients of a VA mental hygiene clinic was drawn from clinic files. The “pattern diagnoses” obtained by applying the pattern system to their Rorschach scores were found significantly related to diagnoses formulated by the examining psychologists and by the clinic intake staff. More patients diagnosed schizophrenic by the pattern method engaged in autistic behavior than patients with other pattern diagnoses. The diagnostic efficiency of the pattern method, measured in terms of ability to reach a definite diagnosis, proportion of correct diagnoses, and proportion of false positive errors, did not differ significantly from the diagnostic effici...
Run-Time Checking of Dynamic Properties

We consider a first-order property specification language for run-time monitoring of dynamic systems. The language is based on a linear-time temporal logic and offers two kinds of quantifiers to bind free variables in a formula. One kind contains the usual first-order quantifiers that provide for replication of properties for dynamically created and destroyed objects in the system. The other kind, called attribute quantifiers, is used to check dynamically changing values within the same object. We show that expressions in this language can be efficiently checked over an execution trace of a system.
A model for the influence of local inhomogeneities on the magnetotelluric variations at two van stations in greece

Abstract The magnetotelluric impedance tensor has been measured for the stations Thiva and loannina of the Van network in Greece. A model is suggested that can explain the distortion of the tensor by “near surface” structure, if a 3-D, near surface local structure and a 1-D regional one are considered. The values calculated for the ratio ρ EW / ρ NS are in reasonable agreement with the experimental ones. The calculated values for the strike direction are 40° and 15° for Thiva and Ioannina, respectively; these values are comparable to the experimental ones of 40° ± 5° and 15° ± 5°.
Aids knowledge and risk perceptions among Pennsylvania prisoners

Abstract As part of a preliminary study of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections AIDS Education Program, AIDS knowledge levels and perceptions of risk were assessed among 108 inmates from a medium-security prison, and the results were compared with AIDS knowledge levels in samples of Maryland inmates and males in the general U.S. population. The Pennsylvania inmates were quite knowledgeable about established routes of AIDS transmission. However, there was considerable confusion about unlikely routes of transmission and, especially, about behaviors involving casual contact. These findings were consistent across the three samples. The level of knowledge about casual contact was strongly associated with perceptions of the risk of contracting the AIDS virus while in prison; specifically, lower levels of knowledge were associated with greater perceptions of risk. In addition, based on inmates' rankings, it appears that the Department of Corrections was a frequent and trusted source of AIDS information, which strongly suggests the potential value of AIDS education programs in correctional settings. Finally, the data indicate that inmates continued to engage in high-risk behavior while incarcerated, further highlighting the need for effective AIDS education programs as well as other related interventions in corrections.
Internal anatomy and morphology of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) with special reference to interactions between thrips and tomato spotted wilt virus

Abstract The internal morphology of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) (WFT), a primary vector of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), was shown to bear certain similarities to other thrips species, particularly in the composition of the piercing-sucking feeding structures. Striking differences were observed in number, position and ducting of the salivary glands, the morphology of the alimentary canal and the number and arrangement of the malpighian tubules between the WFT and other studied Thysanopterans. These differences provide support for the conclusion that internal morphologies may vary widely in this order, and perhaps among species in the same genus. The results of our investigation support the need for more detailed studies of other thrips species, particularly in light of the potential importance morphological characteristics may play in governing the capacity of thrips species to serve as vectors of TSWV.
Net spaces and inequalities of Hardy-Littlewood type

The summability properties of trigonometric Fourier series in Lp-spaces are studied. The estimates obtained can be treated in a certain sense as reverse Hardy-Littlewood inequalities.
Densitometric and visual measurements of human chromosome 21

The finding of heteromorphisms in certain regions of human chromosomes is useful in chromosome identification, especially in the study of the origin of nondisjunction. Quantitation of heteromorphisms in the smaller human chromosomes is theoretically valuable but remains technically difficult. In this paper we evaluate two methods for quantitation of human chromosome 21—visual and densitometric measurement of Q-banded 35-mm negatives. Thirteen parameters are defined for chromosome 21. We find three of them to show less variability between different measurements of the same cell and from cell to cell in the same individual: (1) the centromere index, defined as the ratio of length of the satellite, stalk, and short arm to the length of the satellite, stalk, and short and long arms; (2) the ratio of length of the satellite to the length of the total heteromorphic region of the short arm; and (3) the ratio of the short arm intensity to the intensity of band q21. Another parameter, the ratio of satellite intensity to the intensity of band q21, is reproducible by visual measurement but not by densitometry. Based on these studies we conclude that densitometry is not necessarily better than visual quantitation of the heteromorphic region of chromosome 21.
Unique high-power fiber laser technologies

Continuous wave (CW) fiber laser systems with output powers in excess of 500 W with good beam quality have now been demonstrated, as have high energy, short pulse, fiber laser systems with output energies in excess of 1 mJ. Fiber laser systems are attractive for many applications because they offer the promise of high efficiency, compact, robust systems. We have investigated fiber lasers for a number of applications requiring high average power and/or pulse energy with good beam quality at a variety of wavelengths. This has led to the development of a number of custom and unique fiber lasers. These include a short pulse, large bandwidth Yb fiber laser for use as a front end for petawatt class laser systems and a narrow bandwidth 0.938 μm output Nd fiber laser in the > 10 W power range.
General and specific controls of lysine biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Six of the eight enzymes of the α-aninoadipate pathway for the biosynthesis of lysine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae were examined for repressibility to lysine and for susceptibility to the general control of amino acid biosynthesis. All of the enzymes exhibited a 2 to 4 fold lower level of specific activity in the wildtype strain X2180 when grown in lysine supplemented medium as compared to minimal medium. However, levels of only three of the enzymes, α-aminoadipate reductase, saccharopine reductase, and saccharopine dehydrogenase, were derepressed in the leaky lysine mutant 7305d and leaky arginine mutant 7853-6c when grown in minimal medium. These observations are characteristic of enzymes under general control of amino acid biosynthesis. The remaining three enzymes, homocitrate synthease, homoaconitase and homoisocitrate dehydrogenase were repressed in 7305d cells grown in minimal or lysine supplemented medium.
Integration of EGFR inhibitors with radiochemotherapy

Laboratory studies that led to the development of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors indicated that such inhibitors would be effective when given to patients with tumours that are driven by activated EGFR. However, initial clinical studies have shown modest responses to EGFR inhibitors when used alone, and it has not yet been possible to clearly identify which tumours will respond to this therapy. As a result, EGFR inhibitors are now used in combination with radiation therapy, chemotherapy and, more recently, with concurrent radiochemotherapy. In general, these clinical trials have been designed without much preclinical data. What do we need to know to make these combinations successful in the clinic?
Sphingomyelin Functions as a Novel Receptor for Helicobacter pylori VacA

The vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori binds and enters epithelial cells, ultimately resulting in cellular vacuolation. Several host factors have been reported to be important for VacA function, but none of these have been demonstrated to be essential for toxin binding to the plasma membrane. Thus, the identity of cell surface receptors critical for both toxin binding and function has remained elusive. Here, we identify VacA as the first bacterial virulence factor that exploits the important plasma membrane sphingolipid, sphingomyelin (SM), as a cellular receptor. Depletion of plasma membrane SM with sphingomyelinase inhibited VacA-mediated vacuolation and significantly reduced the sensitivity of HeLa cells, as well as several other cell lines, to VacA. Further analysis revealed that SM is critical for VacA interactions with the plasma membrane. Restoring plasma membrane SM in cells previously depleted of SM was sufficient to rescue both toxin vacuolation activity and plasma membrane binding. VacA association with detergent-resistant membranes was inhibited in cells pretreated with SMase C, indicating the importance of SM for VacA association with lipid raft microdomains. Finally, VacA bound to SM in an in vitro ELISA assay in a manner competitively inhibited by lysenin, a known SM-binding protein. Our results suggest a model where VacA may exploit the capacity of SM to preferentially partition into lipid rafts in order to access the raft-associated cellular machinery previously shown to be required for toxin entry into host cells.
Reversion of XO to XY sex chromosome mechanism in a phasmid

The sex chromosomes of the male phasmid Isagoras schraderiRehn comprise an X and a Y, — each with a submedian kinetochore, and one euchromatic and one heterochromatic arm. At meiosis X and Y form an unequal sex bivalent in which the euchromatic arms are terminally associated. Relatively recent reversion from the XO-XX mechanism characteristic of the Phasmidae is indicated by the presence of the euchromatic arm in both X and Y. The diploid number of the male is 34.
Political conservatism and its social environment: an appraisal of the American presidential election of 1972

Although common sense and popular belief hold that the white-collar class is more conservative politically and less liberal than the blue-collar class, researchers have found a negative relationshi...
Salvaged-Wetland Soil as a Technique to Improve Aquatic Vegetation at Created Wetlands in Wyoming, USA

Aquatic plants usually establish following wetland creation from a variety of mechanisms including animal transport, inflows from nearby wetlands, wind dispersal, and seed banks if they are available. However, at created wetlands that are isolated from natural wetlands, aquatic plant communities may not establish even after 10 or more years. One method of improving the establishment of aquatic plants is through the use of salvaged-marsh soils. Using this method, wetland soil from a donor site is collected and spread across the basin of the created wetland. When the proper hydrologic regime is reached at the created site, the seed bank from the donor soil is then present to take advantage of the uncolonized site. Over 1500 wetlands have been created in northeast Wyoming, USA from bentonite mining and most of them have not developed submersed and emergent plant communities due to isolation from plant sources. Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of using salvaged-wetland soil as a tool for improving plant growth at created wetlands. Our study took place at 12 newly created wetlands that were isolated from other wetlands by >5 km. Six wetlands were treated as reference wetlands, with no introductions of seeds or propagules. At the other six wetlands we spread ≈10–15 cm of salvaged soil from a donor wetland during the winter of 1999–2000. To identify the potential plants in donor soil, we collected 10 random samples from the donor wetlands and placed them within wetland microcosms in a greenhouse where they were treated to either moist-soil conditions (water at or just below the soil line) or submersed conditions (water levels maintained at 15–30 cm). Treatment wetlands were evaluated for plant growth during the fall of 2000 and 2001, whereas the greenhouse samples were grown for two growing seasons then harvested. Our results show that using salvaged wetland soil increases: (1) the number of plant species present at a wetland over time, (2) the total vegetation coverage in a treated wetland over time, and (3) the total plant biomass in a treated wetland. The species pool available in the salvaged wetland soil was limited to 10 obligate wetland species, but several of them are considered valuable to waterfowl and other wildlife. Furthermore, salvaged-wetland soil could be useful for ameliorating poor substrate conditions (i.e., bentonite) and improving conditions for the establishment of additional species. One concern with this technique is the introduction of invasive or exotic species that could form monocultures of undesirable plants (e.g., cattail [Typha spp.]); introducing more desirable species during the application of salvaged soil could reduce this probability. We believe incorporating salvaged-wetland soil during basin construction could be used to increase the value and productivity of created wetlands in this region.
Computation of magnetic fields within three-dimensional highly nonlinear media

A technique is presented for the computation of magnetic fields in three-dimensional multicomponent systems containing highly nonlinear materials when under the influence of current-carrying conductors. The materials must be nonhysteretic. The technique is based upon the utilization of a computer to solve: H = H_{0} - \int \frac{\nabla' \cdot M'}{r^{2}} r^{0} d\tau' + \int \frac{n' \cdot M'}{r^{2}} r^{0} dS' . The computations yield such things as the internal distribution of M , the external H fields, the forces between various magnetic components, and the forces between any magnetic component and the current-carrying conductors. An application to a system consisting of a superconducting solenoid and a yoke for field shaping and shielding is discussed.
Synergy of silent and hot spot mutations in importin β reveals a dynamic mechanism for recognition of a nuclear localization signal

Abstract Molecular recognition of the importin β-binding (IBB) domain of importin α by importin β is critical for the nuclear import of protein cargoes containing a classical nuclear localization signal. We have studied the function of four conserved tryptophans of importin β (Trp-342, Trp-430, Trp-472, and Trp-864) located at the binding interface with the IBB domain by systematic alanine substitution mutagenesis. We found that Trp-864 is a mutational hot spot that significantly affects IBB-binding and import activity, whereas residues Trp-342, Trp-430, and Trp-472 are mutationally silent when analyzed individually. Interestingly, the combination of the hot spot at residue Trp-864 with mutations in the other three tryptophans gives rise to a striking synergy that diminishes IBB domain binding by up to ∼1000-fold and, in turn, abolishes import activity. We propose that importin β uses the tryptophans to select and stabilize a helical conformation of the IBB domain, which, in turn, conveys specific, high affinity binding.
Esterases in natural populations of normal and Echinostoma revolutum-infected Helisoma trivolvis (Gastropoda)

Esterases of the digestive gland-gonad (DGG) complex of individual snails from a wild population of Helisoma trivolvis infected with the trematode Echinostoma revolutum were analyzed by vertical slab PAGE and compared to similar DGG homogenates of uninfeced conspecifics from the same population. Our analysis indicated that: 1. 1. Four classes of esterases, some atypical, could be resolved using diagnostic inhibitors. 2. 2. Uninfected snails demonstrated polymorphism for two of these four esterase groups, including cholinesterases (CHE), in the 34 individual DGGs analyzed. 3. 3. The rarer of the two ChE phenotypes in the uninfected sample (29.4%) was present in 100% of the 17 infected snails examined. However, no changes in esterase zymograms of infected DGGs due to the parasite were noted. 4. 4. The possibility that the ‘rare’ ChE phenotype is somehow related to host susceptibility to Echinostoma revolutum is discussed in view of similar apparent linkages in other snail-trematode systems.
Formation of the Schottky barrier at the Pd/Si interface

Abstract The formation of the Schottky barrier (SB) at the PdSi interface and its correlation to electronic and structural properties has been investigated. Experiments have been carried out using interfaces with thick and thin metal coverages. The thick contact experiment shows that the SBH Φ b is independent of the bulk silicide structure and that it can be established upon Pd deposition at room temperature. In the thin contact experiment, the use of a synchrotron radiation source and high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy makes possible simultaneous observations of variations in SBH and valence band spectra from a clean Si surface up to several monolayers of metal coverage. The SBH values from thin and thick-contacts establish the true interface character of Φ b . Valence spectra show that SBH can be established without a full development of the metallic character of the reacted overlayer. Combining these results, we conclude that the SBH for the PdSi interface is determined by the basic interaction between Pd and Si atoms at the interface prior to the development of a metallic band structure and a well-defined silicide phase in the overlayer.
Plasma leptin levels and coronary artery calcification in older adults.

Context: Leptin is associated with adiposity and insulin resistance and may play a direct role in vascular calcification. It is unclear, however, whether leptin is an independent predictor of atherosclerotic burden. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between plasma leptin and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in an ethnically diverse cohort of older adult men and women free of clinical cardiovascular disease. Design: This was a cross-sectional study with data collection between January 2002 and February 2004 as part of the ADVANCE Study. Setting: The study was conducted at an integrated health care delivery system in Northern California. Participants: Participants included 949 men and women aged 60–69 yr old. Interventions: There were no interventions. Main Outcome Measure: The main outcome measure was CAC by multidetector row computed tomography. Results: In ordinal logistic regression, plasma leptin levels were positively associated with extent of CAC independently of age,...
Pediatrics: Supplements: when will vitamin D have its day in the sun?

Most breast-fed and many formula-fed infants in the USA have an inadequate daily intake of vitamin D—below the amounts recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)—according to the results of a study by Perrine et al. The majority of infants might, therefore, need daily vitamin supplementation to meet the 2008 AAP recommendation.
Applications of high-Tc superconductors in optoelectronics

The discovery of high-temperature superconductors (HTS) has opened new opportunities for applications of superconductors in optoelectronics. The HTS perovskites represent a new class of solid-state materials, exhibiting many very interesting and potentially useful electronic, optical, and electro-optical properties. They also operate in the 30—80 K temperature range, where refrigeration is cheap and the parameters of semiconducting devices are optimal. A review of the substrate materials and deposition techniques suitable for fabrication of high-quality epitaxial HTS films for electronic and optoelectronic applications is given. Laser processing techniques of HTS films are presented, with a special emphasis put on the laser writing method, which enable to define superconducting and nonsuperconducting regions in the same, epitaxial HTS film. Two possible approaches for the development of a complete optoelectronic system with the elements based on the HTS films and operational at liquid-nitrogen temperatures are presented. The first approach consists of manufacturing the devices made of conventional electro-optic materials and containing HTS transmission lines and electrodes. Design and properties of ultrafast HTS interconnects are discussed, and a new concept of the Mach-Zehnder-type YBa2Cu3O7.-on-LiNbO3 optical modulator is introduced. The second, more futuristic approach, is to exploit contrasting properties of the oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich HTS phases to fabricate novel, monolithic devices. We discuss recent experiments, which reveal intriguing optical properties of FITS films, and are most relevant for the development of all-HTS optoelectronic devices. Several practical devices, such as high-frequency modulators, ultrafast-pulse generators, and sensitive photodetectors will be presented
In vitro uptake of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) by renal cortical tissue of rabbits and rats.

Abstract The active transport of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T by renal cortical slices of rats and rabbits has been characterized with in vitro techniques. Renal cortical slices, prepared from both species, accumulate 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, although greater uptake, was noted with rabbit tissue. Nitrogen and various metabolic inhibitors reduced the uptakes. This indicates that these processes are energy dependent. The enhancement of accumulation by the addition of certain metabolic substrates, e.g. acetate, lactate, provides evidence that both organic acid herbicides are transported by the renal organic anion mechanism. Potassium-ion stimulation also supports this concept. It is concluded that the renal tubular transport by the organic anion mechanism may account for the relatively rapid disappearance of these compounds, which in turn may contribute to their low toxicity.
Some applications of magnetic amplifiers in aircraft generator protective systems

CONSIDERABLE progress has been made during the years 1951 through 1956 toward improving the performance and reliability of aircraft generator regulation1 and excitation systems. Much of this progress has been made possible by the use of static magnetic components and metallic dry disk rectifiers combined in such a way that the result is good reliability and accurate, predictable performance.
A Case of Weber-Christian Disease With Collapsing Glomerulopathy

We report a case of Weber-Christian disease confirmed by skin biopsy in a patient who presented with collapsing glomerulopathy and lipophagic interstitial nephritis. On renal biopsy, glomerular visceral epithelial cells, tubular cells, and interstitial macrophages were loaded with inclusions that were morphologically consistent with oxidized lipoproteins, suggesting that lipids derived from the panniculitis may have an etiopathogenic role.
Band structure and linear optical properties of KTiOPO4.

The electronic structure and optical properties of KTiOPO{sub 4} have been calculated using a first-principles self-consistent method. It is shown that the electronic structure is characterized by localized molecular units of TiO{sub 6} and PO{sub 4}. Effective-charge calculation shows K and Ti to be highly ionized while P is also positively ionized because of the charge transfer to O atoms. The presence of the short Ti-O bonds in KTiOPO{sub 4} has a profound effect on its electronic structure. The calculated optical properties and their anisotropy are in good agreement with recent experimental measurement.