cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Does Job Loss Affect Voting? Understanding Economic Voting Using Novel Data on COVID-19 Induced Individual-Level Unemployment Shocks

Prior research on economic voting generally finds that national economic performance affects incumbent support. However, the degree to which one’s personal economic situation shapes vote choice rem...
A mechanism for migrating bacterial populations to non-genetically adapt to new environments

Populations of chemotactic bacteria can rapidly expand into new territory by consuming and chasing an attractant cue in the environment, increasing the population9s overall growth in nutrient-rich environments. Although the migrating fronts driving this expansion contain cells of multiple swimming phenotypes, the consequences of non-genetic diversity for population expansion are unknown. Here, through theory and simulations, we predict that expanding populations non-genetically adapt their phenotype composition to migrate effectively through multiple physical environments. Swimming phenotypes in the migrating front are spatially sorted by chemotactic performance, but the mapping from phenotype to performance depends on the environment. Therefore, phenotypes that perform poorly localize to the back of the group, causing them to selectively fall behind. Over cell divisions, the group composition dynamically enriches for high-performers, enhancing migration speed and overall growth. Furthermore, non-genetic inheritance controls a trade-off between large composition shifts and slow responsiveness to new environments, enabling a diverse population to out-perform a non-diverse one in varying environments. These results demonstrate that phenotypic diversity and collective behavior can synergize to produce emergent functionalities. Non-genetic inheritance may generically enable bacterial populations to transiently adapt to new situations without mutations, emphasizing that genotype-to-phenotype mappings are dynamic and context-dependent.
Hand bacteria as an identifier: a biometric evaluation

Molecular and soft bio-molecular biometrics are an advancing field that involves the analysis of a person’s unique biological markers at a molecular level to ascertain identity. Bacteria communities found on the skin of the human hand have shown to be highly diverse and to have a low percentage of similarity between individuals. The goal of this research effort is to see if a person’s demographics, primarily ethnicity, share a relationship with the bacteria communities that exist on their hand. A sample collection was carried out in which the left and right inner palms of 250 individuals were swabbed to obtain a total of 500 bacteria samples. Of these, 104 samples from 52 individuals (left and right hands) covering a range of age, gender, and ethnicity of the participants were sequenced using 150 paired-end multiplex reads on an Illumina MiSeq. The reads contained the third hypervariable region DNA of the microbial 16S rRNA gene commonly used for microbial identification. Sequences were analyzed using a combination of commercial and custom bioinformatics tools. Results indicated that women who participated in the sample collection had a 15.7 % higher diversity of bacteria at the genus level than men. Using a support vector machine with a 60 % train and 40 % test approach, ethnicities of individuals who provided samples could be classified with a range of 72–94 % accuracy depending on the method used. Principal coordinate plots generated using the unique fraction (UniFrac) algorithm devised by Lozupone et al. at University of Colorado at Boulder showed that similar clustering appeared with people of Turkish, Asian Indian, and Middle Eastern descent and less clustering with people of Caucasian and African American descent. Although focused on a small subset of the human population with no temporal variance in bacterial diversity explored, these results provide a basis for performing identification based on human bacteria that can be expanded upon using time varying sampling and other regions of the 16S rRNA gene.
Centrally-Mediated Opioid-Induced Immunosuppression

The correlation between increased susceptibility to infections and opiate use has been known for many years.1–3 It has been demonstrated that deficits in immune function induced by opiate usage were responsible for these clinical observations, and in vivo studies have consistently shown that opioids such as morphine are immunosuppressive.4 The specific im- munosuppressive effects of the opioids include: suppression of antibody production, 5.6 cellular immune responses, 7.8 graft versus host disease and delayed-type hypersensitivity, 9 natural killer (NK) cell activity, 10–19 B10 and T-cell proliferation, 10.20–23 T-cell mediated cyto- toxicity, 24 production of interferon-γ, 11, 12 phagocytosis of Candida albicans.25–27 In addition, suppression of NK cell activity is associated with increased mortality from Friend virus28 and Toxoplasma gondii29 infections. These diverse effects promote decreased survival in tumor-bearing animals, 30 an increased susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections, 27 and an increased susceptibility to retro viral infections.31
Design and Field Behavior of Reinforced Earth Wall

The design and field behavior of the first reinforced earth wall in the United States are presented. Equations for designing the reinforcement and the skin plate were developed. It was concluded that the use of active earth pressure for calculating the stresses in the reinforcement is applicable to the front end portion of the reinforcement and its connection. For the middle portion of the reinforcement, the at rest earth pressure should be used in the design. The stresses in the skin plate can be analyzed by assuming a hinged-end condition and based on vertical deformation. The vertical deformation of the skin plate is proportional to the overburden pressure.
Evaluation of a surface energy balance method based on optical and thermal satellite imagery to estimate root-zone soil moisture

Various remote-sensing methods are available to estimate soil moisture, but few address the fine spatial resolutions (e.g. 30-m grid cells) and root-zone depth requirements of agricultural and other similar applications. One approach that has been previously proposed to estimate fine-resolution soil moisture is to first estimate the evaporative fraction from an energy balance that is inferred from optical and thermal remote-sensing images [e.g. using the Remote Sensing of Evapotranspiration (ReSET) algorithm] and then estimate soil moisture through an empirical relationship to evaporative fraction. A similar approach has also been proposed to estimate the degree of saturation. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate these methods for estimating soil moisture and degree of saturation, particularly for a semi-arid grassland with relatively dry conditions. Soil moisture was monitored at 28 field locations in south-eastern Colorado with herbaceous vegetation during the summer months of 3 years. In situ soil moisture and degree of saturation observations are compared with estimates calculated from Landsat imagery using the ReSET algorithm. The in situ observations suggest that the empirical relationships with evaporative fraction that have been proposed in previous studies typically provide overestimates of soil moisture and degree of saturation in this region. However, calibrated functions produce estimates with an accuracy that may be adequate for various applications. The estimates produced by this approach are more reliable for degree of saturation than for soil moisture, and the method is more successful at identifying temporal variability than spatial variability in degree of saturation for this region. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of leucine and valine on ketogenesis in the ruminant.

Summary A study was made of the intermediary metabolism of l-leucine and dl-valine in the goat. The ketogenic nature of leucine was demonstrated both in the fasted and fed animal. Following intraruminal or intravenous infusion, leucine disappeared very rapidly from the blood and actually depressed the plasma level of amino acids in the fasted animal. Antiketogenic and glucogenic effects of valine were demonstrated following intraruminal or intravenous infusion. Effects similar to those of leucine and valine were exhibited by their metabolic intermediates, the branched-chain volatile fatty acids. The marked ketogenic effect of isovaleric acid was demonstrated following intraruminal infusion. There was a triphasic response in blood glucose similar to that occurring when other ketogenic fatty acids are placed in the rumen. Isobutyric acid exhibited marked glucogenic and antiketogenic properties when placed in the rumen.
Neuropeptide degradation produces functional inactivation in the crustacean nervous system

The pentapeptide proctolin (Proct.; Arg-Tyr-Leu-Pro-Thr) is a modulatory transmitter found throughout the crustacean nervous system. No information is available in this system, however, as to how the actions of this peptide are terminated. To study this issue in the crab Cancer borealis, we incubated exogenous proctolin (10(-5) M) with either the thoracic ganglion (TG) or with conditioned saline (CS) that had been preincubated with the TG. We removed aliquots at standard time points for analysis by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We found that over time the proctolin peak became progressively smaller, while three novel peaks appeared and increased in size. Comigration experiments using HPLC indicated that the major novel peak was Proct. (Tyr-Leu-Pro-Thr), while one of the two minor peaks was Proct. (Leu-Pro-Thr). The other minor peak appeared to be Proct. (Arg-Tyr), based on similar HPLC retention time to synthetic Proct. The reduction in the proctolin peak and the increase in the Proct. peak was prevented by co-incubation of proctolin with any one of several aminopeptidase inhibitors (10(-4) M). Proct. and Proct. appeared to result from a diaminopeptidase-mediated cleavage of proctolin. We tested whether N-terminal cleavage functionally inactivated proctolin by coapplying proctolin (10(-8) M) and individual aminopeptidase inhibitors (10(-5) M) to the isolated stomatogastric ganglion (STG). We found that these inhibitors significantly enhanced the proctolin excitation of the pyloric rhythm. Furthermore, application of synthetic Proct. to the STG had no effect unless high concentrations (> 10(-6) M) were used, and neither Proct. nor Proct. (10(-4) M) influenced the pyloric rhythm. Our results indicate that proctolin is enzymatically degraded and thereby biologically inactivated in the crab nervous system, primarily by extracellularly located aminopeptidase activity.
Phenomenological Examination of Depression in Female Collegiate Athletes

PHENOMENOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF DEPRESSION IN FEMALE COLLEGIATE ATHLETES by Alyson L. Jones Collegiate athletes may be at an increased risk of depression due to the pressure and stress they face. This risk is of great concern because their health, safety, and sport performance may all be affected. In addition, collegiate athletes are more likely to turn to maladaptive coping behaviors and less likely to seek help for mental health struggles than other populations. It has been suggested that a greater understanding of personal experiences would be helpful in increasing awareness and improving treatment. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to explore the lived experience of depression in female collegiate athletes. In-depth, unstructured interviews were conducted with 10 current and former female collegiate athletes. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using phenomenological research methods. Thematic analysis revealed one ground (the role of sport) and four general categories (weariness, self-doubt, out of control, and nowhere to go). Direct quotes from participants are used to illustrate these categories, and connections to relevant research are made when appropriate. Practical implications and recommendations are made for athletes, coaches, and families. Suggestions are given for future research studies. It is hoped that results from this study will contribute to increased awareness and sensitivity to the experiences of depression among female college athletes.
R‐matrix calculations along sequences: photoionization and electron‐impact excitation

As computer power continues to increase, so does our ability to carry out extensive, non‐perturbative calculations of atomic processes. Much work has been done on increasing the target representation of complex systems in step with advances in computational power. However there is also a need for coverage in terms of atomic data used in astrophysical or fusion plasma modeling. In this talk, we discuss recent R‐matrix calculations of electron‐impact excitation and photoionization over iso‐electronic sequences. While automation of R‐matrix codes and data analysis are reviewed, the talk is focused on iso‐electronic trends observed in the data. Specifically, we show the effect that resonant enhancement and level mixing can have on expected iso‐electronic trends.
The Southeast Archeological Center at 50 — New Directions towards Community Engagement and Heritage Education

As a part of the National Park Service's Southeast Region, the mission of the Southeast Archeological Center (SEAC) is to provide archaeological and collections management assistance to national park units and our partners. The Center also assists with the interpretation of the cultural resources of the national parks themselves as integral to understanding our national heritage. In preparation for the celebration of the Center's 50th anniversary, staff began to reevaluate the mission and goals of SEAC's outreach efforts. This article presents an overview of the SEAC's public and community engagement and interpretive efforts over the past fifty years. This includes a brief history of SEAC and an overview of past education and outreach efforts. I critically evaluate these efforts and present new directions for the programme.
Molecular aspects of IL-13 up-regulation by CD8+ T cells from systemic sclerosis patients (BA3P.132)

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), an incurable connective tissue disease, is characterized by vascular damage, inflammation and fibrosis. T cells are important in pathogenesis and produce cytokines that contribute to the induction of fibrosis. We found that dysregulated production of the profibrotic cytokine IL-13 by effector CD8+ T cells is associated with more severe skin thickening in SSc and defects in the molecular control of IL-13 production, such as increased expression of the Th2-specific transcription factor GATA-3. Silencing of GATA-3 by siRNA blocks IL-13 production in CD8+ T cells, demonstrating a causal relation¬ship between GATA-3 and IL-13. GATA-3 is also highly expressed by CD8+ T cells in lesions of patients where it may be associated with overproduction of IL-13. Th1-specific T-bet induces IFN-γ production and inhibits Th2 cytokines, including IL-13, by antagonizing GATA-3 expression and/or function. Here we show that CD8+ T cells from patient blood express high levels of IL-13 and GATA-3 but levels of IFN-γ and T-bet similar to controls. We also found that the interaction between T-bet and GATA-3 in SSc CD8+ T cells is weaker allowing more GATA-3 to bind to the IL-13 promoter and induce its expression. We conclude that increased IL-13 expression by SSc CD8+ T cells results, at least in part, from reduced down-regulation of GATA-3 by T-bet. Our new insights will establish novel biomarkers of immune dysfunction in SSc patients that can be used as therapeutic targets.
A reassessment of lesson evaluation in ELT

Abstract The current emphasis in ELT methodology on a more learner-centred approach raises considerable problems for the assessment of teacher-trainee lessons. This article briefly reviews these problems and suggests that, although there may be a number of ‘independent’ criteria for lesson observation which are applicable irrespective of the approach adopted, there is a need to assess a lesson in terms of the teacher's own evaluation of it.
Cardiac arrhythmias associated with protoveratrine.

Abstract 1. 1. Six hypertensive patients receiving protoveratrine developed various forms of cardiac arrhythmias on nine occasions. These arrhythmias consisted of sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest, wandering pacemaker, first-degree atrioventricular block, and partial and complete atrioventricular dissociation. All of these mechanisms reverted to normal sinus rhythm with time or with the administration of atropine. 2. 2. These arrhythmias are believed to result from excessive vagal stimulation by the drug, producing depression of the sinoauricular and atrioventricular nodes of the heart. A direct toxic effect of protoveratrine on the myocardium cannot definitely be excluded. 3. 3. It is emphasized that protoveratrine may produce either atrioventricular block or atrioventricular dissociation, or both. Atrioventricular dissociation may occur by virtue of excessive sinus slowing and ventricular escape (default) or increased ventricular automaticity (usurpation). In the present series of cases, the effect in depressing the sinoauricular node was paramount. 4. 4. At times these toxic effects appeared to be related to a certain critical threshold dosage of the drug; at other times, they occurred on maintenance dosage previously tolerated without toxic symptoms. 5. 5. Digitalis preparations were being used concomitantly in four of the six patients. No definite conclusion as to the possible synergistic action of these two drugs in the production of these arrhythmias can be made from this small series of cases.
Paradoxical lower postmyocardial infarction mortality among veteran women – does a sex bias exist in the Veterans Affairs medical system?

Background Outcomes after acute coronary disease are reportedly worse among women in general and more so among women with diabetes compared with men. Sex differences were evaluated in postmyocardial infarction (MI) mortality among veterans (who are predominantly male) to determine whether evaluation and treatment in Veterans Affairs hospitals amplifies sex differences in outcome. Methods All patients discharged with the primary diagnosis of acute MI from any Veterans hospitals in the United States between October 1990 and September 1997 were identified. Demographic, comorbidity, inpatient, outpatient, mortality and readmission data were extracted. Mortality, revascularization and readmissions were compared between male and female patients using Cox regression models. Results The authors identified 67,889 patients with MI, 17,756 (26%) of whom had diabetes. There were 951 women, 280 (29%) of whom had diabetes, and 66,938 men, 17,476 (26%) of whom had diabetes. Over the entire follow-up period, adjusted mortality was higher in men than women (hazard ratio [HR] 1.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.7). Cardiac procedures were significantly higher among men: HR for coronary bypass surgery was 2.1 (95% CI 1.6 to 2.8; P Conclusions Contrary to previous observations in the nonveteran population, long-term mortality post-MI was lower among veteran women, despite higher procedure rates in men. The present study also failed to show increased mortality in women with diabetes.
Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction in Sickle Cell Disease

Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions are potentially life-threatening complications observed in patients with sickle cell disease. We review the clinical features, pathophysiology, laboratory evaluation, and management of this complication. It is important that delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions be included in the differential diagnosis of acute pain episodes following a red blood cell transfusion in a patient with sickle cell disease.
Pulse Radiolysis Studies in Model Lipid Systems. The Influence of Aggregation on Kinetic Behavior of OH Induced Radicals in Aqueous Sodium Linoleate

The kinetic and spectral behavior of radicals formed by hydroxyl radical attack on linoleate anions has been studied by pulse radiolysis. Reactivity of ·OH toward this surfactant is an order of magnitude greater in monomeric form [k·OH+linoleate = 8.0 ± 109 M−1 sec−1] than in micellar form [k·OH+lin(micelle) = 1.0 ± 109M−1 sec−1]. Abstraction of a hydrogen atom from the doubly allylic position gives rise to an intense absorption in the UV region (δmax = 282–286 nm, e 3·104 M−1 cm−1) which may be used as a probe of radical activity at that site. This abstraction may occur, to a small extent, directly via ·OH attack. However, greater than 90% of initial attack occurs at other sites. Subsequent secondary abstraction of doubly allylic H atoms appears to occur predominantly by: (1) intramolecular processes in monomers, (2) intermolecular processes in micelles. Disappearance of radicals by secondary processes is slower in the micellar pseudo phase than in monomeric solution. Die kinetischen und spektralen Eigenschaften von Radikalen, die durch die Reaktion von OH-Radikalen mit Linoleat-Anionen entstehen. wurden mit der Pulsradiolyse untersucht. Die Reaktivitat von OH ist gegenuber dem monomeren Linoleat-Anion etwa eine Grosenordnung groser (kOH + Linoleat = 8,0 · 109 M−1 s−1 als gegenuber der mizellaren Form (kOH+Lin(Mizelle) = 1,0 · 109 M−1 s−1). Abspaltung eines Wasserstoffatoms von der zweifachen Allylposition fuhrt zu einer intensiven Absorption im UV-Bereich (δmax = 282-286 nm, · 104 M−1), die als Sonde fur die Radikalaktivitat an dieser Stelle dienen kann. Mehr als 90% der OH-Radikale greifen jedoch an anderen Stellen des Molekuls an. Die darauf folgende sekundare Abspaltung von H-Atomen in der zweifachen Allylposition scheint hauptsachlich durch 1) intramolekulare Prozesse in Monomeren und 2. intermolekulare Prozesse in Mizellen zu erfolgen. Das Verschwinden von Radikalen durch Sekundarprozesse geschieht in der mizellaren Pseudophase langsamer als in der monomeren Losung.
Latency-associated Peptide of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Is Not Subject to Physiological Mannose Phosphorylation

Latent TGF-β1 was one of the first non-lysosomal glycoproteins reported to bear mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) residues on its N-glycans. Prior studies have suggested that this sugar modification regulates the activation of latent TGF-β1 by allowing it to bind cell surface-localized Man-6-P receptors. Man-6-P has also been proposed as an anti-scarring therapy based on its ability to directly block the activation of latent TGF-β1. A complete understanding of the physiological relevance of latent TGF-β1 mannose phosphorylation, however, is still lacking. Here we investigate the degree of mannose phosphorylation on secreted latent TGF-β1 and examine its Man-6-P-dependent activation in primary human corneal stromal fibroblasts. Contrary to earlier reports, minimal to no Man-6-P modification was found on secreted and cell-associated latent TGF-β1 produced from multiple primary and transformed cell types. Results showed that the inability to detect Man-6-P residues was not due to masking by the latent TGF-β1-binding protein (LTBP). Moreover, the efficient processing of glycans on latent TGF-β1 to complex type structures was consistent with the lack of mannose phosphorylation during biosynthesis. We further demonstrated that the conversion of corneal stromal fibroblast to myofibroblasts, a well known TGF-β1-dependent process, was not altered by Man-6-P addition when latent forms of this growth factor were present. Collectively, these findings indicate that Man-6-P-dependent effects on latent TGF-β1 activation are not mediated by direct modification of its latency-associated peptide.
A simplified cannulation procedure for pharmacokinetic experiments in rats

A convenient, simplified method for cannulating the jugular vein of rats is described. The technique has been developed for use in pharmacokinetic experiments. The construction of the cannula has been simplified compared with previously described methods. In addition, a small and simple outlet device for the cannula is described which allows the connection of tubing for sampling at short time intervals or for short-term infusions (several hours). In order to reduce stress on the animal, the tubing can be disconnected during sampling at long time intervals, allowing free movement of the animal with only a very small external outlet device.
Microbial community analyses of three distinct, liquid cultures that degrade methyl tert-butyl ether using anaerobic metabolism

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is a prevalent groundwater contaminant. In this study, three distinct MTBE-degrading, anaerobic cultures were derived from MTBE-contaminated aquifer material: cultures NW1, NW2 and NW3. The electron acceptors used are anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS; NW1), sulfate (NW2) and fumarate (NW3), respectively. About 1–2 mM MTBE is consistently degraded within 20–30 days in each culture. The 16S rDNA-based amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) was used to analyze the microbial community in each culture. Results indicate novel microorganisms (i.e. no closely related known genera or species) catalyze anaerobic MTBE biodegradation, and microbial diversity varied with different electron acceptors. Tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) accumulated to nearly stoichiometric levels, and these cultures will be critical to understanding the factors that influence TBA accumulation versus degradation. The cultures presented here are the first stable anaerobic MTBE-degrading cultures that have been characterized with respect to taxonomy.
THE PSYCHODYNAMICS OF ORGASM

Orgasm itself, along with its specific psychodynamic, has stimulated few reflections and little research in the psychoanalytical field to date. In this regard, perspectives relating to orgasm are generally placed within a wider context covering desire, arousal and, of course, satisfaction. Freud himself seemed to show no particular or systematic interest in an orgasmic psychodynamic per se. This article, the aim of which is to consider the specific nature of orgasm, proposes a two-stage reflection. First, it considers the specific aspects of orgasm in order to arrive at a phenomenology of the orgasm itself--within a clearly defined framework. Second, it explains this phenomenology from a psychoanalytical point of view. These reflections lead us to suggest that while the erogenous zones in men and women respectively are at the root of the sexual arousal that leads to orgasm, it is most probably in fantasy that the female orgasm finds its major trigger. This is all the more relevant given that the existence of a real qualitative difference between clitoral and vaginal orgasm is now being challenged. This would tend to confirm the idea of a predominance of fantasy over bodily location, given that, quite clearly, it is not possible to attribute the former role to a precise area of the body. In this respect, only the analytical process is able to lead us to the primary sources of orgasmic problems--both male and female--and, above all, to reconstruct the origin of a satisfactory or unsatisfactory orgasm.
Flow-induced 2D protein crystallization: characterization of the coupled interfacial and bulk flows

Two-dimensional crystallization of the protein streptavidin, crystallizing below a biotinylated lipid film spread on a quiescent air–water interface is a well studied phenomenon. More recently, 2D crystallization induced by a shearing interfacial flow has been observed at film surface pressures significantly lower than those required in a quiescent system. Here, we quantify the interfacial and bulk flow associated with 2D protein crystallization through numerical modeling of the flow along with a Newtonian surface model. Experiments were conducted over a wide range of conditions resulting in a state diagram delineating the flow strength required to induce crystals for various surface pressures. Through measurements of the velocity profile at the air–water interface, we found that even in the cases where crystals are formed, the macroscopic flow at the interface is well described by the Newtonian model. However, the results show that even in the absence of any protein in the system, the viscous response of the biotinylated lipid film is complicated and strongly dependent on the strength of the flow. This observation suggests that the insoluble lipid film plays a key role in flow-induced 2D protein crystallization.
Electromigration evaluation of aluminum alloys in multilevel metallization

Abstract This paper focuses on Ti/Al−2.0%Si−0.5%Cu and Ti sandwiched Al−0.5%Cu metallurgies. The electrical reliability of the two Al alloys was determined by a standard electromigration technique (elevated d.c. current and temperature) utilizing single-level and two-level interconnect structures. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy have been used to characterize the film microstructure formed during processing and the types of failure modes observed electrically. For a linewidth approximating film thickness, the formation of a bamboo microstructure dominated the t50 data. TACT films provided superior performance for a stripe linewidth of 2.7 μm and a maximum chain-link length of 100 μm. The common failure modes of the different metallurgies were described, with the TACT exhibiting extrusion.
The effect of a buried layer on the collector breakdown voltages of bipolar junction transistors

Abstract The presence of a buried layer may cause the value of the collector breakdown voltages, BVCES and BVCBO, to be considerably less than existing theory predicts. We describe an effect termed premature punch-through that accounts for the observed behavior. Expressions are derived for the premature punch-through voltage, BVPPT, and the thickness, (Wepi)opt, of the epitaxial collector that maximizes this voltage and, hence, the usable region of device operation. The expression for BVPPT is shown to be consistent with measurements taken on transistors fabricated in our laboratory.
Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) inhibition suppresses the inflammatory response to Francisella infection and protects against tularemia in mice

Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is currently considered a category A bioterrorism agent due to its high virulence. Infection with F. tularensis results in an inflammatory response that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease; however, the cellular mechanisms regulating this response are poorly understood. Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK3beta) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that has recently emerged as a key regulatory switch in the modulation of the inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated the effect of GSK3beta inhibition in regulating F. tularensis LVS-induced inflammatory responses. F. tularensis LVS infection of murine peritoneal macrophages induced a TLR2 dependent phosphorylation of GSK3beta. Inhibition of GSK3beta resulted in a significant decrease in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, IL-12p40 and TNF-alpha, as well as a significant increase in the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. GSK3beta regulated the F. tularensis LVS-induced cytokine response by differentially affecting the activation of transcription factors NF-kappaB and CREB. Inhibition of GSK3beta by lithium in vivo suppressed the inflammatory response in mice infected with F. tularensis LVS and conferred a survival advantage. In addition, we show that the production of IFN-gamma contributed to the development of tularemia and to the fatal outcome of the infected animals, depending on the timing and the relative level of the IFN-gamma produced. IFN-gamma potentiated F. tularensis LVS-induced cytokine production by increasing GSK3beta activity and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. Taken together, these results demonstrate a regulatory function of GSK3beta in modulating inflammatory responses that can be detrimental to the host during an F. tularensis LVS infection, and suggest that inhibition of GSK3beta may represent a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of tularemia.
Versatile and Facile Synthesis of Diverse Semisynthetic Tetracycline Derivatives via Pd-Catalyzed Reactions.

A diverse collection of tetracycline derivatives has been synthesized utilizing Heck, Suzuki, and other palladium-coupling reactions via tetracycline arenediazonium and iodoarene salts. Large numbers of tetracyclines are now possible via these reactions, including numerous upper periphery derivatives of doxycycline, minocycline, sancycline, and methacycline modified at positions C7, C9, and C6−C13 on the tetracycline naphthacene ring. Application of palladium-coupling reactions to the tetracyclines has yielded new tetracycline classes with differing structural attributes, greatly increasing the structural diversity of this family of antibiotics, one of the last of the early antibiotic families to be expanded by organic and medicinal chemistry.
Structure of a Packaging-Defective Mutant of Minute Virus of Mice Indicates that the Genome Is Packaged via a Pore at a 5-Fold Axis

The parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVM) packages a single copy of its linear single-stranded DNA genome into preformed capsids, in a process that is probably driven by a virus-encoded helicase. Parvoviruses have a roughly cylindrically shaped pore that surrounds each of the 12 5-fold vertices. The pore, which penetrates the virion shell, is created by the juxtaposition of 10 antiparallel β-strands, two from each of the 5-fold-related capsid proteins. There is a bottleneck in the channel formed by the symmetry-related side chains of the leucines at position 172. We report here the X-ray crystal structure of the particles produced by a leucine-to-tryptophan mutation at position 172 and the analysis of its biochemical properties. The mutant capsid had its 5-fold channel blocked, and the particles were unable to package DNA, strongly suggesting that the 5-fold pore is the packaging portal for genome entry.
The search for an optimal RBC regulatory system

Purpose – The author assembles three hypothetical regulatory regimes and deploys computer simulations to contrast different banking systems based on conventional strategies for appointing risk-based capital minimum thresholds. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The author instigates cascading failure models within numerous directed graphs and measures the inflicted costs, the accumulated bank failures, and the general robustness of the networks following various economic shocks. Findings – The author finds that a homogeneous regulatory regime is an inferior approach. However, a selected too-big-to-fail scheme portrays the best defensive banking model with the lowest number of total bank failures and the fewest banks' costs and social costs. Research limitations/implications – The author can only theoretically examine this topic. Originality/value – The author overcomes some obstacles in prior studies including the use of a large and complex network and the proportional a...
Physiologic basis for motor learning in the vestibulo-ocular reflex

The vestibulo-ocular reflex has been used extensively for study of the neural mechanisms of learning that is dependent on an intact cerebellum. Anatomic, physiologic, behavioral, and computational approaches have revealed the neural circuits that are used to generate the vestibulo-ocular reflex and have identified two likely sites of plasticity within those circuits. One site of plasticity is in the vestibular inputs to floccular target neurons, which are located in the vestibular nuclei and receive monosynaptic inhibition from Purkinje cells in the floccular complex of the cerebellar cortex. The other site of plasticity is in the vestibular inputs to Purkinje cells in the floccular complex, possibly in the cerebellar cortex. After reviewing the evidence that supports these conclusions, I consider a number of observations showing that the dynamics of neural circuits or cellular mechanisms play important roles in learning in the vestibulo-ocular reflex.
Beyond simple e-mail: upgrading an entire campus to enterprise e-mail and calendaring with groupwise

Since the early 90s Drew University has provided basic email services to all students, faculty, and staff, standardizing on IMAP-based email in 1999. First supported in conjunction with the Netscape Communicator and later with Mozilla, the IMAP service has proven to be inexpensive to maintain, but had limitations. Most often cited was the lack of scheduling capabilities, resulting in many departments adopting their own unsupported solutions such as Yahoo! Calendar. The inability of the system to support "push" email services, such as BlackBerry was also a concern.To address these issues, University Technology began migrating users to Novell GroupWise starting in fall 2005. Pilot users, including the President's office, were migrated in the fall, with a phased deployment of GroupWise to all users starting in Spring 2006. A cross-departmental task force formed to manage the migration process.This session explores how we addressed the challenges faced when migrating users from a lowest common denominator IMAP service to an enterprise system such as GroupWise. We will discuss issues involved in communicating with the campus, a phased approach to migration, and the creation of customized support and training for faculty, staff, and students. The session will also address the use of web-based self-service tools to ease the transition, tactical deployment of support to address areas of need, and effective use of tools--such as desktop management and incident tracking systems--to facilitate the migration.IT staff who are in the process of planning a campus-wide transition of email systems should attend this session.
Optimization of dielectrophoretic DNA stretching in microfabricated devices

We have found that the surface and bulk solution properties in a microfabricated device affect the degree and probability of electrostretching of DNA molecules. Using lambda phage DNA, we found that significantly hydrophilic surfaces between the electrodes decreases the efficiency of stretching. Surfaces treated with higher silane (trimethyl chlorosilane) concentrations performed better presumably due to the decreased non-specific adsorption of DNA on these surfaces compared to their more hydrophilic counterparts. The shape and dimensions of the electrodes also affected the efficiency of stretching. Both lift-off and metal etching methods produced electrodes with random microscopic peaks along the electrode’s edge and were poorly suited for stretching. Annealing the electrodes (450°C for 10 min) removed most of these peaks and allowed for more controlled stretching to be obtained. We also found that thin electrodes (65nm) gave close to a 90% success rate of DNA stretching but stretching with thick electrodes (350nm) produced only a 20% success rate.
Radiosensitization of head/neck sqaumous cell carcinoma by adenovirus-mediated expression of dominant negative constructs of the nbs1 protein

Abstract Purpose: Local failure and toxicity to adjacent critical structures is a significant problem in radiation therapy of cancers of the head and neck. We are developing a gene therapy based method of sensitizing head/neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to radiation treatment. As patients with the rare hereditary disorder, Nijmegen breakage syndrome show radiation sensitivity we hypothesized that tumor−specific disruption of the function of the Nbs1 protein would lead to enhanced cellular sensitivity to ionizing radiation. In order to test this hypothesis we have devised recombinant adenoviruses expressing various portions of the Nbs1 protein and assessed the ability of these viruses to increase the radiation sensitivity of HNSCC cells. Materials and Methods: We constructed two recombinant adenoviruses by cloning the full-length Nbs1 cDNA as well as the C-terminal 300 amino acids of Nbs1(Nbs1-300, aa453 to aa754) into an adenovirus backbone under the control of a CMV promoter. The resulting adenoviruses were used to infect HNSCC cell line 011. These cells were evaluated for expression of the viral based constructs and assayed for growth rate and clonogenic survival following radiation exposure. Results: A constitutively expressed GFP gene in the viral backbone confirmed efficient uptake of the virus into the 011 cell line and Western blot confirmed the presence of the virally expressed Nbs1 and Nbs1-300. Following exposure to ionizing radiation cells infected with the Nbs1-300 virus showed a significant reduction in growth rate relative to cells infected with control virus. Surprisingly, this effect was even stronger with the full-length wild-type Nbs1 protein. Examination of clonogenic survival also demonstrated statistically significant sensitization, however the effects of the two constructs were distinct as Nbs1-300 expression resulted in reduction of the shoulder while expression of the full-length Nbs1 showed a change in the slope of the survival curve. Conclusion: Dominant negative constructs of the Nbs1 protein are able to sensitize cells to ionizing radiation exposure. Surprisingly expression of the full-length Nbs1 protein results in enhanced sensitivity as well. These results provide a proof of principle that disruption of Nbs1 function may provide a means of enhancing the radiosensitivity of head and neck tumors.
Trans-methyl cinnamate: The major volatile from some populations of the liverwort, Conocephalum conicum

trans-Methyl cinnamate was identified as the major volatile component from two populations of Conocephalum conicum, but was not detected in other populations.
EXTENDED COMMUTING AND THE INTERMETROPOLITAN PERIPHERY

ABSTRACT Extended metropolitan commuting is commonly related to a decline of the intermetropolitan periphery. It is frequently postulated that this peripheral zone will continue to shrink, and even vanish, as metropolitan commuting fields push ever outward, aided by the construction of limited access highways. To study this phenomenon, the intermetropolitan periphery of Appalachian Ohio is examined in terms of the trends evident in extended commuting from 1960 to 1970, the factors influencing it, and its impact on population growth. The results of the study raise many serious questions about statements which have been made on extended commuting and its consequences for the intermetropolitan periphery. There is little evidence to suggest that the disappearance of the periphery is imminent because of the expansion of commuting to metropolitan areas. Intensification, rather than expansion, is a more prevalent characteristic of the commuting fields. The role of limited access highways is less important than t...
Fast loading of PEG–SH on CTAB-protected gold nanorods

This study aimed to develop a rapid and simple method to functionalize gold nanorods using thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG–SH), which can be used for plasmonic sensing and other applications. PEG was successfully loaded onto CTAB-protected gold nanorods in 30 min using Tris buffer with a pH of 3.0. In contrast, the functionalization of gold nanorods in water induced the aggregation of gold nanorods and produced a floating layer of randomly aggregated nanorods at the water–air interface. The concentration of mPEG–SH has no significant influence on the optical properties of gold nanorods modified by the proposed method. The results show that the PEG-modified gold nanorods could sustain 1.0 M NaCl, whereas CTAB-protected gold nanorods aggregated immediately after the addition of NaCl. Compared with the traditional 24 h method in a CTAB/carbonate solution, the proposed method offers a higher loading speed and a higher coverage density of PEG on gold nanorods. It was also found that the PEG-modified NR-610 could form a very uniform monolayer on silicon by slow evaporation of the water content. This method may open a new route for fabricating substrates for bio-medication, detection of food contaminants, and environmental monitoring.
Angular Distributions of Protons from the Alpha-Particle Bombardment of B 10 , Al 27 , and P 31

Angular distribution measurements have been carried out on the protons corresponding to the ground state transition in the ${\mathrm{B}}^{10}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, p){\mathrm{C}}^{13}$ reaction at bombarding energies of 8.1, 7.0, and 4.9 Mev, on the protons corresponding to the ground state and first-excited state transitions in the ${\mathrm{Al}}^{27}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, p){\mathrm{Si}}^{30}$ reaction at bombarding energies of 8.1 and 7.1 Mev, and on the protons corresponding to the ground state transition in the ${\mathrm{P}}^{31}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, p){\mathrm{S}}^{34}$ reaction at bombarding energies of 8.1 and 7.0 Mev. According to rather qualitative criteria concerning the changes in the shapes of the distributions with bombarding energy, the Al results appear to be interpretable in terms of a compound nucleus process, while the B and P results indicate the possibility of a contribution from a direct interaction process. Some discussion is given concerning the possibility of applying a direct interaction process like that of Austern, Butler, and McManus to such alpha-particle-induced reactions.
Presence of GH-dependent IGF-II mRNA in the diffuse pancreatic tissue of a teleost

Abstract Previously, insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) mRNA steady state levels were found to be elevated in the pyloric caeca and surrounding diffuse pancreatic and adipose tissues of rainbow trout treated with bovine growth hormone (bGH) (Shamblott MJ, Cheng CM, Bolt D, Chen TT. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1995;A 92:6943-6946). We now report on the GH-dependent expression of IGFs in the pyloric caeca and the surrounding diffuse pancreatic tissue, using a non-radioactive in situ hybridization method employing IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin specific digoxigenin-labeled antisense cRNA probes. IGF-II mRNA was localized to diffuse pancreatic tissue and to a lesser extent to epithelial cells of the pyloric caeca in rainbow trout treated with bGH. IGF-II mRNA was also detected in epithelial cells of the pyloric caeca in control trout. IGF-I mRNA was undetectable in the pyloric caeca or pancreatic tissue of bGH treated or control rainbow trout. Insulin specific cRNA probes were used in situ to confirm the specificity of IGF-II mRNA expression. We hypothesize that IGF-II may be acting in a local manner as a GH-dependent growth factor in the pancreatic tissue surrounding the pyloric caeca and within the pyloric caeca.
Spatial Analysis of Selected Manufacturing and Service Sectors in China's Economy Using County Employment Data for 1990 and 2000

Hanink D. M., Ebenstein A. Y. and Cromley R. G. Spatial analysis of selected manufacturing and service sectors in China's economy using county employment data for 1990 and 2000, Regional Studies. This paper provides a comparative analysis of the spatial distribution of employment in forty-one economic sectors in China in 1990 and in 2000. Sectors are approximately split between manufacturing and services. Spatial distributions of employment by sector are analysed at the county level, and relative sectoral specialization at the county level is also considered. Manufacturing and service clusters are identified in both years using factor analysis, and the resulting factor scores are used in mapping their spatial extent. In general, geographical concentration in Chinese manufacturing accelerated between 1990 and 2000, while services became more spatially uniform in their distribution. Hanink D. M., Ebenstein A. Y. et Cromley R. G. Une analyse geographique des secteurs de l'industrie et des services choisis de...