cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The crystal structure of a post-synaptic neurotoxin from sea snake at 2.2 Å resolution

Among the most lethal proteins in the venoms of sea snakes and elapid land snakes are the post-synaptic neurotoxins. These act by blocking the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor of the muscle motor end plate [ 1 ] , thus preventing transmission across the cholinergic synapse. Because of their extremely specific and tight binding to the receptor (KD is on the order of lo-“), these toxins have been the object of intensive chemical study [2], and have also been used to isolate the receptor protein [3,4] . Up to now there has been no information on the three-dimensional structure of the neurotoxins to aid in understanding their mode of action. We have solved the crystal structure of a neurotoxin from the sea snake Laticauda semifasciata from the Philippines Sea. This is a ‘short’ neurotoxin of 62 amino acids cross-linked by four disulfide bridges [S] . The structure has been determined at 2.2 A resolution. The molecule is a disc with one extended loop containing most of the residues believed essential for toxicity. We conclude that this structure is common to all snake venom neurotoxins, and that the postsynaptic toxins act by inserting the loop into a cleft or channel in the acetylcholine receptor.
An Optimum Segmentation Algorithm for Air Force Packet-DAMA

A large community of bursty users can share a small number of satellite channels by employing a highly disciplined demand assignment multiple access (DAMA) protocol. One candidate DAMA design under consideration by the Air Force uses packet-switching techniques originally developed for large computer networks. This "packet-DAMA" approach divides the satellite time into periodic structures called frames. Within each frame are a control subframe and an information subframe. In this paper, an exact expression for the optimum packet size is derived. This optimum packet size depends only on the amount of packet overhead and the net bit error rate (BER) of the channel. Since BER can be estimated by decoders in many instances, this suggests the possibility of dynamic packet size determination. Also addressed in this paper is the penalty for using suboptimum packets. This issue is unique to packet-DAMA, where the frame structure may prevent the use of optimum packets.
Cell Lines Derived from Retrovirus-Mediated Oncogene Transduction into Olfactory Epithelium Cultures

Abstract We describe the isolation and characterization of six immortal cell lines derived from primary cultures of olfactory epithelium (OE) purified from E15 mouse embryos. Cultured cells were immortalized using a replication-defective murine retrovirus containing the cDNA for human c-myc, in addition to a dominant selectable antibiotic resistance gene (neo). Cells that survived antibiotic selection and displayed process-bearing morphologies were expanded and analyzed for expression of molecular markers characteristic of olfactory receptor neurons, sustentacular cells, and olfactory ensheathing cells. Interestingly, all six cell lines expressed morphological and immunological properties of the ensheathing, or Schwann, cells of the olfactory nerve, but did not express markers characteristic of olfactory receptor neurons. Our results suggest that, while it is possible to generate immortalized OE cell lines using retrovirus-mediated oncogene transfer, there may be limitations to the types of cells that can be immortalized. In addition, we demonstrate the potential usefulness of immortalized OE cell lines for promoter-trap experiments to identify developmentally regulated genes.
Non-linear oscillations of a nonuniform fixed circular plate

Abstract The problem of finite amplitude, axisymmetric free oscillation of a nonuniform fixed circular plate is studied. A method of Ritz-Kantorovich is used in converting the dynamic von Karman equations, coupled non-linear partial differential equations, to a pair of non-linear ordinary differential equations which form a non-linear eigenvalue problem. A computational method is proposed by introducing the related initial-value problems by which the point of discontinuity, due to the abrupt change of thickness of plates, would not lead to the difficulties present in the Runge-Kutta-Gill integration. Then by the concept of continuation, approximate solutions to the free oscillation equations are obtained.
Screening ADHD problems in the sports behavior checklist: factor structure, convergent and divergent validity, and group differences.

The Sports Behavior Checklist (SBC) is subjected to a principal components analysis, and subscales are correlated with subscales of the Conners’ Revised Parent Form and the Social Skills Rating System. Both of these analyses are conducted to determine the construct validity of the instrument. A subsample of lower socioeconomic status individuals is used to compare ADHD and control group differences on the subscales of the SBC. The authors find that a six-factor solution, as proposed by the original authors, accounted for 71.5% of the variance. As hypothesized, subscales on the SBC are low to moderately related to subscales on the anchor measures. Significant group differences are found on the Aggression, Emotional Reactivity, and Injury subscales. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Stress estimation using unknown input observer

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is the body's primary stress management system. The role of the HPA axis is to maintain bodily functions in the presence of physical and mental stressors. This is accomplished by controlling the body's cortisol level. A non-linear mathematical model of the HPA axis from the literature is used to construct a stressor estimator. The mathematical model of the HPA axis is in the state-space format containing an unknown input that models the stressor acting on the body. The controlled input variable models external treatment. The unknown input observer (UIO) is constructed to estimate the unknown input modeling the stressor and its mathematical analysis is provided. Availability of the stressor estimate can be employed in the design of effective treatment strategies for stress related diseases. Simulations studies illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed observer-based stressor estimator.
Selenomethionine uptake by wheat seedlings

(...) Selenomethionine absorption in 30-d-old wheat seedlings was measured by using a depletion method with two initial nutrient solution concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 μM) selenomethionine. Observed uptake rates were functions of solution concentration and were not affected by initial concentration. Uptake kinetics appeared to conform to the Michaelis-Menten function but the initial concentrations were too low to estimate either K m or V max . Selenomethionine uptake was inhibited by a metabolic inhibitor, 2,4-D, and by anaerobic conditions (...)
Digital scanner infrared focal plane technology

Advancements in finer geometry and technology advancements in circuit design now allow placement of digital architecture on cryogenic focal planes while using less power than heritage analog designs. These advances in technology reduce the size, weight, and power of modern focal planes. In addition, the interface to the focal plane is significantly simplified and is more immune to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). The cost of the customer's instrument after integration with the digital scanning Focal Plane Array (FPA) has been significantly reduced by placing digital architecture such as Analog to digital convertors and Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) Inputs and Outputs (I/O) on the Read Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC).
Predation by Tarnished Plant Bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) of Heliothis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Eggs and Larvae

Greenhouse and laboratory studies showed that each instar and adult of tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), may feed on eggs and the first three instars of Heliothis spp. Under greenhouse test conditions, significantly more Heliothis spp. eggs were destroyed in a 24-h period by third- and fourth-instar TPB than by adult TPB. However, adult TPB preyed on significantly larger numbers of second- and third-instar H. virescens (F.) larvae during 24- and 48-h periods than any of the five instars. Under laboratory conditions, significantly higher percentages of Heliothis eggs were destroyed in 24 and 48 h by the TPB adult and by each instar, two through five, than were destroyed by the first instar.
The end of the reign: Department chair no more

This chapter examines aspects of the life of the chair after the person returns to full-time service as a faculty member.
Pitch effects on vowel roughness and spectral noise for subjects in four musical voice classifications.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of vocal fo on vowel spectral noise level (SNL) and perceived vowel roughness for subjects in high- and low-pitch voice categories. The subjects w...
Optimization of a Class of Distributed Parameter Systems with Deviating Argument

In this paper we consider an optimal control problem described by a system of nonlinear first order hyperbolic partial differential equations with deviating argument, including integral inequality constraints. The control variables are assumed to be measurable, with the corresponding state variables in Lp. We introduce the adjoint equations, derive an integral representation of the increments of the functionals involved, and use separation theorems of functional analysis to obtain new necessary optimality conditions in the form of the Pontryagin maximum principle.
Noncommutative formal power series and noncommutative functions

In various applications of formal power series, their evaluations on linear operators (acting on an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space) or on square matrices (of any size or of size large enough) play an important role and allow one to develop a noncommutative analog of analytic function theory. On the other hand, functions defined on square matrices of any size which respect direct sums and similarities and satisfy a local boundedness condition behave in many ways as analytic functions and have power series expansions — a noncommutative analogue of Taylor series. We will discuss convergence of noncommutative power series and analyticity of noncommutative functions.
Ionic and metabolic requirements for tetraethylammonium transport in mouse kidney cortex slices

Abstract 14C-Tetraethylammonium (TEA) accumulates in mouse kidney cortex slices incubated in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer (37°, pH 7.4) aerated with O2-CO2 95:5 v/v per cent. The metabolic inhibitor cyanide inhibits accumulation and stimulates TEA exit. Inhibition of TEA uptake in absence of extracellular Na+ (replaced by Li+) has a rapid onset and is easy to reverse. It is apparently due to a diminished TEA influx since efflux is unaffected. With increasing external concentrations of TEA Na+ dependent TEA uptake reaches a saturation level and constitutes a decreasing fraction of the total uptake. TEA uptake is inhibited when active Na+ transport is depressed (removal of extracellular K+ or addition of ouabain), but only the Na+ dependent part of the uptake is ouabain sensitive. The latter inhibition of TEA uptake has a slow onset and is difficult to reverse which is compatible with the idea that it may be secondary to changes in the intracellular electrolyte concentrations in time brought about when active Na+ extrusion is impaired. A rise in the intracellular level of Na+ might thus by analogy with the effect of extracellular Na+ stimulate TEA efflux and thereby decrease TEA accumulation. The data seem to be consistent with the hypothesis that maintenance of a Na+ gradient across the cell membrane is important for accumulation of TEA although alternative interpretations cannot be excluded. Furthermore, TEA uptake was inhibited in absence of external Ca2+.
Practical nutrition assessment in primary care settings: a review

Abstract Background: Poor dietary and physical activity habits account for 300,000 deaths per year. Interventions in the primary care setting offer promise for effecting change on a broad scale. However, to conduct counseling, primary care providers need quick, accurate, and efficient assessment tools that are practical for a health care setting. Methods: We reviewed 18 dietary measures for use in primary care that were brief (less than 50 items) and easy to administer, score, and interpret. The macronutrients assessed by the measure and the psychometric properties, if given, are reported. Results: In general, reliability and validity coefficients were slightly lower than more detailed instruments (i.e., food frequency questionnaires, diet recall); however, they are acceptable within this clinical setting. Conclusions: Providers can benefit from using these tools to assess current dietary patterns and to guide patient counseling. Future measures should focus on additional nutritional topics (e.g., calcium deficiency) and sensitivity to change over time.
Absence of localization in disordered systems with local correlation

In an early work by Dunlap et al. (1990) it was conjectured, using a matrix-transfer approach, that diagonal-disordered systems with local correlation (dimer-models) exhibit an absence of Anderson localization. In this letter we find explicitly these delocalized states, and energies, using a suitable unitary transformation and the symmetries related to the model. Moreover, we expand these states around the critical energy and find a new 1/ square root (E-Ec) divergence.
Phase II study of docetaxel and vinorelbine as adjuvant chemotherapy for resected non-small cell lung cancers.

For patients with resected stage II–III non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy improves survival over surgery alone. For cisplatin ineligible patients, there is no standard adjuvant option. We evaluated drug delivery and toxicity of docetaxel and vinorelbine in patients who could not receive cisplatin. Patients with completely resected stage IB–III NSCLCs were treated with up to 4 cycles of docetaxel and vinorelbine at the recommended phase II dose. The primary endpoint was drug delivery compared to historical delivery of adjuvant cisplatin plus vinorelbine. Secondary endpoints were toxicity and feasibility. Twenty-five patients were enrolled. Overall, 13/25 (52 %, 95 % CI 34–70) completed 4 cycles, and 19/25 (76 %, 95 % CI 60–87) completed ≥3 cycles. Twenty of 25 patients (80 %) experienced a Grade 3 or 4 adverse event. Delivery of this dose and schedule of docetaxel and vinorelbine was difficult with a dose delivery comparable to cisplatin plus vinorelbine, and cisplatin plus docetaxel, used in this setting.
Estimating the error of age interpolation in sedimentary rocks

Magnetostratigraphic data can provide information on rates of sediment accumulation within a single sedimentation system over time spans from 104 to 106 yr. The short-term rate of sediment deposition varies with time; the apparent average rate over any longer interval also depends on the relative durations of periods of deposition, stasis (non-deposition), and erosion. While the average rate can be used to infer the time of occurrence of an event from its stratigraphical position, the inferred age has an uncertainty deriving from the variability in rate of sediment accumulation over all shorter timescales. We analyse here variability in sediment accumulation rates provided by the magnetostratigraphy of Miocene, Siwalik sediments from Pakistan. For long periods (>106 yr), sediment accumulation is approximately linear through time. Over short intervals (104–105yr), however, there is considerable variability. To provide an error term for an absolute age interpolated between boundaries of polarity units, we use a resampling technique similar to the statistician's ‘bootstrapping’. We illustrate this approach by estimating a standard error for the interpolated age of a biostratigraphical datum: the first appearance of hipparionine equids in the Siwalik sequence near the town of Khaur. The first appearance of “Hipparion” in the Khaur sequence is 9.22±0.09 Myr.
Dimethoate Residues on Soybean, Corn, and Grass Forage

Dimethoate at rates of 4, 8, and 16 oz per acre was sprayed on soybeans, silage corn, and pasture grass to determine the persistence of residues on the 3 types of forage. The insecticide disappeared more rapidly from soybeans and corn than from grass. The time required for residues to degrade to the 0.1-ppm level after treatments was about 7 and 16 days on soybeans and corn, respectively, and the same level was not reached in 70 days with the grass. The analytical method used determined dimethoate residues plus chloroform-partitionable decomposition products containing sulfur, if present in the forage.
In search of American progressives and teachers

Over half a century ago Lawrence Cremin set in motion a historical debate about educational progressivism, a movement, if it was one, that meant ‘different things to different people’ and roused passions for and against. Personified in many individual and institutional initiatives, it appeared to resonate with individual liberty, political democracy and social reform. Historians since, including Roy Lowe, have joined in the debate. Did it succeed and what were its effects? Perfecting or pernicious? Cohesive or divisive? Models for reforming pedagogy were found in Pestalozzi and Froebel, but translating ideals into practice was the challenge. Laboratory and model schools lent weight to advocacy of reform, but were often private or privileged in their constitution. Dewey and his daughter in Schools of Tomorrow publicised a selection of these. Against this backdrop, historians have subsequently sought to explain why traditional pedagogic practices remained so powerful. Cuban drew on a wide-ranging set of pri...
Effects of ureteral stents on risk of bacteriuria in renal allograft recipients.

Background Placement of ureteral stents at the time of renal transplantation is thought to decrease the incidence of postoperative complications, such as anastomotic leakage and stenosis. However, stents may also predispose to post-transplantation urinary tract infection, which can lead to increased risks of graft dysfunction, sepsis, and death. The aim of this study was to analyze the risk of post-transplantation bacteriuria with ureteral stent placement in renal allograft recipients. Methods A retrospective single-center analysis was conducted to investigate the incidence of bacteriuria in all renal allograft recipients transplanted between January 2007 and March 2009. Recipients were categorized as in the nonstent group (NSTG) or the stent group (STG). Stent removal was performed per protocol at 6 weeks, and all patients were followed for at least 1 year post transplantation. In the NSTG, the incidence of bacteriuria was assessed at 0–6, 6–12, and 12 weeks to 1 year post transplantation. In the STG, bacteriuria was assessed prior to stent removal, 6 weeks after stent removal, and thereafter until 1 year post transplantation. Results A total of 395 renal allograft recipients, 183 in the NSTG and 212 in the STG groups, were studied. The overall incidence of bacteriuria within 1 year post transplantation was similar between NSTG and STG (28.0 vs. 24.0%, P = 0.38). No difference was found in the incidence of bacteriuria when NSTG and STG were compared at 0–6 weeks or prior to stent removal (9.7% vs. 9.1%, P = 0.81), at 6–12 weeks, or 6 weeks after stent removal (6.7% vs. 5.8%, P = 0.75), and thereafter for 1 year post transplantation (13.3% vs. 10.8%, P = 0.46). The incidence of graft failure at 1 year was similar in NSTG and STG (6.2% vs. 4.9%, P = 0.6). Urinary anastomotic leakage occurred in none of the NSTG and 2 of the STG recipients. On multivariate analysis, risk factors for bacteriuria were female recipient gender (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–4.3, P = 0.001), delayed graft function (DGF) (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.8, P = 0.01), and postoperative Foley catheterization for >5 days (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.3–17.6, P = 0.02). Conclusion Independent risk factors for bacteriuria following kidney transplantation include DGF, prolonged postoperative Foley catheterization, and recipient female gender, but not placement of ureteral stents.
Multi-path interference reduction in passive NLTL RFID tags

We propose a multi-path interference reduction method of continuous wave (CW) passive RFID for indoor ranging applications by adopting nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) tags. Because the power and phase information are contained within the second harmonic (SH) rather than the fundamental frequency, interference and phase errors caused by direct reflections of interrogating signal can be greatly reduced. We present both theoretical predictions and simulations, followed by experimental results to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Motor Skills and Calibrated Autism Severity in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

In addition to the core characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), motor skill deficits are present, persistent, and pervasive across age. Although motor skill deficits have been indicated in young children with autism, they have not been included in the primary discussion of early intervention content. One hundred fifty-nine young children with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD (n = 110), PDD-NOS (n = 26), and non-ASD (n = 23) between the ages of 14–33 months participated in this study.1 The univariate general linear model tested the relationship of fine and gross motor skills and social communicative skills (using calibrated autism severity scores). Fine motor and gross motor skills significantly predicted calibrated autism severity (p < .05). Children with weaker motor skills have greater social communicative skill deficits. Future directions and the role of motor skills in early intervention are discussed.
Understanding Firm Value and Corporate Governance

An impressive volume of careful empirical studies finds evidence that the strength of firms’ corporate governance tends to be positively correlated with their financial performance; that is, firms that score higher on some measure of governance tend to outperform those which score worse. These findings are a puzzle insofar as we expect those who decide how a firm is organized, including its corporate governance, to do so in a manner that maximizes firm value subject to the relevant constraints. If the governance we observe is constrained optimal, then why, in equilibrium, should any correlation— positive or negative—exist between it and firm performance? This paper offers an answer. In doing so, the paper also makes predictions about the correlation between firm size and strength of governance, provides new explanations for the correlation between firm size and executive compensation, and provides insights into why empirical estimates of managerial incentives are often deemed too low.
SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE AND pH ON INACTIVATION OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS SPORES IN BUFFER AND MODEL FOOD SYSTEMS

The combined pressure-thermal-pH influence on inactivation of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 spores (1 × 108 cfu/mL initial count) in citrate-phosphate buffer was studied over a range of pressure (690 and 827 MPa), process temperature (60, 65, 70 and 75C), pH (3, 5 and 7) and pressure-holding time (up to 10 min) combinations. The influence of food matrix effect on spore inactivation was studied using tomato puree (pH 4.05) and minced crabmeat (pH 7.25) samples. All the experiments were conducted using a pilot-scale high-pressure food processor. Increase in process temperature, pressure and pressure-holding time increased spore inactivation. Further, the substrate pH and the food substrate also had a significant influence on the spore inactivation. The highest inactivation (≥7 log10 units) was obtained when the spores suspended in pH 3 buffer were processed at 827 MPa–75C for 5 min. Adjusting the product formulation by adjusting its pH can be used as an effective tool in enhancing spore lethality during high-pressure processing. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS High-pressure processing with or without the addition of heat has been used effectively as commercial food pasteurization method for a variety of value-added food products. The current study will help further the development of high-pressure processed high-acid or acidified food products.
PACS — Clinical Experience at UCLA

Implementation of picture archiving communication systems (PACS) at UCLA began with the evaluation of the systems in Pediatric Radiology, one of the 11 sections of the Department and the Coronary Care Unit, one of the 14 ICU's in the Hospital. We have now completed PACS development for all CT's and MR's which allows communication between a newly developed outpatient facility, the hospital, and the remote research facility in addition to Pediatric Radiology and the Coronary Care Unit. The following are some of the advantages of PACS from a clinical standpoint: (a) Conferences with clinicians have been more effective by spending more time on each case, but less total time for each conference; (b) Clinicians are satisfied with PACS at the remote site, but it is clear that the radiologists' interpretation must accompany the images; (c) PACS allows for the development of interactive teaching of the students; (d) PACS allows for a new method of radiology practice by analyzing the image and providing a more comprehensive, quantitative consultation, otherwise not possible with analog systems.
Is Selection Bias Inherent in Housing Transactions? An Equilibrium Approach

We develop an equilibrium model for residential housing transactions in an economy with houses that differ in their quality and households that differ in their planned holding horizon. We show that, in equilibrium, a clientele effect persists, with long-horizon buyers overwhelmingly choosing higher quality properties and short-horizon buyers settling for lower quality properties. This clientele effect creates a sample selection bias: the properties that are on the market are predominantly of lower quality. Since these are the preferred choice of short-horizon buyers, they demonstrate a faster turnover. Both the clientele effect and the selection bias are more pronounced with an increase in the variance of house quality and in the variance of the planned holding horizon. Our theoretical model supports empirical evidence on the existence of such bias in home price indices and explains it by the differences in ex ante holding horizons.
Information Literacy Skills Retention Over the First Professional Year of Pharmacy School

The authors aimed to determine if first-professional-year pharmacy students retain library literature search skills throughout the school year. Students (n = 61 consented) were given an identical seven-item quiz on basic library search skills prior to library instruction in the fall semester and at the end of the spring semester. There was no significant difference between median scores on the two quizzes, nor were any significant differences noted in subgroup analyses. Search competency may be retained to a higher degree if library instruction is moved later in the pharmacy curriculum when literature search skills are used more often.
Rapid changes in ultrastructure during deafferentation-induced dendritic atrophy.

This study describes qualitative and quantitative changes in dendritic ultrastructure during the rapid atrophy of nucleus laminaris (NL) dendrites following deafferentation. The dendrites of n. laminaris neurons in the chick auditory system are segregated into dorsal and ventral dendritic tufts, which receive spatially separated innervation from the ipsilateral and contralateral nucleus magnocellularis, respectively. We have previously shown that removing the input to the ventral side of NL results in the rapid atrophy of the ventral dendrites, whereas the nondeafferented dorsal dendrites of the same cells do not change in length. The ultrastructure of NL was examined in normal animals and after deafferentation. Changes in dendritic ultrastructure were not qualitatively apparent 4 hours after deafferentation. Between 12 and 48 hours the cytoplasm of the ventral dendrites became progressively more lucent, and a gap formed in the transition between the soma and ventral dendritic cytoplasm. Many of the dendrite tips, however, appeared normal even 2 days after deafferentation. Degeneration of dendrite plasma membrane was not visible until 2 days after deafferentation. On the other hand, quantitative measurements revealed a 30% decrease in microtubule density in the initial portion of the ventral dendrite by 4 hours, and a 50–60% decrease from 12 to 48 hours after deafferentation. Neurofilament density in the initial ventral dendrites decreased 50% by 12 hours, and 70% by 2 days after deafferentation. Many of the terminals of the severed afferents remained attached to the atrophying dendrite until 2 days after surgery, when they were in advanced stages of degeneration. Glia apparently were not involved in dendrite loss. The implications of these results on the role of cytoskeleton in the production and maintenance of dendritic shape are discussed.
Reciprocal interaction between TRAF6 and notch signaling regulates adult myofiber regeneration upon injury.

Skeletal muscle is a postmitotic tissue that repairs and regenerates through activation of a population of stem-cell-like satellite cells. However, signaling mechanisms governing adult skeletal muscle regeneration remain less understood. In the present study, we have investigated the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), an adaptor protein involved in receptor-mediated activation of multiple signaling pathways in regeneration of adult myofibers. Skeletal muscle-specific depletion of TRAF6 in mice (TRAF6mko) improved regeneration of myofibers upon injury with a concomitant increase in the number of satellite cells and activation of the Notch signaling pathway. Ex vivo cultures of TRAF6mko myofiber explants demonstrated an increase in the proliferative capacity of myofiber-associated satellite cells accompanied by an upregulation of Notch ligands. Deletion of TRAF6 also inhibited the activity of transcription factor NF-κB and the expression of inflammatory cytokines and augmented the M2c macrophage phenotype in injured muscle tissues. Collectively, our study demonstrates that specific inhibition of TRAF6 improves satellite cell activation and skeletal muscle regeneration through upregulation of Notch signaling and reducing the inflammatory repertoire.
Origin and Fate of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cells Coexpressing the Inhibitory NK Cell Receptor Ly49G2

CD8 + T cells that coexpress the inhibitory NK cell receptor, Ly49G2 (G2), are present in immunologically naive C57BL/6 mice but display Ags found on memory T cells. To assess how G2 + CD8 + cells relate to bona fide memory cells, we examined the origin and fate of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-induced G2 + CD8 + cells. During early (day 4) acute LCMV infection, both G2 + and G2 − CD8 + T cell subsets underwent an attrition in number and displayed an activation (CD69 high 1B11 high CD62L low ) phenotype. By day 8, both subsets synthesized IFN-γ in response to immunodominant LCMV peptides, though the expansion of G2 + cells was less than that of G2 − cells. Adoptive transfer experiments with purified G2 − or G2 + CD8 + cells from naive mice indicated that the LCMV-specific G2 + subset was derived from a pre-existing G2 + population and not generated from G2 − cells responding to LCMV infection. Their participation in the LCMV-specific T cell response increased with age, reflecting an increase in the size of the pre-existing G2 + pool. Following establishment of stable LCMV memory, the proportion of CD8 + cells coexpressing G2 was reduced in comparison to naive controls, presumably due to displacement by G2 − LCMV-specific memory cells. LCMV-specific G2 + cells were present in the memory pool, but at low frequencies, and they did not exhibit the typical phenotypic changes of reactivation during secondary challenge. We suggest that G2 + CD8 + cells represent a cell lineage distinct from bona fide memory T cells, but that they can participate in an acute virus-specific T cell response.
Effect of Oleate on Neurotransmitter Transport and Other Plasma Membrane Functions in Rat Brain Synaptosomes

The effects of fatty acids, oleate and palmitate, on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), aspartate, and 3,4- dihydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine) transport and a variety of other membrane functions were studied in rat brain synaptosomes at a constant lipid-to-protein ratio. Under the conditions utilized oleate, but not palmitate, caused statistically significant changes in synaptosomal functions. Oleic acid inhibited the uptake of the amino acid neurotransmitters and dopamine in a tetrodotoxin-insensitive manner; it also induced the release of neurotransmitters from synaptosomes. The synaptosomal membrane potential decreased and the maximum GABA accumulation ratio [( GABA]i/[GABA]o) declined in parallel. The same depolarizing effect was seen in the presence of 50 microM verapamil or when chloride was replaced by propionate. The rate of respiration was stimulated by the unsaturated fatty acid; neither verapamil (50 microM) nor ouabain (100 microM) was effective in preventing the increase in oxygen consumption. By contrast, ruthenium red substantially decreased the stimulatory effect of oleate. The intrasynaptosomal [Ca2+] was increased by 40%, whereas [Na+]i remained unaltered. It is postulated that under the conditions used the inhibition of neurotransmitter uptake and the decrease in their accumulation caused by oleate result from the depolarization of synaptosomes that arises, at least in part, from increased permeability of the plasma membrane to calcium ions.
Levator ani subtended volume: a novel parameter to evaluate levator ani muscle laxity in pelvic organ prolapse.

Objective We describe a new parameter based on magnetic resonance 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructions proposed to evaluate levator ani muscle (LAM) laxity in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Study Design This is an institutional review board–approved, retrospective chart review of 35 women with POP, stages I-IV. The 3D Slicer software package was used to perform 2-dimensional and 3D measurements and the levator ani subtended volume (LASV) was described. Basically, the LASV represents the volume contained by LAM between 2 planes, which coincides with pubococcygeal line and H line. Correlations among measurements, ordinal POP stages, POP Quantification (POPQ) individual measurements, and validated questionnaires were performed. Results The LASV differentiated major (III and IV) from minor (I and II) POPQ stages, which positively correlated to POP stages and POPQ individual measurements. Conclusion The LASV is a promising parameter to evaluate the LAM laxity.
Aberrant Systemic Arterial Supply to the Left Lung with Congestive Heart Failure

A six-month-old girl with an aberrant systemic arterial supply from the descending thoracic aorta to the left lower lobe had congestive heart failure. Although the pulmonary parenchyma was normal, there was an absence of normal pulmonary arterial supply to the left lower lobe. Main pulmonary arterial and aortic cineangiograms led to the correct diagnosis. Left lower lobectomy was performed and resulted in clinical and hemodynamic improvement.
Prevention and chemical dependence treatment needs of special target populations.

Abstract The prevention and treatment of HIV infection are particularly difficult in certain subpopulations unless consideration is given to their unique characteristics. These characteristics and the strategies to address them are considered with respect to adolescents, rural/low-incidence populations, gay and bisexual men, African-Americans, Latinos, women, and the mentally ill. Alcohol and other drug use must always be addressed in treatment and prevention efforts even if patients do not meet the full criteria for chemical dependence. Health care providers need to consider their own biases as well as the overt and covert messages they project in order to provide the best possible care to these subpopulations.
Localization accuracy of the clinical target volume during image-guided radiotherapy of lung cancer.

Purpose To evaluate the position and shape of the originally defined clinical target volume (CTV) over the treatment course, and to assess the impact of gross tumor volume (GTV)–based online computed tomography (CT) guidance on CTV localization accuracy. Methods and Materials Weekly breath-hold CT scans were acquired in 17 patients undergoing radiotherapy. Deformable registration was used to propagate the GTV and CTV from the first weekly CT image to all other weekly CT images. The on-treatment CT scans were registered rigidly to the planning CT scan based on the GTV location to simulate online guidance, and residual error in the CTV centroids and borders was calculated. Results The mean GTV after 5 weeks relative to volume at the beginning of treatment was 77% ± 20%, whereas for the prescribed CTV, it was 92% ± 10%. The mean absolute residual error magnitude in the CTV centroid position after a GTV-based localization was 2.9 ± 3.0 mm, and it varied from 0.3 to 20.0 mm over all patients. Residual error of the CTV centroid was associated with GTV regression and anisotropy of regression during treatment ( p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively; Spearman rank correlation). A residual error in CTV border position greater than 2 mm was present in 77% of patients and 50% of fractions. Among these fractions, residual error of the CTV borders was 3.5 ± 1.6 mm (left–right), 3.1 ± 0.9 mm (anterior–posterior), and 6.4 ± 7.5 mm (superior–inferior). Conclusions Online guidance based on the visible GTV produces substantial error in CTV localization, particularly for highly regressing tumors. The results of this study will be useful in designing margins for CTV localization or for developing new online CTV localization strategies.
Responsiveness of protein deficient monkeys to manipulative stimuli.

Objects never experienced before by 4 groups of monkeys were introduced into a free operant chain manipulation situation. The presence of the objects disrupted the manipulation response rates of 2 groups of animals differing in age and onset of a diet restricted in protein. Age controls receiving higher concentrations of protein in diets isocaloric with respect to the protein restricted diet, showed increased performance to these stimuli. The reinstatement of the chains alone condition resulted in a partial, but temporary recovery, of the manipulation response by low protein animals. This disruption in chain pulling behavior by malnourished monkeys may be similar to neophobic avoidance reactions previously observed in protein deprived monkeys.
Noise reduction for low-power broadband filtering

Supply voltage overscaling (VOS) has been studied recently for the design of low power finite impulse response (FIR) filters, where estimation-based noise reduction schemes are used for reducing the computational noise. When broadband filters are concerned, which are widely used in the scenario of high speed communication such as frequency-division multiplexed (FDM) systems, existing noise reduction schemes fail due to the relatively low dependency among broadband filter output samples. In this paper, a novel noise reduction scheme is proposed for broadband filters, which is the first implementation-independent scheme that can effectively reduce the noise due to both voltage overscaling and environmental fluctuations. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme achieves 7–27 dB performance gain while achieving 10.33%–51.74% power saving.
Genetic interactions of conserved regions in the DEAD-box protein Prp28p.

The yeast PRP28 g ene has been implicated in nuclear precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing, a two-step reaction involved in a multitude of RNA structural alterations. Prp28p, the gene product of PRP28 , is a member of the evolutionarily conserved DEAD-box proteins (DBPs). Members of DBPs are involved in a variety of RNA-related biochemical processes, presumably by their putative RNA helicase activities. Prp28p has been speculated to play a role in melting the duplex between U4 and U6 small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), leading to the formation of an active spliceosome. To study the function of Prp28p and its interactions with other components of the splicing machinery, we have isolated and characterized a large number of prp28 conditional mutants. Strikingly, many of these prp28 mutations are localized in the highly conserved motifs found in all the DBPs. Intragenic reversion analysis suggests that regions of motifs II, III and V, as well as of motifs I and IV, in Prp28p are likely to be in close proximity to each other. Our results thus provide the first hint of the local structural arrangement for Prp28p, and perhaps for other DBPs as well.
Implementing LDPC decoding on network-on-chip

Low-density parity check codes are a form of error correcting codes used in various wireless communication applications and in disk drives. While LDPC codes are desirable due to their ability to achieve near Shannon-limit communication channel capacity, the computational complexity of the decoder is a major concern. LDPC decoding consists of a series of iterative computations derived from a message-passing bipartite graph. In order to efficiently support the communication intensive nature of this application, we present a LDPC decoder architecture based on a network-on-chip communication fabric that provides a 1.2 Gbps decoded throughput rate for a 3/4 code rate, 1024-bit block LDPC code. The proposed architecture can be reconfigured to support other LDPC codes of different block sizes and code rates. We also propose two novel power-aware optimizations that reduce the power consumption by up to 30%.
Arthrographic demonstration of the subcoracoid bursa.

During a shoulder arthrogram, the subcoracoid bursa was entered directly and injected with contrast material. The radiographic appearance is correlated with previous anatomic studies. The diagnostic and technical implications are discussed.
Uniform approximation of time‐invariant non‐linear systems

An Erratum has been published for this article in International Journal of Circuit Theory and Applications 2004; 32(6):633. It is shown that the elements of a large class of time-invariant non-linear input–output maps can be uniformly approximated arbitrarily well, over infinite time intervals, using a certain structure that can be implemented in many ways using, for example, radial basis functions, polynomial functions, piecewise linear functions, sigmoids, or combinations of these functions. For the special case in which these functions are taken to be certain polynomial functions, the input–output map of our structure is a generalized finite Volterra series. Results are given for the case in which inputs and outputs are defined on ℝ. The case in which inputs and outputs are defined on the half-line ℝ+ is also addressed, and in both cases inputs need not be functions that are continuous. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ECTOPARASITES IN AN URBAN POPULATION OF BIG BROWN BATS (EPTESICUS FUSCUS) IN COLORADO

Ectoparasites of an urban population of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in Fort Collins, Colorado, were investigated during summers 2002, 2003, and 2004. Eleven species of ectoparasites were found (the macronyssid mite Steatonyssus occidentalis, the wing mite Spinturnix bakeri, the myobiid mites Acanthophthirius caudata and Pteracarus aculeus, the chirodiscid mite Alabidocarpus eptesicus, the demodicid mite Demodex sp., the chigger Leptotrombidium myotis, the soft tick Carios kelleyi, the batfly Basilia forcipata, the batbug Cimex pilosellus, and the flea Myodopsylla borealis). Five species were analyzed by prevalence and intensity (C. pilosellus, M. borealis, L. myotis, S. bakeri, and S. occidentalis) based on 2,161 counts of 1,702 marked individual bats over the 3 summer study periods. We investigated 4 factors potentially influencing prevalence and intensity: age class of the host, reproductive status of adult female hosts, roosts in which the hosts were found, and abiotic conditions during the year ...
Magneto-electric magnetic tunnel junction logic devices

Magneto-electrics (MEs) are rapidly emerging as a key technology for applications in various beyond-CMOS spin based device technologies [1]. As the focus on ME materials has sharpened in recent years, there has been growing interest in implementing different spintronic devices that can take advantage of the full promise of these materials. The magneto-electric magnetic tunnel junction (ME-MTJ) is a device based on MEs that shows great promise for future memory and logic applications. In this device, switching is achieved by reversing the magnetization of the so-called “free” Ferromagnet (FM) of a magnetic tunnel junction. Specifically, the magnetization reversal is induced by means of the voltage-control of magnetism provided by a proximal magneto-electric (ME) layer [2]. Voltage control minimizes power consumption by making use of exchange biasing between the antiferromagnetic magneto-electric (ME-AFM) layer and the free FM. This makes the ME-MTJ an extremely low power device. It is expected to operate with a supply of +/− 0.1–0.2 V. The voltage-driven switching scheme of figure 1 introduces three-terminal transistor functionality to the MTJ, a device that has traditionally been restricted to two-terminal operation. The innovative feature of this device therefore derives from the control of the magnetic state of the free electrode by means of the exchange bias produced by the ME's boundary magnetization. Boundary magnetization at the ME-AFM layer interface has the inherent property of non-volatility [3]. This makes ME-MTJs attractive for memory applications.
Chronic Pain in Geriatric Patients

Acute pain is triggered by injury or illness and generally subsides within weeks, while chronic pain lasts for a prolonged period that follows initial onset and often is defined as lasting 3 months or more. In cross-sectional surveys of a geriatric population, over 50 % the reported chronic pain and of patients with pain, almost 30 % received no analgesics regularly. Thus, it is clear that pain in older patients is both common and undertreated.
The demiclosedness principle for mean nonexpansive mappings

Abstract In this paper, we establish the demiclosedness principle for the class of mean nonexpansive mappings, introduced in 2007 by Goebel and Japon Pineda, defined on closed, convex subsets of Banach spaces satisfying Opial's condition. We also establish the demiclosedness principle for a subclass of the mean nonexpansive maps whose domains are closed, bounded, convex sets in uniformly convex spaces. These results extend known demiclosedness results for nonexpansive maps and lead to some fixed point results for mean nonexpansive maps which partially answer an open question posed by Goebel and Japon Pineda.
Physiological Observations upon Larval Eustrongylides. IX. Influence of Oxygen Lack upon Survival and Glycogen Consumption

SummarySome specimens of larval Eustrongylides ignotus could be maintained for 4 years in vitro. The worms survived for long periods in media showing a pronounced partial lack of oxygen, but they did not tolerate complete absence of oxygen for very long periods. Anaerobically kept worms seemed not to feed but they consumed from their body reserve about three times as much glycogen as worms starving under aerobic conditions.
Epilepsy and Hippocampal Injury

The relationship between hippocampal cell loss and mossy fiber sprouting (MFS), and the occurrence of spontaneous seizures (epilepsy) following early-life status epilepticus was investigated in laboratory studies at the Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.