cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Reverse Ecology Approach Based on a Biological Definition of Microbial Populations

Delineating ecologically meaningful populations among microbes is important for identifying their roles in environmental and host-associated microbiomes. Here, we introduce a metric of recent gene flow, which when applied to co-existing microbes, identifies congruent genetic and ecological units separated by strong gene flow discontinuities from their next of kin. We then develop a pipeline to identify genome regions within these units that show differential adaptation and allow mapping of populations onto environmental variables or host associations. Using this reverse ecology approach, we show that the human commensal bacterium Ruminococcus gnavus breaks up into sharply delineated populations that show different associations with health and disease. Defining populations by recent gene flow in this way will facilitate the analysis of bacterial and archaeal genomes using ecological and evolutionary theory developed for plants and animals, thus allowing for testing unifying principles across all biology.
The Intermucosal Connection between the Mouth and Gut in Commensal Pathobiont-Driven Colitis.

The precise mechanism by which oral infection contributes to the pathogenesis of extra-oral diseases remains unclear. Here, we report that periodontal inflammation exacerbates gut inflammation in vivo. Periodontitis leads to expansion of oral pathobionts, including Klebsiella and Enterobacter species, in the oral cavity. Amassed oral pathobionts are ingested and translocate to the gut, where they activate the inflammasome in colonic mononuclear phagocytes, triggering inflammation. In parallel, periodontitis results in generation of oral pathobiont-reactive Th17 cells in the oral cavity. Oral pathobiont-reactive Th17 cells are imprinted with gut tropism and migrate to the inflamed gut. When in the gut, Th17 cells of oral origin can be activated by translocated oral pathobionts and cause development of colitis, but they are not activated by gut-resident microbes. Thus, oral inflammation, such as periodontitis, exacerbates gut inflammation by supplying the gut with both colitogenic pathobionts and pathogenic T cells.
Two-Parameter Deformation of the Poincaré Algebra

We examine a two-parameter (ℏ,λ) deformation of the Poincare algebra which is covariant under the action of SLq(2,C). When λ → 0 it yields the Poincare algebra, while in the ℏ → 0 limit we recover the classical quadratic algebra discussed previously in Refs. 1 and 2. The analogues of the Pauli–Lubanski vector w and Casimirs p2 and w2 are found and a set of mutually commuting operators is constructed.
Interplay between Gating and Block of Ligand-Gated Ion Channels

Drugs that inhibit ion channel function by binding in the channel and preventing current flow, known as channel blockers, can be used as powerful tools for analysis of channel properties. Channel blockers are used to probe both the sophisticated structure and basic biophysical properties of ion channels. Gating, the mechanism that controls the opening and closing of ion channels, can be profoundly influenced by channel blocking drugs. Channel block and gating are reciprocally connected; gating controls access of channel blockers to their binding sites, and channel-blocking drugs can have profound and diverse effects on the rates of gating transitions and on the stability of channel open and closed states. This review synthesizes knowledge of the inherent intertwining of block and gating of excitatory ligand-gated ion channels, with a focus on the utility of channel blockers as analytic probes of ionotropic glutamate receptor channel function.
Relationship of the Esophageal Microbiome and Tissue Gene Expression and Links to the Oral Microbiome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction Although the microbiome is altered in various esophageal diseases, there is no direct evidence for a link between the oral or esophageal microbiome and underlying esophageal tissue. Here, we aimed to address these gaps through use of an antimicrobial mouth rinse to modify the esophageal microbiome and tissue gene expression. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, patients scheduled to undergo endoscopy for clinical indications used chlorhexidine mouth rinse or no treatment for 2 weeks before endoscopy. Oral swabs and saliva were collected at baseline and at follow-up, and the esophagus was sampled on the day of endoscopy. The microbiome was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and esophageal tissue gene expression was ascertained by RNA-Seq. Results Twenty subjects were enrolled and included in the analyses. Within individuals, the oral and esophageal microbiome composition was significantly correlated. Chlorhexidine treatment associated with significant alterations to the relative abundance of several esophageal bacterial taxa, and to expression of genes in the esophagus including reductions in periostin, claudin-18, chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL13, and several members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. A taxon in genus Haemophilus in the esophagus also associated with significant changes in tissue gene expression. Discussion The oral and esophageal microbiomes are closely related within individuals, and esophageal microbiome alterations correlate with tissue gene expression changes. The esophageal microbiome may act as an important cofactor that influences pathogenesis and outcomes of diseases such as eosinophilic esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux, and Barrett's esophagus.
Liquidity, investment ability, and mutual fund structure

Abstract We develop a model of the mutual fund industry in which the management fees and loads charged by actively managed open-end funds and average fund returns are determined endogenously in a competitive market setting. It is shown that heterogeneity in managerial skills at investing and minimizing costs, and the existence of investor clienteles with differing liquidity and marketing needs, gives rise to a variety of open-end fund structures that differ in the average return delivered to investors. Managers choose a fund's structure to maximize the rents they capture from their ability, taking into account the effect on investor flows. In equilibrium, funds that constrain liquidity withdrawals may have to charge lower fees and share some profits in the form of higher investor returns, when there is relative scarcity of investors with low liquidity needs.
A notion of rank for noncommutative quadratic forms on four generators

In this paper, we extend work from [M. Vancliff and P. P. Veerapen, Generalizing the notion of rank to noncommutative quadratic forms, in Noncommutative Birational Geometry, Representations and Com...
Economic and ecological aspects in the ecological agriculture

The ecological agriculture as a underlying activity supporting bio production, contributing to the landscape management, to people and animals welfare and healthy represents very specific activity, limited by the legislative, possibilities act. It is necessary to try to resolve, actual situations on local, region, state and interstate lines; as well on producers, processors and trade. Marketing must cover all these ranges and relations namely in the conditions: more expensive actions, more information, more knowledge, including economic effects as a task with effect problem solving. The main problem in our economy is, the subvency future aimed rather neither at the product support or the rural development and landscape ecology. The economic disposes of some marketing activity and the marketing activities can influence the state, region and farm’s business results. The ecological agriculture is having quite special problems. Some of them are discussed in this contribution.
Functional Outcomes of Bladder Reconstruction Secondary to Trauma and Ureteral Injury

Injury to the ureter and bladder are relatively rare occurrences and provoke significant diagnostic dilemmas. Etiologies include external trauma, such as automobile accidents or gunshot wounds, and iatrogenic injuries during pelvic surgery or endoscopy. When lower urinary tract injury goes unrecognized, presenting symptoms can be vague and often delay diagnosis. Such delays may result in prolonged hospital stays and deterioration of renal function and have significant impact on a patient’s quality of life. Reconstruction of these injuries can be challenging depending on the mechanism and location of injury. Overall functional outcomes of reconstruction for ureteral or bladder injuries is excellent, but there is limited data on post-operative voiding function. One unique injury worth mentioning is mesh erosion into the genitourinary tract where patients may have persistent lower urinary tract symptoms after reconstruction.
Healing the Incest Wound: Adult Survivors in Therapy (2nd ed.) by Courtois, C.

As with the first edition of Healing the Incest Wound, this newest edition is an essential read for clinicians working with or interested in learning more about working with adult survivors of chil...
Increased mRNA for corticotrophin releasing hormone in the amygdala of Fawn‐hooded rats: A potential animal model of anxiety

Compared to the outbred Wistar rat strain, the Fawn-hooded rat strain has several characteristics which suggest that the Fawn-hooded strain is hyperaroused. Fawn-hooded rats exhibit more freezing behavior in response to stress, have an increased preference for alcohol, develop adult onset hypertension, and have elevated urinary catecholamine levels. We used quantitative in situ hybridization to investigate central components of the corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), arginine vasopressin (AVP) and noradrenergic stress response and arousal systems in these rats. We also measured basal corticosterone levels and adrenal weights to assess tonic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Compared to Wistar rats, Fawn-hooded rats had significantly increased CRH mRNA in the central nucleus of the amygdala and reduced CRH mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Fawn-hooded rats also had reduced AVP mRNA expression in the parvocellular cells of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. There were no differences between strains in glucocorticoid receptor mRNA in the hippocampus or the paraventricular nucleus or in mineralocorticoid receptor mRNA in the hippocampus. There was also no difference between strains in tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA in the locus ceruleus. Finally, adrenal weights were significantly reduced in the Fawn-hooded rats while basal corticosterone levels were similar in the two strains, which suggests central hypoactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in Fawn-hooded rats compared to Wistar rats. Increased CRH mRNA in the central nucleus of the amygdala and reduced tonic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity may play a role in the unique behavioral and physiological characteristics of Fawn-hooded rats. Anxiety 1:251–257 (1994/1995). © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.1
Ribitol biosynthesis in the free-living nematode, tUrbatrix aceti: II. Biosynthetic pathway

Abstract 1. 1. d -Ribulose is reduced to ribitol by a TPNH-dependent cytoplasmic enzyme present in homogenates of Turbatrix aceti. Presumably, this reaction accounts for the ribitol produced by the organism. 2. 2. d -xylulose and l -xylulose are also reduced with both DPNH and TPNH. However, no xylitol is produced so that the function of the d - and l -xylulose reductases is not known. 3. 3. The three TPNH activities show the same pH optima, and a similar Chromatographie behaviour on Sephadex G-200. 4. 4. All of the ketopentose reductase activities appear to be present in Panagrellus redivivus and Caenorhabditis briggsae, though with generally lower and different relative activities. Of these two organisms, only the former excreted ribitol.
Stochastic and Deterministic Decision in Cell Fate

From bacteria to mammals, individual cells from an isogenic population are able to assume roles resulting in phenotypic heterogeneity. The mechanisms used to make these cell fate decisions range from highly deterministic to essentially random. This wide range of behaviour springs from the interplay of intracellular molecular kinetics, the topologies of underlying gene regulator networks, epigenetic control mechanisms and cell–environment interactions. Cells utilise these factors to implement differentiation strategies such as developmental rigidity, which ensures the development of key structures in multicellular organisms, and bet hedging, the introduction of nongenetic variability to promote population fitness. Because decision-making genes in natural systems are integrated with myriad other pathways, they can be difficult to study on their own. Synthetic biology offers a means to study cell differentiation in vivo in a manner separated from normal cellular functions. Key Concepts: Gene expression is an inherently stochastic process. Despite stochastic gene expression, differentiation can proceed deterministically. Other cell fate decisions are random due to stochastic gene expression. Gene network topologies are employed to attenuate or increase the effects of noise. The field of synthetic biology is uniquely suited for exploring the complex interactions that inform cell decisions. Keywords: bet hedging; diversification; heterogeneity; motif; stochasticity; deterministic; cell fate; gene network; noise
The chronic toxicity of technical and analytical pentachlorophenol in cattle. II. Chemical analyses of tissues.

Abstract The toxicopathological effects of technical (t) and analytical (a) grade pentachlorophenol (PCP) were compared in female yearling Holstein cattle. Four groups of three calves each were exposed for 160 days to aPCP, tPCP, or a mixture thereof in the feed. A fifth group of three animals served as unexposed controls. All treated cattle received the same amount of PCP; 20 mg/kg/day for 42 days followed by 15 mg/kg/day for the remainder of the study. The four doses fed were 100% aPCP, 10% tPCP + 90% aPCP, 35% tPCP + 65% aPCP, and 100% tPCP. At the end of the study, samples of liver and adipose tissue were analyzed for chlorinated dibenzodioxin and furan content, and blood was assayed for PCP and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Analyses indicated increases in the dioxin and furan concentrations of liver and adipose tissue which were correlated with the concentration of tPCP in the diet. The liver contained markedly higher dioxin levels than the adipose tissue. Blood HCB levels also increased as the dose of tPCP increased, while blood PCP levels were lowest in the cows fed the highest tPCP dose.
The Effects of Financial Aid Amounts on Academic Performance

Much research has been done investigating the impact of various forms of financial aid on college entry, eventual college graduation, and future earnings, yet little if any literature has explored the possibility of the presence of unintended academic outcomes—both positive or negative. This study looks to focus on one specific possible externality—financial aid’s impact on academic performance. This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol16/iss1/10
Further delay moment results for FIFO multiserver queues

Using a new family of service disciplines, we provide weaker sufficient conditions for finite stationary delay moments in FIFO multiserver queues. This extends the work in Sigman and Scheller-Wolf l6r to {GI}/{GI}/s queues with r = E[S]/E[T] s-1 are the familiar Kiefer and Wolfowitz conditions actually known to be necessary. For the case when r< 1, we provide sufficient conditions for finite mean stationary delay, expressed as a function of the number of servers in the system. The limit of these conditions as s→∞ is the requirement that E[S] < ∞, which is the condition for finite mean stationary delay in a FIFO {GI}/{GI}/∞ queue. Both of these results highlight the interplay between traffic intensity and service time distribution in determining the behavior of delay moments in multiserver queues.
Gravitational collapse and the formation of the solar nebula.

Most theories of the origin of the solar system begin by assuming that, at the time of its formation or shortly afterwards, the Sun somehow acquired a disc-like ‘solar nebula’ in which the planets later formed by accretion. The presently available gravitational collapse calculations, while not yet sufficiently sophisticated to delineate in detail the processes involved, at least support the plausibility of this idea and suggest that the solar nebula may have formed by the accretion or capture of leftover proto-stellar material into orbit around the early Sun. Infall of matter into the disc probably continued for roughly 105 to 106 yr, and may have produced transient strong heating effects through the thermalization of the infall energy in shock fronts. It seems likely that the satellite systems formed in a basically similar way through the capture of residual solid matter into orbit around the planets.
Associative memory designs for VLSI implementation

The author proposes systolic architectures for associative memories, resulting in systems whose performance parameters are realistically independent of size for long sequences of operations with proper optimization of instruction sequencing. The designs are based on well-known principles of pipelining and systolic operation using a collection of small building-block associative memories. Several alternative organizations, from a simple linear array to higher dimensional meshes and trees, are examined and evaluated with respect to cost and performance. The proposed architectures should lead to practical VLSI realizations of large associative memories, which would be impossible to implement under the 'operand-broadcasting' and 'reduction-by-wired-logic' paradigms. >
Design Features Of The Space Telescope

The aperture for NASA's Space Telescope will be 2.4 meters. Although its form is conventional from an optical standpoint, it has substantial extensions of the state of the art, including provision for perfecting the optical figure of the primary mirror after it is placed in orbit, unique structural design and materials which render it immune to the severe thermal environment of space, and a pointing system which will control the direction of its line of sight to +0.007 arc-second (the head of a pin at 25 miles) for periods up to 10 hours. It will carry four or five science instruments at any one time, including cameras, spectrographs and photometers, all of which utilize electro-optical sensors, often operating in a photo-counting mode. Observational information will be transmitted to ground on a "near-real-time" basis through a data relay system which incorporates synchronous satellites and multiple ground stations. About 30 minutes of data will be available per orbit at a data rate of one megabit per second. There will be two on-board computers -- one to operate the science instruments and the other to operate the telescope. Command data is transmitted from the ground and engineering data transmitted back at a 50 kilobit per second data rate.
Predictors of short-term smoking cessation among Korean American men.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine which demographic, smoking behavior, and theoretical variables of theory of planned behavior would predict smoking cessation attempts among Korean American men. Design: This is a longitudinal study and data collection was conducted at baseline and 1-month follow-up. Sample: At baseline, 118 Korean adult male smokers were recruited into the study and of these, 93 participated at follow-up. Measures: Study questionnaires consisted of demographic data, smoking behavior, and theoretical variables. Analysis: A multiple regression analysis was performed to identify correlates of behavioral intentions to quit smoking at baseline and binary logistic regression analysis for predictors of actual quitting behavior at follow-up. Results: Among smoking behavior variables, past-year quit attempts and average number of cigarettes smoked per day explained 15% of the variance in behavioral intentions to quit smoking ( p<.0001). Two theoretical variables attitudes and perceived family social norms increased the explanatory power by 22% ( p<.0001) with an overall of 37%. Religion and perceived family social norms had about 32% predictive power over actual quitting behavior ( p<.0001). Conclusions: Any smoking cessation programs planned for Korean American men consider encouraging family members to affirm antismoking messages to this ethnic subgroup.
Electrolyte Disturbances in Foals with Severe Rhabdomyolysis

Marked electrolyte abnormalities characterized by profound hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia were noted in 4 neonatal foals with acute rhabdomyolysis and pigmenturia. In 2 foals, rhabdomyolysis developed 4-6 days after admission for dysmaturity, and in 2 foals, rhabdomyolysis was evident on presentation. Rhabdomyolysis was a consequence of selenium deficiency with or without vitamin E deficiency, possibly combined with increased oxidant stress due to sepsis or hypoxia and reperfusion injury after parturition. Foals gained from 7 to 15% of their initial body weight within 48 hours of developing rhabdomyolysis. Three of the foals developed cardiac arrhythmias characterized by spiked T waves and decreased-amplitude P waves. Postmortem examination of 2 foals revealed extensive myodegeneration and renal tubular nephrosis; renal cortical necrosis with myocardial necrosis was noted in 1 foal. Destruction of the major intracellular compartment (intracellular fluid [ICF]) through extensive myonecrosis combined, in some cases, with myoglobinuric renal insufficiency produced major fluid shifts and life-threatening electrolyte derangements. With the major ICF compartment disrupted, hyperkalemia was most effectively treated using mineralocorticoids, loop diuretics, and ion exchange resins to enhance elimination. In addition, i.v. calcium, glucose, insulin, and sodium bicarbonate were administered, which helped redistribute potassium to the ICF. Severe rhabdomyolysis should be included in the differential diagnoses of hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia in neonatal foals.
Pivots or pistons

Transmembrane receptors monitor the extracellular environment and transmit information about changes in specific ligand concentration to the cytoplasm. It is not clear how the message gets across the cell membrane, but one proposal is that ligand binding induces a transmembrane conformational change in the receptor. Writing in Science late last year, members of Kim and Koshland's laboratories reported the determination of the three-dimensional structure of the extracellular domain of Tar, the bacterial aspartate receptor, with and without bound ligand, the hope being that the structures would provide a clear image of the conformational changes involved in signalling. Unfortunately, however, the picture remains blurred.
Metabolism of specifically labelled glucose in adipose tissue from alloxan-diabetic rats.

SummaryEpididymal adipose tissue from normal and alloxan-diabetic rats was incubated in vitro with glucose-1-C14 and glucose-6-C14. Recovery of labelled carbon in fatty acids showed a marked depression in tissues from diabetic animals, but the ratio of C-1/C-6 in fatty acids showed no change, suggesting a proportional depression of both the glycolytic and phosphogluconate oxidation pathways. These data supplement previous observations that in the presence of insulin both pathways are equally stimulated.
Synthesis of the North 1 Unit of the Cephalostatin Family from Hecogenin Acetate1

Hecogenin acetate (1) was converted to North 1 azidoketone 5 involving several key transformations: (1) conversion of cyclic sulfate 33b to allylic alcohol 40 via Reich iodoso olefination; (2) E-ring annulation via intermolecular oxygen alkylation of highly functionalized secondary alcohol 40 using rhodium-catalyzed decomposition of an α-diazophosphonoacetate to provide α-alkoxyphosphonoacetate 52, with subsequent intramolecular Wadsworth−Emmons reaction to provide alkoxydihydrofuran 53; and (3) establishment of the C20 stereochemistry by chromium(II) reduction of tertiary bromide 86 to a 9:1 mixture of diastereomeric spiroketals 90α/90β, separated as silyl ethers 91α/91β. Conversion of 91α to α-azidoketone 5 was uneventful.
Control flow optimization for supercomputer scalar processing

Control intensive scalar programs pose a very different challenge to highly pipelined supercomputers than vectorizable numeric applications. Function call/return and branch instructions disrupt the flow of instructions through the pipeline, degrading the utilization of the pipelined datapaths. This paper describes control flow optimization for scalar processing using an optimizing compiler. To obtain program control flow information, a system independent profiler has been integrated into the IMPACT-I C compiler. The control flow information obtained is converted into a weighted control graph. Based on the weighted control graph, function inline expansion, multi-way branch layout, and software branch prediction can be implemented. Using better compiler technology results in a very low cost hardware control unit (architecture) for high performance scalar processors.
The great escape - AIDS viruses and immune control.

Many studies have been designed to address the role of CTL immune escape in HIV-1 infection, but have not given conclusive answers. Now, an elegant longitudinal analysis clearly demonstrates that progression to disease in SIV-infected macaques is associated with evasion of the CTL response (pages 1270–1276 ).
Polyglutamine-containing aggregates in neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease

of NIID may be caused by a CAG repeat expansion in an unknown gene leading to the intranuclear aggregation of polyglutamine containing proteins. Possible genetic heterogeneity within this phenotype is suggested by the fact that intranuclear inclusions in four other cases of NIID were 1C2 negative (data not shown). Alternatively, this finding may reflect the difficulty of staining inclusions with 1C2 even after vigorous antigen retrieval. Identification of the underlying genetic mutation will resolve this issue, and may provide further insight into the mechanism of neurodegeneration in this disorder.
Statistical analysis of fuzzy-set data from neuronal networks

In this study, we describe the process of transforming neuron polarization values that meet the assumptions of ratio data into ordinal data. This is a crisp-to-fuzzy set transformation. A computerized simulation of the application of this process is discussed and nonparametric methods of analyzing fuzzy-set data are presented.
Conformation of Tax-response elements in the human T-cell leukemia virus type I promoter.

Abstract Background: HTLV I Tax is believed to activate viral gene expression by binding bZIP proteins (such as CRIB) and increasing their affinities for proviral THE target sites. Each 21 by THE target site contains an imperfect copy of the intrinsically bent CRE target site (the TRE core) surrounded by highly conserved flanking sequences. These flanking sequences are essential for maximal increases in DNA affinity and transactivation, but they are not, apparently, contacted by protein. Here we employ non-denaturing gel electrophoresis to evaluate TRE conformation in the presence and absence of bZIP proteins, and to explore the role of DNA conformation in viral transactivation. Results: Our results show that the TRE-1 flanking sequences modulate the structure and modestly increase the affinity of a CREB bZIP peptide for the TRE-1 core recognition sequence. These flanking sequences are also essential for a maximal increase in stability of the CREB-DNA complex in the presence of Tax. Conclusions: The CRE-like TRE core and the TRE flanking sequences are both essential for formation of stable CRIB-TRE-1 and Tax-CREB-TRE-1 complexes. These two DNA segments may have co-evolved into a unique structure capable of recognizing Tax and a bZIP protein.
Early Targets of Nuclear RNP Humoral Autoimmunity in Human Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease of complex and incompletely understood etiology (reviewed in (1, 2)). Antibodies against the nRNP complex are found in sera from 21-47% of SLE patients, and antibodies against the Smith antigen (Sm) are found in sera from approximately 5-30% of SLE patients (3-5). The components of the nRNP complex, nRNP 70K, nRNP A, and nRNP C, may each be targeted by antibodies. In contrast to Sm autoantibodies, which are almost exclusively found in SLE patient sera, nRNP autoantibodies are often detected in patients with other autoimmune disorders, including mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), Raynaud's phenomenon and scleroderma. nRNP 70K antibodies are normally associated with MCTD, while antibodies against the other subunits are more common in SLE (6, 7). Despite considerable effort, the development of anti-nRNP antibodies in human SLE is inadequately understood. Studies in murine models implicate both nRNP A and nRNP 70K in the initiation of nRNP antibodies (8, 9). A study investigating the order of nRNP antibody development in human rheumatic disease shows that nRNP 70 K antibodies appear first (10). However, this study includes both SLE patients and other individuals with nRNP antibodies, possibly obscuring the primary pathway in SLE. Epitopes of nRNP proteins targeted in an established autoimmune response are mapped (11-22), but the key initial epitopes, which herald the onset of the loss of tolerance, have not been investigated or identified in detail. The understanding of the human SLE-specific pattern of nRNP antibody development is therefore still far from complete. More is known about the initial humoral immune response to Sm B′ in SLE patients. Sm B′ antibodies initially target the amino acid sequence PPPGMRPP (23-25), and then diversify first to a repeated, proline-rich region and eventually targeting a variety of autoantigens in a process termed epitope spreading (26-28). The close physical proximity and regions of similar amino acid sequences of Sm and nRNP proteins, as well as the temporal linkage of antibody appearance to these proteins, suggest that autoantibodies to nRNP and Sm B′ may have common originating events in select subsets of SLE patients. Serial serum samples from SLE patients who had at least one sample that was negative for nRNP autoimmunity and a later sample in which nRNP antibodies were present provided a unique opportunity to examine the initiation and development of nRNP antibodies. The experiments evaluate the hypotheses that nRNP humoral autoimmunity in SLE begins with a limited number of epitopes, that this response diversifies over time, and that the development of nRNP and Sm humoral autoimmunity are intertwined in a subset of individuals.
A theoretical study of complex formation, isotope effects, and energy partitioning in the O(1D) + H2 (D2, HD) reaction

This paper presents a detailed study of the O(/sup 1/D) + H/sub 2/ ..-->.. OH + H reaction, with an emphasis on how isotope effects probe the mechanism of complex formation and product-state energy partitioning. Most of the results were generated by using quasi-classical trajectories, but the authors also include comparisons using microcanonical statistical theory, phase space theory, and the adiabatic capture/infinite order sudden approximation model. Most of the calculations have used either the recent potential surface of Murrell and Carter (MC) or the one developed by Schinke and Lester (SL). The most important results concern the intramolecular isotope ratio for O + HD, where the authors find that the OD/OH ratio depends strongly on potential surface, with a value of about 1.1 on the MC surface and 1.8 on the SL surfaces. A detailed analysis of the reaction mechanism is performed, and the authors find that the MC isotope ratio is determined by a combination of (1) long-range potential orientation effects that favor collisions at collinear OHD and ODH geometries and (2) formation of a loose complex in which the first-formed bond becomes the product diatomic. The authors have also studied product vibrational and rotational distributions for all fourmore » isotopic reactions. A simple kinematic model is developed for the rotational distributions which indicates that these distributions arise from repulsion between the two hydrogen atoms when the H/sub 2/O complex breaks up.« less
Sigma subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase loses contacts with the 3' end of the nascent RNA after synthesis of a tetranucleotide.

Abstract We have used photocrosslinking to analyze the contacts between the 3′ end of the RNA and Escherichia coli RNA polymerase during the early steps of RNA synthesis using the nucleotide analog 8-azido-ATP (8-N3-ATP). The crosslinking group on 8-N3-ATP contacts the β, β' and σ subunits when the analog is bound to the holoenzyme. We show here that 8-N3-ATP is a substrate for E. coli RNA polymerase and acts as an RNA chain terminator when incorporated into the 3′ end of nascent RNA. 8-N3-AMP was incorporated uniquely at the 3′ end of tri-, tetra- and pentanucleotides synthesized from a poly[d(A-T)] template and at the 3′ end of pentanucleotides from two promoters (λ PSpr′ and E. coli rrnB P1). The oligonucleotides were covalently attached to the RNA polymerase by irradiation of transcription complexes with ultraviolet light. All RNAs labeled the β and β' subunits, but σ was contacted only by the trinucleotide and tetranucleotide on poly[d(A-T)]. Sigma is still present in transcription complexes containing the pentanucleotide on poly[d(A-T)], despite the lack of labeling. Neither pentanucleotide from the authentic promoters contacted σ. We conclude that as holoenzyme moves downstream, either two separate conformational changes occur, after synthesis of the trinucleotide and tetranucleotide, which result in movement of σ away from the nucleotide binding site or, alternatively, σ remains fixed relative to the DNA while the domain on core polymerase forming the nucleotide binding site moves downstream.
The role of intracellular calcium in antimony-induced toxicity in cultured cardiac myocytes.

Abstract Trivalent antimony, delivered as potassium antimonyl tartrate (PAT), has been previously shown to induce an oxidative stress and toxicity in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. The present study investigates the effect of PAT on intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i), which has been implicated in the toxicity of agents inducing oxidative stress, and explores its role in PAT toxicity. Exposure to 50 or 200 μ m PAT led to progressive elevation in diastolic or resting [Ca2+]iand eventually a complete loss of [Ca2+]itransients that occurred well before cell death as assessed by LDH release. Prior loading of myocytes with the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA (10 to 40 μ m ), protected against PAT toxicity in the presence and absence of extracellular calcium, and demonstrated a crucial role for [Ca2+]iin PAT toxicity. Exposure to 200 μ m PAT in the absence of extracellular calcium slightly elevated [Ca2+]i, but only to levels comparable to resting [Ca2+]ifor cells in 1.8 m m extracellular calcium. This demonstrated that although PAT toxicity was dependent on [Ca2+]i, a large increase above resting levels was not needed, and also that some calcium was mobilized from intracellular stores. However, the caffeine-releasable pool of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium was increased, not depleted, by exposure to 200 μ m PAT. These results demonstrate that PAT disrupts [Ca2+]ihandling and support a role for a calcium-dependent event, but do not support the necessity of events in PAT-induced cell death that are mediated by a large elevation in [Ca2+]i.
Mortality of Smelt, Osmerus Mordax (Mitchill), in Lakes Huron and Michigan during the fall and Winter of 1942–1943

Abstract The mortality that nearly exterminated the huge stocks of smelt in Lakes Huron and Michigan during the fall and winter of 1942–1943 appears to have originated in central Lake Huron in the Saginaw Bay area in late September or early October 1942. The mortality spread rapidly northward reaching the Drummond Island area about the latter part of October and the St. Ignace region of the Straits of Mackinac near the end of the month. In the latter part of October smelt died also in the Canadian waters of Lake Huron including North Channel and Georgian Bay but exact details as to time and course are lacking. There is some evidence that the epidemic had not reached the Ontario shore of central Lake Huron by late May 1943. Spreading through northern Lake Michigan the mortality had penetrated as far south as Grand Traverse Bay by November 19 and as far west as Point Aux Barques, Michigan, by November 26, 1942. Smelt were reported to be dying in Lake Charlevoix, Michigan, in early February 1943, and in Gree...
Assay for recombinant and native human intraacrosomal antigen SP-10

PROBLEM: To develop a method to measure a recombinant sperm protein, SP-10, during scale up and purification for a contraceptive vaccine formulation. METHOD: A quantitative assay method for the human intraacrosomal protein SP-10 was developed utilizing the format of indirect capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A SP-10 specific monoclonal antibody mAb, MHS-10, was used as the capture antibody. Two recognition reagents, a rabbit polyclonal anti-SP-10 antisera (pAb) and a biotin-labeled mAb, MHS-10, were used as the recognition antibodies, respectively. A SP-10 recombinant fusion protein consisting of 125 SP-10 amino acids linked to glutathione transferase was used as a working SP-10 standard. The coefficient of variance for the assay system using the rabbit pAb was in the range of 0.099 to 0.157, and for the assay system using the biotinylated mAb MHS-10 was in the range of 0.081 to 0.084. RESULTS: Employing biotinylated MHS-10 as the recognition antibody, it was found that the native SP-10 molecule had more than one MHS-10 epitope. The concentration of SP-10 in a pool of human sperm extracts was found to be approximately 1% of the total proteins, assayed by both of the recognition antibody systems. CONCLUSIONS: The assay system described is useful to monitor the yield of recombinant SP-10 during scale-up production of the SP-10 vaccine.
The Kac formula for the N = 1 and the N = 2 super-conformal algebras

The method of Thorn which uses the operator formalism of string theories is generalized to calculate the Kac formula for the N = 1 and N = 2 super-conformal algebras. The same formula as Kac is obtained for the N = 1 case and for the N = 2 case a new result is found.
A rapid semiquantitative assay that facilitates purification of endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase H from Streptomyces plicatus

Abstract A simple procedure for the detection of endo-β- N -acetylglucosaminidase H activity is described. The method utilizes N -[ 14 C]methylribonuclease B as substrate. This is prepared from ribonuclease B by reductive alkylation of free amine groups in the protein with [ 14 C]formaldehyde. Because the carbohydrate moiety of ribonuclease B has α-mannosyl residues at nonreducing terminal positions, the radioactive molecule binds to Sepharose-concanavalin A. Endo-β- N -acetylglucosaminidase action releases this mannose-containing oligosaccharide by splitting the di- N -acetylchitobiosyl residue that links it with the peptide and thereby renders the radioactive portion of the molecule unreactive with Sepharose-concanavalin A. This forms the basis of a convenient assay for screening column fractions during the purification of the endoglycosidase. Although protease or α-mannosidase activity might also be detected by the procedure, no difficulties were presented by these enzymes when the assay was used for the preparation of endo-β- N -acetylglucosaminidase H from Streptomyces plicatus .
Branching ratios in low-energy deuteron-induced reactions.

We consider (d,p) and (d,n) reactions on light nuclei at low energies. A simple estimate using the second-order distorted-wave Born approximation shows that Coulomb-induced predissociation of the deuteron influences the relative rate by less than 10%. This disagrees with a previous explanation of experiments involving 6Li targets and invalidates speculations about such effects in "cold fusion" experiments.
Information and Communication Technology Literacy: What Do Businesses Expect and What Do Business Schools Teach?

Today's information and communications technology (ICT) provides unprecedented amounts of information to organizations and their employees. This overabundance challenges workers, placing an increasing premium on skills of sifting through information of sometimes dubious quality, integrating information critically, and producing well-reasoned conclusions. This paper explores the hypothesis that employers want new hires skilled in ICT literacy, which includes navigating information effectively and using technology efficiently. Based on an ICT literacy framework for higher education, two surveys were created to assess the opinions of human resources (HR) consultants and business school faculty. HR consultants endorsed practically all elements of the framework as being important or essential for new hires. Especially valued were skills associated with information security, confidentiality, and ethical behavior. However, business school faculty did not report a corresponding focus on ICT literacy generally, or ethical/legal issues in particular, in their instruction. The results suggest that while ICT literacy does indeed appear to be among the key skills for today's workforce, much work must still be done to integrate these skills throughout the business school undergraduate curriculum.
Surface Characteristics and Quantum Efficiency Measurements of CsI Coated Microchannel Plates

Abstract We have investigated several properties that affect the physical growth and reproducibility of PVD CsI photocathode material particularly used as a coating for microchannel plates (MCPs) to improve soft X-ray sensitivity. We have measured the quantum efficiency of the CsI-coated microchannel plates in response to X-rays from 0.7 to 4.5 keV.
Motorcycle Helmet Effectiveness A Reply

The following is a reply to Iqbal S. Bedi's article "An Evaluation of the Methodology and Results of J. P. Goldstein's Study, 'The Effects of Motorcycle Helmet Use on the Proba bility of Fatality and the Severity of Head and Neck Injuries. "'J. P. Goldstein's original article appeared in the June, 1986, issue of Evaluation Review. Iqbal S. Bedi's article appeared in the October, 1987, issue of Evaluation Review.
Antimicrobial activity of SCH27899 (Ziracin®), a novel everninomicin derivative, tested against Streptococcus spp.: disk diffusion/Etest method evaluations and quality control guidelines

Abstract To combat the increasing rates of penicillin resistance among pneumococci and viridans group streptococci, new Gram-positive active agents are needed to avoid the overuse of vancomycin. SCH27899 is an everninomicin derivative with strong activity against glycopeptide-resistant enterococci, oxacillin-resistant staphylococci, and penicillin-resistant streptococci. This study tests the in vitro activity of SCH27899 against 304 strains of streptococci and evaluates the quality of the agar dilution, broth microdilution, disk diffusion, and Etest methods for this antimicrobial agent. Quality-control (QC) ranges for SCH27899 are also proposed. SCH27899 broth microdilution MICs among the penicillin-susceptible and -resistant streptococci tested ranged from ≤0.008–0.5 μg/mL. Organism groups with their respective MIC 90 s were as follows: Streptococcus pneumoniae (100 strains) and β-haemolytic streptococci (70 strains), 0.12 μg/mL; Streptococcus bovis (10 strains), 0.25 μg/mL; and viridans group streptococci (124 strains), 0.5 μg/mL. Etest SCH27899 MICs correlated well with broth microdilution MICs (92% ± one log 2 dilution, 98% ± two log 2 dilutions). Agar dilution SCH27899 MICs correlated well with broth microdilution MICs, but a shift toward slightly higher agar dilution MICs was attributed to difficulties in reading trailing endpoints with this method. Three concentrations (2.5, 5, and 10 μg) of SCH27899 were used for the disk diffusion method with small inhibition zone diameters (range, 11 to 19 mm) and limited variation between diameters (±2 mm) as a result, both products of this compound's high molecular weight and poor diffusion through agar mediums. Proposed control ranges for SCH27899 when testing S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619 from a nine-center (30 tests per center) quality-control trial are ≤0.016 to 0.032 μg/mL for Etest, and 0.008 to 0.032 μg/mL for broth microdilution tests from an earlier study. Because of the limited diffusion ability and bacteriostatic nature of SCH27899, MICs should be read at 80% of inhibition with agar in vitro systems (Etest, agar dilution), and the disk diffusion method is not recommended.
Dictyostelium myosin heavy chain phosphorylation sites regulate myosin filament assembly and localization in vivo

Summary Three threonine residues in the tail region of Dictyostelium myosin II heavy chain have been implicated previously in control of myosin filament formation. Here we report the in vitro and in vivo consequences of converting these sites to alanine residues, which eliminates phosphorylation at these positions, or to aspartate residues, which mimics the negative charge state of the phosphorylated molecule. Alanine substitution allows in vitro assembly and in vivo contractile activity, although this myosin shows substantial overassembly in vivo. Aspartate substitution eliminates filament assembly in vitro and renders the myosin unable to drive any tested contractile event in vivo. These results demonstrate that heavy chain phosphorylation plays a key modulatory role in controlling myosin function in vivo.
Methodologic considerations for research in traditional (alternative) medicine.

The widepsread use, in the United States and other western countries, of alternative medical practices often derived from traditional systems of health has intensified the need to evaluate their safety and effectiveness. These practices tend to generate polarized attitudes of either acceptance or rejections. Opponents reject them because, they claim, good scientific research has not supported their use. Proponents insist that current scientific methodologies are not appropriate to evaluate these practices. This article briefly examines these issues, suggesting that the answer lies between these 2 extreme positions. Various methodologic issues are considered, and suggestions are made to adapt scientific methodology, where appropriate, to respect the particularities of alternative medicine.
Stalling Pressure Rise Capability of Axial Flow Compressor Stages

A procedure for estimating the maximum pressure rise potential of axial flow compressor stages is presented. A simplified stage average pitchline approach is employed so that the procedure can be used during a preliminary design effort before detailed radial distributions of blading geometry and fluid parameters are established. Semi-empirical correlations of low speed experimental data are presented that relate the stalling static-pressure-rise coefficient of a compressor stage to cascade passage geometry, tip clearance, bladerow axial spacing and Reynolds number. Blading aspect ratio is accounted for through its effect on normalized clearances, Reynolds number and wall boundary layer blockage. An unexpectedly strong effect of airfoil stagger and of the resulting flow coefficient of the stage’s vector triangle is observed in the experimental data. This is shown to be caused by the differing ability of different types of stage vector triangles to re-energize incoming low-momentum fluid. Use of a suitable “effective” dynamic head in the pressure rise coefficient gives a good correlation of this effect. Stalling pressure rise data from a wide range of both low speed and high speed compressor stages are shown to be in good agreement with these correlations.