cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The cellular antibody response

At is important to know if a single im munocyte can synthesize simultaneously two antibodies to two distinctly different antigens, because such knowledge would carry implications affecting theories on antibody formation. To obtain informa tion on this question, several techniques have been developed for studying antibody formation by a single cell. Attardi (1) and Nossal (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) used the sensitive microdrop method and demonstrated that single cells contained antibodies to different antigenic determi nants on separate particulate antigens. While this appeared not to be a wide spread phenomenon, as most of the cells contained antibodies to only one or the other antigen, this finding must be incor porated into a suitable theory of antibody formation. Coons (7), White (8), and Vazquez (9) obtained different results, using primarily soluble antigens. They showed that when animals were inoculated with two different
Using robotics to teach the spinal cord to walk.

We have developed a robotic device (e.g. the rat stepper) that can be used to impose programmed forces on the hindlimbs of rats during stepping. In the present paper we describe initial experiments using this robotic device to determine the feasibility of robotically assisted locomotor training in complete spinally transected adult rats. The present results show that using the robots to increase the amount of load during stance by applying a downward force on the ankle improved lift during swing. The trajectory pattern during swing was also improved when the robot arms were programmed to move the ankle in a path that approximated the normal swing trajectory. These results suggest that critical elements for successful training of hindlimb stepping in spinal cord injured rats can be implemented rigorously and evaluated using the rat stepper.
Fibrin as an alternative biopolymer to type-I collagen for the fabrication of a media equivalent.

We report here on studies examining the use of fibrin as an alternative to collagen for the entrapment of neonatal aortic rat smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the fabrication of media equivalents. The studies show increased collagen production by fibroblasts entrapped in fibrin, which suggests that fibrin may be used in the fabrication of tissue equivalents to promote increased protein synthesis and remodeling. However, one of the challenges of working with fibrin is the rapid degradation by SMCs. This degradation was effectively inhibited with the addition of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) to the culture medium in concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 1 mg/mL. We also present results showing that fibrin stimulates collagen production by SMCs. SMCs in fibrin produced 3.2 and 4.9 times the amount of collagen produced by SMCs in collagen when supplemented with 1 and 0.25 mg/mL EACA, respectively. More than half of the collagen produced appeared in the medium rather than the matrix. The collagen in the medium appeared to be processed beyond the proform and may be in an aggregate form. In addition, the presence of type-III collagen or a type-I trimer was indicated by the results of an analysis of the medium by autoradiography.
High-speed photodiode signal enhancement at avalanche breakdown voltage

It has previously been found that when photons are injected into a photodiode biased to the avalanche region, that there is a multiplication of the signal over the usual bias-voltage signal level. This multiplication is due to the created electron-hole pairs colliding with the lattice and creating more electron-hole pairs under the influence of the large biasing field. This paper presents a circuit analysis of this effect when using a high-speed silicon (Si) P-I-N photodiode and shows what the SNR bandwidth and Noise Equivalent Power (NEP) are under both normal bias conditions and avalanche bias conditions. It is shown that there is a substantial improvement in the NEP and SNR ratio at high frequencies when operating at avalanche so that the device may be made nearly shot noise limited if the multiplication factor M is sufficiently large. Microwave measurements on such a high-speed diode gave gains greater than 30 dB with a SNR improvement of 13 dB at 1.45 Gc/s. The effect was observed at frequencies as high as 2.54 Gc/s and appeared to follow a linear 1/M law with bias voltage in the avalanche region with some deviation at large values of M . The device SNR ratio at moderately high light levels is determined by the signal-to-shot noise ratio. A high modulation depth is found to be essential to reduce shot noise. Analysis of the diode circuit reveals that the detected signal power bandwidth product is a constant. The NEP is found to vary directly with the bandwidth in a pulse type system. Avalanche operation increases the signal power by M2and decreases the NEP by M at high frequencies. The photodiode appears to nearly provide the solid-state analog of the photomultiplier tube.
Structural effects on the phosphorylation of 3-substituted 1-β-d-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazoles by human adenosine kinase

The conversion of ribavirin to the monophosphate by adenosine kinase is the rate-limiting step in activation of this broad spectrum antiviral drug. Variation of the 3-substituents in a series of bioisosteric and homologated 1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazoles has marked effects on activity with the human adenosine kinase, and analysis of computational descriptors and binding models offers insight for the design of novel substrates.
Change detection in hierarchically structured information

Detecting and representing changes to data is important for active databases, data warehousing, view maintenance, and version and configuration management. Most previous work in change management has dealt with flat-file and relational data; we focus on hierarchically structured data. Since in many cases changes must be computed from old and new versions of the data, we define the hierarchical change detection problem as the problem of finding a "minimum-cost edit script" that transforms one data tree to another, and we present efficient algorithms for computing such an edit script. Our algorithms make use of some key domain characteristics to achieve substantially better performance than previous, general-purpose algorithms. We study the performance of our algorithms both analytically and empirically, and we describe the application of our techniques to hierarchically structured documents.
Genetic analysis of preharvest sprouting in a six-row barley cross

Preharvest sprouting (PHS) can be a problem in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) especially malting barley, since rapid, uniform, and complete germination are critical. Information has been gained by studying the genetics of dormancy (measured as germination percentage, GP). The objective of this study was to determine if the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) discovered in previous research on dormancy are related to PHS. PHS was measured as sprout score (SSc) based on visual sprouting in mist chamber-treated spikes and as alpha-amylase activity (AA) in kernels taken from mist chamber-treated spikes that showed little or no visible sprouting. GP was also measured. All traits were measured at 0 and 14 days after physiological maturity. Evaluation of the spring six-row cross, Steptoe (dormant)/Morex (non-dormant) doubled haploid mapping population grown in greenhouse and field environments revealed QTL regions for SSc, AA, and GP on five, four, and six of the seven barley chromosomes, respectively. In total, seven and eight regions on five and six chromosomes had effects ranging from 4 to 31% and 3 to 39% on PHS and dormancy, respectively. One chromosome 3H and three chromosome 5H QTLs had the greatest effects. All PHS QTLs coincide with known dormancy QTLs, but some QTLs appear to be more important for PHS than for dormancy. Key QTLs identified should benefit breeding of barley for a suitable balance between PHS and dormancy.
Some quantum operators with discrete spectrum but classically continuous spectrum

We consider a number of simple quantum Hamiltonians H(−i∇,x) with the following property: H(−i∇,x) has discrete spectrum even though {(p,q) | H(p,q) <E} has infinite volume.
Serum lipoproteins in the spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus.

1. 1. Most of the lipids in the hemolymph of the spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus, were associated with a high density lipoprotein (HDL3). The lipid of this lipoprotein was composed of phospholipid (88%), sterol (4%) and triglyceride (3%). 2. 2. In animals fed 14C-labeled triglyceride radioactivity was not seen in the serum until 12 hr after feeding. Most of this serum radioactivity was associated with phosphatidyl choline. 3. 3. Electron micrographs showed that negatively stained high density lipoproteins of the lobster had a polymorphic appearance.
Real-time motion estimation with MRI

Real-time motion estimation is challenging, especially with MR imaging where an intrinsic tradeoff exists between spatial and temporal resolution. The spatially varying pharmacokinetic behavior of contrast agents contributes to intensity inhomogeneity and contrast changing, introducing a further obstacle in motion estimation. In this study, we propose a novel level set based motion estimation method based on the observation that higher order geometric features present in anatomic boundaries are less influenced by contrast and intensity inhomogeneity due to low SNR and/or contrast changes. More specifically, our method first estimates the movement of anatomical boundaries, and then extrapolates them to the whole domain of interest. Preliminary tests have demonstrated desirable error statistics on MR images with simulated contrast and intensity inhomogeneity, as would be the case when contrast agents are used. Tests based on real-time MR image sequences have revealed visually appealing results, conforming to prior physical and physiological understanding.
Real-time 3D ultrasound imaging on a next-generation media processor

3D ultrasound (US) provides physicians with a better understanding of human anatomy. By manipulating the 3D US data set, physicians can observe the anatomy in 3D from a number of different view directions and obtain 2D US images that would not be possible to directly acquire with the US probe. In order for 3D US to be in widespread clinical use, creation and manipulation of the 3D US data should be done at interactive times. This is a challenging task due to the large amount of data to be processed. Our group previously reported interactive 3D US imaging using a programmable mediaprocessor, Texas Instruments TMS320C80, which has been in clinical use. In this work, we present the algorithms we have developed for real-time 3D US using a newer and more powerful mediaprocessor, called MAP-CA. MAP-CA is a very long instruction word (VLIW) processor developed for multimedia applications. It has multiple execution units, a 32-kbyte data cache and a programmable DMA controller called the data streamer (DS). A forward mapping 6 DOF (for a freehand 3D US system based on magnetic position sensor for tracking the US probe) reconstruction algorithm with zero- order interpolation is achieved in 11.8 msec (84.7 frame/sec) per 512x512 8-bit US image. For 3D visualization of the reconstructed 3D US data sets, we used volume rendering and in particular the shear-warp factorization with the maximum intensity projection (MIP) rendering. 3D visualization is achieved in 53.6 msec (18.6 frames/sec) for a 128x128x128 8-bit volume and in 410.3 msec (2.4 frames/sec) for a 256x256x256 8-bit volume.
Grain Composition and Productivity of Maize Hybrids Derived from the Illinois Protein Strains in Response to Variable Nitrogen Supply

The Illinois Long-Term Protein Selection strains of maize (Zea mays L.) have been employed in a variety of studies investigating the genetic and physiological control of maize grain composition. These prior studies, however, have not assessed the grain composition and yield potential of these strains in hybrid combinations with an elite tester, or in response to supplemental N. Our objective was to study the interactive effect of genotype and N supply on productivity and grain quality for hybrids with a wide divergence in grain protein. Hybrids derived from the Illinois Protein Strains were evaluated in a 2-yr field experiment where N rates were varied from 0 to 235 kg ha -1 (in eight 34-kg increments), along with a current commercial hybrid sharing the same female parent (FR1064). The Illinois Protein Strain hybrids produced grain protein concentrations that reflected the strain parents, with all hybrids except Illinois Low Protein showing increased grain protein in response to increasing N supply. Many other strain attributes were also manifested at the hybrid level, including the relative differences in kernel weights and the inverse relationship between grain protein to both starch concentration and grain yield. Nitrogen supply positively enhanced grain yield in all hybrids, primarily by increasing kernel number. Nitrogen supply also impacted the yield-protein relationship by stimulating protein synthesis rather than by inhibiting starch production. These results demonstrate the strong genetic control of grain composition in maize hybrids, which can be modulated by the positive effects of N on reproductive sink capacity and seed protein synthesis.
VI. Studies on the mechanism of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine cytotoxicity in isolated hepatocytes

Abstract Oxidative stress and covalent binding have been proposed as possible mechanisms involved in the cytotoxic effects of the parkinsonism-causing compound 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). However, the toxicity induced by MPTP in isolated rat hepatocytes seems to be relatively independent of oxygen radical-induced oxidative stress. Here we demonstrate that MPTP cytotoxicity is not potentiated by pretreatment with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), an inhibitor of glutathione reductase, nor prevented by the antioxidant N,N′-diphenyl-p-pphenylenediamine (DPPD) or the iron-chelating agent desferrioxamine. Moreover, preincubation of hepatocytes with diethylmaleate to lower the level of intracellular reduced glutathione (to 20% of the initial value) did not affect either the rate or extent of MPTP cytotoxicity. Thus, nucleophilic soluble thiols do not seem to play a protective role against MPTP-induced cell damage, in contrast to what one would have expected if covalent protein binding and oxidative stress were involved as toxic mechanisms. On the other hand, MPTP cytotoxicity was potentiated by pretreatment of hepatocytes with cytochrome P-450 inhibitors (e.g., SKF 525A and metyrapone) and a more rapid depletion of ATP was observed in these experimental conditions. We conclude that mitochondrial damage and subsequent ATP depletion are likely to play a critical role in the toxicity of MPTP to isolated hepatocytes and that the metabolism of MPTP via the cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system can be considered to be a detoxifying pathway.
Workplace factors associated with family dinner behaviors

Abstract This study investigated relationships between workplace factors and family dinners. We examined two aspects of the family dinner, the frequency that the entire family typically has dinner together each week and the frequency that children eat fast food for dinner. Participants were 220 parents who worked at least 20 h a week and had at least one child living at home. Results indicated that work interference with family (WIF) mediated the relationship between family-supportive supervision and family dinner frequency. Greater flexplace (i.e., telecommuting) availability was associated with less frequent use of fast food for children’s dinner.
Effect of 1-Year Dairy Product Intervention on Fat Mass in Young Women: 6-Month Follow-up

Objective: Previous results from this laboratory suggest that a 1-year dairy intake intervention in young women does not alter fat mass. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the 1-year dairy intervention 6 months after completion of the intervention. Research Methods and Procedures: Previously, normal-weight young women (n = 154) were randomized to one of three calcium intake groups: control (<800 mg/d), medium dairy (1000 to 1100 mg/d), or high dairy (1300 to 1400 mg/d) for a 1-year trial (n = 135 completed). In the current study, 51 women were assessed 6 months after completion of the intervention trial. Body compositions (body fat, lean mass) were measured using DXA. Self-report questionnaires were utilized to measure activity and dietary intake (kilocalories, calcium). Results: The high-dairy group (n = 19) maintained an elevated calcium intake (1027 ± 380 mg/d) at 18 months compared with the control group (n = 18, 818 ± 292; p = 0.02). Mean calcium intake over the 18 months predicted a negative change in fat mass (p = 0.04) when baseline BMI was controlled in regression analysis (model R2 = 0.11). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels were correlated with fat mass at each time-point (baseline, r = −0.41, p = 0.003; 12 months, r = −0.42, p = 0.002; 18 months, r = −0.32, p = 0.02) but did not predict changes in fat mass. Discussion: Dietary calcium intake over 18 months predicted a negative change in body fat mass. Thus, increased dietary calcium intakes through dairy products may prevent fat mass accumulation in young, healthy, normal-weight women.
ON THE ASYMPTOTIC NATURE OF CLAIRAUT THEORY

A description is given of an elementary method of justifying the perturbation theory that provides the structure of a slowly rotating, self-gravitating mass in terms of the structure of a corresponding non-rotating configuration (Clairaut Theory). The main point of the method is the adoption of the viewpoint that the density, rather than the angular velocity, be prescribed as a function of position, since this leads to a completely elementary existence theory of rotating, self-gravitating masses. The method is carried out for the case of constant angular velocity, verifying the asymptotic nature of both the classical Clairaut Theory and more general theories (including Chandrasekhar's theory of distorted polytropes) that are in use in astrophysics.
LC/MS characterization of rotenone induced cardiolipin oxidation in human lymphocytes: implications for mitochondrial dysfunction associated with Parkinson's disease.

cope Rotenone is a toxicant believed to contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease. Methods and results Using human peripheral blood lymphocytes we demonstrated that exposure to rotenone resulted in disruption of electron transport accompanied by the production of reactive oxygen species, development of apoptosis and elevation of peroxidase activity of mitochondria. Employing LC/MS-based lipidomics/oxidative lipidomics we characterized molecular species of cardiolipin (CL) and its oxidation/hydrolysis products formed early in apoptosis and associated with the rotenone-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Conclusion The major oxidized CL species – tetra-linoleoyl-CL – underwent oxidation to yield epoxy-C18:2 and dihydroxy-C18:2 derivatives predominantly localized in sn-1 and sn-2 positions, respectively. In addition, accumulation of mono-lyso-CL species and oxygenated free C18:2 were detected in rotenone-treated lymphocytes. These oxidation/hydrolysis products may be useful for the development of new biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction.
Identification of a contact between arginine-180 of the catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) and base pair 5 of the DNA site in the CAP-DNA complex.

We have used site-directed mutagenesis to replace amino acid 1 of the recognition alpha-helix of the catabolite gene activator protein (CAP), Arg-180, with glycine and with alanine. Substitution of Arg-180 of CAP eliminated specificity between G.C, A.T, C.G, and T.A at base pair 5 of the DNA half-site. The effect was position-specific: substitution of Arg-180 did not eliminate specificity between G.C, A.T, C.G, and T.A at base pair 7 of the DNA half-site. We conclude, in agreement with the model for the structure of the CAP-DNA complex [Weber, I. & Steitz, T. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 3973-3977; and Ebright, R., Cossart, P., Gicquel-Sanzey, B. & Beckwith, J. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 7274-7278], that Arg-180 of CAP makes a specificity-determining contact with base pair 5 of the DNA half-site in the CAP-DNA complex. The identification of the contact by Arg-180 in this report, in conjunction with the identification of the contact by Glu-181 in a previous report [Ebright, R., Cossart, P., Gicquel-Sanzey, B. & Beckwith, J. (1984) Nature (London) 311, 232-235], provides information sufficient to define the orientation of the helix-turn-helix motif of CAP with respect to DNA in the CAP-DNA complex.
The perception of risk in the workplace: A test of routine activity theory

Using the data from a special one-time supplement conducted in conjunction with the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), this article tests the relationship between routine activities and the perception of risk in the workplace. The findings give support to the routine activity theory by showing that factors related to exposure to risk, proximity to potential offenders and target attractiveness are stronger predictors of the perception of risk at the workplace than demographic and socioeconomic variables. The results also indicate that the perception of the workplace as unsafe is very similar for males and females and fairly similar for people in different age categories. There are differences, nonetheless, in the factors that trigger the perception of risk in the workplace between Caucasians, African Americans, and Hispanics, a comparison that has been scarcely studied.
QUANTITATIVE FATTY ACID ANALYSIS OF MILK FAT BY GAS-LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY

Summary A procedure was developed for quantitative analysis of the fatty acids of milk fat. Methyl esters of the acids were prepared by methanolysis, extracted with ethyl chloride, and separated by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC), with diethylene glycol succinate as liquid phase. Known mixtures of methyl esters were used in determining factors for correction of peak areas for losses from evaporation of short carbon chain esters and/or variations in relative detector response among the esters under the conditions of the actual analysis. Replicate samples of milk fat esters were analyzed and compared with data obtained by spectrophotometry and with results of others determined by ester distillation and GLC techniques. All the major and many of the known minor fatty acids of milk fat were determined. Advantages and limitations of the method are discussed.
Treatment of a case of public-speaking anxiety by in vivo desensitization and cue-controlled relaxation

Abstract The case is described of a 22-yr-old graduate student with severe public-speaking anxiety which threatened his academic and professional careers. Behavioral treatment using graded in vivo practice and cue-controlled relaxation (pairing of an imagined pleasant scene, while relaxed, with a “catch-word”) successfully eliminated the patient's fear in eight sessions over a 1-month period. Follow-up at 1 and 3 months indicated maintenance of therapeutic gains and some generalization to interpersonal situations not noted during treatment.
Differences in eating and activity markers among normal weight, overweight, and obese rural women.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine differences in healthy eating and physical activity behaviors and associated biomarkers among normal weight (body mass index [BMI] Methods Random digit dialing was used to recruit 225 rural women (57.9 ± 5.6 years). Measures of healthy eating and physical activity were completed on the computer during individual sessions at the rural sites. Research nurses then assessed a battery of biomarkers of activity and eating, including blood lipids, blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO 2max ), and resting heart rate. Results Major findings were differences across weight categories in daily calories consumed and expended, daily fruit servings, daily meat group servings, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, vital signs, and cardiorespiratory fitness. The obese women both consumed and expended significantly more calories daily than those in the other two weight groups. Obese women consumed significantly fewer fruit group servings than both the normal weight and overweight women. Obese women consumed significantly more meat group servings than overweight women. There also were significant differences in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and cardiorespiratory fitness across the three weight groups. Conclusions This study provides evidence of major differences in some eating and activity behaviors and biomarkers across BMI groups. Major differences exist between the normal weight and overweight group as compared to the obese group.
Diagnostic accuracy of gated Tc-99m sestamibi stress myocardial perfusion SPECT with combined supine and prone acquisitions to detect coronary artery disease in obese and nonobese patients

The diagnostic value of gated myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (MPS) with combined supine and prone acquisitions to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) in obese and nonobese patients has not been defined. We studied 1511 patients without prior myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization who either had coronary angiography within 3 months of MPS (n = 785) or had a low pretest likelihood of CAD (n = 726). All patients underwent rest thallium 201/gated exercise or adenosine stress technetium 99m sestamibi MPS in both the supine and prone positions. According to body mass index (BMI), patients were categorized as normal weight (BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI of 25.0-29.9 kg/m2), or obese (BMI >30.0 kg/m2). There were no significant differences in stress, fixed, or ischemic defects among patients in different weight categories. The sensitivity of MPS was 85%, 86%, and 89% for detecting patients with 50% or greater coronary stenosis and 89%, 91%, and 92% for detecting those with 70% or greater coronary stenosis in the normal-weight, overweight, and obese groups, respectively. Normalcy rates were nearly identical among the 3 weight groups (99%, 98%, and 99%, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis further confirmed that BMI was a nonsignificant predictor for the detection of CAD. In a subset of 290 patients, automated quantitative MPS analysis confirmed that combined supine and prone MPS increased specificity (86%) in identifying CAD, without a significant reduction in sensitivity (83% for >50% stenosis and 88% for >70% stenosis). The findings of this study suggest that MPS performed with gating and combined supine and prone acquisitions without attenuation correction had a similar diagnostic accuracy for the detection of CAD in normal-weight, overweight, and obese patients.
Synthesis and Antibiofilm Activity of a Second-Generation Reverse-Amide Oroidin Library: A Structure–Activity Relationship Study

A second-generation library of 2-aminoimidazole-based derivatives incorporating a "reversed amide" (RA) motif in comparison to the marine natural product oroidin were synthesized and subsequently assayed for antibiofilm activity against the medically relevant Gram-negative proteobacteria P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii. Most notably, an in-depth activity profile is reported for the most active subclass of derivatives that bear linear aliphatic chains off the amide bond. Additionally, further structural modifications of the core template, such as removal of the amide bond or substitution with a triazole isostere, resulted in the discovery of analogues with antibiofilm activities that varied with respect to their inhibition and dispersal properties of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii biofilms.
Exploring the effects of environmental experience on attachment to urban natural areas

This study explored the relationship between place attachment and both environmental experience and environmental attributes within three urban natural areas in Michigan. To understand these relationships, 328 park users—including neighbors, visitors, volunteers, and staff—were asked about their attachment, use, environmental knowledge, and attitudes toward management using a photo questionnaire. The results showed that attachment has different manifestations related to experience—a place-specific attachment was generally held by neighbors and recreational users, whereas a conceptual attachment was held by volunteers, staff, and those with extensive natural-areas knowledge. Each form of attachment was associated with distinctive perspectives on management. The study showed that the expert’s vision of appropriate management of a natural area may differ from those of neighbors and users, which can readily lead to conflict. If, however, attachment is recognized as a multifaceted and far-reaching component of...
Characterizing Water Holding Capacity and Runoff during Composting of Greenwaste and Biosolids

ABSTRACT Most composters in the United States use open-windrows. During high intensity precipitation events, uncontained water running off of the surface of the compost piles can potentially contaminate surface waters with nutrients and metals. Water that is absorbed poses no runoff concern but may threaten groundwater quality. To gain insight into these processes, stormwater runoff fractions and water holding capacity of compost piles have been characterized for greenwaste (GW) and biosolids (BS) materials. Laboratory scale experiments were conducted using days 1, 7, and 14 materials representing three different stages of composting. This study also evaluated sloped and flat-top as different pile geometries and surfactant use for promoting infiltration. Results indicate that fresh materials were most hydrophobic and the infiltration rates increased with increased composting times. The water storage capacity of the compost pile increased with the age of the compost pile. Compost water storage capacities c...
The family of the autistic child: A behavioral-systems view☆

Abstract Parent training is a well documented contribution of behavior therapy to the treatment of autism. There are other less well explored behavioral interventions of potential for the family with an autistic child which need to be examined systematically. This paper adopts a behavioral-systems view to address issues which arise in the family of an autistic child at the time of diagnosis, during early and middle childhood, during adolescence and adulthood, in relation to siblings, and within the extended family and community. Behavioral marital therapy, behavioral family therapy, and individual intervention techniques can help families adapt to the chronic stress of living with a handicapped member. The therapist is cautioned not to overlook the more intensive therapeutic needs of those dysfunctional families for whom the child's handicap is only one factor in an array of predisposing problems.
Egr-1-Induced Endothelial Gene Expression: A Common Theme in Vascular Injury

A number of pathophysiologically relevant genes, including platelet-derived growth factor B-chain (PDGF-B), are induced in the vasculature after acute mechanical injury. In rat aorta, the activated expression of these genes was preceded by a marked increase in the amount of the early-growth-response gene product Egr-1 at the endothelial wound edge. Egr-1 interacts with a novel element in the proximal PDGF-B promoter, as well as with consensus elements in the promoters of other genes induced by endothelial injury. This interaction is crucial for injury-induced PDGF-B promoter-dependent expression. Sp1, whose binding site in the PDGF-B promoter overlaps that of Egr-1, occupies this element in unstimulated cells and is displaced by increasing amounts of Egr-1. These findings implicate Egr-1 in the up-regulated expression of PDGF-B and other potent mediators in mechanically injured arterial endothelial cells.
The Chinese Commonwealth: Implications of the Overseas Chinese

The Overseas Chinese, the Chinese Commonwealth, or the Chinese Web, consists of companies formed by Chinese who are found outside of China and inside other countries, such as, the United States, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. These Chinese entrepreneurs work under a set of familial, cultural, and relationship values. They help one another and protect each others businesses. Non‐Chinese companies are now realising the potential growth of this unofficial Chinese economy. This network was first formed by family relationships. However, foreign companies outside this web may find it easier to enter by linking themselves into joint ventures, marriages, political opportunities or just by having some common culture. This Chinese economy is starting to grow approximately by 5% each year. These Chinese entrepreneurs are not cluttered in a single region, as it is in the case of North America, Europe, and Japan. But yet, these potential marketers are failing to realise the importance and the power of this growing economy.
When Science Isn't Enough: Wilhelm Hueper, Robert A. M. Case, and the Limits of Scientific Evidence in Preventing Occupational Bladder Cancer.

A recent outbreak of occupational bladder cancer in a Buffalo, New York, factory confirmed the carcinogenicity of ortho-toluidine, an aromatic amine that had first been implicated in human bladder cancer cases decades earlier. Events leading to this outbreak replicated the history of numerous earlier bladder cancer outbreaks among workers exposed to beta-naphthylamine and benzidine, two other aromatic amines that were widely used in the dye and rubber industries and that have been responsible for bladder cancer outbreaks in the United States, Germany, Switzerland, England, France, Italy, Austria, Czechoslovakia, the former Soviet Union, Poland, and China. The historic development of scientific knowledge of occupational bladder cancer prefigured many debates that later occurred around other environmental carcinogens; two of the giants of occupational medicine, Wilhelm Hueper and Robert A. M. Case, played seminal roles in the study of these chemicals. Examination of the history of worker exposure to aromatic amines and the subsequent development of bladder cancer at Du Pont, Allied Chemical, and other U.S. manufacturers demonstrates that these carcinogens were regulated only after cancer epidemics were recognized. Production and use of aromatic amines continues in developing countries; these nations will inevitably experience similar outbreaks unless steps are taken to eliminate exposure to these deadly chemicals. This paper chronicles the history of occupational bladder cancer in the United States, highlighting the roles of Hueper and Case in occupational cancer investigation and prevention.
Identification and Quantification of Protecting Groups Remaining in Commercial Oligonucleotide Products Using Monoclonal Antibodies

Quality control is paramount to reproducibly achieving oligonucleotide therapeutics and diagnostics of superior value. However, incomplete deprotection of nucleoside reactive groups after the automated chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides would result in diminished antisense activity and in erroneous array analysis of gene expression. Mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis are used to detect aborted sequences of oligonucleotides, but not to identify and quantify incompletely deprotected oligonucleotides. To address this problem, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), ELISA, and dot-blot assays were developed for the specific identification and quantification of the commonly used nucleic acid base- and sugar-protecting groups: benzoyl, isobutyryl, isopropylphenoxyacetyl, and dimethoxytrityl. Each MAb was capable of reproducibly detecting 8-32 pmol of the respectively protected nucleoside in an intact DNA or RNA sample composed of 320-640 nmol of the deprotected nucleoside. In a direct comparison, HPLC nucleoside composition analysis of enzyme-hydrolyzed DNA was limited to the detection of 2-5 nmol of protected nucleoside. Using the MAb dot-blot assay, 5 of 16 commercial DNA products obtained from eight different companies were found to have 1.0-5.2% of the benzoyl and isopropylphenoxyacetyl protecting groups remaining. Thus, MAbs selectively identify and quantify picomoles of remaining protecting groups on antisense therapeutics and oligonucleotide diagnostics.
Prevalence and predictors of severe acute pancreatitis in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Prevalence and predictors of severe acute pancreatitis in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Hydroelectric Dams on Brazil's Xingu River and Indigenous Peoples

Hydroelectric Dams on Brazil's Xingu River and Indigenous Peoples. Leinad Aver de O. Santos And Lucia M.M. De Andrade (editors). Cambridge, MA: Cultural Survival, 1990. 192 pp. $19.95 (paper) ISBN 0–939521–40–7.
Low-noise logic for mixed-mode VLSI circuits

Abstract Folded source-coupled (FSCL) and current-steering logic (CSL) techniques have been developed to complement static logic for application in high-precision, high-speed, mixed analog/digital CMOS integrated circuits. In contrasts to the full-supply voltage swing ( ΔV L = V DD ) characteristic of conventional CMOS logic, a significantly smaller swing ( ΔV L ≈ 0·2V DD ) is developed in both FSCL and CSL by manipulating a constant current drawn from the V DD supply. Consequently, the measured power supply switching noise current spikes are less than 15 μA, a reduction of nearly two orders of magnitude compared with static logic. This feature allows higher performance to be realized from on-chip analog circuitry in mixed-mode applications using FSCL or CSL. Several synthesis techniques for FSCL gates are presented along with experimental results from FSCL and CSL prototypes integrated in a 2 μm p-well CMOS technology. The measured propagation delays of FSCL and CSL inverters are 700 ps and 400 ps, respectively, with corresponding power-delay products of 1·0 pJ and 0·4 pJ.
Resection of lung cancer invading the diaphragm

Each year, stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is diagnosed in approximately 30,000 patients. Locally advanced NSCLC (stage IliA) includes a group of biologically diverse tumors with subgroups of truly locally advanced disease--T3 tumors and advanced locoregional disease with the presence of N2 disease. The prognosis of patients with a diagnosis of stage III lung cancer is mainly dependent on the status of the mediastinal nodes. Good long-term results are achieved in patients with NO disease, whereas patients with N2 disease are poor candidates for resection as a primary treatment. 1-3 Information is not available on results of surgical treatment of patients with stage III disease and tumors involving the diaphragm. Patients and methods. From January 31, 1974, to August 17, 1995, a total of 4668 patients underwent exploration for resection of NSCLC at Memorial Hospital. By analyzing our database we identified eight patients (0.17%) who had exploratory thoracotomy for resection of NSCLC invading the diaphragm. The medical records of these eight patients were retrospectively analyzed. Data are reported as mean -+ standard deviation. Survival data are reported as mean and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the mean. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate actuarial survival. Results. The demographics of these eight patients are shown in Table I. The mean age at diagnosis was 65.8 + 10.2 years, ranging from 52.6 to 82.4 years. The most common symptoms were cough in four patients, hemoptysis in two patients, and chest pain in one patient. One patient had clubbing of the fingers. Three patients were free of symptoms. All patients smoked. The mean time from first symptoms to referral for treatment was 25.1 -+ 16.6 weeks, ranging from 5.3 to 49 weeks. The histologic diagnosis was made by bronchoscopic examination in four patients and by fluoroscopic guided needle biopsy in two. In two patients the diagnosis was made in the operating room. Four tumors were on the right side and four on the left side. Two patients underwent mediastinoscopy, both studies yielding negative results. The other six did not undergo preoperative mediastinoscopy. Among the eight patients, diaphragmatic invasion was not suspected at exploration in six and it was suspected before the opera-
THE RELATION OF X‐RAY DOSAGE TO DEGREE OF INJURY IN NEMOPHILA AND ZINNIA

OVER ONE HUNDRED species of plants distributed in fifty families have been studied during the past ten years to determine those which are resistant to X-radiation and those which are noticeably affected. Some plants, such as the stonecrop, nasturtium, California poppy, and ice plant (Johnson, 1936), seem to be entirely uninjured by the rays. From the group of about forty which were found to be relatively sensitive, two have been selected for discussion in this paper to illustrate the sensitiveness of certain species to X-ray dosage. These two, Zinnia and Nemophila, seem sensitive enough to the rays so that one who has worked with irradiated plants can judge by their appearance the approximate dosage to which they were exposed.
Mechanical Strain Increases Smooth Muscle and Decreases Nonmuscle Myosin Expression in Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The effect of cyclic (1-Hz) mechanical strain on expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms was examined in neonatal rat vascular smooth muscle cells cultured on silicone elastomer plates. Myosin heavy chain isoforms were identified by immunoblot using antibodies recognizing (1) smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoforms SM-1 and SM-2, (2) SM-1 exclusively, and (3) nonmuscle myosin heavy chains A and B. In response to 36 to 72 hours of strain, SM-1 and SM-2 increased by fourfold to sixfold, whereas nonmuscle myosin A decreased to 30% of control. Nonmuscle myosin B was unaffected by strain. SM-1 mRNA increased by twofold to threefold after 12 hours of strain but decreased toward control levels thereafter. SM-2 mRNA was only barely detectable. Nonmuscle myosin A mRNA decreased to 50% of control after 3 hours of strain and then returned to the control level. Since these cells secrete platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in response to strain, we assessed the effects of PDGF on myosin isoform expression. Exogenous PDGF (10 ng/mL) decreased SM-1 expression by 35% and increased nonmuscle myosin expression twofold, opposite the effect of strain. In cells exposed to strain with neutralizing antibodies to PDGF-AB, the strain-induced increase in SM-1 was enhanced 10-fold, and nonmuscle myosin A was reduced to 40% of control. Finally, the effect of extracellular matrix on transduction of the strain signal was studied. Forty-eight hours of cyclic strain increased SM-1 by twofold in cells cultured on collagen type 1 and threefold in cells cultured on laminin. In fibronectin-cultured cells, strain elicited no increase in SM-1. Thus, mechanical strain, sensed through specific interactions with the matrix, can alter myosin isoform expression toward that found in a more differentiated state.
A hybrid UHF narrow-band filter design

Hybrid filters composed of lumped elements and transmission-line elements are described. The basis of the filters is the split-ring resonator, a quarter-wave open line whose ends are bridged by a capacitor, which is equivalent to a shunt LC. The issues described are (1) the addition of a shunt capacitor to raise the resonator Q and (2) equivalent-circuit and design equations for the augmented split-ring resonator. Design equations are presented to implement the coupled-resonator approach to narrowband filter design. Some examples of designs and their computed responses, including losses, are presented and discussed. These filters have an advantage in board space and insertion loss over conventional coupled-line designs. >
A Mn Bipyrimidine Catalyst Predicted To Reduce CO2 at Lower Overpotential

Experimentally, [(L)Mn(CO)3]− (where L = bis-alkyl-substituted bipyridine) has been observed to catalyze the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO in the presence of trifluoroethanol (TFEH). Here we report the atomistic level mechanism of complete catalytic cycles for this reaction, on the basis of DFT calculations (B3LYP-D3 with continuum solvation) of the free energies of reaction and activation, as well as reduction potentials for all catalytically relevant elementary steps. The highly exergonic homoconjugation and carbonation of TFE– play critical roles in reaction thermodynamics and kinetics, the overall half-reaction being 3CO2 + 2TFEH + 2e– → CO + H2O + 2[F3CCH2OCO2]− (calculated standard reduction potential: −1.49 V vs SCE). In the catalytic cycle for CO formation, CO2 coordinates to [(L)Mn(CO)3]− (1a, L = bpy), and the adduct is then protonated to form [(L)Mn(CO)3(CO2H)] (3a). 3a subsequently reacts to form [(L)Mn(CO)4]0 (5a) via one of two pathways: (a) TFEH-mediated dehydroxylation to [(L)Mn(C...
Narrow band analysis of a filter bank for the directional decomposition of images

The case where there are a large number of directional components is investigated. In particular, the limiting case where the directional components are reduced to 1-D signals is studied. These 1-D signals are related to projections taken through the image at various angular orientations. The projection-slice theorem is invoked in order to develop the relationship between the directional filter bank and the Radon transform. A comparison is made of the computational efficiencies of the filter bank and discretized versions of the Radon transform. >
Gene Sets Net Correlations Analysis (GSNCA): a multivariate differential coexpression test for gene sets

Motivation: To date, gene set analysis approaches primarily focus on identifying differentially expressed gene sets (pathways). Methods for identifying differentially coexpressed pathways also exist but are mostly based on aggregated pairwise correlations or other pairwise measures of coexpression. Instead, we propose Gene Sets Net Correlations Analysis (GSNCA), a multivariate differential coexpression test that accounts for the complete correlation structure between genes. Results: In GSNCA, weight factors are assigned to genes in proportion to the genes’ cross-correlations (intergene correlations). The problem of finding the weight vectors is formulated as an eigenvector problem with a unique solution. GSNCA tests the null hypothesis that for a gene set there is no difference in the weight vectors of the genes between two conditions. In simulation studies and the analyses of experimental data, we demonstrate that GSNCA captures changes in the structure of genes’ cross-correlations rather than differences in the averaged pairwise correlations. Thus, GSNCA infers differences in coexpression networks, however, bypassing method-dependent steps of network inference. As an additional result from GSNCA, we define hub genes as genes with the largest weights and show that these genes correspond frequently to major and specific pathway regulators, as well as to genes that are most affected by the biological difference between two conditions. In summary, GSNCA is a new approach for the analysis of differentially coexpressed pathways that also evaluates the importance of the genes in the pathways, thus providing unique information that may result in the generation of novel biological hypotheses. Availability and implementation: Implementation of the GSNCA test in R is available upon request from the authors. Contact: ude.smau@hallatamhaRY Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Rapid recovery from transient faults in the fault-tolerant processor with fault-tolerant shared memory

The Draper fault-tolerant processor with fault-tolerant shared memory (FTP/FTSM), which is designed to allow application tasks to continue execution during the memory alignment process, is described. Processor performance is not affected by memory alignment. In addition, the FTP/FTSM incorporates a hardware scrubber device to perform the memory alignment quickly during unused memory access cycles. The FTP/FTSM architecture is described, followed by an estimate of the time required for channel reintegration. >