cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene regulation by exercise and the medial septum.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) enhances synaptic plasticity and neuron function. We have reported that voluntary exercise increases BDNF mRNA levels in the hippocampus; however, mechanisms underlying this regulation have not been defined. We hypothesized that medial septal cholinergic and/or gamma amino butyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons, which provide a major input to the hippocampus, may regulate the baseline gene expression and exercise-dependent gene upregulation of this neurotrophin. Focal lesions were produced by medial septal infusion of the saporin-linked immunotoxins 192-IgG-saporin or OX7-saporin. 192-IgG-saporin produced a selective and complete loss of medial septal cholinergic neurons with no accompanying GABA loss. Baseline BDNF mRNA was reduced in the hippocampus of sedentary animals, but exercise-induced gene upregulation was not impaired, despite complete loss of septo-hippocampal cholinergic afferents. OX7-saporin produced a graded lesion of the medial septum characterized by predominant GABA neuron loss with less reduction in the number of cholinergic cells. OX7-saporin lesion reduced baseline hippocampal BDNF mRNA and attenuated exercise-induced gene upregulation, in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that combined loss of septal GABAergic and cholinergic input to the hippocampus may be important for exercise-dependent BDNF gene regulation, while cholinergic activity on its own is not sufficient. These results are discussed in relation to their implications for aging and Alzheimer's disease.
Effects of Audience and Anxiety Level on Learning and Performance of a Complex Gross Motor Skill by College Women

To determine the effects of passive male and female audiences on performance and learning of a complex, gross motor skill, 144 female freshmen were selected from 4 distinct state anxiety levels based on combined scores on the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale and Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale. Within each anxiety group, Ss learned a ball-throwing task under one of three conditions with audience. Performance was adversely affected for highly anxious Ss with a male audience. Analysis of learning scores [(final score — initial score) ÷ (maximum score possible — initial score)] indicated that none of the audience conditions affected learning at any anxiety level.
EPRI Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Technology Program

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is a non-profit research organization that supports the energy industry. The Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Technology Program conducts research and develops technology for the safe and efficient decommissioning of nuclear power plants.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Neither serum ferritin nor the number of red blood cell transfusions affect overall survival in refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts.

In a retrospective study of 126 adult patients with French-American-British-defined refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), staging by the International Prognostic Scoring System was highly predictive of survival outcome (P or =1,000 ng/mL at diagnosis or peak serum ferritin levels of 5,000 ng/mL during follow-up. The current study does not support the contention that transfusional hemosiderosis is an adverse prognostic factor in "good risk" myelodysplastic syndrome.
Old age impairs the use of arbitrary visual cues for predictive control of fingertip forces during grasp.

Old age impairs the ability to form new associations for declarative memory, but the ability to acquire and retain procedural memories remains relatively intact. Thus, it is unclear whether old age affects the ability to learn the visuomotor associations needed to set efficient fingertip forces for handling familiar objects. We studied the ability for human subjects to use visual cues (color) about the mechanical properties (texture or weight) of a grasped object to control fingertip forces during prehension. Old and young adults (mean age 77 years and 22 years, respectively) grasped and lifted an object that varied in texture at the gripped surfaces (experiment 1: sandpaper versus acetate surface materials) or weight (experiment 2: 200 g versus 400 g). The object was color-coded according to the mechanical property in the “visual cue” condition, and the mechanical property varied unpredictably across lifts in the “no visual cue” condition. In experiment 1 (texture), the young adults’ grip force (force normal to the gripped surface) when the object lifted from the support surface was 24% smaller when the surfaces were color-coded. The old adults’ grip force did not vary between the visual conditions despite their accurate reports of the grip surface colors prior to each lift. Comparable findings were obtained in experiment 2, when object weight was varied and peak grip force rate prior to object lift-off was measured. Furthermore old and young subjects alike used about 2 N of grip force when lifting the 200 g object in experiment 2. Therefore, the old adults’ failure to adjust grip force when the color cue was present cannot be attributed to a general inability or unwillingness to use low grip force when handling objects. We conclude that old age affects the associative learning that links visual identification of an object with the fingertip forces for efficiently handling the object. In contrast, old and young subjects’ grip force was influenced by the preceding lift, regardless of visual cues, which supports existing theories that multiple internal representations govern predictive control of fingertip forces during prehension.
Effects of Increasing Doses of Atorvastatin on the Atherogenic Lipid Subclasses Commonly Associated With Hypertriglyceridemia

The increased cardiovascular risk associated with hypertriglyceridemia is thought to be due in part to high levels of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins and small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In this post hoc analysis, effects of increasing doses of atorvastatin (10, 20, 40, and 80 mg) on atherogenic lipid subclasses commonly associated with hypertriglyceridemia were evaluated in 191 men and women who were candidates for lipid-lowering therapy and had baseline TG levels >200 mg/dl (2.3 mmol/L). After 8 weeks of treatment, in addition to significantly decreasing LDL cholesterol and TG levels, atorvastatin significantly increased LDL peak particle diameter (p <0.01) and significantly decreased the concentration of small LDL subclasses IIIa and IIIb (p <0.0001) from baseline at all doses. These effects were more pronounced with higher compared with lower doses of atorvastatin. Each dose of atorvastatin also significantly lowered levels of very LDL, intermediate-density lipoprotein (p <0.0001), and small very LDL subclass 3 (p <0.0001). Greater decreases were achieved by those patients receiving higher doses of atorvastatin (20, 40, and 80 mg). The increase in LDL size correlated with the decrease in TG levels, but not with the decrease in LDL cholesterol levels. However, the decrease in small dense LDL cholesterol concentrations correlated significantly with TG and LDL cholesterol decreases. In conclusion, atorvastatin significantly lowered levels of TG-rich remnant lipoproteins and favorably changed LDL particle size in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. These effects may explain the benefits of statin therapy in high-risk patients with hypertriglyceridemia even when levels of LDL cholesterol are at goal.
Effects of iproveratril and nitroglycerin in the heart and coronary circulation of dogs

A lthough iproveratril (ar-isopropyl-a-[ (Nmethyl-N-homoveratryl) y -aminopropyl] 3,4 dimethoxyphenylacetonitrile; IsoptinR) has been shown to increase coronary flow in animals1z2 and has been used successfully in the treatment of angina pectoris,3-6 information concerning some of its cardiovascular actions is incomplete. For example, there have been no direct measurements of the effect of the agent on instantaneous coronary inflow, myocardial contractile force, or cardiac output in the intact animal. In the present study, noncannulating electromagnetic flowmeters were used to measure blood flow in the ascending aorta and coronary arteries of anesthetized open-chest dogs. hlyocardial contractile force was determined by a Walton-Brodie strain-gauge arch. The effects of both intracoronary and intravenous iproveratril were observed and were compared with those of nitroglycerin.
The kinetics of two‐phase bulk polymerization. I. Monomer and initiator distribution

Rubber-reinforced thermoplastics are produced commercially by dissolving a rubber in the monomer of a glassy polymer and commencing polymerization with a free-radical initiator. Beyond a few per cent conversion, the incompatibility of the two polymers causes a phase separation, with each phase containing one nearly pure polymer. Subsequent polymerization occurs in each phase. The heterogeneous nature of the reaction can influence both the kinetics of the reaction and the amount of grafting in the product. The fact that only monomer which polymerizes in the rubber phase can possibly graft establishes an upper limit to the amount of grafting and hence influences the mechanical properties of the product. It is shown theoretically how unequal partitioning of monomer and initiator between the phases can influence the extent of grafting, and can also explain the kinetic rate reductions which have been observed in such systems. The distributions of monomer and benzoyl peroxide and azobisisobutyronitrile initiators between the phases have been determined experimentally for a styrene–polystyrene–polybutadiene system. They cannot account for the rate reduction observed in such systems.
The Roles of Chemistry and Diffusion on Hydrocarbon Post-Flame Oxidation

Abstract A transient one-dimensional reactive-diffusive model is used to simulate the process of post-flame oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons in spark-ignition engines, and to identify the physical and chemical factors controlling the oxidation process. The model focuses on the oxidation processes taking place in the reactive layer between hot burned gases and cold unreacted air/fuel mixture, with initial and boundary conditions similar to those provided by the emergence of hydrocarbons from a piston land crevice. Energy and species conservation equations are solved for the entire time-dependent process, using detailed chemical kinetic mechanisms. Simulation results show that the in-cylinder process is largely controlled by diffusion rates for burned gas temperatures above a transition level )of the order of 1400–1700 K. depending on fuel type), reaction controlled for temperatures below that level, and practically frozen for temperatures below 1300K. Radicals in the burned gas are shown to be important ...
Colonization of personal digital assistants used in a health care setting

Background The use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) by health care workers is increasing. Increasing rates of infection in our institution led to the question of whether PDAs were colonized with pathogenic organisms. Methods Specimens for culture were obtained from PDAs used at our institution, and surveys were distributed to the users to determine factors predisposing to colonization. Results Forty percent of PDAs had growth on culture. The most common organism detected on 27 of 82 PDAs was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (82%). No isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or vancomycin-resistant enterococci were detected. Colonization was more common on PDAs that had undergone previous cleaning. No other predisposing factors to colonization were found. Conclusions PDAs are frequently colonized with typical skin organisms and less commonly with pathogenic organisms. Whether PDAs used in the health care setting serve as vectors for nosocomial infection is not determined.
New indium-111 labeled biotin derivatives for improved immunotargeting

Abstract Investigations into the use of streptavidin-conjugated antibodies and labeled biotin to improve radioimmunotargeting have shown background levels drastically reduced over the conventional approach. Nevertheless, accumulation of 111 In-biotin in normal tissue as well as streptavidin-independent accumulation in tumor, was observed. In this work, the effect of altering the biotin molecule to reduce this nonspecific uptake without decreasing specific localization has been investigated. Three EDTA and DTPA derivatives of biotin have been synthesized and investigated along with a commercial biotin derivative (DTPA-B 2 ). The labeled biotin chelates were administered i.p. to normal mice implanted with avidin beads in one thigh. A wide variation in biodistribution was seen among the biotin derivatives. The most favorable results were obtained with biotinyl-hydrazino-EDTA (EDTA-B 1 ), which showed the lowest accumulation in normal tissues but equivalent uptake in the target with respect to the other compounds. Averaged over 8 tissues sampled, the target-to-nontarget ratio was 140 vs 9 for EDTA-B 1 vs DTPA-B 2 ( N = 6) at 24 h post administration. Similar observations have been made in culture with two tumor cell lines: positive accumulation of both DTPA-B 2 and EDTA-B 1 was measured in tumor cells independent of streptavidin-antibody conjugate, however in the case of the latter derivative, this accumulation was 3–5 fold lower. These studies show that modification of the biotin species can alter accumulation in normal tissues as well as the antibody-streptavidin independent accumulation in tumor tissue.
Measurement of HONO, HNCO, and other inorganic acids by negative-ion proton-transfer chemical-ionization mass spectrometry (NI-PT-CIMS): application to biomass burning emissions

Abstract. A negative-ion proton-transfer chemical ionization mass spectrometric technique (NI-PT-CIMS), using acetate as the reagent ion, was applied to the measurement of volatile inorganic acids of atmospheric interest: hydrochloric (HCl), nitrous (HONO), nitric (HNO3), and isocyanic (HNCO) acids. Gas phase calibrations through the sampling inlet showed the method to be intrinsically sensitive (6–16 cts/pptv), but prone to inlet effects for HNO3 and HCl. The ion chemistry was found to be insensitive to water vapor concentrations, in agreement with previous studies of carboxylic acids. The inlet equilibration times for HNCO and HONO were 2 to 4 s, allowing for measurement in biomass burning studies. Several potential interferences in HONO measurements were examined: decomposition of HNO3·NO3− clusters within the CIMS, and NO2-water production on inlet surfaces, and were quite minor (≤1%, 3.3%, respectively). The detection limits of the method were limited by the instrument backgrounds in the ion source and flow tube, and were estimated to range between 16 and 50 pptv (parts per trillion by volume) for a 1 min average. The comparison of HONO measured by CIMS and by in situ FTIR showed good correlation and agreement to within 17%. The method provided rapid and accurate measurements of HNCO and HONO in controlled biomass burning studies, in which both acids were seen to be important products.
Malnutrition in Belgian children with congenital heart disease on admission to hospital

• In paediatrics, body weight and height are two important growth parameters. Moreover, weight for height and height for age are useful tools for evaluation of acute and chronic malnutrition during childhood. The fact that children with congenital heart disease soon deviate from their birth percentiles for weight or height is common knowledge. However, the extent of this deviation in terms of malnutrition is less well documented. • The aim of this study was to explore the presence and the extent of malnutrition among Belgian children with congenital heart disease on admission to hospital. A retrospective chart review of 300 children (aged 0–18 years) with congenital heart disease was conducted at a large Belgian university hospital. • Results of this study show an increase in the frequency and severity of acute and chronic malnutrition after birth; more malnutrition in children with multiple heart defects than in those with single heart defects; more chronic malnutrition in children with heart failure, cyanosis or a combination of both and in children with additional non-cardiac anomalies; and less malnutrition in children who had never had surgery. The prevalence of malnutrition was not influenced by sex, nationality, nor reason for admission.
Collapsing glomerulopathy in collagen vascular-like disease:

Objective: Collapsing glomerulopathy (CG) is a podocytopathy that is usually associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and parvovirus B19 infections. CG has been reported in association with definite collagen vascular diseases, mainly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There are a few case reports in the nephrology literature of patients with CG and marked serological abnormalities who do not have sufficient clinical findings to diagnose definite collagen vascular disease. We wish to expand the spectrum of rheumatologic disease that accompanies CG. We describe four patients with CG and collagen vascular-like disease and compare these with 14 similar cases reported in the medical literature. Methods: Case reports of four new patients with CG and collagen vascular-like disease are presented. We performed a systematic literature review to find all other cases and construct a profile of patients with CG and collagen vascular-like disease. Results: All patients had a similar mode of presentation with severe nephrotic range proteinuria and renal insufficiency resistant to steroids and usual immunomodulatory therapy. All patients had positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) as well as other marked serological abnormalities but few if any clinical findings that would allow for a definitive diagnosis of a specific collagen vascular disease. Almost all patients became dialysis dependent. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) may possibly be a therapeutic option. Conclusion: Rheumatologists may be asked to consult on patients with severe proteinuria and renal insufficiency in the presence of marked serological abnormalities but few clinical symptoms and should be aware of this podocytopathy. Lupus (2014) 23, 75–80.
Severe pulsus alternans associated with primary myocardial disease in children. Observations on clinical features, hemodynamic findings. Mechanisms and prognosis.

Five children, including two siblings, with clinically similar primary myocardial disease, were studied. One of the siblings expired 3 years after the onset of symptoms, and autopsy showed features of "cardiovascular collagenosis (endocardiomyopathy)." Moderate-to-severe pulsus alternans was present in all cases and persisted even after control of cardiac failure and return to moderate physical activity. No electrical alternans or bigeminy was observed. Cardiac catheterizations were performed on all patients. Left ventricular volume was radiographically determined in the siblings. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume was calculated as greater, and end-systolic volume smaller, for large beats as compared with small beats. Though alternating, end-diastolic volume was abnormally large, preceding both small and large beats. End-diastolic pressure alternated in the same way. Beat to beat (R-R) interval, alternating by as much as 0.09 second, was equalized by pacing in the right atrium and right ventricle, wit...
Indolealkylamines in Mucuna species

SUMMARY Before Mucuna can be widely promoted as a food and feed crop, the presence of antinutritional components and their potential long-term effects must be appraised. In addition to L-dopa, a number of indolic alkaloids structurally related to serotonin have been reported in various parts of the Mucuna plant. Several of these naturally occurring compounds, all of which share tryptamine as a base structure, are known to have hallucinogenic properties of considerable strength. In this study, five related alkaloids (tryptamine, serotonin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 5methoxy-dimethyltryptamine, and bufotenine) were assayed in the tissue and/or seed samples of twenty Mucuna accessions by liquid chromatography with mass spectral detection. Samples included the roots, stems, leaves, and pods of dried plants, the stems and leaves of fresh-frozen plant material, and raw seeds. In a previous screening study, 5-methoxydimethyltryptamine had been confirmed in each of several samples examined, with serotonin and tryptamine found in only a few select samples. The concentrations of these components were estimated to be ~0.001%, low compared to that of L-dopa (4-7% by weight in raw seed), but of concern nonetheless. In the current quantitative study, neither tryptamine nor N,N-dimethyltryptamine were detected in any sample (<0.50 µg g -1 ), although ions corresponding to tryptamine were noted periodically as fragmentation products for several of the other compounds, especially serotonin and bufotenine. An unknown compound close to the weight of serotonin, possibly N-methyltryptamine, was determined in all plant tissue samples and one seed sample. Although serotonin was not present in any sample tested (<0.50 µg g -1
Two-dimensional combinatorial screening and the RNA Privileged Space Predictor program efficiently identify aminoglycoside–RNA hairpin loop interactions

Herein, we report the identification of RNA hairpin loops that bind derivatives of kanamycin A, tobramycin, neamine, and neomycin B via twodimensional combinatorial screening, a method that screens chemical and RNA spaces simultaneously. An arrayed aminoglycoside library was probed for binding to a 6-nucleotide RNA hairpin loop library (4096 members). Members of the loop library that bound each aminoglycoside were excised from the array, amplified and sequenced. Sequences were analyzed with our newly developed RNA Privileged Space Predictor (RNA-PSP) program, which analyzes selected sequences to identify statistically significant trends. RNA-PSP identified the following unique trends: 5’UNNNC3’ loops for the kanamycin A derivative (where N is any nucleotide); 5’UNNC3’ loops for the tobramycin derivative; 5’UNC3’ loops for the neamine derivative; and 5’UNNG3’ loops for the neomycin B derivative. The affinities and selectivities of a subset of the ligand–hairpin loop interactions were determined. The selected interactions have Kd values ranging from 10nM to 605nM. Selectivities ranged from 0.4 to >200-fold. Interestingly, the results from RNAPSP are able to qualitatively predict specificity based on overlap between the RNA sequences selected for the ligands. These studies expand the information available on small molecule–RNA motif interactions, which could be useful to design ligands targeting RNA.
DRUG RESISTANT MYCOBACTERIUM BOVIS CYSTITIS FOLLOWING INTRAVESICAL BACILLUS CALMETTE-GUERIN TREATMENT

Intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a mainstay of treatment for superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Although an overall complication rate of 5% has been reported,1 most complications are of minor significance. We report a case of multidrug resistant Mycobacterium bovis cystitis 2 years after intravesical therapy with BCG. CASE REPORT A 73-year-old man presented with painless hematuria in August 1996. Cystoscopy showed multiple papillary bladder tumors, which were resected. Pathological examination revealed superficial grade II to III papillary transitional cell carcinoma and BCG was administered. However, BCG therapy was discontinued after the fourth instillation because of severe side effects, including dysuria, frequency, urgency, weakness and loss of appetite. The patient did not have any acute febrile episodes. Urine cultures were negative. Repeat cystoscopy revealed tumor recurrence at the bladder neck, which was again resected. Pathological examination indicated high grade muscle invasive disease. Cystectomy was not considered because of co-morbid illnesses and patient inability to maintain a stoma. He underwent a course of 5-fluorouracil and external beam radiation therapy. Followup cystoscopy did not reveal a tumor but showed a 2 cm. necrotic area on the left anterior surface of the bladder. Watchful waiting was elected and followup cystoscopy did not shown any change. In April 1998 cystoscopy was terminated due to significant pyuria and hematuria. The patient complained of severe irritative voiding symptoms and incontinence. He did not have fever or other signs of systemic infection. A course of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole was given empirically but routine urine cultures were negative. Symptoms did not improve. A biopsy of the aforementioned necrotic area in June revealed cystitis and granulomatous change (see figure). Repeat urine culture for acid-fast bacillus was positive for M. bovis sensitive to rifampin, ethambutol and streptomycin but resistant to isoniazid and pyrazinamide. After several weeks of treatment with rifampin and ethambutol symptoms improved. Repeat urine cultures were negative for mycobacteria. The total course of therapy was 12 months. DISCUSSION
Interzonal microtubules are dynamic during spindle elongation

The pattern and extent of microtubule assembly during spindle elongation has been examined in PtK1 cells by microinjection of biotin-tubulin and immunolocalization of biotin-tubulin-containing microtubules using antibodies to biotin. PtK1 cells were microinjected at 30 degrees C, incubated for various intervals to allow incorporation of biotin-tubulin into microtubules, then lysed, fixed and stained for biotin-tubulin and total tubulin. When mid- to late anaphase cells were examined at short times post-injection, using conventional fluorescence light microscopy, rapid incorporation of biotin-tubulin was detected throughout the interzonal region, between the separating chromosomes, and in the spindle asters. Using confocal fluorescence microscopy, the segments of biotin-labeled microtubules in the interzonal region were found to be continuous with the distal, or plus-ends, of unlabeled microtubules. When teleophase cells were examined, a marked decline in the extent of incorporation was apparent. Quantitative analysis of the total length of labeled polymer in the interzonal region of cells from mid-anaphase through telophase further reveals that the extent of incorporation was maximal during late anaphase, and decreased during telophase. The measured rate of interzonal microtubule growth remained relatively constant during this period. Our results provide direct evidence for plus-end elongation of interzonal microtubules during spindle elongation and further reveal that interzonal microtubules are highly dynamic during late anaphase spindle elongation. The implications of these results for the mechanism of anaphase B are discussed.
Racial Differences in Quality of Anticoagulation Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation (from the TREAT-AF Study).

The influence of race on quality of anticoagulation control is not well described. We examined the association between race, international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring intensity, and INR control in warfarin-treated patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Using data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), we performed a retrospective cohort study of 184,161 patients with a new diagnosis of AF/flutter from 2004 to 2012 who received any VHA prescription within 90 days of diagnosis. The primary predictor was race, ascertained from multiple VHA and linked Medicare demographic files. The primary outcome was first-year and long-term time in therapeutic range (TTR) of INR 2.0 to 3.0. Secondary outcomes were INR monitoring intensity and warfarin persistence. Of the 116,021 patients who received warfarin in the cohort, INR monitoring intensity was similar across racial groups. However, TTR was lowest in blacks and highest in whites (first year 0.49 ± 0.23 vs 0.57 ± 0.21, p 55% (p
Mining protein family specific residue packing patterns from protein structure graphs

Finding recurring residue packing patterns, or spatial motifs, that characterize protein structural families is an important problem in bioinformatics. We apply a novel frequent subgraph mining algorithm to three graph representations of protein three-dimensional (3D) structure. In each protein graph, a vertex represents an amino acid. Vertex-residues are connected by edges using three approaches: first, based on simple distance threshold between contact residues; second using the Delaunay tessellation from computational geometry, and third using the recently developed almost-Delaunay tessellation approach.Applying a frequent subgraph mining algorithm to a set of graphs representing a protein family from the Structural Classification of Proteins (SCOP) database, we typically identify several hundred common subgraphs equivalent to common packing motifs found in the majority of proteins in the family. We also use the counts of motifs extracted from proteins in two different SCOP families as input variables in a binary classification experiment. The resulting models are capable of predicting the protein family association with the accuracy exceeding 90 percent. Our results indicate that graphs based on both almost-Delaunay and Delaunay tessellations are sparser than the contact distance graphs; yet they are robust and efficient for mining protein spatial motif.
PHYTOCHROME MEDIATION OF UREDOSPORE GERMINATION IN THE FUNGUS PUCCINIA GRAMINIS

—Applying criteria used for higher plants, phytochrome mediation of uredospore germination in the stem-rust fungus, Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Eriks & Henn) Guyot is established. A 1 min red irradiation at 660 nm promotes uredospore germination and this potentiation of promotion is photoreversible by a 1 min far-red irradiation at 730 nm.
Urethral Stromal Tumor with Pacemaker Cell Phenotype

Penile malignancies are rare in developed countries. The authors present a case of a penile urethral mesenchymal tumor occurring in a 51-year-old Caucasian male and displaying light microscopic, immuno- histochemical, and ultrastructural features suggestive of a pacemaker cell type, combined with a lack of diagnostic features of any other established tumor category. The immunohistochemical profile was intensely positive for vimentin, PKC h, and NSE and weakly positive to nonreactive for CD34 and smooth muscle actin, and entirely negative for CD117 (c-kit), S-100, and other markers. C-kit and PDGFRA gene analysis showed no mutations. Electron microscopy revealed tumor cells with plentiful cyto- plasm and cytoplasmic processes=filopodia, both filled with intermediate filaments and occasional solitary focal densities. There were also prominent smooth endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, caveolae, neurosecretory gran- ules, particularly concentrated in cytoplasmic processes, and synaptic-type structures. Poorly formed basal lamina, gap junctions, and intercellular collagen aggregates, consistent with skeinoid-type fibers, were also noted. Interstitial cells with potential pacemaker function have been recently described in the lower urinary tract, including the urethra, and this tumor may be related to this cellular phenotype.
Taking advantage of data correlation to control the topology of wireless sensor networks

Sleep-based topology control is an important technique used in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to reduce the energy consumption of the individual node platforms and, as a consequence, sleep-based topology control is useful to increase the functional lifetime of the networks. While in the literature there are several schemes that address sleep-based topology control in WSNs, there is no proposal that operates exploiting the information provided by the correlation among sensed data. This paper describes a method to control the topology of a WSN using information about data correlation. With the correlation information, the node platforms are able to create a two-tier network-one tier of active while the other of backup nodes- and thus extend the functional lifetime of the WSN. Basically, the mechanism consists of two steps: (1) autonomous creation of clusters and (2) use of a scheduling algorithm within these clusters. Our scheme has practical relevance since it is simple, localized, decentralized, and scalable. Moreover, using correlation information allows relaxing common assumptions imposed in other topology control schemes. This article provides a tractable model of the scheme and analytical results showing its performance, along with simulations that support the analytical results.
Superconducting Test Cavity With Dielectric Concentrator for High Q, High Surface Field

A superconducting test cavity and cryostat are being developed to support the testing of round wafer samples of new superconducting materials. The cavity is designed to test these samples in surface fields up to and beyond the BCS limit of Nb. The design is optimized to produce maximum surface field on the sample compared with that elsewhere in the cavity. It operates in the TE011 mode. A dielectric hemisphere of low-loss sapphire is located just above the wafer surface and serves to concentrate the surface field. The sapphire is cooled by a column of superfluid He, with sufficient heat transport to maintain high Q throughout the rf pulse. It should be possible to test a sample to twice the BCS limit of Nb while measuring the rf surface resistance of the sample.
Vibration-RF Control of Superconducting-Helix Resonators for Heavy-Ion Acceleration

An electronic system for the control of the effects of RF frequency oscillations caused by mechanical vibrations in a superconducting helix are described. A combination of frequency modulation and amplitude modulation is used to lock the phase of a self-excited accelerating structure to that of a controlling master oscillator. The system has been used successfully during beam acceleration with a superconducting helix.
Measurement of dielectric properties in ceramics under ionizing and displacive irradiation conditions

Several experiments have been completed in which the dielectric properties of ceramic materials were measured during ionizing and displacive irradiation. The experimental matrix included single crystal sapphire, commercial-grade polycrystalline alumina, magnesium aluminate spinel, silicon nitride, and aluminum nitride. These materials are candidates for use in a number of fusion reactor components. The measurements were made at 100 MHz using a capacitively loaded resonant cavity. Essentially no affect: of ionizing radiation alone was observed for damage rates up to about 5×10 5 Gy/h. However, pulsed fission reactor irradiation led to dramatic increases in the loss tangent. The fractional contributions of the ionizing and displacive fields to the total change observed during the neutron irradiations could not be unambiguously determined. The results of these experiments indicate that the use of postirradiation measurements leads to an underestimate of the radiation-induced dielectric degradation that occurs in the radiation field.
Explaining Third World Alignment

Many argue that balance of power theory is as applicable to the Third World as it is to other states. Without substantial modification, however, balance of power theory cannot explain Third World alignments, because it ignores key characteristics of Third World states that determine alignment. The author develops a theory, “omnibalancing,” that is relevant to the Third World and that repairs these defects. Rather than balance of power's emphasis on states seeking to resist threats from other states, omnibalancing explains Third World alignments as a consequence of leaders seeking to counter internal and external threats to their rule. The superiority of omnibalancing over balance of power in making Third World alignments understandable is related to the Third World in general and to the alignment decisions of two key Third World states in particular. The author concludes by discussing why an understanding of the Third World, including Third World alignment, is central to the study of international relations.
Close Relationships Research: Applications to Counseling Psychology

The research area of close relationships has developed largely over the past decade and shares many of counseling psychology's values, including a focus on relatively normal human behavior, interest in people's strengths and positive qualities, and a recognition of the importance of person-environment interaction. Close relationships research includes many topic areas, and four of these are briefly presented here: love, communication, attribution, and lesbian and gay relationships. Implications for collaboration between counseling psychologists and close relationships scholars are discussed.
The Structure of Conflict Behavior of Managers Assessed with Self-and Subordinate Ratings

Most previous treatments of conflict style have focused upon five strategies: avoiding (withdrawing), forcing (competing), smoothing (accommodating), compromising, and confronting (collaborating), purported to lie in a two-dimensional (assertion and cooperation) space. The factor structure of conflict style in self-reports by 158 public-and private-sector managers and in reports by their subordinates (total N = 927) on Howat and London's (1980) 25 behavioral statements was determined. These data indicate a three-dimensional structure which was essentially the same for self-and subordinate reports, i.e., openness, distribution, and control, although self-and subor-dinate reports were correlated at only a very low level. Concern for the interest of both parties was a component of both openness and distribution. The implications for conflict management were discussed.
Adductors, abductors, and the evolution of archosaur locomotion

Living crocodilians (Crocodylia) and birds (Neornithes) differ in many aspects of hind- limb anatomy and locomotor function. How did this disparity evolve? We integrate information from fossils with functional descriptions of locomotion in living crocodilians and birds, using a phylogenetic perspective. We then outline the major changes in three-dimensional control of the hip joint along the line from the ancestral archosaur to birds. Our analysis reveals that most aspects of hip morphology and function in Alligator are ancestral for Archosauria. Femoral protractors and retractors are located cranial and caudal to the hip, respectively. Similarly, femoral adductors and abductors are located ventral and dorsal to the hip. Transformations of this ancestral pattern on the line to birds involved modifications in osteology, myology, and neural control. In some cases, homologous muscles changed function by acquiring new activity patterns. In others, activity was conserved, but origins and/or insertions were altered. Fossil theropods document the stepwise evolution of a novel mechanism of limb adduction/abduction involving long-axis rotation of the femur. This mechanism accounts for the conspicuous absence of significant musculature ventral and dorsal to the hip joint in extant birds.
A Teaching Database for Diagnosis of Hematologic Neoplasms Using Immunophenotyping by Flow Cytometry

Context In the diagnosis of lymphomas and leukemias, flow cytometry has been considered an essential addition to morphology and immunohistochemistry. The interpretation of immunophenotyping results by flow cytometry involves pattern recognition of different hematologic neoplasms that may have similar immunologic marker profiles. An important factor that creates difficulty in the interpretation process is the lack of consistency in marker expression for a particular neoplasm. For this reason, a definitive diagnostic pattern is usually not available for each specific neoplasm. Consequently, there is a need for decision support tools to assist pathology trainees in learning flow cytometric diagnosis of leukemia and lymphoma. Objective Development of a Web-enabled relational database integrated with decision-making tools for teaching flow cytometric diagnosis of hematologic neoplasms. Design This database has a knowledge base containing patterns of 44 markers for 37 hematologic neoplasms. We have obtained immunophenotyping data published in the scientific literature and incorporated them into a mathematical algorithm that is integrated to the database for differential diagnostic purposes. The algorithm takes into account the incidence of positive and negative expression of each marker for each disorder. Results Validation of this algorithm was performed using 92 clinical cases accumulated from 2 different medical centers. The database also incorporates the latest World Health Organization classification for hematologic neoplasms. Conclusions The algorithm developed in this database shows significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy over our previous database prototype. This Web-based database is proposed to be a useful public resource for teaching pathology trainees flow cytometric diagnosis.
Organic Constitutionalism: Rousseau, Hegel and the Constitution of Society

In this paper I discuss the views of Rousseau and Hegel that constitutions must be organically connected to the people the documents are supposed to represent, and the societies those people constitute. This is contrary to the prevailing view of modern constitutionalism, which seems to be that a universal model can (and perhaps should) be adequate for any society, in any place, and in any time. Following Rousseau and Hegel, I suggest that this prevailing view is dangerous. I propose, as an alternative, that constitutional projects in new or incipient nations should be situationally and contingently determined based on the cultural, legal, moral, and political history of the people a constitution is supposed to represent.
Ectopic Parathyroid Adenoma in the Carotid Sheath

Primary hyperparathyroidism is predominantly caused by a single parathyroid adenoma. Knowledge of normal and ectopic locations of parathyroid glands is crucial to help guide surgeons who plan targeted unilateral parathyroidectomy to reduce surgical time and risk. We describe a female patient with clinical primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent a failed initial parathyroidectomy, with subsequent imaging localizing an ectopic parathyroid adenoma in the carotid sheath.
Position Bias in Paired Product Tests

Paired comparison tests appear to be the most scientific form of product testing. This technique originated in the laboratory procedures of classical psychophysicists [7]. It closely approximates the laboratory experiment since the two test items are presented under controlled circumstances and the compared experiences are placed as close in time as possible. Like any controlled experiment, the paired comparison product test can be criticized for the artificiality of the circumstances under which the test items are used [1, 2]. This makes it imperative that paired product tests be carefully designed and that inferences about real-world behavior be made cautiously. When properly used, however, paired product tests are a powerful tool of the product researcher and continue to be one of the most popular approaches to preference measurement [3, 5, 6]. A phenomenon that has annoyed researchers who have used paired comparison tests is position bias or testing order effects. Many researchers have reported systematic biases in indicated preferences that can be related to the testing order of the two items. In some cases the bias favors the first item tested [4, 5]; in other cases it favors the second item [4]. An example of paired product test results with position bias was reported by Greenberg [5]. His results are shown in Table 1. A majority of participants who used Item A first indi ated a preference for Item A. Among those who tested Item B first, a majority reported a preference for B. A chi-square test indicated that the influence of order was significant at the .02 level [5]. When the two groups are combined, the effects of testing order are balanced, and there is no significant difference in indicated preferences across the sample. Obviously, misleading results would have occurred if all tests had been conducted with the same testing order. Because of the frequent occurrence of results such as these, it has become standard practice in conducting paired product tests to randomize the testing order.
Electronic Structure of Self-Assembled Peptide Nucleic Acid Thin Films

The electronic structure of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) formed on Au substrates was investigated. Cys-appended PNA 7-mers of thymine (Cys-T7) were incubated on Au substrates in a nitrogen glovebox attached to a photoemission spectrometer. Ultraviolet and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (UPS and XPS) measurements on the resulting SAMs revealed the hole injection barrier at the interface and the interface dipole. Electronic structure calculations based on molecular dynamics sampling of the PNA structure yielded the HOMO–LUMO gap and the electronic density of states for PNA. Combined with the UPS data, the theoretical calculation enabled estimation of the charge injection barriers at the interface, as well as the assignment of individual UP spectral features to specific molecular orbitals. Interestingly, the dipole moment of the PNA backbone is predicted to polarize PNA MOs, shifting the preferred HOMO localization toward the C-terminus of PNA. Control measurements on Cys-...
21st Century Change Drivers: Considerations for Constructing Transformative Models of Special Education Teacher Development.

Contemporary challenges confronting special education teachers include, in part, workload, role ambiguity, evaluation, and shortages. Based on these and other challenges, the piece-meal fragmented ...
Li_4SiO_4 ceramic pebbles prepared by gelation nodulizing and solid-reaction sintering process

Li4SiO4ceramic pebbles were prepared by gelation nodulizing and solid-reaction sintering process. Li2CO3and SiO2powder were used as starting material,which were mixed with a binder solution. The mixture was dropped into oil through a nozzle to generate spheres,and then the gel spheres were formed. After drying,the gel spheres were sintering and Li4SiO4ceramic pebbles were fabricated. The results show that pebbles diameter is in the range of 1. 2-1. 4 mm,and 1. 30 mm in average,sphericity is 1. 04. The grain size is 3-5 μm measured by SEM. The crush load of Li4SiO4pebbles sintered at 950 ℃ is( 39. 89 ± 8. 21) N.
Analysis on Stability of Small Signal for Grid-connected Energy Storage Inverter

Energy storage system is an effective means for stabilizing power fluctuations of intermittent renewable energy. This article derives small signal mathematical model of energy storage inverter in grid-connected operation and analyzes the impact of main control parameters on small signal stability of inverter; furthermore,it uses PSCAD to build a simulation model of the operating grid-connected energy storage inverter, for the purposes of verifying the impact of inverter control parameter on small signal stability.