cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FREDERICK JACKSON TURNER AND AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY

Frederick Jackson Turner was a precursor to the modern historical geographer as well as a cofounder of the American subdiscipline. His studies of frontiers, sections, and regions pioneered new paths for interdisciplinary scholarship between history and the earth sciences, particularly geography. In both his scholarship and his teaching carrer, Turner stressed the importance of geographical understanding and methodology. His personal commitment to the discipline involved him in the professional affairs of the community of American geographers. While much of Turner's empirical work has been superseded in this century, his theories persist as continuing stimulants to geographical thought.
Accuracy of laminated wax interocclusal wafers

Different types of wax interocclusal records were tested to determine if the type of recording material affects cast position when dental plaster is used to mount casts. The results indicate that a difference in the type of wax record is not a significant factor in cast fixation.
Transfer processes in the flow of gases through packed and distended beds of spheres

Simultaneous mass, heat, and momentum transfer was experimentally investigated for the flow of air through packed and distended beds of spheres saturated with water. The porous spheres were approximately ⅝ in. in diameter. The void fraction of the packed bed was ϵ = 0.416, and the distended beds, whose spheres were positioned in a body-centered cubic arrangement, had respective void fractions of ϵ = 0.576 and 0.778. The distended beds were formed by separating the spheres and connecting them with short lengths of fine rigid wire. Similar relationships for the packed and the distended fixed beds were obtained when the transfer factors were related to the modified Reynolds number. The relationship obtained for mass transfer in packed and distended beds was found to apply to data reported for fluidized beds of spheres. Pressure drop measurements were made which were not exacting but which indicate that the Ergun relationship for packed beds can be used to relate the friction factor to the modified Reynolds number for both the packed and distended beds investigated.
Cellular mechanisms for preservation of timing in central auditory pathways

The faithful preservation of acoustic timing information, as signals are passed from one synaptic level to another, requires a convergence of morphological, biophysical, and biochemical specializations in auditory neurons. Recent studies have focused on the adaptive membrane properties of neurons in the auditory brainstem. These include analyses of neurotransmitter receptors and voltage-gated channels, as well as the mechanisms of transmitter release and its modulation. The molecular composition of the relevant proteins are now being demonstrated, including the glutamate receptor Dflop (GluR-Dflop) subunit of AMPA receptors and members of the Kv1 and Kv3 families of potassium channels.
The effects of disease dispersal and host clustering on the epidemic threshold in plants

For an epidemic to occur in a closed population, the transmission rate must be above a threshold level. In plant populations, the threshold depends not only on host density, but on the distribution of hosts in space. This paper presents an alternative analysis of a previously presented stochastic model for an epidemic in continuous space (Bolker, 1999, Bull. Math. Biol. 61, 849–874). A variety of moment closures are investigated to determine the dependence of the epidemic threshold on host spatial distribution and pathogen dispersal. Local correlations that arise during the early phase of the outbreak determine whether a true global epidemic will occur.
Straightforward Entry to S-Glycosylated Fmoc-Amino Acids and Their Application to Solid Phase Synthesis of Glycopeptides and Glycopeptidomimetics

Streamlined access to S-glycosylated Fmoc-amino acids was developed. The process provides diverse glycosylated modified amino acids in high yield and stereoselectivity taking advantage of the in situ generation of a glycosylthiolate obtained from carbohydrate acetates in a few steps. Mild basic conditions make the conjugation reaction compatible with Fmoc-iodo-amino acids. To validate the strategy the glycosylated building blocks were used for SPPS and the unprecedented incorporation of a long thio-oligosaccharide to the peptide chain was demonstrated.
Tumor volume reduction using combined phacoemulsification and intravitreal triamcinolone injection for the management of cataract with treated uveal melanoma and atypical nevi.

Purpose To study the reduction in tumor size and the safety and efficacy of combined phacoemulsification and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection (phaco–IVTA) in patients with treated melanoma and atypical nevi. Setting Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida, USA. Methods The medical records of 49 consecutive patients (51 eyes) with treated melanoma or atypical nevi treated with phaco–IVTA were evaluated retrospectively for changes in Snellen visual acuity, tumor volume, and frequency of complications. Main outcome measures included a postsurgical change in tumor size greater than or equal to 0.5 mm of height or 1.0 mm of basal diameter by echographic analysis, improvement in visual acuity at 6 months and final follow-up, and complications including endophthalmitis, cystoid macular edema, epiretinal membrane, increased intraocular pressure, and persistent corneal edema. Results The median baseline visual acuity was 20/80 in the affected eye. At the 6-month follow-up examination, 13 (68%) of 19 eyes had achieved better than 20/40 visual acuity. Treated uveal melanomas (n = 30) and atypical choroidal nevi (n = 21) were stable with combined therapy, and echographic measurements improved in 12 eyes. Intraocular pressure increased from baseline to 25 mm Hg or more postoperatively in 4 of 51 eyes (8%). No other significant complications occurred. Conclusions Combined phacoemulsification and IVTA was reasonably safe in patients with treated melanoma and atypical nevi. Tumors remained stable or decreased slightly in size. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection at the time of cataract surgery in patients with treated melanoma or nevus may reduce rates of tumor progression in these patients.
A surface free energy model for protein structure in solution: Hemoglobin equilibrium

Abstract The many reactions of the protein hemoglobin are difficult to understand in terms of solution theory. The equilibrium constants for ligand binding and for the dissociation of the tetramer into dimers, as well as linkages between these equilibria, all vary with pH and concentration. By considering hemoglobin as a colloidal system and using only two parameters, the molecular surface area and the surface charge, the changes during reactions can be evaluated in terms of the surface free energy, and the equilibrium constants can be estimated. Using this approach some of the unsual properties and the complex inter-retations between properties can be demonstrated. This simple model accounts for the appearance of dissociation at certain pH's and for the variation of the dissociation constant with oxygenation. It also shows that the oxygenation equilibrium constant varies with pH, as in the acid and alkaline Bohr effects, and with the ionic strength. Furthermore, the model shows that the empirical Hill coefficient; in the oxygen binding equation is not a constant, but is directly related to the Gibbs surface excess.
The elasticity of substitution as a proxy measure of economic integration

This study examines how the accession of Greece to the European Union affected the Greek economy. Transcendental production functions of agriculture, industry, and service sectors of Greece, Germany, and France were estimated and tested for structural stability. Based on two estimated parameters of sectoral production functions and the corresponding data on capital-to-labor ratios, sectoral elasticities of substitution were constructed as vectors of values, varying with time. It was found that the elasticities of the traded sectors, industry, and manufacturing converged. The elasticities of substitution of the nontraded sector service and the traded, but protected, sector of agriculture diverged.
Early postural adjustments in preparation to whole-body voluntary sway.

We studied postural adjustments associated with a quick voluntary postural sway under two conditions, self-paced and simple reaction-time. Standing subjects were required to produce quick discrete shifts of the center of pressure (COP) forward. About 400–500 ms prior to the instructed COP shift, there were deviations of the COP in the opposite direction (backwards) accompanied by changes in the activation levels of several postural muscles. Under the reaction-time conditions, the timing of those early postural adjustments did not change (repeated measures MANOVA: p>0.05) while its magnitude increased significantly (confirmed by repeated measures MANOVA: p<0.05). These observations are opposite to those reported for anticipatory postural adjustments under simple reaction time conditions (a significant change in the timing without major changes in the magnitude). We conclude that there are two types of feed-forward postural adjustments. Early postural adjustments prepare the body for the planned action and/or expected perturbation. Some of these preparatory actions may be mechanically necessary. Later, anticipatory postural adjustments generate net forces and moments of force acting against those associated with the expected perturbation. Both types of adjustments fit well the referent configuration hypothesis, which offers a unified view on movement-posture control.
The Modern World-System IV: Centrist Liberalism Triumphant, 1789–1914, Immanuel Wallerstein, Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011

AbstractThe book continues Immanuel Wallerstein’s historical narrative of the modern world-system. It focuses primarily on the social and political developments in the European core during the nineteenth century, tracing the rise of liberal hegemony, the growth of the administrative state, and the emergence of modern social science. It also examines the rise of anti-systemic socialist, feminist, and nationalist movements that challenged the liberal project. The book successfully illustrates how the world-systems framework can be used to analyse the intersection between the national and the international spheres. Through its historical critique of the human sciences, it also makes an effective case for the viability of world-systems analysis as an alternative mode of critical social-scientific inquiry.
Rational antibiotic therapy for respiratory disorders in dogs and cats.

The appropriate antibiotic treatment of respiratory tract infections involves accurate diagnosis and identification of bacterial infection, with treatment targeted at the infecting pathogens. Optimal drug selection is based on predicted bacterial susceptibility, drug distribution and activity in the respiratory tract, and safety for the patient; however, treatment is often required before results of culture and sensitivity tests are completed. Additionally, these infections are often the result of underlying disease processes that predispose the patient to secondary bacterial infection and may complicate the response to therapy. This article presents an overview of the unique physiology and defense mechanisms of the respiratory system, the diversity of microbial organisms that may colonize and invade the respiratory tract, and the factors that affect antimicrobial therapy in the diseased state in dogs and cats.
Estimation of rate of synthesis of chromosomal DNA in ehrlich ascites tumor cells

An estimate is made of the rate coefficient for linear DNA synthesis with exact doubling in an exponentially growing population of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells having chromosome-number dispersion. Comparison of calculated and experimental results suggest that the assumptions used in the calculation are tenable, but further experimental evidence is needed to prove this.
Comparative studies of oxidative enzyme systems in epidermis and fat body of diapausing and non-diapausing silkmoths

Abstract The activities of four oxidative enzyme systems, including NADH oxidase, succinate-cytochrome c reductase, NADH-cytochrome c reductase, and cytochrome c oxidase, were compared in mitochondrial-microsomal preparations from wing epidermis and fat body of diapausing Samia cynthia pupae, presumptively non-diapausing S. cynthia ricini pupae which were caused to diapause by removal of the brain, and non-diapausing S. cynthia ricini during the pupal and pharate adult period. In diapausing pupae the activities of all enzyme systems were low and presented a profile similar to that previously reported for the Cecropia silkmoth. By contrast, in non-diapausing individuals the activities showed substantially higher levels, and an essentially unchanging pattern from just after the larval-pupal ecdysis through most of adult development. These events are functionally correlated with the patterns of biosynthetic activity in diapausing and non-diapausing silkmoths and are discussed in relation to the endocrine control of diapause and development.
Between rock and a hard place: Cultural politics of 1970s rock music in Calcutta

This essay follows 1960s American rock music as it emerged in Calcutta during the 1970s as a subcultural phenomenon. It engages this phenomenon on both representational and socio-historical registers. The essay first analyzes the diegetic functions that a rock band and its music serves in the Bengali Marxist auteur Mrinal Sen's 1972 film, Calcutta '71. The essay then moves on to consider the seminal Calcutta rock band, the High (formed in 1974), and the socio-historical conditions that produced it. It closes with the argument that a formal Marxist critique of the city's rock musical culture such as Sen's fails to adequately address the real, local complexities inherent in its production, mediation, and dissemination.
Generator Eluate Effects on the Labeling Efficiency of 99mTc-Sestamibi

Abstract Our nuclear pharmacy noted that 99m Tc-sestamibi kits sometimes failed radiochemical purity (RCP) testing (i.e., RCP 99m Tc activity and eluate volume were then investigated to help explain the reason for the low RCP values. Our results demonstrated that higher failure rates of the 99m Tc-sestamibi kits were noted when higher activities of 99m Tc eluates were added, and the higher failure rates of the kits were associated with lower RCP values. In addition, higher kit failure rate and lower RCP values of the 5.55-GBq kits at 12 h postelution in comparison with the 11.1-GBq kits at 6 h (same eluate volume) indicated that the 99m Tc activity and volume had a less detrimental effect on the 99m Tc-sestamibi kit preparation than the 99m Tc eluate age. The kit failures might be explained by the higher amount of 99m Tc and the production of the free radicals during the long ingrowth time prior to generator elution. In conclusion, the use of a first elution from a long-ingrowth time generator at a later stage (i.e., 11.1 GBq at 6 h and 5.55 GBq at 12 h postelution) in preparation of a 99m Tc-sestamibi kit is associated with a high rate of kit failure and should therefore be avoided.
Quantification of the pituitary-thyroid axis in pregnant rats.

To study the effects of pregnancy on the pituitary-thyroid axis in rats, serum and pituitary TSH and serum T3 and T4 concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Highly purified rat TSH labeled with 125I was also injected iv to investigate the plasma (or metabolic) clearance rate (PCR), the secretion rate, and half-time of disappearance of rat TSH in pregnant rats on the 21st day of gestation and in nonpregnant female controls. Serum TSH in pregnant rats, 30.3 ± 2.9(SE) µU/ml, was higher than that in non-pregnant rats, 17.9 ± 1.6 µU/ml, (p < 0.01). Pituitary TSH content in pregnant rats, 272 ± 19.5 mU/pituitary, was similar to that in non-pregnant rats, 245 ± 28.8 mU/pituitary, and pituitary weights were similar. Serum TSH at 30 min after administration of 10 µg of TRH was greater in pregnant rats, 293 ± 32.7 µU/ml, than in nonpregnant rats, 152 ± 19.9 µU/ml (p < 0.01). The PCR in pregnant rats, 1.03 ± 0.05 ml/min, was slightly greater than that in nonpregnant rats, 0.87 ± 0.05 ml/min (p < 0.05); and...
Monoclonal antibodies from rats immunized with fragment D of human fibrinogen

Abstract Fischer rats were immunized with fragment D (Fg-D) of human fibrinogen (Fg) to obtain antibody specific for neoantigens unique to this molecule. Absorption of serum with whole Fg indicated that some of the antibody produced reacted preferentially with Fg-D. Hybridoma cultures were prepared by fusion of immune rat spleen cells with mouse myeloma P3-X63-Ag8. Monoclonal antibodies obtained from these cultures fell into two classes: (a) Those reacting equally well with Fg and Fg-D. (b) Those reacting preferentially but not absolutely with Fg-D. Antibody from hybridoma 104-14, a member of the first group had an affinity for Fg-D of 1.5 × 10 9 M −1 while antibodies from 106-59 and 106-71 (group 2) demonstrated much lower affinities of 1.0 × 10 7 and 4.7 × 10 6 M −1 , respectively. The cross reactivity of antibodies in the second group indicated that they react with protein conformations that are altered during production of Fg-D from Fg.
Further observations on the mean velocity distribution in fully developed pipe flow

The measurements by Zagarola & Smits (1998) of mean velocity profiles in fully developed turbulent pipe flow are repeated using a smaller Pitot probe to reduce the uncertainties due to velocity gradient corrections. A new static pressure correction (McKeon & Smits 2002) is used in analysing all data and leads to significant differences from the Zagarola & Smits conclusions. The results confirm the presence of a power-law region near the wall and, for Reynolds numbers greater than 230×10^3 (R+ >5×10^3), a logarithmic region further out, but the limits of these regions and some of the constants differ from those reported by Zagarola & Smits. In particular, the log law is found for 600<y+ <0.12R+ (instead of 600<y+ <0.07R+), and the von Karman constant κ, the additive constant B for the log law using inner flow scaling, and the additive constant B∗ for the log law using outer scaling are found to be 0.421 ± 0.002, 5.60 ± 0.08 and 1.20 ± 0.10, respectively, with 95% confidence level (compared with 0.436±0.002, 6.15±0.08, and 1.51±0.03 found by Zagarola & Smits). The data also confirm that the pipe flow data for ReD ≤ 13.6×10^6 (as a minimum) are not affected by surface roughness.
BENEFICIAL AND DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF UV ON AQUATIC ORGANISMS: IMPLICATIONS OF SPECTRAL VARIATION

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) may have beneficial as well as detrimental effects on living systems. For example, UV-B radiation (280-320 nm) is generally dam- aging, while UV-A radiation (320-400 nm) may cause damage or stimulate beneficial photorepair of UV-B damage. The nature of both direct and indirect effects of UVR in nature depends on both the photon flux density and the spectral composition of the radiation incident on aquatic organisms across environmental UVR gradients in space (depth, trans- parency, elevation) and time (diel, seasonal, interannual). Here we use the common and widespread freshwater cladoceran Daphnia pulicaria as a model organism to demonstrate the potential importance of these wavelength-specific effects of UVR to the ecology of aquatic organisms. UVR-exposure experiments are used to manipulate both natural solar and artificial UVR sources to examine the beneficial as well as detrimental effects of different wavelengths of UVR. Changes in the spectral composition of solar radiation are also examined along several natural environmental gradients including diel gradients, depth gradients, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) gradients. The implications of variation in the spectral composition of UVR for aquatic organisms are discussed. The first biological weighting function (BWF) for a freshwater cladoceran is presented here. It demonstrates that the shortest UV-B wavelengths in sunlight are potentially the most damaging per photon. However, due to the greater photon flux density of longer wavelength UVR in sunlight, the net potential damage to Daphnia in nature is greatest for the longer wavelength UV-B and shorter wavelength UV-A radiation in the 305-322 nm range. Overall the contribution of UV-B to the total mortality response of Daphnia exposed to full-spectrum solar radiation for 7 h on a sunny summer day is 64% while UV-A con- tributes 36%. The BWF for Daphnia is used with the transmission spectrum for Mylar D to demonstrate that Mylar D cuts out only about half of the damaging UVR in sunlight. Following exposure to damaging UV-B, Daphnia exhibits a dramatic increase in survival in the presence of longer wavelength UV-A and visible radiation due to the stimulation of photoenzymatic repair. We present data that demonstrate the importance of both atmospheric ozone and DOC in creating strong environmental gradients in the intensity (irradiance) and spectral composition of solar UVR in nature. The light-absorbing component of DOC, chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), is particularly important in creating depth refugia from damaging UV-B in freshwater ecosystems. CDOM may also cause intense variations in the ratio of potentially beneficial UV-A to detrimental UV-B radiation to which aquatic organisms are exposed. In addition to changes in atmospheric ozone, future changes in CDOM related to climate change or other environmental disturbances may substantially alter the underwater exposure of a variety of aquatic organisms to different wavelengths of solar UVR.
Peripartum depression – does it occur in fathers and does it matter?

Abstract Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that women experience depression about twice as frequently as men. However, there is a growing awareness that the incidence of depression in men is markedly underestimated because of diagnostic bias. Traditional masculinity norms might result in a lack of recognition, and barriers to treatment, of depression in men. This article reviews the evidence for the specific occurrence of depression in men following the birth of a child as illustrated by the case of a 36 year old first-time father. It further reviews ideas on the etiology of postpartum depression in fathers, and its impact on the family, concluding with a review of treatment options. Finally, a detailed discussion of the attempts at case resolution is given. Unfortunately, though perhaps not unexpectedly, this case failed to return for a follow-up visit and did not respond to efforts to contact him by phone.
Management of asthma during pregnancy

Asthma is an inflammatory lung condition that is the most common chronic disease affecting pregnancy. The changes in pulmonary physiology during pregnancy include increased minute ventilation, decreased functional residual capacity, increased mucus production, and airway mucosa hyperemia and edema. Pregnancy is also associated with a physiological suppression of the immune system. Many studies have described the heterogeneous immune system response in women with asthma during pregnancy, which partly explains why asthma has been shown to worsen, improve, or remain stable in equal proportions of women during pregnancy. Asthma may be associated with poor maternal and fetal outcomes. However, better maternal and fetal outcomes are observed with better asthma control. Asthma controller medications are generally thought to be safe during pregnancy, but limited data are available for some of the medicines. Newer medications like omalizumab open avenues for the treatment of asthma, but also pose a challenge, as there is limited experience with their use. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach, including obstetricians, asthma specialists, and pediatricians should collaborate with the patient to carefully weigh the risks and benefits to determine an optimal management plan for each individual patient. The aim of this review article is to summarize the most recent literature about the immunological changes that occur during pregnancy, physiological and clinical implications of asthma on pregnancy, and asthma management and medication use in pregnant women.
Hypothesis testing and theory evaluation at the boundaries: Surprising insights from Bayes's theorem.

Because the probability of obtaining an experimental finding given that the null hypothesis is true [p(F\H0)] is not the same as the probability that the null hypothesis is true given a finding [p(H0\F)], calculating the former probability does not justify conclusions about the latter one. As the standard null-hypothesis significance-testing procedure does just that, it is logically invalid (J. Cohen, 1994). Theoretically, Bayes's theorem yields p(H0\F), but in practice, researchers rarely know the correct values for 2 of the variables in the theorem. Nevertheless, by considering a wide range of possible values for the unknown variables, it is possible to calculate a range of theoretical values for p(H0\F) and to draw conclusions about both hypothesis testing and theory evaluation.
Advanced gastric cancer – Slow but steady progress

Progress in gastric cancer has been slow, but steady. Historically, patients commonly presented with significant disease related co-morbidity and received treatment of marginal benefit but unfortunately associated with significant toxicity. Today there is no universally accepted reference standard chemotherapy for this disease. However, there is reason for optimism. Meta-analyses of randomized trials have shown a benefit for first-line combination chemotherapy. Current three drug chemotherapy regimens remain toxic, though perhaps less so than previously, and can result in a small but significant survival advantage in carefully chosen patients. Incremental improvements have been observed in both treatment-related toxicity and survival after first-line therapy. More patients are candidates for chemotherapy beyond progression with first-line therapy and response rates with second-line regimens are similar to those seen in other solid tumor malignancies. Although there is no randomized data to support its use second-line treatment should be considered in appropriate patients. Even before the integration of targeted therapies in the treatment of gastric cancer, it was evident that survival for more than 2 years is possible in a subset of patients and large retrospective studies have highlighted clinicopathologic factors associated with improved survival. Presently, with the addition of targeted therapy, especially anti-angiogenic and anti-Her2 therapy, and a better understanding of the biology of the disease, perhaps a sense of optimism should indeed suppress the nihilism commonly associated with this disease.
Oncolytic Activity of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Is Effective against Tumors Exhibiting Aberrant p53, Ras, or Myc Function and Involves the Induction of Apoptosis

We have recently shown that vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) exhibits potent oncolytic activity both in vitro and in vivo (S. Balachandran and G. N. Barber, IUBMB Life 50:135-138, 2000). In this study, we further demonstrated, in vivo, the efficacy of VSV antitumor action by showing that tumors that are defective in p53 function or transformed with myc or activated ras are also susceptible to viral cytolysis. The mechanism of viral oncolytic activity involved the induction of multiple caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways was effective in the absence of any significant cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response, and occurred despite normal PKR activity and eIF2alpha phosphorylation. In addition, VSV caused significant inhibition of tumor growth when administered intravenously in immunocompetent hosts. Our data indicate that VSV shows significant promise as an effective oncolytic agent against a wide variety of malignant diseases that harbor a diversity of genetic defects.
Differential effect of cholesterol on membrane interaction of charged versus uncharged 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists: A biophysical analysis

Second-generation 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel blockers are characterized by improved pharmacologic properties (e.g., long duration of activity and/or enhanced vasoselectivity), which are mediated, in part, by complex physicochemical interactions between the drug molecule and plasma membrane of certain contractile cells. The lipid bilayer assists in subsequent DHP receptor site recognition by optimizing drug location and concentration in equilibrium with an intrabilayer binding site. To understand these critical drug-membrane interactions, we have examined the equilibrium and kinetic binding properties of various DHP analogues, as well as verapamil and diltiazem, in reconstituted lipid bilayer vesicles. Of particular interest was the effect of cholesterol enrichment, as observed during dietary atherosclerosis, on drug binding to the lipid bilayer. Between a 0:1 and 0.3:1 cholesterol-to-phospholipid (C:PL) mole ratio, the membrane partition coefficient (KP[mem]) for uncharged DHPs (i.e., isradipine, nimodipine) decreased by over 50%, while the KP[mem] for the charged DHP amlodipine decreased by 10%. To understand the molecular basis for these results, small-angle x-ray diffraction approaches were used to generate structure profiles for membranes of varying cholesterol content to mimic normal and atherosclerotic-like conditions. One-dimensional electron density profiles (8 A resolution) demonstrated that the time-averaged membrane location for cholesterol's steroid nucleus overlaps the membrane area occupied by these DHPs. Thus, increases in cholesterol appear to reduce the molecular volume available for DHP partitioning into this region of the membrane. Despite its water solubility, amlodipine had the highest membrane partition coefficient (KP[mem]>104), the slowest rate of membrane dissociation, and was least affected by membrane cholesterol content changes. At a C-to-PL molar ratio of 0.6:1, amlodipine's KP[mem] was more than an order of magnitude greater than that of nimodipine, verapamil, or diltiazem. The results from this analysis demonstrate that there are mutual physicochemical factors that govern the interaction of lipophilic drugs with membranes of varying cholesterol composition. This study may have broad implications for the pharmacologic activity of drug molecules that bind to the membrane lipid bilayer as part of their overall mechanism of action under both normal and pathophysiologic conditions in which membrane cholesterol content is altered (e.g., atherosclerosis).
Analog transmission using vertical-cavity lasers

Analog signal transmission using a short wavelength VCSEL is studied. We demonstrate a spurious free dynamic range suitable for personal communications systems. The maximum dynamic range was measured at 85 dB Hz/sup 2/3/ between 100 MHz and 1 GHz using a higher bandwidth detector. Although this is lower than the maximum achievable dynamic range for DFB lasers (SFDR=125 dB Hz/sup 2/3/), these results indicate that VCSELs satisfy the dynamic range requirements for personal communication systems, which are in the range of 72-83 dB Hz/sup 2/3/. Increasing the optical power coupled into the detector and operating at higher modulation frequencies may result in improved dynamic range for VCSELs. At higher frequencies, performance will not be influenced by thermal nonlinearities, but instead will be limited by the relatively high relaxation oscillation frequencies. Finally, we present the dependence of dynamic range on oxide aperture diameter illustrating the effects of spatial hole burning.
Variation in Age at Cancer Diagnosis in Familial versus Nonfamilial Barrett's Esophagus

Background: Genetic influences may be discerned in families that have multiple affected members and may manifest as an earlier age of cancer diagnosis. In this study, we determine whether cancers develop at an earlier age in multiplex Familial Barrett's Esophagus (FBE) kindreds, defined by 3 or more members affected by Barrett's esophagus (BE) or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Methods: Information on BE/EAC risk factors and family history was collected from probands at eight tertiary care academic hospitals. Age of cancer diagnosis and other risk factors were compared between nonfamilial (no affected relatives), duplex (two affected relatives), and multiplex (three or more affected relatives) FBE kindreds. Results: The study included 830 nonfamilial, 274 duplex, and 41 multiplex FBE kindreds with 274, 133, and 43 EAC and 566, 288, and 103 BE cases, respectively. Multivariable mixed models adjusting for familial correlations showed that multiplex kindreds were associated with a younger age of cancer diagnosis ( P = 0.0186). Median age of cancer diagnosis was significantly younger in multiplex compared with duplex and nonfamilial kindreds (57 vs. 62 vs. 63 years, respectively, P = 0.0448). Mean body mass index was significantly lower in multiplex kindreds ( P = 0.0033), as was smoking ( P < 0.0001), and reported regurgitation ( P = 0.0014). Conclusions: Members of multiplex FBE kindreds develop EAC at an earlier age compared with nonfamilial EAC cases. Multiplex kindreds do not have a higher proportion of common risk factors for EAC, suggesting that this aggregation might be related to a genetic factor. Impact: These findings indicate that efforts to identify susceptibility genes for BE and EAC will need to focus on multiplex kindreds. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(2); 376–83. ©2011 AACR .
D2Taint: Differentiated and dynamic information flow tracking on smartphones for numerous data sources

With smartphones' meteoric growth in recent years, leaking sensitive information from them has become an increasingly critical issue. Such sensitive information can originate from smartphones themselves (e.g., location information) or from many Internet sources (e.g., bank accounts, emails). While prior work has demonstrated information flow tracking's (IFT's) effectiveness at detecting information leakage from smartphones, it can only handle a limited number of sensitive information sources. This paper presents a novel IFT tagging strategy using differentiated and dynamic tagging. We partition information sources into differentiated classes and store them in fixed-length tags. We adjust tag structure based on time-varying received information sources. Our tagging strategy enables us to track at runtime numerous information sources in multiple classes and rapidly detect information leakage from any of these sources. We design and implement D2Taint, an IFT system using our tagging strategy on real-world smartphones. We experimentally evaluate D2Taint's effectiveness with 84 real-world applications downloaded from Google Play. D2Taint reports that over 80% of them leak data to third-party destinations; 14% leak highly sensitive data. Our experimental evaluation using a standard benchmark tool illustrates D2Taint's effectiveness at handling many information sources on smartphones with moderate runtime and space overhead.
In vivo dynamic human retinal blood flow imaging using ultra-high-speed spectral domain optical Doppler tomography

An ultra-high-speed spectral domain optical Doppler tomography (SD-ODT) system is used to acquire images of blood flow in a human retina in vivo, at 29,000 depth profiles (A-lines) per second and with data acquisition over 99% of the measurement time. The phase stability of the system is examined and image processing algorithms are presented that allow accurate determination of bi-directional Doppler shifts. Movies are presented of human retinal flow acquired at 29 frames per second with 1000 A-lines per frame over a time period of 3.28 seconds, showing accurate determination of vessel boundaries and time-dependent bi-directional flow dynamics in artery-vein pairs. The ultra-high-speed SD-ODT system allows visualization of the pulsatile nature of retinal blood flow, detects blood flow within the choroid and retinal capillaries, and provides information on the cardiac cycle. In summary, accurate video rate imaging of retinal blood flow dynamics is demonstrated at ocular exposure levels below 600 microW.
Refugee Camp Economies

This paper describes the economy of a refugee camp. Key distortions to the economy of Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Uganda are noted and the findings are used to construct a generic model of a refugee camp economy. Camp economies are influenced by host country policies, such as restrictions on refugees’ movement and work, as well as by the physical and economic isolation of the site. Moreover, market outcomes interact with the nature of humanitarian assistance and the special demographic composition of the refugees to determine the prices and quantities that characterize the market. An awareness of the dynamics of the refugee camp economy has important implications for practitioners and scholars alike.
Overview of safety of non-biologic and biologic DMARDs

Safety data come from a number of sources. Randomized clinical trials tend to be relatively short, exclude patients with significant comorbidity, have limited numbers of subjects and are primarily powered for efficacy. The most useful post-marketing data come from large national registries, such as Britain's BSRBR, Sweden's ARTIS, Germany's RABBIT, France's DANBIO, Spain's BIODASER and North America's CORRONA. Among the most commonly used non-biologic DMARDs, MTX is associated with risks of hepatotoxicity and cytopenia, as well as pneumonitis, particularly during the first year of treatment. Regarding TNF inhibitors, there is an increased risk of infection (including serious infections) by bacterial pathogens, atypical fungi and opportunistic pathogens. When possible, pneumococcal and influenza vaccines should be given before initiation of treatment with any biologic DMARD. Screening for latent tuberculosis is recommended for all TNF inhibitors, and has been shown to reduce the risk of reactivation. Evidence from registries suggests that there is no increased risk of solid tumours with TNF inhibitor treatment; however, non-melanoma skin cancers are more common. Specific risks with other biologic DMARDs include gastrointestinal perforation with tocilizumab, progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy with rituximab and pulmonary infections with abatacept. Overall, the safety of biologic and non-biologic DMARDs appears to be reasonable, particularly compared with the risks associated with the disease itself.
Semaphorin 5A inhibits synaptogenesis in early postnatal- and adult-born hippocampal dentate granule cells

Human SEMAPHORIN 5A (SEMA5A) is an autism susceptibility gene; however, its function in brain development is unknown. In this study, we show that mouse Sema5A negatively regulates synaptogenesis in early, developmentally born, hippocampal dentate granule cells (GCs). Sema5A is strongly expressed by GCs and regulates dendritic spine density in a cell-autonomous manner. In the adult mouse brain, newly born Sema5A-/- GCs show an increase in dendritic spine density and increased AMPA-type synaptic responses. Sema5A signals through PlexinA2 co-expressed by GCs, and the PlexinA2-RasGAP activity is necessary to suppress spinogenesis. Like Sema5A-/- mutants, PlexinA2-/- mice show an increase in GC glutamatergic synapses, and we show that Sema5A and PlexinA2 genetically interact with respect to GC spine phenotypes. Sema5A-/- mice display deficits in social interaction, a hallmark of autism-spectrum-disorders. These experiments identify novel intra-dendritic Sema5A/PlexinA2 interactions that inhibit excitatory synapse formation in developmentally born and adult-born GCs, and they provide support for SEMA5A contributions to autism-spectrum-disorders.
FLUORIDE AND DEMINERALIZATION: Author's response

938 JADA, Vol. 138 http://jada.ada.org July 2007 serious matter. The protocol for the “Ethical Moment” and JADA space limitations do not allow for a more detailed discussion. We appreciate Dr. Stevenson’s comments and his view that a more in-depth discussion might be desirable. James W. Antoon, DMD, MS Immediate Past Chair American Dental Association Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs Rockledge, Fla.
A Log-Frequency Approach to the Identification of the Wiener–Hammerstein Model

In this paper we present a simple closed-form solution to the Wiener-Hammerstein (W-H) identification problem. The identification process occurs in the log-frequency domain where magnitudes and phases are separable. We show that the theoretically optimal W-H identification is unique up to an amplitude, phase and delay ambiguity, and that the nonlinearity enables the separate identification of the individual linear time invariant (LTI) components in a W-H architecture.
Functions and mechanisms of RNA editing.

▪ Abstract RNA editing can be broadly defined as any site-specific alteration in an RNA sequence that could have been copied from the template, excluding changes due to processes such as RNA splicing and polyadenylation. Changes in gene expression attributed to editing have been described in organisms from unicellular protozoa to man, and can affect the mRNAs, tRNAs, and rRNAs present in all cellular compartments. These sequence revisions, which include both the insertion and deletion of nucleotides, and the conversion of one base to another, involve a wide range of largely unrelated mechanisms. Recent advances in the development of in vitro editing and transgenic systems for these varied modifications have provided a better understanding of similarities and differences between the biochemical strategies, regulatory sequences, and cellular factors responsible for such RNA processing events.
Superresolution Imaging Captures Carbohydrate Utilization Dynamics in Human Gut Symbionts

ABSTRACT Gut microbes play a key role in human health and nutrition by catabolizing a wide variety of glycans via enzymatic activities that are not encoded in the human genome. The ability to recognize and process carbohydrates strongly influences the structure of the gut microbial community. While the effects of diet on the microbiota are well documented, little is known about the molecular processes driving metabolism. To provide mechanistic insight into carbohydrate catabolism in gut symbionts, we studied starch processing in real time in the model Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron starch utilization system (Sus) by single-molecule fluorescence. Although previous studies have explored Sus protein structure and function, the transient interactions, assembly, and collaboration of these outer membrane proteins have not yet been elucidated in live cells. Our live-cell superresolution imaging reveals that the polymeric starch substrate dynamically recruits Sus proteins, serving as an external scaffold for bacterial membrane assembly of the Sus complex, which may promote efficient capturing and degradation of starch. Furthermore, by simultaneously localizing multiple Sus outer membrane proteins on the B. thetaiotaomicron cell surface, we have characterized the dynamics and stoichiometry of starch-induced Sus complex assembly on the molecular scale. Finally, based on Sus protein knockout strains, we have discerned the mechanism of starch-induced Sus complex assembly in live anaerobic cells with nanometer-scale resolution. Our insights into the starch-induced outer membrane protein assembly central to this conserved nutrient uptake mechanism pave the way for the development of dietary or pharmaceutical therapies to control Bacteroidetes in the intestinal tract to enhance human health and treat disease. IMPORTANCE In this study, we used nanometer-scale superresolution imaging to reveal dynamic interactions between the proteins involved in starch processing by the prominent human gut symbiont Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron in real time in live cells. These results represent the first working model of starch utilization system (Sus) complex assembly and function during glycan catabolism and are likely to describe aspects of how other Sus-like systems function in human gut Bacteroidetes. Our results provide unique mechanistic insights into a glycan catabolism strategy that is prevalent within the human gut microbial community. Proper understanding of this conserved nutrient uptake mechanism is essential for the development of dietary or pharmaceutical therapies to control intestinal tract microbial populations, to enhance human health, and to treat disease.
Synkinesis following recurrent laryngeal nerve injury: A computer simulation.

Objectives/Hypothesis When the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is injured, functional recovery may be limited by the number of axons that regrow across the site of injury, and by the proportions of these axons that reinnervate the antagonistic muscle (synkinesis). This process was investigated in a computer model of RLN recovery. Study Design Computer simulation. Methods The developed computer program accepted as inputs: number of RLN axons; proportions of axons originally innervating adductor versus abductor, fraction of axons transected, fraction of axons that grow back, and width of 1 standard deviation about the mean. The program employed random sampling from a normal distribution to model various degrees of recovery, using random numbers to assign each axon to the correct muscle, an incorrect muscle, or no recovery. Each simulation was run 1,000×, and the mean, highest, and lowest degrees of synkinesis were determined. Results More severe injuries were associated with greater degrees of synkinesis. Extremes of synkinesis were possible but were rare. One example result, for a 50% injury with a 50% recovery rate, found: in the adductor muscles, 74.8% of axons will be innervated, of which 49.2% are the original uninjured axons, 19.4% are recovered adductor axons, and 6.2% are misdirected abductor axons. In the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA), these values were 75.7%, 50.8%, 6.1%, and 18.8%, respectively. Results of many such simulations are plotted. Conclusions Laryngeal synkinesis can be simulated based on known anatomic ratios and estimated recovery rates. The PCA is invariably much more affected by synkinetic reinnervation than are the adductor muscles. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 2015
Multi-user OFDM MIMO in IEEE 802.11ac WLAN: A simulation framework to analysis and synthesis

In this paper a simulation framework to analyze, design and optimize the physical layer of IEEE 802.11ac wireless local networks focusing on multi-user operation scenario is described and validated. The performance of channel inversion, regularized channel inversion and block diagonalization precoding schemes with zero forcing and minimum mean squared error multiple input multiple output (MIMO) detectors is evaluated over different configurations of 802.11 Task Group n (TGn) and TGac channel models. The expressive power loss due to multi-user operation has shown that more advanced precoding and MIMO detection schemes must be designed to allow satisfactory operation into feasible signal-to-noise-ratio ranges.