cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunopathology of Helicobacter pylori infection and disease.

Fourteen years have elapsed since Drs Marshall and Warren rediscoveredH. pylori. During this brief period of time, investigators have confirmed thatH. pylori plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Already the clinical approach to treating these conditions has changed dramatically, from inhibiting gastric acid secretion to attempting to eradicate this infection. Yet, despite significant progress, we continue to lack a simple and effective method to cure individuals of theirH. pylori infection and prevent re-infection. Perhaps a better understanding of howH. pylori interacts with the gastric epithelium to cause disease will allow us to develop novel approaches to prevent or cure this infection.
Size-dependent barriers for reaction of aluminum cluster ions with oxygen

Abstract Reactions of cooled, size-selected aluminum cluster ions (Al n + , n = 1–8) with oxygen have been studied at collision energies from 0.15 to 10.0 eV (center-of-mass) under single-collision conditions. With the exception of the atomic ion, all size clusters undergo exoergic reactions which result in extensive fragmentation of the metal cluster framework. Significant energy barriers are found for reaction of all clusters except the dimer. The barrier height increases with cluster size from Al 3 + to Al 7 + , then drops for Al 8 + .
The Avulsed Retinal Vessel Syndrome and Its Variants

The course of 18 patients (19 eyes) with the avulsed retinal vessel syndrome and its variants was followed up for an average of 54 months. This syndrome consists of recurrent vitreous hemorrhages from an avulsed retinal vessel caused by retinal tear formation. Even after the retinal tears are closed by various techniques, vitreous hemorrhages may recur until the retinal vessel ruptures. The visual prognosis is generally good.
Cognitive Insights into the Highly Skilled or Expert Salesperson

A cognitive psychology based approach is used to investigate the highly skilled or expert salesperson. The study utilized verbal protocol analysis to identify differences in the decision processes of expert and less-skilled salespeople as they progressed through a difficult selling situation. The results of this study indicate that experts in sales share several similarities with experts in such diverse fields as chess, medicine, physics, and teaching. For example, expert salespeople were shown to reach better decisions in a faster and more confident manner than their less-skilled contemporaries. Further, in resolving current problems, experts were shown to be more likely to utilize their memory of previous selling situations, as well as to employ different strategies for customer interactions than less-skilled salespeople. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of coherent crosstalk induced penalty as the dominant crosstalk in WDM-OXC

In this paper, we analyzed the system power penalty induced by the coherent crosstalk components as the dominant crosstalk channel in WDM-OXC, and present a simple expression, which can be readily calculated by popular software. We also present an expression of the power penalty when both incoherent and coherent crosstalks are presented. The simulation results show that by introducing a bit pattern mismatch method in a WDM-OXC, the extra penalty caused by the coherent crosstalk can be distinctively suppressed.
Prognostic significance of obstructive uropathy in advanced prostate cancer.

Abstract Objectives To report the incidence and prognostic implications of obstructive uropathy (OU) in patients with advanced prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy and to define the impact initial local therapy has on the development of OU in patients with prostate cancer who develop recurrence and begin androgen deprivation therapy. Methods From a population of 260 patients with advanced prostate cancer diagnosed between 1986 and 2003, OU was identified in 51 patients. The OU treatment options included ureteral stent, percutaneous nephrostomy, transurethral resection of the prostate, Foley catheter placement, and urinary diversion. Overall survival and the factors that influenced survival were calculated using standard statistical methods. Results OU was diagnosed in 15 (16%) of 80 patients who received local therapy with curative intent and in whom local therapy subsequently failed and in 36 (19%) of 180 patients who had never received local therapy (P = 0.7, chi-square test). Of these 51 patients, 39 had bladder neck obstruction and 16 had ureteral obstruction. Overall survival was significantly worse for the men with OU compared with those without OU (41 versus 54 months). OU was associated with tumor stage and androgen-insensitive prostate cancer. Conclusions OU results in significantly reduced survival in men with prostate cancer. In a select group of patients with prostate cancer with progression after local therapy (primarily radiotherapy), no statistically significant reduction in the development of OU was observed relative to patients matched for stage, grade, and pretreatment prostate-specific antigen level treated with androgen deprivation therapy alone. Aggressive advanced stage and hormone-insensitive disease are variables associated with OU.
Probabilistic Structural and Thermal Analysis of a Gasketed Flange

Abstract Performance of a flange joint is characterized mainly by its ‘strength’ and ‘sealing capability’. A number of analytical and experimental studies have been conducted to study these characteristics under internal pressure loading. However, with the advent of new technological trends for high temperature and pressure applications, an increased demand for analysis is recognized. The effect of steady-state thermal loading makes the problem more complex as it leads to combined application of internal pressure and temperature. Structural and thermal analysis of a gasketed flange was computationally simulated by a finite element method and probabilistically evaluated in view of the several uncertainties in the performance parameters. Cumulative distribution functions and sensitivity factors were computed for Stress Intensities and Von Mises Stresses due to the structural and thermodynamic random variables. These results can be used to quickly identify the most critical design variables in order to optimize the design and make it cost effective. The analysis leads to the selection of the appropriate measurements to be used in structural and heat transfer analysis and to the identification of both the most critical measurements and parameters. Conventional engineering design methods are generally deterministic. But in reality, many engineering systems are stochastic in nature where a probability assessment of the results becomes a necessity. This probabilistic engineering design analysis assumes probability distributions of design parameters, instead of mean values only. This enables the designer to design for a specific reliability and hence maximize safety and quality and cost. In the present work, thermal and structural analysis on the flange was performed to obtain the areas of maximum stress under the given boundary conditions. The product was modeled and then simulated using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The results obtained were probabilistically evaluated for optimum design.
Correlates of conformity in the consumption of illicit drugs and alcohol

Abstract The results of four studies regarding conformity in illicit drug and alcohol consumption among high school and college students are reported. Correlational evidence regarding the relationships between nine hypothesized antecedents of compliance and a measure of conformity intentions is provided through a series of median split comparison tests and estimates of bivariate and multivariate correlations. The results reveal that perceptions of the group (e.g., perceived group attractiveness), attributions about reasons for the group's behavior, and external influences (e.g., self-reports of family and friend use) are related to compliance as predicted. Overall, the results provide insight into factors associated with conformity in the illicit consumption of alcohol and drugs and the conditions under which normative pressures are likely to be operative.
Upgrades to the NIST/DARPA EUV reflectometry facility

We have recently installed a new sample chamber at the NIST/DARPA EUV Reflectometry Facility at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The chamber replaces a much smaller system on Beamline 7 at the Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility that was commissioned almost ten years ago as a dedicated facility for the measurement of normal-incidence extreme ultraviolet optics used in lithography development, astronomy, and plasma physics. The previous measurement chamber was limited to optics less than 10 cm in diameter, and, thus, we were not able to measure many of the optics used in modern telescopes and extreme ultraviolet lithography steppers. The new chamber was designed to accommodate optics up to 36 cm in diameter and weighing up to 40 kg, and with modifications will be able to measure optics up to 50 cm in diameter. It has three translation and three rotation axes for the sample and two rotation axes for the detector, with an accuracy of better than 0.5 mm in translation and 0.04o in rotation. We will describe design considerations, performance of the positioning mechanisms, and initial reflectivity measurements of both curved and flat surfaces.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Theoretical Modelling of the Combustion Processes of programmed splitting stick propellants

The concept of programmed splitting of stick propellants offers a new method in controlling pressure-time traces by increasing the burning surface area at the onset of splitting. This increase in burning surface area, also referred to as progressivity, leads to a higher performance of existing guns. The experimental work on combustion of programmed splitting stick (PSS) propellants in parallel to the present theoretical study was conducted and published by the authors. In this investigation, a theoretical model and computer code have been developed to simulate the burning and splitting processes of PSS charges and to gain a better understanding of physico-chemical phenomena involved. In this theoretical model, the continuous gas phase is treated by a Eulerian approach, while the condensed phase (stick propellant) is divided into several representative groups and tracked as they move in the continuous phase, using a Lagrangian approach. The intergranular gas-phase region is treated in a way similar to the continuous phase in the separated flow models for spray combustion. Numerical results are in agreement with experimental data, and can predict several features of the combustion processes that have been observed in partially burned grains recovered from test firings.
Modular polynomials and derivatives of quasimodular forms

Modular polynomials are polynomials whose coefficients are modular forms of certain type, and they are in one-to-one correspondence with quasimodular polynomials that are naturally associated to quasimodular forms. In addition to the formal derivative operator ∂ X , there is a differential operator &#x1d49f;λ on quasimodular polynomials corresponding to the derivative operator on quasimodular forms. We construct linear maps of quasimodular polynomials corresponding to certain linear maps of modular polynomials and prove that such maps reduce to the operators &#x1d49f;λ and ∂ X in special cases.
Role of RNA structure in regulating pre-mRNA splicing

Pre-mRNA splicing involves removing non-coding introns from RNA transcripts. It is carried out by the spliceosome, along with other auxiliary factors. In general, research in splicing has focused on the sequences within the pre-mRNA, without considering the structures that these sequences might form. We propose that the role of RNA structure deserves more consideration when thinking about splicing mechanisms. RNA structures can inhibit or aid binding of spliceosomal components to the pre-mRNA, or can increase splicing efficiency by bringing important sequences into close proximity. Recent reports have identified proteins and small molecules that can regulate splicing by modulating RNA structures, thereby expanding our knowledge of the mechanisms used to regulate splicing.
The Relationship Between Mental Preparation Strategies and Motor Performance: A Review and Critique

This paper reviews the mental practice literature as well as more current research on the effect of specific mental preparation strategies on skilled performance. A synopsis of the mental practice literature indicated that mental practice was generally effective in enhancing performance. For maximum effectiveness, mental practice should be used in conjunction with physical practice and should not be thought of as a replacement for physical practice. The degree of effectiveness of mental practice is dependent on a number of variables, such as conceptualizing ability, previous experience, task type, and length of practice session. Recently, researchers have begun to study the effect of specific mental preparation on motor performance. Some of the more popular techniques include imagery, selfefficacy statements, attentional focus, preparatory arousal, and relaxation. In addition, several recent techniques such as stress innoculation training and visuomotor behavior rehearsal use a combination of the techniqu...
Effect of prednisone on thyroxine distribution.

ABSTRACT The effect of short-term prednisone administration (40 mg daily) on thyroxine (T4) distribution has been studied in 16 subjects with different categories of thyroid function: Group I, Normal; Group II, Newly diagnosed or recurrent hyperthyroidism; Group III, Treated hyperthyroidism; and Group IV, Treated myxedema. Studies included measurement of t½ of acute disappearance and peripheral turnover of T4-131I, hepatic volume (HV), clearance (HC) and content (QH) of T4; T4 binding globulin (TBG) and T4 binding prealbumin (TBPA). There was essentially no change in free fraction of serum T4 in 4 subjects in whom this was measured. Acute disappearance of T4-131I slowed in all the subjects (13/13). The fractional turnover rate of T4 (k) diminished in 10, was unchanged in 3 and increased in 2 subjects. The daily rate of T4 disposal (D) decreased in 12, increased in 1, and was unchanged in 2 subjects. HV of T4 decreased in 10 and was unchanged in 2 subjects. HC decreased in 9 subjects and increased in 3. QH...
Motivations for innovation in firms: Economic insight into the U.S. competitive stance

Abstract This article seeks guidance from the economics discipline on the issue of innovative response by firms. In particular, it examines the neo-Classical, neo-Marxian, institutional and behavioral schools of thought with regard to the motivations of firms to innovate. Insights from these frameworks suggest that firms wishing to successfully compete in the changed environment must openly embrace creative product and process innovation, work with, rather than against, labor, relearn the details of their products and operations, and adapt management systems to link individual and corporate goals.
Accuracy of the haldane method as an indirect measure of metabolism

Abstract 1. 1. Metabolic rates of barn owls increased as ambient temperature decreased below the thermoneutral zone. 2. 2. The Haldane method was as reliable as an O 2 analyzer in measuring the metabolic rates of captive barn owls. However, at lowered ambient temperature (below 5°C) there was a slight disparity in the metabolic rates determined by the two methods. 3. 3. The Haldane method has the potential of being used in a field situation (i.e. it is reliable, portable and relatively inexpensive).
Catheter-directed thrombolysis for iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis improves health-related quality of life

Abstract Purpose: Treatment designed to eliminate thrombus in patients with iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is theoretically attractive; however, its benefits, compared with those of anticoagulation, have not been definitively demonstrated. Although not previously analyzed, an effective measure of treatment success is likely to be the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study evaluated whether catheter-directed thrombolysis for iliofemoral DVT is associated with improved HRQOL, compared with standard anticoagulation, and whether HRQOL outcome in the thrombolysis group is related to lytic success. Methods: An 80-item self-administered HRQOL questionnaire was developed. It contained the Health Utilities Index, Short Form-12, and disease-targeted scales, including health distress, stigma, health interference, physical functioning, and symptoms (eg, leg swelling, pain, ulcers). The HRQOL questionnaire was confirmed to be reliable and valid by means of psychometric testing. Questionnaires were administered to 98 retrospectively identified patients who had had iliofemoral DVT treated at least 6 months earlier. Sixty-eight patients who were identified through a DVT registry were treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis with urokinase (UK), and 30 patients who were identified by means of a medical record review were treated with anticoagulation alone. The treatment decision was made by the attending physician, and all patients were candidates for both thrombolysis and anticoagulation. Results: Most patients were women (61%), white (95%), married (65%), and had a mean interval since initial DVT of 16 months. The group treated with UK was younger (53 ± 17 years) than the group treated with heparin (61 ± 6 years; P =.039). After treatment, patients treated with UK reported better overall physical functioning ( P =.046), less stigma ( P =.033), less health distress ( P =.022), and fewer post-thrombotic symptoms ( P =.006), compared with the patients treated with anticoagulation alone. Within the UK group, phlebographically successful lysis correlated with improved HRQOL ( P =.038). Patients classified as lytic failures had similar outcomes to patients treated with heparin. Conclusion: Patients with iliofemoral DVT treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis have better functioning and well-being, compared with patients treated with anticoagulation alone. Successful lysis was directly correlated with improved HRQOL, with patients who were classified as lytic failures having similar outcomes to patients treated with heparin. These data support the need for a future randomized trial, which should include an HRQOL measure as part of the outcome analysis. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32: 130-7.)
5-Methoxysalicylic acid and spermine: A new matrix for the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry analysis of oligonucleotides

5-Methoxysalicylic acid (MSA) is demonstrated to be a useful matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry of oligonucleotides, when desorption/ionization without fragmentation is desired. When MSA is combined with the additive spermine, the need for desalting is reduced. The MSA/spermine matrix yields linear TOF mass spectra with improved resolution, less fragmentation, and less intense alkali ion adduct peaks than those spectra obtained using 3-hydroxypicolinic acid and 6-aza-2-thiothymine with spermine or diammonium hydrogen citrate as additives. Instrumental conditions are discussed to improve the spectral resolution, specifically the use of longer delay times in the delayed-extraction ion source.
Finite element bending analysis of oval tubes using rotary draw bender for hydroforming applications

Abstract In manufacturing automotive parts, such as engine cradles, frame rails, subframes, cross-members, and other parts from circular tubes, pre-bending and pre-forming operations are often required prior to the subsequent tubular hydroforming process. During some pre-forming operations, the cross section of a bent circular tube is crushed into an oval-like shape to ensure proper geometry and sufficient clearance in the hydroforming dies. For such applications, the use of oval instead of circular tubes could be an effective means of eliminating the pre-forming step. The oval tube could also be produced with less thinning and with less strain on the outside of the bend when controlled by a booster system without the use of mandrel. Oval tubes may also reduce manufacturing expenses by reduced labor and pre-forming equipment costs. Hence, the understanding of the issues that occur in the bending of oval tubes is worthy of investigation. This paper presents detailed parametric studies on the bending of oval tubes without a mandrel. The finite element modeling technique is used to examine the deformation characteristics such as wall thinning, strain, side-bulge, flattening, and hoop-buckle for both circular and oval tubes. In the simulations, the bending process parameters of bend radius, aspect ratio of the tube ovalness, and tube wall thickness are varied. Observations are made to obtain a hoop-buckle limit diagram in terms of a non-dimensionalized shape degradation factor. Suggestions based upon developed criteria are made on the acceptability of bent tubes suitable for hydroforming applications without the need of a pre-forming step or the use of a mandrel.
LARGE FIELD ELECTRO-MECHANICAL MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES FOR FERROELECTRIC MATERIALS

ABSTRACT Ferroelectric materials used in high power applications are subject to electric fields ∼ 2 MV/m and compressive stress preloads ∼50 MPa. In 3-1 composites, the ferroelectric materials are driven in tension, which has necessitated development of large field characterization techniques for bulk ceramics, single crystals, and multilayer actuators. This paper describes techniques for compressive loading with electric field and temperature (C-E-T), for tension/compression loading using four point bending with electric field (4PB-E), and for two types of fracture testing with electric field using four point bending: the single edged v-notch beam (SEVNB-E) and the surface crack in flexure (SCF-E).
Hypothesis for the origin of cross-hatching

Cross hatching on various body surfaces due to periodic surface pressure fluctuations, discussing origin from counterrotating longitudinal vortices in boundary layer
New insights into the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease: the challenge of positron emission tomography.

Abstract Positron emission tomography (PET) permits the quantitative in-vivo measurement of regional brain hemodynamics, metabolism, receptor pharmacology and neurotransmitter metabolism in human subjects. As such, it promised to reveal unique insights into the pathophysiology of brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease. However, preliminary studies of Parkinson's disease have frequently presented conflicting results that seem to obscure, rather than clarify, underlying disease processes. This apparent failure reflects early methodological difficulties; recent technical advances have led to the disclosure of exciting new avenues of investigation.
Automatic detection of motion artifacts in the ballistocardiogram measured on a modified bathroom scale.

Ballistocardiography (BCG) is a non-invasive technique used to measure the ejection force of blood into the aorta which can be used to estimate cardiac output and contractility change. In this work, a noise sensor was embedded in a BCG measurement system to detect excessive motion from standing subjects. For nine healthy subjects, the cross-correlation of the motion signal to the BCG noise—estimated using a simultaneously acquired electrocardiogram and statistics of the BCG signal—was found to be 0.94 and 0.87, during periods of standing still and with induced motion artifacts, respectively. In a separate study, where 35 recordings were taken from seven subjects, a threshold-based algorithm was used to flag motion-corrupted segments of the BCG signal using only the auxiliary motion sensor. Removing these flagged segments enhanced the BCG signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by an average of 14 dB (P < 0.001). This integrated motion-sensing technique addresses a gap in methods available to identify and remove noise in standing BCG recordings due to movement, in a practical manner that does not require user intervention or obtrusive sensing.
Determination of the Intrinsic Efficacies of β2 -adrenergic Agonists

ABSTRACT β-adrenergic agonists have been traditionally classified as strong or weak. Attempts to express their effectiveness in quantitative terms has led to the concepts of potency, which designates the concentration range over which the agonist becomes effective, and the intrinsic activity, which designates the maximal effect produced by agonist at saturating concentrations. In the present review we describe developments in which the molecular effects of the common β-adrenergic agonists on their cognate receptors can be related to their effectiveness. This approach is based on the activation/inactivation cycle of G proteins. It has been formalized so that the effectiveness (that is the efficacy) of each individual β-adrenergic agonist can be expressed as a single numerical value. The agonists may, therefore, be listed is order of efficacy. For the β-adrenergic agonists for which there is accurate data the order is : epinephrine > fenoterol≈procaterol > albuterol≈zinterol≈terbutaline > dobutamine > tulobuterol > ephedrine. The formal model of β-adrenergic agonism also allows a novel approach to the question of agonist specificity and a more rational appraisal of which drugs might be most useful for particular purposes.
Increasing contrast resolution and decreasing spatial noise for liquid-crystal displays using digital dithering

Active-Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays (AM-LCD) are gradually replacing the Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) in the radiology reading rooms. Results of some initial study seem to confirm the high hopes placed in LCDs. But they are still far from ideal. Like CRTs, LCDs generally possess a limited contrast resolution. On the other hand, they exhibit higher spatial noise than CRTs. These can interfere with clinical diagnosis and reduce the efficiency especially when there are subtle abnormalities presented in clinical images. The purpose of this paper is to explore ways to improve softcopy display of medical images through appropriate image processing techniques to compensate for LCD’s contrast resolution and spatial noise. Two digital dithering operations (error diffusion) are applied to treat contrast resolution and spatial noise separately. For contrast resolution compensation, the processing is done in the perceptually linear domain, whereas for spatial noise compensation, the corresponding processing is done in the display output luminance domain. Some initial results indicate that the compensation algorithms discussed in this paper indeed help to increase the performance of LCDs.
Identification of p53 gene mutations in bladder cancers and urine samples

Although bladder cancers are very common, little is known about their molecular pathogenesis. In this study, invasive bladder cancers were evaluated for the presence of gene mutations in the p53 suppressor gene. Of 18 tumors evaluated, 11 (61 percent) were found to have genetic alterations of p53. The alterations included ten point mutations resulting in single amino acid substitutions, and one 24-base pair deletion. In all but one case, the mutations were associated with chromosome 17p allelic deletions, leaving the cells with only mutant forms of the p53 gene products. Through the use of the polymerase chain reaction and oligomer-specific hybridization, p53 mutations were identified in 1 to 7 percent of the cells within the urine sediment of each of three patients tested. The p53 mutations are the first genetic alterations demonstrated to occur in a high proportion of primary invasive bladder cancers. Detection of such mutations ex vivo has clinical implications for monitoring individuals whose tumor cells are shed extracorporeally.
Direct and indirect food web regulation of microbial decomposers in headwater streams

The direct and indirect regulation of primary productivity has been well established in autotrophic-based ecosystems; however, less is known about the processes affecting decomposers in detrital-based ecosystems. Because, small headwater, woodland streams are a dominate feature in most ecosystems and are tightly linked to terrestrial detritus, understanding decomposer-mediated functions in these systems is critical for understanding carbon processes across the landscape. In this light, we conducted a microcosm and mesocosm experiment to test the direct and indirect food web effects on decomposers in small stream ecosystems. The results from the microcosm experiment supported an existing literature, demonstrating that nutrients directly stimulate decomposers and that microbivores directly reduce decomposers. Based on well-founded food web theory in autotrophic systems, we predicted that fishes from different trophic-functional guilds would indirectly stimulate decomposers by enhancing dissolved nutrients and by reducing microbivore densities. Our mesocosm experiment partially supported these predictions. Specifically, we found that fishes that consumed mostly terrestrial foods increased decomposers from the bottom–up by enhancing allochthonous nutrient loading into the stream ecosystems. Contrary to our predictions, however, predatory fishes that consume microbivores did not increase decomposers from the top–down. Rather, in streams with the predatory fish species, microbivores increased (rather than decreased) on leaf litter. This may have resulted from an experimental artifact associated with refuge provided by leaf packs. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that decomposers are regulated by similar direct and indirect processes important in autotrophic-based ecosystems. This provides further evidence that food web processes can regulate leaf decomposition and flux of detrital carbon through ecosystems.
Poly-gate sidewall oxidation induced submicrometer MOSFET degradation

The effect of poly-gate sidewall oxidation on short-channel MOSFET behavior is examined. The gain, threshold voltage, and apparent electrical channel length are shown to be very sensitive to the location of the n/sup -/ junction edge with respect to the poly-gate edge for a lightly-doped-drain NMOS transistor. New guidelines for the design of submicrometer MOSFETs based on an analysis of the sidewall oxidation of the polysilicon after gate definition are proposed. >
Measles virus-induced suppression of lymphocyte proliferation.

Abstract The mechanism by which measles virus induces immunosuppression was investigated using an in vitro system employing phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced human peripheral mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation. At a multiplicity of infection of 1.0 or greater measles virus significantly inhibited (45%) the proliferation of PBMC. This inhibition was not due to an alteration in the kinetics of proliferation. PHA-stimulated PBMC were then infected with measles virus for 72 hr and irradiated (3200 rad) to prevent further proliferation. These infected, irradiated PBMC when added to fresh autologous PBMC caused significant inhibition of lymphoproliferation over a wide range of infected:fresh cell ratios (maximum inhibition seen at a 1:1 ratio, 85% inhibition). Virus recovered from the irradiated, infected cells was 100-fold lower than the virus titer needed to cause inhibition by direct addition of measles virus. However, antibody to measles virus reversed the inhibition. Virus-free supernatant fluids from the infected irradiated cells caused immunosuppression of the PHA response. This immunosuppressive material induced by the measles virus was maximally produced after 72 hr and did not appear to require viral replication. This factor was not prostaglandin E or interferon-α or -γ. The production of such suppressive factors during viral infection may explain some of the profound immunosuppression seen in situations in which little or no infectious virus can be detected.
The interaction between reversible and irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Abstract The influence of the alkaloid harmine on the inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) by β-phenylisopropylhydrazine (PIH) and 2-phenylcyclopropylamine (SKF-385) has been investigated. Rats pretreated with harmine were effectively protected from the long acting inhibitory effects of PIH, but not readily from those of SKF-385. The duration curves of the inhibition of MAO by PIH and SKF-385 in normal and harmine-pretreated animals were also compared. The animals treated with both harmine and PIH showed a short duration of action, typical of harmine alone, while those animals treated with both harmine and SKF-385 showed the usual SKF-385 duration curve. These findings suggest that PIH and harmine may act at the same site on the enzyme; however, the mechanisms of inhibition of MAO produced by PIH and SKF-385 may be quite different.
Energetics and reproductive effort.

Natural selection favors the optimal allocation of energy and other limiting resources to reproduction. Human reproductive physiology displays characteristic patterns that can be viewed as mechanisms that help optimize reproductive effort in the face of environmental energetic constraints. Female ovarian function is particularly sensitive to energy balance and energy flux, resulting in a synchronization of conception with favorable energetic conditions. Reproductive effort during gestation is highly buffered from environmental energetic constraints, but the duration of gestation and final birthweight are both very sensitive to maternal energy availability. Milk production during lactation is relatively buffered from maternal energetic constraints as well, but the duration of lactational amenorrhea is sensitive to the relative metabolic load of lactation. Male gamete production is very insensitive to energetic constraints, but variation in testosterone production in response to both age and longer-lasting energetic conditions contributes to the modulation of somatic and behavioral aspects of male reproductive effort, aspects that are more energetically costly for a male. There is also new evidence that testosterone may also help to modulate the trade-off between male parenting and mating effort.
Efficacy and safety of clopidogrel in children with diarrhea associated hemolytic uremic syndrome

Abstract Introduction Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a thrombotic microangiopathy. Clopidogrel, a recently developed platelet aggregation inhibitor, has not been previously reported as a treatment for this illness. Our study's objective was to explore the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel in children with diarrhea associated hemolytic uremic syndrome. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of all children (≤ 18 years) hospitalized with diarrhea associated hemolytic uremic syndrome. Outcomes in clopidogrel treated children were described. In subgroup analysis, outcomes were compared to those untreated with platelet aggregation inhibitors. Results Of 72 children with diarrhea associated hemolytic uremic syndrome, 88% were treated with platelet aggregation inhibitors (clopidogrel 56%, sulfinpyrazone 19%, dipyridamole 13%). The median age of clopidogrel treated children was 5 years; 40% were male. Initial median hemoglobin, platelet count, and serum creatinine were 10.1 g/dL, 53 × 10 3 /μL, and 2.3 mg/dL respectively. Clopidogrel (median dose 1 mg/kg/d) was given for a median of 4 days (range 1–15). Other therapies included erythropoietin (98%), red blood cell transfusions (80%), diuretics (58%), anti-hypertensive agents (45%), and dialysis (33%). The median hospital length of stay was 9 days (range 3–26). Three children had bleeding complications (epistaxis/hematemesis). The risk of chronic kidney disease was 5% and death 2.5%. In subgroup analysis, median duration of dialysis was 11 days in thirteen clopidogrel treated children compared to 21 days in five untreated patients ( P = 0.04). Conclusions Children with diarrhea associated hemolytic uremic syndrome treated with clopidogrel have outcomes comparable to untreated patients. Bleeding complications may occur.
Fitness in the universe: choices and necessities.

We live in a universe of chance, but not of accident. Repeatedly in the course of its development choices have been made for which one can ask the reasons. One such choice is fundamental: if the proton had not so much greater mass than the electron, all matter would be fluid; and if the proton did not have exactly the same numerical charge as the electron — or some simple multiple of that charge — virtually all matter would be charged. If a universe were started with charged hydrogen, it could expand, but probably nothing more. Hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen play as fundamental — and irreplaceable — roles in the metabolism of stars as of living organisms. Both metabolisms are coupled, through radiation from the stars providing the energy on which life must come ultimately to run on the planets. In the course of their evolution on the Earth, living organisms have found their way repeatedly and exclusively to certain types of organic molecule to perform specific functions; so, for example, the chlorophylls for photosynthesis, and carotenoids for plant phototropism and for vision. It is argued that some measure of necessity has governed these choices; and that an extended principle of natural selection has operated at all levels of material organization to produce such elements of order and compatibility in the universe.
Targeted Disruption of the Mouse Stat1 Gene Results in Compromised Innate Immunity to Viral Disease

The STAT1 transcription factor is activated in response to many cytokines and growth factors. To study the requirement for STAT1 in vivo, we disrupted the Stat1 gene in embryonic stem (ES) cells and in mice. Stat1(-1-)ES cells were unresponsive to interferon (IFN), but retained responsiveness to leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and remained LIF dependent for undifferentiated growth. Stat1(-1-1) animals were born at normal frequencies and displayed no gross developmental defects. However, these animals failed to thrive and were extremely susceptible to viral disease. Cells and tissues from Stat1(-1-) mice were unresponsive to IFN, but remained responsive to all other cytokines tested. Thus, STAT1 appears to be specific for IFN pathways that are essential for viability in the face of otherwise innocuous pathogens.
Achalasia and microcephaly

The authors report the combination of achalasia, microcephaly, and mental retardation in three surviving sisters and similar manifestations in a brother who died after recurrent vomiting and respiratory infections. The achalasia in the females was relieved with an operation. There was no demonstrable chromosomal abnormality. In this family achalasia, microcephaly, and mental retardation occurred together as an apparent autosomal recessive syndrome.
Phonon-polariton interaction in a microcavity

The linewidth of the microcavity exciton polariton is studied by onresonant and off-resonant photoluminescences. The two main contributions to the linewidth are caused by radiative loss and phonon scattering. The oscillator strength is found to be unmodified by the exciton-phonon coupling. Comparison is made between theory and experiment.
A Mysterious Cause of a Surgical Abdomen

Abstract Background Epiploic appendagitis is a rare cause of acute-onset abdominal pain. The severity of pain at presentation and the infrequency with which it is encountered make it a diagnostic challenge. Objectives To present a case report exemplifying a diagnostic challenge posed by acute-onset abdominal pain that eventually led to the diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis. Case Report A 50-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department complaining of excruciating, sudden-onset lower abdominal pain. All routine laboratory investigations were within normal limits, as were an acute abdominal X-ray series. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast showed a focal fatty infiltration in the left lower quadrant with fat-stranding towards the colon, representing the classical radiological presentation of epiploic appendagitis. The patient was admitted and successfully managed conservatively with intravenous fluids and ibuprofen. The patient made a full recovery and was discharged 3 days after admission. Conclusions Due to its benign, self-limited course, it is important to recognize this disease process to avoid unnecessary surgical and medical interventions. Epiploic appendagitis should be suspected in patients presenting with acute onset abdominal pain localized to the left lower quadrant or right lower quadrant with no associated systemic manifestations. Improvements in imaging technology have enabled confirmation of the diagnosis with non-invasive methods.
CO2 fluxes from a coastal transect: a time-series approach

Abstract The coastal ocean is a region with highly variable physical processes, and high and variable rates of primary production and organic matter recycling, but very little is known about the effect of these factors on the flux of CO2 into or out of this environment. To address this question, a time-series of geochemical measurements was initiated along a 32 km transect across the inner continental shelf, off New Jersey. Water column measurements of temperature, salinity, total carbon dioxide, total alkalinity, oxygen and nutrients were made approximately monthly at seven stations along the transect. Fluxes (−0.43 to −0.84 mol m−2 yr−1) calculated from local wind speed and the air–sea CO2 difference indicate that this region acts as a small net sink for atmospheric CO2 on a yearly averaged basis. The inner and outer stations varied on different time-scales, but in general, surface waters were a source of CO2 to the atmosphere in the summer and fall, offset by large fluxes into the surface waters during the winter to early spring. The calculated fugacity of surface water carbon dioxide (fCO2) between April 1994 and April 1996 ranged from 211 to 658 μatm. Superimposed on the large spatial and temporal variability typical of the coastal environment, was a clear seasonal trend in fCO2 which was primarily responsible for the observed trend in the flux. The dominant processes responsible for the observed changes in fCO2 are examined in detail. An important finding is that the magnitude of the effect of organic matter cycling on changes in fCO2 generally decreased in the offshore direction.
Bond contribution method for estimating henry's law constants

Bond contribution values, used to estimate Henry's law constant (HLC) (air-to-water partition coefficient) from chemical structure, have been determined for 59 chemical bonds by a least-square analysis of known HLCs for 345 organic compounds. A correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.94 was determined for the relationship between known LWAPCs (log water-to-air partition coefficients) and bond estimated LWAPCs for the 345 compound data set. The correlation coefficient increases to 0.97 when quantified correction factors are applied to selected chemical classes. The ability of the bond method to estimate LWAPCs is demonstrated by a validation test set of 74 diverse and structurally complex compounds that were not included in the least-squares analysis. The correlation coefficient for the validation set is 0.96.
Independence, clique size and maximum degree

It was shown before that ifG is a graph of maximum degreep containing no cliques of the sizeq then the independence ratio is greater than or equal to 2 / (p +q). We shall discuss here some extreme cases of this inequality.
Capacity-achieving codes for channels with memory with maximum-likelihood decoding

Codes on sparse graphs have been shown to achieve remarkable performance in point-to-point channels with low decoding complexity. Most of the results in this area are based on experimental evidence and/or approximate analysis. The question of whether codes on sparse graphs can achieve the capacity of noisy channels with iterative decoding is still open, and has only been conclusively and positively answered for the binary erasure channel. On the other hand, codes on sparse graphs have been proven to achieve the capacity of memoryless, binary-input, output-symmetric channels with finite graphical complexity per information bit when maximum likelihood (ML) decoding is performed. In this paper, we consider transmission over finite-state channels (FSCs). We derive upper bounds on the average error probability of code ensembles with ML decoding. Based on these bounds we show that codes on sparse graphs can achieve the symmetric information rate (SIR) of FSCs, which is the maximum achievable rate with independently and uniformly distributed input sequences. In order to achieve rates beyond the SIR, we consider a simple quantization scheme that when applied to ensembles of codes on sparse graphs induces a Markov distribution on the transmitted sequence. By deriving average error probability bounds for these quantized code ensembles, we prove that they can achieve the information rates corresponding to the induced Markov distribution, and thus approach the FSC capacity.
Performance of Multiantenna Linear MMSE Receivers in Doubly Stochastic Networks

A technique is presented to characterize the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of a representative link with a multiantenna linear minimum-mean-square-error receiver in a wireless network with transmitting nodes distributed according to a doubly stochastic process, which is a generalization of the Poisson point process. The cumulative distribution function of the SINR of the representative link is derived, assuming independent Rayleigh fading between antennas. Several representative spatial node distributions are considered, including networks with both deterministic and random clusters, strip networks (used to model roadways, for example), hardcore networks and networks with generalized path-loss models. In addition, it is shown that if the number of antennas at the representative receiver is linearly increased with the nominal node density, the signal-to-interference ratio converges in distribution to a random variable that is nonzero in general and a positive constant in certain cases. This result indicates that to the extent that the system assumptions hold, it is possible to scale such networks by increasing the number of receiver antennas linearly with the node density. The results presented here are useful in characterizing the performance of multiantenna wireless networks in more general network models than what are currently available.