cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nerve growth factor withdrawal-mediated apoptosis in naive and differentiated PC12 cells through p53/caspase-3-dependent and -independent pathways.

Programmed cell death is regulated in response to a variety of stimuli, including the tumor suppressor protein p53, that can mediate cell cycle arrest through p21/Waf1 and apoptosis through the Bcl-2/Bax equilibrium and caspases. Neuronal cell apoptosis has been reported to require p53, whereas other data suggest that neuronal cell death may be independent of p53. Comparison of wild type PC12 to a temperature-sensitive PC12 cell line that depresses the normal function of p53 has permitted investigation of the importance of p53 in a variety of cell functions. This study examined the role of p53 in trophic factor withdrawal-mediated apoptosis in both naive and differentiated PC12 cells. Our data show that as PC12 cells differentiate they are more poised to undergo apoptosis than their undifferentiated counterparts. Survival assays with XTT (sodium 3′-1-(phenylaminocarbonyl)-3,4-tetrazolium-bis(4-methoxy-6-nitro)benzene sulfonic acid) and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) demonstrated that lack of p53 is initially protective against apoptosis. The window of protection is about 20 h for naive and 36 h for differentiated cells. Apoptosis involved caspases 3, 6, and 9. However, caspase 3 activation was absent in cells lacking p53, concomitant with the delayed apoptosis. When the expression of caspase 3 was silenced with interference RNA, wild type PC12 cells revealed a morphology and biochemistry similar to PC12[p53ts] cells, indicating that caspase 3 accounts for the observed delay in apoptosis in p53 dysfunction. These results suggest that p53 is important, but not essential, in factor withdrawal-mediated apoptosis. Parallel pathways of caspase-mediated apoptosis are activated later in the absence of functional p53.
Expression pattern, genomic cloning and RFLP analyses of the swine PIT-1 gene.

Summary The swine PIT-1 POU domain cDNA was used to study PIT-1 expression and to clone the PIT-1 genomic region to identify additional PIT-1 polymorphisms. PIT-1 was expressed only in the pituitary, confirming the swine cDNA identity. To study the PIT-1 genomic region, a clone containing 13.7 kb DNA was isolated. EcoRI fragments hybridizing to PIT-1 were sequenced, and the 3′ portion of PIT-1 gene identified. Primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis were then designed. Restriction analysis of PCR products identified a RsaI RFLP. In contrast to other PIT-1 RFLPs, the RsaI PCR-RFLP was widely distributed in American breeds. Thus, the RsaI RFLP and the previously reported PIT-1 RFLPs allow detection of PIT-1 alleles in most, if not all, breeds currently used in the US and European reference/resource pig mapping families.
Effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus extracts on hexobarbital metabolism in vivo and in vitro

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng) is widely exported from China as a health food. Pharmacologically it has been classified as an adaptogen and enzyme induction has been proposed as its mechanism of action. To evaluate this hypothesis E. senticosus was administered to mice on an acute (40-320 mg/kg i.p., X 1 day) or chronic (80-320 mg/kg i.p., X 4-5 days) basis. Sleep latency and duration, in response to hexobarbital sodium (100 mg/kg i.p.), were determined either 1 h (acute and chronic) or 24 h (chronic) following the last E. senticosus injection. E. senticosus produced a sedative effect which decreased the sleep latency (47%) and increased sleep duration (45-228%) following acute administration. A similar effect was seen following chronic administration (125-202% increase in sleep duration). E. senticosus was also shown to produce an inhibition (66%) of hexobarbital metabolism, in vitro, as compared to controls. These data support enzyme inhibition rather than enzyme induction as a mechanism for the actions of Siberian Ginseng.
Compositional attractors and enumeration of permutation polynomials over finite fields

Abstract If R is a finite algebra over a finite field F then it is possible for polynomials in F [ x ] to permute R under substitution. We will give a canonical representation for all full groups of such permutation polynomials by associating them with a special type of ideal in F [ x ] called a compositional attractor. Subsequently all compositional attractors in F [ x ] are classified by giving the exact form their generator may have. We then go on to enumerate the permutation polynomials associated with a particular canonical representation.
Integrative analysis of sequencing and array genotype data for discovering disease associations with rare mutations

In the large cohorts that have been used for genome-wide association studies (GWAS), it is prohibitively expensive to sequence all cohort members. A cost-effective strategy is to sequence subjects with extreme values of quantitative traits or those with specific diseases. By imputing the sequencing data from the GWAS data for the cohort members who are not selected for sequencing, one can dramatically increase the number of subjects with information on rare variants. However, ignoring the uncertainties of imputed rare variants in downstream association analysis will inflate the type I error when sequenced subjects are not a random subset of the GWAS subjects. In this article, we provide a valid and efficient approach to combining observed and imputed data on rare variants. We consider commonly used gene-level association tests, all of which are constructed from the score statistic for assessing the effects of individual variants on the trait of interest. We show that the score statistic based on the observed genotypes for sequenced subjects and the imputed genotypes for nonsequenced subjects is unbiased. We derive a robust variance estimator that reflects the true variability of the score statistic regardless of the sampling scheme and imputation quality, such that the corresponding association tests always have correct type I error. We demonstrate through extensive simulation studies that the proposed tests are substantially more powerful than the use of accurately imputed variants only and the use of sequencing data alone. We provide an application to the Women’s Health Initiative. The relevant software is freely available.
Video-rate photoacoustic microscopy of micro-vasculatures

We report the development of photoacoustic microscopy capable of video-rate high-resolution in-vivo imaging in deep tissue. A lightweight photoacoustic probe is made of a single-element broadband ultrasound transducer, a compact photoacoustic beam combiner, and a bright-field light delivery system. Focused broadband ultrasound detection provides a 44-μm lateral resolution and a 28-μm axial resolution. A multimode optical fiber is used to deliver laser pulses. The bright-field light delivery system can effectively improve the illumination efficiency. The photoacoustic probe weighs less than 40 grams and is mounted on a voice-coil scanner to acquire 40 cross-sectional images per second over several-mm range. The fast speed can effectively improve imaging throughput, reduce motion artifacts, and enable the visualization of highly dynamic biomedical processes. High-resolution micro-vascular imaging is successfully demonstrated.
Union Performance and Union Loyalty: The Role of Perceived Steward Support1

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of union performance on union loyalty. The moderator effect of perceived steward support was also investigated. Data were collected in 1988 and 1989 in two locals of a national tire and rubber manufacturing company. Parallel multiple regression analyses were conducted for the two samples. In both samples, the results support the hypothesized positive relationship between union performance and union loyalty but the interaction between union performance and steward support was not significant. However, there was a significant positive relationship between steward support and union loyalty in each sample. Additional research on the roles of the steward may clarify member assessment of the union.
Synthesis and Structure of a One-Dimensional Coordination Polymer Based Upon Tetracyanocalix[4]arene in the Cone Conformation

Abstract Tetracyanocalix[4]arene has been synthesized in a cone conformation and crystallized from solution in an orthorhombic system, space group P212121, with a = 13.7999(9) A, b = 16.820(1) A, c = 21.754(1) A, Dc = 1.218 g/cm3, Z = 4 (C62H47N5O4). Refinement based on 11008 observed reflections yielded R1 = 0.042. Further crystallographic studies have revealed that this compound self-assembles into a one-dimensional coordination polymer in the presence of Ag+ cation. This extended structure also crystallizes in an orthorhombic system, space group Cmca, with a = 17.770(1) A, b = 31.498(2) A, c = 23.107(2) A, Dc = 1.319 g/cm3, Z = 8 (C63H52AgCl2F6N4O6P). Refinement based on 7391 observed reflections yielded R1 = 0.109.
Lymphangiomatous omental cyst in infancy masquerading as ascites

Abstract A 10-month-old female with an 8-month history of asymptomatic abdominal swelling thought to be ascites proved to be a lymphangiomatous omental cyst at operation. Studies of liver, renal, and gastrointestinal function revealed no abnormality to explain the presence of bloody fluid on paracentesis. Radiographic examinations were of no diagnostic help.
Provisioning Behavior of Male and Female Indigo Buntings

Abstract The provisioning behavior of male and female songbirds varies among species, but most species exhibit biparental care. Our objective was to examine the provisioning behavior of male and female Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea), a species where males are reported to provide little or no parental care. Nests (n = 16) were video-taped during the 9-day nestling period and provisioning rates of adult buntings subsequently quantified. Provisioning rates of female buntings varied with nestling age, with 7–9-day old nestlings fed at higher rates than 1–6-day old nestlings. This increase was likely because of the increasing energy demands of nestlings. Male buntings provisioned nestlings at only three of 16 nests (18.8%), and primarily on days 7–9 post- hatching. Given the apparent relationships among paternal care, mating systems, and habitat characteristics, high-quality habitat may be an important factor contributing to reduced levels of paternal care by male buntings, along with opportunistic polyg...
Quantitative prediction of effective conductivity in anisotropic heterogeneous media using two-point correlation functions

Statistical continuum approach is used to predict effective conductivity of anisotropic random porous heterogeneous media using two-point correlation functions. Probability functions play a critical role in describing the statistical distribution of different constituents in a heterogeneous media. In this study a three-dimensional two-point correlation function is utilized to characterize the anisotropic media without making any assumption on the microstructure. Examples in this study demonstrated how the model captured the anisotropy in effective conductivity of the random heterogeneous media. Predicted results showed the influence of microstructure on the effective conductivity tensor.
Real Time Estimation of Elastic Deformation for End-Point Tracking Control of Flexible Two-Link Manipulators

In this paper, an elastic-deformation estimator is proposed for real time end-point tracking control of a flexible two-link manipulator. Due to the noncolocated characteristics of the system, the inverse model (from end-point motion to control torques) is divided into two subsystems, namely, the stable subsystem and the unstable one, corresponding to the causal part and noncausal part of the system's elastic motion, respectively. A digital filter is formulated to replace the unstable subsystem so as to estimate the noncausal part of the elastic motion associated with a specified end-point motion
Hematologic malignancies of the pancreas

Hematologic malignancies are relatively uncommon neoplasms of abdominal soft tissue. This article discusses the clinical and imaging features of pancreatic lymphoma, pancreatic extraosseous multiple myeloma, granulocytic sarcoma (chloroma), posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder, and Castleman disease. The combination of imaging findings and the appropriate clinical presentation should allow the radiologist to raise a provisional diagnosis of hematologic malignancy.
A Clarification on the Response Probability Criterion RP67 for Standard Settings Based on Bookmark and Item Mapping

By analyzing the Fisher information allotted to the correct response of a Rasch binary item,Huynh (1994)established the response probability criterion .67 (RP67) for standard settings based on bookmarks and item mapping. The purpose of this note is to help clarify the conceptual and psychometric framework of the RP criterion.
PATTERNS OF POLLINATOR-GENERATED FRUIT SET IN ORCHIS MORIO (ORCHIDACEAE)

Reproductive success of a deceptive species,Orchis morio, was investigated in relation to floral display, vertical position of fruits and dispersion pattern. A caging experiment confirmed the necessity of the presence of insect vectors for fruit development. In two Czech populations studied in 1997, insect-pollinated plants had on average 27.3 and 38% fruit set, compared to 96.7% for flowers pollinated by hand. Floral display (number of flowers per spike) was expected to positively affect the probability of pollinator visit. However, fruit set (number of fruits per spike) did not increase linearly with increasing floral display, but rose sigmoidally and approached an asymptotic value. Floral display enhanced reproductive success (fruit/flower ratio) up to a certain number of flowers (11–14), above which the relationship started to decrease and only increased the probability of production of at least one fruit. We also studied the effect of flower position within an inflorescence on the probability of being pollinated and we counted the number of seeds per capsule. A rapid decline in fruit set from the bottom to the top of the inflorescence observed probably reflects the behaviour of pollinators. The number of seeds per one capsule varied from 550 to 12 270. In addition, individuals growing in large clumps or isolated had lower reproductive success than those growing in small clumps. This result implies the existence of an intraspecific competition for pollinators and on the other hand inability of isolated individuals to attract a large number of pollinators.
Characterization of angiotensin II receptor subtypes in pancreatic acinar AR42J cells

Abstract The AR42J acinar cell line was characterized as a potential cellular model to assess the functional aspects of an exocrine pancreatic angiotensin system. Binding studies revealed that the AR42J cells express high affinity angiotensin II binding sites (Kd = 0.73 ± 0.06 nM; Bmax = 292 ± 15 fmol/mg protein, n = 3). Competition studies established that these cells, similar to the intact pancreas, express predominantly the AT2 receptor subtype. The AT2-selective antagonists CGP 42112A, PD 123177, and PD 123319 competed for the majority of angiotensin II binding. However, 10–15% of the angiotensin II binding sites were competed for by the AT1-selective antagonist DuP 753 (Losartan). Affinity labeling of these binding sites with [125I]angiotensin II followed by SDS gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions revealed a single band comprising a molecular mass of 108,000 Da. Competition with unlabeled angiotensin II or the AT2 antagonist, but not the AT1 antagonist, abolished the 108,000-Da band. In intact cells, angiotensin II caused a rapid increase in intracellular calcium (Ca2+) using Fura-2 as a Ca2+ indicator. Pretreatment of the cells with the AT1 antagonist DuP 753 completely inhibited the angiotensin II-induced rise in Ca2+; however, the AT2 antagonists CGP 42112A and PD 123177 were ineffective in blocking the Ca2+ increase. These results demonstrate that this pancreatic acinar cell line expresses both AT2 and AT1 angiotensin II receptor subtypes. The AT1 receptor is coupled to the mobilization of Ca2+—a characteristic shared by AT1 receptors in other tissues.
Highly conserved repetitive DNA sequences are present at human centromeres.

Abstract Highly conserved repetitive DNA sequence clones, largely consisting of (GGAAT)n repeats, have been isolated from a human recombinant repetitive DNA library by high-stringency hybridization with rodent repetitive DNA. This sequence, the predominant repetitive sequence in human satellites II and III, is similar to the essential core DNA of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae centromere, centromere DNA element (CDE) III. In situ hybridization to human telophase and Drosophila polytene chromosomes shows localization of the (GGAAT)n sequence to centromeric regions. Hyperchromicity studies indicate that the (GGAAT)n sequence exhibits unusual hydrogen bonding properties. The purine-rich strand alone has the same thermal stability as the duplex. Hyperchromicity studies of synthetic DNA variants indicate that all sequences with the composition (AATGN)n exhibit this unusual thermal stability. DNA-mobility-shift assays indicate that specific HeLa-cell nuclear proteins recognize this sequence with a relative affinity greater than 10(5). The extreme evolutionary conservation of this DNA sequence, its centromeric location, its unusual hydrogen bonding properties, its high affinity for specific nuclear proteins, and its similarity to functional centromeres isolated from yeast suggest that this sequence may be a component of the functional human centromere.
A telephone-delivered empowerment intervention with patients diagnosed with heart failure.

Background Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem. Case management by nurses using telephone follow-up has been suggested as a convenient and effective mechanism to promote the self-management of HF. Similarly, a patient empowerment approach to the management of chronic disease has been suggested as one that may nurture self-management in individuals with chronic illness. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a telephone-delivered empowerment intervention (EI) on clinically and theoretically relevant outcomes in patients with HF, including purposeful participation in goal attainment, self-management of HF, and perception of functional health. The EI was guided by Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings person-environment process. Methods A convenience sample of men and women aged 21 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of HF was obtained from a metropolitan hospital located in the southwestern United States. The participants were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 45) or EI group (n = 45). All participants received standardized HF patient education; the intervention group also received an EI delivered through telephone follow-up calls from a registered nurse. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate intervention effects. Results The telephone-delivered EI facilitated self-management of HF through self-care activities in EI group members. Conclusion The knowledge gained from this study provides a beginning understanding of strategies to enhance health care providers’ ability to facilitate self-management of HF among patients diagnosed with HF.
Oxide of non-basal quasi-polar 6H-SiC surfaces

Non-basal surfaces of 6H-SiC, which are thought to exhibit polar behaviour, were thermally oxidized in steam. The resulting oxide thickness was determined by two methods: a non-contact measurement of the oxide capacitance and a physical measurement of the step height from an etched pattern. The surface was found to oxidize faster than its counterpart, i.e. the surface. When these results were compared with results of the oxidation of the basal {0001} and surfaces, the effective permittivity of the oxide was found to be closer to the ideal value of 3.9 for SiO2 grown on the and surfaces. This important result for these novel crystalline surfaces could be beneficial in the fabrication of MOSFET devices on SiC.
Computer-Aided Design of Planar Parallel Robots for Optimal Workspace and Dexterity

Parallel robots exhibit salient merits over their serial counterparts in applications where both accuracy and dynamic response are required. However, due to the strong dependence of geometric parameters and their performances, the corresponding design problems for the parallel robots are much more complex and the adequacy and effectiveness of the design method become more critical. In this paper, a study in the design optimization for a class of planar parallel robots is presented. The robots feature an in-parallel structure with two degrees of freedom. Dimension synthesis is performed through maximization of two key performance characteristics, addressing not only workspace but also dexterity of the robots under consideration. Optimal designs are attained using both parametric study and simplex algorithm. Results are shown by way of computer simulations aided with graphic visualizations.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Fabrication and Characterization of High‐Conductivity Bilayer Electrolytes for Intermediate‐Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

A stable bilayer electrolyte with high ionic conductivity was developed for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell operation. The bilayer structure improved the limited thermodynamic stability of bismuth oxides and prevented electronic conductivity of ceria-based oxides in reducing atmosphere. Bilayer electrolytes were formed by depositing thin and thick layers of erbia-stabilized bismuth oxide (ESB) on samaria-doped ceria (SDC) substrates, via pulsed laser deposition and dip-coating techniques. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the ESB/SDC samples showed dense ESB layers and excellent adherence between both ESB and SDC phases. Interdiffusion between the two phases was not detected by X-ray diffraction and EDX. Measurements of the conductivity of SDC coated with ESB exhibited slightly higher total conductance than SDC.
Ophthalmic cyclosporine in equine keratitis and keratouveitis: 11 cases

Topical cyclosporine A was safely used in a series of 11 cases of equine keratitis and keratouveitis and appeared to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent in 9 cases. The clinical diagnoses included interstitial keratouveitis, endotheliitis, multifocal punctate keratopathy and a melting stromal ulcer. In most cases, the presence or absence of insidious bacterial infection was not conclusively determined. Topical cyclosporine A had no deleterious effects in this series of cases. The authors suggest that topical cyclosporine in both aqueous and lipid base vehicles should be investigated and evaluated as an alternative mode of achieving ocular immunosuppression.
Type of Message, Personality, and Attitude Change

This experiment was designed to test the hypotheses that the relationship between personality and attitude change is affected by the type of persuasive communication and that the relationship between personality, attitude change, and type of appeal would be different for the two sexes. 280 college students were randomly divided into three treatment conditions. Each group received either a factual, emotional, or conforming appeal. Measures of anxiety (MAS), self-concept (S-C), authoritarianism (F), and intolerance of ambiguity (IA) were obtained for each student. A multiple regression analysis was conducted for each treatment and sex group with attitude change scores used as the dependent variable. Significant F ratios for the cumulative regression were found for males receiving the conforming message and for females receiving the conforming and emotional appeals. No personality measure was associated with attitude change following the factual appeal for either sex, or for the emotional appeal for the male...
Dendritic array growth in the systems NH4Cl–H2O and [CH2 CN]2–H2O: the detachment of dendrite side arms induced by deceleration

Dendrite array adjustments have been measured in transparent material during the transient conditions attending deceleration. There is considerable hysteresis between the responses of dendrite tip radii and primary spacings to velocity changes and this promotes the dissolution of the necked regions, where side arms attach themselves to primary stems. Simple analyses of the transient dendritic dimensions are offered to illustrate a detachment mechanism. This phenomenon is relevant to the development of an equiaxed zone in metal castings.
Photochemical alterations in ribonucleic acid isolated from ultraviolet-irradiated tobacco mosaic virus

Abstract Pyrimidine residues in tobacco mosaic virus ribonucleic acid were labeled with tritium at the 5 position. Following exposure of the labeled virus to ultraviolet light within a biologically significant dose range, the ribonucleic acid was extracted with phenol and digested with a mixture of enzymes. The photoproducts were isolated by paper and column chromatography. The results demonstrate the formation of uridine hydrate and at least two other photoproducts. On Bio-Gel P-2 chromatography, these photoproducts appear to be the approximate size of UpU. No significant amount of ultraviolet reversible pyrimidine dimers is formed.
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF CONVOLVULUS ARVENSIS (MORNING-GLORY OR BINDWEED) IN RELATION TO ITS CONTROL BY CHEMICAL SPRAYS

(a). The reaction of plants to chemical sprays, and the effectiveness of these sprays, depend upon penetration and subsequent distribution of the chemical throughout the living tissues. This paper reports some experiments relative to the factors which control these processes in the wild morning-glory (Convolvulus arvensis). Early writers (3, 5) on morning-glory control prescribe clean cultivation, pasturing, and the use of smother crops. That these methods were unsuccessful in the hands of practical farmers was recognized in California in 1915 ; and in the fall of that year George P. Gray (8) started a series of experiments on the use of chemical sprays. A number of plant poisons were used but the application of sodium arsenite solution to the leaves of mature plants was the only treatment which he found successful. Recommendations were made (7) for the use of this spray in the coastal fog belt of California, but it was not extensively used by farmers. The materials were dangerous to handle and the treatment allowed the maturing of a crop of seed before the application of the spray, making eradication practically impossible. Gray proved that the perennial roots of the morning-glory could be killed by the application of arsenic to the leaves. He realized the importance of this fact and emphasized the need for further study of the problem as the mechanism responsible for the distribution of the arsenic within the plant was not understood at that time. Few of the workers after Gray have followed his suggestion. Publications from the United States Department of Agriculture (17), California (2), Utah (16), and Colorado (14), adhere to the older recommendations. The Colorado workers (14) found no evidence for translocation of arsenic in their experiments with K.M.G.1 Better results were obtained with this product in Washington (15) but it was not completely satisfactory. The present study was started in 1925 for the purpose of determining the mechanism responsible for the translocation of arsenic within the morning-glory plant. Continued attempts to control this weed by cultiva-
WiP Abstract: TCP Congestion Control Principles for Highly Available Reconfigurable Conveyor Systems

Advanced Manufacturing systems, such as reconfigurable conveyor systems, are critical to several economies and societies. They enable the rapid reconfiguration of the system at the level of individual units or subsystems to cope with the needs of emerging markets and applications. However, because of the immense scale of these systems, several components tend to fail on a regular basis. There is an urgent need for autonomous fault tolerance techniques that will ensure high availability of these critical cyber physical systems. In this paper, we present preliminary results from our design of a highly available reconfigurable conveyor system. At the core of our approach are ideas for fault tolerance derived from TCP sliding window flow control and congestion control approaches.
Testing the factorial validity of scores from the caregiver pain medicine questionnaire.

Context. The Caregiver Pain Medicine Questionnaire is designed to measure caregiver agreement with statements regarding pain management. However, little testing has been done to determine its reliability and validity. Objectives. The objective of the study was to test the factorial validity of scores from the Caregiver Pain Medicine Questionnaire as hypothesized by the original study authors. Methods. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to assess whether the subscales postulated by the instrument authors could be replicated in external data. Results. Fit statistics reveal an unsatisfactory fit between the hypothesized model and the observed data. Conclusion. The theoretical model hypothesized by the original study authors was not confirmed. Results lead us to conclude that the instrument is poor and should not be used. Further research is needed to define content domains and validate the items developed to assess them. J Pain Symptom Manage 2014;48:99e109. 2014 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Rift valley fever virus infection of human cells and insect hosts is promoted by protein kinase C epsilon.

As an arthropod-borne human pathogen, Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) cycles between an insect vector and mammalian hosts. Little is known about the cellular requirements for infection in either host. Here we developed a tissue culture model for RVFV infection of human and insect cells that is amenable to high-throughput screening. Using this approach we screened a library of 1280 small molecules with pharmacologically defined activities and identified 59 drugs that inhibited RVFV infection with 15 inhibiting RVFV replication in both human and insect cells. Amongst the 15 inhibitors that blocked infection in both hosts was a subset that inhibits protein kinase C. Further studies found that infection is dependent upon the novel protein kinase C isozyme epsilon (PKCe) in both human and insect cells as well as in adult flies. Altogether, these data show that inhibition of cellular factors required for early steps in the infection cycle including PKCe can block RVFV infection, and may represent a starting point for the development of anti-RVFV therapeutics.
Analysis of PBPK Models for Risk Characterization

Adoption of a Bayesian framework for risk characterization permits the seamless integration of different kinds of information available in order to choose and parameterize risk models. It also becomes easy to disentangle uncertainty from variability, through hierarchical statistical modeling. Appropriate numerical techniques can be found, for example, in the recently developed arsenal of Markov chain, Monte Carlo simulations. The developments in this area can actually be viewed as extensions of the traditional or standard Monte Carlo methods for uncertainty analysis. Following a brief review of the techniques, examples of Bayesian analyses of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models are presented for tetrachloroethylene and dichloromethane. The discussion touches on some open problems and perspectives for the proposed methods.
Plasma Vitamin and Mineral Status in Home Parenteral Nutrition Patients

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) provides long-term nutritional support for persons whose absorptive capacity is compromised by a variety of intestinal malabsorption problems. However, the presence of vitamin and mineral deficiency syndromes that normally would not have time to develop in the hospitalized patient receiving total parenteral nutrition has been reported in patients receiving HPN. This study entails a longitudinal survey of plasma concentrations of vitamins A, E, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, as well as the minerals zinc, copper, and selenium, in patients receiving HPN. Plasma samples from eight patients who had been on HPN for 1-92 months before the study began were obtained once a month over a 12-month period. The blood was drawn immediately before their evening infusion of TPN in order to approximate fasting plasma nutrient concentrations. Patient values were compared to fasting control values and to published norms. Values for vitamin A, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and zinc all were within the normal range, and there was no evidence of metabolic bone disease. Plasma vitamin E and copper concentrations exceeded the normal range for most of the 12-month period. Of all of the nutrients studied, only plasma selenium concentrations were consistently in the low-normal to below-normal range. Selenium levels in patients on HPN should be monitored regularly, and supplementation may be necessary if clinical conditions warrant.
Paid peering among internet service providers

We develop models for Internet Service Provider (ISP) peering when ISPs charge each other for carrying traffic. We study linear pricing schemes in a simple ISP peering model using a two stage sequential Nash game in which self interested providers first set linear prices for carrying peers' traffic and then choose to route their traffic according to the prices set and costs incurred by carrying traffic on their links. Under reasonable cost models, we show that rational ISPs will participate in this game. Moreover, we show that the ISP with the lower marginal cost in the absence of peering has no incentive to send traffic in a hot-potato fashion and effectively acts as a monopolist. The other provider strategically routes traffic, splitting between hot-potato and cold-potato routing. We also show that though this outcome is inefficient, both ISPs are strictly better off when compared to not peering at all. Finally, we consider appropriate cost models that make the notion of capacity explicit. Under certain conditions we show not only that the monopolist has an incentive to upgrade the capacity of its links but also that this incentive is higher when the monopolist is in a peering relationship.
N-bromosuccinimide action on creatine phosphokinase

Behandlung von Kreatinphosphokinase mit uberschussigemN-Bromsuccinimid bewirkt eine Umwandlung der vorhandenen peptidartig gebundenen Tryptophanreste, welche sich durch die fur diesen Vorgang charakteristische Veranderung des Spektrums anzeigt. Am unbehandelten Enzym liessen sich auch mit einem grossen Uberschuss von NBS keine freien endstandigen NH2-Gruppen eindeutig nachweisen.
The Evolution of the Performance Model from Black Box to the Logic Model Through Systems Thinking

From approximately 1900 through the early 1970s, the examination of organizational performance in the United States reflected the Input/Output construct, which is associated with, if not derived from, scientific management. Beginning in the mid-1950s and accelerating in the 1970s, this construct transformed through systems thinking to Input → Throughput → Output. In current language, this sort of model is known as the “logic model.” There is no single accepted variant of the logic model. This process could be improved by adopting more coherence, integration with more performance constructs, and use of more systems constructs.
Alterations of muscle activities and jaw movements after blocking individual jaw-closing muscles in the miniature pig

Although the inactivation or removal of motoneurones and muscles are known to affect development and growth of the craniofacial skeleton and masticatory muscles, the effect of these on functional activity patterns is not clear. The goal of this study was to evaluate the immediate responses of masticatory muscle activities to temporary nerve blocks of individual jaw-closing muscles. Nineteen experiments were made with four miniature pigs (Sus scrofa). Electromyograms of the masticatory muscles and jaw movements were recorded during natural chewing. Then, the function of individual jaw-closing muscles was removed unilaterally by local anaesthesia, and the recording repeated. The results showed a general increase in the activities of the other jaw-closing muscles, particularly those that were synergistic with the blocked muscle in producing lateral movements. Furthermore, the lateral pterygoid showed stronger activity, and accordingly the lateral movement was increased. Digastric muscle activity and the magnitude of jaw opening also tended to increase. Thus, the response to loss of a muscle is a strong, immediate compensation by synergists.
SU-C-105-01: Interferometry for Detection of Temperature Rise in a Water Phantom

Purpose: Imaging of absorbed dose fields directly in a water phantom has been done using ultrasonic phase-sensitive detection. The question arises as to whether similar or better sensitivity could be obtained via phase-sensitive detection of optical probe radiation traversing a water phantom. The present study was undertaken to compare the relative thermal sensitivity of optical and ultrasonic probes of water heated by a source capable of elevating the water temperature over a range (∼100 mK) that typifies heating in a radiotherapy beam. Methods: To obtain a direct comparison of the optical and ultrasonic approaches, a dual interferometer was constructed in which both types of probe radiations could sample the same thermal field simultaneously. For the ultrasonic measurements, two 5 MHz contact transducers were placed on opposite sides of a rectangular water phantom (10 ltr), and the phase change along the ultrasonic flight path was measured using an rf lock-in amplifier. For the optical measurements, a Michelson interferometer was constructed using a HeNe laser as light source, and it was configured so that one of the two arms passed through the water phantom adjacent to the path followed by the ultrasound radiation. A string of power resistors placed in the water, configured to lie parallel to both ultrasonic and laser beam paths, provided heat, and a calibrated thermistor probe provided temperature reference. Results: Both ultrasonic (above) and optical (below) results were found to track temperature changes registered by the thermistor probe, and, moreover, gave results that agreed very well with theory. Preliminary findings indicate that the optical system was ∼25x more sensitive than the ultrasonic system. Conclusion: The preliminary findings suggest that optical interferometry may outperform both ultrasound and thermistor detectors for resolving radiation-induced changes in water temperature. Testing in radiotherapy beams is planned for the near future.
Surgical Treatment of Borderline and Malignant Phyllodes Tumors: The Effect of the Extent of Resection and Tumor Characteristics on Patient Outcome

Malignant phyllodes tumors are rare fibroepithelial breast neoplasms. Appropriate surgical management remains a subject of debate. The purpose of our study was to define optimal surgical treatment and to identify factors associated with outcome. After confirmatory pathology review, we identified 67 patients with borderline (n = 15) and malignant (n = 52) phyllodes tumors treated at our institution between 1971 and 2008. We used Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate associations between treatment, patient and tumor characteristics, and disease-free (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Median patient age was 47 years. For 32 patients, definitive surgical treatment was wide local excision (WLE): 27 with margins ≥1 cm and 5 with margins 5 cm, mitotic rate ≥10/10 HPF, stromal overgrowth and cellularity (all p < 0.05) predicted DFS, whereas CSS was associated with the latter three variables. CSS was diminished for mastectomy patients who were significantly more likely to harbor tumors with adverse features. With long-term follow-up, extent of surgical resection did not affect DFS for patients with borderline and malignant phyllodes tumors. Tumor features, most notably stromal overgrowth, were predictive of recurrence and survival, suggesting these high-risk patients may benefit from additional therapeutic strategies.
COMPUTATIONAL AEROACOUSTICS OF PROPELLER NOISE IN THE NEAR AND FAR FIELD

Techniques for applying the NASPROP-E computer code (Bober et al., 1983) to characterize the acoustic field of a transonic propfan are described and demonstrated for the case of the SR-3 propfan. It is pointed out that NASPROP E accounts for the nonlinear quadrupole, monopole, and dipole noise sources. The approach used, based on that of White (1984) and Korkan et al. (1985 and 1986), is described in detail, and the results of simulations employing different (reflective and nonreflective) inflow-outflow boundary conditions and azimuthal mesh spacings are presented in graphs and briefly discussed.
Risk Decision Analysis: MBC Farms' Horse Hay Enterprise

This case examines the feasibility of a new business venture with uncertain net revenues. MBC Farms seeks to sell horse hay to stable owners. Craig, the manager of MBC Farms' cropping enterprises, must evaluate the enterprise's profit potential in the face of uncertain hay quality and variable horse hay prices, and report his findings to MBC Farms' management team. Craig also evaluates whether a contract of 0, 500, or 1,000 tons is most appropriate by projecting potential net revenue outcomes and their likelihood of occurrence. Craig's decision tools include a contributing factor diagram, decision trees, and payoff matrices.
Late erosion of an Amplatzer septal occluder device 6 years after placement

CLINICAL SUMMARY A 46-year-old man underwent transcatheter closure of a PFO at our institution after a stroke-like event. The stretched diameter of the PFO was 9 to 10 mm. A 14-mm Amplatzer septal occluder device (AGA Medical Corporation, Golden Valley, Minn) was placed. Immediately after placement, a trivial degree of left-to-right shunt was seen through the center of the device by intracardiac echocardiography; agitated saline injection revealed a trivial right-to-left shunt. The procedure was uncomplicated, and the patient was dismissed from the hospital the following day. Predismissal transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed good position and stability of the device with no apparent shunt. Ten days later, the patient returned with intermittent palpitations. Electrocardiogram revealed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. He was given intravenous diltiazem and promptly returned to sinus rhythm. TTE again documentedgoodposition of the occluder devicewith no recurrent atrial shunt or pericardial effusion. He was observed in the hospital overnight and dismissed on a regimen of oral diltiazem for 1 month. He had no recurrence of atrial fibrillation. Six years later, he came to the emergency department with progressive pleuritic chest pain. He had had similar chest pains 1month prior, which were not extensively investigated, but resolved spontaneously. In the emergency department he was hypotensive with mild jugular venous distention. TTE documented moderate pericardial effusion with tamponade. Pericardiocentesis removed 325 mL of bloody fluid. Transesophageal echocardiography did not show any evidence of shunt around the device. The device was again noted to not straddle the aortic root. Transesophageal echocardiographic
Hormone-related Factors and Risk of Breast Cancer in Relation to Estrogen Receptor and Progesterone Receptor Status

Risk factors were examined for subgroups of breast cancer characterized by estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status. Data from the Carolina Breast Cancer Study, a population-based, North Carolina case-control study of 862 breast cancer cases aged 20-74 years diagnosed during 1993-1996 and 790 controls frequency matched on race and age, were obtained by personal interview. ER and PR status was retrieved from medical records (80%) or was determined in the authors' laboratory (11%) but was missing for 9% of cases. The receptor status distribution was as follows: 53% ER+PR+, 11% ER+PR-, 8% ER-PR+, and 28% ER-PR-. Several hormone-related factors were associated with stronger increased risks for ER+PR+ than for ER-PR- breast cancer: the elevated odds ratios were strongest for ER+PR+ breast cancer among postmenopausal women who had an early age at menarche (odds ratio (OR) = 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 2.4), nulliparity/late age at first full-term pregnancy (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 0.9, 3.2 and OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0, 2.7, respectively), or a high body mass index (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 0.9, 3.0) and among pre-/perimenopausal women who had a high waist-hip ratio (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.1). In contrast, family history of breast or ovarian cancer and medical radiation exposure to the chest produced higher odds ratios for ER-PR- than for ER+PR+ breast cancer, especially among pre-/perimenopausal women.
The clinical course of unipolar major depressive disorders

A FUNDAMENTAL paradigmatic shift is occurring in the understanding of unipolar major depressive disorders (MDD) among the general public, by many public health experts, and by the practicing psychiatric community. Most people in our society no longer view depression as a mysterious sickness of spirit or emotional weakness, but rather as a disease of the brain and an important health problem. 1 International public health experts acknowledge the high prevalence of unipolar MDD 2 combined with the pervasive human misery and impairment associated with it, and have identified this disease in 1990 as the fourth-ranked cause of disability and premature death worldwide. 3 In parallel, the treatment of unipolar MDD has evolved from incarceration, exorcism, and prayer to classic psychoanalysis, and now in the modern era to treatment with empirically proven, effective antidepressant medications and depression-specific brief psychotherapies. Meta-analyses of 6 standardized treatment studies by Thase et al 4 have
Vocabulary-independent search in spontaneous speech

For efficient organization of speech recordings - meetings, interviews, voice mails, lectures - the ability to search for spoken keywords is an essential capability. Today, most spoken-document retrieval systems use large-vocabulary recognition. For the above scenarios, such systems suffer from both the unpredictable vocabulary/domain and generally high word-error rates (WER). We present a vocabulary-independent system to index and to search rapidly spontaneous speech. A speech recognizer generates lattices of phonetic word fragments, against which keywords are matched phonetically. We first show the need to use recognition alternatives (lattices) in a high-WER context, on a word-based baseline. Then we introduce our new method of phonetic word-fragment lattice generation, which uses longer-span language knowledge than a phoneme recognizer. Last we introduce heuristics to compact the lattices to feasible sizes that can be searched efficiently. On the LDC voice mail corpus, we show that vocabulary/domain-independent phonetic search is as accurate as a vocabulary/domain-dependent word-lattice based baseline system for in-vocabulary keywords (FOMs of 74-75%), but nearly maintains this accuracy also for out-of-vocabulary keywords.