cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ab therapy of AML: native anti-CD33 Ab and drug conjugates.

MAb have become an important treatment modality in cancer therapy. Genetically engineered chimeric and humanized Ab have demonstrated activity against a variety of tumors. While the humanized anti-CD33 MAb lintuzumab has only modest single-agent activity against overt AML, it can eliminate minimal residual disease detectable by reverse transcription-PCR in acute promyelocytic leukemia. Targeted chemotherapy with the anti-CD33–calicheamicin construct gemtuzumab ozogamicin has produced remissions in patients with relapsed AML and appears promising when used in combination with standard chemotherapy in the treatment of newly diagnosed AML.
Brigida Baldinotti and Her Two Epistles in Quattrocento Florentine Manuscripts

This study casts light on both the vexed question of women's vernacular literacy as well as women's wider participation in literary culture during the Italian quattrocento. For decades now, scholars have puzzled over the phrase dealing with women's literacy in Giovanni Villani's Chronicle, where he states that in Florence between “eight thousand to ten thousand boys and girls are learning to read.” Feminist scholars in the 1980s in particular took an extraordinarily pessimistic stance on women's literacy in quattrocento Florence. Women's ability not only to read but also to write was called into question. “A girl who could read, and especially, write, was cause for amazement,” wrote Christiane Klapisch-Zuber. Luisa Miglio considered women's writing in the quattrocento to have been both extremely rare and to have constituted a kind of “transgression.” “I do not know,” wrote Miglio, “if Margherita Datini or Alessandra Macinghi or other lesser known women who took a pen in hand were aware that theirs was an ...
Diagnosing Depression in Congestive Heart Failure

Depression is an all too common occurrence in heart failure patients. Depressive symptoms, however, sometimes are confused with the physical repercussions of heart failure. This article highlights different screening assessments for major depression and recommends treatment for this population.
Quasi-monotone mappings on θn-continua

Abstract A continuous function f from a continuum X onto a continuum Y is quasi-monotone if, for every subcontinuum M of Y with nonvoid interior, f-1(M) has a finite number of components each of which is mapped onto M by f. A θn-continuum is one that no subcontinuum separates into more than n components. It is known that if f is quasi-monotone and X is a θ1-continuum, then Y is a θ1-continuum or a θ2-continuum that is irreducible between two points. Examples are given to show that this cannot be generalized to a θn-continuum and n + 1 points for any n >1, but it is proved that if f is quasi-monotone and X is a θn-continuum, then Y is a θn-continuum or a θn+1-continuum that is the union of n + 2 continua H,S1,S2,…,Sn+1, whe for each i, Si is the closure of a component of Y H, Si is irreducible from some point Pi to H, and H is irreducible about its boundary. Some theorems and examples are given concerning the preservation of decomposition elements by a quasi-monotone map defined on a θn-continuum that admits a monotone, upper-semicontinuous decomposition onto a finite graph.
Investigation of Uña De Gato I. 7-Deoxyloganic acid and 15N NMR spectroscopic studies on pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids from Uncaria tomentosa.

Abstract The C-8-( S ) isomer of deoxyloganic acid (7-deoxyloganic acid), together with β-sitosteryl glucoside, five known stereoisomeric pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids and the tetracyclic oxindole isorhyncophylline, were isolated from the inner bark of Uncaria tomentosa . Structures of the isolated compounds were based on 1 H and 13 C NMR data, mainly 2D NMR experiments, including 1 H– 13 C HMBC and 1 H– 1 H NOESY correlation. Furthermore, the hitherto unreported 15 N chemical shifts of the isomeric oxindole alkaloids, using 1 H– 15 N HMBC experiments, were utilized to facilitate their characterization. Uncarine D showed weak cytotoxic activity against SK-MEL, KB, BT-549 and SK-OV-3 cell lines with IC 50 values between 30 and 40 μg/ml, while uncarine C exhibited weak cytotoxicity only against ovarian carcinoma (IC 50 at 37 μg/ml).
In vitro fertilization and late preterm preschoolers' neuropsychological outcomes: the PETIT study.

Objective In vitro fertilization (IVF) is considered a generally safe procedure, although associated with a higher incidence of preterm birth. The literature is inconsistent about the psychological impact of IVF, and we found no reports about outcome in late preterm (LPT) children. Our objective was to study neuropsychological and behavioral outcomes in a cohort of preschoolers born LPT between 2004 and 2007. Study Design Participants were 397 LPT children (mean age, 3.8 years) conceived assisted by IVF (n = 105) or non-IVF (n = 292). Standardized performance-based tests of general conceptual ability (intelligence quotient), executive function, focused/selective attention, visual-spatial perception, visual-motor skill, manual dexterity, learning, and memory were administered. Parents completed behavioral and executive function questionnaires. Results IVF group characteristics included older maternal age ( P P P P > .001), nonverbal reasoning ( P = .001), manual dexterity ( P = .001), and inhibitory capacity ( P = .006), all favoring girls. Conclusion Birth following IVF-assisted conception did not increase the risk of intellectual, neuropsychological, or behavioral deficit in LPT preschoolers. As shown in earlier gestational-age participants, girls have selective advantages. These findings should be reassuring for parents who conceive through IVF and deliver infants 1-3 weeks before term gestational age. Future study of these children at elementary school age may detect subtle impairments not yet apparent at age 3 years.
Hamiltonian simple polytopes

We show that for everyn>no(d) (n even ifd is odd) there exists a simpled-polytope withn vertices, whose graph admits a Hamiltonian circuit. The result sharpens and earlier lower bound due to Victor Klee.
ESCAPE: From Hypertension to Renal Failure

ESCAPE Trial Group, Wuhl E, Trivelli A, et al.: Strict blood-pressure control and progression of renal failure in children. N Engl J Med 2009, 361:1639–1650.
Rural telephone companies: offering technology innovations to enhance the economic development of communities

Abstract Telecommunications can encourage development in rural communities by helping them overcome geographic barriers. Rural telephone companies are integral to ensuring that communities in their service areas compete in the Information Age economy by adopting advanced technologies that enable the companies to provide a full spectrum of innovative services. In this study we examined rural telephone companies in the State of Iowa and the organizational characteristics and environmental factors related to their adoption of innovative telecommunications technologies and services. We found that the involvement of rural telephone companies in local development activities was important to their technological innovativeness, suggesting that local leaders should seek the involvement of telephone company managerial personnel in community development activities.
Multiparametric MRI findings of granulomatous prostatitis after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy in a patient undergoing active surveillance.

Monitoring prostate cancer (PCa) using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MP-MRI) may have an important role in active surveillance (AS) for low-risk PCa. Benign mimickers of PCa on MP-MRI can falsely raise the level of suspicion for disease progression, triggering earlier biopsy procedures or overtreatment, or both. The granulomatous prostatitis (GP) induced by intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy for bladder cancer has been recognized as a benign mimicker of PCa on MP-MRI. We present a case of GP induced by intravesical BCG therapy of bladder cancer in a patient with lowrisk PCa managed with AS in whom highly suspicious imaging findings indicating potential disease progression developed on a second surveillance MP-MRI.
Numerical solution to the glancing sidewall oblique shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction in three dimension

A supersonic three-dimensional viscous forward-marching computer design code called PEPSIS is used to obtain a numerical solution of the three-dimensional problem of the interaction of a glancing sidewall oblique shock wave and a turbulent boundary layer. Very good results are obtained for a test case that was run to investigate the use of the wall-function boundary-condition approximation for a highly complex three-dimensional shock-boundary layer interaction. Two additional test cases (coarse mesh and medium mesh) are run to examine the question of near-wall resolution when no-slip boundary conditions are applied. A comparison with experimental data shows that the PEPSIS code gives excellent results in general and is practical for three-dimensional supersonic inlet calculations.
Intraoperative blood transfusions and hyperacute renal allograft rejection in a presensitized recipient.

A maternal renal allograft was rejected in a hyperacute manner by the presensitized recipient whose lymphocytotoxic antibodies did not react with lymphocytes of the kidney donor but did react with those of all 3 blood donors whose blood was transfused into the kidney recipient during the transplant operation. The resulting hyperacute rejection is believed to have been precipitated by the interaction of the recipient's cytotoxic antibody with blood donors' lymphocytes and platelets and/or an additional kidney donor antigen detected only after treatment with trypsin. The use of blood with a negative lymphocyte cross-match for renal allograft recipients having preformed lymphocytotoxic antibody should be considered.
The role of increased liver triglyceride content: a culprit of diabetic hyperglycaemia?

The role of fat in the aetiology of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes has been re-considered in the present review. This is because of the questions raised by recent created mouse models imitating human lipodystrophy diabetes. It appears that hepatic steatosis, which is shared by both lipodystrophy and most if not all obesity patients, may play a key role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes despite the fact that lipodystrophy is an extreme state and occurs more rarely than obesity. The possible link between lipid and glucose metabolisms via peroxisome activity has been examined and its role in determining hyperglycaemia is suggested. Moreover, new avenues towards a better understanding of insulin resistance at the genomic level have also been proposed. It appears that one of the most fundamental biological phenomena, fuel selection, may underlie the causes of diabetic hyperglycaemia and perplex the role of fat in the aetiology of insulin resistance.
Molecular statics simulation of fracture in -iron

The behaviour of mode I cracks in -Fe is investigated using molecular statics computer simulation methods with an EAM potential. A double-ended crack of finite size embedded in a cylindrical simulation cell and fixed boundary conditions are prescribed along the periphery of the cell, whereas periodic boundary conditions are imposed parallel to the crack front. The displacement field of the finite crack is represented by that of an equivalent pile-up of opening dislocations distributed in a manner consistent with the anisotropy of the crystal and traction-free conditions of the crack faces. The crack lies on the plane and the crack front is located along , or directions. The crack tip response is rationalized in terms of the surface energy of the cleavage plane and the unstable stacking energies of the slip planes emanating from the crack front.
Region-specific changes in ascorbate concentration during rat brain development quantified by in vivo1H NMR spectroscopy

Ascorbate (vitamin C, Asc) was quantified in vivo using short-TE 1H NMR spectra from a previously published study on regional and developmental changes in the neurochemical profile of the rat brain (Tkac I, Rao R, Georgieff MK, Gruetter R. Magn Reson Med. 2003; 50: 24–32). Asc concentration was quantified on postnatal days P7–P28 from three regions that are of interest in the study of neurocognitive development, i.e. the hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex. The previously measured 1H NMR spectra were re-analyzed using LCModel with the Asc spectrum included in the basis set. The Asc concentration was consistently quantified from all 110 re-analyzed spectra with an estimated fitting error of 7% (i.e. the average Cramer–Rao lower bound). The sensitivity of Asc quantification was sufficiently high to detect regional and developmental changes in Asc concentration. The concentration of Asc was highest on P7, and decreased with age in all three brain regions (p < 0.001) in agreement with previous in vitro studies. At P10 and older postnatal ages, an inhomogeneous distribution of Asc among brain regions was detected. In addition to facilitating the quantification of this important antioxidant concentration, the inclusion of the Asc spectrum in the LCModel basis set improved the quantification accuracy of other brain metabolite concentrations in the neurochemical profile. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening technology transfers: Lessons from invention managers

Innovative ideas will not be transferred between organizations unless they pass the screening tests managers use to choose innovations for transfer. This paper suggests that most screening methods have been developed for analyzing incremental improvements in existing businesses. As such, these methods militate against the transfer of new technologies. The paper describes screening methods in use at invention-management organizations as an alternative. These methods stress the development of business concepts for innovations, i.e., the integration of product specifications with the targeted market's characteristics, the user's capability, and convergent technologies that use and/or are used by the innovation.
X-Ray and Optical Eclipses in Ultraluminous X-Ray Sources as Possible Indicators of Black Hole Mass

Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) with 1039 ergs s-1 LX < 1041 ergs s-1 have been discovered in great numbers in external galaxies with ROSAT, Chandra, and XMM-Newton. The central question regarding this important class of sources is whether they represent an extension to the luminosity function of binary X-ray sources containing neutron stars and stellar-mass black holes (BHs), or a new class of objects, e.g., systems containing intermediate-mass black holes (100-1000 M☉). We suggest searching for X-ray and optical eclipses in these systems to provide another diagnostic to help distinguish between these two possibilities. The sense of the effect is that ULXs with stellar-mass black hole accretors should be at least twice as likely to exhibit eclipses as intermediate-mass black hole systems—and perhaps much more than a factor of 2. Among other system parameters, the orbital period would follow. This would provide considerable insight as to the nature of the binary.
MOLECULAR THERMODYNAMICS OF FLUID MIXTURES AT LOW AND HIGH DENSITIES

Abstract A molecular-thermodynamic framework is proposed to describe phase equilibria over a wide range of densities and compositions. The proposed framework is expressed through a model for the Helmholtz energy that incorporates arbitrary mixing rules at high densities, while at low densities the model reduces to the correct second-virial-coefficient limit. In effect, this framework provides density-dependent mixing rules. The proposed framework is illustrated with an equation of state of the Boublik—Mansoori—van der Waals form. Special attention is given to high-pressure vapor—liquid equilibria for systems containing water and hydrocarbons.
Scope, limitations and mechanistic aspects of the photo-induced cross-linking of proteins by water-soluble metal complexes.

Abstract Background: Chemical cross-linking is a valuable tool with which to study protein–protein interactions. Recently, a new kind of cross-linking reaction was developed in which the photolysis of associated proteins with visible light in the presence of ammonium persulfate and tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) dication or palladium(II) porphyrins results in rapid and efficient covalent coupling (Fancy, D.A. & Kodadek, T. (1999). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96 , 6020–6024 and Kim, K., Fancy, D.A. & Kodadek, T. (1999). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 121 , 11896–11897). Here, mechanistic and practical aspects of the reaction of importance for its application to biochemical problems are examined. Results: It is shown that the photo-initiated cross-linking chemistry can be optimized for the analysis of protein–protein interactions in crude cell extracts. A number of commonly used epitope or affinity tags survive the reaction in functional form, allowing the simple visualization of the cross-linked products, or their isolation. It is shown that very little light-independent oxidation of protein residues occurs and that significant perturbation of complexes of interest prior to the brief photolysis period does not occur. Finally, evidence is presented that is consistent with a mechanistic model in which ammonium persulfate functions simply as an electron acceptor, facilitating the generation of the key high valent metal complex from the photoexcited species by electron transfer. In the absence of an electron acceptor, a much lower efficiency reaction is observed that appears to involve products resulting from reaction of the excited state metal complex with molecular oxygen. Conclusions: These results provide useful practical information for chemists and biochemists who may wish to employ this new cross-linking chemistry for the analysis of protein complexes. They also shed new light on the mechanism of this interesting reaction.
Modified Analysis of Nucleon-Nucleon Scattering. II. Completed Analysis of p − p Scattering at 310 Mev

The application of a recently suggested modified method of analysis of nucleon-nucleon scattering experiments to $p\ensuremath{-}p$ scattering at 310 Mev has been completed. The results are summarized and compared with the work of Gammel and Thaler and of Signell and Marshak. The analysis is carried out on several levels, with varying number of angular momentum states being described by phenomenological phase shifts while the higher angular momentum states are represented by the one-pion exchange contribution. It is found that the inclusion of the high angular momentum states in this manner makes a significant improvement in the analysis. The pion-nucleon coupling constant is also determined from the data with a fair accuracy. The five "best" sets of phase shifts of the conventional analysis are reduced to two sets, corresponding to Solution 1 and 2 of the conventional analysis. Some slight evidence favors Solution 1 over Solution 2. It is shown that a very satisfactory fit can be obtained with nine parameters instead of the 14 parameters of the conventional analysis. Some remarks are made about the extent to which Solutions 1 and 2 are distinct. Experiments are suggested which could resolve the remaining ambiguity due to the existence of two sets of phase shifts.
Monte Carlo Calculation of Transport of Fast Electrons

Transmission, backscattering, and spatial distribution of ionization energy loss of electrons in thick absorbers have been calculated by a random-sampling method by use of an IBM-7090 digital computer. Results are presented for 0.4-4.0 Mev electrons normally incident on C, Al, and Cu absorbers. Ratios of extrapolated range of monoenergetic electrons to total range at incident energy were found to vary from 50 to 90%, to depend only weakly on incident energy, and to decrease markedly with increasing atomic number of absorber. Back-scattering coefficients were found to decrease with increasing energy in this range, and are in agreement with the recent experimental data of Frank; values of (4.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9)% and (16.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.8)% were obtained for 2-Mev electrons incident on Al and Cu.
Prevalence of malignancy in patients with pure main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms

Background Risk of malignancy in main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (MD-IPMN) ranges from 36% to 100% in the literature. Although surgical resection is recommended for all MD-IPMNs, the risk of malignancy based on main pancreatic duct (MPD) size alone remains unclear. Objective To assess the prevalence of malignancy in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with pure MD-IPMN based on MPD size. Design Single-center retrospective study of prospectively collected data. Settings Tertiary referral center. Patients and Interventions Fifty-two patients with pure low-risk MD-IPMN. Clinical, endoscopic, radiographic, and pathologic data were reviewed. Main outcome measurements Prevalence of malignancy in patients with pure MD-IPMN based on histopathology of resected lesions. Results Sixteen asymptomatic patients had pure MD-IPMN on surgical pathology, 4 (25%) with malignant disease, compared with 25 of 36 symptomatic patients (69%) with pure MD-IPMN. Logistic regression identified symptoms and MPD size as predictors of malignancy. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that MPD size (optimal cutoff of 8 mm) produced the greatest area under the curve to discriminate between benign and malignant MD-IPMN (.83; 95% CI, .72-.94). MPD size greater than 8 mm has a relative risk of 2.8 for malignancy (95% CI, 1.6-4.9). Limitations Retrospective, single-center study at a tertiary referral hospital. Study population included only patients who underwent surgical resection. Conclusion Asymptomatic MD-IPMN patients with a duct size of no more than 8 mm have a lower prevalence of malignancy and may represent a distinct group of patients with less aggressive biologic behavior. Further studies are needed to confirm our observations.
Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defects in Adults ≥40 Years of Age: Immediate and Follow‐Up Results

Background: Controversy still exists regarding closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) in patients >40 years of age who are largely asymptomatic or do not have large shunts (LS). If left unrepaired, the majority of patients will experience symptoms and will have a shorter life span compared to patients who undergo repair. This study presents the outcomes of closure of ASDs in adults >40 years using the Amplatzer septal occluder. Methods: A total of 113 patients (79F/34M) with a mean age of 57.9 years (SD 11.9) who had indications for closure (right ventricular [RV] enlargement by echocardiograpy, clinically symptomatic) underwent an attempt of transcatheter closure. The mean size of ASD as measured by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) (30 patients) or intracardiac echocardiography (83 patients) was 17.2 mm (SD 7.3) with mean Qp:Qs of 2.2:1 (SD 1.1). Follow-up at 24 hours, 6 month, and yearly thereafter included physical examination, TEE, and/or transthoracic echocardiography; furthermore, chart review (n = 112) as well as telephone interviews (n = 56) were conducted to determine clinical symptomatic status. Results: The procedure was successful in 112 patients and 1 patient failed due to the presence of a large defect (44 mm). One hundred four patients had a single device implanted, 7 had two, and 1 had three. Following the procedure, 96 patients had immediate complete closure (CC), 3 had trivial shunt (TS), 11 had small shunt (SS), and 2 had moderate shunt (MS). At 24 hours postprocedure, 100 patients had CC, 7 had TS, 3 had SS, 1 had MS, and 1 had LS. Four patients had complications: one had device migration within 24 hours, two had atrial arrhythmias (supraventricular tachycardia, atrial tachycardia), and one had large hematoma. At 6 months postprocedure, 100 patients had CC, 6 had TS, 5 had SS, and 1 had MS. At 6-month follow-up, the right ventricle end-diastolic dimension decreased from 35.3 mm (SD 7.6) preprocedure to 23.8 mm (SD 6.6) (P < 0.001) and the majority of patients reported improvement in their symptoms. Conclusions: ASD closure is safe and effective in patients over 40 years of age with minimal complications. The procedure resulted in a decrease in the RV size that was accompanied by improvement in clinical symptoms. Our findings suggest that device closure of ASDs in adult patients >40 years of age should be the first option of management.
Amyloid fiber formation and membrane disruption are separate processes localized in two distinct regions of IAPP, the type-2-diabetes-related peptide.

Aggregation of Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (IAPP) has been implicated in the development of type II diabetes. Because IAPP is a highly amyloidogenic peptide, it has been suggested that the formation of IAPP amyloid fibers causes disruption of the cellular membrane and is responsible for the death of β-cells during type II diabetes. Previous studies have shown that the N-terminal 1−19 region, rather than the amyloidogenic 20−29 region, is primarily responsible for the interaction of the IAPP peptide with membranes. Liposome leakage experiments presented in this study confirm that the pathological membrane disrupting activity of the full-length hIAPP is also shared by hIAPP1−19. The hIAPP1−19 fragment at a low concentration of peptide induces membrane disruption to a near identical extent as the full-length peptide. At higher peptide concentrations, the hIAPP1−19 fragment induces a greater extent of membrane disruption than the full-length peptide. Similar to the full-length peptide, hIAPP1−19 exhibits a rand...
Prologue: Improving Clinical Practice From the Inside Out

Purpose This prologue introduces a clinical forum entitled “Reflections on Improving Clinical Practice” and orients the reader to the scope of articles included within it. Method The purpose of the...
Electrical conductivity of iodine‐doped pseudo interpenetrating polymer networks of poly‐(carbonate‐urethane) and natural rubber

Recent DC conductivity measurements on iodine-doped full and psuedo IPNs of poly (carbonate-urethane) (PCU) and natural rubber (NR) reveal that these materials possess a modest conductivity. Both such full and pseudo IPNs (with linear NR chains) are single-phased materials if the NR is of sufficiently high molecular weight derived from Brazilian Manihot glaziovii. On iodine doping the electrical conductivity rises eight orders of magnitude of both the full IPN (to ca. 10−5S cm−1) and the pseudo IPN (to ca. 10−4 S cm−1). A simple theory based on the assumption that conduction occurs essentially along the linear NR chains, composing a percolation cluster, in the iodine-doped pseudo IPNs of PCU and NR accounts for the observed electrical conductivity dependence on temperature, iodine molality, and weight fraction of NR. As temperature decreases the DC conductivity falls and the material becomes essentially an insulator. At sufficiently low temperature (ca. 115 K) this trend reverses and the DC conductivity rises by two orders of magnitude with further decreasing temperature up to that of liquid helium. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A first-order, hybrid FEM/MoM approach for the analysis of two-dimensional structures

There exist various hybrid techniques that combine the finite element method (FEM) and surface integral equation-type (SIE) techniques to solve Maxwell's equations for objects located in unbounded regions. In this article a novel first-order hybrid approach is considered, which combines the conventional FEM and MoM techniques in two distinct phases by using the field solution initially obtained by FEM to modify the incident field expression of the subsequent MoM analysis part.
Promoter regulation of a differentially expressed gene in the human colonic epithelial cell lines HT29-18 and HT29-18-C1

Abstract Gene A4 is transcriptionally activated upon enterocyte differentiation of the human colonic epithelial cell line HT29-18 and its highly differentiated subclone HT29-18-C1 [Oliva et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 302 (1993) 183–192]. To characterize the mechanisms regulating the differential transcription of A4, we analyzed its immediate 5′-flanking region for regulatory elements. Promoter-linked transfection experiments of progressively deleted A4 5′-flanking sequences fused to the bacterial cat reporter gene suggest the presence of one negative and two positive DNA elements within the first 371 bp of the A4 promoter (pA4). DNase I footprint and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrate that one positive element which contains the core binding sequence for the transcription factor, Spl, mediates an equal level of transcription in the two cell types. The second positive element, localized between nucleotide positions −169 and −152, contains a sequence previously unrecognized as a transcription factor-binding site. This element mediates a twofold increase in the activity of pA4 in HT29-18-C1, as compared to HT29-18. Furthermore, nuclear extracts obtained from HT29-18-C1 contain a higher binding activity for this element than those from HT29-18. Southwestern blot analysis suggests that the protein interacting with this element has an estimated molecular mass of 50 kDa. We conclude that this protein may be involved in the differential regulation of A4 in these intestinal cell lines.
Towards robust device-free passive localization through automatic camera-assisted recalibration

Device-free passive localization (DfP) techniques can localize human subjects without wearing a radio tag. Being convenient and private, DfP can find many applications in ubiquitous/pervasive computing. Unfortunately, DfP techniques need frequent manual recalibration of the radio signal values, which can be cumbersome and costly. We present SenCam, a sensor-camera collaboration solution that conducts automatic recalibration by leveraging existing surveillance camera(s). When the camera detects a subject, it can periodically trigger recalibration and update the radio signal data accordingly. This technique requires camera access occasionally each month, minimizing computational costs and reducing privacy concerns when compared to localization techniques solely based on cameras. Through experiments in an open indoor space, we show that this scheme can retain good localization results while avoiding manual recalibration.
Inhibition of posterior capsule opacification: the effect of colchicine in a sustained drug delivery system

We investigated the effect of colchicine in a sustained drug delivery system on posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in rabbit eyes. A polymer matrix wafer, which diffused colchicine at a steady rate, was implanted in the capsular bag of 34 eyes after the lens material was removed by endocapsular phacoemulsification. Three different drug concentrations were used in the rabbit eyes, which were compared with control eyes containing the polymer matrix wafer without colchicine. The mean PCO score was highest in the control group without colchicine and increased steadily over 12 weeks. The rate of PCO formation in all eyes treated with colchicine was significantly lower than in the control group. There was no statistically significant improvement in PCO inhibition with the higher colchicine dosages. Side effects included inflammatory anterior chamber reaction and corneal and retinal complications and were most notable with the highest drug concentration. Slow release of colchicine reduces PCO formation in the rabbit. The optimal biocompatible dosage must be carefully determined and warrants further investigation.
Bundling Information Goods Under Endogenous Quality Choice

Using the cable industry as an illustrative case, this article investigates implications of endogenous quality choice when bundling information goods and analyzes welfare effects of an a la carte regulation that forces firms to unbundle products. The analysis shows that a la carte pricing decreases consumer surplus and product quality even when it reduces the average product price. An increase in advertising rates decreases product price, but it also reduces product quality and could make consumers worse off. These findings have important policy implications for media markets where regulators are considering imposition of a la carte pricing.
The scent of the others: chemical recognition in two distinct populations of the European whip snake, Hierophis viridiflavus

Isolated populations of a given species may diverge from conspecifics for a certain series of traits. It is of particular interest when this divergence involves the signals and the related responses used by sexually reproducing animals to identify prospective mating partners. Using behavioural trials during reproductive season, we studied pheromone-mediated response between insular and mainland European whip snakes, Hierophis viridiflavus. Our results revealed that both insular and mainland males can utilise both homotypic and heterotypic chemical cues. However, while insular snakes did not show any preference between the two types of chemical cues, mainland males preferred homotypic odours. These results, though preliminarly, show the existence of asymmetry in the displayed behavioural patterns and support the idea that isolated populations may evolve differences in communication systems.
An ased band theory: Lattice constants, atomization energies, and bulk moduli for C(gr), C(di), Si, α-SiC, and β-SiC

Abstract The atom superposition and electron delocalization molecular orbital (ASED-MO) theory has been generalized for solids. The resulting ASED-band theory is shown to have promise for predicting structural and mechanical properties of covalent solids.
Efficacy and safety of right and left atrial ablations on the beating heart with irrigated bipolar radiofrequency energy: a long-term animal study.

Objective The Cox maze procedure is the most effective surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation; however, its complexity has limited its clinical utility. The purpose of this study was to simplify the procedure by using an irrigated bipolar radiofrequency ablation device on the beating heart without cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods Six domestic pigs underwent median sternotomy. The pulmonary veins were circumferentially ablated. Electrical isolation was confirmed by pacing. Eight lesions were performed epicardially, and three lesions were performed through purse-string sutures with one of the jaws of the device introduced into the right atrium. After 30 days, magnetic resonance imaging was performed to assess atrial function, pulmonary vein anatomy, and coronary artery patency. Cholinergic stimulation and burst pacing were administered to induce atrial fibrillation. Histologic assessment of the heart was performed after the animal was killed. Results A modified Cox maze procedure was successfully performed with the irrigated bipolar radiofrequency device with no deaths. In every instance, the pulmonary veins were electrically isolated. Cholinergic stimulation with burst pacing failed to produce atrial fibrillation. Imaging studies revealed tricuspid regurgitation without evidence of pulmonary vein stenosis, coronary artery stenosis, or intra-atrial thrombus. Total atrial ejection fraction was 16.9% ± 7.5%, a significant reduction. Histologically, 99% of the lesions were transmural, and there was no evidence of coronary sinus injury. Conclusion Lesions on both the right and left atria can be created successfully on the beating heart with irrigated bipolar radiofrequency. The great majority of lesions with this device were transmural. This device should not be used on valvular tissue.
Retrieval of ammonia abundances and cloud opacities on Jupiter from Voyager IRIS spectra

A method is formulated to retrieve gaseous ammonia abundance and cloud opacities at 45 and 5 μm from Voyager IRIS data using a simplified atmospheric model and a two-stream radiative transfer approximation. Our goal is to obtain sufficient computational efficiency to permit global mapping of the relative horizontal variations of these parameters. A single cloud layer is invoked with a base pressure of 680 mbar and a scale height equal to 0.14 times the gas scale height. The NH3 vertical distribution is modeled with a scale height equal to that of the cloud above 680 mbar and with a mole fraction independent of height at deeper levels. Measurements of brightness temperature as a function of emission angle from selected locations on the planet are used to verify the validity of the model and to constrain certain model parameters. It is found that the cloud particles can be treated as pure absorbers at 45 μm, but scattering must be included at 5 μm where a single scattering albedo of ∼0.75 is inferred. These results are used to develop a simple algorithm for the retrieval of ammonia abundance and cloud optical depths at 45 and 5 μm from measurements at 216, 225, and 2050 cm−1.
Une "Pietà" précoce: la Plainte pour le jeune prince arcadien Pallas dans le Roman d'Énéas

Etude de la deploration qui suit la mort de Pallas. L'A. montre comment ces pages sont representatives de l'emotivite romane; de quelle maniere l'auteur anonyme magnifie le (ou les) texte(s) dont il s'inspire; et pourquoi cette oeuvre reste malgre tout un exemple d'innovation surprenante
“A Better Man for a Better America:” Presidential Campaign Films as a Mirror of Society

This study demonstrates how presidential candidates appeal for the votes of a politically independent electorate by showing in their advertising that they personally mirror the society they wish to represent, rather than spelling out specific policy positions. The study explores the 1996 campaign films of Bill Clinton and Bob Dole, which are emblematic of this trend. Campaign films are the 5- to 20-min films that candidates have used since the 1920s to present issue and image information to voters.
Rhodopsin inactivation is a modulated process in Limulus photoreceptors

MANY G-protein-coupled receptors are only transiently active because an inactivation process stops the receptor from activating G protein molecules1–3. Although this inactivation has been investigated in vitro, the real kinetics of the process can only be obtained from intact cells. Here we describe a method for measuring the inactivation of rhodopsin in intact photoreceptors and the application of this method to the ultraviolet rhodopsin of Limulus median eye4. The results show that the inactivation process is very rapid (<150 ms) and occurs well before the peak of the receptor potential. We have also investigated whether the inactivation process can itself be modulated. Our results show that light-adaptation accelerates inactivation by about 10-fold, providing evidence that G-protein-mediated transduction can be modulated at this first stage.
Thermal Fluctuations, Subcritical Bifurcation, and Nucleation of Localized States in Electroconvection

Measurements of the mean-square amplitude $〈{\ensuremath{\theta}}^{2}〉$ of thermally induced fluctuations of a thin layer of the nematic liquid crystal I52 subjected to a voltage $V$ are reported. They yield the limit of stability ${V}_{c}$ of the spatially uniform conduction state to infinitesimal perturbations. Localized long-lived convecting structures known as worms form spontaneously from the fluctuations for $V$ well below ${V}_{c}$. This, as well as measurements of the lifetime of the conduction state for $Vl{V}_{c}$, suggests a thermally activated mechanism of worm formation.
3B-3 Calibration of PVDF Hydrophones Using a Broad Focus Electromagnetic Lithotripter

Correct measurement of acoustic pressure is crucial in many applications, e.g. medical diagnostics and therapy, where the physical effect of ultrasound on tissue depends on specific parameters of the wave, such as positive and negative pressure, shock front thickness, and pulse duration. In our previous paper, we reported building a new low-cost PVDF hydrophone to detect broadband signals from lithotripters and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) sources. The hydrophone was built to complement the fiber optic probe hydrophone (FOPH), which has become the de facto standard broadband hydrophone for high amplitude medical devices. Our PVDF membrane hydrophone is more sensitive than the FOPH, thereby making measurement possible when averaging is not an option. The goal of this research was to develop a reliable method of calibration by comparing the PVDF hydrophone to the FOPH in a repeatable broadband pressure field. The results showed that the PVDF membranes had similar, though not identical responses.
Discrimination learning with and without "errors".

Responses toS_ ("errors") arenota necessary condition fortheformation ofan operant discrimination ofcolor. Errors donotoccurifdiscrimination training begins earlyinconditioning andifS+andS_ initially differ withrespect tobrightness, (luration andwavelength. Aftertraining starts, S-'sduration andbrightness isprogressively increased untilS+andSdiffer onlywithrespect towavelength. Errors dooccuriftraining starts after muchconditioninginthepresence ofS+hasoccurred orifS+andS_ differ onlywithrespect towavelength throughout training. Performance following discrimination learning without errors lacks three characteristics thatarefoundfollowing learning witherrors. Onlythosebirdsthatlearned thediscrimination witherrors showed(1)"emotional" responses inthepresence ofS-, (2)anincrease intherate(oradecrease inthelatency) ofitsresponse toS+,and(3)occasional bursts ofresponses toS-. Theacquisition ofanoperant discriminationmaybedefined astheprocess whereby an organism comestorespond morefrequently toa stimulus correlated withreinforcement (S+)thantoastimulus correlated withnonreinforcement (S-).Inpopularterminology, responses madetoS+ are"correct responses"
Interim-treatment quantitative PET parameters predict progression and death among patients with hodgkin's disease

Purpose: We hypothesized that quantitative PET parameters may have predictive value beyond that of traditional clinical factors such as the International Prognostic Score (IPS) among Hodgkin’s disease (HD) patients. Methods: Thirty HD patients treated at presentation or relapse had staging and interim-treatment PET-CT scans. The majority of patients (53%) had stage III-IV disease and 67% had IPS ≥ 2. Interim-treatment scans were performed at a median of 55 days from the staging PET-CT. Chemotherapy regimens used: Stanford V (67%), ABVD (17%), VAMP (10%), or BEACOPP (7%). Hypermetabolic tumor regions were segmented semiautomatically and the metabolic tumor volume (MTV), mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), maximum SUV (SUVmax) and integrated SUV (iSUV) were recorded. We analyzed whether IPS, absolute value PET parameters or the calculated ratio of interim- to pre-treatment PET parameters were associated with progression free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). Results: Median follow-up of the study group was 50 months. Six of the 30 patients progressed clinically. Absolute value PET parameters from pre-treatment scans were not significant. Absolute value SUVmax from interimtreatment scans was associated with OS as determined by univariate analysis (p < 0.01). All four calculated PET parameters (interim/pre-treatment values) were associated with OS: MTVint/pre (p < 0.01), SUVmeanint/pre (p < 0.05), SUVmaxint/pre (p = 0.01), and iSUVint/pre (p < 0.01). Absolute value SUVmax from interim-treatment scans was associated with PFS (p = 0.01). Three calculated PET parameters (int/pre-treatment values) were associated with PFS: MTVint/pre (p = 0.01), SUVmaxint/pre (p = 0.02) and iSUVint/pre (p = 0.01). IPS was associated with PFS (p < 0.05) and OS (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Calculated PET metrics may provide predictive information beyond that of traditional clinical factors and may identify patients at high risk of treatment failure early for treatment intensification.
Outcome of Chronic Daily Headache in Adolescents

The outcomes and predictors of chronic daily headache (CDH) were determined in a 2-year longitudinal study of a sample of 122 adolescents (32 male/90 female; ages 12-14) with annual telephone follow-up by neurologists at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan.
ON THE ROLE OF THE PITUITARY STALK IN THE REGULATION OF THE ANTERIOR PITUITARY, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE THYROTROPIC HORMONE1

NUMEROUS CLINICAL observations seem to indicate that the function of the anterior pituitary is at least partially under the control of the cen-tral nervous system. Experimental data, however, on this question are not abundant and the results obtained by different workers vary greatly, ap-parently as a result of variations in operative methods and in the extent of the lesions made in the anterior pituitary or hypothalamus. Of the various possible relationships of the pituitary stalk to the anterior pituitary, its influence on the gonadotropic hormones is the best known at present. Some earlier authors (1–5), observed genital dystrophy in dogs and rabbits after section of the pituitary stalk or obstructing it with silver clips. Mahoney and Sheehan (6) also noted genital dystrophy in dogs after interruption of the stalk but failed to find it in mon-keys which possess a long stalk.
Synthesis of k-th Order Fault-Tolerant Kinematically Redundant Manipulator Designs using Relative Kinematic Isotropy

Fault tolerance has become an essential capability in manipulator design methodologies as robotic manipulation systems are more frequently employed in hazardous environments and on geometrically complex or heavy duty industrial operations, where mechanical joint failures are likely to occur. This work focuses on the development of a redundant manipulator design methodology aimed at minimising the degradation in manipulator performance quality that results from k arbitrary joint failures. The relative weighted global isotropy index (RWGII) is developed for use as a manipulator design fitness metric. This metric takes into account the primary manipulation goal of maintaining kinematic dexterity, the secondary goals of collision avoidance and torque minimisation, and fault tolerance capability. The genetic algorithm search of an immense manipulator design space, conducted using the new fault-tolerant manipulator design fitness metric, yields redundant manipulator designs that effectively minimise fault susceptibility due to k joint failures while maintaining dexterous, redundancy-resolved motion on specific tasks.
The Problem With the Linpack Benchmark 1.0 Matrix Generator

We characterize the matrix sizes for which the Linpack Benchmark 1.0 matrix generator constructs a matrix with identical columns.
Control of smart exercise machines. I. Problem formulation and nonadaptive control

Concerns the design of intelligent controllers for a class of exercise machines. The control objective is to cause the user to exercise in a manner which optimizes a criterion related to the user's mechanical power. The optimal exercise strategy is determined by a biomechanical behavior of the individual user, which is assumed to satisfy an affine force-velocity relationship dependent on the body geometric configuration. Consequently, the control scheme must simultaneously: 1) identify the user's biomechanical behavior; 2) optimize the controller; and 3) stabilize the system to the estimated optimal states. Moreover, to ensure that the exercise machine is safe to operate, the control system guarantees that the interaction between the exercise machine and the user is passive. We formulate the control problem and propose a controller structure which satisfies the safety requirement and is capable of causing the user to execute an arbitrary exercise strategy if the user's biomechanical behavior is known. The controller is of the form of a dynamic damper and can be implemented using only passive mechanical components.