cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A³: An Extensible Platform for Application-Aware Anonymity

This paper presents the design and implementation of Application-Aware Anonymity (A), an extensible platform for deploying anonymity-based services on the Internet. A allows applications to tailor their anonymity properties and performance characteristics according to specific communication requirements. To support flexible path construction, A exposes a declarative language (ALOG) that enables applications to compactly specify path selection and instantiation policies executed by a declarative networking engine. We demonstrate that our declarative language is sufficiently expressive to encode novel multi-metric performance constraints as well as existing relay selection algorithms employed by Tor and other anonymity systems, using only a few lines of concise code. We experimentally evaluate the A system using a combination of trace-driven simulations and deployment on PlanetLab. Our experimental results demonstrate that A can flexibly support a wide range of path selection and instantiation strategies at low performance overhead.
Family history of ischemic heart disease with respect to mean twin-pair cholesterol and subsequent ischemic heart disease in the NHLBI twin study.

This study examines the independent and interactive effects of family history scores (FHxS) for the prevalence of ischemic heart disease with plasma lipids and subsequent morbidity and mortality from ischemic heart disease. FHxS were calculated for 514 sets of middle aged male twins who participated in the entry examination of the NHLBI Veteran twin study in 1969-1973. Comparison of the FHxS with the level of plasma total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (HDLc) paralleled earlier reported findings in young adults; individuals with high total cholesterol in two exams 8-12 years apart had significantly (P less than .01) higher FHxS. The same relationship was noted when using the mean twin-pair cholesterol level at the initial exam when the twins were in their 40s. Using the pair means over two exams as the cotwins aged into their 50s, the association of FHxS with total cholesterol declined and pairs with HDLc persistently in the highest quintile at both exams had significantly (P less than .01) lower FHxS. The changes in the pattern of association of lipid fractions with FHxS with age parallel the reported age decline of total cholesterol as a risk factor for heart disease. Assessment of ischemic heart disease events up to January 1988 revealed a highly significant association (P less than .0001) of later ischemic heart disease events with FHxS. At each level of lipid categorization pairs who later had events had higher FHxS than those without any subsequent heart disease; these differences were significant in all but the low risk lipid groups (low total cholesterol, high HDLc, and low total cholesterol/HDLc ratio). We conclude that FHxS is related to total cholesterol and HDLc but also is an independent predictor of subsequent ischemic heart disease after 14-18 years of follow-up.
Single-Gender and Co-Educational Special Education Classrooms: Latina Student Attitudes, Perceptions, and Experiences

This qualitative research was designed to give voice to Latina students in single-gender and co-educational secondary-level special education placements for students with mild to moderate learning disabilities. Classroom observations and interviews were conducted with Latina special education students and classroom teachers in both single-gender and coeducational special education classrooms in one urban school site serving a large special education population. The findings of the study indicate that the single-gender special education environment provides greater comfort levels and less distractions in the classroom and increased levels of classroom participation and school attendance than the co-educational classroom environment.
Epidemiology, prognostic factors, and management of malignant odontogenic tumors: an analysis of 295 cases.

Objective To determine the demographic characteristics, prognostic factors, and management for patients diagnosed with a malignant odontogenic tumor (MOT). Study Design The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry was reviewed for patients diagnosed with MOT from 1973 to 2011. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed on patient demographic characteristics and pathologic variables. Results The SEER database identified 295 MOT patients. The mean age at diagnosis was 50.5 years (range 5-89 years). Of these patients, 61.7% were male and 38.3% were female. The racial composition was 66.4% White, 22% Black, 6.1% Asian, 3.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% Native American, and 2.1% Other/Unknown. Kaplan-Meier analysis found an overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) at 5 years of 54% and 67%, respectively. Multivariate analysis of the entire cohort found that age and stage were predictors of OS and that age was a predictor for DSS. For stage I/II MOTs, age and surgical therapy were predictors of OS and DSS, respectively. Conclusions Here we report the largest study to date investigating demographic characteristics, prognostic factors, and management of MOT patients. Determinants of survival for OS and DSS include age, stage, and surgical therapy.
Structure-Activity Relationships and Electrophysiological Effects of Short-Acting Amiodarone Homologs in Guinea Pig Isolated Heart

Antiarrhythmic agents with amiodarone-like electrophysiological actions, but with a more favorable pharmacokinetic profile than amiodarone would be extremely useful for the treatment of many tachyarrhythmias. We designed a series of amiodarone homologs with an alkyl ester group at position 2 of the benzofurane moiety. It was hypothesized that the electrophysiological and pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds are closely related to the size and branching of the ester group. The magnitude and time course of electrophysiological effects caused by methyl (ATI-2001), ethyl (ATI-2010), isopropyl (ATI-2064), sec -butyl (ATI-2042), and neopentyl (ATI-2054) homologs, and their common metabolite (ATI-2000) were investigated in guinea pig isolated heart. In paced hearts (atrial cycle length = 300 ms), each homolog (1 μM) was infused for 90 min followed by a 90-min washout. The stimulus-to-atrium (St-A), atrium-to-His bundle (AH), His bundle-to-ventricle (HV), QRS, and QT intervals, and ventricular monophasic action potential duration at 90% repolarization (MAPD90) were measured every 10 min. ATI-2001 and ATI-2064 significantly lengthened the St-A, HV, and QRS intervals, whereas ATI-2042 and ATI-2054 prolonged only the St-A interval. All compounds except the metabolite prolonged the AH interval. The relative rank order for the homologs to lengthen ventricular repolarization (MAPD90) was ATI-2042 ≥ 2001 = 2010 = 2064 > 2054 ≥ 2000. The metabolite was electrophysiologically inactive. Thus, modification of the benzofurane moiety ester group size and branching markedly altered the magnitude and time course of the electrophysiological effects caused by the ATI compounds. The different structure-activity relationships among the amiodarone homologs may have important consequences for further development of amiodarone-like antiarrhythmic agents.
Responsive Planning of Social Development Programs in the Third World

Effective planning and implementation of programs and projects has been a consistent problem in third world countries, and never more so than in programs concerned with social development or poverty. Problems stemfrom the administrative structures and styles of implementing bureaucracies that make programs inaccessible to the poor or unresponsive to their needs. Three mechanisms for making program planning and implementation more responsive are social analysis, citizen participation, and decentralization. After analyzing the administrative context in which planning and implementation of programs takes place, this article surveys the large and scattered literature on the arguments for and against these three approaches to reform.
Intraileal carbohydrate regulates canine postprandial pancreaticobiliary secretion and upper gut motility

Abstract Background & Aims: The effect of nutrients in the distal small intestine or colon on postprandial upper gut function is incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to determine if carbohydrate in the ileum or proximal colon of dogs affects postprandial pancreaticobiliary secretion, gastrointestinal transit, and circulating concentrations of certain gastrointestinal regulatory peptides. Methods: Seven dogs were prepared with permanent infusion and aspiration catheters in the duodenum and ileum and an infusion catheter in the cecum. Coincident with eating a meal containing liquid and solid markers, ileal or colonic (n = 5 dogs for each) infusions were begun of isosmolar 0.9% NaCI or carbohydrate in a 3:1 ratio of starch to glucose. Pancreatic enzyme output, bile acid delivery, gastrointestinal transit, and plasma concentrations of pancreatic polypeptide, neurotensin, and peptide YY were measured for 6 hours postprandially. Results: Carbohydrate infusion in the ileum, but not in the proximal colon, increased amylase secretion and plasma peptide YY, slowed gastric emptying of liquids and solids, slowed small intestinal transit, and decreased bile acid delivery into the duodenum ( P
Graph-Theoretic Approach To the Evolution of Cahokia

Many researchers have linked the evolution of the prehistoric center Cahokia to its location near the confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers. It is possible to evaluate this idea mathematically through the graph-theoretic concept of centrality. The analysis suggests that Cahokia was located at the point of highest centrality in the Mississippi River drainage.
Comparison of four parallel algorithms for domain decomposed implicit Monte Carlo

We consider four asynchronous parallel algorithms for Implicit Monte Carlo (IMC) thermal radiation transport on spatially decomposed meshes. Two of the algorithms are from the production codes KULL from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Milagro from Los Alamos National Laboratory. Improved versions of each of the existing algorithms are also presented. All algorithms were analyzed in an implementation of the KULL IMC package in ALEGRA, a Sandia National Laboratory high energy density physics code. The improved Milagro algorithm performed the best by scaling almost linearly out to 244 processors for well load balanced problems.
Effect of high-dose of methylprednisolone on tourniquet ischaemia.

High doses of corticosteroids have been found to have beneficial effects in various shock states. It has been well recognized that ischaemia is one of the important features in shock states. This prompted us to investigate the effect of high-dose methylprednisolone on tourniquet-induced ischaemia using mongrel dogs. After inflation of tourniquets to 600 mmHg on each thigh of the hind legs, one leg received an intravenous infusion of methylprednisolone, 3 mg · kg-1 dissolved in 20 ml of autologous blood. The other leg received the same amount of blood only, as a control. During two hours of tourniquet time and until 30 min after tourniquet deflation, venous blood was sampled five times from both hind legs for measurements of blood gas tensions (PvO2, PvCO2) and pH, lactic acid, creatinine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). During tourniquet ischaemia, PvO2 and pH dropped and PvCO2, lactic acid, CK, AST and LDH rose steadily and significantly in both groups of legs, indicating respiratory and metabolic acidosis, and muscle cell damage. However, those changes were significantly smaller in the methylprednisolonetreated legs. The beneficial effect of methylprednisolone could be attributed to its vasodilatory effect, cellular membrane stabilization and direct metabolic effect on skeletal muscle cells. Although the tourniquet-induced ischaemia in our study is slightly different from the clinical paradigm, the results suggest that high-dose methylprednisolone may provide a beneficial effect during tourniquet ischaemia.
Robust adaptive controller scheduling using mixing

The performance of an identifier-based adaptive controller depends on the properties of its certainty equivalence control law and the choice for the design parameters of its estimator. The adaptive control literature has largely focused on model-following and pole-placement control objectives, which may not capture the true control objective as effectively as LTI robust control designs, e.g., µ-synthesis. Moreover, the rigorous analysis of adaptive systems have focused on qualitative results of signal boundedness and convergence, not on how to choose the design variables. In this paper we focus on these practical issues of designing adaptive controllers. The recently proposed adaptive mixing control approach addresses the first issue, in so much as the entire suite of LTI tools are available to design the underlying parameterized control law, assuming the unknown plant parameter belongs to a compact set.We examine the factors that dictate the choice of design variables. We also examine a modification of the adaptive mixing scheme that is capable of maintaining stability for cases when none of the off-line designed candidate controllers can. This is done by mixing in a conventional adaptive controller. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the results.
Exercising restraint in the creation of animal-human chimeras.

Autumn Fiester's proposed “Presumption of Restraint” (PR) has much to recommend it as an applicable moral principle to guide the moral evaluation of various forms of biotechnological research. It s...
The role of diacylglycerol as a modulator of oxytocin-stimulated phasic contractions in myometrium from pregnant and nonpregnant rats.

Abstract Objective: The role of diacylglycerol in the phosphatidylinositol-signaling pathway is to activate protein kinase C. In the myometrium, protein kinase C activation leads to inhibition of phasic contractions. These studies are designed to determine why stimulation of the phosphatidylinositol-signaling pathway caused by oxytocin does not cause a paradoxical suppression of contractions through diacylglycerol production and protein kinase C activation. Specifically, these studies were performed to test the hypothesis that diacylglycerol catabolism is significant in myometrial tissue, thereby precluding its availability for the activation of protein kinase C. Study Design: For these studies, uterine tissue was obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats both nonpregnant and with timed gestations. In vitro contraction studies were performed with cumulative additions of oxytocin (8-64 nmol/L) with and without R59022 (a diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor) or RHC80267 (a diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor). The contraction data were computer-digitalized, analyzed for total contractile activity, normalized for tissue cross-sectional area, and reported as the percentage of spontaneous activity. Results: In myometrium from nonpregnant animals, inhibition of diacylglycerol lipase with RHC80267 had little effect on oxytocin-stimulated contractile activity, whereas inhibition of diacylglycerol kinase with R59022, although producing an increase in contractile frequency, markedly suppressed total oxytocin-stimulated contractile activity. In contrast, in myometrium from near-term pregnant animals both RHC80267 and R59022 produced marked suppression of oxytocin-stimulated contractile activity. Conclusions: These studies have demonstrated that prevention of diacylglycerol degradation, especially in response to inhibition of myometrial diacylglycerol kinase, results in the paradoxic oxytocin-mediated suppression of total myometrial contractile activity. These observations support the hypothesis that, when its catabolism is prevented, diacylglycerol produced in response to stimulation of the phosphatidylinositol-signaling pathway by oxytocin becomes available for protein kinase C activation, resulting in inhibition of myometrial contractile activity. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:943-9.)
Methylation patterns of HeLa cell ribosomal RNA and its nucleolar precursors

Abstract It is known that the ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) of HeLa cells is methylated primarily in the 2′-OH position of the ribose. In the present experiments the alkali resistant material produced by hydrolysis of HeLa cell rRNA from cells grown in the presence of [methyl-14C]methionine was dephosphorylated with Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase and fractionated on DEAE Sephadex A25 with a non-linear ammonium formate gradient. The fractionation patterns of the radioactive alkali-resistant material of the 28 s and 18 s rRNA were reproducible and distinctly different. The radioactive 2′-O-methyldinucleoside monophosphates were identified by comparison of their electrophoretic mobilities at pH 3.0 with standards and by the characterization of the radioactive 2′-O-methylnucleosides released by rattlesnake venom phosphodiesterase hydrolysis of the 2′-O-methyldinucleoside monophosphates. The frequencies of these methylated dinucleotides did not reflect the base composition of the rRNA and therefore methylation is not likely to be random. The methylation pattern of the 45 s nucleolar RNA of HeLa cells corresponded to that of an equimolar mixture of 28 s and 18 s rRNA. The methylation pattern of the 32 s nucleolar RNA was shown to be similar to that of 28 s rRNA. These results add further support to the idea that the 28 s and 18 s rRNA are synthesized in the HeLa cell as a single high molecular weight precursor. Apparently, the processing of the 45 s rRNA into 28 s and 18 s rRNA in HeLa cells involves no significant gain or loss of 2′-O-methyl groups.
Evolution and expression of the Sgs-3 glue gene of Drosophila☆

A cluster of three glue genes is present at chromosomal site 68C in the Drosophila melanogaster genome. In this study, we have used a comparative approach to investigate both the regulation and the evolution of the largest of these three genes, Sgs-3. The homologous genes from two related Drosophila species (D. erecta and D. yakuba) have been introduced into the D. melanogaster genome by P-factor-mediated transformation. When the resulting transformant lines were assayed for expression of the introduced genes, near-normal patterns of expression were seen. This demonstrates that the cis-acting regulatory sequences of the introduced Sgs-3-homologous glue genes are capable of interacting effectively with the transcriptional machinery of D. melanogaster. We have also determined the sequences of the Sgs-3-homologous glue genes from D. simulans, D. erecta and D. yakuba. These sequences were compared and used in two ways. The first was to locate conserved sequence elements in regions known to be involved in regulation of the gene. Several such elements were found; they represent potential sites of cis-acting regulatory sequences. Second, we looked at the evolution of the glue gene protein-coding regions. A very rapidly evolving central region of the protein-coding sequences was found; this region contains a striking series of tandem repeats of a five amino acid residue sequence in all four species. Also, a number of conserved aspects of the sgs-3-homologous proteins were found; these features may be essential to their function as a glue.
CRISIS BARGAINING: TRACKING RELATIONAL PARADOX IN HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION

This paper develops an empirical means of tracking involvement in a relational double‐bind in hostage negotiations as a means of monitoring the extent to which the hostage takers developed more cooperative or competitive relational parameters with police negotiators. Verbal immediacy was used to track the hostage takers double bind problems across nine different hostage negotiations. The results indicated that the purpose for taking hostages greatly influenced the kinds of paradoxes displayed by the hostage takers. Mentally ill hostage takers became cooperative early in the negotiation, but then turned more competitive as the negotiation unfolded. Hostage takers caught in the act of committing a crime became competitive early and then became more cooperative as time elapsed The hostage takers involved in domestic violence remained competitive throughout the interaction.
The distribution of Heterotrissocladius oliveri Saether (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Lake Michigan

Fifty one chironomid species were identified from 504 samples collected at depths ranging 8 to 267 m in Lake Michigan, U.S.A. Heterotrissocladius oliveri Saether occurred in 32% of these samples and had an average abundance of 22 m−2 which was similar to other estimates from the Great Lakes. Maximum average lake-wide density was at 30 to 60 m (41 m−2). At depths ≥60 m, H. oliveri was the dominant chironomid species comprising 75% of total Chironomidae. The substrate preference of H. oliveri differed within each depth regime considered: at 30–60 m, 2–3 ϕ; at 60–120 m, 3–5 ϕ, 7–9 ϕ; and at 120–180 m, 6–8 ϕ. Abundance was notably reduced at all depths in substrates characterized as medium silt (5–6 ϕ). On a lake-wide basis, the distribution pattern suggested H. oliveri was most numerous from 30 to 60 m along the southwestern, eastern, and northern shorelines and at 60–120 m depths along the southern and eastern shorelines. Increased abundance in the South Basin was concurrent with evidence of increased sedimentation at 60 to 100 m. However, in several other areas of the lake, high densities were associated with medium to very fine sands relatively free of silts and clays. This observation suggested occurrence of H. oliveri was minimally affected by sediment type. Widely variable, but generally elevated water temperatures likely prevent H. oliveri from establishing a substantial population density at depths < 30 m. With increased depth, temperature fluctuation is negligible and food is more stable, though the source is variable. Factors limiting abundance of H. oliveri at depths ≥30 m were related to decreased food supply due to distance from shore, food sources of lower value (clays), and, most importantly, to reproductive replenishment. Although still oligotrophic in nature, high density occurrences in both high and low sedimentation areas of the lake suggest the trophic indicator status of H. oliveri might be broader than previously thought.
Structure of fructan oligomers in cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.)

SUMMARY Leaves of field-grown cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) plants were sampled during early spring when day- and night-time temperatures were relatively cool. Fructan oligomers with a degree of polymerization (DP) 3–6 were extracted and purified using gel and anion-exchange chromatography. The structures of 13 cheatgrass fructans were established. They included two trisaccharides [1-kestotriose (1-kestose) and 6-kestotriose (6-kestose)], four tetrasaccharides [(1.1)-kestotetraose (nystose), (1&6)-kestotetraose (bifurcose), (6,1)-kestotetraose and (6,6)-kestotetraose], three pentasaccharides [(1,1&6)-kestopentaose, (1&6,6)-kestopentaose and (6;1&6)-kestopentaose] plus four hexasaccharides [(1,1,1&6)-kestohexaose (1&6,6,6)-kestohexaose, (6;1&6,6)-kestohexaose and (6;1,6&6)-kestohexaose]. All fructans larger then DP 4 contained a branch point. Each member of the dominant series(1&6)-kestotetraose, (1&6,6)-kestopentaose and (1&6,6,6)-kestohexaose, is a branched fructan in which two fructose moieties are linked to the fructose subunit of each sucrose molecule. Thus the dominant series is built upon (1&6)-kestotetraose. Fructans larger than DP 3 with exclusively 2→1- or 2→6-linkages were absent except for a very small amount of (6,6)-kestotetraose. The unique fructan structures synthesized in cheatgrass, wheat and oats illustrate diversity in the enzymology of fructan biosynthesis among grass species.
Long-term follow-up of a phase I/II trial of dose escalating three-dimensional conformal thoracic radiation therapy with induction and concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel in unresectable stage IIIA/B non-small cell lung cancer.

Background We conducted a modified phase I/II trial investigating the incorporation of three-dimensional conformal thoracic radiation therapy (TCRT) into the treatment paradigm of induction and concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with unresectable stage IIIA/B non-small cell lung cancer. Methods Patients received 2 cycles of induction carboplatin (area under the curve of 6) and paclitaxel (225 mg/m 2 ) on days 1, and 22. On day 43 concurrent TCRT and weekly ×6 of carboplatin (area under the curve=2) and paclitaxel (45 mg/m 2 ) was initiated. The TCRT dose was escalated from 60 to 74 Gy in 4 cohorts (60, 66, 70, and 74 Gy), and the 74 Gy cohort was expanded into a phase II trial. Results Sixty-two patients were enrolled; the median age 57 years (range, 36–82), 39 were male (63%), 61 (98%) had a performance status of 0 or 1, 28 (45%) had stage IIIA disease, 21 (34%) had >5% weight loss, and the median forced expiratory volume 1=2.10 liters (range, 1.02–3.75). With a median follow-up for survivors of approximately 9 years (range, 7–11 years) the median progression-free survival, time to tumor progression, and overall survival (OS) (with 95% confidence intervals) were 10 (8.5–17), 15 (9–50), and 25 months (18–37), respectively. The 5-year progression-free survival and OS rates were 21% (12–32%) and 27% (17–39%), respectively. The 10-year OS rate was 14% (7–25%). Conclusion The long term survival rate compares favorably to other treatment approaches for stage III non-small cell lung cancer.
Chinese hamster ovary mutants for glycosylation engineering of biopharmaceuticals

The Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell has long been the cell of choice for the biopharmaceutical industry. The reasons for this are partly historical and partly because CHO cells produce glycoproteins with a glycan complement similar to that synthesized by human cells. The CHO-DUKX-B11 line was established early in the development of the biotechnology industry and has the advantage of allowing selection for high expression of transgenes. In addition, CHO cells glycosylate glycoproteins with a subset of glycans typical of human cells and essentially lacking antigenic sugar residues like α(1,3)Gal, β(1,2)xylose or N-glycolylneuraminic acid, typical of rodent or plant cells. In addition, CHO cells have a pseudo-haploid genome allowing stable mutants with desirable properties to be readily isolated. It is becoming increasingly evident that the manipulation of glycosylation pathways to produce secreted glycoprotein therapeutics with glycans appropriate for optimal half-life, cellular targeting and functional activity, is very important. This editorial will discuss CHO glycosylation mutants that are currently available, and the potential for glycosylation engineering to produce optimal biopharmaceuticals in the future. CHO cell mutants with altered glycosylation were initially isolated by selection for resistance to the cytotoxicity of plant lectins [1]. Cells selected for resistance to one lectin, were often resistant to others with related glycan binding properties, and also hypersensitive to lectins recognizing sugars that became newly terminal due to the nature of the glycosylation defect. By comparing resistance to a panel of plant lectins, lectin-resistant mutants could be grouped into lectin resistance phenotypes. In addition, somatic cell hybridization was used to define genetic complementation groups. Once genes encoding glycosylation activities were cloned, mutations giving rise to each complementation group were identified and numerous allelic series defined. There are now a large number of CHO glycosylation mutants with known genetic and biochemical defects that may be used to engineer glycoproteins in order to optimize their properties. These include mutants that generate glycoproteins with modified N-glycans and/or O-glycans [2], glycosaminoglycans [3] or glycophosphotidylinositol-linked glycans [4]. However, for these mutants to be useful in the industrial level production of glycoprotein therapeutics, a specific glycosylation mutant must be employed from the very beginning of engineering a cell line for high productivity. While it is often stated that existing CHO mutant lines are not high producers, this may Pamela Stanley Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA pamela.stanley@einstein.yu.edu “...manipulation of glycosylation to enhance the properties of glycoproteins can be performed at any stage of the development of a production cell line using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.” SPECIAL FOCUS y An ‘omics approach to Chinese hamster ovary-based pharmaceutical bioprocessing
Structure elucidation and in vitro reactivity of the major metabolite of 4,4′-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) in canine urine

Abstract The structure of the major urinary metabolite of 4,4′-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) in dogs was identified and the reactivity of the metabolite was characterized in vitro . Arylsulfatase but not β-glucuronidase hydrolyzed the metabolite in a time- and enzyme concentration-dependent manner. Electron impact mass spectrometry following derivatization and transesterification indicated that the major metabolite was ring hydroxylated and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry confirmed the molecular weight as a sulfate ester. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated that the ring substitution was ortho to an amine. These analytical and enzymatic data supported the proposed structure of the major urinary metabolite of MBOCA in dogs as 5-hydroxy-3,3′-dichloro-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane-5-sulfate. Protein and DNA binding in vitro and mutagenicity were investigated. During hydrolysis with arylsulfatase, time- and enzyme concentration-dependent protein binding and time-dependent DNA binding were observed. Mutagenicity during enzymatic hydrolysis in the presence of Salmonella typhimurium TA1538 with up to 20 μg metabolite/plate was negative and at 50 μg/plate the metabolite was cytotoxic. These results indicated that the metabolite was the sulfate conjugate of a reactive molecule. This study demonstrated that the major metabolite of MBOCA in canine urine is an ortho -hydroxysulfate and thus is similar to the major metabolites of benzidine, 2-naphthylamine, and 4-aminobiphenyl.
An Investigation of the Properties of Evaporated Metal Bolometers

A general theoretical analysis is made to determine the variation of bolometer sensitivity with thickness and heat dissipation. To a first approximation it is shown that the best response at a given modulation frequency is obtained by making the bolometer as thin as possible and then by adjusting the dissipation constant so that γ=acωwhere γ is the heat dissipation per unit area per unit temperature difference, a the thickness, c the heat capacity per unit volume, and ω the angular frequency of modulation. Experiments are discussed which show that this analysis is only partially correct because of the variation with thickness of the temperature coefficient of resistance. Measurements are presented of the variation of resistivity and temperature coefficient of resistance with thickness for nickel and bismuth. An interference method was used to determine the thickness. The range studied was from 190A to 760A. An investigation is also made of the variation of γ with frequency for bolometers cooled by conduction. A method is presented for predicting the general frequency response of bolometers with conductive cooling. A brief description is given of a bolometer which was built during the investigation and a comparison is made of this bolometer with several others which have been reported in the literature.
Recovering fresh water stored in saline limestone aquifers

Numerical modeling techniques are used to examine the hydrogeologic, design, and management factors governing the recovery efficiency of subsurface fresh-water storage. The modeling approach permitted many combinations of conditions to be studied. A sensitivity analysis was used that consisted of varying certain parameters while keeping constant as many other parameters or processes as possible. The results show that a loss of recovery efficiency resulted from: (1) processes causing mixing of injected fresh water with native saline water (hydrodynamic dispersion); (2) processes or conditions causing the irreversible displacement of the injected fresh water with respect to the well (buoyancy stratification and background hydraulic gradients); or (3) processes or procedures causing injection and withdrawal flow patterns to be dissimilar (dissimilar injection and withdrawal schedules in multiple-well systems). Other results indicated that recovery efficiency improved considerably during the first several successive cycles, provided that each recovery phase ended when the chloride concentration of withdrawn water exceeded established criteria for potability (usually 250 milligrams per liter). Other findings were that fresh water injected into highly permeable or highly saline aquifers would buoy rapidly with a deleterious effect on recovery efficiency.
Modes of Protein Movement that Lead to the Asymmetric Localization of Partner of Numb during Drosophila Neuroblast Division

Partner of Numb (Pon) colocalizes with the determinant Numb and is required for its proper asymmetric localization in Drosophila. How the asymmetric localization of Pon is accomplished is not well understood. Here, we show that Pon localization takes place at the protein level and that its C-terminal region is necessary and sufficient for asymmetric localization. Fusion of the Pon localization domain with green fluorescent protein (GFP) allowed monitoring of the localization process in living embryos. Upon a neuroblast's entry into mitosis, Pon is recruited from the cytoplasm to the cortex. Cortically recruited Pon can move apically or basally within the two-dimensional confines of the cortex. This movement can occur when myosin motor activity is inhibited. However, the restriction of Pon to the basal cortex requires both actomyosin and Inscuteable.
Mammalian predation on termites: tests with the burrowing mouse (Oxymycterus roberti) and its prey.

A laboratory study of mammalian predation on termites was conducted using the burrowing mouse (Oxymycterus roberti) and eight species of central Brazilian termites. The results of preference trials demonstrate that Oxymycterus discriminate between termite species and that the eight prey species fall into three groups: least preferred, most-preferred and a group of intermediate preference.Preferences of Oxymycterus are not explained by the size or the nutritional quality of the termite species. However, three measures of termite soldier-based defense do correlate highly with preference. Termite species with soldiers exhibiting a mechanical or mixed defense are greatly preferred by Oxymycterus over species with soldiers exhibiting a chemical based defense. This chemical defense by termites is effective in severely limiting predation by small mammals.
Support of clinician image-related workflow by a user-edited, web-based patient list manager.

Clinician efficiency can be enhanced by worklists that compile useful data for rapid access at the time of need. The authors report development of a web-based, user-edited “Patient List Manager” for the Clinical Image Management System (CIMS). The CIMS List Manager interfaces with the CIMS Archive to provide the user with available studies. It has tools that let the user build personal lists from the available studies. Listed studies are moved from the archive to the cache for rapid access at the time of need. Users can build/edit the list through a browser (without viewing pictures) or from within the image viewer. In this way, the List Manager distributes list building into knowledgeable hands. This is particularly valuable at the current time when health system patient registries are not mature enough to reliably support building build anticipatory patient lists.
Synergy between TLR2 and TLR4: a safety mechanism.

Abstract Background . The Toll (Tlr) receptors facilitate innate immunity by detecting products that are unique to invading microorganisms. Stimulation of these receptors can produce severe reactions and death. We propose that synergy between receptors for different microbial products would provide a safety mechanism, preventing inappropriate, potentially fatal reactions by reacting to low concentrations of ligands when more than a single ligand is present. Results . Striking synergy is noted between the ligand for Tlr4, lipopolysaccharide (LPS),and a ligand for Tlr2, muramyl dipeptide (MDP), in the release of tumor necrosis factor from RAW cells. Conclusions . Synergy between a ligand for Tlr2 and Tlr4 can be demonstrated in a simple in vitro system. The greater sensitivity of MDP-stimulated cells to LPS may explain the data that were once interpreted incorrectly as indicating that Tlr2 is the endotoxin receptor.
Consequences of a biogeomorphic regime shift for the hyporheic zone of a Sonoran Desert stream

Summary 1. Feedbacks between vegetation and geomorphic processes can generate alternative stable states and other nonlinear behaviours in ecological systems, but the consequences of these biogeomorphic interactions for other ecosystem processes are poorly understood. In this study, we describe the changes in the hydrological, geomorphic and biogeochemical characteristics of the hyporheic zone of a Sonoran desert stream (Sycamore Creek, Arizona, U.S.A.) in response to a transition from an unvegetated gravel-bed state to densely vegetated wetlands (cienegas). 2. A survey of the entire length of Sycamore Creek indicated that cienegas occupied c. 18% of the stream, and were disproportionately represented in constrained canyons rather than wide, unconstrained valleys. 3. Vegetated patches were characterized by low concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) and nitrate and high concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane in the hyporheic zone. In contrast to unvegetated areas, hyporheic DO in cienegas exhibited no relationship with vertical hydraulic gradients. 4. Increases in hyporheic DO following removal of vegetation by floods supports the hypothesis that these reduced conditions were the result of biogeochemical and geomorphic changes associated with vegetation establishment. In locations where vegetation persisted, hyporheic DO exhibited no response to flooding; in sections where vegetation was removed hyporheic DO closely tracked post-flood increases in surface stream DO. 5. Shallow sediments in vegetated patches were finer and more organic-rich than in unvegetated patches, due to increased deposition during floods. Conservative tracer additions indicated that hydrological exchange between the surface stream and hyporheic zone was much lower in cienegas than in gravel-bed reaches. 6. Vegetation establishment in desert streams not only alters the physical and chemical characteristics of the hyporheic zone, but also the nature of interactions between surface and hyporheic subsystems.
Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Hepatobiliary Cancers: The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Hepatobiliary Questionnaire

PURPOSE: This is the first report on the development and initial validation of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep) questionnaire, a 45-item self-report instrument designed to measure health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with hepatobiliary cancers. The FACT-Hep consists of the 27-item FACT-G, which assesses generic HRQL concerns, and the newly validated 18-item Hepatobiliary Subscale (HS), which assesses disease-specific issues. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The development of the HS followed a four-phase process of item generation, item reduction, scale construction, and reliability/validity testing. Two independent samples were studied: item generation (sample 1; n = 30) and reliability/validity testing (sample 2; n = 51). RESULTS: In sample 2, all subscales and aggregated scores showed high internal consistency at initial assessment (Cronbach’s alpha range, 0.72 to 0.94) and retesting (Cronbach’s alpha range, 0.81 to 0.94). Measurement stability over a 3- to 7-day p...
Usability of home cholesterol test kits and how their results impact patients’ decisions

Abstract Release of home health testing kits into the market has enabled people to take care of their own health. Misinterpretation of results and delays in treatments are the major concerns of the doctors. In the present study, two cholesterol test kits, Accuchek ® Instant plus ® and Home Access ® Instant Cholesterol Test, were compared on the basis of user performance, accuracy, and the patient’s future medical decisions based on the test results. The study was conducted with 30 participants, 15 men and 15 women. Participants tested their overall cholesterol level with both kits. In addition, a clinical cholesterol evaluation, the medical gold standard, was performed. The usability of both test kits was evaluated through questionnaires, user task performance, and comparison with the clinical evaluation. Participants were questioned on how they would use the information once they had seen the result from the first test kit. Results of the study found that regardless of the kit used, participants always found the first kit used as the more usable kit. When participants were asked to provide a decision on future healthcare, a predominate number of participants said they would change their lifestyle rather than visit a doctor regardless of their cholesterol level. This finding highlights physicians’ concerns that patients may delay treatment for potentially serious conditions even when they have the available results. Relevance to industry The results of this study indicate the importance of conducting thorough usability assessments to ensure patients can effectively use products. In addition, this study shows the value of understanding how a product is used in its environment.
Being Scheherazade: The Importance of Storytelling in Academic Writing

The authors offer opinions on authorship of academic discourse. It is stated that too many scholars seeking to be published ignore the value of narrative storytelling in presenting their research. The need to include a human element in presenting research is seen as vital. the importance of motion and pacing in authorship of academic writing is stressed and the need to avoid cluttered language is cited. The author's need for feedback from others on his or her prose is said to be significant, as is the role of copy editors.
SMT-based synthesis of integrated task and motion plans from plan outlines

We present a new approach to integrated task and motion planning (ITMP) for robots performing mobile manipulation. In our approach, the user writes a high-level specification that captures partial knowledge about a mobile manipulation setting. In particular, this specification includes a plan outline that syntactically defines a space of plausible integrated plans, a set of logical requirements that the generated plan must satisfy, and a description of the physical space that the robot manipulates. A synthesis algorithm is now used to search for an integrated plan that falls within the space defined by the plan outline, and also satisfies all requirements. Our synthesis algorithm complements continuous motion planning algorithms with calls to a Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) solver. From the scene description, a motion planning algorithm is used to construct a placement graph, an abstraction of a manipulation graph whose paths represent feasible, low-level motion plans. An SMT-solver is now used to symbolically explore the space of all integrated plans that correspond to paths in the placement graph, and also satisfy the constraints demanded by the plan outline and the requirements. Our approach is implemented in a system called ROBOSYNTH. We have evaluated ROBOSYNTH on a generalization of an ITMP problem investigated in prior work. The experiments demonstrate that our method is capable of generating integrated plans for a number of interesting variations on the problem.
Young Children's Perceptions of Time Out.

Abstract Preschoolers' perceptions of, and feelings about, time out were assessed. Observations were conducted in 11 child care centers by pairs of trained child study students. Forty-two young children were interviewed subsequent to a time out experience. More children were observed to be isolated for reasons of non-compliance than for aggression. The largely negative self-attributions expressed by most—feeling alone, disliked by one's teacher, and ignored by one's peers—as well as the feelings of sadness and fear expressed by many, suggest that time out is perceived as a punishment by the very young child. Furthermore, the inability of many young children to say why they were in time out (or to recall an adult telling them why) reduces the likelihood that the specific time out event, as a punishment, will inhibit future occurrence of the same aggressive or non-compliant behavior.
Marketing decision-making problems faced by small business retailers

This paper reports an empirical study conducted with small business retailers. The general purpose of the study was to address the special problems small business retailers face in making marketing decisions. Specifically, the study measured small business managers' beliefs regarding the difficulty of making various marketing decisions. Additionally, the study measured the perceived importance of marketing decisions to small business retailing success. The study's findings provide a clear description of existing small business retailer problems and may also aid various organizations (e.g. trade associations, universities) and individuals (e.g. bankers, consultants) who attempt to assist small business retailers.
Demonstration and localization of neuronal degeneration in the rat forebrain following a single exposure to MDMA.

Abstract Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) is a powerful releaser of serotonin. Increasing recreational use of this stimulant and hallucinogenic drug has raised concerns about its potential to produce brain damage. The vast majority of previous research studies have focused on the compound’s ability to deplete serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) from axon terminals. Despite extensive research on this ‘5-HT terminal neurotoxicity’, a much less studied aspect of MDMA toxicity involves its ability to actually kill nerve cells. Only two prior studies mention the existence of MDMA-induced neuronal degeneration, as reflected by a limited number of argyrophylic neurons within the somatosensory cortex, following very high doses of MDMA. The development of Fluoro-Jade B as a simple and reliable marker of neuronal degeneration has allowed us to conduct the first comprehensive localization of MDMA induced neuronal degeneration throughout the entire rat forebrain. In addition to the previously reported neuronal degeneration within parietal cortex, degenerating neurons were also observed in the insular/perirhinal cortex, the ventromedial/ventrolateral thalamus, and the tenia tecta. The extent of neuronal degeneration observed generally correlated with the degree of hyperthermia achieved.
Formation of gas induced shrinkage porosity in Mg-alloy high-pressure die-castings

It is shown that gas pores can facilitate formation of shrinkage porosity in high-pressure die-castings. Air in the gas pores is an efficient heat-insulating medium that retards heat transfer in the melt as compared to regions without porosity, leading to lower local solidification rate, which can induce shrinkage porosity formation.