cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytomegalovirus DNA in arterial walls of patients with atherosclerosis

The biological properties of cytomegalovirus (CMV) are consistent with a potential role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The evidence of such a role has so far been circumstantial, but CMV nucleic acid is beginning to be reported with increasing frequency in the arterial wall. Arterial specimens from 135 patients who underwent vascular surgery for symptomatic atherosclerotic vessel disease were analyzed by PCR for the presence of CMV nucleic acid. Samples were studied from the atheromatous plaque area and from uninvolved aortic tissues of patients undergoing surgery for vascular disease. One primer pair (LA) was used for detection of a late gene, and two other primer pairs (E1 and E2) were used for the immediate early gene region. Serum antibody to CMV was measured by radioimmunoassay. With the late gene primer, CMV nucleic acid was found in 76% of the tissue specimens tested, whereas the E2 gene primer complementary to the transforming mtr2 region was reactive in 90% of the arterial samples. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of CMV DNA in atherosclerotic plaque tissue and in uninvolved aortic tissue from the patients. A second early gene primer was not reactive with the tissue specimens, although it gave positive results with the positive control of infectious virus. Serum antibody to CMV was detected in 86% of the patients in whose tissue CMV DNA was demonstrated. CMV DNA was detected in a high proportion of atherosclerotic plaque tissues as well as in uninvolved aortic tissue of surgical patients, suggesting that latent CMV infection of the arterial wall may be a common occurrence in patients with atherosclerosis.
Lipid raft localization of EGFR alters the response of cancer cells to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in many cancer types including ∼30% of breast cancers. Several small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting EGFR have shown clinical efficacy in lung and colon cancers, but no benefit has been noted in breast cancer. Thirteen EGFR expressing breast cancer cell lines were analyzed for response to EGFR TKIs. Seven were found to be EGFR TKI resistant; while shRNA knockdown of EGFR determined that four of these cell lines retained the requirement of EGFR protein expression for growth. Interestingly, EGFR localized to plasma membrane lipid rafts in all four of these EGFR TKI resistant cell lines, as determined by biochemical raft isolation and immunofluorescence. When lipid rafts were depleted of cholesterol using lovastatin, all four cell lines were sensitized to EGFR TKIs. In fact, the effects of the cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors and gefitinib were synergistic. While gefitinib effectively abrogated phosphorylation of Akt and MAPK in an EGFR TKI sensitive cell line, phosphorylation of Akt persisted in two EGFR TKI resistant cell lines; however, this phosphorylation was abrogated by lovastatin treatment. Thus, we have shown that lipid raft localization of EGFR correlates with resistance to EGFR TKI-induced growth inhibition and pharmacological depletion of cholesterol from lipid rafts decreases this resistance in breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we have presented evidence to suggest that when EGFR localizes to lipid rafts, these rafts provide a platform to facilitate activation of Akt signaling in the absence of EGFR kinase activity.
Variability in the growth sustaining capacity of medium batches

Medium batches, analysed in various spontaneous and mitogen induced proliferation assays, revealed heterogeneity in their growth promoting activity. This can critically affect test results and suggests that culture media can be a source of variability and problems in cell culture work. The manufacturers of media should broaden their quality control of medium batches.
Improvement of metered-dose inhaler administration technique: the effect of training sessions at a specialized pediatric asthma compliance and technique clinic

Abstract Background: Metered-dose inhaler (MDI) medications are frequently prescribed for the management of asthma in children. Because the use of inhalers can be difficult, many children with asthma fail to use their MDI correctly. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a specialized Pediatric Asthma Compliance and Technique (PACT) clinic could be effective in improving techniques for MDI use among children with asthma. Methods: Children referred to the PACT clinic underwent pulmonary testing and were asked to demonstrate their MDI technique at an initial coaching session. Clinicians at the PACT clinic demonstrated and reviewed correct techniques for MDI use and asked the children to demonstrate the technique again. Follow-up visits of at least 12 hour were scheduled according to the patient's asthma severity. Results: Of the 40 children referred to the PACT clinic, 26 were using an MDI at the time of their initial clinic assessment. Only 12% (326) were able to perform all 8 steps for MDI administration correctly (median 4 of 8 steps performed correctly without prompting). After the first coaching session, patients were followed up an average of 2.4 months later, with 31% (826) performing all 8 steps correctly. On average, children were able to perform 7 of 8 steps correctly without prompting. When the data were analyzed by step, statistically significant improvements were noted on 5 specific steps. Conclusions: The proper use of the MDI is crucial for the delivery of many asthma medications. The results of this study suggest that children need intensive education before they can learn and remember how to use their MDI correctly. One intensive coaching session on correct use of MDIs dramatically improved technique at follow-up in this inner-city medical clinic.
Gap vibration modes of mass defects in the cubic compound semiconductor ZnS

Abstract The gap vibration modes caused by mass defects in the cubic semiconductor ZnS are investigated using the Green's function method and the rigid-ion model for the host phonon spectra, with some surprising results. (i) The gap modes are generally less localized than the high frequency localized modes, and the vibrations can be optic or acoustic, anion-like or cation-like, depending on the defect site and the defect mass. (ii) The gap mode amplitudes do not necessarily peak at the defect site or fall monotonically with distance from the site, as once believed. (iii) A mode which is caused by replacing a heavier host atom (Zn) with an even heavier impurity atom is the least localized one, with only a few per cent of the normalized vibration amplitude on the impurity site. Probably this is the reason that this mode, predicted theoretically, has never been observed experimentally.
319 UMBILICAL SERUM CORTISOL (F), DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE (DHAS) AND TOTAL ESTRIOL (E 3 ) LEVELS IN PREMATURE AND FULL TERM INFANTS

Neonatal interrelationships of F, DHAS and E3 in cord blood in reference to gestational age and mode of delivery were examined. Cord serum steriods were determined by radioimmunoassay in 275 vaginally delivered infants (30-42 wks gestation) and 20 C-section infants (36-42 wks). In the vaginally born group mean E3 1832±744 (SD) ng/ml of 36-42 wks infants was higher than 1276±460 of 30-35 wks infants. (t, p .05); F levels were 153±67ng/ml and 123±55 respectively (p>.05). F and DHAS levels were higher in vaginally born than C-section infants, (p<0.005), but not for E3. In each group, F, DHAS and E3 levels were similar regardless of spontaneous onset or absence of labor. Thus, after 35 wks gestation, fetal serum estriol levels increase without corresponding increase in DHAS; fetal cortisol and DHAS are increased with vaginal delivery. We speculate that after 35 wks the fetal adrenal gland increases its production of DHAS which is efficiently coverted to estriol by the placenta; the acute stress of vaginal delivery increases fetal cortisol as well as DHAS production.
The effect of estrogen vs. combined estrogen-progestogen therapy on the risk of colorectal cancer†‡

Studies suggest that estrogen therapy (ET) and combined estrogen-progestogen therapy (EPT) may have different associations with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, but data are conflicting. Prior meta-analyses did not distinguish between ET and EPT. We conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the relative risks (RR) of CRC due to ET versus EPT among peri- or postmenopausal women. From a total of 2,661 articles, four randomized controlled trials, eight cohort and eight case-control studies were included. Variables assessed included study characteristics, duration and recency of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) use, method of assessment of HT use, outcome definition and its ascertainment method. RRs were synthesized by random-effects models. We found that EPT ever use was associated with a decreased risk of CRC (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.68-0.81), and so was ET ever use (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.69-0.91). While current use of ET was associated with a significantly reduced risk of CRC (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.57-0.85), former use was not (RR 0.86, 95%CI 0.67-1.11). Recency did not significantly modify the association between EPT and CRC risk. EPT former use was associated with a lower RR of CRC compared to ET former use (p = 0.008) but no such difference was observed between EPT and ET current use (p = 0.12). Overall, we found consistent evidence supporting the association between EPT and CRC risk reduction, regardless of recency. While literature for the association between ET and CRC risk is heterogeneous, our analyses suggest only current use of ET is associated with a decreased CRC risk.
Tunable dielectric thin films by aqueous, inorganic solution-based processing

Abstract Sub-micron, nanolaminated, dielectric thin films comprised of amorphous aluminum oxide phosphate (AlPO) and hafnium oxide sulfate (HafSOx) layers were fabricated in open-air conditions from aqueous inorganic precursors by spin coating with minimal thermal processing. These nanolaminated thin film insulators display an averaging effect of effective dielectric permittivity in devices with controlled AlPO:HafSOx thickness ratios, enabling tunable dielectric properties. X-ray reflectivity measurements were used to characterize film thickness, smoothness, and uniformity. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze final nanolaminated devices. Electrical characterization of metal-insulator-insulator-metal capacitors revealed tunable relative dielectric constants ranging from approximately 5–10 with loss tangents less than 2% at 10 kHz in devices with approximately 300 nm total dielectric thickness. The results suggest a simple, inexpensive processing approach for fabricating devices that require insulating layers with specific dielectric properties.
In search of the limits of evolution.

Negative trade-offs are thought to be a pervasive phenomenon and to inhibit evolution at all levels. New evidence shows that at the molecular level, there may be no trade-offs preventing the emergence of an enzyme with multiple functions.
Duration of bankruptcy proceedings and monetary policy effectiveness

Abstract A common assumption in well-known costly-state-verification frameworks is that when a borrower defaults, creditors receive a payoff immediately (after incurring bankruptcy costs). While this assumption enhances tractability, it is unrealistic given the considerable delays in the actual practice of bankruptcy. In this paper, I identify the duration of bankruptcy proceedings as an additional source of friction in financial markets and investigate the relationship between this friction and the effectiveness of monetary policy by using U.S. state-level data. Consistent with the commonly-observed positive relationship between the degree of standard financial frictions and the amplitude of macroeconomic responses, I find that U.S. monetary policy is most effective in states with longer bankruptcy proceedings.
Newspapers and racial/hethnic conflict: Comparing city demographics and nationwide reporting on the Crown Heights (Brooklyn, NY) incidents

The “Crown Heights” crisis in New York City (Brooklyn), was an incident resulting in conflicts between elements of a Caribbean‐American community and elements of an Orthodox Jewish community. The events of Crown Heights presented media with significant choices about the cues and frames for viewing potential disturbances. 168 articles in ten major newspapers nationwide were studied that appeared in two key time periods in 1991, after the first day of the disturbances. A content analysis technique evaluated both the “amount of attention” an article received in a paper and the “direction” of the article ("pluralist”, “partisan” or “balanced/hneutral') to yield a single score for each paper. These scores were compared with a variety of city characteristics to test hypotheses associating several aspects of community structure with reporting variations. Correlation and multiple regression analyses uncovered a few key factors strongly associated with pluralist reporting. Contrary to prediction, racial and ethnic...
Harvesting benefits from habitat restoration: Influence of landscape position on economic benefits to pheasant hunters

The provision of ecosystem services via ecological restoration can be affected by the spatially explicit relationships between existing landscape characteristics and the proposed restoration. In such situations, effective economic targeting of restoration is aided by an accounting of the spatially explicit linkages between initial restoration actions, the resulting changes in ecosystem services, and the changes in economic benefits to individuals resulting from changes in the provision of ecosystem services. To this end, we examine the impact of landscape heterogeneity on economic benefits of USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) restoration for ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) hunters in Michigan by linking a previously developed ecological production function of ring-necked pheasant sightings to a recreation demand model of hunter site choice. Using proposed pheasant habitat restoration in Michigan as a framework for our analysis, we find that economic benefits generated by restoration depend critically upon the landscape selected for CRP restoration. Poorly targeted restoration sites yield near-zero economic benefits, while well-targeted investments yield about 2.4 times the economic benefits of the median parcel. The results show how managers can use both ecological and hunter behavior information to enhance the return on conservation investments.
Developmental regulatory bits

Mol Syst Biol. 4: 226 Although the instances where substantive theory provides more than a metaphor for biology are rare, one fruitful approach has been computing physical limits on biological processes. In the best of cases, such as Berg and Purcell (1977), a simplified model of bacterial chemotaxis illuminated the problems bacteria have solved to operate at the limits imposed by molecular noise. In a recent article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , Tkacik et al (2008) borrow an approach from computational neuroscience (Laughlin, 1981) to show that the performance of the first step in the gene network that defines anterior–posterior (AP) position in the fly approaches the limits set by information theory. The result is appealing because it hints that aspects of the tangled networks that govern animal development may be quantitatively understood without having to consider the details of all the underlying interactions. Position in an embryo is defined generally by proteins called morphogens, and arguably the best understood of these is the transcription factor Bicoid (Bcd) that regulates the expression of gap genes such as hunchback ( hb ). Bicoid is expressed from a maternal anterior‐localized message and assumes an exponential profile. The question is, therefore, does this one protein define anterior position, and if so how accurately, or are other sources of information used (e.g., distance from the posterior end of the embryo)? The physical mechanism through which a single cell, an appendage, or …
377 DEVELOPMENTAL INCREASE IN THE CARDIAC CHRONOTROPIC RESPONSE TO ISOPROTERENOL (IS)

The ovine chronotropic response to injection of catecholamines is reported to increase during gestation, exhibit denervation supersensitivity, but is similar to the adult after birth. This study examined the developmental changes in the heart rate response to beta adrenergic stimulation with IS. Dose response studies were carried out in chronically catheterized, sheep - 5 near-term fetuses, 4 newborn, and 5 pregnant adults. IS was infused for 15-30 min until a steady state response was obtained for each dosage of the series. Results are shown below. These studies indicate that the ovine chronotropic response to beta adrenergic stimulation increases not only during gestation but from the newborn period to adulthood. This may represent a maturational increase in cardiac beta receptor number, affinity or responsiveness.
Magnetic states in frustrated bilayer models: The ordered phase of mixed-layer pnictide oxides

We present results from a numerical investigation of bilayer classical spin systems with local interactions and frustration caused by lattice geometry. We find that when two identical square planes are displaced by half a lattice constant in one direction, a transition to a uniformly twisted spin state occurs at ${J/J}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}g~0.25.$ An orthogonal state between layers is obtained in the limit $T=0$ and ${J}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=0.$ If instead the two layers are offset along a diagonal, we obtain the phase diagram of the classical ${J}_{1}\ensuremath{-}{J}_{2}$ model. A weakly canted phase is observed at the classical transition point of ${J/J}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=0.5,$ but frustration does not drive the system towards a state of orthogonal interlayer order. We propose a simple bilayer model with two inequivalent square lattices to study the frustrating interactions of the mixed layer pnictide oxides $({\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{3}{\mathrm{Pn}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{2},\mathrm{ }\mathrm{Pn}=\mathrm{As},\mathrm{Sb}).$ We find a ground state composed of two independent N\'eel ordered layers when the interlayer exchange is an order of magnitude weaker than the intralayer exchange, as suggested by experiment. Evidence for local orthogonal order between the layers is found, but it occurs in regions of parameter space which are not experimentally realized.
Parallel solution of ODE's by multi-block methods

The notion of linear multi-step methods for solving ordinary differential equations is generalized to a class of multi-block methods. In a multi-block method step values are all obtained together in a single block advance which is accomplished by allocating the parallel tasks on separate processors. The expected benefit of multi-block methods is the speedup in the computation of solutions. The basic formulation is described. Examples are given to demonstrate the existence of such schemes. The predictor-corrector type combination is formed and the resulting stability problem is considered. Test results of one of these multi-block methods on the Denelcor HEP machine are reported.
Development of a novel FRET method for detection of Listeria or Salmonella

Abstract Listeria and Salmonella contamination in foods results in not only foodborne outbreaks, but also a large economical burden for the industry due to product recalls. As a result, a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based method was developed to detect Listeria and Salmonella. Sensors utilizing FRET switch their fluorescence wavelength between donor and acceptor fluorophores as the distance between the two fluorophores change. This change in distance is a result of the conformational change in the 3D structure of the antibody as it binds to the target antigen. Listeria or Salmonella antibodies were labeled with FRET donor fluorophores (Alexa Fluor 546 (AF546)) while protein G or A was labeled with the acceptor fluorophores (Alexa Fluor 594 (AF594)). The labeled antibody–protein G or A complex was formed via incubation of the labeled antibody with protein G/A which specifically attaches to the Fc fragment of antibodies. The labeled antibody–protein G or A complex was tested in solution and specific and nonspecific antigens were exposed to the in solution complex. Changes in fluorescence were monitored by a spectrofluorometer. For “in-solution” tests, the optimal acceptor/donor fluorophore (A/D) ratios were 0.2 and 1.0 for Listeria and Salmonella, respectively, and both of Listeria and Salmonella antigen detection limits were 2.0 μg/ml.
AIDS and the school: The role of the school counselor

If statistical projections are accurate, by the year 2000 there will be 10 million children, worldwide, infected with the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS virus (The World Health Organization). This is considered by Dr. Jonathan Mann of Harvard University's International AIDS Center to be a conservative estimate (Signor, 1992). We do know as a fact that by 1991 in the United States there were 3,624 children under the age of 13 who had been diagnosed with AIDS since 1981, and 211,633 adolescents and adults diagnosed during that same period (United States Federal Centers for Disease Control). There are many who believe that counseling with students who have AIDS soon will become the major challenge facing school counselors (Arnzen, 1992). This article will discuss a two-pronged approach for use by school counselors in responding to AIDS in the school setting: a preventive approach through AIDS education, and a model for counseling with students.
Facilitating extinction of infant crying by changing reinforcement schedules

Abstract The present study employed continuous reinforcement prior to the extinction process to facilitate the elimination of a response developed through intermittent reinforced The junior author used extinction, combined with shaping and counter-conditioning. with her 8-month-old son to alter crying behavior. Beginning with 1 min, the time increases for non-crying necessary for removal from a playpen were gradually shaped to 45 min of non-crying by the end of the fourteenth day of extinction. During the same time period the initial crying upon being placed in the playpen decreased from 25 min to 1 min or less.
The prevalence and demographics of pathological gamblers: implications for public health.

OBJECTIVES. A study of pathological gambling in five states provides information needed to address the public health threat that the expanding availability of legalized gambling poses to at-risk groups in the general population. METHODS. Over the course of this project, epidemiological data were collected to determine the prevalence of probable pathological gambling in the general population in each study state and demographic data were collected from pathological gamblers entering treatment programs in each state. RESULTS. Among the states surveyed, the availability of and involvement in gambling differ significantly, as does the prevalence of pathological gambling. Despite these differences, the demographics of pathological gamblers in these states are similar. Like those in the general population, pathological gamblers entering treatment in each state are similar. However, pathological gamblers entering treatment do not represent the full spectrum of individuals in the general population who experience...
Nuclear magnetic resonance methods for measuring dipolar couplings in rotating solids

Abstract The nuclear dipole-dipole coupling is a strong function of internuclear distance, and can therefore be used as a sensitive probe of local molecular structure. In most cases, however, the simultaneous presence of anisotropic chemical shielding and multiple dipolar interactions prevents isolation of the dipole coupling between individual spin pairs. Under these circumstances, it is customary to improve spectral resolution by employing magic angle spinning (MAS) which preserves the isotropic part of the chemical shift interaction but partially or fully averages the desired dipolar interactions. This article reviews NMR methods designed to selectively restore and measure dipolar couplings between like (homonuclear) spins and unlike (heteronuclear) spins in rotating solids. Applications of these methods - rotational resonance (R 2 ), rotational-echo double resonance (REDOR), trnsferred-echo double resonance (TEDOR), dipolar recovery at the magic angle (DRAMA), simple excitation for the dephasing of rotational-echo amplitudes (SEDRA), and rf-driven dipolar recoupling (RFDR) - to investigate the structure of biomolecules are presented.
The Apolipoprotein E ε4 Allele Is Associated with Blunting of Ketamine-Induced Psychosis in Schizophrenia: A Preliminary Report

Interindividual differences in the psychotomimetic response to the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine are commonly observed. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon 4 allele has been associated with reduced severity of positive psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. In this study, we sought to determine if the APOE epsilon 4 allele influences the psychotomimetic response to ketamine in schizophrenics. Eighteen patients genotyped at the APOE locus underwent a double-blind infusion of ketamine and of placebo. Ketamine-induced alterations in the brief psychiatric rating scale factors were compared between schizophrenics with and without the APOE epsilon 4 allele. APOE epsilon 4+ schizophrenics displayed significantly reduced ketamine-induced psychosis, as compared to epsilon 4-patients. These preliminary data indicate that the psychotomimetic response to ketamine may be genetically influenced and may provide additional evidence that APOE may modify expression of the positive symptoms in schizophrenia.
Mixed Chloride/Phosphine Complexes of the Dirhenium Core. 6. Rare or Unprecedented Isomers of [Re2Cl6(PR3)2] Stoichiometry

Several new paramagnetic dirhenium(II,III) anions of the formula [Re2Cl6P2]- (P2 = (PPrn3)2 (1), (PEt2Ph)2 (2), dppp (3)) have been isolated in the form of their tetrabutylammonium salts as the kinetic products in reactions of [Re2Cl8]2- with an appropriate phosphine ligand. All three complexes have been characterized in solution by cyclic voltammetry, ESR, and mass spectroscopy. Three different isomeric forms of the [Re2Cl6P2] core have been recognized in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. The known 1,7-isomer (C2h) with a centrosymmetric disposition of phosphine groups was found for PPrn3 (1a) and PEt2Ph (2) ligands. The compound [Bun4N][Re2Cl6(PPrn3)2] was also crystallized in the unprecedented form of a 1,6-isomer (C2) (1b) which can be derived from 1a by a 90° rotation of the ligands around the metal−metal bond. For the diphosphine, a Cs isomer of [Re2Cl6(dppp)]- (3) was discovered having the dppp ligand chelating on one rhenium atom. Crystallographic data are as follows: for 1a, monoclinic s...
Personalized cancer care through biology informed treatment decisions

Personalized cancer care depends substantially on three key elements i) modern interventions by surgery, radiation and therapeutics, ii) predictive diagnostics for each intervention, iii) predictive data models and mathematics that integrate each time point of each patient into larger populations. Patients with solid tumors have suffered particularly from the absence of routine access to relevant tumor tissue and precision diagnostics that predict response to therapy. Similarities can be drawn to the conversion of HIV from a deadly disease to a chronic condition through the ability to accurately understand the current viral load and prescribe the relevant drug cocktail. This same concept is now being followed in carcinomas by utilizing a simple blood sample as a fluid biopsy to extract individual cancer cells and conduct high-content single cell analysis for the development of predictive biomarkers. The fluid phase of solid tumors is a clinical tool in personalized cancer care and an emerging research tool in basic science cancer discoveries. Utilizing the HD-CTC assay, we are undertaking a series of clinical studies investigating the metastatic pathways in cancer patients. The fluid phase of solid tumors is a critical third microenvironment in the development and progression of carcinomas. Cells originating from primary or secondary sites travel through the blood circulatory system to either get cleared out or initiate new tumor growth. Translational research efforts are attempting to identify the various subtypes of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), their origins, their destinations and their impact on the disease. Understanding and characterizing CTCs is a first step towards utilizing them as both biopsy material and directly as a biomarker. It requires approaches of subtyping CTCs at the single cell level using molecular and cellular approaches. The immediate use is the use of the HD-CTC assay as a fluid biopsy for therapeutic stratification. The success of the fluid biopsy in real-time stratification of patient treatments will both improve patient outcomes by enabling higher treatment success rates and radically improve healthcare economics by reducing ineffective treatments.
Genetic Nature of Regression of Rous sarcoma Virus-Induced Tumors in Crosses of Regional Poultry Research Laboratory Lines 6 and 72

Abstract Regional Poultry Research Laboratory (RPRL) inbred lines 61, 63, and 72 and F1, F2, and reciprocal backcross progenies of these lines were used to investigate host-gene effects upon the regression of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)-induced tumors. Lines 61 and 63 were susceptible to subgroup A and C lymphoid leukosis (LL) viruses and line 72 was resistant to subgroup A but was segregating for susceptibility to subgroup C LL virus. Viruses of RSV subgroups A and C were used. Lines 61, 63, and 72 were homozygous for shared blood group alleles B2, C5, L1, and r. The incidence of tumor regression was higher in line 63 than in 72, and in reciprocal F1 crosses of these lines was of the same order of magnitude as in line 63. Progeny from F1, generation parents mated to line 63 had a higher frequency of regression than offspring from F1 generation parents mated to line 72. The frequency of regression in F2 generation offspring was intermediate between the two backcrosses. The data suggest that either a locus (or loci) other than L and B has a role in Rous tumor regression in this species or the immune response region of the B blood group-major histocompatibility complex differs in the two lines even though the serological and/or graft vs. host regions have not been shown to differ.
Laparoscopic management of page kidney.

A 15-year-old white male was found to have significant hypertension on an annual athletic physical examination conducted elsewhere. Severe hypertension was documented on several occasions, with systolic blood pressure in the 160 to 170 mm. Hg range. The patient was initially treated with oral antihypertensives unsuccessfully. Extensive workup included abdominal computerized tomography (CT), which revealed a large right subcapsular renal fluid collection with parenchymal compression (fig. 1). The patient underwent percutaneous drainage of the fluid collection, with temporary resolution of the hypertension for approximately 1 month. However, the hypertension returned, and followup CT demonstrated re-accumulation of the subcapsular renal fluid, prompting referral to our institution. Preoperative imaging consisted of renal ultrasound and captopril mercaptoacetyltriglycine renal scan. The sonogram confirmed an 11.4 5.2 3.2 cm. subcapsular anechoic mass along the right kidney consistent with a fluid collection with compression of the renal parenchyma. In addition, a linear area consistent with renal parenchymal scar from a probable previous laceration was diagnosed. The nuclear medicine scan showed slight delay and decreased perfusion of the right kidney. Laboratory studies were unremarkable except for increased peripheral renin activity. Retroperitoneoscopy using a Hasson cannula approach with balloon dilation was performed. The densely involved fibrotic external renal capsule was excised and the subcapsular fluid collection was drained (fig. 2). In addition, the fibrotic reaction compressing the normal parenchyma was incised to relieve any chronic compressive component. An argon beam laser was used to eradicate residual fibrotic scar and maintain hemostasis. Operative time was 240 minutes, blood loss was minimal and hospital stay was 43 hours. Immediately following the procedure, the patient’s blood pressure decreased to the normal range for his age. He remained normotensive off any medication during 10 months of followup. Followup ultrasound revealed a normal appearing appropriate sized kidney.
RNA Synthesis and Processing during Cytodifferentiation in Fetal Rat Pancreas

In fetal rat pancreas cytodifferentiation occurs between day 14 and day 20 of gestation and is accompanied by an exponential increase in the cellular accumulation of tissue specific proteins and an elaboration of the cellular organelles associated with their synthesis and secretion. Evaluation of RNA synthesis by [3H] uridine incorporation into trichloroacetic acid precipitable material showed that during this period the apparent rate of RNA synthesis increased 7.5 fold from 2 × 103 dpm/μg DNA/h on day 15 to 1.5 × 104 dpm/μg DNA/h on day 19; [3H] leucine uptake showed that the rate of protein synthesis increased about the same extent with the major difference being that the maximum rate of protein synthesis occurred on day 19, one day after the maximum rate of RNA synthesis. The soluble pyrimidine nucleotide pools decreased from 122 pmol/μg DNA on day 14 to 15 pmol/μg DNA on day 16 followed by an increase to 104 pmol/μg DNA on day 19; the purine nucleotide pools decreased from 367 pmol/μg DNA on day 14 to 286 pmol/μg DNA on day 16 and then increased to 635 pmol/μg DNA on day 19. These values roughly paralleled the transitions observed in the rates of RNA and protein synthesis. Agarose-acrylamide slab gel electrophoresis showed an increase in RNA synthesis and an increase in ribosomal RNA synthesis and processing with cytodifferentiation.
Skutterudites for thermoelectric applications

Thermoelectric generators and cooling devices present several advantages compared to other energy conversion technologies: they are reliable, can operate unattended in hostile environments, and are also environmentally friendly. However, their application has been limited up to now because of the relatively low conversion efficiency of traditional thermoelectric materials used in the devices. New more efficient materials are needed. A new class of semiconducting materials was identified at JPL a few years ago and the study of the properties of these materials for thermoelectric and other applications has been subject to a growing interest. Recent findings on the physical-chemical and transport properties of skutterudite materials are reviewed. Results obtained on binary compounds showed that their lattice thermal conductivity is too high to achieve high thermoelectric figures of merit. Several approaches have been recently proposed to decrease the lattice thermal conductivity of skutterudite materials. They are described and illustrated by recent experimental results. It is shown that low thermal conductivity can be achieved and high ZT values are possible for skutterudites.
Satellite L-band output multiplexer utilizing single and dual mode dielectric resonators

A four-channel, contiguous-band output multiplexer for L-band satellite applications is described. The filters feature single- and dual-mode dielectric resonators and operate at power levels up to 13 W in vacuum. The design of the multiplexer was optimized to meet different requirements for each of the filters. Excellent electrical performance in a relatively small package was obtained by use of high-performance dielectric resonators and a coaxial line combiner. >
Accessibility to residues in transmembrane segment four of the glycine receptor

Abstract Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are members of the ligand-gated ion channel superfamily. Each subunit has four transmembrane segments (TM1–TM4). Several studies suggest that amino acids in all four TMs face into a water-filled, alcohol and anesthetic binding cavity in the extracellular portion of the transmembrane domain. TM4 should contribute a “wall” to this cavity, but the residues involved are unknown. Here, we determined the ability of an alcohol analog, propyl methanethiosulfonate (propyl MTS), to covalently react with twelve GlyR TM4 positions (I401–I412) after mutating the original amino acids to cysteines. Reactivity of a cysteine with propyl MTS implies that the cysteine is exposed to water. W407C, I409C, Y410C, and K411C showed altered receptor function following reaction with propyl MTS in the presence or absence of glycine. The cysteine mutations alone eliminated the effects of ethanol for I409C, Y410C, and K411C, and reduced the effects of octanol for I409C and isoflurane for K411C. The ability of propyl MTS to reduce isoflurane and chloroform potentiation was examined in the reactive mutants. Potentiation by isoflurane was significantly reduced for I409C after reaction. These data demonstrate water-accessibility of specific TM4 positions in the GlyR and suggest involvement of these residues with alcohol and anesthetic action.
Diabetes and depression: global perspectives.

Abstract Background Diabetes and depression are highly prevalent conditions and have significant impact on health outcomes. This study reviewed the literature on the prevalence, burden of illness, morbidity, mortality, and cost of comorbid depression in people with diabetes as well as the evidence on effective treatments. Methods Systematic review of the literature on the relationship between diabetes and depression was performed. A comprehensive search of the literature was performed on Medline from 1966 to 2009. Studies that examined the association between diabetes and depression were reviewed. A formal meta-analysis was not performed because of the broad area covered and the heterogeneity of the studies. Instead, a qualitative aggregation of studies was performed. Results Diabetes and depression are debilitating conditions that are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Coexisting depression in people with diabetes is associated with decreased adherence to treatment, poor metabolic control, higher complication rates, decreased quality of life, increased healthcare use and cost, increased disability and lost productivity, and increased risk of death. Conclusion The coexistence of diabetes and depression is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare cost. Coordinated strategies for clinical care are necessary to improve clinical outcomes and reduce the burden of illness.
Some new properties of the LMS FIR-ALE

The properties of the LMS (least mean square) FIR (finite impulse response) ALE (adaptive line enhancer) when the input consists of p real sinusoids is examined. Unlike the general input case, it is shown that the convergence and sensitivity properties of this ALE are fairly good. The Wiener-Hopf solution is shown to depend only on the 2p dominant eigenvalues of the covariance matrix. This in turn is used to show that the covergence of the LMS algorithm for the zero initial condition depends only on the dominant 2p eigenvalues. It is also shown that when a filter of length L, where L>>2p, is used, the parameter sensitivity is fairly low. The low parameter sensitivity is traced to the minimum-norm characterization of the solution in the noise-free case. The minimum-norm criterion also turns out to be useful in selecting an appropriate value for the decorrelation delay delta . >
How "regular" is sentence comprehension in Broca's aphasia? It depends on how you select the patients.

Grodzinsky, Pinango, Zurif, and Drai (1999) argue that a statistical analysis of pooled sentence comprehension data from published studies of Broca's aphasic patients supports the dominance of a differential pattern of performance on active and passive voice structures. They argue that these results counter a previous study in which individual patient data from published studies were analyzed. However, Grodzinsky et al. have not carried out a true test of their hypothesis, but have biased the outcome by selecting samples for analysis that support their claims.
Cultural evolution in laboratory microsocieties including traditions of rule giving and rule following

Experiments may contribute to understanding the basic processes of cultural evolution. We drew features from previous laboratory research with small groups in which traditions arose during several generations. Groups of four participants chose by consensus between solving anagrams printed on red cards and on blue cards. Payoffs for the choices differed. After 12 min, the participant who had been in the experiment the longest was removed and replaced with a naive person. These replacements, each of which marked the end of a generation, continued for 10-15 generations, at which time the day's session ended. Time-out duration, which determined whether the group earned more by choosing red or blue, and which was fixed for a day's session, was varied across three conditions to equal 1, 2, or 3 min. The groups developed choice traditions that tended toward maximizing earnings. The stronger the dependence between choice and earnings, the stronger was the tradition. Once a choice tradition evolved, groups passed it on by instructing newcomers, using some combination of accurate information, mythology, and coercion. Among verbal traditions, frequency of mythology varied directly with strength of the choice tradition. These methods may be applied to a variety of research questions.
Weekly liposomal amphotericin B as secondary prophylaxis for invasive fungal infections in patients with hematological malignancies

There have been no published studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of weekly liposomal amphotericin B as secondary prophylaxis in leukemic patients with invasive fungal infections (IFIs). We found in a retrospective review of our experience with 14 such patients admitted from 2003–2009 that the use of this approach was associated with frequent relapse of IFIs (36%) and kidney injury (36%).
The LCA Problem Revisited

We present a very simple algorithm for the Least Common Ancestors problem. We thus dispel the frequently held notion that optimal LCA computation is unwieldy and unimplementable. Interestingly, this algorithm is a sequentialization of a previously known PRAM algorithm.
Toward a Democratic Theory for Muslim Societies: Rethinking the Relationship between Islam and Secularism across the Islam-West Divide

It is now a standard cliche that Islam does not recognize the concept of secularity. Normatively, we are told, that among the world’s religious traditions Islam is uniquely anti-modern in that it (allegedly) contains within its religious and civilizational ethos an attitude that rejects the separation of religion and politics thus making the development of liberal democracy difficult. The most influential and widely cited proponent of this thesis in the social sciences has been Bernard Lewis, the Cleveland E. Dodge Professor of Near Eastern Studies Emeritus at Princeton University. Lewis’ thesis is based on a comparative treatment of Islam and Christianity and is rooted in the claim that Islam’s problem with secularism is due “to certain profound differences in belief and experience in the two religious cultures.” This chapter seeks to provide an alternative reading to the Lewis thesis on the question of Islam and secularism. While previous critics of Lewis have argued that he has misread Islamic history, where evidence of a de facto secularity can be detected in early Muslim polities, it will be argued that Lewis has significantly misread – less the political history of Islam – and more the political history of Christendom. Jettisoning an explanation that emphasises the early religious experience of Islam/Christianity to explain the absence/rise of secularism, in this chapter the stress will be placed on the early modern period of Europe. It was during this time that political secularism – as understood today in the Anglo-American tradition – has its true origins. The central claim of this chapter is that historically, secularism did not develop in Muslim societies because unlike in Latin Christendom – Muslims never had the need to think about secularism.
Modified luminance based MSR for fast and efficient image enhancement

A luminance based multi scale retinex (LB/spl I.bar/MSR) algorithm for the enhancement of darker images is proposed in this paper. The new technique consists only the addition of the convolution results of 3 different scales. In this way, the color noise in the shadow/dark areas can be suppressed and the convolutions with different scales can be calculated simultaneously to save CPU time. Color saturation adjustment for producing more natural colors is implemented. Each spectral band can be adjusted based on the enhancement of the intensity of the band and by using a color saturation parameter. The color saturation degree can be automatically adjusted according to different types of images by compensating the original color saturation in each band. Luminance control is applied to prevent the unwanted luminance drop at the uniform luminance areas by automatically detecting the luminance drop and keeping the luminance up to certain level that is evaluated from the original image. Down-sized convolution is used for fast processing and then the result is re-sized back to the original size. Performance of the new enhancement algorithm is tested in various images captured at different lighting conditions. It is observed that the new technique outperforms the conventional MSR technique in terms of the quality of the enhanced images and computational speed.
On efficient Viterbi decoding for hidden semi-Markov models

We present algorithms for improved Viterbi decoding for the case of hidden semi-Markov models. By carefully constructing directed acyclic graphs, we pose the decoding problem as that of finding the longest path between specific pairs of nodes. We consider fully connected models as well as restrictive topologies and state duration conditions, and show that performance improves by a significant factor in all cases. Detailed algorithms as well as theoretical results related to their run times are provided.
An Approach to Programming Process Interconnections Structures: Aggregate Rewriting Graph Grammars

We describe a mechanism for generating families of process interconnection structures. Parallel programming environments that support individually programmed processor elements should allow the programmer to explicitly specify the necessary channels of communication at the level of logical abstraction of the algorithm. For highly parallel processors, the specification of this structure with traditional methods can be tedious and error-prone. Aggregate rewriting graph grammars provide a framework for describing families of regular graphs. Using this scheme, the difficulty of specifying an algorithm's communication structure is independent of its size. In addition, we note that scripts of derivation sequences generating different members of a family of structures can suggest an intra-family contracting map.
Immediate Effects of Wildfire on Stream Temperature

ABSTRACT Wildfires have an important role in many freshwater ecosystems, yet the immediate effects of wildfire are poorly documented. Stream temperatures before, during, and after a recent high-severity wildfire are presented for Deadhorse Creek, Montana, USA. The recorded peak temperature (17.2°C) occurred while the forest was burning and exceeded concurrent water temperatures in an unburned control stream by 7.8°C. Following the wildfire, daily thermal maxima exceeded unburned stream conditions but burned and unburned daily minima corresponded closely. Recorded water temperatures did not exceed thermal limits for fishes or aquatic insects but may have contributed to the chemical toxicity of the stream.