cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Severe hypernatremic dehydration and hyperkalemia in an infant with gastroenteritis secondary to rotavirus

A case of severe hypernatremic dehydration (sodium, 191 mmol/L) with associated severe hyperkalemia (potassium, 11.2 mmol/L) and hyperosmolality (502 mOsm/kg) is described in a 3-month-old infant secondary to acute infection with rotavirus. The patient was managed with IV fluid resuscitation in conjunction with intracranial pressure monitoring and was discharged well and without any permanent sequelae. Review of the literature reveals the case described to be the most profound example of hypernatremic dehydration with a favorable outcome reported from diarrheal illness. Strategies for management of hypernatremic dehydration are discussed.
Thermomechanical characterization of a TiPdNi high temperature SMA under tension

The focus of this paper is the study of tensile work characteristics and the transformation behavior of a High Temperature Shape Memory Alloy (HTSMA) by thermomechanical characterization at temperatures ranging from 200 to 500°C. In order to investigate the above issues, a nominal composition of Ti50Pd40Ni10 HTSMA was used. The alloy was fabricated using a vacuum arc melting technique. The melt was cast and hot rolled followed by cutting of tensile specimen using Electrode Discharge Machining (EDM). A high temperature experimental setup was developed on a load frame to test the material at high temperatures under constrained actuation conditions. The stability of the material response under cyclic actuation was also investigated. The observations from the tests are presented in this paper. Microprobe analysis was performed on the as-cast and rolled material to study the composition. The material was also studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy before and after testing. Certain key observations about the material response are discussed specifically, in terms of transformation behavior, recoverable strains under various applied total strains, and cyclic thermomechanical behavior.
STUDIES ON THE INDUCTION OF MUTATIONS IN BACTERIOPHAGE T4 BY ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION AND BY PROFLAVIN.

A general method for the interpretation at the molecular level of the genetic products of complex-acting mutagens is described, using ultraviolet (UV) mutagenesis of phage T4 as an example. The roles of different kinds of intracistronic suppressors in reversion is described. In attempts to modify the course of UV mutagenesis, both caffeine and photoreactivation were found not detectably to affect induced mutation rates, nor was either treatment mutagenic by itself. The mutagenicity of proflavin was shown by test with F-UdR to be independent of replication, and was also shown not to depend upon the special glucosylation of phage DNA. In experiments testing for a possible role of recombination, proflavin mutagenesis was not augmented by recombination-stimulating doses of UV. However, the induced mutants did appear to arise in recombinational heterozygotes. Induced mutant clones did not contain the two predicted products of unequal crossing-over. Possible mechanisms of proflavin mutagenesis were considered.
A survey of nebulae around Galactic Wolf-Rayet stars in the southern sky, 1

We present the second half of a charge coupled device (CCD) narrow-band imaging survey of galactic Wolf-Rayet stars located in the southern hemisphere as listed by van der Hucht et al. (1981). Images of 50 Wolf-Rayet stars were taken using a wide-field CCD and narrowband interference filters centered on H alpha and (O III) 5007 A wavelengths. The first half of the survey (Marston, Chu, & Garcia-Segura 1993, hereafter Paper I) revealed six new ring nebulae residing around Wolf-Rayet stars. Here we reveal a possible 11 new rings and the existence of multiple rings associated with two previously known nebula, RCW 118 and G2.4+1.4 and around the stars WR 16 and WR 43. Combining our results with those of Miller & Chu (1993) and Paper I, 92% of the van der Hucht catalog of Wolf-Rayet stars have now been surveyed. Of the 38 possible ring nebulae found in our surveys to date, 22 reside around WN subtype Wolf-Rayet stars, 13 around WC stars, one around a triplet of Wolf-Rayet stars and one around a WO star (WR 102). One ring exists around a WN/WC star (WR 98). A bias toward rings being observed around W-R + OB binaries is noted. Such pairings are generally bright, and the detection of a ring around them may merely be a function of their combined luminosity. Several Wolf-Rayet stars are shown to be surrounded by multiple rings (two or three) which suggests that a number of ejections of stellar material have taken place during their evolution.
Modeling packet rate covert timing channels

Covert channels provide a medium for secret communication by exploiting caveats in common networking protocols to hide information exchanges within benign activities, without being detected by unsuspecting hosts and network firewalls. This makes covert channels a significant security concern. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to develop effective and comprehensive countermeasures. In general, the more secret data capacity a covert channel provides the higher its estimated threat level is, as it diminishes the time available to detect and disrupt such activities and prevent the information exchange. Hence, determining the capacity of a covert channel is important. However, most work in capacity estimation is specifically targeted at individual algorithms only, and thus is similarly in applicability. A general mathematical model that can predict the capacity of most algorithms is a key research need for effective covert channel prevention. In this paper, we have provided a general analytical model to determine the capacity of timing-based covert channels, and verified the model with computer simulations.
A capon beamforming method for clutter suppression in colocated compressive sensing based MIMO radars

Compressive sensing (CS) based multi-input multi-output (MIMO) radar systems that explore the sparsity of targets in the target space enable either the same localization performance as traditional methods but with significantly fewer measurements, or significantly improved performance with the same number of measurements. However, the enabling assumption, i.e., the target sparsity, diminishes in the presence of clutter, since clutters is highly correlated with the desire target echoes. This paper proposes an approach to suppress clutter in the context of CS MIMO radars. Assuming that the clutter covariance is known, Capon beamforming is applied at the fusion center on compressively obtained data, which are forwarded by the receive antennas. Subsequently, the target is estimated using CS theory, by exploiting the sparsity of the beamformed signals.
Guest Editorial Special Section on the 2012 International Conference on Microelectronic Test Structures

This special section is comprised of six papers which are based on work that was presented at the 2012 International Conference on Microelectronic Test Structures, held in San Diego, CA, USA, March 19-22.
Human genes for U2 small nuclear RNA map to a major adenovirus 12 modification site on chromosome 17.

U2 RNA is one of the abundant, highly conserved species of small nuclear RNA (snRNA) molecules implicated in RNA processing1. As is typical of mammalian snRNAs, human U1 and U2 are each encoded by a multigene family. In the human genome, defective copies of the genes (pseudogenes) far outnumber the authentic genes2. The majority or all of the 35 to 100 bona fide U1 genes3–5 have at least 20 kilobases (kb) of nearly perfect 5′ and 3′ flanking homology in common with each other4,6; these U1 genes are clustered loosely in chromosome band 1p36 (refs 5, 7) with intergenic distances exceeding 44 kb. In contrast, the 10 to 20 U2 genes are clustered tightly in a virtually perfect tandem array which has a strict 6-kb repeating unit8,9. We report here the assignment, by in situ hybridization, of the U2 gene cluster to chromosome 17, bands q21–q22. Surprisingly, this region is one of three major adenovirus 12 modification sites which undergo chromosome decondensation (‘uncoiling’) in permissive human cells infected by highly oncogenic strains of adenovirus10,11. The two other major modification sites, 1p36 and 1q21, coincide with the locations of U1 genes5,7 and class I U1 pseudogenes12, respectively. We suggest that snRNA genes are the major targets of viral chromosome modification.
A radioimmune assay for human cupro-zinc superoxide dismutase and its application to erythrocytes.

Abstract A competition radioimmunoassay for human superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) is described. Radioiodinated SOD-1 is incubated with unlabeled competitor and limiting antibody, then immune complexes are isolated using Staphylococcus aureus. The assay is sensitive (detecting 5 ng enzyme) and reproducible. Average values for SOD-1 in lysates of erythrocytes from normal individuals is 854 ± 100 ng/mg hemoglobin and that of patients with trisomy-21 is 1313 ± 110 ng/mg hemoglobin.
Cation and strong co-solute effects on protein kinetic stability

Degradation of proteins is important for the operating life of biocatalysts and the shelf life of protein pharmaceuticals. We have previously found that the deactivating effects of salts on proteins can be correlated to an indicator of ion hydration, the B-viscosity coefficient of the anion in solution. Here, we test the influence of cations on protein kinetic stability by observing deactivation of mRFP (monomeric red fluorescent protein) in ammonium, caesium and chloride salt solutions, and we find that mRFP deactivation does not depend on cation hydration. We also measure mRFP deactivation in solutions containing denaturants (guanidinium chloride or urea) or stabilizing co-solutes (glycerol or sucrose) frequently encountered in many protein formulations to test whether hydration of these co-solutes can be used to indicate their relative effects on protein kinetic stability. We find that mRFP deactivation in solutions containing kosmotropic salts or stabilizers reaches a limiting rate and that hydration of denaturants is not an indicator of their denaturing strength.
Market Potential Estimation in International Markets: A Comparison of Methods

Marketers use various market potential estimation techniques in international markets. These include method of analogy, proxy indicators, chain ratio method, time series analysis, and multiple regression modeling. This study shows how demand or market potential can be estimated using these methods and compares the findings. The study should be useful to both managers and academics interested in the theory and practice of demand estimation. Although emerging markets and durables are used as examples, the methods discussed are universal and can be applied in any country market.
Natural selection, fitness entropy, and the dynamics of coevolution.

Abstract The coevolutionary dynamics of interacting populations were studied by combining continuous time Lotka-Volterra models of population growth with single-locus genetic models of weak selection. The effects of natural selection on population growth were evaluated using Ginzburg's fitness entropy function as a measure of the deviation of a population's initial allele frequencies from their polymorphic equilibrium values. This entropy measure was used to relate the dynamics of a community composed of evolving populations to the dynamics of a “reference community” whose populations are initially in genetic equilibrium. Specifically, a quantity called the “selective difference area” was defined as the total difference between the population size trajectories of a reference and evolving population. The selective difference area represents the amount of extra life a species would realize if the entire community were at genetic equilibrium. It was shown that this selective difference area is a simple linear function of the initial fitness entropies of each species. This prediction is independent of the strength of selection and holds for any arbitrary set of initial population densities. Numerical examples were presented to illustrate the results. Under the assumption of weak selection, a generalization for arbitrary population growth models was outlined.
Role of blood platelets and prostaglandins in coronary artery disease.

Abstract In the last decade, several studies evaluating blood platelet function in patients with coronary heart disease have been reported. Although several platelet function abnormalities such as enhanced platelet aggregation, decreased platelet survival and increase in platelet release reaction in the stable condition and during stress in patients with myocardial ischemia have been recognized, the mechanism of these abnormalities is just beginning to be understood. Discovery of certain platelet and endothelium-generated prostaglandins has provided some information as to the possible mechanism of platelet dysfunction. Abnormalities of prostaglandin production and platelet sensitivity to various prostaglandins may have an important bearing on the enhanced platelet aggregation In vivo, genesis of atherosclerosis and probably precipitation of acute ischemic events. Since the discovery of these prostaglandins, the precise mode of action of several commonly used platelet-active drugs has been clarified. Development of new drugs acting at selective steps in the prostaglandin pathways may provide some exciting novel therapeutic procedures in patients with coronary heart disease.
Technical discourse in defense of public virtue: Ronald Reagan's explanation of the Iran/contra affair

Contemporary political communication is marked by an evolving dialectical tension between public and technical forms of discourse. Using Ronald Reagan's explanation of the Iran/Contra arms‐for‐hostages initiative as a case study, this article explores the rhetorical uses of technical rationality and the dangers these appeals pose for public deliberation. A close reading of Reagan's March 4, 1987, Iran/Contra defense speech demonstrates that Reagan employed the Tower Commission Report's technical judgments to separate the ethical realm of the public from the nonethical realm of the technical. As a result, he was able to define the Iran/Contra affair as an instrumental problem of bureaucratic organization rather than a betrayal of the public trust. This strategy of demarcating the moral realms of agent from agency is conceptualized as both a moral dodge and an instance of what Kenneth Burke calls ironic discourse. The article concludes by contrasting Reagan's strategy with other recent political crises in w...
The kinetics of abscisic acid action on root growth and gravitropism.

Using an auxanometer and time-lapse cinematography we have studied the timing of abscisic acid (ABA) effects on elongation, gravitropic curvature, and hydrogen-ion efflux in several cultivars of maize (Zea mays L.). The effect of high concentrations (e.g. 0.1 mM) of ABA on root elongation is triphasic, including 1) a period of promotion lasting approximately 12 h, 2) a subsequent period of increasing inhibition lasting approximately 12h, and 3) gradual recovery to a rate within approximately 80% of the control rate. With lower concentrations of ABA (e.g. 0.1 μM) only the transient promotive phase is seen. Abscisic acid enhances ethylene biosynthesis in roots of maize but suppression of ethylene biosynthesis does not prevent the long-term inhibitory action of ABA on growth. Application of ABA (0.1 mM) to the upper surface of horizontally placed roots accelerates positive gravitropism. Application of ABA to the lower surface retards gravitropism and in some cases causes the roots to curve upward against the direction of gravity. These observations are consistent with our finding that the initial effect of ABA on root elongation is stimulatory. Since root gravitropism is rapid enough to be completed within the stimulatory phase of ABA action, the data argue against hypotheses of gravitropism based upon accumulation of ABA to inhibitory levels on the lower side of a hirizontal root.
Theoretical meteor radiants of Apollo, Amor, and Aten asteroids

Abstract A compilation of theoretical meteor radiants is presented for all numbered (through 2525) asteroids which approach the Earth's orbit to within 0.20 AU. On the basis of orbital similarity, asteroids associated with current meteor streams and Prairie Network fireballs are listed; plausible associations with medieval fireball radiants are also given. The best defunct comet candidates in terms of meteoric evidence appear to be 2101 Adonis and 2201 1947XC. Asteroids which may be either extinct comets or perturbed main belt asteroids accompanied by collisional debris (represented by fireballs) are 1917 Cuyo, 2202 Pele, 2061 Anza, and 2340 Hathor. 1566 Icarus and 1981 Midas are the only asteroids whose orbits approach to less than 0.07 AU of the Earth's orbit, have a northern radiant, and still show no certain meteoric activity. The majority of Atens, Apollos, and Amors do not pass sufficiently close (
Metabolic engineering of strains: from industrial-scale to lab-scale chemical production.

A plethora of successful metabolic engineering case studies have been published over the past several decades. Here, we highlight a collection of microbially produced chemicals using a historical framework, starting with titers ranging from industrial scale (more than 50 g/L), to medium-scale (5–50 g/L), and lab-scale (0–5 g/L). Although engineered Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae emerge as prominent hosts in the literature as a result of well-developed genetic engineering tools, several novel native-producing strains are gaining attention. This review catalogs the current progress of metabolic engineering towards production of compounds such as acids, alcohols, amino acids, natural organic compounds, and others.
Sulfate incorporation into peripheral nerve endoneurial glycolipids after crush and permanent transection injury.

The sulfation of peripheral nerve glycolipids was examined at 35 days after both crush injury or permanent transection of the adult rat sciatic nerve by in vitro incorporation of [35S]sulfate into endoneurial slices. These experimental models of neuropathy are characterized by the presence and absence of both axonal regeneration and subsequent myelin assembly. Although the sulfo-glucuronosyl glycosphingolipids (SGGLs) were not detected by α-napthol reagent after HPTLC separation of the total acidic lipid extract, fluorographic analysis after sulfate incorporation revealed a 4.7-fold increase in [35S]sulfate in the sulfo-glucuronosyl paragloboside (SGPG) and a 3.5-fold increase in the sulfo-glucuronosyl-lactosaminosyl paragloboside (SGLPG) after the crush injury compared to permanent transection. These [35S]sulfate-labeled lipids were identified by comigration after HPTLC separation by immunostaining with specific IgM monoclonal antibodies from a patient with de-myelinating neuropathy and plasma cell dyscrasia. Enhanced incorporation of sulfate in the crushed nerves was also observed in the sulfatides and in several unknown lipids migrating between GM2 and GM3, between GM1 and GM2, slightly above the origin, and at the origin. Since previous studies (Yao and Poduslo: J Neurochem 50:630–638, 1988) have shown [35S]sulfate incorporation, but not [3H]Gal or [3H]Glc, into sulfatides at 35 days after transection, it is possible that the sulfation observed in the present studies does not represent de novo biosynthesis but rather sulfation of an endogenous pool of glycolipids that results from the nerve injury. The present data suggest that the sulfation reaction for SGGL α biosynthesis is enhanced during axonal regeneration and remyelination; however, the reduced level of incorporation after transection injury, which contains approximately 90% Schwann cells at 35 days post-transection, suggests that lower concentrations of the SGGLs may also be present in Schwann cell-related membranes.
Schottky barrier height systematics studied by partisan interlayer

Abstract The ability of the “partisan interlayer” technique in adjusting the Schottky barrier height (SBH), through the insertion of an atomic interlayer preferentially bonded to the semiconductor side of a metal–semiconductor interface, was systematically studied in the present work, focusing on the systematic trends, e.g., the variation of electron affinity shift with the species of adsorbate atoms, the variation of SBH on a specific adsorbate-terminated semiconductor (ATS) surface with metal work function, and the variation of SBH on different ATS surfaces with respect to a specific choice of metal, etc. A general conclusion is drawn, emphasizing the validity and the overall effectiveness of the “partisan interlayer” technique.
Nodal and paranodal structural changes in frog optic nerve during early Wallerian degeneration.

Ultrastructural changes in the nodal and paranodal regions of myelinated nerve fibres of frog optic nerves were studied during early stages of Wallerian degeneration. The earliest changes seen include retraction of paranodal loops of myelin from the axolemma and disconnection of paranodal myelin loops from myelin lamellae. These paranodal changes are asymmetric around the node and may be more advanced on either the proximal or distal side. Axoplasmic changes, including segregation of microtubules from neurofilaments, disorientation of microtubules and accumulation of abnormal organelles at nodes, appear shortly. In some axons the ‘undercoating’ along the widened nodal surfaces becomes patchy, and blebs appear in the nodal axolemma. In freeze-fracture replicas a mixture of particle clusters and particle-free areas appears in both E- and P-faces of the nodal axolemma. Blebs remain particle free. Initially, E-face particles remain segregated to the node and are present only at much lower concentrations in the demyelinated paranodal axolemma, suggesting that they are not freely mobile at this stage. Nodal E-face particles begin to decrease on day 5 associated with an increase in particles at the adjacent demyelinated paranode, and by day 11 the particle distribution is uniformly low over the entire extent of the nodal and demyelinated paranodal axolemma. If nodal E-face particles represent sodium channels, as has been proposed, the sequence of changes in Wallerian degeneration would be compatible with a gradual redistribution of nodal sodium channels into the demyelinated paranode.
Genetic factors in systemic sclerosis

A number of genetic loci have been identified that appear to be associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma). There is mounting evidence suggesting that these genetic associations may in fact be associated with distinct phenotypes in SSc based on autoantibody pattern rather than with SSc as a single disease entity. This may ultimately have implications for approaches to therapy as well as responses to therapy. The most promising candidate genes are those involved in pathways that lead to the vascular damage and fibrosis that are the hallmarks of this disease. There is uncertainty, however, regarding the nature of the key pathological mechanisms that link these two disease processes. Recent studies have focused on Fli1 (friend leukaemia integration 1), a transcription factor that is found in immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells that regulates collagen gene function and angiogenesis. Fli1 is dysregulated in SSc skin and dermal blood vessels, and appears to play a pathological role in SSc skin fibrosis and vessel degeneration. Whether this dysregulation is due to genetic polymorphisms in the Fli1 pathway or to epigenetic mechanisms is not clear.
Boundaryless and traditional contingent employees: worlds apart

Summary We find support for distinguishing between two types of contingent workers: boundaryless and traditional. The existence of these two types helps explain the conflicting views about contingent work in the literature. Using hierarchical cluster and multivariate analysis on a national survey of 614, and a regional sample of 276 temporary employees, we also find that these two types exhibit different work attitudes and behaviors. What distinguishes boundaryless temporaries from others is their preference for temporary work and level of skill and experience. Results also show that the performance of traditional temporaries is more sensitive to attitudes than boundaryless temporaries. After controlling for level of work satisfaction, traditional temporaries reported higher task and contextual performance. We discuss the implications of these findings for theory development, organization practice and public policy. Copyright # 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developing sustainable institutions: Lessons from cross-case analysis of 24 agricultural extension programmes

The building or reform of agricultural extension institutions has received considerable attention over the past 15 years, promoted principally by the World Bank and its training and visit (T&V) approach. Many of these institutional development projects have now been completed, allowing cross-case analysis of the experiences and outcomes. Given the relatively similar objectives and institutional improvement strategies adopted, and the dissimilarities in the eventual performance and institutional vitality of the target organizations, these experiences provide a useful set of cases in which to examine the dynamics of institutions performance and sustainability. This article examines 24 completed extension development projects in the light of an institutional sustainability framework that defines sustainability as the ability of an institution to produce outputs that are sufficiently in demand for enough inputs to be supplied to continue production at a steady or growing rate. Findings from the application of the framework highlight the importance of internal and external stakeholder support, the importance of early success in generating support, the need for both organizational action and learning in varying degrees depending on the situation, and the need to have a coherent strategy that matches the institution's internal capabilities and external environment.
Lp [-1, 1] Approximation by Algebraic Polynomials

A characterization of the classical Lipschitz spaces in LP [-1, 1] through approximation by algebraic polynomials is still not known for 1 ≤ p < ∞. We show by examples that the characterization suggested from the L∞ case is not valid for p < ∞. We also state some results of a more positive nature which give estimates for weighted approximation by algebraic polynomials in LP [-1, 1] 1 ≤ p < ∞.
Energy Recovery LINAC; a Next Generation Source for Inelastic X-ray Scattering

The Energy Recovery LINAC (ERL) being developed at Cornell should be an excellent source for Inelastic X-ray Scattering (IXS) because it will permit long undulators to operate at high efficiency generating unprecedented spectral flux (photons/second/meV) and brilliance. We discuss several advantages of the ERL for IXS experimentation.
Wavelet transforms for detecting microcalcifications in mammograms

Clusters of fine, granular microcalcifications in mammograms may be an early sign of disease. Individual grains are difficult to detect and segment due to size and shape variability and because the background mammogram texture is typically inhomogeneous. The authors develop a 2-stage method based on wavelet transforms for detecting and segmenting calcifications. The first stage is based on an undecimated wavelet transform, which is simply the conventional filter bank implementation without downsampling, so that the low-low (LL), low-high (LH), high-low (HL), and high-high (HH) sub-bands remain at full size. Detection takes place in HH and the combination LH+HL. Four octaves are computed with 2 inter-octave voices for finer scale resolution. By appropriate selection of the wavelet basis the detection of microcalcifications in the relevant size range can be nearly optimized. In fact, the filters which transform the input image into HH and LH+HL are closely related to prewhitening matched filters for detecting Gaussian objects (idealized microcalcifications) in 2 common forms of Markov (background) noise. The second stage is designed to overcome the limitations of the simplistic Gaussian assumption and provides an accurate segmentation of calcification boundaries. Detected pixel sites in HH and LH+HL are dilated then weighted before computing the inverse wavelet transform. Individual microcalcifications are greatly enhanced in the output image, to the point where straightforward thresholding can be applied to segment them. FROG curves are computed from tests using a freely distributed database of digitized mammograms.
A self-adapting distributed memory package for fast signal transforms

Summary form only given. We present a self-adapting distributed memory package for computing the Walsh-Hadamard transform (WHT), a prototypical fast signal transform, similar to the fast Fourier transform. A family of distributed memory algorithms are derived from different factorizations of the WHT matrix. Different factorizations correspond to different data distributions and communication patterns. Thus, searching over the space of factorizations leads to the best data distribution and communication pattern for a given platform. The distributed memory WHT package provides a framework for converting factorizations of the WHT matrix into MPl programs and exploring their performance by searching the space of factorizations.
Thin-Layer Spectroelectrochemistry on an Aqueous Microdrop

In this paper, we report a technique for conducting spectroelectrochemistry on an aqueous micro-drop containing an analyte in a bulk electrolysis system, as an easy, rapid and economic way of investigating spectroelectrochemical behavior and correlating spectroscopic properties with thermodynamic potentials on a small scale. The chemical systems used to demonstrate the aqueous micro-drop technique are an absorbance based molecular probe [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- and an emission based molecular probe [Re(dmpe)3]2+/+ . These chemical systems in a micro-drop are evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, UV-visable absorbance spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectrometry.
The protective effect of recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor on radiation-induced pulmonary toxicity in rats.

Purpose Radiation-induced lung toxicity is a significant dose-limiting side effect of radiotherapy for thoracic tumors. Recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor (rHuKGF) has been shown to be a mitogen for type II pneumocytes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether rHuKGF prevents or ameliorates the severity of late lung damage from fractionated irradiation in a rat model. Methods and materials Female Fisher 344 rats were irradiated to the right hemithorax with a dose of 40 Gy/5 fractions/5 days. rHuKGF at dose of 5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg was given via a single intravenous injection 10 min after the last fraction of irradiation. Animals were followed for 6 months after irradiation. Results The breathing rate increased beginning at 6 weeks and reached a peak at 14 weeks after irradiation. The average breathing frequencies in the irradiated groups with rHuKGF (5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg) treatment were significantly lower than that in the group receiving radiation without rHuKGF (116.5 ± 1.0 and 115.2 ± 0.8 vs 123.5 ± 1.2 breaths/min, p Conclusions This study is the first to demonstrate that rHuKGF treatment immediately after irradiation protects against late radiation-induced pulmonary toxicity. These results suggest that restoration of the integrity of the pulmonary epithelium via rHuKGF stimulation may downregulate the TGF-β–mediated fibrosis pathway. These data also support the use of rHuKGF in a clinical trial designed to prevent radiation-induced lung injury.
The impact of housing first and peer support on people who are medically vulnerable and homeless.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a local initiative, Project H3, which used housing first, harm reduction, and peer support models to provide housing for 47 homeless people who were medically vulnerable. Method: Comparisons of interviews with participants who were housed at the day of their move-in, and 6-months and 12-months after their move-in, were conducted. Results: Ninety-eight percent of the participants remained in housing after 12 months. Individuals who were housed reported significant increases in their access to and utilization of planned health care services and quality of life, and reductions in their involvement in the criminal justice system. Conclusion and Implications for Practice: Housing first, harm reduction, and peer support models demonstrate effectiveness in decreasing substance use and improving the quality of life of people who are homeless over time.
Presence of Arp Specifically Contributes to Joint Tissue Edema Associated with Early-Onset Lyme Arthritis

Antiserum to the Borrelia burgdorferi arthritis-related protein, Arp, has been shown to prevent or reduce arthritis in immunodeficient mice. To directly investigate the requirement for this lipoprotein in the generation of Lyme arthritis, we utilized targeted deletion to generate a B. burgdorferi clone that lacked only the arp gene locus. Infection of Lyme disease-susceptible C3H/HeN mice with the arp deletion mutant demonstrated significantly reduced tibiotarsal joint swelling during the first 6 weeks of infection compared to a wild-type control. The severity of joint swelling was restored to wild-type levels in mice infected with an arp mutant clone complemented in cis. Interestingly, the reduced swelling of joint tissues exhibited by mice infected with the arp deletion mutant did not directly correspond to reduced underlying arthritis. Histopathology data at 2 weeks postinfection showed some reduction in arthritis severity caused by the arp mutant clone; however, by 8 weeks, no significant difference was observed between joint tissues infected by the wild-type or arp mutant clones. The spirochete load in the joint tissues of mice infected with the arp mutant was found to be greater than that exhibited by the wild-type control. Our findings demonstrate that this lipoprotein contributes to the generation of early-onset joint swelling and suggests that arp expression has a negative secondary effect on total spirochete numbers in joint tissues.
Preparation of cholesterol‐25‐3H

The synthesis of cholesterol-25-3H (9) described here starts with the readily available 3β-hydroxy-δ5-cholenic acid (1). The acetate of this acid was converted to the next higher homolog by the Arndt-Eistert method. Grignard reaction with methyl iodide gave 25-hydroxycholesterol (6), which was then brominated. Tritium was finally introduced by treating the 25-bromocholesterol (8) with LiAl3H4.
Midfoot Amputations Expand Limb Salvage Rates for Diabetic Foot Infections

The persistent high incidence of limb loss resulting from advanced forefoot tissue loss and infection in diabetic patients prompted an evaluation of transmetatarsal (TMA) and transtarsal/midfoot amputations in achieving foot salvage at our tertiary vascular practice. Over the last 8 years, 74 diabetic patients required 77 TMAs for tissue loss and/or infection. Twelve (16%) of the patients had a contralateral below-knee amputation (BKA) and 26% (n = 20) had dialysis-dependent renal failure. Thirty-five (45%) limbs had concomitant revascularization (bypass grafting or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty), 32 (42%) had arterial occlusive disease by noninvasive testing and/or arteriography but were not or could not be revascularized, and seven (13%) had normal hemodynamics. Patient factors, arterial testing, operative complications, operative mortality ( 100 mm Hg and a biphasic pedal waveform had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 79%, and toe pressure >50 mm Hg had a PPV of 91% for determining healing of TMA/midfoot amputations. One- and 3-year survival rates were only 72% and 69% for the entire cohort from life table estimates. Aggressive attempts at foot salvage are justified in diabetic patients with advanced forefoot tissue loss/infection after assuring adequate arterial perfusion. Transtarsal amputations salvaged over half of nonhealing TMAs with excellent functional results.
The spatial gradient of visual masking by object substitution

A mask that has a common onset but delayed offset with the target produces substitution masking, which can be distinguished from pattern masking and metacontrast masking. This study tests the spatial properties of substitution masking: specificity to the target location and asymmetry to the central and the peripheral sides of the target. Results revealed that substitution declined gradually as the mask moved away from the target. Masking was stronger and its gradient declined more slowly as the eccentricity of the target increased. Substitution was asymmetric, stronger for peripheral than central masks. Results are consistent with a refined model of object substitution based on reentrant visual processing.
NMR assignments of the N-terminal domain of Nephila clavipes spidroin 1

The building blocks of spider dragline silk are two fibrous proteins secreted from the major ampullate gland named spidroins 1 and 2 (MaSp1, MaSp2). These proteins consist of a large central domain composed of approximately 100 tandem copies of a 35–40 amino acid repeat sequence. Non-repetitive N and C-terminal domains, of which the C-terminal domain has been implicated to transition from soluble and insoluble states during spinning, flank the repetitive core. The N-terminal domain until recently has been largely unknown due to difficulties in cloning and expression. Here, we report nearly complete assignment for all 1H, 13C, and 15N resonances in the 14 kDa N-terminal domain of major ampullate spidroin 1 (MaSp1-N) of the golden orb-web spider Nephila clavipes.
Noncoherent multiuser detection for CDMA systems with nonlinear modulation: a non-Bayesian approach

This paper considers the problem of multiuser detection for a system in which each user employs nonlinear modulation, with an emphasis on noncoherent detection techniques which do not require knowledge of the users' channel parameters at the receiver. Our goals are to gain fundamental insight into the capabilities of multiuser detection in such a setting, and to provide practical algorithms that perform better than conventional matched-filter reception. We begin by providing fundamental performance benchmarks by considering coherent maximum-likelihood (ML) detection, which requires knowledge of the users' channel parameters, as well as noncoherent detection, formulated in a non-Bayesian generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) framework. The asymptotic performance of each detector, as the noise level vanishes, is characterized, yielding simple geometric criteria for near-far resistance. In general, both the ML and GLRT detectors have complexity which is exponential in the number of users. We, therefore, propose the more practical sequential decision projection (SDP) detector which has complexity which is quadratic in the number of users. It is shown that the SDP detector has nonzero asymptotic efficiency if the users' powers are suitably disparate.
What Are the Brain Mechanisms on Which Psychological Processes Are Based

That the human brain is the organ of the mind is not in dispute, but we know remarkably little about the brain mechanisms underlying the mind. What are the functional structures and computational processes of the human brain that subserve cognition, emotion, and behavior? Given the complexity of the human brain, progress in understanding the functional organization and structure of the human brain depends on sophisticated theoretical specifications of the psychological representations and processes that differentiate two or more comparison conditions. Psychological scientists, therefore, are well positioned to lead the search for brain mechanisms underlying psychological processes. Doing so constitutes an expansion of the purview of psychological science beyond a science of behavior, and beyond a science of the mind, to include a science of the brain. Such an expansion of the mission of psychological science has implications for the infrastructure and training needs of the discipline.
Homeostatic balance between dorsal and cactus proteins in the Drosophila embryo

The maternal-effect gene dorsal encodes the ventral morphogen that is essential for elaboration of ventral and ventrolateral fates in the Drosophila embryo. Dorsal belongs to the rel family of transcription factors and controls asymmetric expression of zygotic genes along the dorsoventral axis. The dorsal protein is cytoplasmic in early embryos, possibly because of a direct interaction with cactus. In response to a ventral signal, dorsal protein becomes partitioned into nuclei of cleavage-stage syncytial blastoderms such that the ventral nuclei have the maximum amount of dorsal protein, and the lateral and dorsal nuclei have progressively less protein. Here we show that transgenic flies containing the dorsal cDNA, which is driven by the constitutively active hsp83 promoter, exhibits rescue of the dorsal- phenotype. Transformed lines were used to increase the level of dorsal protein. Females with dorsal levels roughly twice that of wild-type produced normal embryos, while a higher level of dorsal protein resulted in phenotypes similar to those observed for loss-of-function cactus mutations. By manipulating the cactus gene dose, we found that in contrast to a dorsal/cactus ratio of 2.5 which resulted in fully penetrant weak ventralization, a cactus/dorsal ratio of 3.0 was acceptable by the system. By manipulating dorsal levels in different cactus and dorsal group mutant backgrounds, we found that the relative amounts of ventral signal to that of the dorsal-cactus complex is important for the elaboration of the normal dorsoventral pattern. We propose that in a wild-type embryo, the activities of dorsal and cactus are not independently regulated; excess cactus activity is deployed only if a higher level of dorsal protein is available. Based on these results we discuss how the ventral signal interacts with the dorsal-cactus complex, thus forming a gradient of nuclear dorsal protein.
Differential game analysis using projections of the playable set

The authors show that one need not sacrifice dimensional realism in order to apply game-theoretic methods based on the playability maximum principle. For systems of higher dimension a playable set projection estimation method is presented which provides an efficient procedure for approximating game barrier solutions for many dynamical systems. The estimation method is applied here to a missile-avoidance problem, using zero-, first-, and second-order dynamic response assumptions for the projectile. The results are compared to previously published full three-dimensional analyses of the problem. The findings from this study suggest that the projection estimation method has a wide range of applications. >
L-arginine administration normalizes pressure natriuresis in hypertensive Dahl rats.

A blunted pressure-natriuretic response characterizes hypertension in the Dahl salt-sensitive rat. Long-term L-arginine administration prevents hypertension in these animals. To determine if long-term L-arginine corrects the pressure-natriuretic response, we gave salt-sensitive rats on an 8% sodium diet L-arginine or vehicle daily for 3 weeks. Identically treated salt-resistant rats served as controls. After 3 weeks, acute pressure-natriuresis curves were determined. To control for hypertension-induced renal damage, we also examined pressure natriuresis in salt-sensitive rats after short-term L-arginine. Baseline mean arterial pressure was 158 +/- 3 mm Hg in vehicle-treated salt-sensitive rats and 127 +/- 3 mm Hg in chronically L-arginine-treated salt-sensitive rats. During alterations in perfusion pressure, renal blood flow was autoregulated in all groups. Glomerular filtration rate was autoregulated in salt-resistant rats and L-arginine-treated salt-sensitive rats but fell with decreasing pressure in vehicle-treated salt-sensitive rats. Sodium excretion was greater (P < .05) in L-arginine-treated than in vehicle-treated salt-sensitive rats and did not differ from salt-resistant rats at 100, 125, and 158 mm Hg. The slope of the pressure-natriuresis relation was greater (P < .05) in chronically L-arginine-treated than in vehicle-treated salt-sensitive rats. L-Arginine had no effect on natriuresis in salt-resistant rats. Thus, long-term L-arginine administration normalizes pressure-natriuretic responses in salt-sensitive rats. The effect is not due to the prevention of renal damage and is specific to the salt-sensitive strain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Factors that govern the performance of thermal interface materials

Finite element modeling is conducted to understand the factors that govern the performance of thermal interface pastes of controlled thickness between copper surfaces of controlled roughness. Carbon black paste is lower in thickness than metal particle paste, so it shows better performance. The performance of both pastes is more influenced by the paste-copper interfacial conductance than by the paste thermal conductivity. The effects of pressure, paste thickness, and copper surface roughness on performance are mainly due to the change in fractional filling of the valleys in the copper surface topography. Reasonable agreement is found between modeling and experimental results.
Embolization of blood vessels as a cancer therapy using magnetorheological fluids

This paper demonstrates a possible in vitro cancer therapy by mechanically blocking the blood vessels to a tumor through injecting a model magnetorheological (MR) fluid and applying an external magnetic field. The biocompatible MR fluid is made of magnetite particles coated with starch and suspended in either water or sheep blood. Two particle sizes of 1.0 and 0.25 pm are used. A simple blood network consists of four branches of blood vessels made of silicone tubes of 0.4 mm in diameter. One of the branches contains a tumor made of a cylindrical cavity with a diameter of either 3.0 or 5.0 mm to simulate stage II or III tumors. The cavity is connected with either two or four vessels to the rest of the branch and is placed between two magnetic poles. By measuring the weight of the leaking fluid downstream from the magnets, the sealing quality is monitored. A dilute MR fluid (1.0% particle volume fraction) is pumped slowly through the network. As the fluid goes through the cavity, seals form within seconds after a magnetic field (0.43-0.62T) is turned on. They block the fluid flow to the tumor. With sheep blood as the suspension medium, both size of magnetite particles form a good quality seal for the 3 mm cavity. Thus, a mechanical method for stopping blood flow is demonstrated in a multi-tube blood network for stage II tumor.