cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Striatal Local Circuitry: A New Framework for Lateral Inhibition

This Perspective will examine the organization of intrastriatal circuitry, review recent findings in this area, and discuss how the pattern of connectivity between striatal neurons might give rise to the behaviorally observed synergism between the direct/indirect pathway neurons. The emphasis of this Perspective is on the underappreciated role of lateral inhibition between striatal projection cells in controlling neuronal firing and shaping the output of this circuit. We review some classic studies in combination with more recent anatomical and functional findings to lay out a framework for an updated model of the intrastriatal lateral inhibition, where we explore its contribution to the formation of functional units of processing and the integration and filtering of inputs to generate motor patterns and learned behaviors.
Abstract TMP29: Type II Diabetes Induces an Early Decline of Neurogenesis With Increased Morphological Alteration in Neuroblasts

Introduction: Diabetes increases the severity of stroke outcome and impairs the capacity for neuroplasticity. Evidence suggests that neurogenesis, a mechanism of neuroplasticity, is induced after experimental stroke, although how it is confounded by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or aging remains to be clarified. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that T2DM exacerbates age-associated reduction in neurogenesis. Methods: Experimental stroke was induced by distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO) in young (11-13 weeks-old, n=12) and middle-aged (53-75 weeks-old, n=50) db/+ or db/db mice, as well as in db/+ mice of old age (99-124 weeks-old, n=30). Thymidine analog 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine-5′(BrdU) was administered i.p. at 50 mg/kg twice daily from days 4-7 after dMCAO to label proliferating cells. Mice were euthanized 28 days after dMCAO and their brain tissue was processed for immunohistochemistry for BrdU and markers of neuronal or glial lineages. Results: A significant reduction in the number of DG neurobl...
Theoretical Chemistry Answers Bimolecular Signaling Debate in [4Fe4S] Proteins

In this issue of Chem, Migliore and co-workers performed a theoretical study on redox signaling between the [4Fe4S] clusters in the C-terminal domain of DNA primase and polymerase α. They found that redox signaling cannot be accomplished solely via DNA-mediated charge transport, which requires [4Fe4S]-to-DNA and DNA-to-[4Fe4S] charge transfer.
Bridging known and new: Inquiry and intersubjectivity in parent-child interactions

Abstract Sociocultural analyses of children's learning encompass their complex interactions with adults and others during joint participation in everyday activities. The study aim was to analyze the relationship between inquiry, intersubjectivity, and bridges. Intersubjectivity is a process of meaning-making through collaboration and communication. Parents reference shared experiences with young children in order to connect or “bridge” known and new information. Through a case study analysis of four families' interactions in two games performed together at home, we addressed the question, “How do parents and children co-construct meaning and knowledge during joint participation in challenging activities?” Findings revealed that parents used bridges as cognitive strategies to support young children's complex inquiry processes such as comparing and predicting. Through bridging, parents and children co-created knowledge within the child's zone of proximal development. Bridging fostered intersubjectivity by establishing a mutual focus of attention, shared emotions, and connections to a larger community of family and friends. The case study results highlight the importance of studying collaborative interactions to understand how meaning-making and knowledge construction occur during children's participation in everyday activities with parents.
Targeted Therapy in Advanced Bladder Cancer: What Have We Learned?

Despite advances in the treatment of other genitourinary malignancies, no novel therapies have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for urothelial carcinoma (UC) in the last 20 years. To date, no clinical trials of targeted agents in UC have led to improvements in survival compared with cytotoxic therapy. This article outlines representative trials of targeted therapies in UC and discusses the significance of genetic preselection in trial design as a method to optimize responses to these agents, thus, hopefully expanding the armamentarium of treatment options against this lethal disease.
Histamine and Serotonin

Histamine is an endogenous substance which is widely distributed in mammalian tissues. Although it has long been known to have potent biological actions, its role in various physiological and pathological phenomena has escaped precise definition. The strongest case can probably be made for its participation as a chemical mediator in inflammatory reactions. This chapter will review aspects of the structure and function of histamine which relate to its role as a mediator of inflammation. More extensive information is available in a number or books and monographs dealing with histamine and inflammation (Wolstenholme and O’Connor, 1955; Rocha e Silva, 1955, 1966; Spector and Willoughby, 1968; Kahlson and Rosengren, 1971; Zweifach et al., 1973).
Helicobacter pylori biofilm cells are metabolically distinct, express flagella, and antibiotic tolerant

ABSTRACT Biofilm growth protects bacteria against harsh environments, antimicrobials, and immune responses. Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that has a robust ability to maintain colonization in a challenging environment. Over the last decade, H. pylori biofilm formation has begun to be characterized, however, there are still gaps in our understanding about how this growth mode is defined and its impact on H. pylori physiology. To provide insights into H. pylori biofilm growth properties, we characterized the antibiotic susceptibility, gene expression, and genes required for biofilm formation of a strong biofilm-producing H. pylori. H. pylori biofilms developed complex 3D structures and were recalcitrant to multiple antibiotics. Disruption of the protein-based matrix decreased this antibiotic tolerance. Using both transcriptomic and genomic approaches, we discovered that biofilm cells demonstrated lower transcripts for TCA cycle enzymes but higher ones for hydrogenase and acetone metabolism. Interestingly, several genes encoding for the natural competence Type IV secretion system 4 (tfs4) were up-regulated during biofilm formation along with several genes encoding for restriction-modification (R-M) systems, suggesting DNA exchange activities in this mode of growth. Flagella genes were also discovered through both approaches, consistent with previous reports about the importance of these filaments in H. pylori biofilm. Together, these data suggest that H. pylori is capable of adjusting its phenotype when grown as biofilm, changing its metabolism and elevating specific surface proteins including those encoding tfs4 and flagella.
Design of a Gain-Boosted Amplifier for Differential Bottom-Plate Sampling in 0.13-μm CMOS

In this paper, systematic design of a fully differential Gain-Boosted telescopic amplifier is presented. The main amplifier uses two separate Folded-Telescopic amplifiers to boost the gain. Limited output voltage swing is overcome through the use of second-stage Adaptive Biasing (AB) amplifiers with high current drive capability. The complete Gain-Boosted amplifier is used in a Differential Bottom-Plate Sample and Hold (SH) circuit where a Bootstrap circuit is employed on the sampling switches to overcome the voltage headroom limitations. The complete design is implemented in IBM 1.2V 0.13-$\mu m$ technology. Simulations show that the Gain-Boosted amplifier achieves 108dB of gain with only 0.5mW of power consumption. The SH circuit can operate at 1 Mega Samples (MS) per second for input signal amplitudes of 500mV.
Seawater—A test of multicomponent electrolyte solution theories. I. The apparent equivalent volume, expansibility, and compressibility of artificial seawater

The apparent equivalent volume ΦV, expansibility ΦE, and compressibility ΦK of an artificial seawater solution containing10 ionic components (Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Sr2+, Cl−, SO 4 2− , HCO 3 − , Br−, and F−) and one nonionic component (H3BO3) has been determined from0 to40°C (in5° intervals) and from0.1 to0.8 m ionic strength at1 atm. The concentration dependence (Iv=volume ionic strength) of the ΦV's, ΦE's, and ΦK's have been examined by using a Masson-type equation, Φ = Φ° +S'I V 1/2, and a Redlich-type equation, Φ = Φ° +SI V 1/2 +BI V, where Φ° is the infinite-dilution value, S′ is the empirical Masson slope, S is the theoretical Debye-Huckel slope, and B is an empirical deviation constant. By using Young's rule, Φ = ∑Eiφ(i), the apparent equivalent volumes, expansibilities, and compressibilities for “sea salt” have been estimated from the ionic and nonionic components making up the mixture. The estimated apparent molal quantities agree very well with the directly measured values providing the concentration terms, S i ′ and Bi, are weighted according to the methods of Wood and Reilly.
Lack of discreet colocalization of epithelial apoptosis to the atretic precursor in the colon of the Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2IIIb mouse and staining consistent with cellular movement suggest a revised model of atresia formation

BACKGROUND Colonic atresias in the Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2IIIb (Fgfr2IIIb) mouse model have been attributed to increased epithelial apoptosis and decreased epithelial proliferation at embryonic day (E) 10.5. We therefore hypothesized that these processes would colocalize to the distal colon where atresias occur (atretic precursor) and would be excluded or minimized from the proximal colon and small intestine. RESULTS We observed a global increase in intestinal epithelial apoptosis in Fgfr2IIIb -/- intestines from E9.5 to E10.5 that did not colocalize to the atretic precursor. Additionally, epithelial proliferations rates in Fgfr2IIIb -/- intestines were statistically indistinguishable to that of controls at E10.5 and E11.5. At E11.5 distal colonic epithelial cells in mutants failed to assume the expected pseudostratified columnar architecture and the continuity of the adjacent basal lamina was disrupted. Individual E-cadherin-positive cells were observed in the colonic mesenchyme. CONCLUSIONS Our observations suggest that alterations in proliferation and apoptosis alone are insufficient to account for intestinal atresias and that these defects may arise from both a failure of distal colonic epithelial cells to develop normally and local disruptions in basal lamina architecture.
Number of Embryos Transferred and Diagnosis of Preeclampsia

Multiple births and first pregnancy are associated with higher preeclampsia risk. It is unknown if the transfer of multiple embryos or first embryo transfer with assisted reproductive technology (ART) is also associated with greater preeclampsia risk. We performed a retrospective cohort study of IVF clinics and hospitals in Massachusetts. We used linked ART surveillance, birth certificate, and maternal hospitalization discharge data for 21,188 births, considering resident singleton (12,810) and twin (8378) live-births from autologous or donor eggs from 2005 to 2012. We used log binomial and Poisson regression to calculate adjusted relative risks (aRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between preeclampsia and predictors of preeclampsia. Outcomes were stratified by singleton and twin birth, donor versus autologous cycles, and use of fresh versus cryopreserved embryos. Considering all singleton births, the transfer of multiple embryos increased the risk of preeclampsia [aRR = 1.10 (95% CI: 1.01–1.19)]. Relative risks were greatest for fresh non-donor cycles [aRR = 1.14 (95% CI: 1.03–1.26)]. Vanishing twin and number of prior ART cycles was not associated with preeclampsia among singleton births [aRR = 1.18 (95% CI: 0.91–1.53)], and aRR = 1.01 (95% CI: 0.96–1.05)], respectively. Considering all twin births, the transfer of > 2 embryos increased the risk of preeclampsia [aRR = 1.09 (95% CI: 1.001–1.19)]. Vanishing triplet and number of prior ART cycles were not associated with preeclampsia among twin births [aRR = 0.93 (95% CI: 0.69–1264), and aRR = 0.98 (CI: 0.95–1.02)], respectively. Among ART births, the transfer of more than 1 embryo for singleton gestations and more than 2 embryos for twin gestations increased the risk for preeclampsia diagnosis.
Essential E-Learning Methods for Evolving Anatomy Laboratories

Computer-based e-learning has also become an integral part of running anatomy laboratories, virtually independent of type of curriculum, from undergraduate through medical, health sciences pre- and postgraduate levels of education. While classical twentieth-century medical anatomy teaching favored regional lectures accompanied by multi-hour cadaver dissection laboratories, progressive twenty-first-century health sciences curricular reforms have reduced, substituted, or eliminated legacy didactics. This has concentrated teaching contact hours in streamlined laboratories that must integrate use of cadavers, specimens, models, clinical imaging, and software in a way appropriate to specific curricula. We set practical e-learning methods in the context of different types and levels of undergraduate and health sciences curricula, showing methods and tools for producing resources to suit multiple ongoing laboratory learning activities. The current state of virtual anatomy software is assessed, and we illustrate new combined applications of 3D modeling for interactive software and accompanying 3D-printed physical anatomical models.
Plastic Surgery Innovation Through War, Disaster and Pandemic

Introduction and Objectives: Mass casualties from modern warfare in World War I and advancements in medicine resulted in survivors with deformities. The field of Plastic Surgery developed from a need to reconstruct soft tissue injuries in these soldiers. Wars and disasters provide unique situations which push the development of new techniques that impact the field. The objective of this work was to identify innovations in plastic surgery that emerged from disasters. Project Methods: The PubMed and Ovid databases were searched for articles documenting origination of plastic surgery ideas during a disaster with the terms “disaster”, “war”, “plastic”, “burn”, “terror”, and/or “novel”. Types of disasters considered include: war, terrorism, accident and natural disaster. Articles were included if they discussed novel therapies published emerging from a disaster. Results: Twenty-one articles meeting inclusion criteria. Eleven papers described innovations during war including use of k-wires in hand fractures, gender affirmation surgery, delayed wound closure, cleft lip repair, vascular repair of acute trauma, sulfamylon antibiotics, and portable vacuum-assisted-closure (VAC) devices. Two articles resulted in surgical staff collaboration modeling and rapid recruitment from terrorist attacks. Five manuscripts defined accidents that brought about ideas of cultured epithelial autografts, VAC for burns, and targeted muscle reinnervation to decrease chronic pain in amputees. Natural disasters that caused change were depicted in three articles discussing adequate burn treatments for resource poor areas and using telemedicine for outpatient care and academic meetings. Conclusions and Potential Impact: The field of Plastic Surgery continues to advance from innovations developed during disasters. Our study found war resulted in the greatest novel advancements. Terrorism and natural disasters have emerged as sparking innovation during the last few decades. Physicians should be encouraged to look for opportunities of innovation using their ingenuity when faced with disaster. What progress will COVID-19 bring?
Negotiating Unwelcome Police Encounters: The Intergenerational Transmission of Conduct Norms:

Research on police—citizen relations is largely centered on how police officers treat citizens, with much less attention given to how citizens behave toward officers or how they may counsel others ...
Iron-Imprinted Single-Atomic Site Catalyst-Based Nanoprobe for Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide in Living Cells

Fe-based single-atomic site catalysts (SASCs), with the natural metalloproteases-like active site structure, have attracted widespread attention in biocatalysis and biosensing. Precisely, controlling the isolated single-atom Fe-N-C active site structure is crucial to improve the SASCs’ performance. In this work, we use a facile ion-imprinting method (IIM) to synthesize isolated Fe-N-C single-atomic site catalysts (IIM-Fe-SASC). With this method, the ion-imprinting process can precisely control ion at the atomic level and form numerous well-defined single-atomic Fe-N-C sites. The IIM-Fe-SASC shows better peroxidase-like activities than that of non-imprinted references. Due to its excellent properties, IIM-Fe-SASC is an ideal nanoprobe used in the colorimetric biosensing of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Using IIM-Fe-SASC as the nanoprobe, in situ detection of H2O2 generated from MDA-MB-231 cells has been successfully demonstrated with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. This work opens a novel and easy route in designing advanced SASC and provides a sensitive tool for intracellular H2O2 detection. Highlights: 1 A facile ion-imprinting method (IIM) is used to synthesize the isolated Fe-N-C single-atomic site catalyst (IIM-Fe-SASC), which mimics the natural enzyme-like active site and shows excellent peroxidase-like activity.2 The ion-imprinting process can precisely control ion at the atomic level and form numerous well-defined single-atomic Fe-N-C sites.3 The IIM-Fe-SASC has been successfully used as the nanoprobe for in situ H2O2 detection generated from MDA-MB-231 cells.
The Character of Revelation

“The Character of Revelation” In this chapter, Lorkowski first describes three types of special revelation—revealed texts, religious experience, and miracles. The author then emphasizes why an analysis of these sources is crucial in terms of potential consequences and as the most common source of belief. Lastly, Lorkowski raises an important challenge to revealed religion. The author first argues that the sheer variety of religious beliefs entails that supporters of a religion must dismiss the competing claims from other religions. However, the only non-arbitrary way to do so would be to maintain that their religion is better supported or more reasonable. Yet if this were true, we would expect to observe certain trends in membership and conversions that simply are not born out by the data.
Prevalence and Susceptibility to Hepatitis B virus and the Need for Community Health Education in Milwaukee's Hmong Community.

Chronic Hepatitis B virus infection, the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide, disproportionately affects Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs) within the USA. Among APIs, the Hmong have one of the highest rates of chronic HBV infection—up to 18% compared to 0.1% for non-Hispanic Caucasians. This study sought to estimate the prevalence of HBV infection and assess the need for community HBV education within Milwaukee County’s Hmong. Between 3/2013 and 12/2019, 287 Hmong participants were screened for HBV and 271 were provided targeted HBV education to evaluate its impact on HBV knowledge. Among participants screened, 178 (62%) were immune; 77 (27%) susceptible; 27 (9%) positive; and 5 (2%) in a “gray zone.” Targeted health education showed statistically significant improvement in HBV knowledge. With 38% lacking immunity to HBV and 9% with active infection, there remains a significant need for HBV screening, vaccination, and education in Milwaukee’s Hmong community.
From Digital Library to Digital Government: A Case Study in Crime Data Mapping and Mining

In light of the significant research activities in digital library, digital government, and e-commerce over the past decade, there seems to be common threads among them and unique challenges and opportunities ahead. For digital library, we are beginning to tally its research impacts and contemplate future directions. For digital government, information technologies could offer tremendous opportunities, but will they happen fast enough? We hope by discussing the many unique problems and challenges facing these fast evolving and somewhat related research disciplines, we could share lessons learned and develop insights for advancing our knowledge and achieving successful organizational transformation. A detailed case study of a research project (COPLINK) jointly funded by the NSF Digital Library and Digital Government Programs in the area of crime data mining will be presented in detail. We discuss how advanced visual crime mining techniques such as association rule mining, social network analysis, deception detection, temporal-spatial visualization, and agents could become the catalyst for assisting intelligence and law enforcement agencies in capturing knowledge and creating transformation.
Regulation of membrane potential and fluid secretion by Ca2+-activated K+ channels in mouse submandibular glands

We have recently shown that the IK1 and maxi-K channels in parotid salivary gland acinar cells are encoded by the K(Ca)3.1 and K(Ca)1.1 genes, respectively, and in vivo stimulated parotid secretion is severely reduced in double-null mice. The current study tested whether submandibular acinar cell function also relies on these channels. We found that the K(+) currents in submandibular acinar cells have the biophysical and pharmacological footprints of IK1 and maxi-K channels and their molecular identities were confirmed by the loss of these currents in K(Ca)3.1- and K(Ca)1.1-null mice. Unexpectedly, the pilocarpine-stimulated in vivo fluid secretion from submandibular glands was essentially normal in double-null mice. This result and the possibility of side-effects of pilocarpine on the nervous system, led us to develop an ex vivo fluid secretion assay. Fluid secretion from the ex vivo assay was substantially (about 75%) reduced in animals with both K(+) channel genes ablated - strongly suggesting systemic complications with the in vivo assay. Additional experiments focusing on the membrane potential in isolated submandibular acinar cells revealed mechanistic details underlying fluid secretion in K(+) channel-deficient mice. The membrane potential of submandibular acinar cells from wild-type mice remained strongly hyperpolarized (-55 +/- 2 mV) relative to the Cl(-) equilibrium potential (-24 mV) during muscarinic stimulation. Similar hyperpolarizations were observed in K(Ca)3.1- and K(Ca)1.1-null mice (-51 +/- 3 and -48 +/- 3 mV, respectively), consistent with the normal fluid secretion produced ex vivo. In contrast, acinar cells from double K(Ca)3.1/K(Ca)1.1-null mice were only slightly hyperpolarized (-35 +/- 2 mV) also consistent with the ex vivo (but not in vivo) results. Finally, we found that the modest hyperpolarization of cells from the double-null mice was maintained by the electrogenic Na(+),K(+)-ATPase.
Variation in Total Energy Expenditure in Humans

The purpose of this paper is to review current data regarding the factors contributing to variability in total energy expenditure (TEE) among humans. Variation arising from within and between individuals and between study groups will be considered. For within- subject variation, issues relating to experimental and theoretical measurement error will be considered in addition to inherent physiological variation. The literature reporting TEE in various study groups is reviewed, highlighting deficiencies in current comparison methods, and a framework by which TEE can be compared between studies and populations is suggested. For between-subject variation, the effects of differences in body composition, obesity, age and gender upon variation in TEE are examined. Finally, data will be reviewed relating to changes in TEE in response to external manipulation (e.g., activity, overfeeding, stress).
Design and development of a 7.2 kV/200A hybrid circuit breaker based on 15 kV SiC emitter turn-off (ETO) thyristor

This paper deals with the design of a 7.2 kV, 200 A hybrid AC circuit breaker employing a 15 kV Silicon Carbide (SiC) Emitter Turn-off (ETO) thyristor device as the main semiconductor switch and presents the test results to verify the functions of both the high voltage and low voltage electronic components of the medium voltage hybrid circuit breaker. The hybrid circuit breaker consists a fast acting mechanical switch, a low voltage commutating switch in series with that mechanical switch, a single 15 kV SiC ETO Thyristor device, and a stack of MOVs. This paper focuses on the electronic parts and a companion paper would elucidate the principle and operation of the fast acting mechanical switch. To fulfill bidirectional interruption capability of the high voltage semiconductor device, the SiC ETO is equipped with a low cost silicon diode bridge; a snubber capacitor is equipped in parallel with this diode bridge to alleviate voltage stress of the ETO during turn-off transients. A compact low voltage commutating switch based on silicon MOSFETs has been built and tested up to the full current rating.
Paradox in South Asian summer monsoon circulation change: Lower tropospheric strengthening and upper tropospheric weakening

In the literature, there exist contradictory conclusions on the South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) precipitation and circulation changes: whether the circulation change contributes positively by strengthening or negatively by weakening to the rainfall enhancement, on a background of moisture content increase. Based on Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 simulations by 18 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 models, this study explains these puzzles by illustrating that the SASM circulation changes oppositely between the lower and upper troposphere, with tipping point at 450 hPa. However, this indicates a new paradox, created by competing mechanisms. By analyzing the intermodel variability, we determine that the mean advection of stratification change mechanism weakens the upper tropospheric circulation, while the enhanced surface land-sea thermal contrast strengthens the lower level and surface winds. Our moisture budget analysis shows that the SASM precipitation enhancement (8% K−1) attributes to moisture increase (5% K−1) and lower tropospheric circulation strengthening (3% K−1).
Observation of high-power millimeter wave emission from a virtual cathode

Intense bursts of mm wave power have been observed in microwave generation experiments with a relativistic electron beam (REB) virtual cathode oscillator.(1) In this device an electron beam is injected into a drift space at a current above the space-charge-limit, and a potential develops downstream which is large enough to reflect electrons back to the source region. Two mechanisms can give rise to microwave oscillations in a virtual cathode device: electrons reflexing between the real and virtual cathodes, and oscillations in the amplitude and position of the virtual cathode. Typically both mechanisms are present, but in the present experiments reflexing has been shown to be dominant.
Influence of Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide on Histamine-Forming Capacity and Antibody Formation in Lymphoid Tissues

Mice were injected intraperitoneally with 50 μg of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The spleen tissue exhibited increased histamine-forming capacity (HFC) 4 hr later. When this increased HFC was produced within 12 hr after intraperitoneal injection of sheep red blood cells (SRBC), there was an enhanced anti-SRBC antibody response in the spleen. In mice experiencing an increased spleen HFC at 36 hr after injection of SRBC, there was a significant decrease in the number of antibody-producing cells. The injection of histidine decarboxylase inhibitors simultaneously with the LPS greatly reduced the stimulation of HFC and also the adjuvant activity of the LPS.
Immunologic characterization suggests reduced alloimmunization in a murine model of thalassemia intermedia

Background Transfusion therapy remains a mainstay of treatment for patients with thalassemia major and to a lesser extent for the less anemic patients with thalassemia intermedia. We have previously reported a role for regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the control of antibody responses in wildtype C57BL/6 (WT) mice exposed to allogeneic RBC transfusions. As an initial step to study and characterize immune regulation in thalassemias, we performed an immunological cell type characterization of C57BL/6 Hbbth-1/Hbbth-1 mouse model of thalassemia intermedia (Thal) in steady state as well as following transfusions with allogeneic blood.
Metabolism in Frog Retinal Pigment Epithelium of Docosahexaenoic and Arachidonic Acids Derived from Rod Outer Segment Membranes

Frog photoreceptor cells shed about 10% of their rod outer segments (ROS) every 4th day. Packets of these membranes are phagocytized and digested by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Large amounts of lipids must be processed daily, especially docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA), the major fatty acid of these membranes. To study the metabolism of ROS lipids in RPE cells, RPE-eyecups were incubated with [3H]DHA-, [3H]arachidonic acid (AA)-, or [2-3H]glycerol-labeled ROS membranes for 2 hr, followed by a chase for up to 8 hr. Lipid extracts of RPE cells and incubation media were resolved into classes and quantitated for radioactivity. In RPE cells, the relative proportion of DHA and AA label in triglycerides (TG) increased dramatically with incubation time, although the substrate ROS membranes did not contain labeled TG. Other RPE lipids showed prominent reductions or relative little change. The percentage of radioactivity in free fatty acids (FFA) was low (< 3%) in RPE cells. In the chase media, the majority (60-80%) of DHA and AA label was found in FFA, with little radioactivity in TG or phospholipids. When RPE cells were incubated with [3H]glycero-labeled ROS membranes which contained 22% of the label in TG, the most rapid reduction in relative radioactivity appeared in TG. We conclude that DHA and AA are released from phagocytized ROS membranes and are rapidly incorporated into RPE cellular lipids, primarily TG. This lipid class is very active metabolically, since TG derived from ROS are rapidly hydrolysed. Free DHA and AA of ROS origin are released from RPE cells. We suggest that RPE triglycerides are the source of FFA in the interphotoreceptor matrix.
Über Bindungsisomerie und ihre Rolle beim Aufbau der Kristalle

Halogenide des funfwertigen Phosphors, Arsens und Antimons konnen in zwei Formen auftreten. Es handelt sich um Verbindungen gleicher Zusammensetzung aber mit verschiedenen Bindungsverhaltnissen und damit verschiedenen Eigenschaften. Diese von uns als Bindungsisomerie bezeichnete Erscheinung ist nicht auf spezielle Verbindungen beschrankt, sondern hat allgemeine Bedeutung. Es wird die Anderung des Bindungszustandes in Abhangigkeit vom Aggregatzustand und von Losungsmitteln betrachtet. Auch geringe Verschiebungen im Bindungscharakter haben grosen Einflus auf die Eigenschaften der Substanzen (Zwischenzustande). Ausgehend von diesen Gesichtspunkten werden Bindungen im Kristall betrachtet unter Berucksichtigung von Modifikations- und Druckumwandlungen. Halides of phosphorous, arsenic and antimony with oxydation states+5 may occur in two forms with different bond character and therefore different properties. This phenomenon named bond isomerism is not due to special compounds but has general meaning. In this article change of bonding is regarded with respect to the state of aggregation and to the influence of solvents. Even a small change in character of bonding may cause a significant alteration in properties of a substance (intermediate states). From this point of view a description of bonding in crystal is given. Different modifications and pressure transformations are taken into consideration.
OPTIMAL RECONSTRUCTION SPACE FOR ESTIMATING CORRELATION DIMENSION

In this paper we consider the estimation of the correlation dimension from a scalar chaotic time series using delay coordinates. Past work has shown that there appears to be a reconstruction space for which the correlation integral has the longest scaling region. We give a firmer foundation to this idea by developing a theory that estimates the dimension of this “optimal” reconstruction space in terms of dynamical quantities such as the largest Lyapunov exponent.
Towards a General Theory of Political Representation

Nondemocratic “representatives” increasingly act on the global stage, as “representatives” of their dictatorships to the United Nations, or when an NGO represents prisoners of war. Standard accounts of political representation depend upon democratic institutions (like elections) and a certain kind of proper activity (like deliberation and constituent accountability) and thus cannot explain how these people are representatives at all. I argue that the standard account of political representation is thus inadequate to explain political representation throughout the globe. I offer a general theory of political representation which explains representation simply by reference to a relevant audience accepting a person as such. When audiences use democratic rules of recognition, the familiar cases arise. When audiences use nondemocratic rules of recognition, nondemocratic cases arise. The result is that political representation, per se, is not a democratic phenomenon at all. The account offers a more parsimoniou...
Characterization of a Salt-Responsive 24-Kilodalton Glycoprotein in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

A concanavalin A (Con A)-binding polypeptide with a molecular mass of 24 kD (termed “SRgp24”) was associated with the intercellular space of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. callus. When callus was grown in medium containing between 0 and 100 mM NaCl, SRgp24 was detected by Con A binding. Increasing the NaCl concentration to 200 mM caused a reduction in the amount of SRgp24 within 3 d, and returning the callus to medium without salt resulted in an accumulation of SRgp24. Immunoblot analysis showed that appreciable amounts of SRgp24 accumulated in the leaves when plants were grown under sodium-limiting conditions. Unlike most of the cell-wall Con A-binding proteins in M. crystallinum callus, the carbohydrate moiety of SRgp24 was resistant to endoglycosidase H digestion. After purification of SRgp24, the N terminus was sequenced and found to share 55 to 60% identity with the N terminus of osmotin, a group 5 pathogenesis-related protein (PR-5) that accumulates in salt-adapted tobacco cell suspension. Immunocytochemical assays, with affinity-purified antibodies to SRgp24, indicated that SRgp24 preferentially accumulated in the cell-wall region. We conclude that SRgp24 is a salt-responsive glycoprotein related to the PR-5 family in M. crystallinum.
Chromatic kernel and its applications

In this paper, we study the following Chromatic kernel (CK) problem: given an $$n$$n-partite graph (called a chromatic correlation graph) $$G=(V,E)$$G=(V,E) with $$V=V_{1}\bigcup \cdots \bigcup V_{n}$$V=V1???Vn and each partite set $$V_{i}$$Vi containing a constant number $$\lambda $$? of vertices, compute a subgraph $$G[V_{CK}]$$G[VCK] of $$G$$G with exactly one vertex from each partite set and the maximum number of edges or the maximum total edge weight, if $$G$$G is edge-weighted (among all such subgraphs). CK is a new problem motivated by several applications and no existing algorithm directly solves it. In this paper, we first show that CK is NP-hard even if $$\lambda =2$$?=2, and cannot be approximated within a factor of $$16/17$$16/17 unless P = NP. Then, we present a random-sampling-based PTAS for dense CK. As its application, we show that CK can be used to determine the pattern of chromosome associations in the nucleus for a population of cells. We test our approach by using random and real biological data; experimental results suggest that our approach yields near optimal solutions, and significantly outperforms existing approaches.
Suppression of Lymphocyte Interleukin‐2 Receptor Expression by Glucocorticoids, Cyclosporine, or Both

Although glucocorticoids and cyclosporine are frequently used to treat patients with various types of glomerulopathy, clinical responses to treatment vary considerably. Considerable interindividual heterogeneity in the suppressive effects of glucocorticoids on lymphocyte proliferation in vitro has been previously reported, suggesting that differences in the pharmacodynamic responsiveness of the immune system to these agents might be an important determinant of how well an individual patient responds to treatment. It also has been shown that methylprednisolone is significantly more suppressive than prednisolone. To identify cellular mechanisms by which these drugs act, a study of the suppressive effects of prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and cyclosporine on lymphocyte proliferation and the expression of the cell surface receptor for interleukin-2 (IL-2R) was conducted using phytohemagglutin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 13 patients with glomerulopathy and 12 control subjects. Heterogeneity among individuals in both parameters of lymphocyte responsiveness to these drugs was again found, and the significantly greater suppressive effect of methylprednisolone was confirmed for both proliferation and IL-2R expression in patients and control subjects. Cyclosporine alone was moderately suppressive. For most individuals, the greatest degree of suppression occurred when cells were exposed to both cyclosporine and glucocorticoid. Further studies are being conducted to determine whether pretreatment assessment of in vitro lymphocyte responsiveness has any predictive value regarding therapeutic efficacy of each drug in individual patients and to identify of those patients likely to require a more intensive or multidrug immunosuppressive regimen.
Spectral cues for the regulation of bioluminescent flashing activity in the males of twilight-active firefly Photinus scintillans (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) in nature

Abstract Males of the twilight-active firefly Photinus scintillans initiate bioluminescent flashing when a threshold intensity of ambient light is reached, irrespective of the type of habitat and the spectral cues available. Under dense shrubbery (closed space) the flashing period on average is about one-and-half times or more longer than in the meadows (open space). Long wavelength spectral cues dominate in closed space while both short and long wavelength cues are present in open space. Twilight-active fireflies use long wavelength spectral cues alone or short and long wavelength spectral cues together for the regulation of flashing in nature.
Maximal Effort During Functional Capacity Evaluations: An Examination of Psychological Factors

Abstract Background and Purpose: Patients with low back pain are often administered a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) to determine levels of physical functioning at the conclusion of their rehabilitation program. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological factors (ie, self-reported disability, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy) and maximal effort exerted during the FCE. Subjects and Methods: Sixty-four patients with low back pain were administered the Oswestry Low Back Disability Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the FCE Self-Efficacy Scales before administration of the FCE. Results: Compared with patients who gave maximal effort during the FCE, patients who did not exert maximal effort reported significantly more anxiety and self-reported disability, and reported lower expectations for both their FCE performance and for returning to work. There was also a trend for these patients to report more depressive symptomatology. Conclusion and Discussion: Results provide evidence for the relationship between self-reported disability, depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, and patients' performance on the FCE. Suggestions for addressing the psychological factors in a comprehensive pain treatment program are provided.
Roemer on Exploitation and Class

This review examines the work of John Roemer on exploitation and class considering his methods, definitions and models. His work represents a significant innovation in the field of Marxian analysis, but the usefulness and the appropriateness of his new directions are questioned.
Cross-layer design for delay- and energy-constrained multimedia delivery in mobile terminals

Multimedia delivery in mobile terminals has been a central topic in developing energy-efficient mobile multimedia computing systems. The major challenge remains how to achieve optimal consumption of the limited battery capacity and time budget for a given amount of tasks, yielding maximum quality-per-energy-unit performance. A system-level cross-layer design is key to QoSoriented energy utilization. In this article, we investigate the RED relation in the individual data processing and transmission components in the mobile terminal, and in the embedded system as a whole. The energy consumption tradeoff between computation and communication is analyzed. We introduce power management schemes for the computation and communication stages of the multimedia delivery process. The configurable parameters in this process that could impact the system performance are discussed. We demonstrate our energy measurement testbed for monitoring the battery status under different parameter configurations of the embedded system. The collected data are provided for energy consumption modeling used to direct the system configuration procedure. We present a cross-layer design mechanism for the resource constrained multimedia delivery in mobile terminals. Multiple software and hardware related parameters are coordinated to control the data processing and transmission for better energy and time budget utilization. A case study on the video delivery in the battery-powered IntelMote2 is conducted to validate the efficiency of the proposed cross-layer design.
Modeling the combined impact of moisture and char shrinkage on the pyrolysis of a biomass particle

A detailed computational model of pyrolysis of a moist, shrinking biomass particle is presented. This model is used to examine the effect of varying the moisture content for a single shrinking biomass particle subjected to a constant external temperature. Particle half-thicknesses ranging from 5 μm to 2 cm, temperatures from 800 to 2000 K, moisture contents from 0 to 30% (dry basis), and shrinkage factors from 1.0 to 0.4 are examined. The impact of moisture content and shrinkage was found to be a function of pyrolysis regime. In general, coupling between moisture content and shrinkage was found to result in longer pyrolysis times than if they were considered separately. Additionally, coupling between moisture content and shrinkage increased tar yield and decreased light hydrocarbon yield compared to considering moisture and shrinkage separately.
Metabolic tumor volume is an independent prognostic factor in patients treated definitively for non-small-cell lung cancer

Abstract Purpose Fluorine-18 flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging has rapidly become the standard of care for staging patients with lung cancer. We evaluated the prognostic value of metabolic tumor volume (MTV), a measure of tumor burden on FDG-PET imaging, in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated definitively. Methods and Materials A retrospective review identified 61 patients with NSCLC who underwent FDG-PET imaging for pretreatment staging. Metabolically active tumor regions were segmented on the PET scans semiautomatically to calculate the total body MTV. We determined the relationship of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with MTV in the entire cohort, and in the subgroup treated definitively. Results The estimated median PFS and OS for the entire cohort were 11.1 months and 18.9 months. Higher MTV was significantly associated with worse OS ( P = 0.00075) and PFS ( P = 0.00077). For definitively treated patients, when MTV was analyzed as a binary value above or below the median value, 2-year PFS was 60% versus 39.7% (median PFS 34.9 vs. 11.9 months) and 2-year OS was 79.7% versus 33.3% (median OS 41.9 vs. 18.9 months), respectively (log-rank P = 0.12 for PFS and P = 0.066 for OS). When MTV was analyzed as a continuous variable, multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated a trend to worse PFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.31; P = 0.12) and significantly worse OS (HR = 1.53; P = 0.018) with increasing MTV after controlling for known prognostic variables. Conclusion Tumor burden as assessed by MTV yields prognostic information on survival beyond that of established prognostic factors in patients with NSCLC treated definitively.
Metastatic Cervical Cancer and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in an AIDS Patient

Abstract The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently added invasive cervical cancer to its list of surveillance case-defining diseases, and also included cervical dysplasia, carcinoma in situ , and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in the classification system. There are several reported cases of cervical cancer in AIDS patients that behaved in an unusually aggressive fashion and responded poorly to therapy. In light of the above-reported cases, it may be expected that cervical cancer may manifest itself in unusual ways in HIV-positive women. A case of aggressive cervical cancer in an AIDS patient with PID is reported. She was admitted with PID and newly diagnosed cervical cancer with recurrent fever spikes despite adequate antibiotic coverage. An aspiration of a presumed psoas abscess revealed metastatic squamous call carcinoma. These data suggest that not only are HIV-infected women at risk for aggressive and unusual presentations of cervical cancer, but also that coexistent pelvic infection may contribute to development and spread of the disease. Immunosuppression from the virus may increase the incidence and severity of neoplasia. Data suggest that cervical cancer in HIV-infected women is often of advanced stage and responds poorly to treatment. Unique treatment approaches may need to be developed as conventional strategies do not seem to be adequate. More research is required to determine what these strategies should be. Lastly, universal HIV screening of women with either PID or cervical cancer seems prudent.
A computational method for optimal structural design. I. Piecewise uniform structures

This paper presents a technique for the optimal design of a large class of structures arising in civil and mechanical engineering. Constraint conditions on stress level, magnitudes of elastic deformation, natural frequency and buckling load are admitted. A computational method is developed, which takes advantage of special features of the structural optimization problem. Numerical examples are solved to illustrate the applicability of the method. These problems are, in themselves, of engineering interest.
Natural-Resource Depletion, Habit Formation, and Sustainable Fiscal Policy: Lessons from Gabon

While models based on Friedman's (1957) permanent-income hypothesis can provide oilproducing countries with long-run fiscal targets, they usually abstract from short-run costs associated with consolidation. This paper proposes a model that takes such adjustment costs (or 'habits') into account. Further operational realism is added by permitting differential interest rates on sovereign debt and financial assets. The approach is applied to Gabon, where oil reserves are expected to be exhausted in 30 years. The results suggest that Gabon's current fiscal-policy stance cannot be maintained, while the presence of habits justifies smoothing the bulk of the adjustment toward the sustainable level over three to five years.