cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracheal occlusion conditioning causes stress, anxiety and neural state changes in conscious rats.

New Findings • What is the central question of this study? Airway obstructions appear to evoke stress and to cause compensatory behaviours; individuals with respiratory obstructive diseases experience affective disorders. Respiratory patterns can be conditioned, but it is unknown whether healthy animals develop stress or anxiety following respiratory occlusion conditioning and whether persistent neural changes are involved in that development. • What is the main finding and its importance? Respiratory occlusion conditioning caused both stress and anxiety in healthy rats, which were accompanied by increased basal neural activity in important respiratory, stress and discriminative and affective sensory processing centres. Affective disorders may follow the development of a respiratory obstructive disease through the modulation of basal activity in specific neural regions. Evidence from human and animal studies indicates that mechanical loads to breathing are stressful stimuli and evoke compensatory behaviours. Conditioning of stressful stimuli is known to cause changes in basal stress levels and behaviour. Individuals with respiratory obstructive diseases repeatedly experience bouts of airway obstruction, which may act as a form of conditioning, and often have affective disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It is unknown whether the development of affective disorders in these individuals results from the unexpected recurring respiratory perturbations. To investigate this possibility, we developed a model to elicit tracheal occlusion (TO) in conscious rats and exposed them to 10 days of TO conditioning. We hypothesized that healthy, conscious animals exposed to TO conditioning would develop stress and anxiety and would have modulated neural activity in respiratory, stress, discriminative and affective neural regions. Following TO conditioning, rats had increased basal corticosterone levels, greater adrenal weights and elevated anxiety levels compared with animals not receiving TO. Significant increases in cytochrome oxidase staining were found in brainstem respiratory nuclei, periaqueductal grey, dorsal raphe, thalamus and insular cortex. These results suggest that healthy animals develop stress and anxiety responses to respiratory load conditioning via inescapable tracheal occlusions, which may be mediated through state changes in specific brain nuclei.
Tendon-derived stem/progenitor cell aging: defective self-renewal and altered fate.

Aging is a major risk factor for tendon injury and impaired tendon healing, but the basis for these relationships remains poorly understood. Here we show that rat tendon-derived stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) differ in both self-renewal and differentiation capability with age. The frequency of TSPCs in tendon tissues of aged animals is markedly reduced based on colony formation assays. Proliferation rate is decreased, cell cycle progression is delayed and cell fate patterns are also altered in aged TSPCs. In particular, expression of tendon lineage marker genes decreased while adipocytic differentiation increased. Cited2, a multi-stimuli responsive transactivator involved in cell growth and senescence, was also downregulated in aged TSPCs while CD44, a matrix assembling and organizing protein implicated in tendon healing, was upregulated, suggesting that these genes participate in the control of TSPC function.
Comparative soil quality in maize rotations with high or low residue diversity

This study assessed differences in soil quality linked to differences in the diversity of residues returned to the soil in nine pairs of farm fields in central Michigan. To assure that management was the main difference within pairs, study sites were selected that mapped to the same soil series. Analysis of variance using subsamples as replicates for all nine comparisons revealed significantly higher maize (Zea mays L.) yield and total and mineralizable N for the high-diversity fields. Manuring history reported by farmers was difficult ro reconcile with levels of total C and extractable P. To account for uncertainty in manuring histories, comparisons were separated into four subsets on the Basis of residue diversity (DVS) and extractable P (high DVS high P, low DVS low P, high DVS low P, and low DVS high P). For these segregates, analysis of variance (ANOVA) using subsamples as replicates revealed significant improvements in 6 of 21 soil quality indices in the high-DVS-P subset. For all nine comparisons, correlation analysis revealed moderately strong relationships between total C, extractable P, as well as their ratio (Ctot/Pext), and both bulk density and log(infiltration time). When the data were segregated as before, these relationships were much stronger for the high-DVS high-P subset, and their slopes differed significantly from those of the other subsets, indicating that the data points originated from different populations. These results suggest a strong interaction between residue diversity, and P likely applied in manure, that influenced soil quality.
Learning by teaching simstudent: technical accomplishments and an initial use with students

The purpose of the current study is to test whether we could create a system where students can learn by teaching a live machine-learning agent, called SimStudent. SimStudent is a computer agent that interactively learns cognitive skills through its own tutored-problem solving experience. We have developed a game-like learning environment where students learn algebra equations by tutoring SimStudent. While Simulated Students, Teachable Agents and Learning Companion systems have been created, our study is unique that it genuinely learns skills from student input. This paper describes the overview of the learning environment and some results from an evaluation study. The study showed that after tutoring SimStudent, the students improved their performance on equation solving. The number of correct answers on the error detection items was also significantly improved. On average students spent 70.0 minutes on tutoring SimStudent and used an average of 15 problems for tutoring.
Partial Purification and Some Properties of the Uridine Diphospho-N-Acetylglucosamine-Enolpyruvate Reductase from Staphylococcus epidermidis

A method for the partial purification of the uridine diphospho-N-acetylglucosamine-enolpyruvate reductase from Staphylococcus epidermidis is presented. Some properties of the enzyme, including its dependence on monovalent cation and flavine adenine dinucleotide, are discussed.
Modeling Multi-agent Domains in an Action Languages: An Empirical Study Using $\mathcal{C}$

In the last two decades there has been a lot of research on action languages and reasoning about actions. Most of this research assume a domain with a single agent and possibly the environment. In this short paper we explore the relevance of this research vis-a-vis modeling multi-agent domains. We use the action language $\mathcal{C}$ and show that with minimal extensions it can capture several multi-agent domains from the literature.
Toward a Super Duper Hardware Tactic

We present techniques for automating many of the tedious aspects of hardware verification in a higher order logic theorem proving environment. We employ two complementary approaches. The first involves intelligent tactics which incorporate many of the smaller steps currently applied by the user. The second uses hardware combinators to partially automate inductive proofs for iterated hardware structures. We envision a system that captures most of this reasoning in one tactic, SuperDuperHWTac. Ideally, users would use this tactic on a goal for proving that a hardware component meets its specification, and get back a proof documented at a level they would have written by hand. This paper presents preliminary work toward SuperDuperHWTac in both the HOL and Nuprl proof development-systems.
Loss-free communication in high-speed networks

We introduce two novel connection control protocols for high-speed networks, which we call the efficient reservation virtual circuit (or ERVC) protocol and the ready-to-go virtual circuit (or RGVC) protocol. Both protocols have been developed for the 40 Gbit/s fiber-optic ATM-based Thunder and Lightning network, currently being designed and built at UCSB. The ERVC protocol, which is designed for constant-rate, delay-insensitive sessions, uses reservations and requires little buffering at intermediate nodes, while the RGVC protocol, which is designed for variable-rate and delay-sensitive sessions, uses back-pressure to control the source transmission rate and requires buffering at intermediate nodes. In this paper, we present the main features of both protocols and indicate the advantages of each.
Facilitators of prenatal care in an exemplar urban clinic.

Abstract Background Perinatal outcomes have complex causes that include biologic, maternal, structural, and societal components. We studied one urban nurse-led clinic serving women at risk for poor perinatal outcomes with superior pre-term birth rates (4%) when compared with the surrounding county (11.2%). Aim To explore women's perspectives of their interface with the clinic, staff, and providers to understand this exemplary model. Methods A qualitative descriptive approach with semi-structured interviews as the primary data source. Participants ( n =50) were recruited from an urban clinic in the Southeast United States designed to serve women of low socio-economic status or who are recent immigrants. Findings Women greatly valued a personal connection with the nurse-midwives and staff, and felt this resulted in high-quality care. Convenient appointment times and the lack of wait for initial or subsequent appointments made care accessible. Participants reported the relaxed and helpful approach and attitudes of the office staff were essential components of their positive experience. Women valued unrushed visits to ask questions and receive information. In addition, participants felt that clinic staff were easy to reach. Conclusion While qualitative data cannot demonstrate causation, this study provides support that a compassionate and personalized approach to care motivates women to access needed services in pregnancy. Clinic staff are an essential component of the access process. Women overcame barriers to obtain personalized, culturally appropriate care provided by kind, competent practitioners. Clinic staff and practitioners should develop a connection with each woman by providing care that meets her physical, cultural, and personal needs.
Testing the Demirjian and the International Demirjian Dental Aging Methods on a Mixed Ancestry Urban American Subadult Sample from Detroit, MI*,‡

Abstract: This paper tests the Demirjian and international Demirjian dental aging methods for forensic use when ancestry and ethnicity are unknown. A radiographic sample of 187 boys and girls was collected from the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Detroit Mercy and aged using both methods. The total sample and the sample by age categories (young, middle, and old) were analyzed using t-tests. The Demirjian method was found to better estimate age to a statistically significant degree for the total sample, as well as the middle and old age categories. The young category was aged better using the international Demirjian method. The results indicate that while the Demirjian method accurately estimates age, caution must be used with the method. Further research is needed to determine whether the international Demirjian method can be used for forensics in the U.S.
Thomas Hunt Morgan at the Marine Biological Laboratory : Naturalist and Experimentalist

Anecdotal, Historical and Critical Commentaries on Genetics IN the early 1910s, researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, might have wondered why a colleague, Thomas Hunt Morgan ([Figure 1][1]), began shipping fruit flies from his Columbia University lab to
Molecular beam study of the desorption of cesium ions from tungsten crystals

Abstract The rates of desorption of Cs+ from W(100) and W(110) crystals have been measured by the modulated molecular beam method. The Cs coverage was extremely low (≲ 5 × 1011 cm−2), thereby insuring that: (a) the desorption rate of Cs atoms was negligible relative to that of Cs ions; (b) the desorption rate depended primarily on the interaction of Cs with W rather than the interaction of Cs with Cs. Assuming that the dependence of the Cs+ desorption rate on coverage n and temperature T may be represented by the form R + = nν + exp ( − χ0 + kT ) , we determined ν+ and χ0+ from the measured rates. For W(100) in the range 900–1250 K, ν+ = (1.0 ± 0.2) × 1013 sec−1 and χ0+ = 2.05 ± 0.02 eV; for W(110) in the range 880–1050 K, ν+ = (1.7 ± 0.4) × 1012 sec−1 and χ0+ = 1.77 ± 0.02 eV. The results are compared with existing experimental data and theoretical predictions. The predictions of the image potential model appear to be consistent both with the binding energies inferred from the present results and with the dipole moments inferred from previous contact-potential measurements for Cs on W(100) and W(110) crystals.
Flavivirus methyltransferase: A novel antiviral target

Abstract Many flaviviruses are significant human pathogens. No effective antiviral therapy is currently available for treatment of flavivirus infections. Development of antiviral treatment against these viruses is urgently needed. The flavivirus methyltransferase (MTase) responsible for N-7 and 2′-O methylation of the viral RNA cap has recently been mapped to the N-terminal region of nonstructural protein 5. Structural and functional studies suggest that the MTase represents a novel antiviral target. Here we review current understanding of flavivirus RNA cap methylation and its implications for development of antivirals. The 5′ end of the flavivirus plus-strand RNA genome contains a type 1 cap structure (m 7 GpppAmG). Flaviviruses encode a single MTase domain that catalyzes two sequential methylations of the viral RNA cap, GpppA-RNA → m 7 GpppA-RNA → m 7 GpppAm-RNA, using S -adenosyl- l -methionine (SAM) as the methyl donor. The two reactions require different viral RNA elements and distinct biochemical assay conditions. Despite exhibiting two distinct methylation activities, flavivirus MTase contains a single binding site for SAM in its crystal structure. Therefore, substrate GpppA-RNA must be re-positioned to accept the N-7 and 2′-O methyl groups from SAM during the two methylation reactions. Structure-guided mutagenesis studies indeed revealed two distinct sets of amino acids on the enzyme surface that are specifically required for N-7 and 2′-O methylation. In the context of virus, West Nile viruses (WNVs) defective in N-7 methylation are non-replicative; however, WNVs defective in 2′-O methylation are attenuated and can protect mice from subsequent wild-type WNV challenge. Collectively, the results demonstrate that the N-7 MTase represents a novel target for flavivirus therapy.
Simulating the surface energy budget over the Konza Prairie with a mesoscale model

Abstract Using FIFE observations on four golden days and a coupled soil-canopy-atmosphere (mesoscale) dynamic model, we simulate the biophysical influences of a prairie on the surface energy budget. Atmospheric dynamics within the model are fully three-dimensional. Canopy and soil submodels were modified to include the aggregate effects of standing brown vegetation on stomatal conductance and surface energy partitioning, and litter cover on soil thermal and hydraulic properties. Model-simulated energy fluxes compare reasonably well to in situ measurements. It was found that the spatial variation of simulated latent-, sensible-, and ground-heat fluxes is very sensitive to soil-moisture and biomass distributions over the FIFE domain. High latent-heat fluxes are related to high occurrences of green leaf-area indices (LAI green ), low brown leaf-area indices (LAI brown ), and high soil-moisture contents, as well as to sufficient available energy. High sensible-heat fluxes often are coincident with a low LAI green , high LAI brown , and relatively dry soils. High ground-heat fluxes occur with lower values of total LAI and high soil-moisture contents. As a result of soil-canopy-atmosphere interactions, simulated air temperatures vary spatially up to 2°C. In addition, it was found that—for a prairie environment like the Konza Prairie with green leaf-area indices less than 2—simulated latent-heat fluxes from the canopy are about two times greater than those from the soil beneath the canopy.
Endoplasmic reticulum lumenal proteins of rat mammary gland. Potential involvement in lipid droplet assembly during lactation

Abstract Intracellar distribution of selected reticuloplasmin, soluble proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum lumen, in rat mammary gland was investigated during pregnancy, lactation and involution. During lactation the levels of the calcium binding protein calreticulin, and of protein disulfied isomerase, were elevated. Endoplasmic reticulum was as efficient as Golgi apparatus in sequestration and accumulation of Ca 2+ from surrounding meduim, as suggested from in vitro experiments with isolated cell fractions. Both protein disulfide isomerase and calcerticulin were present in cytosol fron homogenates of mammary gland prepared under mild conditions. Protein disulfide isomerse was abundant in intracellar lipid droplet precursors of milk lipid globules. Calreticulin and immunoglobulin binding protein (BiP, GRP 78) were associated with lipid droplets. Glucose-regulated protein (GRP 94) was not detected in association with intracellular lipid droplets. Milk lipids globule membrane lacked more than barely detectable quantities of protein disulfied isomerased, calreticulin, and immunoglobulin binding protein, suggesting that these proteins are lost from intracellular lipid droplets before or during their secretion as milk globules. Immunocytochemical localization confirmed the presence of protein disulfide isomerase or calreticulin on inracellular lipid droplets and in non-endoplasmic reticulum regions of cells.
The South African Monoplane Hysteria: An Evaluation of the Usefulness of Smelser's Theory of Hysterical Beliefs*

An outbreak of monoplane sightings within British South Africa during 1914 is examined as a case of mass hysteria. The incident is used to evaluate the utility of Smelser's category of the negative or hostile hysterical belief manifestation within Smelser's value-added theory of collective behavior, namely: structural conduciveness, structural strain, growth and spread of a generalized belief, mobilization of participants for action, and inadequate measures by agencies of social control. Each of these was found to be present during the period immediately prior to and encompassing the collective episode, thus supporting Smelser's explanation. However, Smelser's objectivist approach labels collective behavior as irrational and is limited beyond providing a general ordering of conditions involved in a particular collective action.
DOE: Outlook on fuel economy: A three-pronged program that could save hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil daily

Last year in the U.S., the more than 100 million automobiles on the road consumed the equivalent of five million barrels of oil per day. An increase in their fuel economy of just one mile per gallon would have saved the equivalent of 400 000 barrels of oil per day. Because the automobile is the primary petroleum-energy consumer (it not only consumes more petroleum than trucks and buses combined but also more than either the industrial or residential sector), it has been the main focus of the transportation-energy-conservation efforts of the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration [now part of the Department of Energy (DOE)]. These efforts are aimed at ensuring that technologies are available to reduce petroleum-energy consumption by these vehicles for the near term; and at eliminating their dependence on this diminishing energy resource, while maintaining current mobility levels, in the longer term.
Differential effects of long-term leucine infusion on tissue protein synthesis in neonatal pigs.

Leucine is unique among the amino acids in its ability to promote protein synthesis by activating translation initiation via the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Previously, we showed that leucine infusion acutely stimulates protein synthesis in fast-twitch glycolytic muscle of neonatal pigs but this response cannot be maintained unless the leucine-induced fall in amino acids is prevented. To determine whether leucine can stimulate protein synthesis in muscles of different fiber types and in visceral tissues of the neonate in the long-term if baseline amino acid concentrations are maintained, overnight fasted neonatal pigs were infused for 24 h with saline, leucine (400 μmol kg−1 h−1), or leucine with replacement amino acids to prevent the leucine-induced hypoaminoacidemia. Changes in the fractional rate of protein synthesis and activation of mTOR, as determined by eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein (4E-BP1) and S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) phosphorylation, in the gastrocnemius and masseter muscles, heart, liver, jejunum, kidney, and pancreas were measured. Leucine increased mTOR activation in the gastrocnemius and masseter muscles, liver, and pancreas, in both the absence and presence of amino acid replacement. However, protein synthesis in these tissues was increased only when amino acids were infused to maintain baseline levels. There were no changes in mTOR signaling or protein synthesis in the other tissues we examined. Thus, long-term infusion of leucine stimulates mTOR signaling in skeletal muscle and some visceral tissues but the leucine-induced stimulation of protein synthesis in these tissues requires sustained amino acid availability.
Comparative Sacred Texts and Interactive Interpretation: Another Alternative to the "World Religions" Class

In this article we argue for an introductory course in the study of religion that proceeds through interactive interpretation as a responsible form of comparison. Interactive interpretation proceeds provisionally, and encourages students to formulate new questions of the materials instead of making final categories about the materials. We use examples from a typical classroom to show how we work with three pedagogical principles: (1) critical reading; (2) pluralism within religious traditions as well as between religious traditions; and (3) the use of the working hypothesis as a tool in ana- lyzing religious texts. We also make an argument for textual reading as a form of living intellectual practice, which can work alongside of, and not in opposition to, other approaches to the study of religion, such as ethnographic or historical approaches. What is Hinduism? What is Judaism? What is Christianity? What is Islam? What is Buddhism? Our students ask these questions frequently, and many of us respond with a sense that every tradition contains a variety of definitions within it, varieties that shift and change over time. Those who work in the contemporary classroom now very rarely respond to these students' questions with a set definition, or a set of essentialized cat- egories called "the world religions." As a result of legitimate and hard-hitting critiques, most of us have moved away from world religions definitions, in which each religion is a thickly walled container into which we pour knowledge, a set of doctrines, beliefs, and practices unique to itself. So what of the world religions class? Is there any way to address the thorny ques- tions of representation that have emerged in recent decades? Different kinds of world religions classes have emerged in response to these questions. Some choose to introduce a single tradition, highly contextualized and intensely focused on history and practice, with major focus on the interplay of ethnic, cultural, and racial identities. Others choose comparison between two traditions, an expansion of the first alternative by adding a second tradition. This approach presents comparison that is focused, limited, respon- sible, and generally recognizable to scholars of both traditions. Still others choose a third alternative - an introduction to a geographical area during a particular historical period. This approach often features religious and political debates both within and among the traditions. A fourth alternative, and one that has endured for several decades now, is a thematic course, such as "pilgrimage" or "ritual," with intense scrutiny of these practices within particular religious traditions - usually, but not always, placed within the same time period. And the list could go on, with variations on the themes described above, and other themes not addressed in these four possibilities. Is there any room, then, for an introduction to more than two religious traditions - traditions that we used to call broadly "world religions"? Is it possible to present
An Inverse Relationship of the Effects of Oxygen and Iron on the Production of Fluorescin and Cytochrome c by Pseudomonas fluorescens

IT has been suggested by Burton et al. that fluorescin, a yellow-green fluorescent bacterial pigment, is related to respiratory enzymes. Observations from this laboratory on the control of cytochrome c production in Pseudomonas fluorescens2–4 are in general accord with Burton's hypothesis, and suggest that fluorescin is an alternative product of porphyrin metabolism.
Fabrication of Mo-gate/Ti&#8212;silicide-clad-moat MOS Devices by use of multilayer-glass depositions

A novel technique is described which uses undoped and doped glass depositions at the gate level to make a molybdenum-metal-gate process compatible with a direct-react titanium-silicide clad-moat process. The method is applicable to submeter micro design-rule MOS IC devices and yields 0.3 Ω and 2.0 Ω for gate and moat levels, respectively.
The phenomenon of task-irrelevant perceptual learning.

Task-irrelevant perceptual learning (TIPL) has captured a growing interest in the field of perceptual learning. The basic phenomenon is that stimulus features that are irrelevant to a subject’s task (i.e. convey no useful information to that task) can be learned due to their consistent presentation during task-performance. Here we review recent research on TIPL and focus on two key aspects of TIPL; (1) the mechanisms gating learning in TIPL, and (2) what is learned through TIPL. We show that TIPL is gated by learning signals that are triggered from task processing or by rewards. These learning signals operate to enhance processing of individual stimulus features and appear to result in plasticity in early stages of visual processing. Furthermore, we discuss recent research that demonstrates that TIPL is not in opposition to theories of attention but instead that TIPL operates in concert with attention. Where attentional learning is best to enhance (or suppress) processing of stimuli of known task relevance, TIPL serves to enhance perception of stimuli that are originally inadequately processed by the brain.
Electron transfer reactions mediated by acridine triplet state in aqueous solutions — triplet energy transfer from Ru(bipy)32+ and photosensitized electron transfer from para-substituted phenols to methyl viologen

Abstract Laser flash photolysis experiments are described which demonstrate triplet energy transfer from tris (2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) to acridine, acridine-9-carboxylate and phenazine, and electron transfer from para-substituted phenols to methyl viologen mediated by the triplet state of acridine-9-carboxylate. The latter reaction occurs via reductive quenching of the triplet state. Rate constants and efficiencies of these reactions are reported.
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Dotter and Judkins (1) in 1964 reported the use of coaxial dilating catheters in remodeling the lumen of obstructed peripheral arteries. In Zurich in 1977 Griintzig (2) reported the first transcutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty using a system for mechanically dilating a stenosed epicar• dial artery. Since the report by Griintzig, tens of thousands of patients (estimated> 100,000) have been treated for ob• structive coronary disease with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Initially only patients with single ves• sel disease were considered for this form of therapy, and they continue to be considered "ideal candidates" for coro• nary angioplasty (3). Despite the absence of objective clin• ical trial data in support of coronary angioplasty, enthusiasm for the procedure is such that the technique was extended to include patients with multivessel disease. In this issue of the Journal, Vandormael et al. (4) report their experience using percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with multivessel disease. The authors are to be complimented on their results and their methods of presenting their data. By sharing this experience it is hoped that the benefit/risk ratio of such a procedure might be better understood. In the short span of less than a decade much has been written and learned about percutaneous trans• luminal coronary angioplasty. First, it is clear that this pro• cedure can be performed; and second, with improvement in technology and technique the "success rate" has increased. Unfortunately, it is also true that a learning curve must be traversed before results similar to those reported by Van• dormael et al. can be achieved. Success rate. The "primary success rate" reported var• ies from 60 to 90% and is mainly a reflection of the instru• ments used and level of experience of the angiographer. The definition of a primary success has changed since the first report by Griintzig. Initially success was defined as a 10% or greater reduction of the stenosis, a decrease in pres• sure gradient and an improvement in clinical status (5). This
Intrarenal access with the flexible ureteropyeloscope: effects of active and passive tip deflection

In flexible ureteroscopy, active deflection of the tip of the endoscope is essential to reach the lateral and inferior infundibula. Two other features may affect endoscope function: one- or two-way deflection and the presence of a secondary, passively deflectable, segment. In our 7-year experience with five different endoscopes, attempts to examine the intrarenal collecting system were successful in 205 of 225 patients (92%). The success rate was lowest with a prototype endoscope, which did not have a secondary deflecting segment. There was no significant difference between those instruments with single- or two-way deflection that possessed secondary deflection. Endoscopes with secondary deflection were most successful in entering the lower pole, and this feature was necessary to reach the entire collecting system in 51% of the patients. Most of the failures of access were in attempts to reach the lower infundibulum. There was some trend toward greater success with the smaller instruments (8.5F).
Cloning and overexpression of the colicin E1 immunity gene.

Abstract A DNA fragment containing only the putative immunity gene-coding sequence was cloned under the control of the trp and λ PL promoters, generating pRKA11 and pIPL, respectively. Escherichia coli hosts containing either construction were immune to colicin E1. Cells harboring both pIPL and pNT204, which encodes a temperature-sensitive cI repressor, were sensitive to colicin E1 at 30 °C, but became immune after 0.5 h of incubation at 42 °C. In addition, pRKA11 directed the synthesis of a 14.5-kDA protein in maxicells, identical to that found with the wild-type immunity gene. This evidence identifies unequivocally the coding sequence of the immunity gene as that extending from bases 1214 to 1552 [ Oka, A. , et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 172 , 151–159 (1979)]. The entire immunity gene operon was also cloned under the control of the tac promoter, generating pTCU2, which, upon induction with isopropyl β- d -thiogalactopyranoside, produced the imm gene product in amounts sufficient to be visualized by autoradiography.
A region of interstitial 17q25 allelic loss in ovarian tumors coincides with a defined region of loss in breast tumors

Chromosomal regions of allelic imbalance in tumors are predicted to define the general location of tumor suppressor genes. We previously localized a putative breast tumor suppressor gene to a 3 cM region on 17q25 by deletion mapping of microsatellite markers in breast tumors. To determine if the same 17q25 region of loss is important in the genesis of other tumor types, 32 ovarian tumors and 24 prostate tumors, as well as 33 additional breast tumors, were analysed with 17q25 polymorphic microsatellite markers. While no significant loss was observed in prostate tumors, greater than half of ovarian tumors exhibited loss coincident with the candidate region previously defined in breast tumors. These results suggest that one or more novel tumor suppressor genes exist on 17q25 within a concordant region of interstitial loss defined in both breast and ovarian neoplasms.
Health of the Chinese Elderly in America

This article examines the mortality and morbidity patterns of Chinese elderly in America by using two established data sources: (1) the most recent vital statistics maintained by the National Center for Health Statistics, and (2) the cancer registry program called SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) maintained by the National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Health. The results suggest that Chinese Americans are relatively healthier than white Americans, the average age-adjusted death rate being lower for Chinese than for white Americans. Likewise, the age-specific death rates for all causes of death are lower for Chinese than for the majority white population. Details of statistics on rates of suicide, heart disease, neoplasms, and various forms of cancer are presented.
Participation in Physical Activity by Persons Living with HIV Disease

Physical activity (PA) may offer substantial health benefits for persons with HIV disease. The purpose of this study is to describe and explore physical activity behaviors in a sample of persons living with HIV disease. This descriptive correlational study surveyed 78 persons (n = 70 men; n = 8 women) from two outpatient settings. Results showed somewhat fewer of the participants met Healthy People 2010 PA recommendations than persons in the general population. Walking was the preferred PA. Average functional social support was significantly correlated with (a) weekly frequency of performing moderate 30-minute PA (r = .38, p < .01) and (b) HIV-RNA (viral load) values (r = -.37, p < .05). Significant correlations were also found between scores on general health status self-reported CD4+ cell counts (.33, p < .05) and HIV-RNA (.39, p < .05) values. Total friend functional social support was significantly (.32, p < .01) correlated with weekly frequency of moderate or vigorous PA.
Near infrared fluorescence imaging with robotic assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: initial clinical experience for renal cortical tumors.

Purpose: We evaluated the utility of near infrared fluorescence of intravenously injected indocyanine green in performing robotic assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. In addition, we evaluated the initial performance of a novel near infrared fluorescence imaging system integrated into the da Vinci® Si Surgical System during robotic assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy.Materials and Methods: Fluorescence imaging for the da Vinci Si Surgical System was used for all cases. Indocyanine green was injected before near infrared imaging. Immediate imaging assessed the renal vasculature while delayed imaging differentiated renal cortical tumors from normal parenchyma. The intraoperative performance of near infrared fluorescence of intravenous indocyanine green was evaluated for tumor appearance relative to surrounding renal parenchyma as well as identification of the renal vasculature.Results: A total of 11 patients underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy with 2 converted to robotic assisted laparos...
The demand for defense in East Asia: Modeling security alternatives∗

An interactive economic model of military spending is proposed. It is quantified on the basis of cross section data for East Asia. Projections of military spending to the end of the decade suggest that the growth of military spending in the region will decline slightly in the current decade. East Asian military spending can, however, be greatly influenced by the path of Chinese and US military efforts. An expansion of military spending by China could cause neighboring countries to greatly increase their military expenditures.
Oxygen saturation increases during childhood and decreases during adulthood among high altitude native Tibetans residing at 3800-4200 m

This report describes age differences in oxygen saturation throughout the life cycle in a sample of high altitude native Tibetans residing in villages at 3800–4200 m altitude in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Oxygen saturation of 3812 Tibetans was measured by pulse oximetry and a subsample of 1582 healthy, nonpregnant, nonsmokers from 1 week to 80 years of age was selected for analyses. Infants under 1 year of age had 5–6% lower oxygen saturation than the peak of 89.8% attained at 11 years of age. There was a steady increase in mean oxygen saturation-for-age during the first decade of life, but not during the second decade. Adult males exhibited a slight decrease starting in the 20–29 year age range. Adult females maintained the peak oxygen saturation through the 40–49 year age range, exhibiting a decrease in oxygen saturation beginning in the 50–59 year age range and as a result had higher oxygen saturation than males during the female reproductive span. Thus, developmental factors during infancy an...
1.3μm hybrid silicon electroabsorption modulator with bandwidth beyond 67 GHz

Hybrid silicon electroabsorption modulators with bandwidth over 67GHz have been demonstrated for 1.3im transmission. An eye diagram measured after 16km transmission shows a 9.4dB dynamic extinction ratio at 50Gb/s with a 2.2Vpp drive voltage.
Transistor sizing of custom high-performance digital circuits with parametric yield considerations

Transistor sizing is a classic Computer-Aided Design problem that has received much attention in the literature. Due to the increasing importance of process variations in deep sub-micron circuits, nominal circuit tuning is not sufficient, and the sizing problem warrants revisiting. This paper addresses the sizing problem statistically in which transistor sizes are automatically adjusted to maximize parametric yield at a given timing performance, or maximize performance at a required parametric yield. Specifically, we describe an implementation of a statistical tuner using interior point nonlinear optimization with an objective function that is directly dependent on statistical process variation. Our results show that for process variation sensitive circuits, consisting of thousands of independently tunable devices, a statistically aware tuner can give more robust, higher yield solutions when compared to deterministic circuit tuning and is thus an attractive alternative to the Monte Carlo methods that are typically used to size devices in such circuits. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first publication of a working system to optimize device sizes in custom circuits using a process variation aware tuner.
Low Cefepime Concentrations during High Blood and Dialysate Flow Continuous Venovenous Hemodialysis

Dosing of cefepime during high blood flow (Qb 300 ml/hr), high dialysate flow (Qd 3L/hr) continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD) is undefined. Six patients on CVVHD had serum and effluent cefepime concentrations measured at 0.5, 1, 2, 6, and 12 hours after dosing. Three patients had cefepime concentrations less than the minimum inhibitory concentration for Pseudomonas aeruginosa . A dose of 2000mg every 12 hours or 1000mg every 8 hours may increase time at a therapeutic concentration.
A common pathway for regulation of nutritive blood flow to the brain: arterial muscle membrane potential and cytochrome P450 metabolites.

Perfusion pressure to the brain must remain relatively constant to provide rapid and efficient distribution of blood to metabolically active neurones. Both of these processes are regulated by the level of activation and tone of cerebral arterioles. The active state of cerebral arterial muscle is regulated, to a large extent, by the level of membrane potential. At physiological levels of arterial pressure, cerebral arterial muscle is maintained in an active state owing to membrane depolarization. compared with zero pressure load. As arterial pressure changes, so does membrane potential. The membrane is maintained in a relatively depolarized state because of, in part, inhibition of K + channel activity The activity of K + channels, especially the large conductance Ca 2+ -activated K + channel (K Ca ) is dependent upon the level of 20-HETE produced by arterial muscle As arterial pressure increases, so does cytochrome P450 (P4504A) activity. P4504A enzymes catalyse ω-hydroxylation of arachidonic acid and formation of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE). 20-HETE is a potent inhibitor of K Ca which maintains membrane depolarization and muscle cell activation. Astrocytes also metabolize AA via P450 enzymes of the 2C11 gene family to produce epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids are released from astrocytes by glutamate which 'spills over' during neuronal activity. These locally released EETs shunt blood to metabolically active neurones providing substrate to support neuronal function. This short paper will discuss the findings which support the above scenario, the purpose of which is to provide a basis for future studies on the molecular mechanisms through which cerebral blood flow matches metabolism.
Afferent interactions of cranial nerves involved in ingestion

Substantial behavioral evidence implicates visceral afferent activity in the regulation of feeding behavior. One mechanism often suggested for this influence involves visceral afferent activity interacting with oral or gustatory afferent activity. This brief review summarizes the anatomical and electrophysiological evidence that indicates that such interactions might in fact take place. The available evidence for interactions between visceral and gustatory afferent messages is far from convincing, but perhaps only because the issue has seldom been addressed. The most direct tests suggested by the hypothesis advanced remain to be carried out.
Coding and optimization of a fully scalable motion model

Motion information scalability is an important requirement for a fully scalable video codec, especially for decoding scenarios of low bit rate or small image size. So far, several scalable coding techniques on motion information have been proposed, including progressive motion vector precision coding and motion vector field layered coding. However, due to the interactive compatibility issue with other scalabilities, i.e. spatial, temporal, and quality, a complete solution that integrates most of the desirable features of motion scalability is not yet seen. In order to solve the problem, we have recently proposed a fully scalable motion model which offers full functionalities for motion scalability with no compatibility issues. In this paper, we further investigate some coding algorithms for proposed scalable motion model. The purpose is to minimize the coding overhead introduced by motion scalability. Simulation results will be presented to verify the significant improvements using proposed coding and optimization algorithms.
Resource potential of methane hydrate coming into focus

Over the past decade, the recognition of the potentially vast global occurrence of methane hydrate has raised a number of critical public interest questions. Chief among these is the potential for methane hydrate to serve as a significant new resource to help meet long-term energy demands. To address this and other questions, the Methane Hydrate RD (2) the increased recognition and documentation of the complexity of natural hydrate systems; (3) the increasing ability to directly detect hydrates through remote sensing; (4) the emerging transition from reliance on in-place numbers to more relevant estimates of recoverability; (5) a focus on hydrates within porous and permeable strata, whether in arctic or marine settings, and (6) the emergence of the first validated and publicly-available reservoir simulators.
A Good Try t Organizing World History Environmentally

Books reviewed in this article: Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, Civilizations: Culture, Ambition, and the Transformation of Nature
Modification of the adrenal stress response by age and prior experience.

Abstract The adrenal stress response was examined in young and mature rats of both sexes by measuring the increase in adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase activity and scrum corticosterone following exposure to electric footshock. Exposure to electric footshock for six minutes on three consecutive days elevated tyrosine hydroxylase activity in young and mature female rats and in young male rats, but failed to elevate enzyme activity in mature male animals. This decreased responsiveness of tyrosine hydroxylase in mature male rats could be overcome by giving prior experience with electric footshock. Age, sex and prior experience interacted in affecting the levels of serum corticosterone in response to a three minute exposure to electric footshock. However, the most dramatic effect was due to prior experience, which reduced the magnitude and altered the time of the peak serum corticosterone response. These data demonstrated that the pituitary-adrenal system can be modified in old animals in a manner similar to the m...
Amniotic fluid cortisol after premature rupture of membranes.

Total amniotic fluid cortisol concentration was studied in 12 patients at 24 to 34 weeks of gestation after premature rupture of membranes of one to eight days duration. Rupture of membranes of less than 24 hours duration was associated with normal amniotic fluid cortisol concentrations. Rupture of membranes for more than 24 hours was associated in 10 of 12 patients with higher than normal amniotic fluid cortisol levels. The rise in amniotic fluid cortisol concentrations following premature rupture of the membranes may reflect increased fetal or maternal cortisol production or both, and could explain enhanced lung maturation in such infants.
Emerging swine zoonoses.

Abstract The majority of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin. Swine represent a potential reservoir for many novel pathogens and may transmit these to humans via direct contact with live animals (such as swine farmers and large animal veterinarians), or to the general human population via contaminated meat. We review recent emerging microbes associated with swine and discuss public health implications.
Interaction of MIF-I or alpha-MSH with D-amphetamine or chlorpromazine on thermoregulation and motor activity of rats maintained at different ambient temperatures.

Abstract Administration of several doses of MIF-I or alpha-MSH did not modify colonic temperature or the level of motor activity of rats in ambient temperatures of 4° or 20°C. However, the thermoregulatory but not motor effects of the interaction between MIF-I or alpha-MSH with d-amphetamine were dependent upon ambient temperature. At 4°C, 1.0 mg/kg of both peptides enhanced the d-amphetamine-induced hypothermia, but at 20°C both peptides blocked the hyperthermic effects of d-amphetamine. The hypothermic effect of chlorpromazine (CPZ) at 4°C and 20°C was blocked by 1.0 mg/kg MIF-I but not by 1.0 mg/kg alpha-MSH. No linear dose response relationships between various doses of MIF-I or alpha-MSH and thermal responses were found. Administration of melanin or the use of hypophysectomized rats did not alter the significant interactions observed after peripheral injections.