cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inverse evaluation of emissivity function

This paper is concerned with the inverse evaluation of heat transfer coefficient for a radiation boundary condition. It uses an optimization based approach in which it seeks to minimize the error difference between the given data and the response from the system. The algorithm requires the solution to a two-point boundary value problem. It uses an explicit method to integrate the working equations. The numerical results indicate that the algorithm can recover an estimate of the unknown function. The accuracy of the recovered function can be improved by carefull selection of the sensor locations.
Direct and indirect immunofluorescent findings in dermatomyositis

Three skin biopsies (proximal nailfold, extensor forearm and buttock) and serum samples were studied by direct and indirect immunofluorescence, immunodiffusion and radioimmunoassay techniques in 6 patients with dermatomyositis. A variety of seroligic and immunopathologic abnormalities was observed in the patients. Three of ft patients had antinuclear antibodies (ANA) of a speckled pattern mixed with a peculiar dot pattern. Epidermal intercellular deposits of immunoglobulins were seen in the nailfold biopsies of 2 patients; one of them also had IgG deposits in the cytoplasm of epidermal cells. Forearm and buttock biopsies were negative.
Comparative Genomics Reveals Two Novel RNAi Factors in Trypanosoma brucei and Provides Insight into the Core Machinery

The introduction ten years ago of RNA interference (RNAi) as a tool for molecular exploration in Trypanosoma brucei has led to a surge in our understanding of the pathogenesis and biology of this human parasite. In particular, a genome-wide RNAi screen has recently been combined with next-generation Illumina sequencing to expose catalogues of genes associated with loss of fitness in distinct developmental stages. At present, this technology is restricted to RNAi-positive protozoan parasites, which excludes T. cruzi, Leishmania major, and Plasmodium falciparum. Therefore, elucidating the mechanism of RNAi and identifying the essential components of the pathway is fundamental for improving RNAi efficiency in T. brucei and for transferring the RNAi tool to RNAi-deficient pathogens. Here we used comparative genomics of RNAi-positive and -negative trypanosomatid protozoans to identify the repertoire of factors in T. brucei. In addition to the previously characterized Argonaute 1 (AGO1) protein and the cytoplasmic and nuclear Dicers, TbDCL1 and TbDCL2, respectively, we identified the RNA Interference Factors 4 and 5 (TbRIF4 and TbRIF5). TbRIF4 is a 3′-5′ exonuclease of the DnaQ superfamily and plays a critical role in the conversion of duplex siRNAs to the single-stranded form, thus generating a TbAGO1-siRNA complex required for target-specific cleavage. TbRIF5 is essential for cytoplasmic RNAi and appears to act as a TbDCL1 cofactor. The availability of the core RNAi machinery in T. brucei provides a platform to gain mechanistic insights in this ancient eukaryote and to identify the minimal set of components required to reconstitute RNAi in RNAi-deficient parasites.
Effect of sensory discrimination training on structure and function in patients with focal hand dystonia: a case series

Abstract Byl NN, Nagajaran S, McKenzie AL. Effect of sensory discrimination training on structure and function in patients with focal hand dystonia: a case series. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2003;84:1505–14. Objective To measure the effects of sensorimotor training based on the principles of neuroplasticity for patients with focal hand dystonia. Design Case series of 3 subjects with focal hand dystonia of the left hand, compared with age-matched normative controls. Setting Outpatient clinic. Participants Three consecutive clinic patients—musicians with focal hand dystonia—who described a history of repetitive practice and performance (2 women; ages, 23y and 35y; 1 man; age, 24y). Intervention Subjects were asked to stop performing the tasks that caused the abnormal movements, to participate in a wellness program (aerobics, postural exercises, stress free hand use), and to carry out supervised, attended, individualized, repetitive sensorimotor training activities at least once week for 12 weeks and reinforced daily at home. Main outcome measures Standard tests documenting somatosensory hand representation, target-specific hand control, and clinical function. Results On the affected side, the 3 subjects improved an average of 86.8% on somatosensory hand representation, 117% on target-specific performance, 23.9% on fine motor skills, 22.7% on sensory discrimination, 31.9% on musculoskeletal skills, and 32.3% on independence. All 3 subjects improved 10% or more on 90% of the subtests with 20% improvement on 50% of the subtests. Conclusion Individuals with focal hand dystonia who have a history of repetitive hand use can improve cortical somatosensory responses and clinical motor function after individualized sensorimotor training consistent with the principles of neural adaptation.
Early Warming of Tropical South America at the Last Glacial-Interglacial Transition

Glaciation in the humid tropical Andes is a sensitive indicator of mean annual temperature. Here, we present sedimentological data from lakes beyond the glacial limit in the tropical Andes indicating that deglaciation from the Last Glacial Maximum led substantial warming at high northern latitudes. Deglaciation from glacial maximum positions at Lake Titicaca, Peru/Bolivia (16°S), and Lake Junin, Peru (11°S), occurred 22,000 to 19,500 calendar years before the present, several thousand years before the Bolling-Allerod warming of the Northern Hemisphere and deglaciation of the Sierra Nevada, United States (36.5° to 38°N). The tropical Andes deglaciated while climatic conditions remained regionally wet, which reflects the dominant control of mean annual temperature on tropical glaciation.
The Role of Left Atrial Transport in Aortic and Mitral Stenosis

The relationship of left atrial contraction to ventricular filling was studied in 24 patients. Eight patients had aortic stenosis, eight had mitral stenosis, and eight others served as a control group. All had normal sinus rhythm. Cineangiocardiographic volumetric determinations of the left ventricle were done throughout the cardiac cycle, and the rate of left ventricular filling before and during left atrial contraction was calculated. In the group with aortic stenosis 39% of the left ventricular stroke volume entered the ventricle during left atrial contraction; in the group with mitral stenosis 24% was contributed during left atrial contraction, and in the control patients, 26%. The rate of left ventricular filling more than doubled during left atrial contraction in aortic stenosis, while no consistent change in the rate of filling occurred during left atrial contraction in mitral stenosis and in the control group. The character of the resistance to left ventricular filling in aortic stenosis and mitra...
Lepidium latifolium reproductive potential and seed dispersal along salinity and moisture gradients

Lepidium latifolium is an aggressive plant species that is invading both wetlands and uplands across a wide range of salinities. This study examined how salinity and moisture gradients influence the potential for invasion by L. latifolium. Three sites in the San Francisco Bay Delta with varying salinity and moisture levels were chosen as research sites. These sites corresponded to a dry (18.32%) freshwater (3.88‰) site, a wet (40.53%) brackish (23.16‰) site, and a moderately wet (38.33%) saline (32.33‰) site. Our results showed that inflorescence number and height were unaffected by salinity or soil moisture. Seed production was significantly affected by salinity (P = 0.0297) and moisture levels (P = 0.0004). Seed production at the high salinity site was reduced by 29% from the freshwater site. Seed production at the wettest site had an 87% reduction from the driest site. Seed viability was also reduced by both salinity (P < 0.0001) and soil moisture (P < 0.0001). Viability at the highest salinity site was reduced by 49% from freshwater sites and was reduced by 8% from the wettest to driest sites. Mean seed dispersal distance was 0.23 m greater at the freshwater site, which was not statistically significant (P = 0.1815). The deleterious effects of salinity and moisture resulted in reduced L. latifolium densities in high salinity and moisture locations, but only at the highest salinity site. With increased seed production and viability, drier freshwater sites experience greater propagule pressure, resulting in an increased invasion potential. Therefore, variability along salinity and soil moisture gradients serve as useful metrics for prioritizing control and eradication efforts of L. latifolium.
Acid-phosphatase activity in sieve-tube members of Tilia americana

Acid phosphatases are localized on the internal strands of sieve-tube members in the secondary phloem of Tilia americana. Companion cells and certain strand parenchyma cells associated with sieve-tube members show a high activity of acid phosphatases.
Factors Affecting Horseshoe Crab Limulus polyphemus Trawl Survey Design

Abstract There is currently a lack of abundance information for effectively managing horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus. A trawl survey program that specifically targets horseshoe crabs would provide that information. We conducted a study to examine the factors that would influence the trawl survey design. Depth, topography, and time of day were examined as potential survey design influences. Horseshoe crab catches were typically greater inshore (within 5.6 km of shore), in troughs (≥2.4 m deep, ≤1.8 km wide, and >1.8 km long), and at night, but specific results varied by maturity categories. In addition, some interactions existed among factors. Trawl survey protocols incorporating those factors were developed separately for all horseshoe crabs combined and for mature females only because these categories were considered most important for management purposes. Stratified random sampling designs were more efficient for surveys than simple random sampling designs, and optimum effort allocation was more effi...
A Wang–Landau study of the phase transitions in a flexible homopolymer

Abstract Using Wang–Landau sampling we study the characteristic behavior of a flexible homopolymer (off-lattice) for chain lengths up to N = 300 . The Hamiltonian consists of a Lennard-Jones potential between all monomers, and an additional FENE potential between bonded monomers. From the resultant density of states, we calculate thermodynamic properties for a wide range of temperatures, including low temperatures that are inaccessible to traditional Monte Carlo algorithms. Peaks in the specific heat and radius of gyration indicate the coil–globule and solid–liquid transitions. With a careful implementation of the algorithm, we find no evidence of a liquid–liquid transition.
Visual Acuity Modeling Using Optical Raytracing of Schematic Eyes

Purpose We developed a methodology to predict changes in visual performance that result from changes in the optical properties of the eye. Methods Exact raytracing of schematic eyes was used to calculate the point spread function and the modulation transfer function of the visual system. The Stiles-Crawford effect, photopic response, diffraction, and the retinal contrast sensitivity are included in the model. Visual acuity was predicted by examining the modulation of the resultant retinal image of a bar target and by determining when the modulation falls below a threshold value. Visual acuity was predicted for refractive errors ranging from 0 to 5 diopters and for pupil diameters ranging from 0.5 to 8 mm. Results Visual acuity predictions were compared to clinically found Snellen visual acuities and were found to be highly correlated (r2 = .909). Conclusions This modeling technique shows promise as a means of evaluating clinical and surgical procedures before undertaking clinical trials.
Constraints in the determination of active-centre topography.

THE inactivation of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase by trypsin has recently been found to be accelerated by a factor of greater than 100 when triphosphopyridine nucleotide, a substrate of the dehydrogenase, is included in the reaction mixture1. Evidence was presented that the site at which triphosphopyridine nucleotide is effective is the same for both dehydrogenase activity and for acceleration of inactivation by trypsin. It was concluded that the binding of a pyridine nucleotide substrate to succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase produces a configurational change in the enzyme, and, in so doing, results in the exposure of a linkage labile to trypsin. Indirect evidence of such configurational changes has been noted by others2–4 and suggests that the phenomenon may be of widespread occurrence.
Observation and analysis of rotationally resolved B-X electronic transitions of CD-Ar

Abstract The CD—Ar van der Waals complex has been generated in the gas phase by the 248 nm photolysis of CDBr 3 entrained in a supersonic jet of argon. Rotationally resolved spectra associated with the complex have been observed by laser-induced fluorescence in the vicinity of the CD B 2 Σ − -X 2 Π (1, 0) band near 366 nm. Bands at 27310.7 and 27327.8 cm −1 are rotationally analyzed using computer simulations, and assigned as (1, 0 0 , 0) and (1, 1 p , 0), respectively. The vibronic structure of the CD—Ar excited states has also been analyzed using a model based on hindered internal rotation. The results are compared to those reported for CH—Ar.
Effects of beach raking and sand fences on dune dimensions and morphology

Abstract Raking beaches to remove wrack (natural and human litter) to enhance recreational use, and using sand fences to build and stabilize dunes are common practices on developed shores, but their effects on the landscape are not well understood. Managers in Avalon, NJ ceased using sand fences and raking in a portion of beach in 1991, providing the opportunity to evaluate evolution of natural and managed dune systems over a 19-year period. Topographic and vegetation characteristics were evaluated on 15 transects within 5 sites in a managed area, where raking and sand fences are still used, and at 15 transects within 5 sites in a naturally evolving (unmanaged) area. Raking and deploying fences in the managed area restricted the size of the cross-shore zone in which aeolian accretion occurred but resulted in greater dune crest heights than in the unmanaged area. Crest heights of the foredune in the managed area ranged from 4.45 m to 5.27 m. Crest heights in the unmanaged area ranged from 3.02 m to 4.27 m. Dune volume and beach volume were greater on average in the unmanaged area, and the dune was wider (mean of 72 m versus 40 m) and had an additional ridge. The unmanaged area had 35% more species and contained a greater percentage of all species encountered in the study area than the managed area (88% compared to 65%). More species occurred in the swales than any other of the cross-shore habitats, and most of these species were observed in the deeper, wider swales in the unmanaged area. Removing wrack from the beach prevents incipient dunes from forming, thus reducing the number of dune crests and size of swales that create topographic variability and increase the number and types of habitats for flora and fauna. Suspension of raking can allow the dunes to build seaward while producing a greater variety and number of habitats, but seaward growth does not mean that the height of the dune will increase substantially, and fences may be needed to build an initial dune ridge for flood protection. Thereafter, a policy of not raking in specially designated zones would be a good compromise between the need to accommodate nature and beach recreation.
Identification of the Unpaired Cysteine Status and Complete Mapping of the 17 Disulfides of Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Using LC-MS with Electron Transfer Dissociation/ Collision Induced Dissociation

Recombinant tissue plasminogen (rt-PA) with 35 cysteine residues has been completely assigned by mapping the 17 disulfide linkages and the unpaired cysteine. The result is consistent with the prediction from homology except for the unassigned cysteine, which was identified at Cys83. This cysteine was found to be blocked and paired with either a glutathione or cysteine residue in an approximately 60:40 ratio, respectively. The analysis was conducted using a multifragmentation approach consisting of electron transfer dissociation (ETD) and collision induced dissociation (CID), in combination with a multienzyme digestion strategy (Lys-C, trypsin, and Glu-C). The disulfide-linked peptides, even those containing N- or O-linked glycosylation, could be assigned since the disulfide bonds were still preferably cleaved over the glycosidic cleavages under ETD fragmentation. The use of a multiple and sequential enzymatic digestion strategy was important in producing fragment sizes suitable for analysis. For the analysis of complex intertwined disulfides, the use of CID-MS(3) to target partially disulfide-dissociated peptides from the ETD fragmentation was necessary for linkage assignment. The ability to identify the exact location and status of the unpaired cysteine (free or blocked with a glutathione or cysteine) could shed light on the activation of rt-PA, upon stimulation by either oxidative or ischemic stress.
Continental rift systems and anorogenic magmatism

Abstract Precambrian Laurentia and Mesozoic Gondwana both rifted along geometric patterns that closely approximate truncated-icosahedral tessellations of the lithosphere. These large-scale, quasi-hexagonal rift patterns manifest a least-work configuration. For both Laurentia and Gondwana, continental rifting coincided with drift stagnation, and may have been driven by lithospheric extension above an insulated and thermally expanded mantle. Anorogenic magmatism, including flood basalts, dike swarms, anorthosite massifs and granite-rhyolite provinces, originated along the Laurentian and Gondwanan rift tessellations. Long-lived volcanic regions of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, sometimes called hotspots, originated near triple junctions of the Gondwanan tessellation as the supercontinent broke apart. We suggest that some anorogenic magmatism results from decompression melting of asthenosphere beneath opening fractures, rather than from random impingement of hypothetical deep-mantle plumes.
Effects of Hypoxia on Oligodendrocyte Signal Transduction

We have previously established that 21-day-old postnatal rat oligodendrocytes, maintained in monolayer culture and subjected to 6 h of hypoxia, show reversible inhibition of synthesis of alpha-hydroxy fatty acid and myelin basic protein but a dramatic induction of a 22-kDa protein, suggesting that this is a good model to study the mechanism of CNS demyelination caused by hypoxic injury. We now report that hypoxia also dramatically inhibits the basal protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of myelin basic protein and myelin 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide phosphohydrolase by 80%, but that the inhibition of phosphorylation can be reversed by addition of a protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The mechanism of action appears to involve the uncoupling of signal transduction at a site before phospholipase C, because hypoxia did not affect protein kinase C activity or its translocation to the membrane fraction. The most potent activator of phospholipase C (as measured by inositol phosphate release) was carbachol (muscarinic M1 receptor agonist), followed by L-phenylephrine (alpha 1-adrenergic receptor agonist) in normal oligodendrocytes. Excitatory amino acids and histamine were ineffective. Hypoxia for 6 h completely inhibited both muscarinic and alpha 1-adrenergic receptor-mediated inositol monophosphate release but did not affect phospholipase D-coupled phosphatidylethanol production in response to carbachol. We therefore conclude from this and earlier work that early, reversible changes in oligodendrocyte metabolism result not simply from ATP depletion, but may specifically target GTP binding protein-mediated processes.
Formation of Abdominal Adhesions Is Inhibited by Antibodies to Transforming Growth Factor-β1

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is an important factor in regulating the inflammatory response and the production of extracellular matrix by fibroblasts. These two processes are linked in the formation of fibrous adhesions after abdominal surgery. When the mesothelium is injured a fibrin strand is produced which is populated first by inflammatory cells then by fibroblasts which secrete extracellular matrix forming a permanent adhesion. TGF-β promotes both chemotaxis of monocytes and the production of extracellular matrix by fibroblasts. We have used a model of abdominal adhesions in rats in which a circle of peritoneum is dissected and then sutured into place again. After 2 weeks the rats are euthanized and the adhesions are scored. Six groups of 10 rats each underwent this surgery. Group I served as the operative control. Group II was treated with saline which was injected immediately after surgery and on Days 1 and 2 after surgery (vehicle control). Using the same protocol with saline as vehicle, the other four groups of rats were treated with nonspecific IgG (150 μg per day), anti-TGF-β (panspecific, 167 μg per day), anti-TGF-β1 (67 μg per day), or anti-TGF-β2 (50 μg per day). The rats injected with anti-TGF-β1 had significantly lower adhesion scores (P< 0.05) than the controls. Rats injected with anti-TGF-β2 or anti-TGF-β (panspecific) did not differ significantly from the control saline-injected rats. The results indicate that specifically reducing levels of TGF-β1 alone can be effective in preventing abdominal adhesions.
Size Scaling of Microtubule Assemblies in Early Xenopus Embryos

The first 12 cleavage divisions in Xenopus embryos provide a natural experiment in size scaling, as cell radius decreases ∼16-fold with little change in biochemistry. Analyzing both natural cleavage and egg extract partitioned into droplets revealed that mitotic spindle size scales with cell size, with an upper limit in very large cells. We discuss spindle-size scaling in the small- and large-cell regimes with a focus on the "limiting-component" hypotheses. Zygotes and early blastomeres show a scaling mismatch between spindle and cell size. This problem is solved, we argue, by interphase asters that act to position the spindle and transport chromosomes to the center of daughter cells. These tasks are executed by the spindle in smaller cells. We end by discussing possible mechanisms that limit mitotic aster size and promote interphase aster growth to cell-spanning dimensions.
A pilot study of valdecoxib for reduction of postoperative opioid use after cesarean delivery

AFTER CESAREAN DELIVERY DARLENE ESPER, KIM BOGGESS, CLARENCE POTTER, RHONDA ARNETTE, DAVID MAYER, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, GCRC, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Anesthesiology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether postcesarean section administration of valdecoxib (VAL) reduces narcotic usage and pain. STUDY DESIGN: A double-blinded RCT of VAL 40 mg after c-section was performed. 20 subjectswould result inO80%power to detect a 50%difference in total morphine use in 24 hours. After IRB approval, 21 consenting women at R37 weeks gestation, undergoing elective c-section with a standardized spinal anesthetic technique were enrolled. Subjects were randomized to either VAL 40mg or placebo, given 30-60 minutes after c-section. Morphine PCA was used for pain control. The total morphine usage in 24 hours postop and use of rescue analgesics was recorded. Visual analog scales (VAS), global pain assessment and satisfaction scales were administered postoperatively at 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 hours. Data was analyzed using Fisher exact, Chi-square and ANOVA. RESULTS: Twelve women had complete data for analysis. Total morphine use was 25% lower among women who received VAL vs placebo (67.9 mg vs 46.4, p = 0.2). Pain intensity scores were lower at all time points in VAL group, and no one in VAL reported pain at 12 hrs:
Wilcoxon Confidence Intervals for Location Parameters in the Discrete Case

Abstract The paper surveys results about the behavior of nonparametric methods in cases where the customary continuity assumptions are not satisfied. A projection approach is used to show that true confidence coefficients associated with confidence intervals for appropriate location parameters derived from Wilcoxon one- and two-sample tests are at least equal to the nominal level for the continuous case, if the confidence intervals are considered closed, at most equal to the nominal level, if they are considered open. The results are interpreted in terms of tests of hypotheses.
Angiographic Profiles in Courage

The debate about the role of coronary revascularization on top of optimal medical therapy for patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and stable symptoms remains vibrant. Despite significant progress in understanding risk factors for atherosclerosis and altering those risk factors at the level of populations, the “double whammy” of the aging of the population as a whole, coupled with enormous increases in diabetes mellitus and obesity, consign us to decades of continued concern about how to treat documented obstructive CAD. Article see p 320 Based on the commonsense notion that “relieving” an obstruction should improve the outcomes of patients with obstructive CAD by opening the artery more freely to flow, a large industry has been built to provide revascularization with coronary bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Countless patients have been led to believe that “fixing” the artery with a stent would prevent heart attack and death. This benefit appears to be a critical part of medical care for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes and in the setting of severe 3-vessel or left main CAD (especially with left ventricular dysfunction).1,2 However, the appropriate course of action for patients with stable symptoms and less severe CAD continues to be debated. A series of trials, including the Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation (COURAGE) trial in particular, have solidified the evidence that emerged from previous smaller trials: for patients with mild or no symptoms, modest CAD, and good left ventricular function, revascularization does not significantly improve …
Mice expressing GFP and CreER in osteochondro progenitor cells in the periosteum

We generated Prx1CreER-GFP transgenic mice that express tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase and GFP under the control of a 2.4 kb Prx1 promoter. The transgene is expressed in osteochondro progenitor cells in the developing limb buds and in a subpopulation of periosteal cells that is closely associated with the cortical bone. GFP-expressing cells isolated from the diaphyses of long bones by cell sorting express multiple markers of periosteal cells, including Prx1, Fgf18, Tenascin-W, Periostin, and Thrombospondin 2. In addition, these cells undergo chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation in culture upon induction. Cell fate analysis using the Rosa26 LacZ reporter indicated that transgene-expressing cells give rise to some of the chondrocytes and osteoblasts in the fracture callus. Collectively, these observations strongly suggest that the transgene-expressing cells are osteochondro progenitor cells in the periosteum. The established Prx1CreER-GFP mice would offer novel approaches for analyzing the functions of periosteal cells in vitro and in vivo.
Online nonlinear chromaticity correction using off-momentum tune response matrix

In this article, we propose a method for the online nonlinear chromaticity correction at store in the relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC). With 8 arc sextupole families in each RHIC ring, the nonlinear chromaticities can be minimized online by matching the off-momentum tunes onto the wanted tunes given by the linear chromaticities. The Newton method is used for this multi-dimensional nonlinear optimization, where the off-momentum tune response matrix with respect to sextupole strength changes is adopted. The off-momentum tune response matrix can be calculated with the online accelerator optics model or directly measured with the real beam. This is a report on the correction algorithm for the RHIC. Simulations are also carried out to verify the method. The preliminary results from the beam experiments, taken place in the RHIC 2007 Au run, are reviewed.
New approaches to hypertension management: always reasonable but now necessary.

“The sphygmomanometer would not be welcomed by the overworked and underpaid general practitioner already loaded with thermometer and stethoscope.” — Blake E: Recent British researches on arterial tension. Med Times Gaz 1895;23:29. I n the late 1800s and early 1900s, most physicians practiced medicine without the availability of blood pressure (BP) measurements. Stephen Hale first measured arterial pressure in a horse in 1733, but it was not until Scipone Riva Rocci invented the BP cuff and Harvey Cushing introduced the concept in the United States that it was considered for clinical medicine. At that time, the concept of BP measurement was met with a large degree of skepticism. Physicians asked questions about BP such as: “Is it important clinically?” “Is it accurate?” “What is the best method to measure it?” and “Is its benefit worth the time and expense to obtain it?” Acceptance of BP measurement was slow over time, but measuring BP for the diagnosis and management of hypertension was even slower. In 1913, Janeway first reported the fatal complications of hypertension. Actuarial reports provided additional evidence in 1925 and 1940. As recounted by Page, it was not until the availability of oral medications in the 1950s and 1960s that physicians recognized the risks and actively treated high BP. During that time, most physicians still focused on the benefits of reducing diastolic BP because of its known benefit in reducing mortality risk in younger patients. In 1971, data from the Framingham Study provided compelling evidence of the risks of high systolic BP, but recognition and treatment of systolic BP was not fully embraced until additional studies were published in the 1980s. The equal importance of systolic and diastolic BP was finally asserted in the fifth report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC V) in 1993. Today, we recognize that reduction of systolic BP is critically important in reducing the risk for target-organ damage and clinical events. It is not surprising that physicians are skeptical about
Activity-dependent gating of lateral inhibition by correlated mitral cell activity in the mouse main olfactory bulb

Excitatory mitral and tufted cells (M/Ts) provide the primary output of the mouse main olfactory bulb (MOB). M/Ts provide excitatory input to and receive inhibitory input from GCs via the dendrodendritic synaptic connections. These circuits provide both recurrent and lateral inhibition among M/Ts. However, given the large area spanned by M/T secondary dendrites as well as the lack of evidence for a clear correlation between the proximity of M/Ts and their odor response profiles, we asked what mechanism could provide for specific and useful lateral inhibitory connectivity? To address this question we conducted whole-cell patch clamp recordings of pairs of M/Ts in the MOB. Current steps (400 ms, 0–1200 pA) were injected into one of the paired cells (Cell A). We then compared the firing rate of Cell A when it was stimulated alone vs. when it was stimulated during simultaneous activation of a second M/T (Cell B) at approximately 80 Hz. We found that activity of Cell B significantly reduced the firing rate of Cell A only when Cell A was firing at frequencies between 35 and 110 Hz (19%/17 Hz peak reduction, n = 16 pairs, p < 0.05). This effect, which we call activity-dependent lateral inhibition, is presumably due to activation of GCs correlated M/T cell activity and subsequent saturation of GC output. Furthermore, activation of larger populations of presynaptic M/Ts via extracellular stimulation in the glomerular layer produced similar activity-dependent lateral inhibition but of higher magnitude and occurring at lower frequencies (25% peak reduction between postsynaptic firing rates between 25 and 65 Hz, n = 8, p < 0.05). We then implemented this physiologically characterized mechanism in a network model with all-to-all connectivity. Results show that initially correlated patterns of activity are decorrelated in a spatially independent manner using this activity-dependent mechanism. These results suggest that the magnitude of inhibition received by M/Ts is dynamically determined based on the pattern of activity within the bulb and can be used to decorrelate similar input patterns, enhancing odor discrimination. Supported by R01 – {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"DC005798","term_id":"118993267","term_text":"DC005798"}}DC005798.
Identification of a functional site on the type I TGF-β receptor by mutational analysis of its ectodomain

Six charged amino acid residues located in the ectodomain of the full-length type I transforming growth factor (TGF)-β receptor were individually mutated to alanine. Mutation of residues D47, D98, K102 and E104 resulted in functionally impaired receptors as demonstrated by a marked decrease in ligand-dependent signaling and ligand internalization relative to the wild-type receptor. The other two mutants (K39A and K87A) exhibited wild-type-like activity. Molecular modeling indicates that the four functionally important residues are located on the convex face of the ectodomain structure. Since mutation of these four residues affects signaling and ligand internalization but not ligand binding, we propose that this functional site is an interacting site between type I and II receptors.
Gene therapy for restenosis are we ready

The application of gene therapy techniques to the clinical problem of coronary restenosis has generated tremendous attention and enthusiasm. Use of gene transfer technology to prevent a common intractable illness would represent a watershed event for human gene therapy. However, the time is not yet right to initiate gene therapy trials for restenosis. The biology of restenosis is incompletely understood, catheter-based gene delivery is poorly adapted to the coronary circulation, and current gene transfer vectors are ill-suited for safe and effective gene delivery to the coronary artery wall. Basic research designed to overcome these obstacles is currently more appropriate than the initiation of clinical trials.
Advances in waveguide-fed slot arrays

Waveguide-fed slot arrays are employed in numerous radar, remote sensing, and communication applications in ground and space systems. Professor Elliott's significant contributions paved the way for the eventual maturity of the slot array antenna technology to the point that it is possible to design such systems in one pass without the need for any experimental data. The author worked in a research group headed by Prof. Elliott and centered at Hughes Aircraft Company, Canoga Park, CA in the early eighties. Later the author collaborated with Elliott in the study of slot arrays for a decade with funding from the University of California and the Hughes Corporate office. Subsequent work was funded by many sponsors. This paper reviews the advances made in the field of slot arrays by the author in collaboration with colleagues and students.
A scalable network architecture for distributed virtual environments with dynamic QoS over 1Pv6

Virtual environments (VEs) are interactive computer simulations that immerse users in an alternate reality. Distributed VE (DVE) applications simulate the experience of real-time interaction among multiple users in a shared three-dimensional (3-D) virtual world. In this paper, we identify the network service requirements for highly interactive DVEs and show the limitations of IPv4 in satisfying them. We propose a transport system for DVE applications, which incorporates a scalable network architecture and dynamic QoS adaptation over IPv6. The network communication architecture combines the advantages of anycasting, unicasting and multicasting while the dynamic QoS adaptation assists the DVE applications in adapting to fluctuations in the network. The network-specific issues are hidden from the application by means of a networking module. The traffic measurements are performed on a DVE application using the proposed architecture.
Direct Induced Resistance in Oryza sativa to Spodoptera frugiperda

Rice, Oryza sativa, is the most important staple food for a significant portion of the world's population. Despite the importance of rice, however, induced resistance to insects has not been thoroughly studied in rice; in fact, to our knowledge, direct induced resistance after injury by chewing insects has not been shown in rice. We conducted a series of experiments designed to characterize direct induced resistance in rice after feeding by larvae of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) and application of jasmonic acid. Weight gains and relative growth rates of fall armyworm larvae were lower when fed leaves from plants previously damaged by armyworms than when fed leaves from undamaged plants. This response was stronger at a systemic spatial scale; that is, the induced resistance was stronger in newly emerged leaves not present at the time plants were damaged than in damaged leaves themselves. Armyworm growth rates were also reduced on foliage from plants treated with jasmonic acid, a hormone known to mediate plant responses to wounding. The response to injury by armyworm larvae and to exogenous jasmonic acid was stronger in transgenic rice plants in which levels of salicylic acid (a signaling molecule that inhibits jasmonic acid) were suppressed. These results show the existence of a direct induced resistance response in rice and suggest that this response to injury by a chewing insect may be mediated by jasmonic acid.
Studying Complex Discursive Systems: Centering Resonance Analysis of Communication.

Scholars increasingly theorize about the power of communication to organize and structure social collectives. However, two factors threaten to impede research on these theories: limitations in the scope and range of existing methods for studying complex systems of communication and the large volume of communication produced by even small collectives. Centering resonance analysis (CRA) is a new text analysis method that has broad scope and range and can be applied to large quantities of written text and transcribed conversation. It identifies discursively important words and represents these as a network, then uses structural properties of the network to index word importance. CRA networks can be directly visualized and can be scored for resonance with other networks to support a number of spatial analysis methods. Following a critique of existing methodologies, this paper describes the theoretical basis and operational details of CRA, describes its advantages relative to other techniques, demonstrates its face validity and representational validity, and demonstrates its utility in modeling organizational knowledge. The conclusion argues for its applicability in several organizational research contexts before describing its potential for use in a broader range of applications, including media content analysis, conversation analysis, computer simulations, and models of communication systems.
Proteolytic exposure of a cryptic site within collagen type IV is required for angiogenesis and tumor growth in vivo.

Evidence is provided that proteolytic cleavage of collagen type IV results in the exposure of a functionally important cryptic site hidden within its triple helical structure. Exposure of this cryptic site was associated with angiogenic, but not quiescent, blood vessels and was required for angiogenesis in vivo. Exposure of the HUIV26 epitope was associated with a loss of α1β1 integrin binding and the gain of αvβ3 binding. A monoclonal antibody (HUIV26) directed to this site disrupts integrin-dependent endothelial cell interactions and potently inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth. Together, these studies suggest a novel mechanism by which proteolysis contributes to angiogenesis by exposing hidden regulatory elements within matrix-immobilized collagen type IV.
Propagation of a ground wave pulse around a finitely conducting spherical earth from a damped sinusoidal source current

The form of the transient electromagnetic ground wave which has been propagated over a finitely conducting spherical earth from a source current dipole can be calculated by a direct quadrature evaluation of the Fourier integral. The method is illustrated in this paper by a calculation of the transient field radiated by the particular case of the damped sinusoidal source current dipole. At short distances from the source, the earth was assumed to be a plane and the displacement currents in the earth were neglected. The pulse was then calculated by a direct evaluation of the Fourier integral and the integration was verified by special operational methods (inverse Laplace transformation). The form of this pulse was then predicted at great distance from the source by a direct evaluation of the Fourier integral in which the displacement currents in the earth and the earth's curvature were introduced into the Fourier transform. The form of the transient signal was found to be dispersed by the propagation medium. The most noteworthy attribute of this dispersion is a stretching of the period of the wave so that the form of the source is somewhat obscured by the filtering action of the medium.
Light-Activated Content Release from Liposomes

Successful integration of diagnostic and therapeutic actions at the level of individual cells requires new materials that combine biological compatibility with functional versatility. This review focuses on the development of liposome-based functional materials, where payload release is activated by light. Methods of sensitizing liposomes to light have progressed from the use of organic molecular moieties to the use of metallic plasmon resonant structures. This development has facilitated application of near infrared light for activation, which is preferred for its deep penetration and low phototoxicity in biological tissues. Presented mechanisms of light-activated liposomal content release enable precise in vitro manipulation of minute amounts of reagents, but their use in clinical diagnostic and therapeutic applications will require demonstration of safety and efficacy.
A Dual Recording, Variable Range, Rapid-Scan Spectrometer; Comparison of Simultaneously Recorded Stark-Broadened Hα and Hβ Line Profiles

An ultrarapid scanning spectrometer has been constructed that records spectra at a constant angle of diffraction. The spectral scanning is accomplished by the rotation of a high-speed rotating mirror (7.6 cm diam) that causes a collimated light beam to sweep across a plane grating, changing the angle of incidence. The full-aperture scanning range depends upon the over-all grating width, upon the grating spacing, and upon the orientation of the grating with respect to the high-speed mirror. For example, a 12.5-cm, 1200-lines/mm grating gives a scanning range of ~2000 A on each of two separate detector systems, or a total range of 4000 A that can be centered at any wavelength between 4000 A and 8000 A. This grating provides a theoretical resolving power of ~85,000 in the first order, a reciprocal dispersion of 17.5 A/mm at f/5, and a spectral scan speed of 115 A/μsec at 1100 rps. This spectrometer has been used to record, simultaneously, Stark-broadened Hα and Hβ emission line profiles from a transient plasma generated in the impulse tube. Electron densities calculated from the half-width of the Hβ profiles are in good agreement with values obtained by fitting the line wings of the self-absorbed Hα profiles to the theoretical profiles of Griem, Kolb, and Shen.
Terrain-based navigation: Trajectory recovery from LiDAR data

The need for complementary technologies to support navigation in GPS-challenged environment is rapidly growing in both outdoor and indoor environments. Remote sensing/mapping sensor performance continues to advance resulting in better spatial and temporal resolution of the acquired geospatial data, which, combined with the increasing hardware performance, can be available real-time or near real-time, and thus could be utilized in forming or improving the navigation solution. Terrain-based navigation has been used for a number of years to navigate airborne platforms, but the continuous exchange of precise geolocation information between the imaging and navigation modules to improve the overall error calibration is a novel idea, which should significantly increase the systempsilas fault tolerance in a variety of situations. The typical navigation solutions for airborne mapping systems are currently based on a GPS or integrated GPS/IMU systems, supporting usually a single imaging sensor, with no feedback between the sensory data processing filters. Most of the research in terrain-based navigation proposes the use of optical measurements from airborne imagery, although the concept of exploring LiDAR-based terrain navigation has also been reported. This paper is concerned with obtaining navigation data from LiDAR, and investigates the feasibility of the airborne trajectory recovery method based on LiDAR data using reference terrain surface models. If GPS signals are lost, the coordinates of LiDAR points can still be computed using the inertial-only solution, however, with errors growing in time. If reference surface data exists, they can be used to recover the LiDAR sensor trajectory by surface matching as long as the IMU drift is under a certain threshold. To assess the performance of the proposed method both simulated LiDAR data were used and an analysis oF the feasibility of the method is provided.
Hamiltonian theory of gaps, masses, and polarization in quantum Hall states

I furnish details of the hamiltonian theory of the FQHE developed with Murthy for the infrared, which I subsequently extended to all distances and apply it to Jain fractions \nu = p/(2ps + 1). The explicit operator description in terms of the CF allows one to answer quantitative and qualitative issues, some of which cannot even be posed otherwise. I compute activation gaps for several potentials, exhibit their particle hole symmetry, the profiles of charge density in states with a quasiparticles or hole, (all in closed form) and compare to results from trial wavefunctions and exact diagonalization. The Hartree-Fock approximation is used since much of the nonperturbative physics is built in at tree level. I compare the gaps to experiment and comment on the rough equality of normalized masses near half and quarter filling. I compute the critical fields at which the Hall system will jump from one quantized value of polarization to another, and the polarization and relaxation rates for half filling as a function of temperature and propose a Korringa like law. After providing some plausibility arguments, I explore the possibility of describing several magnetic phenomena in dirty systems with an effective potential, by extracting a free parameter describing the potential from one data point and then using it to predict all the others from that sample. This works to the accuracy typical of this theory (10 -20 percent). I explain why the CF behaves like free particle in some magnetic experiments when it is not, what exactly the CF is made of, what one means by its dipole moment, and how the comparison of theory to experiment must be modified to fit the peculiarities of the quantized Hall problem.
Fast-food and full-service restaurant consumption in relation to daily energy and nutrient intakes among US adult cancer survivors, 2003–2012:

Background:Healthy diet is an essential component in cancer survivorship care planning. Cancer survivors should be particularly prudent regarding their daily food choices, with an aim of ensuring s...