cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Positron-emission tomographic study of human amblyopia with use of defined visual stimuli.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use positron emission tomography (PET) to evaluate effects of amblyopia on cerebral blood flow and glucose metabolism in humans viewing defined visual stimuli and to correlate these effects with specific behavioral and electrophysiologic measures of visual function. Methods: One subject with normal vision and five patients with amblyopia were prospectively studied. During monocular viewing of a checkerboard reversal stimulus by each subject, we performed PET imaging of relative cerebral glucose metabolism with use of [ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose, PET imaging of relative cerebral blood flow with use of H 2 15 O, and visual evoked potentials. Control studies were also performed with use of binocular occlusion and during presentation of stationary and horizontally drifting checkerboards. These data were correlated with letter acuities and contrast sensitivity functions for each eye. Results: Although spatial resolution was superior for glucose metabolic imaging, PET readily demonstrated activation of calcarine cortex with use of both metabolic and blood flow tracers. Even in patients with mild amblyopia, functional activation of calcarine cortex was reduced in amblyopic eyes compared with sound eyes to a degree more closely correlated with visual acuity than were visual evoked potential amplitudes to the same stimulus. When responses to drifting versus stationary stimuli were compared, a putative motion processing center was identified in the right temporoparietal region. Activity in this motion center was relatively preserved during viewing of drifting stimuli by the affected eye of an anisometropic amblyopic subject, but was attenuated during viewing of the same stimulus by the affected eye of a strabismic amblyopic subject. Conclusions: PET imaging of blood flow and metabolism can quantitatively evaluate functional deficits resulting from amblyopia in striate as well as extrastriate visual areas. Calcarine cortical function correlates closely with severity of amblyopia, but function in a putative motion processing area may vary according to the type of amblyopia present.
Self-Assembled Trigonal Prismatic Altitudinal Rotors with Triptycene Paddle Wheels

We describe the synthesis of a trigonal prismatic molecular rotor by self-assembly from paddle-wheel carrying molecular rods and trigonal star connectors in a 3:2 ratio. The rod is 9,10-diethynyltriptycene terminated in transversely reactive [Pt(dppp)] + groups (dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) and the connector is 1,3,5-tris[(4-pyridyl)ethynyl]benzene. The structure of the molecular rotor has been established by 2-D NMR and MS, including diffusion-ordered NMR and collision-induced dissociation.
Correctly Using Sensitivity, Specificity, and Predictive Values in Clinical Practice: How to Avoid Three Common Pitfalls

OBJECTIVE. Radiology is the specialty of imaging-based diagnostic tests. Understanding the science behind evaluating diagnostic test performance is essential for radiologists because we provide care to patients and interact with our colleagues. CONCLUSION. Here, we review the key terminology used and common pitfalls encountered in the literature and in day-to-day discussions of diagnostic test performance.
Two-sample wilcoxon power over the pearson system and comparison with the t-test

The present study has as its object an accurate evaluation of the power of the two-sample equal sample size Wilcoxon test over an extensive practical range of uismnmioriv The method is thai o! a large Monte Carlo study over the Pearson ay item of dmnbuUoiia. β1 = 0.0(0.4)2.0, β2 = 1.4(0.4)7.8 (negative and positive skewness) and equal sample sizes N = 5(5)30. The power is evaluated for two values of the noncentrahty parameter △ (values which produce powers of 0.50 and 0.95 for the corresponding r-test under normality) and these probabilities are evaluated from 40,000 generated values of the test statistic. Since the ingredients of this study are identical to those of a similar earlier study of the t-test, a comparison of the power of the Wilcoxon and the t-test is provided to determine the range of the Pearson system in which the power function of one test is superior to that of the other. The stutly is restricted to equal sample size tests and the results may not apply to more than moderate departures fr...
gem-Dimethyl Effects in the Thermal Behavior of Polyethylene

Polyethylene can be rendered completely amorphous via the insertion of regularly spaced gem-dimethyl defects along its backbone, where frequency of insertion is the deciding factor in achieving the totally amorphous state. Accurate placement of defects along polyethylene's backbone is achieved with step polymerization metathesis chemistry (the ADMET reaction) rather than using chain polymerization techniques. These gem-dimethyl polyethylene macromolecules, when compared with other ADMET ethylene-based model materials, demonstrate that steric bulk, frequency, and distribution of the defect along the polymer backbone are more important than stereoregularity (tacticity) when the defects are spaced nine carbon atoms or more apart. Comparisons are made between gem-dimethyl defects and methyl defects in a polyethylene backbone.
Incidence of spontaneous mammary tumors in mice with Lithospermum-induced diestrus.

SummaryAbout 400 6-month-old virgin female C3H mice were divided into two groups: one was maintained on a normal diet; the other on an anti-estrous diet of 10-15% Lithospermum. Eighteen months later the latter group had developed half as many spontaneous mammary tumors as the former; however, if the differential mortality observed throughout the experiment is taken into statistical account, the tumor incidence ratio for the total period is 3 for the control, 2 for the experimental group. This reduction in tumor incidence was possibly connected with the Lithospermum-diestrus, but inanition and differential survival factors remain to be more fully evaluated.
Comparative developmental toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in the hamster, rat and guinea pig

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a persistent environmental contaminant capable of causing a wide variety of adverse health effects including teratogenesis and altered development. The objective of this study was to compare the developmental toxicity of TCDD in the hamster, rat and guinea pig, which in mature animals exhibit a relatively low, medium and high sensitivity to TCDD, respectively. A single oral dose of TCDD was administered to pregnant rats (0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 or 18.0 μg/kg) on gestation day 10, pregnant hamsters (0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 or 18.0 μg/kg) on gestation day 9 and pregnant guinea pigs (0, 0.15 or 1.5 μg/kg) on gestation day 14 with fetal analysis on gestation day 20, 15 and 56, respectively. The developmental toxicity of TCDD in the three species included increased fetal mortality, alterations to fetal body weight, body length, organ weight and significant changes to the fetal white blood cell differential counts. Additionally, teratogenic responses were observed in the hamster and rat consisting of cleft palate, kidney congestion, hydronephrosis and intestinal hemorrhaging. Furthermore, the results from this study demonstrate that despite the up to 5000-fold interspecies variability to the acute lethal potency of TCDD observed in mature guinea pigs, rats and hamsters, the developing fetus is uniquely vulnerable to gestational TCDD exposure and displays approximately a 10-fold variability in fetal lethal potency in these species. Together, these results will assist efforts to reduce the uncertainty in the risk assessment for TCDD in sensitive populations, such as the developing embryo and fetus.
Real-time implementation of single-shot passive auto focus on DM350 digital camera processor

With the introduction of high mega-pixel image sensors and large focal length lenses in today's consumer level digital still cameras, single-shot passive auto-focus (AF) performance in terms of speed and accuracy remains to be a critical issue among camera manufacturers. To address the AF performance issue, this paper covers the real-time implementation of a previously developed modified rule-based single-shot AF search method on the Texas Instruments TMS320DM350 processor. It is shown that a balance between AF speed and accuracy is needed to meet the real-time constraint of the digital camera system. Performance results indicate that this solution outperforms the standard global search method in terms of AF speed and accuracy.
Using a Living Laboratory to Support Transportation Research for a Freeway Work Zone

This paper presents the concept of a living laboratory (LL) and how it is applied to transportation operations research through a case study. This case study focuses on calibrating the Wiedemann car-following model parameters specific to freeway work zones. Applying the concept of an LL enables the experimental platform to be in a natural real-world environment. The design of this LL included the development of an instrumented research vehicle (IRV) to capture the natural car-following response of a driver when entering and passing through a freeway work zone. The development of a connected mobile traffic sensing (CMTS) system, which included state-of-the-art intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies, supports the LL environment by providing the connectivity, interoperability, and data processing of the natural, real-life setting. The IRV and CMTS system are tools designed based on the research objective to support the concept of an LL which facilitates the experimental environment to capture and calibrate natural driver behavior. This case study shows the application of an LL specific to operations research providing an experimental platform for evaluating the operational performance of a roadway in a real-time, connected, and collaborative natural environment.
Lipid biomarkers of oxidative stress in a genetic mouse model of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome

7-Dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) accumulates in tissues and fluids of patients with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS), which is caused by mutations in the gene encoding 3β-hydroxysterol-Δ7-reductase (DHCR7). We recently reported that 7-DHC is the most reactive lipid molecule toward free radical oxidation (lipid peroxidation) and 14 oxysterols have been identified as products of oxidation of 7-DHC in solution. As the high oxidizability of 7-DHC may lead to systemic oxidative stress in SLOS patients, we report here lipid biomarkers of oxidative stress in a Dhcr7-KO mouse model of SLOS, including oxysterols, isoprostanes (IsoPs), and neuroprostanes (NeuroPs) that are formed from the oxidation of 7-DHC, arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, respectively. In addition to a previously described oxysterol, 3β,5α-dihydroxycholest-7-en-6-one (DHCEO), we provide evidence for the chemical structures of three new oxysterols in the brain and/or liver tissue of Dhcr7-KO mice, two of which were quantified. We find that levels of IsoPs and NeuroPs are also elevated in brain and/or liver tissues of Dhcr7-KO mice relative to matching WT mice. While IsoPs and NeuroPs have been established as a reliable measurement of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in vivo, we show that in this genetic SLOS mouse model, 7-DHC-derived oxysterols are present at much higher levels than IsoPs and NeuroPs and thus are better markers of lipid oxidation and related oxidative stress.
O/1D/ and H2O/+/ in comet Bennett 1970. II

The spatial distribution of O(1D) in comet Bennett on April 18 implies the existence of an average scale length of about 10,000 km for the source of one or several parents, and an average scale length also of about 10,000 km for their destruction. The spatial distribution of H2O(+) has also been studied sunward and tailward for the same comet and the same date. Two spectra taken 20 minutes apart show recognizable wave patterns moving tailward with a velocity of 17 km/sec. The interaction of the H2O(+) ions with the solar wind gives clues to the onset of the plasma tail. A characteristic time of 800 sec seems to be associated with the instabilities seen at the onset of the tail.
Radiometric dating of ash partings in Alaskan coal beds and upper Tertiary paleobotanical stages

New K-Ar and fission-track ages from volcanic ash partings in coal beds on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, substantiate an 8-m.y. age for the paleobotanical Homerian-Clamgulchian Stage boundary. An age estimate for the Seldovian-Homerian Stage boundary indicates that the Clamgulchian Stage spans an interval of at least 3.3 m.y. Direct radiometric correlations can now be made between these paleobotanical stages and radiometrically dated time-stratigraphic units in other parts of the world. Ash partings in coals can provide radiometric age control for stratigraphic correlations in terrestrial sections that may otherwise be difficult, if not impossible, to date or correlate by other means. The possibility of detrital contamination in ash-parting samples for dating purposes exists, but careful use of this coal-bed correlation technique can aid in the assessment of coal and petroleum resources in coal-bearing, terrestrial sedimentary sequences.
Successful continuous renal replacement therapy using two single-lumen catheters in neonates and infants with cardiac disease

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) frequently occurs in neonates and infants after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and may require renal replacement therapy (RRT). Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the RRT modality of choice in neonates with AKI after CPB, but continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) may be necessary if PD is ineffective or contraindicated. Vascular access is challenging in this population, in part, due to small central vein size that may preclude placement. The risk of malfunction or morbidity associated with standard dialysis catheters may be excessive in neonates with congenital heart disease. We describe a unique approach to vascular access for CRRT in six small patients with AKI.
TH-A-141-05: Ultra-Sensitive X-Ray Fluorescence Computed Tomography

Purpose: X‐ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) has previously demonstrated element‐specific imaging in phantoms, but has not yet shown adequate sensitivity to trace amounts of imaging contrast agents required for in vivo molecular imaging. This work addresses this important limitation by reducing the background signal from scattered x‐rays, greatly increasing the sensitivity of XFCT. This improvement will potentially enable clinical x‐ray based molecular imaging. Methods: X‐ray fluorescence imaging (also known as characteristic x‐ray imaging) uses the absorption of x‐rays by heavy elements and the subsequent emission of fluorescent (characteristic) x‐rays to produce images reflecting the concentration of molecular probes. Simulations of x‐ray fluorescence and imaging acquisition were performed using Monte Carlo modeling of radiation transport through a water phantom containing vials of various concentrations of gold (0.01% – 0.5% by weight) in aqueous solution. The lowest detectable limit extrapolated from previous studies was 0.2%. We simulated a scan of the phantom with an x‐ray pencil beam in a first generation CT geometry. Two methods were used to improve the signal‐to‐background ratio: 1) mono‐energetic 82‐keV x‐rays right above the K‐edge of gold; and 2) a geometry avoiding signal detection at 80°–120° scattering angles in order to minimize the detection of scattered x‐rays. Results: The reconstructions show that 0.01% concentration of gold is easily detected with a 40 mGy imaging dose. The optimization of detection geometry to avoid scattered x‐rays improved the signal to background of the fluorescence in the measured spectrum by a factor of 6. Conclusion: We demonstrated an order of magnitude improvement of sensitivity over our previously simulated results. Our results will allow imaging of smaller amounts of contrast agent in molecular imaging and guide the design of an XFCT imaging system. This research was supported by a fellowship from the NIH ‐ Stanford Molecular Imaging Program.
Duckweed (Lemnaceae) as habitat for macroinvertebrates in eastern North Carolina

We sampled duckweed (Lemnaceae) communities at 33 locations, including blackwater wetlands. on the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Three 0.10 m2 samples were collected at each location and the biomass of the plants and the macroinvertebrates therein were determined. Significant positive correlations existed between (a) wet and dry biomass of duckweed samples, (b) dry duckweed biomass and macroinvertebrate biomass, and (c) dry duckweed biomass and species richness of the macroinvertebrate fauna. Site data (i.e. pH, Secchi depth, water depth) were not significantly correlated with duckweed biomass or macroinvertebrate biomass. Duckweed communities offer important habitat for macroinvertebrates, which in turn area a source of animal protein for wetland birds (e.g., breeding wood ducks).
Lymphokine-induction of memory B-cell differentiation: differential stimulation of large virgin and memory B-cell differentiation.

Abstract In order to compare and contrast the requirements of virgin and memory B cells for B-cell differentiation factors, a model system was developed in which low-density rat B cells isolated from 4-week primed antigen-draining lymph nodes were cultured in vitro . This large low-density cell population contained B cells which were 90% surface IgM positive and 60% IgD positive and showed moderately elevated Ia staining. When the cell population was stimulated with antigen plus lymphokines or lymphokines alone, antigen-specific IgG antibody was secreted; this was used as a measure of memory cell differentiation. When the cell population was stimulated with mitogen (lipopolysaccharide plus dextran sulfate) plus lymphokines, polyclonal IgG and IgM secretion was seen and was used as a measure of virgin B-cell differentiation. Using this system, we found that lymphokines contained in a Con A-induced rat spleen cell supernatant (CSN) were sufficient to drive both memory and virgin B-cell differentiation. In contrast, lymphokines contained in the supernatant from the murine T-cell hybridoma B151K12 (B151-CFS) were able to induce large amounts of polyclonal IgM and IgG secretion but did not support memory B-cell differentiation. When recombinant human IL-2 was added to these cultures, it acted synergistically to augment virgin B-cell differentiation, but this combination of lymphokines was still not able to support memory B-cell differentiation. Furthermore, recombinant rat interferon-γ and a commercial source of human BCGF, with or without IL-2, were unable to promote significant virgin or memory B-cell differentiation. These data support the hypothesis that memory B cells and virgin B cells differ in their lymphokine requirements for differentiation into antibody-secreting cells.
Wage Mobility of Undocumented Workers in the United States.

This study addresses two fundamental questions about the economic assimilation of undocumented immigrants in the United States: 1) How different are recently legalized immigrants from all foreign-born persons and native-born whites?; and 2) Do wages of undocumented immigrants improve as they acquire greater amounts of U.S. experience and if so are these improvements comparable to those of immigrants in general? We analyze the Legalized Population Survey and the Current Population Survey to assess the returns to U.S. experience and find positive returns to U.S. experience for both undocumented migrants and all foreign-born men. Returns to U.S. experience depend on region of origin. (EXCERPT)
Brief cytogenetic case report: A 4.5‐year‐old girl with deletion 4q syndrome — de novo, 46,XX, del(4) (pter→q31:)

A 3.5-year-old white girl had growth and mental retardation of prenatal origin, unusual facial appearance, cleft palate, abnormal sternum, absence or hypoplasia of some digits, diaphragmatic hernia, ventricular septal defect, and rib and vertebral anomalies. Her karyotype was 46,XX,del(4)(pterq31:).
Crystal Structure of KA2-Subtype Ionotropic Glutamate Receptor Amino Terminal Domain

The glutamate receptor ion channels that mediate excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian brain have a unique modular architecture distinct from that for other ligand gated ion channels. It took ten years since publication of the first crystal structure of an isolated ligand-binding domain (S1S2) (1) to solve structures of the amino terminal domain (ATD) of GluR6 (2) and GluR2 (3). These structures give insight into the regulation of subtype specific assembly by ATDs. However, structures of ATDs from other subtypes are still unknown. We have now determined high-resolution crystal structures of KA2 ATD in 2 forms at 1.4 A & 1.6 A respectively. KA2ATD has a clamshell-like fold similar to GluR6 and GluR2. However, the dimer assembly is significantly different than that for GluR6 & GluR2 where the R1 & R2 domains of both the protomers contribute equally to dimer formation. In KA2, the R2 domains also co-assemble and form close contacts similar to GluR6 & GluR2 ATDs but the R1 domains are separated. This assembly is interesting because the R1 domain has loops that likely specify subtype specific assembly. These loops make no contacts across the dimer interface in KA2 ATD, consistent with obligate co-assembly of KA2 with GluR5-7 for formation of functional ion channels.References(1) Armstrong, N., Sun, Y., Chen, G.Q. & Gouaux, E. Structure of a glutamate-receptor ligand-binding core in complex with kainate. Nature 395, 913-917 (1998).(2)Kumar J, Schuck P, Jin R, Mayer ML (2009) The N-terminal domain of GluR6-subtype glutamate receptor ion channels. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 16, 631 - 638.(3) Jin R, Singh SK, Gu S, Furukawa H, Sobolevsky AI, Zhou J, Jin Y, Gouaux E (2009) Crystal structure and association behaviour of the GluR2 amino-terminal domain. EMBO J. 28(12):1812-23.
Dance Medicine: Current Concepts

Dance medicine has grown exponentially over the past 10 to 15 years and continues to grow every year as more former professional dancers and students of dance enter into the field of medicine. Dance medicine is part of the field of performing arts medicine, which specializes in evaluating and treating performing artists such as musicians, dancers, actors/actresses, and vocalists. This article reviews the literature on dance medicine for various health-related medical issues, for the types of injuries commonly found, for the common surgical and rehabilitation interventions, and for injury prevention used in this unique group of patients.
Bypass surgery is more cost-effective than percutaneous coronary interventions for most patients with multivessel or left main coronary artery disease

Commentary on : Cohen DJ, Osnabrugge RL, Magnuson EA, et al; SYNTAX Trial Investigators. Cost-effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents versus bypass surgery for patients with 3-vessel or left main coronary artery disease: final results from the Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) trial. Circulation 2014;130:1146–57.[OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] The SYNTAX (SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus and cardiac surgery) trial compared outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug eluting stents (DES) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) among patients with three-vessel or left main coronary artery disease (CAD).1 At 5-year follow-up, there was a lower incidence of a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or repeat vascularisation among patients undergoing CABG, compared with PCI. This was primarily driven … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DCirculation%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1161%252FCIRCULATIONAHA.114.009985%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F25085960%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=circulationaha&resid=130/14/1146&atom=%2Febmed%2F20%2F2%2F77.atom
Towards improving network flow watermarks using the repeat-accumulate codes

Network intruders try to hide their identity by relaying their traffic through a number of intermediate hosts, called stepping stones. Network flow watermarks have been used to detect such attacks by inserting a special timing pattern into one flow by means of artificial delays and detecting relayed flows by searching for the same pattern. We study the application of coding schemes to improve the efficiency of network flow watermarks. In particular, we use the Repeat-Accumulate codes, a class of low complexity, high performance error-correcting codes, to improve the detection performance of a recent flow watermark, the RAINBOW. We show the effectiveness of the improved scheme, C-RAINBOW, through simulation and discuss design tradeoffs.
Non-interleaved Reed-Solomon coding over a bursty channel

The authors present a technique which analytically calculates the word, symbol, and bit error rates (BERs) of a Reed-Solomon (RS) coding system in a bursty (e.g., pulsed RF interference) environment with Poisson pulse arrivals, using a Markov chain model to represent burst errors. It is faster than the standard simulation method of analysis for low error rates, since its runtime is independent of the desired BER. The model is very flexible: it can analyze channels both with and without ideal (infinite) RS interleaving; it can analyze RS or shortened RS codes of any length, rate, or number of bits per symbol; and it can analyze a system which has a bursty channel characterized by bursts with a fixed length and by Poisson distributed arrival times. Results are presented for the commonly used RS (255,223) code, which guarantees correction of any 16 symbol errors. >
Specific-capital in equilibrium search models

Abstract This paper develops an equilibrium search model that allows firms to invest in specific-capital. I show that firms that pay higher wages invest more in specific-capital because high-paid workers quit at a lower rate. Also, wage offer density has a thin right tail.
ANTIDEPRESSANTS DO NOT INCREASE THE LETHALITY OF KETAMINE IN MICE

Swiss-Webster mice were allocated to 35 groups of 20 each, including controls, to evaluate the effect of pretreatment with antidepressant drugs on the LD 50 of ketamine i.p. Deaths occurred only in groups given ketamine 400 or 600 mg kg − . Within these groups, there were no consistent differences among untreated mice and those given one of three daily doses of either a tricyclic (amitriptyline) or monoamine oxidase inhibitor (tranylcypromine) antidepressant in their drinking water for 19 days before the ketamine injections. The ketamine LD 50 values for the three major pretreatment groups were: controls 400 mg kg −1 ; amitrip-tyline 478 mg kg −1 tranylcypromine 483 mg kg −1 . Although non-fatal additive toxicity is not ruled out by these findings, mortality from ketamine was not increased by pretreatment with either type of antidepressant.
Modeling stress and drug craving in the laboratory: implications for addiction treatment development

Addition is a chronic relapsing illness affected by multiple social, individual and biological factors that significantly impact course and recovery of the illness. Stress interacts with these factors and increases addiction vulnerability and relapse risk, thereby playing a significant role in the course of the illness. This paper reviews our efforts in developing and validating laboratory models of stress and drug cue-related provocation to assess stress responses and stress-related adaptation in addicted individuals compared with healthy controls. Empirical findings from human laboratory and brain imaging studies are presented to show the specific stress-related dysregulation that accompanies the drug-craving state in addicted individuals. In order to adequately validate our laboratory model, we have also carefully examined relapse susceptibility in the addicted individuals and these data are reviewed. The overarching goal of these efforts is to develop a valid laboratory model to identify the stress-related pathophysiology in addiction with specific regard to persistent craving and compulsive seeking. Finally, the significant implications of these findings for the development of novel treatment interventions that target stress processes and drug craving to improve addiction relapse outcomes are discussed.
Caveolae-dependent and -independent uptake of albumin in cultured rodent pulmonary endothelial cells.

Although a critical role for caveolae-mediated albumin transcytosis in pulmonary endothelium is well established, considerably less is known about caveolae-independent pathways. In this current study, we confirmed that cultured rat pulmonary microvascular (RPMEC) and pulmonary artery (RPAEC) endothelium endocytosed Alexa488-labeled albumin in a saturable, temperature-sensitive mode and internalization resulted in co-localization by fluorescence microscopy with cholera B toxin and caveolin-1. Although siRNA to caveolin-1 (cav-1) in RPAEC significantly inhibited albumin uptake, a remnant portion of albumin uptake was cav-1-independent, suggesting alternative pathways for albumin uptake. Thus, we isolated and cultured mouse lung endothelial cells (MLEC) from wild type and cav-1-/- mice and noted that ~ 65% of albumin uptake, as determined by confocal imaging or live cell total internal reflectance fluorescence microscopy (TIRF), persisted in total absence of cav-1. Uptake of colloidal gold labeled albumin was evaluated by electron microscopy and demonstrated that albumin uptake in MLEC from cav-1-/- mice was through caveolae-independent pathway(s) including clathrin-coated pits that resulted in endosomal accumulation of albumin. Finally, we noted that albumin uptake in RPMEC was in part sensitive to pharmacological agents (amiloride [sodium transport inhibitor], Go6976 [protein kinase C inhibitor], and cytochalasin D [inhibitor of actin polymerization]) consistent with a macropinocytosis-like process. The amiloride sensitivity accounting for macropinocytosis also exists in albumin uptake by both wild type and cav-1-/- MLEC. We conclude from these studies that in addition to the well described caveolar-dependent pulmonary endothelial cell endocytosis of albumin, a portion of overall uptake in pulmonary endothelial cells is cav-1 insensitive and appears to involve clathrin-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis-like process.
Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasms: Controversial Issues

Low grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms can spread to the peritoneum as pseudomyxoma peritonei even though they are not obviously invasive in the appendix. During the past several decades, several problematic issues surrounding this enigmatic tumor have been debated in the literature, including appropriate nomenclature for the appendiceal tumors and their peritoneal metastases. In this article, the most contentious issues in the area of appendiceal mucinous tumors are examined. First, the classification systems that have been proposed for these tumors are compared in the context of whether the appendiceal mucinous tumors are ruptured adenomas or invasive carcinomas. The controversy about the nature of pseudomyxoma peritonei and its classification systems is discussed in the following section. A brief discussion follows that examines the issue of localized pseudomyxoma peritonei and its clinical significance. Next reviewed is the largely resolved controversy about whether ovarian mucinous tumors in this setting are separate primaries or are metastases from the appendiceal tumor. Finally, the controversy about the most effective treatment of patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei is discussed.
Stability enhancement by boundary control in 2-D channel flow

In this paper, we stabilize the parabolic equilibrium profile in a two-dimensional (2-D) channel flow using actuators and sensors only at the wall. The control of channel flow was previously considered by Speyer and coworkers, and Bewley and coworkers, who derived feedback laws based on linear optimal control, and implemented by wall-normal actuation. With an objective to achieve global Lyapunov stabilization, we arrive at a feedback law using tangential actuation (using teamed pairs of synthetic jets or rotating disks) and only local measurements of wall shear stress, allowing to embed the feedback in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) hardware, without need for wiring. This feedback is shown to guarantee global stability in at least H/sup 2/ norm, which by Sobolev's embedding theorem implies continuity in space and time of both the flow field and the control (as well as their convergence to the desired steady state). The theoretical results are limited to low values of Reynolds number, however, we present simulations that demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed feedback for values five order of magnitude higher.
Asymmetric reproductive isolation among polymorphic salamanders

The study of reproductive isolation (RI) as a prerequisite to sympatric speciation has been limited by a focus on species that have already experienced isolation. However, a complete understanding of speciation depends on observing taxa before they complete the speciation process. We estimated RI in field populations of the polyphenic mole salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum, by capturing paedomorphic (aquatic) and metamorphic (terrestrial) adults during the breeding season from two natural populations. We found evidence for asymmetric RI between morphs, such that paedomorphic males and metamorphic females had functionally zero RI, whereas metamorphic males and paedomorphic females had substantial RI. Evidence suggests that ecological factors such as the abundance of each morph, timing of rainfall, and water depth of the breeding habitat play a large role in the production of these asymmetries. Spatial aspects of RI had a greater relative impact on overall isolation than temporal differences, in part because metamorphic adults were often captured in shallower water than paedomorphic adults. However, morph separation varied across populations and year, suggesting that environmental heterogeneity likely plays a large role in the potential for RI, particularly between metamorphic males and paedomorphic females. In addition, body-size variation and behavioural differences could also influence the RI estimates presented here. Although facultative paedomorphosis appears to have played a large role in macroevolutionary change via allopatric speciation in some taxa, our results suggest that there is little potential for sympatric speciation in the future within these populations. However, asymmetric RI creates the opportunity for fitness differences between morphs and sexes that would directly affect the maintenance of this polymorphism. Our results suggest that further studies on this and other polyphenisms may provide valuable insight into the evolution of RI and the role of environmental heterogeneity in the production and maintenance of biological diversity. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 86, 265−281.
Development of a two‐antibody model for the evaluation of copper‐64 radioimmunotherapy

Copper-64 emits beta(+) and beta(-) particles suitable for positron emission tomography and radioimmunotherapy (RIT) of cancer. Copper-64-labelled antibodies have caused complete responses in laboratory animal RIT studies at far lower radiation doses than traditionally prescribed. The intracellular localization of copper radioisotopes may lead to cytotoxic effects by mechanisms beyond ionizing radiation damage. The purpose of this research was to develop a model using both internalizing and non-internalizing antibodies for direct comparison in future RIT studies using the same animal model of cancer. The monoclonal antibodies, cBR96 and cT84.66, were conjugated with N-hydroxysulfosuccinimidyl DOTA. All conjugates retained high immunoreactivity and labelled efficiently with (64)Cu with high specific activity and radiochemical purity. Twenty-four hour biodistributions determined in LS174T tumour-bearing nude mice demonstrated low organ and high tumour uptakes for both monoclonal antibodies. This model constitutes a promising system for elucidating whether internalization of (64)Cu is responsible for an enhanced tumour cytotoxicity in vivo.
An economic analysis of a modified, enriched cage egg production system

(1998). An economic analysis of a modified, enriched cage egg production system. British Poultry Science: Vol. 39, No. sup001, pp. 14-15.
Special Issue Oceans and Humans Health: The Ecology of Marine Opportunists

Opportunistic marine pathogens, like opportunistic terrestrial pathogens, are ubiquitous in the environment (waters, sediments, and organisms) and only cause disease in immune-compromised or stressed hosts. In this review, we discuss four host-pathogen interactions within the marine environment that are typically considered opportunistic: sea fan coral-fungus, eelgrass-Labyrinthula zosterae, sea fan-Labyrinthulomycetes, and hard clam-Quahog Parasite Unknown with particular focus on disease ecology, parasite pathology, host response, and known associated environmental conditions. Disease is a natural part of all ecosystems; however, in some cases, a shift in the balance between the host, pathogen, and the environment may lead to epizootics in natural or cultured populations. In marine systems, host-microbe interactions are less understood than their terrestrial counterparts. The biological and physical changes to the world's oceans, coupled with other anthropogenic influences, will likely lead to more opportunistic diseases in the marine environment.
Legacies of land use history diminish over 22 years in a forest in southeastern New York1,2

Abstract Historical land use has shaped ecosystem structure and function in much of eastern North America, but the question of how long the legacies of 19th and 20th century agriculture will persist in forested landscapes remains a matter of debate. To evaluate whether the legacies of land use are diminishing over time we resampled permanent vegetation plots in areas which either did or did not have an agricultural history. This study focused on changes in trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and soil chemistry between 1984 and 2006 at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in southeastern New York State. Substantial shifts in tree species composition were observed, including a decline in the basal area of Cornus florida and Quercus prinus. These changes appear to be due, respectively, to dogwood anthracnose and mortality associated with gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) defoliation. Quercus rubra and Acer saccharum increased in basal area over the same period. Sapling density in the plots remained nearly cons...
Translational Repression of Human Matrix Metalloproteinases-13 by an Alternatively Spliced Form of T-cell-restricted Intracellular Antigen-related Protein (TIAR)

Abstract Human matrix metalloproteinases-13 (HMMP13) shows a wide substrate specificity, and its expression is limited to pathological situations such as chronic inflammation and cancer. The coding sequence for HMMP13 is 86% identical to rat matrix metalloproteinases-13 (RMMP13); however, the regulation of HMMP13 and RMMP13 protein synthesis in renal mesangial cells is strikingly different. In human cells there is a discordance between HMMP13 mRNA levels and protein expression. Following IL-1β or TGF-β1 stimulation, HMMP13 mRNA levels increase significantly, whereas the protein expression is absent. This discordance is because of a species-dependent translational repression. In addition to the 3′-untranslated region of the matrix metalloproteinases-13 (MMP13) gene, the differential expression of an alternatively spliced transcript of the RNA-binding protein TIAR in human cell cultures is also critical for this post-transcriptional regulation. Transient expression of the 17-amino acid insert of the alternatively spliced form of TIAR reverses the HMMP13 mRNA silencing observed in human and primate species. In addition, co-transfection of the alternatively spliced form of TIAR and HMMP13 into Rat2 cells suppresses HMMP13 protein expression. Thus, we report for the first time that a species-dependent TIAR isoform plays a major role in the post-transcriptional silencing for HMMP13.
Asymptotic performance of second-order algorithms

This paper re-examines the asymptotic performance analysis of second-order methods for parameter estimation in a general context. It provides a unifying framework to investigate the asymptotic performance of second-order methods under the stochastic model assumption in which both the waveforms and noise signals are possibly temporally correlated, possibly non-Gaussian, real, or complex (possibly noncircular) random processes. Thanks to a functional approach and a matrix-valued reformulated central limit theorem about the sample covariance matrix, the conditions under which the asymptotic covariance of a parameter estimator are dependent or independent of the distribution of the signal involved are specified. Finally, we demonstrate the application of our general results to direction of arrival (DOA) estimation, identification of finite impulse response models, sinusoidal frequency estimation for mixed spectra time series, and frequency estimation of sinusoidal signal with very lowpass envelope.
Oral cleansing with chlorhexidine to decrease the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia: using the right concentration in the right place.

To the Editor—We read with interest the recent study Bellissimo-Rodrigues et al 1 on the use of 0.12% chlorhexidine for prevention of nosocomial pneumonia. The authors concluded that 0.12% chlorhexidine was not effective in decreasing the incidence of nosocomial respiratory infection. However, chlorhexidine prolonged the infection-free survival time in this study. We have a few observations. In the present study, 0.12% chlorhexidine prolonged the onset of lower respiratory tract infections (11.3 days, compared with 7.6 days for placebo). However, the organisms isolated from these patients were not reported. Chlorhexidine is a broad-spectrum antiseptic with significant activity against gram-positive bacteria. 2 Therefore, it is necessary to investigate whether this delay in the onset of first respiratory infection was also accompanied by a difference in the microbial etiologies. In a larger, single-center study, we recently found that oropharyngeal cleansing with 0.2% chlorhexidine did not decrease the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia among intensive care unit (ICU) patients, although length of ICU stay was reduced in intubated patients and those receiving mechanical ventilation. 3 Similarly, other studies using chlorhexidine in a concentration of 0.2% or less in ICU patients reported improvement in surrogate outcomes but not in the incidence of pneumonia or mortality. 4-6 In contrast, the 2 studies of 2% chlorhexidine for oropharyngeal cleansing both showed reduction in the incidence of pneumonia. 7,8 Therefore, we suggest that future studies of oral cleansing with chlorhexidine among ICU patients should use higher concentrations (2%).
Thermal degradation of polyurethanes based on xylylene diisocyanates

Polyurethanes derived from xylylene diisocyanates and trans-1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol were thermally degraded by using the techniques of thermogravimetry and pyrolysis at atmospheric pressure. Quantitative determination of the pyrolysis products such as CO2, diamine, olefin, and starting diol showed that these polyurethanes follow the typical mechanism of degradation via dissociation into starting diol and diisocyanate. Kinetic parameters for the overall degradation reaction were determined using four different methods. The results showed the influence of the experimental technique used when making a comparison of the thermal stability of polymers, as determined by the kinetic parameters of the degradation reactions.
Time‐dependent mass loss rate behavior of wall materials under external radiation

External radiation in enclosure fires can significantly enhance flame spread and fire growth. One of the effects of external radiation is to increase the mass loss rate of the fuel, which in turn produces larger flames. In this work, a measurement of mass loss with and without applied radiation was made as a function of time for three types of materials: a plastic (polymethylmethacrylate), wood-based products (particle board and hardboard), and a paper-based product (cardboard). The levels of applied radiation ranged from 0 to nearly 12 kWm−2. The purpose of the investigation was to (1) quantitatively determine the effect of external radiation on the mass loss of various materials,(2) measure various parameters which may be used to characterize the mass loss rate history of the materials and (3) determine a method for expressing the mass loss rate as a function of time for input into numerical models. Higher levels of external radiation resulted in higher peak mass loss rates and quicker consumption of the material. Quantities which are useful for ranking the flammability of materials have been measured for the samples tested and are tabulated.
Single Crystal Growth of 123 YBCO and 2122-BCSCO Superconductors

Anisotropic properties of electronic materials are exploited in a number of ways to improve the performance of electronic devices. Materials such as magnetics, nonlinear dielectrics, superconductors and semiconductors play very important roles in the advancement of electronic technology. The origin of the anisotropy in the physical properties lies in the fundamental crystal structure of materials. Since the discovery of superconductivity in the families of YBaCu-oxides (YBCO), BiCaSrCu-oxides (BCSCO), and TlCaBaCu-oxides, many novel and potential applications have been proposed to utilize the anisotropic nature of these materials exhibited in their basic physical properties, especially in electrical and thermal conductivities and critical current densities. Many efforts have been made to synthesize the high temperature superconductors (HTS) in bulk and thin film forms to attain superior physical, chemical and mechanical properties. For a large number of applications high values of both the critical temperature (T c ) and the critical current density (J c ) are desirable. In this respect, studies done on single crystals are important. Only through the systematic studies of single crystals of the new superconducting oxides the basic understanding of this recently discovered phenomenon can be understood. Technically, on the other hand, many high performance devices can be built using substrates of high quality bulk single crystals. For example, long wavelength infrared detectors (15– 30μm), millimeter and microwave devices, high performance and dense memory chips, large bandwidth IC devices (5–6 GHz bandwidth; a range far greater than any semiconductor device is capable of performing) etc., can be built for satisfactory performance if large device quality single crystals substrate of HTS materials were readily available. Furthermore, fabrication of highly efficient JOS-FET (Josephson junction field effect transistor) and SAW (surface acoustic wave) device having 10–100 MHz bandwidth can also be built using defect-free substrates of HTS crystals. From these few examples it is evident that single crystals are important both for scientific understanding of the physical mechanism of high temperature superconductivity as well as for the development of new technologies.