cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unilateral Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion Through the Right Axillary Artery Provides Uniform Flow Distribution to Both Hemispheres of the Brain A Magnetic Resonance and Histopathological Study in Pigs

Background—Bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) has decreased in popularity over the past decade because of its complexity and the risk of cerebral embolism. We used magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging to assess flow distribution in both hemispheres of the brain during unilateral ACP through the right carotid artery via a cannula placed in the right axillary artery in conjunction with hypothermic circulatory arrest. Methods and Results—Twelve pigs were randomly exposed to 120 minutes of either bilateral ACP through both carotid arteries (n=6) or unilateral ACP through the right axillary artery (n=6) at pressures of 60 to 65 mm Hg at 15°C, followed by 60 minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass at 37°C. MR perfusion images were acquired every 30 minutes before, during, and after ACP. The brain was perfusion fixed for histopathology. During initial normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, MR perfusion imaging showed a uniform distribution of flow in the brain. In both the bilateral and unilateral ACP gro...
Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: Result in 45 Consecutive Surgically Treated Patients

Abstract The management of traumatic optic neuropathy remains controversial. In this report, we present the results of 45 patients treated with extracranial optic nerve decompression after at least 12 to 24 hours of corticosteroid therapy without improvement. Vision improved in 32 patients after surgery (71%), and the mean percentage of improvement from preoperative visual deficit was 40.7% ± 6.9% (median improvement 41.2%). Worsening of vision occurred in none of the patients as a result of the surgery, and no intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered. We present a treatment protocol for traumatic optic neuropathy with the use of megadose corticosteroids and optic nerve decompression. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;120:5-11.)
Identification of Ethnic Settlement Regions: Amish‐Mennonites in Ohio

The persistence of ethnic settlement in rural regions of the United States is well documented. Yet, there has been little discussion of techniques which allow the identification of the geographic extent and concentration of distinctive ethnic populations. Amish-Mennonite settlement constitutes a unique component of the rural landscape. A wide range of visual clues alert the observer to their presence, but without painstaking field surveys it is difficult to establish their geographic extent. This paper examines four approaches to the identification of Amish-Mennonite settlement. These are county-based population data on religious affiliation, the location of Amish church districts and Mennonite churches, topographic maps, and surnames and cadastral maps. Topographic maps proved unsuitable, but each of the other approaches produced reasonable approximations of the areal extent of Amish-Mennonite settlement. Surnames and cadastral maps present good possibilities for the identification of other ethnic populations in rural regions.
Estimation of the True Interfacial Shear Strength for Composite Materials With the Microbond Test

Conservative estimates of the true interfacial shear strength (IFSS) were obtained by applying the Coulomb-Mohr failure theory to microbond test data in this combined experimental and computational study. Experimentally, interfacial strengths of unsaturated polyester on untreated and silane treated optical glass fibers were measured with an axisymmetric microbond test system. Commonly reported average IFSS values were 6.51 MPa for untreated fibers and 8.01 MPa for silane treated fibers with coefficients of variation that ranged from 9.7–22%, which was an improvement from the previous parallel blade system that ranged from 17–66%. Axisymmetric finite element analysis (FEA) was completed with the aid of a Microbond Input Generator program that reduced model development and analysis time by 97% from 1000 minutes to under 30 minutes making this feasible to perform FEA on every experimental microbond sample. FEA models include the complex microbond bead geometry, contact loading conditions, and constituent material properties measured according to ASTM standards. Application of the Coulomb-Mohr failure theory revealed a conservative estimate of the true IFSS in the absence of compressive radial stresses to be 19.2 MPa for untreated fibers and 25.1 MPa for silane treated fibers. Comparisons are also made with the maximum IFSS value.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Further studies on β-hydroxyaspartic acid

Stability studies with the two diastereoisomers of β-hydroxyaspartic acid have demonstrated that heating of either the erythro or the threo isomer in 6 N HCl at 120°C. leads to an equilibrium mixture of the two forms. After 96 hours a ratio of 5:2 of the erythro to the threo isomer is established. When either diastereoisomer is heated in water at 120°C., partial deamination and cleavage to glycine is observed as well as the interconversion of both compounds. The threo - predominates over erythro -β-hydroxyaspartic acid in a ratio of 2:1 after 50 hours of heating. The possible occurrence of β-hydroxyaspartic acid in several proteins has been investigated. Even though a component having the same chromatographic properties as erythro -β-hydroxyaspartic acid has been found in the protein hydrolysates, it has failed to react positively in other tests characteristic of β-hydroxyaspartic acid.
Over-the-counter topical antipruritic agents are commonly recommended by office-based physicians: an analysis of US practice patterns.

BACKGROUND: Pruritus is one of the most common complaints among patients who visit physicians. Over‐the‐counter topical antipruritic medications are widely recommended by physicians and are self‐administered by patients for the treatment of pruritus. However, there are few scientific controlled studies evaluating the effect of these drugs on pruritus.OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of physician‐recommended over‐the‐counter medications for the treatment of pruritus.METHODS: Records were analyzed for office‐based physician visits in which over‐the‐counter antipruritic topical medications were recommended in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey between the years 1995 and 2000.RESULTS: The largest proportion of over‐the‐counter antipruritic agent recommendations were during visits to dermatologists, accounting for 41% of all such recommendations. Other physicians that recommended such agents included family physicians and pediatricians, accounting respectively for 26% and 21% of the recommendations. The...
Palindromic sequences preceding the terminator increase polymerase III template activity

Four consecutive T residues in the sense strand are sufficient to terminate transcription by RNA polymerase III (pol III). Previously we observed that compared with this minimally sufficient terminator, five T residues immediately preceded by a palindromic sequence increases transcriptional expression both in vitro and in vivo, raising the question of whether a palindromic sequence has a role in pol III termination. Here we observe that site-directed mutations which eliminate the dyad symmetry of the palindromic sequence decrease transcriptional expression. Similar effects are observed whether dyad symmetry is eliminated in regions of the palindrome which are proximal or distal with respect to the terminator. Compensatory mutations at either site to restore dyad symmetry rescue transcriptional activity. These observations suggest that a higher order structure, such as a RNA hairpin, immediately preceding the terminator increases pol III transcriptional activity.
The role of training in the reorganization of cataloging services

The Cataloging Services Department at Widner Library, Harvard College, was restructured into teams in mid-1993. Two types of training for staff were implemented. This paper discusses the new organizational culture based on the library's vision statement, the Group Process Training and Functional Training modules, the working assumptions, and the strengths and weakness of each training module.
High-Throughput Craze Studies in Gradient Thin Films Using Ductile Copper Grids

Polymer materials are being developed and used for numerous photonic and electronic applications where the polymer is expected to maintain its dielectric properties in confined geometries. In these applications, the initiation or growth of mechanically induced defects, such as crazes, cracks, or shear bands, can significantly alter the intended function of the polymer. In this paper, we introduce a high throughput methodology to facilitate the investigation of craze growth in confined films. Specifically, we extend the previous research conducted on the effects of film thickness on crazing of polystyrene into unexplored thickness regimes of films less than 100 nm. We combine novel techniques of gradient thin film preparation, the established methodology of the copper grid strain test, the automated features of atomic force microscopy, and batch image processing to provide increased throughput and standardization in our quantitative measurements. We demonstrate that the mechanisms of craze widening and mic...
Ethnicity and class in Bulgaria

Scholars of ethnic politics disagree. Some believe that people gain psychological satisfaction from an ethnic identity. Others believe that people bond ethnically primarily for practical reasons of class, such as to pursue prosperity and security. The literature on ethnicity asks two central questions. First, are ethnic categories unitary and ascriptive or are they multiple and malleable? Second, do groups choose their own identities or do others label them? The way theorists answer these questions can help us diagnose whether ethnicity is primarily a psychological, or rather a rational, phenomenon.
Search for ferromagnetism in transition-metal-doped piezoelectric ZnO

We present results of a computational study of ZnO in the presence of Co and Mn substitutional impurities. The goal of our work is to identify potential ferromagnetic ground states within the (Zn,Co)O or (Zn,Mn)O material systems that are also good candidates for piezoelectricity. We find that robust ferromagnetism is not obtained by substitution of Co or Mn on the Zn site, unless additional carriers (holes) are also incorporated. This is consistent with the conventional wisdom that carriers are required to induce ferromagnetism in diluted magnetic semiconductors, but in contrast to a previous theoretical prediction for this system [K. Sato and H. Katayama-Yoshida, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., Part 2 39, L555 (2000); K. Sato and H. Katayama-Yoshida, Phys. Status Solidi B 229, 673 (2002)]. We propose a practical scheme for achieving such p-type doping in ZnO.
The effect of physical vapor deposition parameters on the thermoelectric power of thin film molybdenum-nickel junctions

Abstract The effect of various physical vapor deposition parameters on the thermoelectric power of thin film (10 000 A) Mo-Ni junctions deposited by electron beam evaporation was investigated in this study. The deposition parameters of interest were the substrate temperature, the deposition rate and the vapor source purity. The thermoelectric power of the thin film Mo-Ni junctions was dependent on the structure of the Mo thermoelectric element of the couple, the characteristics of which were significantly altered by varying the deposition parameters. Varying the deposition parameters caused a change in lattice imperfections in the metal, which changed the mean free path of the conduction electrons and the thermoelectric power of the couple. The parameters having the greatest effect on the thermoelectric power were the deposition rate and the substrate temperature. Couples deposited at a high deposition rate (10 000 A min -1 ) and a high substrate temperature (⩾ 300 °C) demonstrated e.m.f. characteristics closest to bulk values.
Dynamics of spinning spacecraft during the deployment of flexible boom

The effect of flexibility on the dynamics of a spinning symmetrical spacecraft during the extension (or retraction) of boom-type appendages is treated by modeling the appendages as compound spherical pendula with varying lengths. Both boom stiffness and structural damping are included. For constant boom length the resulting linearized equations of motion contain periodic coefficients involving the spin frequency. A bounded transformation converts this system into a kinematically equivalent one (with only constant coefficients), whose stability is analyzed using the Kelvin-Tait-Chetaev theorem. The dynamics during extension is predicted by numerical simulation of the nonlinear equations.
Laboratory observations of inner surf and swash-zone hydrodynamics on a steep slope

Abstract Laboratory data of free surface elevation and fluid velocities (cross-shore and vertical velocities) were obtained using a laser-Doppler velocimeter (LDV) for the case of a periodic wave plunging over an impermeable, steep (1:10) slope with a fixed bottom roughness (nominal diameter=2.2 mm). The measurements were conducted over 14 cross-shore locations from the outer surf zone to the swash zone with approximately 10 vertical points at each location. The vertical resolution included measurements in the bottom boundary layer and some points above the trough level. Various hydrodynamic quantities, including ensemble-averaged turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) (〈 k 〉) and turbulence intensity (〈 u ′ 2 〉 and 〈 w ′ 2 〉), were estimated to better understand inner surf and swash zone hydrodynamics induced by strongly plunging waves. In the outer region of the bottom boundary layer, the ratio of the time-averaged horizontal turbulence intensity ( u ′ 2 ¯ ) to the time-averaged vertical turbulence intensity ( w ′ 2 ¯ ) agreed well with the case of plane wake turbulence ( u ′ 2 ¯ / w ′ 2 ¯ = 1.31 ) . The average ratio near the bottom was larger ( u ′ 2 ¯ / w ′ 2 ¯ = 5.91 ) which is closer to flows typified by the inner region of a boundary layer ( u ′ 2 ¯ / w ′ 2 ¯ = 6.20 ) . In the surf zone, the ensemble-averaged horizontal fluid velocity (〈 u 〉) near the bottom leads in phase compared to 〈 u 〉 in the upper layer, and 〈 u 〉 at the bore front exceeds the theoretical wave celerity. At the impinge point, a strong return flow occurred ( u min = - 50.98 cm / s ) which was greater in magnitude than the onshore directed velocity ( u max = 40.09 cm / s ) . In the surf zone, 〈 k 〉 was largest just below trough level with a forward shift in phase of the peak intensity. The turbulence energy was mostly dissipated after the passage of the crest at this location. 〈 u 〉 near the bottom was leading in phase with a sharp vertical gradient in 〈 u 〉 indicating that boundary layer processes may have been important. In the swash zone, the vertical gradient of 〈 u 〉 was relatively small compared to the vertical gradient of 〈 u 〉 in the surf zone and may be due to the effect that the strong downrush had on turbulent mixing. Finally, the time-averaged estimate of TKE ( 〈 k 〉 ¯ ) was vertically uniform over the inner surf and swash zone.
A Phantom Tissue System for the Calibration of Perfusion Measurements

A convenient method for testing and calibrating surface perfusion sensors has been developed. A phantom tissue model is used to simulate the nondirectional blood flow of tissue perfusion. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was constructed in Fluent® to design the phantom tissue and validate the experimental results. The phantom perfusion system was used with a perfusion sensor based on clearance of thermal energy. A heat flux gage measures the heat flux response of tissue when a thermal event (convective cooling) is applied. The blood perfusion and contact resistance are estimated by a parameter estimation code. From the experimental and analytical results, it was concluded that the probe displayed good measurement repeatability and sensitivity. The experimental perfusion measurements in the tissue were in good agreement with those of the CFD models and demonstrated the value of the phantom tissue system.
Decreased activity of spontaneous and noxiously evoked dorsal horn cells during transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of TENS application to somatic receptive fields on spontaneous and noxiously evoked dorsal horn cell activity in α-chloralose-anesthetized cat. Carbon-filament microelectrodes were used to record extracellular action potentials from 83 spontaneously discharging cells. Using a commercial TENS unit (Medtronic Eclipse Model 7723), spontaneous cell activity was decreased in 54% (65%) of the cells. Twenty-five (30%) did not respond and 4 (5%) increased activity. It was also shown that for 36 cells which were evoked with either manual pinch (19 cells) or manual clamp (17 cells), cell activity decreased during TENS application. This study shows that dorsal horn neurons which can potentially transmit noxious information to supraspinal levels, can have their cell activity decreased during TENS application to somatic receptive fields. This is consistent with the concept of the ‘gate control theory of pain’ in that less noxious information would be involved in the pain perception process.
Pulmonary Nodules and Rheumatoid Factor in the Absence of Arthritis

Bilateral pulmonary parenchymal nodules were detected in a 41-year-old woman in 1964. These lesions gradually enlarged over a ten-year period. In 1974, the diagnosis of rheumatoid pulmonary disease was based on her clinical course, the presence of rheumatoid factor in the serum, interpretation of a biopsy of a cutaneous nodule, and review of a lung biopsy performed in 1964. The patient never developed arthritis.
O30. Hepatopancreatic development and function in zebrafish

Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays crucial roles in both tumor progression and organ development. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate ECM remodeling are not fully understood. In zebrafish, asymmetric migration of the epithelial lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) displaces the gut to the left, leading to the correct placement of the liver and pancreas. The bHLH transcription factor Hand2 is expressed in the anterior LPM as well as its mesenchymal derivatives. In order to observe these tissues at higher resolution, we generated a transgenic line that expresses GFP under the control of the hand2 regulatory regions. By confocal imaging, we show that during the process of gut looping, Laminin is distributed along the LPM/gut boundary, and appears to be degraded by the Hand2-expressing cells as they undergo asymmetric migration. Laminin degradation is required for LPM migration and is dependent on matrix metalloprotease (MMP) activity. Loss of Hand2 function causes reduced MMP activity and prolonged Laminin deposition at the LPM/gut boundary. Consequently, asymmetric LPM migration and leftward gut looping fail to occur in these embryos. Our study reveals an unexpected role for Hand2, a transcription factor that controls cell specification and differentiation, in modulating ECM remodeling during organ morphogenesis.
A uridine kinase-deficient mutant of 3T3 and a selective method for cells containing the enzyme

Abstract A mutant subline deficient in uridine kinase has been prepared from the mouse fibroblast line 3T3–4E, already deficient in thymidine kinase. The uridine kinase deficiency was evolved through the use of a mutagen and selection in the presence of tritiated uridine and fluorouridine. Two such clones incorporated very little labeled uridine into cell nucleic acid, and possessed very little uridine kinase activity demonstrable in cell extracts. A selective medium is described in which cells are required to use exogenous uridine as the principal pyrimidine source. Survival in this medium requires uridine kinase, and the mutant clones are killed. The selective system is suitable for cell hybridization studies and will require the presence in a viable hybrid of a functioning uridine kinase gene.
A Fast Algorithm for Conversion from DCT Blocks to Integer Cosine Transform Blocks

Variants of the discrete cosine transform (DCT) have been selected for different image/video compression standards, and fast conversion algorithms between these transforms are needed. In this paper, conversion between an 8 × 8 DCT block, used in MPEG-2, and its corresponding 4 × 4 integer DCT blocks, used in H.264, is studied. By investigating the structure of the two transform kernels, a DCT decomposition scheme is adopted in development of the fast conversion algorithm. Analysis of the performance of this conersion scheme shows that the proposed scheme provides over 45% computation savings on multiplications, as compared to an existing scheme, while maintaining high fidelity in terms of PSNR.
The Search for a Mass Ecological Constituency

A core requirement for addressing the ecological crisis will be to reverse the expansionist thrust, which is inherent in capitalism. I explore the political conditions for achieving such a reversal, asking specifically on what basis a vast popular movement inspired by this goal may emerge. Because the drive to economic accumulation arises from the class interest of capital, a coherent and effective opposition to it must reflect a class position opposed to capital. In this sense, environmentalism is a class issue. After noting earlier theoretical expressions of this insight, I review (focusing on the US case) key expressions of explicit working-class environmentalism. How can such awareness be extended and amplified? Recognizing the diversity of constituencies that a working-class perspective must embody, I examine environmentalist dimensions of the demands associated with particular sectors (notably, the anti-racist and the feminist movements). It becomes apparent that whereas the legitimacy of such deman...
FURTHER OCCURRENCES OF SPENCERITES FROM THE MIDDLE PENNSYLVANIAN OF KANSAS AND ILLINOIS

New specimens of Spencerites moorei add knowledge of its sporophylls and method of sporangial attachment. The sporophyll consists of a slender pedicel which expands at its distal end into a fleshy, peltate, diamond-shaped head which bears a presumably fleshy lamina. The sporangium is attached through most of its length to the adaxial surface of the pedicel rather than distally as in S. insignis. It is suggested that the distal attachment shown in S. insignis may be derived through a phyletic shift from the pedicellate position. Additional specimens of Spencerites provisionally assigned to S. majusculus are also recorded. The spores are bilateral, monolete, and shaped like quadrants of a sphere. Two prominent wings extend along the two contact faces and the monolete mark is prominently raised, thus imparting a three-winged appearance to the spore. The axis consists of an exarch protostele and a cylinder of thick-walled outer cortex.
Localized Sliced Inverse Regression

We develop a supervised dimension reduction method that integrates the idea of localization from manifold learning with the sliced inverse regression framework. We call our method localized sliced inverse regression (LSIR) since it takes into account the local structure of the explanatory variables. The resulting projection from LSIR is a linear subspace of the explanatory variables that captures the nonlinear structure relevant to predicting the response. LSIR applies to both classification and regression problems and can be easily extended to incorporate the ancillary unlabeled data in semi-supervised learning. We illustrate the utility of LSIR on real and simulated data. Computer codes and datasets from simulations are available online.
Localization of cerebroside — Sulfotransferase activity in the Golgi apparatus of rat kidney

Abstract A Golgi-rich fraction that contains both uridine diphosphogalactose: N-acetylglucosamine galactosyltransferase activity and 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate:cerebroside sulfotransferase activity has been isolated from rat kidney. Both activities are increased about 80-fold in the Golgi fraction compared to the homogenate. Little or no galactosyltransferase or sulfotransferase activity was found in purified nuclei, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membranes and supernatant. The results indicate that both galactosyltransferase and sulfotransferase are localized in Golgi apparatus from rat kidney. This is the first evidence that Golgi apparatus functions to modify a lipid component of the cell.
Solution properties of polyaniline by light scattering measurements: Achieving spatial homogeneity

Abstract Dynamic light scattering has been used to study polyelectrolyte behavior of polyanilines in solution. Comparisons with gel permeation chromatography have confirmed formation of supramolecular structures.
Effects of topical application of diphenylhydantoin on gross evoked responses and single-neuron activity in pericruciate and precoronal cerebral cortex of the domestic cat.

Abstract Surface gross potentials and extracellular single-neuron responses evoked by stimulation of each of the four paws were recorded in the forepaw region of precoronal (field 3b), postcruciate, and precruciate (both field 4γ) tissues before and after topical application of diphenylhydantoin (DPH) to the surface recording site. When applied in crystalline form in any but the most minute amount, spreading cortical depression was induced. When applied in saline solution at 1 to 2 mg/ml, the primary gross response evoked by contralateral forepaw stimulation was markedly enhanced at the site of application, whatever the site. Occasionally, the primary response amplitude was briefly reduced, but it recovered within 2 min and then became enhanced for 15 to 90 min. By analogy with the “strychnine spike,” this greatly enhanced response is termed a “DPH spike.” At both pericruciate sites, DPH spikes developed from the small surface responses evoked by stimulation of the “off-focus” paws (ipsilateral forepaw and the two hind paws), as well as from the primary response evoked by contralateral forepaw stimulation. Single-neuron responsiveness to contralateral forepaw stimulation increased gradually as the DPH spike increased, and decreased as it decreased. Some neurons became responsive to off-focus paw stimulation when off-focus DPH spikes appeared. At the precoronal site, no off-focus DPH spikes appeared and no off-focus responsiveness developed on single neurons. In a few instances, an increase in the number of unit spikes per discharge occurred only during the first few responses to a 1 s iterative stimulus train, the responses returning to the pretreatment condition for the remainder of the stimulus train. Reinstituting the 1 s stimulus train after 5 to 10 min rest produced a similar transient enhancement of the neuron response. Thus, at a critical local concentration, this clinically anticonvulsant drug enhances the responsiveness of cerebral cortex to afferent input. Except for the transient enhancement of responsiveness seen on a few neurons, the effect is similar to, but weaker than, that produced by topical strychnine or bicuculline.
Whose Hands Ply the Strands? Survey of Eastern Michigan University Psychology Faculty Regarding Faculty and Librarian Roles in Nurturing Psychology Information Literacy

The Association of College and Research Libraries developed information literacy standards and associated performance indicators for undergraduate psychology students. A survey of tenure-track faculty members and full-time lecturers in the Psychology Department at Eastern Michigan University was conducted to discover how those professors viewed the importance of these indicators, and how those professors perceived their role, as well as the role of librarians, in supporting instruction that develops those skills. The psychology faculty acknowledged the curricular value of the information literacy performance indicators and perceived librarians as having a supportive role relative to their own more primary role in developing the skills.
A uniform formulation for the calculation of stress singularities in the plane elasticity of a wedge composed of multiple isotropic materials

Abstract Behavior of the stress singularities at the corners are determined by an associated eigenequation. This paper gives an explicit closed form expression for the eigenequation in the case of a tri-material composite open wedge. A simple explicit closed form is given for an N -material composite open wedge with constant shear modulus. All formulations are uniform with respect to the boundary conditions which can be either free or clamped. A reliable program computes eigenvalues and associated eigenfunctions which may contain logarithmic terms. All expressions were derived using the computer with the aid of a symbolic manipulator.
Helicobacter pylori and mitogen‐activated protein kinases mediate activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) subcomponent protein expression and DNA‐binding activity in gastric epithelial cells

Emerging evidence has suggested a critical role for activator protein-1 (AP)-1 in regulating various cellular functions. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of Helicobacter pylori and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) on AP-1 subcomponents expression and AP-1 DNA-binding activity in gastric epithelial cells. We found that H. pylori infection resulted in a time- and dose-dependent increase in the expression of the proteins c-Jun, JunB, JunD, Fra-1, and c-Fos, which make up the major AP-1 DNA-binding proteins in AGS and MKN45 cells, while the expression levels of Fra-2 and FosB remained unchanged. Helicobacter pylori infection and MAPK inhibition altered AP-1 subcomponent protein expression and AP-1 DNA-binding activity, but did not change the overall subcomponent composition. Different clinical isolates of H. pylori showed various abilities to induce AP-1 DNA binding. Mutation of cagA , cag PAI, or vacA , and the nonphosphorylateable CagA mutant ( cagA EPISA ) resulted in less H. pylori -induced AP-1 DNA-binding activity, while mutation of the H. pylori flagella had no effect. extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) each selectively regulated AP-1 subcomponent expression and DNA-binding activity. These results provide more insight into how H. pylori and MAPK modulate AP-1 subcomponents in gastric epithelial cells to alter the expression of downstream target genes and affect cellular functions.
Asymptotic behavior of solutions of model problems for a coupled system

Abstract We study the asymptotic behavior of solutions of model problems for a coupled system. By consistent use of a priori estimates and asymptotic analysis, we present here an more efficient approach which provides precise descriptions of the asymptotic behabior of solutions of this system. Our results amplify and extend earlier results of Dorr, Patter, and Shampine and their treatment of this system. Meanwhile, the stability of the steady-state solutions of the corresponding time-dependent system is discussed.
Making Comparisons of Demographic Aggregates more Meaningful: A Case of Life Expectancies and Total Fertility Rates

With the recent emphasis on human development, development researchers are making frequent use of aggregate demographic measures in describing development experiences and more so while linking health and development. And it is often seen that comparison of these demographic aggregates across space and time is naive given their complex construct on one hand and the implied meaning on the other. Are these comparisons across the board valid for the meanings ascribed to them? Or are the stated achievements as well as projected trends based on them reliable? This paper attempts to illustrate these concerns taking the twin aggregate measures frequently in use namely the life expectancy and Total fertility Rates. The primary focus here has been to link additional dimension of the same phenomenon (referring to survival or fertility here) which does not follow the principle of matched ordering while read along with these aggregates. Taking into account these additional dimensions, the magnitude of the differences in these aggregate measures gets moderated and their comparison across levels (between lower and higher) becomes more consistent.
Reaction of ovine interstitial cell stimulating hormone with tetranitromethane

Abstract All the tyrosine residues of native interstitial cell stimulating hormone, and its subunits α and β, and the reassociated molecule are ionized completely at high alkaline pH. Only the ionization of the tyrosyl residues of the isolated α-subunit is completely reversible. In the native and reassociated molecules only 5 of the 7 tyrosine residues react with tetranitromethane. All 7 react in presence of guanidine hydrochloride. The tyrosine residues of the isolated α-subunit (5 residues) and β-subunit (2 residues) react completely. The unreactive tyrosines in the 5-nitro hormone derivative have been identified. Available evidence suggests that Tyr 21 of the α-subunit and Tyr 59 of the β-subunit are free and hence buried in the native hormone. Preparation of the nitro hormone derivatives with varying degrees of nitration suggests that the tyrosines of the α-subunit are the first to react with tetranitromethane. The 5-nitrohormone derivative is virtually inactive while the 1-nitro hormone derivative retains about 30% of biological activity.
Breeding bird response to long-term wastewater discharge in a northern Michigan peatland

Abstract Researchers have monitored avian use of the Houghton Lake Sewer Authority wastewater treatment wetland and a nearby reference site from 1979 to 2007. Morning breeding bird surveys were conducted annually using 100-m belt transects. Annual species richness declined over the 29 years at the treatment site, but remained stable at the reference area. In a 12-year comparison of bird use of treated and reference wetland types, total bird density was highest in treated wetland consisting of cattail and cattail–wet meadow vegetation and lowest on leatherleaf and wet meadow reference types. Although species richness was highest in scrub-shrub wetland, treated wetland containing cattail marsh had significantly higher mean richness than types similar to pretreatment conditions (leatherleaf and wet meadow). Shannon diversity values in treated types dominated by cattail were similar to those in scrub-shrub wetland, but significantly higher than means observed in leatherleaf and wet meadow. Densities of Mallard, Green-winged teal, Virginia Rail, Sora, Wilson's Snipe, Marsh Wren, Swamp Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, and Common Grackle were highest at the treatment site in types containing cattail. Highest mean densities of Sedge Wren, Savannah Sparrow, and Northern Harrier occurred in wet meadow or leatherleaf types representative of pretreatment conditions.
Alexander W. Williamson on the atomic theory: A study of nineteenth-century British atomism

Summary Although not universally accepted at the time, the atomic hypothesis during the 19th century provided a definite ordering scheme for certain relatively sophisticated chemical phenomena. As such, it was conceptually responsible for the formulation and precise articulation of important seminal ideas in chemical studies. In this paper we will explore this claim with regard to the views of the British chemist Alexander W. Williamson.
Administrative Responsiveness to the Disadvantaged: The Case of Children's Health Insurance

Issues of administrative responsiveness to the disadvantaged (as distinct from formal policy responsiveness) possess important implications for American democracy. In this regard, the administrative practices that facilitate or impede enrollment, or take-up, in social programs deserve attention. This study focuses on two means-tested programs in the context of American federalism, Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Based on an in-depth analysis of seventeen states, we develop an index of administrative responsiveness to the disadvantaged related to take-up. We then explore some possible sources of variation in responsiveness rooted in the task environment, political ideology, good government culture and practice, and signals from political principals. Our findings point to the need to refine and expand upon existing explanations of state variation in social programs. Among other things, this study suggests the political importance of international (not interstate) population mobility and gubernatorial leadership (rather than bureaucratic autonomy) in shaping administrative responsiveness to the disadvantaged. It also points to the need for a contingent approach in examining whether the greater presence of racial minorities tends to depress such responsiveness.
Kramers-Kronig anomalous dispersion on fused singlemode fibre optic couplers

Anomalous dispersion of a medium surrounding a fused singlemode fibre optic coupler is analysed. The coupler output is shown to respond to Kramers-Kronig dispersion. This effect can be used to develop chemical sensors.
A simple algorithm for finding all solutions of piecewise-linear networks

An efficient algorithm is presented for the searching of all solutions of a piecewise-linear (PWL) resistive network. Let P/sub /n be the number of largest segments of PWL resistors, and P/sub /n/sub -1/ the second largest. The algorithm presented is better than the brute-force method by a factor of P/sub /n*P/sub /n/sub -1/ and the Chua and Ying method, the most efficient method at the present time, by a factor of at least P/sub /n/sub -1/. The algorithm is based on a PWL network theorem, which is also introduced. >
Statistical modeling for circuit simulation

Robust, high yield IC design requires statistical simulation, and therefore statistical models. Simple "fast" and "slow" sets of model parameters are not sufficient to predict the manufacturing variations of all measures of circuit performance for arbitrary circuit topologies, device geometries, and biases. This paper describes an accurate and efficient approach to statistical modeling and characterization. The procedure is based on physical process parameters, and explicitly accounts for correlated and uncorrelated variations of statistical parameters. The process is generic, and so is applicable to any type of device, and emphasizes the accuracy of device electrical performance variation modeling, rather than model parameter variation modeling. This provides an accurate and simple way to model and simulate the statistical variation of circuit electrical performances.
Copper(I) halides inhibit olefin isomerized by-products from phosphine-based Grubbs’ metathesis catalysts in polar protic solvents

Copper(I) halides are employed as ‘phosphine sponges’ to sequester phosphor-ylides when using phosphine-based Grubb’s metathesis catalysis in polar protic solvents and under heat. These cuprous halides are hypothesized to significantly slow the formation of the ruthenium hydride olefin isomerization catalyst. We demonstrate their use in both cross metathesis and ring-closing metathesis.
Engineering Central Metabolic Pathways for High-Level Flavonoid Production in Escherichia coli

The identification of optimal genotypes that result in improved production of recombinant metabolites remains an engineering conundrum. In the present work, various strategies to reengineer central metabolism in Escherichia coli were explored for robust synthesis of flavanones, the common precursors of plant flavonoid secondary metabolites. Augmentation of the intracellular malonyl coenzyme A (malonyl-CoA) pool through the coordinated overexpression of four acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) subunits from Photorhabdus luminescens (PlACC) under a constitutive promoter resulted in an increase in flavanone production up to 576%. Exploration of macromolecule complexes to optimize metabolic efficiency demonstrated that auxiliary expression of PlACC with biotin ligase from the same species (BirAPl) further elevated flavanone synthesis up to 1,166%. However, the coexpression of PlACC with Escherichia coli BirA (BirAEc) caused a marked decrease in flavanone production. Activity improvement was reconstituted with the coexpression of PlACC with a chimeric BirA consisting of the N terminus of BirAEc and the C terminus of BirAPl. In another approach, high levels of flavanone synthesis were achieved through the amplification of acetate assimilation pathways combined with the overexpression of ACC. Overall, the metabolic engineering of central metabolic pathways described in the present work increased the production of pinocembrin, naringenin, and eriodictyol in 36 h up to 1,379%, 183%, and 373%, respectively, over production with the strains expressing only the flavonoid pathway, which corresponded to 429 mg/liter, 119 mg/liter, and 52 mg/liter, respectively.
Following in the Wake of Anger: When Not Discriminating Is Discriminating

Does seeing a scowling face change your impression of the next person you see? Does this depend on the race of the two people? Across four studies, White participants evaluated neutrally expressive White males as less threatening when they followed angry (relative to neutral) White faces; Black males were not judged as less threatening following angry Black faces. This lack of threat-anchored contrast for Black male faces is not attributable to a general tendency for White targets to homogenize Black males—neutral Black targets following smiling Black faces were contrasted away from them and seen as less friendly—and emerged only for perceivers low in motivation to respond without prejudice (i.e., for those relatively comfortable responding prejudicially). This research provides novel evidence for the overperception of threat in Black males.
An architecture to support communities of interest using directory services capabilities

Directory services provide a mechanism to describe internal resources that can be dynamically discovered and used, and are increasingly being adopted by organizations. Despite being in an era of extensive interorganizational collaboration, relatively little attention has been given to extending directory services across organizational boundaries. In particular, resources described using directory services are either (a) constrained by description possibilities or (b) cannot be widely understood due to idiosyncratic description mechanisms. Thus, current directory services approaches are not well suited for the information requirements of groups of individuals spanning organizational boundaries: communities of interest (COIs). A COI is a virtual community that benefits from electronic communication, especially by the ability to provide structured descriptions of relevant resources. This paper describes a new approach to support COIs through directory services by enabling autonomous entities to provide structured, evolutionary descriptions of members and resources while retaining directory services' core strength: structured, semantically coherent descriptions of resources. The requirements architecture is derived, a walkthrough of the architectural elements is given, and a research prototype is briefly described.
Unique phenotype of hepatocellular cancers with exon-3 mutations in beta-catenin gene.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays an important role in liver development and regeneration. Its aberrant activation, however, is observed in a subset of primary hepatocellular cancers (HCCs). In the current study, we compare and contrast the tumor characteristics of HCC in the presence or absence of mutations in the β-catenin gene (CTNNB1). Frozen HCCs (n = 32), including five fibrolamellar (FL) variants, and control livers (n = 3) from Health Sciences Tissue Bank and Department of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, were examined for mutations in CTNNB1, protein levels of β-catenin, tyrosine-654-phosphorylated-β-catenin (Y654-β-catenin), and glutamine synthetase (GS). Missense mutations in the exon-3 of CTNNB1were identified in 9/32 HCCs. Total β-catenin levels were higher than controls in most tumors; however, GS was exclusively increased in HCCs with mutations. Phenotypically, greater percentages of mutated HCCs showed macrovascular and microvascular invasion. Also, the tumor size was greater than double in mutated HCCs. High levels of total β-catenin protein were observed in multinodular tumors independent of β-catenin mutations. In addition, significant cases with mutations showed absence of cirrhosis. Finally, the highest levels of Y654-β-catenin were exclusively observed in fibrolamellar (FL)-HCC cases. Conclusion: Thus, HCCs that harbor missense mutations in exon-3 of CTNNB1 exhibit, histologically, a more aggressive phenotype. Also, CTNNB1 mutations might lead to HCC in the absence of cirrhosis. Finally, FL-HCC cases display a unique up-regulation of tyrosine-phosphorylated-β-catenin, suggesting robust receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in this tumor type. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.)
3D domain swapping: As domains continue to swap

Three-dimensional (3D) domain swapping creates a bond between two or more protein molecules as they exchange their identical domains. Since the term '3D domain swapping' was first used to describe the dimeric structure of diphtheria toxin, the database of domain-swapped proteins has greatly expanded. Analyses of the now about 40 structurally characterized cases of domain-swapped proteins reveal that most swapped domains are at either the N or C terminus and that the swapped domains are diverse in their primary and secondary structures. In addition to tabulating domain-swapped proteins, we describe in detail several examples of 3D domain swapping which show the swapping of more than one domain in a protein, the structural evidence for 3D domain swapping in amyloid proteins, and the flexibility of hinge loops. We also discuss the physiological relevance of 3D domain swapping and a possible mechanism for 3D domain swapping. The present state of knowledge leads us to suggest that 3D domain swapping can occur under appropriate conditions in any protein with an unconstrained terminus. As domains continue to swap, this review attempts not only a summary of the known domain-swapped proteins, but also a framework for understanding future findings of 3D domain swapping.
THE ELECTRIC BALLAST RESISTOR: HOMOGENEOUS AND NONHOMOGENEOUS EQUILIBRIA

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the homogenous and nonhomogeneous equilibria for the electric ballast resistor. The ballast resistor is a device consisting of a straight segment of very thin wire surrounded by a gas having a fixed temperature. It is found that through the wire there passes an electric current I, which is produced by a voltage V representing a difference in electric potential between the two endpoints of the wire. It is supposed that either the current I or the voltage V is held constant. The passage of current through any portion of the wire generates heat. Depending on nearby temperatures that heat may diffuse into neighboring portions of the wire or it may flow into the surrounding gas. Thus, the distribution of temperature along the given wire reflects a complicated pattern of heat flow. The study of the ballast resistor requires a mathematical model describing the temperature distribution u along the given wire. It takes the form of a nonlinear parabolic initial-boundary value problem in one space variable, displacement along the wire.
The Bankruptcy Code Without Safe Harbors

In prior work I have argued that the derivative “safe harbors” in the Bankruptcy Code should be either repealed, or at least greatly reduced in scope. This argument is based on the mismatch between the safe harbors and their stated goal – reducing systemic risk. But upon repeal of the safe harbors, what happens next? Is it sufficient to remove the safe harbors from the Bankruptcy Code, or must the Code be further adapted to reflect the prevalence of derivatives throughout the economy? And if repeal is not enough, what kinds of issues should the Bankruptcy Code legitimately accommodate, and what issues are simply disguised versions of the general plea of all creditors to be excused from the normal consequences of default?This short paper examines these and other related questions, and begins to sketch a roadmap for reforming the Code’s handling of financial contracts.