cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Loss of CPAP expression promotes sustained EGFR signaling and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in oral cancer cells

Abstract Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Altered epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) levels can contribute to tumor metastasis and resistance to therapies. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), by which epithelial cells acquire a mesenchymal and invasive phenotype, contributes significantly to tumor metastasis in OSCC, and EGFR signaling is known to promote this process. Microtubule inhibition therapies cause EGFR inactivation or increase the sensitivity to EGFR targeting drugs in various cancers including OSCC. In this study, using OSCC model, we show that cellular levels of a microtubule/tubulin binding protein, centrosomal protein 4.1-associated protein (CPAP), which is critical for centriole biogenesis and normal functioning of centrosome, is upregulated upon treatment of OSCC cell lines with EGF. However, we found that loss of CPAP caused an increase in the EGFR levels and signaling and, enhanced the EMT features and invasiveness of OSCC cells. Further, loss of CPAP increased the tumorigenicity of these cells in a xeno-transplant model. Importantly, CPAP loss-associated EMT features and invasiveness of multiple OSCC cells were attenuated upon depletion of EGFR in them. Overall, our novel observations suggest that in addition to its previously known regulatory role in centrosome biogenesis and function, CPAP plays an important role in suppressing EMT and tumorigenesis in OSCC by regulating EGFR homeostasis and signaling.
A New Approach for Vehicle Routing with Stochastic Demand: Combining Route Assignment with Process Flexibility

We propose a new approach for the vehicle routing problem with stochastic demands for the case in which customer demands are revealed before vehicles are dispatched. Our approach combines ideas from vehicle routing and manufacturing process flexibility to propose overlapped routing strategies with customer sharing. We characterize the asymptotic performance of the overlapped routing strategies under probabilistic analysis. Using the characterization, we demonstrate that our overlapped routing strategies perform close to the theoretical lower-bound derived from the reoptimization strategy, and significantly outperforms the routing strategy without overlapped routes. The effectiveness of the proposed overlapped routing strategies in non-asymptotic regimes is further verified through numerical analysis.
Metrics of positive Ricci curvature on the connected sums of products with arbitrarily many spheres

We construct Ricci-positive metrics on the connected sum of products of arbitrarily many spheres provided the dimensions of all but one sphere in each summand are at least 3. There are two new technical theorems required to extend previous results on sums of products of two spheres. The first theorem is a gluing construction for Ricci-positive manifolds with corners that gives a sufficient condition to glue together two Ricci-positive Riemannian manifolds with corners along isometric faces so that the resulting smooth manifold with boundary will be Ricci-positive and have convex boundary. The second theorem claims that one can deform the boundary of a Ricci-positive Riemannian manifold with convex boundary along a Ricci-positive isotopy while preserving Ricci-positivity and boundary convexity.
Assessing the Relation Between Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Hypertension

Researchers investigate what risks could come from Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) such as exploring the possibility that ART plays a role in the development of pathophysiologic insults, n...
Skin Carotenoid Status Over Time and Differences by Age and Sex Among Head Start Children (3-5 Years).

Abstract Objective Examine differences in skin carotenoid status (SCS) based on time, age, and sex of preschool-aged children enrolled in Head Start (HS) in North Carolina. Design Data were collected using surveys from participating families. preschool-aged children's SCS were measured 3 times over a 6-month period. Setting Three HS centers in North Carolina. Participants One hundred twelve children aged 3–5 years, enrolled in HS. Main Outcome Measure(s) Differences in SCS assessed using the Veggie Meter (Longevity Link, Salt Lake City, UT) based on time, sex, and age. Analysis One-way ANOVA to assess SCS at time 1 between sex and age (n = 112). Repeated measures ANOVA with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction for assessment of SCS over time (n = 45) using Bonferroni correction. Results On average, children were aged 4 years, African American (81.3%), male (57%), and had a mean SCS of 266 (SD = 82.9). Skin carotenoid status (Veggie Meter units) were significantly different over time (P Conclusions and Implications The Veggie Meter is a promising tool to assess fruit and vegetable intake but needs to be validated in preschool-aged children as it has been in adults. Sex and age are potential confounders which should be assessed in future studies using the Veggie Meter.
Evaluation of Drug/Ligand Binding Constants for Human Serum Albumin Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry

This paper reports utilization of differential scanning calorimetry measurements to evaluate binding constants for Human Serum Albumin of 28 different drug ligands. Protein/ligand mixtures were prepared at various ligand concentrations and subjected to thermal denaturation analysis by calorimetry. From the measurements, the melting temperature, Tm, and free-energy{Delta} Gcal(37{degrees}C) for melting ligand-bound Albumin were evaluated as a function of ligand concentration. Concentration dependent behaviors of{Delta} Gcal(37{degrees}C) and Tm derived from protein/ligand mixtures were used to construct dose-response curves. Model fits of dose-response curves yielded quantitative evaluation of the ligand binding constant, KD, and semi-quantitative estimates of the binding stoichiometry, n. Many of the ligands had known binding affinity for Albumin with binding constants reported in the literature. Evaluated Albumin binding parameters for the ligands impressively agreed with reported literature values determined using other standard experimental methods. These results demonstrated utility of our calorimetry-based process for applications in pre-clinical drug screening.
Teaching well-being at scale: An intervention study.

Courses that teach evidence-based interventions to enhance well-being are a public health tool that could be used to improve mental health in the population. We compared the well-being of six cohorts of adult students before and after they completed one of two massive open online courses: The Science of Well-Being (N = 581; 441; 1,228) and a control course, Introduction to Psychology (N = 677; 480; 1,480). Baseline well-being levels were equivalent across all six samples. Students in both courses increased in their well-being from baseline to follow-up in all three samples (p < .001); however, at follow-up, students in The Science of Well-Being course had higher subjective well-being than the control course (sample 1: r = .18, d = .37, p < .001; sample 2: r = .21, d = .43, p < .001; sample 3: r = .19, d = .38, p < .001). Overall, across three samples, we found that students who completed either of these online psychology courses increased in their well-being––but that students in The Science of Well-Being course showed greater improvement. These findings suggest that large free online courses that teach evidence-based approaches to well-being could positively impact mental health at large scales.
Alternative Legacies of Authoritarianism: Pro-dictator Bias in Ideology

How does an authoritarian past shape voters’ left-right orientation? Recent studies investigate “anti-dictator bias” in political ideology, where citizens in a former right-wing (left-wing) dictatorship may display a leftist (rightist) bias in their ideological self-identification. In this paper, I provide evidence for a “pro-dictator bias” where citizens hold ideological positions corresponding to those of the dictator depending on their experiences during and after transition. In countries with negotiated transitions and stronger former ruling parties, these successors could continue mobilizing the popular base of the former dictatorship with inherited advantages from the past and by invoking nostalgia through consistent reference to previous authoritarian achievements. I test this hypothesis with variables measuring successor party strength and the type of regime transition by combining individual-level survey data and country-level data. The findings emphasize the role of post-transition features in shaping alternative legacies on voter attitudes in former authoritarian societies.
TAX ALLOCATION FORMULAS BY STEPWISE REGRESSION

A regression analysis model has been developed to derive alternate distribution formulas for statewide fuel tax revenue. The model combines predictor variables such as road mileage, population and vehicle registrations in a way that best fits the current needs of local jurisdictions. An analysis using data for Alabama's 67 counties produced distribution formulas that exhibited a significant improvement over the formula in use at the present time. An examination of statistical tests to assess the adequacy of alternate distribution formulas is also presented.
Studies on spinach ferredoxin-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reductase. Kinetic studies on the interactions of the reductase and ferredoxin and a possible regulation of enzyme activities by ionic strength.

Abstract The interaction between spinach ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase and ferredoxin was kinetically investigated in the presence and absence of NaCl. Ferredoxin was inhibitory toward the diaphorase activity of ferredoxin-NADP+-reductase at low ionic strength. This inhibition was revealed to be partially competitive with respect to NADPH (Ki = 2 x 10-9 m). At higher ionic strength (over 0.05 m NaCl), however, ferredoxin markedly stimulated the activity by lowering the Michaelis constant for the electron acceptor. It was shown that there are, at least, three stages of interaction between the reductase and ferredoxin, depending on the ionic strength of the environment: (a) a very tightly bound complex which is present at near zero ionic strength where ferredoxin is inhibitory toward the catalyzed reaction, (b) a comparatively loosely bound, but catalytically most effective, complex which is seen at around 0.1 m NaCl concentration, and (c) a complex of decreased activity where the reductase is inactivated by high ionic strength. The results strongly suggest that the enzymatic activities displayed by the complex formation between two protein components can be regulated by ionic strength of the medium.
Pricing long-term permits and scheduling of electric vehicle charging in parking lots with shared resources

With the interest from car owners in going green being at an all-time high, electric vehicles (EVs) are flooding the automobile market. One of the primary concerns in owning an EV is the availability of charging infrastructure while away from home. There has been a renewed interest in managing and pricing the usage of shared commercial EV chargers, while maximizing the operator's profits. Towards this end, we propose a combined pricing-scheduling quadratic integer programming (QIP) model that iteratively prices and schedules EV charging. A pricing module is used to accept/reject charging requests and control the right number and types (arrival-departure times, charge demand etc.) of EVs to charge. The scheduling module ensures that the demand can be met subject to price-demand sensitivity and other scheduling constraints. Once the EVs to be accepted have been finalized and their permit prices determined, the scheduling module can be run every night once the day-to-day arrival and departure times of each EV is revealed to the operator.
Essential Drugs for Infants and Children: North American Perspective

“Essential Drugs for Children” implies that some drugs are not essential, which of course, is true. It also implies that essential drugs can and should be differentiated from “nonessential” drugs and targeted as a priority for development for pediatric use. With ∼80% of the marketed prescription drugs in the United States not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by children, the goal of obtaining approval and labeling for all drugs currently not labeled for use by children is overwhelming. Therefore, drugs currently available must be prioritized for pediatric development so that available resources can be focused on those agents most important for pediatric use. This is a daunting task. How is an essential drug defined? What are the criteria for selecting essential drugs? Is it the volume of use? Is it the number of children impacted by the drug? Is it the indication(s) for use? Is it the severity of the condition for which the drug is indicated? Is it a drug used to treat a life-threatening condition? For the child with bacterial meningitis, the appropriate antibiotic clearly is essential. For the child with HIV infection or cancer, drugs that will impede progression of the disease, prolong life, and mitigate suffering are essential. A drug used to treat a rare genetic disorder is essential for the child affected by that disorder, although it may have minimal impact on the health of the general population of children. In contrast, an effective vaccine will have profound direct benefit for the entire population. A drug used to treat symptomatically the self-limiting pruritus associated with varicella or insect bites may be widely prescribed, although it is used to treat a relatively trivial condition. Each of some 30 odd subspecialties, if queried, undoubtedly would have its list of essential drugs. … Address correspondence to Ralph E. Kauffman, MD, Director, Office of Medical Research, Children's Mercy Hospital, Division of Medical Research, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108.
Energy dissipation in magnetic cloud complexes.

A previous calculation of the energy dissipation rate for magnetic cloud complexes is summarized. Emphasis is placed on the possible importance of magnetic entanglements and purely magnetic interactions between clouds. Significant dissipation should occur in several internal crossing times. Dissipation is dominated by cloud-cloud collisions and Alfven wave propagation away from the cloud. Cloud complexes much older than several crossing times should have a core-halo structure, or, possibly, an R -2 density profile, because the kinetic energy loss should be associated with an increased gravitational self-binding. Magnetically-constrained turbulence is also discussed. If magnetic entanglements induce distance-dependent forces between the clouds in a complex, then near-neighbor clouds should be constrained to move together, with only a small relative velocity between them, and remote clouds might be allowed to move at greatly different speeds. The net dissipation rate is less in this case than in the case of random, orbital-type motions of the clouds.
Effect of kurtosis on efficiency of some multivariate medians

Up to now, various multivariate medians have been proposed. To support their applications, we study the effect of kurtosis on efficiency of some well-known multivariate medians. Results are established for the coordinatewise median, the spatial median, the Oja median, and their modified versions. Such results provide a basis for choosing among the multivariate medians in practical analyses. The effect of dimension on efficiency of those multivariate medians is also studied. It is found that the result of Brown [(1983), ‘Statistical Uses of the Spatial Median’, Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B, 45, 25–30] for the spatial median and spherically symmetric normal distributions can be extended to some other medians and some non-normal distributions but does not hold in general.
Dextrose prolotherapy for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE Knee osteoarthritis is a common, debilitating chronic disease. Prolotherapy is an injection therapy for chronic musculoskeletal pain. We conducted a 3-arm, blinded (injector, assessor, injection group participants), randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of prolotherapy for knee osteoarthritis. METHODS Ninety adults with at least 3 months of painful knee osteoarthritis were randomized to blinded injection (dextrose prolotherapy or saline) or at-home exercise. Extra- and intra-articular injections were done at 1, 5, and 9 weeks with as-needed additional treatments at weeks 13 and 17. Exercise participants received an exercise manual and in-person instruction. Outcome measures included a composite score on the Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC; 100 points); knee pain scale (KPS; individual knee), post-procedure opioid medication use, and participant satisfaction. Intention-to-treat analysis using analysis of variance was used. RESULTS No baseline differences existed between groups. All groups reported improved composite WOMAC scores compared with baseline status (P CONCLUSIONS Prolotherapy resulted in clinically meaningful sustained improvement of pain, function, and stiffness scores for knee osteoarthritis compared with blinded saline injections and at-home exercises.
Large-scale vulnerability assessments for natural hazards

This article examines the process by which vulnerability analysis takes place at the state level for State Hazard Mitigation Plans, as required by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. The methods developed by the Center for Hazards Research and Policy Development at the University of Louisville are described, followed by a brief discussion on issues and challenges. A key finding in this article is the need to understand the impact and role of vulnerability analysis on planning and policy-making at the state and local level, as it applies to the investment of funding and resources in hazard mitigation. Recommendations for policy as well as directions in future research are offered in conclusion.
Ferroelectric liquid-crystal digital scanner

The design and performance of a digital scanner based on ferroelectric liquid-crystal switchable wave plates and passive nematic liquid-crystal prisms are reported. The liquid-crystal prisms function as low-cost, integrable, low-angle birefringent prisms. A 1 × 64 scanner was built with −5.3 dB of average loss. By using an active filter, the limiting mispolarization cross talk of the scanner was reduced from −13 dB to less than −25 dB.
The Clinical Management of Grief

The clinical management of grief involves issues that demonstrate the integration of psychosocial risk factors into clinical practice. Recommendations for the clinical management of grief are based on a review of the pattern of morbidity and mortality of bereavement, of the emotional response to conjugal loss, and of several postulated pathogenetic mechanisms.
Rapid quantitation of methylation differences at specific sites using methylation-sensitive single nucleotide primer extension (Ms-SNuPE)

We have developed a rapid quantitative method (Ms-SNuPE) for assessing methylation differences at specific CpG sites based on bisulfite treatment of DNA followed by single nucleotide primer extension. Genomic DNA was first reacted with sodium bisulfite to convert unmethylated cytosine to uracil while leaving 5-methylcytosine unchanged. Amplification of the desired target sequence was then performed using PCR primers specific for bisulfite-converted DNA and the resulting product isolated and used as a template for methylation analysis at the CpG site(s) of interest. This methylation-sensitive technique has several advantages over existing methods used for detection of methylation changes because small amounts of DNA can be analyzed including microdissected pathology sections and it avoids utilization of restriction enzymes for determining the methylation status at CpG sites.
Left ventricular dysfunction screening in hypertensive patients with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and electrocardiogram ☆,☆☆

Abstract Objective Early recognition of left ventricular hypertrophy is important because antihypertensive treatment decreases morbidity and mortality. The ideal screening method for left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive emergency department (ED) patients has not been identified. Our objective was to determine the diagnostic accuracies of electrocardiogram (ECG) and N-terminal Pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) for left ventricular hypertrophy individually and in combination in hypertensive ED patients. Methods Prospective diagnostic study in an academic urban tertiary care hospital ED with annual census of 65 000 visits. Inclusion criteria are as follows: adult ED patients with systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 160 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 100 mm Hg on 2 or more measurements taken 60 minutes apart. Exclusion criteria are as follows: patients with heart failure, renal insufficiency/failure, acute myocardial infarction, or without recent or scheduled echocardiograms. All patients received echocardiograms and had pro-BNP levels measured using a RAMP point-of-care device (Response Biomedical, Vancouver, BC, Canada). We calculated diagnostic test characteristics with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results A total of 49 patients were enrolled. The average age was 57.9 years, 26.5% were male, and 63.3% were African American. Thirty-two patients (65%) had left ventricular hypertrophy by echocardiogram. Twenty-one (43%) had ECG evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. Median pro-BNP level was 268 pg/mL. The combination of the 2 tests provided the greatest specificity (94%; 95% CI, 69%-99.7%) and positive predictive value (94%; 95% CI, (68%-99.7%). Conclusions The combination of ECG and pro-BNP is a promising screening algorithm for identification of hypertensive ED patients with left ventricular hypertrophy.
Increases in lumbosacral injections in the Medicare population: 1994 to 2001.

Study design Anecdotal reports and limited data suggest that the use of spinal injections is increasing, despite equivocal evidence about efficacy. Objective We sought to evaluate trends in lumbosacral injection use for low back pain, including the specialties providing the injections and the costs of care. Summary of background data The current literature reports success rates of 18% to 90% for lumbosacral steroid injections, depending on methodology, outcome measures, patient selection, and technique. Preliminary data suggest that spinal injection rates are rising, despite ambiguity in the literature regarding their clinical effectiveness. Methods We used Medicare Physician Part B claims for 1994 through 2001 to examine the use of epidural steroid injections (ESI), facet joint injections, sacroiliac joint injections, and related fluoroscopy. Fee-for-service Medicare enrollees 65 years of age and older were included in this study. We used Current Procedural Technology (CPT) codes to identify the number of procedures performed each year, as well as trends in expenditures, physician specialties involved, and diagnoses assigned. Results Between 1994 and 2001, there was a 271% increase in lumbar ESIs, from 553 of 100,000 to 2055 of 100,000 patients, and a 231% increase in facet injections from 80 of 100,000 to 264 of 100,000 patients. The total inflation-adjusted reimbursed costs (professional fees only) for lumbosacral injections increased from $24 million to over $175 million. Also, costs per injection doubled, from $115 to $227 per injection. Forty percent of all ESIs were associated with diagnosis codes for sciatica, radiculopathy, or herniated disc, whereas axial low back pain diagnoses accounted for 36%, and spinal stenosis for 23%. Conclusion Lumbosacral injections increased dramatically in the Medicare population from 1994 to 2001. Less than half were performed for sciatica or radiculopathy, where the greatest evidence of benefit is available. These findings suggest a lack of consensus regarding the indications for ESIs and are cause for concern given the large expenditures for these procedures.
An arbitrary lagrangian-eulerian velocity potential formulation for fluid-structure interaction

Abstract Finite element formulations for fluid-structure interaction, assuming an inviscid fluid, can be classified into two major categories: displacement-based formulations and potential-based formulations. Although displacement-based formulations have been used widely, the methods suffer from the presence of spurious circulation modes and locking behavior. Potential-based formulations are inherently irrotational and do not have the difficulties of the displacement-based formulations. Nevertheless most of the applications of these methods are still limited to cases with relatively small motions. We introduce in this paper an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian formulation using the velocity potential and the density as fluid variables. The formulation can be applied to problems in which the fluid undergoes very large boundary motions and can be used equally well for both compressible and incompressible fluids.
Firing large dinas articles in a 243-m tunnel kiln

The Pervouralsk dinas factory has put into operation a 243-m tunnel kiln with a hydraulic valve. Setting methods, temperature, and hydraulic schedules have been developed, and we have mastered the firing of dinas products weighing up to 70 kg. Recommendations are being worked out to eliminate shortcomings and improve the cost-benefit indices for the operation of the kiln and the quality of the goods. The savings from firing articles in the tunnel kiln merely as a result of the reduction in production costs (compared with periodic kilns) is more than 300,000 rubles a year.
Surface Damage of Steel, Aluminum, and Chopped-Fiber Composite Panels Due to Projectile Impact:

We have evaluated the surface damage of steel, aluminum, and chopped-glass-fiber composite panels subject to projectile impact. The comparison is made qualitatively as well as quantitatively in terms of the panel stiffness, the impact energy absorbed, the dent depth, and the damage area. The dent depth is a suitable parameter for char acterizing surface damage of metal panels only. The damage area is recommended for evaluating the surface damage resistance of composite panels.
Mechanism for Activation of Triosephosphate Isomerase by Phosphite Dianion: The Role of a Ligand-Driven Conformational Change

The L232A mutation in triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) from Trypanosoma brucei brucei results in a small 6-fold decrease in k(cat)/K(m) for the reversible enzyme-catalyzed isomerization of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to give dihydroxyacetone phosphate. In contrast, this mutation leads to a 17-fold increase in the second-order rate constant for the TIM-catalyzed proton transfer reaction of the truncated substrate piece [1-(13)C]glycolaldehyde ([1-(13)C]-GA) in D(2)O, a 25-fold increase in the third-order rate constant for the reaction of the substrate pieces GA and phosphite dianion (HPO(3)(2-)), and a 16-fold decrease in K(d) for binding of HPO(3)(2-) to the free enzyme. Most significantly, the mutation also results in an 11-fold decrease in the extent of activation of the enzyme toward turnover of GA by bound HPO(3)(2-). The data provide striking evidence that the L232A mutation leads to a ca. 1.7 kcal/mol stabilization of a catalytically active loop-closed form of TIM (E(c)) relative to an inactive open form (E(o)). We propose that this is due to the relief, in L232A mutant TIM, of unfavorable steric interactions between the bulky hydrophobic side chain of Leu-232 and the basic carboxylate side chain of Glu-167, the catalytic base, which destabilize E(c) relative to E(o).
Activation of Hydrogen by Electric Discharge

IN a recent paper, Mr. G. A. Elliott (Trans. Faraday Soc., 23, 60; 1927) describes experiments on active hydrogen in an ozoniser. The activation was determined as usual by leading the active hydrogen over solid sulphur (which was placed very near to the discharge tube).
Effect of Cultural Conditions on Deep UV Resonance Raman Spectra of Bacteria

Bacteria grown on trypticase soy agar (TSA), trypticase soy broth (TSB), and Davis minimal media, and harvested at times ranging from 4.5 to 48 h have been excited at 242.54 and 222.65 nm for the purpose of generating resonance Raman spectra. When excitation with 242.54-nm light occurs, simple spectra of tyrosine and tryptophan and various nucleic acids are observed. Large changes in the relative intensities of major nucleic acid peaks at 1485 and 1575 cm−1, on the one hand, as compared to a prominent protein tyrosine + tryptophan peak at 1616 cm−1, on the other, have been attributed to very large variations in the RNA content of bacterial cells from culture to culture. The spectral changes are observed whenever differences in growth rates or variations in cultural media result in substantial changes in the amount of ribosomal RNA. In spite of very large cultural effects on peak intensities it has been possible to obtain bacterial G+C/A+T ratios from these spectra. Specifically, the ratio of the intensity of the C (1530 cm−1) peak to the intensity of the A+G peak (1485 cm−1) when plotted against the known molar percent G+C of the corresponding bacterial DNA produces a straight line. Plots have been shown to be very nearly growth-time and media independent for fourteen different types of bacteria, which range in DNA G+C content from 32 to 66%. Spectra obtained with 222.65-nm light, in contrast with spectra obtained with 242.54-nm excitation, have been found to be nearly growth-rate and media independent. The excitation wavelength, 222.65 nm, appears to be the best yet found for use in rapid Raman identification of bacteria. All strong peaks which have been assigned have been attributed to protein modes. Relative intensities of 1556-cm−1 tryptophan and 1616-cm−1 tryptophan + tyrosine bands have been found to be strongly correlated with bacterial Gram type and nearly independent of cultural media or stage of growth.
Peirce's account of mental activity

Thoughts, sensations, intentions and volitions do not seem to be publically available entities like rocks or trees or even like molecules or cells. The life of the mind does not appear to be out there to be investigated. But this is not an ordinary unavailability for it seems to be more than offset by the very distinct kind of access each has to the furniture of his own mind. The mind and its contents appear to be paradigmatically available through introspection. This double faceted character (unavailable-directly available) of mental activity has forced basic methodological issues to occupy center stage in the philosophy of mind: how exactly do we come to understand our mental life and what is the structure of any account thereof? The various answers to this two-pronged methodological question define alternative traditions in the philosophy of mind. On the one hand there is the internalist tradition. Focusing for the moment on thinking as the paradigmatic case of mental activity the account can be seen to take the following form methodologically. We have direct introspective access to our thoughts, and hence our understanding of thinking need not be conceptually tied to any reference to the external world. The categorical system in terms of which we understand our thoughts develops precisely for that pur pose and is later extended outward to account for the similar features of the public manifestations of our mental activity, i.e., language and rational action. Accordingly, language is understood as an expression of thought and the mentalistic properties of language such as in tentionality are seen to be analogical extensions of properties more directly understood to be features of thoughts. On the other hand, there is what we might term the externalist tradition. This tradition has always taken middle sized physical objects as the paradigmatic objects of human understanding and carries this same spirit into the philosophy of mind. Again, focusing on thinking as our example, it is the public thinking, i.e. language,
Endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy

Endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy is becoming an accepted alternative to trancervical myotomy. The operative time is shorter; the morbidity is minimized and complications are comparable if not less frequent and severe than the transcervical approach. An improved understanding of the anatomy posterior to the cricopharyngeus as well as detailed illustration of the surgical technique may serve to decrease surgeons' hesitancy in adopting this technique and increase its general acceptance as a viable alternative to transcervical cricopharyngeal myotomy.
A steadying effect of acoustic excitation on transitory stall

The effect of acoustic excitation on a class of separated flows with a transitional boundary layer at the point of separation is considered. Experimental results on the flow over airfoils, a two-dimensional backward-facing step, and through large angle conical diffusers are presented. In all cases, the separated flow undergoes large amplitude fluctuations, much of the energy being concentrated at unusually low frequencies. In each case, an appropriate high frequency acoustic excitation is found to be effective in reducing the fluctuations substantially. The effective excitation frequency scales on the initial boundary layer thickness and the effect is apparently achieved through acoustic tripping of the separating boundary layer.
Heat shock protein 70 and HLA-DR molecules tissue expression : prognostic implications in colorectal cancer

PURPOSE: The expression of 70,000-Da heat shock protein (HSP 70) and HLA-DR molecules on cancer cells influences immunologic mechanisms that may be of some prognostic significance. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among immunohistochemical HSP 70, HLA-DR expression, and clinicopathologic tumor variables, as well as patient survival in a series of 128 colorectal carcinomas. METHOD: A three-step immunoperoxidase staining technique was undertaken for detection of both markers. RESULTS: Of the examined carcinomas 77.3 percent were HSP 70-positive and 74.2 percent were HLA-DR-positive. Increased HSP 70-positive expression correlated significantly with low differentiation (P<0.05), showed a tendency to characterize advanced stages of disease, and was clearly associated with worse overall survival (P<0.05). The highest rate of HLA-DR positivity was demonstrated in early stages and was significantly associated with more favorable prognosis (P<0.001). HSP 70-positive/HLA-DR-negative patients had worse overall survival compared with the rest (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The resulting opposite effects on prognosis of examined markers seem to be related to different pathophysiologic functional roles on tumor immunology.
The Effect of Si Planar Doping on DX Centers in Al .20 Ga .74 As

The effect of planar Si doping on the DX center in AlGaAs is investigated using Capacitance-Voltage and Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy techniques. We observe an increase of approximately six orders of magnitude in the DX center capture cross section in Al .26 Ga .74 As with planar doped Si spikes of 2×10 12 cm −2 as compared to conventional homogeneous Si doped Al .26 Ga .74 As. We also observe a small increase in the DX activation energy which was initiated at a lower planar doping of 4×10 11 cm −2 and remained constant for the higher planar doping case. We believe the DX center concentration is not changed by the planar doping levels studied here. A model is proposed to explain the increase in capture cross section based on a biaxial stress state in the planar doped AlGaAs region.
Myelinated axons and the pyramidal cell modules in monkey primary visual cortex

In addition to the horizontal bands of myelinated axons that produce the line of Gennari and the inner band of Baillarger, the macaque primary visual cortex contains prominent vertical bundles of myelinated axons. In tangential sections through layer IVC, these axon bundles are regularly arranged. They have a mean center-to-center spacing of about 23 μm, and each one contains an average of 34 (S.D. ± 13) myelinated axons. These bundles seem to be largely composed of efferent fibers, because in material in which pyramidal cells have been labelled in layer II/III and in layers IVA and IVB the axons of these neurons descend towards the white matter in bundles. However, it is doubtful whether all of the descending myelinated axons from the superficial layers emerge from the cortex, since counts show that the bundles contain maximum numbers of myelinated axons at the level of layer IVC, and that in layers V and VI their number is reduced by about 30%. Perhaps some of the axons enter the line of Baillarger, in layer V. When the bundles of myelinated axons and the clusters of apical dendrites of the layer V pyramidal cells are visualized simultaneously within layer IVC in electron microscopic preparations, it is apparent that their center-to-center spacing is similar, namely, about 23 μm and that a bundle of axons has a cluster of apical dendrites lying adjacent to it. Because of this association, and because axons from layer III pyramidal cells have been shown to enter the bundles, it is suggested that the myelinated axon bundles contain the efferent axons from the projection neurons in the individual pyramidal cell modules. However, in addition to the myelinated axons, the bundles contain unmyelinated axons, so that they also probably serve as the conduits for axons forming connections between layers. It is proposed that the pyramidal cell modules are the basic, functional neuronal units of the visual cortex, and since the neurons within a particular module can be expected to have slightly different inputs and response properties from those in neighboring modules, the individual axon bundles that emerge from each module would be expected to carry a unique set of efferent information. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The winding path to sacral foramen neural modulation: a historic chronology

In the decade of the 1970’s, the NIH was captivated by the dream of harnessing electrical stimulation for widespread therapeutic goals. After the success of pacemakers in the 1960’s hopes were high that a number of compromised body functions could be helped. These included hearing loss, seizure disorders, scoliosis, pain control, and in spinal cord injury patients: the restoration of lost limb function, walking and breathing, and bladder control. It was a comprehensive program involving numerous research centers and included a wide variety of talent, from chemical and electrical engineers to PhDs and MDs from a variety of disciplines. The University of California in San Francisco was invited to be part of the program, largely because of its leadership status in the field of urodynamics at the time. Research was carried out throughout the decade in the successful attempt to make neural stimulation an everyday therapy for compromised bladder function. The program was carried out in phases. Initial efforts were directed at direct stimulation of the bladder wall, then the spinal cord directly, and finally the sacral roots. The goal was to achieve synergic voiding. While that didn’t happen, intermittent voiding was achieved and a whole new meaning to the term modulation therapy opened up. The following paper discusses the research path into the development of sacral nerve stimulation from the lab through clinical trials to FDA approval. Critical observations linking the human situation to the lab experimental observations are underscored. The pitfalls in transition from the university environment to commercial application are depicted, along with all the human roadblocks that arose. It was a 25-year program that influenced the careers of many “fellows” worldwide. It culminated in successful patient therapy because of the generous collaborative efforts of many academic centers in Europe and North America. It was an era where all the necessary elements were in place—the NIH leadership, the combination of research talent and lab animal availability, adequate funding, and a high level of subject interest. The research environment prior to and after this time period was not nearly as friendly, either politically nor fiscally, to this sort of research program. Had it not been for this mix of forces the therapy may never have evolved.
Head posture effects in prism adaptation during hallway exposure.

Different groups of subjects walked nearer the left or right side of a hallway while looking through prisms that displaced the visual field in either the left or right direction. As predicted from the head posture required to view the apparently displaced hallway, adaptive pre-post change in felt head position was greater when head turning during exposure was expected to be greater (i.e., when the subject was walking on the prism base side of the hall). This finding supports a postural basis, but not a discordance basis, for change in felt head position. Visual adaptation was not explained either by the head position results or by the eye-in-head posture required to view the apparently displaced hallway, and was attributed to recalibration processes based on discordant input from other sensorimotor systems. Proprioceptive adaptation in the right hand was small and similar to the head position results, except for the group that experienced right-ward displacement and walked near the right wall. The substantial right-hand proprioceptive adaptation in this group was attributed to discordance between visual and proprioceptive systems when subjects visually anticipated an encounter between their arm or shoulder and the wall.
Studies on deoxyribonucleic acid after exposure to tritium gas

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from human leukocytes was exposed to 0·39 atm of tritium (2·4 curies) for 14 days at room temperature, and approximately 0·1 % replacement of hydrogen by tritium was effected. The molar ratios of tritium in the bases was adenine 1·0, thymine 9·8, guanine 1·4 and cytosine 2·4. The treatment caused a drop in average molecular weight from 5·2 to 1·3 × 106 as estimated from sedimentation data and there was a concomitant alteration in the anion exchange chromatographic behavior. Evidence was also obtained for some aggregation in addition to the degradation. These macromolecular changes did not appear to be accompanied by significant denaturation (i.e., twin-strand separation).
Expression of Ro/SS-A Antigen in Human Skin and Heart

Using human sera monospecific for anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies in an indirect immunofluorescence assay, Ro/ SS-A antigen was found to be present in nuclei of human fetal ectodermal cells and newborn epidermal keratinocytes, but not in adult epidermal keratinocytes. After in vitro cultivation, Ro/SS-A antigen was also found in the nuclei of adult skin explant outgrowth cells. The localization of Ro/SS-A in fetal heart could not be precisely determined (possibly nuclear and membrane). Extracts from fetal skin and heart contained Ro/SS-A antigen which is identical to the Ro/SS-A present in WiL2 cell extract. The molecular weight of Ro/SS-A antigenic peptide present in these extracts is around 60K.
Peripheral chemoreceptors tune inspiratory drive via tonic expiratory neuron hubs in the medullary ventral respiratory column network

Models of brain stem ventral respiratory column (VRC) circuits typically emphasize populations of neurons, each active during a particular phase of the respiratory cycle. We have proposed that “tonic” pericolumnar expiratory (t-E) neurons tune breathing during baroreceptor-evoked reductions and central chemoreceptor-evoked enhancements of inspiratory (I) drive. The aims of this study were to further characterize the coordinated activity of t-E neurons and test the hypothesis that peripheral chemoreceptors also modulate drive via inhibition of t-E neurons and disinhibition of their inspiratory neuron targets. Spike trains of 828 VRC neurons were acquired by multielectrode arrays along with phrenic nerve signals from 22 decerebrate, vagotomized, neuromuscularly blocked, artificially ventilated adult cats. Forty-eight of 191 t-E neurons fired synchronously with another t-E neuron as indicated by cross-correlogram central peaks; 32 of the 39 synchronous pairs were elements of groups with mutual pairwise correlations. Gravitational clustering identified fluctuations in t-E neuron synchrony. A network model supported the prediction that inhibitory populations with spike synchrony reduce target neuron firing probabilities, resulting in offset or central correlogram troughs. In five animals, stimulation of carotid chemoreceptors evoked changes in the firing rates of 179 of 240 neurons. Thirty-two neuron pairs had correlogram troughs consistent with convergent and divergent t-E inhibition of I cells and disinhibitory enhancement of drive. Four of 10 t-E neurons that responded to sequential stimulation of peripheral and central chemoreceptors triggered 25 cross-correlograms with offset features. The results support the hypothesis that multiple afferent systems dynamically tune inspiratory drive in part via coordinated t-E neurons.
Earthquake Protection, 2nd Edition

The second edition of Earthquake Protection is an up-to-date primer on the full range of earthquake preparedness and planning issues. The book is comprehensive in scope, remarkably detailed, and easy to read. The book is a must for government officials, risk managers, planners, emergency managers, and teachers. It is equally valuable for earthquake engineering professionals to use as a reference guide to areas outside their own specialty.
Serendipitous background monitoring of the Hubble Space Telescope's Faint Object Spectrograph

The nature of the Hubble Space Telescope's (HST) low Earth orbit imposes scheduling restrictions and interruptions in the data collection periods for it's compliment of scientific instruments. During many of these times the Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) is in a full operational configuration and is taking detector background measurements which are continually reported in HST's engineering telemetry stream. These data are primarily used to monitor the instrument for changes in behavior resulting, principally, from intermittently noisy diodes in its digicon arrays. These same data may be used to monitor temporal changes in the charged particle environment of HST's near-earth orbit. We present here the results of a study of two years of on-orbit FOS background data obtained serendipitously during periods while the FOS in an operational state, but not exposing on external, or calibration targets. These in situ data, which represent more than 100,000 discrete samples (equivalent to more than 1100 orbits) have allowed us to accurately measure variations in the background proton flux seen by the FOS. An analysis of these variations have permitted us to model the geomagnetic environment of the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) as a function of time as well as the change in detector background as a function of geomagnetic latitude.
Census Undercount Adjustment and the Quality of Geographic Population Distributions

Abstract We develop a simulation procedure to measure the effects of synthetic adjustment for census undercounts on the quality of estimated proportionate geographic population distributions. Analyzing the influences of both interstate variations in census coverage and measurement errors in national undercount estimates, we find that, over a wide range of environments, nearly two out of every three simulated applications of synthetic adjustment improve the state proportions for a majority of the national population. There is always, however, a substantial probability that adjustment will produce a much poorer geographic distribution in any particular application. We derive analytical expressions showing as precisely as possible the conditions on which improvements from census adjustment depend. Our simulation model considers two population groups, blacks and nonblacks, and 51 geographic areas, the 50 states plus the District of Columbia. We assume that both census counting errors and undercount measuremen...