cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Buccal Drug Absorption Ii: In Vitro Diffusion Across the Hamster Cheek Pouch

The in vitro diffusion of a series of substituted acetanilides across the hamster cheek pouch was studied. The keratinized epithelial layer of the cheek pouch appeared to provide the major barrier to diffusion of these compounds. Linear relationships were found for plots of log epithelial permeability (Pe) versus the log of the octanol–buffer partition coefficient (PCoct; r = 0.712), and log Pe versus the log of the isooctane–buffer partition coefficient (PCiso; r = 0.869). Comparison of the in vitro data with in vivo data obtained in humans using the buccal absorption test showed good correlation (r = 0.878) between Pe and percent buccal absorption in 5 min. These results suggest that diffusion across the hamster cheek pouch may have some utility in the prediction of human buccal absorption.
Synchronization in repetitive smooth movement requires perceptible events.

Abstract Accurate timing performance during auditory–motor synchronization has been well documented for finger tapping tasks. It is believed that information pertaining to an event in movement production aids in detecting and correcting for errors between movement cycle completion and the metronome tone. Tasks with minimal event-related information exhibit more variable synchronization and less rapid error correction. Recent work from our laboratory has indicated that a task purportedly lacking an event structure (circle drawing) did not exhibit accurate synchronization or error correction (Studenka & Zelaznik, in press). In the present paper we report on two experiments examining synchronization in tapping and circle drawing tasks. In Experiment 1, error correction processes of an event-timed tapping timing task and an emergently timed circle drawing timing task were examined. Rapid and complete error correction was seen for the tapping, but not for the circle drawing task. In Experiment 2, a perceptual event was added to delineate a cycle in circle drawing, and the perceptual event of table contact was removed from the tapping task. The inclusion of an event produced a marked improvement in synchronization error correction for circle drawing, and the removal of tactile feedback (taking away an event) slightly reduced the error correction response of tapping. Furthermore, the task kinematics of circle drawing remained smooth providing evidence that event structure can be kinematic or perceptual in nature. Thus, synchronization and error correction, characteristic of event timing (Ivry, Spencer, Zelaznik, & Diedrichsen, 2002; Repp, 2005), depends upon the presence of a distinguishable source of sensory information at the timing goal.
Effects of heroin and naltrexone on plasma prolactin levels in man

Plasma levels of prolactin were increased following intravenous self-administration of heroin by young men with a history of heroin addiction. Following 10 days of controlled heroin usage, tolerance could be demonstrated to the acute prolactin-releasing effect of heroin. There was no evidence that a single dose of naltrexone affected basal prolactin levels.
Value indices of commercial real estate: A comparison of index construction methods

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the history of commercial property values over the past decade, and to compare different methods of constructing commercial property value indices and returns series. We examine three types of indices: (i) Indices that attempt to reconstructproperty market values by “unsmoothing” the appraisal-based Russell-NCREIF Index; (ii) Indices that trace average ex posttransaction prices of commercial property over time; and (iii) an index based onunlevering REIT share prices. By comparing the different historical pictures that result from the various index construction methodologies, one gains insight into the nature of commercial property price and valuation behavior. The REIT-based values lead the other indices in time but display greater short-run volatility. The transactions-based indices lag behind the other series in time, and are consistent with the idea that institutional investors attempt to hold onto properties until they can sell them for a price at least equal to the current appraised value, in effect trading off liquidity for reduced volatility.
Health related quality of life outcomes after radical prostatectomy: Attention to study design and the patient-based importance of single-surgeon studies

Abstract Objective To define accurately health related quality of life outcomes in men undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) by a single surgeon. Materials and Methods Since September 1999, men undergoing RP were asked to complete the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) and University of California Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index preoperatively, returning it to a third party data center. Anonymous surveys were mailed to each patient at 1 and 2 years. Results We captured 90% and 82% of men at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Mean scores in the SF-36 domains and bowel function/bother were unchanged from preoperative at 1 and 2 years. Urinary function and bother scores were lower at year 1, but stable at year 2. Men wearing ≥1 pad/d scored significantly lower in urinary function and bother than those noted as pad-free. Pad-free rates were 82% at year 1 and 89% at year 2. Sexual function and bother scores were significantly lower at years 1 and 2. In men younger than 60 years with unilateral nerve-sparing surgery, at 2 years, 50% had erections adequate for intercourse. Conclusions This single-surgeon outcomes study after RP showed stability in the SF-36 and bowel domains to 2 years. At 2 years, the vast majority of men were pad-free (89%), and the majority of young men after unilateral nerve-sparing surgery had erections adequate for intercourse (50%). Accurate outcomes measurement can assist in comparing treatments and physicians, and in counseling patients on expected outcomes for localized prostate cancer interventions.
Mechanochemical effects in degradation of nitrocellulose and nitrocellulose–diphenylamine mixture

Abstract Dynamic mechanical analysis is combined with mass spectrometry to study nitrocellulose and nitrocellulose–diphenylamine films under oscillating strain. At a constant temperature (150–160 °C) and frequency 400–600 Hz nitrocellulose fractures demonstrating a modulus drop and release of products with m / z = 30 and 44. At a linear heating (2 °C min −1 ) and frequency 10–50 Hz similar products are released in two steps, the second of which demonstrates a modulus drop and a temperature increase indicating ignition. Addition of 2 mass% of diphenylamine markedly enhances the resistance of nitrocellulose to mechanochemical degradation. At 160 °C, the process has been initiated only after significant exposure times to high frequencies: 67 min at 200 Hz, 36 min at 300 Hz and 29 min at 400 Hz.
Simple Method for Isolation of Selenomonas ruminantium and Some Nutritional Characteristics of the Species

Abstract Selenomonas ruminantium is easily isolated from rumen contents of cattle by use of a selective anaerobic agar medium containing mannitol, trypticase, yeast extract, n-valerate, acetate, cysteine, minerals, and C02 gas phase. Nutritional studies on a strain of S. ruminantium showed that growth is very poor in a medium containing glucose as the main energy source, B vitamins, acetate, casitone, cysteine, minerals, and CO 2 . Addition of 1mM n -valerate allowed excellent growth. In chemically defined media, ammonia, cysteine, serine, or aspartate was effectively utilized as a sole nitrogen source, and sulfide as sole sulfur source. Alanine was much less effective and nitrate, urea, and biuret were not utilized as sole nitrogen sources.
Refinements to the Graves and Pitarka (2010) Broadband Ground‐Motion Simulation Method

This brief article describes refinements to the Graves and Pitarka (2010) broadband ground‐motion simulation methodology (GP2010 hereafter) that have been implemented in version 14.3 of the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) Broadband Platform (BBP). The updated version of our method on the current SCEC BBP is referred to as GP14.3. Our simulation technique is a hybrid approach that combines low‐ and high‐frequency motions computed with different methods into a single broadband response. The separate low‐ and high‐frequency components have traditionally been called deterministic and stochastic, respectively; however, this nomenclature is an oversimplification. In reality, the low‐frequency approach includes many stochastic elements, and likewise, the high‐frequency approach includes many deterministic elements (e.g., Pulido and Kubo, 2004; Hartzell et al. , 2005; Liu et al. , 2006; Frankel, 2009; Graves and Pitarka, 2010; Mai et al. , 2010). Although the traditional terminology will likely remain in use by the broader modeling community, in this paper we will refer to these using the generic terminology low‐ and high‐frequency approaches. Furthermore, one of the primary goals in refining our methodology is to provide a smoother and more consistent transition between the low‐ and high‐frequency calculations, with the ultimate objective being the development of a single unified modeling approach that can be applied over a broad frequency band. GP2010 was validated by modeling recorded strong motions from four California earthquakes. Although the method performed well overall, several issues were identified including the tendency to overpredict the level of longer period (2–5 s) motions and the effects of rupture directivity. The refinements incorporated in GP14.3 are aimed at addressing these issues with application to the simulation of earthquakes in western United States (WUS). These refinements include the addition of a deep weak zone (details in following section) to the rupture characterization and allowing perturbations in …
Exercise status and sexual orientation as moderators of body image disturbance and eating disorders in males.

Objective This study evaluated the moderating effects of sexual orientation and exercise status on measures of body image and eating disturbance in a sample of men. Method One hundred and thirty-four men completed measures designed to index a range of body image facets (ideals, actual, partner's preference, overall dissatisfaction), eating disturbance (restrictive and bulimic levels), and overall self-esteem. Results There were few significant effects as a function of exercise status or sexual orientation. Bodybuilders were more satisfied on a global measure of body image and had a higher ideal and actual upper torso size rating. Gay men had a smaller actual upper torso rating than heterosexual men, but ideal size upper torso did not differ as a function of sexual orientation. Discussion Findings are discussed in terms of methodological limits of previous work and future examinations of moderating factors for body image and eating disturbance in men. © 2002 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 31: 307–311, 2002; DOI 10.1002/eat.10031
Neutrinos in astrophysics — Experiment

Abstract The field of Particle Astrophysics has emerged as an important and exciting research area on the interface between particle physics and astrophysics. In this Weak Interaction Workshop presentations have been made on solar v's, Atmospheric v's, and v's from high energy point sources. In this summary, I describe important developments and prospects for the future in these selected areas of neutrino astrophysics are presented.
Ice nucleation in the atmosphere

IV. Introduction A. State of useful knowledge B. List of symbols C. Basic theory and conventions Atmospheric ice nuclei A. Origin B. Mode of action C. Detection and measurement Some approaches to a more basic understanding A. Epitaxy 6. Adsorption C. Entropy effects D. Two-dimensional nucleation Conclusion 369 371 372 373 377 377 378 381 385 386 388 389 390 393
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is highly conserved in pancreatic cancer

Background Pancreatic cancer remains a deadly disease, and the vast majority of pancreatic cancer patients are not candidates for treatment with curative intent. Erlotinib, an EGFR-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was approved recently for use in patients with pancreatic cancer. Somatic mutations in the EGFR gene appear to predict survival and response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in a subset of patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods The purpose of this study was to characterize EGFR mutations in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. EGFR TK mutations were analyzed in 9 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines and 31 clinical specimens from patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent resection. Using laser capture microdissection, tumor cells from patients were harvested selectively for genomic DNA extraction. Mutations were examined by direct sequencing of exons 18-21. Results Of 9 pancreatic cancer cell lines, 6 had either 2454G>A or 2361G>A mutations in exon 20. Of 31 patients, 25 patients had 2361G>A in exon 20, and 1 patient had 2508C>T in exon 21. All were silent mutations. Conclusions The EGFR tyrosine kinase domain is highly conserved in pancreatic cancer. The association among EGFR mutation status, clinical prognosis, and response to anti-EGFR therapy described in NSCLC may not be applicable to pancreatic cancer. This observation does not diminish the possible role of anti-EGFR therapy in pancreatic cancer because there remains a need to explore alternative explanations for pancreatic cancer aberrant EGFR pathway activation such as ligand overexpression, gene amplification, and loss of inhibitory mechanisms.
Chemoacoustically induced behavior of Ips typographies (Col.: Scolytidae)

The female of the polygamous spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus L., possesses the gular-prosternal type of stridulatory apparatus with 9–10 ridges, whereas the male lacks such ridges. There is a much less developed pars stridens than in other Ips species possessing this type of stridulatory apparatus. The female is attracted to male frass and responds to male attraction at the gallery entry with a multi-pulse chirp and a series of double clicks, whereas during stress situations both female and male produce a single-pulse click or a series of such clicks. It is therefore believed that chemoacoustic interaction plays a role in the colonization behavior of this species. Zusammenfassung Chemo-akustisches Verhalten des Buchdruckers Ips typographus (Col: Scolytidae) Das Weibchen des polygamen Buchdruckers Ips typographies L., das bisher als “still” angesehen wurde, besitzt einen Stridulationsapparat des gular-prosternalen Typs mit 9–10 Streifen, wahrend das Mannchen kein solches Organ aufweist. Dieser Stridulationsapparat ist weniger entwickelt als bei anderen Arten, die denselben Typ besitzen. Das Weibchen erzeugt zwei Locksignale, nachdem es den Anlockstoff des Mannchens wahrgenommen hat. Wahrend eines Stresverhaltens produzieren beide Geschlechter getrennte Einzelimpulse. Es ist sehr wahrscheinlich, das die chemo-akustische Interaktion im Kolonisationsverhalten des Buchdruckers eine bedeutende Rolle spielt.
More to Hi-C than meets the eye

Diversification and specialization of high-throughput technologies demand assay-specific treatment of data for reliable interpretation. A new study shows that data generated using the Hi-C approach contain hidden features of interchromosomal DNA interactions, which are revealed through analysis with an integrated probabilistic model that corrects for multiple sources of bias in the data.
Interobserver and intraobserver reliability of the NICHD 3-Tier Fetal Heart Rate Interpretation System.

Objective Our purpose was to test the reliability of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) 3-Tier Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) classification system. Study Design Individual 15- to 20-minute FHR segments (n = 154) were independently reviewed without clinical data by 3 maternal-fetal medicine examiners and classified by NICHD category (I, II, III). Results Interobserver reliability was moderate (kappa 0.45) and varied by NICHD category (category I moderate [kappa 0.48], category II moderate [kappa 0.44], and category III poor [kappa 0.0]). The intraobserver agreement ranged from substantial to perfect (kappa 0.74-1.0). Conclusion Interobserver agreement of 3-Tier FHR classification System was moderate for NICHD categories I and II. Agreement for category III tracings was poor mainly due to lack of agreement regarding absent vs minimal variability.
Marrow Hematopoietic Stem Cells Revisited: They Exist in a Continuum and are Not Defined by Standard Purification Approaches; Then There are the Microvesicles.

Current concepts of hematopoiesis are encompassed in a hierarchical stem cell model. This developed initially from studies of colony-forming unit spleen (CFU-S) and in-vitro progenitors for different cell lineages, but then evolved into a comprehensive model of cells with different in vivo differentiative and proliferative potential. These cells were characterized and purified based largely on expression of a variety of lineage specific and stem cell specific surface epitopes. Monoclonal antibodies bound to these epitopes and were then used to physically and fluorescently separate different classes of these cells. The gold standard for the most primitive marrow stem cells was long-term multilineage repopulation and renewal in lethally irradiated mice. Progressive work seemed to have clonally defined a lineage negative Sca-1+, c-kit+ CD150+ stem cell with great proliferative, differentiative and renewal potential. This cell was stable and in the G0 phase of cell cycle. However, continued work in our laboratory indicated that the engraftment, differentiation, homing, and gene expression phenotype of the murine marrow stem cells continuously and reversibly changes with passage through cell cycle. Most recently, using cycle defining supravital dyes and fluorescent activated cell sorting and S-phase specific tritiated thymidine suicide, we have established that the long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cell is a rapidly proliferating, and thus a continually changing cell; as a corollary it cannot be purified or defined on a clonal single cell basis. Further in vivo studies employing injected and ingested BrdU, showed that the G0 lin-Sca-1, c-kit + Flt3- cell was rapidly passing through cell cycle. These data are explained by considering the separative process: the proliferating stem cells are eliminated through the selective separations leaving non-representative dormant G0 stem cells. In other words they throw out the real stem cells with the purification. This sys
Novel Integration of HIV within the X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Disease Candidate Gene in Pediatric Malignancies

Novel Integration of HIV within the X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Disease Candidate Gene in Pediatric Malignancies
Design for testability of sequential circuits

The paper presents a new approach for design-for-testability (DFT) of sequential circuits. The proposed approach is based on augmenting the system under test (SUT) which is modelled as a Mealy machine, with circuitry such that the combinational part of the SUT and the sequential part (i.e. The flip-flops can be tested independently (disjoint testing). A partial parallel scan method is used with a multiphase technique. Two extra input lines are required with no modification to the memory elements. It is proved that the proposed approach provides 100% fault coverage for a single nonredundant fault and requires a significant smaller number of phases than previous scan approaches. Simulation results shows that, for benchmark circuits, the proposed approach requires a significant lower number of tests than previous approaches. The area overhead for either a PLA or a two-level realisation of the combinational part of the SUT is very modest.
Blind source separation of nerve cuff recordings

Nerve cuff Electrodes record an aggregate signal from a nerve comprised of several fascicles. Recovering individual fascicular signals could be important for the control of prosthetic devices. Blind Source Separation methods have been designed for recovering individual source signals from multi-channel recordings of a mixture of multiple sources. Here, we present a simulation study of the feasibility of applying Blind Source Separation (BSS) to recover fascicular signals from multiple contact nerve cuff electrodes. Spontaneous neuroelectric activities and their recordings are simulated. Hyvarinen's FastICA algorithm, a popular method for BSS, combined with a correlation analysis is used for separation. The ability of the method to separate the fascicular signals was estimated by measuring the correlation between the input and output signals. In 25 random trials with different signals the mean value of the correlation coefficient was 0.86 (/spl plusmn/ 0.15 S.D.). Although all signals were recovered every time, the algorithm was not able to determine the origin of the signals. The BSS procedure permutes separated signals randomly.
Towards simultaneous analysis of morphological and molecular data in Hymenoptera

Principles and methods of simultaneous analysis in cladistics are reviewed, and the first, preliminary, analysis of combined molecular and morphological data on higher level relationships in Hymenoptera is presented to exemplify these principles. The morphological data from Ronquist et al. (1999) matrix, derived from the character diagnoses of the phylogenetic tree of Rasnitsyn (1988), are combined with new molecular data for representatives of 10 superfamilies of Hymenoptera by means of optimization alignment. The resulting cladogram supports Apocrita and Aculeata as groups, and the superfamly Chrysidoidea, but not Chalcidoidea, Evanioidea, Vespoidea and Apoidea.
Role of MRI in screening, diagnosis and management of breast cancer

Screening and early diagnosis has an important role in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer. Mammography has an established role and has been approved for routine screening. MRI is an emerging tool and has the highest sensitivity of current breast imaging techniques. Although low specificity and high cost of MRI restricted its use in routine screening, it has been increasingly used in the screening of high-risk individuals, diagnosing occult cases, staging and assessing the response to chemotherapy. MRI-guided techniques, including needle-localization biopsy and vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, have a special role in diagnosis and management. This article focuses on the role of MRI in diagnosis, screening and management of breast cancer, and reviews the current indications for breast MRI.
Causal probabilistic input dependency learning for switching model in VLSI circuits

Switching model captures the data-driven uncertainty in logic circuits in a comprehensive probabilistic framework. Switching is a critical factor that influences dynamic, active leakage power, coupling noises in CMOS implementations. In this work, we model the input-space by a causal graphical probabilistic model that encapsulates the dependencies in inputs in a compact, minimal fashion and also allows for instantiations of the vector-space that closely match the underlying dependencies, with the constraint that the reduced vector-space captures the dependencies in the larger dataset accu-rately. Results on ISCAS benchmark show that average error is limited to 1.8% while we achieve a compaction ratio of 300.
Synthesis and structural and magnetic characterization of discrete phenolato and imidazolate bridged Gd(III)–M(II) [M=Cu, Ni] dinuclear complexes

Abstract Three dinuclear complexes formed by the reaction of Gd(hfa)3 (hfa is hexafluoroacetylacetonate) with Schiff base complexes of Cu(II) and Ni(II) have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of the complexes [Gd(hfa)3M(prpen)] {M=Cu(II (1)), Ni(II) (2)} are reported. (H2prpen is the Schiff base derived from the condensation of 2 equiv. of 2-hydroxypropiophenone and 1 equiv. of ethylenediamine.) Both 1 and 2 are discrete dinuclear complexes consisting of an eight coordinate Gd atom which is bridged to four coordinate M(II) via both phenolate oxygen atoms of the prpen ligand. The crystal structure shows there is no tendency toward dimerization between adjacent Cu(II) Schiff base units in 1. Cryomagnetic measurements show a ferromagnetic interaction between Gd(III) and Cu(II) in 1 as predicted by theory with J=1.91 cm−1. The reaction of Gd(hfa)3 with Ni(L) (H2L is the Schiff base derived from the condensation of 1 equiv. each of 5-chlorobenzophenone, 1,2-diaminobenzene, and 5-methyl-4-imidazolecarboxaldehyde) produced Gd(hfa)3Ni(L) (3) in which imidazolate is available to bridge Gd(III) and Ni(II).
TONE-DIAL&#174; Telephones Applied to Direct Control Exchanges

This paper describes the method by which direct control telephone systems may be adapted to receive tone signals from the subscriber instrument. The methods of association of the common equipment and control of connections during the signaling period are outlined together with the intermediate storage techniques that are used. The guards employed to assure receipt of only legitimate signals are indicated. A description of digit examination facilities and equipment mounting space requirements is included.
Liposomes, drugs and industry

(1995). Liposomes, drugs and industry. Journal of Liposome Research: Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 747-749.
Statistical learning theory: a tutorial

In this article, we provide a tutorial overview of some aspects of statistical learning theory, which also goes by other names such as statistical pattern recognition, nonparametric classification and estimation, and supervised learning. We focus on the problem of two-class pattern classification for various reasons. This problem is rich enough to capture many of the interesting aspects that are present in the cases of more than two classes and in the problem of estimation, and many of the results can be extended to these cases. Focusing on two-class pattern classification simplifies our discussion, and yet it is directly applicable to a wide range of practical settings. We begin with a description of the two-class pattern recognition problem. We then discuss various classical and state-of-the-art approaches to this problem, with a focus on fundamental formulations, algorithms, and theoretical results. In particular, we describe nearest neighbor methods, kernel methods, multilayer perceptrons, Vapnik-Chervonenkis theory, support vector machines, and boosting. WIREs Comp Stat 2011 3 543-556 DOI: 10.1002/wics.179
Comparative ecology of desert small mammals: a selective review of the past 30 years

Rooted in the conceptual revolutions of the 1960s and 1970s, contemporary research on the ecology of desert small mammals has progressed markedly in recent decades. Areas of particular emphasis include the role of extrinsic (e.g., climate) compared with intrinsic (e.g., density-dependence) factors on population growth and associated metrics, the role of competition compared with predation in influencing foraging decisions and habitat selection, the influence of small mammals on community structure and composition via consumption and redistribution of plant materials, and as ecological engineers and keystone species (or guilds). Recent emphasis on the energetic basis of assemblage composition is intriguing and warrants further work, and the generality of zero-sum dynamics requires further assessment. Desert systems continue to be the focus of much ecological research, and small mammals remain central figures in understanding the interplay between biotic and abiotic factors and between intrinsic and extrinsic drivers. Small mammals in deserts worldwide exemplify the importance of diverse approaches to ecological research, including local manipulative field experiments, long-term demographic monitoring, and both laboratory and field-based studies on behavioral and foraging ecology.
The effect of local land use regulations on urban development in the Western United States

This paper estimates the effect of local land use regulations on land development in five western states of the United States (California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington). Results suggest that local land use regulations reduced the total supply of developed land by 10% in the five western states between 1982 and 1997, with the largest percent reduction in Washington (13.0%), followed by Oregon (12.6%), California (9.5%), Idaho (4.7%), and Nevada (2.8%). Land development was more likely to occur in areas with high uncertainty about net returns to farmland and low uncertainty about net returns to developed land.
Verb argument structure acquisition in young children : defining a role for discourse*

Two-, three- and four-year-old English learners enacted sentences that were missing a direct object (e.g. *The zebra brings.). Previous work has indicated that preschoolers faced with such ungrammatical sentences consistently alter the usual meaning of the verb to fit the syntactic frame (enacting ‘zebra comes’); older children are more likely to repair the syntax to fit the meaning of the verb (enacting ‘zebra brings something’; Naigles, Gleitman & Gleitman, 1993). We investigated whether young children performed more repairs if an informative context preceded the ungrammatical sentences. Test sentences were preceded by short vignettes that created a relationship between three characters. Children repaired more sentences than had been found previously; however, older preschoolers also repaired significantly more frequently than younger preschoolers. Discourse context thus seems relevant to the acquisition of verb argument structure, but is not the sole source of information.
Expression of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), increases cell folate uptake and proliferation and suggests a novel role for PSMA in the uptake of the non-polyglutamated folate, folic acid

BACKGROUND. Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a unique folate hydrolase that is significantly upregulated in prostate cancer. In a mouse model, PSMA is able to facilitate prostate carcinogenesis, however, little is known about the mechanism by which this occurs. As PSMA is able to hydrolyze polyglutamated folates, and cancer cells proliferate directly in response to available folate, we examined if expression of human PSMA in PC-3 cells confers a proliferative advantage in a microenvironment with physiologically relevant folate levels. METHODS. Proliferation and folate uptake of PC-3 prostate cancer cells expressing humanPSMA or vector alone was assessed in media containing low (LF; 1 nM), physiological (PF; 25 nM), or high (HF; 2.3mM) folate with or without poly-g-glutamated folate (Pte-Glu5) or folic acid, and a specific inhibitor of the enzymatic activity of PSMA, 2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA). Folic acid was tested for its ability to competitively inhibit the enzymatic activity of PSMA. RESULTS. Proliferation of PC-3-PSMA cells grown in the presence of poly-g-glutamated folate, was significantly higher than that of PC-3-vector cells, an advantage which was attenuated by the addition of 2-PMPA. In media containing physiologic levels of folate, PSMA expression increased folic acid uptake approximately twofold over non-expressing cells. Folic acid was able to inhibit hydrolysis of N-[4-(phenylazo)-benzoyl]-glutamyl-g-glutamic acid (PABGgG) by PSMA in a competitive inhibition assay. CONCLUSION. These findings implicate PSMA in both the metabolism of polyglutamated folates, and in the uptake of monoglutamated folates. Under conditions of LF or PF levels, PSMA gives cells expressing it a proliferative advantage. Prostate # 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
State estimation with sensor failure for discrete-time nonlinear stochastic systems

In this paper, state estimation is considered for discrete-time nonlinear systems with uncertain observations and sensor failure. We focus on the multi-sensor case where sensors may fail independently of each other at different rates. The local unbiased minimum variance estimator is developed for this case. An illustrative example is included to show the performance of the proposed approach.
Creatine monohydrate treatment alleviates muscle cramps associated with haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND Muscle cramp is a common complication of haemodialysis. The exact mechanism of this complication is still unknown. Many approaches have been used to relieve the muscle cramping but have had variable effects. One of the possible mechanisms of haemodialysis-associated muscle cramps (HAMC) is the disturbance of muscle energy metabolism. Creatine monohydrate can enhance muscle metabolism. We evaluated the clinical effect of creatine monohydrate on HAMC. METHODS Ten patients with frequent muscle cramps during haemodialysis were randomly selected into two groups, control and placebo. In a double-blind manner, 12 mg of creatine monohydrate or placebo was given to each patient before each dialysis session for 4 weeks. The incidence of muscle cramp during haemodialysis was compared between the two groups. Dialysis adequacy, haemodynamic status, and side-effects were also evaluated. We continued to observe and compare the patients during a 4-week washout period to verify the effect of creatine monohydrate. RESULTS The frequency of symptomatic muscle cramps decreased by 60% in the creatine monohydrate treatment group (6.2+/-0.8 vs 2.6+/-1.8 times/4 weeks, P<0.05) during the treatment period. This decreasing incidence of muscle cramps disappeared in the washout period in the creatine group (6.6+/-1.1 times/4 weeks). There was no difference in the incidence of muscle cramps in the placebo group. The haematocrit, Kt/V, serum albumin, and haemodynamics remained unchanged in both groups during the treatment and washout periods. Serum creatinine increased slightly after creatine monohydrate treatment (10.7+/-3.2 vs 12.4+/-3.2 mg/dl, P<0.05). No adverse effect was found in either group during the treatment and washout periods. CONCLUSION These data suggest that creatine monohydrate can reduce the incidence of HAMC and that it may be a safe agent.
Dynamic model of estrogen docking using multiscale analysis

This work investigates the application of a new multiscale analysis to dynamic modeling of the interaction between the estrogen molecule and its receptor. The key notion here is to explore the applications of this approach to objects as small as the estrogen molecule, a study that has not yet been done. This work lays the foundation for the development of a new theoretical screening technique to identify carcinogens. In this work, a three-dimensional, coarse grained approximation of estrogen is modeled. In order to facilitate the application of the techniques used herein, several reasonable simplifications of the estrogen model have been made. It has been observed that the time required to numerically integrate the classical Newton–Euler model of estrogen is quite long, because a small time step size, on the order of 0.1 ps ( $$10^{-13}$$ s) must be used to capture the dynamics. Here, a new multiscale analysis is used to develop a scaled model that can be numerically integrated in less time, yet accurately predict the system’s behavior .
Privacy-preserving data mining: why, how, and when

Data mining is under attack from privacy advocates because of a misunderstanding about what it actually is and a valid concern about how it is generally done. This article shows how technology from the security community can change data mining for the better, providing all its benefits while still maintaining privacy.
Analysis of Coordinated Denial-of-Service Attacks in IEEE 802.22 Networks

The cognitive radio enabled IEEE 802.22 wireless regional area network (WRAN) is designed to opportunistically utilize the unused or under-utilized TV bands. However, due to the open nature of cognitive radio networks and lack of proactive security protocols, the IEEE 802.22 networks are vulnerable to various denial-of-service (DoS) threats. In this paper, we study coordinated DoS attacks on IEEE 802.22 networks from the malicious users' perspective. We consider both one-stage and a multi-stage cases of the problem. In the one-stage scenario, we formulate a cooperative game among the malicious nodes and derive the optimal decision strategy for the them. In the multi-stage case, we propose a discrete-time Markov chain model for the dynamic behavior of both malicious nodes and the 802.22 secondary networks. Simulation and numerical results demonstrate that in the one-stage case, the coordinated attack achieves 10-15% improvement compared to the non-cooperative attack from the perspective of malicious nodes, and, in the multi-stage case, there exists an optimal number of malicious nodes that maximize the net payoff under the steady state.
The new gremlins of refurbishing complex step manufacturing tools for user-defined computerized automation

More than a decade ago, mainstream semiconductor manufacturing tools reached an impasse in technological standards and economical maintenance, and studies to find long term solutions to improve tool operation and outputs prompted the semiconductor industry into risk assessments of whether to upgrade existing equipment or pay the enormous cost of new, technologically advanced and computer ready tools. This assessment was approached with great care due to the investment in banks of duplicate older machines doing large volumes of repetitive processes. The innovations of microcontrollers, PLCs and the PC platform led to cheap, accurate solutions for machine conversion to near state-of-the-art automation. Expertise to train and learn to implement the conversions appeared to be within the scope of existing engineering and technical abilities and, in some cases, reasonable outside specialists in rebuild technology. The only favorable asset for the older fixed tools was that user reconfiguration possibilities were very limited and most tools were operated with OEM-created recipes and process steps or hard-wired hardware sequencing. However, evolutionary and later generation developments created complexities which are often beyond maintenance and user ability to control. Repetitive and automated programs created over several generations of hardware upgrades and changes in process tolerances create subtle, disruptive quirks that defy even the experienced user. This paper describes the scope of the risk assessments required for such an automated system to contain and minimize the potential for failure of user programmable sequencing machines.
Testing the Response of Consumption to Income Changes with (Noisy) Panel Data

This paper tests the rational expectations lifecycle model of consumption against (i) a Keynesian model and (ii) the rational expectations lifecycle model with imperfect capital markets. The tests are based upon the relative responsiveness of consumption to income changes that can be predicted from past information and income changes that cannot he predicted. The tests allow for measurement error in income. The results reject the Keynesian model and generally support the lifecycle model. But the results are not sufficiently precise to rule out the possibility that some households are liquidity constrained. Measurement error has a strong influence on the relationship between consumption and income.
Portfolio Theory for Regional Disaster Analysis and Policy

Abstract My paper describes a portfolio theoretic framework for exploring the causes and consequences of major disruptions on regions and communities. The approach can be related to theories of financial portfolio management, optimal insurance, moral hazard, and ambiguous uncertainty, and the empirical literature on sustainable livelihoods, robust engineering, and disaster management. The present paper explains how Markowitz (1959) portfolio management theory may be adapted to the situation of a small region facing periodic and irregular disruptions in local and export markets, and used to select a portfolio of disaster mitigating strategies that maximize societal utility. This theory is implemented empirically using a computer simulation model. Model simulations show how the potential for major disruptions varies with economic policy, increasing rapidly with the risk-propensity of policy-makers or policies that increase the likelihood of concatenated events. Moreover, strategies that reduce ambiguity or ...
Towards a Functional Definition of Publication in Copyright Law

The questions of whether, when, and where an author has "published" her work of authorship traditionally has given rise to, and continues to give rise to, numerous consequences, including the protectability of the work under U.S. copyright law; the running of various time periods, including a grace period for registering the copyright and the termination of copyright in works made for hire; the applicability of fair use and other exceptions to copyright liability; and the imposition of the duty to deposit two copies of the work with the Library of Congress. Although the 1976 Copyright Act, unlike its predecessors, includes a definition of "publication," controversies continue to arise concerning the meaning of this term in new and different contexts - for example, whether an author's posting of material on the Internet constitutes publication giving rise to all of the various rights and duties attendant thereto. In this article, I propose a redefinition of the term "publication," consistent with the statutory definition, that reconciles some of the conflicting trends in the case law and attempts to resolve some current uncertainties.
Milton: Political Beliefs and Polemical Methods, 1659–60

Milton's polemical tracts of the Puritan Revolution have long offered difficulty to scholars, and these difficulties are intensified in the eight pamphlets which he wrote during the chaotic closing years of the interregnum. One problem concerns Milton's bewildering shifts of political allegiance among the various parties and models of government: he first acquiesced in the protectorate of Richard Cromwell, then denounced protectorian government and eulogized the restored Rump Parliament and the commonwealth, then defended an army government which deposed the Rump, then demanded the Rump's return, then offered plans for perpetuating three different legislatures in power or about to come to power, and at one point proposed the establishment of a temporary monarchy or protectorate. Furthermore, during this brief period he restated two contradictory theories of government developed in earlier tracts—the popular-sovereignty theory, asserting the right of every free people to choose, alter, and depose their government, and an “aristocratic” theory justifying the “worthy minority” in imposing and perpetuating its rule over an “unworthy” majority. Also intensified is the ambiguity, long present in Milton's tracts, concerning the relation of regenerate to the civil government: Milton's ecclesiastical pamphlets of 1659 define a sharp separation of church and state in terms of their laws, concerns, and jurisdictions, but in other works of this period he appears to assert the contradictory doctrine that the “Saints” should enjoy special political privileges.
Effectiveness analysis of fentanyl combined with propofol and midazolam anesthesia in infants undergoing bronchoscopy

Objective To investigate the effect of different anesthetic methods on bronchoscopy in infants.Methods Four hundred and fifty-eight infants undergoing bronchoscopy were divided into two groups.The patients in the group F were treated with fentanyl intravenous anesthesia, the group K were treated with ketamine intravenous anesthesia.The change of the mean artery pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),breathing rate(RR),saturation of arterial blood oxygen(SpO2) in each group were recorded after induction of anesthesia,before the examination and during the examination.The effect of anesthesia and the incidence of complications were observed. Results Anesthesia succeeded in both ways.However the patients in group K had higher HR,MAP and RR,lower SpO2 compared with those in group F(P0.01).The complications such as anoxia and breathholding occurred less frequently in F group patients than in K group patients.Conclusion Fentanyl does not play a role in vessel activity and has strong analgesic effectiveness which could maintain longer than ketamine in single dose.Muscle stiffness and hypoxemia could be avoided in controlling injection rate strictly and oxygen uptake sufficiently.Fentanyl would assist to ensure the infants experience bronchoscopy in stable vital sign.
Chemical Imaging with Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) is a relatively new ambient surface analysis method. This technique requires little or no sample preparation prior to the actual analysis. Along with other application areas, DESI-MS is used to obtain chemical images of different biomolecules in biological tissue sections. In the case of biological tissue analysis, only preparation of the tissue slices is necessary. Furthermore, the method does not require the use of an ionization matrix preventing the redistribution of analytes prior to the analysis. Chemical images are obtained by monitoring the mass spectrometric signals of compounds while moving the sample relative to the DESI sprayer.
Weak annihilation cusp inside the dark matter spike about a black hole.

We reinvestigate the effect of annihilations on the distribution of collisionless dark matter (DM) in a spherical density spike around a massive black hole. We first construct a very simple, pedagogic, analytic model for an isotropic phase space distribution function that accounts for annihilation and reproduces the ``weak cusp'' found by Vasiliev for DM deep within the spike and away from its boundaries. The DM density in the cusp varies as ${r}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$ for $s$-wave annihilation, where $r$ is the distance from the central black hole, and is not a flat ``plateau'' profile. We then extend this model by incorporating a loss cone that accounts for the capture of DM particles by the hole. The loss cone is implemented by a boundary condition that removes capture orbits, resulting in an anisotropic distribution function. Finally, we evolve an initial spike distribution function by integrating the Boltzmann equation to show how the weak cusp grows and its density decreases with time. We treat two cases, one for $s$-wave and the other for $p$-wave DM annihilation, adopting parameters characteristic of the Milky Way nuclear core and typical WIMP models for DM. The cusp density profile for $p$-wave annihilation is weaker, varying like $\ensuremath{\sim}{r}^{\ensuremath{-}0.34}$, but is still not a flat plateau.
Quantitative Histology of the Gastric Mucosa: Man, Dog, Cat, Guinea Pig, and Frog

A simple analysis of the cellular composition of the stomach has been extended to five species. The mucosa of the gastric corpus as a fraction of the animal ranges from 1.1 g per kg for many to 4.3 for bullfrog, relative to body weight; or 12 g per m2 for rat to 62 for dog, relative to body surface area. The combined weight of mammalian parietal and chief cells is a fairly constant 53 to 58% of the corpus mucosa. In the corpus mucosa of the guinea pig, there is a uniform distribution of parietal and chief cells. The parietal cell weight is 5 times the weight of chief cells. In man, dog, and cat, the parietal cell weight fraction increases toward the antrum, while that of chief cells decreases. For the whole corpus, the ratio of cell weights is about 1.5. Using data collected from the literature, "maximal" acid secretory rates have been correlated with the total parietal cell weight and number of parietal cells. The maximal secretory rate expressed as mEq hr-1g-1 of parietal cell varied among five mammals by a factor of 2.1. The maximal secretory rate in pEq-hr-1 per parietal cell varied by a factor of 5.3. Mean parietal cell volumes calculated from the weight of parietal cells divided by number of parietal cells ("parietal cell mass") are several times larger than mean volumes estimated from raw mean cell diameters. For interspecies comparison, expressing total parietal cell weight or maximal secretory rate relative to body surface area is not demonstrably better than normalizing these variables with respect to body weight.