cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 29 Future advances and applications

Publisher Summary The knowledge of how the retina and the brain process visual information has grown dramatically in the past 20 years, yet much still remains to be elucidated or discovered. The present exciting developments of clinical and basic neurophysiology of human vision have been shown. If the past and present success of vision research continues, the future will be predictably glorious. Although future developments cannot be certain, there are specific areas that appear to be on the threshold of new discoveries and applications. These areas include the study of retinal imaging and retinal implants, multifocal ERGs and VEPs, co-registration of multiple modalities and techniques, studies of visual memory and of the emotional content of visual stimuli. Every new development may also bring new challenges. A major challenge for the future is to maintain and improve the integration of visual basic science information and clinical data.
Assessing Adolescents with the MACI: Using the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory

Basic Issues and Theoretical Foundations. Development of the MACI. Profile Features and Psychometric Characteristics. Assessing Profile Validity. Personality Patterns Scales. Expressed Concerns Scales. Clinical Syndromes Scales. Integrating the MACI Profile. Special Diagnostic and Assessment Issues. Clinical Applications. Treatment Planning with the MACI. Appendices. References.
Facebook Pages and Benefits to Brands

Facebook fan pages allow a brand to create an online community of brand users through the social networking site. By pressing Facebook’s “like” button, a Facebook user can become a fan of the page and can interact with the brand and other consumers. This research aimed to examine whether liking and interacting with a Facebook fan page has an effect on brand loyalty and purchase intentions, and Facebook fan pages create an online brand community. An analysis of 104 online survey responses indicates that interaction with fan pages is not a strong indicator of consumer brand loyalty or purchase intentions, suggesting that brand communities are not formed on the basis of liking a page.
Fast ordering of large categorical datasets for better visualization

An important issue in visualizing categorical data is how to order categorical values. The focus of this paper is on constructing such orderings efficiently without compromising their visual quality.
Genetic identification of yeast 18S rRNA residues required for efficient recruitment of initiator tRNAMet and AUG selection

High-resolution structures of bacterial 70S ribosomes have provided atomic details about mRNA and tRNA binding to the decoding center during elongation, but such information is lacking for preinitiation complexes (PICs). We identified residues in yeast 18S rRNA critical in vivo for recruiting methionyl tRNA(i)(Met) to 40S subunits during initiation by isolating mutations that derepress GCN4 mRNA translation. Several such Gcd(-) mutations alter the A928:U1389 base pair in helix 28 (h28) and allow PICs to scan through the start codons of upstream ORFs that normally repress GCN4 translation. The A928U substitution also impairs TC binding to PICs in a reconstituted system in vitro. Mutation of the bulge G926 in h28 and certain other residues corresponding to direct contacts with the P-site codon or tRNA in bacterial 70S complexes confer Gcd(-) phenotypes that (like A928 substitutions) are suppressed by overexpressing tRNA(i)(Met). Hence, the nonconserved 928:1389 base pair in h28, plus conserved 18S rRNA residues corresponding to P-site contacts in bacterial ribosomes, are critical for efficient Met-tRNA(i)(Met) binding and AUG selection in eukaryotes.
The Runny Nose in the Emergency Department: Rhinitis and Sinusitis

Children are commonly brought to the emergency department because of acute and chronic rhinorrhea. The evaluation and management of this condition can be frustrating to both the health care provider and the parent. Most of the cases are either self-limited or respond well to appropriate therapy. Although most causes of rhinorrhea in children are benign, the symptoms can have significant effects on the quality of life of the patients and their families. Rarely, rhinorrhea can be a symptom of a serious underlying medical condition. Distinguishing viral-induced rhinorrhea from other causes can be difficult because there often exists a large overlap in symptoms and distinguishing features may be subtle. A careful history and physical examination are the key to accurate diagnosis and will help direct the most effective treatment.
Tracing of projection neurons from the cervical dorsal horn to the medulla with the anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine.

Abstract In addition to the well-defined role of dorsal horn neurons in pain transmission, neurons in the superficial laminae also provide a rich source of synaptic input to cardiovascular and respiratory centers in the medullary reticular formation. In this study, ascending projection neurons from the superficial laminae of the cervical enlargement were studied in the rat using the anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine (BDA). Ipsilateral microinjection of BDA into the cervical spinal cord (C6–C8) resulted in extensive labeling of dorsal horn neurons in laminae I–V. Axons and terminal processes of cervical dorsal horn cells projecting to the medulla were present in the cuneate nucleus (Cu), the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), the lateral reticular nucleus, (LRt) as well as the caudal and rostral ventrolateral medulla (VLM). The highest density of BDA labeling was found ipsilaterally in the Cu, LRt, caudal and rostral VLM, while a moderate density of labeling was present in the NTS caudal to the area postrema (AP). Moderate-to-weak labeling was also found in the LRt, the caudal and rostral VLM contralateral to the BDA injection. These results support the existence of a spinomedullary pathway that transmits noxious and innocuous Aδ and C fiber-mediated sensory signals to the medulla. Neurons in this ascending spinal pathway likely participate in the patterning of autonomic responses evoked by pain or during exercise.
The Tamoxifen Metabolite, Endoxifen, Is a Potent Antiestrogen that Targets Estrogen Receptor α for Degradation in Breast Cancer Cells

Tamoxifen has been the most important therapeutic agent for the treatment of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer for the past three decades. Tamoxifen is extensively metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, and recent in vivo studies have shown that women with genetically impaired cytochrome P450 2D6 have reduced production of endoxifen and a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence. Despite these observations, the contribution of endoxifen to the overall drug effectiveness of tamoxifen remains uncertain. Here, we provide novel evidence that endoxifen is a potent antiestrogen that functions in part by targeting ERα for degradation by the proteasome in breast cancer cells. Additionally, we show that endoxifen blocks ERα transcriptional activity and inhibits estrogen-induced breast cancer cell proliferation even in the presence of tamoxifen, N-desmethyl-tamoxifen, and 4-hydroxytamoxifen. All of the effects of endoxifen are concentration dependent and do not occur at concentrations observed in human CYP2D6 poor metabolizers. These results support the theory that endoxifen is the primary metabolite responsible for the overall effectiveness of tamoxifen in the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer. [Cancer Res 2009;69(5):1722–7]
Intensity in the Raman effect

Abstract A method is described for obtaining high quality photoelectrically recorded Raman spectra of gases at pressures of 1 to 2 atmospheres. Sufficient intensity was obtained by the use of a multiple reflection cell and six watercooled mercury arcs, each carrying 20 amp. All the corrections required for obtaining true intensities and depolarization ratios from those observed were evaluated experimentally. Comparison of the theoretical values of intensity ratios of hydrogen rotational lines, the H 2 and D 2 vibrational lines, and the depolarization ratio of the symmetrical CC stretching band of neopentane with those observed in the present setup (after being corrected) show that the method presented for obtaining the true intensity is not in error by more than a few percent. The intensitites and depolarization ratios of the Raman bands for some simple molecules were measured. It was possible to assign the Raman spectrum of the bands in the 1950-cm −1 region in acetylene from intensity considerations, and a definitive value for the anharmonicity constant X 24 is obtained and an upper limit given for X 25 . A simple model is discussed by which the Raman intensity of the totally symmetrical stretching band in the hydrides H n Y , and the polarizabilities of these molecules, may be estimated. The present theory of the Raman effect is applicable only to molecules in the gas phase at relatively low pressure. Gas spectra have been obtained photographically where long exposure can compensate for the weak intensity of the Raman scattering, however, such spectra yield, in general, poor Raman intensity data. The photoelectric method of recording Raman spectra of gases is a more accurate means of obtaining the intensities of the Raman bands, but it has been difficult to put into practice because of the low intensity of the Raman scattering. In the first part of this work a method is described for obtaining photoelectrically recorded Raman spectra of gases of sufficiently high quality to make possible good intensity and depolarization measurements. In the second part, the results for some simple molecules are presented and discussed.
Double-chambered right ventricle: echocardiographic features

Double-chambered right ventricle is an uncommon congenital heart disease, studied mostly by angiography, characterized by the division of the right ventricular cavity into two different pressure chambers. To analyze the anatomic features of this disease, data from 13 patients examined by echocardiography at the Mayo Clinic were reviewed. Despite the anatomic variety of this abnormality, two main types were identified. In the first type, intraventricular obstruction was due to an anomalous muscle bundle crossing the right ventricular cavity from the interventricular septum to the parietal wall. In the second type, no anomalous bundles were identified, and interventricular obstruction was due to marked parietal and septal hypertrophy. The main interventricular gradient was higher in the first type, and a ventricular septal defect was found to be associated more commonly with the second type.
Usage patterns of a Web-based library catalog

This article reports on a model and patterns of use of a library catalog that can be accessed through the Internet. Three categories of users are identified: individuals who perform a search of the catalog, tourists who look only at opening pages of the library catalog's site, and Web spiders that come to the site to obtain pages for indexing the Web. A number of types of use activities are also identified, and can be grouped with the presearch phase (which takes place before any searching begins): the search phase, the display phase (in which users display the results of their search), and phases in which users make errors, ask the system for help or assistance, and take other actions. An empirical investigation of patterns of use of a university Web-based library catalog was conducted for 479 days. During that period, the characteristics of about 2.5 million sessions were recorded and analyzed, and usage trends were identified. Of the total, 62% of the sessions were for users who performed a search, 27% were from spiders, and 11% were for tourists. During the study period, the average search session lasted about 5 minutes when the study began and had increased to about 10 minutes 16 months later. An average search consisted of about 1.5 presearch actions lasting about 25 seconds, about 5.3 display actions, and 2.5 searches per session. The latter two categories are in the range of 35-37 seconds per session each. There were major differences in usage (number of searches, search time, number of display actions, and display time), depending upon the database accessed.
Integration of Investigative Dermatology into the Global Biomedical Research Enterprise: Past, Present, and Future

Clinical dermatology as a specialty of medicine has made major strides over the past several decades, and major advances in both diagnostic and therapeutic management of skin diseases have benefited patients. The progress in clinical dermatology to a large extent has relied on the robust academic infrastructure developed in recent decades, and we argue that this process has been significantly enhanced by technical innovations in molecular medicine and the integration of cutaneous biology research into the global biomedical research enterprise.
A CORBA extension for intelligent software environments

Abstract We describe the implementation of a technology that achieves system-wide properties in large software systems by controlling and modifying inter-component communications. Traditional component-based applications intermix the code for component functionality with support for systematic properties. This produces non-reusable components and inflexible systems. The Object Infrastructure Framework (OIF) separates systematic properties from functional code and provides a mechanism for weaving them together with functional components. This allows a much richer variety of component reuse and system evolution. Key elements of this technology include intercepting inter-component communications with discrete, dynamically configurable “injectors”, annotating communications and processes with additional meta-information, and a high-level, declarative specification language for describing the mapping between desired system properties and services that achieve these properties. We have implemented these ideas in a CORBA/Java framework for distributed computing, and are currently applying them to a distributed system for the analysis of aerospace design (wind-tunnel and CFD) data.
Matrix Modulates Uptake of Calcium Oxalate Crystals and Cell Growth of Renal Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACTHandling of urinary crystals by renal epithelial and medullary interstitial cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of renal stones and associated renal scarring. We examined the effects of calcium oxalate monohydrate (CaOM) crystals on the proliferative activity of renal tubular cells (opossum kidney) and renal medullary interstitial cells in culture. We also studied the impact of altered extracellular matrix on cell proliferation as well as on uptake of crystals by epithelial cells. Epithelial cells incubated with CaOM showed greater (p <0.05) growth when compared with untreated cells (control, 10.5 +−/1.1 versus CaOM, 16.6 +−/1.6 x106 cells per dish). The CaOM crystal-cell interaction also enhanced proliferation of interstitial cells (at 48 hours, control, 3.3 +−/0.2 versus CaOM, 4.2 +−/0.1 x106 cells per dish, p <0.02; at 72 hours, control, 3.6 +−/0.3 versus 5.5 +−/0.4 x106 cells per dish, p <0.01). Collagen, a constituent of extracellular matrix, inhibited (p <0.01) proliferation...
Ability of actors to control their GSRS and express emotions.

Ability to control GSRs through the use of ideational stimulation was studied in 26 professional actors. During one 10-min period, “Respond,”Ss had to make as many GSRs as possible; during the other period, “Rest,”Ss were instructed to inhibit their GSRs. All Ss received continuous visual feedback of their responses during both periods. No relationship was found between ability to control GSRs and emotional expression as measured by the ratings of directors. However, as predicted, method actors performed at a significantly higher level than non-method actors. An additional finding was that those actors who normally experience sweating as their primary response to stress performed at a higher level than non-sweaters.
Comparison of Poroelastic and Elastic Full-Waveform AVO Responses.

Full-waveform seismic reflection responses of an isolated porous sandstone layer are simulated with three-dimensional (3D) isotropic poroelastic and isotropic elastic finite-difference (FD) numerical algorithms. When the pore-filling fluid is brine water with realistic viscosity, there is about a ~10% difference in synthetic seismograms observed in an AVO recording geometry. These preliminary results suggest that equivalent elastic medium modeling is adequate for general interpretive purposes, but more refined investigations (such as AVO waveform analysis) should account for poroelastic wave propagation effects.
Cross-relaxation energy transfer in Tm 3+ doped tellurite glass

A self-calibrating fluorescence spectroscopy technique was applied to study cross-relaxation 3 H 4 , 3 H 6 → 3 F 4 , 3 F 4 , and energy migration 3 H 4 , 3 H 6 → 3 F 4 , 3 F 4 , of the Tm 3+ Ions doped in the tellurite glass. These glasses are investigated for their use in realization of 2 micron fiber lasers. Micro and macro-parameters of the energy transfer and migration were calculated by the means of the model of phonon-assistant multi-polar interaction and hoping mode. Steady rate equation analysis was used to fit the experimental fluorescence ratio of samples with different concentrations. We found that high-order (dipole-quadrupole) interaction was the dominant mechanism in the energy transfer of Thulium ions.
Translational medicine: To the rescue of the failing heart

Heart failure is characterized by weakened contractions of heart muscle. A drug that directly activates the key force-generating molecule in this muscle may be a valuable tool to strengthen the failing heart.
Deregulation and bank financial policy

The standard view that banks can value maximize by exploiting non-risk-rated deposit insurance ignores the potential loss of a valuable bank charter due to insolvency. Recognition of this effect changes the bank's optimal financial policy and can induce extreme risk-averting as well as risk-taking behavior. However, as the value of the bank charter falls, the risk-taking strategy is more apt to dominate. Therefore, current deregulation of the banking industry, by easing entry and devaluing charters, holds the potential for increases in the incidence of insolvency unless offsetting policies are instituted.
Application-based perspective on universal multimedia access using MPEG-7

With the growing ubiquity and portability of multimedia- enabled devices, Universal Multimedia Access, is emerging as one of the important applications for the next generation of multimedia systems. The basic concept underlying Universal Multimedia Access is the adaptation, summarization, and personalization of multimedia content according to the user environment. The different dimensions for adaptation include rate reduction, adaptive spatial and temporal sampling, quality reduction, summarization, personalization, and re- editing of the multimedia content according to the user environment. The different relevant dimensions of the user environment include device capabilities, bandwidth, and user preferences, usage content, and spatial- and temporal- awareness. The emerging MPEG-7 and MPEG-21 standards are addressing Universal Multimedia Access in a number of ways. MPEG-7 provides tools for describing hints, content variations, space and frequency views, and summaries of multimedia content. MPEG-7 also provides tools for describing user preferences and usage history. MPEG-21 is addressing the description of user environment, which includes terminals and networks. In this paper we present an application-based perspective on Universal Multimedia Access using MPEG-7. We describe the different tools, methods, and systems that use MPEG-7 for enabling Universal Multimedia Access and describe a system for annotating and transcoding images using MPEG-7.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Numerical study of optical absorption in two-dimensional metal-insulator and normal-superconductor composites

We analyze a random resistor-inductor-capacitor (RLC) lattice model for the optical properties of a two-dimensional normal-metal--insulator composite, using the Y-..delta.. transformation algorithm developed by Frank and Lobb. Within such a model, the surface plasmon resonances of a Drude-metal--insulator composite are modeled by the ac resonances of a random RLC network. The real part of the effective conductance is found to show a broad surface plasmon resonance peak below and above the metal percolation threshold, and a Drude peak above the threshold. An effective-medium-approximation (EMA) calculation is in excellent agreement with the results of the simulations. We also calculate the far-infrared absorption in a model composite of normal metal and superconductor, using a lattice model. The absorption shows a strong absorption below the superconducting energy gap. An approximate calculation based on the EMA is again in excellent agreement with these results.
A web-based program for coding open-ended response protocols.

A Web-based coding application was designed to improve coding efficiency and to provide a systematic means of evaluating responses to open-ended assessments. The system was developed for use by multiple raters to assign open-ended responses to predetermined categories. The application provides a software environment for efficiently supervising the work of coders and evaluating the quality of the coding by (1) systematically presenting open-ended responses to coders, (2) tracking each coder’s categorized responses, and (3) assessing interrater consistency at any time in order to identify coders in need of further training. In addition, the application can be set to automatically assign repeated responses to categories previously identified as appropriate for those responses. To evaluate the efficacy of the coding application and to determine the statistical reliability of coding open-ended data within this application, we examined data from two empirical studies. The results demonstrated substantial interrater agreement on items assigned to various categories across free and controlled association tasks. Overall, this new coding application provides a feasible method of reliably coding open-ended data and makes the task of coding these data more manageable.
Iterated Duals of Certain Topological Spaces

Abstract Problem 540 in Open Problems in Topology (1990) asks whether iteratingthe operation of taking the dual topology eventually leads to a mutually dual pair of topologies. Some special cases of the Problem 540 are discussed. These are: all T 1 spaces, the lower Vietoris topology of any hyperspace, the Scott topology for reverse inclusion on any hyperspace, and upper Vietoris topologies on certain bitopological spaces. We find in all these cases that T dd = T dddd , and therefore at most four distinct topologies, T, T d , T dd , T ddd , can be created by iterating the dual operator starting with one of these special cases.
Metabolic abnormalities associated with HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy.

Although noted early in the HIV epidemic, metabolic abnormalities came to prominence when potent combination antiretroviral therapy was introduced. Complications associated with HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy include cardiovascular disease, lipid disorders, glucose metabolism disorders, adipose tissue disorders, bone metabolism disorders, and lactic acidosis. Metabolic complications have driven the discovery of new agents and classes of antiretrovirals, and have shaped guidelines for the management of HIV infection. However, significant uncertainty remains about pathogenesis and management. Substantial complexity exists in the treatment of these disorders, illustrated by the complex drugdrug interactions between lipid-lowering agents and antiretroviral regimens. Several important new developments include the association of a higher risk of cardiovascular events with the discontinuation of antiretroviral therapy or use of specific drugs like abacavir and didanosine. This article reviews the current understanding of metabolic abnormalities associated with HIV and its treatment.
The effect of orientation on thermal expansion behavior in polyimide films

The anisotropy of the thermal expansion of polyimide films was investigated . Out-of-plane or thickness direction coefficients of linear thermal expansion (CTE) were calculated from the difference between the coefficient of volumetric expansion (CVE) and the sum of the in-plane or film direction coefficients of linear thermal expansion for commercial and spin-coated PMDA//ODA and BPDA//PPD films and spin coated BTDA//ODA/MPD films. The CVEs were obtained from a pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) technique based on Bridgeman bellows. The CVE was shown to be essentially constant, independent of molecular orientation and thickness. A decrease in the in-plane CTEs therefore occurs at the expense of an increase in the out-of-plane CTE. In all cases the calculated out-of-plane CTE was higher than the measured in-plane CTE. The ratio of the out-of-plane CTE to the in-plane CTE was 1.2, 3.8, and 49.3 for the spin-coated BTDA//ODA/MPD, PMDA//ODA, and BPDA//PPD films, respectively. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Isolation of growth factors from adult bovine bone.

Fetal rat calvariae synthesize transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), β2 microglobulin (β2 m), and insulinlike growth factor I (IGF I), but, except for TGFβ, it is not known if these polypeptides are also present in adult bone tissue. Pulverized bovine bone, extracted with 0.5 N HCl and 4 M guanidine HCl and fractionated by gel filtration, was found to contain several biologically active components when tested for its effects on DNA synthesis in osteoblast-rich cell cultures. TGFβ, β2 m, and IGF I were identified and further purified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). TGFβ, identified by a standard TGFβ bioassay or by immunoreactivity, was purified by μBondapak C18 and μBondapak CN reversed phase HPLC. β2 m, identified by immunoreactivity, required an additional fractionation step on a DEAE-HPLC column for complete purification. IGF I, identified by immunoreactivity, was purified by HPLC using a μBondapak C18 and a DEAE-HPLC column. Purified TGFβ, β2 m, and IGF I migrated as single bands on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with respective molecular masses of 24,000, 10,000, and 7,500. In conclusion, adult bone matrix, like fetal bone cultures, contains TGFβ, β2 m, and IGF I and these factors may play a role in adult skeletal remodeling.
Field and Laboratory Avoidance Reactions by Blue Crabs (Callinectes sapidus) to Storm Water Runoff

Abstract A combined field and laboratory study was conducted to determine the avoidance reactions of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) to highly colored, acidic runoff from clear-cut timber areas above a productive north Florida estuary. Blue crabs of two age groups showed marked laboratory avoidance of runoff (pH 4.6, 5.8) and of test water with experimentally reduced pH. Within the pH range 4.5-7.0, there was an inverse relationship between pH and avoidance. Water color appeared to play a minor role in the avoidance reactions. Field data gave divergent results. Small crabs were abundant in areas characterized by pH levels strongly avoided under laboratory conditions. Large crabs, however, were conspicuously absent from such areas in the field, indicating possible avoidance. Factors other than pH were thought to be functional in the field distribution of the crabs. This study indicates that laboratory experiments without associated field studies may cause misleading results if they are applied to a determ...
Wyatt's Unstable Dream, According to the Place

(1999). Wyatt's Unstable Dream, According to the Place. The Explicator: Vol. 57, No. 3, pp. 131-132.
Beauty with benefits: butterfly conservation in Washington State, USA, wine grape vineyards

The butterfly fauna of south central Washington State, USA is characterized by shrub-steppe specialists adapted to hot, dry summers and cold winters. However, the shrub-steppe ecosystem has diminished at an alarming rate due to extensive agricultural development fostered by access to an abundant water supply from the Cascade Mountains. This has resulted in loss and fragmentation of habitat for ~50 species of butterflies which are now in decline. Viticulture is a major agricultural industry in south central Washington and has transitioned in recent years to a sustainable, low pesticide-input enterprise. Current viticultural pest management research is focused on restoration of shrub-steppe habitat and native plants to enhance and sustain beneficial arthropod populations (predators and parasitoids) for pest control. Butterfly populations were surveyed during 2012–13 in a pair of vineyards (habitat-enhanced, conventional) in each of four viticultural regions [Columbia gorge (CG), Walla Walla valley (WWV), Yakima valley (YV), Wahluke slope (WS)] in south-central Washington. The habitat-enhanced sites supported a significantly greater number of flowering plant species (mostly native) than conventional vineyard sites. Twenty nine butterfly species were recorded from the habitat-enhanced vineyards with only nine of these recorded from the conventional vineyards. Overall, there were double the number of species in habitat-enhanced vineyards [mean (±SE) 5.62 ± 0.85] compared to conventional vineyards (2.75 ± 0.75) although this was not statistically significant. A significantly greater number of species occurred in the CG and WWV habitat-enhanced vineyards (10.5 ± 0.5) compared to the conventional vineyards (3.5 ± 0.0) in these regions. Smaller numbers of butterfly species occurred in YV and WS vineyards with no significant differences between habitat-enhanced and conventional sites. Butterfly abundance was significantly greater in habitat-enhanced vineyards (20.37 ± 5.34 individuals/visit) compared to conventional vineyards (5.5 ± 0.9) with greatest differences in the CG and WWV vineyards. The pest management strategy of restoring native plants and habitats in a low pesticide-input crop like wine grapes in central Washington may have substantial benefits for butterfly abundance, diversity and conservation. Many of the flowering native perennials important in attracting and sustaining endemic biological control agents, are also larval hosts and/or nectar sources for threatened shrub-steppe butterflies.
Signal transduction mechanisms within the entorhinal cortex that support latent inhibition of cued fear conditioning

Latent inhibition is a phenomenon by which pre-exposure to a conditioned-stimulus (CS), prior to subsequent pairings of that same CS with an unconditioned-stimulus (US), results in decreased conditioned responding to the CS. Previous work in our laboratory has suggested that the entorhinal cortex is critically involved in the establishment of latent inhibition of cued fear conditioning. Furthermore, utilizing systemic pharmacology, we have demonstrated a role for of NMDA receptors, protein kinase A (PKA), and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK, also known as ERK) in latent inhibition of cued fear conditioning, but until now, where these cell signaling cascades are critically activated during latent inhibition of cued fear was unknown. Here, we use direct drug infusion to demonstrate that cell signaling via NMDA receptors, the cAMP/PKA pathway, and the MAPK pathway within the entorhinal cortex are critically involved in latent inhibition of cued fear conditioning. In the present study, CS pre-exposed mice received 20 CS pre-exposures 24 h prior to two pairings of the same CS with a 0.53 mA foot shock US, while control animals receive no pre-exposure to the CS. The NMDA antagonist APV (0.25 or 2.5 μg/side), the cAMP inhibitor Rp-cAMP (1.8 or 18.0 μg/side), or the MAPK inhibitor U0126 (0.1 or 1.0 μg/side) were directly infused into the entorhinal cortex prior to pre-exposure. All three drugs produced dose-dependent disruptions in latent inhibition of cued fear conditioning. Importantly, none of the drugs had any effect on cued fear conditioning when administered on training day, suggesting that the effects of each of the drugs were specific to CS pre-exposure. These results are discussed in relation to the potential mechanisms of plasticity that support latent inhibition of cued fear conditioning.
Chemical kinetics of hydrogen halide lasers. 1. The H2 ? Cl2 system

A detailed kinetic model of the HCl chemical laser produced by the flash photolytically initiated H2Cl2 explosion is described, and the results of computer calculations on such a system are discussed. It is shown that currently accepted values of the various rate constants, supplemented in a few cases by reasonable estimates of previously unmeasured rate constants, are adequate to approximate the observed laser behavior of this system. It is also shown that the chemistry of such a system is extremely complex, and exhibits a high degree of coupling between one reaction and another; therefore, great care is required to extract kinetic data from the optical behavior of such laser systems. It is further argued that different hydrogen halide lasers may behave quite differently from each other, depending on the relative magnitudes of the various rate constants involved.
A dependability analysis of hardware-assisted polling integrity checking systems

Due to performance constraints, host intrusion detection defenses depend on event and polling-based tamper-proof mechanisms to detect security breaches. These defenses monitor the state of critical software components in an attempt to discover any deviations from a pristine or expected state. The rate and type of checks depend can be both periodic and event-based, for instance triggered by hardware events. In this paper, we demonstrate that all software and hardware-assisted defenses that analyze non-contiguous state to infer intrusions are fundamentally vulnerable to a new class of attacks, we call “evasion attacks”. We detail two categories of evasion attacks: directly-intercepting the defense triggering mechanism and indirectly inferring its periodicity. We show that evasion attacks are applicable to a wide-range of protection mechanisms and we analyze their applicability in recent state-of-the-art hardware-assisted protection mechanisms. Finally, we quantify the performance of implemented proof-of-concept prototypes for all of the attacks and suggest potential countermeasures.
Prognostic significance of p16 and its relationship with human papillomavirus in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

Importance The prognostic significance of p16 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the hypopharynx (HP) and nasopharynx (NP) and relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) and p16 is unclear. Objectives To evaluate the prognostic significance of p16 in pharyngeal subsites (oropharynx [OP], HP, and NP) and assess the relationship between HPV and p16 in the HP and NP. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective medical record review of 172 patients with SCC of the pharynx treated with definitive radiation therapy from 2002 to 2013 at a university tertiary referral center, with tissue available for immunohistochemical analysis. The median follow-up was 30.1 months. Interventions A total of 118 patients were treated with chemoradiation, and 54 patients were treated with radiation alone. Immunohistochemical analysis for p16 was performed for all tumors. Hypopharynx and NP tumors were tested for HPV using in situ hybridization, and NP tumors were tested for Epstein-Barr virus. Main Outcomes and Measures Overall survival, locoregional control, and disease-free survival were analyzed according to p16, HPV, and Epstein-Barr virus status. Results Thirty-two patients had HP SCC, 127 had OP SCC, and 13 had NP SCC. p16 Was positive in the HP (34%), OP (66%), and NP (46%). Prevalence of HPV was 14% in the HP and 50% in the NP. As a test for HPV, p16 had a positive predictive value of 38% (HP) and 67% (NP) and a negative predictive value of 100% in HP and NP tumors. p16 Status was a significant predictor of all clinical outcomes for patients with OP SCC (P Conclusions and Relevance p16 Was not associated with improved outcomes in patients with HP or NP SCC. The positive predictive value of p16 as a test for HPV is too low for p16 testing alone in the HP and NP. However, p16 negativity is sufficient to rule out HPV. As a research approach, we recommend p16 immunohistochemistry as a screening test for HPV in NP SCC and HP SCC followed by confirmatory HPV in situ hybridization when p16 positive.
Pentoxifylline, Inflammation, and Endothelial Function in HIV-Infected Persons: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: Untreated HIV may increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Our preliminary in vitro and in vivo research suggests that pentoxifylline (PTX) reduces vascular inflammation and improves endothelial function in HIV-infected persons not requiring antiretroviral therapy. Methods: We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of PTX 400 mg orally thrice daily for 8 weeks in 26 participants. The primary endpoint was change in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery after 8 weeks. Nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NTGMD) and circulating markers of inflammation, cellular immune activation, coagulation, and metabolism were also assessed. Results: The difference in mean absolute change (SD) in FMD after 8 weeks between the placebo [21.06 (1.45)%] and PTX [21.93 (3.03)%] groups was not significant (P=0.44). No differences in NTGMD were observed. The only significant between-group difference in the changes in biomarkers from baseline to week 8 was in soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (sTNFRI) [283.2 pg/mL in the placebo group vs. +65.9 pg/mL in the PTX group; P=0.03]. PTX was generally welltolerated. Conclusions: PTX did not improve endothelial function and unexpectedly increased the inflammatory biomarker sTNFRI in HIV-infected participants not requiring antiretroviral therapy. Additional interventional research is needed to reduce inflammation and cardiovascular risk in this population. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00796822
Decreased porcine uterine blood flow during laparoscopic nissen fundoplication

Background: Laparoscopy produces significant hemodynamic alterations that could affect blood flow through various systems, such as the cerebral, splanchnic, and renal circulations. While laparoscopic surgery is indicated for obstetrical and non-obstetrical conditions in pregnant patients, the effect of laparoscopy on uterine blood flow has hitherto been unclear. This experiment measures uterine blood flow in pigs undergoing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication using radioactive microspheres. Methods: Six (6) pigs were subjected to a standard laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Microspheres (15 µm) labeled with five different radioisotopes were injected directly into the left ventricle at five different stages of the procedure. After the procedure, the pigs were euthanized and the uterus of the pig was harvested to measure blood flow. Results: There was a decrease in uterine blood flow at all stages of the procedure, with a statistically significant maximal drop in blood flow of –82%. These changes were asso...
Stress relaxation and mechanical behavior of metals

Stress relaxation tests have been made in the temperature range 200° to 400°C on two materials, the Mg-Al eutectic alloy and commercial purity zirconium. The materials represent respectively high and low homologous temperature regimes. The novel features of the tests are the use of high speed, high sensitivity digital measurement techniques and the direct reduction of the data to stress-strain rate curves. It was possible in this way to obtain phenomenological information on the material behavior over a very large range of strain rate with very few specimens. Comparison was made with results obtained by more conventional differential strain rate tests. The test lends itself well to establishing the phenomenology of mechanical behavior of metals.
Toward aggregation-resistant antibodies by design

Monoclonal antibodies are attractive therapeutics for treating a wide range of human disorders due to their exquisite binding specificity and high binding affinity. However, a limitation of antibodies is their highly variable and difficult-to-predict propensities to aggregate when concentrated during purification and delivery. Despite the large size and complex structure of antibodies, recent findings suggest that antibody solubility can be dramatically improved using rational design methods in addition to conventional selection methods. Here, we review key advances and unmet challenges in engineering the variable and constant regions of antibody fragments and full-length antibodies to resist aggregation without reducing their binding affinity. These experimental and computational discoveries should accelerate the development of robust algorithms for designing aggregation-resistant antibodies.
The electronic thermodynamics of iron under Earth core conditions

Abstract The LMTO method is used to calculate the electronic band structure of iron in the ϵ-phase (hcp) and in the γ-phase (fcc) for seven compressions from 4 to 980 GPa. The electronic specific heat c υ e ( T ) is calculated for each phase by numerical integration from the resultant density of states. Previous work is thus supported for γ-iron and extended to ϵ-iron, the most likely inner core component. A simple parameterization of c υ e is given for use in making geophysical estimates. Other thermodynamic parameters which are calculated are the electronic free energy, the thermal electronic pressure, and an electronic Gruneisen parameter, γ e . Recent studies of liquid iron and iron alloys indicate that the density of states at the Fermi level does not differ much from that calculated for pure crystalline iron. We cautiously apply our results to the outer core and find that c υ e = 1.7 ± 0.7 R and γ e = 1.3 ± 0.4. This indicates that the total heat capacity of the core is one-quarter that of the entire Earth.
Elective EVAR in nonagenarians is safe in carefully selected patients.

Background Nonagenarians are typically considered poor operative candidates for major aortic intervention because of shorter life expectancy, multiple comorbidities, and increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has clearly been associated with a lower perioperative morbidity and mortality in most anatomically suitable patients. There have been many reports of the technical success of EVAR in octogenarians, but few documenting EVAR in nonagenarians. In this study, we sought to review our experience with elective EVAR in nonagenarians to determine outcomes, complications, and long-term survival after repair. Methods We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively maintained aneurysm database from 2000 to 2010 at an academic referral center. Fifteen patients ≥90 years old underwent elective EVAR. No symptomatic or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm patients >90 years old were treated. Comorbidities, preoperative and postoperative functional status, aneurysm size, and technical success rate were all recorded in accordance with Society for Vascular Surgery reporting guidelines. Follow-up was performed within 30 days, 6 months, and annually thereafter unless more frequent follow-up was indicated. Results Of the 749 EVAR procedures performed in the decade-long experience, 15 nonagenarians underwent repair (14 male, 93%; mean age, 90.3 ± 0.6 years). Mean aneurysm diameter was 6.4 ± 1.45 cm with a median diameter of 5.8 cm (range 4.5–8.8 cm). All patients were offered repair because of having good to excellent preoperative functional status with an average number of comorbidities per patient of 2.7. Immediate technical success rate was 100%. Median intensive care unit stay was 1 day (range 1–17 days). Mean length of stay was 4.6 ± 5.3 days with a median of 3.5 days. Thirty-day mortality was 0%. Mean follow-up was 35 months. Mean survival was 56 months. Overall survival estimated annually extending out to 5 years was 91.7%, 83.3%, 71.4%, 57.1%, and 38.1%, respectively. Thirty-day rate of any complication was 40%, with a 20% readmission rate, with many of the issues being related to wound complications. On follow-up imaging there were noted to be 4 (27%) type I, 9 (60%) type II, and no type III or type IV endoleaks identified. Overall reintervention rate was 27%. No ruptures were noted in the postoperative period or long-term follow-up, and there were no conversions to open surgery. Conclusions We found a median survival of 56.2 months in this carefully selected cohort of EVAR in nonagenarians. As techniques and technology improve and evolve, and particularly as devices become lower profile, there is the potential to apply EVAR to the increasingly older population. If perioperative morbidity can be minimized and the patient has good functional status, EVAR can be a safe procedure and provide rupture-free survival.
Male and female homosexuality: Natural history

Abstract The aim of our study was to describe the natural history of the homosexual phenomenon through describing its development and characteristics from early childhood and into adult life. Our findings indicate that the homosexual orientation develops very early in life and that the prehomosexual child displays behavioral characteristics that are more typical of the opposite sex than of his own biologic sex. The homosexual male begins his sexual involvement in early adolescene, while the homosexual female starts her homosexual involvement several years later. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of neurotic disorders between homosexuals and heterosexuals. However, homosexual males and females had more depression, suicide attempts, and usually abused alcohol more often. Still, the majority of the homosexuals functioned adequately and were productive, with no significant disabilities.
Measurement and modeling of the angular dispersion in liquid crystal broadband beam steering devices

Liquid crystal beam steering devices behave like blazed diffraction gratings: the design wavelength can be nicely diffracted into a single order. Unfortunately, the grating nature of these devices causes strong angular dispersion of the transmitted light when the incident beam contains a broad spectrum of wavelengths. We characterized the behavior of a liquid crystal beam steerer for broadband illumination. We report experimental measurements of the impulse response of the beam steering device as a function of illumination wavelength. We also compare our results to a theoretical analysis utilizing the beam-propagation method (BPM). We find that even a simple model of the phase profile gives good agreement with the experimental measurements.
Short-pulse perturbation theory

A perturbation theory for the short-pulse equation is developed to investigate the effects of various perturbations on optical solitons propagating in nonlinear media in the few femtosecond to subfemtosecond regime. The theory is formulated using a variational approach since linearization of the exact solution is not tractable. A variety of physically realizable perturbations are considered, culminating in perturbations that result from considering short-pulse mode locking. In each case, the analytic results presented are in agreement with full numerical simulations of the short-pulse theory. Given the tremendous success of soliton perturbation theory in the theoretical realm of optical solitons, the short-pulse perturbation theory attempts to provide the same theoretical framework for understanding physically realizable mechanisms that affect pulse evolution and stability when nearing the attosecond regime.
Confounders of auscultatory blood pressure measurement

The appropriate use of any test requires the clinician to appreciate that test’s limitations. By recognizing the potential confounders of the auscultatory assessment of blood pressure, the clinician minimizes the likelihood of enacting therapeutic decisions based on inaccurate data. When approaching the treatment of a hypertensive patient, several points should be kept in mind.