cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tissue volume considerations in implant prosthodontics.

Abstract Statement of problem. The replacement of intraoral hard and soft tissue is dependent on careful dimensional consideration. The prosthetic phase of implant treatment frequently involves the restoration of significant amounts of hard and soft tissue in addition to teeth. Although similarities to both tooth supported fixed prostheses and removable prostheses exist, implant-supported fixed prostheses engender unique problems with respect to prosthetic contours. Purpose. This article depicts diagnostic methods used to compare anticipated prosthesis volume with existing clinical conditions. The proper functional, esthetic, and biomechanical design of the definitive prosthesis will be shown to relate directly to understanding these dimensional requirements. (J Prosthet Dent 1997;77:492-6.)
Surgical outcomes of open cholecystectomy in the laparoscopic era.

BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the standard of care for symptomatic cholelithiasis and cholecystitis, 10% to 30% of cholecystectomies are still performed in open fashion. Because the total number of cholecystectomies is increasing with time, the average patient undergoing open cholecystectomy in the laparoscopic era is older and has more comorbidities. METHODS: The records of 1629 consecutive patients who underwent cholecystectomy from July 1997 to September 2006 were evaluated. Analysis of variance, chi-square test, logistic regression, and linear regression were used to compare the following outcomes: length of procedure, length of stay, readmission (within 15 days and within 31 days), reoperation, and complication. RESULTS: Major complications (death, bile duct injury, bile leak, or bleeding requiring reoperation or transfusion) occurred more frequently in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients who were coverted to open procedure (5.9%) than in those who underwent open cholecystectomy (4.4%). Mortality rates were 2.9%, 1.5%, and 0% for open, converted, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients, male patients, and patients with previous upper abdominal surgery are at higher risk for mortality. They should be considered for open cholecystectomy given their increased likelihood of major complications when laparoscopic cholecystectomy is converted to open surgery.
Performance of complex-valued ICA algorithms for fMRI analysis: Importance of taking full diversity into account

Independent component analysis (ICA) has been effectively used for the analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, and recently for the analysis of fMRI data in its native complex-valued form. When performing complex ICA of fMRI analysis, it is desirable to take all three types of diversity — statistical property — that are present in the complex fMRI data into account: non-Gaussianity, sample dependence and noncircularity. In this paper, we study the performance of complex ICA by entropy rate bound minimization (CERBM) algorithm for fMRI analysis that takes all these three types of diversity into account. We perform a thorough comparison of its performance with that of complex Infomax (CInfomax) and complex ICA by entropy bound minimization (CEBM), two other important choices. While evaluating the performance of ICA algorithms for fMRI analysis, there are a number of challenges, including the lack of ground truth of fMRI data and inconsistent estimates due to the iterative nature of ICA algorithms. In this work, we also propose a statistical framework that utilizes an objective criterion to evaluate consistency of ICA algorithms. Using this framework, we show that CERBM leads to significant improvement in the estimations of components of interest in terms of providing lower mutual information rate, higher active scores and more numbers of activated voxels than those of CInfomax and CEBM, and the corresponding time courses present best task-relatedness with the paradigm.
Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 and -2 Messenger Ribonucleic Acids in the Ovine Uterus: Regulation by Pregnancy, Progesterone, and Interferon-τ

Abstract Endometrial leukocytes may play important roles during pregnancy. Because chemokines are regulators of immune cell activity and trafficking, this study determined if mRNAs for monocyte chemotactic proteins (MCP) were present in the ovine uterus and regulated by progesterone (P) and/or recombinant ovine interferon tau (roIFN-τ). Uteri of normal cycling and pregnant ewes (experiment 1) and uteri of ovariectomized ewes receiving intrauterine infusions of IFN-τ and/or i.m. injections of P (experiment 2) were used to detect MCP-1 and MCP-2 mRNA. In experiment 1, slot-blot hybridization analysis of endometrial total RNA revealed that MCP-1 and MCP-2 mRNA levels did not change during the estrous cycle but increased between Days 13 and 19 of pregnancy. Using in situ hybridization, MCP-1 and MCP-2 mRNA were localized to immune cells in the subepithelial compact stroma. Histomorphological studies and in situ hybridization for major basic protein (MBP) indicated that MCP-positive immune cells were eosinophi...
Evidence for refractoriness of the pituitary‐gonadal axis to the pineal gland in golden hamsters and its possible implications in annual reproductive rhythms

The testes of adult hamsters maintained in short daily photo-periods (light:dark “LD” cycles of 1:23, in hours) undergo regression within ten weeks and spontaneous regeneration within about 30 weeks. Thereafter (at least up to 80 weeks), as long as these animals are kept in short photoperiods the gonads do not experience a second atrophic response. After the 30 week period of dark exposure, if the hamsters are moved into a long photoperiodic environment (LD 14:10) for either one or ten weeks and are then returned to short photoperiods, the gonads do not involute a second time. However, if the duration of exposure to LD 14:10 is increased to 22 weeks, the return to LD 1:23 causes the gonads to degenerate. The regressive responses of the testes never occur in hamsters that have been pinealectomized indicating that the observed changes are mediated by this gland. The inability of darkness and, thus the pineal gland, to induce a second gonadal involution unless the hamsters are maintained in LD cycles of 14:10 for 22 weeks (after a 30 week period of dark exposure) may be explicable in terms of (1), a transient refractoriness of the brain to the pineal antigonadotropic principle or (2), the temporary failure of the pineal to be activated by short daily photoperiods.
Evaluation of factors controlling earthquake-induced landslides caused by Chi-Chi earthquake and comparison with the Northridge and Loma Prieta events

Over 10,000 landslides were triggered by the September 21, 1999, Chi-Chi Earthquake. A large number of these landslides have been mapped from SPOT images and a smaller number were described in a detailed field investigation. Geographic information systems (GIS) was used to conduct a spatial characterization of the slope failures, including distribution of type, size, slope angle, bedrock geology, ground motion, and distance from earthquake source. The most abundant landslides were shallow, disaggregated rock and soil slides. Landslides occurred primarily in Tertiary sedimentary rocks, which are well known for their susceptibility to landsliding in many parts of the world. Landslide concentration values diminish beyond epicentral distances of 40 and 70 km from the epicenter and the surface projection of the fault plane, respectively. Ground motion was found to be the most significant factor in triggering the shallow landslides in the Chi-Chi earthquake. Overall, 74% of all slope failures occurred in regions with vertical ground motions greater than 0.2g and 81% of all slope failures occurred in the region with mean horizontal peak ground accelerations (PGA) greater than 0.15g. These factors were used to compare landslides generated by the Chi-Chi earthquake to the landslides triggered by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The major difference in distribution of landslides between the Chi-Chi earthquake and the two California earthquakes was the distribution of slope angles. In the Chi-Chi earthquake, 90% of the failures occurred on slopes steeper than 45°, while more than 80% of failures occurred on slopes less than 50° in California, apparently reflecting much steeper and tectonically more active geologic setting in Taiwan.
Drilling Fluid Evaluation Using Yield Point-Plastic Viscosity Correlation

Extensive research work has been conducted by the writers on the effects of barite, thinners, and fiocculants (in various concentrations) on freshwater bentonite muds. The PV-----versus-VP----curve...
Inhibition of Milk Kinin Activity by Phenolic Antioxidants

Abstract The smooth muscle contracting ability of a kinin released by trypsin from a kininogenic source in milk is inhibited by the presence of water-soluble antioxidants of the phenolic type. The manner by which these antioxidants inhibit this physiological response to milk kinin is similar to that observed for bradykinin. The initial suppression of the contractile response of the isolated guinea pig ileum by gallic acid and members of a homologous series of gallate esters increased almost directly with increasing chain length of the acid substitution group. Butylated hydroxyanisole was equally effective in suppressing milk kinin activity. Plots of reciprocal of gut response versus the reciprocal of kinin concentration for different concentrations of these food grade antioxidants indicated they might act as competitive inhibitors. The suppressive effects of the antioxidants were a function of purity of the kininogen preparation.
Characteristics of softwater streams in Rhode Island II. Composition and seasonal dynamics of macroalgal communities

Forty stream segments in Rhode Island, U.S.A., were examined seasonally from June 1979 to March 1982. Thirty-nine species of macroalgae were collected, respresenting 25 genera. The composition of the lotic flora was 54% green algae, 31% red algae, 5% blue-green algae, 5% xanthophytes, 3% chrysophytes and 3% diatoms. The majority of these taxa (85%) were filamentous. From a biweekly examination of five stream segments, macroalgal communities could be grouped according to light regime. Species in unshaded streams exhibited little seasonality, whereas in streams shaded by one or more layers of riparian canopy, maxima in species numbers and abundance occurred during colder seasons. The most widespread and abundant species were the blue-green alga Phormidium retzii, the green alga Draparnaldia acuta, and the diatom Eunotia pectinalis. P. retzii and E. pectinalis were aseasonal annuals, while D. acuta was primarily a winter-spring form. It appears that pH is a major factor affecting broad geographic distribution patterns of stream macroalgae, whereas the light regime established by overhanging canopy is an important factor which influences localized abundance and seasonality of lotic macroalgal communities. Niche pre-emption appears to be a common mode of resource space division among stream macroalgae in Rhode Island. E. pectinalis is the strongly developed dominant in this drainage system.
Suppression of Ia antigen expression on gamma interferon treated macrophages infected with Ehrlichia risticii

Abstract Ehrlichia risticii is an obligate intracellular bacterium of monocytes/macrophages. In this report, using immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov analysis of histograms, the response of P338D1 and peritoneal macrophages stimulated with recombinant murine interferon-γ (rIFN-γ) was examined for the expression of major histocompatibility complex Class II gene product (Ia) and effect of E. risticii infection on induction of Ia surface expression. Maximal expression of Ia by sham-infected P388D1 cells was observed 2 days post rIFN-γ addition followed by a progressive decline. These stimulatory effects of rIFN-γ were dose dependent. Relative to sham-infected P388D1 cells, the induction of Ia by rIFN-γ (200 U ml−1) on E. risticii-infected P388D1 cells was significantly suppressed at each time point tested through Day 5 with maximal suppression of 88% occurring on Day 2. Similarly, the induction of Ia by rIFN-γ on E. risticii-infected peritoneal macrophages was significantly suppressed by 77% (fluorescent microscopy) when compared to sham-infected peritoneal macrophages. The higher dose of rIFN-γ (2000 U ml−1) failed to restore Ia surface expression by E. risticii-infected P388D1 cells. The suppression of Ia on P388D1 cells in response to RIFN-γ was not related to the degree of infection of these cells by E. risticii. A soluble inhibitor substance was not demonstrable in the supernatant from E. risticii-infected cells, nor were inhibitor levels of prostaglandin E2 levels found in the supernatant. Suppression of surface Ia expression on the macrophage suggests a mechanism whereby I. risticii may evade T-lymphocyte recognition, hinder antigen-specific T-lymphocyte activation, and promote their own survival.
Robot-assisted laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma: the National Cancer Institute technique.

Background Partial adrenalectomy has recently been advocated to preserve unaffected adrenal tissue during resection of pheochromocytoma.
Interstitials in graphite and disordered carbons.

The steps in the interlayer spacing observed in annealing studies of artificial carbons on the one hand, and those seen in fast-neutron irradiation and grinding of graphite on the other hand, are shown to demonstrate the existence of interstitial carbon atoms between the aromatic planes of carbon atoms, $s{p}^{2}$ bonded as in the graphite-crystal structure. The steps are analogous to staging in graphite intercalation compounds.
S100A12 expression in thoracic aortic aneurysm is associated with increased risk of dissection and perioperative complications

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the relevance of S100A12 expression to human thoracic aortic aneurysms and type A thoracic aortic aneurysm dissection and to study mechanisms of S100A12-mediated dysfunction of aortic smooth muscle cells. Background Transgenic expression of proinflammatory S100A12 protein in murine aortic smooth muscle causes thoracic aneurysm in genetically modified mice. Methods Immunohistochemistry of aortic tissue (n = 50) for S100A12, myeloperoxidase, and caspase 3 was examined and S100A12-mediated pathways were studied in cultured primary aortic smooth muscle cells. Results We found S100A12 protein expressed in all cases of acute thoracic aortic aneurysm dissection and in approximately 25% of clinically stable thoracic aortic aneurysm cases. S100A12 tissue expression was associated with increased length of stay in patients undergoing elective surgical repair for thoracic aortic aneurysm, despite similar preoperative risk as determined by European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation. Reduction of S100A12 expression in human aortic smooth muscle cells using small hairpin RNA attenuates gene and protein expression of many inflammatory- and apoptosis-regulating factors. Moreover, genetic ablation of the receptor for S100A12, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), in murine aortic smooth muscle cells abolished cytokine-augmented activation of caspase 3 and smooth muscle cell apoptosis in S100A12-expressing cells. Conclusions S100A12 is enriched in human thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. Reduction of S100A12 or genetic ablation of its cell surface receptor, the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), in aortic smooth muscle resulted in decreased activation of caspase 3 and in reduced apoptosis. By establishing a link between S100A12 expression and apoptosis of aortic smooth muscle cells, this study identifies novel S100A12 signaling pathways and indicates that S100A12 may be a useful molecular marker and possible target for treatment for human aortic diseases.
Fantasmagorie et fabrication de l’illusion : Pour une culture optique du dispositif cinématographique

En s’interrogeant sur ce qu’il appelle la « culture optique », l’auteur cherche a identifier certaines proprietes fondamentales du dispositif cinematographique, compte tenu de la nature particuliere de l’illusion visuelle que ce dispositif propose au spectateur. Comme l’illustre l’exemple de la fantasmagorie, l’illusion creee par les dispositifs optiques du xixe siecle presente un caractere foncierement contradictoire, qui met en doute les theories du dispositif cinematographique issues des annees 1970. En embrassant le projet ideologique du siecle des Lumieres, la theorie classique semble avoir ferme les yeux sur cet aspect dialectique de la culture optique, ou residerait pourtant le potentiel ludique et le pouvoir d’emerveillement du cinema.
Nuclear Profiling Of Aluminum In GaAlAs/GaAs Heterostructures

We present here a direct measurement of proton energy-loss straggling in Gal-xAlxAs/GaAs, enabling us to take maximum advantage of the 27Al(p, γ)28Si nuclear reaction as a powerful technique for measuring Al profiles in these structures without the removal of sample material. As an illustration of the usefulness of the technique, we have observed and determined quantitatively an effect of substrate preparation on the Al concentration gradient at the GaAlAs/GaAs interface. Results were obtained using samples produced by molecular beam epitaxy and fabricated to have step-function Al concentration distributions to prescribed depths. The exact straggling width was obtained by a least squares comparison of the experimental spectra with curves calculated using a parameterized straggling distribution. Profiling measurements can now be made, using these straggling results, to give the Al concentration fall-off at the interface region in GaAlAs/GaAs to about 4% and epilayer thickness determination to about 2%. These results are also applicable to the profiling of structures such as graded band gap GaAlAs/GaAs solar cells which are constructed to have continuously varying Al concentration gradients. The technique can also be extended to other related materials such as GaAlSb/GaSb.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Adrenergic mechanisms in the metabolic adaptation to fasting and feeding: effects of phlorizin on diet-induced changes in sympathoadrenal activity in the rat.

Abstract Recent studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that fasting and feeding exert important effects on the activity of the sympathetic nervous system in the rat: fasting suppresses, and overfeeding sucrose stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Furthermore, changes in sympathetic activity with changes in caloric intake have been clearly dissociated from the adrenal medullary response to hypoglycemia that develops in fasting pregnant rats, a model of fasting hypoglycemia in which suppression of the sympathetic nervous system occurs despite profound stimulation of the adrenal medulla. To examine the relationships between food intake, hypoglycemia, and the functional state of the sympathetic nervous system and adrenal medulla, studies were conducted in rats treated with the renal glucosuric agent phlorizin. In the ad lib fed state rats given phlorizin increased chow intake 79%. Despite this increase in chow intake, cardiac norepinephrine turnover was not affected by phlorizin administration and urinary epinephrine excretion and adrenal epinephrine content were unaltered. In phlorizin-treated rats fasted for 3 days, overt hypoglycemia developed (plasma glucose 49.3 ± 2.7 mg/dl as compared with 116 ± 3.2 in phlorizin-treated fed rats) and a significant increase in the urinary excretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine occurred. Cardiac norepinephrine turnover was not increased despite profound adrenal medullary stimulation (54% decrease in adrenal epinephrine content). In phlorizin-treated, adrenal demedullated animals fasting was not associated with a rise in either norepinephrine or epinephrine excretion. The effect of sucrose feeding on cardiac norepinephrine turnover was similar in phlorizin-treated and control animals. These experiments provide additional evidence that the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal medulla may be dissociated by fasting hypoglycemia and that the urinary excretion of norepinephrine cannot be assumed to reflect exclusively or predominantly the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. The results also imply that increased chow intake per se, and the associated increase in nutrient processing in the gut, does not increase the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. The results are discussed in terms of the signal that couples changes in diet with changes in sympathetic activity.
Manipulating Single dsDNA Molecules To Study Force Induced Phase Transitions

Double stranded DNA (dsDNA) exists in a variety of different conformations in vivo, even in the absence of force. We have used magnetic tweezers to study the overstretching transition that takes place when dsDNA is pulled at constant force. We show that during this transition there is no significant single stranded DNA formation and the relaxation to the original B-DNA form exhibits variable hysteresis depending on the pulling ends. The extent of this hysteresis is also dependent on the type of salt used decreasing with increased screening efficiency, suggesting that the overstretched state is not melted DNA. We studied the effect of ion concentration for several monovalent cations and anions. Our results are consistent with existing theory that predicted that the overstretched states are forms of dsDNA that depend on the pulling technique, where 5'5' stretching produces a narrow fiber and 3'3' stretching produces a more widely spaced ladder with each case presenting a different characteristic charge spacing. In addition we studied the shear force required to denature long dsDNA when a constant force is applied to the 3'3' ends or the 5'5' ends. For lambda phage dsDNA, the critical forces for shearing by pulling from the 5'5' and 3'3' ends are 124.4 pN and 141.3 pN respectively, whereas the overstretching force is 65 pN for both cases. Given that short dsDNA molecules that shear before they completely overstretch have the same shear force for both pulling techniques, these results further support the theoretical proposal that overstretching dsDNA by pulling from the 3'3' ends produces a different structure than pulling from the 5'5' ends.
A Cloudy View of Exoplanets

The lack of absorption features in the transmission spectrum of exoplanet GJ1214b rules out a hydrogen-rich atmosphere for the planet. It is consistent with an atmosphere rich in water vapour or abundant in clouds.
An empirical taxonomy of symptom types among divorcing persons

This study generated and assessed an empirical taxonomy of symptom profiles or types in a nonclinical population. Three hundred and thirty men and women who recently had separated from their marital partners were interviewed and completed a variety of instruments. Cluster analysis of factors derived from one such instrument, a symptom checklist, yielded a provisional classification of respondents into nine types. The latter were examined for differences in socio-economic characteristics as well as several variables suggested in the literature to predict or help explain symptom formation: Feelings of control, self-concept, social stressors, and current morale. Results indicated three types to be relatively well off despite the potentially stressful conditions inherent in divorce. The Overwhelmed and the Somatic depressives, in contrast, demonstrated multiple signs of dysfunction. The findings indicate the value of applying empirical classification procedures to at-risk populations in the community.
Conducting Prison Research in a Foreign Setting

This paper discusses the process of conducting prison research in France. Drawing on a study conducted with a sample of prisoners in a maximum-security facility in Paris, this article outlines the major challenges relating to access, data collection, and dissemination of results in correctional research. It also addresses some of the barriers that are inherent to prison research conducted in a setting foreign to the researcher. The value and place of prison research in the field of criminology are also discussed.
Myoglobin retains iron heme and near-native conformation in DDAB films prepared from pH 5 to 7 dispersions

A recent paper [M.T. DeGroot, M. Merkx, M.J.M. Koper, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127 (2005) 16224] suggests that iron heme is released during casting films of myoglobin (Mb) and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) on pyrolytic graphite (PG) electrodes. Insoluble films of lipids and surfactants have become widely used for protein film electrochemistry, and protein conformation within them is a critical issue. The present communication examines the integrity of myoglobin structure in DDAB films by voltammetry, visible absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopy, and discusses these new data in context with previously reported studies. Voltammetry showed that peak potentials for Mb, horseradish peroxidase and hemin in DDAB films are significantly different, and that Soret band and CD spectra in the films are fully consistent with a near native Mb conformation within the films. The view that pyrolytic graphite surfaces are catalysts for denaturation and heme loss in Mb-DDAB films is discredited by consideration of key results in the literature. On the basis of all results and considerations, this communication confirms that when DDAB films are made from vesicle dispersions at pH 5 to 7 and used in neutral buffers containing NaBr, Mb in the film is in a near-native conformation.
Room-temperature phosphorescence properties of biphenyl and some polychlorinated biphenyls

Abstract Room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signals on solid substrates depend on certain experimental parameters, including type of solid substrate, drying and cooling times of the sample—solid substrate system, presence of heavy atoms, and presence of quenching concomitants. RTP of 13 solid substrates is examined using 4-chlorobiphenyl as a model compound to determine the best conditions for maximum RTP intensity. It is found that Whatman No. 1 filter paper is the most suitable solid substrate for RTP of 4-chlorobiphenyl. The best method for drying the sample is heating in an oven at 110 °C for 15 min and cooling in a pure nitrogen gas stream inside the sample compartment for 10 min. RTP characteristics of biphenyl, several polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) congeners, and Aroclors are presented in the absence and presence of thallium ion as an external heavy atom. It is found that it is not possible, under the experimental conditions described, to determine one congener in the presence of another. RTP is, however, shown to be a selective, rapid, inexpensive technique for the determination of individual PCBs with relative standard deviation between 2 and 10 and about 100-pg limits of detection for most compounds.
Bound Together: The Future of Globalization

Globalization has indeed flattened the earth, paving the way for new beginnings and the resurgence of old cultures alike by levelling the playing field for all comers. While this new era of post-globalization certainly heralds de-Westernization by century's end, is it more likely to mean a revival of the old ways of the East or the new hybrid ways of the first global civilization? Some of Asia's most provocative voices, as well as the world's most renowned cellist and cross-pollinating musician, offer their views.
INTERACTION OF 6- TO 14-Mev DEUTERONS WITH HELIUM THREE AND TRITIUM

The angular distributions of the cross sections for the T(d,n) He/sup 4/ and He/sup 3/(d,p)He/sup 4/ reactions were measured at five incident deuteron energies between 6 and 14 Mev. The data were fitted with Legendre expansions. A search for excited states in He/sup 4/ near 22 Mev and for evidence of the formation of H/sup 4/ gave negative results. (auth)
Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded oxide dispersion strengthened alloy

Abstract Effect of friction stir welding (FSW) on microstructure and mechanical properties of oxide dispersion strengthened alloy MA956 was investigated. Fine grained microstructure was developed in the processed region with slight particle coarsening. Tensile behavior of the processed material was compared with that of the as-received material at room temperature. Results indicated that significant grain refinement during FSW compensated for the reduced particle strengthening contribution and enhanced tensile strength by 145 MPa without loss in ductility. Further analysis indicated a good agreement between experimentally measured yield strength and the strength calculated by Pythagorean superimposition of strengthening contribution in FSWed material.
Effects of GABA Receptor Blockade on the Ventilatory Response to Hypoxia during Lactic Acid Infusion in Newborn Piglets

Effects of GABA Receptor Blockade on the Ventilatory Response to Hypoxia during Lactic Acid Infusion in Newborn Piglets
A Global Regulatory Role of Gluconeogenic Genes in Escherichia coli Revealed by Transcriptome Network Analysis

In bacterial adaptation to the dynamic environment, metabolic genes are typically thought to be the executors, whereas global transcription regulators are regarded as the decision makers. Although the feedback from metabolic consequence is believed to be important, much less is understood. This work demonstrates that the gluconeogenic genes in Escherichia coli, ppsA, sfcA, and maeB, provide a feedback loop to the global regulator, cAMP receptor protein (CRP), in carbon source transition. Disruption of one of the gluconeogenic pathways has no phenotype in balanced growth, but causes a significant delay in the diauxic transition from glucose to acetate. To investigate the underlying mechanism, we measured the transcriptome profiles during the transition using DNA microarray, and network component analysis was employed to obtain the transcription factor activities. Results showed that one of the global regulators, CRP, was insufficiently activated during the transition in the ppsA deletion mutant. Indeed, addition of cAMP partially rescued the delay in transition. These results suggest that the gluconeogenic flux to phosphoenolpyruvate is important for full activation of adenylate cyclase through the phosphorylated enzyme IIAglu of the phosphotransferase system. Reduction of this flux causes insufficient activation of CRP and a global metabolic deficiency, which exemplifies a significant feedback interaction from metabolism to the a global regulatory system.
Iron and sulfide oxidation within the basaltic ocean crust: implications for chemolithoautotrophic microbial biomass production

Microbial processes within the ocean crust are of potential importance in controlling rates of chemical reactions and thereby affecting chemical exchange between the oceans and lithosphere. We here assess the oxidation state of altered ocean crust and estimate the magnitude of microbial biomass production that might be supported by oxidative and nonoxidative alteration. Compilations of Fe2O3, FeO, and S concentrations from DSDP/ODP drill core samples representing upper basaltic ocean crust suggest that Fe3+/ΣFe increases from 0.15 ± 0.05 to 0.45 ± 0.15 within the first 10–20 Myr of crustal evolution. Within the same time frame 70 ± 25% of primary sulfides in basalt are oxidized. With an annual production of 4.0 ± 1.8 × 1015 g of upper (500 ± 200 m) crust and average initial concentrations of 8.0 ± 1.3 wt% Fe and 0.125 ± 0.020 wt% S, we estimate annual oxidation rates of 1.7 ± 1.2 × 1012 mol Fe and 1.1 ± 0.7 × 1011 mol S. We estimate that 50% of Fe oxidation may be attributed to hydrolysis, producing 4.5 ± 3.0 × 1011 mol H2/yr. Thermodynamic and bioenergetic calculations were used to estimate the potential chemolithoautotrophic microbial biomass production within ridge flanks. Combined, aerobic and anaerobic Fe and S oxidation may support production of up to 48 ± 21 × 1010 g cellular carbon (C). Hydrogen-consuming reactions may support production of a similar or larger microbial biomass if iron reduction, nitrate reduction, or hydrogen oxidation by O2(aq) are the prevailing metabolic reactions. If autotrophic sulfate reduction or methanogenesis prevail, the potential biomass production is 9 ± 7 × 1010 g C/yr and 3 ± 2 × 1010 g C/yr, respectively. Combined primary biomass production of up to ∼1 × 1012 g C/yr may be similar to that fueled by anaerobic oxidation of organic matter in deep-seated heterotrophic systems. These estimates suggest that water-rock reactions may support significant microbial life within ridge flank hydrothermal systems, These estimates suggest that water-rock reactions may support significant microbial life within ridge flank hydrothermal systems.
The Strong Arm of the Law

‘The Strong Arm of the Law’ seeks to explain how the identification with military power that is produced through corporate mass mediated spectacles such as bodybuilding threatens democratic identifications. What is more, the militarized body aims at ever-greater control over the physical world yet results only in evergreater estrangement from it. The article begins by illustrating the martial dimensions of the bodybuilder’s body. Then, it reveals the extent to which the built body promises safety, security, and freedom while contributing to the militarization of civil society – a process at odds with democratization. Next, it demonstrates the logic behind the bodybuilder’s identification and appeal as not merely soldier but weapon. The article concludes by raising the possibility of imagining the democratized body.
Approach to pole assignment by centralised and decentralised output feedback

The paper presents a method for output feedback pole assignment in both centralised and decentralised systems. For the nth-order m-input l-output system (A, B, C), the existence of a solution to the pole-assignment problem is determined by checking the rank of a certain matrix E formed from the matrices CA/sup i/B, i=0, 1, . . ., n-1. It is shown that when rank(E)=n, it is possible to assign min(n, ml) poles by constant output feedback. The solution to the nonlinear equations required for pole assignment is obtained by, first, converting the nonlinear equations into a set of linear equations and, then, applying an iterative numerical method. The pole assignment condition and the method of solution are extended to decentralised systems using constant or dynamic output feedback. In particular, it is shown that, when an N-station decentralised system satisfies a certain rank condition, min(n, Sigma ,/sub j=1//sup N/m/sub j/l/sub j/) poles can be assigned using decentralised constant output feedback, where m/sub j/ and l/sub j/ are the number of local inputs and outputs, respectively. Lower bounds on the order of centralised and decentralised dynamic compensators for pole assignment are also established.
Rotary Empirical Orthogonal Function Analysis of Currents near the Oregon Coast

Abstract Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis in the frequency domain is extended to complex time series. EOFs are calculated from the eigenvectors of the band-averaged rotary cross-spectral matrix. This gives EOF amplitude and phase for negative and positive frequencies, corresponding to clockwise and anticlockwise rotation for the hodograph model. Rotary EOF analysis is applied to velocity and temperature measurements from the Coastal Upwelling Experiment (CUE-II) during July and August 1973 on the continental shelf off Oregon. Rotary EOFs for horizontal velocities are computed for the diurnal, near-inertial and semidiurnal frequency bands (approximately 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 cycles per day, respectively) and for frequency bands below 0.3 cycles per day. In addition, single-sided frequency-space EOFs for vertical displacement are calculated from temperature measurements. The first-mode velocity EOF for the semidiurnal frequency band shows baroclinic structure for clockwise rotation and barotropic str...
Single fiber electromyographic jitter and detection of acute changes in neuromuscular function in young and adult rats.

Abstract Introduction Exposure to irreversible cholinesterase (ChE)-inhibiting compounds, such as organophosphates may produce neuromuscular dysfunction. However, less is known about changes in neuromuscular transmission after treatment with reversible ChE-inhibitors. These studies adapted single fiber electromyography (SFEMG) techniques to quantify neuromuscular jitter in adult and juvenile rats after treatment with agents that alter cholinergic neurotransmission. Methods Anesthetized adult and juvenile rats were tested using stimulation SFEMG, recorded in the gastrocnemius muscle, after stimulation in the sciatic notch region. The influence of electrode placement, treatment with decamethonium (to disrupt neuromuscular transmission) or physostigmine (reversible ChE inhibitor), and the impact of varied stimulation frequency were quantified. Results No significant effects of needle placement or criterion amplitude were observed when calculating the mean consecutive difference (MCD). Treatment with decamethonium did not alter MCD values in adult or juvenile rats. However, decamethonium produced an increased blocking of muscle action potentials (MAP) in juveniles. Also, when stimulated at 9.09 Hz, both adult and juvenile animals had a greater decrease in MAP amplitude between the first and fourth responses (T1–T4 decrement) after treatment with decamethonium. Prior to treatment with decamethonium, the T1–T4 decrement averaged about 3 fold greater in juveniles than adults, and was larger at 3.03 and 9.09 Hz than with 0.91 Hz stimulation. Treatment with physostigmine resulted in at least 50% inhibition of muscle ChE activity, but produced minimal changes in the MCD values in adults or juveniles. Combined over treatments and stimulation frequencies, the median MCD for juveniles (11.6 µs) was less than that for of adults (18.8 µs). In juveniles, the median MCD increased from 9.3 µs to 13.9 µs as the stimulation rate was increased from 0.91 to 9.09 Hz. This stimulus-dependant change was more evident in juveniles than in adults. Discussion A technique was developed to record stimulation SFEMG and neuromuscular jitter, in vivo, in adult and juvenile rats. The method was sufficiently sensitive to detect age-related differences, potentially allowing developmental processes to be examined. Based on the literature and the current data, the technique appears to be more sensitive to prolonged inhibition of ChE enzymes than the reversible inhibition produced by physostigmine.
Error analysis in multiplicity measurements

Abstract The types of errors arising in multiplicity measurements are summarized, and their effects on the measured multiplicity distributions are given. A new method for the conversion of fold patterns to multiplicity distributions is presented, which explicitly addresses the nonuniqueness of the conversion process. In addition, some practical considerations for carrying out the error analysis are discussed.
Combining data from multiple monitors in air pollution mortality time series studies

In community time series studies on the effect of particulate air pollution on mortality, particulate air pollution data are often available from multiple monitors. Published studies have combined the data from the multiple monitors using a simple or trimmed average. In this paper, I describe an alternative method for combining the particulate air pollution data available from multiple monitors. Using time series data from Cook County, Illinois the proposed method yields more meaningful biologically plausible particulate air pollution mortality effect estimates without loss of statistical accuracy and reduces the full set of monitors to a smaller set without loss of information. The proposed monitor combination may be more highly correlated with the average population exposure to particulate air pollution than a simple or trimmed average of the monitors.
In vitro cytotoxicity of 211At-labeled trastuzumab in human breast cancer cell lines: effect of specific activity and HER2 receptor heterogeneity on survival fraction.

Abstract Introduction Radioimmunotherapy with anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as trastuzumab is a promising strategy for treating HER2-positive breast and ovarian carcinoma patients. The objective of this study was to determine the cytotoxic effectiveness of trastuzumab labeled with the 7.2-h half-life α-particle emitter 211 At. Methods Experiments were performed on SKBr-3, BT-474 and the transfected MCF7/HER2-18 human breast carcinoma cell lines. Intrinsic radiosensitivity was determined after exposure to external beam irradiation. The cytotoxicity of 211 At-labeled trastuzumab was measured by clonogenic assays. The distribution of HER2 receptor expression on the cell lines was measured using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. A pharmacokinetic (PK)/microdosimetric model was established to assess the effects of specific activity (SA), HER2 receptor expression and absorbed dose on survival fraction (SF). Results With external beam irradiation, the 2-Gy SF for BT-474, SKBr-3 and MCF7/HER2-18 cells was 0.78, 0.53 and 0.64 Gy, respectively. Heterogeneous HER2 expression was observed, with a subpopulation of cells lacking measurable receptor (14.5%, SKBr-3; 0.34%, MCF-7/HER2; 1.73%, BT-474). When plotted as a function of activity concentration, SF curves were biphasic and inversely proportional to SA; however, when the model was applied and absorbed doses calculated, the SF curve was monoexponential independent of SA. Thus, the PK model was able to demonstrate the effects of competition between cold and labeled mAb. These studies showed that the relative biological effectiveness of 211 At-labeled trastuzaumab was about 10 times higher than that of external beam therapy. Conclusion These in vitro studies showed that 211 At-labeled trastuzumab mAb is an effective cytotoxic agent for the treatment of HER2-positive tumor cells. The SA of the labeled mAb and the homogeneity of HER2 receptor expression are important variables influencing the efficiency of cell killing.
Food and Water Safety for Persons Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Public health and food safety experts estimate that millions of episodes of illnesses annually can be traced to contaminated food and water. Food and water safety is extremely important to persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A compromised immune system causes people with HIV or AIDS to be more susceptible to foodborne illness from eating foods that are unsafely handled and poorly prepared and from using water from unsafe sources. Food- and waterborne illnesses can cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting that can lead to weight loss. These illnesses can be minimized or prevented if proper precautions are taken.
6-Hydroxydopamine-induced Developmental Cardiac Alterations in Morphology, Calmodulin Content, and K2+-Mediated [Ca2+]iTransient of Chicken Cardiomyocytes ☆

Abstract Calcium and the calcium–calmodulin-mediated processes have been implicated in cardiac hypertrophy. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a potential role played by the calcium–calmodulin processes in cardiac morphogenesis and malformations, especially in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Recently, the authors reported that 6-hydroxydopamine, an adrenergic neurotoxin can produce malformations in various organs including ventricular septal lesions and cardiac hypertrophy in the developing chicken embryo. Morphological studies revealed areas of coagulative necrosis, with broken nuclear membranes, swollen mitochondria and dilations of the ventricles, as well as thickening of ventricular walls reminiscent of cardiac hypertrophy. The observation that 6-hydroxydopamine treatment on day 3 of incubation produced a dose-dependent increase in both heart and brain calmodulin levels on day 11 of incubation and an increase in the sensitivity to external potassium induction of intracellular free calcium transient in incubation day 14 chicken cardiomyocytes in culture, leading to an increase in intracellular free calcium is reported here. However, sodium/potassium adenosinetriphosphatase activity showed no significant change on days 12 and 16 of incubation. The effect appears to be relatively specific since 5-hydroxydopamine, a chemical isomer of 6-hydroxydopamine, failed to produce a similar sensitivity change of potassium-induced intracellular calcium transient.
Resolution of Isobaric and Isomeric Ions Using Chemical Shifts in an Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer

Isobaric and isomeric polyatomic ions are resolved for the first time in a quadrupole ion trap. This is achieved using a trap in which the geometry of the instrument can be manipulated under operating conditions. Variation of the zo dimension of the trap allows the chemical mass shifts associated with higher-order field components to be maximized. Resolution of isobaric doublets is illustrated for the molecular ions of nitrobenzene-d5 and naphthalene and for the 3-ethoxyaniline and p-nitrotoluene molecular ions. The resolution is shown to be a function of the chemical propertiesnot the mass/charge ratiosof the isobaric ions by the separation of an isomeric pair, acetophenone and dihydrobenzofuran.
Cross-document cross-lingual coreference retrieval

In this work, we address coreference retrieval, which involves identifying aliases that are distinct references to an entity. We begin with a known alias and discover unknown aliases that refer to the same entity. We use Entity Language Models to capture the contextual language around the known alias, which aids in finding new aliases. We also show that modeling the significant dates of the known aliases improves alias discovery performance.
Development and Application of a Spreadsheet-Based Spatial Decision Support System SDSS

Spatial decision support systems SDSS are decision support tools which have been used widely in addressing complicated issues involving a spatial component. The use of SDSS has increased greatly over the last few decades especially in fields such as planning, natural resources management, and environmental science. Traditionally, SDSS have been developed with Geographic Information Systems GIS technology as a major component and used in application areas in which the use of GIS technology has been common. GIS software is often expensive and requires significant expertise, which can lead to under-utilization of GIS-based SDSS. In this paper, we describe the development of a freely available SDSS extension developed for Microsoft Excel, a very commonly used spreadsheet application. The purpose of this SDSS is to expand potential SDSS use to a wider potential audience for research, management, and teaching purposes.
Radiation Optic Neuropathy after Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to report the occurrence of optic neuropathy after stereotactic radiosurgery for perichiasmal tumors. Methods: Records of four patients with visual deterioration after stereotactic radiosurgery were reviewed, including clinical findings, neuroimaging results, and treatment methods. Results: Optic neuropathy developed 7 to 30 months after gamma knife radiosurgery. All patients experienced an abrupt change in visual function. Clinical findings indicated anterior visual pathway involvement. Patterns of field loss included nerve fiber bundle and homonymous hemianopic defects. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed swelling and enhancement of the affected portion of the visual apparatus in three patients. Systemic corticosteroids were administered in all patients and one partially recovered. One patient also received hyperbaric oxygen without improvement. Conclusions: Although rare, optic neuropathy may follow radiosurgery to lesions near the visual pathways. Careful dose planning guided by MRI with restriction of the maximal dose to the visual pathways to less than 8 Gy will likely reduce the incidence of this complication.