cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Second-line immunosuppressive treatment of childhood nephrotic syndrome: a single-center experience.

Objective: Most cases of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in childhood are responsive to corticosteroids. However, there is a small group of children that demonstrate steroid resistance (steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome; SRNS), steroid dependence, or that frequently relapse (frequent-relapse steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome; FR-SSNS) which are more clinically difficult to treat. Therefore, second-line immunosuppressants, such as alkylating agents, calcineurin inhibitors, antimetabolites and, more recently, rituximab, have been used with varying success. The objective was to evaluate the response rates of various second-line therapies in the treatment of childhood nephrotic syndrome. Study Design: A retrospective chart review of pediatric subjects with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome was conducted at a single tertiary care center (2007-2012). Drug responses were classified as complete response, partial response, and no response. Results: Of the 188 charts reviewed, 121 children were classified as SSNS and 67 children as SRNS; 58% were classified as FR-SSNS. Sixty-five subjects were diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis via biopsy. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 21 years. The combined rate of complete and partial response for mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was 65% (33/51) in SSNS and 67% (6/9) in SRNS. For tacrolimus, the response rate was 96% (22/23) for SSNS and 77% (17/22) for SRNS. Eighty-three percent (5/6) of SSNS subjects treated with rituximab went into complete remission; 60% relapsed after B-cell repletion. Eight refractory subjects were treated with combined MMF/tacrolimus/corticosteroid therapy with a 75% response rate. Conclusion: Our experience demonstrates that older medications can be replaced with newer ones such as MMF, tacrolimus, and rituximab with good outcomes and better side effect profiles. The treatment of refractory cases with combination therapy is promising.
Transmission function for bands with Doppler-Lorentz line shapes

The mean transmission is calculated for spectral regions which have a random frequency distribution of absorption resonances with Doppler-Lorentz profiles. An effective constant strength band is defined which closely approximates the self-shielding of an arbitrary distribution of line strengths. By appropriately defining the half-width of the lines, the values of the shielding or self-absorption factor when plotted against the ratio of line strength to line width are identical for all line shapes in the region of small optical depth.The transmission calculations may be used in the interpretation of experiments to measure oscillator strengths and in the determination of the emissivity of high-temperature gases.
Radiation and lifetimes of atoms inside dielectric particles.

The transition rates of atoms inside spherical dielectric particles are computed and studied as functions of the transition frequency and of the physical properties of the host particle. The rates are found to range from about 0.2 to more than 1500 times the free-space value, depending on the location of the atom and other relevant physical parameters. The radiation from distributions of atoms inside liquid drops is also studied. Analytic and numerical results are given for the case of a uniform distribution of excited atoms. Large enhancements of the power output (some 100 times the value for the same distribution in bulk material) are found to occur under resonant conditions.
Effects of Alloying Elements and Thermomechanical Treatment on 9Cr Reduced Activation Ferritic-Martensitic (RAFM) Steels

Abstract RAFM steels are one of the candidate structural materials for fusion reactors, in which tantalum (Ta) and tungsten (W) are alloyed to replace niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) in conventional FM steels, respectively. This paper, using three RAFM heats, presents the effects of Ta and the primary austenite stabilizer carbon (C) on microstructure and strength. Thermomechanical treatment (TMT) was also applied to the heats, leading to significant increases in strength, attributable to the TMT-refined sub-grains and precipitates. The Ta-alloying favored the formation of (V, Ta)(N, C) and (Ta, V)C and exhibited greater strength. Fractographs also revealed the beneficial effects of TMT and Ta-alloying. However, extra C content, favoring a larger amount of M23C6 precipitates, did not show strengthening effect.
An experimental study of planar entry flow of rubber compound

An automated rheometer based on an injection molding machine is developed for the evaluation of entry flow problems. Several entry flow geometries having different contraction and expansion angles and different channel lengths are tested. Two pressure transducers are flushmounted along the die length and a displacement transducer is installed to measure the screw motion. Signals generated by the pressure transducers and displacement transducer are supplied to an A/D converter and an IBM PC/AT computer. The pressure losses for a rubber compound are measured between two cross-sections along the flow direction. The time evolution of pressure with overshoot during flow before and after the entry region is observed. At low flow rates the pressure drops of the expansion flow are larger than those of the contraction flow. At high flow rates the pressure drops of the contraction flow become higher than those of the expansion flow. A ratio of the pressure drop to absolute pressure before the entry is found to be almost independent of flow rate.
Lead Levels in Deciduous Teeth of Urban and Suburban American Children

LEAD poisoning is a serious threat to the health of American children living in urban ghettoes. Perlstein and Attala, studying 425 children treated for lead poisoning, found mental retardation in 22%, recurrent seizures in 20%, and cerebral palsy in 2%1. Many more children eat lead-containing substances and bear raised body levels of lead, but are not identified as being intoxicated2. If children with elevated tissue lead could be reliably identified, and their neurological and psychological function evaluated, the incidence of silent brain damage from lead ingestion could be established. Because elevations in blood lead are transitory, and decline once ingestion has stopped, blood lead levels are unsatisfactory indices of earlier exposure. Calcified tissues, however, store lead: bone biopsy procedures are impractical for large scale surveys, but it occurred to us that the exfoliated primary tooth might offer a way to examine the lead content of children who are at risk. Alshuler et al. reported a substantial increase in the lead content of deciduous teeth of children with fatal and treated plumbism3.
Salivary peroxidase (SAPX): genetic modification and relationship to the proline-rich (Pr) and acidic (Pa) proteins.

There is genetic polymorphism of the peroxidase of human saliva, but not of leukocytes. The phenotypes are determined by autosomal inheritance, the phenotype of fast mobility (SAPX 1) being determined by homozygosity for a recessive gene (SAPX1) and the phenotypes of slow mobility (SAPX 2 and SAPX 3) being determined by two different genes, SAPX2 and SAPX3, with completely dominant expression at the same locus. The phenotypes are modified by varying degrees of endogenous proteolysis. The SAPX 2 and SAPX 3 types appear to be genetically controlled modifications of SAPX 1 rather than different primary gene products, because of their completely dominant inheritance, their larger molecular size compared to SAPX 1, and their dissociation with 2-mercaptoethanol to give SAPX 1. The acidic protein type Pa 1 is always found in association with SAPX 2, and an uncommon variant type Pa 2 is associated with SAPX 3. The most likely hypothesis is that the genes Pa1 and Pa2 produce products which modify the SAPX 1 type. When the Pa type is Pa 0, the SAPX phenotype is SAPX 1. Since 2-mercaptoethanol can dissociate the Pa 1 protein into a probable monomeric form, and can dissociate SAPX 2 and SAPX 3 to give SAPX 1, it is probable that Pa 1 and Pa 2 monomers complex with SAPX 1 through disulfide bonds to give SAPX 2 or SAPX 3 types. The frequencies of the genes determining the SAPX types are the same as those for Pa: SAPX1 and Pa0=0.787, SAPX2 and Pa1=0.208, SAPX3 and Pa2=0.005.
Biomechanics of side impact: Injury criteria, aging occupants, and airbag technology

This paper presents a survey of side impact trauma-related biomedical investigations with specific reference to certain aspects of epidemiology relating to the growing elderly population, improvements in technology such as side airbags geared toward occupant safety, and development of injury criteria. The first part is devoted to the involvement of the elderly by identifying variables contributing to injury including impact severity, human factors, and national and international field data. This is followed by a survey of various experimental models used in the development of injury criteria and tolerance limits. The effects of fragility of the elderly coupled with physiological changes (e.g., visual, musculoskeletal) that may lead to an abnormal seating position (termed out-of-position) especially for the driving population are discussed. Fundamental biomechanical parameters such as thoracic, abdominal and pelvic forces; upper and lower spinal and sacrum accelerations; and upper, middle and lower chest deflections under various initial impacting conditions are evaluated. Secondary variables such as the thoracic trauma index and pelvic acceleration (currently adopted in the United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards), peak chest deflection, and viscous criteria are also included in the survey. The importance of performing research studies with specific focus on out-of-position scenarios of the elderly and using the most commonly available torso side airbag as the initial contacting condition in lateral impacts for occupant injury assessment is emphasized.
Cardiovascular properties of antihypertensive drugs in a model of severe renal hypertension

Abstract Various experimental models are available for characterizing the antihypertensive properties of drugs. Although advantages are claimed for each, an ideal model has not yet emerged. An examination of the antihypertensive properties of 5 classes of antihypertensive drugs was made in a model of malignant hypertension. In rats made severely hypertensive by aortic coarctation, centrally acting drugs (clonidine and methyldopa) and peripheral vasodilators (hydralazine and minoxidil) produced a greater decrease in mean arterial pressure than did βadrenergic blockers (propranolol and timolol), inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system (Sar1,lle8-Angiotensin II, SQ 20881, SQ 14225), and saluretics (hydrochlorothiazide and MK-447). In comparison to spontaneously hypertensive rats, the antihypertensive properties of β-adrenoceptor antagonists and saluretics were readily shown in rats with malignant hypertension. Chronic administration of methyldopa, but not propranolol, attenuated the development of hypertension in this model. The antihypertensive response to an intracerebroventricular injection of clonidine in these renal hypertensive rats was significantly depressed compared to spontaneously hypertensive rats with comparable blood pressures. In addition, the hind-limb vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine and angiotensin II were attenuated in the perfused hindquarters of hypertensive rats compared to sham rats. These results suggest that the antihypertensive properties of a variety of drugs can be characterized in rats made hypertensive by aortic coarctation and that mechanism of action studies based on direct central injections and changes in hindquarter hemodynamics can be made in these animals.
Changes in soil inorganic nitrogen as related to atmospheric nitrogenous pollutants in southern California

Abstract The deposition of nitrogenous pollutants has serious implications for ecosystem function and stability. Research in temperate ecosystems has indicated a wide range of ecological responses, yet very little is known about arid ecosystems. In this study, measurements of atmospheric and soil concentrations of the plant-available NO - 3 and NH + 4 were evaluated to identify a potential gradient in nitrogen (N) deposition. The evaluations were conducted in coastal sage scrub, a semi-arid vegetation type native to the lower elevations of southern California. The summer atmospheric concentrations of nitrate (NO - 3 ) and ammonium (NH + 4 ) were determined at five locations on the Perris Plain of southern California. The atmospheric influences varied from direct interception of pollution generated in the Los Angeles Basin at the northern end of the gradient to a site 70 km south lacking any direct Los Angeles influence. The summer atmospheric concentrations of NO - 3 varied more than three-fold along the gradient. Ammonium concentrations followed a similar pattern, but the gradient was less steep. Winter concentrations were very low for both compounds. The summer soil surface NO - 3 concentrations were near the detection limits at low pollution sites but in the range of 50–60 μg N g -1 soil under highly polluted conditions. Wet deposition was found to be a minor contributor of plant-available N, suggesting that dry deposition may be a consequential source of plant-available N. The detection of significant changes in inorganic, plant-available N in the upper layer of soils is enhanced by the unique environmental conditions and vegetation of southern California. This study suggests that the coastal sage scrub ecosystem is experiencing significant changes in N fertility that may contribute to changes in plant species composition. The data also show that this semi-arid ecosystem provides a unique opportunity to assess many physical, chemical and biological responses to dry deposition alone.
Movement Thresholds in Peripheral Vision

The absolute velocity thresholds of movement were determined at 48 positions in peripheral vision. An aircraft-type instrument, with a standard altimeter hand, was located at random positions on the concave, black surface of an 80-in. Fiberglas hemisphere. Four types of movement were investigated (clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation, vertical and horizontal motion) under conditions of constant photopic lighting. While the subject fixated on the center point of the hemisphere, the absolute velocity threshold of each type of movement was determined for each position using the method of limits. Ten airline pilots served as subjects. The absolute threshold isograms on perimetric charts for both rotary and linear motion are elliptical in shape, with the horizontal axis approximately twice as long as the vertical axis. There is no difference between a subject’s ability to see clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation. An individual’s ability to perceive vertical motion is slightly better than his ability to perceive horizontal motion in the area adjacent to the horizontal axis. Velocity and area swept by the instrument hand are significant factors in the perception of movement, but they are not similarly correlated for all types of movement.
Effects of chronic steroid ingestion on gastroduodenal epithelial renewal in the rat.

Steroids may predispose to peptic ulcer formation. One possible mechanism could be via alteration of normal epithelial renewal. to study the effects of steroids on gastroduodenal epithelial renewal, rats received hydrocortisone sodium succinate in the drinking water to deliver a dose of 10 mg/kg per day. Control rats received plain water. After 4 weeks, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with tritiated thymidine, to label proliferating cells, and killed 1 hr later, to determine measurements of epithelial proliferation, or 24 hr later to determine measurements of epithelial migration. Sections of fundus, antrum and post-pyloric duodenum were processed for light microscopy and autoradiography. In fundic and antral mucosa, steroid treatment resulted in a reduction in the number of labelled cells and in the size of the proliferative zone and, in the fundus, the mucosal thickness was reduced. In the duodenum, although the number of labelled cells remained unchanged, steroid treatment did decrease the number of cells in the proliferative zone; further, crypt depth was reduced in steroid-treated rats, but villous height was increased, resulting in an overall increase in mucosal thickness. Epithelial migration was also depressed in fundic and antral mucosa, but appeared to be accelerated in the duodenum of steroid-treated rats. These studies indicate that although, in the duodenum, the effects of steroids on epithelial renewal are complex, in the stomach chronic steroid ingestion depresses epithelial renewal both in fundic and antral mucosa. This inhibition of epithelial renewal in the stomach may contribute to the ulcerogenic action of steroids by either rendering the mucosa susceptible to the effects of other ulcerogens or by retarding the healing of existing mucosal lesions.
SPHINGOSINE KINASE TYPE 2 INHIBITION ELEVATES CIRCULATING SPHINGOSINE 1-PHOSPHATE

S1P (sphingosine 1-phosphate) is a pleiotropic lipid mediator involved in numerous cellular and physiological functions. Of note among these are cell survival and migration, as well as lymphocyte trafficking. S1P, which exerts its effects via five GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors) (S1P1–S1P5), is formed by the action of two SphKs (sphingosine kinases). Although SphK1 is the more intensively studied isotype, SphK2 is unique in it nuclear localization and has been reported to oppose some of the actions ascribed to SphK1. Although several scaffolds of SphK1 inhibitors have been described, there is a scarcity of selective SphK2 inhibitors that are necessary to evaluate the downstream effects of inhibition of this isotype. In the present paper we report a cationic amphiphilic small molecule that is a selective SphK2 inhibitor. In the course of characterizing this compound in wild-type and SphK-null mice, we discovered that administration of the inhibitor to wild-type mice resulted in a rapid increase in blood S1P, which is in contrast with our SphK1 inhibitor that drives circulating S1P levels down. Using a cohort of F2 hybrid mice, we confirmed, compared with wild-type mice, that circulating S1P levels were higher in SphK2-null mice and lower in SphK1-null mice. Thus both SphK1 and SphK2 inhibitors recapitulate the blood S1P levels observed in the corresponding null mice. Moreover, circulating S1P levels mirror SphK2 inhibitor levels, providing a convenient biomarker of target engagement.
Angular momentum decompositions for spin-dependent potentials

A straightforward method for obtaining the angular momentum decomposition of a general spin-dependent potential is indicated. As an example, the proton-/sup 3/He optical potential is analyzed.
The cytologic features of NUT midline carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Nuclear protein in testis (NUT) midline carcinoma (NMC) represents an aggressive, high-grade carcinoma typically involving the upper aerodigestive tract or mediastinum. Although the tumor was originally noted in young persons, we have subsequently identified 5 adult cases. To our knowledge, the cytology of NMC has not been systematically described. METHODS: We recently published a series of NMCs identified by fluorescent in situ hybridization for characteristic NUT rearrangement. Three of these patients had undergone fine-needle aspiration. Patient age, sex, primary tumor location, and aspiration site were noted. Cases were assessed for the following: cellularity, architecture, cytoplasm, cell size, nuclear contours, nucleoli, chromatin, anisonucleosis/cytosis, mitotic activity, background, and nuclear crush. RESULTS: The 3 cases occurred in 2 women and 1 man, ages 31-79 years. Primaries involved the sinonasal tract (2) and larynx. Aspirates were of right neck masses (2) and supraclavicular lymph node. Smears were highly cellular and generally noncohesive. Cytoplasm was scant/delicate, although occasional cells with denser cytoplasm were noted in 1 case. Cells were 2-3 times the diameter of a small lymphocyte with irregular nuclear contours, discrete nucleoli, and fine/granular to vesicular chromatin. Anisonucleosis/cytosis was slight to moderate. Mitotic figures were noted in each case. The background contained naked nuclei and karyorrhectic debris; nuclear crush was noted. CONCLUSIONS: NMCs exhibit cytologic features of a poorly differentiated or undifferentiated carcinoma. Although reports mention squamous differentiation as a histologic feature, it is typically focal, and overt squamous differentiation was not identified in our cases. Given morphologic overlap with other high-grade carcinomas, diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Wisdom of Artificial Crowds—A Metaheuristic Algorithm for Optimization

Finding optimal solutions to NP-Hard problems requires exponential time with respect to the size of the problem. Consequently, heuristic methods are usually utilized to obtain approximate solutions to problems of such difficulty. In this paper, a novel swarm-based nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithm for optimization is proposed. Inspired by human collective intelligence, Wisdom of Artificial Crowds (WoAC) algorithm relies on a group of simulated intelligent agents to arrive at independent solutions aggregated to produce a solution which in many cases is superior to individual solutions of all participating agents. We illustrate superior performance of WoAC by comparing it against another bio-inspired approach, the Genetic Algorithm, on one of the classical NP-Hard problems, the Travelling Salesperson Problem. On average a 3% - 10% improvement in quality of solutions is observed with little computational overhead.
The kinetics of composite particle formation during mechanical alloying

The kinetics of composite particle formation during attritor milling of insoluble binary elemental powders have been examined. The effects of processing conditions (i.e., mill power, temperature, and charge ratio) on these kinetics were studied. Particle size distributions and fractions of elemental and composite particles were determined as functions of milling time and processing conditions. This allowed the deduction of phenomenological rate constants describing the propensity for fracture and welding during processing. For the mill-operating conditions investigated, the number of particles in the mill generally decreased with milling time, indicating a greater tendency for particle welding than fracture. Moreover, a bimodal size distribution is often obtained as a result of preferential welding. Copper and chromium 'alloy' primarily by encapsulation of Cr particles within Cu. This form of alloying also occurs in Cu-Nb alloys processed at low mill power and/or for short milling times. For other conditions, however, Cu-Nb alloys develop a lamellar morphology characteristic of mechanically alloyed two-phase ductile metals. Increasing mill power or charge (ball-to-powder weight) ratio (CR) increases the rate of composite particle formation.
The arylation of microsomal membrane proteins by acetaminophen is associated with the release of a 44 kDa acetaminophen-binding mouse liver protein complex into the cytosol.

Abstract When analyzed by Western blotting with affinity purified antibodies against acetaminophen, proteins of molecular weight 44 and 58 kDa appear to be the major macromolecular targets in livers of mice administered hepatotoxic concentrations of acetaminophen. In this study, we have examined the characteristics and biochemical properties of the 44 kDa acetaminophen-binding protein in mouse liver. Data are presented which indicate that the 44-kDa protein is the earliest detectable protein targeted by acetaminophen; 30 min after acetaminophen administration in vivo , the binding to the 44 kDa protein is primarily localized in the microsomal fraction. After 1 hr, the 44 kDa acetaminophen-binding protein can be detected in both the microsomes and the cytosol. Extractions of microsomes with Triton X-114 or 1 m NaCl suggests that the acetaminophen-bound 44-kDa protein behaves as a peripheral membrane protein associated with the endoplasmic reticulum by ionic interactions. The cytosolic and microsomal 44-kDa proteins possess similar biochemical properties; both exist natively as components of a protein complex of greater than 200 kDa and both consist of two major isovariants with isoelectric points of 7.0 and 7.1 on two-dimensional gels. When N -acetyl- p -benzoquinone imine, the reactive metabolite of acetaminophen, is incubated with cytosolic or microsomal fractions from control liver, targeting of a 44-kDa protein is only observed in the microsomes. However, when acetaminophen is activated in an NADPH-regenerating microsomal system in vitro , some of the microsomal 44-kDa protein complex can be solubilized and released into the cytosol. Thus, acetaminophen administration can alter the subcellular distribution of at least one protein target in the cell.
Electrostatic field in inhomogeneous dielectric media II.: volume elemental method

Abstract A novel computationally fast approach, the volume element method, for calculating the electrostatic field in arbitrary inhomogeneous dielectric media with open boundary condition is presented, The method is tested for accuracy by comparing the numerically calculated electrostatic fields against those analytically obtained for a dielectric sphere and a dielectric ellipsoid in a uniform field and a dielectric sphere near a charge.
Inferior Vena Cava Assessment: Correlation with CVP and Plethora in Tamponade

Bedside assessment of intravascular volume status plays an important role in the management of critically ill patients, guiding fluid replacement therapy and the use of vasopressor agents. Despite controversy in the existing evidence, many clinicians advocate the use of inferior vena cava ultrasound (IVC-US) in the assessment of intravascular volume status in critically ill patients. Respirophasic variation in IVC diameter may provide useful information regarding intravascular volume status, particularly in patients with high and low caval indices. However, due to conflicting results of small-scale clinical trials of divergent sample populations, there is insufficient evidence to support routine US assessment of the IVC to determine fluid responsiveness in spontaneous breathing with circulatory compromise. Additional large-scale clinical trials are required to determine the accuracy of IVC-US measurements in diverse populations and to ascertain the effects on IVC dimensions that result from cardiac dysfunction and intra-abdominal hypertension.
Candidatos a cirugía de la epilepsia: quiénes y cómo

Resumen Una alternativa de tratamiento para pacientes con epilepsia focal refractaria es la cirugia de epilepsia. Todavia existe una demora muy significativa en derivar a los pacientes para una evaluacion pre-quirurgica, dado que persiste la percepcion del medico que este es un procedimiento de ultimo recurso Existen estudios que demuestran el beneficio del tratamiento quirurgico temprano, en pacientes con sindromes especificos, tales como la esclerosis mesial temporal y epilepsias frontales, especialmente en ninos. Persiste la estigmatizacion y la dificultad para que estos pacientes consigan empleo y puedan vivir una vida plena. Debemos ser conscientes de que la epilepsia puede ser fatal y una causa importante es la “muerte subita o inexplicada en epilepsia”. Este indice en personas con un bajo control de sus crisis es de aproximadamente de 10 muertes por 1.000 pacientes por ano. El tratamiento de la epilepsia debe considerar el control de las crisis y de las comorbilidades asociada a la enfermedad.
Stability of second-order multidimensional linear time-varying systems

This paper presents stability issues of second-order multidimensional linear time-varying systems. The second-order form is a result of modeling a class of dynamical systems directly using their physical parameters (e.g., inertia matrix). Three sufficient conditions for stability and two for instability were derived. Lyapunov's second method is first used to derive a sufficient stable condition which gives a range of variation for each parameter matrix. A new analysis method is used to derive a stable and an unstable condition. This method gives conditions on the integral of certain quantities. In this way, unlike conditions imposed by a typical Lyapunov analysis, instantaneous values of these quantities do not directly affect the proof of stability.
Chemical composition of the epicuticular lipids of the scorpion, Paruroctonus mesaensis

Abstract The chemical composition of the epicuticular lipids of the desert scorpion, Paruroctonus mesaensis , was analyzed using a combination of thin-layer and gas chromatographic techniques. Total lipid extracted from pooled scorpion samples ranged from 0.03 to 0.09% of their fresh weight. Hydrocarbons were the most abundant constituent (28 to 33%); sterols, alcohols, free fatty acids, and triacylglycerols were also detected. The hydrocarbons were saturated and ranged from 21 to over 39 carbon atoms. Normal alkanes accounted for 54 to 63% of the total hydrocarbon fraction with C29, C31, and C27 predominating. Branched alkanes accounted for 38 to 46% of the total hydrocarbon fraction and consisted primarily of odd-chain lengths ranging from 25 to over 39 carbons. Fractional equivalent chain lengths from gas chromatography and mass spectrometry indicated the presence of internally branched monomethylalkanes and 3-methylalkanes. Free fatty acids ranged from C14 to C30, and triacylglycerol fatty acids from C14 to C24. Primary alcohols consisted of even- and odd-numbered carbon chains that ranged from C20 to C32. Cholesterol accounted for 75 to 85% of the sterol fraction. The chemical composition is compared to non-xeric insect species and discussed in reference to the role of epicuticular lipids in regulating cuticular transpiration.
SMIO: I/O similarity aware virtual machine management invirtual desktop environments

Virtual desktop environments (VDEs) typically employ shared storage with the goal to benefit from the I/O optimizations therein. However, the Virtual Machine (VM) management that enables VDEs is typically agnostic of VM I/O characteristics. Thus, the opportunities for I/O reduction techniques, e.g., deduplication, which improve storage scalability and efficiency are constrained. We present SMIO, a VM management system that detects VM I/O similarities, and places the VMs such that the effectiveness of I/O reduction techniques is enhanced--as much as 4.9× compared to the standard approach.
Sexual dimorphism characterizes baboon myocardial androgen receptors but not myocardial estrogen and progesterone receptors

Abstract Using biochemical methods we established that estrogen receptor content and distribution and progesterone receptor content in female and male baboon myocardium did not differ between sexes. In contrast, myocardial androgen receptor distribution between cytosolic and nuclear compartments was sexually dimorphic. Female baboon myocardial andregen receptors were restricted to the cytosolic compartment, whereas male myocardial androgen receptors were distributed between the cytosolic and nuclear compartments. Using human estrogen receptor cDNA we showed that baboon aorta, myocardium and uterus contain a 6.3 kb estrogen receptor transcript. Analyses performed with human progesterone receptor cDNA established that baboon aorta and uterus contain an 8 kb progesterone receptor transcript; however, progesterone receptor transcripts were not demonstrable in baboon myocardial RNA preparations. Because relative hybridization signal intensity reflected known uterine and aortic progesterone receptor content, failure to detect progesterone receptor transcripts in myocardial preparations may reflect sensitivity limitations and the fact that aortic progesterone receptor content is 5-fold greater than that of myocardium. Immunocytochemical analyses demonstrated that baboon myocardial progesterone receptors were present in greater than 25% of myocytes and generally absent from other myocardial cells. Our studies establish that: (1) gonadal steroid hormone receptor gene transcription occurs in cells of the baboon cardiovasculature, (2) thes steroid hormone receptors may be physiologically functional, and (3) gonadal steroid hormone receptors may be restricted to specialized cells of the cardiovasculature.
Focal cerebral magnetic resonance changes associated with partial status epilepticus.

Summary: We report 2 patients with transient abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) associated with partial status epilepticus (SE). A man with a 4-month history of partial seizures had complex partial SE for 9 days, with left temporal maximum on ictal EEG. Left temporal lobe T2 signal was increased on MRI during SE, but cerebral MRI was normal 9 weeks later. A woman with “cryptogenic” temporal lobe epilepsy for 16 years had complex partial SE for 1 week, with right temporal maximum on ictal EEG. T2 Signal was increased over the entire right temporal lobe, extending into the insula, without mass effect, on MRI 1 month after SE ended. Repeat MRI 1 month later showed marked decrease in volume of increased T2 intensity, without gadolinium enhancement, but with mild mass effect over the right anteroinferomesial temporal areas. A gemistocytic astrocytoma was resected. Focal cerebral MRI abnormalities consistent with cerebral edema may be due to partial SE but also may indicate underlying glioma, even in long-standing partial epilepsy. Focal structural imaging changes consistent with neoplasm should be followed to full resolution after partial SE.
The Africana paradigm in Capital: the debts of Karl Marx to people of African descent

This article will attempt an original interpretation of Capital (Marx, K. 1867. Capital: A Critique of Political Economy, Vol. 1. Marx/Engels Internet Archive, 1995, 1999. http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx) and other major works of Karl Marx to demonstrate that people of African descent are central to the discourse of Marx, contrary to widespread misconceptions by critics who attribute a Eurocentric orientation to Marx because of the accident of his birth in Europe and by allies because of his scholarly activism in European working-class politics. The paper argues that the earlier work of Marx and Engels ([1847] 1969. The Manifesto of the Communist Party in Marx/Engels Selected Works, Vol. One, pp. 98–137. Moscow: Progress Publishers), especially the Manifesto of the Communist Party, may have misled critics into believing that the history of all hitherto existing society alluded to by Marx and Engels was exclusively European history. On the contrary, there are hundreds of references to the ‘Negro’ in C...
N-RAS MUTATIONS IN RADIATION-INDUCED MURINE LEUKEMIC CELLS

N-ras mutations were examined in DNA samples extracted from the spleen of CBA/Ca mice that developed myeloid leukemia (ML) following exposure to radiations of different qualities. A total of 17 ML cases, i.e. 5 cases of neutron-induced and 12 cases of photon- (3 gamma-ray and 9 x-ray) induced ML were included in the study along with 12 DNA samples from the bone marrow cells of control mice. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphisms (PCR-SSCP) and the direct sequencing of PCR products were used to analyze three regions of the N-ras gene: (i) a 120 base-pair (bp) long portion of exon I (codons 2-37); (ii) a 103 bp long portion of exon II (codons 48-82); and (iii) a 107 bp long portion of exon III (codons 118-150). PCR-SSCP mobility shifts indicated mutations within only exon II of the N-ras gene. Such mutations were more prevalent in samples from mice exposed to fast neutrons. The exact type and location of these mutations were then determined by direct DNA sequencing. Silent point mutations, i.e. base transitions at the third base of codons 57 (GAC-->GAT), 62 (CAA-->CAC), or 70 (CAG-->CAA) were present only in mice that developed ML after exposure to fast neutrons. A base transversion at the third base of codon 61 (CAA-->CAC) was also observed in some ML cases. DNA sequencing demonstrated that ML samples contained normal as well as mutated DNA sequences. The higher frequency of N-ras mutations in neutron-induced ML suggested that fast neutrons are more effective in inducing genomic instability at the N-ras region of the genome. More importantly, N-ras mutations are not the initiating event in radiation leukemogenesis. This conclusion was supported by the finding that N-ras mutations were detected only in mice with an overt leukemic phenotype but not in mice with minimal tissue infiltration of leukemic cells, suggesting that the disease may be present prior to the presence of N-ras mutations. Alternatively, N-ras may be present in these mice but a large number of normal spleen cells in these mice interferes with the detection of mutation in a small population of leukemic cells.
Reduced sodium channel Nav1.1 levels in BACE1-null mice

The Alzheimer BACE1 enzyme cleaves numerous substrates, with largely unknown physiological consequences. We have previously identified the contribution of elevated BACE1 activity to voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.1 density and neuronal function. Here, we analyzed physiological changes in sodium channel metabolism in BACE1-null mice. Mechanistically, we first confirmed that endogenous BACE1 requires its substrate, the β-subunit Navβ2, to regulate levels of the pore-forming α-subunit Nav1.1 in cultured primary neurons. Next, we analyzed sodium channel α-subunit levels in brains of BACE1-null mice at 1 and 3 months of age. At both ages, we found that Nav1.1 protein levels were significantly decreased in BACE1-null versus wild-type mouse brains, remaining unchanged in BACE1-heterozygous mouse brains. Interestingly, levels of Nav1.2 and Nav1.6 α-subunits also decreased in 1-month-old BACE1-null mice. In the hippocampus of BACE1-null mice, we found a robust 57% decrease of Nav1.1 levels. Next, we performed surface biotinylation studies in acutely dissociated hippocampal slices from BACE1-null mice. Hippocampal surface Nav1.1 levels were significantly decreased, but Nav1.2 surface levels were increased in BACE1-null mice perhaps as a compensatory mechanism for reduced surface Nav1.1. We also found that Navβ2 processing and Nav1.1 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in brains of BACE1-null mice. This suggests a mechanism consistent with BACE1 activity regulating mRNA levels of the α-subunit Nav1.1 via cleavage of cell-surface Navβ2. Together, our data show that endogenous BACE1 activity regulates total and surface levels of voltage-gated sodium channels in mouse brains. Both decreased Nav1.1 and elevated surface Nav1.2 may result in a seizure phenotype. Our data caution that therapeutic BACE1 activity inhibition in Alzheimer disease patients may affect Nav1 metabolism and alter neuronal membrane excitability in Alzheimer disease patients.
A comparison of abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy for the large uterus

Objective: To compare the perioperative outcomes of women with an enlarged uterus (≥250 g) who had abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies. Method: Retrospective study of the perioperative outcomes of 288 consecutive women with an enlarged uterus, of whom 200 underwent an abdominal hysterectomy and 88 a vaginal hysterectomy, all for benign gynecological conditions. Results: Among the perioperative complications, only the risk of ileus was significantly higher in the group that underwent abdominal hysterectomy. Although the need for blood transfusions was similar between the groups, mean perioperative hemoglobin change was significantly lower for women who had the abdominal approach. Vaginal hysterectomy shortened the length of hospitalization significantly but did not affect the operative time. All of these differences remained significant after adjusting for uterine weight (P<0.05). Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups, except for uterine weight. Conclusions: For women with a uterus weighing 250 g or more, vaginal hysterectomy shortens the hospital stay without significantly increasing perioperative morbidity when compared with the abdominal route.
CPV and HFP integrals and their applications in the boundary element method

The subject of this paper is Hadamard Finite Part (HFP) and Cauchy Principal Value (CPV) representations of certain singular integrals. Of primary concern here are HFP interpretations of strongly singular integrals for which CPV interpretations also exist. A relationship between the two is stated and proved. This matter is then illustrated by two examples and also discussed in the context of singular boundary integral equations (BIEs) for linear elasticity.
Progesterone Synthesis by Luteinized Human Granulosa Cells in Culture: The Role of de Novo Sterol Synthesis and Lipoprotein-Carried Sterol

Human granulosa cells cultured in the presence of estradiol, FSH, and LH secreted relatively little progesterone during the first 3–5 days of culture. The cells then underwent a morphological transformation associated with a 10-fold or more increase in progestin production. Cells not cultured with the tropic hormones usually produced progestin at a lower rate. Serum was required for the expression of maximal steroidogenic activity. Inhibitors of de novo sterol synthesis, ML-236B and 5-cholesten-3β,25-diol, did not affect progestin secretion by luteinized cells cultured in 20% serum, but these inhibitors did reduce [14C]acetate incorporation into sterols by 90%. ML-236B also did not affect hCG-stimulated progesterone secretion by the cells.However, when the cells were changed into lipoprotein-deficient medium, progestin production was markedly reduced within 24 h. The addition of low density lipoproteins (LDL) to the culture fluid restored progestin production, whereas high density lipoproteins tended to f...
A total synthesis of dragmacidin B

Abstract A simple total synthesis of dragmacidin B is described. This constitutes the first synthesis of a member of the 2,5-bis(3′-indolyl)piperazine family of marine alkaloids. The didebromo analog of dragmacidin B was also prepared.
Assessing Outcome in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Child Depression: An Illustrative Case Series

Recent meta-analytic data suggest a need for ongoing evaluation of treatments for youth depression. The present article calls attention to a number of issues relevant to the empirical evaluation of if and how cognitive behavior therapy for child depression works. A case series of 6 children and a primary caregiver received treatment—individual CBT for the child and behavioral parent training involving the caregiver and caregiver–child dyad. The effects were generally promising and illustrate how selection of inclusion criteria, measures, measurement intervals, and informants can alter conclusions. These areas warrant attention in studies of child depression and are important not only in interpreting treatment outcome data but also for conducting sound clinical practice.
Separation Distances for Rocket Launch Operations

*† An experimental permit issued by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA/AST) authorizes reusable suborbital rockets to fly within a predefined operating area. Specifically, an operating area must contain a suborbital rocket’s instantaneous impact point at all times. This paper will present a method for determining a buffer zone surrounding an operating area to mitigate the risks to nonparticipating aircraft from the hazards involving rocket operations. Determining the size of the buffer zone is a multi-step process. First, a principal operating area is established. Next, the risk to aircraft flying at the edge of the operating area is determined. Finally, the buffer zone size is established based on the additional distance beyond the edge of the operating area required to reduce the aircraft risk to acceptable levels. This paper will familiarize the reader with these proposed processes and the methodologies that support them.
Effects of pretraining on conditioning-enhanced neophobia: Evidence for separable mechanisms of neophobia and aversion conditioning

In two experiments, rats (n = 228) received pretraining access to a distinctive novel flavor (saline) followed by aversion conditioning to a different novel conditioned stimulus (CS) (saccharin). Then the rats were tested for aversion to the CS (saccharin) or for conditioning-enhanced neophobia to a third novel flavor (casein hydrolysate). Pretraining access to a distinctive novel flavor that differed from the CS reliably reduced the magnitude of conditioning-enhanced neophobia to casein, but did not reliably affect conditioned aversion effects to the CS. Pretraining access to the CS reduced aversion effects to the CS and reduced postconditioning neophobia to casein to the performance level shown by ingestion-toxin controls. Results were consistent with the view (Braveman & Jarvis, 1978) that conditioned aversion and neophobia may be independent phenomena with separable underlying mechanisms.
Induction of p100 processing by NF-κB-inducing kinase involves docking IκB kinase α (IKKα) to p100 and IKKα-mediated phosphorylation

The processing of the nfκb2 gene product p100 to generate p52 is a regulated event, which is important for the instrumental function of NF-κB. We previously demonstrated that this tightly controlled event is regulated positively by NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) and its downstream kinase, IκB kinase α (IKKα). However, the precise mechanisms by which NIK and IKKα induce p100 processing remain unclear. Here, we show that, besides activating IKKα, NIK also serves as a docking molecule recruiting IKKα to p100. This novel function of NIK requires two specific amino acid residues, serine 866 and serine 870, of p100 that are known to be essential for inducible processing of p100. We also show that, after being recruited into p100 complex, activated IKKα phosphorylates specific serines located in both N- and C-terminal regions of p100 (serines 99, 108, 115, 123, and 872). The phosphorylation of these specific serines is the prerequisite for ubiquitination and subsequent processing of p100 mediated by the β-TrCP ubiquitin ligase and 26 S proteasome, respectively. These results highlight the critical but different roles of NIK and IKKα in regulating p100 processing and shed light on the mechanisms mediating the tight control of p100 processing. These data also provide the first evidence for explaining why overexpression of IKKα or its activation by many other stimuli such as tumor necrosis factor and mitogens fails to induce p100 processing.