cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Construction, non-denaturing affinity purification, and characterization of baculovirally expressed human secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor.

Abstract Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a 11.7 kDa mucosal protein with potent anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. Previous efforts to express and purify the non-glycosylated cationic protein as a recombinant protein in bacteria required extensive denaturation and renaturation to refold the disulfide-rich protein into its biologically active form. To overcome this limitation, we have expressed human SLPI as a polyhistidine-tagged protein (bvHisSLPI) using a recombinant baculovirus expression system. Studies were conducted to determine the timing of maximal protein production following baculovirus infection of Sf21 cells. The 16.4 kDa-tagged protein was then overexpressed in Sf21 cells following a 48-h infection with bvHisSLPI-encoding baculovirus, purified by nickel-chelating affinity chromatography under non-denaturing conditions, and analyzed by Coomassie-stained SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and Western blot. Purified bvHisSLPI was further characterized by enterokinase digestion to remove the polyhistidine tag from its N-terminus. In serine protease inhibition assays, purified bvHisSLPI blocked substrate cleavage by two serine proteases, chymotrypsin and cathepsin G, comparable to bacterially expressed SLPI. The baculovirus expression and affinity purification strategy described here will facilitate further studies of the structural and biological properties of this important multifunctional protein.
In vivo magnetic resonance microscopy of rat spinal cord at 7 T using implantable RF coils.

An inductively coupled implanted coil was designed for high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) studies of rat spinal cord (SC) in vivo at 7 T. The practical issues involved in implementation of the coil at high fields are discussed, and the adjustment of various parameters for optimizing coil performance are described. The utility of the coil was demonstrated with anatomical, magnetization transfer, diffusion tensor imaging, and proton MR spectroscopy (MRS).
The difference vector: Assessment of effects of changes or interventions

Vector dipole moments were measured on young pigs before and one week after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Vectors were obtained for the three peaks of vector spatial magnitude, M. Preoperative, postoperative, and difference vectors were measured for each peak. If excitation is normal except through the infarcted tissue, the difference vector should be more closely related to the infarct because the normal excitation cancels out. It was found that the postoperative vector was changed by the infarct but that the difference vector was a better indication of infarction. This paper was designed to introduce the method using experimental data for a small number of pigs.
Design and operation of the arc transfer furnace

Abstract The arc transfer method of crystal growth is a relatively simple technique for obtaining large single crystals of transition metal and rare earth oxides. A design for the arc transfer furnace is presented followed by a discussion concerning arc stability during the growth process. The growth and crystal quality of NiO is discussed as an example.
Ground layer heterogeneity and hardwood regeneration in mixed oak forest

ABSTRACT Question: What are the effects of small-scale litter disturbances (simulating large vertebrate scratching and foraging), on Quercus alba, Q. velutina, Fagus grandifolia, and Acer rubrum seedling recruitment? Location: Southeastern Ohio, USA. Methods: Two mixed oak forests containing four experimental management units (burned, thinned, thinned & burned, and un-manipulated control) were utilized in this study. Silvicutural treatments were applied in the spring of 2001. A small scale disturbance experiment was initiated in the spring of 2002 (Trial 1) and was replicated again in the spring of 2003 (Trial 2). Experimental hardware cloth exclosures, each containing a control (ambient litter) and experimentally scratched (litter removed to bare soil) compartment, were erected in each management unit (N = 8 exclosures per unit). Results: Acer rubrum, a species that occupies a wide germination niche, produced the most numerous seedlings. Nut-producing species established more readily in compartments with...
Green computing in the introductory curriculum (abstract only)

Green computing is a catchall phrase that includes efforts to improve sustainability both within the IT industry and outside of it. The green IT movement seeks to reduce energy use, waste, and toxic substances by the IT industry. In many other industries, mobile and computing devices connected to the network enable sustainability through automation, virtualization, and reduced travel. Green computing is a topic of increasing importance within the IT industry. There are few green computing courses for undergraduates, and most are for advanced students. I present a "CS1 Lite" course centered on the theme of green computing. The course integrates programming activities with readings, discussion and online research. The first course module examined how the Internet and mobile networks enable sustainable practices, such as: the virtualization of goods and services, telecommuting and virtual meetings, and cloud computing. The second module examined the "Green IT" movement, including sustainability across the computer life cycle, and increasing energy efficiency, from individual computers up to data centers. The third module focused on "Smart Technology," where network-connected computing devices drive improvements. Topics included the smart energy grid, smart buildings, and applications in health care and agriculture. Throughout the course, programming assignments were tailored to problems relevant to the green computing topics. Students implemented simulations of green computing systems. Students exhibited increased interest and motivation for these projects, and learned naturally about data abstraction and computer networks.
Synthetic Shigella Vaccines: A Carbohydrate–Protein Conjugate with Totally Synthetic Hexadecasaccharide Haptens

Advances in antibacterial glycoconjugate vaccines depend on the availability of defined fragments of the bacterial cell-surface polysaccharides. Oligosaccharide portions of the O-specific polysaccharide of the human pathogen Shigella dysenteriae type 1, have been assembled and attached to a human serum albumin (HSA; see below) to give semisynthetic vaccines that provide new directions against enteric diseases.
Sensing the Thermal History of High-Explosive Detonations Using Thermoluminescent Microparticles

Thermoluminescent LiF:Mg, Ti (TLD-100) micro- particle sensors are demonstrated to record the thermal history of the environment around a high-explosive detonation. Microparticles are gamma-irradiated to fill their charge-carrier traps and then exposed to the detonation of 20 g of a plastic bonded HMX and Al explosive formulation at a test distance of approximately 22 cm from the center of the detonation. The thermal history of the microparticles is reconstructed by iteratively matching the degree of trap depopulation, derived from luminescence measurements, with that projected by theoretical simulations using appropriate models. Measurements and modeling indicate that the particles experienced a maximum temperature of 240 $^{\circ}{\rm C}$ , then cooled to 1 $^{\circ}{\rm C}$ above ambient temperature within 0.4 seconds. The resulting glow curve intensity is calculated to match the observed post-detonation signal to 3% averaged over the comparison values used for reconstruction.
Further evaluation of the efficacy of contamination removal from bone surfaces.

Abstract Studies of low copy number (LCN) and degraded DNA are prone to contamination from exogenous DNA sources that in some cases out-compete endogenous DNA in PCR amplification, thus leading to false positives and/or aberrant results. Particularly problematic is contamination that is inadvertently deposited on the surfaces of bones through direct handling. Whereas some previous studies have shown that contamination removal is possible by subjecting samples to sodium hypochlorite prior to DNA extraction, others caution that such treatment can destroy a majority of the molecules endogenous to the sample. To further explore this topic, we experimentally contaminated ancient northern fur seal ( Callorhinus ursinus ) ribs with human DNA and treated them with sodium hypochlorite to remove that contamination. Our findings are consistent with previous studies that found sodium hypochlorite to be highly efficient (∼81–99%) at contamination removal; however, there emerged no treatment capable of removing 100% of the contamination across all of the experiments. Moreover, the ability to estimate the degree of damage to endogenous northern fur seal molecules was compromised due to the inherent variability of preserved mtDNA across the bones, and the presence of co-extracted PCR inhibitors.
The deposition of SiGe strained layers from GeH4, SiH2Cl2, SiH4 and Si2H6

Abstract The deposition of Si1−xGex films was investigated over a temperature range from 600 °C to 800 °C using GeH4 as the germanium source, SiH2Cl2, SiH4 and Si2H6 as silicon sources, and H2 as a carrier gas. Si0.88Ge0.12 films deposited from Si2H6 demonstrated deposition rates which were approximately twice as fast as those from SiH4 and 5 times faster than those deposited from SiH2Cl2. The deposition rate was nearly first order with respect to GeH4 partial pressure and obeyed an Arrhenius temperature dependence. As the silicon source was changed from SiH2Cl2 to SiH4 to Si2H6 the germanium content of the films decreased from 36% to 26% to 20% at a temperature of 625 °C and a GeH4 partial pressure of 38 mTorr. Photoluminescence analysis of a Si/Si0.85Ge0.15 superlattice showed an absence of “defect bands” in the 400–900 meV range and a value of 4 meV for the full width at half-maximum of the no-phonon peak at a temperature of 4 K.
Involvement of the Fhit gene in the ionizing radiation-activated ATR/CHK1 pathway.

Fragile Histidine Triad (Fhit) gene deletion, methylation, and reduced Fhit protein expression occur in about 70% of human epithelial tumors and, in some cancers, are clearly associated with tumor progression. Specific Fhit signal pathways have not been identified, although it has been shown that Fhit overexpression leads to apoptosis in many cancer cell lines. We report in this study that Fhit−/− cells derived from gene knockout mice show much stronger S and G2 checkpoint responses than their wild type counterparts. The strong checkpoint responses are regulated by the ATR/CHK1 pathway, which contributes to the radioresistance of Fhit−/− cells. These results indicate an association of Fhit gene inactivation with increased survival after DNA damage, which is related to the over-active checkpoints regulated by the ATR/CHK1 pathway. These results also suggest the potential effects of Fhit-dependent DNA damage response on tumor progression. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Children of disturbed parents: The interface between research and intervention

This paper provides a review of high-risk studies and preventive interventions with children who have an increased likelihood of developing psychopathology because they are the offspring of emotionally disturbed parents. The research implications for preventive interventions are summarized in terms of selection of participants, goals for prevention, intervention methods, and intervention research methodology. Next, several preventive intervention programs are reviewed and evaluated for their responsiveness to the research literature. The review revealed that, despite theoretical and methodological diversity in the research literature, the findings provide many suggestions for the design of preventive interventions. On the other hand, intervention programs were most often found to have not used research findings in program design. This review concludes with suggestions for needed research and guidelines for future preventive interventions.
Are equities good inflation hedges? A frequency domain perspective

By using industry level data, we examine the relation between equity returns and inflation in a frequency dependent framework. Our analysis shows that a positive relation in fact exists between equity returns and high frequency inflation shocks for commodity and technology related industries. Since higher frequency shocks are independent from trend and are transitory in nature, our findings imply a positive relation between stock returns and the unexpected component of inflation. Furthermore, we show that the results are robust to firm-level data by using a sample from the oil industry. Hence, our study provides a new look at the impact of inflation on equities by showing the sensitivity of conclusions in prior work to frequency dependence in data.
What Are Surrogate Outcome Measures and Why Do They Fail in Clinical Research

Surrogate outcome measures have been of interest in clinical research for a long time because of their potential ability to save time and cost. The literature, however, has numerous examples of failed surrogate measures. The definition of a surrogate outcome measure, its consideration in clinical stroke research and some of the potential mechanisms for failure of surrogate measures will be discussed.
Transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of flail tricuspid valve

more.3 Recently Roth et al8 found in a larger sample that effective balloon dilating diameter corrected by body surface area was the only predictor of the increase in mitral regurgitation after valvotomy. In the present study we did not find any relationship between asymmetric commissural involvement and the increase in mitral regurgitation. The absence of these complications reaffirms the safety of performing this procedure in patients with asymmetric commissural disease. In conclusion, asymmetric deformity of the mitral valve does not negatively influence the outcome after percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy.
Adjuvant irradiation after prostatectomy for carcinoma of the prostate with positive surgical margins

Background. Patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate treated with prostatectomy who have tumor at the margins of the surgical specimen or tumor involvement of the seminal vesicles have a high risk of local recurrence and metastastic disease. It is unclear whether postoperative irradiation improves their outcome. Methods. This is a retrospective analysis of patients treated with prostatectomy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate who had surgical margins or seminal vesicles involved by tumor. Thirty-four patients received adjuvant postoperative irradiation (Group 11, and 43 patients did not receive irradiation (Group 2). Results. The tumor control rates in the prostatic bed for patients who had radical prostatectomy were 100% and 84% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.017). Actuarial 10-year disease-free survival from the date of prostatectomy was 46% and 55% for Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusions. Adjuvant irradiation after prostatectomy in patients with positive surgical margins or seminal vesicle invasion increases prostatic bed local tumor control but does not affect survival. Postoperative irradiation is associated with acceptable morbidity. Cancer 1994; 73:384-7.
The Fu of Minnan: A Local Clan in Late Tang and Song China (9th-13th Centuries)

Etude de la formation et de la fonction du lignage en Chine durant la periode moyenne (8e-15e siecles) dans le cadre d'un groupe familial agnatique specifique, a savoir le groupe des descendants de Fu, des prefectures de Xinghua et de Quanzhou (Fujian), a la fin du regne des Tang (618-906) et sous les Song (960-1268). L'etude porte, en particulier, sur le sens de l'identite de ce groupe, et sur ses relations a la culture generale, a travers l'education, la bureaucratie et les liens du mariage
DROGUE MEASUREMENTS OF SHALLOW CURRENTS ON THE EQUATOR IN THE WESTERN ATLANTIC OCEAN

Abstract : Parachute drogue measurements in the Atlantic Equatorial Undercurrent during February, March and April 1963 between 25 degrees and 35W at depths between 75 and 200 meters show velocities towards the east of up to 75 cm/sec. Surface currents during this period varied between 60 cm/sec towards the south-west to 60 cm/sec towards the east. This shift in direction of the surface flow may be related to the decrease in wind stress as the inter-tropical convergence moves through the area. (Author)
Introduction to the USDA–Agricultural Research Service Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory Special Rangelands Issue

Introduction to the USDA–Agricultural Research Service Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory Special Rangelands Issue DOI:10.2458/azu_rangelands_v31i1_pfister
Gene Therapy for Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and in many other countries. Current heart failure therapies, including multidrug treatment regimens, biventricular pacing, and mechanical support such as left ventricular assist devices, are often hindered by limited benefits or significant associated procedural complications or side effects. Therefore, new forms of treatment, which could ideally target the underlying biological processes affecting the ailing cardiomyocyte, would be of significant potential benefit to the population of individuals with CHF. Gene transfer strategies, including modification of cellular contractile signaling and regulatory pathways, represent a promising new form of such biologic therapy for heart disease.
Round Atelectasis as a Complication of Legionnella Pneumonia

Round atelectasis is a rare lung pseudotumor that is most commonly associated with asbestos-related pleural disease but can result from a variety of chronic pleural diseases. We describe a patient who developed round atelectasis over a period of only several months following an acute pleuropulmonary illness caused by Legionnella pneumophila.
Genetic Differences in Susceptibility to Ulcerative Enteritis in Japanese Quail

Abstract Six lines of Japanese quail were derived from a single foundation population. Four of the lines were selected on the basis of family mean three week body weight, two were unselected and all lines were randomly mated. Quail were housed in wire batteries during the brooding, rearing and laying periods. During the brooding period, hover temperature and floor space per chick were similar from line to line. For the rearing and laying periods, floor space per chick was approximately the same from line to line. During an outbreak of ulcerative enteritis (diagnosed on the basis of gross and histopathology) in generation 31 and again in generation 34, mortality ranged from zero for males of one control line to approximately 50 percent for females of one selected line. Analysis of variance showed that incidence of mortality differed significantly among lines and between sexes. Mortality was generally higher in selected than in control lines and in females than in males. It is suggested that susceptibility to ulcerative enteritis in quail may be a polygenically inherited trait and that the inbreeding which accompanied selection for body size may have made some loci homozygous for susceptibility alleles.
the metabolism of l-asparagine in asparagus officinalis

Abstract 1. 1. l -Asparagine is present at a concentration ranging from 0.004–0.04 M in Asparagus officinalis. 2. 2. Sensitive radiometric techniques have been used to examine enzymes responsible for the synthesis and metabolism of l -asparagine in Asparagus. 3. 3. l -Asparagine synthetase was undetectable but p-cyano-L-alanine synthase was abundant. 4. 4. Additionally, β-cyano- l -alanine hydratase, several l -asparagine transaminases and a feeble, possibly exogenous, l -asparaginase were also detectable. 5. 5. Attempts to measure the substrates of β-cyano- l -alanine synthase in freeze-clamped specimens indicated that both l -eysteine and cyanide were present at concentrations well below the Km of the enzyme for them. 6. 6. Studies to demonstrate alternate routes for the biosynthesis of l -asparagine failed; thus, β-cyano- l -alanine synthase remains the most plausible candidate as the primary participant in the biosynthesis of l -asparagine in Asparagus.
Reaction times in discriminations of varying difficulty: decision modulated by arousal

Pigeons discriminated the hue of a spot of light that appeared in discrete trials. A green spot always signaled food ("green S+") and so did a red spot of constant hue ("red S+"), but on most trials a different red hue appeared and no food was given for pecks ("red S-"). The hue of red S- stayed the same during blocks of up to twelve sessions, but it changed from block to block. During a final group of sessions red S- was omitted and the percent reinforcement to the two S+ stimuli was varied. Major findings were that (1) percent response (Pct(R)) to S- varied with S+/S- similarity, describing a typical ogival psychometric function; (2) Reaction times (RTs) to both red and green S+s were minimal when the red discrimination was impossible (that is, when red S+ and S- were identical); (3) RTs to red S+ were greatest during discriminations of intermediate difficulty; (4) as Pct(R) declined during the learning of a difficult discrimination, RTs increased to red S+ as well as red S-. Most aspects of the data were reproduced by simulations with a quantitative model that incorporated reinforcement-based decision and arousal processes.
“Biomimetic” Cascade Reactions in Organic Synthesis: Construction of 4-Oxatricyclo[4.3.1.0]decan-2-one Systems and Total Synthesis of 1-O-Methylforbesione via Tandem Claisen Rearrangement/Diels–Alder Reactions

A further demonstration of the value of "biomimetically" inspired synthetic strategies toward natural products is provided by the title reactions that were developed for the construction of 4-oxatricyclo[4.3.1.0]decan-2-one systems from prochiral aromatic precursors. This biomimetic cascade was applied to the synthesis of 1-O-methylforbesione (2) from the prenylated xanthone 1 in one pot.
Bispectral measurements in turbulence

A bispectral analysis of high Reynolds number turbulent velocity-derivative data is carried out. The computations suggest that contributions of wavenumber triplets to the rate of vorticity production and spectral transfer are non-local in wavenumber space and comparable over the whole range of wavenumbers studied. Statistical resolvability of the bispectral estimates is obtained. An appendix on the asymptotic behaviour of bispectral estimates is given.
Relaxation of isolated gastric smooth muscle cells by vasoactive intestinal peptide

Vasoactive intestinal peptide caused a prompt, dose-dependent relaxation of isolated gastric smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig and a significant increase in intracellular adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate coincidentally with optimum relaxation. Relaxation was augmented by a threshold concentration of isobutyl methylxanthine. The direct relaxant effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide and the distribution of nerves containing this peptide to circular smooth muscle support the view that vasoactive intestinal peptide is the neuromuscular transmitter of enteric inhibitory nerves.
Differences in outpatient care and treatment utilization for patients with HIV/HCV coinfection, HIV, and HCV monoinfection, a cross-sectional study

Few studies have explored how utilization of outpatient services differ for HIV/HCV coinfected patients compared to HIV or HCV monoinfected patients. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare annual outpatient clinic visit rates between coinfected and monoinfected patients, (2) to compare utilization of HIV and HCV therapies between coinfected and monoinfected patients, and (3) to identify factors associated with therapy utilization.
Linear and nonlinear modes in nonrelativistic electron-positron plasmas

A comprehensive two-fluid model is developed for collective modes in a nonrelativistic electron-positron plasma. Longitudinal and transverse electrostatic and electromagnetic modes, both in the presence and absence of a magnetic field, are studied. Wave properties are discussed in terms of dispersion relations, wave normal surfaces, and cylindrical mirror analyzer clemmow-Mullaly-Allis diagrams. The results are extended to include the two-stream instability and ion acoustic solitary waves. For the two-stream instability, a similar result is found as in the electron-ion plasma. For ion acoustic solitary waves, only subsonic solutions are found to exist. Furthermore, their width is proportional to their amplitude, unlike the electron-ion plasma case, where the speed is proportional to the amplitude.
Maternal satisfaction following post-shelter family reunification

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlates of post-shelter maternal family satisfaction in a group of youth who were reunified with their families following a shelter stay. Findings indicated that higher ratings of family satisfaction were related to greater maternal problem solving skill and less family conflict.
Functional photoreceptor loss revealed with adaptive optics: An alternate cause of color blindness

There is enormous variation in the X-linked L/M (long/middle wavelength sensitive) gene array underlying “normal” color vision in humans. This variability has been shown to underlie individual variation in color matching behavior. Recently, red–green color blindness has also been shown to be associated with distinctly different genotypes. This has opened the possibility that there may be important phenotypic differences within classically defined groups of color blind individuals. Here, adaptive optics retinal imaging has revealed a mechanism for producing dichromatic color vision in which the expression of a mutant cone photopigment gene leads to the loss of the entire corresponding class of cone photoreceptor cells. Previously, the theory that common forms of inherited color blindness could be caused by the loss of photoreceptor cells had been discounted. We confirm that remarkably, this loss of one-third of the cones does not impair any aspect of vision other than color.
Merit Pay, Performance Targeting, and Productivity

Most merit pay plans have limited ability to motivate employees and to enhance productivity. This article suggests that performance targeting, a concept that is related to performance appraisal but...
Surgical treatment of complex enterocutaneous fistulas in IBD patients using human acellular dermal matrix.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients represent a high-risk group for enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) formation, related to both their disease process and the need for multiple surgeries. Often the abdominal wall is significantly involved with the ECF and requires partial resection. The use of synthetic prosthetic material to reconstruct the abdominal wall after ECF surgery is associated with increased risk of infection and recurrent fistulas. Herein we report the use human acellular dermal matrix (hADM) in the surgical treatment and reconstruction of the abdominal wall in 11 consecutive IBD patients with complex and medically refractory ECF. Methods: After resection of the involved bowel segment and the overlying abdominal wall, a single sheet of hADM was used to reconstruct the defect. Pre- and perioperative risk factors were reviewed and patients were followed prospectively for a year (360 ± 118 days). Results: Operative mortality was nil. Three patients (27%) developed subcutaneous seroma and there were 2 cases (18%) of superficial wound infection, all of which resolved with conservative management. The mean length of hospital stay was 13.5 (±7.2) days and all patients were tolerating an oral diet at the time of dismissal. There were no recurrences. One patient with Crohn's disease developed a new ECF from a separate bowel site on postoperative day 145, which was treated with the same surgical approach. No further complications have occurred. Conclusions: Our results indicate that in a high-risk IBD patient population with multiple perioperative risk factors the use of hADM during ECF takedown is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009)
Asymptotic Expansions and Their Applications in Numerical Integration

Numerical integration may require expensive calculations, especially for high dimensionality or when the integrand depicts some kind of singular behaviour. In this paper we shall discuss how the knowledge and use of the underlying quadrature error functional expansions contributes to a satisfactory treatment of some of these problems. Particular applications include the construction of quadrature rules of a specific degree of precision, as well as the treatment of some types of integrand singularities on the boundaries of the integration domain by means of extrapolation or transformation methods. A generalization of the expansions to non-integer mesh ratios will allow extrapolation on a sequence of product offset trapezoidal rule sums which is invariant with respect to the group of the affine transformations of the N-simplex onto itself.
CH223191 is a ligand-selective antagonist of the Ah (Dioxin) receptor.

The aryl hydrocarbon (dioxin) receptor (AhR) is a liganddependent transcription factor that produces a wide range of biological and toxic effects in many species and tissues. Whereas the best-characterized high-affinity ligands include structurally related halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the AhR is promiscuous and can also be activated by structurally diverse exogenous and endogenous chemicals. However, little is known about how these diverse ligands actually bind to and activate the AhR. Utilizing AhR ligand binding, DNA binding, and reporter gene expression assays, we have identified a novel ligand-selective antagonist (CH223191) that preferentially inhibits the ability of some classes of AhR agonists (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and related HAHs), but not others (PAHs, flavonoids, or indirubin), to bind to and/or activate the AhR and AhR signal transduction. HAHspecific antagonism of AhR-dependent reporter gene expression by CH223191 was observed with mouse, rat, human, and guinea pig cell lines. Ligand- and species-selective antagonism was also observed with the AhR antagonists 3#-methoxy-4#-nitroflavone and 6,2#,4#,-trimethoxyflavone. Our results suggest that the differences in the binding by various ligands to the AhR contribute to the observed structural diversity of AhR ligands and could contribute in ligand-specific variation in AhR functionality and the toxic and biological effects of various classes of AhR agonists.
Classification and feature selection algorithms for multi-class CGH data

Recurrent chromosomal alterations provide cytological and molecular positions for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has been useful in understanding these alterations in cancerous cells. CGH datasets consist of samples that are represented by large dimensional arrays of intervals. Each sample consists of long runs of intervals with losses and gains. In this article, we develop novel SVM-based methods for classification and feature selection of CGH data. For classification, we developed a novel similarity kernel that is shown to be more effective than the standard linear kernel used in SVM. For feature selection, we propose a novel method based on the new kernel that iteratively selects features that provides the maximum benefit for classification. We compared our methods against the best wrapper-based and filter-based approaches that have been used for feature selection of large dimensional biological data. Our results on datasets generated from the Progenetix database, suggests that our methods are considerably superior to existing methods. Availability: All software developed in this article can be downloaded from http://plaza.ufl.edu/junliu/feature.tar.gz Contact: juliu@cise.ufl.edu
Social Cognition, Social Competence, Negative Symptoms and Social Outcomes: Inter-relationships in People With Schizophrenia

Social deficits are common in people with schizophrenia and the treatment of deficits in social competence has been a long-time treatment strategy. However, negative symptoms and social cognitive deficits also contribute to social dysfunction. In this study, we examined the correlations between everyday social outcomes, a performance based measure of social competence, and performance on 8 different social cognition tests in 179 patients with schizophrenia. Social cognition, social competence, and motivation-related negative symptoms accounted for 32% of the variance in real-world social outcomes. In addition, two different social cognition tests, along with expression-related negative symptoms accounted for 32% of the variance in performance-based assessments of social competence. These data suggest that negative symptoms exert an important influence on social outcomes and social competence, but not social cognition, and that social cognition and social competence exert separable influences on real-world social outcomes. Improving social outcomes seems to require a multi-faceted approach which considers social cognition, social competence, and negative symptoms.
Sustained pain-related depression of behavior: effects of intraplantar formalin and complete freund’s adjuvant on intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) and endogenous kappa opioid biomarkers in rats

Background: Intraplantar administration of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and formalin are two noxious stimuli commonly used to produce sustained pain-related behaviors in rodents for research on neurobiology and treatment of pain. One clinically relevant manifestation of pain is depression of behavior and mood. This study compared effects of intraplantar CFA and formalin on depression of positively reinforced operant behavior in an assay of intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) in rats. Effects of CFA and formalin on other physiological and behavioral measures, and opioid effects on formalin-induced depression of ICSS, were also examined. Results: There were four main findings. First, consistent with previous studies, both CFA and formalin produced similar paw swelling and mechanical hypersensitivity. Second, CFA produced weak and transient depression of ICSS, whereas formalin produced a more robust and sustained depression of ICSS that lasted at least 14 days. Third, formalin-induced depression of ICSS was reversed by morphine doses that did not significantly alter ICSS in saline-treated rats, suggesting that formalin effects on ICSS can be interpreted as an example of pain-related and analgesic-reversible depression of behavior. Finally, formalin-induced depression of ICSS was not associated with changes in central biomarkers for activation of endogenous kappa opioid systems, which have been implicated in depressive-like states in rodents, nor was it blocked by the kappa antagonist norbinaltorphimine. Conclusions: These results suggest differential efficacy of sustained pain stimuli to depress brain reward function in rats as assessed with ICSS. Formalin-induced depression of ICSS does not appear to engage brain kappa opioid systems.
Norepinephrine and beta 2-adrenergic receptor stimulation regulate CD4+ T and B lymphocyte function in vitro and in vivo.

Historically, norepinephrine and the sympathetic nervous system have been associated with the “fight or flight” response, and they also contribute to the regulation of autonomic activity within the body, such as cardiovascular function. In addition, evidence over the past 30 years suggests that norepinephrine may also regulate the function of immune cells that protect the body against pathogens. The presence of sympathetic nerve fibers and the release of norepinephrine within lymphoid organs represent a mechanism by which signals from the central nervous system may influence immune cell function. The T cell-dependent antibody response is essential to successful host defense against numerous environmental pathogens. It is during this response that CD4+ T and B lymphocytes are activated to produce cytokines and antibody, respectively, leading to immune competence and protection. The goal of this review is to discuss the evidence supporting the release of norepinephrine within lymphoid organs and the expression of the β2-adrenergic receptor by CD4+ T and B lymphocytes. We also discuss the mechanisms by which β2-adrenergic receptor stimulation affects the level of cytokine and antibody produced by these cells both in vitro and in vivo. In cases where conflicting findings have been reported, we discuss potential variables that may have contributed to these conflicting findings. To conclude, we discuss the disease- and health-specific implications of the basic research being done in the area of sympathetic nervous system regulation of T and B lymphocyte function.
Dynamic Allocation Problems in Loss Network Systems with Advanced Reservation

We consider a class of well-known dynamic resource allocation models in loss network systems with advanced reservation. The most important performance measure in any loss network system is to compute its blocking probability, i.e., the probability of an arriving customer in equilibrium finds a fully utilized system (thereby getting rejected by the system). In this paper, we derive upper bounds on the asymptotic blocking probabilities for such systems in high-volume regimes. There have been relatively few results on loss network systems with advanced reservation due to its inherent complexity. The theoretical results find applications in a wide class of revenue management problems in systems with reusable resources and advanced reservation, e.g., hotel room, car rental and workforce management. We propose a simple control policy called the improved class selection policy (ICSP) based on solving a continuous knapsack problem, similar in spirit to the one proposed in Levi and Radovanovic (2010). Using our results derived for loss network systems with advanced reservation, we show the ICSP performs asymptotically near- optimal in high-volume regimes.
Lumped isolation circuits for improvement of matching and isolation in three-port balun band-pass filter

A method of improving the output impedance and isolation characteristics of the balun filter is presented in the paper. By introducing the so-called isolation network to the outputs of the balun filter, both the isolation and matching at the output ports of the balun filter, which is derived from a symmetrical four-port network, are improved to a large degree. Two isolation networks including the microstrip-line based and high-pass lumped-element based networks are proposed and implemented on the given balun filter. Compared to the standalone balun filter, the measured output isolation and return loss improvements of the balun filter with the isolation networks are more than 25 dB and 18 dB, respectively, at the center frequency of the output S-parameters. Furthermore, the proposed high-pass lumped-element based network is considerably miniaturized compared to the first microstrip-line based network. Only one-tenth of the length of the corresponding microstrip line is required in the proposed network.
Quadrisectioning based placement with a normalized mean field neural network

A quadrisectioning based neural network algorithm for the placement problem in VLSI layout synthesis is presented. The mean field theory neural network with graded neurons proposed by Peterson and Soderberg is used. It is renamed normalized mean field net. The problem is solved by recursive quadrisectioning where, at each step, all neurons in the network evolve simultaneously, maintaining a level of globality. In the authors' simulations, the network is able to find optimal solutions to all hand constructed test problems with up to 256 modules. >
Reaction time as a function of noncontingent reward magnitude

College student Ss were given a series of about 250 trials in a simple, nonchoice, reaction time situation, some preassigned monetary reward being credited to their accounts following each response. Each trial began, for control Ss, with, a warning light, and, for experimental Ss, with a display of the reward value assigned for the trial The reward received depended in no way upon any property of the S’s response. Results revealed a small but reliable tendency for reaction time of experimental Ss to vary inversely with the magnitude of reward anticipated on any given trial.
Closing the Performance Gap: CAI and Secondary Education for the Mildly Handicapped.

Secondary mildly handicapped students are frequently expected to pass a set of academic competencies in order to graduate from high school along with their non-handicapped peers. Typically, resource room instruction for these mildly handicapped students involves considerable practice on elementary facts and concepts and relatively little time devoted to more complex information and problem-solving activities. Well designed computer assisted instruction can not only teach the latter, but it can lead students to perform at skill levels commensurate with their non-handicapped peers. This article describes three studies involving the use of CAI with secondary mildly handicapped students. Experimental comparisons were conducted between mildly handicapped groups and quasi-experimental comparisons were made between the experimental group in each study and non-handicapped peers. The studies consistently indicate that well designed CAI can have a significant effect on learning.
Using systems-based practice to integrate education and clinical services.

The authors describe one institution's strategies to implement the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's (ACGME) Outcomes Project requirements while simultaneously exploring and implementing standards of quality healthcare as endorsed by the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001). Of real interest, application of the authors’ institution's paradigm is identical to many of the parameters for system competence as recommended in the IOM's April 2003 report, Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality (2003).
International Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology: Excellence, accessibility, expansion, and evolution.

Accessibility will be achieved through a wonderful electronic platform that will make IJPE reports available in full to all with the click of the computer key at no cost. At a time when other pediatric endocrine journals charge nearly a thousand dollars or more for personal subscriptions, IJPE is free and will always remain free for all. Our electronic platform also ensures the near immediate dissemination of IJPE reports accepted for publication, allowing us to avoid lengthy publication
Insights into the role of progranulin in immunity, infection, and inflammation

PGRN, a pleiotrophic growth factor, is known to play an important role in the maintenance and regulation of the homeostatic dynamics of normal tissue development, proliferation, regeneration, and the host-defense response and therefore, has been widely studied in the fields of infectious diseases, wound healing, tumorigenesis, and neuroproliferative and degenerative diseases. PGRN has also emerged as a multifaceted immune-regulatory molecule through regulating the signaling pathways known to be critical for immunology, especially TNF/TNFR signaling. In this review, we start with updates about the interplays of PGRN with ECM proteins, proteolytic enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, and cell-surface receptors, as well as various pathophysiological processes involved. We then review the data supporting an emerging role of PGRN in the fields of the "Cubic of I", namely, immunity, infection, and inflammation, with special focus on its regulation of autoimmune syndromes. We conclude with insights into the immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, therapeutic potential of PGRN in treating diseases with an inflammatory etiology in a vast range of medical specialties.
Pulsed Laser Imaging of Ca2+ Influx in a Neuroendocrine Terminal

The surge of Ca2+ that triggers vesicle fusion is shaped by the distribution of Ca2+ channels and the physical relationship between those channels and the exocytotic apparatus. Although channels and the release apparatus are thought to be tightly associated at fast synapses, the arrangement at neuroendocrine cells is less clear. The distribution of Ca2+ influx near release sites is difficult to determine because of spatial and temporal limitations on Ca2+ imaging techniques. We now present spatially resolved images of Ca2+ influx into rat neuroendocrine terminals on a millisecond time scale. Images of voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx into neurohypophysial terminals were captured after excitation of Ca2+-sensitive dyes with pulses of laser light lasting a fraction of a microsecond. Submembranous Ca2+ increases were detected during the first millisecond of an evoked Ca2+ tail current. Steep gradients of Ca2+ were evident, with concentrations near the membrane reaching above 1 μm during a 30 msec depolarization. Ca2+ influx appeared evenly distributed, even when diffusion was restricted with an exogenous Ca2+ chelator. During longer depolarizations, mean and peak Ca2+ concentrations reached an asymptote in parallel, suggesting that Ca2+ binding proteins near the membrane rapidly buffer Ca2+ and do not become saturated during prolonged influx. These data support the hypothesis that exocytosis is activated in these terminals by the summation of influx through multiple, randomly spaced Ca2+channels.
Schizophrenic patients exhibit hyper-reflexivity in a semantic categorical priming task

Semantic priming is a phenomenon that occurs when a semantically related ‘‘prime’’ word produces a faster response time to a sequentially presented ‘‘target’’ word than if they were semantically unrelated. This process of priming is thought to involve two distinct processes, one that is reflexive and unconscious, and the other, which is voluntary and intention-driven. It is believed that a dysfunction in one or both of these processes may result in the pattern of thought disorder in schizophrenia. In an attempt to better understand disorganized speech and thought disorder, we examine language processing in schizophrenia by separately studying reflexive and voluntary priming processes using a lexical decision semantic priming task, that is similar to the landmark study with controls by Neely [(1977). Semantic priming and retrieval from lexical memory: Roles of inhibitionless spreading activation and limited-capacity attention. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 106, 226–254]. In two experiments, we tested a total of 40 schizophrenic and 40 control subjects. In both Experiments 1 and 2, schizophrenic subjects showed greater semantic priming than control subjects in the reflexive task condition, demonstrating that they seem to exhibit excessive priming of the semantic network. On the other hand, in our study, there were no differences in priming between schizophrenic and control subjects in the voluntary task condition. These results support the idea of a dysfunction in the reflexive system (hyper-priming) as a core deficit in language processing in schizophrenia. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Preparation of Ceramic Powders From Emulsions

Yttrium oxide powders were prepared from water-in-oil type emulsions by loading the yttrium ions into the aqueous phase. Emulsions were characterized with respect to droplet size and distribution, emulsion type, and time and temperature stability. Precursor powders were obtained from the emulsions by evaporation of the aqueous phase in a hot oil bath. Powder characteristics, such as size, shape, composition, and sinterability as a function of procedural variables, were determined. The new technique appears to be practical and may be economically feasible.