cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A review of railway infrastructure monitoring using fiber optic sensors

Abstract In recent years, railway infrastructures and systems have played a significant role as a highly efficient transportation mode to meet the growing demand in transporting both cargo and passengers. Application of these structures in extreme environmental situation under severe working and loading conditions, caused by the traffic growth, heavier axles and vehicles and increase in speed makes it extremely susceptible to degradation and failure. In the last two decades, a significant number of innovative sensing technologies based on fiber optic sensors (FOS) have been utilized for structural health monitoring (SHM) due to their inherent distinctive advantages, such as small size, light weight, immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and corrosion, and embedding capability. Fiber optic-based monitoring systems use quasi-distributed and continuously distributed sensing techniques for real time measurement and long term assessment of structural properties. This allows for early stage damage detection and characterization, leading to timely remediation and prevention of catastrophic failures. In this scenario, FOS have been proved to be a powerful tool for meticulous assessment of railway systems including train and track behavior by enabling real-time data collection, inspection and detection of structural degradation. This article reviews the current state-of-the-art of fiber optic sensing/monitoring technologies, including the basic principles of various optical fiber sensors, novel sensing and computational methodologies, and practical applications for railway infrastructure monitoring. Additionally, application of these technologies to monitor temperature, stresses, displacements, strain measurements, train speed, mass and location, axle counting, wheel imperfections, rail settlements, wear and tear and health assessment of railway bridges and tunnels will be thoroughly discussed.
How to Hire and Manage Residential Contractors

If you are looking for a contractor for either home building or remodeling, ask difficult questions before you enter into a contract. This way you and the contractor have a clear understanding of the other’s expectations. Before signing a contract and beginning a project is the best time to thank contractors for their consideration and time, rather than risk entering into an unfortunate working relationship that could require legal intervention. Contractors understand potential clients, and they will inform you if they do not want to accept a contract with you. This negotiation period should not be taken personally by either party and should only develop into a business relationship that exists during the period of hire and warranty outlined in the contract. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Randall A. Cantrell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, September 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1380
HIV Treatment Knowledge in the Context of “Treatment as Prevention” (TasP)

According to 2012 universal ART guidelines, as part of “treatment as prevention” (TasP), all people living with HIV (PLWH) should immediately initiate antiretroviral therapy post-diagnosis to facilitate viral suppression. PLWH who are virally suppressed have no risk of sexually transmitting HIV. This study used descriptive analysis of quantitative data (N = 99) and thematic analysis of qualitative interviews (n = 36) to compare participants recruited from a hospital-based detoxification (detox) unit, largely diagnosed with HIV pre-2012 (n = 63) vs. those recruited from public, urban sexual health clinics (SHCs), mainly diagnosed in 2012 or later (n = 36). Detox participants were significantly more knowledgeable than SHC participants about HIV treatment, except regarding TasP. SHC participants’ desire for rapid linkage to care and ART initiation was in line with 2012 universal ART guidelines and TasP messaging regarding viral suppression. More targeted messaging to PLWH pre-2012 could ensure that all PLWH benefit from scientific advances in HIV treatment.
Objecting to Experiments Even While Approving of the Policies or Treatments They Compare

We resolve a controversy over two competing hypotheses about why people object to randomized experiments: 1) People unsurprisingly object to experiments only when they object to a policy or treatment the experiment contains, or 2) people can paradoxically object to experiments even when they approve of implementing either condition for everyone. Using multiple measures of preference and test criteria in five preregistered within-subjects studies with 1,955 participants, we find that people often disapprove of experiments involving randomization despite approving of the policies or treatments to be tested.
Sentiment Analysis of Online Reviews for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors.

Background: Depression affects millions worldwide, with drug therapy being the mainstay treatment. A variety of factors, including personal reviews, are involved in the success or failure of medication therapy. This study looked to characterize the sentiment of online medication reviews of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin–Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRIs) used to treat depression. Methods: The publicly available data source used was the Drug Review Dataset from the University of California Irvine Machine Learning Repository. The dataset contained the following variables: ID, drug name, condition, review, rating, date, and usefulness count. This study utilized a sentiment analysis of free-text, online reviews via the sentimentr package. A Mann–Whitney U test was used for comparisons. Results: The average sentiment was higher in SSRIs compared to SNRIs (0.065 vs. 0.005, p < 0.001). The average sentiment was also found to be higher in high-rated reviews than in low-rated reviews (0.169 vs. −0.367, p < 0.001). Ratings were similar in the high-rated SSRI group and high-rated SNRI group (9.19 vs. 9.19). Conclusions: This study supports the use of sentiment analysis using the AFINN lexicon, as the lexicon showed a difference in sentiment between high-rated reviews from low-rated reviews. This study also found that SNRIs have more negative sentiment and lower-rated reviews than SSRIs.
Classifying rock slope materials in photogrammetric point clouds using robust color and geometric features

Abstract Photogrammetry is increasingly being used to characterize rock slope hazards in mountainous environments. With growth in the amount of point cloud data being collected, there is a need for algorithmic and rapid point cloud interpretation methods to prepare the data for engineering analysis. However, there is a lack of semantic segmentation literature focused on geological datasets and the potential challenges they pose in a practical setting, such as non-ideal data collection parameters, variable lighting conditions, and label noise. This study presents smartphone and UAV photogrammetry datasets including multiple slope morphologies and lighting conditions, manually labels them to create a training database, and classifies points into five geologically relevant categories using Random Forest. Datasets were collected at multiple times of day and seasons to include varying proportions of shadowed areas, examples of clear and overcast skies, and snow. We compared 12 different point cloud feature sets from previous studies, including combinations of geometric, slope, absolute color, and texture features. In addition, we propose multi-scale color standard deviation and the Grey-Level Co-occurrence Matrix as potentially useful descriptors of texture. Accuracy results generally indicate that feature sets containing absolute color features are highly sensitive to changes in lighting conditions and they are not able to discern between various geological materials (soil, talus, rock). In contrast, our novel feature sets with only geometry, slope, and texture were significantly less influenced by lighting and were on average the highest overall accuracy of any feature set tested, with an average overall accuracy of around 80%.
Late Blight Resistance Profiles of Elite Potato Germplasm in the United States

Pyramiding resistance genes (R genes) in potato generally provides improved field resistance against late blight (LB). Potato breeders may implement pyramiding by targeting breeding schemes according to LB genetic profiles. This study interrogated LB resistant elite germplasm for pyramided late blight R genes using DNA-based markers, which were then challenged against contemporary LB races. Five late blight R gene markers were used in this study. LB resistance ratings were determined using detached leaf assay (DLA) and field data from multiple locations and years. The clone J117, found to have the Rpi-blb1/RB gene, showed high resistance against US-23 in the laboratory and field. Several varieties positive for the R3b gene showed at least moderate resistance in the DLA and in the field. While two varieties were found to be pyramided with the R1 and R3b genes and also showed good field resistance, DLA results indicate that the combination is likely non-additive. LB resistance may be broadened by incorporating novel R gene combinations.
Benefits of Trimodality Therapy Compared with Systemic Therapy Alone in Male Patients with Stage IV Breast Cancer.

Male breast cancer (MBC) represents <1% of all breast cancer (BC) diagnoses. Recent publications in female stage IV BC have shown that surgical intervention has a survival benefit. This study aims to determine the impact of surgical intervention in men with stage IV BC and known estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status. The National Cancer Database was used to identify 539 stage IV MBC patients with known ER/PR status from 2004 to 2017. Chi-square tests examined subgroup differences between the treatment modalities received. Overall survival (OS) was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models examined factors associated with survival. The Kaplan–Meier estimation showed that ER-positive (ER+) and PR-positive (PR+) patients who received surgery, systemic therapy, and radiation (Trimodality) or systemic therapy and surgery (ST+Surg) had improved survival compared with systemic therapy alone (ST) [ER+, p < 0.003; PR+, p < 0.033]. For ER+ patients, the 5-year OS rates by treatment were: Trimodality, 40%; ST+Surg, 27%; and ST, 20%. For PR+ patients, the 5-year OS rates were: Trimodality, 39%; ST+Surg, 24%; and ST, 20%. The Cox proportional hazard model revealed a survival advantage in patients who received Trimodality compared with ST (hazard ratio 0.622; p < 0.002). The timing of systemic therapy in relation to surgery was not found to be significant. Trimodality therapy has a survival benefit in stage IV MBC patients with known ER+ status than in male patients who receive systemic therapy alone.
The Future of Music and Film Piracy in China

Piracy is the single greatest threat to copyright owners in the US and globally, and China stands at the heart of the international piracy epidemic, producing nearly two-thirds of the goods on the $512 billion worldwide counterfeit market. Chinese piracy costs the US music and film industries billions of dollars in losses each year, and the Chinese domestic music and film industries have been decimated at the hands of pirates. Any solution to the international piracy problem must begin with a solution to the problem in China. However, the road to such a solution has become far more difficult with the rapid growth of the Internet in China, and consequently, the rapid growth of Internet piracy there. This paper contemplates what the future holds for the protection of audiovisual works in China. It is meant to provide cultural and historical context to the copyright piracy epidemic in China, and, with that context in mind, realistically assess three policy directions from which the Chinese government might choose going forward as it seeks to defeat piracy in the Internet age and develop vibrant domestic music and film industries. The three policy directions examined are: (1) cracking down on piracy; (2) staying the present course; and (3) establishing an online alternative compensation system that would allow users to download unlimited music and movies from the Internet while ensuring copyright owners are fairly compensated for their works. I argue that the third option could provide the optimal balance between the objectives of Chinese consumers (more entertainment at a lower price), copyright owners (fair compensation), and the Chinese government (cultural enrichment and reduction of Internet and physical piracy). Information used in this paper was obtained from numerous interviews I conducted in Shanghai and Beijing during December 2004 and January 2005. All of those interviewed are connected with copyright in China, either in the administrative, legal, or entertainment fields. Interviewees included government officials, intellectual property lawyers, an appellate court judge specializing in intellectual property cases, law professors, music producers, a television producer, a publicist, an agent, songwriters, and music industry executives.
Some Effects of Calcium Ions on the Structure of Bovine Pancreatic Deoxyribonuclease A

Abstract The effects of divalent metal ions on the circular dichroism (CD) and optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra of bovine pancreatic deoxyribonuclease have been studied. Both the CD and ORD spectra of DNase undergo significant changes below 250 nm upon the binding of calcium to the enzyme. The maximum increase in ellipticity at the 215 nm minimum in the CD spectrum is 950 deg cm2 per decimole. Fifty per cent of the maximum transition occurs near 10-5 m CaCl2. MnCl2 gives a smaller increase at 215 nm of 290 deg cm2 per decimole while MgCl2 causes no change. Calcium is able to protect DNase completely against inactivation by trypsin. Half-maximum protection is achieved near 1.3 x 10-5 m CaCl2. Although some protection against trypsin inactivation is given by MnCl2, and less by MgCl2, at no concentration is either metal able to protect completely. Calcium-induced changes in the CD spectrum and in susceptibility to trypsin must not involve any large changes in shape or volume of the protein since no change in the sedimentation coefficient could be observed. Concentrations of 10-4 m to 10-2 m CaCl2 cause intensification of the CD bands between 310 nm and 250 nm. The same calcium concentration range induces a large ultraviolet difference spectrum in DNase. This indicates that calcium causes significant perturbations of tryptophan and tyrosine residues in DNase.
Metabolism of safingol in human neuroblastoma and ALL leukemia cell lines.

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 2019 We reported that safingol (L-threo-dihydrosphingosine) synergized the cytotoxicity of the ceramide-generating retinoid, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (fenretinide, 4-HPR) in human cancer cell lines in vitro. The mechanism by which safingol synergized 4-HPR cytotoxicity is not known. Safingol inhibited protein kinase C activity, and D,L-threo-dihydrosphingosine inhibited sphingosine kinase, in platelets, in cell extracts, or in short-term (minutes) drug exposures. However, the significance of these observations to chronic exposure in whole cells is not clear, and in rodent cells, safingol was metabolized to L-threo-ceramide and L-threo-glucosylceramides. Determining safingol metabolism in human cancer cells is crucial to understanding the mechanism of safingol + 4-HPR cytotoxic synergy, and to optimize clinical strategies for safingol administration. Using 3H-safingol, we determined the uptake and metabolism of safingol in human neuroblastoma cell line, CHLA-90, and ALL leukemia cell line, MOLT-4. Safingol and its metabolites were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and scintillography, cell viability was measured using DIMSCAN analysis. To partially mimic infusional delivery, cells were incubated with 1 uM and 3 uM safingol for 24 hrs. Lipid analysis showed that safingol was acylated to L-threo-dihydroceramide (L-t-(DH)cer) and L-threo-dihydrosphingomyelin (L-t-(DH)SM). No safingol-derived ceramides or glucosylceramide were detected. At +4 hrs in 1 and 3 uM safingol in CHLA-90 cells, free safingol was 47% and 53%, L-t-(DH)cer was 47% and 44%, and L-t-(DH)SM was 6% and 3%, of remaining label, respectively. At +4 hrs in 1 and 3 uM safingol in MOLT-4 cells, free safingol was 20% and 60%, L-t-(DH)cer was 70% and 30%, and L-t-(DH)SM was 10% and 10%, of remaining label, respectively. To mimic a bolus delivery, cells were incubated with 6 uM safingol for 2 hrs and then medium was changed. In CHLA-90, at +4 and +24 hrs after washout, free safingol was 35% and 10%, L-t-(DH)cer was 50% and 30%, and L-t-(DH)SM was 15% and 60%, of remaining label, respectively. In contrast, in MOLT-4, at +4 and +24 hrs after washout, free safingol was 55% and 15%, L-t-(DH)cer was 42% and 75%, and L-t-(DH)SM was 3% and 10% of remaining label, respectively. Short chain L-t-(DH)ceramides (C2, C6 and C8) did not increase 4-HPR cytotoxicity in CHLA-90 and MOLT-4 cells. We conclude that 1) safingol was not metabolized to L-threo-ceramide or L-threo-glucosylceramide in two human cancer cell lines; 2) safingol metabolism differed somewhat in two human cancer cell lines; 3) L-t-(DH)cer most likely does not synergize 4-HPR cytotoxicity; 4) free safingol likely synergizes 4-HPR cytotoxicity; 5) delivery schedule may affect the kinetics of cellular safingol levels. This study has partially clarified the mechanism of safingol + 4-HPR cytotoxic synergy, and provided crucial information to optimize safingol delivery for in vivo efficacy studies.
Influence of Androgen and Estrogen on Delayed Skin Test Reactivity to Candida albicans.

Recipient adult male CFW mice were passively sensitized to candida delayed skin test reactivity with splenic lymphoid cells from candida-vaccinated donor females. In recipient adult males that had been bilaterally gonadectomized as weanlings, before passive sensitization, reactivity was less than in the unilaterally gonadectomized controls. Adult males bilaterally gonadectomized as weanlings were treated with gonadal hormones during passive sensitization. 17β-estradiol was found to decrease reactivity, whereas testosterone was found to increase reactivity. These data provide evidence that delayed skin test reactivity produced by female lymphoid cells is depressed by estrogen and is stimulated by androgen.
Atrial flutter following pulmonary vein isolation: what is the mechanism?

Arrhythmia Rounds A 70-year-old man with atrial flutter (AFL) following pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) underwent electrophysiologic testing. The AFL exhibited positive P waves in the inferior leads and lead V1. Left atrial activation mapping revealed 2 remote sites with early activation that were located at the antrum of the left superior PV roof and the left inferior PV bottom. A single irrigated radiofrequency ablation targeting the earliest PV activation at the left PV carina eliminated the AFL. This case demonstrated that PV carina tachycardia with multiple conduction gaps and inter-PV conduction after PVI might mimic double focal atrial tachycardias.
Lack of antibodies against the antigen domain 2 epitope of cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B is associated with CMV disease after renal transplantation in recipients having the same glycoprotein H serotypes as their donors

K. Ishibashi T. Tokumoto, H. Shirakawa, K. Hashimoto, K. Ikuta, N. Kushida, T. Yanagida, K. Shishido, K. Aikawa, H. Toma, N. Inoue, O. Yamaguchi, K. Tanabe, T. Suzutani. Lack of antibodies against the antigen domain 2 epitope of cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B is associated with CMV disease after renal transplantation in recipients having the same glycoprotein H serotypes as their donors. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 318–323. All rights reserved Abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reinfection of seropositive individuals has been associated with adverse outcomes in organ transplantation and is a frequent cause of congenital infection. Previously we demonstrated that mismatching of CMV glycoprotein H (gH) serotypes was associated with CMV disease after renal transplantation. Because the antigen domain 2 (AD2) epitope of glycoprotein B (gB) is conserved among CMV isolates and is one of the known targets of neutralizing antibodies, in this study we investigated whether antibodies against the epitope contribute to protection from CMV reinfection in renal transplantation, irrespective of gH serological matching. For this purpose, the gB and gH serology and clinical outcomes were analyzed retrospectively for 77 transplant recipients in the donor positive/recipient positive setting, who were managed by preemptive strategy. We found that there was a good negative correlation between the numbers of antigenemia-positive cells and the levels of antibodies against gB AD2 in the CMV-gH antibody matched group, but not in the CMV-gH antibody mismatched group. None of the recipients with antibodies against both gB AD2 and strain-specific epitopes of gH have experienced CMV disease during 6 month after transplantation, while 28% of those who lacked either/both antibody response needed preemptive therapy. Because the outcome was statistically significant, antibodies against gB AD2 can be a useful indicator to predict emergence of CMV disease for preemptive therapy, in addition to antibodies against the mismatched gH types.
Isotope identification in NO as a chemical tracer in the middle atmosphere

Abstract The nitrogen isotope ratio of middle atmosphere nitrogen oxide is predicted as a function of altitude. Nitrogen oxides originate photochemically either from stratospheric nitrous oxide reacting with O( 1 D) or in the mesosphere and thermosphere from direct dissociation of N 2 and ionization-initiated reactions involving O 2 and N 2 . During its formation process, N 2 O acquires a nitrogen isotopic composition of N isotopes different than N 2 . Photodissociation within the stratosphere also modifies the proportion of isotopes. Reaction of stratospheric NO with O 3 produces NO 2 , which when photodissociated yields NO depleted in 15 N relative to NO 2 in laboratory air. The value of δ 15 NO in the stratosphere is −100‰. In the altitude region between 50 and 65 km, NO is transformed into NO 2 and then returned to NO by reaction of NO 2 with O and by NO 2 photodissociation. These reactions determine the isotopic makeup of NO. Above 65 km, nitric oxide is produced by local ionization processes and gas phase photochemical reactions involving N 2 and excited O 2 . These processes determine the isotopic composition of NO in the upper mesosphere and thermosphere. Here δ 15 NO is 0‰. Air transported into the mesosphere above 65 km will reflect the NO isotopic values of the region below, while mesospheric NO transported below 65 km will not be distinguishable from NO originating in the stratosphere.
A kinetic and isotope study of the mechanism of decomposition of the tetraperoxochromate(V) ion in basic solution

Abstract The decomposition of K 3 CrO 8 in aqueous alkaline solution has been reinvestigated. Over the pH range from 8.0 to 11.2, the rate is first-order each in tetraperoxochromate ion and hydrogen ion concentrations. No evidence was found for any rate effect due to carbonate or phosphate buffer. Inhibition by H 2 O 2 , NH 3 and by ethylenediamine occurs; the nature of these rate retardations was studied. Isotope labelling of the peroxide oxygen atoms showed that all of the oxygen atoms in product O 2 originated as peroxide oxygens in the anions, and that small but real amount of scrambling occurs. The marked complexities which obtain in this systems are discussed in terms of the kinetic and isotope data.
On The Release of Eddy Available Potential Energy in an Extratropical Cyclone System

Abstract A diagnostic analysis of energy conversion processes is undertaken to determine 1) the impact of latent heating and 2) the importance of scale in the release of available potential energy (APE). Data from moist and dry forecasts of an intense extratropical cyclone by the Drexel Limited Area Mesoscale Prediction System model are used to study the role of moist processes. Scale dependence is investigated by partitioning the quantity into an area average and eddy component and then separating the eddy component into long-wave and short-wave regimes. The results show that the APE release is substantially larger in the moist case than in the dry case and that this difference is most pronounced in the major precipitation regions and above 500 mb. Also, the long-wave regime dominates over the short-wave regime, with the long-wave component comprising 96% of the eddy APE release.
Immunomodulation in humans caused by beta-carotene and vitamin A

Carotenoids and retinoids can stimulate some human immune responses. These include cytoine release with anti-tumor cell activity, increased natural killer cells and activated lymphocytes after both in vitro and in vivo treatment with beta carotene. Such stimulations seem only partly due to retinoids formed from carotenoid metabolism and may be due to effects caused by the structure of beta carotene. Changes in immune functions could explain in part the cancer resistance provided by high carotenoid or retinoid intakes in animals. © 1990 Pergamon Press plc.
Optical technologies for detection and diagnosis of oral neoplasia

The goal of our research is to develop an approach to early detection and diagnosis of oral neoplasia using opticalbased technologies such as fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging, high-resolution microendoscopy and molecularly-targeted optical contrast agents. Although patients with early disease have better chances for cure and functional outcome, most patients present with advanced tumours when treatment is less successful and often causes severe deficits in speech, swallowing, facial appearance and quality of life. To improve outcomes we must improve detection and diagnosis of early neoplastic changes. Changes in tissue architecture, morphology, and molecular composition that occur during carcinogenesis also produce changes in the optical properties of tissue. These changes can be detected non-invasively, in vivo, and in near real-time using optical spectroscopy and imaging. Our research group has developed multi-spectral imaging devices for wide field visualization of early changes in oral mucosa. We are investigating whether these devices can improve the clinician's ability 1) to improve visualization of early neoplastic changes in oral mucosa that can be difficult to see using normal white light examination in community settings, 2) to choose optimal sites within lesions to perform biopsies, and 3) to visualize the peripheral margins of disease. We have also shown that using computer algorithms and disease probability maps, optical imaging and spectroscopy can provide objective discrimination between normal and abnormal oral mucosa with good sensitivity and specificity – similar to that of oral cancer specialists. We are now developing simplified optical devices to use in screening and diagnosis in community settings.
New Modernities: Reimagining Science, Technology and Development

‘Development’ operates as an allegedly value-neutral concept in the policy world. This essay describes four mechanisms that have helped to strip development of its subjective and meaning-laden elements: persistent misreading of technology as simply material and inanimate; uncritical acceptance of models, including economic ones, as adequate representations of complex systems; failure to recognize routine practices as repositories of power; and erasing history and time as relevant factors in producing scenarios for the future. Failure to take these elements into account has led to inequality, injustice and unintended consequences in many development projects. Interpretive analysis of development tools and concepts is a much-needed corrective.
Multicore optical fiber and connectors for high bandwidth density, short reach optical links

Multicore fiber technology can play a key role in very high bandwidth density optical interconnects that will be needed for short range communications in next-generation data centers and high performance computers.
A STRUCTURAL ROLE FOR GLUTAMINE 214 IN HUMAN THYMIDYLATE SYNTHASE

Studies of the crystal structures of thymidylate synthase (TS) have revealed that a kink is present in beta-sheets that form the core of the enzyme. The beta-kink is proposed to serve as a "hinge" during conformational changes that occur in the enzyme after ligand binding at the active site. A residue in one of the beta-bulges that form the kink, glutamine at position 214 of human TS, is highly conserved in all TSs and is postulated to interact with nucleotide ligands that bind at the active site. To examine the role of this residue, glutamine at position 214 was replaced by residues that differ in volume, hydrophobicity, electrostatic charge, and hydrogen bonding potential. Genetic complementation studies utilizing a TS-deficient bacterial strain revealed that residues with large side chain volumes or that are prohibited in beta-bulges created loss of function proteins. Kinetic studies indicated that residue hydrophobicity is not correlated with catalytic activity. Residues that are predicted to alter the charge at position 214 created enzymes with kcat/Km values at least 10(3) lower than those of the wild type. Kinetic and ligand binding studies indicated that residue 214 is involved in nucleotide binding; however, hydrogen bonding potential does not contribute significantly to nucleotide binding energy. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that residue 214 is involved in maintaining the enzyme in a conformation that facilitates nucleotide binding and catalysis.
Towards identifying pathogenic determinants of the chickpea pathogen Ascochyta rabiei

Ascochyta blight is a serious disease of cool-season grain legumes (chickpea, faba bean, lentil and pea) caused by fungal species of the anamorphic genus Ascochyta and related genera. Despite extensive studies on the biology, ecology, epidemiology and management of the disease, little is known about the pathogenic determinants of these pathogens. This research aims at using Ascochyta rabiei as a model for the genus in investigating genetic factors of pathogenicity, with the ultimate goal of elucidating pathogenic mechanisms. Three advances were made: (1) insertional mutants with altered pathogenicity were identified through in vivo screening, and genomic regions adjacent to the insertion sites in selected mutants were determined; (2) a phage library of A. rabiei genomic DNA was constructed, and the library was estimated to provide complete coverage of the A. rabiei genome. This library was used successfully to recover clones with DNA adjacent to insertional mutation sites and to isolate specific genes; (3) DNA probes specific for an acyl-CoA ligase (cps1) and a polyketide synthase gene (pks1) were developed and library clones containing the corresponding genomic regions were identified from the phage library. These advances provide the foundation and necessary tools for experimentation of ectopic complementation assays and targeted mutagenesis to elucidate the genetic mechanisms of pathogenicity of A. rabiei.
Antimicrobial activity of eight root canal sealers before and after setting

The goal of endodontic treatment is to eliminate or to lower the bacterial concentration gradient from the root canal and to prevent reinfection. In addition to cleaning and shaping procedure, root canal filling material may play a critical role in destroying bacteria which remained in the root canal system. Killing bacteria by root canal filling procedure is either done by the hermetic obturating seal or by the direct bactericidal properties of the obturating materials. Several endodontic sealers have been found to possess antibacterial properties depending on their chemical components, such as calcium hydroxide, eugenol, and fluoride. Different types of sealers have been introduced in the market and several studies have been done to evaluate antimicrobial effect of those sealers. However, data were limited Antimicrobial activity of eight root canal sealers before and after setting
The interaction of nucleosides in aqueous solution

Abstract The interactions of nucleosides in aqueous solution were adopted as a model system for studying the nature of the balance of forces which maintains the structure of nucleic acids. The interactions were investigated using the experimental techniques of thermal osmometry, equilibrium ultracentrifugation, and ultraviolet spectroscopy. The data were analyzed with the aid of mathematical models for multiple association reactions. For the nucleosides, deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine, inosine, purine riboside, deoxycytidine, deoxythymidine, and uridine, simple base pairing by means of hydrogen bonds was excluded. Complexes larger than dimers were indicated. Standard free energies for nucleoside association ranged from −1.5 kcal./mole for deoxyadenosine to +210 cal./mole for uridine. The interaction free energy was more negative for purine-purine than for pyrimidine-pyrimidine type interactions. These results suggest that, in aqueous solution, in the absence of co-operative macromolecular effects, the dominant forces of interaction between nucleosides result in the parallel stacking of their constituent bases. The hypochromism observed for deoxyadenosine is in accord with current theory which attributes hypochomicity to base stacking.
Comparison of turkey luteinizing hormone (LH)- and ovine LH-induced progesterone production in granulosa cells of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus)☆

Abstract Progesterone production was compared in short-term cultures of turkey and fowl granulosa cells isolated from preovulatory follicles of different maturities. In both species cells from the most mature follicle produced the greatest amount of progesterone under unstimulated conditions and in response to ovine or turkey LH, the latter being significantly more potent. Whereas basal production of progesterone was higher in turkey cells, the response to LH or cAMP stimulation was significantly greater in chicken granulosa cells both in absolute terms and particularly in relation to unstimulated levels. These species differences may reflect differences in the intensity of reproductive activity of the turkey and the domestic fowl selected for egg production.
Development and comparisons of efficient gas-cultivation systems for anaerobic carbon monoxide-utilizing microorganisms

Abstract We describe a system for the cultivation of gaseous substrate utilizing microorganisms that overcomes some of the limitations of fixed volume culture vessels and the costs associated with sparging. Cali-5-Bond™ gas-sampling bag was used as the culture vessel. The bags contain approximately six times more mass of CO than the 40 mL vials at 1 atm of pressure and performed equally to the 40 mL vials in terms of their ability to maintain the composition of the gas over extended incubation times. Experiments using Clostridium ljungdahlii and CO as the sole carbon and energy source in both the gas sampling bag cultivation system and the traditional vial system demonstrated that this culture had a 15× increase in optical density in 24 h of incubation. The gas-sampling bags offer a viable alternative to gas sparging while overcoming the limitations of fixed volume culture vessels.
Cross layer design for multimedia streaming over wireless 802.11e networks

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Networks) is becoming popular in all kinds of data communications. Providing Quality of Service (QoS) especially for bandwidth intense, delay sensitive realtime multimedia traffic over WLAN is a challenge. In most presented work about providing QoS in wireless, the QoS for realtime traffic is achieved at the cost of best effort traffic. This paper presents a cross-layer design to provide QoS to both realtime traffic and best effort traffic over 802.11e networks. The proposed mechanism considers co-design of the Application and MAC layers in 802.11e networks. An interface is designed to tune MAC layer parameters based on the information from application layer. Simulations and performance analysis show our proposed mechanism not only provides QoS to multimedia traffic but also lets non-realtime users receive the maximum possible throughput. Thus, a mixture of realtime and non-realtime users can be supported simultaneously.
The global solution of the problem of the critical inclination

The publication of the solution of the Ideal Resonance Problem (Garfinkelet al., 1971) has opened the way for a complete first-orderglobal theory of the motion of an artificial satellite, valid for all inclinations. Previous attempts at such a theory have been only partially successful.
Color vision model of macLeod and Boynton

MacLeod and Boynton started off with the assumption that the fundamental blue falls on the x' axis of Judd's 1951 chromaticity diagram. This leads to a constant luminance diagram in which the lines that converge at the fundamental blue in Judd's diagram are parallel. MacLeod and Boynton tried to solve this problem by a slight change in one of the constants in the transformation equations. It turns out that what this does is to shift the position of the alychne on Judd's diagram so that it does not coincide with the x' axis. The blue fundamental no longer lies on the alychne. This makes it possible to derive a constant luminance chromaticity diagram in which the fundamental blue falls at one of the corners. After having created this new diagram, they used it to formulate a theory of color vision in which the blue cones contribute nothing to luminance. This procedure needs to be understood because it can be used to convert any theory of color vision in which all three cones contribute to luminance to one in which only two contribute to luminance. This has nothing to do with having the blue fundamental fall on the x' axis. A more serious problem is that Judd has made an error in his assessment of the luminosity coefficients and the concepts of MacLeod and Boynton need to be reformulated in terms of the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram.
Continual Trending of Fick Variables in the Critically III Patient

We continually monitored components of the Fick equation (oxygen consumption, arterial and mixed venous oxygen saturation) simultaneously in ten hemodynamically stable, mechanically ventilated postoperative patients in order to evaluate our ability to continually calculate cardiac output (Qc) from its Fick determinants. Qc underestimated (p (Chest 1991; 99:703–07)
Nutritional therapies (including fosteum)

Nutrition is important in promoting bone health and in managing an individual with low bone mass or osteoporosis. In adult women and men, known losses of bone mass and microarchitecture occur, and nutrition can help minimize these losses. In every patient, a healthy diet with adequate protein, fruits, vegetables, calcium, and vitamin D is required to maintain bone health. Recent reports on nutritional remedies for osteoporosis have highlighted the importance of calcium in youth and continued importance in conjunction with vitamin D as the population ages. It is likely that a calcium intake of 1200 mg/d is ideal, and there are some concerns about excessive calcium intakes. However, vitamin D intake needs to be increased in most populations. The ability of soy products, particularly genistein aglycone, to provide skeletal benefit has been recently studied, including some data that support a new medical food marketed as Fosteum (Primus Pharmaceuticals, Scottsdale, AZ).
Recovery of the Schwarzschild metric in theories with localized gravity beyond linear order

We solve the Einstein equations in the Randall-Sundrum framework with a static, spherically symmetric matter distribution on the physical brane and obtain an approximate expression for the gravitational field outside the source to the second order in the gravitational coupling. This expression when confined on the physical brane coincides with the standard form of the Schwarzschild metric. Therefore, the Randall-Sundrum scenario is consistent with the Mercury precession and other tests of general relativity.
Invariants of three-dimensional manifolds

O. Introduction There are several approaches to the construction of invariants of a threedimensional manifold using quantum groups, and, more generally, monoidal categories. In this paper we consider the combinatorial approach which was suggested by Turaev and Viro (see [TV] and later generalizations in [T2], [KS], [Po], [Ro] among others) and construct an invariant starting from a monoidal category C without any braiding conditions. The starting point of a combinatorial approach is a triangulation of a given three-dimensionai M, and the invariant is constructed using the combinatorics of this triangulation. More precisely, fix a monoidal category C (a category with the multiplication fimctor X ® Y on objects) over a field k, which is semisimple, has a finite number of isomorphism classes of simple objects, and possesses a duality X ~-~ X* such that X** is isomorphic to X. To define Ic(M), we must fix a balancing, i.e. functorial isomorphisms X ~ X**, X E Ob C, satisfying certain natural conditions. On the other hand, we do not assume that C satisfies any kind of braiding conditions, i.e. commutativity conditions of the form X®Y ~ Y®X. A similar construction, which also does not use braiding, was recently suggested by Kuperberg [Ku], who used the la~lguage of Hopf algebras. For any three-dimensional manifold M with boundary S and a triangulation D of M, we construct a finite-dimensional linear space W(S, D ~) depending on the restriction D ~ of D to S (a triangulation of S) and a vector It(M, S, D) C W(S, D'). The main result of the paper (Theorem 1) is that Ic(M,S,D) depends only on D ~ and not on D itself. Taking the inductive limit of spaces W(S, D ~) over all triangulations D ~ of S, we construct a space K(S) and a vector Ic(M, S) C K(S), which is our invariant of a three-dimensionM manifold M with boundary S. (See §6 of the paper, where this is explained in slightly different terms.) In particular, when M is a closed manifold, S = O, we have K(O) = k, and our construction gives an invariant Ic(M) e k.
Radiologic Considerations in Evaluation of Radiolucent Lesions of the Mandible

The importance of radiologic evaluation in the diagnosis and treatment of serious lytic lesions is discussed. Two cases are presented that illustrate the value of different radiologic procedures in ascertaining the extent of such lesions and using the information in selecting the best therapeutic approach.
Interferons Modulate FcεRI-dependent Production of Autoregulatory IL-10 by Circulating Human Monocytoid Dendritic Cells

Background Immature human blood monocytoid dendritic cells (mDCs) express high-affinity receptors for IgE (FcɛRI), yet their exact function and regulation remain poorly understood. Objective We sought to characterize FcɛRI-dependent cytokine responses and their regulation in circulating human blood mDCs. Methods FcɛRI-dependent cytokine responses of circulating mDCs were studied by using anti-FcɛRIα stimulation. Plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) cross-regulation through Toll-like receptor 9 on these responses was investigated by examining the effects of exogenous IFN-α pretreatment and by coculturing pDCs and mDCs stimulated with CpG. Culture supernatants were analyzed by means of ELISA to determine cytokine levels. Cell markers were determined by means of flow cytometry. Results mDCs express marked levels of FcɛRI (net mean fluorescence intensity, 196 ± 49; n=4). After FcɛRI-dependent activation in mDCs, TNF-α (2189 ± 864 pg/10 6 mDCs, n=3) levels were upregulated within 4 hours, whereas IL-10 (112 ± 47 pg/10 6 mDCs, n=3) levels were detectable only after 24 hours of incubation. After adding IL-10–neutralizing antibody, TNF-α FcɛRI-dependent responses were significantly augmented (3903 ± 197 pg/10 6 mDCs, P P 6 mDCs, n=4) compared with that seen in untreated cells (57 ± 33 pg/10 6 mDCs, P Conclusions Autocrine secretion of IL-10, a critical autoregulator of FcɛRI-dependent proinflammatory responses in mDCs, is cross-regulated by IFN-α, a major product of Toll-like receptor 9 responses in pDCs that normally promotes T H 1 immunity.
Effects of adriamycin and x-rays on euoxic and hypoxic EMT-6 cells in vitro

Abstract EMT-6 mouse tumor cells were grown in vitro and exposed to Adriamycin (and six other drugs) under conditions of euoxia, acute hypoxia or chronic hypoxia. Although the sensitivity of these cells (assayed as colony formation) was somewhat different than other EMT-6 cell lines and varied considerably from drug to drug, there was no difference between euoxic and hypoxic conditions. Moreover, Adriamycin did not consistently affect the radiation survival of these EMT-6 cells and specifically did not modify the shoulder region of the X-ray survival curve.
Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) and ATM and Rad3-related Protein Exhibit Selective Target Specificities in Response to Different Forms of DNA Damage

The ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ATR (ATM and Rad3-related) protein kinases exert cell cycle delay, in part, by phosphorylating Checkpoint kinase (Chk) 1, Chk2, and p53. It is well established that ATR is activated following UV light-induced DNA damage such as pyrimidine dimers and the 6-(1,2)-dihydro-2-oxo-4-pyrimidinyl-5-methyl-2,4-(1H,3H)-pyrimidinediones, whereas ATM is activated in response to double strand DNA breaks. Here we clarify the activation of these kinases in cells exposed to IR, UV, and hyperoxia, a condition of chronic oxidative stress resulting in clastogenic DNA damage. Phosphorylation on Chk1(Ser-345), Chk2(Thr-68), and p53(Ser-15) following oxidative damage by IR involved both ATM and ATR. In response to ultraviolet radiation-induced stalled replication forks, phosphorylation on Chk1 and p53 required ATR, whereas Chk2 required ATM. Cells exposed to hyperoxia exhibited growth delay in G1, S, and G2 that was disrupted by wortmannin. Consistent with ATM or ATR activation, hyperoxia induced wortmannin-sensitive phosphorylation of Chk1, Chk2, and p53. By using ATM- and ATR-defective cells, phosphorylation on Chk1, Chk2, and p53 was found to be ATM-dependent, whereas ATR also contributed to Chk1 phosphorylation. These data reveal activated ATM and ATR exhibit selective substrate specificity in response to different genotoxic agents.
Optimal Coatings, Bang-Bang Controls, And Gradient Techniques

A model for a viscoelastic coating is derived and the coating reflectivity is determined. A coating which minimizes the reflection of sound waves is partly bang-bang and partly singular. A new gradient type algorithm is presented for computing the optimal control. Formulae for the gradient of the cost in optimal control are derived in various settings.
Zaire and Israel: An American Connection

On May 14, 1982, after loudly rejecting a United States economic aid package, President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire announced his intention to become the first African head-of-state to re-establish diplomatic relations with Israel since their suspension in 1973. The resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries was greeted as a breakthrough by Israeli officials who have been attempting for nearly a decade to restore relations with Black Africa. Other more skeptical observers believe Mobutu's action to be an isolated case, citing Black Africa's dependence on Arab financial assistance as a major deterrent. Saudi Arabia's immediate response-rupturing its diplomatic ties with Zaire-seems to substantiate the latter skeptical view. Whether a trend has been initiated, however,