cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photonic crystals as topological high-Q resonators

It is well known that defects, such as holes, inside an infinite photonic crystal can sustain localized resonant modes whose frequencies fall within a forbidden band. Here we prove that finite, defect-free photonic crystals behave as mirrorless resonant cavities for frequencies within but near the edges of an allowed band, regardless of the shape of their outer boundary. The resonant modes are extended, surface-avoiding (nearly-Dirichlet) states that may lie inside or outside the light cone. Independent of the dimensionality, quality factors and finesses are on the order of, respectively, (L/λ)3 and L/λ, where λ is the vacuum wavelength and L >> λ is a typical size of the crystal. Similar topological modes exist in conventional Fabry-Perot resonators, and in plasmonic media at frequencies just above those at which the refractive index vanishes.
Fiber Optic Biosensing Probes For Biomedically Important Compounds

Fiber optic biosensing probes for several bioanalytes of clinical and biomedical importance are described. The development of biosensors based on immobilization of a deaminating enzyme at the tip of a fiber optic ammonia sensor is illustrated with a biosensing probe for urea. In addition, biosensors based on the direct fluorometric detection of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) at the tip of an optical fiber device are presented. Probes for lactate and pyruvate illustrate this concept. Finally, preliminary results from an investigation to prepare NADH sensing probes based on immobilized bacterial luciferase are given.
Teaching an Old Drug New Tricks: Metformin as a Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer

Identifying novel drugs for treatment of lung cancer remains of utmost importance, and, in recent years, targeted therapies have been acknowledged as particularly attractive. Metformin, a commonly prescribed oral hypoglycemic agent, has known effects on the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, ultimately resulting in downstream inhibition of cellular growth and proliferation. In a recent article (Memmott RM, Mercado JR, Maier CR, et al: Metformin prevents tobacco carcinogen-induced lung tumorigenesis. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 3:1066-1076, 2010), Memmott et al assessed the utility of metformin in an in vivo model of tobacco carcinogen-induced lung cancer. The authors show that tumor burden is decreased in animals administered metformin, suggesting that this drug may have promising potential for the treatment and chemoprevention of lung cancer.
Client Articulated Avoidance Goals in the Therapy Context.

This research investigated the relationship between clients' pursuit of avoidance (relative to approach) therapy goals and change in subjective well-being (SWB) from the beginning to the end of therapy. Results indicated that clients with more avoidance therapy goals evidenced a smaller increase in SWB over the course of therapy than those with fewer avoidance goals. Mediational analyses indicated that avoidance therapy goals predicted lower therapist satisfaction, lower therapist satisfaction predicted lower perceptions of therapy effectiveness (perceived problem improvement and perceived goal progress), and these lower perceptions of therapy effectiveness proximally predicted the observed change in SWB. Ancillary analyses linked the adoption of avoidance therapy goals to early parental loss through separation/divorce or death.
Development of and Reasons for Vocational Choices of Adolescents through the High-School Years

A review of the previous literature reveals a number of studies relating in one way or the other to the present study. Various investigators ? Powell (8), Super (11), Kuhlen (3), Shaffer (9) ? have been concerned with adolescents' vocational choices, particularly in relationship to general adjustment. Studies of the reasons for choice or certain factors related to choice have also been published ? Ezell and T?te (1), Norton (6^. Stephenson (10) found a lack of intelligent planning in ninth graders. Moser (5) studied influences of cultured factors upon selection of vocational pref erences. Many other studies ? Ginsberg (2), Levine and Wallen (4), Peters (7), etc. ? , have presented a number of aspects of vocational pref erences.
Modelling nonlinear count time series with local mixtures of Poisson autoregressions

A novel class of nonlinear models is studied based on local mixtures of autoregressive Poisson time series. The proposed model has the following construction: at any given time period, there exist a certain number of Poisson regression models, denoted as experts, where the vector of covariates may include lags of the dependent variable. Additionally, the existence of a latent multinomial variable is assumed, whose distribution depends on the same covariates as the experts. The latent variable determines which Poisson regression is observed. This structure is a special case of the mixtures-of-experts class of models, which is considerably flexible in modelling the conditional mean function. A formal treatment of conditions to guarantee the asymptotic normality of the maximum likelihood estimator is presented, under stationarity and nonstationarity. The performance of common model selection criteria in selecting the number of experts is explored via Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, an application to a real data set is presented, in order to illustrate the ability of the proposed structure to flexibly model the conditional distribution function.
Transient persistence of neural activity after periodic stimulation in the cat LGN

Oscillatory neural activity recorded from gross concentric electrodes implanted in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of cat was investigated after trains of periodic electrical shock stimulation were applied to the contralateral optic nerve. Spectral analysis using repeated trials and spectral averaging revealed statistically significant spectral peaks (p<0.05) at the stimulus frequency when there was a 0.5 to 1.5 s delay between the last pulse of the stimulus train and the beginning of the data analysis window. This suggests that a loosely coupled neuronal net may allow for the continuation of activity far longer than the time accounted for by neuronal time constants and delays.
The dynamics of parison free inflation in extrusion blow molding

Parison free inflation behavior, associated with the extrusion blow molding process, is considered both experimentally and theoretically. Experimental observations indicate1 that the parison assumes a rather complex shape under conditions of unrestricted inflation. In particular, the time-dependent shape is markedly ellipsoidal rather than cylindrical in nature. This nonuniform behavior, however, becomes more prominent in relation to the entire length as the parison-length-to-diameter ratio is decreased. Based on the experimental observations, a simplified analytical treatment of the free inflation of a viscoelastic parison is presented. The theoretical results illuminate the influence of material properties and process conditions on the inflation process. Expectedly, inflation is enhanced by an increase in the pressure driving force as well as by a decrease in viscosity. However, melt elasticity is also found to exert a significant influence on the inflation behavior. Moreover, the theoretical analysis suggests that the initial parison dimensions play a central role in controlling the inflation process.
WHEN WORK DOESN'T WORK The Failure of Current Welfare Reform

Mandatory workfare has been the centerpiece of welfare reform in this decade. In 1992-94, there was a pitched legislative battle over mandatory workfare in Vermont. Feminist organizations mobilized to oppose the mandatory work requirement, producing data to substantiate the claims that women's jobs did not pay enough to purchase basic needs for their families, that unemployment remained a serious problem for single mothers, and that in states where workfare had already been adopted, it did not raise families out of poverty. Vermont's original bill was made less punitive for welfare recipients in some significant respects as a result of the debate.
Critical re-evaluation of the O-H bond dissociation enthalpy in phenol.

The gas-phase O−H bond dissociation enthalpy, BDE, in phenol provides an essential benchmark for calibrating the O−H BDEs of other phenols, data which aids our understanding of the reactivities of phenols, such as their relevant antioxidant activities. In a recent review, the O−H BDE for phenol was presented as 90 ± 3 kcal mol-1 (Acc. Chem. Res. 2003, 36, 255−263). Due to the large margin of error, such a parameter cannot be used for dynamic interpretations nor can it be used as an anchor point in the development of more advanced computational models. We have reevaluated the existing experimental gas-phase data (thermolyses and ion chemistry). The large errors and variations in thermodynamic parameters associated with the gas-phase ion chemistry methods produce inconsistent results, but the thermolytic data has afforded a value of 87.0 ± 0.5 kcal mol-1. Next, the effect of solvent has been carefully scrutinized in four liquid-phase methods for measuring the O−H BDE in phenol: photoacoustic calorimetry, o...
Speckle from rough, moving objects*

A general theory is presented for the characteristics of speckle when electromagnetic waves are scattered by a rotating, rough surface which has underlying shape features. An expression is derived for the cross-correlation function of the electric field scattered to two different observation points, with the two states including wavelength changes as well as object motion. This function is the basic building block from which to study remote sensing of object features using FM-laser systems or to study the spectral broadening caused by object rotation. Illustrative calculations are presented for rotating cylinders and for roughened spheres.
Differential scrubbing in a microchannel-plate intensified CCD detector

One of the detector systems used for the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer instrument aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory satellite is an intensified CCD camera. The intensifier section consists of a bare microchannel-plate detector proximity focused onto a phosphor, the light from which is then focused by a lens onto the CCD. Since the positions of the spectral lines are fixed on the detector, this leads to decreased efficiency in those areas of the detector where the strongest lines fall. The steps used to track this differential scrubbing of the detec- tor in flight, and to remove these effects from the data, are described. Implications for future space missions are discussed. © 2000 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. (S0091-3286(00)03010-5)
Note on i-good filtrations and noetherian rees rings

If f = (In )n≥1 is filtration on a commutative ring R and E is an R -module, then a filtration e = (E n )n≥1 on E is called f -good in case I m I n ⊂ Em+n for all m≥1 and n ≥ 1 and there exists a positive integer m such that for all n >m (This is an extension of the usual definition of e being i -good with i an ideal in R) A number of the basic results concerned with R -good filtrations are extended to f -good filtrations, and it is then shown that if f = (In )n≥1 and k = (Kn )n ≥1 are regular filtrations on R such that Kn ⊆ I n for all n ≥ 1, and if k is f -good, then the complete integral closures of the Rees rings of f and k are equal.
An assay for lateral line regeneration in adult zebrafish.

Due to the clinical importance of hearing and balance disorders in man, model organisms such as the zebrafish have been used to study lateral line development and regeneration. The zebrafish is particularly attractive for such studies because of its rapid development time and its high regenerative capacity. To date, zebrafish studies of lateral line regeneration have mainly utilized fish of the embryonic and larval stages because of the lower number of neuromasts at these stages. This has made quantitative analysis of lateral line regeneration/and or development easier in the earlier developmental stages. Because many zebrafish models of neurological and non-neurological diseases are studied in the adult fish and not in the embryo/larvae, we focused on developing a quantitative lateral line regenerative assay in adult zebrafish so that an assay was available that could be applied to current adult zebrafish disease models. Building on previous studies by Van Trump et al.17 that described procedures for ablation of hair cells in adult Mexican blind cave fish and zebrafish (Danio rerio), our assay was designed to allow quantitative comparison between control and experimental groups. This was accomplished by developing a regenerative neuromast standard curve based on the percent of neuromast reappearance over a 24 hr time period following gentamicin-induced necrosis of hair cells in a defined region of the lateral line. The assay was also designed to allow extension of the analysis to the individual hair cell level when a higher level of resolution is required.
Prediction of the stability of coiled coils using molecular dynamics simulations

We have performed 40–80 ns-long molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the GCN4 leucine zipper and synthetic coiled coils using the GROMOS96 (43a2) and OPLS-AA force fields, with the aim of predicting coiled coil stability. Starting with an initial configuration of two peptides placed in an ideal coiled coil configuration, we find that changing the amino acid sequence modestly or decreasing peptide length can lead to a decrease in the final α-helicity of coiled coils, although for peptides as long or longer than 16 residues, the values of helicity do not decrease to the low values seen in the experimental results of Lumb et al. (Biochemistry. 1994, 33, 7361–7367) or of Su et al. (Biochemistry. 1994, 33, 15501–15510), presumably because the simulations are not long enough. We find, however, that helicity correlates positively with the number of close hydrophobic interactions between the two peptides, showing that stable coiled coils in the simulations are tightly packed. The minimum interhelical distances ...
Efflux and compartmentalization of zinc by members of the SLC30 family of solute carriers.

All of the members of this family are thought to facilitate zinc efflux from the cytoplasm either into various intracellular compartments (endosomes, secretory granules, synaptic vesicles, Golgi apparatus, or trans-Golgi network) or across the plasma membrane. Thus, these transporters are thought to help maintain zinc homeostasis and facilitate transport of zinc into specialized intracellular compartments. Counterparts of the SLC30 family are found in all organisms. Most of the members of this class are predicted to have 6 transmembrane domains with both N- and C-termini on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. Expression of rodent Znt1, Znt2 or Znt4 cDNAs in mammalian cells can confer resistance to zinc toxicity. Loss of function of the mouse Znt1 is embryonic lethal, loss of mouse Znt3 prevents accumulation of zinc in synaptic vesicles, nonfunctional mouse Znt4 (lethal milk) results in zinc-deficient milk, and Znt5-null mice display bone abnormalities and heart failure. No mutations in human counterparts of any of the members of the SLC30 family have been described.
Infrared spectroscopic study of the low-temperature phase behavior of ammonium sulfate

[NaN] The low-temperature phase behavior of ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) films has been studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. While the deliquescence of ammonium sulfate aerosols is well characterized at temperatures above the eutectic of ice and anhydrous ammonium sulfate at 254 K, much less is known about the phase properties at lower temperatures. In the present study, experiments were performed over the temperature range from 166 to 235 K. The apparatus used for this work was a thin-film, high-vacuum apparatus in which the condensed phase is monitored via FTIR spectroscopy and water pressure is monitored with an MKS baratron. Results of experiments performed at low relative humidity (RH) confirm the presence of a ferroelectric phase of ammonium sulfate at temperatures less than 216 ± 8 K. Results of experiments performed as a function of increasing RH demonstrate that a phase transition from crystalline (NH4)2SO4 to a metastable aqueous solution (hereafter referred to as deliquescence) occurs at temperatures below the eutectic. Specifically, at temperatures >203 K we observed deliquescence near 88 ± 8% RH. These results are in satisfactory agreement with extrapolated results from experiments performed at temperatures above the eutectic, as well as theory. In experiments performed at temperatures between 166 and 203 K, we sometimes observed deliquescence and sometimes observed direct deposition of ice from the vapor phase, possibly indicating selective heterogeneous nucleation. Ice nucleation prevents the relative humidity from rising to the level needed for deliquescence, thus explaining the variability in our low-temperature results. Possible implications of this work for cirrus cloud formation are also presented.
Human erythrocyte band 3 functions as a receptor for the sialic acid-independent invasion of Plasmodium falciparum. Role of the RhopH3–MSP1 complex

Plasmodium falciparum takes advantage of two broadly defined alternate invasion pathways when infecting human erythrocytes: one that depends on and the other that is independent of host sialic acid residues on the erythrocyte surface. Within the sialic acid-dependent (SAD) and sialic acid-independent (SAID) invasion pathways, several alternate host receptors are used by P. falciparum based on its particular invasion phenotype. Earlier, we reported that two putative extracellular regions of human erythrocyte band 3 termed 5C and 6A function as host invasion receptor segments binding parasite proteins MSP1 and MSP9 via a SAID mechanism. In this study, we developed two mono-specific anti-peptide chicken IgY antibodies to demonstrate that the 5C and 6A regions of band 3 are exposed on the surface of human erythrocytes. These antibodies inhibited erythrocyte invasion by the P. falciparum 3D7 and 7G8 strains (SAID invasion phenotype), and the blocking effect was enhanced in sialic acid-depleted erythrocytes. In contrast, the IgY antibodies had only a marginal inhibitory effect on FCR3 and Dd2 strains (SAD invasion phenotype). A direct biochemical interaction between erythrocyte band 3 epitopes and parasite RhopH3, identified by the yeast two-hybrid screen, was established. RhopH3 formed a complex with MSP119 and the 5ABC region of band 3, and a recombinant segment of RhopH3 inhibited parasite invasion in human erythrocytes. Together, these findings provide evidence that erythrocyte band 3 functions as a major host invasion receptor in the SAID invasion pathway by assembling a multi-protein complex composed of parasite ligands RhopH3 and MSP1.
Inclusive π - Distributions from 205-GeV/c pp Interactions

Inclusive ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ distributions from 205-GeV/c $\mathrm{pp}$ interactions, covering the full range of longitudinal and transverse momenta, have been obtained using the 30-in. hydrogen bubble chamber at the National Accelerator Laboratory. These data provide new evidence for scaling in the fragmentation region and for a plateau in the central region of rapidity. The 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}-c.m. invariant cross section varies as $\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}(10\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2){{P}_{T}}^{2}]$ in the range ${{P}_{T}}^{2}l~0.1$ ${(\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c})}^{2}$.
What Use is Spectroscopy

"The most original experimenter the world has ever seen is lecturing before a distinguished audience at the Royal Institution in London. He shows that when a magnet is brought suddenly near a coil of wire a slight current of electricity is produced in the wire. The experiment is not very impressive; and a lady probably voiced the feelings of most of the audience when she asked afterwards, 'But, Professor Faraday, even if the effect you explained is obtained, what is the use of it?' The memorable reply was, 'Madam, will you tell me the use of a new-born child?'"
Scientific visualization of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay

This paper describes our experience in designing andbuilding a tool for visualizing the results of the CE-QUAL-ICMThree-Dimensional Eutrophication Model, as applied to waterquality in the Chesapeake Bay. This model outputs a highlymultidimensional dataset over very many timesteps - outstrippingthe capabilities of the visualization tools available to the researchteam. As part of the Army Engineer Research and DevelopmentCenter (ERDC) Programming Environment and Training (PET)project, a special visualization tool was developed. This paperincludes discussions on how the simulation data are handledefficiently, as well as how the issues of usability, flexibility andcollaboration are addressed.
A Generalized Procedure to Estimate Matching of Power Turbine With Aeroderivative Gas Generator at High Speed Settings

This paper encapsulates generalized considerations of power turbine matching with aeroderivative gas generator at high power settings. A computation route is set up to estimate the magnitude of the desired parameters from design point knowledge of a gas generator. Then, a method is delineated to verify matching of power turbine inlet nozzle area with exhaust of gas generator by measuring tangible tested parameters. Data manipulation revealed that there exists a favorable correlation between pressure ratio of high pressure turbine and gas generator speed that may directly reflect the influence of physical area change of power turbine inlet nozzle area. A practical example is presented to demonstrate the procedure. From engine design to retirement, the generalized considerations may be applied on several occasions where question of matching may become important and require explanation for performance and financial justifications. Some generalized rules of matching are condensed and their applications are suggested.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Measurements of the dynamic structure factor near the lambda temperature in liquid helium

The dynamic structure factor $S(q,\ensuremath{\omega})$ was measured by Brillouin scattering in liquid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ at $q=1.79\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Results were obtained at two densities: $\ensuremath{\rho}=0.175$ g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ for which ${P}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}=23.1$ bars and $\ensuremath{\rho}=0.179$ g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ for which ${P}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}=28.5$ bars. Values of the reduced temperature $\ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{\equiv}\frac{(T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}})}{{T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}}$ varied from -5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ to -5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ and from 1.3 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ to 5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. This range involves both the hydrodynamic and the critical regions; values of $q\ensuremath{\xi}$ fall between 5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ and 21 below ${T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$ and between 4.5 and 2 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ above ${T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$. This article presents the data on the critical mode, which is second sound below the transition and heat diffusion above. The most striking result is that the damping of the critical mode is essentially independent of $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ over the entire range of temperatures studied. This behavior is qualitatively different from the strong temperature dependence, consistent with dynamic scaling, which is observed at low frequencies. On the other hand, any dispersion in the velocity of high frequency (\ensuremath{\sim} several MHz) second sound, if present, is less than 2%. $S(q,\ensuremath{\omega})$ retains a two-peaked structure well into the critical region below ${T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$; it still appears in the measured spectra (which contain the instrumental width as well) at $q\ensuremath{\xi}\ensuremath{\sim}4$. At ${T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$ and in the critical region just above, there is evidence for a non-Lorentzian shape of $S(q,\ensuremath{\omega})$. The critical mode contribution to $S(q,\ensuremath{\omega})$ is compared with a theoretical calculation of Hohenberg, Siggia, and Halperin based on the planar-spin model of $^{4}\mathrm{He}$. The theory matches both the overall width and the general features of the shape of $S(q,\ensuremath{\omega})$ to within our spectral resolution at ${T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$. However, closer to $q\ensuremath{\xi}=1$ in the critical region, and in the hydrodynamic regions both above and below ${T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$, the theory predicts linewidths which are too small.
A new piece of the ALS puzzle

The molecular pathogenesis of most forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is poorly understood. Now, reduced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is shown to be a risk factor for contracting ALS. Addition of Vegf in mice is shown to protect motoneurons from damage.
Resting myocardial wall motion, end systolic and end diastolic volume, and mass with cardiac PET correlates with myocardial blood flow changes during hyperemia

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between regional wall motion (WM), LV ejection fraction (EF), end systolic volume (ESV), end diastolic volume (EDV) and mass (M) obtained with gated 13 NH 3 at rest with changes in myocardial blood flow (MBF) during hyperemia. Methods: 40 patients (59 + 11 years; 32 males) undergoing PET imaging to measure MBF at rest and during adenosine were studied. Patients received an i.v. injection of 13 NH 3 at rest and again three minutes into a 6 minute adenosine infusion. The first 2 minutes of data were collected dynamically to measure MBF in ml/g/min. Then, a single 13-minute scan was acquired in the gated mode to obtain WM, EF, ESV, EDV, and M. Results: Measures of LV function did not correlate with global MBF but did correlate with global hyperemic MBF (EDV [r=-0.44, p=0.01], ESV [r=-0.43, p=0.02], and M [r=-0.48, p=0.01]) as well as the change in MBF from rest to hyperemia (EDV [r=-0.44, p=0.01], ESV [r=-0.41, p=0.02], and M [r=-0.38, p=0.04]). Regional MBF during hyperemia averaged 1.97 + 0.62 ml/g/min in normal WM segments and was decreased to 1.42 + 0.46 ml/g/min in hypokinetic segments and 0.98 + 0.41 ml/g/min in akinetic/dyskinetic segments (p Conclusion: The data demonstrate that gated PET measures of WM and LV function obtained at rest during routine 13 NH 3 imaging are clinically useful and predict the presence of diminished regional MBF during hyperemia. Thus, gating of 13 NH 3 studies provides independent information, helps distinguish artifacts from true perfusion defects, and can be readily integrated into routine perfusion imaging with PET.
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Activity Regulates α-Thrombin-stimulated G1 Progression by Its Effect on Cyclin D1 Expression and Cyclin-dependent Kinase 4 Activity

In this study, we present evidence that PI 3-kinase is required for alpha-thrombin-stimulated DNA synthesis in Chinese hamster embryonic fibroblasts (IIC9 cells). Previous results from our laboratory demonstrate that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)) pathway controls transit through G(1) phase of the cell cycle by regulating the induction of cyclin D1 mRNA levels and cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4)-cyclin D1 activity. In IIC9 cells, PI 3-kinase activation also is an important controller of the expression of cyclin D1 protein and CDK4-cyclin D1 activity. Pretreatment of IIC9 cells with the selective PI 3-kinase inhibitor, LY294002 blocks the alpha-thrombin-stimulated increase in cyclin D1 protein and CDK4 activity. However, LY294002 does not affect alpha-thrombin-induced cyclin D1 steady state message levels, indicating that PI 3-kinase acts independent of the ERK pathway. Interestingly, expression of a dominant-negative Ras significantly decreased both alpha-thrombin-stimulated ERK and PI 3-kinase activities. These data clearly demonstrate that the alpha-thrombin-induced Ras activation coordinately regulates ERK and PI 3-kinase activities, both of which are required for expression of cyclin D1 protein and progression through G(1).
Multiple Recording During Electrically Induced Atrial Fibrillation

1. Atrial fibrillation was induced in dogs by single electrical shocks. Close bipolar direct electrograms were taken from various parts of the atrium; as many as 22 electrograms and a standard lead II electrocardiogram were recorded simultaneously. Initial phase and recovery phase of fibrillation were analyzed. 2. In the initial phase of atrial fibrillation, local firing consisting of rapid tachysystole of 996 to 3000 per minute was observed near the stimulating point in most experiments. Except for the leads showing local firing, the interval between beats at each recording point tended to be constant, and a time gap between two successive beats was observed. A propagation pattern could be plotted which seemed to start from the origin of local firing; some beats were conducted only locally, and others (every second, third or fourth discharge) were conducted widely. The cause of atrial fibrillation was considered to be local firing of one small area of the atrium, i.e., the unifocal theory of the origin o...
Novel fold and assembly of the repetitive B region of the Staphylococcus aureus collagen-binding surface protein

Abstract Background: The Staphylococcus aureus collagen-binding protein Cna mediates bacterial adherence to collagen. The primary sequence of Cna has a non-repetitive collagen-binding A region, followed by the repetitive B region. The B region has one to four 23 kDa repeat units (B 1 –B 4 ), depending on the strain of origin. The affinity of the A region for collagen is independent of the B region. However, the B repeat units have been suggested to serve as a ‘stalk' that projects the A region from the bacterial surface and thus facilitate bacterial adherence to collagen. To understand the biological role of these B-region repeats we determined their three-dimensional structure. Results: B 1 has two domains (D 1 and D 2 ) placed side-by-side. D 1 and D 2 have similar secondary structure and exhibit a unique fold that resembles but is the inverse of the immunoglobulin-like (IgG-like) domains. Comparison with similar immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) structures shows novel packing arrangements between the D 1 and D 2 domains. In the B 1 B 2 crystal structure, an omission of a single glycine residue in the D 2 –D 3 linker loop, compared to the D 1 –D 2 and D 3 –D 4 linker loops, resulted in projection of the D 3 and D 4 in a spatially new orientation. We also present a model for B 1 B 2 B 3 B 4 . Conclusions : The B region of the Cna collagen adhesin has a novel fold that is reminiscent of but is inverse in nature to the IgG fold. This B region assembly could effectively provide the needed flexibility and stability for presenting the ligand binding A region away from the bacterial cell surface.
LAPAROSCOPIC ASSISTED MODIFICATION OF THE FIRLIT ABDOMINAL WALL PLICATION

ABSTRACT Purpose: We describe a modification of the Firlit abdominal wall plication procedure for abdominal wall reconstruction in the prune-belly syndrome. Materials and Methods: Five boys with the prune-belly syndrome and 1 with congenital atrophy or hypotrophy of the internal and external oblique muscles underwent laparoscopic assisted abdominal wall reconstruction. Results: All 6 patients had excellent cosmetic results, with no weakness or sagging of the abdominal wall. Conclusions: Laparoscopy appears to add to the Firlit procedure an increased measure of safety and a possible decrease in morbidity associated with opening the abdomen, and improved precision that enhances the results achieved with the original procedure and other abdominal wall repairs.
A personal view of education

Some personal views about teaching and learning are expressed. Covered are types of learning, computers in education, teachers as mentors and friends, role reversals, fostering self-esteem, and visualization and creativity. >
Coevolution for problem simplification

This paper explores a coevolutionary approach applicable to difficult problems with limited failure/success performance feedback. Like familiar "predator-prey" frameworks this algorithm evolves two populations of individuals - the solutions (predators) and the problems (prey). The approach extends previous work by rewarding only the problems that match their difficulty to the level of solution competence. In complex problem domains with limited feedback, this "tractability constraint" helps provide an adaptive fitness gradient that effectively differentiates the candidate solutions. The algorithm generates selective pressure toward the evolution of increasingly competent solutions by rewarding solution generality and uniqueness and problem tractability and difficulty. Relative (inverse-fitness) and absolute (static objective function) approaches to evaluating problem difficulty are explored and discussed. On a simple control task, this coevolutionary algorithm was found to have significant advantages over a genetic algorithm with either a static fitness function or a fitness function that changes on a hand-tuned schedule.
Eye movement control during reading: Evidence for direct control

In three experiments, subjects read text as their eye movements were monitored and display changes in the text were made contingent upon the eye movements. In one experiment, a window of text moved in synchrony with the eyes. In one condition, the size of the window was constant from fixation to fixation, while in the other condition the size of the window varied from fixation to fixation. In the other experiments, a visual mask was presented at the end of each saccade which delayed the onset of the text, and the length of the delay was varied. The pattern of eye movements was influenced by both the size of the window and the delay of the onset of the text, even when the window size or text delay was varying from fixation to fixation. However, there was also evidence that saccade length was affected by the size of the window on the prior fixation and that certain decisions to move the eye are programmed either before the fixation begins or are programmed during the fixation but without regard to the text ...
Towards One Vision, One Voice: A Review Essay of the 3rd International Conference on Corporate Reputation, Image and Competitiveness

The 3rd International Conference on Corporate Reputation, Image and Competitiveness brought together academics and practitioners from a variety of fields to discuss many critical issues on the topic of how corporate reputation can contribute to corporate performance. In this paper, several of the presentations are overviewed to draw out common themes from the papers presented at this conference. After identifying common themes, unifying framework is offered to bring together the disparate fields that contribute to one common topic, that of corporate reputation. Creation of a common framework is critical to advancing the study of corporate reputation and its influence on corporate performance.
Report of the WHO Commission on Macroeconomics and Health: a summary and critique.

1culminates a series of WHO projects on economic issues in health policy, health services, and public health. A focus on economic development and productivity partly indicates increased funding of WHO activities by the World Bank. Many of the conceptual and methodological approaches discussed in the report mirror those of the World Bank (panel 1). 1–3
Molecular and cellular profiling of acute responses to total body radiation exposure in ovariectomized female cynomolgus macaques

AbstractPurpose: The threat of radiation exposure requires a mechanistic understanding of radiation-induced immune injury and recovery. The study objective was to evaluate responses to ionizing radiation in ovariectomized (surgically post-menopausal) female cynomolgus macaques.Materials and methods: Animals received a single total-body irradiation (TBI) exposure at doses of 0, 2 or 5 Gy with scheduled necropsies at 5 days, 8 weeks and 24 weeks post-exposure. Blood and lymphoid tissues were evaluated for morphologic, cellular, and molecular responses.Results: Irradiated animals developed symptoms of acute hematopoietic syndrome, and reductions in thymus weight, thymopoiesis, and bone marrow cellularity. Acute, transient increases in plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) were observed in 5 Gy animals along with dose-dependent alterations in messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) signatures in thymus, spleen, and lymph node. Expression of T cell markers was lower in thymus and spleen, while expression...
TOMAL: A Task-Oriented Microprocessor Applications Language

The advent of the microprocessor to replace special purpose digital hardware in process control applications can result in greatly reduced hardware costs. However, in taking advantage of the modularity and reliability of programmable microprocessor chips, much of the burden of tailoring a control device to its application falls on the software. Because of the relatively primitive instruction set of the typical microprocessor, the cost and difficulty of software development can be troublesome if programming is done in machine language or with an assembler. These reasons provided motivation for the design of a higher level language for microprocessors.
The effect of temperature on cutaneous CO2 loss and conductance in the bullfrog

Cutaneous and pulmonary CO2 loss were measured simultaneously in bullfrogs, Rana catesbeiana, at either 10, 20 or 30 degrees C. Arterial blood samples were taken in each experiment and analysed for [H+] and total plasma [CO2]. These values were used to calculate Pa(CO2) by means of the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. Both [H+] and Pa(CO2) increased with temperature as previously observed. Skin CO2 loss was measured using a titration method. (At 30 degrees C it was necessary to add calcium hypochlorite (5-9 ppm) to block bacterial growth and respiration). Skin CO2 loss rose with temperature but the mean fraction of the total CO2 lost by this route decreased from about 50% at 10 degrees C to less than a third at 30 degrees C. At each temperature, over 90% of an incremental increase in total CO2 loss was excreted via the lungs while skin loss was relatively constant over a wide range of total loss values. The increase in skin CO2 loss with temperature corresponded to a proportional increase in the estimated transcutaneous P(CO2) difference. (This difference was assumed to equal Pa(CO2) minus ambient P(CO2.) Consequently, the skin CO2 conductance (skin CO2 loss/transcutaneous P(CO2) was not significantly influenced by temperature. This apparent temperature independence of skin CO2 conductance may be important for acid-base regulation of skin breathers in response to temperature change.
Planning for ‘the responsible stimulation of ideas and opinions’☆

(1987). Planning for ‘the responsible stimulation of ideas and opinions‘. International Journal of Museum Management and Curatorship: Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 271-276.
HLA–B27 up‐regulation causes accumulation of misfolded heavy chains and correlates with the magnitude of the unfolded protein response in transgenic rats: Implications for the pathogenesis of spondylarthritis‐like disease

Objective HLA–B27 is implicated in the pathogenesis of spondylarthritis (SpA), yet the molecular mechanisms are incompletely defined. HLA–B27 misfolding has been associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in macrophages from HLA–B27/human β2-microglobulin–transgenic (B27-transgenic) rats. This study was performed to assess the mechanisms that drive activation of the HLA–B27–induced UPR and to determine whether splenocytes respond in a similar manner. Methods Splenocytes were isolated and bone marrow macrophages were derived from B27-transgenic and wild-type rats. Cells were treated for up to 24 hours with cytokines that induce class I major histocompatibility complex expression. HLA–B27 expression and misfolding were assessed by real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and immunoblotting. Activation of the UPR was measured by quantifying UPR target gene expression and X-box binding protein 1 messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing. Results HLA–B27 mRNA up-regulation was accompanied by a dramatic increase in the accumulation of misfolded heavy chains and preceded robust activation of the UPR in macrophages. When macrophages were treated with various cytokines, the magnitude of the UPR correlated strongly with the degree of HLA–B27 up-regulation. In contrast, B27-transgenic splenocytes exhibited only low-level differences in the expression of UPR target genes after exposure to interferon-γ or concanavalin A, which resulted in minimal HLA–B27 up-regulation. Conclusion These results suggest that HLA–B27–associated activation of the UPR in macrophages is attributable to the accumulation of misfolded heavy chains, and that certain cell types may be more susceptible to the effects of HLA–B27 misfolding. Strategies that eliminate HLA–B27 up-regulation and/or the accumulation of misfolded heavy chains may be useful in evaluating the role of these events in the pathogenesis of SpA.
Elucidating the Role of the Complement Control Protein in Monkeypox Pathogenicity

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) causes a smallpox-like disease in humans. Clinical and epidemiological studies provide evidence of pathogenicity differences between two geographically distinct monkeypox virus clades: the West African and Congo Basin. Genomic analysis of strains from both clades identified a ~10 kbp deletion in the less virulent West African isolates sequenced to date. One absent open reading frame encodes the monkeypox virus homologue of the complement control protein (CCP). This modulatory protein prevents the initiation of both the classical and alternative pathways of complement activation. In monkeypox virus, CCP, also known as MOPICE, is a ~24 kDa secretory protein with sequence homology to this superfamily of proteins. Here we investigate CCP expression and its role in monkeypox virulence and pathogenesis. CCP was incorporated into the West African strain and removed from the Congo Basin strain by homologous recombination. CCP expression phenotypes were confirmed for both wild type and recombinant monkeypox viruses and CCP activity was confirmed using a C4b binding assay. To characterize the disease, prairie dogs were intranasally infected and disease progression was monitored for 30 days. Removal of CCP from the Congo Basin strain reduced monkeypox disease morbidity and mortality, but did not significantly decrease viral load. The inclusion of CCP in the West African strain produced changes in disease manifestation, but had no apparent effect on disease-associated mortality. This study identifies CCP as an important immuno-modulatory protein in monkeypox pathogenesis but not solely responsible for the increased virulence seen within the Congo Basin clade of monkeypox virus.
Modulation of Kv4.2 Channel Expression and Gating by Dipeptidyl Peptidase 10 (DPP10)

The dipeptidyl aminopeptidase-like protein DPPX (DPP6) associates with Kv4 potassium channels, increasing surface trafficking and reconstituting native neuronal ISA-like properties. Dipeptidyl peptidase 10 (DPP10) shares with DPP6 a high amino acid identity, lack of enzymatic activity, and expression predominantly in the brain. We used a two-electrode voltage-clamp and oocyte expression system to determine if DPP10 also interacts with Kv4 channels and modulates their expression and function. Kv4.2 coimmunoprecipitated with HA/DPP10 from extracts of oocytes heterologously expressing both proteins. Coexpression with DPP10 and HA/DPP10 enhanced Kv4.2 current by approximately fivefold without increasing protein level. DPP10 also remodeled Kv4.2 kinetic and steady-state properties by accelerating time courses of inactivation and recovery (τrec: WT = 200 ms, +DPP10 = 78 ms). Furthermore, DPP10 introduced hyperpolarizing shifts in the conductance-voltage relationship (∼19 mV) as well as steady-state inactivation (∼7 mV). The effects of DPP10 on Kv4.1 were similar to Kv4.2; however, distinct biophysical differences were observed. Additional experiments suggested that the cytoplasmic N-terminal domain of DPP10 determines the acceleration of inactivation. In summary, DPP10 is a potent modulator of Kv4 expression and biophysical properties and may be a critical component of somatodendritic ISA channels in the brain.
A Revertant TCRγδ+ Cell Clone Which Has Lost MHC Nonrestricted Cytotoxic Activity but Retains Redirected Killing upon Stimulation of the CD3 Receptor

Abstract A variant nonkiller (K - ) T-cell clone derived from the MHC nonrestricted killer (K + ) cell line TALL-103/2 (CD3/TCRγδ + ) was studied to determine whether its lytic defects were at the tumor-binding or post-binding level. The two TALL-103/2 clones were found to display similar mRNA expression of TCR/CD3 complex ϵ, ξ, γ, and δ chains, and the same mRNA and protein levels of SRC-like protein tyrosine kinase and kinase activity. However, the K - cells express much less surface CD45 RA and contain smaller intracytoplasmatic cytotoxic granules with a lower expression of the TIA-1 protein. Although the K - cells do not undergo granule exocytosis upon contact with a susceptible (K562) target, they can be triggered to degranulate and display redirected killing by activation of the CD3 receptor. Moreover, OKT3 induces PPI turnover and Ca 2+ mobilization in both the K + and K - cells, whereas K562 cells induces PPI turnover only in the K + clone. The overall data indicate that, although the K - cells have significant post-binding defects that prevent them from killing MHC nonrestricted targets, they can fully utilize their lyric machinery upon specific activation of the CD3 pathway.
Clinical Assessment of the 1987 American College of Rheumatology Criteria for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were clinically assessed. These criteria do not include findings of synovial fluid (SF) analysis and require no exclusion criteria. We have studied sequential patients with arthritis seen in four rheumatology centers in the Philadelphia area. Classifications by the ACR criteria were compared with our clinical diagnoses. Two hundred ninety eight patients were evaluated, 113 with RA and 185 with other diagnoses. Classifications as RA by the ACR criteria corresponded to our clinical diagnosis in 95% of the cases, corroborating the high sensitivity previously reported. However, we found a lower specificity (73%) than that reported (89%). False positive classifications as RA were found in 71% of patients with psoriatic arthritis, 48% of patients with SLE, and 31% of patients with gout. The specificity could be improved to 89% by excluding disorders with obvious distinguishing extraarticular features such as psoriasis or by SF findings of monosodium urate crystals. Awareness of these possible sources of confusion will further increase the teaching and epidemiologic value of these useful simplified criteria.