cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Malignant immunoblastoma: Immunoglobulin synthesis and the progression to leukemia in heterotransplanted acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphatic leukemia, lymphoma, and infectious mononucleosis

The heterotransplantation of cells from human subjects with overt lymphoid neoplasia or infectious mononucleosis into newborn Syrian hamsters treated with antilymphocyte serum results in serially transplantable malignant tumors. These tumors are composed of cells retaining human species-specific antigen at the cell surface, and hence represent progeny of the implanted human cells rather than tumor cells induced in the hamster by an oncogenic agent. The tumors appear to fall into two categories on the basis of their behavior in the hamster. Category A consists of tumors derived solely from subjects with acute lymphoblastic leukemia secondary to lymphosarcoma, which in the hamster progress to acute leukemia and apparently do not secrete immunoglobulins. Category B consists of tumors derived from all of the remaining diagnostic categories thus far investigated and from acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission as well, which in the hamster secrete immunoglobulins of human type and do not progress to acute leukemia. The descriptive term “malignant immunoblastoma” is provisionally proposed for the category B tumors, to emphasize their experimental derivation as well as their relationship to cells of the immunoglobulin-secreting type. The hypothesis is advanced that the category A acute leukemias and the category B malignant immunoblastomas therefore may be related to T and B lymphocytes, respectively. The oncogenicity in hamsters of directly injected peripheral blood buffy coat cells from subjects with infectious mononucleosis raises the possibility that this lymphoproliferative disease may be a benign, self-limiting form of lymphoma. These observations with infectious mononucleosis may provide inferential evidence for the existence in man of hostregulatory, cancer-preventing mechanisms of perhaps substantial importance.
Waste to water: a low energy water distillation method

This paper describes a new water distillation method and apparatus. It is a low-cost system operating at low temperature and sub-atmospheric pressure that can produce water at different scales, for large cities or remote rural communities, thus suitable for the First World or the Third. The system may be configured to use waste heat from power plants, allowing co-generation of fresh water and with electricity. Though using waste heat allows for water production efficiency which is better than the current leading technologies, the process can also be made to run with other sources of low quality heat and alternative energy sources.
Steady state axisymmetric deformations of a thermoviscoplastic rod penetrating a thick thermoviscoplastic target

Abstract The coupled nonlinear partial differential equations governing the thermomechanical and axisymmetric deformations of a cylindrical rod penetrating into a thick target, also made of a rigid/viscoplastic material, are solved by the finite element method. It is assumed that the deformations of the target and the penetrator as seen by an observer situated at the stagnation point and moving with it are independent of time. Both the rod and the target material are assumed to exhibit strain-rate hardening and thermal softening, and the contact between the penetrator and the target at the common interface is smooth. An effort has been made to assess the effect of the strain-rate hardening and thermal softening on the deformations of the target and the penetrator. It is found that the axial resisting force experienced by the penetrator, the shape and location of the free surface of the deformed penetrator and the target/penetrator interface, and normal tractions on this common interface depend rather strongly upon the speed of the stagnation point and hence on the speed of the striking rod. Results presented graphically include the distribution of the velocity field, the temperature change, the hydrostatic pressure and the second-invariant of the strain-rate tensor. In an attempt to help establish desirable testing regimes for determining constitutive relations appropriate for penetration problems, we also find histories of the effective stress, hydrostatic pressure, temperature and the second invariant of the strain-rate tensor experienced by four penetrator and two target particles.
Drawing of Pd77.5Cu6Si16.5 metallic glass wires

Abstract Wires of Pd 77.5 Cu 6 Si 16.5 metallic glass were cold drawn using diamond dies. A total area reduction of up to about 93% can be obtained after multiple passes through appropriate dies. After drawing two families of surface marking are observed: the traces of one set make an angle of about 41° to the wire axis while the other is nearly perpendicular to it. Tensile tests conducted on both drawn and undrawn wires show fracture on planes that always deviate from the 45° maximum shear plane. The fracture stresses of drawn wires are found to be slightly increased; the macroscopic elongation to break increases considerably after cold drawing.
Review of Human Dendritic Cells: Isolation and Culture from Precursors

There is no single characteristic or marker that identifies a dendritic cell. This review of the methods used for dendritic cell identification stresses that changes occur over the lifetime and changing functional status of the cell. Human dendritic cell populations have been obtained from adult peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, thymus, and monocytes as starting substrates. Most recently dendritic cell populations have been grown from separated hematopoietic precursors, suggesting that there is a common granulocyte-monocyte-dendritic cell progenitor. Whether monocytes and dendritic cells can be modulated back and forth remains an open question. Granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) appears to be critical to the development and function of these enriched and cultered cells. The characteristics of the cells produced by these various methods are tabulated. Important to the understanding of Langerhans cell biology is the variation in CD1 expression under different circumst...
General strategy for the preparation of membrane permeable fluorogenic peptide ester conjugates for in vivo studies of ester prodrug stability

To study ester prodrug stability properties in living cells we have conjugated fluorogenic esters to the cell membrane permeable peptide Arg9. The desired conjugates are prepared by coupling N-maleoyl amino acid esters of monoalkylated fluoresceins or fluorescein to TyrArg9Cys. The photophysical properties of the monoalkylated fluorescein derivatives are described.
Salmonellosis in wild birds

Abstract Salmonella bacteria, especially Salmonella enterica , serotype Typhimurium, are commonly found in the intestine of wild birds. These organisms are maintained within bird populations by several mechanisms. The simplest of these mechanisms occurs in raptors since birds that eat other animals risk eating Salmonella-infected prey. Both wild and captive raptors may be temporary or permanent Salmonella carriers or even suffer from clinical Salmonellosis as a result of eating infected prey. A similar infection pathway affects scavenging or carrion eating birds such as vultures, crows, and, most importantly, gulls. For example, gulls are opportunistic scavengers who feed at sites where raw sewage is released. They appear to be relatively resistant to disease but may serve as effective carriers of Salmonella and thus are a source of infection for other animals. In other situations, birds exposed to a contaminated environment may become infected accidentally. This is the case with domestic pigeons and colonial waterbirds. The most significant outbreaks of wild bird Salmonellosis occur, however, in passerines. Thus, although only a few healthy passerines harbor Salmonella in their intestine, these birds often gather in very large numbers at bird feeders. The growth of the "bird feeding industry" has promoted this behavior. Garden bird feeders can become so contaminated with feces that Salmonella contamination may grow to significant levels. If this is accompanied by other stresses such as bad weather or a food shortage, large numbers of these birds may develop Salmonellosis and die. Finches, house sparrows, and cowbirds appear to be especially at risk. Phage and genetic typing suggests that these passerines carry strains of S. enterica Typhimurium that are specifically adapted to songbirds. These infected birds may transmit infection to humans, either directly as a result of handling, or more commonly, as a result of exposure to domestic cats infected by preying on sick and moribund birds.
Nanorobot assembly of carbon nanotubes for mid-IR sensor

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a potential to be efficient infrared (IR) detection material due to their unique electronic properties. As a one-dimensional nano-structural material, the ballistic electronic transport property makes the noise equivalent temperature difference smaller compared with other semi-conducting materials. In order to verify this unique property, a single pixel CNT-based infrared photodetector is fabricated by depositing the CNTs on the substrate surface and then aligning them to bridge the electrode gap using the atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nano-robotic system. The photon-generated electron-hole pairs within the carbon nanotube are separated by an external electric field between the two electrodes. The separated carriers contribute to the current flowing through the carbon nanotube and form the photocurrent. By monitoring the photocurrent, the incident infrared can be detected and quantified. Experimental results show the good sensitivity of CNTs to the infrared light.
Development and application of a monoclonal-antibody technique for counting Aureococcus anophagefferens, an alga causing recurrent brown tides in the Mid-Atlantic United States

A method was developed for the rapid detection and enumeration of Aureococcus anophagefferens, the cause of harmful algal blooms called "brown tides" in estuaries of the Mid-Atlantic United States. The method employs a monoclonal antibody (MAb) and a colorimetric, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay format. The MAb obtained exhibits high reactivity with A. anophagefferens and very low cross-reactivities with a phylogenetically diverse array of other protists and bacteria. Standard curves are constructed for each 96-well microtiter plate by using known amounts of a preserved culture of A. anophagefferens. This approach allows estimation of the abundance of the alga in natural samples. The MAb method was compared to an existing method that employs polyclonal antibodies and epifluorescence microscopy and to direct microscopic counts of A. anophagefferens in samples with high abundances of the alga. The MAb method provided increased quantitative accuracy and greatly reduced sample processing time. A spatial survey of several Long Island estuaries in May 2000 using this new approach documented a range of abundances of A. anophagefferens in these bays spanning nearly 3 orders of magnitude.
Discoordinate expression of IL-1α and IL-1β in interfacial membranes of failed joint prostheses

Bone resorption following either cemented or uncemented total hip replacement has been implicated as an important etiologic factor in aseptic loosening of prostheses, the most frequent cause of clinical failure. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), collagenase and prostaglandin E2 are considered to play key roles in pathological bone resorption. We have measured the actual levels and quantified the genes coding for several cytokines [IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF), transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα)] in interfacial membranes obtained from cemented or uncemented loosened joint replacements. IL-1α, IL-6 and TNFα were barely detectable in the interfacial membranes either at protein or mRNA levels, while IL-1β and TGFβ were found to be expressed at the highest levels in freshly isolated tissues. However, the expression of IL-1α increased 10–1000-fold either in isolated cells or explant cultures of interfacial membranes within 24 h. The expression of other cytokines, measured directly in tissue or cells, did not suggest a discoordinate expression of bone-resorbing cellular mediators.
On the dimension of spaces of linear transformations satisfying rank conditions

Abstract Let L ( C n , C m ) be the space from C n to C m . Let l( k , n , m ) be the maximal dimension of a linear subspace V of L ( C n , C m ) such that every nonzero map in V has rank k . In this paper, we develop some techniques for estimating l from above.
Longitudinal analysis of the relationship between serum insulin-like growth factor-I and radiographic knee osteoarthritis.

Abstract Objective: To examine the relation between serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels and both incident and progressive radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) in the Framingham Osteoarthritis Study. Design: Subjects had bilateral weight-bearing, anterior–posterior knee radiographs performed in 1983–1985 and again in 1992–1993. IGF-I levels were measured from blood specimens obtained in 1988–1989 by a competitive binding radio-immunoassay (RIA) after separation with octadecasilyl-silica cartridges of serum IGF-I from binding proteins. Participants without baseline radiographic OA [Kellgren and Lawrence grades (K&L)=0–1] were classified as having incident disease if they had K&L[mog3]2 grades at follow-up. Progressive OA was defined as an increase in K&L score of [mog3]1 in knees with baseline OA (K&L[mog3]2). All analyses were knee-based and sex-specific. We examined IGF-I tertiles in relation to the risk of incident and progressive radiographic OA separately, adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), and baseline K&L score, and used generalized estimating equations to adjust for the correlation between fellow knees. Results: Four hundred and forty-one participants had knee radiographs and serum IGF-I levels measured. No associations were found for serum IGF-I levels and incident [women: OR=0.9 (0.6–1.7), men OR=1.2 (0.6–2.6)] or progressive [women OR=0.9 (0.6–1.6), men OR{moe0}0.9 (0.3–3.0)] radiographic knee OA in either sex. Neither did we observe any association between IGF-I and worsening of individual radiographic features of OA (i.e., osteophyte growth and joint space loss). Conclusion: In summary, this longitudinal study did not demonstrate any association of serum IGF-I and incident or progressive radiographic knee OA. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of IGF-I in OA.
Diagnosis of IgE-mediated reactions to food antigens by radioimmunoassay

Abstract The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) was performed on sera from 127 pediatric age patients, who reported the occurrence of more than one episode of immediate hypersensitivity type symptoms (urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic eczema) or other acute manifestations upon the gastrointestinal tract after the ingestion of one or more foods. Fourteen different foods, as well as two purified cow's milk fractions, were studied by radioimmunoassay. Specific IgE antibodies to the clinically suspected food allergen were demonstrated in 59 per cent of all reported untoward reactions. A questionable result was obtained in an additional 12 per cent. A positive RAST to at least one food allergen was found in 75 per cent of the patients studied. This technique appears to be a promising and useful adjunct in the diagnosis of IgE-mediated food hypersensitivity.
Mechanics of an anatomical reconstruction for the thumb metacarpophalangeal collateral ligaments

Purpose This study biomechanically evaluated a technically easy variation of anatomical reconstruction of the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint ulnar (UCL) and radial (RCL) collateral ligaments. Based on previous work describing the anatomical origin and insertion of these ligaments, we hypothesized that, using these attachment points, joint stability would be restored without significant loss of MCP flexion. Methods The collateral ligaments were isolated in 30 cadaveric thumbs (15 UCLs and 15 RCLs). A cyclical load was applied to the MCP joint to assess flexion, radial/ulnar deviation in neutral, and radial/ulnar deviation in 30° of flexion. The collateral ligaments were detached from the bone while their origin and insertion points were marked. Using these sites, anatomical ligament reconstruction was performed with a palmaris longus tendon graft and interference screw fixation. Cyclical testing was repeated on the reconstructed ligaments. Results No significant difference was found between intact and reconstructed UCLs when tested for radial deviation in neutral, radial deviation in 30° of flexion, or total MCP flexion. No significant difference was found between intact and reconstructed RCLs when tested for ulnar deviation in neutral, ulnar deviation in 30° of flexion, or total MCP flexion. Conclusions Our anatomical reconstruction is simple and restores UCL and RCL anatomy as compared with current techniques in the literature by placing the origin and insertion at their anatomical points with use of an interference screw. Using these anatomical origins and insertions, we were able to restore the MCP flexion and stability seen in an intact ligament. Clinical relevance Our anatomical reconstruction offers a technically easy option for reconstruction of thumb MCP collateral ligament injuries, restoring joint stability without sacrificing flexion.
Intravenous GLP-1 (7-36) amide for prevention of hyperglycemia during cardiac surgery: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective The authors sought to evaluate the efficacy of an intravenous glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) infusion, compared with placebo, to mitigate intraoperative hyperglycemia. Design Prospective, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled. Setting University hospital. Participants Diabetic (non-insulin dependent) and non-diabetic patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Interventions Patients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to GLP-1 (7-36) amide infusion (1.5 pmol/kg/min) or placebo. Insulin was administered intraoperatively to both groups per a standardized protocol. Measurements and Main Results A total of 77 patients were included for analysis (GLP-1, n = 37; placebo, n = 40). Mean blood glucose during cardiopulmonary bypass was 127.5 mg/dL and 142.5 mg/dL (p = 0.002) in the GLP-1 and placebo groups, respectively. Mean blood glucose values during the entire intraoperative course were 12.2 mg/dL lower for subjects given GLP-1 (95% CI 2.3, 22, p = 0.015), independent of time. During the period of cardiopulmonary bypass, mean blood glucose values in subjects given GLP-1 were 14.1 mg/dL lower than those who received placebo (95% CI 3.5, 24.8, p = 0.009), independent of time. The incidence of hypoglycemia did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Conclusions Administration of intravenous GLP-1 (7-36) amide to patients undergoing cardiac surgery significantly reduced their plasma glucose levels intraoperatively and may represent a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent perioperative hyperglycemia.
Altered platelet protein kinase C activity in bipolar affective disorder, manic episode

Protein kinase C (PKC) activity and PKC translocation in response to serotonin were investigated in platelets obtained from bipolar affective disorder subjects before and during lithium treatment. Ratios of platelet membrane-bound to cytosolic PKC activities were elevated in the manic subjects. In addition, serotonin-elicited platelet PKC translocation was found to be enhanced in those subjects. Lithium treatment for up to 2 weeks resulted in a reduction in cytosolic and membrane-associated PKC activities and in an attenuated PKC translocation in response to serotonin. These preliminary results suggest that alteration in platelet PKC is associated with the manic phase of bipolar illness. The results also suggest that lithium treatment reduces the sensitivity of platelets to PKC translocation induced by activation of serotonin-2 receptors.
Evidence for photochemical generation of superoxide ion in humic waters

On irradiation with visible or near UV light the coloured substances in natural humic waters can undergo several reactions. They may be bleached and partially degraded1–3, perhaps by a cyclic mechanism involving oxidation and reduction of iron4, or they may generate a variety of free radicals5 or serve as sensitizers for the generation of singlet oxygen6–8. They may also bring about the generation of hydrogen peroxide9–11. It has been suggested10,11 that the actual photochemical process may be the generation of superoxide ion, and that hydrogen peroxide is produced by the dismutation of this. We present here more direct evidence for the photochemical generation of superoxide ion, O2·−, in natural waters.
Considerations about the relationship of inhibitory concentrations and the pharmacologic and toxic properties of antimicrobial agents

Too little attention has been given to the correlation of antimicrobial susceptibility tests and the pharmacokinetics of antimicrobial agents. Ability to perform and provide reproducible, rapid, minimal inhibitory concentration data, combined with the knowledge of serum levels, can be used to yield inhibitory quotients which will improve the chemotherapy of serious infections. Antimicrobial susceptibilities have to be provided rapidly for the life-threatening infections that occur in certain clinical settings. Antimicrobial susceptibilities also must be provided in a manner that demonstrates that one may not be able to achieve therapeutic concentrations with certain drugs. We have reached an era in which knowledge of an organism being susceptible or resistant is no longer adequate.
Special stains in cytology: A technique using one half of a previously stained slide

We describe a technique for performing special stains on one half of a slide previously stained by the Papanicolaou or Diff-Quick method. The technique varies depending on whether incubation is required during the staining procedure. For stains that do not require incubation, the portion of the slide to be preserved is covered with liquid paraffin. For stains that do require incubation, the area to be preserved is coverslipped with mounting medium and dried overnight prior to staining. The technique is easy, rapid, inexpensive, and enhances diagnostic accuracy.
Immunofluorescence-digital image processing system for the quantitation of secreted immunoglobulin by single cells

Abstract To quantitate the amount of secreted immunoglobulin (Ig) by a single cell, the immunofluorescence digital image processing (IDIP) system was adapted to the modified enzyme-linked immunospot (ELI-SPOT) assay. In this assay, an immunofluorescence (tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate) conjugated antibody was used for the detection of spots instead of the usual method of enzyme coupling. We have named this the immunofluorescence-linked immunospot (ILISPOT) assay. In addition to the quantitation of secreted Ig by single cells, this method allowed us to objectively determine the exact number of Ig producing spot forming cells (SFC). 96 well culture plates were pre-coated with goat anti-mouse Ig. The mouse IgM producing hybridoma (E-3-4) was incubated in the plates for 4 h at 37°C. Cells were removed prior to the addition of biotinylated goat anti-mouse μ antibody. After overnight incubation, immunofluorescence conjugated avidin was added for the visualization of spots by the IDIP system. The IDIP system consists of a fluorescen microscope equipped with a video camera and computer. The gray scale of secreted IgM was initially established as a standard by the known amount of purified IgM. By using digital image processing, the number of spots and the gray scale of individual spots were computed. The shape and pattern of gray scale data were used to distinguish between the real spots and pseudo spots. This IDIP system could detect as little as 0.19 pg of secreted IgM (1.2 × 10 5 molecules) and an average of approximately 1.33 pg (8.3 × 10 5 molecules) produced by a single cell. Adaptation of the digital image processing system to the ILISPOT assay allowed the measurement of both the amount of Ig produced at the single cell level and also the exact numbers of SFC present in a totally objective fashion.
On the spin-up of an electrically conducting fluid. Part 2. Hydromagnetic spin-up between infinite flat insulating plates

The linear spin-up of a homogeneous electrically conducting fluid confined between infinite flat insulating plates is analyzed for the case in which a uniform magnetic field is applied normal to the boundaries. As in part 1 (Benton & Loper 1969), complete hydromagnetic interaction is embraced even within linearized equations. Approximate inversion of the exact Laplace transform solution reveals the presence of several flow structures: two thin Ekman–Hartmann boundary layers (one on each plate), which are quasi-steady on the time scale of spin-up, two thicker continuously growing magnetic diffusion regions, and an essentially inviscid, current-free core, which may or may not be present on the spin-up time scale, depending upon the growth rate of the magnetic diffusion regions. When a current-free core exists, it is found to spin-up at the same rate as the fluid within magnetic diffusion regions, although different physical mechanisms are at play. As a result, a single hydromagnetic spin-up time is derived, independently of the thickness of magnetic diffusion regions; this time is shorter than in the non-magnetic problem.
Sugarcane Borers: Effects of Substerilizing Doses of Gamma Irradiation on Males Irradiated as Pupae or Adults

Late pupae (6 day old) and 1-, to 12-h-old adult males of Diatraea saccharalis (F.) were irradiated with 10 or 15 krad of gamma rays. Fertility, fecundity, and survival showed a dose dependent reduction with increasing dose. F1 progeny of treated males had a longer development time than F1, control progeny, and the ♂/♀ ratio increased as the dose increased. There was no significant difference in the response of insects irradiated as late pupae or as adults.
Kriging and automated variogram modeling within a moving window

Abstract A spatial estimation procedure based on ordinary kriging is described and evaluated which consists of using only sampling sites contained within a moving window centered at the estimate location for modeling the covariance structure and constructing the kriging equations. The moving window, by depending on local data only to estimate the spatial covariance structure and calculate the estimate, is less affected by spatial trend in the data than conventional kriging approaches and implicitly models covariance nonstationarity. The window's covariance structure is estimated by automatically fitting a spherical variogram model to the unbiased estimates of semi-variance calculated at several lags. The automatic fit uses nonlinear least squares regression constrained by the nugget parameter being nonnegative. This estimation method is compared to the more standard method of ordinary kriging over fixed subregions by using both procedures in the analysis of NADP/NTN sulfate deposition data in the conterminous U.S. For this analysis, we find that the moving window scheme provides local variogram models which are minimally affected by trend, and that also this use of an ensemble of variograms allows the accurate modeling of a spatially changing covariance structure. Accurate spatial covariance modeling is needed by acid deposition effects researchers because it is a prerequisite for the calculation of defensible deposition confidence intervals from the error (kriging) variance.
Maternal Regulating Behaviors Through Face-to-Face Play in First- and Second-Generation Chinese American and European American Mothers of Infants

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of culture on maternal socioemotional behaviors (affect and vocalization) following a socially stressful situation between mothers and infants. Participants included 47 Chinese American and 54 European American mothers who took part in the double Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm with their 16-week-old infants. Overall, the pattern of results suggests that cultural and acculturative differences are enhanced in situations that are socially stressful as emotion displays may be more salient under these conditions. Furthermore, patterns of maternal behaviors may not be consistent in the direction expected from a unidimensional conceptualization of acculturation.
Power Modeling and Characterization of Computing Devices: A Survey

In this survey we describe the main research directions in pre-silicon power modeling and post-silicon power characterization. We review techniques in power modeling and characterization for three computing substrates: general-purpose processors, system-on-chip-based embedded systems, and field programmable gate arrays. We describe the basic principles that govern power consumption in digital circuits, and utilize these principles to describe high-level power modeling techniques for designs of the three computing substrates. Once a computing device is fabricated, direct measurements on the actual device reveal a great wealth of information about the device's power consumption under various operating conditions. We describe characterization techniques that integrate infrared imaging with electric current measurements to generate runtime power maps. The power maps can be used to validate design-time power models and to calibrate computer-aided design tools. We also describe empirical power characterization techniques for software power analysis and for adaptive power-aware computing. Finally, we provide a number of plausible future research directions for power modeling and characterization.
TGF-β isoform signaling regulates secondary transition and mesenchymal-induced endocrine development in the embryonic mouse pancreas

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily signaling has been implicated in many developmental processes, including pancreatic development. Previous studies are conflicting with regard to an exact role for TGF-beta signaling in various aspects of pancreatic organogenesis. Here we have investigated the role of TGF-beta isoform signaling in embryonic pancreas differentiation and lineage selection. The TGF-beta isoform receptors (RI, RII and ALK1) were localized mainly to both the pancreatic epithelium and mesenchyme at early stages of development, but then with increasing age localized to the pancreatic islets and ducts. To determine the specific role of TGF-beta isoforms, we functionally inactivated TGF-beta signaling at different points in the signaling cascade. Disruption of TGF-beta signaling at the receptor level using mice overexpressing the dominant-negative TGF-beta type II receptor showed an increase in endocrine precursors and proliferating endocrine cells, with an abnormal accumulation of endocrine cells around the developing ducts of mid-late stage embryonic pancreas. This pattern suggested that TGF-beta isoform signaling may suppress the origination of secondary transition endocrine cells from the ducts. Secondly, TGF-beta isoform ligand inhibition with neutralizing antibody in pancreatic organ culture also led to an increase in the number of endocrine-positive cells. Thirdly, hybrid mix-and-match in vitro recombinations of transgenic pancreatic mesenchyme and wild-type epithelium also led to increased endocrine cell differentiation, but with different patterns depending on the directionality of the epithelial-mesenchymal signaling. Together these results suggest that TGF-beta signaling is important for restraining the growth and differentiation of pancreatic epithelial cells, particularly away from the endocrine lineage. Inhibition of TGF-beta signaling in the embryonic period may thus allow pancreatic epithelial cells to progress towards the endocrine lineage unchecked, particularly as part of the secondary transition of pancreatic endocrine cell development. TGF-beta RII in the ducts and islets may normally serve to downregulate the production of beta cells from embryonic ducts.
Dlx Transcription Factors Promote Migration through Repression of Axon and Dendrite Growth

Summary In the mouse telencephalon, Dlx homeobox transcription factors are essential for the tangential migration of subpallial-derived GABAergic interneurons to neocortex. However, the mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that Dlx1/2 has a central role in restraining neurite growth of subpallial-derived immature interneurons at a stage when they migrate tangentially to cortex. In Dlx1 −/− ; Dlx2 −/− mutants, neurite length is increased and cells fail to migrate. In Dlx1 −/− ; Dlx2 +/− mutants, while the tangential migration of immature interneurons appears normal, they develop dendritic and axonal processes with increased length and decreased branching, and have deficits in their neocortical laminar positions. Thus, Dlx1/2 is required for coordinating programs of neurite maturation and migration. In this regard, we provide genetic evidence that in immature interneurons Dlx1/2 repression of the p21-activated serine/threonine kinase PAK3, a downstream effector of the Rho family of GTPases, is critical in restraining neurite growth and promoting tangential migration.
Voice activity detection using harmonic frequency components in likelihood ratio test

This paper proposes a new statistical model-based likelihood ratio test (LRT) VAD to obtain reliable speech / non-speech decisions. In the proposed method, the likelihood ratio (LR) is calculated differently for voiced frames, as opposed to unvoiced frames: only DFT bins containing harmonic spectral peaks are selected for LR computation. To evaluate the new VAD's effectiveness in improving the noise-robustness of ASR, its decisions are applied to pre-processing techniques such as non-linear spectral subtraction, minimum mean square error short-time spectral amplitude estimator, and frame dropping. From the ASR experiments conducted on the Aurora2 database, the proposed harmonic frequency-based LRTs give better results than conventional LRT-based VADs and the standard G.729B and ETSI AMR VADs.
An intensity-gradient-texture guided methodology for spatial segmentation of remotely sensed multi/hyperspectral imagery

We propose a novel unsupervised segmentation method that efficiently exploits spectral intensity, gradient and textural information in remotely sensed imagery. Our approach begins in a multi-band gradient detection scheme of the input scene, utilized to determine the spectral intensity variations across it. The obtained gradient map is employed in an iterative region growth procedure that originates in pixel locations of gradual/low intensity variations and concludes in sites of abrupt intensity transitions, to yield an initial region map. This map is combined with co-occurrence matrices based textural descriptors using a multivariate region merging procedure that fuses regions with similar characteristics to yield the final segmentation. Our approach was tested on several multi/hyperspectral data sets with favorable results.
IP6K structure and the molecular determinants of catalytic specificity in an inositol phosphate kinase family

Inositol trisphosphate kinases (IP3Ks) and inositol hexakisphosphate kinases (IP6Ks) each regulate specialized signalling activities by phosphorylating either InsP3 or InsP6 respectively. The molecular basis for these different kinase activities can be illuminated by a structural description of IP6K. Here we describe the crystal structure of an Entamoeba histolytica hybrid IP6K/IP3K, an enzymatic parallel to a 'living fossil'. Through molecular modelling and mutagenesis, we extrapolated our findings to human IP6K2, which retains vestigial IP3K activity. Two structural elements, an α-helical pair and a rare, two-turn 310 helix, together forge a substrate-binding pocket with an open clamshell geometry. InsP6 forms substantial contacts with both structural elements. Relative to InsP6, enzyme-bound InsP3 rotates 55° closer to the α-helices, which provide most of the protein's interactions with InsP3. These data reveal the molecular determinants of IP6K activity, and suggest an unusual evolutionary trajectory for a primordial kinase that could have favored efficient bifunctionality, before propagation of separate IP3Ks and IP6Ks.
Relocation or duplication of the helix A sequence of T4 lysozyme causes only modest changes in structure but can increase or decrease the rate of folding.

In T4 lysozyme, helix A is located at the amino terminus of the sequence but is associated with the C-terminal domain in the folded structure. To investigate the implications of this arrangement for the folding of the protein, we first created a circularly permuted variant with a new amino terminus at residue 12. In effect, this moves the sequence corresponding to helix A from the N- to the C-terminus of the molecule. The protein crystallized nonisomorphously with the wild type but has a very similar structure, showing that the unit consisting of helix A and the C-terminal domain can be reconstituted from a contiguous polypeptide chain. The protein is less stable than the wild type but folds slightly faster. We then produced a second variant in which the helix A sequence was appended at the C-terminus (as in the first variant), but was also restored at the N-terminus (as in the wild type). This variant has two helix A sequences, one at the N-terminus and the other at the C-terminus, each of which can comp...
Habituation to experimentally induced electrical pain during voluntary-breathing controlled electrical stimulation (BreEStim).

OBJECTIVE Painful peripheral electrical stimulation to acupuncture points was found to cause sensitization if delivered randomly (EStim), but induced habituation if triggered by voluntary breathing (BreEStim). The objective was to systematically compare the effectiveness of BreEStim and EStim and to investigate the possible mechanisms mediating the habituation effect of BreEStim. METHODS Eleven pain-free, healthy subjects (6 males, 5 females) participated in the study. Each subject received the BreEStim and EStim treatments in a random order at least three days apart. Both treatments consisted of 120 painful but tolerable stimuli to the ulnar nerve at the elbow on the dominant arm. BreEStim was triggered by voluntary breathing while EStim was delivered randomly. Electrical sensation threshold (EST) and electrical pain threshold (EPT) were measured from the thenar and hypothenar eminences on both hands at pre-intervention and 10-minutes post-intervention. RESULTS There was no difference in the pre-intervention baseline measurement of EST and EPT between BreEStim and EStim. BreEStim increased EPT in all tested sites on both hands, while EStim increased EPT in the dominant hypothenar eminence distal to the stimulating site and had no effect on EPT in other sites. There was no difference in the intensity of electrical stimulation between EStim and BreEStim. CONCLUSION Our findings support the important role human voluntary breathing plays in the systemic habituation effect of BreEStim to peripheral painful electrical stimulation.
Internal Electron Transfer between Hemes and Cu(II) Bound at Cysteine β93 Promotes Methemoglobin Reduction by Carbon Monoxide

Previous studies showed that CO/H2O oxidation provides electrons to drive the reduction of oxidized hemoglobin (metHb). We report here that Cu(II) addition accelerates the rate of metHb β chain reduction by CO by a factor of about 1000. A mechanism whereby electron transfer occurs via an internal pathway coupling CO/H2O oxidation to Fe(III) and Cu(II) reduction is suggested by the observation that the copper-induced rate enhancement is inhibited by blocking Cys-β93 withN-ethylmaleimide. Furthermore, this internal electron-transfer pathway is more readily established at low Cu(II) concentrations in Hb Deer Lodge (β2His → Arg) and other species lacking His-β2 than in Hb A0. This difference is consistent with preferential binding of Cu(II) in Hb A0 to a high affinity site involving His-β2, which is ineffective in promoting electron exchange between Cu(II) and the β heme iron. Effective electron transfer is thus affected by Hb type but is not governed by the R ↔ T conformational equilibrium. The β hemes in Cu(II)-metHb are reduced under CO at rates close to those observed for cytochrome c oxidase, where heme and copper are present together in the oxygen-binding site and where internal electron transfer also occurs.
IDIOPATHIC HYPOPARATHYROIDISM AND TETANY IN THE FOWL

Tetany has been noted in several species of mammals, but, so far as can be ascertained, no account of tetany in birds has hitherto been published. This paper reports a case of tetany in the fowl which apparently resulted from temporary subnormal functioning of the parathyroid glands. A pullet hatched on May 4, 1933, from a cross of S. C. White Leghorn x Rhode Island Red , began laying on October 27, 1933, at the age of 175 days, her weight then being 2,220 grams. In the 16 days up to November 12 she laid in trapnests a total of 11 eggs, Avhich was a normal rate of egg production. On November 13 this fowl was apparently normal in every respect when the flock was fed at 7:30 A.M., and also at 9 :00 A.M., when the birds were given their daily supply of skimmed milk. At 10:15 A.M. she was found prostrate with the legs paralyzed and both wings braced against the floor. When picked up the wings beat spasmodically, but the legs remained paralyzed. When examined at 3:30 P.M. she again underwent uncontrollable con...
Advanced cervical metastasis involving the carotid artery.

Purpose of review This paper will review recent reports of the surgical management of the carotid artery when cancer is adherent to it and will highlight the author's experience at Clarian Health Partners in Indianapolis. Recent findings Recent trends in treating metastatic neck cancer with chemoradiation initially and reserving surgery for the treatment of residual or recurrent disease has tasked the head and neck surgeon with extirpating cancer in significantly altered tissue with loss of tissue planes and scarring that conceals the extent of cancer spread. Cancer that is adherent to the carotid presents a treatment dilemma to the surgeon, given that historically the local control and survival has been dismal and the complications of surgery are high. Summary The heavy burden of deciding to resect the carotid artery involved with recurrent or residual cancer should be balanced against the natural history of the disease process if not it is treated. It requires detailed understanding by the patient and family as well as coordination among the interventional radiologist, anesthesiologist, radiation oncologist, intensivist, and head and neck surgeon.
Kuiper Belt may yield strange new worlds

In 1992, a new member of our solar system was discovered by D.Jewitt and J.Luu. This body, 1992QB1, follows a slightly elliptical, low-inclination orbit approximately 14 astronomical units (AUs), or about 2 billion km, beyond the orbit of Neptune. It and approximately 80 others subsequently discovered in trans-Neptunian orbits are the tip of an iceberg representing a potential scientific bonanza for scientists interested in the origins of our solar system—the Kuiper belt. A workshop last summer,“Exploration of the Kuiper belt: Where do we go from here?,” focused on defining the most interesting questions regarding the Kuiper belt. A report summarizing these questions and outlining strategies for answering them is to be published.
Acting, Integrity, and Gender in Coriolanus

In the second act of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, the title character is urged by his mother to feign regard for the plebeians long enough to secure their votes and pass for consul. Although Coriolanus finds the artifice unseemly (“It is a part / That I shall blush in acting” [2.2.141–42]), he eventually accepts his mother’s direction, donning the requisite costume and reciting the requisite dialogue.1 His performance, however, does not fool anyone. Even the plebeians perceive that Coriolanus has not satisfied the most basic condition of performance: he has not subordinated himself to the part he is supposed to be playing. Consequently, Coriolanus is called upon to reprise the role—this time more credibly, more convincingly. In his eyes, it is too much to ask. As his mother urges him to “perform a part / Thou hast not done before” and as Cominius cajoles “Come, come, we’ll prompt you,” Coriolanus protests in scandalized disbelief: “Would you have me / False to my nature? Rather say I play / The man I am” (3.2.109–10, 106, 13–15). For Coriolanus, it is one thing to go through the motions, but it is quite another to infuse those motions with meaning. He can bring himself to do the former but not the latter, inasmuch as it might prove transformative. “I will not do’t,” he declares,
THE METABOLISM IN VITRO OF (4-14C)CORTISONE BY LYMPHOSARCOMA P1798.

The metabolism in vitro of [4-14C]cortisone by homogenates of cortisone-sensitive and resistant lines of lymphosarcoma P1798 was studied. The administration of cortisol for several days to mice bearing these tumors significantly altered the capacity of both tumor lines to metabolize cortisone. Following such treatment, the cortisone-sensitive tumor appears to be more efficient in converting cortisone to cortisol, while the resistant neoplasm is better able to convert cortisone to 20β-hydroxycortisone (Reuchstein's substance “U”) which is biologically inactive. The results suggest that the enzymes which mediate the formation of these metabolites may be responsive to glucocorticoid administration.
Estimation of dissociation constants (pKa's) of oximes from proton chemical shifts in dimethyl sulfoxide solution.

In connection with structure-activity studies of insecticidal methyl carbamoyloxime acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, a straightforward approach to estimating pKa values of a series of precursor oximes and thiohydroximates has been developed. The pKa values of oximes correlate well with the proton chemical shifts of the oximino proton (δOH) in dilute dimethyl sulfoxide-d6 solution. The relationship pKa = 29.10 – 1.63δOH was developed from δOH and pKa data for 20 compounds available either from the literature or derived experimentally from half-neutralization potentials (ΔHNP). Using this relationship, pKa values of more than 200 hydroximino compounds were calculated. The relationship has been extended to also include phenols: pKa = 28.15 – 1.55δOH – 3.96l(phenol), where l(phenol) is an indicator variable indicating application of the equation to either a phenol [l(phenol) = 1] or an oxime [l(phenol) = 0].
Effects of shoreline modification on a Northern Puget Sound beach: Microclimate and embryo mortality in surt smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus)

Human alteration of Puget Sound shorelines is extensive yet its ecological consequences are largely undocumented. This study evaluates differences between natural and heavily modified beaches in terms of microclimate and one aspect of biological condition. Electronic data laggers were placed at a tidal height of approximately 3.7 m (12 ft) above mean lower low water during July 16–20, 2001, to monitor light intensity, substrate and air temperatures, and humidity. Substrate samples were collected at the end of the monitoring period to evaluate condition and density of eggs from surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus), a forage fish species that spawns on gravel-sand beaches in the upper intertidal zone. The modified beach had significantly higher daily mean light intensity, air temperature and substrate temperature, and significantly lower daily mean relative humidity. Particularly striking were the differences in substrate temperature which, on the natural beach, ranged from 12.1°C to 18.2°C (mean=14.1°C) and on the modified beach ranged from 14.4°C to 29.4°C (mean=18.8°C). In addition to these different means and more extreme values, microclimate conditions on the modified beach were more variable, indicative of a less buffered environment. The proportion of smelt eggs containing live embryos on the altered beach was approximately half that of the natural beach.