cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protocol for measuring NLRC4 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis in murine bone-marrow-derived macrophages.

Summary NLR family CARD domain containing protein 4 (NLRC4) inflammasome activation and the associated pyroptosis are critical for protection against infection by bacterial pathogens. This protocol presents a detailed procedure to activate and measure NLRC4 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis upon Salmonella Typhimurium infection. The techniques can be adapted to monitoring the activation of other types of inflammasomes and pathogenic stimuli. For comprehensive details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Dong et al. (2021) .
Viscous Hypersonic Similitude

An extension of classical hypersonic similitude is developed which takes into account the interaction effect of the displacement thickness of the boundary layer. A basic result of this viscous similitude is that the total drag including frictional drag obe}^s the classical similarity law for the pressure drag. Additional similarity conditions governing viscous effects must be imposed in this similitude. Underlying the similitude is a new hypersonic boundary-layer independence principle. According to this principle, the principal part of a hypersonic boundary layer with given pressure and wall temperature distributions and free-stream total enthalpy is independent of the (high) external Mach Number distribution outside the boundary layer. Various features of viscous hypersonic similitudes are discussed. I t is found, for example, that it applies to three-dimensional boundary-layer interaction effects on flat bodies, provided the concepts of strip theory may be applied, and provided the aspect ratio is an invariant.
Overcoming Complexity: Stenting for Aortic Coarctation Comes of Age.

Considering surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) has just celebrated its 70th birthday [(1)][1], evolving through a number of operative modifications, it is impressive to consider that endovascular therapies for CoA, relatively youthful in their existence, have evolved rapidly to become
Delayed development of neurological deficit from an occipital fracture. A case report.

Collet-Sicard syndrome was initially described by Collet in 1915, in a soldier during World War I who sustained a bullet wound to the cervicocranial region1. It includes deficits of cranial nerves IX, X, XI, and XII, without an associated Horner syndrome. To our knowledge, there has not been a previous report of delayed development of Collet-Sicard syndrome following occipital condyle fracture. We report the case of a thirty-nine-year-old man in whom lower cranial nerve deficits developed four weeks following an undiagnosed fracture of the occipital condyle. Our patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication. Athirty-nine-year-old man was involved in a high-speed snowmobile accident in which he was thrown off his vehicle and landed on his head. The main symptom in the emergency room was pain in the upper part of the neck. Radiographs of the cervical spine showed no fracture or dislocation. The workup included a computed tomographic scan of the head and chest, which revealed normal findings. The patient was treated with a soft cervical collar, narcotic analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, and muscle relaxants. He was discharged with the diagnoses of cervical sprain, a stable compression fracture of the fourth thoracic vertebra, a fracture of the fifth metacarpal of the right hand, a chip fracture of the right acromion, and acute alcohol intoxication. Acute hoarseness developed four weeks later, while the patient was swinging an ax to cut wood. After undergoing an evaluation by an otolaryngologist, the patient was treated with antibiotics for a probable infection. No improvement was noted during the next seven days, and an examination by a second otolaryngologist revealed paralysis of the vocal cords. A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the neck suggested rotatory subluxation of the left occipital condyle in relation to the left lateral mass of …
Evolving Local Search Heuristics for SAT Using Genetic Programming

Satisfiability testing (SAT) is a very active area of research today, with numerous real-world applications. We describe CLASS2.0, a genetic programming system for semi-automatically designing SAT local search heuristics. An empirical comparison shows that that the heuristics generated by our GP system outperform the state of the art human-designed local search algorithms, as well as previously proposed evolutionary approaches, with respect to both runtime as well as search efficiency (number of variable flips to solve a problem).
Interruptions of fictive scratch motor rhythms by activation of cutaneous flexion reflex afferents in the turtle

A low-spinal immobilized turtle displays a fictive scratch reflex in hindlimb muscle nerves in response to mechanical stimulation of specific regions of the shell (Robertson et al., 1985). There are 3 forms of the scratch reflex: the rostral, the pocket, and the caudal; each exhibits rhythmic activation of hindlimb motor neurons. Cutaneous stimulation of the distal hindlimb elicits a fictive flexion reflex that exhibits tonic excitation of hip protractor (flexor) motor neurons and tonic inhibition of knee extensor motor neurons (Stein et al., 1982). In the present study, we describe the motor pattern blends that resulted from transient activation of either the ipsilateral or the contralateral flexion reflex pathway during ongoing scratch motor patterns. Two types of blends were observed: (1) insertions of a flexion reflex synergy into an interrupted scratch cycle and (2) deletions of parts of a scratch cycle. Associated with each type of motor pattern blend was a permanent reset of the ongoing scratch rhythm. The sign of the reset (phase-advance or phase-delay) could be predicted for all forms of the scratch based on the location of the foot stimulus (ipsi- or contralateral) and its timing relative to the hip protractor/retractor cycle. The timing of knee extensor activity within the hip cycle is different for each form of the scratch (Robertson et al., 1985); thus, the sign of the reset cannot be predicted from the timing of the stimulus relative to the knee extensor cycle. These results indicate the importance of the hip rhythm in determining the overall timing of the scratch reflex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Structure from motion using SIFT features and the PH transform with panoramic imagery

Omni-directional sensors are useful in obtaining a 360/spl deg/ field of view of a scene for robot navigation, scene modeling, and telepresence. A method is presented to recover 3D scene structure and camera motion from a sequence of multiple images captured by an omnidirectional catadioptric camera. This 3D model is then used to localize other panoramic images taken in the vicinity. This goal is achieved by tracking the trajectories of SIFT keypoints, and finding the path they travel by utilizing a Hough transform technique modified for panoramic imagery. This technique is applied to spatio-temporal feature extraction in the three-dimensional space of an image sequence, as that scene points trace a horizontal line trajectory relative to the camera. SIFT (scale invariant feature transform) keypoints are distinctive image features which can be identified between images invariant to scale and rotation. Together these methods are applied to reconstruct a three-dimensional model from a sequence of panoramic images, where the panoramic camera was translating in a straight line horizontal path. Only the camera/mirror geometry is known a priori. The camera positions and the world model is determined, up to a scale factor. Experimental results of model building and camera localization using this model are shown.
Congress and the Constitution

"Congress and the Constitution," edited by Neal Devins and Keith E. Whittington (Duke University Press) extends the examination of the Constitution outside the courts to the federal legislature. For more than a decade, the U.S. Supreme Court has turned a skeptical eye toward Congress. Distrustful of Congress's capacity to respect constitutional boundaries, the Court has recently overturned federal legislation at a historically unprecedented rate. This intensified judicial scrutiny highlights the need for increased attention to how Congress approaches constitutional issues. In this important collection, leading scholars in law and political science examine the role of Congress in constitutional interpretation, demonstrating how to better integrate the legislative branch into understandings of constitutional practice.
Molecular Basis for Ultraviolet Vision in Invertebrates

Invertebrates are sensitive to a broad spectrum of light that ranges from UV to red. Color sensitivity in the UV plays an important role in foraging, navigation, and mate selection in both flying and terrestrial invertebrate animals. Here, we show that a single amino acid polymorphism is responsible for invertebrate UV vision. This residue (UV: lysine vs blue:asparagine or glutamate) corresponds to amino acid position glycine 90 (G90) in bovine rhodopsin, a site affected in autosomal dominant human congenital night blindness. Introduction of the positively charged lysine in invertebrates is likely to deprotonate the Schiff base chromophore and produce an UV visual pigment. This same position is responsible for regulating UV versus blue sensitivity in several bird species, suggesting that UV vision has arisen independently in invertebrate and vertebrate lineages by a similar molecular mechanism.
Effect of yohimbine on reinstatement of operant responding in rats is dependent on cue contingency but not food reward history

Yohimbine is an alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist that has been used in numerous studies as a pharmacological stressor in rodents, monkeys, and humans. Recently, yohimbine has become the most common stress manipulation in studies on reinstatement of drug and food seeking. However, the wide range of conditions under which yohimbine promotes reward seeking is significantly greater than that of stressors like intermittent footshock. Here we addressed two fundamental questions regarding yohimbine’s effect on reinstatement of reward seeking: (1) whether the drug’s effect on operant responding is dependent on previous reward history or cue contingency, and (2) whether yohimbine is aversive or rewarding under conditions typically used in reinstatement studies. We also used in vivo microdialysis to determine yohimbine’s effect on dopamine levels in nucleus accumbens (NAc) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We found that the magnitude of yohimbine-induced (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/kg) operant responding during the reinstatement tests was critically dependent on the contingency between lever-pressing and discrete tone-light cue delivery but not the previous history with food reward during training. We also found that yohimbine (2 mg/kg) did not cause conditioned place aversion. Finally, we found that yohimbine modestly increased dopamine levels in mPFC but not NAc. Results suggest that yohimbine’s effects on operant responding in reinstatement studies are likely independent of the history of contingent self-administration of food or drug rewards and may not be related to the commonly assumed stress-like effects of yohimbine.
ROAFTS: a middleware architecture for real-time object-oriented adaptive fault tolerance support

A middleware architecture named ROAFTS (Real-time Object-oriented Adaptive Fault Tolerance Support) is presented. ROAFTS is designed to support adaptive fault-tolerant execution of not only conventional process-structured distributed real-time (RT) application software but also new-style object-structured distributed RT application software. While ROAFTS contains fault tolerance schemes devised for quantitatively guaranteed RT fault tolerance, it is also designed to relax that characteristic while the application is in a soft RT phase in order to reduce resource use. Through three different prototype implementation experiences using both commercial operating system kernels and home-grown RT kernels, the middleware architecture has been refined and its basic capabilities and effectiveness have been validated. The fault tolerance schemes supported and the integrating architecture are discussed in this paper. Implementation experiences and some future tasks are also discussed.
Stackability in the simply-typed call-by-value lambda calculus

This paper addresses two issues: (1) What it means for a higher-order, eager functional language to be implemented with a single, global, stack-based environment and (2) how the existence of such an environment can be predicted statically.
Reuniting Estranged Family Members: A Cognitive-Behavioral-Systemic Perspective

During the course of their clinical work, couple and family therapists may encounter situations in which family members have become estranged. While some of these estrangements have to do with reasons beyond family members’ control, such as adoptions, etc., many cases are primarily the result of deliberate separation over hurt feelings sparked by disputes. This article offers an integrated approach, combining cognitive-behavioral techniques with an integrated family systems strategy for reuniting estranged family members. An extended case example illustrates specific interventions, with a discussion section addressing the challenges and pitfalls that may be encountered in the process of healing family feuds.
Excitation energy transfer and charge separation in the isolated Photosystem II reaction center.

The nature of excitation energy transfer and charge separation in isolated Photosystem II reaction centers is an area of considerable interest and controversy. Excitation energy transfer from accessory chlorophyll a to the primary electron donor P680 takes place in tens of picoseconds, although there is some evidence that thermal equilibration of the excitation between P680 and a subset of the accessory chlorophyll a occurs on a 100-fs timescale. The intrinsic rate for charge separation at low temperature is accepted to be ca. (2 ps)−1, and is based on several measurements using different experimental techniques. This rate is in good agreement with estimates based on larger sized particles, and is similar to the rate observed with bacterial reaction centers. However, near room temperature there is considerable disagreement as to the observed rate for charge separation, with several experiments pointing to a ca. (3 ps)−1 rate, and others to a ca. (20 ps)-1 rate. These processes and the experiments used to measure them will be reviewed.
A Procedure for Application of the Thiobarbituric Acid Test to Milk

Summary A procedure for application of the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test to milk is presented. Data reported illustrate the reprodueibility and applicability of the test and the influence on the results of factors such as the pH of the reaction mixture, heating time, method of measuring color and copper contamination.
On the buffering of CCN impacts on wintertime orographic clouds: An idealized examination

Abstract This study examines the role that cloud base height (or cloud base temperature) plays in the response of orographic precipitation to enhanced potential cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). A series of 2-D simulations along a transect of the Sierra Nevada was run at cloud-resolving scale to adequately represent the microphysical processes that lead to orographic precipitation, varying CCN concentrations for different cloud base temperature regimes. Cloud-base heights were systematically varied by modifying low-level moisture. Sensitivity runs indicate that for lower cloud base heights, the potential for drizzle (warm rain) formation increases such that at some point increased CCN concentrations can suppress drizzle formation leading to greater amounts of supercooled liquid water contents and then riming is enhanced with increased CCN concentrations. As a result ice-phase precipitation can be enhanced for low cloud base height clouds. This suggests that the conclusion from previous studies that enhanced CCN reduce precipitation cannot be generalized to warmer-based winter orographic clouds.
Characterizing web page complexity and its impact

Over the years, the Web has evolved from simple text content from one server to a complex ecosystem with different types of content from servers spread across several administrative domains. There is anecdotal evidence of users being frustrated with high page load times. Because page load times are known to directly impact user satisfaction, providers would like to understand if and how the complexity of their Web sites affects the user experience. While there is an extensive literature on measuring Web graphs, Web site popularity, and the nature of Web traffic, there has been little work in understanding how complex individual Web sites are, and how this complexity impacts the clients' experience. This paper is a first step to address this gap. To this end, we identify a set of metrics to characterize the complexity of Web sites both at a content level (e.g., number and size of images) and service level (e.g., number of servers/origins). We find that the distributions of these metrics are largely independent of a Web site's popularity rank. However, some categories (e.g., News) are more complex than others. More than 60% of Web sites have content from at least five non-origin sources, and these contribute more than 35% of the bytes downloaded. In addition, we analyze which metrics are most critical for predicting page render and load times and find that the number of objects requested is the most important factor. With respect to variability in load times, however, we find that the number of servers is the best indicator.
Cold collisions involving rotationally hot oxygen molecules

Cold and ultracold collisions involving rotationally hot oxygen molecules are investigated using quantum-mechanical, coupled-channel, coupled-states, and effective-potential scattering formulations. Quenching rate coefficients are given for initial rotational levels near the dissociation threshold. The stability of the oxygen ``super rotors'' against collisional decay is compared to previous investigations involving hydrogen molecules where the rotational inertia was significantly smaller. In contrast to hydrogen, all possible states of rotationally hot oxygen are quenched very rapidly during a collision with a buffer gas helium atom, and the quenching efficiency is always dominated by pure rotational transitions.
THE REVOLUTIONARY VISION OF WILLIAM BLAKE

It was William Blake's insight that the Christian churches, by inverting the Incarnation and the dialectical vision of Paul, have repressed the body, divided God from creation, substituted judgment for grace, and repudiated imagination, compassion, and the original apocalyptic faith of early Christianity. Blake's prophetic poetry thus contributes to the renewal of Christian ethics by a process of subversion and negation of Christian moral, ecclesiastical, and theological traditions, which are recognized precisely as inversions of Jesus, and therefore as instances of the forms of evil that God-in-Christ overcomes through Incarnation, reversing the Fall. Blake's great epic poems, particularly Milton (1804–08) and Jerusalem (1804–20), embody his heterodox representation of the final coincidence of Christ and Satan through which, at last, all things are made new.
Optical signal processing on photorefractive crystal substrate and bacteriorhodopsin thin film

In this article we present a new approach for implementation of computation algorithms to perform nonlinear signal processing with light on the surface of a photorefractive crystal and Bacteriorhodopsin thin film. Using the developed mathematical models for the photodynamics of these materials, we demonstrate a specific operation mode and a design procedure to obtain nonlinear response which can be used for implementation of high-performance photonic computers.
Genomic architecture of aggression: Rare copy number variants in intermittent explosive disorder†‡

Copy number variants (CNVs) are known to be associated with complex neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia and autism) but have not been explored in the isolated features of aggressive behaviors such as intermittent explosive disorder (IED). IED is characterized by recurrent episodes of aggression in which individuals act impulsively and grossly out of proportion from the involved stressors. Previous studies have identified genetic variants in the serotonergic pathway that play a role in susceptibility to this behavior, but additional contributors have not been identified. Therefore, to further delineate possible genetic influences, we investigated CNVs in individuals diagnosed with IED and/or personality disorder (PD). We carried out array comparative genomic hybridization on 113 samples of individuals with isolated features of IED (n = 90) or PD (n = 23). We detected a recurrent 1.35-Mbp deletion on chromosome 1q21.1 in one IED subject and a novel ∼350-kbp deletion on chromosome 16q22.3q23.1 in another IED subject. While five recent reports have suggested the involvement of an ∼1.6-Mbp 15q13.3 deletion in individuals with behavioral problems, particularly aggression, we report an absence of such events in our study of individuals specifically selected for aggression. We did, however, detect a smaller ∼430-kbp 15q13.3 duplication containing CHRNA7 in one individual with PD. While these results suggest a possible role for rare CNVs in identifying genes underlying IED or PD, further studies on a large number of well-characterized individuals are necessary. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Language: en
Adaptively weighted kernel regression

We develop a new kernel-based local polynomial methodology for nonparametric regression based on optimising a linear combination of several loss functions. Optimal weights for least squares and quantile loss functions can be chosen to provide maximum efficiency and these optimal weights can be estimated from data. The resulting estimators are at least as efficient as those provided by existing procedures, but can be much more efficient for many distributions. The data-based weights adapt to the tails of the error distribution resulting in a procedure which is both robust and resistant. Furthermore, the assumption of homogeneous error variance is not required. To illustrate its practical use, we apply the proposed method to model the motorcycle data.
Proposed standard inelastic differential electron scattering cross sections; Excitation of the 2 1 P level in He

Differential and integral cross section data for electron-impact excitation of the 21P level in He have been critically reviewed. Experimental and theoretical results have been compared and a set of differential cross sections at 20° scattering angle in the 25 to 500 eV impact energy range has been deduced based on all available information. It is proposed that this set of data represents the most accurate inelastic differential cross sections available at the present time and could be used as a secondary standard for normalization of cross sections.
Regulation of hepatic suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 by zinc

Abstract Promoter analysis of the family of suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) revealed that the human SOCS3 gene contains four binding sites for the metal regulatory transcription factor 1 (MTF-1) located within 1600 bp relative to the transcription start site. A series of experiments were carried out with human hepatoma cells (HepG2) and C57BL/6 mice to examine the effect of zinc on the regulation of SOCS3. In addition, we tested the role of MTF-1 in the regulation of SOCS3 expression using EMSA, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and siRNA. Lastly, the role of the zinc transporter SLC39A14 on the basal expression of SOCS3 was evaluated. Results indicate that SOCS3 expression is regulated by zinc through an MTF-1-dependent mechanism. In addition, results from siRNA experiments suggest that SLC39A14 is required for basal expression of SOCS3. Further studies are needed to determine whether zinc status affects SOCS3 function.
VLC-LED Receiver Condenser with Optimized CPC

In order to enhance the signal intensity of VLC-LED receiver, this paper describes a receiver condenser which is designed based on optimized CPC (compound parabolic concentrator) by using a truncated method, for achieving the aim of boosting receiver’s ability of gathering light and enhancing signal intensity. The Monte Carlo-ray tracing simulation results shows that in the VLC-LED system, the optimized CPC condenser has those advantages, such as higher concentration ratio, larger concentrate light deviation angle.
Ulysses observations of very different heliospheric structure during the declining phase of solar activity cycle 23

[1] This study examines the most recent observations from the solar wind experiment (SWOOPS) on the Ulysses spacecraft. In contrast to observations over the same locations in the declining phase of the previous solar activity cycle, these data show a more complicated heliospheric structure. Around the start of 2003, a band of slow solar wind resided at ∼20°–25°N latitude at all helio-longitudes. Subsequently, Ulysses failed to observe a well-organized corotating stream structure as it headed southward from the ecliptic plane, even though, in the previous solar cycle, Ulysses observed a regularly structured stream pattern. These observations show that the three-dimensional structure of the heliosphere can differ significantly from one solar cycle to the next. Finally, we show that the solar wind dynamic pressure has been relatively stable throughout 2005, indicating that the termination shock distance will also likely be relatively stable throughout 2006.
Visual contrast sensitivity in children exposed to tetrachloroethylene.

ABSTRACT This study examined relationships between indoor air, breath, and blood tetrachloroethylene (perc) levels and visual contrast sensitivity (VCS) among adult and child residents of buildings with or without a colocated dry cleaner using perc. Decreasing trends in proportions of adults or children with maximum VCS scores indicated decreased VCS at a single spatial frequency (12 cycles per degree [cpd]) among children residing in buildings with colocated dry cleaners when indoor air perc level averaged 336 μg/m3; breath perc level averaged 159.5 μg/m3; and blood perc level averaged 0.51 μg/L. Adjusted logistic regression indicated that increases in indoor air, breath, and blood perc levels among all child participants significantly increased the odds for decreased VCS at 12 cpd. Adult VCS was not significantly decreased by increasing indoor air, breath, or blood perc level. These results suggest that elevated residential perc exposures may alter children's VCS, a possible subclinical central nervous ...
Vortex-Induced Heating to a Cone-Cylinder Body at Mach 6

Presented data on vortex-induced heating in a cone-cylinder body at Mach 6 show that the most severe heating need not occur as a result of the interaction of the primary vortices with the lee surface, even though this interaction produces a large, well-defined featherline oil smear. It is pointed out that the severity of vortex-induced heating is extremely sensitive to Reynolds number and geometry and that there exists a 'threshold Reynolds number' below which vortex-induced heating decreases abruptly.
Does Ethnicity Influence Body‐Size Preference? A Comparison of Body Image and Body Size

Objective: Obesity is most common in the United States among women of ethnic minority groups (black and Hispanic). Researchers have hypothesized that these subcultures are more accepting of overweight figures. The purpose of this study was to examine body image and body size assessments in a large community sample of men and women. Research Methods and Procedures: Participants were 801 women and 428 men: 23% Asian, 45% Hispanic, 17% black, and 15% white. The figure rating scale was used to rate: body dissatisfaction, attractive male and female shapes, acceptable female size, and perceptions of underweight to obese female figures. Results: Controlling for age, education, and body weight, no ethnic differences were found for men. Asian women reported less body dissatisfaction than the other groups. Women were more dissatisfied with their size than men and chose thinner female figures as attractive and acceptable. Discussion: Ethnicity, independent of age, education, and body weight, does not influence preference for female and male shapes or tolerance for obesity.
Ovarian and uterine carcinosarcomas: a comparative analysis of prognostic variables and survival outcomes.

Introduction: Carcinosarcomas (malignant mixed Mullerian tumor) of the female genital tract are rare tumors associated with poor outcome. The objective of this study was to identify site-specific differences by comparing carcinosarcomas originating in the uterus and the ovaries. Methods: Data on patients with uterine and ovarian carcinosarcomas were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 1988 and 2005. Kaplan-Meier log rank and Cox proportional hazards models were used for survival analysis and for identification of possible predictors for survival. Results: The identified cohort included 3683 women of whom 2759 (75%) have uterine carcinosarcoma and 924 (25%) have ovarian carcinosarcomas. The patients with uterine carcinosarcoma were older than the patients with ovarian carcinosarcoma (median age, 67 vs 65 years; P Conclusion: Although uterine carcinosarcoma presents at an earlier stage than ovarian carcinosarcoma, it has a worse prognosis compared with ovarian carcinosarcoma, with a similar extent of disease spread. Improved survival observed in lymphadenectomy group lends support to its routine performance in patients with uterine and ovarian carcinosarcomas.
Autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction for short bowel syndrome

Parenteral nutrition-dependent patients with short bowel can realistically hope for a return to enteral autonomy on their own bowel, and with a full good quality of life. Autologous bowel reconstruction (including expansion, lengthening and reversed segments) enhances the natural adaptive process towards increased absorption.
Paired ion reversed-phase HPLC assay for the determination of iothalamic acid and para aminohippuric acid in urine

Abstract A paired ion reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method for simultaneous determination of iothalamic acid (Io) and para aminohippuric acid (PAH) in urine is described. The method uses a single internal standard for both drugs. The only sample preparation required is dilution of urine (1:100 or 1:500) with deionized water. The internal standard is added to a small aliquot of the diluted specimen and injected. For HPLC, a C 8 column and a mobile phase consisting of potassium phosphate buffer with dodecyl triethylammonium phosphate IP reagent, 25% organic modifier with UV detection at 254 nm was used. Within day and between day variation for the assay were in the range of 1.48–9.46% for iothalamic acid and 1.84–10.36% for para aminohippuric acid for four levels of concentration. Limits of quantitation were 50.0 μg ml −1 for iothalamic acid and 75.0 μg ml −1 for para aminohippuric acid. Mean recovery was 98.55% for Io and 97.79% for PAH. This isocratic HPLC assay is simple, rapid and relatively inexpensive.
Kinetic theory of nonlinear electrical conductivity

Abstract The nature of the corrections to Ohm's law in the weak field domain is investigated. Exact solutions of kinetic equations with separable collision terms are obtained. The distribution function is shown to have an essential singularity in several regions of velocity space as the applied field tends to zero. The anomalous behavior of the distribution function for high-speed particles is innocuous and does not yield measurable anomalies in the electrical conductivity for small field strengths. Very slow particles, which are severely perturbed by the applied field, however, give rise to corrections to the Ohmic conductivity involving fractional powers of the field strength if the collision frequency tends to zero as the speed tends to zero.
Do Third-Person Perceptions of Media Influence Contribute to Pluralistic Ignorance on the Norm of Ideal Female Thinness?

This study investigated the pluralistic ignorance on the norm of ideal female thinness and also the presumed influence of thin idealized media images as the cause of the misperception. A survey of 111 female and 109 male US undergraduate students revealed that both women and men overestimated the thinness of body type preferred by others. In addition, men reported that others would be more affected by the media than self while women considered themselves to be as vulnerable as others. Subsequent regression analyses demonstrated that the difference in the perceived media influence on self and others was a significant predictor of the norm of ideal female thinness. Similar misperceptions were also found between men and women in dating relationships.
Multivariate Statistical Estimates of Holocene Vegetation and Climate Change, Forest-Tundra Transition Zone, NWT, Canada

Newly derived fossil pollen data were obtained from four sites along a transect from the boreal forest limit into tundra in the eastern Northwest Territories. Multivariate statistical analyses were employed to interpret the pollen assemblages. Transfer functions were constructed between the pollen data and climatic data, and paleoclimatic estimates were derived. The objective nature of the reconstructions provides an independent verification of the general outlines of the chronology of tree-line movements during the mid- and late-Holocene as established in previous paleosol and pollen studies. Boreal forest extended to approximately 62°N, associated with mean July temperatures 1 to 3°C above modern means, from at least 5500 to 3700 yr B.P. Although a major episode of southward displacement of tree line at about 3700 yr B.P. is recorded, later events are not clearly represented. Considerations of the statistics, the time scales, and the nature of the pollen rain suggest only conservative interpretations of the results are possible. It is suggested that the pollen sites may have been sensitive recorders of regional vegetation change only when they were near the ecotone, corresponding to a climatic threshold.
The role of cytochrome b5 in Δ12 desaturation of oleic acid by microsomes of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Abstract The electron donors for the membrane-bound fatty acid desaturases of higher plants have not previously been identified. In order to assess the participation of cytochrome b 5 in microsomal fatty acid desaturation, the cytoplasmic domain of microsomal cytochrome b 5 was purified from Brassica oleracea , and murine polyclonal antibodies were prepared. The IgG fraction from ascites fluid inhibited 62% of NADH-dependent cytochrome c reduction in safflower ( Carthamus tinctorius L.) microsomes. These antibodies also blocked desaturation of oleic acid to linoleic acid in lipids of C. tinctorius microsomes by 93%, suggesting that cytochrome b 5 is the electron donor for the Δ12 desaturase.
Developmental Review’s most influential articles

Abstract Developmental Review is a journal of literature reviews and theoretical analyses for developmental scientists. During its first quarter-century of publication, the quality of those articles resulted in a journal whose level of impact on the scientific literature is extremely high, currently in the top 10% of all journals indexed by Social Sciences Citation Index. A study of the 25 most influential articles published during this period is presented. Characteristics of the articles’ content and authorship are discussed that are strongly associated with high levels of influence. These data are then used to identify some recently published papers that may prove to be highly influential articles in future years.
Search for X-ray induced decay of the 31-yr isomer of 178Hf using synchrotron radiation

Isomeric {sup 178}Hf (t{sub 1/2} = 31 yr, E{sub x} = 2.446 MeV, J{sup {pi}} = 16{sup +}) was bombarded by a white beam of x-rays from the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. A search was made for x-ray induced decay of the isomer by detecting prompt and delayed {gamma} rays associated with the decay. No induced decay was observed. Upper limits for such a process for x-ray energies between 7-100 keV were set. The limits between 7 and 30 keV are below {approx} 3 x 10{sup -27} cm{sup 2}-keV for induced decay that bypasses the 4-s isomer and {approx} 5 x 10{sup -27} cm{sup 2}-keV for induced decay that is delayed through this isomer, orders of magnitude below values at which induced decay was reported previously. These limits are consistent with what is known about the properties of atomic nuclei.
Propionyl Coenzyme A Is a Common Intermediate in the 1,2-Propanediol and Propionate Catabolic Pathways Needed for Expression of the prpBCDE Operon during Growth of Salmonella enterica on 1,2-Propanediol

The studies reported here identify propionyl coenzyme A (propionyl-CoA) as the common intermediate in the 1,2-propanediol and propionate catabolic pathways of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2. Growth on 1,2-propanediol as a carbon and energy source led to the formation and excretion of propionate, whose activation to propionyl-CoA relied on the activities of the propionate kinase (PduW)/phosphotransacetylase (Pta) enzyme system and the CobB sirtuin-controlled acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA (Acs, PrpE) synthetases. The different affinities of these systems for propionate ensure sufficient synthesis of propionyl-CoA to support wild-type growth of S. enterica under low or high concentrations of propionate in the environment. These redundant systems of propionyl-CoA synthesis are needed because the prpE gene encoding the propionyl-CoA synthetase enzyme is part of the prpBCDE operon under the control of the PrpR regulatory protein, which needs 2-methylcitrate as a coactivator. Because the synthesis of 2-methylcitrate by PrpC (i.e., the 2-methylcitrate synthase enzyme) requires propionyl-CoA as a substrate, the level of propionyl-CoA needs to be raised by the Acs or PduW-Pta system before 2-methylcitrate can be synthesized and prpBCDE transcription can be activated.
THE RORSCHACH IN CONTEMPORARY FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

Recent empirical data attest to the fact that the Rorschach is frequently used in expert witness testimony. Popularity of the Rorschach in forensic psychology is evident in the Psychological Abstracts database.
Spectroscopic ellipsometric modeling of a Bi–Te–Se write layer of an optical data storage device as guided by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction

Abstract Conventional magnetic tape is the most widely used medium for archival data storage. However, data stored on it need to be migrated every ca. 5 years. Recently, optical discs that store information for hundreds, or even more than 1000 years, have been introduced to the market. We recently proposed that technology in these optical discs be used to make an optical tape that would show greater permanence than its magnetic counterpart. Here we provide a detailed optical characterization of a sputtered thin film of bismuth, tellurium, and selenium (BTS) that is a proposed data storage layer for these devices. The methodology described herein should be useful in the future development of related materials. Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) data are obtained using interference enhancement, and the modeling of this data is guided by results from atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray reflectivity (XRR). By AFM, ca. 40 nm BTS films show ca. 10 nm roughness. SEM images also suggest considerable roughness in the films and indicate that they are composed of 13.1 ± 5.9 nm grains. XRD confirms that the films are crystalline and predicts a grain size of 17 ± 2 nm. XRD results are consistent with the composition of the films — a mildly oxidized BTS material. Three models of increasing complexity are investigated to explain the SE data. The first model consists of a smooth, homogeneous BTS film. The second model adds a roughness layer to the previous model. The third model also has two layers. The bottom layer is modeled as a mixture of BTS and void using a Bruggeman effective medium approximation. The upper layer is similarly modeled, but with a gradient. The first model was unable to adequately model the SE data. The second model was an improvement — lower MSE (4.4) and good agreement with step height measurements. The third model was even better — very low MSE (2.6) and good agreement with AFM results. The third SE model predicted ca. 90% void at the film surface. XRR modeling of the film agreed well with the predictions from SE. The uniquenesses of the SE models were confirmed.
Lineage-specific expansions provide genomic complexity among sea urchin GTPases

In every organism, GTP-binding proteins control many aspects of cell signaling. Here, we examine in silico several GTPase families from the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus genome: the monomeric Ras superfamily, the heterotrimeric G proteins, the dynamin superfamily, the SRP/SR family, and the “protein biosynthesis” translational GTPases. Identified were 174 GTPases, of which over 90% are expressed in the embryo as shown by tiling array and expressed sequence tag data. Phylogenomic comparisons restricted to Drosophila, Ciona, and humans (protostomes, urochordates, and vertebrates, respectively) revealed both common and unique elements in the expected composition of these families. Gα and dynamin families contain vertebrate expansions, consistent with whole genome duplications, whereas SRP/SR and translational GTPases are highly conserved. Unexpectedly, Ras superfamily analyses revealed several large (5+) lineage-specific expansions in the sea urchin. For Rho, Rab, Arf, and Ras subfamilies, comparing total human gene numbers to the number of sea urchin genes with vertebrate orthologs suggests reduced genomic complexity in the sea urchin. However, gene duplications in the sea urchin increase overall numbers such that total sea urchin gene numbers approximate vertebrate gene numbers for each monomeric GTPase family. These findings suggest that lineage-specific expansions may be an important component of genomic evolution in signal transduction.
Current-Limiting Reactors Their Design, Installation and Operation

The essential features in the design, installation and operation of current-limiting reactors are pointed out. The application of reactors to different circuits is not treated because a number of good papers dealing with this subject has been presented at Institute meetings. Design.-A current-limiting reactor should have low reactance at low currents and high reactance at high currents. Such a reactor has been developed and is known as the ``saturated core'' reactor. It has not been used as yet for current-limiting protection to any extent. A reactor having an iron core and only an a-c. winding gives a drooping voltage-ampere characteristic and, therefore is not suitable for current-limiting protection. Reactors with air cores have straight line volt-ampere characteristics and, therefore, are well adapted for this protection. Since the only function of current-limiting reactors is to limit the current during short circuits to safe values, they should be capable of performing this function when other apparatus is being destroyed, due to excessive current. For this reason, heat resisting materials should be used for holding and insulating the conductor of a reactor. A useful formula is given for determining short-circuit temperature rises. A current-limiting reactor functions as such only when there are short circuits on the system. Short circuits are almost sure to be preceded or accompanied by voltage disturbances of abnormal value. Therefore, the insulation factor of safety in a reactor should be relatively high.
THE EFFECT OF RACE ON FUNCTIONAL RESIDUAL CAPACITY AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEM COMPLIANCE IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (VLBW) INFANTS † 1358

The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of race on the functional residual capacity (FRC) and pulmonary mechanics in VLBW singletons of 25-30 weeks of gestation. We studied 15 African American infants (mean BW=991 g; GA = 27.1 wks, 53% male, 50% treated with antenatal steroids (AS)) and 15 matched Caucasian infants (mean BW = 992g, GA=27.9 wks, 50% male, 50% treated with AS). FRC was measured with the nitrogen washout technique at 24 hours and one week of age. A minimum of two measurements were performed with the neonate supine and quiet. Only consistent tracings initiated at end expiration and without evidence of a leak were accepted. A study was acceptable if the measurements had a coefficient of variation <10%. Respiratory system compliance (Crs) was measured with the single breath occlusion technique (SensorMedics 2600). Values are mean ± SEM. FRC in ml/kg; Crs in ml/cmH2O/kg. Our preliminary findings demonstrate that by 7 days of age, VLBW singletons of African American origin have established a significantly increased FRC as compared to Caucasians matched for BW, GA, gender and AS therapy. We speculate that this increased lung volume may represent structural changes due to genetic differences.Table
Disseminated progression of glioblastoma after treatment with bevacizumab.

Abstract Objectives Reports of glioblastoma (GBM) progression following treatment with bevacizumab indicate that a subset of patients develop disseminated, often minimally enhancing tumors that differ from the typical pattern of focal recurrence. We have reviewed our institutional experience with bevacizumab for GBM to evaluate the prognostic factors and outcomes of patients with disseminated progression. Patients and methods Medical records of patients treated for GBM at the University of California San Francisco from 2005 to 2009 were reviewed. Patients receiving bevacizumab for focal disease were evaluated and imaging was reviewed to identify patients who progressed in a disseminated pattern. Tumor and treatment factors were compared between focal and disseminated progressors to identify predictive factors for dissemination. Clinical outcomes were compared between progression groups. Results Seventy-one patients received adjuvant bevacizumab at some point in their disease course in addition to surgical resection and standard chemoradiotherapy. Of these, 12 patients (17%) had disseminated progression after bevacizumab. There were no differences in patient demographics, surgical treatment, or bevacizumab administration between disseminated and focal progressors. Length of bevacizumab treatment for disseminated progressors trended toward increased time (7.4 vs. 5.4 months) but was not statistically significant ( p =0.1). Although progression-free survival and overall survival did not differ significantly between progression groups (median survival from progression was 3.8 vs. 4.6 months, p =0.5), over 30% of focal progressors had a subsequent resection and enrollment in a surgically based clinical trial, whereas none of the disseminated progressors had further surgical intervention. Compared to previously published reports of GBM dissemination with and without prior bevacizumab treatment, our patients had a rate of disease dissemination similar to the baseline rate observed in patients treated without bevacizumab. Conclusion The risk of dissemination does not appear to be considerably increased due to the use of bevacizumab, and the pattern of disease at progression does not affect subsequent survival. Therefore, the risk of dissemination should not influence the decision to treat with bevacizumab, especially for recurrent disease.
VLSI-/370 microprocessor overview

Abstract This paper gives an overview of a CMOS microprocessor implementing the IBM /370 mainframe architecture. It focuses on the design principles used and the methodology employed in the design of that unit. The various aspects of this development effort are provided in more detail in the following six papers that form this session.