cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cathepsin G and thrombin: evidence for two different platelet receptors

Neutrophil cathepsin G and thrombin, the only platelet agonists that are proteases, exhibit a mandatory requirement for catalytic activity to induce platelet aggregation and signal transduction. The thrombin receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor which undergoes proteolysis to generate a tethered ligand that causes self-activation. Since cathepsin G strongly resembles thrombin in its ability to activate platelets, we have attempted to determine whether cathepsin G and thrombin function through the same or different receptors. Evidence that thrombin and cathepsin G act at different receptors was as follows: (a) an antibody directed against the thrombin receptor blocked thrombin-induced but not cathepsin G-induced platelet responses; (b) human fibroblasts responded to thrombin and to a synthetic thrombin receptor peptide (comprising residues 42-55 of the thrombin receptor) by exhibiting an elevation in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration but did not respond to cathepsin G; and (c) platelets pretreated with neutrophil elastase failed to respond to thrombin but responded when rechallenged by cathepsin G. Thrombin and cathepsin G exhibit heterologous desensitization that is potentiated by okadaic acid and is attenuated by staurosporine, indicating that phosphorylation of serine/threonine residues is important for desensitization and that protein kinase C may be involved. Since catalytic activity of cathepsin G is required for platelet stimulation, it is probable that platelet activation by cathepsin G requires receptor proteolysis and that a tethered ligand mechanism is involved, suggesting that platelets may possess a family of protease receptors.
Rational design of quinones for high power density biofuel cells

Enzymatic fuel cells (EFCs) are devices that can produce electrical energy by enzymatic oxidation of energy-dense fuels (such as glucose). When considering bioanode construction for EFCs, it is desirable to use a system with a low onset potential and high catalytic current density. While these two properties are typically mutually exclusive, merging these two properties will significantly enhance EFC performance. We present the rational design and preparation of an alternative naphthoquinone-based redox polymer hydrogel that is able to facilitate enzymatic glucose oxidation at low oxidation potentials while simultaneously producing high catalytic current densities. When coupled with an enzymatic biocathode, the resulting glucose/O2 EFC possessed an open-circuit potential of 0.864 ± 0.006 V, with an associated maximum current density of 5.4 ± 0.5 mA cm−2. Moreover, the EFC delivered its maximum power density (2.3 ± 0.2 mW cm−2) at a high operational potential of 0.55 V.
Quantitative Measurement of Metal Loss Due to Corrosion in Aluminum Aircraft Skin

The detection and characterization of corrosion is one of the many challenges in the nondestructive inspection (NDI) of aging aircraft. A number of groups are pursuing ultrasonic techniques for the detection and evaluation of corrosion in such aluminum fuselage structures such as lap splices and tear straps [1]. Under the FAA-Aging Aircraft Research Program, Patton and Hsu [2–4] at Iowa State University have developed the capability to apply high resolution, water-coupled, focused-beam ultrasonic NDI to aircraft fuselage structures in a maintenance hangar environment. The method, known as the “Dripless Bubbler” technique, is a combination of focused-beam immersion ultrasonics with a portable ultrasonic scanner. With the Dripless Bubbler, B- and C-scan images of the aircraft fuselage may be acquired using both high frequency and low frequency immersion ultrasonics typically only reserved for the laboratory. In this paper, we present results on corrosion detection in the outer aluminum skin of a fuselage lap splice section using high frequency (15 MHz nominal center frequency) immersion ultrasonics, and compare these results against those obtained from collimated-beam X-ray attenuation measurements. This comparison has been quite instructive and revealed several important considerations in the interpretation of both ultrasonic and X-ray data when applied to the quantitative measurement of metal skin thickness.
Disamenity Influences of Edge Cities on Exurban Land Values: A Theory with Empirical Evidence and Policy Implications:

A theory is posed with some empirical support on how the American exurban land market behaves near edge cities. The exurban land market exists beyond the built-up urban area within commuting range of urban employment and service opportunities. It responds differently to proximity to downtown, edge cities and the boundary of urban development. Three relationships between the value of exurban land and these landscape features are theorised and empirically supported. First, as exurban households are dependent upon dispersed employment opportunities and rely on the urban area for many services, the value of residential land falls with respect to distance from the boundary of urban development. Secondly, since exurban households view edge cities as sources of congestion, pollution, noise and other factors associated with perceived ills of suburbia, the value of exurban land rises with respect to distance from edge cities. Thirdly, since downtowns are the dominant centre of reference for many metropolitan regio...
Development of Callus Colonies from the Isolated Microspore Culture of Capsicum Annuum L.

ABSTRACTAndrogenesis in Capsicum annuum L. via isolated microspore culture, with a limited scope, was studied. Donor genotype, i.e. U-130, was a doubled haploid. Intact flower buds containing microspores from early to late uninucleate stages were pretreated with a mannitol starvation medium both at 10 and 35°C for 7 days. High temperature treatment tested here, although considered effective in Capsicum anther culture, was detrimental and therefore flower buds from this treatment were not used. Following pretreatment at 10°C microspores were isolated and cultured on NLN medium (20) without growth regulators. Osmoticum and carbon was supplied to the microspores with 100, 130, and 170 g/1 sucrose. Only 170 g/1 culture was maintained and the rest of the cultures were lost to contamination. Callus colonies were obtained on the 30th and 60th days at rate of 40.5 and 67%, respectively. Callus colonies were subcultured to MS media containing 2, 4-D at 1 and 2 mg/1, but further development was not obtained. It was...
The relationship between smoking, drinking, and adolescents' self-perceived health and frequency of hospitalization: analyses from the 1997 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the more immediate health effects of smoking and drinking among adolescents. Methods: Secondary analyses of data from the 1997 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse were conducted to explore the relationship between subjective and objective health outcomes and the use of alcohol and tobacco among adolescents. Results: The findings suggest that adolescents who smoke or drink actually report poorer health during adolescence than those who do not. In fact, adolescents who are frequent or heavy alcohol and tobacco users report poorer subjective overall health and a greater number of overnight hospital stays during the previous year than less frequent or intense users and than nonusers. In addition, the data revealed a number of significant gender and age group differences in reports of health outcome as well. Conclusions: Demonstrating to youngsters the more immediate, negative health consequences of alcohol and tobacco use might strengthen prevention messages and ultimately decrease the use of these substances among adolescents.
Modeling of neural net chips using image algebra

Commercial hardware for neural network implementations is becoming more readily available. However as yet there exists no hardware- or software-independant environments in which to compare neural net chips. This paper presents a comparison of the Hamming net modeled on two neural net chips using image algebra a mathematical structure developed for use in image processing and related fields. The two chips used in the comparison are the Electrically Trainable Analog Neural Network (ETANN) from Intel and the Neural Bit Slice (NBS) from Micro Devices and are on opposite ends of the spectrum of available neural network hardware. The ETANN is almost entirely analog while the NBS is an all-digital device. The image algebra pseudocode modeled well not only the internals of the chips but the external logic and control as well.
An amazing exercise in recursion for CS1 and CS2

This paper describes an exercise which has been used in both CS1 and CS2 courses for the purpose of introducing the concepts of recursion and stacks, and for illustrating the benefits of procedural abstraction. The problem is to write a program which finds a path through a rectangular maze. The exercise is used in CS1 as part of an introduction to recursion. In CS2, it is used to illustrate and employ the abstract data type “stack.” In both exercises, the ideas are presented so as to reinforce the concepts of top-down design, and procedural and data abstraction.
Going retro on lymphoma.

In this issue of Blood, Cerchietti and colleagues describe the development of a highly active peptide inhibitor for the BCL6 oncoprotein that shows great promise for the clinical treatment of BCL6-dependent diffuse large cell lymphoma.
Possible existence of pair-condensate in superfluid helium

Abstract An analysis of the lower critical velocity of quantized vortex rings found by Cunsolo and Maraviglia is given on the assumption that pair-condensate exists in superfluid helium. The experimental results are found to agree to within experimental error with the theoretical model proposed earlier.
Singularity-robust decoupled control of dual-elbow manipulators

The ability of a robot manipulator to move inside its workspace is inhibited by the presence of joint limits and obstacles and by the existence of singular positions in the configuration space of the manipulator. Several kinematic control strategies have been proposed to ameliorate these problems and to control the motion of the manipulator inside its workspace. The common base of these strategies is the manipulability measure which has been used to: (i) avoid singularities at the task-planning level; and (ii) to develop a singularity-robust inverse Jacobian matrix for continuous kinematic control. In this paper, a singularity-robust resolved-rate control strategy is presented for decoupled robot geometries and implemented for the dual-elbow manipulator. The proposed approach exploits the decoupled geometry of the dual-elbow manipulator to control independently the shoulder and the arm subsystems, for any desired end-effector motion, thus incurring a significantly lower computational cost compared to existing schemes.
Fixed-point analysis of stack filters

We extend the current theory of stack filters by determining fixed points for the infmite length signals using positive Boolean functions. Fixed point analysis is basically determining root structure. We describe the fixed point structure for three and four variable positive Boolean functions and describe how one may generate larger positive Boolean functions and simultaneously generate their fixed point structure. We give two explicit formulations for the stack filter that correspond to any positive Boolean function. We then discuss explicit algorithms for generalizing positive Boolean functions that will "stack" on each other. We define a generalized stack filter as the filter that has varying positive Boolean function at various levels. We provide sufficient conditions so that positive Boolean functions in a generalized stack filter can be varied at levels and still uphold threshold decomposition and stacking properties. We also describe a rule which must be followed in the stacking of rank order filters if the stacking property is to be satisfied. Design of stack filters is also presented.
Optoacoustic spectroscopy and its application to molecular and particle absorption

Light absorption in the ocean has been the least studied optical property because of the difficulties in making accurate measurements. With the previously used techniques, large differences have been reported for the specific absorption coefficient of phytoplankton (cultures and natural assemblages). It is difficult to determine if the diversity in these values are methodological or a function of actual variations in absorption. With the renewed interest and activity in optoacoustic spectroscopy (OAS), which accurately measures absorption, some of these discrepancies should be resolved. In this method, as molecules and particles absorb light from a modulated source, they thermally expand and contract, thereby generating acoustic waves, at the modulation frequency, which are detected by a hydrophone. Optoacoustic spectroscopy is ideally suited for measuring dissolved organic material and particle absorptions because of its high sensitivity (105m1) and the egligible effect of scattered light. In this paper the instrumental design for an optoacoustic spectrophotometer (OAS), which pecifically measures phytoplankton absorption (420-S5Onm), is described. The spectral absorption of dissolved organic material and a phytoplankton culture is presented. OAS holds promise in being able to measure absorption without use of either filtration or concentration techniques.
The Impact of Anti‐Immigration Policies and Perceived Discrimination in the United States on Migration Intentions among Mexican Adolescents

This exploratory study examined whether higher levels of perceived discrimination against Mexican immigrants in the United States (USA) were related to the migration intentions of Mexican adolescents. I drew the data for this study from a sample of 755 from a total of 980 adolescent students surveyed in Tijuana, Mexico in February 2009, who indicated they had some interest to migrate to the USA to either live or work in the USA. There were 392 male participants (51.9%) and 363 female participants (48.1%), with a mean age of the participants of 16 years. Over 65 per cent of the participants were born in Tijuana, Mexico and over 62 per cent of the participants indicated that their families had very low to average socio-economic status, as measured by an SES scale. The majority of participants' mothers (74.2%) and fathers (68.6%) had less than a high school education. Multivariate OLS regressions were run controlling for gender, age and socio-economic status. Results indicated that higher levels of perceived discrimination in the USA were a moderately significant predictor of lower migration intentions among Mexican adolescents who identified that they wanted to live or work in the USA, but higher levels of perceived discrimination did not significantly predict lower migration intentions among participants, who indicated that they felt they had to move to the USA to work and support their families.
Inhibition of the oxidation of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde by hepatocytes and mitochondria by crotonaldehyde

Crotonaldehyde was oxidized by disrupted rat liver mitochondrial fractions or by intact mitochondria at rates that were only 10 to 15% that of acetaldehyde. Although a poor substrate for oxidation, crotonaldehyde is an effective inhibitor of the oxidation of acetaldehyde by mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, by intact mitochondria, and by isolated hepatocytes. Inhibition by crotonaldehyde was competitive with respect to acetaldehyde, and the Ki for crotonaldehyde was about 5 to 20 microM. Crotonaldehyde had no effect on the oxidation of glutamate or succinate. Very low levels of acetaldehyde were detected during the metabolism of ethanol. Crotonaldehyde increased the accumulation of acetaldehyde more than 10-fold, indicating that crotonaldehyde, besides inhibiting the oxidation of added acetaldehyde, also inhibited the oxidation of acetaldehyde generated by the metabolism of ethanol. Formaldehyde was a substrate for the low-Km mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, as well as for a cytosolic, glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase. Crotonaldehyde was a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial oxidation of formaldehyde, but had no effect on the activity of formaldehyde dehydrogenase. In hepatocytes, crotonaldehyde produced about 30 to 40% inhibition of formaldehyde oxidation, which was similar to the inhibition produced by cyanamide. This suggested that part of the formaldehyde oxidation occurred via the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, and part via formaldehyde dehydrogenase. The fact that inhibition by crotonaldehyde is competitive may be of value since other commonly used inhibitors of aldehyde dehydrogenase are irreversible inhibitors of the enzyme.
Thioredoxin as a biomarker for graft rejection in lung transplant recipients

AbstractPrimary graft dysfunction and rejection are common complications in lung transplant recipients. Increased expression of thioredoxin-1 (Trx), a 12-kDa redox-regulatory protein, has been reported in multiple lung pathophysiological conditions involving oxidative and inflammatory mediated injury including graft rejection in canine and rat models of lung transplantation. Our objective was to determine whether increased Trx expression is associated with progression of rejection pathophysiology in human lung transplant recipients. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and transbronchial biopsy samples were collected as a routine part of post-transplant clinical care from 18 lung transplant patients from our adult lung transplant programme. Lung transplant recipient profile included age/sex, ethnic background, days on ventilator, total ischaemic time, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) status. Based on histopathological grading criteria, patients were divided into two groups, rejecting (A1/A2 or B1) and non-rejectin...
Characteristics of the magnitude and direction of the wind stress vector over the sea

Abstract During the past three decades, there has been much effort directed to determining the wind stress vector based on easily obtained weather observations. The magnitude of the wind stress (i.e., the drag coefficient) has been shown to depend on wave state such that steeper waves at a given neutral windspeed produce larger drag coefficients than more gently sloped waves. Parameterizing such wave effects has focussed on exploring relations between the roughness length and wave slope characteristics. The wind stress direction has been shown to depend on boundary layer processes which relate to air-sea heat flux; the influence of wave related processes which could potentially influence the stress direction has previously not been explored. Because wave slope vectors can have mean directions different from the wind, particularly when swell are large and propagate crosswind, we conducted a study to see if the waves can turn the stress vector away from the wind direction. Our findings suggest that the stress vector direction strongly depends on the wave directions, and that the stress more closely follows the direction of large orbital velocity waves than the wind.
Synthesis and characterization of iron-substituted hydroxyapatite via a simple ion-exchange procedure

Hydroxyapatite (HA), the main inorganic component of natural bones, is widely studied as a biomaterial due to its excellent biocompatibility and osteoinductivity. The crystal structure of HA lends itself to a wide variety of substitutions and ion doping, which allows for tailoring of material properties. In this study, iron-doped HA was synthesized via a simple ion-exchange procedure and characterized thoroughly for crystal structure and phase purity using X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Magnetic properties were studied using vibrating sample magnetometer and superconducting quantum interference device analysis. Ion-exchange was attempted using both ferric and ferrous chloride iron solutions, but a substitution was only achieved using ferric chloride solution. The results showed that after iron substitution the powder retained characteristic apatite crystal structure and functional groups, but the iron-doped samples displayed paramagnetic properties, as opposed to the diamagnetism of pure HA. The effect of soaking time on iron content was also examined, and collectively X-ray diffraction and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy results suggested that an increase in soaking time led to an increase in iron content in the sample powder. Iron-substituted HA nanoparticles, a biomaterial with magnetic properties, could be a promising biomaterial to be used in a variety of biomedical fields, including magnetic imaging, drug delivery, or hyperthermia-based cancer treatments.
Sinusoidal frequency estimation via sparse zero crossings

Abstract We consider estimation of the period of a sinusoid in additive Gaussian noise, based on observations of the zero-crossing (ZC) times. The problem is treated in a continuous-time framework. It is assumed that the signal-to-noise ratio is sufficient (approximately ⩾8 dB) such that the noise may be approximated as additive in the phase. An exact mean-square error analysis is provided for this approximation. We apply modified Euclidean algorithms (MEAs) and their least-squares refinements in this framework, to estimate the period of the sinusoid, with low complexity. Unlike linear regression methods based on phase samples, the proposed approach works with very sparse ZC measurements, and is resistant to outliers. The MEA-based approach is motivated by the fact that, in the noise-free case, the greatest common divisor (gcd) of a sparse set of the first differences of the zero crossing times is very highly likely to be the half-period of the sinusoid. The MEA acts to robustly estimate the gcd of the observed noisy data. The MEA period estimate may be refined via a least-squares approach, that asymptotically achieves the appropriate Cramer–Rao bound. Simulation results illustrate the algorithms with as few as 10 zero-crossing times. The algorithm behavior is also studied using Bernoulli and random burst models for the missing ZC times, and good performance is demonstrated with very sparse observations.
WITHDRAWN: Communication between immune cells mediated by membrane connections.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the authors and Guest Editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy .
Comparison between the peak sidelobe of the random array and algorithmically designed aperiodic arrays

Thinned arrays (mean interelement spacing greater than one-half wavelength) are made aperiodic to suppress grating lobes. Many thinning algorithms were created in the 1960's and tested by computer simulation. Seventy such algorithmically designed aperiodic arrays are examined and the distribution of their peak sidelobes, relative to the expected values for random arrays having the same parameters, is obtained. The distribution is compared to that of a set of 170 random arrays. Both distributions are found to be nearly log normal with the same average and median values. They differ markedly in their standard deviations, however, the standard deviation of the random array distribution (1.1 dB) is approximately half that of the algorithmic group. The compactness of the random distribution almost guarantees against selection of a random array with catastrophically large peak sidelobes. Among the several algorithms examined, the method of dynamic programming produced the lowest peak sidelobe on the average.
What Do Unions Do?: A Twenty-year Perspective

One of the best-known and most-quoted books ever written on labor unions is "What Do Unions Do?" by Richard Freeman and James Medoff. Published in 1984, the book proved to be a landmark because it provided the most comprehensive and statistically sophisticated empirical portrait of the economic and socio-political effects of unions, and a provocative conclusion that unions are on balance beneficial for the economy and society. The present volume represents a twentieth-anniversary retrospective and evaluation of "What Do Unions Do?" The objectives are threefold: to evaluate and critique the theory, evidence, and conclusions of Freeman and Medoff; to provide a comprehensive update of the theoretical and empirical literature on unions since the publication of their book; and to offer a balanced assessment and critique of the effects of unions on the economy and society. Toward this end, internationally recognized representatives of labor and management cover the gamut of subjects related to unions. Topics covered include the economic theory of unions; the history of economic thought on unions; the effect of unions on wages, benefits, capital investment, productivity, income inequality, dispute resolution, and job satisfaction; the performance of unions in an international perspective; the reasons for the decline of unions; and the future of unions. The volume concludes with a chapter by Richard Freeman in which he assesses the arguments and evidence presented in the other chapters and presents his evaluation of how "What Do Unions Do?" stands up in the light of twenty years of additional experience and research. This highly readable volume is a state-of-the-art survey by internationally recognized experts on the effects and future of labor unions. It will be the benchmark for years to come.
African American Fathers and Incarceration: Paternal Involvement and Child Outcomes

Despite only accounting for 6% of the general population, African American males represent nearly 50% of the prison population. To investigate the impact of mass incarceration on African American families, data from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being study were analyzed. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of previous incarceration on African American fathers' instrumental and affective involvement with their children, and the extent to which their previous incarceration influences their children's behavior. Results revealed that 51% of the fathers in the sample had been incarcerated by their child's fifth birthday. The results also revealed that these fathers fared worse economically and were less involved with their children. Moreover, the children of previously incarcerated fathers had significantly worse behavioral problems than the children of fathers who had never been incarcerated.
A Software Development System for Microcomputers

The most common approach to microcomputer software development is to first assemble the program on the microcomputer system or cross-assemble it on a larger computer; then debug the program in the microcomputer or simulate it on another computer; and finally burn the program into a ROM or PROM.
Triacylglycerol profiling of microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Nannochloropsis oceanica

Triacylglycerols (TAGs) from microalgae can serve as feedstock for the production of biofuels. To gain a comprehensive understanding of TAG metabolism in algae through genetic and molecular approaches, and to improve algal biofuel production, efficient and quantitative phenotyping methods focusing on TAGs are required. Towards this end, a facile ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry protocol was developed for TAG profiling, achieving identification and quantification of intact TAG molecular species in two algae. TAG profiling was performed in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Nannochloropsis oceanica grown in nitrogen (N)-replete or N-depleted medium. For the quantification of algal TAGs and fatty acids, two sets of internal standards were developed by taking advantage of the presence of pheophytin and specific fatty acids in algal samples. Comparison of algal TAG levels was simplified by using these internal standards for TAG analysis, paving the way for high-throughput mutant screening.
Suppression of Soybean Oleosin Produces Micro-Oil Bodies that Aggregate into Oil Body/ER Complexes

Using RNAi, the seed oil body protein 24-kDa oleosin has been suppressed in transgenic soybeans. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) forms micro-oil bodies about 50 nm in diameter that coalesce with adjacent oil bodies forming a hierarchy of oil body sizes. The oil bodies in the oleosin knockdown form large oil body-ER complexes with the interior dominated by micro-oil bodies and intermediate-sized oil bodies, while the peripheral areas of the complex are dominated by large oil bodies. The complex merges to form giant oil bodies with onset of seed dormancy that disrupts cell structure. The transcriptome of the oleosin knockdown shows few changes compared to wild-type. Proteomic analysis of the isolated oil bodies of the 24-kDa oleosin knockdown shows the absence of the 24-kDa oleosin and the presence of abundant caleosin and lipoxygenase. The formation of the micro-oil bodies in the oleosin knockdown is interpreted to indicate a function of the oleosin as a surfactant.
An Acacia-based design for sustainable livestock carrying capacity on irrigated farmlands in semi-arid Africa

Abstract Multiple land-use designs are becoming increasingly necessary in semi-arid Africa as growing populations focus numerous production systems onto spatially limited arable lands. Engineering distinct land uses into a single area ideally requires that land-use components complement each other, and operate in predictable magnitudes. Quantitative evaluations of components to be included in multiple land-use designs are necessary to determine both how components would ‘fit’ together, and how these would serve populations participating in distinct production systems. With data gathered in Somalia, this study considers a design in which fodder-producing trees and irrigated agriculture could be integrated. Following a discussion of the benefits of such an integration, this analysis focuses on a quantitative examination of potential livestock carrying capacity from Acacia albida trees in an irrigated area. Comparisons are made with observed livestock numbers in order to determine if such a design could accommodate the seasonal influx of nomadic herds. The land-use elements that comprise carrying capacity are themselves examined to see which elemens might be managed to offset or take advantage of those which are not easily managed.
The subthalamic nucleus has neurofibrillary tangles in argyrophilic grain disease and advanced Alzheimer's disease

Neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) are present in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration, two sporadic tauopathies with preferential accumulation of tau with four repeats in the microtubule binding domain (4R tau). Since recent evidence suggests that argyrophilic grain disease (AGD) is also a 4R tauopathy, we hypothesized that the STN may also be affected in AGD. Tau immunostaining was used to evaluate NFT in the STN in 18 cases of AGD compared with 18 non-AGD cases matched for age, sex and Braak stage. AGD cases had significantly more NFT in the STN than non-AGD cases (P=0.008) with no relationship between NFT score and Braak stage. Surprisingly, NFT were also found in the STN of some non-AGD cases, notably in cases with advanced Braak stage (i.e. Alzheimer's disease). When AGD and non-AGD were considered as a whole there was a correlation between neurofibrillary degeneration in the STN and Braak stage. This study demonstrates that neurofibrillary degeneration is frequent in the STN in AGD, but also detected in non-AGD cases with advanced Braak stage.
Giant myxomas of the maxillofacial skeleton and skull base.

OBJECTIVES: To review our experience with patients diagnosed with giant myxomas of the maxillofacial skeleton.STUDY DESIGN: All patients undergoing excision of myxomas of the head and neck from Sep...
Primary Hyperparathyroidism and Osteosarcoma: Examination of a Large Cohort Identifies Three Cases of Fibroblastic Osteosarcoma†

To study a possible relationship between hyperparathyroidism and osteosarcoma, we reviewed 1234 osteosarcoma patients. In this cohort, only three patients had a diagnosis of both hyperparathyroidism and fibroblastic osteosarcoma. These results indicate that hyperparathyroidism is not more prevalent in patients with osteosarcoma than in the general population. However, the presence of hyperparathyroidism may modify the histologic and cytologic features of osteosarcoma. Introduction: The finding of osteosarcoma in rats receiving human PTH(1-34) raised the question of whether hyperparathyroidism might be a risk factor for development of osteosarcoma in humans. Materials and Methods: To study a possible relationship between hyperparathyroidism and osteosarcoma, we reviewed the medical records of 1234 osteosarcoma patients seen at The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center since 1948. Our study focused on clinical, biochemical, radiologic, and histopathologic findings indicative of primary hyperparathyroidism and the features of osteosarcoma. Results: Of the 1234 cases reviewed, 3 patients had a diagnosis of both primary hyperparathyroidism and osteosarcoma. In two cases, hyperparathyroidism preceded the osteosarcoma, and in one case, both conditions were diagnosed at the same time. In two cases with concomitant hyperparathyroidism and osteosarcoma, features of osteitis fibrocystica were identified. The third patient was treated for hyperparathyroidism 3 years before osteosarcoma was diagnosed. All three patients had histologic features of fibroblastic osteosarcoma, a type that accounts for no more than 20% of osteosarcomas. To assess whether the prevalence of hyperparathyroidism was greater than expected in the normal population, we compared the age- and sex-specific prevalence in our cohort to a population of healthy individuals in Tromso, Norway. This analysis showed no significant differences between the two populations, despite the fact that a higher prevalence of hyperparathyroidism (6.9% versus 1.6%) was noted in the 60- to 69-year-old female osteosarcoma age group. Conclusions: Our results indicate that hyperparathyroidism is not more prevalent in affected individuals with osteosarcoma than in the general population. The finding of fibroblastic osteosarcoma in all three patients raises the question of whether coexistent hyperparathyroidism may modify the cytologic and histologic features of the malignancy.
QUANTIFIED OPTIMALITY AND THE PHONOLOGICAL PARSING OF KOREAN SOV SENTENCES

Abstract. In an attempt to understand the variable nature of phonological phrasing in Korean, this study analyzes intuitional judgments of 53 native speakers of Korean who evaluated possible phonological phrasings of simple Subject-Object-Verb sentences: [S]-[OV], [SO]-[V], [SOV], and [S]-[O]-[V]. Analysis of the quantified rating data reveals a strong preference for a subject-predicate phrasing ([S]-[OV]) and a distinct dispreference for the phrasing in which the subject and object were grouped into a single phonological constituent ([SO]-[V]). These preferences are then analyzed in the context of a constraint-based theoretical framework; by extending the Optimality Theory (OT) notion of "ranking" to include not only constraints but also candidates, we corroborate the existence of preference patterns in native-speaker intuitions regarding the phrasing of [SOV]. These patterns are explained by referencing three putatively universal constraints that govern the phonological phrase formation: one that aligns phonological phrases with syntactic phrases, a second that requires phonological phrases to be binary branching, and a third that limits the weight of phonological phrases to five syllables. Although the quantitative data and the proposed OT account are not in complete agreement, the account put forward should encourage further research into a more comprehensive integration of variation studies and OT.
Hierarchical queue-length-aware power control for real-time applications over wireless networks

We consider the problem of optimal power control for quality-of-service-assured wireless communication. The quality of service (QoS) measures of our consideration are a triplet of data rate, delay, and delay bound violation probability (DBVP). Our target is to develop power control laws that can provide delay guarantees for real-time applications over wireless networks. The power control laws that aim at optimizing certain physical-layer performance measures, usually adapt the transmission power based on the channel gain; we call these “channel-gain-based” (CGB) power control (PC). In this paper, we show that CGB-PC laws achieve poor link-layer delay performance. To improve the performance, we propose a novel scheme called hierarchical queue-length-aware (HQLA) power control. The key idea is to combine the best features of the two PC laws, i.e., a given CGB-PC law and the clear-queue (CQ) PC law; here, the CQ-PC is defined as a PC law that uses a transmission power just enough to empty the queue at the link layer. We analyze our proposed HQLA-PC scheme by the matrix-geometric method. The analysis agrees well with the simulation results. More importantly, our results show that the proposed HQLA power control scheme is superior to the corresponding CGB-PC in both average power consumption and effective capacity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testis and somatic Xrcc-1 DNA repair gene expression

The humanXRCC1 gene has been shown to be involved in DNA strand-break repair using the Chinese hamster ovary cell mutant EM9. The purpose of this study was to characterize the expression ofXrcc-1 to determine if there is tissue-specific expression and to provide a baseline of information for future studies that may involve alteringXrcc-1 expression in mice. Normal young adult male testis and enriched populations of pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids displayed significantly higher levels ofXrcc-1 expression than other mouse tissue, althoughXrcc-1 transcripts were found in low abundance in all tested tissues. Cultured mouse cell lines displayed levels of expression similar to male germ cells, which is a striking contrast to the levels of expression obtained in somatic tissues from the mouse. The relatively high levels of expression identified in male germ cells indicateXrcc-1 may have an important role in male germ cell physiology.
Local newspapers and the library: a “community asset”

Purpose – The purpose of this column is to examine the transition of print newspapers to the digital environment and the recognition that the library continues in its tradition of providing access to local newspapers.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a literature review and commentary on this topic that has been addressed by theoreticians, researchers and practitioners.Findings – The library must remain a trusted resource regarding access to local newspapers, a critical factor defining its place in the community. As newspapers increasingly transition to the digital environment, in any discussion of availability of the local newspaper to its patrons, the library must continue to play its central role as the principal access point for local news and information.Originality/value – The value in addressing this issue is to recognize that libraries persist in providing local newspaper services to their patrons during the evolution of formats.
Current-driven non-linear magnetodynamics in exchange-biased spin valves

This work investigates the excitation of parametric resonance in exchange-biased spin valves (EBSVs). Using a mechanical point contact, high density dc and microwave currents were injected into the EBSV sample. Observing the reflected microwave power and the small rectification voltage that develops across the contact allows detecting the current-driven magnetodynamics not only in the bulk sample but originating exclusively from the small contact region. In addition to ferromagnetic resonance (FMR), parametric resonance at twice the natural FMR frequency was observed. In contrast to FMR, this non-linear resonance was excited only in the vicinity of the point contact where current densities are high. Power-dependent measurements displayed a typical threshold-like behavior of parametric resonance and a broadening of the instability region with increasing power. Parametric resonance showed a linear shift as a function of applied dc bias which is consistent with the field-like spin-transfer torque induced by current on magnetic moments in EBSV.
From the Editors: This Is the Year that Was

The first year of my tenure as Editor in Chief has concluded, so I think it's appropriate to reflect on what has transpired over the past six issues in light of what I originally envisioned. Several points from my first EIC message synopsize what I had in mind.
Overview of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Stuttering

Stuttering is a speech disorder defined by frequent prolongations, repetitions, or blocks of spoken sounds and/or syllables, as well as anxiety and cognitive avoidance. Stuttering is a very common disorder, and research now indicates that it is likely a multifactorial process with a physiologic etiology. Recent advances in the field of stuttering now provide insight into novel treatment strategies to help guide the practicing clinician. In addition to considering the upcoming revision to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria, comprehensive treatment should address all aspects of this disorder, as the optimal treatment of stuttering involves a multidisciplinary approach.
Studies in Postural Control Systems Part II: Tendon Jerk Input

The postural control system in normal humans is studied by applying a tendon jerk disturbance to the system. A stretch reflex was elicited in the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle by a tap on the achilles tendon. It is shown that the initial conditions (muscle tension or the length of the muscle) and the stimulus (strength of the hammer force) have strong influence on the reflex response (change in foot torque or angle).
Extracting statistical data from free-form text

The authors describe a method for processing free-form text files. The method consists of segregating and separating four physically and logically identifiable regions. The four regions are postprocessed to update three history files that contain information about manufactured products over a period of time. The technique used in processing such files falls under the general category of data segregation and character recognition. It involves the use of logical and mathematical operations in recognizing region boundaries and types of data fields and establishing uniqueness in name recognition. Hashing methods are used, combined with logical matrix multiplication in updating the history files. Sparse formats are used to store multiple large arrays on disks, reducing storage requirements by more than a factor of two. The techniques are implemented using multiprogramming environments in an automated system.
Le lait, une matière d'avenir pour la cosmétique

Resume La cosmetologie est maintenant devenue une discipline scientifique a part entiere. Elle s'appuie sur une demarche et des experimentations rigoureuses ayant pour objet de demontrer l'efficacite des produits testes dans 2 grands domaines: la protection active de la peau ou la relance par stimulation du metabolisme cutane. Les composants du lait, secretion naturelle utilisee en cosmetologie depuis l'antiquite, repondent dans de nombreux domaines aux besoins de la cosmetologie. Les proteines du lait sont a meme de constituer des principes actifs hydratants; elles peuvent egalement se substituer aux tensio-actifs de synthese dans l'elaboration des shampooings. De plus, celles comportant une fraction glycosylee pourraient etre largement utilisees dans tous les produits de lutte contre le vieillissement cutane. Enfin, la lactoferrine, du fait de sa capacite a chelater le fer, serait a meme de prevenir le developpement de radicaux libres decoulant de l'exposition solaire. S'ils peuvent etre separes et purifies a des couts acceptables, les composants de la membrane des globules gras du lait pourraient trouver egalement de larges debouches en cosmetologie, que ce soit en tant que principes actifs ou pour la realisation de systemes nanovesiculaires (liposomes).
Protection Elicited by a Double Leucine and Pantothenate Auxotroph of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Guinea Pigs

ABSTRACT We developed a live, fully attenuated Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine candidate strain with two independent attenuating auxotrophic mutations in leucine and pantothenate biosynthesis. The ΔleuD ΔpanCD double auxotroph is fully attenuated in the SCID mouse model and highly immunogenic and protective in the extremely sensitive guinea pig tuberculosis model, reducing both bacterial burden and disease pathology.
The light environment in a giant kelp forest: influence of Macrocystis pyrifera on spatial and temporal variability

Quantum irradiance was measured at several depths in forests of the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Agardh in southern California, USA, during the summer of 1983. The greatest reduction in irradiance occurred in the uppermost 1 m of the water column, where the floating portions of kelp fronds formed surface canopies with high blade densities. Average irradiances low enough to limit macroalgal photosynthesis ( 200 μE m-2 s-1), ranging from <1 to 60s or more in duration, composed a considerable proportion of total irradiance at 1 m depth, even during recordings with low average irradiances. These fluctuations probably affect photosynthetic efficiency of kelp tissues within and just below the canopy. Predictions of kelp productivity based on irradiances averaged over hours or days and on photosynthetic parameters determined under laboratory conditions may be inaccurate, due to the spatial and temporal variability characteristic of the kelp forest light-environment.
Absence of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inhibition of Neutrophil Apoptosis in Patients With Diabetes

Background Patients with diabetes mellitus are considered to be at increased risk for infections and often experience more serious and prolonged infections. Defects in neutrophil microbicidal function have been identified in diabetic patients and are believed to contribute to this problem. Neutrophil apoptosis or programmed cell death regulates functional longevity, and is an integral component of inflammation and its resolution. It remains unknown whether neutrophils from diabetic patients demonstrate defects in apoptosis. Hypothesis Neutrophils from diabetic patients have defects in spontaneous and/or endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS])–induced apoptosis. Design Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from healthy volunteers and insulin-dependent diabetic patients to harvest neutrophils for in vitro study. Interventions and Main Outcome Measures Neutrophils were cultured for 0 and 24 hours in the absence and presence of LPS. Normal neutrophils were also cultured under conditions of normal or high glucose concentration. Percentage of apoptotic cells was determined by flow cytometry. Results Normal neutrophils undergo significant apoptosis after 24 hours, and the percentage of apoptotic cells is reduced in the presence of LPS. Diabetic neutrophils undergo normal spontaneous apoptosis, but do not demonstrate LPS-induced inhibition of apoptosis. The LPS-induced inhibition of apoptosis in normal neutrophils is prevented under high-glucose conditions. Conclusions Neutrophils from diabetic patients demonstrated defects in LPS-induced apoptosis. High-glucose environment may mediate these findings. The inability of diabetic neutrophils to reduce apoptosis following LPS exposure resulted in relatively increased apoptosis. This would cause decreased functional longevity of neutrophils and increased neutrophil clearance from infectious sites, possibly contributing to the increased susceptibility and severity of infections in diabetic patients.