cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy in Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia: long-term results.

Background Liquid nitrogen endoscopic spray cryotherapy can safely and effectively eradicate high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus (BE-HGD). Long-term data on treatment success and safety are lacking. Objective To assess the long-term safety and efficacy of spray cryotherapy in patients with BE-HGD. Design Single-center, retrospective study. Setting Tertiary-care referral center. Patients A total of 32 patients with BE-HGD of any length. Intervention Patients were treated with liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy every 8 weeks until complete eradication of HGD (CE-HGD) and intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM) was found by endoscopic biopsy. Surveillance endoscopy with biopsies was performed for at least 2 years. Main Outcome Measurements CE-HGD, CE-IM, durability of response, disease progression, and adverse events. Results CE-HGD was 100% (32/32), and CE-IM was 84% (27/32) at 2-year follow-up. At last follow-up (range 24-57 months), CE-HGD was 31/32 (97%), and CE-IM was 26/32 (81%). Recurrent HGD was found in 6 (18%), with CE-HGD in 5 after repeat treatment. One patient progressed to adenocarcinoma, downgraded to HGD after repeat cryotherapy. BE segment length ≥3 cm was associated with a higher recurrence of IM ( P = .004; odds ratio 22.6) but not HGD. No serious adverse events occurred. Stricture was seen in 3 patients (9%), all successfully dilated. Limitations Retrospective study design, small sample size. Conclusion In patients with BE-HGD, liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy has an acceptable safety profile and success rate for eliminating HGD and IM and is associated with a low rate of recurrence or progression to cancer with long-term follow-up.
Daily atmospheric variability in the South American monsoon system

The space–time structure of the daily atmospheric variability in the South American monsoon system has been studied using multichannel singular spectrum analysis of daily outgoing longwave radiation. The three leading eigenmodes are found to have low-frequency variability while four other modes form higher frequency oscillations. The first mode has the same time variability as that of El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and exhibits strong correlation with the Pacific sea surface temperature (SST). The second mode varies on a decadal time scale with significant correlation with the Atlantic SST suggesting an association with the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO). The third mode also has decadal variability but shows an association with the SST of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO). The fourth and fifth modes describe an oscillation that has a period of about 165 days and is associated with the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO). The sixth and seventh modes describe an intraseasonal oscillation with a period of 52 days which shows strong relation with the Madden-Julian oscillation. There exists an important difference in the variability of convection between Amazon River Basin (ARB) and central-east South America (CESA). Both regions have similar variations due to ENSO though with higher magnitude in ARB. The AMO-related mode has almost identical variations in the two regions, whereas the PDO-related mode has opposite variations. The interseasonal NAO-related mode also has variations of opposite sign with comparable magnitudes in the two regions. The intraseasonal variability over the CESA is robust while it is very weak over the ARB region. The relative contributions from the low-frequency modes mainly determine the interannual variability of the seasonal mean monsoon although the interseasonal oscillation may contribute in a subtle way during certain years. The intraseasonal variability does not seem to influence the interannual variability in either region.
Distinct functional classes of ram mutations in 16S rRNA

During decoding, the ribosome selects the correct (cognate) aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) from a large pool of incorrect aa-tRNAs through a two-stage mechanism. In the initial selection stage, aa-tRNA is delivered to the ribosome as part of a ternary complex with elongation factor EF-Tu and GTP. Interactions between codon and anticodon lead to activation of the GTPase domain of EF-Tu and GTP hydrolysis. Then, in the proofreading stage, aa-tRNA is released from EF-Tu and either moves fully into the A/A site (a step termed "accommodation") or dissociates from the ribosome. Cognate codon-anticodon pairing not only stabilizes aa-tRNA at both stages of decoding but also stimulates GTP hydrolysis and accommodation, allowing the process to be both accurate and fast. In previous work, we isolated a number of ribosomal ambiguity (ram) mutations in 16S rRNA, implicating particular regions of the ribosome in the mechanism of decoding. Here, we analyze a representative subset of these mutations with respect to initial selection, proofreading, RF2-dependent termination, and overall miscoding in various contexts. We find that mutations that disrupt inter-subunit bridge B8 increase miscoding in a general way, causing defects in both initial selection and proofreading. Mutations in or near the A site behave differently, increasing miscoding in a codon-anticodon-dependent manner. These latter mutations may create spurious favorable interactions in the A site for certain near-cognate aa-tRNAs, providing an explanation for their context-dependent phenotypes in the cell.
Three-Body Contributions to the Triton Binding Energy

A variational calculation shows that the central part of the L\'evy potential is not sufficient to bind the triton. One finds a bound $S$-state wave function only if the coupling constant is increased appreciably. Using wave functions determined in this way, the author has computed the binding energy contributed by five three-body terms, derived from the $ps\ensuremath{-}ps$ theory. Results of this calculation indicate that the so-called "leading" three-body term is not the dominant term, even if damping is taken into account. The total contribution of the potentials considered here is attractive, not repulsive.
Should the accounting profession fear greater government regulation? A look at the German profession

Abstract Criticism of the self-regulatory effort of the U. S. public accounting profession always carries the threat of increased government regulation. This paper describes the German public accounting profession's experience with government regulation. It concludes that concerns about expanded government regulation of the U.S. profession may be exaggerated. There are positive aspects to increased government involvement which may make a greater government regulatory role more palatable.
FUTURE POLICY UNCERTAINTY, EFFORT, AND THE RESPONSIVENESS OF OUTPUT TO MARKET SIGNALS

This paper analyses the consequences of future policy uncertainty on the allocation of effort in an economy undergoing reforms. We demonstrate that uncertainty regarding future tax policies may reduce present effort, and will also reduce the responsiveness of output to productivity shocks and other market signals. The discussion has relevance for cases in which privatization will make present managers of firms the future owners and residual claimants to future output. An expectation that the purchasing price of the firm will have a positive relationship to present output will induce the manager to reduce contemporaneous effort, and uncertainty regarding the relationship will also depress present managerial effort.
Effects of laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation on cerebral and systemic haemodynamics in children under different protocols of anaesthesia

The effects of laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation on cerebral and systemic haemodynamics were studied in 30 children. The objective was to identify conditions in which the alterations of cerebral and systemic haemodynamics were minimal. The children were intubated after muscular relaxation and following 10 min of mechanical ventilation with endtidal halothane concentrations of 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5%, respectively. With 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5% endtidal halothane, the mean flow velocity increased by 26%, 19% and 5%, the mean blood pressure by 14%, 10% and 1%, and the heart rate by 26%, 8% and 5% respectively after intubation. Adverse effects of laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation on cerebral haemodynamics in children can be avoided by adequate anaesthetic protocols.
Temperature Compensated Refractometer Based on a Cascaded SMS/LPFG Fiber Structure

Abstract A hybrid optical fiber structure for refractive index (RI) measurement with the temperature compensation capability is reported. The structure consists of a CO2 laser-induced long period fiber grating (LPFG) and a section of single mode–multimode–single mode (SMS) fiber structure. The LPFG serves as a refractometer with a temperature compensator using a simple SMS fiber structure. The sensing mechanism of this device has been investigated and experimentally demonstrated. The SMS structure was insensitive towards the change in the ambient RI but was sensitive towards the changes in the ambient temperature whereas the LPFG was sensitive towards both. A sensitivity matrix was built to compensate the temperature-RI crosstalk. The capability of simultaneous measurement of temperature and RI of the sensor was experimentally validated.
Towards Sixfold Functionalization of Buckminsterfullerene (C60) at Fully Addressable Octahedral Sites

Selective C(60)-functionalizations that provide access to unusual multifunctional molecules are of interest in the construction of highly organized three-dimensional assemblies. The temporary "masking" of three of the most reactive sites on C(60) by a bisdiene tether has allowed the facile and high-yielding formation of the fully differentiated trisadduct 1 and the interesting hexaadduct 2.
Type 1 neurofibromatosis gene: identification of a large transcript disrupted in three NF1 patients

Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (NF1) is a common autosomal dominant disorder characterized by abnormalities in multiple tissues derived from the neural crest. No reliable cellular phenotypic marker has been identified, which has hampered direct efforts to identify the gene. The chromosome location of the NF1 gene has been previously mapped genetically to 17q11.2, and data from two NF1 patients with balanced translocations in this region have further narrowed the candidate interval. The use of chromosome jumping and yeast artificial chromosome technology has now led to the identification of a large (approximately 13 kilobases) ubiquitously expressed transcript (denoted NF1LT) from this region that is definitely interrupted by one and most likely by both translocations. Previously identified candidate genes, which failed to show abnormalities in NF1 patients, are apparently located within introns of NF1LT, on the antisense strand. A new mutation patient with NF1 has been identified with a de novo 0.5-kilobase insertion in the NF1LT gene. These observations, together with the high spontaneous mutation rate of NF1 (which is consistent with a large locus), suggest that NF1LT represents the elusive NF1 gene.
The phases of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract The events of the cardiac cycle are re-evaluated on the basis of newer ideas of inertial states, compliance, and similar hemodynamic principles by the use of more precise, modern recording equipment. While these events generally agree with classic schemes, certain discrepancies which tend to cause inaccurate measurement are presented. In particular, the intervals existing between A-V valve closure and the onset of the first sound, and between semilunar valve closure and the onset of the second sound are discussed. Causes of prolongation of the intervals between valve closures and sound events are briefly discussed. The possibility of inaccurate measurements by noninvasive techniques is further considered.
Cellular responses to high ascorbic acid intake by normally nourished and undernourished mice

Abstract Swiss albino mice were reared in litters of 8 or 14 pups each to produce normally nourished or undernourished pups, respectively. Litter size was maintained 26 days postnatally when several mice were sacrificed. The undernourished mice weighed less and had lower ascorbic acid contents in their livers and adrenals than normally nourished mice. They also had lighter brains, livers, and kidneys, and fewer cells (DNA) in those tissues. Animals remaining in both size litters were allowed free access to a stock diet and either untreated drinking water or drinking water containing 250 mg ascorbic acid per 100 ml for 28 days, when they were sacrificed. Suplementary ascorbic acid had no effect on cell number (DNA) or cell size (protein/DNA) in tissues of either normally nourished or early undernourished mice. Undernourished mice, however, retained fewer cells in their tissues than normally nourished mice.
Photoreceptor degeneration and rd1 mutation in the grizzled/mocha mouse strain

Abstract The mocha mouse is a spontaneous mutant carrying a defective adaptor-like protein complex AP-3δ subunit. We examined retinal function and histology of the mocha mutant. We found that not only mocha homozygotes but also other littermates in the inbred strain are blind due to severe defects in both rod and cone photoreceptors on electroretinogram recordings. The functional deficit was caused by rapid, early postnatal photoreceptor degeneration. Genotyping confirmed the presence of a viral insertion of rd1 gene in the mocha strain. We conclude that rd1 allele contamination is primarily responsible for photoreceptor degeneration, and caution against behavioral tests with visual cues in the present stocks.
Diaprepes abbreviatus: suppression of reproductive potential on citrus with an insect growth regulator plus spray oil.

The reproductive potential of Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) was significantly reduced by aerial applications of diflubenzuron (N-[[ (4-chlorophenyl)amino]carbonyl]-2,-6-difluorobenzamide), 25W, plus spray oil. The diflubenzuron reduced the hatch of eggs, and the oil caused eggs to become detached from foliage. As a result, viable eggs were reduced 95, 97, 95, and 95%, respectively, for 4 consecutive wk posttreatment. A spray volume of 47 liter/ha (350 g diflubenzuron/ha in 50/50 spray oil plus water) applied by air to a bearing citrus grove was more effective than a spray volume of 9-liter/ha.
On the analysis of microwave MESFET mixers

A new and efficient analysis method for microwave MESFET mixers was developed. The analysis incorporates harmonic balance large-signal analysis, implemented using robust and fast numerical algorithms, into an extended small-signal analysis originally developed for diode mixers. Simulated performance of a GaAs MESFET mixer circuit using the developed analysis and the commercially available software LIBRA agree very well.
Development of refractory armored silicon carbide by infrared transient liquid phase processing

Abstract Tungsten (W) and molybdenum (Mo) were coated on silicon carbide (SiC) for use as a refractory armor using a high power plasma arc lamp at powers up to 23.5 MW/m 2 in an argon flow environment. Both tungsten powder and molybdenum powder melted and formed coating layers on silicon carbide within a few seconds. The effect of substrate pre-treatment (vapor deposition of titanium (Ti) and tungsten, and annealing) and sample heating conditions on microstructure of the coating and coating/substrate interface were investigated. The microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM). The mechanical properties of the coated materials were evaluated by four-point flexural tests. A strong tungsten coating was successfully applied to the silicon carbide substrate. Tungsten vapor deposition and pre-heating at 5.2 MW/m 2 made for a refractory layer containing no cracks propagating into the silicon carbide substrate. The tungsten coating was formed without the thick reaction layer. For this study, small tungsten carbide grains were observed adjacent to the interface in all conditions. In addition, relatively large, widely scattered tungsten carbide grains and a eutectic structure of tungsten and silicon were observed through the thickness in the coatings formed at lower powers and longer heating times. The strength of the silicon carbide substrate was somewhat decreased as a result of the processing. Vapor deposition of tungsten prior to powder coating helped prevent this degradation. In contrast, molybdenum coating was more challenging than tungsten coating due to the larger coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch as compared to tungsten and silicon carbide. From this work it is concluded that refractory armoring of silicon carbide by Infrared Transient Liquid Phase Processing is possible. The tungsten armored silicon carbide samples proved uniform, strong, and capable of withstanding thermal fatigue testing.
Postglacial change in sea level in the Western north atlantic ocean.

Radioactive carbon determinations of the age of peat indicate that at Bermuda, southern Florida, North Carolina, and Louisiana the relative sea level has risen at approximately the same rate, 2.5 x 10 -3 foot per year (0.76 x 10 -3 meter per year), during the past 4000 years. It is proposed tentatively that this is the rate of eustatic change in sea level. The rise in sea level along the northeastern coast of the United States has been at a rate much greater than this, indicating local subsidence of the land. Between Cape Cod and northern Virginia, coastal subsidence of 13 feet appears to have occurred between 4000 and 2000 years ago and has continued at a rate of about 1 x 10 -3 foot per year since then. On the northeastern coast of Massachusetts, subsidence of 6 feet occurred between 4000 and 3000 years ago; since then sea level has risen at about the eustatic rate. Between 12,000 and 4000 years ago, sea level rose at an average of about 11 x 10 -3 foot per year. The part played by local subsidence or temporary departures from the average rate during this period is uncertain.
Esthesioneuroblastoma: the impact of treatment modality.

Background We evaluated the impact of treatment modality on esthesioneuroblastoma. Methods Between 1976 and 1996, 25 patients with esthesioneuroblastoma were treated at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology. There were 11 male and 14 female patients; their ages ranged from 16 to 73 years (median, 57 years). The tumors were Kadish stage A in 3, Stage B in 13, C in 8, and modified D in 1 (cervical nodal metastasis). Seventeen patients were treated with surgery and radiation therapy, six were treated with irradiation alone, and two were treated with surgery only. Eight patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 8 years (range, 2–24 years). Results The 5-year actuarial overall survival, disease-free survival, and local tumor control rates were 66.3%, 56.3%, and 73.0%, respectively. Kadish stage was not a significant prognosticator for local control or disease-free survival. Five-year local control rates were 87.4% for the combination of surgery and radiation therapy and 51.2% for irradiation alone. Two patients with Kadish stage A and B disease underwent surgical resection alone; both failed locally. In contrast, 33.3% of patients (three of nine) with Kadish stage A or B disease who received adjuvant radiation therapy had a local recurrence develop. With adjuvant radiation therapy, the surgical margin status did not influence local tumor control. Among the eight patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, six patients showed no response, one had partial response, and one showed a complete response. Conclusions Surgical resection plus adjuvant radiation therapy yielded the best treatment outcome. More effective chemotherapy agents with a reproducible effectiveness are needed for patients with locally advanced esthesioneuroblastoma. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 749–757, 2001.
Off-target thiol alkylation by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor 3-benzyl-7-(2-benzoxazolyl)thio-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine (VAS2870)

Specific inhibitors of the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the NADPH oxidases (Nox's) are potentially important therapeutic agents in the wide range of human diseases that are characterized by excessive ROS production. It has been proposed that VAS2870 (3-benzyl-7-(2-benzoxazolyl)thio-1,2,3- triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine), identified as an inhibitor of Nox2 by small-molecule screening, may serve as an example of such an agent. Here we show that VAS2870 inhibits ROS production in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of mammalian skeletal muscle, previously identified with Nox4, and thereby abrogates O2-coupled redox regulation of the ryanodine receptor–Ca2+ channel (RyR1). However, we also find that VAS2870 modifies directly identified cysteine thiols within RyR1. Mass spectrometric analysis of RyR1 exposed in situ to VAS2870 and of VAS2870-treated glutathione indicated that thiol modification is through alkylation by the benzyltriazolopyrimidine moiety of VAS2870. Thus, VAS2870 exerts significant off-target effects, and thiol alkylation by VAS2870 (and closely related Nox inhibitors) may in fact replicate some of the effects of ROS on cellular thiol redox status. In addition, we show that SR-localized Nox4 is inhibited by other thiol-alkylating agents, consistent with a causal role for cysteine modification in the inhibition of ROS production by VAS2870.
The Impact of Component Pricing of Soybeans and Milk

Currently, the price that an individual farmer receives for soybeans is not adjusted for oil and protein content, and the price for milk is adjusted for fat content but not for solids-not-fat. This study finds that the potential social surplus gains from a change to component pricing of these commodities is small (no more than one to two percent of current commodity value, before deducting the extra costs of such a pricing system). Substantial transfers would occur between component-consuming groups, while producers as a group would be affected only slightly.
Rho kinase mediates serum-induced contraction in fibroblast fibers independent of myosin LC20 phosphorylation.

Fibroblasts form fibers when grown in culture medium containing native type 1 collagen. The contractile forces generated can be precisely quantified and used to analyze the signal transduction path...
Scheduling high-level tasks among cooperative agents

Scheduling tasks among cooperative agents requires tradeoffs between various factors including task priorities and context-dependent execution times. We have specifically been investigating the space of functions for evaluating alternative distributed task schedules for multi-operator applications. In this paper, we describe some candidate functions and converge on intuitively appealing functions, which we show to lead to equivalent preferences over distributed schedules. We then look at the computational complexity of finding schedules that (approximately) optimize this function. When context switching costs are thrown into the mix moreover, the complexity becomes even more daunting. To address these problems, this paper summarizes our work on forging correspondences between our problems and those studied in operations research. Moreover, we have developed a new hill-climbing strategy for solving these problems, and we show that it performs well within the range of parameter settings that are representative of our application domain.
Capacity bounds for Cooperative diversity

In a cooperative diversity network, users cooperate to transmit each others' messages; to some extent nodes therefore collectively act as an antenna array and create a virtual or distributed multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system. In this paper, upper and lower bounds for the information-theoretic capacity of four-node ad hoc networks with two transmitters and two receivers using cooperative diversity are derived. One of the gains in a true MIMO system is a multiplexing gain in the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime, an extra factor in front of the log in the capacity expression. It is shown that cooperative diversity gives no such multiplexing gain, but it does give a high SNR additive gain, which is characterized in the paper
Accuracy bounds in switching activity estimation

Calculation of switching densities in digital ICs is necessary for both power and reliability estimation. Discrete simulation-based methods are popular since they can produce accurate estimates of switching density. However, a number of unresolved problems such as estimating the required number of input patterns hinder this technique. In this paper, we address the issue of obtaining an a-priori estimate for the number of simulation patterns required for a specified accuracy. By approximating each signal as a binomial random variable and using the normal approximation to the binomial distribution, we obtain bounds on the number of required patterns. Experimental data shows that our model produces a tight bound on the minimum number of required patterns.
Scan your way to success

An image scanner was utilized to create soft copy art that greatly reduced time and costs in developing a documentation library for a printer product. By using the image scanner technology, it was possible to meet the goals established when this project was planned: (1) development and production costs were reduced (approximately 126 hours of illustration time were saved); additionally, pasteup time for drafts was eliminated; (2) and aggressive schedule was met, where the illustration schedule was reduced by three weeks; and (3) cut and paste was avoided because the artwork was included in the documentation as soon as the artwork was scanned and turned into soft copy. >
Parameterized SPICE subcircuits for submicron multilevel interconnect modeling

A parameterized interconnect modeling system which provides VLSI designers with a direct link between finite-difference 2-D/3-D capacitance simulators and SPICE simulators is described. In this way, both the device modeling and the interconnect modeling are parameterized, and the time needed to generate SPICE inputs is estimated to decrease by two or three orders of magnitude with this approach. >
Neurocognitive Workload Assessment Using the Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test

The traditional approach to assessing neurocognitive performance makes use of paper and pencil neuropsychological assessments. This received approach has been criticized as limited in the area of ecological validity. While virtual reality environments provide increased ecological validity, they are often done without taking seriously the demands of rigorous research design and control for potentially confounding variables. The newly developed Virtual Reality Cognitive Performance Assessment Test (VRCPAT) focuses upon enhanced ecological validity using virtual environment scenarios to assess neurocognitive processing. After an assessment for potential confounds (i.e. appropriate level of immersion and performance on neuropsychological measures), the VRCPAT battery's Attention Module (i.e. Humvee scenario) was administered to a sample of healthy adults. Findings suggest that increase in stimulus complexity and stimulus intensity can manipulate attention performance within the Attention Module.
Dynamics of immigration into Yellow-Bellied Marmot colonies

Immigration and recruitment were examined in six colonies of Yellow-bellied Marmots (Marmota flaviventris) for 220 colony-years. Recruitment occurred significantly more often than immigration. Rates of immigration and recruitment were not significantly correlated among colonies nor were either significantly related to the area of the colony. The rates of immigration and recruitment did not differ when the population density of resident females was below the mean, but recruitment was significantly more likely when the population density was above the mean. Immigration was more likely to occur when population density was below the mean, but recruitment did not significantly vary with population density. Recruits were two-years-old whereas immigrants averaged 2.82-years-old. Of 32 yearling females who were potential immigrants to a site, only three became resident and the remaining were transients or peripherals. Two peripheral yearlings and six of 29 peripheral adults eventually became immigrants. Yearlings were more likely to be immigrants if the adult resident females were nonreproductive and if there were no philopatric yearlings present. Immigration and recruitment occurred in the same colony in the same year only eight times. Fitness of adult females is enhanced by recruiting daughters into matrilines consisting of mother:daughter:sister groups. Immigration occurs when empty space is available and there are insufficient recruits to occupy all available space.
Controlling ligand density on nanoparticles as a means to enhance biological activity.

Nanoparticle interactions with biological structures Nanoparticle (NP)-based delivery systems (nanoconstructs) have gained recent attention because of their promise in enhancing delivery efficiency and therapeutic efficacy for cancer treatment [1]. By design, engineered nanomaterials offer advantages over other approaches because their sizes and surface ligand presentations are commensurate with biological markers and active regions on the plasma membrane [2]. However, there is still a lack of detailed information on interactions between the ligands grafted to the NP core and targets in physiological conditions. Since NPs enter most cells via energy-dependent processes that depend on the properties of the nanoconstructs [3], an understanding of how physicochemical parameters including NP size, NP shape, ligand density and overall surface charge affect local interactions is needed in order to optimize the cellular uptake pathway [4]. Most reports on nanoconstruct optimization have focused on in vivo applications [5]; however, the type and density of ligands on NP cores have recently emerged as critical factors that dictate how nanoconstructs interact with receptors on the cell membrane [2], which will ultimately affect their effectiveness in tumors. The next leap in nanomedicine will occur when we understand – at the nanoscopic level – how a single, engineered nanoconstruct interacts with an individual cell. Cell stimulation and induced cellular responses are sensitive to local ligand concentrations of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and related molecules [6]. For example, membrane–receptor clustering and lipid-raft formation can initiate signal cascades within ligand-induced cellular pathways [6]. Such processes modulate uptake by controlling when endocytic pathways are initiated [7]. Hence, controlled ligand density and presentation on nanoconstructs is emerging as a promising route to modulate cellular responses and as a potential tool to understand the mechanism of NP uptake. Recently, gold NPs (AuNPs) have been exploited to investigate how surface ligand densities affect interactions with cells at the nanoscale [8]. AuNPs offer distinct advantages, including: they are biocompatible and do not produce adverse effects in vitro or in vivo [9]; their unique optical (localized surface plasmon) properties such as absorption and scattering enable their use in bioaffinity sensors, photothermal therapy and bioimaging [9]; and unlike soft materials, AuNPs do not deform in physiological conditions, which enables long-term studies of how they impact cellular behavior [9]. These strengths suggest that AuNPs can function as a model system to study ligand–receptor interactions in gene and therapeutic agent delivery processes [10].
Are Nonprofit Antipoverty Organizations Located Where They Are Needed? A Spatial Analysis of the Greater Hartford Region

The geographic distribution of nonprofit antipoverty organizations has important implications for economic development, social services, public health, and policy efforts. With counts of antipoverty nonprofits at the census tract level in Greater Hartford, Connecticut, we examine whether these organizations are located in areas with high levels of poverty with a spatial zero-inflated-Poisson model. Covariates that measure need, resources, urban structure, and demographic characteristics are incorporated into both the zero-inflation component and the Poisson component of the model. Variation not explained by the covariates is captured by the combination of a spatial random effect and an unstructured random effect. Statistical inferences are done within the Bayesian framework. Model comparison with the conditional predictive ordinate suggests that the random effects and the zero-inflation are both important components in fitting the data. All three need measures—proportion of people below the poverty line, ...
Heat-Induced Interactions Between the Proteins of Milk Fat Globule Membrane and Skim Milk

Milk fat globule membrane proteins in washed cream were analyzed using preparative isoelectric focusing followed by SDS-PAGE. Five major protein bands of milk fat globule membrane were observed with apparent molecular mass of 150, 67, 62.5, 51, and 49 kDa. The protein of band 5 (49 kDa) was well separated from the protein of band 4 (51 kDa). Heat-induced effects (72 and 87 degrees C for 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 min) on whole milk proteins were also investigated under nonreducing and reducing conditions to study disulfide interactions between serum proteins and those in the fat membrane. beta-Lactoglobulin and other milk serum proteins interacted readily with milk fat globule membrane and membrane proteins at 87 degrees C, but only slightly at 72 degrees C. However, the interactions between serum proteins and fat globule membrane proteins cannot be explained solely by disulfide linkage formation. Some membrane proteins, especially the 49-kDa protein (band 5), underwent drastic changes after heat treatment. Further characterization of the 49-kDa protein demonstrated that it binds concanavalin A; AA composition and N-terminal sequence of the protein were determined and compared with those reported in the literature.
Infrared and laser Raman spectroscopy in membrane analysis.

The stretching, twisting, etc., of chemical bonds at frequencies of 10 ' ° 1011 Hz may change their dipoles, allowing absorption of electromagnetic radiation of similar, i.e. infrared (IR) frequenciest-a). However, IR band frequencies reflect not only those of bond oscillations but also vibrational and environmental interactions. Thus peptide C----O, C-N, and N-H all absorb in the IR, but specific peptide IR bands, representing the combined contributions of these vibrations, may also indicate 2 ° structure. Because H20 layers >0.05 mm are IR-opaque, many IR studies require use of D20 (clear in most of the IR) or dried material on/in IR-transparent supports.
Mobisaic: An Information System for a Mobile Wireless Computing Environment

Mobisaic is a World Wide Web information system designed to serve users in a mobile wireless computing environment. Mobisaic extends the Web by allowing documents to both refer and react to potentially changing contextual information, such as current location in the wireless network. Mobisaic relies on client side processing of HTML documents that support two new concepts: dynamic uniform resource locators (URLs) and active documents. A dynamic URL is one whose results depend upon the state of the user's mobile context at the time it is resolved. An active document is one that automatically updates its contents in response to changes in a user's mobile context. The paper describes the design of Mobisaic, the mechanism it uses for representing a user's mobile context, and the extensions made to the syntax and function of uniform resource locators and HyperText markup language documents to support mobility.
The equivalence problem for program schemata with nonintersecting loops

In his thesis Paterson proved that equivalence is decidable for program schemata such that every instruction falls on at most one loop and only monadic function signs appear. Here we remove the restriction on function signs. The problem reduces to that of showing that the numerical exponents which satisfy certain "word equations" over a semigroup of acyclic directed graphs may be characterized by sentences of Presburger arithmetic; these exponents correspond to loop coefficients of the program schemata. The central construction is a finite automaton whose memory is a window of bounded size on an acyclic directed graph corresponding to a solution to such a "word equation".
CCN1: a sticky issue in myeloma

In this issue of Blood , Johnson et al report that patients with high CCN1 levels in their marrow who were treated in the Total Therapy 3 trial have a prolonged overall survival and better progression-free survival than patients with lower levels of CCN1.[1][1] ![Figure][2] Multiple myeloma
The Case for Intravenous Magnesium Treatment of Arterial Disease in General Practice: Review of 34 Years of Experience

Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) in a 50% solution was injected initially intramuscularly and later intravenously into patients with peripheral vascular disease (including gangrene, claudication, leg ulcers and thrombophlebitis), angina, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), non-haemorrhagic cerebral vascular disease and congestive cardiac failure. A powerful vasodilator effect with marked flushing was noted after intravenous (IV) injection of 4–12 mmol of magnesium (Mg) and excellent therapeutic results were noted in all forms of arterial disease. This technique of rapidly securing very high initial blood levels of MgSO4 produces results in arterial disease which cannot be equalled by oral vasodilators or intramuscular (IM) or IV infusion therapy. It is suggested that the most important action of MgSO4 in AMI is to open up collateral circulation and relieve ischaemia thus reducing infarct size and mortality rates. Prophylactic use of MgSO4 and its effect on serum lipid, fibrinogen, urea and creatinine levels are ...
Enhancement of cloned gene product synthesis via autoselection in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae autoselection strains with mutations in the ura3, fur1, and urid-k genes have been obtained through a sequential isolation procedure. This autoselection system is an extension of one described by Loison et al. The mutations effectively block both the pyrimidine biosynthetic and salvage pathways and in combination are lethal to the host. Therefore, a plasmidencoded URA3 gene is essential for cell viability regardless of the growth conditions, and complex (traditionally nonselective) media can be employed without the risk of plasmid loss. The effects of medium enrichment on growth and cloned gene product synthesis were examined in batch culture for two autoselection strains. The plasmid gene product β-galactosidase was under the control of the yeast GAL1 promoter, and two methods of induction were employed; one strain was induced via temperature shift while the other was induced by galactose addition. Three nutrient media were investigated: a lean selective medium (SD), a richer semidefined medium (SDC), and a rich complex medium (YPD). The results demonstrated the improvements in cloned gene productivity possible when the growth medium is enriched, with up to 10-fold increases in β-galactosidase productivity observed. Plasmid instability and mutation reversion were not problems for the autoselection strains, even in uracil-containing medium. Short-term plasmid stabilities were approximately 90% in all three media tested. During continuous culture of the autoselection temperature-sensitive strain, long-term plasmid stability was excellent and β-galactosidase expression remained high after more than 25 residence times under inducing conditions. In contrast, both β-galactosidase specific activity and plasmid stability decreased linearly with time for an analogous nonautoselection strain. The introduced fur1 and uridk mutations were very stable; after more than 50 generations of growth in complex medium, stability values of 99–100% were measured. © 1993 Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Associations between depressive symptoms and memory deficits vary as a function of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) levels in healthy older adults.

Summary Objectives Accumulating evidence suggests an adverse association between depressive symptoms and cognition, but a positive association between insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and cognition. The present study examined the influence of IGF-1 in the relationship between depressive symptoms and learning and memory. Methods A cross-sectional study of 94 healthy fit older adults. Blood was collected and plasma IGF-1 was measured. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and learning and memory were assessed using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT). Results Among older adults with lower IGF-1 levels, higher depressive symptoms scores were associated with lower AVLT delayed recall and recognition. Older adults with higher IF-1 levels showed no associations between depressive symptoms and memory. Conclusions The association between depressive symptoms and cognition is stronger among older adults with lower levels of circulating IGF-1. Further validation studies on groups with depression or different stages of cognitive impairment are needed. IGF-1 may be a novel intervention target for slowing cognitive decline in older adults with depressive symptoms.
Degeneracy of the Linear Seventeen-Point Algorithm for Generalized Essential Matrix

In estimating motions of multi-centered optical systems using the generalized camera model, one can use the linear seventeen-point algorithm for obtaining a generalized essential matrix, the counterpart of the eight-point algorithm for the essential matrix of a pair of cameras. Like the eight-point algorithm, the seventeen-point algorithm has degenerate cases. However, mechanisms of the degeneracy of this algorithm have not been investigated. We propose a method to find degenerate cases of the algorithm by decomposing a measurement matrix that is used in the algorithm into two matrices about ray directions and centers of projections. This decomposition method allows us not only to prove degeneracy of the previously known degenerate cases, but also to find a new degenerate configuration.
Value of artificial dentures

Abstract Thus, correctly fabricated dentures possess values to remedy disturbed mental conditions, important functions of the special sense organs, and many interrelated psychologic problems. It is hoped this article will cause dentists to consider these important health-giving values of dentures, and to project them more fully to denture patients. Denture health values are hidden accumulative values, more so than the commonly recognized values. Dentists have been more concerned with the physical and mechanical than with the associated subtle values which give the real health values inherent to dentures.
Comparative histological study of the adrenal cortex of the wild and domesticated Norway rat.

THE domestication of the wild Norway rat into the tame laboratory rat has produced striking alterations in temperament, anatomy and physiology (1). Because domestication involves obvious changes in the psychology of the animal the neuroendocrine system has received a large share of the emphasis in past studies which have sought to elucidate the role physiologic mechanisms play in domestication. The adrenals have long been known to show important differences between the wild and tame Norway rat. Watson reported in 1907 that the adrenals of the domesticated rat are smaller than those of the wild rat (2). King and H. H. Donaldson (3) and King (4) later found that in successive generations of wild rats bred in the laboratory the adrenals gradually become lighter and tend to approach the weights found in domesticated rats. J. C. Donaldson showed that the adrenal cortex accounts for the entire difference in size (5). This has been confirmed by Rogers and Richter (6).
The Porous Phase Barrier and Crystallization

Abstract A porous body can be used as a phase barrier, or to safely store or transmit a metastable fluid phase (B) under certain definable conditions even when a stable phase (A) outside the porous body is in intimate contact with the metastable phase inside the body. The condition to be met can be expressed by R 90°), Phase A can be crystalline, as demonstrated by the natural process of frost heaving of soi...
Poor Vector Competence of Fleas and the Evolution of Hypervirulence in Yersinia pestis

Population genetics and comparative genomics analyses of the pathogenic Yersinia species have indicated that arthropodborne transmission is an evolutionarily recent adaptation in Yersinia pestis, the agent of plague. We show that the infectivity of Y. pestis to its most proficient vector, the rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis, and subsequent transmission efficiency are both low. The poor vector competence of fleas likely imposed selective pressure that favored the emergence and continued maintenance of a hypervirulent Y. pestis clone. In particular, the rapidly fatal gram-negative sepsis that typifies plague is a consequence of the high threshold bacteremia level that must be attained to complete the transmission cycle. Epidemiological modeling predicts that, to compensate for a relatively short period of infectivity of the mammalian host for the arthropod vector, plague epizootics require a high flea burden per host, even when the susceptible host population density is high.
Variable Structure Control of Decoupleable Systems and Attitude Control of Spacecraft in Prescence of Uncertainty

This paper considers control of a class of uncertain nonlinear systems which can be decoupled by state variable feedback. A variable structure control (VSC) law is derived such that in the closed-loop system the output variable asymptotically tracks a given output trajectory in spite of the uncertainty in the system. Based on this result, a control law is derived for the attitude control of an orbiting spacecraft in the presence of uncertainty using reaction jets. The controlled outputs are the three Euler angles which describe the orientation of the spacecraft relative to an orbital frame. Simulation results are presented to show that in the closed-loop system precise attitude control is accomplished in spite of the uncertainty in the system.
Polyacrylamide solutions used in radiation dosimetry – effect of added electrolyte

An investigation was carried out on a dosimeter based on the degradation of polyacrylamide by gamma radiation. The addition of NaCl to polyacrylamide solutions caused the viscosities of the samples to remain stable for very long periods of time. An hypothesis is given to explain the behavior of polyacrylamide as a polyelectrolyte. (P.C.H.)