cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of Collagenase 1 (MMP-1) Is Mediated by the ERK Pathway in Invasive Melanoma Cells ROLE OF BRAF MUTATION AND FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR SIGNALING

Melanoma progresses as a multistep process where the thickness of the lesion and depth of tumor invasion are the best prognostic indicators of clinical outcome. Degradation of the interstitial collagens in the extracellular matrix is an integral component of tumor invasion and metastasis, and much of this degradation is mediated by collagenase-1 (MMP-1), a member of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family. MMP-1 levels increase during melanoma progression where they are associated with shorter disease-free survival. The Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is a major regulator of melanoma cell proliferation. Recently, BRAF has been identified as a common site of activating mutations, and, although many reports focus on its growth-promoting effects, this pathway has also been implicated in progression toward metastatic disease. In this study, we describe four melanoma cell lines that produce high levels of MMP-1 constitutively. In each cell line the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway is constitutively active and is the dominant pathway driving the production of MMP-1. Activation of this pathway arises due to either an activating mutation in BRAF (three cell lines) or autocrine fibroblast growth factor signaling (one cell line). Furthermore, blocking MEK/ERK activity inhibits melanoma cell proliferation and abrogates collagen degradation, thus decreasing their metastatic potential. Importantly, this inhibition of invasive behavior can occur in the absence of any detectable changes in cell proliferation and survival. Thus, constitutive activation of this MAPK pathway not only promotes the increased proliferation of melanoma cells but is also important for the acquisition of an invasive phenotype.
A general approach to construct double deletion mutants of SV40.

Abstract A procedure is described for the construction of double deletion mutants of SV40 from two parental viruses, each carrying a deletion sequence at a specific region. The construction steps involve heteroduplex formation between two parental DNA molecules, nuclease Sl treatment, and subsequent cloning of the duplexes after infection in the permissive cell. Two such mutants were obtained: One contains both deletions in the late gene region; and the other contains one deletion in the early region and another in the late region. These mutants were derived from their respective deletion mutants as shown by restriction enzyme analysis of their DNA genomes.
Endovascular treatment of an acute ascending aortic intramural hematoma

INTRODUCTION Herein, we present a case of an elderly gentleman who presented with an extensive intramural hematoma of the aorta which was treated with a percutaneous placement of an endovascular stent.
The Joint Commission Survey Can Be a “SNAP”!

Healthcare facilities' integration of the standards and changes in current Joint Commission survey process means that staff members at all levels must participate and interact with surveyors more than ever before. It no longer is sufficient just to meet the standards; staff members must under stand and invest in the standards' intent. One way to accomplish this is to increase staff members' awareness of the various survey processes. It is not necessary to ?teach? the standards, but rather to relate them to what already is known and understood. Empowering the nursing staff by relating their practices to the Joint Commission standards, from their perspective and within a familiar context, can contribute significantly to a successful survey.
Toxicity of some chemical therapeutics to the commercial shrimp, Penaeus californiensis

Abstract Information is presented concerning the toxicity of methylene blue, copper sulfate, cutrine, potassium permanganate, formaline-malachite green, and hyamine to Penaeus californiensis Holmes.
Detecting, tracking and interacting with people in a public space

We have built a system that engages naive users in an audio-visual interaction with a computer in an unconstrained public space. We combine audio source localization techniques with face detection algorithms to detect and track the user throughout a large lobby. The sensors we use are an ad-hoc microphone array and a PTZ camera. To engage the user, the PTZ camera turns and points at sounds made by people passing by. From this simple pointing of a camera, the user is made aware that the system has acknowledged their presence. To further engage the user, we develop a face classification method that identifies and then greets previously seen users. The user can interact with the system through a simple hot-spot based gesture interface. To make the user interactions with the system feel natural, we utilize reconfigurable hardware, achieving a visual response time of less than 100ms. We rely heavily on machine learning methods to make our system self-calibrating and adaptive.
Discussion forum: Federal records and archives

Abstract Ten years of experience in working with Federal records and archives has shown me that many Federal employees, as well as those using Federal records and archives, do not fully understand the terms “permanent records” and “archives,” nor can they, most often, provide an adequate definition of a Federal record. This article will try to clarify what Federal records, permanent records, and archives are. It addresses who creates and maintains them, who determines which records become archives, and some of the legal issues relating to records and access to them.
Hydroxy‐terminated poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐δ‐valerolactone) oligomers: Synthesis, characterization, and polyurethane network formation

Difunctional hydroxy-terminated poly(e-caprolactone-co-e-valerolactone) (PCV) oligomers were synthesized by the diol-initiated bulk copolymerization of e-caprolactone (C) and δ-valerolactone (V). The two homopolymers were semicrystalline, with almost identical melting temperatures; copolymerization significantly lowered the melting point (Tm) compared to either homopolymer. Copolymer melting points were found to decrease with decreasing molecular weight and to be dependent on composition, i.e., the incorporation of a comonomer into either homopolymer resulted in a decrease in Tm, with the maximum decrease occurring at a copolymer composition of about 60 mol % e-caprolactone. The molar compositions of the copolyesters were determined from 13C-NMR spectra. The reactivity ratios of the two monomers (M1 = C, M2 = V) were determined to the r1 = 0.25 and r2 = 0.49. Number average molecular weight (Mn) of the PCV diols was inversely proportional to the initial diol concentration within the studied molecular weight range of 900 to 11,100 g/mol. Crosslinked polyurethane networks were prepared by reacting PCV diols with triphenylmethane triisocyanate. Network characterization included determination of sol content by solvent extraction, glass transition (Tg) and Tm by DSC, and tensile properties by stress-strain measurements. Completely amorphous networks resulted from PCV diols of Mn ≤ 2,400; semicrystalline networks resulted from PCV diols of Mn ≥ 3,600.
SILAR-Deposited Hematite Films for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: Effects of Sn, Ti, Thickness, and Nanostructuring

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) has been widely investigated for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, but questions remain regarding the nature of improvements induced by different dopants. We report on facile annealing treatments to dope hematite with Ti and Sn, and we provide insight into the effects of the dopant concentration profiles on two key steps of PEC water oxidation: charge separation and interfacial hole transfer. Hematite thin films were deposited by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR), with and without the presence of a TiO2 underlayer on the F:SnO2 substrate, and annealed to drive diffusion of Ti and Sn from the underlying layers into the hematite. PEC measurements showed that Ti and Sn at the hematite surface increase hole injection efficiency from nearly zero to above 80%. Ti and Sn also slightly improve charge separation efficiency, although separation efficiency remains below 20% due to low hole mobility and high recombination rate. To overcome the small hole transport len...
A concept to collect neutron and x-ray images on the same line of sight at NIFa)

Neutron and x-ray images are collected at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to measure the size and shape of inertial confinement fusion implosions. The x-ray images provide a measure of the size and shape of the hot region of the deuterium-tritium fuel while the neutron images provide a measure of the size and shape of the burning plasma. Although these two types of images are collected simultaneously, they are not collected along the same line of sight (LOS). One 14 MeV neutron image is collected on the NIF equator, and two x-ray images are collected along the polar axis and nearly perpendicular to the neutron imaging line of sight on the equator. Both measurements use pinhole apertures to form the images, but existing x-ray imaging provides time-resolved measurements while the neutron images are time-integrated. Detailed comparisons of the x-ray and neutron images can provide information on the fuel assembly, but these studies have been limited because the implosions are not azimuthally symmetric and the images are collected along different LOS. We have developed a conceptual design of a time-integrated x-ray imaging system that could be added to the existing neutron imaging LOS. This new system would allow these detailed studies, providing important information on the fuel assembly of future implosions. Here we present this conceptual design and the expected performance characteristics.
Closed loop foregut obstruction in a premature neonate

Multiple foregut atresias are exceedingly rare. We present a unique case of combined pyloric and duodenal atresia in a premature neonate. The anomaly appeared to evolve into a closed loop foregut obstruction in the postnatal period. Foregut continuity was established with a gastroduodenostomy, duodenoduodenostomy, and duodenal tapering. The child survived and continued to thrive at 2 years of age.
Multiple exchange and high-energy fixed-angle scattering

We study fermion scattering in both Abelian and non-Abelian field theories in the high-energy fixed-angle limit to fourth order in the coupling, with an eye to the validity of the "one hard, multiple soft" exchange picture (Schiff approximation) and to the possibility of naive or anomalous scaling behavior for the amplitude. We find that the Schiff approximation is in error and, if perturbation theory is a guide, that scaling behavior is unlikely. We cannot definitely say whether exponentiation will occur.
Suboptimal MAP estimates using A* and genetic algorithms

We address the restoration problem for noisy and degraded signals. Novel algorithms for suboptimal MAP estimates have been developed using the A* and genetic algorithms (GAs). The experiments carried out have shown suboptimal A* (SA*) and suboptimal genetic (SGA*) algorithms to be competitive with dynamic programming (DP) for MAP estimation, and that the use of GAs (in SGA*) provides limited gains over SA*. In terms of restoration quality, the suboptimal approaches yield a solution that on the average is only 5% worse than that provided by DP as the noise and/or signal size increase. Our experiments suggest that for limited amounts of noise (about 10%) suboptimal MAP estimates compare favorably against DP in terms of runtime complexity.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Interobserver reliability of methods for paleopathological diagnosis of dental caries

There is disagreement as to whether clinical methods of caries diagnosis will produce reliable results in skeletal material, and studies vary greatly in the extent to which such methods are employed. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to evaluate the interobserver reliability of visual, tactile, and radiographic methods of scoring dental caries in ancient populations. Thirty-three individuals from a Mogollon skeletal sample were scored on three occasions by pairs of examiners. The first exam employed visual criteria alone. In the second exam, visual methods were supplemented with the dental explorer. For the third exam, mesial and distal surfaces were scored from “intraoral” radiographs. Examiners worked independently, but did calibrate on material from clinical populations prior to the second and third exams. Exams were conducted on a “blind” basis, and analysis was delayed until all exams were completed. Caries scores were expressed as a percentage of total surfaces present per individual. Repeat-measures ANOVA and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to estimate interobserver reliabilities. For visual scores, ICC = 0.97, and there is no significant difference between examiners (P = 0.897). For visual plus explorer scores, ICC drops to 0.90, and there is a significant difference between examiners (P = 0.003). For the radiographs, ICC = 0.86, and there is no significant difference between observers (P = 0.117). These results suggest that clinical methods are less reliable in skeletal populations. Probable sources of error include postmortem dehydration of carious dentin, confusing radiolucencies engendered by worn or fractured enamel, and inadequate radiologic standards for root caries. These problems can be avoided through reliance on visual criteria.
Lack of collateral thalamocortical projections to fields of the first somatic sensory cortex in monkeys.

Retrograde axoplasmic transport of differently colored fluorescent dyes was used to determine the distributions and relative proportions of cells in the ventrobasal complex of the monkey thalamus that project to each of the architectonic fields of the first somatic sensory cortex. Fast Blue was injected into portions of area 3a identified by first recording short latency, multiunit responses to electrical stimulation of Group I afferents in a muscle nerve of the forelimb or hindlimb. Nuclear Yellow was later injected into a part of area 2 responding to maximal electrical stimulation of the same nerve. In experiments that served as controls, Fast Blue was injected into area 3b and Nuclear Yellow into area 1. The results confirm the division of the ventrobasal complex into: (i) a central core with an inner part projecting to area 3b and a surrounding part projecting to area 1; (ii) a peripheral shell projecting to areas 3a and 2 (Jones et al. 1982). A far greater proportion of VB cells projects to areas 3b or 3a than to areas 1 or 2. In portions of the ventrobasal complex projecting to two areas, no cells were double labelled provided that the injections of blue and yellow dyes did not overlap. The results, thus, show a lack of collateral thalamocortical projections to the fields of the postcentral gyrus and, when taken in conjunction with other data, imply the independent relay of modality specific information through the thalamus.
Use of the CPI structural scales in Taiwan college graduates.

The study examines the usefulness of the CPI vector scales in a cross-cultural setting. These scales assessing degree of internality (v.1), norm-abiding tendency (v.2) and self-actualization (v.3) were administered to a group of 215 recently college graduated Taiwan men and women. The Taiwan sample was found to be more norm-abiding and less actualized than American college students. This difference is discussed in the context of varying cultural values. Based on the raw scale scores, personality type and actualization level of the students were determined. Appropriateness of U.S. derived cutoff scores for determining type and actualization for this group is discussed.
A model for functional recovery and cortical reintegration after hemifacial composite tissue allotransplantation.

Background:The ability to achieve optimal functional recovery is important in both face and hand transplantation. The purpose of this study was to develop a functional rat hemifacial transplant model optimal for studying both functional outcome and cortical reintegration in composite tissue allotran
Content and activities of microsomal electron transport components during the development of dieldrin-induced hypertrophic hypoactive endoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract The addition of dieldrin (50 ppm) to the diet of male and female rats produced an early induction of drug metabolism accompanied by an increase in the microsomal electron transport components. However, the rates of metabolism of aldrin, ethylmorphine, and aniline in males and of aldrin and aniline metabolism in females declined toward control values during subsequent weeks. These decreases occurred despite continuous exposure to dieldrin and continued induction of cytochrome P -450, NADPH oxidase, and NADPH cytochrome c reductase. In several instances, the metabolism of substrate per unit of cytochrome P -450 was lower in dieldrin-induced microsomes than in microsomes from controls. This condition has previously been termed hypoactive hypertrophic endoplasmic reticulum (HHER). In the male, HHER appeared to be related to alterations in the binding of the Type I substrates ethylmorphine and aldrin to cytochrome P -450. However, decreases in aniline metabolism in both males and females appeared to be unrelated to changes in binding. HHER did not develop in microsomes from female rats with respect to ethylmorphine and aldrin metabolism. Our results suggest that the appearance of HHER may not represent a decompensation phase of dieldrin response, but instead may be due to qualitative changes in the induced cytochrome P -450.
Oxygen enrichment with magnesium peroxide for minimizing hypoxic stress of flooded corn

Flooding/waterlogging is a major factor responsible for hypoxic stress in agriculture. The aim of this study was to develop an effective oxygen buffer with magnesium peroxide (MgO 2 ) to generate hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and release bioavailable oxygen. MgO 2 provided a relatively stable level (approx. 300 mM) of bioavailable oxygen. The oxygen-buffer system is adjustable and controllable by adding Mg 2+ or EDTA to the aqueous system. Regular H 2 O 2 was also able to provide bioavailable oxygen but the system was poorly buffered with respect to oxygen release. The accessibility of plants to bioavailable oxygen was indicated by the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADHase, EC 1.1.1.1), an anaerobically induced enzyme of flooded plants. The application of MgO 2 to flooded soil reduced ADHase activity in corn-root tips by 91.3%. This application of MgO 2 presents a novel pathway to significantly (P < 5%) minimize adverse impacts of hypoxia on flooded corn seedlings. This finding may have broad implications for addressing hypoxicity problems in crop science and technology.
Animation: what's essential for effective communication of military simulation model operation?

This research was sponsored by the Logistics Studies and Analysis Division of Headquarters Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (HQ AFOTEC/SAL), Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. They desired to see how animation could be used in the model validation process and in communicating a model to senior leadership. In order to address their question, we initiated this research in the overall con text of using animation to establish a model's face validity. However, we concluded that the research should begin with more basic issue: what aspects of animation best communicate the operation of a simulation model. Three aspects of animation (movement, color, and detail of icons) were looked at individually and in combination. The ability to communicate was measured both subjectively and objectively. This paper presents the results of the objective measures. There were seven different scenarios containing various problems with the system. The objective measures were subject problem identification accuracy and time delay of problem identification. The results showed that movement was the most important aspect. The subjects performed equally well for all the animations with movement and, when there was no movement, the subjects' performance dropped equally.
Private specificities of CD8 T cell responses control patterns of heterologous immunity

CD8 T cell cross-reactivity between viruses can play roles in protective heterologous immunity and damaging immunopathology. This cross-reactivity is sometimes predictable, such as between lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and Pichinde virus, where cross-reactive epitopes share six out of eight amino acids. Here, however, we demonstrate more subtle and less predictable cross-reactivity between LCMV and the unrelated vaccinia virus (VV). Epitope-specific T cell receptor usage differed between individual LCMV-infected C57BL/6 mice, even though the mice had similar epitope-specific T cell hierarchies. LCMV-immune mice challenged with VV showed variations, albeit in a distinct hierarchy, in proliferative expansions of and down-regulation of IL-7Rα by T cells specific to different LCMV epitopes. T cell responses to a VV-encoded epitope that is cross-reactive with LCMV fluctuated greatly in VV-infected LCMV-immune mice. Adoptive transfers of splenocytes from individual LCMV-immune donors resulted in nearly identical VV-induced responses in each of several recipients, but responses differed depending on the donor. This indicates that the specificities of T cell responses that are not shared between individuals may influence cross-reactivity with other antigens and play roles in heterologous immunity upon encounter with another pathogen. This variability in cross-reactive T cell expansion that is unique to the individual may underlie variation in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.
Aerobreakup in Rarefied Supersonic Gas Flows (Keynote)

We present new experimental results on the interfacial instabilities and breakup of Newtonian liquid drops suddenly exposed to rarefied, high-speed (Mach 3) air flows. The experimental approach allows for the first time detailed observation of interfacial phenomena and mixing throughout the breakup cycle over a wide range of Weber numbers. Key findings are that Rayleigh-Taylor instability alone is the active mechanism for free stream Weber numbers as low as 28 for low viscosity liquids and that stripping rather than piercing is the asymptotic regime as We→∞. This and other detailed visual evidence over 26 < We < 2600 are uniquely suitable for testing CFD simulations on the way to basic understanding of aerobreakup over a broad range of conditions.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Approximation of Besov Vectors by Paley–Wiener Vectors in Hilbert Spaces

We develop an approximation theory in Hilbert spaces that generalizes the classical theory of approximation by entire functions of exponential type. The results advance harmonic analysis on manifolds and graphs, thus facilitating data representation, compression, denoising and visualization. These tasks are of great importance to machine learning, complex data analysis and computer vision.
Future directions for hydropedology: quantifying impacts of global change on land use

Abstract. Hydropedology is well positioned to address contemporary issues resulting from climate change. We propose a six-step process by which digital, field-scale maps will be produced to show where climate change impacts will be greatest for two land uses: a) home sites using septic systems, and b) wetlands. State and federal laws have defined critical water table levels that can be used to determine where septic systems will function well or fail, and where wetlands are likely to occur. Hydrologic models along with historic rainfall and temperature data can be used to compute long records of water table data. However, it is difficult to extrapolate such data across land regions, because too little work has been done to test different ways for doing this reliably. The modeled water table data can be used to define soil drainage classes for individual mapping units, and the drainage classes used to extrapolate the data regionally using existing digital soil survey maps. Estimates of changes in precipitation and temperature can also be input into the models to compute changes to water table levels and drainage classes. To do this effectively, more work needs to be done on developing daily climate files from the monthly climate change predictions. Technology currently exists to use the NRCS Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database with hydrologic model predictions to develop maps within a GIS that show climate change impacts on septic system performance and wetland boundaries. By using these maps, planners will have the option to scale back development in sensitive areas, or simply monitor the water quality of these areas for pathogenic organisms. The calibrated models and prediction maps should be useful throughout the Coastal Plain region. Similar work for other climate-change and land-use issues can be a valuable contribution from hydropedologists.
Cross-Correlated TIRF/AFM Reveals Asymmetric Distribution of Force-Generating Heads along Self-Assembled, Synthetic Myosin Filaments

Myosin-II's rod-like tail drives filament assembly with a head arrangement that is often considered to be a symmetric bipole that generates equal and opposite contractile forces on actin. Self-assembled myosin filaments are shown here to be asymmetric in physiological buffer based on cross-correlated images from both atomic force microscopy and total internal reflection fluorescence. Quantitative cross-correlation of these orthogonal methods produces structural information unavailable to either method alone in showing that fluorescence intensity along the filament length is proportional to height. This implies that myosin heads form a shell around the filament axis, consistent with F-actin binding. A motor density of ∼50–100 heads/micrometer is further estimated but with an average of 32% more motors on one half of any given filament compared to the other, regardless of length. A purely entropic pyramidal lattice model is developed and mapped onto the Dyck paths problem that qualitatively captures this lack of length dependence and the distribution of filament asymmetries. Such strongly asymmetric bipoles are likely to produce an unbalanced contractile force in cells and in actin-myosin gels and thereby contribute to motility as well as cytoskeletal tension.
Data assimilation using the global ionosphere-thermosphere model

We consider a data assimilation technique for coupled ionospheric and thermospheric dynamics. The Global Ionosphere-Thermo-sphere Model (GITM) is used to simulate the ionospheric and thermospheric dynamics, and evaluate the performance of the data assimilation scheme that estimates the ion densities and flow speeds. This estimation technique is based on the state dependent Riccati equation (SDRE), which uses a frozen linear dynamics matrix for the time update of the error covariance and the evaluation of the Kalman filter gain. We demonstrate the performance of the data assimilation technique on a section of the ionosphere.
Hydrologic Model Framework for Water Resources Planning in the Santa Cruz River, Southern Arizona

: The authors develop a model framework that includes a set of hydrologic modules as a water resources management and planning tool for the upper Santa Cruz River near the Mexican border, Southern Arizona. The modules consist of: (1) stochastic generation of hourly precipitation scenarios that maintain the characteristics and variability of a 45-year hourly precipitation record from a nearby rain gauge; (2) conceptual transformation of generated precipitation into daily streamflow using varied infiltration rates and estimates of the basin antecedent moisture conditions; and (3) surface-water to ground-water interaction for four downstream microbasins that accounts for alluvial ground-water recharge, and ET and pumping losses. To maintain the large inter-annual variability of streamflow as prevails in Southern Arizona, the model framework is constructed to produce three types of seasonal winter and summer categories of streamflow (i.e., wet, medium, or dry). Long-term (i.e., 100 years) realizations (ensembles) are generated by the above described model framework that reflects two different regimes of inter annual variability. The first regime is that of the historic streamflow gauge record. The second regime is that of the tree ring reconstructed precipitation, which was derived for the study location. Generated flow ensembles for these two regimes are used to evaluate the risk that the regional four ground-water microbasins decline below a preset storage threshold under different operational water utilization scenarios.
Tailoring Enzyme-Rich Environmental DNA Clones: A Source of Enzymes for Generating Libraries of Unnatural Natural Products

A detailed bioinformatics analysis of six glycopeptide biosynthetic gene clusters isolated from soil environmental DNA (eDNA) megalibraries indicates that a subset of these gene clusters contains collections of tailoring enzymes that are predicted to result in the production of new glycopeptide congeners. In particular, sulfotransferases appear in eDNA-derived gene clusters at a much higher frequency than would be predicted from the characterization of glycopeptides from cultured Actinomycetes. Enzymes found on tailoring-enzyme-rich eDNA clones associated with these six gene clusters were used to produce a series of new sulfated glycopeptide derivatives in both in vitro and in vivo derivatization studies. The derivatization of known natural products with eDNA-derived tailoring enzymes is likely to be a broadly applicable strategy for generating libraries of new natural product variants.
A Correlation Between Auroral Kilometric Radiation and Inverted-V Electron Precipitation.

The paper discusses the direct relationship between the auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) power flux observed by the eccentric orbiting Hawkeye spacecraft and energetic electron precipitation in the nighttime auroral zone measured by the low-altitude polar orbiting AE-D spacecraft. The results of this study show that AKR is more closely associated with inverted V electron precipitation than with plasma sheet precipitation. It is found that as the observed AKR power flux increases, so does the simultaneously observed peak energy in inverted V electron precipitation increase. There is an evidence that suggests that the efficiency of generating AKR from inverted V particle participation ranges from 1/100,000% to a maximum efficiency of about 1%.
Black hole masses in active galaxies

This contribution reviews two topics of current interest in the study of black hole demographics in active galaxies: Can the stellar velocity dispersions of quasar host galaxies be measured? And can we constrain the black hole mass function below 10^6 M_⊙?
Escherichia coli O157:H7 Diarrhea in a Nursing Home: Clinical, Epidemiological, and Pathological Findings

In September 1984, an outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection occurred in a nursing home. It was the first recognized outbreak of this organism in the United States since 1982, when two outbreaks led to its recognition as a pathogen. Thirty-four of 101 residents developed a diarrheal illness; 14 were hospitalized with a severe illness characterized by crampy abdominal pain, marked abdominal distention, and grossly bloody diarrhea, and four died. The spectrum of illness associated with the infection was broad and included the following: asymptomatic infection, nonbloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and death. Clinical, radiographic, and postmortem pathological findings suggested involvement of the cecum and right colon. No evidence of response to antimicrobial agents could be documented, and antidiarrheal agents may have aggravated the disease. This investigation implicated hamburger as the vehicle transmission. Seventeen of 19 residents with hemorrhagic colitis, but only 28 of 67 healthy residents, had eaten hamburger on 13 September (P less than .001, Fisher's two-tailed exact test; relative risk [RR] = 7.7). Infection with E. coli O157:H7 can cause a wide range of manifestations. In the elderly these can be particularly severe and may resemble ischemic colitis.
Intrastriatal grafts derived from fetal striatal primordia. I. Phenotypy and modular organization.

Fetal striatal grafts display a striking modularity of composition. With acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry, the tissue of such grafts can be divided into regions with strong AChE staining of the neuropil and regions in which AChE staining of the neuropil is weak. In the experiments reported here, we reexamined the nature of this modularity. Striatal grafts were made by injecting dissociated cells of E15 ganglionic eminence into the striatum of adult rats, which 7 days before had recived intrastriatal deposits of ibotenic acid. Some donors had been exposed to 3H-thymidine at E11-E15. After 9–17 month survivals, the anatomical organization of the grafts was studied by histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and autoradiography. In every graft, the AChE-rich regions formed patches (P regions) in a larger AChE-poor surround (NP regions). Neurons labeled with 3H-thymidine appeared in both P and NP regions, suggesting that donor cells were distributed in each type of region and that neither type of tissue, P or NP, was composed exclusively of host tissue. In the AChE-rich P regions, markers characteristic of normal perinatal and mature rat striatum were expressed by medium-sized cells: calcium-binding protein (calbindin D28k) immunostaining, metenkephalin (mENK) immunostaining, and, more rarely, somatostatin (SOM) immunostaining. In the NP regions, however, medium-sized cells expressing calbindin and mENK immunostaining were very rare, and there was an abundance of neuronal types not found in normal mature striatal tissue. These included (1) large, multipolar, calbindin-positive neurons with well-ramified, densely stained dendrites, (2) large, SOM-positive neurons with prominent dendritic trees, and (3) mENK-positive cells smaller than typical striatal, medium-sized, mENK-immunoreactive neurons. In Nissl stains, the AChE-rich P regions resembled the normal striatum of mature animals, whereas the AChE-poor NP regions did not. These findings suggest that the P regions of fetal striatal grafts achieve a phenotypy similar to that of normal striatum at maturity and during much of postnatal development. The dominant expression of perikaryal calbindin- like immunoreactivity in the P regions further suggests that these zones have a high proportion of tissue resembling striatal matrix. By contrast, expression of marker antigens in the NP zones of the grafts suggests that these zones are predominantly composed of nonstriatal tissue or that they have the phenotypy of immature striatum intermixed with some nonstriatal cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Vaporization Kinetics of Na2SO4 from 900° to 1200°C

Continuous weight-change measurements were used to determine the vaporization kinetics of Na2SO4 from 900° to 1200°C in 150 torr O2. Simple evaporation of the sulfate was indicated. An activation energy for vaporization of 71 kcal/mol was calculated. Vaporization results obtained for Na2SO4 on oxide substrates indicated an Na2SO4-Cr2O3 reaction; however, no Na2SO4-ZrO2 reaction was observed.
Removing the golden coat of Staphylococcus aureus.

Inhibiting the synthesis of the carotenoid pigment of a strain of Staphylococcus aureus counters the virulence of the bacterium in vitro and in vivo.
Evaluate and identify optimal weapon systems using fuzzy multiple criteria decision making

The weapon identification and selection issue is an important and strategic component and has a significant impact on the efficiency of defense system in US. The main purpose of this research is to develop a universal model and system to effectively assess, evaluate and identify the optimal weapons from a large collection of available weapon systems that have multiple criteria based on a fuzzy multiple criteria decision making (FMCDM) model. A simple but effective weight estimation method is adopted in this paper to make this selection more objective and reliable. There are some different weight estimation methods reported by researchers, however, most methods need a lot of mathematical operations and make the process very time consuming and even more complicated. In this paper, we utilized a weight estimation method based on the paired comparison matrix to simplify this estimation process. The evaluation and selection process can be significantly simplified and improved by using this method.
The role of PECAM-1 (CD31) in leukocyte emigration: studies in vitro and in vivo

Platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1, CD31) is a molecule capable of mediating both homophilic and heterophilic adhesion. It is constitutively expressed and concentrated in the lateral borders between endothelial cells and expressed on the surfaces of neutrophils, monocytes, and some T cell subsets, as well as on platelets. In a quantitative in vitro assay, monoclonal antibody against PECAM-1 or soluble recombinant PECAM-1 selectively blocked passage of both neutrophils and monocytes across the endothelial monolayer by 70-90% without interfering with the ability of these cells to bind to the apical endothelial cell surface. These regents worked whether directed against leukocyte PECAM-1 or against endothelial cell PECAM-1 and were not additive, suggesting that a homophilic interaction was occurring. In a murine model of acute inflammation, thioglycollate-induced peritonitis, a monoclonal antibody against mouse PECAM-1 blocked emigration of leukocytes into the peritoneal cavity down to background levels. Examination of peritoneal venules in these mice revealed many leukocytes in apparent contact with the endothelial surface but unable to cross the intima. Thus, PECAM-1 has a distinct role in the transendothelial migration phase of leukocyte emigration, independent of the adhesion events on the apical surface.
Defective DNA Repair and Increased Genomic Instability in Artemis-deficient Murine Cells

In developing lymphocytes, the recombination activating gene endonuclease cleaves DNA between V, D, or J coding and recombination signal (RS) sequences to form hairpin coding and blunt RS ends, which are fused to form coding and RS joins. Nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) factors repair DNA double strand breaks including those induced during VDJ recombination. Human radiosensitive severe combined immunodeficiency results from lack of Artemis function, an NHEJ factor with in vitro endonuclease/exonuclease activities. We inactivated Artemis in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells by targeted mutation. Artemis deficiency results in impaired VDJ coding, but not RS, end joining. In addition, Artemis-deficient ES cells are sensitive to a radiomimetic drug, but less sensitive to ionizing radiation. VDJ coding joins from Artemis-deficient ES cells, which surprisingly are distinct from the highly deleted joins consistently obtained from DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit–deficient ES cells, frequently lack deletions and often display large junctional palindromes, consistent with a hairpin coding end opening defect. Strikingly, Artemis-deficient ES cells have increased chromosomal instability including telomeric fusions. Thus, Artemis appears to be required for a subset of NHEJ reactions that require end processing. Moreover, Artemis functions as a genomic caretaker, most notably in prevention of translocations and telomeric fusions. As Artemis deficiency is compatible with human life, Artemis may also suppress genomic instability in humans.
STUDIES OF THE HEMOLYSIS OF RED BLOOD CELLS BY MUMPS VIRUS : IV. QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF CHANGES IN RED BLOOD CELL LIPIDES AND OF VIRUS LIPIDES

Hemolysis of chicken red blood cells by mumps virus is associated with the release of sphingomyelin from the stromal lipoprotein and the destruction of 65 per cent of the sphingomyelin of the red cell stroma. However, the virus had no effect on isolated phosphatides extracted from the erythrocytes. The hemolytic action of the virus and changes in sphingomyelin content of the erythrocytes fail to occur at a pH of 6.0. The viral hemolysis of human erythrocytes is not associated with similar alterations in their content of sphingomyelin. The absence of lecithin from sheep erythrocytes, which are also lysed by mumps virus, is additional evidence that a viral lecithinase is not associated with the hemolytic property of mumps virus. Mumps virus concentrated from the amniotic fluid of viral infected chick embryos contains about 7 per cent phosphatide, 60 per cent of which is sphingomyelin.
Design of low-profile omnidirectional antenna for ground sensor networks

A new technique for designing an omnidirectional antenna that resembles a monopole antenna is presented and discussed. The antenna features less then lambda/7 in diameter and less then lambda/100 in vertical height. This approach allows placement of this antenna in a wide variety of environments while maintaining low-profile and preserving its input impedance and radiation behavior. Due to such capacity, the antenna is capable of being used for ground sensor networks. The fabricated antenna displays excellent matching and low cross-polarization radiation levels. Despite its relatively low radiation gain and efficiency, it is shown additional improvements can be made by increasing the height of the cavity and using materials with low dielectric constants.
Prevalence of incontinence by race and ethnicity of older people admitted to nursing homes

Abstract Objective While admissions of minorities to nursing homes (NHs) are increasing and prevalence of incontinence in NHs remains high, little is known about incontinence among racial-ethnic groups of NH admissions other than blacks. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of incontinence among older adults admitted to NHs by race/ethnicity at three levels of measurement: individual resident, NH, and Census division. Design Cross-sectional and descriptive. Participants and Setting Admissions of persons age 65 or older to 1 of 457 NHs of a national, for-profit chain over 3 years 2000–2002 (n = 111,640 residents). Methods Data sources were the Minimum Data Set v. 2.0 and 2000 US Census. Prevalence of the following definitions of incontinence was analyzed: Only Urinary Incontinence (UI), Only Fecal Incontinence (FI), Dual Incontinence (DI; UI and FI), Any UI (UI with or without FI), Any FI (FI with or without UI), and Any Incontinence (UI and/or FI and/or DI). Results Asian patients, black patients, and Hispanic patients had a higher prevalence of Any Incontinence (67%, 66%, and 58%, respectively) compared to white patients (48%) and American Indian patients (46%). At the NH level, all prevalence measures of incontinence (except Only UI) appear to trend in the opposite direction from the percentage of NH admissions who were white. Among Asian and white patients, there was a higher prevalence of all types of incontinence in men compared with women except for Only UI. Among Census divisions, the prevalence of all types of incontinence, except Only UI, was lowest in the 2 divisions with the highest percentage of white admissions to their NHs. Conclusions NHs admitting more racial/ethnic minorities may be faced with managing more incontinence and needing additional staffing resources. The association of the prevalence of most types of incontinence with the race/ethnicity of NH admissions at all levels of measurement lend support to the growing evidence that contextual factors beyond individual resident characteristics may contribute to NH differences.
A theoretical model for the study of nutritional status: An ecosystem approach

Nutrient intake is recognized as but one of many environmental factors which act upon the genetic potential of the young child to influence his physical development. The syndrome of malnutrition occurs not in isolation, but within the context of an entire constellation of environmental factors which together contribute to the final manifestation of the problem. Because nutrient intake may be associated with various environmental characteristics, the approach taken in the present model is ecological. It is believed that the nutritional status of preschool children must be examined in relation to factors which characterize his near environment, particularly his family. In the theoretical model which has been developed to study nutritional status, the family functions as the near environment for the developing child and thus plays a key role in providing conditions for interchange between him and the components of the more distal environment. Nutrient intake is viewed as an output of the family system result...
A novel primary bile acid in the Shoebill stork and herons and its phylogenetic significance.

The Shoebill stork, an enigma phylogenetically, was found to contain as its dominant biliary bile acid 16 � - hydroxychenodeoxycholic acid, a heretofore undescribed bile acid. The bile acid occurred as its taurine N -acyl ami- date; structure was established by nuclear magnetic reso- nance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). A search for this novel bile acid in other Ciconiiformes showed that it constituted � 92% of biliary bile acids in five of nine herons in the Ardidae, but was absent in all other families (Ciconi- idae, Threskiornithidae, Scopidae, Phoenicopteridae). The presence of this biochemical trait in the Shoebill stork and certain herons suggests that these birds are closely re- lated. —Hagey, L. R., C. D. Schteingart, H-T. Ton-Nu, and A. F. Hofmann. A novel primary bile acid in the Shoebill stork and herons and its phylogenetic significance. J. Lipid Res. 2002. 43: 685-690.
Dot-Gone: Fate Of A Dot-Com Enterprise

This case describes the start-up challenges confronted by an enterprising young entrepreneur in creating a home-based electronic commerce store. In contrast to all the get rich quick hype we have heard about, the value of this example lies in the fact that it identifies some of the real challenges--technical, management and marketing-- faced by new web-based ventures. It also gives a glimpse of some of the potential benefits and pitfalls of a web-based retailing enterprise. The beginnings of a start-up, creation and maintenance of a web – based business, and then the ultimate shutdown of the company are discussed.
Latent Growth Modeling and Developmental Psychopathology

We review variations of latent growth modeling and their applications in developmental psychopathology. We begin by reviewing core principles of developmental psychopathology. We then review basic assumptions of longitudinal studies and key issues in latent growth modeling. We present the history of the development of latent growth modeling as well as a series of specific latent growth models that are commonly considered in psychopathology. We then illustrate latent growth modeling studies for understanding developmental pathways in terms of continuity/discontinuity, equifinality/multifinality, and contextual influences. We describe latent change score modeling and growth mixture modeling studies and illustrate studies using these techniques to examine risk and protective mechanisms as predictors, mediators, and moderators for understanding cross-population differences, contextual influences, cross-domain relations, and prevention and intervention effects. Finally, we identify future directions for developmental psychopathology research that will benefit from latent growth modeling approaches. Keywords: latent growth modeling; growth mixture model; latent change score modeling; multiple group growth model; multiple levels of analysis