cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Schmidt'S syndrome and severe hyponatremia: report of an unusual case and review of the related literature.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe a rare case of profound hyponatremia in a male patient with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2 (Schmidt’s syndrome). Methods We present the clinical and laboratory data in our patient and review the related published reports from the English language literature on the association of hyponatremia with Schmidt’s syndrome. Results A 31-year-old man presented to the emergency department because of nausea, anorexia, and weakness for 6 days. He was found to have severe hyponatremia (serum sodium concentration, 101 mEq/L) and mild hyperkalemia. Endocrine testing revealed the presence of Addison’s disease and severe primary hypothyroidism, consistent with Schmidt’s syndrome. The patient responded to treatment with volume and hormone replacement. An extensive literature search disclosed only one previously reported case (of a female patient) in which Schmidt’s syndrome led to the development of a degree of hyponatremia as severe as that in our patient. Conclusion Concomitant occurrence of primary adrenal insufficiency and primary hypothyroidism can result in a greater degree of hyponatremia than would be expected from either disease alone. Likely explanations include the additive effects of primary hypothyroidism and adrenal failure in the development of hyponatremia and, possibly, in some patients exquisite renal sensitivity to hemodynamic changes and altered hormonal status. (Endocr Pract. 2003;9:384-388)
Penile Gangrene with Abscess Formation after Modified Al-Ghorab Shunt for Idiopathic Ischemic Priapism

Penile gangrene is a rare but unfortunate complication of surgical intervention and priapism shunts. The literature regarding penile gangrene following surgical correction of priapism is sparse, the majority of which dates back to thirty to forty years. Here, we present the case of a 60-year-old man who presented with priapism that required operative management with a modified Al-Ghorab shunt and eventually suffered from complete necrosis of the penis with abscess formation in both corpora cavernosa.
Preventive War and U.S. Foreign Policy

This article examines the claim that the Bush strategy of dealing with developing threats “preemptively” marked a total break with American tradition. It turns out that preventive war thinking played a much greater role in shaping u.s. policy than most people realize. During the early Cold War period, this sort of thinking was by no means limited to the lunatic fringe. Could the United States simply sit back and allow first the Soviets and then the Chinese to develop nuclear capabilities of their own? Many people, both inside and outside the government, were worried about what would happen if America did nothing and thought that the possibility of preventive action had to be taken seriously. In the post-Cold War period, the Clinton administration seemed ready to do whatever was necessary to prevent North Korea from going nuclear; it seemed prepared, in fact, to go to war over the issue. Even in the pre-nuclear world, preventive war thinking played a major role in shaping policy: American policy in 1941 wa...
The different actions of normal and supranormal calcium concentrations on the proliferation of BALB/c 3T3 mouse cells.

In the presence of a normal (1.25 to 1.80 mM) calcium concentration, addition of fresh bovine calf serum or completely changing the medium induces proliferatively quiescent BALB/c 3T3 mouse cells in dense cultures to start a growth division cycle and initiate DNA synthesis about 12 hr later. Fresh, low-calcium (0.02 mM physiologically available) medium also causes cells to start a growth-division cycle. However, the development of such stimulated, calcium-deprived cells stops just before the expected time of initiation of DNA synthesis, which can then be rapidly induced by restoration of the normal calcium concentration. Simply raising the calcium concentration to nonphysiologically high levels (without otherwise altering the medium) can mimic the action of fresh serum or fresh whole medium by inducing some of the cells in proliferatively quiescent confluent cultures to start a growth-division cycle and initiate DNA synthesis 22 hr later.
Efficient Segmentation Method For Range Data

A method for finding planar faces in sets of range data images is described. First, the object points are extracted from the range data image (or images). These are then organized in a k-d tree using the x, y and z values as keys. From the k-d tree a spatial proximity graph is efficiently constructed. Finally, a set of seed points for a possible face is chosen, and the spatial proximity graph is used to guide the search for neighboring points lying on this face.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A novel fluorescence chamber for the determination of volume changes in human CaSki cell cultures attached on filters

The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that, in the cultured human cervical epithelium, CaSki, the effect of calcium mobilizing agents on transepithelial electrical conductance (GTE), is the result of cell volume decrease. CaSki cells attached on filters were loaded with fura-2, and measurements of fluorescence at the isosbestic wavelength 360 nm (excitation/emission [F360/510]) were made in a newly designed fluorescence chamber; this design allowed us also to determine changes in cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i). The experimental conditions were similar to those used to measure changes in paracellular permeability in the Ussing chamber, and they enabled us to compare the time-course of changes in [Ca2+]i, in F360/510, and in GTE. Hypertonicity increased, and hypotonicity decreased F360/510 and GTE, without having an effect on [Ca2+]i, and the changes in F360/510 and in GTE correlated linearly. Metabolism, bleaching, and extrusion of intracellular fura-2 were minimal, indicating that the changes in F360/510 reflect changes in dye concentration. Hypertonicity decreased, and hypotonicity increased the size of dispersed CaSki cells, suggesting that osmolarity-induced changes in F360/510 reflect changes in size of the attached cells. Ionomycin increased [Ca2+]i, F360/510, and GTE, but the increases in [Ca2+]i preceded those in F360/510 and GTE. The calcium chelator BAPTA blocked the ionomycin-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, F360/510, and in GTE. Preincubation with 4-acetamido-4′isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′disulfonic acid (SITS) augmented the ionomycin-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, but blocked the increases in F360/510 and in GTE. Pretreatment of cells with hypertonic solution abrogated the increases in F360/510 and in GTE in response to ionomycin, but had little effect on the ionomycin-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. On the basis of these results we suggest that the ionomycin-induced increase in GTE is mediated by [Ca2+]i-dependent chloride secretion and osmotic water loss.
Filter backwash water treatment options

Filtration acts as the final step in the removal of suspended matter and protozoa. The accumulated residue is removed during the backwash process and any subsequent recycling of filter backwash water could potentially re-introduce these contaminants into the main treatment process. By separating the filter backwash water from the main treatment process, factors that could interfere with the integrity of the primary treatment barriers, will be eliminated. Treatment and recovery of the filter backwash water would be beneficial in terms of water reuse, by replacing a proportion of the freshwater demand. The aim of this study was to investigate possible treatment options for the filter backwash water at Rand Water. Treatment options for filter backwash water treatment plants usually consist of a solids removal process and a disinfection process. Three solid removal processes for filter backwash water from Rand Water9s filtration systems were selected for testing on an experimental basis: (1) sedimentation without flocculation, (2) sedimentation with flocculation, and (3) dissolved air flotation with flocculation. Flocculation with sedimentation produced the best results when compared to the other two treatment options evaluated. It is a simple and effective option for the treatment of filter backwash water.
PHOTOREACTIVITY OF ISOLATED PHOTOSYSTEM I PARTICLES UPON COMBINATION WITH ARTIFICIAL LIPID MEMBRANES OR TRITON X-100 MICELLES*

— PS-I particles isolated according to Shiozawa et al. (1974) show increased rates of O2-- and H +-uptake with ascorbate as electron donor upon combination with an artificial vesicular lipid membrane. The amount of increase varies depending on the reconstitution procedure used. Combination of PS-I particles with Triton X-100 micelles increases these photochemical activities even more. The observed proton uptake in PS-I lipid vesicles is not caused by the well-known proton gradient found in thylakoid membranes, since lipid vesicles containing extracted leaf Chl show the same activities and uncouplers have no effect. Because these phenomena are also caused by solubilized Chl, it is concluded that there is no obvious correlation with PS-I activity. Proton uptake most probably is caused by oxidation of ascorbate by either singlet oxygen, superoxide or OH-radicals formed in the light. Experimental results are obtained which indicate that Chl in lipid catalyzes formation of superoxide and singlet oxygen. However, it is not clear whether superoxide formation is caused by direct electron transport from excited Chl to oxygen or by a secondary reaction. Diphenylcarbazone disproportionation has been reported as a specific photosystem I reaction. However, PS-I lipid vesicles and Chl-lipid-Triton X-100 mixtures oxidize DPCN at comparable rates, showing that the reaction is not specific for PS-I. Cations stimulate DPCN disproportionation in Chl-lipid-Triton X-100 mixtures but do not affect the rate of P700 photooxidation at all. Therefore it is suggested that Gross and Greniers (1978) conclusion that cation regulation of PSI electron flow (studied by DPCN disproportionation of PS-I particles in Triton X-100 micelles) provides a fine tuning mechanism for energy transfer, has to be reevaluated.
CCD Photometry of the Intermediate Polars FO Aquarii and AO Piscium

We present timings of the dominant photometric oscillations in the intermediate polars FO Aqr and AO Psc for five observing seasons from 1992 through 2002. Unfortunately, cycle-count ambiguities prevent us from finding unique ephemerides for these oscillations. Both FO Aqr and AO Psc are presently in a state of spin-up of the white dwarf's rotation. We also present constraints on the white dwarf's magnetic moment and the disk's mass transfer rate under the condition implied by the white dwarf's equilibrium spin period and then the condition implied by the current rate of spin-up. It is shown that in FO Aqr, the disk luminosity should have increased from 1987, when the white dwarf's rotation switched from a state of spin-down to spin-up, to the present. We find no evidence for a gradual brightening of the system, however.
Identification of Force Coefficients in a Squeeze Film Damper With a Mechanical End Seal: Centered Circular Orbit Tests

The paper presents parameter identification measurements conducted on a squeeze film damper (SFD) featuring a non-rotating mechanical seal that effectively eliminates lubricant side leakage. The SFD-seal arrangement generates dissipative forces due to viscous and dry-friction effects from the lubricant film and surfaces in contact, respectively. The test damper reproduces an aircraft application that must contain the lubricant for extended periods of time. The test damper journal is 2.54 cm in length and 12.7 cm in diameter, with a nominal clearance of 0.127 mm. The damper feed end opens to a plenum filled with lubricant, and at its discharge grooved section, four orifice ports evacuate the lubricant. In prior publications (ASME Paper GT2006-90782, IJTC2006-12041), single frequency force excitation tests were conducted, without and with lubricant in the squeeze film land, to determine the seal dry-friction force and viscous damping force coefficients. Presently, further measurements are conducted to identify the test system and SFD force coefficients using two sets of flow restrictor orifice sizes (2.8 mm and 1.1 mm in diameter). The flow restrictors regulate the discharge flow area, and thus control the oil flow through the squeeze film. The experiments also include measurements of dynamic pressures at the squeeze film land and at the discharge groove. The magnitude of dynamic pressure in the squeeze film land is nearly identical for both sets of flow restrictors, and for small orbit radii, dynamic pressures in the discharge groove have peak values similar to those in the squeeze film land. The identified parameters include the test system damping and the individual contributions from the squeeze film, dry friction in the mechanical seal and structure remnant damping. The identified system damping coefficients are frequency and motion amplitude dependent due to the dry friction interaction at the mechanical seal interface. Squeeze film force coefficients, damping and added mass, are in agreement with simple predictive formulas for an uncavitated lubricant condition and are similar for both flow restrictor sizes. The SFD-mechanical seal arrangement effectively prevents air ingestion and entrapment and generates predicable force coefficients for the range of frequencies tested.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Diminished Cell-Cell Binding by Lymphocytes from Healthy, Elderly Humans: Evidence for Altered Activation of LFA-1 Function With Age

We studied the kinetics of cell-cell adhesion by monocyte-depleted peripheral blood lymphocytes with a stirred-cuvette aggregometer using samples from healthy young (mean age = 25 years) and healthy elderly (mean age = 75 years) human donors. This was a very reproducible assay, as there was virtually no intraindividual variability and very little interindividual variability among donors of the same age group. In all cases, aggregation of cells began immediately upon addition of the protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or the calcium ionophore ionomycin, and continued until reaching an asymptotic limit by 20 minutes or less. Unstimulated cells did not aggregate during this time. The rate of aggregate formation and total amount of aggregation (using young donors' cells) varied between PMA- and ionomycin-stimulated cells, suggesting different mechanisms for initiating cellular aggregation, or possibly, different peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets affected by these activating agents. However, for both stimuli, the rate of aggregation and the total amount of cellular aggregation were significantly lower with the elderly donors' cells. Further, aggregation was Ca2+/Mg2+ dependent, and the reaction required metabolically active cells, as the reaction was inhibited by the addition of sodium azide and 2-deoxy-D-glucose in both donor groups. Pretreating cells with the actin polymerization inhibitor cytochalasin B resulted in 35-40% inhibition of aggregation among young donors' cells, although, interestingly, there was no apparent effect upon the cells capable of forming aggregates in the old donor group. In both donor groups, aggregation by activated cells could be partially blocked by pretreating cells with monoclonal antibodies directed against the alpha and beta chains of the integrin leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) (CD11a/CD18). These results show that there is diminished cell-cell binding among lymphocytes from healthy, elderly humans, and this is partly due to altered activation of LFA-1 function with age.
Seed and establishment limitation contribute to long-term native forb declines in California grasslands

The effects of exotic species invasions on biodiversity vary with spatial scale, and documentation of local-scale changes in biodiversity following invasion is generally lacking. Coupling long-term observations of local community dynamics with experiments to determine the role played by exotic species in recruitment limitation of native species would inform both our understanding of exotic impacts on natives at local scales and regional-scale management efforts to promote native persistence. We used field experimentation to quantify propagule and establishment limitation in a suite of native annual forbs in a California reserve, and compared these findings to species abundance trends within the same sites over the past 48 years. Observations at 11 paired sites (inside and outside the reserve) indicated that exotic annual plants have continued to increase in abundance over the past 48 years. This trend suggests the system has not reached equilibrium .250 years after exotic species began to spread, and 70 years after livestock grazing ceased within the reserve. Long-term monitoring observations also indicated that six native annual forb species went extinct from more local populations than were colonized. To determine the potential role of exotic species in these native plant declines, we added seed of these species into plots adjacent to monitoring sites where plant litter and live grass competition were removed. Experimental results suggest both propagule and establishment limitation have contributed to local declines observed for these native forbs. Recruitment was highest at sites that had current or historical occurrences of the seeded species, and in plots where litter was removed. Grazing history (i.e., location within or outside the reserve) interacted with exotic competition removal, such that removal of live grass competition increased recruitment in more recently grazed sites. Abundance of forbs was positively related to recruitment, while abundance of exotic forbs was negatively related. Thus, exotic competition is likely only one factor contributing to local declines of native species in invaded ecosystems, with a combination of propagule limitation, site quality, and land use history also playing important and interactive roles in native plant recruitment.
Evolution of oxidation dynamics of histidine: non-reactivity in the gas phase, peroxides in hydrated clusters, and pH dependence in solution

Oxidation of histidine by 1O2 is an important process associated with oxidative damage to proteins during aging, diseases and photodynamic therapy of tumors and jaundice, and photochemical transformations of biological species in the troposphere. However, the oxidation mechanisms and products of histidine differ dramatically in these related environments which range from the gas phase through aerosols to aqueous solution. Herein we report a parallel gas- and solution-phase study on the 1O2 oxidation of histidine, aimed at evaluating the evolution of histidine oxidation pathways in different media and at different ionization states. We first investigated the oxidation of protonated and deprotonated histidine ions and the same systems hydrated with explicit water molecules in the gas phase, using guided-ion-beam-scattering mass spectrometry. Reaction coordinates and potential energy surfaces for these systems were established on the basis of density functional theory calculations, Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus modeling and direct dynamics simulations. Subsequently we tracked the oxidation process of histidine in aqueous solution under different pH conditions, using on-line UV-Vis spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry monitoring systems. The results show that two different routes contribute to the oxidation of histidine depending on its ionization states. In each mechanism hydration is essential to suppressing the otherwise predominant dissociation of reaction intermediates back to reactants. The oxidation of deprotonated histidine in the gas phase involves the formation of 2,4-endoperoxide and 2-hydroperoxide of imidazole. These intermediates evolve to hydrated imidazolone in solution, and the latter either undergoes ring-closure to 6α-hydoxy-2-oxo-octahydro-pyrrolo[2,3-d]imidazole-5-carboxylate or cross-links with another histidine to form a dimeric product. In contrast, the oxidation of protonated histidine is mediated by 2,5-endoperoxide and 5-hydroperoxide, which convert to stable hydrated imidazolone end-product in solution. The contrasting mechanisms and reaction efficiencies of protonated vs. deprotonated histidine, which lead to pH dependence in the photooxidation of histidine, are interpreted in terms of the chemistry of imidazole with 1O2. The biological implications of the results are also discussed.
Electrophoretic mobility without charge driven by polarisation of the nanoparticle–water interface

Polarisation of the interface, spontaneously occurring when water is in contact with hydrophobic solutes or air, couples with the uniform external field to produce a non-zero force acting on a suspended particle. This force exists even in the absence of a net particle charge, and its direction is affected by the first-order, dipolar and the second-order, qudrupolar orientational order parameters of the interfacial water. The quadrupolar polarisation gives rise to an effectively negative charge. The corresponding surface charge density is inversely proportional to the area of the shear surface. As a result, the overall contribution from the quadrupolar polarisation to the particle mobility becomes negligible compared to experimentally reported values for particles exceeding a few nanometres in size. In contrast, the contribution of the dipolar order of the interface to the effective surface charge scales inversely with the particle size and dominates the zero-charge mobility of submicron particles. The cor...
Working with Anonymity: A Theory of Theory vs. Archive

This paper is part of a Literature Compass cluster arising from a panel entitled ‘Working the Early Modern Archive’, originally presented at the 2005 MLA conference held in Washington DC. This session, arranged by the MLA Division on Methods of Literary Research, was chaired by Elizabeth Hageman (University of New Hampshire) and included papers by Jennifer Summit (Stanford University) on readers and medieval manuscripts, Lena Cowen Orlin (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) using a case study of archival research and the discovery and recovery of missing 17th-century materials, and Robert J. Griffin (Texas A&M University) on the relationship between archival research and theoretical approaches. The two pieces included in this Literature Compass special panel cluster highlight the different ways in which archival research continues to shape and to invigorate 17th-century literary studies: ‘Working the Early Modern Archive: The Search for Lady Ingram’, Lena Cowen Orlin, Literature Compass 4 (2007), 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2007.00425.x ‘Working with Anonymity: A Theory of Theory vs. Archive’, Robert J. Griffin, Literature Compass 4 (2007), 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2007.00426.x It is a commonplace that sustained research in the archive has the potential to challenge and subvert received ideas in any field. But to allow this to happen, we must slow down our speed of processing material and allow anomalies to appear. Often, powerful yet faulty theories continue to be repeated when the evidence points elsewhere. One has not only to research an archive, one also has to be alert to the way previous interpretations have shaped one's own presuppositions. Only then do discoveries become discoveries by virtue of their status as anomalies. A careful consideration of the history of anonymous publication puts in question standard historical narratives about authorship and thus requires us to rethink our most ingrained assumptions and procedures for dealing with texts.
Primary amine derivatives for negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry

In order to utilize the selectivity of negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry for amine analysis we have examined a number of biogenic amine derivatives for detection limits, molecularly specific characterization and ease of preparation using negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry with isobutane as the reagent gas. Nitroaromatic derivatives formed from reaction of tyramine with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene, p-nitrobenzoyl chloride and 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride had molecular anion detection limits of less than 25 ng. A mixture of derivatives with low volatility were formed with the nitroaromatic derivatives and were used for examination of complex amines like norepinephrine. Dansyl derivatives gave molecular anions of only 2% relative intensity. Derivatives using 2-methoxy-2,4-diphenyl-3(24)-furanone had complex and unsatisfactory fragmentation patterns. Fluorescamine derivatives of polyfunctional primary amines gave intense molecular anions with detection limits of less than 10 ng. These derivatives were easily prepared in aqueous solutions and on balance they appeared to be the most promising candidates for using negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry to screen for the presence of primary amines.
Strategies for assessing Asperger's syndrome: A critical review of data based methods

Abstract Asperger's syndrome has gained tremendous recognition and popularity in the last 20 years. However, controversy around the nature of the disorder, whether it is distinct from high functioning autism, and whether it can be reliably and validly diagnosed has continued throughout this period unabated. Fortunately, there has been a strong tradition of developing systematic data based methods of differential diagnosis in the autism spectrum disorders. The bulk of the effort has been in autism, but there has been moderate, yet consistent efforts to develop data based methods to diagnose Asperger's syndrome as well. The present paper provides an up to date critical review of the existing literature on the topic. Strengths, weaknesses of the research, and avenues for future efforts are discussed.
In vivo enhancement of ultrasonic image luminance by aqueous solutions with high speed of sound

Certain amino acids and chelating agents known to increase the velocity of sound in solution were assayed for median lethal dose (LD50). An estimation of each agent's ability to enhance ultrasonic image luminance in vivo was based on its ability to increase sound velocity in solution and on its LD50. The ability of the compound to increase sonogram screen luminance was tested by the infusion of each agent into a mouse being scanned, and concurrent screen luminance measurement with a photometer. The compounds were then ranked in order of their effect on the onset time for a statistically significant increase of image luminance over corresponding saline control values. The most rapid onset of increased luminance was found with the infusion of the amino acid 1-lysine hydrochloride, and the chelating agent calcium disodium edetate. The estimated rankings for these and most other compounds tested compared favorably with the observed results.
Scalp recorded somatosensory evoked potentials to posterior tibial nerve stimulation in humans.

Abstract The somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) produced by stimulation of the right and left posterior tibial nerves individually and also by their simultaneous stimulation were recorded in 84 adult normal subjects up to 150 msec after the stimulus by electrodes placed on the cranial vertex and by rows of electrodes over the sagittal and coronal lines using references on the ear or in the nasopharynx. The statistical distribution of the latencies of their different peaks was established. The effect of simultaneous stimulation of right and left posterior tibial nerves on the early SEP components was described. Some details of the anatomy of the rolandic sulcus were inferred from the amplitude distribution of these potentials.
Where the motivation resides and self-deception hides: How motivated cognition accomplishes self-deception

How do people remain blind to the motives underlying their flattering self-construals, attitudes, and social judgments? This paper explores how motivated cognition accomplishes the goal of self-deception. It proposes that self-serving conclusions are produced although the influence of such distortions remains hidden from conscious awareness because of the ubiquitous presence and specialized nature of motivated cognition. I will discuss how motivations infiltrate four stages of cognitive processing, including information gathering and the creation of filters, the deployment of attention, information processing, and memory. In doing so, I will suggest that perhaps it is precisely because of this multicomponent system of checks and balances, the efficiency of motivational biases, and the specialized neural pathways used by motivated cognition that self-deception is successful.
Recurrent allelic deletions of chromosome arms 15q and 16q in human small cell lung carcinomas.

The genetic lesions that lead to the development of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) remain incompletely defined. To identify recurrent allelic deletions in specific chromosomal regions that could serve as markers for tumor suppressor gene (TSG) inactivation in SCLC, we performed a comprehensive allelotype analysis of all 39 nonacrocentric autosomal arms. Alterations in 158 polymorphic microsatellite alleles were examined in 24 pairs of human SCLC tumor and normal control DNA samples. A total of 2,107 informative reactions were analyzed. This analysis revealed allelic losses of 100% on chromosome arm 3p, >85% loss within chromosome arms 13q and 17p, and >70% loss within chromosome arms 4q, 5q, 15q, and 16q. The allelic deletions on chromosome arms 15q and 16q have not been defined previously for SCLC and are candidate regions to harbor novel TSGs. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 27:323–331, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Anaerobic co-digestion of dairy manure with mulched switchgrass for improvement of the methane yield

The owners of farm-scale anaerobic digesters are relying on off-farm wastes or energy crops as a co-digestion feedstock with animal manure in order to increase their production of methane and thus revenues. Switchgrass represents an interesting feedstock for Canadian digesters owners as it is a high-yielding low-maintenance perennial crop, well adapted to northern climate. Methane potential assays in batch tests showed methane production of 19.4 ± 3.6, 28.3 ± 1.7, 37.3 ± 7.1 and 45.7 ± 0.8 L kg−1, for raw manure, blended manure, manure and mulched switchgrass, manure and pretreated switchgrass, respectively. Two 6-L lab-scale anaerobic digesters were operated for 130 days in order to assess the benefit of co-digesting switchgrass with bovine manure (digester #2), at a 20% wet mass fraction, compared with a manure-only operation (digester #1) The digesters were operated at an hydraulic retention time of 37 ± 6 days and at loads of 2.4 ± 0.6 and 2.6 ± 0.6 kg total volatile solids (TVS) L−1 day−1 for digesters #1 (D1) and #2 (D2), respectively. The TVS degradation reached 25 and 39%, which resulted in a methane production of 1.18 ± 0.18 and 2.19 ± 0.31 L day−1 for D1 and D2, respectively. The addition of 20% on a wet mass ratio of switchgrass to a manure digester increased its methane production by 86%. The co-digestion of switchgrass in a 500 m3 manure digester could yield up to 10.2 GJ day−1 of purified methane or 1.1 MWh day−1 of electricity.
Inducible expression of a prostate cancer-testis antigen, SSX-2, following treatment with a DNA methylation inhibitor.

BACKGROUND Active immunotherapies are one approach being developed as novel treatments for prostate cancer. Critical to the success of these therapies is the identification of appropriate target antigens. We have been seeking to identify immunologically recognized proteins, cancer-testis antigens (CTA) in particular, in patients with prostate cancer that would be rational target antigens. METHODS Using a previously reported panel of 29 different CTA, we used sera from 98 patients with prostate cancer and 50 healthy male blood donor controls to detect CTA-specific IgG. We then further evaluated the expression of one antigen, SSX-2, in prostate cancer cell lines and tissues. RESULTS We identified IgG specific for NY-ESO-1, LAGE-1, NFX-2, and SSX-2 in at least 1/98 individuals with prostate cancer. We demonstrated that SSX-2 is a prostate CTA, and its expression is associated with metastatic prostate cancer. In addition, we report that the treatment of at least two human prostate cancer cell lines with the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine induced the expression of SSX-2. In contrast, treatment of a normal prostate epithelial cell line (RWPE-1) with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine did not induce SSX-2 expression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that SSX-2 could be further pursued as an immunotherapeutic target in prostate cancer, and that treatment with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine could be exploited to modulate antigen expression in combination with immunotherapeutic approaches. Prostate 67: 1781–1790, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Neuromyelitis optica presenting with psychiatric symptoms and catatonia: a case report

Abstract Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an aggressive disease characteristically affecting the spinal cord and optic nerves that has recently been differentiated from multiple sclerosis. We present a case of a 16-year-old Antiguan female previously diagnosed with NMO who presented with a 1-week history of confusion and agitation. She had symptoms of psychosis, including delusional thinking and auditory and visual hallucinations, and scored 11/23 on the Bush–Francis Catatonia Scale. This case demonstrates an NMO exacerbation that presented with psychotic symptoms and catatonia.
Physicochemical and morphological analysis of ten tomato varieties identifies quality traits more readily manipulated through breeding and traditional selection methods

Abstract Fresh and processed tomatoes ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) are an important source of nutrients in contemporary diets due to their high consumption. Efforts to characterize tomato varieties have traditionally emphasized morphological traits. Consumer demand for enhanced nutritive value now requires that these traits also be included in crop improvement. A diverse set of ten historic USA tomato varieties were characterized using samples from replicated field trials across two environments. The majority (45) of the 52 fruit morphological and quality traits measured in this study showed significant genotypic differences. Based on proportion of variance explained by genotype, maximum height to maximum width ratio (fruit shape index external I, 0.95), red color ( a *, 0.77) and Brix:total titratable acids (TA) ratio (Brix:TA, 0.61) were identified as traits that would be more readily manipulated through breeding and traditional selection methods. Brix and TA measurements were significantly correlated with their respective HPLC determinations, i.e. Brix and glucose ( r 2 = 0.87, P r 2 = 0.93, P r 2 = 0.88, P r 2 = 0.49, P
Biosynthesis of furanocoumarins in diseased celery

Abstract Celery infected with the pathogenic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum incorporates cinnamic acid-114C, formate-14C, and methionine-14CH3 into xanthotoxin (8-methoxypsoralen), but not into 4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen.
Are botanists becoming the dinosaurs of biology in the 21st century

Abstract The number of botany students, botany classes, botany departments in universities and botanists attending conventions has been declining over many years in North America. This is part of a general trend throughout the field of organismal biology, not just botany. The history leading up to the situation today in North America, is discussed and reasons are given for this trend over the last century of time. Seven ways to keep botany a viable occupation are discussed otherwise botany, in the 21st century, may go the way of the dinosaur.
Optimization of control laws for damage detection in smart structures

A prevalent method of damage detection is based on identifying changes in modal characteristics due to damage induced variations in stiffness or mass along a structure. It is known that modal frequencies can be insensitive to damage, and the open-loop sensitivity itself depends on modal properties and damage location. Here, we develop methods of designing control laws that enhance the sensitivity of modal characteristics to damage. Sensitivity enhancing control exploits the relationship between control gains and closed-loop dynamics in order to increase the observability of damage. The design methods are based on optimization of cost functions that involve the dependence of classic measures of sensitivity on design variables, which include placement of sensors and actuators and state feedback control gains. Due to the size of the design space and the unknown nature of the cost surface, genetic algorithms are used to find control laws that maximize sensitivity to specific damage types subject to control effort and stability constraints. Optimized control laws designed for sensitivity enhancement of stiffness damage in a cantilevered beam are demonstrated by numerical simulation.
Measurement of residual stress field anisotropy at indentations in silicon

The residual stress field around spherical indentations on single-crystal silicon of different crystallographic orientations is mapped by Raman microscopy. All orientations exhibit an anisotropic stress pattern with an orientation specific symmetry that can be related to the number and type of the active {111}〈 110 〉 slip systems. Residual compressive stress is concentrated in lobes oriented along the projection onto the indented plane of the activated slip plane normal and tensile stress regions are arranged alternating with the compressive stress lobes.
Clinical Features and Survival of 3R and 4R Tauopathies Presenting as Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia

We compared the clinical characteristics of 3 repeat (3R) and 4 repeat (4R) tau-positive cases (tauopathies) presenting as behavior variant frontotemporal dementia (bv-FTD). We identified and retrospectively reviewed demographics and clinical features of patients with pathologically confirmed tau-positive frontotemporal lobar degeneration in a blinded fashion. Those presenting as bv-FTD were divided according to their tau isoform, 3R versus 4R, and compared with age-matched and sex-matched control patients with 4R tauopathies but presenting clinical syndromes other than bv-FTD. Twenty-four cases with tau-positive bv-FTD and 18 4R tau-positive controls were included in the study. Patients with 4R tauopathies had significantly shorter disease duration than patients with 3R tauopathy (median, 6.5 y vs. 9.5 y; P<0.05), despite similar age of disease onset and regardless of whether bv-FTD was the presenting clinical syndrome. Among bv-FTD cases, those with 4R tauopathies were more likely to display behavioral underactivity than those with 3R tauopathy (P=0.03), although 3R and 4R tauopathy patients shared many similar clinical features. In summary, survival in 4R tauopathies seemed independent of the presenting clinical phenotype, and there may be subtle clinical differences between bv-FTD patients with 3R and 4R tauopathies.
Surface instabilities during swelling of pH-sensitive hydrogels

Abstract Preliminary observations are reported of instabilities observed on the surface of thin samples of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) during planar swelling in a buffered solution of pH = 10 at 27.5° C. Cell-type patterns are observed which grow and disappear as their size becomes comparable to that of the gel sample.
Systemic rapamycin alone may not be a treatment option for malignant glioma: evidence from an in vivo study

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a central role in regulating the proliferation of cancer cells, and mTOR-specific inhibitors such as rapamycin analogs are considered as a promising therapy for malignant glioma. In this study, we investigated the possibility of using mTOR inhibitors to treat gliomas. We used a molecular marker, phosphorylation of S6 protein, to monitor biological effects of mTOR inhibitors within xenografts. Phosphorylation was decreased more in U87MG glioma after treatment with high doses of rapamycin or its analog, torisel (10 mg/kg or 25 mg/kg), but only slightly after a low dose of rapamycin (3 mg/kg). This effect correlated with enhanced survival of rats after weekly peritoneal injections of both drugs at the highest two doses but not at the low dose. High doses of both drugs caused weight loss in rats. Clinical trial data indicates that low doses of Torisel (<3 mg/kg) were not efficacious in recurrent GBM. It is concluded that systemic administration of rapamycin analogues may not be a treatment option for patients with malignant glioma due to the intolerability of high doses that might otherwise be effective. The present study underscores the need for better pre-clinical evaluation of drugs with respect to therapeutic window.
Segmentation and range sensing using a moving-aperture lens

This paper is concerned with the use of a novel motorized lens to perform segmentation of image sequences. The lens has the effect of introducing small, repeating movements of the camera center, so that objects appear to translate in the image by an amount that depends on distance from the plane of focus. For a stationary scene, optical flow magnitudes and direction are therefore directly related to three-dimensional object distance from the observer. We describe a segmentation-procedure that exploits these controlled observer movements, and we present experimental results that demonstrate the successful extraction of objects at different depths. Potential applications of this approach include video compression, compositing, and passive range sensing.
Hybrid finite element methods for conformal antenna simulations

Since the first publication of the paper by Silvester in 1969, the finite element method has enjoyed a strong interest for electromagnetic analysis. In fact, we can safely state that over the past 10 years, the greatest progress in computational electromagnetics has been on the development and application of partial differential equation (PDE) methods such as the finite difference-time domain and finite element (FEM) methods, including hybridizations of these with integral equation and high frequency techniques. The major reasons for the increasing reliance on PDE methods stem from their inherent geometrical adaptability, low O(N) memory demand and their capability to model heterogeneous (isotropic or anisotropic) geometries. These attributes are essential in developing general-purpose codes for electromagnetic analysis/design, including antenna design and characterization. At the University of Michigan we have developed a variety of hybrid finite element implementations which vary in capability from very fast and specialized to general-purpose codes for antennas analysis. Typical complexity of the antenna geometries is depicted and some specific applications are discussed.
Identification of rain/ice mixture from dual polarization weather radar

A rain/ice mixture identification algorithm from dual polarization radar observations is described. The method uses fuzzy logic technique and three two-dimensional Beta membership functions constructed by the power of copolar correlation coefficient, the normalized coherent power, and the texture of differential propagation phase in terms of the signal-noise variable. The proposed technique is tested for two different frequency band radars such as the S-band CSU-CHILL radar and the X-band CASA-IP1 radar (KCYR) observations.
Hydrologic control of nitrogen removal, storage, and export in a mountain stream

Nutrient cycling and export in streams and rivers should vary with flow regime, yet most studies of stream nutrient transformation do not include hydrologic variability. We used a stable isotope tracer of nitrogen (15N) to measure nitrate (NO { ) uptake, storage, and export in a mountain stream, Spring Creek, Idaho, U.S.A. We conducted two tracer tests of 2-week duration during snowmelt and baseflow. Dissolved and particulate forms of 15N were monitored over three seasons to test the hypothesis that stream N cycling would be dominated by export during floods, and storage during low flow. Floods exported more N than during baseflow conditions; however, snowmelt floods had higher than expected demand for NO { because of hyporheic exchange. Residence times of benthic N during both tracer tests were longer than 100 d for ephemeral pools such as benthic algae and wood biofilms. Residence times were much longer in fine detritus, insects, and the particulate N from the hyporheic zone, showing that assimilation and hydrologic storage can be important mechanisms for retaining particulate N. Of the tracer N stored in the stream, the primary form of export was via seston during periods of high flows, produced by summer rainstorms or spring snowmelt the following year. Spring Creek is not necessarily a conduit for nutrients during high flow; hydrologic exchange between the stream and its valley represents an important storage mechanism.
Paratransgenesis as a potential tool for pest control: review of applied arthropod symbiosis

Research funds for addressing practical plant pest or disease problems are justified by the size of the threat and the financial burden it imposes. When new technology is developed for pest or disease control, regulatory costs to pay for risk assessments make sense when projected income from a new product can be charged to expected income from a future market. When a pest or disease problem affects a minor crop, the research to address regulatory issues does not have such a clear-cut funding origin. Ironically, a very selective biopesticide designed to address a local pest or disease problem is the ideal form of sustainable pest management, but has the smallest market of any pest control strategy and therefore the smallest amount of financial support. In this sphere of modest financial resources, regulatory needs can force research away from solving the problem at hand to address assessment issues that add considerable cost. When genetic modification is a part of the proposed new strategy, an added burden is placed on the developers. This burden can defy logic and can also come largely from peers, not the public.
Energy optimization techniques in cluster interconnects

Designing energy-efficient clusters has recently become an important concern to make these systems economically attractive for many applications. Since the links and switch buffers consume the major portion of the power budget of the cluster, the focus of this paper is to optimize the energy consumption in these two components. To minimize power in the links, we propose a novel dynamic link shutdown (DLS) technique. The DLS technique makes use of an appropriate adaptive routing algorithm to shutdown the links intelligently. We also present an optimized buffer design for reducing leakage energy. Our analysis on different networks using a complete system simulator reveals that the proposed DLS technique can provide optimized performance-energy behavior (up to 40% energy savings with less than 5% performance degradation in the best case) for the cluster interconnects.
New applications of the wreath product of forest algebras

We give several new applications of the wreath product of forest algebras to the study of logics on trees. These include new simplified proofs of necessary conditions for definability in CTL and first-order logic with the ancestor relation; a sequence of identities satisfied by all forest languages definable in PDL ; and new examples of languages outside CTL, along with an application to the question of what properties are definable in both CTL and LTL .