cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pro-NGF secreted by astrocytes promotes motor neuron cell death

It is well established that motor neurons depend for their survival on many trophic factors. In this study, we show that the precursor form of NGF (pro-NGF) can induce the death of motor neurons via engagement of the p75 neurotrophin receptor. The pro-apoptotic activity was dependent upon the presence of sortilin, a p75 co-receptor expressed on motor neurons. One potential source of pro-NGF is reactive astrocytes, which up-regulate the levels of pro-NGF in response to peroxynitrite, an oxidant and producer of free radicals. Indeed, motor neuron viability was sensitive to conditioned media from cultured astrocytes treated with peroxynitrite and this effect could be reversed using a specific antibody against the pro-domain of pro-NGF. These results are consistent with a role for activated astrocytes and pro-NGF in the induction of motor neuron death and suggest a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of motor neuron disease.
GDNF restores human blood-nerve barrier function via RET tyrosine kinase-mediated cytoskeletal reorganization.

Abstract Endoneurial microvessels and the perineurium are responsible for maintaining homeostasis in peripheral nerves. Endoneurial endothelial cells form the blood–nerve barrier (BNB). The molecular pathways responsible for endoneurial microvascular barrier formation in humans are not fully understood. We tested the effect of different mitogens on the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) of confluent primary human endoneurial endothelial cell (pHEndEC) cultures following serum withdrawal (mimicking diffuse endothelial injury) in vitro. We show that glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF, 1 ng/mL) sufficiently induced a maximal 114.2% recovery in TEER over basal conditions 48 h after serum withdrawal. Solute permeability to high molecular weight dextran was reduced by 52.4% following GDNF treatment. GDNF-mediated increase in TEER was dependent on RET tyrosine-kinase signaling pathways and mildly enhanced by cyclic adenosine monophosphate in combination with maximal concentrations of multiple redundant mitogens. There was no significant increase in adherens or tight junction proteins β-catenin, VE-Cadherin, zona occludens-1 and occludin following GDNF treatment. GDNF induced a small increase in total claudin-5 protein expression without significant increase in messenger RNA or modulation in tyrosine phosphorylation following serum withdrawal. Indirect immunocytochemistry revealed membrane relocation of longitudinal F-actin cytoskeletal filaments in pHEndECs following GDNF treatment, resulting in more continuous intercellular contacts that formed adherens and tight junctions. Together, these results demonstrate a sufficient role for GDNF in human BNB recovery following serum withdrawal in vitro, facilitated primarily by endothelial cell cytoskeletal reorganization. These observations provide insights into the regulation of human BNB function during recovery from peripheral nerve injury.
Method for alleviating voltage limit violations using combined DC optimisation and AC power flow technique

An approach of combining DC linear optimisation and AC power flow calculations to alleviate voltage limit violations in power system is presented. A notable feature of this approach is incorporating voltage constraints in a DC optimisation algorithm. The test results show the effectiveness and efficiency of the technique when applied to the National Grid Company system.
PAIRED-MARTENSITE IN Fe-30%Ni SINGLE CRYSTALS

The variants of martensite forming isothermally in Fe-30%Ni single crystals at temperatures above Mb appear in pairs. This "paired-martensite" was found to be a bulk morphology and one which exhibits strong, non-bursting autocatalysis. Individual pairs are comprised of two lath-shaped wings which meet edge-on along a {100} junction plane, and groups of pairs aligned along the traces of the {100} planes were observed. The major component of the shape-change of a wing was found to be along its long dimension. The role of this shape-change in the autocatalytic formation of the morphology and the relation of paired-martensite to lath and plate martensite are considered.
China's Equity Warrants Market: An Overview and Analysis

After the stock reforms in 2005, China's equity warrants market became the second-largest in terms of trading value after Germany and surpassed Hong Kong in 2006. The growth of the warrants market in China has been constrained by the gradual expiration of reform-related warrants, excessive speculation, and lack of understanding of the warrants market by its participants. The mechanism for creating special warrants designed as a transition to the development of covered warrants has been under hot debate. A more refined regulatory framework and a stronger institutional investor base are needed and are prerequisites for a well-functioning warrants market.
Materials for Mid-Infrared Semiconductor Lasers

A variety of semiconductor materials have been used to fabricate diode lasers for the midinfrared. Lasers using the lead salts (e.g. PbSnTe) have been commercially available for some time. Mid-infrared emitting III-V semiconductors (e.g. InGaAsSb) have superior thermal conductivity, and diode lasers fabricated from these materials offer higher powers. Of particular interest are the III-V semiconductor lasers based on type-II superlattices (e.g. InAs/GaInSb). Among the many unique properties attributed to type-Il superlattices are small hole mass, reduced Auger recombination, and less inter-valence band absorption - all important for better lasers. Recent results with Quantum Cascade-type lasers are also very encouraging. This paper summarizes the important semiconductor materials for mid-infrared lasers with emphasis on the type-II superlattices.
Measuring Adjustment to College: Construct Validity of the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire:

This study employed confirmatory factor analysis to examine the quality of fit of two measurement models of the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (N = 305). Following the observation of p...
Variability of Agar Dilution-Replicator Method of Yeast Susceptibility Testing

The agar dilution method of in vitro susceptibility testing of fungi was analyzed with a Steers-type inoculum replicator, ten strains, and three drugs. The replicator reproducibly delivered the same inoculum to each series of plates. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of ketoconazole (an imidazole) and 5-fluorocytosine, but not that of the polyene nystatin, were dependent on the initial inoculum size. With the former two drugs, but not with the latter, minimal inhibitory concentrations were highly variable depending on the time of reading. Results with agar and broth dilution methods were divergent, and the differences in minimal inhibitory concentrations were variable in serial comparisons by the two methods. If the agar dilution minimal inhibitory concentrations were determined at first appearance of control growth, a commonly used end point, small variations in the time of reading (as could occur by variation in observer perception of when initial growth appears) induced large variations in the minimal inhibitory concentrations of 5-fluorocytosine and ketoconazole, particularly with rapidly growing strains. Results at 35 and 30°C were similar. The differences in results with the three drugs suggest different mechanisms of action. The variability quantitated with the agar dilution method could result in variability in results between laboratories and even observers in the same laboratory.
Color machine vision for autonomous vehicles

Abstract Color can be a useful feature in autonomous vehicle systems that are based on machine vision, for tasks such as obstacle detection, lane/road following, and recognition of miscellaneous scene objects. Unfortunately, few existing autonomous vehicle systems use color to its full extent, largely because color-based recognition in outdoor scenes is complicated, and existing color machine-vision techniques have not been shown to be effective in realistic outdoor images. This paper presents a technique for achieving effective real-time color recognition in outdoor scenes. The technique uses multivariate decision trees for piecewise linear non-parametric function approximation to learn the color of a target object from training samples, and then detects targets by classifying pixels based on the approximated function. The method has been successfully tested in several domains, such as autonomous highway navigation, off-road navigation and target detection for unmanned military vehicles, in projects such as the U.S. National Automated Highway System (AHS) and the U.S. Defense Advanced Project Agency — Unmanned Ground Vehicle (DARPA-UGV). MDT-based systems have been used in stand-alone mode, as well as in conjunction with systems based on other sensor configurations.
Calcium functionally uncouples the heads of myosin VI.

Abstract This study examines the steady state activity and in vitro motility of single-headed (S1) and double-headed (HMM) myosin VI constructs within the context of two putative modes of regulation. Phosphorylation of threonine 406 does not alter either the rate of actin filament sliding or the maximal actin-activated ATPase rate of S1 or HMM constructs. Thus, we do not observe any regulation of myosin VI by phosphorylation within the motor domain. Interestingly, in the absence of calcium, the myosin VI HMM construct moves in an in vitro motility assay at a velocity that is twice that of S1 constructs, which may be indicative of movement that is not based on a “lever arm” mechanism. Increasing calcium above 10 μm slows both the rate of ADP release from S1 and HMM actomyosin VI and the rates of in vitro motility. Furthermore, high calcium concentrations appear to uncouple the two heads of myosin VI. Thus, phosphorylation and calcium are not on/off switches for myosin VI enzymatic activity, although calcium may alter the degree of processive movement for myosin VI-mediated cargo transport. Lastly, calmodulin mutants reveal that the calcium effect is dependent on calcium binding to the N-terminal lobe of calmodulin.
Discourses of Heritage and Tourism at a World Heritage Site: The Case of Hampi, India

In the town of Hampi, India, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the past remains very much alive. Devotees congregate at medieval-era temples; tourists from across India and the world marvel at the empire's fallen grandeur; and, up until quite recently, residents lived and worked in centuries-old stone mandapas (pavilions) lining both sides of the town's main street. The case of Hampi and its heritage illustrates a key question: do people have the right to live in historic monuments, particularly monuments that have been declared the patrimony not just of India, but of the entire world?
Grain enhancement of polycrystalline silicon films aided by optical excitation

A new technique for making large-grain thin Si films is described in which optical excitation is used to enhance the grain growth. Grain sizes much larger than the film thickness can be obtained at low temperatures and in short process times. This method is well suited for making thin-film Si solar cells on low-temperature substrates.
A Perimetric Technique Believed to Test Receptive Field Properties: Sequential Evaluation in Glaucoma and other Conditions

We used a technique to simplify and speed up a perimetric test (Westheimer function). Through sequential testing, the technique was successfully used to evaluate pathologic findings and partially to evaluate treatment regimens in three subjects. One patient had an onset of kinetic field changes and Westheimer function alteration with primary open-angle glaucoma. Temporary remissions of alterations in the Westheimer function and kinetic visual field loss occurred in patients with glaucoma and tobacco-alcohol (complicated) amblyopia. Using these techniques it is possible to localize an anomaly in the outer retinal layer, the inner retinal layer, and central to the optic nerve head. We divided the inner and outer retinal layers on a vascular support basis.
Flamelet structure of radiating CH4-air flames

Abstract The structure of radiating laminar flamelets of CH 4 -air diffusion flames is presented. Radiative heat transfer effects are examined by using the optically thin and full radiation models. The predictions are based on the solution of a one-dimensional set of conservation equations with the mixture fraction, f , as the independent variable for different fixed values of the scalar dissipation rate, χ. A reduced three-step chemical kinetic mechanism is used for the whole range of f (0 ≤ f ≤ 1.0). The results of the numerical computations yield values of the temperature and main species for different values of χ until extinction of the flamelet eventually occurs. Both the adiabatic flamelet and nonadiabatic flamelet with radiative heat loss are studied and their respective flamelet structures are presented. Good agreement is obtained with limited experimental data available. Also, the effect of thermal radiation on NO formation in the flamelet has been investigated. Due to the sensitivity of thermal NO kinetics to temperature, thermal radiation is found to have a profound effect on thermal NO formation, practically at all ranges of χ except near the extinction point where flamelets are excessively stretched.
Flk2/Flt3 promotes both myeloid and lymphoid development by expanding non–self-renewing multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cells

Defining differentiation pathways is central to understanding the pathogenesis of hematopoietic disorders, including leukemia. The function of the receptor tyrosine kinase Flk2 (Flt3) in promoting myeloid development remains poorly defined, despite being commonly mutated in acute myeloid leukemia. We investigated the effect of Flk2 deficiency on myelopoiesis, focusing on specification of progenitors between HSC and mature cells. We provide evidence that Flk2 is critical for proliferative expansion of multipotent progenitors that are common precursors for all lymphoid and myeloid lineages, including megakaryocyte/erythroid (MegE) cells. Flk2 deficiency impaired the generation of both lymphoid and myeloid progenitors by abrogating propagation of their common upstream precursor. At steady state, downstream compensatory mechanisms masked the effect of Flk2 deficiency on mature myeloid output, whereas transplantation of purified progenitors revealed impaired generation of all mature lineages. Flk2 deficiency did not affect lineage choice, thus dissociating the role of Flk2 in promoting cell expansion and regulating cell fate. Surprisingly, despite impairing myeloid development, Flk2 deficiency afforded protection against myeloablative insult. This survival advantage was attributed to reduced cell cycling and proliferation of progenitors in Flk2-deficient mice. Our data support the existence of a common Flk2+ intermediate for all hematopoietic lineages and provide insight into how activating Flk2 mutations promote hematopoietic malignancy by non–Flk2-expressing myeloid cells.
Positive illusions and positive collusions: How social life abets self-enhancing beliefs

Most people hold overly (though not excessively) positive self-views of themselves, their ability to shape environmental events, and their future. These positive illusions are generally (though not always) beneficial, promoting achievement, psychological adjustment, and physical well-being. Social processes conspire to produce these illusions, suggesting that affiliation patterns may have evolved to nurture and sustain them.
The development of catecholaminergic innervation in chick spinal cord

This combined biochemical and histofluorescent study of the embryonic chick was designed to investigate the temporal and spatial development of noradrenergic pathways in the spinal cord. The sequence of catecholaminergic innervation was analyzed by measuring the specific uptake of [3H]norepinephrine, the levels of endogenous norepinephrine, and the distribution of catecholamine histofluorescence. Uptake studies showed early axons present in all levels of spinal cord by 10 days incubation with subsequent increases of uptake activity appearing in a rostrocaudal fashion. Endogenous norepinephrine values were low until day 14, at which time transmitter levels began to increase, approaching hatched values on incubation day 17. Morphologic studies demonstrated catecholaminergic terminals first in the intermediate gray matter and later concentrated in the ventral and dorsal horns. These observations were interpreted to indicate that: (1) noradrenergic axons are an early descending supraspinal pathway; (2) arborization of this system occurs in a rostral-caudal sequence; and (3) monoaminergic uptake mechanisms develop prior to and independent of neurotransmitter synthesis and storage. The development of this noradrenergic system parallels alteration in spinal cord physiology and refinements in the motility of the embryo.
Differential signaling through NFκB does not ameliorate skeletal myoblast apoptosis during differentiation

During 23A2 skeletal myoblast differentiation, roughly 30% of the population undergoes apoptosis. Further, constitutive signaling by G12V:H-Ras or Raf:CAAX abrogates this apoptosis. In this study, we demonstrate an increase in NFκB activity in myoblasts that have survived and are expressing muscle-specific genes. NFκB activity is also elevated in myoblasts expressing constitutively active G12V:H-Ras but not Raf:CAAX. Expression of a dominant negative IκB (IκB-SR) sufficient to eliminate this elevated level of NFκB activity, in either the 23A2 myoblasts or their G12V:H-Ras-expressing counterparts, however, does not affect survival. Furthermore, expression of a constitutively active IκB kinase in 23A2 myoblasts does not protect these cells from the apoptosis associated with differentiation. Since signaling by IκB kinase can abrogate differentiation, this result demonstrates that abrogated differentiation and abrogated apoptosis are separable phenotypes.
Evidence for gas and magmatic sources beneath the Yellowstone volcanic field from seismic tomographic imaging

The 3-D P-wave velocity and P- to S-wave velocity ratio structure of the Yellowstone volcanic field, Wyoming, has been determined from local earthquake tomography using new data from the permanent Yellowstone seismic network. We selected 3374 local earthquakes between 1995 and 2001 to invert for the 3-D P-wave velocity (Vp) and P-wave to S-wave velocity ratio (Vp/Vs) structure. Vp anomalies of small size (15×15 km) are reliably imaged in the northwestern part of the model outside the Yellowstone caldera; inside the caldera only Vp anomalies of large size extending over several grid nodes are reliably imaged. The Vp/Vs solution is generally poorer due to the low number of S–P arrival times. Only the northwestern part of the model is resolved with confidence; the Vp/Vs solution also suffers from strong vertical and horizontal velocity smearing. The tomographic images confirm the existence of a low Vp-body beneath the Yellowstone caldera at depths greater than 8 km, possibly representing hot, crystallizing magma. The most striking result of our study is a volume of anomalously low Vp and Vp/Vs in the northwestern part of the Yellowstone volcanic field at shallow depths of <2.0 km. Theoretical calculations of changes in P- to S-wave velocity ratios indicate that these anomalies can be interpreted as porous, gas-filled rock. The close spatial correlation of the observed anomalies and the occurrence of the largest earthquake swarm in historic time in Yellowstone, 1985, suggest that the gas may have originated as part of magmatic fluids released by crystallization of magma beneath the Yellowstone caldera.
Mesothelin expression and survival outcomes in triple receptor negative breast cancer.

Abstract Background Mesothelin is an ideal tumor-associated marker for the development of targeted therapy due to its limited expression in normal tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate mesothelin expression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its correlation with survival outcomes. Methods Mesothelin expression was completed by using immunohistochemistry and was quantified by the H score. An H score > 10 was considered positive. Patient characteristics were compared by mesothelin expression. The Kaplan-Meier product limit method was used to estimate survival outcomes. Cox proportional hazards models was used to adjust for patient and tumor characteristics. Results The median age was 52 years. Of the 109 patients with TNBC, 37 (34%) were positive for mesothelin expression. There were no differences on patient and/or tumor characteristics by mesothelin expression with the exception of high frequency of lymphovascular space invasion in mesothelin-negative tumors (2 P = .03). At a median follow-up of 75.8 months, 20 (18.3%) patients had experienced a recurrence, and 22 (20.2%) had died. Five-year progression-free survival was 87% and 92% in patients with mesothelin-positive and those with mesothelin-negative tumors (2 P = .43). Five-year overall survival was 85% and 91% in patients with mesothelin-positive and those with mesothelin-negative tumors (2 P = .57), respectively. Mesothelin expression was not an independent predictor of survival outcomes. Conclusion Mesothelin expression was identified in 34% of patients with TNBC. Mesothelin expression did not correlate with survival outcomes in patients with TNBC.
The relationship between perceived evaluation of weight and treatment outcome among individuals with binge eating disorder.

Objective This study was designed to explore among individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) perceptions of others' evaluation of their weight-related behavior and affect aroused by such. Method: Prior to treatment for binge eating and weight loss, 47 subjects diagnosed with BED completed a questionnaire designed to assess the perceived evaluation of an understanding and a critical individual in both positive and negative weight-related situations and subjects' affective responses to being evaluated. Results: Subjects exhibited characteristic patterns of affective response to perceived evaluation of their weight-related behavior, with negative situations and critical evaluators evoking greater degrees of negative affect. Negative affect in response to perceived evaluation was associated with poor outcome with weight loss but not binge eating. However, this finding was due to the correlation between negative affect in response to perceived evaluation and global severity of psychopathology (SCL-90-R). Discussion: The results suggest that psychopathology in this population predicts poor outcome with weight loss, and further that independent of its relationship with depression, psychopathology is strongly associated with a tendency to experience negative affect in response to perceived evaluation by others of weight-related behavior. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 22: 43–49, 1997.
Darkness descends with two Rabs

Over 60 distinct Rab GTPases regulate specific vesicular transport steps in the mammalian central vacuolar system. Wasmeier et al. (this issue, p. 271) reveal a redundant role for two tissue-specific Rab proteins in regulating transport to a tissue-specific lysosome-related organelle, the melanosome.
Energy efficient PWAM transmitter design

PWAM transmitter combines pulse width modulation (PWM) and pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) together to boost the performance of the high speed serial link transceiver. In this paper, two PWAM transmitter architectures are proposed and the performances of them are compared based on the power consumption analysis of the drivers. Bipolar driver is an energy efficient choice for the PWAM scheme. It can save more than half of the driver power consumption. The correct clock scheme for phase selector is also discussed in this work.
Noise reduction in CdZnTe coplanar-grid detectors

Noise measurements on CdZnTe detectors show that the main sources of detector-related noise are shot noise due to bulk leakage current and 1/f noise due to the detector surfaces. The magnitude of surface leakage current appears to have little or no effect on the detector noise. Measurements on guard-ring devices fabricated using gold-evaporated contacts show that the contacts behave as Schottky barriers, and the bulk current at typical operating voltages is likely dependent on the contact properties rather than directly on the material's bulk resistivity. This also suggests that the level of shot noise is affected by the detector contacts and not necessarily by the material's bulk resistivity. A significant reduction in the noise of coplanar-grid detectors has been obtained using a modified contact fabrication process.
The Nonsynchronous Flow-Through Coil Planet Centrifuge without Rotating Seals Applied to Cell Separation

Abstract A new nonsynchronous flow-through coil planet centrifuge allows continuous elution through a coiled separation column without the use of rotating seals. Rates of rotation and revolution of the column are independently adjustable to meet the requirements for the separation of cell particles. The capability of the present apparatus was demonstrated by the separation of human and sheep erythrocytes using an isotonic saline solution.
Motor Failures due to Steep Fronted Switching Surges: The Need for Surge Protection - User's Experience

Steep fronted wave surges cause severe stress on the installation of the stator windings of large AC motors due to the nonuniform distribution of voltage across windings. The absence of acceptable national standards defining the impulse voltage withstand capability of rotating machines, as applied on static equipment, has led to inconsistency, uncertainty, and failures of many such motors. Based on available technical literature, recent national studies, and user experience, the need to specify extra dielectric strength for turn-to-turn insulation to withstand the overvoltages and the need for acceptable national standards and testing requirements are presented. >
CT evaluation of acute cholecystitis: findings and usefulness in diagnosis.

The purpose of our study was to describe the CT findings of acute cholecystitis and apply previously proposed CT criteria for its diagnosis.We retrospectively reviewed CT scans of 29 patients with proven acute cholecystitis. Scans were reviewed for gallstones, gallbladder distension, bile density, wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid, subserosal edema, pericholecystic stranding, and sloughed membranes. Previously published criteria were applied to determine the percentage of patients that met positive criteria for acute cholecystitis.The most common CT findings, in decreasing order of frequency, were wall thickening (n = 17), pericholecystic stranding (n = 15), distension (n = 12), pericholecystic fluid (n = 9), subserosal edema (n = 9), high-attenuation bile (n = 7), and sloughed membranes (n = 1). Of the 29 cases of acute cholecystitis, 15 met previously published CT criteria.CT can be useful in diagnosing acute cholecystitis. Common CT findings of acute cholecystitis include wall thickening, perichol...
In vitro biotransformation of anabolic steroids in canines

Forensic drug testing of anabolic steroids in racing animals is required because of the potential for steroid abuse. Often when the metabolic products of an administered compound have not been identified, the analysis and verification of the administered compound is difficult. The objective of this study was to qualitatively identify the in vitro phase I biotransformation products of anabolic steroids that have a high potential for abuse in canines. The investigated steroids included testosterone, methyltestosterone, mibolerone and boldenone. Steroid biotransformation products were generated using beagle liver microsomes and analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/mass spectrometry (MS) with an electrospray ionization source. Characterization of steroid metabolites was based on HPLC retention, UV and mass spectra. The major testosterone metabolites were identified as androstenedione and 6beta- and 16alpha-hydroxytestosterone. 6beta-Hydroxymethyltestosterone was identified as a major metabolite in the methyltestosterone microsomal incubations. Several mibolerone metabolites were identified as monohydroxylated mibolerones as well as an oxidized mibolerone metabolite. Boldenone metabolites were identified as monohydroxylated boldenones, oxidized boldenone, and testosterone. This information should assist in the determination of anabolic steroid use in canines through the correlation of the urinary metabolites to the administered drug.
Beyond Agenda Setting: The Role of Political Blogs as Sources in Newspaper Coverage of Government

This paper contributes to this literature on how "new media" is influencing "old media" by tracking references to an extensive list of high profile political blogs in stories run by four national print media outlets between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2008. The findings presented here show that although journalists frequently rely on political bloggers to serve as sources in their coverage of politics, they only reference certain political blogs in certain ways on certain kinds of issues. To be more precise, journalists seem to turn to political blogs primarily during national election campaigns and this turn is frequently in the direction of a small number of liberal political blogs - who are referenced more often and more prominently than conservative blogs.
Effects of Prolonged Formalin Fixation on the Immunohistochemical Detection of Infectious Agents in Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissues

Immunohistochemistry is commonly used to detect and characterize infectious agents in diagnostic pathology. The principal advantage of immunohistochemistry over other antigen detection techniques is the ability to identify antigen within the context of histologic lesions. Although epitope masking attributed to formalin fixation, especially prolonged fixation, has been considered a limiting factor in diagnostic immunohistochemistry, only a few studies have evaluated the immunohistochemical detection of infectious agents following prolonged formalin fixation. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of prolonged formalin fixation on the immunohistochemical detection of 21 infectious agents. Tissue slices about 5 mm thick were fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin, processed, and paraffin embedded at day 1 or 2 and then at approximately weekly intervals. Three pathologists graded immunoreactivity according to a four-tier grading system: negative, weak, moderate, strong. Canine parvoviral immunoreactivity was markedly decreased following 2, 7, and 10 weeks of fixation in myocardium, small intestine, and spleen, respectively. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus immunoreactivity was markedly decreased following 7 weeks of fixation. Bartonella henselae had an abrupt loss of immunoreactivity following 9 weeks of fixation. Despite variation among time points, immunoreactivity remained moderate to strong throughout the study period for the other 18 antigens. These results suggest that prolonged formalin fixation of up to 7 weeks generally does not limit immunohistochemical detection of infectious agents. However, the effects of prolonged fixation depend on the targeted antigen and the selected antibody. The results of this study further validate the utility and reliability of immunohistochemistry in diagnostic pathology.
Standards for computer systems security: An interoperability analysis of SDNS SP3 and ISO NLSP

In the open systems interconnection (OSI) communications framework, standards are being proposed for cryptography-based security protocols that will provide security services to the user. Many of these security protocols provide almost identical security services and are being pursued in groups that include ANSI, IEEE, IETF, and NATO. Two of the current security protocols defined for the network layer of the OSI communications stack that are being proposed for use by the US Department of Defense and commercial networks are examined, and the issue of interoperability between these two protocols is addressed. >
On the absence of previously reported Japanese and Peruvian species of Prionitis (Halymeniaceae, Rhodophyta) in the northeast Pacific

SUMMARY Partial rbcL sequences of type specimens, historically significant specimens and recently collected comparative specimens are used to demonstrate that Prionitis decipiens (Montagne) J. Agardh (type locality: Paita, Peru), Prionitis angusta (Harvey) Okamura (type locality: Shimoda, Japan, currently known as Grateloupia angusta (Harvey) Kawaguchi et Wang) and Prionitis cornea (Okamura) E. Y. Dawson (type locality: Shizuoka, Japan, currently known as Grateloupia cornea Okamura), all previously reported from the northeast (NE) Pacific (California, USA and Baja California, Mexico), were not, and currently are not, present. Historically significant specimens from the NE Pacific specifically annotated by E. Y. Dawson as belonging to P. cornea or specifically annotated by I. A. Abbott as belonging to P. angusta were sequenced and shown to belong to either Prionitis linearis Kylin (type locality: La Jolla, California, USA) or to Prionitis filiformis Kylin (type locality: San Francisco, California, USA). The lectotype of Gelidium decipiens Montagne (basionym of Prionitis decipiens) is narrowed to a single specimen illustrated by Montagne, and a lectotype is designated for P. linearis. The utility of partial rbcL sequences (less than 200 base pairs) for determining the identity of specimens is discussed, as is the importance of sequencing type and historically significant specimens.
Design of assembly systems for modular products

To respond to the challenge of agile manufacturing, companies are striving to provide a large variety of products at a low cost. Product modularity allows production of different products by combining standard components. One of the characteristics of modular products is that they share the same assembly operations for a part of their structure. The special structure of modular products provides challenges and opportunities for the design of assembly systems. Given a family of modular products, designing low cost assembly systems is an important problem. In this paper, an approach for the design of assembly systems for modular products is proposed. The assembly system is decomposed into two subsystems based on the structure of modular products. The configuration problem of the assembly system is formulated and solved by a tabu search based algorithm.
Polypivalolactone grafts on EPDM

Random copolymers of ethylene, propylene, and 1,4-hexadiene (EPDM) were carboxylated by reaction with thioglycolic acid or with maleic anhydride. Treatment of these polymers in tetrahydrofuran solution with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide generated carboxylate anions, which initiated the graft polymerization of pivalolactone. Conversion and grafting efficiencies approached 100%. Polypivalolactone chains had an estimated DPn of 3 to 20 and the average distance between graft sites varied from 3000 to 7700 molecular weight units. On cooling from the melt, highly crystalline domains of polypivalolactone formed, which melted at 120–200°C depending on DPn. Electron microscopy and x-ray analysis verified the presence of these domains, which serve as reinforcing tiepoints for thermally reversible network formation. The resultant thermoplastic elastomers have excellent elasticity and strength, and their compression set resistance is equivalent to that of conventionally cured and reinforced EPDM. This paper details the synthesis, morphology, and structure–property relationships of these elastomers.
Regenerative Treatment for a Peri-Implantitis-Affected Implant: A Case Report

Introduction: Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory disease in the mucosa around an implant that results in bone loss and, if allowed to progress, can result in loss of the implant. This disease has been estimated to have a prevalence varying from 11.3% to 56%. To date, there is little evidence to indicate the most effective method of treatment of peri-implantitis. This report describes a regenerative treatment for restoration of bone and reduction of probing depth (PD) around a peri-implantitis-affected implant.Case Presentation: A 67-year-old male patient presented with advanced peri-implantitis around a mandibular right first molar implant that was placed and restored 3 years before his visit. An examination revealed PD of 7 to 12 mm and bone loss of 7 to 10 mm circumferentially around the implant. Treatment consisted of flap reflection, a six-step surface decontamination, placement of enamel matrix derivative on the implant surface, and fill of the defect with combined allograft/xenografts mixed with pl...
Steroids and standardised tests: meritocracy and the myth of fair play in the United States

Steroid use in professional sports continues to receive much media attention in the United States. The predominant response to the use of steroids in professional sports is negative. Much of the opposition to steroid use focuses on the critical importance of fair play in American society. To the degree that steroids provide some players with an unfair advantage, the use of steroids is said to undermine fair play. This paper provides an analogical analysis of SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) coaching services, and the manner in which these services similarly undermine “fair play” in college admissions competition. Ultimately, our national commitment to fair play is context‐specific. If one looks closely, it further reveals the troubling possibility that fair play as a core value is not a core value at all, but little more than an empty mantra.
GREENISH QUARTZ FROM THE THUNDER BAY AMETHYST MINE PANORAMA, THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA

Naturally occurring greenish quartz found within the context of amethyst-bearing deposits is not simply the result of the exposure of amethyst to thermal bleaching or exposure to the sun. Rather, it can represent a set of distinct color-varieties resulting from the changing chemical and thermal nature of the precipitating solution. Greenish quartz occurs at the Thunder Bay Amethyst Mine Panorama (TBAMP), Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, in several distinct varieties. Yellowish green quartz and dark green quartz with purple hues occur as loose detritus, and pale greenish gray quartz occurs as part of a color-gradational sequence of mineralization involving macrocrystalline quartz of other colors and chalcedony. The TBAMP system contains a number of color varieties of quartz including greenish, amethyst, colorless, and smoky. Spectroscopic, irradiation and controlled heating studies show that changes in salinity and temperature of the hydrothermal system that produced the TBAMP deposit are reflected in the changing coloration of the quartz. The greenish quartz, especially the greenish gray variety, has increased turbidity and fluid inclusions in comparison with the adjacent amethyst. Analysis of different colors on major (r = {101 1}) and minor (z = {011 1}) rhombohedral sectors within the quartz indicates that changes in the growth rate also have influenced color development. As the system evolved, two factors contributed to the color changes. A minor ferric component appears to change position from interstitial to substitutional within specific growth-sectors, and the trace-element composition of the quartz evolved. The samples from the TBAMP deposit are compared to isolated samples of greenish quartz collected from three other amethyst-bearing localities: Farm Kos and Farm Rooisand (Namibia), Kalomo-Mapatiqya (Zambia), and southern Bahia (Brazil). All included similar greenish hues with the exception of the yellowish green variety. Colors within the quartz are consistently correlated with the speciation of hydrous components. Darker green samples incorporate larger amounts of molecular H_2O than either pale greenish gray samples, colorless samples, or amethyst. The appearance of strong hydroxyl peaks in the infrared spectra is limited to amethyst and colorless varieties.
Relationships of ozone exposure to pine injury in the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Mountains of California, USA

Hourly ambient ozone exposure data and crown injury measurements were gathered in the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Mountains of California to develop relationships between the Ozone Injury Index (OII), the Forest Pest Management Index (FPM), chlorotic mottle, fascicle retention (OII index components) and cumulative ambient ozone indices for Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws and Pinus jeffreyi Grev. and Balf. Eleven sites located in the mixed conifer forest near ambient ozone monitoring sites were evaluated annually for 4 years. Four other sites in the San Bernardino Mountains were evaluated for 1 year. Analyses showed OII to be functionally equivalent (r2 = 0.96) to the FPM, and to depend only on fascicle retention and chlorotic mottle (R2 = 0.95) of the fourth whorl (or if four whorls are not present at the site, then the last whorl present for the majority of trees). Significant associations were found between OII and 4-year 24-h. summer SUM0, SUM06, W126 and HRS80 ozone indices. Three sites had higher levels of cumulative chlorotic mottle for individual whorls and larger numbers of trees with visible crown injury than other sites with similar cumulative ambient ozone levels. Including an indicator variable to discriminate between these two groups of sites increased R2 and decreased root mean square (RMSE) for all indices, especially SUM0 (R2 = 0.93, RMSE reduced by 46%).
New techniques applied to air-traffic control radars

During the past two years a program has been carried out to show how new techniques can greatly improve the performance of radars used for air-traffic control. A survey of problems associated with presently used radars was undertaken. This survey indicates that primary radar in an automated air-traffic control system can be made significantly more effective by the use of new techniques. The radar's handling of extraneous reflections (clutter) is critical to its performance. Three types of interfering clutter were found to predominate: ground clutter, weather clutter, and angels. Angels are generally accepted to be radar returns from flocks of birds. In addition, second-time-around clutter is often troublesome. For each type of clutter, all known remedies for improving the signal-to-clutter ratio were studied and radar systems were configured using appropriate sets of remedies. Some specific solutions incorporated in the resulting radar systems are: a) the use of linear large dynamic range, near-optimum digital signal processors to filter signals from clutter, b) the use of electronically step-scanned antennas to improve the correlation of aircraft and clutter returns from pulse to pulse, c) the use of multiple PRF's instead of staggered PRF's together with coherent transmitters to keep second-time-around clutter returns well correlated while still overcoming blind speeds, d) the use of a fine grained ground clutter map to give superclutter visibility on tangential targets, and e) the use of lower operating frequencies to greatly reduce weather and angel returns. Two demonstration radar systems have been implemented, an S-band radar using a mechanically rotating antenna and a UHF radar using an electronically step-scanned cylindrical antenna. Experimental results are described.
Heteroclinic Orbits for Retarded Functional Differential Equations

Abstract Suppose Γ is a heteroclinic orbit of a Ck functional differential equation x (t) = ƒ(x i ) with α-limit set α(Γ) and ω-limit set ω(Γ) being either hyperbolic equilibrium points or periodic orbits. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the existence of an ftf close to ƒ in Ck with the property that x (t) = \ tf(x t ) has a heteroclinic orbit \ gG close to Γ. The orbits \ gG are obtained from the zeros of a finite number of bifurcation functions G(β, f )∈R d ∗ ,β ∈R d + 1 . Transversality of Γ is characterized by the nondegeneracy of the derivative DβG. It is also shown that the \ tf which have heteroclinic orbits near Γ are on a Ck submanifold of finite codimension = max{0, − indΓ} or on the closure of it, where ind Γ is the index of Γ.
Phylogenetic Characterization of Wolbachia Symbionts Infecting Cimex lectularius L. and Oeciacus vicarius Horvath (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

Wolbachia symbionts are obligate intracellular bacteria that cause host reproductive alterations in many arthropods and filarial nematodes. We identified Wolbachia symbionts in the cliff swallow bug (Oeciacus vicarious Horvath) and the human bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing using Wolbachia-specific 16S rDNA and FtsZ primers. Phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian, maximum likelihood, and maximum parsimony algorithms indicated, with strong support, that (1) Wolbachia infections in these two cimicid hosts form a monophyletic group, and (2) the Wolbachia strains detected belong to the F clade, previously associated with termites, weevils, and filarial nematodes.
Multimedia Networking Performance Requirements

“Throughput Demand” (bits per second per workstation) is a measure of average communications traffic placed on a networking system per user in particular applications. This has been defined for several applications in an earlier report (5).
Genetic alterations of Streptococcus mutans' virulence.

Our laboratory has pursued the study of mutants of Streptococcus mutans with characterized phenotypic defects to assess the significance of specific traits in the causation of caries at various tooth surfaces. We have devised and executed mutant selection schemes yielding isolates defective in putatively important virulence characteristics. We have then conducted biochemical, physiological, and morphological studies, as well as assays of the virulence of these mutants, in comparison with their unaltered wild type (WT) progenitors.
Non-Profit Organization and Membership Motivation: An Exploration in the Museum Industry

This study investigates motivational dimensions for membership in a non-profit art museum and their relationship with membership levels. Data was collected from existing members of a not-for-profit museum. The findings indicated that museum membership motivation is a multidimensional construct including philanthropy, preservation of art, social recognition, children’s benefits, tangible benefits, and hedonic dimensions. Of these, social recognition and philanthropy differ significantly across membership levels with high-end members having higher scores than others. Children’s benefits and tangible member benefits demonstrate the opposite effect-low-end members are significantly more motivated by this factor. Preservation of art and hedonic dimensions do not differ across membership levels. As regards segmentation variables, only income had a significant influence on membership level. As regards motivational factors, gender, age, and income produced mixed results. The implications of these findings are exp...
AKT in cancer: new molecular insights and advances in drug development

The phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)-AKT pathway is one of the most commonly dysregulated pathways in all of cancer, with somatic mutations, copy number alterations, aberrant epigenetic regulation and increased expression in a number of cancers. The carefully maintained homeostatic balance of cell division and growth on one hand, and programmed cell death on the other, is universally disturbed in tumorigenesis, and downstream effectors of the PI3K-AKT pathway play an important role in this disturbance. With a wide array of downstream effectors involved in cell survival and proliferation, the well-characterized direct interactions of AKT make it a highly attractive yet elusive target for cancer therapy. Here, we review the salient features of this pathway, evidence of its role in promoting tumorigenesis and recent progress in the development of therapeutic agents that target AKT.