cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metallothionein-I promoter-directed expression of foreign proteins in a mouse pituitary corticotrope tumor cell line

Expressing foreign proteins in heterologous eukaryotic cells has been a powerful tool for analyzing protein structure and function. The inducible mouse metallothionein-I promoter has been particularly useful for expression studies. However, the levels of expression achieved with this promoter in heterologous eukaryotic expression systems have not equaled those observed in vivo for the metallothionein-I gene. We have constructed expression plasmids placing either the gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) or the cDNA for human neuropeptide Y (NPY) under control of the mouse metallothionein-I promoter. These two expression vectors were used to transfect mouse anterior pituitary tumor cells, from which stable transformants were isolated. The resulting cell lines, Mt.NPY1a and Mt.CAT, were used to maximize functional product expression from the metallothionein-I promoter. In both cell lines, a 35-fold induction of mRNA accumulation, peptide synthesis, or CAT activity was observed.
Regulation of TATA-Binding Protein Binding by the SAGA Complex and the Nhp6 High-Mobility Group Protein

Transcriptional activation of the yeast HO gene involves the sequential action of DNA-binding and chromatin-modifying factors. Here we examine the role of the SAGA complex and the Nhp6 architectural transcription factor in HO regulation. Our data suggest that these factors regulate binding of the TATA-binding protein (TBP) to the promoter. A gcn5 mutation, eliminating the histone acetyltransferase present in SAGA, reduces the transcription of HO, but expression is restored in a gcn5 spt3 double mutant. We conclude that the major role of Gcn5 in HO activation is to overcome repression by Spt3. Spt3 is also part of SAGA, and thus two proteins in the same regulatory complex can have opposing roles in transcriptional regulation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments show that TBP binding to HO is very weak in wild-type cells but markedly increased in an spt3 mutant, indicating that Spt3 reduces HO expression by inhibiting TBP binding. In contrast, it has been shown previously that Spt3 stimulates TBP binding to the GAL1 promoter as well as GAL1 expression, and thus, Spt3 regulates these promoters differently. We also find genetic interactions between TBP and either Gcn5 or the high-mobility-group protein Nhp6, including multicopy suppression and synthetic lethality. These results suggest that, while Spt3 acts to inhibit TBP interaction with the HO promoter, Gcn5 and Nhp6 act to promote TBP binding. The result of these interactions is to limit TBP binding and HO expression to a short period within the cell cycle. Furthermore, the synthetic lethality resulting from combining a gcn5 mutation with specific TBP point mutations can be suppressed by the overexpression of transcription factor IIA (TFIIA), suggesting that histone acetylation by Gcn5 can stimulate transcription by promoting the formation of a TBP/TFIIA complex.
Geographic Information System-Based Digital Catalog for Managing Subsurface Geotechnical and Geologic Data

Knowledge of surface and subsurface geology and geotechnical properties is fundamental to planning, developing, and modernizing transportation systems. Through dynamic coupling of readily available areal geographic information system coverages and subsurface borehole data stored in a relational database, a spatially referenced digital catalog of borehole data was created for two pilot areas in Rhode Island. The borehole database was populated with data derived from Rhode Island Department of Transportation geotechnical reports and supplemental data from the U.S. Geological Survey groundwater site inventory system and local storm water and sewer projects. Most of these data were previously maintained in paper format, making historical or interproject data comparisons virtually impossible. Unification of these data in a single relational database yields two primary benefits: (a) historical data are readily accessible for review and therefore can be incorporated easily into the planning stages of new project...
Anti-Ro(SSA) and anti-La(SSB) antibodies in lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome.

Anti-Ro(SSA) and La(SSB) antibody determinations have become important serologic tests in the evaluation of lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome patients. These antibodies appear to identify a group of lupus patients with prominent skin diseases. Although much of the initial investigations regarding the value of these antibodies has been performed in the United States and Europe, preliminary studies suggest that the frequency of these antibodies in Japanese and other Oriental patients may be double that seen in American patients. This article will briefly review our knowledge of the molecular, immunogenetic and clinical features of the anti-Ro(SSA) and anti-La(SSB) antibody responses.
Effect of acute induced metabolic alkalosis on the acid/base responses to sprint exercise of six racing greyhounds

To investigate the effect of acute induced metabolic alkalosis on the haematological, biochemical and metabolic responses to sprint exercise, six greyhound dogs with previously placed carotid arterial catheters were raced four times over a distance of 400 metres. Each dog was raced twice after receiving oral sodium bicarbonate solution (NaHCO3) (400 mg kg-1) or lactated Ringer's solution (LRS). Before, and for intervals of up to one hour after, the exercise arterial blood samples were collected for the measurement of blood gases, packed cell volume, total protein, serum biochemistry and plasma lactate. The time to complete the 400 metre sprint ranged from 32.7 seconds to 36.9 seconds. There was no significant difference in racing times between the dogs treated with NaHCO3 and LRS, and there was no significant difference between the plasma lactate measurements after the treatments with NaHCO3 or LRS. Serum chloride concentrations were significantly lower after NaHCO3 than after LRS, and there was a trend towards a lower serum potassium concentration after NaHCO3 treatment. Plasma lactate concentrations showed a similar increase and time course of disappearance after both LRS and NaHCO3 treatments. There were significant changes in all the parameters measured after the exercise, but there were large variations between individual dogs and between races when the dogs were receiving the same treatment.
The pathogenesis of group a streptococcal cell wall‐induced polyarthritis in the rat comparative studies in arthritis resistant and susceptible inbred rat strains

This report addresses the host mechanisms which regulate susceptibility and resistance to group A streptococcal cell wall-induced polyarthritis in the rat. We have compared cell wall tissue distribution and persistence following a single intraperitoneal injection of an aqueous suspension of the cell walls into arthritis susceptible LEW/N and resistant F344/N female rats. Selected aspects of the induced inflammatory reaction were also compared. Our results suggest that development of chronic erosive polyarthritis in this model is dependent, in variable degrees, upon 1) deposition and persistence of the cell walls in synovial tissues, and 2) a relative inability of arthritis susceptible rats to neutralize the proinflammatory properties of the cell walls.
Integration of metal-oxide nanobelts with microsystems for sensor applications

Single-crystalline tin dioxide (SnO 2 ) nanobelts have been assembled with microfabricated suspended heaters as low-power, sensitive gas sensors. With less than 4 mW power consumption of the micro-heater, the nanobelt can be heated up to 500°C. The electrical conductance of the heated nanobelt was found to be highly stable and sensitive to toxic and inflammable gas species including dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and ethanol. The experiment is a step towards the large scale integration of nanomaterials with microsystems, and such integration via a directed assembly approach can potentially enable the fabrication of low-power, sensitive, and selective integrated nanosensor systems.
Schistosoma mansoni: Characterization of the electrical potential from the tegument of adult males

Abstract An electrical potential having a value of −35 mV (SD = 7.4) is recorded upon penetration of the ventral surface of adult male Schistosoma mansoni with a microelectrode. Histological studies using horseradish peroxidase as a marker injected iontophoretically through the recording electrode indicate that this potential originates in the tegumental epithelium. Recordings from animals with contractile activity showed spontaneous nonovershooting depolarizations with durations of 20 to 100 msec and amplitudes between 5 and 15 mV. Slow-wave depolarizations are also observed and are most frequent in animals showing only slight movement. The tegumental membrane potential appears to be dependent primarily on the K+ gradient across the surface since a 10-fold increase in external K+ causes a 30-mV change in the potential. Altering the external concentration of Cl− has little effect on the tegumental potential, but lowering the external Na+ concentration to 37 mM causes a 10-mV depolarization. Praziquantel (PZ) has little initial effect on the tegumental membrane potential. A slow depolarization does occur, however, which reaches a significant level about 10 min after PZ (1 μM). Carbachol and dopamine are without significant effects on the tegumental membrane potential.
Internal concentration gradients of guest molecules in nanoporous host materials: measurement and microscopic analysis.

Evolution of internal concentration profiles of methanol in 2-D pore structure of ferrierite crystal was measured in the pressure range of 0 to 80 mbar with the help of the recently developed interference microscopy technique. The measured profiles showed that both a surface barrier and internal diffusion controlled the kinetics of adsorption/desorption. Furthermore, they indicated that in the main part of the crystal, the z-directional 10-ring channels were not accessible to methanol and that the transport of methanol mainly occurred via 8-ring y-directional channels. The roof-like part of the crystal was almost instantaneously filled/emptied during adsorption/desorption, indicating accessible 10-ring channels in this section. The measured profiles were analyzed microscopically with the direct application of Fick's second law, and the transport diffusivity of methanol in ferrierite was determined as a function of adsorbed phase concentration. The transport diffusivity varied by more than 2 orders of magn...
Preventing Dating Violence in Public Schools: An Evaluation of an Interagency Collaborative Program for Youth

Many communities offer programs aimed at improving teen dating skills and knowledge about violence and sexual behavior. This research study evaluates one such program, operated by an interagency collaborative. Each of four participating community agencies provided one hour of curriculum during one week of health class. Lecture, group activities, and films were used in the intervention. A 0 X 0 design was used to examine changes in knowledge and attitudes among 74 students. Results indicate that most students began with fairly high knowledge levels and appropriate attitudes. Nevertheless, the program did appear to have a positive impact on those who exhibited less knowledge about and more tolerant attitudes toward exploitive dating behaviors at pre-test. Implications of results for the school context are discussed.
On cardinal numbers related to the Banach spaces Lp(G) and M(G)

Abstract Let G be an infinite compact group and Σ its dual object. Let m(G) denote the least cardinal number of an open base of the topology of G. In [3, 28.2] it is proved that m(G)dim L2(G) and in [3, 28.52] that #G2m(G). In this paper it is proved that Lp(G) is isometrically isomorphic to Lp(Tm(G)) (1 ⩽ p ⩽ ∞). It is proved that when G and H are compact groups with M(G) isometrically isomorphic to M(H), then L1(G) is isometrically isomorphic to L1(H). Further it is proved that M(G) is isometrically isomorphic to M(Tm(G)) in case G is abelian.
Femtosecond photolysis of CH2Br2 in acetonitrile: Capturing the bromomethyl radical and bromine-atom charge transfer complex through deep-to-near UV probing

Abstract Dibromomethane (CH 2 Br 2 ) in acetonitrile is a suitable precursor to characterize the absorption signatures of the CH 2 Br radical and solvent Br charge-transfer complexes. Following irradiation of CH 2 Br 2 at 255 nm, the iso -H 2 C Br Br isomer product rapidly converts back to the parent species, and transient absorption spectra reveal the bands of solvent-separated radical species, the CH 2 Br radical peaking at 235 nm, as well as the CH 3 CN·Br complex at 272 nm. The absorption of CH 2 Br exhibits minor solvatochromic shifts upon going from acetonitrile to cyclohexane, and the molecular decadic extinction coefficient of CH 3 CN·Br is estimated to be 1470 M −1 cm −1 .
Synthesis of a phase-pure orthorhombic YBa2Cu3Ox under low oxygen pressure

Abstract Reaction of Y 2 O 3 , BaCo 3 and CuO for 4 h at 800 °C in flowing O 2 with a total pressure of about 2.7 × 10 2 Pa, followed by cooling in O 2 at ambient pressure, has produced phase-pure orthorhombic YBa 2 Cu 3 O x . Keeping the ratio of O 2 to evolved CO 2 above 50 was necessary to ensure phase purity. The resultant powder yielded pressed and inserted pellets with improved superconducting properties.
Pilot testing of a question prompt sheet to encourage family caregivers of cancer patients and physicians to discuss end-of-life issues.

Family members of patients with advanced illness have many questions. Unfortunately, several barriers prevent caregivers from discussing their questions with the physicians caring for the patient. ...
Collective topic modeling for heterogeneous networks

In this paper, we propose a joint probabilistic topic model for simultaneously modeling the contents of multi-typed objects of a heterogeneous information network. The intuition behind our model is that different objects of the heterogeneous network share a common set of latent topics so as to adjust the multinomial distributions over topics for different objects collectively. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach for the tasks of topic modeling and object clustering.
Using adaptive routing to achieve quality of service

Self-monitoring allows a network to observe its own behavior via probing and measurement mechanisms. This can then be exploited by the system to take autonomous decisions for the purpose of system management, performance management and user Quality of Service (QoS). In this paper, we experimentally explore how QoS goals that are externally set by network users, can then be explicitly exploited by a self-aware network to control its own behavior to attain these goals. The experiments we report are conducted in two distinct Cognitive Packet Network (CPN) test-beds which use probing to select the routes which best satisfy the QoS goal. Our experiments validate this concept with QoS goals which include end-to-end delay, packet loss, and a mixture of these two metrics. We observe that using only delay in the QoS goal is a good way to reduce delay and loss if losses result only from congestion. However, using loss in the QoS goal is seen to be useful if the paths that are adaptively selected avoid nodes where packet losses occur for reasons other than congestion. In general we observe that CPN networks effectively adapt routing behavior to the QoS goal that is specified.
NO inhibition of the magnocellular neuroendocrine system in rats is independent of cGMP signaling pathway.

Abstract Our objective was to test the hypothesis that the cGMP signal-transduction mechanism mediates nitric oxide's (NO) modulation of oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) secretion from the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system. Three studies were conducted in adult male Sprague–Dawley rats: (1a) Euhydrated rats received an intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion (1 μl/min for 30 min) of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF), vehicle (2.6% dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO]) or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (0.05 μg/μl), an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC). ODQ did not affect basal levels of plasma VP or OT; (1b) Rats dehydrated for 24 h received aCSF or 8-Br-cGMP (icv), a membrane-permeable analog of cGMP, and plasma hormones were measured 2 min later. 8-Br-cGMP did not significantly change VP or OT levels; (2) Rats ingested water or 2% NaCl for 4 days, and NO synthase (NOS) and sGC activities were measured in posterior pituitaries, the anatomical site of hormone secretion. Salt loading enhanced (P
Reduced spaces for coupled rigid bodies

The motion of two identical, axially symmetric coupled rigid bodies with constant linear momentum gives rise to a Hamiltonian system with a fairly large symmetry group, namely,SO(3)×S 1 ×S 1 , which in turn leads to Hamiltonian flows on reduced spaces. In this paper, we illustrate the use of equivariant symplectomorphisms and the reduction in stages procedure in determining the topology of these reduced spaces. It is shown that the reduced spaces corresponding to regular momenta are either two- or four-dimensional and, in the four-dimensional case, the reduced space gets blown up (or blown down) as the momentum value crosses the singular boundary.
Mycobacterial Induction of Autophagy Varies by Species and Occurs Independently of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibition

The interaction of host cells with mycobacteria is complex and can lead to multiple outcomes ranging from bacterial clearance to latent infection. Although many factors are involved, the mammalian autophagy pathway is recognized as a determinant that can influence the course of infection. Intervention aimed at utilizing autophagy to clear infection requires an examination of the autophagy and signal transduction induced by mycobacteria under native conditions. With both pathogenic and non-pathogenic mycobacteria, we show that infection correlates with an increase in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity indicating that autophagy induction by mycobacteria occurs in an mTOR-independent manner. Analysis of Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), which respectively induce high and low autophagy responses, indicates that lipid material is capable of inducing both autophagy and mTOR signaling. Although mycobacterial infection potently induces mTOR activity, we confirm that bacterial viability can be reduced by rapamycin treatment. In addition, our work demonstrates that BCG can reduce autophagy responses to M. smegmatis suggesting that specific mechanisms are used by BCG to minimize host cell autophagy. We conclude that autophagy induction and mTOR signaling take place concurrently during mycobacterial infection and that host autophagy responses to any given mycobacterium stem from multiple factors, including the presence of activating macromolecules and inhibitory mechanisms.
Knowledge-based goal-driven approach for information extraction and decision making for target recognition

This paper presents a novel goal-driven approach for designing a knowledge-based system for information extraction and decision-making for target recognition. The underlying goal-driven model uses a goal frame tree schema for target organization, a hybrid rule-based pattern- directed formalism for target structural encoding, and a goal-driven inferential control strategy. The knowledge-base consists of three basic structures for the organization and control of target information: goals, target parameters, and an object-rulebase. Goal frames represent target recognition tasks as goals and subgoals in the knowledge base. Target parameters represent characteristic attributes of targets that are encoded as information atoms. Information atoms may have one or more assigned values and are used for information extraction. The object-rulebase consists of pattern/action assertional implications that describe the logical relationships existing between target parameter values. A goal realization process formulates symbolic patten expressions whose atomic values map to target parameters contained a priori in a hierarchical database of target state information. Symbolic pattern expression creation is accomplished via the application of a novel goal-driven inference strategy that logically prunes an AND/OR tree constructed object-rulebase. Similarity analysis is performed via pattern matching of query symbolic patterns and a priori instantiated target parameters.
Feto-specific features of human beta2-microglobulin.

Im fotalen Blut erreicht die Konzentration von {ie459-1} in der 30. Schwangerschaftswoche ihr Maximum. Im mutterlichen Blut tritt wahrend der Schwangerschaft kein Konzentrationsanstieg auf. Hingegen wurden bei Erwachsenen mit verschiedenen malignen Tumoren erhohte Serumkonzentrationen beobachtet.
A nonlinear fluctuation-dissipation theorem for quantum plasmas

Abstract A new relationship between the quadratic dielectric function and equilibrium ternary correlations of the microscopic charge and current density operators is presented to portray nonlinear response of quantum plasmas to general space-time dependent scalar potential perturbations.
Measuring quality perceptions

The measurement and management of product quality is an important factor in maintaining a firm's competitive edge. In this paper we (i) describe a procedure to obtain quality perceptions from users of office copiers, (ii) model the relationship between perceived quality and the underlying engineering attributes, and (iii) compute price-quality elasticities and suggest segmentation procedures.
Game as life --- life as game

In Game As Life --- Life As Game (GALLAG), ubiquitous computing and personally-tailored game scenarios integrate activities across the virtual and physical domains to further extend emerging avant-garde "real-life games" that are coordinated by digital means to blur digital-physical-social barriers. Influences and activities in GALLAG game scenarios affect real life and vice versa. To realize this, we are using several methods of experience and behavioral assessment, as well as environmental, contextual and physiological sensors, in conjunction with participatory design approaches that include end-user-programming. This agenda empowers users to create their own synergies between their on-line activities to help them achieve their personal realworld aspirations. Ultimately GALLAG is leading to "Life Long Games" that provide persistent, supportive, and actualizing experiences.
A rapid accurate wet oxidation diffusion procedure for determining organic and inorganic carbon in plant and soil samples

Abstract A method is presented for determining organic carbon content of soils, extracts and plant tissue utilizing an acidic wet oxidation in modified culture tubes; samples containing carbonates are pretreated with dilute acid. Evolved CO2 is trapped in a NaOH solution and quantified titrimetrically. The method described has a range of 0.4–11 mg. carbon and the range can be extended in either direction by modifying the CO2 trapping/titration procedure. This method is as accurate and precise as more time consuming dry oxidation procedures.
The use of hypotransferrinemic mice in studies of iron biology

The hypotransferrinemic (hpx) mouse is a model of inherited transferrin deficiency that originated several decades ago in the BALB/cJ mouse strain. Also known as the hpx mouse, this line is almost completely devoid of transferrin, an abundant serum iron-binding protein. Two of the most prominent phenotypes of the hpx mouse are severe anemia and tissue iron overload. These phenotypes reflect the essential role of transferrin in iron delivery to bone marrow and regulation of iron homeostasis. Over the years, the hpx mouse has been utilized in studies on the role of transferrin, iron and other metals in a variety of organ systems and biological processes. This review summarizes the lessons learned from these studies and suggests possible areas of future exploration using this versatile yet complex mouse model.
Transport of oxygen in silicate glasses

Abstract Oxygen can be transported through silicate glasses and melts by water, oxygen and silicon monoxide molecules. These molecules dissolve and diffuse in the open glass structure, and oxygen atoms in them can exchange with the oxygen atoms in the silicate silicon–oxygen network. A large variety of measurements of water diffusion in silicates can be understood with the diffusion-reaction and exchange mechanisms of dissolved water molecules. The permeation measurements by Norton of oxygen through silica glass demonstrate the dissolution and diffusion of oxygen molecules. However, measurements of oxygen diffusion with 18 O isotope have given widely different results in different studies. The main reason for these differences is the influence of trace amounts of residual water in the oxygen gas and in the glasses. Thus these isotopic exchange measurements of oxygen diffusion in glasses can be understood and interpreted only when the amount of residual water is measured and controlled. Surface exchange between oxygen atoms in the gas phase and the glass is fast; the reason for a lower concentration ratio of oxygen isotope in the glass surface than in the gas phase is not a slow surface reaction but a slow internal exchange between oxygen atoms in dissolved molecules and network oxygen atoms. Diffusion of oxygen in silicates at temperatures above about 1300 °C with high activation energy results from diffusion of dissolved SiO molecules, and is related to viscous flow.
Flow structure and performance of axisymmetric synthetic jets

ABSTRACT Experimental analysis is presented of the flow structure and performance of axisymmetric synthetic jets. We report direct thrust and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements at varying amplitude and frequency for Reynolds numbers in the range 200-2200. It is shown that the jet performance is determined by the flow length, L, defined as the length of fluid ejected during the output stroke of the synthetic jet. Two flow regimes are identified. At small flow lengths L/D ~3, the thrust equals the momentum flux ejected during the output stroke, and is proportional to L 2 . The entrainment rate of the synthetic jet was measured and found comparable to that of conventional axisymmetric turbulent jets. The mean and time-resolved flow structure in the near field of the synthetic jet varies with flow length. At small flow lengths, vortex rings form close to the orifice and loose some of the vorticity during the input stroke. At large flow lengths, vortex rings with some trailing vorticity form and move away from the orifice thus avoiding re-ingestion of vorticity during the input stroke. The amount of trailing vorticity does not affect the thrust produced by the synthetic jet.
Micropropagation of mature siberian elm in two steps

A simple and reliable two-step micropropagation system was developed for mature Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila L.). Shoot-tip cultures were initiated and multiplied on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1 μM benzyladenine, B5 vitamins, solidified with 0.22% Gelrite, and subcultured weekly. Proliferated shoots 2–3 cm in length rooted successfully in sterile and non-sterile soil mix at 100% efficiency. Healthy plants were acclimatized to the ambient environment.
Emerging Cytomegalovirus Management Strategies After Solid Organ Transplantation: Challenges and Opportunities

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains as one of the most common pathogens after solid organ transplantation (SOT). During the past year, management guidelines were updated, and numerous studies were published-all collectively emphasizing the ongoing efforts to improve management of CMV after SOT. Improvement in laboratory diagnostics was aided by the WHO international calibration standard for nucleic acid testing, which allows for meaningful comparison of viral load values among laboratories. The potential translation of methods for assessing CMV-specific cellular immunity could provide tools for CMV risk assessment and management. Efforts continue to optimize antiviral strategies for CMV disease prevention and treatment. CMV vaccines continue to be tested in various stages of clinical trials. Novel anti-CMV drugs are being developed, including agents that have been used as compassionate therapy for treatment of drug-resistant CMV. In this article, the authors review recent developments on CMV and discuss their implications in CMV management after transplantation.
Parameter identification in epidemic models.

Abstract Starting from a recent paper of Pollicott, Wang and Weiss we try to obtain improved representation formulas for the estimation of the time-dependent transmission rate of an epidemic in terms of either incidence or prevalence data. Although the formulas are (trivially) mathematically equivalent to previous formulas, the new representations need no additional estimates and they should be more stable numerically. We review the discrete time and the stochastic continuous time approach. We replace the assumption that recovery follows an exponential distribution and get estimates for the transmission rate for constant duration of the infectious phase.
Prevention of arterial reocclusion after thrombolysis with recombinant lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor.

BACKGROUNDThis study was designed to determine whether arterial reocclusion after thrombolysis can be prevented by lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor (LACI), a physiological inhibitor of tissue factor-induced coagulation mediated by the extrinsic pathway.METHODS AND RESULTSThrombosis was induced in femoral arteries of anesthetized dogs with the use of anodal current to elicit extensive vascular injury and formation of platelet-rich thrombi in one artery and with thrombogenic copper wire to elicit fibrin-rich thrombi without appreciable vascular injury in the contralateral artery. Recanalization of both vessels was induced with t-PA (1.7 mg/kg i.v. over 1 hour) and verified with Doppler flow probes. Reocclusion occurred within 2 hours in seven of seven arteries with electrical injury-induced thrombosis and in four of seven arteries with copper wire-induced thrombosis in the absence of LACI. In dogs given infusions of recombinant DNA-produced LACI (225 micrograms/kg over 15 minutes, followed by 4 ...
Facile synthesis of biocompatible gold nanoparticles with organosilicone-coated surface properties

In this study, a simple method for one-step synthesis of gold nanoparticles has been developed using an organosilicone surfactant, Silwet L-77, as both a reducing and capping agent. Synthesis of gold nanoparticles using this method is rapid and can be conducted conveniently at ambient temperature. Further refinement of the method, through the addition of sodium hydroxide and/or silver nitrate, allowed fine control over the size of spherical nanoparticles produced. Coated on the surface with organosilicone, the as-prepared gold nanoparticles were biocompatible and stable over the pH range from 5 to 12, and have been proven effective at transportation into MC3T3 osteoblast cells. The proposed method is simple, fast, and can produce size-controlled gold nanoparticles with unique surface properties for biomedical applications.
Adaptive haptic exploration of geometrical structures in map navigation for people with visual impairment

In this paper we describe our design of an interactive haptic system aimed at map navigation by a blind computer user. Our system incorporates multi-resolution interaction with different levels of information released at each level. Our initial user study demonstrated the effectiveness of our system in aiding users to perform complex tasks without the assistance of visual input. Our study focused on several crucial facts about haptic exploration under our specific conditions and also identified potential barrios we need to overcome for improving the usability of such systems.
Active sodium transport by mammalian urinary bladder.

ALTHOUGH sodium reabsorption by the urinary bladder is important to urine formation in amphibia1–2, there have been few studies of ion movements3–7 across the mammalian bladder. If the mammalian bladder were an inert sac exhibiting only passive ion fluxes, as generally assumed, ion concentration gradients established between urine and plasma by the kidney would tend to dissipate in the bladder. We now report findings that may resolve this problem: mammalian bladder possesses, in addition to an exceptionally high electrical resistance, an aldosterone-stimulated Na+ reabsorptive mechanism.
Surface modification by soft landing of reagent beams

Abstract Unusual ionic species created in mass spectrometry can be separated from their congeners, isotopically selected, and supplied with well-defined translational energies. Such advantages of precise characterization counterbalance the disadvantage of small ion flux in synthetic experiments which capture these reagents at surfaces, and analyze the products by sensitive surface analytical techniques. Variation of the energy of the transferred ions is reflected in the products formed at the secondary surface. Preparation times of one hour create sufficient material for analysis by SIMS.
Dichloro[l-(dimethylamino)methyl-2-(t-butylthio)ferrocene]-palladiumd(II), C5H5FeC5H3[CH2NMe2][S-t-Bu][PdCl2]

Cristallisation dans P2 1 2 1 2 1 avec a=7,818, b=14,336 et c=17,235 A, Z=4; affinement jusqu'a R=0,046
An Analytic Model for Design of a Multivehicle Automated Guided Vehicle System

We consider the problem of designing a multivehicle automated guided vehicle system AGVS to supplement an existing nonautomated material handling system. The AGVS consists of a pool of vehicles that deliver raw components from a central storage area to workcenters throughout the factor floor. The objective is to determine which workcenters warrant automated component delivery and the number of vehicles required to service those workcenters, to maximize the benefit of the AGVS, subject to a constraint that the average waiting time for material transport in the system not exceed a predefined limit. The pool of vehicles is modeled as an M/G/c queuing system and the design model is formulated as a binary integer program with nonlinear waiting time constraints, which are expressed by approximate queueing formula. We develop two different implicit enumeration algorithms to exactly solve the analytical model. We illustrate our model with an example of an actual AGVS design problem at Hewlett-Packard, and we present computational experience for other example design problems. We show how sensitivity analysis can be used to ensure that the analytical model yields an optimal solution to the design problem.
Emotion labor at 911: A case study and theoretical critique

Abstract This study of 911 call‐takers describes the different ways human feeling is understood, expressed and managed in the emotionally‐charged atmosphere of an emergency 911 communications center. After reviewing past work on emotion labor and organizational burnout, we describe the data, qualitative methods, and the role of call‐takers at Citywest Emergency Center. The heart of the paper is a description of the emotional landscape at 911, the organization's emotion rules, and the communicative devices call‐takers use to manage their emotion. Based upon this 911 case, we critique several assumptions made in past emotion labor and organizational burnout studies. The paper concludes with implications for emergency communications call‐taking.
“SUCH A STRONG WISH FOR WINGS”: THE LIFE OF CHARLOTTE BRONTË AND ELIZABETH GASKELL’S FALLEN ANGELS

Elizabeth Gaskell undertook the writing of The Life of Charlotte Bronte with a highly specific purpose in mind: it was meant, first and foremost, as a defense. Spurred by the urgings of longtime family friend Ellen Nussey, who was despairing over “the misrepresentations and the malignant spirit” at work in recent commentaries about the late author of Jane Eyre, Patrick Bronte had written to Gaskell only three months after his daughter's untimely death in 1855 and expressed the hope that an “established Author” like herself might produce a biography of Charlotte Bronte immediately. Gaskell was thus charged with the work of presenting to the world a definitive account of the celebrated, if enigmatic, writer's life, in defiance of the inflammatory and rumor-filled posthumous reports that were circulating.
Performance analysis of primary and secondary users in a cognitive multiple-access channel

In this paper, we consider a cognitive multiple access channel (MAC) in which the secondary users seek to communicate with the secondary base station in a spectrum-sharing environment. The base station selects only one secondary user, which maximizes the weighted difference between the channel power gains of the interference link and the cognitive transmission link. This selection strategy can also be specialized to selecting the secondary user that has either the least interference channel gain or the highest data channel gain. Consequently, the selected secondary user is subject to an interference power constraint in order to avoid harmful interference inflicted on the primary user. It is assumed that the primary user and secondary users operate under statistical quality of service (QoS) constraints imposed as limitations on the buffer size. In this setting, we characterize the effective capacity for both primary user and the secondary users under different selection methods. The impacts of the secondary user selection method, the number of secondary users, QoS constraints on the performance of both the primary user and secondary users are investigated. We interestingly show that for a large number of secondary users, the performance of the primary user is not affected by the selection method in the interference-limited regime.
Will Free Trade With Political Science Put Normative Economists Out of Work

Telling governments what to do is an ancient and important tradition in economics. Predicting what governments will do, i.e., endogenizing policy, is a newer activity, but one of growing prominence. The two activities appear incompatible: if what governments do is the result somehow of equilibrium behavior of self-interested actors, then advising governments is as senseless an activity as advising monopolists to lower prices or advising the San Andreas fault to be quiet. We show why and how advising can sometimes be a sensible activity, even when we hold sophisticated views about how governments operate. WILL FREE trade with political science put normative economists out of work? Normative economics has traditionally given advice to a ‘‘puppet government’’ ‐ a government ‘‘whose role is to echo the policy that the economist, presented with technocratic information on the economy and choosing an appropriate objective function, proposes as the optimal one from a set of policy instruments’’ (Bhagwati, 1990). Intellectual free trade with political science forces economists to realize that governments are not puppets ‐ or, at least, not their puppets. Without puppets, is there any job for puppeteers? Consider, for instance, Tabellini and Alesina’s (1990) model of voting on the budget deficit. The current majority of voters is unsure whether it will be the majority in the future; perhaps another group with diAerent tastes about the composition of government will be the majority then. This gives the current majority an incentive to finance its spending by issuing debt, because the burden of paying oA the debt will fall on a government that might want to alter the composition of government spending from the one the current majority favors. Ex ante, before anyone knew what her tastes were, everyone would be better oA with a balanced budget rule, but once the game has begun and people know who they are, the current majority always wants to run an excessive deficit. What are the policy implications of the Tabellini‐Alesina model? There aren’t any. Tabellini and Alesina’s goal is to explain public policies, not to rank them.
Design of a low-orbit-to-geostationary satellite link for maximal throughput

We examine the design of a communication link involving the data transfer from a small, low-orbit satellite to a ground station, but through a geostationary satellite. The advantage of this approach is that a single ground station, which tracks only the geostationary satellite, may be shared by a multiplicity of small satellites. Our goal is to select certain small satellite parameters-signaling rate, small satellite antenna beamwidth, modulation scheme and coding scheme-which maximize the data throughput in bits/day. Our approach uses orbital simulations of this scenario together with theoretical analysis based on the channel capacity and cutoff rate. The throughput achievable by several practical coding schemes is also examined.
The Effect of Chronic Testosterone Administration on Sturgeon Gonadotropins in Juvenile and Pre-vitellogenic White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

The effects of chronic exogenous testosterone treatment on the synthesis and/or secretion of two sturgeon gonadotropins (stGTH I and stGTH II) were assessed in 2-year-old juvenile white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) surgically implanted with silastic capsules filled with 75 mg of testosterone and in previtellogenic female white sturgeon females implanted with 150 mg of testosterone. In groups of juvenile white sturgeon sacrificed 30, 60, 90, or 442 days postimplantation, pituitary concentrations of stGTH I were significantly greater in testosterone-treated fish (P < 0.01) when compared to those of controls. Pituitary concentrations of stGTH II were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in juvenile fish treated 60, 90, or 442 days with testosterone when compared to those of controls. Exogenous testosterone had no effect on plasma concentrations of either stGTH. Additional testosterone-treated juvenile sturgeon which were injected intraperitoneally 90 or 442 days postimplantation with 10 microg/kg of the gonadotropin releasing hormone analog d-Ala6-des-Gly10-GnRH ethylamide (GnRHa) also showed no change in plasma concentrations of stGTHs. Similar results were obtained for previtellogenic white sturgeon, as pituitary concentrations of stGTH I and stGTH II were significantly greater (P < 0.01) after 60 days of testosterone treatment compared to those of controls. A second group of 60-day testosterone-treated previtellogenic females also failed to exhibit increases of plasma stGTHs when administered 10 microg/kg of GnRHa. These results indicate that long-term testosterone treatment stimulates the accumulation of pituitary stGTHs in both juvenile and previtellogenic white sturgeon but does not affect basal or GnRHa-induced stGTH secretion.
Impact of FDA Black Box Advisory on Antipsychotic Medication Use

Background In April 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory and subsequent black box warning regarding the risks of atypical anti psychotic use among elderly patients with dementia. The impact of these warnings on atypical drug use is unknown. Methods We used quasi-experimental, interrupted time-series analyses to examine nationally representative data from IMS Health's National Disease and Therapeutic Index from January 2003 through December 2008. The primary measurement from this audit of office-based physicians was the use of an atypical antipsychotic agent. We quantified the impact of the advisory on atypical antipsychotic use among all individuals and those 65 years or older with dementia. Results From January 2003 to March 2005, mentions of total atypical antipsychotic drugs increased at an annual rate of 34%, and among patients with dementia, 16%. In the year prior to the FDA advisory, there were approximately 13.6 million atypical drug mentions, including 0.8 million among those with dementia. In the year following the advisory, atypical drug mentions fell 2% overall and 19% among those with dementia. In 2004, 19% (0.8 of 4.1 million) of drug mentions for dementia were for an atypical agent. By 2008, this proportion decreased to 9% (0.4 of 4.3 million). Atypical drug use slowed for both FDA-approved and off-label indications and declined through 2008 for all populations examined. Conclusion The FDA advisory was associated with decreases in the use of atypical antipsychotics, especially among elderly patients with dementia.
Pulmonary inflammation and tumor induction in lung tumor susceptible A/J and resistant C57BL/6J mice exposed to welding fume

Background: Welding fume has been categorized as "possibly carcinogenic" to humans. Our objectives were to characterize the lung response to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic metalcontaining welding fumes and to determine if these fumes caused increased lung tumorigenicity in A/J mice, a lung tumor susceptible strain. We exposed male A/J and C57BL/6J, a lung tumor resistant strain, by pharyngeal aspiration four times (once every 3 days) to 85 μg of gas metal arcmild steel (GMA-MS), GMA-stainless steel (SS), or manual metal arc-SS (MMA-SS) fume, or to 25.5 μg soluble hexavalent chromium (S-Cr). Shams were exposed to saline vehicle. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was done at 2, 7, and 28 days post-exposure. For the lung tumor study, gross tumor counts and histopathological changes were assessed in A/J mice at 48 and 78 weeks post-exposure. Results: BAL revealed notable strain-dependent differences with regards to the degree and resolution of the inflammatory response after exposure to the fumes. At 48 weeks, carcinogenic metal-containing GMA-SS fume caused the greatest increase in tumor multiplicity and incidence, but this was not different from sham. By 78 weeks, tumor incidence in the GMA-SS group versus sham approached significance (p = 0.057). A significant increase in perivascular/peribronchial lymphoid infiltrates for the GMA-SS group versus sham and an increased persistence of this fume in lung cells compared to the other welding fumes was found. Conclusion: The increased persistence of GMA-SS fume in combination with its metal composition may trigger a chronic, but mild, inflammatory state in the lung possibly enhancing tumorigenesis in this susceptible mouse strain.
Near-optimal frame synchronization for free-space optical packet communications

In this paper, we present optimal and near-optimal frame synchronization algorithms for a packet-based free-space optical communications system. Optimal preamble detection in the presence of random data was first studied by Massey for radio frequency phase-shift keying modulation over an additive white Gaussian noise channel with statistically independent noise. That analysis demonstrated, perhaps somewhat counterintuitively, that correlation against the known preamble is suboptimal and that the degradation from optimal performance can be severe. Subsequent researchers following Massey's approach have developed algorithms that apply to optical communication systems with pulse-position modulation over a Poisson channel, with similar results. In this paper, we derive the optimal maximum likelihood metric for an FSO system having an on-off keying transmitter and an optically amplified p-i-n photodiode receiver, for which the link can be well modeled by signal-dependent additive white Gaussian noise. We then develop approximations suitable for very high-speed implementation at typical FSO line rates. In addition, we discuss the problem of preamble design and present sequences that enable efficient frame synchronization. Simulation trade studies using link budget parameters representative of typical optical transceivers demonstrate the excellent performance of the proposed preambles and synchronization algorithms.
Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Tumor Physiology in an Animal Model of Human Breast Cancer

Recent epidemiologic studies report that regular exercise may be associated with substantial reductions in cancer-specific and all-cause mortality following a breast cancer diagnosis. The mechanism...