cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural and evolutionary analysis of the co-activator binding domain in vertebrate progesterone receptors

Biochemical studies show that binding of co-activators to the progesterone receptor [PR] is an important mechanism for regulating of PR-mediated gene transcription. Unfortunately, unlike other steroid receptors, the PR has not been crystalized with a co-activator. Fortunately, the PR has strong structural similarity to the mineralocorticoid receptor [MR] and glucocorticoid receptor [GR], which have been crystalized with co-activators. This similarity allowed us to construct 3D models of the PR with steroid co-activator 1-Box 4 [SRC1-4] and transcriptional intermediary factor 2-Box 3 [TIF2-3], which were extracted from the crystal structures of human MR and GR, respectively. Comparisons of 3D models of human PR with SRC1-4 and TIF2-3 and human MR with SRC1-4 and GR with TIF2-3 identified some unique interactions between the PR and SRC1-4 and TIF2-3. An evolutionary analysis of the sequence of the co-activator binding groove in human PR found strong conservation in terrestrial vertebrates. However, there are some differences between human PR and the PRs in lamprey, shark and fishes. These differences among the PRs and between the PR, MR and GR may have contributed to the evolution of specificity for progestins, mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids in vertebrates.
Ultrastructural Changes During Chopping and Cooking of A Frankfurter Batter

Frankfurters were made in a nonvacuum bowl chopper. Batter samples were taken after 2, 6, 9, 12, and 15 min of chopping and after 30, 60, and 90 min of cooking. Both raw and cooked batter samples were fixed in solutions of glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde, OsO4, and then embedded in SPURR (low-viscosity resin). Light microscopy (toluidine blue-stained sections) was used to identify the location, appearance and structures of major components; electron microscopy (lead citrate-stained sections) was used to determine ultrastructural changes. During chopping, muscle fibers were reduced in size but some remained intact; lipid droplets were reduced in size with only a portion of them being surrounded by a protein interface and collagen fibers were somewhat dispersed but were otherwise unaltered. More observable changes occurred during cooking than during chopping. At the end of cooking (90 min) collagen fibrils had lost their banding pattern; some lipid droplets retained their protein interface and myofilaments changed from a fibrous to a granular appearance.
Differing effects of intermittent food delivery on interim behavior in guinea pigs and rats

Abstract Six rats and eleven guinea pigs were food-deprived and exposed to fixed-time (FT) food schedule values of 7–120 sec in either an ascending or descending order, with either one or three pellets presented per food delivery. Water was concurrently available contingent on licking a drinking tube under a fixed-ratio (FR) 1 schedule; presses on the two levers of the experimental chamber were recorded but had no programmed consequence. Rats evidenced polydipsic drinking under all conditions, guinea pigs, under none. Guinea pigs initially exposed to a descending order of FT values developed relatively high rates of lever pressing while rats and those guinea pigs first presented with an ascending order of FT values did not lever press with much frequency. These results are discussed in terms of the interaction between species' prepotent response tendencies and the contingencies of the experimental situation.
Comparative kinetics of hematoporphyrin derivative uptake and susceptibility of Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus faecalis to photodynamic action.

— Hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) is widely used in photoradiation therapy of tumors and other diseases, and has been shown to affect the viability of gram positive bacteria. This investigation assessed the efficiency of binding of HpD to Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus faecalis when HpD-treated organisms were exposed to red light. Kinetic studies indicated that the amount of HpD bound increased with increasing external concentration of HpD until saturation of binding sites was reached. S. faecalis had a higher affinity for HpD and was more susceptible to photoinactivation than B. subtilis. The data from this study suggest that differences in susceptibility of microorganisms to photoinactivation are directly related to the affinity of each strain for HpD.
Blood mercury levels among fish consumers residing in areas with high environmental burden.

Abstract Mercury is a ubiquitous, persistent toxicant found in the environment. In water, mercury bioaccumulates up the food chain and leads to high concentrations in fish. Consumption of contaminated fish is the major source of exposure to mercury in the US. The objective of this study was to enroll persons living in areas selected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to have high mercury concentrations and who consume at least 6 oz of locally caught fish per week to determine the feasibility of monitoring future trends among a population identified as highly exposed. Blood samples were collected at time of interview and analyzed for mercury. Participants (n = 287) were enrolled from North Carolina, Maryland, and South Dakota. Participants reported eating an average of five servings of fish per week. The overall geometric mean for total mercury was 0.75 μg L−1, with North Carolina having the highest mean level (2.02 μg L−1). Overall, 42% of the study population had levels greater than the US geometric mean 0.83 μg L−1. The number of servings of fish consumed was not found to be associated with blood mercury levels. We were able to identify some persons with elevated mercury concentrations living in areas identified by EPA; however, identifying and monitoring a highly exposed population over time would be challenging.
Adenoviral-mediated gene transfer to rabbit synovium in vivo.

Abstract Currently, treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthropathies is often ineffective in ameliorating the progression of the disease, particularly the invasive destruction of cartilage and bone by rheumatoid synovium. Multiple aspects of this inflammatory process are mediated by the synovial lining cells (synoviocytes). Genetic modification of these cells in vivo represents a potential method for the treatment of these conditions. In this report, we describe a novel technique for the genetic transduction of synovial lining cells in vivo using recombinant adenoviral vectors and intraarticular injection techniques. Purified high titer suspensions of a recombinant adenoviral vector containing the gene for Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (AdCMVlacZ) were directly injected into the hind knees of New Zealand white rabbits. Synovial tissues were then examined for transgenic lacZ expression using a combination of in situ staining for beta-galactosidase activity, immunohistochemical staining, and transmission electron microscopy. High efficiency gene transfer and lacZ expression was observed in both type A and type B synoviocytes throughout the articular and periarticular synovium of the rabbit knee, with continued expression of transgenic lacZ detected for > or = 8 wk after infection.
The structures and properties of lakes of some azo dyes

Abstract The azo group by itself is a weak ligand, but when it is part of a chelate ring it often forms quite stable complexes in which the azo group occupies a single coordination position. The other coordinating member (or members) of the chelate ring (or rings) may be parts of neutral groups (e.g. NH 2 or OCH 3 ) or potentially negative groups (e.g. −OH, −SH or −COOH). Thus, a variety of structures can be constructed, depending upon the nature of the metal and the functionality of the azo dyes. This article describes some lakes of azo dyes in which the dye contains three coordinating atoms, one of which is acidic.
The microscopic structure of normal human synovial tissue.

Microscopic study of normal synovial tissue from 16 humans of varying age disclosed an architectural pattern which did not vary significantly with age, sex or intra-articular location. Except for fibrous synovium, the tissue samples were similar in vascularity, number of surface cell layers and in the differential composition of the surface cells. Histochemical procedures delineated a pericellular surface reticulin network but failed to establish the locus of hyaluronic acid synthesis. Le studio microscopic de normal histos synovial ab 16 humanos de varie etates revelava un configuration architectural que non variava significativemente conetate, sexo, o sito intra-articular. A parte specimens de histo fibrose, le specimens esseva simile in vascularitate, numero del stratos de cellulas superficial, e composition differential del cellulas superficial. Studios histochimic delineava un systema de reticulina al superficie pericellular sed non succedeva a establir le loco del synthese de acido hyaluronic.
Radiation Induced Latch-Up Modeling of CMOS IC's

The basic mechanisms of radiation induced latch-up in bulk CMOS IC's have been relatively well understood for quite a while. There have been a number of attempts to quantitatively model these mechanisms and, to a first order, these have been quite successful. However, the ability to take into account second order effects such as conductivity modulation caused by electron-hole pair generation and two-dimensional effects has been lacking. This paper presents the result of applying a two dimensional, time variant, finite difference code (PISCES) to this class of problem. The results make it possible, for the first time, to quantify the effect of variables such as epi-layer thickness and device layout on the initiation of latch-up. In addition, it has been found that even if latch-up is precluded, the gain of the npn transistor multiplies the effect of the photocurrents such that the onset of rail span collapse induced errors will be accelerated.
First and second generation total synthesis of the teicoplanin aglycon.

Full details of studies leading to the total synthesis of the teicoplanin aglycon are provided. Key elements of the first generation approach (26 steps from constituent amino acids, 1% overall) include the coupling of an EFG tripeptide precursor to the common vancomycin/teicoplanin ABCD ring system and sequential DE macrocyclization of the 16-membered ring with formation of the diaryl ether via a phenoxide nucleophilic aromatic substitution of an o-fluoronitroaromatic (80%, 3:1 atropisomer diastereoselection) followed by 14-membered FG ring closure by macrolactamization (66%). Subsequent studies have provided a second generation total synthesis which is shorter, more convergent, and highly diastereoselective (22 steps, 2% overall). This was accomplished by altering the order of ring closures such that FG macrolactamization (95%) preceded coupling of the EFG tripeptide to the ABCD ring system and subsequent DE ring closure. Notably, DE macrocyclization via diaryl ether formation on substrate 57, the key in...
Oxcarbazepine: clinical experience with hospitalized psychiatric patients.

Background: Oxcarbazepine (10-keto-carbamazepine) appears to be better tolerated and simpler to use than carbamazepine. It has antimanic effects but, as its potential clinical usefulness and tolerability in broad samples of psychiatric patients remain to be tested, we reviewed both the pharmacology of oxcarbazepine and our early experience with this new agent among psychiatric inpatients. Methods: We reviewed medical records of all inpatients given oxcarbazepine in the first 15 months of its use at McLean Hospital. Data analyzed included dosing, presenting illnesses, other medications, clinical changes, and adverse effects. Results: Oxcarbazepine was given to 56 inpatients (1.3% of admissions; 31 women, 25 men) presenting with depression (n = 23), mania (n = 19), or psychosis (n = 14). The discharge daily dose for the 43 patients (76%) taking oxcarbazepine was 831 mg/day, 34% higher in men than women, and fell by 9 mg/year-of-age. Oxcarbazepine was the only putative mood-stabilizing agent given at discharge in 19 of 43 cases (44%). It was discontinued in 20% of patients for apparent inefficacy, and 4% for adverse effects. Changes in CGI and GAF scores were similarly high across illnesses, and unrelated to days of use of oxcarbazepine or its dose. Conclusions: Oxcarbazepine was well tolerated and simpler to use clinically than its precursor carbamazepine. This agent should be studied in controlled trials to test its efficacy in specific types of major psychiatric disorders, and particularly for long-term maintenance treatment in bipolar disorder.
High Speed Scintillation Autoradiography

Impregnation of nuclear track emulsion with liquid scintillator and exposure at -85 degrees C allows rapid autoradiographic labeling. With tritiated thymidine of high specific activity (40 to 60 curies per millimole), exposure time can be shortened to 20 to 60 minutes, allowing complete sample processing within 4 hours. In experiments requiring isotopes with low incorporation rates or low specific activity, exposure time can be shortened from months to several days.
Digital flight control system design using singular perturbation methods

In this paper a longitudinal output feedback tracker is developed for an aircraft and is shown to produce excellent performance for three different flight conditions without change of the control law matrices. The aircraft utilizes flight propulsion control coupling to provide greater control and responsiveness to command inputs. The singular perturbation method is applied to obtain an output-feedback digital multivariable control. Each flight condition has three command modes: positive pitch pointing, vertical translation, and straight climb. Decoupling of the outputs is demonstrated. A sensitivity study is performed to validate the robustness of the design and to illustrate design parameter influences on system response. The paper contains a summary of the control law design method. Since the CB matrix of the aircraft model does not have full rank, the use of a modified output feedback is used to obtain the required tracking performance.
Passage through resonance for the forced Korteweg-de Vries equation.

The wave field defined by the Korteweg--de Vries equation and stimulated by a source moving at nonstationary, transcritical speeds is described. Pairwise interactions of solitons are common in the upstream-propagating packet. The number of solitons generated for various trajectories of the source speed through the transcritical band is quantified in terms of a simple resonant action.
Gen-2 Hand-held Optical Imager: Reflectance and Transillumination Studies

A Gen-2 hand-held optical imaging system capable of reflectance and transillumination imaging using its novel forked probe head design is demonstrated from tissue phantom CW-based absorption contrast studies.
The Impact of a Severe Drought on the Vegetation of a Subtropical Estuary

In order to document the effect of the recent drought and the resulting marine intrusion event on plant-community shifts in a Louisiana estuary, we analyzed two vegetation data sets collected in Barataria estuary in 1997 and 2000 and compared community shifts to surface salinity changes at four points along the estuarine gradient within the study area. We used the major vegetation types identified in our previous research of larger data sets and tested the use of a simple vegetation classification technique. This vegetation classification technique is based primarily on the dominant and co-dominant species, and secondarily on the number of taxa observed. To distinguish vegetation types with similar dominant species but different associated species, the vegetation classification technique used a salinity score derived from the species composition. Surface water salinity increases were reflected by a change in species composition in the mesohaline to fresh marshes. The largest species composition shift observed was the shift from oligohaline wiregrass (species rich vegetation type dominated bySpartina patens) to mesohaline wiregrass (vegetation type dominated byS. patens with few other species). Shifts in vegetation composition may have been enhanced by the presence of the major dominant species at a low abundance in other vegetation types. The vegetation classification technique used could classify over 95% of the stations. This vegetation classification technique provides a simple method to classify Louisiana's coastal vegetation based on plant species composition.
Synthesis of 125I-labeled 14-iodo-9-tetradecynoic acid

The synthesis and radioiodide exchange labelling of 14-iodo-9-tetradecynoic acid (1), a potential suicide inhibitor of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase or enoyl-CoA isomerase, is presented. Tissue distribution data in dogs are reported.
Increased dosage requirements of tobramycin and gentamicin for treating Pseudomonas pneumonia in patients with cystic fibrosis.

The pharmacokinetic behavior of tobramycin and gentamicin was evaluated in 27 patients who had cystic fibrosis (CF). A previously studied, age-matched group of 334 patients who had been treated with gentamicin and who did not have CF served as controls. The CF patients, who ranged in age from 2 to 32 years and who had normal renal function, received 36 treatment courses with either tobramycin (19) or gentamicin (17) to treat Pseudomonas pneumonia. Serum concentrations were determined after a 1.5-mg/kg dose to compute half-life (t1/2), elimination rate constant (k), and apparent volume of distribution (V). From these values, doses were calculated to produce steady-state peak concentrations of 8.0 μg/ml with a dosing interval of every six hours. For tobramycin the mean (± SD) t1/2 was 1.0 (0.4) hours, V was 0.18 (0.06) I/kg, total body clearance (TBC) was 2.19 (0.71) ml/min/kg, and the calculated dose was 8.2 (2.1) mg/kg/day. For gentamicin t1/2 was 1.1 (0.5) hours, V was 0.20 (0.06) I/kg, TBC was 2.28 (0.89) ml/min/kg, and the calculated dose was 8.8 (2.4) mg/kg/day. The pharmacokinetic parameters were not statistically different between the two drugs, but the mean values of t1/2 and TBC of CF patients differed significantly from those of the control group. The calculated doses were larger than the manufacturer's maximum recommended dose of 7.5 mg/kg/day for 63% of tobramycin and 71% of gentamicin treatment courses. A dosing interval change to every four hours would have been appropriate in 28 of the 36 treatment courses (78%). There was wide interpatient and intrapatient variation in pharmacokinetic parameters, and TBC did not correlate with creatinine clearance (CLcr). CF patients require larger doses of aminoglycosides than non-CF patients, and they must have individualized doses and dosing intervals to obtain desired drug concentrations.
Partitioning of Cu, Pb, Ag, Zn, Fe, Al, and Mn between filter-retained particles, colloids, and solution in six Texas estuaries

There are few methodical studies of processes controlling trace metal behavior in estuaries, where river water gradually mixes with seawater leading to systematic changes in ionic strength, pH, DOC, nutrient concentrations, and alkalinity. We report here data on Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ag behavior in six Texas estuaries using state-of-the-art ultra-clean techniques. In addition, Fe, Al, and Mn data are presented for one of Texas's major estuaries, Galveston Bay. It was found that suspended matter concentration (SPM) was the only variable related to systematic variations in partitioning of trace metal and Fe and Al concentrations between filter-retained and filter-passing fractions across salinity gradients. Inverse relationships were observed between empirically defined particle/solution distribution coefficients, KD, for the different metals and SPM concentrations. This inverse dependence can be explained by the “particle concentration effect”, which can be caused by the presence of Fe, Al, and trace metals associated with colloidal matter in the filtrate fraction. Our argument is supported by the direct analysis of colloids (> 10,000 Daltons) ultrafiltered from Galveston Bay waters. Colloidal Fe, Al, Pb, and Zn (but not Cu) account for most of the filter-passsing form of these metals. The results of this study have important implications for regulatory agencies and regulated industries, allowing for algorithms to predict Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ag partitioning between particle and solution phases.
The Tax Treatment of Mortgage Investment

This paper examines the theoretical and empirical justifications for replacing the special bad-debt reserve deduction currently accorded to thrifts under federal tax law with a mortgage interest tax credit. It presents the background to the recommendations of the President's Commission on Housing that such a change be employed as a short-term tax incentive to mortgage investment and compares a system in which all mortgage investors received the bad-debt deduction with one in which all receive a tax credit. The conclusion is that the credit is superior to the deduction on theoretical grounds although it is difficult to predict with certainty the impacts of such a change in tax policy on total mortgage investment.
STUDIES ON BLOOD CELL METABOLISM : I. THE EFFECT OF METHYLENE BLUE AND OTHER DYES UPON THE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION OF MAMMALIAN AND AVIAN ERYTHROCYTES.

1. The respiratory metabolism of non-nucleated mammalian erythrocytes is enormously accelerated and approaches the magnitude of the metabolism of the nucleated erythrocytes of birds on the addition of methylene blue (and certain other dyes), to a final concentration of 0.005–0.0005 per cent. 2. In the presence of methylene blue the respiration is accelerated even when M/1000 KCN is also present. 3. The accelerated respiration due to methylene blue occurs at room temperature but it is most active at 38°. 4. Methylene blue in the above concentration accelerates the respiration of avian (goose) erythrocytes to a much smaller extent than it does the respiration of the erythrocytes of mammalian blood, while the effect upon anemic goose blood seems to be less than it is upon cells of normal goose blood. 5. Owing to a rather large initial carbon dioxide formation in defibrinated blood on incubation, which may not be related to the immediate respiratory process, proper respiratory quotients cannot be obtained in whole blood. When the cells are separated from the serum and suspended in Locke's solution, respiratory quotients are obtained upon incubation comparable to those of other resting mammalian cells, as well as of the actively respiring erythrocytes of birds. 6. The hypothesis is advanced that methylene blue acts in the role of an oxygen carrier, supplying a substance which has disappeared from adult mammalian non-nucleated erythrocytes and restoring their metabolic activity to an extent comparable to that of the young immature forms, or to that of the actively respiring avian (goose) blood.
Reduced-intensity conditioning and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic malignancy with a peak incidence over the age of 55 years. AML of older patients is less curable with conventional chemotherapy, and, when it relapses, is almost uniformly fatal. Novel treatments hold the promise of improving the results of therapy, but have failed so far to show dramatic change in the prognosis. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation using traditional myeloablative preparative regimens is not easily tolerated by the elderly and/or frailer patient, and may lead to prohibitive treatment-related mortality rates. Most patients treated in the past were younger and devoid of comorbid clinical conditions. Novel reduced-intensity regimens made allogeneic transplants applicable to the elderly, providing the benefit of the graft-versus-leukemia effect to a larger number of patients in need. Here we review the indications for allogeneic transplants in AML and discuss reduced-intensity conditioning regimens.
Multi-agent smart environments

Research in pervasive computing and ambient intelligence has catapulted smart environments to the forefront of many research labs. While tremendous strides have been made toward realizing the dream of designing environments that act as intelligent agents, the size of the problem creates issues that still need to be addressed by researchers. One such issue is the role of multi-agent systems in smart environments. In this article we discuss the role of multi-agent research in the context of smart environments and survey current research in the area. In addition, we pose several challenges to be tackled in this dynamic and complex area of research.
Reading Motivation and Reading Engagement: Clarifying Commingled Conceptions

The constructs of motivation for reading and reading engagement have frequently become blurred and ambiguous in both research and discussions of practice. To address this commingling of constructs, the authors provide a concise review of the literature on motivation for reading and reading engagement and illustrate the blurring of those concepts in theoretical discussions and in measurement instruments. The authors then identify differences, clarify the constructs, and show how distinguishing reading motivation from engagement can deepen our understanding of their uniqueness and interplay. Implications for research and applications to instruction are explored.
Contemporary Therapeutic Approaches Targeting Bone Complications in Prostate Cancer

Skeletal complications are major causes of morbidity in patients with prostate cancer. Despite the osteoblastic appearance of prostate cancer bone metastases, elevated serum and urinary markers of bone resorption are indicative of high osteoclast activity. Increased osteoclast activity is independently associated with subsequent skeletal complications, disease progression, and death. Osteoclast-targeted therapies aim to reduce the risk for disease-related skeletal complications, bone metastases, and treatment-related fractures. This review focuses on recent advances in osteoclast-targeted therapies in the treatment and prevention of bone complications in prostate cancer. Osteoclast-targeted therapies have been extensively studied in men with prostate cancer. The potent bisphosphonate zoledronic acid significantly decreased the risk of skeletal complications in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases, and is Federal Drug Administration approved for this indication. Denosumab is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) ligand, a critical mediator of osteoclast differentiation, activation, and survival. Data from recent phase III clinic trials demonstrate the emerging role for denosumab in the treatment of prostate cancer bone metastases and prevention of fractures associated with androgen deprivation therapy.
RACE AND THE EDUCATIONAL EXPECTATIONS OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN: The Case of South Africa

South Africa, a country that is highly stratified by race, is an important location for studying the relationship between race and educational expectations. Using a longitudinal data set, we examine the educational expectations of black (African), colored (mixed race), and white (European ancestry) parents and children in Cape Town, South Africa. We find that parents and children have high educational expectations regardless of race, but black parents and children have higher educational expectations than coloreds and whites once socioeconomic and other factors are controlled. We also find that parents' and children's expectations tend to agree more and are more closely correlated among coloreds and whites than blacks. We test two explanations for the educational expectations of parents and children, finding more support for the status attainment perspective among coloreds and whites than blacks and support for the family social capital perspective among blacks and coloreds only.
Investigation of the effects of boron on Ni3Al grain boundaries by atomistic simulations

A series of simulations has been performed on grain boundaries in Ni and Ni3Al with and without boron doping using embedded atom-style potentials. A new procedure of obtaining “reference” data for boron related properties from electronic band structure calculations has been employed. Good agreement with existing experimental structural and energetic determinations was obtained. Boron is found to segregate more strongly to grain boundaries than to free surfaces. Adding boron to grain boundaries in Ni and Ni3Al increases their cohesive strength and the work required to pull apart the boundary. This effect is much more dramatic for Ni-rich boundaries than for stoichiometric or Al-rich boundaries. In some Ni-rich cases, adding boron increases the cohesive strength of the boundary to such an extent that the boundaries become stronger than the bulk. Bulk Ni3Al samples that are Ni-rich produce Ni-rich grain boundaries. The best cohesive properties of Ni3Al grain boundaries are obtained when the boundary is Ni saturated and also with boron present. Boron and nickel are found to cosegregate to the grain boundaries.
Issues in airborne systems for closely-spaced parallel runway operations

Efforts to increase airport capacity include studies of aircraft systems that would enable simultaneous approaches to closely spaced parallel runways in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). The time-critical nature of a parallel approach results in key design issues for current and future collision avoidance systems. These issues are being studied in two ways. First, a part-task flight simulator study has examined the procedural and display issues inherent in such a time-critical task. Second, a prototype collision avoidance logic capable of generating this maneuver guidance has been designed using a recently developed methodology.
Attorneys Medical Deskbook 3d

Attorneys Medical Deskbook 3d, Tennenhouse, D. (Clark Boardman Callaghan, New York, N.Y., 1993), three loose‐leaf volumes, $325.
Self-calibrating continuous-time equalization with multiple degrees of freedom

A method for designing self-calibrating continuous-time equalizers is proposed. A pair of error terms, derived from the channel pulse response, may be used to adaptively calibrate the equalizer, resulting in a significant reduction of inter-symbol interference (ISI). Matlab simulations show the clear opening of a twenty Gigabit/second (Gb/s) data eye at the end of a six inch FR4-based signal route.
Estradiol application to one striatum produces postural deviation to systemic apomorphine

Abstract In order to test whether estrogen acts directly in the dorsal striatum to affect dopamine-mediated behavior, ovariectomized female Long-Evans rats were given a unilateral striatal application of estradiol, injected systemically with apomorphine (APO), and tested for lateralization of stereotypic behaviors. In the first experiment, estradiol, cholesterol, or an empty cannula was inserted and the rat given 0.7 mg/kg APO 1–4 hours later. Rats directed their stereotypic behaviors to the side ipsilateral to the insert of estradiol with dorsal striatal inserts, but not with inserts in ventral striatum or neocortex. Neither cholesterol nor the empty cannula inserts were effective in producing lateralization of the stereotypic behaviors. In the second experiment, intrastriatal inserts of 17 α-estradiol were ineffective in producing a lateralization of APO-induced stereotyped behavior. In the third experiment, several doses of APO (0.07, 0.75 and 3.0 mg/kg) were tested. At the highest dose no lateralization of APO-induced stereotypic behavior was observed. These results strongly suggest that estradiol acts directly in the dorsal striatum to antagonize APO and thus produce a lateralization of stereotypic behaviors (postural deviation).
CT of pancreatic neoplasms Part II: The unusual tumors

The pancreas gives rise to a remarkable variety of neoplasms other than ductal adenocarcinoma. Although no individual type of tumor in this category is prevalent enough to qualify as common, most types are currently encountered with a frequency far greater than that in decades of the recent past. This change is largely the result of the expanded use of contemporary abdominal imaging. The unusual tumors of the pancreas vary greatly in their biologic behavior and, accordingly, in their clinical consequences and therapeutic requirements. Accurate diagnosis, therefore, can be of considerable clinical relevance. Not only is it worthwhile to distinguish one type of unusual pancreatic tumors from another, it is perhaps of even greater consequence to distinguish the unusual tumors from ordinary pancreatic adenocarcinomas. The goals of this discussion are to expand radiologic awareness of these uncommon but interesting pancreatic neoplasms and to increase familiarity with their diagnostically salient features.
Possible cryptic invasion of the Western Pacific toxic population of the hydromedusa Gonionemus vertens (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) in the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean

We describe a possible cryptic invasion of the toxic Western Pacific hydromedusa Gonionemus vertens (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Limnomedusae) in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. G. vertens was first noticed in Eel Pond in Woods Hole (Cape Cod), Massachusetts in 1894, but nearly disappeared in the 1930s, coincident with a large scale die-off of its preferred eelgrass habitat. During the 1894–1930 period, G. vertens was the object of numerous studies by local scientists, and was not reported as stinging. In contrast, Western Pacific G. vertens are known for their toxic sting symptoms, which include severe pain, respiratory distress, and paralysis. Here, we report new sightings in the northwest Atlantic from the late twentieth century onwards. Sightings are most frequent in Waquoit Bay on the southern-facing shore of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, but medusae have also been found in locations ranging from Long Island (New York) to Wellfleet Harbor on the north side of Cape Cod. We also describe reports of stings with symptoms similar to those produced by the toxic Western Pacific strain. The first sting report that we are aware of occurred in 1990 in Waquoit Bay, and stings have since occurred in most of G. vertens’ known Northwest Atlantic locations. It appears likely that the recent sightings associated with toxic stings represent a new, cryptic invasion of the Western Pacific form. These new observations are cause for public health concern, particularly as warmer temperatures associated with climate change may promote G. vertens blooms and thus the likelihood of dangerous human-jellyfish interactions in a populated, tourism-dependent region.
Religion, Spirituality, and Health Service Use by Older Hospitalized Patients

Background: Religious and spiritual beliefs and practices are common among medical inpatients, and may impact length of hospital stay (LOS) and other health services (HSU) during hospitalization. Methods: 812 consecutively admitted patients age 50 or over to Duke University Medical Center were assessed. Measures of religiousness and spirituality included religious TV/radio (RTV), self-rated religiousness (SRR), observer-rated spirituality (ORS), and daily spiritual experiences (DSE). The primary outcome was LOS. Results: RTV and SRR predicted longer LOS, whereas ORS and DSE predicted shorter LOS (p ≤ 0.05). Effects of RTV onLOS were stronger among women, but explained by worse health status. The effects of DSE on LOS were stronger among non-whites. Among those reporting high DSE, diagnostic tests and total procedures also tended to be less common. Conclusions: Religious activities, attitudes, and spiritual experiences are weak predictors of LOS and HSU during hospitalization. Whether the prediction is positive or negative depends on the religious or spiritual characteristic.
Vocal Cord Dysfunction

A 22-year-old Caucasian female who recently moved to the area presents for an emergency room visit follow-up. Over the weekend, she developed sudden difficulty breathing while grocery shopping. She describes chest tightness with wheezing and says that her voice sounded funny when she tried to call for help. The store manager called 911 and she was rushed to the local emergency room. Upon arrival, however, her wheezing had stopped and she was breathing comfortably. She states that all of her lab work was normal but is not sure what tests were performed and did not bring her paperwork with her. After further questioning, she states that she has had several episodes like this in the past year including four severe episodes that required emergency room visits. She was diagnosed with asthma last year as a result of these episodes and was prescribed budesonide and albuterol. She uses the albuterol on occasion when her wheezing is severe but is not sure whether either of the inhalers really help.
A quantitative description of a deciduous forest canopy using a photographic technique.

Plusieurs techniques non destructives de description quantitative du feuillage de forets feuillues, a haut degre de precision et couts de main-d'œuvre et d'equipement moderes ont ete etudiees. La distribution verticale de surface foliaire a ete mesuree par la methode de MacArthur et Horn (1969). Une nouvelle technique a ete mise au point pour quantifier la variation saisonniere du feuillage. Plusieurs methodes de calcul de l'indice de surface foliaire (LAI) ont ete utilisees et comparees a la technique des pieges a litiere. Une nouvelle methode de mesure de LAI a ete mise au point a partir de ces resultats
Analysis of forecast performance for hit, miss, and false alarm thundersnow events during ROCS

Thundersnow (TSSN) is a mesoscale event that is typically associated with large amounts of precipitation and both in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lighting. TSSN is most often seen in the northwest and northeast sectors of dynamic mid-latitude cyclones (Market et al. 2002). Starting in 2002, the Research on Convective Snows (ROCS) group began issuing TSSN outlooks each day during the cold season for the area of the United States pictured in Figure 1. The outlooks were issued at 1800 UTC and expired at 1800 UTC the following day. The purpose of the outlooks was to inform users on whether TSSN should be expected in the central U.S. during the ensuing 24-hour period and for what location, if applicable. The issuance of daily outlooks continued for five seasons from 2003 through 2008. Although these TSSN outlooks had been issued for some time, there has never been any significant verification performed on these forecasts. This paper will look at three different TSSN events and determine the reasons for either a successful or unsuccessful forecast.
Introducing Symbiotic Algae into Aposymbiotic Hydra

To introduce symbiotic algae into aposymbiotic hydra as a means for studying the biology of host—symbiont reassociation. With slight modification, this method may be modified to inject reagents, isotopes. or other kinds of particles into the hydra’s enteron (gut).
The Role of Thrombin, Fibrinogen, and Fibronectin on Platelet Clot Retraction Forces Analyzed Using Microposts

When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets aggregate together to form a thrombus that seals vascular leakage and promotes healing. The process of thrombosis involves activation of platelets by soluble ligands, adhesion to the wound site, change in shape from a discoidal to a stellate structure, and the attachment of additional platelets onto the nascent clot through adhesive ligand bridges. Once formed, a clot will undergo a retraction in volume that packs platelets together and allows blood flow to recommence. Much attention has been paid to the early phases of thrombosis — adhesion and aggregation — but the process of clot retraction is vital to stabilizing the clot.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Adjuvant and Novel Treatment of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare benign neoplasm of the respiratory tract caused by human papillomavirus types 6 and 11. Surgical removal of the papilloma by microdebridement or laser is the current standard of care, but in most cases the disease recurs and patients require repeated surgical intervention. Over time, repeated procedures can lead to complications such as significant vocal cord scarring and laryngeal stenosis. There is therefore an urgent need for adjuvant treatments or alternative therapies that can control the disease or prevent recurrence, but unfortunately there is currently no known universally effective adjuvant therapy. Challenges for evaluating the effectiveness of adjuvant treatment in RRP include variable success rates in patients, the highly unpredictable underlying disease process, and potential for side effects. The current adjuvant treatment and novel approaches for RRP are presented.
Effects of the Insect Growth Inhibitor, Dimilin,® on Hatching of Mosquito Eggs

Exposure of egg rafts of the southern house mosquito, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say, to water treated with Dimilin® [1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)-urea] induced abnormal side-hatching as well as ovicidal action. The activity was influenced by the age of the embryos at the time of treatment; younger embryos (preblastoderm stage) were the most sensitive and 7-, to 23-h-old embryos were more tolerant. The side-hatching and ovicidal phenomena also were produced by baiting adults with Dimilin in sucrose. In this instance, females were more sensitive than males. Ovicidal and abnormal hatching due to baiting with Dimilin was likewise exhibited in Culex tarsalis Coquillett and Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann).
Rock-physics and seismic-inversion based reservoir characterization of the Haynesville Shale

Seismic reservoir characterization of unconventional gas shales is challenging due to their heterogeneity and anisotropy. Rock properties of unconventional gas shales such as porosity, pore-shape distribution, and composition are important for interpreting seismic data amplitude variations in order to locate optimal drilling locations. The presented seismic reservoir characterization procedure applied a grid-search algorithm to estimate the composition, pore-shape distribution, and porosity at the seismic scale from the seismically inverted impedances and a rock-physics model, using the Haynesville Shale as a case study. All the proposed rock properties affected the seismic velocities, and the combined effects of these rock properties on the seismic amplitude were investigated simultaneously. The P- and S-impedances correlated negatively with porosity, and the V P/V S correlated positively with clay fraction and negatively with the pore-shape distribution and quartz fraction. The reliability of these estimated rock properties at the seismic scale was verified through comparisons between two sets of elastic properties: one coming from inverted impedances, which were obtained from simultaneous inversion of prestack seismic data, and one derived from these estimated rock properties. The differences between the two sets of elastic properties were less than a few percent, verifying the feasibility of the presented seismic reservoir characterization.
The role of focal adhesion kinase in lung cancer.

Abstract Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase implicated in carcinogenesis through its pleitropic effects on cell proliferation, survival and metastasis. This article provides a summary of the existing data implicating FAK in lung cancer.
(Re)Defining the Narrative: High-Achieving Nontraditional Black Male Undergraduates at a Historically Black College and University.

Using Harper’s anti-deficit achievement framework as a theoretical guide, the purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate the academic and social experiences of four nontraditional, high-achieving, Black male undergraduates attending one historically Black university. Findings show that the participants were intrinsically motivated to succeed in college to make a better future for themselves and their families. Support from their peers, family, and children also played a role in their success. Last, the university cultivated a campus environment that affirmed the participants’ identities as Black males and nontraditional students. These findings present a counternarrative to deficit-oriented research about Black males generally and nontraditional Black male collegians specifically.
Dam Safety Automation Remote Measurement System Based on Web Technology

The basic principles of the dam safety automation monitoring system and relevant Web techniques are introduced.On such a basis,a design solution for remote measurement of the dam safety automation monitoring system is put forward by means of the Web browser.By use of the proposed new mode,the administrative units will achieve more management efficiency and social benefits.
Quantification of Temperature Rise within the Lens of the Porcine Eye Caused by Ultrasound Insonation

The soft tissue thermal index defined in the Output Display Standard is not applicable to eye exposures because of unique eye properties such as high ultrasound absorption in the lens and orbital fat. To address this potential safety issue, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recommended a maximum exposure level for ophthalmic exams of 50 mW/cm2 (derated spatial-peak temporal-average intensity, ISPTA.3) based on a model of ultrasound propagation in the eye. To gain a better understanding of actual temperature rise as a function of ISPTA.3, an ex vivo experimental study within the porcine lens was performed. Both temperature and acoustic pressure were measured simultaneously in the lens using a fiberoptic probe. At ISPTA.3 = 50 mW/cm2, the maximum and average temperature rises over 133 measurements were 0.23°C and 0.09°C, respectively. A 1.5°C temperature rise was not obtained until ISPTA.3 ≈ 435 mW/cm2. The data indicate that operating below the Food and Drug Administration guidance level should result in relatively low heating in ophthalmic exposures.
Abstract 2735: Tributyltin alters the production and secretion of inflammatory cytokines from human and mouse immune cells

Tributyltin (TBT) is an environmental contaminant that has been used for several industrial, agricultural and household purposes. Despite limited bans on the usage of Tributyltin, the stability and toxicity of the compound may prove to have negative effects on immune function in terrestrial mammals. Studies show that there is an increase in the incidences of tumors and decreased immune cell function in TBT-exposed mammals. TBT interferes with the ability of human natural killer (NK) cells to lyse target cells; it also alters the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines Interferon gamma (IFNγ) and Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) from human immune cells ex vivo. Any dysregulation of the cytokine communication network may have detrimental effects on immune function, as cytokines play a key role in the regulation of immune responsiveness. There have been no in vivo studies on the effects of exposure to TBT on the cytokine communication network. The effects of 24 hour exposure to TBT on the production of IFNγ and TNFα from human immune cells were analyzed in an ex vivo system using western blotting. The serum of TBT-exposed mice was analyzed for changes in the levels of cytokine secretion and production using a Milliplex mouse cytokine/chemokine magnetic bead premixed 32 plex kit and western blotting; the effects of TBT-exposure was assessed using a time curve of 6h, 12h, 24h, 48h and control. TBT increased the levels of the cytokines IFNγ, TNFα, IL1β, IL5, IL7, IL12βp40, IL13, IL15, MIP1β, MIP2 and RANTES in the serum at a minimum of one time point. IFNγ and TNFα secretion and production from human cells also increased, showing striking agreement in the response to TBT between the human and mouse systems. Supported by: NIH grant 5U54CA163066-03 Citation Format: Shanieek T. Lawrence, Margaret Whalen, Samuel Pellom, Anil Shanker. Tributyltin alters the production and secretion of inflammatory cytokines from human and mouse immune cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2735. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2735