cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Antagonist Polyamides from Tunicates and Their Predatory Sea Slugs

In our efforts to discover new drugs to treat pain, we identified molleamines A-E (1-5) as major neuroactive components of the sea slug, Pleurobranchus forskalii, and their prey, Didemnum molle, tunicates. The chemical structures of molleamines were elucidated by spectroscopy and confirmed by the total synthesis of molleamines A (1) and C (3). Synthetic 3 completely blocked acetylcholine-induced calcium flux in peptidergic nociceptors (PNs) in the somatosensory nervous system. Compound 3 affected neither the α7 nAChR nor the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in calcium flux assays. In addition to nociceptors, 3 partially blocked the acetylcholine-induced calcium flux in the sympathetic nervous system, including neurons from the superior cervical ganglion. Electrophysiology revealed a block of α3β4 (mouse) and α6/α3β4 (rat) nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), with IC50 values of 1.4 and 3.1 μM, respectively. Molleamine C (3) is a partial antagonist, reaching a maximum block of 76-82% of the acetylcholine signal and showing no partial agonist response. Molleamine C (3) may thus provide a lead compound for the development of neuroactive compounds with unique biological properties.
Multiple catechols in human plasma after drinking caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee.

Abstract Background Coffee is one of the most frequently consumed beverages worldwide. Research on effects of coffee drinking has focused on caffeine; however, coffee contains myriad biochemicals that are chemically unrelated to caffeine, including 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl compounds (catechols) such as caffeic acid and dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA). Objective This prospective within-subjects study examined effects of drinking caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee on plasma free (unconjugated) catechols measured by liquid chromatography with series electrochemical detection (LCED) after batch alumina extraction. To confirm coffee-related chromatographic peaks represented catechols, plasma was incubated with catechol-O-methyltransferase and S-adenosylmethionine before the alumina extraction; reductions in peak heights would identify catechols. Methods Ten healthy volunteers drank 2 cups each of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee on separate days after fasting overnight. With subjects supine, blood was drawn through an intravenous catheter up to 240 min after coffee ingestion and the plasma assayed by alumina extraction followed by LCED. Results Within 15 min of drinking coffee of either type, >20 additional peaks were noted in chromatographs from the alumina eluates. Most of the coffee-related peaks corresponded to free catechols. Plasma levels of the catecholamines epinephrine and dopamine increased with both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. Levels of other endogenous catechols were unaffected. Plasma DHCA increased bi-phasically, in contrast with other coffee-related free catechols. Interpretation. Drinking coffee—whether caffeinated or decaffeinated—results in the rapid appearance of numerous free catechols in the plasma. These might affect the disposition of circulating catecholamines. The bi-phasic increase in plasma DHCA is consistent with production by gut bacteria.
Urban Sociology: A Global Introduction

This concise yet comprehensive overview of the political and economic development of the world's cities offers a unique emphasis on its cultural impacts. The book emphasizes the transition from modern (industrial) to post-modern (post-industrial) eras and its effect on established and developing global cities, and arguments are supported with case studies for each of the main concepts of urban theory and research. Mark Abrahamson analyzes contemporary global cities - ranging from Lagos to Los Angeles, Paris to Beijing - helping students relate concepts to concrete places and understand the global nature of contemporary urban development. Rigorous yet accessible, this textbook includes key learning features designed to enrich student understanding and engagement, including chapter-by-chapter glossaries, summaries, and suggestions for further reading.
Inhibition of Poly(ADP-Ribosyl)ation and Sister Chromatid Exchange Induction

Sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) represent reciprocal exchanges between homologous daughter chromosomes. Although their mechanism of formation and their significance are unknown, they are thought of as cytological markers of some process important in carcinogenesis, possibly recombination (1). Exposure of cells to inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, such as 3-aminobenzamide (3AB), will result in an increase in the baseline frequency of SCEs (2–4). At concentrations that dramatically increase SCE frequency, 3AB is nontoxic, nonmutagenic and noncarcinogenic (5, 6). Furthermore, while 3AB will interact with certain DNA damaging agents to affect cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity (5, 6), it does not interact (directly) with these agents to affect SCE frequency (7, 8). Thus 3AB appears to be an ideal agent with which to probe SCE induction in the absence of other possibly confounding lesions.
Effects of ground-state degeneracy on the ± J spin glass

We perform Monte Carlo simulations of the Ising spin glass at low temperature in three dimensions with a $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}J$ distribution of couplings. Our results display crossover scaling between $T=0$ behavior, where the order parameter distribution $P(q)$ becomes trivial for $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{L}\ensuremath{\infty},$ and finite-T behavior, where the nontrivial part of $P(q)$ has a much weaker dependence on L, and is possibly size independent.
Biosynthesis of thyroidal glycoproteins: II. Incorporation of D-[1-14C]glucosamine into macromolecules by isolated thyroid cells. Effects of thyroid-stimulating hormone and puromycin

Abstract 1. 1. Isolated cells from sheep thyroid gland were shown to incorporate D -[1-14C]-glucosamine into glycoproteins of the subcellular fractions. The microsomal fraction was the most highly labeled. 2. 2. Puromycin caused 58–89% inhibition of D -[1-14C]glucosamine and 92–99% of L -[14C]lysine incorporation into the acid-insoluble materials of the whole cells. 3. 3. Thyroid stimulating hormone added in vitro resulted in an increased incorporation of either glucosamine (60–80%) or lysine (87–110%) into macromolecules of the isolated cells. 4. 4. When the isolated cells were exposed to either labeled glucosamine or lysine and then transferred to an unlabeled medium containing the relevant precursors, the specific activity of the cellular proteins as a whole decreased. Moreover, there was a concomitant increase in the acid-soluble radioactivity of the incubation medium.
Discovering partial periodic sequential association rules with time lag in multiple sequences for prediction

A periodic pattern indicates something persistent and predictable, so it is important to identify and characterize the periodicity. This paper presents an approach for mining partial periodic association rules in temporal databases. This approach allows the discovery of periodic episodes such that the events in an episode are not limited to a fixed order. Moreover, this approach treats the antecedent and consequent of a rule separately and allows time lag between them. Thus, rules discovered are useful in many applications for prediction. The approach is implemented using two algorithms based on two data structures, event-based linked list and window-based linked list.
AARC: Cross-layer wireless rate control driven by fine-grained channel assessment

This paper proposes a wireless channel assessment metric A posteriori Bit Error Probability (ABEP) that indicates the error likelihood of each bit during demodulation. Estimated upon constellations, ABEP provides the finest granularity (per bit) in revealing dynamic channel conditions. With comparative validation on an implemented GNU SDR testbed, ABEP significantly outperforms a pioneer flagship work SoftPHY in fidelity and channel predictability. An ABEP based channel assessment algorithm is devised to recognize channel conditions such as channel fading and collision, and it demonstrates a recognition accuracy up to 99% across various channel conditions. Based on the ABEP channel assessment, a cross-layer protocol-ABEP-enabled adaptive rate control (AARC)-is designed for high wireless network performance. AARC is implemented and evaluated on ns-3 simulator with a newly developed physical layer. Extensive experiments show that AARC significantly outperforms prior rate control solutions in rate selection accuracy and throughput.
Cdc42 and Rac1 induce integrin-mediated cell motility and invasiveness through PI(3)K

Transformation of mammary epithelial cells into invasive carcinoma results in alterations in their integrin-mediated responses to the extracellular matrix, including a loss of normal epithelial polarization and differentiation, and a switch to a more motile, invasive phenotype. Changes in the actin cytoskeleton associated with this switch suggest that the small GTPases Cdc42 and Rac, which regulate actin organization, might modulate motility and invasion. However, the role of Cdc42 and Rac1 in epithelial cells, especially with respect to integrin-mediated events, has not been well characterized. Here we show that activation of Cdc42 and Rac1 disrupts the normal polarization of mammary epithelial cells in a collagenous matrix, and promotes motility and invasion. This motility does not require the activation of PAK, JNK, p70 S6 kinase, or Rho, but instead requires phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI(3)K). Further, direct PI(3)K activation is sufficient to disrupt epithelial polarization and induce cell motility and invasion. PI(3)K inhibition also disrupts actin structures, suggesting that activation of PI(3)K by Cdc42 and Rac1 alters actin organization, leading to increased motility and invasiveness.
Thermal stability in turbulent accretion discs

The standard thin accretion disc model predicts that discs around stellar mass black holes become radiation pressure dominated and thermally unstable once their luminosity exceeds L>0.02 L_Edd. Observationally, discs in the high/soft state of X-ray binaries show little variability in the range 0.01 L_Edd < L < 0.5 L_Edd, implying that these discs in nature are in fact quite stable. In an attempt to reconcile this conflict, we investigate one-zone disc models including turbulent and convective modes of vertical energy transport. We find both mixing mechanisms to have a stabilizing effect, leading to an increase in the L threshold up to which the disc is thermally stable. In the case of stellar mass black hole systems, convection alone leads to only a minor increase in this threshold, up to ~5 per cent of Eddington. However turbulent mixing has a much greater effect -- the threshold rises up to ~20 per cent Eddington under reasonable assumptions. In optimistic models with superefficient turbulent mixing, we even find solutions that are completely thermally stable for all accretion rates. Similar results are obtained for supermassive black holes, except that all critical accretion rates are a factor ~10 lower in Eddington ratio.
Always On: Language in an Online and Mobile World

Naomi S. Baron, Always On: Language in an Online and Mobile World (New York: Oxford University Press, 2008) ISBN-13: 9780195313055, ISBN-10: 0195313054, $29.95. This short review can hardly do just...
Local image reconstruction and subpixel restoration algorithms

Abstract This paper introduces a new class of reconstruction algorithms that are fundamentally different from traditional approaches. We deviate from the standard practice that treats images as point samples. In this work, image values are treated as area samples generated by nonoverlapping integrators. This is consistent with the image formation process, particularly for CCD and CID cameras. We show that superior results are obtained by formulating reconstruction as a two-stage process: image restoration followed by application of the point spread function (PSF) of the imaging sensor. By coupling the PSF to the reconstruction process, we satisfy a more intuitive fidelity measure of accuracy that is based on the physical limitations of the sensor. Efficient local techniques for image restoration are derived to invert the effects of the PSF and estimate the underlying image that passed through the sensor. The reconstruction algorithms derived herein are local methods that compare favorably to cubic convolution, a well-known local technique, and they even rival global algorithms such as interpolating cubic splines. Evaluations are made by comparing their passband and stopband performances in the frequency domain, as well as by direct inspection of the resulting images in the spatial domain. A secondary advantage of the algorithms derived with this approach is that they satisfy an imaging-consistency property. This means that they exactly reconstruct the image for some function in the given class of functions. Their error can be shown to be at most twice that of the "optimal" algorithm for a wide range of optimality constraints.
Employers' accounting for pensions: A theoretical approach to financial accounting standards no. 87

Abstract The extensive disclosure mandated for defined benefit pension plans by FAS 87 resulted in part from the ongoing controversy concerning the nature of the pension plan obligation. Based on a review of the pension chapters of seven intermediate accounting texts, conflicting perspectives of the nature of the plan obligation have not been thoroughly and appropriately integrated in textbook discussions of FAS 87 reporting requirements. The objective of this article is to present a teaching method which interprets the reporting requirements of FAS 87 as a reconciliation of the conflicting perspectives concerning the pension obligations. Examples are provided demonstrating how FAS 87 reconciles the opposing perspectives in the basic financial statement presentation, and how the perspectives are useful in understanding the reporting requirements related to the minimum liability and actuarial gains and losses.
The Recruitment Factor in Hearing Tests

(1951). The Recruitment Factor in Hearing Tests. Acta Oto-Laryngologica: Vol. 40, No. 5-6, pp. 297-306.
Effects of bovine transfer factor (TFd) in mouse coccidiosis (Eimeria ferrisi)

Abstract Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to Eimeria ferrisi was stimulated in mice by prophylactic treatment with bovine dialyzable transfer factor (TFd). The TFd was prepared from lymph node lymphocytes of cattle immune to Eimeria bovis and sensitized to tuberculin as judged by cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity (DH). The TFd recipient mice showed CMI to coccidian antigen and purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) by DH footpad reactivity and lymphocyte stimulation. A dose of TFd equivalent to about 1.2 × 10 6 lymphocytes per mouse conferred protection against clinical infection with E. ferrisi . Susceptible mice given lymphocytes (3 × 10 6 per mouse) from donor mice treated with bovine TFd were also partly protected against clinical infection. In contrast, TFd prepared from bovine fetal lymphocytes did not effectively protect mice against coccidiosis. Prophylactic treatment with fetal TFd did not stimulate CMI to coccidian antigen or PPD. The findings of this study suggest that CMI plays an important role in protection against clinical coccidiosis, and that TFd derived from cattle immune to clinical coccidiosis stimulates lymphocytes to function in a protective CMI response.
Supratherapeutic oseltamivir levels during continuous dialysis: an expected risk

Dear Editor, We read with interest the recent correspondence by Lemaitre and colleagues. The authors describe the case of a patient treated with highdose oseltamivir (150 mg BID) for severe infection due to influenza A/H1N1. Despite receiving simultaneous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) Cmax and AUC0–12 were fivefold higher in comparison to data from healthy volunteers [1]. We offer a possible explanation for their findings. After oral administration, oseltamivir phosphate (an inactive prodrug) is rapidly converted to OC, the active metabolite. OC is primarily (60–70%) eliminated renally as unchanged drug through a combination of glomerular filtration and tubular secretion. The mean total renal clearance of OC in healthy volunteers is 18.8 L/h. This vastly exceeds glomerular filtration rate (*125 ml/min = 7.5 L/h), which suggests a significant degree of clearance via tubular secretion. Indeed, tubular secretion of OC occurs via the anionic transport process and inhibition of secretion by probenecid results in an approximate twofold increase in Cmax, 2.5-fold increase in AUC, and a 50% decrease in renal clearance [2]. OC is readily dialyzable through continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The effects of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVHF) on the clearance of OC were investigated in an in vitro study. The authors found a minimal amount of adsorption to the hemofilters (*1%) and a sieving coefficient of *1 [3]. This would suggest that clearance during hemodiafiltration should approximate the sum of dialysate and ultrafiltrate flow rates [4]. In the case by Lemaitre and colleagues, the patient was initiated on CVVHDF with flow rates of 1.5 L/h dialysate and 1.5 L/h ultrafiltration. We assume that there was minimal tubular secretion of drug since the patient was anuric. Therefore, the maximum extracorporeal clearance rate generated by CVVHDF would be 3 L/h. Although Lemaitre and colleagues point out that adhesion of drugs to the ECMO circuit may occur, it is unlikely that this would significantly contribute to the overall drug clearance [5]. Given the above data, the clearance of OC in this patient would be expected to be *6 times lower than that in healthy volunteers (3 L/h vs. 18.8 L/h), which is in line with their findings. Oseltamivir is well-tolerated to doses up to 1,000 mg, with the main adverse effect being transient gastrointestinal upset [2]. Understandably, many clinicians prefer to dose oseltamivir aggressively when treating critically ill patients with influenza (especially that due to H1N1). Given the paucity of data, it is difficult to make firm dosing recommendations at this time. However, investigators and clinicians should be aware that supratherapeutic levels should be expected when high-dose oseltamivir is given to patients receiving CRRT.
Structural reliability under evolutionary seismic excitation

Abstract Two approximate methods of obtaining survival probability estimates of a structure initially at rest, and subjected to a non-stationary seismic excitation have been presented. Both methods are based on approximating the response amplitude by a Markov process. In the first one, a discrete extreme point process has been utilized for the derivation of reliability estimates of the absolute response | x ( t )|. In the second approach, similar estimates for the amplitude a ( t ) have been derived by solving by discretization an integral equation. The seismic excitations which have been considered are stationary processes modulated by exponential type deterministic functions. It has been found that, for this particular type of excitation, the structure experiences an early dramatic reduction of its survival probability as compared to that for the unmodulated excitation. Characteristic of the structural behavior is, also, the fact that for higher barriers the survival probability does not eventually tend to zero, as is the case for the stationary excitations, but it attains a constant non-zero value. Consequently for this case the concept of first-passage time density function is meaningless. Based on numerical data obtained by conducting digital Monte Carlo simulations it has been shown that the accuracies of the proposed methods are quite acceptable for common engineering applications.
The attractor—basin portrait of a cellular automaton

Local space-time structures, such as domains and the intervening dislocations, dominate a wide class of cellular automaton (CA) behavior. For such spatially-extended dynamics regular domains, vicinities, and attractors are introduced as organizing principles to identify the discretized analogs of attractors, basins, and separatrices: structures used in classifying dissipative continuous-state dynamical systems. We describe the attractor-basin portrait of nonlinear elementary CA rule 18, whose global dynamics is largely determined by a single regular attracting domain. The latter's basin is analyzed in terms of subbasin and portal structures associated with particle annihilation. The conclusion is that the computational complexity of such CA is more apparent than real. Transducer machines are constructed that automatically identify domain and dislocation structures in space-time, count the number of dislocations in a spatial pattern, and implement an isomorphism between rule 18 and rule 90. We use a transducer to trace dislocation trajectories, and confirm that in rule 18, isolated dislocation trajectories, as well as a dislocation gas, agree extremely well with the classical model of annihilating diffusive particles. The CA efficiently transforms randomness of an initial pattern ensemble into a random walk of dislocations in space-time.
Concept for an orbiting wide-field x-ray imaging spectrometer (WFXIS)

We present a concept study for a mission to provide wide field x-ray imaging spectroscopy. Many astrophysical studies in the x ray regime demand both high energy resolution (approximately 5 eV) as well as high angular resolution (approximately 10'). Examples of such studies are: clusters of galaxies, from those with sub-clumps to those at the edge of the universe (minimum radii approximately 15'); individual galaxies (nearby ones are easily resolvable on the 10' scale); deep sky surveys for clusters and QSO/AGN, which necessitate optimal sky coverage with the avoidance of source confusion for long exposures (approximately 2 multiplied by 105 sec); supernova remnants (SNRs) in galaxies such as the LMC, SMC and Andromeda; knots in galactic SNRs such as Cas-A; and fine structure in the interstellar medium (ISM). Other studies that require a wide FOV and high energy resolution are studies of the large scale structure of the ISM, nearby clusters of galaxies, and large SNRs, such as the Cygnus loop and the Vela/Puppis region. The instrument concept we propose, the Wide Field X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (WFXIS), will combine the critical characteristics of wide-field, high-resolution x-ray imaging with high energy resolution, and thus provide unique capabilities not available on any single current or planned mission in which NASA is participating. Our preliminary design consists of ROSAT-sized zerodur mirrors with a Ritchey-Chretien figure; approximately 2.5 meter foal length; and a single focal plane detector made up of a 500 multiplied by 500 pixel array of either microcalorimeters or superconducting tunnel junctions. The energy range covered by this system will be approximately 0.1 - 2.5 keV. The main points of this work are: the science is outstanding; the technology for mirror production and design is in hand; and detector technology has reached the stage that it makes sense to begin planning for the ability to make 500 multiplied by 500 pixel arrays with a factor of 10 improvement in energy resolution over available CCDs.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Determination of Otolith Afferent Response Parameters Using Small Amplitude Sinusoidal Roll and Pitch Tilts

Previous investigations of the response properties of afferent neurons innervating the otolith organs of the inner ear have used experimental protocols which required the rotation of an animal through a full 3600 about its roll and pitch axes. These are difficult experiments since recordings from individual neurons must be maintained throughout the course of the rotations. This paper describes an alternative method which permits the calculation of otolith neuron response parameters from data collected during small amplitude sinusoidal roll and pitch tilts. The effectiveness of this technique is demonstrated by analyzing a variety of simulated afferent responses to sinusoidal tilts. This method facilitates the practical determination of otolith properties as well as simplifying the procedures prerequisite to the testing of otolith dynamic response characteristics.
Effect of magnetic fields on exciton binding energies in type-II GaAs-AlAs quantum-well structures

We calculate the binding energies of both the light-hole and heavy-hole excitons in type-II GaAs-AlAs quantum wells in the presence of a magnetic field applied parallel to the axis of growth. Two methods are applied and compared: a variational approach and a perturbation method. The exciton binding energies are calculated assuming infinite potential barriers. The behavior of the exciton binding energies as functions of well widths and the magnetic field is discussed. For a given value of the magnetic field, the exciton binding energies are found to be larger than the zero-magnetic-field case. Results obtained from both methods are compared.
Why Do Children with Down Syndrome Have Subnormal Vision

Explore characteristics of Down syndrome to find causes of subnormal vision. Explore vision studies to find patterns of decreased vision.Some obvious potential causes are nystagmus and high refract...
Erythromycin intravenous bolus infusion in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial

Abstract Background & Aims: Emergency endoscopy may be difficult in upper gastrointestinal bleeding when blood obscures the visibility. Erythromycin, a motilin agonist, induces gastric emptying. We investigated whether an intravenous bolus infusion of erythromycin would improve the yield of endoscopy in these patients. Methods: Patients admitted within 12 hours after hematemesis were randomly assigned to erythromycin (250 mg) or placebo, 20 minutes before endoscopy. The primary end point was endoscopic yield, as assessed by objective and subjective scoring systems and endoscopic duration. Secondary end points were the need for a second look, endoscopy-related complications, blood units transfused, and length of hospital stay. Results: Fifty-one patients received erythromycin and 54 received placebo. A clear stomach was found more often in the erythromycin group (82% vs. 33%; P P = 0.036) and reduced the need for second-look endoscopy (6 vs. 17 cases; P = 0.018). Length of hospital stay and blood units transfused did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. No complications were noted. Conclusions: Erythromycin infusion before endoscopy in patients with recent hematemesis makes endoscopy shorter and easier, thereby reducing the need for a repeat procedure. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2002;123:17-23
Treatment-resistant depression: recent developments and future directions.

A significant proportion of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) fail to achieve remission with standard antidepressant therapies, even when optimally delivered. These patients are classified as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which is distinguished from “difficult-to-treat” depression,[1] defined as depression treated under circumstances that precludes the optimal delivery of a potentially beneficial treatment (e.g., subtherapeutic dosing, intolerable side effects, poor adherence, etc.) TRD is also distinguished from severe depression, as some patients with milder depressive symptoms are markedly treatment resistant, while others with profound, acute depressive symptoms are quite treatment responsive. Defining the boundaries of TRD is critical from a clinical, research, and public health perspective, as drug and device manufacturers seek new regulatory approvals for numerous indications in the TRD spectrum. This article reviews recent developments in TRD, with a focus on classification methods used for regulatory clinical trials; treatments currently approved in the US for TRD; how classification schemes and regulatory rules have limited understanding of their scope of effectiveness; and what changes are needed in research approaches to facilitate novel therapeutic discovery.
Imagining Africa, remaking the world: W.E.B. Du Bois' history for the future

This essay examines W.E.B. Du Bois' rearticulation during the 1940s of his long-standing idea that African liberation was a necessary step in the creation of a more democratic world. Du Bois' writing of Africa into world history, as both land of civilizational achievement and object of western terror, helped make the case for a global frame of economic justice and, concomitantly, an extension of human rights. He hoped as well to explore the possibilities of political organization and affective belonging that might draw Africans further within the global community. This essay concludes by considering how Du Bois' historiographical project provides a substantial challenge to the global racial order in our ‘colonial present’.
Knowledge focus via software agents

The essence of military Command and Control (C2) is making knowledge intensive decisions in a limited amount of time using uncertain, incorrect, or outdated information. It is essential to provide tools to decision-makers that provide: * Management of friendly forces by treating the "friendly resources as a system". * Rapid assessment of effects of military actions againt the "enemy as a system". * Assessment of how an enemy should, can, and could react to friendly military activities. Software agents in the form of mission agents, target agents, maintenance agents, and logistics agents can meet this information challenge. The role of each agent is to know all the details about its assigned mission, target, maintenance, or logistics entity. The Mission Agent would fight for mission resources based on the mission priority and analyze the effect that a proposed mission's results would have on the enemy. The Target Agent (TA) communicates with other targets to determine its role in the system of targets. A system of TAs would be able to inform a planner or analyst of the status of a system of targets, the effect of that status, adn the effect of attacks on that system. The system of TAs would also be able to analyze possible enemy reactions to attack by determining ways to minimize the effect of attack, such as rerouting traffic or using deception. The Maintenance Agent would scheudle maintenance events and notify the maintenance unit. The Logistics Agent would manage shipment and delivery of supplies to maintain appropriate levels of weapons, fuel and spare parts. The central idea underlying this case of software agents is knowledge focus. Software agents are createad automatically to focus their attention on individual real-world entities (e.g., missions, targets) and view the world from that entities perspective. The agent autonomously monitors the entity, identifies problems/opportunities, formulates solutions, and informs the decision-maker. The agent must be able to communicate to receive and disseminate information and provide the decision-maker with assistance via focused knowledge. THe agent must also be able to monitor the state of its own environment and make decisions necessary to carry out its delegated tasks. Agents bring three elements to the C2 domain that offer to improve decision-making. First, they provide higher-quality feedback and provide it more often. In doing so, the feedback loop becomes nearly continuous, reducing or eliminating delays in situation updates to decision-makers. Working with the most current information possible improves the control process, thus enabling effects based operations. Second, the agents accept delegation of actions and perform those actions following an established process. Agents' consistent actions reduce the variability of human input and stabilize the control process. Third, through the delegation of actions, agents ensure 100 percent consideration of plan details.
Alterations in cellular IRP-dependent iron regulation by in vitro manganese exposure in undifferentiated PC12 cells

Manganese (Mn) may interfere with iron regulation by altering the binding of iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) to their response elements found on the mRNA encoding proteins critical to iron homeostasis. To explore this, the effects of 24-h in vitro manganese exposure (1, 10, 50, and 200 microM Mn) on: (i) total intracellular and labile iron concentrations; (ii) the cellular abundance of transferrin receptor (TfR), H- and L-ferritin, and mitochondrial aconitase proteins; and (iii) IRP binding to a [32P](-) labeled mRNA sequence of L-ferritin were evaluated in undifferentiated PC12 cells. In vitro manganese exposure altered the cellular abundance of TfR, H-/L-ferritin, and m-aconitase, resulting in an increase in labile iron. This latter effect led to a decrease in IRP binding activity at the lower (10 and 50 microM) manganese exposures. In contrast, 200 microM manganese exposure increased IRP binding, in spite of the significant increase in labile iron. These data indicate that at lower exposures, manganese directly interfered with IRP-dependent translational events, producing an increase in labile iron, which in turn signaled a decrease in IRP binding at 24 h. At higher exposures, the intracellular burden of manganese resulted in overt cytotoxicity and appeared to compromise the normal compensatory response to increased labile iron, producing increased IRP binding. We conclude that low to moderate manganese exposure interferes with cellular iron regulation, and thus may serve as a contributory mechanism underlying manganese neurotoxicity.
Crepuscular Rhythms of EEG Sleep-Wake in a Hystricomorph Rodent, Octodon degus:

Sleep-wake circadian rhythms are well documented for nocturnal rodents, but little is known about sleep regulation in diurnal or crepuscular rodent species. This study examined the circadian sleep-wake rhythms in Octodon degus by means of electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis. Recordings were made from animals housed with or without running wheels in the cages. In a 24-h light-dark (LD) cycle (LD 12:12), sleep and wake patterns were highly fragmented under both conditions except for crepuscular timed episodes of waking. Without running wheels, sleep bout lengths averaged 3.7 +/- 0.1 min, and total sleep time was 37.6 +/- 3.7% per 24 h. Although the percentage of total wakefulness was similar during the light phase (63.4 +/- 2.4%) and dark phase (61.5 +/- 2.8%), measures of locomotor activity (LMA) and body temperature were generally greater during the day than during the night. Without running wheels, EEG slow wave activity (SWA) in nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep exhibited a circadian waveform that was elevated only during the light phase. SWA peaked at Zeitgeber Time 7 (ZT 7) (several hours after the dominant waking episode at ZT 23), then declined across the later half of the light phase and into the dark phase. Voluntary wheel running did not alter daily total sleep time, the duration of average sleep bouts, or maximum sleep bouts, but it increased the episode of waking, LMA, and body temperature at ZTs 11-12. Under these conditions, NREM sleep and SWA exhibited crepuscular patterns, with elevated SWA during the day and night. Although Octodon degus exhibited no strong preference for sleep during the light or dark phase, these data suggest that in this species homeostatic sleep responses (indicated by SWA) are gated by the dominant crepuscular episode(s) of waking and can be influenced by wheel running.
Lexan polycarbonate for automotive forward lighting

Abstract Through a mutual development effort between the Ford Motor Company USA and General Electric Plastics, the introduction in 1983 of the all plastic aerodynamic composite headlamp made from Lexan ∗ polycarbonate is revolutionising the automotive forward lighting industry. European headlamp manufacturers have been working over the last several years with the automotive companies and GE Plastics Europe to develop a European design using plastic materials. Several European car models including Ford & Volvo are to be exported in 1985 to the US with plastic headlamps and reflectors made from Lexan polycarbonate. This paper discusses the many advantages and benefits which plastic headlamps offer both the manufacturer and the consumer. These advantages include excellent optical precision, superior damage resistance, unprecedented styling, improved aerodynamics and light weight.
High dose etoposide‐based myeloablative therapy followed by autologous blood progenitor cell rescue in the treatment of multiple myeloma

Background A number of studies have demonstrated that high dose chemotherapy, with or without radiotherapy, with autologous marrow and/or peripheral blood progenitor cell support can result in improved overall and complete response rates in patients with multiple myeloma, and a minority of patients become long term survivors. Based on their favorable experience with high dose etoposide-based regimens in patients with Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the authors explored the use of these regimens prior to autologous progenitor cell rescue in patients with multiple myeloma. Methods Thirty-four patients (median age, 49 years; range, 38-65) with multiple myeloma who were responsive to standard chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. Blood progenitor cells were collected after treatment with cyclophosphamide at a dose of 4 g/m2 followed by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) at a dose of approximately 10 micrograms/kg/day subcutaneously, and the collection continued daily until the target number of mononuclear cells had been obtained. The preparative regimen consisted of fractionated total body irradiation (FTBI) of 1200 centigray in 10 fractions on Day -8 to Day -5, etoposide 60 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.) on Day -4, and cyclophosphamide 100 mg/kg i.v. on Day -2. Day 0 was the day of progenitor cell infusion. Patients who were older than 50 years or had received prior radiation therapy that precluded FTBI received carmustine 15 mg/kg i.v. or lomustine 15 mg/kg orally on Day -6 rather than FTBI. G-CSF (5 micrograms/kg/day) was begun the day after progenitor cell infusion and continued until engraftment. Results Recovery of granulocytes to 500/microL occurred at a median of 9 days (range, 7-13), and platelet recovery to 20,000/microL occurred without transfusion at 9 days (range, 6-88) after progenitor cell infusion. Thirty-two patients were evaluable for response. Eleven patients (34%) achieved a complete remission, 17 (53%) achieved a partial remission, and 4 (13%) had stable disease following high dose therapy and progenitor cell rescue. The actuarial event free survival at 4 years for the entire group was 26%, and overall survival was 36%. The median time to progression of disease was 13 months (range, 2-42). Two patients died of regimen-related toxicity, one of venoocclusive disease of the liver and the other of multiorgan failure. In a multivariate analysis, only the extent of prior therapy was a significant prognostic factor for event free survival, and no significant factors were identified for overall survival. Conclusions High dose etoposide-based myeloablative regimens followed by autologous blood progenitor cell rescue are relatively well tolerated and effective for the treatment of multiple myeloma, and a minority of patients become long term disease free survivors.
Measurement of the reaction e+e− → τ+τ− at √s = 29 GeV

Abstract The reaction e+e− → τ+τ− has been measured using the high resolution spectrometer at PEP. The angular distribution shows a forward-backward asymmetry of −(6.1±2.3±0.5)%, corresponding to an axial-vector coupling if gaτgae = 0.28 ±0.11± 0.03, in good agreement with the standard model of electroweak interactions. The measured cross section yields ifRττ = 1.10± 0.03±0.04, consistent with QED and giving QED cutoff parameters of Λ+>92 GeV and Λ−>246 GeV at 95% C.L.
Electronic conductivity of Ag2S/AgX(X = Cl, Br) ion selective electrode membranes: Effect of silver incorporation

Abstract In this paper, we investigate the effect of the incorporation of silver on the electronic conductivity of silver sulfide-silver chloride and silver sulfide-silver bromide ion selective electrode membranes. The theoretical treatment involves an extension of the Smith-Anderson model to a three component system. Theoretical results are then compared with experimental results.
1042 INTERFERONOPATHY IN THE BARE LYMPHOCYTE SYNDROME

The Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome (BLS) is a rare immunodeficiency in which surface expression of HLA-DR antigens is absent. In the absence of expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) there is an abnormal interaction between immunocytes with a resultant combined immunodeficiency. We report here of a 4 year old female with the BLS. This child is agammaglobulinemic and has poor cell mediated immunity with recurrent bacterial and viral infections. The child persistently excretes the polio vaccine virus type II in the stool. In vitro lymphocyte studies revealed normal responses to phytohemagglutinin and in the one-way mixed lymphocyte culture. Mitomycin C treated patient's cells were, however, unable to stimulate allogeneic lymphocytes, and the patient's lymphocytes did not respond to antigenic stimuli. In vitro treatment of patient's lymphocytes with α or γ interferon restored the expression of the MHC and improved antigenic and allogeneic responses. The patient's lymphocytes did not, however, secrete α or γ interferon. It is postulated that in this instance the BLS may be due to a primary interferonopathy.
β2-Adrenergic Receptor Genotype and Pulmonary Function in Patients With Heart Failure

Objective Chronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with neurohumoral activation and decrements in pulmonary function (PF). The β 2 -adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) modulates airway smooth muscle tone and influences lung fluid clearance. Common polymorphisms of the ADRB2 are associated with differences in ADRB2 function and therefore could differentially influence PF in patients with CHF. Methods We studied baseline PF according to genetic variations of the ADRB2 at amino acid 16 ( ie , arginine [Arg] or glycine [Gly]) in 126 CHF patients (mean [± SEM] age, 56 ± 1 years; left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF], 29 ± 1%; body mass index [BMI], 28 ± 0.4 kg/m 2 ) and in 100 healthy control subjects (mean age, 50 ± 2 years; LVEF, 63 ± 0.7%; BMI, 25 ± 0.3 kg/m 2 ). Results Venous epinephrine levels did not differ between CHF patients and control subjects or across genotype groups; however, norepinephrine levels were higher in CHF patients and was greater in ArgArg patients compared to GlyGly patients (p 1 : ArgArg group, 75 ± 4% predicted; ArgGly group, 86 ± 3% predicted; GlyGly group, 87 ± 2% predicted; diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide: ArgArg group, 76 ± 4% predicted; ArgGly group, 83 ± 2% predicted; GlyGly group, 85 ± 2% predicted; p r = 0.42; p Conclusions These data suggest that genetic variation of the ADRB2 is associated with differences in PF in CHF patients but not in healthy subjects, which may be related to an increased susceptibility of the homozygous Arg subjects to agonist-mediated desensitization of ADRB2s in the lungs, or related to an influence of this polymorphism on cardiac diastolic properties.
Was That “Piracy” or “Privacy”?

This forum is a continuation of a regular series of columns on engineering ethics based on the Applied Ethics Case of the Month program, sponsored by the National Institute for Engineering Ethics (NIEE), Texas Tech University. The Case-of-the-Month program consists of applied ethics cases taken from actual professional practice and presented in narrative format on the NIEE's interactive Web site, with the names of the participants and the locations altered to preserve anonymity. Each case is linked to a series of suggested solutions, not all of which are necessarily ethical but which represent reactions commonly found in professional practice. Web site visitors are given the opportunity to vote on their preferred course of action for the dilemma, as well as to offer commentary. Results are tabulated at the end of the voting period and the statiscal responses are reported, along with commentary and in some cases, the actual solution for the case. Actual real-life situations are the central notion upon whic...
Creating a Culturally Competent Clinical Environment for LGBT Patients

Health administrators and educators working in clinical settings are often charged with cultivating a culturally competent clinical environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients. To better understand what constitutes such an environment, we conducted seven focus groups with health care providers and LGBT patients living in a Midwestern metropolitan area of the United States. Findings identified a culturally competent clinical environment consisting of structural components such as decor and patient flow, systemic components, such as mission statements, policies, and forms, and interpersonal components, such as a trusting provider-patient relationship. Strategies to create a more culturally competent clinical environment were identified.
Unimodality preservation in Markov chains

Abstract A subset of the stochastically monotone Markov chains has the property that the expectation of unimodal functions of the chain is itself unimodal in the initial state. The variation- diminishing property of TP 2 matrices is employed to characterize these Markov chains. Related properties are exhibited.
The exoendoprosthesis in proximal bilioenteric anastomoses.

Summary The exoendoprosthesis is a completely indwelling anastomotic stent with the external end fixed to a reservoir in the subcutaneous tissue. With local anesthesia, cholangiography and tube exchange are possible. The exoendoprosthesis was used in 15 patients with obstruction to the proximal bile duct. The obstructive lesions included cholangiocarcimona (six patients), pancreatic cancer (two patients), gallbladder cancer (two patients), sclerosing cholangitis (three patients), and benign stricture (two patients). The postoperative course was comparable to similar series with external tubes. In one patient, a persistent bile fistula necessitated early exteriorization of the tube and biliary decompression. If cholangitis or jaundice recurred, the tube was exteriorized and exchanged to be managed conventionally. However 12 months postoperatively, eight patients had indwelling tubes without any incidence of cholangitis or jaundice. The indwelling location of the tube relieved the patients of the burden of tube management and may have reduced the incidence of cholangitis.
The Separation of Wave-Induced and Intrusive Oceanic Finestructure

Abstract Two hundred miles southwest of San Diego a conductivity/temperature/pressure instrument (CTD) was repeatedly raised and lowered to varying depths above 1000 m while under ship tow. Finestructure measurements made on two separate days of vastly differing surface conditions were analyzed to estimate the spectral levels of finestructure induced, on one hand, by internal wave straining and on the other by a passive distortion of the T-S relationship, assumed to be an intrusion. On a day of moderate sea and wind, spatial evolution of successive profiles in x-z space shows ubiquitous steps and layers, none of which are quasi-permanent. Comparisons of displacement profiles inferred from the temperature and density signals indicate wave-induced finestructure dominance for all vertical scales down to 5 m, beyond which instrument resolution was sufficiently poor to limit a structure separation at these scales. Comparison of the ensemble displacement spectrum to the model spectrum of Garrett and Munk (1975)...
Interrogation of 60 fibre Bragg grating sensors with microstrain resolution capability

The authors report the demonstration of an instrumentation system capable of monitoring a large number of Bragg gratings using a common source and scanning narrowband filter. The system described monitors five arrays of 12 Bragg gratings sensors for a total of 60 sensor elements with µstrain resolution.