cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of microvascular permeability responses to successive topical applications of bradykinin in the hamster cheek pouch.

Abstract Bradykinin increases leakage of macromolecules at postcapillary venules. Whether the same sites respond to repeated applications of bradykinin is not known. Knowledge of this phenomenon is of importance in ascertaining the mechanisms of vascular wall repair in inflammatory processes. We used the hamster cheek pouch preparation, suffused with buffer bicarbonate (pH 7.4). Fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 150 injected iv was used as a tracer of macromolecular microvascular transport. An area of cheek pouch representing 0.8 cm 2 was scanned using epi- and transillumination light microscopy before, during and after bradykinin application. Video recordings of individual fields representing 1 mm 2 were examined to determine the number of leakage sites present as well as their position in the field. Usually, 20–40 min of suffusion with buffer was sufficient to wash away the effects of any given dose of bradykinin. For fields observed, 85% of the leakage sites induced by the first dose were the same sites induced by the second application of the same dose of bradykinin. Whether or not the same site responds to a subsequent application may depend upon the type of microvascular wall repair which ensues. We propose that (a) relaxation of bradykinin-contracted endothelial cells is a mechanism of microvascular wall repair consistent with those leakage sites which repeatedly respond to bradykinin stimulation, and (b) platelet plugging of interendothelial gaps may have occurred in those leakage sites refractory to subsequent applications of bradykinin.
Oxidation of guaiacyl- and veratryl-glycerol-β-guaiacyl ether by polyporus versicolor and stereum frustulation

Abstract 1. 1. Studies were made of the effects of two white-rot fungi ( Polyporus versicolor and Stereum frustulatum ) on the lignin model compounds guaiacylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether and veratrylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether. Only the guaiacyl model contains a phenolic hydroxyl group, but both compounds contain a β-alkyl-aryl ether linkage— the most common intermonomer bond in lignin. 2. 2. In cultures grown on a synthetic liquid both fungi converted the guaiacyl model to a number of products, prominent among which was the o , o ′-dihydroxybiphenyl dehydrodimer. This biphenyl derivative was also a dominant product when this same model was incubated with a p -diphenol oxidase ( p -diphenol:O 2 oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.2, formerly known as laccase) purified from cultures of P. versicolor . 3. 3. The veratryl compound was not affected under the above cultural conditions or by the purified oxidase but was oxidized by both organism in a wood-meal medium. The only product observed was identified as α-guaiacoxy-β-hydroxypropioveratrone. Veratrylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether was oxidized to the veratrone also by (i) the 2,4,6-triphenylphenoxyl radical in benzene and (ii) the above purified p -diphenol oxidase in the presence of spruce milled wood lignin. Thus, it is likely that its oxidation by the fungi in wood-meal cultures was via free radicals, with the lignin in the wood serving as a substrate for radical formation by phenol oxidases of the fungi. 4. 4. These results are interpreted to indicate that a postulated phenol oxidase hypothesis for lignin depolymerization provides a more promising basis than does a “β-etherase” hypothesis for further research with both P. versicolor and S. frustulatum . This interpretation is further supported by failure of the two fungi to affect dl -glycerol-β-guaiacyl ether in a synthetic liquid medium.
Managing biogeochemical cycles to reduce greenhouse gases

This special issue focuses on terrestrial biogeochemical cycles as they relate to North America-wide budgeting and future projection of biogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs). Understanding the current magnitude and providing guidance on the future trajectories of atmospheric concentrations of these gases requires investigation of their (i) biogeochemical origins, (ii) response to climate feedbacks and other environmental factors, and (iii) susceptibility to management practices. This special issue provides a group of articles that present the current state of continental scale sources and sinks of biogenic GHGs and the potential to better manage them in the future.
Locomotor activity and stereotypy in rats following repeated apomorphine treatments at 1-, 3-, or 7-day intervals

In two experiments, the effects of repeated intermittent administration of a relatively high dose of apomorphine (5 mg/kg) on locomotor activity and/or stereotypic behavior in rats was determined. In Experiment 1, male rats were given ten subcutaneous (SC) injections of apomorphine or vehicle and tested for locomotor activity and stereotypy. The first nine injection test sessions were given at 3-day intervals and the tenth injection test session was given 18 days following the ninth session. In Experiment 2, male rats were tested for locomotor activity following ten SC injections of apomorphine or vehicle with either a one- or seven-day interval between injections. Major findings were as follows: a) apomorphine produced progressively greater increases in locomotor activity with each succeeding injection (i.e., sensitization); b) sensitization to the locomotor activity stimulating effects of apomorphine developed with interinjection intervals of one, three, and seven days; c) the sensitization effect was maintained over the 18-day drug-free break; and d) the effect of apomorphine on stereotypic behavior did not significantly change with repeated injections. These findings indicate that even a single dose of apomorphine induces relatively long-lasting neurobiological changes. Moreover, these findings are consistent with the view that separate neural pathways mediate locomotor activity and stereotypy in rats.
Simulating DNA at low resolution

The past year has witnessed the development of several new mathematical approaches to analyzing the structure of double-helical DNA and to incorporating the sequence-dependent features of the chain in computer simulations of long polymers. Of special interest in this respect are the local and global structural changes induced by the binding of various proteins to DNA, ranging from subtle bending, untwisting and sliding motions at the base-pair level to the apparent organization of supercoiled structure in chains that are thousands residues long. The computational effort has also included both new ways to incorporate the polyelectrolyte character of DNA and other environmental forces in simulations of long chains and new methods to keep track of the multitude of configurations so generated. The collective advances are pointing to ways that will soon connect the sequences of base pairs in large genomes to folded three-dimensional structures based on natural bending, twisting and translational tendencies and in response to deformations produced by the binding of different proteins.
Orientation-specific modulation of rat retinal ganglion cell responses and its dependence on relative orientations of the center and surround gratings.

In the primary visual cortex (V1), it has been shown that the neuronal response elicited by a grating patch in the receptive field (RF) center can be suppressed or facilitated by an annular grating...
The use of bis- (2-alkoxyethyl) ethers as antifreeze in naphthalene-1,4-dioxane scintillation mixtures

Abstract Aqueous radioactive samples can be counted in naphthalene-1,4-dioxane scintillator mixtures at temperatures below 0°C without freezing by replacing a portion of the 1,4-dioxane with bis-(2-methoxyethyl) ether (diglyme) or bis-(2-ethoxyethyl) ether (diethyl carbitol). As little as 2 ml of diglyme or diethyl carbitol will allow 15 ml samples containing 1 ml of water to be counted at −4°C with better than 90 per cent of the efficiency of the pure naphthalene-1,4-dioxane system.
Durability and characterization studies of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell’s coated aluminum bipolar plates and membrane electrode assembly

Abstract Coated aluminum bipolar plates demonstrate better mechanical strength, ease of manufacturability, and lower interfacial contact resistance (ICR) than graphite composite plates in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell applications. In this study, coated aluminum and graphite composite bipolar plates were installed in separate single PEM fuel cells and tested under normal operating conditions and cyclic loading. After 1000 h of operation, samples of both the bipolar plates and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) were collected from both the cathode and the anode sides of the cell and characterized to examine the stability and integrity of the plate coating and evaluate possible changes of the ionic conductivity of the membrane due any electrochemical reaction with the coating material. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were performed on the land and valley surfaces of the reactant flow fields at both the anode and the cathode sides of the bipolar plates. The measurements were superimposed on the reference to identify possible zones of anomalies for the purpose of conducting focused studies in these locations. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of samples scraped from the anode and cathode electrodes of the MEA showed the tendency for catalyst growth that could result in power degradation. Samples of the by-product water produced during the single fuel cell operation were also collected and tested for the existence of chromium, nickel, carbon, iron, sulfur and aluminum using mass spectroscopy techniques. The EDX measurements indicated the possibility of dissociation and dissolution of nickel chrome that was used as the binder for the carbide-based corrosion-resistant coating with the aluminum substrate.
Arming the osteoclast.

Signaling through costimulatory receptors classically occurs in cells of the immune system. Now the distinction between immune cells and osteoclasts, bone resorbing cells, begins to blur. Osteoclasts need costimulatory signals too.
cis-Di(μ-trifluoroacetate)dirhodium tetracarbonyl: structure and chemistry

The dirhodium(I) complex Rh2(μ-O2CCF3)2(CO)4 has been prepared by reduction of Rh2(μ-O2CCF3)4 with CO in the vapor phase and its crystal structure reveals a polymeric nature with dinuclear molecules aligned along the metal–metal axis.
HOMINIDS: An agent-based spatial simulation model to evaluate behavioral patterns of early Pleistocene hominids

Abstract The HOMINIDS ABM is a new Agent Based Model that simulates the actions of two species of proto-human agents defined by a few, simple parameters. These proto-human agents attempt to subsist by foraging and nesting on dynamic, spatially explicit landscapes. The landscapes are described with a number of parameters based on empirical field data collected in habitats in East Africa. The results of three separate scenarios with 1 year model runs repeated 30 times each, for a total of 90 simulations, are presented and discussed to illustrate both the capacity and flexibility of our ABM modeling environment. The simulations show that the model food preferences and anatomy ascribed to Australopithecus boisei resulted in different expressions of foraging behaviors and subsistence strategies in two distinct ecological settings, and that adding tubers to the diet significantly increases the chances of the hominid agents meeting their daily caloric requirements year-round. In addition, this paper provides links to the open-source implementation code, along with the user documentation, design document, java API, and all datasets required to replicate the simulations.
Alcohol effects on the facial expressions of anxiety patients undergoing a panic provocation

Using subjects with panic disorder, we investigated the effect of alcohol on expressive-emotional facial reactions to a well-known laboratory panic provocation procedure (inhalation of 35% carbon dioxide). Subjects consuming alcohol (vs. a placebo) displayed lower levels of emotional masking and fear/distress facial responses; however, differences were significant only for emotional masking. A composite variable combining the masking and fear/distress scores was also significantly lower in the group consuming alcohol. To the extent that masking behavior is a valid proxy for fear/distress responding, then the latter finding supports the conclusion that alcohol reduced negative affectivity associated with the inhalation. However, we also note the possibility that alcohol reduced masking directly without affecting fear/distress. We make parallel recommendations for future research that treats masking behavior as a nuisance variable on the one hand, or a dependent variable of potential importance on the other. We conclude that expressive-behavioral measures appear to be both feasible and potentially informative in alcohol research.
Can Intellectual Property Save Drug Development

The imbalance between the roughly constant rate of new drug approvals and the exploding cost estimates of drug development—mostly the cost of failure—has raised concern about the declining productivity of the pharmaceutical industry. Efforts to address the situation have included an investment in human capital—particularly those individuals who can project science across the translational divide (bench to clinic)—and investment in infrastructure, as exemplified by Clinical and Translational Science Awards in the United States and Biomedical Research Centers in the United Kingdom, and an increase in partnerships between academia and industry ( 1 ). However, radical reform of the iron rules of intellectual property (IP) worldwide will be necessary if we are to harvest and integrate the efforts of scientists and clinicians scattered across companies, universities, and countries, best qualified to generate new therapies.
Does the conversion of grasslands to row crop production in semi-arid areas threaten global food supplies?

Abstract In the world's semi-arid regions, high crop demands have produced short term economic incentives to convert food production on native grasslands to dryland row crop food production, while genetic enhancements and equipment have reduced the risk of crop failure. The objectives of this paper were to discuss (1) the importance of considering the long-term sustainability of changing land use in semi-arid regions; (2) the impact of extreme climatic events on ecosystem functioning; and (3) factors contributing to higher crop yields in semi-arid regions. Semi-arid regions contain fragile areas where extreme climate events may be a tipping point that converts an apparent sustainable system to a non-sustainable ecosystem. However, semi-arid regions also contain zones where “better” management practices have reduced the agricultural impacts on the environment, increased soil carbon levels, and stimulated economic development. Research suggests that food production can be increased by enhancing the productivity of existing cropped land. However, this statement does not infer that crop production on all existing cropped lands in semi-arid regions is sustainable. Worldwide, targeted research should be conducted to clearly identify local barriers to conservation practice adoption and identify the long-term ramifications of extreme climatic events and land-use changes on semi-arid ecosystem functioning.
Robotic partial nephrectomy: imperative vs elective indications.

Objective To assess the impact of imperative or elective indications on the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy. Materials and Methods Between January 2008 and August 2011, 381 consecutive robotic partial nephrectomies were retrospectively included. Two groups of patients were identified: those who underwent the procedure for an imperative indication (n = 98) and those who underwent the procedure for an elective indication (n = 283). Perioperative and renal function outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine whether imperative indications were predictors of complications, chronic kidney disease stage upstaging, postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, and percentage of estimated glomerular filtration rate decrease. Results There were no differences between the 2 groups with respect to RENAL score and tumor size. Patients in the imperative group were more likely to have a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index score (6 vs 4, P P 2 , P P = .032), but not with overall (31.6% vs 26%, P = .62) and intraoperative complications (6.1% vs 3.2%, P = .22). In multivariate analysis, imperative indication was an independent predictor of postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate but was not a predictor of percentage of estimated glomerular filtration rate decrease and chronic kidney disease upstaging. Conclusion Patients undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy for an imperative indication have similar functional outcomes than those with an elective indication. However, they are at higher risk of major complications.
Effects of Acidity on the Conversion of the Model Bio-oil Ketone Cyclopentanone on H−Y Zeolites

Deoxygenation of bio-oils on acidic zeolites is a potential method for upgrading bio-oils into energy-dense liquid fuels. One of the factors affecting the viability of zeolite-catalyzed dehydration/deoxygenation is minimization of coke formation. Here, cyclopentanone, a ketone commonly found in bio-oils, is utilized as a prototypical bio-oil ketone and its reactivity is evaluated over commercial H−Y zeolites with different acidities. 1H, 13C, and 27Al NMR studies of acidic H−Y zeolites contacted with cyclopentanone suggest that the nature of the zeolite acidity significantly affects the organic reactivity and coke formation. The conversion of cyclopentanone is shown to be preferentially initiated at lower temperatures on the zeolite with lower acid strength, higher Bronsted acid site density, and larger concentration of extraframework aluminum species (H−Y/5.2, 27.1 SiOHSupAl/uc, 12.05 EFA/uc) than over the zeolite with higher acid strength but lower acid site density (H−Y/30, 8.4 SiOHSupAl/uc, and 0.28 E...
Factor Proportions and Ricardian Comparative Advantage: Thoughts on Uchiyama

In a Ricardo–Pasinetti world, inferring a long-run comparative advantage from a stationary-state factor proportions differential is invalid, since the latter may be present in the absence of the former and will be a consequence, not the cause, of long-run comparative advantage where such exists.
Hydrogen peroxide generation and biocompatibility of hydrogel-bound mussel adhesive moiety

To decouple the extracellular oxidative toxicity of catechol adhesive moiety from its intracellular non-oxidative toxicity, dopamine was chemically bound to a non-degradable polyacrylamide hydrogel through photo-initiated polymerization of dopamine methacrylamide (DMA) with acrylamide monomers. Network-bound dopamine released cytotoxic levels of H2O2 when its catechol side chain oxidized to quinone. Introduction of catalase at a concentration as low as 7.5 U/mL counteracted the cytotoxic effect of H2O2 and enhanced the viability and proliferation rate of fibroblasts. These results indicated that H2O2 generation is one of the main contributors to the cytotoxicity of dopamine in culture. Additionally, catalase is a potentially useful supplement to suppress the elevated oxidative stress found in typical culture conditions and can more accurately evaluate the biocompatibility of mussel-mimetic biomaterials. The release of H2O2 also induced a higher foreign body reaction to catechol-modified hydrogel when it was implanted subcutaneously in rat. Given that H2O2 has a multitude of biological effects, both beneficiary and deleterious, regulation of H2O2 production from catechol-containing biomaterials is necessary to optimize the performance of these materials for a desired application.
Analysis of the transport coefficients for simple dense fluids: The diffusion and bulk viscosity coefficients

Abstract The analysis of transport coefficients based on the modified Enskog theory (MET), discussed in a previous publication, has been extended to include the self-diffusion coefficient (D) and the bulk viscosity coefficient (ηv). Specifically, calculated values according to the MET are compared with experiment over the range for which data are available. Fluids considered are argon, nitrogen and methane. Agreement between theory and experiment for densities less than about twice the critical density (ρc) is generally within about 10%. However, much of the data was taken at densities well in excess of 2ρc in which case agreement is still not unsatisfactory. Deviations exceeding 10% between theoretical and experimental self-diffusion coefficients were observed for densities in the approximate range 0.9 ≲ ρ/ρc ≲ 2.0. It is possible that these deviations are due to long range correlated molecular motions which are not present in the MET. The sound absorption is also briefly considered. Finally, the behavior of ηv and D at low densities is discussed.
Analysis of transport phenomena governing interfacial bonding and void dynamics during thermoplastic tow-placement

The thermoplastic automated tow-placement process offers the potential for cost-effective fabrication of composite parts via consolidation in situ, thus avoiding the costly autoclave consolidation. The degree of interfacial bonding between tow layers and the void content in the composite laminate directly affect the mechanical properties and performance of the products. Theoretical models for the physical phenomena governing interfacial bonding and void dynamics (growth and consolidation) during the process are presented, which constitute the core of a numerical process simulator. Simulation-based parametric studies are reported for the case of an AS-4/PEEK composite to illustrate the effects of several process conditions and placement head configurations on the resulting degree of bonding and final void content. The analysis provides valuable insight towards optimal process and placement head design.
Crassin acetate biosynthesis in a cell-free homogenate of zooxanthellae from Pseudoplex aura porosa (Houttyun); implications to the symbiotic process

Abstract 1. 1. Crassin acetate biosynthesis takes place solely within the zooxanthellar partner of the Pseudoplexaura porosa symbiotic complex. 2. 2. A cell-free system from isolated zooxanthellae converts mevalonate into crassin acetate with ATP, NADPH + , acetyl CoA and O 2 as required cosubstrates. 3. 3. The standard isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway between mevalonate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate is employed. 4. 4. We propose that control of the formation of certain specific “secondary” products in zooxanthellae is exercised by the gorgonian in which the zooxanthella finds itself.
Research Note: Cup Versus Tray Excreta Collections in Metabolizable Energy Assays

Abstract A cup-and-harness excreta collection device was compared with a traditional tray-type excreta collection method in an ME study. The AME and AMEn were determined for two different diets (12% CP, 3,160 kcal ME/kg, and 23% CP, 3,160 kcal/kg). Twenty-four broiler breeder males were used with methods and diets arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design. A standard AME feeding and collection protocol was followed. There were no differences in any measured variables attributable to method of excreta collection. However, dietary differences were readily apparent with both methods. Data suggest less variability in collection-related variables for the cup collection procedure. Ease and rapidity of changing containers makes the cup collection method a viable alternative when large numbers of birds are involved. Excreta can be stored in the same containers in which it is collected. Additionally, contamination of excreta with feathers, feed, scale, and vomit are avoided.
Staggered Transition to Epoprostenol from Treprostinil in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

OBJECTIVE:To describe a successful transition process from subcutaneous treprostinil to intravenous epoprostenol after the failure of treprostinil in a patient with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and present an algorithm to achieve the conversion without significant adverse reactions.CASE SUMMARY:A 25-year-old white female receiving subcutaneous treprostinil 97 ng/kg/min was admitted to the intensive care unit for transition from subcutaneous treprostinil to a target intravenous epoprostenol dose of 72 ng/kg/min via a staggered interval dose adjustment approach. The patient experienced facial flushing, hot flashes, and headache when dose adjustments of the drugs were made simultaneously; however, when dose adjustments were staggered, the adverse reactions did not occur and larger adjustments could be achieved.DISCUSSION:This case demonstrates a suboptimal therapeutic response to treprostinil for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. The transition of treprostinil to epop...
WearMon: Reliability monitoring using adaptive critical path testing

As processor reliability becomes a first order design constraint, this research argues for a need to provide continuous reliability monitoring. We present WearMon, an adaptive critical path monitoring architecture which provides accurate and real-time measure of the processor's timing margin degradation. Special test patterns check a set of critical paths in the circuit-under-test. By activating the actual devices and signal paths used in normal operation of the chip, each test will capture up-to-date timing margin of these paths. The monitoring architecture dynamically adapts testing interval and complexity based on analysis of prior test results, which increases efficiency and accuracy of monitoring. Experimental results based on FPGA implementation show that the proposed monitoring unit can be easily integrated into existing designs. Monitoring overhead can be reduced to zero by scheduling tests only when a unit is idle.
Two-dimensional spatial light modulators: a tutorial

Two-dimensional spatial light modulators (SLMs) modulate one of the properties of an optical wavefront (amplitude, phase, polarization) as a function of two spatial dimensions and time in response to information-bearing control signals that may be either optical or electrical. These devices form a critical part of optical information processing systems, serving as input transducers as well as performing several basic processing operations on optical wavefronts. A tutorial overview of the 2-D SLMs is given. their applications are outlined, a classification scheme for them is given, and major types of SLMs that are under active development are described. >
Estrogen-Mediated, Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase–Dependent Mobilization of Bone Marrow–Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells Contributes to Reendothelialization After Arterial Injury

Background— We hypothesized that estrogen-induced acceleration of reendothelialization might be mediated in part by effects involving mobilization and incorporation of bone marrow–derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Methods and Results— Carotid injury was induced in ovariectomized wild-type mice receiving either 17β-estradiol or placebo. Estradiol treatment significantly accelerated reendothelialization of injured arterial segments within 7 days and resulted in a significant reduction of medial thickness 14 and 21 days after the injury. Significant increases in circulating EPCs 3 days after the injury were observed in the estradiol group compared with placebo-treated mice. These data were further supported by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, which disclosed a significant increase in Sca-1/Flk-1–positive cells in estradiol versus control mice. To evaluate the effects of estradiol on bone marrow–derived EPC incorporation at sites of reendothelialization, carotid injury was established ...
Carpal canal pressure of the distracted wrist.

Purpose This study was conducted to study the effect of distraction across the wrist joint on carpal canal pressure. Methods Ten cadaver specimens were mounted vertically in neutral forearm rotation by 2 half pins that transfixed the radius and ulna. The wrist joint was distracted by suspending weights from the middle finger. A balloon-tipped catheter, percutaneously introduced into the carpal canal and connected to a transducer, was used to measure carpal canal pressure. The carpal canal pressure was measured at 0 to 4.54 kg of distraction in 0.45-kg increments and at 6.81 kg and 9.08 kg of distraction. Three wrist positions were tested: neutral, 30° of flexion, and 30° of extension. Results Highly linear direct relationships between wrist distraction force and carpal canal pressure over baseline were observed in all positions of the wrist. Statistically significant increases in carpal canal pressure over baseline were observed at a wrist distraction force of 2.27 kg or more with the wrist in neutral position, at 1.82 kg or more with the wrist in 30° of extension, and at 4.09 kg or more with the wrist in 30° of flexion. At each level of wrist distraction force of 3.63 kg or less the carpal canal pressure of the extended wrist was significantly higher than that of the wrist in neutral position. At each level of wrist distraction force 4.54 kg or less the carpal canal pressure of the extended wrist was significantly higher than that of the flexed wrist. No statistically significant differences were observed at any level of wrist distraction force between carpal canal pressures in the neutral and flexed positions of the wrist. Conclusions Distraction across the wrist joint causes a statistically significant highly linear increase in carpal canal pressure. The position of the distracted wrist also has a considerable effect on carpal canal pressure, with the extended position associated with the largest increases in carpal canal pressure and the flexed position with the smallest increases in carpal canal pressure.
The Sociodrama of Presidential Politics: Rhetoric, Ritual, and Power in the Era of Teledemocracy

In this paper I examine the American presidential campaign cycle as a series of ritualized sociodramas. Examples are used from the campaigns of 1988, 1992, and 1996 to illustrate the role of ritual, rhetoric, symbol, and media in the process of presidential power acquisition. These political processes are analyzed utilizing the concepts of sociodrama and rituals of rebellion extant in the literature of political anthropology. Specific cases such as the bus tours of the Clinton campaign, the Willie Horton commercials of the Bush campaign, and the case of Murphy Brown are examined in detail. The goal of the paper is to render an anthropological perspective on the process of choosing the American President in the era of teledemocracy. [American presidential campaign, ritual, rhetoric, symbol, media]
Evaluation of an alternative IMS dissociation procedure for use with Method 1622: detection of Cryptosporidium in water.

U.S. EPA Methods 1622 and 1623 are used to detect and quantify Cryptosporidium oocysts in water. The protocol consists of filtration, immunomagnetic separation (IMS), staining with a fluorescent antibody, and microscopic analysis. Microscopic analysis includes detection by fluorescent antibody and confirmation by the demonstration of 1-4 sporozoites or nuclei after staining with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenyl indole dihydrochloride (DAPI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new IMS dissociation, a 10-min incubation at 80 degrees C. Heat dissociation improved the average oocyst recovery from 41% to 71% in seeded reagent water, and from 10% to 51% in seeded river samples. The average DAPI confirmation rate improved from 49% to 93% in reagent water, and from 48% to 73% in river samples. This modification improved both oocyst recovery and confirmation.
Median‐unbiased Estimation and Exact Inference Methods for First‐order Autoregressive Models with Conditional Heteroscedasticity of Unknown Form

. Consider the first-order autoregressive model yt = φyt−1 + ɛt, t = 1,…, T, with arbitrary initial non-zero value y0. Assuming that the error terms ɛt are independently distributed according to median-zero distributions [Zielinski (1999)Journal of Time Series Analysis, Vol. 20, p. 477] shows that the estimator conjectured by Hurwicz (1950)Statistical Inference in Dynamic Economic Models. New York, NY: Wiley – the median of the consecutive ratios yt/yt−1– is an exactly median-unbiased estimator of the autoregressive parameter φ. This paper shows that the Hurwicz estimator remains median-unbiased under more general distributional assumptions, without assuming statistical independence. In particular, no restrictions are placed on the degree of heterogeneity and dependence of the conditional variance process. A computationally efficient method is also proposed to build exact confidence intervals for the autoregressive parameter which are valid in finite samples for any value of φ on the real line.
Administration of glucocorticoids to ovarian cancer patients is associated with expression of the anti-apoptotic genes SGK1 and MKP1/DUSP1 in ovarian tissues.

Purpose: To prevent chemotherapy-related side effects, synthetic glucocorticoids, for example, dexamethasone, are routinely administered to patients with ovarian cancer. However, preclinical data implicate glucocorticoids in suppressing chemotherapy-mediated apoptosis in epithelial tumors. The anti-apoptotic mechanisms underlying this increased survival have been shown to require up-regulation of prosurvival genes, including serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 ( SGK1 ) and map kinase phosphatase 1 ( MKP1 )/dual specificity phosphatase 1 ( DUSP1 ). Despite abundant preclinical data, there are no correlative studies in patients. We therefore evaluated anti-apoptotic gene expression in tumor samples from patients randomized to dexamethasone or normal saline. Experimental Design: Eighteen patients were randomized before exploratory laparotomy for suspected ovarian cancer. Dexamethasone or normal saline was administered i.v. following anesthesia. Ovarian and omental tumor samples were collected intra-operatively before and after infusion. Samples were analyzed for histology and glucocorticoid receptor expression by immunohistochemistry. SGK1 and MKP1/DUSP1 mRNA levels were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: Ten patients were evaluable. At 30 min postinfusion, tumor samples from five patients receiving dexamethasone revealed an average SGK1 mRNA induction of 6.1-fold (SEM, ±2.6) compared with only 1.5-fold (SEM, ±0.4) in tumor samples from five patients receiving normal saline ( P = 0.028). Average MKP1/DUSP1 mRNA expression was increased by 8.2-fold (SEM, ±2.9) following dexamethasone versus 1.1-fold (SEM, ±0.4) following normal saline ( P = 0.009). All samples expressed glucocorticoid receptor. Conclusion: Glucocorticoid administration to patients is associated with rapid up-regulation of SGK1 and MKP1 expression in ovarian tumors. This finding supports the hypothesis that pharmacologic doses of glucocorticoids may decrease chemotherapy effectiveness in ovarian cancer patients through increased anti-apoptotic gene expression.
Role of bilateral zones of ingressing superficial cells during gastrulation of Ambystoma mexicanum.

SUMMARY Vital dye staining and cell lineage tracers were used to mark superficial cells of early Ambystoma mexicanum gastrulae. Superficial marks placed between the equator and the blastopore, on the dorsal midline, stained notochord, whereas marks or injections made at similar animal-vegetal levels but 90° to either side of the dorsal midline were later found in somitic mesoderm. Notochord marks remained on the dorsal surface of the archenteron throughout gastrulation, though they became elongate and narrow by the morphogenetic movements of extension and convergence. Marked somitic mesoderm disappeared from the superficial epithelial layer soon after passing over the blastoporal lip and could not be found on the archenteron surface. A possible mechanism for this de-epithelialization is proposed on the basis of correlated SEM. The significance of a method of gastrulation so distinctly different from that of certain other amphibians is discussed in terms of amphibian phylogeny.
Thermodynamic analysis of the heparin interaction with a basic cyclic peptide using isothermal titration calorimetry.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was examined as part of a continuing study of the interaction of proteins and peptides with the glycosaminoglycan heparin. BNP was tentatively identified as a heparin-binding protein on the basis of its cyclic structure and the high frequency of the basic amino acid residues, lysine and arginine. Thermodynamic analysis using isothermal titration calorimetry confirmed heparin binding to BNP with a micromolar Kd. Surprisingly, despite the high frequency (22%) of basic residues in BNP, only a small portion of the free energy of this interaction resulted from ionic contributions under physiologic conditions. The contribution of polar amino acids, representing 28% of BNP, was next examined in a variety of different buffers. These experiments demonstrated the transfer of five protons from buffer to BNP on heparin binding, suggesting that hydrogen bonding between the polar residues of BNP and heparin is a major factor contributing to the free energy of BNP binding to heparin. Hydr...
Can an immunoassay become a standard technique in detecting oxycodone and its metabolites

Opiate toxicology testing is routinely performed in the hospital setting to identify abusers and/or to determine those patients who are not taking prescribed opiate analgesics such as oxycodone. Commercially available assays for opiate detection in urine have decreased sensitivity for oxycodone, which contributes to a high false-negative rate. Functioning as a beta site, our Veterans Affairs hospital evaluated a new enzyme immunoassay, DRI Oxycodone Assay, for its use in the qualitative and semiquantitative detection of oxycodone in urine. We hypothesize that an immunoassay for oxycodone with superior sensitivity and specificity, when compared to the traditional opiate assays, would reduce the need for more expensive and time-consuming confirmatory testing. We used the new liquid homogenous enzyme immunoassay to determine oxycodone results in a total of 148 urine samples from 4 different sample groups. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy was subsequently used to confirm the presence or absence of oxycodone (or its primary metabolite, noroxycodone). We also evaluated within-run, between-run, and linearity studies and conducted a crossover study to establish a cutoff value for oxycodone. In our patient population, we used the new DRI immunoassay to evaluate 17,069 urine samples to estimate oxycodone misuse profiles (patients not taking prescribed oxycodone or taking oxycodone without a prescription) during a 4-month period. The sensitivity and specificity of the new oxycodone immunoassay were 97.7% and 100%, respectively, at the cutoff concentration of 300 ng/mL. The assay linearity was 1,250 ng/mL, and the sensitivity was 10 ng/mL. Within-run precision and between-run coefficient of variation were 2.3% and 1.8%, respectively. None of the 15 compounds that we evaluated for interference had crossover significant enough to produce a positive oxycodone result when using 300 ng/mL as the cutoff value. None of the 17,069 oxycodone immunoassays was followed with a request for confirmation. Among patients with positive results (n = 224), 93 (41.5%) were not prescribed oxycodone. The new DRI Oxycodone Assay is a sensitive and specific screening test for the determination of oxycodone. The improved opiate screening results may lead to better patient and prescription management, to decreased laboratory spending, and to the identification of oxycodone abusers, which could result in decreased oxycodone-related mortality.
On the secrecy of spread-spectrum flow watermarks

Spread-spectrum flowwatermarks offer an invisible and ready-to-use flow watermarking scheme that can be employed to stealthily correlate the two ends of a network communication. Such technique has wide applications in network security and privacy. Although several methods have been proposed to detect various flow watermarks, few can effectively detect spread-spectrum flow watermarks. Moreover, there is currently no solution that allows end users to eliminate spread-spectrum flow watermarks from their flows without the support of a separate network element. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to detect spread-spectrum flow watermarks by leveraging their intrinsic features. Contrary to the common belief that Pseudo-Noise (PN) codes can render flow watermarks invisible, we prove that PN codes actually facilitate their detection. Furthermore, we propose a novel method based on TCP's flow-control mechanism that provides end users with the ability to autonomously remove spread-spectrum flow watermarks. We conducted extensive experiments on traffic flowing both through one-hop proxies in the PlanetLab network, and through Tor. The experimental results show that the proposed detection system can achieve up to 100% detection rate with zero false positives, and confirm that our elimination system can effectively remove spread-spectrum flow watermarks.
Critical analysis of the problem of time-error.

-This paper suggests that the constant error which sometimes occurs when two stimuli are judged in succession, the so-called "time-error," may not be either a unitary phenomenon found in all sense modalities or a consistent finding. A review of some of this literamre shows that there are many variables which presumably may affect the magnitude and direction of the timeerror. These include: time between standard and variable, interpolated stimuli, background factors, method of presenting and removing the stimuli, psychophysical method used, number of categories of judgment used, and S's personality. At the present time the data are so inconsistent that no one theory can account adequately for all the findings. Much more research of a functional nature is needed to clarify the problem of time-error.
Pulmonary inversion of 2-arylpropionic acids: influence of protein binding.

The possible contribution of pulmonary metabolism to the putative first-pass metabolism of 2-arylpropionic acid nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs has not been documented. Isolated perfused rabbit lungs, perfused with 4.5% bovine serum albumin or 5% dextran, were used to study the pulmonary elimination of (R)- and rac-ibuprofen, fenoprofen, and flurbiprofen. In the absence of protein binding, ibuprofen was metabolized via inversion and other pathways, whereas fenoprofen metabolism was essentially restricted to inversion of the (R)-enantiomer; fraction inverted (± SE) was 0.37 ± 0.05 for (R)-ibuprofen and 0.85 ± 0.03 for (R)-fenoprofen. In the presence of protein, neither ibuprofen nor fenoprofen was metabolized. Flurbiprofen did not undergo pulmonary elimination under any condition studied. This study illustrates that even though a tissue is capable of metabolism, particularly inversion of 2-arylpropionics, the quantitative importance of such elimination pathways may be minimal in the presence of the high degree of protein binding that is characteristic of these drugs. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A parallel row-oriented sparse solution method for finite element structural analysis

This paper describes a parallel implementation of $LDL^T$ factorization on a distributed memory parallel computer. Specifically, the parallel $LDL^T$ factorization procedure is based on a row-oriented sparse storage scheme. In addition, a strategy is proposed for the parallel solution of triangular systems of equations. The strategy is to compute the inverses of the dense principal diagonal block submatrices of the factor $L$, stored in a row-oriented structure. Experimental results for a number of finite element models are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the parallel solution schemes.
Crack blunting and the strength of soft elastic solids

When a material is so soft that the cohesive strength (or adhesive strength, in the case of interfacial fracture) exceeds the elastic modulus of the material, we show that a crack will blunt instead of propagating. Large–deformation finite–element model (FEM) simulations of crack initiation, in which the debonding processes are quantified using a cohesive zone model, are used to support this hypothesis. An approximate analytic solution, which agrees well with the FEM simulation, gives additional insight into the blunting process. The consequence of this result on the strength of soft, rubbery materials is the main topic of this paper. We propose two mechanisms by which crack growth can occur in such blunted regions. We have also performed experiments on two different elastomers to demonstrate elastic blunting. In one system, we present some details on a void growth mechanism for ultimate failure, post–blunting. Finally, we demonstrate how crack blunting can shed light on some long–standing problems in the area of adhesion and fracture of elastomers.
The Core Metaphysical Foundations of Christian Conservatism and Areligious Liberalism Versus the Reversible Moral Perspectives of Areligious Conservatism and Christian Liberalism

The Core Metaphysics and Reversible Morals Survey (CMRMS) was administered by computer to a random, stratified, nationwide sample of 1,000 adults. The only groups with significant z score means above 0.5 on the CMRMS’s Conservative Metaphysical Foundations scale were the 178 conservative Christians and the 79 very conservative Christians. The only groups with significant z score means above 0.5 on the CMRMS’s Liberal Metaphysical Foundations scale were the 76 liberal Areligious respondents and the 56 very liberal Areligious respondents. The only groups with significant z score means above 0.5 on the CMRMS’s Conservative Moral Perspectives scale were the 42 conservative Areligious respondents and the 11 very conservative Areligious respondents. The only respondents with a significant z score means above 0.5 on the CMRMS’s Liberal Moral Perspectives scale were the 39 very liberal Christians. These findings—along with the fact that the two metaphysical foundations’ z scores are so negatively correlated, so d...
Legendre Transform and Applications to Finite and Infinite Optimization

We investigate convex constrained nonlinear optimization problems and optimal control with convex state constraints in the light of the so-called Legendre transform. We use this change of coordinate to propose a gradient-like algorithm for mathematical programs, which can be seen as a search method along geodesics. We also use the Legendre transform to study the value function of a state constrained Mayer problem and we show that it can be characterized as the unique viscosity solution of the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation.
Regulation of the apical Cl−/HCO 3 − exchanger pendrin in rat cortical collecting duct in metabolic acidosis

Pendrin is an apical Cl−/OH−/HCO 3 − exchanger in β-intercalated cells (β-ICs) of rat and mouse cortical collecting duct (CCD). However, little is known about its regulation in acid-base disorders....
Assessing the Boundaries Between Criminal Justice and Criminology

There has long been a debate about what, if anything, differentiates criminology and criminal justice programs. Both grew about of sociology and, to a lesser degree, law and political science. In t...
Architecture Subsystem Sizing and Coordinated Optimization Methods

This paper presents the latest developments of ASDL research in the field of conceptual aircraft system architecting. The Architecture Desi gn Environment (ADEN) automates the definition of aircraft sizing models based on the f unctional description of the architecture. This definition is made possible through the method of functional induction presented last year. This paper also presents a method for subsyst em sizing which allows for the estimation of the figure of merits of the aircraft and the def inition of guidelines for subsystem optimization. This method is based on a mathematical description of the relationship between the architecture level optimization and sub system level optimization processes. This process facilitates the definition of coordinated g uidelines for subsystem design problem and steer their development toward the optimization of the architecture as a whole.