cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Area Agencies on Aging and the National Affordable Housing Act: Opportunities and Challenges:

The OlderAmericansAct requires Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to ensure appropriate housing for elders, an area in which most AAAs have not been active. The National Affordable Housing Act (NAHA) of 1990 provided an opportunity for AAAs to tap into federal funding for elderly housing. This article reports on a 1992 national survey ofAAA involvement in the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS), a planning process required by NAHA forstate and local jurisdictions to be eligible for federal funding. Priority programs in the CHAS plans included home repairs, a major AAA housing activity. Because the CHAS (and its replacement, the Consolidated Plan) can expand supportive housing funding for elders, AAAs need more training in housing and to develop stronger working relations with housing agencies in their Planning and Service Areas. Unless they rise to this challenge, AAAs may be less able to reach their goal of creating a more comprehensive system of home- and community-based care. Further researc...
Assessment of Bacteremic Risk in 1100 Febrile Neutropenic Pediatric Oncology Patients 750

Recently, several pediatric oncology centers have begun to manage carefully selected patients with fever and neutropenia as outpatients. The premise for such strategies has been that a relatively lower risk group of children with fever and neutropenia can be identified at the time of presentation based upon clinical features. However, this hypothesis has not been proven in a large population of children with febrile neutropenia. To determine whether a group at lower risk of bacteremia exists, we identified 1157 febrile neutropenic episodes in children aged 1 year or greater from three pediatric oncology centers. A total of 167 episodes of bacteremia were identified in this group for a frequency of 14%. Using univariate logistic regression, we assessed the following covariates with respect to risk for bacteremia: age, absolute monocyte, neutrophil, and phagocyte counts ( 250) and temperature elevation ( 39.5). We found that AMC < 100 conferred no increased risk of bacteremia when compared to AMC of 250 or greater (odds ratio.8; 95% CI.34-2.06). In addition, ANC < 100 conferred no increased risk of bacteremia when compared to ANC of 250 or greater (odds ratio 1.13; 95%CI.57-2.2) and APC of 100 or less similarly did not confer increased risk (odds ratio 1.22; 95%CI.68-2.16). Increased temperature above 39.5 also was not associated with bacteremia. Current strategies to identify children with fever and neutropenia at lower risk for bacteremia may be limited, since none of the previously identified risk factors associated with bacteremia were identified in this larger series of pediatric patients.
Long‐Term Tensile Creep Testing for Advanced Ceramics

A tensile creep test technique for long-term (10 000 h or more) measurement is described. A specimen is gripped by ceramic grips with a simple design in the hot zone of a furnace. By optimizing the grip geometry, the ratio of the parasitic bending strain to the average tensile strain can be suppressed to less than 1%. The careful hand polishing to remove machining flaws has been found essential for reliable creep tests. The long-term test is demonstrated for silicon carbide at 1400°C under a stress of 200 MPa, by routinely replacing the heat elements, thermocouples, etc., during the test. The stability of the creep curve, which has been obtained by an optical extensometry system, is normally within ± 2 μm.
Refractive Error and Vision in Fishes

The eyes of living immersed herring and silversides are farsighted and require greater hypermetropic correction for lateral vision than for anterior vision. Comparisons of lens-to-retina distances in frozen material with focal lengths of lenses are consistent with the degree of hypermetropy found by retinoscopy.
Memoise: a tool for memoized symbolic execution

This tool paper presents a tool for performing memoized symbolic execution (Memoise), an approach we developed in previous work for more efficient application of symbolic execution. The key idea in Memoise is to allow re-use of symbolic execution results across different runs of symbolic execution without having to re-compute previously computed results as done in earlier approaches. Specifically, Memoise builds a trie-based data structure to record path exploration information during a run of symbolic execution, optimizes the trie for the next run, and re-uses the resulting trie during the next run. Our tool optimizes symbolic execution in three standard scenarios where it is commonly applied: iterative deepening, regression analysis, and heuristic search. Our tool Memoise builds on the Symbolic PathFinder framework to provide more efficient symbolic execution of Java programs and is available online for download. The tool demonstration video is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppfYOB0Z2vY.
Transmission of U.S. Stock Market ImpliedVolatility to Equity Markets of Emerging Countries

This article examines the predictive power of the implied volatility originating in the U.S. stock market (USVIX) on returns of Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC nations). By means of VAR and GARCH methodology, we model the relationship of USVIX, a probabilistic interpretation concerning the near-term implied volatility of Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and the market returns of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Results from this study show that returns of all BRIC nations in our sample are negatively and significantly impacted by USVIX, albeit with varying degree and magnitude. We also find evidence of volatility spillover from the USVIX to the market returns of BRIC nations.
The modified kornai-liptak decomposition algorithm

Abstract The decomposition algorithm has received increasing attention in recent years not only as a computational technique for large-scale management models but also as a systematic tool for designing organizational structure and information systems in decentralized organizations. The Kornai-Liptak decomposition algorithm is effective in providing important managerial implications from the solution. However, the major deficiency of the technique is a wide fluctuation of solutions in its convergence process to the optimum solution. This paper presents a modified algorithm which assures a faster and smoother convergence of solutions to the optimum.
A Coordinated Control of an Underwater Vehicle and Robotic Manipulator

Remotely operated underwater robotic vehicles (URVs) have been used for various tasks: inspection, recovery, construction, etc. With the increased utilization of remotely operated vehicles in subsea applications, the development of autonomous vehicles becomes highly desirable to enhance operator efficiency. However, engineering problems associated with the high density, nonuniform and unstructured seawater environment, and the nonlinear response of the vehicle make a high degree of autonomy difficult to achieve. The vehicles are usually equipped with mechanical manipulators that are utilized during the working mode. The accurate performance of the vehicle during the working mode can be achieved by controlling the vehicle and manipulator at the same time and compensating the end-effector error due to the vehicle motion. This article describes an adaptive control strategy for the coordinated control of an underwater vehicle and its robotic manipulator. The effectiveness of the control system is investigated by case study. The results show that the presented control system can provide the high performance of the vehicle and manipulator in the presence of unpredictable changes in the dynamics of the vehicle and its environment.
GABA-mediated inhibition of pacemaker neurons of rostral ventrolateral medulla by clonidine in vitro

In vitro, clonidine (1, 10, or 30 microM) dose-dependently and reversibly inhibited tonically active pacemaker neurons that correspond to the relatively fast-conducting reticulospinal vasomotor neurons of the rostral ventrolateral reticular nucleus of the medulla oblongata in rats. The clonidine-induced membrane-hyperpolarizing response of these neurons was abolished by either tetrodotoxin, bicuculline, a GABAA receptor antagonist, or 4,4'-diisothiocyano-1,2'-disulphonic stilbene acid, a Cl- channel blocker. We conclude that the clonidine-induced inhibition of the pacemaker neurons of the rostral ventrolateral reticular nucleus is indirect, mediated by synaptic release of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or GABA-like substances, which activate Cl- channels of the pacemaker neurons of the rostral ventrolateral reticular nucleus.
Population differences in the timing of diapause: adaptation in a spatially heterogeneous environment.

Populations of the planktonic copepod, Diaptomus sanguineus, live in permanent and temporary freshwater ponds in Rhode Island. All ponds in which they occur become uninhabitable at some time during the year, but the nature and timing of the harsh period varies both spatially and temporally. Females produce discrete clutches either of subitaneous eggs which hatch immediately or of diapausing eggs which hatch the following season. The two egg types show distinct chorion morphologies under transmission electron microscopy. In permanent ponds the copepods start making diapausing eggs in March, one month before rising water temperatures induce planktivorous sunfish to become active. In temporary ponds diapausing eggs are produced, in a complex pattern from May to July, before the water disappears in late summer or early fall.We investigated the spatial scale at which D. sanguineus is adapted to this complex environment. In a reciprocal transfer experiment between temporary and permanent bodies of water, female copepods placed in new ponds made subies of water, female copepods placed in new ponds made subitaneous and diapausing eggs in the same sequence as control females retained in their home ponds. The copepod populations enter diapause at times appropriate for the local habitat conditions they experience, but inappropriate for other, nearby ponds. Transplanted females were unable to sense a change in pond type or to adjust egg production accordingly. We conclude that D. sanguineus populations are adapted to the specific conditions of isolated ponds rather than to a broader geographical region containing several pond types.
Controlling the conformations and transport of DNA by free energy landscaping

We demonstrate free energy landscaping, a method for controlling the transport and conformations of DNA in nanofluidic devices with a nanotopography. A device that funnels molecules into traps where they adopt the shapes of letters illustrates the principle. We analyze how the nanotopography establishes regions of lower free energy and how entropic forces compete with advection, Brownian motion, and, importantly, excluded volume interactions; a rise in the density of DNA can be induced to facilitate its escape from a trap at a controlled location. An ability to guide DNA into solvent-permeable traps makes free energy landscaping applicable to genetic analyses.
Energy efficient multi-channel media access control for dense wireless ad hoc and sensor networks

Traditional single-channel MAC protocols for wireless ad hoc and sensor networks favor energy-efficiency over throughput. More recent multi-channel MAC protocols display higher throughput but less energy efficiency. In this article we propose NAMAC, a negotiator-based multi-channel MAC protocol in which specially designated nodes called negotiators maintain the sleeping and communication schedules of nodes within their communication ranges in static wireless ad hoc and sensor networks. Negotiators facilitate the assignation of channels and coordination of communications windows, thus allowing individual nodes to sleep and save energy. We formally define the problem of finding the optimal set of negotiators (i.e., minimizing the number of selected negotiators while maximizing the coverage of the negotiators) and prove that the problem is NP-Complete. Accordingly, we propose a greedy negotiator-election algorithm as part of NAMAC. In addition, we prove the correctness of NAMAC through a rigorous model checking and analyze various characteristics of NAMAC—the throughput of NAMAC, impact of negotiators on network capacity, and storage and computational overhead. Simulation results show that NAMAC, at high network loads, consumes 36 % less energy while providing 25 % more throughput than comparable state-of-art multi-channel MAC protocols for ad hoc networks. Additionally, we propose a lightweight version of NAMAC and show that it outperforms (55 % higher throughput with 36 % less energy) state-of-art MAC protocols for wireless sensor networks.
Direction-dependent corticofugal modulation of frequency-tuning curves of inferior collicular neurons in the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus

This study examined if corticofugal modulation of subcortical frequency-tuning curves varied with sound direction. Both excitatory and inhibitory frequency tuning curves of inferior collicular neurons of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus were plotted before and during electrical stimulation in the auditory cortex at two sound directions (contra-40° and ipsi-40°). Most collicular neurons had broader excitatory frequency-tuning curves at contra-40° but had broader inhibitory frequency-tuning curves at ipsi-40°. Cortical electrical stimulation changed the excitatory minimum thresholds of most collicular neurons at a greater degree at ipsi-40° than at contra-40°. However, cortical electrical stimulation produced a greater increase in the sharpness of excitatory frequency-tuning curves of most corticofugally inhibited collicular neurons at contra-40° but produced a greater decrease in the sharpness of excitatory frequency-tuning curves of most corticofugally facilitated collicular neurons at ipsi-40°. Cortical electrical stimulation also produced a greater change in the sharpness of inhibitory frequency-tuning curves of most corticofugally inhibited collicular neurons at contra-40° than at ipsi-40°. Possible mechanisms for this direction-dependent corticofugal modulation of frequency-tuning curves of collicular neurons are discussed.
Effect of H2O and SO2 on the activity of Pd/TiO2 catalysts in catalytic reduction of NO with methane in the presence of oxygen

Abstract Effect of H 2 O and SO 2 on the NO reduction activity of the Pd/titania catalysts was examined in the NO+CH 4 +O 2 reaction. Steady-state and transient response experiments were performed using a tubular flow reactor. Isotopically labeled methane, 13 CH 4 , was used in studying the transient behavior of the catalytic system. Reactor effluents were analyzed by using gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and chemiluminescense techniques. Steady-state reaction experiments showed that the catalyst has a high activity for reduction of NO over a wide oxygen concentration range (0–9800 ppm at 500°C). Higher N 2 selectivities (less NH 3 ) and higher methane conversion values were obtained at higher O 2 concentrations. Experiments also showed that NO conversion was not affected by the presence of water (up to 6%), and higher nitrogen selectivities were obtained at higher H 2 O concentrations in the feed. On the other hand, significant and irreversible loss of activity was observed in the presence of SO 2 . The reaction experiments indicated the formation of SO 3 and H 2 S over the catalyst. The post-reaction XPS analysis of the catalyst samples showed that sulfate species were formed on the surface and that the surface palladium was completely converted to Pd 2+ state after being exposed to SO 2 .
Neutrophil Elastase Is Produced by Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells and Is Linked to Neointimal Lesions

Previously, we reported that murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (M1-MHV-68) induces pulmonary artery (PA) neointimal lesions in S100A4-overexpressing, but not in wild-type (C57), mice. Lesions were associated with heightened lung elastase activity and PA elastin degradation. We now investigate a direct relationship between elastase and PA neointimal lesions, the nature and source of the enzyme, and its presence in clinical disease. We found an association exists between the percentage of PAs with neointimal lesions and elastin fragmentation in S100A4 mice 6 months after viral infection. Confocal microscopy documented the heightened susceptibility of S100A4 versus C57 PA elastin to degradation by elastase. A transient increase in lung elastase activity occurs in S100A4 mice, 7 days after M1-MHV-68, unrelated to inflammation or viral load and before neointimal lesions. Administration of recombinant elafin, an elastase-specific inhibitor, ameliorates early increases in serine elastase and attenuates later development of neointimal lesions. Neutrophils are the source of elevated elastase (NE) in the S100A4 lung, and NE mRNA and protein levels are greater in PA smooth muscle cells (SMC) from S100A4 mice than from C57 mice. Furthermore, elevated NE is observed in cultured PA SMC from idiopathic PA hypertension versus that in control lungs and localizes to neointimal lesions. Thus, PA SMC produce NE, and heightened production and activity of NE is linked to experimental and clinical pulmonary vascular disease.
The prospects and problems of African social studies teachers as action researchers: a spotlight on ghana

Abstract Several accounts concerning the systematic use of action research by eminent educators in the process of identifying and solving an educational problem(s) have appeared in professional journals. Thus, action research is gaining recognition by policy makers and educators as a tool for change However, this growing concept has not yet caught up in Ghanaian classrooms. This inaction needs to be addressed if education in Ghana is to be twenty-first century compliant. Thus, in attempting to shore up efforts to address the dearth of knowledge about action research as a tool for change, this article addresses the telling problems and the gains of undertaking action research in various educational systems in Africa, using Ghana as a case study. This article concludes with strategies about how to counteract the obstacles for the promotion of action research in Ghana.
Emulation of realistic network traffic patterns on an eight-node data vortex interconnection network subsystem

Feature Issue on Optical Interconnection Networks (OIN). We demonstrate the feasibility of the data vortex interconnection network architecture for use in supercomputing by emulating realistic network traffic on an eight-node subnetwork. The evaluation workload uses memory accesses from the Barnes-Hut application in the SLPASH-2 parallel computing benchmark suite, which was extracted by using the M5 multiprocessor system simulator. We confirm that traffic is routed correctly and efficiently.
A Glycosaminoglycan Based, Modular Tissue Scaffold System for Rapid Assembly of Perfusable, High Cell Density, Engineered Tissues

The limited ability to vascularize and perfuse thick, cell-laden tissue constructs has hindered efforts to engineer complex tissues and organs, including liver, heart and kidney. The emerging field of modular tissue engineering aims to address this limitation by fabricating constructs from the bottom up, with the objective of recreating native tissue architecture and promoting extensive vascularization. In this paper, we report the elements of a simple yet efficient method for fabricating vascularized tissue constructs by fusing biodegradable microcapsules with tunable interior environments. Parenchymal cells of various types, (i.e. trophoblasts, vascular smooth muscle cells, hepatocytes) were suspended in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) solutions (4%/1.5% chondroitin sulfate/carboxymethyl cellulose, or 1.5 wt% hyaluronan) and encapsulated by forming chitosan-GAG polyelectrolyte complex membranes around droplets of the cell suspension. The interior capsule environment could be further tuned by blending collagen with or suspending microcarriers in the GAG solution These capsule modules were seeded externally with vascular endothelial cells (VEC), and subsequently fused into tissue constructs possessing VEC-lined, inter-capsule channels. The microcapsules supported high density growth achieving clinically significant cell densities. Fusion of the endothelialized, capsules generated three dimensional constructs with an embedded network of interconnected channels that enabled long-term perfusion culture of the construct. A prototype, engineered liver tissue, formed by fusion of hepatocyte-containing capsules exhibited urea synthesis rates and albumin synthesis rates comparable to standard collagen sandwich hepatocyte cultures. The capsule based, modular approach described here has the potential to allow rapid assembly of tissue constructs with clinically significant cell densities, uniform cell distribution, and endothelialized, perfusable channels.
Virtually There--Transforming Gifted Education through New Technologies, Trends and Practices in Learning, International Communication and Global Education

‘It is the year 2025 and I am compiling this article for an instant VPD (videopod) that is streamed over the world. An EESR (Educational Expert Service Request) came from an empathetic computer HIAS (Hi, I am Sam) that matched my qualifications with a quest by online activists SFT (Searching for Truth) to examine global interactions in education. This online SFT think tank is examining brilliance in action with ideas generated through WCN (wireless communications networks) in their brains. I have consulted and updated my IM (I am) virtual self that contains my visual image and bodily movements with facial expressions, having internalized video images with my values and actions, and monitored my biological rhythms. My IM will present my best contemporary self via a virtual social network system with a database of my past interactions and intelligent decisions. I have spoken certain words: gifted students; global issues; sustainability; social change, etc. The intelligent search site has screened millions ...
Sweet heart: A case of pregnancy-associated acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis with myopericarditis

Sweet syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis) is an inflammatory disorder characterized by the abrupt onset of fever, erythematous papules, or plaques showing a neutrophilic infiltrate on histopathology and rapid response to treatment with systemic steroids. The disease may present with extracutaneous manifestations that may be life threatening.1 Although the pathogenesis is poorly understood, Sweet syndrome has been associated with drug exposure, malignancy, autoimmune diseases, infection, and pregnancy.2, 3, 4 Here we report a case of pregnancy-associated Sweet syndrome complicated by myopericarditis requiring surgical therapy for cardiac tamponade.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Isothiocyanate-Containing Derivatives of the δ-Opioid Receptor Antagonist Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe (TIPP) as Potential Affinity Labels for δ-Opioid Receptors

Derivatives of the delta-opioid receptor-selective peptide antagonist H-Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe-OH (TIPP) containing an isothiocyanate moiety at the para position of either Phe(3) or Phe(4) were prepared as potential affinity labels for delta-opioid receptors. The synthesis was accomplished using a general solution-phase synthetic procedure which allows for introduction of affinity labeling groups late in the synthesis of a variety of small peptide substrates. The target peptides and their corresponding amines were then evaluated in radioligand binding experiments using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing delta- and mu-opioid receptors. The peptides [Phe(p-NCS)(3)]TIPP (2) and [Phe(p-NCS)(4)]TIPP (4) showed affinity for delta-receptors comparable to the parent compound TIPP (IC(50) = 12 and 5 nM, respectively, vs 6 nM for TIPP). Both peptides 2 and 4 were able to inhibit radioligand binding to delta-receptors in a wash-resistant manner at a concentration of 10 nM. Therefore, the peptides [Phe(p-NCS)(3)]TIPP (2) and [Phe(p-NCS)(4)]TIPP (4) represent two affinity labels that may prove useful in the study of delta-opioid receptors.
SIRT1 deficiency compromises mouse embryonic stem cell hematopoietic differentiation, and embryonic and adult hematopoiesis in the mouse

SIRT1 is a founding member of a sirtuin family of 7 proteins and histone deacetylases. It is involved in cellular resistance to stress, metabolism, differentiation, aging, and tumor suppression. SIRT1−/− mice demonstrate embryonic and postnatal development defects. We examined hematopoietic and endothelial cell differentiation of SIRT1−/− mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in vitro, and hematopoietic progenitors in SIRT1+/++/−, and −/− mice. SIRT1−/− ESCs formed fewer mature blast cell colonies. Replated SIRT1−/− blast colony-forming cells demonstrated defective hematopoietic potential. Endothelial cell production was unaltered, but there were defects in formation of a primitive vascular network from SIRT1−/−-derived embryoid bodies. Development of primitive and definitive progenitors derived from SIRT1−/− ESCs were also delayed and/or defective. Differentiation delay/defects were associated with delayed capacity to switch off Oct4, Nanog and Fgf5 expression, decreased β-H1 globin, β-major globin, and Scl gene expression, and reduced activation of Erk1/2. Ectopic expression of SIRT1 rescued SIRT1−/− ESC differentiation deficiencies. SIRT1−/− yolk sacs manifested fewer primitive erythroid precursors. SIRT1−/− and SIRT1+/− adult marrow had decreased numbers and cycling of hematopoietic progenitors, effects more apparent at 5%, than at 20%, oxygen tension, and these progenitors survived less well in vitro under conditions of delayed growth factor addition. This suggests a role for SIRT1 in ESC differentiation and mouse hematopoiesis.
Enhancing the Efficiency and Regioselectivity of P450 Oxidation Catalysts by Unnatural Amino Acid Mutagenesis

The development of effective strategies for modulating the reactivity and selectivity of cytochrome P450 enzymes represents a key step toward expediting the use of these biocatalysts for synthetic applications. In this work, we investigated the potential of unnatural amino acid mutagenesis to aid efforts in this direction. To this end, four unnatural amino acids comprising a diverse set of aromatic side-chain groups were incorporated into eleven active site positions of a substrate-promiscuous CYP102A1 variant. The resulting ‘uP450s’ were then tested for their catalytic activity and regioselectivity in the oxidation of two representative substrates consisting of a small-molecule drug and a natural product. Large shifts in regioselectivity were obtained as a result of these single mutations and, in particular, via para-acetyl-Phe substitutions at positions in close proximity to the heme cofactor. Notably, screening of this mini library of uP450s enabled the rapid identification of P450 catalysts for the selective hydroxylation of four aliphatic positions in the target substrates, including a C(sp3)—H site not oxidized by the parent enzyme. Furthermore, our studies led to the discovery of a general activity-enhancing effect of active site substitutions involving the unnatural amino acid para-amino-Phe, resulting in P450 catalysts capable of supporting the highest total turnover number reported to date on a complex molecule (34,650 turnovers). The functional changes induced by the unnatural amino acids could not be recapitulated by any of the twenty natural amino acids. This study thus demonstrates that unnatural amino acid mutagenesis constitutes a promising, new strategy for improving the catalytic activity and regioselectivity of P450 oxidation catalysts.
Hypoglycemia was associated with increased mortality in ICU patients regardless of glucose control strategy

Source Citation NICE-SUGAR Study Investigators, Finfer S, Liu B, et al. Hypoglycemia and risk of death in critically ill patients. N Engl J Med. 2012;367:1108-18. 22992074
Stuttering in Lima, Peru: A qualitative case study of current concepts, theories, and treatment facilities☆

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate within an ethnographic framework, certain cultural variables which may be factors in the etiology and presentation of stuttering as well as in the care provided for those who stutter. An assessment was made of the cultural influences upon the following variables of the transcultural investigation of stuttering: 1) epidemological characteristics of stuttering; 2) attitudes of the stutterer and the stutterer's family, friends, and therapists towards the defect; 3) cultural expectations which may be part of the etiology/perpetuation of the problem of stuttering, including an examination of these cultural expectations within the context of the stutterer's past and present home, work, and recreational lifestyles; 4) current theories and therapies.
Correlation between growth rate and cytochemistry in morris hepatomas

The correlation between the cytochemistry (glycoprotein, glycogen, glucose-6-phosphatase, catalase, alkaline phosphatase) and the growth rate of the fast-growing Morris hepatoma 3924A and the slow-growing Morris hepatoma 9618A was studied by utracytochemical techniques. By the chromic acid-phosphotungstic acid technique, acid glycoprotein is stained in glycocalyx, Golgi saccules and vesicles, and secretory granules of the tumor cells of both hepatomas. However, the hepatoma 3924A cells contain thicker glycocalyx and more numerous glycoprotein-rich granules than hepatoma 9618A cells. Abundant alpha and beta glycogen particles are found in hepatoma 3924A. Moderate glucose-6-phosphatase activity is observed in the cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope of hepatoma 9618A, but it is totally absent in hepatoma 3924A. High catalase activity is present in numerous peroxisomes of hepatoma 9618A. Hepatoma 3924A contains only a few catalase-positive microperoxisomes. Weak to moderate alkaline phosphatase is present in the plasma membrane and nuclear envelope of hepatoma 9618A cells, while hepatoma 3924A shows no activity of the enzyme. All the cytochemical parameters except glycoprotein show an inverse relationship with the growth rate of the hepatomas. The higher intracellular glycoprotein content of hepatoma 3924A may be related to differences in cell coat secretion (composition and activity) from the slower-growing hepatoma 9618A
Hydraulic controls of grain-size distributions of bedload gravels in Oak Creek, Oregon, USA

Grain-size distributions of gravels transported as bedload in Oak Creek, Oregon, show systematic variations with changing flow discharges. At low discharges the gravel distributions are nearly symmetrical and Gaussian. As discharges increase, the distributions become more skewed and follow the ideal Rosin distribution. The patterns of variations are established by goodness-of-fit comparisons between the measured and theoretical distributions, and by Q-mode factor analysis. Two end members are obtained in the factor analysis, having (respectively) almost perfect Gaussian and Rosin distributions, and the percentages of the two end members within individual samples vary systematically with discharge. Transformation from Gaussian to Rosin distribution with increasing discharge may be explained by processes of selective entrainment of grains from a bed of mixed sizes. Samples of bed material in Oak Creek follow the Rosin distribution. At high discharges, the transported bedload approaches the grain sizes of that bed-material source and mimics its Rosin distribution. Random-selection processes must be more important to grain entrainment at lower discharges, so that the resulting Gaussian distributions of transported bedload reflect similar distributions of bed stresses exerted by the stream flow. The results from Oak Creek demonstrate that the competence of the flow is reflected in the entire distribution of transported gravel sizes. A sequence of layers of fluvial gravels, modern or ancient, might show systematic variations between coarse Rosin and finer-grained Gaussian distributions, and these could be used to infer frequencies of various discharges and to establish a relationship to the source sediment. With further study, analyses of changing bedload grain-size distributions and their transport rates will lead to a better understanding of downstream variations in grain sizes of bed sediments and how their distributions reflect the progressive development of textural maturity.
A high-rate orthogonal space-time block code

We present a space-time block code from complex orthogonal designs for 5 transmit antennas, which can send 10 information symbols in a block of 15 channel uses and hence have rate 2/3. Simulation results show that this orthogonal space-time block code with rate 2/3 for five transmit antennas can achieve diversity gain over those orthogonal space-time block codes with higher rates for less number of transmit antennas.
10Be chronometry of bedrock-to-soil conversion rates

Abstract We report concentrations of cosmogenic 10 Be ( t 1/2 = 1.5 × 10 6 yrs) in soil excavated from a soil-mantled hillslope in Black Diamond Mines Regional Park, Contra Costa County, California. The most striking features of the data are: (1) the similarity in the downward decreasing trends of 10 Be concentrations in two soil profiles collected 75 m apart, (2) the coincidence in each soil profile of the soil/bedrock interface (as defined by visual inspection of soil pits) and the level at which 10 Be concentrations attain very low values ( ∼4 × 10 6 atoms/g), and (3) the extremely low 10 Be concentrations in the underlying regolith (0.5 × 10 6 atoms/gram). The inventory of 10 Be in these soils is low, equivalent to about 6000 yrs of 10 Be accumulation in a soil initially containing no 10 Be. On the basis of these measurements, and with the aid of simple models of soil ( 10 Be) motions on the hillslope, we conclude that 10 Be loss from the surface is dominated by its removal in soil by creep. We calculate local rates of bedrock-to-soil conversion of between 0.15 and 0.27 km/10 6 yrs. Comparing these with uplift rates determined for coastal regions of California indicates that soil creep alone is capable of removing soil from the local geomorphic system at a rate equivalent to the rate of uplift of much of the coast.
HELMINTH COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN AN EXPANDING WHITE-WINGED DOVE (ZENAIDA ASIATICA ASIATICA) POPULATION

Helminth communities of 171 fledged white-winged doves (Zenaida asiatica asiatica) from the expanding eastern population in Texas (USA) were examined from hosts collected 11 June to 19 September 1997 within their historical range, new breeding periphery, and an intermediate area. Eleven helminth species, representing 435 individuals, were found. Helminths occurred in three microhabitats, of which the small intestine was the most commonly occupied. Nematodes dominated numerically (76% of total worms), followed by cestodes (17%), and trematodes (7%). Infracommunities were species-poor; the most complex infracommunity consisted of three helminth species, which occurred in three host individuals, followed by two species that occurred in 13 hosts. The remaining 155 doves had one (70) or no (85) species. The overall helminth component community was species-poor and was dominated by Ascaridia columbae which occurred in 26% of the white-winged doves and accounted for 65% of all helminth individuals. Prevalence and abundance of A. columbae varied by geographic region and host age, but not by host sex. Helminth component communities varied by geographic region, host age, and host sex. These differences were primarily attributable to unique occurrences of uncommon species within specific host subpopulations. Results suggest that the white-winged doves' multimodal regional abundance pattern, sympatry with other columbids, and granivorous diet may be more important in shaping helminth community structure than the influences often associated with geographic range expansion.
Identifying knowledge agents in a KM strategy: the use of the structural influence index

Knowledge transfer is a complex KM activity that integrates communication technologies with challenging social, cultural, and organizational issues. It is critical to effective KM systems (KMS) and the development of effective transfer strategies enhances competitive advantage. This study incorporated the theory of organizational influence to demonstrate the structural influence index within a network KMS. Using the research process in the pharmaceutical industry as a basis for knowledge transfer events, this study demonstrated the benefits of structural indexing, which identifies knowledge agents, evaluates knowledge sharing among organizational members, and objectively assesses the contribution of knowledge agents. Subgrouping knowledge agents gave insight into knowledge sharing among members and provided a basis for the coordination of knowledge resources in new and unique ways.
Polymerase chain reaction-based detection of B-cell clonality in the fine needle aspiration biopsy of a thyroid mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma

Although it is possible to diagnose primary high-grade thyroid lymphoma from a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, the distinction of low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) from lymphocytic thyroiditis is sometimes problematic. Definitive diagnosis of lymphoma on cytologic specimens may be facilitated by the documentation of a clonal lymphoid proliferation within the specimen by flow cytometric immunophenotyping or immunocytochemistry. Recently, molecular techniques have also been developed to detect clonal lymphoid proliferation based on immunoglobulin (Ig) or T-cell receptor gene rearrangement. We have used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for Ig heavy chain gene arrangement to identify a clonal population of lymphocytes within the thyroid FNA specimen from a low-grade thyroid MALT lymphoma. Using this assay, we identified no distinct clonal population in five cytologic specimens of lymphocytic thyroiditis. Therefore, this PCR-based clonality assay represents a potentially useful adjunct to the cytologic diagnosis of thyroid lymphoma.
Multicasting a changing repository

Web crawlers generate significant loads on Web servers, and are difficult to operate. Instead of repeatedly running crawlers at many "client" sites, we propose a central crawler and Web repository that multicasts appropriate subsets of the central repository, and their subsequent changes, to subscribing clients. Loads at Web servers are reduced because a single crawler visits the servers, as opposed to all the client crawlers. We model and evaluate such a central Web multicast facility for subscriber clients, and for mixes of subscriber and one-time down-loader clients. We consider different performance metrics and multicast algorithms for such a multicast facility, and develop guidelines for its design under various conditions.
The Effect of Encapsulated, Low‐Dose Colestipol in Patients with Hyperlipidemia

Colestipol is an effective cholesterol (C)-lowering agent, but it must be taken in large doses and the palatability is poor. In an open-label study, the effects of low doses (2-10 g) of encapsulated colestipol (size: 1 g or 0.65 g) were investigated. There were 16 men and 16 women with an average age of 59 +/- 11 years and with hyperlipidemias IIA, IIB, or IV. Patients were on AHA I diet and stayed in the study for up to 2 years with regular follow-up every 3 to 4 months. Colestipol was started after several months of dietary baseline; it was tolerated well with only two patients reporting mild constipation. A group mean for total cholesterol (T-C), LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL-C and triglycerides (TG) was calculated at each of four daily dose intervals, i.e., 2 to 4 g, 4 to 6 g, 6 to 8 g and 8 to 10 g. Each patient usually received more than one of the four dosage intervals. A paired t test and a rank sum test were performed to test for significant (P less than or equal to .05) differences between baseline and drug treatment. With the exception of the lowest dose, total C was significantly decreased by all dosage ranges and LDL-C changes were similar. There was no significant effect on HDL-C and VLDL-C whereas TG levels increased at 4 to 6 g and 8 to 10 g dose. The use of diet and low colestipol doses may be considered in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia who do not respond to diet alone.
Expression and purification of the functional ectodomain of human anthrax toxin receptor 2 in Escherichia coli Origami B cells with assistance of bacterial Trigger Factor

The ectodomain of anthrax toxin receptor 2 (ANTXR2) is composed of a von Willebrand factor A (VWA) domain that binds to anthrax toxin protective antigen (PA) and a newly defined immunoglobulin-like (Ig) domain, in which the disulfide bonds are required for PA pore formation and for the folding of ANTXR2. While the VWA domain has been well characterized, the structure and function of the whole ectodomain (VWA-Ig) are poorly defined, which is mainly due to the limited production of the soluble recombinant protein of the ectodomain. In the present study, the ANTXR2 ectodomain was fused to the C-terminus of bacterial Trigger Factor (TF), a chaperone that mediates the ribosome-associated, co-translational folding of newly synthesized polypeptides in Escherichia coli. Under the control of a cold shock promoter, the fusion protein was overly expressed as a dominant soluble protein at a low temperature in the oxidative cytoplasm of Origami B cells, where formation of the disulfide bonds is favored. Through a series of chromatography, the ANTXR2 ectodomain was purified into homogeneity. The purified ectodomain is functional in binding to PA and mediating PA pore formation on the liposomal membranes, and the yield is applicable for future biochemical and structural characterization.
Molecular Basis for the High Affinity Interaction between the Thymic Leukemia Antigen and the CD8αα Molecule

The mouse thymic leukemia (TL) Ag is a nonclassical MHC class I molecule that binds with higher affinity to CD8alphaalpha than CD8alphabeta. The interaction of CD8alphaalpha with TL is important for lymphocyte regulation in the intestine. Therefore, we studied the molecular basis for TL Ag binding to CD8alphaalpha. The stronger affinity of the TL Ag for CD8alphaalpha is largely mediated by three amino acids on exposed loops of the conserved alpha3 domain. Mutant classical class I molecules substituted with TL Ag amino acids at these positions mimic the ability to interact with CD8alphaalpha and modulate lymphocyte function. These data indicate that small changes in the alpha3 domain of class I molecules potentially can have profound physiologic consequences.
The role of brain emotional systems in addictions: a neuro-evolutionary perspective and new 'self-report' animal model.

The evolutionary significance of neurochemical events in the brain has received minimal attention in the field of addiction research. Likewise, the general failure of neuroscientists to postulate how basic brain circuits might mediate emotional urges has retarded the development of scientific perspectives that could inform new inquiries into the underlying dynamics and treatment of addictions. In this paper, we revisit the argument that prototypically abused substances activate or alter specific emotional brain systems that were evolutionarily designed to signal potential increments or decrements in fitness. We then discuss two distinct emotional systems (reward seeking and separation distress) which may track different types of potential changes in fitness. Based on this evolutionarily inspired approach, we illustrate how a mammalian model of emotion (i.e. rodent ultrasonic vocalizations) may enable scientists to predict drug-related phenomena such as abuse potential, anatomical location of mediating neural substrates, and the psychological impact of withdrawal. We conclude by discussing some therapeutic and social implications of examining drug addiction processes with multiple emotional brain systems in mind.
Vesicular Exanthema of Swine and San Miguel Sea Lion Virus: Experimental and Field Studies in Otarid Seals, Feeding Trials in Swine

The naturally occurring disease caused by San Miguel sea lion virus in fur seals was characterized by small fluid-filled vesicles 1 to 25 mm in diameter on the nonhaired portions of the flippers. Early epithelial lesions contained multifocal sites of cell lysis. The resultant microvesicles enlarged and coalesced, forming grossly visible macrovesicles. Mature vesicles progressed to involve all layers of the epithelium but did not involve the underlying dermis. Intradermal inoculation of vesicular exanthema of swine virus type A48 or San Miguel sea lion virus type 2 into otarid (fur) seal pups caused plaque-like lesions around inoculated coronary bands. These swellings regressed without rupture by 96 hours postinoculation. One seal inoculated with San Miguel sea lion virus had a linear lingual erosion at ten days postinoculation. Virus was isolated from this site and from two uninoculated sites, the tonsil and testicle. Contact controls showed no evidence of infection. Virus was isolated in low titers from some sites of inoculation and draining lymph nodes from seals infected with vesicular exanthema of swine virus. Virus was recovered more easily, in higher titers, and from more tissues, from seals infected with San Miguel sea lion virus. Inoculated seals tested after four to ten days seroconverted. Feeding swine seal tissues from the inoculation experiments resulted in seroconversion in swine which were fed tissues from seals infected with vesicular exanthema of swine virus but not in those which were fed tissues from seals infected with San Miguel sea lion virus.
Predictability Gap Between Science and Technology of Cements: II, Physical and Mechanical Behavior of Hydrated Cements

Problems arising from the need to predict the in-service properties of cementitious materials (characterized in Part I) are discussed. The significance of volume changes in cements owing to moisture, frost and sulfate attack, carbonation, and temperature is discussed in terms of existing knowledge. Factors which contribute to strength and the relevance of theories such as bonding action, porosity, surface area, microstructure and degree of hydration, and the phenomenon of creep are reported./AUTHOR/
A method of characterizing high energy density capacitors for power conditioning systems

An effort was made to develop methods for characterizing CDL (chemical double layer) capacitors in terms of percent energy transfer to a resistive load as well as energy density packaging capabilities. A novel soft charging method, in contrast to constant-voltage charging, was developed to increase the energy density by approximately 1600% of the CDL capacitors' rated value. This method consists of slowly increasing the terminal voltage to approximately four times its rated value, achieving energy densities on the order of 4.5 kJ/kg (with case) and 6.5 kJ/kg (without case) for a life of several days. The capacitor studied showed promise in DC storage applications where high energy densities are required for relatively long discharge times. >
Simulating single-event burnout of n-channel power MOSFET's

Single-event burnout of power MOSFETs is a sudden catastrophic failure mechanism that is initiated by the passage of a heavy ion through the device structure. The passage of the heavy ion generates a current filament that locally turns on a parasitic n-p-n transistor inherent to the power MOSFET. Subsequent high currents and high voltage in the device induce second breakdown of the parasitic bipolar transistor and hence meltdown of the device. This paper presents a model that can be used for simulating the burnout mechanism in order to gain insight into the significant device parameters that most influence the single-event burnout susceptibility of n-channel power MOSFETs. >