cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a wireless miniaturized smart sensor network for aircraft corrosion monitoring

Corrosion of aircraft and rotorcraft costs the US military billions of dollars annually, and is by far the largest single maintenance cost driver for Navy and Marine Corps airframes. The various forms of localized corrosion, such as pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, exfoliation, and environment assisted cracking, are particularly destructive and frequently occur without any outward signs of damage. To maintain acceptable risk levels, costly schedule based inspection and maintenance practices are used. In order to move away from schedule based maintenance and enable condition based maintenance techniques, a miniature corrosion monitoring smart sensor network to support diagnostics and prognostics for aircraft health management is being developed. The development of an ultra-low power, wireless, embedded corrosion monitoring system based on the IEEE 1451.X open architecture for smart transducers will be discussed in this paper. This system, funded through a NAVAIR Phase II SBIR, is capable of monitoring, recording, and analyzing data from environmental and corrosivity sensors for the purpose of aircraft health management. This paper will present the use of a standard network architecture consisting of transducer interface modules (TIMs) and network capable application processors (NCAPs), allowing for ease of system integration and plug-and-play simplicity. The hardware and software designs, relying on ultra-low power components and embedded energy conservation algorithms, will be presented. This low-power approach to aircraft corrosion and health monitoring is ideal for integration with energy harvesting techniques, giving rise to a self-contained, self-sustaining sensor network. Finally, corrosion modeling and embedded algorithm development based on data fusion from both commercial off the shelf (COTS) and novel, developmental sensors will be discussed and shown to be powerful diagnostic and prognostic tools. 1 2
A simulation model of an information retrieval system

Abstract This paper describes a simulation model which is used as a tool for designing and evaluating literature searching systems. The simulation program creates a well specified collection of documents and analyzes the effect of changes in query file characteristics on system output performance. First a thesaurus of term relations is generated. Then, employing the thesaurus, routines generate pseudo-documents and pseudo-queries. These pseudo-documents and pseudo-queries are then compared to see the effect of various query file parameter changes on the quantity of material retrieved. Evaluation of the simulation output indicates that there are small differences between the results of the experimental runs. It is concluded that one method for generating pseudo-queries is not clearly better than another. It is believed, however, that the simulation model as an approach to the evaluation of retrieval systems provides a limited but useful framework for the evaluation of information retrieval systems.
A branch & bound algorithm for the 0-1 mixed integer knapsack problem with linear multiple choice constraints

This paper presents a branch and bound (B&B) algorithm for the 0-1 mixed integer knapsack problem with linear multiple choice constraints. The formulation arose in an application to transportation management for allocating funds to highway improvements. Several model properties are developed and utilized to design a B&B solution algorithm. The algorithm solves at each node of the B&B tree a linear relaxation using an adaptation of an existing algorithm for the linear multiple choice knapsack problem. The special relationship between the parent and children subproblems is exploited by the algorithm. This results in high efficiency and low storage space requirements. The worst case complexity of the algorithm is analyzed and computational results that demonstrate its efficiency in the average case are reported.
Low lying excited states of the bound exciton in a spherical model

Abstract We report the calculation of the S-like excited states of the bound exciton produced by exciting the outer particle. We find that in spherical model for all but very small (≳0.03) and very large (≳10) mass ratios these states are unbound. We have tentatively identified some of the excited states as being those observed for the donor bound exciton in Gap.
Cellular Transport of Drugs

The ability of drugs to enter cells and to reach an adequate concentration within the appropriate intracellular compartment may be an important determinant of the efficacy of therapy for infections due to intracellular pathogens. Antibiotics vary considerably in their ability to accumulate within cells. All solutes can be taken up by endocytosis, and some compounds reach high intracellular concentrations after crossing the plasma membrane by diffusion or by specific transport processes. Cellular organelles have properties that affect the intracellular distribution of drugs and that may account for the net accumulation of drugs within cells. An important example is the ability of acidic organelles to trap lysosomotropic weak bases. Cells also express transport proteins that may limit the intracellular accumulation of drugs by secreting them across the plasma membrane into the extracellular medium. Thus, cellular organic anion transporters can decrease the intracellular accumulation of certain antibiotics, and the multidrug-resistance transporter, or p-glycoprotein, confers resistance to antineoplastic agents. Inhibition of organic anion transport may have therapeutic value. A better appreciation of the mechanisms by which drugs accumulate within cells and within specific intracellular compartments may lead to the design of agents that reach higher concentrations at clinically relevant intracellular sites.
Age‐Dependent Changes in the Subcellular Distribution of Rat Brain μ‐Opioid Receptors and GTP Binding Regulatory Proteins

The relative subcellular distributions of mu-opioid receptors and guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) in 1-day-old (P1) and adult rat forebrain were compared. Light membranes (LMs) were resolved from heavy membranes (HM) by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Marker enzyme analyses indicated that LMs contained most of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes, whereas HMs were enriched in plasma membranes. Binding distribution and properties of mu-opioid sites were assessed using [3H] [D-Ala2,Me-Phe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin. P1 LMs possessed 43% of the total mu-opioid binding detected compared to 16% in the adult. Although NaCl inhibited mu binding in LMs to a greater extent than in HMs, age-dependent differences were not observed. P1 LM mu binding possessed greater sensitivity to 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate than their adult counterpart. Moreover, P1 LMs contained more Go alpha protein than P1 HMs or adult LMs, as demonstrated by immunoblotting with antisera against Go alpha after one- or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. These results suggest that P1 LMs contain a greater proportion of newly synthesized intracellular mu sites than adult LMs.
Recruitment properties of monopolar and bipolar epimysial electrodes

Muscle force was studied as a function of stimulus parameters, epimysial electrode position relative to nerve supply, and muscle length to provide insight into the properties of motor prostheses that employ epimysial electrodes. The results of the acute experiments indicated that the dependence of recruitment (force versus stimulus amplitude) on muscle length was minimal for a monopolar electrode positioned close to nerve entrance or 5 mm proximal to the motor point. The selectivity of stimulation (minimal activation of adjacent muscles) was best, and the recruitment rate the highest, for an electrode placed close to the nerve entrance. A bipolar pair of electrodes placed on the superficial surface of the muscle opposite to the nerve entrance gave better selectivity than the monopolar electrode at the low end of the recruitment range, and poorer selectivity at the high end. This electrode configuration required greater stimulus currents and exhibited a lower recruitment gain than was obtained for a monopolar electrode in the same position.
Anomalies in the IBM ACRITH package

The IBM ACRITH package of numerical software is advertised as reliable and easy to use; but sometimes its results must astonish or confuse a naive user. This report exhibits a few of the surprises. For instance, a finite continued fraction, easy to evaluate in two dozen keystrokes on a handheld calculator, causes ACRITH to overflow either exponent range or 15 Megabytes of virtual memory. Lacking access to source code, we must speculate to explain the anomalies. Some seem attributable to small bugs in the code; some to optimistic claims or oversimplifications in the code's documentation; some to flaws in the doctrine underlying the code. We conclude that different techniques than used by ACRITH might have been about as accurate and yet more economical, robust and perspicuous.
Interdisciplinary application tracks in an undergraduate computer science curriculum

The Computer Science Department at Winona State University revised its curriculum to include an interdisciplinary approach adapted to the study of computer science. The new curriculum consists of a traditional Computer Science option and an Applied Computer Science option consisting of four separate tracks, namely: bioinformatics, computer information systems, geographic information technology, and human computer interaction. This paper describes the design strategy and implementation plan as well as the content of our multi-track Applied Computer Science curriculum.
Digital tomographic compressive holographic reconstruction of three-dimensional objects in transmissive and reflective geometries

In this work compressive holography (CH) with multiple projection tomography is applied to solve the inverse ill-posed problem of reconstruction of three-dimensional (3D) objects with high axial accuracy. To visualize the 3D shape, we propose digital tomographic CH, where projections from more than one direction, as in tomographic imaging, can be employed, so that a 3D shape with improved axial resolution can be reconstructed. Also, we propose possible schemes for shadow elimination when the same object is illuminated at multiple angles using a single illuminating beam and using a single CCD. Finally, we adapt CH designed for a Gabor-type setup to a reflective geometry and apply the technique to reflective objects.
Comparisons of approximations to the percentiles of the t, x 2 ,and F distributions

Appriximations for the percentiles at arbitrary levels of the t, X 2 and F distributions can be found in the literature, but with little information about the accuracy. This paper provides a single source of these approximations and contains tables of percent errors to aid int the selection of the simplest procedure yielding the required accuracy. For use in digital computers, approximations compared in this paper yield percentiles more rapidly than more exact iteration schemes with accuracy dependent on the complexity of the approximation. An approximation procedure may also be used to obtain percentiles for non-integral degrees of freedom.
Increased amyloid beta-peptide deposition in cerebral cortex as a consequence of apolipoprotein E genotype in late-onset Alzheimer disease

Amyloid beta-peptide (A beta) deposition in senile plaques and cerebral vessels is a neuropathological feature of Alzheimer disease (AD). We examined the possibility that commonly observed variability in A beta deposition in late-onset AD might be related to apolipoprotein E genotype (APOE gene; the two most common alleles are 3 and 4), since APOE4 is a susceptibility gene for late-onset AD and apolipoprotein E interacts strongly with A beta in vitro. In an autopsy series of brains of late-onset AD patients, we found a strong association of APOE4 allele with increased vascular and plaque A beta deposits. Late-onset AD patients with one or two APOE4 alleles have a distinct neuropathological phenotype compared with patients homozygous for APOE3.
Sequence diversity and chromosomal distribution of "young" Alu repeats.

Abstract Members of the recently inserted human-specific (HS)/predicted variant (PV) subfamily of Alu elements were sequenced. A number of these Alu elements share greater than 98% sequence identity with the subfamily consensus sequence, and they are flanked by perfect 5′ and 3′ direct repeats ranging in size from 6 to 15 nucleotides (nt). Based on the low number of random mutations, the estimated average age of these elements was calculated to be 1.5 million years (Myr). All the young Alu subfamily members were restricted to the human genome, as judged by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of human and non-human primate DNA samples using the unique flanking sequences specific for each Alu element. The chromosomal locations of several Alu elements belonging to the young subfamilies, designated as HS/PV and Sb2, were determined by PCR amplification of DNA samples from human/rodent somatic cell hybrid panels. A statistical analysis of the chromosomal distribution pattern showed that the recently inserted Alu elements appear to integrate randomly in the human genome.
The Recent Maximum Temperature Anomalies in Tueson: Are They Real or an Instrumental Problem?

Abstract Since 1988, what appears to be an abnormal number of maximum temperature records has been set at the National Weather Service Office in Tueson, Arizona (TUS). We present several analyses that indicate that the current measurement system at TUS is indicating daytime temperatures that are 2 to 3 degrees too high. It appears that the instrument is not appropriately aspirated so that, during the day, temperature readings are significantly warmer than ambient air temperatures, while at night they are slightly cooler. The system at TUS is similar to one that has been installed at many National Weather Service sites around the country. We speculate on the impact this system may have on the climate record if the errors noted at Tucson are similar at the other sites.
Fuzzy semantic analysis and formal specification of conceptual knowledge

Conceptual knowledge can be specified using one of the methods of formal specification of the semantics of a computer program: axiomatic semantics, denotational semantics, or operational semantics. For example, axiomatic semantics can be used to specify the conceptual knowledge of a medical doctor in an expert system for medical diagnosis. The problem is, however, that the knowledge of the expert is not always crisp and well defined. In such cases, a mean for specifying fuzzy conceptual knowledge is required. This paper proposes a method for the specifications of fuzzy conceptual knowledge. To this end, the concepts of fuzzy axiomatic semantics and fuzzy denotational semantics are developed. Fuzzy semantics is a generalization of classical semantics.
Synthesis of papaverine and quinopavine specifically labeled with 14C

1-(3,4-Dirmethoxybenzyl)-6, 7-dimethoxyisoquinoline (papaverine) labeled with 14C in either the benzyl or 4-carbon position and 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) 6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline (quinopavine) labeled with 14C at the 1,4 or 4-methoxyphenyl position were synthesized. The 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid-carboxyl-14C.(I) was, employed as the precursor in the synthesis of, all the above compounds except the 4-methoxyphenyl labeled where 3-methoxy-4-14C-methoxybenzoic acid was employed (XII). The reduction of 3,4-dimethoxybenzoylchloride 14C (VII) led to the formation of 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde-carbonyl 14-C (VIII) from which 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-methoxyethylamine-2-14C (XI) was obtained through reduction of the corresponding 14C-labeled substituted nitrostyrene (IX). 3,4-Dimethoxybenzoic acid-carboxyl-14C (I) was employed in the synthesis of (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-acetonitrile-2-14C (IV) from which a) 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-ethylamine-2-14C (VI) was obtained on reduction and b) (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-acetic acid-2-14C (V) on alkaline hydrolysis. On heating together at 200°C the corresponding acids and amines in the absence as well as in the presence of decaline (solvent), or by a Schotten-Bawmann reaction, the corresponding amines were obtained and them cyclized in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride. The 3, 4-dihydro-products were dehydrogenated in the presence of palladium-pumice which acted as a catalyst. The cyclization of N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-2-methoxyethyl-2-14C) 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-acetamide (XVI) gave straightway the corresponding 14C) 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-acetamide (XVI) gave straightway the corresponding 14C-marked papaverine.
Selecting Small-Cap Stocks

Under SEC Rule 13F, investment professionals who manage assets exceeding $100 million must file quarterly returns on their stock and convertible-securities holdings. Vendors that provide copies of SEC filings claim that 13F reports contain information that investors may exploit to gain abnormal returns. The author presents and evaluates a strategy for using data from 13F filings to obtain riskadjusted excess returns.
Cylindrical Gaussian-Hermite modes in rectangular waveguide resonators

Approximate solutions to the wave equation inside a rectangular metallic waveguide has been obtained in terms of cylindrical Gaussian-Hermite functions.E mn π modes propagate with negligible straight guide losses in the far-infrared region. A new type of low-loss optical resonator suitable for FEL operation at long wavelengths is presented here.
Misspecification in allocative inefficiency: A simulation study

We make an extensive simulation analysis in order to investigate the consequences of ignoring the potentially complex and data dependent effects of allocative inefficiency on the estimation of stochastic frontier panel data models. Generally system estimators perform worse than single equation estimators. This result holds even when we approximate the allocative inefficiency.
A Market Timing Myth

Several securities and plannig firms publish a demonstration of the dramatically reduced returms that an investor would see if the investor were out of the market for the 10, 20, 30, or 40 best days over a time period such as 5 to 10 years. They claim this is a demonstration of the pitfalls of market timing. As a counterexample, this article shows the dramatically enhanced returns if the investor is in cash for a similar number of the worst days. The probabilities of picking the best or worst days out of a larger number of days are shown to be minuscule. In fact, the probability of winning a lottery, or even several lotteries in a row, is better than the probability of replicating the investment results these firms are discussing.
Optimal geometric control of Dc microgrids

Droop control is a common method used in power systems to share load between multiple sources. In a dc system, traditional droop control utilizes a linear relationship to determine the reference current for each source based on the changing bus voltage. This paper presents a method for finding a nonlinear droop relationship in order to optimize the source operation to meet a given objective. The method is implemented for an example dc microgrid system. Simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) results are presented.
The ethics of human gene therapy

The correction of single-gene defects in humans by gene therapy is in sight, increasing the need for a solid framework for ethical evaluation.
Communicative Silences: Forms and Functions

The nature of silence is discussed as an imposition of mind, as an interdependent signification ground for speech signs, as a relationship to mental time (as opposed to artificial time), and as it relates to sensation, perception and metaphorical movement. Three major forms of silence are defined: Psycholinguistic Silence, of which there are two subtypes, designated Fast-time silence and Slow-time silence; Interactive Silence; and Sociocultural Silence. The three major forms are then briefly described as they relate to some important human communication functions. In the absence of empirical evidence, a number of hypotheses are offered.
Substance Use Attenuates Physiological Responses Associated With PTSD among Individuals with Co-Morbid PTSD and SUDs

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often conceptualized from a fear conditioning perspective given individuals with PTSD demonstrate a reduced ability to inhibit fear even under safe conditions as compared to those without PTSD. The self-medication hypothesis suggests that individuals with PTSD often develop substance use disorders (SUDs) as an attempt to mitigate trauma-related distressing emotions. This investigation examined this hypothesis in a sample 214 participants, of which 81 did not meet criteria for either PTSD or SUDs (No diagnosis Control group); 33 met criteria for lifetime PTSD, but not SUDs (PTSD only group); 54 met criteria for lifetime SUDs, but not PTSD (SUDs only group); and 46 met lifetime criteria for both disorders (PTSD+SUDs group). PTSD was assessed using the modified PTSD Symptoms Scale (mPSS), and SUDs were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). The startle magnitude was assessed using electromyography (EMG) of the eyeblink muscle in response to an acoustic startle probe. Fear-potentiated startle (FPS) was analyzed by comparing startle magnitude at baseline to startle during a fear conditioned stimulus. Results showed that PTSD significantly increased startle responses. However, there was a significant effect of SUDs on fear-potentiated startle to the danger signal, in that those who met criteria for SUDs had reduced fear compared to those who did not. The individuals who had co-morbid PTSD and SUDs did not differ from the Control group. Findings indicate that SUDs may attenuate exaggerated fear responses associated with PTSD. Consistent with the self-medication hypothesis, results suggest that substance use may co-occur with PTSD because it reduces heightened fear load and may allow normalized function in traumatized individuals.
Localization and concentration of hydroxylamine oxidoreductase and cytochromes c-552, c-554, cm-553, cm-552 and a in Nitrosomonas europaea

Two membrane-associated cytochromes, cytochrome cm-553 and cytochrome cm-552, were derived from Nitrosomonas europaea. The major c-type cytochrome, cytochrome cm-553, accounted for 92% of the c heme found in the membrane. It had absorption maxima at 410 nm in the oxidized form and at 417, 523 and 553 nm in the dithionite reduced form. Cytochrome cm-552 possessed absorption maxima at 409 nm in the oxidized form, at 421, 522 and 552 in the dithionite reduced form, and at 418 in the dithionite reduced plus CO form. The concentration and cellular distribution of the two c-type membrane cytochromes, hydroxylamine oxidoreductase and cytochromes c-552, c-554, and a were determined. Over 95% of the soluble cytochromes (hydroxylamine oxidoreductase cytochromes and c-552 and c-554) were periplasmic, whereas cytochrome cm-553, cytochrome cm-552 and cytochrome a were associated with the cell membrane. The outer membrane and cytoplasm were devoid of cytochromes. The extracytoplasmic location of the proton-yielding hydroxylamine oxidizing system (NH2OH ™ HNO + 2H+ + 2e−) may contribute to an energy-linked proton gradient. The heme concentrations of hydroxylamine oxidoreductase and cytochromes c-552, c-554, cm-553, cm-552 and a were approx. 2.4, 1.2, 0.3, 1.3, 0.1 and 1.1 nmol/mg cell protein, respectively. The corresponding molar ratios of heme were 22:11:2.9:12:1.0:10. The enzyme or cytochrome concentrations for hydroxylamine oxidoreductase and cytochromes c-552, c-554, cm-553, cm-552 and a were approx. 0.13, 1.05, 0.09, 0.63, 0.055 and 0.56 nmol/mg cell protein, respectively. The corresponding molar ratios were 0.24:2.2:0.16:1.2:0.1:1.0.
The role of pharmacokinetics, drug interactions and pharmacogenetics in the acquired long QT syndrome

Biotransformation of drugs is accomplished by phase I (P450 enzymes) and phase II metabolism (conjugation) predominantly in the small intestine and liver. As are most drugs, commercially available non-antiarrhythmic agents that have been reported to cause torsade de pointes are primarily metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes 3A4 and 2136. It is possible that polymorphisms and heritable variations in the activity of these isozymes place an individual administered select potassium channel blocking drugs at a genetic risk for the development of torsade de pointes. A more common scenario, however, is that drug interactions, usually involving agents such as erythromycin that block CYP3A4, have led to this form of proarrhythmia. In the recent past, a significant number of highly visible drug withdrawals have occurred (e.g. terfenadine, asthemizole, cisapride) all with a consistent theme: parent drugs that block the rapid component of the delayed rectifier given for non-life-threatening disorders and are metabolized by CYP3A4 have been linked to torsade de pointes and reports of death have ensued when the drug was combined with inhibitors of this isozyme (e.g. erythromycin, ketoconazole, grapefruit juice). Because of these situations and their resultant impact upon the health of the public, it seems prudent that all new entities under investigation (and their significant metabolites) be screened for the potential to cause torsade de pointes.
Extracellular ATP and adenosine induce cell apoptosis of human hepatoma Li‐7A cells via the A3 adenosine receptor

1. Extracellular ATP is a potent signaling molecule that modulates a myriad of cellular functions through the activation of P2 purinergic receptors and is cytotoxic to a variety of cells at higher concentrations. The mechanism of ATP-elicited cytotoxicity is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of extracellular ATP on the human hepatoma Li-7A cells. 2. We observed a time- and dose-dependent growth inhibition of Li-7A cells by ATP, which is accompanied by an increase in the active form of caspase-3 as well as increased cleavage of its substrate, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. The cytotoxic effect of extracellular ATP was not mediated by the P2X7 receptor, since (1).the effect was not abolished by the P2X7 receptor antagonists oxidized ATP and KN-62, and (2).extracellular ADP, AMP, and adenosine were also cytotoxic. 3. We found that ATP and ADP were degraded to adenosine by Li-7A cells and that treatment of Li-7A cells by adenosine resulted in growth inhibition and caspase-3 activation, indicating that adenosine is the apoptotic agent. Using adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists, as well as inhibitors of adenosine transport and deamination, we showed that the cytotoxic effect of adenosine is specifically mediated by the A3 receptor even though transcripts of A1, A2A, A2B, and a splice variant of the P2X7 receptors were detected in Li-7A cells by RT-PCR. 4. Cytotoxicity caused by exogenous ATP and adenosine was completely abolished by the caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK, demonstrating the central role of caspase-3 in apoptosis of Li-7A cells.
Preparedness for tobacco control among postgraduate residents of a medical college in bangalore.

Background: Tobacco use is a major cause of avoidable mortality. Postgraduate doctors in training are an important group of physicians likely to influence patients' tobacco use/cessation. Objective: To assess preparedness for tobacco control among clinical postgraduate residents of a medical college in southern India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among all clinical postgraduate residents enrolled in St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding tobacco cessation in their patients. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was used. Simple descriptive analysis was undertaken. Results: The overall response rate was 66% (76/116). Mean (S.D.) knowledge score on tobacco use prevalence and disease burden was 6.2 (2.0) out of 10. About 25% of them were not aware of nicotine replacement therapy as a treatment option for tobacco cessation. Nearly two thirds of them expected their patients to ask for assistance with quitting and nearly half were sceptical about patients' ability to quit. While 80% of them enquired routinely about tobacco use in their patients, only 50% offered advice on quitting and less than a third assessed readiness to quit or offered assistance with quitting in their patients. Conclusion: Our study revealed suboptimal levels of knowledge and tobacco cessation practice among postgraduate residents. Attitudes toward tobacco cessation by their patients was however generally positive and there was substantial interest in further training in tobacco control. Reorienting postgraduate medical education to include tobacco control interventions would enable future physicians to be better equipped to deal with nicotine addiction.
Affective prosodic disturbance subsequent to right hemisphere stroke: A clinical application

Abstract We examined Ross' (1981) hypothesis regarding the disruption of affective prosody subsequent to right hemisphere brain damage (RHD). Twenty patients who had suffered a right hemisphere stroke were compared with 18 normal, non-brain-damaged subjects for affective prosody in spontaneous speech, gesturing accompanying spontaneous speech, repetition of affective prosody, comprehension of affective prosody, and comprehension of affective gestures. In addition, we attempted to classify our RHD subjects with Ross' prosodic taxonomy, determine the relationship between classification and site of lesion, and explore the contribution of coexisting dysarthria to prosodic disturbance. All RHD subjects displayed affective prosodic disturbance in spontaneous speech. Only one normal subject was judged mildly dysprosodic. The RHD group had significantly more difficulty in repeating affective prosody and comprehending affective gestures. There were no significant group differences in gestures accompanying spontaneous speech or comprehending affective prosody. Eighty percent of the RHD subjects were classified with the Ross taxonomy, however there was no systematic relationship between classification and site of lesion. And, while dysprosody without a coexisting dysarthria was present in three RHD subjects, 17 displayed a coexisting dysarthria. We conclude that affective dysprosody is common subsequent to RHD, however the relationship between classification of dysprosody and site of lesion or the contribution of coexisting dysarthria to dysprosody is not clear.
Acute ethanol exposure modulates expression of inducible nitric-oxide synthase in human astroglia: evidence for a transcriptional mechanism

Astroglia are important in immunocompetence and response to injury within the CNS. Activated astroglia respond, in part, by expressing inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) and subsequent catalytic production of nitric oxide. Results from a previous study in our laboratory, in the human A172 astroglial cell line, revealed that induction of iNOS activity by tumor necrosis factor-alpha + interferon-gamma + interleukin-1 beta was inhibited by 24-h exposure to a high ethanol concentration (200 mM), but enhanced by 50 mM ethanol. In the work reported in this article, we tested the working hypothesis that ethanol acts transcriptionally to modulate cytokine-induced expression of the iNOS gene, NOS2A, in human astroglia. Ethanol, 50 or 200 mM, did not directly alter in vitro catalytic activity of the iNOS enzyme, indicating that ethanol does not affect the enzyme directly. Likewise, ethanol exposure after a 12-h cytokine-stimulation period had no effect on in vivo iNOS activity. However, when cells were simultaneously exposed to ethanol and cytokines for 12 h, in vivo iNOS activity was altered. That ethanol must be present during cytokine stimulation to influence iNOS activity is consistent with a transcriptional mechanism of action. In addition, steady-state expression of iNOS protein and NOS2A mRNA levels were modulated in a biphasic manner by ethanol similar to that noted previously for iNOS activity. These findings strongly support the suggestion that ethanol modulates cytokine-induced iNOS expression in A172 cells at a pretranslational site. These findings should be instrumental in the identification of the critical ethanol-sensitive elements involved in the regulation of NOS2A in human astroglia.
The association of occult amniotic fluid infection with gestational age and neonatal outcome among women in preterm labor.

To evaluate the relationships between gestational age, neonatal outcome, and amniotic fluid (AF) bacteria, we obtained AF from women with intact membranes in idiopathic preterm labor. Positive cultures were obtained from 20 (19%) of 105 women. The frequency of positive cultures was inversely related
Interchangeable Enzyme Modules FUNCTIONAL REPLACEMENT OF THE ESSENTIAL LINKER OF THE BIOTINYLATED SUBUNIT OF ACETYL-CoA CARBOXYLASE WITH A LINKER FROM THE LIPOYLATED SUBUNIT OF PYRUVATE DEHYDROGENASE

Biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP) is the small biotinylated subunit of Escherichia coli acetyl-CoA carboxylase, the enzyme that catalyzes the first committed step of fatty acid synthesis. E. coli BCCP is a member of a large family of protein domains modified by covalent attachment of biotin. In most biotinylated proteins, the biotin moiety is attached to a lysine residue located about 35 residues from the carboxyl terminus of the protein, which lies in the center of a strongly conserved sequence that forms a tightly folded anti-parallel β-barrel structure. Located upstream of the conserved biotinoyl domain sequence are proline/alanine-rich sequences of varying lengths, which have been proposed to act as flexible linkers. In E. coli BCCP, this putative linker extends for about 42 residues with over half of the residues being proline or alanine. I report that deletion of the 30 linker residues located adjacent to the biotinoyl domain resulted in a BCCP species that was defective in function in vivo, although it was efficiently biotinylated. Expression of this BCCP species failed to restore normal growth and fatty acid synthesis to a temperature-sensitiveE. coli strain that lacks BCCP when grown at nonpermissive temperatures. In contrast, replacement of the deleted BCCP linker with a linker derived from E. coli pyruvate dehydrogenase gave a chimeric BCCP species that had normal in vivo function. Expression of BCCPs having deletions of various segments of the linker region of the chimeric protein showed that some deletions of up to 24 residues had significant or full biological activity, whereas others had very weak or no activity. The inactive deletion proteins all lacked an APAAAAA sequence located adjacent to the tightly folded biotinyl domain, whereas deletions that removed only upstream linker sequences remained active. Deletions within the linker of the wild type BCCP protein also showed that the residues adjacent to the tightly folded domain play an essential role in protein function, although in this case some proteins with deletions within this region retained activity. Retention of activity was due to fusion of the domain to upstream sequences. These data provide new evidence for the functional and structural similarities of biotinylated and lipoylated proteins and strongly support a common evolutionary origin of these enzyme subunits.
An instrument for the quantitative separation and size-classification of air-borne particulate matter down to 0.2 micron

The theory and experimental design of an instrument for the quantitative separation and size-classification of air-borne particulate matter down to diameter of 2.10−5 cm and its performance characteristics are described.
Efficient nonparametric approaches for estimating the operating characteristics of discrete item responses

Rationale and the actual procedures of two nonparametric approaches, called Bivariate P.D.F. Approach and Conditional P.D.F. Approach, for estimating the operating characteristic of a discrete item response, or the conditional probability, given latent trait, that the examinee's response be that specific response, are introduced and discussed. These methods are featured by the facts that: (a) estimation is made without assuming any mathematical forms, and (b) it is based upon a relatively small sample of several hundred to a few thousand examinees.
Rapid Formation And Breakdown Of Protein-mediated DNA Loops

The Lactose Repressor protein (LacI) is a paradigm for the study of transcriptional regulation and protein-DNA interaction. LacI represses transcription of the Lac operon in E. Coli by binding to two distant operator sites and bending the intervening DNA into a DNA loop. Despite a wealth of knowledge on the biochemistry of this process, the details of the binding dynamics are still unresolved, and are the subjects of several lines of current investigations. We present Tethered Particle Microscopy (TPM) data on designed hyperstable loop-forming DNA constructs and find that LacI-mediated DNA loops form and break down on time scales of the order of minutes. This is in stark constrast to measurements in competition assays by Mehta et al1, who report loop lifetimes of days for these constructs. We propose two possible explanations for the LacI-loop formation process that hamronizes these seemingly contradictory observations. Specifically, we propose that the loop-forming LacI tetramer is destabilized by binding to the DNA, and that therefore the primary loop breakdown process is a dissociation of the tetramer into two DNA-bound dimers, which is in contradiction to the prevailing model for this process. Alternatively, we discuss what assumptions have to be made to explain these experimental results purely in terms of dissociation of the tetramer from DNA. Namely, we need to assume an outsized effect of spatial operator orientation on loop formation rates and postulate that the protein is extremely inflexible.1. Mehta, R.A. and Kahn, J.D. “Designed hyperstable lac-Repressor-DNA loop topologies suggest alternative looop geometries.” Journal of Molecular Biology 294 (1999), 67-77.
Transcriptional regulatory sequences within the first intron of the chicken apolipoproteinAI (apoAI) gene.

Abstract Previous studies demonstrated that the −82 to +87 nucleotides (nt) 5′-upstream region of the chicken apolipoprotein ( apoAI ) gene are necessary for maximum reporter chloramphenicol acetyl transferase ( cat ) gene activation in chicken hepatocarcinoma (LMH) cells [Bhattacharyya, N., Chattapadhyay, R., Oddoux, C., Banerjee, D., 1993. Characterisation of the chicken apolipoprotein A-I gene 5′-flanking region. DNA Cell Biol. 12, 597–604]. The −82 to +87 nt contain the 5′-untranslated nt, part of the first intron, and the upstream regulatory sequences. In this study, we examined the role of the first intron in the transcriptional regulation of the chicken apoAI gene. Six different reporter cat gene constructs with or without part of the first intron were prepared and transfected into LMH, normal rat kidney (NRK) and human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells. Cell extracts were prepared from each transfected cell line, and CAT activities were measured. All three cell-lines readily expressed CAT, indicating that transcriptional regulatory sequences are present within the first intron region of the chicken apoAI gene. In an enhancer assay, the first intron containing cat construct exhibited a 5.4-fold increase of reporter activity in NRK cells when compared to a SV 40 promoter containing cat plasmid, suggesting the presence of a moderate enhancer element within +29 to +87 nt of the first intron. DNase I protection assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays and binding experiments with nuclear proteins isolated from different chicken tissues and LMH cells showed interaction with +29 to +87 nt. Nuclear proteins isolated from tissues like liver and intestine, that actively express apoAI gene, failed to interact with +29 to +87 nt, whereas nuclear proteins isolated from tissues that are less active in apoAI gene expression readily interacted with this region. To show the binding of the LMH-specific trans -acting factors to the +50 to +68 nt intron region, DNA-affinity chromatography step was performed by using 3 H-labeled nuclear proteins. These studies demonstrate that the first intron region of the apoAI gene interacts with trans -acting proteins and plays an important role in transcriptional regulation of the apoAI gene.
Regulation of inflammatory responses in tumor necrosis factor-activated and rheumatoid arthritis synovial macrophages by JAK inhibitors.

Objective Inhibitors of the Janus kinases (JAKs) have been developed as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents and are currently undergoing testing in clinical trials. The JAK inhibitors CP-690,550 (tofacitinib) and INCB018424 (ruxolitinib) have demonstrated clinical efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the mechanisms that mediate the beneficial actions of these compounds are not known. In this study, we examined the effects of both JAK inhibitors on inflammatory and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) responses in human macrophages (MΦs).
Endothelial cell loss in irradiated optic nerves.

Abstract Objective Radiation optic neuropathy usually occurs months to years after exposure of the anterior visual pathways to ionizing radiation. It is characterized by high signal on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Radiation-induced endothelial cell damage resulting in blood-nerve barrier breakdown is hypothesized to produce this pattern, but histologic evidence of this in the optic nerve is lacking. We attempted to evaluate the effect of radiation on endothelial cells in the optic nerve. Design Case-controlled histologic study. Methods We studied the optic nerves of 16 enucleated eyes from patients with uveal melanoma treated with proton beam irradiation, 6 from normal eyes and 5 from eyes with unirradiated uveal melanomas. Binding of Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) lectin was used to identify endothelial cells in single paraffin sections. Transverse and longitudinal sections of vessels were counted in masked fashion. Results There were 49.4 ± 6.9 transversely sectioned endothelial cells per millimeter of nerve in 6 optic nerves exposed to 0 to 1000 cGyE ("low-dose") compared with 17.3 ± 5.3 in 10 nerves exposed to 5500 to 7000 cGyE ("high-dose") ( P = 0.002). Longitudinally sectioned vessels stained with UEA-I were separately identified, with 11.5 ± 2.1 in the low-dose group and 5.6 ± 1.6 in the high-dose group ( P = 0.044). The thickness and staining of the endothelial cell layer appeared greater in the high-dose group. Endothelial cell counts did not correlate with age, gender, acuity, or interval after irradiation. Conclusions Increased radiation dosage to the optic nerve correlates with smaller numbers of endothelial cells.
Postpartum hemorrhage. A 90s approach to an age-old problem

Severe hemorrhage occurs in less than 1% of all pregnancies; however, it remains one of the important causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Although the importance of hemorrhage has been recognized in obstetric circles for years, in the last decade or so, research has been conducted that has disproven long-held beliefs. Nurse-midwives must be knowledgeable about the etiology, management, and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. This article presents an overview of postpartum hemorrhage and its pharmacologic and nurse-midwifery management. The overview includes definitions of postpartum hemorrhage, identifies risk factors for hemorrhage, and addresses problems associated with estimation of blood loss. The mechanisms of action of ergots, oxytocin, and prostaglandins are described, and criteria for selecting a medication are presented. Herbal remedies for hemorrhage are discussed briefly. Also discussed are the optimal time for drawing the hematocrit and what this laboratory value can tell the nurse-midwife.
Studies on the antitumor activity of group VIII transition metal complexes. Part I. Platinum (II) complexes

Abstract A wide variety of Platinum(II) complexes have been investigated for antitumor activity against Sarcoma 180 in Swiss white female mice. In general, only neutral complexes exhibit activity while charged species are inactive and relatively nontoxic. A series of complexes of the type cis -[PtA 2 X 2 ] (where A 2 is either two monodentate or one bidentate amine ligand and X 2 is either two monodentate or one bidentate anionic ligand) have been studied with A and X being systematically varied. This has resulted in the identification of at least ten potentially active antitumor drugs. Trans isomers are inactive in comparison with active cis complexes and the presence of cis -reactive ligands appears to be a necessary parameter for antitumor activity. Complexes with highly reactive ligands such as cis -[Pt(NH 3 ) 2 (H 3 O) 2 ] (NO 3 ) 2 are highly toxic. Palladium(II) complexes, which are analogs of the active Platinum(II) compounds, have been found to be inactive.
Trapping and breaking of in vivo nicked DNA during pulsed field gel electrophoresis

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) offers a high-resolution approach to quantify chromosomal fragmentation in bacteria, measured as percentage of chromosomal DNA entering the gel. The degree of separation in pulsed field gel (PFG) depends on the size of DNA as well as various conditions of electrophoresis such as electric field strength, time of electrophoresis, switch time, and buffer composition. Here we describe a new parameter, the structural integrity of the sample DNA itself, that influences its migration through PFGs. We show that subchromosomal fragments containing both spontaneous and DNA damage-induced nicks are prone to breakage during PFGE. Such breakage at single-strand interruptions results in artifactual decrease in molecular weight of linear DNA making accurate determination of the number of double-strand breaks difficult. Although breakage of nicked subchromosomal fragments is field strength independent, some high-molecular-weight subchromosomal fragments are also trapped within wells under the standard PFGE conditions. This trapping can be minimized by lowering the field strength and increasing the time of electrophoresis. We discuss how breakage of nicked DNA may be mechanistically linked to trapping. Our results suggest how to optimize conditions for PFGE when quantifying chromosomal fragmentation induced by DNA damage.
Autologous and Isologous Bone Marrow Storage and Infusion in the Treatment of Myelo-Suppression*

Collection, storage, and subsequent infusion of bone marrow are described, and successful results of infuslon of marrow cells in heavily irradiated (2,400 r total dose) patients are reported. In each case, the patlent's bone marrow was severely hypoplastic at the time of infusion. No patient suffered ill effects directly attributable to the bone marrow infusion, but excessively rapid intravenous infuslon caused headache and substernal oppression. Patients who received autologous or isologous marrow showed recovery of the peripheral leukocyte count in 10 to 28 days with the exception of an infusion given 10 days after 40 mc P /sup 32/ in which 50 days were required. The time course is similar to that noted ln lethally irradiated dogs and monkeys who have been given autologous bone marrow. In contrast, spontaneous recovery of controls required 10 to 145 days with a median of 42 days. Storage is accomplished by slow freezing in a glycerol-tissue culture medium. Slow thawing of marrow and dilution with one-half volume concentrated glucose solution is used for reinfusion. (H.H.D.)
Local composition of square-well molecules of diverse energies and sizes

Abstract Local composition is determined for mixtures of square-well molecules of various sizes and energies by Monte Carlo simulation. The calculations cover molecular diameter ratios up to two and a wide density range from dilute gas to dense liquid for various interaction energies. Several local composition models are examined with the simulated data and two new models are proposed.