cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IL‐4 induces a wide‐spectrum intracellular signaling cascade in CD8+ T cells

IL-4 has distinct effects on the differentiation and functional properties of CD8 + T cells. In vivo studies have shown that it is critical for the development of protective memory responses against tumors and infections by Leishmania and Plasmodium parasites. The intracellular signaling events mediated by IL-4/IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) interactions on CD4 + T cells have been studied extensively; however, the nature of IL-4-induced signaling on CD8 + T cells has not been characterized. Using naive, activated, as well as differentiated CD8 + T cells, we show that IL-4 has a strong in vivo and in vitro antiapoptotic effect on activated and resting CD8 + T cells. We demonstrate that IL-4 induces the phosphorylation of the IL-4R, which is followed by the activation of at least two distinct intracellular signaling cascades: the Jakl/STAT6 and the insulin receptor substrate/ PI-3K/protein kinase B pathways. We also found that IL-4 induces the Jak3-mediated phosphorylation and nuclear migration of STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5 in naive, activated, as well as differentiated, IFN-γ-producing CD8 + T cells. The induction of this broad signaling activity in CD8 + T cells coincides with a transcriptional activity of suppressors of cytokine signaling genes, which are decreased significantly in comparison with CD4 + T cells. To our knowledge, this report constitutes the first comprehensive analysis of the signaling events that shape CD8 + T cell responses to IL-4.
Characterization of collagens in phenytoin-enlarged human gingiva.

AbstractThe collagen content and composition of human gingivae enlarged due to phenytoin medication were compared to normal and inflamed gingival tissues. Phenytoin-enlarged gingiva contained significantly higher amounts of collagen. The ratio of type I to type III collagen was different in enlarged tissue, with less type I and an elevated amount of type III collagen present. The amount of type V collagen did not differ among normal, inflamed and phenytoin-enlarged gingivae.
Low-defect reflective mask blanks for extreme ultraviolet lithography

Extreme Ultraviolet Lithgraphy (EUVL) is an emerging technology for fabrication of sub-100 nm feature sizes on silicon, following the SIA roadmap well into the 21st century. The specific EUVL system described is a scanned, projection lithography system with a 4:1 reduction, using a laser plasma EUV source. The mask and all of the system optics are reflective, multilayer mirrors which function in the extreme ultraviolet at 13.4 nm wavelength. Since the masks are imaged to the wafer exposure plane, mask defects greater than 80% of the exposure plane CD (for 4:1 reduction) will in many cases render the mask useless, whereas intervening optics can have defects which are not a printing problem. For the 100 nm node, we must reduce defects to less than 0.01/cm² @ 80nm or larger to obtain acceptable mask production yields. We have succeeded in reducing the defects to less than 0.1/cm² for defects larger than 130 nm detected by visible light inspection tools, however our program goal is to achieve 0.01/cm² in the near future. More importantly though, we plan to have a detailed understanding of defect origination and the effect on multilayer growth in order to mitigate defects below the 10-2/cm² level on themore » next generation of mask blank deposition systems. In this paper we will discuss issues and results from the ion-beam multilayer deposition tool, details of the defect detection and characterization facility, and progress on defect printability modeling.« less
Cholecystokinin antibody injected in cerebral ventricles stimulates feeding in sheep

The role of brain cholecystokinin peptides in satiety was further assessed by using antibody to cholecystokinin to reduce cholecystokinin activity in the cerebrospinal fluid of sheep. Food intakes were increased approximately 100 percent during the 2-hour continuous injection of antibody into the cerebrospinal fluid. This supports the hypothesis that, during feeding, cholecystokinin is released into the cerebrospinal fluid, which transports it to the receptors that elicit satiety.
Applied Derrida: (Mis)Reading the Work of Mourning in Educational Research.

(2003). Applied Derrida: (Mis)Reading the work of mourning in educational research. Educational Philosophy and Theory: Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 257-270.
Influence of soil fumigation of telone and nemagon on the ultrastructure of chromoplasts in carrot roots (Daucus carota L.)

Wenn der Boden vor der Aussaat vonDaucus carota L. mit Telon und Nemagon behandelt wurde, konnten Strukturveranderungen in den Chromoplasten der Karottenwurzeln festgestellt werden.
Geometrical and electronic cooperativity in cation-mediated electrochemical reductions of anthraquinone-substituted podands

Abstract Unlike their nitroaromatic counterparts, podands based upon the anthraquinone skeleton bind cations more strongly when reduced because of a combination of geometrical and electronic factors.
Pausing of DNA Polymerases on Duplex DNA Templates due to Ligand Binding in Vitro

Using the recently developed peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-assisted assay, which makes it possible to extend a primer on duplex DNA, we study the sequence-specific inhibition of the DNA polymerase movement along double-stranded DNA templates imposed by DNA-binding ligands. To this end, a plasmid vector has been prepared featuring the polylinker with two flanking priming sites to bi-directionally initiate the primer-extension reactions towards each other. Within this plasmid, we have cloned a set of random DNA sequences and analyzed the products of these reactions with several phage and bacterial DNA polymerases capable of strand-displacement synthesis. Two of them, o29 and modified T7 (Sequenase 2.0) enzymes, were found to be most potent for primer extension in the presence of DNA-binding ligands. We used these enzymes for a detailed study of ligand-induced pausing effects with four ligands differing in modes of binding to the DNA double-helix. GC-specific intercalator actinomycin D and three minor groove-binders, chromomycin A(3) (GC-specific), distamycin A and netropsin (both AT-specific), have been chosen. In the presence of each ligand both selected DNA polymerases experienced multiple clear-cut pauses. Each ligand yielded its own characteristic pausing pattern for a particular DNA sequence. The majority of pausing sites could be located with a single-nucleotide resolution and corresponded to the preferred binding sites known from the literature for the ligands under study. Besides, DNA polymerases stalled exactly at the positions occupied by PNA oligomers that were employed to initiate the primer extension. These findings provide an important insight into the DNA polymerase performance. In addition, the high-resolution ligand-induced pausing patterns we obtained for the first time for DNA polymerase elongation on duplex DNA may become a valuable addition to the existing arsenal of methods used to monitor duplex DNA interactions with various DNA-binding ligands, including drugs.
THE PHILOSOPHER AS TEACHER: TEACHING THE CANONS OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY IN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: THE SPELMAN COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

L'A. etudie le probleme de l'enseignement des canons de la philosophie occidentale aux personnes de couleur et aux groupes feministes, dans le cadre des Colleges et Universites Historiquement Noires. Temoignant de sa propre experience de professeur au College Spelman (Atlanta, Etats-Unis), l'A. souleve les difficultes liees au racisme et au sexisme d'une part, aux implications metaphysiques, politiques et juridiques, d'autre part, de la pensee de Locke
Strange Baryon Production and Projectile Fragmentation in p–A Collisions at the AGS

Experiment 910 (E910) has studied proton-nucleus collisions at 12.3 and 17.5 GeV incident energies using a variety of targets. Centrality selection is provided via “grey” track multiplicity which can be statistically related to ν, the number of scatterings of the proton in the target nucleus. Previously published semi-inclusive measurements of Ν production are discussed and preliminary measurements of “leading” Ν production in 17.5 GeV p-Au collisions are presented as a function of ν. The data indicate that the probability for the projectile to fragment into a strange baryon increases significantly with increasing ν for ν≤3; an extrapolation of the E910 data to nucleus-nucleus collisions can reproduce most of the enhancement in Ν production observed in Pb-Pb collisions at 40, 80 and 160 A. GeV. Preliminary measurements of Ξ− production in 17.5 GeV p-Au collisions show a rapid increase in yield with increasing ν. The data are discussed in the context of the Van Hove fragmentation model. Preliminary proton and pion spectra are presented for 12.3 GeV p-Be collisions. The data show a rapid degradation of outgoing proton momenta with increasing N grey while only modest changes are observed in the pion fragmentation spectra.
Extension problems for accretive sets in Banach spaces

Abstract This paper contains both negative and positive results concerning the possibility of extending accretive sets in Banach spaces to m -accretive sets. On the one hand, it is shown that if a closed convex subset C of a reflexive strictly convex Banach space E is not a nonexpansive retract of E , then no accretive A such that clco( D ( A )) = C can be extended to an m -accretive set B with D ( B ) ⊂ C , and that if a non-Hilbert E is reflexive and smooth, then there is an accretive set A ⊂ E × E which has no m -accretive extension. On the other hand, we establish positive results and then apply them to the study of the asymptotic behavior of nonlinear semigroups, the construction of zeros of accretive sets, and the characterization of invariant sets for nonlinear semigroups.
Endosomal vesicles as vehicles for viral genomes

The endocytic pathway is the principal cell entry pathway for large cargos and pathogens. Among the wide variety of specialized lipid structures within endosomes, the intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) formed in early endosomes (EEs) and transferred to late endosomal compartments are emerging as critical effectors of viral infection and immune recognition. Various viruses deliver their genomes into these ILVs, which serve as vehicles to transport the genome to the nuclear periphery for replication. When secreted as exosomes, ILVs containing viral genomes can infect permissive cells or activate immune responses in myeloid cells. We therefore propose that endosomal ILVs and exosomes are key effectors of viral pathogenesis.
Fistula-in-ano after episiotomy.

Abstract Background: In the past 2 years, we treated three women with fourth-degree lacerations or episiotomy infections presenting with persistent pain and drainage not responding to standard treatment. Cases: These women were referred for evaluation 5 weeks, 3.5 months, and 2 years postpartum. After diagnosing fistula-in-ano, we treated them with fistulotomy and curettage, which resolved the problem. Conclusion: When a patient presents with pain or drainage at her episiotomy site, fistula-in-ano should be considered.
Comparison of two cryopreservation protocols for freezing human spermatozoa.

FREEZING HUMAN SPERMATOZOA Hiroshi Kobayashi, Pavithra Ranganathan, Ayman Mahran, Rakesh Sharma, Anthony J. Thomas, Ashok Agarwal, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Objective: Sperm quality decreases significantly following freezing and research on improving cryosurvival rates is crucial. We compared the effects of two cryopreservation protocols to determine which method allows better preservation of sperm characteristics.
Anger suppression mediates the relationship between optimism and natural killer cell cytotoxicity in men treated for localized prostate cancer

Objective: This study evaluated relations among optimism, depression, anger suppression and natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) in 61 men treated for localized prostate cancer (PC). Method: All participants were assessed at a single time point where demographics, optimism, depression and anger suppression were measured. We also collected peripheral venous blood to assess NKCC. Results: Results showed that greater optimism was associated with greater NKCC (b=.27, Pb.05), less depression (b=.63, Pb.001) and less anger suppression (b=.29, Pb.05). Furthermore, less anger suppression (b=.35, Pb.01) was associated with greater NKCC. In a hierarchical regression model controlling for depression and then anger suppression, the relationship between optimism and NKCC became nonsignificant [b=.18, t(56)=1.51, P=.14], while anger suppression remained significantly correlated with NKCC [b=.29, t(56)=2.40, Pb.05]. Conclusions: Results suggest that optimism is associated with NKCC and a greater ability to adaptively express anger. Furthermore, it appears that less anger suppression partially mediates the relationship between optimism and NKCC. D 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Nature of freezing damage on the lipopolysaccharide molecule of Escherichia coli B.

Abstract The lipopolysaccharide, located on the surface of E. coli B, undergoes alteration by freezing. The results of these studies, as measured by the adsorption efficiency of LPS specific phages, indicated that this macromolecule may undergo both conformational alteraton and structural damage in the frozen cells. Biochemical analysis on purified LPS indicated that the structural damage is in the heptose region and might involve loss of heptose. Possible loss of phosphate in this region has been suggested. All these data indicated that alteraction is more conformational than structural in nature when subjected to freezing.
Transfaction of avian vitamin D-dependent calbindin-D28K 5' flanking promoter sequence in primary chick kidney cells

Expression of the vitamin D induced calbindin-D28K protein is transcriptionally controlled by the steroid hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) in a tissue-specific manner in the intestine and kidney. In order to examine the cis-acting elements of the calbindin-D28K promoter and its modulation by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, chimeric plasmids containing 2.1 kb of 5' flanking region linked to the reporter gene chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) were transfected by lipofection into primary cultures of chick kidney cells. Transfected chick kidney cells exhibited a high basal expression of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene, reflecting the strong activity of the calbindin-D28K promoter. Expression of the pCaBP2.1 reporter gene was increased 2-fold in the presence of the hormone 1,25(OH)2D3 in the primary kidney cells. Deletion of a 1.42 kb fragment ending -679 base pairs upstream from the transcription start site led to a 2-fold repression in the reporter gene activity by the hormone 1,25(OH)2D3 in primary chick kidney cultures. These preliminary results suggest that both positive and negative elements normally act to regulate the expression of the calbindin-D28K gene in primary chick kidney cells.
Blockade of the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol with 5-HT3 receptor antagonists

The ability of selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists to block the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol was investigated in pigeons trained with food reinforcement to discriminate ethanol (1.5 g/kg; IG) from water. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonists that are substituted tropines, ICS 205-930 (0.1–0.56 mg/kg) and MDL 72222 (3.0–17.0 mg/kg), blocked ethanol-appropriate responding, in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that some of the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol are mediated via the 5-HT3 receptor. The blockade the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol occurred in the presence of approximately 25–40 mM blood ethanol levels. Furthermore, the ethanol dose-effect function was shifted to the right by increasing doses of MDL 72222, suggesting a surmountable antagonism of the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol. However, the benzamide zacopride (0.56–1.7 mg/kg), which is also a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, did not block the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol. In addition, the dopaminergic antagonist haloperidol and the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin also failed to block the ethanol discrimination. The results suggest that 5-HT3 mediated neurotransmission is an important component of ethanol's discriminative stimulus effects, but that the structural characteristics of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists influence their ability to block this action of ethanol. Furthermore, these findings implicate a significant role of 5-HT3 activity in the behavioral effects of ethanol that may provide a pharmacological means for therapeutic intervention of alcohol abuse.
The History of Municipal Public Reporting

Abstract In the first half of the 20th century, municipal administration included emphasizing that municipal officials in a democracy must contribute to the maintenance of an informed citizenry by reporting to the public, using such techniques as annual reports. Municipal reporting was in its heyday from the 1920s to the 1940s. Then, by the end of the 20th century, it gradually disappeared from the municipal administrator’s agenda. Nonetheless, based on its theory and rationale, municipal reporting remains a duty of the public manager in a democracy. While not part of the e-government agenda yet, the new technologies of the digital era have the capacity to transform the traditional 20th century concept of municipal reporting into e-reporting for the 21st.
A Point Mutation in a Plant Calmodulin Is Responsible for Its Inhibition of Nitric-oxide Synthase

Abstract The calcium/calmodulin-dependent activation of nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) and its production of nitric oxide (NO) play a key regulatory role in plant and animal cell function. SCaM-1 is a plant calmodulin (CaM) isoform that is 91% identical to mammalian CaM (wild type CaM (wtCaM)) and a selective competitive antagonist of NOS (Cho, M. J., Vaghy, P. L., Kondo, R., Lee, S. H., Davis, J. P., Rehl, R., Heo, W. D., and Johnson, J. D. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 15593–15597). We have used site-directed mutagenesis to show that a point mutation, involving the substitution of valine for methionine at position 144, is responsible for SCaM-1's inhibition of mammalian NOS. An M144V mutation in wild type CaM produced a mutant (M144V) which exhibited nearly identical inhibition of NOS's NO production and NADPH oxidation, with a similar K i (∼15 nm) as SCaM-1. A V144M back mutation in SCaM-1 significantly restored its ability to activate NOS's catalytic functions. The length of the hydrophobic amino acid side chain at position 144 appears to be critical for NOS activation, since M144L and M144F activated NOS while M144V and M144C did not. Despite their competitive antagonism of NOS, M144V, like SCaM-1, exhibited a similar dose-dependent activation of phosphodiesterase and calcineurin as wtCaM. SCaM-1 and M144V produced greater inhibition of NOS's oxygenase domain function (NO production) than its reductase domain functions (NADPH oxidation and cytochrome c reduction). Thus, CaM's methionine 144 plays a critical role the activation of NOS, presumably by influencing the function of NOS's oxygenase domain.
Myocardial infarction and acute cholecystitis: an application of sequence symmetry analysis

Using a statewide hospital discharge database and a novel epidemiology method, sequence symmetry analysis (Epidemiology. 1996;7:478-84), I examined the relative risk for hospital admission for acute cholecystitis after admission for myocardial infarction. In sequence symmetry analysis, the ratio of the number of subjects in a fixed population who experienced two events in a "causal" vs "noncausal" temporal sequence estimates the incidence rate ratio (IRR). Of 514 patients admitted for both myocardial infarction and acute cholecystitis during a 3-year window period, 295 were admitted for myocardial infarction first and 219 for acute cholecystitis first, yielding a null sequence-adjusted IRR of 1.45 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.28-1.64]. A similar analysis for a known relation (myocardial infarction-->congestive heart failure, N = 27,850) showed the expected association [adjusted IRR = 1.92 (95% CI = 1.88-1.95)], whereas an analysis for a relation hypothesized not to be strong (congestive heart failure-->acute cholecystitis, N = 775) showed only a small association [adjusted IRR = 1.16 (95% CI = 1.05-1.28)]. Subgroup analysis revealed time courses that supported each relation as causal. Hospitalization for myocardial infarction may increase the risk for subsequent hospitalization for acute cholecystitis.
Quantitative multi-component analysis of copper cyanide strike solutions using partial least squares analysis of Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectra

Abstract Spectra of copper cyanide solutions, similar to those of copper strike-plating baths, have been investigated with Fourier Transform-Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy using a Horizontal Attenuated Total Reflectance (HATR) accessory in order to determine the chemical composition of the solutions. Three components, total copper, total cyanide, and carbonate, have been examined at concentration ranges of 0.1–0.3 M for total copper, 0.3–1.0 M for total cyanide, and 0.0–0.9 M for carbonate. Partial least squares analysis of the spectra yields correlation coefficients of greater than 0.999 for all species. This research shows that FTIR spectroscopy can provide rapid, accurate quantitative analysis of copper cyanide solutions.
A Display Simulator for Computer-Aided Systems

' ~~~~ultimate goaliiiaysometimes bethought ofas dis- whichprepare theinputs forprocessing. Signal Process-pensing withdisplays andhumansandletting thecom- ingattempts toseparate thedesired input information putermakeallthedecisions, itisfoundprofitable in fromn theever-present background interference; e.g., mostsystems toretain thehumanelement andan randomnoise, clutter (orreverberation), andjammingattempt ismadetointegrate itintotheover-all design. signials. Thispredetection processing, sometimes calledThere isacontinuing need, therefore, fordisplay sys- signal enhancement, isaccomplished bymatched-temswhich aresufficiently flexible topermit their useas filtering, autocorrelation, cross-correlation, etc.Data simulators aswellasoperational displays. Suchdis- Processing selects events bymeansofasetofappro-plays maybeusedtotestsystemoperation andcheck priate criteria (applied byacomputer and,perhaps, by ' ' ~~out display concepts, tomonitor thecomputer process- itsiliput circuits) and,inmostsystems, programs the i o d ati
Comparison of the debonding characteristics of two innovative ceramic bracket designs

Two new ceramic brackets-one designed with a metal-lined arch wire slot and the other with an epoxy resin base-have been recently introduced. The new brackets are thought to combine the esthetic advantages of ceramics and the functional advantages of debonding metal brackets. The purpose of this study was to compare the following: 1) the shear bond strength of the 2 brackets, and 2) the bond failure location when the brackets are debonded with pliers. Sixty-one Clarity (3M Unitek) collapsible ceramic brackets and 66 MXi (TP Orthodontics, Inc) brackets were bonded to the teeth with the same bonding system. The Zwick Universal Test Machine (Zwick Gm bH & Co) was used to determine the shear bond strength force levels needed to debond the brackets. The appropriate pliers also were used to debond both types of brackets to determine the mode of bond failure that will be encountered clinically. After debonding, all the teeth and brackets were examined with 10x magnification. Any adhesive that remained after the bracket removal was assessed according to the Adhesive Remnant Index. The findings indicated that the shear bond strength of the Clarity ceramic brackets was significantly greater than that of the MXi ceramic brackets. However, both brackets exhibited forces that were adequate for clinical use. The Adhesive Remnant Index scores for both the shear test and the plier debonding indicated a similar bond failure pattern when the 2 ceramic brackets were compared with each other. This suggests that, when these brackets are debonded with the Weingart (Ormco) and ETM (Ormco) pliers, there was a greater tendency for most of the adhesive to remain on the enamel surface. In conclusion, the most efficient method to debond the MXi ceramic bracket is by placing the blades of the ETM 346 pliers between the bracket base and the enamel surface. On the other hand, the most efficient method of debonding the Clarity bracket is by using the Weingart pliers and applying pressure to the tiewings. When the 2 ceramic brackets were debonded as recommended here, most of the residual adhesive remained on the enamel surface, a pattern similar to the one observed previously with metal brackets. The failure at the bracket-adhesive interface decreases the probability of enamel damage but necessitates the removal of more residual adhesive after debonding.
Sex Differences and Opposite Effects of Stress on Dendritic Spine Density in the Male Versus Female Hippocampus

Dendritic spines are postsynaptic sites of excitatory input in the mammalian nervous system. Despite much information about their structure, their functional significance remains unknown. It has been reported that females in proestrus, when estrogen levels are elevated, have a greater density of apical dendritic spines on pyramidal neurons in area CA1 of the hippocampus than females in other stages of estrous (Woolley et al., 1990). Here we replicate these findings and in addition, show that females in proestrus have a greater density of spines in area CA1 of the hippocampus than males. Moreover, this sex difference in spine density is affected in opposite directions by stressful experience. In response to one acute stressful event of intermittent tailshocks, spine density was enhanced in the male hippocampus but reduced in the female hippocampus. The decrease in the female was observed for those that were stressed during diestrus 2 and perfused 24 hr later during proestrus. The opposing effects of stress were not evident immediately after the stressor but rather occurred within 24 hr and were evident on apical and to a lesser extent on basal dendrites of pyramidal cells in area CA1. Neither sex nor stress affected spine density on pyramidal neurons in somatosensory cortex. Sex differences in hippocampal spine density correlated with sex hormones, estradiol and testosterone, whereas stress effects on spine density were not directly associated with differences in the stress hormones, glucocorticoids. In summary, males and females have different levels of dendritic spine density in the hippocampus under unstressed conditions, and their neuronal anatomy can respond in opposite directions to the same stressful event.
Repair of intraoperative aneurysm neck tear utilizing the cotton-clipping technique.

Intraoperative rupture of an intracranial aneurysm is a potentially devastating but controllable complication. The authors have successfully used the previously described cotton-clip technique to repair tears at the necks of aneurysms.1–4 A tear on the neck of the aneurysm is covered with a piece of cotton and held in place with a suction device. The cotton is then clipped onto the tear with an aneurysm clip, using the cotton as a bolster. This simple, effective method has been useful in repairing a partial avulsion of the neck of an aneurysm.1,3 The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/nT86RYVQWpc.
Economic input/output analysis to aid life cycle assessment of electronics products

Economic input/output (EIO) analysis is a well established modelling framework for tracing the flows of inputs and outputs throughout an economy. It can aid life cycle analysis by providing a comprehensive framework for analyzing environmental costs, thereby eliminating the ad hoc boundary assumptions required in conventional life cycle analysis. We illustrate use of the EIO method with applications to electronics manufacture, including Household Refrigerators and Freezers (SIG 3632), Computers and Office Equipment (SIG 357), and Household Audio and Video Equipment (SIG 3651). The EIO provides an estimate of all direct and indirect pollution discharges associated with manufacture of these products. Our EIO model is based upon the Department of Commerce 480/spl times/480 commodity sector data and a variety of environmental impact indices, including the toxic release inventory (TRI) and energy use.
A Viewpoint Invariant Approach for Crowd Counting

This paper describes a viewpoint invariant learning-based method for counting people in crowds from a single camera. Our method takes into account feature normalization to deal with perspective projection and different camera orientation. The training features include edge orientation and blob size histograms resulted from edge detection and background subtraction. A density map that measures the relative size of individuals and a global scale measuring camera orientation are estimated and used for feature normalization. The relationship between the feature histograms and the number of pedestrians in the crowds is learned from labeled training data. Experimental results from different sites with different camera orientation demonstrate the performance and the potential of our method
Aerobic fitness is associated with greater white matter integrity in children

Aerobic fitness has been found to play a positive role in brain and cognitive health of children. Yet, many of the neural biomarkers related to aerobic fitness remain unknown. Here, using diffusion tensor imaging, we demonstrated that higher aerobic fitness was related to greater estimates of white matter microstructure in children. Higher fit 9- and 10-year-old children showed greater fractional anisotropy (FA) in sections of the corpus callosum, corona radiata, and superior longitudinal fasciculus, compared to lower fit children. The FA effects were primarily characterized by aerobic fitness differences in radial diffusivity, thereby raising the possibility that estimates of myelination may vary as a function of individual differences in fitness during childhood. White matter structure may be another potential neural mechanism of aerobic fitness that assists in efficient communication between gray matter regions as well as the integration of regions into networks.
Deliquescence and Efflorescence of Potassium Salts Relevant to Biomass-Burning Aerosol Particles

Particles containing potassium salts are common in biomass burning plumes and include compounds such as KCl, KNO 3 , and K 2 SO 4 . We determined the deliquescence and efflorescence relative humidities of single- and multi-component potassium salts using an environmental transmission electron microscope and an environmental scanning electron microscope. KCl particles deliquesced at a relative humidity (RH) of 85% and effloresced at 56%. K 2 SO 4 particles deliquesced at 96% and effloresced at 60%. KNO 3 particles grew continuously with increasing humidity. If KNO 3 particles were heat-treated at 104°C overnight, they deliquesced at an RH above 90%. Atomized solutions of multi-component potassium compounds (KCl & KNO 3 and KCl & K 2 SO 4 ) formed particles that contained distinct grains of each compound upon drying. Particles formed from the KCl & KNO 3 mixtures grew continuously with increasing humidity until deliquescence occurred at an RH of 82% and efflorescence occurred at 58%. Particles from the KCl ...
Explained variation for survival models

This article introduces a new measure of explained variation for use with censored survival data. It is a modified version of a measure previously described by John O'Quigley and colleagues, itself a modification of Nagelkerke's earlier proposal for a general index of determination. I describe Stata programs str2ph, which implements the new measure, and str2d, which implements a measure proposed in 2004 by Royston and Sauerbrei. I provide examples with real data. © 2006 StataCorp LP.
Using steered molecular dynamics simulations and single-molecule force spectroscopy to guide the rational design of biomimetic modular polymeric materials.

This article describes results on using steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations and experimental single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) to investigate the relationship between hydrogen bonding and mechanical stability of a series of homodimeric β-sheet mimics. The dimers consisting of 4, 6, and 8 H-bonding sites were modeled in explicit chloroform solvent and the rupture force was studied using constant velocity SMD. The role of solvent structuring on the conformation of the dimers was analyzed and showed no significant contribution of chloroform molecules in the rupture event. The simulated stability of the dimers was validated by force data obtained with atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based SMFS in toluene. The computational model for the 8H dimer also offered insight into a possible mismatched dimer intermediate that may contribute to the lower than expected mechanical stability observed by single-molecule AFM force studies. In addition, atomic level analysis of the rupture mechanism verified the dependence of mechanical strength on pulling trajectory due to the directional nature of chemical bonding under an applied force. The knowledge gained from this basic study will be used to guide further design of modular polymers having folded nanostructures through strategic programming of weak, non-covalent interactions into polymer backbones.
The Impact of Classroom Style on Student Attitudes toward Sales Careers: A Comparative Approach

It is suggested that a participative-style sales class rather than the more traditional lecture-style class may be beneficial in changing and improving students' attitudes toward sales positions. Implications for corporate sales recruiters and marketing faculty are offered.
Transnational ways of seeing: sexual and national belonging in Hedwig and the Angry Inch

I argue that transnational ways of seeing help us apprehend the histories of globalization, immigration and imperialism that frame and make legible cultural productions. Focusing on John Cameron Mitchell's 2001 film Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which has been almost universally received as being about transsexuality, this essay argues that the film is equally about transnationality and specifically about how queer identifications and identities are produced in relation to the nation-state. Hedwig explores the limits of national belonging and the pleasures of US popular culture through the lens of sexual and gender identity, with the ambiguity of the Hedwig's body embodying confusion about legal, political and cultural citizenship. The film identifies and critiques the violences of heteronormative national belonging, yet by reading Hedwig alongside the political and legal histories that make its narrative legible, it becomes apparent that the film's popular reception frequently erases the transnational and i...
`The growth hormone–insulin-like growth factor axis in kidney re-revisited

The use of renal allotransplantation to treat ESRD in the US is limited by lack of organ availability. A possible solution is the transplantation of developing kidneys (metanephric allograft or xenografts). We have conducted studies that demonstrate the feasibility of such a strategy and have shown that IGF I may be useful to accelerate the growth and development of these transplanted organs. The rationale for the use of IGF I in this setting grew from a basic understanding of the role that the growth factor plays in kidney development. ARF in humans is the most costly kidney-related disease requiring hospitalization. Its incidence is increasing. Despite many advances in dialytic therapy, the mortality rate for patients with ARF has not changed in the last several decades. Strategies for treatment of ARF are directed toward supportive care to permit renal regeneration to occur. There exists a need for new therapeutic approaches that can speed recovery and reduce mortality. Although IGF I may not prove to be the 'magic bullet' for ARF, its proposal and testing as a potential therapeutic agent has provided a paradigm for the development of treatment modalities to accelerate renal regeneration based upon a basic understanding of the injury/repair process. The basis for development of a 'growth factor' therapy for ARF will probably evolve, at least in part, out of the testing and use of IGF I in rat models and in humans. The use of GH to treat ESRD was proposed shortly after its isolation and the demonstration of its action in increasing the rate of glomerular filtration. Later, it was discovered that the actions of GH on kidney are mediated by IGF I, and the means by which IGF I enhances glomerular filtration was elucidated. We have shown that humans with ESRD are not resistant to the actions of IGF I in enhancing the GFR, establishing the potential for use of IGF I as a pharmacological agent for ESRD. There is no effective drug therapy to enhance renal function in ESRD. Although much work remains to be done, and clearly caution is advised, our observations establish the potential for the use of IGF I as a therapeutic agent in this setting and justify continued study of IGF I as a medical therapy to delay the need for dialysis.
Personality traits among ADHD adults: implications of late-onset and subthreshold diagnoses.

Background Diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is difficult when diagnosticians cannot establish onset prior to the DSM-IV criterion of age 7 or if the number of symptoms does not achieve the DSM threshold for diagnosis. Previous work has assessed the validity of such diagnoses based on psychiatric co-morbidity, family history and neuropsychological functions but none of these studies have used personality as a validation criterion.
A new method for assessing multivariate normality with graphical applications

A new methodology for assessing distributional assumptions of multivariate data, with graphical applications, is developed. The underlying procedure is based on transforming the multivariate sample into a set of uncorrelated samples and representing the order statistics of each transformed sample by linked vectors in a two dimensional space. The multivariate normality tests are reviewed in detail, the proposed method is described and its properties are discussed.
Volatile anesthetics-induced neuroinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses

Volatile anesthetics have been the major anesthetics used clinically for more than 150 years. They provide all components of general anesthesia and are easy to be applied and monitored with modern equipment and technology. In addition to having anesthetic property, volatile anesthetics have multiple other effects. Many studies have clearly shown that volatile anesthetics can reduce systemic and local inflammatory responses induced by various stimuli in humans and animals. On the other hand, recent animal studies have shown that volatile anesthetics may induce mild neuroinflammation. These dual effects on inflammation may have significant biological implications and are briefly reviewed here.
Potential Reasons Why Physicians Underuse Lung-Protective Ventilation: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Physician Documentation

BACKGROUND: Physicians often fail to use lung-protective ventilation (LPV) in patients with acute lung injury. OBJECTIVE: To use physician documentation to identify why physicians did not initiate or continue LPV in patients with acute lung injury. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study in a university hospital. The study period was September 2000 through November 2002. In our primary analysis, LPV was defined as use of a tidal volume ≤ 7.5 mL/kg predicted body weight (PBW). We also conducted a sensitivity analysis in which we defined LPV as use of a tidal volume ≤ 6.0 mL/kg PBW. RESULTS: In our primary analysis, in 42 (56%) of 75 cases, physicians used or intended to use LPV. Of these 42 subjects, 12 received LPV transiently, and 6 never received LPV, despite the fact that the physician ordered or documented LPV use. In 21 of the 33 remaining cases the physicians documented concerns or clinical criteria that may explain why LPV was not used: relative contraindications to LPV (n = 2), change of care goal to comfort care only (n = 1), rapid resolution of hypoxemia (n = 4), and consideration of alternative diagnoses for which LPV was not indicated (n = 14). Of the 12 cases where LPV was used transiently, diagnostic uncertainty (n = 6) was a common finding. The sensitivity analysis yielded explanations in similar proportions. CONCLUSIONS: LPV, once initiated, is often discontinued. Uncertainty in the diagnosis of acute lung injury appears to be an important barrier to initiating and continuing LPV, whereas concerns regarding metabolic acidosis and clinical changes (hypoxemia improved) may prevent the initiation of LPV. Even when physicians believe they are using LPV, they may not be, which suggests that protocol-implementation failure is an important barrier to use of LPV.
HEMT-based read-out of a thickness-mode AlGaN/GaN resonator

A multi-gigahertz AlGaN/GaN resonator is introduced, where the fundamental thickness-mode resonance at 2.1 GHz is excited exhibiting a quality factor (Q) of 105. For the first time, acoustic strain in the vertical direction is excited and sensed through a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG), induced at the AlGaN/GaN interface. The 2DEG sheet is used as the bottom electrode for piezoelectric actuation, as well as the transistor conduction channel for acoustic sensing. In this design, acoustic resonance is sensed by modulation of the HEMT drain current (ID); thus, the transistor is biased in the linear region of operation. Here, we study the dependency of the acoustic transconductance on the readout HEMT biasing and show that the read-out HEMT senses the drain current modulation only when the 2DEG channel is not pinched. To use the full potential of the HEMT intrinsic amplification, the transistor needs to be biased in the saturation region, which would require a modified RB-HEMT design.
Tag1 Is an Autonomous Transposable Element That Shows Somatic Excision in Both Arabidopsis and Tobacco

Tag1 is a transposable element first identified as an insertion in the CHL1 gene of Arabidopsis. The chl1::Tag1 mutant originated from a plant (ecotype Landsberg erecta) that had been transformed with the maize transposon Activator (Ac), which is distantly related to Tag1. Genomic analysis of untransformed Landsberg erecta plants demonstrated that two identical Tag1 elements are present in the Landsberg erecta genome. To determine what provides transposase function for Tag1 transposition, we examined Tag1 excision in different genetic backgrounds. First, the chl1::Tag1 mutant was backcrossed to untransformed wild-type Arabidopsis plants to remove the Ac element(s) from the genome. F2 progeny that had no Ac elements but still retained Tag1 in the CHL1 gene were identified. Tag1 still excised in these Ac-minus progeny producing CHL1 revertants; therefore, Ac is not required for Tag1 excision. Next, Tag1 was inserted between a cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and a beta-glucuronidase (GUS) marker gene and transformed into tobacco. Transformants showed blue-staining sectors indicative of Tag1 excision. Transgenic tobacco containing a defective Tag1 element, which was constructed in vitro by deleting an internal 1.4-kb EcoRI fragment, did not show blue-staining sectors. We conclude that Tag1 is an autonomous element capable of independent excision. The 35S-GUS::Tag1 construct was then introduced into Arabidopsis. Blue-staining sectors were found in cotyledons, leaves, and roots, showing that Tag1 undergoes somatic excision during vegetative development in its native host.
Bisphosphonate-Induced Exposed Bone (Osteonecrosis/Osteopetrosis) of the Jaws: Risk Factors, Recognition, Prevention, and Treatment

Purpose Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption and thus bone renewal by suppressing the recruitment and activity of osteoclasts thus shortening their life span. Recently three bisphosphonates, Pamidronate (Aredia; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Haven, NJ), Zoledronate (Zometa; Novartis Pharmaceuticals), and Alendronate (Fosamax; Merck Co, West Point, VA) have been linked to painful refractory bone exposures in the jaws. Materials and Methods One hundred-nineteen total cases of bisphosphonate-related bone exposure were reviewed. Results Thirty-two of 119 patients (26%) received Aredia, 48 (40.3%) received Zometa, 36 (30.2%) received Aredia later changed to Zometa, and 3 (2.5%) received Fosamax. The mean induction time for clinical bone exposure and symptoms was 14.3 months for those who received Aredia, 12.1 months for those who received both, 9.4 months for those who received Zometa, and 3 years for those who received Fosamax. Sixty-two (52.1%) were treated for multiple myeloma, 50 (42%) for metastatic breast cancer, 4 (3.4%) for metastatic prostate cancer and 3 (2.5%) for osteoporosis. Presenting findings in addition to exposed bone were 37 (31.1%) asymptomatic, 82 (68.9%) with pain, 28 (23.5%) mobile teeth, and 21 (17.6%) with nonhealing fistulas. Eighty-one (68.1%) bone exposures occurred in the mandible alone, 33 (27.7%) in the maxilla, and 5 (4.2%) occurred in both jaws. Medical comorbidities included the malignancy itself 97.5%, previous and/or maintenance chemotherapy 97.5%, Dexamethasone 59.7%. Dental comorbidities included the presence of periodontitis 84%, dental caries 28.6%, abscessed teeth 13.4% root canal treatments 10.9%, and the presence of mandibular tori 9.2%. The precipitating event that produced the bone exposures were spontaneous 25.2%, tooth removals 37.8%, advanced periodontitis 28.6%, periodontal surgery 11.2%, dental implants 3.4% and root canal surgery 0.8%. Conclusions Complete prevention of this complication in not currently possible. However, pre-therapy dental care reduces this incidence, and non-surgical dental procedures can prevent new cases. For those who present with painful exposed bone, effective control to a pain free state without resolution of the exposed bone is 90.1% effective using a regimen of antibiotics along with 0.12% chlorohexidine antiseptic mouth.
Implementing a Real-Time Electronic Data Capture System to Improve Clinical Documentation in Radiation Oncology

Abstract Purpose Electronic health records (EHRs) often store information as unstructured text, whereas electronic data capture (EDC) using structured fields is common in clinical trials. We implemented a web-based EDC system for routine clinical care, and describe our experience piloting this system for breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. Methods Our institution uses dictation for clinical documentation in a centralized EHR; a separate radiation therapy-specific record-and-verify system contains prescriptions, schedules, and treatment documentation. The implemented EDC system collects patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics using structured data fields and merges it with data from the radiation therapy system to generate template-based notes in the EHR. Mean times to create notes using dictation versus EDC were compared. Users were surveyed about their experience. Acute toxicities were captured using the EDC system, and reported. Results The EDC system has been used by 25 providers for 1,296 patients. In the most recent month, 978 clinical notes were generated. The average clinician documentation time over a typical course of radiation was reduced from 22.4 minutes per patient with dictation, to 7.1 minutes with EDC. The user survey response rate was 100%, with 92% of respondents being either satisfied or very satisfied with their experience. The worst acute toxicities were mostly grade 1 (51%) or grade 2 (43%), with rare grade 3 (3%) events. Conclusions We implemented an EDC system for routine clinical use in the breast radiation therapy service that resulted in significant time-savings for clinical documentation and prospective population of a database to facilitate outcomes reporting.