cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of specific ion channel blockers on cultured schwann cell proliferation

Mitogenesis in a variety of tissues is known to be inhibited by K+ channel blockers such as tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Using radiolabeled thymidine as a proliferation index we have examined what role, if any, specific K+ channels have in cultured Schwann cells that have been induced to proliferate by pre-exposure to mitogens. TEA and 4-AP are “broad-spectrum” in that they block a variety of different types of K+ channel. In contrast, we found that α-dendrotoxin (α-DTX), a specific blocker of the type 1 fast delayed rectifier current (the largest component of Schwann cell K+ current) does not affect proliferation, suggesting that type 1 current may not be involved in mitogenesis. This suggestion is supported by our finding that the values of the KD for the mitogenic effect (722 nM, 4-AP; 13 mM, TEA) are much larger than the corresponding electrophysiological values for type 1 channels (0.1 mM, 4-AP; 0.2 mM, TEA). Charybdotoxin (200 nM) and iberiotoxin (100 nM), inhibitors of Ca2+-activated K+ channels, cesium (5 mM), an inhibitor of inward rectifier channels, and furosemide (100 μM), which blocks Na+/K+/Cl− cotransport, all had no effect on proliferation. Interestingly, 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene 2,2′-disulphonate (DIDS), which blocks voltage-gated Cl− channels, reduced proliferation. In summary, broad-spectrum K+ channel blockers inhibit Schwann cell proliferation, but inhibitors specific for type 1, Ca2+-activated, and inward rectifier K+ channels do not. Whether the inhibition is mediated by type 2 K+ channels, by an as yet unidentified Schwann cell K+ channel, or by another mechanism remains unclear. GLIA 22:113–120, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Novel acridine-based agents with topoisomerase II inhibitor activity suppress mesothelioma cell proliferation and induce apoptosis

Human topoisomerase II (hTopoII) inhibitors are important chemotherapeutic agents in many different settings including treatment of malignant mesothelioma. Topoisomerase poisons, such as etoposide and doxorubicin, function by trapping the DNA-enzyme covalent complex producing DNA strand breaks which can ultimately lead to cancer cell death, as well as development of secondary malignancies. While these compounds have been used successfully in treating a wide variety of cancers, their use against mesothelioma has been limited. This study evaluates the anti-proliferative activity of series of acridine-based catalytic inhibitors of hTopoII using four mesothelioma cell lines (H513, H2372, H2461, and H2596). The results indicate these compounds inhibit malignant cell proliferation with EC50 values ranging from 6.9 to 32 μM. Experiments are also performed that show that combination therapies may be used to increase potency. Based on the results of PARP cleavage and Guava Nexin assay, it is concluded that the primary mode of cell death is by apoptosis. The results are consistent with prior work involving pancreatic cancer and hTopoII catalytic inhibitors and suggest substituted acridines may hold promise in treating malignant mesothelioma.
A comparison between xeroradiography and conventional radiography in the diagnosis of endodontic lesions.

Abstract Detection of periapical bone pathosis is an important part of the diagnostic process in dentistry. Xeroradiographs and E-speed films were taken to evaluate and to compare the diagnostic value for the radiographic interpretation of periapical lesions. Thirty-four patients undergoing endodontic treatment were chosen. Simultaneous exposures of the radiographic film and the xeroradiographic plates were made. The samples were viewed and categorized by the examiners using the following scores: 0 = unacceptably poor, 1 = poor but diagnostic, 2 = adequate for diagnostic information, and 3 = optimal for diagnostic information. A paired samplet test was performed on the result of the evaluation by the two examiners, and both showed that there were no significant difference at p
Endocannabinoids and related fatty acid derivatives in pain modulation

The brain produces at least five compounds that possess sub-micromolar affinity for cannabinoid receptors: anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, noladin ether, virodhamine, and N-arachidonoyldopamine (NADA). One function of these and/or related compounds is to suppress pain sensitivity. Much evidence supports a role of endocannabinoids in pain modulation in general, and some evidence points to the role of particular endocannabinoids. Related endogenous fatty acid derivatives such as oleamide, palmitoylethanolamide, 2-lineoylglycerol, 2-palmitoylglycerol, and a family of arachidonoyl amino acids may interact with endocannabinoids in the modulation of pain sensitivity.
The effect of the bisphosphonate alendronate on viability of canine osteosarcoma cells in vitro

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of alendronate on the viability of canine osteosarcoma cells and nonneoplastic canine cells. The sample population was composed of canine osteosarcoma tumor cells. Osteosarcoma cells and canine fibroblasts were maintained in culture under standard conditions. The MTT assay for cell viability was performed after 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation with alendronate (0.001 to 1000 μM) or no drug (control). Plates were set up so that each concentration and the control had a sample number of 8. The optical density (OD) of each well was measured at 540 nm using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay microplate reader. The percent viability was determined for each concentration and for each incubation time. After 24 h of incubation of POS (parent osteosarcoma) and HMPOS cells with alendronate, there was no significant difference in mean OD at any drug concentration when compared with control samples. A significant concentration- and time-dependent reduction in mean OD of osteosarcoma cells was observed after 48 and 72 h of incubation, with alendronate concentrations ranging from 10 to 1000 μM. The lowest percent cell viability observed in treated cells was 35%. Conversely, alendronate did not significantly affect mean OD in fibroblasts, and the lowest percent cell viability observed was 76%. Our data indicate that alendronate may have the potential to inhibit canine osteosarcoma tumor growth. It will be important to determine the clinical relevance of these in vitro findings. If similar findings are observed in vivo, use of alendronate may also be indicated as an adjuvant to existing chemotherapeutic protocols.
Cycloaddition reactions of tetrakis(2,6-diethylphenyl)digermene

Abstract The titled compound undergoes smooth cycloadditions with diazomethane, phenyl azide, selenium, phenylacetylene and acetone to provide the corresponding three- or four-membered addition products
In situ sol-gel preparation of porous alumina monoliths for chromatographic separations of adenosine phosphates

A method enabling the in situ preparation of porous alumina monoliths within 100 μm i.d. fused silica capillaries has been developed. These monoliths were prepared using the sol-gel process from a mixture consisting of an inorganic aluminum salt, a porogen, an epoxide, and a solvent. We investigated the effects of varying the preparation conditions on the physical characteristics of the monoliths with respect to their potential application in chromatographic separations. The best columns were obtained from a mixture of aluminum chloride hexahydrate, N,N-dimethylformamide, water, ethanol and propylene oxide. Adenosine phosphates were then separated in the optimized column with retention increasing according to number of phosphate functionalities.
Nuggeteer: Automatic Nugget-Based Evaluation using Descriptions and Judgements

The TREC Definition and Relationship questions are evaluated on the basis of information nuggets that may be contained in system responses. Human evaluators provide informal descriptions of each nugget, and judgements (assignments of nuggets to responses) for each response submitted by participants. While human evaluation is the most accurate way to compare systems, approximate automatic evaluation becomes critical during system development.We present Nuggeteer, a new automatic evaluation tool for nugget-based tasks. Like the first such tool, Pourpre, Nuggeteer uses words in common between candidate answer and answer key to approximate human judgements. Unlike Pourpre, but like human assessors, Nuggeteer creates a judgement for each candidate-nugget pair, and can use existing judgements instead of guessing. This creates a more readily interpretable aggregate score, and allows developers to track individual nuggets through the variants of their system. Nuggeteer is quantitatively comparable in performance to Pourpre, and provides qualitatively better feedback to developers.
Isothermal compression of the spinel phase of Ni2SiO4 up to 300 kilobars at room temperature

Abstract The effect of pressure on the lattice parameter, hence the volume, for the high-pressure spinel phase of Ni 2 SiO 4 has been determined at room temperature up to 300 kb by means of the X-ray diffraction method employing a diamond-anvil high-pressure cell. The isothermal bulk modulus was calculated to be 2.14 ± 0.07 Mb by a least squares fit of the experimental data to the Birch-Murnaghan equation. This value is consistent with the Anderson-Nafe relationship, but deviates from the seismic equation of state of D. L. Anderson.
Pressure dependence of pentyl nitrate formation from the OH Radical-initiated reaction of n-pentane in the presence of NO.

The formation yields of 2- and 3-pentyl nitrate from the reactions of 2- and 3-pentyl peroxy radicals with NO have been measured at room temperature over the pressure range 51−744 Torr of N2 + O2, using the OH radical-initiated reaction of n-pentane to generate the pentyl peroxy radicals. The influence of 2- and 3-pentyl nitrate formation from the reaction of 2- and 3-pentoxy radicals with NO2 was investigated by conducting experiments with the initial CH3ONO (the OH radical precursor) and NO concentrations being varied by a factor of 5−10. From experiments carried out with low initial CH3ONO and NO concentrations, the measured yields of 2-pentyl nitrate and 3-pentyl nitrate, defined as ([pentyl nitrate] formed)/([n-pentane] reacted), each increase with increasing total pressure, from 1.10 ± 0.09% and 1.11 ± 0.10%, respectively, at 51 ± 1 Torr of O2 to 5.48 ± 0.51% and 4.07 ± 0.31%, respectively, at 737 ± 4 Torr of N2 + O2.
High speed rotary instruments in operative dentistry: review of the literature

In the general practice of dentistry, the restoration of carious teeth occupies the greatest percentage of the dentist’s work­ ing day; therefore, it behooves the den­ tist to become as efficient as possible in this field if he is to gain the optimum utilization of his productive hours. Since the early part of the nineteenth century, rotary tools of various types have been used by dentists for the purpose of abrading or cutting away tooth structure. The dental bur in its present form was first introduced in the early part of the last century,1 and since then it has under­ gone little modification or change. Currently, dentistry appears to be mak­ ing important advancements in the de­ velopment of more effective instruments and improved methods for cutting the hard structures of the teeth. Operative dentistry is an expanding field, and some new methods of cavity preparation are being brought forward. Within the recent past, high speed rotary machines have been introduced. There has also been developed a method of tooth tissue abra­ sion by means of a projected particle apparatus (Airdent). At present, the use of ultrasonic waves is being explored. It has become apparent that, within the predictable future, the present method of cavity preparation will be materially changed. Which method will finally emerge as the most acceptable is still problematical. It is the purpose of this paper to review the presently available literature on the status of the high speed rotary method of shaping cavities in the restoration of carious teeth.
Ray tracing simulation tool for portal-based millimeter-wave security systems using the NVIDIA® OptiX™ ray tracing engine

Person-borne weapons and explosives present major security threats at civil infrastructures such as airports. Millimeter-wave whole body imaging systems are used to identify anomalous objects hidden underneath people's clothing. Improvements to these systems can be investigated using electromagnetic computational models. Such forward models allow prediction of scattering from objects and give insight into the most effective sensor configurations and imaging techniques. Conventional full-wave simulation methods such as Finite Difference Frequency Domain and the Method of Moments provide extremely accurate solutions but are usually slow, ranging from minutes to hours in 3D depending on the domain size and frequency range. Less accurate but faster methods include physical optics and the Modified Equivalent Current Approximation (MECA). Simulating a portal-based scanning system involves evaluating the scattered field from the human body at multiple frequencies and at multiple receiver points, which is computationally expensive when using these methods.
Objective assessment of the quality of response during two equilibrium tasks.

Therapists typically evaluate the balance abilities of children as part of developmental or diagnostic assessments. While the pattern or quality of a child's balance reaction is considered to be an important indicator of developmental delay or disability, no criteria for objectively scoring the qualitative aspects of balance reactions have been developed. As a result, the evaluation of the quality of a balance reaction has remained subjective. The purpose of this investigation was to develop a qualitative grading scale for scoring the overall pattern of balance reactions on two clinical tests of balance: Tilt Board Reach and Flat Board Reach. Six patterns of response were identified in an initial sample of 66 normal children and 25 children with learning disabilities. Two trained assistants, unaware of age and group membership, then graded the responses of an independent sample of 263 normal children between 2 and 13 years of age, and 26 boys with learning disability and sensory integrative dysfunction between 7 and 14 years of age. Descriptive analysis of patterns of response by age for the normal children resulted in the identification of three normal patterns and three atypical patterns. Although boys with identified learning disabilities associated with sensory integrative dysfunction often used normal patterns, they were more likely than normal children to use either abnormal patterns or patterns commonly used by very young children.
Experimental evaluation of log-normally modulated Rician and IK models of optical scintillation in the atmosphere

Approximating the probability-density function of optical irradiance fluctuations in the turbulent atmosphere under all propagation conditions requires a model with at least two parameters. Two phenomenological two-parameter models that have been proposed, the IK and the log-normally modulated Rician probability-density functions, are compared with measured probability-density functions of the irradiance of laser light in a turbulent atmosphere under a variety of propagation conditions. The parameters for each model are obtained from measured second and third moments. It is concluded that the log-normally modulated Rician model is the better approximation to the data. However, the effects of the intermittency of turbulence must be included in the model for short propagation paths.
Microcavity polaritons in disordered exciton lattices

We investigate the interaction of excitons in a two-dimensional lattice and photons in a planar cavity in the presence of disorder. The strong exciton-photon coupling is described in terms of polariton quasiparticles, which are scattered by a disorder potential. We consider three kinds of disorder: (i) inhomogeneous exciton energy, (ii) inhomogeneous exciton-photon coupling, and (iii) deviations from an ideal lattice. These three types of disorder are characteristic of different physical systems. Their separate analysis gives insight into the competition between randomness and light matter coupling. We consider conventional planar polariton structures (in which excitons are resonant with photon modes emitting in the direction normal to the cavity plane) and Bragg polariton structures (in which excitons in a lattice are resonant with photon modes at a finite angle satisfying the Bragg condition). We calculate the absorption spectra in the normal direction and at the Bragg angle by direct diagonalization of the exciton-photon Hamiltonian. We found that in some cases weak disorder increases the light matter coupling and leads to a larger polariton splitting. Moreover, the coupling of excitons and photons is less sensitive to disorder of type (ii) and (iii). This suggests that polaritonic structures realized with impurities in a semiconductor or with atoms in an optical lattice are a good candidate for the observation of some of the Bragg polariton features.
A model for parton showers in QCD

Abstract A Monte Carlo model for the development of parton jets in QCD is described. Explicit low-order calculations are supplemented by leading logarithmic approximations for higher orders.
Partial purification of the crowding factor from Carassius auratus and Cyprinus carpio.

Crowding factors are those substances released by fish, which, under crowded conditions, inhibit both their growth and reproduction and depress their heart rate. We have partially purified the crowding factor from goldfish and carp by following a heart-rate-depression assay. The heart-rate-depression activity eluted with the diglyceride fraction from both silicic acid and Sephedex LH-20. A slightly different activity eluted with the free sterols. The peak activity associated with the diglycerides has a distinctive ultraviolet spectrum distinguishable from that of phthalic acid esters, which are also active in the assay sytem and are found in fish tissues and fish water.
Changes during differentiation in requirements for cAMP for expression of cell-type-specific mRNAs in the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract A number of genes encoding developmentally regulated mRNAs in the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum , have been described. Many of these are regulated by cAMP. Analysis of the earliest time at which elevated levels of cAMP can induce the expression of these mRNAs reveals a more complex pattern of regulation in which genes change in their ability to be induced in response to cAMP with developmental stage. A prestalk mRNA (C1/D11) previously thought not to be regulated by elevated levels of cAMP is inducible by cAMP between aggregation and loose mound stage; later in development its expression becomes independent of elevated cAMP. The early prespore genes (prespore class I) also show two modes of regulation; early in development they are induced independently of continuous elevated levels of cAMP, while later in development their expression is dependent upon elevated cAMP. The period during development when the prestalk genes are cAMP inducible precedes by 2 hr the first time at which either the early prespore class I or late prespore class II mRNAs are inducible by continuous elevated levels of cAMP. Previous analysis of these mRNAs has been carried out using Dictyostelium cells grown axenically. In this report we have studied the developmental expression of these mRNAs in cells grown on bacteria. A substantial shutoff of the class I prestalk and early prespore (class I) mRNAs not seen in axenically grown cells is observed when bacterially grown cells are plated for development. Less than 10% of the maximal level of these mRNAs remains in the cells at the time of mature spore and stalk differentiation. Additionally, in the bacterially grown cells two distinct patterns of developmental regulation are observed for mRNAs which in axenically growing cells appear to be constitutively expressed throughout growth and development.
Vertical slit transistor based integrated circuits (VeSTICs) paradigm

In this presentation new, unorthodox (i.e. ITRS incompatible), IC design/manufacturing paradigm is proposed. This paradigm has been conceived as a response to the rapidly growing complexity and increasing number of stumbling blocks posed by the nano-scale IC era. It has been constructed using notion of a strict layout regularity imposed on IC layout. Such restriction is seen as a remedy for dramatic increase of litho cost and complexity expected to be major issues for the "below-32-nm" products. Such regularity has been discussed in the past for IC interconnects. Focus of this talk is on active devices. The central element of the proposed vision is Vertical Slit Field Effect Transistor (VeSFET). It is shown that Vertical Slit Transistor based integrated circuits (VeSTICs) may enable much denser, much easier to design, test and manufacure, as well as, easily 3D-extendable and OPC-free ICs. The proposed paradigm has been developed assuming that it must reuse CMOS-based desig/manufdacturing infrasrtuctur and expertise that does exist today.
A nucleon in the nuclear medium: A tale of all energies

Abstract Although the conventional shell model approach has been successful in describing low-energy nuclear phenomena based on a realistic interaction between nucleons, several important shortcomings have become apparent as well. These shortcomings provide the motivation to employ the self-consistent Green's function (SCGF) method which can overcome these problems. Additional inspiration for the use of this method is provided by recent exclusive electron scattering results which involve the ejection of a proton from the nucleus. Such experiments have established quantitative information on the distribution of single-particle (sp) removal strength which is theoretically described in terms of the sp Green's function. The distribution of the experimental sp strength displays properties of the nucleus that can be brought into one-to-one correspondence with Fermi Liquid properties of infinite homogeneous systems. Theoretical calculations of the sp Green's function in finite nuclei are discussed which establish these “Fermi Liquid” properties by including the coupling of sp motion to more complicated states in an energy domain of about 100 MeV around the Fermi energy. Although sufficient to explain the shape of the experimental strength distributions, these calculations need to be supplemented by the inclusion of the coupling to even higher energy states for quantitative agreement. Such calculations are reported for nuclear matter. These results clearly establish the importance of the coupling between low-lying sp states and very high-lying two-particle-one-hole states. This coupling is provided within the constraints of nonrelativistic many-particle theory by the use of a strongly repulsive realistic interaction between nucleons. Including both experimental and theoretical results, it is possible to pinpoint the properties of the 3 s 1 2 Pb. In addition, it is possible to compare the strength of nuclear correlations in terms of occupation numbers, with those of other Fermi systems with weaker (atoms) or stronger (liquid 3He) correlations.
Optimal information security investment in a Healthcare Information Exchange: An economic analysis

Abstract The complexity of the problem, the increasing security breaches, and the regulatory and financial consequences of breached patient data highlight the fact that security of electronic patient information in Healthcare Information Exchanges (HIEs) is an organizational imperative and a research priority. This study applies classical economic decision analysis techniques and models the HIE based on its network characteristics to offer key insights into the issue of determining the optimal level of information security investment. We find that for an organization in a HIE, only security events with the potential loss reaching some critical value are worth protecting, and organizations would only spend a fraction of the intrinsic security risk on protection measures. Even when business benefit from security investment exists, organizations in a HIE tend to invest based on risk reduction alone. The implications of such decisions made at the node level and the resulting built-in moral hazard at the HIE level is discussed.
The incorporation of tritium from tritium-enriched water into UDP-N-Acetylglucosamine and UDP-N-Acetyl Mannosamine catalyzed by UDP-N-Acetylglucosamine 2-Epimerase from Escherichia coli

Uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase from Escherichia coli 014 K7 H− catalyzes the reversible epimerization of uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine to uridine diphosphate N-acetylmannosamine. During epimerization, tritium from tritium-enriched water is incorporated into both uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine and uridine diphosphate N-acetyl mannosamine. The position of incorporation is C-2 of the N-acetylhexosamine moieties.
ADHD‐Type Behavior and Harmful Dysfunction in Childhood: A Cross‐Cultural Model

Cross-cultural studies of psychiatric phenomena allow testing of assumptions of biological consistency and improved understanding of how disorders are culturally formulated. We used a comparative approach to test for population variation in degrees of harmful academic and social dysfunction associated with children's display of behaviors considered symptomatic of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Teacher ratings on psychometric scales described behavior and functioning in population-representative samples of Colombian and United States schoolchildren. Mean levels of the behaviors were similar across populations, including a constant gender difference. A multiple regression model showed remarkably consistent relationships of hyperactivity and inattention to harmful dysfunction across populations and genders. Increasing inattention was associated with increasing harmful dysfunction. Increased hyperactivity was associated with improved functioning to a uniform threshold, beyond which more hyperactivity was associated with greater harmful dysfunction. Patterns of relationships between ADHD-associated behaviors and their consequences may prove useful as a basis for cross-cultural investigation of ADHD. The idea of ADHD as psychiatric disease concept or construct with some cross-cultural (external) validity is supported by these data, [cross-cultural psychology, ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), child behavioral disorders, Colombia]
Genetic testing for hereditary hearing loss: connexin 26 (GJB2) allele variants and two novel deafness-causing mutations (R32C and 645-648delTAGA).

Mutations in GJB2 are the most common cause of hereditary congenital hearing loss in many countries and are found in about half of persons with severe-to-profound congenital autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL). We report the results of GJB2 mutation screening in 209 consecutive persons with congenital deafness of indeterminate etiology using an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction assay, single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis, and direct sequencing. GJB2 allele variants were detected in 74 of 209 deaf individuals (35%). Over one-fourth of screened individuals were either homozygous (n=31) or heterozygous (n=24) for the 35delG mutation. Of those with the 35delG mutation, 51 (92.7%) were diagnosed with GJB2-related deafness. Nineteen persons were identified with other GJB2 allele variants — two novel deafness-causing mutations (R32C, 645-648delTAGA), one mutation of unknown significance (E47K), and one benign polymorphism (I128I). While these data enable health care professionals to provide parents and patients with improved genetic counseling data, difficulty still exists is determining whether some missense mutations compromise auditory function and are deafness-causing. Hum Mutat 16:502–508, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Compressed data structures: dictionaries and data-aware measures

We propose measures for compressed data structures, in which space usage is measured in a data-aware manner. In particular, we consider the fundamental dictionary problem on set data, where the task is to construct a data structure to represent a set S of n items out of a universe U = {0,..., u $1} and support various queries on S. We use a well-known data-aware measure for set data called gap to bound the space of our data structures. We describe a novel dictionary structure taking gap+O(n log(u/n)/ log n)+O(n log log(u/n)) bits. Under the RAM model, our dictionary supports membership, rank, select, and predecessor queries in nearly optimal time, matching the time bound of Andersson and Thorup's predecessor structure (2000), while simultaneously improving upon their space usage. Our dictionary structure uses exactly gap bits in the leading term (i.e., the constant factor is 1) and answers queries in near-optimal time. When seen from the worst case perspective, we present the first O(n log(u/n))-bit dictionary structure which supports these queries in near-optimal time under RAM model. We also build a dictionary which requires the same space and supports membership, select, and partial rank queries even more quickly in O(loglogn) time. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first of a kind result which achieves data-aware space usage and retains near-optimal time.
Bordetella type III secretion and adenylate cyclase toxin synergize to drive dendritic cells into a semimature state

Bordetella bronchiseptica establishes persistent infection of the murine respiratory tract. We hypothesize that long-term colonization is mediated in part by bacteria-driven modulation of dendritic cells (DCs) leading to altered adaptive immune responses. Bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) from C57BL/6 mice infected with live B. bronchiseptica exhibited high surface expression of MHCII, CD86, and CD80. However, B. bronchiseptica-infected BMDCs did not exhibit significant increases in CD40 surface expression and IL-12 secretion compared with BMDCs treated with heat-killed B. bronchiseptica. The B. bronchiseptica type III secretion system (TTSS) mediated the increase in MHCII, CD86, and CD80 surface expression, while the inhibition of CD40 and IL-12 expression was mediated by adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT). IL-6 secretion was independent of the TTSS and ACT. These phenotypic changes may result from differential regulation of MAPK signaling in DCs. Wild-type B. bronchiseptica activated the ERK 1/2 signaling pathway in a TTSS-dependent manner. Additionally, ACT was found to inhibit p38 signaling. These data suggest that B. bronchiseptica drive DC into a semimature phenotype by altering MAPK signaling. These semimature DCs may induce tolerogenic immune responses that allow the persistent colonization of B. bronchiseptica in the host respiratory tract.
Sorption of Solubilized Water by Cellulose from Perchloroethylene

The sorption of solubilized water by cellulose from perchloroethylene is an exothermic process below an activity of 0.8 and the sorption isotherms are sigmoidal in shape, as is also true when water is taken up by cellulose in conventional humid atmospheres. The diffusion coefficient of solubilized water increases exponentially with activity of water and with tem perature. The sorption and diffusiun of water from the solubilized state into cellulose thus can be controlled ftom a consideration of fundamental principles of thermodynamics and kinetics.
Multiple and interacting disturbances lead to Fagus grandifolia dominance in coastal New England.

Abstract Recent studies have emphasized the importance of multiple and interacting disturbances in controlling plant community dynamics. However, detailed information on disturbance history and changes in species abundance are unavailable for many forest ecosystems. As a result, it is often difficult to evaluate the influence of disturbance interactions on changes in species composition over time. This study examines the history and dynamics of Fagus grandifolia-dominated forests in coastal New England to evaluate the role of multiple disturbances in the development of Fagus dominance. Detailed historical and dendroecological data were used to reconstruct disturbance history and compositional trends for the past > 300 years. At the time of European settlement, the study area supported mixed forests of Quercus, Fagus, Carya, and Pinus. Intensive harvesting in the early 19th century resulted in abundant Quercus alba, Q. velutina, and Fagus regeneration. Thereafter, harvesting and fire were limited, but repe...
The Right to Education for the Retarded

This is the publisher's version, which is also available electronically from http://www.jstor.org/stable/42741904.
Cultural Considerations in Evidence-Based Practice:

The role of culture in evidence-based practice (EBP) is examined using the components of the EBP process as a framework for discussion. Issues that are identified include the recruitment and retention of ethnic groups in research; paternalism and institutional racism in regard to those who cannot afford best practice; and cultural differences between health professionals and patients in their understanding of best practice, health, and illness. Strategies that are suggested to reduce cultural incongruence include shared clinical decision making and development of a cultural knowledge system to improve EBP and outcomes on an organizational level.
Coupling of Neural Activity to Blood Flow in Olfactory Glomeruli Is Mediated by Astrocytic Pathways

Functional neuroimaging uses activity-dependent changes in cerebral blood flow to map brain activity, but the contributions of presynaptic and postsynaptic activity are incompletely understood, as are the underlying cellular pathways. Using intravital multiphoton microscopy, we measured presynaptic activity, postsynaptic neuronal and astrocytic calcium responses, and erythrocyte velocity and flux in olfactory glomeruli during odor stimulation in mice. Odor-evoked functional hyperemia in glomerular capillaries was highly correlated with glutamate release, but did not require local postsynaptic activity. Odor stimulation induced calcium transients in astrocyte endfeet and an associated dilation of upstream arterioles. Calcium elevations in astrocytes and functional hyperemia depended on astrocytic metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 and cyclooxygenase activation. Astrocytic glutamate transporters also contributed to functional hyperemia through mechanisms independent of calcium rises and cyclooxygenase activation. These local pathways initiated by glutamate account for a large part of the coupling between synaptic activity and functional hyperemia in the olfactory bulb.
Absolute D hadronic branching fractions

CLEO's recent measurement of absolute hadronic D branching fractions is presented. It poses a considerable improvement with respect to previous measurements, which will be of significant impact to other experiments utilizing our branching fractions. Furthermore, the cross-sections σ ( e + e − → D + D − ) and σ ( e + e − → D 0 D 0 ¯ ) are measured as a by-product.
Interdependency of CEACAM-1, -3, -6, and -8 induced human neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells

Members of the carcinoembryonic antigen family (CEACAMs) are widely expressed, and, depending on the tissue, capable of regulating diverse functions including tumor promotion, tumor suppression, angiogenesis, and neutrophil activation. Four members of this family, CEACAM1, CEACAM8, CEACAM6, and CEACAM3 (recognized by CD66a, CD66b, CD66c, and CD66d mAbs, respectively), are expressed on human neutrophils. CD66a, CD66b, CD66c, and CD66d antibodies each increase neutrophil adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers. This increase in neutrophil adhesion caused by CD66 antibodies is blocked by CD18 mAbs and is associated with upregulation of CD11/CD18 on the neutrophil surface. To examine potential interactions of CEACAMs in neutrophil signaling, the effects on neutrophil adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells of a set of CD66 mAbs was tested following desensitization to stimulation by various combinations of these mAbs. Addition of a CD66 mAb in the absence of calcium results in desensitization of neutrophils to stimulation by that CD66 mAb. The current data show that desensitization of neutrophils to any two CEACAMs results in selective desensitization to those two CEACAMs, while the cells remain responsive to the other two neutrophil CEACAMs. In addition, cells desensitized to CEACAM-3, -6, and -8 were still responsive to stimulation of CEACAM1 by CD66a mAbs. In contrast, desensitization of cells to CEACAM1 and any two of the other CEACAMs left the cells unresponsive to all CD66 mAbs. Cells desensitized to any combination of CEACAMs remained responsive to the unrelated control protein CD63. Thus, while there is significant independence of the four neutrophil CEACAMs in signaling, CEACAM1 appears to play a unique role among the neutrophil CEACAMs. A model in which CEACAMs dimerize to form signaling complexes could accommodate the observations. Similar interactions may occur in other cells expressing CEACAMs.
Production of global sea surface temperature fields for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory workshop comparisons

Sea surface temperature (SST) is measured from space by the advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR), scanning multichannel microwave radiometer (SMMR), high resolution infrared sounder (HIRS) and VISSR atmospheric sounder (VAS). Typical accuracies have been reported from 0.5 C regionally to 2.0 C on a global basis. To evaluate the accuracy of the satellite-derived sea surface temperatures, a series of three workshops was organized to provide uniform data reduction and analysis. The analytical techniques used to intercompare satellite and in situ measurements are described in detail. Selected results showed the overall average rms errors were in the range 0.5-1.0 C.
Structure-function studies on N-oxalyl-diamino-dicarboxylic acids and excitatory amino acid receptors: evidence that beta-L-ODAP is a selective non-NMDA agonist

Excitatory amino acids and their receptors play an important role in both normal synaptic transmission and excitotoxic-mediated neuronal death. In the present investigation we have prepared a series of glutamate analogs and examined the pharmacological specificity with which they interact with excitatory amino acid receptors. Included within this group of compounds is a potent excitotoxic amino acid, beta-N-oxalyl-L-alpha, beta-diaminopropionic acid (beta-L-ODAP). This excitotoxin is of particular interest because it has been identified as a major causative agent of human neurolathyrism, a disease characterized by permanent spastic paralysis. The site of action of beta-L-ODAP was delineated with both electrophysiological recordings in hippocampal slices and radioligand binding assays in synaptic plasma membranes. We report that beta-L-ODAP is a potent agonist at the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type of excitatory amino acid receptor. beta-L-ODAP interacts most potently with the quisqualate class of non-NMDA receptors (IC50 = 1.3 microM), less potently with the kainate receptor (IC50 = 17 microM), and very weakly with NMDA receptors. The specificity of this binding was consistent with physiological experiments that demonstrated that beta-L-ODAP-induced depolarizations were potently blocked by the newly identified non-NMDA receptor antagonist, CNQX, but were not affected by the NMDA antagonist D-AP5. These results extend recent studies that have focused on the contribution of NMDA receptors to excitotoxicity and highlight the potential involvement of non-NMDA receptors in excitotoxic-mediated cell death.
Convergence of the binding energy of oxygen on Cu(100): A cautionary tale for computational chemists using periodic bound conditions

The convergence of the binding energy of oxygen on Cu(100) as a function of the k-points, energy cutoff for the inclusion of plane waves, surface model, and oxygen coverage is studied. Overall the convergence is good, with an accuracy of 0.1 eV obtained for an affordable level of treatment. Published 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Concepts and Categories: A Cognitive Neuropsychological Perspective

One of the most provocative and exciting issues in cognitive science is how neural specificity for semantic categories of common objects arises in the functional architecture of the brain. More than two decades of research on the neuropsychological phenomenon of category-specific semantic deficits has generated detailed claims about the organization and representation of conceptual knowledge. More recently, researchers have sought to test hypotheses developed on the basis of neuropsychological evidence with functional imaging. From those two fields, the empirical generalization emerges that object domain and sensory modality jointly constrain the organization of knowledge in the brain. At the same time, research within the embodied cognition framework has highlighted the need to articulate how information is communicated between the sensory and motor systems, and processes that represent and generalize abstract information. Those developments point toward a new approach for understanding category specificity in terms of the coordinated influences of diverse regions and cognitive systems.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the End‐User Computing Satisfaction Instrument: Replication within an ERP Domain

Over the past decade, organizations have made significant investments in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. The realization of benefits from these investments depends on supporting effective use of information technology (IT) and satisfying IT users. User satisfaction with information systems is one of the most important determinants of the success of those systems. Drawing upon a sample of 407 end users of ERP systems and working within the framework of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), this study examines the structure and dimensionality, and reliability and validity of the end-user computing satisfaction (EUCS) instrument posited by Doll and Torkzadeh (1988). In response to Klenke's (1992) motion to cross-validate management information system (MIS) instruments and to retest the end user computing satisfaction instrument using new data, this study's results, consistent with previous findings, confirm that the EUCS instrument maintains its psychometric stability when applied to users of enterprise resource planning application software. Implications of these results for practice and research are provided.
COGNITIVE DISABILITY AND COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT

: This essay explores problems of consistency among commonsense beliefs about the comparative moral status of animals, fetuses, and human beings congenitally endowed with cognitive capacities and potential no higher than those of higher animals. The possibility of genetic cognitive enhancement exacerbates some of these problems, but also offers new resources for understanding the basis of our moral status as inviolable.
Secondary organic material formed by methylglyoxal in aqueous aerosol mimics

Abstract. We show that methylglyoxal forms light-absorbing secondary organic material in aqueous ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate solutions mimicking tropospheric aerosol particles. The kinetics were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The results suggest that the bimolecular reaction of methylglyoxal with an ammonium or hydronium ion is the rate-limiting step for the formation of light-absorbing species, with kNH4+II=5×10−6 M−1 min−1 and kH3O+II≤10−3 M−1 min−1. Evidence of aldol condensation products and oligomeric species up to 759 amu was found using chemical ionization mass spectrometry with a volatilization flow tube inlet (Aerosol-CIMS). Tentative identifications of carbon-nitrogen species and a sulfur-containing compound were also made using Aerosol-CIMS. Aqueous solutions of methylglyoxal, with and without inorganic salts, exhibit significant surface tension depression. These observations add to the growing body of evidence that dicarbonyl compounds may form secondary organic material in the aerosol aqueous phase, and that secondary organic aerosol formation via heterogeneous processes may affect seed aerosol properties.
Rotary oscillation control of a cylinder wake

Exploratory experiments have been performed on circular cylinders executing forced rotary oscillations in a steady uniform flow. Flow visualization and wake profile measurements at moderate Reynolds numbers have shown that a considerable amount of control can be exerted over the structure of the wake by such means. In particular, a large increase, or decrease, in the resulting displacement thickness, estimated cylinder drag, and associated mixing with the free stream can be achieved, depending on the frequency and amplitude of oscillation.
Evidence for heterozygote instability in microsatellite loci in house wrens

Microsatellite loci have high mutation rates and high levels of allelic variation, but the factors influencing their mutation rate are not well understood. The proposal that heterozygosity may increase mutation rates has profound implications for understanding the evolution of microsatellite loci, but currently has limited empirical support. We examined 20 microsatellite mutations identified in an analysis of 12 260 meiotic events across three loci in two populations of a songbird, the house wren (Troglodytes aedon). We found that for an allele of a given length, mutation was significantly more likely when there was a relatively large difference in size between the allele and its homologue (i.e. a large ‘allele span’). Our results support the proposal of heterozygote instability at microsatellite loci.
Pediatric islet autotransplantation: Indication, technique, and outcome

Chronic pancreatitis is a rare disease in childhood. However, when severe, a total pancreatectomy may be the only option to relieve pain and restore quality of life. An islet autotransplant performed at the time of pancreatectomy can prevent or minimize the postsurgical diabetes that would otherwise result from pancreatectomy alone. In this procedure, the resected pancreas is mechanically disrupted and enzymatically digested to separate the islets from the surrounding exocrine tissue, and the isolated islets are infused into the portal vein and engraft in the liver. Because patients are receiving their own tissue, no immunosuppression is required. Islet autotransplant is successful in two thirds of children-these patients are insulin independent or require little insulin to maintain euglycemia. Factors associated with a more successful outcome include a younger age at transplant (<13 years), more islets transplanted, and lack of prior surgical procedures on the pancreas (partial pancreatectomy or surgical drainage procedures).