cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Downlink cellular network analysis with a dual-slope path loss model

Existing cellular network analyses are based on the standard power law path loss model. If the base stations are modeled by a Poisson point process, this leads to a tractable analysis of coverage probability and other metrics for downlink cellular networks. Yet, it is also well-known that the standard path loss model is idealized and does not capture the distance-dependence of the path loss exponent. This paper considers a more precise and general model, the dual-slope path loss model, where the path loss exponents are different for short links and long links differentiated by a critical distance. We derive compact expressions on the coverage probability and its tight closed-form estimate under this model. The analytical results show that the SINR does not monotonically increase with network density (as under the standard path loss model). Rather, ultra-densification leads to worse or even zero coverage when the near-field path loss exponent is 2 or less.
Generational Structure and Social Resources in Mid-Life: Influences on Health and Well-Being

The influence of generational structure on well-being in mid-life is examined in a regional representative sample of 807 adults aged 30–64. Results indicate that those who lack the personal and social resources of education and marriage, and have parents but no children, report higher levels of well-being than those with only child(ren) or both parent(s) and child(ren). Findings suggest that elders may serve as a key resource to adult children who lack personal and social resources in mid-life. Adults increasingly follow less traditional paths in life (e.g., those without children and/or never married), and hence, these findings have implications for current and future policies directed toward aging and family well-being.
Nuclear Structure Studies with Rare Isotope Beams: Knockout Reactions

This paper outlines the role of the Isospin Laboratory Steering Committee in the process that has lead to our current understand of the possibilities and challenges related to an advance rare isotope research facility. One of the challenges is to extract information using only weak rare isotope beams. Knock‐out reactions are used as an example to illustrate that access to even weak beams can provide a large amount of nuclear structure information.
File multicast transport protocol (FMTP)

This paper describes a new reliable transport protocol designed to run on top of a multicast network service for delivery of continuously generated files. The motivation for this work is to support scientific computing Grid applications that require file transfers between geographically distributed datacenters. For example, atmospheric research scientists at various universities subscribe to real-time meteorology data that is being distributed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). UCAR delivers 30 different feed types, such as radar data and satellite imagery, to over 240 institutions. The current solution uses an application-layer (AL) multicast tree with unicast TCP connections between the AL servers. Recently, Internet2 and other research-and-education networks have deployed a Layer-2 service using OpenFlow/Software Defined Network (SDN) technologies. Our new transport protocol, FMTP, is designed to run on top of a multipoint Layer-2 topology. A key design aspect of FMTP is the tradeoff between file-delivery throughput of fast receivers and robustness (measure of successful reception) of slow receivers. A configurable parameter, called the retransmission timeout factor, is used to trade off these two metrics. In a multicast setting, it is difficult to achieve full reliability without sacrificing throughput under moderate-to-high loads, and throughput is important in scientific computing grids. A backup solution allows receivers to use unicast TCP connections to request files that were not received completely via multicast. For a given load and a multicast group of 30 receivers, robustness increased significantly from 81.4 to 97.5% when the retransmission timeout factor was increased from 10 to 50 with a small drop in average throughput from 85 to 82.8 Mbps.
Local antibody production in experimental pyelonephritis: amount, avidity, and immunoglobulin class.

Local antibody formation in infected rabbit kidneys was studied with three techniques: the ammonium sulfate precipitation technique, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and by binding of newly synthesized 14C-labeled antibodies to heat-killed bacteria. Local antibody was detected by day 11 of infection with all three techniques, and a significant correlation was found in titers by all three methods. In these studies, antibody synthesized early was in IgG and IgA class, whereas IgM antibodies appeared later (day 20) in the antibody response. No maturation of avidity of local antibody was noted with time. Since it was necessary to use different animals at each test occasion, individual differences in avidity could account for failure to note an increase in avidity with time.
Preinjury alcohol and drug use among persons with spinal cord injury: Implications for rehabilitation

Context/objective To describe preinjury alcohol and drug use and opportunities for secondary prevention among persons with recent spinal cord injury (SCI). Design Survey. Setting Acute inpatient rehabilitation program. Participants Participants were 118 (84.8%) of 139 consecutive admissions who met inclusion criteria and were screened for preinjury alcohol and drug use. Interventions None. Outcome measures Alcohol and drug use, toxicology results, alcohol problems, readiness to change, and treatment preferences. Results Participants were on average 37 years old, 84% were men, and 85% were white. Fifty-one percent of the sample was considered ‘at-risk’ drinkers. Significant lifetime alcohol-related problems were reported by 38% of the total sample. Thirty-three percent reported recent illicit drug use and 44% of the 82 cases with toxicology results were positive for illicit drugs. Seventy-one percent of at-risk drinkers reported either considering changes in alcohol use or already taking action. Forty-one ...
Targeted delivery of RNAi therapeutics for cancer therapy

Since the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) [1], siRNA) has become the focus of attention for pharmaceutical development. siRNA is more potent than antisense oligo­ nucleotides owing to the endogenous mecha­ nism of action catalyzed by the RNA­induced silencing complex [2]. Many oncogenic targets involved in survival, specifically antiapoptosis, angiogenesis and drug resistance, have been tested for siRNA­mediated cancer therapy. However, siRNA can only become an anti cancer agent when it is specifically and effectively deliv­ ered to the target cells in vivo [3]. An ideal siRNA delivery vehicle for cancer therapy must be able to evade the reticuloendothelial system to be effectively taken up by the tumor cells and to escape from the endosome after endocytosis. The existence of a leaky vasculature in most of the solid tumors supports the enhanced per­ meability and retention effect for nanoparticle (NP)­mediated delivery of anticancer agents, for example the successful Doxil formulation of doxorubicin. A well­designed NP of less than 200 nm in diameter is suitable for siRNA delivery to the tumor. NPs composed of differ­ ent materials have been developed for siRNA delivery. Two major classes of biomaterials have been employed for siRNA delivery. They will be discussed separately in this article.
Influence of overcharge and over-discharge on the impedance response of LiCoO2|C batteries

Abstract This paper provides the results of impedance measurements on commercially available LiCoO 2 | C coin-type cells. The impedance response was shown to be extremely sensitive to state-of-charge, overcharge, and over-discharge. Interestingly, the impedance showed a persistent change to the electrochemical characteristics of a coin cell subject to overcharge; whereas, the electrochemical characteristics returned to normal for a coin cell subject to over-discharge. A measurement model analysis was used to show the reversibility of the impedance behavior of an over-discharged cell and the irreversibility of the impedance response of an overcharged cell.
The organization and assembly of a β-sheet formed by a prion peptide in solution: An isotope-edited FTIR study

Insight into the details of protein misfolding diseases requires a detailed understanding of the conformation and dynamics of multistrand beta-sheet aggregates. Here, we report an isotope-edited FTIR study of a model peptide directed at the elucidation of residue-level details of the structure and mechanism of a beta-sheet aggregate. A series of specifically isotope-labeled derivatives of a short peptide (H1) derived from residues 109 through 122 of the prion protein PrPC have been synthesized and characterized by FTIR. On the basis of the analysis of variable temperature FTIR spectra of these peptides in solution, the organization of strands within the beta-sheets has been determined; at equilibrium, the strands form a beta-sheet in which the hydrophobic core (112-122) participates in the sheet structure, resulting in the alignment of residue 117 in all of the strands. The peptides initially form a kinetically trapped intermediate beta-sheet, with a distribution of strand alignments, which can be rearranged into the stable equilibrium conformation by an annealing cycle. These observations are discussed in terms of the biological significance of residue 117 of the prion protein and the mechanism of beta-aggregate nucleation in prion proteins.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Commercial Portable Air Purifier in Homes with Wood Burning Stoves: A Preliminary Study

Wood burning for residential heating is prevalent in the Rocky Mountain regions of the United States. Studies have shown that wood stoves can be a significant source of PM2.5 within homes. In this study, the effectiveness of an electrostatic filter portable air purifier was evaluated (1) in a home where a wood stove was the sole heat source and (2) in a home where a wood stove was used as a supplemental heat source. Particle count concentrations in six particle sizes and particle mass concentrations in two particle sizes were measured for ten 12-hour purifier on and ten purifier off trials in each home. Particle count concentrations were reduced by 61–85 percent. Similar reductions were observed in particle mass concentrations. These findings, although limited to one season, suggest that a portable air purifier may effectively reduce indoor particulate matter concentrations associated with wood combustion during home heating.
Effects of the “calcium ionophore” A-23187 on transmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction

Abstract The ionophore A-23187 when added to the usual Ca 2+ -Ringer at the frog neuromuscular junction has almost no effect on the frequency of miniature end-plate potentials (min.e.p.p.s). The ionophore does increase the rate of Ca 2+ efflux from frog muscle, so it is in effective concentrations in the Ringer. When added to Ringer containing Ni 2+ instead of Ca 2+ , the ionophore increases the min.e.p.p. frequency. We suggest that the ionophore can carry divalent cations into the terminal, but there are mechanisms to keep the Ca 2+ low. Apparently these mechanisms are unable to rapidly eject or sequester Ni 2+ .
The Value of Theoretical Frameworks for Exploring the Subjective Dimension of Sport

The application of theories to understand concepts and issues in sport and physical education is viewed as a useful research strategy. Two theories addressing subjective phenomena relevant to sport experiences are presented. Concepts proposed in Martin Buber's I-Thou philosophy of relationship and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's flow model exploring the psychology of enjoyment are delineated and compared. Sportrelated research using these constructs is then presented. It is concluded that careful application of theories is a viable and valuable approach for studying complex, elusive phenomena in sport. Further, knowledge derived from such research facilitates understanding and awareness of subjective meaning in sport, and therefore opens individuals to the potential of relationship and flow.
Disease control implications of India's changing multi-drug resistant tuberculosis epidemic.

Background Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) is a major health challenge in India that is gaining increasing public attention, but the implications of India's evolving MDR TB epidemic are poorly understood. As India's MDR TB epidemic is transitioning from a treatment-generated to transmission-generated epidemic, we sought to evaluate the potential effectiveness of the following two disease control strategies on reducing the prevalence of MDR TB: a) improving treatment of non-MDR TB; b) shortening the infectious period between the activation of MDR TB and initiation of effective MDR treatment. Methods and Findings We developed a dynamic transmission microsimulation model of TB in India. The model followed individuals by age, sex, TB status, drug resistance status, and treatment status and was calibrated to Indian demographic and epidemiologic TB time trends. The main effectiveness measure was reduction in the average prevalence reduction of MDR TB over the ten years after control strategy implementation. We find that improving non-MDR cure rates to avoid generating new MDR cases will provide substantial non-MDR TB benefits but will become less effective in reducing MDR TB prevalence over time because more cases will occur from direct transmission – by 2015, the model estimates 42% of new MDR cases are transmission-generated and this proportion continues to rise over time, assuming equal transmissibility of MDR and drug-susceptible TB. Strategies that disrupt MDR transmission by shortening the time between MDR activation and treatment are projected to provide greater reductions in MDR prevalence compared with improving non-MDR treatment quality: implementing MDR diagnostic improvements in 2017 is expected to reduce MDR prevalence by 39%, compared with 11% reduction from improving non-MDR treatment quality. Conclusions As transmission-generated MDR TB becomes a larger driver of the MDR TB epidemic in India, rapid and accurate MDR TB diagnosis and treatment will become increasingly effective in reducing MDR TB cases compared to non-MDR TB treatment improvements.
First-order necessary conditions for generalized optimization problems

In Reference [1] the question of existence of solutionswas considered for a generalized optimization problem. In this paper, necessary conditions for a generalized solution to be optimal will be derived. Since the method of proof will closely follow that of Hestenes [2] for optimal control problems, the generalized problem will be posed somewhat differently than in [1]. The two can easily be shown to be equivalent. Let T be an open interval of the real line, V an open set in E ~, B an open set in E~. Let o~" = i f ( t , x)} be a set of (n + 1)-dimensional vector-valued functions defined on T • V. Let T~ and Tl(b) be two functions defined for b in B with range in T. Let X~ and Xl(b) be two functions defined for b in B with range in V. We will call x: x(t), f ( t , x), b a solution if x(t) is an absolutely continuous function in V for t in T, f ( t , x) is in o~', b is in B and 2J(t) = i f ( t , x(t)) (t o ~ t ~ d; j = I,..., n), (1.1) t" = T,'(b), x(t 0 = X"(b) (s = O, 1). (1.2) Among all such solutions we seek one for which gl g * 1o(X) = j j 0 ( t , x(t)) dt -rain. (1.3)
DNA fingerprints in physical anthropology.

Hypervariabal minisatellite DNA is a recently described class of nuclear sequences with no known biological function. The minisatellites do form a subtype of restricition fragment length polymorphisms possessing several characteristics particularly intriguing to anthropologists interested in forensics, sociobiology, primate conservation, genetic variability, and molecular evolution. The sequence occupy at least five dozen loci scattered throughout the human genome. Unlike many polymorphisms, many of the loci have numerous alleles each present at similar frequencies. Such a genetic structure produces exceptionally high levels of heterozygosity and thus provides a tool for the individualization of tissue samples. Additionally, as the alleles are inherited in a Mendelian fashion, the minisatellites provide a superb tool for the identification of paternity (or maternity). Unlike standard blood groups, levels of variability are so high in populations studied to data that parentage can be established by inclusion rather than exclution. Homologous sequences are shown to exist in a variety of Old World primates. Visualization of genetic fingerprints in nonhumans may allow for determination of paternity where the pool of potential sires is available, while also providing information on levels of genetic variability. These capabilities will ultimately provide for better management of primate colonies. Used in concert with behavioral data, a number of sociobiological will also become more amenable to investigation.
Lesions of the AV3V region attenuate sympathetic activation but not the hypertension elicited by destruction of the nucleus tractus solitarius

Previous studies have implicated a functionally defined area of the forebrain, the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region as being involved in the regulation of blood pressure and required for the expression of neurogenic hypertension. The present study re-examined the effect of AV3V lesion on hypertension caused by the destruction of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), focussing on whether ablation of the AV3V region altered either the sympathoadrenal or vasopressin (VP) components of NTS hypertension. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the NTS elicited acute severe hypertension in conscious, freely moving rats whether or not the animals had received AV3V or Sham lesions 14 days previously. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) measured 45 min following NTS lesion was 157 +/- 6 mm Hg in AV3V + NTS lesioned rats and 161 +/- 7 mm Hg in SHAM + NTS lesioned rats. Plasma VP levels were similarly elevated in the two groups of NTS lesioned animals, and the contribution of VP to the hypertensive response (as assessed by the decrease in arterial pressure in response to a VP pressor antagonist) was the same in both groups. In contrast, NTS lesion appeared to produce a lesser degree of sympathetic nervous system activation in AV3V lesioned rats, as evidenced by a substantially smaller increase in plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels. These results demonstrate that AV3V lesions do not attenuate or prevent NTS hypertension. However, AV3V lesions do appear to attenuate the sympathoadrenal activation caused by NTS lesions.
Heart rate changes to sudden peripheral stimuli in the human during early infancy

Changes of heart rate following sudden peripheral stimuli were investigated in infants at 2 days and at approximately 6 and 11 weeks of age. The 3 forms of stimulation used were auditory (clicks), tactile (a puff of nitrogen on the abdomen), and olfactory (a whiff of acetic acid). The 2-day-old infants exhibited a monophasic acceleration in heart rate to all of the stimuli. The 11-week-old infants had an initial decelerative component in all of their responses. The 6-week-old infants did not consistently exhibit a decelerative or accelerative change in heart rate. The observed differences in pattern that occurred with age are discussed as a function of physiological maturation, increased experience with peripheral stimulation, or differences in state.
Acute disruption of cytochrome oxidase activity in brain in a perinatal rat stroke model.

ABSTRACT: Cytochrome oxidase histochemistry in frozen brain sections provides an estimate of mitochondrial respiratory function and neuronal metabolic activity. We hypothesized that in a perinatal rodent stroke model acute selective disruption of cytochrome oxidase activity could identify neuronal populations susceptible to irreversible ischemic injury. In 7-d-old rats, focal ischemic injury was induced by right carotid ligation followed by 8% O2 exposure (2.75 h); this procedure elicits ipsilateral forebrain injury with prominent hippocampal lesions, often including dentate gyrus. Cytochrome oxidase activity was quantitated by densitom-etry in brain sections prepared from animals killed 1 h (n = 8), 24 h (n = 11), or 5 d (n = 3) posthypoxia. At 1 h posthypoxia, in six of eight there was diffuse ipsilateral suppression of cytochrome oxidase activity (p = 0.0001, two-way analysis of variance, compared with values in contralateral hemisphere), which was most marked in periventricular regions including dentate gyrus (−29%), medial habenula (−38%), and posterolateral thalamic nucleus (−42%). Nissl staining of adjacent sections was completely intact in four of eight, and four of eight had subtle focal reductions in staining. At 24 h and 5 d posthypoxia, heterogeneous suppression of cytochrome oxidase activity persisted in the lesioned hemisphere, with close anatomic correspondence between loss of cytochrome oxidase activity and loss of Nissl staining. Additional studies indicated that the threshold duration of 8% O2 exposure (after carotid ligation) for suppression of cytochrome oxidase activity was 1–2 h. Disruption of cytochrome oxidase activity represents one of the earliest detectable indicators of neuronal injury in this perinatal stroke model. The threshold duration of hypoxia to suppress its activity preceded or coincided with that to elicit injury, and the prominent loss of activity in dentate gyrus paralleled its enhanced susceptibility to ischemic injury at this developmental stage.
A parallel plane sweep algorithm for multi-core systems

A parallel version of the plane sweep algorithm targeted towards the small number of processing cores available on commonly available multi-core systems is presented. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm significantly out-performs the serial plane sweep on such systems.
Stress in migrant farmworkers during premigration.

Purpose: This study explored the relationship between migrant farmworker (MFW) stress and salivary cortisol (sC) in a sample of MFWs prior to migration. Sample: The sample, 40 (N = 14 male, 26 fema...
Controversies in the Management of Stage 1 Non-Seminomatous Germ Cell Tumors

Post-orchiectomy treatment for clinical stage 1 non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) remains highly debated. Cure rates for testicular germ cell tumors exceed 99 % in early stage disease despite the lack of consensus regarding post-orchiectomy treatment. The controversy relates to the challenge of identifying those patients with clinical stage 1 (CS 1) NSGCT who are most likely to benefit from adjuvant therapies. Established post-orchiectomy treatment options for CS 1 NSGCT include observation, adjuvant chemotherapy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Effective salvage therapies allow for cure rates which approach 100 % for each of these options. The data suggest that low-risk CS 1 NSGCT can be treated with surveillance and consideration for all three options is necessary for high-risk patients. The data show that high-risk patients are those whose disease pathology demonstrates lymphovascular invasion. The decision regarding post-orchiectomy treatment should be based on a discussion with the patient and the specific expertise of the treating institution.
The shell loop — A new IUD

Abstract A modified loop D — the Shell loop — was inserted in 500 patients. Improvement in decreased expulsion and lowered pregnancy rate was noted compared with other devices. The Shell Loop differs from the standard Loop D in that it is of a more rigid copolymer construction. The following report concerns the 500 primary and 20 secondary insertions of this device.
Impedance matching of tapered slot antenna using a dielectric transformer

A new impedance matching technique for tapered slot antennas using a dielectric transformer is presented. The technique is demonstrated by measuring the input impedance, Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) and the gain of a Vivaldi antenna (VA). Measured results at Ka-Band frequencies are presented and discussed.
Improvement in the resting‐cell bioconversion of penicillin G to deacetoxycephalosporin G by addition of catalase

Aims: To improve the resting cell bioconversion of penicillin G to deacetoxycephalosporin G (DAOG) by elimination of an oxidizing intermediate which inactivates the enzyme during the reaction. Methods and Results: Resting cells of Streptomyces clavuligerus strain NP1 were incubated with penicillin G, required co-factors and decane in the presence of catalase or superoxide dismutase, and production of DAOG was measured. Catalase stimulated the bioconversion but superoxide dismutase did not. Conclusions: Production of hydrogen peroxide during the ring expansion reaction is at least partially responsible for enzyme inactivation. Significance and Impact of the Study: Catalase addition improves the bioconversion and will contribute to the eventual replacement of the current multi-step, expensive and environmentally-unfriendly chemical ring expansion by a biological route.
Development of fumonisin-induced hepatotoxicity and pulmonary edema in orally dosed swine: Morphological and biochemical alterations

The fumonisin (FB) mycotoxins induce liver injury in all species but induce fatal pulmonary edema (PE) only in pigs. They inhibit ceramide synthase in the sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway. To study the pathogenesis of PE, we examined the early events in the development of FB-induced PE and hepatotoxicity in pigs. Pigs were fed FB-contaminated culture material at 20 mg fumonsin B1 (FB1)/kg body weight/day. Groups of 4 pigs were to be euthanatized on 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days after initial exposure to FB or when PE developed. Pigs developed PE beginning on day 3; none survived beyond day 4. Progressive elevations in hepatic parameters, including serum enzymes, bile acids, total bilirubin, and histologic changes, began on day 2. Early histologic changes in the lung (day 2) consisted of perivascular edema followed by interlobular and peribronchial edema. Ultrastructurally, alveolar endothelial cells contained unique accumulations of membranous material in the cytocavitary network beginning on day 2. Marked elevations in sphinganine, sphingosine, and their ratio began on day 1 for all tissues whether affected morphologically (lung, liver) or not (kidney, pancreas). The membranous material in endothelial cells may be accumulations of sphingoid bases with damage to the cytocavitary network. Thus, FB induces early elevations in sphingolipids and hepatic injury, followed by alveolar endothelial damage, which may be the critical event in the pathogenesis of PE in pigs.
Finite element formulation for the simulation of hot sheet metal forming processes

Abstract Simulation of sheet metal forming processes involves large deformation analysis. In this paper, the finite element method has been utilized for a consistent analysis of coupled thermo-mechanical large deformation of metals. A time dependent elastic-viscoplastic model has been used to represent the flow type behavior of metals at elevated temperatures. The proposed model incorporates initial anisotropy and temperature dependence of metals. A proper choice of objective stress rate, suitable for anisotropic materials has been made. Integration of the rate constitutive equations is carried by a return mapping algorithm. A special Lagrangian-Eulerian three dimensional finite element mesh description has been used to avoid the typical problems encountered in a Lagrangian description. A technique for solving the coupled equations is suggested.
Novel FET active patch antenna

A novel dual-FET active patch antenna element for quasi-optical power combining arrays is described. The circuit uses two FETs which symmetrically load a split patch antenna. The push-pull operation of the devices decreases H-plane crosspolarisation dramatically. A power output of 47 mW was achieved at 8.1 GHz.
The structure of tellurite glass: a combined NMR, neutron diffraction, and X-ray diffraction study

Models are presented of sodium tellurite glasses in the composition range (Na{sub 2}0){sub x}-(TeO{sub 2}){sub 1{minus}x}. 0.1 < x < 0.3. The models combine self-consistently data from three different and complementary sources: sodium-23 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), neutron diffraction, and x-ray diffraction. The models were generated using the Reverse Monte Carlo algorithm, modified to include NMR data in addition to diffraction data. The presence in the models of all five tellurite polyhedra consistent with the Te{sup +4} oxidation state were found to be necessary to achieve agreement with the data. The distribution of polyhedra among these types varied from a predominance of highly bridged species at low sodium content, to polyhedra with one or zero bridging oxygen at high sodium content. The models indicate that the sodium cations themselves form sodium oxide clusters particularly at the x = 0.2 composition.
Single-tube gene-specific expression analysis by high primer density multiplex reverse transcription.

Molecular genetics is rapidly moving from simple identification of a gene of interest to characterization of gene products as components in complex networks. Critical tools for gene product analysis require a rapid method for evaluation of contextual expression. Here, we describe a robust, high primer density, single-tube, multiplex reverse transcription (HD-MRT) technique. This approach is capable of analyzing for the presence of numerous transcripts when polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is subsequently employed for individual gene-specific sequence amplification (HD-MRT-PCR). This assay substantially increases the total number of different cDNAs for amplification beyond previously published techniques. Our approach simultaneously eliminates RNA quality control issues for samples run in parallel while improving efficiency in the use of time and materials. This assay is designed for broad applicability and accessibility, employs modifications of commercially available components, and allows more than 25 independently selected gene-specific primers to be used simultaneously. Our protocol allows multiplexed primers to behave similarly to uniplex RT reactions, while avoiding potential interference between gene-specific and/or nonspecific primers during annealing and reverse transcription. Expression of putatively networked homologous transcripts was analyzed in multiple cell lines and tissues from mouse and human to validate the technique.
Influence of a Pyrimidopyrimidine Derivative on Deamination of Adenosine by Blood

The disappearance of exogenous adenosine from blood is principally due to its degradation into inosine and hypoxanthine by the enzymes present in the erythrocytes. In the presence of intact red cells, Persantin (RA-8 or 2,6-Bis (diethanolamino) -4,8-dipiperidinopyrimido-(5,4-d)-pyrimidine) effectively prevents the disappearance of adenosine. Although Persantin inhibits adenosine deaminase its adenosine-sparing action in whole blood is more likely due to a reduction in permeability of the red cell membrane to adenosine. This property of Persantin makes possible its use as a tool in investigation of the role of adenine nucleotide derivatives in the regulation of the coronary circulation.
An electrical method for analog computation of a back titration applied to the determination of serum bicarbonate

Abstract A method has been presented for obtaining a direct readout of concentration from a back titration used in the determination of serum bicarbonate. Voltage drops are used as analogues to titration volumes in a simple, small analog computer. The error of the readout using the bicarbonate computer is significantly less than that obtained by the subjective micrometer reading plus arithmetic. The advantages of such small direct readout computers are presented.
Observations of stress wave propagation in a half-plane with boundary loading

Abstract This investigation treats the half-plane with a boundary load using a combined theoretical and experimental analysis. The theoretical approach considers an isotropic, perfectly elastic, semi-infinite plate with a concentrated normal load on the boundary. The experimental model consisted of a large sheet of columbia resin CR-39 loaded with a charge of lead azide in a semi-cylindrical pit on the edge of the plate. Results for the boundary stress from the theoretical and dynamic photoelastic analyses were compared. The comparison showed agreement for effects due to the P wave and marked but explainable differences in the theoretical and experimental results associated with the S and R waves. It appears that a better correlation between loading functions for the experimental and mathematical models is required in order to improve agreement.
Intermolecular contact between globular N-terminal fold and C-terminal domain of ApoA-I stabilizes its lipid-bound conformation: studies employing chemical cross-linking and mass spectrometry.

The structure of apoA-I on discoidal high density lipoprotein (HDL) was studied using a combination of chemical cross-linking and mass spectrometry. Recombinant HDL particles containing 145 molecules of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and two molecules of apoA-I with a 96-A diameter were treated with the lysine-specific cross-linker, dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) at varying molar ratios from 2:1 to 200:1. At low molar ratios of dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) to apoA-I, two products were obtained corresponding to ∼53 and ∼80 kDa. At high molar ratios, these two products merged, yielding a product of ∼59 kDa, close to the theoretical molecular mass of dimeric apoA-I. To identify the intermolecular cross-links giving rise to the two different sized products, bands were excised from the gel, digested with trypsin, and then analyzed by liquid chromatography-electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, tandem mass spectrometry of unique cross-links found in the 53- and 80-kDa products suggested that a distinct conformation exists for lipid-bound apoA-I on 96-A recombinant HDL, emphasizing the inherent flexibility and malleability of the N termini and its interaction with its C-terminal domain.
Bowel perforation due to ingested foreign bodies.

Two case reports are presented describing complete perforation of the bowel wall by orally ingested bones. Surgical treatment was necessary for each.
Interactive image retrieval using fuzzy sets

Abstract We present an image retrieval system which permits the user to submit a coarse initial query and continuously refine it. The user's relevance feedbacks is modeled by fuzzy sets, and is used to discover and use the more discriminatory features for the given query. The proposed system uses a dissimilarity measure based on the fuzzy integral.
Thiamin in Clinical Practice

Thiamin is a water-soluble vitamin also known as vitamin B1. Its biologically active form, thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP), is a cofactor in macronutrient metabolism. In addition to its coenzyme roles, TPP plays a role in nerve structure and function as well as brain metabolism. Signs and symptoms of thiamin deficiency (TD) include lactic acidosis, peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, and ocular changes (eg, nystagmus). More advanced symptoms include confabulation and memory loss and/or psychosis, resulting in Wernicke's encephalopathy and/or Wernicke's Korsakoff syndrome, respectively. The nutrition support clinician should be aware of patients who may be at risk for TD. Risk factors include those patients with malnutrition due to 1 or more nutrition-related etiologies: decreased nutrient intake, increased nutrient losses, or impaired nutrient absorption. Clinical scenarios such as unexplained heart failure or lactic acidosis, renal failure with dialysis, alcoholism, starvation, hyperemesis gravidarum, or bariatric surgery may increase the risk for TD. Patients who are critically ill and require nutrition support may also be at risk for TD, especially those who are given intravenous dextrose void of thiamin repletion. Furthermore, understanding thiamin's role as a potential therapeutic agent for diabetes, some inborn errors of metabolism, and neurodegenerative diseases warrants further research. This tutorial describes the absorption, digestion, and metabolism of thiamin. Issues pertaining to thiamin in clinical practice will be described, and evidence-based practice suggestions for the prevention and treatment of TD will be discussed.
Studies of the Startle Pattern: II. Bodily Pattern

(1936). Studies of the Startle Pattern: II. Bodily Pattern. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 207-213.
Spatial Convergence Study of Discrete Ordinates Methods Via the Singular Characteristic Tracking Algorithm

This paper analyzes the spatial discretization of the discrete ordinates (DO) approximation of the transport equation. A new method, the singular characteristics tracking algorithm, is developed to account for potential nonsmoothness across the singular characteristics in the exact solution of the DO approximation to the transport equation. Numerical results in two-dimensional problems show improved rate of convergence of the exact solution of the DO equations in nonscattering and isotropic scattering media. Unlike the standard weighted diamond difference scheme, the new algorithm achieves local convergence in the case of discontinuous angular flux across the singular characteristics. The method also significantly reduces the error for problems where the angular flux presents discontinuous spatial derivatives across these lines. For purposes of testing the performance of the new method, the method of manufactured solutions is used to generate analytical reference solutions that permit accurate estimation of the local error in case of discontinuous flux.
Evaluation of CHAMP radio occultation refractivity using data assimilation office analyses and radiosondes

[1] The radio occultation experiment on the CHAMP satellite has been collecting observations of the Earth's atmosphere since April 2001. Previous work has shown that diffraction effects not accounted for by geometrical optics processing can be partially corrected by back-propagation and canonical transform methods, such as implemented at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In the present paper we evaluate the bias and standard deviation of refractivity differences between Data Assimilation Office global analyses and observations processed by these three methods. In the tropics at 2–5 km altitude, the refractivity biases range between −2.5% and −0.5% for geometrical optics, between −1% and 0.5% for back-propagation, and between −0.5% and 1.5% for canonical transform. We also assess the methods by performing one-dimensional variational temperature retrievals and comparing them with close radiosondes. Our final conclusion is that canonical transform is a better candidate than geometrical optics and back-propagation for generating GPS radio occultation datasets for data assimilation.
New Directions in Applying Psychological Theory to the Study of New Religions

The research of Richardson and his colleagues is affirmed. The overwhelming conclusion of investigations has demonstrated that members of new religions are not, as a group, psychopathological. There is little evidence that entrance into these groups has been due to coercive persuasion. However, future studies should use more sensitive measures to assess attitude and behavior change. The relative weight of selection versus socialization in joining also needs further investigation. New religious groups provide ideal settings for the study of such topics as personality, gender roles, adult socialization, behavior change, self-concept, and beliefs systems.
Sisters in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer families: communal coping, social integration, and psychological well-being

Objective: We investigated the association between psychological distress and indices of social integration and communal coping among sisters from hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) families. Sample and methods: Sixty-five sisters from 31 HBOC families completed the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 and the Colored Eco-Genetic Relationship Map, which identified members of participants’ social support networks. Hierarchical linear models were used for all analyses to account for the clustering of sisters within families. Results: Intra-family correlation coefficients suggested that sisters shared perceptions of breast cancer risk and worry, but not ovarian cancer risk and worry. Further, sisters demonstrated shared levels of anxiety and somatization, but not depressive symptoms. Communal coping indices quantifying shared support resources were negatively related to anxiety and somatization. The number of persons with whom cancer risk information was shared exhibited a positive trend with somatization. Social integration, as measured by the size of participants’ emotional support network, was negatively associated with anxiety. Lower depression scores were observed among participants with more persons playing multiple support roles and fewer persons providing tangible assistance. Conclusion: Understanding how support relationships impact well-being among persons adjusting to HBOC risk, and the particular role of family in that process, will facilitate developing appropriate management approaches to help cancer-prone families adjust to their cancer risk. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Atmospheric Behavior of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and Dibenzofurans and the Effect of Combustion Temperature

Emissions from the combustion of wood chips treated with pentachlorophenol (PCP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipe shavings, and solid PCP were injected into 25-m3 outdoor Teflon film chambers...
Unsafe at Any Speed - Kids Riding All-Terrain Vehicles

Abstract Background All-terrain vehicle (ATV) sales have climbed 89% in the last 5 years. We sought to determine if pediatric ATV accidents have increased in frequency and morbidity. Methods Medical records of children treated in our emergency unit for ATV accidents from 1993 to 2003 were reviewed. The 11 years were divided into 2 periods, January 1993 to June 1998 and July 1998 to December 2003, to allow comparisons and analysis of trends over time. Results We treated 184 children, with 90% requiring admission. Comparing the first and second halves of the study, patients treated increased from 8.7 ± 4.8 (mean ± SD) to 24.5 ± 11.1 per year ( P Conclusion Over the 2 periods, there was a significant increase in number of patients treated, and considerable increases in serious injuries, and need for immediate operation. Despite inherent risks with riding ATVs, helmet use and patient age were remarkably low.
Estimation of Perennial Vegetation Cover Distribution in the Mojave Desert Using MODIS-EVI Data

This paper details a method to create regional models of perennial vegetation cover using pre-existing field data and satellite imagery. Total cover of perennial vegetation is an important ecological attribute of desert ecosystems, including the Mojave Desert, USA, an area of 125,000 km2. Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Enhanced Vegetation Index (MODIS-EVI) data were coupled with measurements of total perennial cover and plot elevation using stepwise linear regression and linear regression techniques to create two models of cover. The final models produced R 2 of 0.82 and 0.81, respectively, and yielded maps of perennial cover distribution in the Mojave Desert at 250 m spatial resolution.
Gustatory afferents to ventral forebrain.

Abstract The pontine taste area (PTA) receives afferents from the gustatory zone of the nucleus of the solitary tract, and projects bilaterally to the thalamic taste area. Lesions of PTA also result in degenerating axons entering the substantia innominata in the ventral forebrain. The technique of antidromic activation has been used to demonstrate that pontine neurons which respond to gustatory stimuli send collaterals to both the thalamic taste area and substantia innominata. This establishes that, like olfactory input, gustatory information reaches the ventral telencephalon without first synapsing in the diencephalon.
Hepatic and pulmonary glutathione conjugation of 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane in human, rat, and mouse in vitro

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is a carcinogen in rats and mice. Previous in vitro studies showed that mouse liver microsomes formed 1,2-epoxy-3-butene (BMO) from BD and 1,2:3,4-diepoxybutane (BDE) from BMO at much higher rates than rat or human microsomes. Blood and tissue levels of BDE were significantly lower in rats than in mice following exposure to BD. Since mice are much more susceptible to cancer induced by BD than rats, these findings suggest a key role for BDE in BD-induced carcinogenicity. The aim of this study was to characterize the glutathione (GSH) conjugation of BDE by cytosol from human liver and mouse and rat liver and lung in vitro. BDE and radiolabeled GSH were incubated with cytosol. Conjugates were identified by 13C-NMR and FAB mass spectroscopy and quantitated by HPLC. The enzyme kinetics for the conjugation of BDE with GSH suggest that the higher BDE blood concentrations in mice compared with rats following inhalation exposure to BD are not due to differences in GSH conjugation of BDE.
Structure, Thermodynamics, and Position-Dependent Diffusivity in Fluids with Sinusoidal Density Variations

Molecular dynamics simulations and a stochastic method based on the Fokker–Planck equation are used to explore the consequences of inhomogeneous density profiles on the thermodynamic and dynamic properties of the hard-sphere fluid and supercooled liquid water. Effects of the inhomogeneity length scale are systematically considered via the imposition of sinusoidal density profiles of various wavelengths. For long-wavelength density profiles, bulk-like relationships between local structure, thermodynamics, and diffusivity are observed as expected. However, for both systems, a crossover in behavior occurs as a function of wavelength, with qualitatively different correlations between the local static and dynamic quantities emerging as density variations approach the scale of a particle diameter. Irrespective of the density variation wavelength, average diffusivities of hard-sphere fluids in the inhomogeneous and homogeneous directions are coupled and approximately correlate with the volume available for inser...