cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High and Low Energy States of Cytochromes II. IN SUBMITOCHONDRIAL PARTICLES

Abstract Reversed electron transfer in submitochondrial particles causes the oxidation of cytochromes a3 + a and c, and reduction of cytochrome b upon addition of adenosine triphosphate, indicating a crossover point for the energy-linked reversal of electron transfer between cytochromes c and b. The cytochrome component designaged b555 is uniformly observed to show increased absorption in the low to high energy transition and vice versa. It is tentatively identified as a high energy intermediate in the energy transfer pathway. The 555 mµ compound is distinguished from cytochrome c by its presence in KCl-washed cytochrome c-deficient particles and by the lack of evidence for their interconvertibility. Its identification as a cytochrome of type b is confirmed.
Multiview registration for large data sets

We present a multiview registration method for aligning range data. We first align scans pairwise with each other and use the pairwise alignments as constraints that the multiview step enforces while evenly diffusing the pairwise registration errors. This approach is especially suitable for registering large data sets, since using constraints from pairwise alignments does not require loading the entire data set into memory to perform the alignment. The alignment method is efficient, and it is less likely to get stuck into a local minimum than previous methods, and can be used in conjunction with any pairwise method based on aligning overlapping surface sections.
What Makes Inter-Agency Coordination Work?: Insights from the Literature and Two Case Studies

The purpose of this report is to discuss some of the key aspects involved in achieving Interagency Coordination (IC) that come out from the academic literature as well as from two case studies of ongoing operations funded by the Inter-American Development Bank. Four general questions that are addressed here: 1) What are the arguments in favor and against IC? Where does the consensus lie now?; 2) What are the coordination tools and strategies available for public managers?; 3) What are the conditions that favor or hinder effective IC?; 4) What practical recommendations policymakers need to bear in mind when designing and implementing programs that involve IC? The case studies of the Women Heads of Household Plan (Plan Jefas de Hogar) in Argentina, and the Darien Sustainable Development Program (Desarrollo Sustentable de Darien) in Panama are given.
Caffeine withdrawal symptoms following brief caffeine deprivation.

Abstract Phillips-Bute, B. G. and J. D. Lane. Caffeine withdrawal symptoms following brief caffeine deprivation. PHYSIOL BEHAV 63(1) 35–39, 1998.—The effects of short-term caffeine deprivation on mood, withdrawal symptoms and psychomotor performance were studied in habitual coffee drinkers. Thirty-one male and female coffee drinkers were tested twice at midday (1130 to 1330 h) 4 h after double-blind administration of 250 mg of caffeine or placebo. Mood and withdrawal symptom reports were collected by questionnaires. Psychomotor performance was tested with a brief computerized test battery, and casual blood pressure was measured. Caffeine deprivation was associated with decreased vigor and increased fatigue and with symptoms including sleepiness and yawning. Blood pressure was lower by 5–6 mm Hg. No changes in psychomotor performance were observed. Even short periods of caffeine deprivation, equivalent in length to missing regular morning coffee, can produce noticeable unpleasant caffeine withdrawal symptoms in habitual coffee drinkers. Such symptoms may be common side effects of habitual caffeine consumption that contribute to the maintenance of this behavior.
Plasma Exchange for Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis: Pathophysiologic Basis and Clinical Experience

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease characterized by production of antibodies to acetylcholine receptors located at the motor end plate in skeletal muscles. The antibodies bind and subsequently induce degeneration of these receptors. Loss of acetylcholine receptors results in inadequate contraction of muscle fibers in response to acetylcholine released from nerve terminals and clinically apparent muscle weakness. Plasma exchange removes the circulating antibodies in myasthenic patients with short-term clinical improvement. Plasma exchange may be indicated in patients with acute exacerbation of neuromuscular weakness with bulbar or respiratory compromise, preoperative optimization prior to thymectomy, and postoperative deterioration following thymectomy or other surgical procedures. Long-term, intermittent plasma exchange for patients who do not adequately respond to standard treatment is another evolving indication.
Noise Reduction in Surface Reconstruction from a Given Gradient Field

We present a gradient space technique for noise reduction in surfaces reconstructed from a noisy gradient field. We first analyze the error sources in the recovered gradient field of a surface using a three-image photometric stereo method. Based on this analysis, we propose an additive noise model to describe the errors in the surface gradient estimates. We then use a vector space formulation and construct a multiscale orthonormal expansion for gradient fields. Using the sparse representation properties of this expansion, we develop techniques for reducing the gradient field noise by coefficient selection with thresholding. The simulation results indicate that the proposed technique provides significant improvement on the noise levels of both the estimated gradient fields and the reconstructed surfaces under heavy noise levels. Furthermore, the experiments using noisy photometric stereo image triplets of real range data suggest that the additive model remains viable after the nonlinear photometric stereo operation to provide accurate noise removal.
Performance and calibration of the DØ uranium liquid-argon calorimeter

The performance of the DO uranium liquid-argon calorimeter is discussed, as well as the electromagnetic energy calibration. Results from test beam studies and collider data are incorporated to estimate the energy scale. The phi symmetry of the events is used to improve the understanding of the electromagnetic part of the calorimeter, and the EM energy scale is determined from Z → e+e− events. The calorimeter's response to other resonances is also investigated.
Fiber draw using draw pins under isothermal conditions

Using the governing equations developed from earlier work. we analyze a commercially relevant fiber drawing process where draw pins are used for localizing and enhancing the fiber draw. Inclusion of a draw pin introduces the possibility of unloading in the fiber, resulting in the additional complexity of elastic-plastic fiber characteristics in the analysis. In the absence of unloading, the stress in the fiber monotonically increases, so that only the elastic response of the fiber enters into the analysis. In this work, we analyze an isothermal two stage drawing process with a draw pin in the second draw zone. Various possibilities of draw are analyzed, which show that the total draw is in general distributed between the first and the second roller as well as on the pin. The offset location of the pin is shown to have a significant effect on the distribution of the draw. As this offset is increased, the nature of the draw on second roller changes from loading, to neither loading nor unloading at a critical offset, to unloading.
Differences in Hemagglutination by Strains of Influenza Virus in Presence of Egg White and Normal Serum.

SummaryThe hemagglutinating activity of some strains of influenza virus is more susceptible to egg white inhibitor while that of others is more susceptible to inhibition by rabbit serum. Heating to 5°C makes all strains susceptible to inhibition by egg white. When tested with 4 different strains a higher temperature was required to make them as susceptible to inhibition by normal rabbit serum. It is concluded from these results that the inhibitors are not identical. The results are discussed in terms of the enzymatic theory according to which two different enzymatic factors in the virus active against rabbit serum and egg white would have to be assumed.
Leadership Transitions During Fundraising Campaigns

Capital campaigns are intense efforts to build the financial assets of an institution in a specified amount of time. This study provides an empirical view of how changes in leadership affected concomitant capital campaigns at ten colleges and universities. The transitions during these 10 campaigns influenced morale on campus, altered timing of the campaigns, created negative publicity, and caused lost momentum; however, all capital campaigns persisted to meet financial goals despite disruptive transitions. One area of note is the lack of fundraising training and development for provosts, many of whom assume interim or full-time leadership posts after a presidential departure.
The theory of morphotropic phase transition in PbZr1 − x Ti x O3

The concept of the mechanism of formation of morphotropic boundaries in T−x phase diagrams of solid solutions of complex oxides with the perovskite structure has been formulated. This concept is illustrated by calculation of the conditions for existence of morphotropic phase transition in a quasy-binary solid solution of the PbZr1 − xTixO3 and (1 − x)PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 + xPbTiO3 compositions.
Transcriptional regulation of the rat steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene by steroidogenic factor 1.

Steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein is synthesized in response to tropic hormones to facilitate cholesterol transport to the inner mitochondrial membrane-bound P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), the first enzymatic step in the steroid hormone biosynthetic pathway. Gonadotropins activate expression of their target genes via the cAMP second messenger system. We have demonstrated that cAMP administration to rat luteal cells stimulates expression of both StAR messenger RNA and protein. Because cholesterol delivery is the first regulated step in steroidogenesis, and because StAR messenger RNA levels are increased in response to tropic hormone and cAMP stimulation, the mechanism by which tropic hormones/cAMP stimulate transcription needs to be elucidated. To this end, approximately 2.7 kb of the rat StAR promoter was isolated and sequenced. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of a TATA-like element as well as multiple regulatory motifs including steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) binding sites,...
Octacalcium Phosphate and Hydroxyapatite: Crystallographic and Chemical Relations between Octacalcium Phosphate and Hydroxyapatite

Octacalcium Phosphate and Hydroxyapatite: Crystallographic and Chemical Relations between Octacalcium Phosphate and Hydroxyapatite
Biophysical and Functional Analyses Suggest That Adenovirus E4-ORF3 Protein Requires Higher-order Multimerization to Function against Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein Nuclear Bodies

The early region 4 open reading frame 3 protein (E4-ORF3; UniProt ID P04489) is the most highly conserved of all adenovirus-encoded gene products at the amino acid level. A conserved attribute of the E4-ORF3 proteins of different human adenoviruses is the ability to disrupt PML nuclear bodies from their normally punctate appearance into heterogeneous filamentous structures. This E4-ORF3 activity correlates with the inhibition of PML-mediated antiviral activity. The mechanism of E4-ORF3-mediated reorganization of PML nuclear bodies is unknown. Biophysical analysis of the purified WT E4-ORF3 protein revealed an ordered secondary/tertiary structure and the ability to form heterogeneous higher-order multimers in solution. Importantly, a nonfunctional E4-ORF3 mutant protein, L103A, forms a stable dimer with WT secondary structure content. Because the L103A mutant is incapable of PML reorganization, this result suggests that higher-order multimerization of E4-ORF3 may be required for the activity of the protein. In support of this hypothesis, we demonstrate that the E4-ORF3 L103A mutant protein acts as a dominant-negative effector when coexpressed with the WT E4-ORF3 in mammalian cells. It prevents WT E4-ORF3-mediated PML track formation presumably by binding to the WT protein and inhibiting the formation of higher-order multimers. In vitro protein binding studies support this conclusion as demonstrated by copurification of coexpressed WT and L103A proteins in Escherichia coli and coimmunoprecipitation of WT·L103A E4-ORF3 complexes in mammalian cells. These results provide new insight into the properties of the Ad E4-ORF3 protein and suggest that higher-order protein multimerization is essential for E4-ORF3 activity.
Progress toward the total synthesis of callipeltin A (I): asymmetric synthesis of (3S,4R)-3,4-dimethylglutamine.

During the total synthesis of the novel cyclic depsipeptide callipeltin A (1), the unit (3S,4R)-3,4-dimethylglutamine, was successfully synthesized by asymmetric Michael addition and subsequent electrophilic azidation. The key feature of this approach is the generation of three adjacent stereogenic centers using the same camphorsultam chiral auxiliary.
Neurometabolites in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract This meta-analysis evaluates alterations of neurometabolites in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. PubMed was searched to find controlled studies evaluating N -acetylaspartate (NAA), Choline (Cho) and Creatine (Cr) assessed with 1 H-MRS (proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy) in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder up to September 2010. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate pooled standardized mean differences. The statistic was used to quantify inconsistencies. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore potential explanations for inconsistencies. The systematic review included 146 studies with 5643 participants. NAA levels were affected in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Decreased levels in the basal ganglia and frontal lobe were the most consistent findings in schizophrenia; decreased levels in the basal ganglia were the most consistent findings in bipolar disorder. Cho and Cr levels were not altered in either disorder. Findings for Cr were most consistent in the thalamus, frontal lobe and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia and the basal ganglia and frontal lobe in bipolar disorder. Findings for Cho were most consistent in the thalamus, frontal lobe and anterior cingulate cortex in schizophrenia and basal ganglia in bipolar disorder. Large, carefully designed studies are needed to better estimate the extent of alterations in neurometabolites.
494: Potential molecular mechanisms of hypertension in sickle cell disease pregnancy

PREGNANCY JULIA BRITTAIN, EUGENE ORRINGER, JOHN THORP, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina OBJECTIVE: The pregnant sickle cell disease (SCD) patient is more likely to deliver a small for gestational age (SGA) infant, to deliver pre-term and may be at greater risk for developing the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Traditionally, these complications in SCD pregnancies have been ascribed to vascular congestion in the uterus and placenta from sickled erythrocytes. However, high levels of the anti-angiogenic factors sflt-1 and s-endoglin may predict, if not contribute to these complications in pregnant patients without SCD. The level of these factors in pregnant SCD patients has never been studied. In this study, we re-examined the potential mechanisms of hypertension, delivery of SGA infants and pre-term labor in SCD pregnant patients by measuring levels of sflt-1 and s-endoglin in the blood. We also analyzed gestational blood pressure in both SCD pregnancies and controls. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a secondary analysis of previously collected plasma/serum samples from 17 SCD patients and 20 matched, but unaffected controls in the Pregnancy, Infection and Nutrition (PIN) study cohort at UNCChapel Hill. Levels of sflt-1 and s-endoglin were quantified using ELISA. Mean arterial blood (MAP) pressure curves were constructed from ambulatory measurements across pregnancy. RESULTS: MAP curves from SCD pregnancies were best fit by the model derived from hypertensive pregnancies. Levels of s-endoglin and sflt-1 were significantly elevated in SCD pregnancies (p 0.001 and 0.004 respectively). Those SCD patients with the most significant rise in gestational blood pressure had the highest sflt-1 levels and were significantly most likely to deliver SGA infants (p 0.05). Higher levels of s-endoglin were found in those SCD pregnancies that delivered pre-term (p 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that SCD patients fit the molecular profile of the hypertensive pregnant patient and that quantifying levels of sflt-1 and sendoglin may be of benefit in predicting complications during SCD pregnancy.
Indian rights and law before the federal district courts

Abstract This study subjects to quantitative analysis the decisional behavior of U.S. trial judges on the subject of Indian rights and law. Following a general discussion of the status of Native Americans in the U.S. legal system we focus more specifically on current case law regarding Indian rights and law. Not unexpectedly, there is a great deal of ambiguity in this legal realm. Since the judicial behavior literature indicates that ambiguous legal areas are fertile realms for judges to manifest their personal/partisan values in their judicial decisionmaking, we test the hypothesis that judges appointed by Democratic presidents respond differently to the pleas of Native American petitioners than do their colleagues selected by Republican chief executives. Our findings reveal that judges placed on the bench by a Democratic president are significantly more likely to support the Indian litigant.
Theoretical Criteria for the Effectiveness of a Lubricant Film

The occurrence of galling when unlubricated surfaces are slid together is shown through an energy balance to he determined by the parameter WK cot θ/p, where WK is the work of adhesion of the system, θ the average slope of the surface, and p the flow pressure of the softer metal. For lubricated surfaces, it is shown that only lubricants made up of very small molecules can be energetically stable on hard metal surfaces, and hence successful lubricants must form solid surface films. At the melting point of the lubricant film a transition takes place and the lubricant loses much of its effectiveness, while a second transition occurs at a higher temperature and leads to galling. This second transition is caused by desorption of the lubricant accompanied by a rise in WK but varies widely for different metals, being influenced by their flow pressure. Contributed by the ASLE Technical Committee on Lubrication Fundamentals and presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Lubrication Engineers held i...
Response to Rodrigues and Rosa on the twin paradox

This paper responds briefly to the criticism of Rodrigues and Rosa on my earlier analysis of the twin paradox. The main point that I have emphasized (and that the authors have not refuted, either logically or mathematically) is the error in directly identifying anabstract measure relative to a reference frame [and its transformations to all other possible reference frames in which the laws of nature are to be compared (such as temporal and spatial measures)], with aphysical extension and duration of a material body.
A case OF Aspergillus fumigatus peritonitis complicating liver transplantation

A 55-year-old male underwent orthotopic liver transplantation for sub-fulminant hepatitis B/delta infection superimposed on probable genetic hemochromatosis with early cirrhosis. Pre-operatively, he demonstrated serologic evidence of cytomegalovirus reactivation and developed cytomegalovirus viremia when ganciclovir was discontinued post-operatively. His post-operative course was complicated by chronic ductopenic rejection, biliary anastomotic leak, and persistent confusion and malaise. At the time of laparotomy for repair of the bile leak, nodular peritoneal lesions were noted, with biopsy and culture showing angioinvasive Aspergillus fumigatus. Despite administration of amphotericin B, the patient continued to have culture-confirmed evidence of infection at follow-up peritoneoscopy. Oral itraconazole was begun, but the patient died of liver failure secondary to progressive ductolpenic rejection. At autopsy, Aspergillus organisms were seen in histologic sections taken from the small bowel; there was no evidence of disseminated disease.
Relationship of Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Psychosocial Distress to Gastric Retention in Children

Objectives To determine whether gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (abdominal pain, nonpain GI symptoms, nausea) and/or psychosocial distress differ between children with/without gastroparesis and whether the severity of GI symptoms and/or psychosocial distress is related to the degree of gastroparesis. Study design Children aged 7-18 years (N = 100; 63 female patients) undergoing a 4-hour gastric emptying scintigraphy study completed questionnaires evaluating GI symptoms, anxiety, and somatization for this prospective study. Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney, t -test, and χ 2 tests were used as appropriate for statistical analysis. Results Children with gastroparesis (n = 25) were younger than those with normal emptying (12.6 ± 3.5 vs 14.3 ± 2.6 years, P = .01). Because questionnaire responses from 7- to 10-year-old children were inconsistent, only patient-reported symptoms from 11- to 18-year-olds were used. Within this older group (n = 83), children with gastroparesis (n = 17) did not differ from children with normal emptying in severity of GI symptoms or psychosocial distress. In children with gastroparesis, gastric retention at 4 hours was related inversely to vomiting ( r = −0.506, P = .038), nausea ( r = −0.536, P = .019), difficulty finishing a meal ( r = −0.582, P = .014), and Children's Somatization Inventory score ( r = −0.544, P = .024) and positively correlated with frequency of waking from sleep with symptoms ( r = 0.551, P = .022). Conclusions The severity of GI symptoms and psychosocial distress do not differ between children with/without gastroparesis who are undergoing gastric emptying scintigraphy. In those with gastroparesis, gastric retention appears to be inversely related to dyspeptic symptoms and somatization and positively related to waking from sleep with symptoms.
Whole-Genome Comparison of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Clinical and Laboratory Strains

Virulence and immunity are poorly understood in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We sequenced the complete genome of the M. tuberculosis clinical strain CDC1551 and performed a whole-genome comparison with the laboratory strain H37Rv in order to identify polymorphic sequences with potential relevance to disease pathogenesis, immunity, and evolution. We found large-sequence and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in numerous genes. Polymorphic loci included a phospholipase C, a membrane lipoprotein, members of an adenylate cyclase gene family, and members of the PE/PPE gene family, some of which have been implicated in virulence or the host immune response. Several gene families, including the PE/PPE gene family, also had significantly higher synonymous and nonsynonymous substitution frequencies compared to the genome as a whole. We tested a large sample of M. tuberculosis clinical isolates for a subset of the large-sequence and single-nucleotide polymorphisms and found widespread genetic variability at many of these loci. We performed phylogenetic and epidemiological analysis to investigate the evolutionary relationships among isolates and the origins of specific polymorphic loci. A number of these polymorphisms appear to have occurred multiple times as independent events, suggesting that these changes may be under selective pressure. Together, these results demonstrate that polymorphisms among M. tuberculosis strains are more extensive than initially anticipated, and genetic variation may have an important role in disease pathogenesis and immunity.
Giardia cyst wall protein 1 is a lectin that binds to curled fibrils of the GaLNAc homopolymer.

The infectious and diagnostic stage of Giardia lamblia (also known as G. intestinalis or G. duodenalis) is the cyst. The Giardia cyst wall contains fibrils of a unique β-1,3-linked N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) homopolymer and at least three cyst wall proteins (CWPs) composed of Leu-rich repeats (CWPLRR) and a C-terminal conserved Cys-rich region (CWPCRR). Our goals were to dissect the structure of the cyst wall and determine how it is disrupted during excystation. The intact Giardia cyst wall is thin (∼400 nm), easily fractured by sonication, and impermeable to small molecules. Curled fibrils of the GalNAc homopolymer are restricted to a narrow plane and are coated with linear arrays of oval-shaped protein complex. In contrast, cyst walls of Giardia treated with hot alkali to deproteinate fibrils of the GalNAc homopolymer are thick (∼1.2 µm), resistant to sonication, and permeable. The deproteinated GalNAc homopolymer, which forms a loose lattice of curled fibrils, is bound by native CWP1 and CWP2, as well as by maltose-binding protein (MBP)-fusions containing the full-length CWP1 or CWP1LRR. In contrast, neither MBP alone nor MBP fused to CWP1CRR bind to the GalNAc homopolymer. Recombinant CWP1 binds to the GalNAc homopolymer within secretory vesicles of Giardia encysting in vitro. Fibrils of the GalNAc homopolymer are exposed during excystation or by treatment of heat-killed cysts with chymotrypsin, while deproteinated fibrils of the GalNAc homopolymer are degraded by extracts of Giardia cysts but not trophozoites. These results show the Leu-rich repeat domain of CWP1 is a lectin that binds to curled fibrils of the GalNAc homopolymer. During excystation, host and Giardia proteases appear to degrade bound CWPs, exposing fibrils of the GalNAc homopolymer that are digested by a stage-specific glycohydrolase.
Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor (COUP-TF): Expression during mouse embryogenesis

Members of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily such as TR, RAR, RXR and VDR are known to play important roles in regulation of gene expression during development, differentiation and homeostasis. COUP-TFs are orphan members of this superfamily of nuclear receptors and have been shown to negatively regulate the ability of these nuclear receptors to transactivate target genes. Two different mechanisms are implicated in this repression. First, COUP-TFs bind to AGGTCA direct repeats and palindromes with various spacings, which include response elements for TR, RAR, RXR and VDR, allowing for direct competition of COUP-TFs for the response elements. Second, COUP-TFs can heterodimerize with RXRs, the essential cofactor for effective binding of VDR, TRs and RARs to their cognate response elements. The physiological significance of this negative effect of COUP-TF on the activity of these receptors has been analyzed. Detection of COUP-TF transcripts during mouse development reveal discrete spatial and temporal expression domains consistent with COUP-TFs being involved in regulation of gene expression during embryogenesis. Transcripts are localized within discrete regions of the central and peripheral nervous system including the inner ear. In addition, COUP-TFs are found in many tissues including testes, ovary, prostate, skin, kidney, lung, stomach, intestine, pancreas and salivary gland. Some of these expression domains colocalize with those of TR, RAR, and RXR. The simultaneous expresson of these genes raise the possibility that COUP-TFs can act as negative regulatory factors during development and differentiation.
UNIFORMITY AND DIVERSITY: Life Course Institutionalization and Late‐Life Work Exit

Recent research and theory argue that regulation of the life course, whether by state regulation, workplace dynamics, or economic and social trends, makes the life course more institutionally-dependent and uniform in timing. This article develops a more precise conceptualization of uniformity of life course transitions, distinguishing two facets: universality in event occurrence and variability in event timing. This distinction is unclear in many discussions of the topic, and separating the two elements reveals the complexity of the relation between social structural change and uniformity. The distinction is illustrated with U.S. data on recent trends in late-life labor force exit that show an increase in the proportion of those who exit by any age (i.e., universality), but a complex pattern of change in variability, indicating a tendency toward greater individuation.
Antimalarial Activities of Various 9-Phenanthrenemethanols with Special Attention to WR-122,455 and WR-171,669

Abstract Pilot appraisals of the activities of 16 specially selected 9-phenanthrenemethanols against acute infections with Plasmodium falciparum in owl monkeys showed that all were more active than the reference compound, WR-33,063. WR-122,455, the most active derivative, and WR-171,669, ranked sixth, were selected for study in human volunteers. To assist this undertaking, appraisals of both compounds in owl monkeys infected with various strains of P. falciparum were expanded. These assessments showed: (i) that WR-122,455 was four times as active as chloroquine against infections with chloroquine-sensitive strains and that WR-171,669 equalled chloroquine in activity; (ii) that these compounds were fully active against infections with strains resistant to chloroquine, pyrimethamine, or quinine, or to all three standard drugs; (iii) that the activity of WR-122,455 was a function of total dose, single doses being as effective as the same amounts delivered in three or seven daily fractions; and (iv) that a single dose of WR-122,455 conferred extended, although only partial, protection against challenges with trophozoites. Complementary experiments in rhesus monkeys inoculated with sporozoites of P. cynomolgi showed that the activity of WR-122,455 was limited to blood schizonts and did not extend to early or late tissue schizonts. These evaluations were compatible with the results of preliminary studies of the activities of WR-122,455 and WR-171,669 in human volunteers.
AuNP-DG: deoxyglucose-labeled gold nanoparticles as X-ray computed tomography contrast agents for cancer imaging.

Purpose To study the feasibility of using 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG)-labeled gold nanoparticle (AuNP-DG) as a computed tomography (CT) contrast agent with tumor targeting capability through in vitro experiments.
The role of aldosterone in renin secretion

Abstract Aldosterone was administered acutely and chronically to dogs under conditions of basal or elevated renin secretion. When steroid-induced changes in sodium balance were prevented by dietary sodium restriction, aldosterone produced no change in arterial renin concentration. We conclude that the effects of aldosterone on renin secretion are not direct, but are secondary to steroid-induced changes in body sodium.
Early childhood education programs

Head Start is a preschool program for disadvantaged children which aims to improve their skills so that they can begin schooling on an equal footing with their more advantaged peers. Begun in 1965 as part of President Johnson’s “War on Poverty,” Head Start now serves over 800,000 children in predominantly part-day programs, almost 50 percent of eligible three and four year-old poor children (Children’s Defense Fund, 2000). Over time, federal funding has increased from $96 million in 1965 to $4.7 billion in 1999. There have been dozens of studies of Head Start and closely related preschool and early school enrichment programs. Some studies involve small-scale model programs, others evaluate large-scale public programs which are generally of somewhat lower quality than the model programs. This paper discusses what is known about these early childhood education programs: what they try to do; the extent to which they work; what can be said about their optimal timing, targeting, and content; and the circumstances in which the benefits of providing these programs—ranging from gains to the children to the value of child care provided to the parents—are likely to outweigh the costs. This review of the evidence concludes that these programs have significant short- and medium-term benefits, and that the effects are often greater for more disadvantaged children. Some of the model programs have produced exciting results in terms of improving educational attainment and earnings and reducing welfare dependency and crime. The jury is still out on Head Start, but a simple cost-benefit analysis suggests that Head Start would pay for itself in terms of
Coexistent coronary and cerebrovascular disease: results of simultaneous surgical management in specific patient groups.

Abstract Objective: Results of synchronous combined revascularization were examined in specific patient groups with coexistent coronary and cerebrovascular diseases. Methods: Between 1.1.1980 and 31.12.1998, 408 patients underwent a synchronous combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA)+myocardial revascularization (CABG). In 259 (63.5%) patients, carotid disease was asymptomatic. Remaining patients presented with a previous stroke (n=35) or a transient ischemic episode (TIA) (n=114). In 245 (60%) patients, carotid stenosis was bilateral (Group A: bilateral ≥80% stenosis, Group B: contralateral occlusion, Group C: contralateral subcritical disease). A synchronous ipsilateral CEA+CABG was performed in all patients with an unilateral disease (n=163) and also in all Group B (n=33) and Group C (n=142) patients with bilateral disease. A simultaneous bilateral CEA+CABG was performed in 12 high risk Group A patients. Remaining Group A patients (n=58), initially underwent an ipsilateral CEA for most dominant lesion+CABG, soon followed by the contralateral CEA. Results were examined in above specific patient Groups. Results: Overall combined hospital mortality from stroke+myocardial infarction was 2.45%. No independent predictor of stroke was identified. In general, initial prophylactic CEA, subdued the risk of subsequent strokes for 7–8 yr. Predictors of a late stroke were: progression of bilateral (P=0.007) and intracranial (P=0.04) cerebrovascular disease. Highest risk of an early stroke was recorded in Group A patients. A composite high risk group of patients with multiple risk factors (n=155) demonstrated a higher risk of both early and late strokes, as compared to the remaining patients (n=253) (P Conclusions: A regular use of combined approach was justified in the above patient groups.
The Contribution of Set Switching and Working Memory to Sentence Processing in Older Adults

This study evaluates the involvement of switching skills and working-memory capacity in auditory sentence processing in older adults. The authors examined 241 healthy participants, aged 55 to 88 years, who completed four neuropsychological tasks and two sentence-processing tasks. In addition to age and the expected contribution of working memory, switching ability, as measured by the number of perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, emerged as a strong predictor of performance on both sentence-processing tasks. Individuals with both low working-memory spans and more perseverative errors achieved the lowest accuracy scores. These findings are consistent with compensatory accounts of successful performance in older age.
Characteristic Study on the Optimization of Pin-Fin Micro Heat Sink

The need for dissipating heat from microsystems has increased drastically in the last decade. Several methods of heat dissipation using air and liquids have been proposed by many studies, and pin-fin micro heat sinks are one among them. Researchers have developed several effective pin-fin structures for use in heat sinks, but not much effort has been taken towards the optimization of profile and dimensions of the pin-fin. In this paper the authors studied the effect of different pin-fin shapes on the thermal resistance and pressure drop in a specific micro heat-sink. Optimization subjected to two different constraints is studied in this paper. The first optimization is subjected to constant flow rate and the second one is subjected to constant pressure drop. Both optimization processes are carried out using computer simulations generated using COVENTORWARE™. Two of the best structures from each of these optimization studies are selected and further analysis is performed for optimizing their structure dimensions such as width, height and length. A section of the total micro heat-sink is modeled for the initial optimization of the pin-fin shape. The model consists of two sections, the substrate and the fluid. Six different shapes: square, circle, rectangle, triangle, oval and rhombus were analyzed in the initial optimization study. Preliminary tests were conducted using the first model described above for a flow rate of 0.6ml/min. The non dimensional overall thermal resistance of the heat sink, and the nondimensional pumping power was calculated from the results. A figure of merit (FOM) was developed using the nondimensional thermal resistance and nondimensional pumping power for each structure with different pin-fin shapes. Smaller the value of FOM better the performance of the heat sink. The study revealed that the circle and ellipse structures have the best performance and the rectangle structure had the worst performance at low flow rates. At high flow rates rectangular and square structures have the best performance.© 2009 ASME
Causes of allograft dysfunction after single lung transplantation for emphysema : Extrinsic restriction versus intrinsic obstruction

Abstract Background: A subset of patients with emphysema who have undergone single lung transplantation (SLT) may subsequently present with dyspnea, worsening airways obstruction, hypoxemia, and progressive chronic native lung hyperinflation. The leading cause of late allograft dysfunction is bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). However, extrinsic restriction manifests with a similar clinical presentation and is an additional mechanism to consider. We describe the use of the inspiratory lung resistance (R Li ) to distinguish a decline in respiratory status due predominantly to either extrinsic restriction or BOS. Methods We studied five patients who underwent SLT for emphysema between 1992 and 1995, in whom the diagnoses of BOS and extrinsic restriction were subsequently entertained. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ), R Li , static lung compliance, elastic recoil pressure at total lung capacity (TLC), and the slope of the maximum flow static recoil (MFSR) plot were measured. Results All patients had severe airflow obstruction, with mean FEV 1 0.98 ± 0.24 liter (26 ± 5% predicted), elevated static lung compliance, reduced elastic recoil pressure at TLC, and reduced slope of the MFSR plot. Three patients had “low” R Li (9.3–12.8 cm H 2 O/L/sec). Obstruction was attributed predominantly to extrinsic restriction. These patients underwent lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) on the native lung; improvements in pulmonary mechanics were observed at 6 months. In contrast, two patients had markedly elevated R Li (17.3 and 17.4 cm H 2 O/L/sec). Obstruction was attributed predominantly to intrinsic airway disease from BOS that was subsequently documented at autopsy. Conclusions The R Li appears to be a useful adjunct to the clinical history in distinguishing a decline in respiratory status due predominantly to either BOS or extrinsic restriction in patients who have undergone SLT for emphysema. Determination of the mechanism of allograft dysfunction may allow the selection of an appropriate subset of patients who would benefit from LVRS.
Correlated Variability in Laminar Cortical Circuits

Summary Despite the fact that strong trial-to-trial correlated variability in responses has been reported in many cortical areas, recent evidence suggests that neuronal correlations are much lower than previously thought. Here, we used multicontact laminar probes to revisit the issue of correlated variability in primary visual (V1) cortical circuits. We found that correlations between neurons depend strongly on local network context—whereas neurons in the input (granular) layers showed virtually no correlated variability, neurons in the output layers (supragranular and infragranular) exhibited strong correlations. The laminar dependence of noise correlations is consistent with recurrent models in which neurons in the granular layer receive intracortical inputs from nearby cells, whereas supragranular and infragranular layer neurons receive inputs over larger distances. Contrary to expectation that the output cortical layers encode stimulus information most accurately, we found that the input network offers superior discrimination performance compared to the output networks.
Life history and physiology of the Red Alga, Gelidium coulteri, in unialgal culture

Abstract Gelidium coulteri Harv., an agarophyte of commercial importance, was grown in unialgal culture in natural seawater under various environmental conditions. Growth rate, reproductive status, morphology and agar production for whole plants under each condition were determined over 2-month periods. Reproduction could be induced in these plants by (1) limiting them for nutrients, then relieving the limitation with addition of Provasoli's enrichment, or (2) increasing photon flux densities (PFD) from Vegetative tetrasporophytes and gametophytes showed no differences in their growth responses to environmental changes. Growth rates increased with increasing PFD and were optimal at 150–250 μE m−2 s−1. Growth inhibition and bleaching were seen at 400 μE m−2 s−1. Agar yield on a dry weight basis increased with increasing PFD to 32–35% at 150 μE m−2 s−1 and remained constant at higher PFDs. Plants grown at PFD Growth rate increased with increasing temperature to a maximum at 20–27°C. Temperatures above 31°C were lethal. Agar yield was constant at 32–35% dry weight with respect to temperature to 31°C, at which agar yields increased to 40%. Growth was optimal at pH 7.5–8.5. Tissue necrosis and cell death occurred at pH below 7.0. Plants formed superficial carbonate deposits at pH above 9.0. Agar yields were constant from pH 6.0 to 9.0. Plants grown in unfortified seawater showed declines in chlorophyll content and growth rate to nearly zero after 3 weeks. Phycobiliprotein levels decreased to zero after 12 days. Agar yields of these plants were 40–60% higher than in plants grown with nutrient supplementation. Subsequent 0.36 mM nitrate addition led to a recovery of chlorophyll and phycobiliprotein in 2–3 days.
Intrapartum Chemoprophylaxis for Group B Streptococcus: High Frequency of Resistance to Recommended Penicillin Alternatives in Clinical Isolates.• 1309

Recent CDC guidelines for intrapartum chemoprophylaxis (ICP) of perinatal group B streptococcal (GBS) infection recommend parenteral erythromycin or clindamycin for women who are allergic to penicillin. Clindamycin has been selected as the preferred alternative by several centers because of variable transplacental erythromycin delivery. Because of sporadic reports of GBS resistance to these alternative antimicrobial agents, we tested clinical GBS isolates recovered from genitourinary sites in 36 different women for susceptibility to these alternative agents. Testing 18 isolates with E-test strips containing clindamycin revealed that 5 (28%) were resistant, with mean inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 96, 256, >256, >256, and >256 mcg/mL. Sensitive isolates had MICs ranging from 0.094 to 0.19 mcg/mL. An additional 18 isolates were tested for susceptibility to erythromycin, clindamycin, penicillin, and cefazolin using disk diffusion methodology. Of these, 5 (28%) were resistant to erythromycin (inhibitory zone sizes 6,6,6,6 and 14 mm) and 2 (11%) were resistant to clindamycin (zone sizes 6 and 14 mm), while none were resistant to penicillin or cefazolin (all zone sizes ≥21 mm). Cumulatively, 7/36 (19%) isolates were resistant to clindamycin and 5/18(28%) were resistant to erythromycin; 0/18 (0%) and 0/18 (0%) were resistant to penicillin and cefazolin respectively. Larger studies are required to confirm these rates of in vitro resistance, to assess the resultant impact on in vivo efficacy of ICP, and to determine if other alternatives are more appropriate. In the interim, caregivers should be aware of this potential limitation of the currently recommended alternatives to penicillin for ICP against GBS and should carefully review histories of penicillin allergy to ascertain if alternative agents are truly indicated.
A visual analytics system for radio frequency fingerprinting-based localization

Radio frequency (RF) fingerprinting-based techniques for localization are a promising approach for ubiquitous positioning systems, particularly indoors. By finding unique fingerprints of RF signals received at different locations within a predefined area beforehand, whenever a similar fingerprint is subsequently seen again, the localization system will be able to infer a user's current location. However, developers of these systems face the problem of finding reliable RF fingerprints that are unique enough and adequately stable over time. We present a visual analytics system that enables developers of these localization systems to visually gain insight on whether their collected datasets and chosen fingerprint features have the necessary properties to enable a reliable RF fingerprinting-based localization system. The system was evaluated by testing and debugging an existing localization system.
Maintaining ragweed cultures.

Abstract A practical method is described for maintaining ragweed cultures. Fruits are stripped from mature wild or cultivated plants in the fall, winnowed, and placed in appropriately labeled cloth bags. These are soaked for an hour in warm water, placed on clean sand in wooden flats and covered with another inch of sand. The flats are placed out of doors in late November or December where they will be undisturbed but exposed to normal climatic conditions. In the spring the flats are brought inside before the ground has thawed. If not planted immediately, the fruits are stored frozen in their bags or are dried and placed in loosely covered jars. Seeds are planted in light loam. Seedlings are potted as soon as possible and repotted as required by the growth of the plants. Pollen is collected with a vacuum pump, by tapping the spikes on waxed paper at the time of discharge, or by allowing covered, cut spikes to shed their pollen on clean paper.
Organization of a 117-kb circular mitochondrial chromosome in IR36 rice

The organization of the mitochondrial genome in the IR36 indica variety of rice was analyzed using constant-field and CHEF gel electrophoresis. The minimum complexity of the genome is estimated to be 300 kb. There was no evidence for a master circular molecule of this size. The genome exists in vivo in multiple subgenomic circular molecules or mitochondrial chromosomes. Using several rare-cutting restriction enzymes a restriction map was constructed for a 117-kb circular chromosome. Six genetic loci have been placed on this chromosome; cox1 and atp1 have been assigned precise positions while four additional genes (rrn26, cob2, atp6 and rrn18) were mapped to restriction fragments.
Minimal Size Packaging Solutions: A Comparison

Known good die, flip chip and chip scale packages are technologies that offer various advantages to the board manufacturer. A discussion of the different types of package options, their methods of assembly, test and performance comparisons can help to resolve the general direction a manufacturer might pursue for next generation systems. This paper attempts to give a perspective as well as highlighting the areas of concern with the different options.