cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feedback Communication and Control Over a Single Channel

This paper explores the problem of feedback coding for a channel whose output is simultaneously used for two purposes: it is decoded to establish reliable communication, and it is used to control a dynamical system. In general, there is a tradeoff between the rate of communication and the accuracy of control. An intuitive communication and control strategy is analyzed and shown to be optimal in several cases of interest. Using methods from stochastic control, a corresponding upper bound is derived on the rate for a given cost, and this bound can be applied to find the capacity for an interesting class of channels. Under certain regularity conditions, the capacity has a simple characterization, and a series of examples is provided to demonstrate how it can be calculated.
A method of continuous or intermittent tracheobronchial and pulmonary infusion.

SUMMARY 1.It is often desirable to introduce materials into the tracheo-bronchial tree in the course of investigation or treatment of bronchopulmonary diseases. 2.Aerosol methods do not provide sufficient fluid to the bronchi and operative procedures are cumbersome. 3.A method of introducing and leaving a cannula in the trachea of rabbits has been evolved and is described. 4.With this method, solutions can be introduced directly into the tracheo-bronchial tree in large amounts, either intermittently or continuously for days or weeks at a time. 5.It is proposed to use this method to try the effects of various solutions in the investigation and treatment of normal animals and others with induced diseases of the respiratory tract. 6.The use of this method in the treatment of human disease is suggested.
Sex and Genetic Factors Determine Osteoblastic Differentiation Potential of Murine Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

Sex and genetic factors determine skeletal mass, and we tested whether bone histomorphometric parameters were sexually dimorphic in femurs from 1 to 6 month old C57BL/6 mice. Trabecular bone volume declined more rapidly in female mice than in male littermates because of enhanced bone resorption. Although bone formation was not different between sexes, female mice exhibited a higher number of osteoblasts than male littermates, suggesting that osteoblasts from female mice may have a reduced ability to form bone. To determine the impact of sex on osteoblastogenesis, we investigated the potential for osteoblastic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells from C57BL/6, Friend leukemia virus-B (FVB), C3H/HeJ and BALB/c mice of both sexes. Bone marrow stromal cells from female FVB, C57BL/6 and C3H/HeJ mice exhibited lower Alpl and Osteocalcin expression and alkaline phosphatase activity, and formed fewer mineralized nodules than cells from male littermates. Proliferative capacity was greater in cells from male than female C57BL/6, but not FVB, mice. Sorting of bone marrow stromal cells from mice expressing an α-Smooth muscle actin-green fluorescent protein transgene, revealed a higher yield of mesenchymal stem cells in cultures from male mice than in those from female littermates. Sex had a modest impact on osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. To determine the influence of sex and genetic factors on osteoblast function, calvarial osteoblasts were harvested from C57BL/6, FVB, C3H/HeJ and BALB/c mice. Alpl expression and activity were lower in osteoblasts from C57BL/6 and C3H/HeJ, but not FVB or BALB/c, female mice than in cells from littermates. Sex had no effect on osteoclastogenesis of bone marrow cultures of C57BL/6 mice, but osteoblasts from female mice exhibited higher Rankl and lower Opg expression than cells from male littermates. In conclusion, osteoblastogenesis is sexually dimorphic and influenced by genetic factors.
Diminished Giant or Vanguard for Liberalization? The U.S. and the Regionalization of Trade

Preferential trading arrangements, in the form of regional blocs, have emerged as a popular policy tool for the United States. Blocs are viewed by some policymakers and scholars as an effective defensive measure for shor ing up declining U.S. economic power. Others view blocs as a more prac tical first step toward multilateral liberalization. Critics of blocs view them as a suboptimal solution to economic problems which at best diverts time and resources better spent working toward multilateralism and at worst encourages protectionism, distrust, and confusion among states. This study seeks to examine the consequences of such policies for U.S. trading behav ior. More specifically, U.S. trading patterns are examined, within the con text of the global trading order, to determine the extent to which the U.S. is a regional or a global actor. Covering the period from 1950 to 1990, this study employs asymmetric multidimensional scaling to spatially place U.S. trading patterns in the world trading order. Results ...
Collisionally activated dissociation of O2+ in a triple quadrupole and the role of excited states

Abstract O 2 + produced in an electron impact source of variable energy has been studied in collisions with argon atoms at low energies in a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The role of the long-lived metastable a 4 π u state was examined. Thresholds for the ground and excited states were determined for both charge transfer and collisionally activated dissociation. Cross-sections for the excited state are an order of magnitude greater than for the ground state at a collision energy of 10 eV. The O + product is formed over an unusually wide range of scattering angles.
Promoting Cardiovascular Health: From Individual Goals to Social Environmental Change

A conceptual model of the relationship between well-known individual-level behavioral and biomedical risk factors for heart disease and stroke and community-level social environmental risk factors, which may be less familiar to professionals working in cardiovascular health promotion, is presented. The social environment paradigm holds that programs and interventions should focus "upstream" and attempt to directly modify social environmental conditions in order to positively influence human behaviors, and consequently disability and disease. For each of the "big five" cardiovascular risk factors (poor diet, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol), social environmental barriers and promoters are described. This conceptual model should be a useful tool in explaining and justifying the ways in which social environmental change can improve risk factor distributions for entire populations, and subsequently reduce disability and death from heart disease and stroke.
Interaction of the Gelsolin-Derived Antibacterial PBP 10 Peptide with Lipid Bilayers and Cell Membranes

PBP 10, an antibacterial, cell membrane-permeant rhodamine B-conjugated peptide derived from the polyphosphoinositide binding site of gelsolin, interacts selectively with both lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), the distinct components of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, respectively. Isolated LPS and LTA decrease the antimicrobial activities of PBP 10, as well as other antimicrobial peptides, such as cathelicidin-LL37 (LL37) and mellitin. In an effort to elucidate the mechanism of bacterial killing by PBP 10, we compared its effects on artificial lipid bilayers and eukaryotic cell membranes with the actions of the mellitin, magainin II, and LL37 peptides. This study reveals that pore formation is unlikely to be involved in PBP 10-mediated membrane destabilization. We also investigated the effects of these peptides on platelets and red blood cells (RBCs). Comparison of these antimicrobial peptides shows that only mellitin has a toxic effect on platelets and RBCs in a concentration range concomitant with its bactericidal activity. The hemolytic activities of the PBP 10 and LL37 peptides significantly increase when RBCs are osmotically swollen in hypotonic solution, indicating that these antibacterial peptides may take advantage of the more extended form of bacterial membranes in exerting their killing activities. Additionally, we found that LL37 hemolytic activity was much higher when RBCs were induced to expose phosphatidylserine to the external leaflet of their plasma membranes. This finding suggests that asymmetrical distribution of phospholipids in the external membranes of eukaryotic cells may represent an important factor in determining the specificity of antibacterial peptides for targeting bacteria rather than eukaryotic cells.
GURU NANAK AND RATIONAL CIVIL THEOLOGY

By the early sixteenth century, the conditions for a radical reorientation of Indic and Islamic religiosity and sociality had begun to crystallize with the simultaneous resurgence of antinomian rationalism and the expansion of mercantile capitalism across northern India. Combining insights about these dual processes, Guru Nanak formulated discursive and practical strategies for overcoming the social illusion of egoistic selfhood determined by the rise of commodity exchange, on the one hand, and the individualistic soteriological practices of existing faiths, on the other. Overcoming both required translating traditional religious concepts and categories into a framework of everyday collective life. The rational civil theology concertedly formulated in early Sikh scripture presents challenges for writing a contemporary universal history of reason. The essay concludes with an exploration of the incomplete dialectic of neo-Kantian notions of reason in the work of Georg Lukacs by examining a point at which hi...
A convener role for the cnxH gene specified component in the NADPH-nitrate reductase from Aspergillus nidulans

The role of the cnxH+ gene specified polypeptide in the formation and function of the NADPH-nitrate reductase in Aspergillus nidulans was examined with the use of two complementing mutant strains which were grown as forced heterocaryons in the presence of nitrate. The niaD-421 structural gene mutant and the cnxH-318 co-factor gene mutant produce two components of the NADPH-cytochrome c reductase co-activity which can be distinguished by their enzymatic and physical behavior. This combination enabled us to isolate the de novo synthesis of niaD+ gene specified protomers from the constitutively formed co-factor at two stages of development. The proportion of induced and constitutively formed protomers in the isolated holoenzyme was measured after pulsing with [3H]-histidine or [14C]-histidine prior to induction with nitrate. The newly formed nitrate reductase was resolved by agarose gel electrofocusing and activity staining. In vivo assembly of a 7.8s enzyme in the heterocaryotic mycelium of the above strains is apparently achieved by the convener action of the cnxH+ gene directed polypeptide from the niaD− strain on the niaD+ gene directed protomers of the cnxH− partner. This occurs with or without Mo as a co-factor.
The reliability of force platform data from trotting horses

The aim of the present study was to quantify the inter-day reliability of force platform data from horses at the trot. The subjects were ten horses judged to be sound on the basis of clinical evaluation and similarity of ground reaction force peaks of left and right limbs. The same handler trotted horses in hand for four consecutive days over a force platform at their natural and comfortable velocity between 2.70 and 3.60 m s−1. For each horse, velocity was controlled in a range of±0.15 m s−1. Five contacts per limb were recorded on each day. Custom-written code in MATLAB was used to smooth the data and time-normalize to 101 data points. The agreement boundary was used to determine the reliability of seven force variables. Stance duration, peak vertical force and vertical impulse were the most reliable variables ( 20% variability in the mean). Variables with low variability may require fewer animals, trials and days to obtain accurate data while maintaining adequate statistical power. These results may act both as a reference when studying variability in lame horses and as a guide for planning future equine kinetic studies.
Structural characterization of cyclopentadienyl(duroquinone)cobalt dihydrate

Abstract The structure of cyclopentadienyl(duroquinone)cobalt dihydrate, (C 5 H 5 )Co-[(CH 3 ) 4 C 6 O 2 ]·2H 2 O, has been determined by three-dimensional X-ray analysis. The crystal structure consists of discrete cyclopentadienyl(duroquinone)cobalt molecules linked together by a complex network of hydrogen bonds between water molecules and duroquinone oxygen atoms. Each (C 5 H 5 )Co[(CH 3 ) 4 C 6 O 2 ] molecule consists of a cobalt atom sandwiched between a cyclopentadienyl ring and a duroquinone ring. A detailed comparison of the molecular parameters of this complex with those of closely related complexes is given. Crystallographic evidence that the metalduroquinone interaction in cyclopentadienyl(duroquinone)cobalt dihydrate is considerably stronger than that in the electronically-equivalent 1,5-cyclooctadiene(duroquinone)nickel complex is given not only by the metalC(olefin) distances being 0.12 A (av) shorter in the duroquinonecobalt complex [ viz ., 2.104(8) A vs . 2.222(7) A] but also by the much greater C 2 v -type distortion of the duroquinone ring from the planar D 2 h configuration in free duroquinone. The compound crystallizes with two formula species in a triclinic unit cell of symmetry P 1 and reduced cell dimensions a = 8.60 A, b = 9.00 A, c = 10.15 A, α = 87° 34′, β = 84° 10′, γ = 73° 44′. Least-squares refinement yielded final unweighted and weighted discrepancy factors of R 1 = 10.8% and R 2 = 12.0%, respectively, for 2481 independent diffraction maxima collected photographically.
Optimization of capillary source geometry for maximum pellet exit velocity in electrothermal plasma launchers

Deep fueling for large-scale tokamak fusion reactors requires the use of high-velocity pellet injectors. The fuel pellets consist of frozen deuterium or deuterium-tritium ice. A fuel pellet must be launched into the fusion plasma at a high enough velocity to reach the core of the plasma before too much of the pellet melts, ablates and disintegrates. For tokamak fusion reactors, the fusion plasma is predicted to operate at temperatures of up to 15×107 °C at its core. At these extreme temperatures, the fuel pellets need to be launched at large velocities to prevent excessive melting and vaporization before reaching the core of the plasma. Obtaining this exit velocity is possible through the use of electrothermal (ET) plasma guns. Electrothermal plasma guns use a capillary tube where plasma is sparked inside the source and is allowed to continue travelling in an extension acceleration barrel. The plasma is sparked inside the source via the discharge of a capacitor bank that is charged up to 10 kV or higher. A liner material inside the source is ablated and forms plasma that draws discharge current (several kA) over 100 microseconds and can propel a pellet to velocities exceeding 3 km/s. Using a 1-D time-dependent computer code, a variety of computational predictions can be made on the plasma, as well as the pellet, as it moves through the barrel until it leaves towards the fusion core. Characteristics of different geometric configurations of the plasma gun can be simulated using the code to predict the optimal geometric configuration that will maximize the pellet's exit velocity. Previous research studies have been conducted by varying the length of the acceleration barrel and computing the effect on the pellet's exit velocity. In the present research, to complement the prior studies, the one dimensional computer code, ETFLOW, was used to simulate the effect of varying the source geometry, i.e. length, radius, and aspect ratio, on the pellet's exit velocity. For optimal geometries, pellet exit velocities of up to 3.9 km/s were computed. This is an increase of nearly 12% from previous computational studies. Computed pellet velocities are correlated to source geometry and plasma parameters.
Effectiveness of Motivational Incentives in Stimulant Abusing Outpatients with Different Treatment Histories

Objective: To determine if prize-based abstinence incentives will differentially affect substance abuse outcomes in patients with different treatment histories. Design: Treatment seeking outpatients with more or less prior treatment episodes were randomized to receive either prize-based incentives plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone. Outcome variables included longest sustained period of abstinence, number of negative urine drug screens (UDS), and retention in treatment. Results: Treatment experienced participants were older, more likely to be female, African American, unemployed, and with more severe cocaine and psychiatric problems. The effectiveness of incentives did not differ significantly between the two treatment history groups with regard to the outcome measures.
Solubilization, partial purification, and affinity labeling of the membrane-bound isoprenylated protein endoprotease.

A previously described [Ma, Y.-T., & Rando, R. R. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 6275-6279] membrane-associated isoprenylated protein endoprotease is important in the processing of isoprenylated proteins terminating with CAAX. The enzyme is of substantial interest because specific inhibitors of it block the processing and functioning of ras in vivo. The enzyme appears to be an integral membrane protein, as it can only be removed from microsomal membranes with detergent. The enzyme is effectively solubilized by the detergent CHAPSO and can be partially purified (approximately 10-fold) by anion ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography. Attempts to further purify the enzyme by other column means, including affinity chromatography, were unsuccessful. The partially purified enzyme is very sensitive to thiol reagents but insensitive to other kinds of protease inhibitors, suggesting that the enzyme is a thiol protease. Potent and specific chloroketone containing affinity labeling agents have been developed. These novel inactivators owe their potency to an S-farnesylcysteine moiety which is recognized by the enzyme. Specific inhibitors of this type should allow for the identification and cloning of this protease, which is important for signal transduction.
Replication rate of feline immunodeficiency virus in astrocytes is envelope dependent: implications for glutamate uptake.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) induces neurological abnormalities in domestic cats. Previously, we demonstrated that two disparate strains of FIV (FIV-34TF10 and FIV-PPR) varied greatly in the ability to replicate in feline cortical astrocytes. To investigate the impact of the env region on the replication efficiency of these strains, we constructed two env chimera viruses, FIV-34TF10-PPRenv and FIV-PPR-34TF10env, to infect feline cortical astrocytes in vitro. Although all of these viruses infected cortical astrocytes, the efficiency of replication depended on strain, and the env region played an essential role. The viruses containing the env of 34TF10, FIV-34TF10, and FIV-PPR-34TF10env had the greatest replication rate, whereas the viruses containing the env of PPR replicated at a lower level. Other viral regions had modulatory effects on the replication rate, with the FIV-PPR genome providing a slight replication advantage over the FIV-34TF10 genome. We also monitored the effects of these viruses on an important astrocyte function, glutamate uptake; all viruses significantly decreased this activity, but only the viruses containing the env of PPR significantly impaired glutamate uptake without altering the culture viability. These results may be particularly relevant in the context of lentivirus-induced central nervous system disease in which a selective breakdown of astroglial function may contribute to neurodegeneration.
Polymorphism in red photopigment underlies variation in colour matching

GENETIC variation of human senses within the normal range probably exists but usually cannot be investigated in detail for lack of appropriate methods. The study of subtle perceptual differences in red–green colour vision is feasible since both photo-pigment genotypes and psychophysical phenotypes can be assessed by sophisticated techniques. Red–green colour vision in humans is mediated by two different visual pigments: red (long-wavelength sensitive) and green (middle-wavelength sensitive). The apoproteins of these highly homologous photopigments are encoded by genes on the X chromosome1. Colour matches of males with normal colour vision fall into two main groups that appear to be transmitted by X-linked inheritance2–6. This difference in colour matching is likely to reflect small variations in the absorption maxima of visual pigments7–11 suggesting the presence of two common variants of the red and/or green visual pigments that differ in spectral positioning5,6. We report that a common single amino-acid polymorphism (62% Ser, 38% Ala) at residue 180 of the X-linked red visual pigment explains the finding of two major groups in the distribution of colour matching among males with normal colour vision.
Commensurate and Incommensurate Structures in a Nonequilibrium System

A layer of nematic liquid crystal that has undergone an electrohydrodynamic instability (and contains nonequilibrium structures with period ${l}_{0}$) is subjected to a spatially periodic electric field with periodicity ${l}_{1}$. The competition between these two length scales is found to result in novel ordered phases similar to those found in equilibrium condensed-matter systems. A simple model is proposed that accounts for most of the observations.
Dopaminergic dysregulation in schizophrenia: A target for new drugs

The dopamine hypothesis postulates that at least some schizophrenic symptoms are a reflection of central nervous system hyperdopaminergia. The evidence for this model is briefly reviewed and its shortcomings highlighted. The dysregulation hypothesis of schizophrenia should be a useful reformulation. Rather than conceptualizing a static hyperdopaminergic state, schizophrenia might be better understood as a reflection of a relative failure of dopaminergic regulation. Evidence for such dysregulation is examined and possible mechanisms are presented. Avenues of future drug research are proposed.
Climate change and health: indoor heat exposure in vulnerable populations.

Abstract Introduction Climate change is increasing the frequency of heat waves and hot weather in many urban environments. Older people are more vulnerable to heat exposure but spend most of their time indoors. Few published studies have addressed indoor heat exposure in residences occupied by an elderly population. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between outdoor and indoor temperatures in homes occupied by the elderly and determine other predictors of indoor temperature. Materials and methods We collected hourly indoor temperature measurements of 30 different homes; outdoor temperature, dewpoint temperature, and solar radiation data during summer 2009 in Detroit, MI. We used mixed linear regression to model indoor temperatures' responsiveness to weather, housing and environmental characteristics, and evaluated our ability to predict indoor heat exposures based on outdoor conditions. Results Average maximum indoor temperature for all locations was 34.85 °C, 13.8 °C higher than average maximum outdoor temperature. Indoor temperatures of single family homes constructed of vinyl paneling or wood siding were more sensitive than brick homes to outdoor temperature changes and internal heat gains. Outdoor temperature, solar radiation, and dewpoint temperature predicted 38% of the variability of indoor temperatures. Conclusions Indoor exposures to heat in Detroit exceed the comfort range among elderly occupants, and can be predicted using outdoor temperatures, characteristics of the housing stock and surroundings to improve heat exposure assessment for epidemiological investigations. Weatherizing homes and modifying home surroundings could mitigate indoor heat exposure among the elderly.
Open partial nephrectomy: an essential contemporary operation.

This Viewpoint documents recent developments in the field of renal cortical tumors, focusing on the current status of open partial nephrectomy. The author argues that nephron-sparing surgery is under-utilized, and that the current trend for urologic surgeons to adopt laparoscopic radical nephrectomy as a minimally invasive alternative could have important consequences for overall renal function.
Compression plating (compression osteosynthesis) of mandible fractures

Compression osteosynthesis implies the use of rigid fixation across a fracture or osteotomy so that the fragments are compressed together even when the body part is at rest (no functional load). It must be applied in such a way that the addition of a functional load will not reverse the compressive force. So long as a positive (compressive) force is maintained at all times, no motion of the fragments relative to each other will occur, and healing will likely ensue. The principles and techniques for achieving dependable compression osteosynthesis across mandibular fractures are described, including the use of the dynamic compression plate, the eccentric dynamic compression plate, and lag screw compression fixation. Proper application, with indications and contraindications, is included, along with a discussion of the complications that may be encountered.
THE CONCEPTUALIZATION OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE PROCESS: THE IMPACT OF ADMINISTRATIVE FACTORS AND SCREENING DECISIONS ON JUVENILE COURT DISPOSITIONS

Research on race, sex, and social class discrimination in the juvenile justice process has yielded mixed results. These conflicting findings have been attributed to the use of diverse research strategies and various methodological shortcomings. There are, however, two potentially important issues that have not been previously addressed: the need to examine the juvenile justice system as a process, rather than as a series of separate and unrelated decision points, and the failure to control for the impact of administrative factors such as pretrial detention. The purpose of the research reported here is to examine the impact of race, sex, and social class on juvenile court dispositions while controlling for pretrial detention and appropriate legal factors. The analytical strategy employed permits an examination of the impact of these factors over three stages of the juvenile justice process: referral, adjudication, and disposition. Findings indicate that while legal factors and pretrial detention decline in importance as predictors of disposition as one moves from an examination of all referred to adjudicated youth, race and social class become more important. These results are discussed in terms of their methodological significance and their implications for the conceptualization of discrimination in the juvenile justice process.
Ocular Aspergillosis Isolated in the Anterior Chamber

Background: In all cases in which ocular involvement has been reported in endogenous aspergillosis, the posterior segment of the eye was involved. Methods: The authors examined a patient who had been intubated and treated with corticosteroid therapy for status asthmaticus and in whom a mass later developed in the anterior chamber of the right eye. Results: Computed tomography showed a solitary lesion in the left lower pulmonary lobe and multiple brain lesions that enhanced with contrast. Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from the endotracheal tube. However, ocular and blood cultures were negative, as were the results of a bone marrow biopsy, lung biopsy, and anterior chamber paracentesis. Disseminated aspergillosis was confirmed when a biopsy of the anterior chamber mass was performed, and results of histopathologic examination showed the presence of hyphae. The patient responded to a regimen of antifungal drugs. Conclusion: This is the first known reported case in which the diagnosis of disseminated aspergillosis was confirmed with biopsy of an anterior chamber mass. This case demonstrates that Aspergillus organisms may disseminate to the anterior chamber of the eye without involving the posterior segment.
Hydrothermal synthesis and catalytic properties of α- and β-MnO2 nanorods

Abstract One-dimensional α-MnO 2 and β-MnO 2 single-crystalline nanostructures were prepared by hydrothermal process. The products were characterized in detail by multiform techniques: X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Experimental results indicate that the temperature plays important roles in determining produce α-MnO 2 and β-MnO 2 nanorods. In addition, the as-prepared α-MnO 2 and β-MnO 2 nanorods showed excellent catalytic performance in the Fenton-like reaction.
The GeoWeb and everyday life: An analysis of spatial tactics and volunteered geographic information

In this paper, we discuss GeoWeb technologies, specifically those created via volunteered geographic information (VGI) as a means of analyzing the political contours of mapmaking. Our paper is structured around two case studies of VGI projects that allow for consideration for the political efficacy (and potential drawbacks) of these geospatial technologies. We use de Certeau’s constructs of strategies and tactics as a conceptual framing, which allows for a political reading of geographic data couched in the context of everyday life, as well as opening up inquiry into the politics of making, accessing and interpreting spatial data. We conclude by suggesting provocations for future research on the GeoWeb and VGI at the intersection of geography and information science.
Rapidly alternating chemotherapy and radiotherapy instead of cystectomy for the treatment of muscle-invasive carcinoma of the urinary bladder : Long term results of a pilot study

BACKGROUND The authors studied rapidly alternating chemotherapy and radiotherapy as the initial treatment for patients with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder whose advanced age and lack of strength precluded cystectomy. METHODS Twenty-one patients with T2 (28%) or T3 (72%) NXM0 carcinomas were treated by transurethral resection followed by chemoradiotherapy. Their median age was 73 years. The chemotherapy (consisting of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) was given during Weeks 1, 4 and 7. Radiotherapy (1.8-2 Gray [Gy] twice a day, to a total dose of 18-20 Gy per week) was given during Weeks 2, 5 and 8, for a final dose of 40 Gy to the pelvis plus 14-20 Gy boost to the affected bladder. RESULTS There was 1 treatment-related death (5% of patients), but otherwise the acute toxicity was relatively mild. Cystoscopy 1 month after chemoradiotherapy did not reveal invasive cancer in any patient. Subsequent cystoscopies detected recurrent invasive cancer in 3 patients after 30, 44, and 82 months, respectively. The observed survival rate after 5 years was 37%, the cause specific survival rate was 63%, the metastasis free rate was 71%, and the local control rate was 80%. Eighty-four percent of patients had normal bladder function. CONCLUSIONS Transurethral resection plus chemoradiotherapy was successful in preserving bladder function in the majority of the patients. The survival and progression free rates compared favorably with what has been reported recently after radical cystectomy and chemotherapy, and they add to the growing body of evidence that chemoradiotherapy might be a safe, effective alternative to cystectomy for many patients with muscle-invasive carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Cancer 1998;82:918-22. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Observing metal-catalyzed chemical reactions in situ using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy on Pd-Au nanoshells.

Insight into the nature of transient reaction intermediates and mechanistic pathways involved in heterogeneously catalyzed chemical reactions is obtainable from a number of surface spectroscopic techniques. Carrying out these investigations under actual reaction conditions is preferred but remains challenging, especially for catalytic reactions that occur in water. Here, we report the direct spectroscopic study of the catalytic hydrodechlorination of 1,1-dichloroethene in H2O using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). With Pd islands grown on Au nanoshell films, this reaction can be followed in situ using SERS, exploiting the high enhancements and large active area of Au nanoshell SERS substrates, the transparency of Raman spectroscopy to aqueous solvents, and the catalytic activity enhancement of Pd by the underlying Au metal. The formation and subsequent transformation of several adsorbate species was observed. These results provide the first direct evidence of the room-temperature catalytic hydr...
A Contingency Change Analysis of the Disruption and Recovery of Social Exchange and Cooperation

This paper reports the results of five experiments on the disruption and recovery of social exchange and cooperation, and then uses these results as the empirical base for theory-building. The experiments investigate the effects of changes in social and individual reinforcement contingencies on the disruption of interaction, and the effects of structural variations in the social contingencies on recovery after disruption. The results suggest that contingency changes are disruptive even if social interaction remains the more rewarding response. Explanations of the effects of different contingency changes are offered. Once interaction is disrupted, the chances of recovery are influenced by (1) the actual reinforcement experienced during disruption for social and nonsocial responses, and (2) the ease of discriminating the deviant partner's recovery attempts. The linkages between these variables and the structural contingencies are discussed. In a series of programmatic experiments investigating how variations in social reinforcement contingencies affect social interaction, I studied some of the events that disrupt a stable relation of social exchange or cooperation between two persons and the conditions under which that relation is either restored or permanently dissolved. The purpose of this paper is to
Invariant measure and Lyapunov exponents for birational maps of P 2

In this paper we construct and study a natural invariant measure for a birational self-map of the complex projective plane. Our main hypothesis—that the birational map be “separating”—is a condition on the indeterminacy set of the map. We prove that the measure is mixing and that it has distinct Lyapunov exponents. Under a further hypothesis on the indeterminacy set we show that the measure is hyperbolic in the sense of Pesin theory. In this case, we also prove that saddle periodic points are dense in the support of the measure.
Variation of oxygen requirement with plasmid size in recombinant Escherichia coli.

Abstract We have previously found an inverse relationship between certain cell growth parameters and plasmid size for a series of recombinant Escherichia coli strains containing pUC8 or one of a series of pUC8 recombinant derivatives. To extend these results we investigated whether there was a similar variation among our strains in oxygen requirement, which might be related to the differences in growth. During logarithmic growth in shake flasks, oxygen uptake by E. coli strain JM103 containing an 8.7-kb pUC8 derivative (pBS5) was 2.5 times that of JM103 harboring pUC8 (2.7 kb) and 7.5 times that of plasmid-free JM103. Supplementing the medium with acetate eliminated both the growth disadvantage of and the increased oxygen uptake by the strain harboring pBS5 compared with that containing pUC8. In all cases oxygen consumption decreased drastically as cells began and then continued into stationary phase, and no significant difference was seen among the three strains at these times. When the three strains were grown in a fermentor with continuous monitoring of oxygen levels, plasmid-free JM103 outgrew JM103 containing pUC8 or pBS5 at three levels of aeration. The latter two strains grew identically when aeration was high; their growth curves diverged, however, when aeration was low. In the fermentor experiments the point at which the growth of the three strains diverged was coincident with the point of oxygen depletion in the Cultures.
A Chemically Synthesized Antennapedia Homeo Domain Binds to a Specific DNA Sequence

A peptide 60 residues in length that corresponds to the homeo domain of Antennapedia (Antp), a protein governing development in Drosophila, was synthesized by segment condensation with protected peptide segments prepared on an oxime resin. A footprinting assay showed that the homeo domain binds specifically to a TAA repeat DNA sequence in the Antp gene. Thus the Antp homeo domain has a sequence-specific DNA binding property. The circular dichroism spectra of the homeo domain peptide showed the presence of a significant amount of alpha-helical structure in aqueous solution and in 50 percent trifluoroethanol. The alpha helicity measured in water appears to depend on the peptide concentration, which suggests that the peptide aggregates. These results support the hypothesis that the homeo domain binds to DNA through a helix-turn-helix motif.
Pharmacological interventions for adolescents and adults with ADHD: stimulant and nonstimulant medications and misuse of prescription stimulants.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that cause functional impairment. Recent research indicates that symptoms persist into adulthood in the majority of cases, with prevalence estimates of approximately 5% in the school age population and 2.5%–4% in the adult population. Although students with ADHD are at greater risk for academic underachievement and psychosocial problems, increasing numbers of students with ADHD are graduating from high school and pursuing higher education. Stimulant medications are considered the first line of pharmacotherapy for individuals with ADHD, including college students. Although preliminary evidence indicates that prescription stimulants are safe and effective for college students with ADHD when used as prescribed, very few controlled studies have been conducted concerning the efficacy of prescription stimulants with college students. In addition, misuse of prescription stimulants has become a serious problem on college campuses across the US and has been recently documented in other countries as well. The purpose of the present systematic review was to investigate the efficacy of prescription stimulants for adolescents and young adults with ADHD and the nonmedical use and misuse of prescription stimulants. Results revealed that both prostimulant and stimulant medications, including lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, methylphenidate, amphetamines, and mixed-amphetamine salts, are effective at reducing ADHD symptoms in adolescents and adults with ADHD. Findings also suggest that individuals with ADHD may have higher rates of stimulant misuse than individuals without the disorder, and characteristics such as sex, race, use of illicit drugs, and academic performance are associated with misuse of stimulant medications. Results also indicate that individuals both with and without ADHD are more likely to misuse short-acting agents than long-acting agents. These findings have implications for intervention, prevention, and future research.
Random access with imperfect state information: An information theoretic approach

This paper studies the throughput of a slotted random access system with cognitive users. Transmission success is determined by the information theoretic capacity of the channel and the rates of the active users. Users have the ability to estimate the other user's state through sensing, and to adapt their respective transmission. We derive an outer bound on the capacity region for an arbitrary channel distribution. A transmission strategy based on single user detection and time division is optimal for the binary deterministic channel, and for the Gaussian channel the capacity is within a constant gap of the outer bound. The throughput region is parameterized by the traffic arrival rate and sensing capability. Rate adaptation improves the throughput only for some arrival rates and sensing errors.
Association of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator with CAL: structural features and molecular dynamics.

The association of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) with two PDZ-containing molecular scaffolds (CAL and EBP50) plays an important role in CFTR trafficking and membrane maintenance. The CFTR−molecular scaffold interaction is mediated by the association of the C-terminus of the transmembrane regulator with the PDZ domains. Here, we characterize the structure and dynamics of the PDZ of CAL and the complex formed with CFTR employing high-resolution NMR. On the basis of NMR relaxation data, the α2 helix as well as the β2−β3 loop of CAL PDZ domain undergoes rapid dynamics. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest a concerted motion between the α2 helix and the β1−β2 and β2−β3 loops, elements which define the binding pocket, suggesting that dynamics may play a role in PDZ−ligand specificity. The C-terminus of CFTR binds to CAL with the final four residues (-D-3-T-R-L0) within the canonical PDZ-binding motif, between the β2 strand and the α2 helix. The R-1 and D-3 side chains make a number of con...
Chemical modification of cysteine and tyrosine residues in formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase from Clostridium thermoaceticum.

The chemical modification of cysteine and tyrosine residues in formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase from Clostridium thermoaceticum has been examined relative to enzymatic activity and reactivity of these groups in the native protein. 4,4'-Dipyridyl disulfide, dansylaziridine, and fluorescein mercuric acetate all reacted with just one of six sulfhydryls per enzyme subunit, resulting in activities of 100, 95 and 70%, respectively. The K/sub m/ values for MgATP, formate, and tetrahydrofolate were unaltered in the modified enzymes. ATP did produce a 2.5-fold reduction in the rate of reaction between the enzyme and 4,4'-dipyridyl disulfide. Tetranitromethane reacted most rapidly with a single sulfhydryl group per subunit to produce a 20 to 30% loss in activity. Subsequent additions of tetranitromethane modified 2.2 tyrosines per subunit which was proportional to the loss of the remaining enzymatic activity. Folic acid, a competitive inhibitor, protected against modification of the tyrosines and the associated activity losses; however, the oxidation of the single sulfhydryl group and the initial 20 to 30% activity loss were unaffected. In the presence of folic acid, higher concentrations of tetranitromethane produced a loss of the remaining activity proportional to the modification of 1.2 tyrosines per subunit. It is proposed that at least 1 tyrosine critical for enzymaticmore » activity is located at or near the folic acid/tetrahydrofolate binding site.« less
How state regulatory agencies address privatization: The case of wastewater treatment

State regulatory agencies responsible for water quality typically have done little to develop policy or even provide information about privatization as a means for local authorities to develop wastewater treatment projects. Absent federal mandates, privatization takes place “in the shadow of positive law,” and state agencies engage in it only informally and reactively, leaving private firms and local officials to carry out the privatization option.
Optimization of User and Operator Cost for Large-Scale Transit Network

A methodology for optimizing transit networks based on both passenger and operator costs is presented. Given information on transit demand, street network, and a set of feasibility constraints of a transit service area, the methodology searches for the transit network that best fits design goals through the minimization of a total cost objective function. The goal is to provide an effective mathematical solution procedure with minimal reliance on heuristics to solve large-scale transit network optimization problems. The methodology consists of a representation of transient route network and headway search spaces; a normalized, dimensionless total cost function; and a stochastic global search scheme that combines simulated annealing, tabu, greedy, and bisection search methods. The methodology has been tested with published benchmark problems and applied to a large-scale realistic network optimization problem. The results show that the methodology is capable of producing improved solutions to large-scale transit network design problems with reasonable computing resources.
Rice as Self: Japanese Identities through Time

Rice as Self: Japanese Identities through Time. Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney. Berkeley, CA, and Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1993. xi. 184 pp., photographs, tables, notes, references, index.
Paper supercapacitors by a solvent-free drawing method†

We designed and fabricated supercapacitors by directly drawing graphite on cellulose paper. The supercapacitors show stable long cycling performance and a high areal capacitance of 2.3 mF cm−2, which is much higher than the literature reported values. This solvent-free deposition technique represents a low cost, highly scalable and versatile fabrication method for integrated paper-based energy devices.
Epizootiology of Amblyospora connecticus (microsporida) in field populations of the saltmarsh mosquito, Aedes cantator, and the cyclopoid copepod, Acanthocyclops vernalis

The natural ecology of a heterosporous microsporidium, Amblyospora connecticus was investigated at three different salt marsh habitats during 1986-1989. The parasite has a well-defined seasonal transmission cycle that occurs regularly each year and intimately involves the primary mosquito host, Aedes cantator, and the intermediate copepod host, Acanthocyclops vernalis. In the spring, the microsporidium is horizontally transmitted from the copepod, where it appears to overwinter, to the mosquito via the ingestion of haploid spores produced in the copepod. Mosquitoes develop a benign infection, and females transmit the microsporidium transovarially to their progeny via infected eggs. Oviposition occurs during the summer and infected eggs hatch synchronously in the fall causing widespread epizootics. Infected larvae die, and the cycle is completed when meiospores are released into the pool and subsequently are eaten by A. vernalis, which reappears in the fall and early winter. Amblyospora connecticus thereby persists by surviving in one of two living hosts throughout most of its life cycle rather than in the extra-corporeal environment. This represents an important survival strategy for A. connecticus as results show the salt marsh habitat to be a relatively unstable environment that is subject to periodic flooding and drying. The adaptive significance of utilizing an intermediate host in the life cycle is discussed as it directly facilitates transmission and enhances survival of the microsporidium.
Male contraception: history and development.

Although the twentieth century has seen great strides in the development of female contraception not a single new agent has been introduced as an approved method for common use for male contraception. Condoms (considered uncomfortable by some) and vasectomy (a permanent invasive procedure) are the only options provided to men leaving an undue burden on women to bear contraceptive responsibility. Significant developments have however been made with regard to hormonal and nonhormonal contraception and minor reversible procedural contraception. This article reviews the currently available soon to be available and theoretically possible methods of male contraception. Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.