cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using the chemical composition of otoliths to evaluate the nursery role of estuaries for English sole Pleuronectes vetulus populations

Juvenile English sole Pleuronectes vetulus were collected from estuaries and shallow, sandy, coastal habitats along the central California coast between 1996 and 2000, and adult English sole were collected from the Monterey Bay region in 2001 and 2002. The chemical composition of (1) whole juvenile otoliths and (2) the juvenile portion of adult otoliths was determined using inductively- coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). The concentration of Sr and Li in juvenile otoliths con- sistently differed between fish collected from estuarine and coastal habitats. Linear discriminant- function analysis (LDFA) based on the Sr and Li content of juvenile otoliths was used to assign juvenile and adult fish to either the estuarine or coastal habitat group. Juveniles were assigned to the habitat type where they were captured with an accuracy of 77% for the 'All Sites' model and 82% for the 'Monterey Bay' model. The proportion of adult fish that were assigned to the estuarine habitat group was estimated to range between 45 and 57% depending on the model used. This level of estu- arine contribution to adult English sole populations is much higher than would be expected based on the relative area of estuarine and sandy coastal habitats in central California. These results indicate that estuarine habitats are an important source of recruits for adult flatfish populations, and that conservation of estuaries may help maintain high levels of recruitment to harvested populations in central California.
Endocrinization of the early embryo: an emerging role for hormones and hormone-like factors.

Abstract In the last decade, we witnessed the extension of endocrinologically based concepts and molecules to many other arenas of intercellular communication, e.g. immunology, hematology and cancer biology. At the start of the new decade we are witnessing the beginning of a similar transformation in our understanding of early embryogenesis, i.e. that hormones, growth factors and other hormone-like agents and their receptors, familiar to us in other contexts, may be the long-sought mediators of many key events in early embryogenesis. Why these agents were overlooked before and how they have started to emerge is the theme of this essay. The title ‘Endocrinization of the Early Embryo' refers to both the biological and intellectual developments.
Dietary and seasonal influences on blood chemistry and hematology in captive harbor seals

It has become increasingly important to understand the relationship between dietary intake and blood chemistry and hematological profiles in pinniped populations, especially where nutritional stress has been implicated in population declines. Blood chemistry and hematology reference ranges have been commonly reported for both free-ranging and captive harbor seals, but seasonal and dietary fluctuations are limited to only a few studies. We quantified changes in plasma metabolites and hematology values in captive harbor seals on different diets over two years. Of 29 blood chemistry and hematology variables examined in captive harbor seals, ALT, AST, GGT, creatinine, and BUN:creatinine were influenced by diet. BUN, Na + , Cl - , Hct, and Hb were influenced by season. Diet did not affect hematology variables. While these data were collected on captive animals, we assume seasonal and dietary influences would be comparable in free-ranging seals. According to this study, controlling for season during sampling becomes important when assessing blood chemistry values as an index of foraging status or health.
Lysine Vasopressin in the Treatment of Refractory Hemodialysis-Induced Hypotension

The etiology of hemodialysis-induced hypotension is multifactorial. We assessed the efficacy of intranasal lysine vasopressin (LV) in 6 patients with refractory hemodialysis-induced hypotension. Auton
Impact of impedance cardiography on diagnosis and therapy of emergent dyspnea: the ED-IMPACT trial.

Background: Dyspnea is one of the most common emergency department (ED) symptoms, but early diagnosis and treatment are challenging because of multiple potential causes. Impedance cardiography (ICG) is a noninvasive method to measure hemodynamics that may assist in early ED decision making. Objectives: To determine the rate of change in working diagnosis and initial treatment plan by adding ICG data during the course of ED clinical evaluation of elder patients presenting with dyspnea. Methods: The authors studied a convenience sample of dyspneic patients 65 years and older who were presenting to the EDs of two urban academic centers. The attending emergency physician was initially blinded to the ICG data, which was collected by research staff not involved in patient care. At initial ED presentation, after history and physical but before central lab or radiograph data were returned, the attending ED physician completed a case report form documenting diagnosis and treatment plan. The physician then was shown the ICG data and the same information was again recorded. Pre- and post-ICG differences were analyzed. Results: Eighty-nine patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 74.8 ± 7.0 years; 52 (58%) were African American, 42 (47%) were male. Congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the most common final diagnoses, occurring in 43 (48%), and 20 (22%), respectively. ICG data changed the working diagnosis in 12 (13%; 95% CI = 7% to 22%) and medications administered in 35 (39%; 95% CI = 29% to 50%). Conclusions: Impedance cardiography data result in significant changes in ED physician diagnosis and therapeutic plan during the evaluation of dyspneic patients 65 years and older.
Assembly of Metal Nanoparticles on Electrospun Nylon 6 Nanofibers by Control of Interfacial Hydrogen-Bonding Interactions

Assembly of metal nanoparticles (Ag, Au, Pt) onto nylon 6 nanofibers by controlling the interfacial hydrogen-bonding interactions has been demonstrated. Metal nanoparticles were synthesized in aqueous media using sodium citrate as a stabilizer. Nylon 6 nanofiber mats, produced by electrospinning, were immersed into pH-adjusted solutions of metal nanoparticles. The key factor determining the assembly phenomena was identified as the hydrogen-bonding interactions between the amide groups in the nylon 6 backbone and the carboxylic acid groups capped on the surface of the metal nanoparticles. The assembly was strongly dependent on the pH of the media, which affected the protonation of the carboxylate ions on the metal nanoparticles, hence influencing the hydrogen-bonding interactions between nanofibers and nanoparticles. High surface coverage of the nanofibers by the Ag nanoparticles was found at pH intervals from 3 to 6, whereas only a few Ag nanoparticles were found on the surface of the fibers when the pH w...
Frequency-domain Measurement of the PhotodegradationProcess of Fluorescein¶

Abstract The frequency-domain technique is applied to measure the photodegradation rate of fluorescein in aqueous solutions. The illuminating light is modulated, and the changes in fluorescence from the illuminated region are detected synchronously. A constant flow rate is imposed on the fluorescein solution to control the mass transport of fluorescein into the illuminated region. The fluorescence response is described by a model that assumes that photodegradation occurs from the triplet excited state. The predictions of the model are consistent with the observed variations in the fluorescence response with flow rate, modulation frequency and incident power. We discuss in this article how the dependence of the model parameters on experimental conditions can be used to infer the photodegradation rate as well as some of the details of the photodegradation mechanism. The results are consistent with the known mechanism of photodegradation of fluorescein. The frequency-domain technique gives a photodegradation...
Optimization of strained-layer InxGa1-xAs/GaAs multiple quantum wells for electroabsorption modulation

Electroabsorption modulation (EAM) in strained In(x)Ga(1-x)As/GaAs multiple-quantum-well structures grown by MBE is investigated for spatial-light-modulator applications. Since EAM near the exciton absorption peak always has significant insertion loss, the enhancement of modulation depth is discussed primarily in terms of the dynamic range, optimizing the change in transmission (Delta-T), instead of the contrast (on/off) ratio. The material properties of the InGaAs/GaAs strained-layer heterojunction make possible the growth of a large number of quantum wells, above the pseudomorphic thickness limit. The use of reflection instead of transmission modulators does not produce an increase in the maximum Delta-T but allows a reduction in the driving voltage.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Revision of the family Pontocyprididae (Ostracoda), with new anchialine species and genera from Galapagos Islands

Iliffeoecia iliffei and Kareloecia woutersi are new argilloeciine and propontocyprididine genera and species from anchialine habitats in Galapagos Islands, whose specializations for interstitial or cryptic life show convergence with Comontocypris. Ekponlocypris, Schedopontocypris and the new genus Thomontocypris are removed from Propontocypris. Eighty-three living species of Pontocyprididae, for which the soft anatomy has been described, provide the basis for emended generic diagnoses and a revised classification.
The quartz resonator: electrochemical applications

Since the discovery that the oscillations of resonating quartz crystals can be sustained in a liquid environment, such crystals have quickly found use as a sensitive microbalance in electrochemistry, making possible in situ measurements of mass changes at the electrochemical interface. The early contributions of the IBM Almaden Research Center to this exciting field of development are sketched. The principles of operation are detailed, with emphasis on an intuitive description to permit considerations of new applications. Mass density changes of the order of 10 nanograms per square centimeter (ng/cm2) are routinely detectable as changes in the resonant frequency of about a hertz. The mass density of a monolayer of material ranges from a few tens of ng/cm2 for polymeric materials to a few hundreds of ng/cm2 for metals. Detailed analysis of the electrical behavior of the resonator in liquid media shows that the resonant frequency, the quality factor of the resonance, and the admittance at resonance are all sensitive to the viscoelastic properties of the contacting liquid, having implications in the study of the behavior of non-Newtonian fluids, including polymeric films.
Enhanced casualty care from a Global Military Orthopaedic Teleconsultation Program

Abstract Background Since its advent, telemedicine has facilitated access to subspecialty medical care for the treatment of patients in remote and austere settings. The United States military introduced a formal orthopaedic teleconsultation system in 2007, but few reports have explored its scope of practice and efficacy, particularly in a deployed environment during a time of conflict. Methods All teleconsultations placed to the orthopaedic service between April 2009 and December 2012 were obtained and retrospectively reviewed. Case files were abstracted and anatomical location of injury, type of injury, origin of consult (country or Navy Afloat), branch of service, and treatment recommendations, were recorded for descriptive analysis. The final result of the consult was also determined, with service members transported from the combat theatre or deployment location defined as medically evacuated. Instances where teleconsultations averted a medical evacuation were also documented as a separate outcome. Results Over a 32-month period, 597 orthopaedic teleconsultations were placed, with the majority derived from Army (46%) and Navy (32%) personnel deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq, or with Navy Afloat. Approximately 51% of consults involved the upper extremity, including 197 hand injuries, followed by lower extremity (37%) and spine (7.8%) complaints. Fractures comprised over half of all injuries, with the hand and foot most commonly affected. The average response time for teleconsultations was 7.54 h. A total of 56 service members required immediate evacuation for further orthopaedic management, while at least 26 medical evacuations were prevented due to the teleconsultation system. Conclusions The teleconsultation system promotes early access to orthopaedic subspecialty care in a resource-limited, deployed military setting. The telemedicine network also appears to mitigate unnecessary aeromedical evacuations, reducing healthcare costs, lost duty time, and treatment delays. These findings have important meaning for the future of telemedicine in both the military and civilian setting. Level of evidence IV
Battered women: Where they go for help

Abstract Objective Assistance must be available to abused women where they seek help. This study identified victims of partner abuse and asked them to indicate where they sought help when battered. The characteristics of acute battering incidents were also investigated. Methods Consecutive women, ages 19 to 65, were recruited when they came to 10 emergency departments in two cities. Women were excluded if the following criteria existed: a language barrier, serious illness, or inability to separate subjects from accompanying persons. Results Of 4448 women who completed the questionnaire, 37% acknowledged physical abuse by a partner at some time; 10% reported a present battering relationship; and 4% said their current visit to the emergency department was for abuse by an intimate partner. In 70% of surveys, the battering person was a boyfriend or ex-boyfriend. Weapons used were items near at hand. The three most common helping resources, in decreasing frequency of use, were family and friends, police, and the emergency department. Discussion Resources to provide help must be available where women seek care when they are abused. Abuse among women who come to emergency departments is common, and emergency departments are the third highest resource cited by abused women. Emergency nurses should be prepared to identify and assist abused women.
Meronlike solutions of nonlinear spinor theories

Properties of meronlike solutions of nonlinear spinor theories are discussed — in particular, their relationship with static pointlike Minkowski solutions of the same theory.
Evaluation of Soil Solarization and Flooding As Management Tools for Fusarium Wilt of Lettuce

Fusarium wilt of lettuce caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae continues to spread and cause economic losses in Arizona lettuce fields since the initial discovery of the disease in the state in 2001. Studies were initiated to assess the potential of summer soil solarization and flooding as management tools for Fusarium wilt of lettuce in southwestern Arizona production fields. In microplot studies, lettuce plant growth in soil naturally infested with F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae that was solarized from 2 to 8 weeks was consistently greater than growth in nonsolarized soil. Growth of lettuce in flooded soil containing the pathogen occasionally was significantly higher than in nonflooded soil; however, the effect on plant growth and health was not as consistent as that recorded for solarized soil. In four trials within a field containing F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, the incidence of Fusarium wilt on lettuce sown in soil after solarization was reduced from 42 to 91% compared with disease in nonsolarized plots. There was no significant benefit of a 2- over a 1-month solarization period under the conditions of these trials, where the mean soil temperature at a depth of 5 cm during a 1-month solarization period in 2005 and 2006 was 47 and 49°C, respectively. These findings suggest that soil solarization can be an effective tool for management of Fusarium wilt on lettuce, especially when used within an integrated program in conjunction with existing disease management tactics.
erbb3 and erbb2 are essential for schwann cell migration and myelination in zebrafish.

Summary Background: Myelin is critical for efficient axonal conduction in the vertebrate nervous system. Neuregulin (Nrg) ligands and their ErbB receptors are required for the development of Schwann cells, the glial cells that form myelin in the peripheral nervous system. Previous studies have not determined whether Nrg-ErbB signaling is essential in vivo for Schwann cell fate specification, proliferation, survival, migration, or the onset of myelination. Results: In genetic screens for mutants with disruptions in myelinated nerves, we identified mutations in erbb3 and erbb2 , which together encode a heteromeric tyrosine kinase receptor for Neuregulin ligands. Phenotypic analysis shows that both genes are essential for development of Schwann cells. BrdU-incorporation studies and time-lapse analysis reveal that Schwann cell proliferation and migration, but not survival, are disrupted in erbb3 mutants. We show that Schwann cells can migrate in the absence of DNA replication. This uncoupling of proliferation and migration indicates that erbb gene function is required independently for these two processes. Pharmacological inhibition of ErbB signaling at different stages reveals a continuing requirement for ErbB function during migration and also provides evidence that ErbB signaling is required after migration for proliferation and the terminal differentiation of myelinating Schwann cells. Conclusions: These results provide in vivo evidence that Neuregulin-ErbB signaling is essential for directed Schwann cell migration and demonstrate that this pathway is also required for the onset of myelination in postmigratory Schwann cells.
Spinal myelopathy induced by subarachnoid batrachotoxin: ultrastructure and electrophysiology.

Summary A combined structural and electrophysiologic analysis on the effects of subarachnoid injections of batrachotoxin was conducted in rats. Swelling of neuronal perikarya, accompanied by areas of clearing, satellitosis, fatty metamorphosis and central chromatolysis were demonstrated in the spinal anterior horns. Studies on isolated extensor digitorum longus (fast) and soleus (slow) muscles showed membrane depolarization in the extensor 24 h after injection, with progressive augmentation of this phenomenon in animals given multiple injections of the toxin. Differential sensitivity of fast and slow muscles was evident: soleus was only slightly affected. Subarachnoid injections of batrachotoxin, which induced swelling of neuronal perikarya and axonal processes, also caused signs of denervation in the extensor muscle 7 days after injection, while spontaneous transmitter release was still present. Some structural and most electrophysiologic alterations after batrachotoxin injections were reversible.
Unexpected Cosmopolitans: Media and Diaspora in J. M. Coetzee's Summertime

by any standard, his first novel, Dusklands, was published in 1974 by Peter Randall's antiapartheid Ravan Press, a publisher based in Johannesburg that printed books targeting the nations white minor ity. In three years, Randall's civil rights would be suspended by the state for his antiapartheid activities; it would take eight years for Dusk lands to be reprinted by a London press, Seeker and Warburg, and nine for Coetzee to publish a novel, Life and Times of Michael K (1983), set in a recognizable, contemporary South Africa. The opening gambit of Coetzee's Summertime (2009), in contrast, pitches the reader a short series of notebook fragments dated 1972—75 that are as saturated with
Three dimensional comparison of blocked arcs vs. four and six field conformal treatment of the prostate.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare five different techniques for treatment the prostate without seminal vesicles. Dose volume histograms and a time survey are the tools that were used for this analysis. Methods and materials: For this study we compared 3D techniques using four and six field conformal treatments, to open and blocked 8 × 8 cm 2 120° bilateral arcs. All the plans were normalized to deliver 100% to the central axis, and full 3D calculations were performed. Blocked arcs were created using the ‘average beam's eye view' (A-BEV) technique [11]. Results: Analysis of the dose volume histograms revealed: (1) Arcs with blocks result in an improved dose distribution compared to standard arcs and four field 3DCRT techniques, (2) The DVH associated with blocked arcs, using block margins of 1.3 cm, resulted in a somewhat lower dose to the rectum but a ‘tighter' margin around the prostate compared to the DVH generated using the six field 3DCRT technique. Conclusion: This technique is for treatment of the prostate only, when treatment of the seminal vesicle is not required. The use of blocked arcs significantly improved the dose distribution compared to using standard arcs and 4-field conformal techniques. The DVHs associated with using blocked arcs is comparable to the SFC technique. It is likely to be less expensive, faster to set-up and may allow for safe dose escalation when only the prostate is receiving treatment.
Surface plasmon enhanced luminescence Up-conversion

We report enhanced up-conversion in NaYF 4 :Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles by surface plasmon. Simple grating and MIM grating structures were investigated to target the excitation processes. Photoluminescence spectroscopy showed up to 30x enhancement in up-converted luminescence intensity.
Gross morphological analysis of limb regeneration in postmetamorphic adult Ambystoma.

Due to the great disparity between regeneration times for the larval salamander (40 days), axolotl (30+ days), newt (44 days), and adult salamander (155 to 370 days), a staging system was devised so correlative comparisons could be made between regenerative model systems. The sequence was based on two criteria: (1) the stages should be similar to previously reported sequences for the newt, axolotl, and larval salamander, and (2) the stages must be readily recognizable by examination of the external morphology in the living state. Postmetamorphic adult land-phase Ambystoma were amputated through the forearm, placed within survival conditions, and observed until regeneration was completed. Of the initial 160 salamanders, 157 (98%) progressed through 11 clearly defined stages of regeneration. A side-by-side comparison of the staging sequence for land and aquatic phase urodeles is given along with a summary of key external morphological characteristics for the adult salamander. It was noted that as the length of time for regeneration decreased, the relative ratio of the nerves innervating the limb (spinal nerves 4, 5, and 6) increased for the four species of Ambystoma examined: A. annulatum, 324 to 370 days postamputation (dpa) with a 1:1:1 neural tissue ratio; A. maculatum, 255 to 300 dpa with a 2:2:1 ratio; A. texanum, 215 to 250 dpa with a 2:2:2 ratio; and A. tigranum, 155 to 180 dpa with a 2:3:3 ratio.
The voltage-gated Na+ channel β3 subunit does not mediate trans homophilic cell adhesion or associate with the cell adhesion molecule contactin

Abstract Voltage-gated Na+ channel (VGSC) β1 and β2 subunits are multifunctional, serving as both channel modulators and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). The purpose of this study was to determine whether VGSC β3 subunits function as CAMs. The β3 extracellular domain is highly homologous to β1, suggesting that β3 may also be a functional CAM. We investigated the trans homophilic cell adhesive properties of β3, its association with the β1-interacting CAM contactin, as well as its ability to interact with the cytoskeletal protein ankyrin. Our results demonstrate that, unlike β1, β3 does not participate in trans homophilic cell–cell adhesion or associate with contactin. Further, β3 does not associate with ankyrinG in a heterologous system. Previous studies have shown that β3 interacts with the CAM neurofascin-186 but not with VGSC β1. Taken together, these findings suggest that, although β1 and β3 exhibit similar channel modulatory properties in heterologous systems, these subunits differ with regard to their homophilic and heterophilic CAM binding profiles.
Odontogenic cyst of the mandible.

Abstract A case involving a large odontogenic cyst of the mandible has been presented (Fig. 8). This was successfully treated by intraoral surgery through a conservative approach. The final result was filling-in of the bone defect.
MODIFYING INTRACELLULAR REDOX BALANCE: AN APPROACH TO IMPROVING THERAPEUTIC INDEX

It was postulated that the therapeutic index of very toxic, oxidative drugs could be improved by concurrent treatment with other agents, such as methylene-blue, which affect the concentration of intracellular reducing agents. In support of this hypothesis, methylene-blue was found to protect mice against the toxic effects of doxorubicin without reducing doxorubicin's antineoplastic activity. Because the clinical usefulness of doxorubicin, the most commonly used and broadly active chemotherapeutic agent, is severely limited by acute and cumulative toxic effects, clinical trials of the effect of methylene-blue on the toxic therapeutic ratio of doxorubicin and other oxidative quinone drugs should be considered.
curso: protect yourself from curse of attribute inference: a social network privacy-analyzer

While social networking platforms allow users to control how their private information is shared, recent research has shown that a user's sensitive attribute can be inferred based on friendship links and group memberships, even when the attribute value is not shared with anyone else. Thus, existing access control mechanisms are unable to protect against such privacy breaches.Our research goal is to develop tools that help a user Alice be aware of privacy breaches via attribute inference. In this paper, we specifically focus on two problems: (a) whether Alice's sensitive attribute can be inferred based on public information in Alice's neighborhood, and (b) whether making Alice's sensitive attribute public leads to the disclosure of sensitive information of another user Bob in Alice's neighborhood. We propose three algorithms to detect the aforementioned privacy breaches. We limit our scope to the one-hop neighbors of Alice -- information that is visible to an app that can be executed on behalf of Alice. Our results indicate that analyzing local networks is sufficient to extract a significant amount of information about most users.
SU-E-I-92: Application of Dose Modulation for the Clinic

Purpose: To investigate the application of different CT dose modulation techniques on image quality for general and critical ill patients in the hospital setting. Methods: Automatic current selection (or dose modulation) has been a major dose reduction technique which becomes standard feature available from all major CT scanner vendors. However, each vendor approaches the issue differently, and the effect of this technique for patients with different clinical indications varies dramatically. Abdominal studies present the most challenging situation because the level of contrast detectability required for diagnostic quality of CTimages of this region. Tube currents for each image slice have been manually recorded and plotted against the scout images for both angular and longitudinal modulation cases. Results: For most chest/abdomen/pelvis studies, the tube current experiences a minimum below the diaphragm, as the computer system adjust the tube current in real time lacks the anatomy. This poses a risk for oncology patients that are under routine follow up for small metastasis in the liver and/or other upper GI organs. It will be more beneficial not using these techniques for these patients. Outpatient management has been changed to provide better image quality and lower radiation dose for the patients. Conclusions: Specific continued education for operators and quality control is very important for the optimum application of new techniques developed for clinical uses.
A Comparison of Frontal Electromyographic Biofeedback Training, Trapezius Electromyographic Biofeedback Training, and Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy in the Treatment of Tension Headache

This study is the first systematic examination of a trapezius EMG biofeedback training regimen with tension headache sufferers. It evaluated the differential effects of three psychophysiological treatments for tension headache: (1) a standard 12-session frontal EMG biofeedback training regimen (n = 8), (2) a 12-session upper trapezius EMG biofeedback training regimen (n = 10), and (3) a standard seven-session progressive muscle relaxation therapy regimen (n = 8). Posttreatment assessment at 3 months following cessation of treatment revealed clinically significant decreases in overall headache activity (50% or greater) in 50% of subjects in the frontal biofeedback group, 100% in the trapezius biofeedback group, and 37.5% in the relaxation therapy group. Chi-squared analyses indicated that the trapezius biofeedback group was more effective in obtaining significant clinical improvement than the frontal biofeedback and relaxation therapy groups (which did not differ from each other). The three treatments did not differ on secondary measures of headache improvement (number of headache-free days, peak headache activity, and medication index). Implications for the psychophysiological treatment of tension headache, as well as future research directions, are discussed.
Angiotensin II activation of focal adhesion kinase and pp60c-Src in relation to mitogen-activated protein kinases in hepatocytes

We have investigated signaling pathways leading to angiotensin II (Ang II) activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in hepatocytes. MAPK activation by Ang II was abolished by the Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist losartan, but not by the Ang II type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonist PD123319. Ang II (100 nM) induced a rapid phosphorylation of Src (peak approximately 2 min) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK, peak approximately 5 min) followed by a decrease to basal levels in 30 min. An increased association between FAK and Src in response to Ang II was detected after 1 min, which declined to basal levels after 30 min. Treatment with the Src kinase inhibitor PP-1 inhibited FAK phosphorylation. Downregulation of PKC, intracellular Ca2+ chelator BAPTA or inhibitors of PKC, Src kinase, MAPK kinase (MEK), Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase all blocked Ang II-induced MAPK phosphorylation. In contrast to other cells, there was no evidence for the role of EGF receptor transactivation in the activation of MAPK by Ang II. However, PDGF receptor phosphorylation is involved in the Ang II stimulated MAPK activation. Furthermore, Src/FAK and Ca/CaM kinase activation serve as potential links between the Ang II receptor and MAPK activation. These studies offer insight into the signaling network upstream of MAPK activation by AT1 receptor in hepatocytes.
Load shedding in stream databases: a control-based approach

In Data Stream Management Systems (DSMSs), query processing has to meet various Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirements. In many data stream applications, processing delay is the most critical quality requirement since the value of query results decreases dramatically over time. The ability to remain within a desired level of delay is significantly hampered under situations of overloading, which are common in data stream systems. When overloaded, DSMSs employ load shedding in order to meet quality requirements and keep pace with the high rate of data arrivals. Data stream applications are extremely dynamic due to bursty data arrivals and time-varying data processing costs. Current approaches ignore system status information in decision-making and consequently are unable to achieve desired control of quality under dynamic load. In this paper, we present a quality management framework that leverages well studied feedback control techniques. We discuss the design and implementation of such a framework in a real DSMS - the Borealis stream manager. Our data management framework is built on the advantages of system identification and rigorous controller analysis. Experimental results show that our solution achieves significantly fewer QoS (delay) violations with the same or lower level of data loss, as compared to current strategies utilized in DSMSs. It is also robust and bears negligible computational overhead.
Photochemical grid model implementation and application of VOC, NO x , and O 3 source apportionment

Abstract. For the purposes of developing optimal emissions control strategies, efficient approaches are needed to identify the major sources or groups of sources that contribute to elevated ozone (O3) concentrations. Source-based apportionment techniques implemented in photochemical grid models track sources through the physical and chemical processes important to the formation and transport of air pollutants. Photochemical model source apportionment has been used to track source impacts of specific sources, groups of sources (sectors), sources in specific geographic areas, and stratospheric and lateral boundary inflow on O3. The implementation and application of a source apportionment technique for O3 and its precursors, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), for the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model are described here. The Integrated Source Apportionment Method (ISAM) O3 approach is a hybrid of source apportionment and source sensitivity in that O3 production is attributed to precursor sources based on O3 formation regime (e.g., for a NOx-sensitive regime, O3 is apportioned to participating NOx emissions). This implementation is illustrated by tracking multiple emissions source sectors and lateral boundary inflow. NOx, VOC, and O3 attribution to tracked sectors in the application are consistent with spatial and temporal patterns of precursor emissions. The O3 ISAM implementation is further evaluated through comparisons of apportioned ambient concentrations and deposition amounts with those derived from brute force zero-out scenarios, with correlation coefficients ranging between 0.58 and 0.99 depending on specific combination of target species and tracked precursor emissions. Low correlation coefficients occur for chemical regimes that have strong nonlinearity in O3 sensitivity, which demonstrates different functionalities between source apportionment and zero-out approaches, where appropriate use depends on whether source attribution or source sensitivity is desired.
Characteristics of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and 7α-hydroxycholesterol hydroxylase activities of rodent liver

A second cholesterol-derived metabolite in addition to 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol was observed to be produced from endogenous microsomal cholesterol in the presence of hamster liver microsomal fractions and NADPH, when analyzed by HPLC using the method of Ogishima and Okuda (Anal Biochem 158: 228-232, 1986). However, only 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol was produced in the presence of rat hepatic microsomal protein fractions and NADPH. The second metabolite was facilely produced when endogenous 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol was incubated with hamster liver microsomes and NADPH, but not with rat liver microsomes. The second metabolite derived from either endogenous cholesterol or exogenous 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol contained three hydroxyl groups as shown by mass spectrometric analysis. After oxidation of the 3 beta-ol group by cholesterol oxidase, the metabolite comigrated with 7 beta-hydroxycholest-3-one on normal phase HPLC, but was resolved from both 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxycholest-3-one on reverse phase HPLC. The data indicate that the second metabolite is a hydroxylated product of 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol, possibly cholest-5-ene-3 beta,7 alpha, 12 alpha-triol. Cholestyramine feeding increased production of both 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol and its metabolite from endogenous cholesterol by 3-fold in hamster liver microsomes in vitro. However, the direct conversion of 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol to the metabolite by hamster liver microsomes was not increased appreciably after cholestyramine feeding (20-30%). The hydroxylation of 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol was similar in characteristics to cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity in that it was dependent on NADPH, was inhibited by several known P450 inhibitors, and was affected by an inhibitory autobody elicited against rat hepatic NADPH: cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase. 5,6- and 7,8-Benzoflavone were poor inhibitors (IC50 approximately 1 mM) of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity in liver microsomes from cholestyramine-fed rats, but caused a striking enhancement of the 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity of liver microsomes from untreated rats in vitro. In contrast, 7,8-benzoflavone inhibited cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase and 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol hydroxylase activities of microsomes from normal and cholestyramine-fed hamsters. However, 5,6-benzoflavone stimulated cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity in liver microsomes from normal and cholestyramine-fed hamsters, but inhibited 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol hydroxylase activity by approximately 50%. These results suggest that hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase and 7 alpha-hydroxycholesterol hydroxylase activities apparently involve multiple forms of cytochrome P450 in untreated and cholestyramine-treated hamsters.
Spectral analysis of quantum-resonance zones, quantum Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser theorem, and quantum-resonance overlap.

The quasienergy spectrum of a particle in an infinite square well perturbed by a monochromatic external field is analyzed in terms of single- and double-resonance Hamiltonians. At small-enough perturbations the quasienergies are accurately given by those obtained from a single-resonance, integrable Hamiltonian. This indicates the existence of a local constant of motion and is a quantum manifestation of the Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser theorem. At larger perturbations, the quasienergy spacing distributions are Poissonian for the single-resonance Hamiltonian. But for the double-resonance Hamiltonian, the distributions undergo a transition from Poissonian toward Wigner-like behavior when the perturbation is increased from a regime without resonance overlap to a regime with resonance overlap. This indicates the destruction of the local constant of motion through quantum-resonance overlap and its associated quantum number. It is a quantum manifestation of classical-resonance overlap.
Emergence and maintenance of leadership among gifted students in group problem solving

This paper reports results of a study of the emergence and maintenance of leadership in groups of gifed students engaged in unstructured, creative production. The study used Fiedler's dimensional analysis of task structures. Information is presented concerning the relationship between group perceptions of leadership effectiveness, group product creativity, and the style of leadership adopted. Instructional implications for teachers of the gifted are presented.
Built-in self-repair of VLSI memories employing neural nets

The decades of the Eighties and the Nineties have witnessed the spectacular growth of VLSI technology, when the chip size has increased from a few hundred devices to a staggering multi-millon transistors. This trend is expected to continue as the CMOS feature size progresses towards the nanometric dimension of 100 nm and less. SIA roadmap projects that, where as the DRAM chips will integrate over 20 billion devices in the next millennium, the future microprocessors may incorporate over 100 million transistors on a single chip. As the VLSI chip size increase, the limited accessibility of circuit components poses great difficulty for external diagnosis and replacement in the presence of faulty components. For this reason, extensive work has been done in built-in self-test techniques, but little research is known concerning built-in self-repair. Moreover, the extra hardware introduced by conventional fault-tolerance techniques is also likely to become faulty, therefore causing the circuit to be useless. This research demonstrates the feasibility of implementing electronic neural networks as intelligent hardware for memory array repair. Most importantly, we show that the neural network control possesses a robust and degradable computing capability under various fault conditions. Overall, a yield analysis performed on 64K DRAM's shows that the yield can be improved from as low as 20 percent to near 99 percent due to the self-repair design, with overhead no more than 7 percent.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Serial Passage of Trypanosoma lewisi in the Heterologous Mouse Host. I. Development in Calorically‐restricted Hosts.

SYNOPSIS. Two isolates (“A” and “B”) of Trypanosoma lewisi from the same rat stock source were serially transferred in calorically-restricted mice supplemented daily with normal rat serum. The “A” strain was transferred consecutively through 300 mice over a period of more than 3 years and was voluntarily discontinued. The “B” strain died out spontaneously after 43 consecutive passages in mice. The developmental histories of these 2 isolates were analyzed and compared with respect to duration of the parasitemic period, interval to the next subsequent passage in mice, day of death of each host animal, proportion of host animals that died, intensity of parasitemia in mouse tail blood, interval required for development of the observed maximal parasitemia, and duration of maximal parasitemia. “A” appeared to have become progressively adapted to the mouse as judged by a decrease in parasitemic period with successive transfer associated with a progressive increase in trypanosome population, and declines in the interval required for development of the observed maximal parasitemia and in the duration of this maximal response. There did not appear to be any correlation of the percentage of animals that died with any other factor. The “B” strain did not appear to have adapted itself to mice as judged by the foregoing criteria.
Stimulation of Nitrate and Nitrite Efflux by Ammonium in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Seedlings

The inhibitory effect of NH4+ on net NO3- uptake has been attributed to an enhancement of efflux and, recently, to an inhibition of influx. To study this controversy, we devised treatments to distinguish the effects of NH4+ on these two processes. Roots of intact barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings, uninduced or induced with NO3- or NO2-, were used. Net uptake and efflux, respectively, were determined by following the depletion and accumulation in the external solutions. In roots of both uninduced and NO2- -induced seedlings, NO3- efflux was negligible; hence, the initial uptake rates were equivalent to influx. Under these conditions, NH4+ had little effect on NO3- uptake (influx) rates by either the low- or high-Km uptake systems. In contrast, in plants preloaded with NO3-, NH4+ and its analog CH3NH3+ decreased net uptake, presumably by enhancing NO3- efflux. The stimulatory effect of NH4+ on NO3- efflux was a function of external NH4+ and internal NO3- concentration. These results were corroborated by the absence of any effect of NH4+ on NO2- uptake unless the roots were preloaded with NO2-. In this case NH4+ increased efflux and decreased net uptake. Hence, the main effect of NH4+ on net NO3- and NO2- uptake appears to be due to enhancement of efflux and not to inhibition of influx.
A project oriented undergraduate CMOS analog microelectronic system design course

This paper presents some of the techniques used at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to introduce analog microelectronic system design to undergraduate electrical engineering students. The following paper discusses a wide range of assignments that attempt to address student's varied learning styles. These assignments not only take the form of traditional homework, but also include computer aided design and layout projects, in-class group problem solving and laboratory measurements.
Secondary Neutron Production Is Predictive of Implantable Cardiac Device Reset in Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy

student t-test was used to identify the significant difference in mean percent agreement between novice and experts, and between sets. Results: There was no significant difference in mean agreement with experts opinion by the novice for the two sets (p Z 0.05, Table 1). Conclusions: Study results support the reliable use of HFACS model for the Radiation Oncology-Incident reporting and Learning System. We recognize that there are inherent limitations to this study (e.g. small samples of incidents with unequal representation of all categories and layers of the HFACS model, small number of participants, etc.). Nevertheless, this pilot study is a reasonable first step to provide some confidence that the HFACS can be reliably used for analysis of radiation oncology incidents. Author Disclosure: P.R. Mosaly: None. L. Mazur: None. S.M. Miller: None. M.J. Eblan: None. A. Falchook: None. G.H. Goldin: None. L.B. Marks: None.
Toward a general methodology for specifying expert systems

A general methodology for specifying both the model and the process knowledge of an expert system at different abstraction levels is proposed. Specifications are acquired and organized around the general notion of a task. The model specification of a task describes a partial model of the application domain and a partial model of the problem solving states relevant to the task. The process specification of a task describes states before, during, and after the task as well as task state expression to describe the behavior. A piece of abstract specification can be refined to a more detailed specification. Specifications at different abstraction levels can be verified for their consistency and completeness. >
Examination of the Interaction Between the Black Vine Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and an Entomopathogenic Fungus Reveals a New Tritrophic Interaction

Abstract The purpose of this study was to characterize the behavior of black vine weevil larvae, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.), in the presence of two possible control options: the synthetic pyrethroid bifenthrin and the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metch.) Sorokin. Five third-instar black vine weevil were placed in two-choice soil olfactometers that allowed larvae to infest one of two pots. Larvae were allowed to choose between M. anisopliae (1 × 106 spores/g dry media) and untreated media, bifenthrin (25 ppm) and untreated media, as well as M. anisopliae– and bifenthrin-treated media. For all comparisons, experiments were conducted without plants in the system to test for innate responses, as well as with plants to test host–plant influence. Larvae were significantly deterred by bifenthrin without plants present in the system. No significant effect on larval preference was observed when M. anisopliae was present in media for trials without plants. M. anisopliae–treated media was preferre...
Making Sense of Dietary Supplements: The Dietary Supplements Labels Database

This article describes the Dietary Supplements Labels Database, a new resource from the National Library of Medicine that integrates information from dietary supplement manufacturers, government agencies, and clinical research into an easy-to-use interface. This database contains information on more than 2,000 brands of dietary supplement and more than 800 active ingredients. This resource will greatly assist consumers and health care providers in evaluating the safety, efficacy, and quality of dietary supplements. Features of the resource will be described as well as the browse and search methods used to access the information.