cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glycosylation Substrate Specificity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1244 Pilin

The beta-carbon of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1244 pilin C-terminal Ser is a site of glycosylation. The present study was conducted to determine the pilin structures necessary for glycosylation. It was found that although Thr could be tolerated at the pilin C terminus, the blocking of the Ser carboxyl group with the addition of an Ala prevented glycosylation. Pilin from strain PA103 was not glycosylated by P. aeruginosa 1244, even when the C-terminal residue was converted to Ser. Substituting the disulfide loop region of strain PA103 pilin with that of strain 1244 allowed glycosylation to take place. Neither conversion of 1244 pilin disulfide loop Cys residues to Ala nor the deletion of segments of this structure prevented glycosylation. It was noted that the PA103 pilin disulfide loop environment was electronegative, whereas that of strain 1244 pilin had an overall positive charge. Insertion of a positive charge into the PA103 pilin disulfide loop of a mutant containing Ser at the C terminus allowed glycosylation to take place. Extending the "tail" region of the PA103 mutant pilin containing Ser at its terminus resulted in robust glycosylation. These results suggest that the terminal Ser is the major pilin glycosylation recognition feature and that this residue cannot be substituted at its carboxyl group. Although no other specific recognition features are present, the pilin surface must be compatible with the reaction apparatus for glycosylation to occur.
J/ψ Suppression by plasma formation

Strong and systematic suppression of the heavy quark bound states formation in nuclear collisions may provide a clear signature of quark-gluon plasma formation. I discuss the basic ideas and some related problems of this new signature proposal.
Author reply: Alpha-fetoprotein levels in the neonatal period

First of all we would like to thank you for your interest in our paper. Several studies have been published attempting to define normal concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) throughout the neonatal period. Thanks to these reports we know that there is a wide variation in AFP concentrations in newborn infants. In the study of Bader et al. [1] mean normal AFP concentrations were found to be 61,000±48,000 ng/ml at birth and 43,000±32,500 ng/ml at 60±24 h of life, with SD values that were almost three quarters of the means. Taking into account that the decline in AFP levels in early postnatal life is exponential, we underline that the AFP concentration of the infant described in our report [2] was 35,000 ng/ml at 7 days of life, in the presence of a hepatic mass-like lesion. In this circumstance we could not state with light-heartedness that this AFP value was normal. In fact, due to a wide range of AFP concentrations in healthy newborn infants, special precaution is required in interpreting levels of AFP in the early neonatal period. We believe that observation of AFP trend levels is more important than an absolute value. However, the study of Bader et al. as well as some of the others studies provide only limited data about the kinetics of the decline in AFP concentrations, which are not sufficient to provide some useful clinical guidelines for interpretation of AFP levels. In our patient, the follow-up of both AFP level decline and reduction of hepatic lesion size confirmed the soundness of our conservative management.
Clarifying the role of self-efficacy and metacognition as predictors of performance: construct development and test

We propose extending our understanding of self-efficacy by comparing self-efficacy with a related construct called metacognition. Metacognition involves the monitoring and control of one's thought processes and is often related, as is self-efficacy, to performance on a task. We develop an instrument that attempts to measure both self-efficacy and metacognition with respect to one's performance on a test covering declarative and procedural knowledge (knowing that, and knowing how) of DFDs and ERDs. With data collected from a sample of 124 students, we use partial least squares (PLS) to show that self-efficacy and metacognition are distinct yet related constructs. While self-efficacy is a predictor of both declarative and procedural knowledge, metacognition is only related to procedural knowledge. We discuss the implications of these results and suggest further research is needed to compare and contrast the role of these constructs in assessing learning outcomes.
Experimental infections of one-day-old poults with turkey isolates of infectious bursal disease virus.

Summary One‐day‐old poults infected with infectious bursal disease virus of turkey origin (TIBDV) suffered a prolonged (3 to 4 week) suppression of the cellular immune response and a decrease in the plasma cell population of the Harderian gland. By immunofluorescent techniques, IBDV was demonstrated to persist for 7 days post infection. Antigen was demonstrated in bursal epithelium at the apex of the plica and was never seen in the follicle or cortex. Infection with TIBDV generally presented as a silent disease.
THE PRODUCTION OF FOLIC ACID BY RAT LIVER IN VITRO

The occurrence in urine and in acid-autoclaved grass and liver extracts of a substance which appears to participate in the synthesis of folic acid by rat liver in vitro is described. A similar effect is produced by synthetic xanthopterin. The effect of these materials might be accomplished by (1) catalysis of the enzymatic synthesis of folic acid; (2) the release of folic acid not liberated by takadiastase from tissue complexes; or (3) their serving as substrate material for the enzymatic synthesis of folic acid. The data presented favor the last hypothesis and suggest that xanthopterin, or a substance derived from it, may constitute a portion of the folic acid molecule. The probable involvement of compounds related to ranthopterin in the formation of hemocytopoietic substances in several animal species is discussed.
Synthesis of trigonometric functions with infinite resolution potentiometers

A mathematical approach is presented for the synthesis of the 12 trigonometric functions by infinite resolution potentiometers. (Infinite resolution potentiometers have continuous resistive tracks--generally uniformly thick--as compared to wire-wound potentiometers, which are of finite resolution in resistivity due to wire-to-wire discontinuities.) A tangent function synthesis is discussed as an illustration of the approach.
Stop-go temperature logging for precision applications

We describe a new field procedure for stop-go temperature logging of boreholes that attains millikelvin precision. Temperature is recorded continuously throughout the entire log, but the logging probe is held stationary for a fixed time at discrete depth intervals. Equilibrium temperatures at the discrete depths are based on extrapolations of time series using the heat-diffusion theory for an infinitely long cylinder. For a Fenwahl K212E thermistor probe having a time constant of about 7 s , temperatures are still 6 mK away from equilibrium after a wait time of 30 s ; but temperatures extrapolated from the time series are within 2 mK of equilibrium. A time series over a duration of seven time constants of the probe allows the user to reproduce temperature estimates within millikelvins. The technique was applied at GC-1, a borehole in northwestern Utah.
Regulation of the aromatase activity of human placental cytotrophoblasts by insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, and -II.

Abstract Studies to be reviewed were stimulated by the clinical observation, albeit controversial, that diabetic pregnancy may be associated with lower serum oestrogen levels than nondiabetic pregnancy. Pregnant diabetic women are usually intensively treated with insulin to maintain euglycemia, frequently resulting in peripheral hyperinsulinemia. The placenta, which is the primary source of oestrogens during pregnancy, would be exposed to this elevation in circulating insulin levels. Similarly, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), which are synthesized and secreted by placental tissues and could influence placental function in an autocrine or paracrine fashion, may be elevated in diabetic pregnancy. We will review studies, which show that (i) insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and -II inhibit the aromatase activity of human cytotrophoblasts, (ii) these peptides can inhibit aromatase by activation of their respective receptors, and (iii) the potency of IGF-II in suppressing aromatase greatly exceeds that of either insulin or IGF-I. Finally, evidence will be reviewed, which suggests that inositolglycan mediators (‘second messengers’) serve as the signal transduction system for insulin's inhibition of aromatase activity. Hence, placental exposure to increased concentrations of insulin and/or IGFs in the pregnant diabetic woman may result in inhibition of aromatase activity and decreased serum oestrogen levels.
Distinct extracellular matrix microenvironments of progenitor and carotid endothelial cells

Endothelial cells (ECs) produce and maintain the local extracellular matrix (ECM), a critical function that contributes to EC and blood vessel health. This function is also crucial to vascular tissue engineering, where endothelialization of vascular constructs require a cell source that readily produces and maintains ECM. In this study, baboon endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) deposition of ECM (laminin, collagen IV, and fibronectin) was characterized and compared to mature carotid ECs, evaluated in both elongated and cobblestone morphologies typically found in vivo. Microfluidic micropatterning was used to create 15-microm wide adhesive lanes with 45-microm spacing to reproduce the elongated EC morphology without the influence of external forces. Both EPCs and ECs elongated on micropatterned lanes had aligned actin cytoskeleton and readily deposited ECM. EPCs deposited and remodeled the ECM to a greater extent than ECs. Since a readily produced ECM can improve graft patency, EPCs are an advantageous cell source for endothelializing vascular constructs. Furthermore, EC deposition of ECM was dependent on cell morphology, where elongated ECs deposited more collagen IV and less fibronectin compared to matched cobblestone controls. Thus micropatterned surfaces controlled EC shape and ECM deposition, which ultimately has implications for the design of tissue-engineered vascular constructs.
Thermal and mechanical properties of bio-based PCMs encapsulated with nanofibrous structure

Abstract An environmentally friendly phase change material (PCM) was successfully prepared by encapsulating natural soy wax into polyurethane (PU) nanofibers using coaxial electrospinning technique. The morphology and the structure of the wax/PU composites were characterized. Thermal behaviors as well as mechanical properties of the composites were also investigated. The results indicated that coaxial electrospinning produced uniform fiber morphology with a core–shell structure and a homogeneous wax distribution throughout the core of the fibers. The soy wax was successfully encapsulated into PU fibers without being miscible with PU fibers. Thermal analysis results show that the enthalpy increases as the wax content increases. The fibrous structures exhibited balanced thermal storage and released properties for thermo-regulating function. The thermal properties were unaltered after 100 heating–cooling cycles, demonstrating that the composite fibers had good thermal stability and reliability. Tensile tests also indicate that the presence of wax enhanced the modulus and lowered the tensile strain.
Pregnancy in Women with Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) produces dramatic changes in the physical and psychological lives of those who experience such injuries. Despite such injuries, a growing number of women with SCI are interested in experiencing normal transitions in life, including childbearing and parenting. Pregnancy in women with SCI is not without risk; however, anticipating and preparing for possible problems or complications can make them more manageable so that women with SCI can have positive childbearing experiences and positive maternal and infant outcomes. Issues of fertility and those that occur during preconception and the antepartal, intrapartal, and postpartal phases of pregnancy are discussed.
Pseudodielectric function and critical-point energies of iron pyrite

Spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to determine the pseudodielectric function � e �=� e1 �+ i� e2� spectrum of a natural single crystal of iron pyrite (cubic FeS2) from 0.5 to 4.5 eV with the sample at 77 K. The � e� spectrum exhibits several pronounced optical features associated with the interband critical points (CPs). Accurate CP energies are obtained by fitting standard line shapes to second energy derivatives of the � e� data. The electronic origins of the six observed CP features are identified through density functional theory calculations and momentum matrix analyses.
Problems with Electoral Evaluations of Expert Opinions

AbstractAn electoral evaluation of a set of expert opinions proceeds by treating the experts as voters. Although this method allows us to formalise our naive views about how to take expert advice, ...
Structure and reactivity investigations on supported bimetallic AuNi catalysts used for hydrocarbon steam reforming

Abstract The addition of small quantities of gold to the surface of supported nickel catalysts has been described as a means to retard carbon formation during hydrocarbon steam reforming. Calculations by others have indicated that gold locates at the most catalytically active (step and edge) sites that also serve as nucleation sites for carbon formation. In this paper, we describe experiments to characterize the Ni Au interactions on bimetallic Au Ni/MgAl 2 O 4 catalysts at various Ni and Au loadings. The catalyst structure was investigated using EXAFS/XANES spectroscopy and adsorption–desorption measurements with H 2 and N 2 O. Evidence for surface alloy formation is provided in the Ni K-edge and Au L III -edge EXAFS measurements of Au-promoted 8.8% Ni/MgAl 2 O 4 , especially at Au loadings ⩽ 0.2 wt% . At higher Au concentrations, there is evidence of a combination of alloy and segregated Au species. H 2 chemisorption and N 2 O temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) measurements showed a significant decrease in total surface sites, or surface site reactivity, on Au-modified Ni/MgAl 2 O 4 catalyst. The XANES structure is consistent with perturbation of the electronic structure of both the Ni and Au atoms as a result of alloy formation. TGA studies with steam/ n -butane feed confirmed the ability of Au to retard coke deposition under low S/C reforming conditions, although carbon formation was not fully suppressed. When testing for methane steam reforming, a lower initial activity and deactivation rate resulted from Au promotion of the Ni catalyst. However, both catalysts showed a declining activity with time. The lack of a direct correlation between the surface characterization results and catalytic activity is most likely a result of decreasing effectiveness of the surface alloy with increasing temperature.
Temperature-Sensitive Luminescent Nanoparticles and Films Based on a Terbium (III) Complex Probe

The terbium-tris[(2-hydroxy-benzoyl)-2-aminoethyl]amine complex (Tb-THBA) with its high color purity, long luminescence lifetime, and high quantum yield has been found to be a viable indicator for the optical sensing of temperature. Both its luminescence intensity and its lifetime strongly depend on temperature in the range from 15 to 65 °C. When photoexcited at 341 nm, it displays typical Tb3+ ion emission bands with the strongest peak at 546 nm and a typical decay time of 1.15 ms at 15 °C. The probe is shown to be excellent for sensing temperature, as demonstrated in two kinds of optical sensor membranes. In the first, it was incorporated into a highly biocompatible polyurethane hydrogel to form a sensing film. In the second, Tb-THBA was converted into nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 10 nm that were then incorporated into a film of poly(vinyl alcohol). The two films display a remarkably high sensitivity toward temperature change, both in luminescence intensity and in luminescence decay time, makin...
Suppression of behavioral activity by norfenfluramine and related drugs in rats is not mediated by serotonin release.

Fenfluramine, a phenalkylamine with serotonin (5-HT) releasing properties, decreases motor activity in rats. The following studies assessed the contribution of 5-HT release to the behavioral effects of fenfluramine and norfenfluramine using a behavioral pattern monitor that simultaneously assesses locomotor and investigatory behavior. First, both fenfluramine and its active metabolited-norfenfluramine dose-dependently reduced locomotor and investigatory activity. The norfenfluramine-induced reduction in activity was not antagonized by pretreatment with the 5-HT uptake inhibitor fluoxetine or the 5-HT synthesis inhibitorp-chlorophenylalanine, drugs that reduce drug-induced 5-HT release. Second, thed- andl-enantiomers of norfenfluramine were nearly equipotent at reducing behavioral activity, althoughd-norfenfluramine is more potent as a 5-HT releasing agent. Third,p-chloroamphetamine, a drug that shares the 5-HT releasing properties of fenfluramine produced locomotor hyperactivity in the same paradigm. Previous studies indicate that other 5-HT releasing phenalkylamines have behavioral effects resembling those ofp-chloroamphetamine rather than those of fenfluramine. Finally, a structurally related drug, 4-methoxy-5-methyl-aminoindan (MMAI), produced dose-dependent reductions in behavioral activity that are similar to the effects of fenfluramine. The behavioral effects of MMAI were not antagonized by fluoxetine or by the 5-HT receptor antagonist methiothepin. These data suggest that the decrease in activity induced by fenfluramine, norfenfluramine and the related drug MMAI is not related to 5-HT release.
Peptides as probes for G protein signal transduction

Abstract Triggered by agonist binding to cell surface receptors, the heterotrimeric G proteins dissociate into α and βγ subunits, each activating distinct second messenger pathways. Peptides from the primary sequences of receptors, G proteins, and effectors have been used to study the molecular interactions between these proteins. Receptor-derived peptides from the second, third and fourth intracellular loops and certain naturally occurring peptides antagonize G protein interactions and can directly activate G protein. These peptides bind to G protein sites that include the N and C terminal regions of the α subunit and a yet to be identified region of the β subunit. Peptides have also been useful in characterizing G protein-effector interactions. The identification of the contact sites between proteins involved in G protein signal transduction should aid in the development of non-peptide mimetic therapeutics which could specifically modify G protein-mediated cellular responses.
Cardiospasm following vagotomy.

Abstract Considering the dual innervation of the lower esophagus and cardiac end of the stomach, cardiospasm or achalasia might be expected to be a frequent complication of vagotomy. A review of the recent literature dealing with vagotomy indicates that this complication is seldom seen or reported. A case of cardiospasm following vagotomy in which the symptoms persisted for thirty-six days is reported. This complication would seem to be the result of an imbalance of sympathetic-parasympathetic innervation and not the result of local edema or irritation secondary to the operative procedure. As with the majority of other postvagotomy complications, it is self-limited.
The Roles of the State and the Market in Establishing Property Rights

It is an old saw of the economics profession that markets require a clear assignment of initial entitlements to most resources and well-enforced rules of contract. Governments intent on fostering a market economy should thus make sure to put an effective legal system in place, one in which property rights are unambiguous, secure and freely alienable. Even if the state gets some of the initial entitlements wrong, it is often added, the Coase theorem instructs us that the parties, if free to contract, will correct this by appropriate private agreements. The experience of postcommunist countries in eastern Europe is a good reminder that economists tend to assume a can opener when one is needed. Indeed, the statement that property and contract rights must be "put in place" assumes away one of the most interesting and intricate questions concerning economic development. The creation of a system of enforceable entitlements to the diverse and complex forms of wealth characteristic of a modern society is itself a process subject to economic laws; as I shall argue here, it is in fact largely a product of market forces, rather than governmental fiat.
Assessment of Chronic Care Need and Use

The needs assessment process is indeed complex in the social service context. Whereas most contexts can start with a presumption of "no need," the social service context frequently must start with an assumption of "need met-->change." In addition, underlying values--the individual's, the assessor's, the society's--all play a part in the judgment process. The assumption that the involvement of another in performing the task automatically implies a limitation on the part of the recipient is not warranted, nor is the assumption that the reliance on another by one in need automatically implies the need is met. For purposes of population needs assessments, it is possible to rely on presumptive categorizations as a function of simple response profiles. For individual care planning, however, additional information is essential.
On incremental rendering of silhouette maps of polyhedral scene

We consider the problem of incrementally rendering a polyhedral scene while the viewpoint is moving. In practical situations the number of geometric primitives to be rendered can be as large as many millions. It is sometimes advantageous to render only the silhouettes of the objects, rather than the objects themselves. Such an approach is regularly used for example in the domain of non-photorealistic rendering, where the rendering of silhouette edges plays a key role. The difficult part in efficiently implementing a kinetic approach to this problem is to realize when the rendered silhouette undergoes a combinatorial change. In this paper, we obtain bounds on several problems involving the number of these events for a collection of k objects, with a total of n edges. We assume that our objects are convex polytopes, and that the viewpoint is moving along a straight line, or along an algebraic curve of bounded low degree. We also study the special case when the scene is a polyhedral terrain, and present improved bounds for this case. In addition to bounding the number events, we also obtain algorithms that compute all the changes occurring during a linear motion both for general scenes and for terrains. © 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.
The high field ordered phase and upper critical field of the filled skutterudite system Pr(Os1−xRux)4Sb12

To study the possible competition between unconventional and Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer superconductivity in the filled skutterudites Pr(Os1−xRux)4Sb12, the evolution of superconductivity and the high field ordered phase in single-crystal specimens has been investigated by means of electrical resistivity measurements in magnetic fields up to 18 T. Whereas the upper critical field Hc2(T) curves have conventional shapes for x<0.4, the Hc2(T) curves are nearly linear for . For all x, Hc2(0) matches the calculated value of the orbital critical field. Features in the electrical resistivity associated with the high field ordered phase, observed clearly for PrOs4Sb12, weaken with increasing x and vanish for .
Incidence of the 1996 Canada–U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement and the Optimal Export Tax

Our partial-equilibrium analysis suggests 63% of the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement's export tax is absorbed by Canadian consumers. Still, sufficient surplus was extracted from U.S. consumers for the agreement to be in Canada's national interest. In fact, the agreement was suboptimal from a Canadian perspective in that a higher tax rate would have raised national welfare, at least in the short run. Although the agreement decreased U.S. welfare, the net loss for the combined U.S. and Canadian economies is modest, about 5% of the bilateral softwood lumber trade value according to our baseline estimates. This suggests the agreement's tariff rate quota scheme is a reasonably efficient mechanism for redistributing economic surplus from U.S. consumers to producers. Still, a better policy may be to enlarge the softwood lumber market via a research and promotion program funded by a modest (say, 5%) tax on Canadian exports. L'analyse de l'equilibre partiel effectuee par les auteurs laisse croire que les consommateurs canadiens absorbent 63 % de la taxe a l'exportation de l'Accord. Neanmoins, le Canada a reussi a tirer une somme suffisante des consommateurs americains pour que l'Accord garde un int eret national. De fait, pour le Canada, l'Accord n'etait pas vraiment optimal, car un taux d'imposition inferieur aurait releve le taux de prestations d'aide sociale, a court terme du moins. Bien que l'Accord ait reduit ce taux aux Etats-Unis, la perte nette demeure modeste pour l'economie combinee des deux pays (environ 5 % de la valeur commerciale du bois d’αeuvre resineux selon les estimations des auteurs). On en conclut que les contingents tarifaires constituent un mecanisme raisonnablement efficace pour redistribuer les richesses excedentaires des consommateurs aux producteurs. Une meilleure politique consisterait cependant aelargir le marche du bois d'αeuvre resineux au moyen d'un programme de recherche et de promotion que financerait une legere taxe (par exemple 5 %) sur les exportations canadiennes.
Evaluation of a novel biomarker of added sugar intake (δ 13C) compared with self-reported added sugar intake and the Healthy Eating Index-2010 in a community-based, rural U.S. sample

Objective The δ 13C value of human blood is an emerging novel biomarker of added sugar (AS) intake for adults. However, no free-living, community-based assessments of comparative validity of this biomarker have been conducted. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine if Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) score, SoFAAS score (HEI-2010 sub-component for solid fat, alcohol and AS), AS and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intakes were associated with δ 13C value of fingerstick blood in a community-based sample of adults, while controlling for relevant demographics. Design A cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from assessments of BMI, dietary intake using 24 h recalls and a fingerstick blood sample was completed. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression and one-way ANOVA. Setting Rural Southwest Virginia, U.S.A. Subjects Adults (n 216) aged >18 years who consumed at least 837 kJ/d (200 kcal/d) from SSB. Results This sample of adult participants with low socio-economic status demonstrated a mean HEI-2010 score of 43.4 (sd 12.2), mean SoFAAS score of 10.2 (sd 5.7), mean AS intake of 93 (sd 65) g/d and mean blood δ 13C value of -18.88 (sd 0.7) ‰. In four separate regression models, HEI-2010 (R 2=0.16), SoFAAS (R 2=0.19), AS (R 2=0.15) and SSB (R 2=0.14) predicted δ 13C value (all P≤0.001). Age was also predictive of δ 13C value, but not sex or race. Conclusions These findings suggest that fingerstick δ 13C value has the potential to be a minimally invasive method for assessing AS and SSB intake and overall dietary quality in community-based settings. Strengths, limitations and future areas of research for using an objective δ 13C biomarker in diet-related public health studies are discussed.
Electromagnetic Interference of Cardiac Rhythmic Monitoring Devices to Radio Frequency Identification: Analytical Analysis and Mitigation Methodology

Increasing density of wireless communication and development of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in particular have increased the susceptibility of patients equipped with cardiac rhythmic monitoring devices (CRMD) to environmental electro magnetic interference (EMI). Several organizations reported observing CRMD EMI from different sources. This paper focuses on mathematically analyzing the energy as perceived by the implanted device, i.e., voltage. Radio frequency (RF) energy transmitted by RFID interrogators is considered as an example. A simplified front-end equivalent circuit of a CRMD sensing circuitry is proposed for the analysis following extensive black-box testing of several commercial pacemakers and implantable defibrillators. After careful understanding of the mechanics of the CRMD signal processing in identifying the QRS complex of the heart-beat, a mitigation technique is proposed. The mitigation methodology introduced in this paper is logical in approach, simple to implement and is therefore applicable to all wireless communication protocols.
Online identification of generator dynamics in a multimachine power system with a spiking neural network

This paper presents the application of a spiking neural network for online identification of generator dynamics in a multimachine power system. An integrate and fire model of a spiking neuron is used in this paper where the information is communicated through the interspike intervals. A network of spiking neurons is trained online based on a gradient descent algorithm. Speed and terminal voltage deviations of a generator in the IEEE 10-machine 39-bus New England power system are predicted one time step ahead by a spiking neural network. Two different training conditions are considered, namely, forced and natural perturbations. The simulation results show that a spiking neural network can successfully estimate the speed and terminal voltage deviations for both small and large perturbations applied to a power network.
Effects of Bradykinin on Forearm Venous Tone and Vascular Resistance in Man

The effects of intravenous injections of synthetic bradykinin on the vascular dynamics of the forearm were studied in nine normal subjects. A plethysmographic technique was used to measure forearm blood flow and to estimate forearm venous tone. Bradykinin decreased mean systemic arterial pressure, elevated forearm blood flow, and reduced calculated forearm vascular resistance and also venous tone. The venodilatation was preceded by brief venoconstriction which was prevented in five subjects pretreated with the antiadrenergic agent, guanethidine. It is postulated (a) that this venoconstriction is one of the compensatory reflex actions that accompany reduction of systemic arterial pressure, and (b) that the prime effect of bradykinin on both the arterial and the venous beds of the forearm is a direct vasodilatation.
Therapeutic efficacy of OX-40 receptor antibody depends on tumor immunogenicity and anatomic site of tumor growth.

The OX-40 receptor (OX-40R) is a cell surface glycoprotein of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family that is expressed primarily on activated CD4 T cells. Engagement of OX-40R by the OX-40 ligand (OX-40L) is known to costimulate the production of cytokines by activated T lymphocytes and to rescue effector T cells from activation-induced cell death. It was previously reported that in vivo ligation of OX-40R by administration of OX-40L:immunoglobulin fusion protein or OX-40R monoclonal antibody (mAb) resulted in a significant prolongation of survival of tumor-bearing mice in four histologically distinct solid tumors. In this study, we demonstrate that the therapeutic efficacy of OX-40R mAb was influenced by the tumor burden, the intrinsic immunogenicity of the tumor as well as by the histological site of tumor growth. Whereas subdermal and intracranial growth of weakly immunogenic MCA 203 and MCA 205 sarcomas and GL261 glioma were susceptible to the mAb treatment, established pulmonary MCA 205 metastases were refractory to the same regimen of treatment. Furthermore, the mAb administration had no impact on the growth of the poorly immunogenic B16/D5 melanoma. Tumor regression mediated by OX-40R mAb was dependent on the participation of both CD4 and CD8 T cells and as a result of tumor rejection, a long-term tumor-specific immunity was established. Analysis of tumor-infiltrating T cells revealed the presence of a far greater number of OX-40R+ T cells of both CD4 and CD8 phenotypes in the intracranial immunogenic GL261 glioma than that in the poorly immunogenic B16/D5 melanoma. These results suggest that ligation of OX-40R on activated T cells in situ in the tumor may provide a necessary costimulatory signal to augment immune responses leading to tumor regression and immunological memory.
Assessment of a three-phase model of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in patients with ventricular fibrillation

Summary Aim Cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation (VF) has been divided into three phases in which phase-specific therapy may improve outcome. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between call-to-shock time, bystander CPR (BCPR), and cardiac arrest outcomes. Methods In a retrospective analysis of prospectively-acquired data from witnessed VF out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA), patients were classified as phases 1, 2, or 3 based on call-to-shock time ( 8 min) and further stratified based on performance of BCPR. Groups were compared with regard to survival, neurological outcome, and restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) with defibrillation only (no ALS interventions to achieve sustained ROSC). Results Survival, neurologically intact survival, and ROSC with defibrillation were different between phases 1 and 2 ( p = 0.014 and p = 0.005, p N = 111) or no BCPR ( N = 107). Neurologically intact survival with and without BCPR, respectively, was 61% versus 72% (phase 1), 44% versus 41% (phase 2), and 42% versus 29% (phase 3). ROSC with defibrillation only with and without BCPR, respectively, was 64% versus 56% (phase 1), 37.0% versus 29% (phase 2), and 33% versus 8% (phase 3). ROSC with defibrillation alone was statistically higher in univariate analysis in phase 3 with BCPR ( p = 0.033) but not in multivariate analysis ( p = 0.068). Conclusions BCPR did not significantly improve survival in any phase of OHCA, though there was a trend toward increased neurologically intact survival and increased ROSC with defibrillation alone in phase 3.
Immune profile of IgA-dominant diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis

The diagnosis of IgA-dominant post-infectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN) may be challenging, as it must be differentiated from that of active IgA nephropathy. Predominant clinicopathologic features of IgA-dominant PIGN substantially overlap with those of active IgA nephropathy. Here, we present a case of a 67-year-old woman with rapidly rising serum creatinine, proteinuria and severe hypertension. The kidney biopsy findings included some features of IgA-dominant PIGN while others were more consistent with classical IgA nephropathy. We describe this patient's immune profile at the time of acute kidney injury and review the literature regarding differentiation of the two entities.
Breeding Season Ecology and Behavior of Ridgway's Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi)

Ridgway's Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi) is endemic to Hispaniola and its satellites, where it occurs in a wide variety of habitats. We studied this hawk in the wet limestone karst forest of the Dominican Republic be- tween January and June 1976. The hawk is sexually dimorphic with females somewhat larger than males. Display flights of territorial pairs began in January and were observed most often between 10:00 and 12:O0. Mean home range for three pairs was 57.8 ha. Nest building was first observed on 25 February. Construction was con- centrated in the morning and males did most of the building. Incubation (two eggs) was underway at one nest on 22 March. Females performed all of the incubation except when males took over after food exchanges. Hatching at one nest occurred on 19 and 20 April. At another nest two chicks fledged during the 12th week after egglaying. Both sexes defended nests against intra- and interspecific intruders. Males captured 91% of prey brought to the nests. Lizards and snakes were the most numerous prey brought to nests while mammals formed the bulk of prey biomass. Birds were also brought to young. Ridgway's Hawks used four hunting techniques: (1) Still Hunting, (2) Hang-Searching (slow gliding flight), (3) Foot-Thrusting (thrusting foot into vegetation and cavities to flush prey), and (4) Direct Stoop from soaring. The hawk has three basic vocalizations: (1) Kleeah, used in self-assertive and aggressive contexts; (2) Weeup, given in food exchanges and displays, and (3) the Whistle-Squeal, given during high-intensity interactions. Our observations suggest that B. ridgwayi is closely related to B. line&us. Despite current interest in the biology of raptors, relatively little is known about those in the tropics. The habits of Ridgway's Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi), a species endemic to Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Re- public), are almost unknown, probably be- cause few ornithologists have worked on that island.
Symbolic two and three dimensional picture retrieval

Image retrieval using 2-D string matching techniques and pairwise spatial relationships is reviewed. It is demonstrated that 2-D string matching techniques can be extended to three or more dimensions and could form the basis of query systems to retrieve data such as CAD information. Algorithms are developed for 3-D type 0, 1, and 2 matching, and an example is presented. The three matching types provide progressively more exacting matches ranging from objects presence to exact submodel match. The query system based on pairwise spatial relations is extended to describe 3-D information. >
Pathogen discovery in AIDS-related lymphoma by high-throughput sequencing

Background Approximately 30% of AIDS-related lymphomas (ARL) are associated with infection by the EBV, and about 4% by the KSHV/HHV-8. It is likely that if other lymphomagenic pathogens exist, these associations would occur in the context of ARL. The advent of high throughput sequencing provides a unique opportunity to address this question. High throughput sequencing, followed by computational subtraction of human sequences was used for enrichment of candidate pathogenic sequences. Methods
Measurement of Educational Progress in the Context of Local Demographics: Using General Outcome Measurement as a Basis for the Development and Use of Local Norms

General outcome measurement, a specific type of formative evaluation, can be used to assess progress toward long-term academic goals. Curriculum-based measurement is a widely used type of general outcome measurement. When used to develop local norms, curriculum-based measurement data are helpful in making individual student and systems-level decisions. This article presents a case for incorporating local norms that are based on curriculum-based measurement, in the evaluation of educational systems and the monitoring of student progress. Moreover, practical information, highlighted with case examples, provides a framework from which districts can collect, develop, and use local norms that are based on curriculum-based measurement in the decision-making process for individual and groups of students.
Cell-cycle regulatory proteins in podocyte cell in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood.

Cell-cycle regulatory proteins in podocyte cell in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood. Background The podocyte cell is believed to play an important role in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) of childhood. In adults with cellular and collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), the expression of cell-cycle regulatory proteins such as p27, p57, and cyclin D is decreased and expression of cyclin A, Ki-67, and p21 is observed in podocyte cells suggestive of a dysregulated podocyte phenotype. We investigated for alterations in the expression of cyclin kinase inhibitors, p27, p57, p21, and cyclins D and A in the podocyte cell of children with INS. Methods Forty-two kidney biopsies were investigated; 14 with minimal-change disease (MCD), seven with diffuse mesangial hypercellularity (DMH), 12 with FSGS, four with Alport syndrome (AS), and five normal biopsies. The sections were examined by immunohistochemistry using dual staining method. Podocyte cells were first identified by Wilm's tumor-1 staining after which expressions of cell-cycle regulatory proteins were analyzed. A quantitative analysis was performed for the proportion of podocyte cells that expressed each cell cycle regulatory protein. Results On light microscopy, all podocyte cells expressed p27, while p57 and p21 expression was seen in a portion of podocyte cells in normal kidney biopsies. Cyclin D was expressed in a small percent of podocyte cells though the expression was more marked in mesangial and endothelial cells. Cyclin A expression was not seen in normal biopsies. The mean expression of p27 decreased significantly in order from normal (100%), MCD (45.9%), DMH (22.4%), and FSGS (16.7%), and the difference between MCD and FSGS was significant. p21 was significantly and equally reduced in MCD (2.3%), DMH (0%), and FSGS (0.7%) compared to normal (66.6%). There was no significant difference in expression of p57, cyclin D and cyclin A in the podocyte cells between normal and children with INS. Children with AS showed a significant decrease in p27 and p21 expression, while the expression of p57, cyclin D and cyclin A were unchanged from normal, thus demonstrating a pattern similar to INS. Conclusion The podocyte cell in children with INS down-regulates expression of cyclin kinase inhibitors such as p21 and p27, but not p57, but does not up-regulate cyclin D and cyclin A that are needed to overcome the G 1 /S transition and move the cell forward in the cell cycle process. Thus, the podocyte cell remains trapped in the G 1 arrest phase. In children with INS or AS, the dysregulated podocyte phenotype is different than the one described in adults with cellular or collapsing FSGS.
MAC layer extensions for improved QoS in 802.11 based vehicular ad hoc networks

Highway safety, collision avoidance and road traffic congestion control are emerging applications of vehicular ad-hoc networks. Inter-vehicular communication could increase driver awareness and distribution of information among vehicles on the road. The safety messages being transmitted or exchanged between vehicles are usually short and have ephemeral utility. Ad-hoc networks of this kind also tend to have a large number of contending nodes. Our work proposes MAC layer extensions to the 802.11e variant of the 802.11 WiFi standard, applied in such scenarios. We describe possible messages that may be transmitted and classification of messages based on urgency. Our enhancements reduce redundancy in safety message broadcasts, by avoiding multiple transmissions of the same report, providing for more optimized channel utilization, especially in cases when a common obstacle generates a similar message at every vehicle within an area.
CD44 expression on murine tissues

CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein found on lymphoid and epithelial cells. Its primary function on lymphocytes and macrophages is to mediate interaction with endothelium, while its function on epithelial cells is not known. The protein has many different forms, generated by alternative mRNA splicing and by post-translational modification, which may mediate different functions. During previous work on murine lung tumor cells, mAb 133-13A was isolated and shown to recognize a surface glycoprotein, P100, of 90-100 x 10(3) M(r). Amino acid sequence analysis of purified P100 indicates that it is CD44. Since few data exist to indicate which forms of CD44 are present in different normal tissues, mAb 133-13A was used to analyze CD44 expression in mouse tissue. Quantitative data on the distribution of CD44(P100) in mice show that spleen, thymus, liver, intestine, uterus and choroid of the eye are major sites of expression. In addition, epithelia of adrenals, esophagus and trachea are CD44(P100) positive. Previous work on human cell lines has implicated a high molecular mass (130-160 x 10(3) M(r)) form of the glycoprotein as the form expressed in epithelial cells and carcinomas. Isolation of CD44 proteins from lymphoid tissues in the mouse indicate that, as in human lymphoid tissue, the low molecular mass form (80-90 x 10(3) M(r)) is predominately expressed. These data show that both small (approximately 81 x 10(3) M(r)) and large forms of the glycoprotein are expressed in basal epithelia of esophagus and trachea and in salivary gland, while only the small form is expressed in epithelium of the adrenal cortex and in the murine lung and mammary carcinomas studied. While these data cannot distinguish between specific splice variants, they show that the large forms of CD44 are minor components in normal tissue and seem to be found only in basal epithelium. The CD44 of low M(r) found in epithelial tissues is probably associated with lymphoid cell types in the tissues.
Overview of microbial biofilms

As the success of this two-issue special section of the Journal of Industrial Microbiology attests, the study of microbial biofilms is truly burgeoning as the uniqueness and the importance of this mode of growth is increasingly recognized. Because of its universality the biofilm concept impacts virtually all of the subdivisions of Microbiology (including Medical, Dental, Agricultural, Industrial and Environmental) and these two issues incorporate contributions from authors in all of these disciplines. Some time ago we reasoned that bacteria cannot possibly be aware (sic) of their precise location, in terms of this spectrum of anthrocentric subspecialties, and that their behavior must be dictated by a standard set of phenotypic responses to environmental conditions in what must seem to them (sic) to be a continuum of very similar aquatic ecosystems. In this overview I will, therefore, stress the common features of microbial biofilms that we should bear in mind as we use this simple universal concept to seek to understand bacterial behavior in literally hundreds of aquatic ecosystems traditionally studied by dozens of subspecies of microbiologists reared in sharply different scientific and academic conventions.
Kinship care and service utilization: A review of predisposing, enabling, and need factors

Abstract Research has shown that relative caregivers are less likely to use formal supports and services than non-relative foster parents. However, less is known about factors influencing kinship caregivers' help-seeking behaviors and service use. This systematic review identified research studies examining factors associated with service use among kinship caregivers using key search terms in five computerized bibliographic databases and four journals. The search identified 337 potentially relevant studies. After screening and study eligibility assessments, a final sample of 13 studies was reviewed. Findings suggested that although children and their kinship caregivers were clearly in need of services, service use was low. Results suggested a need for more rigorous research designs and that the following factors may influence service use: child behavioral problems, caregiver mental health status, resources, provider characteristics, caregiver perceived need, and social support. More research examining help-seeking behaviors, perceptions of formal services, and effectiveness of kinship caregiver services in relation to child outcomes is needed to improve the wellbeing of kinship families in the child welfare system.