cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a Mouse Pneumocystis carinii Antigen Cross-reactive with Human Pneumocystis carinii |[dagger]| 871

Characterization of highly conserved Pnuemocystis carinii (Pc) antigens in mammalian hosts is important in understanding disease caused by Pc in humans. Currently, a unique phenotype and genotype for Pc exists for organisms derived from every mammalian host examined to date. This diversity among Pc has resulted in our knowing very little about human Pc antigens. The identification of cross-reactive epitopes on Pc could help address this problem, but such cross-reactive epitopes are rare. Until now, only one cross-reactive epitope on the immunodominant Pc antigen glycoprotein A (gPA) has been characterized. We have isolated two additional monoclonal antibodies(MAb) to an antigen other than gpA in mouse Pc that are strongly reactive with Pc isolated from ferrets, Rhesus macaques and humans by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western blotting.
Effects of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on human plasma lipid, lipoprotein, and C-reactive protein.

Six patients with confirmed malignant disease received four consecutive weekly cycles of human recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) 4 days/week, continuous iv. infusion, 3 × 106 U/m2/day. Plasma cholesterol decreased a mean of 7% within 24 hours after IL-2 infusion and decreased by 33% within 4 days. Plasma cholesterol was significantly lower than baseline concentration by day 21 (−21%), and day 25 (−41%) was significantly lower than day 21. Decreased plasma cholesterol was the result of decreased HDL and LDL cholesterol concentrations. Plasma triglyceride demonstrated a mean increase of 46% after 4 days of therapy and remained greater than baseline concentrations at all time points analyzed. Apolipoprotein AI and AII decreased concomitantly with HDL-cholesterol concentrations, whereas apolipoprotein B after an initial mean decrease of 17% during the first cycle was not significantly different from baseline during the fourth cycle. Apolipoprotein E and Lp(a) were not significantly affected by IL-2 treatment. Plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) increased by 79% within 24 hours of therapy, increased by 254% on day 4, then decreased to baseline concentrations by day 21 after 3 days off of IL-2. Day 25 CRP was elevated compared to both baseline and day 21 concentrations. IL-2 induced plasma lipoprotein changes may be due in part to the induction of interferon gamma.
Lasing on the D lines of sodium pumped by free→free transitions of Na-Xe collision pairs

Lasing on the D1 and D2 lines of Na (589.6 and 589.0 nm, respectively) has been generated simultaneously by photoexciting free→free transitions of thermal Na-Xe collision pairs. Pumping the blue satellite of the Na D2 line in Na/Xe mixtures (λ ≈ 560 nm) selectively interacts with Na-Xe pairs having an instantaneous internuclear separation of ∼5 A and culminates in the population of both Na (32PJ) fine structure levels. The spectral width of the laser excitation spectrum is 1.3 nm (centered at 560.1 nm) and the 32P3/2→32S1/2 (D2) laser linewidth was measured to be 9.2 ± 0.6 GHz, which is consistent with a coefficient of 18.4 MHz/Torr for broadening of the D2 589.0 nm transition by Xe.
Increased Nitric Oxide Radicals in Postmortem Brain From Patients With Schizophrenia

Alterations in antioxidant status in schizophrenia suggest free radical-mediated neurotoxicity; this finding can be a consequence of increased free radical production. There are multiple pathways to excess free radical generation and subsequent oxidative stress. One such pathway is the formation of peroxynitrite by a reaction of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide radical. NO is formed from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). A constitutive cytosolic isoform, neuronal NOS (nNOS), appears to be fairly stable in the postmortem brain tissues. Utilizing a sensitive fluorometric assay, NO levels were measured by its stable metabolites, nitrate and nitrite, in the caudate region of postmortem brain tissues from patients and control subjects. In the human brain, NO is metabolized primarily in the form of nitrate. A significantly increased level of NO was found in schizophrenia patients (241 +/- 146 pmol/mg dry weight, n = 18) than was found in those of normal (142 +/- 65 pmol/mg dry weight, n = 20) and psychiatric controls without schizophrenia (125 +/- 83 pmol/mg dry weight, n = 16) (analysis of covariance [ANCOVA], F = 6.446, df = 2,51, p = 0.003). These findings were independent of age, brain weight, postmortem interval (PMI), sample storage time, or cigarette smoking. Elevated NO levels in the brains of schizophrenia patients lend further support for the free radical pathology in schizophrenia.
Interactive Art Interpretation: How Viewers Make Sense of Paintings in Conversation

This study explores the talk of viewers as they encountered paintings in an art gallery. An inductive analysis of conversations recorded between viewers and one of the researchers resulted in the identification of three categories of art talk: Evaluation, Attraction, and Storytelling. Further, the authors distinguish two design features governing this kind of talk, Narration and Reification. Viewers verbalize their experience of paintings in order to interactively manufacture meaning. This sense-making process is consequential not merely for the viewers' understanding of the artwork but for their conception of the world, and of themselves and others in it. Perhaps most significant, viewers employ artwork as a material and symbolic resource in the ceaseless interactive fabrication of their own identities.
Constructing a processing window for a Langmuir-Blodgett film☆

Abstract The effect of Langmuir-Blodgett process parameters on the stability of monolayers at the gas-water interface and on the preparation of multilayers was investigated for a fatty acid (brassidic acid). Creep tests, used to determine stability, were found to correlate well with stability information obtained from standard pressure-area isotherms. The isotherm was utilized as a monolayer stability (strength) test in evaluating the effects of various process parameters. A “process window” was eventually developed that allowed reproducible production of homogeneous films by outlining the allowable ranges of the various parameters.
Starting a peroral endoscopic myotomy program at your institution

Abstract Starting a peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) program can be difficult. There is no substitute for careful planning and execution. Support at every level is required to make a POEM program a reality. There are 5 essential components to start a POEM program: recruiting collaborators, proper clinical training, institutional support, institutional review board approval, and technical/engineering/nursing support. Without these key components, any endeavor to set up a POEM program is less likely to be successful. Having a collaborative, multidisciplinary team is important for success. Adequate preparation and training are a must. To that end, observation of live human cases and hands-on experience in the animal laboratory are essential prerequisites. Institutional support in terms of laboratory funding, protected time for research, billing and coding assistance, and endorsement of one's Credentialing Committee are also significant components of a successful program. At least initially, a POEM program should be executed under the oversight of one's institutional review board to legitimize the program for medicolegal purposes, and to help smooth the credentialing process. Finally, support from key personnel should be obtained. These include surgical and endoscopy nurses and technicians, recovery room and ward nurses, and also endoscopy and device representatives, all of whom can provide vital technical assistance when and where it is needed most.
Plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue disposition of novel dextran-methylprednisolone conjugates with peptide linkers in rats.

Abstract The plasma and tissue disposition of two novel dextran prodrugs of methylprednisolone (MP) containing one (DMP‐1) or five (DMP‐5) amino acids as linkers were studied in rats. Single 5‐mg/kg doses (MP equivalent) of each prodrug or MP were administered intravenously, and blood and tissue samples were collected. Prodrug and drug concentrations were quantitated using HPLC, and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. Whereas conjugation of MP with dextran in both prodrugs substantially decreased the clearance of the drug by ∼200‐fold, the accumulations of the drug in the liver, spleen, and kidneys were significantly increased by conjugation. However, the extent of accumulation of DMP‐1 in these tissues was substantially greater than that for DMP‐5. Substantial amounts of MP were regenerated from both prodrugs in the liver and spleen, with the rate of release from DMP‐5 being twice as fast as that from DMP‐1. However, the AUCs of MP regenerated from DMP‐1 in the liver and spleen were substantially higher than those after DMP‐5. In contrast, in the kidneys, the AUC of MP regenerated from DMP‐5 was higher than that after DMP‐1 administration. These data suggest that DMP‐1 may be more suitable than DMP‐5 for targeting immunosuppression to the liver and spleen. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99: 1626–1637, 2010
Effects of injection schemes and column geometry on the performance of microchip electrophoresis devices

A glass microchip column was fabricated for free-solution electrophoresis. The channels were wet chemically etched on a substrate using standard photolithographic techniques and were sealed using a direct bonding technique. Two methods of sample introduction are evaluated employing a cross-type channel geometry. With the preferred sample loading method, the volume of the sample plug can be accurately controlled and is time independent, enabling a constant volume to be injected. The injection can be controlled electronically and does not induce any electrophoretic mobility based bias. Separations were performed on a compact chip with a serpentine column geometry that has a 165-mm separation channel in an area of less than 10 mm x 10 mm. Band-broadening effects in a serpentine column pattern were studied. 18 refs., 9 figs.
Development of realistic quality loss functions for industrial applications

A number of quality loss functions, most recently the Taguchi loss function, have been developed to quantify the loss due to the deviation of product performance from the desired target value. All these loss functions assume the same loss at the specified specification limits. In many real life industrial applications, however, the losses at the two different specifications limits are often not the same. Further, current loss functions assume a product should be reworked or scrapped if product performance falls outside the specification limits. It is a common practice in many industries to replace a defective item rather than spending resources to repair it, especially if considerable amount of time is required. To rectify these two potential problems, this paper proposes more realistic quality loss functions for proper applications to real-world industrial problems. This paper also carries out a comparison studies of all the loss functions it considers.
The Effect of Pendent Groups at the Fiber Surface on Interfacial Adhesion

Abstract Amine-terminated hexyl pendent groups were attached by direct chemical reaction to the surface of aramid engineering fiber. The number of groups attached was evaluated by two different methods of quantitative analysis, with parts per million sensitivity, and good agreement was found. Separate tests found no evidence for reaction of pendent groups with simple epoxy. A single filament pull-out test was used to assess directly the effect of the pendent groups on the fiber-matrix bond strength. The increased adhesive performance brought about by the presence of the pendent groups was ascribed either to a decrease in the initial crack size at the interface or to an increase in matrix modulus near the interface.
Defining Poverty Thresholds in Ukraine

This article explores methodological approaches to assessing poverty risks in Ukraine and proposes poverty threshold values according to basic socio-demographic types of households. An attempt is made to estimate the threshold correlations of poverty risks among the principal types of households.
Distinct sexual dimorphism in the effect of hypothyroidism on the expression of the growth hormone receptor and growth hormone-binding protein gene in rat liver.

Impairment of growth is a hallmark of hypothyroidism in animals. The ability of the thyroid hormone-thyroid hormone receptor complex to regulate gene transcription may be relevant to the growth impairment associated with hypothyroidism. To study the role of thyroid hormone in the expression of the GH receptor (GHR) and GH-binding protein (GHBP) gene, we examined the serum and liver tissue of female and male hypothyroid (thyroidectomized), thyroxine-treated thyroidectomized and euthyroid control rats. Compared to the control and to the thyroxine-treated group, the hypothyroid rats had significantly lower serum levels of thyroxine, increased levels of TSH, and decreased rates of weight gain. GHR and GHBP mRNA levels in liver were estimated by ribonuclease protection assays. In female rats, the levels of hepatic GHR and GHBP mRNA were increased in the hypothyroid group compared to euthyroid controls (p
Calcium in the spine apparatus of dendritic spines in the dentate molecular layer

With a pyroantimonate precipitation technique, we have demonstrated Ca2+ in the sacs of the dendritic spine apparatus in the SER of dendrites and axon terminals, in synaptic vesicles, multivesicular bodies, mitochondria, and glial processes of the dentate molecular layer. It is speculated that the spine apparatus may be a Ca2+ sequestering organelle which may regulate levels of intraspinal and intradendritic Ca2+ during synaptic activity.
Money Transfers among Banked and Unbanked Mexican Immigrants

The recent recognition of the matricula consular as an acceptable form of alien identification by financial institutions has increased undocumented Mexican immigrants' access to U.S. banking services. Usage of the banking system's low-cost wiring and money-transfer services may encourage Mexican immigrants to save and potentially transfer more money to Mexico. We use data from the Mexican Migration Project (MMP107) to examine the hypothesis that immigrants with access to banking services in the United States between 1970 and 2004 sent back more funds to Mexico than their unbanked counterparts. We find that banking among Mexican immigrants in our sample is limited. While having a U.S. bank account does not appear to significantly raise monthly remittance flows by Mexican immigrants, it does help boost the amount brought back home. Thus, our analysis sheds light on the potential effects of matricula cards on the future flow of remittances to Mexico.
A workflow job manager for the Nevada Climate Change Portal

Model coupling has been of interest due to its promise of assisting massive amounts of reuse and thereby speeding up development cycles. A project at the University of Nevada, Reno dubbed the Nevada Climate Change Portal is currently being developed to assist in providing climate data and data services to researchers. One part of this portal is being developed to enable users to define scientific workflows and then run them. It is in this particular functionality of the Nevada Climate Change Portal in which the topic of this paper resides. This paper is concerned with the creation of a web-service based workflow job manager to present information more graphically than the typical text-based job manager. Modern software technologies such as .Net, Silverlight, WSDL, SOAP, and Graphviz are used to develop the features of this software. Aside from the gross technical details, the proposed job manager contains a way to represent the current progression status of a simulation in a graphical form and it is hoped that this will allow the adaption of the GUI to a wider variety of platforms such as smart phones or tablet computers. Increasing the availability of the job manager to different platforms is expected to allow users to collaborate in a more convenient manner, because they no longer need to use a PC with a large display in order to view the status of their running jobs.
Effects of vitamin A supplementation in young lambs on performance, serum lipid, and longissimus muscle lipid composition.

Forty crossbred wethers (BW = 28.7 kg) were used to evaluate the effects on LM lipid composition of diets containing high and low levels of vitamin A. Four treatments arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial with a completely random design were investigated: backgrounding (BG) and finishing (FN) with no supplemental vitamin A (LL); BG with no supplemental vitamin A and FN with high vitamin A (6,600 IU/kg of diet, as fed) supplementation (LH); BG with high vitamin A supplementation and FN with no vitamin A supplementation (HL); and BG and FN with high vitamin A (HH) supplementation. Diets included cracked corn (62.4%), soybean meal (16.0%), cottonseed hull pellets (14.8%), and supplement (7%), and contained 0.05) in feed intake, ADG, or final BW. Carcass weights were not affected by vitamin A treatment (P > 0.20), although backfat thickness tended to be different between HL and LL lambs (0.80 vs. 0.64 cm, respectively; P = 0.08). Carcasses from the HH group had greater (P < 0.05) marbling scores than those from the LL group (514 vs. 459) and had 25.8% more extractable intramuscular lipids (3.88 vs. 3.08% for HH and LL, respectively; P < 0.05); the LH and HL treatments were intermediate. Interestingly, the LL group had the greatest increase in serum fatty acids throughout the experimental period (change of 127 vs. 41 microg/g for LL and HH, respectively; P < 0.01). The degree of saturation of fatty acids was not affected by treatment (P = 0.18) in the serum but was affected in the longissimus thoracis fat. Oleic acid increased and linoleic acid decreased in the longissimus thoracis of HH-treated lambs (P < 0.02). These data suggest that increases in total intramuscular lipids may be achieved with high levels of vitamin A supplementation for 112 d in young lambs.
Procedural Protocol, Survival to Hatching and Plasmid DNA Fate After Microinjection into Tilapia Zygotes

The plasmid vector, pBRd-AK1-BGH4.6.10 (pBGH), containing the bovine growth hormone sequence driven by an avian retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR) was microinjected at 0.1, 0.5, 1 or 5 ng of pDNA/20 nl of physiological saline into tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus embryos. In 24 replicates, normally 60 zygotes were microinjected with either the entire linear 8.5 kb pBGH/ClaI vector or a 3.8 kb pBGH/SalI restriction fragment. Overall mean survival to fry hatching was 7.6% in plasmid DNA-microinjected, 15.6% in sham-microinjected and 48.1% in uninjected control embryos. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in survival to hatching between those embryos microinjected with the 3.8 or the 8.5 kb restriction fragment, nor was there a trend toward decreasing survival as the plasmid DNA concentration increased from 0.1 to 5 ng. The significant (P < 0.05) increase in survival among uninjected control embryos to hatching indicates that microinjection trauma was the major cause of mortality. Large quantities of plasmid DNA were recovered from pooled-embryo samples. Multiple bands (positive signals) were detected usually in the high molecular weight (HMW) genomic DNA regions. Position shifting of these HMW bands upon digesting with various restriction endonucleases provided evidence for plasmid DNA integration into tilapia embryo chromosomal DNA. Otherwise, these positive signah may have been end-twnd ligations of increasingly longer plasmid DNA constructs. Putative transgenic O. mossmbicus × O. niloticus were found among eight of 27 surviving adults.
Particle‐tethered NADH for production of methanol from CO2 catalyzed by coimmobilized enzymes

Efficient cofactor regeneration and reuse are highly desired for many important biotransformation applications. Here we show for the first time that cofactor NAD(H) covalently attached to micro particles, which can be easily recovered and reused, effectively mediated multistep reactions catalyzed by enzymes that were also immobilized with the micro particles. Such an immobilized enzyme-cofactor catalytic system was examined for the production of methanol from CO(2) with in situ cofactor regeneration. Four enzymes including formate, formaldehyde, alcohol, and glutamate dehydrogenases were coimmobilized using the same particles as that used for cofactor immobilization (enzymes and cofactor were immobilized separately). Reactions were performed by bubbling CO(2) in a suspension solution of the particle-attached enzymes and cofactor. It appeared that the collision among the particles afforded sufficient interactions between the cofactor and enzymes, and thus enabled the sequential transformation of CO(2) to methanol along with cofactor regeneration. For a 30-min batch reaction, a productivity of 0.02 micromol methanol/h/g-enzyme was achieved. That was lower than but comparable to the 0.04 micromol methanol/h/g-enzyme observed for free enzymes and cofactor at the same reaction conditions. The immobilized system showed fairly good stabilities in reusing. Over 80% of their original productivity was retained after 11 reusing cycles, with a cumulative methanol yield based on the amount of cofactor reached 127%. That was a promising enhancement in cofactor utilization as compared to the single-batch yield of 12% observed with free enzymes and free cofactor.
Plasma kinin concentration in deoxycorticosterone-salt hypertension.

We investigated the status of circulating kinins in rats with severe hypertension caused by drinking 1% NaCl (saline) and treatment with deoxycorticosterone (DOC, 25 mg/kg/wk s.c.) for 5 weeks. Saline-drinking rats treated with DOC had a higher systolic blood pressure (210 +/- 4 mm Hg) than did rats without DOC treatment drinking water (138 +/- 3 mm Hg) or saline (141 +/- 3 mm Hg). The concentration of kinins in the inferior vena cava plasma of DOC-salt hypertensive rats did not differ from the venous plasma kinin concentration in normotensive rats drinking water or saline. In contrast, the arterial plasma kinin concentration in DOC-salt hypertensive rats (7.0 +/- 0.8 pg/ml) was lower (p less than 0.002) than that in water-drinking controls (14.0 +/- 2.2 pg/ml); it also was lower (p less than 0.005) in saline-drinking rats (8.1 +/- 0.9 pg/ml) than in water-drinking controls. Infusion of bradykinin (20 micrograms/kg/min i.v.) increased arterial plasma kinins in all the groups. Nonetheless, the arterial plasma kinin concentration achieved during bradykinin infusion in DOC-salt hypertensive (1590 +/- 130 pg/ml) and in saline-drinking rats (1540 +/- 100 pg/ml) was lower than that in water-drinking rats (2140 +/- 210 pg/ml). On the other hand, during infusion of the kininase II inhibitor captopril (80 micrograms/hr i.p.) for 3 days, neither DOC-salt hypertensive rats nor saline-drinking normotensive rats exhibited significant reduction of arterial plasma kinins relative to the level in water-drinking controls. These data indicate that high salt intake, irrespective of the level of blood pressure, causes the arterial plasma concentration of kinins to fall.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Neurotoxicity in murine striatal dopaminergic pathways following co-application of permethrin, chlorpyrifos, and MPTP

Abstract The neurotoxic action of permethrin and chlorpyrifos on striatal dopaminergic pathways was investigated in C57BL/6 mice. Technical permethrin (50/50 ratio of cis and trans isomers, 200 mg/kg) and/or chlorpyrifos (75 mg/kg) were administered three times over a two-week period, with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP, 20 mg/kg) given on day one. Alterations in expression of α-synuclein, dopamine transporter (DAT), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were analyzed at 1 or 28 days post-treatment. MPTP alone produced a long-lasting lesion in striatal dopaminergic pathways, with a depression of TH and DAT protein at both post-treatment times. Chlorpyrifos or permethrin alone had no effect on TH or DAT expression levels. No greater effect on protein expression was observed in mice treated with both MPTP and insecticides at 1 day post-treatment. However, by day 28 a significant reduction ( p p cis or trans isomers of permethrin (100 mg/kg), showed that each isomer caused about half the up-regulation of α-synuclein. These findings demonstrate that the co-application of pyrethroid or organophosphorus insecticides enhance the neurotoxicity of MPTP in C57BL/6 mice, and that a slowly developing neurotoxicity may occur after termination of high-dose exposure.
Formal mentoring: a human resource management practice that supports knowledge transfer across projects

This investigation focuses on understanding the extent to which the Human Resource Management (HRM) practice of formal mentoring performed across projects influences the body of knowledge of the project mentors and is influenced by the nature of the project mentors. Data from 46 projects was used to test three hypotheses. The results suggest that formal mentoring delivered across projects enhances the body of knowledge of the project mentor and is dependent on the individual and team characteristics of the project mentor. These results can be used as a foundation for further research and development on the application of HRM practices to transfer knowledge across projects.
Enhancement of catalytic promotion action of Li on Ru by atomic steps : Comparison of CO dissociation on Ru(109) and Ru(001)

Abstract The Li-promoted CO dissociation on flat and atomically stepped Ru surfaces has been investigated by thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) and infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy (IRAS). Li-induced dissociation of CO is observed to be greatly enhanced on stepped Ru(1 0 9) compared to Ru(0 0 1) from the scrambling of isotopic CO molecules as well as from the intensity reduction of the CO stretching mode. Interestingly, on Ru(0 0 1), Li produces a highly red-shifted CO stretching mode at ∼1820 cm −1 , implying the formation of Li x CO y complexes. On the other hand, the preferential adsorption of Li by the atomic steps on Ru(1 0 9) impedes the formation of such complexes.
LONG CCG TRIPLET REPEAT BLOCKS EXCLUDE NUCLEOSOMES : A POSSIBLE MECHANISM FOR THE NATURE OF FRAGILE SITES IN CHROMOSOMES

The rare folate-sensitive, fragile sites on chromsomes X, 11, and 16 contain blocks of CCG triplet repeats and large expansions of the CCG block at the FRAXA site produce the fragile X syndrome (FraX). The fragile, poorly staining nature of these sites suggested an altered chromatin structure. Here, repeating CCG DNAs from FraX patients were tested for their ability to assemble into nucleosomes, the basic subunits of chromatin, using in vitro nucleosome reconstitution, electron microscopy and competitive assembly gel retardation assays. CCG blocks of >50 repeats displayed strong nucleosome exclusion, providing a possible explanation for the nature of these sites.
Product Performance Based Business Models: A Service Based Perspective

The migration to a service based economy has led many firms to emphasize the service component of their product offerings. This shift has led to the emergence of a business model based on value creation through product utilization, where products are sold as a service, (often referred to as "Servicization" or product-service systems) The Servicization business model can be applied to both tangible and intangible, information intensive, products and is based on aligning customer and supplier incentives.A shift to a service based model leads to a variety of managerial questions that concern performance metrics, customer supplier relationships and contracting and resource optimization. The paper will review how current research on Servicization relates to these questions. We will also consider the implications of the Servicization paradigm for areas in information management such as cloud computing and decision support systems
Quantitative studies of ciliary and sphenopalatine ganglia in familial dysautonomia

In 3 patients with familial dysautonomia (FD) sphenopalatine ganglia were less than one fifth normal in volume and their total neuronal content was reduced to a mean of 1,510 (control mean 56,500). Parasympathetic denervation accounts for absence of overflow tears in FD. Ciliary ganglia were not reduced in volume and in 4 patients the mean neuron total was only slightly diminished to 2,900 (control 3,670, P less than or equal to 0.05). This does not appear sufficient to account for pupillary supersensitivity to methacholine in FD on the basis of denervation. Temporal differences in the embryogenesis of sphenopalatine and ciliary ganglia may underlie the observed differences in neuronal populations and suggest that the developmental anomaly in FD does not occur early in gestation.
Pulsed doppler echocardiographic detection of mitral regurgitation in mitral valve prolapse: Correlation with cardiac arrhythmias

The incidence of mitral regurgitation in mitral valve prolapse was studied retrospectively in 88 consecutive hospital based patients with mitral valve prolapse using pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Pulsed Doppler findings of turbulence in the left atrium were predictive of angiographic findings of mitral regurgitation in 31 patients. On 24-hr Holter monitoring, patients with mitral valve prolapse and mitral insufficiency had a higher prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias than patients without mitral insufficiency (61 vs 22%; P less than 0.02). Detection of mitral insufficiency identified individuals with mitral valve prolapse who are at higher risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
Community interactions and zoogeography of the Indian Ocean Candaciidae (Copepoda: Calanoida)

Eighteen species of Candaciidae have been identified from collections made at 339 stations in the Indian Ocean. Most species are zonally distributed; however, on the eastern and western sides of the Indian Ocean, species ranges are extended north or south by boundary currents. Factor analysis was used to cluster phenotypically similar species based on 130 characters taken from the maxilla (a feeding appendage), the first swimming foot, and the fifth foot (a secondary sexual structure). Four morphological clusters were extracted. Clusterings based on separate factor analyses limited to characters from feeding or from sexually adapted appendages are in substantial agreement with the clusters based on composite morphology. Two geographically recurrent groups of species were also identified, one from equatorial waters, one from the central gyre. Each recurrent group is composed of species exceptionally different in body size and belonging to different morphological clusters. Niches of the species are compared using Hutchinson's multidimensional hypervolume as a model. An attempt is made to describe the niche of each species in terms of environmental variables measured at stations where the species was abundant. Environmental variables (dimensions) included in this study are space, time, temperature, food, oxygen and salinity. Mean niche adaptations of most of the species are separable from congeners along at least one niche dimension. It is proposed that community relationships among the Candaciidae developed to prevent both gamete loss and to avoid trophic competition. It is postulated that newly evolving species underwent contemporaneous displacement of both secondary sexual and trophic characters as a condition for sympatry, or diverged in their physiological adaptations to escape sympatric interference.
Adaptive finite element methods for hyperbolic systems with application to transient acoustics

The solution of the hyperbolic systems of equations governing transient acoustics by adaptive finite elements and various finite difference time discretization schemes is addressed. Emphasis is placed on the use of a class of implicit Runge-Kutta methods for temporal approximations.
Dry molten globule intermediates and the mechanism of protein unfolding

New experimental results show that either gain or loss of close packing can be observed as a discrete step in protein folding or unfolding reactions. This finding poses a significant challenge to the conventional two-state model of protein folding. Results of interest involve dry molten globule (DMG) intermediates, an expanded form of the protein that lacks appreciable solvent. When an unfolding protein expands to the DMG state, side chains unlock and gain conformational entropy, while liquid-like van der Waals interactions persist. Four unrelated proteins are now known to form DMGs as the first step of unfolding, suggesting that such an intermediate may well be commonplace in both folding and unfolding. Data from the literature show that peptide amide protons are protected in the DMG, indicating that backbone structure is intact despite loss of side-chain close packing. Other complementary evidence shows that secondary structure formation provides a major source of compaction during folding. In our model, the major free-energy barrier separating unfolded from native states usually occurs during the transition between the unfolded state and the DMG. The absence of close packing at this barrier provides an explanation for why phi-values, derived from a Bronsted-Leffler plot, depend primarily on structure at the mutational site and not on specific side-chain interactions. The conventional two-state folding model breaks down when there are DMG intermediates, a realization that has major implications for future experimental work on the mechanism of protein folding.
SAHA: A Scheduling Algorithm for Security-Sensitive Jobs on Data Grids

Security-sensitive applications that access and generate large data sets are emerging in various areas such as bioinformatics and high energy physics. Data grids provide data-intensive applications with a large virtual storage framework with unlimited power. However, conventional scheduling algorithms for data grids are inadequate to meet the security needs of data-intensive applications. To remedy this deficiency, we address in this paper the problem of scheduling data-intensive jobs on data grids subject to security constraints. Using a security- and data-aware technique, SAHA (Security-Aware and Heterogeneity-Aware scheduling strategy) is proposed to improve quality of security for data-intensive applications running on data grids. Results based on real-world traces show that the proposed scheduling scheme dramatically improves security and performance over two existing scheduling algorithms
Collapse of a reinforced concrete dome in a wastewater treatment plant digester tank

Exponent Failure Analysis Associates was retained by a municipal government to perform an independent study of a fatal collapse in a local sewer treatment plant. The reinforced concrete dome shell covering a cylindrical prestressed concrete digester tank collapsed due to sludge overfilling. The collapsed dome, similar to domes on two adjacent identical tanks, showed radial and circumferential cracking prior to the collapse. Analysis showed the dome cracks were a result of temperature and shrinkage stresses, and of internal overpressure happening at some time prior to the overpressure resulting in the collapse. Inspections of the postfailure debris and analysis of the dome cracking preceding the collapse show practically no relationship between the dome condition prior to collapse and the failure. Failure of the sludge level monitoring system and the lack of a sludge overflow system are cited as the primary reasons for the failure.
Depth of lesion model in children and adolescents with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: use of SPGR MRI to predict severity and outcome

OBJECTIVES The utility of a depth of lesion classification using an SPGR MRI sequence in children with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) was examined. Clinical and depth of lesion classification measures of TBI severity were used to predict neurological and functional outcome after TBI. METHODS One hundred and six children, aged 4 to 19, with moderate to severe TBI admitted to a rehabilitation unit had an SPGR MRI sequence obtained 3 months afterTBI. Acquired images were analyzed for location, number, and size of lesions. The Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was the clinical indicator of severity. The deepest lesion present was used for depth of lesion classification. Speed of injury was inferred from the type of injury. The disability rating scale at the time of discharge from the rehabilitation unit (DRS1) and at 1 year follow up (DRS2) were functional outcome measures. RESULTS The depth of lesion classification was significantly correlated with GCS severity, number of lesions, and both functional measures, DRS1 and DRS2. This result was more robust for time 1, probably due to the greater number of psychosocial factors impacting on functioning at time 2. Lesion volume was not correlated with the depth of lesion model. In multivariate models, depth of lesion was most predictive of DRS1, whereas GCS was most predictive of DRS2. CONCLUSIONS A depth of lesion classification of TBI severity may have clinical utility in predicting functional outcome in children and adolescents with moderate to severe TBI.
Linear dynamics of ion sputtered surfaces: instability, stability and bifurcations

The linear dynamics of ion sputtered solids is essential to understanding the evolution of ordered and disordered surface patterns. We review the existing models of linear dynamics and point out qualitative discrepancies between theory and experimental observations that characterize the linear regime. In particular, we emphasize the importance of experimental and theoretical analysis of bifurcation points: certain values of control parameters such as ion beam angle or energy, where flat surfaces undergo a transition from stability to instability.
Stumbling in the Dark: Facets of Sensory Perception and Robert Wilson's ‘H.G.‘ Installation

The ways in which we receive and perceive what we taste, hear, touch, and smell all serve as potential resources for our understanding of an artistically mediated event. Though some modes of perception are more usually associated with the visual than the performing arts, the development of forms of Live Art has begun to challenge our understanding of how the conventions of theatricalizing experience can be modulated. Using methodologies drawn from a phenomenological perspective, Stephen Di Benedetto here examines the way in which Robert Wilson's installation, H.G ., presented at the Clink, near London Bridge, in 1995, triggered a journey in sensory perception for its spectators, and served as an exemplar of the ways in which the full range of sensory resources can be ‘theatrically’ deployed. Stephen Di Benedetto, having received his PhD from Goldsmiths College, University of London, for his thesis on Playwriting as a Visual Art , is currently an Assistant Professor of Theatre History at the School of Theatre, University of Houston, and is now actively engaged in research on the body in contemporary Live Art and new Irish and English playwriting.
The relationship between bioelectrical impedance phase angle and subjective global assessment in advanced colorectal cancer

Background Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) derived phase angle is increasingly being used as an objective indicator of nutritional status in advanced cancer. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) is a subjective method of nutritional status. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between BIA derived phase angle and SGA in advanced colorectal cancer.
Event detection using multiple event probability sequences

We model human activities in videos using event probability sequences that detect events based on stable, state-level changes in learned hidden Markov models (HMM). The probability of an event occurring at every point along a motion trajectory is computed to form an event probability sequence. In this paper we propose extensions of the event probability sequences approach to handle multiple trajectories, in which events are associated with activities, rather than individual trajectories. Preliminary activity recognition experiments using indoor video sequences provide encouraging results.
The IRIDIUM K-band MMIC chip set

A set of 16 K-band MMIC chips has been developed for the satellites in the IRIDIUM communications program. Both high power and low noise 0.25 /spl mu/m PHEMT technologies were used to develop this MMIC chip set. The MMICs consist of a broad band frequency doubler, up and down converters, high power amplifiers, variable gain amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, and an IF amplifier. A noise figure of less than 3.3 dB at 29 GHz and output power of over 4 watts at 23.3 GHz were achieved with no RF tuning. This paper describes statistical device characterization, design details, measured results, and integration of these MMIC chips into a high density multi-chip module (MCM). >
The Value of Interest Rate Stabilization Policies When Agents Are Learning

We examine the expectational stability (E—stability) of rational expectations equilibrium under optimal interest rate rules in the context of the standard, “New Keynesian” model of the monetary transmission mechanism. We focus on the case where the monetary authority adds interest rate stabilization to its other objectives of inflation and output stabilization. We consider both the case where the monetary authority lacks a commitment technology and as well as the case of full commitment. We show that for both cases, optimal interest rate rules yield rational expectations equilibria that are E-stable for a wide range of empirically plausible parameter values. This finding stands in contrast to the findings of Evans and Honkapohja (2002, 2003ab) for optimal monetary policy rules in environments where interest rate stabilization is not part of the central bank’s objective function.
Experimental trauma to the malar eminence: fracture biomechanics and injury patterns.

OBJECTIVES: To document patterns of facial fractures after trauma to the malar eminence and to elucidate biomechanical factors relevant to the injury patterns.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Studies were conducted on 14 cadaver heads. Study variables included impact velocity, contact area, impact force, and zygomatic skin thickness. Bony fractures and clinical injury patterns were documented. A fracture severity rating scale was devised and statistically correlated to the study variables using regression ANOVA analysis.RESULTS: A broad spectrum of facial fracture patterns was found. Skin thickness and surface area did not correlate with fracture severity (P = 0.67, P = 0.83, respectively). Impact force demonstrated a trend toward significance (P = 0.14). Velocity was most correlative with fracture severity (P = 0.07). A critical threshold velocity (3.5 m/s) was found to correlate with the most severe fracture patterns.CONCLUSIONS: A broad spectrum of facial fracture patterns was demonstrated after experimental ...
Primary postpartum haemorrhage

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. In the developing countries, it is responsible for the death of about 125 000 women each year. Death from postpartum haemorrhage is eminently preventable. It is essential that first-line staff are able to prevent, make early diagnosis and provide prompt management of primary PPH. This article focuses on the prevention and management of primary PPH and highlights recent developments. Relevant current literature using the MEDLINE search strategy was examined.
Adopting ontology to facilitate knowledge sharing

Ontology-enabled knowledge management experiences derived from a domain ontology development project at Intel Corporation are described and assessed.
Geologic and Paleomagnetic Study of Permo-Carboniferous Redbeds (Sabaneta and Merida Facies), Venezuelan Andes

Late Paleozoic redbeds of the Sabaneta and Merida facies (Venezuela) are separated unconformably from redbeds of the Mesozoic La Quinta Formation. The older redbeds and volcanics associated with the Sabaneta facies have been sampled for paleomagnetic study with the following results. 1. No statistically significant data were obtained from the eight basalt samples despite alternating field (AF) demagnetization up to 700 oe. 2. Magnetic vectors of the seven Merida redbed samples after thermal demagnetization to 550°C (D = 358, I = + 10, k = 6) resemble the present magnetic field, suggesting Quaternary-Holocene acquisition of remanence. 3. Twenty-two redbed samples from the Sabaneta facies, after thermal demagnetization to 550°C, give moderately consistent paleomagnetic vectors (D = 223, I = + 15, k = 11), which are best interpreted as of secondary origin acquired after Late Permian folding. If this secondary remanence is considered to be Late Permian, it implies a post-Permian 60° clockwise rotation of the Venezuelan Andes for which there is no corroborating paleomagnetic or tectonic evidence. Disregarding polarity, the Sabaneta magnetic axis closely resembles that for the La Quinta Formation in the type area which was acquired during Tertiary Andean uplift. It is concluded that the Sabaneta remanence was acquired contemporaneously in Tertiary time. Similarly, the northeast-southwest declination is anomalo s and a clockwise tectonic rotation within the Venezuelan Andes is suggested in possible explanation.
Multicenter comparison of levels of antibody to the Neisseria meningitidis group A capsular polysaccharide measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

There is no standard immunoassay for evaluating immune responses to meningococcal vaccines. We developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure total levels of antibody to Neisseria meningitidis group A capsular polysaccharide. Five laboratories measured the antibody levels in six paired pre- and postvaccination serum samples by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Methylated human serum albumin was used to bind native group A polysaccharide to microtiter plate surfaces. The between-laboratory coefficients of variation for pre- and postvaccination sera had ranges of 31 to 91 and 17 to 31, respectively. The mean laboratory coefficients of variation for pre- and postvaccination sera, respectively, were 17 and 11 (Molecular Biology Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control), 12 and 15 (Immunodiagnostic Methods Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control), 22 and 19 (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), 38 and 38 (Bacterial Polysaccharide Laboratory, U.S. Food and Drug Administration), and 11 and 10 (Praxis Biologics, Inc.). Standardization of this enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay should allow interlaboratory comparison of meningococcal vaccine immunogenicity, thus providing a laboratory-based assessment tool for evaluating meningococcal vaccines.
Who Benefits From What? Drive for Thinness as a Moderator of Responsiveness to Different Eating Disorder Prevention Messages1

This research examined how women respond to different types of messages regarding eat ing disorders, and specifically whether women's degree of drive for thinness moderated their responsiveness to particular messages. In this study, 112 undergraduate women were randomly assigned to receive a condition focusing on either healthy eating or disordered eating. First, and as hypothesized, findings at an immediate posttest revealed that women found the healthy eating condition more enjoyable, personally relevant, and interesting, whereas they found the disordered eating condition more anxiety-provoking and fear-inducing. Second, and contrary to predictions, findings at the 3-month follow-up indicated that those who were high on drive for thinness were hurt by participation in the disordered eating condition, whereas those who were low on drive for thinness were helped by participation in this condition. Discussion focuses on the theoretical and applied implications of these findings.