cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intravenous acyclovir therapy of first episodes of genital herpes: a multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract Purpose: A collaborative multicenter doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous acyclovir treatment of first-episode genital herpes was performed in order to substantiate previous findings on the efficacy and safety of this drug, to evaluate the influence of parenteral therapy on recurrence frequency, and to obtain further data on the natural history of genital herpes. Patients and methods: Eighty-two patients with first episodes of genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to treatment with intravenous acyclovir (5 mg/kg every eight hours) or placebo for five days. Before therapy, all lesions in the genital/perineal area and in extragenital sites were cultured. New lesions appearing in both areas after the onset of therapy were cultured separately. Lesions in all groups were cultured until completely healed. Sera were collected from all patients on entry to the study and on Day 21 to determine presence or absence of antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2. Time to healing, time to crusting, time to cessation of viral shedding, and appearance of new lesions during therapy were compared for each treatment group. Results: Patients receiving acyclovir experienced a significant reduction in the median duration of pain (4.3 versus 4.8 days, p=0.019), viral shedding (1.9 versus 8.4 days, p Conclusion: This multicenter trial confirms the efficacy of intravenous acyclovir in the management of first-episode genital herpes, especially in patients with primary infection. However, therapy did not alter the frequency of recurrences.
Finite element modeling of the deformation of magnetoelastic film

Recently a new class of biocompatible elastic polymers loaded with small ferrous particles, a magnetoelastic polymer, has been developed. This engineered material is formed into a thin film using spin casting. An applied magnetic field will deform the film. The magnetic deformation of this film has many possible applications, particularly in microfluidic pumps and pressure regulators. In this paper a finite element method suitable for the transient simulation of arbitrarily shaped three-dimensional magnetoelastic polymers subjected to time-varying magnetic fields is developed. The approach is similar to that employed in finite elment magnetohydrodynamic simulations, the key difference is a more complex hyperelastic material model. In order to confirm the validity of the approach, finite element solutions for an axially symmetric thin film are compared to an analytical solution based on the membrane (infinitely thin) approximation. For this particular problem the two approaches give qualitatively similar results and converge as the film thickness approaches zero.
Uncommon presentation of pediatric ruptured intracranial aneurysm after radiotherapy for retinoblastoma. Case report.

Abstract Objective Radiation-induced intracranial aneurysms are a rare entity with high mortality. Their pathogenesis is still in debate. Their unique anatomy and behavior should be considered when deciding the proper management. A background of radiation, uncommon anatomic aspects, age of presentation, and location guide us to suspect a radiation-induced etiology. We report the case of a pediatric patient with a ruptured intracranial aneurysm, who previously received radiation therapy to the orbits. We aim to contribute to the literature of this uncommon condition and stress the importance of its prompt diagnosis and treatment. Case Description A 12-year-old boy, who received radiation therapy for recurrent bilateral retinoblastomas at age 4 months, suddenly developed severe headache associated with nausea and vomiting. A computed tomography scan revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage. A 4-vessel cerebral angiogram revealed a 2-mm aneurysm in the right A1 segment. The aneurysm was clipped successfully with excellent outcome. After 3 years of follow-up, the patient remains neurologically intact and asymptomatic. A new computed tomography angiogram revealed no new aneurysms. Conclusion Vascular abnormalities develop after radiation injury to the brain. Aneurysm formation after radiation therapy has been previously reported, probably secondary to endothelial injury. In this case, early presentation, unusual anatomy, location, and small size at rupture, in contrast with saccular aneurysms, suggest a radiation-induced etiology.
Between Modernity and Postmodernity: The Ambiguous Position of US Planning

In the last half of the 20th century in the United States of America, the modernist planning project that emerged in the first half is being challenged by the political and economic manifestations of postmodernity and its corresponding cultural practices, Despite a serious erosion of its rationalist roots, critical distance, reformist intentions, commitment to master narratives, and focus on the city as object of theory and practice, that project persists. Modernist planning seems suspended between modernity and postmodernity. In order to resolve these tensions, planners need to refocus their work on the built environment (specifically the process of city building), to reestablish a mediative role between capital, labor, and the state, and to project a more democratic profile in public debates surrounding the meaning and consequences of urban and regional development.
4-N-, 4-S-, and 4-O-Chloroquine Analogues: Influence of Side Chain Length and Quinolyl Nitrogen pKa on Activity vs Chloroquine Resistant Malaria

Using predictions from heme−quinoline antimalarial complex structures, previous modifications of chloroquine (CQ), and hypotheses for chloroquine resistance (CQR), we synthesize and assay CQ analogues that test structure−function principles. We vary side chain length for both monoethyl and diethyl 4-N CQ derivatives. We alter the pKa of the quinolyl N by introducing alkylthio or alkoxy substituents into the 4 position and vary side chain length for these analogues. We introduce an additional titratable amino group to the side chain of 4-O analogues with promising CQR strain selectivity and increase activity while retaining selectivity. We solve atomic resolution structures for complexes formed between representative 4-N, 4-S, and 4-O derivatives vs μ-oxo dimeric heme, measure binding constants for monomeric vs dimeric heme, and quantify hemozoin (Hz) formation inhibition in vitro. The data provide additional insight for the design of CQ analogues with improved activity vs CQR malaria.
Sample-path analysis of processes with imbedded point processes

The purpose of this paper is to review, unify, and extend previous work on sample-path analysis of queues. Our main interest is in the asymptotic behavior of a discrete-state, continuous-time process with an imbedded point process. We present a sample-path analogue of the renewal-reward theorem, which we callY=λX. We then applyY=λX to derive several relations involving the transition rates and the asymptotic (long-run) state frequencies at an arbitrary point in time and at the points of the imbedded point process. Included are sample-path versions of the rate-conservation principle, the global-balance conditions, and the insensitivity of the asymptotic frequency distribution to the distribution of processing time in a LCFS-PR service facility. We also provide a natural sample-path characterization of the PASTA property.
Paired-pulse depression of unitary quantal amplitude at single hippocampal synapses

At central synapses, quantal size is generally regarded as fluctuating around a fixed mean with little change during short-term synaptic plasticity. We evoked quantal release by brief electric stimulation at single synapses visualized with FM 1–43 dye in hippocampal cultures. The majority of quantal events evoked at single synapses were monovesicular, based on examination of amplitude distribution of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-receptor-mediated responses. Consistent with previous findings, the quantal size did not change during paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), supporting the notion that the evoked events were monoquantal. However, during paired-pulse depression (PPD), there was a significant decrease in unitary quantal size, which was not due to postsynaptic receptor desensitization. This asymmetry of quantal modulation during PPF and PPD was demonstrated at the same single synapse at different extracellular calcium concentrations. Our results indicate that PPF can be fully accounted for by an increase of release probability, whereas PPD may be caused by decreases in both release probability and quantal size. One possible explanation is that the release of a quantum of neurotransmitter from synaptic vesicles is not invariant but subject to rapid calcium-dependent modulation during short-term synaptic plasticity.
Glycolytic Activity of Chicken Breast Muscle Mitochondria

SUMMARY: A procedure is described for the preparation of chicken breast muscle mitochondria which are capable of aerobic respiration or anaerobic lactate production utilizing any of several glycolytic intermediates including glucose. This indicates that the complete complement of glycolytic enzymes is associated with the preparation. The hexokinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of glucose is the rate-limiting step both aerobically and anaerobically. The aerobic oxidation of glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, and fructose-1,6-diphosphate is equal to or greater than that with soccinate. This high level of glycolytic enzymes associated with the mitochondrial preparation argues against the results being due to an artifact of preparation. This demonstration of the association of the glycolytic complex with the mitochondria of muscle is the first other than with neural tissue and may have important implications in post-mortem carbohydrate catabolism.
Access to AAC: Present, past, and future

Historically, access in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has been conceptualized as the physical operation of AAC technologies; more recently, research and development in the cognitive and social sciences has helped to broaden the concept to include a range of human factors involved in the successful use of AAC technologies in social interactions. The goal of this article is to expand the current understanding of communication access by providing a conceptual framework for examining AAC access, evaluating recent scientific and technical advances in the areas of AAC, and discussing the challenges to accessing AAC technologies for a range of communication activities.
Long-term food modification by Acartia clausi: A preliminary view

After acclimation, the copepod Acartia clausi was allowed to graze for 5 days in a mixed suspension of two discrete size classes (species) of the chaining diatoms Thalassiosira spp. derived from continuous culture. Total particle numbers and particle size distributions of Thalassiosira spp. were stable throughout the 5 days, indicating that the effects of algal removal and modification due to grazing were balanced by algal growth. Grazer ingestion is the predominant process affecting all size classes of the smaller diatom population (T. nordenskioldii); however, both ingestion and chain modification are observed with the larger diatom (T. gravida). Although the greatest percentage removal of algal volume occurs in the largest algal size classes for each algal species, the greatest volume removal occurs at the modal peak (T. nordenskioldii) or just to the right of the modal peak (T. gravida). Flask-to-flask replicability of experiments was tested with the single-celled T. fluviatilis, and these tests were compared to the long-term experiments with T. nordenskioldii and T. gravida. Net particle removal occurs on both the large and small algal species in mixed suspension, not just on the larger-cell-side of the T. gravida distribution. Although 80% of the particles ingested are from the T. nordenskioldii distribution, 80% of the volume ingested is from the T. gravida distribution. The apparent multi-peak selection observed in our data is discussed in reference to two separate hypotheses and in light of other recent work pertaining to selective grazing by copepods.
Antiquity of postreproductive life: are there modern impacts on hunter-gatherer postreproductive life spans?

Female postreproductive life is a striking feature of human life history and there have been several recent attempts to account for its evolution. But archaeologists estimate that in the past, few individuals lived many postreproductive years. Is postreproductive life a phenotypic outcome of modern conditions, needing no evolutionary account? This article assesses effects of the modern world on hunter-gatherer adult mortality, with special reference to the Hadza. Evidence suggests that such effects are not sufficient to deny the existence of substantial life expectancy at the end of the childbearing career. Data from contemporary hunter-gatherers (Ache, !Kung, Hadza) match longevity extrapolated from regressions of lifespan on body and brain weight. Twenty or so vigorous years between the end of reproduction and the onset of significant senescence does require an explanation.
Comment on Systemic Risk, Interbank Relations, and Liquidity Provision by the Central Bank

Decentralized trading arrangements can result in an environment that is susceptible to highly nonlinear responses (real and financial) to shocks. This is often thought of as systemic risk. This paper studies the interbank market, which is an environment where financial linkages in a network of agents can result in systemic risk. It is most closely related to the work of Allen and Gale (1998), Kiyotaki and Moore (1997), and Rochet and Tirole (1996). The logic behind the main result of the paper is simple and compelling. Imagine a 0-1-2 economy along the lines of Diamond and Dybvig (1983), modified to include two banks at two locations (bank A and bank B). Unlike the consumption timing uncertainty of agents in Diamond-Dybvig, suppose that there is uncertainty in the location where an agent would like to consume. Consuming in the wrong location gives no utility. At date 0, banks issue demand deposits subject to a sequential service constraint and then invest these funds in a long term illiquid asset until date 2. Depositors place their funds with exactly one bank at date 0. At date 1, a fraction, say half, of the depositors of bank A write checks and transfer the funds to bank B. Likewise, half of bank B depositors write checks to transfer their funds to bank A. The new depositors in each bank then hold claims that are treated pari passu with the old depositors, while the banks transfer interbank claims on each others assets to match with deposit outflow. The result of all these transfers is that each depositor, both the check-writing and the non-check-writing variety, now holds an equal claim in the aggregate assets of both bank A and bank B. This is certainly a reasonable account of transactions in the intraday funds market in the United States. We then have the following possibility: If depositors of bank A panic and withdraw their funds, it is optimal for depositors of bank B to panic and withdraw their funds. That is, unlike Diamond-Dybvig, bank runs are not location specific. This is a valuable and insightful point. The Diamond-Dybvig model with some more realism regarding the interbank funds market delivers contagion in bank runs. It would be useful, though, from a theoretical standpoint, to understand why the environment leads to this realism. It
Elevation dependence of cosmogenic 36Cl production in Hawaiian lava flows

Abstract We measured an elevation profile of cosmogenic 36Cl in two well-preserved lava flows on Mauna Kea, Hawaii (19.8° N, 155.5° W) in order to directly constrain the elevation dependence of cosmogenic nuclide production rates. The flows are vertically-extensive hawaiites erupted at 40.1 ± 0.6 and 62.2 ± 1.0 ka from point-vents on the upper flanks of Mauna Kea. The average paleo cutoff rigidity (a measure of geomagnetic shielding of cosmic rays) for these flows is 11 GV and their paleo-elevation range is 2100–3700 m. Production of 36Cl is dominated by neutron reactions, with the high-energy 39K(n,x) and 40Ca(n,x) mechanisms accounting for nearly half of the 36Cl production and the low-energy reaction 35Cl(n,γ) responsible for the remaining half. Production by negative muons is small at the elevations of our samples, accounting for less than 2% of the total production in the lowest elevation samples. The elevation dependence of 36Cl production measured in these lava flows is described by an effective attenuation length of 138 ± 5 g cm− 2. This result is close to the value of 140 g cm− 2 determined from neutron monitor surveys of high-energy nucleon fluxes, but significantly below the value of 149 g cm− 2 determined from measurements of low-energy neutrons. The predicted atmospheric attenuation length for these lava flows, incorporating both high- and low-energy mechanisms, is 144 g cm− 2. The good agreement between the 36Cl elevation profile and cosmic-ray surveys validates the use of neutron flux measurements to scale 36Cl production rates when production by muons is negligible.
Concomitant and isolated expression of TGF-alpha and EGF-R in human hepatoma cells supports the hypothesis of autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine growth of human hepatoma.

Single and double immunohistochemical staining for transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha and epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGF-R) was done in order to identify the localization of TGF-alpha and EGF-R in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Single immunohistochemical staining for TGF-alpha showed immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of hepatoma cells in 22 of 30 cases of HCC. The localization of TGF-alpha was heterogeneous from HCC cells to HCC cells. In the surrounding regenerative nodules, the hepatocytes were mildly to moderately positive for TGF-alpha. The proliferating bile ductules and peripheral nerves were also immunopositive for TGF-alpha. Single immunohistochemical staining for EGF-R demonstrated a linear localization of EGF-R along the cell membrane of the HCC cells in 21 of the 30 cases of HCC. In the regenerative nodules, the hepatocytes also showed linear staining along the cell membrane. Double staining for TGF-alpha and EGF-R in 12 cases of HCC showed a concurrent localization of TGF-alpha and EGF-R in some hepatoma cells and isolated localization of the two substances of other HCC cells. These combinations either abruptly moved around or intermingled with each other. These immonohistochemical results thus support the theory of an autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine mechanism of TGF-alpha and EGF-R on the proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Natural Morality and the Ideal Impartial Spectator in Adam Smith

In the Theory of Modern Sentiments Smith distinguishes between the actual impartial spectator and the ideal; the man within the breast – a mechanism that allows Smith to extend the theory of moral approbation to judge the actions and motives of the agent himself. Argues that the significance of this is that Smith is then able to postulate standards of morality which are in some sense absolute, valid for all times and places. Shows that Smith deploys these absolute standards in evaluating how custom and tradition pervert the moral sentiments in some instances. This in turn allows him to legitimately speak of progress in human societies. Smith′s bias in favour of commercial society over the early and rude state is, therefore, rooted in his moral philosophy.
Resources for studying public participation in and attitudes towards the arts

Abstract This paper is an evaluative inventory of 29 data sets containing information on public participation in and attitudes towards the arts collected from cross-sectional samples of local, state, and national populations in North America. This paper reviews surveys focused on participation in the arts, and omnibus social surveys that include a selection of questions about participation in, or attitudes towards, the arts. Descriptive, evaluative, and contact information is provided for each of the surveys along with a study-by-data element matrix.
brief reflections on a career in careers

The author shares some brief thoughts on 30 years of involvement in the area of career counseling and vocational behavior.
Understanding Energy Aspects of Processing-near-Memory for HPC Workloads

Interests in the concept of processing-near-memory (PNM) have been reignited with recent improvements of the 3D integration technology. In this work, we analyze the energy consumption characteristics of a system which comprises a conventional processor and a 3D memory stack with fully-programmable cores. We construct a high-level analytical energy model based on the underlying architecture and the technology with which each component is built. From the preliminary experiments with 11 HPC benchmarks from Mantevo benchmark suite, we observed that misses per kilo instructions (MPKI) of last-level cache (LLC) is one of the most important characteristics in determining the friendliness of the application to the PNM execution.
Loss of the coronary microvascular response to acetylcholine in cardiac transplant patients.

BACKGROUND The coronary arteries of transplanted hearts frequently develop accelerated diffuse arteriosclerosis. The effects of this disease on resistance vessel function are unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS To investigate the integrity of endothelium-dependent small-vessel vasodilation in transplanted hearts, coronary blood flow (CBF) responses to the endothelium-dependent dilator acetylcholine (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) and the essentially endothelium-independent dilator adenosine (10(-6) to 10(-4) M) were assessed in 40 studies of 29 transplant patients 1-3 years after transplantation and in seven nontransplanted controls. CBF was measured at constant arterial pressure with a Doppler catheter in the left anterior descending coronary artery. Controls, year 1 transplant patients, and year 2 transplant patients had similar increases in CBF in response to acetylcholine (232 +/- 40%, 200 +/- 41%, and 201 +/- 54%, respectively; p = NS), whereas year 3 transplant patients had increased CBF of only 100 +/- 39% (p less than 0.05 versus controls). An index of the proportion of CBF reserve attributable to endothelium-dependent dilation was obtained by normalizing each patient9s peak acetylcholine flow response by the peak adenosine flow response. In patients receiving both acetylcholine and adenosine, endothelium-dependent flow responses declined over time [57 +/- 9% in controls, 56 +/- 10% for year 1, 47 +/- 12% for year 2, and 29 +/- 9% for year 3 (p less than 0.05 versus controls)]. An increased mean cyclosporine level (range, 99-261 ng/ml) (r = 0.67, p = 0.004) and increased transplant recipient age (range, 20-63 years) (r = 0.51, p = 0.004) predicted a preserved endothelium-dependent microvascular response. CONCLUSIONS Thus, microvascular endothelium-dependent dilation deteriorates over time in the transplanted heart, which may reflect underlying graft arteriosclerosis and contribute to ischemic damage of the myocardium.
Robustness and power of tests of variability on two independent groups

A number of procedures are investigated for testing differences in variability in seven population distributions. Some procedures, previously considered robust, are found to be robust only with certain sample sizes. Testing for kurtosis is found to be useful for increasing power provided N > 60. For equal sample sizes, maximum power is found to result from the application of one of Levene's procedures with platykurtic distributions and the Brown-Forsythe procedure with leptokurtic distributions. No procedure is found to be adequately robust for all populations with unequal sample sizes. However, several methods are determined to be adequate if run at half the nominal alpha level.
Evaluation of Virginia-type Peanut Cultivars for Resistance to Southern Corn Rootworm1

Abstract Southern corn rootworm (SCRW) (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber) is the most damaging soil insect to peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the Virginia-North Carolina production area. New cultivars and advanced breeding lines have not been evaluated for resistance to SCRW. The objective of this 3-yr study was to evaluate three new cultivars (NC-V 11, VA-C 92R, and Agra Tech VC-1) and an advanced breeding line (VA 861101) for resistance to SCRW. NC 6 and NC 9 were used as resistant and susceptible checks, respectively. Pod damage, yield, market grade, and dollar value were obtained for each plot. Agra Tech VC-1, VA-C 92R, and VA 861101 had less total pod damage from SCRW than NC 9. VA 861101 produced significantly higher yields and value per ha than all cultivars on soil types conducive to SCRW damage. Insecticidetreated plots had significantly higher value per ha and lower total pod damage than untreated plots. Results from this study indicate that VA 861101 may be an acceptable replacement fo...
Effect of the Antiviral Drug Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) on the Bacterial Community Structure of a Surface Water Ecosystem Analyzed Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

The antiviral drug Tamiflu has received particular attention because of its recommended use against the influenza A H5N1 and H1N1 viruses. Given its resistance to degradation and its hydrophilicity the active metabolite, Oseltamivir Carboxylate (OC), is expected to enter the aquatic ecosystem from sewage treatment plants. In the present paper the bacterial community of surface water samples, treated with OC (1.5 mg L⁻¹), was characterized by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) in microcosm experiments. The α-, β- and γ-Proteobacteria increased in OC-treated versus non-treated water samples during the incubation period, suggesting these bacterial groups had an active role in OC degradation.
Protective Effect of Immunization of Rats with Holotoxin or B Subunit of Escherichia coli Heat-Labile Enterotoxin

The relative immunogenicities of three forms of the Escherichia coli heatlabile enterotoxin (LT), the holotoxin, its B subunit, and the polymyxin-release form (PM LT) were compared by immunizing rats with various dosages of each given exclusively by the parenteral (IP/IP) or peroral (PO/PO) routes or by a combination of the two (IP/PO). The degree of protection was evaluated by challenge in ligated ileal loops, and the serum antitoxin response was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with homologous antigens. When given by the PO/PO route, each LT antigen provided only weak protection against the toxin and virtually none against viable LT-producing strains; serum antitoxin titers were not significantly increased. When the toxins were given after a parental primary immunization by either the IP/IP or the IP/PO routes, each LT antigen provided a dose-related increase in serum antitoxin titers and in the degree of protection against the toxin as well as against viable strains which produce LT alone (LT+/ST−) or in combination with the heat-stable toxin (LT+/ST+). The degree of protection against viable bacteria, particularly the LT+/ST+ strain, was stronger in animals which received booster immunizations by the PO route. When expressed on the basis of molar equivalents, holotoxin provided significant protection (a protection index of >5 against toxin challenge and >50% reduced secretion with bacterial challenge) with 4 to 15 times fewer moles than PM LT and up to 50 times fewer moles than the B subunit. These observations indicate that, on the basis of molar equivalents, the holotoxin (which contains one A plus five or six B subunits) is a more potent immunogen than either PM LT (which contains one A and probably one B subunit) or the B subunit.
Tempeh: A Mold-Modified Indigenous Fermented Food Made from Soybeans ,and/or Cereal Grains

A variety of indigenous fermented foods exist today; however, tempeh has been one of the most widely accepted and researched mold-modified fermented products. Tempeh is a traditional fermented food made from soaked and cooked soybeans inoculated with a mold, usually of the genus Rhizopus. After fermentation has occurred, the soybeans are bound together into a compact cake by dense cottony mycelium. An important function of the mold in the fermentation process is the synthesis of enzymes, which hydrolyze soybean constituents and contribute to the development of a desirable texture, flavor, and aroma of the product. Enzymatic hydrolysis also may decrease or eliminate antinutritional constituents; consequently, the nutritional quality of the fermented product may be improved. Current technology and new scientific advancements have enabled researchers to examine specific strains of Rhizopus and new substrates such as cereal grains. Because Kansas produces numerous cereal grains, production of a fermented tempeh-like product using wheat, sorghum (milo), oats, rye, barley, corn, and triticale is a definite possibility for generating a Kansas Value-Added Product. In this study, several different tempeh-like products were produced using various cereal grains inoculated with Rhizopus oligosporus NRRL 2549 or R. oligosporus NRRL 2710. Grains used included hard red winter wheat, triticale, yellow sorghum (milo), and red sorghum (milo). The grain source as well as the strain of R. oligosporus used influenced the product's appearance, flavor, and patty integrity. Results showed that R. oligosporus NRRL 2549 produced more mycelium at a more rapid rate than did the R. oligosporus NRRL 2710 strain. The combination of red sorghum and R. oligosporus NRRL 2549 yielded a product with good patty texture, aroma, and appearance. Furthermore, the red sorghum fermented product was well suited for slicing. On the other hand, yellow sorghum inoculated with either R. oligosporus NRRL 2549 or R. oligosporus NRRL 2710 failed to produce an organoleptically suitable product. Triticale also was found to be an unacceptable substrate for the production of a tempeh-like product. Although the fermented wheat product had a desirable aroma and flavor, it lacked patty integrity and crumbled when sliced. Further research is needed to evaluate the economic significance and industrial applications of these tempeh-like products.
eNpHR: a Natronomonas halorhodopsin enhanced for optogenetic applications

Temporally precise inhibition of distinct cell types in the intact nervous system has been enabled by the microbial halorhodopsin NpHR, a fast light-activated electrogenic Cl− pump. While neurons can be optically hyperpolarized and inhibited from firing action potentials at moderate NpHR expression levels, we have encountered challenges with pushing expression to extremely high levels, including apparent intracellular accumulations. We therefore sought to molecularly engineer NpHR to achieve strong expression without these cellular side effects. We found that high expression correlated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) accumulation, and that under these conditions NpHR colocalized with ER proteins containing the KDEL ER retention sequence. We screened a number of different putative modulators of membrane trafficking and identified a combination of two motifs, an N-terminal signal peptide and a C-terminal ER export sequence, that markedly promoted membrane localization and ER export defined by confocal microscopy and whole-cell patch clamp. The modified NpHR displayed increased peak photocurrent in the absence of aggregations or toxicity, and potent optical inhibition was observed not only in vitro but also in vivo with thalamic single-unit recording. The new enhanced NpHR (eNpHR) allows safe, high-level expression in mammalian neurons, without toxicity and with augmented inhibitory function, in vitro and in vivo.
Cholesterol Oxidation Products Are Sensitive and Specific Blood-Based Biomarkers for Niemann-Pick C1 Disease

Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1) disease is a rare progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by accumulation of cholesterol in the endolysosomes. Previous studies implicating oxidative stress in NPC1 disease pathogenesis raised the possibility that nonenzymatic formation of cholesterol oxidation products could serve as disease biomarkers. We measured these metabolites in the plasma and tissues of the Npc1 −/− mouse model and found several cholesterol oxidation products that were elevated in Npc1 −/− mice, were detectable before the onset of symptoms, and were associated with disease progression. Nonenzymatically formed cholesterol oxidation products were similarly increased in the plasma of all human NPC1 subjects studied and delineated an oxysterol profile specific for NPC1 disease. This oxysterol profile also correlated with the age of disease onset and disease severity. We further show that the plasma oxysterol markers decreased in response to an established therapeutic intervention in the NPC1 feline model. These cholesterol oxidation products are robust blood-based biochemical markers for NPC1 disease that may prove transformative for diagnosis and treatment of this disorder, and as outcome measures to monitor response to therapy.
Adriamycin (doxorubicin), vinblastine, and mitomycin C combination chemotherapy in refractory breast carcinoma

Twenty-seven evaluable patients with refractory, metastatic breast carcinoma were treated with Adriamycin (doxorubicin) 30 mg/m2 and vinblastine 6 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1 and 28 every 8 weeks, and mitomycin C 10 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 every 8 weeks (AVM). There were three complete and six partial responses for a total response rate of 33%. In addition, 2 patients had minimal responses, and 10 patients achieved disease stabilization. Median time to disease progression for responders was 116 days (range, 49-812+ days). Drug toxicity was tolerable: 12 patients (44%) experienced significant bone marrow suppression. There were no drug-related deaths. Although AVM appears to be an active drug combination in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic breast carcinoma, the contribution of vinblastine and mitomycin C to single agent Adriamycin in previously treated patients is not clear from this study.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of endovascular versus neurosurgical treatment for ruptured intracranial aneurysms in the United States

Object The results of the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT) demonstrated lower rates of death and disability with endovascular treatment (coiling) than with open surgery (clipping) to secure the ruptured intracranial aneurysm. However, cost-effectiveness may not be favorable because of the greater need for follow-up cerebral angiograms and additional follow-up treatment with endovascular methods. In this study, the authors' goal was to compare the cost-effectiveness of endovascular and neurosurgical treatments in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms who were eligible to undergo either type of treatment. Methods Clinical data (age, sex, frequency of retreatment, and rebleeding) and quality of life values were obtained from the ISAT. Total cost included those associated with disability, hospitalization, retreatment, and rebleeding. Cost estimates were derived from the Premier Perspective Comparative Database, data from long-term care in stroke patients, and relevant literature. Incre...
Laminin binding proteins

Cells express many proteins that bind to laminin, the major adhesive component of basement membranes. Some of these, specifically integrins, function as transmembrane receptors that 'signal' the presence of laminin on the cell surface to the cytoplasm. Lectins constitute a second class of laminin binding proteins that may augment integrin function by interacting with laminin carbohydrate. Caution must be used in ascribing functions to other laminin binding proteins, especially cytosolic proteins.
A public key watermark for image verification and authentication

We propose a public key watermarking algorithm for image integrity verification. This watermark is capable of detecting any change made to an image, including changes in pixel values and image size. This watermark is important for several imaging applications, including trusted camera, legal usage of images, medical archiving of images, news reporting, commercial image transaction, and others. In each of these applications, it is important to verify that the image has not been manipulated and that the image was originated by either a specific camera or a specific user. The verification (the watermark extraction) procedure uses a public key as in public key cryptography, and hence it can be performed by any person without the secure exchange of a secret key. This is very important in many applications (e.g., trusted camera, news reporting) where the exchange of a secret key is either not possible or undesirable.
Frequent Intron Loss in the White Gene: A Cautionary Tale for Phylogeneticists

The BLASTP searches with the D. melanogaster white sequence used as a query identified 8 sequences within the C. elegans genome with E values ranging from e-75 to e-99. Four top-scoring sequences (AAA20989, AAB66050, AAC77504, and CAA86750 with similarity to D. melanogaster white ranging from 53% to 57%) were aligned with the white of four insect representatives (D. menagaster, Ceratitis capitata, Anopheles gambiae, Tribolium castaneum), a human white homologue and the D. melanogaster scarlet gene (like white, a member of ABC transporters). Parsimony analysis of these sequences resulted in clustering insect and human white along with C. elegans sequences AAA20989 and AAB66050 in a single clade, with human sequence diverging earliest. For further analyses sequence AAA20989, most similar to the dipteran white on the amino acid and gene structure (sharing three introns) levels, was selected.
Decision Support as Knowledge Creation: An Information System Design Theory

The primary purpose of decision support systems (DSS) is to improve the quality of decisions. This paper suggests that improvement in decision quality is a function of the creation of new data and information applicable to the decision domain and the understanding and learning of that new knowledge by the decision maker; i.e., the purpose of decision support is knowledge creation. We propose an information system design theory for DSS as knowledge creation based on Nonaka's knowledge spiral, including multiple kernel theories. These kernel theories and the associated process design methods are drawn from five distinct literatures: cognitive science, the theory of learning, artificial intelligence, knowledge management, and decision theory
Prediction of complex flow patterns in intracranial atherosclerotic disease using computational fluid dynamics.

Objective Although carotid and vertebral intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) can lead to both hemodynamic insufficiency and thromboembolism, its fluid dynamic properties remain undefined because of its intricate features and complex three-dimensional geometry. We used computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis to model the hemodynamics of symptomatic ICAD lesions. Methods Nine ICAD lesions (six carotid, two vertebral, one middle cerebral) underwent high-resolution catheter-based digital rotational angiography. The reconstructed three-dimensional volumes of the target lesions were segmented and used to generate hybrid computational meshes. Dynamic pulsatile CFD analysis was performed using a non-Newtonian shear-dependent model of blood's viscosity. Results CFD results revealed complex flow patterns within ICAD lesions with midstenotic shear rates of greater than 19,000/s, sufficiently high to induce high-shear platelet activation. Vorticity and helicity within the stenoses were followed by sudden deceleration with formation of vortex cores. Pressure gradients were significant mostly at greater than 75% stenosis with a mean time-averaged drop of 27.2 +/-17.8 mmHg. Unlike the smoothly-varying helicity imparted by the three-dimensional anatomy of the intracranial circulation, poststenotic regions of ICAD lesions showed significant and rapidly fluctuating helicity and vorticity patterns, which may contribute to the propagation of platelets activated by the high shear region within the stenosis throat. Stent angioplasty restored the hemodynamic profile of ICAD lesions to within contralateral controls. Conclusion Patient-based symptomatic ICAD lesions studied using CFD analysis appear to harbor a hemodynamically pathological environment that favors the activation, aggregation and distal embolization of platelets and is reversed by endovascular stent angioplasty.
The Antineuritic Properties of Corn Germs

Abstract In a previous paper1 it was pointed out that the germs of corn contain a factor essential to normal nutrition in mature cockerels. It was suggested that this factor may be the antineuritic substance. Since there appeared a great difference in the amounts of protein, ash, and fat found in degerminated corn and corn germs it seemed desirable to study the other possible deficiencies in the degerminated corn as well as the antineuritic factor which might cause the symptom of leg weakness. EXPERIMENTAL Mature cockerels were fed degerminated corn supplemented with factors of the corn germ as shown in Table I. Either cod liver oil or compressed yeast was administered to certain birds that developed the symptom of leg weakness. When two birds fed on the same ration became paralyzed, one was given cod liver oil and the other yeast. The meat meal used in the ration of cockerel 7 . . .
Spatiotemporal changes in the pressure-driven current densities on DIII-D due to magnetic islands

Using direct analysis of the motional Stark effect (MSE) signals, an explicit measurement of the 'missing' bootstrap current density around the island location of a neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) is made for the first time. When the NTM is suppressed using co-electron cyclotron current drive, the measured changes in the current profile that restore the bootstrap current are also directly found from the MSE measurements. Additionally, direct analysis of helical perturbations in the MSE signals during slowly rotating 'quasi-stationary' modes shows the first explicit measurement of the deficit in the toroidal current density in the island O-point.
Stability in Anarchic International Systems

Can stability emerge solely from the competition and self-interest of sovereign powers existing in a state of anarchy, or does stability depend on restraints from the complex nexus of interdependencies characterizing the contemporary world economy and its associated institutions? We suppose some infinitely divisible resource, that all nation-states are endowed with and maximize and that enables them to overcome adversaries in the event of conflict. We offer a noncooperative, extensive-form model of international conflict without exogenous mechanisms to enforce agreements in order to learn under what conditions balance of power and collective security ensure the sovereignty of all states in anarchic systems. We conclude that there exists at least one world-albeit an abstract one-in which anarchy yields stability.
Note on computation of bi-serial correlations in item evaluation

By the use of an algebraic variant of the ordinary formula for bi-serial correlation, tables, and graphic devices, a time-saving systematic procedure for the computation of bi-serial correlation co-efficients is outlined for application to the evaluation of items of a test. A table of z for arguments ofp=.000 top=.999 is given.
Litter decomposition in moist acidic and non-acidic tundra with different glacial histories.

Plant species composition is a potentially important source of variation in soil processes, including decomposition rates. We compared litter decomposition in two common and compositionally distinct tundra vegeta- tion types in the northern foothills of the Brooks Range, Alaska: moist acidic tundra (soil pH 3-4), which occurs primarily on older landscapes, and moist non-acidic tundra (soil pH 6-7), which occurs primarily on landscapes with a more recent history of glaciation and has higher graminoid and forb abundance and lower woody shrub abundance than acidic tundra. To separate the influence of plant community composition from that of the soil environment, we decomposed the same nine substrates at a moist acidic and a moist non-acidic site located less than 2 km apart. Substrates included leaf litter of the dominant species in each growth form (graminoid, deciduous shrub, evergreen shrub, forb, moss) as well as woody stems of the deciduous shrub Betula nana. Then, we estimated above- ground community-level decomposition by weighting the decay rate of each species in the community by its proportional contribution to overall above-ground net primary production (ANPP). In contrast to our expecta- tions, community-level decomposition rates estimated using the site-average decay rate for each substrate were similar between the two sites, likely because growth forms differed little in their leaf litter decay. By contrast, when site-specific decay rates were used to estimate community- level decomposition, it was nearly twice as fast at the older, moist acidic tundra site because most substrates decayed faster at that site, indicating a more favorable environment for decomposition in acidic tundra. Site differences in soil moisture and temperature could not explain site differences in decomposition. However, higher soil N availability at the moist acidic tundra may have contributed to faster decomposition since, in a separate experiment, fertilization with N stimulated decomposition of a common substrate at both sites. In addition, lower pH in acidic tundra may promote greater abundance of soil fungi, perhaps explaining faster decomposition rates at that site. In summary, the large differences in plant species composition between moist acidic and non-acidic tundra are likely to not contribute to site differences in decom- position. Nevertheless, decomposition is much more rapid in moist acidic tundra. Thus, landscape age and associated differences in soil pH and nutrient availability are important sources of variation in decomposition rate in upland Alaskan tundra.
Capillary underfill and mold encapsulation materials for exposed die flip chip molded matrix array package with thin substrate

This paper discusses the work on capillary underfill and mold technology to assemble exposed die backside Flip Chip Molded Matrix Array. Parts were successfully assembled and subjected to reliability stress test. The interaction between capillary underfill and mold compound materials are crucial for assembly and reliability performances of this configuration. Both materials need to be chemically and physically compatible to achieve high reliability performance.
Heat transfer oil boilers

When properly inspected, operated and maintained, heat transfer oil boilers are safe and reliable.
Morality, Universality, and Particularity: Rethinking the Role of Community in the Foundations of Bioethics

An assessment of bioethics at the threshold of the new millennium must begin by acknowledging the numerous competing visions of the field, as well as their divergent foundations. There is a received authorized account with a kind of governmental establishment in much of North America and the West. It regards issues both moral and bioethical within the framework of liberal cosmopolitan assumptions: morality is seen to be grounded in autonomous moral agents who contract with each other in the realization of social structures and who should favor autonomous free choice and fair equality of opportunity over particular, especially traditional familial and communal moral commitments. There is also the libertarian liberal insight that, when moral strangers meet, they will have no source of common authority other than their own consent. By default, the authority of their common undertakings as moral strangers must be understood as drawn from the permission of moral agents, not from God or from a content-full authoritative understanding of moral rationality. Unlike the cosmopolitan liberal, the libertarian liberal recognizes that the circumstance of moral pluralism within which permission is the source of authority does not support the conclusion that autonomous individual choice should have a value over other goods, including those celebrated within the context of traditional moral communities.