cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cerebral vasodilation and vasoconstriction associated with acute anxiety

A randomized, between-groups, repeated measures design was used to evaluate changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF), rating scales, and physiologic indices under resting conditions, during 5% CO 2 inhalation in combination with epinephrine or saline infusions, in generalized anxiety disorder patients and controls. Subjects were divided into those with decreased anxiety and mild and more severe anxiety increase. The first group was found to have most pronounced CBF increase during CO 2 inhalation, with the second group showing less marked increase, and the last group the least increase. In animals, sympathetic activation limits hypercapnic cerebral vasodilation. Thus, the restricted hypercapnic cerebral vasodilation during severe anxiety may be mediated through cervical sympathetic fibers, which innervate cerebral vessels.
Analysis of hairpin polyamide complexes having DNA binding sites in close proximity.

The binding of two hairpin polyamide ligands at adjacent sites on DNA has been studied using NMR spectroscopy. The ligands ImPyPy-γ-PyPyPy-Gly-Dp and Ac-ImPyPy-γ-PyPyPy-Gly-Dp were studied binding to oligomers containing one or two matched binding sites: 5‘-XGTTA-3‘ and 5‘-TAACX_NGTTA-3‘, where X is G, C, or A and N = 0, 1 or 2. At these sites the C-terminal ring shows an equilibrium between normal and inverted conformations. Better binding was observed with the ligand running 5‘ to 3‘ along the contacted strand than in the opposite direction. Complexes of DNAs with two binding sites indicated that at least one spacing base pair was required, and that the identity of this base pair was not critical. Binding with 5‘ to 3‘ contact is again preferred. Demonstrated binding at adjacent sites indicates that it may be possible to engineer cooperative binding for enhanced specificity or affinity.
Development of the algorithm for life for the search for extraterrestrial life

We first introduce a concept of algorithms in a form which is useful to astrobiology. We follow Dennett’s description of algorithms, which he has used to introduce the idea that evolution takes place via natural selection in an algorithmic process. We then bring up various examples and principles of evolution, including inventive evolution for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and propose them as candidates for constituting evolutionary algorithms. Finally, we discuss philosophy papers of Rescher about extraterrestrials and their science and attempt to extract from them some generalized principles for the search for extraterrestrial life.
A combination membrane-gas detector for monitoring concentrations of dissolved volatiles.

Abstract A method is described for monitoring the concentration of a volatile organic compound dissolved in an aqueous medium. A thin rubber membrane is mounted so that one surface is in contact with the solution to be monitored. A stream of gas passing over the other surface delivers the volatile material that has permeated the membrane to a sensitive gas chromatography detector. The response of the membrane-detector system is proportional to the concentration of organic materials in the water. The permeability of different membranes to different compounds varies offering a degree of selectivity. The membrane-gas detector has been used as an intravascular sampling device for monitoring the changes in the blood concentrations of volatile organic compounds injected as tracers.
The Fermilab Tevatron I Project Target Station for Antiproton Production

Production of 8 GeV antiprotons in the Fermilab Tevatron I project will utilize 120 GeV protons from the Main Ring. The Target Station consists of an entrance collimator, the target itself, a pulsed lithium lens for p? collection, a pulsed magnet for the separation of the 8 GeV secondaries, and a beam dump. These components are mounted on vertical modules within the Target Service Building. Allowance has been made for future improvements to increase the collected p? flux. The design of the Target Station and its components is discussed.
Influenza vaccination following liver transplantation in children

Our objective was to determine the immunologic response to two influenza vaccine doses in 39 children who had undergone liver transplantation. Patients received two doses of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine 4 weeks apart. Sera were collected 4 weeks after each dose and analyzed by a hemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI) for evidence of antibody response to the antigens A/Taiwan/1/86 (H1N1), A/Beijing/32/92 (H3N2), and B/Panama/45/95. Patients with HAI titers of 1:40 or greater were considered to have protective titers. Twenty-six (67%) patients showed a 1:40 or greater titer response to A/Beijing/32/92 1 month after the first vaccination. Only two additional patients were found to have similar titers after the second dose. A higher proportion of patients with protective titers were on smaller amounts of prednisone for body weight or alternate day low dose (< 10 mg/day) prednisone compared to patients on daily low dose or daily high dose prednisone. Patients with protective titers were significantly older (9.0 +/- 2.8 years) than those without protective titers (4.2 +/- 3.4 years, p = .002) following the first inoculation of the A/Beijing/32/92 vaccine component. Similar results were found for the second vaccination and with the H1N1 antigen. Cyclosporine level, gender, and body mass index were not associated with any outcome measures. We conclude that most liver transplant recipients had a protective antibody titer after a single influenza inoculation, but little further advantage was gained after an additional dose. Vaccination of household contacts of younger patients and those patients on daily prednisone or patient chemoprophylaxis may offer greater benefit in prevention of influenza in liver transplant recipients than multiple vaccine doses with current vaccine preparations.
Geobacter uraniireducens NikR Displays a DNA Binding Mode Distinct from Other Members of the NikR Family

NikR is a nickel-responsive ribbon-helix-helix transcription factor present in many bacteria and archaea. The DNA binding properties of Escherichia coli and Helicobacter pylori NikR (factors EcNikR and HpNikR, respectively) have revealed variable features of DNA recognition. EcNikR represses a single operon by binding to a perfect inverted repeat sequence, whereas HpNikR binds to promoters from multiple genes that contain poorly conserved inverted repeats. These differences are due in large part to variations in the amino acid sequences of the DNA-contacting β-sheets, as well as residues preceding the β-sheets of these two proteins. We present here evidence of another variation in DNA recognition by the NikR protein from Geobacter uraniireducens (GuNikR). GuNikR has an Arg-Gly-Ser β-sheet that binds specifically to an inverted repeat sequence distinct from those recognized by Ec- or HpNikR. The N-terminal residues that precede the GuNikR β-sheet residues are required for high-affinity DNA binding. Mutation of individual arm residues dramatically reduced the affinity of GuNikR for specific DNA. Interestingly, GuNikR tetramers are capable of binding cooperatively to the promoter regions of two different genes, nik(MN)1 and nik(MN)2. Cooperativity was not observed for the closely related G. bemidjiensis NikR, which recognizes the same operator sequence. The cooperative mode of DNA binding displayed by GuNikR could affect the sensitivity of transporter gene expression to changes in intracellular nickel levels.
Perforated-plate performance

Abstract The effect of the ratio of plate thickness, T, to hole diameter, Dh, on dry-plate pressure drop has been correlated over a wide range of column size, hole area, and Reynolds number through the holes. New data are presented showing the effect of T/Dh on the wet-plate pressure-drop characteristics (for the air-water system) of perforated plates in a 15-in. diameter column having a tray spacing of 18 in. An oscillating region, where the aerated liquid mass on the tray moves back and forth perpendicularly to the direction of liquid flow, is reported. The mass flow rate of gas at which oscillation begins (the oscillation point) has been correlated with the height of clear liquid on the operating tray. In every case the oscillation point occurred well before flooding. The data presented here agree with the weepage correlation of Hughmark and O'Connell [1].
Predictors of secondary traumatic stress among children's advocacy center forensic interviewers.

This study examined various predictor variables that were hypothesized to impact secondary traumatic stress in forensic interviewers (n = 257) from children's advocacy centers across the United States. Data were examined to investigate the relationship between organizational satisfaction, organizational buffers, and job support with secondary traumatic stress using the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. The most salient significant result was an inverse relationship between three indicators of job support and secondary traumatic stress. Also significant to secondary traumatic stress were the age of interviewer and whether the forensic interviewer had experienced at least one significant loss in the previous 12 months. Implications for future research, training, program practice, and policy are discussed.
Attitudes to the Decline of the West

Resume Dans cette experience, on a trouve que 151 sujets citent la sur-population, la guerre, la decadence morale et l'irreligion, trop de science et d'invention ou la sur-mecanisation, la division inegale ou injuste de l'argent et les problemes economiques comme les facteurs les plus importants qui sont le plus destines a amener ou a causer un declin futur ou debǎcle de la Civilisation Occidentale. Les etudiants de psychologie appuient le plus sur la corruption politique; ceux d'hygiene mentale, sur trop de science; ceux d'histoire des Etats-Unis, sur la division de l'argent et les problemes economiques; ceux de sociologie, sur la sur-population. On suggere que ces differences collectives sont dues au fond cultural des groupes. Les correlations de l'ordre de rang pour la frequence des facteurs des quatre groupes varient de +0,41 ± 0,125 a +0,75 ± 0,07. Un declin de la Civilisation Occidentale est ou 'assez probable' ou 'tres probable' selon les differents groupes en l'ordre suivant: histoire des Etats-Un...
Riemann-Roch-Grothendieck and torsion for foliations

In this article we prove a Riemann-Roch-Grothendieck theorem for the characteristic classes of a flat vector bundle over a foliation whose graph is Hausdorff. We assume that the strong foliation Novikov-Shubin invariants of the flat bundle are greater than three times the codimension of the foliation. Using transgression, we define a torsion form which in the odd acyclic case determines a Haefliger cohomology class which only depends on the foliation and the flat bundle. We construct examples where this torsion class is highly non-trivial.
Rotation invariant image recognition using features selected via a systematic method

Abstract In this paper a new set of rotation invariant features for image recognition is introduced. The features are the magnitudes of a set of orthogonal complex moments of the image called Zernike moments. These features could easily be constructed to an arbitrary high order. Taking advantage of the orthogonality property, a systematic feature selection method for choosing an appropriate number of the Zernike features is developed. It is based on computing a measure of the information content differences of features of different classes. The performance of the method is experimentally tested on a 26-class and a 10-class data set involving differently oriented binary images. The first set consists of 624 images of all English characters. The second one is an extensive set of numeric handprinted characters involving 16,550 samples. Using a nearest neighbor classifier 99% and 84% classification accuracies are obtained respectively.
Structure and Energetics of Dislocations at Micro‐Structured Complementary Interfaces Govern Adhesion

Highly enhanced adhesion can be achieved between surfaces patterned with complementary micro-channel structures. An elastic material, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), is used to fabricate such surfaces by molding into a silicon master with micro-channel profiles patterned by photolithography. For each pair of complementary surfaces, dislocation defects are observed in the form of visible striations, where ridges fail to fully insert into the channels, and the rotational misalignment angle was found to be the key factor controlling the dislocation distribution and adhesion strength. Adhesion between complementary interfaces, as measured by energy release rate required to propagate an interfacial crack, can be enhanced by up to 30 times compared to a flat control depending on the misalignment angle. The ability to control the orientation and periodicity of dislocation patterns by changing misalignment angle makes this system eminently controllable. This system could be a useful experimental tool in assisting research on geometry-controlled adhesion, while providing a test-bed for stability theories of interacting dislocations and crack fronts.
Facial Nerve Sacrifice and Radiotherapy in Parotid Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of facial nerve sacrifice and postoperative radiotherapy on the outcome of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the parotid gland. Study Design: Inception cohort. Methods: Retrospective review of Department of Pathology, SNOMED database, and Tumor Registry including health-related quality of life data for the subset enrolled in the longitudinal Outcomes Assessment Project. Fisher exact, χ2, and Wilcoxon tests were used to determine significant differences. Results: Fifty-two cases (follow-up mean: 9.1 years, range: 0.5–40.8 years) demonstrated local control rates of 84.6% (5 years), 76.9% (10 years), and 50% (20 years). Compared with facial nerve preservation, facial nerve sacrifice had better control at 5 years (100 vs. 78.9% P = .259) while having detrimental effects on eating, speech, and esthetics. Local control at 5 years was significantly better (P = .048) with postoperative radiotherapy (100%) than without (84.6%). Overall survival was 79.4% (5 years), 50% (10 years), and 32.3% (20 years). At 10 years, there was a trend toward improved survival with facial nerve sacrifice (58.8 vs. 46.8%, P = .569) and postoperative radiotherapy (62.4 vs. 39.3%, P = .409). Eleven patients with lung metastases survived an average of 67.8 months after metastases were identified. Only 4 of 46 patients N0 patients (8.3%) subsequently developed lymph node metastases. Conclusion: Selective facial nerve sacrifice was associated with trends toward improved local control and survival but worse quality of life. Patients managed with postoperative radiotherapy had better local control rates than those without. N0 patients rarely developed metastases to regional lymph nodes.
Fission-evaporation competition in Pu isotopes of mass 235-239

Cross sections are reported for the reactions $^{233,234,235}\mathrm{U}(^{4}\mathrm{He},xn)$, for $x=1\ensuremath{-}4$. Comparisons are shown to calculations based on equilibrium and preequilibrium models. Fits of preequilibrium-model calculations to the tails of the excitation functions require significantly different parameters from those in the literature for other systems. There is a suggestion for emission of a second preequilibrium neutron. The equilibrium-model calculations show systematic deviations from the data that can be related to the empirically determined energy dependence of $\frac{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}}{({\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}+{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{f})}$. The fission barrier parameters for isotopes of Pu are refined. Their relationship to the excitation functions for ground state and shape isomeric nuclei is discussed.NUCLEAR REACTIONS, FISSION $\ensuremath{\sigma}(E)$ for $^{233,234,235}\mathrm{U}(^{4}\mathrm{He},xn)$ reactions ($x=1\ensuremath{-}4$) as competitors with fission; calculations with preequilibrium and equilibrium models for ${E}^{*}l~40$ MeV with double-humped fission barrier.
A New Family of Ru Complexes for Water Oxidation

Reaction of the bridging ligand 3,6-bis-[6‘-(1‘ ‘,8‘ ‘-naphthyrid-2‘ ‘-yl)-pyrid-2‘-yl]pyridazine (1) with [Ru(DMSO)4Cl2] in aqueous ethanol followed by excess 4-substituted pyridine (4-R-py) in the presence of triethylamine provides a series of three well-organized dinuclear complexes characterized by 1H NMR, MS, and X-ray. Mononuclear analogues are prepared from 4-tert-butyl-2,6-di(1‘,8‘-naphthyrid-2‘-yl)pyridine (5) and characterized in a similar fashion. All six complexes show electronic absorption and redox properties consistent with the electron donor/acceptor ability of the axial 4-R-py ligand. When an acetonitrile solution of the catalyst is added to an aqueous Ce(IV)-CF3SO3H solution (pH = 1.0) at 24 °C, oxygen evolution is observed for both mono and dinuclear systems. Turnover numbers range from 50 to 3200 with the best results being found when the axial ligand is 4-methylpyridine (mononuclear TN = 580 and dinuclear TN = 3200).
Clinical relevance of the oxidative stress concept.

Subjects with type 2 diabetes have markedly increased rates of coronary heart disease (CHD) that are only partly explained by the increased levels of conventional cardiovascular risk factors such as total cholesterol, hypertension, and smoking. Although an increasing number of studies have suggested a role for glycemia in cardiovascular disease, considerable controversy remains. This issue may be resolved when the results of the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) are presented. One possible promising relatively new risk factor that may explain high levels of CHD in diabetic subjects is increased oxidative stress. Type 2 diabetic subjects have an increased preponderance of small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which predisposes to the oxidation of LDL. Almost all studies show that diabetic subjects have increased oxidative stress. In addition, they may have lower levels of α-tocopherol. In most studies, increased oxidative stress has been associated with cardiovascular disease, although prospective data are lacking. If levels of oxidative stress are increased, what are the best levels to reduce it to? Improved glycemic control has been associated with decreased oxidative stress. Antioxidant replacement such as α-tocopherol may also be beneficial. Interestingly, some special properties of hypoglycemic agents have been described. Gliclazide has been reported to favorably affect both free radicals and platelet reactivity. Gliclazide may have a more favorable effect on tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) than tolbutamide. In conclusion, increased levels of oxidative stress may underlie some of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetic subjects. Interventions to decrease levels of oxidative stress by methods such as improved glycemic control, antioxidant therapy (ie, α-tocopherol), and gliclazide are indicated.
GEORGIA'S EXPERIENCE WITH CRUMB RUBBER IN HOT-MIX ASPHALT

In 1991, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) began to evaluate the production and placement of crumb rubber hot-mix asphalt. The crumb rubber mix (CRM) used by GDOT was produced by adding ground tire rubber to hot-mix asphalt using the wet process. A test section of CRM was placed on 1-75 in Henry County, just south of Atlanta, consisting of a surface mix containing 6 percent crumb rubber by weight of asphalt cement (AC). The test section was evaluated from 1991 to 1995. The test section indicated that the CRM became very brittle over time, as indicated by a large increase in viscosity and decrease in penetration, and by a large amount of transverse reflective cracking. Compared with the control mix, the CRM did not reduce rutting and was more than twice as expensive to place. In addition to the test section, two contract projects were initiated using CRM. These two projects indicated that CRM could be produced and placed using conventional equipment requiring only a few modifications. On-site...
Splitting of the Giant Resonance for Deformed Nuclei

Photoneutron yield measurements have been made for terbium, tantalum, and gold with good energy resolution from threshold up to 25 Mev. Neutron-production cross sections were obtained directly from the experimental points without smoothing the raw data. Corrections were made for the multiple production of neutrons above the ($\ensuremath{\gamma}, 2n$) thresholds. The giant resonances for terbium and tantalum were found to be split into two resonances as predicted by Okamoto and Danos. The giant resonances for all three nuclei were fitted by the superposition of two Lorentz shape resonance lines. The intrinsic quadrupole moments determined from these fits to the experimental data were: terbium, +5.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6 barns; tantalum, +5.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 barns; and gold, +1.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6 barns.
Trait Emotional Intelligence and Perceived Supervisory Working Alliance of Counseling Trainees and Their Supervisors in Agency Settings

The present study investigated the relationships between supervisee and supervisor trait emotional intelligence (EI) levels and their perception of the supervisory working alliance. Data were collected from 64 supervisor-supervisee dyads among masters-level community counseling internship students and their site supervisors. Findings indicated that supervisees and supervisors with higher levels of trait EI tended to perceive the supervisory working alliance more positively. However, findings did not support the presence of an interaction effect between supervisee and supervisor trait EI on either supervisees’ or supervisors’ perceptions of the working alliance. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Progressive white matter pathology in the spinal cord of transgenic mice expressing mutant (P301L) human tau

Transgenic mice expressing mutant (P301L) tau develop paresis, neurofibrillary tangles and neuronal loss in spinal motor neurons beginning at 4 to 6 months of age. Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes acquire filamentous tau inclusions at later ages. Here we report pathology in the spinal white matter of these animals. Progressive white matter pathology, detected as early as 2 months of age, was most marked in lateral and anterior columns, with sparing of posterior columns until late in the disease. Early changes in Luxol fast blue/periodic acid Schiff (LFB/PAS) and toluidine blue stained sections were vacuolation of myelin followed by accumulation of myelin figures within previous axonal tubes and finally influx of PAS-positive macrophages. Myelin debris and vacuoles were found in macrophages. At the ultrastructural level, myelinated axons showed extensive vacuolation of myelin sheaths formed by splitting of myelin lamellae at the intra-period line, while axons were atrophic and contained densely packed neurofilaments. Other axons were lost completely, resulting in collapse and phagocytosis of myelin sheaths. Also present were spheroids derived from swollen axons with thin myelin sheaths containing neurofilaments, tau filaments and degenerating organelles. Many oligodendrocytes had membrane-bound cytoplasmic bodies composed of tightly stacked lamellae capped by dense material. The vacuolar myelopathy in this model to some extent resembles that reported in acquired immune deficiency syndrome and vitamin B12 deficiency. The progressive axonal pathology is most consistent with a dying-back process caused by abnormal accumulation of tau in upstream neurons, while vacuolar myelinopathy may be a secondary manifestation of neuroinflammation.
Search for light gluinos

Abstract A study of radiative decays from 400 000 ϒ (9460)'s in the partially upgraded CUSB detector is presented. We find evidence against the existence of gluinos of mass 0 6(GeV/ c 2 ) c 2 ) from a search for radiative ϒ (9460) decays into bound states of gluinos.
Conductivity of thermally fluctuating superconductors in two dimensions

Abstract We review recent work on a continuum, classical theory of thermal fluctuations in two-dimensional superconductors. A functional integral over a Ginzburg–Landau free energy describes the amplitude and phase fluctuations responsible for the crossover from Gaussian fluctuations of the superconducting order at high temperatures, to the vortex physics of the Kosterlitz–Thouless transition at lower temperatures. Results on the structure of this crossover are presented, including new results for corrections to the Aslamazov–Larkin fluctuation conductivity.
Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Security Perception on Intercity Mode Choice: A Panel Rank-Ordered Mixed-Logit Model

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11,2001, individuals have become increasingly conscious of travel safety and security issues. Hence, in addition to travel times and costs, perceptions about security levels can be an important factor influencing intercity travel decisions. In the past few years, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented several procedures, including rigorous screening, to improve airline security. However, these procedures have increased airline travel times. An empirical analysis is presented of individuals' mode choice for intercity business trips incorporating trade-offs between improved security levels and increased travel times. Stated-preference data collected in New York City were used to develop a panel rank-ordered mixed logit model. It was found that individuals who held positive impressions about the security measures were more likely to fly but the utility of air mode decreased with increasing inspection and boarding time. The impli...
On the Evolution of Structure in Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases

The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are one of the major protein components in the translation machinery. These essential proteins are found in all forms of life and are responsible for charging their cognate tRNAs with the correct amino acid. The evolution of the tRNA synthetases is of fundamental importance with respect to the nature of the biological cell and the transition from an RNA world to the modern world dominated by protein-enzymes. We present a structure-based phylogeny of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. By using structural alignments of all of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases of known structure in combination with a new measure of structural homology, we have reconstructed the evolutionary history of these proteins. In order to derive unbiased statistics from the structural alignments, we introduce a multidimensional QR factorization which produces a nonredundant set of structures. Since protein structure is more highly conserved than protein sequence, this study has allowed us to glimpse the evolution of protein structure that predates the root of the universal phylogenetic tree. The extensive sequence-based phylogenetic analysis of the tRNA synthetases (Woese et al., Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 64:202-236, 2000) has further enabled us to reconstruct the complete evolutionary profile of these proteins and to make connections between major evolutionary events and the resulting changes in protein shape. We also discuss the effect of functional specificity on protein shape over the complex evolutionary course of the tRNA synthetases.
Endothelial nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and angiogenesis.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) were first described in non-excitable cells just more than a decade ago. The nAChRs on endothelial cells modulate key angiogenic processes, including endothelial cell survival, proliferation, and migration. The receptors may be stimulated by endogenous agonists such as acetylcholine, or exogenous chemicals such as nicotine, to activate physiologic angiogenesis (such as in wound healing) or pathologic angiogenesis (such as retinal neovascularization or tumor angiogenesis). The endothelial nAChRs may represent a target for therapeutic modulation of disorders characterized by insufficient or pathologic angiogenesis
TACROLIMUS AS A RESCUE IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT AFTER HEART AND LUNG TRANSPLANTATION1

Background, Organ transplant recipients with refractory rejection or intolerance to conventional immunosuppressants may respond to rescue therapy with tacrolimus. Methods. Tacrolimus was used as a rescue immunosuppressant for 16 heart and 15 lung recipients. Heart recipients were converted to tacrolimus therapy because of cyclosporine intolerance, acute rejection despite treatment with cyclosporine, or humoral rejection. Lung recipients were converted because of cyclosporine intolerance, chronic rejection, or acute rejection. All immunosuppressive medications except corticosteroids were discontinued before tacrolimus therapy was begun. Patients remained in the study until they were converted to commercial tacrolimus. Results. The duration of follow-up after conversion varied widely (heart recipients: 183+65 days; lung recipients : 169±86 days). For the heart recipients, patient and graft survivals were 100%. Twenty percent of recipients experienced no rejection episodes after conversion to tacrolimus; 60% experienced none or only one. For the lung recipients, patient survival was 67% and graft survival was 60%. Eighty percent of recipients experienced no rejections and 13% experienced one episode of rejection each. The remaining patient experienced two biopsy-confirmed episodes of rejection. Five lung patients died within the year and one patient required retransplantation. The most common adverse events were diarrhea, headache, abnormal kidney function, depression, dyspnea, nausea, and pneumonia. Conclusions. Tacrolimus is an effective and safe immunosuppressant for the rescue of heart transplant patients. Lung transplant patients may receive more benefit if rescued earlier.
Soft tamper-proofing via program integrity verification in wireless sensor networks

Small low-cost sensor devices, each equipped with limited resources, are networked and used for various critical applications, especially those related to homeland security. Making such a sensor network secure is challenging mainly because it usually has to operate in a harsh, sometimes hostile, and unattended environment, where it is subject to capture, reverse-engineering, and manipulation. To address this challenge, we present a program-integrity verification (PIV) protocol that verifies the integrity of the program residing in each sensor device whenever the device joins the network or has experienced a long service blockage. The heart of PIV is the novel randomized hash function tailored to low-cost CPUs, by which the algorithm for hash computation on the program can be randomly generated whenever the program needs to be verified. By realizing this randomized hash function, the PlV protocol 1) prevents manipulation/reverse-engineering/reprogramming of sensors unless the attacker modifies the sensor hardware (e.g., attaching more memory), 2) provides purely software-based protection, and 3) triggers the verification infrequently, thus incurring minimal intrusiveness into normal sensor functions. Our performance evaluation shows that the PIV protocol is computationally efficient and incurs only a small communication overhead, hence making it ideal for use in low-cost sensor networks.
X-Ray Studies of Magnetic Superlattices

It is becoming clear that many of the unusual properties of magnetic multilayers are directly related to their microstructure. Interface roughness1, stacking faults2, lattice strains3, and islanding4, are just some of the imperfections that are known to influence the magnetic behavior strongly, and, in some cases, to produce entirely new effects. It is important therefore to characterize these structures, especially the interfaces, as completely as possible in order to understand their magnetic properties.
Facial emotion recognition in schizotypy: The role of accuracy and social cognitive bias

Facial emotion recognition deficits have been widely investigated in individuals with schizophrenia; however, it remains unclear whether these deficits reflect a trait-like vulnerability to schizophrenia pathology present in individuals at risk for the disorder. Although some studies have investigated emotion recognition in this population, findings have been mixed. The current study uses a well-validated emotion recognition task, a relatively large sample, and examines the relationship between emotion recognition, symptoms, and overall life quality. Eighty-nine individuals with psychometrically defined schizotypy and 27 controls completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, Penn Emotion Recognition Test, and a brief version of Lehman's Quality of Life Interview. In addition to labeling facial emotions, participants rated the valence of faces using a Likert rating scale. Individuals with schizotypy were significantly less accurate than controls when labeling emotional faces, particularly neutral faces. Within the schizotypy sample, both disorganization symptoms and lower quality of life were associated with a bias toward perceiving facial expressions as more negative. Our results support previous research suggesting that poor emotion recognition is associated with vulnerability to psychosis. Although emotion recognition appears unrelated to symptoms, it probably operates by means of different processes in those with particular types of symptoms.
Abstract 632: Premature Aortic and Carotid Stiffness in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Which One is First or Worse?

Background: Increased aortic and carotid stiffness are common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Although the aorta and carotid arteries have different anatomy, hemodynamics, and cardiovascular disease implications, it is unknown whether stiffness affects these arterial beds in a parallel or divergent fashion. Methods: 43 SLE patients (41 women, age 36 ± 11 years) and 17 age-and-sex matched healthy volunteers (14 women, age 34 ± 12 years) underwent clinical and laboratory evaluations and multiplane transesophageal echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography for assessment of aortic and carotid stiffness, respectively. Stiffness at the proximal, mid, and distal thoracic aorta and stiffness of the right common carotid artery were assessed using a standard Pressure-Strain Elastic Modulus, defined as = k (sBP – dBP)/[(sD - dD)/dD)] where k = conversion factor from mmHg to Nm-2 (Pascal units), sBP = systolic blood pressure, dBP = diastolic blood pressure, sD = systolic diameter, and dD = diastolic diameter. Results: Aortic stiffness was significantly higher in SLE patients than in controls after adjusting for age and atherogenic risk factors (7.96 ± 4.16 versus 5.77 ± 2.32 units, p = 0.01). However, carotid stiffness was similar in patients and controls (6.39 ± 2.70 versus 5.55 ± 2.68 units, p = 0.29). In SLE patients, aortic stiffness was significantly higher than carotid stiffness (7.96 ± 4.17 versus 6.39 ± 2.70 units, p = 0.02). In relation to age at diagnosis of SLE, aortic stiffness occurred earlier and was greater than carotid stiffness (RM ANCOVA, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Aortic stiffness is higher and precedes carotid stiffness in young adult SLE patients. These findings of an accelerated and divergent pathogenesis of aortic as compared to carotid stiffness may be explained by SLE-related chronic or recurrent autoimmune-mediated inflammation and thrombogenesis superimposed on the severe anatomic curvature, higher pulse pressure, and higher reciprocating shear stresses of the aorta as compared to the nearly straight and less oscillating shear forces of the carotid arteries.
Role of β-catenin-regulated CCN matricellular proteins in epithelial repair after inflammatory lung injury

Repair of the lung epithelium after injury is integral to the pathogenesis and outcomes of diverse inflammatory lung diseases. We previously reported that β-catenin signaling promotes epithelial repair after inflammatory injury, but the β-catenin target genes that mediate this effect are unknown. Herein, we examined which β-catenin transcriptional coactivators and target genes promote epithelial repair after inflammatory injury. Transmigration of human neutrophils across cultured monolayers of human lung epithelial cells resulted in a fall in transepithelial resistance and the formation of discrete areas of epithelial denudation (“microinjury”), which repaired via cell spreading by 96 h. In mice treated with intratracheal (i.t.) LPS or keratinocyte chemokine, neutrophil emigration was associated with increased permeability of the lung epithelium, as determined by increased bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid albumin concentration, which decreased over 3–6 days. Activation of β-catenin/p300-dependent gene expression using the compound ICG-001 accelerated epithelial repair in vitro and in murine models. Neutrophil transmigration induced epithelial expression of the β-catenin/p300 target genes Wnt-induced secreted protein (WISP) 1 and cysteine-rich (Cyr) 61, as determined by real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunostaining. Purified neutrophil elastase induced WISP1 upregulation in lung epithelial cells, as determined by qPCR. WISP1 expression increased in murine lungs after i.t. LPS, as determined by ELISA of the BAL fluid and qPCR of whole lung extracts. Finally, recombinant WISP1 and Cyr61 accelerated repair, and Cyr61-neutralizing antibodies delayed repair of the injured epithelium in vitro. We conclude that β-catenin/p300-dependent expression of WISP1 and Cyr61 is critical for epithelial repair and represents a potential therapeutic target to promote epithelial repair after inflammatory injury.
HOW AGING RELATED FRAILTY WILL INFLUENCE THE QUALITY OF CARE RESULTS FROM A 15-YEAR-OLD PEOPLE IN GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN

This report exemplifies how aging in itself, frailty, and morbidity influence need of quality of care in the age interval 70-85 according to results obtained at the study of representative samples of elderly in Gothenburg, Sweden. A significant proportion of the elderly in the age interval 70-79 were lacking symptoms due to definable disease, which made possible studies of "normal aging" and a differentiation of manifestations of aging from symptoms of disease in the elderly. Usage of such knowledge is essential for the improvement of quality of care. The trainability of older people was generally good. Much more can be done to reactivate the older patient after episodes of acute disease. "Long-term care" should be considered as programs differentiated according to the need; shorter more active or longer forms of "long-term care." Many frail elderly need longer periods of reactivation than available in hospitals. Certain risk factors precipitate into functional decline only when we are old. Preventive/postponing measures are relevant also for the elderly.
The Euro versus the U.S. dollar: an overview

Abstract The creation of the euro will prove to be a remarkable development in international relations and carries far-reaching implications for the international monetary system. The objectives of this paper are four-fold. The first objective is to provide a brief overview of previous monetary unions in Europe. It covers three surviving monetary unions and two that failed. The second objective is to provide a review of major developments leading to the creation of the euro. The third objective is to analyze the opportunities and threats associated with the euro. The fourth objective is to provide an overview of the on-going debate as to whether the euro will be a serious challenger to the U.S. dollar.
Tracheal obstruction presenting as new-onset wheezing.

Abstract Two cases of recent-onset dyspnea and wheezing initially treated with bronchodilator therapy for presumed reactive airway disease are presented. Plain-film chest radiographs subsequently demonstrated mediastinal masses causing extrinsic tracheal compression. The first patient had inoperable poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma resistent to radiotherapy. The second patient underwent resection of a substernal multinodular goiter with complete resolution of symptoms. The physician should always entertain the diagnosis of upper airway obstruction in all adult patients with new-onset wheezing. New-onset adult wheezing of uncertain etiology should prompt the physician to refer the patient for pulmonary function testing with flow-volume loops.
Enrichment of human prostate cancer cells with tumor initiating properties in mouse and zebrafish xenografts by differential adhesion

BACKGROUND Prostate tumor-initiating cells (TICs) have intrinsic resistance to current therapies. TICs are commonly isolated by cell sorting or dye exclusion, however, isolating TICs from limited primary prostate cancer (PCa) tissues is inherently inefficient. We adapted the collagen adherence feature to develop a combined immunophenotypic and time-of-adherence assay to identify human prostate TICs.
Chip seal maintenance: Solutions for bleeding and flushed pavement surfaces

This study summarizes the research directed at identifying maintenance solutions for bleeding and flushed pavements surfaced with a chip seal. Factors that contribute to bleeding and flushed chip seals pertain to aggregates, binders, traffic, environment, and construction. No better advice exists for dealing with bleeding and flushed chip seals than to avoid the problem from the outset by employing a preventive maintenance perspective. Bleeding is an immediate maintenance problem that must be addressed; corrective maintenance, or in some cases emergency maintenance, would be done. Basic approaches to treat bleeding include bridging over the live asphalt by applying aggregate of various types and gradations, cooling off the pavement surface by applying water with or without additives, and removing the bleeding asphalt and rebuilding the pavement seal. Flushing, in contrast to bleeding, is typically not a maintenance problem that must be addressed immediately. Basic approaches to treat flushed chip seals are to retexture the existing surface or to add a new textured surface over the flushed pavement. Three promising areas for further research and implementation relative to bleeding and flushing solutions include the uses of lime water, ultrahigh pressure water cutting, and the racked-in seal at intersections.
Reliability and discriminant validity of the Type I:II and Type A:B alcoholic subtype classifications in untreated problem drinkers: a test of the Apollonian -Dionysian hypothesis

Abstract The present study tested the hypothesis that there are two broad groups of problem drinkers: the Apollonian–Dionysian distinction. Apollonian drinkers are defined by a later onset of alcohol problems, a slower developmental course, and less problem severity. Dionysian drinkers are defined by more severe alcohol problems, an earlier onset, and worse prognosis. The discriminant validity and classification agreement of five operations of the Apollonian–Dionysian model were tested in a general population ( n =8643) and community sample ( n =664). A κ -means cluster analysis supported the Apollonian–Dionysian distinction. Dionysian problem drinkers were more likely to be males, report greater alcohol consumption, more alcohol related antisocial behavior, have a current DSM-IV alcohol dependence diagnosis, and comorbid depression. Apollonian problem drinkers were more prevalent in the general population and reported less severe drinking problems. Classification agreement was stronger for subtype models that incorporate dimensions of alcohol use and/or the frequency of negative consequences. Babor's Type A–Type B model demonstrated the strongest reliability and consistency over time.
A parametric method for edge detection based on recursive mean-separate image decomposition

Edge detection has played an important role in the field of computer vision. A parametric edge detection method based on recursive mean-separate image decomposition is introduced. A method for automatic parameter selection and two methods for thresholding are also suggested. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms many popular edge detection methods, including Sobel, Prewitt, Frei-Chen, and Canny both visually and by quantitative edge map evaluation. Proper parameter selection can also provide segmentation of materials such as potential threat objects in X-ray luggage scan images.
Expression of C-fos-like protein as a marker for neuronal activity following noxious stimulation in the rat

C-fos is a proto-oncogene that is expressed within some neurons following depolarization. The protein product, c-fos protein, can be identified by immunohistochemical techniques. Therefore, c-fos expression might be used as a marker for neuronal activity throughout the neuraxis following peripheral stimulation. This study has analyzed patterns of c-fos expression in both control and anesthetized animals and in anesthetized rats subjected to various forms of peripheral stimulation. Labeled cells were counted in the spinal cord, brainstem, hypothalamus, and thalamus. Little c-fos immunoreactivity was found in control animals. Prolonged inhalational anesthesia increased the number of labeled cells at several brainstem sites. Noxious stimulation of anesthetized rats induced c-fos within the neuraxis in patterns consistent with data obtained from electrophysiological studies and in additional locations for which few direct electrophysiological data are available, such as the ventrolateral medulla, the posterior hypothalamic nucleus, and the reuniens and paraventricular thalamic nuclei. Gentle mechanical stimulation was ineffective in inducing c-fos-like protein. The data suggest that c-fos can be used as a transynaptic marker for neuronal activity following noxious stimulation. However, c-fos is expressed only in some kinds of neurons following peripheral stimulation, and it therefore may be an incomplete marker for nociresponsive activity. In addition, at least a few neurons express c-fos protein in the absence of noxious stimulation. Experiments analyzing c-fos expression must be designed with care, as both extraneous stimuli and anesthetic depth influence the results.
Magnetic and mechanical properties of micromachined strontium ferrite/polyimide composites

In this work, strontium ferrite/polyimide composite thin films are fabricated and characterized for micromachining applications. The application of these materials in microelectronics and micromachining dictates the use of different polymers than those previously used for conventional plastic magnets due to fabrication compatibility constraints. The material investigated here consists of magnetically anisotropic strontium ferrite particles suspended in a benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride-oxydianiline/metaphenylene diamine polyimide matrix. Magnetic mechanical, and processability properties of these composites are investigated for a strontium ferrite loading range of 55%-80% by volume. Intrinsic coercivity H/sub ci/ residual magnetic flux density B/sub r/ and maximum energy product (BH)/sub max/ have been determined. For an 80% by-volume concentration loading of ferrite, H/sub ci/ of 318 kA/m B/sub r/, approaching 0.3 T, and (BH)/sub max/ of 11900 T/spl middot/A/m have been achieved. Biaxial Young's modulus and residual stress are determined using a slightly modified in situ load/deflection technique. The biaxial Young's modulus increases with increasing the magnetic powder loading. The materials have been deposited and patterned using two techniques: (1) screen-printing and (2) spin-casting, followed by photolithography. Finally, a simple magnetic microactuator made with those materials has been fabricated and tested, which demonstrates the usefulness of those materials to micromachining.