cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3812: Deguelin as a novel therapeutic agent for Herceptin resistant breast cancers

Human breast cancers overexpressing HER-2 are generally highly aggressive. Current therapeutic strategies to target HER-2 signaling pathway with antibodies or small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors have shown impressive success in the management of these tumor types, although most women exhibit short term response to these therapies. Acquired resistance to HER-2 target drugs, especially Herceptin is a major challenge to clinicians. Patients receiving Herceptin therapy invariably recur and most often with highly aggressive tumors. Thus identifying new drugs which target multiple molecular pathways is desired to treat Herceptin resistant breast cancer. Using paired HER-2 overexpressing parental Herceptin responsive (BT-474) and its Herceptin resistant variant cells (BT-474HR) we showed that acquired resistance to Herceptin is associated with enhanced expression of HER-2, EGFR, CyclinD1, P-AKT (Ser-473), PI-3K, JAB1 proteins and decreased expression of nuclear pten and p27 proteins. These results are similar to those observed in recurrent breast tumors in patients following Herceptin treatment. Deguelin, a natural product derivative of rotenoids and has been shown to inhibit growth of diverse cancer types. Deguelin is a known AKT inhibitor, however its efficacy is never tested in breast cancers resistant to Herceptin which express high levels of p-AKT. We examined effect of Deguelin on HER-2 overexpressing BT-474 BT-474-HRcells. Deguelin inhibited growth of both, BT-474 and BT-474HR cells in concentration (0-250nM) and time dependent (24-72h) manner. There was a 40-50%- inhibition of both BT474and BT-474HR cells at 25nM Deguelin treatment at 72h. Deguelin decreased cell surface expression of HER-2 in both these cell lines. In parental BT-474 cells both Herceptin 5-10ug/ml and Deguelin down regulated HER-2 expression, but only Deguelin reduced HER-2 (125-250nM) over expression in both BT-474 and BT-474HR cells. Down regulation of HER-2 following Deguelin treatment was associated with simultaneous down regulation of nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1, and JAB1, and p-AKT (Ser-473) proteins and up regulation of nuclear p27 and p53in both BT-474 and BT474 HR cells. These results suggest that Deguelin inhibits growth of both HER-2 overexpressing and those resistant to Herceptin therapy breast cancer cells. Effect of Deguelin appears to be mediated through down regulation of HER-2, PI3K AKT, JAB1, Cyclin D1, and p27 pathway. Our preliminary results warrant further investigation into Deguelin as a potential therapeutic agent for Herceptin resistant breast cancers. (This work was supported by NCI CA140321.) Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3812. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3812
Geochemistry and petrology of the Main Limestone Series (Lower Carboniferous), South Wales, U.K.

Abstract Dolomitized Main Limestone rocks of the Lower Carboniferous crop out in a narrow band of about three fourths of a mile along the south, east and northeast rims of the South Wales Coalfield Basin which encompasses the general regions of Miskin, Taffs Well and the Clydach, respectively. The thickness of these rocks varies from a maximum of 2,750 feet to nothing. The Ca/Mg ratio in the Main Limestone in general ranged from 1.7 : 1 to over 100 : 1 with less than 2 : 1 to 3.5 : 1 being the commonest. Magnesium content ranged from less than 5% to over 60% (mole percent MgCO3), with 40–50 mole percent p.f. MgCO3 being the commoner. Petrographic study of the Main Limestone led to recognition of six major microfacies. They are: (1) biosparite; (2) dolobiomicrite; (3) quartz-dolomicrite; (4) dolomicrite; (5) oosparite; and (6) dolorudite. In terms of their geographic distribution, dolobiomicrite predominates in the Taffs Well region, while quartz-dolobiomicrite is common in the Clydach region. In terms of their distribution in time, biosparite is common in the basal part (Lower ZC1 zone), dolobiomicrites (including the quartz-bearing variety) in the middle part (ZC1 and C2S1 zone) of the Taffs Well region and its corresponding Calcite-Mudstone Group in the Clydach region. The bulk of dolomitization in these rocks occurred in the Caninia-Seminula zone or the Calcite-Mudstone Group. In this study, it marks geochemical stage B: the sea-connected lagoonal phase similar to one observed today in South Australia. It is suggested that such a sea-connected Lagoon in the Main Limestone Sea formed largely in response to a reef barrier (or a ridge) - a remnant of which is found today between Miskin and the Taffs Well region where the transition from lime to dolomite facies occurs. The Miskin area represented the deeper-water reef flank towards the open sea whereas the Taffs Well region marked the shallow-water reef flank landward. It is concluded that the Main Limestone Series contains predominantly diagenetic dolostones whilst the syngenetic and epigenetic dolostones are restricted in time and space. The diagenetic dolostone dominates in the Taffs Well and Clydach regions.
Network Medicine in Disease Analysis and Therapeutics

Two parallel trends are occurring in drug discovery. The first is that we are moving away from a symptom-based disease classification system to a system based on molecules and molecular states. The second is that we are shifting from targeting a single molecule toward targeting multiple molecules, pathways, or networks. Network medicine is an approach to understanding disease and discovering therapeutics looking at many molecules and how they interrelate, and it may play a critical role in the adoption of both trends.
Properties of Lattice and Continuum van der Waals Fluids at the Critical Point

A suggestion by Fisher that the specific heats of lattice gases and continuum fluids near the critical point be compared on the basis of specific heat measured in units of the volume per particle at close packing is examined for systems with hard cores and long-range attractive potentials (van der Waals systems). It is found that the discontinuity at the critical point in the specific heat so defined is indeed similar for lattice gases and continuum systems in one, two, and three dimensions, while the critical density varies widely. No explanation is offered. Numerical values of other critical constants are also given.
Seasonal changes in carbohydrate/nitrogen levels during field rooting of Rosa multiflora ‘Brooks 56’ hardwood cuttings

Abstract Texas field rose plant producers sometimes experience poor field rooting of Rosa multiflora cultivar ‘Brooks 56’ hardwood cuttings, which are used as rootstock. To establish the best time of year for rose propagation, leafless hardwood cuttings were harvested from field-grown stock plants and propagated in raised field soil beds at intervals of 2–4 weeks from November to February. At the initiation of each propagation date, basal, medial and apical cuttings were analyzed for seasonal fluctuation of nitrogen, starch and soluble carbohydrate content to determine if rooting of R. multiflora cuttings was correlated with these parameters. Cutting position had no effect on percent rooting, however basal cuttings had the lowest root number. Starch content was positively correlated and nitrogen negatively correlated to rooting. In the carbohydrate-nitrogen component, the starch N and total carbohydrate (soluble and insoluble carbohydrates ) N ratios of cuttings were more highly correlated to rooting than soluble carbohydrate N . Maximum rooting of cuttings for field propagation was from 15 November to 15 December, which also corresponded to a low N and higher starch content in propagules harvested from stock plants. Arginine was one of the most prevalent amino acids in cuttings under both high and low rooting periods.
Demand for money: tests of functional forms and stability

Extending the family of functional forms of demand for money to the quadratic flexible functional family with first-order autoregressive errors, this paper tests several member functions of the family, tests stability of functions over time, and investigates the effect of temporal aggregation level of data. The stability hypothesis is strongly rejected and the acceptable functional form is found to depend on the temporal aggregation level of data.
Development as progressive inhibitory control of action: retrieval of a contiguous object☆

A conception of development is offered emphasizing that the child must not only acquire knowledge, but must also inhibit reactions that get in the way of expressing knowledge that is already present. In Experiment 1, 60 infants—12 each at 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 months of age-were tested with a rectangular toy and a small box open at the top. All succeeded when the toy was in the box not touching the front wall, and in all conditions of contiguity where the toy could be retrieved by reaching along a straight line. However, all 7-month-olds failed the contiguous condition when required first to reach over the front wall and then back for the toy. Eleven-month-olds succeeded from the outset; 8 to 10-month-olds benefitted most from experience during testing. In Experiment 2, 16 infants of 7 months and 8 infants of 10 months retrieved the toy under all conditions of contiguity where any portion of the toy was in front of the wall, extended farther from the wall than one half the wall's height, or rose to the same height as the wall or higher. In all of these conditions, the toy could be retrieved by reaching along a straight line. Seven-month-olds failed to retrieve the toy, however, even when it did not share a boundary with the front wall of the box, if distance from wall plus width of toy was less than half the wall's height. Here, infants had to first reach over the front wall and then reverse direction to retrieve the toy. Seven-month-olds touched the edge of the box significantly more often on these trials, and reacted to those touches by reflexively grasping the box or withdrawing their hand. We conclude that 7-month-old infants understand that an object is still there when it shares a boundary with another object (contrary to the theorizing of Piaget and of Bower).
Turbulent flow in a channel at a low Reynolds number

A two-component laser Doppler velocimeter with high spatial and temporal resolution was used to obtain measurements for fully developed turbulent flow of water through a channel with an aspect ratio of 12 : 1 at Re=5700 (based on the centerline velocity and the half-height of the channel). Statistical quantities that were determined are the mean streamwise velocity, the root-mean-square of the fluctuations of the streamwise and the normal velocities, the Reynolds shear stress and higher order moments. Turbulence production is calculated from these quantities. Turbulence statistics obtained from experiments are compared with results from a direct numerical simulation at the same Reynolds number. The good agreement validates a recent DNS, at Re=5700, which is approximately twice as large as used in most previous studies.
REMINISCENCES FROM THE FIRST CURATOR OF THE WHITNEY-ROTHSCHILD COLLECTION

Dr Ernst Mayr has been one of the seminal figures of 20th century biology. His essential contributions were in the development of the Modern Synthesis in evolutionary biology. His landmark book Systematics and the Origin of Species, was published in 1942 and has long been acknowledged as one of the key foundations of 20th century evolutionary biology. In many subsequent articles and books on evolution and the history and philosophy of biology during the past half century, he has continued to be a key contributor of ideas and inspiration to successive generations of evolutionary biologists. In the first of two ‘Roots’ articles, he describes the early stages of his career and the serendipitous events that furthered it. This article was first presented as a talk, on October 27, 1993, at the 50 year Jubilee celebration of the founding of the Whitney wing, the ornithological section, of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. In next month's ‘Roots’ article, Dr Mayr will describe the events that led to the founding of the Society for the Study of Evolution in 1946, in St Louis, Missouri.
Organic anion transport by renal cortical slices of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina)

Abstract 1. 1. The uptake of organic anions by renal cortical slices of harbor seals Phoca vitulina) was studied to determine transport characteristics during anoxia. 2. 2. Renal slice uptake of p-aminohippurate reached a steady-state level of transport within 15–30 min of incubation in an oxygen atmosphere. The steady-state transport of PAH was not altered after 60 min of incubation in a nitrogen atmosphere. In addition, PAH transport was unaffected by glucose or iodocetamide, but was reduced by 2,4-dinitrophenol and increased by acetate. 3. 3. The slice uptake of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate did not reach a steady-state level of transport during a 60-min incubation and was depressed significantly by incubation in a nitrogen atmosphere. 4. 4. These results appear to indicate that the harbor seal kidney slice has an organic anion transport system similar to that found in non-diving animals; however, the tolerance of this transport system to anoxia is greater in the seal.
The Theoretical Effects of Farm Policies on Optimal Leverage and the Probability of Equity Losses

The degree to which the use of debt is increased in response to risk-reducing and income-augmenting farm policies is studied theoretically. A mean-variance model is used to determine the optimal leverage adjustment, then the effects of policies on the cumulative probability of earning very low rates of return on equity are examined. The evidence suggests that farm policies induce a large enough increase in financial leverage to increase the probability of farmers having negative returns to equity.
Peopling Global Health

The field of Global Health brings together a vastly diverse array of actors working to address pressing health issues worldwide with unprecedented financial and technological resources and informed by various agendas. While Global Health initiatives are booming and displacing earlier framings of the field (such as tropical medicine or international health), critical analyses of the social, political, and economic processes associated with this expanding field — an “open source anarchy” on the ground — are still few and far between. In this essay, we contend that, among the powerful players of Global Health, the supposed beneficiaries of interventions are generally lost from view and appear as having little to say or nothing to contribute. We make the case for a more comprehensive and people-centered approach and demonstrate the crucial role of ethnography as an empirical lantern in Global Health. By shifting the emphasis from diseases to people and environments, and from trickle-down access to equality, we have the opportunity to set a humane agenda that both realistically confronts challenges and expands our vision of the future of global communities.
Theoretical Studies of the [N]Phenylenes

This work explores the structures and energetics of linear and cyclic [N]phenylenes by ab initio calculation at the HF/6-31G* and BLYP/6-31G* density functional levels. Heats of formation were obta...
Ribosome synthesis in Tetrahymena pyriformis.

The cellular site of synthesis of ribosomal RNA in Tetrahymena pyriformis was studied by analyzing the purified nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA from cells pulse labeled with uridine-3H. The results of studies using zonal centrifugation in sucrose density gradients show that the ribosomal RNA is synthesized in the nucleus as a large precursor molecule sedimenting at 35S. The 35S molecule undergoes rapid transformation through two main nuclear intermediates, sedimenting at about 30S and 26S. The smaller ribosomal RNA (17S) appears first in the cytoplasm and it seems to be absent from the nucleus. The apparent delay in the appearance of the larger ribosomal RNA (26S) in the cytoplasm is due to the presence of a larger pool of its precursors in the nucleus as indicated by pulse-chase experiments. The newly synthesized ribosomal RNA's appear in the cytoplasm as discrete 60S and 45S ribonucleoprotein particles, before their incorporation into the polysomes.
Immunocytochemical localization of NaCh6 in cultured spinal cord astrocytes.

The expression of the α-subunit of voltage-gated sodium channel 6 (NaCh6) was examined in cultures of astrocytes from E18 rat spinal cord by using an antibody specific for NaCh6. Stellate cells with processes and flat, pancake-like astrocytes are the two morphological types predominantly present in these cultures. The antibody to NaCh6 labeled clusters at the cell body and along the length of the processes in stellate, process-bearing cells. Weak staining was observed in the flat, pancake-like astrocytes. Together with previous studies (Black et al., Mol Brain Res 23:235–245, 1994, Glia 14:133–144, 1995) that show that stellate cells express NaChs II and III (but not NaCh I) and flat cells express NaCh II, these results support the conclusions that there are different patterns of sodium channel expression between flat and stellate astrocytes and that multiple channel isoforms are expressed within the same cell. This study also suggests that NaCh6 may contribute to the electrical properties found in stellate astrocytes. GLIA 26:92–96, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Adoption of Computer-Based Formative Assessment in a High School Mathematics Classroom

This case follows a high school mathematics teacher who is new to the classroom and is looking to adopt computer-based formative assessment as a part of his curriculum. Working within the confines of the school environment, this requires navigating a shrinking budget, colleagues that do not share his value of technology, restricted time, student issues, and limited resources. He must examine all aspects of the available computer-based formative assessment systems and weigh the pros and cons to insure the best academic outcomes for his students.
Scoring weighted multiple keyed tests on the IBM counting sorter

Tests or personal inventories with differential item response weights may be scored by means of punch card equipment. Detailed instructions are given for preparing the cards and scoring the forms. The scoring speed is approximately four to eight times that attained by manual scoring.
Resistance of Lactobacillus casei in plastic-composite-support biofilm reactors during liquid membrane extraction and optimization of the lactic acid extraction system.

Lactic acid fermentations were performed with plastic-composite-support (PCS) disks in solvent-saturated media with Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus (ATCC 11443). The PCS disks contained 50% (w/w) polypropylene, 35% (w/w) ground soybean hulls, 5% (w/w) yeast extract, 5% (w/w) soybean flour, and 5% (w/w) bovine albumin. Bioassays were performed by growing L. casei in solvent-saturated media after soaking the PCS disks. Eighteen different solvent and carrier combinations were evaluated. Overall, L. casei biofilm fermentation demonstrated the same lactic acid production in solvent-saturated medium as suspended cells in medium without solvents (control). To evaluate PCS solvent-detoxifying properties, two bioassays were developed. When solvent-saturated medium in consecutive equal volumes (10 mL then 10 mL) was exposed to PCS, both media demonstrated lactic acid fermentation equal to the control. However, when solvent-saturated medium with two consecutive unequal volumes (10 mL then 90 mL) was exposed to PCS, some degree of toxicity was observed. Furthermore, iso-octane, tributylphosphate (TBP), and Span 80 were optimized for recovery as 91%, 5%, and 4% (v/v), respectively, with a 1:1 ratio of 1.2 M Na(2)CO(3) stripping solution. Also, recovery by emulsion liquid extraction in the hollow-fiber contactor was minimal due to low recovery at pH 5.0 and incompatibility of the solvent and hollow-fiber material. These results suggest that PCS biofilm reactors can benefit lactic acid fermentation by eliminating the toxic effect from solvent leakage into the fermentation medium from liquid-liquid extractive integrated fermentations.
A critical investigation of the amylolytic activity of pancreatin and extract of malt.

The age of the product does not determine its amylolytic activity. A good appearing pancreatin eleven years old had a higher amylase activity than an off-colored, but recently manufactured, product. The official definitions of pancreatin and extract of malt are misleading. The official definitions should give the time involved in the assays in order to give a truer picture of their enzymatic activities.
Outpatient analgesia via paravertebral peripheral nerve block catheter and On‐Q pump—a case series

Outpatient pain management after iliac crest bone harvesting can be challenging. We report the use of home L2 paravertebral nerve block catheter (L2PVBC) in a series of five children. The pain scores were low, and analgesic medication consumption was minimal. No complications were reported related with these catheters, and the patients reported very high pain control satisfaction scores. Outpatient L2PVBC can be beneficial as part of a multimodal analgesia strategy in selected pediatric patients.
Electromyography of deep back muscles in man.

The deep layers of the transversospinal back muscles were studied in 25 healthy human subjects. Bipolar fine wire electrodes were inserted bilaterally at the level of the sixth thoracic and the third lumbar spinous processes. Activity was registered simultaneously in sitting and standing, and during movements while in these positions. It was shown that the same muscle group displayed different patterns of activity in the thoracic compared to the lumbar level. Variations in the pattern of activity during forward flexion, extension and axial rotation suggest that the transversospinal muscles adjust the motion between individual vertebrae. The experimental evidence confirms the anatomical hypothesis that the multifidi are stabilizers rather than prime movers of the whole vertebral column.
Economic analysis of slash pine forest carbon sequestration in the southern U. S.

Abstract The impact of a carbon subsidy and tax policy on slash pine (Pinus elliottii) plantations is investigated using a modified Hartman model. Such a policy is shown to increase the optimal rotation age, land expectation value and the supply of sequestered carbon. The supply of carbon increases at a decreasing rate with the price of carbon. The supply of sawtimber increases while the supply of pulpwood decreases. The increase in land expectation value was substantial, suggesting inclusion of carbon sequestration benefits and emission costs would benefit private forestland owners. As the value of forestland increases in response to a carbon policy, more land could be devoted to forestry as opposed to other land uses such as agriculture and urban development.
The effect of vasopressin on the cytoskeleton of the epithelial cell

Vasopressin (AVP) promotes the fusion of vesicles containing water channels with the apical membrane of receptor cells in the amphibian bladder and mammalian kidney. Fusion is accompanied by depolymerization of the actin cytoskeleton. In this review, we present the evidence for actin depolymerization by AVP in the whole cell, and the application of confocal microscopy and immunogold electron microscopy in localizing depolymerization to the apical region of the receptor cell.
"What concerns me is..." Expression of emotion by advanced cancer patients during outpatient visits.

Objective Cancer patients have high levels of distress, yet oncologists often do not recognize patients’ concerns. We sought to describe how patients with advanced cancer verbally express negative emotion to their oncologists.
An investigation of statistical power for continuous arterial spin labeling imaging at 1.5 T.

Variance estimates can be used in conjunction with scientifically meaningful effect sizes to design experiments with type II error control. Here we present estimates of intra- and inter-subject variances for region of interest (ROI) from resting cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps obtained using whole brain, spin echo echoplanar (SE-EPI) continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) imaging on 52 elderly subjects (age = 70.5 ± 7.9 years, 29 males). There was substantial intrasubject systematic variability in CBF of gray matter ROIs corresponding to a range of standard deviations = [39 – 168] (mL/(100g·min)). This variability was mainly due to two factors: 1) an expected inverse relationship between ROI volume and intrasubject variance, and 2) an increased effective post-labeling delay for more superior slices acquired later in the sequence. For example, intrasubject variance in Brodmann Area 4 (BA 4) was ∼ 8 times larger than in hippocampus, despite their similar gray matter volumes. Estimated ROI-wise power was computed for various numbers of acquired CBF images, numbers of subjects, and CBF effect sizes for two experimental designs: independent samples t-test and paired t-test. The theoretical effects of pulse sequence and field strength on general applicability of these results are discussed.
Perturbation theory for scattering from dielectric spheroids and short cylinders

The perturbation theory suggested by Shifrin is applied through the second order to the scattering of light from dielectric spheroids and finite cylinders. In the case of short dielectric cylinders, this technique provides an accurate prediction of the scattering pattern in its range of applicability, and this prediction is especially useful as no exact scattering solution exists. The validity of the perturbation theory is established by comparison with exact results for the spheroid, and excellent agreement is shown for ka(m − 1) ≈ 1, where k = 2π/λ, a is a representative target dimension, and m is the index of refraction. The results for the finite cylinder are refined from our previous work by a careful construction of the internal electrostatic solution. This allows the calculation of intensities for short cylinders. Comparisons are made between the spheroids and cylinders of equal volumes for aspect ratios ranging from ½ to 5, and significant differences are noted in some cases.
Experiences of Sexual Objectification, Minority Stress, and Disordered Eating Among Sexual Minority Women

Our study extended a modified version of objectification theory to a sample of sexual minority women in order to understand their experiences with body image and disordered eating concerns. Specifi...
Exaggerated reactivity to mental stress is associated with exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in an asymptomatic high-risk population.

Background This study was done to determine whether cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress is associated with exercise-induced occult ischemia in an asymptomatic population at high risk for premature coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods and Results One hundred fifty-two siblings of persons with premature CHD underwent mental stress testing. Exercise thallium tomography and 24-hour Holter monitoring were also performed. Hemodynamic changes were monitored during both stressors. Siblings positive for exercise-induced ischemia were offered cardiac catheterization. During mental stress, siblings with an abnormal exercise ECG and/or thallium scan (n=15) had greater maximal increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP, P=.0004) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP, P=.05) and had greater heart rate variability in the normalized low frequency domain of an analysis of Holter monitor recordings, compared with siblings without exercise-induced ischemia. Coronary arteriography confirmed coronary atherosclerosis in 85%...
First Steps in the Direction of Synthetic, Allosteric, Direct Inhibitors of Thrombin and Factor Xa

Designing non-saccharide functional mimics of heparin is a major challenge. In this work, a library of small, aromatic molecules based on the sulfated DHP scaffold was synthesized and screened against thrombin and factor Xa. The results reveal that (i) selected monomeric benzofuran derivatives inhibit the two enzymes, albeit weakly; (ii) the two enzymes recognize different structural features in the benzofurans studied suggesting significant selectivity of recognition; and (iii) the mechanism of inhibition is allosteric. The molecules represent the first allosteric small molecule inhibitors of the two enzymes.
Algorithms for the Generalized Sorting Problem

We study the generalized sorting problem where we are given a set of n elements to be sorted but only a subset of all possible pair wise element comparisons is allowed. The goal is to determine the sorted order using the smallest possible number of allowed comparisons. The generalized sorting problem may be equivalently viewed as follows. Given an undirected graph G(V, E) where V is the set of elements to be sorted and E defines the set of allowed comparisons, adaptively find the smallest subset Eia \subseteq E of edges to probe such that the directed graph induced by Eia contains a Hamiltonian path. When G is a complete graph, we get the standard sorting problem, and it is well-known that Theta(n log n) comparisons are necessary and sufficient. An extensively studied special case of the generalized sorting problem is the nuts and bolts problem where the allowed comparison graph is a complete bipartite graph between two equal-size sets. It is known that for this special case also, there is a deterministic algorithm that sorts using Theta(n log n) comparisons. However, when the allowed comparison graph is arbitrary, to our knowledge, no bound better than the trivial O(n^2) bound is known. Our main result is a randomized algorithm that sorts any allowed comparison graph using O(n^{3/2}) comparisons with high probability (provided the input is sortable). We also study the sorting problem in randomly generated allowed comparison graphs, and show that when the edge probability is p, O(min{ n/p^2, n^{3/2}\sqrt{p}) comparisons suffice on average to sort.
Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Illness: Psychosocial Correlates

The authors examined the psychosocial correlates ofl) having a history of any type of psychiatric treatment and 2) being staff-identified as a suitable candidate for treatment from an outpatient dual-diagnosis program. They reviewed 1,303 consecutive patients in a 16-month period who applied for substance abuse and/or dual-diagnosis treatment at a Veterans Administration hospital. The sample included 665 individuals describing a history of prior psychiatric treatment, 126 of whom were referred for outpatient dual-diagnosis treatment. Data were collected at the time of treatment application and included demographics, employment and treatment histories, and recent substance use. Even the broadest definition of dual diagnosis (having a history of any type of psychiatric treatment) was associated with higher rates of homelessness, disconnection from social support systems, unemployment and vocational disability, and treatment chronicity; a narrower definition selected for even greater impairment. Substance ab...
Device‐independent Color Correction for Multimedia Applications Using Neural Networks and Abductive Modeling Approaches

Although color has appeal for developers and consumers alike, color reproduction poses a major problem in many computer based applications including multimedia and desktop publishing. The problem arises because of the device-independence of color, and the way each device processes color. Matching the appearance of monitor and print images, and achieving satisfactory results is complex. Not only are there fundamental differences between computer screen (additive) and printers (subtractive), but subtractive color is in general more prone to errors due to dye inadequacies. In order to control the error in porting color, different techniques have been applied. In this paper, the utilization of artificial neural networks as well as abductive modeling approaches to color error reduction are introduced from an RGB (Red Green Blue) color model perspective. Analysis of the results and on-going research issues are discussed.
Reduced Corneal Endothelial Cell Density in Patients With Dry Eye Disease

Purpose To evaluate corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) in patients with dry eye disease (DED) compared to an age-matched control group. Design Cross-sectional, controlled study. Methods This study included 90 eyes of 45 patients with moderate to severe DED (aged 53.7 ± 9.8 years) and 30 eyes of 15 normal controls (aged 50.7 ± 9.8 years). All subjects had a complete ophthalmic evaluation including symptom assessment using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and corneal fluorescein staining. In addition, laser scanning in vivo confocal microscopy was performed to measure the density of the following parameters in the central cornea: endothelial cells, subbasal nerves, and subbasal immune dendritic cells. Results Corneal ECD was significantly lower in the DED group (2595.8 ± 356.1 cells/mm 2 ) than in the control group (2812.7 ± 395.2 cells/mm 2 , P = .046). The DED group showed significantly lower corneal subbasal nerve density (17.1 ± 6.9 mm/mm 2 ) compared to the control group (24.7 ± 4.4 mm/mm 2 , P 2 , respectively, P = .002). There were statistically significant correlations between corneal ECD and dry eye severity parameters including the OSDI score (r s = −0.26, P = .03), and corneal fluorescein staining (r s = −0.28, P = .008). Conclusions There is a significant reduction in corneal ECD in DED that correlates with clinical severity of the disease.
A Multichannel Counter/Timer Interface for the Acquisition of Neuronal Spike Trains

The design of an inexpensive multichannel counter/timer interface for a laboratory computer based on the IEEE-696 bus standard is described. The primary application for this interface is for the acquisition of timing information from neuronal spike trains. The interface incorporates four separate timer channels as well as interrupt vector generation logic to reduce software overhead.
Malpractice Liability Burden in Midwifery: A Survey of Michigan Certified Nurse‐Midwives

A statewide survey was conducted among 282 nurse-midwives in Michigan to examine the extent of their current medical liability burden. Two hundred ten responses were received for an adjusted response rate of 76.9%. Data from 145 certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) who were currently engaged in clinical practice in Michigan were used for this analysis. Sixty-nine percent of CNMs reported that liability concerns had a negative impact on their clinical decision making. Most CNMs (88.1%) acquired malpractice insurance coverage through an employer, whereas 4.9% were practicing “bare” due to difficulty in obtaining coverage. Thirty-five percent of the respondents had been named in a malpractice claim at least once in their career, and 15.5% had at least one malpractice payment of $30,000 or more made on their behalf. CNMs who purchased malpractice insurance coverage themselves or were going bare were significantly less likely to include obstetrics in their practice than their counterparts covered through an employer (70.6% versus 87.2%; P = .04). These findings among Michigan CNMs call for further investigation into the consequences of the current malpractice situation surrounding nurse-midwifery practice and its influence on obstetric care, particularly among women from disadvantaged populations.
Role of bradykinin in angiotensin-converting enzyme knockout mice.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a central role in the renin-angiotensin system. Whereas ACE is responsible for the production of angiotensin II, it is also important in the elimination of bradykinin. Constitutively, the biological function of bradykinin is mediated through the bradykinin B2 receptor. ACE knockout mice have a complicated phenotype including very low blood pressure. To investigate the role of bradykinin in the expression of the ACE knockout phenotype, we bred B2 receptor knockout mice with ACE knockout mice, thus generating a line of mice deficient in both the B2 receptor and ACE. Surprisingly, these mice did not differ from ACE knockout mice in blood pressure, urine concentrating ability, renal pathology, and hematocrit. Thus abnormalities of bradykinin accumulation do not play an important role in the ACE knockout phenotype. Rather, this phenotype appears due to the defective production of angiotensin II.
Computer-aided prediction of high-frequency performance limits in silicon bipolar integrated circuits

A circuit model for an existing silicon integrated bipolar junction transistor is exercised to evaluate presently available high frequency circuit performance. The relationship among circuit model and processing parameters are semi-quantitatively explored to offer predictions on the frequency response which can be achieved through realistic device fabrication modifications. A new figure of merit is introduced to quantify optimized performance levels.
Production Response of Freshwater Prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii to Increasing Amounts of Artificial Substrate in Ponds

.— The response of freshwater prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii to increasing amounts of artificial substrate was evaluated in ponds. Juvenile prawns (0.24 ± 0.13 g) were stocked into nine 0.04-ha ponds at 74,000/ha. Three control ponds received no artificial substrate while artificial substrate in the form of horizontal strips of polyethylene “construction fence” was added to the six treatment ponds to produce 40% or 80% increases in available surface area. Increasing availability of surface area produced a direct linear increase (P 0.05). There was an inverse linear relationship between available surface area and feed conversion ratios (P < 0.01, r2= 0.66) likely indicating increased availability of natural foods or reduced stress among animals. There was a direct linear increase in the percentage of females which achieved sexual maturity (P < 0.01, r2= 0.71) as the amount of added substrate was increased. Size and number of other sexual morphotypes were not significantly affected. These responses are consistent with those that would be expected if stocking densities were decreased. These data indicate that prawn production increases in direct relation to the amount of added substrate while utilizing feed more efficiently. The effect of substrate orientation on its functionality should be evaluated to allow further increases in substrate inclusion amounts for additional production intensification.
7.—William Carmichael M'Intosh, nonagenarian.

The accomplishments and writings by M'Intosh (1838–1931) of St Andrews are recounted in some detail. His major contribution in pure zoology was on marine Annelids, notably the (at that time included) Nemertinea. In fisheries biology his work on the effects of beam-trawling on the Scottish sea-fisheries as directed by a Royal Commission led him to a detailed description of the pelagic eggs and larvae of the major British marine food fishes. From this he came to the conclusion that, with some exceptions, the fauna of the open sea appeared to be independent of man's influence, and in this connection he demanded that regulatory measures be based only on scientific fact. Though his major contributions were in descriptive marine zoology, he never lacked the courage of his convictions on matters of theory and practice.
Spectroscopic study of substrate binding to the carbonmonoxy form of dehaloperoxidase from Amphitrite ornata.

Dehaloperoxidase (DHP) is a globular heme enzyme found in the marine worm Amphitrite ornata that can catalyze the dehalogenation of halophenols to the corresponding quinones by using hydrogen peroxide as a cosubstrate. Its three-dimensional fold is surprisingly similar to that of the oxygen storage protein myoglobin (Mb). A key structural feature common to both DHP and Mb is the existence of multiple conformations of the distal histidine. In DHP, the conformational flexibility may be involved in promotion of substrate and cosubstrate entry and exit. Here we have explored the dynamics of substrate binding in DHP using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and flash photolysis. A number of discrete conformations at the active site were identified from the appearance of multiple CO absorbance bands in the infrared region of the spectrum. Upon photolysis at cryogenic temperatures, the CO molecules are trapped at docking sites within the protein matrix, as inferred from the appearance of several photoproduct...
Some aspects of polymer hydrodynamics

The hydrodynamic equations for a polymer molecule in a uniform velocity field are treated using models of continuous and segmented chains. The equations obtained are very much the same for both molecular types, but small differences are found depending on local surface geometry of the polymer chain. The results, are compared with a similar calculation of Fujita. There are some differences in detail, but these differences are of negligible significance. Die hydrodynamischen Gleichungen fur ein Polymermolekul in einem gleichformigen Geschwindigkeitsgefalle werden unter Benutzung der Modelle fur kontinuierliche und in Segmente zerlegte Ketten aufgestellt. Die resultierenden Gleichungen sind ahnlich fur beide Molekultypen, jedoch werden geringe Unterschiede, welche durch die ortliche Oberflachengeometrie der Polymerkette bedingt sind, gefunden. Die Resultate werden mit ahnlichen Berechnungen von Fujita verglichen. Es gibt einige Unterschiede im Detail, die aber ihrer Bedeutung nach vernachlassigt werden konnen.
Approximate Estimation of Distributed Networked Control Systems

In this paper, we present two approximate filtering algorithms for estimating states of a distributed networked control system (DNCS). A DNCS consists of multiple agents communicating over a lossy communication channel, e.g., wireless channel. While the time complexity of the exact method can be exponential in the number of communication links, the time complexity of an approximate method is not dependent on the number of communication links. In addition, we discuss the general conditions for stable state estimation of DNCSs.
Technical and Vocational Education in Cameroon and Critical Avenues for Development

Technical and vocational education (TVE) can influence development and economic progress for post-colonial societies. Some newly independent sub-Saharan African countries attempted curricular transformation that might produce a skilled workforce through widespread access to versions of TVE. In Cameroon, no such post-colonial curricular revolution was enacted. This article qualitatively analyzes fourteen Cameroonian secondary mathematics teachers' spontaneous discussions about the possibilities and perceived necessity for increased TVE avenues in Cameroon. Relationships between TVE, the problem of educated unemployed, the public and private sectors, and development are explored. This article views teachers' discussions from a lens of critical theory.
A long-range laser velocimeter

A long-range laser velocimeter (LV) developed for remote operation from within the flow fields of large wind tunnels is described. Emphasis is placed on improvements in optical hardware as well as additions to data acquisition and processing techniques. The method used for data reduction of photon resolved signals is outlined in detail, and measurement accuracy is discussed. To study the performance of the LV and verify the measurement accuracy, laboratory measurements were made in the flow field of a 10-cm-diameter, 30-m/s axisymmetric jet. The measured velocity and turbulence intensity surveys are compared with measurements made with a hot-wire anemometer. Additionally, the LV was used during the flow calibration of the 80-ft*120-ft wind tunnel to measure the test-section boundary layer thickness at the maximum wind tunnel speed of 51.5 m/s. The requirements and techniques used to seed the flow are discussed, and boundary-layer surveys of mean velocity and turbulence intensity of the streamwise component and the component normal to the surface are presented. The streamwise component of mean velocity is compared with data obtained with a total pressure rake. >
An Analysis of the Relationship between Demand for Corn Stover as an Ethanol Feedstock and Soil Erosion

An analysis of corn stover utilization as an energy feedstock was conducted for southern Minnesota to determine if any economic incentive existed to encourage corn stover harvest beyond USDA-NRCS tolerable soil loss levels. Results indicate that only if the number of conversion facilities in the region exceeded 10 that there would exist an incentive to harvest stover in a manner that would violate tolerable soil loss levels under current tillage practices. If all farms switched to no-till, little to no economic incentive would exist unless the number of conversion facilities exceeded 19.
Alterations in the nuclear matrix protein mass correlate with heat-induced inhibition of DNA single-strand-break repair

The total protein mass co-isolating with the nuclear matrix or nucleoid from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was observed to increase in heated cells as a function of increasing exposure temperature between 43 degrees C and 45 degrees C or of exposure time at any temperature. The sedimentation distance of the CHO cell nucleoid in sucrose gradients increased with increasing exposure time at 45 degrees C. Both these nuclear alterations correlated in a log-linear manner with heat-induced inhibition of DNA strand break repair. A two-fold threshold increase in nuclear matrix protein mass preceded any substantial inhibition of repair of DNA single-strand breaks. When preheated cells (45 degrees C for 15 min) were incubated at 37 degrees C the nuclear matrix protein mass and nucleoid sedimentation recovered with a half-time of about 5 h, while DNA single-strand-break repair recovered with a half-time of about 2 h. When preheated cells were placed at 41 degrees C (step-down heating; SDH) a further increase was observed in the nuclear matrix protein mass and the half-time of DNA strand break repair, while nucleoid sedimentation recovered toward control values. These results implicate alterations in the protein mass of the nuclear matrix in heat-induced inhibition of repair of DNA single-strand breaks.
Survey and Overview

Rare category analysis is related to many research areas, including active learning, where the goal is to improve the classification performance with the fewest label requests to the labeling oracle; imbalanced classification, where the goal is to construct a classifier for imbalanced data sets which is able to identify the under represented classes; anomaly detection (outlier detection), which refers to the problem of finding patterns in the data that do not conform to expected behavior; clustering, which refers to the problem of grouping similar data items into clusters; co-clustering, which generally involves grouping the data from various dimensions; and unsupervised feature selection, where the goal is to select features for the sake of grouping the data without any supervision.