cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Requirement of Protein Kinase D Tyrosine Phosphorylation for VEGF-A165-induced Angiogenesis through Its Interaction and Regulation of Phospholipase Cγ Phosphorylation

Vascular endothelial cell growth factor-A165 (VEGF-A165) is critical for angiogenesis. Although protein kinase C-mediated protein kinase D(PKD)activation was implicated in the response, the detailedmechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that VEGF-A165-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of PKD and the dominant negative mutant of PKD, PKD(Y463F), inhibited VEGF-A165-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation. In addition, PKD(S738A/S742A) overexpression inhibited VEGF-induced HUVEC migration. Furthermore, knockdown of PKD by its specific small interfering RNA inhibited VEGF-induced HUVEC proliferation and migration. Moreover transfection of PKD(Y463F), PKD(S738A/S742A), or PKD-small interfering RNA blocked VEGF-induced angiogenesis in vivo. Our signaling experiments show that KDR not Flt-1 mediated PKD tyrosine phosphorylation and KDR tyrosine residues 951 and 1059 were required for VEGF-A165-stimulated PKD serine and tyrosine phosphorylation, respectively. Whereas G protein Gβγ subunits were required for both PKD serine phosphorylation and tyrosine phosphorylation, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization was required for VEGF-A165-stimulated PKD tyrosine phosphorylation and phospholipase C (PLC) activity was required for PKD serine phosphorylation. Surprisingly, the PLC inhibitor did not inhibit PKD tyrosine phosphorylation. Instead, PKD tyrosine 463 was required for VEGF-A165-stimulated PLCγ tyrosine phosphorylation. Moreover, PKD interacted with PLCγ even in unstimulated cells, and PKD tyrosine 463 phosphorylation was not required for this interaction. Together, we demonstrate that PKD interacts with PLCγ and becomes tyrosine phosphorylated upon VEGF stimulation, leading to PLCγ activation and angiogenic response of VEGF-A165.
Fourier-series-based phase and amplitude optical field screen generator for weak atmospheric turbulence

A new atmospheric screen generator is developed for use in performance calculations of adaptive optics and imaging systems. The generator is valid over a wide range of atmospheric turbulence parameters and incorporates both phase and amplitude effects. The new screen generator accounts for diffraction effects caused by turbulence and incorporates the phase, amplitude, and cross statistics of a weak turbulence model. The second order statistics of the phase and amplitude perturbations are based on the auto- correlation functions developed by Lee and Harp and the cross-correlation of the phase and amplitude perturbations derived in this paper. The correlations are derived by modeling the turbulence as a number of layers of randomly varying refractivity perpendicular to the propagation path. As the field propagates through the medium, diffraction occurs at each of the layers. A Fourier series expansion of the wavefront phase and amplitude is used. The screen generator uses the power and cross spectral densities of the phase and amplitude perturbations. The mean square value and the structure functions of the wavefront phase and amplitude are calculated in a Monte Carlo experiment and shown to be within 1% of the theoretical value.
Centroid-moment tensor solutions for July–September, 1998

Abstract Centroid-moment tensor solutions are presented for 214 earthquakes that occurred during the third quarter of 1998. The solutions are obtained using corrections for aspherical earth structure represented by a whole mantle shear velocity model SH8/U4L8 of Dziewonski and Woodward [Dziewonski, A.M., Woodward, R.L., 1992. Acoustic imaging at the planetary scale. In: Emert, H., Harjes, H.-P. (Eds.), Acoustical Imaging. Plenum, New York, 19, 785–797]. A new model of anelastic attenuation of Durek and Ekstrom [Durek, J.J., Ekstrom, G., 1996. A radial model of anelasticity consistent with long-period surface wave attenuation. Bull. Seism. Soc. Am. 86, 144–158] is used to predict the decay of the waveforms.
Depolarization-induced 65zinc influx into cultured cortical neurons.

Toxic Zn(2+) influx may be a key mechanism underlying selective neuronal death after transient global ischemia in rats. To identify routes responsible for neuronal Zn(2+) influx, we measured the accumulation of (65)Zn(2+) into cultured murine cortical cells under depolarizing conditions (60 mM K(+)) associated with severe hypoxia-ischemia in brain tissue. Addition of 60 mM K(+) or 300 microM kainate substantially increased (65)Zn(2+) accumulation into mixed cultures of neurons and glia, but not glia alone. (65)Zn(2+) accumulation was attenuated by increasing concentrations of extracellular Ca(2+) or trypsin pretreatment, but not by late trypsinization, and corresponded to an increase in atomic Zn(2+). Confirming predominantly neuronal entry, K(+)-induced (65)Zn(2+) accumulation was reduced by prior selective destruction of neurons with NMDA. K(+)-induced (65)Zn(2+) influx was not sensitive to glutamate receptor antagonists, but was attenuated by Gd(3+) and Cd(2+) as well as 1 microM nimodipine; it was partially sensitive to 1 microM omega-conotoxin-GVIA, and insensitive to 1 microM omega-agatoxin-IVA. K(+)-induced, Gd(3+)-sensitive (45)Ca(2+) accumulation but not (65)Zn(2+) accumulation was sharply attenuated by lowering extracellular pH to 6.6.
Romancing the bomb : Marine animals in naval strategic defense

Cet article se penche sur l'utilisation des dauphins par la Marine americaine a des fins militaires. L'article decrit differents programmes, operationnels (comme ce fut le cas pendant la guerre du Vietnam) ou experimentaux, et apporte une reflexion ethique sur cette relation homme-animal tres contestee, et denoncee par de nombreuses organisations de defense des animaux
A Large Change in Axon Fluorescence that Provides a Promising Method for Measuring Membrane Potential

THE changes in birefringence1, light scattering1, and extrinsic fluorescence2 of axons that occur during the action potential have been studied in some detail3–5 in an attempt to understand the molecular and structural basis of action potential propagation. These optical changes could also be useful in another context. Because many of the changes occur with the same time course as the action potential, it is theoretically possible to use optical techniques to measure membrane potentials. The previously described optical changes are relatively small and to measure a change in a single axon the results of many trials had to be averaged. We had already tried over a hundred fluorescent dyes, the best giving a signal-to-noise ratio of 2:1 during an action potential in a giant axon, when our attention was called to merocyanine dyes. One of these dyes gives a rather large signal, easily visible in a single sweep. This fluorescence change could provide a powerful tool for measuring membrane potential in systems where the use of electrodes is inconvenient or impossible.
Effects of propranolol on cardiopulmonary function in the pony during submaximal exercise

Cardiopulmonary responses of four ponies were monitored during standard exercise tests (SET), before and after beta-adrenergic receptor blockade with propranolol. The SET consisted of four 5 min increments of increasing speed from 1.0 to 2.8 m/sec on a treadmill at a 7 degrees incline. Data were collected at rest, throughout the SET and recovery. Administration of propranolol to ponies at rest had no effect on cardiopulmonary function. During the SET, increases in heart rate, mean pulmonary artery flow velocity (an index of cardiac output) and right ventricular dP/dt (an index of myocardial contractility) were progressively attenuated as running speed increased. Body temperature and mean pulmonary artery and right ventricular pressures were significantly elevated over normal. Propranolol treatment had no effect on the responses of mean arterial pressure, haematocrit, haemoglobin, blood lactate and arterial blood gases and pH to the SET. These results suggest that in the pony there is no sympathetic activity to the heart at rest and that during exercise there is pulmonary vasodilation mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors.
Percutaneous Epicardial Access for Mapping and Ablation Is Feasible in Patients With Prior Cardiac Surgery, Including Coronary Bypass Surgery

Background— Prior cardiac surgery, especially the presence of coronary artery bypass grafts, is thought to preclude percutaneous epicardial access (EpiAcc) and, therefore, mapping and ablation. We evaluated the feasibility and safety of EpiAcc in patients with a prior cardiac operation. Methods and Results— We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent EpiAcc for ablation for ventricular tachycardia or symptomatic premature ventricular complexes between 2004 and 2013 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Of 162 patients who underwent EpiAcc, 18 had prior cardiac surgery (median age, 64 years, all men). This included 10 coronary artery bypass grafts, 2 epicardial implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement, 5 valve surgery, 2 septal myectomy, 1 aortic arch replacement, 1 myocardial bridge unroofing, and 1 myocardial perforation repair (3 patients had multiple procedures). Access was successful in 12 of 18; the inferior approach was used in 78%. Successful access was achieved in 6 of 10 patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafts. Adhesiolysis was required in 10 patients with the sheath, access wire, and pigtail or ablation catheter. Intraprocedural coronary angiography was performed in 8 patients. A total of 45 ventricular tachycardias/premature ventricular complexes were ablated. Thirteen patients underwent endocardial-only ablation, 2 had epicardial-only ablation, whereas 3 had endocardial–epicardial ablation. Ablation was deemed successful in 13 of 18 patients. Four patients had bleeding complications (pericardial effusion, pericardial hematoma, hemoperitoneum, and pericardial tamponade). In patients with coronary grafts, there was no evidence of acute graft disruption. Conclusions— Percutaneous EpiAcc is feasible in patients with previous cardiac surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafts. However, adhesiolysis is frequently required. Although the risk of coronary graft injury is low, life-threatening complications may occur.
An analysis of the chemical control of polarized form in hydra

Development and maintenance of polarized form in Hydra is controlled chemically by a diffusible factor, concentrated in, and probably produced by nerves in the hypostomal region of the animal. This polarizing (or inductive) factor may be isolated from tissue homogenates of Hydra. It is recovered from the supernatant fraction after centrifugating the homogenate at 25,000 × G for 50 minutes. Concentrated amounts of the extracted substance induce “heteropolarity” in regenerating annuli of Hydra pirardi. Heteropolarity is expressed through the development of supernumerary tentacles and “head” regions. Over 40 tentacles may be induced in heteropolar individuals, compared to the normal number of eight. The polarizing effect of this material is not species specific; H. viridis, H. littoralis, and H. pirardi contain extractable amounts of the active factor. Heterogeneous invertebrate tissue such as Dugesia extract does not induce heteropolarity. Because the active material is both dialyzable and can be digested by trypsin, it is suggested that it may be a peptide. Although the mechanism of action of the polarizing component has not been fully determined, the active material probably is bound by the tissues of the assay animal during the incubation period. It appears to act by directing the differentiation of interstitial cells. Interstitial cells in the annulus tested probably bind excessive amounts of the inducer and differentiate into nerve cells. Secretion of additional inducer from these nerve centers initiates the heteropolar state. The fact that heteropolar animals possess more extractable material per animal than do normal unipolarized hydra substantiates this conclusion, and suggests that a single inductive substance, varying quantitatively apico-basally, controls the direction of differentiation of neoblast cells in Hydra.
Parabolic oxidation of metals to metal deficit oxides

A stepwise mechanism is outlined for diffusion-controlled oxidation of a metal Me to a metal deficit oxide Me3−zO, where z is the normal valence of Me in Me3−zO and may equal either 1 or 2. Specifically, oxidation is postulated to occur by (1) chemisorption of a singly ionized oxygen atom O− on the oxide surface with the concomitant formation of an electron holeprobably localized on a lattice site as a more electropositive cation Mez+1, (2) subsequent further ionization of chemisorbed O− and its incorporation into the oxide with the formation of singly charged cation vacancies V′ and, in the case z=1, an additional compensating hole Mez+1, (3) migration of Mez ions and electrons via the V′ and Mez+1 defects from the underlying metal to the surface, and (4) annihilation of the defects V and Mez+1 at the oxide-metal interface by the passage of metal atoms from the metal into the oxide. Such a mechanism leads to an eighth root pressure dependency for monovalent cation systems like O2-Cu2O-Cu and a fourth root pressure dependency for bivalent systems like O2-NiO-Ni and O2-CoO-Co. The behavior of copper and nickel are shown to be as predicted; whereas, in the case of cobalt, defect interaction results in deviations from the predicted behavior.
Species Migrations and Ecosystem Stability During Climate Change: The Belowground Connection

: Compatibility between the belowground mutualists of resident species and the needs of immigrant species will strongly influence the successful transition from one perennial plant community to another during climate change. A hiatus in the overlap between plant species that maintain a positive link with the soil ecosystem could result in site capture by weeds and rapid degradation of the productive capacity of soils. We discuss instances in which such rapid degradation has occurred and argue for the crucial importance of protecting plant-soil links in the coming decades through maintaining biodiversity and utilizing management practices that help plants keep a firm grip on the soil. Examples of the latter include partial and dispersed cutting in forestry, use of green cover crops in agriculture and grazing intensities that permit degraded range to rebuild. Resumen: La compatibilidad entre los mutualistas bajo el suelo de las especies residentes y las necesidades de las especies inmigrantes influenciara fuertemente la exitosa transicion de una comunidad perenne a otra durante cambios climaticos. Una abertura en la supetposicion entre las especies de plantas que mantienen una relacion positiva con el ecosistema del suelo podria resultar en la captura del lugar por yerbas y en la rapida degradation de la capacidud productive de los suelos. Se discuten instancias en las que ha ocurrido esta rapida degradacion y se arguments la importanica crucial de proteger las cadenas de planta-suelo en las Decadas venideras a traves del mantenimiento de la biodiversidad y la utilizacion de practicas de manejo que ayuden a las plantas a sostener un firme arraigo con el suelo. Ejemplos de lo ultimo incluyen la tala parcial y dispersa en la silviculturq el uso de cultivos con “cubierta verde” en la agriculturq y densidades de pastoreo que permitan la reconstitucion del rango degradado.
Sensor pointing verification for the TRMM precipitation radar

The purpose of this paper is to describe an experimental procedure for verifying the navigation data provided by the NASA Goddard Space time Flight Center's Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR). The TRMM PR is a satellite-borne, electronically scanning, range-gated radar that produces 3D images of the structure of atmospheric precipitation. Due to the dynamic nature of precipitation events in space and time, proper collocation is critical to the accuracy of the data.11
Privacy policies of personal health records: an evaluation of their effectiveness in protecting patient information

In recent years, there has been growing demand by patients for access to their own health information via tools like Personal Health Records [1]. The Markle Foundation [2] defines the Personal Health Record (PHR) as an electronic application through which individuals can access, manage and share their health information in a secure and confidential environment. PHRs are emerging and consolidating as an effective tool for patients to maintain their own health-related information. Healthcare Organizations (HCOs) and e-health services covered by HIPAA face the problem of implementing effective and cost-efficient security and privacy policies, while constantly demonstrating compliance with HIPAA regulations. To this end, HCOs must implement system-wide policies, standards, guidelines and procedures for safeguarding the organization's information including Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Electronic Health Records (EHR), in conjunction with HIPAA mandates [3]. Similar security and privacy issues also apply to PHRs, as patient information must be protected under HIPAA regulatory requirements. PHR applications were initially provided by single vendors as a module (with limited functionality) within a Hospital Information System (HIS). But with growing use of Web 2.0 technologies, PHRs have also evolved as web-based solutions provided by business parties, leveraging "anywhere anytime" accessibility made possible by the internet. Although business third parties providing PHR solutions are not subject to HIPAA regulations, nonetheless security and privacy for PHRs are critical issues - both for the patients using the PHR and for the providers themselves. In this context, this paper focuses on existing PHR applications and functions, classification of PHRs based on their business and technical environments, privacy features, privacy policies and coverage, and privacy policy notification issues. Furthermore, in order to verify privacy policy coverage and notifications offered by web-based PHRs, an evaluation of such privacy policies against already established and well-researched evaluation criteria was conducted. The two main PHR platforms used for evaluation in this research include Microsoft HealthVault and GoogleHealth. The objective is to highlight existing vulnerabilities in PHR privacy policy coverage and gaps in privacy policy notification mechanisms, while investigating the lack of availability of tools that enable patients to adequately protect their personal health information.
Error Comparison of Diamond Difference, Nodal, and Characteristic Methods for Solving Multidimensional Transport Problems with the Discrete Ordinates Approximation

Error norms for three variants of Larsen’s benchmark problem are evaluated using three numerical methods for solving the discrete ordinates approximation of the neutron transport equation in multid...
Lahar demonstration: warehousing Markovian streams

Lahar is a warehousing system for Markovian streams---a common class of uncertain data streams produced via inference on probabilistic models. Example Markovian streams include text inferred from speech, location streams inferred from GPS or RFID readings, and human activity streams inferred from sensor data. Lahar supports OLAP-style queries on Markovian stream archives by leveraging novel approximation and indexing techniques that efficiently manipulate stream probabilities.This demonstration allows users to interactively query a warehouse of imprecise text streams inferred automatically from audio podcasts. Through this interaction, the demo introduces users to the challenges of Markovian stream processing as well as technical contributions developed to address these challenges.
Experimental compressibilities and average intermolecular distances of poly(ethylene glycol) molecular masses 2000–8000 Da in aqueous solution

Abstract Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) is a powerful, nondestructive technique that can measure simultaneously macroscopic compressibilities of solutions and overall shapes of macromolecular solutes, as well as their intermolecular structural correlations. We have conducted SANS experiments on aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) with nominal molecular masses 2000, 4000, and 8000 Da over the q -range 0.03–0.30 A −1 [ q = (2π/ λ )sin θ ]. By incorporating accurate background subtraction and short extrapolations of the intermolecular structure factor S ( q ) down to q = 0, the isothermal compressibility can be measured. The results indicate a significant and systematic dependence of the solutions' compressibility on both molecular mass and concentration of PEG, unlike the solutions' osmotic pressures and activity of the water. This implies that the structure of water in the vicinity of PEG is considerably altered relative to the bulk state even though the activity coefficient of water remains nearly invariant in this range. Graphs of S ( q ) for 3% w/w to 17% w/w solutions each show a gradual rise from the low- q side to a broad plateau, which indicates weak intermediate-range correlations between oligomers that are probably associated with soft, repulsive, solvent-mediated PEG–PEG interactions. Since both the water and PEG change structures from their neat forms, any quantitative assignment of changes in partial volumes must necessarily be arbitrary. However, the linear change in compressibility with PEG concentration below ∼7% w/v can be said to indicate a composite solution, which parallels the behavior of composite solids.
Synthesis and Solid-State 13C NMR Study of Polymer-Bound Triphenylmethyl Cations

A polymer-bound cation system of the triphenylmethyl type has been synthesized via a method in which the first step is lithiation of polystyrene. The final step in the synthesis of the polystyrene-bound triphenylmethyl carbocation system was either conversion of the corresponding polymer-bound triphenylmethyl chloride with AlCl3 or the conversion of the polymer-bound triphenylmethyl alcohol with perchloric acid. The various functionalized polymer samples were characterized by solid-state 13C NMR, which showed that, for the polymer-bound triphenylmethyl alcohol system, there are 0.59 mmol of carbinol moieties per gram of polymer. The polymer-bound carbocation system was found to be surprisingly stable, even to moisture in air, and can readily be regenerated from its hydrolysis product. The polymer-bound carbocation system is effective as a catalyst in a Michael addition reaction and as a hydride acceptor reagent in a Dauben-type hydride transfer reaction.
Ultrastructural changes in synapses in the dentate gyrus of the rat during development

Abstract The structural transformations in synapses and dendrites in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus of the rat are described. The appearance of the molecular layer of an adult is distinguished by the presence of numerous complex spines which in thin sections form a ‘U’- or ‘W’-shaped contact with a presynaptic terminal or bouton en passage. The great majority of synaptic connections in the adult are made with spines, and most synaptic contacts on spines are of an asymmetric type. In the molecular layer of the 4-day-old rat complex spines are rare and synapses sparse. Synaptic contacts exist on large or small dendritic shafts and are often of teh symmetric type. Complex spines appear to develop at locations closest to the granule cell body and gradually come to occupy the entire dendritic field. At 25 days complex spines become prominent, and by adulthood complex spines and the spine apparatus are more abundant than at earlier stages examined. Thus, in contrast to synaptogenesis, whicb is essentially complete by 25 days, complex spine formation is more prolonged.
Business Process Management: A Killer App for Agents?

This panel will evaluate business process management as an application area for agent technology. Business process management has been studied intensively in the agents community. As businesses evolve into e-businesses, process management is garnering an increasing amount of interest among IT practitioners. Therefore, this technical area appears to be a natural fulcrum for leveraging agent technology. This panel will discuss the challenges and opportunities that business process management offers. In particular, this panel will seek to identify promising directions for agents research that would lead to a more robust introduction of agent technology into mainstream IT.
The purification, specificity, and role of dipeptidyl peptidase III inDictyostelium discoideum

Abstract Dipeptidyl peptidase III was purified from culminating cells ofDictyostelium discoideum to apparent homogeneity by salt fractionation, isoelectric focusing, hydrophobic interaction, gel filtration, and ion-exchange chromatography. The enzyme was also found in and purified from cells growing on bacteria or in axenic media. The enzyme from the growth phase was indistinguishable from the culmination enzyme during all purification procedures. Thus dipeptidyl peptidase III is not a developmentally associated enzyme and probably is involved in peptide breakdown throughout the life cycle. The enzyme cleaved arginyl-arginyl-2-naphthylamide most effectively and showed no action on leucyl-glycyl-naphthylamide, thus resembling the mammalian enzyme and differing from the yeast enzyme. Aspartyl-arginyl-naphthylamide was cleaved at 6% of the rate observed with arginyl-arginyl-naphthylamide and the enzymein vivo might therefore be capable of removing the N-terminal peptide (aspartyl-arginine) from peptides such as angiotensins I and II. It showed no aminopeptidase or endopeptidase activity. Angiotensin III was an effective inhibitor of the enzyme; peptides with the N-terminal sequences Gly-Gly, Gly-Arg, Arg-Val, and Gly-His inhibited the enzyme weakly.
Salvage high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for recurrent head-and-neck cancer.

Background: A significant portion of head-and-neck cancer patients will develop persistent or recurrent disease after definitive treatment. Radiation therapy is often used as definitive therapy or as an adjunct to surgery. Recurrent cancer of the head and neck in the previously irradiated field is, thus, a common occurrence and poses a therapeutic challenge. Some studies have evaluated low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy as a therapeutic option, including a large case series with long-term follow-up by our own institution. High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy offers therapeutic advantages over LDR brachytherapy. This study evaluates the local control and outcomes of patients with previously irradiated recurrent head-and-neck cancer treated with HDR interstitial brachytherapy. Methods and Materials: Between 1997 and 2002, 30 patients who received prior radiation therapy for primary tumors of the head and neck were treated for biopsy-proven recurrent disease. All patients received previous radiation as definitive therapy alone or as adjunct to surgery. All patients were inoperable, refused surgery, or had gross residual disease after salvage surgery for their recurrent disease. Thirty-six sites on the 30 patients were implanted by application of high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy techniques with mean tumor dose of 34 Gy (18–48 Gy) in twice daily fractions of 300 to 400cGy per fraction. Results: At a minimum follow-up of 12 months, local tumor control was achieved in 69% of implanted sites. Disease-specific survival at 1 and 2 years was 54% and 45%, respectively. Overall survival at 1 and 2 years was 56% and 37%, respectively. Grade 3/4 late complications occurred in 16% of the patients. No fatal complications occurred. Conclusion: HDR brachytherapy can play an important role in the salvage treatment of previously irradiated recurrent head-and-neck cancer. This study shows that comparable results are obtained by HDR brachytherapy with fewer late complications than were indicated by previously reported data for LDR brachytherapy.
Effects of diaphragm activation on airway pressure generation during lower thoracic spinal cord stimulation

Lower thoracic spinal cord stimulation (SCS) results in the generation of large positive airway pressures. The potential effects of diaphragm co-activation during SCS were investigated in 10 anesthetized dogs. Diaphragm compound action potentials (CMAPs) were present during SCS at the T10 and T12 levels. In group 1, airway (Paw) and trans-diaphragmatic (Pdi) pressures were monitored during supramaximal SCS before and after phrenicotomy. In group 2, pressures were monitored before and after C2 section to evaluate the potential influence of supraspinal centers. Following phrenicotomy in group 1, the reduction in Pdi during SCS was associated with increases in Paw. In group 2, diaphragm CMAPs and active Pdi increased following C2 section, while Paw fell. Following phrenicotomy, Paw increased significantly. In intact animals therefore, changes in Paw during SCS are affected by the interaction between inhibitory and excitatory influences on diaphragm activation. We conclude that lower thoracic SCS results in substantial diaphragm co-activation and secondary reductions in airway pressure generation.
Content, Sex of Viewer, and Dispositional Variables as Predictors of Affective and Evaluative Responses to Sexually Explicit Films

Abstract Heterosexual college students (N = 164) responded to seven scales assessing authoritarianism, general and specific sexual attitudes, and attitudes toward and fears about male and female homosexuals. On these dispositional variables, men, compared to women, expressed more erotophilic attitudes, less sex guilt, less positive attitudes about gays, and more homophobia; gender differences were not found for authoritarianism or for attitudes about lesbians or masturbation. Afterward, these research participants viewed a videotape depicting either a heterosexual, lesbian, or gay couple engaging in explicit sexual acts. Dependent measures consisted of an affective checklist and a series of evaluative judgments about the couple. In responding to the three types of erotic movie, men and women were generally similar in that the most positive affective and evaluative responses were elicited when the film content was heterosexual, and the most negative responses were expressed when a gay couple was depicted. ...
A Simplex-Type Algorithm for General Transportation Problems: An Alternative to Stepping-Stone

This paper re-examines use of the linear programming (LP) formulation to solve the transportation problem (TP). The proposed method is a general-purpose algorithm which uses only one operation, the Gauss Jordan pivoting used in the simplex method. The final tableau can be used for post-optimality analysis of TP. This algorithm appears to be faster than simplex, more general than stepping-stone and simpler than both in solving general TP. A numerical example illustrates the methodology. It is assumed the reader is familiar with simplex terminology.
Isolation and amino acid composition of two somatostatin-like peptides from ovine hypothalamus: somatostatin-28 and somatostatin-25.

Abstract Two peptides having somatostatin-like immunoactivity and in vitro bioactivity were purified to homogeneity from ovine hypothalamic extracts by means of affinity chromatography, gel filtration, cation exchange chromatography and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Both peptides contain all the amino acids of somatostatin; thus it is likely that they are structurally related to the tetradecapeptide somatostatin. One of the peptides contains 28 amino acids with a composition identical to that of somatostatin-28, the N-terminally extended somatostatin recently isolated from porcine intestine and characterized by Pradayrol et al. (11). The second peptide, somatostatin-25, has three amino acid residues less but otherwise the same composition as somatostatin-28. Based on an in vitro bioassay and quantitation by amino acid analysis both peptides appear to be more potent than somatostatin.
The cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene is expressed in the human endocervix throughout the menstrual cycle

Abstract Objective: To measure cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene expression in cervical secretions during the menstrual cycle. Design: Prospective, descriptive clinical study. Setting: University medical center and affiliated outpatient office. Patients: Thirteen healthy women with ovulatory menstrual cycles. Interventions: Endocervical cells and secretions were obtained by cytobrushings during the midfollicular, midcycle, and luteal phases. The cells were analyzed by reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for CFTR and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene expression. Main Outcome Measures: Detection of CFTR gene expression and a quantitative comparison of the levels of CFTR to GAPDH gene expression. Results: All endocervical samples exhibited some degree of CFTR gene expression throughout the menstrual cycle; however, the levels of expression were variable. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene expression did not correlate with E 2 or P levels. Conclusion: The production of copious cervical secretions at the time of ovulation in part may be because of the transport of sodium and water across endocervical cell membranes as a result of E 2 -stimulated CFTR mRNA and protein. Although cervical mucus becomes thick and scant during the luteal phase, CFTR gene expression is present in these secretions.
Spin waves in linear magnetic chains

Abstract We have calculated the time-dependent spin-spin correlation function for the classical Heisenberg chain by computer simulation at a series of temperatures. The results show clearly the existence in the non-ordered system of spin-wave excitations at sufficiently low temperatures.
S2-1: Partial Breast Brachytherapy Is Associated with Inferior Effectiveness and Increased Toxicity Compared with Whole Breast Irradiation in Older Patients.

Background: Accelerated partial breast brachytherapy (APBI-brachy) is an increasingly popular radiation treatment for older patients diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Despite growing utilization, there is a lack of population-based cohort studies as well as randomized phase III data to compare its effectiveness and toxicity profile with standard whole breast irradiation (WBI). The purpose of this study was to provide the first nationally comprehensive comparison of effectiveness and toxicity outcomes in older Medicare patients treated with APBI-brachy versus WBI. Methods: Medicare billing claims identified beneficiaries age>66 with incident invasive breast cancers diagnosed between 2000 and 2007 and treated with conservative surgery followed by APBI-brachy alone versus WBI. Cumulative incidence of subsequent mastectomy (a validated surrogate for local failure) was compared between the two treatment groups using the log-rank test. Adjusted risk of subsequent mastectomy was determined using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model including demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical covariates. Risks of acute complications (hospitalization or infection within 120 days of radiation), were compared using the chi-square test. Adjusted odds of acute complications were determined using multivariate logistic models including covariates. Cumulative incidences of long-term toxicities (rib fracture, fat necrosis, breast pain, and pneumonitis) were compared using the log-rank test. Results: In 130,535 women, use of APBI-brachy increased over time from Discussion: APBI-brachy was associated with inferior effectiveness as well as increased acute and late toxicities compared with WBI in this cohort of older breast cancer patients. These data underscore the importance of awaiting mature results of randomized trials designed to prospectively compare these treatments before employing widespread adoption of APBI-brachy as an alternative to WBI in select patients. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr S2-1.
Band-gap engineered hot carrier tunnel transistors

Inter-band tunnel field effect transistors (TFETs) with a gate co ntrolled zener tunnel junction at the source are of interest because of its a bility to operate with sub-kT/q sub-t hreshold sl ope device ope ration over a specified gate bias range [1,2]. This allows TFETs to achieve, in principle, much higher I ON -I OFF ratio over a given gate voltage swing compared to conventional MOSFETs, making them attractive for ultra-low power operation. We present here a study on the strong non-equilibrium character of the tunnel injected carrier population in the channel of the TFETs through detailed energy balance (EB) simulations [3,4] and its implication on TFET device design. We specifically show the following: (i) A large and highly inhomogeneous electric field at the source side tunnel junction at high gate voltages results in a non-equilibrium distribution of injected carriers in the TFET channel (ii) A novel source side heterojunction design en hances and sharpens t he source side electric field am plitude and shape resulting in greater carrier heating and band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) currents even at moderate gate voltages (iii) The energy relaxation p rocess o f t he injected carriers on both sides of t he tunnel barrier a re studied as a function of bias conditions and is a strong function of the 2-dimensional electric field profile in the TFET channel.
Elastic properties from acoustic and volume compression experiments

Abstract Hydrostatic compression data for a number of high-pressure phases of oxides and silicates, which have been studied independently by acoustic techniques, have been analyzed by least-squares fitting of the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state to determine the zero-pressure bulk modulus K0 and its pressure derivative K′0 for each material. The standard deviations of K0 and K′0 so determined are generally underestimated unless the experimental errors in the measurements of volume and pressure are explicitly included. When the values of K0 determined from the acoustic and compression techniques are consistent, test results for quartz and rutile demonstrate that constraining K0 to be equal to the acoustic value significantly improves both the accuracy and the precision of K′0 obtained from the compression data. Similar analyses for high-pressure phases (e.g., pyrope garnet and silicate spinels) indicate that by combining the acoustic and P-V data, the standard deviation of K′0 is typically reduced by a factor of three. Thus, we conclude that this approach does allow precise determinations of K′0 even when neither technique alone is able to resolve this parameter. For some materials, however, the P-V and acoustic experiments do not define mutually consistent values of K0, invalidating any combination of these data. The compression data for stishovite clearly exhibit run to run effects, and we infer that systematic errors are present in some of the P-V data which are responsible for many of the interlaboratory inconsistencies. Such systematic biases in the P-V data can at least be partially compensated for by performing several duplicate experimental runs.
Optical switching in three-coupler configurations

Abstract We introduce an optical coupler configuration consisting of two nonlinear waveguides coupled to a linear one. Selftrapping of electric field amplitude is possible in each nonlinear waveguide arising from the nonlinear field-dependent dielectric coefficient. We show that this coupler system can act as an optical switching device and it can have switching properties superior to that of conventional two and three all nonlinear coupler configurations.
Double potential step chronocoulometric studies to determine the role of thiocyanate in electroanalytical determination of gallium in Pu-Ga and U-Ga alloys

Two rapid, selective and simple methods are developed for the determination of gallium in Pu-Ga and U-Ga alloys using Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) and Controlled Potential Coulometry (CPC). In continuation of this work, a detailed study is presented to determine the role of SCN– during the determination of gallium at Static Mercury Drop Electrode (SMDE) in NaClO4 and NaSCN mixed electrolyte. Double potential step chronocoulometric experiments were carried out to examine the adsorption of Ga(III) at SMDE in 4M NaClO4 alone and in the presence of SCN– employing different initial and final potentials for different gallium concentrations; this approach involved an instrumental readout of charge on a square root of time axis, allowing immediate examination of Q–t1/2 plot. Instrumentation for functional readout of Q–t1/2 plots is described and was evaluated by investigation of 1 mM cadmium adsorption at mercury electrode from 0.5M NaNO3 + 0.5M NaSCN before caring out the experiments for gallium adsorption.
Condensed phase equilibria in transition metal-Ga-Sb systems and predictions for thermally stable contacts to GaSb

Antimonide-based compound semiconductors are promising candidates for high-frequency, low-power electronic devices as well as a variety of optoelectronic devices. To assist with the design of shallow or thermally stable contacts, we have performed thermodynamic calculations to estimate ternary phase equilibria in many of the transition metal-Ga-Sb systems. We have used the results of our calculations and a limited number of experiments to identify candidates for nonreactive elemental contacts to GaSb. Both W and Re are clearly in thermodynamic equilibrium with GaSb under the conditions considered in our study. Metal gallides and antimonides that are candidates for thermally stable contacts to GaSb are also highlighted.
Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumors of the Fallopian Tube

Malignant mixed mullerian tumors of the female genital tract are rare and occur least commonly in the fallopian tube. A case is reported and 51 other cases in the literature are reviewed. The mean age at diagnosis is 59 years. Abdominal pain is the most common presenting complaint. A pelvic or abdominal mass is present in 75% of patients. The diagnosis is not usually established until surgery, with the most common preoperative diagnosis being ovarian malignancy. Seventy-five percent of cases had tumor extension beyond the fallopian tube at the time of surgery. Treatment has focused on surgery with postoperative radiation and/or chemotherapy. Prognosis is poor, with fewer than half of patients surviving 2 years. Recent reports suggest improved outcome with platinum-based chemotherapy but data are limited.
Characterisation of glyoxalase I in a streptozocin-induced mouse model of diabetes with painful and insensate neuropathy

Aims/hypothesis Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DN) is a common complication of diabetes; however, the mechanisms producing positive or negative symptoms are not well understood. The enzyme glyoxalase I (GLO1) detoxifies reactive dicarbonyls that form AGEs and may affect the way sensory neurons respond to heightened AGE levels in DN. We hypothesised that differential GLO1 levels in sensory neurons may lead to differences in AGE formation and modulate the phenotype of DN.
Comparison of STATCOM, SVC, TCSC, and SSSC performance in steady state voltage stability improvement

The paper presents a comparison of four Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) controllers, the Static Var Compensator (SVC), the STATic synchronous COMpensator (STATCOM), the Thyristor Controlled Series Compensator (TCSC) and the Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC) on power system steady state voltage stability. The choice of the location and sizing of these devices is also presented and an analysis is made on the IEEE 14 bus system using Power System Analysis Toolkit (PSAT) software. A cost comparison of these FACTS devices with traditional reactive power/voltage stability devices is also presented.
Predicting starling chick carcass PCB concentrations from PCB concentrations in ingested animal matter.

Preremediation studies at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (CONWR) revealed statistically significant accumulations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and effects in starling chicks (Sturnus vulgaris) from contaminated sites, including decreased nest attentiveness, decreased fledging success, and an increase in chick mortality. Although the expected route of exposure for starling chicks is thought to be via diet, this has not previously been documented at CONWR. The purpose of this study was to develop an equation to predict starling chick carcass PCB concentrations from PCB concentrations in ingested animal matter. During 1995 and 1996, stomach contents from 14 and 22 starling chicks collected from contaminated and reference sites, respectively, were evaluated. Animal, plant, and mineral matter in the stomach contents were separated and animal matter from stomachs of individuals from the same nest were combined, dried, and percent dry weight calculated. Composite samples of animal matter were then analyzed for the presence of PCBs (Aroclor 1254). Stomach contents were primarily composed of animal matter (76%), and the percent animal matter in the stomachs did not differ significantly among locations (range = 38.4% to 100%). The mean PCB concentration in composite samples of animal matter from stomachs of chicks collected from contaminated sites (1.82 +/- 1.17 mg/kg) was significantly greater than the concentrations in composite samples from two reference locations (<0. 24 mg/kg). PCB concentrations in stomach contents were correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.91, p < 0.005) with concentrations in carcasses of chicks from which the stomachs had been collected. The regression Y = 6.19 x X(1,398), where Y = starling chick carcass PCB concentration and X = starling stomach animal matter PCB concentration, indicated that PCB concentrations in consumed animal matter accounted for 82% of the variability in starling carcass concentrations.http://link.springer-ny. com/link/service/journals/00244/bibs/37n4p548.html</++ +HEA
Alzheimer Aβ1−42 Monomer Adsorbed on the Self-Assembled Monolayers

Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide aggregation on the cell membranes is a key pathological event responsible for neuron cell death in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We present a collection of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to study the conformational dynamics and adsorption behavior of Aβ monomer on the self-assembled monolayer (SAM), in comparison to Aβ structure in bulk solution. Two distinct Aβ conformations (i.e., α-helix and β-hairpin) are selected as initial structures to mimic different adsorption states, whereas four SAM surfaces with different end groups in hydrophobicity and charge distribution are used to examine the effect of surface chemistry on Aβ structure and adsorption. Simulation results show that α-helical monomer displays higher structural stability than β-hairpin monomer on all SAMs, suggesting that the preferential conformation of Aβ monomer could be α-helical or random structure when bound to surfaces. Structural stability and adsorption behavior of Aβ monomer on the SAMs origi...
Transplantation of cultured human neonatal corneal endothelium

Human neonatal corneal endothelial cells were successfully maintained in tissue culture, morphologically resembling adult corneal endothelium. Eyebank donor corneas were obtained, denuded of their native endothelium and seeded with a suspension of the cultivated neonatal endothelial cells. After 48 hours, the eye-bank tissue was then transplanted into the eyes of Rhesus monkeys. Over a five month period, five of eight transplants cleared, with a mean central corneal thickness of 0.480 mm and endothelial cell densities ranging from 560 to 1650 cells/mm2. All control eyes without donor endothelium remained cloudy. In the experimental group three eyes initially thinned but subsequently became edematous. Further studies are needed to improve the seeding procedure and to assess the long-term viability of transplanted endothelium.