cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dihydrofolate Reductase from Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus

Abstract Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the first human virus known to encode dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), an enzyme required for nucleotide and methionine biosynthesis. We have studied the purified KSHV-DHFR enzyme in vitro and analyzed its expression in cultured B-cell lines derived from primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), an AIDS-associated malignancy. The amino acid sequence of KSHV-DHFR is most similar to human DHFR (hDHFR), but the viral enzyme contains an additional 23 amino acids at the carboxyl-terminus. The viral DHFR, overexpressed and purified from E. coli, was catalytically active in vitro. The K m of KSHV-DHFR for dihydrofolate (FH 2 ) was 2.4 μM, which is significantly higher than the K m of recombinant hDHFR (rhDHFR) for FH 2 (390 nM). K m values for NADPH were similar for the two enzymes, about 1 μM. KSHV-DHFR was inhibited by folate antagonists such as methotrexate ( K i : 200 pM), aminopterin ( K i : 610 pM), pyrimethamine ( K i : 29 nM), trimethoprim ( K i : 2.3 μM), and piritrexim ( K i : 3.9 nM). In all cases, K i values for these folate antagonists were higher for KSHV-DHFR than for rhDHFR. The viral enzyme was expressed at levels two- to tenfold higher than hDHFR in PEL cell lines as an early lytic cycle gene. KSHV-DHFR mRNA and protein appeared from 6 to 24 h after chemical induction of the KSHV lytic cycle. Epitope-tagged KSHV-DHFR and rhDHFR both localized to the nucleus of transfected cells, while other KSHV nucleotide metabolism genes localized to the cytoplasm. DHFR activity was not essential for viral replication in cultured PEL cells. Since hDHFR was not detectable in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), KSHV-DHFR may function to provide increased DHFR activity in vivo in infected cells that have little or none of their own enzyme.
Diagnosing acute cardiac ischemia in the emergency department: A systematic review of the accuracy and clinical effect of current technologies

Abstract Study Objective: Acute cardiac ischemia (ACI) encompasses the diagnoses of unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Accurate diagnosis and triage of patients with ACI in the emergency department should increase survival for these patients and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the English-language literature published between 1966 and December 1998 on the accuracy and clinical effect of diagnostic technologies for ACI. We evaluated prospective and retrospective studies of adult patients who presented to the ED with symptoms suggesting ACI. Outcomes were diagnostic performance (test sensitivity and specificity) and measures of clinical effect. Meta-analyses were performed when appropriate. A decision and cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted that investigated various diagnostic strategies used in the diagnosis of ACI in the ED. Results: We screened 6,667 abstracts, reviewed 407 full articles, and included 106 articles articles in the main analysis. Single measurements of biomarkers at presentation to the ED have low sensitivity for AMI, although they have high specificity. Serial measurements greatly increase the sensitivity for AMI while maintaining their excellent specificity. Diagnostic technologies to evaluate ACI in selected populations, such as electrocardiography, sestamibi perfusion imaging, and stress ECG, may have very good to excellent sensitivity; however, they have not been sufficiently studied. The Goldman Chest Pain Protocol has good sensitivity (about 90%) for AMI but has not been shown to result in any differences in hospitalization rate, length of stay, or estimated costs in the single clinical effect study performed. Its applicability to patients with unstable angina pectoris has not been evaluated. The use of an Acute Cardiac Ischemia-Time-Insensitive Predictive Instrument led to the appropriate triage of 97% of patients with ACI presenting to the ED and reduced unnecessary hospitalizations. Conclusion: Many of the current technologies remain underevaluated, especially regarding their clinical effect. The extent to which combinations of tests may provide better accuracy than any single test needs further study. [Lau J, Ioannidis JPA, Balk EM, Milch C, Terrin N, Chew PW, Salem D. Diagnosing acute cardiac ischemia in the emergency department: a systematic review of the accuracy and clinical effect of current technologies. Ann Emerg Med. May 2001;37:453-460.]
Modeling curvature effects in diffusion flames using a laminar flamelet model

The goal of this paper is to investigate the effects of curvature of mixture fraction iso-surfaces on the transport of species in diffusion flames. A general flamelet formulation is derived mathematically considering both curvature effects and differential diffusion effects. These theoretical results suggest that curvature does not play a role in the transport process irrespective of the flame curvature if species transport is described with a unity Lewis number. On the other hand, a curvature-induced term becomes explicit when differential diffusion effects are considered, and it acts as a convective term in mixture fraction space. It is found that this term needs to be taken into account when the radius of curvature is comparable or smaller than the local flame thickness. For the proper integration of the flamelet equations, the scalar dissipation rate and curvature dependences on mixture fraction are modeled by considering two basic curved one-dimensional flame configurations. The flamelet equations accounting for curvature effects are solved with various prescribed curvature values. Results indicate that the mass fraction profiles of species with very small or large Lewis numbers are shifted significantly in mixture fraction space by the inclusion of curvature. Differential diffusion effects are enhanced by negative curvature values and suppressed by positive curvature values. In cases where flame curvature is not uniform, the curvature-induced convective term generates gradients along mixture fraction iso-surfaces, which enhance tangential diffusion effects. Budget analysis is performed on an axisymmetric laminar coflow diffusion flame to highlight the importance of the curvature-induced convective term compared to other terms in the full flamelet equation. A comparison is made between full chemistry simulation results and those obtained using planar and curved flamelet-based chemistry tabulation methods.
Brief pretreatment of radial artery conduits with phenoxybenzamine prevents vasoconstriction long term.

Abstract Background . Radial artery bypass conduits are prone to early vasospasm or "string sign" with use of vasopressor therapy intraoperatively and postoperatively, causing increased resistance in coronary artery grafts. Current intraoperative treatment with papaverine fails to provide sustained inhibition of vasoconstriction. We tested the hypothesis that a 30-minute pretreatment of radial artery segments with the α-adrenergic antagonist phenoxybenzamine (PB) or the putative protein phosphatase 2,3-butadione monoxime (BDM) attenuates vasoconstriction induced by the vasopressors phenylephrine or norepinephrine for as long as 48 hours compared with papaverine. Methods . Canine radial arteries were harvested, incubated in control buffer or solutions of papaverine 10 −6 M, BDM 10 −6 M or phenoxybenzamine 10 −6 M for 30 minutes, washed, and stored in drug-free culture medium for 2, 24, or 48 hours. After storage, constriction was induced by norepinephrine at incremental concentrations ranging from 0.7 to 3.5 μmol/L or by phenylephrine (0.300 to 1.5 μmol/L) with or without the inhibitors, and the degree of vasoconstriction was quantified in organ chambers. Responses to norepinephrine or phenylephrine were compared to constriction with receptor-independent potassium chloride KC1 (30 mmol/L). Results . Maximum responses to phenylephrine and norepinephrine were comparable at 2, 24, and 48 hours after harvest in the control group (phenylephrine: 67% ± 4%, 62% ± 6%, 65% ± 6% of KC1 response; norepinephrine: 75% ± 4%, 62% ± 1%, 58% ± 7%, respectively). Papaverine failed to attenuate constriction to phenylephrine and norepinephrine 2, 24, or 48 hours posttreatment. Pretreatment with BDM did not reduce vasoconstriction responses to phenylephrine or norepinephrine 2 hours after incubation but did reduce constriction responses thereafter. In contrast, phenoxybenzamine completely attenuated constriction to both phenylephrine (19% ± 8%, 1% ± 4%, −12% ± 4%) and norepinephrine (7.1% ± 1%, −5% ± 5%, −20% ± 5%) at 2, 24, and 48 hours posttreatment, respectively. Phenoxybenzamine did not alter endothelial function relative to controls at any time point. Conclusions . Thirty-minute pretreatment of RA conduits with 10 −6 M phenoxybenzamine completely inhibits vasoconstriction to phenylephrine and norepinephrine for as long as 48 hours. Soaking radial artery grafts briefly in phenoxybenzamine solution before implantation may be effective in preventing postoperative vasospasm caused by two common α-adrenergic agonists used in postoperative hemodynamic management.
Evidence for avian influenza A infections among Iowa’s agricultural workers

Background Identifying risk factors for zoonotic influenza transmission may aid public health officials in pandemic influenza planning. Objectives We sought to evaluate rural Iowan agriculture workers exposed to poultry for previous evidence of avian influenza virus infection. Methods In 2004, we enrolled 803 rural adult Iowans in a 2-year prospective study of zoonotic influenza transmission. Their enrollment data and sera were compared with those of 66 adult controls enrolled at the University of Iowa in 2006 by using proportional odds modeling. Results Of the 803 participants 58·8% were male with a mean age of 55·6 years. Forty-eight percent reported previous poultry exposure. Sera were studied by microneutralization techniques for antibodies against avian H4, H5, H6, H7 and H9 viruses. Touching live birds was associated (OR 1·2; 95% CI 1·02–1·8) with increased antibody titer against H5 virus. Similarly, participants who reported hunting wild birds had increased antibody titers against H7 virus (OR 2·8; 95%CI 1·2–6·5) and subjects who reported recent exposure to poultry had increased antibody titers against H6 (OR 3·4; 95% CI 1·4–8·5) and H7 viruses (OR 2·5, 95% CI 1·1–5·7). There was no evidence of elevated antibody against avian H4 or H9 viruses. Conclusions These data suggest that hunting and exposure to poultry may be important risk factors for avian influenza virus infection among rural US populations. Agriculture workers should be included in influenza pandemic plans.
Influence of high temperatures on the pathogenicity and survival of Western X-disease virus in leafhoppers.

Abstract Temperatures of 38° and 41° during periods of 7–20 days inactivated Western X-disease virus (WXV) or reduced the virus titer in the leafhopper vector Colladonus montanus (Van Duzee). Insects that were inoculative prior to 20 days of heat treatment required a second virus incubation period of several weeks following heat treatment before they again transmitted virus. In contrast, the control insects held in the greenhouse transmitted virus immediately, and their transmission curve declined with increasing time. The second incubation period was longer in insects that had acquired virus by feeding than in those receiving virus by injection. The longevity of viruliferous leafhoppers was also affected by heat treatment. Although longevity was best among virus-free, unheated leafhoppers and second best among virus-free heated insects, viruliferous leafhoppers tested for longevity after heat treatment consistently lived longer than did the viruliferous but unheated controls. The results suggest that the pathological effects of WXV in some of the vectors may be temporarily arrested or retarded when the virus is inactivated or the titer is reduced by means of heat treatment.
An Automated Valve for Dispersion Control in On-Chip Electrophoresis

Band dispersion and sample loss into a side channel is a major problem when an electrokinetically-mobilized concentration zone passes a T-junction in a networked microfluidic chip. The band dispersion can be minimized in linear electrophoretic systems such as zone electrophoresis and moving boundary electrophoresis by applying a constant additional electric field in the side channel. However, constant valve voltages have shown to provide unsatisfactory valve performance during nonlinear electrophoresis (isotachophoresis). In this study, an automated valve system was developed to reduce the band dispersion at the intersection during non-linear electrophoresis. The automated valve consists of two integrated microelectrodes and a control system. With the automated control system, two integrated microelectrodes provide an effective way to manipulate current streamlines, thus acting as a non-mechanical valve for charged species in electrokinetic separations. Experimental results with this non-mechanical valve show decreased dispersion and increased reproducibility as protein zones isotachophoretically passed the T-junction.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Four-Dimensional Characterization of Thrombosis in a Live-Cell, Shear-Flow Assay: Development and Application to Xenotransplantation

Background Porcine xenografts are a promising source of scarce transplantable organs, but stimulate intense thrombosis of human blood despite targeted genetic and pharmacologic interventions. Current experimental models do not enable study of the blood/endothelial interface to investigate adhesive interactions and thrombosis at the cellular level under physiologic conditions. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a live-cell, shear-flow based thrombosis assay relevant to general thrombosis research, and demonstrate its potential in xenotransplantation applications. Methodology/Principal Findings Confluent wild-type (WT, n = 48) and Gal transferase knock-out (GalTKO, which resist hyperacute rejection; n = 11) porcine endothelia were cultured in microfluidic channels. To mimic microcirculatory flow, channels were perfused at 5 dynes/cm2 and 37°C with human blood stained to fluorescently label platelets. Serial fluorescent imaging visualized percent surface area coverage (SA, for adhesion of labeled cells) and total fluorescence (a metric of clot volume). Aggregation was calculated by the fluorescence/SA ratio (FR). WT endothelia stimulated diffuse platelet adhesion (SA 65 ± 2%) and aggregation (FR 120 ± 1 a.u.), indicating high-grade thrombosis consistent with the rapid platelet activation and consumption seen in whole-organ lung xenotransplantation models. Experiments with antibody blockade of platelet aggregation, and perfusion of syngeneic and allo-incompatible endothelium was used to verify the biologic specificity and validity of the assay. Finally, with GalTKO endothelia thrombus volume decreased by 60%, due primarily to a 58% reduction in adhesion (P < 0.0001 each); importantly, aggregation was only marginally affected (11% reduction, P < 0.0001). Conclusions/Significance This novel, high-throughput assay enabled dynamic modeling of whole-blood thrombosis on intact endothelium under physiologic conditions, and allowed mechanistic characterization of endothelial and platelet interactions. Applied to xenogeneic thrombosis, it enables future studies regarding the effect of modifying the porcine genotype on sheer-stress-dependent events that characterize xenograft injury. This in-vitro platform is likely to prove broadly useful to study thrombosis and endothelial interactions under dynamic physiologic conditions.
Distribution Grid State Estimation from Compressed Measurements

Real-time control of a smart distribution grid with renewable energy based generators requires accurate state estimates, that are typically based on measurements aggregated from smart meters. However, the amount of data/measurements increases with the scale of the physical grid, posing a significant stress on both the communication infrastructure as well as data processing control centers. This paper first investigates the effect of geographical footprint of distributed generation (DG) on the voltage states of a smart distribution system. We demonstrate that the strong coupling in the physical power system results in estimated voltage phasors exhibiting a correlation structure that allows for compression of measurements. Specifically, by exploiting principles of 1D and 2D compressed sensing, we develop two approaches, an indirect and direct method for state estimation starting from compressed power measurements. We illustrate the effectiveness of voltage estimation with significantly low number of random spatial, temporal as well as spatio-temporal power measurements using the IEEE 34 node distribution test feeder and a larger 100 node radial distribution system. Results show similar performance for both methods at all levels of compression. It is observed that, even with only 50% compressed power measurements, both methods estimate the states of the test feeder with high level of accuracy.
A Key Exchange Method for Intelligent Electronic Devices in Distribution Automation

The use of communication networks and intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) for power systems is becoming more common and more necessary. Changes in the power system structure, changes in requirements and the necessity to have easy access to accurate data have led to the need for communication systems. Due to these changes, communication systems with IEDs in power companies expose the safety-critical power companies' network to the multitude security problems of communication networks. This paper proposes a method called multiple channel secure acknowledging multicast, which merges the tasks of acknowledgment and key changes in a simple and direct manner to make exposed IEDs more secure in distribution automation.
Spatial Ecology and Social Interactions of Jaguars (Panthera Onca) in the Southern Pantanal, Brazil

The Pantanal of Brazil is an important area for the conservation of jaguars (Panthera onca). As the size of traditional large ranches in the Pantanal decreases, human access to jaguar habitat increases, resulting in humanaltered landscapes that may influence patterns of resource selection and space use by jaguars. We used global positioning system radiocollars to study jaguars in the southern Pantanal. We radiocollared 10 jaguars (6 males and 4 females), obtained 11,787 locations, and examined their space use, movement rates, and social interactions between October 2001 and April 2004. Estimates of 90% kernel home ranges varied among animals and seasons (range: 34.1–262.9 km 2 ). Core areas (50% isopleth) of both females and males did not differ in size between seasons, but home ranges (90% isopleth) during the dry season were generally larger than during the wet season. The stability of home ranges varied among seasons and individuals. Some females maintained 80% of their home ranges from 1 season to the next, whereas other females used 50% of their home ranges from the previous season. Site fidelity within individual home ranges also varied; 70% of the core areas of some females were located in different sites within their home ranges during different seasons. Locations of females suggested a pattern of spatial avoidance among females during the wet season. Home-range overlap among males was extensive, both in the wet and dry seasons, suggesting that males did not maintain exclusive ranges. Overlap between males and females occurred both in the wet and dry seasons, and movements by females were not restricted within the ranges of individual males. Jaguars were located ,200 m apart more often than expected, suggesting some degree of sociality. The reproductive profiles of females suggested either a low conception rate, a low survival rate of young, or that jaguars may be more social than previously thought. Interactions among males also suggested some degree of sociality.
Molecular Imaging Techniques in Body Imaging

Molecular imaging of the body involves new techniques to image cellular biochemical processes, which results in studies with high sensitivity, specificity, and signal-to-background. The most prevalently used molecular imaging technique in body imaging is currently fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). FDG PET has become the method of choice for the staging and restaging of many of the most common cancers, including lymphoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. FDG PET has also become extremely valuable in monitoring the response to therapeutic drugs in many cancers. New PET agents, such as fluorothymidine and acetate, have also shown promise in the evaluation of response to therapy and in the staging of prostate cancer. Magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy has shown promise in the evaluation of prostate cancer. Breast cancer evaluation benefits from advances in spectroscopic imaging and contrast-enhanced kinetic evaluation of vascular permeability, which is altered in neoplastic processes because of release of angiogenic factors. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles represent the first of an expanding line of MR contrast agents that target specific cellular processes. SPIO particles have also been used in the evaluation of the cirrhotic liver and at MR lymphangiography.
Does more health care improve health among older adults? A longitudinal analysis.

Objectives: This research assesses the association of health services use with subsequent physical health among older Americans, adjusting for the confounding between health care use and prior health. Method: Longitudinal data are from the Survey on Assets and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD). Linear and logistic regressions are used to model the linkages between medical care use and health outcomes, including self-rated health, functional limitations, and mortality. Results: There is limited evidence that increased health care use is correlated with improved subsequent health. Increased use of medical care is largely associated with poorer health outcomes. Moreover, there are no significant interaction effects of health care use and baseline health on Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, despite the existence of a significant but very small interaction effect on self-rated health. Conclusions: The findings have implications for the quality of care delivered ...
Pixilated Problem Patrons: Or, the Trials of Working Virtual Reference and What We've Learned from It

Reference volunteer Hypatia Dejavu is staffing the virtual reference desk at Alliance Virtual Library when a patron avatar appears in a small blaze of pixels. By all appearances, he's a new male av...
Radiological imaging facility

The Arizona State University radiological imaging facility is described. The creation of the facility and its utilization are included. The facility provides students with equipment and space for exploring the basics of medical imaging in an atmosphere free from the demands and time restrictions of equipment which is undergoing clinical use. The facility also allows easy scheduling of student and other nonclinical research projects. >
Juvenile Nephronophthisis with Blindness in a Three-month-old Infant Senior's Syndrome Associated with Relative Parathyroid Insufficiency

Juvenile nephronophthisis is a slowly progressive renal disease with onset in infancy, characterized by impaired renal concentrating ability. The combination of juvenile nephronophthisis and tapeto-retinal degeneration, renal-retinal dystrophy, may cause blindness in infancy, and renal failure in the first decade of life. This syndrome has not been previously described as a cause of renal failure in young infants. We report an infant who presented at three months of age with blindness and renal insufficiency. In addition, this infant had a disproportionate degree of hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia compatible with relative parathyroid gland insufficiency. We propose that this was due to an inability of this infant's parathyroid glands to undergo compensatory hypertrophy, rather than a specific defect in parathyroid function associated with renal-retinal dystrophy.
Determinants of securing academic interviews after tenure denial: evidence from a zero-inflated Poisson model

This paper uses a new data set to estimate empirically the optimal job search strategies for recently non-tenured economists seeking to obtain an academic job. Estimates from a zero inflated Poisson model suggest that a portion of interview counts is beyond the candidate's control as age, colour of skin, gender, and citizenship all play a part in the interview decision. A candidate can substantially enhance the probability of obtaining initial interviews by maintaining quality research and teaching portfolios, however.
Defining an absolute reference frame for 'clumped' isotope studies of CO 2

We present a revised approach for standardizing and reporting analyses of multiply substituted isotopologues of CO2 (i.e., ‘clumped’ isotopic species, especially the mass-47 isotopologues). Our approach standardizes such data to an absolute reference frame based on theoretical predictions of the abundances of multiply-substituted isotopologues in gaseous CO2 at thermodynamic equilibrium. This reference frame is preferred over an inter-laboratory calibration of carbonates because it enables all laboratories measuring mass 47 CO2 to use a common scale that is tied directly to theoretical predictions of clumping in CO2, regardless of the laboratory’s primary research field (carbonate thermometry or CO2 biogeochemistry); it explicitly accounts for mass spectrometric artifacts rather than convolving (and potentially confusing) them with chemical fractionations associated with sample preparation; and it is based on a thermodynamic equilibrium that can be experimentally established in any suitably equipped laboratory using commonly available materials. By analyzing CO2 gases that have been subjected to established laboratory procedures known to promote isotopic equilibrium (i.e., heated gases and water-equilibrated CO2), and by reference to thermodynamic predictions of equilibrium isotopic distributions, it is possible to construct an empirical transfer function that is applicable to data with unknown clumped isotope signatures. This transfer function empirically accounts for the fragmentation and recombination reactions that occur in electron impact ionization sources and other mass spectrometric artifacts. We describe the protocol necessary to construct such a reference frame, the method for converting gases with unknown clumped isotope compositions to this reference frame, and suggest a protocol for ensuring that all reported isotopic compositions (e.g., D47 values; Eiler and Schauble, 2004; Eiler, 2007) can be compared among different laboratories and instruments, independent of laboratory-specific analytical or methodological differences. We then discuss the use of intra-laboratory secondary reference frames (e.g., based on carbonate standards) that can be more easily used to track the evolution of each laboratory’s empirical transfer function. Finally, we show inter-laboratory reproducibility on the order of ±0.010 (1r) for four carbonate standards, and present revised paleotemperature scales that should be used to convert carbonate clumped isotope signatures to temperature when using the absolute reference frame described here. Even when using the reference frame, small discrepancies remain between two previously published synthetic carbonate calibrations. We discuss possible reasons for these discrepancies, and highlight the need for additional low temperature (<15 C) synthetic carbonate experiments. 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Some Curious Magnetic Results From a Precambrian Granite

Summary The 1320 My Spavinaw granite from north-eastern Oklahoma is strongly magnetized, averaging about 10−2 emu cm−3. The NRM directions are randomly oriented: steep and shallow, positive and negative inclinations are equally represented. Although very fine grained titanomagnetite and haematite are primary Fe-Ti oxides, demagnetization generally produces no change from the initial NRM directions whether up to 660 °C or in 1400 Oe peak A.F. This tends to rule out large amounts of secondary magnetization and self-reversal, particularly as there are no apparent compositional variations throughout the granite. We discount lightning because the same magnetic features are shown by samples from all the surface exposures, as well as by subsurface samples from deep wells. Among possible, but unsubstantiated, explanations are: (1) the NRM may be due to stable viscous components which have been acquired throughout the granite over an interval of the order of 109 years, (2) the granite may have recorded multiple reversals of the Precambrian field during cooling, and (3) there was some form of random motion in the crystal mush below 600°C, possibly associated with the injection of multiple granite sills.
In vitro and in vivo characterization of a dual-function green fluorescent protein-HSV1-thymidine kinase reporter gene driven by the human elongation factor 1α promoter

Toward the goal of monitoring activity of native mammalian promoters with molecular imaging techniques, we stably transfected DU145 prostate carcinoma cells with a fusion construct of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and wild-type herpes simplex virus-1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-TK) as a reporter gene driven by the promoter for human elongation factor 1a a (EF-1a-EGFP-TK). Using this model system, expression of EGFP was quantified by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, while the HSV1-TK component of the reporter was quantified with 8-[ 3 H]ganciclovir (8-[ 3 H]GCV). As analyzed by flow cytometry, passage of EGFP-TK-DU145 transfected cells (ETK) in vitro resulted in populations of cells with high and low expression of EGFP over time. High and low ETK cells retained 23-fold and 5-fold more GCV, respectively, than control. While differences in uptake and retention of GCV corresponded to relative expression of the reporter gene in each subpopulation of cells as determined by both flow cytometry (EGFP) and quantitative RT-PCR, the correlation was not linear. Furthermore, in high ETK cells, net retention of various radiolabeled nucleoside analogues varied; the rank order was 8-[ 3 H]GCV < 9-(4-fluoro-3-hydroxymethylbutyl)guanine ([ 18 F]FHBG) � 8-[ 3 H]penciclovir (8-[ 3 H]PCV) < 2 0 -fluoro2 0 -deoxy-5-iodouracil-beta-D-arabinofuranoside (2-[ 14 C]FIAU). Xenograft tumors of ETK cells in vivo accumulated 2.5-fold more 8-[ 3 H]GCV per gram of tissue and showed greater fluorescence from EGFP than control DU145 cells, demonstrating that the reporter gene functioned in vivo. These data extend previous reports by showing that a human promoter can be detected in vitro and in vivo with a dual-function reporter exploiting optical and radiotracer techniques. Mol Imaging (2002) 1, 65 – 73.
Selecting Input Variables for Fuzzy Models

We present an efficient method for selecting important input variables when building a fuzzy model from data. Past methods for input variable selection require generating different models while searching for the optimal combination of variables; our method requires generating only one model that employs all possible input variables. To determine the important variables, premises in the fuzzy rules of this initial model are systematically removed to search for the best simplified model without actually generating any new models. We also present an efficient method for generating the initial model that typically must incorporate a large number of input variables. These methods are illustrated through application to the benchmark Box and Jenkins gas furnace data; the results are compared with those of other fuzzy models found in literature.
Calcification of the interclinoid and petroclinoid ligaments of sella turcica: a radiographic study of the prevalence.

Structured Abstract Authors – Cederberg RA, Benson BW, Nunn M, English JD Objectives – The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of calcifications of the sella turcica, in particular, calcification of the interclinoid and petroclinoid ligaments (PCL). Design – Radiographic analysis of preoperative cephalometric film images. Setting and Sample Population – Lateral cephlometric radiographs of 255 subjects presenting for orthodontic evaluation were reviewed. The number of subjects selected for this study was determined by power analysis. Experimental Variable – Two calibrated raters reviewed cephalometric projections and scored the films using a standardized rating scale. Outcome Measure – The rating scale classified interclinoid ligaments (ICL) into one of four categories depending on the degree of calcification and PCLs as either, no calcification, partial or complete calcification. Results – Of all subjects, calcification of the ICL ranged from 39% rated as more than half calcified to 8% completely calcified. Petroclinoid analysis revealed 67% with no calcification, 23% with partial calcification and 9% completely calcified. Spearman's correlations were computed between age and the degree of calcification and between the degree of calcification for these two ligaments with a significant association between age and degree of calcification in the PCL, r = 0.185 (p = 0.003) and a significant association between the degree of calcification in the petroclinoid and ICLs, r = 0.186 (p = 0.003). In addition, chi-squared tests demonstrated statistically significant associations between the presence of calcification in the PCL to the distribution of age (p = 0.041) and between the presence of calcification in the ICL to the distribution of age (p = 0.045). Conclusion – As calcification of these ligaments has suggestive associations with disease entities, their recognition as a variant of normal anatomy should be evaluated when assessing cephalometric radiographs.
Achieving Breakthrough Service Delivery Through Dynamic Asset Deployment Strategies

Many firms have shifted their focus from their products to their customers and the value derived from owning and using the products. They see after-sales service as an important source of revenue and profit, customer acquisition and retention, and competitive differentiation. However, they also find it challenging to manage their service-supply chain. Service organizations must position and manage service-supply-chain resources optimally to support the delivery of after-sales service. They must also develop capabilities to respond rapidly to the demand for service in a cost-effective manner. To succeed in implementing a service-centric strategy, firms must determine what items in their products' service bill-of-material hierarchy should be deployed throughout their geographical hierarchy of service support locations. They must make these complex and interrelated decisions in anticipation of service demand, which is uncertain. Firms must also be flexible and should understand the mechanisms in a service-supply chain needed to fulfill customers' demands for service and the resulting demands for support assets and capacities. Dynamic asset deployment (DAD), a collection of management policies that promote this flexibility, can be used to develop the capabilities needed to effectively and profitably deliver services. These policies require a real-options-based optimization approach to decision making.
Localization of Villin, a Cytoskeletal Protein Specific to Microvilli, in Human Ileum and Colon and in Colonic Neoplasms

Villin is a cytoskeletal protein of microvilli of epithelial cell brush borders found principally in absorptive cells of the intestine and proximal renal tubule. A marker of both enterocyte differentiation and epithelial cell polarity, it has been studied mainly in experimental animals. We raised monoclonal antibodies to villin and used them to localize it in human ileum and colon and in 22 colonic neoplasms. Villin is localized in the brush border of normal ileum and in the luminal border of normal colon and is expressed with increasing staining intensity as cells migrate from crypt to surface. It was present in the luminal border in all five adenomas and in 16 of 17 adenocarcinomas studied. In addition, villin staining was observed in the cytoplasm of 10 tumors, and in the basement membrane area surrounding tumor in 10 cases. In "transitional" mucosa adjacent to carcinomas it was confined to the luminal border. Abnormal expression of villin by a significant proportion of colonic tumors suggests that it may have a role as a marker of colorectal neoplasia.
Knowledge Management Issues for Autonomic Systems

Current OSSs suffer from an inability to integrate diverse types of management information. This paper presents a novel approach for solving this problem using autonomic computing principles. This approach uses a common information model (DEN-ng), extending its framework with ontology-directed harmonization of knowledge using semantic equivalence. In addition, life cycle issues of components as well as management data are addressed
Antisense Profilaggrin RNA Delays and Decreases Profilaggrin Expression and Alters In Vitro Differentiation of Rat Epidermal Keratinocytes

Ichthyosis vulgaris is an epidermal disorder in which profilaggrin expression is decreased or absent. To determine whether the ichthyosis vulgaris phenotype could be mimicked by eliminating profilaggrin expression, a rat epidermal cell line was transfected with a plasmid that directs the constitutive expression of an RNA that is antisense to normal profilaggrin mRNA. Non-transfected and neomycin-resistant cells not containing antisense plasmid that were grown in the neomycin analogue G418 served as controls. Immunoblot and immunofluorescence analysis showed that profilaggrin protein expression and processing to filaggrin were delayed by 3 to 4 d and decreased in transfected cells. Profilaggrin mRNA was detected in both control and transfected cells only after the cells reached confluence, whereas antisense RNA was detected in transfectants at all times, even prior to confluence. Ultrastructural examination revealed that keratohyalin granules were decreased in number, globular, and heterogeneous in appearance in transfected cells in-contrast to angular structures seen in control cells. Unexpectedly, stratification was impaired, intermediate filaments were noticeably reduced, and cornified cell envelope formation was delayed in transfectants. Unlike ichthyosis vulgaris keratinocytes, where keratin expression is unaffected, appearance of K1 and K10 was delayed and K1/K10 synthesis was delayed and decreased in transfected cells. The precipitous drop in 35S-methionine incorporation into cytoskeletal protein seen at confluence in control cells was delayed by 3 d in transfected cells. We conclude that, rather than producing the ichthyosis vulgaris phenotype, antisense profilaggrin RNA has more broad-reaching effects on in vitro differentiation of rat epidermal keratinocytes.
Frequent value compression in packet-based NoC architectures

The proliferation of Chip Multiprocessors (CMPs) has led to the integration of large on-chip caches. For scalability reasons, a large on-chip cache is often divided into smaller banks that are interconnected through packet-based Network-on-Chip (NoC). With increasing number of cores and cache banks integrated on a single die, the on-chip network introduces significant communication latency and power consumption. In this paper, we propose a novel scheme that exploits Frequent Value compression to optimize the power and performance of NoC. Our experimental results show that the proposed scheme reduces the router power by up to 16.7%, with CPI reduction as much as 23.5% in our setting. Comparing to the recent zero pattern compression scheme, the frequent value scheme saves up to 11.0% more router power and has up to 14.5% more CPI reduction. Hardware design of the FV table and its overhead are also presented.
A general framework for spatial correlation modeling in VLSI design

Many characteristics of VLSI designs, such as process variations, demonstrate strong spatial correlations. Accurately modeling of these correlated behaviors is crucial for many timing and power analyses to be valid. This paper proposes a new spatial model with a long-range trend component, a smooth correlation component, as well as a truly random component. The efficient method to construct such a spatial model is based on the Generalized Least Square fitting and the structured correlation functions, which are actually the generalization of the popular Pelgrom mismatch models. Experimental results on industrial benchmarks show that the method is not only highly effective for variability modeling, but can also be used for other spatially distributed characteristics such as IR drops and on-chip temperature distributions.
Association of Postdischarge Spending and Performance on New Episode-Based Spending Measure

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is incentivizing hospitals to provide high-quality, low-cost care.1 As part of these efforts, CMS recently added the Medicare-Spending-per-Beneficiary (MSPB) metric to its Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (HVBP) program, marking the first time that most US hospitals have received financial penalties or rewards based on their performance on a risk-adjusted, price-standardized 30-day episode-based measure of Medicare spending along with quality measures. It is not yet known how hospitals can do well on this new spending measure. We examined whether hospitals that performed poorly (or well) did so because of spending before, during, or after hospitalization.
Terminal Pleistocene Fish Remains from Homestead Cave, Utah, and Implications for Fish Biogeography in the Bonneville Basin

Abstract Eleven fish species were identified from Homestead Cave, Utah. The remains, concentrated in the lowest stratum of the deposit, were accumulated by owls between approximately 11,200 and 10,100 14C yr B.P. and likely represent fish associated with the final die-off of the Lake Bonneville fauna. Four of the species (Salvelinus confluentus, Prosopium abyssicola, Catostomus discobolus, Richardsonius balteatus) represent their first records for Lake Bonneville. The S. confluentus premaxilla is the first Quaternary specimen record for the genus in the Great Basin and suggests a southern range extension during the Pleistocene. The C. discobolus specimens represent the first fossil records for the subgenus Pantosteus in the Great Basin; their presence in Lake Bonneville documents a Pleistocene connection between two presently disjunct populations. The hyomandibulars of Prosopium gemmifer are different from Recent specimens in a pattern suggesting Holocene introgression with Prosopium spilonotus. The lack ...
Role of the renin-angiotensin system during alterations of sodium intake in conscious mice.

The present studies were performed to quantify circulating components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis and to determine the functional importance of this system during alterations in sodiu...
Metal Refining by Filtration

Melt purification and removal of non-metallic inclusions from the melt prior to casting has much merit. The size, shape, type and distribution of non-metallic inclusions present in the finished metal product are the performance fingerprints of the cast shop. It is advantageous to remove these non-metallic particles as they are known to reduce fluidity of the melt, increase internal porosity in the casting, reduce strength, ductility and fatigue resistance of the product and also result in poor machinability and surface finish. In general, the larger the inclusions are, the greater are their deleterious effects. Non-metallic inclusions act as stress-raisers, and can cause premature failure of a specific component. They provide not only initiation sites for fracture but also play a significant role in the propagation of the crack. In this paper the emphasis will be on inclusion removal by filtration of the melt prior to casting.
New leafhopper species and distribution records of Gabrita Walker, 1858 and Sandersellus DeLong, 1945 with revised keys to species (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Coelidiinae).

A new species, Gabrita erwini, sp. nov. in the tribe Gabritini is described and illustrated from Ecuador, representing the first record of the genus and tribe in northwestern South America which extends its distribution across the Neotropical region from eastern localities in the countries of Brazil, French Guiana and Guyana. Three new species of Sandersellus in the tribe Sandersellini are described and illustrated: S. bigladius, sp. nov. from Bolivia, S. digitatus, sp. nov. from Brazil and S. bilanceus, sp. nov. from Peru. Brazil is a new record for the genus and tribe and extends the distribution eastward from its formerly known western range in Peru, Bolivia and Panama. Taxonomy is reviewed, a revised key to known males and distribution of the known species of Gabrita and Sandersellus are provided.
Misuse of Letterhead by Prosecutors and Attorneys General

Some prosecutors and attorneys general have lent the authority of their offices to others through the use of their letterhead, most often to debt collectors. In a similar and no less disturbing misuse of office, some attorneys general have sent letters on official letterhead substantially written by lobbyists or lawyers for corporations that have made campaign contributions to the attorney general. This ethics column explores the ethics of such practices.
Control of the Walnut Aphid and Codling Moth on Walnuts in Northern California

In northern California on most walnut varieties it is necessary to apply a regular seasonal spray to control the walnut aphid, Chromaphis juglandicola (Kaltenbach), and the codling moth, Carpocapsa pomonella (L.). It would be advantageous to the grower if a single compound would control both pests, as the timing of the first spray is the same for the 2 insects. Experimental field plots were established for 2 seasons to evaluate compounds that might serve this dual purpose. Phosphamidon, after trials in 2 seasons, and Bidrin® (3-hydroxy- N, N -dimethyl- cis -croton-amide dimethyl phosphate) in a single season of use, gave good control of both walnut aphid and codling moth. Endosulfan II (the high melting isomer of endosulfan) also showed promise against both pests while endosulfan was effective only against the walnut aphid. Morestan® (6-methyl-2,3-quinoxal-inedithiol cyclic carbonate) gave excellent control of walnut aphid and spider mites, but was not effective against codling moth. Dimethoate was an excellent aphicide, but caused phytotoxicity which would preclude its use on walnuts. Imidan® (phthalimidomethyl O, O -dimethyl phosphorodithioate) and Bayer 37344 (4-(methylthio)-3,5- xylyl methylcarbamate) controlled codling moth, but the walnut aphid increased on the plots to higher numbers than were recorded upon the unsprayed check. Both materials, especially Bayer 37344, were toxic to predators.
Ketogenic Diet: Effects on Growth

The effects of the ketogenic diet on growth of 237 children (130 males, 107 females) treated for intractable epilepsy has been evaluated in a prospective cohort study (average follow-up 308 days) at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
A Study on Grafting Plant Cultivation Technology of Macadamia integrifolia

A series of grafting experiments such as ring peeling,different grafting time,different variety,different grafting method and different grafting position were conducted to study the grafting plant cultivation technology of Macadamia integrifolia.On the results of experiments,a set of technology for cultivating grafting plant was summarized.
Clinical, signaling pathway, and cellular effects of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition with gefitinib in combination with paclitaxel and radiation in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN)

15540 Background: EGFR, overexpressed in >90% of SCCHN, activates pathways that modulate proliferation, apoptosis, and therapeutic resistance. We examined the clinical, signaling, and cellular effe...