cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural constraints on cognition in sleep

Certain features of Stage NREM sleep – for example, rhythmic voltage oscillation in thalamic neurons – are physiologically inhospitable to “REM sleep processes.” In Stage 2, the sleep spindle and its refractory period must limit the incursion of “covert REM,” and thus the extent of REM-like cognition. If these hyperpolarization-dependent events also inform Stage NREM cognition, does a “1-gen” model suffice to account for REM-NREM differences? [Nielsen]
Edgebreaker: a simple compression for surfaces with handles

The Edgebreaker is an efficient scheme for compressing triangulated surfaces. A surprisingly simple implementation of Edgebreaker has been proposed for surfaces homeomorphic to a sphere. It uses the Corner-Table data structure, which represents the connectivity of a triangulated surface by two tables of integers, and encodes them with less than 2 bits per triangle. We extend this simple formulation to deal with triangulated surfaces with handles and present the detailed pseudocode for the encoding and decoding algorithms (which take one page each). We justify the validity of the proposed approach using the mathematical formulation of the Handlebody theory for surfaces, which explains the topological changes that occur when two boundary edges of a portion of a surface are identified.
Adduct Size Limits Efficient and Error-free Bypass Across Bulky N2-Guanine DNA Lesions by Human DNA Polymerase η

The N2 position of guanine (G) is one of the major sites for DNA modification by various carcinogens. Eight oligonucleotides with varying adduct bulk at guanine N2 were analyzed for catalytic efficiency and fidelity with human DNA polymerase (pol) eta, which is involved in translesion synthesis (TLS). Pol eta effectively bypassed N2-methyl(Me)G, N2-ethyl(Et)G, N2-isobutyl(Ib)G, N2-benzyl(Bz)G, and N2-CH2(2-naphthyl)G but was severely blocked at N2-CH2(9-anthracenyl)G (N2-AnthG) and N2-CH2(6-benzo[a]pyrenyl)G (N2-BPG). Steady-state kinetic analysis showed proportional decreases of kcat/Km in dCTP insertion opposite N2-AnthG and N2-BPG (73 and 320-fold) and also kcat/Km in next-base extension from a C paired with each adduct (15 and 51-fold relative to G). Frequencies of dATP misinsertion and extension beyond mispairs were also proportionally increased (70 and 450-fold; 12 and 44-fold) with N2-AnthG and N2-BPG, indicating the effect of adduct bulk on blocking and misincorporation in TLS by pol eta. N2-AnthG and N2-BPG also greatly decreased the pre-steady-state kinetic burst rate (25 and 125-fold) compared to unmodified G. N2-AnthG decreased dCTP binding affinity (2.6-fold) and increased DNA substrate binding affinity. These results and the small kinetic thio effects (S(p)-dCTPalphaS) suggest that the early steps, possibly conformational change, are interfered with by the bulky adducts. In contrast, human pol delta bypassed adducts effectively up to N2-EtG but was strongly blocked by N2-IbG and larger adducts. We conclude that TLS DNA polymerases may be required for the efficient bypass of pol delta-blocking N2-G adducts bulkier than N2-EtG in human cells, and the bulk size can be a major factor for efficient and error-free bypass at these adducts by TLS DNA polymerases.
Metabolic concerns associated with antiepileptic medications

Because treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is often for years or lifelong, physicians should be aware of the metabolic changes that can be associated with AED use and the potential effects of these changes during long-term therapy. Alterations of bone metabolism leading to decreased bone mineral density, associated particularly but not exclusively with the hepatic enzyme-inducing AEDs, can worsen the risk for fractures, which is already increased in patients with epilepsy by factors such as seizure-related falls and trauma. Some AEDs are associated with weight gain, an effect that is not only distressing to many patients but may be sufficient to increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and other disorders associated with excessive body weight. The carbonic anhydrase-inhibiting properties of some AEDs can lead to metabolic acidosis. The AEDs that inhibit carbonic anhydrase are also associated with an increase in risk for renal stones, as is the ketogenic diet. Awareness of the potential metabolic disturbances associated with AED use is particularly important because many of them are subtle and may take years to become clinically apparent.
A theoretical study of the neutral, protonated, and deprotonated trimers of HF and HCl

Abstract The structures of the neutral, protonated, and deprotonated trimers of HF and HC1 have been optimized at the MP2/6-31 + G (d,p) level of theory. The neutral trimers are cyclic with C3h symmetry. The protonated HF and HCl trimers have C2v, and C2 symmetry, respectively, while the deprotonated trimers have C2v symmetry. Correlated trimer binding energies have been evaluated with the 6-31 + G(2d,2p) basis set using Moller-Plesset perturbation theory at second (MP2), third (MP3), and fourth (MP4) order; the coupled clusters doubles method (CCD), and CCD with non-iterative inclusion of triples (CCD (T)); quadratic configuration interaction (QCISD), and QCISD with non-iterative inclusion of triples (QCISD (T)); the averaged coupled-pair functional (ACPF); the linearized coupled clusters method (LCCM); and configuration interaction with all single and double excitations (CISD), all relative to a single-reference Hartree-Fock function. The size-consistency error in the CISD energies was corrected using the Davidson and Pople corrections, and by use of the supermolecule approach. The size-consistency error in the ACPF binding energies is less than 0.1 kcal mol−1. All size-consistent methods predict similar binding energies for the HF trimers. There is more variation among these methods in the binding energies of the HC1 trimers, with MP2 predicting the highest binding energies. (HF)3 and (HCl)3 are predicted to be about three times more stable than the corresponding dimers. The charged complexes F3H4+, F3H2−, Cl3H4+, and Cl3H2− have hydrogen bonds which are weaker than the hydrogen bonds in the corresponding dimers.
Routine Anticoagulation Is Not Indicated for Postoperative General Thoracic Surgical Patients With New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation

Background Current guidelines suggest anticoagulation for patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Little evidence exists for the risk/benefit ratio in postoperative general thoracic surgical patients. We analyzed new-onset AF in patients after a general thoracic operation to determine the benefit of anticoagulation on prevention of stroke and its impact on postoperative outcome. Methods New-onset postoperative AF developed in 759 patients (527 men, 237 women) who underwent thoracic surgical procedures between 1994 and 2009. Demographic data, clinical presentation, operative findings, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Results The median age was 71 years (range, 31 to 92 years). We compared 228 patients anticoagulated for new-onset postoperative AF with 531 non-anticoagulated patients. The anticoagulated group had a higher incidence of male sex, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease. Median postoperative hospitalization was 9 days(range, 1 to 306 days) in those not anticoagulated and 11 days (range, 1 to 97 days) in those anticoagulated for AF ( p = 0.704). Stroke occurred in 0.56% of the non-anticoagulated patients vs 2.2% of the anticoagulated patients ( p = 0.057). Bleeding occurred in 22 patients (9.7%) who were anticoagulated and in 27 (5.1%) who were not ( p = 0.009). Anticoagulated patients had a higher incidence of at least one complication other than stroke or bleeding (43.4%) vs non-anticoagulated patients (30.9%; p = 0.001). Operative mortality in anticoagulated patients was 3.1% vs 6.6% in patients not anticoagulated ( p = 0.057). Conclusions Anticoagulation did not lower the risk of stroke or transient ischemic attacks in postoperative general thoracic surgery patients with new-onset AF but did increase the incidence of postoperative bleeding and other complications. Patients with new-onset AF after a general thoracic surgical procedure should not be routinely anticoagulated.
Robust RLS methods for on-line estimation of power system electromechanical modes

This paper proposes a robust recursive least square (RRLS) algorithm for on-line identification of power system modes based on measurement data. The measurement data can either be ambient or ringdown. Also, the mode estimation is pro-vided in real-time. The validity of the proposed RRLS algorithm is demonstrated with both simulation data from a 17-machine model and field measurement data from a wide area measurement system (WAMS). Comparison with the conventional recursive least square (RLS) and least mean square (LMS) algorithms shows that the proposed RRLS algorithm can identify the modes from the combined ringdown and ambient signals with outliers and missing data in real-time without noticeable performance degradation. An adaptive detrend algorithm is also proposed to remove the signal trend based on the RRLS algorithm. It is shown that the algorithm can keep up with the measurement data flow and work on-line to provide real-time mode estimation.
Knowledge Representation and Problem Solution in Expert and Novice Youth Baseball Players

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine differences in knowledge representation and problem solutions in expert and novice youth baseball players. Ninety-four players in two age divisions, 7–8 years of age and 9–10 years of age, were assigned to three levels of expertise: high; average; and low skilled. Each subject participated in an interview session to elicit knowledge representation and solutions to five different defensive game situations. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for content, solution to the problem, errors in problem solution, and qualitative trends. The frequency of advanced solutions to each of the five situations were analyzed in separate chi-square tests for age and expertise. Differences among the levels of expertise were found for the accuracy of solutions to three complex situations. Age was significant for only one situation. Patterns of knowledge content accessed during advanced and less advanced responses indicated both experts and novices were in a beginning sta...
Design, implementation, and refinement of a hardware-in-the-loop simulator for a hovering AUV

A simulator was designed for troubleshooting the hovering AUV Mola Mola, operated by the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology. The SeaBED class Mola Mola had suffered several failures in its last 2010 cruise and two 2011 cruises. Through simulator testing, these failures were found to be a single power system issue that manifested itself in three very different ways as it worsened during the differing conditions of the cruises. The simulator supplies navigation parameters to the vehicle control system while monitoring the AUVs thruster RPM. Running the simulator with the vehicle in air can reveal general mission behaviors. By mounting the thrusters in a water tank and monitoring the opened housing electronics, power issues can be examined during the course of simulated missions.
Velocity-dependent activation of postural muscles in a simple two-joint synergy

A simple two-joint synergy was studied over a range of movement velocities. We hypothesized that focal and postural components of the synergy are consequences of a single control process and, as such, will demonstrate similar scaling with movement velocity. Healthy subjects performed discrete elbow or wrist flexion or extension movements in a sagittal plane under the instruction to move one of the joints at different speed in different trials of a series. Joint angles and electromyographic (EMG) signals from two flexor and two extensor muscles were recorded and analyzed. Irrespective whether the focal movement took place in the elbow or in the wrist joint, and irrespective of the movement direction and velocity, the elbow flexor and the wrist flexor tended to demonstrate simultaneous EMG bursts, while the elbow extensor and the wrist extensor also showed similar patterns of activation. During flexion (extension) movements in either joint, the latencies of both elbow and wrist extensors (flexors) decreased with velocity of the focal movement. Integrals of the EMG bursts in all the muscles increased with movement speed in all the series. Typically, there was a close to linear relation between the integral EMG indices for the elbow and wrist flexors as well as for the elbow and wrist extensors. We conclude that there exists a simple, scalable synergy which is used by the central nervous system in a wide range of movement velocities to simplify control of the postural component of a motor task.
When a school-age child stutters, let's focus on the primary problem.

Purpose In this reply to Yaruss, Coleman, and Quesal (2012), I explain why it is reasonable for speech-language pathologists to focus their attention on helping school-age children who stutter (CWS) achieve natural-sounding fluent speech. I also emphasize the necessity for clinical researchers to conduct high-quality treatment efficacy studies of school-age CWS.
Synthetic biology: Act natural.

This burgeoning field aims to reproduce advanced, dynamic behaviours of biological systems, including genetics, inheritance and evolution.
Electronic structures for energy-rich phosphates

The extended Huckel theory is applied to adenosine-5′-di- and triphosphate, and to the related molecules of adenosine-5′-monophosphate, inorganic ortho-, pyro- and triphosphate, adenine, D-ribose and adenosine. Charge distributions calculated for these three-dimensional molecules suggest that opposing resonance and electrostatic repulsions can contribute to the high free energies of hydrolysis of the polyphosphates near pH 7. Eigen-values from SCF calculations on small, related compounds are found to be useful as valence state ionization potentials. A procedure for obtaining total energies within the EH framework is described which approximates experimental values better than the sum of the orbital energies. The phosphorus 3d orbitals contribute significantly to the stability of the phosphates. The charges along the backbone of the condensed phosphates alternate in sign. Little interaction is found between the phosphate and base moieties of the nucleotides in folded conformations.
Protective immunity against avian influenza induced by a fowlpox virus recombinant

Fowlpox virus, the prototypic virus of the genus Avipoxvirus has a natural host range limited to avian species. As such, fowlpox virus provides a suitable candidate for the development of a species-specific recombinant viral vector. This paper reports the development of a fowlpox virus recombinant expressing the haemagglutinin molecule from a highly virulent avian influenza virus. On immunization of chickens and turkeys with the recombinant, protection is afforded against a lethal challenge with either the homologous or a heterologous influenza virus strain.
The effect of various seleno-compounds on ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

The effect of various concentrations and forms of selenium on in vitro viability of Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells (EATC) was investigated. Sodium selenite, selenium dioxide, seleno-dl-cystine, and seleno-dl-methionine, dramatically decreased EATC viability as measured by dye exclusion. Sodium selenate only marginally decreased EATC viability. Cell viabilities decreased with increasing selenium in the incubation media and as a function of time. Viabilities determined by dye exclusion did not correlate with the inhibition of tumor growth observed after treatment with selenium. Intraperitoneal injections of selenite in mice previously inoculated with EATC significantly inhibited tumor development. Delaying intraperitoneal injections of selenite to 5 and 7 days after inoculation of mice with EATC reduced the effectiveness of this nutrient on the inhibition of EATC growth. Incubation of EATC in vitro with supplemental selenium prior to injection of mice completely inhibited EATC development in vivo before any appreciable alteration in cell viability was observed.
Nitric oxide and thiol redox regulation of Janus kinase activity

The activation of Janus kinases (JAKs) is crucial for propagation of the proliferative response initiated by many cytokines. The proliferation of various cell lines, particularly those of hematopoietic origin, is also modulated by mediators of oxidative stress such as nitric oxide and thiol redox reagents. Herein we demonstrate that nitric oxide and other thiol oxidants can inhibit the autokinase activity of rat JAK2 in vitro, presumably through oxidation of crucial dithiols to disulfides within JAK2. The reduced form of JAK2 is the most active form, and the oxidized JAK2 form is inactive. Nitric oxide pretreatment of quiescent Ba/F3 cells also inhibits the interleukin 3-triggered in vivo activation of JAK2, a phenomenon that correlates with inhibited proliferation. Furthermore, we observed that the autokinase activity of JAK3 responds in a similar fashion to thiol redox reagents in vitro and to nitric oxide donors in vivo. We suggest that the thiol redox regulation of JAKs may partially explain the generally immunosuppressive effects of nitric oxide and of other thiol oxidants.
Pretreatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Sorghum Bran

ABSTRACT Sorghum bran has potential to serve as a low-cost feedstock for production of fuel ethanol. Sorghum bran from a decortication process (10%) was used for this study. The approximate chemical composition of sorghum bran was 30% starch, 18% hemicellulose, 11% cellulose, 11% protein, 10% crude fat, and 3% ash. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of selected pretreatment methods such as hot water, starch degradation, dilute acid hydrolysis, and combination of those methods on enzymatic hydrolysis of sorghum bran. Methods for pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of sorghum bran involved hot water treatment (10% solid, w/v) at 130°C for 20 min, acid hydrolysis (H2SO4), starch degradation, and enzymatic hydrolysis (60 hr, 50°C, 0.9%, v/v) with commercial cellulase and hemicellulose enzymes. Total sugar yield by using enzymatic hydrolysis alone was 9%, obtained from 60 hr of enzyme hydrolysis. Hot water treatment facilitated and increased access of the enzymes to hemicellulos...
Working for 'Warm Glow': On the Benefits and Limits of Prosocial Incentives

We study whether using prosocial incentives, where effort is tied directly to charitable contributions, may lead to better performance than standard incentive schemes. In a real-effort task, individuals indeed work harder for charity than for themselves, but only when incentive stakes are low. When stakes are raised, effort increases when individuals work for themselves but not when they work for others and, as a result, the difference in provided effort disappears. Individuals correctly anticipate these effects, choosing to work for charity at low incentives and for themselves at high incentives. The results are consistent with warm glow giving and have implications for optimal incentive design.
Alternative models for telephone response to pediatric poisonings.

Background. Poison Control Centers (PCCs) provide telephone consultations to manage poisonings. They are threatened with funding loss. Policy decision-makers have requested an evaluation of alternate models for telephone management of poisonings. Objective. We examined the feasibility of alternative models for the telephone management of poisonings from the public. Methods. Alternative models evaluated included emergency medical dispatchers (EMDs), advice nurses (RNs), andpoison information providers (PIPs) to manage real andhypothetical poisonings with protocols or computerized references (Poisindex®) with andwithout PCC backup. Results. EMDs andRNs with a structured protocol andaccess to a PCC specialist were able to manage a small subset of poisoning calls. EMDs andRNs managed 6% and12% of poisoning calls respectively. Non-protocol management of hypothetical cases using Poisindex® resulted in mismanagement of cases andlonger periods of time to manage cases. PIPs within a PCC were able to manage a subst...
Neural aspects of immunomodulation: Focus on the vagus nerve

Inflammation and immunity have been implicated in a wide variety of diseases and disorders ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to cardiovascular disease to hemorrhagic shock. In this review, we will briefly consider the evidence for the neural concomitants of immunomodulation. First, we will briefly review the anatomy and physiology of neural-immune communication. Evidence for the somatotopic organization of the vagus nerve and for pain processes suggests that such an organization may be relevant for the investigation of the neural concomitants of immunity. Then we will provide an overview of what is known from both animal and human studies including neuroimaging and clinical studies. Finally, we will discuss some of the challenges and opportunities in this exciting area of investigation.
Pulse radiolysis of alkanes: A time-resolved EPR study—Part II. Phenolic additives☆

Abstract Time-resolved spin-echo-detected EPR was applied to observed transient radicals formed in pulse radiolysis of phenols. ArOH, in alkanes at 290 K. It is demonstrated that phenoxy radicals ArO are produced in dissociative capture of electrons, alkane holes and via reaction of phenols with hydrogen atoms. Another product of the latter reaction is cyclohexadienyl-type radical H · ArOH. H atoms add exclusively to the para -position of phenols. A rapid multi-step transfer of singlet spin correlation from the geminate radical ion pairs to the pairs involving ArO · and H · ArOH radicals is responsible for the early-time A/E polarization in these species.
Evidence for dynamic recrystallization during Harper–Dorn creep

Abstract Harper–Dorn creep refers to the anomalous creep behavior first reported in 1957 by Harper and Dorn in their study on the creep behavior of large-grained aluminum. The creep rates associated with Harper–Dorn creep are two orders of magnitude faster than those predicted by Nabarro–Herring creep (diffusional creep). The present investigation provides new evidence that dynamic recrystallization occurs during Harper–Dorn creep. Such evidence is manifested by the occurrence of periodic accelerations of the creep rate. In addition, it is shown that the creep substructure along with other considerations is consistent with the characteristics of dynamic recrystallization.
Nondestructive neutron activation analysis of some soil clays of Egypt

Fourteen clay samples separated from calcareous, lacustrine, Nile alluvium and desert alluvium soils of Egypt were analyzed by pure instrumental neutron activation analysis. Elemental composition was determined by high resolution gamma-spectrometry on samples irradiated with reactor neutrons using the monostrandard technique. This was carried out in the nuclear research center of Karlsruhe, West Germany. As many as 17 trace elements, beside Ca, K, and Na, were quantitatively determined. The spectra of chosen activated clays are given. Data reveal that the content of the trace elements As, Cs, Hf, Sb, Sc, Sm, Yb, Th and U were found within a narrow range despite location and depths of clay samples. Nevertheless, the contents of some elements mainly Ce, Cr and La had a wide range. In brief, the presence of any elements in higher or lower levels in certain clays is contingent on the occurence of its bearing minerals, nature of parent sediments and depositional environments of these sediments.
Bloody Memories: Encountering the Past in Contemporary Poland

Perhaps because so many Jews can trace their ancestry to Poland, and to East European Jewish immigrants who were quite determined to put the Old World behind them long before the trauma of genocide left no other choice, few Jews can accept the fact that life, and even Jewish life, continued in Poland after World War II.' To them, Poland is nothing more than a vast and shamefully neglected mass graveyard. Poles, of course, are troubled by this perception, and they are particularly disturbed by the fact that although Germans committed the act of genocide, Jews harbor a special grievance toward Poles. The Polish Nobel laureate Czeslaw Milosz (1987) attributes the cause of the special vehemence Jews have toward Poland as scale: German culpability extends beyond the limits of human comprehension, whereas the Polish contribution to genocide was more limited. Acts of betrayal provoke justified condemnation, but how does one respond to a nation whose principal task had been the annihilation of another? And it probably has something to do with the fact that irrespective of the prejudice harbored in the hearts of the average German, efforts were made by the German Federal Republic to court Western Jews by acknowledging the past in its official public culture and through restitution (Webster 1993), whereas Poland refused to acknowledge either the special Jewish dimension of Hitler's genocide or that not all of its citizens were saints during the war. In fact, Polish neglect of Jewish memory was not based entirely on ill will; in the early years after the war, the new regime sought to build a national culture without reference to ethnic or religious identity. Unfortunately, the yoke of an underdeveloped and inefficient economic system left few resources available to maintain the relics of a vanished people. Still, Jews and Jewishness were never absent. A Jewish community of a quarter of a million people emerged after the liberation. Many were repatriated from the Soviet Union, while others had survived the death camps, and some-no one knows how many-had been hidden on Polish soil. Hostility toward returning Jews, including a number of acts of
Structure of the yeast polarity protein Sro7 reveals a SNARE regulatory mechanism

The crystal structure of Sro7 and its interaction with the SNARE Sec9p is described. The structure reveals two WD40 β-propeller domains followed by a 60-residue tail. A mutant lacking the tail binds to the SNARE domain of Sec9 and inhibits assembly of the exocytic SNARE complex. Polarized exocytosis requires coordination between the actin cytoskeleton and the exocytic machinery responsible for fusion of secretory vesicles at specific sites on the plasma membrane1. Fusion requires formation of a complex between a vesicle-bound R-SNARE and plasma membrane Qa, Qb and Qc SNARE proteins2. Proteins in the lethal giant larvae protein family, including lethal giant larvae and tomosyn in metazoans and Sro7 in yeast, interact with Q-SNAREs and are emerging as key regulators of polarized exocytosis3. The crystal structure of Sro7 reveals two seven-bladed WD40 β-propellers followed by a 60-residue-long ‘tail’, which is bound to the surface of the amino-terminal propeller. Deletion of the Sro7 tail enables binding to the Qbc SNARE region of Sec9 and this interaction inhibits SNARE complex assembly. The N-terminal domain of Sec9 provides a second, high-affinity Sro7 interaction that is unaffected by the tail. The results suggest that Sro7 acts as an allosteric regulator of exocytosis through interactions with factors that control the tail. Sequence alignments indicate that lethal giant larvae and tomosyn have a two-β-propeller fold similar to that of Sro7, but only tomosyn appears to retain the regulatory tail.
Phase locking of multiple optical fiber channels for a slow-light-enabled laser radar system

Phase control is crucial to the operation of coherent beam combining systems, whether for laser radar or high-power beam combining. We have recently demonstrated a design for a multi-aperture, coherently combined, synchronized- and phased-array slow light laser radar (SLIDAR) that is capable of scanning in two dimensions with dynamic group delay compensation. Here we describe in detail the optical phase locking system used in the design. The phase locking system achieves an estimated Strehl ratio of 0.8, and signals from multiple emitting apertures are phase locked simultaneously to within π/5 radians (1/10 wave) after propagation through 2.2 km of single-mode fiber per channel. Phase locking performance is maintained even as two independent slow light mechanisms are utilized simultaneously.
Estradiol accelerates functional endothelial recovery after arterial injury

Background The mechanisms of the established atheroprotective effects of estrogen have not been entirely clarified. Recent data suggest that agents that hasten the recovery of the endothelium after denuding injury will deter the development of neointimal lesions. Because estrogen has been shown to exert angiogenic effects in vitro and in vivo, we performed a series of experiments to evaluate whether estrogen was capable of accelerating reendothelialization. Methods and Results Ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats received estrogen replacement therapy in the form of subcutaneously implanted pellets designed to release 1.5 or 5.0 mg 17β-estradiol over 30 days. Deendothelializing balloon injury was performed 1 week after pellet implantation, and animals were euthanatized after 1 week for evaluation of reendothelialization (Evans blue staining) or 2 weeks for evaluation of reendothelialization and neointimal formation. At both time points, the use of estradiol caused a dose-dependent increase in reendothelialization, which was measured as absolute area and percentage of area that is reendothelialized. Estradiol accelerated functional endothelial recovery, manifested as an increase in nitric oxide production. Neointimal thickening was also shown to be inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion. Conclusions Estrogen accelerates functional endothelial recovery after barotraumatic deendothelializing injury. These findings, along with the recent demonstration of estrogen receptor expression by endothelial cells, suggest that the antiatherogenic action of estrogen may be mediated in part through direct effects on endothelial cells.
Assay of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex by coupling with recombinant chicken liver arylamine N-acetyltransferase

The activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex has long been determined in some laboratories by coupling the production of acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) to the acetylation of 4-aminoazobenzene-4'-sulfonic acid by arylamine N-acetyltransferase. The assay has some advantages, but its use has been limited by the need for large amounts of arylamine N-acetyltransferase. Here we report production of recombinant chicken liver arylamine N-acetyltransferase and optimization of its use in miniaturized assays for the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and its kinase.
Comparative reliability of the dogmatism scale with 2 and 6 scale points.

Previous research has shown that the variance in Rokeach's Dogmatism Scale is primarily associated with the direction of the response (agree vs disagree) resulting in a high correlation between the original 6-point weighted scoring and a simple count of the number of agree responses. These findings suggest that the Dogmatism Scale could be cast into a 2-point (agree-disagree) format. A 2-point Dogmatism Scale, with instructions to Ss to agree or disagree with each statement, and Rokeach's original 6-point scale were given in a test-retest situation to introductory psychology students. The results indicate that the 2-point scale is as reliable as the original 6-point scale and that the two scales are highly correlated. The 2-point scale offers the additional bonus of convenience and simplicity in administration and scoring.
Changes in chemical composition of thylakoid membranes during greening of the y-1 mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardi.

Two fractions of thylakoid membranes (TMF) have been isolated from disrupted (French press) algal cells by using a discontinuous sucrose gradient. TMF-II consists mostly of thylakoid membranes still partially organized in grana; it contains also fragments of chloroplast envelope, pyrenoid tubules, and starch granules; thus it amounts to a fraction of chloroplast fragments which have lost practically all matrix components. TMF-I consists of smaller chloroplast fragments and is contaminated to a larger extent than TMF-II by other subcellular components, primarily mitochondria. TMF-II accounts for about 12% of the protein and 30% of the chlorophyll of the whole cell; it contains cytochrome 554 and carotenoids in the same ratio to chlorophyll as the latter, and shows photosystems I and II activities but lacks enzymatic activities characteristic of the dark reactions. During the greening of the y-1 mutant of Chlamydomonas, TMF's have been isolated over a range of chlorophyll concentrations from 5 to 25 µg/107 cells. The results showed that during this period the ratios of chlorophyll to cytochrome 554 and of chlorophyll to carotenoids, and the relative concentrations of individual carotenoids were continuously changing. The findings support the view that during greening, thylakoid membranes are produced by multistep assembly.
Hybrid CEGAR: combining variable hiding and predicate abstraction

Variable hiding and predicate abstraction are two popular abstraction methods to obtain simplified models for model checking. Although both methods have been used successfully in practice, no attempt has been made to combine them in counterexample guided abstraction refinement (CEGAR). In this paper, we propose a hybrid abstraction method that allows both visible variables and predicates to take advantages of their relative strengths. We use refinement based on weakest preconditions to add new predicates, and under certain conditions trade in the predicates for visible variables in the abstract model. We also present heuristics for improving the overall performance, based on static analysis to identify useful candidates for visible variables, and use of lazy constraints to find more effective unsatisfiable cores for refinement. We have implemented the proposed hybrid CEGAR procedure. Our experiments on public benchmarks show that the new abstraction method frequently outperforms the better of the two existing abstraction methods.
Use of Lispro Insulin and Quality of Life in Adolescents on Intensive Therapy

PURPOSEthis study examined the metabolic and quality-of-life effects of using lispro insulin in teenagers.METHODSTeenagers on multiple daily injections who had not reached metabolic treatment goals were offered the opportunity to use lispro insulin as part of a larger ongoing study of intensive management in youth. Of the 51 who were eligible, 35 used lispro and were followed for 12 months; the remaining 16 had reached treatment goals, were not offered lispro, and comprised the control group.RESULTSAfter 12 months, the teens who received lispro insulin achieved equivalent levels of metabolic control to those achieved by teens in the control group, without differences in total daily dose, insulin regimen, or adverse events. Those who received lispro found coping with diabetes less difficult than those who continued on regular insulin, and they reported less negative impact of diabetes on quality of life and fewer worries about diabetes. Both groups were equally satisfied with their diabetes treatment.CONCL...
Targeting the Genital Tract Mucosa with a Lipopeptide/Recombinant Adenovirus Prime/Boost Vaccine Induces Potent and Long-Lasting CD8+ T Cell Immunity against Herpes: Importance of MyD88

Targeting the mucosal immune system of the genital tract (GT) with subunit vaccines failed to induce potent and durable local CD8+ T cell immunity, crucial for protection against many sexually transmitted viral (STV) pathogens, including herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) that causes genital herpes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential of a novel lipopeptide/adenovirus type 5 (Lipo/rAdv5) prime/boost mucosal vaccine for induction of CD8+ T cell immunity to protect the female genital tract from herpes. The lipopeptide and the rAdv5 vaccine express the immunodominant HSV-2 CD8+ T cell epitope (gB498-505) and both were delivered intravaginally (IVAG) in the progesterone-induced B6 mouse model of genital herpes. Compared to its homologous lipopeptide/lipopeptide (Lipo/Lipo); the Lipo/rAdv5 prime/boost immunized mice: (i) developed potent and sustained HSV-specific CD8+ T cells, detected in both the GT draining nodes (GT-DLN) and in the vaginal mucosa (VM); (ii) had significantly lower virus titers; (iii) had decreased overt signs of genital herpes disease; and (iv) did not succumb to lethal infection (p < 0.005), following intravaginal HSV-2 challenge. Polyfunctional CD8+ T cells, producing IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-2 and exhibiting cytotoxic activity, were associated with protection (p < 0.005). The protective CD8+ T cell response was significantly compromised in the absence of the adaptor myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) (p = 0.0001). Taken together, these findings indicate that targeting the VM with a Lipo/rAdv5 prime/boost vaccine elicits a potent, MyD88-dependent, and long-lasting mucosal CD8+ T cell protective immunity against sexually transmitted herpes infection and disease.
Epitaxy, microstructure, and processing-structure relationships of TiO2 thin films grown on sapphire (0001) by MOCVD

TiO2 thin films have been deposited on sapphire (0001) substrates under various conditions by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. The structural properties of the deposited films were characterized by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The important growth parameters were found to be the deposition temperature and the deposition rate. The ranges studied for the two parameters were 400 to 850 °C and 10 to 120 A/min, respectively. Depending on the growth conditions, most of the deposited films were either single-phase anatase or rutile, or a mixture of the two. These films were all epitaxial, but none of them were single-crystal films. Three distinct epitaxial relationships were observed between the films and the substrates, and, depending on the growth conditions, a deposited film can contain one, two, or all three of them. The fact that the films we obtained, although epitaxial, were never single crystal is explained based on the consideration of the difference in the rotational symmetries of the substrate surface and the film growth plane. We believe that it should be generally true that, in heteroepitaxial growth, a true single-crystal film can never be obtained as long as the point symmetry group of the substrate surface is not a subgroup of that of the film growth plane.
Effects of low concentrations of paraoxon on Ca2+ mobilization in a human parotid salivary cell-line HSY

The salivary gland is a target organ of organophosphate pesticides (OPs). Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by OPs leads to a decrease in acetylcholine (ACh) breakdown that results in overstimulation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors (mChR). However, OPs may also directly interact with downstream elements of the phosphoinositide (PI) signalling pathway coupled with mChR. The present study examined the effects of exposure to low concentrations of the OP paraoxon on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) formation and Ca(2+) mobilization in response to ACh or ATP in the human parotid cell-line HSY. Exposure to 0.1 and 1 nM, but not 10 nM, paraoxon for 24 hr significantly elevated the basal cytosolic free Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)). This increase was abolished by atropine. Ca(2+) release from the IP(3)-sensitive store in response to ACh or ATP, a P2Y-nucleotide agonist, was significantly increased in cells pre-exposed to 0.1 nM paraoxon. However, IP(3) formation was inhibited by paraoxon but mChR expression was not altered. Although IP(3) receptor expression was not changed, Ca(2+) release elicited by IP(3) in streptolysin O toxin-permeabilized cells was significantly larger in cells pre-exposed to 0.1 nM paraoxon, suggesting that paraoxon increases the sensitivity of IP(3) receptors. Paraoxon exposure also induced a concentration-dependent reduction in the total capacity of intracellular Ca(2+) stores, whereas the capacity of the IP(3)-sensitive Ca(2+) store was not altered by paraoxon, as judged by discharging of the IP(3)-sensitive Ca(2+) store with thapsigargin (TG). Ca(2+) influx stimulated by ACh or ATP was also enhanced by 0.1 nM, but not 1 and 10 nM, paraoxon. On the other hand, Ca(2+) influx activated by TG was enhanced by exposure to all concentrations of paraoxon, indicating that paraoxon modulates the Ca(2+) entry pathway. These results suggest that low concentrations of paraoxon interact with elements of the PI pathway, enhancing Ca(2+) release and influx mechanisms.
A bundle method for solving the fixed order control problem

Bundle methods have been proposed in the literature for solving semi-definite programming (SDP) problems which consist of minimizing a linear objective subject to linear matrix inequality (LMI) constraints. These methods are appealing especially for large scale problems. Many control problems can be cast as SDPs. In contrast fixed order control problems in the LMI framework require an additional rank constraint on the LMIs which makes the problem insolvable with traditional SDP methods. One way of imposing the rank constraint is to formulate the fixed order control problem in terms of the eigenvalues of the LMIs. This makes the problem nondifferentiable, but amenable to bundle methods.
Connecting test coverage to software dependability

It is widely felt that software quality in the form of reliability or "trustworthiness", can be demonstrated by the successful completion of testing that "covers" the software. However, this intuition has little experimental or theoretical support. The paper considers why the intuition is so powerful and yet misleading. Formal definitions of software "dependability" are suggested, along with new approaches for measuring this analogy of trustworthiness. >
Symposium on coronary dilator drugs.

summary,even thoughthere is more than 1 pharmacologic action of the nitrites, they are undoubtedly our mostpotent coronary dilators. DR. HEFNER: Thank you, Dr. Eddleman.AMe there any comments? 1)R. S. RICHARDSON HILL: Would you coin- ment, Dr. Eddleman, on the use of nitro- glycerin in patients withmyocardial infarction? 1)R. EDDLEMAN: I think the question of the use of nitrites in the presence of myocardial in- farction is still unsettled at the present time. The objection has been that a possible fall in blood pressure may lead to extension or to theoccurrence of an additional myocardial infarc-tion. Since in the supine position the bloodpressure is not significantly affected by small doses, I think that there is some rationale for the use of nitroglycerin in patients with myo-cardial infarction; however, I do believe thatthey should be used with caution. DR. HEFNEIR: Are there any further com-ments? Dr. Reeves, will you continue the dis-cussion of the coronary vasodilator drugs andgiveussomeof the clinical applications of these
Age-Related Changes in Distance Judgments:

Research was conducted to evaluate age-related changes in the strength of the Equidistance Tendency originally described by W.C. Gogel. This factor refers to the tendency on the part of a human observer to perceive two (or more) objects as if they were located at the same distance. A configuration of binocular and monocular objects was produced in a visually reduced, laboratory setting, so that individual measures of the strength of this effect could be obtained for observers who differed in age. Three groups were used: 18–22 years, 35–45 years, and over-60 years old. The Equidistance Tendency increased significantly for the older observers, suggesting that such individuals have a greater likelihood of underestimating the relative depth separation of visual targets. Implications of this work for transportation safety were discussed.
Francisella inhibits STAT1-mediated signaling in macrophages and prevents activation of antigen-specific T cells

Signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) signaling mediate most biological functions of IFNalpha, IFNbeta and IFNgamma although recent studies indicate that IFNgamma can alter expression of several genes via a STAT1-independent pathway. STAT1 is critical for immunity against a variety of intracellular pathogens and some studies show that pathogens evade host immunity by interfering with STAT1 signaling. Here, we have investigated the role of STAT1 in host defense against pulmonary Francisella novicida infection using STAT1-/- mice. In addition, we examined the effect of F. novicida on STAT1 signaling in macrophages and on their ability to activate antigen-specific T cells. Both wild-type (WT) and STAT1-/- BALB/c mice were susceptible to aerosol challenge with 10(3) F. novicida and displayed 100% mortality. However, STAT1-/- mice developed more severe pneumonia, liver pathology and succumbed to infection faster than WT mice. The lungs, liver and hearts from F. novicida-infected STAT1-/- mice also contained more bacteria than WT mice at the time of death. In vitro studies showed that F. novicida suppressed IFNgammaRalpha (alpha subunit of IFNgamma receptor) and MHC class II expression, down-regulated IFNgamma-induced STAT1 activation and reduced nuclear binding of STAT1 in RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, F. novicida-infected BMDM loaded with ovalbumin (OVA) were less efficient in activating OVA-specific CD4+ T cells in vitro. These findings demonstrate that STAT1-mediated signaling participates in the host defense against pulmonary F. novicida infection but it is not sufficient to prevent mortality associated with this infection. Moreover, our results show that F. novicida attenuates STAT1-mediated IFNgamma signaling in macrophages and impairs their ability to activate antigen-specific CD4+ T cells.
The kinematics of the angular momentum of a particle

The way a particle changes its angular momentum under «homogeneous Lorentz transformations is well-known classically. The object of the present paper and a later one is to consider the problem quantuni-mechanically for particles of any mass and any spin. In the present paper we shall consider in detail the case where a particle has a definite angular momentum in one frame of reference and we shall calculate the probability distribution of angular momentum in a frame translated with respect to the original frame. Tn a later paper we shall treat the case where the two frames of reference are moving with respect to one another. The basic mathematical tool is the form for the infinitesimal generators of the inhomogeneous Lorentz group devised by Lomont and Moses in which the Hamiltonian, square of the angular momentum,z-component of angular momentum, and helicity are diagonal. The present paper and the projected one are important in multiple scattering problems, for it is possible using the results to take into account, to a certain degree at least, the effect of the selection rules. These rules are almost always ignored in multiple scattering problems. For example, it is shown that when the density of a gas is sufficiently low, radiative cooling goes on at a much faster rate when selection rules are taken into account than when they are ignored.
Recent Progress in HIV-Associated Nephropathy

The classic kidney disease of HIV infection, HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN), is an aggressive form of collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with accompanying tubular and interstitial lesions. HIVAN was first described among African-Americans and Haitian immigrants with advanced HIV disease, an early suggestion of a strong genetic association. This genetic susceptibility was recently linked to polymorphisms on chromosome 22 in individuals of African descent. The association with advanced HIV infection and evidence from HIV-transgenic mice suggested the possibility that HIV directly infects the kidney and that specific HIV gene expression induces host cellular pathways that are responsible for HIVAN pathogenesis. Although combination antiretroviral therapy has substantially reduced the impact of HIVAN in the United States, continued growth of the HIV epidemic in susceptible African populations may have important public health implications. This article reviews recent progress in the pathogenesis...