cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Alternative Dermal Template for Reconstruction of Complex Upper Extremity Wounds.

The management of upper extremity soft-tissue defects with full-thickness skin loss and denuded tendon and/or bone traditionally requires vascularized tissue reconstruction. Herein, we present patient outcomes utilizing Novosorb Bio-degradable Temporizing Matrix (PolyNovo, Wilmington, Del.), a novel bilaminar dermal regenerative template, followed by skin grafting, for reconstruction of complex upper extremity injuries with exposed tendon and/or bone. We retrospectively reviewed all patients treated at our Level I trauma center with upper extremity trauma and exposed tendon and/or bone who had application of Novosorb Bio-degradable Temporizing Matrix over a 1-year period. At the time of surgery, all nonviable tissue was debrided, and the product was applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. If required, split thickness skin grafting was performed once neodermis appeared perfused, or after the sealing layer delaminated spontaneously. Six patients (four men, two women) with an average age of 49.8 (35-60) years were included in the study. Average defect size measured 97 cm2 (10-440). Average time to complete healing was 45 days (27-57). Three patients reepithelialized spontaneously and did not require grafting; average defect size in these patients was 26 cm2 (10-42). There were no infections and no loss of the dermal matrix or skin graft, when performed. All patients healed without complication after grafting and did not require further surgical treatment. Therefore, we contend that Novosorb BTM is a dermal regenerative template that shows potential as an alternative option to flap reconstruction in select patients after upper extremity trauma and soft-tissue defects with exposed tendon and/or bone. Further studies will be required to refine indications and evaluate outcomes.
Communicating on the Fly

This chapter advances arguments for approaching camera drones as mobile media that help access, collect, and shape physical, digital, and social spaces. The medium affords what I call “communication on the fly” in the unique configuration of aerial navigation, visual production, and networked communication. The chapter first discusses what physical-material conditions the flying camera makes visible and the kinds of cartographic empowerment drone users attribute to their aerial play. An analysis of what digital-intangible formations the mobile interface illuminates in hybrid space follows. Finally, I turn to the social relations the noisy and potentially nosy medium may establish and disrupt. These conditions of communication on the fly shape user practices of place-sensing and place-making and help expand our thinking of contemporary communication of the move.
Who Am I?: A Design Probe Exploring Real-Time Transparency about Online and Offline User Profiling Underlying Targeted Ads

To enable targeted ads, companies profile Internet users, automatically inferring potential interests and demographics. While current profiling centers on users' web browsing data, smartphones and other devices with rich sensing capabilities portend profiling techniques that draw on methods from ubiquitous computing. Unfortunately, even existing profiling and ad-targeting practices remain opaque to users, engendering distrust, resignation, and privacy concerns. We hypothesized that making profiling visible at the time and place it occurs might help users better understand and engage with automatically constructed profiles. To this end, we built a technology probe that surfaces the incremental construction of user profiles from both web browsing and activities in the physical world. The probe explores transparency and control of profile construction in real time. We conducted a two-week field deployment of this probe with 25 participants. We found that increasing the visibility of profiling helped participants anticipate how certain actions can trigger specific ads. Participants' desired engagement with their profile differed in part based on their overall attitudes toward ads. Furthermore, participants expected algorithms would automatically determine when an inference was inaccurate, no longer relevant, or off-limits. Current techniques typically do not do this. Overall, our findings suggest that leveraging opportunistic moments within pervasive computing to engage users with their own inferred profiles can create more trustworthy and positive experiences with targeted ads.
Genetic Analysis of a Cyanobacterial Gene Encoding a Membrane Protein Which Accumulates Under Iron Stress

Iron-limited cyanobacterial cells exhibit many structural changes compared to cyanobacteria grown in iron-containing media. Iron-starved cells contain fewer thylakoids and phycobilisomes (1), and also show an overall reorganization of chlorophyll within the photosynthetic membrane (2, 3) The iron stress response coincides with the synthesis and accumulation of several membrane-bound polypeptides in Anacystis nidulans R2 and Synechocystis sp. We have identified two of these proteins; one is a chlorophyll-binding thylakoid protein of 34 kDa (3, 4) and another is a 36 kDa intrinsic membrane protein (Riethman and Sherman; Reddy and Sherman, this Congress). The 34 kDa protein is the apoprotein of the chlorophyll protein complex termed CP VI-4; the 36 kDa protein often co-migrates with this component (3, Riethman and Sherman, this Congress). In this paper, we report the subcloning of a gene encoding one of the iron-regulated proteins and show that the gene encodes the 36 kDa polypeptide. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this protein is present in the cytoplasmic membrane. We have also introduced Ta5 into the coding sequence of the gene in preparation for the construction of an A. nidulans mutant lacking this iron-regulated function.
A SIMPLE THERMODYNAMIC MODEL FOR GRAIN INTERFACES: Some Insights on Nucleation, Rock Textures, and Metamorphic Differentiation

By assuming that all grain interfaces may be approximated by a mosaic of planar elements, it is possible to obtain certain relationships that should, within the validity of the model, characterize an equilibrium texture. These include “Wulff’s Law” for the equilibrium form of a crystal in a fluid, and also a rule of indentation that has features in common with Becke’s concept of a “crystalloblastic series.” The model also leads to simple expressions relating the critical size of new crystal nuclei to the activation energy for nucleation.
Health benefits of whole grain products.

Health benefits of wheat bran as related to reduction of cancer risk are well known. Recent research has shown that additional components beyond fiber are present in wheat bran and contribute to suppression of cancer risk. Scientists from two Kansas Universities have joined forces to better understand these compounds. A wide range of antioxidant activity has been observed within a sampling of over 100 specific wheat cultivars. The antioxidant activity has been shown to transfer from diet to the blood of animals and been correlated with colon tumor suppression in model animal systems. Components responsible for the cancer suppression effect may include orthophenolic compounds and lignans. Results will be shown and significance discussed.
The Brain In Vivo Expresses the 2′,3′-cAMP-Adenosine Pathway

Although multiple biochemical pathways produce adenosine, studies suggest that the 2',3'-cAMP-adenosine pathway (2',3'-cAMP→2'-AMP/3'-AMP→adenosine) contributes to adenosine production in some cells/tissues/organs. To determine whether the 2',3'-cAMP-adenosine pathway exists in vivo in the brain, we delivered to the brain (gray matter and white matter separately) via the inflow perfusate of a microdialysis probe either 2',3'-cAMP, 3',5'-cAMP, 2'-AMP, 3'-AMP, or 5'-AMP and measured the recovered metabolites in the microdialysis outflow perfusate with mass spectrometry. In both gray and white matter, 2',3'-cAMP increased 2'-AMP, 3'-AMP and adenosine, and 3',5'-cAMP increased 5'-AMP and adenosine. In both brain regions, 2'-AMP, 3-AMP and 5'-AMP were converted to adenosine. Microdialysis experiments in 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide-3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) wild-type mice demonstrated that traumatic brain injury (controlled cortical impact model) activated the brain 2',3'-cAMP-adenosine pathway; similar experiments in CNPase knockout mice indicated that CNPase was involved in the metabolism of endogenous 2',3'-cAMP to 2'-AMP and to adenosine. In CSF from traumatic brain injury patients, 2',3'-cAMP was significantly increased in the initial 12 h after injury and strongly correlated with CSF levels of 2'-AMP, 3'-AMP, adenosine and inosine. We conclude that in vivo, 2',3'-cAMP is converted to 2'-AMP/3'-AMP, and these AMPs are metabolized to adenosine. This pathway exists endogenously in both mice and humans.
Phenotypic and genotypic stability of multiple lines of transgenic pigs expressing recombinant human protein C.

The genotypic and phenotypic stability of four lines of transgenic pigs expressing recombinant human protein C in milk was examined. Two lines were established with a construct consisting of a 2.6 kb mouse WAP promoter and a 9.4 kb human protein C genomic DNA. Two lines were established with another construct consisting of a 4.1 kb mouse WAP promoter and a 9.4 kb human protein C genomic DNA. Genotypic stability was measured by transgene copy number transmission. Outbred offspring having a single transgene integration locus were established from a founder having three independent, multicopy loci. Phenotypic stability over multiple lactations was defined by the combination of recombinant human protein C expression levels and the isoform signature of recombinant human protein C in western blots. Both cDNA and genomic human protein C transgenes gave similar ranges of expression levels of about 100--1800 μg ml−1. Within a given outbred lineage having a single loci for the cDNA transgene, the expression levels ranged between 100--400 μg ml−1. Western blots of reduced recombinant protein C revealed that single chain content was not dependent on expression level and was consistent within each transgenic line, but varied between transgenic lines. This suggests that native swine genetics may play a role in selection of production herds with optimal post-translational proteolytic processing capability. Although swine are not conventional dairy livestock, it is agreed that the short generation times, multiple offspring per litter, stable paternal transmission of the transgene, and milk production capabilities of swine offer distinct advantages over conventional dairy livestock for the establishment of a herd producing a therapeutic recombinant protein
R-BGP: staying connected In a connected world

Many studies show that, when Internet links go up or down, the dynamics of BGP may cause several minutes of packet loss. The loss occurs even when multiple paths between the sender and receiver domains exist, and is unwarranted given the high connectivity of the Internet. Our objective is to ensure that Internet domains stay connected as long as the underlying network is connected. Our solution, R-BGP works by pre-computing a few strategically chosen failover paths. R-BGP provably guarantees that a domain will not become disconnected from any destination as long as it will have a policy-compliant path to that destination after convergence. Surprisingly, this can be done using a few simple and practical modifications to BGP, and, like BGP, requires announcing only one path per neighbor. Simulations on the AS-level graph of the current Internet show that R-BGP reduces the number of domains that see transient disconnectivity resulting from a link failure from 22% for edge links and 14% for core links down to zero in both cases.
Reprogrammed Astrocytes as a Potential Therapy for Neurodegenerative Disorders.

We sought to determine which parental cell type was best suited for creating reprogrammed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and what differences might exist between iPSCs generated from various tissues. To do this, we reprogrammed primary mouse astrocytes, a central nervous system derived cell, into astrocyte-derived iPSCs (mAsiPSCs) using an ectopic expression of Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc. These mAsiPSCs expressed stem cell markers and formed teratomas. Importantly, mAsiPSCs grew more slowly and were more likely to differentiate into neuronal-type cells compared to mouse embryonic fibroblast-derived iPSCs (MEFsiPSCs), a non-central nervous system-derived cell type. These results suggest that mAsiPSCs retain a “memory” of their central nervous system origin and may have a higher incidence of neuronal differentiation. Moreover, direct conversion of somatic cells into lineage-specific progenitor cells in one step, bypassing the intermediated pluripotent stage, provides an alternative strategy for generating promising cell types. We demonstrated the conversion of adult dermal fibroblasts into induced neural progenitor cells (iNPCs) using a novel combination of genes different from those previously reported. These iNPCs exhibit typical NPC morphology and marker gene expression, and a normal capacity for proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation. Our findings suggest new cell-replacement strategies that may be beneficial for studies involving neurodegenerative diseases, disease modeling, and neural development.
Computerized Tailored Physical Activity Reports: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Computerized, tailored interventions have the potential to be a cost-effective means to assist a wide variety of individuals with behavior change. This study examined the effect of computerized tailored physical activity reports on primary care patients' physical activity at 6 months. Design Two-group randomized clinical trial with physicians as the unit of randomization. Patients were placed in the intervention (n=187) or control group (n=207) based on their physician's assignment. Setting/participants Primary care physicians (n=22) and their adult patients (n=394) from Philadelphia PA. The study and analyses were conducted from 2004 to 2010. Intervention The intervention group completed physical activity surveys at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. Based on their responses, participants received four feedback reports at each time point. The reports aimed to motivate participants to increase physical activity, personalized to participants' needs; they also included an activity prescription. The control group received identical procedures, except that they received general reports on preventive screening based on their responses to preventive screening questions. Main outcome measures Minutes of physical activity measured by the 7-Day Physical Activity Recall interview at 6 months. Results Participants were 69% female, 59% African-American, and had diverse educational and income levels; the retention rate was 89.6%. After adjusting for baseline levels of activity and gender, there were no differences in physical activity at 6 months. The intervention group increased their total physical activity by a mean of 139 minutes; the control group had a mean increase of 109 minutes (p=0.45). Conclusions Although physical activity increased within both groups, computerized tailored physical activity reports did not significantly increase physical activity between groups at 6 months among ethnically and socioeconomically diverse adults in primary care.
Shopping environment preferences of Hispanic consumers in the U.S.: Development of a scale

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop and begin to validate a scale to assess the shopping environment preferences of Hispanic consumers in the USA. Design/methodology/approach – The sample consists of 160 Hispanic consumers attending a Hispanic festival in the southeast USA. A questionnaire contained items to measure shopping environment preferences and scales to measure materialism, hedonic shopping motivations, and perceived discrimination. Findings – The findings suggest a second-order model where three factors (familiarity, price, and experience) load onto a single second-order construct of shopping environment preferences. The result is a scale consisting of three factors permitting the exploration of the retail environmental preferences of Hispanic consumers in the USA. Practical implications – The study develops a scale that can be applied by US retailers to gain additional knowledge of their Hispanic consumers, thus enabling strategies to be developed that potentially enhance their en...
The role of the genetic code in protein evolution

Abstract The arrangement and degeneracy of triplets in the genetic code play an important but not inclusive part in protein evolution. In particular, data indicate that the genetic code is insufficient to account for the existence of homologous proteins. A novel theory is proposed suggesting that homologous proteins are the existing part of a discrete probability class whose members are genetically intermutable and whose size is delimited by natural selection.
Entrepreneurship as wisdom

The pragmatic correspondence thesis regarding strategic management theory and moral philosophy is adapted in this paper to apply it to the constructs of entrepreneurship and wisdom. Accordingly, a mapping between elements of both constructs is set out. The resulting qualities of wise entrepreneurship include (1) the selection of good purposes, (2) a mindfulness of the business and personal life cycles, (3) authentic prioritisation and (4) explication: the demonstration as well as explanation of enterprise purposes and plans.
On Confounding of the Repression-Sensitization and Manifest Anxiety Scales

The MMPI and Edwards Personality Inventory were administered to 218 college students. Scores on the Manifest Anxiety (MA), Repression-Sensitization (R-S), and Social Desirability (SD) scales were scored from the MMPI and a non-overlapping, balanced True-False, non-pathological content social desirability (BSD) scale was scored from the items of the Edwards. The scales were intercorrelated and factor analyzed by the method of principal components. The results support a social desirability interpretation of scores on the four scales, and questioned the discriminant validity of the R-S and MA scales, as have other studies which were briefly reviewed.
Chromosomal assignment of the recoverin gene and cancer-associated retinopathy

The deduced amino acid sequence of the recently cloned mouse 23kD photoreceptor cell-specific protein showed it to be identical to the recoverin protein and the CAR (cancer-associated retinopathy) protein. DNA sequence variants were found in the mouse recoverin gene (Rcvrn), and segregation analysis of restriction fragment length variants in recombinant inbred strains of mice assigned Rcvrn to mouse Chromosome (Chr) 11, between Sparc (3.7 map units) and Zfp-3 (2.3 map units). These results demonstrate a close linkage of recoverin to the tumor suppressor gene, Trp53. On the basis of these data, knowledge of the function of recoverin, and the characteristics of CAR, an experimentally testable model is presented to explain the molecular basis for CAR.
A set of nonlinear regression models for animal movement in response to a single landscape feature

The study of individual animal movement in relation to objects in a landscape is important in many areas of ecology and conservation biology. Yet, many of the models used by ecologists do not account for landscape features and thus may not be conducive to analysis of animal movement data. This article develops a set of nonlinear regression models for both move angles and move distances in relation to a single object in the landscape. Our models incorporate the concept of perceptual range from theories of animal movement behavior. We describe numerical methods for obtaining the maximum likelihood estimates of the model parameters. For illustration, we show results from both computer simulated data and real movement data collected for a red diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) via radio telemetry field techniques.
Angular dependence of transport current near critical at fields to 4 T in metalorganic thin films

Values of the transport current have been obtained as a function of angle of the magnetic field to the plane of the thin film YBa2Cu3O7−d (YBCO) prepared by metalorganic deposition. Current flowed in thea, b planes at various angles to the applied magnetic fields to 4.2 T. Films with thicknesses near 350 nm were studied. For these thin films andH∥c a secondary maximum is observed whenJc> 1 MA/cm2. NearH∥a, b a large increase inIc is observed, and the sharpness, field dependence, and field directional dependence is discussed. The response to currents aboveIc is determined and the fit to a power lawV∼In shows a strong correlation betweenIc andn.
FINDING A LINK BETWEEN SELECTIVE AUDITORY ATTENTION AND READING PROBLEMS IN YOUNG CHILDREN: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Summary.-Data from 3 boys indicate that a selective auditory attention task may be useful in identifying prereading children who are at risk for learning disabilities. It is widely accepted that failure to learn to read is the most common academic problem associated with the classification of Learning Disability. Efforts have been made to find indicators of prereading children who seem likely not to learn to read. Selective auditory attention, the ability to select the relevant portion of an incoming auditory signal, appears to be linked with learning problems. This ability, which has been recognized as one component of central auditory processing, is the basis of the Selective Auditory Attention Test developed by Cherry (1980). The test has been used to differentiate children with learning problems from their normal achieving peers (Cherry & Kruger, 1983). In general, however, screening kindergarten children to identify those who are "at risk" for reading problems has not included tasks which tap selective auditory attention. Matlun and Hook (1983) sought to identify a link between scores obtained on a Central Audiologic Test Battery and the reading abilities of 23 children with learning disabilities ranging in age from 89 to 139 months. No correlations of any of the audiological test results with the reading test scores "leads to significant questions concerning the appropriateness of specific remediation based on identified auditory processing deficits that are not shown to correspond to educational deficits" (p. 240). The battery did not tap selective auditory attention per se, was lengthy, and was generally normed on older children. Use of the test might yield correlations between a specific central auditory processing task, selective auditory attention, and learning to read. A longitudinal study is needed to evaluate whether the test will provide that link and allow early intervention for those children identified to be "at risk" for reading problems. Cherry (1980) administered the Selective Auditory Attention Test to 325 children from preschool through Grade 2. Children were grouped as normal achievers (NA), learning disabled (LD), or teacher-concerned (TC). Analysis indicated that the test was sensitive to learning disabilities (90% of the children with learning disabilities scored "at risk") as well as children
Determination of Safe Depth of Pin Penetration for Repair of Distal Femoral Physeal Fractures in Immature Dogs: A Comparison of Normograde and Retrograde Pin Placement

Objective—The purpose of this study was to determine the depth that implants may be safely placed into the distal femoral epiphysis (DFE) for the repair of distal femoral physeal fractures. Study Design—The depth of the DFE was related to the radiographic thickness of the patella in this experimental study. Animals or Sample Population—Twenty immature canine cadavers. Methods—Patella thicknesses were measured from lateral radiographs. Actual DFE depths were determined for pins driven in normograde fashion and for pins driven retrograde from the central depression between the metaphyseal pegs and from the cranial pegs. The association of DFE depth and patella thickness was evaluated using linear regression analysis. Using 95% confidence intervals, rules for estimating the safe depth of implant placement into the DFE were determined. Results—DFE depth had significant correlation with patella thickness for pins placed in retrograde fashion from the central depression between the metaphyseal pegs (r2= .83) and from the cranial pegs (r2= .82) and for pins placed in normograde fashion (r2= .65). Conclusions—Based on 95% confidence intervals, pins placed in retrograde fashion from the central depression between the metaphyseal pegs may be safely driven into the DFE a distance equal to 140% of patella thickness. Pins placed from the cranial metaphyseal pegs may be driven to a depth equal to 80% of patella thickness, and pins placed in normograde fashion may be driven to a depth equal to 30% of patella thickness. Clinical Relevance—Measurement of patella thickness assists the surgeon in determining the approximate depth that pins may be driven into the DFE without penetrating the articular surface of the stifle joint.
Thermal reactivities of isostructural d10 metalloenediynes: metal-dependent Bergman cyclization

Isostructural d10 metalloenediynes of Cu(I), Pd(0) and Ag(I) exhibit metal-dependent variations in their thermal Bergman cyclization temperatures which correlate with differences in their alkyne termini separations.
The crystallographic fast Fourier transform. I. p3 symmetry

An algorithm for computing the discrete Fourier transform of data with threefold symmetry axes is presented. This algorithm is straightforward and easily implemented. It reduces the computational complexity of such a Fourier transform by a factor of 3. There are no restrictive requirements imposed on the initial data. Explicit formulae and a scheme of computing the Fourier transform are given. The algorithm has been tested and benchmarked against FFT on the unit cell, revealing the expected increase in speed. This is a non-trivial example of a more general approach developed recently by the authors.
An Autonomic Framework for Time and Cost Driven Execution of MPI Programs on Cloud Environments

This paper gives an overview of a framework for making existing MPI applications elastic, and executing them with user-specified time and cost constraints in a cloud framework. Considering the limitations of the MPI implementations currently available, we support adaptation by terminating one execution and restarting a new program on a different number of instances. The key component of our system is a decision layer. Based on the time and cost constraints, this layer decides whether to use fewer or a larger number of instances for the applications, and when appropriate, chooses to migrate the application to a different type of instance. Among other factors, the decision layer also models the redistribution costs.
The Evolution of Damage Control Surgery

The philosophy of damage control surgery has developed tremendously over the past 10 years. It has expanded outside the original boundaries of the abdomen and has been applied to all aspects of trauma care, ranging from resuscitation to limb-threatening vascular injuries. In recent years, the US military has taken the concept to a new level by initiating a damage control approach at the point of injury and continuing it through a transcontinental health care system. This article highlights many recent advances in damage control surgery and discusses proper patient selection and the risks associated with this management strategy.
Endovascular Management of Carotid Blowout

Objective To highlight pertinent aspects of emergent endovascular management of carotid rupture, or carotid blowout syndrome (CBS), an emergent, life-threatening complication of head and neck cancer and its treatments. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients with carotid blowouts at the authors' institution from 2008–2010. A systematic literature review was also performed. Results Eight patients (three women and five men) with an average age of 61 years (range 47–78 years) were reviewed. Seven patients had a positive history for squamous cell carcinoma of the neck, and five patients had active malignant disease. Carotid arterial deconstruction using liquid embolic material, coil embolization, or both achieved immediate hemostasis in every case (100%). No patients died as a result of their initial hemorrhage, but one patient had lethal hemorrhage at 1 day postoperatively. Two patients experienced nonlethal postoperative complications. At an average follow-up of 3 months (range Conclusions The treatment of patients with terminal malignant disease and CBS should provide maximum relief and minimize the risks of repeat surgery, morbidity, and mortality. Endovascular management of CBS with deconstructive techniques achieves immediate hemostasis and definitive treatment. The risks of intraoperative mortality and recurrent hemorrhage are low.
Coronary Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Adolescents and Young Adults With Kawasaki Disease

Background— In patients with Kawasaki disease, serial evaluation of the distribution and size of coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) is necessary for risk stratification and therapeutic management. Although transthoracic echocardiography is often sufficient for this purpose initially, visualization of the coronary arteries becomes progressively more difficult as children grow. We sought to prospectively compare coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and x-ray coronary angiography findings in patients with CAA caused by Kawasaki disease. Methods and Results— Six subjects (age 10 to 25 years) with known CAA from Kawasaki disease underwent coronary MRA using a free-breathing T2-prepared 3D bright blood segmented k-space gradient echo sequence with navigator gating and tracking. All patients underwent x-ray coronary angiography within a median of 75 days (range, 1 to 359 days) of coronary MRA. There was complete agreement between MRA and x-ray angiography in the detection of CAA (n=11), coronary artery ste...
A Review of “The Life and Times of the Shah”

The history of Iran in the twentieth century is a story of foreign intervention, Cold War rivalry, large-scale social and cultural change, and the drama of the 1979 revolution. So much of this hist...
Encounter with Venus

This report is an introduction to the accompanying collection of initial results from the successful Pioneer Venus orbiter and mutiprobe missions that encountered Venus on 4 December and 9 December 1978, respectively. The mission features are briefly described and furnish data accumulated over the first 30 days of the mission.
Direct observation of ferroelectric phase in Pb1−xSnxTe

Abstract For the first time a direct proof of ferroelectric behaviour in strong doped lead tin telluride is given. The structural phase transition from paraelectric to ferroelectric phase is also seen in galvanomagnetic and photoelectric properties. An explanation of the observed properties is given by connecting the local Jahn-Teller reconstruction of the lattice around defects with structural phase transition.
An Ancient Riboswitch Class in Bacteria Regulates Purine Biosynthesis and One-Carbon Metabolism

Over 30 years ago, ZTP (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside 5'-triphosphate), a modified purine biosynthetic intermediate, was proposed to signal 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate (10f-THF) deficiency in bacteria. However, the mechanisms by which this putative alarmone or its precursor ZMP (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, also known as AICAR) brings about any metabolic changes remain unexplained. Herein, we report the existence of a widespread riboswitch class that is most commonly associated with genes related to de novo purine biosynthesis and one-carbon metabolism. Biochemical data confirm that members of this riboswitch class selectively bind ZMP and ZTP with nanomolar affinity while strongly rejecting numerous natural analogs. Indeed, increases in the ZMP/ZTP pool, caused by folate stress in bacterial cells, trigger changes in the expression of a reporter gene fused to representative ZTP riboswitches in vivo. The wide distribution of this riboswitch class suggests that ZMP/ZTP signaling is important for species in numerous bacterial lineages.
Cell autonomous requirement for Tgfbr2 in the disappearance of medial edge epithelium during palatal fusion.

Palatal fusion is a complex, multi-step developmental process; the consequence of failure in this process is cleft palate, one of the most common birth defects in humans. Previous studies have shown that regression of the medial edge epithelium (MEE) upon palatal fusion is required for this process, and TGF-β signaling plays an important role in regulating palatal fusion. However, the fate of the MEE and the mechanisms underlying its disappearance are still unclear. By using the Cre/lox system, we are able to label the MEE genetically and to ablate Tgfbr2 specifically in the palatal epithelial cells. Our results indicate that epithelial–mesenchymal transformation does not occur in the regression of MEE cells. Ablation of Tgfbr2 in the palatal epithelial cells causes soft palate cleft, submucosal cleft and failure of the primary palate to fuse with the secondary palate. Whereas wild-type MEE cells disappear, the mutant MEE cells continue to proliferate and form cysts and epithelial bridges in the midline of the palate. Our study provides for the first time an animal model for soft palate cleft and submucous cleft. At the molecular level, Tgfb3 and Irf6 have similar expression patterns in the MEE. Mutations in IRF6 disrupt orofacial development and cause cleft palate in humans. We show here that Irf6 expression is downregulated in the MEE of the Tgfbr2 mutant. As a recent study shows that heterozygous mutations in TGFBR1 or TGFBR2 cause multiple human congenital malformations, including soft palate cleft, we propose that TGF-β mediated Irf6 expression plays an important, cell-autonomous role in regulating the fate of MEE cells during palatogenesis in both mice and humans.
Receptor for interleukin 13 is abundantly and specifically over-expressed in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

We have recently documented that the vast majority of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) over-express a receptor (R) for interleukin 13 (IL13) in situ. We have now evaluated further the degree of relative specificity of the binding of IL13 to GBM when compared with other growth factor receptors. Tumor samples of 11 patients with GBM, 7 various normal brain samples, and several cell lines in culture were examined. Same patient tissue sections were incubated with 125I-labeled: IL13, monoclonal antibody HB21 against human transferrin (Tf) receptor, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and an IL4 antagonist, IL4.Y124D. All 11 GBMs stained specifically, densely, and relatively homogeneously for both IL13R and TfR. Seven GBM specimens showed specific binding for 125I-EGF, but it was less homogeneous when compared with IL13R or TfR. Two of the GBMs studied demonstrated extremely high density of the EGFR. Furthermore, we did not detect significant presence of the IL4R in the studied GBM specimens in situ. All sections of non-malignant brain tissues examined showed avid binding by the TfR with lack of consistent and specific binding of 125I-IL13 or -EGF. Thus, it appears that the GBM-associated IL13R is considerably more specific to GBM that the one for Tf and more frequently and homogeneously expressed than the EGFR. These results render further support for the hIL13R being a new unique candidate for delivery of variety of anti-GBM therapies.
Chromosomal aberrations and morphological transformation in hamster embryonic cells treated with potassium dichromate in vitro

Abstract The addition of K 2 Cr 2 O 7 , at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.5μ/ml, to hamster total embryonic cells for 24 h, resulted in consistent and drastic chromosomal abberations including gaps, breaks and exchanges. The above effect, however, was reduced successfully by the addition of a reducing agent, Na 2 SO 3 . Among other chromium compounds examined, divalent and trivalent chromium salts were ineffective on chromosome morphology even at concentration of 3.5μg/ml as chromium, whereas a hexavalent compound, CrO 3 , was highly effective. K 2 Cr 2 O 7 also enhanced the morphological transformation rate in a short-term colony assay, in which hamster embryonic cells ( 1 × 10 4 cells /60- m dish were treated and the morphology was observed 8 to 10 days after the treatment.
Characterization ofVicia villosa agglutinin-labeled GABAergic interneurons in the hippocampal formation and in acutely dissociated hippocampus

The distribution, morphology, and ionic conductances ofVicia villosa agglutinin (VVA)-labeled cells were examined in the rat hippocampal formation. The heaviest labeling and highest density of labeled neurons were found in the subicular complex. Lighter VVA-labeling and fewer labeled cells were found in hippocampal strata pyramidale, oriens, and alveus. VVA-labeled cells were found to be heterogeneous morphologically, including multipolar, bipolar, and basket-like shapes. The majority of VVA-labeled cells contained GABA and parvalbumin immunoreactivity; thus VVA-labeled cells in the hippocampal formation resemble previously described VVA-labeled neurons in cerebral cortex. Electrophysiological properties of subicular VVA-labeled cells were studied in an acutely dissociated neuron preparation. Dissociated cells were labeled in vitro with VVA coupled either to a fluorescent marker or to small beads. The viability of labeled dissociated cells was confirmed, and identified cells were partially characterized electrophysiologically using whole-cell voltage clamp recording. VVA-labeled cells were electrophysiologically similar to pyramidal cells from the same region, except that the VVA-labeled cells showed only small transient outward currents.
TETANUS SKIN TEST: DOES IT ASSESS DELAYED HYPERSENSITIVITY|[quest]|

To determine if the tetanus skin test (TST) is a valid procedure for the evaluation of delayed hypersensitivity we correlated the results of skin testing with in vitro lymphocyte transformation to tetanus (TTx), antibody titers to tetanus by hemagglutination (TAB), and monocyte chemotaxis (MCTX). We tested 6 unimmunized infants less than 10 weeks of age, 6 patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia (AGG) and 35 immunized controls(8 weeks-35 years) with 0.1 ml of a 1:5 dilution of fluid tetanus toxoid; a positive TST at 48 hours was induration >5 mm in diameter. A transformation index (cpm of 2 × 105 stimulated cells/cpm unstimulated cells) of >2 and a TAB >1:4 were considered positive. MCTX was performed by the agarose gel technique.
Scheduling with batching: minimizing the weighted number of tardy jobs

The weighted tardiness with batching (WTB) problem can be briefly described as follows: given n jobs, each with a processing time, a weight, and a due date, and given a batch setup time, find a sequence of batches that minimizes the weighted number of tardy jobs. We show that the decision version of WTB is NP-complete, but that it can be solved in pseudo-polynomial time by a dynamic programming algorithm. We also analyze various restricted versions of the problem generated by requiring that one or more of the job parameters (weight, processing time, or due date) is the same for all jobs. For each such version of the problem, we prove NP-completeness or provide a polynolmial algorithm.
Three-dimensional Radiative Transfer in an Isotropically Scattering, Plane-parallel Medium: Generalized X- and Y-functions

The topic of this work is the generalized X- and Y-functions of multidimensional radiative transfer. The physical problem considered is spatially varying, collimated radiation incident on the upper boundary of an isotropically scattering, plane-parallel medium. An integral transform is used to reduce the three-dimensional transport equation to a one-dimensional form, and a modified Ambarzumian's method is used to derive coupled, integro-differential equations for the source functions at the boundaries of the medium. The resulting equations are said to be in double-integral form because the integration is over both angular variables. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the computational characteristics of the formulation.
Can Catheters Be an Electrical Safety Hazard

Although a value of 500 ohms often has been used as the resistance of a saline filled plastic catheter, both calculated and measured values exceed 2 million ohms. Because the current which this catheter could carry is inversely proportional to its resistance, this resistance should be considered wherever arterial catheters and patient safety are of concern.
Neutron reflectivity characterization of the photoacid reaction-diffusion latent and developed images of molecular resists for extreme ultraviolet lithography.

Lithographic feature size requirements have approached a few radius of gyration of photoresist polymers used in thin-film patterning. Furthermore, the feature dimensions are commensurate with the photoacid diffusion length that defines the underlying latent image. Smaller imaging building blocks may enable reduced feature sizes; however, resolution limits are also dependent upon the spatial extent of the photoacid-catalyzed reaction diffusion front and subsequent dissolution mechanism. The reaction-diffusion front was characterized by neutron reflectivity for ccc stereoisomer-purified, deuterium-labeled tert-butoxycarbonyloxy calix(4)resorcinarene molecular re- sists. The spatial extent of the reaction front exceeds the size of the molecular resist with an effective diffusion constant of (0.13 ± 0.06) nm 2 /s for reaction times longer than 60 s, with the maximum at shorter times. Comparison to a mean-field reaction-diffusion model shows that a photoacid trapping process provides bounds to the spatial and extent of reaction via a reaction-limited mechanism whereas the ratio of the reaction rate to trapping rate constants recovers the effective diffusion peak. Under the ideal step-exposure conditions, surface roughness was observed after either positive- or negative-tone development. However, negative-tone development follows a surface- restructuring mechanism rather than etch-like dissolution in positive-tone development.
The uricosuric action of halofenate (MK-185) in patients with hyperuricemia or uncomplicated primary gout and hyperlipidemia

Abstract Significant serum uric acid reductions resulted from the oral administration of 500 and 1000 mg daily doses of halofenate in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia. Pretreatment serum uric acid levels averaged 8.5 mg/100 ml: serum uric acid levels during placebo control period averaged 7.7 mg/100 ml. At halofenate doses of 500 mg daily, the mean level fell to 5.6 mg/100 ml; after 1000 mg to 4.2 mg/100 ml. Urate clearance increased significantly at both dosage levels. Mean cholesterol levels decreased only slightly; triglyceride levels fell 16% from placebo levels on the larger dose of halofenate (1000 mg daily). Halofenate serum concentrations consistently reached a plateau by the 7th day of administration. There was an initial rapid decline in serum levels of halofenate immediately after discontinuance of the drug, but traces of it were still detectable one month later. Serum bilirubin levels decreased in all patients, possibly as a result of displacement of bilirubin from its plasma binding sites by halofenate. This study confirms the potent uricosuric action of this recently developed lipid-lowering drug.
Multiagent systems: Milestones and new horizons

Research in multiagent systems (MAS), or distributed artificial intelligence (DAI), dates back to the late 1970s. Initial work in the area focused on distributed interpretation of sensor data, organizational structuring and generic negotiation protocols. But several recent developments have helped reshape the focus of the field. Like the rest of Al, the field has matured from being largely exploratory in nature to focusing on formal theories of negotiation, distributed reasoning, multiagent learning and communication languages. The field is also maturing to the point of developing its first few fielded applications. The recent widespread interest in the Internet, the World Wide Web, and intelligent agent applications have further fueled the need for techniques and mechanisms by which agents representing users can interact effectively with other agents in open, dynamic environments. The development of several new international workshops and conferences has helped focus research in the area. The field is poised at a critical juncture, with stimulating problems and challenges promising some very exciting developments in the next few years.
Circular arrays of radial and tangential dipoles for turnstile antennas

A method of obtaining a turnstile antenna from a circular array of radial or tangential dipoles is presented. Approximate current distributions, terminal admittances, and radiation fields are given for arrays of 3, 4, and 5 half-wavelength elements for various array diameters.
A novel nanofiber scaffold by electrospinning and its utility in microvascular tissue engineering

Cellulose acetate (CA) thin, porous membranes were produced by electrospinning precursor polymer solutions in acetone at room temperature. During this process, CA nanofibers were produced when a high electric field of 12 kV was applied to the precursor solution. The diameters of fibers obtained varied from 100 nm to 1.2 µm while the average diameter was approximately 500 nm. The electrospinning parameters used to control the morphology of the fibers and their membranes are flow rate, the distance between the syringe needle that ejects fluid and the collector, and the voltage applied. These membranes were used as scaffolds for microvascular cells growth. The structure of the membranes that were produced mimic the topography and porosity of extracellular matrix (ECM) in two key ways. The fiber diameter mimics extracellular protein fiber diameter, thus enabling cellular attachment and facilitating cellular migration. The porosity mimics that of extracellular matrix such that microvascular capillary tube formation is enhanced. The non-woven fiber mats were examined by means of electron microscopy and the nanofibers were seen to be oriented randomly. The issue of strengthening the CA scaffold is currently studied by adding ceramic nano-structured component (carbon nanotubes) in the polymer membranes.
High Frequency Observations of the Second Radio Flare in Cygnus X-3

THE radio source identified with Cygnus X-3 was observed throughout the second great flare from 0100 UT on September 20, 1972, until 0800 UT on September 22, 1972, at 15.5 GHz using the 120-foot antenna of the Haystack Observatory in Westford, Massachusetts. In addition, two measurements were made at 22.235 GHz on September 21 and one was made at 8.105 GHz on September 22. The beginning of a third large flare is also present in our data.
Polymer nanotube nanocomposites: Correlating intermolecular interaction to ultimate properties

Polymer nanocomposite films containing 5 wt% single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) or 5 wt% multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) with random copolymers of styrene and vinyl phenol were processed from dimethyl formamide solutions. Vinyl phenol mole ratio in the copolymer was 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%. FTIR analysis indicates that the composites containing the copolymer with 20% vinyl phenol exhibit the maximum intermolecular interactions (hydrogen bonding) between the hydroxyl group of the vinyl phenol and the carbon nanotube functional groups. Tensile properties and electrical conductivity also are the highest in the samples containing the copolymer with 20% vinyl phenol. Thus, these results show that the optimization of the extent of intermolecular interactions between a polymer chain and a carbon nanotube results in an optimal increase in macroscopic properties. Moreover, the extent of intermolecular hydrogen bonding can be improved by optimizing the accessibility of the functional groups to participate in the non-covalent interaction. In this system, this optimization is realized by control of the amount of vinyl phenol in the copolymer, i.e. the copolymer composition.