cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-blockade-induced hepatic sarcoidosis in psoriatic arthritis (PsA): case report and review of the literature

To study the cytokine profile in a 52 year old woman with psoriasis, PsA, and HCV who developed hepatic sarcoidosis following Etanercept therapy for 7 months. 11 PsA patients on TNF blockers mean disease duration 158.4 (SD 114.5), mean treatment duration 72.1 (SD 42.14) months, 8/11 PsA were on Etanercept and 5 healthy controls were studied. TNF-α, sTNF RI/RII, IFN-α/β/γ, IL-1 α, IL-15, IL-6, VEGF, s IL-1 R, sIL-6 R, IL-12, IL-23, IL-17, Adiponectin, Leptin and EGF were assessed. All PsA and controls tested negative for Quantiferon TB Gold, hepatitis B/C, HIV, ACE level, chest x-ray, liver function test (LFTs). Serologic biomarkers of the subject in comparison to the controls indicate that sTNF RI value was significantly higher; and IL-1 alpha level has a high outlier compared to the 11 PsA patients on TNF blockers. The clinical course, histologic findings, increased levels of s TNF R I and IL-1 α in the subject as compared to the other PsA on TNF blockade and controls, suggest that most likely Etanercept induced inflammatory cytokine imbalance was responsible for inducing hepatic sarcoidosis.
INVASIVE AND NONINVASIVE MONITORING FOR EARLY RECOGNITION AND TREATMENT OF SHOCK IN HIGH-RISK TRAUMA AND SURGICAL PATIENTS

Shock and shock-related organ failure account for most deaths in trauma and surgical patients. Shock is easily recognized in the late stages, but therapy at this time is often ineffective. By contrast, shock in its early stages is easily treated, but because it is routinely recognized by imprecise signs and subjective symptoms, the diagnosis and treatment may be delayed or missed. The use of pulmonary artery catheters in the intensive care setting to optimize hemodynamic values has improved survival and decreased the incidence of multiple organ failure. However, patients often arrive in the intensive care unit (ICU) with advanced shock and organ failures. This article summarizes studies on the application of an array of noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring systems that provide essentially the same information previously available only by invasive monitoring. The noninvasive system is based on a new and improved bioimpedance method for estimating cardiac output, the conventional pulse oximetry for screening pulmonary function, and transcutaneous oximetry for evaluation of tissue perfusion and oxygenation. This noninvasive system may be used throughout the hospital, including the emergency department (ED), operating room, postanesthetic recovery room, ICU, and general hospital floors. This approach is based on the assumption that earlier recognition and treatment of circulatory dysfunction, before the occurrence of advanced shock and organ failures, may lead to further outcome improvement.
Intuitive model for the scintillations of a partially coherent beam

An intuitive model for the scintillation index of a partially coherent beam is developed in which essentially the only critical parameter is the properly defined Fresnel number equal to the ratio of the “working” aperture area to the area of the Fresnel zone. The model transpired from and is supported by numerical simulations using Rytov method for weak fluctuations regime and Tatarskii turbulence spectrum with inner scale. The ratio of the scintillation index of a partially coherent beam to that of a plane wave displays a characteristic minimum, the magnitude of which and its distance from the transmitter are easily explained using the intuitive model. A theoretical asymptotic is found for the scintillation index of a source with decreasing coherence at this minimum.
The uremic syndrome: therapeutic-evaluative discordance.

The uremic syndrome: Therapeutic-evaluative discordance. Significant discordances are observed between the therapeutic needs of patients with end-stage renal disease and the current emphasis in renal science and technologies. These discordances manifest in the observation that renal replacement therapies fail to attenuate the impact of the patient status at the time of initiation of renal replacement on mortality and morbidity; in the failure to apply a rigorous approach for fluid management, despite its technical simplicity; in the inadequacy of dialysis in the correction of deficient excretion of some solutes (phosphate and potassium), and in the greater impact of hormonal replacement on outcome than that observed by dialytic techniques. We suggest that these discordances find their root in the limited spectrum of uremic solute removal that is currently available with various dialytic techniques, and we suggest that a re-examination of the therapeutic targets in dialytic therapy may be needed in order to supercede the therapeutic plateau at which the therapy is currently fixed.
Purification and partial characterization of a high molecular weight metalloproteinase from the venom of Crotalus adamanteus (eastern diamondback rattlesnake).

Abstract Chromatography of Crotalus adamanteus venom on CM-Sepharose, Cibacron Blue-Sepharose and Phenyl-Sepharose, followed by gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 44, has resulted in the isolation in homogeneous condition of a metalloproteinase active on casein and hide powder azure. The proteinase has an alkaline isoelectric point, and the trivial name proteinase B (‘basic proteinase’) is suggested to distinguish it from previously characterized C. admanteus metalloproteinases. Proteinase B is a single chain glycoprotein containing one free sulfhydryl group and having a molecular weight of 60,000. Proteinase B was inactivated by treatment with EDTA, but exposure to phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride had no effect on proteolytic activity. Proteinase B lacked hemorrhagic activity and did not digest chromogenic substrates specific for thrombin, plasmin or plasma kallikrein.
Implementing a key recovery attack on the High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection Protocol

We describe our experiences implementing the master-key recovery attack[9] against the High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection Protocol (HDCP)[10]. We recovered the private keys from 41 HDCP-capable monitors using the key extraction attack of Irwin[12]. We then used the master-key recovery attack of Crosby, et al.[9] to compute the HDCP global secret. The attack used commodity hardware and did not damage the monitors in any observable way. We derive several lessons for DRM producers and consumers from our experience. We propose that DRM systems should have strong renewability in order to manage risks for all parties: content-producers, device manufacturers, and consumers.
The role of neighborhood parks as crime generators

Neighborhood parks in urban areas have long been seen as contested spaces. Because they are publically owned, they are at the same time everyone's and no one's. As public resources they have little intrinsic guardianship and thus are susceptible to being taken over for undesirable activities (that is, living spaces for the homeless, markets for drug dealers and delinquent behavior magnets for juveniles). While much has been written about parks and crime, little research exists which empirically examines the topic. The current research examines neighborhood parks in Philadelphia, PA as they relate to crime and disorder that occurs outdoors. We use primary data collection to quantify the number of potential activity generators (recreation centers, pools, playground, night lighting, and so on) and other park characteristics. Land use on adjacent streets is also collected. Our analysis finds that neighborhood parks are associated with increased levels of crime in the surrounding area. However, specific characteristics of parks are associated with lower crime levels.
Laminin-1 and the RKRLQVQLSIRT Laminin-1 α1 Globular Domain Peptide Stimulate Matrix Metalloproteinase Secretion by PC12 Cells

Abstract Here we have investigated the ability of laminin-1 and specific laminin-1-derived synthetic peptides to stimulate neuronal cell matrix metalloproteinase secretion. Zymographic analysis of conditioned media from laminin-1-treated PC12 and NG108-15 cells revealed a 72-kDa matrix metalloproteinase which was not secreted by untreated cells. Laminin-1 α1 chain-derived synthetic peptides, AASIKVAVSADR (LAM-L) and RKRLQVQLSIRT (AG-73), also stimulated PC12 cell secretion of a 72-kDa matrix metalloproteinase. We further investigated the structural requirements of AG-73 for cell attachment, neurite outgrowth, and matrix metalloproteinase secretion using a series of AG-73 analogs that had single amino acids substituted with alanine. At the substrate levels tested, the AG-73 peptide promoted the adhesion of 67% of the PC12 cells and neurite outgrowth in 71% of the PC12 cells. Substitutions in any one of the amino acids within the central LQVQ sequence resulted in a large reduction in cell attachment whereas substitution in the carboxyl terminal proximal amino acids L, S, and R had little effect on attachment. Alanine substitution of any of the amino terminal proximal LQV amino acids and the carboxyl terminal L, I, and R residues resulted in a 65–91% reduction in neurite outgrowth. These data demonstrate that the sequence requirements for cell attachment and neurite outgrowth were not necessarily coupled but that the sequence requirements for neurite outgrowth and matrix metalloproteinase secretion were identical. We conclude that laminin-1 is able to stimulate neuronal cells to secrete a matrix metalloproteinase. Further, this study identifies the LQVXLXIR laminin-1 α1 globular domain peptide to be capable of stimulating both neurite outgrowth and matrix metalloproteinase secretion.
Molecular structure–reactivity relationships for the oxidation of sulfur dioxide over supported metal oxide catalysts

Abstract The catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide over several binary (M x O y /TiO 2 ) and ternary (V 2 O 5 /M X O Y /TiO 2 ) supported metal oxide catalysts was systematically investigated. The supported metal oxide components were essentially 100% dispersed as surface metal oxide species, as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy characterization. The sulfur dioxide oxidation turnover frequencies of the binary catalysts were all within an order of magnitude (V 2 O 5 /TiO 2 >Fe 2 O 3 /TiO 2 >Re 2 O 7 /TiO 2 ∼ CrO 3 /TiO 2 ∼ Nb 2 O 5 /TiO 2 >MoO 3 /TiO 2 ∼ WO 3 /TiO 2 ). An exception was the K 2 O/TiO 2 catalysts, which is essentially inactive for sulfur dioxide oxidation. With the exception of K 2 O, all of the surface metal oxide species present in the ternary catalysts (i.e., oxides of V, Fe, Re, Cr, Nb, Mo and W) can undergo redox cycles and oxidize SO 2 to SO 3 . The turnover frequency for sulfur dioxide oxidation over all of these catalysts is approximately the same at both low and high surface coverages. This indicates that the mechanism of sulfur dioxide oxidation is not sensitive to the coordination of the surface metal oxide species. A comparison of the activities of the ternary catalysts with the corresponding binary catalysts suggests that the surface vanadium oxide and the additive surface metal oxide redox sites act independently without synergistic interactions. The V 2 O 5 /K 2 O/TiO 2 catalyst showed a dramatic reduction in the catalytic activity in comparison to the unpromoted V 2 O 5 /TiO 2 catalyst. The ability of K 2 O to significantly retard the redox potential of the surface vanadia species is primarily responsible for the lower catalytic activity of the ternary catalytic system. The fundamental insights generated from this research can potentially assist in the molecular design of the air pollution control catalysts: (1) the development of catalysts for low temperature oxidation of SO 2 to SO 3 during sulfuric acid manufacture (2) the design of efficient SCR DeNO x catalysts with minimal SO 2 oxidation activity and (3) improvements in additives for the simultaneous oxidation/sorption of sulfur oxides in petroleum refinery operations.
Simulating Barge Drawdown and Currents in Channel and Backwater Areas

The act of a barge train navigating along a waterway produces waves and alters the river's currents. The drawdown wave causes flow exchange with the backwaters and side channels. The return currents in narrow waterways can also result in sediment resuspension. The highly variable topography along the waterway complicates this behavior by means of reflections, amplification, and resonance. Simple empirical solutions are applicable to idealized channel shapes but are too limited for general riverine topography. Physical models are unrestricted in this respect but have limitations related to expense and scale effects. In this paper, vessel effects are modeled numerically using a moving pressure field to represent the vessel's displacement. A comparison of a moving pressure field in a shallow-water model to flume tests has been previously reported. This study extends the model testing to include field data. The numerical results for return flows and water-surface elevations from vessel passages are presented for various types of river systems. Emphasis is given to describing the waterways' response to barge-generated currents and waves.
The discriminative stimulus properties of the R2 isomer of viminol.

Abstract Viminol is a pyrrylethanolamine deriative which exists naturally as a racemic mixture containing six different stereoisomers. Viminol has been reported to exert both potent analgesic activity and minimal dependence liability. The analgesic component of racemic viminol has been attributed to the R2 isomer, while the antagonistic S2 isomer appears to be responsible for minimizing the dependence liability of the racemate. We tested the R2 isomer of viminol in rats trained to discriminate 3 mg/kg morphine sulfate from saline on a VI-15 sec schedule for sweetened milk reinforcement. The R2 isomer resulted in dose dependent morphine-like responding, with complete generalization to the 2.5 mg/kg dose of R2 viminol. The morphine-like discriminative stimulus properties of R2 viminol were reversed by naloxone in a dose-dependent fashion, with total blockade by 0.1 mg/kg naloxone. R2 viminol, like morphine, also had a biphasic effect on response rate with low doses increasing and high doses suppressing response rates. R2 viminol had a overall shorter time course than that reported for morphine, and its different physiological and behavioral effects may not occur simultaneously. These data suggest that R2 viminol exerts a subjective effect similar to that of morphine and supports the hypothesis that R2 viminol has opiate activity despite its lack of structural relationship to the opiate series.
Preparation of substituted 1,2‐Dihydro‐3H‐pyrazol‐3‐ones from polylithiated 2′‐phenylphenylacetohydrazides and aromatic esters

Several 2′-phenylphenylacetohydrazides were polylithiated with excess lithium diisopropylamide, and the resulting intermediates were condensed with several aromatic esters to afford C-acylated intermediates that were not usually isolated, but acid cyclized directly to 1,4,5-trisubstituted, 1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-ones.
Transglutaminase Cross-linking Properties of the Small Proline-rich 1 Family of Cornified Cell Envelope Proteins INTEGRATION WITH LORICRIN

Small proline-rich 1 (SPR1) proteins are important for barrier function in stratified squamous epithelia. To explore their properties, we expressed in bacteria a recombinant human SPR1 protein and isolated native SPR1 proteins from cultured mouse keratinocytes. By circular dichroism, they possess no α or β structure but have some organized structure associated with their central peptide repeat domain. The transglutaminase (TGase) 1 and 3 enzymes use the SPR1 proteins as complete substrates in vitro but in different ways: head domain A sequences at the amino terminus were used preferentially for cross-linking by TGase 3, whereas those in head domain B sequences were used for cross-linking by TGase 1. The TGase 2 enzyme cross-linked SPR1 proteins poorly. Together with our data base of 141 examples of in vivo cross-links between SPRs and loricrin, this means that both TGase 1 and 3 are required for cross-linking SPR1 proteins in epithelia in vivo. Double in vitro cross-linking experiments suggest that oligomerization of SPR1 into large polymers can occur only by further TGase 1 cross-linking of an initial TGase 3 reaction. Accordingly, we propose that TGase 3 first cross-links loricrin and SPRs together to form small interchain oligomers, which are then permanently affixed to the developing CE by further cross-linking by the TGase 1 enzyme. This is consistent with the known consequences of diminished barrier function in TGase 1 deficiency models.
Effective elastic moduli of composites reinforced by particle or fiber with an inhomogeneous interphase

The solution of the strain energy change of an infinite matrix due to the presence of one spherical particle or cylindrical fiber surrounded by an inhomogeneous interphase is the basis of solving effective elastic moduli of corresponding composites based on various micromechanics models. In order to find out the strain energy change, the composite sphere or cylinder, i.e., the spherical particle or cylindrical fiber together with its interphase, is replaced by an effective homogeneous particle or fiber. Independent governing differential equations for each modulus of the effective particle or fiber are derived by extending the replacement method [J. Mech. Phys. Solids 12 (1964) 199]. As far as the strain energy changes of the infinite matrix subjected to various far-field stress systems are concerned, the present model is simple. Meanwhile, FEM analysis is carried out for a verification, which shows that the model can lead to rather accurate results for most practical interphases. Besides, to check the validity of the model further when the interactions among composite cylinders exist, the two problems of an infinite matrix containing two composite cylinders and the effective moduli of composites with the equilateral triangular distribution of composite cylinders are analyzed using FEM. The FEM results show that the model is still rather accurate, especially for the case of interphase properties varying between those of fiber and matrix. Therefore, composite spheres or cylinders are assumed as the effective homogeneous particles or fibers and simple expressions of the effective moduli of composites containing the composite spheres or cylinders are obtained. Furthermore, the present model is compared with some existing models that are based on very complicated derivations.
Exercise training and plasma catecholamines in patients with ischemic heart disease

Abstract A 3 month program of exercise training was carried out in 10 patients with ischemic heart disease to assess the contribution of catecholamines to the training effect of improved exercise capacity and enhanced myocardlal oxygen delivery. Training resulted in a significant increase in maximal treadmill exercise time (mean ± standard error of the mean 374 ± 28 versus 567 ± 33 seconds, P P
Field dependent mobility in amorphous semiconductors

Abstract A model based on a band picture of trap controlled mobility is proposed to explain the field dependent drift mobility observed in some amorphous semiconductors. A field dependent mobility is predicted when the Schubweg of the carrier is made smaller than the sample thickness. The model is applied to the published results on amorphous Se and an exponentially decreasing density of states in the valence-band-tail is determined. A fairly consistent fit of the data to the theory is obtained for all experimental results.
Nitrogen-broadened lines of monodeuterated methane in the 4.5 μm region at low temperatures.

Nitrogen-broadened halfwidths of rotational lines of CH3D have been deduced from spectral transmittance measurements in the nu2-fundamental at 100 and 200 K with a spectral resolution of 0.06 per cm. The line widths appear to be 1.5 times larger and exhibit the same 1/T dependence on temperature as lines of CH4.
Nonexistence of bounded energy solutions for a critical exponent problem

Abstract In this paper, we discuss positive solutions for certain weighted elliptic equations with critical Sobolev exponent in R N . The weights depend on a positive parameter γ , which is allowed to increase to infinity. While for small values of γ solutions are completely classified, an attempt to such a classification is much more difficult for large values of the parameter. In the present work we prove the nonexistence of solutions with bounded energy as γ increases to infinity. We also prove a multiplicity result for high energy solutions.
Expression of visual and nonvisual opsins in American chameleon

We previously characterized five visual opsin genes of American chameleon (Anolis carolinensis). Here we report its nonvisual opsin gene orthologous to the chicken pineal gland-specific opsin (P-opsin) gene. In the pure-cone American chameleon retina, all visual opsins including rod opsin are expressed. In both pineal and parietal eye, three visual opsins as well as P-opsin are expressed. Although opsins are detected in the pineal glands of a wide variety of vertebrates, Southern analysis suggests that the P-opsin gene is used mainly by birds and reptiles.
Hybrid Expanded‐Bed GAC Reactor for Treating Inhibitory Wastewaters

An expanded-bed anaerobic biological GAC reactor was connected to a GAC adsorber to form a hybrid reactor design for the treatment of inhibitory wastes that separates biological transformation from physical removal mechanisms. The performance of the hybrid GAC reactor was compared with a “conventional” expanded-bed GAC anaerobic reactor. Both reactors were subjected to similar operating conditions. The synthetic wastewater used in the study was comprised of acetate and 3-ethylphenol (3-ep). The COD loading ranged from 13.3 to 23.8 kg COD/m³. Partial replacement of GAC with virgin GAC was practiced in both reactors to control toxicity and facilitate the physical removal of 3-ep. The hybrid GAC reactor provided greater biological-removal efficiencies than the “conventional” GAC reactor. GAC replacement did not affect biomass retention in the hybrid GAC reactor, and sludge ages in the “conventional” GAC reactor were limited by the rate of GAC replacement. Sludge ages averaged 100 days in the hybrid GAC reactor, which allowed for significant biodegradation of 3-ep. At a sludge age of 9.3 days, 3-ep degrading organisms washed out of the conventional GAC reactor. The hybrid GAC reactor design demonstrated promise for the efficient treatment of biologically inhibitory wastewaters.
Resistance to Invasion and Resilience to Fire in Desert Shrublands of North America

Settlement by Anglo-Americans in the desert shrublands of North America resulted in the introduction and subsequent invasion of multiple nonnative grass species. These invasions have altered presettlement fire regimes, resulted in conversion of native perennial shrublands to nonnative annual grasslands, and placed many native desert species at risk. Effective management of these ecosystems requires an understanding of their ecological resistance to invasion and resilience to fire. Resistance and resilience differ among the cold and hot desert shrublands of the Great Basin, Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts in North America. These differences are largely determined by spatial and temporal patterns of productivity but also are affected by ecological memory, severity and frequency of disturbance, and feedbacks among invasive species and disturbance regimes. Strategies for preventing or managing invasive plant/fire regimes cycles in desert shrublands include: 1) conducting periodic resource assessments to evaluate the probability of establishment of an altered fire regime; 2) developing an understanding of ecological thresholds associate within invasion resistance and fire resilience that characterize transitions from desirable to undesirable fire regimes; and 3) prioritizing management activities based on resistance of areas to invasion and resilience to fire.
Residual spatial vision of cats with lesions of the visual cortex.

Abstract Cats were trained on three classes of visual discriminations. The first was a large-checks vs small-checks problem in which the stimulus panels varied both in the total amount of contour and the number of enclosed spatial figures. The second class was a contour problem in which the number of objects per panel was constant, but the amount of contour was greater in one panel than in the other. The third class was a numerosity problem in which the stimuli contained more objects in one panel than the other, but the amount of contour was the same for both panels. The discriminanda in all three classes were equated for flux and were designed to eliminate local flux and local contour differences as cues for solving the discrimination. Normal cats learned all three classes of problems and subsequently sustained removals of the visual neocortex. Postoperatively, the animals discriminated flux-equated stimuli that varied with respect to both contour and numerosity. However, when flux and contour were equated, the cats never exceeded chance performance after nearly a year of retraining on the numerosity problem. These results, together with previous findings, indicated that the animals were form-blind despite their abilities to learn some classes of flux-equated visual pattern tasks. After completion of the learning phase of the experiment, visual placing was studied in these animals. With very few exceptions, placing was absent after postoperative recovery periods of more than 1 year, but could be reinstated for periods up to three weeks following a single injection of d -amphetamine. Hence, although visually-decorticated cats fail to learn form discriminations, they nonetheless are able, if appropriately treated, to localize surfaces in space.
SERUM LIPIDS IN UREMIC CHILDREN AND THE RESPONSE TO NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION

The incidence of hyperlipidemia and the effect of dietary factors on serum lipid values were evaluated in 17 non-nephrotic patients with GFR 230 mg/dl) in 22% and TG (> 140 mg/dl) in 92% of the children. There was no correlation between lipid levels and GFR, albumin, creatinine or BUN. Multiple computer diet analyses were obtained before and during nutritional supplementation. Absolute values for calories and grams of protein, carbohydrate (CHO), and fat increased. However, when expressed as a percentage of calories ingested, CHO increased 11% while fat decreased 8% and protein remained unchanged. In 16 patients C increased from 207 ± 38 mg/dl to 239 ± 49 mg/dl (p < 0.025) and in 10 patients TG increased from 197 ± 66 mg/dl to 215 mg/dl (p < 0.1). C and TG were not related to total calories, gm/kg CHO or % fat ingested. TG was related to % CHO of total calories ingested. Diet appears to be one of the factors influencing elevated lipid levels in uremic children.
Comparison Of Surface Acoustic-Wave And Optical Signal Processing

It has long been recognized that there exists a formal analogy between optical Fourier transforms performed by lenses and the chirp Fourier transforms implemented with dispersive delay lines. Progress in the technology for optical signal processing and for surface-acoustic-wave dispersive delay lines has advanced many signal-processing techniques from the theoretical to the practical realm. Analogous and competitive surface-acoustic-wave and optical techniques for spectral analysis, matched filtering, and convolution in one and two dimensions are compared and their limitations are discussed.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Sharing the wealth: publishing electronic resources

This poster describes the publication of educational resources in ACM's online Journal for Educational Resources in Computing (JERIC) and the US National Science Foundation's National STEM Digital Library (NSDL).
Cell killing by viruses. IV. Cell killing and protein synthesis inhibition by vesicular stomatitis virus require the same gene functions.

Abstract Temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of vesicular stomatitis (VS) virus representing the five known complementation groups of the Indiana serotype were used to determine which viral gene functions were required for the expression of (i) cell-killing (CK) particle activity, and (ii) the inhibition of host cell protein synthesis. Cell-killing particle activity was quantitated by analyzing single-cell survival curves generated by infecting the Vero line of green monkey kidney cells at low multiplicities (mpfp ≤ 5) and at permissive (30°) and nonpermissive (40°) temperatures. Cellular protein synthesis inhibition was measured by difference analysis of polyacrylamide-gel-electropherogram patterns obtained from uninfected mouse L cells and cells infected at high multiplicity (mpfp = 100–500) at these two temperatures. Analyses of cell killing and protein synthesis inhibition by is mutants at nonpermissive temperature demonstrate that both of these attributes require the same viral gene functions and that they are conjointly expressed or not expressed, tsckp+,psi+ or tsckp−,psi− , respectively. Complementation groups I and IV were subdivided into tsckp+,psi+ and tsckp−,psi− mutants, establishing that the viral proteins required for the expression of cell killing and protein synthesis inhibition need not be fully functional. Considering these and previous results [Virology 57: 321 1974; 63: 176 1975; 69: 378 1976] we conclude that, although the expression of both cell killing and protein synthesis inhibition by VS virus does not require infectious virus, it does depend upon transcription of viral genes N and NS by virion-associated transcriptase and their translation into minimally functional proteins. We postulate that viral proteins N and NS then interact with minimally functional L protein to produce the putative proximate or ultimate factor(s) directly responsible for cell killing and protein synthesis inhibition by VS virus. The lack of cellular protein synthesis inhibition by several is mutants following challenge at high multiplicities (mpfp = 500) at 40° casts some doubt on the interpretation of experiments that appear to support assignment of these functions to preformed viral proteins.
Total Synthesis and Evaluation of Phostriecin and Key Structural Analogues

Full details of the total synthesis of phostriecin (2), the assignment of its relative and absolute stereochemistry, and the resultant structural reassignment of the natural product previously represented as sultriecin (1), a phosphate versus sulfate monoester, are detailed. Studies with authentic material confirmed that phostriecin, but not sultriecin, is an effective and selective inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) defining a mechanism of action responsible for its antitumor activity. The extension of the studies to the synthesis and evaluation of a series of key synthetic analogues is disclosed that highlights the importance of the natural product phosphate monoester (vs sulfate or free alcohol, both inactive and >250-fold), the α,β-unsaturated lactone (12-fold), and the hydrophobic Z,Z,E-triene tail (C12−C22, ca. 200-fold) including the unique importance of its unsaturation (50-fold, and no longer PP2A selective).
Fear in the Voting Booth: The 2004 Presidential Election

Every presidential election offers interesting questions for analysis, but some elections are more puzzling than others. The election of 2004 involves two linked and countervailing puzzles. The first is: How did President George W. Bush manage to win at all, avoiding the fates of George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter? The other is: Why didn’t he win by a more substantial margin than in his first election, as all reelected presidents since Eisenhower were able to do? On the one hand, in the wake of September 11, the president had approval ratings around 90% and the threat of terrorism remained a substantial concern through Election Day. This would seem to afford Bush an overwhelming advantage. On the other hand, the public’s views of the state of the economy and of the course of the war in Iraq were negative. We think that the juxtaposition of these questions will help to explain the outcome of the election and of the pattern of the results. Moreover, by unpacking our explanation of the vote into three policy-related issue components—economic retrospective evaluations, domestic policy views, and foreign policy views—we examine the way these preferences contributed to the electorate’s voting decisions.
Methanogenic Conditions in Northern Peat Soils

Anaerobic microbial activity in northern peat soils most often results in more carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) production than methane (CH4) production. This study examined why methanogenic conditions (i.e., equal molar amounts of CH4 production and CO2 production) prevail so infrequently. We used peat soils from two ombrotrophic bogs and from two rheotrophic fens. The former two represented a relatively dry bog hummock and a wet bog hollow, and the latter two represented a forested fen and a sedge-dominated fen. We quantified gas production rates in soil samples incubated in vitro with and without added metabolic substrates (glucose, ethanol, H2/CO2). None of the peat soils exhibited methanogenic conditions when incubated in vitro for a short time ( 50 days without added substrates led to methanogenic conditions in only one of four experiments. The anaerobic CO2:CH4 production ratio ranged from 5:1 to 40:1 in peat soil without additions and was larg...
Severity of head computed tomography scan findings fail to explain racial differences in mortality following child abuse

INTRODUCTION: Differences in head injury severity may not be fully appreciated in child abuse victims. The purpose of this study was to determine if differential findings on initial head computed tomography (CT) scan could explain observed differential outcome by race. METHODS: We identified 164 abuse patients from our trauma registry with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) >/= 15. Their initial head CT scan was graded from 1 to 4 (normal to severe). Statistical analysis was performed to asses the correlation between race, head CT grade, Glascow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and mortality. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 17%: 11% for white children, 32% for African-American children (P Language: en
An automated design system for finding the minimal configuration of a feed-forward neural network

In this paper, we present a method for finding the minimal configuration of a feedforward artificial neural network (ANN) for solving a given application problem. We assume that the cascade-correlation (CAS) training algorithm is used to train the weights of the ANNs concerned. Under a given time constraint that is long enough to train tens of ANNs completely, we divide the time into quanta, and present a method for scheduling dynamically the ANN to be trained in each quantum from a pool of partially trained ANNs. Our goal is to find an ANN configuration with smaller number of hidden units as compared to the alternative of applying the CAS algorithm repeatedly to train each ANN to completion before exploring new ANNs. Our system is a population-based generate-and-test method that maintains a population of candidate ANNs, and that selectively train those that are predicted to require smaller configurations. Since it is difficult to predict the exact number of hidden units required when the CAS algorithm terminates, our system compares two partially trained ANNs and predicts which one will converge with a smaller number of hidden units relative to the other. Our prediction mechanism is based on a comparator neural network (CANN) that takes as inputs the TSSE-versus-time behavior of training performed already on two ANNs, and that predicts which one will require a smaller number of hidden units when convergence is reached. We show that our CANN can predict correctly most of the time, and present experimental results on better configurations found in a given time limit for a classification problem and the two-spiral problem. >
Radiotherapy for prostate carcinoma: the JCRT experience (1968–1978). II. Factors related to tumor control and complications

Abstract We have analyzed treatment failure and complications as a function of radiotherapy technique and other factors in 229 patients irradiated for prostate carcinoma from 1968–1978. Thirty-four patients (15%) developed clinical evidence of local-regional recurrence. In about one-quarter of these recurrences, there was a component of ureteral obstruction, possibly due to marginal miss in the seminal vesicles. Although different parameters of treatment technique were not significantly correlated with local failure, there was a trend toward higher failure rates for Stage B and C patients when the length and/or width of the conedown field was less than 8 cm ( p = 0.27 and 0.25, respectively). As in other recent studies, patients with Stage C disease who had undergone trans-ureteral resection of the prostate had a lower disease-free survival rate than patients who had only needle biopsy (39 vs. 65% at 5 years, p = 0.055). The use of larger initial fields treating the pelvic lymph nodes did not result in better local tumor control or better overall control. However, the use of larger fields did result in a higher rate of significant complications (8.7 vs. 1.6% for fields ≥ 150 cm 2 or 2 , respectively, p = 0.013). In view of the higher complication rate and the absence of convincing evidence of benefit for whole pelvic treatment, irradiation of all pelvic lymph nodes can be questioned.
Click on bake to get cookies: guiding word-finding with semantic associations

It is challenging to navigate a dictionary consisting of thousands of entries in order to select appropriate words for building communication. This is particularly true for people with lexical access disorders like those present in aphasia. We make vocabulary navigation and word-finding easier by building a vocabulary network where links between words reflect human judgments of semantic relatedness. We report the results from a user study with people with aphasia that evaluated how our system (called ViVA) performs compared to a widely used vocabulary access system in which words are organized hierarchically into common categories and subcategories. The results indicate that word retrieval is significantly better with ViVA, but finding the first word to start a communication is still problematic and requires further investigation.
Interatomic potentials for atomic scale modeling of metal–matrix ceramic particle reinforced nanocomposites

Abstract Functionally graded particle reinforced metal–matrix nanocomposite materials show significant promise for use in protective structures due to their high strengths, stiffness, failure resistance, and the ability to mitigate damage during ballistic impact. Further improvement of the performance of these materials requires fine-tuning of the nanostructure which, in turn, necessitates a clear fundamental understanding of the deformation and failure mechanisms under conditions of dynamic loading. While the molecular dynamics simulation technique is an excellent tool for investigation of the mechanisms of plastic deformation and failure of the particle reinforced metal–matrix nanocomposites at the atomic scale, the predictive power of the technique relies on an accurate description of the interatomic interactions. This paper provides a brief review of a recently developed class of interatomic potentials capable of the computationally efficient description of multi-component systems composed of metals, Si, Ge, and C. The potentials are based on reformulation of the Embedded Atom Method (EAM) potential for metals and two empirical potentials commonly used for covalently bonded materials, Stillinger–Weber (SW) and Tersoff, in a compatible functional form. The description of the angular dependence of interatomic interactions in the covalent materials is incorporated into the framework of the EAM potential and, therefore, the new class of potentials is dubbed Angular-dependent EAM (A-EAM) potentials. The A-EAM potentials retain all the properties of the pure components as predicted by the original SW, Tersoff, and EAM potentials, thus eliminating the need for extensive testing and limiting the scope of the potential parameterization to only the cross-interaction between the components. The performance of the A-EAM potentials is illustrated for the Au–Si system, with good agreement with experimental data obtained for the enthalpy of mixing in the Au–Si liquid alloy and the Au–Si phase diagram. The A-EAM potentials are suitable for large-scale atomistic simulations of metal–Si/Ge/C/SiC systems, such as the ones required for investigation of the dynamic response of nanocomposite materials to a ballistic/blast impact.
Outcome of Exposure to Community Violence in Female Adolescents

Abstract Study Objective The purpose of the study was to describe outcomes related to exposure to community violence in 2 samples of female adolescents. Design The design was cross-sectional. Setting Data were collected by home visit and on a college campus. Participants The female adolescents were recruited from a teen clinic (n = 39) and from freshman orientation classes at a large urban university (n = 61). Main Outcome Measures Depressive symptoms. Results Although the 2 groups differed by age, race, and socioeconomic status, there were no differences in social support, depressive symptoms, or being a victim of violence. Adolescents recruited from the teen clinic had higher scores on witnessing violence and were exposed to more aggressive acts of violence. Conclusions Exposure to community violence is a significant predictor of depressive symptoms in both college students and adolescents from a teen clinic.
Effect of a vascular endothelial cadherin antagonist in a rat lung transplant model.

Background Adherens junctions are critically important in control of endothelial cell permeability. Bβ15-42 is a peptide product of fibrin degradation that binds to vascular endothelial cadherin, the major component of endothelial adherens junctions. We tested the hypothesis that Bβ15-42 improves lung function in our rat lung transplant model. Methods Bβ15-42 was administered to donors before lung retrieval and to recipients by continuous intravenous infusion, or just to recipients, or neither. Recipients were monitored, anesthetized and ventilated, for 6 hours. Outcome measures were indices of lung function (edema [wet-to-dry weight ratio], oxygenation, dynamic compliance) and bronchoalveolar fluid measures of inflammation (protein, cell count, differential, and cytokines). Results Bβ15-42 therapy was associated with improved graft lung function, including less edema, and improved oxygenation and airway pressure, particularly if Bβ15-42 was administered to both the donor and recipient. However, Bβ15-42 had little or no effect on bronchoalveolar fluid measures of inflammation. Analysis of bronchoalveolar fluid protein concentration showed Bβ15-42 may enhance alveolar fluid clearance. Conclusions Bβ15-42 may be a useful therapy to reduce edema and improve graft function after lung transplant, alone or as an adjunct to other therapies.
Magnesium, vitamin D status and mortality: results from US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001 to 2006 and NHANES III

Background: Magnesium plays an essential role in the synthesis and metabolism of vitamin D and magnesium supplementation substantially reversed the resistance to vitamin D treatment in patients with magnesiumdependent vitamin-D-resistant rickets. We hypothesized that dietary magnesium alone, particularly its interaction with vitamin D intake, contributes to serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, and the associations between serum 25(OH)D and risk of mortality may be modified by magnesium intake level. Methods: We tested these novel hypotheses utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001 to 2006, a population-based cross-sectional study, and the NHANES III cohort, a populationbased cohort study. Serum 25(OH)D was used to define vitamin D status. Mortality outcomes in the NHANES III cohort were determined by using probabilistic linkage with the National Death Index (NDI). Results: High intake of total, dietary or supplemental magnesium was independently associated with significantly reduced risks of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency respectively. Intake of magnesium significantly interacted with intake of vitamin D in relation to risk of both vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Additionally, the inverse association between total magnesium intake and vitamin D insufficiency primarily appeared among populations at high risk of vitamin D insufficiency. Furthermore, the associations of serum 25(OH)D with mortality, particularly due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and colorectal cancer, were modified by magnesium intake, and the inverse associations were primarily present among those with magnesium intake above the median. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings indicate it is possible that magnesium intake alone or its interaction with vitamin D intake may contribute to vitamin D status. The associations between serum 25(OH)D and risk of mortality may be modified by the intake level of magnesium. Future studies, including cohort studies and clinical trials, are necessary to confirm the findings.
Citywalk: a second generation walkthrough system

The architectural framework of an advanced virtual walkthrough environment is described and placed in perspective with first generation systems built during the last two decades. This framework integrates support for scalable, distributed, interactive models with plug-in physical simulation to provide a large and rich environment suitable for architectural evaluation and training applications. An outlook is also given to a possible third generation of virtual environment architectures that are capable of integrating different heterogeneous walkthrough models.
Saponin composition of 13 varieties of legume seed using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

A mass spectrometric technique is described which provides a fingerprint of the saponin composition in crude extracts of 13 varieties of bean seed. The identity of individual saponins was confirmed using HPLC. The ability of this technique to predict the presence of unidentified saponins and, hence, its use for monitoring fractionation or isolation procedures is discussed.
Electronics anywhere [TFT and display technology examples]

This paper begins with a broad outline of the current state of semiconductor development with an emphasis on applications. It follows by considering in detail active matrix organic light emitting diode displays (AMOLEDs) using thin film transistors (TFTs). Organic TFTs (OTFT) are then described along with their application in display technology.