cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maintenance of therapeutically active levels of isoniazid for prolonged periods in rabbits after a single implant of biodegradable polymer

Abstract Setting: Poor patient compliance is the serious limiting factor in the chemotherapy of tuberculosis. Objective: To solve this problem we have been developing depot-drug delivery of antimycobacterial drugs. Earlier studies with mice using isoniazid in polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) co-polymer have shown that a single implant of the polymer could ensure sustained levels of free isoniazid for up to 8 weeks. Similar studies were now undertaken in rabbits. Design: The biodegradable PLGA polymer rods containing isoniazid were implanted on the back of the rabbits under anaesthesia in an isoniazid dose of 90 mg/kg. Concentrations of isoniazid and acetylisoniazid in serum and urine were determined by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method at close intervals up to 96 h to study the burst-size, and later at weekly intervals up to 9 weeks to study the sustained levels. Results and conclusions: There was no abnormal release of isoniazid in the earlier periods. Concentrations of isoniazid ≥ 0.2 μg/ml were found both in serum and urine up to 63 days after implant. Urine specimen obtained at 6 weeks after giving the implant inhibited the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro as measured by the radiometric (Bactec) method. These findings in non-rodent animal species confirm the usefulness of the depot-drug delivery method of drug administration and warrant hopes for the successful treatment of tuberculosis avoiding the problem of non-compliance.
Regionally specific induction of BDNF and truncated trkB.T1 receptors in the hippocampal formation after intraseptal injection of kainic acid

The septo-hippocampal cholinergic and GABAergic systems were lesioned with single unilateral injections of kainic acid (KA) into the septum to further characterize the role of these afferents in the regulation of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Nearly all cells expressing choline acetyltransferase, trkA or glutamic acid decarboxylase mRNA disappeared in the medial septum 7 days after the neurotoxin administration. The lesion resulted in a complete loss of CA3 pyramidal cells, and robust increases in BDNF mRNA levels in hippocampal granular dentate cells and in the amygdala. There were rapid transient increases of BDNF mRNA levels in the hippocampal formation and cortex. In addition, we found a strong induction of truncated trkB.T1 mRNA receptors in the stratum radiatum and stratum oriens of the CA3 subfield. The prolonged induction of BDNF mRNA levels suggests an important role of this neurotrophin, possibly mediated by truncated trkB receptors, in the regulation of hippocampal plasticity following injury.
The germ cells of anurans. II. An embryological study of sex differentiation in Rana catesbeiana

Embryological study of bullfrog tadpoles collected from various parts of the United States has shown the existence of local races which differ markedly in regard to the time of occurrence and character of the developmental processes involved in the formation of the definitive testis of the male individuals. Those races in which the gonads of the two sexes are easily distinguished in early larval stages are called differentiated. Other local races show a peculiar gonadic development chiefly affecting the males, the definitive testis sometimes not appearing until near the end of the second year of larval life. Such races are called undifferentiated, because the morphological features of the definitive testes are not established until late. The larvae first develop a peculiar gonad (progonad) which later degenerates and is replaced by the definitive testis. All male animals of the undifferentiated strains exhibit the gonad cycle. The progonad varies among the local frog races in regard to the length of persistence and degree of differentiation attained before undergoing degeneration. Its germ cells may exhibit a typical male maturation cycle ending in degeneration, or the cells may differentiate along both male and female lines or remain sexually neutral. The development and differentiation of the progonad in the various races are described and a detailed account given of the origin of the definitive testis. The problems of sex differentiation and continuity of the Keimbahn in anurans are discussed.
Life cycle based analysis of demands and emissions for residential water-using appliances.

Environmental impacts of energy and water demand and greenhouse gas emissions from three residential water-using appliances were analyzed using life cycle assessment (LCA) based approach in collaboration of economic input–output model. This study especially focused on indirect consumption and environmental impacts from end-use/demand phase of each appliance. Water-related activities such as water supply, water heating and wastewater treatment were included in the analysis. The results showed that environmental impacts from end-use/demand phase are most significant for the water system, particularly for the energy demand for water heating (73% for clothes washer and 93% for showerheads). Reducing water/hot water consumption during the end-use/demand phase is expected to improve the overall water-related energy burden and water use sustainability. In the analysis of optimal lifespan for appliances, the estimated values (8–21 years) using energy consumption balance approach were found to be lower than that using other methods (10–25 years). This implies that earlier replacement with efficiency models is encouraged to minimize the environmental impacts of the product.
PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT CELL KINETICS FOLLOWING ORTHODONTIC TOOTH MOVEMENT

The population of periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts examined in this study may include osteogenic progenitor cells. PDL fibroblast and osteoblast kinetics in the periodontal ligament of the rat were measured following orthodontic stimulation of bone formation. Both single and multiple injections of tritiated thymidine (3H-TdR) were used. In single injection experiments, the peak percentage of PDL fibroblasts labeled with 3H-TdR is 15% at 22 hr post-stimulation. In multiple injection experiments, the total percentage of fibroblasts in the PDL which respond by synthesizing DNA is 50%. 3H-TdR-labeled osteoblasts appear at the same rate as, but with a time delay after, the labeled fibroblasts. Following stimulation, the most likely source of osteoblasts at the bbone forming site is not only fibroblasts which make DNA, divide, then differentiate, but also fibroblasts which either are differentiated to osteoblasts without DNA synthesis and cell division, or are released from G2 block by the orthodontic stimulation.
Molecular Weight Relationships Among the Subunits of Human Glycoprotein Hormones1

The mol wt of the subunits of hLH, hFSH, hCG and hTSH have been studied by the method of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl—sulfate, after reduction with mercaptoethanol. The isolated α—subunit of hLH had a mol wt of 21,200 daltons and the isolated α—subunit of hCG had a mol wt of 22,300 daltons. The isolated P—subunit of hLH had a mol wt of 18,000 daltons, and the isolated β—subunit of hCG had a mol wt of 35,100 daltons. When measurements were made on intact hormones after mercaptoethanol reduction, the corresponding subunits were easily identified by comparison with patterns obtained after electrophoresis of the isolated subunits, and the resulting mol wt estimates were comparable. After electrophoresis of reduced hTSH, two bands were evident with mol wt = 21,200 and 16,600. When highly purified hFSH, or a mixture of propionic acid dissociated hFSH subunits were examined, only a single major band could be detected, having a mol wt = 24,200. In all instances, SDS—electrophoresis of inta...
Effect of singlet oxygen quenchers on oxidative damage to liposomes initiated by photosensitization or by radiofrequency discharge.

—Lipid model membrane systems, liposomes, may be oxidized by both toluidine blue Osensitized photo-oxidation and radiofrequency-discharge-generated singiet oxygen. Oxidation can be followed by the appearance of lipid peroxides, malondialdehyde formation, and ultimately by the lysis of the liposomes. Inhibition of oxidation is observed in both systems using either β-carotene or DABCO. These observations are consistent with the view that type II (singlet oxygen) reactions are involved in this photodynamic system.
From the Ideal to the Real World: A Phenomenological Inquiry into Student Sojourners' Reentry Adaptation

This phenomenological study examines the thematic structure of reentry transition for international music therapy graduates who have returned home after studying in the United States. Emphasis is placed upon career development. Standardized open-ended interviews were used to obtain rich and in-depth descriptions of the participants' experiences. Ten music therapists from six countries participated in the study. The themes that emerged from the data include moving from the ideal to the real world, shifting from the role of student to professional, confronting reality and working through challenges, and achieving personal growth and self-transformation. The dynamics of cross-cultural comparison, confronting the home culture, and redefining music therapy and professional identities within the local cultural context are illustrated via quotations from the participants. Implications and recommendations for music therapy education and career preparation for international graduates are discussed.
Activity patterns, habitat use and mortality risks of mangabey males living outside social groups

Abstract Isolated individuals of most species are thought to be at a higher risk of mortality from starvation and predation than those in groups. However, supporting evidence remains scant. As part of a broader study of grey-cheeked mangabey, Lophocebus albigena , dispersal in Kibale National Park, Uganda between October 1996 to February 1999, we investigated starvation and mortality risks within a sample of 27 radiotagged mangabey males. Each male was contacted on average three times a week to collect data on spatial relations, habitat use, activity patterns and fates. We assessed risks by comparing data from ‘isolated’ (≥200 m from the group) males with data from ‘within-group’ males. We assessed starvation risks by comparing proportions of time spent in feeding, foraging and moving, comparing rates of movement during focal samples, and comparing proportions of time that males spent in different habitat types and canopy levels. We assessed mortality risks by comparing scanning rates and mortality events of within-group and isolated males. Isolated males spent significantly more time scanning, but we could detect no other significant differences in time allocated to different activities by the two categories of males. Nor could we detect differences between within-group and isolated males in the use of habitat types and canopy levels. At least three of five established mortality events involved males known to be isolated from groups. Given that males were found isolated only 11% of the time, it is estimated that isolated males were at least 12 times as likely to die as within-group males. These results suggest that dispersing males may not face increased risk of starvation, but are at higher risk of mortality (primarily through predation by eagles) than nondispersing males.
Out of the shadow of the guillotine

Andre-Marie Ampere: Enlightenment and Electrodynamics by James R. Hofmann Cambridge University Press: 1996. Pp. 406. £40, $49.95
Kinetic framework for ligation by an efficient RNA ligase ribozyme.

The class I RNA ligase ribozyme, isolated previously from random sequences, performs an efficient RNA ligation reaction. It ligates two substrate RNAs, promoting the attack of the 3‘-hydroxyl of one substrate upon the 5‘-triphosphate of the other substrate with release of pyrophosphate. This ligation reaction has similarities to the reaction catalyzed by RNA polymerases. Using data from steady-state kinetic measurements and pulse-chase/pH-jump experiments, we have constructed minimal kinetic frameworks for two versions of the class I ligase, named 207t and 210t. For both ligases, as well as for the self-ligating parent ribozyme, the rate constant for the chemical step (kc) is log-linear with pH in the range 5.7−8.0. At physiological pH, the kc is 100 min-1, a value similar to those reported for the fastest naturally occurring ribozymes. At higher pH, product release is limiting for both 207t and 210t. The 210t ribozyme, with its faster product release, attains multiple-turnover rates (kcat = 360 min-1, pH...
Hydrogen-Bond Cooperativity, Vibrational Coupling, and Dependence of Helix Stability on Changes in Amino Acid Sequence in Small 310-Helical Peptides. A Density Functional Theory Study

Five pentapeptides, GGGGG, GAGGG, GVGGG, GLGGG, and GIGGG, have been completely optimized in the 3(10)-helical and open beta-strand conformations at the B3LYP/D95 level. The energies of the helices relative to the beta-strands vary from -2.1 to -3.6 kcal and depend on the amino acid residue sequence. The energies of substituting A, V, L, or I for G in the second position are also presented. Vibrational analyses were performed on the optimized structures. Vibrational coupling through the individual H-bond chains of the helices is confirmed to be stronger than that through space or through the covalent bonds. The cooperative interactions of the H-bonds are evident from both the structures and the coupling of the amide I, amide II, and N-H vibrations.
Protective Effects of CaCl2 Against Procaine Convulsions in Guinea Pigs.

ConclusionCaCl2 injected intramuscularly in a mixed solution with procaine-HCl protects guinea pigs against convulsions ordinarily produced by injection of procaine-HCl alone.
Turn-bounded grammars and their relation to ultralinear languages*

We define a mapping from the context-free grammars to the class of one-state pushdown acceptors. A turn-bounded grammar is a cfg for which its corresponding one-state pda is finite-turn. From S. Ginsburg and E. H. Spanier it follows that this class of grammars generates the ultralinear languages. Our main result is that every turn-bounded grammar is equivalent to a turn-bounded grammar in Greibach form, a property not shared by the ultralinear grammars. Since Greibach's construction does not preserve turnboundedness an alternate construction is required to obtain our result. As a corollary we have that every Ȩ -free ultralinear language is accepted by a onestate finite-turn pda that reads an input symbol on every move.
A Universal Protein Tag for Delivery of SiRNA-Aptamer Chimeras

siRNA-aptamer chimeras have emerged as one of the most promising approaches for targeted delivery of siRNA due to the modularity of their diblock RNA structure, relatively lower cost over other targeted delivery approaches, and, most importantly, the outstanding potential for clinical translation. However, additional challenges must be addressed for efficient RNA interference (RNAi), in particular, endosomal escape. Currently, vast majority of siRNA delivery vehicles are based on cationic materials, which form complexes with negatively charged siRNA. Unfortunately, these approaches complicate the formulations again by forming large complexes with heterogeneous sizes, unfavorable surface charges, colloidal instability and poor targeting ligand orientation. Here, we report the development of a small and simple protein tag that complements the therapeutic and targeting functionalities of chimera with two functional domains: a dsRNA binding domain (dsRBD) for siRNA docking and a pH-dependent polyhistidine to disrupt endosomal membrane. The protein selectively tags along the siRNA block of individual chimera, rendering the overall size of the complex small, desirable for deep tissue penetration and the aptamer block accessible for target recognition. More interestingly, we found that extending the c-terminal polyhistidine segment in the protein tag to 18 amino acids completely abolishes the RNA binding function of dsRBD.
Phased array processing for spike discrimination

We present a phased array technique for discrimination of neuronal spikes from multi-channel recordings. We evaluated this new approach using simulated data. This approach enables discrimination of simulated spikes from multiple simultaneously active neurons with a high degree of reliability and robustness even in situations where there is heavy spike waveform superposition on the recording channels and the signal-to-noise ratio is less than 1.
Airborne Magnetometer Profile across Cuyama Valley: ABSTRACT

Several northeast-southwest airborne magnetometer profiles across the structural trends in the Cuyama Valley, Caliente Range and Carrizo Plains area, including the Russell Ranch oil field, will be shown in comparison with a geological cross section of the same areas with interpretative comments. End_of_Article - Last_Page 2320------------
Hormonal effects on chromosomal puffs and insect development

Abstract Specific early puffing events in response to ecdysone and juvenile hormone (JH) administration were followed in Chironomus tentans and C. thummi to ascertain whether these hormones affect the same or different chromosomal loci, to distinguish between an “antagonistic” and a “non-antagonistic” hormone effect. In addition, the effect of these two hormones on molting and specific developmental events of metamorphosis were investigated. The bulk of the evidence suggests that JH and ecdysone affect different chromosomal loci, contrary to the report by Lezzi and Gilbert (1969) . BR-1 in C. tentans responds to ecdysone only slingtly but not at all to JH. BR-b in C. thummi responds only to JH. III-d-1 in C. thummi responds to ecdysone ( Kroeger, 1966 ), and not to JH. I-18-c and IV-2-b in C. tentans increase with ecdysone administration, while I-19-a is unaffected. JH decreases the size of all three loci. This result should not be explained by an antagonistic effect of the hormones, but possibly by unphysiological conditions, since the behavior of loci I-18-c and IV-2-b during normal development and molting suggests that they respond to ecdysone independently of JH effects. The simultaneous but separate effects of JH and ecdysone are also supported by the observation that JH-treated larvae and prepupae are capable of molting. The quality of the pupal molt seems to be affected by the inappropriate administration of JH at this critical stage because aspects of development become abnormal, including precocious yolk deposition in the ovary. Thus, different biochemical pathways are elicited by the abnormal presence of JH. The developmental implication is that these two hormones regulate gene activity, bringing about their specific and separate qualitative and quantitative changes in synthetic pathways which result in normal growth and metamorphosis.
Design and Analysis of Composite Pipe Joints under Tensile Loading

Composite pipe has been used in transporting corrosive fluid in many chemical processes in the petrochemical and pulp and paper industries. More recently, composite pipe has further gained its impo...
High-energy ion implantation of polymeric fibers for modification of reinforcement-matrix adhesion

Abstract We have previously reported on the effect of high-energy ion irradiation of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE), and Kevlar-49 polyaramid fibers, on fiber-matrix adhesion and interfacial shear strength (ISS) in epoxy matrix composites. Irradiation of UHMW-PE fibers produced large improvements in interfacial shear strength, without degrading fiber tensile strength. ISS was not generally affected in irradiated Kevlar-49, and fiber tensile strength decreased. The divergence in response between polyaramid and polyethylene relates both to differences in the mesoscopic structure of the individual fibers, and to the different forms of beam induced structural modification favored by the individual polymer chemistries. Here we report results of surface energy measurements, infrared spectroscopy analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies on UHMW-PE and polyaramid fibers, irradiated to fluences between 2 × 1012 and 5 × 1015 cm−2 with N+, Ar+, Ti+, Na+, and He+ at energies between 30 and 400 keV. UHMW-PE fibers showed a pronounced increase in the polar component of surface energy which could be associated with carbonyl, hydroxyl and hydroperoxide groups at the surface. Kevlar, on the other hand, tended toward carbonization and showed a decrease in nitrogen and oxygen concentrations and a sharp drop in polar surface energy.
Combination of multiple samples utilizing identification model in biometric systems

In some cases, the test person might be asked to provide another authentication attempt besides the first one so that combination of the two input templates might give the system more confidence if the person is genuine or impostor. Instead of simply combining the matching scores which are associated with a single person compared to the two input templates, we investigate the use of matching scores corresponding to all enrolled persons. The dependencies between scores generated by the same input templates are accounted for the proposed combination algorithm. Such combination methods can be extended to large number of classes and input templates. Since matching scores are used, the proposed methods can also be applied on arbitrary biometric modalities. The experiments are conducted on NIST BSSR1 face and FVC2002 fingerprint datasets by using both likelihood ratio and multilayer perceptron combination methods.
Late Wisconsinan glaciomarine deposition and isostatic rebound, northern Puget Lowland, Washington

The distribution and age of glaciomarine and marine sediment in the northern Puget Lowland, Washington, demonstrate that rapidretreatofcontinentalice,theEverson marineincursion,andhighratesofisostatic reboundoccurredbetweenabout13 600and 11 300 14 C yr B.P. (11.3 ka). Glaciomarine and marine deposits are thickest in zones where retreating ice lobes grounded, in the northeast Puget Lowland, and near large drainages. Glaciomarine sediment was depositedmainlyfrom(1)submarineoutwash in ice-proximal zones; (2) turbid underflows, dispersed melt water, icebergs, and resedimentation in transitional zones; and (3)dispersedmeltwaterandcurrentsinicedistal zones. Marine, estuarine, and emergence(intertidalandbeach)faciesaccumulated in areas more than 10 km from ice margins, particularly near major rivers. Molluscan and foraminiferal assemblages intheglaciomarineandmarinedepositsindicate that turbid, cool, brackish water covered much of the Puget Lowland during the Everson interval. Water was generally shallower (<30 m) in the southern part of the area and deeper (15‐60 m) to the north. Mineralogy and geochemical properties such as boron or sodium content of the gravel-free fraction do not clearly distinguish glaciomarine and marine deposits from terrestrial deposits. Isostatic rebound rapidly lifted the glaciomarine and marine deposits through sea level between about 13.5 and 11.3 ka. The presentaltitudesofradiocarbon-datedshell and the marine limit show that initial rates of isostatic rebound exceeded 10 cm yr 21 in thenorthernPugetLowland,butdroppedto 2cmyr 21 before 11 ka. The uplift gradient is about 0.6 m km 21 to the north and steepens locally to at least 1.3 m km 21 . The pattern of emergence in the northern Puget Lowland is anomalous locally, perhaps as a result of complex isostatic effects near the glacier margin, rapid rise of sea level, or tectonic deformation.
The effects of turbidity and an invasive species on foraging success of rosyside dace (Clinostomus funduloides)

SUMMARY 1. Habitat degradation and biological invasions are important threats to fish diversity worldwide. We experimentally examined the effects of turbidity, velocity and intra- and interspecific competition on prey capture location, reactive distance and prey capture success of native rosyside dace (Clinostomus funduloides) and invasive yellowfin shiners (Notropis lutipinnis) in Coweeta Creek, North Carolina, U.S.A. 2. Increased turbidity and velocity produced significant decreases in the number of prey captured forward of the fish’s location. It is possible that this represents an increase in the amount of energy expended per prey captured. 3. We used Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC) to evaluate competing explanatory models for reactive distance (10 generalised linear models, GLM) and prey capture success (9 generalised linear mixed models, GLMM). 4. Reactive distance decreased by 12% with an increase from 2 to 4 conspecifics, whereas a 10 NTU increase in turbidity reduced reactive distance by 9%. Capture success was affected by velocity, dominance and competition, and varied among species. A 6 cm s )1 increase in velocity produced a 28% decline in capture probability; however, dominant fish were 3.2 times more likely to capture a prey item than non-dominant fish. Yellowfin shiners only were 0.62 times as likely to capture a prey item as rosyside dace. Both intraand interspecific competition reduced capture probability, and fish in high density intraspecific or interspecific trials were 0.46 times and 0.44 times as likely to capture prey, respectively, as fish in two fish intraspecific trials. 5. These results suggest behavioural variables are as important as physical factors in determining reactive distance and capture probability by these minnows.
The diverse potential effector and immunoregulatory roles of mast cells in allergic disease

Mast cells are of hematopoietic origin but typically complete their maturation in peripheral connective tissues, especially those near epithelial surfaces. Mast cells express receptors that bind IgE antibodies with high affinity (FcepsilonRI), and aggregation of these FcepsilonRI by the reaction of cell-bound IgE with specific antigens induces mast cells to secrete a broad spectrum of biologically active preformed or lipid mediators, as well as many cytokines. Mast cells are widely thought to be essential for the expression of acute allergic reactions, but the importance of mast cells in late-phase reactions and chronic allergic inflammation has remained controversial. Although it is clear that many cell types may be involved in the expression of late-phase reactions and chronic allergic inflammation, studies in genetically mast cell-deficient and congenic normal mice indicate that mast cells may be critical for the full expression of certain features of late-phase reactions and may also contribute importantly to clinically relevant aspects of chronic allergic inflammation. Moreover, the pattern of cytokines that can be produced by mast cell populations, and the enhancement of such cytokine production in mast cells that have undergone IgE-dependent up-regulation of their surface expression of FcepsilonRI, suggests that mast cells may contribute to allergic diseases (and host defense) by acting as immunoregulatory cells, as well as by providing effector cell function.
Restructuring of the Financial Industry: The Disappearance of Locally Owned Traditional Financial Services in Rural America

Restructuring in the financial services industry has altered the relationship between small business owners and capital. In the past small businesses have relied on relational, or soft data, lending from locally owned banks for capital. The proliferation of absentee-owned local branch networks brought standardized practices, thus eliminating the autonomy of local loan officers to utilize soft data in loan decisions. In this article we examine the changes in the percentage of traditional financial services that are locally owned in three county types: metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore. We utilize the Longitudinal Business Database at the U.S. Census Bureau Center for Economic Studies. We examine changes in local ownership of traditional financial services between 1976 and 2007. We find that the rate of decline of local ownership has been greatest in the noncore (most rural) counties. We also explore to what extent these patterns are related to the emergence of alternative financial services during the same period. We find that such alternative services are growing in all three county types, but at rates not significantly different than the population growth for these county types. We supplement our analysis with data from qualitative interviews with small business owners throughout rural Texas. We conclude with a discussion of implications and plans for future research.
Gastrointestinal Polyposis Syndromes

The gastrointestinal polyposis syndromes (PS) are characterized by the development of multiple polyps, characteristically colorectal, but occasionally involving the small intestine and (less commonly) the stomach. PS may be characterized by the histologic type of polyps found, being either adenomatous, hamartomatous, or hyperplastic. Additionally, they may be characterized by the mode of inheritance, being either autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive. Changes in both these types of characterization have recently occurred. Until recently, it was thought that all polyposis syndromes were inherited in an autosomal-dominant fashion. However, the discovery of Mut Y homologue-associated polyposis (MAP), which is inherited in an autosomal-recessive fashion, changed this [1]. Additionally, the (relatively) recent addition of hyperplastic polyposis (HPP) was unique as this was the first type of PS involving hyperplastic polyps. The last several years have been a very active time, both with the addition of these new PS and further additions to our knowledge base about the known ones. This chapter will deal with the different PS and the management of each.
Characterization of Helicobacter pylori cagA and vacA Genotypes among Alaskans and Their Correlation with Clinical Disease

Helicobacter pylori infection is common in Alaska. The development of severe H. pylori disease is partially determined by the virulence of the infecting strain. Here we present vacA and cagA genotype data for H. pylori strains isolated from Alaskans and their correlation with clinical disease. We enrolled patients scheduled for esophagogastroduodenoscopy and positive for H. pylori infection. Gastric biopsy specimens from the stomach antrum and fundus were cultured. We performed PCR analysis of the H. pylori vacA gene and for the presence of the cagA gene and cagA empty site. We genotyped 515 H. pylori samples from 220 Native and 66 non-Native Alaskans. We detected the cagA gene in 242/286 (85%) persons; of 222 strains that could be subtyped, 95% (212) were non-Asian cagA and 3% (6) were East Asian cagA. After removing mixed infections (n = 17), 83% of H. pylori strains had either the vacA s1m1 (120/269) or s2m2 (103/269) genotype. Sixty-six percent (68/103) of H. pylori strains with the vacA s2m2 genotype also contained the cagA gene. Infection with an H. pylori strain having the cagA gene or vacA s1m1 genotype (compared with s1m2 and s2m2) was associated with a decreased risk of esophagitis (P = 0.003 and 0.0003, respectively). Infection with an H. pylori strain having the vacA s1m1 genotype (compared with s1m2 and s2m2) was associated with an increased risk of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (P = 0.003). The majority of H. pylori strains in this study carried the non-Asian cagA gene and either the vacA s1m1 or s2m2 genotype. A majority of H. pylori strains with the vacA s2m2 genotype also contained the cagA gene. There was an association of H. pylori genotype with esophagitis and PUD.
Comparative analysis of rosacea and cutaneous lupus erythematosus: Histopathologic features, T-cell subsets, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells

Background Distinction of rosacea and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) can be challenging because of significant clinical and histologic overlap. A controlled study comparing these conditions is lacking. Objective We compared the histologic features, T-cell subsets, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells in rosacea and LE. Methods Biopsy specimens of rosacea (n = 27) and facial LE (n = 30) were retrospectively reviewed and reacted with Alcian blue and periodic acid–Schiff stains, and CD4, CD8, CD25, and CD123 immunostains. Results LE demonstrates a lower CD4:CD8 ratio (1.74 vs 2.80, P = .0064), fewer CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells (13% vs 31%, P + plasmacytoid dendritic cells (18% vs 6%, P = .0137) than rosacea. The plasmacytoid dendritic cells in LE are more likely to form clusters ( P = .0137) and comprise at least 20% of the infiltrate ( P = .0340). Also associated with LE are follicular plugging ( P = .0039), perineural lymphocytic infiltrate ( P = .0211), abundant mucin deposition ( P = .0031), and conspicuous basement membrane thickening ( P = .0073), whereas Demodex infestation ( P = .0064) and sebaceous hyperplasia ( P = .0029) are significantly associated with rosacea. Limitations Although statistically significant, the immunophenotypic differences are rather small and limited for routine use. Conclusion The infiltrates in rosacea and LE differ immunophenotypically, and may aid in their distinction in addition to conventional histologic examination.
Vaginal Microbiota and Sexually Transmitted Infections That May Influence Transmission of Cell-Associated HIV

Vaginal microbiota and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are likely to influence the transmission of cell-associated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Lactic acid produced by Lactobacillus-dominated microbiota (Nugent score 0-3) will likely inhibit transmission, especially female-to-male transmission. In contrast, polymicrobial microbiota (Nugent score 4-10), community state types IV-A and IV-B, and STIs will likely increase transmission of cell-associated HIV.
Sufficiently and Insufficiently Active Lesbian, Bisexual, and Questioning Female College Students: Sociodemographic Factors Among Two Age Cohorts

Abstract Background As rates of inactivity in the United States increase, the proportion of adults who are overweight in the United States continues to grow with concurrent increases in risk of weight-related morbidity and mortality. Sparse data are available on physical activity and weight in college-age sexual minority females, and none examine this relationship by age. To address this gap, we examined two age cohorts of female college students who self-identified as lesbian, bisexual, and questioning (LBQ), to 1) explore the relationship between physical activity, weight, and sociodemographic factors and 2) identify characteristics associated with sufficient physical activity in college females. Methods Data were from the 2010 American College Health Association National College Health Assessment survey. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to describe LBQ college women by age cohort (≤23 years, typical age vs. ≥24 years, mature age) and physical activity level (sufficiently active vs. insufficiently active). Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals from logistic regression were used to estimate the likelihood of meeting the physical activity guidelines. Findings Only one out of three LBQ college women report meeting the national physical activity guidelines. Characteristics of typical age and mature age LBQ college women varied by physical activity level. In a logistic regression model of LBQ college women, two characteristics increased the likelihood of being sufficiently activity: Reporting very good/excellent health and self-describing as “about the right weight.” Three characteristics decreased the likelihood: Self-describing as “very overweight,” reporting action taken toward weight as “do nothing,” and current smoking. Conclusions With only one out of three LBQ college women meeting the national physical activity guidelines, interventions to increase physical activity, improve fitness, and potentially reduce unhealthy weight gain must start early to prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with inactivity.
Development of a TaqMan Multiplex PCR Assay for Detection of Plasmid-Mediated AmpC β-Lactamase Genes

A multiplex, real-time TaqMan assay was designed to identify clinical isolates carrying plasmid-mediated ampC genes. The specificity and sensitivity of this assay were 100% when testing characterized AmpC/non-AmpC-producing isolates and randomly selected clinical isolates. This is a rapid assay that can be performed in a clinical microbiology laboratory.
Quantitative adhesion measures of multilayer films: Part II. Indentation of W/Cu, W/W, Cr/W

Sputtered copper and tungsten thin films both with and without tungsten and chromium superlayers were tested by using nanoindentation probing to initiate and drive delamination. The adhesion energies of the films were calculated from the induced delaminations using the analysis presented in “Quantitative adhesion measures of multilayer films: Part I. Indentation mechanics.” Copper films ranging in thickness from 150 to 1500 nm in the as-sputtered condition had measured adhesion energies ranging from 0.2 to 2 J/m2, commensurate with the thermodynamic work of adhesion. Tungsten films ranging in thickness from 500 to 1000 nm in the as-sputtered condition had measured adhesion energies ranging from 5 to 15 J/m2. The superlayer was shown to induce radial cracking when under residual tension, resulting in underestimation of the adhesion energy when the film was well adhered. Under conditions of weak adherence or residual compression, the superlayer provided an excellent means to induce a delamination and allowed an accurate and reasonably precise quantitative measure of thin film adhesion.
Death Rites and Chinese Culture: Standardization and Variation in Ming and Qing Times

This essay argues for a modification of James L. Watson’s influential ideas on official cultural standardization via ritual in late imperial China. Focusing on Watson’s introduction to Death Ritual in Late Imperial and Modern China, co-edited with Evelyn Rawski (1988), it refutes Watson’s hypothesis that officials deliberately confined themselves to effective reform of death rituals in the period before the corpse’s expulsion from the community: gazetteers show that officials tried—and failed—to modify numerous practices, both before and after expulsion. The essay proposes that some reported orthoprax standardization was illusory, resulting from defensive, subversive, or self-deceiving writings of local elites, and it also recognizes forms of unofficial standardization that did not follow Zhu Xi’s Family Rituals. In explaining resistance to official standardization, it emphasizes local agency: as key sites of culturally appropriate emotional expression and as important vehicles for upholding and redrawing...
Race and Electoral Mobilization: White Southerners, 1952–1968

The voting turnout rate among whites in the South has long been lower than elsewhere, but in recent years the gap has diminished. Neither the earlier difference nor the recent southern increase is due to the socioeconomic composition of the regions; rather, the increase has been greatest among southerners who believe that the major parties take distinct stands on racial issues. The change in southern turnout is therefore explained by the increased salience of racial issues, and they can therefore be expected to remain important in southern politics. John L. Hammond is Assistant Professor of Sociology, Columbia University, and Research Associate of the Center for Policy Research. This article is a revised version of a paper presented at the American Sociological Association, August 1974. The data used were collected by the Institute for Social Research and provided by the Inter-University Consortium for Political Research. The author wishes to acknowledge the helpful comments of Gordon Adams, Adrienne Asch, Gerald Finch, Anne Foner, Eugene Litwak, Patrick Molloy, George Martin, and Patrick Peppe. POQ 41 (1977) 13-27 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.128 on Tue, 06 Sep 2016 06:08:00 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms
Quantifying the performance isolation properties of virtualization systems

In this paper, we present the design of a performance isolation benchmark that quantifies the degree to which a virtualization system limits the impact of a misbehaving virtual machine on other well-behaving virtual machines running on the same physical machine. Our test suite includes six different stress tests - a CPU intensive test, a memory intensive test, a disk intensive test, two network intensive tests (send and receive) and a fork bomb. We describe the design of our benchmark suite and present results of testing three flavors of virtualization systems -- an example of full virtualization (VMware Workstation), an example of paravirtualization (Xen) and two examples of operating system level virtualization (Solaris Containers and OpenVZ). We find that the full virtualization system offers complete isolation in all cases and that the paravirtualization system offers nearly the same benefits -- no degradation in many cases with at most 1.7% degradation in the disk intensive test. The results for operating system level virtualization systems are varied -- illustrating the complexity of achieving isolation of all resources in a tightly coupled system. Our results highlight the difference between these classes of virtualization systems as well as the importance of considering multiple categories of resource consumption when evaluating the performance isolation properties of a virtualization system.
Stability of the subseismic wave equation for the Earth's fluid core

Abstract The effects of compressibility on the stability of internal oscillations in the Earth's fluid core are examined in the context of the subseismic approximation for the equations of motion describing a rotating, stratified, self-gravitating, compressible fluid in a thick shell. It is shown that in the case of a bounded fluid the results are closely analogous to those derived under the Boussinesq approximation.
Selection, the Impersonal Engineer

In this chapter things get slightly out of hand. You may regret this, but you will soon notice that it is a good idea to give chance a chance in the further creation of new brands of vehicles. This will make available a source of intelligence that is much more powerful than any engineering mind. Out of the collection of vehicles that we have produced for the purposes of our experimentation, we will choose some of the more complicated specimens and put them onto a large table. Of course there will also be some sources of light, sound, smell, and so forth on the table, some of them fixed and some of them moving. And there will be various shapes or landmarks, including the cliff that signals the end of the table top. Now you and I will gather a plentiful supply of materials (tin, plastic, threshold devices, wheels, motors, sensors, wires, screws and bolts) and proceed to build vehicles, taking as our models vehicles that we pick from the ones circulating on the table. Each time we copy a vehicle, we will put both the model and its copy back on the table, pick up another vehicle, copy it, and so on. Of course we will not pick up vehicles that have fallen on the floor because they have proved their own inability to cope with the environment. We will be careful to produce vehicles at a pace that roughly matches the rate at which vehicles fall off the table, to prevent the race from dying out, on one hand, and to prevent the table from becoming unduly crowded, on the other. Note that while we are playing this game, we won’t have time to test the behavior or to study the wiring, let alone to understand the logic of the vehicles that we pick up as models for copying. Nor should we. All we are asked to do is to slavishly connect the parts according to the pattern in the model. Note also that when we do this in a hurry, we are bound to make occasional mistakes. It may be our fault when our copy of a perfectly well-tested vehicle falls off the table as soon as we put it down. But it is also possible that we will unwittingly introduce a particularly shrewd variation into the pattern of connections, so that our copy will survive forever while the original may turn out to be unfit for survival after all. It does seem surprising that errors arising in the sloppy execution of a task should act as germs for improvement. What is less astonishing is the creative power of a special sort of error consisting of new combinations of partial mechanisms, each of which is not disrupted in its own well-tested structure. This can easily happen when we pick up one vehicle as a model for one part of the brain and then by mistake pick up another vehicle as a model for another part of the brain. Such errors have a much greater chance of transcending the intelligence of the original plan. This is an important point. If the lucky accidents live on forever, they will also have a multitude of descendants, for they will stay on the table all the time while the less lucky ones come and go. Therefore, they have a much greater chance of being picked up by the copyists as models for the next generation. Thus very good ideas unwittingly
SMADs: mediators and regulators of TGF-β signaling

Abstract The discovery of SMAD proteins has allowed the delineation of a mechanism by which TGF-β and related growth factors convey their signals from membrane receptors all the way into the nucleus. SMADs are directly phosphorylated and activated by the receptors and then form heteromeric SMAD-SMAD complexes that move into the nucleus where they orchestrate transcriptional responses. In rapid succession, recent reports have identified different modes of SMAD regulation by phosphorylation and have defined the SMAD domains that mediate SMAD interactions, binding to DNA or transcriptional activation. The recent discovery of antagonistic SMADs and regulatory crosstalk with Ras/MAP-kinase pathways add to our rapidly expanding understanding of this major regulatory network.
Neoliberal Capitalism and the Corruption of Society: A Pastoral Political Analysis

In this article, I juxtapose religious and neoliberal capitalistic symbol systems to highlight the existential flaws in capitalism and how it undermines community and society. More particularly, I contend that religious (in this article, Judeo-Christian) and religiously inflected humanist symbol systems possess core values of care, community (space of appearances and the common good), and relational justice that ideally order social life, institutions, and subjectivity. I argue that these core values and practices, which are woven into the semiotic web of Judeo-Christian religions, are missing from the complex web of symbols and narratives that undergird neoliberal capitalism. I argue further that when neoliberal capitalism becomes a hegemonic way of organizing society, there is an attending corruption of social care, the common good, and relational justice.
Ensemble-index: a new approach to indexing large databases

The problem of similarity search (query-by-content) has attracted much research interest. It is a difficult problem because of the inherently high dimensionality of the data. The most promising solutions involve performing dimensionality reduction on the data, then indexing the reduced data with a multidimensional index structure. Many dimensionality reduction techniques have been proposed, including Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Piecewise Polynomial Approximation. In this work, we introduce a novel framework for using ensembles of two or more representations for more efficient indexing. The basic idea is that instead of committing to a single representation for an entire dataset, different representations are chosen for indexing different parts of the database. The representations are chosen based upon a local view of the database. For example, sections of the data that can achieve a high fidelity representation with wavelets are indexed as wavelets, but highly spectral sections of the data are indexed using the Fourier transform. At query time, it is necessary to search several small heterogeneous indices, rather than one large homogeneous index. As we will theoretically and empirically demonstrate this results in much faster query response times.