cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interspecies scaling of biliary excreted drugs

Abstract The objective of this study is to predict clearance of drugs in humans from animals which are excreted in the bile. Clearance ( CL ) of eight drugs known to be excreted in the bile were randomly selected from the literature. Scaling of CL was performed using at least three animal species. Using simple allometry, CL × mean life‐span potential (MLP) or CL × brain weight, CL s of studied drugs were predicted in humans. The choice of one of the methods depended on the ‘rule of exponents' as described by Mahmood and Balian. A ‘correction factor' was calculated by adjusting bile flow rate based on the species body weight (bile flow = mL/day/kg body weight) or liver weight (bile flow = mL/day/kg liver weight). Using the ‘rule of exponents' and combining it with the ‘correction factor', the CL s of biliary excreted drugs were predicted in humans. Predicted CL s in humans from animals using simple allometry were several times higher for all eight drugs (% error [range] = 46–1703). Using the ‘rule of exponents' and combining it with a ‘correction factor' as described in this report provided a substantial improvement (% error [range] = 5–91) in the prediction of CL for biliary excreted drugs. The results of this study indicate that the CL of a biliary excreted drug may be overpredicted in humans and by applying the ‘correction factor' employed here, the predictability of drug CL in humans from animal data may be significantly improved. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 91:1908–1914, 2002
Breast cancer knowledge and barriers to mammography in a low-income managed care population.

Background. Low-income women experience multiple barriers to screening mammography. This study explored cancer knowledge as a point of intervention to reduce overall barriers. Methods. A survey of breast cancer knowledge and barriers was obtained from 173 low-income female residents of Middle Tennessee, ≥40 years, enrolled in the state managed care organization and nonadherent to mammography. Multiple regression models examined the effect of breast cancer knowledge on mammography screening barriers. Results. Comprehensive breast cancer knowledge, not mere screening awareness, was the strongest contributor towards lower barrier scores. Conclusions. Strategies to overcome mammography barriers should include comprehensive breast cancer education.
Efficiently calculating inbreeding on large pedigrees databases

We consider pedigree data structured in the form of a directed acyclic graph, and use an encoding scheme, called NodeCodes, for expediting the evaluation of queries on pedigree graph structures. Inbreeding is the quantitative measure of the genetic relationship between two individuals. The inbreeding coefficient is related to the probability that both copies of any given gene are received from the same ancestor. In this paper we discuss the evaluation of the inbreeding coefficient of a given individual using NodeCodes and propose a new encoding scheme, Family NodeCodes, which is further optimized for pedigree graphs. We implemented and tested these approaches on both synthetic and real pedigree data in terms of performance and scalability. Experimental results show that the use of NodeCodes provides a good alternative for queries involving the inbreeding coefficient, with significant improvements over the traditional iterative evaluation methods (up to 10.1 times faster), and Family NodeCodes further improves this to 77.1 times faster while using 91% less space than regular NodeCodes.
Similarity of the Clearance Rates of Free α-Subunit and α-Subunit Dissociated from Intact Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, Despite Differences in Sialic Acid Contents

It is well known that the MCR of proteins can be influenced by their carbohydrate structure; i.e. the presence of terminal galactose on proteins results in uptake by hepatic receptors for galactose-terminated glycoproteins. Thus, a protein with its galactose residues covered or removed exhibits a far longer half life in plasma than one with its galactose residues exposed. The free α-subunit of human CG (hCG) has been shown to have a different carbohydrate composition than does the asubunit dissociated from the intact hormone. In our laboratory, analysis of α-subunits isolated from pregnancy urine indicated that the α-subunit dissociated from hCG (hCGα) contains primarily monosialylated oligosaccharides, whereas the free α-subunit contains more than one sialic acid per oligosaccharide. This difference in the degree of sialylation prompted us to examine the clearance rates of these two subunits. Accordingly, free α and hCGα were purified by affinity chromatography and labeled with 125I. The labeled subunits...
High-resolution reflectometry techniques for analysis of fiber subsystems and devices

Optical-reflectometry techniques are the primary measurement tools for single-ended characterization of fiber cables, subsystems, and components. Conventional optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) is the best known and most widely used of these techniques.
The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Children with Intraocular Tumors and Simulating Lesions

Purpose: To evaluate the role of pre- and post-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) studies in children with intraocular tumors and simulating lesions. Methods: Patients younger than 12 years of age with the diagnosis of an intraocular tumor or simulating lesion with a thickness greater than 2.0 mm underwent pre- and post-contrast MR studies with surface coil. All post-contrast-enhanced images were performed with fat suppression techniques. Results: There were 40 children with the clinical diagnosis of an intraocular lesion as follows: retinoblastoma (n = 22), Coats disease (n = 5), ciliary body medulloepithelioma (n = 2), primary hyperplastic persistent vitreous (PHPV) (n = 2), retinal capillary hemangioma (n = 3), massive retinal gliosis (phthisis bulbi) (n = 2), uveal melanoma (n = 1), ciliary body leiomyoma (n = 1), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with total retinal detachment (n = 1), and post-traumatic retinal gliosis (n = 1). In the authors' series, solid intraocular tumors greater than 2.0 mm in thickness such as retinoblastoma, ciliary body medulloepithelioma, leiomyoma, choroidal melanoma, and retinal capillary hemangioma appeared hyperintense on T1-weighted images and hypointense on T2-weighted images. Secondary serous or exudative retinal detachment, regardless of the underlying etiology (neoplasm, Coats disease, PHPV, phthisis bulbi, ROP), showed hyperintensity of the subretinal space on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Retinal gliosis was hypointense on both T1- and T2-weighted images. On contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images with fat suppression techniques, minimal to marked enhancement was observed in retinoblastoma, medulloepithelioma, retinal capillary hemangioma, leiomyoma, and choroidal melanoma. No enhancement was demonstrated in the subretinal space of Coats disease, PHPV, ROP, and in retinal gliosis. Calcification was identified in 54% of retinoblastoma tumors on MR sequences. Calcification showed low signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images, with lack of enhancement on contrast-enhanced sequences, thus differentiating it from surrounding tumor or tissue necrosis. The associated serous or exudative subretinal fluid secondary to intraocular tumors or simulating lesions did not demonstrate enhancement after contrast administration, therefore differentiating it from the causative lesion. Conclusion: Pre- and post-contrast MR studies allowed differentiation of solid intraocular tumors such as retinoblastoma, medulloepithelioma, retinal capillary hemangioma, leiomyoma, and choroidal melanoma from intraocular lesions with primary retinal detachment such as Coats disease, PHPV, massive retinal gliosis (phthisis bulbi), ROP, and associated subretinal fluid or hemorrhage. Heterogeneity within retinoblastoma suggests foci of tumor necrosis and/or calcification. The various solid intraocular tumors were not reliably differentiated from one another based on MR features.
Flow, heat, and species transfer over a stretching plate considering coupled Stefan blowing effects from species transfer

In this paper, we investigate the flow, heat and mass transfer of a viscous fluid flow over a stretching sheet by including the blowing effects of mass transfer under high flux conditions. Mass transfer in this work means species transfer and is different from mass transpiration for permeable walls. The new contribution from this work is, for the first time, to consider the coupled blowing effects from massive species transfer on flow, heat, and species transfer for a stretching plate. Based on the exact solutions of the momentum equations, which are valid for the whole Navier–Stokes equations, the energy and mass transfer equations are solved exactly and the effects of the blowing parameter, the Schmidt number, and the Prandtl number on the flow, heat and mass transfer are presented and discussed. The solution is given in terms of an incomplete Gamma function. It is found the coupled blowing effects due to mass transfer can have significant influences on velocity profiles, drag, heat flux, as well as temperature and concentration profiles. These solutions provide rare results with closed form analytical expressions and can be used as benchmark problem for numerical code validation.
Designer microenvironments for the analysis of cell and tissue function

The mechanisms involved in generating and maintaining cell and tissue specificity are central not only to normal development, but also to cancer biology and aging. It is now known that cells transduce signals, not only from hormones and growth factors, but also from other cells and extracellular matrix. These interactions are dynamic and reciprocal, building a hierarchy, the final result of which is the tissue itself. Many components of the interface between the cell and its surroundings have now been characterized in molecular terms and their expression patterns and mechanisms of developmental regulation are known. Yet, they are only beginning to understand their exact role in directing and maintaining morphogenesis and differentiation. Although culturing cells on tissue culture plastic has allowed us to understand the universal concepts of the flow of information from DNA to proteins and of growth regulation, it is now clear that studying tissue-specific gene expression requires a more complex environment. The purpose of this review is to discuss current model systems that allow cell and developmental biologists to address the mechanisms involved. Two broad and complementary approaches will be presented here: firstly, the creation of accurate cell microenvironments in culture in which cell function can bemore » maintained and studied; and secondly, the controlled perturbation of the microenvironment in vivo for deciphering the nature of development and homeostasis. The authors discuss selected examples of each approach and speculate as to the future of these techniques.« less
Measurement-Error Diagnostics and the Sex Discrimination Problem

Numerical and graphical diagnostic tools are presented for studying the effect of explanatory-variable measurement errors on regression results when very rough knowledge about the measurement-error variances or reliabilities is available. These methods are exhibited on an example of sex discrimination in which male and female salaries are compared after adjustment for individual qualifications but the observed qualification variables are only proxies for what is actually desired. A measurement-error trace is suggested, much like a ridge trace, to exhibit effects of measurement errors of various sizes on the estimate of the adjusted sex difference in log salaries. An approximate Bayesian analysis for the simple functional model is also presented.
Applying human motion capture to design energy-efficient trajectories for miniature humanoids

In this research, an approach to optimize motions for a humanoids is presented. Rapidly-exploring Random Tree(RRT) were used to plan an initial suboptimal motion. A reinforcement learning was then implemented to optimize the trajectories with respect to energy consumption, similarity to a human's natural motion and, physical limits. Energy cost was estimated by joint torque from a dynamic model, and validated against actual measured torque values using system identification (SID). With a motion capture system, human motions were collected for a given set of tasks, producing a representative “natural” motion, another cost for optimization. Physical limits of each joint ensured spatial and temporal smoothness of generated trajectories. Finally, an experimental evaluation of the presented approach was demonstrated through simulation using MiniHubo model in OpenRAVE
Practical applications of path pascal in systems programming

This paper presents both a description of a programming language and development system suitable for writing practical asynchronous systems and several examples of its use. Path Pascal is a high level programming language which includes objects for encapsulation, processes which execute independently, pathexpressions for synchronization, and provisions for coding interrupt processes. Path Pascal allows code for synchronization and coordination of asynchronous systems to be written entirely in a high level language and is currently implemented on several computers: the CDC Cyber family, the entire PDP-11 family, the Z80 microprocessor, and the PRIME 500. Path Pascal has been used to construct model operating systems, including software to share several I/O devices and a CPU among a stream of batch Jobs.
NMR-derived dynamic aspects of N-type inactivation of a Kv channel suggest a transient interaction with the T1 domain.

Some eukaryotic voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels contain an N-terminal inactivation peptide (IP), which mediates a fast inactivation process that limits channel function during membrane depolarization and thus shapes the action potential. We obtained sequence-specific nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) assignments for the polypeptide backbone of a tetrameric N-terminal fragment (amino acids 1−181) of the Aplysia Kv1.1 channel. Additional NMR measurements show that the tetramerization domain 1 (T1) has the same globular structure in solution as previously determined by crystallography and that the IP (residues 1−20) and the linker (residues 21−65) are in a flexibly disordered, predominantly extended conformation. A potential contact site between the T1 domain and the flexible tail (residues 1−65) has been identified on the basis of chemical-shift changes of individual T1 domain amino acids, which map to the T1 surface near the interface between adjacent subunits. Paramagnetic perturbation experiments further i...
The economic transition of Shanghai based on 3-IN entrepreneurial model

The economic development of Shanghai now is strictly restrained by exhausting of fossil fuel, deterioration of ecological environment and lacking of raw materials and natural resources. How to break through the bottleneck and find a sustainable way of growth becomes a matter of prime importance to Shanghai. The 3-IN (Internet, Information, Innovation) entrepreneurial model proposed in this paper is based on the Long-Tail theory. It is more feasible to realize in the urban economic environment like Shanghai.
Geochemical heterogeneity in a sand and gravel aquifer: Effect of sediment mineralogy and particle size on the sorption of chlorobenzenes

Abstract The effect of particle size, mineralogy and sediment organic carbon (SOC) on sorption of tetrachlorobenzene and pentachlorobenzene was evaluated using batch-isotherm experiments on sediment particle-size and mineralogical fractions from a sand and gravel aquifer, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Concentration of SOC and sorption of chlorobenzenes increase with decreasing particle size. For a given particle size, the magnetic fraction has a higher SOC content and sorption capacity than the bulk or non-magnetic fractions. Sorption appears to be controlled by the magnetic minerals, which comprise only 5–25% of the bulk sediment. Although SOC content of the bulk sediment is
Comparative molecular simulation study of CO2/N2 and CH4/N2 separation in zeolites and metal-organic frameworks.

In this work, a systematic molecular simulation study was performed to compare the separation of CO2/N2 and CH4/N2 mixtures in two different classes of nanoporous materials, zeolites, and metal−organic frameworks (MOFs). For this purpose, three zeolites (MFI, LTA, and DDR) and seven MOFs (Cu-BTC, MIL-47 (V), IRMOF-1, IRMOF-12, IRMOF-14, IRMOF-11, and IRMOF-13) were chosen as the representatives to compare. On the basis of the validated force fields, both adsorption selectivity and pure CO2 and CH4 adsorption isotherms were simulated. The results show that although MOFs perform much better for gas storage, their separation performance is comparable to zeolites; for the systems with the preferable component having a larger quadrupolar moment, both zeolites and MOFs can enhance the separation selectivity, and in contrast they both reduce the selectivity. In addition, we show that ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) gives a very reasonable prediction of the mixture adsorption isotherms both in zeolites and ...
Acceptability of the Conners Parent Rating Scale and Child Behavior Checklist to Dakotan/Lakotan parents

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this pilot study was to determine how Dakotan/Lakotan parents view the Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Method Using a focus group methodology, four discussion groups were held in different sites across South Dakota where the CPRS and CBCL were in clinical use. Results Only two questions on each form were incomprehensible to these Dakotan/Lakotan parents. Other questions were hard to answer because certain questions contained implicit dominant cultural values that did not take into account Dakotan/Lakotan cultural values or traditions, or the questions were hard to answer because Dakotan/Lakotan believed their responses could or would be misunderstood by members of the dominant culture who did not understand Dakotan/Lakotan style or customs. Conclusions The CPRS and CBCL were generally acceptable to Dakotan/Lakotan parents. Clinicians could make several statements to Native parents that would improve cultural acceptability.
Involvement of a specificity proteins-binding element in regulation of basal and estrogen-induced transcription activity of the BRCA1 gene

Increased estrogen level has been regarded to be a risk factor for breast cancer. However, estrogen has also been shown to induce the expression of the tumor suppressor gene, BRCA1. Upregulation of BRCA1 is thought to be a feedback mechanism for controlling DNA repair in proliferating cells. Estrogens enhance transcription of target genes by stimulating the association of the estrogen receptor (ER) and related coactivators to estrogen response elements or to transcription complexes formed at activator protein (AP)-1 or specificity protein (Sp)-binding sites. Interestingly, the BRCA1 gene lacks a consensus estrogen response element. We previously reported that estrogen stimulated BRCA1 transcription through the recruitment of a p300/ER-α complex to an AP-1 site harbored in the proximal BRCA1 promoter. The purpose of the study was to analyze the contribution of cis-acting sites flanking the AP-1 element to basal and estrogen-dependent regulation of BRCA1 transcription. Using transfection studies with wild-type and mutated BRCA1 promoter constructs, electromobility binding and shift assays, and DNA-protein interaction and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we investigated the role of Sp-binding sites and cAMP response element (CRE)-binding sites harbored in the proximal BRCA1 promoter. We report that in the BRCA1 promoter the AP-1 site is flanked upstream by an element (5'-GGGGCGGAA-3') that recruits Sp1, Sp3, and Sp4 factors, and downstream by a half CRE-binding motif (5'-CGTAA-3') that binds CRE-binding protein. In ER-α-positive MCF-7 cells and ER-α-negative Hela cells expressing exogenous ER-α, mutation of the Sp-binding site interfered with basal and estrogen-induced BRCA1 transcription. Conversely, mutation of the CRE-binding element reduced basal BRCA1 promoter activity but did not prevent estrogen activation. In combination with the AP-1/CRE sites, the Sp-binding domain enhanced the recruitment of nuclear proteins to the BRCA1 promoter. Finally, we report that the MEK1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1) inhibitor PD98059 attenuated the recruitment of Sp1 and phosphorylated ER-α, respectively, to the Sp and AP-1 binding element. These cumulative findings suggest that the proximal BRCA1 promoter segment comprises cis-acting elements that are targeted by Sp-binding and CRE-binding proteins that contribute to regulation of BRCA1 transcription.
Schistosoma mansoni gene GP22 encodes the tegumental antigen sm25: (1) antibodies to a predicted B-cell epitope of Sm25 cross-react with other candidate vaccine worm antigens; (2) characterization of a recombinant product containing tandem-repeats of this peptide as a vaccine.

SUMMARYMonospeciﬁc antibodies against two putative epitopes ofschistosome protein encoded by gene GP22 (182 codons, nointrons) were used to probe worm extracts fractionated bylentil-lectin afﬁnity chromatography or by electrophoresis.Anti-peptide-a (codons 70–84) exclusively identiﬁes the N-glycanase-sensitive, 25kDa tegumental glycoprotein Sm25in the lectin-bound fraction of detergent-solubilized adultworm extract S3. In contrast, antipeptide-d (codons 151–162) does not react with Sm25 but cross-reacts with otherschistosome proteins, including candidate vaccine antigensparamyosin (Sm97) and glutathione-S-transferases (Sm26,Sm28, Sj26). Recombinant protein r4·47, constructed toexpress multiple copies of codon sequence 117–163 (con-taining d), reacts with anti-d and is uniquely recognized byprotective Fischer twice-infected (F-2x) rat antiserum.Immunization with r4·47 induces antibodies with crossreactivities similar to anti-d, but which also recognize Sm25.Despite these cross-reactivities with protective antigens,rodents vaccinated with r4·47 were not protected againstcercarial infection. On the basis of these data, two hypoth-eses are proposed: (1) antigenic epitopes other than d arepresent within the r4·47 sequence which induce antibodiesreactive with Sm25 and/or (2) peptide-dassumes alternativeantigenic conformations, dependent upon the context ofneighbouring sequences, some of which mimic epitopes ofproteins encoded by other schistosome genes. These mimo-topes are not targets of protective antibodies.Keywords Schistosoma mansoni, recombinant antigen,cross-reacting antigens, Sm25, expression vector pET15b,vaccineINTRODUCTIONS. mansoni gene GP22 was identiﬁed in our laboratory(El-Sherbeini et al. 1991) as an intronless genomic DNAsequence which, with the exception of a single amino aciddifference (one nucleotide position
Measurement of the Charged Kaon Mass

The mass of the charged Kaon is a very fundamental and important parameter in particle Physics. However, upon examination of its value and previous experiments that measured it one finds discrepancies sufficient enough to doubt the currently used value of its mass. Resolving these discrepancies would have a major impact in a broad area of particle physics. Furthermore the Physics impact of the charged Kaon mass would result in changes to previously measured fundamental parameters in particle physics such as CKM matrix elements, CP and CPT tests in charged Kaons, Kaonic beta decays and form factors as well as new physics searches that use the charged Kaon or have a charged Kaon in its final state.
Rapid prenatal and postnatal detection of inborn errors of propionate, methylmalonate, and cobalamin metabolism: a sensitive assay using cultured cells.

A sensitive, reliable, and easily performed procedure is described for the prenatal and postnatal detection of inborn errors of propionate, methylmalonate, and cobalamin metabolism using cultured amniotic cells and skin fibroblasts. With this assay, control fibroblast lines incorporated a mean of 6.89 nanoatoms 14C/mg protein from [1-14C]propionate into trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-precipitable cell material in 10h. Twenty-five mutant fibroblast lines from patients with propionicacidemia or one of the methylmalonicacidemias fixed 0.04 to 0.93 nanoatoms 14C/mg. Considerable variation was observed, both among and within discrete mutant classes, with respect to the residual amount of propionate pathway activity, possibly reflecting further molecular heterogeneity in these disorders.
Radiative Corrections. II. Compton Effect

The cross section for the double Compton effect is integrated numerically in the laboratory system, and the effect of the radiative tail to the Compton line is discussed. The double Compton effect is also studied in the c. m. system for the cases in which the energy of one of the emitted photons is much smaller than the electron rest energy or much smaller than the energy of the incident photon. Expressions for the radiative corrections to the total cross section for Compton scattering are obtained in the high-energy approximation to first order in the fine-structure constant. The total cross section for the double Compton effect is computed by numerical integration. The contribution to the absorption coefficient for high-energy photons from double Compton scattering and Compton scattering with the emission and reabsorption of a virtual photon is obtained.
High-throughput metabolic toxicity screening using magnetic biocolloid reactors and LC-MS/MS.

An inexpensive, high-throughput genotoxicity screening method was developed by using magnetic particles coated with cytosol/microsome/DNA films as biocolloid reactors in a 96-well plate format coupled with liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry. Incorporation of both microsomal and cytosolic enzymes in the films provides a broad spectrum of metabolic enzymes representing a range of metabolic pathways for bioactivation of chemicals. Reactive metabolites generated via this process are trapped by covalently binding to DNA in the film. The DNA is then hydrolyzed and nucleobase adducts are collected using filters in the bottom for the 96-well plate of analysis by capillary liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (LC−MS/MS). The magnetic particles facilitate simple and rapid sample preparation and workup. Major DNA adducts from ethylene dibromide, N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene and styrene were identified in proof-of-concept studies. Relative formation rates of DNA adducts correlated well with rodent genotoxi...
On the Mechanism Underlying Facial-Affective Agnosia in Senile Demented Patients

Two experiments were conducted in which senile demented patients were shown pictures of happy, sad, and angry faces, and tested for their ability to recognize these emotional expressions. Their affect recognition was obviously impaired, as they tended to respond to the line or feature characteristics of the faces, instead of the affective meaning that was suggested by the facial expressions. This impairment was somewhat overcome either by adding verbal cues which created an affective set, or by making feature detection irrelevant to the recognition process. It was shown that if the tendency to detect features is defeated, senile people can extract emotional meaning from facial stimuli. The data suggested that the meachanism underlyig facial-affect agnosia is an impairment in the associative connections between the visual impression of facial expression and affective meaning.
Emerging concepts in haematopoietic cell transplantation

Haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the most widely used form of cellular therapy. It is the only known cure for some haematological malignancies and has recently been used in additional clinical settings, such as allograft tolerance induction and treatment of autoimmune diseases. Recent advances have enabled HCT in a wider range of patients with improved outcomes. This Review summarizes the latest developments in this therapy, focusing on issues that will affect future advancement.
Critical Mass: How One Thing Leads to Another

Critical Mass: How One Thing Leads to Another Philip Ball. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2004. This is a big book by an author "who thinks big. Holding a PhD in physics, now a writer and consulting editor in England, he asks essential questions. Why is society the way it is? Are there laws of nature that guide human affairs? Do we have complete freedom in creating our societies? Just how, in human affairs, does one thing lead to another? Where are we headed? Can applying concepts from physics to our culture (he calls this "the physics of society")-to the social, political, and economic areas-improve societies, lead to better decisions, and make for a safer and fairer world? His answers are thoughtful and original, and deserve our thought and attention. He waxes poetic and scientific, bringing the insights of poets and Taoist scholars to bear on the subject. His first chapter centers on the brutish world of Thomas Hobbes, fathering the Enlightenment enthusiasm for a mechanistic philosophy that looks naive to us now. Still, in the work of authors like Galileo and Newton, there are deep and elegant truths about the way the universe works. Their ideas, expanded in later centuries, underpin the physics of society. Understanding what atoms do when they get together is one of science's greatest triumphs. But no one could have expected this to lead where it has. Today, we have confronted "phase transitions," which explain processes of sudden change in social contexts. Postmodernist Charles Jencks calls these "sudden jumps in organization," and Thomas Kuhn, "paradigm shifts" in scientific thought. Our task now is to know something of why and how phase transitions occur. How did we ever get to -what the author calls "The Grand Ah-Whoom," the atomic bomb that altered world thinking and acting? And the idea of the "Global Village" and synthetic society, which lands some countries in Cyberspace, others in riot, exploitation, and war? In the past, cultural beliefs and values were bound up with dreams of empire. Today they favor a commercial imperative and cultural imperialism. We are determined to teach the world to enjoy the benefits of Coca-Cola, computers, e-mail, and hamburgers. My travels have taken me to many parts of the Global Village, meeting people from countries in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. I was usually well received and accommodated, but I did not always feel at ease in the highly touted Electronic Utopia. I heard from various leaders and sociologists a word seldom used in prosperous America: pillage. I checked my dictionary for an exact meaning: "The act of looting or plundering; to take booty." Are we pillaging many Third World countries, taking their products and labor at near-starvation prices to resell for huge profits? There are still a billion people in the world working for less than $2 a day. Many of their products end up in the United States-plunder? People everywhere are being bombarded, entertained, and enticed by the new mass media. …
HST STUDIES OF CATACLYSMIC VARIABLE WHITE DWARFS

Abstract HST spectroscopy of faint exposed white dwarfs (WDs) in cataclysmic variables (CVs) has provided fundamental new information on white dwarf rotation rates, T eff , log g , chemical abundances of their accreted atmospheres, cooling response to heating of the white dwarf by boundary layer irradiation, compression and shear mixing in consequence of dwarf nova outburst events, and determined WD masses independent of disk emission line velocities. The first spectroscopic evidence of an accretion belt, predicted by Kippenhahn and Thomas, was uncovered in VW Hydri. The abundances and mix of nuclei in two white dwarfs in dwarf nova systems show signs of thermonuclear events in the recent past. In one of the cases, contamination of the secondary during a common envelope stage and re-accretion by the white dwarf, of its processed material, may be indicated. Although the detailed studies are few in number thus far, we have many promising indications of breakthroughs I would like to report at this conference. My focus will be on the essentially non-magnetic or weakly magnetic, tangentially accreting systems.
Activation of Toll-like receptor 3 amplifies mesenchymal stem cell trophic factors and enhances therapeutic potency

Clinical trials of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy have thus far demonstrated moderate and inconsistent benefits, indicating an urgent need to improve therapeutic efficacy. Although...
Intelligent agents: adaptation of autonomous bimodal microsystems

Autonomous bimodal microsystems exhibiting survivability behaviors and characteristics are able to adapt dynamically in any given environment. Equipped with a background blending exoskeleton it will have the capability to stealthily detect and observe a self-chosen viewing area while exercising some measurable form of selfpreservation by either flying or crawling away from a potential adversary. The robotic agent in this capacity activates a walk-fly algorithm, which uses a built in multi-sensor processing and navigation subsystem or algorithm for visual guidance and best walk-fly path trajectory to evade capture or annihilation. The research detailed in this paper describes the theoretical walk-fly algorithm, which broadens the scope of spatial and temporal learning, locomotion, and navigational performances based on optical flow signals necessary for flight dynamics and walking stabilities. By observing a fly’s travel and avoidance behaviors; and, understanding the reverse bioengineering research efforts of others, we were able to conceptualize an algorithm, which works in conjunction with decisionmaking functions, sensory processing, and sensorimotor integration. Our findings suggest that this highly complex decentralized algorithm promotes inflight or terrain travel mobile stability which is highly suitable for nonaggressive micro platforms supporting search and rescue (SAR), and chemical and explosive detection (CED) purposes; a necessity in turbulent, non-violent structured or unstructured environments.
Consumer behavior research in hospitality and tourism journals

Abstract In this review, I identify key trends and “camps” in consumer behavior research in the field of hospitality and tourism research based on a thorough analysis of articles published in 2003. I also highlight some challenges faced by our discipline in terms of theory development and methodological issues.
Alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation and blockade modulates cesium-induced early afterdepolarizations and ventricular tachyarrhythmias in dogs.

In 84 open-chest dogs, we studied the effects on early afterdepolarizations (EADs) and ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTs) induced by cesium chloride (168 mg/kg i.v.) of alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation with phenylephrine (100 micrograms plus 0.25 microgram/kg/min i.v.) and with left ansa subclavia stimulation (LAS; 2 Hz, 4 msec, 2 mA) after propranolol (0.5 mg/kg) administration. We also studied the effects of alpha-adrenoceptor blockade with phentolamine (3 mg/kg), prazosin (25-500 micrograms/kg), yohimbine (10-500 micrograms/kg), WB 4101 (2 mg/kg), and benoxathian (2 mg/kg) during decentralized LAS. EAD amplitude, presented as a percentage of monophasic action potential amplitude, was recorded simultaneously with contact electrodes from the right and left ventricular endocardium. Phenylephrine and LAS plus propranolol increased EAD amplitude (31.5 +/- 8.8% to 47.8 +/- 9.7% and 34.8 +/- 4.1% to 46.1 +/- 6.4%, respectively) and the prevalence of VT (from three to nine of 11 dogs and from the three to five of six dogs, respectively). Prazosin produced a dose-response decrease in EAD amplitude and reduced the prevalence of VT. Yohimbine did not alter the amplitude of EADs or the prevalence of VT. WB 4101 and phentolamine reduced the amplitude of EADs produced by cesium and LAS (from 44.3 +/- 10.2% to 32.6 +/- 9.4% and from 39.8 +/- 6.9% to 30.3 +/- 6.3%, respectively) and the prevalence of VT (from eight to one of 10 dogs and from 13 to 5 of 20 dogs, respectively). Benoxathian did not alter significantly the amplitude of EADs (41.6 +/- 11.4% to 37.5 +/- 9.4%) or the prevalence of VT (from six to five of 10 dogs).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Calcium-dependent Interactions of the Human Norepinephrine Transporter With Syntaxin 1A

The norepinephrine (NE) transporter (NET) terminates noradrenergic signaling by clearing released NE at synapses. The activity of NET can be rapidly regulated by depolarization and receptor activation via Ca2+ and kinase/phosphatase-linked pathways. The SNARE protein syntaxin 1A (SYN1A) interacts with NET and influences transporter surface trafficking and catalytic activity. In this study, we establish a link between changes in intracellular Ca2+ and SYN1A/NET interactions. SYN1A influenced NE transport only in the presence of Ca2+ in brain cortical synaptosomes. Although NET/SYN1A associations were sensitive to manipulations of Ca2+ in CHO cells, in vitro binding experiments using purified NET and SYN1A fusion proteins demonstrated a lack of direct Ca2+ sensitivity. Disruption of NET/SYN1A interaction abolished inhibition of NE transport by phorbol ester (PMA) to activate protein kinase C (PKC), but had no effect on transport inhibition by the Ca2+ calmodulin kinase (CaMK) inhibitor KN93. Furthermore, PMA enhanced Ca2+-dependent modulation of NE transport in synaptosomes. Our data reveal roles for SYN1A in the Ca2+-dependent regulation of NET, likely reliant on regulation by PKC signaling, but independent of CaMK.
U.S.–Iran Confrontation in the Post-NIE World: An Analysis of Alternative Policy Options

The United States, Israel, and several European allies have explicitly stated that they will not accept the possession of nuclear weapons by the Islamic fundamentalist regime ruling Iran. Iran has defied several UN Security Council resolutions and continued its uranium enrichment. On December 3, 2007, the U.S. released the November 2007 National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran. If the NIE assessment that Iran could develop nuclear weapons sometimes between 2010 and 2015 is correct, the new American president has twelve options available in dealing with Iran. This study analyzes potential consequences, shortcomings, costs, and benefits of each option.
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma

ABSTRACT Objective This review outlines advances in the diagnosis, genetic testing, and progress in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) treatment in light of the most recent evidence. Methods English-language articles pertaining to MTC published up to 2012 were reviewed. The pertinent articles and their references were obtained and those considered relevant were reviewed for inclusion. Results MTC is an uncommon neuroendocrine malignancy that accounts for 5% of thyroid cancers. MTC presents in sporadic and familial forms (multiple endocrine neoplasia [MEN] 2A, MEN 2B, or familial MTC syndromes). The familial forms are secondary to germline mutations in the REarranged during Transfection (RET) proto-oncogene. Early diagnosis and treatment is paramount. Genetic testing has made possible early detection in asymptomatic carriers and high-risk patients, with early or prophylactic surgery being curative in many. All carriers of an RET mutation should be evaluated and treated surgically for MTC. The primary treatment in all patients diagnosed with MTC is total thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection. Calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen levels can be used as prognostic factors and as tumor markers. If elevated, further investigation, including use of imaging modalities, may be necessary for evaluation of metastatic disease. Surgery remains the main treatment for local and locally advanced disease. Conclusion MTC is rare, but morbidity and mortality remain high if untreated. Genetic testing should be offered to all patients. Treatment of choice remains total thyroid-ectomy and central lymph node dissection. Palliative treatment for advanced disease includes surgery, radiation, standard chemotherapy, chemoembolization and more recently, targeted therapies (tyrosine kinase inhibitors). (Endocr Pract. 2013;19:703-711)
Electronics for calorimeters at LHC

Some principal design features of front-end electronics for calorimeters in experiments at the LHC will be highlighted. Some concerns arising in the transition from the research and development and design phase to the construction will be discussed. Future challenges will be indicated.
Staphylococcal protein A primed leukocytes enhance the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction

ABSTRACT Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were preincubated for 3 days in medium alone or with various mitogens then washed and irradiated. The preincubated cells then were cultured with autologous T-cells in an autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR). Staphylococcal protein A (SPA) pretreatment of PBMC enhanced autologous T-lymphocyte proliferation from 1375 ± 321 cpm (mean ± SEM untreated PBMC) to 42,467 ± 7,985 cpm (SPA primed PBMC) (p
A coupled Timoshenko model for smart slender structures

Abstract In this paper, a generalized Timoshenko model has been developed for prismatic, beam-like slender structures with embedded or surface mounted piezoelectric type smart materials. Starting from a geometrically exact formulation of the original, three-dimensional electromechanical problem, we apply the variational asymptotic method to carry out a systematic dimensional reduction. In the process, the three-dimensional electromechanical enthalpy functional is approximated asymptotically using the slenderness as the small parameter to find out an equivalent one-dimensional electromechanical enthalpy functional. For Timoshenko-like refinement over the Euler–Bernoulli beam model, terms up to the second order of the slenderness are kept in the enthalpy expression. As an unified analysis tool, the present model can analyze embedded or surface mounted active layer with arbitrary cross-sectional geometry as two cases of a general one, no special assumptions or modifications need to be made for these two separate types of active inclusions.
ONTOGENY OF FOLIAR DIAPHRAGMS IN TYPHA LATIFOLIA

Morphogenetic pulsations in the intercalary meristem of the leaf of Typha latifolia (Typhaceae) produce regular alternating sequences of vascular and stellate-celled diaphragms separated at first by rib-meristem derivatives. The collapse of these derivatives in the region of elongation in and above the intercalary meristem, and the separation of the diaphragms from each other, produce a mature compartmentalized leaf, the compartments bridged by porous
NMDA receptor responses in adult hippocampal CA1 region after neonatal treatment with MK-801: comparison with NMDA receptor responses in the immature rat

Abstract Neonatal MK-801 treatment from postnatal day 8–19 leads to long-term effects on brain function, suggesting that exposure to this drug leads to the development of a brain with immature network properties. One aspect of this hypothesis, that the NMDA receptors preserve their immature state after the treatment, has been tested by measuring the potency of the competitive antagonist D-AP5 in hippocampal slices. We have previously shown that an increased potency to D-AP5 is a characteristic property of NMDA receptors during early life. In the present study we measured field potentials in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices evoked by iontophoretic NMDA application in the Schaffer-commissural synaptic fields. Agonist dose-response curves were constructed, followed by bath applications of increasing concentrations of the antagonist D-AP5. The maximum NMDA evoked field response was the same in slices of mature control (PND70–90; 18.9±1.2mV ) and MK-801 treated rats (PND70–90; 19.3±0.9mV ), but significantly larger in immature slices (PND10–16; 24.0±0.6mV ). The sensitivity to NMDA in hippocampal slices from each group was estimated by quantifying the iontophoretic ejection current ( =dose ) which evoked 50% of the maximum field response (EC 50 ). A significantly higher sensitivity to NMDA was found in hippocampal slices obtained from MK-801-treated rats ( EC 50 = 3.6±0.2nA ) than in slices from control ( EC 50 = 6.1±0.7nA ) or immature ( EC 50 = 5.9±0.5nA ) animals. Although these results suggest that neonatal MK-801 treatment can lead to an altered NMDA response, a pharmacological property seen to characterize an immature NMDA-receptor response is not maintained.
Closed reduction and lag screw fixation of sacroiliac luxations and fractures.

Objective— To describe a technique for closed reduction and percutaneous insertion of a lag screw for fixation of sacroiliac fracture-luxations, and to report the success of this technique in stabilizing sacroiliac fracture-luxations. Study Design— A retrospective clinical study. Study Population— 13 consecutive client-owned dogs with sacroiliac fracture-luxations. Methods— Sacroiliac fracture-luxations were stabilized by using a closed reduction and percutaneous lag screw fixation technique. Preoperative, postoperative, and last re-examination radiographs were used to assess the location and number of pelvic injuries, other orthopedic injuries, percent reduction of the sacroiliac joint, percent sacral width screw depth, position of the screw, pelvic canal diameter ratio, hemipelvic canal width ratio, and complications. Information on signalment, weight, weight-bearing status, neurologic status, and complications was obtained from the medical record. Results— Mean percent reduction of the sacroiliac joint was 92.33%. All screws were placed within the sacral body with a mean screw depth/sacral width of 79.03%. No screw loosening occurred. Mean pelvic canal diameter ratios were 0.99, 1.20, and 1.14 preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at the last re-examination, respectively. Nine of 13 dogs were willing to walk on the ipsilateral rear leg the day after surgery. Conclusions— Closed reduction and percutaneous insertion of a lag screw for stabilization of fracture-luxation of the sacroiliac joint is an acceptable method of repair. Clinical Relevance— Sacroiliac fracture-luxations can be successfully reduced and stabilized using a minimally invasive technique.
Vertical Transports by Plumes within the Moderately Convective Marine Atmospheric Surface Layer

Abstract Bursts in the kinematic vertical transports of heat and horizontal momentum in a moderately convective marine atmospheric surface layer are studied by applying the variable interval time averaging (VITA) detection method to principal components analysis (PCA)–decomposed datasets obtained from the Floating Instrumentation Platform (FLIP) moored vessel during the 1995 April–May Pacific Marine Boundary Layer (PMBL) experiment. For convective plumes, a well-defined dimensionless relationship is shown to exist between the vertical transports of heat and horizontal momentum; this relationship cannot be easily deduced if PCA and VITA are not both applied. PCA decomposes a dataset using correlations within that dataset instead of bandpass filtering it to retain energy in a predetermined range of scales; PCA thus respects all scales contributing to the phenomena retained in the dataset. Subsequent use of cross-spectral techniques to group the PCA-decomposed dataset into coherent structure types leads to, ...