cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exercise preconditioning upregulates cerebral integrins and enhances cerebrovascular integrity in ischemic rats

We hypothesized that exercise preconditioning strengthens brain microvascular integrity against ischemia/reperfusion injury through the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-integrin signaling pathway. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 24) were studied in: (1) exercise (the animals run on a treadmill 30 min each day) for 3 weeks, (2) non-exercise. Six animals from each group (n = 12) were subjected to stroke, the remaining animals served as controls (n = 6 × 2). Brain infarction and edema were determined by Nissl staining. Cerebral integrin expression was detected by immunochemistry and stereological methods. In addition, we used flow cytometry to address the causal role of TNF-α in inducing the expression of integrins in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells under TNF-α or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pretreatment. Exercise reduces brain infarction and brain edema in stroke. Expressions of integrin subunit α1, α6, β1, and β4 were increased after exercise. Exercise preconditioning reversed stroke-reduced integrin expression. An in vitro study revealed a causal link between the gradual upregulation of TNF-α (rather than VEGF) and cellular expression of integrins. These results demonstrated an increase in cerebral expression of integrins and a decrease in brain injury from stroke after exercise preconditioning. The study suggests that upregulation of integrins during exercise enhances neurovascular integrity after stroke. The changes in integrins might be altered by TNF-α.
Moho depths in Kansas from gravity inversion assuming exponential density contrast

Abstract We have derived an analytical expression in the wavenumber domain for calculating the gravity anomaly caused by an uneven layer, within which the density contrast changes exponentially with depth. We have shown that a constant density contrast and a linear density contrast are specific situations of the exponential density contrast model. The equation should be more efficient than vertical prism methods for linear or exponential density contrast. The equation is tested using synthetic data. We employ the iterative forward-modeling approach presented to invert the regional gravity anomaly of Kansas to determine depth to the Moho discontinuity with an exponential density contrast model. The inversion is constrained by seismic refraction along the two-dimensional profile from Concordia, Kansas to Agate, Colorado. The average density model in the crust of Kansas also is determined.
Trends toward part-time employment: Ethical issues

This paper addresses the current trend of hiring part-time employees for United States businesses. This common practice is one that does not consider the best interests of the employee. I argue that, at the present time, many people, especially those who are poor, have no other choice than to accept these part-time positions. As a result, the quality of life of these workers and their family members suffers. Companies typically employ part-time workers in an effort to increase profits. I argue that this practice will only increase short-term profits, and hiring a large staff of part-time workers will actually decrease long-term profitability. Consequently, this unethical practice is also an unprofitable one.
Full-length sequence of VERL, the egg vitelline envelope receptor for abalone sperm lysin.

Abstract Abalone sperm use 16 kDa lysin to create a hole in the egg vitelline envelope (VE) by a species-specific, nonenzymatic mechanism. To create the hole, lysin binds tightly to VERL (the VE receptor for lysin), a giant, unbranched glycoprotein comprising 30% of the VE. Binding of lysin to VERL causes the VERL molecules to lose cohesion and splay apart creating the hole. Lysin and VERL represent a cognate pair of gamete recognition proteins, one male the other female, which mediate fertilization. The coevolution of such cognate pairs may underlie the establishment of species-specific fertilization which could be a component of the mechanism to achieve reproductive isolation and hence new species. Here we present the full-length cDNA sequence (11,166 bp) of VERL from the red abalone (Haliotis rufescens). There are 42 amino acids from the start Met residue to the beginning of the first ‘VERL repeat’. Most of VERL (9981 bp; 89.4%) consists of 22 tandem repeats of a ∼153 amino acid sequence that is predicted to be β-sheet. The last VERL repeat is followed by 353 non-repeat amino acid residues containing a furin cleavage site (RTRR), a ZP domain and a hydrophobic COOH-terminus with a 3′ UTR of only 10 nucleotides. VERL repeats 3–22 have been subjected to concerted evolution and consequently have almost identical sequences. Curiously, comparisons of repeats from other species shows that repeats 1 and 2 of red abalone VERL have not been subjected to concerted evolution since the divergence of the red species from the other six California species.
Expression of Simian Type D Retroviral (Mason-Pfizer Monkey Virus) Capsids in Insect Cells Using Recombinant Baculovirus

Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) is a primate retrovirus that shows type D morphogenesis in mammalian cells. Immature intracytoplasmic A type particles (ICAPs) preassemble in the infected cell cytoplasm migrate to the plasma membrane and are released by budding. This is in contrast to retroviruses that show type C morphogenesis, where assembly and budding occur concurrently at the plasma membrane. We expressed the M-PMV structural genes (gag-pro-pol) in insect cells using a recombinant baculovirus. The polyprotein precursors assembled predominantly intracellularly, although a small proportion also assembled at the membrane. The protease enzyme was active since mature particles were identified in the culture supernatant. We also expressed the M-PMV mutants, D26N and gag-STOP, which carry a nonfunctional protease or fail to express the protease gene, respectively. These baculovirus recombinants generated a homogeneous population of immature M-PMV capsids having exclusively type D morphogenesis. Sufficient quantities of polyprotein precursors were synthesized to be visualized directly on a Coomassie-stained protein gel, and the capsids were subject to purification. These results provide the first expression of type D retrovirus particles using the baculovirus expression system.
The coming together of intellectual and physical space in the multicultural education movement: The importance of “a room of one's own”

(1999). The coming together of intellectual and physical space in the multicultural education movement: The importance of “a room of one's own”. Multicultural Perspectives: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 3-7.
Ion-irradiation-induced structural transitions in orthorhombic Ln2TiO5

Abstract The response of a material to a high radiation field is important when selecting materials for nuclear applications, such as structural materials, nuclear waste forms and inert matrix fuels. In the present study, the radiation response of orthorhombic, rare-earth titanates, Ln 2 TiO 5 (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy and Y), was investigated by 1 MeV Kr 2+ ion bombardment at temperatures ranging from 50 to 1073 K. In situ transmission electron microscopy revealed that the radiation tolerance and irradiation-induced structural transitions vary largely with composition. Y 2 TiO 5 exhibits the lowest critical amorphization temperature ( T c = 623 K), above which crystals cannot be amorphized, which is consistent with its use in the form of nanoclusters in radiation-resistant oxide-dispersion-strengthened steels. The disordered fluorite structure type of Ln 2 TiO 5 , with smaller Ln cations, formed as an intermediate phase prior to becoming fully amorphous. The fluorite structure type of Ln 2 TiO 5 , containing more vacancies as compared with that of Ln 2 Ti 2 O 7 , may exhibit enhanced ionic conductivity, which highlights an effective way of using ion beams to modify the properties of materials.
Follicular lymphoma with involvement of the splenic marginal zone: A pitfall in the differential diagnosis of splenic marginal zone cell lymphoma

Follicular lymphomas (FL) involving the spleen arise in and expand the germinal centers of the white pulp, whereas mantle cell lymphomas arise in the mantle zone and surround the benign germinal center. The recently described marginal zone cell lymphoma (MZCL) is a B-cell neoplasm characterized by concentric expansion of cells around the follicle, with or without infiltration of the mantle zone or germinal center. In addition, the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene is rearranged although none of the MZCL reported have been shown to be positive for the bcl-2 gene translocation by molecular studies. We report a patient with FL showing preferential involvement of the marginal zone of spleen morphologically mimicking a primary splenic MZCL. The patient reported here had a well-documented previous lymph node diagnosis of FL. The immunoglobulin heavy chain gene and bcl-2 gene rearrangement analysis confirmed the clonal origin of both the original FL, as well as the lymphoma, with a marginal zone pattern in the spleen.
Hydration Properties of Combustion Aerosols

There has been considerable recent interest in the hydration properties of combustion aerosols. Both their warm cloud condensation behavior and ice-nucleating ability have important atmospheric implications. At the University of Missouri-Rolla we have a substantial cloud simulation facility designed for the laboratory study of atmospheric processes under realistic conditions (i.e., temperature, pressure, and supersaturation) and time scales. A combustion aerosol capability has been added to this facility. We can generate a variety of combustion aerosols, under controlled and observed conditions, characterize and shape (modify their size distribution) these aerosols, and then examine their hydration behavior under either warm or cold conditions. Here we describe this combustion system and present results (size distributions and critical supersaturation distributions) for aerosols resulting from the combustion of various liquid fuels. The hydration of these aerosols is found to obey Kohler theory, and solub...
“Full of Ourselves PLUS”: Lessons Learned when Implementing an Eating Disorder and Obesity Prevention Program

Obesity among adolescents is a significant problem in the United States. Community-based programs have focused on obesity or eating disorders without considering the overlap in these health problems (American Dietetic Association, 2006). Therefore, the purpose of this article is to introduce an integrative eating disorder and obesity prevention program (i.e., Eat and Live Well: Utz et al., 2008 and Full of Ourselves: Steiner-Adair & Sjostrom, 2006) called “Full of Ourselves PLUS” (FOO+). We describe the lessons learned when combining the curricula from evidence-based obesity and eating disorder prevention programs and share practical advice for promoting psychological and physical health to adolescent females.
FastPlace 3.0: A Fast Multilevel Quadratic Placement Algorithm with Placement Congestion Control

In this paper, we present FastPlace 3.0 - an efficient and scalable multilevel quadratic placement algorithm for large-scale mixed-size designs. The main contributions of our work are: (1) A multilevel global placement framework, by incorporating a two-level clustering scheme within the flat analytical placer FastPlace (Viswanathan and Chu, 2005) and Viswanathan et al., 2006), (2) An efficient and improved iterative local refinement technique that can handle placement blockages and placement congestion constraints. (3) A congestion aware standard-cell legalization technique in the presence of blockages. On the ISPD-2005 placement benchmarks (Nam et al., 2005), our algorithm is 5.12times, 11.52times and 16.92times faster than mPL6, Capo10.2 and APlace2.0 respectively. In terms of wirelength, we are on average, 2% higher as compared to mPL6 and 9% and 3% better as compared to Capo10.2 and APlace2.0 respectively. We also achieve competitive results compared to a number of academic placers on the placement congestion constrained ISPD-2006 placement benchmarks (Nam, 2006).
Quantitative Comparison of Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Discrete-Element Simulations of Nominally Two-Dimensional Shear Flow

AbstractResults obtained from numerical simulations of direct (or ring) shear tests on ASTM standard graded (Ottawa) sand using the discrete-element method with periodic boundary conditions in both two and three dimensions are reported. The data obtained from these simulations are quantitatively compared to experimental data for ASTM standard graded sand. The results show that the three-dimensional (3D) effects of nonplanar interparticle contact forces and particle motion are significant in the 3D discrete-element method simulations, even during nominally two-dimensional (2D) shear flow. Moreover, the 3D discrete-element method simulations accurately predict the peak and residual friction angles of ASTM standard graded sand. On the other hand, the 2D discrete-element method simulations fail to accurately predict the peak and residual friction angles. It is argued that the failure of the 2D discrete-element method simulations and the success of the 3D discrete-element method simulations in providing quanti...
Geropharmacology: a primer for advanced practice acute care and critical care nurses, part I.

In the first part of this 2-part continuing education series, sources of medication errors were discussed. A predominant source of errors was the prescribing of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults. In this second part, drug classifications and drugs posing problems for older adults and cautions for advanced practice acute care and critical care nurses in their medication therapy management are highlighted. Cautions are advanced for anticholinergics, antihypertensives, analgesics, and psychotropics because of the severity of adverse reactions, including anticholinergic symptoms; mental status changes (especially confusion, sedation, delirium, and cognitive impairment); orthostatic hypotension; gastrointestinal tract problems (especially hemorrhage); depression; and neurobehavioral disturbances (agitation and aggressiveness). Risks of life-threatening outcomes associated with medications and adverse reactions are highlighted.
AIDS-like disease following mucosal infection of pig-tailed macaques with SIVsmmPBj14.

: Following exposure of the rectal or vaginal mucosa to cell-free SIVsmmPBj14, four male and two female pig-tailed macaques developed a characteristic acute disease, including mucoid diarrhea, lymphopenia, and anorexia. Two macaques infected by the rectal route died within 14 days, and one female died of an AIDS-like disease at five months after inoculation. The three other animals have survived more than nine months, but all are exhibiting lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia, and progressive declines in percentages and numbers of CD4+ lymphocytes.
NEW HIGHWAYS AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLS: AN EVALUATION USING QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL MATCHING METHODS

Abstract Stimulating economic growth and development in rural and economically lagging regions is the goal of several federal and state highway programs. This paper examines the effectiveness of highway investment as an economic development tool. A quasi-experimental matching method is used to examine the effects of interstate highways on counties which obtained links during the period 1963–1975 or are in close proximity to these newly linked counties. The results show that the beneficiaries of the interstate links in terms of economic growth are interstate counties in close proximity to large cities or having some degree of prior urbanization, such as a city with more than 25,000 residents. Rural interstate and off-interstate counties exhibit few positive effects.
Estimation of spectroscopic trends by a perturbation method using Hellmann pseudopotentials

Abstract A new method for estimating the energies of electronic transitions is proposed and tested by application to molecules of the alkali metals. A number of unknown molecular ionization potentials and electronic transitions are predicted using the method.
Hypersensitivity to sesame seed

Abstract Severe reactions due to hypersensitivity to sesame seed are characterized by oral and palatal pruritis, generalized erythema, wheezing, and clinical shock. Such reactions are usually preceded by milder ones, which, if promptly and correctly diagnosed, may prevent clinical progression of symptoms by elimination of the offending food from the diet. Sesame oil ingestion has not produced any similar clinical reactions, to our knowledge. The total consumption of sesame seed in the United States is increasing, a fact which suggests that the incidence of sesame seed hypersensitivity will probably increase in like proportion.
Once a cesarean, always a controversy

For most of this century, “once a cesarean, always a cesarean” was the rule in the United States. In the 1980s, vaginal birth after cesarean grew in popularity and the pendulum began to swing away from routine repeat cesarean delivery. Recently, the wisdom of this transition has been questioned. As the 20th century comes to a close, the treatment of the patient with a prior cesarean delivery remains controversial.
Novel photoemission studies of the PtCu alloys

Abstract The photoemission spectra of PtCu alloys of a number of different compositions has been measured. A new method of sample preparation by an interdiffusion technique allowed rapid measurement as a function of composition. The results are in general agreement with the coherent potential approximation to the electronic structures of alloys.
Transendothelial migration of leukocytes carrying infectious HIV-1: an indicator of adverse prognosis.

Objective To ascertain the likelihood that perivascular leukocyte infiltrates are sites for replication and dissemination of HIV-1. Design and methods We measured the ability of HIV patients’ peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes to migrate through confluent endothelial monolayers in vitro and infect phytohemagglutinin-stimulated allogeneic lymphoblasts. We also measured the ability of migratory leukocytes to transmit virus to uninfected leukocytes that have localized outside an endothelial barrier, and the subsequent ability of these newly infected cells to reverse-migrate back across the endothelial barrier – a process that might facilitate reentry of infected cells into the circulation and dissemination of the virus to distant sites. Results Leukocytes from 27 out of 63 unselected patients spontaneously carried infectious virus across endothelial barriers. On follow-up, these 27 patients were frequently observed to develop uncontrolled viremia, despite treatment, and be hospitalized for secondary infections. Migratory leukocytes transmitted HIV to both T lymphocytes and non-T cells that had previously crossed the endothelial barrier. Either cell type could subsequently reverse-migrate carrying virus back across this barrier. Conclusions Reverse-migration of HIV-1 infected leukocytes out of perivascular reservoirs may provide a way to disseminate HIV-1 and expand the body burden of virus in some patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.
Studies on the uptake, metabolism, and disposition of pentachlorophenol and pentachloroanisole in rainbow trout.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and pentachloroanisole (PCA) were rapidly taken up by rainbow trout exposed to these compounds at 0.025 mg/liter in water. After exposure of trout to PCP for 24 hr, the liver, blood, fat, and muscle contained 16, 6.5, 6.0, and 1.0 μ g/g, respectively. The concentrations of PCA in the same tissues after an exposure to [ 14 C]PCA were of the same order of magnitude as was found with PCP except that fat contained as much as 80 μ g/g. Elimination rates for 14 C from the blood, muscle, fat, and liver after a similar exposure were different for PCA and PCP. The half-lives for PCP residues in the blood, liver, fat, and muscle were 6.2, 9.8, 23 and 6.9 hr, respectively, while PCA was more persistent having half-lives in these same tissues of 6.3, 6.9, 23, and 6.3 days. Thin-layer chromatographic and GC-MS analyses of the tissues of the PCP-exposed trout indicated that there was no methylation of PCP in any of the tissues studied. Bile from PCP-exposed trout contained high concentrations (250 μ g/g) of PCP, mostly as the glucuronide conjugate, but no other metabolites were detected. However, bile from PCA-exposed trout contained PCP glucuronide (10 μ g/g) as well as PCA, indicating demethylation of this compound in vivo by rainbow trout. Inclusion of 1 mg/liter of piperonyl butoxide in the PCA exposure system decreased the formation of PCP from PCA.
The Mushroom Curriculum: Using Natural History to Teach Psychology.

As part of a freshman seminar program, 1 taught a course o n The Psychology of Mushrooms wing a natural history approach. The seminar provided an opportunity to proceed from concrete experience to general principles of perception, learning, social, and abnormal psychology. Aspects of the course most valued by students were the field trip and the informality of sessions held in my home.
Central nervous system events in children with sickle cell disease presenting acutely with headache.

Objective To determine the frequency of acute care visits and risk factors for central nervous system (CNS) events in children with homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD-SS) with an acute headache. Study design This is a retrospective cohort study of acute care visits for headache in children with SCD-SS. The prevalence of headache visits, neuroimaging evaluation, and acute CNS events were calculated and clinical and laboratory variables assessed. Results Headache was the chief complaint in 102 of 2685 acute care visits (3.8%) by children with SCD-SS. Acute CNS events were detected in 6.9% of these visits. Neuroimaging was performed in 42.2% of visits, and acute CNS events were identified in 16.3% of studies. Factors associated with acute CNS events included older age, history of stroke, transient ischemic attack, or seizure, neurologic symptoms, focal neurologic exam findings, and elevated platelets. Conclusions Acute headache is common in pediatric SCD-SS and more frequently associated with acute CNS events than in the general pediatric population. A history of stroke, transient ischemic attack, seizures, neurologic symptoms, focal neurologic exam, or elevated platelet counts at presentation warrant confirmatory imaging studies. Whether a more limited workup is adequate for other children should be confirmed in a larger, prospective study.
Tactical Communications To Support Intelligence 18 July 1988

This paper addresses the C3 aspects of intelligence data collection processing and dissemination. The paper approaches the subject from the viewpoint of three networks: 1) the local area network on a platform with a gateway between the platform and the external world, 2) a wide area transmission network between the platform and the final information user, and 3) a local area network at the user end to pass, process, and disseminate the information. The paper addresses the command and control management of all the networks involved, the threat assessments of both friendly and enemy threat scenarios, and the reconfiguration of the network paths because of a dynamic external environment. Major premises discussed in the paper are: 1) The design environment of these networks is threat driven; 2) Interoperability is a major design driver; 3) Command and control devolution is an important consideration in the final choice of an architecture; 4) Information flow control is the major element of design in dealing with a dynamic environment.© (1989) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Periodontal Disease and Coronary Heart Disease Risk

ContextResearch has suggested a relationship between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease (CHD), but data on the association between these 2 common conditions are inconclusive due to the possibility of confounding.ObjectiveTo evaluate the risk of CHD in persons with periodontitis, gingivitis, or no periodontal disease.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingThe First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, conducted in 1982-1984, 1986, 1987, and 1992.ParticipantsA total of 8032 dentate adults aged 25 to 74 years with no reported history of cardiovascular disease, including 1859 individuals with periodontitis, 2421 with gingivitis, and 3752 with healthy periodontal tissues.Main Outcome MeasureFirst occurrence of death from CHD or hospitalization due to CHD, or revascularization procedures, obtained from death certificates and medical records, by baseline periodontal status.ResultsDuring follow-up, 1265 individuals had at least 1 CHD event, including CHD fatality (n = 468) or at least 1 hospitalization with a diagnosis of CHD (n = 1022), including coronary revascularization procedures (n = 155). After adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors, gingivitis was not associated with CHD (hazard ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-1.26), while periodontitis was associated with a nonsignificant increased risk for CHD event (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-1.36).ConclusionThis study did not find convincing evidence of a causal association between periodontal disease and CHD risk.
Trends in lateral interactions between CO chemisorbed on low index copper surfaces

Abstract We present a transfer matrix analysis of existing coverage-dependent desorption data for CO adsorbed onto Cu(001), (011), and (111). We determine the ranges of the second and third lattice gas interaction energies which are consistent with these data. A systematic trend is observed in the attractive component of the lateral potential: it is substantial for the loosely packed (011) surface, it is very small for the (001) surface, and it is nonexistent for the close-packed (111) surface. We hypothesize that this trend is associated with the way in which surface tensile stress can be relieved upon chemisorption of neighboring molecules. We discuss the relation between our desorption results and previous adsorption isotherm measurements for CO Cu (001) .
Calcium kinetics in frog heart

Abstract The kinetics of calcium exchange were studied in the perfused frog ventricle and compared to the previously defined kinetic analysis of calcium obtained in the dog papillary muscle. In addition, the pattern of calcium exchange which follows perfusion of the frog ventricle with low sodium solutions has been studied and compared to that of the dog. After labeling with 45Ca, the muscles were washed out and the curves were analyzed graphically. The washout curve could be defined in terms of four exponential phases for calcium with the following rate constants: 0 = 2.34 ± 0.060 min−1, 1 = 0.687 ± 0.038 min−1, 2 = 0.176 ± 0.008 min−1, 3 = 0.037 ± 0.002 min−1. When the sodium concentration of the perfusate was lowered to 25.5 m m /L, there was an increase in contractile force, accompanied by an increase of 45Ca activity in phase 2. No significant changes in the rate constants of the phases occurred during this inotropic intervention. Phase 2 is proposed to represent a site of calcium storage directly related to maintenance of contractility. A similar kinetically-defined component was found in the dog papillary muscle but was representative of some 7 times as much calcium. The characteristics of 45Ca exchange in frog and dog ventricle are compared in the light of their ultrastructural differences.
Medically safe rate of weight loss for the treatment of obesity: A guideline based on risk of gallstone formation

Objective Currently recommended rates of weight loss for obese persons are not based on demonstrated health risks. The authors attempt to determine a medically safe rate of weight loss based on currently available data on the risk of gallstone formation during active weight loss. Methods AN prospective studies published in the English language on the formation of gallstones in obese persons duiring active weight loss were reviewed and evaluated. A statistical analysis was performed using studies of at least 4 weeks' duration that included information on diet composition, rates of weight loss, length of follow-up, and incidence of gallstone formation. A statistical model was fit to the data from the studies that met the criteria. Results Nine subject groups derived from five published reports met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis. When the results of these groups were evaluated statistically, a curvilinear relationship between incidence of gallstone formation and rate of weight loss was demonstrated. The relationship was best described by an exponential regression curve, with an adjusted r 2 of 0.98 and a dramatically increasing risk of gallstone formation at rates of weight loss above 1.5 kg per week. Conclusion Risk of gallstone formation in obese persons during active weight loss seems to increase in an exponential fashion. The data suggest that rates of weight loss should not exceed an average of 1.5 kg per week.
New bounds on isotropic Lorentz violation

Violations of Lorentz invariance that appear via operators of dimension four or less are completely parametrized in the Standard Model Extension (SME). In the pure photonic sector of the SME, there are 19 dimensionless, Lorentz-violating parameters. Eighteen of these have experimental upper bounds ranging between 10{sup -11} and 10{sup -32}; the remaining parameter, k-tilde{sub tr}, is isotropic and has a much weaker bound of order 10{sup -4}. In this Brief Report, we point out that k-tilde{sub tr} gives a significant contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron and find a new upper bound of order 10{sup -8}. With reasonable assumptions, we further show that this bound may be improved to 10{sup -14} by considering the renormalization of other Lorentz-violating parameters that are more tightly constrained. Using similar renormalization arguments, we also estimate bounds on Lorentz-violating parameters in the pure gluonic sector of QCD.
Flooding and response prevention as a treatment for bowel obsessions

Abstract Behavioral interventions encompassing imaginal flooding, response prevention, graduated exposure and relaxation were used to treat two patients with persistent, disabling bowel obsessions. The cases illustrate the successful treatment of this condition and provides data bearing on the phenomenology of the syndrome including its relationship to panic and obsessional disorders.
Alterations of Gene Expression in Sulfur Mustard‐Exposed Skin Topically Treated with Vanilloids

Sulfur mustard [bis(2‐chloroethyl)sulfide, SM] is a chemical warfare agent that penetrates the skin rapidly and causes extensive blistering. Using the mouse ear vesicant model (MEVM), we evaluated the effect of topically applied anti‐inflammatory agents (octyl homovanillamide and heptyl isovanillamide) on ear edema formation and gene expression following SM exposure. Relative ear weight and real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of GM‐CSF, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 were used to evaluate the effects of octyl homovanillamide and heptyl isovanillamide. Both vanilloids significantly reduced SM‐induced edema. At the single dose and number of animals/group tested, octyl homovanillamide produced a trend of reduced mRNA levels; however, the reduction was not significant for GM‐CSF, IL‐1β, or IL‐6. Heptyl isovanillamide significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.05) GM‐CSF, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 mRNA levels. These results show that octyl homovanillamide and heptyl isovanillamide reduce skin edema and heptyl isovanillamide si...
Altered activation state of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase in liver tumors

Abstract Extensive studies have demonstrated that the normal inhibition of cholesterol synthesis by cholesterol feeding is decreased in all hepatomas studied in vivo . This loss of the normal feedback regulation of cholesterol synthesis has been shown to be due to the failure of cholesterol ingestion to inhibit the activity of hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase. The basis for this absence of feedback control of cholesterogenesis is unknown. Studies to date have not demonstrated structural or kinetic differences between the HMG-CoA reductase of normal liver and hepatoma. The present study, however, demonstrates significant differences in the activation state of HMG-CoA reductase from normal liver and hepatoma. In normal liver only approximately 10–20% of the microsomal HMG-CoA reductase is in the dephosphorylated, active form while 80–90% is in the phosphorylated, inactive state. In contrast, in three different Morris hepatomas in vivo , from 53 to 73% of the HMG-CoA reductase is in the active state. That the increased activation state in hepatomas is a property of tumor tissue and is not solely due to rapid growth is demonstrated by the fact that in both fetal and regenerating liver an enhanced activation state of HMG-CoA reductase is not observed. Additionally, preincubation with magnesium and ATP results in the inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase both in tumor and in liver. Presumably, this decrease in HMG-CoA reductase activity is due to the phosphorylation of the enzyme. Similarly, the preincubation of tumor and liver microsomes with phosphatase results in an increase in HMG-CoA reductase activity presumably by the dephosphorylation of the enzyme to its active form. The relationship between the altered activation state of HMG-CoA reductase in hepatomas and the reduction in the feedback regulation of this enzyme in liver tumors remains to be explored.
Stochastic spread models: A comparison between an individual-based and a lattice-based model for assessing the expansion of invasive termites over a landscape

Abstract Spatially-explicit simulation models can help state and local regulatory agencies to predict both the rate and direction of the spread of an invasive species from a set of surveyed locations. Such models can be used to develop successful early detection, quarantine, or eradication plans based on the predicted areas of infestation. Individual-based models (IBMs) are often used to replicate the dynamics of complex systems and are both able to incorporate individual differences and local interactions among organisms, as well as spatial details. In this work, we introduce a new stochastic lattice-based model for simulating the spread of invasive termites over a landscape and compare it to a recently published stochastic individual-based approach, based on the same ecological parameters, with the goal of improving its computational efficiency. The two modeling frameworks were tested over a homogeneous landscape with randomly located sources of infestation. Further, the setting of a case-study of an invasive termite, Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky), was used to simulate the spread of the species in Dania Beach, Florida, U.S.A., and the results of the proposed model were compared with an earlier application of the IBM over the same area. The results show that the extent of the infested areas predicted by the new lattice-based model is similar, thus comparable, to the individual-based model while improving the computation time significantly. The simulation presented in this work could be used by the regulatory authorities to draw one or more areas of intervention instead of wasting resources by randomly surveying unknown perimeters.
Vinylphosphonic acid-modified calcium aluminate and calcium silicate cements

Cementitious materials in terms of calcium phosphate cements (CPC) were prepared through the acid-base reaction between vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) and calcium aluminate cement (CAC) reactants or calcium silicate cement (CSC) reactants at 25 °C. Using CAC, two factors were responsible for the development of strength in the cements: one is the formation of an amorphous calcium-complexed vinylphosphonate (CCVP) salt phase as the reaction product, and the other was the high exothermic reaction energy. Because the formation of CCVP depletes the calcium in the CAC reactants, Al2O3·xH2O gel was precipitated as a by-product. CCVP→ amorphous calcium pyrophosphate hydrate (CPPH) and Al2O3·xH2O → γ-AlOOH phase transitions occurred in the CPC body autoclaved at 100 °C. Increasing the temperature to 200 °C promoted the transformation of CPPH into crystalline hydroxyapatite (HOAp). In the VPA-CSC system, the strong alkalinity of CSC reactant with its high CaO content served in forming the CPPH reaction product which led to a quick setting of the CPC at 25 °C. Hydrothermal treatment at 100 °C resulted in the CPPH → HOAp phase transition, which was completed at 300 °C for both the VPA-CAC and VPA-CSC systems, and also precipitated the silica gel as by-product. Although the porosity of the specimens was one of the important factors governing the improvement of strength, a moderately mixed phase of amorphous CPPH and crystalline HOAp as the matrix layers contributed significantly to strengthening of the CPC specimens.
Migration history and dialect development in the lower Yangtze watershed

The 1990s bore witness to significant advances in the study of Chinese migration history. This paper explores ways in which these new insights into population and migration patterns in the lower Yangtze watershed throw light on the history of dialects currently assigned to the Jiāng-Huai family by the Language atlas of China. It is found that the lexical corpora of many of these dialects were laid down as the result of two migration waves, one during the late Tang period and the other after the fall of the Northern Song. Material from the first of these waves is now found in bai or colloquial pronunciations of certain syllables. Material from the second wave constitutes the primary lexical component of these dialects and also contributes those wen or literary readings which pair directly with the colloquial pronunciations in each dialect. Interaction with several contiguous dialect groups is also noted. In particular, interlocking or commensurate wen/bai correspondences with dialects of the Northern Wu group are discussed and exemplified.
Adaptive buffering scheme to reduce packet loss on densely connected WSN with mobile sink

A buffer overflow at a network node occurs if the sum of the amount of data it generates and the amount of data it receives from upstream nodes exceeds its transmission throughput. Densely connected wireless sensor networks (WSNs) with intermittently available sinks (such as mobile sinks) strongly inherit such a buffer overflow problem as sensor nodes in WSNs have limited buffering capacity, and the intermittent nature of these sinks can further influence the network throughput. We propose distribution and caching of sensor-generated data at sensor nodes that belong to any of the minimum cost paths leading to a mobile sink path. We further propose to store the data at each source node for a certain period of time instead of immediately forwarding them to the downstream nodes so as to reduce unnecessary network congestion. Both mathematical and simulation evaluation show that these schemes significantly reduce packet loss probability at network of any size. Consequently, the amount of information lost in the system due to packet overflow/retransmission will be significantly reduced.
Behavioral determination of olfactory thresholds to amyl acetate in dogs

By use of a modified conditioned suppression technique, olfactory thresholds to amyl acetate were determined for four beagle dogs. Using the same odorant and olfactometer and a similar breathing chamber, olfactory thresholds were obtained in eight human subjects. It was determined that the olfactory sensitivity of the dogs was about 2.5 log units better than that of the human subjects.
PRAK, a novel protein kinase regulated by the p38 MAP kinase

We have identified and cloned a novel serine/ threonine kinase, p38-regulated/activated protein kinase (PRAK). PRAK is a 471 amino acid protein with 20-30% sequence identity to the known MAP kinase-regulated protein kinases RSK1/2/3, MNK1/2 and MAPKAP-K2/3. PRAK was found to be expressed in all human tissues and cell lines examined. In HeLa cells, PRAK was activated in response to cellular stress and proinflammatory cytokines. PRAK activity was regulated by p38alpha and p38beta both in vitro and in vivo and Thr182 was shown to be the regulatory phosphorylation site. Activated PRAK in turn phosphorylated small heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) at the physiologically relevant sites. An in-gel kinase assay demonstrated that PRAK is a major stress-activated kinase that can phosphorylate small heat shock protein, suggesting a potential role for PRAK in mediating stress-induced HSP27 phosphorylation in vivo.
Bolaamphiphile-class surfactants can stabilize and support the function of solubilized integral membrane proteins.

Bolaamphiphile-class surfactants composed of two hydrophilic (maltoside) headgroups connected by long saturated alkyl chains were tested for their ability to stabilize a solubilized membrane protein, Escherichia coli diacylglycerol kinase (DAGK), and to sustain its native function. Members of this “Bis-MALT-C18−28” series were poor solubilizers of DAGK in the absence of conventional detergent. However, mixed micelles of the bolaamphiphiles with either dodecylphosphocholine or β-n-decyl maltoside were more effective and enhanced DAGK’s thermal stability relative to corresponding detergent-only conditions. Moreover, certain bolaamphiphiles were seen to be lipidlike by providing partial activation of DAGK’s catalytic activity. Finally, addition of bolaamphiphiles to micellar NMR samples of DAGK did not result in a degradation of spectral quality, indicating their compatibility with high-resolution structural studies. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first documentation of the potential ...
Chiral high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of enantiomers of losigamone, a new candidate antiepileptic drug.

Abstract An assay based on a single-step liquid–liquid extraction from human plasma followed by high-performance liquid chromatography on a chiral column was developed for the measurement of enantiomers of a racemic new candidate antiepileptic drug. Excellent intra- and inter-assay accuracy and precision and recovery were demonstrated in the desired concentration range of 0.031 to 5.00 μg/ml. The method is free from interferences by other anticonvulsant drugs and their metabolites. The method is being used in a clinical trial of losigamone.
On Calculating the Gamma Function of Non-Integral Arguments

(1970). On Calculating the Gamma Function of Non-Integral Arguments. The American Statistician: Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 22-24.
SU-E-T-771: Isodose Line Driven Semi-Inverse Planning of High Dose Rate Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer

Purpose: Delineation of tumor is indispensible for adequate tumor coverage in inverse planning of cervical cancerbrachytherapy. However, target definition is challenging in CT/CBCT planning images. In this project, we developed a tool to convert the isodose lines from traditional source loading, which produces dose distribution with good tumor coverage, to a surrogate treatment volume needed in the optimization. Through this, we integrate the clinical knowledge of conventional loading and advantage of inverse planning to spare organs at risks. Method and Materials: Five cervical cancer patients treated with tandem and ovoids HDR brachytherapy are studied. The clinical plans are point‐based (600cGy to point A) with Fletcher‐type loading pattern. Retrospectively, an inverse plan was made for comparisons. A software tool was developed to convert the isodose curves of the conventional plan to closed anatomic structures. In order to limit the dose of bladder and rectum less than 70% of the prescription dose, their contours were subtracted from the 70% isodose line converted‐volume and this new structure (ISD70‐bladder‐rectum ) was placed as the target in Oncentra optimization software (Nucletron). Three dosimetric endpoints, volume coverage of ISD70‐bladder‐rectum and 2cc maximal dose of the bladder and rectum, are used in compassions. Results: The isodose line converted‐ structures are compared with the original dose curves and they are accurate. The inverse planning lowers the dose on the bladder with similar coverage of ISD70‐bladder‐rectum as the conventional plan. The bladder 2cc dose of the inverse plan is 510.4± 92.7 cGy, which is significantly lower than that of conventional plan, 560.3± 93.8 cGy (p=0.05). Conclusion: Isodose surfaces from traditional source loading are good surrogate for 3D treatment volume in HDR inverse planning for cervical cancer. This approach combines the prior clinical experience and strength of inverse planning for better critical structure sparing with the similar tumor coverage.
On Performance of Parallel iSCSI Protocol for Networked Storage Systems

A newly emerging protocol for storage networking, iSCSI [1,2], was recently ratified by the Internet Engineering Task Force [3]. The iSCSI protocol is perceived as a low cost alternative to the FC protocol for networked storages [5,6,7,8]. It allows block level storage data to be transported over the popular TCP/IP network that is widely understood. This paper presents a new storage architecture allowing parallel processing of iSCSI packets. By leveraging inexpensive Ethernet ports, we are able to greatly improve the throughput of iSCSI storages through parallel processing. We have carried out a performance analysis to evaluate the performance of the new architecture as compared to the existing iSCSI storages. Our numerical results show that the new architecture has good performance potential.
Is Alternative Agriculture a Viable Rural Development Strategy

Alternative agriculture is promoted as a means of enhancing rural area jobs and income. This nontraditional agricultural activity is defined as: new crops or products to an area, industrial uses of agricultural products, value-enhancement activities, and urban agricultural activities. The potential for new agriculturally-related activities is summarized. The long-term rural economic and development potential, through new income and jobs, is assessed. Next, five case studies are provided to illustrate alternative agriculture successes, limited successes, and failures (Guayule, Jojoba, Muscadine grapes, market windows for fresh fruit and vegetables, and aquaculture). We conclude that alternative agriculture may be viable in select rural areas. However, total employment generation potential is too small and diffused to provide significant rural development impacts.
The effects of low levels of PMSG and flush feeding upon embryonic survival in gilts

Abstract This experiment was designed to measure the effects of a dose of PMSG (600 IU) or a five-day flush feeding, singly or in combination, on ovulation rate, early embryonic survival, litter size at term and plasma hormone levels during early gestation in 64 Duroc gilts. They were assigned to four treatments, with half of each treatment killed on day 25 of pregnancy and the other half continuing to term. Although treatment with 600 IU of PMSG increased the number of ovulations compared to the controls (P .05). Flush feeding for five days before breeding yield similar results. Fewer embryos were present at day 25 of gestation in those animals receiving a combination PMSG /flush feeding treatment than in any other treatment group (P