cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-density optical interconnects within large-scale systems

Next-generation high-end data processing systems such as Internet switches or servers are approaching aggregate bandwidths in excess of 1 Terabit per second. In the case of Internet switches, the increase of fiber bandwidth that is caused by the introduction of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing leads to an increase of system size from single-shelf to multi-rack configurations. Intra-system interconnects will therefore span from centimeters (on-board) up to tens of meters (rack-to-rack). The task of providing hundreds of individual links at speeds in excess of 10 Gigabit per second over these distances becomes increasingly difficult for conventional copper-based technology. Using a packet switch system as an example application, we define a set of interconnect requirements for future large-scale systems. Distinguishing three interconnect classes (on-board, card-to-card over a backplane, rack-to-rack), we study the expected limits of copper-based solutions from an application point of view. After an overview of the state of the art in optical interconnect technology, we compare available technologies with the initially defined requirements. From this, we deduct key focus areas for future optical interconnect research. Finally, we present some of our recent activities in the field of waveguide and free-space based board-to-board interconnects.
Village Elections in China: Cooperation between the State and the Peasantry

Village elections, as a policy response to developmental problems in rural China in the 1980s, were not designed to promote democracy in China. The process of village elections, however, has served as a new form of cooperation between the state and the peasantry over the last decade. To understand why an authoritarian regime introduced an electoral process to its countryside and why this electoral process of village elections has served as a new form of cooperation between the state and the peasantry over the last decade, we should try to understand where the congruence between the state and the peasantry was in this form of cooperation, what the role of the state was in this process, and what the implications of this electoral process for democracy were in China. The process of village elections might eventually have a benign result that was not originally envisioned by its sponsor, but little progress has been made in that direction over the last decade. Putting village elections in such perspective, this paper examines the economic, political and democratic dimensions of this electoral process of village elections as a new form of cooperation between the state and the peasantry.
Matrix metalloproteinase-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition: Tumor progression at Snail's pace

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that digest components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) as well as cell surface receptors for soluble factors and junctional proteins involved in cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions. MMPs are involved in many physiological processes that require tissue remodeling but are also expressed in nearly all tumors, where they stimulate tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Previous studies have shown that expression of stromelysin-1/MMP-3 in the mammary glands of transgenic mice causes the production of invasive carcinomas; our recent investigations provide insight into how MMPs can promote the development of such tumors. We show that exposing mouse mammary epithelial cells to MMP-3 stimulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a phenotypic alteration in which epithelial cells acquire invasive mesenchymal characteristics. EMT is a necessary component of embryonic development, but acquisition of EMT characteristics by cancer cells facilitates invasion and metastasis. MMP-3-induced EMT involves induction of Snail, a transcription factor long studied for its role in physiological EMT but which is increasingly recognized as a factor involved in tumor progression and malignancy. In this review, we examine how MMPs and Snail function in tumor progression and how identification of an MMP-Snail signaling axis provides insight into new anticancer therapeutic strategies.
Infinite triangulated graphs

Abstract We strengthen a theorem of W.T. Trotter relating α-imperfect graphs to Suslin trees and derive several new results for infinite graphs with no chordless 4-cycles. We show that for such graphs G , (1) if G is χ-perfect then G is α-perfect, and (2) Θ G is at most the first cardinal beyond α G . We also indicate how Martin's axiom can be used to prove that it is consistent that all triangulated graphs of size ω, are perfect.
High-Level Planning And Low-Level Control

Research in robotics has primarily progressed along two parallel paths: high-level planning concerned with generating detailed plans from abstract specifications, and low-level control concerned with the role of sensors and manipulators and focusing on the dynamics of realistic domains. In trying to achieve robust performance, researchers interested in low-level control have tried to dispense with complex representations. At the same time, researchers concerned with designing reasonably autonomous robots are convinced that high-level specifications (and their attendant complex representations) are crucial. The fact is different sorts of decision making require representations and computations of varying degrees of complexity and time criticality. The trick is to integrate the different types of decision making and control in a single framework. We describe an architecture for control that makes use of several functionally independent modules each of which has a set of provable properties specific to its particular function. The various modules communicate using representations designed with the particular real-time processing requirements of the communicating modules in mind. The architecture makes it possible for slow modules to communicate with fast modules without interrupting critical behaviors. We believe that our approach will enable us to preserve the desirable properties of the functionally independent modules while at the same time achieving the (relative) singularity of purpose necessary for useful high-level control.
Heat Reduces Nitric Oxide Production Required for Auxin-Mediated Gene Expression and Fate Determination in Tree Tobacco Guard Cell Protoplasts

Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) is an equatorial perennial with a high basal thermotolerance. Cultured tree tobacco guard cell protoplasts (GCPs) are useful for studying the effects of heat stress on fate-determining hormonal signaling. At lower temperatures (32°C or less), exogenous auxin (1-naphthalene acetic acid) and cytokinin (6-benzylaminopurine) cause GCPs to expand 20- to 30-fold, regenerate cell walls, dedifferentiate, reenter the cell cycle, and divide. At higher temperatures (34°C or greater), GCPs expand only 5- to 6-fold; they do not regenerate walls, dedifferentiate, reenter the cell cycle, or divide. Heat (38°C) suppresses activation of the BA auxin-responsive transgene promoter in tree tobacco GCPs, suggesting that inhibition of cell expansion and cell cycle reentry at high temperatures is due to suppressed auxin signaling. Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in auxin signaling in other plant systems. Here, we show that heat inhibits NO accumulation by GCPs and that l-NG-monomethyl arginine, an inhibitor of NO production in animals and plants, mimics the effects of heat by limiting cell expansion and preventing cell wall regeneration; inhibiting cell cycle reentry, dedifferentiation, and cell division; and suppressing activation of the BA auxin-responsive promoter. We also show that heat and l-NG-monomethyl arginine reduce the mitotic indices of primary root meristems and inhibit lateral root elongation similarly. These data link reduced NO levels to suppressed auxin signaling in heat-stressed cells and seedlings of thermotolerant plants and suggest that even plants that have evolved to withstand sustained high temperatures may still be negatively impacted by heat stress.
Reaction of formaldehyde with cellulose xanthate

Formaldehyde reacts reversibly with cellulose xanthate in aqueous acid to form a product having an absorption maximum at 280 mμ and an extinction coefficient of 11,600. The fraction of the original xanthate converted to the formaldehyde form is related to the formaldehyde concentration. The aqueous acid decomposition rate of the formaldehyde derivative is pseudo first-order and is inversely proportional to the formaldehyde concentration. At high acidities the decomposition rate is independent of acid concentration, but the rate decreases with decreasing acidity in the pH range of 1–4. On the basis of the data obtained in these studies, the equilibrium constant for the formation of the formaldehyde derivative was found to be of the order of 10.4.8. The activation energy for the decomposition of the formaldehyde derivative is 18,600 cal./mole.
Detection of Total Parenteral Nutrition-Induced Fatty Liver Infiltration in the Rat by in Vitro Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

In an effort to determine if NMR techniques might be used to detect TPN-induced hepatic steatosis, the NMR spin-lattice (T1) and spin-spin (T2) relaxation times were measured on liver tissue from rats who received one of five dietary regimens: (1) 100% of nonprotein calories as lipid (Fat); (2) a mixture of 50% lipid and 50% glucose nonprotein calories (50/50); (3) 100% of nonprotein calories as glucose (CHO); (4) intravenous saline and standard laboratory rat chow (Saline); and (5) rat chow alone (Oral). The parenteral diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Serum liver function tests were also measured. Animals in the Fat and 50/50 groups had the greatest amounts of liver fat and significantly longer T1 and T2 times (p less than 0.01) than any other group. Furthermore, the correlation of T2 time with liver fat content (r = 0.82) was far superior (p less than 0.001) to that of serum SGPT (r = 0.48) which was the only liver function test which correlated significantly with liver fat content. In a multiple linear regression analysis, T1 and T2 predicted liver fat content with an r value of 0.84 (p less than 0.001). These data suggest that in vivo NMR imaging techniques might be used to detect TPN-induced fatty infiltration of the liver noninvasively.
Characteristics of β-Lactoglobulin Binding to the All-Trans-Retinal Moiety Covalently Immobilized on Celite™

Abstract All- trans -retinal was covalently immobilized on Celite™ and investigated as a bioselective adsorption matrix for β -lactoglobulin. Two types of Celite™ supports were compared, indicating the best performance with 100/120 mesh, type R648. The R648 matrix yielded a high concentration (9.2 μ mol/ml) of the ligand when the derivative was produced, and the derivatized matrix exhibited the best retention of β -lactoglobulin. Binding of β -lactoglobulin to the immobilized trans -retinal matrix is biospecific, but the affinity is dependent on pH and ionic strength. α -Lactalbumin is not bound to this bioselective adsorbant, so its elution was not retarded or affected by pH or buffer concentration. Affinity for β -lactoglobulin was optimal at pH 5.14; a dissociation constant of 2.7 μM was obtained in .1 M buffer solutions. At pH 7.0, the affinity decreased 44-fold, and, below pH 3.5, no binding occurred. The estimated loading capacity based on chromatographic data was approximately 14g/L (.75 μ mol/ml) of support.
Luteinizing Hormone in the Cat. I. Tonic Secretion

We have used a RIA system for measuring LH in the plasma of domestic cats and characterized the component of LH secretion which is controlled by negative feedback inhibition. Blood samples were collected at 6- to 10-min intervals from animals with chronically indwelling venous cannulae. The inhibitory influence (negative feedback) of gonadal secretion was evidenced by the increased plasma concentrations of LH seen 24 h after castration in 9 animals and within 5 days in all 15 cats. Restoration of negative feedback by either short or long term administration of 17 beta-estradiol reduced LH concentrations to precastration levels. In castrated animals of both sexes, the plasma concentrations of LH fluctuated episodically, with increases occurring at intervals of 20-30 min, presumably a reflection of intermittent periods of LH release. The dynamics of this pattern of LH release were simulated by the iv injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. In combination with our additional observation that plasma concentrations of LH decreased rapidly after treatment with four different anesthetic agents, the observations are suggestive of episodic secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the absence of negative feedback. The mechanisms regulating tonic LH secretion in this reflex ovulator appear to be more sensitive to neural stimuli but qualitatively similar to those previously described for other species in which ovulation occurs spontaneously.
Rapid bacterial growth in the hindgut of a marine deposit feeder

Antibiotic-insensitive mutants of natural sedimentary bacteria from an intertidal site were selected on gradient plates. Two of these strains, anAeromonas sp. andVibrio alginolyticus, were mixed with natural sediments from the field and fed toAbarenicola vagabunda, an intertidal lugworm characteristic of sandy beaches in the Pacific Northwest. Digestive removal was apparent in the midgut, 97% efficiency being seen forAeromonas sp. Both strains showed rapid growth in the hindgut, increasing between 2 and 3 orders of magnitude in abundance between the midgut and rectum of the polychaete, corresponding with a doubling time of about 50 min for each strain. Direct epifluorescence counts of natural bacteria in guts of animals freshly collected from the field suggest a mean doubling time that is only slightly greater (66 min) for all ingested bacteria that survive midgut digestion. These bacterial growth rates exceed by orders of magnitude the greatest rates reported for ambient marine sediments and suggest that hindgut bacterial growth, though of little immediate importance in the energetics of the animals, may strongly influence both population dynamics of marine bacteria and diagenesis of sedimentary organic matter.
Stability of coupled rigid body and geometrically exact rods, block diagonalization and the energy, momentum method

This paper develops and applies the energy-momentum method to the problem of nonlinear stability of relative equilibria. The method is applied in detail to the stability analysis of uniformly rotating states of geometrically exact rod models, and a rigid body with an attached flexible appendage. Here, the flexible appendage is modeled as a geometrically exact rod capable of accommodating arbitrarily large deformations in three dimensions; including extension, shear, flexure and twist. The model is said to be `geometrically exact' because of the lack of restrictions of the allowable deformations, and the full invariance properties of the model under superposed rigid body motions. We show that a (sharp) necessary condition for nonlinear stability is that the whole assemblage be in uniform (stationary) rotation about the shortest axis of a precisely defined `locked' inertia dyadic. Sufficient conditions are obtained by appending the restriction that the angular velocity of the stationary motion be bounded from above by the square root of the minimum eigenvalue of an associated linear operator. Specific examples are worked out, including the case of a rod attached to a rigid body in uniform rotation. Our technique depends crucially on a special choice of variables, introduced in this paper and referred to as the bloch diagonalization procedure, in which the second variation of the energy augmented with the linear and angular momentum block diagonalizes, separating the rotational from the internal vibration modes.
Pupil wavefront manipulation to compensate for mask topography effects in optical nanolithography

As semiconductor nanolithography is pushed to smaller dimensions, process yields can suffer from three dimensional sub-wavelength imaging effects. Mask topography can influence the propagating diffracted field causing errors such as pitch dependent defocus and degraded useable depth of focus (UDOF). In this work, the compensation of diffracted phase error is realized through the manipulation of the wavefront in the projection lens pupil. Mask exposure data is presented showing how such manipulation can increase the UDOF for several mask structure types, leading to UDOF improvement between 18% and 83%. An analytical model is presented to understand trends seen in experimental data through pitch. Results also show that an asymmetric wavefront can be tuned to particular geometries, providing a UDOF improvement for line ends under restricted processing conditions.
The modification of the amino terminal region of Escherichia coli proteins after initiation with methionine analogues

Abstract Modification of the NH 2 -terminal region of Escherichia coli proteins proceeds normally after initiation of protein synthesis with the methionine analogues, norleucine and ethionine.
Buying online: textbooks versus books.

Sammary.-Predictors of purchasing textbooks and other types of books by college and university students were found to be different.
Effects of ketoconazole on the biodistribution and metabolism of [11C]loperamide and [11C]N-desmethyl-loperamide in wild-type and P-gp knockout mice.

Introduction [11C]Loperamide and [11C]N-desmethyl-loperamide ([11C]dLop) have been proposed as radiotracers for imaging brain P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function. A major route of [11C]loperamide metabolism is N-demethylation to [11C]dLop. We aimed to test whether inhibition of CYP3A4 with ketoconazole might reduce the metabolism of [11C]loperamide and [11C]dLop in mice, and thereby improve the quality of these radiotracers.
Infrared spectral classification with artificial neural networks and classical pattern recognition

Infrared spectroscopy is an important technique for measuring airborne chemicals, for pollution monitoring and to warn of toxic compound releases. Infrared spectroscopy provides both detection and identification of airborne components. Computer-assisted classification tools, including pattern recognition and artificial neural network techniques, have been applied to a collection of infrared spectra of organophosphorus compounds, and these have successfully discriminated commercial pesticide compounds from military nerve agents, precursors, and hydrolysis products. Infrared spectra for previous tests came from a commercial infrared library, with permission, from military laboratories, and from defense contractors. In order to further test such classification tools, additional infrared spectra from the NIST gas-phase infrared library were added to the data set. These additional spectra probed the tendency of the trained classifiers to misidentify unrelated spectra into the trained classes.
The Fine Structure of Glycogen from Type IV Glycogen‐Storage Disease

The structure of glycogen isolated from a male child suffering from type IV glycogenosis (amylopectinosis) has been examined. It is confirmed that the polysaccharide is superficially similar to plant amylopectin. However, a more searching analysis involving the examination and comparison of the pullulanase-debranched polysaccharides, revealed marked differences between the profiles of unit chains that make up the macromolecules. The type IV glycogen contains a significant proportion of short branches. The occurrence of these branches is consistent with a recent hypothesis advanced to explain why a branched polysaccharide should be synthesized in the absence of branching enzyme, this being the enzyme deletion that characterizes this type of glycogenosis.
MyFinder: near-duplicate detection for large image collections

The explosive growth of multimedia data poses serious challenges to data storage, management and search. Efficient near-duplicate detection is one of the required technologies for various applications. In this paper, we introduce MyFinder, an image near-duplicate detection system for large image collections. MyFinder consists of three major components: 1) a local-feature-based image representation utilizing the proposed LDP (Local-Difference-Pattern) feature, 2) the Locality-Sensitive-Hashing (LSH) as the core indexing structure to assure the most frequent data access occurred in the main memory, and 3) multi-step verification for queries to best exclude false positives and to increase the precision.
Interstimulus interval functions in different response systems during classical discrimination conditioning of rabbits

Each of four groups of rabbits received nictitating membrane (NM), heart rate (HR) and respiration rate (RR) classical discrimination conditioning to tones and shocks at interstimulus intervals of.25,.75, 2.25 and 6.75 sec. Percentages of NM CRs were inversely related to ISI; whereas magnitude of RR responding was directly related to ISI, and maximum HR conditioning occurred at 2.25 sec. Discrimination conditioning failed to occur in acquisition in the RR response system, and occurred maximally at. 75 sec in the NM system and 2.25 sec in the HR system.
The Relationship Between Alcohol Problems and Health Functioning of Older Adults in Primary Care Settings

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between alcohol use and health functioning in a sample of older adults screened in primary care settings. DESIGN A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Thirty-seven primary care clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Older adults (n = 8578; aged 55-97) with regularly scheduled appointments in primary care clinics were screened. MEASUREMENTS: Participants were categorized based on alcohol consumption levels as abstainers, low-risk drinkers, and at-risk drinkers (women: 9 or more drinkdweek; men: 12 or more drinkdweek). Dependent variables were eight SF-36 health functioning scales. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent of participants were abstainers, 31 % were low-risk drinkers, and 7% were at-risk drinkers. ANCOVAs found significant effects of drinking status on General Health, Physical Functioning, Physical Role Functioning, Bodily Pain, Vitality, Mental Health, Emotional Role, and Social Functioning, controlling for age and gender, with low-risk drinkers scoring significantly better than abstainers. At-risk drinkers had significantly poorer mental health functioning than low-risk drinkers. Few significant gender differences were found on SF-36 scales. CONCLUSIONS Older adults who are at-risk drinkers may not present with poor physical health functioning. Future studies are needed to determine the relationship between drinking limits for older adults and other areas of physical and psychosocial health. J Am Geriatr SOC 48:769-774,2000.
Admit all anticoagulated head-injured patients? A million dollars versus your dime. You make the call.

A little more than 10 years ago, Garra et al reported that anticoagulated patients with mild head injuries had no risk of intracranial hemorrhage. Unfortunately, his conclusion was erroneous. Like quantum fluctuations in empty space, the absence of brain injuries in his sample of 39 patients did not preclude the presence of such injuries in reality. A few years ago, I signed a patient out to my partner, Arshad, after a long shift. The patient, anticoagulated for atrial fibrillation, had experienced a mild head injury and come to our department. I had already scanned his head and viewed the normal results. I gave him some morphine because of the headache he had as a result of his fall. The morphine relieved his headache and he fell asleep. He was waiting for a ride home. Now Arshad is a physician who doesn’t spend a lot of time reviewing the literature. But he’s got the instincts of a fighter pilot. Despite Arshad’s knowing the patient had received a stiff dose of morphine, the patient’s somnolence bothered him. So less than an hour after I had left, he ordered a second computed tomography (CT) scan. When the radiology resident refused to perform the scan, Arshad somehow overrode him and got it done anyway. That decision saved my patient’s life. A few minutes after the CT scan appeared on screen, the patient was on his way to the operating room for evacuation of a massive subdural hematoma, one that had developed less than 3 hours after his normal initial CT result. (I also owe Arshad my own life because, around the same time, he seized 4 consecutive night shifts from me and put me on a plane to Paris, somehow knowing I would meet my future wife. That’s the kind of guy he is.) In between these 2 lifesaving events, our group published a 2-center retrospective study reversing the conclusion by Garra et al that anticoagulated head-injured patients did not require scanning. Our observation that many such patients would have acute intracranial injuries was subsequently affirmed by at least 5 other groups. The aggregated evidence now quantifies the risk of acute intracranial hemorrhage in this population at 1 in 6 p
Effect of exogenous lipids on activites on the rat brain cholesterol ester hydrolase localized in the myelin sheath.

— Activity of cholesterol ester hydrolase localized almost exclusively in the myelin sheath (Eto & Suzuki, 1973a) was greatly affected by exogenous lipids added to the assay mixture. With isolated myelin as the enzyme source, phosphatidylserine was most effective in stimulating the activity. Other phospholipids were less effective. Efhanolamine phospholipid was slightly inhibitory and lysolecithin was strongly inhibitory. Differences in the fatty acid composition did not appear to account for such different effects. Glucosylceramide, galactosylceramide and digalactosylceramide were stimulatory while sulfatide, ganglioside and its asialo-derivative were inhibitory. Saturated fatty acids were generally stimulatory while corresponding unsaturated acids were strongly inhibitory. In order for exogenous lipids to be effective they had to be added to the assay mixture as free dispersion. When heat-inactivated myelin was used as the lipid source, no effect was observed, while equivalent amounts of a whole white matter lipid mixture was effective. Although phosphatidylserine was the most effective activator among the lipids tested, it could not completely replace sodium taurocholate present in the standard assay system. When isolated myelin was stored frozen, the activity of the enzyme declined gradually in the standard system without additional lipids. The stimulating effect of phosphatidylserine was greater for such partially inactivated enzyme sources, although it did not completely restore the activity to that of fresh preparations. When myelin was fractionated into basic protein, proteolipid protein and the high molecular weight acidic protein (Wolfgram) fractions, the last fraction contained most of the recovered activity. However, Wolfgram protein was less active than the intact myelin when assayed without additional lipid. The addition of phosphatidylserine completely restored the activity of this partially delipidated preparation.
SpoIIIE Protein Achieves Directional DNA Translocation through Allosteric Regulation of ATPase Activity by an Accessory Domain

Bacterial chromosome segregation utilizes highly conserved directional translocases of the SpoIIIE/FtsK family. These proteins employ an accessory DNA-binding domain (γ) to dictate directionality of DNA transport. It remains unclear how the interaction of γ with specific recognition sequences coordinates directional DNA translocation. We demonstrate that the γ domain of SpoIIIE inhibits ATPase activity of the motor domain in the absence of DNA but stimulates ATPase activity through sequence-specific DNA recognition. Furthermore, we observe that communication between γ subunits is necessary for both regulatory roles. Consistent with these findings, the γ domain is necessary for robust DNA transport along the length of the chromosome in vivo. Together, our data reveal that directional activation involves allosteric regulation of ATP turnover through coordinated action of γ domains. Thus, we propose a coordinated stimulation model in which γ-γ communication is required to translate DNA sequence information from each γ to its respective motor domain.
Release of Hydrophobic Compounds from Micellar Solutions of Hydrophobically Modified Polyelectrolytes

The kinetics of release of the hydrophobic probes, pyrene and estradiol, from micellar aggregates of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-(poly(ethylene oxide))-g-poly(acrylic acid) (Plur...
"Multi-component reactions : emerging chemistry in drug discovery" 'from xylocain to crixivan'.

With the recent emergence of combinatorial chemistry and high-speed parallel synthesis for drug discovery applications, the multi-component reaction (MCR) has seen a resurgence of interest. Easily automated one-pot reactions, such as the Ugi and Passerini reactions, are powerful tools for producing diverse arrays of compounds, often in one step and high yield. Despite this synthetic potential, the Ugi reaction is limited by producing products that are flexible and peptide-like, often being classified as 'non drug-like'. This review details developments of new, highly atom-economic MCR derived chemical methods, which enable the fast and efficient production of chemical libraries comprised of a variety of biologically relevant templates. Representative examples will also be given demonstrating the successful impact of MCR combinatorial methods at different stages of the lead discovery, lead optimization and pre-clinical process development arenas. This will include applications spanning biological tools, natural products and natural product-like diversity, traditional small molecule and 'biotech' therapeutics respectively. In particular, this review will focus on applications of isocyanide based MCR (IMCR) reactions.
Evaluation of the ultrastructural changes in the human Sertoli cell in testicular disorders and the relationship of the changes to the levels of serum FSH

Sertoli cell ultrastructure was compared in men with testicular disorders (hypospermatogenesis; germ cell aplasia) and men with normal testes to determine if any specific cytological change could be correlated with diminished feedback from the testis resulting in elevated serum FSH levels. The normal Sertoli cell contained smooth endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and variable numbers of lipid inclusions, lipofuscin, crystals of Charcot-Bottcher and specialised inter-Sertoli cell junctional complexes. The principal abnormalities in Sertoli cells of men with testicular disorders were: 1) dilated vesicles of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and occasional expansions of the intercellular space; 2) increased numbers of cytoplasmic filaments; and 3) with germ cell aplasia inter-Sertoli cell junctions were complexly arranged due to interdigitation of Sertoli cell processes. Occasionally, increased lipid and lipofuscin aggregations were seen and in germ cell aplasia, aggregations of cytoplasmic glycogen were often present. Although these changes were seen more consistently with germ cell aplasia they were observed frequently with hypospermatogenesis where some tubules contained Sertoli cells with normal features. No correlation was found between abnormal Sertoli cell cytology and serum FSH levels.
The intrasanguineous host mediated assay procedure using Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Comparison with two other metabolic activation systems

Abstract 3 metabolic activation systems — organ homogenates, perfused liver, and the intrasanguineous host mediated assay (IHMA) — were compared in their abilities to activate demethylnitrosamine (DMN) and induce gene conversion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae D4. Both rats and mice were used for the organ homogenates and IHMA studies. All activation systems were able to activate DMN; where the different organs were compared, liver was more active than kidney, followed by lung. The IHMA was the most sensitive of the systems examined.
A flux-based stoichiometric model of enhanced biological phosphorus removal metabolism

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) in wastewater treatment involves metabolic cycling through the biopolymers polyphosphate (polyP), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and glycogen. This cycling is induced through treatment systems that alternate between carbon-rich anaerobic and carbon-poor aerobic reactor basins. While the appearance and disappearance of these biopolymers has been documented, the intracellular pressures that regulate their synthesis and degradation are not well understood. Current models of the EBPR process have examined a limited number of metabolic pathways that are frequently lumped into an even smaller number of “reactions.” This work, on the other hand, uses a stoichiometric model that contains a complete set of the pathways involved in bacterial biomass synthesis and energy production to examine EBPR metabolism. Using the stoichiometric model we were able to analyze the role of EBPR metabolism within the larger context of total cellular metabolism, as well as predict the flux distribution of carbon and energy fluxes throughout the total reaction network. The model was able to predict the consumption of PHB, the degradation of polyP, the uptake of acetate and the release of Pi. It demonstrated the relationship between acetate uptake and Pi release, and the effect of pH on this relationship. The model also allowed analysis of growth metabolism with respect to EBPR.
Why so little strategy? District-level electoral entry in theory and practice

General theories of electoral competition often assume that parties are ‘strategic’ – that parties pick their battles and pragmatically abandon unpromising districts. But most parties in district-based electoral systems contradict this assumption, running candidates nearly everywhere, with little apparent regard for their prospects. This gap between theory and practice has yet to receive focused attention. This article examines elections in Canada, Great Britain, Jamaica, the USA, and Japan to answer two basic-research questions: How prevalent is strategic electoral entry (in established democracies with simple-plurality or single non-transferable vote elections)? And how does one measure strategic entry in the first place? Although strategicness does vary somewhat across and within party systems, non-strategic entry proves most common. These results invite further research on why strategicness varies and how this variation shapes party system development.
Leukocytospermia: Overview of diagnosis, implications, and management of a controversial finding

Abstract Background The progress in assisted reproductive techniques over the last 30 years has raised interest in studying what in 1992 the World Health Organization (WHO) defined as abnormal: the presence of >1 × 106 leukocytes/mL in a semen sample. Leukocytospermia is found in both fertile and infertile men with and without evidence of infections of the genital tract. However, despite extensive research done in this subject, the clinical implications of this condition remain unclear. Results The accuracy that the cut-off value that defines leukocytospermia has in predicting clinical significance remains unclear. Furthermore, there are conflicting data supporting a physiologic and pathologic role of leukocytes in a semen sample through the generation of reactive oxygen species. Although some authors describe no effects on fertilization and pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization with or without intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, others suggest the exact opposite. Finally, research on treatment of leukocytospermia with vitamin E, COX-2 inhibitors and antibiotics has also shown contradicting data. Conclusions Thus, it seems reasonable to agree that there is no agreement on the diagnosis, implications, and management of leukocytospermia in patients without evidence of genital tract infection.
A Bayesian Hierarchical Model for Classification with Selection of Functional Predictors

In functional data classification, functional observations are often contaminated by various systematic effects, such as random batch effects caused by device artifacts, or fixed effects caused by sample-related factors. These effects may lead to classification bias and thus should not be neglected. Another issue of concern is the selection of functions when predictors consist of multiple functions, some of which may be redundant. The above issues arise in a real data application where we use fluorescence spectroscopy to detect cervical precancer. In this article, we propose a Bayesian hierarchical model that takes into account random batch effects and selects effective functions among multiple functional predictors. Fixed effects or predictors in nonfunctional form are also included in the model. The dimension of the functional data is reduced through orthonormal basis expansion or functional principal components. For posterior sampling, we use a hybrid Metropolis-Hastings/Gibbs sampler, which suffers slow mixing. An evolutionary Monte Carlo algorithm is applied to improve the mixing. Simulation and real data application show that the proposed model provides accurate selection of functional predictors as well as good classification.
Ambivalence of class subjectivity: the sharecroppers of the post-bellum southern USA

The paper argues that the economic literature on sharecropping uses a modernist notion of subjectivity that fails to explain the complexity of economic behaviour or the social context in which agency is formed. I look at the case of economic subjectivity of southern sharecropping tenants in the post-bellum USA, using non-determinist Marxist class analysis together with the concept of subjectivity drawing from postcolonial theory, in particular the work of Homi Bhabha. I argue that this alternative approach to economic subjectivity, which posits an ambivalent, or contradictory subjectivity provides us with a better analytical grasp of economic agency and a better explanation of the perpetuation or demise of a productive form such as sharecropping. Copyright The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved., Oxford University Press.
The nutrition needs of low-income families regarding living healthier lifestyles: Findings from a qualitative study

Pediatric obesity and nutrition-related problems continue to be problematic around the world. The purpose of the current qualitative study was to learn more about the barriers low-income, minority families face to healthy living and where they turn for health-related information. Five focus groups were conducted using open-ended standardized questions. Standardized transcript analysis and coding techniques were used to arrive at five saturated themes. The project was conducted in partnership with a community based Early/Head Start agency. Adult parents of preschool children were invited to participate. Results indicate that low-income minority families face many barriers to eating healthily: while families do eat some healthy foods, they also eat many unhealthy foods; they rely primarily on family members for their nutrition information; they have some desire to change their own health habits (but generally not those of their children); and they have inadequate nutritional knowledge. Options for better reaching this population with important health information are discussed.
Torsion of an Undescended Testis Located in the Inguinal Canal

Abstract Background Torsion of undescended testis located within the inguinal canal is a rare finding in the emergency department (ED). This diagnosis can present as undifferentiated abdominal or groin pain, and a full genitourinary examination is essential to making this diagnosis. Objectives We present this case to increase awareness among emergency physicians regarding torsion of undescended testis. Case Report A 5-year-old boy presented to the ED with abdominal pain and a mass in his right groin. Physical examination and Doppler ultrasound were used to diagnose torsion of undescended testis. Conclusions In a patient with undescended testis, torsion must be considered as a cause of abdominal or groin pain. Full genitourinary examination is essential to making this diagnosis.
Searching for an improved mouse model of allergic airway disease using dual allergen exposures

Asthma is a complex genetic disorder affected by a myriad of environmental stimuli, leading to suggestions that asthma is not a single disease but a syndrome of related diseases – a situation that complicates the development of relevant animal models ([Busse and Lemanske, 2001][1]; [Drazen et al
Nutritional interactions with reproductive performance in dairy cattle

Increased capability for milk production has been associated with a decline in fertility of lactating cows. Nutritional requirements increase rapidly with milk production after calving and result in negative energy balance (NEBAL). NEBAL delays the time of first ovulation through inhibition of LH pulse frequency and low levels of blood glucose, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) that collectively restrain estrogen production by dominant follicles. Up-regulation of LH pulses and peripheral IGF-I in association with the NEBAL nadir facilitates ovulation. NEBAL reduces serum progesterone concentrations and fertility. Diets high in crude protein support high milk yield, but are also associated with lower reproductive performance. High protein can result in elevated plasma urea concentrations that affect the uterine environment and fertility. Nutritional interactions resulting in poor fertility of high producing dairy cows include the antecedent effects of NEBAL and effects of high dietary protein.
Cold crystallization and thermal shrinkage of uniaxially drawn poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) by solid‐state coextrusion

Solid-state coextrusion has been used to prepare uniaxially drawn films from isotropic poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PEN) of a minimum degree of crystallinity (ca. 5%) both below and above its glass transition temperature Tg. The onset of cold crystallization (Tc) of the drawn films has been studied as a function of the extrusion temperature (ET) and the draw ratio (EDR). It has been shown that Tc decreases markedly on draw, as much as 95°C, and, at constant draw ratio Tc goes through a minimum in the Tg region. For undrawn PEN, annealing below 153°C has no significant effect on Tc. To evaluate the crystallization rate constant (k) and the activation energy (Ea) of the drawn specimens, a nonisothermal DSC procedure has been used. With increasing EDR, k increases markedly and Ea goes down over threefold compared with the undrawn polymer. At high ET, strain-induced crystallization has also been shown to play an important role in lowering Ea for cold crystallization. Thermal shrinkage above Tm indicates a high elastic recovery, underlining the efficiency of deformation, ca. 93%, achieved by solid-state coextrusion.
Parallel delta-sigma A/D conversion

This paper presents an architecture wherein multiple delta-sigma modulators are combined so that neither time oversampling nor time interleaving are necessary. For a system containing M Pth-order delta-sigma modulators, approximately P bits of accuracy are gained for every doubling of M. Thus, the resolution gained by combining M delta-sigma modulators is approximately the same as that with the same modulator with an oversampling rate of M. Measured results from a 16-channel parallel delta-sigma A/D converter composed of second-order delta-sigma modulators verify the theory and demonstrate that this architecture retains much of the robustness of the individual delta-sigma modulators to non-ideal circuit behavior. >
Self-assembled honeycomb polyurethane nanofibers

Electrospinning uses a high voltage electric field to produce fine fibers. A new phenomenon of self-assembly in the electrospinning of polyurethane nanofibers is observed. This report is the first known self-assembling phenomenon in polyurethane electrospun nanofibers. Electrospun polyurethane nanofibers self-assemble into unique honeycomb patterns on the collector surface. This novel observation opens up new and interesting opportunities for electrospun fibers in the areas of drug delivery devices, protective clothing, filters, and tissue scaffolds. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3121–3124, 2006
Features of the mammalian orthoreovirus 3 Dearing l1 single-stranded RNA that direct packaging and serotype restriction.

A series of recombinant mammalian orthoreoviruses (mammalian orthoreovirus 3 Dearing, MRV-3De) were generated that express an MRV-3De λ3–CAT fusion protein. Individual viruses contain L1CAT double-stranded (ds) RNAs that range in length from a minimum of 1020 bp to 4616 bp. The engineered dsRNAs were generated from in vitro-transcribed single-stranded (ss) RNAs and incorporated into infectious virus particles by using reverse genetics. In addition to defining the sequences required for these ssRNAs to be ‘identified’ as l1 ssRNAs, the individual nucleotides in these regions that ‘mark’ each ssRNA as originating from mammalian orthoreovirus 1 Lang (MRV-1La), mammalian orthoreovirus 2 D5/Jones (MRV-2Jo) or MRV-3De have been identified. A C at position 81 in the MRV-1La 5′ 129 nt sequence was able to be replaced with a U, as normally present in MRV-3De; this toggled the activity of the MRV-1La ssRNA to that of an MRV-3De 5′ l1. RNA secondary-structure predictions for the 5′ 129 nt of both the biologically active MRV-3De l1 ssRNA and the U81-MRV-3De-restored MRV-1La 5′ ssRNA predicted a common structure.
Voegelin's Philosophy of History and Human Affairs, with Particular Attention to Israel and Revelation and Its Systematic Importance

Eric Voegelin's master work is Order and History, published over a period of three decades with the fifth and final volume appearing posthumously in 1987. The focus of attention here is on the first of these volumes, Israel and Revelation (1956), which may be regarded as intellectually the sequel of volumes two and three, since the writing of those volumes (published in 1957) antedates composition of the study of Israel. From the outset, Voegelin makes clear that his concern is with a philosophy of order historically grounded as the primary means of combating the contemporary crisis of human existence, which he identifies with pervasive deformation of consciousness by ideology and the threat of civilization's extinction through totalitarian mass movements. Thus the task is to regain reality through a recovery of the principal experiences upon which man's historical existence is dependent, with both diagnostic and therapeutic intentions. The attention to the historical record is a means of anamnetically overcoming the social amnesia that threatens to extinguish human existence as it has emerged over millennia back to the Stone Age. Diagnosis and therapy are intended to go hand in hand, since the eclipse of reality, and especially of its highest and hegemonic dimension, the divine Ground of being, in favour of various substitute grounds, is the principal danger to be understood and addressed. The enduring experience of open existence in history is glimpsed, in man's continual Exodus in loving partnership with God, in tension toward the mystery symbolized in eschatological fulfillment.
Personnel: The executive's responsibility

“The preeminent task of managemnt through all the vairous channels of production is the direction of activities of human beings.”— Oliver Sheldon.