cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chk1 inhibition potently blocks STAT3 tyrosine705 phosphorylation, DNA binding activity, and activation of downstream targets in human multiple myeloma cells.

The relationship between the checkpoint kinase Chk1 and the STAT3 pathway was examined in multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Gene expression profiling of U266 cells exposed to low (nM) Chk1 inhibitor (PF-477736) concentrations revealed STAT3 pathway-related gene down-regulation (e.g., BCL-XL, MCL-1, c-Myc), findings confirmed by RT-PCR. This was associated with marked inhibition of STAT3 Tyr705 (but not Ser727) phosphorylation, dimerization, nuclear localization, DNA binding, STAT3 promoter activity by ChIP assay, and down-regulation of STAT-3-dependent proteins. Similar findings were obtained in other MM cells and with alternative Chk1 inhibitors (e.g., prexasertib, CEP3891). While PF did not reduce GP130 expression or modify SOCS or PRL-3 phosphorylation, the phosphatase inhibitor pervanadate antagonized PF-mediated Tyr705 dephosphorylation. Significantly, PF attenuated Chk1-mediated STAT3 phosphorylation in in vitro assays. SPR analysis suggested Chk1/STAT3 interactions and PF reduced Chk1/STAT3 co-immunoprecipitation. Chk1 CRISPR knockout or shRNA knockdown cells also displayed STAT3 inactivation and STAT-3-dependent protein down-regulation. Constitutively active STAT3 diminished PF-mediated STAT3 inactivation and down-regulate STAT3-dependent proteins while significantly reducing PF-induced DNA damage (rH2A.X formation) and apoptosis. Exposure of cells with low basal phospho-STAT3 expression to IL-6 or human stromal cell conditioned medium activated STAT3, an event attenuated by Chk1 inhibitors. PF also inactivated STAT3 in primary human CD138+ MM cells and tumors extracted from an NSG MM xenograft model while inhibiting tumor growth. Implications: These findings identify a heretofore unrecognized link between the Chk1 and STAT3 pathways and suggest that Chk1 pathway inhibitors warrant attention as novel and potent candidate STAT3 antagonists in myeloma.
5-Fluoropyrimidine-Resistant Mutants of Pneumococcus

Three classes of 5-fluorpyrimidine-resistant mutants of Diplococcus pneumoniae have been characterized. The mutant strain upp is resistant to high concentrations of the fluoropyrimidine bases fluorouracil (FU) and fluorocytosine (FC); strain upp has a defective uridine monophosphate pyrophosphorylase. The mutant strain udk is resistant to inhibition by fluorouridine (FUR) and exhibits defective uridine kinase activity. The mutant strain fun is resistant to inhibition by the nucleosides fluorodeoxyuridine, fluorodeoxycytidine, and FUR, but shows normal activity for all pyrimidine pathway enzymes tested. This strain may be defective in the activity of a transport system that governs the cellular uptake of pyrimidine ribo- and deoxyribonucleosides. Biochemical studies on wild-type and fluoropyrimidine-resistant pneumococci are discussed with respect to the transport and early metabolism of preformed pyrimidine precursors by this organism.
Commit Scope Control in Nested Transactions

A common limitation of all the existing nested transaction models is that they only allow subtransactions to commit either to parent transactions or to databases. In order to adequately balance atomicity and concurrency at selected levels of a transaction hierarchy, the notion of scoped commitment is proposed, that allows a subtransaction to commit to a selected ancestor independently of its parent, making its results visible to that ancestor and thus improving the concurrency in the transaction subtree beneath that ancestor. A corresponding scoped undo approach is also developed that allows a transaction hierarchy with subtransactions having mixed commit scopes to partially and consistently roll back upon failure, then restart and roll forward.
Status of the Clinton P. Anderson Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF)

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the status of the Clinton P. Anderson Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF). The growing awareness of the importance of research in meson physics and the necessity to maintain a high level of accomplishment in nuclear science were the basic contributing factors that led a small group of physicists at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory to formulate the initial plans and proposals for the construction of LAMPF in 1962. From its inception, LAMPF was planned to be an open, multifaceted, multidisciplinary facility that would bridge the intellectual and technological gap between nuclear and subnuclear physics and would address practical applications as well. The chapter highlights the breadth and depth of the experimental program. It has already operated efficiently as a multiple-use facility, by simultaneously providing beam, on the average, to six experiments. During 1974, the full energy beam of average intensity up to 14 μA was supplied to 65 experiments involving 400 scientists from 56 institutions and many foreign countries.
The Solar Dynamo Problem

The solar dynamo problem is reviewed in the light of recent developments in dynamo theory. We distinguish between the generation of magnetic fields on scales smaller than the velocity correlation length-small scale dynamo, and larger than the velocity correlation length-large scale dynamo. We argue that small scale dynamo action is likely to occur everywhere in the convection zone. The field thus generated however is disordered both in space and time. Large scale dynamo action on the other hand is responsible for the activity cycle and the large scale organization of the solar field. The existence of a large scale dynamo is related to the breaking of symmetries in the underlying field of turbulence.
A structured risk analysis approach to resolve the data protection and integrity issues for computer-aided acquisition logistics support (CALS)

A structured risk analysis approach that is intended to result in cost-effective data protection and integrity service throughout CALS is described. The structured risk analysis approach would: identify CALS assets; determine threats to CALS data; ascertain CALS vulnerabilities; identify potential risks; use the risk and vulnerability assessment as a baseline for protection and integrity identifying the required services; define a generic lattice-ordered set of security labels for unclassified data that will encompass the CALS requirements; develop the specific protocols to implement the architecture; and implement the protocol in a test bed and then conduct security and operational testing. >
Patient selection for carotid stenting versus endarterectomy: A systematic review

Carotid artery stenting has emerged as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy for the treatment of severe extracranial carotid stenosis in patients with anatomic or clinical factors that increase their risk of complications with surgery, yet there remains a substantial amount of variability and uncertainty in clinical practice in the referral of patients for stenting vs endarterectomy. By undertaking a thorough review of the literature, we sought to better define which subsets of patients with "high-risk" features would be likely to preferentially benefit from carotid stenting or carotid endarterectomy. Although only a single randomized trial comparing the outcomes of carotid stenting with distal protection and endarterectomy has been completed, a wealth of observational data was reviewed. Relative to endarterectomy, the results of carotid stenting seem favorable in the setting of several anatomic conditions that render surgery technically difficult, such as restenosis after prior endarterectomy, prior radical neck surgery, and previous radiation therapy involving the neck. The results of stenting are also favorable among patients with severe concomitant cardiac disease. Carotid endarterectomy, alternatively, seems to represent the procedure of choice among patients 80 years of age or older in the absence of other high-risk features. Overall, existing data support the concept that carotid stenting and endarterectomy represent complementary rather than competing modes of therapy. Pending the availability of randomized trial data to help guide procedural selection, which is likely many years away, an objective understanding of existing data is valuable to help select the optimal mode of revascularization therapy for patients with severe carotid artery disease who are at heightened surgical risk.
Solvent Degradation and Reduced Fracture Toughness in Aged Composites

Qartz- and barium-glass-filled composites aged for more than one year in ethanol experienced a significant reduction in fracture toughness (K1c), essentially identical to that experienced after two months of aging. This reduction is mainly attributed to a softening of the resin matrix, but cracking within the resin and at the filler/matrix interface, as revealed by SEM microscopy, may also have contributed. No significant cracking could be seen in the composites aged in water. Composites post-cured at temperatures approaching their glass-transition temperature also experienced a reduction in K1c after alcohol storage. Storage in water for one year had little effect on the K1c of composites cured at oral temperatures, but a significant increase was observed for those post-cured at elevated temperatures. This increase is difficult to explain, but appears to involve a filler/matrix interfacial phenomenon, because it was not observed in the unfilled resin. The results of this study demonstrate that an alteration in the fracture resistance and some degradation of the filler/matrix interface, as has been observed clinically, occur after long-term exposure of dental composites to certain solvents used as food-simulating liquids.
The design and deployment of the HELEX septal occluder.

The GORE HELEX Septal Occluder™ (W.L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz, USA) is the latest device to pursue U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the closure of secundum atrial septal defects. The device is soft and compliant with comparatively little metal framework. It can be deployed and retrieved without damaging the device, and has a safety cord attached that allows retrieval even after it has been disconnected from the delivery mandrel. With FDA approval, operators will now have a choice of devices for the closure of atrial septal defects. Significant differences exist between the HELEX device and existing atrial septal occluders. This article explains the HELEX device design, provides recommendations for preprocedural screening and preparation, and discusses the deployment technique in detail. The device may be particularly advantageous for patients with small- to moderate-sized atrial septal defects.
Characterization of Drought-Tolerant Maize MON 87460 for Use in Environmental Risk Assessment

MoN 87460 is a maize (Zea mays L.) product that expresses cold shock protein B to impart drought tolerance. Here we describe our evaluation of MoN 87460 for agronomic and phenotypic parameters, ecological interactions, reactions to abiotic stressors, ability to persist in uncultivated areas, root growth, and across- season water use compared with those of a conventional control hybrid with a similar genetic background. These data were used for the environmental risk assessment of M oN 87460, a process required for commercialization of any new genetically modified crop. Any statistically significant differences were considered in the context of the genetic variation known to occur in maize and were assessed for their potential impact on plant pest (weed) potential and their potential environmental impact. The environmental risk assessment included several product-specific studies to assess the trait for unintended effects such as tolerance to stresses other than drought. The results of these studies revealed no effects of the genetic modification that would result in increased pest potential or adverse environmental impact of M oN 87460 compared with a conventional control and no evidence for pleiotropic effects. The results of the plant characterization studies and the subsequent environmental risk assessment support the conclusion that the environmental risks associated with cultivation or import of MoN 87460 are no different from the risks associated with conventional maize.
Tunable optical wavelength conversion of a 10 Gb/s OFDM data signal using a periodically-poled lithium niobate waveguide

We experimentally demonstrate tunable wavelength conversion of 10 Gb/s RF-tone assisted OFDM signal with high conversion efficiency over ~30 nm tuning range using a PPLN waveguide. A penalty of < 3 dB is obtained after wavelength conversion with different QAM sizes and subcarrier numbers.
Peer identification and empirical validation of problematic interpersonal situations of male drug addicts

The present research was concerned with identifying and validating the problematic interpersonal situations of male veteran drug addicts. In Study I, 20 addicts self-monitored the situations with which they had difficulty coping and their associated characteristics throughout a 2-week period. Fifty situations were obtained and then rewritten into specific interpersonal scenarios. In Study II, a second group of 36 addicts and a comparison group of 20 disabled veterans rated the commonality and difficulty of each scenario along seven-point scales. Univariate ANOVAs found that five scenarios received ratings greater than four on both scales and were associated with significantly higher ratings by the addicts. These preliminary scenarios may serve as role-play situations during social-skills assessment and training and may provide further information regarding the interpersonal determinants of relapse occasioned in the natural environment. The need for controlled comparison studies using behavioral measures and an overall improvement in the methodological rigor of research in the area is discussed.
Deconstructing endothelial dysfunction: soluble guanylyl cyclase oxidation and the NO resistance syndrome

In this issue of the JCI, Stasch and colleagues suggest that a novel drug, BAY 58-2667, potently activates a pool of oxidized and heme-free soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC; see the related article beginning on page 2552). The increased vasodilatory potency of BAY 58-2667 the authors found in a number of animal models of endothelial dysfunction and in human blood vessels from patients with diabetes suggests that there exists a subphenotype of endothelial dysfunction characterized by receptor-level NO resistance. Diseases associated with NO resistance would appear to be ideally suited for therapies directed at restoring redox homeostasis, sGC activity, and NO sensitivity.
The Natural History of Rheumatic Heart Disease in the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Decades of Life: II. Prognosis with Special Reference to Morbidity

This report is intended to contribute to an understanding of the natural morbidity of patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease in the third, fourth, and fifth decades of life. The data should prove useful in a consideration of the criteria for surgical intervention.
Cooperative Tracking Using Vision Measurements on SeaScan UAVs

A cooperative tracking approach for uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) with camera-based sensors is developed and verified with flight data. The approach utilizes a square root sigma point information filter, which takes important properties for numerical accuracy (square root), tracking accuracy (sigma points), and fusion ability (information). Important augmentations to the filter are also developed for delayed data, by estimating the correlated processes, and moving targets, by using multiple models in a square root interacting multiple model formulation. The final form of the algorithm is general and scales well to any tracking problem with multiple, moving sensors. Flight data using the SeaScan UAV is used to verify the algorithms for stationary and moving targets. Cooperative tracking results are evaluated using multiple test flights, showing excellent results.
Synthesis and Structure of A New Perovskite, SrCuO2.5

Abstract A new oxygen-deficient perovskite, SrCuO2.5, was prepared at 950°C and 100 kbar pressure in a multianvil apparatus. Rietveld profile analysis, using X-ray powder diffraction data, was employed for the structural determination. SrCuO2.5is orthorhombic,Pbam(No. 55),Z= 4,a= 5.424(2) Â,b= 10.837(4) Â, andc= 3.731(1) Â, which is related to the perovskite subcell by $\root{2}$ap× 2$\root{2}$ap×ap, whereapis the simple cubic perovskite lattice parameter. It consists of corner-shared CuO5square pyramids with oxygen vacancy ordering in the CuO2layers. The ordered oxygen vacancies create parallel pseudo-hexagonal tunnels where the Sr atoms reside, forming SrO10polyhedra. Structural features with respect to oxygen vacancies, superstructures, and distortions are analogous to the type of ordering observed in Sr2CuO3+δ. Superconductivity was not observed in SrCuO2.5down to 5 K.
Electron lifetimes from magnetoacoustic open-orbit resonances

Resonant absorption of ultrasonic waves by narrow bands of open-orbit electrons can be used as a tool for the study of electron lifetimes. Explicit model calculations of resonance line shapes are difficult because of the complexity of the electron-lattice interaction. Experimental evidence regarding the nature of the interaction has been obtained by studying open-orbit resonances in the noble metals for shear waves propagating along different symmetry directions with various polarizations.
Examining views of self in relation to views of others: Implications for research on aggression and self-esteem☆

Abstract The traditional view holds that aggressive individuals have unfavorable views of self (i.e., low self-esteem), but recent studies indicate that the opposite might be true ( Baumeister, Smart, & Boden, 1996 ). This debate may be informed by considering how individuals view others. Following relational schema theory ( Baldwin, 1992 ), which suggests that the combination of self and other views is particularly important in predicting behavior in social situations, we examined self- and other-esteem, view of self in relation to views of others, and different forms of aggression among 125 young adults. Views of both self and others were associated with covert aggression (anger and hostility), whereas only views of others were correlated with overt aggression (physical and verbal). We also explored the discrepancy between views of self and other and found participants with more favorable views of self than others, and those who had equally unfavorable views of both self and others to be most aggressive. Findings suggest that views of both self and other and the relation among these views should be considered in future research on aggression.
A Complex Deoxyribonucleic Acid Response Element in the Rat Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase IV Gene 5′-Flanking Region Mediates Thyroid Hormone Induction and Chicken Ovalbumin Upstream Promoter Transcription Factor 1 Repression

Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) is regulated by T(3) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in the developing rat brain and plays an important role in neuronal-specific gene regulation. T(3) treatment, but not retinoic acid (RA), stimulated endogenous CaMKIV mRNA 5-fold in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells differentiated into neurons. We localized a region -750 to -700 in the CaMKIV gene 5'-flanking region that conferred T(3) responsiveness and bound thyroid hormone receptor (TR), retinoic acid receptor (RAR), and chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor 1 (COUP-TF1). T(3) and RA treatment stimulated the CaMKIV hormone response element. Cotransfection of a COUP-TF1 expression vector repressed the T(3) response and augmented the RA response. Mutational analysis identified three half-sites arranged in a direct repeat (AB) and overlapping inverted repeat (BC), required for functional induction and receptor binding. TR and RAR bound predominantly to the BC portion of the element and COUP-TF1 to the AB region, with a close correlation of binding and functional studies. COUP-TF1 binding did not influence TR/retinoid X receptor binding but modestly augmented RAR/retinoid X receptor binding. A single element confers T(3) and COUP-TF1 regulation of CaMKIV expression.
Where the Dove Calls: The Political Ecology of a Peasant Corporate Community in Northwestern Mexico

Where the Dove Calls: The Political Ecology of. Peasant Corporate Community in Northwestern Mexico. Thomas E. Sheridan. Tucson: The University of Arizona Press, 1988. 237 pp. $29.95 (cloth). ISBN 0-8165-1055-5.
Post-injury treatment with lipopolysaccharide or lipooligosaccharide protects rat neuronal and glial cell cultures

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability in civilians and military personnel worldwide that is caused by the acceleration force of a primary shockwave, blast wind or the force of a direct contact. Following the primary injury, secondary injury is caused by activation of the immune response due to an influx of neuro-inflammatory cells, increased production of inflammatory cytokines, and edema. In ischemia models pre-conditioning with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been shown to be neuroprotective, and post-injury conditioning with LPS was found to be protective in a spinal cord and an acute brain injury model. In this study, we utilized an in vitro scratch model of TBI to assess the effect of post-injury treatment with Escherichia coli LPS and Neisseria meningitidis lipooligosaccharide (LOS) on cell death and cytokine induction by assessing the level of lactate dehydrogenase released from cells and rat multiplex cytokine assays. Our results showed that post-injury treatment of C6 glioma cells with either the LPS or the LOS reduced cell death when compared to scratched controls treated with media only. Post-injury treatment of the primary mixed neuronal cultures with LPS reduced cell death and resulted in a significant up-regulation in IL-10 when compared to controls. With LOS post-scratch treatment of the primary cell cultures, we found that IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly upregulated in addition to IL-10 compared to the media-only controls. The results strongly support additional testing of the neuroprotective ability of post-injury treatment with LPS or LOS in models of TBI.
Validating measures of third year medical students' use of interpreters by standardized patients and faculty observers.

Background Increasing prevalence of limited English proficiency patient encounters demands effective use of interpreters. Validated measures for this skill are needed.
Chirality in unsymmetrically substituted benzopentathiepins: The result of a high barrier to ring inversion

Abstract The 1H NMR spectrum of varacin (1), the first naturally-occurring compound determined to bear a 1,2,3,4,5-benzopentathiepin ring, shows unexpectedly complex signals for the side chain methylene protons. Evidence is presented which indicates that unsymmetrically substituted benzopentathiepins are asymmetric molecules as a result of a high energy barrier to inversion of the low energy chair conformations of the polysulfide ring. Derivatization of varacin with a chiral auxiliary provides diastereomeric products which can be separated by fractional recrystallization.
Furanofuran lignan metabolism as a function of seed maturation in sesamum indicum: methylenedioxy bridge formation

Abstract Sesamum indicum seeds accumulate the antioxidant lignans, (+)-sesamin and (+)-sesamolin. It was established that seeds of 8-week old S. indicum plants catalyzed distinct lignan transformations (methylenedioxy bridge formation in piperitol and sesamin, as well as oxygen insertion in sesamolin) depending upon the stage of seed maturity, i.e. lignan formation was developmentally regulated. The most mature seeds at the eight week developmental stage efficiently converted (+)-[3,3′-O14CH3] pinoresinol into (+)-piperitol and (+)-sesamin, whereas younger seeds had a higher conversion into (+)-sesamolin; the corresponding (−)-[3,3′-O14CH3] pinoresinol antipode was not metabolized. Microsomal preparations obtained from S. indicum seeds catalyzed methylenedioxy bridge formation via an O2\NADPH\cytochrome P-450 dependent transformation of (+)-pinoresinol into (+)-piperitol. Preliminary characterization of the enzyme established its cytochrome P-450 dependence.
Numerical Simulation of Aquifers Using Transient Grid Block Properties

An empirical, time-dependent correction of the block transmissibility for an aquifer block in a numeric reservoir model was derived. This correction allows the use of a single, large block to more accurately represent the aquifer behavior over long simulated time periods than does a single block without the correction. This allows savings in computing time over having to use multiple blocks for the aquifer while allowing comparably accurate results to a multiple block representation. Results are shown for a one-dimensional representation of a black-oil reservoir. 12 references.
Data management for a non-human primate research laboratory

'Data Management' will be used here to describe three main aspects of information handling at a research laboratory where a multidisciplinary esearch effort is being carried out to develop methods to improve captive reproduction of the Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri Sciureus). These three main areas include I.) a coherent philosopy of administration, II.) a definition of data and ways to store it, III.) and program development and usage for processing data.
S-SPAN: Secure smart posters in Android using NFC

Smart posters are a promising new use case for NFC-enabled mobile devices, but to date there has been a general lack of security mechanisms for NFC smart posters. We present S-SPAN - a secure smart poster system consisting of three parts: an administrative web interface for managing posters, a backend server for storing and serving data, as well as an Android application for end-users. S-SPAN enforces confidentiality and integrity of smart poster data as well as authentication/authorization of administrators and end-users, thus ensuring that only authorized users can access the content.
mRNA levels of Ca2+-independent forms of protein kinase C in postischemic gerbil brain by Northern blot analysis

To investigate the role of Ca2+-independent forms of protein kinase C (PKC) in ischemic neuronal injury, mRNA expression of PKC was studied by Northern blot analysis. Ischemia was produced in gerbils by 10-min bilateral carotid artery occlusion and was followed by recirculation for 15 min, 6 h, and 24 h. Brains of postischemic and sham-operated animals were removed, forebrains fresh frozen, and processed for Northern blot analysis. Three synthetic oligonucleotide probes based on published cDNA sequences of rat brain PKC for the isozymes δ, e, and ζ were utilized for hybridization. Northern blot analysis showed increased hybridization signal for all three PKC isozymes examined in the 6- and 24-h postischemic groups. Of these, the twofold increases in the expression of PKC δ and ζ were statistically significant in comparison to the control. These results suggest that the mRNA levels of Ca2+-independent forms of PKC, in particular, δ and ζ, are temporally stimulated by ischemic injury in the brain and may imply an important role of the enzyme in postischemic neuronal damage. However, since the protein itself was not examined in this study, the significance of the increased expression cannot be ascertained. However, it may reflect a compensatory response to the loss of PKC reported to occur in the reperfusion phase.
Reduction of Radar Glint for Complex Targets by Use of Frequency Agility

A result of Morinaga et al. [6] for the autocorrelation function of phase rate of narrowband Gaussian noise when averaged over accompanying wideband Gaussian noise is used to derive the power specturm of inherent glint and, thereby, its variance for a frequency-agile radar assuming Gaussian random angular motion of a complex target. The zero-frequency spectral density of inherent glint is shown to be ?9.8 dB relative to that for a fixed-frequency radar under similar conditions. This result is not sensitive to the product of the agility bandwidth and the radial target extent, provided this product is adquate (as is normally ensured by current design practice for given target types). The associated glint variance with adequate agility bandwidth is shown to be 0.142 ?20, where ?o is the relevant radius of gyration of the collection of radar scatterers comprising the target. A theoretical relation due to Durrani and Greated [8], derived in another context, indicates that the wideband echo spectrum resulting from frequency agility needs, in fact, to have a bandwidth of the order of 103 times that of the narrowband echo spectrum associated with target angular motion to achieve the above 9.8-dB improvement factor. For the lesser bandwidth ratios of 102 and 10, the indicated improvement factors fall to 9.4 dB and 6.5 dB, respectively.
Compressional to shear velocity ratios in sedimentary rocks

r being the ratio of compressional to shear wave velocity (VpNs). Literature of the past two decades contains many examples of the importance of VpN s in the geosciences. Tatham [1] was one of the fmt to emphasize potential importance of VpNs to exploration seismologists as an indicator of sandstone porosity and pore content Eastwood and Castagna [2] examined VpNs ratios from well log data and investigated effects of lithology, porosity, and pore aspect ratio on this parameter. Robertson [3] discovered a correlation between changes in average porosity (and pore content) and lateral changes in VpNs in a hydrocarbon producing formation in Oklahoma. Interpretation of VplVs in carbonate lithologies is believed to be fairly straightforward, as it appears to be indicative of lithology and relatively insensitive to porosity [2,4]. Interpretation of VpNs in other sedimentary lithologies is relatively more difficult as both porosity and clay content affect this parameter 12]. In addition, VpNs has been found to increase significantly with increasing pore pressure in a wide variety of sedimentary rocks [5]. One potential problem which has not been previously addressed involves effects of anisotropy on VpNs. In this paper, velocity ratios obtained from two highly anisotropic, well-indurated shales from the Thorn Hill sedimentary section of eastern Tennessee are compared with data from laboratory studies of VpNs in low porosity, isotropic rocks. It is shown that anisotropy
Validation of a one-antenna reverberation-chamber technique for estimating the total and radiation efficiency of an antenna

Reverberation chambers (RC) are becoming a popular alternative testing facility for a wide range of electromagnetic applications. In particular, these chambers are ideally suited for performing radiated power measurements of either an antenna or a device under test, and as such, it is possible to estimate the efficiency of antennas. In previous work we presented a two-antenna approach that allows for estimating the efficiency of two antennas under test without the need for a reference antenna, nor the need to assume that both antennas are identical. In this paper, we validate this two-antenna approach by showing comparisons with other methods (i.e., comparing measurements made in different test facilities and comparisons to other techniques, including numerical calculations) for various antennas.
Software transactional memory: why is it only a research toy?

TM (transactional memory) is a concurrency control paradigm that provides atomic and isolated execution for regions of code. TM is considered by many researchers to be one of the most promising sol...
Onsager reciprocity as a consequence of Maxwell reciprocity for “equidiffuse” fluids

Abstract Linear irreversible thermodynamics (LIT) principles are used to show, in the hypothetical “equidiffuse” case where all of the various phenomenological diffusion coefficients appearing in the linear near-equilibrium constitutive laws governing the diffuse transport of energy, multicomponent species, entropy, and volume (although not necessarily including momentum) are taken to be equal, that the Onsager reciprocal relations pertinent to nonequilibrium thermodynamics follow automatically from Maxwell’s reciprocal relations governing equilibrium thermodynamics. As such, this constitutes a purely macroscopic proof of Onsager reciprocity, the first of its kind. Although the equality of diffusion coefficients required in the equidiffuse limiting case does not represent a realistic possibility in the case of most mixtures, its adoption as a foil in uniting reversible and irreversible thermodynamics neither violates nor conflicts with any known physical law. Indeed, in some idealized sense such equality represents a perfection of the well-known analogy between these distinct physical transport phenomena. Moreover, as shown for mixtures of chemically similar dilute gases of comparable molecular weights (e.g., consecutive members of a homologous series) the equidiffuse assumption is generally quite good. As a bonus, our analysis — by virtue of its accord with all known precepts of macroscopic physics — constitutes a satisfactory resolution of the long-standing criticism of Coleman and Truesdell [B.D. Coleman, C. Truesdell, On the reciprocal relations of Onsager, J. Chem. Phys. 33 (1960) 28–31] centered on the possibility that Onsager symmetry might be nothing more than a tautology (derisively referred to in the literature as “Onsagerism”).
Amino acid neurotransmitter utilization in discrete rat brain regions is correlated with conditioned emotional response

Abstract The content and utilization of amino acid neurotransmitters were evaluated in discrete brain areas of rats exposed to a conditioned emotional response (CER) procedure and in control groups which received either equivalent yoked shock history (shock only) or compound stimulus presentation (tone only). On test day, CER animals suppressed responding and exhibited anxious behavior after presentation of the CS, while shock only and tone only control groups, or CER animals which received an acute dose of diazepam prior to testing, did not suppress. Few changes were observed in the content of amino acids, suggesting that the behavioral manipulations were acting within normal physiological limits. On the other hand, numerous changes were observed in the utilization (turnover, metabolism) of the amino acid neurotransmitters. The effects of a history of shock presentation (shock only versus tone only) were persistent long after the conditioning sessions were terminated, and resulted in decreased turnover of the amino acids in many areas. CER conditioning-emotion (CER versus shock only) produced an increase in the turnover of aspartate and glutamate in many structures, while changes in GABA turnover were generally limited to decreases in limbic areas. If CER represents an animal model of anxiety, these observations may suggests roles for neurons which utilize amino acids in mediating or responding to emotional components of the paradigm.
Measurements of the shear Alfvén wave dispersion for finite perpendicular wave number.

Measurements of the dispersion relation for shear Alfv\'en waves as a function of the perpendicular wave number are reported for the regime in which ${V}_{A}\ensuremath{\simeq}{V}_{Te}$. By measuring the parallel phase velocity of the waves, the measurements can be compared directly to theoretical predictions of the dispersion relation for a parameter regime in which particle kinetic effects become important. The comparison shows that the best agreement between theory and experiment is achieved when a fully complex, warm plasma dispersion relation is used.
Identification of Infrared Spectral Features Related to Solution Structure for Utilization in Solubility and Supersaturation Measurements

Infrared spectra are abundant with information about the chemical nature and the molecular structure of chemical systems. Any perturbation to a chemical system is reflected in the infrared spectrum by subtle variations in band positions and shapes. The current contribution demonstrates that such features can be used for the measurement of system variables of crystallization processes such as solubility and supersaturation. In addition, the study demonstrates the consistency of the measurements made using a multitude of IR spectral features.
Hypertension and risk of death from external causes in the Physicians’ Health Study enrollment cohort

Objectives To address the recent hypothesis that hypertension increases the risk of death from external causes.
Pathogenesis and treatment of rhabdomyolysis.

PURPOSE To provide clinicians in primary and acute care settings with information on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of rhabdomyolysis. DATA SOURCES Selected review articles from print and electronic sources, and a case study. CONCLUSIONS Rhabdomyolysis is a common disorder, which may result from a large variety of diseases, trauma, or toxic insults to skeletal muscle. It is caused by skeletal muscle injury and results in the release of muscle contents (i.e., myoglobin) into the plasma. Muscular, urinary, and general internal disturbances are the three areas where signs and symptoms occur. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Clinical signs and symptoms vary widely. Associated life-threatening complications include acute renal failure, cardiac arrhythmias and arrest, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and compartment syndrome. Early recognition and treatment in the acute phase of rhabdomyolysis are keys to successful outcomes and an excellent recovery.
Common Genetic Polymorphism at 4q25 Locus Predicts Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Successful Cardioversion

Background Genome-wide association studies have identified numerous common polymorphisms associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). The 3 loci most strongly associated with AF occur at chromosome 4q25 (near PITX2 ), 16q22 (in ZFHX3 ), and 1q21 (in KCNN3 ). Objective To evaluate whether timing of AF recurrence after direct current cardioversion (DCCV) is modulated by common AF susceptibility alleles. Methods A total of 208 patients (age 65±11 years; 77% men) with persistent AF underwent successful DCCV and were prospectively evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months for AF recurrence. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms—rs2200733 and rs10033464 at 4q25, rs7193343 in ZFHX3 , and rs13376333 in KCNN3 —were genotyped. Results The final study cohort consisted of 184 patients. In 162 (88%) patients, sinus rhythm was restored with DCCV, of which 108 (67%) had AF recurrence at a median of 60 (interquartile range 29–176) days. In multivariable analysis, the presence of any common single nucleotide polymorphism (rs2200733, rs10033464) at the 4q25 locus was an independent predictor of AF recurrence (hazard ratio 2.1; 95% confidence interval 1.21–3.30; P = .008). Furthermore, rs2200733 exhibited a graded allelic dose response for early AF recurrence (homozygous variants: 7 [interquartile range 4–56] days; heterozygous variants: 54 [28–135] days; and wild type: 64 [29–180] days; P = .03). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate whether genomic markers can predict timing of AF recurrence in patients undergoing elective DCCV. Our findings show that a common polymorphism on chromosome 4q25 (rs2200733) is an independent predictor of AF recurrence after DCCV and point to a potential role of stratification by genotype.
Including quality, access, and efficiency in healthcare cost models

The authors investigated cost models that incorporate quality, access, and efficiency to provide decision support for resource forecasting in the multi-billion-dollar U.S. Army health system. As the Army relocates thousands of troops, the medical system must plan for changes in demand; this study supports that effort. Loglinear cost models that include data envelopment analysis (DEA) efficiency scores were evaluated through ordinary least squares estimation, ridge regression, and robust regression, and serve as the analytical framework. Parsimonious models that incorporate a simple volume-complexity metric, a DEA metric, a quality metric, and medical center status variable provide superior forecasting capability.
Latent Learning in Satiated and Food-Deprived Rats

St4mmary.-The hypothesis that qualitatively different learning occurs during exploration by satiated and food-deprived rats was tested in a latent learning paradigm. Satiated and 48-hr. fooddeprived rats were allowed unrewarded exploration in one of two complex mazes--one maze with and one without blind alleys. Later, these four groups (ns = 12) were compared with four groups (ns = 12) of similarly deprived controls in learning a path to a food reward in the mazes. The sariated rats showed a latent learning effect in both mazes, but only in the later trials. The food-deprived rats showed a latent learning effect only in the non-blind alley maze. The results are interpreted as indicating only a general adaptation effect by the deprived rats but some specific maze learning by the satiated rats.
Companion Animals and Persons with Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type Therapeutic Possibilities

Companion animals have the potential to create new meaning and bring comfort in the lives of persons who experience the devastating effects of dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT). Research studies conducted using companion animals with persons diagnosed with DAT provide evidence that the presence of a companion animal can increase socialization and decrease agitation behaviors. In addition, caregivers can benefit from reduced physiological stress by petting a companion animal. Using Reisberg's staging system, a caregiver can plan activities with companion animals that correspond to the functional and cognitive ability of the person with DAT.
The effects of fatigue on robotic surgical skill training in Urology residents

This study reports on the effect of fatigue on Urology residents using the daVinci surgical skills simulator (dVSS). Seven Urology residents performed a series of selected exercises on the dVSS while pre-call and post-call. Prior to dVSS performance a survey of subjective fatigue was taken and residents were tested with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Using the metrics available in the dVSS software, the performance of each resident was evaluated. The Urology residents slept an average of 4.07 h (range 2.5–6 h) while on call compared to an average of 5.43 h while not on call (range 3–7 h, p = 0.08). Post-call residents were significantly more likely to be identified as fatigued by the Epworth Sleepiness Score than pre-call residents (p = 0.01). Significant differences were observed in fatigued residents performing the exercises, Tubes and Match Board 2 (p = 0.05, 0.02). Additionally, there were significant differences in the total number of critical errors during the training session (9.29 vs. 3.14, p = 0.04). Fatigue in post-call Urology residents leads to poorer performance on the dVSS simulator. The dVSS may become a useful instrument in the education of fatigued residents and a tool to identify fatigue in trainees.
RU486 increases radiosensitivity and restores apoptosis through modulation of HPV E6/E7 in dexamethasone-treated cervical carcinoma cells.

Abstract Objective. Cervical carcinoma tumors containing radioresistant cells are associated with decreased local control and survival. Therefore, strategies to increase cell kill during radiotherapy have a clear rationale. It was previously determined that treatment with the corticosteroid dexamethasone increased radioresistance and decreased apoptosis in C4-1 cervical carcinoma cells. The goal of this study was to determine whether hormone antagonists, specifically Mifepristone (RU486), could reverse the effects of dexamethasone on clonogenic survival and apoptosis following γ-irradiation. Methods. Cervical carcinoma cell line C4-1 cells were exposed to 1 μM dexamethasone in the presence or absence of 1 μM Mifepristone (RU486), a hormone antagonist, and irradiation. Cells were analyzed for steroid-dependent HPV E6/E7 mRNA expression (by Northern blot analysis), clonogenic survival, and apoptosis (by Annexin V staining and the DNA fragmentation assay). In addition, p53 protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis. Results. The hormone antagonist RU486 reversed dexamethasone-dependent upregulation of E6/E7 mRNA and restored radiation-induced p53 expression, apoptosis, and clonogenic survival to levels similar to those observed following irradiation alone. Conclusion. RU486 reverses glucocorticoid-dependent upregulation of HPV E6/E7, which corresponds to restoration of p53 expression, and restores radiosensitivity and apoptosis following γ-irradiation. Therefore, it appears that along with radiation, RU486 may be a beneficial agent in the treatment of hormone-reactive cervical tumors.
Somatic cell lineage is required for differentiation and not maintenance of germline stem cells in Drosophila testes

Adult stem cells are believed to be maintained by a specialized microenvironment, the niche, which provides short-range signals that either instruct stem cells to self-renew or inhibit execution of preprogrammed differentiation pathways. In Drosophila testes, somatic cyst stem cells (CySCs) and the apical hub form the niche for neighboring germline stem cells (GSCs), with CySCs as the proposed source of instructive self-renewal signals [Leatherman JL, Dinardo S (2010) Nat Cell Biol 12(8):806–811]. In contrast to this model, we show that early germ cells with GSC characteristics can be maintained over time after ablation of CySCs and their cyst cell progeny. Without CySCs and cyst cells, early germ cells away from the hub failed to initiate differentiation. Our results suggest that CySCs do not have a necessary instructive role in specifying GSC self-renewal and that the differentiated progeny of CySCs provide an environment necessary to trigger GSC differentiation. This work highlights the complex interaction between different stem cell populations in the same niche and how the state of one stem cell population can influence the fate of the other.
Interpreting Ritual as Performance and Theory Association for Social Anthropology in Oceania 2010 Distinguished Lecture

The paper looks at specific rituals and their relationships with dance in Hawai'i, Tonga, Bulgaria, and India. These four short case studies explore the relationship between dance and ritual, in particular how dance is presented as representing the ritual past. I bring 'structured movement,' as one of ritual's distinguishing marks, to center stage to explore how ritual movement and dance are related.
Transient ultrasonic waves in a viscoelastic plate: Applications to materials characterization

The ray arrival behavior of an ultrasonic signal propagated through a thick viscoelastic plate is analyzed to determine the material dispersion and attenuation. Signal processing algorithms are developed and demonstrated with synthetic and real signals obtained in elastic and viscoelastic materials. Recovery of material properties is found to proceed reliably except for the case of attenuation recovery from real signals, where there were difficulties related to the use of a finite aperture receiver.