cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brain-behavior investigation of potential cognitive markers of Alzheimer's disease in middle age: a multi-modal imaging study.

Early detection of Alzheimer's disease remains a challenge, and the development and validation of novel cognitive markers of Alzheimer's disease is critical to earlier disease detection. The goal of the present study is to examine brain-behavior relationships of translational cognitive paradigms dependent on the medial temporal lobes and prefrontal cortices, regions that are first to undergo Alzheimer's-associated changes. We employed multi-modal structural and functional MRI to examine brain-behavior relationships in a healthy, middle-aged sample (N = 133; 40-60 years). Participants completed two medial temporal lobe-dependent tasks (virtual Morris Water Task and Transverse Patterning Discriminations Task), and a prefrontal cortex-dependent task (Reversal Learning Task). No associations were found between various MRI measures of brain integrity and the Transverse Patterning or Reversal Learning tasks (p's > .05). We report associations between virtual Morris Water Task performance and medial temporal lobe volume, hippocampal microstructural organization, fornix integrity, and functional connectivity within the executive control and frontoparietal control resting state networks (all p's < 0.05; did not survive correction for multiple comparisons). This study suggests that virtual Morris Water Task performance is associated with medial temporal lobe integrity in middle age, a critical window for detection and prevention of Alzheimer's disease, and may be useful as an early cognitive marker of Alzheimer's disease risk.
Noise Emission Due to Slender Vortex Solid Body Interactions

Interactions of a slender vortex ring with and a stationary rigid sphere are analyzed using a 3D, Lagrangian vortex element scheme which discretizes and tracks the filament centerline using smoothed vortex elements. The filament self-induced velocity is obtained from a desingularized Biot-Savart law that reflects the correct asymptotic behavior of the core vorticity distribution. The effect of the sphere is represented in terms of a potential velocity field that is expressed as a line integral along the image of the filament centerline with regular weight functions. It is shown that the acoustic emission due to the interaction between the filament and the sphere essentially consists of dipoles and quadrupoles whose strengths and orientations are determined by the time-evolution of the weighted first and second moments of vorticity, respectively. The scheme is used to analyze the sound generated during the passage of slender vortex rings near a solid sphere.
Chapter 6 Ion Transport and Adenylyl Cyclase System in Red Blood Cells

Publisher Summary An impressive number of ion transport pathways, now known to exist in a variety of cells, were originally identified in red cell membranes— namely, Ca 2+ -activated K + channels, Cl − /HC0 3 − exchanger, ouabain inhibition of Na + /K + pump, Ca 2+ pump, and Na + /K + cotransport. Apart from the metabolic energy that energizes the Na + /K + pump, a different form of energy transduction, which can also fuel a solute movement against its chemical potential gradient, has been recognized as implicitly embodied in the pioneering discovery of Na + gradient-coupled glucose transport in intestinal epithelia. The transport of one ion influences the transport of the other in the same direction, termed “cotransport,” and in the opposite direction, termed “antiport,” involving a common element in the membrane. Cotransport system can mediate concomitant movement of more than two ions, as evidenced by the Na + /K + /Cl − cotransport pathway, as opposed to the Na + /H + antiport. The antiporter can operate, in conjunction with the Cl − /HC0 3 - exchanger, resulting in salt and water movement. There is growing evidence that hormones and neurotransmitters regulate ion transport. This chapter discusses the regulation of ion transport, by the adenylyl cyclase system, with particular emphasis on studies with red cells used as a model system. It describes the advances in the adenylyl cyclase system, followed by developmental changes in adenylyl cyclase in reticulocytes and in erythrocytes, the effects of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in Na + I K + I Cl − cotransport, Na + /H + antiport, and K + /Cl − cotransport systems, and explains the observation, pertaining to the influence of adenosine receptor agonists, on KCl cotransport. The influence of cyclic AMP (cAMP) on ion transport in red cells is also explained in the chapter. Non-nucleated mammalian red cells are capable of responding to cAMP that are introduced exogenously.
On Perception of Semi-Transparent Streamlines for Three-Dimensional Flow Visualization

One of the standard techniques to visualize three-dimensional flow is to use geometry primitives. This solution, when opaque primitives are used, results in high levels of occlusion, especially with dense streamline seeding. Using semi-transparent geometry primitives can alleviate the problem of occlusion. However, with semi-transparency some parts of the data set become too vague and blurry, while others are still heavily occluded. We conducted a user study that provided us with results on perceptual limits of using semi-transparent geometry primitives for flow visualization. Texture models for semi-transparent streamlines were introduced. Test subjects were shown multiple overlaying layers of streamlines and recorded how many different flow directions they were able to perceive. The user study allowed us to identify a set of top scoring textures. We discuss the results of the user study, provide guidelines on using semi-transparency for three-dimensional flow visualization and show how varying textures for different streamlines can further enhance the perception of dense streamlines. We also discuss the strategies for dealing with very high levels of occlusion. The strategies are per-pixel filtering of flow directions, when only some of the streamlines are rendered at a particular pixel, and opacity normalization, a way of altering the opacity of overlapping streamlines with the same direction. We illustrate our results with a variety of visualizations.
Endogenous cortisol production in response to knee arthroscopy and total knee arthroplasty.

Background: There is controversy about whether patients who take exogenous glucocorticoids, such as prednisone, require supplemental (exogenous) glucocorticoids in order to meet the physiological demands of surgery. In this study, we sought to define the magnitude of the surgical stress response in normal patients undergoing major and minor elective orthopaedic surgery. Methods: A prospective, observational study of thirty patients who had not taken exogenous glucocorticoids and who underwent either elective knee arthroscopy or elective unilateral total knee arthroplasty was performed. Regional anesthesia was used for all patients, and all patients treated with total knee arthroplasty had continuous epidural anesthesia for forty-eight hours after the surgery. The stress response was assessed on the basis of serum and twenty-four-hour urine cortisol levels; comparisons of the urine values were made after correcting for renal function by calculating the cortisol-to-creatinine clearance ratio. Results: Preoperatively, patients undergoing arthroscopy and total knee arthroplasty had similar cortisol-to-creatinine clearance ratios. Patients treated with total knee arthroplasty had a significant (p < 0.001) surgical stress response on the day of the surgery, compared with baseline, whereas patients treated with arthroscopy did not. The mean cortisol-to-creatinine clearance ratio in patients treated with total knee arthroplasty was highest on the day of the surgery and decreased on the third postoperative day. However, on the third postoperative day, the cortisol-to-creatinine clearance ratio still was significantly higher than the baseline value (p < 0.001). Significant differences in the serum cortisol levels also were detected between the patients treated with arthroscopy and those treated with total knee replacement. Conclusions: Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty had a significant surgical stress response (a seventeenfold increase in the cortisol-to-creatinine clearance ratio); patients treated with arthroscopy did not. Additional studies, including a prospective trial of patients taking exogenous glucocorticoids, are warranted. Until they are performed, the significantly increased cortisol production observed in non-steroid-dependent patients following total knee arthroplasty leaves open the possibility that steroid-dependent patients undergoing this procedure could benefit from perioperative glucocorticoid supplementation. Since the non-steroid-dependent patients in the present series did not mount a substantial stress response to knee arthroscopy, our results do not support the use of supplemental steroids for that less-invasive procedure. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level II-1 (prospective cohort study). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Long Range Concentration Gradients at the Free Surface of Polymer Films Swollen by Carbon Dioxide

The local swelling through the thickness of a polymer film induced by exposure to carbon dioxide is assessed using in situ selective modification of a swollen amphiphilic polymer template. The swollen film is selectively modified by condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate within the hydrophilic domains. Monitoring the size of pores resulting from the unmodified hydrophobic domains provides a measure of the local CO2 concentration within the film. A maximum in the average pore size is obtained near the density fluctuation ridge with a gradient in pore size extending approximately 150 nm into the film from the free surface and a short (<10 nm) gradient at the buried interface. Far from this maximum, the pore size through the thickness of the film is uniform.
3D Dilation and Distortion Estimated in the Living Human Brain From MR Images of Propagating Shear Waves

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result from blunt force trauma, rapid inertial loading, or extracranial pressure (i.e., explosive blast). Much of the pathway between mechanical insult and neurological injury remains unclear, in part because data on the mechanical response of the brain are difficult to acquire in vivo. The physics of measuring harmonically-varying displacement fields in vivo using motion-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is well understood [1], yet to date data in the human brain have not been investigated in terms of strain and rotation. Here these kinematic quantities are examined and new light is shed on biomechanics of the living intact human brain as it is subjected to harmonic acoustic pressure load.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Novel CP-violating effects in B decays from a charged Higgs boson in a two-Higgs-doublet model for the top quark

We explore charged-Higgs CP-violating effects in a specific type III two-Higgs-doublet model which is theoretically attractive as it accommodates the large mass of the top quark in a natural fashion. Two new CP-violating phases arise from the right-handed up quark sector. We consider CP violation in both neutral and charged B decays. Some of the important findings are as follows. (1) Large direct-CP asymmetry is found to be possible for B{sup {+-}}{yields}{psi}/JK{sup {+-}}. (2) A sizable DD(bar sign) mixing effect at the percent level is found to be admissible despite the stringent constraints from the data on KK(bar sign) mixing, b{yields}s{gamma} and B{sup -}{yields}{tau}{nu}(bar sign) decays. (3) A simple but distinctive CP asymmetry pattern emerges in decays of B{sub d} and B{sub s} mesons, including B{sub d}{yields}{psi}/J K{sub S}, D{sup +}D{sup -}, and B{sub s}{yields}D{sub s}{sup +}D{sub s}{sup -}, {psi} {eta}/{eta}{sup '}, {psi}/J K{sub S}. (4) The effect of DD(bar sign) mixing on the CP asymmetry in B{sup {+-}}{yields}D/D(bar sign)K{sup {+-}} and on the extraction of the angle {gamma} of the unitarity triangle from such decays can be significant. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Virology and immune mechanisms.

Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis B virus are two agents which chronically infect man and have been associated with specific neoplasms. Such findings point the way to new methods of control and detection of human malignancies. Furthermore, immunosuppression is another major factor underlying the development of certain malignancies in human populations. It is clear that congenital immunodeficiency states as well as organ transplant recipients requiring iatrogenic immunosuppression and cancer patients requiring chemotherapy and/or x-irradiation are susceptible to particular malignancies at a higher rate than the normal population. Such findings also provide not only clues as to the mechanisms which control tumor development but argue for certain limitations to the extent of immunosuppressive therapy utilized for treatment of disease. Cancer 47:1091–1094, 1981.
Induction of antigen-specific human T suppressor cells by membrane and soluble ILT3.

Abstract Antigen-specific CD8 suppressor T cells (CD8 + Ts) are adaptive regulatory T cells that are induced in vivo and in vitro by chronic antigenic stimulation of human T cells. CD8 + Ts induce the upregulation of the inhibitory receptors ILT3 and ILT4 on monocytes and dendritic cells rendering these antigen presenting cells (APCs) tolerogenic. Tolerogenic APCs induce CD4 + T helper anergy and elicit the differentiation of CD4 + and CD8 + T regulatory/suppressor cells. Overexpression of membrane ILT3 in APC results in inhibition of NF-κB activation, transcription of inflammatory cytokines and costimulatory molecules. Soluble ILT3-Fc which contains only the extracellular, Ig-like domain linked to mutated IgG1 Fc, is strongly immunosuppressive. ILT3-Fc, induces the differentiation of human CD8 + Ts which inhibit CD4 + Th and CD8 + CTL effector function both in vitro and in vivo. The acquisition of Ts' function by primed CD8 + T cells treated with ILT3-Fc was demonstrated to be the effect of the significant upregulation of BCL6, a transcriptional repressor of IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-5 and granzyme B. The upregulated expression of BCL6, SOCS1 and DUSP10 is integral to the signature of ILT3-Fc-induced CD8 + Ts. These genes are known inhibitors of cytokine production and TCR signaling and are targeted by miRNAs which are suppressed by ILT3-Fc. ILT3-Fc induces tolerance to allogeneic human islets and reverses rejection after its onset in a humanized NOD/SCID mouse model. Based on these findings we postulate that ILT3-Fc may become an important new agent for treatment of autoimmunity and transplant rejection.
Micromagnetic studies of hysteresis in nickel pillars

Hysteresis in nickel pillars has been studied using three-dimensional micromagnetics. The modeling results are compared with the recent experimental measurements on hysteresis in interferometrically patterned pillars as measured via VSM. The modeling results help to understand several features of the experimental hysteresis loops.
Nearly optimal correlations for shift-invariant associative memories

The optical implementation of the Hopfield algorithm in shift-invariant holographic associative memories is based on the use of correlators with matched filters. However, it is well known that such correlators have poor discrimination. We propose nearly optimal correlation designs for associative memories based on correlation filters that have maximum discrimination ability. These new designs avoid large cross-correlation-peak terms caused by a mismatch between partial input and the fully stored information in the filter. These solutions rely on whitened spectra of the stored and the recalled information.Computer simulations are made of eight different combinations.
Cochlear blood flow: Measurement techniques***

The measurement of inner ear blood flow and other microvascular variables is subject to unique technical problems which are compounded by methodological limitations. As a result, the interpretation of experimental results is often difficult. This report discusses the most important methods currently available for cochlear blood circulation measurements and the technical problems associated with their use. The use of a combination of measurements to resolve problems of interpretation is stressed. An extensive review of the pertinent literature is provided in relation to each method.
Fine structure of the eyes of Pseudoceros canadensis (Turbellaria, Polycladida)

The cerebral and epidermal ocelli of the Muller's larva and the cerebral and tentacular eyes of the adult turbellarian Pseudoceros canadensis were studied by electron microscopy. The right cerebral ocellus of the larva consists of one cup-shaped pigmented cell and three sensory cells that bear microvilli. The left cerebral eye of the larva has the above named cells plus a sensory cell with many cilia. Evolutionary significance is attributed to the presence of both ciliary and microvillar photoreceptors in an eye of a flatworm. The one epidermal ocellus of the larva is composed of two cells: a cup-shaped pigmented one bearing flattened cilia, the presumed photoreceptors, and a cell above the cup that adds a few nonciliary lamellae to the stack of ciliary ones from the pigmented cell. The adult eyes contain only microvillar receptors; cilia were not observed.
Hospital volume and 90-day mortality risk after radical cystectomy: a population-based cohort study

Background Hospital cystectomy volume has been associated with in-hospital perioperative mortality in previous studies. In this study, we examine the relationship between hospital cystectomy volume and 90-day mortality in a population-based cohort of patients undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer.
The CM2 protein of influenza C virus is an oligomeric integral membrane glycoprotein structurally analogous to influenza A virus M2 and influenza B virus NB proteins.

We have undertaken a characterization of the CM2 protein of influenza C virus. The CM2 coding region of RNA segment 6 (nucleotides 731–1147) was cloned from two strains of influenza C virus and expressed using the vaccinia virus-bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase (vac-T7) system. An antiserum raised to a C-terminal peptide in the CM2 open reading frame recognized the CM2 protein in influenza C virus-infected cells and after vac-T7 expression of the CM2 open reading frame. CM2 is posttranslationally modified by addition of high-mannose carbohydrate chains (Mr∼18 kDa) and by further addition of polylactosaminoglycans (Mr∼21–35 kDa). The available data indicate that CM2 has a cleavable signal peptide at the N-terminus of the protein. Site-directed mutagenesis eliminated the single potential N-linked carbohydrate attachment site on CM2 and indicated that the protein has an NoutCinorientation in membranes. Nonreducing SDS–PAGE indicated that the protein was expressed as disulfide-linked dimers and tetramers. Cell surface biotinylation and indirect immunofluorescence showed the protein to be expressed at the cell surface. Elimination of the N-linked carbohydrate attachment site and addition of a C-terminal HA epitope tag did not adversely affect surface expression of CM2. The NoutCinmembrane orientation of CM2, the size of the ectodomain and cytoplasmic tail of CM2, and its ability to form disulfide-linked oligomers are reminiscent of the structural properties of influenza A virus M2and influenza B virus NB proteins.
Real‐time routing selection for automated guided vehicles in a flexible manufacturing system

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the development of an architecture for real‐time routing of automated guided vehicles (AGV) in a random flexible manufacturing system (FMS).Design/methodology/approach – AGV routing problem is modeled using an evolutionary algorithm‐based intelligent path planning model, which handles vehicle assignments to material handling requests and makes routing decisions with the objective of maximizing the system throughput. The architecture is implemented on a 3‐layer software environment in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model.Findings – The proposed architecture, along with the evolutionary algorithm‐based routing model, is implemented in a simulated FMS environment using hypothetical production data. In order to benchmark the performance of the path planning algorithm, the same FMS model is run by traditional dispatching rules. The analysis shows that the proposed routing model outperforms the traditional dispatching rules for real‐time rou...
Mine Detection in Multispectral Imagery Using PCA and Matched Filtering

Hyperspectral data (HS) is increasingly used in target detection applications since it provides both spatial and spectral information about the scene. One of the main challenges in HS data is to handle a large volume of data. On the other hand, mutispectral data provides the information with reduced number of bands. As a result, target detection in multispectral image is more challenging due to lack of information about the objects. In this paper, we presented a new approach to detect land mines in multispectral images. We showed that application of matched filter (MF) to multispectral data is not suitable to detect the targets but after selecting some features based on principal component analysis (PCA) enables it to detect all the targets. We also described a segmentation technique-sliding concentric window (SCW) to extract the land mines from the clutter.
In Vivo Evidence of Free Radical Formation in the Rat Lung after Exposure to an Emission Source Air Pollution Particle

Exposure to air pollution particles can be associated with increased human morbidity and mortality. The mechanism(s) of lung injury remains unknown. We tested the hypothesis that lung exposure to oil fly ash (an emission source air pollution particle) causes in vivo free radical production. Electron spin resonance (ESR) in conjunction with the spin trap alpha-(4-pyridyl 1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (4-POBN) was used to detect radical adducts. Rats were instilled with 500 micrograms of either oil fly ash or saline. Twenty-four hours later, ESR spectroscopy of the chloroform extract from lungs of animals exposed to the oil fly ash gave a spectrum consistent with a carbon-centered radical adduct (hyperfine coupling constants alpha N = 15.0 G and alpha H beta = 2.5 G), while those spectra from lungs instilled with saline revealed a much weaker signal. This signal was reproduced by instilling animals with the soluble fraction of the oil fly ash, which contains soluble metal compounds. The same signal was observed after instillation of either a mixture of vanadium, nickel, and iron sulfates or VOSO4 alone. We conclude that, after instillation of an air pollution particle in the rat, ESR analysis of lung tissue demonstrates in vivo free radical production. This generation of free radicals appears to be associated with soluble metals in the oil fly ash.
Thalamic projections to the lateral suprasylvian visual area in cats with neonatal or adult visual cortex damage

Previous transneuronal anterograde tracing studies have shown that the retino-thalamic pathway to the posteromedial lateral suprasylvian (PMLS) visual area of cortex is heavier than normal in adult cats that received neonatal damage to visual cortical areas 17, 18, and 19. In contrast, the strength of this projection does not appear to differ from that in normal animals in cats that experienced visual cortex damage as adults. In the present study, we used retrograde tracing methods to identify the thalamic cells that project to the PMLS cortex in adult cats that had received a lesion of visual cortex during infancy or adulthood. In five kittens, a unilateral visual cortex lesion was made on the day of birth, and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the PMLS cortex of both hemispheres when the animals were 10.5 to 13 months old. For comparison, HRP was injected bilaterally into the PMLS cortex of three cats 6.5 to 13.5 months after they received a similar unilateral visual cortex lesion as adults. In cats with a neonatal lesion, retrograde labeling was found in the large neurons that survive in the otherwise degenerated layers A and A1 of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) ipsilateral to the lesion. Retrograde labeling of A-layer neurons was not seen in the undamaged hemisphere of these animals or in either hemisphere of animals that had received a lesion as adults. As in normal adult cats, retrograde labeling also was present in the C layers of the LGN, the medial interlaminar nucleus, the posterior nucleus of Rioch, the lateral posterior nucleus, and the pulvinar nucleus ipsilateral to a neonatal or adult lesion. Quantitative estimates indicate that the number of labeled cells is much larger than normal in the C layers of the LGN ipsilateral to a neonatal visual cortex lesion. Thus the results indicate that the heavier than normal projection from the thalamus to PMLS cortex that exists in adult cats after neonatal visual cortex damage arises, at least in part, from surviving LGN neurons in the A and C layers of the LGN. Although several thalamic nuclei, as well as the C layers of the LGN, continue to project to PMLS cortex after an adult visual cortex lesion, these projections appear not to be affected significantly by the lesion.
Limiting equivalence ratio, dissociation, and self-inhibition in premixed, quenched, fuel-rich hydrocarbon/air flames

Radical overshoots have been used to provide a measure of the overall efficiency of dissociation processes in fuel-rich hydrocarbon/air flames. The actual number of dissociations per fuel molecule, N D /N° HC , determined at a limiting equivalence ratio, L , has been determined as a function of pressure: N D /N° HC and (φ L ) Fuel 0.05 atm 0.10 atm 0.25 atm 1.00 atm CH 4 0.8(1.65) C 2 H 4 1.6(2.15) 1.8(2.44) 1.3(1.81) C 2 H 6 2.4(2.15) C 3 H 8 3.1(1.73) 3.6(2.12) 3.2(1.76) Net dissociation efficiency (dissociation minus recombination) was found to be a function of equivalence ratio. Although L has been proven to represent the fuel-rich composition at which unreacted hydrocarbon fuel firsts persists in a methane flame, no evidence can be provided to show this behavior for the other fuels. For propane/air flames, radical overshoots exist at L , radical equilibrium exists at = L and radical undershoots exist at> L . The existence of unreacted fuel and radical undershoots may aid in unburned hydrocarbon pollution control and in elucidation of the mechanism for carbon formation. It has been demonstrated that hydrocarbon fuels can inhibit their own combustion with the following order of effectiveness: C 3 H 8 >C 2 H 6 >C 2 H 4 >CH 4 . This trend for self-inhibition is rationalized in terms of the ability of the hydrocarbon to enhance rates of radical recombination. Reduced pressure decreases self-inhibitor effectiveness.
Estrogen synthesis in human endometrial epithelial glands and stromal cells.

Abstract Biosynthesis of estrogen was studied in human endometrial epithelial glands and stromal cells. Intact epithelial glands and stromal cells were isolated from human normal proliferative and secretory endometrial specimens. The isolated glands and stromal cells were separately incubated with 10nM [3H]testosterone in nutrient medium for 20 h in an incubator. Only estrone and estradiol were formed in stromal cells and in epithelial glands in the proliferative phase. Four types of estrogens: estrone, estradiol, estrone sulfate and estradiol-3-sulfate were isolated from the secretory epithelial glands. The capacity of aromatization is higher in stromal cells than that in glands. The highest capacity of aromatization was found in stromal cells in the proliferative phase, 58 ± 30 fmol/mg protein ( x ± SD , n = 10 ) followed in order by stromal cells in the secretory phase, 30 ± 18 (n = 6), and the epithelial glands in the proliferative and secretory phase, 22 ± 12 (n = 10) and 4.3 ± 1.2 (n = 6), respectively. These results indicate that the aromatase in endometrium is distributed in both stromal cells and epithelial glands. The capacity of aromatization varies in the 2 phases of the menstrual cycle with a significant decrease in activity of the epithelial glands in the secretory phase. The capacity of aromatization was also examined when stromal cells were incubated with various concentrations of [3H]T. The apparent Km, estimated from the concentration of Δ4-androgens in cells, is about 27 nM, indicating that the endometrial aromatase has a considerably high affinity to Δ4-androgens.
Increased biological activity of IL-13.Q130, a naturally occurring variant of human IL-13, in primary human cells

Abstract Rationale The fourth exon of human IL-13 harbors a single nucleotide polymorphism, IL-13/+2044G→A, which results in the non-conservative replacement of arginine (R)130 with glutamine (Q). IL-13/+2044G→A is associated with increased IgE levels and/or asthma prevalence in several populations. Therefore we asked whether IL-13.R130 (wild-type) and IL-13.Q130 have different biological activities on primary human cells. We focused on STAT6-dependent events (IgE synthesis, CD23 induction) highly relevant to allergic inflammation. Methods Recombinant IL-13.R130 and IL-13.Q130 were produced in a eukaryotic expression system. For STAT6 activation, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were stimulated with IL-13.R130 or IL-13.Q130 for 1 hour and tested for intracellular STAT6 phosphorylation by immunofluorescence with an anti-phospho-STAT6 antibody. Membrane CD23 expression on PBMC incubated with IL-13 variants for 48 hours was assessed by immunofluorescence. For IgE induction, PBMC were incubated with IL-13 variants and hydrocortisone for 12 days. IgE synthesis was measured by ELISA. Differences in activity were derived from differences in the IL-13.R130 and IL-13.Q130 dose-response curves. Results IL-13.Q130 was more active than IL-13.R130 in each functional assay. IL-13.Q130 was 3.5-fold more active than wild-type IL-13 in inducing STAT6 phosphorylation, 3-fold more active in upregulating CD23 expression in monocytes, and 6-fold more active in inducing IgE synthesis by human B cells treated with hydrocortisone. Conclusions The naturally occurring IL-13.Q130 variant expressed in carriers of IL-13/+2044G→A is more active than wild-type IL-13.R130 in triggering STAT6-dependent events and IgE synthesis in primary cells. These results are consistent with the association between IL-13/+2044G→A and increased IgE levels and/or asthma prevalence in populations throughout the world.
KYBURGIAN ACCEPTANCE: A REJECTION, HEDGED

There seems to be something about probability that offends some people’s (not necessarily Kyburg’s) sense of taste. Not being of this aesthetic persuasion, I can only speculate that assigning degrees of belief to propositions is seen as a cop-out; a true believer should either adopt a proposition or not, eschewing compromise. Those who would reject probability need not deny uncertainty, however. Instead, they argue, one can accommodate the inevitable incompleteness in immediate knowledge by an appropriate belief revision policy. Philosophers have assigned the term acceplance to this notion of categorically adopting an uncertain belief and acting as though it were the case. That acceptance is semantically elusive and technically complicated is evidenced by the volume of philosophical debate on the subject as well as the mass of A1 research on nonmonotonic logic aimed at working it out computationally. That this A1 work is essentially attacking the problem of acceptance is not often explicitly recognized, and Kyburg’s clear exposition of this point is one of his essay’s important contributions. The other, of course, is his own proposed account of acceptance. In taking issue with Kyburg, I attempt first to explain why we might want a theory of acceptance. My claim is that our quest can and should be justified on pragmatic computational grounds, rather than on those purely philosophical (I’m not sure exactly what this means, but I don’t identify it with “frivolous”) or aesthetic. Next, I argue that we cannot have acceptance, at least not in the terms Kyburg seems to want it. Finally, I suggest some ideas that would have to be addressed in order to obtain an account of acceptance worth accepting. Unfortunately, Kyburg ’s proposed acceptance approach comes bundled with all sorts of other baggage, including his own scheme for probability based on interval measures derived from statistical reference classes, as well as the general idea of evidential pr-obability. These are ideas that Kyburg has certainly given a fair run for their money, and it is only natural that his acceptance theory would incorporate them. But since the issues they address are somewhat orthogonal to acceptance per se, I am afraid they confound the main points. In my response I will attempt to focus on the essential stance on acceptance and defer taking issue with other elements of the Kyburg program to some other forum.
Microphysical retrieval from dual frequency precipitation radar board GPM

Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) is poised to be the next generation observations from space after Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The GPM mission concept is centered on the deployment of a core observatory satellite with an active dual-frequency radar (DPR), operating at Ku and Ka bands. The DPR is expected to improve our knowledge of precipitation processes relative to single-frequency radar on microphysics retrievals. Hydrometeor classification method is a key part of any microphysical retrieval algorithm. This paper is focused on the hydrometeor classification method which might be applied to GPM DPR and maps the results to Z dr - DFR plane to cross verify with the pixel based hydrometer identification method. In addition a comparison is made between the DSD retrieval algorithm proposed by the author and other existing algorithm.
The rTS signaling pathway as a target for drug development.

Abstract The rTS gene was discovered because it codes for a complementary (antisense) RNA to the messenger RNA for thymidylate synthase (TS). It was later shown that rTS also encodes 2 proteins, rTSα and rTβ. Recently, it has become apparent that rTβ overexpression can cause the downregulation of TS protein in a colon cancer cell line through the production of ≥ 1 previously unknown signaling molecules. This observation signified the presence of a previously unidentified signaling pathway. The existence of a signaling pathway that can regulate TS protein levels and the widespread expression of the rTβ protein suggests that a new target for drug development may be on the horizon. This review describes the relationship between the rTS and TS genes and the known and potential effects of rTS RNAs and rTS proteins. We also present the structure of an identified TS downregulatory compound that may serve as a lead compound for development.
Radiative np Capture and Polarization Effects

For many years a 10% discrepancy has existed between theory and experiment for the total radiative thermal $\mathrm{np}$ capture cross section. This process is usually considered to be dominated by a $^{1}S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}d$ transition. Breit and Rustgi have shown that a significant amount of $^{3}S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}d$ transition would be detectable in experiments with polarized $n$ and $p$. We show that the $^{3}S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}d$ transition can be described with a general transition current containing two parameters. On the assumption that the amplitude is large enough to explain the discrepancy, we give angular distributions for the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray emission from polarized $n$ on polarized $p$. On the other hand, we calculate theoretical values for the parameters which indicate that the $^{3}S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}d$ transition is probably not large enough to explain the discrepancy, and we discuss the correctness of the theory.
A note on news staff views of mental illness and its coverage

Questionnaires concerning community attitudes toward mental illness and opinions about news coverage of mental health topics were administered to 26 television news staff and 37 mental health workers. Results showed news personnel have positive attitudes toward the mentally ill and are aware of and concerned about negative stereotyping of mentally ill persons in news programs. The views of news staff were very similar to those of the mental health workers, suggesting substantial common ground for cooperative efforts to combat negative psychiatric stereotypes.
Insurance intermediaries and contractual relations

Insurance intermediaries provide a useful link between insurers and the insured in commercial insurance markets. However, recent revelations of improprieties by some intermediaries have cast a shadow on insurance markets. This has led to calls for reforming the workings of these markets. This study provides a theoretical framework to understand the impact on contractual relationships if some of the proposed changes are implemented. Specifically, it examines the impact of a change in the number of insurance brokers on the preferred type of compensation contracts between insurance providers and intermediaries. Two key questions addressed are: Will the widely prevalent flat fee contracts still be preferred in the face of greater intermediary competition?; and Will there be an increase in the number of projects insured when there is greater competition among insurance intermediaries?
Arteriovenous Fistula After Laser-Assisted Pacemaker Lead Extraction

Acute arteriovenous fistulas have been reported after pacemaker lead extraction. We report a case of an arteriovenous fistula presenting 2 weeks after transvenous laser-assisted lead extraction.
Melanocyte and Keratinocyte Carcinogenesis: p53 Family Protein Activities and Intersecting mRNA Expression Profiles

Melanocytes and keratinocytes were analyzed for potential roles of p53, p73, and p63 tumor suppressor family proteins and of malignancy-specific gene expression changes in the etiology of multi-step cancer. Melanocytes expressed ΔNp73α, two p63 isoforms and p53. Although p21 and Noxa mRNA levels increased following DNA damage, p53 family member binding to p21 and Noxa DNA probes was undetectable, suggesting p53 family-independent responses. In contrast, keratinocytes expressed multiple isoforms each of p73 and p63 that were induced to bind p21 and Noxa DNA probes after ionizing (IR) or after ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation, correlating with p21 and Noxa mRNA induction and with apoptosis. Interestingly, IR-resistant malignant melanocytes and keratinocytes both exhibited Noxa mRNA induction after UVB treatment, correlating with DNA binding of p53 family proteins to the Noxa probe only in keratinocytes. To uncover other malignancy-specific events, we queried mouse initiated keratinocyte clones for early changes that were exacerbated in malignant derivatives and also differentially expressed in human advanced melanoma versus normal melanocytes. Using a new method for ranking and normalization of microarray data for 5000 probe sets, 27 upregulated and 13 downregulated genes satisfied our query. Of these, the majority was associated with late-stage human cancers and six were novel genes. Thus, clonal lineage mouse models representing early through late cancer progression stages may inform the focus on early, potentially causal events from microarray studies of human cancers, facilitating prognosis and molecular therapy.
African American Religious Participation

This study examines the socio-demographic correlates of religious participation using data from the African American sub-sample of the National Survey of American Life (NSAL, 2001–2003). Twelve indicators of organizational religiosity, non-organizational religiosity, subjective religiosity, religious non-involvement and religious identity are examined. Both standard (e.g., age, gender) and novel (e.g., incarceration history, military service, welfare history, co-habitation, remarriage) demographic variables are utilized. Female gender, older age, being in a first marriage and Southern residency are consistently associated with higher religious involvement. Three significant differences between urban Southerners and rural Southerners indicate that rural Southerners were more likely to be official members of their church, read religious materials more frequently, and felt that religion was more important in their home during childhood than their urban Southern counterparts. Persons in cohabiting relationships and those who have been incarcerated report lower levels of organizational religious participation and feel less close to religious people (but are similar to their counterparts for non-organizational and subjective religiosity). Persons with previous military service read religious materials, pray, and request prayer from others less frequently (but are similar to their counterparts for organizational and subjective religiosity). Findings suggest that for stigmatized life circumstances (incarceration and cohabitation), social processes within religious institutions may inhibit organizational religious participation. This study contributes to the broader literature by focusing on subgroup differences in diverse forms of religious involvement within a large and nationally representative sample of African Americans and provides a more nuanced portrait of African American religious participation.
Perception of primary care pediatricians of effectiveness, acceptability, and availability of mental health services:

Approximately 20% of children in the United States meet the criteria for a psychosocial disorder; however, less than 25% of these children receive psychosocial services. A questionnaire assessed primary care pediatricians’ (PCPs) perceptions of effectiveness, availability, and burden of treatment options for children’s psychosocial difficulties and parents’ acceptance and adherence with these treatments. Repeated measures analysis of variance found that PCPs are more likely to refer children with psychosocial problems to a mental health professional than to prescribe medication. PCPs prescribe medications more than counseling parents themselves or watchful waiting. PCPs reported children’s behavior is more likely to improve with mental health services than with medication, though medication is the most available treatment. PCPs believe parent training programs are very effective for treating children’s behavior problems, but believe parents are more accepting and compliant with other treatments. Findings ...
Novel Glucose Biosensor Based on the Microcantilever

We report a novel technique for micromechanical detection of biologically relevant glucose by immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) onto a microcantilever surface. Microfabricated cantilevers have recently attracted considerable interest in the development of a wide range of novel physical, chemical, and biological sensors. This paper describes the combination of this novel technology with enzyme specificity to construct a highly selective glucose biosensor. The enzyme-functionalized microcantilever undergoes bending due to a change in surface stress induced by the reaction between glucose and the GOx immobilized on the cantilever surface. The common interferents for glucose detection in other detection schemes have been tested and have shown no effect on the measurement of blood glucose level by this technique.
When and how can endpoints be changed after initiation of a randomized clinical trial

Introduction Endpoints are outcome measures used to address the objectives of a clinical trial. The primary endpoint is the most important outcome and is used to assess the primary objective of a trial (e.g., the variable used to compare the effect difference of two treatment groups). A fundamental principle in the design of randomized trials involves setting out in advance the endpoints that will be assessed in the trial [1], as failure to prespecify endpoints can introduce bias into a trial and creates opportunities for manipulation. However, sometimes new information may come to light that could merit changes to endpoints during the course of a trial. This new information might include, for example, results from other trials or identification of better biomarkers or surrogate outcome measures. Such changes can allow incorporation of up-to-date knowledge into the trial design. However, changes to endpoints can also compromise the scientific integrity of a trial. Here I discuss some of the issues and decisionmaking processes that should be considered when evaluating whether to make changes to endpoints, and discuss the documentation and reporting of clinical trials that have revised endpoints.
Surface Modification Using Thiol−Acrylate Conjugate Addition Reactions

A novel method for forming surface-bound polymer films using amine-catalyzed thiol−acrylate reactions is investigated. The surface is modified with a thiol-terminated self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and treated with acrylate monomer in the presence of an amine catalyst. A conjugate addition reaction takes place at the surface, attaching an acrylate molecule to the surface. The fraction of attached acrylate on the surface was controlled by the reaction time, forming a gradient of acrylate surface density, and the acrylate fraction of the surface was changed from 0 to 0.6. An orthogonal gradient comprised of either the same acrylate functionality or multiple functionalities was also obtained on the same surface. The technique was further modified to yield acrylate surface density gradient on a polymer surface. Thicker films were grown in a controlled manner by polymerizing a dithiol−diacrylate mixture on a thiol-terminated surface, and the thicknesses of the films were controlled from 0.1 to 6 nm by changing...
Spatiotemporal specificity in cholinergic control of neocortical function

Cholinergic actions are critical for normal cortical cognitive functions. The release of acetylcholine (ACh) in neocortex and the impact of this neuromodulator on cortical computations exhibit remarkable spatiotemporal precision, as required for the regulation of behavioral processes underlying attention and learning. We discuss how the organization of the cholinergic projections to the cortex and their release properties might contribute to this specificity. We also review recent studies suggesting that the modulatory influences of ACh on the properties of cortical neurons can have the necessary temporal dynamic range, emphasizing evidence of powerful interneuron subtype-specific effects. We discuss areas that require further investigation and point to technical advances in molecular and genetic manipulations that promise to make headway in understanding the neural bases of cholinergic modulation of cortical cognitive operations.
First X-ray Crystallographic Study of a Benzyl Cation, Cumyl Hexafluoroantimonate(V), and Structural Implications

The crystal structure of the cumyl cation (1; 2-phenyl-2-propyl cation) has been determined at −124 °C (as hexafluoroantimonate, 1·SbF6; R1 = 0.0502, wR2 = 0.1054). The cation 1 is nearly planar and has a short C+−Cipso bond (1.41(2) A) and bond lengths in the phenyl ring which agree with strong benzylic delocalization. The weak but distinct shortening of the C+−CH3 bonds by 0.025(12) A indicates weak C−H hyperconjugation. Nearly all H atoms are involved in H···F contacts to SbF6 anions, and one close C+···F contact (3.11(2) A) is observed. The phenyl rings form infinite stacks and are shifted against each other in the stack.
Synthesis of six specifically deuterated analogs of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane

The convenient preparation of six selectively deuterated analogs of 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane have been described. The compounds were prepared by direct chlorination of the correspondingly deuterated 2,3-dibromopropanol derivatives using N-chlorosuccinimide and triphenylphospine. Spectral analysis revealed that the isotope incorporation was high and specific in all cases.