cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HLA-C disparity between patients and unrelated donors matched for HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1 alleles: Impact of serological vs. DNA typing for HLA-A and -B loci

Abstract High incidences of graft failure, graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD), and serious infections following unrelated donor (URD) marrow transplantation, despite apparent human leukocyte antigen (HLA) identity, may reflect the presence of molecular disparities, including those for HLA-C alleles between the patient and the URD. The level of these disparities could be significant, because as many as 42 alleles are currently known for HLA-C locus. We studied 84 patients and 251 potential URDs to evaluate 1) the extent of HLA-C disparity between the patient and the URD identified by serology for HLA-A and -B and by DNA typing for -DRB1 and 2) the level of HLA-C disparity between patients and URDs matched by high-resolution DNA typing for HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1. The DNA typing was performed at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the serotyping was provided by the registries. Of 251 URDs matched by HLA-A and -B serology and -DRB1 (sA_sB_dnaDRB1 ); 94, 75, and 82 were 6/6, 5/6, and 4/6 matches, respectively. Of 94 sA_sB_dnaDRB1 6/6 URDs, 51 (54.3%) were matched for both HLA-C alleles. In contrast, 31 (41.3%) 5/6 (p=0.12) and 15 (18.3%) 4/6 (p Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 1999;5(2):77-85.
Experimental and Computer Simulation Results for the Electrical Conductivity of Portland Cement Paste

The electrical conductivity of portland cement paste is an important transport property, especially since, when properly normalized by the pore fluid conductivity, it is equivalent to the normalized ionic diffusivity of the material via the Nernst-Einstein relation. This paper presents experimental and computer simulation results for σ/σo, where σ is the conductivity of the bulk paste as determined from impedance spectroscopy, and σo is the conductivity of the pore solution. Comparison between simulation and experiment is carried out for an 0.5 water:cement ratio white cement paste as a function of capillary porosity. The quantitative agreement between theory and experiment is reasonable.
Computation of the ensemble channelized hotelling observer signal-to-noise ratio for ordered-subset image reconstruction using noisy data

We investigated the estimation of the ensemble channelized Hotelling observer (CHO) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for ordered-subset (OS) image reconstruction using noisy projection data. Previously, we computed the ensemble CHO SNR using a method for approximating the channelized covariance of OS reconstruction, which requires knowledge of the noise-free projection data. Here, we use a “plug-in” approach, in which noisy data is used in place of the noise-free data in the aforementioned channelized covariance approximation. Additionally, we evaluated the use of smoothing of the noisy projections before use in the covariance approximation. Additionally, we evaluated the use of smoothing of the noisy projections before use in the covariance calculation. The task was detection of a 10% contrast Gaussian signal within a slice of the MCAT phantom. Simulated projections of the MCAT phantom were scaled and Poisson noise was added to create 100 noisy signal-absent data sets. Simulated projections of the scaled signal were then added to the noisy background projections to create 100 noisy signal-present data set. These noisy data sets were then used to generate 100 estimates of the ensemble CHO SNR for reconstructions at various iterates. For comparison purposes, the same calculation was repeated with the noise-free data. The results, reported as plots of the average CHO SNR generated in this fashion, along with 95% confidence intervals, demonstrate that this approach works very well, and would allow optimization of imaging systems and reconstruction methods using a more accurate object model (i.e., real patient data).
Holographic speckle reduction by complementary spatial sampling.

A technique using complementary sampling in the reconstruction process is proposed for speckle reduction in holographic imaging. This method would not suffer the resolution reduction experienced with the simple random sampling method that has been proposed [ F. T. S. Yu E. Wang , Appl. Opt.12, 1656 ( 1973)]. Experimental results and a theoretical explanation are presented.
Changing Worldviews: Responding to Betty Birner and Robert Masson

Worldviews are changed by higher viewpoints that can develop by metaphoric process, the equating of two formerly disparate known concepts. The equating results in a distortion-a tectonic reformation-of the associated fields of meanings that effects a rearrangement of associated concepts leading to new cognitive relations. We comment on reviews of our books Metaphoric Process (1984) and New Maps for Old (2001) by Robert Masson and Betty Birner. Metaphoric process may further understanding of the formation of diverse worldviews and their reconciliation.
The inhibition of deoxyribonuclease I by hydroxybiphenyls.

Abstract DNA extracted with certain commercial brands of phenol is resistant to hydrolysis by the endonuclease deoxyribonuclease I, while DNA extracted with other brands, or prepared by NaCl extraction, is susceptible to hydrolysis. The agent responsible for inhibition has been shown to be an oxidation product produced in some phenols. The inhibitor has been separated from other impurities in phenol by paper chromatography, and, by means of infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, it has been identified as o- hydroxybiphenyl . The kinetics of inhibition have been studied, and it was found that inhibition arises from direct action on the DNA rather than on the enzyme. Several hydroxybiphenyls and related compounds have been tested for inhibition, and a theory of molecular structure versus inhibitory effectiveness is suggested from this data. From studies on the chemical reversal of inhibition, as well as from ultraviolet spectral studies (in both absorption and circular dichroism), it appears that the mode of action of the inhibitors is hydrogen bonding to, and intercalation between, the bases of the nucleic acid.
Predictors of patient satisfaction and health care costs for patients with fibromyalgia

Patient satisfaction may be defined as the extent to which a patient believes that his or her health care needs are met and whether their preferences are considered. Early research focused on sociodemographic variables as correlates of patient satisfaction, and recently psychosocial variables have received attention. The present study was an examination of members of a health maintenance organization who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). It was hypothesized that demographic, health and psychosocial variables would predict patient satisfaction, and in turn that patient satisfaction would predict health care costs. Multiple regression analyses indicated that greater satisfaction with social support and higher scores on agreeableness were associated with greater patient satisfaction, although only 13% of the variance in patient satisfaction was explained. Future studies of patient satisfaction should examine physicians’ attitudes and behaviors along with those of patients.
The Regional Consequences of the Canadian Tariff Structure: Discussion

In this paper Hazledine makes an important contribution in developing a unified analytical framework to estimate the regional effects of a customs union on production, shipments, and employment in a multisectoral model. We find all too few attempts at empirical, multisectoral, general equilibrium analysis of the effects of changes in trade policy in the literature.' Hazledine's study makes a significant addition to this small but important literature. One particularly interesting and innovative aspect of Hazledine's framework is his treatment of the entry and exit of firms and workers from each sector in response to changes in trade policy. The adjustment costs associated with firms being expelled from a sector represent one of the greatest sources of inertia inhibiting changes in trade policy. Agriculture Canada is certainly interested in the effects of possible changes in the structure of the Canadian customs union on the number of farms and employment in each region's agriculture. Hazledine's treatment of capital stock adjustment in response to changes in trade policy is extremely simplified. I have some doubts concerning the ability of his entry-exit elasticities to capture the very complex investment-disinvestment processes which lie behind them. Moreover, the opportunity cost and malleability of the existing capital stock varies considerably from sector to sector. Nevertheless, Hazledine's simplification provides an acceptable first approximation which does get at the capital stock adjustment process more than previous studies. In addition, Hazledine makes an interesting innovation by drawing upon his industrial organization background in introducing domestic markup elasticities into a model for trade policy analysis. Now, I turn to several quibbles which I would like to raise with respect to Hazledine's paper. First, there is no income term in the demand equation specification. Demand for each good is specified as a function of only three prices, but not real income. However, real income changes do result from changes in trade policy, such as those treated in this paper. I have some severe reservations about ignoring this important feedback effect. Second, is there any evidence of differences in the export, import, and domestic consumption price elasticities among the regions of Canada for each product? They are assumed the same here in all regions. Also, the values of the elasticities used here ("Canadian industry parameters" in table 2) suggest the use of most plausible values for each sector. Citation of the sources of these values would add credibility to the results. In addition, some comments on the quality of the estimates of the capacity and employment elasticities would also help the reader in assessing the empirical results of the analysis. Third, I have some severe doubts concerning the uniform treatment of changes in costs and employment across all sectorsparticularly in treating agriculture and industry in the same manner. Are costs of production in both industrial and agricultural sectors measured here in the same manner? At one
Effect of subcortical aluminum cream lesions on attentive behavior and the electroencephalogram in monkeys

Abstract Seven monkeys were prepared with aluminum hydroxide cream implants in subcortical loci; three implants were aimed at the midline thalamus and four at the upper brain stem-mesencephalic region. Prior to surgery, the animals had been trained in the performance of a sustained attention (successive color discrimination) task, some for water reinforcement and others for shock avoidance. All monkeys had implanted electrodes to permit monitoring of EEG. The animals with thalamic lesions showed little or no impairment in various measures of task performance, whereas every animal with a brain stem lesion showed substantial deficits that were interpreted as impairment in attention, coupled with some motor impairment. The impairment in the monkeys with brain stem implants was associated with hypersynchronous, slow-wave bursts in the EEG, which tended to diminish over time in the two animals which showed substantial recovery. Convulsive activity was seen in one animal with a brain stem lesion, and this appeared to be associated with the extensive invasion of aluminum hydroxide cream into the ventricular system. The brain stem lesions were large and unilateral and in every case destroyed portions of the superior and inferior colliculi, lateral lemniscus, and reticular nuclei. The thalamic lesions produced bilateral damage to midline and medial thalamic structures, as well as large areas of patchy cell loss in surrounding regions. The results are discussed in relation to research designed to model petit mal epilepsy in animals, and that aimed at exploring the role of brain structures in visually guided behavior.
Structure of the cytochrome b6f complex: Quinone analogue inhibitors as ligands of heme Cn

A native structure of the cytochrome b(6)f complex with improved resolution was obtained from crystals of the complex grown in the presence of divalent cadmium. Two Cd(2+) binding sites with different occupancy were determined: (i) a higher affinity site, Cd1, which bridges His143 of cytochrome f and the acidic residue, Glu75, of cyt b(6); in addition, Cd1 is coordinated by 1-2 H(2)O or 1-2 Cl(-); (ii) a second site, Cd2, of lower affinity for which three identified ligands are Asp58 (subunit IV), Glu3 (PetG subunit) and Glu4 (PetM subunit). Binding sites of quinone analogue inhibitors were sought to map the pathway of transfer of the lipophilic quinone across the b(6)f complex and to define the function of the novel heme c(n). Two sites were found for the chromone ring of the tridecyl-stigmatellin (TDS) quinone analogue inhibitor, one near the p-side [2Fe-2S] cluster. A second TDS site was found on the n-side of the complex facing the quinone exchange cavity as an axial ligand of heme c(n). A similar binding site proximal to heme c(n) was found for the n-side inhibitor, NQNO. Binding of these inhibitors required their addition to the complex before lipid used to facilitate crystallization. The similar binding of NQNO and TDS as axial ligands to heme c(n) implies that this heme utilizes plastoquinone as a natural ligand, thus defining an electron transfer complex consisting of hemes b(n), c(n), and PQ, and the pathway of n-side reduction of the PQ pool. The NQNO binding site explains several effects associated with its inhibitory action: the negative shift in heme c(n) midpoint potential, the increased amplitude of light-induced heme b(n) reduction, and an altered EPR spectrum attributed to interaction between hemes c(n) and b(n). A decreased extent of heme c(n) reduction by reduced ferredoxin in the presence of NQNO allows observation of the heme c(n) Soret band in a chemical difference spectrum.
The Role of Axioms in Mathematics

To answer the question of whether mathematics needs new axioms, it seems necessary to say what role axioms actually play in mathematics. A first guess is that they are inherently obvious statements that are used to guarantee the truth of theorems proved from them. However, this may neither be possible nor necessary, and it doesn’t seem to fit the historical facts. Instead, I argue that the role of axioms is to systematize uncontroversial facts that mathematicians can accept from a wide variety of philosophical positions. Once the axioms are generally accepted, mathematicians can expend their energies on proving theorems instead of arguing philosophy. Given this account of the role of axioms, I give four criteria that axioms must meet in order to be accepted. Penelope Maddy has proposed a similar view in Naturalism in Mathematics, but she suggests that the philosophical questions bracketed by adopting the axioms can in fact be ignored forever. I contend that these philosophical arguments are in fact important, and should ideally be resolved at some point, but I concede that their resolution is unlikely to affect the ordinary practice of mathematics. However, they may have effects in the margins of mathematics, including with regards to the controversial “large cardinal axioms” Maddy would like to support.
Pyroxene-Garnet Transformation in Coorara Meteorite

Majorite is a new garnet in a veinlet of the Coorara meteorite. Its chemical composition is compatible with derivation mostly from original pyroxene, not from olivine as originally reported. Silicon is partly in sixfold coordination. Ringwoodite, a spinel of olivine composition, occurs as purple grains set in a matrix of fine-grained garnet. The similar mineralogy and texture of the Coorara and Tenham meteorites suggest a common parent body.
Vanishing Theorems for Complete Intersections

The starting point for this work is Auslander’s seminal paper [A]. The main focus of his paper was to understand when the tensor product M⊗RN of finitely generated modules M and N over a regular local ring R is torsion-free. This condition forces the vanishing of a certain Tor module associated to M and N , which in turn, by Auslander’s famous rigidity theorem, implies that Tori (M, N) = 0 for all i ≥ 1. The vanishing of Tor carries a great deal of information; for example it implies the “depth formula” depth(M) + depth(N) = dim(R) + depth(M ⊗R N). From this formula one can deduce, for example, the highly non-trivial fact that if M ⊗R N is torsion-free and non-zero, then M and N must both be torsion-free. In [HW] Huneke and Wiegand generalized some of Auslander’s results to hypersurfaces, though with some unavoidable extra hypotheses. In particular, they proved a rigidity theorem [HW,(2.4)] and the following vanishing theorem:
99mTc-pyrophosphate imaging: bacterial endocarditis.

The authors describe a positive99mTc-Pyrophosphate (99mTc-PYP) myocardial scan in a child with congenital cyanotic heart disease who developed bacterial endocarditis.
Competitive and non-competitive NMDA antagonists limit dynorphin A-induced rat hindlimb paralysis.

Abstract It has been proposed that the endogenous opioid dynorphin A (Dyn A) contributes to the pathogenesis of posttraumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Dyn A-related peptides given intrathecally (i.t.) produce hindlimb paralysis. These include Dyn A(1–17), Dyn A(1–13), Dyn A(2–17), and Dyn A(3–13). Because Dyn A(2–17) and Dyn A(3–13) are inactive at opiate receptors, Dyn A-induced paralysis may include a non-opioid component. Recently, it has been reported that competitiveN-methyl- D -aspartate (NMDA) antagonists block the loss of tail-flick reflex caused by i.t. administration of Dyn A(1–13). In the present studies we examined whether competitive [(4-[3-phoshonopropyl]-2-piperazine-car☐ylic acid (CPP)] or non-competitive (dextrorphan) NMDA antagonists could attenuate paralysis induced by Dyn A(1–17) or Dyn A(2–17). CPP or dextrorphan each significantly attenuated the neurologic dysfunction and mortality associated with Dyn A(1–17) administration. In addition, CPP and dextrorphan significantly reduced the neurologic dysfunction caused by Dyn A(2–17)(ifallP
Control of a compact, tetherless ROV for in-contact inspection of complex underwater structures

Abstract— In this paper we present the dynamic modeling and control of EVIE (Ellipsoidal Vehicle for Inspection and Exploration), an underwater surface contact ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) for inspection and exploration. Underwater surface inspection is a challenging and hazardous task that demands sophisticated automation – as in boiling water nuclear reactors, water pipeline, submarine hull and oil pipelines inspection. EVIE is inspired by its predecessor, the Omni Submersible, in its ellipsoidal, streamlined, and appendage free shape. The objective for the robot is to carry inspection sensors – magnetic, acoustics or visual – to determine cracks on submerged surfaces. Unlike a robot moving in a practically boundless fluid, contact forces complicate the dynamics by bringing in normal and frictional forces, both of which are highly non linear in nature. This makes the modeling much more challenging and the development of an integrated controller more difficult. In this paper we will discuss the preliminary design and hydrodynamic modeling of such a robot. We analyze in detail the controls for one of the many transitional states of this robot. Eventually all transitional states need to be integrated to develop a hybrid dynamical system which shall use a controller that can adapt to its different states.
Process Oriented Logic Simulation

Theoretically, simulation can be activity oriented, event oriented or process oriented. Existing techniques for logic simulation are either activity or event oriented. In this paper, the possibility of logic simulation using process oriented concepts is investigated. Such an approach is justified by the need to support modular design environments. The key feature is that of asynchronous module activity: the timing order of signal changes has to be preserved only for those events belonging to the same module. It is shown that as long as the proper order of occurence for intermodule signaling is faithfully preserved, a centralized scheduling of events is avoidable. Thus, sequences of uninterruptible local events (termed atomic activities) can be simulated in complete isolation. The correct definition of uninterruptible local activities needs some information on allowable timing of interface events.
Time-resolved structural study of the Ge(111) high-temperature phase transition

Abstract The dynamic behavior of the Ge(111) high-temperature phase transition has been investigated using 100 ps time-resolved reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED). A laser pulse heats the surface while a synchronized electron pulse is used to obtain the surface diffraction pattern at some time during and after the heating laser pulse. For slow heating, the RHEED results show that the high-temperature phase transition spreads from ∼1020 K to ∼1070 K. For 100 ps laser heating, the time-resolved RHEED measurements show that the phase transition occurs in the transient temperature range from 1083±23 K to 1138±32 K. The time-resolved RHEED results are in agreement with incomplete melting in which only the topmost layer melts during the phase transition. Thus, overheating of the topmost bilayer beyond the onset temperature of incomplete melting by 63±23 K was observed for 100 ps laser heating.
Management of kidney stones

Urolithiasis affects 5-15% of the population worldwide.1 w1 Recurrence rates are close to 50%,2 w2 and the cost of urolithiasis to individuals and society is high. Acute renal colic is a common presentation in general practice, so a basic understanding of its evaluation and treatment would be useful. Most of the literature is retrospective, but we will try to provide an evidence based review of the management of urolithiasis and will cite prospective randomised controlled trials when available. #### Summary points #### Sources and selection criteria Initial evaluation of the patient with urolithiasis should include a complete medical history and physical examination. Typical symptoms of acute renal colic are intermittent colicky flank pain that may radiate to the lower abdomen or groin, often associated with nausea and vomiting.3 Lower urinary tract symptoms such as dysuria, urgency, and frequency may occur once a stone enters the ureter. Comorbid diseases should be identified, particularly any systemic illnesses that might increase the risk of kidney stone formation or that might influence the clinical course of the disease (box 1). Other important features are a …
Spectral narrowing of phase broadened optical field in coherently prepared medium

We experimentally observe that the width of beating signal between drive and broad-band probe fields becomes significantly narrower (more than 1000 times) than it has been before propagating through the cell
Sandia Laser Tracker

This paper constitutes a current status report on the automatic laser tracker being used at Sandia Laboratories' Sled Track Facility. A short review of the need and system description will, be covered, followed by a description of problem areas. Most of the paper will deal with the modifications completed and the results thereof.
Inhibition of Friend virus replication by a compound that reacts with the nucleocapsid zinc finger: anti-retroviral effect demonstrated in vivo.

The zinc finger structure that is found in the nucleocapsid protein of nearly all retroviruses has been proposed as a target for antiviral therapy. Since compounds that chemically attack the cysteines of the finger have been shown to inactivate both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and murine leukemia virus (MuLV)in vitro,14 of these compounds were tested in an MuLV-induced Friend disease model to assess their ability to inhibit retroviral replicationin vivo.Of the 14 compounds tested, only Aldrithiol-2 clearly exhibited anti-retroviral activity as measured indirectly by the delay of Friend disease onset (P< 0.05). These results were confirmed by quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction studies which monitored viral spread by measuring the level of viral DNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of treated mice. Comparison of treated mice with untreated mice revealed that Aldrithiol-2 produced a greater than 2-log reduction in virus levels. These results functionally demonstrate that a zinc finger-attacking compound can inhibit viral replicationin vivo.Since only 1 of the 14 compounds studied was effective, this study also shows the importance ofin vivotesting of these types of antiviral compounds in an animal model. Given the strict conservation of the metal-coordinating cysteine structure within HIV-1 and MuLV zinc fingers, our results support the proposal that anti-retroviral drugs which target the nucleocapsid zinc finger may be clinically useful against HIV-1.
Spectrally resolved energy transfer using quantum dot donors: Ensemble and single-molecule photoluminescence studies

The photoluminescence spectrum of a quasimonodisperse semiconductor quantum dot (QD) population is composed of a continuum of extremely narrow single QD spectra. This is due to inhomogeneities in nanocrystal size within a population and the color-size dependency imposed by effects of carrier quantum confinements. We take advantage of this population heterogeneity to gain a unique insight into the fluorescence resonant energy transfer (FRET) process between a QD donor and proximal dye-labeled protein acceptors. Our steady-state, time-resolved ensemble and single-QD studies demonstrate that the spectral dependency of the energy transfer rate matches the acceptor absorption spectrum as predicted by F\"orster formalism. This allows ratiometric FRET measurements based on the QD donor emission.
Activity Diagrams for Calcium/Hydrogen, Sodium/Hydrogen, and Potassium/Hydrogen, and H 4 SiO 4 and Their Relation to Reactions in Systems Containing Radioactive Waste Forms, Cement, and Rock in the Presence of Water

In order to identify reactions which can occur in systems containing nuclear waste forms, cement, and repository rock in the presence of water, activity diagrams were calculated from free energies for aluminosilicates and calcium silicates. Log (calcium activity)/(hydrogen activity)2 was plotted against log (H4SiO4 activity) for reactions among calcium aluminum silicates for which free energies are available in the literature. Similar diagrams were made for sodium/hydrogen activity, and potassium/hydrogen activity. For calcium an activity diagram was constructed for the silicates. Groundwater compositions from candidate repository sites in the Palo Duro Basin of Texas, the Delaware Basin of New Mexico, and the Nevada Test Site were plotted on these diagrams. Essentially all of these are shown to be in the calcium zeolite field as shown on the diagram for calcium in the absence of other cations. When considerable Mg and Fe are present in the water, other phases may replace the calcium zeolite in the pertinent region of the diagram. Chlorite is shown to be stable in this region at the Mg and pH level of the Ogallala if the chlorite is high in iron, and at the Mg and pH level of the Wolfcamp low- or high-Fe chlorites are stable. Potassium and sodium mineralrelationships fall in two categories, dilute waters and saline waters. Of the dilute waters, that from the Ogallala aquifer in the Palo Duro Basin, and most of the Nevada Test Site waters, including that from the proposed radwaste repository horizon, are in equilibrium with Na-beidellite and kaolinite. Boreholes at Yucca Flat and Mercury Valley at the Nevada Test Site, and shallow ground water from the Rolling Plains north and east of the Palo Duro Basin are in equilibrium with kaolinite. Of the saline waters, that from the Castile (deep in the Delaware Basin) is a kaolinite water. The brines from the Salado and Rustler formations are in equilibrium with kaolinite and possibly also with sodium-potassium zeolite and illite. Leachates of cement and water, and cement, waste, and water were plotted on the calcium silicate activity diagram. These solutions are in equilibrium with calcium silicate hydrate hydrolysis reactions, with grossular and possibly with Ca-zeolites. Among the calcium silicates, calciumsilicate-hydrate gel (C-S-H gel) and tobermorite are the most likely candidates, but the thermodynamic data are not adequate to distinguish all the possibilities. The underlying assumptions are discussed.
NECA-induced hypomotility in mice: evidence for a predominantly central site of action.

Abstract The behavioral effects of four adenosine analogues (NECA, CHA, CPA and CV-1808) were investigated in mice using a holeboard test, which measures both directed exploration (head-dipping) and a locomotor activity. NECA, CHA and CPA showed significant dose-related reductions in all the holeboard measures (NECA ⪢ CHA=CPA), whilst CV-1808 showed no significant effect on any of the measures over the dose range tested. In a subsequent experiment NECA-induced hypomotility was attenuated by the adenosine receptor antagonists, theophylline (which is both centrally and peripherally active) and, though to a lesser extent, by the adenosine receptor antagonist 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline (8-pSPT), which poorly penetrates the blood-brain barrier. The results suggest that NECA-induced hypomotility may be predominantly mediated centrally since the centrally active antagonist was the most effective in reversing the effect, however, peripheral mechanisms may also play a role since equimolar concentrations of 8-pSPT elicit some reversal of NECA-induced hypomotility.
Absolute concentration of urinary endogenous β‐glucuronidase determined by an ELISA method as a sensitive but non‐specific indicator for active renal parenchymal damage

OBJECTIVE To demonstrate that the absolute concentration, instead of the activity, of urinary endogenous beta-glucuronidase is a better indicator for active renal parenchymal damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS Urine samples were obtained from 143 adult patients comprising 60 control subjects with no evidence of urinary tract disease and 83 patients with serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL. The absolute concentration of urinary endogenous beta-glucuronidase was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) method recently developed by us. The maximal velocity of the enzyme was determined by the enzyme kinetic method. The bacterial beta-glucuronidase and bilirubin in the urine were also detected. RESULTS The urinary beta-glucuronidase activity was affected by certain inhibitors (D-glucaro-1, 4-lactone), intrinsic substrates (conjugated bilirubin) and bacterial beta-glucuronidase present in the urine. Its concentration, determined by the ELISA method, was not interfered with by such factors. When those urine samples which were contaminated with bacteria and/or bilirubin were excluded, the beta-glucuronidase concentration (X ng/mumol creatinine) was significantly correlated with its maximal velocity (Y nmol/min/mumol creatinine): Y = 0.003 + 0.103X. Contrary to blood urea nitrogen, which increases with the increase in serum creatinine, the urinary beta-glucuronidase activity and its concentration reached a peak at a serum creatinine of 1.6-3.0 mg/dL and declined at higher serum creatinine levels. Episodic elevation of serum creatinine due to acute insult to the kidney or flare up of disease activity was often preceded by an increase in the level of urinary beta-glucuronidase. CONCLUSION The absolute concentration of the urinary beta-glucuronidase was not affected by several factors in the urine which interfere with its activity, and was a sensitive indicator for renal parenchymal damage, particularly in the early stage when the disease is active.
Electrochemical reduction of N-(1-butyl)pyridinium cation in 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium chloride-aluminium chloride ambient temperature ionic liquids

Abstract The reduction of N -(1-butyl)pyridinium cation (BuPy + ) has been studied in the ambient temperature ionic liquid, 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium chloride (ImCl)aluminium chloride. A one-electron wave with convective-diffusion controlled limiting current was observed and the diffusion coefficients of BuPy + were measured in neutral and basic ( MC = 0.6) ImClAlCl 3 melts. The D η/ T product was found to be almost independent of melt composition. E 1/2 and peak potentials measured in neutral and basic melts were practically independent of melt composition; however a small but significant shift to less negative potentials was observed in the absence of chloride ions ( ie in pure ImAlCl 4 ). This effect was attributed to ion pair formation (BuPy + Cl − ). Coulometry indicated an “ n ” value of 1 for the reduction of the BuPy + cation. About 15% of the primary product was transformed into the electroactive viologens.
The Global Regulator Ler Is Necessary for Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Colonization of Caenorhabditis elegans

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is an important cause of infant diarrhea in developing countries and is useful for general investigations of the bacterial infection process. However, the study of the molecular pathogenesis of EPEC has been hampered by the lack of genetically tractable, convenient animal models. We have therefore developed the use of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a small animal model of infection for this diarrheal pathogen. We found that nematodes died faster on nematode growth medium in the presence of EPEC pathogens than in the presence of the laboratory control strain MG1655. Increased numbers of pathogens in the gut, determined by standard plate count assays and fluorescence microscopy using green fluorescent protein-expressing bacteria, correlated with killing. Deletion of the gene encoding the global regulator Ler severely reduced the ability of EPEC to colonize the nematode gut and could be complemented by providing the ler gene on a multicopy plasmid in trans. Neither the type III secretion system nor the type IV bundle-forming pilus was required for colonization. Combined, the similarities and distinct differences between EPEC infection of nematodes and that of humans offer a unique opportunity to study several stages of the infection process, namely, attachment, colonization, and persistence, in a genetically tractable, inexpensive, and convenient in vivo system.
Subelliptic $\mathrm{Spin}_{\mathbb{C}}$ Dirac operators, III. The Atiyah–Weinstein conjecture

In this paper we extend the results obtained in [9], [10] to manifolds with Spin C -structures defined, near the boundary, by an almost complex structure. We show that on such a manifold with a strictly pseudoconvex boundary, there are modified ¯ ∂-Neumann boundary conditions defined by projection operators, R eo , which give subelliptic Fredholm problems for the Spin C -Dirac operator, ð eo . We introduce a generalization of Fredholm pairs to the “tame” category. In this context, we show that the index of the graph closure of (ð eo , R eo ) equals
Describing the unusual behavior of children with autism

The behaviors of children with autism have been described by professionals, by family members, and also by those with autism. This article analyzes four different types of reports that contain descriptions of those with autism: (1) case studies, (2) diagnostic reports and single-subject research studies, (3) family accounts, and (4) autobiographical descriptions. Authors describe the behaviors of those with autism differently depending upon their relationship with the person they are describing, their intended audience, their goals, and the genre they use for conveying their descriptions. Authors were found to use the following types of descriptions, to varying degrees in order to achieve their goals: (1) descriptions of what a child did on a particular occasion; (2) descriptions of what a child typically does or did; (3) descriptions of what a child should have done; (4) descriptions of how behavior was experienced by a child or family member; (5) descriptions of how a third party reported a behavior; (6) metaphoric descriptions of behaviors; and (7) descriptions of how behaviors mesh with traits often associated with autism. A detailed examination of how behaviors of children with autism are described indicates that the way someone with autism is regarded and described is strongly related to what the describer wants to accomplish.
Silicon neural recording arrays with on-chip electronics for in-vivo data acquisition

This paper describes a 64 site, 8 channel silicon microelectrode for single-unit neural recording. The probe features integrated CMOS circuitry for electronic positioning of the active recording sites with respect to active neurons. On-chip capacitively coupled pre-amplifiers eliminate the DC baseline polarization of the electrode while providing a per channel gain of 1000. Time-division multiplexing circuitry is provided for sampling the 8 active channels onto one data lead. The on-chip circuitry consumes 834 /spl mu/W of power from /spl plusmn/1.5 V supplies and occupies 4.34 mm/sup 2/ of die area. The probe is fabricated using an 18 mask, single-sided, micromachined CMOS process with a 3 /spl mu/m minimum feature size.
Linear regression after selection

Abstract We study the effect, upon linear regression, of explicit selection on the dependent variable. If the explanatory variables are multinormally distributed along with the dependent variable, then the regression coefficient vector in the selected population is a scalar multiple of that in the original population.
"Inhibition" of pituitary ACTH release after administration of reserpine or epinephrine.

Acute release of ACTH, as measured by changes in concentration of adrenal ascorbic acid, was stimulated in the rat by a single injection of reserpinc or epinephrine. Prolonged hypersecretion of ACTH, as measured by changes in adrenal weight, and depletion of pituitary ACTH content followed repeated injections of either substance. On the other hand, the acute release of ACTH in response to the stress of ether anesthesia was found to be diminished or absent after a single injection of epinephrine or after multiple injections of either reserpine or epinephrine. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the amount of pituitary ACTH available for immediate release in response to acute stress is reduced after administration of reserpine or epinephrine, whereas chronic hypersecretion of ACTH remains unimpaired.
Bimodal δ-opioid receptors regulate vagal bradycardia in canine sinoatrial node

Methionine-enkephalin-arginine-phenylalanine (MEAP) introduced into the interstitium of the canine sinoatrial (SA) node by microdialysis interrupts vagal bradycardia. In contrast, raising endogenou...
Participation by US adults in sports, exercise, and recreational physical activities.

Background: Given the evidence that regular physical activity produces substantial health benefits, participation in sports, exercise, and recreation is widely encouraged. The objective of this study was to describe participation in sports, exercise, and recreational physical activities among US adults. Methods: Data from 2 national surveys of respondents age 18 years and older were analyzed. Respondents to the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) from 2003 through 2005 (N = 45,246) reported all activities on 1 randomly selected survey day. Respondents to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 through 2004 (N = 17,061) reported leisure-time physical activities in the 30 days before the interview. Results: One-quarter of adults participated in any sport, exercise, or recreational activity on a random day, and 60.9% of adults participated in any leisure-time activity in the previous 30 days. The most common types of activities were walking, gardening and yard work, and other form...
Anatomic considerations for regional intimal changes in the coronary arteries (Dog)

Intimal proliferation in dog coronary arteries occurred in the vessel having the greatest range of motion. Within an involved segment of the artery, intimal proliferation could be related to the anatomy of the muscle bundles. Arterial muscle bundles originate from the adventitia, spiral around the artery and insert distally into the adventitia. The adventitia and the internal elastic lamina course along the long axis of the artery and are connected by elastin-collagen fibers. Intimal thickening developed under the muscle insertion sites in regions where the adventitia was apparently placed under tension. In these regions, the net force of a muscle bundle contraction increases and shearing would occur between a muscle bundle at its insertion site and the remaining bundles gliding past it. This local shear force would then be transmitted to the internal elastic lamina through the elastin-collagen fibers which connect it to the adventitia. Deformation and apparent injury of the internal elastica would follow and cause a fibrous tissue response. In the smaller arteries and arterioles, intimal proliferation occurred most prominently in the vessels supplying a mobile structure, i.e., anterior papillary muscle of the left ventricle.
On the Structure of the Low Velocity Zone

Summary Body wave observations from large nuclear explosions at the Nevada Test Site have been used to model the P-velocity and Q structure along the top of the mantle. The amplitudes of short period waves in the range 1–4 degrees and 12–35 degrees indicate substantial absorption in the low velocity zone with Qα. of the order of 50. With the source treated as a known quantity we used the amplitude ratio of short to long period motion as a criterion in modelling structure. The Cagniard-de Hoop technique is used to compute synthetic seismograms for proposed models. The model obtained has a high velocity lid above a thin pronounced low velocity layer with a small positive gradient existing to depths of 220 km. The shadow zone boundary occurs near 12 degrees.
Women and heart disease: neglected directions for future research.

Before age 65, women have less heart disease than men. For many years, estrogen was the most popular explanation for this female advantage, and observational studies through the 1980s showed a lower risk of heart attacks in postmenopausal women taking “replacement” estrogen. But the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), the first placebo-controlled trials of hormone therapy with the size and statistical power necessary to study clinical cardiovascular outcomes, did not confirm the hormone-healthy heart hypothesis. Now, at least 5 years later, the most unexpected WHI result may be how resilient the estrogen hypothesis has been. Where, beyond estrogen therapy, should we go from here to explain the striking sex differences in heart disease rates? A broader spectrum of research about the female cardiovascular advantage and its translation is needed.
Simulated brain biopsy for diagnosing neurodegeneration using autopsy-confirmed cases

Risks associated with brain biopsy limit availability of tissues and the role of brain biopsy in diagnosing neurodegeneration is unclear. We developed a simulated brain biopsy paradigm to comprehensively evaluate potential accuracy of detecting neurodegeneration in biopsies. Postmortem tissue from the frontal, temporal and parietal cortices and basal ganglia from 73 cases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Lewy body disease (LBD), frontotemporal lobar degeneration-TDP43 (FTLD-TDP), multiple system atrophy (MSA), Pick’s disease (PiD), corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) were evaluated using HE intermediate for MSA (71%), CBD (66%) and PiD (66%) and lowest for PSP (0%) (average 64%). Specificity was 43%. Sensitivities were enhanced with all 4-brain regions: FTLD-TDP (100%), AD (80%), LBD (100%), MSA (100%), CBD (83%), PiD (100%) and PSP (88%) (average 92%). Specificity was 71%. Simulated brain biopsy addressed limitations of standard brain biopsies such as tissue availability and lack of autopsy confirmation of diagnoses. These data could inform efforts to establish criteria for biopsy diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders to guide care of individuals who undergo biopsy for enigmatic causes of cognitive impairment or when evidence of an underlying neurodegenerative disease may influence future therapy.
Antecedents Of Successful Web Based Communities For Disabled Citizens

In this period of constrained economic conditions, this study initiates an analysis of the critical success factors in the implementation of World Wide Web-based communities in the non-profit sector, focusing on communities of challenged citizens who have mental health conditions in the City of New York. Non-profit organizations in New York depend ever more upon the technology of the Web to help disabled members in the city, as the disruption from the September 11 disaster continues to impact social services. Though investment in technology is limited in the non-profit sector, the preliminary analysis of this study imputes that implementation of community networks that service rehabilitating members of society is facilitated by distinct enabling success factors of cohesion, effectiveness, help, language, relationship and self-regulation in the innovation of the supporting Web sites. The analysis contributes insight into the dynamics of communities on the Web that is applicable in an international context. This study furnishes a new framework to research Web-based communities in the non-profit sector.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, DIET, AND RISK OF COLON CANCER IN UTAH

A population-based case-control study was used to assess the relations of physical activity and diet to the development of colon cancer in Utah. Data were obtained for a reference period of two years prior to interview for controls (204 females and 180 males) and two years prior to the date of diagnosis for cases (119 females and 110 males). Both leisure time and occupational activities were ascertained by level of intensity and were converted to calories expended per week for analysis. Dietary data were obtained from a quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Physical activity and dietary data were divided into quartiles based upon the distribution in the study population for analyses. Total physical activity was protective against the development of colon cancer for both males (odds ratio (OR) = 0.70) and females (OR = 0.48) when high and low quartiles of activity were compared. Intense physical activity was the component of activity that had the greatest protective effect for males (OR = 0.27); a similar relation was seen for females (OR = 0.55). The observed relation between physical activity and colon cancer was not confounded by dietary intake of calories, fat, or protein, nor was the diet and colon cancer relation confounded by physical activity (odds ratios for calories, protein, and fat in males were 2.40, 2.57, and 2.18, respectively). Assessment of the interrelations among physical activity, diet, and colon cancer suggests that physical activity modifies colon cancer risk associated with diet.