cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF BILIRUBIN INFUSION ON THE GLUTAMATE SITE OF THE N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE (NMDA) RECEPTOR IN THE BRAIN OF THE NEWBORN PIGLET † 1280

Numerous mechanisms have been proposed to describe the neurotoxic effects of bilirubin. Previous studies have shown that the administration of bilirubinin vivo to newborn piglets increased the affinity (decreased Kd) of the NMDA receptor for 3[H]MK-801. The present study tests the hypothesis that modification of the NMDA receptor by bilirubin is specifically dependent on alteration of the glutamate site of the NMDA receptor/ion channel complex. Studies were performed in 2-4 day old anesthetized and ventilated piglets. Piglets in the bilirubin-exposed [B] group (n=5) received a 35 mg/kg bolus of bilirubin followed by a four hour continuous infusion (25 mg/kg/h) containing 0.1 N NaOH, 5% albumin and 0.055 Na2HPO4 with 3 mg/ml of bilirubin. The control [C] group (n=5) received a bilirubin-free buffer solution. Sulfisoxazole, 160 mg/kg, was injected into each animal in three divided doses. P2 membrane fractions were prepared from the cerebral cortex and 3H-glutamate binding was performed in a concentration range from 25 nM to 1000 nM. Specific NMDA-displaceable 3H-glutamate binding was obtained in the presence of NMDA (100μM). Non-specific binding was performed in the presence of unlabelled glutamate (1mM). The number of NMDA-specific glutamate sites (Bmax) in the B and C groups were 579 ± 60 and 522 ± 107 fmol/mg protein (mean±SD). Kd in the same groups were 252 ± 133 and 293 ± 120 nM. The data show that bilirubin administration to piglets did not modify the glutamate site of the NMDA receptor, in contrast to the decrease in Kd from 6.21 to 3.97 nM (higher affinity) of the receptor channel for MK801 previously reported. We speculate that bilirubin neurotoxicity may be due to the incorporation of bilirubin molecules in neuronal membranes resulting in conformational alteration of the MK-801 binding site within the ion channel. (Funded by NIH-HD-20337, MOD-FY94-0135, UCPR 506-93)
Accurate motion of a robot end-effector using the curvature theory of ruled surfaces

Obtention d'un mouvement precis de la main d'un robot grâce a la theorie de la courbure des surfaces reglees
Development and Evaluation of a Prototype Ambient Particle Concentrator for Inhalation Exposure Studies

AbstractA number of studies have underlined the importance of the acute and chronic effects of ambient particles on respiratory health. Because fine particles are capable of penetrating deeply into the respiratory system, most of the health studies have focused on the res-pirable portion of the particle size spectrum. Previous studies to examine exposureJ response relationships between particle exposure and adverse respiratory effects have been based on artificial preparations, or collected and resuspended ambient particles, rather than the natural material found in ambient air. Artificial particles may not be representative, and collected particles may be difficult to redisperse. In addition, the chemical and physical characteristics of ambient particles may change upon resuspension. We have developed a new technique that enables us to increase the concentration of ambient particles to levels about 10 times higher (or more, if desirableJ than their ambient values and supply them to an exposure chamber. A...
Nitrification and denitrification in soil: A comparison of enzyme assay, incubation and enumeration methods

Three methods for assaying nitrification and denitrification were compared in agricultural field plots in the Southeastern USA. Nitrification was measured using the chlorate inhibition enzyme assay, by measuring (NO 3 − −N) production in controlled incubations and by most probable number (MPN) determinations. Denitrification was measured by the phase I enzyme assay, by incubation of soil cores and by MPN determinations. The methods were compared in terms of their representation of seasonal patterns and treatment differences. The enzyme assays were most effective for showing treatment differences because they measure maximum potential enzyme biomass activity which is an integrated product of treatment effects. The incubation methods required minimal alteration ofin situ soil conditions but were confounded by other biological processes and by high spatial and temporal variabiltiy. MPN determinations were time consuming and were least effective for illustrating treatment differences and seasonal patterns.
Search time and color coding

In an attempt to determine the effect of color coding on search time, six groups of 10 S’s each were asked to respond to 10 different displays containing 60 symbols, some of which were color coded. Comparisons among conditions revealed that there was a significant difference in search times only between a “color” and a “no color” condition.
Evaluation of Utility of LSA for Word Sense Discrimination

The goal of the on-going project described in this paper is evaluation of the utility of Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) for unsupervised word sense discrimination. The hypothesis is that LSA can be used to compute context vectors for ambiguous words that can be clustered together --- with each cluster corresponding to a different sense of the word. In this paper we report first experimental result on tightness, separation and purity of sense-based clusters as a function of vector space dimensionality and using different distance metrics.
Magnetic coherence as a universal feature of cuprate superconductors

We extend our previous work on the magnetic coherence effect in ${\mathrm{La}}_{2\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{x}{\mathrm{CuO}}_{4}$ in which it was shown that the effect arises from the interplay of an incommensurate magnetic response, the form of the underlying Fermi surface, and the opening of the d-wave gap in the fermionic spectrum. We present predictions for the magnetic coherence effect in parts of the magnetic Brillouin zone so far unexplored by inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiments including parts where the so-called spin gap vanishes. We calculate the magnetic coherence effect expected in the superconducting state of ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{6+x},$ and make detailed predictions for its frequency and momentum dependence. To the extent that our predictions are confirmed by future experiments, our work will demonstrate that INS experiments are not confined to providing information on the magnetic excitation spectrum, but can also probe the electronic spectrum in the superconducting state.
Abnormal myocardial mechanics in Kawasaki disease: Rapid response to γ-globulin

Abstract Background The time course and rate of recovery of myocardial dysfunction in association with Kawasaki disease in response to intravenous γ-globulin is unknown and may provide mechanistic clues. Methods and Results The acute changes in myocardial contractility in 25 patients with Kawasaki disease were evaluated by noninvasive stress-shortening and stress-velocity analysis. Echocardiograms were performed before and then daily for 4 days during which the patients received γ-globulin 1.6 to 2 g/kg. Before treatment, contractility was abnormally low Conclusions More than half the patients with Kawasaki disease have abnormal contractility at presentation. Myocardial response to globulin therapy is associated with rapid improvement in myocardial mechanics, with a high concordance between the clinical and myocardial response to therapy. The speed of recovery suggests that depressed contractility in patients with Kawasaki disease is caused by a rapidly reversible process such as circulating toxins or activated cytokines. Long-term outcome is good even in those patients with slow recovery of myocardial function.
A Bouncing Liquid Stream

I WISH to report an unexpected effect observed when a thin stream of a solution of polyisobutylene in ‘Decalin’ is poured into solution in an open dish.
Storing sparse and repeated data in multivariate Markovian models of tuberculosis spread

Abstract Through the use of appropriate sparse storage techniques, we were able to reduce memory usage in a multivariate Markovian model for the spread of tuberculosis in the United States through the year 2010. A straightforward software implementation of the model would have required approximately 2.5 × 10 9 bytes of storage for the population of each year being modeled and approximately 1.3 × 10 14 bytes of storage for each year-to-year set of transition probabilities. We were able to reduce memory usage in the model by 96% for cross-sectional population data and over 99.9% for transition probability data. Data structure initialization time for population data was increased by a factor of 16.48 and lookup time for population data was increased by a factor of 11.3 over times required for an array implementation. For transition data the initialization and lookup times were increased by negligible factors. This work was done under contract from the Centers for Disease Control and the Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine.
Magnetic anisotropy in ultrathin Fe films on GaAs, ZnSe, and Ge (001) substrates

We discuss magnetic anisotropy parameters of ferromagnetic body-centered cubic (bcc) Fe films grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on (001) substrates of face-centered cubic (fcc) GaAs, ZnSe, and Ge. High-quality MBE growth of these metal/semiconductor combinations is made possible by the fortuitous atomic relationship between the bcc Fe and the underlying fcc semiconductor surfaces, resulting in excellent lattice match. Magnetization measurements by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) indicate that the Fe films grown on (001) GaAs surfaces are characterized by a very strong uniaxial in-plane anisotropy; those grown on (001) Ge surfaces have a fully cubic anisotropy; and Fe films grown on ZnSe represent an intermediate case between the preceding two combinations. Ferromagnetic resonance measurements carried out on these three systems provide a strikingly clear quantitative picture of the anisotropy parameters, in excellent agreement with the SQUID results. Based on these results, we propose that the observed anisotropy of cubic Fe films grown in this way results from the surface reconstruction of the specific semiconductor substrate on which the Fe film is deposited. These results suggest that, by controlling surface reconstruction of the substrate during the MBE growth, one may be able to engineer the magnetic anisotropy in Fe, and possibly also in other MBE-grown ferromagnetic films.
Peptide Mapping of Partial Acid Hydrolysates of Human Dentin and Bovine Skin Collagens by Thin-Layer Methods

Human dentin and bovine skin collagens, partially hydrolyzed with acid, were compared by peptide mapping on thin-layer plates. The patterns, which showed 20 to 25 spots, were similar for the two types of collagen. No major differences in the structural characteristics of dentin and skin collagens can be predicted from these results.
Falling household size and its effect on metropolitan population growth and density

In determining metropolitan population size and changes therein, urban theorists traditionally have focused on the number of occupied dwelling units or households and have assumed that these households are equal in size. This paper argues that average household size is an indicator of how intensively the housing stock is utilized and that there is substantial variation in household size across SMSAs in the U.S. The experience of 150 SMSAs is examined for the time period 1960 to 1970. The study model attributes varying household size to differentials in birth and divorce rates, racial composition and age of housing. Ramifications of recent household size declines involve the internal spatial organization of metropolitan areas and the Census controversy with cities over alleged undercounts of urban populations.
DNA-based Fish Species Identification Protocol

We have developed a fast, simple, and accurate DNA-based screening method to identify the fish species present in fresh and processed seafood samples. This versatile method employs PCR amplification of genomic DNA extracted from fish samples, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis to generate fragment patterns that can be resolved on the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer and matched to the correct species using RFLP pattern matching software. The fish identification method uses a simple, reliable, spin column- based protocol to isolate DNA from fish samples. The samples are treated with proteinase K to release the nucleic acids into solution. DNA is then isolated by suspending the sample in binding buffer and loading onto a microspin cup containing a silica- based fiber matrix. The nucleic acids in the sample bind to the fiber matrix. The immobilized nucleic acids are washed to remove contaminants, and total DNA is recovered in a final volume of 100 μl. The isolated DNA is ready for PCR amplification with the provided primers that bind to sequences found in all fish genomes. The PCR products are then digested with three different restriction enzymes and resolved on the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. The fragment lengths produced in the digestion reactions can be used to determine the species of fish from which the DNA sample was prepared, using the RFLP pattern matching software containing a database of experimentally- derived RFLP patterns from commercially relevant fish species.
Joint Placement of Phasor and Power Flow Measurements for Observability of Power Systems

We consider the problem of joint optimal placement of phasor measurement units (PMU) and conventional measurements to ensure full observability in power systems. The formulation is initially posed as a nonlinear integer programming problem and then transformed in to an equivalent integer linear programming (ILP) problem by introducing auxiliary variables and constraints. The resulting ILP problem is solved for the optimal solution on IEEE 14-, 57-, and 118-bus systems considering zero-injection buses. To extend the formulation to large-scale systems, two heuristics are proposed where the nonlinear problem is decomposed into two separate problems of lesser complexity. The heuristics are evaluated on standard IEEE test cases and a large 2383-bus Polish system. The heuristics yield solutions close to optimal (difference of 1 PMU) solutions on standard IEEE systems, while substantially reducing problem complexity and run time. The placement results obtained with the proposed formulation require fewer PMUs for observability compared to systems with fixed locations of conventional measurements. The results thus potentially provide a more economical solution to system observability compared to those obtained solely with PMU placement.
Optimal H-infinity decoupling of engine idle speed and emission subsystems

In this paper, the problem of optimal decoupling of engine idle speed and emission subsystems is studied for facilitation of modularization of control tasks, enhancement of robustness, reduction of control complexity and calibration time, and improvement of engine system performance. A new design method is introduced which employs feedforward compensation to achieve optimal decoupling of engine subsystems over large frequency ranges. The design method is applied to the decoupling of engine idle speed and emission subsystems which demonstrate significant reduction of their interconnections.
THE FACTOR OF PREVIOUS TREATMENT IN EXPERIMENTAL MENSTRUATION1

AN EXPERIMENTAL study of the disorders of menstruation has been XJL in progress in our laboratory since 1929. The approach has been along two lines: 1) study of the changes in endometrial histology associated with abnormal uterine bleeding and 2) experimental production of abnormal menstruation in monkeys and direct observation of the associated vascular phenomena. Among other things, the study has demonstrated that menstrual disorders result from lesions in any of the endocrine glands or from constitutional disease secondarily affecting the endocrine system. The primary lesion operates through the ovaries to produce the menstrual symptom. The degree of ovarian involvement is indicated by the endometrial histology. There is no constant correlation between the type of menstrual abnormality and the severity of the ovarian dysfunction as indicated by the endometrium (Burch and collaborators, 1937; 1942 (1, 2)). The study of endometrial vascular phenomena was undertaken in the hope of clarifying the question ...
MEMBRANE POTENTIALS AND CATAPHORETIC POTENTIALS OF PROTEINS.

1. It has been shown in preceding publications that the membrane potentials of protein solutions or gels are determined by differences in the concentration of a common ion (e.g. hydrogen ion) inside a protein solution or protein gel and an outside aqueous solution free from protein, and that the membrane potentials can be calculated with a good degree of accuracy from Donnan's equation for membrane equilibria. 2. On the basis of the theory of electrical double layers developed by Helmholtz, we are forced to assume that the cataphoretic potentials of protein particles are determined by a difference in the concentration of the two oppositely charged ions of the same electrolyte in the two strata of an electrical double layer surrounding the protein particle but situated entirely in the aqueous solution. 3. The membrane potentials of proteins agree with the cataphoretic potentials in that the sign of charge of the protein is negative on the alkaline side and positive on the acid side of the isoelectric point of the protein in both membrane potentials and cataphoretic potentials. The two types of potential of proteins disagree, especially in regard to the action of salts with trivalent and tetravalent ions on the sign of charge of the protein. While low concentrations of these salts bring about a reversal of the sign of the cataphoretic potentials of protein particles (at least in the neighborhood of the isoelectric point), the same salts can bring the membrane potentials of proteins only to zero, but call bring about no or practically no reversal of the sign of charge of the protein. Where salts seem to bring about a reversal in the membrane potential of protein solutions, the reversal is probably in reality always due to a change in the pH. 4. We may state, as a result of our experiments, that the cataphoretic migration and the cataphoretic P.D. of protein particles or of suspended particles coated with a protein are the result of two groups of forces; namely, first, forces inherent in the protein particles (these forces being linked with the membrane equilibrium between protein particles and the outside aqueous solution); and second, forces inherent entirely in the aqueous solution surrounding the protein particles. The forces inherent in the protein particles and linked with the membrane equilibrium prevail to such an extent over the forces inherent in the water, that the sense of the cataphoretic migration of protein particles is determined by the forces resulting from the membrane equilibrium.
Effect of bevacizumab (Avastin (TM) ) on mitochondrial function of in vitro retinal pigment epithelial, neurosensory retinal and microvascular endothelial cells.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of bevacizumab on the mitochondrial function of human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19), rat neurosensory retinal (R28) and human microvascular endothelial (HMVEC) cells in culture. Materials and Methods: ARPE-19 and R28 cells were treated with 0.125, 0.25, 0.50 and 1 mg/ml of bevacizumab. The HMVEC cultures were treated with 0.125, 0.25, 0.50 and 1 mg/ml of bevacizumab or 1 mg/ml of immunoglobulin G (control). Mitochondrial function assessed by mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity (MDA) was determined using the WST-1 assay. Results: Bevacizumab doses of 0.125 to 1 mg/ml for 5 days did not significantly affect the MDA of ARPE-19 cells. Bevacizumab treatment at 0.125 and 0.25 mg/ml (clinical dose) did not significantly affect the MDA of R28 cells; however, 0.50 and 1 mg/ml doses significantly reduced the R28 cell mitochondrial function. All doses of bevacizumab significantly reduced the MDA of proliferating and non-proliferating HMVEC. Conclusion: Bevacizumab exposure for 5 days was safe at clinical doses in both ARPE-19 and R28 retinal neurosensory cells in culture. By contrast, bevacizumab exposure at all doses show a significant dose-dependent decrease in mitochondrial activity in both the proliferating and non-proliferating HMVEC in vitro. This suggests a selective action of bevacizumab on endothelial cells at clinical doses.
How large is the subducted water flux? New constraints on mantle regassing rates

Abstract Estimates of the subducted water (H 2 O) flux have been used to discuss the regassing of the mantle over Earth history. However, these estimates vary widely, and some are large enough to have reduced the volume of water in the global ocean by a factor of two over the Phanerozoic. In light of uncertainties in the hydration state of subducting slabs, magma production rates and mantle source water contents, we use a Monte Carlo simulation to set limits on long-term global water cycling and the return flux of water to the deep Earth. Estimates of magma production rates and water contents in primary magmas generated at ocean islands, mid-ocean ridges, arcs and back-arcs are paired with estimates of water entering trenches via subducting oceanic slab in order to construct a model of the deep Earth water cycle. The simulation is constrained by reconstructions of Phanerozoic sea level change, which suggest that ocean volume is near steady-state, though a sea level decrease of up to 360 m may be supported. We provide limits on the return flux of water to the deep Earth over the Phanerozoic corresponding to a near steady-state exosphere (0–100 meter sea level decrease) and a maximum sea level decrease of 360 m. For the near steady-state exosphere, the return flux is 1.4 − 2.0 − 0.3 + 0.4 × 10 13 mol/yr, corresponding to 2–3% serpentinization in 10 km of lithospheric mantle. The return flux that generates the maximum sea level decrease over the Phanerozoic is 3.5 − 0.3 + 0.4 × 10 13 mol/yr, corresponding to 5% serpentinization in 10 km of lithospheric mantle. Our estimates of the return flux of water to the mantle are up to 7 times lower than previously suggested. The imbalance between our estimates of the return flux and mantle output flux leads to a low rate of increase in bulk mantle water content of up to 24 ppm/Ga.
On Including Religious and Spiritual Faith and Practice in Gerontological Research

ELIGION and spirituality are important in the lives of most elders, but until the mid-1990s, gerontological research had little to say about these areas of life. This has changed dramatically, in part because both government- and private foundation-sponsored research is developing and using measures of religiousness and spirituality in surveys of older people. There are two particularly important perspectives that need to be included in research: faith and practice. These are not interchangeable concepts. Faith evolves through adult development and is conditioned by worldview and direct experience of the divine. Practice, on the other hand, involves a wide variety of activities that express devotion, ask for help, enhance clarity of purpose, or open oneself to direct religious or spiritual experience. Faith and practice are dimensions of religion and spirituality that introduce enormous diversity, both within individuals and within population subgroups. This complexity of ideas, experiences, and activities—and their multiplicity of meanings—represents a significant challenge if we are to avoid reductionist assessment. We need to be sensitive to social class, ethnic, and gender differences within and across religious groups (as well as individual differences) within the many cross-sections of the general population. In my experience, religious and spiritual practices over decades of adult life can have major effects on how people respond to life changes. Likewise, persons of mature faith tend to have a very different worldview compared with people with rudimentary faith or no faith at all. But to sort out how the many developmental and social influences serve to produce these results requires that we have much more complex conceptual maps than we have developed thus far. We also must develop ways to assess these factors so we can make appropriate comparisons between people at different stages of development, in various birth cohorts, and across religious traditions.
Ectomycorrhizal iconoclasts: the ITS rDNA diversity and nitrophilic tendencies of fetid Russula

Fetid Russula are frequently dominant ectomycorrhizal fungi, and some appear to be especially nitrophilic. However, little is known about their phylogenetic relationships or how common nitrophilic traits are in this group. This study addresses this gap and presents a phylogenetic analysis of ITS rDNA sequences and a meta-analysis of studies that examine ectomycorrhizal fungi response to nitrogen increase. The phylogenetic analysis indicates that (i) this lineage contains numerous unidentified taxa; (ii) the taxa have distinct geographic distributions; and (iii) the misuse of names such as R amoenolens, R. foetens or R. pectinatoides is common. Twenty-three well supported phylotypes were identified and include clades specific to western North America, eastern North America, Europe and Asia, while morphologically similar collections from tropical-equatorial regions are distinct. The metaanalysis shows that nitrophilic tendencies appear throughout fetid Russulas suggesting that this character is not an isolated trait within this subgenus but instead is a more general feature of the group overall. Mapping these tendencies across a broader portion of the Russulaceae shows that this trait is more regularly found in the basal Russula lineages and Lactarius spp., suggesting that this ability evolved early in these fungi.
Borders of the nation, borders of citizenship: Italian repatriation and the redefinition of national identity after world war II

Although Italian colonialism began to claim scholars' attention in a systematic way from the 1970s on, colonialism's epilogue—decolonization—remains largely ignored for the Italian case. What scholarship has been produced on the decolonization process after fascism's defeat tends either to focus on the details of the international treaty debates by which Italy's former possessions received independence or became trusteeships (the domain of diplomatic history), or to consider whether Italy constitutes a “postcolonial” space (the realm of cultural studies). Analyses of the latter variety note the general lack of public consciousness about Italy's colonial past or postcolonial present. Pinkus, for example, describes the cultural consequences of decolonization in terms of a nonevent: “The term nonevent suggests, indeed, that the lack of any traumatic severing of Italy's colonial appendages has contributed to the lack of a full-scale national reevaluation of the country's colonial past.” In an evocative analysis, Pinkus interprets Antonioni's 1962 film L'eclisse (The eclipse) as symptomatic of the eclipsing of the memories of colonialism's end. In the postwar period, she claims, such memories became displaced onto Italy's “conquest” of its urban peripheries (Italy's “deserts”) and their transformation into large-scale residential neighborhoods. Yet Pinkus conflates the recent silence about decolonization with silence about decolonization at the time of events, assuming the “lack of any traumatic severing of Italy's colonial appendages.” One visible (at least at the time, if not subsequently) and little explored aspect of the “trauma” of decolonization was the repatriation of Italian nationals from the ex possedimenti, or former possessions.
Full-brain coverage and high-resolution imaging capabilities of passband b-SSFP fMRI at 3T

Passband balanced-steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) fMRI is a recently developed method that utilizes the passband (flat portion) of the b-SSFP off-resonance response to measure MR signal changes elicited by changes in tissue oxygenation following increases in neuronal activity. Rapid refocusing and short readout durations of b-SSFP, combined with the relatively large flat portion of the b-SSFP off-resonance spectrum allows distortion-free full-brain coverage with only two acquisitions. This allows for high-resolution functional imaging, without the spatial distortion frequently encountered in conventional high-resolution functional images. Finally, the 3D imaging compatibility of the b-SSFP acquisitions permits isotropic-voxel-size high-resolution acquisitions. In this study we address some of the major technical issues involved in obtaining passband b-SSFP-based functional brain images with practical imaging parameters and demonstrate the advantages through breath-holding and visual field mapping experiments. Magn Reson Med, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Impaired tuning of a fast occipito-temporal response for print in dyslexic children learning to read

Developmental dyslexia is defined as a disorder of learning to read. It is thus critical to examine the neural processes that impair learning to read during the early phase of reading acquisition, before compensatory mechanisms are adapted by older readers with dyslexia. Using electroencephalography-based event-related imaging, we investigated how tuning of visual activity for print advances in the same children before and after initial reading training in school. The focus was on a fast, coarse form of visual tuning for print, measured as an increase of the occipito-temporal N1 response at 150-270 ms in the event-related potential (ERP) to words compared to symbol strings. The results demonstrate that the initial development of reading skills and visual tuning for print progressed more slowly in those children who became dyslexic than in their control peers. Print-specific tuning in 2nd grade strongly distinguished dyslexic children from controls. It was maximal in the inferior occipito-temporal cortex, left-lateralized in controls, and reduced in dyslexic children. The results suggest that delayed initial visual tuning for print critically contributes to the development of dyslexia.
Dynamic Adaptation of Temporal Event Correlation for QoS Management in Distributed Systems

Temporal event correlation is essential to managing quality of service in distributed systems, especially correlating events from multiple components to detect problems with availability, performance, and denial of service attacks. Two challenges in temporal event correlation are: (1) handling lost events and (2) dealing with inaccurate clocks. We show that both challenges are related to event propagation delays that result from contention for network and server resources. We develop an approach to adjusting the timer values of event correlation rules based on propagation delays in order to reduce missed alarms and false alarms. Our approach has three parts: an infrastructure for real-time measurement of propagation delay, a statistical approach to estimating propagation delays, and a controller that uses estimates of propagation delays to update timer values in temporal rules. Our approach eliminates the need for manual adjustments of timer values. Further, studies of a prototype implementation suggest that our approach produces results that are at least as good as an optimal fixed adjustment in timer values.
Role of Inflammatory Cytokine-Induced Cycloxygenase 2 in the Ocular Immunopathologic Disease Herpetic Stromal Keratitis

Ocular infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) results in a blinding immunoinflammatory stromal keratitis (SK) lesion. Early preclinical events include polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) infiltration and neovascularization in the corneal stroma. We demonstrate here that HSV infection of the cornea results in the upregulation of the cycloxygenase 2 (COX-2) enzyme. Early after infection, COX-2 was produced from uninfected stromal fibroblasts as an indirect effect of virus infection. Subsequently, COX-2 may also be produced from other inflammatory cells that infiltrate the cornea. The induction of COX-2 is a critical event, since inhibition of COX-2 with a selective inhibitor was shown to reduce corneal angiogenesis and SK severity. The administration of a COX-2 inhibitor resulted in compromised PMN infiltration into the cornea, as well as diminished corneal vascular endothelial growth factor levels, likely accounting for the reduced angiogenic response. COX-2 stimulation by HSV infection represents a critical early event accessible for therapy and the control of SK severity.
Investigation of motor adaptation to movement versus object parameters

In this study healthy human subjects (n=10) manually controlled a rotary handle to track a sinusoidally moving target as displayed on a computer screen. During movement, either the apparent handle inertia or tracking frequency changed to a higher or lower value. We analyzed the initial performance recovery following task perturbation using a linear fit of the velocity tracking error trends. For both types of task perturbations, we found significant increases in the intercept of the line fit (paired t-tests, two-tailed: p<.05) compared to trials with no change. We also found that adaptation rates indicated by the slope of the line fit of the tracking velocity error were larger for frequency changes than for apparent changes of the inertia for parameter increases (p=0.029, paired t-tests, one-tailed) and parameter decreases (p=0.055, paired tests, one-tailed). Our results provide evidence that humans use low impedance control that is task-specific to object parameters such as inertia. In addition, the results provide evidence that the adaptation to motion parameter changes and object parameter changes are different control processes.
The Adjoint Projection Pursuit Regression

Abstract Consider a projection pursuit regression model y = g(α + β x) + e, with an arbitrary monotonic link function g. We assume the link function is unknown; thus we can only estimate the direction of β, that is, the ratios among the components of β, say, β 1/β 2. The direction of β is a useful estimand that measures, say, how many units of x 2 is equivalent to one unit of x 1 in terms of potency in affecting the outcome y. Projection pursuit regression usually solves the equation cov(x, y − E(y | β x)) = 0. As an alternative, we propose to solve the adjoint equation cov(x − E(x | β x), y) = 0. The adjoint equation has the advantage that E(x | β x) might be easier to estimate than E(y | β x). We establish two main results for the population case. First, β is the unique solution (up to a multiplicative scalar) to the adjoint equation. Second, β satisfies a fixed-point property based on a modified least squares regression derived from the adjoint equation. We apply the population results to two important...
Bayesian classification of residues associated with protein functional divergence: Arf and Arf-like GTPases

Background Certain residues within proteins are highly conserved across very distantly related organisms, yet their (presumably critical) structural or mechanistic roles are completely unknown. To obtain clues regarding such residues within Arf and Arf-like (Arf/Arl) GTPases--which function as on/off switches regulating vesicle trafficking, phospholipid metabolism and cytoskeletal remodeling--I apply a new sampling procedure for comparative sequence analysis, termed multiple category Bayesian Partitioning with Pattern Selection (mcBPPS).
A Comparison of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and Rainfall for the Amazon and Northeastern Brazil

Abstract This paper presents a comparison of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and rainfall for the Amazon and northeastern Brazil for the time period of 1988–90. The analysis shows that the NDVI and rainfall are uncorrelated in the Amazon, except in the northernmost part, where the rainfall regime is drier and a savanna type of vegetation is present. In the drier region of northeastern Brazil, the relationship is exponential, with the NDVI showing sensitivity to rainfall within a regime of less than approximately 100 mm per month of rainfall.
Approximate Procedure for the Seismic Nonlinear Analysis of Nonstructural Components in Buildings

An approximate method is proposed to estimate the seismic response of nonlinear nonstructural components attached to nonlinear building structures. The method is based on a previously developed procedure for the analysis of linear secondary systems mounted on a linear primary structure, the introduction of simplifying assumptions similar to those made in the derivation of the equivalent lateral force procedure for the seismic analysis of conventional buildings, and the use of strength reduction factors to account for the nonlinear behaviour of nonstructural component and supporting structure. Its application to any given nonstructural component only requires knowing the geometric characteristics, weights, and target ductilities of the nonstructural component and the structure to which it is connected, in addition to the fundamental natural period of the structure and the elastic response spectrum specified for the design of the structure. Presented also are a numerical example that illustrates the application of the method and the results of a comparative numerical study that is carried out to assess the method’s adequacy. Based on its simplicity and rationality and the results from the comparative study, it is concluded that the proposed method represents a simple but effective procedure for the seismic design of nonstructural components in buildings.
Modelling of the Filtering Processes Inside the Soil Through Codes of Computing

This work shows the principal results obtained during the study of the grounds with partial saturation (when the water doesn't fill completely the pores inside the soil) through the software to the finite elements of modelling of the filtering processes, SEEP/W (Geo-Slope International LTD, 2004).
Effects of Turbidity on Predation Vulnerability of Juvenile Humpback Chub to Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout

Abstract Predation on juvenile native fish by introduced rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and brown trout Salmo trutta is considered a significant threat to the persistence of endangered humpback chub Gila cypha in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. Diet studies of rainbow trout and brown trout in Glen and Grand canyons indicate that these species eat native fish, but impacts are difficult to assess because predation vulnerability is highly variable depending on the physical conditions under which the predation interactions take place. We conducted laboratory experiments to evaluate how short-term predation vulnerability of juvenile humpback chub changes in response to changes in turbidity. In overnight laboratory trials, we exposed hatchery-reared juvenile humpback chub and bonytail Gila elegans (a surrogate for humpback chub) to adult rainbow trout and brown trout at turbidities ranging from 0 to 1,000 formazin nephlometric units. We found that turbidity as low as 25 formazin nephlometric units signif...
A murine model of peripheral irradiation-induced fatigue.

Abstract Purpose Fatigue is the most ubiquitous side effect of cancer treatment, but its etiology remains elusive. Further investigations into cancer-related fatigue pathobiology necessitate the expanded use of animal models. This study describes the development of a murine model of radiation-induced fatigue. Methods Voluntary wheel running activity measured fatigue in 5–8 week-old, male C57BL/6 mice before and after γ irradiation totaling 2400 cGy (3 consecutive days × 800 cGy daily fractionated doses) to the lower abdominal areas. Three trials confirmed fatigue behavior at this dose. Anhedonia, body weight, and hemoglobin were also measured. Gastrointestinal, skeletal muscle, and bone marrow tissue samples were evaluated for signs of damage. Results In two validation trials, irradiated mice (trial 1, n = 8; trial 2, n = 8) covered less cumulative distance in kilometers post-irradiation (trial 1, mean = 115.3 ± 12.3; trial 2, mean = 113.6 ± 21.8) than sham controls (trial 1, n = 5, mean = 126.3 ± 5.7, p = 0.05; trial 2, n = 8, mean = 140.9 ± 25.4, p = 0.02). Decreased mean daily running distance and speed were observed during the last four hours of the dark cycle in irradiated mice compared to controls for two weeks post-irradiation. There were no differences in saccharin preference or hemoglobin levels between groups, no effect of changes in body weight or hemoglobin on wheel running distance, additionally, histology showed no damage to muscle, bone marrow, or gastrointestinal integrity, with the latter confirmed by ELISA. Conclusion We characterized a novel mouse model of fatigue caused by peripheral radiation and not associated with anemia, weight changes, or anhedonia. This model provides opportunities for detailed study of the mechanisms of radiation-induced fatigue.
Considering Emotions in Critical English-Language Teaching: Theories and Praxis, by Benesch, S.

In Considering Emotions in Critical English Language Teaching, Sarah Benesch makes an innovative contribution to the growing body of research on emotion in second language contexts while advancing ...
Mechanisms of volume-induced increase in left ventricular contractility

Volume-induced increases in left ventricular (LV) contractility were studied in 18 anesthetized dogs. Denervation eliminated cardiac reflexes, and hearts were paced at 100 +/- 9 (SD) beats/min. Acute volume loading increased LV end-diastolic pressure from approximately 4 to 14 mmHg within 1 min. Contractility increased over 10 min as measured by a decrease in end-systolic length (ESL) (sonomicrometer) at matched LV end-systolic pressure (ESP) or increase in LVESP measured at matched ESL. Volume-dependent increase in contractility was not attenuated by verapamil (0.3 +/- 0.2 microgram/kg i.v., n = 6) or myocardial stunning (15 min ischemia, 30 min reperfusion, n = 6) but was attenuated by ryanodine (1-16 micrograms/kg i.v., n = 6), which alters calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. From 1 to 10 min after volume loading, LV anterior ESL (measured at LVESP 132 +/- 12 mmHg) decreased by 6.7 +/- 0.5% before, but only by 4.0 +/- 1.7% after 1 microgram/kg ryanodine (P < 0.05). The LVESP (measured at anterior ESL 11.6 mm) increased 32 +/- 4 mmHg before, but only by 17 +/- 12 mmHg after 1 microgram/kg ryanodine. In conclusion, acute volume loading produces a time-dependent increase in LV contractility, which is mediated in part by an increase in calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Abstract 933: The expression of PRMT5 methyltransferase mediates cell survival and metastatic phenotype in malignant melanoma

Post-translational modification of proteins is involved at all levels of cellular regulation. The PRMT5 enzyme is a type II arginine methyltransferase that catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group to two of three guanidino nitrogen atoms within the arginine molecule. This enzyme has been shown to methylate histone H3 at arginine 8 (H3R8) and H4R3 to trigger silencing of tumor suppressor genes. In addition, PRMT5 has been shown to interact with p53, TRAIL receptor, and the CDK4 complex to regulate the cell cycle or apoptosis. Although prior studies have provided insight into these mechanistic features of the PRMT enzymes, most data are derived from a limited panel of cell lines. PRMT5 over-expression has recently been shown to influence progression of leukemia and lymphoma. However, few, if any publications exist which document the role of PRMT enzymes in melanoma. We hypothesized that PRMT5 expression promotes metastasis and contributes to reduced immunologic recognition of melanoma cells. Immunoblot analysis and confocal microscopy revealed that PRMT5 is expressed in a panel of melanoma cell lines regardless of the mutational status of B-Raf, NRas, or p53. siRNA-mediated inhibition of PRMT5 led to apoptosis and restored CXCL10 chemokine expression. PRMT5 expression was next determined by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of formalin-fixed samples from patients with melanoma (n=56 primary; n=20 metastases) or benign nevi (n=24). The specimens were obtained as a commercially-available tissue microarray, or procured as de-identified primary patient samples (IRB #20100071; P.I. Lesinski; OSU IRB # 2002H0089; co-PI: Peters). PRMT5 expression was significantly increased in the nucleus of melanoma cells as compared to normal epidermis or benign nevi (p=0.001). The level of cytoplasmic PRMT5 expression was also elevated in melanoma lesions, however its distribution in benign tissues was bimodal, and expressed in a subset of benign samples. Notably, nuclear PRMT5 expression increased as melanoma cells invaded the dermis or in melanoma lesions exhibiting pagetoid spread. Finally, we have identified a specific inhibitor of PRMT5 arginine methyltransferase activity from a small molecule library. This lead compound (BLL-1) blocked the dimethylation of arginine 3 on histone H4 (H4R3me2s). A series of titration experiments revealed reduction of both H4R3me2s and proliferation rate. Treatment of multiple melanoma cell lines with BLL-1 (24 hr) led to significantly increased apoptosis. These data represent the first report of PRMT5 and its inhibition in melanoma. Together, this suggests PRMT5 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy by virtue of its ability to promote apoptosis and restore immunomodulatory gene expression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 933. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-933
Further Studies on Metabolism of Sulfur Compounds in Cystinuria.

∗Aided by Grant No. 302 from the Committee on Scientific Research of the American Medical Association.Some recent experiments1,2 on sulfur metabolism have been confirmed on another case of cystinuria (16-year-old female from a cystinuric family). Cystine (6.4 gm.), administered orally was almost completely (98%) oxidized to inorganic sulfate and did not increase urinary cystine excretion. Cysteine (3.5 gm.), on the other hand, was largely excreted as extra cystine (45%) and only a part of it was oxidized (38% of the extra sulfur). Methionine (dl, 6 gm.) was also largely excreted as extra cystine (40%) and partly (35%) as undetermined neutral sulfur,† while only a small amount (25% of the extra sulfur) was oxidized.A preliminary experiment with 2.5 gm. of homocystine3 indicates that in cystinuria this amino acid is oxidized (92% of the extra sulfur) and does not give rise to extra cystine in the urine. The implications of this finding will be discussed upon completion of confirmatory experiments now in pro...
The Equine Herpesviruses

The two most economically significant equine herpesviruses, EHV-1 and EHV-4, which were formerly considered subtypes 1 and 2 of equine herpesvirus 1, are discussed in this article. Clinical signs, pathogenesis, and diagnostic methods are presented. Vaccination theory and practice are reviewed in the context of both the unique properties of herpesviral immunity and the recent availability of new vaccine formulations. Management strategies for disease prevention are summarized.
Successful Treatment of a Red and Black Professional Tattoo in Skin Type VI With a Picosecond Dual-Wavelength, Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet Laser.

Use of the 532 nm laser wavelength with nanosecond pulses is generally contraindicated for tattoo removal in dark-skinned patients.1 In darkly pigmented individuals, absorption of laser energy by epidermal melanin competes with tattoo pigments. Longer wavelengths, such as the 1,064-nm neodymium-dope