cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flight technical error analysis of the SATS higher volume operations simulation and flight experiments

This paper provides an analysis of flight technical error (FTE) from recent SATS experiments, called the higher volume operations (HVO) simulation and flight experiments, which NASA conducted to determine pilot acceptability of the HVO concept for normal operating conditions. Reported are FTE results from simulation and flight experiment data indicating the SATS HVO concept is viable and acceptable to low-time instrument rated pilots when compared with today's system (Baseline). Described is the comparative FTE analysis of lateral, vertical, and airspeed deviations from the Baseline and SATS HVO experimental flight procedures. Based on FTE analysis, all evaluation subjects, low-time instrument-rated pilots, flew the HVO procedures safely and proficiently in comparison to today's system (Baseline). In all cases, the results of the flight experiment validated the results of the simulation experiment and confirm the utility of the simulation platform for comparative human in the loop (HITL) studies of SATS HVO and Baseline operations.
Near infrared detectors for SNAP

Large format (1k x 1k and 2k x 2k) near infrared detectors manufactured by Rockwell Scientific Center and Raytheon Vision Systems are characterized as part of the near infrared R&D effort for SNAP (the Super-Nova/Acceleration Probe). These are hybridized HgCdTe focal plane arrays with a sharp high wavelength cut-off at 1.7 um. This cut-off provides a sufficiently deep reach in redshift while it allows at the same time low dark current operation of the passively cooled detectors at 140 K. Here the baseline SNAP near infrared system is briefly described and the science driven requirements for the near infrared detectors are summarized. A few results obtained during the testing of engineering grade near infrared devices procured for the SNAP project are highlighted. In particular some recent measurements that target correlated noise between adjacent detector pixels due to capacitive coupling and the response uniformity within individual detector pixels are discussed.
Beneficial effects of dietary EGCG and voluntary exercise on behavior in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, age-dependent neurodegenerative disorder affecting specific brain regions that control memory and cognitive functions. Epidemiological studies suggest that exercise and dietary antioxidants are beneficial in reducing AD risk. To date, botanical flavonoids are consistently associated with the prevention of age-related diseases. The present study investigated the effects of 4 months of wheel-running exercise, initiated at 2-months of age, in conjunction with the effects of the green tea catechin (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) administered orally in the drinking water (50 mg/kg daily) on: (1) behavioral measures: learning and memory performance in the Barnes maze, nest building, open-field, anxiety in the light-dark box; and (2) soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) levels in the cortex and hippocampus in TgCRND8 (Tg) mice. Untreated Tg mice showed hyperactivity, relatively poor nest building behaviors, and deficits in spatial learning in the Barnes maze. Both EGCG and voluntary exercise, separately and in combination, were able to attenuate nest building and Barnes maze performance deficits. Additionally, these interventions lowered soluble Aβ1-42 levels in the cortex and hippocampus. These results, together with epidemiological and clinical studies in humans, suggest that dietary polyphenols and exercise may have beneficial effects on brain health and slow the progression of AD.
Factors associated with knowledge of personal gestational weight gain recommendations

Excess adiposity (obesity and excess gestational weight gain, GWG) during pregnancy (EADP) increases risk for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and child and maternal obesity. Personal GWG goals predict total GWG. Some estimates suggest only 30% of pregnant women have personal GWG goals that are congruent with Institute of Medicine GWG recommendations. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which perceived pre-pregnancy weight status, healthcare provider advice, knowledge of EADP risks, and value for healthy GWG predicted knowledge of GWG recommendations. The secondary purpose was to determine sources of GWG information among pregnant women. Pregnant women with a confirmed singleton pregnancy completed a one-time survey in obstetric clinic waiting rooms. Logistic regression analysis was used. 246 predominantly African American, low income, overweight/obese women completed surveys. Average age was 25 (SD 5.3) and gestation age ranged from 7 to 40 weeks. Knowledge of pre-pregnancy weight status was the only unique predictor of GWG recommendation knowledge (B = .642, p = .03). The top three sources of GWG information were physicians, internet, and books. The least frequently reported sources of GWG information were other healthcare providers, community programs, and television. In low income diverse overweight/obese pregnant women, accurate pre-pregnancy weight status perception was the only significant unique predictor of knowledge of GWG recommendations. Physicians were the preferred source of GWG information. Clinicians should have frequent, ongoing conversations about weight status with women before, during, and after pregnancy.
Steroid metabolism and genetics.

Although a clear distinction between anabolic and catabolic processes of steroid metabolism was not made in any of the above studies, the influence of genetic background upon the picture of over-all steroid metabolism can no longer be in doubt. It remains now for future studies to be carried out on normal people, not in their usual role as controls for their less lucky, diseased fellows, but rather as subjects of studies to establish the inherited capacity to elaborate and metabolize characteristic amounts of specific steroid hormones. At the present time, there is no evidence of any pathological significance to such correlations; perhaps all of them will be at a subclinical level. On the other hand, such mild conditions as irregular menses, idiopathic hirsutism, premenstrual tension, all of whose hormonal causes have so far eluded investigators, may well be a reflection of genetic influence causing a slight derangement in the quantitative character of steroid metabolism.
Cutaneous reactions to vitamin K

In four patients the development of erythematous plaques after vitamin K injections was apparently due to delayed hypersensitivity reactions. The 36 cases described in the literature indicate that most patients with the reaction received vitamin K injections for liver disease and that a late sclerodermatous reaction develops rarely.
The in vitro activity and β-lactamase stability of cefpiramide compared with other β-lactam antibiotics

The in vitro activity of cefpiramide, a new ureido cephalosporin antibiotic, was determined against 1128 gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria selected for resistance to ampicillin and cefazolin. Cefpiramide was less active on a milligram basis than cefotaxime, ceftazidime, moxalactam, and aztreonam against all of the members of the Enterobacteriaceae. Cefpiramide inhibited many Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to carbenicillin, piperacillin, and cefotaxime, but it was less active than ceftazidime and cefsulodin. Cefpiramide inhibited staphylococci and streptococci and had appreciable activity against Streptococcus faecalis and Listeria moncytogenes. It had less activity than cefoxitin against anaerobic species. Cefpiramide inhibited permeability mutants of Escherichia coli at lower concentrations than the parent strain, suggesting an effect of entry upon its activity. Although cefpiramide was resistant to attack by most chromosomal beta-lactamases, it was hydrolyzed by the common plasmid beta-lactamases TEM and SHV and by the chromosomal Proteus vulgaris, type Ic, cephalosporinase.
Synthesis and processing of sindbis virus nonstructural proteins in vitro

Abstract Polyadenylated 42 S genome RNA of Sindbis virus was extracted from purified virions, selected by binding to oligo(dT)-cellulose, and used to direct cell-free protein synthesis in nuclease-treated reticulocyte lysates. The translation products comprised a series of polypeptides which included distinct species with apparent molecular weights of 250, 205, 155,145, 89, 76, and 60 × 10 3 . Their interrelationships were examined by analysis of their kinetics of synthesis, peptide maps, and incorporation of radioisotopic label from formyl[ 35 S]methionyl-tRNA f . Polypeptides p89, p76, and p60 were unique, nonoverlapping, and stable. However, their sequences were contained in one or more of the larger products p250, p205, p145, which comprised a set of overlapping polypeptides that shared a common N-terminus. Radioisotope chase experiments showed that p250, p205, p155, and p145 were unstable; that p89, p76, and p60 were generated by proteolytic processing of larger precursors; and that the RNA regions encoding these three stable products were translated in the order: p60, p89, p76. On the basis of their electrophoretic mobilities and peptide maps, p89 and p76 were indistinguishable from two polypeptides found in Sindbis virus-infected cells and are candidates to be components of the Sindbis virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerases. When translation was performed under conditions that were designed to inhibit proteolysis, the accumulation of p89 and p76 was prevented, and that of p60 was severely inhibited. Under certain translation conditions, heterodisperse products larger than p250 accumulated. Even after thermal denaturation of RNA, only small amounts of the viral structural proteins were synthesized, indicating that the 3′-terminal third of the 42 S RNA genome was essentially unavailable for independent translation.
Scapholunate ligament repair and capsulodesis for the treatment of static scapholunate dissociation

Twenty-four patients were treated with scapholunate ligament repair and dorsal capsulodesis for scapholunate dissociation. Seventeen patients were available for follow-up at an average of 30 months. The average interval between injury and surgery was 3 months. At final follow-up, no patients were pain-free. Average total wrist motion was 60% and grip strength 70% of the opposite normal side. The average preoperative scapholunate angle was 78° and was corrected to a normal 47° at surgery. The average final scapholunate angle was 72°, which was not significantly different from the preoperative value. The scapholunate gap likewise was not significantly changed postoperatively. Only two patients had an excellent or good outcome using a clinical grading system, and six out of 17 scored good or excellent using a radiographic grading system. In conclusion, repair of the scapholunate ligament with dorsal capsulodesis failed to provide consistent pain relief and maintain carpal alignment in patients with static sc...
Occurrence of brominated compounds in soft-bottom benthic organisms

Abstract The abundant species of infaunal soft-bodied organisms from two geographically separated sites with very different predatory regimes were examined for the occurrence of volatile brominated compounds. Of the 10 species, three contained substantial amounts of brominated compounds while two others contained trace amounts. A greater proportion of species from the Western Atlantic site with large, sediment-disturbing predators and much lower infaunal densities contained these compounds. The occurrence of the compounds did not follow phylogenetic lineages or food sources. The toxicity of such compounds and potential for predator deterrence may be major determinants of their occurrence.
South Pole ice core record of explosive volcanic eruptions in the first and second millennia A.D. and evidence of a large eruption in the tropics around 535 A.D.

[1] A record of explosive eruptions over the last 1830 years reconstructed from a South Pole, Antarctica, ice core extends the coverage of volcanic history to the start of the first millennium A.D. The ice core dating by annual layer counting carries an uncertainty of ±2% of the number of years from time markers, with the largest dating error of ±20 years at the bottom of the 182 m core. Several aspects of the methodology of detecting and quantifying volcanic sulfate signals in ice cores are examined in developing this record. The new record is remarkably consistent with previous South Pole records. A comparison with records from several Antarctica locations suggests that the South Pole location is among the best for ice core reconstruction of volcanic records, owing to the excellent preservation of volcanic signals at the South Pole, the relatively low and uniform sulfate background, and the moderately high snow accumulation rates which allow for dating by annual layer counting. A prominent volcanic event dated at 531(±15) A.D., along with evidence from other records, indicates that an unusually large eruption took place in the tropics and was probably responsible for the “mystery cloud” climate episode of 536–537 A.D. The date of 536 is suggested for a prominent volcanic signal that appears in the first half of the sixth century A.D. in ice cores, which can in turn be used as a time stratigraphic marker in dating ice cores by annual layer counting or by computing average accumulation rates or layer thicknesses with such markers.
Cor Triatriatum Dexter and Atrial Septal Defect in a 43-Year-Old Woman

Cor triatriatum dexter is a rare congenital heart anomaly in which a membrane divides the right atrium into 2 chambers. We report the case of a 43-year-old woman who had cor triatriatum dexter and a large atrial septal defect. During attempted percutaneous closure, the balloon disrupted the membrane and revealed that the defect had no inferior rim, precluding secure placement of an Amplatzer Septal Occluder. Surgical treatment subsequently proved to be successful. In patients with an incomplete membrane and a septal defect with well-defined rims, percutaneous treatment can be the first choice. In patients who have cor triatriatum dexter and unfavorable anatomic features or concomitant complex heart anomalies, open-heart surgery remains the gold standard for treatment.
The effects of bariatric surgery – will understanding its mechanism render the knife unnecessary?

The incidence of obesity is increasing worldwide at a dramatic rate, accompanied by an associated increase in comorbid conditions. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass being the most commonly performed procedure, yet the underlying mechanisms by which it induces a wide-array of beneficial effects remains obscure. From basic science as well as clinical standpoints, there are several areas of current interest that warrant continued investigation. Several major focus areas have also emerged in current research that may guide future efforts in this field, particularly with regards to using novel, non-surgical approaches to mimic the success of bariatric surgery while minimizing its adverse side effects.
DISCRETE TOPOLOGY BASED HIERARCHICAL SEGMENTATION FOR EFFICIENT OBJECT-BASED IMAGE ANALYIS: APPLICATION TO OBJECT DETECTION IN HIGH RESOLUTION SATELLITE IMAGES

With rapid developments in satellite and sensor technologies, there has been a dramatic increase in the availability of high resolution (HR) remotely sensed images. Hence, the ability to collect images remotely is expected to far exceed our capacity to analyse these images manually. Consequently, techniques that can handle large volumes of data are urgently needed. In many of today's multiscale techniques the underlying representation of objects is still pixel-based, i.e. object entities are still described/accessed via pixelbased descriptors, thereby creating a bottleneck when processing large volumes of data. Also, these techniques do not yet leverage the topological and contextual information present in the image. We propose a framework for Discrete Topology based hierarchical segmentation, addressing both the algorithms and data structures that will be required. The framework consists of three components: 1) Conversion to dart-based representation, 2) Size-Constrained-Region Merging to generate multiple segmentations, and 3) Update of two sparse arrays SIGMA and LAMBDA which together encode the topology of each region in the hierarchy. The results of our representation are demonstrated both on a synthetic and a real high resolution images. Application of this representation to objectdetection is also discussed.
CAN SELECTIVE PULMONARY VASODILATOR THERAPY BE USED TO TARGET PULMONIC REGURGITATION? RESULTS OF THE PINOT NOIR TRIAL

Both tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair and pulmonary valvotomy for pulmonic stenosis (PS) result in progressive pulmonary insufficiency (PI), which eventually necessitates repeat surgery. Though percutaneous therapy is growing in popularity, it remains ill-suited for native right ventricular (RV)
Highly Reactive 2,5-Disubstituted Styrene-Based Monomer Polymerized via Stable Free Radical Polymerization: Effect of Substitution and Liquid Crystallinity on Polymerization

The stable free radical polymerization (SFRP) of a liquid crystalline monomer 2,5-bis[(4-butylbenzoyl)oxy]styrene, BBOS, was investigated. BBOS is a substituted styrenic monomer, which polymerizes an order of magnitude faster than styrene under identical bulk polymerization conditions. A comparative study of the polymerization behavior in bulk and solution for BBOS and a model compound was undertaken to elucidate the effect of both electron-withdrawing substituents and liquid crystallinity of the monomer on the polymerization kinetics. Molecular simulation was used to identify a non-LC model monomer, 2,5-diacetoxystyrene (DAS). DAS was polymerized by stable free radical polymerization both in bulk and in solution. In all cases narrow molecular weight distribution (<1.4) was obtained. In bulk, DAS polymerized significantly slower than BBOS, whereas in a dilute solution, the rate of polymerization was quite similar. In-situ X-ray studies carried out during polymerization of BBOS in the neat monomer indicate the presence of a nematic phase which could lead to localized ordering of the monomers during polymerization. In comparison, DAS was found to be more reactive than styrene, because of the electronic effect of the acetoxy groups. However, p-acetoxystyrene (PAS) was found to have almost the same observed rate of polymerization as DAS, indicating that steric factors also play an important role in O-substituted compounds.
A study of microwave reaction rate enhancement effect in adhesive bonding of polymers and composites

Microwaves have been investigated as an efficient alternative energy source for polymers and composites processing. In this paper, microwaves are applied in bonding two polymer composites with an epoxy-based adhesive. Results were compared with thermal process. Microwaves reduced the bonding time dramatically, which resulted from faster curing of the adhesives. The literature disagreed on whether localized superheating of functional groups or specific non-thermal effects are the main reason of microwave enhancement of reaction rate. In this study, the mechanism of microwave fast curing was investigated and the experimental results supported localized superheating of the functional groups as the main mechanism of reaction rate enhancement of microwave energy.
Designing sandwich polymer matrix composite panels for structural integrity in fire

This is the continuation of our published paper [Gu P, Asaro RJ. Designing polymer matrix composite panels for structural integrity in fire. Compos Struct 2008;84:300–9]. This paper addresses the compressive mechanical load bearing capacity of sandwich polymer matrix composite panels under transverse thermal gradients caused by fire. An example of such combined loading condition is that of panels in ship and vessel structures under transverse thermal gradients caused by fire. Specifically, we discuss the mechanical design considerations, failure modes that lead the panels to fail in the combined thermal–mechanical condition. An approach to assess critical load among the failure modes is discussed for design purpose. A computer program is developed based on the approach to evaluate sandwich panel’s load bearing capacity in fire. Examples are presented to design the panel for given thermal and mechanical requirements. Due to the core’s low bending stiffness, there is a large decrease of the panel’s load bearing capacity when the fire-exposed skin is degradated.
Sex differences in the mechanism of Met5-enkephalin-induced cardioprotection: role of PI3K/Akt

Met5-enkephalin (ME)-induced cardioprotection occurs via epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation with the subsequent activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). In the prese...
Upp er lethal temperature tolerance of fingerling black crapp ie

Upper lethal temperature tolerance was determined for 26–81 mm, age 0 black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus of three size classes using both a rapid transfer and slow heating protocol. Rapid transfer protocols determined 24 LT50 values of 33–8, 35–1 and 31–5° C for size classes with mean total lengths of 30–2, 45–6 and 74–9 mm. A predictive model was generated from the slow heating protocols that relates lethal temperature to acclimation temperature, total length, and condition factor (K) as predictors.
Vasomotion in the bat wing: a thermoregulatory response to internal heating.

Abstract 1. 1. Bats subjected to internal heating allow their body temperatures to rise passively. 2. 2. At an average body temperature of 35·6† C the blood vessels of the wings dilate and excess heat is transported out of the body. 3. 3. When the internal heat loading ceases, the wing temperature quickly falls to ambient temperature. 4. 4. This mechanism undoubtedly forms an important channel for heat dissipation in flying bats.
Abstract PL01-03: Molecular patterns of endemic, sporadic, and AIDS-related Burkitt's lymphoma: Clues to distinct biology of subtypes

Burkitt9s lymphoma (BL) is a monoclonal B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with three clinical-epidemiological subtypes: endemic BL occurs mostly in Africa, tropical areas of Latin America, and Papua New Guinea and is linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); sporadic BL occurs worldwide in children and young adults less than 20% of cases are linked to EBV; and AIDS-associated BL, which occurs in the setting of HIV infection in developed countries. Except for the later, BL is generally recognized to be a pediatric lymphoma with some cases that occur in young adults and, rarely, in the elderly. The central molecular abnormality in all subtypes is deregulation of cellular MYC gene, due to t(8;14), or infrequently, variant translocations. All subtypes are histologically indistinguishable. We have recently observed non-monotonic age-specific incidence peaks in sporadic and AIDS-related BL in the U.S., suggesting a mixture of BL with different etiologies and/or biology, and peaks during childhood, adulthood, and in the elderly. The molecular correlates of age-specific peaks of BL are not well established, but may include viral markers linked to BL (EBV and HIV) or other unknown factors. The presentation will compare and contrast age, sex, anatomic site, viral, and molecular patterns of endemic, sporadic, and AIDS-related BL and advance the hypothesis that age-related peaks may represent an alternative approach to identify BL with different etiology and/or biology. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):PL01-03.
Clinical Experience with Cardiac Myxoma

Abstract Eight patients ranging in age from 16 to 77 years had excision of a cardiac myxoma. All patients had symptoms varying in duration from 1 to 35 years. Three of the tumors arose in the right atrium, four in the left atrium, and one in the left ventricle. Angiocardiography provided an accurate diagnosis in 7 patients. Surgical removal was accomplished in each patient with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. One patient died postoperatively due to low cardiac output, and another died with pneumococcal septicemia. All survivors have significantly improved. While surgical treatment of a cardiac myxoma can be highly successful, major emphasis should be placed on early diagnosis.
Detection Of Demineralization In Rat Legs Using Multiple Angle X-Ray Bone Densitometry

A method utilizing digital dual-energy subtraction X-ray radiography for measuring calcium densities localized to the cortical and cancellous regions of bone cross sections is described. The method is being used to study calcium loss in femurs of two differently treated groups of rats. In each experimental cohort, one group of rats is restrained from weightbearing on hind limbs by suspension from a tail harness. The other (control) group is allowed normal weightbearing on all limbs. The densitometry data for each rat leg consists of six X-ray projection images acquired at roughly equal angles about the bone axis by an intensifying screen/CCD camera imaging system. Images of bone cross sections are reconstructed by application of a maximum entropy algorithm constrained by the six projection images. The observed density data are further discriminated into cortical, cancellous and external regions on the basis of reference levels found on image density histograms.
Endoscope motion compensation for laryngeal high-speed videoendoscopy.

Summary The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a method for automatic endoscopic motion compensation (MC) specialized for laryngeal high-speed videoendoscopy (HSV) of sustained phonation. Specifically, the left-right and posterior-anterior endoscopic shifts were addressed. The method is based on the hypothesis that the difference between endoscopic and vocal fold dynamics is sufficient for accurate estimation of the endoscopic motion relative to the vocal folds. The research questions of particular interest were as follows: is MC of laryngeal HSV possible at the subpixel level, and what are the validity, reliability, and accuracy of the proposed MC method? First, the MC accuracy was assessed on simulated HSV data with exactly known motion trajectories. Then, the accuracy and reliability of MC were evaluated on real HSV data. Finally, the validity of MC was established by correlating objective to perceptual ratings. The method demonstrated subpixel accuracy and reliable performance when tested on both simulated and real data. Perceptual ratings of the endoscopic motion demonstrated high intrarater and interrater reliabilities. Perceptual and quantitative assessments of endoscopic motion were in agreement. The reported result is encouraging for resolving a persistent problem toward building better methods for visual and quantitative voice assessment.
Action learning: hierarchical organization and perspective

Many everyday actions are learned by observing others perform them. Here, we investigate an account of how the mental representations elicited by observation are transformed into action plans and how that translation can be augmented. Neuropsychological evidence suggests that the motor system is naturally aroused by observing action, implicitly mapping the actor’s body onto one’s own. Those natural processes can be augmented by manipulations that encourage coding the observed action into a goal/subgoal hierarchy and by taking the spatial perspective of the actor rather than one’s own. In a series of studies supporting this analysis, participants twice watched a video of an agent assembling an object. While watching, they pressed a button indicating when one action unit ended and another began, once for the coarsest units that made sense and once for the finest units that made sense (in counterbalanced order). In some cases, participants described or imitated what happened in each unit as they viewed; the perspective and focus of the descriptions or imitations were systematically varied. The temporal organization of the coarse and fine units provided a measure of hierarchical encoding of the action. After the segmentation task, participants were surprised by a request to perform the actions. Both hierarchical encoding and action learning were facilitated by describing or imitating the action from the actor’s perspective rather than one’s own, especially when the focus was on the actor’s hand.
Adrenocorticotropin 57, Synthesis and biological activity of ostrich and turkey hormones*

Synthesis of ostrich and turkey corticotropin (ACTH) has been accomplished by the solid-phase method. Each was identical to the natural hormone in high performance liquid chromatography. Relative potencies in a lipolytic assay in isolated rabbit fat cells were: human ACTH, 100; ostrich ACTH, 53; turkey ACTH, 28. In isolated rat fat cells relative lipolytic potencies were: human ACTH, 100; ostrich ACTH, 2; turkey ACTH, 13. It was concluded that lipolytic potency is sensitive to alterations in structure throughout the entire length of the ACTH sequence in the rat fat cell assay.
SMRT and N-CoR Corepressors Are Regulated by Distinct Kinase Signaling Pathways

N-CoR and SMRT are corepressor paralogs that partner with and mediate transcriptional repression by a wide variety of metazoan transcription factors, including nuclear hormone receptors. Although encoded by distinct genetic loci, N-CoR and SMRT share substantial sequence interrelatedness, form analogous assemblies with histone deacetylases and auxiliary factors, can interact with overlapping sets of transcription factor partners, and exert overlapping functions in cells. SMRT is subject to negative regulation by MAPK signaling pathways operating downstream of growth factor and stress signaling pathways. We report here that whereas activation of MEKK1 leads to phosphorylation of SMRT, its dissociation from its transcription factor partners in vivo and in vitro, and its redistribution from the cell nucleus to a cytoplasmic compartment, N-CoR is refractory to all these forms of regulation. In contrast to this MAPK cascade, other signal transduction pathways operating downstream of growth factor/cytokine receptors appear able to affect both corepressor paralogs. Our results indicate that SMRT and N-CoR are embedded in distinct regulatory networks and that the two corepressors interpret growth factor, cytokine, differentiation, and prosurvival signals differently.
27. Natural history of anal HPV in heterosexual women and risks associated with persistence

Background Anal cancer is more common in women than in men, yet little is known about the natural history of HPV in women. The objective was to examine the natural history of anal HPV in heterosexual women and to examine risk factors associated with persistence. Methods: Young women participating in a HPV cohort study were seen at 4-month intervals for cervical and anal testing for HPV DNA. The distribution of time to clearance was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier approach, and risks for persistence assessed using Cox regression models. Results: Seventy-five women (mean age 23.5 ± 4.1 years) who tested positive for anal HPV were followed for a mean of 84.5 ± 44.9 months. By 3 years, 82.5% of anal non-16 high risk (HR) HPV, 82.6% of low risk (LR) HPV and 76.2% of HPV16 infections had cleared. By 3 years, only 36.4% of women had become negative for all HPV types. In the multivariable model, concurrent cervical HPV 16 (P = 0.009) or any HR HPV (P = 0.046) detection, weekly alcohol use (P = 0.018), anal touching during sex (P = 0.034), and ever having anal sex (P = 0.06) were associated with HPV 16 persistence. Having a new sex partner (P < 0.001) and condom use during vaginal sex (P = 0.06) were associated with clearance. Similar associations were found for clearance all HR HPV infections. Only concomitant cervical HPV infection was associated with non-16 HR HPV persistence. Conclusions: The majority of anal HPV infections cleared within 3 years. HPV 16 infections were slower to clear than other HR HPV, consistent with its role in anal cancer. Sexual behaviour was associated with persistence, suggesting that education and behavioural interventions may decrease persistence and the risk of anal cancer.
Expeditious assembly of mesoscopic metallocycles.

Very large chiral metallocycles with tunable cavities in the range of 0.9−22 nm were efficiently assembled from the requisite metal- and ligand-terminated oligomers that are built from the 2,2‘-dia...
Geckos: Adaptive Significance and Energetics of Tail Autotomy

Coleonyx variegatus is adapted to readily sacrifice its tail to predators. This adaptation is associated with characteristic tail behavior and rapid tail regeneration. There is no facultative metabolic increase associated with tail regeneration, and energy normally allocated to body growth and maintenance is diverted to tail regeneration. This supports the contention that tail behavior, autotomy, and rapid regeneration evolved as mechanisms promoting survival in terms of predator escape.
Running cars down ramps: learning about learning over time

Any episode of learning and teaching is necessarily situated in both space and time. But, whereas the spatial arrangement of the classroom remains relatively constant, change is the very essence of the learning that takes place within it. Such is the nature of the data to be examined in this paper. The same curriculum unit was taught by the same teacher to a fourth-grade class in four successive years and every lesson in each year was videorecorded. Our purpose was to document change over time at three levels: from year to year, within each year, and over the course of activities within particular lessons. Within the limits of this paper, we focus on one particular issue as it recurred over time.
Synthesis, photooxidation and Z ⇌ E photoisomerization of benzalpyrrolinones

In contrast to oxodipyrromethenes and bilirubin, benzalpyrrolinones (H, P-OCH3, p-Cl, p-N(CH3)2 and o-CH3) and α-pyridalpyrrolinones appear not to undergo dye-sensitized photo-oxygenation. They do, however, undergo an unsensitized E ⇌ Z photoisomerization reminiscent of stilbene photoisomerization, and the photostationary state varies with substituent. Intramolecular H-bonding is implicated in the α-pyridalpyrrolinone isomerization. In each case, the Z isomers are the therrnodynamically more stable ones, but the corresponding E isomers have been isolated and characterized following photoirradialion.
Evolution of two actin genes in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus.

The complete nucleotide sequences of two chromosomally linked actin genes from the sea urchinStrongylocentrotus franciscanus are presented. The genes are separated by 5.7 kilobases, occur in the same transcriptional orientation, and contain introns in identical positions. The structures and nucleotide sequences of the two genes are extremely similar, suggesting that they arose through a recent duplication. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the genes allows inferences to be made about mutational mechanisms active since the duplication event. Whereas point mutations predominate in the coding regions, the introns and flanking DNA are more heavily influenced by a variety of events that cause simultaneous changes in short regions of DNA.
The prevalence of lumbar paraspinal spontaneous activity in asymptomatic subjects

Electrodiagnostic findings of fibrillations and positive sharp waves in the lumbosacral paraspinals in patients without previous back surgery has been generally considered to be abnormal, consistent with posterior rami denervation. In some cases, it is the only abnormality on the electromyographic examination. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of abnormal spontaneous activity in lumbosacral paraspinals in asymptomatic individuals. Nine (14.5%) of 62 subjects studied had positive sharp waves or fibrillations noted on the needle examination of bilateral lumbosacral paraspinal muscles. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of abnormal activity with increasing age. This suggests that caution should be taken in attributing radiculopathy as the etiology of low back pain when electromyographic lumbosacral paraspinal abnormalities are the only positive findings in the middle-aged or older individual.
The enigmatic megakaryocyte gradually reveals its secrets

The recent cloning of thrombopoietin has brought many insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of megakaryocyte and platelet development. Thrombopoietin was cloned based on its binding to the product of the proto-oncogene c-mpl and was found to affect all aspects of thrombopoiesis. Many of the molecular pathways that mediate thrombopoietin action have been discerned. Upon hormone binding, the megakaryocyte thrombopoietin receptor homodimerizes, activating members of the JAK family of kinases, which, in turn, phosphorylate the receptor, generating docking sites for second messengers that affect multiple signalling pathways. Ultimately, cellular proliferative and anti-apoptotic mechanisms are initiated, increasing megakaryocyte numbers, as are processes that uncouple DNA synthesis from nuclear and cytoplasmic division, generating polyploid cells. As the net result of thrombopoietin action is an expansion of cells that give rise to mature platelets, the availability of the recombinant hormone has provided new opportunities to manipulate blood cell development for therapeutic benefit.
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent cell type-specific modulation of mitogenic signaling by retinoids in normal and neoplastic lung cells.

Abstract Background : Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables has been shown to reduce the lung cancer risk. However, clinical trials with β-carotene and retinoids have disappointed, resulted in increased mortality from lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. Methods : We have investigated the effects of the two major retinol metabolites, 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-Cis-RA), and 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-Cis-RA), on cell proliferation (MTT assays), intracellular cAMP (cAMP immunoassays), PKA activation (non-radioactive PKA activation assays), and ERK1/2 phosphorylation (Western blots) in immortalized human small airway epithelial cells, HPL1D, a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, NCI-H322, immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells, BEAS-2B, and in the human small cell lung carcinoma cell line, NCI-H69. Results : Both retinoids increased intracellular cAMP and PKA activation in all cell lines. In BEAS-2B and NCI-H69 cells, the stimulation of cAMP/PKA reduced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and inhibited cell proliferation whereas phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and cell proliferation were increased in HPL1D and NCI-H322 cells. Conclusions : Our data have identified a novel mechanism of action of 9-Cis-RA and 13-Cis-RA: activation of PKA in response to increased cAMP. The observed stimulation of cAMP/PKA may inhibit the development of small cell lung carcinoma and other tumors derived from large airway epithelia whereas it may selectively promote the development of lung tumors derived from small airway epithelial cells, such as adenocarcinoma.
Phenolic Metabolites of Dalea versicolor that Enhance Antibiotic Activity against Model Pathogenic Bacteria

A new flavonoid (1) was isolated from organic extracts of Dalea versicolor, along with six known phenolic compounds (2-7). The structures of the seven compounds were determined by NMR and HRMS methods. These compounds were evaluated for direct activity against a variety of organisms in vitro, including the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. In addition, the compounds were evaluated for their ability to potentiate the activity of known antimicrobials through inhibition of multidrug-resistance (MDR) pumps. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 7 exhibited direct or synergistic activity toward the human pathogen S. aureus and the opportunistic pathogen B. cereus. Compounds 4 and 7 were also found to potentiate the activity of berberine and of prescribed antibiotics, with 4 demonstrating a mode of action consistent with inhibition of the NorA MDR efflux pump in S. aureus.
Polarizing effects of social comparison

Abstract Does exposure to others' judgments merely elicit conformity to what is observed? Two experiments are reported in which people who were merely exposed to others' responses tended not to conform to the average observed response but to exceed it in the socially preferred direction. These experiments complement social psychology's historic emphasis on conformity by suggesting that not only do people avoid being markedly deviant from others; they also act to differentiate themselves from others toward the extreme that reflects the group ideal.
Canine histiocytic ulcerative colitis.

Canine histiocytic ulcerative colitis (CHUC) is a chronic debilitating disease of boxer dogs. Study of this disorder may provide information essential to the understanding of pathogenic mechanisms that result in progressive large bowel ulceration. In this study, large intestinal mucosal biopsy specimens from seven affected boxers and four normal dogs were examined by light and electron microscopy. The earliest morphologic change discernible was focal, acute inflammation and epithelial cell degeneration at the luminal surface of the large bowel. These latter changes were nonspecific in nature. The basement membrane of affected epithelium consistently was effaced and intercellular spaces were dilated. Neutrophils were found between intact, degenerating epithelial cells and within the subjacent lamina propria. Convincing evidence for an infectious cause of CHUC was not found. Observed microorganisms probably were secondary invaders since they were present only in lesions exhibiting actual epithelial disruption. The PAS-positive macrophages, which are pathognomonic for the disease, were engorged with numerous digestive vacuoles that mainly contained phospholipid membranes. A developmental sequence was observed which suggested that these PAS-positive cells arose from the actively phagocytic, normal-appearing macrophages found in the surface-oriented mucosal lesions.
Exchange-driven pairing of delocalized carriers in high-temperature superconductors

A semiquantitative pairing model is derived from the properties of a realistic Hamiltonian for CuO{sub 2} sheets. Due to large interactions between oxygen ions, to first-order {ital delocalized} carriers pair via localized spin-system holes on the Cu sublattice. The largest carrier-Cu couplings are dynamic exchange processes involving the Cu({ital d}{sup 10}) and Cu({ital d}{sup 8}) configurations. Up to carrier concentrations of {similar to}30--40 %, exchange-mediated attraction overcomes the large carrier Coulomb repulsion, present because of dielectric local screening. The same mechanism is shown to be capable of explaining high-temperature superconductivity in BiO{sub 3}. The pairing interaction is attractive for triplet and repulsive for singlet {ital s}-wave pairs.
“Let us not desert one another”: Jane Austen and the romantic century

(2000). “Let us not desert one another”: Jane Austen and the romantic century. European Romantic Review: Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 35-45.
Computational model for predicting nonlinear viscoelastic damage evolution in materials subjected to dynamic loading

Many inelastic solids accumulate numerous cracks before failure due to impact loading, thus rendering any exact solution of the IBVP untenable. It is therefore useful to construct computational models that can accurately predict the evolution of damage during actual impact/dynamic events in order to develop design tools for assessing performance characteristics. This paper presents a computational model for predicting the evolution of cracking in structures subjected to dynamic loading. Fracture is modeled via a nonlinear viscoelastic cohesive zone model. Two example problems are shown: one for model validation through comparison with a one-dimensional analytical solution for dynamic viscoelastic debonding, and the other demonstrates the applicability of the approach to model dynamic fracture propagation in the double cantilever beam test with a viscoelastic cohesive zone.
Pulse compression with very low sidelobes in an airborne rain mapping radar

Pulse compression allows a substantial reduction in the peak transmitted power of a radar and is attractive for spaceborne remote sensing applications. In the case of a downward looking rain measuring radar, however, the range sidelobes associated with surface return can mask return from rain and must be kept to a minimum. The authors describe the pulse compression system for the NASA/JPL Airborne Rain Mapping Radar. This system uses time-domain weighting of the transmitted pulse and is able to achieve a range sidelobe level of -55 dB or better in flight tests. This is significantly lower than other values reported in the open literature. >
Bifurcation of power electronic circuits

Abstract This paper studies various bifurcations of periodic orbits in power electronic circuits: cyclic fold bifurcations, period-doubling bifurcations, and bifurcations due to Poincare map discontinuities. We focus on circuits operating under closed-loop control and/or containing nonlinear reactive components. Section III contains an exploration of cyclic fold bifurcations and the associated resonant jump phenomenon in circuits containing saturable reactors. Section IV gives a comprehensive overview of period-doubling phenomena in closed-loop DC-DC conversion circuits. We study circuits with homeomorphic and unimodal Poincare maps, those that period-double a single time and those that period-double repeatedly in a cascade to chaos. This section ends with a result relating non-genericity of a period-doubling bifurcation to halfwave orbital symmetry. An interesting feature of power electronic circuits is that they may have Poincare maps that are continuous but not everywhere differentiable, or discontinuous. In Section V we study, in detail, bifurcation behavior in a thyristor controlled VAR compensator, understood in terms of Poincare map discontinuities. We show that Poincare map discontinuities are due to jumps in circuit switching times. We show how map discontinuities lead to steady state jump phenomena, and distinguish between transient behavior related to switch time jumps and steady state bifurcations. The paper ends with an Appendix, in which concepts underlying cyclic fold bifurcations for the case of a continuous but not everywhere differentiable map are developed.
Reply to Domenech de Cellès et al.: Infection and transmission of pertussis in the baboon model

We developed a nonhuman primate model to study whether pertussis vaccination is able to disrupt Bordetella pertussis colonization and transmission, and demonstrated that baboons vaccinated with the acellular pertussis vaccines (aP) were protected from classic pertussis symptoms (i.e., coughing and leukocytosis) but were highly colonized and transmitted pertussis to contacts in two of two experiments (1). In their letter to the editor, Domenech de Celles et al. question our extrapolation of results from the baboon model to transmission in human populations (2). We agree that these data should not be directly extrapolated to pertussis transmission in humans. Although baboons are >96% genetically similar to humans, there are likely differences in how the species respond to vaccination and infection. We also agree that aP-vaccinated infected people are likely less efficient at transmitting pertussis compared with unvaccinated infected people, although it is not clear to what extent. In our model, the time required for transmission was greater when the infected baboon was aP-vaccinated compared with unvaccinated animals (3). However, in the baboon model, aP did not prevent infection as well as whole-cell vaccine (wP); therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that circulation of B. pertussis will be higher in an aP-vaccinated population than in a wP-vaccinated population.