cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytokines and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Review

The etiology and pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains an area under intense investigation. Cytokine secretion, which is important in the regulation of normal gastrointestinal immune responses, appears to be dysregulated in IBD. In Crohn's disease, there appears to be an excessive T H 1 T-cell response to an antigenic stimulus, leading to increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-12, IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In ulcerative colitis, a T H 2 T-cell response appears to be the pathological process responsible for the inflammatory disease. New and innovative therapeutic strategies targeting cytokines, such as TNF-α, are producing some promising results in animal and human studies. As more is learned about the complex cytokine interactions in IBD, more effective treatments will undoubtedly ensue.
L2-Betti Numbers and Non-Unitarizable Groups without Free Subgroups

We show that there exist non-unitarizable groups without nonabelian free subgroups. Both torsion and torsion free examples are constructed. As a by-product, we show that there exist finitely generated torsion groups with nonvanishing first L 2 -Betti numbers. We also relate the well-known problem of whether every hyperbolic group is residually finite to an open question about approximation of L 2 -Betti numbers.
Acts of International Terrorism: Governments' Responses and Policies

This article examines a particular form of low-level conflict known as international terrorism. The failure in the international arena to cope and curb this form of political violence forced governments to seek out and design various avenues of response. The focus then is on confrontational terrorism that includes instances of hostage takings, kidnappings, and skyjackings. The common denominator to these incidents is the specific and tangible demands that terrorists attempt to extract from the targeted states. On the other hand, the study explores the various policies and approaches adopted by governments in their efforts to thwart acts of international terrorism. Thus, the analysis will be couched in the form of cost and benefit calculations. The data for the analysis is the hostage file included in the ITERATE II data base compiled by Edward Mickolus. The findings of the article point out that governments tend to adopt hardline policies for dealing with terrorists holding hostages. However, we have to d...
Histological damage by the microbial metabolite and chitin synthesis inhibitor complex nikkomycin to the silk and salivary glands of the mite Tetranychus urticae

The action of the chitin synthesis inhibitor complex nikkomycin on the silk and salivary glands of Tetranychus urticae (Acari, Tetranychidae) was examined with the electron microscope. Histological defects after nikkomycin treatment included a swelling of the cisterna of rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Subsequent defects were vacuolation, resulting from globular ER vesicles, and damage to the secretory grana of all the glands studied (the silk gland and the anterior and dorsal podocephalic glands). The consequences of the histological changes on the salivary secretions and the production of webs are discussed.
Statistical Mechanics of a Fluid in an External Potential

Classical statistical mechanics is used to obtain expressions for the density $n(\mathrm{r})$, the distribution functions, and other properties of a fluid in equilibrium in a potential $V(\mathrm{r})$. They are expressed in terms of their values in a uniform system, plus a series of terms involving the derivatives of $V(\mathrm{r})$. The result for the density is exemplified by applying it to a one-dimensional fluid of hard rods, in a potential. The expression for the two-particle distribution function is used to evaluate the stress tensor and moment stress tensor from formulas derived previously. It is found that the stress tensor is no longer a scalar, and the moment stress tensor does not vanish, when the terms involving the derivatives of $V(\mathrm{r})$ are taken into account. The method of analysis is that of Lebowitz and Percus. They showed how to express the distribution functions in terms of $n(\mathrm{r})$ and its derivatives. However, they did not obtain an expression for $n(\mathrm{r})$ itself. Their result is used here to determine the stress tensor in a surface layer. From it an expression for the surface tension is obtained.
Modeling and Simulation of Gas Turbine System on a Virtual Test Bed (VTB)

Gas Turbine is a complex system and highly non linear in its overall performance. In order to study its impact on electric power quality under various load conditions, it is essential to create a high quality performance model of gas turbine to simulate its behavior in real time efficiently. This paper focuses on dynamic modeling of generic gas turbine model using alternate simulation environment for better feasibility. The model is developed on a virtual test bed which is an advanced dynamic simulation environment and can run a dynamic co-simulation effectively. The approach is by developing mathematical models of individual components of gas turbines and utilizing component performance map matching method to run the simulation. The paper discusses briefly about the VTB simulation environment and its use for dynamic modeling of gas turbine. The simulation studies carried out include design condition, off design condition and transient conditions. Working model of twin shaft turbine engine using compressor and turbine maps are validated with established gas turbine simulation software and results are shown.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Reactions of He+ with N2 and O2 in the upper atmosphere

Abstract Reactions of He+ with N2 and O2 are studied, and experimental cross sections are given for 1. (1) He+ + O2 → O+ + O + He 2. (2) He+ + N2 → N+ + N + He 3. (3) He+ + N2 → N2+ + He for primary ion kinetic energies below 40 eV. These measurements are consistent with cross sections deduced from measured, thermal rate coefficients and with the Langevin cross sections. The rate of neutralization of He+ by reaction with N2 is deduced from the Langevin theory to be 1.6 × 10−9 cm3 sec−1, and this rate coefficient appears to include both of Reactions (2) and (3). The available experimental data for Reaction (3) can be represented by a cross section σ of the forma σ = 8 × 10−16 E−0.71 cm2, where E is the primary ion energy in eV, for 0.15 ≲ E ≲ 40 eV. It is suggested that the rate coefficient for Reaction (3) may be approximately 7 × 10−10 cm3 sec−1 in the ionosphere; this reaction rate implies that roughly 3 × 107 N2+ are produced by Reaction (3) sec−1 per columnar cm2 of the Earth's atmosphere. Nine electron volts of excess energy are available in Reaction (3), which may, therefore, be a source of energetic He of considerable importance in the loss of helium from the Earth's atmosphere. Theoretical values for the concentration of He+ in the ionosphere are presented herein; the agreement of this simple theory with the experimental numbers depends considerably upon the parameters used in the theory, but appears to be within the combined uncertainties of the theory and the experiments.
Genotype-specific ECG patterns in long QT syndrome

Different genetic types of the long QT syndrome (LQTS) are associated with distinct ECG manifestations, which relate to the type and magnitude of ion channel dysfunction. The QTc duration does not differentiate LQTS types, and therefore other static and dynamic ECG parameters reflecting changes in T wave morphology are used to describe phenotypic expression of different LQTS genotypes. LQT1 carriers usually have broad-based T waves, LQT2 carriers show low-amplitude T waves with high incidence of notches, and LQT3 carriers frequently have extended ST segment with relatively narrow peaked T wave. This phenotypic differentiation could be enhanced by quantifying additional ECG parameters reflecting components of repolarization morphology as well as to evaluate dynamics of repolarization parameters. Heart rate dependency and dynamic behavior of repolarization parameters differ by genotype and further show that genotype indicates ECG phenotype in patients with LQTS. However, there is a substantial variation in repolarization abnormalities observed in the same subject and in the members of the same family indicating large differences in gene penetrance. In conclusion, comprehensive analyses of static and dynamic features of repolarization provide unique opportunity to understand electrophysiology of cardiac repolarization.
Exploratory physicochemical studies on the sense of taste.

IN the past, many chemists have tried to account for the tastes of substances in terms of their chemical structures. Although limited correlations have been found, no rigid, widely applicable generalization has evolved. In view of the poor success in this direction, it is apparent that the relationship is very complex. With the belief that taste, as well as other physiological responses, will be understood eventually in terms of the molecular properties of substances, a deliberate search was begun in this laboratory to identify these properties for the sense of taste.
Estimating national costs, benefits, and potential for cellulosic ethanol production from forest thinnings.

Since 2004, wildfires have been responsible for the destruction of 3.5 million hectares of forestland per year. Fuel reduction activities such as prescribed fires, cutting and burning in situ, and biomass removal (thinning) have been shown to reduce wildfire severity, but with mounting costs of fighting wildfires and a tightening budget, public agencies such as the USDA Forest Service may find it difficult to continue funding these preventative treatments. By using thinned biomass as a cellulosic ethanol feedstock, these agencies may be able to generate funds for these treatments. Here, we estimate costs of producing cellulosic ethanol from forest thinnings based on forest thinning supply curves. Nationally, 27 to 34 million Mg of biomass could be removed from overcrowded forests per year at collection costs of $55 to $110 per dry Mg. Given a mature cellulosic ethanol industry, ethanol produced from these thinnings could generate revenue at gasoline prices of $0.5 to $0.8 per liter. By using thinned biomass as an ethanol feedstock, it may be possible to generate significant funds for socially beneficial thinning treatments.
The effect of precursor characteristics on the crystallization and densification of diphasic mullite gels

Abstract The crystallization and densification behavior of diphasic mullite gels was studied with the gels prepared by using various sources of boehmite powder and silica sol to find the effect of precursor characteristics such as the pH of mixed sols, particle size, and the type of the stabilizing alkali ion in silica sol. Both low pH and fine particle size were found to promote mullite crystallization and thus result in low densification. However, even with a high pH and a large particle size, densification was low without the presence of sodium because of the crystallization of cristobalite and mullite before densification. A small amount of sodium (0·5 wt% as Na 2 O), present as a stabilizing ion in coilloidal silica or intentionally added, suppressed the crystallization of cristobalite and mullite before densification. As a result, bulk densities of more than 95% of the theoretical density were obtained by sintering at 1320°C for 1 h without a controlled heating.
EFFECT OF COMPOSITION AND TEMPERATURE ON SOLUBILITY OF IRON OXIDE IN GROUND‐COAT ENAMEL GLASS*

The solubility of iron oxide in ground-coat enamel glasses at various temperatures was studied by adding varying amounts of ferric oxide to the milled enamel and giving the mixture a heat-treatment to acquire uniformity without devitrification at the desired temperature. The iron oxide solubility was obtained by finding the breaking point in the curve for iron oxide versus index of refraction. The frit solubilities were obtained at 1400°, 1600°, 1800°, and 2000°F. with variations in Na2O, B2O3, A12O3, CaF2, CaO, F2, SiO2, COO, NiO, MnO2, BaO, and MoO3. Data are given on a number of commercial frits.
On: “THE GRAVITATIONAL ATTRACTION OF A RIGHT RECTANGULAR PRISM,” BY DEZSÖ NAGY (GEOPHYSICS, APRIL, 1966, PP. 362–371)

You might be interested to note that the results obtained by Nagy (1966) and published in Geophysics concerning the vertical component of the gravitational attraction of a right rectangular prism not only had been published previously by Sorokin and Haaz but also were derived and published (in English) 136 years ago by Everest (1830, p. 94–97). Everest calculated closed expressions which are equivalent to that of Nagy for the horizontal and vertical gravitational effects of a rectangular parallelopiped and used these equations to estimate the topographic deflection of the plumb bob due to the Satpura Range in India.
Damage to Pork Liver Caused by Repeated Freeze‐Thaw Cycling and Refrigerated Storage

The effects of freezing and thawing (F-T) and refrigerated storage (R-S) on pork liver were examined. Intact cells were isolated from the tissue and analyzed for membrane integrity and the tissue extracts were analyzed for protein content. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were noted in the number of isolated intact cells and in tissue protein content between F-T and R-S or fresh livers. Differences in cell membrane integrity were also noted between fresh and R-S livers. Repeated freezing and thawing appears to break down the liver structure differently than does refrigerated storage.
The magnetic transition, heat capacity, and thermodynamic properties of uranium dioxide from 5 to 350 K†

The heat capacity of high purity uranium dioxide has been re-examined over the low-temperature range especially in the vicinity of the λ-type anomaly reported to occur at 28·7 K as a consequence of magnetic ordering. The present study indicates a very sharp transition at 30·44 K with a maximum Cp of 391 cal mol−1 K−1. The heat capacity at constant pressure Cp, the entropy S°, the enthalpy (H° − H°0), and Gibbs energy function (G° − H°)/T are tabulated and at 298.15 K have the following values: 15.20 cal mol−1 K−1, 18.41 cal mol−1 K−1, 2696 cal mol−1 K−1, and −9.37 cal mol−1 K−1. The heat capacity results are compared with those derived from the neutron scattering work and also with the theory of Allen.
Physicians for rural America: the role of institutional commitment within academic medical centers.

CONTEXT: Prior study suggests that contextual characteristics of medical schools (e.g., state demographics, public vs private, NIH research effort) predict output of rural physicians without also considering the effects of the medical schools' own policies and programs. PURPOSE: This study examines medical school commitment to rural policies and programs and its relationship to contextual characteristics and rural physician output. METHODS: A survey of 122 U.S. allopathic medical schools provided data to construct a 32-item Rural Commitment Index for each medical school. Data for other characteristics were linked from published sources. Correlations, t tests, and multiple regression analysis were used to study the association between variables and percentage of medical school graduates (1988-1996) who were in rural primary care practice in 2000. FINDINGS: Among 90 medical schools (response rate, 73.8%), the Rural Commitment Index correlated with the percentage of the state population that is rural and whether the school is public or private, and it joined percentage state population rural, public vs private, and National Institutes of Health support in correlating with percentage of graduates in rural primary care. In a regression model that explained 48.4% of variation in the percentage of graduates in rural primary care, the Rural Commitment Index explained most variation, followed by percentage state population rural, public vs private, National Institutes of Health support, and the interaction between the Rural Commitment Index and public vs private. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the proposition that observable institutional commitment affects rural physician output and provide justification for a definitive study to verify that a change in medical school commitment to rural medicine produces a change in rural physician output.
Gibbs Sampler Convergence Criteria

Abstract This article presents new operational convergence criteria for the Gibbs sampler (GS) and related procedures that are useful for determining whether they not only have converged but also have converged to provide reliable results. Three GS convergence criteria are presented and applied: the difference convergence criterion (DC2), the ratio convergence criterion (RC2), and the anchored ratio convergence criterion (ARC2). Their uses and properties are discussed and examples are analyzed to illustrate their application.
THE GEOGRAPHY OF URBAN COMMUTING FIELDS: SOME EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM NEW ENGLAND

Cities have become increasingly interdependent. Yet we continue to think of the urban landscape in terms of mutually exclusive, monocentric regions. Data from New England suggest a richer, overlapping geography of metropolitan-area commuting fields. New ways of conceptualizing flow-based systems are needed to understand urban settlement patterns better.
Stress in the Parish and Its Effect on Ministers

Abstract Feelings of stress are common to almost all ministers. Ministers can do three things to reduce their stress levels: determine their core competencies and delegate those tasks that they do not enjoy or do well, establish clear expectations for their ministerial roles, and avoid overwork. The author also focuses on ambition as a source of clergy stress for ministers and their families.
Enhanced in-vitro bactericidal activity of amikacin combined with latamoxef, cefotaxime and aztreonam against multi-resistant Enterobacter cloacae

The in-vitro interactions of amikacin with latamoxef, cefotaxime and aztreonam were studied for 20 multiresistant strains of Enterobacter cloacae isolated from clinical specimens of nosocomial origin. All the strains were resistant to amikacin, cefotaxime and aztreonam while 14 were resistant and six sensitive to latamoxef. Interactions were studied simultaneously by the killing curve technique after exposure to 16 mg/l of each antibiotic, whenever the MIC was above 16 mg/l and 1/4 the MICs whenever the MIC was less than or equal to 16 mg/l. Enhanced killing was defined as a greater than or equal to 2 log increase in bactericidal effect after three or five and a half or 24 h incubation with both drugs, as compared to the single most effective antibiotic alone. Aztreonam enhanced the rate of killing by amikacin for 13 strains, latamoxef for 12 strains and cefotaxime for 11 strains. For seven strains, all interactions exhibited enhanced killing over time. No antagonism was observed. The interaction results were independent of the MICs as well as of the underlying resistance mechanism to either of the combined antibiotics. The significance of these in-vitro results requires confirmation in vivo.
Case study: Runtime reduction of a buffer insertion algorithm using GPU parallel programming

In this paper, we present a case study on runtime reduction of VLSI CAD programs using parallel computing. Specifically, we parallelize a buffer insertion algorithm that minimizes power dissipation. We choose Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) as the low-cost hardware that supports parallel computing. We redesign the algorithm data structure to accommodate GPU based computing. As a result, we are able to achieve an average speedup of 3.43 and the peak speedup of 6.18.
Structure-based design of thioether-bridged cyclic phosphopeptides binding to Grb2-SH2 domain.

Abstract A series of phosphotyrosine containing cyclic peptides was designed and synthesized based upon the phage library derived cyclopeptide, G1TE . Considering the type-I β-turn feature of peptidic ligand binding to Grb2 SH2 domain, we introduce α,α-disubstituted cyclic amino acid, Ach, into the 4th position of the cyclic peptide to induce a local right handed 3 10 helical conformation. In order to stabilize the favorable binding conformation, the bulky and hydrophobic amino acids, neopentylglycine (NPG) and phenylalanine, were introduced into the 8th and 2nd positions of the peptide ligand, respectively. To facilitate the sidechain of pTyr3 reaching into the phosphotyrosine binding pocket, a less bulky alanine was preferred in position 1. Based upon these global modifications, a highly potent peptide ligand 12 was discovered with an IC 50 =1.68 nM, evaluated by ELISA binding essay. Ligand 12 is at least 10 5 more potent than the lead peptide, termed G1TE .
A Survey in Mathematics for Industry : Open problems in the qualitative approach to inverse electromagnetic scattering theory

We formulate a number of open problems for time-harmonic inverse electromagnetic scattering theory focusing on uniqueness theorems, the determination of the support of a scattering object and the determination of material parameters
MATURE AND OLD-GROWTH RIPARIAN FORESTS: STRUCTURE, DYNAMICS, AND EFFECTS ON ADIRONDACK STREAM HABITATS

Riparian forests regulate linkages between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, yet relationships among riparian forest development, stand structure, and stream habitats are poorly understood in many temperate deciduous forest systems. Our research has (1) described structural attributes associated with old-growth riparian forests and (2) assessed linkages between these characteristics and in-stream habitat structure. The 19 study sites were located along predominantly first- and second-order streams in northern hardwood-conifer forests in the Adirondack Mountains of New York (USA). Sites were classified as mature forest (6 sites), mature with remnant old-growth trees (3 sites), and old-growth (10 sites). Forest-structure attributes were measured over stream channels and at varying distances from each bank. In- stream habitat features such as large woody debris (LWD), pools, and boulders were measured in each stream reach. Forest structure was examined in relation to stand age using multivariate techniques, ANOVA, and linear regression. We investigated linkages between forest structure and stream characteristics using similar methods, preceded by information- theoretic modeling (AIC). Old-growth riparian forest structure is more complex than that found in mature forests and exhibits significantly greater accumulations of aboveground tree biomass, both living and dead. In-stream LWD volumes were significantly (a = 0.05) greater at old-growth sites (200 m3/ha) compared to mature sites (34 m3/ha) and were strongly related to the basal area of adjacent forests. In-stream large-log densities correlated strongly with debris-dam densities. AIC models that included large-log density, debris-dam density, boulder density, and bankfull width had the most support for predicting pool density. There were higher proportions of LWD-formed pools relative to boulder-formed pools at old-growth sites as compared to mature sites. Old-growth riparian forests provide in-stream habitat features that have not been widely recognized in eastern North America, representing a potential benefit from late- successional riparian forest management and conservation. Riparian management practices (including buffer delineation and restorative silvicultural approaches) that emphasize development and maintenance of late-successional characteristics are recommended where the associated in-stream effects are desired.
A numerical study of two-dimensional spontaneous rupture propagation

Summary We present a numerical technique to determine the displacement and stress fields due to propagation of two-dimensional shear cracks in an infinite, homogeneous medium which is linearly elastic everywhere off the crack plane. Starting from the representation theorem, an integral equation for the displacements inside the crack is found. This integral equation is solved by a method proposed by Hamano for various initial and boundary conditions on the crack surface. We verified the accuracy of our numerical method by comparing it with the analytical solution of Kostrov, and the numerical solution of Madariaga. A critical stress jump across the tip of a crack (between a grid-point inside the crack and a neighbouring point out-side the crack) is used as our fracture criterion. We find that our critical stress jump is the finite difference approximation to the critical stress-intensity factor used in Irwin's fracture criterion. For an in-plane shear crack starting from the Griffin critical length and controlled by the above fracture criterion, the propagation velocity of the crack-tip is found to be sub-Rayleigh or super-shear depending on the strength of the material (given by the critical stress jump) and the instantaneous length of the crack. In fact, the crack-tip velocity may even reach the P-wave velocity for low-strength materials. Additionally we find that once the crack starts propagating, it accelerates rapidly to its terminal velocity, and that the average rupture velocity over an entire length of fault cannot be much smaller than the terminal velocity, for smooth rupture propagation.
Wafer-scale microdevice transfer/interconnect: from a new integration method to its application in an afm-based data-storage system

We have developed a robust, CMOS back end of the line (BEOL) compatible, wafer-scale device transfer and interconnect method for batch fabricating system on chip (SOC) that are especially suitable for MEMS or VLSI-MEMS applications. We have applied this method to transfer arrays of 4096 freestanding cantilevers with good cantilever flatness control and high-density vertical electrical interconnects to the receiver wafer (typically CMOS). Such an array is used in a highly parallel scanning-probe-based data-storage system called the "Millipede". A very high integration density has been achieved even at wafer-scale transfer thanks to the interlocking nature of the interconnect structure, which provides easy alignment with an accuracy of 2 /spl mu/m. The typical integration density is 100 canti-levers/mm/sup 2/ and 300 electrical interconnects/mm/sup 2/. Note that only the cantilevers, not a chip with cantilevers, are transferred and, unlike flip-chip technology, our method preserves the device orientation which is crucial for MEMS applications, where often the MEMS device should have access to its environment (in our case, the cantilever tips are in contact with the storage media). After device transfer, the system is mechanically and electrically stable up to at least 500 /spl deg/C, allowing post-transfer wafer processing.
Unipotent Elements, Standard Involutions, and the Divisor Matrix

We give an explicit description of a matrix T(n) in GL n (ℤ) with the property that T(n) = T(n)−1 and , where D n = (d ij ) is the divisor matrix whose (i,j)-entry is For all n ∈ ℕ, the matrices D n and T(n) are obtained as the truncations of semi-infinite matrices D and T also satisfying the relations T = T −1 and T D T −1 = D −1. By encoding the entries of the ith row of the semi-infinite matrix T in a Dirichlet series we give a description of the coefficients of T.
Neonatal Thyroxine, Maternal Thyroid Function, and Child Cognition

Context Thyroid hormone is essential for normal brain development. Limited data are available regarding whether thyroid function in neonates influences later cognitive development. Objective Our objective was to study associations of newborn T4 levels with maternal thyroid function and childhood cognition. Design and setting We studied participants in Project Viva, a cohort study in Massachusetts. Participants We studied a total of 500 children born 1999--2003 at 34 wk or more. Main outcome measures We determined cognitive test scores at ages 6 months and 3 yr. Results Mean newborn T4 at a mean age of 1.94 d was 17.6 (sd 4.0) microg/dl, and levels were higher in girls [1.07 microg/dl; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38, 1.76] and infants born after longer gestation (0.42 microg/dl; 95% CI 0.17, 0.67 per wk). Newborn T4 levels were not associated with maternal T4, TSH, or thyroid peroxidase antibody levels. On multivariable linear regression analysis, adjusting for maternal and child characteristics, higher newborn T4 was unexpectedly associated with poorer scores on the visual recognition memory test among infants at age 6 months (-0.5; 95% CI -0.9, -0.2), but not with scores at age 3 yr on either the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (0.2; 95% CI -0.1, 0.5) or the Wide Range Assessment of Visual Motor Abilities (0.1; 95% CI -0.2, 0.3). Maternal thyroid function test results were not associated with child cognitive test scores. Conclusions Newborn T4 concentrations within a normal physiological reference range are not associated with maternal thyroid function and do not predict cognitive outcome in a population living in an iodine-sufficient area.
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Patients with Cardiomyopathies

Anginal symptoms and electrocardiographic changes suggestive of myocardial ischemia, despite angiographically normal coronary arteries, are common in patients with cardiomyopathies and those with left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to pressure overload. Studies using positron-emission tomography (PET) to measure regional myocardial blood flow have demonstrated that maximum myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve are severely blunted in patients with hypertrophic as well as dilated cardiomyopathy.1,2 In the absence of epicardial stenoses, blunted maximum myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve are suggestive of coronary microvascular dysfunction.3,4 Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that in both hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy, the severity of coronary microvascular dysfunction, assessed by measuring myocardial blood flow with PET, is an independent predictor of prognosis.2,5 In patients with cardiomyopathies, coronary microvascular dysfunction can be sustained by a number of different pathogenetic mechanisms. These include structural and functional abnormalities of the intramural arterioles as well as extravascular mechanisms (eg, increased extramural compression).4 Article 161 Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is an X-linked deficiency of lysosomal α-galactosidase A.6 This deficiency results in multiorgan damage from glycosphingolipid deposition, leading to renal, cardiac, and cerebrovascular disease and premature death. Patients with AFD complain of angina despite angiographically normal coronary arteries. Recent studies have also shown that there is progressive deterioration in left ventricular systolic function and myocardial scarring in patients with AFD cardiomyopathy. A number of mechanisms may contribute to microvascular dysfunction in these patients. AFD cardiomyopathy is characterized by globotriaosyl-ceramide (Gb3) and related glycosphingolipid deposition in myocytes, conduction tissue, vascular endothelium, and valvular tissue. This is accompanied by secondary changes, such as myocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis, often mimicking hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.7 In the vasculature, Gb3 accumulates in endothelial and smooth muscle cells, possibly causing structural abnormalities that may be responsible for vascular dysfunction. In addition, it …
A prospective observational study evaluating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis alteration and efficacy of intramuscular triamcinolone acetonide for steroid-responsive dermatologic disease.

Background The lack of recommendations regarding dosing and administration, an undetermined risk of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis alteration, and the unknown effectiveness of intramuscular (IM) corticosteroid injection to treat dermatologic disease may be deterrents to use. Objective We sought to evaluate presence and duration of iatrogenic Cushing syndrome and secondary adrenal insufficiency in patients receiving IM triamcinolone acetonide (TAC), and to assess physician- and patient-reported outcomes. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study of 14 patients given the diagnosis of steroid-responsive dermatologic disease who received either 1 or 2 doses 6 weeks apart of IM TAC. Baseline and follow-up cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, Physician and Subject Global Assessments of Disease Activity Scale score, and the visual analog scale score of pruritus were evaluated at 6-week intervals. Results Although mean total cortisol was significantly decreased at 6 and 12 weeks compared with baseline, IM TAC did not result in iatrogenic Cushing syndrome or secondary adrenal insufficiency in any patient. Mean Physician and Subject Global Assessments of Disease Activity Scale scores were significantly improved at 6 and 12 weeks compared with baseline. Mean visual analog scale pruritus scores were significantly improved at 6 weeks compared with baseline. Limitations The study was limited by the cohort size and a lack of a comparator group. Conclusion IM TAC appears safe when administered as 2 injections at 6-week intervals. Significant improvement was noted across a number of steroid-responsive dermatoses. These results may provide a guide to dosing, frequency, and administration for dermatologists considering the use of IM TAC in the appropriate clinical contexts.
The case method of instruction in municipal government

The case method applied ot college courses in municipal government with some hints as to how to proceed.
Independent pathways for de-repression of the mouse Ig heavy chain germ-line ε promoter: an IL-4 NAF/NF-IL-4 site as a context-dependent negative element

The activation of germ-line promoters in the Ig heavy chain loci is regulated by cytokines as part of the regulation of B cell commitment to production of new antibody isotypes. Activation of the germ-line promoter of the epsilon heavy chain locus (Gepsilon) and production of IgE are induced by IL-4 and each is virtually undetectable in the absence of IL-4 or the homologous cytokine IL-13. Basal expression of the Gepsilon promoter is repressed by the non-histone chromosomal protein HMG-I(Y), which also contributes to promoter inducibility, and IL-4 stimulates phosphorylation of the C-terminus of HMG-I(Y) through a rapamycin-sensitive pathway. IL-4 treatment of mouse B cells also induces a Gepsilon DNA binding activity with the properties of IL-4 NAF, which is rapidly induced and requires phosphotyrosine for DNA binding activity. This protein binds to a different site from HMG-I(Y), but the IL-4 NAF/NF-IL-4 binding site also is a negative element more active in repression of basal transcription of the Gepsilon promoter. This site acts as a negative element when transferred to the thymidine kinase promoter, but does not confer inducibility. In contrast to HMG-I(Y), IL-4 NAF/NF-IL-4 activation is refractory to rapamycin but sensitive to genistein. These findings indicate that two independent signal transduction pathways diverge from the IL-4 receptor and suggest that normal expression of Gepsilon RNA or IgE is low in part because the germ-line promoter is kept in a state of repression which requires de-repression through several cooperative pathways. These pathways target conserved nucleotide sequence motifs whose precise function depends on the promoter context in which they are situated.
Using regression trees to learn action models

Anyone who has ever driven a car on an icy road is aware of the impact the environment can have on our actions. In order to build effective plans, we must be aware of these environmental conditions and predict the effects they will have on our ability to act. We present an application of regression trees that allows a robot to learn action models through experience so that it can make similar predictions. We use this approach to allow a mobile robot to learn models to predict the effects of its navigation actions under various terrain conditions and use them in order to produce efficient plans.
Broiler breast meat color variation, pH, and texture

Four experiments were conducted to determine the range of breast meat color variation observed in commercial processing plants and its relationship to muscle pH and texture. Boneless, skinless breast fillets were collected weekly from the deboning lines of five commercial processing plants over a 4-wk period. Plant personnel selected breast fillets based on their appearance as being "lighter than normal," "normal," or "darker than normal" in color. Five representative fillets of each appearance classification were transported to a central laboratory for analyses of visual score (1 to 5 with 1 = light, 3 = normal, or 5 = dark), instrumental color, muscle pH, and Allo-Kramer shear (n = 300). Visual scores, lightness (L*), redness (a*), and pH were different (P<0.05) among the three appearance groups, with no significant differences in yellowness (b*). Visual scores averaged 2.4, 3.0, and 3.6, L* was 48.8, 45.6, and 43.1, and pH was 5.63, 5.70, and 5.81 for the lighter, normal, and darker fillets, respectively. There were no significant effects of color group on breast meat texture. Correlations between the color values and pH, however, were all highly significant. These results not only indicate that there are wide variations in breast meat color in commercial production, but they also demonstrate a strong relationship between breast meat color and muscle pH.
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Gene Mutations in Ulcerative Colitis-associated Dysplasias and Cancers versus Sporadic Colon Neoplasms

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutations occur in most sporadic colonic adenomas and carcinomas. Precursor lesions of ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated colon carcinomas, although morphologically similar to sporadic adenomas, may be biologically distinct from them and are, in fact, managed differently. Since sporadic adenomas may also occur in UC, a method of discriminating between these forms of neoplasia could have clinical utility. We examined 33 patients with UC-associated dysplasias and cancers and 23 sporadic colon neoplasms in a side-by-side comparison for APC mutations. Codons 686-1693, containing 64% of all reported APC mutations (the mutation cluster region), were screened for truncating mutations using an in vitro synthesized protein assay. Two of thirty-three patients (6%) with UC-associated dysplasias and cancers had a total of three truncating APC mutations, all in frank carcinomas, while 17 of 23 (74%) with sporadic colonic neoplasms had mutations. DNA sequencing confirmed two mutations in codon 1460, replacing arginine with a stop codon, as well as one 2-base pair deletion, resulting in a frameshift and a stop at codon 1477. One specimen contained one each of these APC mutations. This apparent contrast in mutation rates at the mutation cluster region of APC is consistent with other biological characteristics separating sporadic colon neoplasms from UC-associated dysplasias and cancers. These data raise the possibility that nonadenomatous UC dysplasias may arise by a molecular pathway distinct from that prevailing in sporadic colon carcinogenesis, and they suggest a molecular assay to discriminate between sporadic adenomas and dysplasias occurring in UC.
Optical Characteristics of a Proposed Reflectance Standard

The results of optical studies on ceramic fibers indicate that this material may be a good reflectance standard and coating material for integrating spheres. It is highly reflective in the ir from 1.8 micro to 6.0 micro, and reasonably so at wavelengths as short as 0.25 micro. Other attractive features about this material are its stability and its availability in virtually any size. Spectral reflectance and goniometric reflectance curves are presented, and a calculation is given that shows the improvement in efficiency when the material is used in an integrating sphere the size of that in the Beckman DK-2 spectroreflectometer.
John Lennon, autograph hound: The fan-musician community in Hamburg's early rock-and-roll scene, 1960–65

This article explores the Beat music scene in Hamburg, West Germany, in the early 1960s. This scene became famous for its role in incubating the Beatles, who played over 250 nights there in 1960–62, but this article focuses on the prominent role of fans in this scene. Here fans were welcomed by bands and club owners as cocreators of a scene that offered respite from the prevailing conformism of West Germany during the Economic Miracle. This scene, born at the confluence of commercial and subcultural impulses, was also instrumental in transforming rock and roll from a working-class niche product to a cross-class lingua franca for youth. It was also a key element in West Germany's broader processes of democratization during the 1960s, opening up social space in which the meanings of authority, respectability, and democracy itself could be questioned and reworked.
Longitudinal EEG studies in a kindred with Lafora disease.

Summary: We reviewed 18 EEG studies in four members of a family with the Lafora form of progressive myoclonic epilepsy. Each patient was the product of a consanguinous marriage and presented as a teenager with progressive seizures, myoclonus, dementia, and ataxia, and had biopsy proven disease. The EEG early in Lafora disease has spike-wave activity resembling that seen in a primary generalized epilepsy; the background slowing is more typical of a secondary generalized epilepsy. With disease progression, there is increased epileptiform activity, and a striking change in the spike-wave complexes, with a marked increase in frequency up to 6-12 Hz, and many more short duration polyspike components. Unlike some other forms of secondarily generalized epilepsy, the EEG in Lafora disease is distinguished by an increased frequency of the spike-wave complexes with disease progression. Key Words: Lafora disease-SeizuresElectroencephalograph y-Genetics. Lafora disease (LD) is a form of progressive myoclonic epilepsy, characterized by seizures, myoclonus, dementia, and ataxia, with onset in adolescence and progression to death within several years (Van Heycop Ten Ham, 1968; Schwarz, 1977). Most descriptions of the electroencephalogram (EEG) in LD have been isolated case reports. One series (Tassinari et al., 1978) found early EEG changes similar to those in primary generalized epilepsy, but with progression the development of background slowing, polyspikes, and diffuse and multifocal spikes. We report the longitudinal EEG findings in four members of a kindred with LD. These patients had significant EEG findings that made discrimination from a primary epilepsy possible in the early stage of illness. With progression, all developed fast-frequency spike-waves of 10 Hz or greater, an unusual feature that may be quite distinctive in this disorder.
In situ spectroscopy studies of CO2 adsorption in a dually functionalized microporous metal–organic framework

The activation and CO2 gas adsorption processes in the rht-type metal-organic framework, [Cu3(TDPAT) (H2O)3]·10H2O·5DMA (TDPAT = 2,4,6-tris(3,5-dicarboxylphenylamino)-1,3,5-triazine) were investigated on the molecular level using several spectroscopic characterization methods. The remarkable selectivity of this framework for CO2 is attributed to the high density of coordinatively unsaturated metal nodes and amine linker functionality that both serve as gas binding sites. Spectroscopic evidence for these binding interactions as well as the concomitant electronic and molecular level structure changes of the host framework and CO2 guest is derived from a combination of in situ UV-vis diffuse reflectance, X-ray absorption and Raman spectroscopy studies. Results showed that the activation process produced subtle structural rearrangements of the framework that may be influencing the binding interactions upon subsequent CO2 adsorption.
Überführung der allgemeinen Gleichung in die Normalform

Hat eine Gerade die Gleichung 4x + 3y + 20 = 0, so entspricht ihr eine Normalform x cos α + y sin α − δ = 0. Man darf nun nicht ohne weiteres durch Vergleichung der beiden Gleichungen schliesen: also ist cos α = 4, sin α = 3 und — δ = 20. Das ware falsch, abgesehen davon, das Kosinus und Sinus nie groser als 1 sein konnen.
Effectiveness of Wastewater Sludge Treatment Processes to Inactivate Parasites

In the United States, Ascaris spp., Trichuris trichiura, Trichuris vulpis and Toxocara spp. are the most commonly found viable parasites in both treated and untreated municipal sludges. As expected, heat treatment, thermophilic digestion (aerobic and anaerobic) and thermophilic composting were effective in parasite inactivation, and with good sludge digestion (both aerobic and anaerobic), the effectiveness of sludge lagoon storage and sludge drying beds to inactivate parasites and pathogens is greatly enhanced. At present two commercial sludge processes, Chemfixation and Ozonics treatment have shown potential to inactivate parasites.
Integrating basin modeling with seismic technology and rock physics

We explore the link between basin modelling and seismic inversion by applying different rock physics models. This study uses the E-Dragon II data in the Gulf of Mexico. To investigate the impact of different rock physics models on the link between basin modelling and seismic inversion, we first model relationships between seismic velocities and both (1) porosity and (2) effective stress for well-log data using published rock physics models. Then, we build 1D basin models to predict seismic velocities derived from basin modelling with different rock physics models, in a comparison with average sonic velocities measured in the wells. Finally, we examine how basin modelling outputs can be used to aid seismic inversion by providing constraints for the background low-frequency model. For this, we run different scenarios of inverting near angle partial stack seismic data into elastic impedances to test the impact of the background model on the quality of the inversion results. The results of the study suggest that the link between basin modelling and seismic technology is a two-way interaction in terms of potential applications, and the key to refine it is establishing a rock physics models that properly describes changes in seismic signatures reflecting changes in rock properties.
Nonracemic Antifolates Stereoselectively Recruit Alternate Cofactors and Overcome Resistance in S. aureus.

While antifolates such as Bactrim (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; TMP-SMX) continue to play an important role in treating community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), resistance-conferring mutations, specifically F98Y of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), have arisen and compromise continued use. In an attempt to extend the lifetime of this important class, we have developed a class of propargyl-linked antifolates (PLAs) that exhibit potent inhibition of the enzyme and bacterial strains. Probing the role of the configuration at the single propargylic stereocenter in these inhibitors required us to develop a new approach to nonracemic 3-aryl-1-butyne building blocks by the pairwise use of asymmetric conjugate addition and aldehyde dehydration protocols. Using this new route, a series of nonracemic PLA inhibitors was prepared and shown to possess potent enzyme inhibition (IC50 values <50 nM), antibacterial effects (several with MIC values <1 μg/mL) and to form stable ternary comple...