cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reversible phosphorylation--dephosphorylation determines the localization of rab4 during the cell cycle.

Abstract The ras-like GTP binding protein rab4 is the only known rab protein on endosomes that is phosphorylated during mitosis. Since a large fraction of rab4 accumulates in the cytosol in mitotic cells, we investigated the molecular mechanism controlling membrane association of rab4. We first show that human rab4 is phosphorylated by recombinant mammalian p34cdc2 kinase in vitro. Next, the actual site of phosphorylation and its functional significance were determined using stably transfected CHO cell lines producing high levels of wild type rab4 or rab4 mutants bearing alterations at Ser196, which occurs within a consensus site for p34cdc2 kinase phosphorylation (S196PRR). Mutation of Ser196 to glutamine or aspartic acid completely prevented rab4 phosphorylation in mitotic cells and also blocked its appearance in the cytosol. Neither C-terminal isoprenylation nor carboxymethylation of rab4 was affected by the mutations or by phosphorylation. Finally, dephosphorylation and reassociation of soluble rab4 with membranes occurred upon exit of cells from mitosis. Thus, phosphorylation of Ser196 is directly responsible for the reversible translocation of rab4 into the cytosol of mitotic cells.
Catalytic Mechanisms of Heme Peroxidases

The hemoprotein peroxidases produce a reactive intermediate, Compound I, whose reactions are controlled by the protein environment. In conventional peroxidases with a histidine iron ligand, access to the Compound I ferryl species is restricted by the protein, favoring the transfer of single electrons from the substrate to an exposed heme edge. If the protein has a suitably placed oxidizable residue such as a tyrosine or tryptophan, it may be preferentially oxidized by the initial Compound I to give an alternative Compound I in which a ferryl species is paired with a protein rather than porphyrin radical cation. In conventional peroxidases, only small substrates have ready access to the ferryl oxygen and undergo a direct two-electron oxidation, although larger substrates can appear to undergo a two-electron oxidation through the stepwise removal of two electrons. In contrast, peroxidases with a thiolate iron ligand have more open distal active sites and are able to catalyze a range of two-electron oxidations in addition to one-electron peroxidative transformations.
Abstract and Model Check While You Prove

The construction of abstractions is essential for reducing large or infinite state systems to small or finite state systems. Boolean abstractions, where boolean variables replace concrete predicates, are an important class that subsume several abstraction schemes. We show how boolean abstractions can be constructed simply, efficiently, and precisely for infinite state systems while preserving properties in the full µ-calculus. We also propose an automatic refinement algorithm which refines the abstraction until the property is verified or a counterexample is found. Our algorithm is implemented as a proof rule in the PVS verification system. With the abstraction proof rule, proof strategies combining deductive proof construction, model checking, and abstraction can be defined entirely within the PVS framework.
A first order adaptive learning rate algorithm for backpropagation networks

A simple method for determining the learning rate parameter of the backpropagation algorithm is described and analyzed. The learning rate parameter is determined at each step of the iteration by attempting to find a double root of the quadratic cost function. This is opposed to the traditional approach of viewing learning as an optimization problem. It is shown that this method of determining the learning rate parameter leads to accelerated convergence for several benchmark cases. >
Computer simulation of sedimentation in the ultracentrifuge: I. Diffusion

Abstract The procedure of Vink for the computer simulation of concentration-independent diffusion in a rectangular cell is evaluated. The results of simulated experiments are found to be in excellent agreement with those derived from the exact solution of Fick's second law. The Vink model is modified to provide methods for the simulation of concentration-independent diffusion in a sector-shaped cell and of concentration-dependent diffusion. The results of representative calculations are presented and discussed.
Re: Akasaka, H., et al., Molecular anatomy of BCL6 translocations revealed by long-distance polymerase chain reaction-based assays. Cancer Res., 60: 2335-2341, 2000.

We read with interest the manuscript of Akasaka et al. [(1)][1] on the molecular anatomy of BCL-6 translocations. The authors analyzed 58 cases carrying a BCL-6 rearrangement and defined a break-point hyper-cluster region located downstream of exon 1. In 19 cases, the break point was located between
New results on a stochastic duel game with each force consisting of heterogeneous units

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC),TRADOC Analysis Center TRAC-Monterey, California
MEIOTIC GENE CONVERSION MUTANTS IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE. I. ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF pms1-1 AND pms1-2

The pms1 mutants, isolated on the basis of sharply elevated meiotic prototroph frequencies for two closely linked his4 alleles, display pleiotropic phenotypes in meiotic and mitotic cells. Two isolates carrying recessive mutations in PMS1 were characterized. They identify a function required to maintain low postmeiotic segregation (PMS) frequencies at many heterozygous sites. In addition, they are mitotic mutators. In mutant diploids, spore viability is reduced, and among survivors, gene conversion and postmeiotic segregation frequencies are increased, but reciprocal exchange frequencies are not affected. The conversion event pattern is also dramatically changed in multiply marked regions in pms1 homozygotes. The PMS1 locus maps near MET4 on chromosome XIV. The PMS1 gene may identify an excision-resynthesis long patch mismatch correction function or a function that facilitates correction tract elongation. The PMS1 gene product may also play an important role in spontaneous mitotic mutation avoidance and correction of mismatches in heteroduplex DNA formed during spontaneous and UV-induced mitotic recombination. Based on meiotic recombination models emphasizing mismatch correction in heteroduplex DNA intermediates, this interpretation is favored, but alternative interpretations involving longer recombination intermediates in the mutants are also considered.
Hydroperiod and Cattle Use Associated with Lower Recruitment in an r-Selected Amphibian with a Declining Population Trend in the Klamath Mountains, California

Abstract Recent population declines in amphibians associated with mortality in early life stages highlight the need for a better understanding of the environmental factors related to successful survival to metamorphosis. In our study, we closely examine the relative importance of environmental factors to three stages of recruitment for Cascade frogs (Rana cascadae), a declining amphibian, in high-elevation wet meadows. Our results show that local dynamics are strongly associated with breeding site selection, the number of egg masses, and the number of individuals that survive to metamorphosis per egg mass. Rana cascadae does not tend to breed in wet meadows where nonnative trout are present. Survival to metamorphosis per egg mass is lower when hydroperiod of pools is shorter, cattle use is higher, and native insect predators are present. Our results suggest that future management efforts to conserve R. cascadae should strive to protect and restore wet meadows free from nonnative trout, containing many poo...
PREVALENCE AND INCIDENCE OF INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS IN A MANAGED CARE POPULATION

ABSTRACTPurpose: We calculated the prevalence and incidence of physician diagnosed interstitial cystitis (IC) in men and women in a managed care population in the Pacific Northwest.Materials and Methods: A computer search of the Kaiser Permanente Northwest (Portland, Oregon) database was performed for January 1998 to May 2002. The prevalence of IC in patients 25 to 80 years old was calculated using the 4 definitions of 1) patients assigned a diagnosis of IC, 2) patients assigned a diagnosis of IC without any of the consensus IC exclusion criteria, 3) patients who had also had undergone cystoscopy and 4) patients who had specifically undergone cystoscopy with hydrodistention for IC. A second database search was performed 1 year later (May 2003) to identify incident cases of IC.Results: The prevalence of IC was 197 per 100,000 women and 41 per 100,000 men for definition 1, 158 per 100,000 women and 28 per 100,000 men for definition 2, 99 per 100,000 women and 19 per 100,000 men for definition 3, and 45 per ...
User library service expectations in health science vs. other settings: a LibQUAL+ Study.

Objectives: To explore how the library service expectations and perceptions of users might differ across health-related libraries as against major research libraries not operating in a medical context; to determine whether users of medical libraries demand better library service quality, because the inability of users to access needed literature promptly may lead to a patient who cannot be properly diagnosed, or a diagnosis that cannot be properly treated. Methodology: We compared LibQUAL+® total and subscale scores across three groups of US, Canadian and British libraries for this purpose. Results: Anticipated differences in expectations for health as other library settings did not emerge. Conclusions: The expectations and perceptions are similar across different types of health science library settings, hospital and academic, and across other general research libraries.
Clinical characteristics of women with familial pelvic floor disorders

Understanding the clustering of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) within families is important because it may suggest underlying risk factors that may be environmental, genetic or both. The objective of this study was to describe clinical characteristics observed in familial cases with PFDs and compare them with strictly defined controls. Women evaluated and treated for PFDs were recruited as part of a larger genetic study. Here, we define familial cases as those with bothersome symptoms or treatment for a PFD (pelvic organ prolapse [POP], stress urinary incontinence [SUI], and overactive bladder [OAB]) and who had a first-degree relative with bothersome symptoms or treatment for the same pelvic floor defect. We assigned clinical characteristics to probands and their relatives using standardized symptom questions (PFDI), examination, and review of treatment records, if any. We identified 126 familial POP cases, 183 familial SUI cases, and 101 familial OAB cases. Familial cases were more likely to have bothersome symptoms for more than one PFD. Among familial POP cases, bothersome SUI (71 %), OAB (54 %), and a combination of all three disorders (48 %) were common. Among familial SUI cases, bothersome OAB (60 %), POP (59 %), and combinations of all disorders (40 %) were common. Among familial OAB cases, bothersome SUI (88 %), POP (66 %), and combinations of all three disorders (59 %) were common. Familial cases of POP, SUI, and OAB are more likely to have more than one pelvic floor defect. It is likely that underlying genetic factors contribute to more than one pelvic floor defect.
Effects of light and temperature on the response gradient of retinal rod outer segments

Abstract Photoreceptor outer segments are continually renewed from base to tip and consequently the membrane at the tip is older than at the base. In parallel with this, there are differences in light responsiveness, and it has been proposed that these may be due to the aforementioned differences in age. We have tested this proposal by manipulating the rates of renewal of the outer segments by exposing Xenopus laevis to different temperature and lighting regimes which are known to affect the rates of their outer segment membrane renewal. We have found that differences of responsiveness are, indeed, correlated with the differences in the age gradients along the outer segments. ©1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Experimental determination of subjective similarity for pairs of clustered microcalcifications on mammograms: Observer study results

Presentation of images of lesions similar to that of an unknown lesion might be useful to radiologists in distinguishing between benign and malignant clustered microcalcifications on mammograms. Investigators have been developing computerized schemes to select similar images from large databases. However, whether selected images are really similar in appearance is not examined for most of the schemes. In order to retrieve images that are useful to radiologists, the selected images must be similar from radiologists' diagnostic points of view. Therefore, in this study, the data of radiologists' subjective similarity for pairs of clustered microcalcification images were obtained from a number of observers, and the intra- and inter-observer variations and the intergroup correlations were determined to investigate whether reliable similarity ratings by human observers can be determined. Nineteen images of clustered microcalcifications, each of which was paired with six other images, were selected for the observer study. Thus, subjective similarity ratings for 114 pairs of clustered microcalcifications were determined by each observer. Thirteen breast, ten general, and ten nonradiologists participated in the observer study; some of them completed the study multiple times. Although the intraobserver variations for the individual readings and the interobserver variations for pairs of observers were not small,more » the interobserver agreements were improved by taking the average of readings by the same observers. When the similarity ratings by a number of observers were averaged among the groups of breast, general, and nonradiologists, the mean differences of the ratings between the groups decreased, and good concordance correlations (0.846, 0.817, and 0.785) between the groups were obtained. The result indicates that reliable similarity ratings can be determined by use of this method, and the average similarity ratings by breast radiologists can be considered meaningful and useful for the development and evaluation of a computerized scheme for selection of similar images.« less
Comparison of Seven Strains of Organisms Causing Blastomycosis in Man

It should be indicated at the outset that this work concerns only the American blastomycosis of Gilchrist. In Ricketts'' classification the organisms would fall into his type 3, thus excluding coccidioidal granuloma and those blastomycoses induced by the moist, pasty species which are commonly regarded as yeasty. The object of this work is to compare, in culture, the properties of seven strains of organisms causing human blastomycosis which have been accumulated from divers sources over a period of several years, and also to test systematically their pathogenicity for the common laboratory animals. The latter phase of the work was undertaken especially on account of the difficulty we have experienced on various occasions in producing generalized blastomycosis. Thus, of the four strains of the group which have been tested in this laboratory, strains 1 and 2 have never produced other than localized abscesses when inoculated into guinea-pigs; and strains 3 and 4 were entirely negative. Strain 5 which was received from Dudley C. Smith 2 was reported by him as being nonpathogenic for rabbits, mice and guinea-pigs. Of the two other strains, no previous records of animal inoculations could be obtained. The sources and other data on the seven organisms used in this work are shown in table 1.
Funnel-web spider venom and a toxin fraction block calcium current expressed from rat brain mRNA in Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract Injection of rat brain mRNA into Xenopus oocytes has been shown to induce a calcium current (ICa) that is insensitive to dihydropyridine and omega-conotoxin. We examined the effect of funnel-web spider venom on two aspects of this expressed ICa: (i) the calcium-activated chloride current [ICl(Ca)] and (ii) the currents carried by barium ions through calcium channels (IBa). In the presence of 1.8 mM extracellular calcium, ICl(Ca) tail current became detectable between -30 and -40 mV from a holding potential of -80 mV and reached a maximal amplitude between 0 and +10 mV. Total spider venom partially (83%) and reversibly blocked the calcium-activated chloride current without changing its voltage sensitivity. A chromatographic toxin fraction from the venom also blocked this current (64%). The venom had a minimal effect on INa and IK. Direct investigation of inward current mediated by calcium channels was carried out in high-barium solution. IBa had a higher threshold of activation (-30 to -20 mV) and reached its maximal amplitude at about +20 mV. Total venom or a partly purified chromatographic toxic fraction blocked IBa partially and reversibly without changing its current-voltage characteristics. Furthermore, the extent of the total venom block depended on the concentration of extracellular barium. Only 35% of the IBa was blocked in 60 mM Ba2+, whereas the block increased to 65% and 71%, respectively, for 40 and 20 mM Ba2+. On the basis of these results, we propose that the calcium channels expressed from rat brain mRNA in Xenopus oocytes is similar to the recently discovered P-type channels.
Pupil size and visual resolution

Abstract A theoretical discussion is presented of the influence of pupil size on visual resolution of an eye. Since the contrast-transfer function of the eye has a cut-off spatial frequency that is a function of the pupil diameter, even an aberration-free eye in perfect focus has a resolution limit. However, spatial frequencies below the cut-off frequency are attenuated and as a result the actual resolution limit is set by the capacity of the anatomical and physiological stages of the visual process to detect low modulation signals.
Effects of chlorpromazine and d-amphetamine on observing responses during a fixed-interval schedule.

Pigeons were trained to peck a response key that briefly produced stimuli correlated with the passage of time in a fixed-interval schedule of food presentation for pecks on another response key. Pecks on the key that produced food were most likely near the end of each fixed interval, whereas pecks on the key that produced the discriminative stimuli were most likely to occur during the middle portion of each fixed interval. Chlorpromazine (3.0–30.0 mg/kg) and d-amphetamine (0.03–3.0 mg/kg) produced inverted U-shaped dose-effect curves with response rate on the food-producing key as the dependent variable, and monotonically decreasing functions were obtained for the discriminative-stimulus producing responses. A “rate-dependency” interpretation adequately described the drug effects on the temporal distribution of pecks on the food-producing key, but was not consistent with the disruption of the temporal distribution of pecks on the key that produced the discriminative stimuli. The pecks on the discriminative-stimulus producing key had some of the properties of schedule-induced, or adjunctive, behavior. The effects of amphetamine and chlorpromazine on the rate of adjunctive behaviors may not be predictable from control rates.
The fluorometric estimation of epinephrine and norepinephrine: An improved modification of the trihydroxyindole method

Abstract A new modification of the trihydroxyindole method for the fluorometric estimation of mixtures of epinephrine and norepinephrine is described. It offers improved sensitivity and discrimination and has a low and stable reagent blank. Its distinctive features are: ( 1 ) β-mercaptoethanol is used as reducing agent, ( 2 ) the fluorescent solutions are reacidified to approximately pH 5 after alkaline rearrangement to the trihydroxyindole configuration, ( 3 ) cupric ions are used as catalysts for the oxidation at pH 3.
Stability of self-esteem: Assessment, correlates, and excuse making.

We examined stability and level of self-esteem as predictors of excuse making; the extent to which self-ratings of stability are related to a statistical index of self-esteem stability; and the relations between stability and certainty of self-esteem and a variety of other psychological constructs. Regarding excuse making, our findings indicated that for high self-esteem individuals, instability was related to greater excuse making following success, but not following failure. However, for low self-esteem individuals, instability was related to greater excuse making following failure, but not following success. Other findings indicated that self-ratings of stability were only minimally related to a statistical measure of stability based on repeated assessments of self-esteem obtained in naturalistic contexts. Finally, stability of self-esteem was not significantly correlated with certainty of self-esteem. In addition, the pattern of correlations that emerged between certainty and other constructs suggested that uncertainty reflects the phenomenal experience of a tenuous self-view. On the other hand, stability of self-esteem appears to reflect the extent to which one's self-view is malleable, which may not be completely available to conscious awareness. Our discussion focuses on the nature of self-esteem stability and the roles of stability and level of self-esteem in reactions to evaluative events.
A 41-Year-Old Woman With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

DR BURNS: Mrs P is a 41-year-old woman with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). She previously worked as a hairdresser but has not worked for several months. Mrs P lives with her husband and children. She has commercial insurance. For a number of years, Mrs P noted that she felt fatigued and had headaches. She sought medical care, but no explanation was found. In June 2002, she went to a new primary care physician and was found to have a white blood cell count of 58 10/μL, hematocrit of 41.4%, and a platelet count of 211 10/μL. There were 51 polys, 2 monocytes, 1 eosinophil, 1 promyelocyte, 13 myelocytes, 14 bands, and 5 metamyelocytes. A bone marrow biopsy was performed and she was found to have a myeloproliferative disorder; cytogenetic testing showed classic Philadelphia chromosome (Ph). Mrs P was seen at another medical center and imatinib mesylate (Gleevec; Novartis, East Hanover, NJ) was recommended. After starting imatinib (400 mg/d), she developed severe occipital headaches and an abdominal rash. The drug was stopped and her symptoms improved; however, her white blood cell count rose to higher than 120 10/μL. She was subsequently restarted on a lower dose of imatinib (200 mg/d) with a plan to slowly increase the dose to 400 mg/d. She tolerated this regimen better, although she continued to note ongoing occipital headaches and fatigue. Her white blood cell count improved to 88 10/μL. Mrs P has a past medical history significant for kidney stones and migraines and a past surgical history significant for an appendectomy and hysterectomy. Her only current medication is imatinib mesylate (400 mg/d). She is allergic to penicillin and sulfa. She quit smoking in October 1994, and she does not drink alcohol. Mrs P recently sought a second opinion and an allogeneic transplantation was recommended. She decided to proceed with the transplant as she believed that it offered a reasonably good chance for cure and because she felt that she could neither afford imatinib for the long-term nor tolerate its adverse effects. Mrs P and her siblings underwent histocompatibility testing and were not a match. She has considered her options and is planning a matched, unrelated donor stem cell transplantation.
Homeland security and information control: A model of asymmetric information flows

In response to international terrorism, the United States government has actively sought to reorganize information flows to and from individuals, the media, and other nations. These government actions lead to information asymmetry, with certain realms becoming relatively ‘information poor.’ While the short-term effects of asymmetrical information flows appear to be positive for the government, are relatively neutral for individuals and the media, they increase global distrust of US governmental actions, which may adversely affect global stability. Finally, any complete analysis of the impacts of controlling information flows must include an understanding of what constitutes security, and the appropriate balance between information disclosure and secrecy in a democratic society.
Comparative efficiency of structural systems for steel tall buildings

Structural systems for tall buildings have evolved to produce higher lateral stiffness more efficiently. This study investigates comparative structural efficiency between today's prevalent structural systems for tall buildings, based on lateral stiffness. Tall buildings of 40, 60, 80 and 100 storeys are optimally designed with braced tubes, diagrids and outrigger structures to meet the lateral stiffness requirements. The structural efficiency of each system is studied comparatively depending on building heights and height-to-width aspect ratios. More efficient system selection and design optimisation can substantially contribute to constructing sustainable built environments by saving building materials produced from our limited resources.
The effective conductivity of strongly heterogeneous composites

We deal with the effective conductivity m = m(z) of two phase, ordered or disordered mixtures consisting of particles of material of conductivity z inserted in a matrix of conductivity 1. We focus on finding bounds on the set of values of z for which the function m is singular or vanishes, and we apply our results to the estimation of the effective conductivity of high contrast mixtures ( z = 0 or z = ∞). We find that the zeroes and singularities of the function m lie on an interval of the negative real axis, which depends on the shape of the particles and the interparticle distances. Our results agree with previous numerical calculations for periodic arrays of spheres. In some cases we show that our estimates are optimal. We apply our results about the zeroes and singularities together with the complex variable method, and find bounds on the effective conductivity of matrix-particle random composites. These bounds give good estimations even in cases of high contrast, and, in many cases, they improve substantially over the bounds obtained by other methods, for the same types of high contrast mixtures.
Growth of Bacillus methanolicus in seawater-based media

Bacillus methanolicus has been proposed as a biocatalyst for the low cost production of commodity chemicals. The organism can use methanol as sole carbon and energy source, and it grows aerobically at elevated temperatures. Methanol can be made available from off-shore conversion of natural gas to methanol, through gas-to-liquid technology. Growth of the organism in seawater-based medium would further reduce the costs of chemical production performed near an off-shore natural gas source. The growth of strain PB1 (ATCC 51375) in shake flask experiments with trypticase soy broth medium showed minimal salt-inhibition at the concentration of NaCl in seawater. The ability of B. methanolicus PB1 to grow in Pacific Ocean water using methanol as a carbon and energy source was also tested. Following a simple adaptation procedure, PB1 was able to grow on methanol in semi-defined medium with 100% seawater with good growth yields and similar growth rates compared with those achieved on media prepared in deionized water.
All three isoforms of the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC1, VDAC2, and VDAC3) are present in mitochondria from bovine, rabbit, and rat brain

All three isoforms of the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) were detected by immunoblot analysis of mitochondria isolated from rat, rabbit, and bovine brain. All three isoforms were associated with mitochondria after fractionation of rat brain extracts on sucrose density gradients. No VDAC isoforms were detected in non-mitochondrial fractions. Relative levels of the mRNAs coding the VDAC isoforms in rat, rabbit, and bovine brain were determined by RT-PCR. In all three species, the mRNA for VDAC2 was predominant. Relative to the mRNA for VDAC3, mRNAs for both VDAC1 and VDAC2 were more highly expressed in bovine brain than in rat brain. These results are consistent with the possibility that differences in relative expression of VDAC isoforms may be a factor in determining the species-dependent ratio of Type A:Type B hexokinase binding sites on brain mitochondria.
Phase diagram of Cu-Au-type alloys

We investigate the ordering phase diagram of an binary alloy on a face centered cubic lattice. In Ising spin language the nearest-neighbor interactions are antiferromagnetic with strengthJ, the next-nearest-neighbor interactions are ferromagnetic with strength αJ, and the external magnetic field ish. Forα > 0 and allh, the ground state is only finitely degenerate, so Pirogov-Sinai theory gives the exact form of the phase diagram in the limit of vanishing temperature. Forα=0 and vhv⩽ 12J the ground state is infinitely degenerate, and indeed the zero temperature entropy is nonvanishing at the four “super-degenerate” pointsh=± 47 or ±1Z7. We investigate the finite temperature behavior of the model using Monte Carlo simulations and (forα=0) low temperature expansions. The most interesting portions of the phase diagram are those near the superdegenerate points. We rigorously map these points onto certain “hard constraint” lattice gases, but can draw no firm conclusions concerning the phase diagram in their vicinity.
Computational model of human ventilation for electrical stimulation following cervical spinal cord injury

Towards the development of an implantable stimulator for respiratory pacing, we have developed a computational model of the human ventilatory system to simulate breathing maneuvers. Following cervical spinal cord injury, control of breathing is lost or diminished. If the loss is severe, patients are dependent on mechanical ventilators or electrical stimulators to regain functional breathing. Existing electrical stimulation based respiratory pacing systems typically activate only the diaphragm and cannot adapt to muscle fatigue, changes in respiratory demands, or changes in electrode quality over time. This model will be used to test stimulation controllers that can adapt to such conditions. The model was developed in Simulink/SimMechanics implementing the physiologically realistic muscle model from MSMS [1,2] using published parameters for muscle geometry [3,4]. Diaphragm geometry was modeled as a pulley system in one dimension. Ventilatory compliance was modeled as a damped spring with non-linear stiffness. Integrated phrenic drive was modeled as either a spaced sawtooth (tidal breathing) or a step function (maximal inspiration). The model was able to reproduce tidal breathing and maximal inspiration for uninjured subjects (see Figure ​Figure1).1). When simulating electrical stimulation without fatigue, maximal inspiration was similar but tidal breathing was higher due to the recruitment of larger motor units first. When simulating electrical stimulation as well as fatigue (50% reduction in maximal force and a decrease in the power of the fast motor units), tidal breathing was similar to the uninjured case (see Figure ​Figure1).1). Thus, even with fatigue, electrically stimulated muscles are strong enough to produce the submaximal contractions needed for tidal breathing. In the future, this model will be enhanced to incorporate additional muscles of respiration as well as atrophy associated with spinal cord injury and will be used to iteratively develop adaptive controllers to achieve functional ventilation and to promote weaning from a mechanical ventilator. Figure 1 Diaphragm displacement during tidal breathing (grey lines) and maximal inspiration (black lines). Uninjured curves (solid lines) reproduce published experimental data. When simulating electrical stimulation (reverse recruitment) and fatigue (a 50% reduction ...
Adaptive event communication in component-based systems

The flow of events and data on the connections between components in an application may have to be controlled at run time based on the application state to optimize performance. For example, a set of components (or a subsystem) may be inactive in a given state and events flowing towards such inactive components can be eliminated. This paper presents a model-driven approach to dynamically control the flow of events on event connections. The proposed model-driven tool chain consists of analysis algorithms which analyze the application to derive metadata for event flow control, and an adaptive event communication framework which provides configurable event communication middleware. The metadata derived by the analysis algorithms is used to automatically configure the middleware for application state-aware propagation of events. The analysis algorithms are specially useful in large scale distributed real-time embedded systems where deriving such metadata manually can be tedious and error-prone. We have applied the proposed mechanisms to application scenarios from the Boeing BoldStroke system.
Bacterial plasmids: their extraordinary contribution to molecular genetics

Reviewed here are certain of the extraordinary contributions to molecular genetics that have resulted from the study of bacterial plasmids. Work with plasmids has led to both the 'operon' and 'replicon' concepts, and has provided seminal information about bacterial conjugation and fertility, recombination, transposable genetic elements, genome evolution and antisense RNA. Studies of plasmid functions have yielded important findings about the regulation of DNA replication, DNA topology and partitioning, gene control signals and restriction/modification enzymes. Plasmids have had a central role in the development of DNA cloning (recombinant DNA) methods; additionally, they have provided a paradigm for both the co-transformation of non-selected DNA into eukaryotic cells and the creation of the artificial chromosomes.
Três etapas para uma antropologia histórica do neoliberalismo realmente existente

A antropologia do neoliberalismo se polarizou entre um modelo economico hegemonico, ancorado por variantes do dominio de mercado, e uma abordagem rebelde, alimentada por derivacoes da nocao foucaultiana de governamentalidade. Ambas as nocoes dissimulam o que e "neo" no neoliberalismo: a reengenharia e a reestruturacao do Estado como a agencia principal que estabelece regras e conforma as subjetividades, relacoes sociais e representacoes coletivas apropriadas a producao de mercados. Eu desenvolvo o conceito de Bourdieu de "campo burocratico", para propor uma via media entre essas duas abordagens, que concebe o neoliberalismo como uma articulacao entre Estado, mercado e cidadania, aparelhando o primeiro para impor a marca do segundo a terceira. Essa concepcao repatria a penalidade para o centro da producao de um Estado-centauro, que pratica o laissez-faire no topo da estrutura de classes e o paternalismo punitivo na base.
Electrochemical investigation into the environmental degradation of YBa2Cu3O7 superconductors

YBa2Cu3O7(YBC) high-Tc superconductors degrade rapidly when exposed to humidity or water. In an attempt to gain a better understanding of the degradation behavior and to study the effect of porosity on degradation susceptibility, small amplitude cyclic voltammetry (SACV) is performed. Microelectrodes are fabricated from YBC superconducting pellets of porosities approximately 50% and < 1%. SACV is performed in methyl alcohol saturated with sodium chloride and 1 M NaCl in distilled water before and after exposure to water. It is found that the corrosion rate of bulk superconductors increases with exposure time. The dense specimens seem to stabilize after 36 h while the porous specimens continue to deteriorate at first rapidly and after 24 h slowly. The BaCO3 film produced by corrosion is non-protective.
Pathophysiologic and therapeutic implications of acid-base changes during CPR

Acid-base changes occurring during cardiac arrest and subsequent CPR are related to a complex low-perfusion state characterized clinically by venous and tissue hypercarbic and metabolic (lactic) acidosis. This low-flow state is a dynamic process dependent on the time intervals between onset of arrest, initiation of CPR, and restoration of adequate spontaneous circulation. Increased release of CO 2 from ischemic tissues and reduced CO 2 transport from the tissues to the lungs result in profound tissue acidosis. However, recent experimental data suggest that even very low pH is compatible with neurologically intact survival. Thus, the clinical use of buffer agents, and especially of sodium bicarbonate, is currently controversial. Because results of controlled clinical studies are not available, a careful review of well-performed experimental studies is necessary. So far, the use of either CO 2 -generating or CO 2 -consuming buffers has not been proved conclusively to increase neurologically intact long-term survival after CPR. More importantly, adequate ventilation and effective chest compressions must be quickly established after cardiac arrest. This will counterbalance the hypercarbic and metabolic acidemia of cardiac arrest by creating concurrent hypocarbic arterial alkalemia during at least the early phase of CPR. Thus, the treatment of the complex acid-base changes associated with CPR is based primarily on the classical maneuvers of A and B (airway and breathing=adequate oxygenation and ventilation), C (chest compressions), and D (early defibrillation for rapid restoration of spontaneous circulation). In cases of prolonged cardiac arrest or preexisting metabolic acidemia, buffer therapy may be indicated.
Mediastinal staging of non-small-cell lung cancer with positron emission tomography.

To determine the usefulness of positron emission tomography with fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (PET-FDG) in assessing mediastinal disease in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to compare its yield to that of computed tomography (CT), we performed a prospective consecutive sample investigation in a university hospital and its related clinics. In 30 patients with NSCLC with clinical stage I (T1-2, NO, MO) disease, we compared the results of chest CT and PET-FDG with the findings at surgical exploration of the mediastinum. Seven (77%) of nine patients with surgically proven mediastinal metastasis were identified by the PET-FDG results, with four false-positives in 21 patients with negative lymph node dissections (p = 0.004). Using the results of pathologic examination of mediastinal lymph nodes as the criterion standard, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for PET-FDG imaging of mediastinal metastases were 78%, 81%,...
Sodium cholate aggregation and chiral recognition of the probe molecule (R,S)-1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diylhydrogenphosphate (BNDHP) observed by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy.

Bile salt micelles can be employed as a pseudostationary phase in micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) separations of chiral analytes. To improve MEKC separations of chiral analytes, a molecular level understanding of micelle aggregation in the presence of analyte is needed. Here, aggregation of sodium cholate has been observed by exploiting the presence of a model analyte molecule. The 31P and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) chemical shifts of (R,S)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diylhydrogenphosphate ((R,S)-BNDHP), a model analyte in chiral MEKC separations, are demonstrated to be very sensitive to the aggregation state of the bile salt sodium cholate. In addition to probing micellar aggregation, the NMR spectral resolution of enantiomeric species is also strongly correlated with chiral separations in MEKC. In this work, the aggregation of sodium cholate in basic solutions (pH 12) has been observed over the concentration range 0−100 mM. The primary critical micelle concentratio...
Hybrid energy storage system integration for vehicles

Energy consumption and the associated environmental impact are a pressing challenge faced by the transportation sector. Emerging electric-drive vehicles have shown promises for substantial reductions in petroleum use and vehicle emissions. Their success, however, has been hindered by the limitations of energy storage technologies. Existing in-vehicle Lithium-ion battery systems are bulky, expensive, and unreliable. Energy storage system (ESS) design and optimization is essential for emerging transportation electrification. This paper presents an integrated ESS modeling, design and optimization framework targeting emerging electric-drive vehicles. Based on an ESS modeling solution that considers major run-time and long-term battery effects, the proposed framework unifies design-time optimization and run-time control. It conducts statistical optimization for ESS cost and lifetime, which jointly considers the variances of ESS due to manufacture tolerance and heterogeneous driver-specific run-time use. It optimizes ESS design by incorporating complementary energy storage technologies, e.g., Lithium-ion batteries and ultracapacitors. Using physical measurements of battery manufacture variation and real-world user driving profiles, our experimental study has demonstrated that the proposed framework can effectively explore the statistical design space, and produce cost-efficient ESS solutions with statistical system lifetime guarantee.
Do We Need 'Quantum' for Quantum Computing?

The concept of quantum computing has arisen as a methodology by which very rapid computations can be achieved. There also has been considerable discussion about physical implementations of the qubit. This has led, in recent years, to a situation in which quantum computing and quantum information theory are being rapidly developed. In general, the specific advantages offered by quantum computing have been somewhat nebulous. On the one hand, faster computing was promised, but we now know that no speedup of most algorithms exists relative the speed that can be obtained with massive parallel processing. Then, we are promised that the use of entanglement will make quantum computing possible with a much smaller use of resources. Yet, entanglement must be viewed as a hidden variable, which is not accessible in experiment. How does this provide the speedup? We have suggested that analog processing may provide a suitable alternative, and may be the basis which provides the speedup in quantum computing, but this is a controversial assertion. In this talk, we will discuss these particular viewpoints, along with several approaches to a wave basis for (quantum) computing.
The recreational drug ecstasy disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal reproductive axis in adult male rats.

Reproductive function involves an interaction of three regulatory levels: hypothalamus, pituitary, and gonad. The primary drive upon this system comes from hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Biosynthesis of flavors by Penicillium roqueforti

The development of the unique flavor of blue type cheese depends on the concerted action of numerous enzymes of Penicillium roqueforti involved in protein and lipid metabolism. Protease(s) by degrading casein modify the texture and background flavor of the ripening cheese. Lipase by hydrolyzing milk triglycerides provides flavorful fatty acids and precursors of methyl ketones. The enzyme complex involved in the partial oxidation of free fatty acids and the properties of β-ketoacyl decarboxylase which generates the major flavor components of blue cheese are discussed. Fermentation of P. roqueforti for the rapid production of methyl ketones is briefly reviewed.
Determination of streptomycin sulfate and dihydrostreptomycin sulfate by high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract An isocratic, paired-ion reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin has been developed. The method employs a microparticulate reversed-phase column (μBondapak C 18 , LiChrosorb RP-18 or Ultrasphere Ion Pair), and a mobile phase composed of 0.02 M sodium hexanesulfonate and 0.025 M tribasic sodium phosphate in acetonitrile-water (8:92, v/v) at pH 6.0 with detection by ultraviolet absorbance at 195 nm. Resolution and simultaneous quantitation of streptomycin A, dihydrostreptomycin A, streptomycin B, streptidine and process-related substances can be achieved in less than 25 min, with a relative standard deviation of ca. 1.1% for the assay of either streptomycin sulfate or dihydrostreptomycin sulfate. The chromatographic bioequivalency data for streptomycin sulfate and dihydrostreptomycin sulfate were statistically identical with results obtained by the officially recognized microbiological assay. The method is designed for applicability to the analysis of other aminoglycoside antibiotics and antituberculous agents.
Dance and Diabetic Neuropathy

(2009). Dance and Diabetic Neuropathy. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 80, No. 3, pp. 6-56.
Interventional EUS for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Since the curved linear array echoendoscope (linear EUS) was developed in the 1990s, EUS has evolved from EUS imaging, to EUS-guided FNA, and now to EUS-guided fine needle injection (FNI), giving EUS even wider application. This advancement has brought “interventional EUS” into the pancreato-biliary field. Interventional EUS for pancreatic cancer includes delivery of contrast agents, drainage/anastomosis, celiac neurolysis (including ganglion neorolysis), radiofrequency ablation, photodynamic therapy, brachytherapy, and delivery of a growing number of anti-tumor agents. This review will focus on interventional EUS in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Perfectly Matched Layers in the Discretized Space: An Analysis and Optimization

Abstract The perfectly matched layer (PML) has recently been introduced by Berenger as a material absorbing boundary condition (ABC) for electromagnetic waves. Recently, it has been pointed out that this absorbing boundary condition is the same as coordinate stretching in the complex space. In this paper, the corresponding coordinate stretching is analyzed in the discretized space of Maxwell's equations as described by the Yee algorithm. The corresponding dispersion relationship is derived for a PML medium and then the problem of reflection from a single interface is solved. A perfectly matched interface is shown not to exist in the discretized space, even though it exists in the continuum space. Numerical simulations both using finite difference method and finite element method confirm that such discretization error exists. A numerical scheme using the finite element method is then developed to optimize the PML with respect to its parameters. Examples are given to demonstrate the performance of the optim...
Evolutionary relationships of nonsexual lichenized fungi: molecular phylogenetic hypotheses for the genera Siphula and Thamnolia from SSU and LSU rDNA.

The nonsexual lichenized family Siphulaceae is comprised of the obligately sterile genera, Siphula and Thamnolia. These genera are currently placed in the order Lecanorales, apparently based solely...
Effects of post trial administration of drugs on avoidance learning of mice

Abstract Post trial injections of strychnine and picrotoxin enhanced avoidance learning of mice trained in a shuttle-box avoidance task. Post trial administration of nitrous oxide induced instead an impairment of the performance. Learning was affected--enhanced or impaired--only when the treatment was given within a few minutes after training. The results are discussed on the basis of the processes involved in memory storage.