cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The modelling of a primitive ‘sustainable’ conservative cell

The simple sustainable or ‘eternal’ cell model, assuming preservation of all proteins, is designed as a building block, a primitive element upon which one can build more complete functional cell models of various types, representing various species. In the modelling we emphasize the electrophysiological aspects, in part because these are a well-developed component of cell models and because membrane potentials and their fluctuations have been generally omitted from metabolically oriented cell models in the past. Fluctuations in membrane potential deserve heightened consideration because probably all cells have negative intracellular potentials and most cells demonstrate electrical activity with vesicular extrusion, receptor occupancy, as well as with stimulated excitation resulting in regenerative depolarization. The emphasis is on the balances of mass, charge, and of chemical species while accounting for substrate uptake, metabolism and metabolite loss from the cell. By starting with a primitive representation we emphasize the conservation ideas. As more advanced models are generated they must adhere to the same basic principles as are required for the most primitive incomplete model.
Use of atropine to maintain higher heart rate after exercise during treadmill stress echocardiography.

Abstract The sensitivity of treadmill stress echocardiography (SE), which is extensively used as a noninvasive test to detect myocardial ischemia, is contingent on the rapid acquisition of 2-dimensional echocardiographic (2D) images immediately after exercise, before a substantial decrease in heart rate (HR). This test is technically challenging and needs proficient sonographers to obtain the images rapidly. This study was designed to determine whether administration of atropine at peak exercise would maintain a higher HR longer after exercise, thereby facilitating acquisition of images. Two comparable groups of patients were randomized to receive either 0.5 mg atropine intravenously (iv) (n = 20), or no medication (n = 19) at peak exercise. HR was significantly higher in the atropine group compared with the control group ( P (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2002;15:43-5.)
Reliability of TLP Tethers Under Maximum and Minimum Lifetime Loads

This paper describes reliability analyses which were performed to determine the adequacy of TLP tether maximum and minimum tension design criteria. Reliability analyses for other potential tether failure models such as fatigue were not performed. The calculated reliabilities were compared to typical calculated reliability levels of steel piled jackets. The effect on tether loading of vertical wave impact on the underside of a TLP deck was also considered for the maximum tension case. Tether load analyses were performed using frequency domain analytical tools and reliability was calculated using the advanced, first-order, second-moment analysis technique. A probabilistic methodology for combining time-variant and time-invariant tether load components was developed. The results of the study are limited by assumptions discussed in the paper.
Orexin/hypocretin is necessary for context-driven cocaine-seeking.

Abstract Orexin/hypocretin signaling at the orexin 1 receptor (OX 1 R) has recently been implicated in addiction and relapse. We examined the role of the orexin system in cocaine-seeking elicited by a drug-associated context following abstinence or extinction from chronic cocaine self-administration. Male Sprague–Dawley rats self-administered cocaine in 2-h sessions for 10 days, followed by extinction training or extended abstinence in the home cage. The OX 1 R antagonist SB-334867 (SB; 10, 20, or 30 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered prior to re-exposure to the cocaine self-administration environment. We found that pretreatment with SB significantly attenuated cocaine-seeking when rats were placed back into the self-administration environment following either 1 day or 2 weeks of abstinence (no extinction), or following extinction of cocaine-seeking in an alternative environment (distinct from the training environment). These results indicate that orexin signaling at OX 1 R is critical for conditioned cocaine-seeking elicited by a drug-associated context, following either extinction or abstinence.
Seroprevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) in Costa Rica.

To determine if HTLV-I is present in neighboring Costa Rica, we tested 436 sera from women who participated, between 1984 and 1985, in a case-control study of cervical cancer in Costa Rica
Modeling alternative binding registers of a minimal immunogenic peptide on two class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC II) molecules predicts polarized T-cell receptor (TCR) contact positions.

Abstract: Several major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) complexes with known minimal immunogenic peptides have now been solved by X-ray crystallography. Specificity pockets within the MHC II binding groove provide distinct peptide contacts that influence peptide conformation and define the binding register within different allelic MHC II molecules. Altering peptide ligands with respect to the residues that contact the T-cell receptor (TCR) can drastically change the nature of the ensuing immune response. Here, we provide an example of how MHC II (I-A) molecules may indirectly effect TCR contacts with a peptide and drive functionally distinct immune responses. We modeled the same immunogenic 12-amino acid peptide into the binding grooves of two allelic MHC II molecules linked to distinct cytokine responses against the peptide. Surprisingly, the favored conformation of the peptide in each molecule was distinct with respect to the exposure of the N- or C-terminus of the peptide above the MHC II binding groove. T-cell clones derived from each allelic MHC II genotype were found to be allele-restricted with respect to the recognition of these N- vs. C-terminal residues on the bound peptide. Taken together, these data suggest that MHC II alleles may influence T-cell functions by restricting TCR access to specific residues of the I-A-bound peptide. Thus, these data are of significance to diseases that display genetic linkage to specific MHC II alleles, e.g. type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
rhBMP Use in Cervical Spine Surgery: Associated Factors and In-Hospital Complications

Background: Widespread use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP) in cervical spine surgery has continued despite the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 2008 notification regarding its adverse effects. Our study goals were to analyze how patient, surgical, and institutional factors influenced rhBMP use in cervical spinal fusion surgery and to examine the cervical-spine-specific in-hospital complications associated with rhBMP use. Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to identify 1,064,372 patients eighteen years or older who had undergone cervical spinal fusion surgery from 2003 through 2010. Of these patients, 84,726 (7.96%) received rhBMP. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze patient, surgical, and institutional factors associated with rhBMP use, and the relationship between rhBMP use and the development of in-hospital complications. Results: On multivariate analysis, patient age and sex, insurance type, surgical approach, use of autograft bone, and hospital teaching status, size, and region were significant predictors of rhBMP use. Use of rhBMP was a significant predictor of complications on univariate analysis and on multivariate analysis adjusted for patient age and sex, Charlson comorbidity score, insurance status, surgical approach, autograft bone use, and hospital teaching status, size, and region. Use of rhBMP was significantly associated with the development of dysphagia (prevalence, 2.0%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.53), dysphonia (prevalence, 0.28%; adjusted OR, 1.48), hematoma/seroma formation (prevalence, 0.7%; adjusted OR, 1.24), and neurological complications (prevalence, 0.84%; adjusted OR, 2.0). These complications were most commonly found after anterior cervical fusion surgery. Wound infections and neurological complications were most commonly found after posterior cervical fusion surgery. Dysphagia was most commonly found after circumferential fusion surgery. Conclusions: Indications for rhBMP use for cervical spinal fusion are multifactorial. Its use is associated with a significantly higher likelihood of cervical-spine-specific complications. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Self-Determination and Sexual Experience in Dating Relationships

The authors propose the Model of Self-Determined Sexual Motivation to examine sexual motivation in dating relationships using a Self-Determination Theory (SDT) framework. This model predicted that sexual need satisfaction would mediate the association between self-determined sexual motives and the outcome variables of psychological well-being and relational quality. Three studies tested this model. Study 1 was a cross-sectional study that investigated sexual motivation in dating relationships. Study 2 was an event-contingent interaction record study that investigated specific sexual interactions over 2 weeks. Study 3 combined event- and interval-contingent methods using a daily diary to examine the model for both partners to enable examination of actor and partner effects. Discussion section focuses on the power of examining SDT in the sexual domain.
Alexis de Tocqueville and the American Character: The Problem of Reconciling Excellence and Consent

Although Tocqueville was deeply concerned about the adverse consequences of democratic equality and the tyranny of the majority, he nonethless believed that the character of the American people-reinforced by America's customs, laws, circumstances, constitutional heritage, and favorable geography-would help Americans to achieve a decent, liberal, constitutional polity. Culturally, however, Americans were deficient in reconciling excellence and consent. Less friendly critics have argued that a democracy cannot reconcile excellence and consent. It is, however, possible to move beyond Tocqueville's qualified confidence in American democracy, and his reservations about the ability of Americans to reconcile excellence and consent, by arguing that there is a fundamental concord between excellence and consent, that there is significant popular acceptance and practice of excellence in a democracy, and that creative democratic leadership can advance excellence in a democratic society. Copyright , Oxford University Press.
Site-specific cleavage by metal ion cofactors and inhibitors of M1 RNA, the catalytic subunit of RNase P from Escherichia coli

Abstract The location of phosphate residues involved in specific centers for binding of metal ions in M1 RNA, the catalytic RNA subunit of RNase P from Escherichia coli, was determined by analysis of induction of cleavage of RNA by metal ions. At pH 9.5, Mg2+ catalyzes cleavage of M1 RNA at five principal sites. Under certain conditions, Mn2+ and Ca2+ can each replace Mg2+ as the cofactor in the processing of precursor tRNAs by M1 RNA and P RNA, the RNA subunit of RNase P from Bacillus subtilis. These cations, as well as various metal ion inhibitors of the catalytic activity of M1 RNA, also promote cleavage of M1 RNA in a specific manner. Certain conditions that affect the catalytic activity of M1 RNA also alter the rate of metal ion-induced cleavage at the various sites. From these results and a comparison of cleavage of M1 RNA with that of a deletion mutant of M1 RNA and of P RNA, we have identified two different centers for binding of metal ions in M1 RNA that are important for the processing of the precursor to tRNA(Tyr) from E. coli. There is also a center for the binding of metal ions in the substrate, close to the site of cleavage by M1 RNA.
Impact of Pharmacist-Provided Osteoporosis Education and Screening in the Workplace

1. Pharmacy Facts and Figures. Drug Topics [serial online]. Accessed at www.drugtopics.com/drugtopics/article/articleList.jsp?categoryId=7604, November 8, 2004. 2. Vanderbush RE, Kirtley J, West DS. Evaluating Internet-based multimedia vignettes for teaching ophthalmic and otic drug administration techniques. Am J Pharm Educ. 2005;69(4):article 64. 3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The pharmacist workforce: a study of the supply and demand for pharmacists. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions; 2000. Accessed at http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/reports/pharmacist.htm, November 8, 2004. 4. National Association of Chain Drug Stores Web site. Industry facts-at-aglance. Accessed at www.nacds.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=507, November 8, 2004.
The intrinsic ability of AFAP-110 to alter actin filament integrity is linked with its ability to also activate cellular tyrosine kinases.

The actin filament-associated protein of 110 kDa (AFAP-110) is a Src binding partner that represents a potential modulator of actin filament integrity in response to cellular signals. Previous reports have demonstrated that AFAP-110 is capable of directly binding and altering actin filaments. Deletion of the leucine zipper motif of AFAP-110 (AFAP-110Δlzip) has been shown to induce a phenotype which resembles Src-transformed cells, by repositioning actin filaments into rosettes. This deletion also mimics a conformational change in AFAP-110 that is detected in Src-transformed cells. The results presented here indicate that unlike AFAP-110, AFAP-110Δlzip is capable of activating cellular tyrosine kinases, including Src family members, and that AFAP-110Δlzip itself is hyperphosphorylated. The newly tyrosine phosphorylated proteins and activated Src-family members appear to be associated with actin-rich lamellipodia. A point mutation that alters the SH3-binding motif of AFAP-110Δlzip prevents it from activating tyrosine kinases and altering actin filament integrity. In addition, a deletion within a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of AFAP-110Δlzip will also revert its effects upon actin filaments. Lastly, dominant-positive RhoAV14 will block the ability of AFAP-110Δlzip from inducing actin filament rosettes, but does not inhibit Src activation. Thus, conformational changes in AFAP-110 enable it to activate cellular kinases in a mechanism requiring SH3 and/or PH domain interactions. We hypothesize that cellular signals which alter AFAP-110 conformation, enable it to activate cellular kinases such as cSrc, which then direct changes in actin filament integrity in a Rho-dependent fashion.
Evolution of a Steady State Island Size Distribution during Self-Assembled Monolayer Dissolution

We have observed the dissolution of a self-assembled monolayer of octadecylphosphonic acid from a mica surface in real time using atomic force microscopy. Holes in the monolayer are observed to nucleate and grow with time, eventually percolating across the sample. The rate of dissolution is increased by flowing solvent through the cell compared to stagnant solvent. If the monolayer is brought into contact with a small enough volume of stagnant solvent, the surface coverage stabilizes at some point due to the buildup of adsorbate molecules in solution. Under these conditions of steady state surface coverage, the local dynamical processes of island shrinkage, growth, and nucleation continue, eventually leading to a distinctive island size distribution characteristic of the system. The final distribution is in good agreement with a decaying exponential form, consistent with a “point island” model of island shrinkage and growth.
Variability in the essential oils of wood and foliage of Pinus aristata and Pinus longaeva

Abstract Variations in the monoterpenoid composition of the essential oil of wood, and of the mono- and sesquiterpenoids of foliage collected from more than 200 specimens of pines of subsection Balfourianae ( P. aristata, P. longaeva and P. balfouriana ) substantiate the previously reported morphological and chemical separation of P. aristata and P. longaeva and suggest a restricted intermediacy in northern Arizona and eastern California. On the basis of wood essential oil the limited population of P. aristata in northern Arizona, while exhibiting to a slight degree morphological intermediacy, is found to be practically identical to the main populations of P. aristata in Colorado and New Mexico. On the basis of foliage oil, however, the same population is clearly intermediate, but closer to P. aristata . The detailed chemical data suggest a distinct chemical status for the Arizona population, with selection for the present-day chemophenotypes being the dominant factor in their evolution. Analysis of monoterpenoids from P. balfouriana × longaeva hybrids indicates that incomplete selective elimination of 3-carene-producing P. longaeva chemophenotypes rather than gene exchange with P. balfouriana is responsible for the presence of abnormal P. aristata -like 3-carene-producing trees in eastern California. The latter trees could have resulted from limited gene exchange between P. aristata and P. longaeva by routes no longer available to them lying to the south of the Grand Canyon.
A Generalized Formulation of Elastodynamics: Small on Rigid

The conventional theory of linearized elastodynamics addresses the case of motions that have small displacement gradients with respect to a reference configuration of the elastic body that is unstressed and at rest. Here, we develop a theory of much wider applicability in which the linearization is with respect to a reference configuration that is in rigid motion.
The Arizona Water Settlement Act and urban water supplies

The 2004 Arizona Water Settlements Act (AWSA 2004) when implemented will allocate to two Native American tribes, the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) and the Tohono O’odham Nation (TON) almost ten percent of Arizona’s total developed water supply, which is 7.04 million acre-feet a year. The successful passage of AWSA, given the scale of the water rights settlement and competing uses for finite water supplies, is the topic of this paper. Key motivations for the settlement are that: (1) the 653,500 acre-feet a year allocation is around a third of the GRIC’s Gila River Adjudication 2001 claim; (2) the GRIC signed a number of water leases and exchanges providing water to municipalities and has not ruled out signing more; and (3) AWSA resolved more than tribal water claims; it also settled thorny issues of Central Arizona Project (CAP) debt repayment (for $2 billion in construction costs) and division of water allocation between federal (Indian) and state (non-Indian) uses including the reallocation of high priority uncontracted CAP water to cities.
The visually distinct configurations of k sets

Two sets of sets, C"0 and C"1, are said to be visually equivalent if there is a 1-1 mapping m from C"0 onto C"1 such that for every S, [email protected]"0, S @? T=0 if and only if m(S)@? m(T)=0 and [email protected]?T if and only if m(S)@?m(T). We find estimates for V(k), the number of equivalence classes of this relation on sets of k sets, for finite and infinite k. Our main results are that for finite k, 12k^2-k log k
What's wrong with plastic trees?

With some ingenuity, a transformation of our attitudes toward preservation of the environment will take place fairly soon. We will recognize the symbolic and social meanings of environments, not just their economic utility; we will emphasize their historical significance as well as the future generations that will use them. At the same time, we must realize that there are things we may not want to trade at all, except in the sense of letting someone else have his share of the environment also. As environments become more differentiated, smaller areas will probably be given greater significance, and it may be possible for more groups to have a share. It is likely that we shall want to apply our technology to the creation of artificial environments. It may be possible to create environments that are evocative of other environments in other times and places. It is possible that, by manipulating memory through the rewriting of history, environments will come to have new meaning. Finally, we may want to create proxy environments by means of substitution and simulation. In order to create substitutes, we must endow new objects with significance by means of advertising and by social practice. Sophistication about differentiation will become very important for appreciating the substitute environments. We may simulate the environment by means of photographs, recordings, models, and perhaps even manipulations in the brain (48). What we experience in natural environments may actually be more controllable than we imagine (49). Artificial prairies and wildernesses have been created, and there is no reason to believe that these artificial environments need be unsatisfactory for those who experience them. Rare environments are relative, can be created, are dependent on our knowledge, and are a function of policy, not only tradition. It seems likely that economic arguments will not be sufficient to preserve environments or to suggest how we can create new ones. Rather, conscious choice about what matters, and then a financial and social investment in an effort to create significant experiences and environments, will become a policy alternative available to us. What's wrong with plastic trees? My guess is that there is very little wrong with them. Much more can be done with plastic trees and the like (50) to give most people the feeling that they are experiencing nature. We will have to realize that the way in which we experience nature is conditioned by our society-which more and more is seen to be receptive to responsible interventions. Bentham, the father of utilitarianism, was very concerned about the uses of the dead to the living and suggested (51): If a country gentleman have rows of trees leading to his dwelling, the autoicons [embalmed bodies in an upright position] of his family might alternate with the trees; copal varnish would protect the face from the effects of rain-caoutchouc [rubber] the habiliments.
Deep phosphorus fertiliser placement and reduced irrigation methods for rice (Oryza sativa L.) combine to knock-out competition from its nemesis, barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv)

Productivity of rice is increasingly being constrained by limitations in the quantity, quality, and cost of water and nutrients, and competition from weeds. This is a ‘commentary’ on the recent work of Weerarathne et al. (2015). They reported new discoveries from greenhouse experiments that showed that precise deep placement of phosphorus (P) fertilizer 15 to 20 cm below ground level in low-phosphorus-containing soils irrigated using methods such as “alternating wetting and drying” that reduce water use, dramatically increased the competiveness of rice against its most widespread and costly weed pest, barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli). The growth of barnyardgrass was severely stunted because its roots did not reach the depth necessary to readily access the P fertilizer. In contrast, rice plants maintained robust growth under these conditions because they adapted by lengthening their roots and adding more fine roots, which allowed them to reach, take up, and utilize the deeply placed P.
Structural Requirements in the Membrane-Spanning Domain of the Paramyxovirus HN Protein for the Formation of a Stable Tetramer

Abstract The paramyxovirus hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) is a type II homotetrameric integral membrane glycoprotein composed of a pair of disulfide-linked dimers that are held together by noncovalent bonds. To determine the role of the internal uncleaved signal-anchor (S/A) domain in stable tetramer formation, cDNA-derived HN mutants containing S/A substitutions were expressed in HeLa cells. The assembly into tetramers and ER-to-Golgi transport of the proteins were examined by sucrose gradient sedimentation and by endoglycosidase treatment. A leucine-scanning substitution analysis of the 19 residue S/A identified 2 polar residues (Ser 31 and Tyr 36) in the C-terminal end of the S/A that were important for the formation of a stable tetramer. While Ala, Cys, and Gly could functionally replace Set 31 in the formation of a stable tetramer, substitution with Leu or Phe resulted in mutants that were detected as disulfide-linked dimers. These results indicate that a small amino acid in position 31, rather than a specific residue per se, is an important assembly requirement in the S/A. In contrast to the size requirement for position 31, the conservative substitution of Tyr 36 with Phe produced an HN mutant that sedimented as a mixture of dimers, tetramers, and higher order oligomers, suggesting that proper assembly requires a Tyr in this position. The S/A mutants that were detected as disulfide-linked dimers showed only a slight reduction in ERto-Golgi transport (∼50% of WT), consistent with the proposal that the S/A substitutions had affected tetramer stability and not the formation of a transport-competent oligomer. These data indicate that there are different structural requirements for two positions in the C-terminal region of the HN S/A for the assembly of a stable tetramer.
Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E6 and E7 Oncoproteins Act Synergistically to Cause Head and Neck Cancer in Mice

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) contribute to cervical and other anogenital cancers, and they are also linked etiologically to a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). We previously established a model for HPV-associated HNSCC in which we treated transgenic mice expressing the papillomaviral oncoproteins with the chemical carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO). We found that the HPV-16 E7 oncoprotein was highly potent in causing HNSCC, and its dominance masked any potential oncogenic contribution of E6, a second papillomaviral oncoprotein commonly expressed in human cancers. In the current study, we shortened the duration of treatment with 4-NQO to reduce the incidence of cancers and discovered a striking synergy between E6 and E7 in causing HNSCC. Comparing the oncogenic properties of wild-type versus mutant E6 genes in this model for HNSCC uncovered a role for some but not other cellular targets of E6 previously shown to contribute to cervical cancer.
Musical Cognition Within an Analogical Setting: Toward a Cognitive Component of Musical Aptitude in Children

This study is a cross-sectional investigation of the development of children's information-processing and problem-solving strategies as they relate to musical cognition within an analogical setting. 111 children ranging in age from preschool through to 11 years were administered a series of musical analogy tests (MANTs), a series of spatial analogy tests (SANTs), and Gordon's Primary Measures of Music Audiation. The results reinforced the results of an earlier study which revealed that the cognitive strategies used in spatial analogical tests appear very similar to those employed in musical analogical tests. These results should encourage researchers of musical aptitude to maintain the use of discrimination testing and also to broaden the scope of their investigations to include measurements of other aspects of intelligence so as to gain a more complete understanding of musical aptitude.
Pathogenesis of Precirrhotic Portal Hypertension in Alcohol-Fed Baboons

To study mechanisms and anatomic correlates of precirrhotic portal hypertension, we measured portal pressure either at laparotomy (in the portal vein) or by hepatic vein catheterization (wedge pressure) in 24 pairs of baboons fed 50% of energy either as ethanol or isocaloric carbohydrate (controls) for 4 mo–9 yr. On liver biopsy 7 had simple fatty liver; none had portal pressure exceeding the control range (2.7–13.0 cmH 2 O). The remaining 17 alcoholfed baboons had fibrous tissue deposition around the terminal hepatic venules and adjacent sinusoids. The mean portal pressure was significantly increased (15.0 ± 1.4 cmH 2 O) compared with the value in baboons with fatty liver (9.6 ± 0.9 cmH 2 O) and in controls (8.0 ± 0.6 cmH 2 O), with 8 animals exceeding the control range. Estimated hepatic blood flow was unchanged. Alcohol feeding resulted in increased hepatocyte size in both the fatty liver and fatty liver with fibrosis group; however, portal pressure did not correlate with alterations of cell size, liver volume, hepatic triacylglycerol, and protein contents. By contrast, for veins of comparable size, there was a significant correlation (r = 0.6666, p
Helix Induction and Springboard Strain in Peptide-Sandwiched Mesohemes1

We report the results of studies of a series of water-soluble peptide adducts of iron mesoporphyrin IX (FeMPIX). In one group of compounds, the peptide-sandwiched mesohemes (PSMs; 1−5), two identical 13-residue peptides are connected to the propionate groups of FeMPIX via amide linkages with Ne nitrogens of lysine (Lys) residues. The corresponding monopeptide analogues of each PSM (1m−5m) have also been prepared. The imidazolyl side chain of a histidine (His) residue in each peptide coordinates to the mesohemin iron. The compounds differ from one another in the relative positions of the His and Lys residues in the peptide sequences. In 1, 2, 4, and 5 and the corresponding monopeptide systems, Fe−His coordination results in various extents of peptide helix induction in neutral aqueous solution. The peptides in 3 and 3m remain in random coil conformations. Helix content in 1−5 can be enhanced by addition of organic cosolvents, including 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) and 1-propanol (PrOH). Data from EPR spect...
3D Geometric Scale Variability in Range Images: Features and Descriptors

Despite their ubiquitous presence, little has been investigated about the scale variability--the relative variations in the spatial extents of local structures--of 3D geometric data. In this paper we present a comprehensive framework for exploiting this 3D geometric scale variability in range images that provides rich information for characterizing the overall geometry. We derive a sound scale-space representation, which we refer to as the geometric scale-space, that faithfully encodes the scale variability of the surface geometry, and derive novel detectors to extract prominent features and identify their natural scales. The result is a hierarchical set of features of different scales which we refer to as scale-dependent geometric features. We then derive novel local shape descriptors that represent the surface structures that give rise to those features by carving out and encoding the local surface that fall within the support regions of the features. This leads to scale-dependent or scale-invariant local shape descriptors that convey significant discriminative information of the object geometry. We demonstrate the effectiveness of geometric scale analysis on range images, and show that it enables novel applications, in particular, fully automatic registration of multiple objects from a mixed set of range images and 3D object recognition in highly cluttered range image scenes.
Liver transplantation improves cirrhosis-associated impaired oral glucose tolerance.

BACKGROUND Thirty-five percent to 80% of cirrhotic patients have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetic cirrhotics have higher morbidity and mortality than nondiabetics. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to determine whether liver transplantation improves glucose homeostasis in these patients. METHOD A total of 26 patients awaiting liver transplantation were evaluated for impaired glucose homeostasis by fasting blood glucose and/or oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT). Five patients underwent transplant surgery within 1 year of OGTT and had a repeat OGTT 3-6 months after transplantation. RESULTS Sixty-five percent (17/26) of the patients had abnormal glucose homeostasis. Twenty-three percent (6/26) met American Diabetes Association criteria for DM, and another 42.3% (11/26) had IGT. All patients had normal HbA1C levels. After transplantation, the 2-hr blood glucose improved in four patients and the mean 2-hr glucose level was reduced (204 +/- 94 vs. 132 +/- 53 mg/dl [mean +/- SD, P=0.051]). CONCLUSION Liver transplantation can reverse cirrhosis-associated impaired glucose tolerance.
Performance analysis of probabilistic multi-path geographic routing in wireless sensor networks

We present a theoretical performance analysis of network lifetime for sensor networks that route packets through multiple paths between a source and destination pair. Our analysis is based on the length of the paths established and we show how this value can be used to estimate the lifetime of the sensor network. Through our analysis, we show how much the network lifetime can be increased when additional paths are established between source and destination. We divide our analysis in two parts: 1) when the probability of link-level retransmission is negligible; 2) when it is significant. In the former case, we develop analytical closed-form equations that allow us to compute the expected network lifetime. In the latter case, we develop theoretical tools that allow us to compute the probability distribution function of the network lifetime and we show simulation results that confirm our theoretical analysis. We also demonstrate how to estimate the increase in network lifetime when more than one path is added. We also compute the probabilities of packet forwarding for each path that maximise the gain in network lifetime.
Development of a glucose analyzer based on immobilized glucose oxidase

Abstract A dedicated instrument for the determination of glucose in serum or plasma is described. The flow system includes an amperometric sensor to measure the hydrogen peroxide liberated from the total conversion of a 2-μl sample injected into a column of immobilized glucose oxidase covalently coupled to a porous alumina substrate. The instrument digitally displays the glucose concentration and is capable of testing 60 samples/h. No sample or reagent preparation is necessary. The accuracy, precision, and selectivity are discussed.
Optimizing LRU Caching for Variable Document Sizes

We analyse a class of randomized Least Recently Used (LRU) cache replacement algorithms under the independent reference model with generalized Zipf's law request probabilities. The randomization was recently proposed for Web caching as a mechanism that discriminates between different document sizes. In particular, the cache maintains an ordered list of documents in the following way. When a document of size $s$ is requested and found in the cache, then with probability $p_s$ it is moved to the front of the cache; otherwise the cache stays unchanged. Similarly, if the requested document of size $s$ is not found in the cache, the algorithm places it with probability $p_s$ to the front of the cache or leaves the cache unchanged with the complementary probability $(1-p_s)$. The successive randomized decisions are independent and the corresponding success probabilities $p_s$ are completely determined by the size of the currently requested document. In the case of a replacement, the necessary number of documents that are least recently moved to the front of the cache are removed in order to accommodate the newly placed document.In this framework, we provide explicit asymptotic characterization of the cache fault probability. Using the derived result we prove that the asymptotic performance of this class of algorithms is optimized when the randomization probabilities are chosen to be inversely proportional to document sizes. In addition, for this optimized and easy-to-implement policy, we show that its performance is within a constant factor from the optimal static algorithm.
Respiratory Responses of Exercising Asthmatic Volunteers Exposed to Sulfuric Acid Aerosol

Young asthmatic adult volunteers (N = 27) were exposed in an environmental chamber to sulfuric acid aerosol at concentrations near 0, 122, 242, and 410 μg/m3, in purified background air at 22° C and 50 percent relative humidity. The polydisperse aerosol had a mass median aerodynamic diameter near 0.6 μm. Exposures occurred in random order at one-week intervals. Each lasted 1 h, during which subjects exercised (mean ventilation 42 L/min) and rested during alternate 10-min periods. Specific airway resistance and forced expiratory function were measured pre-exposure, after the initial exercise, and at end-exposure. Bronchial reactivity was determined by challenge with cold air immediately post-exposure. Symptoms were monitored during exposure for one week afterward. Exercise-induced bronchospasm was observed under all conditions. Physiologic and symptom changes possibly attributable to sulfuric acid exposure were small and not statistically significant. Our largely negative results contrast with positive fin...
Des-Arg10-kallidin Engagement of the B1 Receptor Stimulates Type I Collagen Synthesis via Stabilization of Connective Tissue Growth Factor mRNA

Abstract Expression of the kinin B1 receptor is up-regulated in chronic inflammatory and fibrotic disorders; however, little is known about its role in fibrogenesis. We examined human embryonic lung fibroblasts that constitutively express the B1 receptor and report that engagement of the B1 receptor by des-Arg10-kallidin stabilized connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA, stimulated an increase in α1(I) collagen mRNA, and stimulated type I collagen production. These events were not observed in B2 receptor-activated fibroblasts. In addition, B1 receptor activation by des-Arg10-kallidin induced a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ that is consistent with B1 receptor pharmacology. Our results show that the des-Arg10-kallidin-stimulated increase in α1(I) collagen mRNA was time- and dose-dependent, with a peak response observed at 20 h with 100 nmdes-Arg10-kallidin. The increase in CTGF mRNA was also time- and dose-dependent, with a peak response observed at 4 h with 100 nm des-Arg10-kallidin. The increase in CTGF mRNA was blocked by the B1 receptor antagonist des-Arg10,Leu9-kallidin. Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide did not block the des-Arg10-kallidin-induced increase in CTGF mRNA. These results suggest that engagement of the kinin B1 receptor contributes to fibrogenesis through increased expression of CTGF.
The Efficiency of Carotene as Supplied by Alfalfa Meal in Meeting the Vitamin A Requirements of Laying Hens

Abstract IT HAS been only during the past few years that any attempt has been made to determine the quantity of vitamin A required to maintain laying hens in good physical condition and promote good egg production. Sherwood and Fraps (1932, 1934, and 1935) have made extensive studies on the vitamin A requirements of laying hens and the effect of varying amounts of vitamin A in the ration fed in the form of yellow corn and alfalfa upon the livability, body weight, and egg production of the hen, hatchability of the eggs, and the amount of vitamin A in the egg yolks. Bearse and Miller (1937) have shown the relationship between the vitamin A content of the ration and the vitamin A content of the egg yolk and the effect upon hatchability and chick livability. In most sections of Idaho corn is not produced and, consequently, a large number of the . . .
Molecular Therapies for Colorectal Cancer Metastatic to the Liver

Colorectal cancers are the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancers and will account for over 56,000 deaths in the United States in 2002. A majority of patients with advanced colorectal cancer develop liver metastases during the course of their disease. Treatment of colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver by surgery or chemotherapy is limited and most patients succumb to their disease. Therefore, a broad spectrum of novel treatments, including innovative molecular therapies such as gene and immunotherapy or replication-competent viral therapy, is under preclinical investigation and several clinical trials are in progress. Here we review molecular therapies for colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver.
TU-EE-A4-01: Clinical Experience with a 3-D Ultrasound Prostate Localization System

Purpose: 3-D ultrasound localization has been performed for external beam prostate treatments at our institution since September 2001. This poster presents an analysis of the daily shifts for 198 patients and 4855 fractions, and the results of tests performed to assess the system's performance and capabilities under clinical conditions. Method and Materials: All patients were treated supine, using a rectal balloon. Each day patients are initially aligned to skin marks placed by comparison of portal images with digitally reconstructed radiographs. An ultrasound image set is acquired using a 3-D ultrasound localization system (Sonarray, Varian Medical Systems), and the patient may be shifted to account for variations in prostate position. Ultrasound images and shifts were stored for every fraction. Additionally, three tests are presented: • To assess the accuracy of the shifts, 7 patients treated on a helical tomotherapy machine were localized daily using both ultrasound and a megavoltage CT scan. • To assess the extent of intra-fraction motion, ultrasound localization was repeated after treatment for 6 patients and a total of 29 fractions. • To assess the inter-user variation in shifts, four experienced operators independently localized 5 patients for 5 consecutive fractions. Results: The mean daily shift for all patients was 7.4±3.8mm. Comparison of ultrasound to MVCT showed that ultrasound localization improved alignment: the mean ultrasound-MVCT vector was 3.0±1.7mm, compared to 4.8±2.4mm between the MVCT and the skin marks. Intra-fraction motion and inter-user variation were found to be small in comparison with the daily shifts. The mean intra-fraction prostate shift was 1.9±1.0mm, and the shift was within the 3mm imaging uncertainty of the system for 25 of 29 fractions. Conclusion: Our experience shows that 3-D US localization can be a valuable tool for aligning external beam prostate patients, enabling the use of reduced margins and more aggressive fractionation schedules.
Stabilization of Organosilanetriols in Amine Matrices: Trapping Intermediates between RSi(OH)3 and (RSiO3)3- Anions§

Unless kinetically stabilized, hydroxides of silicon are unstable and readily self-condense through elimination of water molecules to yield Si−O−Si siloxane linkages. The condensation reaction is known to be very facile in the presence of acids and bases. Stabilization of three hydroxyl groups on the same silicon in acidic or basic medium assumes importance, in view of their use in the rational synthesis of metallosilicates. In the present work, the first examples of a silanetriol stabilized in a matrix of aliphatic or aromatic diamines are described. The reactions of [2,6-Me2C6H3N(SiMe3)Si(OH)3] (1b) with equimolar amounts of piperazine (PIP), 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO), and 4,4‘-bipyridine (BPY) yield [{2,6-Me2C6H3N(SiMe3)Si(OH)3}{PIP}] (2), [{2,6-Me2C6H3N(SiMe3)Si(OH)3}{DABCO}{1,4-dioxane}0.5] (3), and [{2,6-Me2C6H3N(SiMe3)Si(OH)3}{BPY}1.5] (4), respectively. These assemblies have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR (1H and 13C) spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffrac...
Engaging national organizations for knowledge translation: Comparative case studies in knowledge value mapping

Background: Government sponsors of research and development, along with their funded investigators, are increasingly tasked with demonstrating evidence of knowledge use by nontraditional audiences. This requires efforts to translate their findings for effective communication. For technology-related knowledge, these audiences include clinicians, consumers, manufacturers, public policy agencies, and knowledge brokers. One potentially efficient approach is to communicate research findings through relevant national organizations. However, this requires an understanding of how such organizations view and treat research knowledge, which can be determined through knowledge-value mapping. Do knowledge values differ between national organizations representing different audiences? Can a deeper understanding of knowledge values help sponsors, investigators, and organizations better communicate research findings to stakeholders? Methods: A series of comparative case studies on knowledge-value mapping were derived through interviews with spokespersons for six national organizations. The semi-structured interviews followed a 10-item questionnaire to characterize different ways in which each organization engages with research-based knowledge. Each participating organization represents a particular stakeholder group, while all share a common interest in the research subject matter. Results: Each national organization considers the value of the research knowledge in the context of their organization’s mission and the interests of their members. All are interested in collaborating with researchers to share relevant findings, while they vary along the following dimensions of knowledge engagement: create, identify, translate, adapt, communicate, use, promote, absorptive capacity, and recommendations for facilitation. Conclusions: The principles of knowledge translation suggest that investigators can increase use by tailoring the format and context of their findings to the absorptive capacity of nonscholars. Greater absorption should result in higher levels of knowledge awareness, interest, and use, which can then be documented. National organizations and their members, in turn, can strive to optimize their absorptive capacities regarding the state of the sciences. This combination will ensure the highest possible return on public investment in research activities. This knowledge-value mapping study concludes that national organizations are appropriate channels for communicating research findings and for meeting statutory requirements and general expectations for generating and documenting knowledge use.
MODERN EUROPE Histoire agraire de la France au XVIIIe siècle . By Gérard Béaur. Paris: Éditions SEDES, 2000. Pp. 320. €21.13, paper.

From the 1930s through the 1970s, French historians composed some of the greatest rural historyâ€”indeed, the greatest historyâ€”ever written. Scholars such as Marc Bloch, Pierre Goubert, and Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie produced extraordinary works of social history, which pioneered in borrowing techniques from other fields such as geography, demography, and anthropology. Many of their best booksâ€”such as Ladurie's Peasants of Languedoc (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1974)â€”were local or regional studies; and although they were by and large uninformed by neoclassical economics, they created a consensus about the rural economy of Old Regime France. According to that consensus, French agriculture stagnated because rising population levels fragmented landholdings, and because the peasants' attitudes and village institutions blocked economic growth. The consensus endured for a number of years, but it has now begun to collapse under the weight of exciting new research conducted on both sides of the Atlantic. Some of this research is cliometric; some is innovative social history. Nearly all of it is fascinating, but it is proliferating at such a rate that it is hard to keep track of, even for the specialist. It is even harder to see whether a new consensus is beginning to form.